#The soft banning it's getting into my bones

[freeasthewesternbreeze]

Arthur taking care of a Drunk! Reader

I love dis man!!! This was meant to be a short blurb and then it ended up like this. This is me rambling, so nothing serious. Definitely gonna have some grammar mistakes too my apologies, but enjoy! GIVE ME ARTHUR SO IN LOVE WITH HIS LADY OR GIVE ME DEATH!!! THIS MAN NEEDS TO BE LOVED AND CUDDLED!!! RAHHHHH

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Arthur Morgan is the type of man that loves to dote on his beautiful partner. He loves to compliment her when she’s not there, and speak nothing but songs of praises to the gang. While it might not be the typical “romantic cowboy” trope Mary-Beth reads in her books, Arthur had so many different, yet loving ways in which he dotes on his love.

You need some help setting up your cot and space when the gang finds a new spot? Fear not beautiful, Arthur, who has been riding for hours and working himself to the bone all day already set it up, making sure to ask if anything needed to be changed to your liking.

Another one of your favorite things about Arthur is how no matter how disgusting you may feel, or how embarrassing you think a situation is, Arthur will always be there to help. And still think you’re as beautiful as ever.

Maybe one night you lost count of how many drinks you and the girls at camp were having and decided to loudly and obnoxiously flirt with Arthur while he was on patrol just outside the camp. Instead of getting frustrated with you and telling you to get it together, he gets flustered and makes a remark on how you’re gonna feel in the morning. The burly man could barely believe what his eyes were seeing before him. The love of his life stumbling towards him with a mischievous look in her eyes. “HOW ABOUT YOU COME ON OVER DOWN HERE AND…” she took a quick pause to hiccup “LEMME SHOW YOU WHAT A REAL GOOD TIME LOOKS LIKE COWBOY!” This remark triggers a soft chuckle out of Arthur, making a mental note to ban Karen from ever giving you liquor. (or maybe just sometimes… he’s loving this)

He would take you to a secluded spot and simply sit down with you until you calmed down. You maybe were getting a little handsy with our favorite cowboy and maybe even left a few kisses on his smiling face.

“Now sweetheart you know I love you, and if the circumstances were different, I’d be all over you like a pig in mud. But darlin’ you are so drunk I don’t even think you can walk straight” He says while slowly taking your hands off of his chest.

“Y-you listen here you handsome sum’ bitch, I think we need to get out of here…. and knock some boots…” you replied to him in a drunken tone as you shot him a pathetic attempt at a wink. Drunk you could have sworn Arthur Morgan was created solely to make you happy. You knew this man was yours and all you wanted to do was eat him alive. The alcohol running hot in your blood was making that feeling amplified.

As you continued to drunkenly flirt with Arthur and make him laugh, your glazed eyes couldn’t even focus on Arthur’s grinning face anymore before you slowly start to feel the sky and earth around you spinning.

‘Ah yes … the punishment for my greed of drinking’ You begin to think as the nights festivities begin to catch up with you.

Arthur quickly takes note of the way your eyes clench shut and the way your body tenses up as you slowly push off of him and begin to stumble towards a bush. You felt like the world was spinning at about 10x the speed it normally does, and your stomach decided it didn’t like that very much.

“Oh fuck me…” You say aloud as you begin to dry heave.

Arthur knew what was about to happen because the man had found himself in that same exact position more times then he can count. He began to walk over to you, grabbing the loose strands of hair surrounding your face to hold back as the drinks you had inhaled came up again.

It wasn’t a pretty sight.

But Arthur couldn’t help but feel so honored to care for you in such a manner. He felt so much love for you even in such a vulnerable moment, because he knew that you trusted him enough to take care of you.

“I gotchu pretty girl… just get it out…” he begins to slowly rub your back up and down as the contents of your stomach now end up in the bush you tried to hide behind.

“I’m never drinking that shit Karen calls whiskey againnnn,” you practically cry out as you finally get a moment to breathe “She’s tryin’ to kill me..”

Arthur slowly blows cool air on the back of your neck to cool you down as he feels you getting sweaty and hot from the exertion of everything. “Honey you also don’t drink much.”

Arthur recalls he had only seen you this drunk once before. And it ended up with you jumping in the river naked and him having to fish you out. And yes, you were trying to get fresh with him even while half drowning. But that’s a story for another time.

“Yeah well… whatever.” You say finally relishing in the sense of relief that falls over you now that everything is out of your system. You look up at Arthur and see him smiling at you with kind eyes. You felt your face heat up under his gaze. ‘Why must he be so handsome? God damn I love this man’. You thought trying to stand up straighter.

“You’re so cute. Even when you’re drunk as a skunk” he remarks and kisses the side of your head. He guides you by the waist back to camp to wash your mouth out and take a quick bird bath. You still weren’t completely sober, but sober enough to know it’s time to crawl into bed.

Arthur takes you into his tent and tells you to lie down while he gets you some tea to relax you a bit more. The soft glow of the lantern creates a soft atmosphere, making Arthur’s space feel more like a sanctuary as opposed to a tent set up in the middle of a camp somewhere in the forest. You pull off your dress and boots and end up grabbing one of Arthur’s shirts to sleep in. He tries to keep them as clean as he can because he knows you love to sleep in them, so he keeps a special drawer just for you in his tent.

You slip into his cot and breathe in his scent on his pillow. Tobacco, leather, and pine. That’s what your Arthur smells like, and you swear you could die happy if it was the last thing you ever got to sleep in. You hear shuffling outside of the ten as the flap slowly opens up, revealing Arthur’s large form. He places your tea next to you so you can have a few sips as he slowly begins to take off his things and prepare for bed.

“I got Javi to finish the patrol. He needed a break from Uncle’s lumbago bullshit.” You giggle at the thought of Javier sitting there trying to relax and strum his guitar while Uncle cries about an ailment that most don’t even know if he actually has.

“Well you certainly saved him from a night of misery.” You yawn placing your finished tea down as you shuffle under Arthur’s blankets a bit further, feeling the chilly nip of air hitting your shoulders. “You can say that again.” He replies.

Arthur finally takes his shirt off leaving him only in his pants as he turns to look at you. You jokingly whistle at him as you look at him up and down, drinking in your protectors beautiful body. You see him quickly huff and look away as he mumbles a “Shut up…” with a small smile on his face. You smile in reply to him as you make room for him to lay down. He turns off the lantern and gently slides into the cot with you, careful not to take the covers off of you.

You move to your side as Arthur also lies on his slide. You shuffle closer to his back and wrap your arm around his torso and bury your face in the back of his neck. Gently placing soft kisses on him.

“You make such a nice little spoon partner.” You whisper into his neck. You feel his shoulders shake with laughter as he relaxes into your touch. “Reckon you can’t reach much back there. You’re kinda like a spider monkey on me.”

“At least you’re warm…. And why a spider monkey? Why not a…” you pause to think, with your eyes slowly beginning to droop, but your exhausted brain really can’t come up with a snarky response “Nope, that makes sense never mind.”

You feel Arthur grab your hand under the covers and squeeze it gently as he starts to feel your breathing start to slow and get heavier. “Goodnight handsome… I love you… thanks for takin care o’ me..” You mumble as you give his shoulder one last peck.

You couldn’t see it, but Arthur had a soft smile while he heard you say those words. You made him feel like he could take the world on. Just feeling your touch and having you lay here with him made his insides feel like a thousand bees and roses buzzing and growing inside of him. He felt beautiful for once.

He never thought he would have this. He never thought he could ever feel so deeply for another person again after all the hurt and trauma he had gone through. But you came along and changed that. You made him feel like he was more than just some violent enforcer, or some dumb cowboy. You made him feel seen, and in many ways, safe. You were his to protect, and he was yours to have.

“I love you too pretty girl. More than words can say.”

——

AHHHH YOU GUYS!!!

This is my first fic I have written in over ten years. I’m still super rusty and honestly still feel I could hone the skill a bit better. I hope you all liked this! I love my bb cowboy Arthur, and I always want to dote on that beautiful man. He was little spoon this time around because… well have you seen those shoulders of his? Beautiful. Magnificent.

Please let me know how you guys feel! And let me know if any ideas you may like to see written out. 🩵

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[trashcanfanfics]

might I request some headcanons for ford (young and old) w/ a reader who’s a witch (like from the boiling isles) and has their own place in the woods? they’re known as the witch of the woods and there are stories from local teens about how they’ll “steal your bones if you get too close to their house,” but they’re actually really nice and will make you lunch if you stop by.

please, and thank you 🔮

Man, do I love this idea!! I immediately started thinking of a little ficlet/imagine/scenario

Reader gender not mentioned, could be any gender

This turned out longer than I thought it would

I'd exiled myself to earth a bit ago in response to the ban on wild witches. It was easier for me to leave than to fight back then. I could probably go back anytime, but I'd rather not be forced to pick one coven.

It wasn't all bad here. The rain didn't burn, plants didn't move on their own or try to eat me. I loved the green color of the landscape and my palisman, Gretch, enjoyed the fresh air. The locals were friendly enough, and the children were curious.

I'd noticed that they were wary of me and my strange abilities. To combat this, I'd just make warm beverages and small meals for anyone traveling farther into the woods near my little cabin.

It was on my way home from the human store that I met him. A man stuck in the root of a tree. One of mine, unfortunately. In a moment of homesickness, I'd planted a seed from the Boiling Isles near my home, and this particular one was a grasping willow. A sigh escaped me, loud enough for my surprise captive to hear. He turned towards me, seeming to forget his foot was stuck, causing him to fall over. The man winced.

"I'm sorry for my tree, sir." I swirled my pointer finger into a circle of green. The root lifted and moved from his ankle. "He's just a bit playful." I set my bags down to offer him my hand. He hesitated, looking at my hand before reaching up and taking the offered help. Once he was up, I shook his hand with a smile and introduced myself.

"Nice to meet you," he quickly took his hand back and cleared his throat, "my name is Stanford Pines, though people call me Ford."

"Wonderful to meet you, Ford." I picked my bags back up and faced him again. "I have groceries to put away, so I have to go. Try walking in a wide circle to avoid Snipper if you're walking around here."

"Oh, uh, thank you for the advice." He waved awkwardly and turned to leave. I chuckled slightly and went on my own way. Gretch sniffed the air in his direction before hiding back into my cloak. They whispered to me about the stranger's smell as I walked back home.

~*~

Ford came around more often after that. He asked many questions, and I answered. I asked fewer questions but received more answers. He was eager to talk and learn, and I was grateful for the company. Ford became a part of my routine in the best way. We'd meet up for lunch at either mine or his cabin and tell me what he's found. His theories enthralled me. I'd developed quite the soft spot for him and missed him when he wasn't around. My palisman teased me endlessly about it, but stopped once I'd mention how they liked to curl up on his lap as he talked.

He'd started coming around less and less. I wondered what new oddity he was occupied with to take up all his time. Gretch had been keeping watch over him and hadn't seen much since they couldn't get into the cabin. Whenever he did visit, he was...distant. There were bags beneath his eyes, an erratic fear, and paranoia took over his voice, even when it was just a whisper. I was worried and told him as such. He'd stood abruptly from the living room couch, making poor Gretch leap to the floor, and looked at me for the first time in months.

"There's nothing to be worried about. I'm fine, everything's fine!" His eye twitched. I blinked a few times in shock at his outburst. My hands flew up in a placating manner.

"Okay, okay," I lowered my hands and held them out to him palm up, "how about I make you your favorite tea, hm?" His eyes lowered to my hands before placing his own in them. I gently squeezed his hands for exactly six seconds before standing up and leading him to the kitchen. He followed me as I moved around to make the tea. Gretch stayed close to him, attempting to comfort him. The kettle boiled and I pulled it off before the whistle blew. We both watched the tea steep for a few seconds before Ford wrapped me in a hug from behind. His head rested against me as he shook.

~*~

"I think...I think I did something very bad, and you won't forgive me." His voice cracked. I looked up from the soup I was serving to look at him. He was looking at his hands.

"I suppose that's a valid concern. Although, I can't say whether I would or wouldn't if I don't know what it is." I set the ladle down and grabbed the tray holding the bowls. "For what it's worth, there is very little you can do that I wouldn't be able to forgive." I set the tray on the table and set a bowl in front of him, then Gretch's, before sitting down my with my own.

"I..." He stared at the soup. "I care for you deeply, and I don't want you to be mixed up in my mistakes." His eyes were tired when they looked at me. My breath caught in my chest as I stared back. My palisman stopped slurping to to look up at both me and Ford.

"Is that what you're asking me to forgive? You caring deeply for me?" I looked down at my own soup, stirring it slightly. My heart raced as his words filled my mind. "If that's a thing in need of forgiveness, then I beg for yours in return." I look back at him with a small smile. His brow furrowed.

"That's not the point I'm making." Ford ran a hand through his hair and rubbed his forehead. "I've made a mistake that could put you in danger. Out of everything that's happened to me, you've been the best. I don't want to lose you." He pulled out a book from his bag. One of his journals. He slid the book over to me. Gretch leaned over the tray to sniff it before recoiling. I blinked and looked at him.

"Ford, what--" I was cut off by him rounding the table and kneeling beside me. He grabbed my hands in both of his and looked me in the eye, more serious than he'd ever been with me. Gretch, wanting a better view, crawled over the table to be beside me.

"Take this journal and hide it. Take it as far from here as possible. Go and never come back. Please." His voice trembled. "I don't want him to get you."

"Who? Who is going to get me? What aren't you telling me?" I pulled my hands from his to hold his face, tears brimming my eyes. "Ford, tell me what's going on, why do I have to leave? What will happen to you once I do?" Tears poured down my face as I bit back a sob. I'd been so worried about him, about why he'd been so distant. Then he was asking me to leave. Leave Gravity Falls, my home, the only person besides my palisman I trusted fully with all my heart. I didn't want to go.

"I can't tell you. Please, believe me, it's safer this way." Ford reached for my face, eyes flitting back between my own. He leaned in and kissed me softly, barely a whisper on my lips. My eyes shut, allowing more tears to fall. I pushed into him, wrapping an arm around his shoulder, and deepened the kiss.

"I can't leave you." I said against his lips as we both pulled back slightly. I kissed him again. "I can't leave you, Ford." Our foreheads were pressed against each other.

"You have to." He pulled away and stood up. He grabbed his bag and turned to leave. Gretch chased after him immediately. I watched him go for a second, tears still falling down my face, before grabbing the book, and running after him. Grabbing the strap of his bag, I pulled him back.

"If you're going, then take this with you. I won't be part of something i don't know about." I shoved the book into his chest and glared at him through my tears. He looked at the book and then me before steeling his gaze. He shoved the book back into his bag and left. The front door closed, and I made my way back to the kitchen, Gretch following sadly behind. The soup had gone cold.

~*~

We hadn't spoken in a month. Four weeks. Thirty days. I went to his cabin to see him but his friend, Fiddleford McGucket, was on his way out and warned me to stay away from Ford.

"For your own sake." He said, rushing to his truck, bags in tow. "He's gone insane." I'd still knocked on his door for the next week. No reply. Gretch continued to keep an eye out and told me whatever they deemed relevant.

The next three I wallowed in my grief. Moping around the house, not taking care of my plants, or myself. I could barely brush my teeth or eat. My body odor followed me like a cloud. Days blurred together. Gretch tried to help me, but they were just as upset. Eventually, I had to go out to get more groceries.

On the way to the store, in my sweatpants, hooded sweater and muddy boots, I passed by Ford's cabin flying low to the ground on Gretch. As I looked towards it, my heart clenching painfully, the trees began to shake. I looked around in confusion as Gretch and I slowed to a stop. Then back to the cabin. The basement windows lit up a bright blue. Before I could stop myself, I flew straight towards the door, using my magic to unlock it. Bursting into the foyer, down the steps to the basement, I saw two figures.

There was Ford and someone else who looked like him. Stanley, his twin brother. Ford had told me about him. Ford was floating in the air, waving his limbs around, trying not to get pulled into a giant machine glowing with the light I'd seen outside.

