#I should be sleeping but need to wait for a layer of tan to dry before I put on the next one

[mickeym4ndy]

honestly all those post s6 canon divergent fics set when Mickey gets out of prison after a few years or so all write gallavich better than s11 did

[thaiteaprincess]

Grooming Master List 💅🧖‍♀️

Long post ahead 🙌

Hair Care💇‍♀️

Find out your hair needs from a professional. Get your hair done and ASK QUESTIONS. Some questions are, “what my hairs porosity?” “Is my hair fine, medium, or coarse in texture?” “Does my hair lack protein?” Learn about your hair and then buy the appropriate products.

Leave in and then oil your ends. Leave in conditioner is so important. Your hair loses moisture through out the day and a leave in helps prevent that. Sealing the ends with oil prevents the newly added moisture from evaporating. This will help a lot with hair length retention. So basically your hair not breaking at the end or turning to dust (this literally happens.)

Heat-less curls! See below. These curlers are AMAZING! They give you a blow out look without the heat. I always use them now every time I shower. Basically you use them when your hair is damp, sleep on it, and take out in the morning.

Speaking of sleeping, silk bonnets. Covering your hair with a bonnet is so important even if you don’t have curls like I do. It reduces frizz and friction and keeps your hair from breaking and becoming dry. Hot girls never sleep without one!

Hair masks - once a week

Hair oiling. Use an oil that works with your hair type (fine, medium, coarse.) apply to scalp before you shower and wait 30 mins or longer if your hair can handle it. Make sure to massage 💆‍♀️

Clarify your scalp when needed

Hair powder. Buy or make a hair powder to use as a dry shampoo. They absorb oil and add thickness to the hair shaft. Win, win! Etsy is the place to shop.

You cannot train your hair. That’s not how the body works, sorry. If you need to wash your hair, wash it.

Skin Care🧴

See a dermatologist! If you are struggling with consistent acne or the aftermath or scars and inflammation. See a Dermatologist

Figure out what kind of acne scars you have. There’s P.I.E (Post inflammatory erythema) which is the red mark left over, P.I.H (Post inflammatory hyperpigmentation) the brown spots left over, atrophic scars, boxcar scars, ice pick scars, or hypertrophic scars. Each scars nerds something different. I get P.I.E which likes retinol, niacinamide, and dermabrasion.

Wear Sunscreen EVERYDAY. I don’t care if it’s raining or you aren’t going anywhere, windows exist. Anything over 50 SPF doesn’t get stronger BUT it does last longer. You can also use your sunscreen as a moisturizer if you are not super dry.

Anti-aging. You should only be using anti-aging at 25 years old and up. 25 is when you start to age so doing it before is detrimental to skin health.

Double cleanse EVERYDAY even if you wore no makeup. Your sunscreen should be waterproof so it needs an oil to break it down. So wash your face with an oil cleanser than a water based cleanser.

Hand/Nail Care 🤚

Buy a good hand moisturizer not those fragrance ones. Cerave and la roche posay have good ones. Apply at night and then apply a cuticle oil then wear a moisturizer glove. They have ones with tech fingertips so you can still use your phone before bed.

Gel nails at home. Get the equipment to do your gels at home. It’s not expensive anymore and it’s super easy. You will have to watch a tutorial because it’s a very different process than regular nail polish. You NEED a base coat and top coat for it to work btw. Also please scrape your nails before applying. There’s an invisible layer of skin on your nails I promise you. I’ll talk more about this in foot care. I recommend doing nude colors because they look better as they grow out.

UV gloves. If you are doing Gel nails you need UV blocking gloves. They have kinds that leave the finger tips out so you can do your nails. You really don’t want to be blasting your hands with UV. It’s like a tanning bed for your hands. I also suggest driving UV blocking gloves. They have grippies for driving. When you drive your hands are blasted with the sun. The back of your hand are super delicate and prone to sun damage and aging. There’s also hand sunscreen which I recommend.

Foot care 👠

You NEED a pedicure kit. I recommend this

Watch the meticulous manicurist on YouTube she is a wealth of knowledge!

You want to get ride of the junk in your side walls and on top of your nail!

Use a glass foot file to get rid of dry skin and calluses. Speaking of calluses there are things you can buy that reduce them if you get them in the same spot every time. I get one under my big toes so there’s silicone cushions that wrap around my big toe and help with the extra pressure I’m putting on them. They have heel ones too!

Kerasol foot cream is the best foot cream it’s what dems suggest. You can buy moisturizer socks and put them in after applying and sleep on it or wrap your feet in Saran Wrap then a sock if you can’t spend the money.

Hair removal 🪒

Eye brows - it’s super cheap to just get them professionally threaded honestly. A professional can do a better job than you. Simply set a recurring day on your calendar. Go once or twice a month depending on your brows.

Do not shave your face at home! It’s a form of dermabrasion and if everything isn’t 100% sterile than you can get infected and lots of acne.

Kitty 🐱 I honestly prefer an electric shaver and using the razor only for the bikini line. Less irritation and it still looks neat.

Armpits - waxing or laser is the best but regular shaving is fine.

Legs - you can use hair conditioner as shaving cream!

Other tips on how to look good daily, wear jewelry everyday that fits your skin tone, learn your colors (summer, winters, fall, spring, and more. I’m a soft summer.) Learn your Kibbe type. I am a soft dramatic!

And of course eat healthy and exercise! 🏋️‍♀️🏃‍♀️

[captain039]

Don’t let me go

The huntsman x reader

(Snow White and the huntsman, Chris Hemsworth)

Warnings: Gore, ABO, light swearing, magic things, light angst, idk

You stared at the world around, the voices screeching in your ear, telling you what to do, who you should be. The ground was cold and wet under you, your back soaked in mud and the rain pouring down on you. You struggled the breath, struggled to move so they didn't catch you. Why’d she want you dead? The queen doesn’t know you, doesn’t know anything about you and suddenly it’s your death or nothing. You didn’t know you could run that fast, being mere miles away from the dark forest had its benefit of nobody venturing into your small town, yet the queen was so angry she sent her brother after you. Unsure of what you did you fled, trying to save your family and village.

You eyes had gone blurry, the trees moved to you with their pointy branches, the sky was so grey and groggy it made you sick.

You closed your eyes savoured the earth under you as it might be the last you ever feel it.

Your body jolted though, you were being moved you figured this was the end till warmth spread through you.

“Come on” you heard a voice, deep and soothing almost despite its grunting.

“Wake up!” You heard a more feminine voice this time and frowned seeing a figure to your left. You stumbled in the persons arms, gained your feet and ran with them.

You neared the edge of the forest, your mind still fuzzed, a huntsman by the looks and a young woman, you didn’t know who she was.

“We mean you no harm” the young woman spoke and you frowned lifting your head seeing women in boats, you hadn’t even noticed them.

“What’s wrong with her?” They asked and you frowned.

“She’s been exposed, it’ll pass” the man spoke by your side and you frowned at him.

“Exposed?” You said almost drunken like.

“Get in” the woman said as you were led into the boat.

You awoke, warm and dry on a bed with a sheet over you. You opened your eyes slowly it was dark out, the only light from the flames by the fire.

“Ah there you are” you groaned sitting up as a woman helped you.

“Easy now dear” she said her voice kind.

“What happened?” You mumbled mind rushing back.

“You passed out in the boat” she said and you nodded rubbing your eyes.

“Why- why did the queen want me?” You whispered shifting so your feet hit the floor. You stood and stumbled but the woman sat you back down hushing you gently.

“My mother’s dead! My brother- I” you shook eyes blurring with tears.

“It’s alright child” she pulled you close, she held you, her scent that of an aged beta, calming.

“You’re awake” you frowned looking to the huts door and seeing the young woman.

“Thank you for helping me” you said wiping your eyes quickly and pulling away from the woman.

“The queen wants you too” she walked in and stood by you.

“Why she want you?” You asked, she didn’t look like anything special, beautiful sure, but just an ordinary girl.

“I’m the kings daughter” you froze at her words.

“Princess?” You muttered and she nodded.

“Why did she want you?” She asked and you shrugged.

“I don’t know” you mumbled.

“You’re special” the woman beside you spoke and you looked to her.

“How?” You said confused.

“You’re an omega” you frowned at her words that wasn’t uncommon?

“There’s omegas everywhere” you sighed thinking she was just suddenly insane.

“No there’s not” you stared at her confused.

“The queen executed them, your homes by the dark forest yes?” She asked and you nodded.

“She won’t go near that place, she has no power there” you tried to process, you really did.

“I left the village to get a cow from the market, I disguised myself as my brother” you muttered. Your brother was ill, you’ve been acting like him from time to time when going out, safer to travel.

“Someone would’ve caught you” she whispered and you clenched your fist, nails digging into your palm.

“Damn it” you said eyes watering again as you realised the whole fate of your village laid on your shoulders, they were dead, you watched the flames as you ran, the slaughter.

“The huntsman was after me, he had a change of heart before he found you” the princess spoke.

“A change of heart?” You almost scoffed.

“He’s a huntsman” you said.

“They don’t have hearts” you stared at the fire, memories flooding back.

You laughed while your brother chased you around the village, the older ones laughing as you both caused a ruckus.

“Y/n! Oliver!” You turned to your mother’s call and laughed as you both ran over trying to trip each other.

“Ah goodness ya both a mess” she sighed as you heard a horse approaching. Your mother looked up her eyes wide with tears in it. You looked too your heart pounding at the sight of your father.

“Daddy!” Your brother called running to him as he dismounted and embraced your brother tightly.

“Little Olly” he said as you walked to them.

“My little princess” he whispered cupping your cheek.

“Come here” he said softly and you wrapped your little arms around his neck.

“I missed you both” he whispered as he let you down and embraced your mother.

“They’ve grown” he chuckled to your mother who nodded with tears in her eyes.

“Look at you!” He knelt back down cupping your cheeks.

“Bigger than your brother” he chuckled as Oliver pouted.

“You’ll be a big man one day son don’t you worry” your father pet his cheek with a big smile. Time froze though as he jolted, an arrow through his heart. Screams rang out and the slaughter began. You were carried, torn away as you watched your father die. You were hidden away before it all stopped. Your mother bloodied but alive as she held you both close.

“Never trust a huntsman” she whispered.

“Men like him have no heart nor will they” you said.

“You-“ the princess began to speak but the loud cry tore all your gazes outside.

“Quickly!” The woman grabbed you both and ran out the back, the huts ablaze with fire and the queens men tearing the village down.

“Come now!” The women herded you out the back, through the water and to the boats.

“Huntsman!” The princess said as you saw him coming through the tall grass.

“Go!” The woman cried pushing you towards him.

“Wait-“ you said as she shook her head.

“Go now!” You tan with them both through the tall grass.

You ran for ages it felt like, your small rest reminding you of how exhausted you truely are.

“I can’t-“ you collapsed legs aching, chest burning. You laid on the grass, took in deep gulps of air trying to sooth the burn.

The princess and the huntsman stopped, the princess panting the and huntsman by your side.

“Go away” you said flinching as he went to touch you. He frowned at your words his blue eyes saddened.

“We need to keep moving” he said as you felt your heart finally slow down.

“She’s exhausted” the princess said coming to your side.

“Give me a minute” you mumbled as she handed you a canteen. You sighed drinking the water in it. You sat up slowly before nodding.

You moved for till the morning came, you were tired, legs trembling at each step, you weren’t use to running away. You froze though when something went around your foot and you were all hoisted up. Your back hit the huntsman sand you grunted as you tried to gain awareness.

“Beith” the huntsman sighed as you frowned seeing dwarfs around you.

“Ah Huntsman!” A dwarf said.

“Fancy seeing you out here” he added as you looked around but not spotting the one who spoke.

“You got two pretty little things by your side now huh?” You glared at the dwarf in front of you despite him not being the one who spoke.

“I think she might kill us” the dwarf said as you grunted and squirmed.

“Stop moving omega it’s no use” the huntsman sighed as you struggled.

“Cut us down Beith” he added.

“Do it” you heard another dwarf.

“It’s the princess” he added and you glanced to the princess.

“I have seen it” he muttered.

“Argh cut them down” you assumed Beith said as you landed on the ground harshly, your neck cramping along the way.

“Piss off!” You snapped as a dwarf came over.

“Alright!” He said hands up. You scrambled with your ropes before standing on your feet.

“She’s the one” you frowned looking to the princess who knelt in front of a blind dwarf.

“The darkness will end” he added smiling.

You traveled with the dwarves to the sanctuary, a place you’d never seen, fairies and little critters running around the lush grass. You smiled at the little rabbits running about, fluffy coats and little tails.

Night fell and you finally had a chance to lie down, Snow danced with Gus while the others sang. You had your back to the fire, holding the blanket close as tears silently fell from your eyes. Caught up in this mess for being an omega, your brother was one too, though he grew ill. Thinking back to everything you realise you were the only two, your mother coated your scents every day and night, she always told you, you needed to be careful around everyone, be on you guard.

You flinched when someone covered you with something.

“I’m not going to hurt you” you stared at the huntsman as he held a fur up.

“You were shaking” he said softly lying the pelt down over you.

“What’s it to you” you snapped with a hush voice.

“I don’t know what you think I am, but it isn’t right” he said and you glared.

“You’re a heartless man with an axe” you snapped.

“Monsters” you mumbled as you watched the hurt flash again. He sighed and sat back down, you kept your back turned as you tried to ignore the feeling in your stomach.

You watched your father die again, slowly, the arrow through him then an axe in his head, tearing his soul away as he fell. The Huntsman tore through your village, tore everything up before they left with their small victory. You cried violently over your fathers dead body, blood tears running down his eyes.

“Wake up!” You frowned as somebody shook you a voice echoing.

“Wake up! You shot up your dagger close as you looked around panting.

“Easy” you held your knife towards the huntsman as he held his hands up.

“You were crying out in your sleep” he said and you gulped. You had a layer of sweat covering your body, tears in your eyes. You lifted yourself and headed to the first ignoring his calls.

You pushed past trees and darkness before you fell to your knees and cried. You didn’t hold it back, didn’t silence it, you cried and cried till tears became streams. You heard someone approaching, cursed them as you knew who it was.

“Go away!” You cried turning to him.

“Leave me alone” you whispered as you felt him wrap his arms around you. You sobbed softly hesitant and struggling before leaning back into the embrace.

“Just let it out” he whispered as you cried softly. You held the arm around your shoulders, gripping his flesh.

Your tears dried and he sat back and made you sit back with him. You laid back against his chest looking at his boots outstretched besides you. His arms rested around your waist so you couldn’t leave, you stared at the moon in numb exhaustion.

“My father came home from a merchant trade” you began softly.

“I was five, my brother was four, he came off his horse and told us how big we had grown, embraced us before an arrow went through his heart and an axe in his head” you felt him tense behind you and you swallowed a lump in your throat.

“Huntsman had come through to kill our village leader and claim it as their own for their queen, they slaughtered and burned my village before leaving after their message had been heard that the village was owned” his grip tightened a little as you stopped.

“The queen was clouded by grief, she raised an army of children into Huntsman, she had one rule, to never love” he said.

“I fell in love, it cost me her life and others, so I escaped” his voice croaked a little and you held one hand over his.

“We were reckless ready to escape, but she died and I was sent out with grief of my own” you kept looking at the moon as he spoke, he was warm against you, comforting in a way you didn’t want.

“She wasn’t mine though, maybe we were desperate to feel something, it wasn’t the same feeling as- as this” he spoke softly and your heart raced in your ears as he spoke, you felt it too.

“What is this? I don’t know you” you said broken.

“I don’t know what this is, but I won’t let it go” he said as you felt a single tear drop.

“I won’t let you go” he muttered.

[endless-whump]

Masterlist

Universe belongs to @wildfaewhump <3

--

It was pure chance, really, how that morning went.  Metilia sipped her coffee quietly, staring at the fireplace as the thunder rolled above the house.  The rain had let up a bit at least, hints of sunrise peeking through the curtains.  It was peaceful, and Metilia couldn’t help but let her graze drift to the nest of blankets arranged by the stone hearth.  She didn’t have the heart to get rid of it, not even a full season later.

She was setting up a pot over the stovetop when she realized she was missing a can of applesauce, frowning as she rummaged through the pantry.  There was more in the cellar around back.  She almost smacked her nose against the wood door as she pushed against it, expecting it to open with ease.  It barely budged, like something heavy was wedged against it from the outside.  She frowned, leaning her shoulder against it and pushing, freezing when she heard the unmistakable sound of something heavy hitting the porch, then a whimper.

“What the hell-“

She shoved herself through the opening she’d managed, finding herself looking down at someone she, in all honesty, wasn’t expecting to ever see again.

“Kefi?”

She dropped to her knees beside the motionless figure, eyes darting first to the wings.  They were…they were mangled, to put it simply, wrapped in bandages that were torn and bloodied from wear, thin with the lack of feathers and pulled close to the fae’s body.

“Oh my god..”

Hesitant hands hovered above their body, eyes raking of them for damage.  There was too much of it.  They were soaked, shuddering weakly in their thin, tattered clothing.  There were so many unanswered questions on her mind, but she knew they’d have to wait.  

Metilia was strong, but didn’t need to be for how light the fae was, lifted easily into her arms.  The door slammed shut behind her as she kicked it closed.  

She laid the unmoving fae on their stomach, careful to tilt their head to the side so they could breathe.  She needed to get them warm, then wrap those wings.  More wood was thrown on the fire, blankets bundled in her arms to drape over them, water already on the stovetop for salves.  She worked quickly and quietly, face solemn.  Kefi didn’t stir even as she stripped the wet clothes off their body, replacing them with old, dry ones she’d made them.  She never got rid of those, either.  

The fire crackled loudly, and Metilia couldn’t help but sigh in relief when Kefi started shivering.  That was a good sign.  Sitting so they were half in her lap, she piled blankets around them until only their face and wings were exposed.  A breath caught in her throat as she stretched the wings out carefully, laying them out gently by Kefi’s sides.  They were...burned.  They were ruined.  She cursed herself for letting the word cross her mind.  Bare primaries replaced where soft, full dappled feathers should have been, some sections clumped with half grown, molting feathers.  She tried to take hope in the fact some were seeming to grow back.

What haunted her most was the circle of scarring on the shoulder of the wing...a brand.  She didn’t dare linger on the question of who the crest belonged to.  

Her hands were gentle as she smoothed salve over the scarring, unwrapping the tattered bandaging that was left and tossing them aside.  There were places that needed them replaced, small cuts and irritated wounds, but otherwise she could tell the damage wasn’t very recent.

Careful of the wings once she was finished, Metilia adjusted the blankets and rolled Kefi onto their side, tucked against her.  She took hold of one of their wrists, heart twisting as she observed the lines of new silver scarring around them.

Captive.  That’s where Kefi had been all this time.  She’d suspected it, of course, but a selfish part of her had hoped they’d just gone back to their own, or off again on whatever journey she was never able to pry from the unusually secretive fae.  It was a hope she never believed, really.  It was a lie necessary to let herself sleep at night, without guilt.  She’d looked for Kefi at first, but it was nearly impossible to find any leads without a lot of risk.  In the end she’d settled for that hope, no- lie, to herself, and now she saw the result.

She couldn’t help but feel like she’d failed them, in a way.

Kefi’s hair was still a little damp, but they seemed to be warming up enough.  They shivered under the layers of blankets, a soft, muffled whimper audible.  Metilia ran her fingers through the soft brown locks, brushing across their temple comfortingly.  The morning crickets chirped as she settled on her side, fae tucked protectively against her.  

“F,Found you, Metilia?”

Kefi’s voice was soft, hesitant.

Metilia looked down, brows furrowing.  Kefi peered up at her with a strange, far away look.  Almost fearful.  She could see faint lines across the bridge of their nose and along their cheekbones in the firelight, scars she didn’t want to ponder the cause of.

“Sure did, Kef.”  She confirmed gently, tears filling her eyes.  She brushed the hair out of their face, looking past the scars, looking at the constellation of freckles across their tan face she missed so, so goddamn much.  “You found me.”

“Long time, I was gone.  I am sorry.”  

Sorry.  They were sorry.  

