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berenwrites · 2 years ago

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Whole New Us Ch15 - Stranger Things - Steddie

Whole New Us: Trauma Bonded and Beyond

Also on AO3 | Or here CH1 | CH2 | CH3 | CH4 | CH5 | CH6 | CH7 | CH8 | CH9 | CH10 | CH11 | CH12 | CH13 | CH14 | CH15 | CH16 | CH17 | CH18 | CH19 | CH20 | CH21 | CH22 | CH23 | CH24 | CH25 (Mature) | CH25 (Fade to black) COMPLETE

Summary: Steve has been ignoring his own problems, he’s been busy. They’ve all been busy, preoccupied with fixing everything that was broken. Vecna has been defeated, but the Upside Down is still there, and the gates are not completely closed even though Hawkins has almost returned to normal. It’s been a couple of months and the aftereffects of Steve’s encounter with the demobats is about to come back to bite him. However, it also brings some unexpected hope.

Pairing: steddie (Steve Harrington/Eddie Munson)

Rating: Teen (with mature content in later chapters)

Chapter 15. Superpower Unlocked

“Harrington, you better wake up soon because I am bored as hell, and you know what trouble I get into when I’m bored.”

The fact Steve climbed back to consciousness to hear the same voice he had been listening to when he left it, confused his slow thoughts for a while. At least Eddie didn’t sound desperate anymore. He hadn’t liked the broken edge in Eddie’s voice the last time he had heard it.

Then his memory caught up and he remembered he had been the cause of that desperation.

“The kids are all going to descend on this room again any minute, and I can’t fend them off by myself,” Eddie rambled on. “Robin will be back in an hour or so, but until then I’m the last line of defence and it would be much easier if you’d get off your lazy butt and open your eyes. I’m not going to stand for it much longer.”

“Sssh,” Steve managed to whisper, “some of us are trying to sleep.”

Making his eyes stay open for more than a second at a time was harder, but he was doing his best.

“Steve!”

Eddie’s blurred face appeared in his line of vision, so he blinked a few more times to see if he could get it to come into focus.

“Hi,” he said, and his throat felt like it had been sandblasted.

“Hi yourself,” Eddie replied. “How are you feeling?”

He hadn’t got that far in his mental reawakening, so Steve did a quick check, even moving slightly to find out.

“I don’t hurt,” he said, much to his own shock.

“Yeah, well, another superpower unlocked,” Eddie told him. “Apparently, if we’re really badly injured, we shut down to heal. The brains think that’s what I did after I was attacked by the bats. But just in case you get any stupid ideas in your head, we are never testing that one out again. Got it?”

“Okay,” he agreed, even though they both knew if it was ever one of them or the kids, it would definitely be them.

He lifted his hand and patted his face, checking what he already suspected.

“Why is there a tube up my nose and down my throat?” he asked.

“Feeding tube,” Eddie said. “The more fuel we have the faster we heal, apparently. They’ve been pumping you full of everything you need.”

At least that made sense.

Looking around the room, the first thing he noticed was there weren’t any windows.

“Where are we?” he asked.

“Government lab, they apparently refurbished a lot more of Hawkins Labs then they were letting on to most people,” Eddie told him in a surprisingly nonchalant tone, considering the twist it caused in Steve’s stomach. “But don’t worry, El has been saying jump and they’ve been asking how high. Love that kid the more I get to know her. Glad she’s on our side. Man is she scary when she’s annoyed.”

“Yeah,” Steve agreed, doing his very best to squash the panic rising in his chest.

The memory of metal bonds and electricity flashed into his head, the fear and the pain scorching through him as though they were real.

“Hey, hey, Steve.”

Hands gently cupped both sides of his face as Eddie stared into his eyes.

“It’s okay, you’re safe,” Eddie told him, firmly and calmly. “We let them bring you here because a normal hospital wouldn’t have known what to do, but we won’t leave you alone and we’re taking you home as soon as you’re strong enough. No one is going to be allowed to hurt you again, are we clear?”

Eddie’s eyes flashed red as he said the last part and Steve had no choice but to believe him.

“Steve, talk to me,” Eddie said, gaze searching his face. “Do you understand.”

He nodded, even as his chest still felt tight.

“Hell, sweetheart,” Eddie said, “for once we’re going to keep you safe.”

Eddie kissed him on the forehead before moving away a little. The moment Eddie wasn’t in his personal space anymore, Steve felt bereft.

“Okay,” was the best he could do, “sorry.”

“No apologising,” Eddie told him, taking his hand. “You haven’t done anything wrong.”

“Sorry,” he said automatically.

“If you don’t stop saying sorry,” Eddie said, giving him a playful smile that almost reached his eyes, “I’m gonna climb up there and hug you so hard you can’t say it, and I’ll keep doing it and embarrass the hell out of you in front of the kids.”

Steve felt tears stinging the back of his eyes as he tried very hard not to completely fall apart. He was used to being the strong one, holding it together in his role as protector, but he felt so broken. The hum of Eddie in the back of his brain wasn’t enough as he struggled.

“Sorry,” he said in a tiny little voice.

“Oh, Stevie, sweetheart,” Eddie said, already moving. “All you had to do was ask.”

Shucking off his jacket and shoes, Eddie climbed onto the bed. Steve moved to the side and let Eddie pull him close, wrapping strong arms around him. That’s when the tears came. He couldn’t stop them as everything came pouring out. The terror, the anger, the shame, they all mixed together in wracking, unstoppable sobs.

“I’ve got you, Stevie,” Eddie whispered into his hair, “I’ve got you.”

It was unpleasant crying with a tube up his nose, but it was cathartic, and Eddie held him tight. In the end he missed most of the consequences because it turned out he was still on the wrong side of exhausted and he slipped back into sleep in Eddie’s arms.

~*~

When Steve woke a second time, there were familiar voices talking in excited whispers.

“Henderson, if you wake up Steve, I will personally spank you,” Eddie said in a hushed tone.

“That’s child abuse,” Dustin replied, and Steve could hear the outrage.

He couldn’t help smiling into Eddie’s neck.

“I’d pay money to see that,” he croaked quietly.

“Hey, Stevie,” Eddie said, shifting a little, but not letting go, which Steve greatly appreciated, “welcome back. You sound like you could do with some water.”

He nodded, his throat still felt like it had been grated and he’d cried, so it was even worse. Leaving the comfort of Eddie’s arms was very low on his to-do list, but he was pretty sure drinking would not go well if he didn’t. There was the sound of plastic hitting plastic, so he carefully pushed himself away from Eddie’s side.

Blinking a couple of times as he sat up, he finally looked around the room.

“Hi,” he said, voice almost disappearing entirely as he took in Dustin, El, Mike, and Lucas squashed onto two chairs and Robin standing up pouring him some water.

“Here you go, Dingus,” Robin said, giving him a small smile that did nothing to hide her worry. “How are you feeling?”

“Thanks,” he replied as he did his best to figure out an answer to her question.

He sipped the water as he thought about it.

“Better than expected,” is what he chose to say.

That was when he noticed his pinky finger on his right hand, the one where his tormentors had extracted the claw to add to their specimen pile. It looked whole and undamaged. He flexed his fingers and forced out the claws, astonished when everything seemed perfectly normal. Shocked he ran his tongue carefully against the back of his teeth, lifting his hand to his mouth just to make sure of what he found.

“They grew back,” he said in wonder. “They grew back in three days.”

“Actually, they grew back in one,” Eddie told him.

“Yeah, the rest of the time you were fixing the three really big holes in you,” Robin said and gave him a glare, as if she was annoyed with him.

When she reached out and took his hand, he knew she didn’t mean it.

“Never do that again,” she told him firmly.

“I will do my very best,” he promised and tried to ignore the prickling behind his eyes.

He refused to cry again after only waking up less than five minutes before.

“My turn,” Robin said, giving Eddie a look.

“As my lady wishes,” Eddie replied grandly, even as he went to climb off the bed.

Steve had to bite his lip to prevent himself making an embarrassing noise at the loss of contact. He didn’t have to worry for long, however, because Robin insinuated herself into Eddie’s previous spot and pulled him close. Eddie was kind enough to take the water from him, so he didn’t spill it.

“Relax, Steve,” Robin said gently, “we’ve got you. Dustin even wanted to make a rota.”

He managed a small laugh at that, but it sounded kind of watery, even to him.

“At least I didn’t want to colour code it,” Dustin piped up. “You know if Nancy was here, she would have.”

“This isn’t the biggest bed,” he said, letting himself rest in his best friend’s embrace, “but I’m sure there’s room for more.”

Dustin didn’t need telling twice, coming round to his other side. It was a bit of a squeeze, but El and Dustin ended up sitting on his right side with Lucas and Mike taking places on the end of the bed while Eddie watched them smiling fondly. Steve felt safe for the first time since two strangers had walked into Family Video.

“Okay,” he said once everyone was comfortable, “tell me everything I missed. I want the whole story.”

It was far easier to focus on what his found-family had done to get him back than what he had been going through. Laying there and letting Robin play with his hair, he listened as everyone began to tell their tale.

As it turned out, when it was an extreme situation, Steve was capable of sending actual mental images to Eddie rather than just impressions, which probably explained the dreams he’d been having of Eddie all those months. It seemed given the right impetus it worked outside the Upside Down too.

“Did you… while I..?” Steve had to ask when he heard the details about that.

“I got echoes while they had you,” Eddie told him, “but nothing like when they first grabbed you. I got the impression you really wanted me to know that first time.”

Relieved Eddie had not had to suffer with him, he nodded, but he couldn’t find his voice to speak. He remembered all too clearly the desperation to make sure Eddie was not in danger too.

“And it turns out I do not react well to you being in danger and in pain,” was Eddie’s next comment on the matter. “Had to read in my guys because I went full vamp right in the middle of rehearsal.”

“Gareth took out one of the Russians with drumsticks,” Mike added, apparently impressed by that.

“Never knew he could be so aggressive,” Eddie agreed. “He mentioned taking some self-defence classes since spring break, but I’m not sure drumsticks were in the curriculum.”

“It’s always the quiet ones you have to watch,” Steve said while valiantly trying to keep his eyes open.

He was warm and safe, so it was hard.

“Owens was doing his best, but the government is full of bureaucrats,” Dustin was saying when he zoned back in and realised he had drifted off for a little while. “We took one of his encrypted radios and got on the move before Eddie spontaneously combusted.”

“The government can kiss my ass,” Eddie said. “There was no time for forms in triplicate.”

“We always have to do it ourselves,” Mike concluded. “How did they miss another Russian base? Did they not look? Are they mouthbreathing morons?”

The kid’s utter disgust made Steve smile.

“At least they showed up to finish everything,” Lucas said. “There were more people there than we could have dealt with.”

“They have their uses,” El said with a nod. “We are much better at this than they are though.”

And Steve couldn’t disagree. However, that sent the conversation on a tangent that he was too sleepy to follow, and he drifted off again as Dustin and Mike debated which was the biggest disaster the government had managed in Hawkins to date.

End of Chapter 15

Chapter 16

#stranger things fanfiction #steddie #steve harrington/eddie munson #steve x eddie #steve harrington #eddie munson #eddie lives #stranger things #st: whole new us #fanfic #post season 4 #vampires #kind of vampires #hurt/comfort

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parcequecestnotreprojeeeet · 2 years ago

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Hello! It’s Winter! Hope everyone is doing well! This story comes from past articles that referred to B as a cougar.

Cougar

He watched closely as his granddaughter worked on her homework at the dining room table. To keep himself occupied, he brought some files from work and sat beside her.

“Brigitte!” Emmanuel called out. “Do you need any assistance?”

His wife was in the kitchen preparing dinner for the 3 of them. The smell of the chicken made his stomach growl. He was getting hungry and hoped to hurry things along.

“No, Cherie. I’ll call you when it’s ready” Brigitte yelled back. “About 5 more minutes”

Laurence’s daughter was spending a Sunday afternoon with her grandparents. She had packed her homework so Emmanuel could help her with the difficult subjects. It was an undisputed fact that he was the smartest person in their very intelligent family.

“Daddy” she looked up from her Science textbook. “What’s a cougar?”

“It’s basically a large cat. They live in the wild'' Emmanuel explained without going into great detail. The child was only 8 years old, therefore, there was no need to get technical.

The little girl scratched her head. “So, why do people call Mamie a cougar?”

Brigitte had stepped into the room at the same time the question was being asked.

“Who calls Mamie that?” Emmanuel asked defensively. He made eye contact with his wife as she stood in the entryway. Horror was written all over her face.

Brigitte listened intently as Emmanuel continued his line of questioning. “Where did you hear that, honey? And from whom?”

“One of my classmates told me that Mamie is a cougar,” she explained innocently.

Emmanuel placed a hand on his granddaughter’s shoulder. “Sweetie, please don’t repeat what you’ve heard. It’s best to ignore that kid.”

This was alarming. Children at her age shouldn’t know the slang definition of the word “cougar”. He was not impressed that a young child was talking this way in school. Nor did Emmanuel appreciate his wife being called such a derogatory word. She wasn’t a cougar. She was his wife.

“It’s not just one kid, daddy! Others say it too!” The young girl explained. “Especially the older boys! But I know Mamie isn’t a cat”

“It’s time for dinner,” Brigitte whispered, hardly getting the words out.

Brigitte sat silently through their meal. She moved her fork around the plate without even taking a bite of her salad. After many years together, Emmanuel was able to read his wife extremely well. Once they cleaned the dishes, he asked to speak to Brigitte in private, leaving their granddaughter alone to watch television.

“Do you hear what they say about me!?!” Brigitte shouted as soon as they closed their bedroom door. “And that’s from the mouths of children!!! I can only imagine what is being said by their parents!”

He tried to calm her down. “Cherie, who cares what people think? We know the truth”

She slammed her fist down on the wooden dresser. “I’m not a cougar!!! I didn’t chase you! I don’t go after young men! These idiots make it sound like I’m hunting for teenagers on a regular basis! You were the exception!”

“I know that, baby. I hate these double standards” Emmanuel agreed.

“You’re hailed a hero for finding an older woman while I’m seen as a predator! It’s not fair!” Brigitte wasn’t ready to calm down. In fact, she was more heated than before. No one knew their whole story except the two of them.

He guided her to their bed, coaxing her to sit down. “Sssh, please don’t work yourself up based on what others are saying about our relationship. These fools don’t know us.”

Emmanuel soothingly stroked her head.

“Stop it! I’m not some child you can console!!” She barked.

“Keep your voice down, please. Your temper isn’t going to fix anything and you’ll scare the child”

“Oh! So, now I’m scary?!” Brigitte snapped. “I can’t win!!”

He planted a deep, passionate kiss on her lips. It was the only way he could get her to stop yelling.

She pulled away breathlessly.

“Are you feeling better?” He smirked, knowing his action had worked.

“No… but now I need something else” she licked her lips.

Emmanuel quickly opened the door and called out to their granddaughter: “Mamie and I will be out shortly, about 15 minutes. Just keep watching television.”

And with that, he locked the bedroom door and tended to his wife.

Hellooo Winter! ❤️

Emmanuel all innocent explaining cougar was a cat... 😅

That’s the thing with kids, they have no filter and they reproduce everything they ear at home/school. Poor Brigitte 🙁

But Emmanuel always finds a way to make her feel better 🤭😈

Thank you so much, Winter! ❤️❤️❤️

#fanfic #winter

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astrollogus · 5 years ago

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@sunny-swordsman

“What have I been up to? Oh, you know... nothing. Like I have been doing for the past couple of years.”

#HAVE A SAD GROUCH #I know this is more than one line but SSSH #ic #v: main #sunnyswordsman

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queenshelby · 3 years ago

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Teacher’s Pet

31 Days of Kink: Day 7

Pairing: Cillian Murphy x Reader

Words: 1378

Warning: Smut, Teacher/Student, Age Gap

Imagine starting drama school during your first year of university and having Cillian Murphy as a temporary drama teacher while your professor has taken six weeks off to recover from a broken leg.

But, Cillian and you aren’t exactly seeing eye to eye and you were asked to meet Cillian in his office to discuss some recent issues that have arisen in your performance.

***

‘You are difficult, you know that’ Cillian murmured, his smile faded, his face hardened, and his eyes narrowed. You had yet again complained about your schedule.

‘I am difficult? I think you are the one who is difficult. I have been trying my best here and you keep rearranging everything…’ you said as you felt your stomach tighten. Immediately, you knew that you screwed up again because you secretly desired Cillian, a man twice your age, and the worst of it all was that you knew he was right when he criticised you and your performance.

‘Have you?’ he asked, his voice stern.

‘Have I what?’ you asked.

‘Have you been trying your best? Because it sure doesn’t look like it to me’ Cillian said, referring to you having forgotten your lines several times over the last few days.

‘I am distracted, I am sorry’ you huffed.

‘By what?’ he asked and you sure didn’t want to respond to this question.

But he already knew your answer. He has seen the way you kept looking at him.

‘I need you to tell me what has been distracting you so that I can help you Y/N’ Cillian said.

‘It is you who distracts me and, unless you are going to fuck me over this table right now, I will probably continue to be distracted for the auditions this afternoon’ you huffed as you knew that, by the way things were going, you may as well cancel your drama school enrolment.

Cillian chuckled and moved quicker than you thought possible, grabbing your waist, hoisting your up off your chair and onto your feet.

‘I’ve got 45 minutes Y/N…you better remember your lines after this’ Cillian said, quickly pressing his lips onto your before spinning you around to face his desk.

He had been wanting you since the moment you walked into his class. Of course, it was inappropriate but his desire had finally gotten the better of him when the words left your lips.

His chest pressed against your back and you previously pounding heart doubled its pace as you felt incredibly turned on.

His breath was hot on your skin as he kissed his way from the nape of your neck up to your ear where he took your earlobe into his mouth and tugged at it gently with his teeth before whispering in your ear ‘Is this what you want.’

‘Yes’ you moaned, your head falling back against his shoulder as your eyes closed.

‘Don’t make a sound’ Cillian’s inducted as his hand slid beneath your cotton skirt and into your panties where his fingers found your already soaking wet slit.

He traced the edges of your pussy with the tips of his fingers, never directly touching your clit but getting just close enough to make you ache with anticipation. He continually dipped the first knuckle into you, but never enough to satisfy the desire to be filled that pulsed inside you.

As he teased you, you could feel the bulge in his pants pressed against you growing. All you wanted was his cock inside you. You moaned and tried to grind against his teasing hand, shifting your hips in an attempt to get his fingers where you wanted them, but he continuously rebuffed your attempts.

After what felt like hours of teasing, his hand left you and you felt him unbuckle his belt and push his pants off.

Cillian pushed your skirt up and, when his body came back against yours, you felt his hard member pressing against your panties.