"Ford!" I yelled, running to help him. Gretch almost reached him as he screamed his brother's name. He was sucked into the portal faster than I could cast a spell. "FORD!" I fell to my knees in front of the portal, next to where Stanley was standing. He was gone. My tears became my closest friends in the past weeks. These ones felt different. They hurt more, like daggers down my cheeks. He was gone. My friend, the one I adored and trusted the most. Gone. I sobbed out his name again, looking at the ground, Getch placed their head into my lap.

"Uh, are you...Did you...know my brother?" The voice made me jump. I turned to Stanley. I'd forgotten he was here in my anguish. I sniffed and wiped my face on my sleeve.

"Yes. He was my friend."

~*~

Ford had been gone for 30 years. After he'd been taken through the portal, Stan and I began a sort of friendship. He was brash and rude, his voice was gruff. He was different from Ford in so many ways, but so similar. Our friendship wasn't like the one with Ford. It was less lunch dates and more I'd bring him meals and take him shopping.

He'd convinced a crowd of shoppers that he was the mysterious scientist in the cabin while he was shopping by himself one day. I'd gotten very angry at him and refused to talk to him for a week after that. Eventually, I came around to it, realizing that he does need to make money somehow.

In time, the "Mystery Shack", as Stan called it, became quite profitable. People were attracted to its unbelievable aura. Personally, I found most of Stan's grotesque attractions to feel like home. I'd known someone who looked like the "Eyeball with Legs" back in the Boiling Isles. Gretch was glad Stan never asked them to be an exhibit. Sometimes, I feel as though Stan took inspiration from my stories.

It was summer when the twins came to Gravity Falls. Stan told me I wasn't allowed to do magic or talk to them about the strangeness in our little town. I told him that I wasn't going to hide who I was from anyone, and if he had a problem with it, don't let them go out by my cabin. We had a heated argument about that. I had resolved to not speak, or even go looking for him or anyone from the Shack that whole summer.

Of course, that didn't stop them from looking for me. Apparently, Ford had written about me in his third journal, and Dipper had stumbled across it. It lead them both to my doorstep with a gentle knock on the door.

"Hello?" As I opened the door, I saw two children, tweens, it seemed. The girl was holding a video camera at my face. "Oh!" They looked familiar almost.

"Uh, hi, uh..." The boy ruffled through a familiar book. I realized then who I must've been talking to. This must be Dipper and Mabel. The Pines' genetics must have been strong, they looked just like their great uncles. "Are you the witch of the woods?" His question made me laugh slightly. Gretch poked their head out the door to sniff at the children, causing the girl to gasp and coo at them, holding a hand out. I debated telling them both to leave, but it had been a while since I'd had company. Besides, it was getting a bit dark, and the woods were dangerous for children to go out into.

"That's what the townsfolk call me, yes." I gestured for them to come inside. "Would you like some tea?" The girl quickly came in with an excited smile. She was already petting and baby-talking Gretch. I chuckled.

"Oh, you're so cute! What's your name?" She looked around my living room and gasped. "I love your curtains!" She raced over to touch them before her brother stopped her, scolding her in a hushed tone. I smiled at them before going into the kitchen with Gretch in tow. They followed soon after.

"I'm not going to eat you, despite what the other children might say." I grabbed three tea cups and started the stove. "I don't do much other than tend to my plants and feed hikers that come by." I placed teabags into a teapot.

"So you're...not a witch?" The boy asked. I laughed again and ushered them to sit at the table. The girl gasped at the center piece. A lovely potted plant of flowers Ford had gifted me a long time ago. They were spring flowers, so they had stopped blooming. I smiled fondly at them.

"What kind of plant is this?" She touched the leaves gently. "It's so pretty."

"They're called shooting stars." I swirled my pointer finger in a green circle, causing the flowers to glow green as well and bloom. Gretch sniffed them, then sneezed. "They're normally a spring flower, but I'm able to keep them going with the sunroof in place and a bit of magic.

"So you are a witch!" The boy yelled. The kettle whistled and I quickly went to stop it. "This is incredible! Mabel! Did you catch that on video?" His sister, Mabel, looked at the camera, which had been placed facing away from the plant, towards a window.

"Whoops." She fixed the camera to face the flowers, which had ceased glowing and sat, bloomed, but otherwise non magical. He groaned in frustration and looked at me.

"Would you do that again? For the camera?" He gestured to the technology. I finished making the tea and brought it over, giving them each a cup.

"I would," I sat down in my own chair, "but the flowers are already bloomed, dear." I took a sip and set it back down. Looking at him with a small smile full of humor. Gretch huffed in their form of laughter. Ford had always called me a smart ass.

"Darnit!" He put his head on the table. Mabel reached over and patted his back before taking a sip of her tea. She hummed in delight at the taste and finished the cup in a few gulps. I offered her more, which she gladly accepted, drinking more before scratching Gretch on the head. The palisman leaned into her hand.

"I could do something else for your, oh, what are you needing the footage for, Dipper?" My question made his head shoot up. He looked at me in surprise. I realized that I'd called him his name before he'd told me.

"How do you know my name?" His eyes widened. "Do you read minds?" I was already shaking my head before he finished. Gretch huffed another laugh.

"I know your uncle, is all." I held my hand up to stop both of their questions. "Stan and I are, well, I suppose you could call us friends."

"Are you two in a relationship? Are you in love?" Mabel stood on her chair, her hands planted on the table as she leaned towards me. I scrunched my face in slight disgust even thinking about being with Stan. My palisman sneezed and shook their head.

"Absolutely not." I huffed and rolled my eyes. "Not even if he begged." The very idea of Stan being who I came home to made me very uncomfortable. Besides...I still dreamed of Ford. I regretted that our first and only kiss was when he was leaving. Maybe if I'd been braver in the beginning, said something sooner, he'd still be here. Maybe it'd have chased him away earlier than he did.

"Um, witch...sir? Ma'am? Sma'mir?" Mabel's voice drew me out of my reverie. I blinked and looked at her. She tilted her head in confusion.

"Pardon, I was leagues away. Did you say something, dear?" I looked at the clock to see the time. "Oh, that might have to wait. You two need to get home." I stood and ushered them to the living room where I grabbed my warmest shawls. They would have to do, my coats were buried in the hall closet. I wrapped one around Mabel, as she was the closest, so that it covered her head. when I turned to do the same to Dipper, he refused.

"I'll be fine, I don't need it." He held up his hands and I put mine on my hips. My eyebrow arched as I gave him a look that said this wasn't an argument. Gretch went behind him and gently nudged him towards me.

"It gets cold at night, especially in the woods." I quickly threw it over his shoulders and over his head like his sister. Mabel giggled as she pointed the camera at us. Dipper's frown deepened as his cheeks reddened. "I won't have you catch a chill on my watch. It'll just be another thing for Stan to b-ahem, yell about." With them properly bundled, I wrapped myself up and had Gretch turn into a staff. Both children gasped.

"I definitely got that on video." Mabel said as I waved them both to get on. Mabel in front of me and Dipper behind, I took off, up and over the trees. The twins both yelled out, though I suspected for different reasons.

As we walked up the porch, the door swung open to reveal Stan himself. He looked from both of the twins then to me. His eyes darkened slightly.

"I told you not to talk to them!" He pushed them both behind him and pointed a finger at me. "You said you wouldn't!" His glare matched mine. I pushed his hand out of my face and lifted my chin.

"Children, cover your ears." I spared them a glance to see them do so. My finger replaced his between us. "They were deep in those damn woods at dusk! I wouldn't have had to take them home if you had been doing your fucking job of keeping them safe! No wonder they're up to their goddamned knees in the supernatural of this fucking town!"

"How much did you tell them, what did you tell them?!" He got closer to me, dangerously so. I pointed my palisman staff towards him as a barrier. "So help me, if you told them-!" That made me scoff.

"Oh, please, I didn't tell them anything." I scoffed and waved my other hand to dismiss the thought. "Do you have such little faith in me? After all these years?" A sigh left my lips as I shook my head.

"Just stay away from them!" He pointed a finger at me again. "They don't need to be involved with all this weirdness." His statement made me roll my eyes and I turned to leave.

"They're already too invested in the weirdness, Stanley." I turned my head to look back at him over my shoulder, mounting my palisman. "They won't end up like him in one summer, but if you're that worried, keep them out of the woods." With that, I took off into the sky.

~*~

The children clearly didn't listen to Stan, if he told them to stay away from me. They came around my home every few days or so, asking me about myself and the woods surrounding. I'd been vague about my friendship with Ford, for Stan's sake if nothing else. Gretch enjoyed their company, especially Mabel's. She would bring the palisman snacks and plenty of affection. Waddles and Gretch became fast friends when the pig was brought along as well.

Mabel had latched onto my story of him and was sobbing by the time I'd told her he was gone and I'd never see him again. Dipper also seemed disappointed, wanting to meet the scientist. He'd asked if I was talking about the author of the journals. I'd told him no. Gretch whined at that, clearly frustrated I wouldn't tell them anything. I just shooed her away.

They told me about their adventures and a figure named Bill. I'd sat eagerly by, hearing about their encounters. They had been in danger multiple times over the summer and I'd nearly gone to shout at Stan some more before they said they didn't want him to know. I explained to them that not telling Stan was a mistake. He is their guardian for the summer and needed to know where they were so he could help if needed. They disagreed and went home. I'd asked Gretch to watch over them for a while to make sure they weren't in too much danger.

It was sometime after Mabel's sock opera when the kids invited me over. Well, more Mabel did, with Stan's permission. Though the man had been rather grumpy over the phone. I was amused by Mabel's antics and agreed, soon making my way over there. Gretch sniffed the air and shook their head, rubbing their nose.

"Oh hush, I'm sure Stan can't stink that bad from out here." I joked before knocking on the door. "Should we invest in nose plugs for you?" The door opened before they could retort. Mabel squealed when she saw me and pulled me into the cabin and to the living room.

"You're going to love this guy, trust me," She squealed again, "I'm a master match maker." I laughed at her enthusiasm. She was determined to have me meet someone. The only time she'd stopped was when she'd found out Stan had a crush on Lazy Susan.

"Mabel, I've told you already that I'm perfectly fine on my own. I really should stop ind--" I looked up to see the unfortunate suitor this time. My eyes widened and my heart stopped. I knew the figure instantly. Despite the wrinkles, my dreams made sure I'd never forget his face. "Ford?" His eyes widened as he recognized me. He said my name in a whisper. Gretch wasted no time in throwing themselves at him, circling and sniffing and bumping into him. He huffed a laugh and pet them gently.

"I didn't forget you either." He looked up from the palisman back to me. "I'd thought you'd have left Gravity Falls." His other hand twitched, as if he wanted to touch me. I couldn't hold back, I ran to him and wrapped him in a hug. The tears that had been building up overflowed.

"I told you I couldn't." I felt his arms slowly hug me back. He squeezed me gently and buried his face into my neck. I gave him one more squeeze before pulling back slightly to look up at him. Our eyes met and I smiled brighter than I'd had in years. He returned the gesture. "I'm glad you're back." Tears continued to slide down my face and I sniffed.

"You knew each other?!" Mabel's voice broke us both out of our little bubble. "What?!" She turned to Dipper, who'd just walked in, and shook him by his shoulders screaming about how this is a better story than the Dusk series. Dipper, having pulled himself from his sister's grasp, looked at me and Ford, still in an embrace. Mabel ran out of the room to go tell Stan.

"...When I asked if the person you were talking about was the author of the journals..." He furrowed his brows. I hesitantly pulled myself fully from Ford's arms and cleared my throat.

"I lied, yes." My hand was already up to stop him from asking questions or comment on my dishonesty. "Stan had asked me not to, it would have caused problems if you knew." The boy looked displeased with my answer.

"That's what Grunkle Stan said, too." He crossed his arms. "It's stupid! If we knew, we could have helped rebuild the portal and get Great Uncle Ford back!" His statement had Ford opening his mouth, but I was faster.

"Now, that's enough, young man!" I put one hand on my hip and pointed a finger at him. He jumped and his eyes widened. I'd never raised my voice at either of the twins before. "Stan is a ridiculously infamous liar, but this time he did out of necessity. You weren't there to see what happened after Ford was sucked into that portal, he was dealing with the grief of losing his brother and while I'm going to have very strong words with him out of earshot of you kids about rebuilding that machine, it's understandable how he went about things." Gretch sneezed, huffed and then looked away. I raised an eyebrow at them and put my other hand on my other hip. They gazed right back at me and yawned before laying down nonchalantly. I rolled my eyes. They never truly liked Stan. Ford laughed slightly at mine and Gretch's wordless exchange. I turned to him with a slight smile and a raised eyebrow. He only shook his head fondly.

"You're defending him?" Dipper stuck up his chin, ignoring the palisman. "I thought you guys didn't like each other..." A sigh escaped me at that. I crossed the room, pulled out a chair to the card table before sitting down. Ford followed to stand next to me, my heart swelled at the thought that he was here. Actually back.

"Stan and I don't always see eye to eye," I began, watching Dipper join me at the table, "but, well, I helped him for the first few months after the incident. With the portal, I mean. We looked through the research we had to figure it out."

"You helped with that?" Ford looked incredulous. "Why? It was dangerous!" His outburst made me look at him with a huff. Gretch snuffed out a laugh and made themself comfortable on the old yellow chair.

"I was getting to that." This seemed to placate him as he closed his mouth and cleared his throat in embarrassment. "Anyway, I had been helping him, reading through the only journal we had, before I'd looked at everything and used my oracle abilities to try and track down any others. I'd had a vision in my crystal of what would happen if I helped further and told Stan what I'd seen."

"I'm guessing he didn't believe you?" Dipper asked, rolling his eyes. I smiled at how the resemblance he had to Stan in that moment.

"He rolled his eyes just like that when I told him. Stan's always been a stubborn bas--ahem, man." I snickered, glancing at Ford and winking when our eyes met. His face reddened "It's a family trait, I've noticed."

"I'd hardly call myself stubborn." Ford crossed his arms and looked away. "It's not stubbornness when you're right." His defensiveness made me bark out a laugh. His face deepened in color as he refused to look at me.

"Okay, and when you told him what would happen and he didn't believe you, you stopped helping?" Dipper put his arms on the table and leaned towards me, eagerly waiting for the rest of the story.

"Well...not exactly." I looked off to the side, thinking how to phrase my words. "I mean, I stopped helping with the portal, yes, but I stayed until the Shack became more popular. In the beginning of the change, I understood needing the money, but the more ridiculous it became, the more I felt like it was wrong. We'd gotten into a huge fight over it. There's been tension ever since."

"So you and Gruncle Stan were never together?" Mabel's voice made me jump. I looked to see her sitting on the floor and Stan leaning against the yellow chair Gretch had fallen asleep in. He looked at Mabel in confusion. I rubbed my hand on my forehead and sighed.

"Mabel. I've told you this." I looked at Stan and scrunched my nose, he rolled his eyes, his arms crossed. "I have never, and I mean ever, considered Stan anything more than an unlikely friend." I looked at her and shook my head.

"Yeah, they're not my type anyway." He snickered. It was my turn to roll my eyes before crossing my own arms. I raised my eyebrows at him.

"Yes, his type is anything twenty years younger and doesn't have enough wits to realize he isn't as funny as he thinks he is." I smirked at the indignant noise he made at my jab. "Or a spider." My last comment made Dipper and Mabel laugh as Stan's face grew red.

"Hey! She didn't look like a spider at the time!" He grumbled and looked back down at Gretch, poking them to try and get them to move. They growled in response. "How do you even know about that?" He looked at the kids and then grumbled under his breath again.

"Besides," I looked at Mabel, "I have my eye on only one person. I have since I first met him." Her eyes sparkled as she looked between me and Ford. Dipper looked exasperated.

"Is he Great Uncle Ford?!" She stood up and pointed at us both. I chuckled at her enthusiasm. Ford looked at her, his mouth agape and cheeks red. Dipper rolled his eyes, but seemed interested as he eyed both me and Ford with interest.

"Yes." I smiled at him as he already opened his mouth, words spilling out before he could register what I said.

