#Just a mere concept please don't take me seriously

[felt-tale]

Acid.~☆

I should NOT post this since i'm not into that part of my au, yet i feel silly! Papyrus is usually very smart but whenever he gets.. 'excited' he tends to forgets things. Yet tjis is just a mere concept! I will see if i will add it to the comic <3

[shysublimecoffee]

This represents my personal perspective on the matter, so please don't interpret it as a factual statement. It's an opinion, and there may be exceptions if you explore thoroughly. However, I find the otome isekai genre quite monotonous. The recurring theme of recycling concepts, reusing character designs with a prevalent "same face syndrome," and the prevalence of protagonists resembling each other, particularly the Duke of the North archetype with that clichéd Idol haircut, contribute to a sense of staleness. The majority of flawless female leads with 99% being blonde, with a few exceptions, adds to the predictability.

For me, the transmigration or reincarnation concept caught my attention around 2018, starting with works like "Who Made Me a Princess" and the infamous "They Say I Was Born a King's Daughter," even though I admit my taste was not the best back then.

The idea of taking over someone's body and living their life fascinated me. What made it unique was the perspective shift, allowing us to see many previously despised villains from other stories in a new light, experiencing the narrative from their point of view.

But, this is when it started getting old real quick. My god, how many fucking times am I going to see a good heroine turned evil and the villainous be taking the leftover men from the heroine side and forming a harem. The villainous unfortunately can't be nuanced because all these stories do is just make shit black and white. Our MC can't be held accountable for what they did but sob hard enough and we get an ally to ride behind her.

You know what's incredibly frustrating? These Korean women from the 21st century keep transmigrating into these villainous roles, and it's just downright irritating. They either come off as overly naive or stick to the tired narrative of being an office worker who suddenly becomes wealthy and tramples over others. It lacks uniqueness, and seriously, what do we really know about the female lead (FL) beyond the prologue? Who is she? What's her home life like? Does she want to return? These are questions I want answers to, but we're not given the chance because the focus remains on the villainous character. Even that aspect isn't executed well; they end up softening her character and making her more compliant than she was in the original story just to avoid a bad ending. I'm more intrigued by understanding the backstory of the actual original villainous character.

The male lead (ML) seriously disappoints. I get it, this genre revolves around romance, but let's get real for a moment—do we genuinely care about this so-called "romance"? What truly matters is the chemistry between characters that makes us feel, cry, and get infuriated, and that's what a story should evoke. Worse than a bad boy ML is a downright boring male lead. Whether it's the Duke of the North or any other generic character, they all feel like mere props catering to the female lead, and that's painfully dull.

I couldn't care less because these MLs exist solely to assist her in everything, whether it's for revenge, to play the savior, or to be the healer. Nothing feels genuine; there's no emotional investment in the romance for me. I'm not overjoyed by the idea of them being together. Many readers seem more fixated on their aesthetics and how well he serves her, but let's be honest—their designs are unimaginative, resembling countless other MLs and MCs. Frankly, I wish more effort were put into creating distinct and captivating characters.

No matter how much one might criticize the toxicity of old-school Shojou romances and the portrayal of male leads, I absolutely loved it. Sure, the romance might not be ideal, but that's precisely what makes it fun and enjoyable to read. The characters have their quirks and distinct personalities, creating their own unique dynamics that add to the charm of the story unlike the former.

Transmigration/Reincarnation is so barley touched in a genre surrounding that very concept. It's like they dip into a puddle but don't expand on the horrors or intrigue of anything really and they be explaining everything from the prologue instead of letting us breathe. We don't settle or sit with the characters and writers are far more interested in miscommunication. It's why I like manga because you get beautiful scenes of just peace or character introspection than you would in colored format.

If there's one story that truly captivated me and made me fall in love with this particular brand of Otome Isekai, it's "A Stepmother's Märchen." It may not be a masterpiece, but the deliberate and slow-paced narrative, reminiscent of a novel, along with the meticulous attention to depicting a semi-realistic high society, drew me in. The story offers complex and conflicted characters, and the stunning art, which interestingly mirrors European illustration outside of the main cast, adds to its appeal. Of course, it's not without its flaws, but the beauty of the narrative has made it stand out to me even years later. It's not a one-note copy it did it own thing that I wish OI did more.

Kill the Villanous,

Death is the ending the villanous

I appreciate how these stories took the isekai concept and added their unique twists. It's refreshing, and I wish more writers would follow suit. While I understand that Otome Isekai is primarily about wish fulfillment, I also crave narratives that offer more than just that. A well-crafted story with thoughtful character development would be a welcome addition to the genre because it sticks out to me more. I don't remember OI titles but for me to remember those is because the concept were different from the usual OH no I woke up in the villain body.

[sugardaddyraphael]

House of Valentine

I *almost* made it for Valentine Day! Just a little thing I wrote to celebrate, set in my personal canon - that is full of dubious fluff and horny devils. Please forgive the luck of proofreading!

"There's absolutely nothing to celebrate."

"But it's our first Valentine Day all together as a family!"

"The mere concept of me and you being somehow a family is honestly insulting."

Tav sighed. This discussion was draining all the enthusiasm he had felt the first time this morning Haarlep had mentioned the three of them having a party. Thinking rationally about it, it was obvious from the start that Raphael would have said no. Still, for some reasons, his plain disinterest stung.

It's just a deal, for Astarion's sake, Tav reminded himself. The less Raphael was interested in him, the better. Still, some part of him he hated was hurt. That part of him craved Raphael's affection. Raphael's love even. Tav shook his head vigorously. He was already very much in love with Astarion, thank you very much. Yes, he couldn't deny he found both the devils attractive, but that was about it. Just attraction.

Then why Raphael's indifference made him feel so miserable? He was taking this whole “you will act like you're my personal incubus along with Haarlep for a month” deal too seriously.

In the meantime the devils kept bickering. Haarlep, who should have been the one hurt the most by his master's indifference, seemed to enjoy himself immensely, for reasons the tiefling couldn't even begin to comprehend.

“Oh, don't be like that, master Raphael! I know you're secretly begging in your little heart I do something romantic and special for us tonight.”

As similar as they were, for a moment their expressions were so different Tav almost laughed, despite his current bad mood. Haarlep was pouting most adorably, while Raphael's angry frown could have burned souls to ashes with its intensity.

The cambion straightened in his chair, pointing to the desk in front of him with an elegant gesture. “The only thing I'm begging for is being free of both of you so I can have some work done – and I'm not doing that secretly in my heart, but right in your face.”

The incubus only pouted harder. Seeing how his pouting didn't have the desired effect, however, he apparently decided for a boldest approach. Without asking for permission, he just sat on the cambion's lap, as if that was the most natural thing in the world. “What about our new adorable pet?! I think he, being mortal, expected to be spoiled a little on Valentine Day, you know...” He slowly caressed Raphael's perfect doublet with one of his claws. “You could permit him the honor of indulging you a little.”

Raphael growled in annoyance, but didn't do absolutely nothing to remove the impudent devil from his lap.

“And why should I give him such a gift? I don't think he did anything to deserve this. He will be rewarded for his part of the contract with the magical trinket his insignificant vampling needs. If he wants more from me, he has to put some real effort. Faking being unimpressed or trying to convince himself he doesn't want me is fun in its own way to watch but not enough to earn gifts from me, I'm afraid.”

He wasn't even looking at Tav while saying this, but the tiefling flinched anyway – and hated once again himself for that. Self hate was slowly becoming the main emotion of this whole contract-thing. Not disgust, not hate for the devils putting him in this position – self loathing. And denial.

“Master!” Exclaimed Haarlep with fake indignation. “You're hurting him.” And shame, of course. “He's on the verge of tears, don't you see?”

To his own surprise, Tav realized it was true. He was really about to cry. He immediately turned his back to the two devils, facing a giant portrait of Raphael himself, crown as the king of hell. The view didn't particularly help, but at least he was less exposed to the actual Raphael's piercing gaze. He felt like he was becoming more and more emotional with every passing day. If he kept letting the two of them affecting him like this, what would become of him by the end of the month?! He was the hero who destroyed the Elder Brain and saved Baldur's Gate! He already defeated Raphael once! He accepted to be Raphael's pet for a month in exchange for having his love Astarion once again being able to enjoy the sun. What the devil felt was irrelevant. He didn't have to put effort to please him, because he was here just for Astarion. Just for him.

He felt a hand on his shoulder and he almost jump in surprise.

“Oh, poor thing...” Haarlep's voice was sweet and full of adoration, to the point Tav couldn't help to lean into the touch, closing his eyes.

“It's just a deal” he said firmly, refusing to turn to face the devil. “I'm... just pretending to be an incubus! I'm not like you. Not at all.”

He felt his tongue gently licking his tears, as his arms embraced him from behind.

“Why are you fighting so hard, sweet thing? You want the master to spoil you in this very special day, don't you? You wouldn't cry and be miserable if you didn't want that.”

Tav felt the incubus' tail interwining with his own.

“Master wants you as well, pet. You know he wants you” he whispered, so close to his ear he could very well be speaking directly in his mind. “You just have to ask prettily. He's just waiting for that.”

Tav slowly raised to his feet, hand in hand now with Haarlep.

The incubus guided him to Raphael, still sitting in his chair, but watching them with barely concealed interest. His expression was stern though, and Tav hesitated. Immediately the self loathing started to set in once again. He had killed him. With his friends, of course, but still he proved himself a match for the cambion. Why he suddenly couldn't bear his disapproving look?! What were the devils doing to him?!

Haarlep gently stroking his hand stopped this line of thoughts.

“Enough of that, sweet thing” he whispered again, as if he knew exactly what he was thinking. “Let your instinct guide you. Not your sense of duty, or your guilt. You're not weak for admitting what your heart wants. Go to him.”

Tav was now in front of Raphael, his heart and mind a chaos of conflicting emotions. The cambion seemed to study him for a long moment, before going back to his papers without any comment.

For some reason, this gesture did the trick.

Tav found himself copying Haarlep – if a bit too clumsily and with much less grace. He climbed on Raphael's lap, burying his head in his doublet with a strange noise between a purr and a grown.

The cambion didn't tense, as if he was fully expecting this.

Tav could hear Haarlep laughing. “Not bad for a beginner! 10 for the enthusiasm but a 4 for the execution, I'd say.”

“Four will be your remaining seconds of life if you don't stop being so annoying” complained Raphael, but Tav got the distinctive feeling he was just pretending to be annoyed.

“Well, pet, do you have something to say?” the cambion finally addressed him.

Tav didn't dare to look at his face, nor to think too hard about what he was doing.

Let your instinct guide you. Not your sense of duty, or your guilt. You're not weak for admitting what your heart wants. Go to him.

For once, he decided to listen to the incubus.

“Please, let me have the honor to spoil you in this very special day, master” he mumbled, his face still firmly pressed to against his chest.

Oh, there was much more he wanted to tell him, but first he would have to admit it to himself.

For a long moment, he feared it wasn't enough.

The cambion took in fact his time to consider the request. He didn't touch Tav, nor gave him any sign of affection or approval. He simply let him stay on his lap, keeping him on edge – on edge for something Tav didn't realize he needed that badly: his affection.

“I suppose I can be persuaded to have something special for dinner with my incubi. And my newest pet can feed me some cake. Dark chocolate of course. Of the finest quality you can find in this city.” Tav could never imagine the idea of feeding a devil some cake could make him so blissfully happy.

[calliethetrekkie]

Star Trek TOS S01E09: What Are Little Girls Made Of?

Original Thoughts

"The concept of androids/robots and emotion is used all the time in sci-fi, but it felt pretty well-done here, such as Andrea clearly having emotions despite being told that she doesn’t. Guess this is where ‘Kirk is a woman chaser’ comes from, though tbf he made out to get her to realize that she had feelings that aren’t just programmed. He more or less used the same manipulation on Ruk. It shows how pragmatic he can be. It was an interesting deconstruction, though I think the robotization process less robbed Korby of emotion and more robbed him of his morality. Still standard as far as sci-fi goes, but still interesting to see here."

(Original Post)

Rewatch Thoughts

Well, it's an episode without McCoy in it, so that already sucks.

Okay, in all seriousness, this was still a good watch. It was nice to see Christine get a bit of spotlight, since she's otherwise just kind of there. Does she ever go on another Away Mission after this one? I do feel like she was just... passive, though. Yeah, she tries to keep Korby from killing Kirk, and I get that it's hard for her because she still cares for her old fiancé. But it's also mostly just... her standing around as things happen. IDK, I just wish that she'd had more to do. But I guess her getting to do anything at all is something I should be grateful for.

This is one of those episodes I remember being really invested in the first time around... then two years later I could only remember the bare minimum about it. I guess a lot of the later ones overshadowed this one in my head. But there's still some good stuff in here.

There's the whole thing with the androids. I remember that being the selling point for me when I first watched the episode. There's a LOOOOT that I had on my mind. Korby robotizing himself and becoming utterly obsessed with his vision of creating a utopia, to the point where he was willing to keep Kirk captive and have an android impersonate him to get control of the ship. I find it interesting that the episode try to portray this as Korby losing his humanity... but IDT that's accurate. We see in this very episode with Andrea and Ruk that they are NOT fully controlled by their programming. Sure, it becomes confusing in Andrea's case, but it's still a fact.

No, what Korby lost wasn't his humanity, but his morality. Let's face it, humans can be driven off the deep end and to such twisted obsessions. Kirk even lists off several dictators that did just that, the only difference being that IDT Korby was pure evil. He lost sight of everything, maybe in part due to robotizing himself in desperation. Either way, it lead to him believing a mere delusion that as we learned from Ruk already failed once with his original creators. Hell, his insistence on Andrea not having emotions feel like him projecting his denial onto her. His plan was doomed from the start, and it ended in him dying for real.

I actually feel kind of bad for the androids. Ruk was left after his makers tried to kill him, his need to survive overpowering his programming. Andrea was programmed to please and obey Korby and at the end it's clear that she's in love with him, Kirk's tactics causing her to be utterly confused. It's clear that, regardless of Korby's insistence, the androids do feel things. The only one we don't really see that from is the android Kirk, but he didn't exactly live long enough to see if anything popped up.

Speaking of Kirk...

This shows Kirk at some of his most pragmatic. He takes Andrea captive briefly. He strangles Korby to make an escape attempt. He more or less forces himself on Andrea to make her confused. He decides to use racism against Spock so that he'll figure out that at the very least something's not right. It is really some of Kirk at his most callous, but that's not a bad thing in my opinion. At least part of it can be explained as Kirk trying to survive and realizing that he's stuck with a man who's clearly lost his mind. The bit with Spock is a little harder to explain... maybe being strapped butt naked on that spinning table can be blamed on that XD How they convinced Shatner to do that shoot I'll never know...

But anyway, as much as I hate the depiction of Kirk as an arrogant, womanizing hot-shot, he shouldn't have those darker parts ignored. Like we saw in The Enemy Within, that darkness is there and he needs it. He NEVER would have acted as he did if he didn't have the ability to threaten or manipulate others. If he has to do those things, he'll do it. That doesn't make him bad, it makes him a more interesting character, imo. He's still ultimately heroic, but he'll certainly play dirty when he has to.

I'm trying to think of what else to say, but there isn't much. I liked seeing Ted Cassidy again, and this time not as just a dummy. Not much goes on with the Enterprise, so I guess McCoy being absent isn't really that big of a deal since he wouldn't have anything to do anyway... but I hate not having him! Even Spock isn't really given much to do except get clued in on the fake. Though the scene at the start where Chapel asks if he's ever been engaged and the face he makes is hilarious. Oh Christine, if you only knew.

So yeah, not much left to say. It's a good episode, I just don't have a lot to say about it. But it's one I'd be willing to watch again, so hey there's that.

Original Rating: 4/5 Rewatch Rating: 7/10

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[queenofdragons12]

Frozen Bonds | Trolltider

In the dark and mysterious realm of your imagination, the concept of trolls had never been something you took seriously. Of course, there was always the possibility that they existed in the shadows, lurking somewhere in the periphery of your consciousness. Who really knew for sure? One thing, however, was crystal clear in your mind – humans had to be eradicated. They were just one of the five races, yes, but after being confined too often in cages, trust in any human was a luxury you could no longer afford.

Yet, fate has a way of playing tricks on even the most resolute minds. Your conviction was tested when a little girl came darting through the forest, her cries for help echoing through the trees. In that moment, you found yourself at a crossroads, torn between the ingrained fear of humans and the innate desire to extend a helping hand.

The air was thick with uncertainty as you grappled with conflicting emotions. Could you overcome the deep-seated mistrust that had taken root in your soul, or would you let the past dictate your actions? The girl's desperate pleas reverberated in the stillness of the woods, challenging the very essence of your beliefs.

Perhaps, in that pivotal moment, you realized that the boundaries between races weren't as rigid as you once thought. The line between predator and prey, human and troll, blurred in the face of shared vulnerability. As the girl approached, you felt the weight of a decision hanging heavy in the air, a decision that could redefine not only your perception of humanity but also the course of your own destiny.

"Help, please!" she cried, and you growled under your breath. "Snowfall, what are you waiting for?" your younger sister, Fanneløv, sputtered. "I don't want to attack, Fanneløv. You can't force me," you snarled back, swatting your tail in frustration. Your sister shook her head and leaped from the trees.

You jumped when a horde of other wolves followed. These weren't from your pack; they were larger, stronger, and all had sleek black fur that shimmered in the sunlight filtering through the trees.

"Take the human child!" one of them bellowed in a deep, guttural voice that reverberated through the entire forest. The child screamed and ran the other way, but the wolves from the woods were quicker. Soon, a large male pinned her down, growling low.

The tension in the air was palpable, a clash between loyalty to your own principles and the instinct to protect the helpless. Fanneløv shot you a glance, a silent plea to intervene. The moral dilemma gnawed at you as the scene unfolded before you.

In that critical moment, you had to decide whether to defy the instincts that had been ingrained in you or to stand firm against the encroaching threat. The girl's desperate cries echoed through the forest, painting a vivid picture of vulnerability and fear. The black-coated wolves seemed relentless in their pursuit, imposing a challenge that demanded either acquiescence or defiance.

As the drama played out, you found yourself at a crossroads, a moment that would define not only your identity but also the intricate balance between the wild and the humane within you.

"Let her be!" shouted another little child, hurling themselves toward the male wolf. However, he merely swatted them away with a paw, and one of his comrades pinned the child down. "Pateksuie troll, you have no right to come here and dictate to us," snarled a gray-toned she-wolf, her teeth bared. You sighed and approached calmly.

"Let them go," you said, and both wolves hesitated. "Snowfall," grumbled a smaller male, sneaking his head forward. You ignored him. "I said let them go." You growled again, meeting the gaze of the alpha wolf and his mate who just stared back at you.

"You may be the alpha's daughter, Snowfall, but you're not our leader. Go back to the ice," snarled the alpha. The tension hung in the air, a battle of wills between the hierarchical structure of the pack and the innate sense of justice within you. As you stood your ground, it became evident that the dynamics of power were shifting, and your actions would determine not only the fate of the human child and the little defender but also the delicate balance within the wolf pack.

"Please, we don't want to capture you," whimpered the little girl. "We just want to find my dad." You stared down at her and inquired, "And where is this father of yours?" She hesitated, then spoke, "He… he was captured by stone trolls and taken to the Black Mountain. Please, I need him." Tears welled up in her eyes, and a wave of empathy surged through you. You sighed and swished your tail.

"Let them go. I'll say it one more time," you declared. The alpha wolf snarled, but he lifted his paw, and the boy helped the girl back onto her feet. "Thank you, white wolf. We won't forget this," the child expressed gratitude.

"No need. Just don't enter the wolves' forest again," you said, dipping your head. With that, you and your pack, along with the black wolves from the north, swiftly retreated, leaving behind a tense encounter that had tested the boundaries of both compassion and dominance in the heart of the enchanted forest.

"Maybe, Dad, if we help them, we could improve our relations!" you suggested to your father, who sat proudly on the golden throne. "Snowfall, you know very well that Gorm of the trolls won't allow it. He despises wolves," your father, Blackmuzze, replied sternly. You sighed and flopped down. "For once, I just want peace," you grumbled, and your sister snorted, "You always want peace, dear sister. You're no true wolf; you're just a pacifist." She then ran out of the clearing, and a significant portion of your wolves followed her. You sighed again. Times were no longer at their best.

The scent in the air was as potent as that of a wounded deer unaware of its impending demise. You sighed, quickening your pace, and soon you stumbled upon Black Mountain, sending shivers down your spine. Now or never, you thought and trotted faster into the cavern. The air reeked of mildew and decaying fungi. Moss and various fungi clung to the stone walls, and you halted abruptly when you spotted a colossal troll, petrified in the midst of this eerie landscape. "Mountain troll," you muttered, scanning the surroundings. There were no stone trolls in sight, no servants either. Strange.

You ventured deeper into the heart of the mountain, and soon, you discovered a dark cavern. The scent of humans wafted from it like pus from a poisoned wound. Intrigued and cautious, you approached, the darkness swallowing you as you delved further into the mountain's bowels.