‘Please, please just fuck me’ you moaned as Cillian finally pushed your panties down to your knees.

‘One thing you really need to learn is to be patient’ he then growled as he moved his fingers adeptly through your folds, finding all your most sensitive spots, rolling around and over your clit, probing inside you deeper and deeper, making you groan with pleasure and fuelling your desire even further to get him in you.

You could feel the precum oozing from the tip of his cock, smearing on your ass as he slid back and forth between it. You tightened your glute muscles around him and felt his girth slipping between you.

Then, all of a sudden, he removed his hands from your aching mound and reach for his wallet on the desk, pulling out a condom.

You heard Cillian opening the packet just before he rolled the condom onto his hard shaft. The sound of it made you ache for him even more, knowing that he would be inside you any moment now.

‘Spread your legs for me’ he instructed before he aligned the head of his cock with your entrance.

Instead of pushing into you however, he began to slowly pull you back onto his length. As the tip entered you, you felt your walls stretch to accommodate his girth. It was uncomfortable for a moment, but he went slowly and you soon adjusted.

You slowly took inch by inch, moaning a long guttural moan that seemed to be pushed out of you at the same rate that he filled you.

‘Sssh, we don’t want anyone to hear us, do we?’ Cillian whispered, his breath changing.

Eventually you felt his tip bump into your cervix and Cillian came to a halt, allowing you to adjust to his size.

Once he felt you relax, he quickly backed 3 or 4 inches out of you and then thrust inside you again, being sure to stop just short of your cervix.

From that point forward you were lost in the moment. You bounced back against Cillian’s cock which he met with equal thrusts, each time the head of his cock stretching you and pressing against your g-spot as he slid deeper inside you. You had never felt so full and satisfied in your life. With each thrust you felt the heat and tension building deep inside you.

‘Are you going cum for me?’ Cillian groaned as he could feel your legs shivering and your walls tightening.

In the heat of the moment, with his hands on your waist, holding you firmly, and his cock buried in your pussy, you couldn’t hold back much longer.

‘Oh my god, oh my god!’ you moaned in response and Cillian’s hand immediately moved onto your mouth to cover your moans.

Your moans became more and more desperate and your hands clenched the front end of the desk while your eyes slammed shut as you felt the explosion erupt inside you.

‘That’s it’ Cillian moaned as your legs shook uncontrollably and you could barely breathe as your walls spasmed around Cillian’s pistoning cock. When your voice finally returned you let out a wailing scream as you rode through wave after wave of bliss.

Even after your orgasm had subsided, your body twitched and convulsed involuntarily as the aftershocks of being so satisfied rippled through your body. Through it all, Cillian continued his onslaught, watching as you writhed before him, your figure reacting to him in every way he could have wanted. He watched as your pussy gushed around him, dripping all over the floor.

He tried to hold off his own pending orgasm, but the ferocity with which your spasming walls gripped and milked at his cock was too much. As your orgasm began to subside, he could hold out no longer. He groaned and thrust deep inside your as he felt his balls tighten and begin to unload his cum. You felt his already thick shaft swell inside you and begin to twitch and pulse.

When he had finally finished, he pulled out of you and quickly disposed of the condom.

‘Right Y/N, you’ve got what you wanted, now repeat your lines for me’ Cillian smirked as he zipped up his jeans.

Tag List (Cillian):

@lilymurphy03 @deefigs @theflamecrystal @desperate-and-broken @weepingstudentfishhorse @livinginfantaxy @rosey1981 @atomicsoulcollecto @peakyboyslover @nerdy4itall @elenavampire21 @hanster1998 @mariapaiva13 @fairypitou @harry-is-my-sunflower @zozeebo @lauren-raines-x @kasaikawa @littlewierdalien @sad-huffle-nerd @theflamecrystal @peakymalfoyscullymulder @themissthang @0ghostwriter0 @stylescanbeatmyback @1-800-peakyblinders @datewithgianni @momoneymolife @ntmynouis @lilymurphy03 @mcntsee@cloudofdisney @missymurphy1985 @peakymalfoyscullymulder @otterly-fey @janelongxox @uchihacumdump @basiclassy @being-worthy @chaotic-bean-of-smolness @margoo0 @chocolatehalo

Cannot Tag (please check your settings):

@l0tsofpennies @trolleydolly @avonlady1985 @chrisevanshoeee @daydreamingnymph @fookingshelby

#cillian murphy #cillian murphy smut #Cillian Murphy x Reader #cillian murphy imagine

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imperfectcourt · 3 years ago

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Andreil Prompt:

Neil is an Assassin. Some day something goes very, very wrong. So the first time Andrew meets Neil, Neil has to explain to him that he accidentally poisened him and Andrew has to go to the hospital to get the antidote.

So I was really unsure about this but when I got going I got really excited about it! But I also COMPLETELY MISSED the line where it said "the first time" so this is very much not the first time they meet ;__; sorry! I hope you like it though!

Neil had never panicked on a job before. He’d never made a mistake or killed the wrong person or not killed the right person. He could kill whoever he was told to kill, he could kill however he was told to kill, and he could be whoever he was told to be in order to do it.

Killing Andrew Minyard was the worst and last mistake Neil would ever make.

Worming his way into A. Minyard’s life hadn’t been easy but it had been natural- the most honest work of his filthy, bloody life.

It had to be this way. It couldn’t look like a typical mob hit, anything abrupt and easy would look suspicious. The call had to come from inside the house, or so they say.

Neil tipped the vial into the remnants of the whiskey bottle and poured two modest glasses. It wouldn’t be pleasant for him but he’d built up enough of a tolerance to survive. Odorless, collarless, no paper trail. He’d suffer some hallucinations and maybe some minor liver damage but he’d live and after tonight he’d be free. No more Moriyama’s. No more contracts. No more death.

No more Andrew.

Neil brought one glass up to swirl, smell, sniff, and sip. A perfectly normal glass of whiskey. He brought out onto the small balcony and put them on the rickety table between two lawn chairs. Andrew picked his up and didn’t make the small cheers motion he always did as a silent thanks, didn’t drink. He’d been staring at his closed phone for the last half hour. Neil knew he would say what was wrong in time (if there was time).

“There’s something I need to tell you,” he said after several long minutes, punctuating the statement with a sip. Guess there was time, after all. Neil sat sideways on his chair so he could watch Andrew light a cigarette.

“That sounds ominous. You’re not a murderer are you?”

Andrew’s top lip curled in a small, vicious smile. “That’s a truth for a different day.”

No, it wasn’t, and Neil found himself reaching for another mouthful of whiskey. Andrew raised a brow at this, having caught on a while ago that Neil liked to draw the drink out as long as possible if it meant he didn’t have to go home yet.

“It’s nothing to form a drinking habit over, calm down.” Andrew took up his drink again and every sip he took felt like friendly fire. “You’re going to see something on the news tomorrow and I’d rather tell you myself than get pissy with me for not bringing it up sooner.”

“Secrets secrets are no fun,” Neil parroted. Andrew kicked out his socked foot to hit Neil’s heel and didn’t pull it back.

“A story will be dropping about my brother’s involvement in a gang bust tonight. Just got word that everything went well but his services had been needed on sight.” With the hand that held the cigarette, he gave his cellphone a little shake.

“You have a brother?” That hadn’t been in the assignment, but family matters were often left out for jobs like this. He couldn’t go in knowing too much and risk exposing himself.

“My twin.”

“You have a twin?”

Andrew threw back the rest of his drink and waved it at Neil’s face. “The only reason I’m telling you is because you’re going to see him parading around on t.v. with my face. We’re not that close.”

A gang bust. Big enough for national news. That couldn’t- that would mean-

“What’s his name?”

“Aaron.”

“A. Minyard. Doctor Aaron Minyard.”

Andrew froze. Looked at Neil so expressionless he might as well have been stone. “I never said he was a doctor.”

He didn’t have to. Dr. A Minyard. Fox affiliated attached to a photograph. Andrew had his PhD and his connection to Kevin Day was easy enough to find if you knew where to look. The Foxes were an elusive bunch of vigilantes but everyone had heard of Kevin Day, son of the founders of the Foxes.

Neil had never made a mistake before and killing Andrew Minyard was the biggest mistake of his life. He knocked the glass from Andrew’s hand only because Andrew let him.

“Now, right now,” he changed, grabbing Andrew by the sleeve and tugging him back inside. It only worked because Andrew let him. Andrew was always letting Neil, trusting Neil. And for what? For this?

Neil let go when he was sure Andrew would follow him and rushed to the tiny kitchen. He took the water glass by the sink and upended the entire salt shaker into it.

“Drink this right now,” he ordered Andrew.

Andrew did not take it.

“Andrew, trust me just one last time. Just this one last time trust me and drink this. Just this once. Just this one last time.” There was time. There was barely time. It had been less than a minute, there had to be time.

Neil didn’t know what he would do if Andrew didn’t drink, if Neil killed him for nothing. No matter what the outcome, no matter Andrew's decision, Neil would die either way.

Andrew took the salt water, drank the whole thing, and promptly threw up in the sink.

Neil watched, hands in his hair and tears clouding his eyes as Andrew righted himself, wiping at his mouth with the back of his wrist.

“That’ll give you time to get to the hospital. You have to go now, you’ve got time.”

“I’m not going anywhere,” Andrew put his hand slowly, calmly, over Neil’s throat, “until you explain.”

He pressed him into the wall.

Neil let him.

“You were supposed to be my last one and my contract would be fulfilled,” he said.

“Explain better than that. What does this have to do with Aaron?”

“There’s no time-”

“Then make it quick.” He pressed against Neil’s throat and Neil’s hands came up instinctively to grab his arm. He stopped before making contact.

“I was born into a debt that the Moriyama’s own. I was one of their hit men. A. Minyard. Fox associate. And a picture. That was my last assignment and I could finally… I could…”

Words were getting harder. He had begun ingesting the poison before Andrew and hadn’t gotten any of it out of his system.

“You’re the only one I never…”

“Never what? Never shot like a coward? Never succeeded in killing?”

“Never wanted to.” His hands came down onto Andrew’s forearm even though he didn’t have permission. His vision was swimming around the edges and he couldn’t tell if it was because of the drug or the pressure on his trachea. “I didn’t want to kill you. H-hospital. You still need the hospital. You have time.”

“Why should I believe a single thing you say?”

“I’ve never lied to you.” It was so important for him to say that somehow the words came out with conviction. “Never lied. Andrew, you’re amazing and I love you but you need to leave right now.”

His knees gave out and for the briefest moment all of his weight was being held by the hand on his throat. Andrew lowered them both to the ground.

“What did- You idiot.” Ah, yes. He must have caught on. “You did all this to live only to fucking kill yourself? Neil. Neil… Neil!”

Neil had never panicked on a job, but he’d also never woken up in a hospital bed before. He was aware of the spike in noise before he was aware of his surroundings.

“The worst assassin in history.”

Neil groaned but didn’t yet open his eyes. His memory was just solid enough to know what he’d taken and experience told him he wasn’t ready to face the spinning world.

“Can’t say he was wrong, technically,” the same voice said.

“What kind of assassin not only chooses the wrong target but falls in love with their dumb ass?”

“This dumb ass has the same level of education as your dumb ass.”

“My dumb ass has a doctorate of medicine, not in books.”

“Literature.”

“Still dumb.”

“Sssh,” Neil breathed out, testing the waters of control and strength. He had very little of either.

“Ladies and gentlemen of the jury, the dumbest of asses.”

“Give him another hour and he might even be able to respond.”

“Now who would want that.”

The second time Neil woke up in a hospital, it was enough for him to look around and realize this was not a hospital but rather a medically furnished bedroom.

“I hate you.”

He turned his head to see Andrew slouching back in an overstuffed, wingback chair. The look on his ever-passive face was angry and Neil would take angry over dead any day.

“You made it,” he slurred. His mouth felt like cotton. “You made it,” he said again because it was right and good. “You made it.”

“Shut up.”

“I’m fine. Got a tolerance”

“Is that something they teach you in the bright sunny world of the Nest?”

Neil made a finger gun at Andrew (why?) and slowly, slowly tilted himself onto his side to see him better. Somewhere in the back of his mind he knew there were things he needed to worry about, but for now he just wanted to look.

“I’m happy you’re alive.”

“I don’t care.” And he sounded like he didn’t, but that was how he always sounded. Still Andrew. Still him. Still alive. For a long, quiet while they stared at each other.

“I have to go before the Moriyama’s come looking to do clean up. This won’t be tolerated.”

“No. It won’t be. But not by the Moriyama’s.”

Andrew stood in a motion that made him look much older than he was, tired. As he came to stand over the bed, Neil couldn’t help but stare because not killing Andrew Minyard was the only right thing he had ever done.

“The Foxes completed their take down of the Moriyama’s. It’s been all over the news, which you would have seen if you hadn’t poisoned yourself.”

The… the what? Something must have shown on Neil’s face because Andrew pressed him down into the bed a split second before he’d tried to sit up. As consciousness cleared his fog, his brain began catching up enough to understand that he wasn’t understanding. The synapses were there but they weren’t connecting.

“I don’t understand,” he whispered. Andrew’s mask twitched.

“Of course you don’t, you’ve been too deep cover to keep up with what was right under your nose. The Foxes won, there are no more Ravens, and you, Nathaniel, are a free man.”

The sound of that name, his name, sent a flinch so hard through his body that it made something cramp in his stomach. Andrew watched, bored, as he curled in on himself. If he knew that name, if his cover was blown so spectacularly, then there must be an ounce of truth to it.

“I’m just… Neil. I just want to be Neil.”

“Well, Neil.” Andrew slid his hand into Neil’s hair and squeezed, not hard but enough to tilt his head back. “If you ever do something that stupid again I will kill you myself.” Something in his eyes, however passive he tried to pull off, told Neil that Andrew was not referring to his own attempted murder.

“Were you… worried about me?” That couldn’t be right.

“I don’t know, Neil.” He kept saying his name like that and Neil didn’t know what to feel about it. “My whatever of a good stretch of time nearly killed himself. How should I be feeling?”

“I nearly killed you. I only poisoned myself a little.”

“Why?”

Why? The easy answer was forensics. Two glasses. Two drinkers. One lucky to survive the ordeal. But that wasn’t all of it. As Neil stared up up at Andrew, here at the other side of it all, he could admit to himself that he was glad for the punishment.

“Because… because I was going to kill you to save my own life and I had never hated myself for anything more than that.”

“I hate you,” Andrew spat.

“As long as you’re alive to hate me it’s fine.”

“Shut up.”

“Tell me more about the take down.”

“No.”

“Is your brother a Fox? Do I have to be killed for knowing that?”

“You have to be killed because you won’t shut your mouth.”

A good stretch of time. That’s how long Neil had been worming his way to be Andrew’s whatever. And in all that time he’d never felt safer. He lifted a shaky hand and waited. It took nearly a minute before Andrew released his hair and took the hand up in his own.

He didn’t apologize for trying to kill him. He didn’t apologize for coming into his life under false pretenses. If Andrew was there now, he trusted Neil enough to understand. They could talk about it later.

“Go back to sleep,” Andrew ordered quietly.

“So I’ll shut up?” Neil whispered back. His eyes were already drifting closed.

“Sure.”

#aftg #andreil #neil josten #andrew minyard #all for the game #my writing

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dameronology · 4 years ago

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love in the time of PTA meetings {marcus moreno} - 1/5

summary: despite what pinterest shows, being in a parent in the twenty first century is hard; especially a single parent. your kid takes up your entire life and the idea of finding a fairy tale is laughable - that is until you finally attend a p.t.a meeting and cross paths with a certain marcus moreno. {series masterlist}

warnings: i do not have children. i don’t know children work. this written entirely what i have seen them do in the sims 4. also, swearing.

- jazz

Leaving work early was never a good look.

Leaving work early because your child had managed to set fire to a trash can was...well, it was something else entirely.

After rushing out of a very important meeting and parking your car in a did-you-park-it-or-crash-it manner, you were sprinting across the play ground and towards the front entrance. Having given up half way through, you’d kicked your stupidly high heels off and held them in one hand, trying to organise your slightly disheveled hair as you entered the building. Most parents might have been nervous to collect their kid after a call from the principle, but this was a regular Tuesday for you. Jack was a good kid, perhaps just a little...misguided. In your books, it was impressive that a five year old had managed to discover pyrotechnics, though you sensed the school might have been a little less lenient about it.

‘Hey!’ You greeted the principle with a smile as you breezed through the doors.

Jack was in a chair by the front desk, a gleeful look on his face when he saw you. As far as he knew or cared, he got to go home early and watch Paw Patrol for the rest of the day.

‘Afternoon.’ He replied. ‘You’re lucky it was only a phone call.’

‘I know, I know.’ You grumbled. ‘I’m sorry. He’s...adventurous-’

‘ - he singed off his class mate’s eyebrows!’ The principle cut you off. ‘Given Monday’s biting incident, I see it fit that Jack take the rest of the week off.’

‘Right.’ You sighed. ‘Thank you. And sorry again.’

‘I’ll email you a list of...behavioural specialists.’ He muttered.

‘There’s nothing wrong with my kid. He’s just...curious.’ You insisted. ‘C’mon, buddy. Let’s go home.’

Jack sprung up from the chair, taking your hand in his and skipping out the door beside you. Parenting had been hard enough when you’d been married, and even harder now that his dad was out of the picture. It meant that everything fell on your shoulders; school runs, packed lunches, earning money, staying sane. You barely found the time to sleep, let alone go to soccer matches or take him to extra curricular activities. It meant that the stay-at-home mums - the ones who drove minivans and had specified walking shoes and shared memes about parenting on Facebook - muttered about you.

I heard Jack’s mum couldn’t make it to the parent-teacher association meeting because there was a divorce hearing.

Look at the kid’s lunch! Oh the saturated fat, the horror!

What do you MEAN your five year old isn’t vegan?!

Frankly, you wanted to whack them over the head with their own damn vision boards. So what if your kid was a little rough around the edges? He’d discovered fire today! If it had been in the stone ages, that would have been impressive. The kind of thing that would have earned him a McDonald’s, had the fast food chain been around at the dawn of time. With the way things were going, paired with the fact you knew your fridge was empty, it looked like you were heading for a Happy Meal anyway.

‘So do I get all week off?’ Jack peered up at you, tugging on your arm.

‘Yup, all week.’ You sighed. ‘But it’s not a reward, okay? It’s...’