"That's hardly an appropriate thing to say--" He stopped and looked at me. "Did you say yes?" He was staring at me in amazement. I could see Stan gagging in my peripheral vision. Mabel giggled and Dipper started writing down on a piece of paper.

"I did." I raised my eyebrow at Ford. "Did you forget about that kiss? I'm a bit insulted." He blinked and cleared his throat, looking away. His face was so red, I thought he was going to faint from the blood rush.

"No!" He cleared his throat again. "No, I just...I didn't think..." His gaze softened and he reached out to cup my face. I leaned in, keeping eye contact as he rubbed a thumb over my cheek. My hand reached up and held his there.

"Ugh, gross. Get a room." We both looked at Stan who gagged again. "At least take it outside." I rolled my eyes again and stood up, bringing Ford's hand from my face to hold between us. He looked at me as I reached up my own hand to bring his face closer to mine. At long last, I kissed him. He made a muffled noise of surprise but quickly leaned into the kiss. Stan and Dipper both groaned as Mabel cheered. I pulled back and looked Ford in the eyes.

"I wish I'd told you sooner," I leaned in and gave him another kiss, "I love you Stanford Pines."

~*~

Weirdmageddon had been concluded, the twins, both sets, safe and sound. Dipper and Mabel had their birthday before saying goodbye. I'd cried as I hugged them. They'd each received a charm of good luck. Ford and Stan had decided to sail around the world, inviting me to join them. I'd told them I'd let them catch up for a few years before setting sail with them. I'd be here when they came back during the summers.

"Are you sure? We don't mind, really." Ford had encouraged, but I shook my head with a smile. Stan shrugged his shoulders with a small smile.

"Yeah, it'd be nice to have a powerful witch aboard." He smacked a hand on my shoulder. I laughed and patted his hand. He moved it back to his side.

"I'm sure you boys can handle yourselves. Besides, I've waited this long." I looked at Stan then Ford. Gretch huffed and sat firmly next to Ford, daring me to try and stop her from going. "Fine by me, Gretch. Go on with them, I'll see you in a few years."

"It doesn't have to be years..." Ford looked down at them with a sheepish smile. "You could join us at the end of next summer." Stan gave a noise of agreement.

"Yeah!" Stan gave me a nudge. "It'd be nice to catch up with you, too." We had gained some of our friendship back during the apocalypse and I was glad for it. I smiled and shook my head fondly.

"Alright, fine." They both smiled at my confirmation. "Send me letters in the meantime." Stan agreed and went to say one more goodbye to his protege, Soos, before getting the car. Gretch huffed and walked off, deciding to stay with me after all. Ford stepped closer to me, gently cupping my face in one of his hands. We both leaned in and kissed. Stan drove up and honked the horn, causing us to reluctantly part.

"I promise to write." He gave me one more kiss before getting into the car and they both drove off. I kept waving until they were out of sight.

"See you next summer." I said before heading back home with Gretch. My heart felt full.

[kpopflowerfield]

Normal People | lj

ღ pairing: idol! jeno x gn! reader

ღ word count: 4k

ღ genre: angst

ღ rating: pg-13

ღ warnings: pet names (baby, babe, my love), there’s a few swears but that’s all!!

ღ networks: @k-vanity @k-library

ღ author’s note: ty to @lovetaroandtaemin for beta reading !!!

ღ summary: Jeno’s job isn’t the best and he knows it, having to sneak around to be with you also makes it harder. All he could wish for is that you could trust him and how he makes it work. making the relationship become unstable as they’re sneaking around with only the desire to have a normal relationship

↠ check out the rest of the tracklist here! ↞

“Jeno,” You called out from the comfy bed you had yet to move from. “Yes, baby?” He responded from the kitchen, where he filled up his water bottle. “What time are you coming home tonight?”You looked out your door as Jeno walked over. “Hopefully, tonight will be an easy night, so around nine,” He nodded. You couldn’t help but pout. He’s been working himself to the bone, and you rarely get the chance to see him.

It wasn’t anything new, since he’d been on the same schedule for the past few months. You always tried to tell him to rest, but he swore he knew what he was doing. You couldn’t criticize him, as you’d be the same when it came to fulfilling a dream. Ever since you met him as a kid, he’s always talked about wanting to become an idol and how cool it would be. 

Then, last year, he got scouted and held onto that business card close. It took you months of bothering him for him to give them a call finally. It took a while to get used to the whole never-seeing-your-boyfriend thing, but you would never want to come in between him and his dreams. You were proud of him, and he was always beaming when he talked about practice or showed off a dance that he had learned.

“I’ll come straight home to you,” his voice took you out of your deep thoughts. He leaned down to plant a soft kiss on your lips. “Alright, love, make sure to drink lots of water and eat something too.” You held his arm until he agreed with you. “I always do, baby.” He smiled down at you as you let go of the grip you had on him. It took some energy, but you finally got out of bed after Jeno left.

You’ve kept yourself busy with books, cleaning, and sometimes trying out a few new recipes. The first few weeks were awful when he would practice for over ten hours a day. You’d sit somewhere in your apartment, moping and daydreaming about him finally coming home. Now, you were used to it. That’s why you left stuff for yourself to do until later in the day. It made time feel faster and made you feel like Jeno was coming home much sooner than he said in the morning.

The keys jingling in the door made you look over as you saw your boyfriend walking in. “Good news,” he spoke in a sing-song voice as you looked over at him. What is it?” You grinned. I have a group, finally! They set me up with six other guys. We don’t have a debut yet, but I’m getting so close.” He was almost squealing with excitement as you ran over and hugged him. 

“I’m so proud of you,” You grinned at him as he kissed your forehead. “I don’t mean to kill the mood, though, Jeno. But I do have a concern,” You pulled away from the hug as he hummed in response. “How are we going to work? You’re going to be under a dating ban, but we’ve also been together since before you were a trainee,” You looked up at him. You hated to bring up logical points, but you needed to know if he was breaking up with you. 

“Don’t worry about it; I’m going to have it all under control.” He smiled brightly as he messed up your hair and then looked over at the stove. “Ooh, I smell something good.” He walked over and carefully started rummaging through the foil you had laid on top of a pan. You bit the inside of your lip; you wanted to cry. Your relationship was in the air, with Jeno just saying not to worry. 

The closer he was getting to his debut, the more he kept telling you to trust him. You couldn’t fully express your thoughts with him, not wanting to bring him down into your fears of his dream. “Babe!” He called out from the bedroom, and you looked over. “Yeah?” Your voice sounded empty as you leaned back on the kitchen counter. “Should I bring anything else?” He questioned as he walked out of the bedroom. 

You saw the two suitcases that you were dreading to see. He got his debut date but also a dorm room. You held your breath to fight the tears that wanted to fall. “No, I think you have everything.” You watched as he dropped his bags on the ground and engulfed you in his arms. “I love you so much, Y/N,” He kissed the top of your head.

You couldn’t fight the tears anymore as you cried against his chest. “I love you, Jeno,” You wailed as he held you. “I promise to text you all the time, and I’ll always work stuff out for us to see each other,” He pulled away to look at your face as you nodded. “Trust me,” He smiled comfortingly as he wiped your tears. You were getting tired of those two words. You trusted him, but it started to sound like empty promises every time those words escaped his lips. 

You nodded a bit and cleared your throat. “You should go; don’t keep them waiting,” you smiled weakly as he nodded. I’ll text you when I make it,” he kissed your forehead and picked up his stuff. I love you!” He grinned and walked out. “I love you,” your voice was soft, as the door had already shut behind him. 

You sighed and cleaned up the mess that was left. The apartment you shared felt so empty without him. The lack of his clothes spread into each room, and the smell of his cologne. You never noticed it until it was missing. You sat down on the couch and looked around at your apartment. God, it sucked realizing he was actually gone. Tears slowly came down as you realized you wouldn’t be together for a while. 

You bit your lip, collecting yourself to stop the tears and send your friends a message. You asked to go out for some barbecue for the night just to keep your mind off of everything. They quickly agreed and started asking what was wrong. You didn’t want to lie about what happened. All you could say was that you and Jeno were having problems. You got ready, making yourself look presentable, which you hadn’t done in almost a year. 

You met with your friends and got to talk for the first time in a few weeks. They didn’t press on whatever issue you had with Jeno as you all updated each other on life. You kept quiet, just needing to hear the noise that distracted you. Your phone buzzed, taking you out of your trance. 

Jeno<3: Made it to the dorm. I miss you already. 

Y/N: I miss you too, Jeno. I wish I were able to see you

Jeno<3: I know love, but it’s only temporary. I promise

You stared at that message for a moment, debating a response until your friend's voice came through. “Hey, earth to Y/N,” Yeri teased as you laughed shortly. “Yeah, sorry.” You looked at her and then at the others who were gawking at you. “So what actually happened with you and Jeno?” Nayeon spoke up as you bit your lip. “Just ran into issues, and we haven’t been seeing each other as much as we used to,” You nodded, satisfied with your unfortunate answer. “Awe, I’m sorry, Y/N. I honestly thought you were end game,” Hyemi looked at you. 

You nodded, and they all looked at you pitifully. You wanted to tell them not to do that, but you couldn’t disagree with how they looked at you. 

Y/N: I hope it’s temporary. I want to be close to my boyfriend, and it’s hard to tell my friends what’s happening.

Jeno<3: Tell your friends we broke up. We can’t risk people knowing we’re still together. 

Y/N: What?… you’ve known them for years, Jeno. They won’t spill. 

Jeno<3: Not risking it. Trust me.

You bit your lip, and the sour taste in your mouth made your blood boil. “Y/N, put your phone away. Whatever you’re doing is clearly just making you upset,” Nayeon quickly spoke as you nodded. You turned off your phone and placed it on the table. You’ll feel better,” Hyemi smiled as you nodded. “Seriously, though, is everything okay?” Yeri looked at you; worry was all you could read as you nodded.

“Yeah, I wasn’t being fully honest,” You swallowed that nasty feeling in your throat. “We broke up,” Tears started to fall as Hyemi quickly put her hand on your back and rubbed it carefully. “Oh, hun, I’m so sorry,” She pouted as you took deep breaths, not wanting to cry in public. You looked up, tilting your head back to stop the tears. “Fuck that guy,” Nayeon huffed as you nodded, agreeing with her. You hated lying but had to tell yourself that it was a small lie. How often were you actually seeing your boyfriend?

It was already like you broke up. You’re just telling them as if it’s from the future. It was a stupid way to think of it, but it was the only way you could think of lying to your friends. An awkwardness shifted over all of you. Hyemi tried to pick up the conversation to be what it was before they asked about Jeno. You were grateful for her, finally getting out of the limelight as they asked as many questions as possible about life in general.

You spaced out as they talked, just picturing going to bed and sleeping for a long time. Once you all realized the time and went your separate ways, you finally felt as if you could breathe. You didn’t have to lie about you and Jeno. You could text him if he were available, and you’d be able to go back to your fantasy of the two of you from a few years ago. 

You crawled into your bed, sighing in relief. Finally, you can rest and not have your mind wondering about what you’ve missed out on. You shut your eyes for a moment. A pounding on the door made your heart stop for a moment as you hesitantly got out of bed. You swallowed as you walked to the door, carefully looking through the peephole until you saw Jeno standing there. Getting ready to knock again. 

You opened the door before his fist could hit the door. He snuck his way in and then looked at you. “Hi, baby,” He smiled and held you. You stood frozen, thrown off by his presence. “What are you doing here?” You blurted as he looked at you, taking your surprised state as a compliment. “I wanted to see you, babe, and I want to talk about something,” He smiled at you. Your hands got sweaty as you heard the last words of his sentence.

You held your breath, waiting for the impact of the impending breakup. “I’m not upset with you. I know you want to go to your friends, but you can’t say anything about us. I just want to keep safe. I don’t want to hurt my team, and a scandal would be the end of us before we even start,” He rambled as you nodded, barely listening to him. It wasn’t anything new that was coming out of his mouth. “I wish we were back to being normal people.” You let that sentence slip out of your mouth and then looked up at Jeno as he stood there. 

You could tell he was hurt, not because of what he said but because he finally realized what he’s been doing to you. “I’m sorry, Y/N. I promise everything will get better, and then we can go back to being normal. I cross my heart,” He tried comforting you as you nodded slowly. You held onto him tightly, not wanting to let go. “I’m sorry, Y/N,” He cleared his throat as you tilted your head to look at him. “I have to go,” He let go as you did the same. Looking away from him for a moment.

“Hey, I love you,” he smiled brightly as he cupped your face, forcing you to look at him. You smiled softly at him, just enough so he couldn’t bother you too much. “I love you too, Jeno,” he kissed your forehead before quickly running out so he could sneak back. You exhaled and rubbed your eyes. He didn’t have to come and see you, but it hurt more that he did show up only to run out minutes later.

You walked to your room, letting your body hit the mattress and be engulfed in your sheets. Your phone buzzed, and you ignored it. You finally were able to shut your eyes, getting a night's worth of sleep in a few hours before you had to get up. You tried to ignore your feelings. Not seeing your boyfriend for the past seven months was driving you crazy. Everything felt so much worse without him near. 

You felt as if he was no longer yours; he’s become a man for the media. Someone for other girls to drool over. You tried to keep it to yourself, not wanting to tell your friends your actual thoughts or have to look them in the eyes and lie. Even though your lies were becoming true, ��you went no contact,” you hadn’t heard from him in two weeks. “He’s on his own path now”; he’s busy fulfilling a dream. “He’s told me that we’ll find a way for it to work in the future if it’s still a possibility,” his constant words of telling you to trust him because he’s going to make it work. 

You couldn’t tell him, but anger was continually building inside of you. You trusted him, but what were you getting in return? A few quick visits where he could stick his head in the door to tell you he loved you and that everything was “going to work out.” You tried to be patient, but a year of his nonsense was beginning to feel like the end of you. You started to consider your breakup, waiting for the next time he came home so you could sit him down and tell him you were over being dragged around and that he needed to just focus on himself. 

You heard the heavy knock on your door and opened it. Jeno walked in, more bubbly than usual. “I have amazing news, love.” He grinned. “We won our first award, so my manager is loosening the reins on us. I can come home more frequently and as often as I want on off days. The only time I really have to stay at the dorm is during promotions. Which means I can sleep here with you or have little dates at home,” He quickly rambled before you could say anything. Guilt started to eat your insides.

He was so happy to give you good news, and you were still ready to end it with him. “Jeno…” You started as he looked at you, his eyes in the shape of crescents, and he couldn’t stop smiling. “I’m willing to give it a chance, but if I’m left staying home because I have to lie when I hate to do that or I’m left in the dark about your plans that I need to trust, I will break up with you,” You cleared your throat quietly. “I’m not trying to give an ultimatum, but it really wasn’t fair to me,” 

His smile dropped as he listened to you. “I’m sorry, baby; I promise it will work out,” He sounded so comforting, but you were still irritated with his promises. “I love you so much, Jeno, but please, for the love of God, stop saying shit like that. I know you don’t mean to sound repetitive, but seriously,” You rubbed your temples as Jeno stared at you. He couldn’t even remember the last time you were this upset. “I’m sorry, Y/N, but you also pushed me to make the call and follow the dream I had. I wouldn’t have done it if you didn’t push me.” He tried to speak calmly and not as if he was accusing you, but it was hard for him to find the right tone to speak in.

You couldn’t get upset at him as he wasn’t wrong. “I know,” You exhaled. “I trust you fully; I’m sorry I got upset,” You walked over to sit next to him, leaning your head on his shoulder. He put his arm around you and held you close. “I’ll be here every night, I promise,” He smiled softly as he rubbed your shoulder gently. You nodded, not wanting to get your hopes up of seeing him like he says you will. But you were wrong; every night, Jeno came over, and laying in bed with him felt so comforting for your aching heart, as you’d been waiting to be with him like this for a year. 