The human jumped when you entered, and you rested your head on your paws. "What is a human like you doing deep in the heart of the mountain?" you inquired, settling down with your tail draped over your front paws. "I-I have the formula that can break the amber," he said softly, and you hummed in acknowledgment. "A golden stone, huh? It seems there's more to this forest than we thought. I am Snowfall, and you must be the pungent human I've been tracking."

"Gustav," he introduced himself, and you nodded. "I know scents reveal more than you think," you remarked. Rising to your feet, you scratched at the lock, but it didn't budge. "Hmmm," you circled the cage twice before finally detecting metal amidst the decaying items within. Standing on your hind legs, you retrieved a small key from a hanging and inserted it into the lock.

"How can you use a key?" Gustav asked, clearly puzzled. "I've been among humans before. They captured me once and took me to a circus for entertainment or something. I don't know. I got tips from an elephant about turning a key in the hole, and the door opened," you explained matter-of-factly.

"I—I don't know what to say," stammered Gustav, and you snorted before opening the cage door. "Come on, I'm sure some stone trolls will notice me here soon," you said, ushering Gustav out, ready to face whatever challenges lay ahead.

[popponn]

over a sprain. [itoshi rin x f!reader]

notes: i was sad and i want to cheer myself up a little bit so here we are. protective!rin sounds cute because this guy is in concept really soft inside while having an emotional intelligence of a chick. it's cute in a very odd way. warning: light injury on your part (sprained ankle); fluff; mentioned childhood friend to lovers; post canon au; overprotective!rin; mild cursing. as usual, please don't take this to seriously. and can someone talk rin to me. anyone. i miss him.

“Stop with that pissy face,” you said, poking a finger towards Rin’s cheek.

As if nothing happened, Rin didn't stop messaging your right ankle. The ever-present gloomy frown on his face deepened even further. Harshly, yet without much force behind it, his hand swatted your finger away before returning back to you sprained leg, touching them gently despite his grim face. You mocked out a voice of disappointment, leaning back against the foyer’s wall while your boyfriend still chose to focus on your injury instead.

“And stop poking my face,” Rin replied sharply. He looked as grumpy as always, yet to you it was as clear as day that he was expressing his worry along with something. Which you were still trying to figure out.

“Are you mad?” you asked innocently, tilting your head in attempt to see his face better.

In return for your effort, Rin scowled even darker somehow. “Stop moving. And I’m not.”

For someone who was saying that the face and the glare he gave your ankle sure said otherwise.

You winced when he pressed at a particularly sore spot, “Ouch.”

“Bear with it for a little bit,” Rin said, still pushing and tracing his fingers around your heel, albeit much more cautiously. “Do you really think you don't need a hospital?”

“What—ouch—no!” you laughed out in between your pained hisses, “It’s just a sprain. Take it easy.”

Rin took a moment to pause and sent you a heated side eye, “Which came from you landing twelve steps down the fucking stairs. We can't know for sure if you didn’t crack a bone.”

“I’m sure it will hurt way more if something breaks down there,” you replied lightly. “Don’t worry—”

“If I didn't catch you back there, you could have fallen down with your empty head and crumbly neck as some useless cushion and fucking die,” Rin cut you off sharply, a glare directed straight to your face the moment he turned his head fully towards you, “and you told me not to worry?”

At that, you fell silent.

The ringing sound of tinnitus felt like it echoed through your whole body all of a sudden. Both you and Rin stared at each other for another minute, your eyes wide like a saucer whilst Rin’s were as sharp as it was shaky. Looking at him, you couldn't help but feel an overwhelming guilt weighing down your heart.

“…I’m sorry. I gave you a real scare, didn't I?” you apologized. You reached out a hand towards him once again, this time choosing to comb through his bangs, pushing it slightly towards the back of his ear. Rin stayed silent, merely staring at you with a hand still warmly resting on top of your injury. Chuckling softly, you continued, “But really, I’m okay. I caught myself and walked out with a sprain. I bet I can still jump—”

“Don't you dare.” Rin growled at your suggestion. Then, after a blink, he added with a murmur, sounding softer and spoiled, “Dumbass.”

“This dumbass is your girlfriend, unfortunately!” you said proudly with a childish huff. Even as Rin gave you a perplexed, questioning look as if you were his brother suddenly proclaiming a desire to have a pet bunny, you didn't stop. “I mean—yeah, I will be more careful next time. But I grew up in diapers with you. You know I won't go down that easily!”

Rin scoffed at that, “You cried when I bit you last nigh—”

“This and that are different,” you shut him off quickly. “What I mean is that this me, who pushed through your emo phase three years ago with the sheer power of friendship and love, won't be ended by a stair out of all things! No need to be that antsy, Rin!”

As you finished with a smile, you pulled Rin’s head to your chest. Unusually, Rin refused to budge, taking your hand and moving it towards the side of his face instead. “You are—” he said with a hitch in his tone, “—you are hopeless.”

The way Rin spoke it sounded as if he just finally let out a breath he had held in for hours. Being the receiving end of it, you stroke a thumb against his cheek, “That's mean.”

Somehow, that comment of yours immediately flipped a switch and he sent you a dirty, sour glare yet again. “I will show you mean when I carry your ass to the hospital.”

“That’s meaner and seriously—I don't need a doctor, Rin!”

“You won't need a doctor if you didn't try to be funny and suggest we take the emergency stairs—”

“You are the one who told me I need to move around more!”

“—then jumped at a goddamn cockroach—”

“I was surprised!”

Then, that exchange continued for another 30 minutes, with Rin emerging as the winner—equipped with an astoundingly hard head and spiteful comebacks—thus dragging you to the hospital. True to your words, you really didn't break anything.

Nonetheless, Rin still watched you like a hawk for two weeks straight.

[nulltune]

too blunt,  was it .. ?   but,  hakuno knew better than anyone else that,  no matter how she could put it,  this was something that he  /  she could never admit so easily.  it's easier to look at others,  to look away from the shattered pieces of her self;  even though i want to know,  i want to find myself.

—peers at him as he laughs,  and hakuno recognizes this as the kind of laughter that's made to lighten the mood.  far from genuine,  no matter how real it may sound.  you don't have to force yourself around me,  she's wants to say,  but doesn't.  when you've molded yourself to be the person others need,  you don't know just what to do otherwise.  is she worried ?   ... she doesn't know.  yet feels a subtle pang of something at his dismissal of it.       ❛   there is no correlation between those two factors.   ❜       hand is dismissively waved as though refuting the statement  ( and if the action happened to gesture in the direction of a certain red - haired bartender,  well—  she needn't say anymore ) .       ❛   please take this seriously.  alcohol poisoning is not a joke.   ❜

she can't say much about the past,  not even knowing of her own,  but she can't help but question it.  do you really believe that ?   the innocent gaze of the lady seems to convey the unspoken words,  brows furrow together in a rare display of emotion.  really ...  she really can't stand it.  the way he'd kill his own feelings with a smile.  why ?   were his words supposed to be advice .. ?   she can't understand.  but she can't ignore it like he does,  not when there's barely anything inside her to call her own.       ❛   it may be a matter of perspective,  but i don't think you should disregard the past like that.   ❜       your past is a part of yourself,  after all.  and maybe there lies the distinction between the two  ——  his heavy past turns him to alcohol,  to drown himself in it so that weight could temporarily float away;  hers is an empty slate,  and there's nothing to be said for a character so lacking.      

❛   if ...  if the day comes where my memories return,  i would like to share it with you.   ❜       the words are spoken quietly.  selfish of her to impose such a thing onto him,  but perhaps—  perhaps then they could reach a clear understanding without unspoken words and mere reflections.

❛   follow whatever makes you happy ...   ❜       it's echoed with a hollow voice,  mimicked words.  proper decorum is easy,  and the response comes promptly,  a small clink sounding with a toast for the sentiment she couldn't understand.   she can't recall the feeling of pleasure or joy,  everything just feels  ...  distant,  and maybe that's why the gaze in her eyes would remain empty as she silently mulled over this vague concept of  ‘ happiness ’.       ❛   may you find happiness,  then.   ❜       she ends up saying instead.  what to say,  exactly,  during a toast is new to her,  but a thought easily comes to mind.

i hope you can smile from the bottom of your heart someday.

( and ...  she really ought to apologize for being so greedy too,  someday. )

No he really doesn’t. There are enemies he would be far happier to walk into battle against than hear the words that might spew from her observations. Instead he lets laughter trickle from his lips, the kind that sounds genuine to all but the practiced ear, used to sweep the conversation on and leave the old one behind. It’s melodic in comparison to her own, yet stops before complete as her words fall between them in haste.

Another gulp of wine. He always hated the honesty of his own reflection.

The silence that settles is uncomfortable, not so dissimilar from a creeping frost steadily moving up the length of a spine, but he cannot bring himself to quip and make light of the exchange immediately, the cold analysis catching him offguard enough that it is another mouthful of wine before he can bring his smile back again.

“Worried, about little old me? Now, there’s no need to fret. My liver is hardy enough to endure a glass or two. I did grow up in a Winery, after all…” This is easier, jibing at her concern rather than carrying the weight of the words that are offered. A tactic to keep light what might be considered serious, to waft away the unwarranted and give him his peace. “Come now, no need to be so harsh on yourself. You can consider the past as important as you like. I find myself caring less for it each day.” Lie. “Seems silly burdening oneself with all that extra weight.” Lie. “And I’m far too busy with my work.” Lie.

He swirls his glass, watches the dandelion wine swish within and tips it towards her in a toast, albeit a muted facsimile of one. “Though I suppose, you should follow whatever makes you happy…” Truth.

[muffindaddystyles]

KISMETS (Part 3)

Harry Styles x Preggs Fem!Reader.

Frenmies to lovers to parents, Dadthon!!H

Oral Smut, dirty talk and teasing.

Angst! Angst and fluff!! N' tooth rotting fluff.

Dadrry, bestie!h, boyfriend!h

Author's Note: The concept's kinda weird but if you've watched F.R.I.E.N.D.S and Phoebe Buffay carrying child for someone. You've got it my pal!

MASTERLIST PART 1 PART 2 LETS TALK/ ASK

The morning light cocoons them with softness and they don't care if they're sitting in a pool of blood.

"I love you too, so much." She hiccups pacifying down not wanting to never be to able say them again as Harry runs a hand at her back, limbs still tangled with eachother, whispering sweet things to her while Miss. Dori pulled her placenta out, "Y/N?" He panics when she dulls in his arms head lulling at his shoulder and heartbeat slowing down to feeble line. Gently pulling his face out from the cave of her neck he pats her cheek worriedly, again, at her unconscious state, her head dangling back over his wrist, "Y/N!?" His heart squeezing tight miserably into his ribcages when she doesn't respond to his calls.

Or

Harry and Y/N are back being to besties and enjoying being pregnant together.

Warning: Mentions of blood, pregnancy trauma and natural childbirth hurdles.

//

Eyes gives it all. Even the hidden treasures get's looted from the mere mistake of someone's gaze just like right now when he's pretending to be confused as ever, "what? Called her myself . . ." He frowns and she sniffs frozen in her position feeling exposed from the vulnerability of being naked infront of him; tries to cover herself criss-crossing her arms over her chest.

"Why'd you d'that?" She hiccups wiping her blushed nose and his pupils bursts wide into realization. Immediately, cradles her face tenderly stroking the apple of her cheeks shaking his head vigorously, "Oh -— no. no. no baby told her to come over to take her leftover stuff if not I better give it to charity."

"O . . okay." She sucks in a breather. Without a word he removes hers arms away in a gesture that you never need to hide from me. Kisses her shoulder blade stroking her wrists and her pulse in circles.

"Don't cry, lil penguin. Why're ye' cryin'?" He asks in his most gentle voice feathering her cheek with the back of his hand, "'m . . . 'm scared." She tries to recoup her cries holding her breath causing her cheeks to puff like a fish.

"Let's get you cleaned warm and nice. Then we'll talk yeah lovie?" He slides her elbows behind his neck holding her strongly to walk them to his bedroom. Gives her a bath full of vanilla bubbles, essential oils, scrubbed her back and would trail kisses up her belly from under water making her giggle and weave her fingers into his own wet curls.

Him loving all three of them's the most adorable thing.

Got her ready for mid-nap with his sweater and boxers putting fur pads atop her ears, aloe fused socks on her feet and turning the heat a bit to sleepy temperature. Tucks a quilt under their chins and snuggles her closer to himself letting herself calm to his heartbeats before she speaks her heart out to him, "wanna talk? What you're scared of babe tell me all of it. Knows that I'll handle." He slips further into bed bringing her thigh around his torso and her head atop his buff chest.

She exhales loudly trying to subside the emotional feeling of crying along with each word that comes out of her mouth. Her bad habbit of grounding everything to the pit of her stomach until it blasts into a massive destruction always gets her into worst scenarios.

"'M worried about alot of things –- actually." She peeks up at him and he's already looking down at her genuinely with relaxed self to let her know that nothing has changes and he's still her bestfriend who'd wait for her till she manages to speak, "about what?" He encourages her petting down her hair.

"Everything like 'like future . . 'n — me being a good mum after all of that 'm uni too. . . the semester would start right after the month of my delivery." She furls her toes to keep her anxiety at bay level cocooning her womb cause she feels the safest with the assurement of her babies being with her, "about my career and what about me dreams? What if I'll never get to chase 'em?" He listens to her diligently boring his gaze to the way her lips mold with each word. Sighs gently rubbing her arms up and down salutating his palm around the side of her neck to tip her face towards him. His lips lingers at her temple murmuring against it, "Together we're gonna do this."

"You're gonna be the kindest and bestest mommy ever Y/N. I belive in ye' and about your dreams. I'll take care that nothing comes in the way to stop ya . . You'll attend UNI same as before 'cause 'm takin' a break to be with our babies till your done with your degree." He declares to her seriously and honestly running his hand all over her spine to assure her in every way possible, locking his ankles with her under the sheets.

"'M a big boy now! A daddy to two babies don't underestimate me miss gremlin!" He grins impishly smushing his cheeks into her side wide spreading his palm atop her tummy warmly with bare fingers, "'kay gotcha!" She giggles cuddling into him with droopy eyes inhaling the same scent she's lathered in from the sweet spot of his neck.

//

She wakes up in the evening satisfied and happy with the nap marks, sweaty baby hairs, a bit of drool at the corner of her mouth and Harry already awake but still spooning her. He's her pregnancy pillow.

Covers her mouth with his pinky and ring finger when she yawns cutely stretching beneath him slowly blinking. Proper stops with his intense loving gaze still on her and blushes hard when he pecks her dry lips after sleep. Her chest heaves with his kisses and snogs trailing down between the valley of her breasts making her card her fingers through his chocolate curls. Whimpers ever hoarsely raising her hips in air for some friction and to levitate the throb in between her legs asking for him to release the ache away.

He takes the hint scooching closer to her side nudging her knees wide stroking the flesh of her thighs with tickling pinches. She whines fisting sheets with yearning arch of her back, "insatiable lil thing aren't ya?" He gives a toothy grin wetting his lips making her pause in her heave of getting his fingers instead flickering her vision over his candy plush lips.

"Kiss me?" She whispers and how couldn't he when she's looking this soft, warm and full of blush from the nap. He was litreally nutters for not ever pondering over the thought how alluring and attractiveness her satiny features hold, "'course darlin'." He tips her chin towards himself letting her sweet cushiony lips fuse against his's into an ardent kiss shooting her libidos 100 times higher than before making her moan pathetically into his mouth.

Her forearms winding around his shoulders instinctively and exhales through her nose not pulling away from the kiss and squeaks lowly when he bites her lower lip pulling away, "'ve got asthma y'mad mad woman." He gapes down at her dramatically fiddling with the bow of her panties. They skim down to her mound feeling the slickness that has spread all around and the rough trim of hair, "and I've got an extravagant sex drive!" It whisks into a breathy gasp of dense air when he slid his digits in between her slick folds flickering her swollen clitoris and repeating till she's panting for more.

"Sad innit? 'S me fault. I should be the one to help my girl out." He mutters trailing sweet kisses down her swollen belly to her pelvis snapping the elastic with his teeth causing her to jolt under his firm hold. She's too floaty else the statement of him claiming her would have swiped her away into a paradise of never ending imaginations.

"Mhmp. What did ya had fo' lunch lovie'?" He licks her juices off from the inside of her thighs sending intense quivers to her core. His palms smoothes under her thighs to hike them up and over his shoulders nipping at her skin when all she did was responded with a gasp, "d- dunno forgot . ." He perks his brows to his forehead commenting playfully while dipping down to tickle her with his curls.

"Pregnancy made ye' loose your braincells, moppet?" She raises her hand to smack him at head instead tugs his hair when for finally he flattens his tongue thickly against her wet cunt to give a good mind boggling lick sucking her clitoris in the way, "asshole. . ." She moans squirming like leaf under him but he quites her by taking her sensitive nub between his teeth to give a little graze and pull. It makes her pussy lips flutter and her hole leak with so much wetness it sticks to Harry's chin.

"H – ha . . rry. Harry." She tries to grind her hips against his mouth but he tuts brushing his pads around her dripping hole to tease her, "yes baby?" Groans of annoyance fills the room and she shoves her face into the pillow bitting down the snarky insults thrown at the curly head.

"Not gonna give ye' me fingers till you ask fo' it." He smooches wet filthy kisses letting her stickiness coat his lips stirring a ball of fire in her pit, "shut up." She whines nudging him with her knee telling him to do something to relax her.

"Make me." He smirks tilting his head to suck her petal fold creating dirty seductive noises on purpose. She huffs taking the matters into her hands pulling him up towards her by a hard grip onto his hair, "ouch ouch!!" He quips shutting his eyes tight.

"Harry Styles you make me cum or I'm never letting you fuck me ever." She glares him and he gives out a defeated sigh naughtiness still lurking in his moss of irises, "bossy – kay! Sorry! Was kiddin' babe. 'M all here to please ye'." She nods her head curtly shoving him back down and he giggles at her when in an instant from an angry lil penguin she melted into a mush of gooe when Harry thrusted two fingers at once inside her curving them once they were buried snug deep.

"Yes. Yes. Yes." She gasps moving her hips along him that he stayed in his place eating her out while his fingers pushed in and out of her tight pussy with squelching noises, "fuckin' tight urghh." He grits rubbing her clit into harsh circles with his other hand, mouth on her cunt and fingers fucking her continuously.

"Want more?" He asks and she bobs her head not even processing what he said almost loosing the idea of her presence feeling too much ecastasy and over the clouds, "here take as much as ye' want baby." He slips another third finger admiring the way her pussy stretches swallowing his fingers, "'m gonna lick your little wet cunt off then clean it with me filthy tongue to make a mess of ye' all over again filling you full with me cock. Sounds good baby?" He knows she's the shy lil bean and his sweet enthusiastic words of vulgarism heats her up enough.

"Gonna come. Harry --" She tips her head down and back in air eyes rolling into her sockets. Harry rubs her outer thighs soothing her thrashing body, "shhh baby relax. You can cum on me fingers." She obliges him softening in his arms and her pussy makes soppy noises gushing with each wave of pleasure throbbing around his digits while he works her out to make her feel as giddy as he could, "That's it baby girl. That's it cum fo' me again?" He prods at the sponge of bump inside her seething through her twitching walls making it impossible for him to pull out and tent his cock against the bed leaving a spot of how turned on he's at the moment.

But, his first-most priority is her. It always was her maybe more than Chessie

"Happy my lil lioness?" He comes back on top of her arms digged on either side of her temple and she tries to squint from one eye pulling him to herself planting a rewarding kiss at his cheek, "how 'bout a pizza from Tommy's place?" He lays ontop of her (like half ontop of her and half on his side; just to share her warmth).

"Can I have an extra topping of olives, pretttyy pleaseee?" She makes a weird funny face to convince him, "but you're allergic to 'em." He frowns sitting up thumb hovering over the contacts popping on the screen. He has everything memorized she's allergic to; it's not much peanuts, olives and clay dough ( she claims that she ate it once when she was possibly 5 and it swelled her flesh up ) not that she's gonna nip at it now but Harry couldn't trust her cravings at all.

"But 'm craving them sooo baddd." She clutches the hem of his tattered shirt pouting but he retorts with the shake of his head intervining their fingers together to kiss her knuckles, "Nope moppet. We don't need another hospital visit at fou' in the morning like last time, do we?" She remembers it. A very angry Chessie at his doorsteps while he helped her walk inside this home post hospital visit.

"I hate this." She huffs folding her arms against her chest, "I know. How about we delay getting y'sick once babies are out?"

"You kidding?" Her mouth slacks turning into a widespread grin at last, "absolutely not. Pizza without olives yeah?" He smacks a kiss against her open mouth loudly before his phones rings at the pizza place.

//

Harry's the busy bee. From grocery shopping to making the list of all the organic food he needs to line up his pantry with, he took everything's responsibility on himself. Cause mama has a huge duty for wrapping two babies in her womb safe and heated. Even when she tries to bend down to put a plate in dishwasher he skates near her supporting her back and scolding her, "all you've t'do is eat and nap. Dunno fucks count 'cause we fuck alot — chill sweet baby. 'switch onto telly 'm bringing banana milk and cookies." She pouts because she doesn't want to be a burden on him. She wants to suspect any tiredness from his features — the way he's been on his trippy toes for her from eight and half months but how much she tries she couldn't instead he looks way more giggly and joyful than before with never ending dad jokes and teasing bum pats.