You stopped in your tracks when you saw Marcus Moreno’s car pull up in the lot. Naturally, it was expensive and electric and perfectly between the white lines. He gave your less-than-stellar parking a frown as he breezed by - not that you noticed. Frankly, you were too busy admiring him. You saw his face more on the news than you did in person, but he was beautiful. Talk, dark, handsome and mysterious, but also...friendly and approachable. He’d held the door open for you once two years ago and that had been it for you. There had been whispers about the fact he was a widow, though you’d tried not to pay attention to them. It wasn’t anyone’s damn business. You knew he was a good dad; you’d had the chance to meet Missy when Jack had got his head stuck between the playground fence and she’d helped pull him out. She was sweet and well-behaved and clearly well brought up. Could you say the same for your own kid? Eh, parenting was all trial and error.

‘It’s what?’ Your son’s voice dragged you back to reality. ‘Am in trouble?’

‘What?!’ You jumped at the question. ‘No, I just...’

‘Because Principle Eikner said I’d done something bad.’

A small sigh escaped your mouth; placing his backpack on the ground, you knelt down to his height, gently placing your hands on his shoulder. ‘You haven’t done anything wrong, little man. We're just gonna take a few days out to talk about the rules and what it means to do the right thing, okay?’

‘Dad always said not to listen to the rules.’

‘Your dad said a lot of things.’ You reminded him. You stood back up, offering your hand to him. ‘Let’s go home.’

After a few minutes of bartering and the promise of a McDonald’s, you finally made your way back to the car, now with Jack attached to your back. If giving him a piggy back ride meant getting home quicker, it was a price you were willing to pay, especially since the other mums were starting to arrive to pick up their kids. The parking lot was slowly filling up with minivans - compared to your decade-old Honda Civic. It had seen better days, and one too many run ins with other cars and parking lot bollards. Still, it got the job done.

‘Oh, I’m so glad to see you!’ You froze in your tracks again. This time, it wasn’t because of Marcus Moreno’s otherworldly presence, but rather due to the sound of the resident soccer mum.

‘Carol.’ You turned around to face her (slowly, given the five year old on your back) with a forced smile on your face. ‘Hi.’

‘I take it you’re here for the parent-teacher’s association meeting?’ She gave you a phoney grin, handing you a leaflet. ‘I know you couldn’t make the last one, because of your...d-i-v-o-r-c-e hearings.’

‘I can spell!’ Jack chirped from behind you.

‘It’s okay, buddy.’ You reached up to ruffle his hair, smile not faltering. ‘But yeah, you’re right. And what about it?’

‘Nothing.’ Carol quickly shook her head. ‘So you are coming to this one? It starts in ten minutes.’

Truth be told, you’d no idea there was even a meeting tonight. You usually ignored the damn things until the news letter came out, and then you could read it from the comfort of your sofa with a glass of wine. There was nothing you stopping going tonight, aside from your intense hatred for them.

‘I wanna get home and watch South Park!’ Jack chirped from behind you.

‘I don’t - I mean...I don’t let my five year old watch South Park.’ You said. ‘He walked in on me watching it one time and...point is, yes, I’m here for the meeting!’

‘No, you’re not-’

‘- Jack, just sssh!’

Carol blinked in surprise, but her phoney smile returned a moment later. ‘Excellent! I’ll see you inside.’

You inwardly groaned. Why had you just done that? You fucking despised sitting in a stuffy gym for the better part of an hour, listening to the perfect mums bang on about healthy eating and limiting their kids’ internet time. You already questioned your parenting skills as it was - the meetings only made it worst. You didn’t assimilate into that crowd; they were all married, with big houses out in the ‘burbs and bank accounts that could cover their kids ever-expanding interests and activities. Meanwhile, you were living on one wage and your two-bedroom apartment had a balcony, not a back garden. If Jack wanted to go on a field trip, you usually had to save up for months. You didn’t know if you envied the other mums’ lives, but you certainly weren’t jealous of how they viewed working mums and single parents.

‘That lady is mean.’ Jack murmured from your shoulders.

‘Yeah buddy, I know.’ You nodded. ‘Guess we’re going back to school.’

Lugging the kid and his bag back up the school yard and towards the building was exhausting - at least it was your work out for the week done. By the time you’d reached the gym and placed Jack back on the ground, your shoulders were aching and you were disappointed to see that the refreshments didn’t have any alcohol. Was it too late to sneak out? The fire exit was right there and-

‘- shame this thing doesn’t have any wine, huh?’ A man was stood next to you, arms folded across his chest as he stared at the luke-warm jug of coffee on the table ahead.

Tall, dark hair, stubble and with a faint hint of expensive aftershave you pretended not to notice? Hello, Marcus Moreno. Goodbye, ability to form coherent sentences.

You blinked in surprise. ‘Yeah. I could do with a glass. Or ten.’

‘So you hate these things too, huh?’ He smiled.

‘With a passion.’ You returned the gesture. ‘I’m only here because Carol and her Karen Committee kept muttering about me not being at the last one.’

‘Yeah, same here. I was attending an emergency meeting about nuclear arms in Vienna, but I guess this is more important.’

‘I was...’ in court, signing documents to end my marriage, ‘otherwise occupied too.’

Marcus nodded in understanding. ‘Kids alone are a full time job, huh? ‘Specially when you’re the only one who’s running around after them.’

He knew about your situation and in return, figured that you knew about his. He’d heard the whispers about the divorce and presumed that the loss of his wife had been subject to similar gossip. The environment amongst the parents was shockingly similar to high school and things got around pretty quickly. You both hated it, especially given the nature of both your circumstances; death and separation was not something other people should have been talking about. Especially when you all you wanted to do was mind your own business and raise your damn (chaotic) kid.

‘Yeah, tell me about it.’ You replied. ‘My kid is like...a baby crackhead, as well. He’s been sent home twice this week and it’s only Wednesday.’

‘Oh, Jack’s your kid?’

You let out a groan, holding your face in your hands. ‘Yeah. Famously so, apparently.’

‘No, it’s not a bad thing!’ Marcus chuckled, pulling your hands away. ‘He played a brilliant baby Jesus in the Nativity last year.’

‘Aside from when he bit one of the three wise men, yeah.’ You could feel your cheeks heating up. ‘Missy actually helped him once. She seems really...not at all like my child. Which is good.’

‘She told me about the fence incident.’ He nodded. ‘May I ask why he was shoving his head out of the school gates?’

‘He saw an interesting looking slug.’ You replied.

Your conversation was interrupted by Carol, who had now climbed up on stage. She tapped the microphone and cleared her throat, gesturing to everyone to sit down so that the meeting could start. You wanted to curse her. Whatever giddy conversation you were having with Marcus was a thousand times more interesting than the PTA. At least you could revel in the fact he didn’t want to be here either.

‘Shall we?’ Marcus gestured to two empty seats a few rows back.

‘I mean, it’s an aisle seat, which is good for a quick escape if Jack decides to be Jack,’ you nodded in agreement. ‘Hey kid, c’mon!’

Turning away from the other kids, Jack sprinted towards you, hurling himself into your lap as he sat down. You let out an oof! and a groan. He wasn’t as light as he used to be a toddler. He stayed still for a moment, tiny hands clasping yours, before he realised who you were sat next to. The kids’ impression of Marcus was not quite the same as yours - he’d only seen him on TV, with the likes of all the heroes. You couldn’t remember their names (but in your defence, they were kind of ridiculous).

‘Are you a superhero?’ He reached up, poking Marcus in the cheek.

‘Jack!’ You hissed. ‘You can’t-’

‘- yeah, buddy.’ Marcus ruffled his hair. ‘But it’s my day off today, so I’m doing all this boring stuff instead.’

‘Can you fly? Do you know Miracle Guy? Have you fought aliens? Do you have a super suit? Do you know Iron Man? Wait! Can I be a superhero?!’

‘No, yes, yes, no, no and maybe when you’re older.’ He counted the questions off on his fingers. ‘But for now we have to keep quiet for the meeting. That would make you a superhero.’

You wanted to marry Marcus Moreno.

Seriously, you wanted to marry him.

His little comment had kept Jack quiet the entire meeting. And it was a long fucking meeting indeed. The last time he’d shut up for that long was...probably before he learnt to talk. You loved he was full of curiosity and questions, but he didn’t always understand that there was a time and a place. At least now you knew what would shut him up.

‘How does Miracle Guy fly? Is Batman real? Are you rich? Do you know Wonder Woman? How does her lasso of truth work?’

‘Jack.’ You groaned.

You were walking out of the school now and down towards the car park. Missy was in tow, tapping away on her phone, whilst Jack trotted alongside you and Marcus. He’d been spewing questions at the poor man pretty much since the meeting had ended - and yet, he seemed happy to answer them. Excited, even. It was clear that he loved his job.

‘You gotta give Mr Moreno a break, little man.’ You said.

‘Hey, just Marcus is fine.’ He replied.

‘Hey Just Marcus, I’m dad.’ Missy chimed from beside you, not even looking up from her phone. It was...impressive, actually.

‘I already regret buying her that.’ Marcus murmured.

The two of you eventually reached your cars. The Civic was still terribly parked across two spaces - you were a good driver, you’d just been in a rush. The dents and scrapes all over the doors and bumper implied other wise but hey, we move. You had a thousand and one other things to save up before a new car. Putting down the deposit on a house - one you could actually own, maybe a little further out from the city - was your number one concern. Paying off your divorce attorney came after that.

‘It was nice to meet you properly.’ You pulled your keys out your back, tugging four empty packets of crisps and three bags of gummy worms with it.

‘I’m not done asking questions-’

‘- you gotta let Marcus go, JJ.’ You peered down at Jack. ‘Sorry. He’s a little obsessed with the Heroics, but I guess you’ve worked that one out.’

‘Can I visit your base?’ He continued, ignoring you.

Marcus knelt down to his height, a grin on his face. ‘I’ve got a free window tomorrow afternoon. You wanna come by? Your mum tells me you’re off school for the rest of the week.’

‘Really?’ You blinked in surprise. ‘I mean, I’m sure he would love that but I’m at work and he’s gotta go to my mum’s.’

Your mother also doubled up as your baby-sitter. In an ideal world, you would have been able to afford a professional, but this was very much the opposite of an ideal world. It was the real world, and you were constantly juggling a thousand things at once. Never in a million years would you have changed it but there were days when you wanted to cry. When it was 9PM and Jack suddenly chimed in that he had a science project due the next day, or when he refused to eat his dinner because his chicken nuggets weren’t shaped like dinosaurs and fed them to the dog.

Marcus looked, on the surface at least, like he had his shit together. He worked in a public facing job and he always looked put together. His car wasn’t covered in bumps and bruises and the inside probably wasn’t covered in yoghurt like yours. He seemed as though he got more than five hours sleep a night and his child was well-behaved.

‘I’m sure we can work something out.’ He said. ‘If you give me your number, I’ll give you a call.’

‘Uh, yeah! Of course.’ He’d asked for your number. No big deal.

You switched phones - naturally, his was much more high-tech than yours - and entered in your respective numbers. The whole thing made you admire Marcus even more; he didn’t have to have your tyrannical son over to his office, yet he offered to. He’d clearly seen how excited he’d gotten and it seemed like he’d found it endearing.

‘Are you okay?’ Marcus asked quietly, suddenly putting his hand on your shoulder. ‘You suddenly zoned out.’

‘Yeah, sorry.’ You rubbed your eyes. ‘I got about three hours sleep last night. I would blame it on the terrible twos but I guess it’s the...fucking awful fives?’

He quickly turned his attention to Jack, opening the car door for him. ‘You wanna hop in? I’m just gonna talk to your mom about you visiting, yeah?’

'There’s Cheetos in the centre console!’ You called after him.

Once Marcus had shut the door, he turned around to face you. There was silence for a minute, and he just kind of...stared at you. You couldn’t read his expression or quite figure it out, but he had an eyebrow quirked and a look of...concern? Sympathy?

‘I recognise that look. It’s the help! I’m suddenly a single parent to a five year old and it feels like the world is eating me alive look.’ He said. ‘It’s the exact same one I had six years ago. Missy was about Jack’s age when...when it became just me and her.’

You softly smiled. ‘It’s not been easy.’

‘You’re doing a good job, okay?’ He gave your shoulder a light squeeze. ‘And if you ever need him off your hands for a few hours, I’ll gladly give him a tour of our headquarters.’

‘Thank you. So much, for both of those things.’ Your eyes fell to the ground. ‘It’s a refreshing change from Carol and her Pinterest boards and half-assed invitations to potlucks.’

‘God, I can’t stand all that.’ Marcus chuckled.

‘I gotta get back now because I can see that Jack is about smush Cheetos over my break pedals but I’ll...’ you trailed off, forcing yourself to look at him and smile. ‘I’ll call you.’

‘I look forward to it.’

#marcus moreno x reader #marcus moreno imagine #marcus moreno x you #pedro pascal characters #pedro pascal character headcanons

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redgalaxyarts · 3 years ago

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Obsession - Tamaki

Synopsis: (MxF) Tamaki is y/n's stepbrother, ever since she came into his life all those years ago he's wanted no one but her. He's tired of hearing y/n's boyfriend use her body when he knows he could do it so much better. He knows what he's about to do is wrong but he just can't seem to help himself.

Warnings: Language, DUBCON, adultery, slight domming, STEPCEST, slight tentacles, toy use, pervy Tamaki, panty sniffing, mentions of alcohol, spit, facial, oral, creampie, bruising

(3rd POV)

The dictionary definition of obsession is: an idea or thought that continually preoccupies or intrudes on a person's mind. That's exactly what was constantly stuck in Tamaki's mind every second of the day. The thought of her bent over her bed with the sheets in her mouth and tears cascading down her face while Tamaki was behind her giving her the orgasm of her life was constantly occurring in the man's head.

In their first year, she and him met when their parents introduced them to each other and announced the marriage. Ever since they had their first handshake and Tamaki felt her soft skin he was instantly drawn to her, captivated like an artist to their most finest painting. Since their first hug when he felt her plush tits brush against his chest and his cheeks turned the rosiest of red and he touched himself to sleep that night, to the first time they kissed after a heavily drunken evening when their parents skipped down and they agreed not to mention it again but Tamaki never forgot about that day. He always remembers the way her tongue slid across his and the very quietest of moans that left her mouth when he somehow gathered a handful of courage to bite her lip and pull her hair. Tamaki remembers it all, he knows it's wrong to think of his younger sister that way, but he knew it wasn't as bad as it could be since they weren't actually related, it would be okay, they'd be okay. Least, that's what he kept telling himself every night when he would steal a spare pair of panties to keep as his own just to have that smell of her next to him.

Those thoughts were running especially rampant with Tamaki hearing her pathetic excuse of a boyfriend using her as his own sex toy when she deserves to be treated better. He was locked in his room, hip-thrusting into his pillow with an ear to the wall listening to her barely moan from the "performance" the two of them were putting on.

This wasn't as loud as she could go and Tamaki knew it. He heard those lonely nights when she'd pull out her vibrator and how loud she'd get even though her face was buried into the pillow trying to keep quiet. Tamaki knows how much of a freak she is after he went into her room when she passed out and saw her lying naked with her pretty and pierced nipples laying up and open for him just asking to be sucked, it took everything in Tamaki not to have his way with her then and there.

This time was it, Tamaki had enough with fucking his pillow and whining at how pathetic it was when he could be getting the real thing if he just waited and played his cards right. So he stopped after cumming in his boxers and wiping himself clean and changing boxers, he waited until her spiky blond dog of a boyfriend left without even a goodbye to either of them, he waited until she took a shower to clean herself and get back to her room, he waited up until he heard the low buzzing of her vibrator starting up. He'd make his move now, he knows she needs him, and he's more than happy to help her.

Tamaki's heart lept out of his chest when he finally walked to her door and rested his forehead on it breathing in and out trying to calm himself. His eyes were shut into slits and his hands were shaking, he was right about to turn away until he heard it-

"Ah, fuck."

Her moan sent shivers straight to his cock. His shyness was immediately dissipated as he placed his now relaxed hand on the doorknob and turned it, practically throwing the door open in the process.

When the door hit the side of the wall the girl immediately dropped the toy and covered her bare self with her comforter. The toy rolled off the bed and onto the floor and the faint buzz in the background only drove Tamaki further to her.

"Tama, what? You okay?" She asked with a confused face.

"Lay down." He commanded, totally unlike him she thought.

"Huh? No Tamaki please leave I'm indecent right now."

"You heard what I said, lay down and open the covers." He strode farther into the room and when he got next to the bed she hugged her covers tighter to her chest.

"No-" Before she could protest, Tamaki used one of his tentacles to pull away the covers from her and her bare body was presented to him.

He kissed her with such ferocity and intimacy with one hand behind her head and onto her neck that she couldn't help but moan into his mouth. She knew it was wrong, she had a boyfriend, has, she has a boyfriend, she thought to herself. When Tamaki bit her tongue she moaned once more before pulling herself away and shaking her head.

"Tamaki I can't, what about Bakugo can't do that to him." She whispers to him while wiping her bottom lip with her thumb, not actively trying to cover herself up anymore.

"Y/n, I-I need this and I know you do too. He c-can't make you cum like I can." His normal anxious stutter comes back but his facade of dominance and confidence is still being presented behind it.

She brushes her hair to the back of her head and rubs her palms in her face and is about to protest again before a yelp rips through her mouth as she's pulled downwards on her bed and her head falls into her pillows. Her thighs are propped up onto Tamaki's shoulders and he bites into her thigh which makes her squirm and thrash, not from the feeling of it but from the conflicting emotions coursing through her.

"Tamaki n- ooohhh fuck." Her protest was cut short at the sudden long lick up her lips from the man under her. She goes to speak again but her words get stuck in her throat when she feels two slender fingers split her lips apart and a tongue graze over her clit. Her legs spazz from the sudden hit against her nerves and she's instantly enthralled at the dance happening against her pussy.

She bucks into his face when he enters two fingers inside of her, scissoring and pumping out of her to get her stretched for him. Tamaki's other hand rests on the hook of her pelvic bone and rubs circles in that area trying to comfort her and feel all of her while she takes one hand to tangle between his locks and push him farther into her pussy and she uses her other hand to twist her nipple in between her fingers.

"Holy shit Tama, yes, yes right there please." She breathes out as the man hits a particularly good spot inside of her while curling his fingers and he can already feel how close she is. He smiles into her pussy at his obsession and daydream finally coming true.

"Sssh y/n, you don't want to wake up mom and dad do you?" His words muffled from the muff in his mouth and the girl just rolls her eyes back behind her head and takes in the new speed of his fingers and tongue.

"Y-yes sir." She says, not thinking of it.

Tamaki freezes and a pang of something shoots to his cock, making it stand straighter and harder than before. He pulls away and she whimpers for him and tries to pull him back down but it's with no use as he uses his tentacles to snatch her wrists and move them above her head.

"Say it again." He says standing above her now.

"Sir."