“You’ve done nothing wrong, and I’m afraid I’ve made a poor excuse of a friend, Kefi.”  Metilia said softly.  “I should have looked harder for you...I’m sorry, I’m so sorry.”

The fae just stared at her for a moment, looking uncertain.  Their eyes looked sad, and she wanted nothing more than to erase every single bit of hurt they had been forced to endure.

“You looked for me?”

They sounded surprised.

Metilia’s heart broke.

She bundled them up in her arms, their small frame still shivering under the layers of blankets.  She kissed the top of their head, choking on a sob.  After everything they'd been through, they held a simple, innocent disbelief she’d even looked for them.  She wanted to do nothing but keep them safe.

“Missed you, Metilia.”

“I missed you too, Kefi.”

--

taglist:

@simplygrimly @cinnamonflavoredhugs @finder-of-rings @castielamigos-whump-side-blog @insanitywishes @just-a-whumping-racoon-with-wifi 

[gettin-a-lil-hanse]

You Found Me - Chapter 2

Genre: Fluff, Angst (?)

Rating: PG-13

Word Count: 2.5k

Summary: In a world where hybrids are much like pets, they are also treated much like animals. Thankfully, some people also see the humanity in these creatures.

Tags: Kitty Hybrid! Wooyoung, Found Hybrid, Abandonment, Caring For a Kitten

Warnings: Mentions of mistreatment

Wooyoung gradually became more comfortable in Hongjoong’s presence. He deemed Hongjoong safe for now, but he still wasn’t sure about the other one. He let Hongjoong wash him up and dry him off — he quite enjoyed the feeling of Hongjoong’s fingers in his hair and he was so gentle with him. He pretended not to notice the looks of pity on Hongjoong’s face when he saw any blemish or bruise on his skin.

By the time Hongjoong finished and Wooyong was dressed in the slightly oversized clothes they lent him, he felt much lighter. His hair and ears were fluffy, a nice brown color, and they could see his beautiful tanned skin now that he wasn’t covered in layers of dirt and God knows what else. His tail curled around his thigh as he followed Hongjoong back into the living room where Seonghwa was waiting with a bowl of steaming chicken and rice on the counter. 

“I warmed up some food for you, let me grab a glass of water for you. Go ahead and take a seat at the table and I’ll bring it to you.”

Seonghwa offered a smile, one that looked much kinder to Wooyoung than the one strained one from before. With a nod, he showed himself over to the table and sat in a chair, pulling his legs up to sit with them crossed underneath him. He watched as Seonghwa moved around him, noting how careful he was to try not to come off as intimidating. He wasn’t sure though if he should find it endearing or see it as a red flag. However, his attention was immediately seized by the scent of the food placed in front of him and it was as if his entire surroundings melted away. The moment that Seonghwa pulled back from setting the bowl and utensils down in front of him, Wooyooung went to town. Hongjoong wondered when the last time he had eaten was and pulled Seonghwa away with him to give him privacy.

“Hongjoong?”

“Yes?”

“Don’t get so attached.”

“I’m not!”

Seonghwa didn’t look convinced, his brow shooting up and a hum rising from his throat. Hongjoong scoffed and shook his head, walking away to grab extra blankets and pillows.

“I’m not getting attached, I am simply helping someone in need. There is no shame in that. You should try being nice sometimes, it works wonders.”

With a subtle smack to Hongjoong’s ass (and a quiet hiss in response), Seonghwa followed to help gathering the bedding. Gotta make sure that the little man doesn’t fall over trying to carry everything himself, he jokingly thought to himself. As the couple walked back with blankets and pillows in hand, Wooyoung had just finished licking the bowl clean, the glass which was previously filled to the brim with water empty, and his tail up behind him for maybe the first time since he’d been there. 

Seonghwa didn’t miss the smile that made its way onto Hongjoong’s face.

“All done, Wooyoung?”

Wooyoung nodded and Hongjoong took the dishes from in front of him and carried them to the kitchen. 

“Wooyoung? That’s a nice name. Wooyoung, will you be staying for breakfast tomorrow morning? I would hate for you to disappear while we’re asleep and leave without a meal at the very least.”

Wooyoung was taken aback by the sudden question, having not heard him say more than a couple of words through their whole interactions. And if he was being honest, he really hadn’t thought about anything passed that night. How long was he planning to stay there? How long was he allowed to stay there? Where would he even go?

“I’ll stay… I know it might be a bit much to ask, but do you think you could help me find somewhere to go? A shelter, something… I will be out of your hair as quickly as I possibly can.”

“Don’t worry, we can help you. Let me show you where you’ll be sleeping tonight, okay? I wanna make sure you’re comfortable.”

Seonghwa held out his hand, waiting with a kind smile for Wooyoung to take it (or for him to simply get up and follow him — he wasn’t really expecting the hybrid to be so comfortable with him yet). With a quick once over from Wooyoung, he took the hand that was offered to him and stood from his chair, following Seonghwa to the living room where they were met with a couch covered in a sheet and blanket along with pillows. To Wooyoung, it looked cozier than what he was used to and a major improvement from sleeping out on the streets. He thought he could cry at that moment.

In fact, he did start crying. Silent tears rolled down his cheeks as Seonghwa released his hand, guiding him to sit. When he saw the tears, he kneeled in front of the hybrid.

“Oh, please don’t cry! Do you need anything? Just tell me, okay?”

At the mention of crying, Hongjoong rushed into the living room and joined his boyfriend on the floor. 

“What’s wrong, sweetheart? Was Hwa mean to you?”

Wooyoung chuckled and shook his head, which prompted Seonghwa to smack Hongjoong’s thigh. Wooyoung smiled (‘Holy shit, he’s smiling!’ Seonghwa thought to himself) and wiped his eyes. 

“You two are just so kind to me. It’s- I’m just not used to this much kindness.”

Hongjoong could feel his heart shatter into pieces and Seonghwa placed a hand over his chest gently. 

“We did the bare minimum for you, what have you been through? My poor baby…”

Hongjoong mumbled the last part, but it didn’t go unnoticed by Wooyoung. He felt a wave of overwhelming warmth in his chest and tears blurred his vision once more. It only broke their hearts more.

“Can I hug you? Are you alright with that?”

Hongjoong asked, a gentle hand patting Wooyoung’s knee from his spot on the ground. When he saw a nod, he wasted no time in wrapping his arms around the hybrid, a hand going up to pet his head softly. 

“We won’t hurt you, okay? How about you stay with us for a couple of days, hmm? That way we can make sure that you’re taken care of. Tomorrow we can go get you checked up, make sure you’re all good and we can get you some comfortable clothes that fit you. Let us take care of you, just for a little bit.”

Hongjoong spoke in a pleading voice, embracing him just a bit tighter. Seonghwa had to admit, he shared the sentiment. 

Wooyoung couldn’t muster up the energy to speak through his tears, so he only nodded. How could he say no to an offer like this? Hongjoong pulled away and smiled at him, bringing his hands up to wipe away his tears. 

“No more crying tonight. You need to get some rest. I’ll leave a glass of cold water on the table for you, just in case your head starts to hurt. We’ll leave our room door open so if you need anything, don’t hesitate to wake us okay?”

Wooyoung nodded, taking deep breaths to calm himself down. Hongjoong left to get the glass of water and Seonghwa helped the hybrid lay down under the blanket, adjusting his pillow. The two made sure he was okay before shutting off the lights (making sure to leave the low kitchen light on just in case) and heading off to their room. They stayed quiet as they got themselves ready for bed and there was a slight tension between them. They laid down together, Seonghwa bringing his arms around Hongjoong to hold him close. 

“You’re already too attached.”

Hongjoong sighed and closed his eyes. 

“I can’t help it.”

——————

Wooyoung slept better than he had in a very long time. He didn’t have to worry about if someone would find him and try to hurt him while he was sleeping, or if he would be able to eat that day or find somewhere safe tomorrow. He was able to just…

Wake up. 

He woke up to the smell of something really good. His stomach ached in hunger, and he peered over the back of the couch to see Seonghwa standing over the stove. Right, he said they would have breakfast. Wooyoung stretched, his tail standing up and his ears flattening as he did so. Sitting up straight, he remembered the glass of water and drank it quickly, his head feeling fuzzy from the amount of crying he’d done the night before. His throat burned with how fast he drank it, his throat extremely dry. He stood from the couch and carefully approached the kitchen. 

“S-Seonghwa…?” He called out quietly, not wanting to scare the man as he approached. 

Seonghwa turned his head and smiled when he saw him. He had to admit, he looked absolutely adorable with his disheveled hair and the sleepy look in his eyes. He was holding his glass with both hands and his lips were wet. Seonghwa cooed internally. 

“Good morning, Wooyoung. Did you want some more water?”

Wooyoung nodded and held the glass up shyly, blinking at him. Seonghwa lowered the fire on the stove and took the glass from him, chuckling at his shyness as he filled it with more water. He almost missed the growl from his stomach. 

“Breakfast will be done soon. Don’t be afraid to ask for anything okay? Even something as small as a glass of water.”

He passed the glass back to him and ran a hand over his head gently before turning back to the stove to finish cooking.

Wooyoung shied and shuffled back to the couch, drinking his water much slower. Not long after, a sleepy Hongjoong emerged from the room, an oversized t-shirt — one of Hwa’s for sure — and a pair of basketball shorts adorning his small frame. Wooyoung stayed quiet as he watched the smaller man shuffle up behind Seonghwa and wrap his arms around his waist, face buried into his spine. The sight made him feel… warm? It was an endearing sigh — no doubt about that. But he also felt a tinge of something he couldn’t quite place. Loneliness? Longing? There was a passing thought that he tried to push to the back of his mind: He remembered the feeling of Hongjoong embracing him the night before and for a moment he wanted to be in his arms again. He had never felt such genuine warmth, never felt so safe. His heart arched as he wondered if he would ever feel that again.

He must have been staring for quite some time because the attention was suddenly on him when Hongjoong made his way over to the back of the couch where his head was resting on his arms. 

“Good morning, Wooyoung. Did you sleep okay?”

Wooyoung only nodded, eyes cast somewhere other than directly at Hongjoong. He noticed his shyness — a stark contrast to when they had first brought him home. 

“Are you still tired? You’re so quiet this morning.”

Wooyoung nodded again, closing his eyes when he felt a hand pass over his hair. He leaned into his touch, making Hongjoong smile fondly. 

“After breakfast, you can take a nap, and then we can go out okay? We’ll try to get as much done today as we can so we can relax inside tomorrow. There are a lot of things we’d like to learn about you, so we have a lot of questions. Those can wait though.” 

Wooyoung wasn’t paying him any attention. All he was focused on was the feeling of his hand petting him, almost putting him back to sleep on the spot. Low purrs made Hongjoong pause for just a moment, but he soon resumed when he realized that Wooyoung was purring because of him. The realization made a warmth spread through his chest and he watched as Wooyoung slipped further and further down, ears relaxing against his head. Hongjoong lost his train of thought, focusing on the calm look on the kitten hybrid’s face until Seonghwa called out for both of them.

“Hey, breakfast is ready. I’ll make your plates, you two go sit at the table.”

Hongjoong nodded and moved his hand down to caress Wooyoung’s cheek, to which he leaned into gratefully. 

“Come on, Wooyoung. Wake up, baby.”

Wooyoung wondered if Hongjoong knew how that pet name made him feel. Even if he didn’t know, it sure did make his eyes flutter open. It was such a pretty sight to Hongjoong. 

The two eventually made their way to the table, Hongjoong almost having to drag Wooyoung away from the couch. Seonghwa brought their plates to the table, setting everything down before going back to the kitchen to grab a pitcher of ice water and glasses. By the time he had gotten back to the table, Wooyoung had already eaten a considerable amount of the eggs and pancakes from his plate, the bacon and sausage already devoured. 

“Slow down, sweetheart, you don’t wanna eat too fast okay? You’ll make your tummy hurt. There’s more food left in the kitchen anyway.”

Seonghwa set everything down and ran a hand over Wooyoung’s head gently, sitting beside him. Wooyoung’s head lowered, more so to hide his embarrassment than from shame, but he nodded nonetheless and slowed down finishing the food in his mouth before taking another forkful. 

The rest of the breakfast was quiet with both Seonghwa and Hongjoong stealing glances at the hybrid as he ate. Once everyone was finished eating — and Seonghwa had gotten more food for Wooyoung — Seonghwa got to work cleaning. Hongjoong stayed with Wooyoung, agreeing to let him nap for a bit before taking him to the vet. The hybrid made himself comfortable on Hongjoong’s lap, his face nuzzled into the warmth of his thigh while his hand carded through his hair. He tries to remember the last time he had been so comfortable — if ever — but his thoughts were muddled by sleep overtaking him. Never has he slept so peacefully.

“You think we could adopt him?”

“Hongjoong.”

“Seriously, Hwa, look at him. How could you not want to keep this cutie?”

“We didn’t get him from a store or a shelter — we found him on the streets. We agreed to help and take care of him for a little while, but don’t get your hopes up. You told him that he is free to go at any time, we can’t just keep him.”

Hongjoong furrowed his eyebrows, keeping his focus on the sleeping form below.

“But we can’t just let him go out on his own again.”

“If he wants to stay, I am more than happy to have him here, but he needs to make that decision for himself.”

Seonghwa sighed, watching the two from his spot in the small dining room, cleaning the table. 

“Give him some time, love. Let him adjust and settle before springing this on him so suddenly okay? I… I don’t feel comfortable just letting him go either, but he’s not ours to keep.”

“Yet.”

“Hongjoong, he’s not property.”

“You’re not property either, but you’re still mine to keep, aren’t you?’

Seonghwa eyed him before rolling his eyes and grumbling to himself as he finished his cleaning.

[jj-lynn21]

Santa’s favorite Elf Part 2:  Ch 3: Pre-production

Santa’s fav elf ch 1, Santa’s fav elf ch 2, Santa’s fav elf ch 3, Santa’s fav elf ch 4

Santa’s fav Elf Part 2 ch 1, ch 2, ch 3,  ch 4

warnings: A dash of angst

“Time for our fitting day, käraste.”  

You woke groggily to Bill kissing your bare shoulder. Turning you reached for him before flickering eyes opened to see him smiling down at you. “How long do we have?”

He kissed your nose. “Enough time to throw on some cloths. I let you sleep while I showered. Joe will bring us coffee.”

You stretched and sighed as he got up. When you came out of the restroom dressed, he was on his cellphone texting. Seconds later there was a knock on the door. It was Joe.

“A caramel macchiato for the lady and a black coffee with two sugars for the gentleman”  

You took the venti hot drink. “Just what I needed. Thank you.” Setting it down for a moment you bundled up for the walk to the car.  

Bill slides his coat on with a red hat and scarf that covers most of his face. You follow Joe to car. You look out the window quiet as you sip your coffee just thinking about being “friends.” with a man you wanted so much.

“Are you ok?” Bill put a hand on your shoulder.  

You sighed looked over at him. “Yeah, it’s just early.”

“We have an interview after our fitting.” He took your hand in his which confused you a little.

“You should have told me.” You whined. “I don’t think I’m dressed well enough for today. I’m not even wearing make-up”

“You can always grab an outfit from costuming and have the make-up department do what you want.” He added. “I think you look great as is.”  

“Thank you.” You threw him an uneasy smile.

When you get to the staging site there are vans with equipment galore and the crew are hard at work putting set pieces together. Your driver that you have figured out is also a bodyguard ushered you over to one of the buildings on the premises. He walks farther with Bill when some ladies tell you to follow them to your fitting.  

“Good morning Miss. My name is Carol.” one of the ladies said as she started measuring you. “Looks like you stayed about to same so no big costuming changes at this point. We have three wardrobe choices for you to try on today. You will get a bit of hair and makeup over with Tamera for different looks also. Then we will take some photos and show them to the director and producers. After they decide which look they like best, you and Santa will get some promo pics taken for the awaiting press. Lastly the two of you will do a few interviews together in the same PR tent you pose for photos. And that is all that is on the agenda until Monday.”

“Sounds like a full day of fun and games.” You finish your coffee. “I’m done with this. Ready to go.”

“You are going to be great.” She smiled. “if you want another coffee, water or anything else just say the word. Tamara will take you in make-up as me and Sara bring your first look out.”  

“How are you doll?” The make-up girl fusses over you. “You do, you do, you look like a doll baby. We are going to give you a porcelain complexion like you have been in this cold climate. Then rosy up these adorable apple cheeks.”

“Whatever works” You smile. “Sorry I am still a little tan.”

“No need for sorry.” She began to lighten the skin tone on your face first. “People come in with full dark tans for movies like this sometimes. I have no problem with it. You do you. I provide some of that Hollywood magic to create your character.” She rubbed the makeup down your arms next. Then yours legs. We let that sit for a half hour before we apply your rosy cheeks and a dash of eye make up for your first look. By that time, you can try on your first costume.”

“Sounds good.” you strip your coat off hanging it on the back of your seat. The heaters in the room make it warm enough. “May I get a bottled water and a bagel with cream cheese? I haven’t had breakfast yet.”

“Of course, doll.” She goes out coming back minutes later with what you asked for. “I am going to put these plastic gloves on your hands for you to pick things up without getting the makeup everywhere.” She applied the gloves. “Anything else?”

“I’m good.”  

As you ate careful not to get the makeup off your face before it dried you face timed Bill. Your phone was on a standing charger, so you didn’t have to hold it. He was in the same base porcelain color you were. Both of you waiting for it to dry.

“You were a little to tan too, I see.”

“Just a little.” he chuckled. “How are you doing. Did you see the art concept for your character? I hope you will still want to kiss me as this evil looking Santa. We are supposed to have this love that last beyond the grave or some shit like that.”

“I might have to do some heavy duty acting but I think I can pull it off.” You laughed.  

“I have to go. Getting the wig and beard glued on in stages.” Bill told you. “FaceTime again in an hour and you can see the progress.”

“Sure thing, Bill.” You wave on the video. I should be on my second look by then. I have three to try.”

“I just have this one, but it will take a while.” He waved. “Talk to you later.” He hung up and you hung up just as Tamera was coming back.  

She ran her index finger over your forehead. “All dry so we can start phase two.”

She put some basic make-up on you, and you went back to costuming. The first thing you tried was a green elf dress that looked very much like the original one you wore in the first movie with white fur trim. Cute, short and flirty. Thigh high white boots this time. Red and green fleece lined legging and green gloves with the white fur. Your scenes would be outdoors, so they wanted you to be as warm as possible. You stood for the photo with a plague with the movie title.  

The next outfit was very much like the first except it was red. It also included a short cape over your shoulders. Another picture was taken. You thought you would need a coat over each if they were chosen. Something to just keep you warmer when not filming. You filmed indoor for the last movie, so the short skirt was fine. From the script this would be all outdoor shooting mostly when the darkness hit at 2p.m. You shivered just thinking about it.  

The last outfit seemed way more reasonable for the weather in your opinion which didn’t count for much you thought. It was a long velour red dress with long sleeves with some gold designs at the bottom. It had a long red coat with fur white edging. It was held on with a thick black belt. Then a short cape that came up in a hat that matched. They added a curly blond wig, black chunky heeled boots and to top off the whole look a white mask made to look like Snowflakes around your eyes. Tamera darkened your lips in candy apple red lip stick.  

You twirled around smiling loving how it looked and felt. A truly great look for someone so in love with Santa they would do anything to have him back. You felt similar about Bill. A few pictures were taken with the plaque.  

“Back in your regular cloths until the higher ups decide which look they like better.” Carol said as her and her assistant took the costume off you.

“I really hope this one.” You beamed. “It seems it would be warm enough for in outside in cold weather.”  

“Not my call but I agree.” Carol’s assistant carefully hung the outfit. Then she took the photos printed from the digital camera in an envelope to give to the powers that be. “What would you like for lunch? We have subs in turkey, beef and hand with chips or fries. Cold pasta salad. Coffee, tea, water and soft drinks. My assistant will pick them up on her way back.”

“Pasta salad and a caramel latte, please, thank you.” You asked politely.  

As you waited on a comfy plush sofa you checked in on how Bill was doing. Dirty white long hair, beard, and mustache was drying when he answered the phone looking up at you.

“You doing okay Bill?”

“Yeah, I just have to lay back until this dries.”  

You could barely see his smile as he attempted it.

