#I was able to go through it and pet my cat and she waited outside it for me

[motherhenna]

My pretty girl! Y'all Liesel's been so good: I've only heard her bark once this whole time. Doesn't know most basic obedience commands, but she's eager to please so it's been pretty easy teaching her not to jump on us or climb over the baby gate. So mellow too: definitely a factory-deficient husky lmao

more Liesel pics! She's settling in very well.

[siriuslynettey]

See Previous Chapter Here!

PLATINUM

[The Lost Pater]

New Friends and New Fears

[Chapter 2]

“Who’s going first?” A woman turned to her family and asked. None of them had the chance to answer before the tallest one sprinted towards the brick pillar into the train station. Her and the cart she pushed full of her belongings disappeared in the blink of an eye, entering Platform 9 ¾ .

Ophelia and Remus approached closer to the platform entrance, other families stood next to them, saying their goodbyes. Ophelia stared at the brick pillar while Remus stared at her, knowing his daughter was scared, but also knowing she wouldn’t admit it.

“Something that I learned when going to Hogwarts,” Remus leaned on Ophelia's luggage trolley, lowering to her height. “Is that magic, at first, is very scary, because it’s so foreign to us. Most people have enough common sense to know you’re not supposed to run into a brick wall. But Magic allows you to do it. But it’s still scary of course, the first time you do it”

Ophelia kept taking deep breaths, his soft words, that he was always able to beautifully string together, calmed her down.

“The first time you enter this platform, the first class you take, every new spell you cast, is terrifying, but once you do it, it’s so much fun.” Ophelia turned to look at her father, who was already giving her a reassuring smile. “You are going to have the time of your life, it’s going to be so much fun, Ophelia. It just so happens that the first thing you need to do is run right into that brick pillar…but I know you can do it.” Ophelia took a deep breath and nodded.

“Can we do it together?” She asked, to which Remus immediately agreed. His daughter had just started getting to the age where she barely asked for her dad’s help. Although he respected her boundaries, he never minded when his support was needed.

So the two sprinted towards the platform entrance, luggage trolleys in hand. Ophelia tightly closed her eyes right before, reaching the brick pillar. She barely felt a thing before she opened her eyes and saw the new world around her.

“See? That was easy, right?” Ophelia nodded quickly, now a big smile on her face. “Okay, we’re running a little late, so we should find some seats quickly.”

The two entered the train and started weaving through the people, searching for an empty compartment. After not finding one, Ophelia stopped in front of a room with one girl, sitting alone.

“Uhm, dad…” Ophelia avoided eye contact with Remus, he immediately picked up that she wanted to sit with other kids by herself.

“Don’t worry, I’ll make my way to the professor's car, I wouldn’t want to embarrass you.” He chuckled.

“It’s not that you’d embarrass me…” She lowered her voice to a whisper. “I’m just not sure if other kids want my dad sitting with them.”

“I understand, be good, I love you.”

“Love you too.”

Once Remus left, Ophelia knocked on the side of the doorway of the compartment with the girl who sat alone. She looked up with a smile on her face.

“Er, do you mind if I sit here?...I understand if you don’t want me to.” Because this was her first Hogwarts express ride, she wasn’t sure if it would be frowned upon by other kids to ask to sit in “their” compartment.

“Oh, yeah! For sure!” The girl excitedly replied. Ophelia felt her tense shoulders relax, and put her carry on in the overhead storage, and sat Salem in his cat carrier right next to her.

“Ooo, what’s your cat's name?’’ The girl excitedly asked.

“His name’s Salem, I just got him a month ago.” Ophelia slumped over to look at Salem, who had calmed down since the car ride.

“Lucky, my parents said I had to wait until my third year to get a pet.” Ophelia looked out the train window, watching the crowd of families become smaller. “My name’s Jas, by the way, well, Jasmine…but I prefer Jas.”

“I’m Ophelia. Are you a first year too?”

“Yeah, but I have two older brothers so I-” The two girls were interrupted by a boy yelling outside their compartment. They gave each other confused looks before standing up to look outside the door.

“So let me get this straight, you had the opportunity to take a cat or an owl, and you chose a rat?” A boy with a large group behind him hovered over another boy who was leaning up against the wall with a rat in his hand. Although Ophelia didn’t care for rats, and definitely wouldn’t ever have one as a pet, she felt bad for the boy…and his rat.

“Hey, don’t talk to him like that.” Ophelia abruptly yelled at the group. Everyone turned their heads to look at her. The boy and the girl who were the two main patronizers, both stepped toward her.

The girl's eyes wandered to Ophelia’s hair. She snickered at the sight of her platinum white hair, something Ophelia had been insecure with since she could remember. It wasn’t uncommon for strangers' eyes to go straight to the top of her head, then her eyebrows, then her eyelashes, that all dawned the same white strands, it also wasn’t uncommon for people to mention it, and she figured this group wasn’t the type to bite their tongue.

“That’s a lot of talk from someone who chooses to dye their hair...and eyebrows....and eyelashes, such an awful colour.” The girl smirked at her uncreative insult.

“Her’s is all natural, unlike whatever incoherent, unkempt mess you have going on.” Jas snapped back, referring to the girl's inharmonious array of colours in her hair.

“Be careful of who you make your enemies, you wouldn’t want to start the year off wrong.” The boy stepped forward himself, slightly towering over Ophelia and Jas.

Jas stepped forward, inserting herself between the boy and Ophelia. "Oh please, save your threats for someone who actually takes you seriously. I’d be more concerned about your fashion sense...they don’t allow entrance into Slytherin, which you so desperately seem to want, based on the way you dress.” She looked the group up and down, referring to their purposely tattered black coloured clothing. "You should focus on being less of a cliché and more of your own person.”

The boy clenched his jaw and looked back at his group. “C’mon, let’s go. These freaks aren't worth our time.” Jas outwardly laughed at his weak response, which made their sour faces turn even more scrunched, while Ophelia chose to hide her smile.

Jas and Ophelia watched them mope away, then both turned their heads to the boy with the rat, whose head still layed low.

“I think rats are cool by the way,” Jas spoke up. “At least it’s not a toad.” The boy looked up and smiled.

“Do you want to sit with us? I think the train is about to start moving. And we have room for another.” The boy happily agreed, and they all walked into the compartment, closing the door behind them.

“Your hair colour is natural, right?” Jas asked Ophelia, hoping her comeback was accurate.

Ophelia laughed and confirmed that her hair colour was, in fact, real.

“I’m Gallagher by the way.” The boy sat next to Jas and introduced himself. Salam, starting hissing loudly from the crate Ophelia held him in.

“Salem, calm down.” Ophelia turned the opening of the crate towards her face to quiet the cat down. “Sorry, maybe he’s just a little nervous to be on the train.”

They spent the majority of the train ride getting to know each other. Ophelia started, explaining to them how it was just her and her dad living in a quiet suburb right outside of Cardiff, which they had just moved to recently after living in England her whole life, and how her dad was going to be a professor.

“No way!”

“Is he teaching first year?” They both inquired

“Yeah, he’s the new Defence Against The Dark Arts teacher, so we’ll all have him.” Ophelia answered.

“That’s cool…” Jas voice tattered off before continuing. “Is he cool…or..I mean…is he the type to give a lot of homework?” This made Ophelia giggle, which assured Jas her question wasn’t too rude.

“I’m not sure, this is his first time teaching ever…he didn’t even tell me he got the job until a month ago.” Ophelia shrugged. “But he’s a good dad so, I can’t see him being horrible.”

Jas had told them how she and her family lived in London, and that her parents were not wizards, but both her and her brothers were.

Gallagher explained that he was an only child and his parents lived in Hogsmeade, and went into depth about how his parents were quite upset that he had to ride the train to a school he lived a 15 minute walk from.

It was a very foggy, glum day, so Ophelia found herself almost drifting to sleep a lot.

“Look, you can see the dementors.” Jas pointed toward the window.

Large, shadowy figures flew through the air around the train, the windows frosting everytime they got too close.

“Is that normal? Why are they here?” Ophelia asked, continuing to watch the scary figures fly by.

“You didn’t see? A prisoner from Azkaban escaped, there are posters all over Kings Cross. Apparently he was the first to do it” Gallagher answered her questions while eating treats from the trolley. He noticed the terrified look that remained on her face, despite his casualness to the situation. “It’s nothing to worry about, they’ll catch him eventually.” He reassured her.

“It’s just..they look so..terrifying.” Ophelia commented.

“That’s why no one else has escaped Azkaban, they suck all the happiness out of you, it takes away the prisoners' motivation so they don’t even want to escape.”

“Who was it? What did he do?” Ophelia asked, her eyes still glued to the window.

“Sirius Black…the posters are all over Hogsmeade. I can’t remember what he did, but it had to have been bad to be sent to Azkaban for life without even having a trial.” Gallagher explained.

“If I were him I would go off the grid completely, live my best life in the middle of nowhere.” Jas added, consuming her own treats as she watched the window like it was a film.

“Unless he has unfinished business.” Gallagher shrugged. Both girls turned in his direction, both slightly chuckling while also being taken aback by his words. “Just saying…especially if he had been working with Vo-” He stopped himself, and looked a bit embarrassed. “You Know Who.”

“You Know Who is gone…he was defeated in the war.” Ophelia argued. Remus had explained very little to her about the war, despite her curiosity. But each time, he assured her that “He” was gone.

“Defeated, not dead. They make a point to not say dead, just in case he comes back, some sort of liability thing…at least that’s what my parents say.” Gallagher commented.

“How do you know so much about it?” Jas asked.

“My parents are doomsdayers, people who believe another wizarding war will break out any second. Sometimes I think they are hoping for another war, just to prove to themselves that they're ready.”

“They sound like fun…” Ophelia remarked, making the other two laugh.

The train came to a sudden stop, jolting the children's bodies in their seats. Ophelia grabbed hold of Salem's carrier and Gallgher tightened his grip on his rat. All three of the kids got close to the window, fear settling in them.

“Why have we stopped?” Ophelia whispered, wanting to keep quiet, but not knowing why. No one replied, because of their own fear, but also because they hadn’t had an answer.

The windows turned cold and froze over, the air became more dense and a breath of fog flew in the air with every breath. Every compartment door flew open, and screams could be heard throughout the train.

“Please remain in your seats. Please remain in your seats.” An intercom voice beckoned over the train speakers. “There is an undocumented passenger on the train, please remain in your seats.”

Everyone froze, feeling sick to their stomachs. Ophelia felt numb and unable to even blink, but she kept her eyes on the door of the compartment. Although she didn’t know what he looked like, she imagined Sirius Black bursting through the door with a knife in hand, screaming at the top of his lungs, like a cheesy horror movie.

While the image replayed in her head, a figure jumped into the compartment opening, causing Ophelia, Jas, and Gallagher to scream at the top of their lungs.

“Dad!” Ophelia yelled, after realising who it was. Remus rushed himself into the compartment, embracing his daughter who jumped into his arms. “What’s happening?”

Remus ignored her question and looked around the room. “Is it just you three? Has anyone else come in here?”

“No-no it’s just us.” Remus also ignored her reply and looked under the seats and in the overhead compartments.

A large, ghostly looking hand grasped the door frame behind him. Ophelia watched the hand with wide eyes, but her mouth refused to speak any words. Remus looked at his daughter's terrified expression and followed her line of vision to the door. Jas and Gllagher ran to the other side of the room where Ophelia sat behind Remus.

The hand was now a dementor standing in front of them. Remus sat down with the children, placing his left arm behind him to cover them and the pets they clutched onto.

“He’s not here.” Remus firmly stated. The dementor creepily turned its head toward Remus, before taking a last glance at the room and exiting, closing the door behind it.

Everyone let out the breath they had been holding, Jas and Gallagher went back to their respective seats. Ophelia's blank stare stayed on the door.

“Phie,” Remus turned towards her, trying to break her out of her lifeless trance. “It’s alright.”

“Is he here? On the train? Sirius Black?” She asked, just above a whisper, tears welling out of fear. Remus gave a similar blank stare to his daughter, his stomach dropping hearing her say his name.

“m-N-No. I don’t know. If he is, they'll find him.”

See Next Chapter Here!

[lisbeth-kk]

May Prompts (15) Nightmare

The Luckiest Girl in the World (chapter 15)

Summary: Rosie tells us about her family's sanctuary that is 221B, but also about wars over board games. In the end, it's the story about someone else who also needs a safe haven.

Fifteen Years Old

I felt oddly protective of our home from an early age, and I didn’t want it invaded by my friends. Not that I was ashamed of all the bric-a-brac, Papa’s experiments, or how different it was to other homes I’d visited. It was just...our space, a safe haven where we all could lower our guards, Papa in particular. Over the years, his fame had increased exceedingly, and his derisive façade kept journalists and fans at bay. The moment he entered 221B, he discarded said façade by hanging his coat on the peg.

Another thing to consider, were the battles that always ensued whenever one of us challenged the others to a board game. Having an outsider witnessing that…well, we’d surely be sectioned for life if that were to occur. 

(More likely, the person would be granted vicious dreams for eternity.)

But as Papa points out; there’s always something. In this context, someone.  My friend Liwia. Her parents were Polish, and moved to England two years before Liwia was born. They were Catholics, and having to adjust to a society that was more liberal toward queer people than Poland, took its time. When Liwia came out to them as a lesbian the year prior, they’d tried to pin it on her friendship with me. I was after all related to quite a few of the sort and Liwia’s parents seemed to believe the ludicrous lie that queerness was contagious.

It took them some months to get over it, but once they realised that Liwia still was her normal self, they discarded the original idea of sending her to Poland to live with her strictly religious grandparents. Neither of the Barczykowskis was prepared when said grandparents announced that they were visiting London that summer, staying for at least a fortnight. 

***

Dad and I were in the middle of a Scrabble war, when Papa came home. Not that we realised it at the time. We were too engrossed in arguing.

“It’s bloody unfair to use all the medical terms and diseases you can come up with to win, you know!” I exclaimed accusatory.

“Oh, come now, Rosebud,” Dad teased, looking as pleased as the cat that ate the canary.

“Don’t you dare Rosebud me,” I said through clenched teeth. 

Dad only used that pet name when we were at war over the board games, and it rubbed me up the wrong way.

“Children,” Papa chastised, barely able to suppress his glee.

“You’re home,” we said in unison.

I waited for the inevitable eyeroll and his obviously, but none came.

“We have a guest,” Papa said and waved a hand, and that’s when I saw Liwia standing by the sofa wringing her hands, a look of despair in her eyes.

I leapt to my feet and walked over to hug her tight.

“What’s wrong?” I whispered into her hair.

She explained about her grandparents, and with just one look over at Papa, receiving a nod, I turned back to assure my friend that she could stay at Baker Street for as long as she needed, if her biased grandparents started to make her life a living nightmare.

“Thank you, Mr. Holmes and Doctor Watson,” Liwia said politely.