Even if there wasn’t much conversation, just being there was enough for the two of you. “Hey, babe?” Jeno spoke, breaking the silence. “Yeah?” You mumbled as you were getting ready to fall asleep. “I do miss how we were. I miss taking you out and seeing you every day, seeing you happy, and being able just to kiss you every morning. But I’ve fucked it all up; I can’t just leave the group and disappoint my members by tarnishing their names. I’m sorry for doing this to you,” His voice was soft and full of regret as he spoke. You looked over at him. “It’s okay, Jeno, if you’re unhappy, talk to your managers. I do miss how we were, too, but I’d never ask you to quit what you’re doing. It seems like things are working out right now, my love. Don’t overthink or get upset at yourself,” You comforted him in the dark as you cuddled up to feel his warmth. “Thank you for being so patient,” He whispered as he kissed the top of your head and held you close to him. “You’re my everything,” He squeezed you lightly as you fell asleep in his arms. 

You woke up the next morning, hoping to see your boyfriend finally home or at least to smell the aroma of coffee he made for you to wake up. Yet when you looked over at his side, it was empty. You rubbed your eyes and picked up your phone, checking to see if there was even a text from Jeno, but there was nothing. You inhaled deeply, attempting to calm the anger taking you over. You got out of bed and got ready. Your two weeks of creating a new normal was over, you were going to stay true to your words with Jeno. It was over, you knew it but didn’t want to face it. You walked back out to grab your phone and saw Jeno’s name on the screen. You answered quickly. 

“Sorry, love! I had to have a meeting at work. I’m on my way home right now,” He sounded sincere and it was killing you inside. 

“Get home safe, I’ll be here,” You hung up quickly before putting your phone on the bed. 

It felt hard to swallow as you started to pace. Were you actually about to end it with him? It didn’t feel real as you waited for him to come home, each passing moment filling your body with dread as Jeno opened the door. “Hey, love,” He smiled softly. Your eyes immediately locked in on the folder he had in front of him. “I’m sorry to do it this way,” He cleared his throat as he sat down on the couch and opened the folder. “Somehow someone found out about us, we have to break up.” He stared at the papers as he sounded sad. “You’re breaking up with me?” You scoffed. “I have to,” Jeno stared at you, sounding defeated as you shook your head at him. “No, I’m breaking up with you. You don’t deserve to break up with me. I’m over it, we can’t communicate and I’m not going to continue isolating myself out of fear that I let it slip that we’re still together and that ruins your group. I miss having a boyfriend I could rely on, someone I can come home to, someone that I can text or call whenever I need. I don’t have that anymore,” Tears came out as you tried to keep your wavering voice calm.

“Y/N…” Jeno looked at you, hurt apparent in his eyes as you shook your head. “Tell your managers they can go fuck themselves, I’m not signing shit, I don’t want hush money or any of that. I just want us to be over,” You sniffed, looking at Jeno’s expression. His mouth was agape as he listened to you. He was lost for words, not even knowing what he could say as comfort. He was more surprised hearing you say how badly you wanted the two of you to end. “It’s really over?” He questioned. You nodded, wiping your face with the back of your hand. “Yeah, it does suck to say it out loud,” You scoffed at yourself and shook your head. “I’m sorry Jeno, I’m not going to come in between you and everything you’ve dreamed of, and I know you were told to break up with me, but you can just tell them we haven’t been together. I really wish you the best and I hope this dream is worth everything for you. I still have a love for you that will never leave, do know that,” You took his hand and rubbed your thumb in gentle circles. His eyes were glossy as he was trying to hide his own tears.

“I’m sorry for doing this to you, Y/N. It was wrong of me, I should’ve quit when I had the chance,” He sounded disappointed as he spoke. You shook your head. “I would never want that for you, I’m proud of you Jeno. Go kill it out there,” You smiled softly as he nodded. You wiped his tears gently and placed a soft kiss on his cheeks. “I’m sorry,” You looked at him as he stood up and walked to your door. He nodded and cleared his throat. “I understand, I would do the same if I was you,” He opened the door then turned to look at you one more time. “I wish you all the best, text me whenever. I know it’s hard to get a response, but I promise I will respond whenever I can,” You nodded at his words as he walked out. You let out a deep breath you didn’t realize you were holding and sat down on your couch. Sobs leaving your body quietly as you thought of what you did, it felt wrong but also so right at the same time. Finally not being tied down to someone you never see and the anxiety that was eating you from the inside disappeared quicker than you thought it would. It felt like finally breathing in clean air for the first time as you realized you could finally start a life with no lies. 

[jinx-xxed]

Ban Headcanons

☆.。.:*・°☆.。.:*・°☆.。.:*・°☆.。.:*・°☆ .。.:*

A/N: My first post with hopefully more to come! This is simple and something I’ve had sitting around for a long time! These are my own headcanons, please be respectful!

Content; NSFW headcanons under the cut

☆.。.:*・°☆.。.:*・°☆.。.:*・°☆.。.:*・°☆ .。.:*

- Pansexual!! I don’t care what anybody says, he won’t care what you identify as so long as you can match him.

- Loves attention and cuddling from his partner and would definitely get sad if they don’t give him enough of it.

- Love languages would be acts of service and physical touch.

- Absolutely loves cooking for his partner since it’s one of the things he’s good at. Give him praise, he loves it.

- Doesn’t get jealous super easily but if someone won’t take the hint or you’re giving a bunch of attention to someone else then he’d get annoyed/jealous.

- Doesn’t get jealous easily just because he knows the person attempting to get with you doesn’t stand much of a chance.

- Protective, very protective. After what happened with Elaine, he doesn’t intend to let anything bad happen to his next partner and he’d be sure to protect them at all costs, even if they could handle themselves. He won’t take risks with this.

- Very warm, how else would you explain him wearing pretty much nothing during the winter? So if you’re ever cold just use him as a personal heater.

- Big spoon all the time, he loves being able to bring you close and hold you at night as he’s falling asleep. If you snuggle into him or something similar he’d melt on the spot, he loves when you do that.

- If you wanted to be the big spoon every once in a while though he wouldn’t mind.

- Adores it when he sees you get excited about something you’re passionate about. He thinks it’s the cutest thing in the world.

- Will gladly listen to you ramble on about whatever you want, even if he doesn’t understand what the fuck you’re talking about.

- Lots of kisses everywhere, your forehead, cheek, neck, shoulder, anywhere he can reach he’ll kiss.

- PDA, this man is not at all afraid to show how much he loves you and he doesn’t care who’s looking.

- He doesn’t have a shameful bone in his body.

- Actually a pretty decent singer, although only you’d know that. His voice would be gentle, deep, and soothing. If you ask, he’d softly sing or hum a tune to help you fall asleep. Only you would get this privilege though.

- For some reason I feel like he’d smell fruity?? It’s different, I know, but considering all the ale he drinks and his association with the fairies I feel like it makes sense? It’d be a good kind of fruity!

- Or he smells like whatever he was cooking up in the kitchen!

- Definitely likes having his partner mess with his hair. How could you look at him and not want to mess with it? Don’t you want to know how soft it is?

NSFW headcanons

- Bondage. He likes seeing you all tied up and helpless beneath him.

- Likes tying you up the most but definitely wouldn’t mind being tied up either.

- Marking, biting, hickies, etc. He may not get jealous easily but that doesn’t mean he doesn’t want others to know who you belong to.

- He’s got sharp fangs, he’s going to use them.

- Lives to please you.

- He’d let you set the pace at first if you wanted but just know he can only take so much before he’s fucking you into the bed.

- Would be willing to try anything new that you would suggest.

- Loves hearing you say his name, knowing he’s the only one who gets to see you like this and make you feel like this.

- King of aftercare, he knows he can be rough and he wants to make sure you’re properly taken care of. A warm bath, lots of cuddles, whatever you want he will be happy to get you.

[nkn0va]

THE 100 FOLLOWER SPECIAL

The homie @devfps found a thing for me. As a Seth main myself, I am now morally obligated to write the first ever genderbend Under Night x reader piece. And also I figured it was about time Under Night took a spotlight for once since it's mostly Blazblue. What better way to do that than write a very special oneshot for my main in this game as a little love letter of sorts to the most underrated fighting game on the market.

Also I know some of you might've been expecting an event of some kind but my inbox is way too full for that right now lmao

Also don't be surprised if shadow edits are made to make it better at any point in the future In trying to find the source of the art, the artists' account has unfortunately been deleted/banned. It was found in a FB group reposting it. https://www.facebook.com/share/p/SLBCyMmzbFvTqtaZ/?mibextid=qi2Omg)

(After all my 5 minutes of research, turns out the name Sethe exists, and is a girl name, so that makes my job a hell of a lot easier)

A soft, quiet sigh escaped her pale lips as the sound of the bell rang throughout the school. It was just one of those days, the ones that felt never-ending. Exams drawing near, projects piling up, all with winter fast approaching. As if the cold season put the world itself into stasis, freezing time down to a shivering cold crawl. Well, there was nothing she could do about it. No point in complaining to the world itself, not when it had a history of never paying attention to her silent pleas for help, it's uncaring apathy as cold as the air that blew this time of year.

Steel grey eyes peered out the window next to her desk as she stood up. It was already the first snow of the season. It definitely came far earlier than last year. At least she was prepared for such a possibility.

Sethe had come with a plain black sweater vest in place of her school uniform, just in case. She blended in enough with the crowd to avoid the teachers and not get chewed out for it. If the snow hadn't come, it was easy enough to go into the bathroom and change out of it. As she left the classroom and made her way out into the hall she reached into her bag and pulled out a long, blue scarf. A bit too long for her comparatively small, thin body, yes, but it got the job done, so no reason to complain about it.

At least that's what she thought.

The snow had already started to gather on and cover the ground, albeit not much. It had apparently been snowing quite a bit since lunch, it was already a good couple inches deep. Sethe made her way outside and immediately made for her way home, she had nothing else to do in this annoyance of an obligation, nor did she feel the need to find something. Her absent train of thought was soon interrupted by a sudden, chilling gust of wind that chilled her to the bone. Her arms instinctively wrapped around herself as she grit her teeth.

She stopped in place momentarily to recollect herself, but just as quickly resumed her walk. The trains were likely going to be packed to hell and back in this weather, it would be more efficient to just walk there, as much of a pain as it was. She didn't get much farther though before a familiar voice called out from behind her.

"Guess even weather like this isn't enough to slow you down, huh?"

Sethe immediately stopped once more, her posture straightening in surprise as her head whipped around, only to see s/o. "Learn to relax a bit, yeah? At least enough for me to catch up."

Her body had now turned a tad more in their direction, the lower part of her face obscured by the scarf. "You're saying that like you almost want me to stay at school for something." Her voice took on it's usual quiet, restrained tone, though without the usual apathy or even defensiveness it had during the occasional instances she talked to her peers. S/o just seemed to have that effect on her, she couldn't bring herself to chase them away if she tried.

"Hey now, I wasn't saying that. Is it really a crime to wanna walk home with my girlfriend, spend some much needed alone time with her?" As the words came out of S/o's mouth, Sethe felt her cheeks heat up slightly, though it was made a tad more noticeable by how pale she was. The thought of being in a relationship...it was never a thought that had occurred to her before, being so focused on the duty that's sworn herself to, to free the Night Blade's princess from her curse. That was at least until she met s/o.

"Well... I never meant to imply that, but..."

She was cut off by an amused chuckle from s/o before she could think of a response. "Come on, you know I'm just messing with you. Let me at least walk you home." They took a few steps to catch up and be at her side as Sethe silently nodded and the two resumed your walk.

It was a relatively long way to where she lived. For a while it was all but completely silent, only broken by the snow crunching with their footsteps. Yet for the both of them, it was a comfortable one. At least it was until another gust of wind sent them both shivering. This was not going to work. It was then Sethe got an idea.

"...Here. Come closer."

"O...k...?" S/o confusedly side stepped towards her, and before they could register what was happening they felt a cloth make it's way around their shoulders and circle back around towards Sethe. The reserved young woman herself though seemed almost more surprised by her own actions than you did. Her face turning noticeably more red.

"There...now we shouldn't at least be as cold like this. Just try not to fall behind." Sethe resumed her walking, s/o guided along by the scarf to follow suit. It wasn't a complete, foolproof way of staying warm amidst the cold, but it was better than nothing. And she'd be lying to herself if she tried saying s/o's body warmth wasn't at least somewhat of a comfort.

As soon as the thought crossed her mind, she immediately felt the heat start creeping up on her face, this time much more prominent than normal as it finally occurred to her. She had initiated intimacy with s/o. Granted it wasn't exactly much, but this was pretty much the first time she had done so. She looked toward the corner of her eye over to s/o to gauge their reaction. She didn't quite know what she expected, however she still found herself pleasantly surprised.

S/o's shivering had mostly stopped, now walking along with Sethe, seemingly perfectly peaceful and content. Yes, the two were dating, but it hadn't been for all that long yet. She almost couldn't believe it. Her presence seemed to be welcome for s/o, just like their was for her, despite her stoic attitude, how cold she could seem sometimes, just like the unpleasant weather they were being forced to trudge through. Yet her coldness was one that s/o seemed to not care about, not feel any less about her for.

"Sethe? Are you alright?" S/o's voce once again snapped her out of her thoughts, the blushing only intensifying.

"You're getting red. Nothing's wrong, right?"

She shook her head and looked forward once more, attempting to bury her face in the scarf a bit more as much as she could. "No, it's just the cold."

"You're not getting sick, are you? That's kinda the last thing you need right now with how hectic school's starting to get and all."

"Don't worry about me, I'll be fine." Sethe's reply didn't really convince s/o. Not the part about not being sick, but rather about the redness on her face. They were well aware intimacy was never her strong suit. However they knew openly teasing her about it was not wise, lest they wanted to ruin the moment. The one she had started for a change, no less. No reason to look a gift horse in the mouth, so they decided to quit while they were ahead.

Their body heat combined in the close proximity of the shared scarf as they both adjusted their paces to match the other. Despite the occasional winds that would bite at them, they were able to keep going, now having each other's warmth and support to stay strong. Their shoulders brushed against each other, as their body temperatures mingled and found solace from the biting cold in each other. At some point, s/o's gaze seemed to gravitate over to Sethe as well from the edge of their peripheral vision. They could spot the snowflakes starting to pepper her mostly black hair, protecting her delicate face from the precipitation. The setting sun was shining down on her, contrasting with her dark eyes in a way that seemed to set them ablaze in a subtle, yet genuine show of her natural beauty. S/o seriously couldn't figure out why she seemed to be so ignored by their shared peers, not when she practically stole their breath away in times like this. She seemed content with that however, so it probably wasn't their place to speak on it anyway. Not like they were complaining, to them it meant no one would be trying to hit on her.

The walk felt like it was lasting forever, though to both of them, that would've been far from the worst outcome, even if they didn't say that out loud. They probably didn't even need to in the first place. Unfortunately, it was proven to them once more that good things aren't always meant to last, Sethe's house soon coming into their view. The Night Blade assassin stopped as they came in front of it, making s/o stop to so as not to accidentally push her over.

"Well, here we are." She took back her scarf, gently pulling it off around s/o's shoulders. "The snow's not going away anytime soon. Are you sure you're gonna be fine making it back home?"

S/o gave a disarming wave of their hand. Despite Sethe trying to play it off casually, s/o knew better. There was concern for them deep down. "I can put up with the trains just fine. It'll be a pain right now, but at least I'm not gonna freeze."

Sethe nodded at their response. "Yeah, that might be the best course of action. I just don't want you getting yourself hurt."

As soon as the words left her mouth, she quickly realized what she said. Her face started turning red once more as she averted her gaze staying silent. Despite her instinct to quickly take back what she said, she knew that would only make her sound bad. She froze up, the words dying in her throat as s/o couldn't hold back the smile creeping onto their own face. Both in contentment and reassurance.

"I'll be fine, you can relax. I'll see you tomorrow, yeah?" Despite herself, Sethe could only find herself smiling back. A small one, almost unnoticeable to most people, but a smile nonetheless. A reward for s/o after learning to spot these rare occasions she did.

"Well, tomorrow's a school day. A rather redundant question, no?"

S/o let out a light laugh, genuinely at peace in her presence. "Yeah fair enough. The reassurance still helps though, especially coming from you. I know I can always count on you."