Ecstacy shivers run through his body as he cracks his neck and smiles a wicked smile the girl's never seen before.

"On your stomach for me."

"Yes sir." The girl agrees purely motivated by the ache in her core.

Tamaki bends down to meet her at eye level and smiles as he leans in to kiss her. She smiles back with him and they share the sloppiest kiss they've ever had but the intention behind it is that most passionate thing they've ever tasted. They pull away with a string of saliva between them and the girl smiles up through her eyelashes at Tamaki as she licks it clean.

"Be good for me and take all of my cock alright?"

She nods her head and helps Tamaki step out of his boxers before his cock springs back against his pale stomach. She tries her best to hide the expression on her face but Tamaki notices it before smirking to himself at his pride. He is average size but he is girthier than she's ever seen, girthier than her boyfriend and vibrator are. She gulps and wipes away the shock before wetting her lips with her tongue and opens her mouth wide before Tamaki takes her head in his hand and guides her to his cock with his other.

"Aah, y/n, fuck." Tamaki whimpers out as he lets his head fall backward and his fingers knot into her hair and grip tightly while he waits for her to take him all the best she can. She gets halfway before choking and pulling away but she shuts her eyes and takes a deep breath before trying again and this time she gets him all the way in and Tamaki shakes in her mouth at feeling himself in her throat. His moans are quiet but so confident as he rocks his hips against her face with her now cupping his balls helping him get closer to cumming.

The sounds of gulping and moaning and still the slight buzz in the background is all that's heard in the room. She has picked up her pace with blowing him and he's holding onto her head for dear life before he reaches over and smacks her ass cheek as hard as he can and grips it tightly and he feels her moan slide from her mouth and vibrates his dick. He does it to the other one before standing up again and pulls her from his cock.

"You're such a good little sis for me huh?"

"Mhm, just for you sir."

They kiss each other slowly before he lays her onto her back and slides her up and adjusts himself between her legs, lining himself up with her.

"You ready for me?"

"Please do it, I want to cum on your cock Tama."

He moans a deep growl before he slides himself forcefully into her dripping cunt and begins his attack against her pussy. The bedframe knocks against the wall and she hurriedly reaches up and puts a pillow behind it as to not wake up their parents before her arms fall back down and grab Tamaki everywhere they can. She grips his biceps and squeezes before he hits a certain sweet spot inside of her and she lets a moan rip before Tamaki slides his palm over her mouth.

"Shut it y/n."

Her eye's shut as he thrusts harder, and their moans are quiet but forceful. Her legs wrap around his waist and her heels dig into his back as she tries to push him further in, when he does go further she feels his veins rake against her gummy walls and she feels his girth spread her wide. Her moans don't stop, so Tamaki takes the hand over her mouth, slides it down her neck, and squeezes tightly as he rams her with more force. She feels the pain in her gut and her throat but she doesn't care because of the pure pleasure she's feeling.

Her hands slide to Tamaki's back and she leaves deep scratches as he hikes her legs to her shoulders and pounds into her in the deepest spot she's felt yet. Her legs shake and her toes curl as she feels herself drawing closer. Tears are pin-pricking her eyes as the lack of oxygen and the sharp pain in her gut is getting too intense but she doesn't dare move cause she doesn't want to break from this feeling. A single tear falls and Tamaki bends down to kiss it away before releasing her throat and a deep breath is had from her but it's cut off by Tamaki's lips.

Their lips move in tandem with one another and it's as if Tamaki is giving his breath to her but she practically inhales him as she moans into his mouth. Tamaki now takes his free hand and moves it to her clit and rubs and she's seeing white. Her eyes roll to the back of her head, her legs spazz uncontrollably, her chest heaves and her breath hitches as she orgasms and tries her absolute hardest to not scream out the pleasure she just felt.

It's only a handful of more pumps before Tamaki unloads himself inside of her and his thrusts grow sloppy after he cums. They both stop and take deep pants and wipe the sweat from each other before Tamaki slowly pulls out of her and they both whine at the loss and the cum drips from her pussy.

"Fuck that's hot."

"Mhmm, towel and water please." She says with the shakiest smile and voice she's ever spoken with.

Tamaki nods and goes to the bathroom and grabs a towel and wets it and cleans her up before kissing her pussy once more as well as her lips and he quickly yet quietly runs into the kitchen to grab a bottle of water and he brings it back and helps her bring it to her lips.

"Thanks, Tama." She says with a smile before chugging half of it and sliding under her covers after setting the bottle on her dresser.

He slides in next to her and they kiss each other slowly and passionately before pulling away.

"This isn't right Tama, we can't tell anyone about this."

"Don't worry, I w-won't. You don't know how long I've wanted you."

"I do know actually, I..I've heard you fucking your fist to me before, it was hot but so wrong so I didn't do anything about it."

Tamaki didn't know what to say so his face turned beat red and he buried himself into her pillows before she giggles.

"Too late to get shy now Tama, you just fucked your little sister."

"Y-yeah I-I know." He squeaks into her pillow, not wanting to face her from his anxiety.

"Ssshh, come on Tama, it's alright."

She says before kissing his shoulder blades and rubbing the back of his head before he turns his head to her and faces her and she kisses his cheeks and they snuggle up into each other and fall asleep.

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clonecest-bin-account · 3 years ago

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Relaxing massage

Ship: Jessix

Rating: E

Kix gives Jesse a massage.

AO3 link

When Kix offers him a massage, Jesse immediately says yes, without thinking about it not ever for a moment.

The feeling of Kix’s hands travelling all across his body has to be one of his favorites, if anything because of how good he is at it, always knowing where to touch and where to tease; it helps that, first things first, Kix is a medic, so anatomical knowledge is his forte, and secondly, that he knows Jesse’s body by heart, which makes having sex with him truly something special. He really loves it.

A groan leaves his lips as Kix works at one of his knots of his back. Now more than ever he’s grateful for his cyare’s talent with his hands.

He still can’t help but to think at how readily he answered when Kix asked if he could do this; what can he say, it would’ve been foolish to refuse, and Jesse is no fool. As if he’d ever refuse a chance for some good times thanks to Kix. So here he is, lying down on his bunk, naked, with Kix settled on his legs, massaging his body.

He can smell the pungent odor of the oils he’s using and he gotta say, he likes it. He’s not even the only one who does: as he was passing through to leave the barracks, suspicious empty except from them - almost as if Kix had told them to buzz off beforehand - Hardcase commented on it too, saying that, whatever it is, it’s good. He also commented on Jesse’s ass, but he just laughed and waved him off - they all share the same body, so there’s nothing to be ashamed of.

He wonders how long the smell of the oils will linger in the room. It might be a double-edged sword because, if on one hand it would be nice if the barracks would smell good instead that of sweat or something worse, on the other Jesse fears that the association of this smell to what Kix is doing to him right now might lead to some awkward times. Oh well, that’s the last of his problems right now, so he can easily discard this thought.

“Good?” Kix asks, as if he doesn’t know the answer to that question. Still, Jesse humors him with a groan, which makes Kix chuckle and lower his hands until…

A squeak leaves Jesse’s lips when Kix’s fingers circles his rim. He immediately turns towards him, question evident in his eyes. “Kix?” he utters.

“No?” Kix asks, looking like he hasn’t just touched his ass.

Jesse ponders about it. What is he exactly afraid of? By now he’s pretty sure he must’ve done something to convince everyone to stay clear of the barracks, meaning that he must have something in mind.

It would be a waste of a perfect occasion if he says no, wouldn’t it?

“Why not?” he says then, curious to see what Kix has in store for him; it’s surely going to be good.

He’s immediately rewarded by Kix’s smile as he leans down to leave a kiss on Jesse’s shoulder, while he goes back with his fingers to Jesse’s ass, reaching for his entrance.

His movements are featherlike, slow, methodical. The oil is of great help as Kix begins to circle the tight pucker with a digit. It’s just one and yet it’s already makes Jesse twitch from the anticipation.

“Sssh… Stay calm,” Kix gently admonishes him, kissing a line from shoulder to shoulder. That’s easy for you to say, Jesse would love to tell him, but all that comes out of his mouth is a groan; Kix doesn’t say anything about that, so it must’ve been good enough.

Jesse has no idea about how much time has passed, but Kix still hasn’t moved on from massaging his rim. He’s tried already to subtly move in a way that would make Kix understand that he’s more than ready for what comes next, but to no avail.

“Kiiiiixie, c’mon…” he tries, then, figuring that maybe he just needs to be direct.

“Soon,” is all Kix replies with, however, much to Jesse’s frustration. He lets out a groan, burying his face between his arms. Why has his dear cyare decided that he was going to torture him like this today?

And yet, Jesse can’t help but to think as Kix keeps circling his rim, unrelenting, that he doesn’t really mind it. Kix could do any sorts of things to him and he’d take them all.

When Kix moves down, it’s enough to convince Jesse that things are about to get moving, so you can imagine his disappointed when he finds out that he’s doing it only to lay one single kiss to his pucker, making it twitch.

“Kixieeeeee,” he whines, making Kix chuckle.

Something changes, however, before Jesse finally feels Kix’s thumb breaching inside. His cyare is moving slowly, carefully, as if Jesse wouldn’t be able to handle it if he were rougher, though it’s also true that it’s nice being pampered like this.

He mutters a small “yes” when Kix begins to move his thumb in and out. He almost looks like he’s testing the waters, but as long as he keeps moving, Jesse’s happy about it.

Kix goes on just for a little while, then he pulls away, much to Jesse’s desperation. He begins trashing around, trying to get some contact again. “Kix!”

A chuckle. “I’ve got you, relax!” Kix says, soothing Jesse by pressing a finger inside, making Jesse groan. Damn, Kix must’ve ruined him if he’s getting this worked up just for a mere finger!

He shivers at the way the other arches it upwards, crooking it just right. At this point, Jesse isn’t even bothering keeping quiet, letting him know just how much he’s appreciating him.

His moans are getting higher in pitch when Kix adds another finger, scissoring inside him. The stretch feels so good.

Stretching him open, however, isn’t Kix’s objective, and soon, in fact, he drops it in favor of something else.

It takes little effort to find what he’s looking for, and as soon as he does, Kix begins to rub his fingers against that spot mercilessly, without skipping a beat.

It feels nice, of course, but for now that’s it. Still, Jesse doesn’t do anything except enjoying the sensation of Kix rubbing against his prostate. He closes his eyes, exhaling from his nose; he doesn’t think he’s ever been looser and more relaxed in his life, even with the pleasure that is building up inside him, and it’s building up alright.

The more Kix keeps going, the more that small candle fire inside Jesse burns stronger, brighter, until it becomes a wildfire, burning Jesse from the inside.

“Kix!” he moans, shivering. Despite the build-up, Kix is still moving quite slow, which won’t do at all.

“Ssssh,” Kix mutters though, soothingly. “Relax. Just enjoy it.”

Jesse has lost track of time; they could’ve been doing this for an hour or for a minute and he wouldn’t be able to tell the difference.

His entire mind feels vacant, filled up just by thoughts of Kix and the pleasure he’s giving him.

He feels on the brink of exploding, and the fact that Kix hasn’t stopped touching him doesn’t help at all. Every time he brushes against his prostate, it sends a jolt of pleasure all over Jesse’s body.

“’m close,” he manages to mutter, though it comes out more like nonsensical ramblings that actually words. It’s fine, Kix has understood him perfectly, if the way he begins to rub against his prostate more insistently and faster can tell us anything.

“That’s good. Let go,” he encourages him, voice gentle, always gentle. He crooks his fingers, and Jesse knows he’s done for. He does it again, and Jesse comes. Despite the slow pace, it still feels like a kick to the stomach, but in the best of ways.

Kix doesn’t stop moving. Helping Jesse throughout his whole orgasm, and even after then, he keeps rubbing small circles against his prostate, but in a lighter way and only occasionally making Jesse whine.

When he slowly pulls away. Jesse lets out a sigh. His entire body feels like jelly; he doubts he’d be able to move any time soon for any reason, so he hopes that there won’t be any emergencies, because in that case he’d be as good as dead.

Thankfully that doesn’t seem to be the case, at least not for a while.

He barely realizes that Kix is turning him around until he lays down beside him; at that point, he lazily drapes an arm around his waist and rests his head against his chest.

“Holy shit…” he mutters then. It’s all he’s able to say.

Kix laughs - it brings a smile to Jesse’s tired face - and closes his arms around Jesse’s shoulder, kissing the top of his head. “Are you okay?”

“More than okay,” Jesse replies immediately. “I feel great.”

“That’s good to hear,” Kix replies.

He waits for Jesse to have recovered a bit, then, after looking around to make sure that they’re still alone - not that privacy is such a big deal when you live this close to one another, but sometimes it’s nice - he whispers to Jesse. “It’ll still take a while before everyone makes it back. Wanna go for round two?”

So he did stipulate some sort of agreement with the others! Jesse knew it.

Hearing those words has a rejuvenating effect on Jesse, because he suddenly feels strong enough to be able to turn he and Kix around, getting then immediately between his legs. He’d love to repay Kix with his own coin, but he knows he’s not as patient as him; besides, it would be unkind of him to punish him when he’s made him feel so good. No, what he truly deserves is a reward.

“Oh, you didn’t even have to ask.”

#clonecest #cloneshipping #jessix #arc trooper jesse #clone trooper kix #my fics #spicy tag

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youvebeenlivingfictional · 4 years ago

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if you’re 👀 taking requests 👀👀👀 can i request a Henry!Sherlock x reader where they’re competitive since they were very young, and she’s the only one who can match up to him? and there’s all this tension between them but neither one will ask about it because they’re afraid it’ll throw off whatever balance they have? if that’s confusing just lmk lmaoo sorry if it’s too boring to want to write

This got a little long soooooorry!! (Also got fluffy at the end hope you’re cool with that) also look at that lil blinking confused bean

“What did you do?” You hung your head as your mother bent down to inspect your dirty dress and scuffed knees. “...Sherlock and I had a race,” You mumbled. Your mother, huffed, standing and taking you by the hand, dragging you up to your room to clean you up. “I told you to stop competing with the Holmes boy!” She scolded. You were only seven; your mother didn’t begrudge you playing with the boys down the road, but this was getting out of hand. The week before, you’d come home with a ripped sleeve because you and Sherlock had challenged one another to see who could climb a tree the quickest. “...Did you beat him, at least?” Your mother asked. You turned a smile up at her, and she sighed. “Get changed, I’ll add that dress to the pile to be cleaned and mended.”

-- “...Check.” You groaned as Sherlock said so for the eighth time that game. “Couldn’t you two call it a bloody tie?” Mycroft asked boredly from the armchair he was lounging in not too far off. “No,” You said sharply. “What’s it matter to you?” Sherlock added, glancing back at Mycroft. It was rare that you had a chance to spend the afternoon with Sherlock, and it had surprised you that Mycroft had bothered to hang around. Mycroft didn’t answer, but you glanced up to see him roll his eyes. “It’s just a game,” Mycroft turned the page of his book. You turned back to the board. “Yes, it is...One that I am about to win. Checkmate,” You moved your Queen. Sherlock wasted no time in resetting the pieces on the board as he said, “Best two out of three.” “You two are ridiculous,” Mycroft groaned. At the age of sixteen, other men had already called you far kinder things than that, but you weren’t particularly worried about what Mycroft thought of you. You glanced up at Sherlock, watching him finish resetting your pieces. Sherlock never went out of his way to compliment you, but then, he didn’t call you ridiculous, either.

“Must you?” You could hear Sherlock’s disinterest. And frankly, while you had no interest in your practicing the waltz, either, you had to. Now that you were eighteen, you would be presented to society soon. You let go of Mycroft’s hand and turned to where Sherlock was reading the paper. You folded your arms over your chest, raising a brow. “You’re only in a foul mood because you’re awful at it.” You thrilled at the irritated little twitch in the muscle of Sherlock’s jaw. “I’m perfectly skilled at the waltz, thank you,” He returned crisply. “I somehow doubt that.” The two of you stared one another down for a moment before Sherlock folded the paper and set it aside, standing. You heard Mycroft sigh heavily, “I’ll count,” behind you as he stepped to the side of the room. Sherlock bowed to you as you curtsied to him. You held one another’s gazes as he took hold of your hand and rested his hand on your back. You took hold of your skirt to keep it out of the way of your feet. The two of you glided around the room together, moving as one seamlessly. Neither of you missed a step; neither of you checked to see if the other’s feet were doing the right thing. After a certain point, you realized that Mycroft had stopped counting. You glanced over to where he’d been and realized that he’d left the room. In your distraction, you missed a step. You stumbled. Sherlock’s arm tightened around your waist, pressing you to his chest and keeping you upright. You looked up at him, swallowing thickly. “Are you alright?” He frowned. You were rarely this close to anyone, let alone Sherlock. Had his eyes always been that blue? “I-- Yes.” You stepped back, letting go of Sherlock’s hand. His hand fell away from your waist, brow furrowed as he watched you. You smoothed your hands over your skirt as you gathered yourself. “Your waltz skills are...Adequate,” You conceded. “Yours aren’t and you clearly need more practice,” He held his hand out to you. You scoffed, taking hold of his hand again. --