They indeed fuck alot. Harry loves that she's always sleepy and clingy — he thinks he's truly, deeply and madly in love with his lil penguin but they're in the middle of train's track whose destination is atlast confession of love but he wants to wait. He can't wait though. He's always been impatient and light from stomach can't sleep at night without sharing a word of his swimming thought with anyone. He shared it with Nialler, it was at three in the morning after Y/N sucked his cock dry with so much admiration for his prick he was bout to cry and blurt out but he didn't. Cuddled with her and oreo practically on his face then ringed his lad startling him up, "why did ya wake me up fo' something we all already know Harold? Do I've to teach ya lessons cause now that would be a shame to your kiddos." He grunted dropping the call leaving Harry baffled and alone to his thoughts again.

"Sweet angel . . " He cooes jarring the door to his room with his foot. She has moved in to his house, from guest room to his room and his heart. Told him she didn't like sleeping alone and gets the most amazing slumber squished up against his chest in his arms. He was ardent that she completes him. He's right. She does. Always had but this time it's till they're getting old and wrinkly.

Lilac walls glow from the telly's illumination and the flicker of light from their open wardrobe. His ears perks at a repulsive groan and his brows dips to tune into the situation, "what are ye' doin', pet?" He asks confused at the sight of Y/N in a funny position with a razor in her hand standing in the middle of their wardrobe trying to duck and see through her huge bump.

"'M tryin' to shave me legs — seems impossible though." She throws her head back to convey her annoyance and Harry chuckles placing the banana milk and the plate of dark chocolate cookies atop the drawer island taking her wrist which's holding onto the razor, "you don't 'ave to it's just a maternity shoot –- no biggie, moppet." She huffs. Their faces at level and intimately close to have a good stare in eachother's eyes.

"No biggie!? it's the first time I'll get to have someone take me pictures, all, personally fo' me." Her smile pouty as she tries not to break her disgruntled facade down.

"How 'bout the times, I was a victim of ye'r endless pictures taking sessions?" He squints down at her. Hands out of instinct fumbling by her sides to feel her warmth on his skin, "you were sooo shittt at that job."

"Kay, kay then, lemme just –- hand this razor, I'll shave ye'r legs pretty girl." Happily she shoves it in his grip while he knees down hiking her leg ontop of his knee. His pink tongue popping out in concentration. She trusts him in this because last time he was the one to shave herdown there. Taking a sip of her banana milk she taps the straw against his lips speaking, "a bestie in need is a bestie indeed." With his eyes on her ankle and his pretty hands which could make her come infinite times right now working so diligently, He gives her a high five taking a sip himself.

She breaks a cookie forwarding it to Harry and he looks up — so being all dramatic she acts shy and blushy turning her gaze away in a swift, "what baby?" He laughs putting her other foot on his knee his grip tight around her ankle.

"Don't stare at me calves like that you creep." He wipes away the crumbs from his lips giggling and making her giggle, "I've literally shaved your cooch days before." She jabs her big-toe against his nipple getting a high pitched squeak from a grown ass man in return.

"I hate you!" She says through the spurt of chuckles and his response in return turned both of them silent, "I know ye' love me." Their cheeks blazed. Eyes twinkling. Hearts doing lil dance dance but nobody from them tries to break the comforting silence knowing they'd word vomit the instant they'd.

They say "I love you." And "love you." in their normal routines without making it a mess of shyness. But the butterflies at that specific moment when the epiphany dawns on the pair that they really are in love with eachother makes their tummies float in void with butterflies.

"All done!" He announces enthusiastically kissing her knee like she's a princess in distress and the words burns at the plush of her lips, "love you."

"You too, lil penguin." He smiles boyishly.

"Oh fuck, I forgot we're gonna have shoot in our pyjamas." She yells in a low hum and he rolls his eyes slapping her ass, "rotten you're."

"Oopsies."

//

A maternity shoot in their back garden along oreo never seemed this fun when they were gushing about it days prior. Nialler gifted them cute baby pink coloured matching pyjamas with yellow peaches pattern, mommy and daddy embroidered on them. They even matched some fluffy kitten hats too!! A pair of yellow and pink with kitten ears with goggly eyes, big cheshire that of Oreo.

Their close friend Onna was all up for the shoot and nothing's more adorable than Harry's soft hands around Y/N's belly in a protective way, while they sat on the fluffy growing grass and cotton flowers. Her back resting against his taught chest, his legs wrapped on either side of her and oreo almost stretching atop her bump quenching loud belly ache laughs from them.

"Two pictures 'n 'm already tiredd, pff." She gasps shuffling a little to activate her sore bum and Harry pecks her shoulder cutely, "some more 'cause you'll grump later." Onna captures each every second of their tooth rotting interaction.

"Oi. I'll not!!" To avoid a banter Harry taps her chin pointing towards the camera speaking, "last one doll, one to show that we really are pregnant." Onna's laughing at their techniques. Shaking her head with each shot of overloaded sweetness she traps in her camera.

"I. Am. Indeed. Pregnant. Pet." She looks down with wide eyes rubbing her prodding tummy in circles, the top button litreally about to pop and Harry's face adorns with a naughty grin showing his bunny teeth, "Me too!!" He squeals rubbing his moth covered belly the same way she's doing and it sent both girls into fits of laughters.

"Sillllyyyyy." She sing-songs throwing an arm around the nape of his neck to bring him closer and smooch a loving kiss to his cheek, "you're gonna be the best dad." She whispers eyes closing into the diameter of his scent and he rests his lips against her forehead. Onna having a smile of adoration for her friends while she did her job, laying down to capture this one beautifully.

"Yeah?" His voice just audible to them. "Uhmm." She nods fiddling with the collar of his pyjamas and their bubbles pops when oreo tugs at Y/N's top revealing her graceful babies bump.

"You batty creature!!" She tries to grab oreo to smoosh her in her arms but oreo gallops miles away before it could happen.

//

The whole last night Y/N couldn't sleep. Tossing and turning with whines of complaints to a snoring Harry on her side. When Harry woke up she was already staring him like an owl scaring the poor thing, cause it wasn't a loving one. It was a proper creeping stare with baggy eyes and pouty lips, "can we have 'em out already?" She snuggles into his throat and he massages her head.

"In a week." He grogs out stroking his cheek against her's, "Have ya taken out all the required papers?" He asks her and she nods with a yawn. Today's the enrollment day for Y/N's next semester -- Harry will go to her UNI to talk to the administration instead of her.

"I'll be back in no time, till then try havin' a good rest, want some donughts from that one shop near ye'r UNI?" He thumbs at her baby locks. She shakes her head murmuring into his flimsy sweat shirt, "not feeling like it." Dunno what happened. She was alright after for finally her sickness went away but today she feels like shit because of her Braxton hicks climbing to painful peak.

Kissing her head last time he untangles himself to get ready and she watches him buttoning up his cuffs with his curl dangling over his eyes, he's looking handsome and a bit too out of her league with the crisp white shirt and chequered trousers.

He squats down pecking her lips. Her nostrils filling with cinnamon ocean-y smell soothing the tick of her nerves. Her body reacting to even the air pricking at her skin, "don't miss me too much, lil penguin." He gives her an eskimo kiss knowing she's feeling down and tired today the way she has her face squished into pillow and isn't trying even to cup his cheeks like she does everytime he leaves for something.

He puts her phone on the nightstand tugging her under the sheets, switching off the lamp and slowly exists the room not to disturb her. She doesn't know when he leaves but the pin-drop silence tells it all and she's half conscious half awake with fluttering eyelids.

She turns on her back with a groan to get rid of the dull ache in her pelvis and outer thighs — but then she feels something . . . . something wet between down there and it makes her snap open her eyes blinking blankly at the ceiling. Tries not to think of bad scenarios but it's otherwise.

"Holy cow of jesus." She fists the pillow under her sitting up with much difficulty and to her worst horrors the sheets are sploched badly. She stands up with her spine almost bending in two — staying calm and positive even when a heavy gush of water trickles down her legs soaking the rug. It has nothing attractive in it as they show in movies but rather feels like a dam leaking and a litreal adult peeing in their gowns.

She snatches the phone from nightstand putting a firm arm beneath her belly walking out of room, her maternity floral white gown clinging to her skin. A tinge of shock weaved through her bones but that didn't made her loose her balance. She wants to throw the phone against the wall when the line always beeps busy, "already missin — " his honey of voice bringing tears in her eyes.

"Get your ass back home!! Right fuckin' now!" She yells into speaker trudging forward with carefull steps. He pushes onto breaks hard, panicking into his seat, "What happened!?" He's quick in turning gears speeding back home. Her lips wobbles blue from pain and the unbearable throb between her thighs. Words struck in her throat as she tries to speak gripping the globe of stair railing leaning against it when a hard contraction striked against her spine.

"'M going into labour — " Harry's heart falls into his arse. His vision blurring from the intensity of the moment and he's thanking Gods for being five minute drive away from home. How many times they prepared for this time it all went in vain and now Harry's beating himself for leaving her side at all, "'m comin' home, it's okay baby, it's okay breath." His lips stammers from an invisible fear and fingers twitches around the wheel.

Wanted to shout at him "breath, my ass." Instead She gasps loudly in fright when she feels her cervix dilating to the maximum point and it did the last fireworks for her tears, "no, no, noo!!"

"'M giving birth!!" She shouts kissing her teeth together to keep the pain at the bay hooking a thumb into her panties, scrunching her dress up to press them under her armpits and squatting down with the heels of her palms pressed with so much strength over the last stair case, "what? oh my — 'm calling our midwife." She can feel a head trying to force it's way out from her vagina and it rakes out a sob from her chest.

"Please be gentle with mommy, 'm coming." Harry says and it comes out as a weak whisper while he drives sitting on the edge of the seat and Y/N's ears are ringing with white noise to even pay attention to what he's saying. Her gown drenching with sweat and she screamed at the top of her lungs pushing with her all might scaring a sleepy oreo in her bassinet, "Shit." He mutters tugging his curls back immediately calling their midwife. He wishes his babies could atleast wait for him to be there with their momma.

"Miss. Dori !! Y/N has gone into labour, 'm out, dunno —---" There's loud urgent shuffling on her side that of picking stuff and closing metal boxes as she assures Harry with firmness, "I'll be there in just 10 minutes, till then reach there as quick as possible. She needs you Mr. Styles." It collects sweat at the dip of his spine sky rocketing his anxiety. His breath elevating at the sight of his society's gate and if it was possible he'd have flown to her.

Parking hastily on the side of road and leaving his car's door open — dishelved he steps outside almost falling square on his face while the old couple that use to sit at their porch in mornings watch him with concern, "Is everythin' alright son?"

They ask and Harry nods yelling to them, "Y/N is in labour!!" His face blowing out of any color when his ears fills with painful screams of his lil penguin and his fingers jumbles with keys unlocking the door.

It's surreal. The realization not completely setting in that all of this's happening right at this moment, that he's going to be a daddy in some hours, Y/N hunched over the bottom stair squatting down with thighs wide apart and her gown soaked against her back. His breath knocks out of his lungs and eyes bursts into shock when he sees his baby's head pushing it's way out in between her legs.

"I can see it's head! I can see it's head oh m'godness." He announces rushing towards her and Miss. Dori guides him, "Harry help her pull it out, cup the baby's head and if it's shoulders are grab-able, have it out." He places the phone atop the stair sitting down beside Y/N kissing the side of her head quickly wiping her tears away.

"Hi baby, it'll be alright, 'm here now let's pull our bubba out mighty quick." He presses his chest to floor to look down there and if Y/N would have been in her good state of mind she'd have butt him in not to. His brows kinks tightly together as he tries to concentrate and not to pass out from the sight of blood and his blood covered infant half hanging in it's mother's v.

Gently he wraps his shivering palm around it's head and shoulder moreso figuring out if it could itself comes out, "push a bit more, moppet." She shakes her head furiously crying and trying with all her will, "It's hurts!!" He wishes the process wasn't that painful.

"I know, I know baby —- oh okay okay! We got him." He cackles through his worry taking him all out and in his arms having a good grip around it's tiny waist fearing it would slip. Y/N takes a huge sigh of relief muscles loosening and shoulders slumping. She could hear him sniffing close to her with little noises despite of how much she wants to hug him, she still has another one to bring out in the world.

"It's Elios." He grins with ablazed glossy eyes stroking his tweeny baby hair back. Though his excitement shatters into pieces as he cries to Miss. Dori, "He's not breathin, n'--not breathin' what do I do??" He has switched into his fight and flight mode. Fat tears spilling down his cheeks. Y/N wants to have him in her arms and make sure her baby's healthy but a hard contraction makes her bones jello with her another baby trying to pop out.

"Calm down Mr. Styles, Is his cord wrapped 'round his neck?" When Harry couldn't mutter a single word just shaking his head ear to ear staring down his little one with fear and sadness, Y/N screams for him, "No!!"

"It's nothin', clean his nose, it's probably some clotting blocking his breathing passage." Harry acts on her instruction without wasting a time and the threshold's walls bounced with prattle of his low coarse cries, "Oh my god!!" Harry gasps holding his baby boy closer to his chest not giving two fucks if his shirt and skin stains with thick blood.

In the meantime Miss. Dori and her assistant nurse tramps through their door. Cutting the cord Nurse takes Elios from Harry's arms and takes him for a cleanup as Harry leads her to their nursery. When he comes back Miss. Dori has their other bubba already out and it's worth watching him flying into clouds of paradise, full of glee, happiness, so much happiness has never experienced before.

"Hi. Victoria." He keeps his voice soft if she's a chinese porcelain doll and would break in his arms. He loves his son to core but the way his heart just swirled with fondness and love for his daughter the second she was layed into his embrace was something else. He's tender with her and from just gazing her it spurt out a sob from the deepest of his tummy, "she was so stubborn to come out rather than his brother." Miss. Dori tells him and his head perks up with proud adoration. Handing her to nurse he turns his gaze back to his exhausted lil penguin leaning against the wall now. And scoots closer to his bestfriend, the love of his life and the mother of his babies.

Hugging her warmly and affectionately, winding his arm around the nape of her neck to smoosh her into his chest while she cries against his throat. Being tender and the softest yet sweetest he could be with her, pressing his lips against her ear to whisper words that made her cry even more loudly into his bicep, "I love you, I love you more than anythin' in the world, 'm s' soo proud of ye' baby, me soulmate and the love of me life. I promise to love you forever and infinity." The world blurs around them and their heartbeats latches to sync in with eachother. The morning light cocoons them with softness and they don't care if they're sitting in a pool of blood, mess of the beautiful birth of their gorgeous twins.

"I love you too, so much." She hiccups pacifying down not wanting to never be able say them again as Harry runs a hand at her back, limbs still tangled with eachother, whispering sweet things to her while Miss. Dori pulled her placenta out, "Y/N?" He panics when she dulls in his arms head lulling at his shoulder and heartbeat slowing down to feeble a line. Gently pulling his face out from the cave of her neck he pats her cheek worriedly, again, at her unconscious state, her head dangling back over his wrist, "Y/N!?" His heart squeezing tight miserably into his ribcages when she doesn't respond to his calls.

"'M listenin', pet." She whispers smiling weakly and Harry's lungs nourishes with air, "Scared me baby love." He hugs her again with a wobbling pout and this time she tries to console him.

"Y'okay baby? Should we go to hospital? It's better if —--"

"'M okay!!" She simpers kissing the dip of his collarbone. Carefully he smoothes an arm down her back and knees picking her up bridal style to take her to their bathroom for a hot nice bath full of essential oils. He caress her face, trailing his knuckles down her cheeks, gazing her fondly while sitting down on the floor beside her with his one hand inside the warm water to lull around her calves.

"I love you, you've given me such beautiful babies. 'Ave ye seen Tori ? She's a proper you, that lil bunny mouth of yours, aish." He giggles and she squeezes his fingers in a silent gesture to tell him how happy she's. Drying her clean with a towel and moisturizing her body, making her wear her comfortable gown.

When he tucks her under sheets she babbles with droopy eyelids and tired body, "can I see my babies?" He smauches a kiss against her forehead, "After a teeny rest, yeah angel?" But, she was already out like a bulb making him chuckle softly.

//

Miss. Dori left the kind nurse behind with them till Y/N wakes up and with her help Harry lays down the twins on either side of their mommy. Deeply pondering how lucky he's to have his family completed and healthy, tucked into their mother's armpits.

He giggles and holds his breath in awe when Elio wriggles in his blanket, scootes his bum closer when Y/N yawns and stretches, "how ye' feelin'?" He brushes her loose tresses back and she nods attempting to sit up.

"Good." Thanking him when he gets comfy amount of pillows behind her, "wanna hold them?" He asks as she ducks down to kiss both of their soft skins.

"'M arms are still shakin' . ." She chuckles, "no biggie, I'll help ya out, a bestie in need is a bestie indeed." She giggles loudly startling Tori and Harry hushes her comically scooching behind her embracing her in a heated wrap from behind chin resting over her shoulder, "shh, gotta be quite with this one — such a light sleeper bub."

"This's Victoria Anne Styles and Elios Vincent Styles." He supports her one forearm with his's under: giving Elio to her and having Tori in his other, "are you presenting them to me as some kind of award for my bravery, pet?" She nudges him playfully and he shrugs his shoulders nonchalantly.

"Such nice awards, innit?" He gives her an eskimo kiss and she puckers her lips asking for a loving smooch of his candy lips, "absolutely."

//

They took their first nap together with Harry and Y/N on either side of bed with their babies in the middle of their warmth just like a nest of sparrows, safe, comfy and utterly snuggly with the couple protecting their dainty creatures of soft flesh from the storms of outside.

"C'mere baby . . " Harry usheres Oreo with the snap of his thumb as she tries to canoodle into the soles of his feet tickling him and she obliges his tone, "Good girl . ." His own voice tired petting her crown when she turns into a lil ball of fur beside Tori who's sleeping at her daddy's side, being ever hesitant and carefull with them making Harry smile at her thinking of giving her treats in dinner.

He almost slips from under the sheets when a shriek of cry jolts him awake and it's Tori crying loudly thrashing under the blanket while her brother kept on sleeping stretched over his mommy's chest, head tucked under her chin.

Ah! Here comes the real deal. Daddy Harry's about to face real challenges 'cause we all know he once promised that he's a big boy now, innit?

[justcourttee]

hiiiii i don't know if you take prompts or requests or anything, but would you maybe consider writing a sequel to A Moment Too Late? maybe with a happy ending? i love your writing!!

I tried for what I’ll call a happy-ish ending, but I hope you still enjoy it! 

*WARNING* This piece and part 1 mention attempted suicide and can be difficult for some. Please, please, please be sure you feel comfortable reading about this topic before clicking below the title. 

In The Nick of Time

Damian took his first step into the city of love at 4:00 pm.  

He had a general idea of where to begin, but the combination of no sleep and jet lag was taking its toll. He had tried reaching out to her several times on the flight over, but she ignored his every effort. It could have just been the fact that she was in her classes. She may have been suicidal, but maybe she still took her education seriously?

It wasn’t likely, but it helped put his mind at some ease, hoping he still had time. His first order of business was renting a car. Technically speaking, his father had a villa on the outskirts of the city with a multitude of cars to pick from, but seeing as no one knew where he was, he wasn’t eager to tip them off.

He gazed over the taxis lined up, eagerly looking to take advantage of the tourists piling out of the airport behind him. He didn’t want someone to eager, he just needed someone who looked on the brim of exhaustion. His eyes landed on a poor man propped against his car, his eyes drooping like Tim before his first cup of the day. Perfect.

“Excuse me sir, but I’d like to rent your car from you for the day.”

The man peeked one eye open as he glanced warily over Damian.

“Scram kid, it’s a package deal, me and my car. You can’t just rent one or the other-”

Damian smirked as the man snatched the bundle of money from his hand, popping off the taxi light that stood on top of his car. As Damian slipped into the driver’s seat, he motioned for the man to step back over.

“Here’s a couple of extra bills to catch yourself a taxi home.”

The man’s mouth gaped as if he was searching for air underwater. Damian didn’t even bother to see if he would step back from the curb as he pulled off. The one benefit of the agonizing six-hour flight was Tim’s laptop. Damian had managed to hack into each of the high schools around the city until he narrowed it down to three Marinette’s. After looking at approximate ages and distance, he assumed she had to be the first; one Marinette Dupain-Cheng.

Her family owned a bakery a little less than a mile from the high school and on the off chance she hadn’t stayed for any clubs or activities, she should be arriving there at any moment. Damian tapped the address into his phone ignoring the multitude of messages he had between his father and Dick.

It was a simple fifteen-minute drive from the airport.

Damian exhaled sharply as he sped down the exit. Fifteen minutes was enough time. It had to be enough time. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  .

“Welcome to the bakery! Is there anything I can interest you to today?”

The woman’s face wore a mixture of fake smiles and exhaustion. It might’ve been enough to fool the average customer, but to Damian, she simply looked one gust of wind from collapsing.

“Uhm, I’m looking for Marinette? Marinette Dupain-Cheng? Is she here?”

Instantly her fake smile dropped and the exhaustion settled into the creases of her face. There wasn’t even a hint of worry at the mention of her daughter’s name from a stranger’s mouth. It irritated him.