The sudden profession caught Sethe off guard, her eyes widening slightly as they snapped back to s/o. "You...you can?"

S/o nodded, their facial expression making it seem as if it was the most obvious thing in the world. "Of course. It's probably the biggest reason I wanted to be with you. Even when we met, you never went back on your word. That kind of honesty isn't something you find every day. That determination is what I always admired about you the most."

Sethe was clearly not used to receiving compliments, no less such genuine ones from someone she cared about. There was no hiding her blush now, despite her trying to bury her face in the scarf and turning her head away. "I...I see..."

She wanted to return the favor. All the reasons she felt the same about s/o threatened to spill out all at once, but were almost painfully stopped by her own inhibition and nervousness. Her instinct telling her that sharing her feelings about them would only make them laugh or become uncomfortable, yet her rational mind telling her that was a stupid fear.

Much to her relief, s/o didn't seem off put by her silence, seeming to read her once again, just like the way they always did. That almost unreasonable amount of patience that could only come from truly caring about another person, the kind that Sethe was a stranger to up until only recently, but eventually one that could only bring the small yet genuine smile back to her face. They understood what she was feeling, and felt no reason to judge her or question her further.

S/o turned off to the side to leave. "You should head inside and warm up. I should be getting to doing the same. See you tomorrow." They raised their hand up in a wave and began to walk back they way they came, heading toward the train station.

Sethe stood where she was a bit longer, watching them as they slowly but surely disappeared into the distance. While they weren't looking, she gave her own small, subtle wave, feeling that strange but familiar warmth in her chest, the one she would only feel when around S/o.

That feeling welling up in her body, the one she only felt for S/o; that was what made her sure she was truly in love.

[scribbly-artist]

Yusuke Kitagawa Tickle Headcanons

I’m playing Persona 5 Royal for the first time and it’s been seven years since I’ve revisited Persona 5 in general. Now that I’m glued to it, I forgot how much I loved my boy Yusuke. :] I’m open to doing more headcanons and stuff for the P5 cast, though for more unfamiliar characters I’ll have to either brush up my memory via the wiki or until I get up to their chapter in the game (which will take a while for a few, AKECHI MY BELOVED). So, take Yusuke for now as a generous offering. :)

He would be notorious for tickling people accidentally (and 100% not on purpose because he’d be very oblivious about it)

He’d approach one of the boys needed a hand reference for a drawing, “Your bone structure in your hand is exquisite. Please, let me study your hand and use it as a reference in my next artwork.” as he’s brushing his fingers all over their hands and wrist. If they have ticklish hands, they’re screwed

If it’s with one of the girls, he’d want to use their face as a reference/paint a portrait of them. He’d place his hand under their chin, mapping out their facial structure with his other hand to know exactly where to lay down shadows and highlights. His touch would be just a tad too gentle, making anyone giggle as his fingers dragged against their skin

Artists gotta use their hands to figure out bone/skin/muscle structure, amirite

Whoever he'd accidentally tickling would be giggling and he'd tilt his head with a "hmm? What's all this laughter? This is serious work, you know."

But also if he's tickling someone with intent now that he's catching on that he does it accidentally, he'd play dumb

"What, am I tickling you? No, I'm merely studying your arm so I can get only the best reference."

Comments on people's laughter as he draws it from them, "Although a different kind of art, your laughter sounds like beautiful music."

One day he asks one of the PT to volunteer to be his canvas for a painting. Whoever volunteers is screwed. Cold paint on their body with a soft paintbrush at Yusuke's whim... Oh lord

Totally uses (dry) paintbrushes to tickle people/ward them off by using it as a weapon as well

I feel like at first Yusuke is used to touching others than he is with other people touching him at first, but he grows to get used to it once he joins the PT and it grows with each new member

He is not used to being tickled, and it doesn't register straight away when someone tickles him. His brain gets delayed until the nerve signals reach him

Then he bursts out into charming, rich laughter

His laugh is loud, but not overly so unless you get him real good

His own hands would be ticklish, as would his sides and his legs (he's a tall dude with a whole lotta leg length lmao)

Futaba likes to tickle him to snap his focus while he's painting, and in turn he gets her back for messing up his paint strokes

Futaba is banned from his work space for all the mischief she gets up to. He's messed up one too many paintings because of her

The PT give him cheer up tickles when he's in an artist slump or when he's doubting his skills

[succubus-hansol]

.₊•✧˚┊Can’t Stop My Universe┊˚✧•₊.

.₊•✧˚ ┊ MasterList ┊˚✧•₊.

➤┊SeungIN┊

↪⇢ The Missing Hoodie

↪⇢ Morning

↪⇢ You Are My Yellow

↪ ⇢ My Yellow

➤┊Seungmin┊

↪⇢ Like Soda Pop

➤┊Jeongin┊

↪⇢ Autumn Blankets

↪⇢ Jeongin Vocals

➤┊Other┊

↪⇢ Cuddles With Chris

↪⇢ ChanLix x Mn

.₊•✧˚ ┊ Requested ┊˚✧•₊.

➤┊SeungIN x MN┊

↪⇢ SeungIn Art By @sadlyshipwrecked

↪⇢⇢ Pairing: Kim Seungmin x Yang Jeongin ║ Classification: SFW, Art

↪⇢ Steal Stole Stolen By @heartbinn

↪⇢⇢ Pairing: Kim Seungmin x Yang Jeongin x M!Reader ║ Classification: SFW ║ Summary: I.n steals puppy's favourite hoodie and when Seung goes looking for it (annoyed) Mn sells him out. Innie just wanted to be covered in his hyungs scent. You offer Seung you're favourite hoodie in exchange and he's finally happy again.

↪⇢ SeungIn x M!Reader By @soaplickerrr

↪⇢⇢ Pairing: Kim Seungmin x Yang Jeongin x M!Reader ║ Classification: SFW ║ Summary: After a long day at practice Minnie is drained, So Innie and Mn decide to have a movie night filled with cuddles and kisses for their hyung

↪⇢ JeongMin x Maknae By @james-is-here

↪⇢⇢ Pairing: Kim Seungmin x Yang Jeongin x M!Reader ║ Classification: NSFW ║ Summary: After the concert, Mn is tired and drained, But Innie is feeling needy. Reader wakes up to his hyungs trying to be quiet and not wake their partner.

↪⇢ The Fox and The Hound By @cbini

↪⇢⇢ Pairing: Kim Seungmin x Yang Jeongin x Gn!Reader (Mentions of poly OT8) ║ Classification: NSFW ║ Summary: It’s movie night in the BokSeungAhRi dorm and Innie can’t seem to control himself. Nuzzled up to your core on the couch, The others watch as he’s drunk on your pussy. Ends with Seungie coming in for you to fuck him.

➤┊Seungmin x MN┊

↪⇢ Tied up By @james-is-here

↪⇢⇢ Pairing: Kim Seungmin x M!Reader ║ Classification: NSFW ║ Summary: Seungmins body is so perfect, we all agree right? His soft body toned and tight skin stretched along his stomach, long abdomen that leads into his beautiful hip bones, bruises still visible but fading. Seung loves the feeling of rope against his delicate skin. Sometimes he just does a simple chest tie under his clothes to feel the gentle rub.

↪⇢ Pretty Boy By @asterifish

↪⇢⇢ Pairing: Kim Seungmin x M!Reader ║ Classification: Fluff, Suggestive Themes ║ Summary: Sometimes he just wants to be babied and doted on by you, being able to let his walls down and feel free and floaty.

➤┊Jeongin x MN┊

↪⇢ Disobeyed By @james-is-here

↪⇢⇢ Pairing: Yang Jeongin x Gn!Reader ║ Classification: SFW ║ Summary: Naughly Innie just can’t help but touch himself to the thought of his boyfriend, even though he’s on a ban.

↪⇢ A Day Of Self-Care By @soaplickerrr

↪⇢⇢ Pairing: Yang Jeongin x M!Reader ║ Classification: SFW ║ Summary: Ayen and Mn paint their nails together on their day off. They could maybe be having a self-care day together just chilling.

➤┊Other┊

↪⇢ Felix x Gn!Reader by @soaplickerrr

↪⇢⇢ Pairing: Lee Felix x Gn!Reader (Mentions of poly OT8) ║ Classification: SFW ║ Summary: Video games, Felix gets frustrated because he keeps dying on a level of his game and asks Yn for help, The latter having been laying on Lix’s bed scrolling on his phone and laughing as Felix's struggles. Ofc Yn manages to defeat the level after their second try, and Felix is in awe but also playfully gets jealous.

.₊•✧˚ ┊ Extras ┊˚✧•₊.

➤┊Fav Fics┊

➤┊I Got Tagged┊

➤┊DominATE tour in Melbourne┊

[cmy-kid]

Goodnight kitty

This morning I got to sit with my cat Mia through her last cuddly morning. She got to fall asleep forever peacefully, at home, with me in my pajamas giving pets until the end. Mia lived to be 17 human years old, and we met when we were both babies (I was six.)

Mia is a Scottish Fold. Her owl-like appearance, with them big old sight-balls, is enhanced by the characteristic tiny flopped ears at the top of her head. This trait, while bred in for it's unique look, is the result of osteochondrodysplasia—a disorder that affects bone and cartilage formation. As a result, every cat with this "fold" will suffer through most of their adult life with various joint and bone issues, not to mention chronic pain. Many are euthanized at very young ages (as young as 2) because of this.

Mia was gifted to us when we were oblivious to any of this, and when she was young, she had two litters of kittens before we could fix her. Due to these disorders manifesting in various painful ways, and the intensity of care required to cater to it, Mia outlived many, if not all, of her children.

Her bones, most notably her vertebrae, began to fuse together when she was around 6 or 7. In the older picture shown, you can see she already struggled to curl up in a typical cat position, and became unable to groom herself well. I started brushing her and trimming her nails.

The past few years have been a struggle of trying to balance pain medications and accommodations. Cats are so stubborn! Litter boxes were lowered, food became high calorie and soft. Pain medications were on a strict schedule. Ramps and stairs were placed around. She spent more and more time on her heated pad tucked into her arthritic bed. Scottish folds are a super super snuggly breed, and she certainly was a cuddler all of her days. Regardless of everything being in arms reach, she would still decide to crawl down the steep steps of her own accord sometimes...just because.

When taken to get her first X-ray at age 13, the vets gathered around the results and exclaimed loudly (in fascination and horror) at how her spine, neck, and tail were fused into a nearly solid piece. They'd never seen a real case of this so developed. They asked to keep a copy of the results for their students. (We let them.)

Though I tear up at not being able to bury her here at home, Mia's body has been donated to Oregon State University's veterinary studies program. It is my hope that she will help teach and inspire future veterinarians, as well as demonstrate to many the awful and very real results of breeding for "looks."

There is an effort ongoing to correct the breed via elimination of the osteochondrodysplasia. These "Scottish straights" are already known to live much less painful, longer lives. Several countries, such as Austria, and the Netherlands, have banned the breeding of folds. It is my hope that registry bans will also take place, preventing it from being a "show breed."

Please, please, care for animals to the best of your ability. Lobby against cruel breeding practices.

And last but not least, please go kiss your pets on the head.

I already miss being able to do that.

[justinspoliticalcorner]

Dean Obeidallah at The Dean's Report:

Donald Trump wants Muslim Americans to forget the hell he put our community through in the past and now support him in the 2024 race—as we saw at his rally Saturday in Michigan. To be blunt: No politician has ever weaponized anti-Muslim hate like Trump did during the 2016 campaign and as President--as I wrote about years ago for MSNBC.com.   I will never forget the horror of watching Trump on national TV time and time again during the 2016 campaign lying about Muslims to our fellow Americans in an effort to score points with the bigots of the GOP base. And worse, the MAGA crowd at his rallies cheered the hate directed at us. As an adult it was jarring but to Muslim American children at the time it was deeply frightening—as I heard from parents--making them wonder if they belong in this country and would their parents be deported simply for being Muslim. Here are some of the worst of Trump’s campaign of anti-Muslim hate that has stayed with me from the 2016 campaign:

       Lying that Muslim Americans in New Jersey cheered the 9/11 attack. He repeated this over and over despite it being fact checked as a lie: “There were people over in New Jersey that were watching it, a heavy Arab population, that were cheering as the buildings came down. Not good.”

      Trump smeared all Muslims while on CNN in March 2016 as hating Americans: “I think Islam hates us. There’s something there that — there’s a tremendous hatred there.”

       Trump claimed in 2016 campaign that American Muslims were not fully American and wanted to destroy the nation from within: “This all happened because, frankly, there’s no assimilation. They are not assimilating . . . They want to go by sharia law. They want sharia law.”

      Trump claimed on Fox News that Muslims in America know where the terrorists are but we refuse to turn them in: “They're going to have to turn in the people that are bombing the planes. And they know who the people are. And we're not going to find the people by just continuing to be so nice and so soft.” 

       Trump’s calls for a ban on Muslims coming to America: “I, Donald J. Trump is calling for a total and complete shutdown of Muslims entering the United States until our country’s representatives can figure out what is going on.”

Trump calling for a total Muslim ban and the MAGA crowd at the event cheering was one of the most bone-chilling events I’d seen in American politics at that point. (Trump’s Jan 6 terrorist attack has eclipsed that.) The real world impact of Trump’s non-stop demonization of Muslims was that hate crimes against Muslims in 2016 actually reached a higher level than in the year after 9/11. Women with hijabs were punched in the face, mosques in America were being defaced literally with bigots writing the word “Trump” like it was a modern-day swastika, Muslim students were being bullied at record numbers and more. And as President, Trump continued with his hate directed at our community. His first act as President was to sign his “Muslim ban” by way of executive order. He retweeted anti-Muslim bigots on Twitter who were peddling lies about Muslims in America being a threat.  

Trump continually demonized Rep. Ilhan Omar who is Muslim and an immigrant to the point where at his 2019 rally, his despicable fans chanted about her, “Send her back!” And the list goes on. And during the 2024 campaign, Trump is back to his anti-Muslim BS. He has repeatedly pledged that if elected he will impose a bigger Muslim ban. While making this vow, Trump has peddled even more anti-Muslim garbage, declaring, “When I return to office, the travel ban is coming back even bigger than before and much stronger than before. We don't want people blowing up our shopping centers. We don't want people blowing up our cities.”  In other words, he’s telling his base that Muslims will come to the US and blow up shopping malls. (Of course, at the same time, Trump despicably defends his Jan 6 terrorists as “patriots.”)

Since the war in Gaza, Trump has made it clear that he would never allow Palestinian refugees from that area into the United States. Worse, he has 100% backed up Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s mass slaughter of Palestinians in Gaza criticizing Biden for trying to “hold back” Netanyahu’s military actions.  And as reported yesterday in The Washington Post, Trump recently told Netanyahu, “Do what you have to do” when it comes to military actions in Gaza and Lebanon. Yet Trump is now trying to attract Muslim Americans to support him. My response is simple: Trump can go F**k himself. Sorry, I’m from New Jersey and when it comes to despicable bigots like Trump that is the response he deserves.

[...] Muslim Americans becoming active in all political parties is a great thing. While I’d prefer they all be progressive Democrats like me, no community is monolithic—nor is it in their best interest to be. But Muslims publicly endorsing Trump who has intentionally demonized Muslims for years to score political points, incited hate crimes against us, backed Netanyahu’s mass killing in Gaza and is pledging a larger Muslim ban is awful.

Dean Obeidallah is saying what needs to be said about Donald Trump’s recent outreach to Muslims disappointed with the Biden Administration’s pandering to Israel despite his past Islamophobia: “Trump can go F**k himself”

See Also:

MMFA: In reporting on Trump's outreach to Arab American voters, national and Michigan outlets excluded Trump’s promise to reinstate a Muslim ban

[strikerangel]

Okay saur. I was thinking abt agereggssor qcharlie. And i just finished the first gegg stream. So. Ive got hcs and also madness in my bones

Mariana is his main caretaker and is. Alright at it. Hes incredibly over protective when hes on though. No fun adventures for gegg when his mom is around #>>

Charlie regresses from like. 3months old to around 5 at any given day. Tiny baby gegg is incredibly sensitive to being called odd or weird so he sticks to the nicer caretakers those days

His pacifier is light green and has a green fish on it! His favorite onesie is yellow and has bees printed! His body physically regresses too, so he actually looks like a 3 month old when hes 3 months.