“Can you make a ring?” You asked, watching Sherlock puff his pipe. “A ring?” He repeated. You’d dropped in on Baker Street as you did often. It was the midst of your second London season and you’d managed to give your chaperon the slip. You held your hand out for his pipe, and he hesitated before passing it off to you. You took a pull from it before you tipped your head up, blowing a few smoke rings. “...How on earth did you learn how to do that?” You chuckled at his almost incredulous tone. “Picked it up at finishing school.” “Presumably outside of the classroom?” “Presumably,” You teased before taking another puff of the pipe. You felt Sherlock watching you, and you blew a few more rings before turning to meet Sherlock’s eyes. He was looking at your lips. You lowered your eyes, passing the pipe back to Sherlock. “You can’t do that, can you?” You added. You watched him take the pipe back, saw him take two puff before he blew a few rings. He then blew a line of smoke that seemed to go through one of them. You narrowed your eyes at his grin and held your hand out. “Give it back.” -- “You’re welcome, by the way.” “I did say ‘thank you’,” Sherlock grumbled. You chuckled at his tone. “I could’ve done it without you,” He added. “Mm, but you didn’t. You solved that case with my help,” You smiled before adding, “It’s your turn.” “I’m well aware of that, thank you. I’d have taken it by now if you would stop talking,” Sherlock said, leaning over the chessboard. “My, someone is testy about sharing credit, isn’t he,” You teased. “Not at all.” “Oh no? The great Sherlock Holmes is not ashamed to have to share credit with someone, let alone a woman?” “That has nothing to do with it,” He dismissed the notion, moving his knight. “What has you in such a mood, then?” You asked. When Sherlock didn’t answer, you glanced up at him, frowning when you saw him watching you. “...Sherlock?” You sat up straighter to get a better look at him. He didn’t answer your question, merely waved to the board and grumbled, “You’re taking too long.” -- “He’s awfully handsome, isn’t he?” You heard someone sigh behind you. You glanced in the direction of the rhetorical question, which had been met with a fair amount of giggling and fan-fluttering. It was true, of course. It wasn’t lost on you how attractive Sherlock had grown to be. What was lost on you was why he’d been in a perfectly foul mood for the last two weeks. The man had sworn up and down that it had absolutely nothing to do with the lead that you’d given him on his last case. You hadn’t brought it up again after that chess game, since he’d seemed so testy. And sure, you and Sherlock had always been a little more competitive and teasing than society thought friends ought to be, let alone a man and a woman, but that was just how the two of you were. Still, there was teasing, and then there was upset. Sherlock seemed upset, and you didn’t know why. You didn’t know how to fix it, either. He’d stopped calling on you as often, and while the two of you still wrote, his letters were much more to-the-point. It was frustrating. You’d come to care for Sherlock. You’d known how you’d felt about him for quite some time, and you were certain that he’d never return your feelings. You’d determined never to make them known, of course; he was your oldest and dearest friend, you cared for him more than almost anyone else in the world. Telling him how you felt could mean making things uncomfortable between the two of you, and losing him. Of course, now it seemed like you’d managed to do that, regardless. “He’s coming, sssh!” You heard behind you. It snapped you from your reverie and you raised your eyes to find that Sherlock was, in fact, striding across the room. You were familiar with the group of women behind you, and you found yourself wondering just who the object of Sherlock’s interest might be. There were quite a few sweet and clever ones in the group, women that could make Sherlock happy, that could-- But then he stopped in front of you, and dipped a bow, and held his hand out. “If I may have this dance?” He asked, smiling. But there was something different about this smile. It wasn’t one that you’d seen before, not a familiar and teasing pull of the lips. No, this was soft and warm, and his eyes were a little nervous. You felt yourself smile in turn, and you dipped a small curtsy, keeping your eyes on his. “It would be my pleasure, Mr. Holmes.” Where you’d once dreaded the waltz, you now reveled in it. Gliding in Sherlock’s arms felt easy. You moved together as effortlessly as you once did, keeping your eyes on his. “Sherlock?” “Yes?” “...Are you quite well? -- That is… You’ve been in such a mood, and…” His brows raised, amused, as you tried to find a delicate way to say what you were trying to say. “I was worried about you,” You added quietly. “It was not my intention to make you worry,” He gave your hand a small squeeze, “I apologize. I’ve been...Mulling over a few things.” “Such as?” “Such as… The components needed for a good partnership between two married persons.” “And what conclusion have you come to?” “Shared values, trust, affection, respect… a strong foundation.” “A strong foundation?” You repeated, frowning. Sherlock’s steps slowed, then stilled as the waltz ended. He didn’t let go of your waist or your hand as he should’ve. “...A strong friendship, perhaps?” He ventured quietly. You felt your heart fluttering like one of the fans of the women watching you. “I see,” You said dazedly. “Have I missed the mark entirely?” He asked, lowering his hand from your waist. You grinned at him, feeling shy around him for the first time in your life. “Holmes, you astound me.”

#asks #replies #requests #Sherlock Holmes x Reader #Sherlock Holmes x You #Sherlock Holmes Imagine #Sherlock Holmes Henry Cavill #Sherlock Holmes/Reader #Sherlock Holmes/You

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jadekitty777 · 2 years ago

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Love on Borrowed Tai: Chapter 5

Sssh it’s still Saturday if you believe.

The joke actually was going to be “Is it still Saturday if I haven’t gone to bed yet?” But it was 2AM by the time I finally finished the scenes and I just was not up to trying to string together all my notes on this one for A03.

Fair warning that this chapter gets a little heavy and it is LONG. As for when this story will get continued, it will be a bit, as this is everything I have written and I know the next will likely be equally long.

(P.S. Day 7′s prompt will be up later today)

Prompt for Day 6: Interstellar

Rating: T overall

Word Count: 9300

Summary: Tai’s life was simple. He rescued and rehabilitated injured Pokemon, helping them get back on their feet and back into the world. Then fate decided to throw him a curveball in the form of Qrow Branwen.

He had no idea how to rehabilitate a person… but his natural goodwill, and maybe a speck of loneliness, made him want to try.

Qrow was lost in more ways than one. With no home, no job, and his team and himself left severely injured, he finds himself desperately turning to the one man in Alola who could help him.

…A man he’d already met once before, but could never tell him how. [Pokemon AU]

Ao3 Link: Chapter 5

Tai stood in front of his bedroom mirror, fidgeting with the bracelet around his wrist one more time. The orange and yellow hibiscus flowers, strung together with twine, were soft to the touch and smelt sweet. A matching one was on his ankle. He’d worn them every year – so why did they suddenly itch so much?

You’re nervous.

No, no of course he wasn’t! Why would he ever be nervous? It wasn’t like this was a date or anything. He was just inviting his friend – who he had totally platonic feelings for – to a special event that could, under some, very specific circumstances, have date-like qualities applied to it.

“Get it together.” He mumbled to his reflection, smoothing down the front of his tapa lavalava.

The material fell just past his knees, the primary color of it, a deep, rich brown, seeming to make the lighter brown and yellow designs of the Turtwig and Jangmo-o evolutionary lines stand out. It had been made from scratch, pounded thin and soaked in mulberry bark until it softened into a malleable material, as their ancestors had once done. He’d had it commissioned almost fifteen years ago; the Jangmo-o family meant to honor his Alolan ancestry and the Turtwig family for his Sinnohian ancestry.

Normally, looking upon it filled him with a sense of nostalgic sadness.

Now, all he could think about was the fact this was the only thing separating him from full nakedness.

He made a noise of distress at his own thoughts, shaking his head ruthlessly as if they could physically be beat from his skull, before swiping up his seashell necklace from the nightstand. He strung it on as he exited the room, fully expecting Qrow to be lazing about in the living room by now, waiting for his slow ass to get his emotions together.

When he found it bare except for the Trouble Trio, he paused, then crept back down the hall, knocking on the first door. “Qrow? Y’alright?”

“Uh, yeah.” Came the hesitant reply. “Just hope I got this thing on right.”

His lips quirked up in a fond smile, that quickly turned teasing. “I hear grass skirts slip on a lot easier if you want to head back to the store.”

“Ha. Ha. You’re a riot.” There was some fumbling from the other side and then the door was opening.

Tai felt his breath catch.

Qrow stood before him, his own lavalava tied around his waist with a red belt. Unlike Tai’s own, there was an obvious commercialist-look to it, the fabric obviously cheaper and thinner, not true tapa but some polyester-cotton hybrid. Still, the black shade of it had a beautiful design of the Pikipek family flying among a grove of eucalyptus, the reds of their crests and beaks the same shade as the belt. The loincloth, a little shorter than Tai’s own, only seemed to pronounce the paleness of his shapely legs.

“Huh.”

Snapped out of his staring Tai started, seeing Qrow looking at him intently. The way he tilted his head made the dangle earring in his right ear swing. It was the one thing they’d been able to make by hand, the feather one of Reaper’s. The tip had been carefully dyed red, but it had paled after it had dried, matching the man’s eyes perfectly.

“Uh, what?” He asked, forcing himself to focus.

“Just never noticed you had a tattoo.”

He blinked, then peered down at the black marking on his upper arm, normally covered by his work clothes; it was of two Rayquaza facing one another, their bodies shaped like two halves of a heart that didn’t quite meet. “Oh yeah. Got it when I was sixteen.”

“Bet your mom was thrilled.”

“One word for it.” He replied, not wishing to relive the Cameruption that had been. People often told him he had her explosive temper, and the day he’d defended his – albeit often stupid - choices had been a great example of it. “Anyways, you look-” Handsome? Hot? Drop-dead gorgeous? “-just fine.”

A+ work, stud. Really sweeping him off his feet now.

“Oh yeah I’m totally owning this.” In a show of confidence, Qrow posed for him, cocking his hip to one side and placing his hand there while the other fluffed up his hair. His wink threatened to stop Tai’s heart this time. “I happen to know I have killer legs.”

Pretending he hadn’t been a casualty of the very same legs, Tai started down the hall, laughing it off, “Alright, alright, keep it in your loincloth, you Herdier.”

“Qwilfish.” He shot back, following after.

“Grumpig.”

“Maractus!”

“Keep insulting me and I’m not giving you your gift.”

Qrow switched gears immediately. “Kind, oh so generous Delibird.”

He chuckled, picking up a rectangular box on the dining room table. As the other came close, he pulled off the top of it, presenting it proudly.

Qrow looked at it, then him, blandly. “Flowers. You shouldn’t have.”

“Way to show you have no idea what this means.” Tai playfully bit back. He set down the box, lifting up the necklace of red hibiscus flowers and bright green leaves. “The hibiscus is our national flower. Giving a string of them to a newcomer is like saying ‘Welcome to Alola’.” He fidgeted a moment, unable to fight the slight blush on his face. “Red hibiscus means ‘I love that you are here’.”

“Oh.” Qrow breathed, suddenly more serious, his own cheeks pinkening. “I uh – I mean, you didn’t have to.”

“I wanted to.” He replied fervidly. “I know it wasn’t under the best of circumstances for you, but for me, it’s been wonderful, having your company.” Then, to flush out the embarrassment of those sappy words, added, “Plus it goes real well with your skirt.”

Qrow smacked his arm. “Oh shut up and give me the flowers already.”

Tai laughed but obediently picked up the lei, doing the honors of lifting it over the other’s head and letting it fall around his neck.

And if he felt a little giddy happiness slip in when Qrow rubbed the edges of one of the petals fondly, well that was his business.

Though dusk was only beginning, the Halu Halu was already in full swing by the time they arrived. Flaming torches ringing the town kept the area well lit. Everywhere he looked was something different. On the eastern side was a stage for performances off to one side, seats filled to the brim to watch the dancers currently on stage. To the west, a small tent set up where ancestorial stories would be shared. In the south was the Pokemon arena, a raised platform where a Hawlucha was currently taking on a Breloom. In the road, stalls were set in tight rows, vendors selling wares, flowers and food. Though the crowds were equally claustrophobic, Sunflower’s bulk made it part easily.

The smell of sizzling Laulau made Tai’s mouth water, but he dutifully ignored it, leading Qrow further through the town, pointing things out as they went through the game section. “There’s the Tug of War. And oh, the Ulu Maika – you basically try to roll a stone through the stakes. Oh! And the Spear Throwing. That’s Zwei’s favorite, huh boy?”

His Lucario gave a hum of approval, leaning into his petting.

“Lotta people show up to this thing, huh?” Qrow said, nervously eyeing Yoraito.

They’d each agreed to take one Pokemon to the festivities, while the rest watched over or relaxed at home. Seeing as the Umbreon was doing so well, Tai had encouraged Qrow to take him, figuring it would be good for both of them to see how far he’d come despite the disability. Thankfully, Yoraito seemed more curious then wary, eyes wide as he looked around at all the new sights.

“Of course. It’s one of the best days of the year!” He pat his shoulder, trying to lighten him up with a smile. “It’s gonna be fun, I promise.”

The other man glared at a set of running children that came a hair too close to them, before he started to lean down for the fox. “Maybe I should just-”

“Nope! No carrying!” He caught his wrist, pulling him back up. “Don’t make me hold this the rest of the night.”

“Why do you make everything sound like a threat?”

Was it really a threat if Tai actually wanted to do it? “Gets you to listen, doesn’t it? Now relax. He’ll be fine.”

He fought down the disappointment when the other shook him off, though he was pleased to see Qrow merely cross his arms, warding off the temptation to help his fox. “I’ll try.”

It was a start.

Thankfully, their first stop of the day was decidedly less busy.

Mahalo Trail was on the northern side of town, the dirt path cutting a well-tread, winding route through the hills. Though some torches had been set up along it, they were sparser to keep from harming the surrounding vegetation. The edges of the trail had been littered with various gifts, some of them bought without thought from the nearest department store, some of them scuffed and with history behind them, some carefully cut from people’s gardens or crafted in their kitchens. One that made him particularly smile was a macaroni doodle of Tapu Koko, the words “Happy Who-Who” written in crayon by a child’s messy scrawl.

“Oh, here’s a good spot.” Tai pointed to a barren space between a pair of palm trees. He clicked his tongue to call Sunflower over, reaching into the knapsack to pull out the two items on top. “You’re really sure you want to give this away?”

“It’s the only thing I’ve got.” Qrow said, accepting his Poketch. He ran his thumb over the display, scuffed from his fall. His eyes had grown that distant look to them, either remembering something or trying to.

While the other drifted, Tai set down his own offering in the grass, a homemade poffin blend of Kebia, Shuca and Liechi berries. He made it for Tapu Koko every year, specially designed for the guardian to cover their type weaknesses and give them a power boost. He settled in the grass in front of it, quietly offering a silent prayer.

Thank you for your continued protection, Tapu Koko. With this food, I hope to return a sliver of your abundance.

Just as he was finishing, he heard Qrow place down his own gift beside his.

What he wasn’t expecting was for him to settle down in the grass as well.

In Kanto, Johto, Hoenn and Sinnoh, it was customary to pray standing up, with hands pressed together and head bowed. It was a sign of respect for the legendaries, the lowered head and closed eyes a sign of humbleness to a higher power. It had been the way he’d done it for the first eight years of his life; but when he moved, it was one of the first things his mother had to re-teach him. Because in Alola, the prayer was done seated, with back straight and eyes open, meeting the guardians on common ground as they were not seen as above the citizens, but as one with them.

Qrow was in neither position. Instead, he was on his knees, fingers interlocked and head bowed, lips pressed to the top of his fingers.

There were only two regions he knew of that prayed like that.

When he’d finished, and rose his head once more, Tai couldn’t help the curiosity from bursting out of him. “So, Unova or Galar?”

Qrow glanced at him, taken aback. “Huh?”

“Your prayer pose. It’s one of them, yeah? So, which one are you from?”

“Oh.” He dropped his hands. “Surprised you could tell from just that. I’m from Galar. But I think I have some Hoenn in me.”

“You think?”

He shrugged. “Little hard to know when I never knew my folks.”

“O-Oh.” Like a worst verse of a bad song, suddenly Qrow’s words back at the hospital came back crystal clear.

“You think if I had any of that, I’d be risking myself on a gambit like this?”

Tai had thought Qrow had meant because they weren’t close by enough to help, not... literally.

“Ugh. I know that look.” Qrow’s frown was intense. “Don’t you start giving me the ‘I’m so sorry’ spiel. I’ve heard it way too much.”

“I wasn’t going to!” He absolutely was going to.

His friend seemed equally convinced, humming dismissively before getting to his feet. “It’s fine. After thirty-six years, I’m pretty sure I’ve made peace with it. Now come on, I thought you said you were going to show me a good time not drudge up the past.”

Amending to drop it, Tai stood as well. “We’ve got one more stop, then we can join the party.”

“Right the… manana thing.”

He snorted. “Hāʻawi mana – lending of power.” They headed further up the trail, passing a few people making their way back as they did. Few traversed all the way up to the Ruins of Conflict, and those who did were scoffed at for attempting to be a glory hog. The one exception were the Lenders – trainers of specific status who would ‘lend’ a Pokemon to watch over Tapu Koko’s shrine in case the flighty Pokemon wanted to explore the festivities.

As they drew near to the entrance, the offerings disappeared and the Pokemon began. Qrow eyed the rows flanking either side of them with trepidation. “Who all has to do this again?”

“Anyone who has earned the community’s respect to be considered of high-standing. So, the leading Pokemon Professor. The Headmaster of the school. The doctors from the hospital-”

His words were cut off by a series of growls.

“Leeee.”

“Bre-bre!”

“The captain of the police squad?” Qrow guessed dully, carefully nudging Yoraito back with his foot.

Tai chuckled, reaching down to give the proud Leafeon a scratch behind the ears. “Hello Kalā.”

Yoraito continued to vocalize his displeasure, which only made Qrow move him further away. “I swear you have to have a crush on her.”

“Bre?!!?”

“You going with the, ‘boys are only mean to girls they like’ shtick?” Tai asked.

“I’d say I taught him better but-” Qrow waved grandly to himself. “It’s me, so.” He trailed off with another shrug.

He snorted softly. “You mean you’re not an absolute ray of sunshine with people? I’m shocked! I feel like I hardly know you!”

“Firstly, don’t project yourself on me. It’s unbecoming of my black soul. Secondly, anyone ever told you you’re as subtle as a Wailord in a pond?”

“Once or twice.” He smiled, before reaching out for his Arcanine, giving her a hug around her big fluffy neck. “Alright girl, you got this.”

Sunflower pressed her wet nose against his cheek, rumbling an affirmation. When he let her go, she stepped forward, finding a spot between a Gigalith and Decidueye, sitting down, appearing almost regal in the way she kept her head high.

“Must be a great honor.”

Tai turned, smiling back at Qrow. “It is. I never really thought when I took on this career that it would take me this far.”

He tilted his head, feather earring swinging again. In the torchlight, the blue and purple iridescence seemed to shine. “Yeah? So what did make you want to become a rescuer?”

“Oh that’s not a fun story. You really don’t want to hear it.” He started back down the path, waving Zwei to follow. “

“Uh hello? Tragic orphan here. I think I can handle it.” Qrow quipped, falling into step on his other side. Yoraito took up the rear – after giving one last growl to Kalā of course. They made it a few paces before he added, softly, “If you want share, that is.”

Tai rubbed the back of his neck, mulling it over. When it had all gone down, his mother had sworn herself to silence, not willing to ruin her family’s reputation on an ‘old, failed marriage’ and had encouraged him to think likewise. It had been yet another set of explosive fights they’d had over the years; to the point, he sometimes wondered if that was why she hardly ever called anymore. It was more because of that then anything that he rarely shared the story, the shame of it all beating into his very roots.

“I’ll… give you the abridged version.” He decided finally. “I told you how I grew up in Sinnoh, before my parents split, yeah?”

“Mhm. Floaroma Town. You were eight. Your parents had a big, blow out fight over daddy not coming home enough and one day she just packed you and the garden up and left.” Qrow said it like he’d heard it a hundred times, not just once.

Tai nudged him. “Glad to know this heart-wrenching tale is being taken so sensitively.”

“Sorry, sorry. Go on.”

“Okay so, I did my best to stay in touch with my dad and Grandma Yang. They both worked for this company called Pine-A-Co - which was a pun off of-”

Qrow rolled his eyes. “Believe me. I got it.”