“Then I get to put on the extra tum tum and suit.”

You giggle. “Tum tum, that is so cute. I tried on a few different looks. They are showing some pix to the producers and director.”  

“Yeah, they just got here.” He scratched the corner of his ear where some of glue was dripping. “I’m an executive producer so they put an envelope on the table here. I will have to look when I can sit up. Which outfit did you like best?”

“I loved all of them but since we are shooting outside the longer dress with all the layers is the one I won’t freeze to death in.”

 “I will keep that in mind and pass it along to the others.” He glanced away from the the phone a second and then back. “Michael is coming in to check if this is dry enough. See you soon.”

“Looking forward to it.” You hang up.  

This whole process had already taken four hours. You expected to be in your costume dealing with the pr photos and interviews by now, but it would be another hour before you heard that you would get to wear the longer dress. A half hour after that you were escorted to meet Bill at the door to another building. Joe was there to watching over the situation, so people did not attempt to touch or get to close either of you.

“Just take a breath my favorite elf.” Santa (Bill) suggested. “I’ll tap your back to turn where the cameras are flashing. Smile with your eyes not your mouth. Try to keep your face relaxed.”

You nod fidgeting a little. Your eyes wide. Nervousness runs through your body. You have watched enough of these photo shoots with characters sure but being on this side of it was different. Bill took your hand and kissed your knuckles as Joe opened the door and flashes from cameras started going off.

“Don’t forget to breath.” He murmured before walking with you to your first mark.  

The camera flashes went off as multiple photographers told you to look towards them for a perfect shot. You could not look both ways. You looked up at Bill trying to breath without hyperventilating. He looked to you eyes sparkling. His pinkened lips in a small smile. You smiled back as the cameras flashed.

“Twirl for us (YN)”

Bill twirled you away from him. He moved to another mark. Some cameras followed him. A few stayed on you for separate pictures. You stood in place getting your Barings trying to keep your eyes smiling and face relaxed as Bill told you. All the cameras moved to him. You waited until he held out a hand for you to join him again. He escorted you back through the exit.  

You took a deep breath. “That was a little claustrophobic.”

“It always is.” He hugged you the best he could in his Santa suit. “Are you going to be okay with the interview part of our day? We just sit and answer some of the same questions over and over. I think only five reporters but could be more. I will be right at your side the whole time. “

“I guess after a small break I will be ready.” You walked back to the costuming building where you parted with Bill again to get your costume off.

You glanced through the clothing finding a cashmere sweater to go with the jeans you wore today. It looked better than the bulgy sweatshirt you wore. Tamara toned down your make-up for a natural camera-ready look. Bill had a lot more to deal with to get back to himself, so it took him a bit longer. You waited patiently with a Christmas chocolate chip cookie and bottled water.  

Joe opened the door. “It's time.”  

[hemmingswaybabe-blog]

Welcome Home***

THIS IS SMUT! NOBODY UNDER 18 INTERACT PLEASE.

Plot: Calum is coming home from tour but after flight cancellations and delays, he makes it home once you are already asleep. When you wake up in his arms, you want to make sure he gets the greeting you anticipated for him ;) Warnings: Smut, face fucking. 

We got the redeye to L.A. tonight. Should land at around 4 a.m. I’ll Uber home. Love you.

A disappointed sigh left your lips as you read Calum’s text. He was originally supposed to get home at 8 p.m. but after a fiasco of flight cancellations, he missed his connecting flight home from the U.K. It was now midnight and the hair and makeup you had put on to look nice for him was not looking so hot anymore. 

It had been almost 3 weeks since you had seen each other and Your texts back and forth got even dirtier and dirtier as time passed. You both agreed to abstain from touching yourselves so the sex would be even better when you reunited. However, when making that agreement you didn’t take into consideration that the two of you are the horniest people on the planet. Not masturbating was one of the hardest things you have ever had to do in your life, and Calum did not help. He would send teasing messages that only made you even hornier. Luckily, you were just as cruel and would send Calum nude selfies describing all the things you would want to do to him. 

-

Although you were determined to stay up, your internal clock got the best of you and by 2 a.m. you were completely out and probably snoring in the bed you and Calum shared. When Calum finally stumbled in the bedroom at about 5 a.m., he couldn’t help but feel his heart flutter when he saw you fast asleep in the lingerie you had bought to wear especially for that night. He set his suitcase by the door and slowly climbed into bed beside you, resting his chin on your shoulder and entangling his limbs around you. With a soft smile on his face, Calum soon drifted to sleep as well, feeling your warmth against his chest. 

-

At about 10 a.m. you slowly started to wake up and immediately smiled when you felt Calum’s toned arms wrapped around your waist. His breath was light on your ear, on the verge of being annoying, but you were so happy to see him that you didn’t care. Careful not to wake him, you slowly turned to face him so you were face to face. Even though you had been together for over a year, after not seeing him for 3 weeks, you were still in awe of how beautiful he was. You were kind of jealous of his tan skin and full lips, but more importantly, you wanted to kiss them. As you stared at him, which made you feel like a creepy stalker, you remembered one of the texts he sent you last week when he was missing you:

I can’t wait to feel those pretty lips wrapped around my dick. You look so hot when you suck me off and let me fuck your beautiful face.

To your advantage, Calum naturally turned over so he was laying on his back. Your first instinct was to lay your head on his chest and snuggle up to him even closer. But that text ignited a fire in your belly, as you remembered all the dirty texts and long nights without him there to please you. You sat up in the bed and looked at the mirror on the wall across from you. Quickly, you brushed out your messy hair with your fingers and wiped the mascara that smudged under your eyes while you were sleeping. You slowly climbed over him, straddling his legs. Calum was wearing basketball shorts, which gave you way easier access than if he had been in skinny jeans. Slowly, you pulled his shorts and underwear down to reveal his cock. You took a quick moment to admire the beautiful specimen you got to call your boyfriend. His tattooed chest was shiny with a thin layer of sweat and his face looked like that of an angel when he slept peacefully like that. 

You knew you had to hurry before the breeze from the ceiling fan woke up Calum as it blew cold air across his now exposed cock. You took him in your hand and slowly began stroking the base of his cock. You used your other hand to gently squeeze his balls as you began to get him hard. A small moan left his lips and you could tell he was bound to wake up soon. You quickly took action and licked the underside of his cock before placing a soft kiss on the tip.

As you anticipated, your actions woke Calum up in a hurry, but before he could open his eyes and look down at you, your mouth was already taking him as you slowly bobbed your head around him, taking the rest of him in your hand.

“Good morning gorgeous.” He said, but it came out more like a moan than a greeting. 

You didn’t stop, just lightly moaned around his cock, sending vibrations through him that made his hips buck up. That action made you look up and nod at him, permitting him to fully fuck your face.

He didn’t waste any time as he grabbed the back of your head and pushed you down onto him, making his cock hit the back of your throat. His thrusts grew faster and faster as he chased his high. A few tears streamed down your face as you tried your best not to gag around him. You were ready to swallow his heavy load when he forcefully dragged your mouth away from him. You gave him a look of confusion before he grabbed your waist and flipped you so that you were lying on your back looking up at him. 

“You’re crazy if you think I’m missing out on tasting you, baby girl.” He grinned before he pressed his lips onto you for a hard kiss. 

When he pulled away you moaned, “God, I missed your lips.”

“Where did you miss them on you, baby,” He teased as he touched all over your body, “Where do you want me? What do you want from me, baby?”

“Please make me cum with your mouth and your fingers. I’ve missed it so much. I just want you on me.” you whined as you squirmed beneath his hands running all over your body, but skipping over your most sensitive areas. 

Calum took his sweet time leaving hickeys on your neck that made you moan and groped your breasts as he played with your nipples so nonchalantly, but he still had you moaning and squirming beneath him. After what seemed like hours of his bittersweet teasing, he finally made his way down in between your thighs as he tugged your underwear down your legs and down to your ankles where you kicked them off. 

“You’re so fucking pretty. God, I could look at you all day.” He groaned before he ravished your core with his mouth. 

He licked a long stripe down from my entrance up to your sensitive clit before he began to suck, lick, and nibble on the sensitive bud. Your fingers interlaced in his hair trying to gain as much friction as possible. As you arched your back in pleasure from his mouth, he dipped two fingers into you and began working them into you, slowly opening you up. After a few strokes, his fingers had found an all too familiar spot in your core as he penetrated your G-spot with his magnificent fingers.

“Mmmm,” He hummed against your pussy. “You taste even better than I remember. So sweet and wet for me.”

You almost lost it as the vibrations on your clit shook throughout your entire body. He began to pick up the pace as you were completely a moaning mess. After not being touched for three weeks, the smallest movement had you whimpering and shaking. 

“Calum. I-” You yelped before a strung of incoherent words fell through my lips. 

His fingers stroked against your G-spot and sucked harshly on your clit, leaving you seeing white and the fire in your belly erupting. Your legs shook intensely around him as they instinctively began to close around his head. He used his arms to hold them open as he continued to softly lick around your pussy, cleaning up your mess, making you whimper at how sensitive you were. He delved two fingers into you once more, making you groan at the feeling of fullness again, before he took them out and held them against your lips. You opened your mouth and sucked his fingers dry, tasting yourself on him, until he was satisfied.

As you looked back down at his cock, it was red and throbbing for you, begging to be inside you. Although your first orgasm almost completely ruined you, you knew you would never be satisfied unless Calum’s cock had made you cum too. He retrieved a condom from the nightstand and rolled it on his cock, tossing the foil wrapper behind him. You would probably find it next week and laugh about it. He took another second to look at you, all of you.

“I love you so much. God, I missed you.” He said as he looked directly into your eyes before he pressed his lips against yours and enveloping you in a deep kiss.

As the kiss grew more intense, he ran one hand down your body before grabbing his cock, stroking it a few times, and using his hand to guide himself into your entrance. Before he could even get halfway in you arched your back off the bed and gasped into his kiss. He held your hips down with his hand as he continued to slowly press into you until he was completely inside of you. You felt so full and complete like his cock was made to be inside of you, like it was made to make you feel good.  He finally broke the kiss to look at you and wait for a sign that you were ready for him to move. You bucked your hips up and grabbed the back of his head to bring his lips back onto yours. 

He immediately set a moderate pace, giving you both enough pleasure, but still allowing you both to savor this sweet moment together, after so long apart. The veins of his cock brushed places so deep inside of you it made you shiver and you couldn’t help but moan into his mouth with each thrust. You didn’t need words, or praise, or anything from him. You were so deep in the moment and the kiss. He took over all five of your senses: the feeling of his cock deep inside of you, the taste of his lips, the smell of his hair conditioner, the sight of his beautiful body on top yours, and the sound of your skin meeting his with each thrust. He sent you into complete euphoria as you felt an intense heat rise inside you once again. 

As he sensed you getting closer he used the hand that was on your hip and snaked it in between your bodies to once again find your throbbing clit, sensitive to the touch. Without any mercy, he rubbed harsh circles onto your nub to help you find your release. Everything around you went away as you saw stars around you and your cunt clenched around him rapidly, triggering his release. Both of you strung incoherent grunts and moans together as he slowly thrusted through your orgasms. 

After a while, he pulled out, discarded his condom, and looked back at you laying limply on the bed, catching your breath. 

“Well, that was a great welcome home present.” He laughed before he enveloped you in his arms once again. 

“Tell me everything about your tour.” You said softly as you closed your eyes, allowing yourself to drift back asleep to the sound of his voice. 

[love-skincareroutine]

What Does Baby Oil Do For Your Skin

New Post has been published on https://skin-care-routine.com/skin-care-routine/what-does-baby-oil-do-for-your-skin/

What Does Baby Oil Do For Your Skin

A. 17 Uses for Baby Oil That Will Save You Money

See why this baby softener belongs to the home of every financially experienced adult. The next time you need to loosen, soften, shine, shave or make a noise, try baby oil. The lightly scented mineral oil is suitable for numerous applications that have nothing to do with babies. In fact, having baby oil eliminates the need to buy a variety of disposable products, which are often more expensive. Below are more than a dozen uses of baby oil that can save money.

1. Bath oil

I poured baby oil into the bathtub to soften my tired winter skin.

Note: You must then use a cleaning agent for the bathtub, otherwise the next bather may slip and fall through the oily residue.

2. Moisturizer

Don’t you want to scrub a bathtub with oil after each bath to enjoy baby oil? Dry the towel immediately after bathing, then apply a little baby oil to damp skin to retain moisture.

3. Shaving gel replacement

Before shaving, use a thin layer of baby oil instead of foam or shaving gel (or soap) on your legs.

4. Wax aid

If you shave eyebrows, legs or other parts of the body, use a little baby oil afterwards to remove any remaining wax.

5. Eye make-up remover

A cotton ball moistened with baby oil takes care of the eyeshadow and eyeliner without irritating sensitive skin.

6. Temporary tattoo remover

Junior came home from a birthday party with screaming superhero tattoos? Rub them with a little baby oil.

7. Cuticle oil

Sushmita Munda writes on makeupandbeauty.com that she uses baby oil on her hands when she does her nails. Of course, there is a product called “cuticle oil”, but she never buys it.

8. Lip scrub

Munda also does a lip scrub by mixing 1 teaspoon of baby oil, ½ teaspoon of sugar and a few drops of lemon juice. She rubs lightly on her lips every night before bed to remove dead skin.

9. Detergent massage

Baby oil is a cheap alternative to massage oil or cream.

10. Softener for scaly feet

Do your feet look like lizards in winter? Apply some baby oil before bed, then put on plain white socks. While you sleep, the skin on your feet becomes very soft.

11. Ring loosener

Were your hands swollen from pregnancy or air travel? Pour a little baby oil on the swollen finger and gradually loosen the ring.

12. Paint remover

Do you have latex paint on your hands or arms after painting a room? It can rub immediately or become embedded in the ankles and other skin folds. A post on Instructables.com recommended massaging paint splashes with baby oil in a circular motion.

13. Squeaky hinge lubricant

A drop or two should do the trick – and baby oil smells much better than WD-40.

14. Bandage remover

Is it time to change the patch on your child’s knee? Saturate with oil and wait for a while; The patch should come off immediately, without pain.

15. Price sticker remover

If you can’t remove a sticker from something made of glass, porcelain or plastic, apply some baby oil and wait a while. The sticker should come off much easier.

Note: Do not do this on any fabric or paper, as the oil may discolor.

16. Polishing the golf club

Depending on which golf enthusiast you are talking about, you can protect and polish your clubs with gun oil, WD-40, special golf club polishers, petroleum jelly, a silicone gun cloth or, yes, baby oil.

17. Milling oil

If you have a paper shredder – and you should – things go well with the occasional lubrication. Place a few pieces of paper on a baking sheet and spread some baby oil. As soon as the paper absorbs the oil, pass it through the paper shredder.

  B. 6 Ways You Can Include Baby Oil In Your Daily Beauty Routine

Basically, baby oil is just mineral oil. It is extracted from oil and is used in almost all types of skin products, such as moisturizers and perfumes. Contrary to popular belief, baby oil is not a panacea for all skin problems under the sun. The theory has resulted in women being misinformed about its use, and that is where we come in. Here are five ways to safely incorporate baby oil into your beauty routine and what you should know about it.

1. Moisturizer

Baby oil can be used as a moisturizer, especially in areas of dry skin that need to be healed. The application is very similar to that of babies; Do this from the shower when your skin is still damp. In this way, the oil penetrates deeply into the skin while the pores are still open. Although baby oil is perfectly safe as a non-toxic alternative to other creams, it is not advisable to use it on your face. Baby oil tends to clog pores and cause acne when used on the face. You should continue to use it as a body oil. However, make sure that it is a fragrance-free product as it can cause problems for sensitive skin.

2. Makeup remover

If you are a fan of the oil cleaning method, this tip is for you. Baby oil can be used as a makeup remover as it helps to dissolve makeup and residue. Just massage a thin layer of oil on your face and dry with a cotton towel. Always use a facial wash to wash any residue thoroughly. Baby oil can also be used to make makeup corrections during application. Use a cotton swab to clean up any unstable lines or accidental stains. Make sure to avoid the eye area

3. Foot care

Baby oil contains the rejuvenating and relaxing properties of vitamin E, making it perfect for skin problems such as cracked heels and elbows. Heat the oil and use it to do a pedicure at home or as a daily moisturizer for your feet. Always wear socks to prevent oily sheets and slips

4. Cuticle care

Cuticle care is a highly underestimated form of self-care, especially if you work a lot with your hands. Dry cuticles can cause unnecessary burning and pain if left untreated. This is where baby oil can be useful. If you don’t want to spend your money on expensive cuticle oils, get a bottle of baby oil to keep them hydrated. Dip a cotton swab in the oil and apply to fingers and nails. Massage the oil into the nail bed. So doing it also gives you a healthy, shiny-looking nail, which is a great bonus

5. Shaving oil

I don’t normally leave a razor near me to remove my hair. I hate it when it grows back with thorns and I don’t like the feeling of shaving creams and foams on my body. I make an exception when baby oil is available. Instead of a cream, apply to the oil and shave. It provides a much closer shave and keeps the skin smooth in the process. It can also be used after epilation to remove any wax residue and soothe the skin

6. Miscellaneous

In addition to the obvious uses, having a bottle of baby oil next to the bedside table can help you in several ways. Broken elbows? Massage in a drop to moisturize overnight. In combination with sunscreen, it can act as a tanning oil. Although they do not contain active ingredients that act against stretch marks, they can be used to keep skin smooth and hydrated and to prevent future lines and wrinkles.

  C. Can I Use Baby Oil on My Face?

Baby oil has been on the market for over 100 years and has long been a staple in parents’ kindergartens. It is a clear liquid made from mineral oil and petroleum-based fragrances. According to Johnson & Johnson, baby oil can be applied to the baby’s skin before a massage. It can also help to soothe a baby’s dry skin, especially when used when the skin is already moist with water, for example, after a bath.

Baby oil forms a semi-breathable barrier on the skin. This barrier already retains moisture on the skin’s surface. Some adults also use baby oil on the body to soothe dry skin. Some swear that it gives the skin of the face a special smoothness and shine. People also use baby oil on many other parts of the body, on their hair and as a lubricant. According to a limited amount of research, baby oil may have the ability to increase and soften the skin. Here’s what you need to know if you’re thinking about applying it to your face.

1. Is baby oil good for your face?

Baby oil is hypoallergenic and free of parabens, phthalates and dyes. This means that it is safe for most people to lie on their skin without fear of allergic reactions.

There is a limited amount of scientific research on how baby oil affects the skin and little research on how it affects the face. Based on available research, baby oil is safe for your skin, including the skin on your face.

a. Can you use baby oil as a facial moisturizer?

Baby oil is not comedogenic, which means it does not clog your skin pores. So if you have a dry or normal skin type, you can use baby oil to keep your face hydrated. In a 1993 Trusted Source study, scientists tested four different common moisturizing ingredients to see how they affected people’s skin. One was mineral oil, an important ingredient in baby oil. In comparison to ethanol, glycerin and water, water and baby oil appear to have the greatest moisturizing effect of all ingredients when applied to the skin. Scientists have found that mineral oil has helped to make the skin fatter and to make it more hydrated.

b. Does baby oil reduce the appearance of scars and stretch marks?

There is no direct research to show that baby oil can reduce the appearance of facial scars and stretch marks on the body. The same 1993 study by ResearchTrusted Source, which found that baby oil is an effective moisturizer, suggests that this claim is probably true. Most scars and stretch marks are cut on the skin. The application of baby oil can thicken the skin in these areas and reduce the overall appearance of scars and stretch marks. An older study from 1975 found that the effects of baby oil disappeared 48 hours after use. It must be reapplied to keep the skin looking moist and plump.

c. Does baby oil relieve skin discomfort?

The researchers found some evidence that baby oil can help relieve skin conditions, including those associated with dry skin and diseases like psoriasis. According to a 2012 study of people on hemodialysis, baby oil helped to significantly reduce itching when rubbed on the itchy body part for at least 15 minutes a day for 3 weeks.

2. Can you put baby oil on your face at night?

You can apply baby oil to your face at any time of the day or night to wake you up with smoother, fleshier skin. However, avoid doing this if you are prone to acne, as this can make the situation worse.