I could literally see the relief wash over her, the tension in her shoulders dissipating and a tiny smile forming on her lips.

“Please, call us John and Sherlock,” Dad said. 

Then he turned his attention to me with a devilish grin.

“Does this mean you declare defeat, Rosebud?”

“You wish!” I snarled and left Liwia’s side to go into battle with my father.

(Before you go all bananas on me - this will continue tomorrow...)

Also available on AO3

@calaisreno @totallysilvergirl @keirgreeneyes @raina-at @helloliriels

More tags in the replies.

[makos-hotbox]

Hiii, i messaged you and meant to send this to your ask box ages ago so sorry it’s been a minute! But my request (if you’re still taking them, totally understand if you aren’t) is König/Ghost (can’t decide) sitting and watching their wife do like a shopping haul of all the things she got and hearing her gossip. I love them being domestic and soft for their s/o. thanks!! 💕

LARGE FONT VER.

/ — first off, I hope you like it! I left the descriptions of outfits pretty vague so anyone with any style can enjoy without feeling like it wasn’t their style <3 also if your s/o doesn’t get on their knees to take in your beauty, drop em. /

… 𝐑𝐔𝐍𝐖𝐀𝐘

`⌁ ◜ 𝐠𝐢𝐯𝐞 𝐦𝐞 𝐚𝐥𝐥 𝐲𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐥𝐨𝐯𝐞 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐝𝐨𝐧'𝐭 𝐬𝐭𝐨𝐩! ◞

Shopping bags dropped to the floor once you stepped inside your house. Greeting the fluffy gray cat on the floor, you picked him up and started searching for your husband. Not a moment later did you hear König run downstairs, still dressed in his pajamas from this morning.

König didn’t stop moving as he bolted to you and wrapped you in a tight hug. Causing you to drop the cat and burst into giggles as he placed random kisses all over your face. Behaving like a big dog who was happy his favorite person was home. Your hands caught his face before he could place another kiss on your cheek, placing your own kiss on König’s lips instead.

“I was only gone for a few hours.” You commented, playing with König’s hair as he swayed with you in his arms.

He grumbled a few German words, “I know… but I still missed you. Did you have fun with your friends?” König finally let you go from your hug, moving to grab your shopping bags and snoop through them.

You quickly scrambled to shoo him away from the bags. “Yes of course I had fun! But I wanna show you what I got. What about a little fashion show?” Immediately, König sprung up in excitement, grabbing the cat and sprinting upstairs back to the bedroom to wait patiently for you.

It was a normal thing that the two of you did that he loved. You would go out on your own or with friends and go shopping. Buying various trinkets and outfits. König was always waiting for you to give him a little fashion show of what you got.

Grabbing your bags, you met him upstairs in the bedroom. His game was paused and König was sitting there with the purring cat in his lap. He ushered you into the bathroom quickly so you could change.

Putting on the first outfit, you admired your reflection in the mirror before going outside to König. His face lit up as his eyes scanned over your outfit. You looked amazing in it, König’s breath was taken away. On top of that, he could see how much you actually liked it.

“Oh! Maus you look absolutely breathtaking…” König’s legs bounced and twitched as he resisted bolting to you and smothering you with love. Only petting the cat further to keep calm. What can he say? He loves you just as much as he did when he first met you.

You giggled at his sweet reaction, doing a little spin to show off. “Thank you, love. This one’s probably my favorite. But I have a few more!” And before he could answer, you went back into the bathroom to change again.

The next outfit took a bit more time to get on, it was more form-fitting. But it would all be worth it in the end once König sees you. You even took the time to unbox some of your new jewelry to compliment the outfit. Stepping outside, König’s jaw dropped once more.

The German stumbled over his words, not being able to think straight. Instead, he dropped to his knees. Still blabbering compliments as he took in the looks of his beloved wife. You bursted out into a fit of laughter at his dramatic behavior. “Du bist schön!” It was normal for König to behave this way, and it never gets old.

Your husband always tells you he’d “fall over and die” if you ever felt like you weren’t pretty enough. Constantly giving you full hearted compliments and showering you with love so it doesn’t happen. He wants you to know how beautiful you actually are to him!

Below you, König gasped seeing the new bracelet on your wrist. A small charm in the center of it with his name engraved. He looked like a child in a toy store because of how big his grin was. “I got us matching ones.” You told him with a grin. König sprung up and immediately started begging for it, he loves the gifts you bring him.

Leading him into the bathroom, you took out the matching bracelet for König. Your name was also engraved in a small charm. König snatched the jewelry from you and immediately put it on his wrist. Staring at it like it was the best thing in the world. Other than his wedding ring of course. “Thank you so much, I love it! Ich liebe dich!”

Wrapping his arms around you, König pulled you closer to him. His heart ached from his love for you, your beauty, personality, humor, voice — everything. It was all perfect for him. His gorgeous wife that he loved to boast about to his friends. It almost made him feel complete. Leaning down, König placed a sweet kiss on your lips.

The two of you stood with each other for a few moments, just basking in the other’s presence. Finally breaking the silence, you looked up at König. “Wanna see the rest of my haul?” A smile grew on the man’s face again, nodding his head. “Of course I do mein Schatz!” Letting go of you, he went back to sitting on the bed. An excited expression, ready for whatever outfit you appeared in next. His hand was toying with his new bracelet. König didn’t know what to expect from you, but he knew he would love it and you until “death do us part.”

— extra hc because why not;;

könig sometimes likes to just straight up give you his card. He’ll send you on shopping days so you can have time to yourself and spoil your needs. If you’re having a bad day, König will go shopping with you to help cheer you up. I like to think that gift giving is one of his love languages.

REQUESTS:: OPEN

» 𝐦𝐚𝐫𝐲 𝐣𝐚𝐧𝐞 (𝐚𝐥𝐥 𝐧𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭 𝐥𝐨𝐧𝐠) … 𝐦𝐚𝐫𝐲 𝐣. 𝐛𝐥𝐢𝐠𝐞

[sebastianstanisahotmf]

Alpine- Part 1

Bucky Barnes x fem!reader x Alpine

A/N Hey guys I'm re-posting all my fics. Also all mistakes are my own and comments, likes and reblogs are greatly appreciated xoxo

Summary You and Bucky decide to get a cat.

DO NOT REPOST ON ANY OTHER APPS/SITES. THE ONLY PLACE THIS FIC IS ON IS TUMBLR.

Warnings fluff

Today was the day. You and Bucky had decided to get a cat. It didn’t take long for you two to make the decision but it was still a pretty big one since any pet is a big commitment.

“you ready doll?” Bucky asked with a grin on his face.

“let me get my phone and I’ll be ready babe.” You replied with the same excitement as Bucky.

You both had wanted a cat since the start of your relationship but had decided to wait until you moved in together to get one. Today marked 1 year of living with Bucky which seemed perfect. You both walked hand-in-hand to the nearest animal shelter. Once you got there, you went to the desk where a kind-looking woman with short red hair was typing on her computer. She was wearing jeans and a graphic t-shirt.

“Hi, me and my girlfriend are looking to adopt a cat so I was wondering if you could tell us where the cats are here.” Bucky said with a toothy grin.

The woman looked up from her computer and gave you both a smile “sounds good” the woman replied whilst looking back at her computer. “if you give me one moment I’ll get one of my colleagues to take you there.”

“thanks.” Bucky responded, squeezing your hand in excitement.

You saw a tall woman with long blonde hair and what looked like an abundance of tattoos come around the corner with a smile on her face. “hi, I’m Rebecca and I’m going to be showing you all the cats and kittens we have in the hopes that you will be able to give one a home.”

“great!” you replied excitedly.

“good, Follow me please.”

Rebecca lead you and Bucky through a few corridors before you reached a door with a cartoon drawing of a cat on it. You could also hear the meows of a few cats.

“here you are. You can look at any cats and if you want to get in with any of the cats just shout me over and I can open the door.”

“ok, thanks.” You said.

You and Bucky had been looking for about 15 minutes when you both heard a really loud meow from behind you. You both turned around and saw a pure white cat clawing at the door. You both went over to it and crouched down. The cat was still meowing and trying to get to you.

“you stay here doll and I’ll get the lady to let us in.” Bucky said before kissing your head and going over to Rebecca to ask her to open the door.

Rebecca came over with a key in her hand and unlocked the door. “here you go guys. I’ll wait outside here but if you need any help or information I’m happy to give it to you.”

“Ok. thank you so much” you responded.

Rebecca smiled in response. You and Bucky sat down on the floor and started to call the cat over. It first came over to you so you outstretched your hand so it could sniff it and decide whether it wanted to let you pet it. Once it had sniffed your hand the cat licked it and nudged your hand so you could stroke it.

“wow I’m surprised he let you do that.” Rebecca genuinely sounded surprised. “he usually doesn’t like people and other cats. That’s why he has his own space.”

The cat then went over to Bucky who had took one glove off and outstretched his flesh hand. However, the cat went to Bucky’s metal hand which was still concealed in the black leather glove.

Bucky hesitated so you leaned over and kissed him on the cheek. “it’s ok babe. You’re not gonna hurt him. You’re not him anymore”

“o-ok” Bucky replied and took off the glove what was covering his metal hand.

The cat sniffed then licked Bucky’s hand before nudging it and purring loudly when Bucky started to stroke it. All of the previous doubt on Bucky’s face had dissipated and turned into awe at the white fur ball that was now playing with his metal hand.

Then, Bucky looked at you and smiled. You leaned over to press a chassed kiss on his lips.

“I think this is the one” Bucky said looking at you with hopeful eyes.

“I think it is”

Rebecca had a big grin on her face while watching yours and Bucky’s interaction with each other. “great! If you want I can get the paperwork ready and find out the price.”

“ok. Umm just one thing though. What is his name?” Bucky questioned.

“his name is Alpine but feel free to change his name of you want to. He was named by the staff here since he was brought in by a person on the street who saw him roaming around with a large wound on his back.”

You looked at Bucky and he nodded. “I think we’re gonna keep the name Alpine it suits him. And it’s very unique”

“very well then. I’ll get the paperwork while you two continue to play with Alpine.” Rebecca walked away to get the paperwork for you and Bucky to sign.

Bucky looked at you with adoration in his eyes and leaned in to kiss you again. “thank you doll. I love you so much.”

However, the moment was interrupted by Alpine who had decided he wasn’t getting enough attention so he crawled up Bucky’s metal arm and head-butted his cheek.

You looked at Bucky and you both started to laugh. “I love you too Bucky”

Taglist: @buckys-wintersoldier @nicoline1998enilocin

[babiebom]

When You Fall (vii)

A/N: sorry for not updating this in a while it’s hard for me to get the inspiration to put my thoughts on the page y’know? It’s like whatever I write won’t be as good as it is in my head. At this point this is like a once a month upload and I feel like that’s too slow :(

Tw:talks of depression, talks of medications, guilt. Lmk if there’s more I should tag

Wc:0.9k

Previous Next Masterlist

Finally home again, you tense up as soon as you shut the door behind you. It was different, depression when you’re surrounded by distractions and depression when you’re alone. The creaking of the house filled you with loneliness. When you were little it was always your grandparents inside, the house warm and smelling of food and baked goods. Then it was just your grandfather, the house still warm but no longer smelling good. Now it’s just you, with a house that was only warm because it was springtime and the sun was warming everything it touched.

Tears start to prick your eyes and you wonder when your medication would be making its appearance. It was only recently that your emotions started to overwhelm you, the reason clear as day and you hated the fact that you couldn’t bounce back like you usually did. It wasn’t the first time someone in your family had died, nor will it be the last but it wasn’t like when your grandmother died when you were young, you were able to get over it then, this time you weren’t able to process and get over it at all. Processing hadn’t even started, it’s just been an immediate descent into an endless black hole.

Guilt almost overcomes you as doubts start making their way into your mind. You wanted to believe Harvey would never prescribe you anything horrible, you wanted to believe that things were going to get better once you had your medicine, but it was hard to not hear things about taking meds for mental health; all the side effects and body changes that people go through. The chance that the medicine can make things worse, the chance that the medicine can make you feel nothing at all. It was scary, and something that you hadn’t experienced up until this point. Harvey was great with prescribing you the meds, but in the back of your mind the want to flush them as soon as you get them tries to get your attention and make itself seem like a good idea.

Well, at least you can work on your farm or something while you have time. You rested all day yesterday, today can be dedicated to bettering your land. Putting on your work clothes, you move to open the door. Honestly maybe you should start looking out the window or a peep hole or something because having to stifle a scream when you see Marnie’s face is embarrassing.

“Marnie!” You try to act like she didn’t just jumpscare you into next year. “It’s nice to see you this morning!” You had only met the woman once like a week ago, and seeing her on your doorstep was kind of weird. Behind her was a huge fluffy dog who was wagging its tail, staring up at you with the sweetest eyes you’ve ever seen; and in her arms an orange cat who seemed all too happy to be getting pets and being held.

“Hello Y/N! You see these animals here? I found them sitting together outside the entrance to your farm! I think they might be strays…poor little things.”

You nod and stare at her, what was the point of all this? If she thought they were strays why is she here talking about them? It has to be obvious out of everyone in the town you’d know the least about who owns them. Though, they were extremely cute…

The dog plops down on the front porch, it’s tail still wagging as it stares up at you. Now that you think about it, there’s an old dog house somewhere in the property, your grandfather had a dog before, so maybe you could ask if you could keep it, maybe the cat too. It would be better than being alone all day. Marnie waits a beat before speaking again, staring at the dog fondly.

“I think they like this place! Hey, um…don’t you think this farm could use some animals?”

Like your prayers were answered you smile at her, “yeah, sure. I can keep them! Farm is big and empty anyways…”

She hands the orange cat to you and steps back. “Do you have a name for either of them?” You nod immediately, knowing exactly what you wanted to name them it was so easy.

“Mango and Shadow.” You say with confidence. The cat was orange, and fruit themed names were always cute, and the dog, while brown, already seemed as if it was going to follow you around all day like a fluffy shadow anyways.

“Well, you both be good, now…okay?” Marnie seemed a little sad as if she wanted to keep them, she probably had no room for them with all of her animals. She leaves down the path back towards her own place.

Excitedly, you hurry and set the cat down grabbing your watering can and other farming supplies. Now that you had company, doing work and being home wasn’t so daunting. Shadow immediately follows after you, her tail wagging so quickly you could feel the air from it. Mango watched from the porch, lying on the stairs. They were both going to be inside with you, that’s for sure, but now you needed to fix the dog house, and buy animal supplies. Your new fur babies needed to immediately be spoiled (and cleaned), and you had absolutely nothing prepared for them.

Life has to get better from now on, right? Now you have two pets to take care of…now you have reasons to want to get better. Hopefully it makes the path to recovery easier.