Tai stuck his tongue out, just to be childish. “ANYways, it was a laboratory. From what I knew, the staff there were working with grass-type Pokemon to see if they could cultivate pieces of the nutrients and genetic stability in their uh, plant-like features to re-soil lands that had been damaged by things like mudslides, drought, flooding, fire or logging and poor replanting. My dad and my grandma owned Torterra, and seeing as Torterra practically have their own ecosystem on their shells, they were extremely important in the cultivation process. Everything seemed pretty harmless.” He paused, lips thinning into a tight line. “Then one day… there was an accident. The lab had just… exploded.”

The last bit came out as a mumble, unable to shake the phantom horror he’d felt when it all hit the news. Something so gigantic, it had reached international channels.

“Most of the employees weren’t there that day, but my dad and grandma were. They’d both died. At first, I was just devastated. I couldn’t believe that overnight I’d lost them both.” Tai rose his head, unsure when he’d started staring at the dirt. “Then the investigation into what happened revealed what they’d actually been doing in that lab.”

Qrow’s expression had grown stony, and though he was walking with him, seemed oddly still. “And what were they doing?”

“They were trying to harness time manipulation – and they were trying to use Dialga to get it.” Strangely, the crazy revelation garnered no response. Maybe Qrow didn’t believe him? “The building hadn’t come down naturally – when the forensics team looked into it, they found that parts of it showed wear that were decades older than they should have been. Pipes rusted through, masonry that was crumbling, and the bodies… they were skeletons that appeared like they’d been dug up from an archeological site. Their Pokemon were the same.”

That finally got a reaction, the man looking sharply away. His jaw seemed tense. “That’s pretty fucked up.”

“Yeah…Yeah it was.” Tai kicked a loose rock on the path, watching it skitter down the steps. “The employees who had survived either weren’t part of the project or were great at playing dumb, because they didn’t know anything about what had been going on. The judgment was made that whatever truly had happened had died with those involved.”

“They all died?”

“Well, one person was never recovered. But they never found any traces of him.” He said, shaking his head. It was horrible, how he used to pray they’d find him, completely wrapped up in his own silly, stupid, hope that this man would come forward and clear his family’s name. As if this complete stranger owed it to him or something. “They eventually declared that he must have been so close to the focal point of the dilation incident, that even his bones had turned to dust.”

The last thing he expected was for Qrow to burst into hysterical laughter. “T-The fuck! You gotta be joking me.”

He supposed if he was going to lose him on this crazy anecdote anywhere, the turned to dust part was just as good as any. “I wish I was.”

“Sorry.” The laughter stopped as abruptly as it started, though his eyes still had a weird, wild glint to them. “So what does this morbid tale have to do with you being a rescuer again?”

Tai blinked. “Oh! Uh, well… So, about two months before the accident, my grandma had given me a loan so I could make a down payment for the facility. Originally, it was going be a ranch.” He reached out for Zwei, petting his head idly, the simple motion bringing him a small comfort. “But, after everything, the whole thing felt… sour. I was in a pretty dark, angry place back then and I’d gotten it into my head that if I went forward with the project, I’d be just like them. Using Pokemon for my own gain. I didn’t want that.”

“So, you decided to help them instead.” Qrow murmured, understanding dawning. “You were atoning for them.”

“Sounds ridiculous, huh?” He chortled humorlessly, thumbing the end of his necklace, the ridges of the yellow-orange scallop shell digging into his skin. “I mean, that isn’t to say I don’t enjoy what I do. I really fell into the work, and it’s beyond fulfilling, helping troubled Pokemon get back to their feet. Learning how to connect with them it’s… it’s truly amazing. I wouldn’t trade it for anything.”

As Qrow stared at him, it was impossible to gauge what he was thinking; a red tempest was stirring in those eyes like a furious Kyogre stirred the seas. “You know, take this with a grain of salt I guess, but… I think if Yang and Huáng could see you now, they’d be really proud.”

Maybe it was the conviction in which he said it. Maybe it was just because he’d longed to hear it for over a decade and a half. But right then and there, Tai believed him.

He threw an arm over pale shoulders, bringing the other against his side in a half-hug. “Thanks.” He gave him a squeeze, then reluctantly let go. “Now come on – didn’t we just agree we’d have a good time, not drudge up the past?”

That, at least, brought a smile to Qrow’s face. “Lead the way, Sunshine.”

He was so light-headed over the nickname, Tai would forget all about the end of their conversation and wouldn’t realize until it was much too late that he’d never told Qrow his father’s name before.

“Okay, you have to try this one!”

“I don’t know Tai, I’m pretty ful-mgh!” Qrow was cut off by the spoon being unceremoniously shoved into his mouth. He tried to maintain a glare, but it was quickly morphed into a wide-eyed look of surprise as he pulled the utensil out. “Oh Arceus, get more of that right now.”

Tai laughed, holding the cup out towards him as he took in his own mouthful of Poi. Banana and coconut cream heaven left his mouth happy. They made quick work of the dessert as they wandered through the stalls for the third time. Night had fallen long ago, the waning moon now high, a cloak of stars enveloping the sky.

“So what do you want to do now?” Tai asked as they paused at the jewelry table again.

They’d done a little of everything – shopping, watching some of the dancing and fire tossing performances, listening in on a few old tales, playing the games. The evidence of one lucky win was now securely tied around Yoraito’s neck, the yellow-and-red checkered bandanna making him look positively dashing.

(“You’re really going to impress Kalā now.” Qrow had joked when his Umbreon posed and showed it off just like his master.)

“Dunno.” Came the distracted reply, the other man slipping on one of the black obsidian rings. He seemed to test its fit, before shaking his head and dropping it back into the half-filled tray of cheap look-alikes, going back to shifting.

Tai reached in, plucking out a white one with a black center. The white section was smooth and cold, definitely ceramic, but the center had a slightly tougher feel. Probably ebony wood. “Maybe this one?”

Qrow slipped it on his right index finger. He seemed immediately pleased by it, giving an affirmative nod. “That’s the one.”

They paid for the item and moved on. Tai watched Qrow admire his new adornment, trying to get the courage to say what he’d been wanting to all night. Just as they rounded out of the row of stalls, the words finally managed to break free.

“S-So, hey!” He laughed off his nerves. “If I’m gifting you rings now maybe-”

“Oh, look!” Qrow interrupted, pointing south.

Tai stumbled, both verbally and physically, before reluctantly following his guide. He regretted it immediately when he realized who’d captured the man’s attention. Clover was at the arena, his Golduck, Brine, keeping a Weavile on its toes with a series of vicious Water Pulses. A crowd had gathered to watch.

“Come on!” Qrow grabbed him by the wrist, the joy of which was overshadowed in doubt as he was pulled towards the stage, their Pokemon quick on their heels. As they drew near, the sounds of battle and the trainers’ voices could be heard.

“Keep it up Brine!” Clover chanted. “We got her!”

His opponent, a younger woman with ice-white hair, seemed to be quickly losing her cool as she sharply delivered orders like a soldier going to war. “Pommel, use Dark Pulse! Get him off of you!”

“Not happening. Brine, get some air!”

They made their way to the front of the crowd just in time to see the Golduck aim its next water pulse at the ground, the propulsion lifting him into the sky, cleverly avoiding the attack. Now high in the sky, the half-moon seemed to illuminate the Pokemon from behind.

“Zen headbutt!” Clover called next.

Next to him, Qrow had lent down to scoop up Yoraito so the smaller Pokemon could also spectate; but the words had him shooting up quickly, confusion clear. “Why would he do that? Weavile’s a dark type.”

Having known the other man long enough to know his battling style, Tai just watched as Brine arced towards the weasel, trails of white following after like wild streamers.

“Hah, you’re slipping Captain!” The woman laughed, overconfidence making her reckless. “Pommel, let him have it with Night Slash!”

Clover just grinned, waiting until Brine was halfway down, too late for his opponent to correct, to yell, “Aqua Tail!”

“Wha-!”

Brine began to spin rapidly, a torrent of water turning him into a torpedo that hit Pommel dead-on. The force of it sent the poor thing tumbling until it came to rest, in a limp flop, at his trainer’s feet.

Qrow let out a low, impressed whistle. “That was quite a move.”

“Oh please.” Tai grumbled, trying not to sound as jealous as he felt. “It’s not all that if you know what his game plan is.”

Back on stage, the Captain recalled Brine, clicking his tongue admonishingly, “You got too in your own head Winter. Better luck next time.”

“Ugh!” Winter returned her Pokemon, giving him a firm stare, “Your luck’s bound to run out sometime Clover! And when it does, I’ll be there to take it.”

He watched her storm away, enough iciness to her glower it could have left icicles, before he turned to the surrounding crowd, calling. “Well? Anyone else?”

“I’ll take you on!” A yell came from the crowd, a young, bright-eyed trainer with bright blue hair waving from the crowd.

Beside him, a blond boy of the same age with a Grookey on his shoulder hopped around excitedly, “Yeah, get him Neptune!”

“Well come on then.” Clover waved him up, adding arrogantly. “You’re a brave soul, volunteering to get thrashed next.”

“Tch. What a show-off.” Qrow rolled his eyes, but his smile was…

Wait.

Was that affection?

Hot fury coiled like poisonous Sevipers in his heart, and before Tai could think better of it, shouted, “If he loses, I’m going next!”

Three heads turned to him at once.

“What?!”

“Cario?!”

“Tai?!”

The last one was said with less shock and more joy, Clover, crossing over to where they stood. “And Qrow! Glad you two made it!” Then his challenge finally registered and his face morphed into shock. “Wait, did you just say you want to battle me?”

“Sure do.” Tai crossed his arms, sizing the other up.

A poor idea, because it only made him realize how handsome he was looking. Clover’s lavalava was a deep, forest green, lighter shades depicting ocean waves at the bottom, spraying upwards into Jacaranda trees in which the Taillow family was roosting. Around his neck was a simple black thread, his prized clover charm hanging from it and miniature silver fishhooks dangled from his ears. Atop his head he wore a crown stitched together with a base of Hala tree leaves and topped with alternating red and yellow plumerias. A common symbol to represent the circle of life and death.

Looking at it felt like an odd threat that only furthered his resolve. “What’s wrong? Drifloon got your ghost?”

Clover rose an eyebrow, looking between him and Qrow. His mouth opened in a small ‘o’ then his expression sharpened into determination. “Just don’t go crying like a Sobble when I wipe the floor with you. Just let me handle the kid first.” He headed back towards his side of the ring, calling back one last taunt, “While you’re waiting, you can write a will!”

“Yeah, yours!” Tai shouted back lamely.

“Uh Tai?” Qrow asked, glancing at him worriedly. “You sure about this?”

Not even a little. “’Course I am.” He shot him a smirk, feigning bravado, “I’ve faced Clover tons before. Beaten him too.” The fact that the last time had been when he was fifteen would go unmentioned. “I know all his tricks. It’ll be easy.”

“But isn’t Zwei… not a fighter?”

He wasn’t. His Lucario knew total of two damage-dealing moves – Bone Rush and Extremespeed – both of which he’d trained the other to use non-combatively. Instead, the first was often used to herd Pokemon back in when needed, using the long bone-shaped bo staff the same way a shepherd would use a stick to corral Mareep. The latter came into play whenever Zwei needed to chase after any wayward strays that drifted towards the edges of the fields where the hills fell into steep drops. Then there was his support move, Heal Pulse, which would be entirely useless – unless he wanted to give health back to Clover’s Pokemon that is. The only one that would really aid him in battle was Detect, but while it would keep Zwei from getting hurt, Tai couldn’t spend the entire battle on defense.

He was utterly screwed.

“Well, I, uh…”

Before he could possibly dig the Dugtrio hole any deeper, Clover took hold of the shovel by bringing the attention back his way, “Alright, Neptune was it?”

“Yessir!” The boy gave a two fingered salute, a cocky swagger to his step as he entered the box on his side.

“Rules are simple. One-on-one, no switching, no items. Status effect moves are prohibited during battle. Free potions are available after the fight’s over at Nurse Joy’s stall.” He lifted up one of his pokeballs, tapping the button to enlarge it. “Last chance to back out.”

“Bring it on.”

“Don’t say I didn’t warn you.” Clover tossed the ball into the air. “Kingfisher, you’re up!”

Tai remembered when Qrow first met Sunflower. It was on the same day he’d been released from the hospital and it became instantly apparent just from getting to the street that the trek would be painful if they did it entirely on foot. Allowing the man to ride his faithful friend on the journey home seemed the logical decision.

When she’d burst into sight in all her golden glory, the way Qrow’s eyes absolutely illuminated with joy despite everything he was going through had been a downright treasure to witness.

But today, as the shiny Swellow appeared in the sky in an array of lights and sparkles, though Qrow’s expression was a perfect mirror of that day, Tai only felt the jealousy sink its greedy claws in deeper to his heart.

He had no idea how he was going to do it, but he was going to thoroughly piledrive his oldest friend right into the ground.

Neptune’s young voice cutting through the air brought him back to the present. “Alright Jove, let’s do this!”

A second pokeball popped open, this time revealing an Alolan Raichu. The rodent gave a quick survey around before hopping up, allowing the larger, flat end of the tail to slide underneath his feet, physic energy allowing it to hover a few feet off the ground

“Challenger gets the first move.” Clover offered, hands settling on his hips, self-assurance oozing off every inch of him.

It seemed obvious how this was going to go before the boy ever opened his mouth and it was only because Tai was familiar with how his friend battled that he knew his olive branch hadn’t been without a condition.

Sure enough, as Neptune yelled out a rather predictable “Thunderbolt!” it was immediately followed by Clover’s reply of, “Quick Guard!”

Lances of yellow lightning brightened the sky, the jagged bolts coming right for Kingfisher, but the bird was quick to pull up, folding his wings midair, a shimmering, red barrier appearing. Like a spoon under the tap, the attack hit and dispersed in all directions, the color of the thunderbolt changing into a sharp, brilliant orange.

“B-Bre?” Though faint, the slightly distressed noise of the Pokemon was enough to pull Tai’s eyes from the fight.

What he saw instead terrified him.

Qrow’s face had gone stark white. His eyes were wide, pupils shrunken to nothing more than pinpricks. There was a tremble gaining momentum along his arms but his grip on Yoraito was iron tight, the fox flailing uselessly in his grasp.

Tai rose a tentative hand towards him. “Qrow?”

Like his name was a trigger, the other man flinched back, head spinning around to stare at him, those eerie eyes looking right at him – no, right through him. Like he was seeing something beyond Tai and the space around them; something beyond comprehension.

Then Qrow turned and he ran.

It was so unexpected, it took a few precious seconds for Tai to respond, and by the point he got his legs to cooperate into following, the man had already shoved his way through the spectators and was disappearing back into the throng of stalls.

“Qrow!!” Tai yelled as he stopped just short of the outgoing traffic, but the crowd made it impossible to catch sight of him. Mind whirling, he turned to his Lucario, ordering, “Zwei, track!”

“Lu-Lu!” His partner nodded, eyes beginning to glow a bright blue as he searched out for Qrow’s aura.

He waited with bated breath, praying to Arceus it would work. He had trained Zwei for years how to best hone his natural abilities so that they could utilize it during search and rescue emergencies. And while he understood that all living creatures had a unique aura signature, he’d never used the command to find a human before.

Just as he was beginning to worry it would fail, Zwei gave a cry of recognition and took off. Heart leaping, Tai hurried after, the two of them skirting behind the stalls rather then in the middle where the crowd was thickest. He hoped it would save them some time and that they’d intercept Qrow on the other end, but Zwei only kept on going forward, towards the north end of town. With people and Pokemon everywhere, it was slow going as they weaved and dodged around families and trainers, but soon enough their destination became clear.

Mahalo Trail.

“He went back there?” Tai asked.

His partner nodded. “Cario!”

It made little sense, but so did a Girafarig spooked by its’ own tail – panic rarely had reason behind it once it took hold. With his rescues, he knew exactly what to do; sometimes it called for a calmer environment and some comfort, other times it necessitated a bit more force or perhaps an involuntary nap.

But when they finally found Qrow, huddled just within the Cave of Ruins, struggling to breathe, Tai had never felt more lost.

The Pokemon on standby Tai passed all seemed a bit uneasy at the human’s presence, though thankfully non-aggressive, perhaps sensing the man’s distress. Sunflower, Arceus bless her, had already pulled out of the line-up, and was lying beside Qrow, allowing him to bury his face in her flank. The grip he had on her fur seemed painful, but she hardly gave a twitch. Yoraito was by his side, rubbing his head against his trainer’s leg and giving the occasional whine. To his surprise, Kalā was beside him as well, looking on worriedly, and as Tai got close, he caught a hint of the scent she was emitting – a soothing lavender.

His heart went out to them for their efforts.

In comparison, he felt wholly inadequate when all he could do was kneel down in the available space, rub a hand over Qrow’s back, and say, “That’s it, it’s okay. Just breathe. You’re okay.” over and over.

Eventually, it seemed to have an effect, the man’s breathing turning from shallow pants to deep, gulping breathes, the shaking that had overtaken his body lessening. But what followed was equally painful, as Qrow’s breath hitched and he started to sob. “I-I’m sorry. I’m-” He gasped out, every word a struggle. “I-I-”

Tai frowned, sliding his hand up to the other’s shoulder, tugging it insistently but not forcefully. “Qrow, can you look at me?” It took the other several long moments to compose himself enough to manage to turn his head, one watery red eye peering up at him. Heart breaking at the sight, Tai held open his arms in clear invitation. “Come here.”

A short moment of hesitance, and then Qrow was all but flinging himself at him, allowing Tai to wrap him up in a warm embrace. The shaking began anew, but less intense, driven less by fear and more from grief.

“I’m sorry.” Qrow repeated, strained and broken. “I-I dunno what happened. I just saw the lightning and just, f-freaked out, I guess? Arceus that sounds stupid.”

Tai shushed him, running his fingers through dark, messy locks much like his mother used to with himself when he was upset. “You don’t have anything to apologize for Qrow.” He mulled it over a minute, reporting thoughtfully, “I think you had a panic attack.”

He didn’t really understand what triggered it though. Qrow had said it was the lightning, but he’d seen lightning already since he’d been here – both the natural, weather induced kind and of the electric-type move set kind. So there had to of been something else about the circumstances that had set him off.

Maybe… the battle setting? He had said his Pokemon had gotten hurt protecting him.

Except, up until then, Tai had quietly assumed Qrow had stumbled into Blacephalon’s domain. The burns both he and Beatrix had endured being caused by a fire type seemed logically sound. He’d never once considered they would instead be electric ones.