3. Unproven claims

Most claims about baby oil, in addition to its moisturizing and fatty properties, have not been proven. Here’s what you should know:

a. Can baby oil treat acne on your face?

There is no evidence that using baby oil can treat acne. Although many people can apply baby oil to their face without increasing the risk of acne, it should be avoided if you have acne-prone skin. Even though baby oil itself does not clog pores, the barrier it forms on the skin can retain dirt and oil that enter the pores and worsen acne.

b. Can baby oil remove makeup?

There is no clear evidence that baby oil can be used to remove makeup. However, many people do this anecdotally. Because it is considered safe to use, it is unlikely to harm you. However, if you have acne-prone skin, avoid applying baby oil to your face.

c. Can you use it instead of shaving cream?

There is no research to suggest that baby oil is a suitable replacement for shaving cream. However, regular use of baby oil can moisturize and soften the skin, making shaving easier.

4. Possible side effects of using baby oil on the face

Baby oil is generally safe to use. However, there are some side effects that you should be aware of when trying to use it on your face. These possible side effects include:

a. Allergic reaction

Research has shown that an allergic reaction to mineral oil, a common ingredient in baby oil, is very rare. However, if you have sensitive skin and are concerned about the possibility of reacting, consider applying a small amount to another, less visible part of your body. Wait 24 hours to see if you have a reaction. If you don’t notice any redness or irritation, it’s safe to apply it to your face.

b. Trigger Escape

Baby oil was developed to be non-comedogenic. Therefore, it does not clog pores, although it can cause acne in people prone to skin rashes.

c. Inability to sweat

Baby oil forms a barrier on the skin. Therefore, on a hot day, it can retain a lot of moisture. This makes it harder for you to sweat, as your body naturally tries to calm down.

5. How to use baby oil on your face

If you want to apply baby oil to your face, do the following:

Wash your face with a mild detergent or soap.

Dry and leave a little moisture on the skin surface.

Inject a small amount of baby oil into your hand.

Gently massage the oil on your face with your fingertips.

6. Alternative home remedies for facial skin

Baby oil is a synthetic product. Vegetable oils are a more natural choice for skin care. If you are looking for alternative oils to soften and smooth your face, consider these more natural options:

Almond oil is a mild moisturizing oil. It is ideal for people with dry and sensitive skin.

Argan oil is a perfect facial oil for people with normal skin. It is moisturizing and full of vitamins that can protect your face from the sun and other skin damage.

Jojoba oil is great for people with oily skin. It is light and moisturizing, but also reduces oiliness.

Rosehip oil works well for people with acne-prone skin. This oil is moisturizing, but it also contains fatty acids that reduce redness and disappear acne scars.

7. Summary

Baby oil is a popular skin care product, originally developed for babies, but it is also used by adults. It can help to increase, soften and moisturize the skin, retaining moisture from the face and the whole body. Although it is a synthetic oil, it is quite mild and rarely causes allergic reactions. However, if you have acne-prone skin, this product should not be applied to your face as it can cause skin rashes. In addition, if you want to opt for a more natural facial oil, there are many vegetable oils for all skin types.

[long-cosmos-overhead]

I would like to request a Dwalin x Ori x Reader. The reader has had a dream of meeting her soulmate. All she sees is a hand grabbing for her own, stopping her from falling into the darkness. Sometimes her left hand and sometimes her right hand. Never both, it never occurred to her that it was two different people.

You were slipping. The abyss of darkness below waiting to swallow you whole and toss you aside like you were one single pebble in a huge colony residing at the bottom of a river. Your fingers clawed and the Earth beneath you dirt piling up underneath your fingernails. You were falling now. Limbs flailing in the air trying desperately to grasp a hold of anything to stop your fall. Dirt fell beside you almost in slow motion, falling deeper into darknesses eternal slumber until they were no longer Just witnessing a twisted example of your fait made your stomach twist in fear you couldn’t wish to any other.

You were so close to the darkness you could almost feel it’s cold hand wrapping its fingers around you. It was toying with you leaving its grip loose enough for your nerves to eat you alive. Air flew past you caressing your falling body rippling through your clothes and dancing up your skin. Tears spilled from your eyes leaving tracks so cold and rich in raw emotion. Your heart pounded against your chest for what would’ve been the last time before your inevitable death. You were practically touching the dark, your feet moments from being snatched by its gruelling hand dragging the rest of you with it. You closed your eyes unwilling to bear witness of the fall that would break you.

Fingers grasped around your right hand stopping you from falling. The grip so tight and unwilling to let go it turned your fingertips red. The darkness beneath you subsided growing smaller and smaller until it had completely vanished in defeat. It’s cold grip that hovered around you ceased to be present. You wanted to scream out in relief. The fall constricted your bodies every ability so greatly talking was an impossibility.

The fingers suffocating your hand were rough and weathered yet held an amount of comfort it made you feel a way you had never felt before. Somewhat safe and assured but also something deeper something that made your heart pound, not of fear but a mix of warmth and affection. A spark ran through your body encasing you in bliss despite almost falling into the pit of darkness. You shifted your head to peer up a little still shaken you decided not to make big movements.

The hand was clearly that of a man. Short finger nails rimmed with dirt and grime, somewhat muscly; the hands of heavy labour, veins rising against the lightly tanned skin and littered in tattoos of various shapes and markings ones you could not make out yet made sense. Normally body markings didn’t affect your perception on appearance but the ones engraved on the hand that held you were strangely captivating you felt your eyes resting on them unable to shift your gaze. You found them right as if if they weren’t there it wouldn’t look right.

The day following was confusing. Waking up was even more so. You had been so immersed in your thoughts even Thorin threw you a few glances. You barely uttered a word.

“Lass you seem distracted.” Dwalin sat beside you shifting the log you too resided on. The sun’s last rays dipping below the horizon leaving the trees shadows creeping further up the ground. A moment ago one lay atop your foot but had since seemed to crawl back a little. You thought nothing of it, your thoughts quickly wrapping you in a steel grip.

“Just been thinking about some things.”

Dwalin hummed in understanding. He always seemed to be the one to understand you providing quiet support. When you first joined the company you were rather lonely often hanging back with the brothers Fili and Kili. To say you were intimidated by the axe wielding dwarf was an understatement the first time you saw him you could’ve sworn he disapproved of your existence. However, in a short amount of time you became one of the few people he trusted and he became one of your closest friends.

“If you need anything don’t hesitate to ask lass, I’ll fetch you some food you could do with some.” He patted your shoulder and you felt a familiar spark course through your body. You jolted in shock causing Dwalin to quickly remove his hand.

“You sure you’re alright lass?” You looked up to meeting his eyes. The confusion and worry that glassed over his blue ones made you feel a sense of uneasiness. Seeing such emotions were rare coming from him. You swallowed thickly nodding your head unable to form words. His eyes narrowed as if he had caught you out on a lie but whatever he was thinking he dropped for your sake.

“Come let’s get you to bed, I’ll sleep nearby if you need anything.” He offered you his hand to help you rise from the log. Admittedly it wasn’t terribly comfy the bark had scratched into the back of your legs leaving the skin undoubtedly irritated and red. You raised your hand to grasp his but stopped midway. The dying embers of the suns rays fell gracefully upon his hand illuminating his short nails layered in dirt, the way his veins rose slightly above his skin, the toned edges of his muscles reaching up his arm and out of sight underneath his sleeves and finally his tattoos each section of inked skin matching up exacting to the ones you had dreamt about.

Everything was happening so suddenly the links your brain drew fuelled the panic rising in your chest. The shadows growing on you causing your heart to beat wildly against your chest. The deja vu was overwhelmingly identical. Your breathing became shallow and almost rapid. Looking again into the blue eyes of the dwarf you only managed one word.

“Dwalin.”

You were easily hoisted up into his arms. To Dwalin you felt awfully light. He’d never seen you so lost and consumed in your own thoughts that you lost touch with the world around you. He had witnessed people seriously overwhelmed before he took pity on them and continued about his activities however upon seeing you, a brave and powerful women become reduced to your most vulnerable in his arms shook him to his core.

You felt the wind whisper in your ear as Dwalin ran to the area Thorin had set up for the night. Dead leaves and twigs crunched under his heavy boots alerting everyone of your presence. The company drew silent. Thorin had sat upright against the rock he laid on seemingly more awake, Fili and Kili stopped sharpening their weapons offering you a worried, sympathetic look, Bilbo had looked up from tending to the horses his brow creasing in confusion. Bombur had jumped up in fright. Your face was buried in Dwalin’s chest still panicked, the reaction from the company didn’t even hold place in your mind.

“Y/n what happened?” A gentle voice rang from beside you. Ori had been your best friend and fiercest protector alongside Dwalin. He always managed to soothe your every thought that bled you dry with anxiety or anger. Despite being the youngest of the group he still remained grounded and ever so polite no matter the situation. Just his voice simply asking you a question felt as blissful as a warm summers day. The company reeled their heads in a little awaiting the answer to your current state unwilling to pry open your personal thoughts they held their tongue.

“The lass is worn out, Ori, take her to bed and set up our rolls near should she wake and need anything I’ll fetch some food she could do with a little to eat.”

Ori took you from Dwalin’s warm embrace entering you into his. Reality slowly began enticing you back into its clutches. Cold gusts of wind clashed with your shaking figure, subconsciously you curled up into a ball. You were tired. So tired, it were as if you had been conscious for weeks on end. Your stomach ached for food but your body yearned for sleep so desperately. Your eyelids gradually got heavier and heavier until the forest around you transfered from beautiful scenery to a blur of greens and greys. Your body succumbed to the allure of slumber in Ori’s warm arms.

It was the same dream that haunted you. You were falling, quicker than last time. It was as if you grew tired of watching the same scene, the same emotions that you decided to race forward in time. The dirt around you only paused to entertain your vision for a few seconds. You anticipated the cold, malicious hand slowly suffocating you taking your every will, ambition and achievement in its wake and in quick time it came. It was almost more agonising the second time. You fell deeper and deeper into the dark. The shadow crawling up your skin until it had reached your midsection. You drew one final breath.

You should’ve known a hand would catch you right before the hand of darkness grasped you fully. Your left hand ached in pain upon supporting your whole body weight. Your feet swayed upon your sudden departure from falling. The dark pit of fear below shrunk in defeat until it ceased to exist once again. You had to know the person that saved you a second time.

The hand clinging to yours was frail yet firm. Rather small yet masculine. His fingernails were well kept, clean and short. His fingers so thin it made his knuckles protrude outwards allowing them to easily account for the magority of his hands distinguishable features. The hand holding you up was soothingly soft and you couldn’t help but feel familiar with the touch. Despite hanging meters from your death you were pulled into such a rich sense of security courtesy of the contact you were blessed with. You dared to look up just a little more. A blinding white light stole the face of your saviour whisking you back into consciousness.

Your body automatically jolted upwards and you gasped for air as if you had been starved of it all your life. Light beads of sweat populated your forehead while cold chills shuddered down your body. A rough hand clasped upon your shoulder pulling you into their lap.

“Lass what’s been going on with you?” Dwalin spoke his voice softer and quieter than usual.

You couldn’t hold back the tears that threatened to spill from your eyes any longer. You clung to Dwalin seeking any sort of comfort you could. His other hand found its way to your back rubbing circles in your skin and easing the painful tension that knotted your shoulders together. Faintly you heard him shushing you, trying to calm your shaking, tired body.

“Y/n?”

Ori questioned beside you. He rubbed his eyes clearly having woken up from the commotion. His hand placed over yours. The feeling was too familiar resurfacing every detail of the horror your mind had conjured just moments ago. You stared blankly at him for a moment almost scared to look down having already anticipated what you would see.

His hand matched each fraction of the one that caught you. Not one tiny marking was out of place.

“Ori I..I..”

It took a while to calm you down; the sun had since risen over the horizon it previously fell below. Finally you fell back asleep again. Ori and Dwalin had decided to leave you to rest a while longer after the company had awoken. Mid morning slowly passed by the suns golden rays hitting your body as you lay asleep now in Ori’s lap. Never once did his grip falter on you. Dwalin made sure of that too, informing Thorin of your hectic nightmare.

For once there was no cold hand constricting you. You only felt warmth and safety laying in the arms of your two dearest dwarves. Some day you’d figure out everything but for now you were happy.

@swoopswishsward I am so so sorry for being so late for this one. Please forgive me I hope I did a good enough job

[dukemassetti]

@evcravens​ said: u know... Wildcard babey just remember you did this to yourself...................

Orion is 25 years old and thinks he’s a golden fucking god. Maybe he is. He hasn’t slept a night alone since he moved to Paris, and the most work he has to do is a few meetings and lessons before setting up somewhere and drawing, painting, hell, even sculpting. In a city like this, none of it seems odd; even the chain smoking fits. He’s enjoying that now, window open to the breeze and two people having shuffled out not five minutes previous, when a knock sounds so loudly on the door that it could be la police. 

He stamps the cigarette out in the ashtray on the sill and moves, not with any urgency despite the pounding starting again. Robe, robe, where is — ah, yes, he pulls the blue silk over his shoulders and knots it well enough to be decent. Running a hand through his hair, still wet from the shower, he sighs and considers that’s the best the stronzo outside will get. Split level penthouses just can’t offer the same security as one level and your own security key in the elevator.

He takes a moment to roll his eyes at the lack of a peephole on the door before he opens it, wide enough to stand there, blinking, at the confusion before him. He opens his mouth to say something, because what, but Everett Craven, young CEO extraordinaire and 30 under 30 media darling, beats him to the punch. ❝ Would you please — ❞ he starts in frustrated Italian before remembering where he is and course correcting. Should Orion tell him he is Italian? Maybe, but it’s funnier to watch him struggle through nascent French. ❝ You stop. ❞ He finally manages to get out. Orion raises a brow.

❝ That’s the best you’ve got ? ❞ he asks in rapid French, shaking his head. ❝ Abysmal, ❞ he continues in Italian. ❝ Seriously, if I were Parisian I’d have you thrown out for that. Of the country, I mean. ❞ 

Craven stands befuddled for a moment, as if the thought of another man in Paris speaking Italian was simply unheard of. Orion takes the moment to study him. He’s remarkably dull, upon first glance, apart from his tie being slightly eschew. It’s largely not even visible beneath the tan sweater-vest, and the crisp white shirt rolled up to the elbows is the only other indication that he ever unwinds at all. Finally he gets his voice back in working order.

❝ Well, ❞ he says, like the word is too common for his mouth, or perhaps it’s been poisoned, ❝ Well. This should be easy, then. ❞ Craven clears his throat at the exact time that Orion’s robe falls a little off his shoulder. He doesn’t straighten it; he can feel it’s covering everything else fairly well, and he enjoys watching this new toy squirm a little. ❝ I need you to keep it down. You’ve interrupted three conference calls, and I only got in two days ago. ❞ 

Orion waits for a follow-up, but none come. ❝ You’re the neighbor, ❞ he states, not a hint of a question in his voice.

❝ Yes, and I’d appreciate a quiet night. ❞

That gets a smirk. ❝ You would ? You see, I’ve been appreciating — ❞       

Everett holds up a hand, but his eyes say he’s uncomfortable, not demanding. Orion grins. ❝ I don’t want to hear it. Just, once ? I’m about to take a call from America tomorrow. Surely you can wait it out one night. ❞ 

Now he’s leaning against the door-frame, amused. Can he make this uptight ridiculous man say stop fucking so loudly every night? Unclear, but he’s certainly going to try. ❝ Wait out what ? ❞ he asks, tilting his head. ❝ I’m certain I can deduce your meaning, but you really haven’t been clear... ❞ He waits, watching the muscles in Craven’s jaw tighten. He looks better in person. There’s a magnetism that just isn’t there in the photo shoots he’s had done since his father stepped down as CEO. He watches him swallow hard, clearly not sure what to do with someone so comfortably outside Craven’s boundaries.

❝ Whatever... dalliances you have lined up, just stop them for a night. I assume I can’t bribe you into it, considering your living situation, but — ❞

❝ You can bribe me, Craven. ❞ He almost jumps at the sound of his own name, which makes Orion laugh outright. ❝ My name’s Orion. Obviously, I know yours, with all the magazines and that. Now... for the bribe. ❞ He rakes his eyes over Craven’s lanky frame one more time. It has promise. He can’t really tell what’s going on with this many layers, though. ❝ Take off the vest. ❞

❝ What ? ❞ The outright offense in his tone makes Orion smile harder.

❝ Lose the sweater and I won’t have any ‘dalliances’ tomorrow night, ❞ he promises, using air quotes to really seal the deal. Craven has lost that boss-man presence rather quickly, and now looks quite intimidated, though he tries to recover.

Spluttering, he stands up a little too straight, narrowing his eyes at Orion. ❝ That’s it ? Just take it off, here, in the middle of the hall ? ❞

He’s reacting like Orion asked him to bare his ankles in Victorian England. One brow raised, he opens the door a little further. ❝ Unless you’d like to come inside and do so, which is on the table. ❞

Everett Craven whips the sweater vest over his head like he’s about to use it to put out a house-fire. Orion well and truly cackles, watching the flush spread down his cheeks and under the collar of his shirt. ❝ You are a lunatic, ❞ he hisses, arms still partially in the vest. A for effort, though. 

He takes a moment to evaluate Craven’s shoulders — broader than he would’ve guessed, narrower than his own — before relenting. ❝ Alright, alright, ❞ he says, shaking with laughter against the doorframe, ❝ Go, I swear, I’ll be quiet as a mouse. ❞ He mimes turning a key in his mouth, and he’s still laughing when Craven shuts the door to his own half of the penthouse, nearly half a minute before Orion remembers to go back inside.

Everett really should know better by now, Orion thinks to himself as a familiar knock sounds. They’ve played this game for weeks, and over the course of those, he’s managed to learn a thing or thirty about his snobbish neighbor. He always wears matching socks, for one; Orion made him take off his shoes the second time he came to request his silence, and the vest. They’ve established a pattern of sorts. Everett probably is trying to figure out whether or not it’s extortion, but Orion knows he’s in the clear. Everett doesn’t have to keep showing up barefoot, asking for silence. He could simply deal with the embarrassment of listening to Orion bringing someone to orgasm, or hearing the dull thud of the headboard in the background. 

He’s repressed, that much is clear. Otherwise he’d simply tell his fellow cronies, half of whom probably have some teenager sucking their cock under the desk, that he had an annoying neighbor. As it stands, Everett would rather die, it seems. When did he start calling him by his first name?

Ah, well, it doesn’t matter. His fellowship is ending soon, just as Everett’s business trip. It’s strange, how close their schedules align. All of this runs through his head as he makes his way to the door, lackadaisical now because this time, he’s just fucking with Everett. He opens the door with safety glasses on, and he swears that Everett’s eyes bug cartoonishly out of his skull.

❝ What on earth could you possibly be doing at an hour like this ? ❞ It’s 3 in the morning. Orion debates on telling Everett that 3 in the morning is an acceptable time to have sex before deciding to pick his battles.

Instead, he opens the door wide, and Everett seems to realize he’s fully dressed for the first time.  He follows a little warily, but Orion doesn’t pay it any mind, barefoot in jeans and a henley that are now covered in dust. ❝ Wasn’t sleeping, ❞ he says, which isn’t the same as being unable to sleep, but Craven doesn’t have to know that if his assumptions suggest otherwise. ❝ Thought I’d try my hand at this one more time. ❞ He’s got a hammer and a chisel laid out on the work bench, the overhead light illuminating a statue in the center of the open room. It’s a fawn, half-emerging from the stone, wide-eyed and with a hint of wisdom in its eyes. 

Everett slides his hands into his pockets. Orion knows he’s kept weird hours due to all his calls, so he’s not surprised to note that he’s fully dressed, not a hint of pajama pants in sight. He sighs, but Everett isn’t paying him attention any longer. He’s walking around the sculpture with something like awe in his eyes.

That’s not good. It’s actually bad for him, and Orion takes it in decadently, relishing in every tiny detail of his expression. ❝ You did all of this ? ❞ Everett asks. He’s mentioned he was an artist before, but someone who views Orion as he does probably thought he made a bunch of nude portraits or something. Orion shrugs.