“Look, whatever she did now, we don’t have any money for a settlement. Maybe you can work out a deal with her, but we have nothing more to give.”

The woman offered him a half bow before pointing him to a small door at the back of the store. He assumed she meant for him to go through it and without another word, he stepped past her. As he made his way up the countless stairs, his irritation only grew.

He was well aware that there were parents out there indifferent to their children, but his soulmate wasn’t supposed to have one. She was always so happy and carefree when they were younger, abusing the bond whenever she could. He assumed it was because her parents had drilled into her that it was within her right too. But after that short interaction, he wasn’t so sure anymore.

Finally, a white door came into view. Hesitantly, he reached out the knob twisting without resistance. Inside was a moderate flat with what appeared to be an attic access. As first impressions went, he thought it seemed like a warm and gentle place to grow up in. Very different from the windowless stone building he began in.

He slipped out of his shoes, placing them beside a pair of light pink ballet flats before taking his first step. Someone was home and by the looks of it, it should be his soulmate. Damian contemplated on whether to call out or not. He didn’t want to frighten her, but he thought it might be worse if he just opened random doors instead. Finally, he settled on attempting their soulmate link once more.

“Marinette? Are you there?”

There was no answer, but he couldn’t be sure if that was just the continued strike from his earlier efforts. Tentatively, he took another step forward, his eyes scanning the apartment. It was pretty much an open concept, so he could see everything quite easily. The only thing that eluded him was the staircase leading above.

That had to be where she was.

“Marinette? That’s how you pronounce your name, right?” Damian sucked in a breath, resisting the urge to hit himself. No matter how he intended it, he sounded like he was some stalker here to kidnap her. “I’m not here to hurt you, I just wanted to talk.”

It didn’t sound any better. Maybe he should've stuck with a gentle introduction through their bond. Speaking out loud only reminded him how terrible he was with people. Animals were easier. Everything that needed to be said could be expressed through body language.

Biting the bullet, he decided it couldn’t get any worse than barging straight up the staircase into the attic. As he pushed open the access, the first thought that crossed his mind was-

“A mess,” clothes were strewn across the floor, remnants of paper scattered within the piles. The walls were a soft pink at one point, but it looked as if someone had taken a paint scraper to them, mere flakes hanging on by a thread. For such a well-put-together apartment, the room almost seemed abandoned.

Pulling himself into the room, Damian left his legs to dangle, his toes longing for the security of the stairs just below him. It didn't seem that she was in here either. He remembered passing another floor, perhaps that was also part of their apartment? Just as he decided to plant his feet back onto the sturdy steps, his fingers brushed over one of the scraps of paper he had seen earlier.

Instinctively, he pulled his hand away from the floor, his eyebrows furrowing. Damian was fairly certain that wasn’t how paper should feel. Reaching back out, he gathered a few nearby scraps. Turning them over one by one, a picture began to form. A group of girls, all laughing completely lost in a moment of time. His curiosity bested him as he pulled himself into the room, gathering each of the scraps he could find.

A half dozen photos was all he could form by the time he collected the larger pieces. Most were group shots, but two were of a blonde guy. Upon further analysis, he determined that he was the son of the fashion dictator Gabriel Agreste. He had seen the boy at a couple of Bruce’s international parties.

Perhaps she thought he was attractive? After all, the photos seemed to be ripped from a magazine, unlike the other four. As he glanced around the room once more, he felt like he had finally found a straw to grasp at. A reason she dropped so far, so fast.

But as much as he gathered from her room, he still had no idea as to where she might be. Her shoes were at the door, but it didn’t seem as if she was anywhere in the apartment. Standing slowly, Damian took a step back toward the access he had entered through when a breeze tickled the back of his neck.

His entire body stiffened as his hand moved slowly to where he kept his emergency kunai.

“Is that you, Marinette? If so, you’re pretty good at masking your presence. I didn’t even sense you approaching.”

There was no response, but now that he knew she was there, it was easier to pick up on her shallow breathing. In one swift movement, Damian flicked his wrist backward, ducking to avoid any retaliation.

A soft grunt earned a glance backward, his eyes widening a bit at the sight. She hadn’t even tried to dodge it. Lodged into her right shoulder was his kunai, and just below it, centimeters away from her heart, was a pocket knife. A bright pink light blinded him and instinctively his arms darted out. When he could see again, a petite figure rested against his frame.

“Marinette?” She was unresponsive, a deep ruby dripping from her wounds. “Marinette!”

What was this panic he felt rising? He’d seen comrades die on the battlefield before, wounds more deadly than this. So why couldn’t he move? Logically, he knew he had to act fast, but his body wouldn’t inch.

“You’re her soulmate, right? Do something!” Damian’s head snapped up, but he couldn’t find where the voice came from. Whoever it was, it was enough to break whatever daze he had fallen into.

“Okay Marinette, I have basic medical training and I can patch you, slow the bleeding, but I can’t remove either blade. Do you understand? I’m going to have to move you, quickly and as stable as possible.” Her breathing was shallow, but her eyelids flickered in what he hoped was a response. As gently as her could, he lifted her into his arms, attempting to avoid moving either stab wound. Her soft grunt pulled at his heart. “Hold on a little longer Marinette, please, I need to apologize.”

The stairs were one agonizing moment after another and as he laid her into the backseat of his rented car, he felt winded himself. Sliding into the driver’s seat, Damian quickly pulled out his phone, cursing as it slid through his hands.

“Dammit, where did it fall?” He frantically searched, his heart rate rising with every passing moment. Was this the world’s way of punishing him? He killed and fought and argued every passing moment of his life. He pushed her away and now that he thought he was making a change, he could just waltz back into her life as if nothing had happened? He wasn’t going to make it.

“Just drive, I’ll guide you.” Had he finally lost it? It was the same imaginary voice he had heard before. Perhaps it was his subconscious, a guardian angel? Could he really trust it? “Drive boy, take a left at the stop sign.”

He couldn’t afford to wait another moment so he did what felt most logical; he drove. The drive was killing him, each painful breath becoming slower, a dagger to his heart as they escaped from her mouth.

“Just leave the car in the front, save my friend.” The only thing keeping him going was the voice.

Damian had barely parked, his feet already slamming on the pavement before the engine had stopped. Gathering her into his arms, he burst through the sliding doors, the fear rising in his throat.

“Help! I need help!” He knew his French was rusty, but he had to try. The nurse tentatively approached him, her gasp needing no explanation. A stretcher was rushed, and as they ripped her from his arms, Damian couldn’t help the anger he felt.

“Be careful with her! She’s going to die if they shift too much!” A security guard stepped over, his hands raised as if he meant to calm Damian. He took another step forward, trying to grip Damian’s arm. “What are you doing? I need to be with her! Marinette I’m right here! Can’t you hear me? I need you Marinette! Please don’t leave me!”

Damian watched as they placed the stethoscope on her chest, grim expressions hastening their step.

“Don’t look at her like that! Help her! Please!” It felt as if his lungs were collapsing, his vision blurring. Why was he reacting like this? He barely knew her. In fact, this was his first time ever seeing her.

“Sir, please calm down. They are treating your friend right now, the best thing you can do for her is sit and wait.”

The man led him to a couch where his legs finally caved, his back sinking into the chair. Damian lifted his hands to his face, wiping the tears he hadn’t even realized he had cried, but it only left his cheeks damper than before. Slowly, he pulled back his hands, his stomach plummeting. There wasn’t an inch of skin left uncovered by the red.

“Oh, oh,” Had he really not noticed how much blood she had lost? He was so focused on getting her here that he didn’t even consider if she would make it. “I thought I could make it, I thought I still had time.”

Damian recognized this feeling rising in his chest. It was the same as when he collapsed on the roof, the same as when he heard from her after so many years of silence. Was this what his mother meant by a soulmate bond being a distraction?

He had never understood why people took the insane challenge of fighting his Grandfather for a chance to leave the league in search of their soulmate. If he was honest, he thought it was a pointless endeavor and he couldn’t begin to imagine how someone believed they could pull it off. But, as his chest tightened with the rising waves of nausea, a realization washed over him.

A soulmate bond was so powerful that even if you just met them, you felt the need to protect them, to care for them. You became vulnerable for them, scared to lose them, terrified of how the world would be without them. It was a terrible weakness and a strong ally.

“Can you walk to the bathroom?” Damian felt his head stir, but it was as if it were being pulled by strings, out of his control. “I’ll explain everything if you could just meet me there.”

How could this voice be so all-knowing? Hadn’t it just surfaced from his subconscious as a way to kickstart his movement again? Yet, if that were the case, why did he find himself rising, stumbling toward the bathroom in a daze?

He slipped into the closest stall, collapsing against the door, the minute it locked. Why did he feel so drained? It was less than 500 feet.

“Do you need to sit down? I know that this must be hard on you.”

Damian’s eyes scanned the stall in search of a source for the voice, but alas, he came up with nothing. Sliding to the ground, he chuckled to himself, his hand clutching his shirt.

“I’ve finally lost it. Todd told me this day would come, but how could a dumbass like him even know?”

“You haven’t lost anything, I’m right in front of you, you just have to push through the veil.”

Damian perked up, squinting his eyes at the space directly in front of him. Slowly, but surely, his eyes focused on a red blur until the floating object came into full view.

“Holy shi-” Two paw-like things pressed his lips together, a disapproving look monopolizing its small face.

“Can you keep it down? And what’s with all this foul language? I can’t say I approve of you being my Chosen’s soulmate with a mouth like that.”

It floated a few inches away, crossing its arms as if trying to push the point across. Damian tried to swallow, but his mouth was dry. He was positive that he hadn’t had anything. Perhaps this was one of those sleepless hallucinations that Drake constantly rambled on about?

“I know that look, I’m not a hallucination, I’m a kwamii! My name is Tikki and I am Marinette’s partner. Together, we merge to become the superheroine of Paris, Ladybug.”

Ladybug? He had heard Bruce mention a Parisian team. They asked for any heroes to stay out of Paris as their villain was one that manipulated emotions, turning his victims into puppets of his own bidding. No wonder Bruce and Dick were blowing up his phone. They weren’t just worried about him running off, they were also worried about him breaking an international treaty.

Damian blinked slowly as he processed the image in front of him. Kwamiis. He had heard the legend of them back when he was apart of the League of Assassins, but he had no idea they truly existed. Why was his soulmate in possession of the most powerful being in the world?

“It’s a long story soulmate of the Chosen. I have traveled long and wide and have had many wielders before, but never one as capable as Marinette. When I first found myself as her partner, she was clumsy and shy, but so friendly and kind, always going out of her way to help people. Together, we defeated the original Hawkmoth, but in the battle, his kwamii was reclaimed by one of his partners and a new Lady Hawk emerged.”

“Why are you telling me this?” The kwamii shot him a questioning look as if the answer was obvious.

“I’m trying to give you the full picture of where it all began. You blame yourself as the catalyst, but you were only a small stepping stone in her downfall, almost not worth mentioning.”

Damian felt an odd swelling in his chest. It almost felt like, relief? Had he really been this worried that he had pushed her down this path? A lonesome tear trickled from his eye, but he was quick to snatch away.

“Marinette had friends, a boyfriend even. She wasn’t completely lost without a soulmate. After all, her parents weren’t soulmates, and her best friend was rejected by their soulmate too. She was happy.” The kwamii paused, her smile reminiscing before it slowly morphed into a frown. But it all changed when a wretched girl transferred into her middle school.”

“Just one girl changed everything?”

The kwamii nodded, small tears forming.

“She was the real catalyst. The reason everything fell apart.”

Damian lost track of how long he sat listening to the small God. When he stood to return to the waiting room, he couldn’t help but clench his fist in an attempt to calm himself. Marinette had to pull through, she just had to. Damian had to show her that there was more to life than this shitty one in Paris. He had to rescue her like his family had for him.

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

It was 36 hours before he was allowed back to see her.

She had been lucky, the knife had missed her vital organs and even though it had punctured her lung, she seemed to be on track for a full recovery, one that she needed to take slowly. Damian dealt with the police on her behalf and thanks to Tikki’s information, he was able to help them identify the mugger.

Tikki had gone ahead to talk to Marinette and to give him time to freshen up. He didn’t have much, but the little he had packed at least got him fresh clothing, clothing not stained with her blood. Alfred would not be happy with him once he returned.

Damian was unsure how to approach her. He had found some flowers in the gift shop he thought were nice and some chocolates as well. But as he stood in front of her hospital room, he realized he hadn’t figured out the first thing he should say to her.

I’m sorry? No, that sounded too arrogant after everything she had been through. My name’s Damian, I saved your life? No, that would be condescending. God, he really hated talking to people.

“Are you going to come in or just sit outside all day?” Her voice sent shivers down his spine. She hadn’t always been this cold, but he couldn’t blame her.

Hesitantly, he reached out, a sheepish smile tugging at his lips. She looked angry, slight red emphasized on her pale skin, the dark circles under her eyes protruding as if they dared him to comment on them. There were a million and one wires and tubes poking out in different directions, some hooked to machines, some to random bags of fluid.

Yet, despite all of it, she still looked absolutely stunning.

“Well, sit down or something. You’re creeping me out just standing there.”

Damian shuffled awkwardly to the opposite side of her bed, his legs wobbling as he lowered himself into the chair.

“Uhm, I brought you some flowers-”

“I hate the color white.” Damian felt his eyebrow twitch, but he tried his best to hold back the expression he felt. Gently, he reached back, setting the flowers on the windowsill.

“I-Uhm-I also brought you some chocolat-”

“I’m on a liquid-only diet for the next two weeks.”

Damian could feel the red rushing to his face as he breathed deeply. He knew there was a chance that she would be spiteful, but he hadn’t been completely ready for it. His fuse was short, even if it was his soulmate, he wasn’t sure he could contain the explosion.

“Are you feeling any better?” Marinette scoffed, her eyes never leaving her hands.

“Did you fly all the way to Paris for small talk Damian?” He wasn’t sure how to respond, knowing his next words might be his last. “Ask what you really want to. Like why did I detransform before trying to face the mugger? Or why have I tried to kill myself multiple times even if each time ended in failure?”

“I-”

“Ask me why all my friends left me. Ask me why my master chose the easy way out, forgetting everything before passing on weeks later without even a single message about his death from him or his girlfriend. Ask me why I hate life so much that I just don’t see the reason in living anymore. Ask me if I think you’ll change my mind! Spoiler alert! You won’-”

“God woman, do you ever shut up? Give me five damn seconds to get my thoughts together.”

Damian instantly felt the eyes of Tikki fall upon him, the anger draining from his body only to be replaced by his rising fear. He felt the apology building up, but before he could even let the first word spill out, a bitter laugh cut him off.

“Yeah, I do shut up. But only sometimes. I figured Tikki told you everything. I also figured you’d have questions. I’m not interested in telling my sob story over again and I’m not interested in some knight in shining armor swooping in to save me, Got it?”

Damian tried to speak, but it was as if his voice were caught in his throat. What could he say to her? He wasn’t trying to be her knight? He didn’t need her explanations? Everything sounded so thoughtless, but he couldn’t string together one coherent and earnest sentence to save his life.

“What I am interested in is your nonsensical shouting. You ‘need me’? You just met me, how do you know that you need me?”

If he wasn’t already as red as a tomato, he was certain that was how he looked now.

“I,” he cleared his voice, praying to whatever was listening to keep the crack away, “I just had this feeling swell up in my chest seeing you like that. I was terrified and it scared me. It scared me to feel that way about someone who I had just laid eyes on. I had heard about soulmate bonds and how they affect you. They can strengthen you, but they can also be your downfall. I needed to get to know you, to know how our bond would affect me.”

He paused, the feeling of her eyes on him choking him up.

“I, uh, I know it’s selfish, but I couldn’t let you die. You don’t have to believe me, you don’t even have to listen to me, but I have been where you are before. But before I could even make my first attempt, I had a group of people come into my life, people who lifted me up and saved me. I was scared that you didn’t have that and I arrogantly believed I could do that for you. I’m truly sorry Marinette,  but I refuse to apologize for saving your life. If I could, I would do it over and over and over again as many times as it takes until you decide to keep living.”

The silence was deafening. Even if she just yelled at him and told him to leave, he would take it over this quiet. He didn’t dare look up, he barely felt the urge to breathe. It was as if everything fiber in him was holding their breath, waiting to hear her response, any response.

“You’re really not gonna leave me alone, huh?”

Her voice sounded tight as if she were holding back tears. The urge surged through him to reach forward and pull her into a hug, but he contained himself, defaulting to a simple nod instead. Again, the silence followed, but he was patient. He would wait all day if it meant hearing her speak again.

“Fine. I’m not guaranteeing a damn thing, but I can offer you a start.”

“A start?” Damian risked a small glance up, his heart racing at the sight. She was smiling, a genuine smile. It looked out of place among her tear-stained face, but he would be lying if he didn’t say it was the most beautiful sight he had ever seen.

“Yeah, apparently I’m going to need someone to stay by my side 24/7 when they release me. Someone to take care of me. A stay-at-home nurse if you will. So, I nominate you, Damian. Your response?”

“Absolutely, it would be my honor.” His reply was instant, his smile unwavering even after she chucked her pillow at him, cussing him out in a manner that Todd would be proud of.

Yes, it was just a start. Yes, it didn't mean anything was fixed. But, there was one thing that put his heart at ease.

He wasn’t too late.

No, in fact, he was just in time to save her life. And at that very moment, he vowed to never wait till it was almost too late again.

Despite everything that had happened, he decided he could live with that.

Permanent Tag List:

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[sideprince]

I didn't say it was right, I merely suggested putting things in the context of their own time period. I didn't say anything was morally correct, in fact I didn't qualify the suggestion to contextualize in any way, so please stop assuming bad faith where there is none. I'll say what I've often said on other posts - the Snapedom is FULL of people with various kinds of trauma, so please pause, take a deep breath, and tread more lightly before you jump to conclusions like this, because you don't know whose trauma you're triggering when you react carelessly.

If you want to write a critically considered post about unethical behaviors in adults in the HP series, draw parallels to British public schools and parenting trends in the 90s, and discuss whether those practices are abusive in the context of their time and how we understand abuse now, go off. There's a lot to delve into there. And that's without even touching on the author of the books who left an abusive marriage only to use her fame and wealth to attack a marginalized group on a mass scale in a way that reflects a lot of abusive behaviors.

But learn to use language correctly. No, most adults in the HP world are not "abusers." Many of them exhibit abusive behaviors, but there's a significant difference between people who enact abusive behaviors that are enabled and taught by cultural norms, and people who are actual abusers and deliberately exploit their power over others in order to control and harm those they make vulnerable. The Dursleys were abusers. McGonaggall was not. The Weasleys were not. The latter two display careless, thoughtless behaviors that they are able to because of their varying levels of authority over children, but they don't do so in ways that circumscribe a child abuser. Your clappy hand emoji isn't cute or witty. It's sarcastic and condescending and even though I don't think I have to share my personal experiences with a stranger on the internet for any reason, I also haven't spent the last two decades of my life working through abuse trauma to get schooled by someone who doesn't know me, doesn't understand the words and concepts they're talking about, and is unwarrantedly rude and dismissive in the tags.

When you write a post where you use language about abuse, you're going to get reactions from people who have experienced it and know it first hand. Because what you're doing is minimizing that experience and trivializing it. And hey, I don't know you, and I don't know whether you have your own trauma or if it's rooted in abuse too, and for all I know you process it differently from me, and who am I to judge that? But that doesn't change my own emotional reaction to this thread, which is that the second you go from discussing abusive behaviors to calling people abusers, you're walking on eggshells. And by stating that "every adult in a position of authority besides Ron’s parents are child abusers" you're trivializing the meaning of what an abuser is, which is both insulting to people like me and also makes it harder for everyone who reads your post to understand what abuse looks like in real, tangible ways. And that's how real abusers fly under the radar and get away with it - when the people around them don't know how to identify their behavior.

You don't have to agree with me, but I feel it's reasonable to expect that you engage respectfully. Either you want me to take your post seriously or you don't. Either that last comment was an exaggeration, as you say, in which case the shitpost meme I added was in the same vein, or you were serious, in which case my points stand. It costs you nothing to say what you wanted to politely, or to just message me and ask what I meant before going off like you did. And if that comment was indeed an exaggeration, then that is indeed triviliazing actual abuse and the trauma experienced by abuse victims. It's one thing to do that thoughtlessly and be unaware, but I find it really offensive to get a condescending lecture in response to my reaction which, given the content of the post and my own experiences, was much more tame and respectful than yours has been.

So I will repeat: I suggested putting things in the context of their time period. That doesn't mean "accept things as they were." It means "please think critically about why this character was written in the way they were and what the author might be trying to say, what world they're describing, or what it might say about the author." I'm sorry if that intention was confusing, and there are ways to clear up that confusion without condescending statements like "repeat after me babe" and clappy hands emojis. Putting comments like "please get a life" in the tags is unnecessary and childish. Putting quotes around words that weren't in my tags (ie. "that's how it was") as if I'd said them is unfair and presumptuous as well as misleading to others. When you jump to conclusions and try to educate someone on something you don't understand, they aren't the one who looks foolish.