He winced at the thought that Qrow had faced off against Xurkitree. The creature’s electrical output was nearly unmatched, gaining its power by absorbing currants out of power plants; because of that, it was also one of the most dreaded of the Beasts to appear, as it could purge an entire island into a total blackout within seconds. It also meant that every volt it had collected could be discharged at once, its attacks clocking into the millions of volts.

The fact that Qrow and his team were still breathing was a fucking miracle.

Qrow snuffled. “Tch. Damn it, I’m such a fucking mess.”

“Stop that. You are not.” Tai asserted. “You’ve been through a lot and-”

The other man pulled back, his snarling words bitter and corrosive, “-and it takes time. Yeah, yeah I’ve heard all that shit before.”

“Qrow-”

“You have no IDEA how frustrating this is!” He shouted, voice echoing off the walls. His jaw was clenched tight, another set of tears welling and falling. “Being treated like glass. Feeling guilty all the damn time because Arceus forbid I get even a millisecond of happiness. And now I’m responding to stupid bullshit like it’s the end of the world! I hate this. I hate feeling like this. It’s pathetic!”

He backed the second frustrated yell by punching the cavern floor.

Tai grimaced in sympathy, seeing blood dribble from split knuckles. In the silence that followed, filled with nothing but Qrow’s ragged pants and Yoraito’s quiet whimpers, he reached out, cupping the injured hand between his own. “I don’t think you’re pathetic Qrow.” He met the other’s gaze, trying to convey with both his face and his eyes how genuine he was being as he said, “In fact, I think you’re really brave.”

“Oh please.” He wrenched out of his grasp. “You just had a Salandit skewer your damn arm through and acted like it was nothing.”

He frowned. “There’s a difference between signing up for a profession that puts you in harm’s way and being tossed into it. If our situations were reversed, I can guarantee you I wouldn’t be holding it together nearly as well as you have been. If I could at all. And, anyways…” Unconsciously, his fingers fluttered along the still tender wounds, a set of mismatched, scabbed over gouges that would heal messily and scar terribly. Just one set of many he bore. “Just because I keep composed for the Pokemon doesn’t mean I’m not scared. Or that I’m not upset with the results when things do go wrong.”

Qrow tracked the movement, some of his anger fizzling. “Yeah?”

“Of course, stupid.” Tai replied, a sense of affection to the words. “Shit, I’ve probably got a pokedex full of little phobias built up over the years. It’s hard; I’m not denying that or anything else you’ve been feeling lately. But I guess… I’ve also got an outsider’s perspective to work with too. I’ve had so many Pokemon come through my possession, some damaged in ways I can’t even begin to repeat, and seen them all come out stronger despite those circumstances. If they can do it, why not us?” He met his gaze again, steady and encouraging, “Why not you?”

Qrow held it for all of two seconds before he ducked his head, pressing the heels of his hands to his eyes to dry his tears. “Arceus and beyond, you really are just a big ball of sunshine, you know that?”

“Thanks!” He chirped, relieved when that earned him a weak chuckle.

Sensing that things had calmed, Yoraito scooted forward, nuzzling into his trainer’s side. Qrow reached down, scoring his fingers through his fur. “I’m sorry, boy. I promise I’m done being a dramatic asshole.”

Tai chortled. “That’s what you’re calling this?”

“Fits my aesthetic.” He joked weakly, an obvious weariness settling into slumped shoulders and a gaunt, drawn expression. “Sorry. I really ruined the night, didn’t I?”

“Not at all. I had a great time.” He insisted, meaning every word. Even this, as frightening and upsetting as it had been, still had its positive side. Just knowing Qrow trusted him enough to speak so honestly and openly about what was going on in his head, no matter how much it hurt, brought a strange sense of comfort.

Because it meant he was healing. Messily, maybe, and some scars might not ever go away. But it was there, mending itself just like the wounds on Tai’s arm.

“Oh yeah,” Qrow’s voice dripped sarcasm. “The highlight of the night was totally the hour we spent in a dank and dreary cave.”

“Well I-” He started to say when an air-shattering boom had them both flinching.

“The fuck?”

Tai looked over his shoulder, the noise familiar enough he had a pretty good guess of what it could be. A second sparkle of light, just barely peeking over the treetops, confirmed his suspicions. “It’s just the fireworks.”

“Huh.” Qrow pursed his lips, before giving him a look, a challenging gleam in his eyes. “Race you there?”

He considered it, before a wily little thought entered his head and had him grinning. “Actually, I got a better idea.”

Two minutes later, Sunflower was leaping up the mesas that surrounded Mahalo trail like gigantic staircases, her powerful paws making the impossibly tall jumps seem effortless.

“This was your better idea?!” Qrow shouted, clinging on tight.

He pat the other’s arm. “Come on, where’s your sense of adventure? Or did you lose it all racing my darling into town like a daredevil on steroids?”

“Freaken’ Bart and his motormouth!”

Tai laughed all the way up to the summit.

The land leveled out at the top, only a few sparse trees growing while the rest was covered in a layer of soft, perennial grasses that blanketed the area in green. As one of the highest points on the island, it easily peaked high over the forest, affording a perfect view.

While his Arcanine took a much-deserved rest and Tai slipped off her back, offering a hand to Qrow, he missed the next firework that lit up the sky in a brilliant yellow burst.

What he didn’t miss was the pure, almost childlike, elation that overtook Qrow’s expression as he spotted it instead.

Arguably, it was the more gorgeous sight.

“Wow.” Qrow said, allowing himself to be led to the ground, the two of them using Sunflower’s flank as a backrest as they watched the sky. “They look so huge up here.”

Tai whistled as a red one scattered into existence, blooming like a Dahlia flower. “They sure are.”

A bump against his arm surprised him.

“Thanks.” Qrow sighed contently as he leant his face against his shoulder. “For all of this.”

Tai grinned, joy exploding like its own firework in his heart. “You’re welcome.”

They stayed like that for the rest of the show.

“I can’t believe you just ditched our match!”

Tai snorted, pulling Sunflower’s travel bag onto his bed. After last night, it was fit to bursting, full of trinkets, gifts and snacks he and Qrow had gotten last night. “Sorry Cloves, we uh, got pulled away.” He dumped the assortment onto his bed. “We both know you woulda won anyways.”

“What are you talking about?” Clover’s honest confusion made him pause. “I was gonna throw the match.”

He almost dropped the phone. “What?!”

“Uh, ‘Take the fall’ remember? We talk all big and then have this grand match that impresses our crush? Come on, now. I know you have to remember that one!”

Tai stared blindly at the items strewn on his duvet, wrapping his head around that. “We were eighteen when we did that.” And it never worked anyways. In fact, the last time they’d tried had been with James Ironwood – and instead of ending in success, the older trainer, whose tactical prowess was practically chess-level genius, had called them out so hard for faking it they’d vowed off the stupid ploy forever.

“Well what else was I supposed to think you were doing? It was only gonna take like one Aerial Ace and Zwei was gonna be on the ground.” Clover argued.

He ran a hand down his face as shame coiled in his stomach. He knew he could be a bit of a reckless idiot sometimes, but deliberately putting his Pokemon into a losing fight was probably one of the most foolish things he’d ever done.

Before he could find any words to explain himself, Clover tacked on softly, “I was just trying to help you out.”

This time, the phone slipped a few inches.

Tai glanced down the hall, where the sounds and smells of breakfast cooking could be heard, along with the undercurrent of Qrow’s terrible singing as he tried to pull off a rendition of Sheila Brody’s Everything Changes. There was no way he’d hear him but he crossed the room to close his door anyways before he finally said, “But I thought… you and Qrow were…I dunno, getting friendly?”

“What? No! What ever gave you that idea?”

He paced the short length of his room furiously, feeling more ridiculous by the moment as he admitted, “That day in the nursery. You guys were acting so weird that I thought I uh, interrupted something.”

“Oh yes, we were totally having a hot and heavy make out session.” He wasn’t sure if Clover’s snorting laughter made him feel better or worse. “In fact, we were chatting about how we wanted to give the pups a crash course on their sex-ed before you walked in.”

“Clover!” Tai cried, face burning bright. It did little to quell the other’s giggle fit. “Ugh, shut up already.”

“I’m sorry, I’m sorry!” He didn’t sound the least bit. “It’s just… Arceus Tai! You’re blinder than a Zubat if you can’t see how he swoons after you.”

He bit his lip, his pacing slowing to a crawl. “Really?”

“Yes.” Clover’s reply was adamant. “Trust me, he likes you. A lot. That’s what we were talking about that day.”

Tai was grateful for the closed door and drawn curtains, because no one could see the little jig he did in the middle of the room like he was sixteen all over again. Feeling lighter than an Altaria, he said, “Haha! That’s – wow. Just, so great.” Giddiness had him bouncing on the balls of his feet. “I have to tell him. Oh, wait!” His smile stretched wider as an idea hit him, “What if I take him to Oricorio’s Nest tonight? Dinner by candlelight and dancing – it would be so romantic!”

“Whooooa now, don’t go exploding yet Electrode.” Clover cut in, tone a mix of joking and serious. “I think you need to know that he uh… isn’t ready to tell you yet.”

His excitement deflated faster than a Drifblim in the wind. “But… why?”

“There’s a lot going on in his head right now and I think it’s all just overwhelming him. A relationship is the last thing I think he feels ready to tackle right now.”

The random panic attack from last night flashed back through his head and he winced. Yeah… he could understand that.

“Just give him some more time, okay? There’s a lot he wants to talk to you about – he just wants to be ready first.” There was a crackle over the line, not from the phone but in the background. Clover’s radio. “Ah, damn. Got a 459’er. Gotta go!”

“Yeah, okay. Be safe.” Tai replied, adding sincerely, “And, thank you. You’re the best.”

“Pff, don’t gotta tell me that.” Clover assured before the call ended.

He smiled fondly, dropping the phone back in the cradle. He couldn’t help another shimmy from overcoming his body; because even if the news wasn’t entirely ideal, it didn’t erase the fact that Qrow liked him. He liked him!!

Tai tittered to himself as he rifled through the various knickknacks, separating them into piles between what was his and what was Qrow’s. The man was still wearing the ring, but he’d also collected a decent selection of seashell and bead necklaces and bracelets, mostly in blacks and whites. Tai’s favorite of the bunch was the lone, dangle earring Qrow had picked out – shaped like the Q Unown but in place of the Pokemon’s eye was a red hibiscus that would match his eyes just as well as the feather earring had.

(Or maybe he just had a thing for Qrow’s eyes. It was anyone’s guess really.)

He continued to sort, humming a mele hula to himself. As he pushed a box of chocolate macadamias over, a crinkling caught his attention. Underneath had been a poorly half-folded slip of paper, now wrinkled and slightly ripped.

Strange. He thought he had asked for no receipts.

He picked it up, unfolding it.

And froze as an image that had been imprinted in his head since he was twenty-one stared back at him once again.

Why…

Why was this here?

Like a surfer riding a wave right into a shoal of Sharpedo but unable to avoid the crash, he started to read the article he’d never thought he’d see again.

An explosion struck Pine-A-Co Labs late Saturday morning, leaving four workers dead and one missing. The infrastructure of the building has been cited as unsafe and multiple roads are temporarily closed while officials investigate.

Pine-A-Co Labs is known for undertaking environmentally-forward advancements, including focus on forest restoration and soil enhancement. The owners, Ozpin & Salem Pine, began their work in 1990, and has since been a vital employer for Floaroma, providing jobs for over 150 homes.

Of the known employees on site at the time of the incident, only four of the five bodies were recovered. Qrow B-

Tai’s breath stuck like sand in his throat, gritty and painful as the words jumped out at him.

Qrow Branwen.

36.

Missing.

He stumbled back, the various trinkets on the top of his dresser rattling as he fell against it, breath coming fast and short. A memory, faint and fuzzy, surfaced.

“Ah, there’s my favorite little Firespin!” Qrow’s voice boomed, kneeling down in the threshold of the front door.

Tai, only five, giggled as he ran over. As he got close, he held up his gift with pride; a bouquet, bits of root and dirt still clinging onto the stems. “I got you fairies!”

“You did? Now isn’t that thoughtful.” Qrow scooped him up. His hugs were always strong and warm.

He’d gotten used to them over the months. Since the family car had gone kaput, Qrow had been dropping by to pick dad up for work. Tai had liked him immediately. He was funny and wore a cool cape and always smelt like fresh cut grass and bergamot. He also would always play with him, if he had time.

He was the best.

Qrow tweaked his nose, grinning. “Keep brightening up my day and I might just have to change your name to Sunshine.”

“No, that’s girly!” Tai complained loudly, though quickly forgot when a tiny, gray and red fox poked around Qrow’s hip. “BEA!!”

Qrow let him wiggle out of his grasp so he could hug the Zorua. Gentle, just like he’d been told to.

A hand reached out and ruffled his hair roughly. “Come on kiddo, let’s go out and play.”

Like water through his fingers, the memory slipped away and Tai found himself back in his bedroom.

His mind was full of cotton.

His heart was slamming so hard against his ribs he was sure they’d break.

His skin prickled like he’d fallen into a tide pool full of Pincurchin and he still had the spines stuck in.

He looked back down to the article once more. Read the words again. Nothing had changed.

But also, everything had.

His gut, heavy as if he’d swallowed a scoop of coal, suddenly ignited, heat sweeping through his veins, consuming him in a vortex of fire like the move he’d once been known as.

The paper, crushed between his fist, fell to the ground as he spun around and stormed out the door.

#taiyang xiao long #qrow branwen #Taiqrow #taiqrowweek #taiqrowweek2022 #rwby #fanfiction #Chase Firekitten's Tale

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limelocked · 4 years ago

Text

Sundial blurbs

So most of my part of the Sundial au has been locked into general au chat on our server in the form of joking, theorising and sometimes writing as much as the discord character limit allows me to. I did the two first blurbs in this post today and @pomodoko commanded i actually post it and tag them so here they are, sorted into story chronological order and not the order in which i wrote them

Also this is the link to the document with general information on the AU

--- Dreams POV, the inciting incident

1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8- NINE It has been ten seconds since Fundy landed at the bottom of the stairs at the lowest level of the building, there had been a noticeable thud that sounded distinctly unpleasant but Dream hadn't picked up on any cracking noise that'd indicate broken bones. Not that it'd be easy to hear over the commotion that led to later events.

Because it'd been seven seconds since Techno had lost his balance because of the falling fox mentioned and seven seconds since he stood back straight, almost brushing against Wilburs taller frame. It had only been five short seconds, that might have felt like weeks to others, since Wilbur in turn furrowed his brow and geared up for retaliation. Four seconds ago techno had been pushed. Three, Wilbur had gone into the wrong portal. Two, Philza had with Fundy still leaning on his shoulder tried to stop them both. One, they were gone.

It was surreal. The room had been filled with chatter before the fight, louder during the fight and now it was quiet. One second in the future, after it had all happened, the silence broke by no one who had seen it happen but by Tommy, babbling on about something with Fundy that didn't matter to anyone but himself. He quieted down when the person he was intending to talk to was nowhere to be found, confused. "Where'd Fundy go?"

"He and Wilbur already went through" the lack of effort it took for Dream to bend that truth would be concerning if not for his record, and technically they already had. "Oh-" an unsatisfactory answer but not one that would send him towards the throat of Noxite. "You can just talk to them back home. Come on." The portal after the hermits was supposed to be theirs, something quickly confirmed as they enter the community house with a crisis averted, or rather pushed back until a later date, and two people lost to another server.

--- Omniscient/Unknown POV, the dreamsmp aftermath

un, deux, trois, quatre, cinq, six, sept, huit, neuf... sept, huit, neuf... sept, huit... Seven hours later was when the lie couldn't hold anymore. Tommy already didn't trust Dream much but Tubbo had been a help in convincing him that Wilbur and Fundy were just away building or something. But the truth comes eventually. He sent a clear message of; <TommyInnIt> stop lying to me

Hour eight was the worst, accusations being thrown and swords being drawn. Screaming and explanations that never really felt enough. The ninth hour was bad in another way, depressing. Tommy's anger had simmered into bargaining as if Dream, George or Tubbo had the power to do anything of substance. It never got to begging, Tommy's pride forbade that but the things he put on the line for help that he couldn't get made it almost seem like it.

Noxcrew was contacted and they confirmed that the hemits had talked to them about the guests. Solutions were suggested and just as quickly rebuffed. Hour ten was a loss and the eleventh hour was one where Tommy and Tubbo got to speak alone.

"Can't you just use your powers or whatever to make the portals take us to hermitcraft" he was exhausted. "It doesn't work like that, probably, and Noxite has probably already tried it" "Yeah but Tubbo could you do it?" "I mean... maybe?" To that something glinted in Tommys eye, hope that Tubbo didn't want to extinguish as fast as it needed to be. "But I'm not allowed into the MCC world anyways so it wouldn't work" "FUCKING CHRIST TUBBO everyone here's useless!"

--- Technos POV, first night on hermitcraft

It's the first night and bones tower above him.

There were other buildings around, and the area was lit up well but eyes followed him from the darkness, eying the stone tools he'd manage to scrape up while leaving the group now probably settled in a warm house far away. This world scared him, the monsters and the way his sword hit differently, and the fact that the air itself felt new.

A pair of eyes glowed at him from it's place under one of the ribs of a beast too huge to want to think about. Techno readied his sword, but the dog decided that it'd rather go back to sleep. This world scared him and he just knew he'd gotten lost now because his goal had been to retrace his steps, the path that Xisuma and Bdoubleo had shown them to the little village far away by boat, to find the house cleft in two and then head straight out to sea until he could find a better place to stay than the tension thick cabin that their hosts had suggested.

Another dog offered a quiet bark in his direction and with an embarrassed sssh, covering fright, he continued forward. He had found the water, true, and he remembered something vague about a neighbour... but... No. No he decided that he'd choose a direction and if there weren't any light he'd just have to turn around or dock and make a little cave to live out of. It wouldn't be glorious but neither is 5 million potatoes.

A boat is placed into the water at the straight of Joebralta and a pig starts to row.

Clang. He is confused. The boat shakes in the middle of open water, he's been turned around. Clang. A trident, something he's only really seen in Skyblockle, shoots into the air a meter to the right of his boat. He speeds up. Clang. It misses, but he has decided that the sea is no longer safe.

--- Technos and Ethos POV, the first days in hermitcraft

He's starting to feel bad for leaving. Still justified, but also bad. He felt horrible the instant the championship room disappeared from right in front of his eyes with Wilbur still in it, and still worse when Wilbur then Phil and Fundy appeared next to him in this world, all statues as unseen confused messages fill the communicators of the worlds inhabitants.