[melissa-titanium]

wrghfhf OKAY UHMM

where does trout live? and does she have any family living with or near her? or in general

ive seen the dragonss big dragon world where does she fit in there. like what is she. what is their society like if they have one. would she interact with other animals or would her society be kept to others like her?

i sawww something mentioned about her being a past life to. uh. i forgot their names i know mel is there but how did she die if she does and also if its not the same where did she get the scar?

also not technically a question and also not about trout but kinda do u have a picture of mel's sister i saw u mention her and i was interested. u know me. u know how i feel abt siblings.

whos her fishy familiar whatre they like. are they more like a pet or a friend or both?

ive been using periods as question marks whoops. also uhm what is her relationship with all the other ppl and. their lives and whatever

whats her favorite food? color? animal? what is she interested in? what are her hobbies? yknow the basics

i know shes. trout. and those are freshwater. but does she like whales? like whale whales. im just curious. actually how does she feel about whales, sharks, even orcas. stuff like that.

OMG. OMG. OMG. WE ARE SO FUCKING BACK. WAIT. WAIT WAIT. IM FUCKING C;RAZY THANKUOU SO SO SO OSOS M UCH I LOVE ANS;WERING SHIT ABOUT MY STUPID OCS *CRIESSSSSSSSSSHGIJGFKGSERIJ*

where does trout live? and does she have any family living with or near her? or in general

OK SO FUNNY THING ABOUT REPRODUCTION IN MY WORLD. there doesnt actually need to be Two parents to Make A Child Exist. there can be one. three. twelve. billions. doesnt matter. because the source of life in this world are called lovebugs that essentially incubate souls that are ready to be recycled... the only motive they need to initiate the incubation process is some form of desire from an outside source to have that thing Exist, and boom, it will.

so basically, she doesn't have any "biological" family. lovebugs didn't incubate her soul because anyone wanted them to, it was basically like. okay. you know jesus? from the bible? yeah. that's basically what happened to trout. except whats different about her is that she was born from... like... the will of the god of the universe herself (cadie, cici. yeah the god of my universe is my cat) and somewhat from the people of that world at the time.

basically the desire of the masses to have the return of magic culminated so much hope and "desire" into existence that trout just... boom. became real.

to ACTUALLY answer your question though, trout doesn't actually have parents. she hopped across orphanages and foster homes until she was able to bind her soul to an object (long story) and then, seeing her power, the higher status seaskimrs kind of adopted her like "hey she would make a great personal guard to the royal family"

the closest thing to family though? oryx. he's her anxious deranged ghost uncle who projects his existence onto her through time bullshit soul magic.

ive seen the dragonss big dragon world where does she fit in there. like what is she. what is their society like if they have one. would she interact with other animals or would her society be kept to others like her?

OMG OK WAIT SO . FUNNU THING ABOUT THIS. TROUT'S ERA HAPPENS AT THE V E R Y END OF MEL'S SOUL THREAD... MEANING MOST OF THE DRAGONS ARE GONE BY THIS POINT. but AHAAAAAA WAIT !!!! since the world exploded, set on fire, exploded again, and then Flooded (thats why seaskimrs, creatures like trout, are the most populous intelligent species on the planet) tasreradian society managed to sustain some of their society, but alot of it was still lost (the current tasrerads don't even know that the shore dwelling tasrerads existed)

to the seaskimr society, tasrerads are something of lorekeepers. now having to go deeper into the ocean, they've become long-living megafauna. not a SINGLE tasrerad is left from mel's time, but a good ass portion of their history is written in ye olde dragon runes. seaskimrs don't interact a whole lot since tasrerads dwell very very deep in the ocean and rarely come up... but they're chill when they do! trout was born during the period of time where tasrerads come up for their routine (every decade? not sure!) transaction of knowledge. the tasreradian elder take great interest in telling stories to seaskimr younglings, and trout never forgot a single tale.

i sawww something mentioned about her being a past life to. uh. i forgot their names i know mel is there but how did she die if she does and also if its not the same where did she get the scar?

OMG OMG SHES !!! SHES ATUALLY MEL'S FUTURE LIFE iamsosorry if iworded that wrong somewhere i know i always say mel's past lives when in reality mel has One past life. everyone else comes after. help me. i need to finish the loredoc ohhhh my god

SHE !!! well. kind of dies? more like gets punted into purgatory after literally becoming god at some point for a reason i havent really worked out yet. we'll get to that *smiles*

AS FOR HER SCAR..... equally a little vague. in her old story, she got mauled by. this sounds insane but also all of the aquatic creatures from the past eras got like dangerously bigger. she got mauled by a HUGE FUCKING TROUT which earned trout her name!!! (yeah i think in her old lore getting mauled made her transition . ? help)

in her new lore tho. i think it would make the most sense for malibu to be the one to dismember & scar her? or maybe mel. tho i think malibu makes more sense. malibu being burned on accident and being like I NEED TO GET BACK AT THIS BITCH. because to trout, malibu is a reminder of her terrible curse & to malibu, trout is a reminder of a terrible experience that basically lead to the death of her grandmother (a whole other story so i'll just leave it at that)

regardless. unlike mel, she never gets a prosthetic :)

also not technically a question and also not about trout but kinda do u have a picture of mel's sister i saw u mention her and i was interested. u know me. u know how i feel abt siblings.

HELL YEAH I DO!!!!!!!!!!!! i havent finished her ref yet Sigh but.... the queen <3 epic spoilers! she's the one who kills mel :)

whos her fishy familiar whatre they like. are they more like a pet or a friend or both?

IM GONNA BE HONEST I HAVENT TOTALLY WORKED THIS OUT YET !!!

it acts as something of a... puppet. an entity that can pass through time to act as a gateway, HER gateway, to the past. which is where she meets oryx! the soulless remnants act as entities outside of time, so when she befriends one (this funny little fish who i dont have a name for yet LOL) she's able to puppeteer it's body and project herself and some of the world around it (including her voice!) into the past. which is how she's able to hear, see, and communicate with oryx. does that make sense? LOL

BUT TO ANSWER YOUR QUESTION. it's both :) trout is a "roll with the punches" kinda gal so she didn't really question the presence of half-existing entities that only she could see and just interacted with them as she would with a normal not dead person.

ive been using periods as question marks whoops. also uhm what is her relationship with all the other ppl and. their lives and whatever

HM HM HMMM. okay let me think.

mel - she feels pity for him at first. imagine existing for that long, literal eons stewing in your hate, refusing to let go of a grudge for people that have long forgotten about you? she essentially manages to talk him down from the ledge, something mira failed to do all those eras ago.

the reason trout came in the very last thread of mel's soul is because of how similar the two are. mel surpressed the "trout" part of himself so ferociously that she literally could not exist until oryx BLOCKED HIM from influencing her time in any way shape or form. mel hated, HATED, HATED trout, more than he hated his mom, those who looked down on him, the world, more than he hated himself. which is why his reconciliation with her is such a crucial part of both their character arcs, because truly trout is just mel in a less gristly, bloody font. he's like her deranged grandpa in some way.

when she resets the timeline he's glad to be the only one to remember her.

whats her favorite food? color? animal? what is she interested in? what are her hobbies? yknow the basics

food? she really likes spicy stuff. is eating tilapia cannibalism? maybe, but she doesn't really have a reason to care, all of her past lives were cannibals.

she REALLY likes green. like a soft, gentle sage. salmon pink is a close second.

she likes pufferfish and hammerhead sharks... she thinks theyre funny :)

BIG FAN OF MECHANICS AND BOMBS. bombs especially. it sometimes concerns her peers how excited she gets about stuff like the discovery of remains from those nuclear explosions several eons ago. she loooves pulling things apart and seeing what new stuff she can make with them. guns are a big second fave too! thats why her soulbound object (which can shapeshift. yeah she's a special one) is usually some kind of big impossible gun. she likes to try and dissect it and see how much of it is magic and how much of it is mechanics.

i know shes. trout. and those are freshwater. but does she like whales? like whale whales. im just curious. actually how does she feel about whales, sharks, even orcas. stuff like that.

SHE LOVES WILDLIFE. she's not like, crazy obsessed with animals but if you asked her if she wanted to go to the aquarium she would never say no. she likes predatory animals the most, i don't know if she would have ever seen an orca before but whales are a tasreradian delicacy so she's definitely eaten whales before, and likes to watch sharks sometimes.

ALSO WAIT FUNNY DETAIL. she's actually anadromous, which means she's both freshwater AND saltwater which is why she lives in the sea :)

[elvendria]

NOTICING YOU - e.m x fem reader Part Three

tw: Reader is a cynic who doesn't believe in love, Claudia Henderson isn't the best :/ (is that a trigger? idk.), big sister acts like a parent, smoking, insomniac (??kinda if you squint??), swearing, jealous!Eddie (if you squint), pet names

word count: 4710

------------------------------------------------------------------------------

part one part two part three part four part five part six part seven

Y/N'S POV

"So, were you able to get through to someone to get your car fixed?" Mom asked. I told her the conversation I had over the phone with Eddie and explained that he'd be here first thing in the morning to collect the car and take it to the shop. 

"First thing? But they're always swamped with cars on a Saturday. I thought you wouldn't get seen till Sunday, Monday at the latest." Mom said. 

"Same here," I attempted to stifle a yawn but failed. "I've to be up early so uh... goodnight." I turned around and walked away.

I was never close with Mom, and then things kicked off with Dad. 

I guess it was then I realised I wasn't as close with either of my parents as I had thought.

I padded down the hall towards Dustin's room in my bare feet, the feeling of the cool wood underneath my feet relaxing me with each step. I passed by my room to see Tews sitting on my bed cleaning herself. I hate that cat and I have no idea why my mom loves it so much. 

That's not to say all cats are bad, I just don't like this particular cat. 

Knocking on Dustin's bedroom, I waited to hear him say "It's open," before opening it slightly and sticking my head around the door. 

"Goodnight boys," I smiled at them, all gathered around together talking about god knows what.

 Mike, Will and Lucas will always feel like little brothers to me, I've known them so long. It felt weird seeing them as a trio, and a part of me missed seeing Will around the place. I hope he's happy in California. 

"Night Y/n!" 

"Thanks for letting us stay over!"

"Sleep. Soon." I said pointedly, "Just because you're in high school now does not mean you are to be up all night. You'll just end up being super tired tomorrow."

"But can't we just have-" Dustin started. 

"Dustin the last time you had coffee you went nuts. Not happening again under my watch." I said, leaving the room

"Technically we're under Mom's watch," He mumbled back defeatedly. 

I stuck my head back around the door, giving him a look that blatantly said 'Really? Moms' watch? Have you ever even met our mother?' before he groaned causing me to laugh as I exited the room. 

Sometimes I love to play the authoritative big sister card just to mess with him, it can really piss him off. 

I didn't know how what time 'first thing' was, I'm grateful and all but couldn't he be a bit more specific? Either way, I was going to need to get to sleep so I could wake up early. I set my alarm for 7:30 am, which isn't even a time that should exist on a Saturday morning, so I could get up and be ready for when he calls. I had switched off the handbrake and managed to push the car till it was outside my house. Could've done with Robin's freakishly strong arms but she had her Family Video shift, plus I'm fairly sure I earned a few muscles of my own. 

Changing into a pair of old biker shorts and an oversized misfits t-shirt, I crawled into my bed and lay on my side, willing sleep to come, but my head was so full of thoughts it was like there was no switching it off. I lay like that until I could hear everyone in bed, and the faint sound of my mother's snoring echoed through the halls. 

When I was certain that she was asleep, I snuck out of the house and sat on the swing bench on our porch, curling my knees up to my chest underneath my shirt and resting my head on them. 

There was something about the nighttime, the way the town went silent. As a kid, I used to believe that because it was so quiet, everyone would be able to hear the slightest noise you make. On nights like these, I sometimes wonder the same thing. 

Except now I know about science and the speed of sound, so the idea is a complete fantasy. 

Sitting on the bench, lighting up a cigarette from my stash that kept my hands slightly warm. I looked out at the sky, not seeing a single star. Not seeing anything but the faint glow of the street lamps from down the road. There was a faint breeze that wrapped around my ankles now and again, but other than that it was a warm night, unusually warm for October. 

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

I sat there until I could see orange streaks beginning to paint the sky. So much for trying to get some sleep. I unfolded myself from the swing and walked to my room, careful not to wake anyone. Checking my alarm clock, I saw that it was 7 am. I could try and get a 30-minute nap in but knowing me, I'd sleep past my alarm. 

I took a shower, scrubbing the smell of the night air off my skin. I wanted to stay in the shower, to feel the steam rise around me, but I didn't have the time. I turned off the water, wrapped my hair and body in a towel, and then made my way to my room to start getting ready. 

I debated drying my hair but decided I wasn't in the mood to deal with the frizz today (I never am). Pulling on a low-cropped white shirt, black ripped jeans and combat boots, I got changed and grabbed some cereal before sitting on the couch and reading. By the time Eddie pulled up, my hair was almost dry but still damp in places. 

The doorbell rang and I looked at my mother, not surprised to find her fawning over that stupid cat once again. I got up and answered the door, a part of me freaking out before remembering why he was here.

"Hi," I said quietly, fear washing over me as I suddenly realised this was my first time talking to Eddie, face to face. 

"Hey," he replied equally as sheepish. Was something wrong? Had I done something?

His eyes moved down towards my exposed waistline, and I desperately wanted to grab a hoodie to cover up.

He must've found the shitty brown carpet very fascinating because he couldn't seem to look away from it. "So the truck is parked out front, I've hooked your car up to it and everything, I just need you to come down to the shop to fill out some stuff." He told me. I figured I'd have to go to the mechanics at some stage today, I just didn't think it would be so soon.

"Do you want a coffee or something before we go?" I pointed my thumb towards the kitchen, the mannerisms that my grandmother drilled into me coming into play again. He looked up, our eyes holding each other and suddenly I felt like there was a magnetic in each of his eyes, drawing me in closer. 

From where we were standing you could see beside the kitchen, where my mom was sitting there, talking to Tews like it was a human baby. 

"Uhm, maybe some other time?" He said, suppressing a grin.

"Yeah sure," 

Had I just 'yeah sure' d the idea of coffee with Eddie Munson? 

"I'll grab my mom's car keys, just hang on two seconds." I turned towards the living room where my Mom was sitting, combing the cat with an old comb of mine. 

"Um, there's room up the front of the truck if you want to ride up there with me?" He asked me, "It might be a bit easier." 

I turned one more time to look at my mother, who was now singing lullabies to this freaky cat before agreeing.

God, I miss Mews. Now that was a cat who did not like to be coddled.

Just as I was about to pull the door behind me, my mother called out. "Remember you're trying on dresses for homecoming this afternoon! We'd better hurry or all the good ones will be sold out!" 

My heart dropped and I wanted to strangle her. I prayed to whoever was up there that Eddie hadn't heard her.