The day that gegg was introduced to the server mariana has entrusted him in the care of quackity. Bad idea quackity is a shitty caretaker who left him.

So phil gets the baby boy next! Yay. And hes like. Okay so i guess i need to treat him like the eggs. And he does. But that does NOT stop him from calling gegg odd . He just means it way more affectionatly than quackity did.

Roier is more of the fun uncle caretaker than dad. Which means gegg gets into so much trouble. Bobby and gegg are let loose and wreak havoc on various places!

Wilbur soot is banned from taking care of gegg.

So is quackity

Wil made him so upset one time while regressed that he fucked the whole day up. Please stop putting babies in cages.

Foolish is a pretty good caretaker when hes not going absolutely crazy building that damn dragon. Gegg has fallen off of it so much that mariana just buys a baby carrier for when gegg is over there.

Jaiden is a very good caretaker. She does not call gegg weird where he can hear her and that makes her. Better than. Alot of people on this list unsurprisingly. She takes him and bobby on fun adventures and teaches them how to cook. Or atleast she attempts to.

Maximus is also a little so he is . not allowed to take care of gegg. It would be the blind leading the blind and that never goes well. However they do have fun together on the occasions where they have the same caretakers!

Luzu (little hc of mine uwu) is a very good caretaker for gegg, while he may dislike charlie he is so soft for gegg its crazy. Arin likes gegg too but is a bit more firm with him.

Vegetta is a good caretaker for gegg too. Although theres a bit more of a languahe barrier he also takes care of biden when roier or dan cant do it. So hes good.

DO NOT LEAVE GEGG WITH DEVIL RUBIUS OR ANGEL RUBIUS HE WILL BITE BOTH OF THEM.

Missa is a alright caretaker, he gets overwhelmed easily when taking care of both gegg and chayanne though.

Fit is a great caretaker. He fights he protects but he is also bald. Immediate trust from Huevos and Gegg is no different. No, but seriously he gives Gegg souvenirs and also a gun.

Spreen. Is not a caretaker. Hes really bad at it too (fuckin left ramon. No one has seen him in weeks. Fit thinks hes dead)

Badboyhalo is a main caretaker. While he does rank lower than luzu on the 'who should i give gegg too while im out' list hes pretty damn good. He, gegg, and dapper work on the farm, play in the dirt most days. And then they go inside they bake! Fun activities for babies.

Dan is not a good caretaker he is liable to leave gegg out in the sun /j. No but seriously, when dans on hes an alright caretaker. They do science experiments and occasionally they blow up.

Egg section

Bobby is the worst around gegg. They blow eachother up and other things up too. However they work pretty well together in the kitchen

Chayanne views gegg as another egg under his protection, his left hand man actually. U mess with gegg you get ur ass kicked by both him and chayanne as they are very likely to double team ur ass

Tallulah likes gegg when she doesnt have to share her dad with him. Which. She doesnt anymore because her dad is BANNED from watching gegg. They play music together and while they may be off sync, its pretty fuckin cute lads.

Dapper likes gegg, theyre geggfriends and gegg can make stuff stick really well so buidling stuff with him is a blast.

Ramon likes gegg well enough, dislikes how goopy he is sometimes though. Goop in his mustache. They dance together often though, and ramon is very happy to find someone to dance with.

Leonarda fucking LOVES gegg. She is very willing to teach him everything about being an egg and is liable to kick wilbur in the shins everytime he comes over.

[twobirdsflytogether]

Descendants Mal au headcanon.

Cause I love giving my favs wings and bonus points for it being a little traumatic.

Also i just end up rambling, so. Enjoy

Tw; describing spontaneous limb growth so kinda gore.

Additional note; if a fic writer or artist sees this and goes 'wow', feel free to take this idea and run with it

Born on the isle, where magic is barred and unusable. A odd combination of a dragon like fae and a god, born in a place that essentially blocked all her magic. Born without wings or horns, without the pleasant burn of magic in her vains.

The soon to be king's announcement to take 4 off the isle and a magicless deal struck with her mother.

The moment she's through the barrier with her friends she feels the magic burning and just assumes the headache and back pain are from it as well. Things progress as usual, spell the prince, to steal the wand for the deal with her mother (even if she realizes the deal held no weight, for it was not a true deal) but the consistent headache and back pain wont leave her.

Giving Ben the anti-love potion and learning it was already washed away but her stayed. He says he gets it, that he understands she didnt think she had a real chance with him. She'll let him believe that for now, break it off after he's king. For she had no true desire to be anything other than his friend.

Jane grabs the wand and chaos insues. she rips the wand from the fairy, the moment she takes the wand her head and back pain flairs worse than ever, but that unimportant for she was too late. Maleficent was here.

They argue and fight, she feels her arms burn and itch with magic, she manages to beat her mother.

She goes to pass the wand to Fairy Godmother, the moment it leaves her fingers she collapses with a scream from the pain. Feeling like her back and head are splitting open, the sensation of bones cracking and growing rapidly. Blood dripping down her face, blinding her and turning everything red. Ears ringing from the raging pain, the pleasant burn of magic growing to hot for her comfort.

The feeling of her back splitting open becoming too much. She barely hears her friends shout for her and feels the aura of Fairy Godmother's magic(a gentle breeze, a soft gentle warmth of a sunny day, it brings a sense of comfort), latching onto that sense and to what she knows is Evie's voice. Choking out a "please- help" as she feels the new weight of something attached to her and faints.

The group stare at the now fainted Mal. Small deep purple horns that fade to back sprouted from her head, blood now dried to her hair matting it and dried to her face, but its stopped bleeding. From her back a set of long soft black feathered wings, a fair bit longed then the girls arm span, slick with blood. Further down her back, a reptilian like tail has grown, the same shade of black as the wings but with a shimmer of the purple like the horns. They work together to get her to a hospital, nurses try to get the blood off but the sleeping girl's tail flicks aggressively at them and wings fluff up in a threatening way. Frightening the nurses, only Evie can get close so they instruct her on her to get all the blood off. The blue haired girl's presence seems to calm the sleeping dragon fae so they tell her to stay and watch over her, they'll bring anything she needs to her. Evie requests they bring all Mal's clothes and all her supplies so she can make adjustments for the girl.

They dont notice till Mal wakes, that her sclera has changes (from the usual white to a dark grey almost black.) and the new stark blue speckes in the green, that her ears having become pointed, her teeth have become sharper, her hair has a new blue tint to it, and has small freckle like scales on her cheeks.

Its understandable that these changes went unnoticed, considering she grew horns wings and a tail.

Fairy Godmother and Jane help her a lot, help her learn to control her new limbs and teach her to fly. Even though they technically shouldn't since magic is banned in the kingdom, but they are all inherently magically beings and the new King is willing to overlook this. For his ex-girlfriend's benefit and as a step forward for his newly inherited kingdom.

Evie spends hours pouring over books of chemistry, reptile care, bird care, and history books of the fae. Teaching herself how to help her bestfriend her crush, with the new additions. Learns to preen feathers and the significance of doing so, how to care for scales and horns, what chemicals to put together to help along the way to keep the new features healthy.

When she preens Mal's feathers for the first time, smiling and blushing lightly at the way Mal melts into her touch and giggles softly when she hears something reminiscent of a purr coming from her dragon and feels Mal's tail loosely wrap around her.

[tired-truffle]

Something’s Gotta Give

A CullenxLavellan fic

Chapter Word Count: 4.4k

Part 11 - One Step Back

"I've never felt more human than I do right now, holding her in my arms, desperately wanting to kiss her. I've never felt a need like this before. I need to touch her. I need to feel her. I need to know she's alive and okay." - Ban Gilmartin

Warning: Historical methods of healing lung infections

Masterlist

The mere thought of Corypheus made Ash's blood boil. She couldn’t wait to get her hands wrapped around his disgusting throat and squeeze the life out of him - impractical as it was. He deserved to suffer for what he’d done to Rae - for what he planned to do. But first, Ash needed to heal. 

After her conversation with Rae, Sweetpea had wrapped herself around Ash’s head, warming her despite the chill that had settled in her bones. It had been decades since she’d felt cold, and she hadn’t missed it - her body struggled to regulate its temperature as a side effect of the burns. But it hadn’t taken long for the heat and the softness of Sweetpea’s tail caressing her cheek to lull her into a dreamless sleep. 

When she’d next awoken, she thought for a moment that she must be underwater, trapped under a heavy weight. Every breath was a struggle, her lungs burning and her chest feeling like it was seconds away from bursting and covering everything in her viscera. It was a different kind of agony than the searing pain of her burns, but just as unbearable and excruciating. 

Her ears throbbed as if they had been stuffed with thick wads of cotton. Every sound was muffled and distant, making it difficult to distinguish the words being spoken around her. But with all her concentration, she could barely decipher the hushed voices mentioning 'fever' and 'fluid'. 

Infections were a death sentence, especially without the aid of magic to combat them. The Inquisition lacked skilled healers, and with the severity of her burns…

“I don’t care what you have to do, just fucking fix her!” Rae’s scream burst through the muted barrier around Ash’s ears. 

Ash's stomach churned uncomfortably, a gut feeling warning her against what was to come. But before she could form any objections, the all-encompassing darkness.

Her screams tore from her raw throat, pulling her from the depths of unconsciousness. Hands, rough and unyielding, pinned her down as she thrashed against their hold. There was fire in her lungs and blades slicing between her ribs. With each cough, a gut-wrenching gurgle came from her sides and a viscous liquid seeped from her chest.

Pus, she would later learn when the healers had settled her. The thick, yellow-green substance had collected in her lungs and they had to remove it before she drowned in it. The healers had no choice - ordered by her sister - but to perform an agonizing procedure, cutting into her lung and stuffing a balled-up cloth in the incision to soak it up. It would repeated every few hours.

Sweetpea took one sniff at the cloth and promptly gagged, scurrying from the tent like her tail was on fire. Ash was inclined to agree, though she had no strength to speak, and spent what must have been a few days dozing in and out of consciousness - only able to communicate her pain through grunts.

Slowly, the burning in her lungs started to subside, and she became lucid. She found herself longing for the peaceful bliss of unconsciousness, anything was better than the persistent ache and stinging fire of her burns. Each shallow breath felt like inhaling flames, and the rattle of phlegm in her chest refused to subside.

Rae’s visit was a balm to her weary heart. The rags were producing less and less pus each time they were removed and with a wave of her hand, she dismissed the healers from their watch over her sister. She would take over now, giving them a much-needed break. They did not dare argue with their revered Herald. 

Rae brought news with her. While Ash was feverish and murmuring her delusions to the healers, the Inquisition was heading for Skyhold, an old fortress in the mountains that Solas had become aware of in his travels. 

Slipping her hand into Ash’s, the two lapsed into a comfortable silence. Rae hummed a quiet tune under her breath, slowly lulling Ash into a state of half wake, half sleep. 

But peace never lasts for long. 

With all the grace of a Templar in full plate, the Commander pushed past the tent flaps, his armour rattling as he moved. 

“Herald, we have need of your—“ he began, as strict and direct as always, only to halt in his tracks, eyes widening as they landed on Ash. 

A coy smirk ticked at her lips - a cover for how much she hated that he saw her like this; vulnerable and weakened. “It is impolite,” a ragged breath, “to barge into a lady’s room without knocking, Commander.”

“I-I…” he stammered, though to her dismay his cheeks remained pale. Had her injuries made her lose her touch? Surely tits were still tits, even when they were burned. Was it because she was under a large pile of blankets? “I apologize for the intrusion, though I am glad to see you awake.”

Ash grunted noncommittal, she wasn’t a fan of wakefulness, it brought pain and fevers and confusion. Sleep was much more peaceful, dreamless and blissful. But even she couldn’t sleep forever. 

“What is so important that you sought to rob my sister of her privacy, Commander?” To anyone who didn’t know her, Rae would seem irritated and impassive, but Ash knew all her quirks, every subtle sign. From the twitch of her ears to her relaxed posture, Rae was very much enjoying giving her war commander a hard time. 

He straightened, his eyes widening further. “Please accept my apologies, Herald. I fear all this travel has made me forget my manners.” 

“Apology accepted,” Rae said with indifference. “At ease, or whatever. And spit it out already.”

“Right,” Cullen nodded his assent. “Josephine and Leliana are requesting your presence urgently. There is a…delicate matter that needs your attendance.”

“Does Mother Giselle have her big hat in a twist?” Rae slanted her head, an almost evil quality growing in her smooth grin.

Cullen chuckled. “Something like that. It was urgent enough that they did not bother finding a runner and insisted I fetch you personally.” 

Ash found that…intriguing, they had the power to boss him around like that? She remained silent. 

Rae clucked her tongue against the roof of her mouth. “I see, but I can’t leave Ash alone.”

“I’ll be fine Rae, you have important religious figure business to attend to. I will survive in your absence.” Ash squeezed Rae’s hand with a whisp of her former strength - which hadn’t been much to begin with. She may be skilled with magic, but muscles she had not. 

Rae turned half towards her, an unimpressed slant to her brows. “Absolutely not. The next thing I know you’ll have pitched yourself off the bed and gotten your gross lung pus everywhere.” 

Ash crinkled her nose. “That sounds terribly painful and frankly disgusting.” She coughed, wincing as it irritated her open wounds and, well, everything. “I’d much rather lay as still as possible and let you all do the heavy lifting.” 

Rae narrowed her eyes, ready to argue, before Cullen interrupted. “I will stay, Herald. If that is amenable with you, Ashvalla.”

“I would be honoured by your company, Commander.” Ash gave him a wolfish grin, ignoring the sharp burn across her cheek as her burn stretched and cracked. 

Rae eyed Cullen skeptically, weighing her options. She was loath to leave Ash alone, even for a moment, but duty called and the Commander had offered a solution.

"Fine," she conceded begrudgingly. "But Commander of the Inquisition or not, if I hear you've been bothering her-

"I would never dream of it," Cullen assured, though she was sure he had dreamed plenty.

Rae fixed him with a piercing stare, green eyes boring into amber, before she leaned down to brush a kiss over Ash's forehead, whispering so only she could hear.

"I'll be back soon. Try not to seduce the Commander while I'm gone.”

Ash laughed, the sound morphing into a painful cough.

"No promises," she rasped with a wink.

With one last warning look at Cullen, Rae swept from the tent, leather boots scuffing against the dirt.

Cullen hovered in the doorway, looking everywhere but at her. 

“I don’t bite, you know,” she teased, patting the spot on the cot where Rae had vacated. “Unless you want me to.”

There was the blush she so adored, tickling the tips of his ears, almost hidden in the low light. “I would prefer to remain unbitten, if that’s all the same to you.”

“Suit yourself,” Ash said, unbothered. “But please sit, your hovering is making me anxious.”

With a shake of his head, a smirk pulling at the scar bisecting his lip, he perched on the side of the cot. 

Ash smiled at him, genuine, and softer than she’d meant to. “Are you going to hold my hand too?” She wiggled her fingers, forcing her lips into a grin. 

Just because she was in pain and feeling mildly delirious, didn’t mean she had to get soft on him. 

He was a Templar for ten years, do not forget that your heart was only recently kept beating by the spirit that possesses you, she reminded herself, repeating it like a mantra in her mind. 

Cullen rolled his eyes, and Love trilled happily in her chest when his leather-gloved hand found its way to hers. “Better?” he asked, mirth creasing his crow’s feet. 

“It will do. For now.” 

“Even injured and bedridden you find ways to be difficult. I cannot say I am particularly surprised.” 

Ash shrugged with her uninjured shoulder, wincing as it tugged on the burnt skin of her back. She couldn’t lay on her side because of the incisions, but laying on her burn was not her preferred position either. Ideally, she’d float in mid-air, but she had yet to figure out how to achieve that feat. “It’s in my blood.”