If I'd wanted to add to this discussion I would have added to the thread, and not left my suggestion about context in the tags. With all due respect (and again, I acknowledge that I don't know your own history and experiences and don't want to make assumptions about them, this is merely my own gut reaction), from where I stand if you understood abuse - real, actual, harmful, trauma inducing abuse - I think you might have approached this thread differently.

Wondering how many just comfortably forgot that McGonagall put Neville's life in risk in his third year?

He 'lost' his list of passwords (Crookshanks stole it) which resulted in Sirius getting in the dorms.

When Neville confessed it was his - she turned to all the students and told them to not dare tell him the password. He was dependent on others letting him in (after Sirius already got into the castle and could very much do so again).

It came to a point where the trio were sneaking out - and walked on Neville sleeping at the entrance.

Now not even speaking on how they didn't notice Neville was not on the dorms, or that the prefect didn't check on him, or Percy who was a head boy - but his own Head of House who told everyone to not give him the password didn't even check of he got in.

He was basically forced to stay out of a safe place (also denying him proper sleeping and access to his belongings and to sanitary necessities) - while there's a supposed mass murderer trying to get to Harry - who's in the Gryffindor dorms.

She was risking his life in their eyes not knowing Sirius is innocent.

Yet somehow Snape is worse then her for telling Neville he's going to feed his toad whatever he brewed.

Good to know.

[ya-girl-mc]

Back Pain

Character: Oikawa Tooru × Fem Reader

Concept: Oikawa's been working a bit too hard lately. Y/N decides to reward his efforts with a massage, but she winds up getting turned on instead (smut with some fluff 👌)

⚠️ Warning: Sexual content (read at your own discretion)

A/N: Back at it again with a smut fic this time feat. our golden boi Oikawa 😏 Hope you’ll enjoy this one!!

☆☆ Another self-indulgent Haikyuu!! Fanfiction ☆☆

Y/N-chan! Was finally able to free up some time for the weekend. Want to come over? Friday night sound good?

I have the house to myself the entire weekend, btw 😋

Y/N re-read the message over and over again, her heart thumping in anticipation at the suggestive undertones it conveyed. It's been quite a while since her and Oikawa began dating, however, with the additional academic load that came with being a third-year student and with his responsibilities as Aoba Johsai's volleyball team captain, the couple barely had time to spend with one another, much to their dismay.

Jumping at the extremely rare opportunity to spend an entire weekend alone with him, Y/N momentarily shifted her attention from her homework and quickly typed up a reply, trying her hardest not to seem too eager at his invitation.

Okay, sounds great to me! Will let my parents know. See u Friday night 😊 Love you.

Hitting the 'send' button, Y/N leant back on her desk chair and stared at the night sky beyond her bedroom window, her thoughts now preoccupied with the prospect of finally spending some much-needed alone time with her significant other.

*****

Friday night came faster than she expected. After successfully turning in all of her weekly assignments and enduring an extensive parental discussion on sexual intimacy and the like, Y/N eagerly stood at the doorstep of the Oikawa residence, the remnants of "the talk" she had just received from her parents making her cringe. Having dated Oikawa for quite some time now, this was not completely new territory for her and while she appreciated their parenting efforts, the thought of them having been privy to her dating life had always made her shudder.

The door finally opened and before she could open her mouth to speak, a weary-looking Oikawa swiftly gathered her into his arms, ushering both of them into his home as he did. "Ahhh Y/N-chan, finally! What took you so long?" He whined, burying his face in the crook of her neck.

Reveling in the all-too familiar warmth that both of them had missed, she returned his hug with as much vigor. "Sorry, I got kinda held up back at home. Don't ask why."

Tightening his arms around his girlfriend, Oikawa brought his lips up to her ear, his voice dropping to a mere whisper. "I missed you, it's been too long."

"We see each other at school, Tooru," she teased, refraining herself from shuddering appreciatively at his hushed words.

Oikawa chuckled and lifted his head from her shoulder. Meeting her gaze, he smiled at her tenderly. "You know what I mean."

Despite the multitude of responsibilities he juggles on a daily, Oikawa does his utmost best to balance it with his relationship, yet there were still instances that neither of them could make time for the other. However, the perfect opportunity seemed to have presented itself with his parents embarking on an out-of-town trip for the weekend, and as it aligned with his scheduled day-off from his coaching duties at the Lil Tykes Volleyball Classroom, he was resolute on finally spending the weekend with her to make up for lost time.

And yes...he invited Y/N with every intention to show her just how much he missed her.

Leading her into his empty home, Y/N followed suit as Oikawa headed towards the kitchen. Observing him further as he moved about, she noticed something slightly amiss with his gait as he rummaged around to find her something to drink. "Hey Tooru, are you in any pain of some sort?"

"Well...a little," he admitted sheepishly as he handed her a glass of water. "I guess I was too excited that you were coming over, so I didn't get to properly stretch after training...my lower back kind of hurts."

Y/N sighed and shot him a narrowed look, recounting on all the times she reminded him to take extra care of himself. But, after hearing such an adorable reason, she couldn't bring herself to give him another long-winded lecture on the importance of self-care and instead, an idea came to her. "I think I might be able to help you out with that."

*****

"Are you sure you want to do this?" Oikawa watched as Y/N lit several scented candles scattered around his room. Joining him from where he sat atop his bed, she lit the last candle on his bedside table and shot him a gentle smile.

"Yeah, you've been working too hard lately. A massage is the least I can do for you."

The fragrance and gentle glow that emanated from the candles was starting to get to him, and while Oikawa admittedly thought of something naughty when she suggested to give him a massage, he felt himself starting to relax for the first time in a while. "Thanks, just when I thought I'd finally be able to spoil you, I ended up getting pampered instead."

"You need to let yourself be pampered every now and then. So anyway, can you take off your shirt and lie down on your stomach?"

Oikawa heeded her instructions and peeled off his shirt, providing her with a wonderful view of his toned torso. Now only clad in his boxers, Y/N immediately averted her gaze to stop herself from staring as she reached for a bottle of lotion. As Oikawa lay on his stomach, she couldn't help but marvel at the muscles that flexed on his shoulders as he readjusted his position.

Damn it, he's too beautiful, it's unfair. God, I don't know what I did to deserve a man like this but thank you so so much.

Finally composing herself, Y/N rubbed a dollop of lotion on her hands and proceeded to knead the skin on his back, applying an ample amount of pressure on his shoulder blades. As soon as she increased the pressure, he slightly flinched, causing her to cease her actions. "Sorry, did it hurt?"

Oikawa shook his head. "I'm good. Keep going."

Taking it as a signal to continue, Y/N began applying even more pressure as she moved her hands lower, her eyes transfixed on the smooth planes of muscle on his back. As soon as she reached the problem spot on his lower back, Oikawa grimaced. "Y-yeah right there. It really does kind of hurt so please be gentle."

"Got it." Heeding his instructions, she refocused her attention on his lower back, feeling just how tense his muscles were. After gently massaging the area, she slightly increased the pressure as she began using the balls of her wrists. All of a sudden, Oikawa let out an involuntary moan which caught Y/N off guard, her heart pounding rather intensely as her face began flaming up. Trying to purge the dirty thoughts that began to invade her mind, she steeled herself and continued the massage, and unfortunately for her, so did his moaning.

It was definitely starting to get to Y/N as she felt an all-too familiar tightening sensation in her core. As Oikawa continued to express just how much he enjoyed the massage, she fidgeted uncomfortably and forced herself to divert her attention from the growing wetness between her legs.

Am I seriously getting turned on by this? God, how creepy of me! Although in my defense, we haven't had sex and/or gotten intimate in a while, so maybe I'm just backed up? Ugh come on, Y/N, concentrate!

Trying as best as she can to ignore her growing arousal, Y/N forced herself to continue with the massage, however, as soon as her hands began kneading his sides, Oikawa let out a throaty groan of pleasure. "Yeah, there. Harder, please," he instructed, seemingly oblivious to how turned on she had gotten, much to her chagrin.

Y/N bit her lip and willed herself to calm down, but as his moans intensified, her hands' movements gradually became sloppy as she began to succumb to her growing desire. Having decided that enough was enough, she ceased her actions and groaned in frustration, taking in a lungful of air as she pressed her forehead on Oikawa's back.

He shifted slightly and craned his neck, prompting Y/N to lift her head and fixate her gaze on his. "What is it? Are you tired?" The innocence was palpable in his tone, but unbeknownst to Y/N, Oikawa had already caught on to what has gotten her bothered; however, he wanted to hear her actually say it.

She shook her head in response, portraying just how turned on she was by pressing kisses across his back. "You seriously have no idea, huh?"

Oikawa continued to feign innocence, however, his heart began thumping uncontrollably at how even more irresistible his girlfriend had gotten when she was upfront about her desires. "What do you mean, Y/N-chan?"

Swallowing hard at how unbelievably sexy her name sounded as it left his lips, she began leaving a trail of love bites and made her way towards his neck. "Truth is, I'm feeling kind of hot and bothered over here hearing you moan like that." Her lips continued their path as they finally reached the spot behind his ear. Oikawa's breathing hitched as she whimpered, earning a shudder from him. "Tooru...please?"

It was definitely more than what he bargained for, and unable to stave off his own desires, Oikawa had her pinned her down in a flash, his brown eyes darkening with lust as he looked her up and down. "Sorry, Y/N-chan. But what makes you think that I wouldn't know what turns my girlfriend on?"

Her eyes widened as she eventually caught on. "You...you did that on purpose!"

Throwing him the harshest glare that she could muster, it only fueled his desire to take her then and there, yet he held himself back, well-aware that his patience will be rewarded handsomely. "Let me make it up to you."

Oikawa's lips immediately went for her neck, his fingers sliding up underneath her shirt to caress the bare skin of her stomach. He lightly trailed his fingers across her midriff, the subtle contact a stark contrast to the relentless attack his lips made on her neck. Moaning at the sensations she craved for so long, Y/N's hips bucked from the bed, allowing Oikawa to get even closer to her.

With her legs spread wide open, he shuffled closer and pressed his growing erection against her thigh, her cheeks immediately heating up as she felt how hard he had gotten. She begged him to touch her elsewhere, but he made no attempt in doing so, his lips and fingers still remaining in the same spots.

He's still teasing me...! The nerve of this - 

Thoroughly frustrated, Y/N lifted his head from her neck and glared at him. "Just kiss me, damn it!" She forcefully pressed their lips together, taking Oikawa initially by surprise, but he returned her kiss with as much vigor. She opened her mouth willingly, allowing his tongue to enter and explore the entirety of her mouth.

The sopping noises their kisses made and their lustful moans filled every crevice of his bedroom. As Oikawa ground his hips even harder against hers, he began nibbling on her lower lip, causing her to slightly wince and pull away. Both their chests heaved, and Y/N took the opportunity to scan her eyes up and down his body as she licked her lips appreciatively, the toned muscles adorning his torso a manifestation of years of arduous training and hard work.

"Now this is unfair," Oikawa stated, causing Y/N to shiver at how unbelievably sexy his voice had gotten. He began pulling at the jean shorts she wore, his eyes mirroring the insurmountable desire in hers. "Take these off. I need to see you."

She immediately blushed as he drew back slightly, his expectant eyes keen on watching her every move. She couldn't help but notice how he was being a tad aggressive than usual, not that she minded in the very least. Too abashed to meet his gaze, Y/N proceeded to slowly discard every article of clothing she had and Oikawa felt himself grow even harder as she eventually laid bare beneath him.

The adoration and tenderness in his gaze was palpable as he looked her up and down; he couldn't seem to get used to how simply gorgeous she was, and this was all for him - only him - to see. Her eyes were still downcast, well-aware at how intense he looked at her. "Y/N-chan," he called out gently and brushed his lips against her cheek in an attempt to get her to look at him. "What are you suddenly getting so shy for?"

"D-don't make me say it, idiot!" She practically yelled out, hiding her reddened face from view as Oikawa merely chuckled at her flustered state.

"Can I touch you? I can, right?" He whispered in her ear, goosebumps prickling all over her skin. Unable to respond, Y/N managed to nod as she finally brought up her eyes to meet his. The desire in them which reflected his own - he couldn't help but shiver in pleasure as well. "Good girl," he praised, smiling down at her affectionately.

Joining their lips once more, the kiss they shared was unbearably sweet, their lips moving ardently with one another. Oikawa's slender fingers began to explore the entirety of her body, marveling at how soft her skin felt. He moved his lips along the path his fingers made, leaving a trail of heat in their wake. Without heeding her any warning, he took one of her nipples in his mouth, the abrupt sensation a contrast to his gentle caresses, causing her to gasp. "T-tooru!"

Hearing her moan his name only encouraged him further as he brought up his free hand to toy with her other nipple. It was just too much, it felt too damn good that Y/N thought that she was about to lose it then and there, however, Oikawa was far from being done, his fingers eventually wandering down to her inner thigh. In anticipation for what's to come, she slightly raised her hips, granting him permission. At her gesture, he slowly slid one of his fingers inside, his eyes widening at how soaked she had become. "Did you like massaging me that much?"

Her fingers gripped his chestnut brown locks, the overwhelming amount of pleasure too great to bear as she struggled to reply in-between gasps. "C-can you blame me? It's been a while since we-"

"Yeah, I know. I could say the same." Slipping another finger in, Oikawa began stroking her insides, his lips once more joining with hers as he swallowed the high-pitched moans she let out. She was unbelievably warm and tight, the wetness that clung to his fingers making his shaft throb rather painfully. Fighting with the urge to simply put it in, he took his time to stretch her out in preparation.

His fingers' ministrations had only intensified as he eventually began caressing her sweet spot, her entire body beginning to shake at the relentless pleasure he gave her. Y/N's hips began to involuntarily thrust with his fingers' movements, allowing them to go even deeper.

"T-Tooru.. I'm close...!" She gasped out, her insides tightening further as he mercilessly stroked her harder. However, Oikawa abruptly retracted his fingers, denying her of her long-awaited release. Y/N looked at him incredulously as her chest heaved, her eyes welling up with tears due to pleasure and frustration. "Why did you stop?"

"Sorry. I'm sorry," he cooed as he smoothed her hair away from her face, his lips pecking hers gently. "I can't let you come, not just yet. I can make you feel good even more."

Oikawa's hushed words held so much promise for what's to come. However, still reeling from the aftermath of his relentless teasing, Y/N decided to retaliate as she reached for the waistband of his boxers. In one smooth motion, she slipped her hand inside and stroked his length, shivering in pleasure as she felt just how aroused he was.

"A-Ahh...no, Y/N-chan. Don't!" Oikawa whimpered, his head falling onto her shoulder to stifle the lewd noises he made. He made no move to stop her though, and hearing him gasping in her ear only encouraged her further as she was resolute on pleasuring him this time. Quickening her hand's movements, Y/N began pumping harder, Oikawa's hips involuntarily jerking towards her.

She could tell that he was close. His hands gripped the sheets tightly, his body beginning to tremble at the sensations she induced in him. Running her thumb across the tip, he groaned in response, his lips making their way to her ear. "I-I'm close. Please stop...!"

"I don't think you really want that," she retorted playfully, completely lost in her own passion as she witnessed him becoming undone. "It's fine. Just come, Tooru."

Her words seemed to have finally pushed him over the edge and with a few quick strokes, he finally came, spilling himself onto her hand. He looked breathtaking as he did; his usually tousled hair now disheveled, his eyes squeezed shut, and his bottom lip in his teeth as he tried to hold back the lewd sounds he was making. Seeing him completely engulfed in his passion was a stark contrast to his usual flippant persona; it was one of the reasons why Y/N truly treasured such raw moments with him.

Panting slightly as he came down from his high, Oikawa recollected himself and reached for a towel, hastily wiping her hand clean. "Seriously, my girlfriend is such a handful."

"I don't know if you intended that pun, but you're welcome," she cheekily responded, wrapping her arms around Oikawa and pulling him close to her. They shared a brief moment of much-needed tranquility, listening to each other's steady heartbeats as they held one another. "I love you, Tooru."

He had heard those words countless times now, yet it still managed to make his heart race, making it always seem like he was hearing it for the first time. "I love you too, Y/N-chan. But I'm afraid to say that we're far from done."

"I was hoping you'd say that," she giggled as she noticed him growing hard once more. Pecking her lips, Oikawa reached for his drawer and rummaged around for a condom. He grabbed one and proceeded to put it on, pulling Y/N up to a sitting position once he was fully sheathed. Leaning back on the headboard, he pulled her onto his lap, helping her adjust her position as she straddled him.

Oikawa grinned mischievously as he smoothed her hair away from her face, his hands proceeding to gently grip her waist to provide support. "You wanted to reward me for working hard, right? How about you be on top tonight?"

Y/N audibly gulped. His offer was definitely appealing, however, a thought had occurred to her amid her muddled state-of-mind. "Wait, how about your back? Won't it hurt more?"

"You're here naked before me, ready to take me in. I can't be bothered about something as trivial as that."

Oikawa's blunt statement caused her breathing to hitch, her heart close to bursting at the raw passion and need it conveyed. Smirking slightly at her flustered state, he leant back and looked at her expectantly, making no attempt to move whatsoever. It didn't take long for Y/N to catch on to what he was expecting her to do.

Ugh, he's really being a bit mean tonight. Well...no complaints over here, though.

Oikawa watched as she tried to position herself, her hands gripping his shoulders for support. Lifting her hips up slightly, Y/N proceeded to lower herself onto him, unable to control the moans that slipped from her lips as she slowly adjusted to his girth. He bit his lip as she continued to take him in, the breathtaking sight pushing him on the verge of coming once more.

Shit...this is too hot.

With a thrust of her hips, Oikawa finally entered her, both of them moaning in pleasure at the sensation of him reaching the deepest parts of her. Y/N panted, her hips shifting as she lets herself become accustomed to the intrusion of his length. It had been a while after all, and she still couldn't seem to get used to how he manages to fit inside her given his rather remarkable size.

"Ugh...shit. Y/N-chan, are you okay?" Oikawa gasped out, peering at her in concern.

"Y-yeah, give me a sec." She shifted about on his lap, allowing him to reach even deeper spots inside her. Urgently joining their lips together, Y/N proceeded to take the lead as she thrust her hips, both of them swallowing each other's moans. It was uncomfortable at first, but the pleasure of their joined bodies overwhelmed both of their senses. In-between kisses, Oikawa took the opportunity to take the sight of his significant other before him, his own eyes beginning to well up with tears at the passion and love he felt for her.

"Tooru...can you go harder too?" She whimpered, the movement of her hips becoming more urgent and abrupt.

There's nothing that he would want more than to abide by her request and make a mess out of her. But, gathering all the willpower that he could muster, he shook his head in defiance. "N-no, we haven't done it in a while, I don't want to hurt you."

Completely overwhelmed with lust, Y/N stilled her movements and whispered directly into his ear. "Yeah that's right, we haven't done it in a while. So stop holding back and compensate me for it."

It was all the confirmation Oikawa needed as he felt himself grow even harder inside her. Something snapped in him as he smirked mischievously, his hands gripping her thighs tightly. "Saying things like that to rile me up, what am I going to do with you?"

Y/N barely had any time to process his words as Oikawa pushed her down once more. With their positions reversed, he made no move to pull out as he lifted her legs and wrapped them around his waist, allowing him to go even deeper than before. She yelped at the sudden sensation, her hands seeking out his neck to pull him closer to her. The overwhelming amount of pleasure had almost rendered her speechless as tears began to spill from her eyes. "This is what you wanted, right?" Oikawa questioned breathlessly, his hips snapping forward.

It was indescribable. Thrusting rhythmically, they succumbed to the passion as they continued to make love and pretty soon, Y/N felt her release fast-approaching once more. "T-tooru, I'm...wait!"

"Sorry, Y/N-chan. It's too late for that!" He increased his pace and began thrusting wilder then ever before, her legs tightening around his waist as her fingernails scraped across his back. It seemed like it hurt, but it only encouraged Oikawa further as he continued to make love to her relentlessly, showering her face and neck with kisses as he did.

They exchanged whispered words that affirmed their love for each other, and it wasn't long before he felt his own release building up as well. "T-tooru...!" She gasped, completely overcome with the ecstasy she felt. Gritting his teeth, he locked his gaze with hers and watched as she finally climaxed, her eyes squeezing shut as she thrust her hips along with his, riding out her release.

The sight of her coming undone below him, it was just too much. Oikawa gasped out her name as he did one final thrust, moaning uncontrollably as he felt himself coming as well. He couldn't help but collapse on top of her, the after-effects of the passion they shared evident in their languid bodies. He lifted his head and found Y/N smiling fondly at him, a dazed yet utterly adorable expression on her face. Returning her smile with a dopey one of his own, Oikawa proceeded to shower her face with kisses as he slowly pulled out of her.

As Y/N laid on his bed, her mind and body still reeling from the mind blowing sex they had just experienced, Oikawa grabbed some clean towels and proceeded to carefully clean her as he followed suit. He gently lifted and laid her next to him, throwing the covers over their naked bodies as they snuggled closer to each other. "Thank you, Tooru," she murmured appreciatively, his arms wrapping around her.

Despite their earlier passion, Oikawa couldn't help the feelings of guilt that started to well up within him. "Y/N-chan, I'm really sorry that I couldn't make enough time for you. But I promise that I'll keep on making an effort, who knows when we'd have another chance like this?"