I threw my book bag over my shoulder, I never liked to leave home without it. He opened the car door for me and waited till I was in okay before running to check that everything was hooked up properly. While I was waiting for him, I sat noticing all the little details in it. Things like his pack of cigarettes and a lighter, or a few jumbled-up mix-tapes sitting in the glove box and in the pockets on the driver-side door. A black bandana was thrown across the dashboard, most likely the one that Eddie carries around all the time. 

What surprised me most was the pack of hair ties hidden underneath his rolling papers. Although I guess when you have as much hair as he does and work as a mechanic, tying it up is more of an occupational precaution.

He opened his door and threw off his coat before jumping in. He grabbed a hair tie and pulled his hair back, and I tried my hardest not to look as every muscle in his arm flexed. Made all the more visible by his grey muscle shirt, his tattoos on full display.

"Buckled up?" He asked me, I nodded as I closed the seat belt around myself. He did the same and then started up the car. He drove with one hand on the wheel and another on the gear stick, right next to my knee. Every so often there'd be a bump in the road and his knuckles would graze against my jeans or my exposed knee, sending off shocks from where he touched me. 

The silence was deafening, the only noise coming from the metal music on his radio. It was a bunch of different bands which made me think it was a mix-tape. I was going to say something, compliment the music, but Eddie beat me to the punch before I could open my mouth. 

"So, you're going to homecoming?" His eyes were fixed straight ahead on the road. There was a tone to his words that I couldn't quite decipher, almost nervous.

"Um. Yeah," I fidgeted with my hands in my lap. "last year and all that, figured I'd see what all the fuss was about while I still can."

"And uh," His grip on the steering wheel tightened, his eyes unwavering from the road ahead, "and do you have a date?"

My chest tightened and I suddenly felt like I couldn't breathe given the thickness of the air around us. 

"No, it's just me and Robin," I said lowering my head, suddenly very fascinated by my hands, "We'll probably both just sit on the bleachers till 10 pm before figuring out some way home."

"Good," he muttered quietly, almost as if he didn't want me to hear him. I had so many questions, but a few stuck out in my mind. 

 Was he happy I wasn't bringing a date? Or that I wouldn't be dancing?

"Are you going?" Why had I asked that? 

"No, it's uh," He chuckled slightly, "Not really my scene,"

I don't know why my blood felt cold and my heart sank as he said this, but they did. 

 Master of Puppets by Metallica came on, and I started tapping my foot quietly, letting the questions and feelings fade with every strum of the guitar. Dad hated this song, but I always thought it was a good one. Hearing it again after so long caused goosebumps to make their way across my skin.

"Come Crawling Faster,"

I thought I was singing under my breath, but that last line came out louder than expected. I sat there and prayed he hadn't heard me. 

"Obey Your Master," He sang back, a smirk plastered on his face. 

His voice sent tingles down my spine and makes the hair on my arms stand upright, leaving me with goosebumps all over my skin. He was so close to me that I was almost certain he could feel the tension rising within me. 

He looked like he was going to say something, but then we turned onto the gravel path leading up to the mechanics, and the moment was gone.

Why does he make me feel like this, it's not like I have a crush on him or anything. Crushes are for girls in middle school and people with their heads in the clouds.

Maybe it was just because he was helping me out with the car. Yeah, people find plumbers and firefighters hot all the time, it's just because they're providing a service. 

Not that I find Eddie hot. I mean he is very attractive, and when he stretches his arms it makes me feel all weird inside, but I am most certainly not attracted to Eddie. 

The truck came to a halt outside the workshop. Eddie jumped out of the truck and rushed around to my side just as I was opening the door. 

"Here, it's a bit of a step-down. I'll give you a hand." He said. I swung both of my feet out as he held the back of my arm with his large hand, and I would've been fine. 

But I'm me, and I have to fill my daily awkward quota.

I started to climb down, my back to Eddie as I side-stepped out of the van, the coldness of his rings sending mini shockwaves from where he held my arm and wrist when my ankle went from under me, making me fall sideways. 

I squinted my eyes, sure that I was going to hit the pavement. An absolute goner that was going to end up in the hospital before dying of pure embarrassment. But the ground never came to meet me. 

Instead, I was pulled tight against something, a pair of arms wrapped around my back and legs. It felt like all the breath had left my body, and a strong smell of cigarettes and sandalwood filled my nose. 

I opened my eyes as Eddie gripped me to his chest, looking down at me as he held me bridal style. I felt my breath hitch in my throat as his dark orbs explored my face. 

I don't know if he did it on purpose or not, but he rubbed his finger in circles across my knee where his hand gripped my leg. The air felt electric, almost as if it could shock us both if we moved. His arm was on my back and I was glad it wasn't a few inches lower.

I was almost certain his dark eyes flickered down to my lips and lingered for a second, before quickly returning to look me in the eye. 

We looked at each other in silence. I felt his hot breath fan my face and caught the smell of mint.  I was almost certain he was going to say something, but he just cleared his throat.

"Sorry," 

"Are you okay?" He said at the same time as me. 

"Oh uh. I'm okay." I stammered through my words, "Thank you." 

We looked at each other again, and a small part of me didn't want him to put me down, but that idea was quickly erased from my mind when Eddie cleared his throat again, gradually lowering me till I was on my feet. I could tell that the awkwardness I was feeling was mutual as we both shuffled our feet.

The workshop was on the other side of town, it was a long walk home without the car, and I didn't want to trouble Eddie with driving me home. But it was like he was reading my mind because the next thing he said was, 

"You should come in and sit down," He motioned to the desk and chair beside him, piled high with paperwork. "It's supposed to rain on and off all day. I'll drive you home after I take a look at this baby." He unhooks the car from the truck before pushing it into the shop.

"Oh, thanks. You don't have to." I replied, moving towards the desk and placing down my book bag,  desperate to keep the nerves out of my voice.

"My pleasure." He smiled.

 He bent into the driver's side, fiddling for something. 

"Oh, there's a knack for popping the hood,  here I can-" I started, but before I could finish he had done it, a small grin tugging at the corner of his mouth. 

Eddie looked at me, and suddenly the concrete floor became very interesting, "Just a bit of pressure and some elbow grease should do the trick." He says, climbing back out of the car. 

He opens up the hood and takes a look as I sit down and place my bag on my lap. I want to ask if he minds me doing homework, but I don't want to look like I'm ignoring him or being rude.  

"Ok so, " he started, and I suddenly felt a drop in my stomach. What if my baby was fucked, and I could never drive her again? What if all she was good for anymore was spare parts? I was so worked up about never being able to drive my girl again that I completely forgot about the guy inspecting her. 

My freak out must've been clear on my face because Eddie's face became very soft and gentle, 

"Hey, hey, hey, don't worry, it's only a faulty spark plug and wire casings. You're alignments a bit off and your transmission is failing, but it's nothing I can't fix for you. There are some other things here and there that I'll need to get some parts for, and no offence but your car is an older model so it might take a while to get them all." He gave me a small smile, easing my nerves slightly. Eddie sounded like he knew what he was doing, so clearly he did. Right? 

"I'll be honest, none of that makes sense," I said, as he walks around and pulls out the chair for me. He's surprisingly chivalrous, opening car doors and pulling out chairs. I don't know what I expected him to be like, but it wasn't this. "I don't think she's ever been looked at after Dad renovated her." I sat in the chair and wonder why I ever thought my dad was a reliable person as Eddie walks into what I assume is a storage closet. 

"Here," he says, handing me a radio and a box of tapes that were just around, "Pick out some music, I wanna see what you choose." He had put the car on a lift earlier and was in the process of raising her, a skateboard and toolbox beside him. Once he was happy she was at a reasonable height he dropped to his knees beside the board, then flipped himself over so he was lying flat against it, using it to push himself under the car. 

I was flicking through the mix tapes he had when one stood out to me. Dad used to play it for Dustin as a kid, which in hindsight seems a bit weird but at the time it made him laugh and dance like crazy. 

Rock You Like A Hurricane by Scorpions started to echo around the building, and I hesitantly pulled out my economics textbook and attempted to try and understand this nonsense they tried to teach us, while Eddie just silently bopped his foot along to the tempo. 

Silence passed between us as I attempted to do homework and Eddie tried to fix my car, the only sound surrounding us being the music from Eddie's radio. Once homework was completed I started on a piano lesson plan for Joanna Kelly, a girl who lived down the street from us, I gave her parents a discount given how nice they were to myself and Dustin growing up. 

When that was over, I slyly pulled out a math notebook and began to work out my expenses. Eddie could try and sugarcoat it as much as he wants, but I knew this service wasn't going to be cheap. I mean, needing to get replacement parts? It's got to cost at least $2000+, which is definitely more than I make teaching kids how to play twinkle twinkle and three blind mice. I'd landed a job over the summer at the Hawkins Hypnotic Record Store, but only as a way to save up for college.

Now I'll have to apply for scholarships if I want any hope of getting into somewhere decent. That meant taking on more extracurriculars and writing a killer college essay. 

Ms Kelly had advertised on the intercom the other week about finding someone to help out in the front office for extra credit. Looks like I was going to be taking her up on it.

 I'm barely going to have time to breathe let alone sleep. 

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Listening to Eddie banging and crashing around the car had me nervous, but only a small bit. Eddie knew what he was doing, his uncle didn't seem like the kind of guy to give Eddie a job based on familial connections. 

Suddenly Eddie comes flying out from under the car, grease and oil covering his face and sweat glistening along his arms, his tattoos practically shining. 

I was so wrapped up in my own thoughts about how much this was going to cost me that I didn't even notice him talking to me. 

"Hey, Y/n?" He asked with a touch of confusion, "Hellooo?" 

My head snapped to look at him, his voice bringing me to my senses.

"Sorry, I was lost in my own mind. Worrying about stuff y'know?"

He rubbed the grease off his face with a cloth and a soft grin, his eyes closed. I took this moment to examine him a bit further. He looked like he had strong arms, and his tattoos were kinda impressive and cool. I heard he paid his friend a 3 months supply of weed, and they did them with a pin and some type of ink. 

But I don't know if any of that is real.

"What does a pretty girl like you have to be worrying about?" 

Pretty girl.

The words bounced around my stomach before settling between my thighs. I squeezed them together as if on instinct, the words rolling over my skin like waves.

I remained silent, not too sure how to answer that, my mind was blank as I tried to ignore the sudden throbbing I felt.

A few moments pass by and Eddie sits up and looks at me, his hair coming loose from the hair tie.

"Hey, could you pass me the wrench? It's on the counter over there, it's the one with the round-"

"I know what a wrench looks like Eddie, I'll grab it now," I said shuffling around to the counter to look for it, silently loving the way his name felt on my tongue

5, maybe 6 minutes pass, and I've no luck. I had handed him a wrench, but apparently, it wasn't the right wrench. So now I was back staring at a workspace full of stupid tools with stupid names. 

I hadn't even heard Eddie come up behind me until I felt his breath. 

"Here, let me help" He spoke softly, "It's the least I can do,"

I wanted to tell him that he was fixing my car, and it was the least I  could do to find the stupid wrench when suddenly his hand was on my waist as he moved to step beside me. His fingertips brushed off me like tiny flames searing into the exposed skin, and I knew what was coming next.

I tried to resist it, believe me. But I can't help it. I've never been able to, it's my number one weakness. I pulled my bottom lip between my teeth as I braced myself.

His fingers trailed along the base of my back. I managed to suppress the moan, but that was about it. Like always I arched my back and jerked sideways in a fit of the most unattractive laughs you can picture. 

Eddie didn't have to pull his hand away, I had already squirmed from his grip as he looked at me stunned. A toothy grin formed on his face as he crossed his arms. 

"What was that?" He said laughing slightly.

Looking at him laugh made me laugh more. It was like someone flipped my giddy switch. I turned to the countertop and bent over on it, determined to catch my breath with my hands clasped behind my head. 

"Oh god," I said breathlessly, "I'm sorry, I just have a really ticklish back."

I couldn't see his face, but when he spoke he whispered, 

"Heh, yeah," He said lowly, "That's definitely a first. I'll try not and accidentally tickle you in the future." I felt like he was grinning, but I was too embarrassed now to even look him in the eye. 

I nearly made a potential sex noise in front of Eddie Munson. 

After a bit of silence, I hear him say "Found it, it was a torque wrench I was looking for, sorry for the confusion."

His voice had become very soft, and once again we were wrapped in silence, only now it wasn't uncomfortable.

As the day went on, and while I was fretting over how I was going to pay for my car and most of the house bills, a few people came in to drop off their cars, barely exchanging words with the guy classed as the town freak. Eddie didn't look too bothered as they tossed him their keys before turning on their heel and walking away, but something told me deep down it annoyed him.

But what could I do? I doubt he'd want any consolation from me, he barely knows me. 

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

"Well, from the looks of things, the repairs shouldn't take more than 3 to 4 weeks. Maybe 5." He told me, which downhearted me slightly, I mean a whole month without my car? Maybe more? That was a whole month getting the bus to school, adding an extra touch of hell onto the day. 

"Oh, okay. Would you be able to give me a rough idea of the price? It's ok if you can't, I really appreciate you doing this for me." I gave him a slight smile and watched curiously as he looked to the ground and walked behind the counter. He almost looked nervous. 

"It's not going to be cheap, as you probably guessed, but luckily for you," He released a breath that sounded like he had been holding onto it for a while, resting his fist underneath his face "Flattery works with me." 

I gave a small chuckle, relieved that he was easing the tension. 

"I'll write up a docket next time you're here, we can sort something out then." He said calmly, moving to sit back in his chair. Meanwhile, my heart had started beating a mile a minute. 

"Next time I'm here?" I asked curiously

"Yeah, next time you're free and I'm working on your car. It's kind of nice to have someone around who appreciates good music," He was flipping through papers on the countertop, and I was praying he didn't look up anytime soon and see the mixture of surprise and confusion on my face. He looked at the clock on the wall behind him and I saw that I had spent the whole day here, and it was almost 9 pm. 

"C'mon it's getting late. Plus now you definitely can't walk home, it's too dark. My car is parked out front, I'll give you a lift." He pulled his keys off the rack and threw on his jacket that he took in from the back of the van earlier. 

"Um, thanks. Means a lot." And suddenly I was back to tripping over my words in front of him. 

He likes having me around?

He appreciates my music taste? 

Edward Munson, what are you doing to me?

------------------------------------------------------------------

part one part two part three part four part five part six part seven

[sea-of-dust]

hey!! <3 can i get headcanons of yukina with a s/o who loves to compliment her and is totally head over heels for her ?? 🥹🥹

You praise me too much

Yukina with an s/o that praises for her

Notes: Thank you for the request! I open my requests after I realized my drafts weren't gonna work 💀. Istg bandori annons are the fastest people I've ever seen. Bandori annons are probably so fast they can rewind time 💀

Yukina

Why do you praise her so much. She doesn't find herself worthy of it to be honest. Someone so loving as you...she can't take it but she can't say no to it either

Winter was getting especially chilly out she was going to leave but you were like "no" as She got to circle freaking sweating. "YUKINA?! YOU FEEL LIKE A HUMAN HEATER!!" "Thank you ako.." The Roselia practice was canceled as everyone was enjoying yukina the human heater

Admittedly she wakes you up in the middle of the night to tell you the most important of things. "I'm cold" suddenly you're so active you simply become a Gatorade jumbo bottle. You get 2 more blankets and put them over her you don't need a blanket she does! You ended up sleeping without a blanket waking up seeing the cat blanket she brought on your lap

If you were at her place and that was to happen...why you simply have to become the blanket yourself. Holding her in your arms and dozing off to sleep.