“On that, we agree.” His eyes travelled the length of her body, quickly, instinctively. “How are you feeling?”

Ash raised an eyebrow, glancing down at the bandage-covered arm resting above the furs, her neck and cheek also wrapped in white cloth. 

He had the decency to look sheepish, rubbing the back of his neck with his free hand. “Forgive me. I only wished to know if you are as well as you could be, given the circumstances.”

“I was roasted by an Archdemon and somehow I still live. I’d say I’m pretty good.” She grinned using only one side of her face, attempting to stop irritating her facial burns. Ridiculous, but she made an effort. That had to count for something.

Gaze darkening, a pinch appeared between his brows, his lips curving into a frown. He was very handsome when he scowled; Ash couldn’t decide if she liked his glowers more or his blushes. 

Ash sighed, anxiety pulling at the lines on her face. “If you want me to be completely honest.” She made a disgusted noise and his scowl of irritation turned into a scowl of disapproval - a minor improvement. “Then I…everything hurts. And by Mythal does it itch. I never would have thought the itching could be worse than the pain, but I’d rather get stabbed with a thousand tiny needles or tear my skin off in strips.” Another rattling breath. “These stupid cloths in my lungs make it feel like I’m breathing wet fire, which I can confirm is far worse than breathing regular fire. And I’m so fucking afraid that after enduring all of this, I still won’t make it. That the illness will take me anyway. But I can’t tell Rae any of this. She has enough on her plate and I won’t add to it. I can’t be a burden on her.”

She blinked, she hadn’t meant to say all that, but in her pain-fueled haze, it had tumbled from her mouth like rocks down a cliff. 

Silence settled between them and Ash refused to look at him. 

“I may not have much…experience, with your predicament, but I have spent a significant amount of time around the Herald in the past few days, and let me assure you that you are not, nor have you ever been a burden on her.” He spoke with such gentle conviction, his hand squeezing hers, and Love pulsed weakly in her chest. But the spirit had always been a sucker for affection, for men bestowing kind words upon her, it meant nothing. “As I believe I said before, the Herald is less sullen with you around. You give her…drive, confidence. Though you may be stuck here, you give her something to fight for, to keep her head up.”

Why couldn’t the Archdemon have burned her tear ducts off?

“It’s alright Commander,” Ash ignored the blurring of her vision, “you can say cunty, I give you permission.”

His head shook, exasperation tilting his small smile. He refused to fall for her trap, smart man. “Be that as it may, she is happy you are alive and recovering. As am I.”

“You were so close to getting rid of your biggest irritant,” Ash teased. 

Cullen shook his head. “You overestimate yourself. That title belongs to the rashvine Sera continues to try to put in my smalls, which has not ceased even in our time of strife.”

A giggle tumbled from Ash’s lips, the skin around her eyes wrinkling and her smile widening, despite the pain it caused. “She’s just trying to find a way to get you to loosen up. Or she just hates authority. Either way, I think it’s funny.”

“I’m glad one of us is amused,” he said, as dry as wheat stalks in autumn.

Ash paused, her mind racing as a thought took hold and fought to escape. She chewed on the inside of her cheek, but was unable to hold it back. “Why are you being so nice to me? It's strange. You’re supposed to be a big, mean Templar.”

Cullen shifted on the cot, a flash of uncertainty crossing his face. "I suppose holding your hand at your sickbed does undercut that image. Though it is not an image I wish for you to have of me so I can’t say I’m upset that I do not fit your description. I am trying to make amends, for my past actions towards mages." He paused, gazing down at their still joined hands. "I have many regrets. I no longer wish to be a man blinded by fear and hatred, I would like to be someone that mages could trust, that you could trust."

Sincerity hadn’t been what Ash had expected, and she blinked twice, unsure of how to respond.

"As for you specifically, at first I saw you as nothing more than a nuisance. Another reckless mage determined to get under my skin."

Ash laughed softly, relieved he hadn’t continued with his vulnerability - she was not in the space to respond appropriately and didn’t want to ruin…whatever this was. "Can't say you were wrong."

Cullen huffed a quiet laugh of his own. "No, I suppose not. But I was wrong, I have seen how deeply you care for others, how hard you work, how much you’re willing to sacrifice. I fear I misjudged you.” 

“I’ll just have to work harder then,” she teased. “Though, I should thank you.” Ash discarded their conversation in favour of a new one that she was much more comfortable with.

“Whatever for? I’m ashamed to say I was little help to you after…you were injured.”

Ash brushed him off with a dismissive noise blown through her teeth. “You had much more important tasks than tending to me, and there was little you could do after I had the bright idea to stand in the way of Archdemon fire.” He opened his mouth to argue, but Ash did not let him speak. “What I wanted to thank you for was the chest plate you insisted I wear. From what I’ve been told, that is the only reason my…” she shot him a wolfish grin, “assets were unharmed. Should you ever wish for repayment, I have the perfect idea of how we could achieve this.”

A dark pink tinge spread from his cheeks to the tips of his ears. Ash did her best not to show her satisfaction. “Oh, I…Maker’s Breath, no. No repayment is necessary. I am simply happy to hear you were less harmed.” 

“Let me know if you change your mind.” 

His blush deepened and his hand twitched in hers. “I…” He released a deep, long-suffering sigh, but his hand remained. “I assure you, I will not request any repayment.” 

“If you’re sure.”

“Very.”

She wasn’t sure if that stung or not. He was a gentleman who would never dream of taking advantage of her like that, but at the same time, for some illogical reason, Ash wanted him to want her. Were the burns deterring him? Or maybe that she’d have permanent scarring? He didn’t seem like the type - he was a soldier, he must have his own scars hidden beneath his armour. And tits were tits, Ash had found a majority of men were not as picky as they pretended to be. They may gripe and moan about her weight, but they folded as soon as they thought no one was watching.

Jaw creaking, she suppressed a yawn. The singular hour of being awake had taken its toll on her. 

“You should rest,” Cullen said, grateful for the chance to distract her. 

Ash narrowed her eyes, even as she fought another yawn. “I’ve had plenty of rest.”

“And you will require plenty more if you are to recover.” His eyes flickered to her ribs where the cloth remained plugged in her lungs. Rae must have said something. 

Ash scowled. “I dislike when you’re right.” It was petulant and pouty, but she was allowed to have a few childish arguments when her entire body throbbed and her skin felt like it was two seconds from crawling off her body and laying itself over a tanning rack. 

“That does not change the fact that I’m correct.” That damned smirk tugged at his scar and Love fluttered insistently in her chest. “Or would you prefer I fetch a healer to confirm?”

“No,” Ash said too quickly, though she was much too tired to care. “Stay. Please.”

His face softened and he squeezed her hand reassuringly. Ash was pleased he hadn’t let go, even through her teasing. “As you wish.”

Ash felt her eyelids growing heavy as a wave of exhaustion washed over her. The dull ache in her ribs and the incessant gnawing of her burns were pushed to the back of her mind by the comfort of Cullen's steady presence at her bedside. His large hand engulfed her long fingers, allowing the tension in her body to slowly unwind.

She studied his face as her vision began to blur, taking in the strong line of his jaw and the wrinkle between his brows that seemed permanently etched there. Even in repose, he looked focused, vigilant - the result of years of intensive Templar training. She wondered if he ever truly relaxed. The thought made something in her chest constrict.

"You'll stay?" she confirmed again, too exhausted to care that she was being needy, her words slightly slurred with impending sleep.

“As long as you need.”

He didn’t know what he had promised. As long as she needed? She was embarrassed to even think about how attached she had started to become. No one else put up with her flirtatious teasing like he did, what was she supposed to do without him? Life would be dreadfully boring. Blessedly, she did not get the chance to voice her thoughts as sleep took her once more.

Upon waking, Ash felt a cold emptiness where Cullen's hand should have been and he was nowhere to be found. They had moved again, the tent having shifted and her cot sloped at a different angle. Her ribs were sore but it was dull, no longer the sharp stabbing of the open hole in her lungs.

Though Cullen may have left, she was not alone. 

Seated at the side of her cot was Dorian, his mustache perfectly styled, and an old-looking book in hand - Ash imagined it must contain all kinds of Tevinter secrets. 

“What are you doing here?” Her question came off much harsher than intended, she’d only meant to verbalize her confusion at seeing Dorian of all people in a gross healer’s tent - it lacked his pristine. 

The mage looked down his nose at her, closing his book with a severe snap. “I am here because someone needed to watch over you - the Herald’s orders, if you were wondering - and I was deemed to have too much free time on my hands. Never mind that all I’ve been doing for days has been trudging through mountains packed to the brim with Ferelden snow. I don’t think I’ll ever be able to feel my toes again, though all this sun is doing wonders for my complexion.”

“At least you’ve got one good thing going for you.” Her throat was dry, but no longer as irritated as before.

“Yes, and you know what is less good?” He narrowed his eyes, swivelling on his stool to scowl more completely at her. “That my friend decided to play the hero and almost got herself incinerated in Archdemon fire. Your sister may be Andraste’s Herald, but that does not mean you must perish similarly to the goddess.”

If not for the undercurrent of concern, Ash would have thought that Dorian was truly mad at her.

“I’ll consider that next time.”

“Next time?” Incredulousness raised his brows. “There will be no next time, you will be staying far away from that thing as long as I can help it. Best not to give it a second chance.”

Ash studied his face, her eyes tracing over the hard lines and tense muscles. There was a fierce look in his gaze, but she could sense the fear that lurked just beneath the surface. It caught her off guard and she felt strangely moved by it. After all, they had only known each other for a little over a month.

“Ugh,” he made a disgusted noise, and waved his hand at her as though she was a pesky fly. “Don’t make that face at me.”

Ash frowned. “What face?”

“That one,” he said snippily. “The one that says you know what I’m feeling even though I don’t want you to, and that you feel some sort of sympathy for me and my pathetic emotions. It’s unnerving. And furthermore, I’m supposed to be the one feeling sympathy for you, not the other way around.”

Ash smiled, though judging by the glare that pulled at Dorian’s features, it was still too soft. “I just didn’t think you liked me that much.”

He huffed, lifting his chin. “You’re one of the few people who tolerates my Altus presence. It would have been lonely without you, obnoxious as you may be. Who else am I supposed to gossip with?”

“Varric, The Iron Bull, Vivienne, Rae—“ Ash listed until Dorian cut her off with a sharp exhale through clenched teeth. 

“Alright, I get it, but none of them are as���fun as you.”

“I thought you’d started to get along with Bull?”

“Getting along with and enjoying one-on-one chats are entirely different things, my dear.”

Ash waggled her uninjured fingers enticingly at him. “But you could, if you wanted to.”

He scowled harder. “What is that supposed to mean?”

“A big, muscular man like Bull? I’m sure his private chats would be, uh, interesting.” 

“As was your talk with our stuffy Commander, I’m sure,” Dorian purred, a knowing spark lighting up his dark eyes. 

Ash grinned, though the skin of her cheek felt tighter than it had before. She knew enough about burns to know that that wasn’t good. She’d been sedentary, and if she didn’t start to move soon, her skin would heal in a fixed position and further limit her mobility. “If you won’t spill, neither will I.”

“I have nothing to spill about. You on the other hand, I saw the way the Commander came out of your tent, you must have at least said something scandalous to him.”

“You truly do have too much time on your hands if you were sitting around waiting for him to come out. I’ll have you know that I fell asleep, so I didn’t say anything.”

She repositioned her shoulders while she spoke, and winced as pain radiated through her arm. She was going to have to start moving soon. Dorian's sour expression softened with concern. "Are you alright? Should I fetch a healer?"

"I'm fine," Ash muttered through gritted teeth. It was better than it had been, surely she should be able to handle it by now. She closed her eyes for a moment, trying to focus past the pain. When she opened them again, Dorian was staring at her intently.

"You know, you don't always have to put on a brave face," he said gently. "Especially not for me."

Ash looked away, a faint blush colouring her pale cheeks. She wasn't used to others seeing through her act so easily. With most people, the witty banter and coy smiles were enough to keep them at arm's length. But Dorian seemed intent on getting past her defences - possibly because they were so similar to his.

"I'm not - I mean, I just…" She faltered, uncharacteristically lost for words.

Dorian leaned forward, elbows resting on his knees. "It's alright," he said. "You've been through quite the ordeal. No one expects you to bounce back so quickly."

Ash glanced back at him, taking in the sincerity etched across his carefully primmed features. She wondered briefly what she had done to deserve a friend like him.

"Thank you, Dorian," she said softly. "I appreciate you checking in on me."

"Think nothing of it," Dorian replied airily, though his eyes were kind. "I should hope you'll return the favour once you've recovered. Maker knows it’ll be unbearable without your company to brighten my days."

Ash laughed, then winced again as soreness lanced through her healing body. Dorian shook his head, clucking his tongue in sympathy.

"Now try to rest, won't you?" he implored. "We've only a day left to Skyhold, and we'll need you at your best."

Ash nodded, exhaustion settling over her like a shroud. Her eyes drifted shut even as Dorian settled back in his chair, intent on keeping watch over her as she slept. The Fereldan mabaris must be rubbing off on him, despite his protests otherwise. His steadfast loyalty brought a small smile to her lips as she surrendered to sleep - though this time, more willingly than before. 

Next Chapter

A/N: I spent a lot of time looking into old healing methods for lung infections, and this seemed the most probable for where they currently are, though pretty gnarly.

I hope you're liking it so far! I'm happy we got some good Dorian time, and there is plenty more of that to come <3

I'm also very partial to Cullen holding her hand :)

[i-eat-deodorant]

Ooo please tell me about Pumping Ass part 2.

I'm invested.

[WIP ASKS]

The stars aligned when he received an email at noon a couple days later, telling him not to come to shift today, that someone had backed their truck directly into the front entrance (gods, what he would pay to have been there to see that clusterfuck) and they were replacing the sliding doors that should’ve been replaced years ago. Normally he’d spend his break arguing online over stock prices with people whose opinions don’t matter, but the moderators of his latest circle had banned him (over threats of violence—what was he about to do, strangle someone over the screen?) and he was still fuming too hard to find a new one. 

So when he slipped out of his pants and saw a white card fluttering onto the ground, he picked it up. The cardstock was wrinkled and soft from how he’d shoved it in his pocket, but Lambert’s name and address were still visible. Driving distance. Walking distance, if he was willing to suffer an hour in public in exchange for saving gas. 

Which is how Narinder found himself slouched in front of a tacky McMansion in broad daylight, judging the topiary. 

Seriously, how were they not embarrassed to put these things in public? He could flash himself and retain more modesty than what these trimmed bushes were doing to their property. And then there was that eyesore set of marble columns, scrunched halfway into the wall next to windows that looked to be drawn on blindfolded. Then there were the four garage doors on the side; if Lambert admitted to him that they were housing a small army for war in their garage, he’d believe it over the cars. 

A towering black bull in a suit answered the door when he rang. He took one look at Narinder, then began to close the door.

“Wait!” Narinder shoved his foot inside. “I have an appointment with Lambert.” 

“We do not accept solicitors nor beggars.” Already he could hear a tinge of irritation in the bull’s voice. 

Rude. He’d actually dressed nice for this: black pants and a blazer that had been in the laundromat instead of on the floor, and an undershirt that wasn’t stained with anything.  “I’m not, Lambert said I was welcome. Here, I have their…” He reached for the card, but realized that handing someone a crumpled piece of paper wasn’t exactly solid evidence. “Just. Just let them know I’m here, they know who I am.” 

“You can contact them through the proper channels then.” 

It was getting difficult to keep the door open with how hard the bull was pushing it closed. Narinder was about to step back before his foot got smashed before another voice joined in from the back. 

“Thoryn! Let him in pal, I told him he could come here whenever he likes.” 

Narinder stumbled a bit as the bull, Thoryn, swung the door inwards. Standing at the foot of a grand staircase was Lambert, clad in fuzzy white pajamas and slippers. They smiled upon seeing him. “Great timing, you caught me on one of my days off. I don’t have anything planned until evening.” 