❝ Sculpture isn’t my thing, but it kind of reminds me of you. ❞ He’s unabashed in his compliments, uncaring of whether he comes across as weird or overly invested. Orion’s feelings are always right there for you to see, if you’re looking hard enough. Right now, it feels like Everett’s looking.

They stand there, staring at each other, Orion waiting for Everett to respond. It takes a minute or so, looking from Orion back to the sculpture again and moving around it. ❝ I’d at least consider myself a stag, ❞ he says, that dry, acerbic humor of his coming out with a faint bite. Orion laughs.

❝ If anyone’s the stag, it’s me, ❞ he argues, ❝ But that probably gets a little Electra complex. Try not to think about it so hard. ❞

There’s a moment of stunned silence before Everett Craven laughs. It’s astonishing in that he hasn’t ever heard it before, and he feels a bit proud, to have earned it after so long waiting. He shakes his head, and looks at Orion with cheeks stained red again. Orion himself hasn’t blushed in years. It’s more charming than it aught to be.

❝ Were you really... having sex, every night I came ? ❞ It seems like he’s been working up to the question for a while. 

Orion shrugs. ❝ Yeah. That bother you ? ❞

Now it’s Everett’s turn to gesture noncommittally. ❝ Not as much as it did. Do you ever lie ? You can be so... ❞

❝ Nope. ❞ Orion pops the ‘p’ and grins. ❝ You gonna admit my art is impressive yet ? ❞

❝ Working on it, ❞ Everett says, falling right back into that dryness now that the hint of sincerity has passed. ❝ Maybe not now that you’ve said it for me. ❞

❝ I’ll make you a deal, ❞ Orion offers, stepping closer. The statue casts weird shadows on the room, and on Everett’s face. It’s only up close that he sees it properly. They’re the exact same height, which makes eye contact uncomfortably intimate somehow, but he keeps it.

❝ Alright. What’s the deal ? ❞

❝ Either you dissect my work in detail... ❞ Orion reaches out, thumb tracing that impossible cheekbone he’s been staring at for almost a month. ❝ Either that, or you give me a kiss. ❞

In spite of how far he’s come, the offer still gets a rise out of Everett. ❝ A — a what ? ❞

❝ A kiss. You know, you and another person, you push your lips together, sounds a lot less appealing than it feels — ❞

❝ I’ve been kissed before, ❞ Everett snaps, and Orion can’t help laughing, because it sounds so much like it’s been inflicted upon him. 

He shakes his head, noting that Everett hasn’t pushed his hand away from his face, though now he’s only gently holding onto him. ❝ Well it’s either a kiss or an in-depth art critique in the next ten minutes, ❞ he says, grinning. ❝ What’s it going to be ? ❞

Everett looks at him as though he’s insane. Then he looks irritated, before it crosses into fond, and then again into a blend of the two. ❝ You’re ridiculous. You aren’t even a real human being, I’m convinced — ❞

❝ Choose, Craven. ❞ 

❝ — some villain. You’re kind of insufferable, a menace to society, really — ❞

❝ And ? ❞         

They stand looking at each other for a moment before Everett grasps Orion’s wrist, still near his face. Even his ears are red, now. ❝ And I — I will take a kiss. ❞

Orion is moving before he finishes the sentence, shutting him up as quickly and efficiently as possible. Everett misses three calls the next morning, but a strange man claiming to be his assistant calls each to apologize personally. Something in the tone of his voice suggests neither him nor his employer are all that sorry.                    

[karaliswrites]