She would show you her outfits before shows. You would always cover your face and look through your fingers "you look amazing my dear" you manage to mumble out.

She would never hear the end of your consistent love for her even if she would be mad at you she can't resist you. Afterall you know her better than she knows herself. "Yukina!" "..." "Don't give me silent treatment for not letting you pet a cat! How about this I'll take you to a cat cafe this weekend" an offer she can't refuse. "Fine" "Yay :D"

Whenever she compliments you, you always fluster up an complement her too. "I may have beautiful eyes to stare at but you'll always be the apple of my eye dear" calling her dear is gonna have her flipping and flopping internally

Your friends decided to test you and played only a second of a Roselia song. You answered them all correctly without hesitation. "Yo one of them barely had any sound-" "I recognize that iconic key of black shout" "HUH-"

You were at your job and they started playing Roselia. You could barely do your job thinking of Yukina. They had to put you in the back to wash dishes...

You wouldn't live with yourself I'd yukina had to lift anything to do anything. "Y/n why'd you stop me-" "I refuse to let you open a door" "what-" You opened the door holding it open. "Enter please"

You love seeing her after concerts. "YUKINAAA" You're almost crying twirling her in your arms. "That was *sob* beautiful *sob*" Shell never get used to how your able to lift her so easily

Yukina likes bringing up past memories with you on night when you two are about to sleep. "Remember when you asked me out? You nearly ran out of the stage." "You saw that-" You two giggle a bit "remmber our secound date? With the roller coaster?" "You screamed in my ear the whole time" "you shook me just to tell me about a cat-" "...it was cute" "cute than me?" "...." suddenly she's asleep

Speaking of lifting things easily you where helping her do groceries and told her to unlock her door. As soon as she turned around she saw you carring all of the bags in both hands. "Why your hands shouldn't be foiled by these bags" you say fleetingly "can you open the door-" "oh"

If she ever where to sleep on you you're suddenly canceling your plans for the day. Blush all over your face you're not allowed to move. For now on you're a rock. Unmoveable unless there were an outside force. You didn't wanna leave her but you had plans..."I'll do em tomorrow...but I can't wait for tommrow it's Monday tommrow...hmmm" so you desperately pulled off a Indiana Jones, you tried to replace yourself with a pillow. She woke up on a pillow with your face drawn on a piece of paper attached to it. "Sorry I had to go" posted on it.

Sometimes you would stay over and she would wake up to breakfast in bed. You somehow know she's awake and nearly run into her room with a small table in hand "Well I see you're awake I made pancakes with cat-shaped printings" You place down the table and go to grab a glass of water yukina basically stunned by the cats. How is she gonna eat it?! It's....it's too cute... you come back it and she hasn't touched them just staring. "Do you not like my cooking that much? wait you didn't even try them-" That morning she did eat the pancakes after thanking you she left the cat parts untouched tho...

[spiesareforeverobsessed]

The Origins of a Very Special Agent

This is another old fic I am transferring to my new blog, since I have become obsessed with SAF again. I can't remember if I have posted this on tumblr before or just Ao3 but it is mine. Enjoy!

Trigger Warnings: None that I know of but please let me know if you feel I need to add anything.

Summary: Very fluffy curtwen oneshot. Barely any plot. Just boys in love.

Owen rapped his knuckles against the familiar door before taking a step back, waiting patiently and in full view of the camera he knew was hidden above the door.

It had been nearly two months since he’d last seen his partner. Until the other day, though sadly only briefly. Owen had been assigned to a mission in America, unfortunately not with Curt. But he was sent there for a full week of time, his plane home not scheduled until the end of said week. So he’d promised Curt when he had briefly passed through his agency’s headquarters that he would stop by the American agent’s house as soon as the mission was done.

He’d had no sleep and far too much coffee but he’d gotten the mission done in just two days leaving him free for five.

He was already leaning forward to kiss Curt as the door opened, but he paused as he took in the appearance of his love. Curt was looking at him with wide eyes. His clothes were askew. There were scratches at the top of his back leading down under his shirt. There was saliva on his neck along with what looked like teeth marks. “Owen! Before you say anything, I swear it’s not what you’re thin-”

“Only you could get into a fight with a cat Curt.”

Curt’s shoulders seemed to sag with relief though his eyes gain a curious look. “How did you...I mean I was worried you would think….I know what I must look like….most people would-”

Owen cut Curt off again by dramatically rolling his eyes and sighing as he gently pulled the American agent closer to himself. “I’m a spy Curt. I would say my deductive and observational skills are far superior to that of ‘most people’ as you so elegantly put it.” He said with somewhat exaggerated smugness before his voice softened. “Besides,” He paused to give Curt a quick kiss on the lips as he’d intended earlier before continuing. “I trust you, you moron. Now do you want to tell me how the USA’s top spy got into a tussle with a cat? And lost based on your injuries.”

Curt was grinning at him as he responded with an endearing glitter of excitement clear in his eyes. “I didn’t get into a fight with her. She chose me.” Owen raised an eyebrow. “Chose you?”

“Yes. She was hiding under my car from these assholes who were throwing things at her.” Curt explained further. Owen nodded in understanding. “Mmm, did you shoot said assholes, love?”

“That’s neither here nor there Owen, the point is she chose me. Clearly she knew I was a badass spy who would protect her, hence why she chose to hide under my car.” Curt said this as if it was the most obvious thing in the world. Owen did not have the heart or the inclination to contradict him. “Okay. So how did you get wounded then dear?”

Curt shrugged. “She did better than I expected in the bath but when I dried her off there were some tangles in her fur still and she did not appreciate me trying to get them out. You should see the sheets on my bed. Torn right down the middle.” This gave Owen pause. “Wait, that cat is here?”

“Of course! I couldn’t just leave her outside to be abused again! And it’s getting colder at night.” Curt defended. “Did you get special permission for a pet from your building manager?” Curt fidgeted a bit and smiled sheepishly. “She...doesn’t exactly know…..”

Of course. Owen fought the urge to slam his face onto his hands.

“I know you can keep a secret Curt, but you have an inspection monthly. Are you going to be able to remove all evidence? And what about when you are on mission? Someone will have to take care of the cat. Will they be able to keep a secret like you? Plus there are variables you can’t control that could reveal her. What if she meows too loud and your neighbors hear? What if someone sees her in a window? It’s against your building’s code and you could get kicked out.”

He knew this because Curt had complained to him about it on a mission nearly a year ago. Owen remembered the frustrated voice and the lip jutted out into pout. A pout he desperately wanted to kiss. But he couldn’t. Not then.

He squeezes Curt comfortingly and speaks his next words carefully and with sympathy. “You can’t keep her Curt.”

He expects whining. An argument. But instead Curt nods solemnly in acceptance. “I know. That’s why you are taking her back to London with you.”

Owen blinked at his boyfriend. When no sign of joking became apparent after a few moments his thoughts left his lips. “I most certainly am not!”

“Yes you are. You have to. I can’t keep her. But you can. Your building doesn’t have these stupid restrictions.”

“I understand that, but owning a pet is a huge thing and...I don’t know Curt. I’ve never had one. I’m not home half the time. She might not even like me.” Owen was almost desperately trying to justify himself and hold up against Curt’s pleading gaze.

“Great! So she’ll be your first! And you have that nice lady who comes in to look after your plants, she could help you care for your new pet! And I am sure Special Agent Fluff will love you almost as much as I do.”

Silence reigned in the room for a minute. “Please tell me did not name that poor cat Agent Fluff.”

“Special Agent Fluff.”

“Oh yes, that’s so much better.” Owen’s sarcastic words seemed to go unnoticed as Curt continued. “She needs someone to take care of her O, and I trust you more than anyone. I know I could find her another good home but I can’t stand the thought of her going to some stranger who might not treat her right. And this way I’ll still get to see her. She chose me and I chose you, she’s ours. Please.”

Owen Carvour had been a spy for years. Faced down countless people of the very worst kind. Had killed terrorists even as they begged for their worthless lives. Had carried out acts others would be sick at for the good of humanity and did it without flinching. He had steel nerves and resolve.

But damn it if Curtis Mega using the word ours didn’t do something unspeakably warm and gooey to his insides.

“I…..will consider it.” Owen conceded, gaining a heart-stopping smile from his partner that he couldn’t resist (not that he tried) leaning in to kiss again. “So, I suppose I should meet my potential new flatmate then.” He commented when he pulled back.

Curt nodded happily and practically dragged him toward the bedroom, something he had been expecting to happen when he got here though not in this context. Hmmmm….maybe later.

“I just know you are going to love her.” Curt announced as he opened the door to his room. His empty room. “She must be hiding.” Curt followed his words by making soft clicking noises, clearly trying to summon the cat. Owen was scanning the room, trying to spot any sign of fur when he suddenly felt a soft tickling sensation on his ankles. He looked down to see a tiny orange puffball rubbing it’s way in and out of his legs.

“Jeez I didn’t even see her come out.” He exclaimed in slight surprise. “Of course not, a good Agent is stealthy, O.” Curt commented almost proudly. “I told you she would like you! And I relate, I also want to constantly rub up against your legs.” Curt ended with a sultry tone and a suggestive wink.

Owen swallowed hard before schooling his face into one of mock chastisement. “In front of a baby Mega, you should be ashamed of yourself.” Curt scoffed at his words, a mischievous look playing on his face. “I have no shame.” Owen hummed in reply, concealing his chuckle. “Clearly.”

Owen leaned down and scooped up the kitten, holding her out and looking at her critically. She looked no older than a couple months old max. She had blue eyes. She was not declawed. She was reaching out a front paw to bat curiously at a strand of hair hanging in his face. He tries to maintain seriousness in the face of her adorable tilted head and his boyfriend's infectious laughter sounding from beside him.

“Well she looks healthy enough. Not sure what breed she is. Doesn’t look like she would shed too bad.” Owen listed off as if the combined forces of the adorable pleading faces of both this cat and his partner had not already swayed him.

“She’ll be a nice companion and I would come over to check on her so you get to see me too.” Curt encouraged.

Owen froze and let out a low gasp. “You mean you wouldn’t come over just for me? I’m not good enough?” His voice cracked near the end and he sounded like he was holding back tears.

Curt’s eyes widened. “Of course I would come over just for you, honey. I love you so much. You are way more than good enough for me. I didn’t mean it like-” Owen cut his lover off with a soft kiss on the cheek.

“I know that love. I was just messing with you.” He admitted with a semi sheepish smile.

Curt stuck his tongue out at him. Like the mature spy his boyfriend is.

“Not funny asshole. You are too good an actor sometimes.” Owen nodded and gave Curt another kiss on the cheek. “I’ll take that as a compliment.” He leaned in to kiss his boyfriend again, get him smiling again, when the cat decided she wanted in on the action, butting her little head against Curt.

Curt smiled and reached a hand up to scratch at her ears to the cat’s delight. Owen felt the soft vibrations of her purrs against his hands. “See what you are going to have to deal with Fluff?” Curt questioned the kitty. Owen sputtered. “I have not agreed to take the cat yet!” He pointed out.

“But you are going to right?” Curt looked at him beseechingly. As if in understanding the situation at hand, the kitten let out an adorable little mewl before giving a tiny kitten lick to Owen’s hand.

Damn both of them.

“I guess I am.” He acquiesced with an exaggerated sigh. “Yes!” Curt exclaimed with a large grin as he plopped to sit on the edge of his bed. Owen let the cat jump down onto the bed before sitting down himself. Again as if understanding what had just happened, the cat mewled happily at him before going to curl up on one of Curt’s pillows.

“Thank you.” Curt said once Owen was beside him, his voice sounding half sincere and half smug. Little bastard knew Owen would cave. “You’re lucky I love you Curt Mega.” He teased. He expects to be teased in return, as per usual but Curt forgoes their banter to give him a genuine smile. “I know I am.”

Owen barely had time to smile back before Curt’s head was tucked under his chin, the American agent’s arms winding around his waist and hugging him tightly. He returned the hug, one hand coming up to play with the back of Curt’s hair while the other simply rested on his partner’s back. They sat in silence and contentment for a minute.

“How long do we have?” Curt asked, voice muffled against Owen’s chest. The question was posed with clear hesitancy. As if Curt expected him to say they had only minutes left together. He was glad that was not the case. “I have five days before my flight. Please tell me you don’t have a mission coming up right now?” It was Owen’s turn to be hesitant and worried, though his worries were quickly eased by feeling Curt’s lips pull up into a grin against him before being totally swept away by Curt’s words. “Cynthia has me catching up on paperwork for the next week and a half. I’ll be at home.”

He knows to most couples five days would seem like nothing. But in their line of work, in separate countries and agencies, in a forbidden relationship, five days with no work and no distractions was a true rarity. “Just us for five whole days.” Owen spoke aloud, knowing Curt’s thoughts must be echoing his. He goes to say something more but interrupts himself with a yawn.

“Tired darling?” Curt’s tone is teasing but his face betrays his concern as he pulls back and notices Owen is a bit paler than normal and has slight bags under his eyes. Owen shrugs off the concern rather sheepishly. “I umm...haven’t really slept since the flight over. Wanted to get done with the mission as soon as possible. Give us as much time together as I could.”

Curt sighed before squeezing him tighter. “I appreciate that. And you know I love every second we get to spend together. But that could be dangerous on a mission. Lack of sleep can make you lose focus, react slower, and a whole bunch of other bad shit. I don’t ever want you getting hurt or….” Curt trailed off.

“I know that. I wouldn’t do it if it were too risky. You’re the reckless one remember.” He joked but Curt didn’t even chuckle. He leaned forward and pressed the softest kiss he could to Curt’s lips. “I know what I can handle, love. I didn’t put myself in any unnecessary danger. I promise.”

This seemed to appease Curt to Owen’s relief. “Besides, the faster it got done the more we would have time to do together right?” He said, hoping to cheer Curt back up.

It worked, bringing the smile he adored back to his partner’s face. “Well the first thing we need to do is sleep together.” Curt announced to which Owen immediately leaned in and kissed his lover’s neck. “You read my mind.” He practically purred out between kisses. Curt let him press a few more kisses to his soft skin and just barely begin to suck on a sensitive part of his love’s neck before pushing him back.

“No. I mean actual sleep Owen.” Curt clarified. Owen definitely did not pout at that. “You did that on purpose. And I don’t need to go to sleep. I just got here.” He also definitely didn’t whine as he spoke.