Her heart clenched. She knew that his previous break-up was still fresh in his mind, and it was one of the reasons that drove Oikawa to near desperation in always making time for Y/N, fearing that she would eventually break up with him for the same reason. But, she didn't want that tying him down, especially seeing how much passion he had for volleyball and how much he worked harder than anyone else; she would want nothing more than to help him understand that.

Y/N reached over and tenderly swept his hair away from his face, his brown eyes wavering as they peered at her. "Of course there are times that I miss you. But you do your thing because you love it and you work harder than anyone else I know, so I just can't take that away from you. Seeing you work hard and do your best - if it makes you happy, then I'm happy too."

Oikawa's eyes widened as he digested Y/N's reassuring words, his heart overwhelmed with how much love he felt for her. "Y/N-chan..." He managed to choke out, completely at a loss on what to say.

I don't know what I did to deserve someone like her but thank You, whoever You are, for bringing her to me.

"But I swear to God, Oikawa Tooru. You better take extra care of yourself, alright? Or else I'm really going to kill you."

Oikawa couldn't help but let out a carefree laugh at her threat. Pulling his most precious person closer into his arms, he placed a gentle kiss atop her pouted lips. "Okay, okay. I'll keep that in mind."

[medicallyinevitable]

Medically Inevitable

Chapter 15:- Hopeful Happenings

Characters:- Arielle Valentine, Ethan Ramsey, Ines Delarosa, Kyra Santana

Pairing:- Ethan Ramsey x Arielle Valentine

Warnings:- Slight mentions of cancer

Word Count:- 1700+ words :)

General PoV:-

As the sun shines bright in the late morning, Arielle parks her car and heads straight towards Edenbrook’s locker room, a to-go cup in hand from Starbucks instead of Derry Roasters not wanting any chance to bump into Dr. Ramsey, despite knowing that he’s her boss. Making her way to the nurses’ station, she picks up her charts and textbooks and heads toward the cafeteria.

Arielle’s PoV:-

You keep at your textbooks, scouring the pages for anything that could explain Nigel's symptoms, and the tidal wave of self-doubt doesn’t help either. You let out a sigh, "Maybe Dr. Ramsey's right. Maybe I really don't belong here..."

"Mind if I join you?" A cheery voice snaps you back to reality.

You turn around to find Kyra. Dread fills in you as you see her. "Kyra, what are you doing here? Is your cancer back? Is something wrong?", you start asking.

"Woah! Dial down the doom and gloom there, Dr. Sob Emoji. I'm in remission." Kyra beams.

"What?! Oh my god congratulations! I’m so happy for you!" You envelope her in a warm hug which almost melts all your tension away.

"Just had another check-up. Will be coming a lot for those," she catches you up with her remission plan as you two sit. "No offense but I definitely look in better shape than you!"

"Ugh I know. I'm exhausted.” And just like that, all the tension fills your mind as you give her the details. " My shift ended like five hours ago, but instead of going home I am sitting here and reading till my eyes bleed."

"You should probably get that looked at." Kyra's face morphs into something serious but genuine as she continues.

"Look, I don't want to be that cancer survivor… but it did make me realize that life is too short." You give her a sad smile knowing how painful it must have been for her.

"We only get so many chances you know? But maybe you need that lesson more than I do," she continues after pausing for a moment.

"Is it that obvious?" You raise your brows.

"Let's chalk it up to my incredible intuition." Kyra smiles," Anyways there's an amazing ice cream shop nearby. They make an triple chocolate gelato that's literally to die for," she jokes, " You can take my word for that." "Why don't we visit that place? It'll give you a distraction and a much needed break."

You look at her and then your textbooks, not understanding what to do. All you can see is blurry lines. the words and concepts swim around in your very exhausted brain. You close the textbook with a slam after your answer is crystal clear.

"How can I say no to chocolate gelato!", you say dramatically.

"That's more like it!", Kyra beams. The two of you collect your belongings and make your way out as you tell Kyra everything about the dilemma with your latest patient.

"This place is pretty cute.", you say as you look around.

"Try nauseatingly adorable. I want to make it tiny and keep it in my bookshelf," Kyra replies. You laugh.

"You collect tiny shops?" You ask as the two of you made your way to the counter.

"I collect many sickeningly adorable things," she laughs before turning her attention to the boy behind the counter. "I’ll have the large Death by Chocolate please. And my absurdly attractive friend here will have…”, she nods for you to continue.

You roll your eyes at her before placing your order. You take a look at their menu before deciding to have the same one as Kyra as it's the most chocolatey one.

“I'll have the same.", you smile at the server.

The server scoops your gelato into two big cups and slides them across the counter while Kyra rummages through her bag for her wallet.

"I'll pay.“, you say getting your card out.

"No way!", she stops you by swiftly taking your card from you. You whine but to your dismay she doesn’t budge.

"This was my idea. Besides I didn't get out much during recovery. I've got months of dining-out budget to blow."

The next minute she's handing the cash to the server and then guiding you to a booth. As you two take your seats, Kyra hands you your card.

She takes a spoon full of her Death by Chocolate and sighs blissfully.

“Mmmmmm…”

You smile at her antics. "That good?" You ask before taking a bite.

"Orgasmic. I never used to eat junk food before my diagnosis."

She takes another bite and you take your first. You can't help but let out a moan as the chocolatey silkiness melts on your tongue. Kyra smirks and gives you a smug look.

She then continues, "I was super into exercising and calorie counting. I never did anything I wasn't supposed to." She smiles sadly. "And I still got lung cancer. At my twenties!"

"You must have been so strong!", you reply.

"Everyone keeps saying that but-", she pauses, "I don't know. I just went to the doctor to see why I was breathing weird."

She sighs. "Then suddenly I was going for all these tests, and then I had cancer."

She laughs humorlessly. "Life went from jogging and juice every morning to chemo and puking."

You can almost feel the pain as she speaks about her experiences even when you’re aware you’ll never truly understand.

"But I didn't do anything," she says, " Those things had to happen , and I had good insurance, so I did them. And it's not like I had any alternative."

"I think you should give yourself more credit.”, you reach for her hand and squeeze it in a comforting manner.

"You faced death with a smile on your face. I'll always remember you cracking jokes on the way to surgery-", you stop for a second before adding,"You are the strongest person I know Kyra."

Kyra blushes, a little embarrassed. "Well you can laugh or you can cry and I chose to laugh.”, she shrugs with a smile on her face.

"And like I said, I don't want to be that cancer survivor but it does put certain things into perspective."

"That kind of clarity must be nice.", you reply.

"Well yeah, you have to get some kind of consolation price for nearly dying, right?" She then shakes her head.

”But enough about that. If we keep talking about this you'll always see me as a girl who beat cancer."

"I'll never, Kyra." you say truthfully. "That's not how I see you."

"Oh yeah? And how do you exactly see me?" She asks playfully.

"I think you are inspiring."

A blush creeps on her face as she’s caught off guard, but quickly retaliates with a sassy reply. “If you keep giving me compliments then I’ll never let you hear the end of it.”

“We’ll see about that.” You both dissolve into fits of laughter as Kyra fills you up on the hospital gossip...

“What wait?! Seriously?! I can’t believe it!”

“Me either, but you know how gossip is!”, she replies with a shrug.

Just then your phone chimes. You pull it out to see it’s a reminder for your shift.

“Crap, I have 10 minutes till my shift.”

“Oof, you better hurry!”, she replies.

“We should do this again, this was really nice.”, you say as you gather your things.

“We should! Besides there would have to be 12 different things wrong with someone to turn down Gelato!”, she jokes.

“..12 different things wrong….. oh my god, Kyra, you’re a genius!”

You scramble to your feet and quickly throw away your cup.

“I like to think I am but what did I do?”, she asks.

“I’ll explain later!”, you yell.

“Ookay…” You rush back to the hospital, typing out a message on your pager as Kyra sits there in utter confusion.

“Well I guess I could get another scoop of gelato…”

————————————————————

An hour later, you take a deep breath before entering Nigel's room to find Ethan and Ines already inside.

“Well what are you waiting for?”, Dr. Ramsey says. Pushing back all of your invading memories of him, you continue with your explanation.

"I spent the last two days trying to figure out the one thing causing all of Mr.Platt's symptoms.”, you say as you stand beside Nigel's bedside.

"And?", he asks. For a split second, you can see a slight look of hope in his eyes, but it passes as quickly as it came, leaving you to believe it was a mere delusion of yours.

"That's when I realized nothing was causing all of them-" But before you can continue, you’re interrupted by Nigel.

"Are you calling-", he burps, “me a liar?", he asks, rude as always.

You control the urge to roll your eyes. He could've at least let you finish your sentence.

Ignoring him, you continue what you were saying," Mr.Platt has been experiencing tingling and hair loss but also cold sensitivity and some hearing problems." You pause for a second before continuing,"All of which point to hypothyroidism caused by Hashimoto's disease easily treated with levothyroxine."

"Go on." Ethan orders in his usual cold bossy tone.

"I couldn't fit in the constant burping and the chest pain… because it was completely separate." You explain. "I ordered a barium swallow X-ray and detected a hiatal hernia in the esophageal hole through the diaphragm."

"The treatment?", he asks, motioning you to continue.

"I have already booked a laparoscopic surgery to repair it.”, you answer with a touch of pride.

"Good work Dr.Valentine." Ines smiles at you.” You return it with a nod and a tentative smile.

"So ... I'll be cured?" Nigel asks.

"Yes-“, you calm yourself down before you rip him apart and then continue.

"You'll be good as new." you say instead with a forced smile.

"Good... because I don't want to spend a -" he burps, " second more in your hopeless company."

Your blood boils at this point as you bite your lip to control yourself. “The audacity! Ugh, he's a patient, Arielle. You have to be nice to him.”

"Mr. Platt, might suggest viewing this as a new lease on life. Perhaps a life where you don't make everyone around you miserable.”, Ethan's stern voice retorts, shocking you and Ines.

“No way...he did not!”

"Dr. Ramsey!" Ines exclaims with a shocked expression on her face, which you’re quite sure your face resembles.

"I'll report you! I want to talk to your manager," he says more angrily than before.

"Go ahead," Ethan says with a sarcastic smile." Maybe she can't talk to you like this but I sure as hell can."

You look at Nigel who looks like he's about to say something but just then Bryce struts in. He winks at you playfully as he passes you.

"Someone called for a laparoscopic surgery?"

"Oh great, first Barbie and now the damn Ken doll!” You don’t even attempt to hide the disgust on your face as you roll your eyes.

By the time you’ve finished your consultation with Bryce, Ines and Ethan have already left the room. Pleased with yourself, you take a left in the hallway without noticing Ethan standing leaning against the wall.

"Rookie..." His velvety baritone voice calls out, pulling you out of a haze.

Wincing, you stop dead in your tracks as the memories of the previous day replay in your mind. Still embarrassed with your encounter, you turn around but never meet his eyes. You’re sure you look like a kid, standing before him with your feet crossed, one hand fiddling with your hair as you bite your lip.

"So, you figured it out in the end. And you kept things professional.”, he nods, barely visible.

"I guess I just needed a… push.”, you reply in a timid voice laced with embarrassment.

"Maybe you aren’t so hopeless then.", he says.

Unlike yesterday, his voice isn’t filled with disappointment and malice.

So mustering up some courage, you look up to meet his eyes. Relief washes over you as you don’t detect a hint of disappointment in his eyes. He isn’t smiling but something in you tells you he isn’t angry. You don’t realise you’ve been staring into his oh-so blue eyes until his pager beeps, shaking you out of your reverie.

“..Uh- I’ll see you around, Dr. Ramsey.” You can almost swear that you see longing etched into his chiseled features as you lose yourself in his eyes once more.

“Likewise, Valentine.” With that, he turns around and stalks away.

You sigh and lean against the wall, the events since you started your residency swirl around like a hurricane filled with memories.

“What the hell am I supposed to do now?”

******************************************

And this concludes Season 1 of Medically Inevitable!

Authors’ Note:- Hey everyone, hope y’all enjoyed this chapter! As you’ve probably seen before, this is the last chapter of Season 1! Season 2 will be out soon, as soon as we work out the kinks and pump out a few chapters with different moodboards and title themes! Season 2 will be much more eventful, more drama, angst and shocking cliffhangers mixed in with the string of festivities that Thanksgiving and Christmas bring! Stay tuned and check our blogs and Instagram’s (same handle) for more updates! And lastly thank y’all so much for all the support, we are extremely grateful.

Love,

@drariellevalentine & @mysticaurathings

Medically Inevitable Taglist:- @whimsicallywayward15 | @iemcpbchoices | @sizzlingcashherohumanoid | @archveexz | @deepikakkannan | @nishas-paradise | @maurine07 | @archxxronrookie | @adrex04 | @everythingchoices | @rivenni | @annekebbphotography | @mrsethanfreakingramsey | @jamespotterthefirst | @natureblooms24 | @katkart122 | @udishaman | @hopelessromantics4life | @custaroonie | @mvalentine | @queencarb | @lisha1valecha | @ezekielbhandarivalleros | @ejrownsme @the-pale-goddess | @justanotherrookie | @miss-smrxtiee | @missmiimiie | @choicesfics | @romewritingshop | @taniasethi | @keithandlevi-ontheroof | @choicesfan10 | @open-heart-ramseyyy | @crookedkittyperson | @sistatribe | @tsrookie | @starrystarrytrouble | @caseyvalentineramsey | @alina-yol-ramsey | @openheartthot | @gryffindordaughterofathena | @binny1985 | @groovypalacehorselover | @akshara16 | @epiclazershark | @aarisa-frost | @shanzay44 | @jooous | @angela8754 | @red-rookie |

[razberryyum]

I'm gonna start keeping track of all the news/rumors about the 2HA live action so that I can bitch about it along the way and then, if everything turns out well and better than expected (like The Untamed did), I can then apologize for all my bitching and slap my own face in chagrin.

Concept art with staff listing: Tencent will begin production in March but they just released some of the show staff along with some images which I take to be concept art? The images look lovely and epic enough but it only reminds me how the F are they gonna pull off some of those epic scenes. Not to mention, with the cap on episode length that China just implemented, how are they gonna tell the story without chopping the crap out of it? Or will there be more than one season? On the bright side, I'm kinda happy that RanWan are featured in the concept art, gives me a little hope. (info/images via Twitter @cuchallain)

Title change: It's now 皓衣行, which seems to mean "follow the white clothing". I had first read that it was gonna be called "Respect Your Shizun" which I thought was just horrible, too proper and platonic, so for me this title is definitely an improvement since there's a certain sense of romanticism to it. (info from Twitter @MoDaoVSZuShi)

Male leads decided but not announced: I keep seeing Luo Yunxi and Chen Feiyu's names popping up for CWN and Mo Ran, respectively. I thought Luo Yunxi was a pipe dream since I've read he either isn't interested in doing BL-based stories or his schedule is already way too full to fit in another drama. It would be awesome if they did get him after all because he really would be the perfect CWN.

I didn't watch Ever Night so I don't know how good of an actor Chen Feiyu (Arthur Chen) is, but he's good looking enough to be Mo Ran. And apparently his studio's recent weibo post gives more credence to the rumors of his casting since it was saying how he's getting outfitted for traditional clothing and includes a husky emoji. This seems to be the 2nd time they've hinted at the 2HA casting. (image via Twitter @scarecrow_scar)

Ultimately whoever they cast as RanWan I just hope that in addition to looking aesthetically pleasing for their roles, that they also are good actors, good sports about the material to be willing to hint at their characters' relationship (cuz I'm sure the drama will be reduced to bromance), and most importantly, that they have chemistry. God they better freaking have magical explosive chemistry cuz if they're gonna cut out all the romance, we need the chemistry to be able to imagine how better things could've been if China didn't have censorship.

Shimei as a girl: NO NO and NO. That's the rumor based on the description in the live action announcement and I hate it so damn much I REALLY hope it's not true. I understand this might be the drama's way of having a female lead, but it's so unnecessary cuz there is already an awesome female character in the story that they could easily increase her screen time to fulfill that need (not pointing out who she is to avoid spoiling). Introduce her sooner, have her get more involved with RanWan's adventures but ONLY as a friend...like another Xue Meng basically. She has her own gut-wrenchingly beautiful love story already, she doesn't need to interfere with RanWan's, but her role in the story can easily be expanded without hurting anything. Plus, if they cast her right, she could be such a damn awesome female character that she deserves more screen time. Changing Shimei's gender is absolutely detrimental to the story and Mo Ran & CWN's characterization. The mere idea makes me ill. I know a BL love triangle would definitely be pushing things, but if they're gonna bromance shit anyway, they can still have Mo Ran be overprotective of Shimei without introducing the boner aspect into it.

But seriously tho, if they have the guts to even hint at Taxian-Jun's relationship with CWN 0.5 and even show us quick glimpses of his life as Chu fei, and all of that somehow passes censorship...I will fucking lose my shit I'd be so shocked and ecstatic. I really don't know what I'd do with myself if that happens. I'll have to get my jaw surgically reattached to my head after picking it up off the floor.

[xxkellsvixen19xx]

Perfectly Unexpected Colson Baker X Reader

Word Count: 2,250

Warnings: None kinda fluffy lol

There weren’t many things in life you genuinely didn’t like - all in all, you considered yourself a positive person. But you wouldn’t be a human being living in a modern society without ever coming across some aspects of life you could definitely do without.

Like Brussel sprouts, for example. Or ingratitude. Or, when looking at society as a whole, phenomenons like social injustice. Sure, you weren’t a perfect person, and you certainly didn’t want to end up as a hypocrite pointing fingers at others while simultaneously not practicing what you preached.

Yet that certainly didn’t stop you from standing up for your beliefs in front of others - a character trait which kept your circle of friends relatively small, but that was fine with you. Having a handful of truly trustworthy and honest people in your life was better than having a few thousand superfacial acquaintances – at least to you, it was.

Besides the previously mentioned things, there was something else you really, really didn’t like.

Blind Dates.

Now, of course blind dates weren’t generally a bad thing. But, much like listening to a song over and over again until you came to hate it eventually, blind dates had been pretty much ruined for you.

All thanks to your best friend, Jewels. You loved her, you adored her, but sometimes, you just really wanted to strangle her. More times than you could recall, she’d convinced you to go on a blind date with a guy of her choice. Each time, you’d tried to talk her out of it, but she would have none of it – and in the end, she was more persistent and you were too much of a harmony junkie to rebuff her.

The first few times, you’d been genuinely excited for your dates. When it came to dating and relationships, you were pretty “old school” – you loved the concept of meeting someone through shared interests, the idea of fateful encounters – of romance just in general, really. Of course you weren’t naïve enough to believe in something as ridiculous as the concept of “love at first sight” (well, maybe you were, but you certainly wouldn’t tell anyone about it).

Yet you still couldn’t help letting your expectations running rampant in those few seconds before your blind date would eventually walk in and crush all of them within mere minutes.

One time, Jewels had set you up with a guy she’d met on the subway – seriously, who does that? – and while he’d seemed interesting enough at first, he’d proceeded to shamelessly flirt with and swoon over all of the female waitresses and fellow guests during your date, leaving you sitting there to mend your wounded pride while he ended up getting punched in the face by the boyfriend of a lady whom he confessed his “eternal love” to.

Another time, you’d ended up with a man who was quite a few years your senior, but other than that, pretty much the full package – beautiful red hair, a few scars that only added to his charm, a stunning smile, and some humor on top of all that. It could’ve been perfect – had you not found out about his wife and child by coincidence a few days later.

You could vividly remember how furious you’d been and how Jewels had sincerely apologized, assuring you that she’d just met the guy through mutual friends and that she’d had no idea about his little double life.

But none of that was quite as devastating as your latest blind date – and, as you’d promised yourself after that evening, your last. You should’ve known something was wrong with the guy as soon as he managed to use about 10 different curse words within the first five minutes of conversation. But you didn’t want to seem snobbish or superficial, so you’d tried to give him a fair chance.

Well, let’s just say he managed to start a fight with an entire group of men seated at the table next to you, and the evening had ended with you being questioned by the police. Yikes.

After all those experiences, you were pretty sure any sane person would never agree to go on a blind date ever again, let alone one set up by your best friend. But alas, either you were suffering from temporary insanity, or Jewles was just some kind of witch, because yet again, she’d managed to convince you.

At least this time, you wouldn’t be alone – since your blind date tonight was actually her boyfriend’s friend/bandmate, Jewels and Rook would be accompanying the both of you, making it a double date. According to your best friend, Rook’s friend was none other than the infamous Machine Gun Kelly!

You and Jewels were currently getting ready before meeting up with the boys at the restaurant.

“Jewels, I don’t want to go, please don’t make me!” you whined.

“You already said yes, (Y/N)! I can’t just call it off now!” Jewels answered, munching on some marshmallows she’d brought with her. “Besides, you’re gonna love Colson, he’s perfect for you!”

“Yeah, well, according to you, all the other guys were perfect, too,” you deadpanned.

Jewels just rolled her eyes at you. “Yeah, but Colson is Rook’s friend and brother, and let's be honest, my boyfriend is pretty damn hot.”

Is she for real right now?

You couldn’t help but laugh at your friend’s brazenness.