Summer Nights

Why are they always playing Mario Kart

~~~~~

It’s mid-July and school is out.  The days are almost suffocating in their heat and the evenings are warm and sticky, the air filled with the whizz of insects that come out in a symphony when the sun sets.  Armin’s shorts are burning against his skin, the perspiration gathering there reminding him of the annoying fabric that he wishes wasn’t necessary.  The gentle breeze of Eren’s broken fan isn’t nearly enough to cool the room.  It’s even hotter inside than it is out.  Armin shifts periodically, twisting the controller in his hands as they become too clammy and it starts to get uncomfortable in his grip.  But despite the ongoing battle he’s fighting with the heat, he absolutely can’t, under no circumstances, let Eren beat him at this round of Mario Kart.

He concentrates entirely on the race, both out of the surge of competitiveness he’s feeling and also as a distraction against the smothering summer heat.  Though it’s not nearly as hot as it was earlier in the day, there’s something about summer nights that Armin hates more than when the sun is out.  In those times, people turn on the air conditioning and hide from the sun’s harsh rays.  And if there’s ever a time Armin needs to face the blinding glare of the outside, it burns for a moment and then it’s over.  But it’s when everything cools down a little, though not completely — never completely — that Armin feels absolutely asphyxiated.  It’s when it’s not exactly cool, but not exactly hot, just warm enough to cause that prickle of discomfort beneath his skin.  To make his sheets too warm, but the open air not quite cool enough to let him sleep in peace.  It’s when people turn off the sweet sanctuary of the air conditioning and resort to using simple household fans that Armin thinks do a lousy job of eliminating the smoldering heat.  When perspiration is hot on his brow, his lips dry, and he’s unable to sit still for more than five seconds because the summer air settles around him like a blanket.

So when he manages to cross the line a mere second before Eren does, he lets out a warm breath, flashing his best friend a smile.  “I beat you,” he says and sees the brunet roll his eyes, however fondly.  “Whatever.  I was just letting you win.”

“Sure,” he laughs, falling back onto Eren’s bed with a light sigh.  The sudden rush of air from the movement is refreshing, but it’s quickly replaced with a growing discomfort where his back meets the sheets.  He spreads his arms and legs, hoping that maybe the more area he covers, the cooler he’ll become.  It doesn’t really work.  Eren just laughs at him under his breath and lays down next to him with a dramatic flail of his arms that makes Armin giggle.  He sweeps his bangs off of his forehead and spreads blond hair like a halo around his face, trying to expose his skin to rid of the sickening stickiness of the humidity.  He glances over at Eren, seeing his eyes closed, his nose twitching as he breathes softly.  He sees thick lashes dark and elegant against the tan of his cheeks, the shimmer of a thin layer of sweat on his forehead.  His lips are curved into an almost surreptitious smile and he feels his heart swell.  Eren’s chest rises and falls and for a moment Armin thinks perhaps he’s fallen asleep before his lashes lift to reveal stunning green eyes that flick to Armin with a gentle glimmer.

Armin feels his stomach flutter and he swallows, turning away, running a hand over his eyes.  He’s suddenly reminded of the thing that’s been plaguing his mind for the past few months that he’s told himself over and over to forget about.  “Hey, you okay?”

Eren’s voice is strange in the silence.  “Yeah,” he replies half-heartedly, letting out a gentle sigh, turning his head a bit towards his best friend.  “Just tired.”

Ocean eyes meet emerald and he can see a glimmer of skepticism there and bites his lip nervously.  “You sure?”

“Yeah, I’m sure.  Why, does it seem like something’s wrong?”

He’s said too much.  The deception in his voice is subtle, but Eren’s known him long enough to pick up on it.  The brunet shifts onto his elbow and Armin feels a wave of dread wash over him like the summer heat.  Emerald eyes fix on him with such intensity that he feels his cheeks redden, adding to the already unbearable warmth of the surrounding air.  “You’ve been kinda distant these past few months.  We don’t really hang out as much as we used to.”

He tries to come up with something that can get him out of this conversation.  Some excuse that Eren will accept as the truth and they can both forget about.  Something small.  Unimportant.  “Why is that?”

The look in Eren’s eyes makes Armin’s chest tighten in fear and a feeling he’s shoved away for awhile now.  He looks away, glancing hurriedly, frantically, over anything in the room, eventually settling on the fan that gently ruffles the sheets that hang just over the edge of the mattress.  “I don’t know, I’ve just been . . . busy.”

It’s a horrible excuse.  Armin would’ve cursed himself given another situation.  But his heart was palpitating so furiously that he was beginning to think something was seriously wrong.  “Armin,”

The way his name rolls off Eren’s tongue makes a shiver run down his spine and he bites his lip, feeling his eyes beginning to water.  “I’ve known you my whole life.  Something’s upsetting you.”

Armin honestly doesn’t know why he’s so gut-wrenchingly terrified.  Maybe it’s the ostensible prospect that Eren will hate him.  He knows that won’t happen.  He knows deep inside that nothing he can do will ever make Eren turn against him.  But there’s a small part of his mind that’s riddled with anxiety, that fills his thoughts with constant ‘what if’s and worst-case-scenarios.  And just that one shred of doubt, that one miniscule chance that Eren might leave him, abandon him forever, — however unlikely it may be — is enough to make his stomach churn horrendously.

“I . . . um . . . ,” he starts, his voice quivering in fear.  He thinks maybe he can tell Eren the truth.  Just not all of it.  Because if he did, he’d increase the chance of losing his best friend.  Of losing the only person he really cared about.  Everyone else he loved was gone and Eren was all he had left.  He couldn’t lose him too.

“I’ve just . . . there’s something I . . . .”

He looks into emerald eyes and takes a deep breath, trying to form a decent sentence.  “Eren.”

“Yes.”

“You’re my friend.”

“Yes.”

He lets out a giggle despite himself.  “Eren, come on, this is a serious conversation.”

“Okay, okay, I’m sorry.  Just trying to lighten the mood.”

He settles on his elbows, scooting a bit closer to Armin, but he isn’t sure whether or not this is consciously done.  He’s still on his back and squirms under Eren’s gaze, feeling himself blush and the fabric of his t-shirt press warmly against his stomach.  He swallows.  “I really . . . we’ve been friends for years now.  You know me better than probably anyone else.  You wouldn’t . . . walk out on me, would you?”

“What?” he asks, his seemingly nonchalant position stiffening into one of solemnity.  “Why on earth would I do that?”

“Just . . . I dunno.  If I ever did something . . . you thought was . . . disgusting . . . .  Something that would make you hate me . . . .” he mutters, his throat beginning to knot with anxiety.  “Armin,” he says strongly and he can’t help meeting emerald eyes.  “There’s nothing you could ever do that would make me hate you.  And I would never think you were disgusting.  You’re important to me and I’d never walk out on you because of something stupid like that.”

He feels a gentle smile tug at the corners of his mouth, but can’t find it within him to complete it.  “I just . . . I’ve been thinking . . . .”

Eren doesn’t say anything.  He just sits silently, watching him — waiting for him — like there’s nothing else but the two of them and the relentlessness of the humidity.  “I’ve never been . . . completely honest with you — well, with myself.”

His brow furrows.  “How so?”

Armin lets out a strangled laugh, but it’s more rueful and self-deprecating than anything else.  “I’m making this sound so much worse than it is.”

“Well, if it’s this hard for you to tell me, then it must be pretty serious.”

“I know.  I’m sorry.”

“Don’t be sorry.”

He glances at him again and thinks he sees a flicker of a smile.  “There’s nothing you should be sorry for.  Just take your time and when you feel you can tell me, tell me.  You don’t even have to if you don’t want to.”

“I want to,” he says hurriedly, inching closer to him out of instinct before shrinking back.  “I’m just . . . scared.”

“Of what?”

“Of you . . . leaving me forever . . . .”

“Armin —”

“I know you won’t,” he adds quickly.  “I know you wouldn’t.  But there’s still a part of me that . . . thinks you might.”

They sit in silence a moment and Armin takes a few deep breaths.  “I . . . I’ve always been . . . different . . . than other people,” he begins, deciding he might as well take it in parts.  “I never really knew what it was.  And it wasn’t necessarily a conscious recognition either.  But as I got older . . . I realized that . . . not everyone was like me.  That I was the outcast in a whole world of other people.  When I was young, it never really hit me.  But recently, I’ve been thinking it over and . . . I’ve kinda been denying it my whole life, but I’ve realized I have to come to terms with it one way or another.  And . . . I uh . . . .”

He meets emerald eyes and swallows.  “I’m . . . I’m gay.”

Saying the words aloud gives him validation of how absolutely true they are.  Eren gives a brief nod, as if he isn’t sure if there’s more Armin’s going to say, but after a few moments of silence, he gives a small reassuring smile.  “Okay,” he says and Armin rolls his eyes fondly, feeling a bit lighter with that off his chest.  “That’s all you’re going to say?” he jokes and Eren grins.  “No, I wasn’t done.  But seriously, I’m not upset.  I’m glad you told me.  That takes a lot of courage and . . . thank you.  For trusting me.”

He feels his heart leap and sends him a soft smile.  “You’re welcome.”

There’s a moment of silence and acceptance before Eren breaks it.  “But, uh, if you don’t mind me asking,” he says and his tone is light with an intimation of a question that Armin isn’t sure he wants to hear right now.  “Is there any particular reason you decided to tell me?  Is there a, uh . . . .”

He nudges Armin with his shoulder, inadvertently sending shock waves through his body.  “There a guy you like?”

They giggle at the childish situation and Armin’s lips move for him.  “Maybe.”

He hadn’t meant to say it.  And now that he has, he wishes he didn’t exist.  His face flushes bright red, but Eren doesn’t seem to notice.  “Really?!  Oh my god, who is it?!  Tell me!” he says excitedly and Armin can’t help giggling at his exuberance.  “I uh . . . I dunno . . . .”

“Oh come on, Min!  I won’t judge, I swear!  Unless it’s Jean.  Then I’ll definitely judge.”

He laughs and thinks it’s interesting that Jean is his first guess.  “Ew, no!  I would judge myself if that ever happened.”

“Marco?  Connie?”

“You’re really gonna do this to me?”

“Please?”

They go back and forth in the gentle breeze of the fan for quite some time before Eren pouts.  “You won’t tell me?”

“I mean . . . it’s kind of . . . I dunno, weird.”

“Alright, well, can you at least tell me about him?  Anything.”

“Um . . . what do you want to know?”

“Is he tall?”

“I . . . guess?  He’s taller than me, so . . . .”

“Is he hot?”

Armin laughs at this.  “What — it’s a genuine question!” Eren giggles in retaliation and something like mock offense.  He tucks his hair nervously behind his ear.  “I mean . . . I think he is . . . .”

He blushes profusely and Eren just grins.  “What’s your favorite thing about him?”

Armin has to take a moment.  He’s never really thought it through.  “I — just . . . everything,” he says and when Eren doesn’t snort at the cheesiness, he continues, partly to Eren, partly to himself.  “He’s funny, he’s kind — he seems kinda intimidating on the outside, but once you get to know him, he’s got the biggest heart in the world.  I love his smile, his laugh, his eyes. . . .  And he’s good to me.  I mean, he treats me like I mean the world to him.  Which I probably don’t.  We are friends and all, but I don’t think he feels the same way about me as I do for him.”

“You never know,” Eren says and Armin looks up to see a spark in his eyes that makes his breath hitch, his heart flipping with the implication he might be detecting in his voice.  “Maybe he secretly likes you too.”

There’s no way.  He isn’t implying anything, Armin’s just getting his hopes up.  He looks at Eren a moment and he holds the contact before the boy shakes his head and lets out a sigh.  “No, I don’t think so.  He’s incredible — he doesn’t deserve me.  He’s straight anyways.  He could have any girl he wanted, why would he settle for someone like me?”

Though his question is rhetorical, Eren answers it anyways.  “Well, believe it or not, you’re pretty damn amazing.”

He feels his cheeks flush and Eren shuffles even closer, just a step over the line between casual and intimate.  “And if he’s smart, he likes you back and he won’t be settling for anything.”

Once again there’s a hint in his tone that suggests he knows exactly who Armin’s talking about, but that’s impossible.  “Do you ever . . . think about him?  Dream about him?” he asks and the question is both innocent and verging on suggestive.  Armin feels his breath hitch and he lets it out shakily, simultaneously loving and hating the proximity between them.  “I . . . I think about him all the time.  Dreams too.  Mostly they’re sweet dreams — about him holding my hand, asking me out, taking me on a date, . . . kissing me . . . ,” he trails off, allowing himself to quickly glance at Eren’s lips and mentally scolds himself for being so stupid.  He swears he sees emerald eyes do the same to him and swallows in something like nerves and anticipation.  “That was always the one thing I wanted to do with him.  More than anything else.”

Emerald eyes flit between his own before he mutters, just above a whisper, “Then do it.”

It’s the tone in his voice that lets Armin know he’s caught on.  He’s known Eren long enough to be able to detect even the most subtle of hints in his voice that can tell him exactly what he means.  And this time, he flushes profusely, his tongue darting out to quickly lick his lips.  His heart is pounding almost painfully in his chest and he can feel himself trembling as he inches closer to Eren.  He doesn’t do anything, just sits there with silent, knowing eyes, and Armin suddenly fears that maybe he doesn’t know Eren so well after all.  That maybe those little tones of voice he thought he knew so well are actually not anything to go on.  But he’s gotten an open invitation, whether or not it’s meant for this specific situation, and Eren’s lips are so tantalizingly close that he can’t control himself any longer.  Without any further hesitation, he leans the rest of the way forwards and gently presses his lips to Eren’s.  The touch is almost unnoticeable it’s so delicate, but it sends a spark through him all the same.  After a few moments, he pulls away, lifting his lashes to stare into emerald eyes.  He just looks at him, silent, unmoving, and Armin really thinks he’s messed up.  But then he gives him that lopsided smile he loves before capturing his lips again, this time with a bit more certainty.

Armin feels electricity rush through him, all the way to his fingertips where it fades into numbness.  His brain goes fuzzy and all he can register is Eren and the way their lips move together perfectly.  Like they were made for each other.  They set a slow pace and everytime they pull away, they come back again — softly, gently, and Armin absolutely melts.  He feels Eren’s hands settle on his waist, pulling him forwards ever so slightly, and he can’t help reaching up to chocolate hair, lightly mussed and sticky with humidity.  Part of him begins to doubt this is actually happening — that the thing he’s dreamed about for years is finally coming true.  But Eren’s hands are tangible against his skin and for once, he ignores the heat burning under his touch.  This is too incredible for him to care.

He makes a humiliating sound, something between a sigh and a whimper, as their movements become quicker.  It’s only a slight change, but Armin’s suddenly breathless, trying to keep up with the pace Eren’s setting.  He feels his tongue lightly sweep the seam of his mouth and he gently parts his lips to let it inside to meet his own with a scorching heat.  It isn’t rushed or sloppy — although Armin can feel something like desperation beginning to burn somewhere in his gut.  The dance of their mouths and added heat of their proximity is a bit inexperienced and thus a bit awkward, but only slightly — and either way, it wouldn’t matter.  It wouldn’t be able to mask the pure exhilaration that the tenderness of the kiss brings.  It’s a momentary eternity before they pull away, faces flush, breathing ragged.  Eren’s hands are still firm on his hips and he twists his fingers in the front of his shirt, simultaneously knowing this is a good place to stop and not really wanting to.  Now that he’s had a taste, he’s immediately addicted.

Eren gives him that lopsided smile that makes his heart flutter and tackles him in a bear hug, falling back on the mattress.  Armin can’t help giggling, returning the embrace and burying his face into the front of his shirt despite the summer warmth.  They lay there a moment, trying to fight off the growing heat between them where their skin is pressed together.  “So it’s me, huh?” Eren speaks up and Armin grins into the fabric of his t-shirt.  “Wasn’t that obvious?”

Although he can’t see him, he knows Eren is smiling.  “Armin Arlert likes me.”

“Eren, we literally just kissed.”

“And, if you don’t mind, I’d like to continue doing so for as long a humanly possible.”

Armin raises his head and looks at Eren with mirth in his eyes.  “Is this your way of asking me out?”

“Sort of?”

He giggles and falls back into the comfort of Eren’s arms.  “Is that how I asked you in your dreams?”

“No.  It was a bit more romantic than that.”

“What, like, ‘Armin Arlert, would you please do me the honor of becoming my boyfriend?’”

“Something like that.”

“Wow, I sound so cheesy in your dreams.”

He laughs again, pulling slightly away from Eren despite not wanting to to escape the discomfort his body heat is bringing.  “Where did we go?  For our first date?”

Part of him wants to laugh and he manages a soft chuckle before replying with a grin, “The ocean.”

“We’re going tomorrow.”

“Eren, you can’t drive.”

“I’ll find another way.”

He presses a warm kiss to the top of his head before laying back on the sheets in a more comfortable position.  Armin smiles softly and feels his eyelids become suddenly heavy with humidity and exhaustion.  He lets out a quiet yawn that Eren makes some sort of remark about, but he’s verging on unconscious and isn’t hearing too clearly.  The last thing he registers is Eren kissing him softly on the head again before he falls into the loving embrace of sleep.

[mariequitecontrarie]

Put Me In, Coach: Part 2

Summary:  The Golds run into "Coach David" Nolan in the grocery store and Rumplestiltskin is seized by a bout of jealousy. A/N: Because I love jealous Rumple + Belle showing him how unreasonable he’s being. ;) Written for the June @a-monthly-rumbelling:  "That's the least romantic thing you've ever said to me." Thanks to @galactic-pirates for listening to me drone on about baseball.

On AO3 | Part 1| Part 1 on Tumblr

“Well, Rumple, what do you think?”

Belle plopped two quarts of Maine blueberries down on the conveyor belt, sweet little purple globes that heralded the last weeks of summer. Tonight, Henry was having a sleepover with Gideon at their house and she wanted to attempt a homemade blueberry cobbler for dessert.

Blueberries, not apples, were Henry’s favorite fruit, a preference his mother Regina didn’t appreciate, but was a great source of amusement to the rest of the family.

Rumplestiltskin sighed heavily, pretending to be put out. “Sweetheart, if you want to bake, I’m here to coach you on to victory.” He grinned. “For better or worse, remember?”

She stuck out her tongue at him, making him chuckle.

On this go-round, he’d have to pitch in as more than just chief taste-tester if they wanted to avoid the oven fire they’d had the last time she baked.

His wife possessed many wonderful qualities, but kitchen skills were not among them. When they’d lived together in the Dark Castle, he used to hover in the kitchen doorway for the sheer pleasure of watching her burn everything from chicken to cakes to carrots. He’d developed a particular talent for rescuing her meals in the nick of time. 

Once, she’d singed her fingertips in the fire and he was so furious with himself for allowing her to be hurt, he’d locked himself in his tower for the rest of the night. Belle had stormed up the stone staircase holding a tray of tea and cakes and banged on the door until he relented. That evening, she’d spent hours reading to him from one of her favorites while he crowded next to her on the settee, dutifully eating burned scones and turning pages to protect her injured hand.

Who said dark magic never amounted to anything good?

He deposited sacks of flour and sugar on the conveyor belt, as well as vanilla ice cream. Whether the icy treat would be topping for the cobbler or their alternate dessert remained to be seen.

“Oh, goodie, you remembered the one with the vanilla beans.” Her face shone with pleasure when he showed her the black carton. It was so easy to make her happy.

“Where’re Gideon and Henry?”

“Still in the candy aisle.” He shrugged. “I gave them permission to choose one item.” The register dinged as the cashier rang out the customer in line ahead of them. 

“Hey, Belle, Gold.” David Nolan slid a bottle of milk and a carton of brown eggs into a shopping bag. We just got back from our week at the beach and I’m here for the necessities.”

Rumplestiltskin felt a stab of envy. The domestic errand did nothing to diminish Nolan’s masculinity. He was every inch the golden god, his tanned arm muscles straining against the confines of his short-sleeved polo shirt. He’d bet David Nolan never worried about how he looked in a pair of bathing trunks.

“Nolan.” Suddenly grouchy, he crossed his thin, pasty arms, safely encased beneath his many layers of Armani. He normally didn’t break a sweat, even in the deep August heat, but today perspiration prickled the back of his neck. He rested a warm hand on top of the ice cream to cool himself.

“Haven’t seen you since the Golden Nuggets team awards dinner at Tony’s,” David said. “How are you guys?”

“David, hi. Gideon’s around here somewhere.” Belle poked her head above the register endcap and scanned what she could see of the candy aisle. “He’s been working on his swing and I’m sure he’d like to show you.”

“His game has come a long way.” David flashed a proud smile. “But I’m in a hurry. Maybe I could stop by and give him some pointers next week?”

Rumplestiltskin scowled and drummed his fingers on top of the ice cream carton. He’d like to offer Nolan some pointers of his own. Like on how to take care of his own family and leave his alone.

“Mary Margaret’s waiting in the car, so I’ll get right to it,” David said. “Now that baseball season’s over, we’ve decided to charter a football program. Neal Junior is excited to play quarterback. Would Gideon be interested in joining the team?” David accepted his change from the cashier, and the conveyor belt whined as Belle and Gold’s small collection of groceries wobbled toward the register. “It’s tag, not tackle.”

Rumplestiltskin wondered if that was meant to be reassuring.

He suppressed the urge to roll his eyes. Did the man need to coach every sport known to mankind? Perhaps Storybrooke needed tennis, golf, volleyball, and wrestling programs as well. And American football? It was a brute’s sport, and the Underworld would freeze over before he’d allow Gideon to play.

Belle hummed in consideration. “We were going to sign Gideon up for some indoor batting sessions, but we might introduce him to some other sports, depending. Rumple, what do you think?”

He couldn’t believe Belle was even entertaining the notion. “Why not take them down to Fortune’s Rocks for surfing lessons instead?” he suggested, clamping down on his back teeth.

Sarcasm hung in the air like fog and Nolan’s brow furrowed in confusion.  

Fortune’s Rocks was an inlet a few miles down Storybrooke’s coast, a place where rough sea walls crashed sharply against enormous, craggy boulders. The locals knew Fortune’s waves were only for the most experienced, danger-loving surfers. Every summer, some poor unfortunate soul was injured or worse on its punishing rocks.

His wife pressed her lips into a thin white line. “Thanks for the offer, David,” she said. “We’ll get back to you.”

“No problem. Don’t wait too long, though. Practice starts next week.” Unflappable as ever, David exited the store with his groceries balanced on one arm, he free hand raised in a little wave.

Once the princeling had disappeared, Belle sighed. “What was that all about? I thought you liked David.”

“He’s tolerable.” Rumple huffed. “Tag or not, American football is too dangerous. A sport designed for those whose brains are in their biceps.” And for those who are strong and brave.

He crossed his arms again. He really needed to get into the backyard and work on his own tan. Somewhere in the bowels of the basement there was an old set of dumbbells. Perhaps he should start sneaking into the basement to lift weights instead of spending the wee hours spinning.

“It was only an offer, love. We could have politely said ‘no, thank you,’” Belle said.

He hated how measured and reasonable she was acting, but he couldn’t very well confess it was David’s handsome masculinity that had put him in such a foul temper. “He was certainly looking well after a week at the beach,” Gold allowed grudgingly.

“Yeah, he’s a hot ticket.” The elderly cashier, who had a shock of bright red hair and wore a nametag proclaiming her as Dora, jawed on a wad of bright pink bubble gum.

Ignoring Dora’s comment, Belle turned away from the groceries to run her hands up and down his chest. “It’s not a competition, Rumple. Not a fair one, at any rate.”

“True.” He was nothing special to look at. Bland as white toast and just as dry. He cracked jokes about being irresistible to women, but he recognized the truth as well as anyone else. People were attracted to his power. Only Belle had ever cared to peel back his layers to understand the quiet, fragile man beneath.

“I suppose David’s nice looking enough if boyish charm interests you.” She wrinkled her nose in distaste. “Not me. I prefer a man with a leaner physique.”

Heat toasted Gold’s cheeks, making the cool grocery store feel like a sauna. “Sweetheart, that is the least romantic thing you’ve ever said to me,” he drawled, covering his surprise.

As usual, his wife had read him like one of her well-loved, careworn books. Sometimes her innocent sweetness stupefied him. Who in their right mind would prefer Rumplestiltskin to Prince Charming? Then again, his Belle had always been an unusual creature.

“You know what I mean.” She moved her nails along his collarbones in teasing scrapes, her breath a lascivious whisper against his neck. “Wiry. Distinguished. And incredibly sexy in my favorite paisley tie.”

“Indeed,” he managed around a gulp.

“Anyway,” Belle turned to Dora, still making a show of fixing his tie. “I don’t think David Nolan is the cheating type.”

The cashier was gaping, the sticky mess of bubble gum half hanging out of her mouth. Whether she was shocked by the way Belle was touching him or her directness regarding David Nolan’s lack of availability, Rumplestiltskin couldn’t be sure.

Gideon poked his head around Rumple’s side and Belle stepped back. “What are you guys talking about?” Their son heaved an enormous package of Skittles on the conveyor. “Cheating?”

Uh oh. A change in subject was desperately in order.

“Did you two commandeer the largest bag of candy in the store?” Gold reached down to ruffle Gideon’s curly hair and then reached up to do the same to Henry.

“This and blueberry cobbler with ice cream.” Henry’s grin was triumphant. “Only the best when I sleep over, right Grandpa?”

He couldn’t resist smiling back. When it came to these boys, he was a complete marshmallow. They all knew the candy and the ice cream were insurance policies in case Belle’s latest baking experiment went awry. “That’s right, m’boy.”

Dora rang up the enormous bag of candy with the rest of their order. “Your total is $14.47,” she said, two red spots coloring the centers of her cheeks.

“They’re talking about cheating,” Gideon told Henry. “Like at a game.”

Rumplestilstkin felt his lips twitch. “Who said anything about cheating?” He handed the cashier money for the groceries. He turned to Belle, hoping for help with Henry and Gideon, but she shook her head and smothered a giggle. Very well; he’d torture her with tickling later.

“You did,” Gideon reminded him.

A dog with a bone, Rumplestiltskin thought darkly.

“We didn’t mean that kind of cheating,” he said, then instantly regretted it. Why in the name of all the realms was he still talking?

“What other kind of cheating is there?” Gideon frowned.

Growing exasperated, Rumplestiltskin pinched the bridge of his nose. Their son’s dogged determination was a trait he’d inherited from both he and Belle. Today, it was not serving his father well. “There’s no cheating. No one is cheating.”

“Right, Grandpa.” Henry winked. “You mean this bit right here at the baseball games?” He wriggled his fingers and waggled his eyebrows.  

Both boys blinked at him with feigned innocence. Gold was nonplussed. Why hadn’t it occurred to him that Henry might put the pieces together?

“Well, I…” For once the silver-tongued Rumplestiltskin was at a loss for words.

Faced those trusting expressions, mocking or otherwise, he found he couldn’t gloss over the truth.

He was caught.

Together they bagged their groceries in silence and stepped out into the sunshine. The late August breeze was a welcome refreshment to his heat-prickled skin.