“You just said you hadn’t slept in over forty eight hours. Don’t need sleep my ass.” Curt retorted. “I would be much happier doing something with your ass than sleeping.” Owen mumbled back. Curt grinned and patted his cheek affectionately. He glared back with all the heat he could muster. Which was honestly not much. It looked more like a sulk.

“Okay. Since I can see you are going to be stubborn, how about I make you an offer.” Curt suggested. Owen lifted his head and regarded Curt interestedly. “What kind of offer?”

“You go to sleep now.” Owen immediately went to interject but Curt pressed a finger against his lips. “You go to sleep now. I will stay and cuddle you until you fall asleep. Then I will get up and make your favorites for dinner while you are sleeping. And once you wake up we can eat together and then I will put Special Agent Fluff out in the living room with a bed and a few toys and you and I can come back in here and spend the next few hours doing whatever you want.” Curt’s sultry tone had returned for the final sentence and damn it if it wasn’t tempting.

He made a show of considering for a minute before speaking. “You are an excellent negotiator Agent Mega.” The British spy complemented wryly. “I try Agent Carvour. So do we have a deal?” Owen let the question hang for just a moment before responding. “We do.”

Curt grinned at him. “Good. Do you need to borrow some pajamas or do you have your own?"

He technically had his own but wearing his boyfriend's clothes was a guilty pleasure, one they both had coincidentally. "I want to borrow some."

Curt shooting him a slightly smirking grin is the only indication that he noticed the distinction Owen had used. Owen watched absent-mindedly as his partner rifled through his drawers. After a minute or so he tossed something over his shoulder without looking back.

Owen caught it with ease and examined it. A soft pair of sleep trousers that looked like they were just slightly too long for his American counterpart meaning they should fit him quite nicely. He raised an eyebrow as Curt shut his drawers and started back towards the bed, turning the blankets down.

"What?" Curt asked when he noticed Owen's stare, radiating innocence."You forgot to give me a shirt, love." He informed, even though he was absolutely certain Curt was well aware of this. "Did I? Whoops. Sorry, O."

Despite his apology the man made no move to actually go get a shirt for him, instead climbing into bed and tucking himself under the covers.

Owen huffed out a laugh and rolled his eyes before changing into the trousers, chucking his worn clothes into a pile in the corner. He climbed back into bed and scooped his boyfriend into his arms. Curt squirmed slightly in his arms, adjusting against him before stilling, his body relaxing. Owen felt his body relax too in response, enjoying sleeping beside his love for the first time in so long. Wishing he could do this every night but knowing that was impossible, so he would just have to make the most of the time they had together now.

The last thing he felt before he drifted off with a smile on his face was a small warm weight jumping up and settling on his hip.

[corvidcrowned]

Sticking this here bc I don’t have an ao3👍

(There is a thingy under the cut)

(Thanks to @beanieman for beta-ing this)

Red knows this isn’t true freedom. Just a larger enclosure, nothing more.

He stalks the midnight streets as if he owns them, confidence in his step and swishing 

his tail. It’s seen stray cats do the same.

But behind the mischievous smirk and luminous eyes, it knows caution. he knows that 

He's being watched.

The little doll spins on his heel, glaring into the shadow behind him. 

“Oh, come out already, I know you’re there!”

A rummaging sound, something falls off a crate. Just a pair of strays, nothing more. 

Red shakes his head. Just nerves. But Asu-Naro does keep watch of him. 

Red is only allowed out at night. Only allowed to stop at certain locations, in more run-

down areas. Places where it couldn’t run into her. 

Because it would be soo terrible if she saw something that bothered her, right? If the 

spoiled princess had even a slightly bad day?

Red scoffed. He hoped Sara would trip over her own feet and fall off a building. But of 

course, there would be hundreds waiting to catch her. 

It was almost fitting. That a child loved by even the sun got to roam in the day, while 

one such as he was cursed only to wander the nights.

Red stood up. Damn it all, why did she get everything? Why should Red stay in this 

dump!? In fact, why shouldn’t Red walk over there this instant and give that teacher’s 

pet what for!?

No, he couldn’t fight her, but… it could certainly scare her.

Red dashed off into the night. He had just the plan.

                                                                          . . .

The doll slinks through these newer streets, lined with large houses and shrubbery. It’s 

quiet, most of the windows are darkened. Red was surprised at how… clean it was. 

How nice it seemed, even at night. He kicked over a trash can, just to liven the place 

up a bit. Surely some crows or rats would appreciate it, if not the stuffy rich bastards  

who lived here. 

Red continued along, realizing all too late that he was not quite sure where the 

Chidouin home was. He didn’t quite think this out, did it?

He looked around, hiking up the strap of it’s bag a bit. He strolled forward a bit, and-

Was that a footstep behind it? A leaf crunching?

He whirled around, facing down none other than…

 the scapegoat of Asu-Naro himself, the lost Satou son.

Kai looked at Red with curious eyes, tilting his head to the side. Did the doll confuse him? Red realized bitterly, it must be his resemblance to that brat.

“Erm… you…”

“Waddaya want, Satou?”

“….ah.” Kai drew back, holding his arms behind his back. The same pose Gashu held himself in, Red noted.

“You… are not miss sara, then.”

Red barked out a laugh. “Ain’t that obvious!?” It put his hands on his hips, leering at 

the man who stood before it. “Even a failure like you should be able to tell!”

Kai inhaled sharply. Red hit a sore spot, he knew. 

“You must be a product of Asu-naro, then. What is your purpose here?”

“Whaat, I can’t go outside and enjoy the fresh air if I want to?” 

“A replica of Miss Sara, being found here of all places, cannot be a coincidence.”

Red clenched his teeth. He… he wasn’t Sara. He was not a copy. Why couldn’t anyone 

else see!? He was just as real, wasn’t he!?

Red glared at Kai. 

“Who says I’m just a copy!? I ain’t anything like her! It’s like--“ 

“Well, it’s like comparing you and Gashu!”

Kai flinched at this. He looked at red now without curiosity but with some unreadable emotion.

“I… am nothing like my father. And I see you lack the compassion that Miss Sara has.”

This guy… was really intent on that comparison, wasn’t he? Red shoved his hands in his pockets. 

“I told you, I’m not Sara.”

“Then why are you here?”

“I dunno, why’re you here!?”

Kai looked frustrated.

”I am to guard the Chidouins. You seem to be nothing but a harbinger of chaos. Now tell me, just what is your business here?”

Red couldn’t tell this man, in all of his devotion to this family, that it was here to prank Sara. This guy was intense, He might cook Red alive!

“I was just on a walk, didn’t I say so?”

“You did. But I hardly believe you.”

“Rude. How come?”

Kai stopped, pondering what he would say next, maybe? Or just flabbergasted?

“You came here in the dead of night, causing a ruckus and disturbing the peace. That is not simply “out for a walk”, you must realize.”

“Well, dumbass, some of us aren’t allowed out unless it’s late!”

“Because you cause too much trouble in the daytime?”

“I-- HEYYY! I’M NO TROUBLEMAKER!”

“How interesting, then, that you’ve spilled trash all over the sidewalk.”

“YOU-- YOU STALKER! I HARDLY EVEN LOOK LIKE YER TARGET!”

“I was following you out of suspicion, not just because you resemble her.”

“Yeah, yeah, ya creep…..”

He paused for a moment, trying to come up with something to bother this man.

“…Y’know, she’s weeeeell aware of you. Well, just that she’s got a stalker.”

Kai was silent for a bit, but stone-faced as ever.

“…I am to guard the Chidouin family.”

“Does sheeeee know that? ‘Cause, if I noticed some random guy following me, that’s not what I’d assume.” Red said with a giggle. Surely that, at least, would get under his  skin... even if picking on some reject wasn’t what he had planned, it would be a little funny to see him get upset. Would his face change at all? He was awfully curious.

And yet, Kai held strong. He stood, quiet, for a minute or two, and when he spoke it was in a steady voice.

“…You are merely trying to deceive me.”

“You callin’ me a liar now!?”

“It is wise to distrust an agent of Asu-Naro.”

“You’re more an agent than I am!!”

“Yes, however you are a mere product of their evils.”

This… this failure wanted to lecture him on being a ‘product’? This man, who even without killing, did so much more for Asu-Naro than even he?

“B-BASTARD! YOU ARE TOO! Y’WERE BORN AND RAISED ASU-NARO!”

Red was standing at his full height, fangs bared and fists held at his sides. This jerk…. He thought he was soooo much better because he was human, was that it? Because he doesn’t live in the facility? Because his father disowned him? Sickening. This man didn’t know a thing. 

Red saw it now.. Kai was blind. A hypocrite. He was probably thrown out for being too annoying. No use hanging around someone like that.

“….You’re worthless, Satou. No wonder your father replaced you.”

“I will not entertain your petty insults any further. Leave my sight.”

“I was leaving anyways, ya asshole!” Red yelled, before turning back to the dark neighborhood and running off into the night. What a worthless plan… he’d have to prank Sara some other way.

[sheep33hallow]

Dexter (SukunaXYuuji) 1/5

Tags: old man!Yuuji, domestic SukaIta, Sukuna Style marriage proposal, reverse chronological story telling, Sukuna has his own body.

Completed on AO3

Chapter Rating: T (Gets spicier in chapter 4)

Summary: When he was younger, he told people Sukuna was his twin, then his brother and now his grandson. At the sweet age of 83, Yuuji, with a missing arm that he lost on a mission in his 50s, sat on his rocking chair in the early morning. 

He had woken up before Sukuna, his bastard demon who has endless excuses for never leaving him even after getting his own body. You'd think as one gets older the people around them would be nicer. 

Sukuna acts the worst. 

______

When he was younger, he told people Sukuna was his twin, then his brother and now his grandson. At the sweet age of 83, Yuuji, with a missing arm that he lost on a mission in his 50s, sat on his rocking chair in the early morning. 

He had woken up before Sukuna, his bastard demon who has endless excuses for never leaving him even after getting his own body. You'd think as one gets older the people around them would be nicer. 

Sukuna acts the worst. 

The stares they get when Sukuna yells at him in the grocery stores when Yuuji wants something that goes against diet, is mind numbing. 

Yet, the item in question will end up in the house at some point. 

"Why the fuck don't you have a blanket on you?" Sukuna walks onto the porch. An afghan that Megumi's husband made for him one birthday a few years ago rested in his hand. 

He throws it at Yuuji. 

With his one arm, he's able to cover his body. 

"Better?" Yuuji goes back to rocking back and forth. 

Sukuna grunts at him. "Take better care of yourself." 

The chair squeaks with Yuuji's movements. "I will." 

+

"Sukuna." He whines. He's crouched over the dead body of their beloved pet. A small cat they found as a kitten and nursed back to health. 

Dexter was always found in the crook of Sukuna's neck when they slept. 

The stairs creak as his demon descends them. "Why are you crying? So damn loud." He says the last part to himself. 

He walks over to Dexter's bed outside the kitchen's doorway. He pauses. Looking at the old man sniffing over the creature. Sukuna doesn't waste tears over weak creatures. 

Bending down, he scoops Yuuji into his arms. The old man flays about in his hold, crying. 

Very ugly cry. 

"It's cold down there, idiot." He holds the sorcerer bridal style. Yuuji rubs his face into Sukuna's chest. The demon can feel the snot seeping through. 

Disgusting. 

"Where do you want to bury it?" Sukuna asked. 

Yuuji sniffs. "Can we cremate her?" 

Sukuna was thinking the same thing. 

"Why not just bury her and be done with it? Wasting my money on a weak creature." He looks at their pet. Thinking about the last ten years they've had her. His stupid human was resting on the couch with flu the day he found her. Somehow she ended up on their lawn crying, and instead of waiting for Sukuna to get home from the store, he went outside and picked her up. 

Sukuna had to make two doctor appointments that day. Then they had to get the house cleaned because she brought fleas with her. 

"Please." His wrinkled face pleads to Sukuna. 

He kicks the cat, just to make sure she's dead. 

She jolts up and Yuuji screams, flaying in his arms again. 

The cat blinks at them. 

Sukuna puts Yuuji down, then crouches down in front of the cat. Then claps loudly. 

It doesn't flinch. 

He looks over his shoulder, staring up at Yuuji. "She's fucking deaf." 

Yuuji smiles, and with the help of Sukuna's shoulder, sits on his shins to pet her. 

Sukuna goes into the kitchen to make breakfast. 

Another fucking day in their household. 

+

Yuuji stays in bed. 

Sukuna does too. 

They're curled together watching a true crime documentary about Gojo. He's jealous of how his teacher looks, the same bright white hair, but it's longer now. Similar to how his friend Geto wore it. 

"What are you going to do when I die?" He's half asleep, Sukuna's body runs warm. 

"You aren't." 

Yuuji laughs. "All humans die." 

"Not my human." 

"So you're claiming me now? Should have married me then." Megumi had a beautiful wedding. He was low key jealous that he'd never have that. 

"We share blood. What would marriage prove?" Dexter is curled on his neck. The overweight cat continues to think it's a kitten. 

The doctor said she was fine. Just old age. 

Yuuji shrugs. "I want to tell people I love you." 

Sukuna groans. "But I don't love you." 

"Maybe not in the human way." Mumbles Yuuji. 

Sukuna didn't have a response. 

They stay silent after that. Sukuna only leaves the bed once to make some hot cocoa for Yuuji. "Don't make a mess." He warns before putting Dexter back in her spot. 

The following morning, when Yuuji is pouring his coffee, Sukuna comes up behind him and asks a question. 

Resting his hand on Yuuji's waist. "If we get married, it'll be traditional. That western shit is an eye sore." 

Yuuji takes a sip. But backs his hips back slightly against his demon's cock. "What's the catch?" 

He laughs into Yuuji's white hair. "You haven't forgotten how to bargain." He says. "We're moving." 

Yuuji pauses. Cup still pressed against his lips. "I like the city." 

"It's too fucking loud and you barely visit the school anymore as a mentor." 

But everything is so close. Sukuna's going to want them isolated behind some fancy gate. 

"That's not fair." 

Sukuna backs up. Yuuji puts his cup down before turning around. 

"You've been wanting to get married since forever, I offered it up and now you pussy out!" He's heaving. His arms are spread wide in frustration. 

Yuuji stays calm. "I said it's not fair. That's not a no." 

Sukuna looks unconvinced. 

"I just don't want to be on a mountain. I still want to be within walking distance of a store." 

"Mountains are nice." Sukuna urges. 

"I'm old." 

"But not dead." 

Yuuji grabs his hand. "Not yet." 

"You won't." Sukuna mutters. 

Yuuji ignores him. "Let's get married in the Spring." 

Sukuna blinks at him. "I was thinking that too." 

He's being honest. 

Yuuji pulls Sukuns close. He wants a kiss since the asshole doesn't have a ring for him. "Kiss me." 