“Ok, first of all, that doesn’t even make sense, since you already told me they’re not blood-related. Second of all, looks aren’t everything, and lastly: EW! He’s YOUR boyfriend, I’ve told you before that automatically turns him into a neutral being I wouldn’t ever think about in a sexual way! Like … a nice fruit basket!”

“Well you do know fruit baskets can potentially include bananas, and-“

You groaned. “Why are we friends again?”

“Because you love me. Now hurry up and get dressed, or we’re gonna be late!” 

A little while later...

You had taken a little longer to get ready than usual, since, unlike all the other times before, Jewels hadn’t given you advice on what to wear to impress your date.

“Just… be yourself, I think that’ll impress him.”

Maybe this date wasn’t going to be as disastrous as all the others. Maybe, just maybe, this guy was actually different. Or maybe you were just a hopeless romantic born in the wrong century.

You were just about to enter the restaurant when Jewles let out a loud squeal, making you turn around to see the guys arrive.

Looks Aren't Everything,don't be super facial,stay calm-

HOLY shit.

Blonde, shaggy hair, the most gorgeous pair of blue eyes you’d probably ever seen, and a scar… he was undeniably handsome.

You swallowed. Suddenly, you were feeling just a little more nervous than minutes before.

Ok, a lot more nervous.

He politely greeted Jewles before turning over to you. But instead of shamelessly checking you out, like some of your previous date had done, he simply smiled at you, keeping eye contact the entire time.

“Yo, I’m Colson, nice to meet you.” He held out his hand. Ok, this guy was way more polite than you would’ve expected.

And a lot cuter.

Shut up, brain!

“Nice to meet you, too. I’m (Y/N), but I’m sure you already knew that.”

He laughed quietly. It was a soft, warm sound, and you knew immediately you wanted to hear it again. “I do, actually. I hope you’re not uncomfortable with those two” – he pointed over at Rook and Jewles, who were still busy eating each others faces – “setting us up.” Even though it was already quite dark outside, you could make out just the faintest hint of a blush on his cheeks.

Adorable.

“N-No, it’s alright, I’m actually quite glad that it’s with someone like you.” A second later, you realized how that had sounded, blushing profusely. “Oh my god, that sounded so superficial, I apologize. I’m just- uhm… a little nervous.” You smiled in what you hoped was a genuine way (and prayed it didn’t make you look as idiotic as you felt).

“Don’t worry, I know what you meant. I’m a little nervous, too, actually.” He reached up to scratch his neck.

You were interrupted by the sound of someone clearing their throat behind you. Turning around, you were met with a shit-eating grin from Jewles.

“So, should we go inside or do you two lovebirds need another minute?”

A while later…

“What?! So you’re saying that even though you love music, you’ve never been to one a live show?” Colson asked you excitedly.

“No, I haven’t. I’m just not a big fan of large crowds, you know? Makes me kind of anxious.”

He shook his head in mock disapproval, making you giggle. “No, this will not stand. Next time I’m going, I’m taking you with me. I’ll make sure nothing happens to you, so don’t worry.”

You blushed. After the initial awkwardness, you and Colson had basically been talking non-stop for the last hour or so. Jewles had been right – for the first time ever on a blind date, you were able to just be yourself, and feel comfortable doing so. Colson not only shared many interests and ideals, he was also incredibly charming and polite. Even though you wouldn’t admit it out loud – at least not to Jewles, who kept wiggling her eyebrows each time you looked her way – this was completely different from your previous dates.

The scar covering his eye had been caused by an accident, which had taken place while shooting off guns during down time, and he’d also told you a lot about his love for his other band mates. Apparently, they are very close.

“So, what do you want to do after you’re done with this tour?” you asked, taking another sip from your drink.

He cocked his head slightly, taking a moment to think. “Uhm, I’m actually not sure. I’ve done a couple of projects, so there’s quite a few directions I could potentially go in, but I actually like the idea of just living in the moment. Career is important and all, but so many people just forget to have fun along the way, don’t you think?”

“Yes, I couldn’t agree more! And even if you make tons of plans, who says they’ll actually work out in the end? Life’s full of surprises, anyway.”

“It is, indeed.” The way he looked at you just then made you think he was referring to you, or this… whatever this was or could be, and it made you smile like an idiot and blush as red as a tomato at the same time.

Left completely dumbfounded, you were desperately trying to come up with some sort of witty answer, but had no idea what to say. He just smiled, still looking at you, before asking: “Hey, uhm.. you want to go get some fresh air for a second?”

Feeling clueless as to why he’d ask but somehow also excited, you got up immediately.

“And just where do you think you’re going?” Jewles asked, looking as self-satisfied as ever.

“We’re just going to get some fresh air, we’ll be back in a second,” you replied, unable to keep blushing yet again when your best friend simply cocked an eyebrow as an answer.

Once the two of you were outside, you took a deep breath before looking at him, really looking at him. Your heart started beating faster and you were feeling like a teenager who was crushing on someone for the first time, despite only having just met this man.

You were royally screwed.

He looked right back at you, and smiled before scratching his neck once more.

“I’d actually really like to kiss you right now,” he said, taking all your breath away with just one sentence. “But I’m not going to, because this evening – no, you, have been so perfect and I don’t wanna ruin it by moving too fast.” You both spent a moment in comfortable silence before he added: “Uh, that is, if you’re even feeling the same way.”

You couldn’t help but giggle. “Colson, do you really need to ask?”

He chuckled. “I guess not.” He took a look at his watch before grinning cheekily. “So, why don’t we get out of here?”

“O-out of here? Why- I mean where would we go?”

“Doesn’t matter. We could go look for a place that still sells ice cream at his hour, or just drive around in circles all night while talking about whatever we want. What do you say?”

Well, that was unexpected. And a little reckless. But you couldn’t say you didn’t like it.

“But, uhm… what about the other two?” you asked, slightly unsure if it would be alright to simply ditch your friend.

“I think they’re going to be just fine on their own, don’t you think?”

You took a look through the glass windows to see Jewles and Rook sharing what was probably the biggest pizza you’d seen in your entire life.

Colson was right – they’d be just fine.

He held out his hand for you, and you took it, immediately intertwining your fingers with his.

As the two of you started running down the street to his car, giggling and laughing like little kids, you couldn’t help but think that maybe, you hadn’t been born in the wrong century, after all.

[i-am-very-very-tired]