“Relax, Papa.” Gideon ambled through the parking lot at his side, his long-suffering sigh far beyond his eight years. “I know all about you helping our team sometimes at the games. Everyone does. Even Coach David.”

Henry nodded in agreement.

“What?” It seemed his secret help was no secret after all.

“Whenever we needed to score, somebody would get a super awesome hit,” Gideon said. “Like Roland and me did in our last game.”

“Roland and I,” Belle interjected.

Oh, now she wanted to be part of the conversation. Mrs. Grammar Police!

Speechless, Rumplestiltskin studied the pavement as they began the two-block walk home. It seemed Neal was right after all. He was not as clever as he’d believed.

Gideon slipping his small hand into Rumplestiltskin’s larger one and squeezed his fingers. The childish comfort touch soothed his bruised ego.

“No worries.” Gideon clucked his tongue the way Belle did whenever their son awoke from a bad dream. “When I grow up you won’t have to help me anymore. I’ll be awesome at magic. But not better than you, Papa.”

“No, of course not.” He managed a weak smile. His body had continued moving down the street but he felt like his mind was still back on the sidewalk outside the store, slack-jawed and confused because Gideon wasn’t upset with him.

Although he and Belle had agreed never to discuss his cheating with Gideon, the lie had still bothered him. But he’d convinced himself that should Gideon ever learn the truth, the consequences would be catastrophic. Instead, his beloved boy was brushing off his interference as if it were nothing.

“You won’t need magic for baseball,” Belle said with motherly authority. “You’ll be able to win without any outside assistance.”

“Absolutely!” Henry looped his arm around Gideon’s neck and gave him a noogie until the younger boy howled with laughter and twisted out of reach. “Magic is a tool, not a crutch, right Grandpa?”

A lump formed in Rumplestiltskin’s throat. There was far too much compassion in his grandson’s knowing look, but even as a precocious ten-year-old, Henry’s wisdom and empathy had always been extraordinary. Rumple supposed being the son of two magical mothers made him uniquely qualified to mentor his much younger uncle Gideon.

“That’s right.” Rumplestiltskin cleared his throat, eager to move on to a lighter topic. His lips quirked and he looked at his wife. “Unless we’re cooking with your grandmother. Then we need to call on every spell in the book.”

“Henry agreed to call me Belle years ago,” she said with emphasis. Her eyes were alight with indignation but her lips were pursed with repressed humor. “As for you, there will be no blueberry cobbler!”

Rumplestiltskin gave a mock gasp and as their laughing and teasing continued, tension fell from his shoulders like scales. Arm-in-arm with his wife, he shook off the unwelcome weight and strolled past the baseball field feeling lighter than air.

Up ahead at the intersection, David’s truck trundled by, but the jealousy that had boiled up so quickly in the grocery store had evaporated, at least for the moment. Some insecurities would never die, but as he carried their groceries down the sun-soaked street and basked in the love, compassion, and laughter of his family, Rumplestiltskin was nothing but content.

###

[cieloxcnco]

yo te haré mía (cnco) - ch9

Chapter 9

Words: 3,200+

Warnings: first scene has light implications of smut. second scene you’re fine. third gets a little raunchy but not down and dirty.

A/N: all necessary things to lead up to Ch 10 when the real shit starts going down. sorry you waited so long for something so meh, but it gets better. swear. chapter 8 is here if you want to catch up.

Zabdiel slid his heavy steel rings off his fingers into a jewelry dish on the nightstand as he sat on the edge of his side of the bed, heaving out a sigh. “He's finally asleep.” Isabella muttered in assent, brushing her hair out over her shoulder before sliding beneath the bedsheets. “I feel horrible,” he grumbled, rubbing his palms over his cropped hair. “I do miss spending time with him. I feel like this whole album has taken over everything.” He rolled his shoulders with an audible huff, shedding his t-shirt and making short work of sliding his jeans to the ground. Grouping the laundry together in a ball he tossed it into the hamper, a small grin at the victory. “It should all be better once the new album is done.” Isa rolled to the inside of the bed, facing toward him for a change. “And after the album is promotional things and interviews, after promo is a tour, and after a tour is another album. There’s no slowing down or stopping, Zabdiel.” He collapsed into the pillow beside her, his arm thrown haphazardly over his eyes, almost in defeat. She tucked her hands under her head. “The cycle of your career won’t stop. And the difficulty with your family won’t stop until you show some effort.” He lifted his arm off his face and lowered his gaze to meet hers. “We're not only talking about Joaquin anymore, are we?” Isa looked down toward the lump in the sheets where her toes were hiding. “You have to understand,” she began slowly, “how alone all of this has made me feel.” He huffed, throwing his arm down on the mattress beside him. “How am I supposed to know how you feel if you don’t tell me?” She still couldn’t look to his face. “How am I supposed to tell you how to parent, how to be a husband? Your sole focus right now is being a musician. It’s frustrating when the people on the outside of it have to cope without you, but it’s been so long we’ve gotten used to the situation. It just doesn’t make it easier to stomach.” Zabdiel stared up at the ceiling, clearly ingesting her words and now deep in thought. He was silent for a few minutes, no sound but their slow breathing. She knew that she had probably been harsher with him than was necessary, but clearly it had made an impact. She was just sure it would change nothing. “I promised you,” he started slowly, turning his body towards hers and trailing his hand down her arm until it clasped hers, “that I would be faithful, loyal, and loving, and I haven’t been that to you in a long time. I’ve taken you for granted and I’m sorry.” The shock set in and her mouth was too dry for her to speak. He squeezed her hand affectionately. “Maybe a little island getaway for the two of us before the baby comes?” She was a lot more hesitant about it than her immediate response let on. “I know that you need new inspiration for your love song. Being so tranquil and relaxed on vacation will make you a better songwriter.” “Amor, no.” Her gaze still focused away from him, he leaned down so his lips could meet hers. Surprised by the kiss, she looked up and met his eyes. “I want to be a better man for my family, a better father, a better husband for you.” She shook her head against the pillow, tracing her fingertips over his that were tightly clutching the pillow from underneath. “You can’t do that and put your music on the sidelines.” He shook his head in agreement. “No, es cierto, pero I can take small steps to show you all you mean to me. Saying it is only one part. You deserve to be shown it.” He sat up on his knees to be able to reach into the drawer in the table of the nearby nightstand. “I had this to give to you when we were going to go out tonight, but we didn’t really get that chance.” Retrieving a small jewelry box, he presented it in his hand that lay in his lap. She sat up beside him, hesitantly examining the box with her eyes, unsure if she should reach for it. “Izzy,” he chuckled, “I promise it won’t bite you.” Lifting the lid, she revealed inside a small silver oval locket. Engraved across the front were the the words “te recibo a ti” and in flipping to the back to find the opening there was the continuation “y me entrego a ti”,  a line of the vows they’d made at their wedding. A button sat below the hook of where the locket connected to the thin chain and pressing the button lightly opened the hinge of the locket. On the left panel was a thin layer of glass covering a backdrop of diamonds, a miniature blue orchid like that of her wedding bouquet pressed between. The right panel held a small photograph of the two from their wedding, staring into each other’s eyes with unmistakably genuine smiles. He lowered his head to be able to press his lips against her forehead. “Te lo prometí, mi amor, and I’m sorry I haven’t been acting like it. Pero te amo, y siempre te amaré.” The genuine thought and effort to create something so meaningful struck a chord in her heart. For so long, she had believed him incapable of any sort of effort involving her. Perhaps she had lost the will to put forth effort when she thought he had also given up. But he clearly hadn’t. The tears that were threatening to fall from her eyes were stopped as she shut them to pull him close and kiss him deeply. He shuffled the box back to the nightstand as he lost himself in her lips. And as his body fit to hers and they physically reconnected, she had to think that this was the connection that they had both been missing. And as they laid tangled in each other afterwards and he fell into peaceful sleep at her side, she couldn't help but stay awake wondering if now that they were trying to mend things if her secrets with Christopher would be too much to overcome.

-

Chris was never early to anything. Ever. But the lack of sleep he’d had the night before had him awake anyway, so he figured he might as well head to the dance studio for choreography rehearsal. It might have even given him time to relax and take his mind off of his best friend’s wife. If his best friend hadn’t been the only other person in the room. “Hey, man, ¿como estas?” Zabdiel was always so energetic even before caffeine and it was almost frightening. “Exhausted pero estoy aquí," he mumbled, rubbing his palms over his face. “¿Quieres café?” Zabdiel offered, reaching for his wallet and ready to run down the block to the Starbucks. “Nah, esta bien,” he murmured. “I already had a cup when I left.” He didn't want to admit that it was to shake how drunk he still had been from the night before. Knowing that Zabdiel was spending a romantic night with the woman that should have been in bed with him had been too much to mentally handle while sober. “You’ve been pulling late nights with Krista for a while though, hermano,” Zabdiel mused. “¿Que esta pasando?” “She’s stressing me out, bro,” he groaned, the still tipsy mind revealing the true thoughts he usually kept under wraps. “I get that everyone is talking about us and the new music. It’s bringing publicity like it was supposed to. I just can’t stand being around her anymore and she tries to make it real. I don’t want it.” Zabdiel studied his friend’s expression and how the stress didn’t leave his face when the alleged cause had been spoken. “That’s not all.” Chris tugged on the brim of his fitted cap and pulled it slightly over his eyes as he sat down against the mirrored wall. The only time Zabdiel had seen his bandmate engaged and excited lately was when he had been in the studio texting that girl, then writing that passionate ballad. “¿Crees que no estas feliz con ella porque estas pensando en otra?” Zabdiel chuckled. With the silence that followed, he quickly realized that it was less of a joke than it was hitting the nail on the head. “Si no estas feliz y quieres otra mujer,” he said softly, “¿por que no puedes acabar lo que tienes con Krista para empezar algo con la otra?” “It’s not that simple,” Chris muttered. “Why not?” Zabdiel asked, ending his bicep stretch and shrugging his shoulders to loosen them. “La otra esta casada,” Chris confessed. Zabdiel chuckled again before the uncomfortable realization sank in again that he again was not joking. “¿En serio?” “I know, man. It’s fucked up.” Christopher tossed his cap to the floor between his feet. “I knew her before she was married. And she’s told me she’s in love with me too. She just… She won’t leave him. And I don’t know what more I can do. I don’t want to break up a home but… Estoy tan enamorado. I… can’t live without her.” Zabdiel anxiously gnawed on the top of his water bottle. He couldn’t dare tell Chris of his secret that he had not taken those sacred religious vows as sincerely as he ought to have. But he understood the pull of love in the positive and the negative directions, and he refused to allow his friend to suffer with no love at all. “Pues, if you both are in love, it will work itself out. It’s complicated but you should hold on to something if it’s that undeniable type of love.” Christopher fiddled with the sideswept tendrils of his angled bang, letting out a nervous exhale. “How can a man who has a wife tell me to steal one?” “If she loved him enough,” he asserted, “then she never would have began anything with you at all.” Christopher exhaled heavily through his taut lips. "Tal vez.” “Sabes," Zabdiel reasoned, “If you feel love for her and her marido does not, then it’s time for it to be done and for the both of you to be together.” “How can you tell me that? You’re married. Imagínate-“ And Christopher stopped at once, realizing just what he was asking Zabdiel to envision. Zabdiel shook his head. “If her heart doesn’t belong to him, you’re not wrong.” Christopher scoffed. “Someone as pious as you- you don’t believe marriage is sacred? A commitment before God? How can you give me advice when you…” “Marriage is difficult. No one involved in one is ever perfect. I’m sure Izzy and I have not been perfect. But love is different than marriage. Love is something I understand, and I know how you must feel. You can’t let go of what you feel.” He sat across from Chris, still toying with the plastic spout on his water bottle. “It’s more complicated than that,” Chris whispered, regretting having allowed the subject to surface at all. Zabdiel continued, “Fear isn’t as strong as love. And I know the situation is scary, but you have to fight for her. You love her, right?” Chris kept his eyes pinned to the floor. “I’m in love with her. I can’t imagine my life without her. I look at my future and I see myself with her.” Zabdiel shrugged. “Well you have your answer.” Christopher toyed with his shoelaces, anxiously needing to busy his fingers. “It’s wrong. She has a husband and a life. I’m trying to let her go and let her be happy.” Zabdiel studied his friend’s nervous movements, trying to read what Christopher left unspoken. “You’re still having sex with her?” Again his silence was enough of an answer. “Then you’re not really trying to let her go.” Chris shook his head. “I want to do the right thing. I’m just in love with her, bro, and she loves me. She just won’t leave him.” Zabdiel leaned over and clapped his hand on Christopher’s shoulder. “It will work itself out. And you know I’m always here for you.” “Gracias, man,” Chris said, flipping his fitted cap on backwards and rocking his head back and forth to each shoulder as if it would shake the thoughts of her out of his mind. Zabdiel gave an acknowledging nod, trying to rid himself of his own advice. If they’d really been in love, one wouldn’t have strayed to start with. Maybe he didn’t… Maybe his indiscretions with Krista were telling him that it was over with Isabella and this trying to make it work was a futile effort. Richard, Joel, and Erick walked in with their coffee a moment later, joking and laughing from whatever they had spoken about on their trip. “¿Listos, chicos?” Richard asked, throwing down his cinch sack and taking a long chug of his iced macchiato. Clara pushed the doors open behind them and rushed ahead to stand in the center of them all. “Stop. Everything.” she panted. “We’re not rehearsing today.” “¿De que hablas?" Erick asked, tilting his head like a puppy who had just heard a foreign sound for the first time. “We’re going out and celebrating,” she started with her trademark beaming grin. “¿Estamos celebrando que?” Erick pushed. “You guys,” she squealed, “were just nominated for a Grammy for Album of the Year.”

-

The evening had spun out of control pretty quickly. The early afternoon was all the boys huddled in the dance studio, tweeting and posting to their instagram stories about the Grammy details. They eventually made their way back to SONY to go over specifics for promotion, did a Skype call with Ricky Martin from the conference room, and called in to three radio stations for interviews and congratulations. Only then did they get the opportunity to call everyone they knew, who already knew because of the social media posts. It was decided that the evening would be made into an impromptu party at Zabdiel’s house. Noemi was more than happy to take her grandchildren for an unplanned sleepover so her son could have the chance to properly celebrate with his friends. There was always enough liquor in the spread of their basement to take care of all friends, production, and family. And it had all night long. Isabella being so far along pregnant couldn’t drink so just tended to all of her husband’s guests. Most of the producers, DJs, and fellow artists in their circle had left after one in the morning. Clara caught an Uber back to her AirBNB with Kevin about two hours after. Joel had been playing billiards with Chris but disappeared about half an hour before in search of a snack and had yet to return. Yashua and Richard were aggressively playing basketball on the court right outside. Erick had been playing Xbox games alone but had stumbled up the stairs to find Joel for further competition and had been lost for ten minutes. Zabdiel, as was common in most situations, had sat on a corner of the couch and fallen asleep. Having consumed more than his fair share of alcohol, there would be no waking him now. Chris had thought this out almost strategically. His celebration would be best experienced sober when the rest had ended their night and he got the opportunity to be alone with her. He had a few drinks sporadically throughout the night, but to keep up appearances only, not to drink to excess. He placed his pool cue on the table and stepped quietly over as Isa covered her snoring husband with a blanket. "¿Necesitas ayuda?" "No, estoy bien, gracias,” she said softly, visibly stiffening. “Gracias por todo lo que has hecho esta noche, amorcita,” Chris breathed, skating his hands up her hips and breathing softly against her ear. “Christopher, what are you doing?” she hissed, knowing she should break away but falling further back into his embrace. “What I’ve wanted to do all night,” he murmured, kissing a path down from her temple to the base of her neck. “Are you insane? Zabdi is right here,” she seethed, wriggling in his arms. She stared at her husband’s sleeping body beside her and gasped, but felt electricity surge through her as Christopher’s hands stroked down to the apex of her thighs. “Y el no tiene que saber nada,” he groaned, pressing into her. “Todavía estoy enojada contigo,” she moaned quietly, winding her waist against his. “Obviously.” He nipped at the nape of her neck and slipped his hand into her jeans. “We need to stop taking shots at each other and just accept we’re in love and this isn’t over.” His fingertip touched her clit and she clutched his wrists for stability. “Amor,” she exclaimed, begging for nothing specific but she didn’t need to say it. “You want it,” he insisted, his growing desire pressing into her from behind. “I know it. You push me away but it’s because you’re scared by how much you need me.” “Christopher,” she gasped. Zabdiel stirred in his sleep and Isa jumped, jerking her body to the side which only made the friction of Chris’ hand send more sensation up her spine. “Ay, Dios mio.” “I shouldn’t have pushed about the baby,” he murmured, now pulling the collar of her top down so he could lay open mouthed kisses on her shoulder. He feared her moving away again but saw she was too lost in pleasure to react. “I’m sorry. I just love you. I want you. I want all of you.” “Fuck me, papi,” she pleaded, leaning forward to grip the back of the couch. Chris withdrew his hand and smirked, sarcastically repeating her warning. “Are you insane? Zabdi is right here.” “A mi no me importa,” she sighed, turning to face him and gripping the back of his neck to pull his head down to meet hers. She kissed him fiercely, threading her fingers through his hair and pulling him as close as her belly bump allowed them. It was an immediate spark that ignited a wildfire. It didn’t matter how wrong it was- something this intense could not be so easily extinguished. He roared into her mouth as he kissed her, his one hand sliding up her back and his other sliding to grab her ass. He took a brief breath between their parted lips just to say, “Lo siento. Te amo tanto,” before pouring himself back into their kiss. In the back of his mind he realized that he shouldn’t be debating about whether to set her down on all fours next to her unconscious husband or to bring her up to bed, but the thought was all that was running through his mind. He stopped again to ask how she wanted to continue, only to hear stammering from the staircase. “¿Q- Que hacen?” Isa and Chris both whipped their heads around to see Erick, mouth agape, staring at them from the doorway, surely having seen the entire thing.

- chapter 10 is now here

[diego-hargreeve2]

light in the dark

Part Five  

Fandom: The Umbrella Academy (Netflix)

Ship: Diego Hargreeves x Original Character

Warnings: Language, abuse (emotional and physical), mental illness, violence and, in later chapters, smut.

Not having seen Diego in two days felt distinctly odd. She had spent more than two and a half decades without him, but their time together had become more and more frequent. He’d been stopping by almost every day, checking she was staying at the shelter and so she never went too far - even if she still spent more time outside, freeing up space for others, than he liked. 

She had gotten used to letting him come to her, not because she couldn’t be bothered to make an effort herself or didn’t care but because Eve figured he had better things to do and waited till he had time for her. But this felt unusually long and so Eve decided to take herself to the gym unannounced and uninvited. Stepping through the door she glanced around, feeling very out of place. Most of the people here were men, solid and muscular, often stripped to the waist as they held up wrapped fists and sparred. Eve thought she was more intimidated by the girls though – gorgeous and slim, with toned midriffs on display in tight clothing. Instinctively she shrunk into herself. She lived in layers, to avoid suspicion even though she didn’t need them for warmth. Her clothes were practical and shapeless, her hair loose with no more styling than a brush ran through it, her face devoid of makeup. Watching two girls taking a break, their skin tanned and glistening, she felt envy turn her stomach, but she forced herself to turn away and approach Al. “Hey” she began nervously. He turned to her, a cursory glance at her body before he looked to her face and recognition flickered. “Oh it’s you” he said, losing interest once he realised she was not a potential customer or fighter. “Is Diego here?” She asked, her tone polite despite his dismissiveness. “Not that I know of - haven’t seen him since yesterday” Al said, his comment trying to shut off the conversation but Eve pushed forward. “Can I wait for him?” “If you want” he said, flapping a hand and turning back to the ring. Eve hovered for a moment there, glancing around the room with one last look at the girls before she headed to the back, down the hallway that led to Diego’s room. She knocked twice, and after getting no response tested the handle. Whilst it was Diego’s space, Al needed to know he could access the maintenance equipment in there, and the handle turned beneath her hand. She figured it was the best place to wait, peeling her coat off and draping it over the back of the chair, glancing around curiously. Naturally part of her was intrigued and wanted to explore, to look through his belongings - few as they were. Eve suspected he must have kept anything of value at the Academy where he grew up - but she resisted the urge. Instead she walked to his bed and sat down, kicking off her shoes, shuffling backward so her spine was against the wall. Eve spent a lot of time sitting around with little to do. She was practised at letting her mind wander, tilting her head back against the wall and closing eyes. Most often she tried to remember things she had read, knowledge she had gained in libraries - certainly not memories of her own life. Returning to the gym Diego rolled his shoulders, sore and exhausted. The place was dark now, those who had been working out gone home. It had been a rough few days, he’d found and beaten up a dealer - and followed that lead, trying to scare their contacts enough to leave the drug game - and he’d done little for sleep, eat and follow up information for three days. A couple of times he had thought of Eve but he hadn’t had time to get over there. Tomorrow, he promised himself. Tomorrow he’d go see her. Check up on her. Diego was surprised to find he missed her. That thought left his mind as, approaching his room, he spotted that the tape he used to watch for intruders had peeled off. Immediately he pulled a knife from his back, adjusting it in his grip as he moved close to the door. He couldn’t hear anything and he turned the handle slowly, pushing open the door and lifting his arm to threw the blade - but the dim light revealed a familiar face and he lowered his arm, still holding the dagger. “Dangerous, kid, breaking in and sitting in the dark” he said, sounding it annoyed but at least part of that was the worry that he could actually have hurt her. “I was worried about you” Eve said, sat up right now, dazed from having been half asleep as she sat there for so long. Hitting the light switch to brighten the space, Diego swung the door closed and approached her, chuckling slightly. “You were worried about me?” He repeated, incredulous. “Of course. I hadn’t seen you in a few days - I thought maybe you were hurt” Eve pointed out. There weren’t that many people that worried about Diego, and his face softened at the idea this girl, who he couldn’t help but think of as young, felt she had to look out for him. “Not hurt - just busy” he assured her as he walked over. 

“Busy?”

“Work. Sorted now though” he said, rolling his shoulders to try and ease and loosen the muscles there, tight from fighting.

“You look exhausted” Eve said softly. There were shadows under his eyes, his chin darker with stubble than usually, his shoulders slumped. “Is there anything I can do?” She offered. Eve had no idea what she could do to help, as people went she wasn’t the most useful, but the words escaped because she wished there was something she could do. 

He chuckled softly. Some people get grumpier when they’re tired, worn down they start snapping, but when Diego was exhausted, he was gentler, the usual prickly guarded front harder to keep up. 

“Nah, kid. S’fine” he assured her, sitting on the bed beside her and stretching his legs out in front of him. He dropped his head back, leaning against the wall and closing his eyes. 

For a moment she watched him. His parted lips, his dark lashes, the line of his jaw - she couldn’t deny he was nice to look at. More than nice. Romance hadn’t featured highly in her life, and didn’t now either in truth, but she knew enough to know he was handsome, and she stole these moments where she could admire him without his gaze on her making her feel awkward. 

“Like the view?” He asked, eyes still closed. She blushed pink, an awkward giggle escaping her even though nothing was funny. At a loss for a response and eager for something to do - to help and to occupy this quiet moment - she moved and slid off the bed. Dropping to her knees she pulled the began undoing the laces of his boots. That had him opening his eyes, his brows creasing as he straightened up.

“Hey, whoa - you don’t have to do that” he said, shuffling his feet backwards but Eve shrugged. 

“You’re exhausted - and look like you’re about to fall asleep” she pointed out, reaching out anyway, pulling one of his boots off for him but he sat forward then and moved the other. 

“I can sort it” Diego insisted, taking the other off himself. Sitting back on her feet Eve looked up at him, at a loss of what to do. 

There was something...provocative about seeing her on her knees. Diego never saw himself as awkward, flirted easily most of the time, even with her - but now he had to swallow awkwardly, his mouth dry as he met her blue eyes with his dark gaze. They sat there staring at each other for a moment, but it was Eve who broke her, turning away. 

“I just came to make sure you hadn’t gotten yourself killed - I’ll let you get some rest” she decided, scrambling to her feet - moving so fast she stumbled and wobbled. He caught her, his hands on her elbows to steady her and Diego didn’t let go as he stood up. 

“I’ll take you home”.

“No - Diego, it’s fine. You rest, I’ll be OK” she insisted, stepping out of his grasp. His fingers trailed along her arms initially as she moved away but he shook his head and moved in, grabbing her again. 

“No chance sweetheart. I’m not letting you go out there alone this late”. His tone was light, almost teasing, but he was firm on this - Diego could be very stubborn. Perhaps in his line of work (if one could really describe vigilantism that way) he had a pessimistic view of the safety of the street, but he wasn’t budging on this. 

“Diego-“

“Crash here. You can have the bed, I’ll take the chair”

“No!” It wasn’t the idea of staying at his room, or even in his bed, that bothered her - just the fact that he thought she would let him sleep in his chair when he was this tired.

The argument went back and forth a few times, neither one making any progress.

“You won’t win this, kid” he insisted.

“You can’t sleep in the chair, you’re exhausted”

“Fine, we’ll both sleep in the bed. Then I know I’ll be warm” he chuckled. Eve hesitated, and Diego knew he’d won.

“I’ll lend you some clothes”. 

She changed in the bathroom, stroking along the sleeves of his jumper. It was one she’d seen before, although clean today, fraying at the hems and around her wrists with laddered threads along the torso. Coupled with his shorts she felt cosy and somehow comforted by his clothes.