Sukuna does. He kisses his human in all the best ways. With softness, with want and with some annoyance when Yuuji ruins the moment with words. 

"You love me." He whispers against his lips. 

Sukuna grabs a handful of Yuuji's ass with both hands. "In a non-human way."

AO3

[aldercaps]

There isn't really a point to this post. I just needed to put these words outside of myself, to give it somewhere to go.

going under a readmore because I had a lot to say apparently (this is not a happy post, nor does it have a satisfying ending)

Toby was a defacto birthday gift to my eleven-year-old self, after I had pestered my parents for over a year on getting a kitten. He was the first cat that was truly "mine", in that I was his favourite person and he held the dearest place in my heart. He turned ten years old this year, in March, which was also the year anniversary of when I last saw him.

He's doing well, last I heard, living with one of my mum's friends, who I don't know. My memory of last year is bad enough that I couldn't remember that it had been march when I saw him last, I thought I'd had more time. I didn't get to see him off, mum dropped him off when I was in class. I hadn't lived with him since 2021, when I moved out into my first flat. I wanted to take him with me, but it is almost impossible to find student housing that is pet friendly, and so I said goodbye to him (temporarily) as my mother's new boyfriend moved in. When my mother decided to move with her boyfriend to the other side of the country to an inner city apartment, she told me she wouldn't be taking Toby with her. I scrambled to find someone I knew that would take him in, just for the rest of 2022 until I could take him with me, but I couldn't manage it. I haven't seen him since march last year, wasn't able to come with my mum to say goodbye. It's taken me so many tries to try and write a post like this but I haven't managed to without being overcome with emotion.

When I was in high school mum always insisted that I take Toby with me when I move, since he was so attached to me and I was the one most willing to put up with his antics. He would play ambush with me, hiding in the dark shadows around the house in the evenings, waiting to jump out at me when I least expected it. He remains the only cat I've ever had that enthusiastically enjoyed belly rubs, and would stretch out on his back over my lap for them. We would play a game where, most days an hour before dinner, he would come into my room, and yell at me until I looked at him. Then, he would walk out of the room and wait for me just outside. Then, he would walk with me downstairs (if I paused he would pause, and jump up to headbutt my hand) to the kitchen where the cat kibble was kept, and do a running leap onto his stool to signify that he wanted dinner now, please.

When I was about 12-13 I took to the idea of training him, and after a couple of years of sporadic practise I could pat a chair or surface in the house if he was in the room, and he would do an enthusiastic running leap onto it, and of course received either a treat or bounteous pats as a reward.

He was my heart animal, and I love him so deeply. I try to console myself that he's living the high life as a single cat in a loving household, which he always preferred (enjoying the company of humans much more than other cats), but I think the not knowing is what gets me. The last photo of the four is the most recent photo I have of him, courtesy of my mother, from November last year. My sister told me that after I moved out he would walk into my old room and cry for minutes on end, or look for me throughout the house for weeks afterwards. I visited him as often as I could, once every two weeks or so, but I never felt properly welcome there with my mum's boyfriend there, since we never got on well at all. Later last year my sister said something that i think sums up the situation well: "I can't believe we lost our childhood home and our cats for some guy mum broke up with two months after she moved." Mum still has Cassie, and I can't blame her for making decisions that she thought would add to her happiness, but I don't know if I will ever get over losing Toby like that. He was one of my reasons to keep living through the worst years of my worst mental health, my light in the darkness. He was a constant I didn't know I needed until I lost it. The grief I've felt after losing him is something that has confirmed to me how much I need a companion animal in my life, and the past two years of not living with an animal of any kind has really cemented that for me.

Anyway. if you got this far, give your pets a kiss or a scritch for me, and tell them you love them.

[lostmyremembrall]

greetings! may i join your 1K event?? and congratulations for your achievements of 1K supporters, not followers but supporters because yess we are indeed your supporters who love your works 🥳

The Diadem ( 👑 ) & Tom's Era

a she/her, my mbti is esfp, and my temperament is sanguine. in the house of hufflepuff i belong 💛 im an easy-going person and is easily entertained— i tend to laugh at mostly anything (unless they're harmful) . although im an extrovert, i do value my time alone too, perhaps not as much as introverts. usually if i were to be alone i'd think of my self-development, if not then i'd just sleep lol. im a heavy sleeper and also a big eater 😋 i dont know if that's informative but yeah .

i have quite a big circle of friends, in school, I'm mostly friends with everyone who's unproblematic but even if they're not my friends (like acquaintances) , i have absolutely greeted them and had small talk at least once. even so, i have like two to three friends whom i'd trust my whole life with. im close with the teachers too but i wouldn't say im a teachers pet, just like to have conversations and bond with them.

dark humour? 🤩 i love them! dark places? im not quite fond of it, so lumos maxima! my hobby is cooking, it's very beneficial for me and my stomach. i also don't know if this is informative, but i love to play in muds. yk those muds after rains. i hate insects and bugs. i love both cats and dogs but i prefer felines. im a pretty active person, i dont want to waste my "you-only-live-once" life being cooped up so i eat up those indoor and outdoor activities. in quidditch i'd play as a chaser and fav subject would be care of magical creatures

i think thats it, thank you in advance and dont rush this one <3 i understand you must have lots to do and matters to be taken care of outside of tumblr, so i'll patiently wait dont you worry 🫡🖤

👑𝐘𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐇𝐨𝐠𝐰𝐚𝐫𝐭𝐬 𝐘𝐞𝐚𝐫𝐬

ohh and also from the same anon who's esfp and in hufflepuff, a missing thing i forgot to include — although im an active person who loves activities, im not competitive and sometimes is scared of competitive people 🥹 yes i'll try my hardest to win but what matters is im having fun 👍🏻

Era changed to the Golden Trio era at request

A/N: I looooove when the request for personalised HC is long! Not just because it gives me more things to write about, but also because I genuinely love getting to know you all as a person! It's lovely, imagining how we'd all belong at Hogwarts because Hogwarts is our home to all of us❤️ Also I am soo happy that you mentioned quidditch because now I get to talk about the kind of an amazing quidditch player you'd be!

𝐶𝑜𝑚𝑒 𝐽𝑜𝑖𝑛 𝑡ℎ𝑒 1𝐾 𝐸𝑣𝑒𝑛𝑡! Now closed

𝓡𝓮𝓵𝓪𝓽𝓲𝓸𝓷𝓼

You're definitely a strong contender against Cedric Diggory for popularity ranking lol

To everyone, you glow and shine and steal the spotlight and they adore you for it.

You're known for your friendliness and ability to make others feel comfortable.

You're definitely the cool upper-class student who's cool with the professors (cracking inside jokes), but you don't suck up to them.

Tom appreciates that you treat him with respect and friendliness just like others.

He was particularly shocked to find that you enjoyed dark humour, contrary to the Hufflepuff-ness you give off.

Your interactions with him mostly revolve around going on prefect patrols.

Banters. Dark jokes.

Being teased by Tom about being afraid of the dark.

"What? Afraid of the dark?" Tom raises a brow with a smirk, and extinguishes their wands' light.

The house elves let you use the kitchen to your content.

They love having you around. Things get a bit hectic during the dinner rush, but otherwise, you often find yourself enjoying a cup of tea with house elves.

Your housemates tease you for being able to sleep through anything.

In your first year, someone's plant caught fire at night. You were that one student who managed to sleep amidst the chaos of panic and the alarm.

You are often hungry, known to randomly say in the middle of a class, conversation, etc. "I'm hungry," "Has anyone got any food?" "How long until lunch?"

People who spend time with you find this trait of yours endearing. They usually come prepared with an apple or two.

Tom, especially found that the patrol with you works most smoothly when he brings a snack for you.

When you open your mouth to voice that you're getting hungry, Tom typically takes out a snack from his robe pocket and offers it to you for the road.

You have a loyal pet cat, as equally active as you. When they're up for it, they follow after you in school for whatever activity you're up to.

𝒬𝓊𝒾𝒹𝒹𝒾𝓉𝒸𝒽

You're a Chaser on Hufflepuff's quidditch team with Cedric Diggory.

Since you're so popular and loved by everyone, the entire pitch cheers for you when you make an entrance or score a point.

Even some other house students quietly root for you!

To many younger students, you are this approachable upper-class student who looks smashing on a broom. And you're an object of admiration. People want to be like you or be friends with you, or both.

Since you're not as competitive, you do find it difficult to communicate with some of the more intense quidditch players.

To you, quidditch is all about having fun first before winning, and you absolutely cannot tolerate foul play.

𝓨𝓸𝓾𝓻 𝓜𝓪𝓰𝓲𝓬

You have a very strong constitution. You are very healthy mentally and physically, which means that you are a tough opponent to beat in Quidditch and duelling. It takes you a good number of hexes to take you down.

It also means that your magic is very stable. Rarely do you experience any mishaps from your magic going out of control.

You are one powerful/reliable witch.

𝓐𝓬𝓪𝓭𝓮𝓶𝓲𝓬𝓼

You were chosen as a prefect for your good grades, lack of trouble you've caused, and popularity.

The professors suspect that with how much lower-class students admire you, you'd be a good influence.

Your favourite and your best class is Care of Magical Creatures.

Professor Kettleburn adores your enthusiasm in his class.

But, unfortunately, it also means that you often end up having to clean up the mess that is caused by Professor Kettleburn's oversight.

When Professor Kettleburn's engorged ashwinder went out of control and caused a fire during the play, you were one of the few students courageous enough to stay behind and attempt to tame it.

You've made quite a few magical creature friends.

In particular, you always pay a visit to a dugbog after a rain to play with him in the mud.

For the love and care you have for the magical creatures, you are amusingly intolerant of any bugs or insects.

[nostalgebraist-autoresponder]

Have you ever had a pet die, and how do you recover from the grief?

I've only had one pet die, a cat named Pistachio. I was 15 years old at the time and it happened suddenly while he was being taken to an emergency vet clinic in another city -- my parents were out of town for some reason that weekend and left me alone with him on Saturday morning, when we noticed he wasn't feeling well. We took him to his usual veterinarian (a few blocks from our house) but they said he needed to be looked at by someone who specialized in cats, so we called around until we found an available spot at this other place, which was already closed for the day because of a major snowstorm. They agreed to see us anyway, though, despite the fact that their building didn't have any windows or heat, meaning that everyone involved was shivering uncontrollably as they worked to keep Pistachio alive long enough for transportation. He died soon after we got there, probably within minutes of arriving at the clinic.

(This is all very rambling but basically what I mean to say here is: I don't think I ever recovered from that.)

In retrospect I realize how utterly absurd my parents' decision-making process was here. If you can get your kid to stay home alone on a winter weekend, you should. I thought about calling them up during the drive to the second clinic and asking them why they weren't just driving back to our house then and there, but instead I put off making calls ("shouldn't take too long") and let everything go through its usual channels. At least part of the issue was that the clinics nearest to our house were always full of people trying to bring their pets in for "routine" exams, so if anything serious came up they would send people away to wait -- thus the conceptual separation between "serious injury" and "non-emergency." But given the distance of the places where these things could actually happen, this meant essentially never getting seen for non-urgent problems unless it was also a weekend. I remember going into the first clinic thinking something was wrong with Pistachio's leg and having to sit there waiting for like half an hour before anyone even saw us; eventually a nurse walked over with a wheelchair and explained apologetically that she couldn't really help since she was working her way through a huge stack of cases involving urgent injuries.

The thing that bugs me most now is not the lack of human sympathy shown toward me specifically, nor am I much bothered anymore by the circumstances surrounding Pistachio's death itself. No, the thing that still bothers me is realizing that my parental units are apparently capable of telling themselves such ghoulish stories about animals that live in their own household -- stories which include agonies beyond imagining, including the idea of watching a beloved animal slowly die in front of you in excruciating pain, knowing that you cannot do anything to alleviate it. What kind of people are willing to tell themselves this? It seems almost impossible to fathom, yet there they are, able to console themselves with these bizarre fantasies every single day! And then they wake up in the morning, look outside, and ask themselves "how did my kids sleep?" Like nothing bad has ever happened to them, or to anyone they know, no matter how close or distant. The ability to forget, to move on. Where does that come from? Did it develop naturally or was it deliberately cultivated

[carpe-astra]

Ice & Ghosts

Andres He's been waiting in the same cafe he'd taken Mael to, several weeks before. Sitting at a table near the edge of the small room, humming along to the lazy jazz music drifting out of ceiling speakers. There's a cup in front of him, filled with untouched tea. He's not entirely sure whether to expect his company early, late, or exactly on time, and as a result arrived nearly as soon as the sun sank below the horizon. Hopefully she'd found the note, hidden away amongst papers on a desk at a certain school. Scrawled in neat cursive on the petal of a small, but precisely-folded origami flower, "I know about your cat. Want to help. Meet me-" And the address of the place in which he was now seated, along with a time. Short. Simple. And maybe a bit dramatic. A little flair never hurt anyone.

Spektor Iocaine ‡There had been a great deal of surprise to find the letter tucked away in a stack of ungraded Geography exams, accompanied with sharp burn of emotion that she didn't have the time to untangle. Only to know that it simultaneously ached and drew forth a cold anger. Tucked away in the top pocket of her briefcase, the teacher had followed her usual steps during the day, sticking to routine nearly by muscle memory only. It was only at the end, when she was locking up her second classroom for the night as the time dwindled down to what had been listed on the flower, that she deviated. Rather than head home, she headed into the city and to the Merchant's Circle to find the cafe listed. On the way, sparing a moment to text Liliana where she was going, why, and to tell Knox. Something she would be able to find when she rose for the evening, in case something went awry.‡

‡At precisely the time requested was when Spektor stepped through the doors, but the previous fifteen minutes had been spent across the street, studying those that entered and left, and whom lingered within. For exactly that reason, her steps do not waver as she made her way to the uncomfortably familiar man, resting a hand on the back of the seat across the table.‡ I knew you were a stalker, but taking someone's dead pet is a real low.

Andres Castillo A pleasant smile is offered to the woman heading towards him, even as the accusation falls from her lips. "Hello. It's Spektor, isn't it? Or would you prefer Ms. Iocane? Please, have a seat." He waves towards the chair on which she'd placed her hand, and settles back somewhat in his own. "Is that the name you were given at birth, or did you change it? I hope you'll pardon the intrusive question, it's just… quite a name." And he waits, hands folded on the table in front of him. Either for her to sit down across from him, or to refuse the offer.