When they arrived he was surprised that a lot of the hermits knew about them, or at least him, from the returning cast of hermits that played in MCC and their apparent tendency to tell stories as soon as there was space for it. It'd made it less awkward but the looks from the others stopped him from talking much about his side of the tournaments.

This was perhaps night four? He had stepped ashore in a jungle a bit from an area he could almost feel at home in with its skyscrapers reminiscent of some survival games arenas. But it was built by someone and someone should be avoided so he had trudged through plains and deserts walking around it only to find more tall buildings in another jungle.

The jungle was... safe? Safe from people at least, less so mobs. He had a little cave with a bed now that kept the hot and humid air out most of the time and while small and cramped and utterly horrible it felt far safer than returning to the others... even though he could practically hear Phils calm and nonchalant reassurances.

Leaving the small home he searches for the water he remembers spotting nearby. The bright orange tracksuit wasn't something he wanted to wear but there wasn't much of anything else and it still needed to be washed of stone dust and sweat no matter how much he disliked it. He leaves with a compass and map to find his way back, and around other peoples territory. And water is found easily with these. Stone, coal and redstone is scrubbed away in the freshwater lake that's only relatively cold, but it still feels nice, like the wind on his island in skyblock or in the skywars arenas.

Not too far away a man is working in a terrarium of his own design containing no animals but currents in thin snakes coiling around comparators and observers. The change to the nether has been an exciting one but it did come with problems for the technicians and thankfully for this one the Google hasn't broken too far beyond belief and is back in functioning order faster than expected.

Satisfied he looks at the path that he paradoxically want to end and to continue and decides to wait, flying up to sit near his portal instead to think about it and access the expansions he's already made. Something bright orange is spotted in the distance which at first is ignored, it can wait, until the realization of a possible abandoned shulker, so very common in this group, grabs him and almost instantly leaves as it moves around.

Several seconds later the orange turns brighter and the idea of lava pops in and out of his head in a flash.

<Etho> Beef have to lost an orange llama? <VintageBeef> no? <VintageBeef> at least I dont think so...? <Etho> o_o

He's been keeping out of the way for a while, like usual, and only knew some of the news about new people on the server. That they'd gotten there with Rendogs sports gang by accident and that they'd been living mostly over at Bdubs' place to avoid having them be excluded to their own little village. Apparently something had happened, he'd missed the details but it was looking like there was a manhunt for someone or something that he should by all means be more invested in.

Curious he misses the orange go out of view in favour of finding out about this missing thing in case he's found it. A person and a description, hidden deep in other messages. His height, human pig hybrid, last seen wearing...

Does he want to do this? He knows his way around a jungle but it's still annoying and Xisuma lives close by... but he's most likely AFK. Well, you make a good first impression on the new guys if you find their missing friend.

--- Omniscient/Unclear POV, Technos time with Etho

Silence is golden in silver light. The hermits can stay up days on end without sleep, working through nights when it’s needed and even with guests this doesn’t change. Like the sliver of moon in the sky, Ethos hair glows radiant from inside the redstone machine he calls the Googler and Techno does nothing but look on as repeaters are moved and redstone is smeared in new paths into blocks he has never seen before, something he’s had to get used to lately.

His host works in silence until a question breaks the jungles chime and an answer is given with the rhythm. The redstone had changed and he thought he had fixed it, an unhelpful follow up is posed and a pause is moved into a somewhat oversimplified version of the circuit. They both know that Techno is no help here, but the company is nice and something is learned.

Etho in the day when working the fortress tells Techno about the old days and in turn Techno admits to never having left those old days for long. Etho talks about Pause and Beef. Techno fails to talk about his own team.

#sundial au #mcyt #hermitcraft #technoblade #none of this was proofread

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kamilah-is-queen · 4 years ago

Note

can you do a fanfic of Amy being insecure of her stretch marks and kamilahs reaction then her comforting Amy or something i don’t know you are the writer here so do your magic BAHA btw i love fics 🥺

You’ll Always Be Perfect To Me

Tagging: @wisebananapatrol, @rhonda-sayeed, @kamilahtopme, @vonda-b-real, @millasayeed, @queenkamilah, @ilove-kamilah-sayeed, @iamsimpforpoppy

Amy had never felt more insecure. The way she viewed herself through the mirror in front of her, she saw nothing but a hideous mess. Her stomach had small marks running down to her hips, a scar after she carried two children for those long nine months.

Not even the anxiety and trauma she went through as a child could compare to this, she just couldn’t see the beauty she figured was once apparent...but not anymore. The light shade of her skin had faded slightly, accentuating the so-called ‘hideous marks.’ The lines were a sort of purplish, blue color. The strange shade contrasting evidently against her light skin, which only worsened Amy’s thoughts.

Now, as she stared back at the figure through the glass, she felt embarrassed. No amount of makeup could truly hide the pain she had inside, the shame she hid away from the rest of the world.

But, she wore a smile. For the sake of her wife, for the sake of her children..and for herself. Amy kept her shirt tucked above her stomach, her gaze fixed on her torso. She was so lost that Amy hadn’t even realized when her wife had entered the room.

“Amy…..Amy, are you alright?” Kamilah’s smooth, and gentle voice brought Amy back to her senses. She replied with a curt nod, releasing the grip on her shirt, letting it cascade past her stomach once more.

“You know, I can tell when you’re lying, my love.” Kamilah wrapped her arms around Amy’s petite frame, Amy leaning back into her wife’s warmth.

“It’s just that…” Amy continued, “How am I supposed to feel beautiful when I have all of this?” She gestured her hands towards her stomach, tears welling in her eyes. “I know that it’s a reminder of the struggles of my pregnancies but…” She bowed her head as the tears pooled down her cheeks, as she let them reign freely. “I just feel so ugly, like I’m the odd one out.”

Kamilah tightened her grip on Amy, holding her wife to her warm chest. “Sssh...let it out darling, it’s okay…” Kamilah cooed in Amy’s ear, gently stroking her wife’s sides as Amy let out everything.

The months of hiding behind her smile, the hidden tears she shed during the early hours of the morning when no one was listening, the quiet prayers she muttered for her Lord, to rid the hideousness off of her body.

Amy wept and wept until her knees buckled, and her eyes were dry from all of her tears being shed. Kamilah tightened her arms around Amy and held her closer. “Look in the mirror, Amy.”

Amy found the courage to look herself in the eye again, her bare naked body on full display. “What do you see?” Amy caught Kamilah’s gaze, before swallowing deeply and replying.

“I...I see years of scars and...and...memories worth a lifetime.” Amy watched as Kamilah’s hands gently rested on her skin, just above her belly button.

“And what else do you see? Tell me, from what you feel in here.” Kamilah gently tapped the skin above Amy’s heart, the strong pulse only quickening with the touch.

Amy took a moment to recollect her thoughts, before letting her heart speak. “I see myself. Amy Sayeed, wife of Kamilah Sayeed, and the mother of our two children. The only Bloodkeeper and Vampire hybrid.”

She let out a long sigh, exhaustion overwhelming Amy before Kamilah’s soothing voice calmed her once again. “Now let me tell you what I see.”

Kamilah intertwines their hands, their matching engagement rings clinking against one another as Kamilah gazed at her wife through the mirror in front of her.

“I see...the most gorgeous figure to ever exist on this Earth. The most stunning, breathtaking, and ethereal angel anyone has ever seen. I see a determined leader, who fought against everyone’s judgement and proved them wrong. I see the woman who was able to turn her life around, despite the upbringing that was forced upon her. I see..” Kamilah broke out into a smile…”The strongest, most bravest being, not only just a woman, but the bravest soul I’ve ever seen throughout my 2,093 years on this Earth Amy.

Amy’s eyes swelled with tears as she opened her mouth to speak, only for Kamilah to continue. “I see my wife...the woman who’s been through my side through thick and thin, upholding our vows and blessing this family with our children. The woman that couldn’t be any more perfect in any way, shape or form. Despite the scars that you may bear Amy…”

Kamilah pressed a gentle kiss to the tender patch of skin behind Amy’s ear, “You’ll always be perfect to me.” Her voice a mere whisper into Amy’s skin.

The young vampire turned to meet Kamilah’s eyes, the deep brown orbs staring back was like an endless pit Amy was endlessly lost in. “You...you really mean that Kamilah?” She whispered against Kamilah’s lips.

“Of course, my love. No words I’ve ever muttered have been closer to the truth than this.” Kamilah held Amy closer as their lips crashed together.

Kamilah playfully nipped at Amy’s lip, before swiping her tongue over the small wound as soft moans left Amy’s mouth. Lips tangled together, and tongues moved as one.

Slowly, and reluctantly, the two pulled away. “Oh, and...one more thing…”

Kamilah’s lips curved into a broad smile, “I love you.”

#kamilah sayeed #kamilah sayeed x mc #Bloodbound #choices: stories you play #mc x kamilah

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insomniousluci · 5 years ago

Text

Double Discipline

-Satan and Lucifer give MC a special punishment-

(Happy Birthday Finn 😏😉)

I knocked on Satan’s bedroom door. It was about 10 PM. He had sent me a text asking me to come see him, which was definitely odd for him. I wasn’t sure what he could be wanting, but I had nothing better to do right now, so I went along with it. He called for me to come in, so I entered and closed the door behind me. Satan was sitting in his reading chair in the corner, book in hand.

“I’m here, what did you want?” I asked.

“Wow, you sound so excited to see me.” He said sarcastically.

“Sorry. Of course I’m happy to see you. It just isn’t like you to invite me over at night like this.”

“Hmm...I suppose you’re right.” He scratched his head and looked away from me, seeming a little embarrassed. “To be honest, I just wanted to see you. We’ve been so busy with school that I feel like we don’t get to spend very much time together. I just wanted to catch you before you went to bed.” His cheeks turned a light shade of pink.

“Awww!” I giggled, unable to contain my smile. I walked over and sat on the arm of Satan’s chair, petting his head. “You’re sooo adorable. I’m happy to spend time with you!”

“Hey! Don’t pet me like some animal...” He swatted my hand away and scowled at me. I ignored him and pinched his cheek. That was the last straw, and Satan stood up, grabbing my wrists. He was smiling now, which was a relief. I giggled some more as he tried to wrestle me into submission, but I just kept fighting him.

“Okay okay! Ow! I’ll stop, just let me go!” I was laughing out loud now. Satan released my hands and I gave him a devious look before I unleashed a full on tickle attack, pinching his sides. He curled up and started laughing, swinging an arm over my head to place me in a headlock. I tried to pull myself out, but he was strong. Finally he loosened his grip, but I was pulling at the same time, so I ended up flying backwards. I stumbled a little and bumped into the shelf behind me. I gasped as a bottle tipped over and onto the floor, smashing into tiny pieces. Whatever liquid was inside started to saturate the carpet.

“Careful!” Satan exclaimed, quickly kneeling over to clean up the mess as best he could. I tried to help him, quickly picking up the tiny shards of glass.

“I’m so sorry! I didn’t mean to...” I was embarrassed by my clumsiness. Eventually we got the glass picked up, but there was still a wet spot on the floor.

“That was a special potion I got from a witch...it was hundreds of years old, never used. I was saving it for a time when I might need it...” he sighed, shaking his head at me.

“I’m really, really sorry, Satan. I feel really bad...but at the same time...”

“At the same time what?” Satan shot me an annoyed look.

“At the same time, it was your fault too. You were the one who started the rough housing. You should know better than to start a wrestling match in a place with so many delicate items.” I smirked at him and crossed my arms. I could see the frustration grow on his face, because he knew I was right. He took a step closer to me and placed his finger under my chin, staring into my eyes.

“You mocked me, you broke a valuable item of mine, and now you’re back talking me? You’ve crossed the line. I think you need to be punished.” His eyes lit up with power and lust, and I felt the breath escaping my lungs.

“W-what kind of punishment?” I stuttered. He pushed me onto the bed and climbed on top of me, pinning my wrists down.

“Whatever I see fit. Maybe I’ll fuck you until you’re sore.” He said matter-of-factly. My heart felt like it burst into flames, hearing words like that come out of his mouth. I opened my mouth to speak, but nothing came out. But it didn’t matter, because Satan quickly started kissing me. He pressed his lips against mine firmly and pushed his tongue inside, teasing my own tongue playfully. He started undressing me, making quick work of my shirt and bottoms. He kissed my neck all over as he removed my underwear and started pleasuring me below. He bit and sucked on my neck, and I gasped a little at the sting it left. I moaned softly as he stimulated me, rubbing me quickly. He slipped a finger into me and worked it deep, slowly massaging me inside. I moaned a little louder and squirmed in excitement.

Satan gave me another passionate, aggressive kiss before flipping me over on my stomach. He undressed himself and pulled my hips up, pressing his hard cock against me and slowly rubbing into me. I pushed back into him, eager to have him inside.

“Don’t get too excited...I’m not going to go easy on you. After all, you’re being punished, remember?” He teased me, grabbing my ass firmly to remind me who was in charge. He pushed the head of his cock inside me first, and then thrust his hips, penetrating me deep. I moaned as he slid in, and looked back to see the satisfied look on his face. He caught me peaking, and took a fistful of my hair, pulling it back and my head along with it. He started fucking me, his cock hammering deeper and deeper into me. I let out a loud groan of pleasure.

“Ahhn...Satan...”

“Sssh!” He shushed me, letting go of my hair. He stopped thrusting and stayed completely still. I was confused at first, but in the silence I heard footsteps approaching.

Before either of us could move, the doorknob started to turn and the door opened. There stood Lucifer. His normal, stern expression twisted into a look of confusion. It felt like time was standing still, and I was mortified. I was panicking, yet I couldn’t move. I was frozen.

“What are you two doing...?” He asked, stepping in and closing the door quietly behind him. I couldn’t fathom why he would choose to come inside instead of fleeing in horror. But this was the Devildom, and they were demons. I suppose they had seen many unsightly things in their life time, and probably participated too.

“What does it look like?” Satan scoffed. He was still inside of me, as we had stayed completely still this whole time. Lucifer walked farther into the room, slowly slipping his gloves off. He lay them on Satan’s desk and began tapping his fingers on the surface.

“It looks like you’ve got someone in a very compromising position right now.” He smirked down at me. My face must have been beet red, and I was still frozen like a statue. “Tell me, how did this happen to you? How did you get yourself trapped in such a way?” He teased.

It took me a second to come to my senses and realize he was speaking to me. I felt Satan give my hip a squeeze. I looked up at Lucifer, my heart about to explode out of my chest.

“I...I broke something on accident...and n-now I’m being punished...” the words barely escaped my trembling lips. The same lustful flame I saw in Satan’s eyes was now ablaze in Lucifer’s. He stepped closer to me and slowly began to unbutton his shirt, one by one. Satan began to slowly slide his cock in and out again, and I felt a wave of both fear and excitement wash over me. Apparently Satan was willing to accept some help in administering his discipline.

Lucifer unbuttoned his pants and slipped out of them, not wasting any time with his underwear either. Satan began to fuck me a little faster and I was trying to contain my moans. Lucifer’s hard cock was right in front of me now, and he took my hair in his hands.

“It sounds like my brother decided he needed to teach you a lesson...and I won’t take that from him. Actually, I think I’ll help. Just to make sure you really learn.” His voice was soft and low. He tapped on my lips with a single finger, and I got the message. I opened my mouth and he pushed his cock inside. I started to suck on it, now completely overtaken by the brothers. Satan thrust into me harder and harder, showing me no mercy as he fucked me from behind. Lucifer started thrusting his hips a little too, shoving his cock deeper into my mouth until I was nearly gagged. I sucked hard and used my tongue to please him, muffled moans escaping me as I felt Satan’s cock hitting so deep inside me.

I felt tingles through my whole body as both demons began giving me soft moans, satisfied with the pleasure they were getting from using me. Satan leaned over me as he fucked me faster, kissing the back of my neck. Lucifer fucked my mouth quickly and used his thumb to wipe away a tear that was forming in my eye. I felt like I could barely breathe as I was ravished by them, but I didn’t care, I had never been filled with this much lust.

Eventually Satan pulled out of me, ready to switch things up. Lucifer took the lead now. He sat on the bed behind me and pulled me to him, shoving himself inside me so that I was sitting on his cock as he sat upright underneath me. He began to thrust up into me, and I met his rhythm, riding his huge cock, moving up and down quickly. Satan watched for a moment as I used his brother’s cock to pleasure myself, but then he got down and started licking me, using his mouth and tongue to stimulate me outside while Lucifer pounded me deep inside. I stayed still then, allowing them both to work on me. Lucifer thrust upwards quickly again and again, and Satan went down on me, making sure to tease all the right spots with his tongue. I groaned loudly, grabbing and pulling Satan’s hair, trying not to go over the edge and cum right then. Lucifer exhaled a low moan too, fucking me hard and deep.

“Ahh...! Fuck...! Im gonna cum!” As they both went faster, my groans reached full volume, and I couldn’t hold back any longer. I tensed up and felt a hot sensation racing through my whole body, all the way down to my toes, finally giving myself over to the powerful orgasm. The brothers moved off of me and let me catch my breath, but I could tell by their devilish glare that they weren’t done with me yet.

“Come down off the bed, and get on your knees.” Lucifer commanded. I obeyed, kneeling before them. Lucifer grabbed my hair and shoved his cock into my mouth again. I sucked it and took it as deep as I could without choking. Satan stepped closer and I took his cock in my hand, stroking it firmly, squeezing and massaging around the head. After a moment Lucifer pulled away, leaving my face all messy with spit. He pushed my face over to Satan, and my mouth was filled again with Satan’s hard staff. I sucked again, now rubbing Lucifer with my hand. They took turns using my mouth, and I sensed them becoming eager to cum. They both took their cock in their hand then, quickly rubbing themselves. I opened my mouth, ready to receive their loads. Satan came first, gasping a little and sighing in relief as he covered my face in hot, sticky cum. Lucifer followed seconds later, hitting me right on the tongue and into my mouth. I looked up at their flushed, tired expressions, streaks of cum decorating my face and running down my chin. I swallowed what was left in my mouth, and wiped a little away from my eye. They were panting, just taking in my appearance.

After it was over, Lucifer didn’t stick around. He dressed and left the room without saying a word. Satan allowed me to get cleaned up in his bathroom, but he had an embarrassed blush on his face that never left from the moment he got dressed. I came out of the bathroom, feeling pretty awkward myself. I was just ready to get back to my room so I could process what the hell had just happened. But I couldn’t just walk out silently like Lucifer did. So I went to Satan and kissed his cheek, and offered the first words that came to mind.

“Sorry I broke your bottle of potion.”

I stepped quickly out the door and almost slammed it behind me.

#obey me #obey me fanfic #obey me smut #smut #fanfiction #obey me fanfiction #obey me satan #obey me lucifer #satan #lucifer

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