Julie H(455) said: 13-07-11 16:28 I'm sorry but I think that kind of narrow mindedness would mean the end of the human race because if poor people didnt have kids there would be very few people in the world. I must admit I do feel a similar view when I see the ads for red cross etc where they show the starving babies etc as I don't think that the people should keep having kids if they can't feed them properly as it can't be nice for them or the children being brought into that kind of life, however there are tribes out there that aren't in the developed world and they cope fine without money like we have as they have the means to support themselves with food etc and they have a better society than ours. If anyone dared to tell me not to have kids then I would seriously retaliate back at them as its not their place to say. Ok yes I do live in a council house and yes we do now receive council tax and housing benefit ontop of tax credits and child benefit, however I work albeit part time and I provide for my children they have the roof over their head, they have full tummies and they have things that I never had at their age etc. Don't Have Children If You Are Poor!!!!! katy r(20) said: 13-07-11 16:37 Children need a lot more than money! It is easier if you are better off though - just because its one less thing to stress about, because much as we love them the little monsters can be pretty hard work. What winds me up is the attitude by a very few people that they can happily have as many children as they want and the state will pay. Accidents happen and circumstances change but i think that some women just have a baby because they feel like it with no thought at all how they will provide the basics are outrageous.. And deliberately having another when you are already struggling financially is just ridiculous. I'm sure people like that are in the minority - they just always make it on to the pages of the Daily mail so we get to hear about it!!! Don't Have Children If You Are Poor!!!!! Yvonne G(88) said: 13-07-11 16:45 I'm really pleased to see that this is clearly a minority of people as it did upset me a bit. Then again I am 6 months PG so its not really surprising, I get upset at everything LOL. Just after the dificulties we've been through TTC it made me feel so bad that there are people out there who obviously don't believe I should be a mummy and that's a bit mean. Don't Have Children If You Are Poor!!!!! Kirsty C(274) said: 13-07-11 16:45 Quote Originally Posted by Julie H(455) View Post I must admit I do feel a similar view when I see the ads for red cross etc where they show the starving babies etc as I don't think that the people should keep having kids if they can't feed them properly as it can't be nice for them or the children being brought into that kind of life, They don't have the same access to contraceptives as us. Whatever money we choose to donate to the Red Cross etc is used to pay for essentials like clean water, food, life saving medicine. By saying they shouldn't have children you are saying they shouldn't "love" their partner, seek comfort from intimacy, deny themselves a basic human need. When I saw the title of this thread my intial thought was to say "I wasn't poor - until I had children..." I haven't seen the original thread but it was probably someone saying something without thinking about how it could be perceived by others. Yvonne, don't let it upset you. There are plenty of rich people who shouldn't have children because although they can provide financially they can't give children the things you will give your baby: a loving and secure home, a place to grow up feeling nurtured and supported. Luckily it isn't up to anyone except the parents/prospective parents. We each have to make our own decisions and then cope with those decisions. Some people may feel parenthood has been forced upon them and their choices are limited; I can't imagine how it must feel to be in that circumstance; but no-one has a right to say another should or shouldn't have children - especially for financial reasons. Don't Have Children If You Are Poor!!!!! Stephanie R(167) said: 13-07-11 16:50 I was once told that if you wait until you can afford to have kids, you'll never have them! As long as you can afford their clothes and to feed them, that's all that matters. When I was growing up my parents divorced and our income was slashed but my mum worked hard to ensure we never went without. There is such a small number of people rich enough like the Beckhams to have everything but it doesn't mean their kids are any happier than us mere mortals! Don't Have Children If You Are Poor!!!!! J W(89) said: 13-07-11 16:53 People who think like that are in the minority and they are very narrow minded if they can't see that as long as a child is loved and warm and fed, then it will be just as happy as a child brought up in a financially better off household. Why should some people think they are better or that they're more 'deserving' than others? Money certainly doesn't make them more deserving of having a child than someone who isn't as well off. Being a good parent never comes down to money. I think whenever you feel is the right time for having a baby is the right time, regardless of lack of savings! When your baby first comes along all they'll need is happy, loving, warm parents so you'll be fine. x Alison N(67)'s Avatar Alison N(67) said: 13-07-11 16:55 My first reaction was "well, I can see she has a point - you do need the ability to put a roof over baby's head and provide for them" (note that provide does not necessarily mean materially !). But then I read Stephen's comment and he's right. "The Poor" have been having kids for millenia. Jeez if we were to stop it now then hardly anyone would have kids and only the braying class would afford it and have more braying children ! (just kidding!). I think that however you best try and plan it life has a habit of doing it's own thing. I fell pg by "accident". Basically was told I couldn't have kids and had to come off pill (taken for acne anyway) because of an impending operation and fell pg. I could give you date and almost time of conception ! We were fairly well off then and had a nice 4 bedroomed house etc etc but times change and now we have 2 kids, a rented 2 bed cottage and usually have a bank account that's in the red. Hey ho. You can't take it with you. Ignore people who make comments like teh one you read. It's not really their fault. They just don't know what life is like for others so can only make comments from their own narrow perceptions. Enjoy being PG. And enjoy having a baby. It will bring you a lot of joy and no amount of money can buy you that (unless you are Elton John or Madonna.....). x Don't Have Children If You Are Poor!!!!! Teresa S(8) said: 13-07-11 16:59 Quote Originally Posted by helen d(605) View Post i haven't read any threads like this, only ones about people having lots of babies on benefits. As long as you are providing for your family i don't think it is anyones buissness but your own how many children you have. It's been said in the uniform grant thread. Don't Have Children If You Are Poor!!!!! KAREN L(12) said: 13-07-11 17:02 I just wanted to say growing up my family were well of (4 businesses, 7 bedroom house) even had my own little business at the age of 11. we had everything we wanted, latest clothes, new bikes etc.... My best friend at school was the scruffiest child going, charity shop, hand me downs, never even had a bed, but i prefered staying at her house than i did my own because she had lots of love in her house... I think as long as that child has love and warmth nothing else matters certainly not money... Don't Have Children If You Are Poor!!!!! Yvonne G(88) said: 13-07-11 17:08 Quote Originally Posted by Teresa S(8) View Post It's been said in the uniform grant thread. Yeah I saw it in that one today but unfortunately I've seen it a couple of other times in previous threads, was just having a look through but somehow I can't seem to find threads I'm looking for if they are not recent?!?! As most people have said it's clearly the minority so when I see it again I'm just going to ignore it and concentrate on the next three months (sooo slow!!) and then on my little boy when he gets here and being the best mummy I can be Julie H(455)'s Avatar Julie H(455) said: 13-07-11 17:20 Quote Originally Posted by Kirsty C(274) View Post They don't have the same access to contraceptives as us. Whatever money we choose to donate to the Red Cross etc is used to pay for essentials like clean water, food, life saving medicine. By saying they shouldn't have children you are saying they shouldn't "love" their partner, seek comfort from intimacy, deny themselves a basic human need. When I saw the title of this thread my intial thought was to say "I wasn't poor - until I had children..." I haven't seen the original thread but it was probably someone saying something without thinking about how it could be perceived by others. Yvonne, don't let it upset you. There are plenty of rich people who shouldn't have children because although they can provide financially they can't give children the things you will give your baby: a loving and secure home, a place to grow up feeling nurtured and supported. Luckily it isn't up to anyone except the parents/prospective parents. We each have to make our own decisions and then cope with those decisions. Some people may feel parenthood has been forced upon them and their choices are limited; I can't imagine how it must feel to be in that circumstance; but no-one has a right to say another should or shouldn't have children - especially for financial reasons. I'm not saying they shouldn't have kids I just don't think they should have child after child and not be able to look after it at all thats the thing that I think is wrong along with all the children/babies that get dumped in orphanages because they have hiv etc, there are other areas that manage to have children and raise them as they have the means to look after them such as the tribes in the rainforests etc, they seem to manage ok without outside help. PROUD MUM TO 4 WONDERFUL CHILDREN AND AN ANGEL MORGAN BORN 23/01/2007 @ 02.08 WEIGHING 5LB 4OZ 39+2WKS PAIGE BORN 30/03/2008 @ 16.10 WEIGHING 6LB 4OZ 39+6WKS MADDISON BORN 13/12/2009 @ 21.50 WEIGHING 5LB 9OZ 38WKS ANGEL GONE TOO SOON AT 6WKS 21/04/2011 TOBY BORN 09/01/2012 @ 13.28 WEIGHING 4LB 6OZ 37+5WKS Don't Have Children If You Are Poor!!!!! Jessica O(28) said: 13-07-11 17:21 I was on one of those terrible threads several weeks ago and was attacked for having a child and being on tax credits. The poster even asked me, ''wouldn't your child have prefered to have had wealthy parents''. I can't begin to describe how hurt I felt at that comment. As if we don't deserve our child because we're average. I am a studying SAHM and DH works full time. We are going to have one more child and don't give a hoot what anyone else thinks. x Last edited by Jessica O(28); 13-07-11 at 17:22. Julie H(455)'s Avatar Julie H(455) said: 13-07-11 17:28 Quote Originally Posted by Jessica O(28) View Post I was on one of those terrible threads several weeks ago and was attacked for having a child and being on tax credits. The poster even asked me, ''wouldn't your child have prefered to have had wealthy parents''. I can't begin to describe how hurt I felt at that comment. As if we don't deserve our child because we're average. I am a studying SAHM and DH works full time. We are going to have one more child and don't give a hoot what anyone else thinks. x OMG that is shocking, if I was a child and had the choice of well off parents who spent little time with me other parents who had less and spent more time with them then I'd choose the latter every time, money may buy things and a small amount of happyness however it does not buy LOVE or happy memories. We may be on tax credits and I may work part time however I would rather be how we are and not have so much and spend quality time with my children over being stuck in a job 9-5 with someone else raising my child for me and only having weekends to spend with them if that as other things need to be done, sorry but that style of life is not for me and I actually feel sorry for those who do have that life. When my kids are older and in full time education then I will look at increasing my hours but only to fit in with school hours so I can spend time with the kids. PROUD MUM TO 4 WONDERFUL CHILDREN AND AN ANGEL MORGAN BORN 23/01/2007 @ 02.08 WEIGHING 5LB 4OZ 39+2WKS PAIGE BORN 30/03/2008 @ 16.10 WEIGHING 6LB 4OZ 39+6WKS MADDISON BORN 13/12/2009 @ 21.50 WEIGHING 5LB 9OZ 38WKS ANGEL GONE TOO SOON AT 6WKS 21/04/2011 TOBY BORN 09/01/2012 @ 13.28 WEIGHING 4LB 6OZ 37+5WKS Don't Have Children If You Are Poor!!!!! Yvonne G(88) said: 13-07-11 17:31 Quote Originally Posted by Jessica O(28) View Post I was on one of those terrible threads several weeks ago and was attacked for having a child and being on tax credits. The poster even asked me, ''wouldn't your child have prefered to have had wealthy parents''. I can't begin to describe how hurt I felt at that comment. As if we don't deserve our child because we're average. I am a studying SAHM and DH works full time. We are going to have one more child and don't give a hoot what anyone else thinks. x I am so sorry that you had to endure someone saying something like that directly to you I'm sure you are a wonderful mummy and your LO will grow up very happy. Good luck with your studying and future babies Natalie B(25)'s Avatar Natalie B(25) said: 13-07-11 17:33 1) What's 'poor' anyway? Someone who can't afford 2 cars and a foreign holiday? A family where both parents have to work so when a child comes along they have to claim some sort of benefit? Families who rely totally on government handouts? Surely even they're rich compared with the poor families in West Africa at the minute who are starving and having to flee to camps. Are those families wrong to have kids? Do they deserve to have their children die en route to the camps because they have no food or water? 2) Since when was life and anyone's status in it a constant thing? It doesn't take much for someone who was relatively comfortable to be facing redundancy, unemployment, having to claim benefits or lose their house, especially in times of economic uncertainty and recession. Does that mean no one should have a baby until the economy is more stable, just in case? 3) What should happen to people who do fall on hard times, especially unexpectedly? Should we make people rely on themselves rather than a welfare state? Should they hand their children over to social services until they're on a more even keel financially? Should we reinstate the workhouse and split poor families up? 4) Since when was money the be all and end all of having a child? What about love and care and commitment to that child's well-being regardless of the state of the parents' bank account? I agree, OP, that people should be entitled to have children regardless of status...and I agree that the world would be a sorry place if the lower classes were denied the right to have children because of their economic worth. Don't Have Children If You Are Poor!!!!! stella d(10) said: 13-07-11 17:45 Im not sure anyone is too poor to have children to be honest as i thought i would be homeless with my dd and turned out i was provided with a house and could afford to raise her. i would not be without my dd and i love my children dearly i considered abortion and couldnt do it and i would be lost without her. shes my wee princess . im glad we are in society that are able to help the needed. Don't Have Children If You Are Poor!!!!! stella d(10) said: 13-07-11 17:49 ps i worked 80 plus hours a week earning peanuts since sixteen and had no savings. i dont think today i would have any children if i was meant to save beforehand on minimum wage. Lisa Marie R's Avatar Lisa Marie R said: 13-07-11 18:09 Quote Originally Posted by Julie H(455) View Post I'm not saying they shouldn't have kids I just don't think they should have child after child and not be able to look after it at all thats the thing that I think is wrong along with all the children/babies that get dumped in orphanages because they have hiv etc, there are other areas that manage to have children and raise them as they have the means to look after them such as the tribes in the rainforests etc, they seem to manage ok without outside help. They have child after child though because they have limited or no control over their own reproduction- no contraception, and even abstinence isn't feasible as a woman cannot simply refuse to have sex due to sexual inequality. Many people in rural areas need to have a large family so that the children can help care for crops cattle etc. as well as look after older relatives. In Africa people have to endure periods of drought and famine, coupled with civil unrest and civil war where people's whole livelihoods can be wiped out over night. They can't rely on their governments for help because the governments either don't want to know and are shockingly corrupt or are directing funds into fighting. Also tribes in the rain forest etc. often have appalling infant mortality rates. Rain forest tribe also have appalling infant mortality rates meaning that there is little or no population growth. Don't Have Children If You Are Poor!!!!! emma s(905) said: 13-07-11 18:21 Dont beleive all you read on netmums! Ive read people say dont have kids if youll miss your CB, dont have kids if you want to have a night out without them etc etc. Theres always some over opinionated person spouting there "rightous" views. Although to an extent i wouldnt of wanted my children to be born into poverty its not for me to define what poverty is for everyone or to say what other people should do. For us we wanted to be finanically stable, have our own home and also have our lives a bit, i know not everyone can or want to do these things but thats what we wanted and we did. Don't Have Children If You Are Poor!!!!! Jessica B(49) said: 13-07-11 18:22 What is poor ?!. Poor in the western world can mean such different things to a developing country. I think children have basic needs love, warmth, food, shelter of course money comes into it but is not the be all and end all. On a personel note I think people get upset when people have as many children as they want then exspect the state to support them. As I would love another baby but despite the fact we both work just can't afford it Don't Have Children If You Are Poor!!!!! Rebecca C(629) said: 13-07-11 18:23 I'm not sure how you would define poor and can any of us really 'afford' children? It's a lifelong commitment anyway it's not as if you have to pay up front! However, I have two children and we considered a third, one of the things we looked at was what the impact on our financial situation and ultimately lifestyle would be. I know people very well who struggled immensely to make ends meet with two children, literally scraping money together for their food shopping each week. They went on to have a third child and are now struggling even more...I have to confess that its a little difficult to be sympathetic. I just think that we all have to plan our family and looking at what that means for you financially is not a bad thing. A Mother is someone, who on seeing three pieces of pie for four people instantly declares that she never did care for pie. "...sometimes I have a big mouth, when I see something that I dont like...I gotta say it!" DAWN M(96)'s Avatar DAWN M(96) said: 13-07-11 18:29 Having happy and secure children and being a a Great parent is far more to do with the Parents as people than the amount of money you have. If you have a real Love of children,would do anything to protect them,you can understand where they're coming from,respect they're views,encourage them with school and any hobbies they like,sit through even the most annoying cartoon,take they're fears and worries seriously even if you find them laughable,allow them to have an oppinion different to yours,can be completely unselfish and put your children first then your a Great Parent and where does any of that say anything about the amount of money you have. I'm Mum to 5DC hunni and I'm not rich but you know what my children are allways happy,listened to,respected and understood.Many of they're friends tell me and my OH that they'd love to live with us.When any of our children have a problem they come straight to us because they know we'll listen and we'll sort it out the same with they're friends lots of them tell us things that they'd never speak to they're parents about.I think it's really sad that they feel like they can't talk to they're parents but I am glad that they can talk to us and they know that will listen to them and help them. Some of the children who come to us for help come from familys that are really on the breadline and lots of them are from familys that are well off.So you see money makes no difference.Lots of these children are being failed by they're parents rich or poor. Congratulations on your pregnancy and your wedding.How exciting.Good Luck and I hope you have a great day and an easy and healthy pregnancy.xx Lisa Marie R's Avatar Lisa Marie R said: 13-07-11 18:57 Whenever I hear things like this I always think of the different childhoods my parents had. My mum was one of 7 kids brought up in a three bed council house, actually my grandparents only had a house after they had their 4th child, with the first three they lived in a bed sit and the only running water in the building was two floors down. My grandparents made ends meet by my grandfather working all hours that god sent sometimes leaving the house in the early hours and only returning late at night, my grand mother was a stay at home mum who earned extra money by taking in sewing and once the older kids were old enough to be left alone working as a seamstress in a factory. There was always food on the table, and clothes, although clothes were often home made or second hand and enough coal for the fire, although everything else could often be in short supply. I have yet to hear any one of my aunts or uncles complain about their upbringing- the general consensus is that although they never had much they all knew that they were deeply loved and my grandparents were close to all their children until they passed away. My father was one of two children born in Gibralter on the RAF base. My grandfather was an officer, and my grandmother didn't work. Money was not a big issue, they were very well of for the time. My father learnt to speak Spanish from the Spanish maid and the Spanish nanny before he learnt to speak English as my grandfather was out drinking when he wasn't working, and although my grandmother didn't work she would be out of the house playing bridge for much of the day. My father and aunt spent term time at boarding school and the holidays at friends, when my grandfather died of a stroke the day after the funeral my grandmother sent both her children back to boarding school while she went on holiday. My father now has as little contact with his mother as possible. I know which upbringing I would prefer if I had a choice. Money is not everything, obviously if you are struggling to provide basics like food and shelter then having children is not a good idea, but aside from that, love and caring are the important things. Don't Have Children If You Are Poor!!!!! Tracy R(168) said: 13-07-11 19:06 Oh anyone who thinks like this is bloody stupid! I was brought up on jumble sale clothes and value food for half my life, its mademe gratefu l for what I have now. We aren't rich but we aren't poor, we struggle some months but not others. Its dam right stupid to think that kids should only be brought up in rich families! Congrats on your pregnancy and ignore any stupid comments. Want a unique gift for your little one? I hand draw and paint banners (Party) and Canvas, at really low prices (Just cost of materials) I love doing it and is a hobby, hence the low prices. serena s(3)'s Avatar serena s(3) said: 13-07-11 19:34 just because you are rich doesnt make u a good parent. money doesnt buy the most important thing. i have nannied for several famalies and can say hand on heart they werent the happiest of children (by no means am i saying all rich famalies are like this just from my experience) mum and dad in the same house but not really 'there' money doesnt buy love!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! and love gets u far in the world...... Don't Have Children If You Are Poor!!!!! Yvonne G(88) said: 14-07-11 00:10 Just like to say thank you to all of you for sharing your stories and opinions, you have really made me feel a lot better. Of course I knew that money is not everything anyway it just got me a bit emotional so thanks again I think growing up without all the money in the world and learning the value of money, and working hard for what you have is much more important than being handed everything on a silver platter, never having to work for anything and ending up a spoilt so and so! Dianne P(12)'s Avatar Dianne P(12) said: 14-07-11 00:49 The people who shouldn't have babies are the ones not capable or don't have the inclination to look after them! If you are struggling to look after yourselves then it's going to be hard - but not impossible. You don't have to have all the baby equipment that's available - most of it is completely not needed anyway. Charity shops sell some lovely things and there are loads of stuff available cheaply on the For Sale boards on here and on ebay. Most baby equipment is hardly used so is as new. Then there are car boot sales, years ago I bought the most gorgeous fine knit shawl for 50p and every one admires it. As long as your baby has your love and time he will be fine. Congratulations and all the best x x x Don't Have Children If You Are Poor!!!!! Claire M(1284) said: 14-07-11 01:57 Quote Originally Posted by Yvonne T(81) View Post Hi everyone, I really don't want to start a huge argument but I am really upset about this and wanted to say something...hope I've put it in the right place as I've no idea really where it should go. Basically, I just read on another ladies thread people saying "people who are poor shouldn't have children" and that the "children would not have a good life being brought up poor", basically just "don't have children unless you have lots of money" and I think this is absolutely disgusting. How can people say this? I am 24 years old, pregnant with my first child due in October, my fiance and I are getting married in 4 weeks time and we do not have a massive amount of money, we do struggle at times but after being told for years that I would be unable to have children and then suffering a miscarriage I was delighted to find that we were going to have a baby. So to the people that think 'the poor' should not have babies, do you think I should give up my baby? do you think I should have gotten rid of my baby? My fiance and I try so hard to save money for our baby, try so hard to make sure he is going to have a good life and then people like this come along and make me feel like a piece of poo! Surely not everyone thinks like this...everyone in the world is entitled to have babies if that is what they want, we have wanted nothing more than to start a family and this has just upset me a bit. Please give opinions but not arguments. In total agreement and makes me quite cross that people say some shouldn't have kids due to finances! We survive on a tiny amount of money at times - eg. there are weeks when we don't even have a food budget, yet somehow we always manage (go for meals at friends' etc)!!! Only have one child at the moment, but if mother nature allowed, we would have at LEAST 2 more, regardless of finances. We only have a 2-bed terrace too! Yet even in our worst months, our daughter is GENUNELY happy, and is grateful for even a treat such as a chocolate bar We totally believe that, as long as your kids are truly loved, then everything else comes second ! C W(51)'s Avatar C W(51) said: 14-07-11 04:56 Maybe it's the conservative influence.. only the middle and upper classes are entitled to happiness. The rest of the population should devote their lives to ensuring that this is the case! How have we ended up with this government?! How does a Liberal vote become conservative success? Anyway, back to the point.. I think the people most have an issue with are those who have never worked a day in their life and have purposefully played the systems in order to reap the rewards of as many benefits as humanly possible, without having ever actually contributed to the tax and national insurance system themselves. I admit, I find this extremely irritating and find it a tough pill to swallow, however, there are genuine cases and I would like to believe that the genuine cases do out weigh the false claimers and downright lazy. Don't worry about what tripe people you have never met on here spout, some people don't consider all cases when writing their thoughts and they may have a specific situation in mind they are moaning about. They don't know you, you do. You know that you will do the best for your child and that is what is important. Hold your head high and enjoy your pregnancy and when the time comes, being a mummy to your precious bundle Don't Have Children If You Are Poor!!!!! lynsey r(39) said: 14-07-11 07:00 Quote Originally Posted by Julie H(455) View Post OMG that is shocking, if I was a child and had the choice of well off parents who spent little time with me other parents who had less and spent more time with them then I'd choose the latter every time, money may buy things and a small amount of happyness however it does not buy LOVE or happy memories. We may be on tax credits and I may work part time however I would rather be how we are and not have so much and spend quality time with my children over being stuck in a job 9-5 with someone else raising my child for me and only having weekends to spend with them if that as other things need to be done, sorry but that style of life is not for me and I actually feel sorry for those who do have that life. When my kids are older and in full time education then I will look at increasing my hours but only to fit in with school hours so I can spend time with the kids. Sorry but you comment isnt on. Youv'e criticised parents who work and make decent money and suggested that they aren't able to spend quality time with their children and that other people raise their kids for them!!! God, get a grip. As a household where both me and OH are working full time I find this so insulting. You cant complain that others make judgement calls about you when you are doing it yourself. Don't Have Children If You Are Poor!!!!! kate g(230) said: 14-07-11 07:21 I hate it when people say this. When I had my first, I was at college and worked part time in a bar, my husband was an apprentice. We had a one bedroomed flat. When my last son was born we'd both qualified and moved up the career ladder, have a bigger house and are comfortable. Peoples circumstances change, we never know what is around the corner! Nothing on maslow's hierachy of needs costs a lot if money. I have met rubbish parents from all salary groups! Don't Have Children If You Are Poor!!!!! Kelly S(548) said: 14-07-11 07:32 There is a difference between people who struggle a bit and people who are destitute. In my opinion, if you are homeless, cant afford to feed/clothe yourself then having a child is possibly not a viable option. However if you just have tight months here and there, and can still provide shelter and food for a baby, then the rest is free, love, playing etc ... so of course they should have babies. I think the argument needs to be looked at reasonably. Congratulations to the OP, you dont sound poor to me, just like everyone else .... hard working and managing .... its a big sign of the times. Kells x Julie H(455)'s Avatar Julie H(455) said: 14-07-11 11:39 Quote Originally Posted by lynsey r(39) View Post Sorry but you comment isnt on. Youv'e criticised parents who work and make decent money and suggested that they aren't able to spend quality time with their children and that other people raise their kids for them!!! God, get a grip. As a household where both me and OH are working full time I find this so insulting. You cant complain that others make judgement calls about you when you are doing it yourself. Where did I say that I'm judging?? Its just my opinion that I prefer to be able to spend time with my kids than work long hours for more money and have less quality time with the children it just doesnt seem logical to me when my children are so young, its each to their own and were all entitled to have opinions. But I still stand with I find it baffling working full time and forking out most of your wages for someone else to be raising your children when you could just as easily do without that extra £50 a month or so (basing it on what we'd be left with by working full time etc) to me that isn't logical as that extra £50 isn't going to get very far and it certainly wont make up for the time not spent with my children. PROUD MUM TO 4 WONDERFUL CHILDREN AND AN ANGEL MORGAN BORN 23/01/2007 @ 02.08 WEIGHING 5LB 4OZ 39+2WKS PAIGE BORN 30/03/2008 @ 16.10 WEIGHING 6LB 4OZ 39+6WKS MADDISON BORN 13/12/2009 @ 21.50 WEIGHING 5LB 9OZ 38WKS ANGEL GONE TOO SOON AT 6WKS 21/04/2011 TOBY BORN 09/01/2012 @ 13.28 WEIGHING 4LB 6OZ 37+5WKS Don't Have Children If You Are Poor!!!!! Emma C(680) said: 14-07-11 11:44 Quote Originally Posted by Jemma C(93) View Post In my mind, it's those who have children to get money that are wrong. If you can feed, house, clothe and most of all love your child, everything else is a bonus If you are, say, on the verge of homelessness for example, then you shouldn't start a family. Of course all of this is my opinion and most people's will be different Good luck with your pregnancy and CONGRATULATIONS I dont understand why anyone in that situation would want to, although I know it happens. Our landlord served us an eviction notice when he found out I was pregnant. We were homeless at 36 weeks pregnant. It was the most stressful time in my life! Don't Have Children If You Are Poor!!!!! lynsey r(39) said: 14-07-11 11:48 Quote Originally Posted by Julie H(455) View Post Where did I say that I'm judging?? Its just my opinion that I prefer to be able to spend time with my kids than work long hours for more money and have less quality time with the children it just doesnt seem logical to me when my children are so young, its each to their own and were all entitled to have opinions. But I still stand with I find it baffling working full time and forking out most of your wages for someone else to be raising your children when you could just as easily do without that extra £50 a month or so (basing it on what we'd be left with by working full time etc) to me that isn't logical as that extra £50 isn't going to get very far and it certainly wont make up for the time not spent with my children. Your original post just sort of sounded as though you were having a go at people who did work and were on ok wages. Working doesn't necessarily mean less quality time with your children and doesn't mean that other people are raising them either. It could be argued in this instance that for all children in full time education, schools are raising children as they spend the best part of their day at school. The argument doesn't hold logic for me that's all. It isn't either or- just because your 'poor' ( I hate that word) doesn't mean your children do without anything or that you shouldn't have children to begin with. Those children whose parents are on an ok wage aren't necessarily missing out on quality time or being 'raised' by others either. I just hate the assumptions- from both sides. MELANIE S(17)'s Avatar MELANIE S(17) said: 14-07-11 11:52 Yvonne, we dont have alot of money and have huge debt but my daughter has everything she wants and needs. Yes we have made huge cut backs on other stuff but never went hungry one single night. We have a mortgage and a hell of a lot of bills to pay out every month but who hasnt. My daughter never wears hand me downs its always new. I buy clothes from Primark, Tesco and Asda and they last her a hell of a lot langer than Next, Top shop ect. Please dont feel bad honey. I dont work so the financial strain is even harder on us but hopefully I can get the job I applied for so that will help us a bit even tho the money is not great. But every little helps. Don't Have Children If You Are Poor!!!!! Jessica O(28) said: 14-07-11 12:08 Quote Originally Posted by lynsey r(39) View Post Your original post just sort of sounded as though you were having a go at people who did work and were on ok wages. Working doesn't necessarily mean less quality time with your children and doesn't mean that other people are raising them either. It could be argued in this instance that for all children in full time education, schools are raising children as they spend the best part of their day at school. The argument doesn't hold logic for me that's all. It isn't either or- just because your 'poor' ( I hate that word) doesn't mean your children do without anything or that you shouldn't have children to begin with. Those children whose parents are on an ok wage aren't necessarily missing out on quality time or being 'raised' by others either. I just hate the assumptions- from both sides. I think what Julie was trying to convey is that she personally would rather spend her time at home caring for her children, than working while only bringing in an insignificant wage after childcare and transport costs, etc. Sometimes it is a good idea to stay on the 'career ladder' if that's what one aspires to, but for others it is not worth the upheaval, for in their case they may only bring in an extra £20-£50 by working. I don't think she was trying to be offensive/rude to anyone, only expressing her personal views and personal circumstances. i happen to agree with her point of view. Last edited by Jessica O(28); 14-07-11 at 12:08. Don't Have Children If You Are Poor!!!!! Sarah C(1808) said: 14-07-11 12:45 life has its up and downs, that no one has control over. I started my family "poor" fel pg with DS age 19, lived with Oh parents for 2 years got council house, Oh worked full time, got a mortgage, had DD, moved house, OH started own company, sold house due to struggling finances, rented for few years, both working ft, Oh had to shut business due to no work, i got made redundant 2 months after (week before xmas), got made homeless, several months here and there, got offered council place again...... and back where we started. Life has thrown us some ****, but my kids have NEVER gone with out stuff they NEED. We maynot be loaded and dont have the latest 42" plasma on the wall or kids have xboxes and laptops and £100 phones etc, but they do have a home, food, clothes, and most of all.. the biggest anount of LOVE we can give them.... As that one thing you cant buy them!!! People nowadays worry too much about weather a child is cared for in the right way, some people think because they dont have money to buy gadgets and that, that the family are skint. I could go out tomorrow and order all of it, but im not giving my kids things they have no need for, i want my kids to grow up not being materialistic. I have a niece and nephew that are exactly that and it makes me cry that they would turn their nose up at £5 when my 2 would be saying thankyou for the following week. When you actually get my niece to ask what she truly want and the answer is time with her parents!!!! Says it all really So basically dont give a monkeys what others or the papers say, as long as you are giving your child what they need (not want) then your doing a great job. Don't Have Children If You Are Poor!!!!! DM (28) said: 14-07-11 13:09 its a bit like a poverty cleansing program some people are after !-glad to see tho not to many are If many of our grandparents hadnt had kids until they could afford them -many of us wouldnt be sat here! I was a single mum on benifits (and a teen one at that -and i gave him sweets )i was on income support until he was 10 .I now work as a family worker-my main role is supporting children who have been abused ,so im paying back both financialy and to society .And my lovely son is 14 ,kind ,intelligent and has great promise .I couldnt afford him -but im bloody glad he is here .And im glad i choose to have him x Don't Have Children If You Are Poor!!!!! Catherine H(441) said: 14-07-11 13:10 Angry I have to admit that I 'sort of' agree, and have actually said the words 'dont have children is you cant afford them' ~ before you start to have ago let...... My husband and I have a 9 yr old daughter, I also have a stepson who is now 17. My hubby has always paid for his son and his grabbing ex wife always wanted more and more. We had our daughter together and we would have LOVED another child but financially we could not afford to have another. We both worked (me before and after our daughter was born ~ we have paid so much in childcare that we could have purchased the nursery ) and still work but we decided that if we wanted to give our daughter and stepson a decent upbringing and not rely on benefits then we had to be responsible and make to difficult decision on not having another child. After making our decision it ENRAGES mewhen I see family with 3/4/5 kids in tow, smoking and drinking alcohol. The kids are dresses scruffily and are unkempt. I know of certain families that have had computers loaned from school....we have to BUY our own. They have school uninforms donated....we have to BUY our childrens. They smoke and drink...we CANT AFFORD to (dont want to smoke though ). They receive benefits for everything (they blatently spout out what they receive)...we receive child benefit and nominal tax credit. They get free furniture...we save up for our own. This is the reason that I still believe that these families cannot afford their kids and at the end of the day it is everyone else that is paying for them yet my husband and I took the responsible decision to not have another child. That said I am not unhappy at responsible parents that make a decision without having the attitude of I will have more kids because I can and will get all that I need from the government. I am only voicing my opinion but I get so irritiated about it ~ sorry if I have upset anyone Don't Have Children If You Are Poor!!!!! lydia p(10) said: 14-07-11 14:44 Quote Originally Posted by Catherine H(441) View Post I have to admit that I 'sort of' agree, and have actually said the words 'dont have children is you cant afford them' ~ before you start to have ago let...... My husband and I have a 9 yr old daughter, I also have a stepson who is now 17. My hubby has always paid for his son and his grabbing ex wife always wanted more and more. We had our daughter together and we would have LOVED another child but financially we could not afford to have another. We both worked (me before and after our daughter was born ~ we have paid so much in childcare that we could have purchased the nursery ) and still work but we decided that if we wanted to give our daughter and stepson a decent upbringing and not rely on benefits then we had to be responsible and make to difficult decision on not having another child. After making our decision it ENRAGES mewhen I see family with 3/4/5 kids in tow, smoking and drinking alcohol. The kids are dresses scruffily and are unkempt. I know of certain families that have had computers loaned from school....we have to BUY our own. They have school uninforms donated....we have to BUY our childrens. They smoke and drink...we CANT AFFORD to (dont want to smoke though ). They receive benefits for everything (they blatently spout out what they receive)...we receive child benefit and nominal tax credit. They get free furniture...we save up for our own. This is the reason that I still believe that these families cannot afford their kids and at the end of the day it is everyone else that is paying for them yet my husband and I took the responsible decision to not have another child. That said I am not unhappy at responsible parents that make a decision without having the attitude of I will have more kids because I can and will get all that I need from the government. I am only voicing my opinion but I get so irritiated about it ~ sorry if I have upset anyone I do agree to a point on this. I don't believe it is fair for the taxpayer to have to pay for someone elses choices. i.e. having loads of kids and can't afford to look after themselves let alone the kids. Dont get me wrong we could easily be in need of benefits but it shouldn't be used as a lifestyle Dianne P(12)'s Avatar Dianne P(12) said: 15-07-11 09:17 I am a foster carer to newborns and have looked after about 30 babies .... the majority of those babies came to me because they were being neglected/abused. The parents (usually the mother as dad is nowhere to be seen) are given every chance to improve or get over their problems but the baby ends up by being adopted..... the baby I have now is no 5 to one mother and 6 years ago I had his sister when she was born - so that mother has not improved over the years). My point is that these are the ones who shouldn't have babies as they won't look after them - not even a £1 toy from the pound shop at Christmas or Birthdays. They contribute nothing to their child's upkeep - not even chocolate buttons at contact or something , they get bus fares to enable them to go to contact (which they can't be bothered to do and it fizzles out) and that child has cost the government thousands by the time it is adopted. Why have the child if they behave like this?? These are the ones who shouldn't have babies! I am NOT saying all babies in foster care are in this situation - far from it, I am just saying this is the majority of babies I have had.