Padding back into his room she tugged the sleeves over her hands - and halted at the sight of him shirtless, wearing loose sweatpants. Glancing up he flashed her a brief smile - thinking how sweet she looked like that - as he yanked a wife beater over his head. Eve wasn’t sure if she was pleased or not that he’d covered up. There was something about that tanned skin over taut muscles than made her fingers itch, had he stayed that way she might have given into the curiosity - but it was also a shame to say goodbye to the sight. 

“I should warn you. Not for negotiation - you’re sleeping by the wall” he advised. Eve shrugged, no preference as she walked over and scrambled onto the mattress. Shuffling over she pressed up against the wall - it was a double bed, but she wiggled over to give him the space.

Dropping down beside her Diego chuckled seeing how much space she left. Laying down, one arm folded and beneath his head he flashed her a grin.

“I won’t jump you, kid, you don’t have to hide over there”. Grabbing a ball by his head he focused for a moment then threw it - and it hit the light switch on the far wall, plunging them into darkness. She heard Diego yawn, and felt the shift of his weight and he wiggled into the mattress.

Eve would never have agreed to this if she hasn’t trusted him to behave himself. They might have only known each other for a few weeks, but she trusted him. Here, she felt safe, and that wasn’t her reason for having wiggled over. She tried to relax, inching slightly closer to avoid insulting him, but her eyes stayed open. 

It was odd in some ways. So many ways. She had spent years focused on survival. Years where the only time she was touched was with violence, where she watched the Elder marry girls her age and young with such revulsion, she was almost relieved to be the one they overlooked, years on the streets or in hostels where she just wanted to be invisible. To look at a man and find herself wanting his notice, wanting to look at him, thinking about his touch - she wasn’t sure what to do with that. How she managed a friendship while coping with such feelings - because Eve had no expectation of anything more than from Diego. She knew enough to know how many women would want him.

The thoughts churning in her mind kept her awake. Whether Diego’s mind was at peace or just his body exhausted she wasn’t sure, but he fell asleep in minutes. His breathing was deep and regular, soothing as a background - then he moved, shifting in his sleep, and threw an arm across her waist. 

His loose embrace only muddled her mind more - and yet she found herself inching slightly closer rather than pushing his limb away, closing her eyes and getting herself comfy. Her mind didn’t slow for a long time, but Eve wasn’t even sure she wanted to sleep as Diego rolled nearer and tightened his grip. 

Not sure how I ended up with so many followers suddenly when all I write is this weird little story but hey everyone 

@lovinglydiego @klausbutgayer @reblogserpent @me125 @fatbottomedcurls

[diziar]

One.

Soooooo who remembers my fic called Six? (If you havent read it, go read t first as this follows on directly from the end of it). Well just after I have written that I mentioned about maybe one day writing a second part, and as it’s Warriors Week over on the Discord, here we are. I promise one day I will write a fic that isnt angst, but today is not that day

Six.

Wind was gone. Dead. Warriors knew that no matter how much he prayed and wished to whatever Goddess or Goddesses that were out there, he wasn't coming back. No fairies were around. No great fairy fountain was hidden away somewhere nearby. Not even some sort of magic could fix this.

Wind was gone.

It had been hard. He had closed the poor boy's eyes whilst they had still sat on the floor - the blood and mud still under his legs, seeping into his clothing - and he had wiped his face free from any smeared blood tracks and tears in an attempt to at least make him look a bit peaceful in rest, in contrast to the angry and savage red wound across his entire stomach. At least it was no longer bleeding and he was no longer suffering.

With a little bit of assistance he had managed to stand still holding the body of his brother - or the closest thing he had ever had to one - and although his legs felt like they would give out any second, he would never forgive himself if he dropped Wind. His blood stained, blue scarf stayed over his form, moved around slightly so it had covered Wind completely, both face and body, and he had allowed Legend and Time to lead the way to somewhere nearby to camp for the night.

Even if there was a chance of Wild and Twilight coming back.

They couldn't stay at the Yiga Camp.

The fire had been set up in complete silence by Hyrule and Time, everyone had else just sat and watched. Numb: that was all Warriors could feel. A heavy and sluggish numbness running through his brain, through every limb. He had carried Wind to where they had finally decided upon setting up camp for the night, and now he could hardly even lift an arm to run his hand through his hair.

He wanted to cry, he could feel all the distraught emotions in his chest and behind his eyes, but by something twisted he couldn't. The tears wouldn't fall. The shaking wouldn't stop. His chest would never stop aching.

He couldn't sleep, in fact none of them could, but unlike him they all at least seemed to at least be trying. Everyone was exhausted, both mentally and physically, and shock was very much still running through everyone's system. Wind was gone, and Wild and Twilight were still missing.

Nine was now just Six.

Wind's body lay off to the side, just away from the rest of them so that they didn't have to look at him. It was a horrible thing really, but now that it was hours later none of them could bare to look at him. Now that he was so pale, so cold, so obviously lifeless with every blush now gone from his body. Any bruises the boy had stood out so obviously against the paled tanned skin.

No longer was he covered by Warriors scarf, but instead his blanket, which is some way mocked them all by making it seem like he was just asleep. They all knew otherwise.

Wind was never a still sleeper.

Never would he lie on his back and not move around constantly, eventually flipping himself over onto his stomach.

He wasn't asleep.

For that second time that day Warriors watched as another light slowly started to die out, though unlike last time, this one flickered and held onto the life.

It was something he would never be able to forget. Deep green eyes, filled with such fear and hurt, wet with unshed tears, fading as Wind tried to lift his arm up to reach for him.

His strangled attempt at saying the nickname he had given to Warriors, as both a nod to where Warriors had come from but also Wind's pirating ways. Had it been to say an apology, or in attempt to make Warriors feel better? He'd never know now.

Weak and shallow gasps that attempted to take in a full breath but kept failing and dying out with a pained wince.

The warm and heavy scent of blood being the only thing Warriors could smell. It soaked Wind's skin, his face, hair, and torso. It stained Legend's hands, Wind's tunic, and Warriors’ scarf. It spread and marked everything it touched, making the harsh realisation only more brutal.

He watched the fire, unable to tear his gaze from it, eyelids drooping heavily shut more and more progressively as time passed. Fingers stayed clenched in the material on his scarf that draped over his lap.

He had wanted to clean it, to get the blood out of his beloved blue scarf, but exhaustion wouldn't let him move.

His eyes fell once again, the low red and orange light being replaced by a dark and suffocating black which welcomes him into sleep as it finally takes over his drained body.

Waking up from a sleep that he wasn't fully rested from was something Warriors was used to in one way or another. Every muscle screamed out to him in pain before he could even register that he was actually awake. Heavy fog clouded his brain and dulled every sense.

In a weak attempt and using every effort he could muster in his dazed state, Warriors moved his arms slowly underneath him and pushed on the ground to try and get himself up.

Aching limbs protested in moving, something that finally registered in his brain after he had exhausted himself further in his endeavour. He managed to turn his head slightly, his cheek now laying flat against the cold and dewy grass-

No. A sense of touch had finally come back to him, and it wasn’t the grass of the field wet from the morning dew he felt but something else.

Hot and dry sand, scratching and irritating his skin as he moved his head back and forth, small granules rubbing in an unpleasant and unexpected way.

Why…

Why was he lying on sand?

No longer did the tall trees of the forest edge cool him from the morning sun, in fact nothing did now.

He could feel the blazing hot sun beating down on him, and underneath all the layers of his fabric, chainmail, and armour he was was roasting. Perhaps if he was more dressed for the weather he'd be able to cope, but as he currently lay face down in the sand unable to move or shade himself it was just another pain to add on the list.

The faint morning breeze was cool as it blew through his hair and over his skin. It was gentle and kind, and not unpleasant.

Another sense finally cleared, and he could hearing the waves lapping at the shore nearby. The seagulls crying and wings flapping overhead, a loud oink rumbling low, people talking and a child laughing, and finally the sound of footsteps approaching closer as they ran along the loose sand.

Along with that came his sense of smell. No longer did the scent of blood, heavy and metallic, filled his nose but instead that of fresh air. It was easy to breathe in and completely clear, it helped wash away the last remaining aches from deep within him. The salt from the ocean and brush of the waves against the sand help wash away the last horrifying memories he could recall...

Wind.

Warriors hadn't yet tried to open his eyes, the darkness still being the only thing he could see, but all too suddenly did that get replaced by a bright light behind his eyelids. He squinted his eyes tighter shut, wincing slightly as he did then slowly beginning to open then again, rapidly blinking and squinting as he did so.

Vibrant yellow sand and blue water immediately filled his sight, both so bright and almost like that of a painting. It all seemed far too perfect and lush to be real. Once again he tried lifting himself up, his arms no longer protesting so much.

Green grass and trees, wooden houses, and sheer rock grey cliff faces covered the small island, and the footsteps that he had heard approaching had now stopped. It took him a few moments to tear himself away from the peaceful scenery, and he looked to his right to see a young girl.

Tanned skin and bright blonde hair. Deep green eyes and a light blue sundress.

Immediately he began feeling sick. Panicked. After being dazed for so long and slowly having his senses coming back to him, focusing on feelings and sight again, had he forgotten what had happened.

Not just that, but where were the others?

Warriors scrambled to stand up, the end of his blue scarf flowing out behind him in the breeze and no longer was it stained, nor were his clothes.

“I'm glad you're not dead, or wounded for that fact. You were lying out here for so long Granny was beginning to worry, so she asked me to come see if you were okay.”

He recognised this place, recognised this girl, but how he couldn't recall. His mind was a mess. Wind was dead. He had died in his arms! But now… there was no trace of that ever happening.

A shaky hand pushed itself through his hair as he tried to make at least some sense of what had happened. How he had gotten here? Here being…

Outset Island.

Wind had shown him a pictograph of the place before, told him about his sister and even shown Warriors a picto of her and a group of people all standing in front of a pirate ship. That was missing from the scene but the rest of the Island and this girl…

Aryll.

This was Wind's home.

“If you're not feeling too good, Granny said I could take you back to ours.”

This time Warriors manages to take it what she had said, instead of just listening to the words but not taking any of it like he had last time. He gave Aryll charming smile, at least the best one he could muster up currently, and knelt down to be level with her.

“My name is L- Warriors, you can call me Warriors. May I ask what yours is?” He needed to be sure. Nothing was making sense and he needed answers.

He needed answers so he could try and make a plan.

“Aryll! My name is Aryll, and I have a big brother who's away right now but Granny is at home so we should go see her. We don't want to keep her waiting.”

Warriors watched as she ran easily across the sand back inland, stopped, turned back to him and pointed towards a house on the right. With a deep breath and by moving one foot in front of the other, he followed her off of the beach, along a small path and then to the lone wooden house on the right side of the island.

Aryll had already run inside, holding the door for him as he made his way in, giving her a brief nod of thanks before she had gone off again. The inside of the house was simple, with stone floor and wooden furniture, but it felt like a true home.

From the small ornaments that sat on the window frame or the chest of drawers, to the pictos hanging on the walls.

It was a home full of love and warmth.

He turned the corner and there sat in a wooden rocking chair was to only he could assume was “Granny” that Aryll had spoke of.

And if Aryll was Wind's brother.

And this was her grandmother.

Once again Warriors felt sick. No longer did the calming waves remove any footsteps in the sand, but they instead washed up those feelings of despair and anguish.

“You'll have to excuse me dear, my old bones aren't quite what they used to be so getting up is a bit of trouble… Are you okay?” Her voice was so gentle and smooth.

Warriors could feel his heart break as his chest began to ache.

He gave her a faint nod as he stepped towards her, her hand extended out for him to take.

“I'm-” How could he say anything to her… he didn't deserve her kindness, her trust, not after what he had allowed to happen.

“Oh, such a strong handshake. You remind me so much of my grandson with that blond hair and green clothing of yours.” With her other hand she pointed to a chair next to hers for him to take.

“You have a grandson? I wouldn't have ever thought you to be of that age.” He joked, taking a seat and still holding onto her hand.

Honestly, he didn't want to let go.

He had already let go once.

She gave him a small chuckle, the wrinkles in her face moving, and shook her grey haired head. “Oh you, you're far too kind, but yes I do have a grandson. He's off exploring the seas and being a hero all on his own. It's been some time since I last saw him but I know he'll be home soon. He promised me he'd come back.”

Warriors choked on the words in his throat, the feeling around his heart and lungs tightening like vines and making it hard to breathe.

‘How am I supposed to tell her?’

He gave her hand a small squeeze, his head drooping as he looked down once again to the blue material that had pooled on his lap. It was clean.

“Can you tell me more about him, please? He seems like a good kid.”

Granny gently placed her other hand on top of his, giving it a small pat as she glanced out to the sea outside her window.

“His name is Link, and he's such a bright boy. Always smiling and laughing, and he's oh so expressive! He does everything he can for those he loves and cares for, and I'm glad that my daughter's son grew up to be such a brave boy.”

Wet.

Warriors could feel wet on his face, warm and heavy as the tears finally began to fall. His shoulders shook softly as he silently sobbed.

All the unshed tears from the night before finally came to the surface and it wrecked him. To hear Wind's grandmother speak of him just like he had spoken so fondly of her, so proud and hopeful…

It broke him.

The image of Wind's dying body once again filled his mind, his quivering lip as he spoke and shaky arm and he moved.

The image of Wind's lifeless body once again filled his mind, still cradled in his arms and hidden under the blanket.

“He sounds like such a good kid.” He finally managed out, his voice wavering as he tried not to become obvious that he was crying.

She squeezed his hands again and made a small humming sound in agreement.

“He is. Always looking out for others, putting them and their safety before his own. I know him well, but even when he was scared he went out and did so much for the sake of another person.”

Whilst it may have been a beautiful day outside with gentle blue and warm waves lapping at the golden sands, with the shining sun above them and pleasant warm breeze allowing for everyone to enjoy the weather, inside of Warriors head there was a storm.

A vicious and dark storm causing the deep blue waves to grow heavy and violent dragging him beneath into the icy depths. There was no warm sun or gentle breezes, just darkness and heavy winds knocking him all around as he tried to stay above water.

“I'm so sorry.” The words fell from his mouth before he even realised what he had said. She just shook her head again, turned back to him and sighed.

“Oh my dear boy, whatever do you have to apologise for? Worry not if you think you've made me miss him more by talking about him, that isn't the case. If it's something else, then whatever it is I can assure you that it wasn't your fault. Now, would you like some soup?” Slowly she began to get up from her chair, both her and the wood creaking with the movement. He nodded, watching once again as his scarf changed colour from a pale blue into a deeper one from his fallen tears.

She passed him a bowl, and when he looked up to her, she gave him a knowing smile.

Wind - no, Link - was dead.

Twilight and Wild were still gone

And Warriors was alone on Outset Island eating the very soup that Wind once talked so highly about.

One.

[iconique-drbkgarg-blog]

Iconique Rhinoplasty - Under the knife A complete guide to Rhinoplasty (Nose Job)

“Rhinoplasty, or nose surgery, is one of the most common plastic surgery procedures performed today” ~ Dr.B.K.Garg

Rhinoplasty or commonly known as a nose job is one of the most popular cosmetic surgeries in India and in the world today. The majority of people undergo rhinoplasty surgery to reshape their nose to suit the face. Some people do rhinoplasty to treat their birth defect, or abnormality caused due to trauma or accident. For plastic surgeons or doctors performing it, the goal is to change the appearance of the nose suitable to the patient’s face while giving it a natural look. According to the latest survey conducted by the International Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery (ISAPS) on aesthetic and cosmetic procedures, approximately 9,54,423 rhinoplasty operations were performed throughout the world in the top ten countries performing rhinoplasty. Nose surgeries represented 8.2 percent of the total 1,15,99,336 surgical procedures recorded. Of the total rhinoplasty procedures reported by the ISAPS, 72.1% were performed on females, and 27.9% were performed on males. There are plenty of popular people or celebrities who have got a nose job done. While some celebrities like to tell the truth, others rather not confess having performed a rhinoplasty. A few of the well-known or rumored names are Jennifer Aniston, Julia Roberts, Kate Moss, Bipasha Basu, Preity Zinta, Priyanka Chopra, and Katrina Kaif. So, let’s take a look at

A Complete Guide To Rhinoplasty

Feel free to skip ahead if one topic catches your eye:

What is Rhinoplasty?

What can rhinoplasty treat?

How long does it take to recover from rhinoplasty?

What are the precautions after rhinoplasty surgery?

Is Rhinoplasty permanent?

Can I wear makeup after rhinoplasty?

Does Rhinoplasty leave scars?

Risks associated with the procedure.

What Is Rhinoplasty?

Rhinoplasty or nose job surgery is a procedure that sculpts the appearance, size or shape of the nose either for cosmetic purposes or to treat other defects. There are various reasons why people go for the nose job or rhinoplasty – either for aesthetic purposes, to treat any abnormality or reshaping of the nose. Here is a list of benefits that people seek out of the treatment.

Personality – The most common reason for rhinoplasty is to boost one’s confidence by improving the appearance.

Breathing issues – People seek rhinoplasty to treat breathing issues caused due to a birth defect or other reasons.

To treat abnormality – It helps treat abnormalities due to accidents or trauma.

Sinus treatment – Sinus troubles such as breathing issues, headaches, and congestion in the nose can be treated using rhinoplasty.

Snoring can also be reduced to a great extent using the procedure.

Revision rhinoplasty can help correct any untreated issues or complications that have come out of previous surgeries.

Face appearance – the surgery helps reshape the nose, fix minor issues or crooked nose and restore the face symmetry.

What All Does The Procedure Treat?

Rhinoplasty is a very individualized procedure that is completely based on your requirements and objective of undergoing the procedure. Therefore, the first step is consultation with a cosmetologist or surgeon. The surgeon from the clinic will hear out your troubles and help you figure out the right kind of treatment to reshape or correct your nose shape and appearance. Here are various conditions that can be treated via rhinoplasty:

Nose size – Whether you have a short or a long nose with respect to your face structure.

Nose shape - Similarly, a nose job can help you correct a small, large, flat or wide shaped nose.

Rhinoplasty can help reshape the nose by working on the structure of the bridge and/or nostrils of your nose.

Whether you have a hump or narrow nose.

Many people also choose to undergo the surgery for their nose-tip correction – whether it is enlarged or unturned.

It can work on the overall nasal asymmetry and give your face a more balanced look.

Commonly, the rhinoplasty also focuses on correcting the deviated nasal septum.

Other conditions that can be treated include unequal nostrils or columella correction.

Whence Long, Does It Take To Recover From Rhinoplasty?

“Most people are able to return to their daily routine in no more than 5 days”~Dr.B.K.Garg We will be honest to let you know that the rhinoplasty can take a long time for complete recovery. This is in part due to the nose itself – it takes a considerable amount of time to heal and for the swelling to completely subside. While the entire process may take anywhere from 6 to 12 months, most people are able to return to their daily routine in no more than 5 days after the surgery. The exact length of recovery depends on individual nose anatomy and response to the treatment. During the first week after the surgery, some bruising and swelling may continue, and you may be asked to wear a splint to protect the nose. Once the bruising and swelling starts to subside after a week, the surgeon will remove the splint, sutures and clean the nose. The surgeon will also perform dressing on the nose to check for the healing and to keep the area clean. While the recovery process may seem long, consulting with your surgeon on a regular basis will help you have the right expectations and make informed decisions to manage the swelling and pain.

What Are The Precautions After The Rhinoplasty Surgery?

Since rhinoplasty is an intensive procedure, it is best to follow the guidelines and take advice from your surgeon for a faster and less painful recovery.

Here are a few precautions one can take after the surgery:

To help minimize swelling, sleep on your back during initial weeks post-surgery and keep your head in an elevated position during sleep.

Keep the surgical site clean and dry.

Follow and take all the medication advised by the doctor for the smooth recovery process.

Avoid blowing the nose.

Either use contact lenses or tape glasses to your forehead. Refrain from resting them on the nose to avoid pressure on the treated area.

Avoid strenuous activities such as running or workout during the recovery process.

Until recovery, wear comfortable clothes that do not come in the way of your nose such as buttoned or zipped clothes.

Use a moisturizer or a good sunscreen to prevent discoloration of the nose skin.

Report any complications such as bleeding or irritation to your surgeon.

Is Rhinoplasty Permanent?

“Rhinoplasty procedure are permanent therefore it’s important to choose the right plastic surgeon so that you get the desired sculpt”~Dr.B.K.Garg Rhinoplasty is either performed by an open or closed kind of surgery. In both types, incisions are made into the nose. The type of procedure performed depends on the requirement for the kind of structural modification required to your nose and the gravity of the situation. In rare cases, one has to go for a revision rhinoplasty in case the previous rhinoplasty was not performed correctly or if there is a requirement for the further reshaping of the nose. But in most cases, one surgery is enough.

And since, it is a long, intensive procedure, it is, therefore, important to choose your surgeon carefully. You can consider a few of the following points while deciding on your surgeon for the nose job.

Ensure that the surgeon and the facility have a valid medical license and certification to perform cosmetic surgeries.

Usually, surgeons have a specialty in a particular field of study or surgery. Check if your surgeon has enough skill and expertise in cosmetic procedures and that too, specifically in rhinoplasty.

Look for endorsements or testimonials for the surgeon either through word-of-mouth or on the internet to check the credibility of the surgeon from the patients’ perspective.

Finally, consult the surgeon in person and understand more about their experience in the field of rhinoplasty, past operations, post-surgery support and technology available at the clinic or hospital.

You can expect a few changes/complications post your surgery such as,

Adverse reaction to anesthesia

Numbness around the nose

Swelling and pain

Scarring

Difficulty in breathing

Uneven looking nose

Nose bleeding

Can I Wear Makeup After Rhinoplasty?

Don’t worry. You don’t have to wait for long to wear makeup after the nose job. Makeup can be worn in a week or two post the surgery as long as it is not applied directly over the incisions. If there’s a nasal splint, avoid putting on the makeup for at least a week since the nasal spilled needs to be kept dry and clean. Once the cast comes off after a week, one can start wearing the light makeup. However, tanning should be avoided prior to the nose job and at least 4 weeks after the surgery. Otherwise, the tanning can cause pigmentation problems and lead to inflammation in the skin. Carefully applied makeup such as sunscreen and beauty creams can help you cover bruising, swelling and incision lines. Concealers can help you reduce signs of the surgery such as scarring or pigmentation. Sunscreen can help prevent discoloration of the skin.

Does Rhinoplasty Leave Scars?

Rhinoplasty, as discussed is performed either by open or closed type. In the case of open rhinoplasty, an external incision is also required that separates the columella (nostrils). This could sometimes lead to a scar. Post the external incision, the surgeon lifts the layers of skin and cartilage to expose the anatomy of the nose. This allows the surgeon to make major changes or reshaping of the nose. It is possible for this type of surgery to leave a tiny cut or a scar on the treated skin. In closed rhinoplasty, only internal incisions are made. The surgeon then reshapes the nose by making minor changes. This doesn’t carry any risks of scars or cuts. Overall, in either type of surgery, incisions made are strategical, are small and placed in a way to avoid any major scars or damage to the skin. Consult and choose an experienced surgeon who has the necessary skills and technology to give you optimum results from the job.

Risks Associated With The Procedure

“Risks associated with the procedure are similar to any surgical procedure If performed under-trained hands the procedure can give great results”~Dr.B.K.Garg

Before undergoing rhinoplasty, ensure that you are the right candidate for the procedure based on the following points.

You are over the age of 18 who have attained the basic physical maturity of the face.

You are physically fit and healthy.

You have a clear objective of performing the surgery and are in the right frame of mind.

On the day of rhinoplasty, the doctor will start with the preparation of surgery. This will include the following, Medical evaluation or a few lab tests to check if you are fit for the surgery.

The clinic staff will take a few photos of your nose to allow for computer images to demonstrate pre and post-surgery comparison.

Local anesthesia will be given before the procedure. In a few cases, general anesthesia is used. Therefore, normally you would not feel any pain while the procedure is performed. Post the surgery, there can be some level of pain or discomfort for a few days. But for most people, this pain is only minor and easily manageable. One can also consult with the clinic to recommend pain-relieving medications that can be taken to post the treatment. Similar to any other surgical procedure, there are also a few risks involved with rhinoplasty. These include bleeding, infection, minor cuts and scars. Minor swelling and stuffiness of the nose are common for at least a few weeks after the surgery. You can check with the surgeon prior to the procedure to manage these risks better. In case you are not satisfied with the results, consult your surgeon as soon as possible. This will help you understand more about your condition or concern and consider any possible remedy for the same. In rare cases, one has to go for an additional procedure (revision rhinoplasty) to treat any major complications.

Source URL: iconiquebydrbkgarg