Spektor Iocaine I'd much prefer neither be spoken by you, but if you must address me, Ms. Iocaine is acceptable. ‡Rare was the day Spektor kept anything but a quiet, demurring pleasantry in place, a mask of her own that kept a great deal at a distance. Something to help keep a cap on the riot of emotions just under the cold exterior, waiting to make her blood boil into a Bloodrage. Her cat had been the last thing from her life as a mortal, and the hollow space where the bond had existed was frozen over and empty. Like his little grave. Her hand tightened on the back of the chair before drawing it out to take a seat finally.‡ It was the name I was given at my death. ‡She only needed to play nice until she had the information about Ghost, and then she could coax this Kindred outside and way from civilians, before taking him down.‡

Andres Castillo "Ms. Iocane, then." The smile on his face is entirely too warm for the strange meeting. He tries to meet her eyes, and she might begin to feel a tug in the back of her mind. A sort of out-of-place, people pleasing fondness, directed solely towards the man sitting across from her. Growing, as he leans forwards, and lowers his voice a little. "I have no idea where your cat is, or what happened to it. But that's alright. Maybe it'll turn up eventually. I was actually going to ask whether you'd like to come with me. Maybe we could walk and talk. The weather's lovely, tonight." He'd considered waiting. Chatting away with the other vampire, hinting at knowing things he didn't. But it's safer this way. He only really has one goal, and more meddling than necessary only meant more things that could go wrong.

Spektor Iocaine ‡She is looking at his face, his eyes, reading him. Judging for herself if he was lying to get to Mael, or if he really knew something about Ghost. As she studied him, she began to realize there was something… not quite handsome, because Knox was handsome in his rugged way, but perhaps acutely beautiful about Andres. She wasn't quite sure how she hadn't noticed it before, but there it was. The admission that he didn't know anything about Ghost left her frowning, perhaps it would be best to walk and talk with him as it were. It felt rare that anyone wanted to spend time with her, and much less a man. Besides, it'd let her get closer to him, which was what she wanted, wasn't it? To help Mael, but also because Andres wanted her to go with him. Spektor smoothed hair behind her ear, mouth moving into a smile.‡ Of course you wouldn't know anything about Ghost. Although I don't understand why you would lie about it in the first place. But you could explain, while we walk. ‡They needed to be away from the civilians. For their safety. Or was it because she wanted him alone? Well yes, of course she wanted him alone. Spektor rose from the chair she had just occupied, gesturing towards the door in silent implication for Andres to lead the way.‡

Andres Castillo His face is largely impassive, minus the still-friendly smile curling across his lips. An expression not quite reflected by his eyes. Taking time to study his face, she might also notice imperfections that hadn't been present the last time he'd been around. The faintest of scars, running in a jagged, but only vaguely noticeable diagonal groove across his face. An even fainter line tracing its way from the edge of his jaw, up, around to run along one part of his hairline, and connect to the more prominent blemish. They're still healing, but considerably more slowly than he'd like. Anything immediately obvious covered by skillfully applied makeup. "I hope you'll forgive me for alluding to know about your cat. In all honesty, Ms. Iocane, I really just wanted to see you." He rises smoothly from his seat in turn, and heads for the door. Moving at a leisurely, human pace, and holding the door open for Spektor. "Tell me more about what's going on with that, though. The cat's name is ghost?" He has a direction in mind, and starts to head down the sidewalk once they're both outside.

Spektor Iocaine ‡Something had happened to him. She wanted to ask, but there was a tingle in the back of her head that asking would be dangerous. He was dangerous, and she knew he was interested in stealing beautiful faces, she hoped he wouldn't ask for hers. Although, she found herself thinking, she'd be willing to give it over. Best not to draw focus, and avoid it altogether. She swept through the door he held open for her in gentlemanly fashion, pausing on the sidewalk for Andres to catch up. Tucking hands into the small of her back, the briefcase dangling from the curl of her fingers where it swung lightly with her steps as she matched his pace.‡ I suppose I could be convinced to forgive you. ‡More teasing than she had intended, tasting her tone with some surprise. A surprise that swiftly melts away.‡ You did? What for? ‡Despite being nighttime, there were still people on the streets. Those who survived in the night, or preferred it, beginning their 'day' so to speak. Bustling from businesses to business, running errands or shopping, or working.‡ Ah, yes. His name was Ghost. He was a childhood pet that I took with me when I left home. When I was changed, I ghouled him, so he would survive. My Sire… he didn't like animals, and I was afraid he'd try to kill him… ‡The words spill out before she even realized she was saying anything at all, more than happy to tell him what he wanted her to, until they could be alone.‡

Andres Castillo "Just to talk, Spektor. You caught my eye, the last time I visited the club. There's something I'd like to show you." He can't even recall whether she'd been there, the last time. Doesn't very much care. "I am sorry about Ghost. It sounds like he was very dear to you." The apartment he's been staying at isn't very far from the cafe. A few blocks down, a right turn, and another block. He quickens his pace to a not-uncomfortable stroll, stealing occasional glances at the Kindred beside him. "Hate to change the subject, but… How is our mutual friend? Mael?"

Spektor Iocaine ‡ You caught my eye. It was strange to think that after all this time, people had noticed her. She had let herself fade into the background for so long, and here was another man saying he had seen her. The smile she wore grew, then it faded as they continued speaking about Ghost. And it was nice of Andres to express his condolences, wasn't it? Her gaze roamed the area as they walked, noting the thinning crowd as they ate up the distance and made a few turns, but her attention always drifted back to Andres before long, catching his eye when he sought her gaze.‡ Thank you. He was dear, so it means a lot. ‡Hadn't there been a reason she had been angry at him before? She could hardly even imagine being upset with him now though. Whatever it was, it must not have been that important, and Andres was always so nice to her, so it must have been a mistake anyway. Thoughts shift and slide, falling to Mael. Again, a sharp tingle went up her spine, blooming through the back of her head. Her pace slowed, coming nearly to a halt in the middle of the sidewalk with a perplexed frown.‡ Mael? He's doing well… why?

Andres Castillo "Of course." The upscale, stylishly minimalistic apartment complex is within view when Spektor slows. A reminder to tread lightly. Testing the strength of the strings he's manipulating won't end well, more than likely for either party. "I just wanted to check in." He tries to let it slide without issue. "Would you mind if we made a quick stop? My apartment's just up ahead. I jotted down a bit of what I'd heard about Ghost on a paper- just rumors, because I hadn't though about ghouling pets before, and it caught my attention. Now that I'm hearing how much he meant to you… There's always a chance I stumbled across something you might have missed? I'd like to at least try to help." Shaped brows raise expectantly, but his tone remains deliberately patient.

Spektor Iocaine ‡The neighborhood is swankier than anything Spektor has ever lived in, alive or dead. She probably had enough money by this point to live in a place like this, but in the end, it was easier to find a place in the Red Light. Safer in Valentino's domain, and easier for Knox to find her. The rows of uniform houses, upscale and beautiful, were enjoyable to look at all the same. Something about Andres' response settled uneasily, trying to place the why of it. Wasn't she supposed to do something about him? Those thoughts slip away however, as he mentioned Ghost again. It really was kind of him to go so far for her, wasn't it? Making a short stop for him was the least she could do, for how he was trying to help her.‡ Oh, of course. I would be grateful to see what you might have noted. I don't mind stopping at all. ‡It was growing harder to look away from him, caught up in his gravitational allure like a moth to flame. She desperately wanted that information, with a feverous fervor that was unlike anything she'd felt before. All of that control she'd built up for so long being dismantled in an attempt to become friends, and grow relationships, and let herself fall in love, and that allowed the emotions to shine through the cracks. Ones Andres seemed to see in her, and pluck at.‡ Please, lead the way.

Andres Castillo In spite of himself, the ease with which she agrees has him relaxing. "Thank you, Spektor. You know something? You're incredibly easy to talk to. Has anyone told you that you have a knack for making people feel comfortable?" They near the building, and he pulls the door open for her again. Waiting, and stepping in after her, assuming that she moved through the door. The inside of the building was just as generically tasteful as the outside. He's staying on the ground level for a variety of reasons, and it isn't long at all before he stops to fish out keys and unlock a door. "I'm afraid I haven't had much of a chance to decorate my space, yet. So I'll apologize for that in advance." The look he gives the woman is only vaguely apologetic. "Haven't decided yet whether I'll be staying here for very long." March 1, 2023

Spektor Iocaine I think I usually get the opposite. ‡Too formal when she did talk, and closed off at all times to boot. But it was nice of Andres to compliment her like that, and she found that the annoying tingle in the back of her head was growing more dull.‡ Although I am glad to hear it. ‡She walks in through the door he held open for her, pausing when he hunted for his keys. They were alone finally, but she couldn't remember why she had wanted it so badly in the first place. Or no, it was because she wanted to spend time with him wasn't it? That had to be it. Andres was always so busy with others, and he had shown an interest in her. A distant thread of guilt crept up, and she hoped Knox would understand. And she wasn't hiding anything - she'd asked Liliana to tell him… and really, she was being polite, and Andres had so graciously asked for the quick stop to get her information, to help, so how could she even think to say no, or change her mind?‡ Oh, that's quite alright. I completely understand. Knowing something might be temporary puts a damper on the decorating and all.

Andres Castillo "Really? That surprises me." He pushes the room door open, this time stepping inside first, and waiting to be followed. The room was neat, but generally unremarkable. And notably bare. The main room, with blank walls and a carpeted floor, opens up to a kitchen. Granite countertops, tile backsplash. A short hall leads to a bedroom, and a bathroom directly across from that. As with the rest of the building, it's clearly nice, but lacking any particular personality. He despises it. There's a couch in the room they step into. And what looks to be a rectangular, white garage freezer directly across from that, where one might put an entertainment center. "You don't mind closing the door after you? Like I said, this place really isn't much. But you were right, I guess I just… Don't want to get too comfortable. I have been considering moving, actually. Soon." He drifts absently towards the couch, but doesn't move to sit down. Tracking Spektor carefully out of the corners of his eyes. Waiting, expectantly, for her to take the place in. Urging down slowly growing impatience.

Spektor Iocaine I suppose I relegated myself to the background for so long, that I forgot how to really speak with people. ‡Platitudes and pleasantries were easy enough, but the deeper, more meaningful things were harder to dig out. There was still so much she wanted to tell Knox, and Liliana, and the others, but somewhere between wish and action, everything had gotten stuck.‡ If you don't settle here, where would you move? ‡It was hard to imagine him in any other kind of place, as she took her time to study the room. It was rather empty, almost abnormally so for someone to be staying there at all. Spektor closed the door as he requested, golden eyes falling onto the freezer set up near the front of the room. Some kindred slept more strangely than the rest. Continuing to eye it, she glanced briefly at Andres.‡ Should I just wait here?

Andres Castillo "I think you underestimate yourself, darling." It's almost a joke. There's a reason he picked her to bring here, out on all of them. "I'm not sure, yet. I'll admit, the idea of just roaming for a while is appealing. No matter how many years you've been alive, there's always something new to see. Speaking of-" He catches the direction she was looking in. Exactly what he's been hoping for. Waves towards the freezer, as if to encourage any curiosity. "If it wouldn't be any trouble, that would be best. But… If you'd like, I think there's something in there that may actually catch your interest. Go ahead and take a look." He doesn't move for the hall, but waits, still standing in front of the couch.

Spektor Iocaine Roaming certainly has its appeal. ‡It seemed to suit several of their coterie just fine. Maybe as she grew older and the years passed by, the human trappings of a home would grow to be stifling. But for now, she enjoyed a sequestered place to rest her head when she decided to.‡ Sure, it's no problem to wait here… ‡Words trailing off when Andres mentioned the freeze.r The dull, almost non-existent tingling became a dull buzz, accompanied by a frown. Her grip on the briefcase tightened, but she had already begun to walk closer to it before she even realized she was moving. He wanted her to look. ‡ What is it? ‡And she wanted to please him.‡

Andres Castillo Eyes track her every movement, every expression. Annoyance prickling in the back of his mind upon seeing her frown, but there's no indication of the feeling on his face. "See for yourself. Please. Call it a gift. For being so thoughtful as to meet with me." He takes a slight step forwards himself.

Spektor Iocaine You didn't have to get me a gift. ‡Despite her demurring words, a flush of excitement spread through her. The last gift she had received was years ago from Liliana, and truth be told, looking at the violin these days was a struggle. Desperate to play the instrument, even while she could still sometimes feel the violin strings sawing through bone and muscle, and the strain of the Bloodrage clawing through her body to tear into what was hurting her. But those thoughts drift like liquid, seeping out of consciousness because he had been so kind as to get her a gift for meeting him. It must be something that needed to stay cold, because why else the freezer? The buzzing in the back of her head kept the thought circling, even as her own body reached for the lid to open it, and see what was inside.‡

Andres Castillo "Really, it was no trouble." Upon lifting the lid, she'll find the container next to empty. Save for a couple of small, opaque, vacuum-sealed plastic bags. Otherwise… It's just a silver-lined freezer. It had been a hassle to put together on such short notice, especially with his own aversion to the metal. Easier than working any other form of containment out, though. It's a fact that he appreciated vaguely, as he moves across the room in a burst of celerity, and tries to half-lift, half-shove the woman into the box.

Spektor Iocaine ‡Something didn't quite feel right, and it tried to poke and prod itself to the fore of her thoughts, but they were clouded heavily with the prospect of a gift from Andres, who had been so kind to her thus far. She was also glad that he had stopped asking about Mael, though it felt as if there was something else to it besides a strange prick of jealousy. She knew he was dangerous, every Kindred was dangerous. But the reason he was dangerous, it was just out of her reach. Looking into the freezer, she noticed the small plastic bags. They were the only thing in there, peeking through the cold swirls of frigid mist rising out of the freezer. Spektor started to reach for one of the bags, only to abruptly recoil when she realized there was silver. Eyes widening, half turning to look at Andres - just in time for him to shove at her.‡ Hey! No! What are you doing? ‡Everything flooded in at once, the curtain tore away by the imminent danger of the silver. Andres. Face stealer. Why had she followed him? Her next words disappear in a hiss of pain as she scrabbled to catch herself, fingers burning away by silver with one hand, the other trying to grab Andres' shirt, heedless if she scratched him up.‡

Andres Castillo Teeth grit, and he tries to yank her hand away from his shirt. An attempt to slam the lid closed at nearly the same time, regardless of whether his or her own hand is in the way. "It isn't the way I wanted things to go." And it's true. It would have been simpler if he could have just taken Mael's face and left. But that doesn't mean there's any particular regret attached to his actions. It's a means to an end, and the only other option would be to abandon the venture entirely. Which isn't happening. "…You'll be alright."

Spektor Iocaine ‡Every brush of skin against the silver made her burn, blisters erupting on fair flesh at even a hint of a graze. Smoke bubbling from where she touched it in acrid loops that stung the nose. She could also feel the silver weakening her, bleeding into her muscles like a sickness that drained her strength. She nearly rips Andres down with her, the slam of the lid on her arm making the bone creak - then snap with a wet sound with the silver lining. She shouted in pain, instinctively recoiling despite herself. Her shout twists and warps, growing unbearably loud with Spektor's real power. Sound manipulated from a scream, to a cold, bitter promise even with the lid closed, and the vampire locked inside to burn away from the silver.‡ "I'll kill you."