“Sir—he—” Thoryn looked between them, before understanding quickly dawned on his expression. “Understood. I’ll leave you to it, sir.” With that, the bull walked away with far more speed than necessary, hooves clicking against the tiled floor. 

Narinder watched him disappear off into a corner. “He doesn’t think I’m a hooker, does he.” 

“Hopefully not, but the circumstances fit—” 

“I’m not a hooker.” Narinder spat, hands shoved tight into his pockets.

-

"Bastard broke all of his bones falling. You know what they say about the impact on the water, from high up. Nobody can bounce back from that."

"But you're still here," Lambert said. A hand gripped Narinder's wrist, solid and real. "Maybe the myth was wrong. Maybe Icarus drowned, but in the middle of the pain all his ribs fracturing he realized that one of his arms wasn't broken, and he dragged himself to shore."

Narinder sat up, blankets falling off his figure. It was too dark to make out more than shadows, but he traced silhouette of Lambert in greyscale, the rise and fall of their chest. It all felt like a surreal dream, a hell he'd wake up from and be back in his mansion with his wife and kids. "Life should've pummeled that kind of blind optimism out of you decades ago."

"It's helped, though." Lambert was looking at him as well. His eyes adjusted to the darkness just enough to catch their smile. "Wouldn't be where I am without it."

Maybe he didn't want this dream to end.

yeah it's just a potential continuation of Tropical Sunset (aka gas station au). can you tell i browsed McMansion Hell posts before i wrote this haha. need to absorb angry architect power.

i'm actually kind of excited to write it because there's a scene i have planned that just. gets really dark and serious all of a sudden that i have planned and i wanna tackle something that i don't particularly see people portraying. gas station au is my silly little test au and i'm taking it for a roller coaster ride.

[notasouleater]

Take A Sip From My Cup Chapter 3

Chapter 2 Chapter 4

Ao3

Notes: 3,252 words. Where do they keep coming from. I don't write long form I don't understand

Odaiba Station was a long walk after work. Far out of Wizardmon’s way, and Gatomon’s too, so he really insisted on not wanting a ride. It was fully abandoned for years, covered in moss, and eerily quiet away from the city. Well worth the walk.

Wizardmon worked his way through the abandoned buildings, his own desire paths now covered in snow that muffled his steps. The wind was making the already frigid environment even colder, so he headed to the lee side of the main building, not heading inside but sitting in what was once a window, hidden under the overhang of a sky bridge. It was a nice spot, protected from most of the snow and chill, but allowing him to look out over the space.

He pulled out his laptop and began to work. He let the atmosphere around him give him inspiration with its haunted feel. Completely silent except the muffled wind and… footsteps. Wizardmon’s head darted up to take in the figure making its way steadily towards him. Then he broke into a soft smile.

“Mr. Ishida!”

“Wizardmon! I was hoping to see you here,” the older (not old!) man called back, coming over to sit with him. “You don’t come out as much in the snow.”

“It is a bit more difficult to walk,” Wizardmon conceded, before interrupting himself with a sneeze.

“You sure that’s the only reason?”

Wizardmon waved off his concern, “I’m perfectly fine.”

“Mhm,” Mr. Ishida hummed, eyebrow raised. “You’re not invulnerable, you know.”

“You sound like Gatomon. A few sneezes do not mean anything.”

“If you say so. How is your friend?”

“She is the same as ever.”

Mr. Ishida raised an eyebrow at that.

“She is well .”

“Still banning you from drinking hot sauce at work?” Mr. Ishida grinned.  

“She’s getting close to banning even mixed drinks now,” Wizardmon sighed. “To prevent me from ‘corrupting the youth’”

“I mean, with what you’ve told me about the kids-”

“I encourage experimentation. Supervised experimentation.”

Mr. Ishida laughed. “You should teach them some of your street magic.”

“I have already promised them balloon animals,” Wizardmon responded with amusement. “Though perhaps they will take an interest! And how are things at your profession?”

“Ah y’know Fiji, working me to the bone. I’ve been pitching an anniversary newspiece though, history of the station, and I’m hoping we can film around here for it.”

“Will you report it?”

“Bah, ask me if they decide to actually run it,” Mr. Ishida huffed. “Though in other news, you won’t believe what I’ve got!”

The man gave a mischievous grin as he reached into his work bag, pulling out a bottle.

“Burn unit?” Wizardmon read off the label.

“It’s a new green sauce! We got samples at work and it’s pretty good. Here-” Mr. Ishida opened the bottle and held it out towards him, “try some.”

He took some sauce on his finger and tasted it. Spicy! And a little sweet. 

“Excellent,” he nodded. “Thank you Mr. Ishida.”

He groaned. “That makes me sound so old. How many times have I told you to just call me Hiroaki?”

“Numerous.”

Mr. Ishida just shook his head. “Anyways, if you like it you should keep it, they gave me more than I really can use with just my son and me, even if I like it.”

“Oh…” Wizardmon took the bottle. “Thank you. Hiroaki.”

He just laughed in response. 

-   -   -   -

Wizardmon was definitely sick.

He hadn’t wanted to admit it. He woke up to an alarm that was much too loud, a sore throat, and aching muscles. He shut off the alarm, but leaned back instead of getting right up. He was still so tired, and just wanted to rest for a few minutes before getting up. He closed his eyes, and when he opened them again it was two hours later.

Crap.

He had several texts from Gatomon, as well as a missed call he scanned over while hurrying across his room. He dialed her back, balancing as he tried to change into day clothes at the same time as holding the phone.

“Hello-”

“Wizardmon!” she hissed, “where are you?”

“My apologies,” he croaked, and oh he needed water, “I had alarm trouble. I should be there in no more than 30 minutes.”

Silence.

“Wizardmon. Are you sick? ”

“No, I am-”

“You sound like shit, and you told me you usually wake up before your alarm,” she insisted. “Did you sleep through it?”

He hesitated. “I may have… fallen back asleep,” he admitted.

“You’re definitely sick. Don’t tell me you were planning on still coming in.”

“Of course I am. It’s not that bad, and I can’t leave you alone .”

“Pumpkinmon and Gatsmon are already working today. They should-” she sighed, “they should be adequate. They aren’t completely useless, you know.”

“But-”

“Do you want to set a bad example? As the Staff Safety Officer? For the kids? ”

“...that was a low blow.”

“Good. I don’t want to see you again until you’re fine,” she ordered, “and if I do I will be taking you right back home. You know I can.”

He sighed, but he was too tired to actually argue. “Yes, I am familiar with your wrestling skills. Alright. But call me if there are any emergencies.”

“You are off-duty -”

“Gatomon.”

She sighed. “Fine. But it will be. Fine that is. Get some rest.”

With that she hung up the phone and he was left to his own devices. Well. His and Tailmon’s devices. His throat still hurt.

Alright then. Priorities. He gave in and went first to his medicine cupboard, pulling out cold n flu medicine on his way to the kitchen where he got himself water. His throat still felt rough after, but better. The breakfast for Tailmon, weaving through his feet as he went to her bowl, then breakfast for himself. He settled on the couch with a quickly toasted bagel, deciding that just because he wasn’t going into work didn't mean he couldn’t get anything done.

This plan immediately failed.

Tailmon was taking advantage of his being home, and planted herself right in his lap, covering his computer screen and twisting to continue doing so no matter how he tried to adjust. He was finally able to settle leaning over the armrest and onto the table which he slid over for that purpose, but found himself unable to focus. It was hard to understand what he was doing, and the longer he stared the more the screen hurt his eyes even on the dimmest setting, pixel art bleeding together in front of his eyes. He gave up barely 20 minutes in.

He looked down at the cat curled contentedly on his lap, definitely smug now that he’d returned to a sensible seated position. “You were also attempting to get me to rest, huh,” he murmured.

It was, he had to admit, unusual the amount of attention Tailmon was giving him. She was usually pretty happy with just sitting near him, taking his lap only when she wanted attention. Now though she was firmly planted and purring, clear she wouldn’t be moving even when he stopped petting her. He scritched under her cheek, looking into her face as she moved it into his hand.

“Does this remind you of how we met?” he wondered.

It’s a memory that sits sharply against all the events around it. He remembers being wheeled away and spotting the scraggly white cat near his car, blue eyes burning into him. Then he’d spotted her hanging around his apartment building later, easy to recognize. He’d asked around, but no one else had seemed to have ever even seen her besides him. He’d felt almost like the cat was checking in on him. Soon enough he was feeding the stray, then caught her to take in to a local shelter. He’d meant to leave her there after getting her vaccinated and spayed, where she could find someone that could properly care for a pet. But she’d started yowling the second he tried to walk away, and he couldn’t do it.

He didn’t think he would make a very good pet owner, but he’d pulled himself together to do all the research he could and do right by her. She trained him herself, really, where he was lacking, batting at him until he got up to make food for them both until it became routine. She was a proud creature, and he certainly thought she had the right to be so.

Wizardmon yawned as pet Tailmon, pulling him back to the present.

“You’re a good cat,” he said, hand slowing.

The longer he sat there the more he felt the ache in his bones, offset by the pressure on his lap. It’s not like he was getting anything done anyway, not with a cat on his lap, and he felt his head drift down to rest on the back of the couch. His eyes slid shut, and soon enough the low sound of Tailmon’s purring carried him off to sleep.

-   -   -   -

“Glad to see you’re sounding better.”

“Do you mean looking?”

“No.”

Despite the light teasing, Gatomon looked very pleased to have Wizardmon back in the shop again once his cold had worn out. He was also pleased, not ever particularly fond of rest.

“Pumpkinmon and Gotsumon were thrilled when they heard you would be back in today, you know. They insisted on taking an extra shift.”

“Ah, well I did promise them balloons. Though, since I did not know they would be here today-”

“Yes, I’m sure that’s why,” muttered Gatomon. 

“What do you mean?”

She just rolled her eyes in response, and went back to what she was doing.

“How are the sprites going, by the way,” she asked as she passed him behind the counter.

“They are going forward well,” he responded, “though I might ask you to look at some to see if they are clear.”

“Which ones?”

Wizardmon reached over to pass her a cup, waiting until she was done calling out to the customer in question. “Jackalopes and Nightcrawlers.”

“Hmm. I don’t know what that second one is.”

“Pants.”

“Excuse me?”

“You’ll see. Though I am trying to figure out the balance of popular figures to more unique ones.”

“You know what everyone knows? And loves?”

“Is it ang-”

“It’s angels,” she said resolutely, before giving him a sly look. “And you know the horror fans would love what you could do with them.”

He raised his eyebrows, amused, “not that you would know about scary angels.”

“Now listen here,” she said, leaning in with a fighting smile when the door rang, and she looked up to it with a knowing look. Gatomon stepped to the side as Wizardmon turned around just in time to see Pumpkinmon and Gotsumon barreling towards him.

“Wizardmon!”

“You’re back!”

He surveyed the teens' bright faces with confusion. “I was only gone a couple days?”

“And we missed you SO MUCH!”

“Yeah! We made a bunch of cool new drinks, but Gatomon wouldn’t try ANY of them!”

“You’ll try them, right?!”

Wizardmon took a second to process the rapid-fire he’d just been hit with. “What… kinds of drinks?”

“Imaginative ones,” said Gatomon.

“Oh all sorts, ” said Gotsumon with extreme eagerness. “Do you want hot or cold first? Sweet? Sour? Rich?”

“Well-” started Wizardmon.

“Ooh yeah,” Pumpkinmon lept in, “and you have to tell us what you think!”

He felt like his head was close to spinning. “You are aware we are supposed to be working right now, correct?”

“Aww, c’mon boss,” whined Pumpkinmon, gesturing around the shop, “there’s no one here right now, it’s the middle of the day!”

“And we’ll get right back to it if someone comes in!” agreed Gotsumon.

Well. They weren’t entirely wrong, it was a pretty slow part of the day, with a while before the after-work rush. He looked to Gatomon, who shrugged.

“You said you had something ‘hot and sour’?”

“Ah yes, the Green Dragon ,” intoned Gotsumon. “At once.”

- - - -

“What do you think?”

Wizardmon considered the sample cup in front of him (they’d quickly switched to the tiny cups when he realized just how many drinks they wanted him to try), pointedly ignoring the phone camera Pumpkinmon clearly thought they were hiding better than they actually were.

“It is very… pink.”

“But the taste?” asked Gotsumon eagerly.

“It tastes pink.”

“How can something taste pink?”

“What did it taste like to you?”

“Dreams.”

“On the scale,” interrupted Pumpkinmon, “where would you place it?”

Wizardmon considered this. “Between the Lemon Cake Latte and the Lava Explosion.”

Gotsumon pouted, “aw c’mon, I thought it was better than that.”

“You have to remember this is the guy that put the Scented Candle Tea in the top spot,” said Pumpkinmon.

“It is hardly my fault if you don’t understand good tea,” said Wizardmon, “and I believe this one would still cater to-”

He was interrupted by the ringing of the front door, and turned to see Kari walking in.

“Gatomon!” he called to the back, trying to figure out how he was going to distract the other two when Pumpkinmon piped up.

“Ms. Kari!”

Wizardmon sent a confused look to Gatomon as she emerged from her office, looking quite put upon.

“We’ve failed on that front,” she muttered to him.

“I was not here,” he responded. “I did excellent on that front. You owe me balloons.”

“ Hey, I didn’t completely fail” she whispered, before returning to normal volume, “they just spotted my cousin who is from out-of-town before I did the other day and she introduced herself before I could! And it’s so nice my horrible other cousin isn’t with her like I feared, such confusion the first time she came by!”

“Ah of course,” agreed Wizardmon, who was 99% sure no such cousin existed, “we were keeping the teens away from family drama.”

“Yeah, he’s terrible,” joined in Kari, beaming.

For their part Pumpkinmon and Gotsumon seemed to have barely been paying attention to the lie being woven around them, much more focused on trying to get Kari to try a Flamingo Drink.

“Ms. Kari! You have to try this!” called Pumpkinmon.

“I said no serving things to customers that haven’t been tested,” said Gatomon.

“Wizardmon tasted it!” responded Gotsumon as at the same time Wizardmon raised an eyebrow and said “ did you now. ”

“Oh I don’t mind,” grinned Kari. “Not like I’m paying for it.”

She accepted the cup from Gotsumon, who beamed, watching eagerly as she took a sip.

“Huh,” she said. “Tastes like pink.”

“What does that even mean ,” whined Gotsumon.

“It just tastes like pink,” shrugged Kari. “I like it.”

“Impressive, given you usually go for the bitter coffees,” said Gatomon.

“A glowing review then. You guys should sell it.”

Pumpkinmon and Gotsumon’s eyes went giant. “Can we really??”

“Don’t get ahead of yourselves,” said Gatomon, “you know Myotismon would blow a gasket if we served drinks not on the standard menu.”

The teens drooped. Wizardmon sensed an opportunity.

“However,” he said. “That is only if he finds out.”

“Wizardmon-”

“I mean it could work,” Kari mused. “Just put it on a little special menu sign and hide it under the counter when his people come in.”

“You would encourage this,” hissed Gatomon, before turning to the pair still pleading at her. “Your little puppy eyes won’t work on me.’

Wizardmon stepped in. “I have a possible suggestion. Why don’t you just try it?”

Gatomon gave him an exasperated look, but he looked back reassuringly. Trust me , he thought, winking. She held for a moment, then relented.

“Fine. But only because these two had it first.”

Pumpkinmon and Gotsumon cheered as she took the cup from Kari, sniffing it suspiciously before taking a drink. There was a moment after it hit her mouth where her eyes absolutely lit up. She took a moment of deliberation before sighing.

“Again. You understand what deep shit we’re in if word gets out.”

“I know you want this to be the best shop it can be,” said Wizardmon.

Gatomon sighed. “Fine.”

“YEA-”

“BUT- if we get in trouble for this, it’s on you two, you understand?”

The pair nodded vigorously, Kari giggling in the background.

“Y’know cuz, I think this will be good for you! Take back some control!”

Gatomon glared at her, though the effect was ruined by the still cheering teens. “Were you buying something?”

Kari pointed to the still slightly filled blender behind her with a cheeky smile. “I’ll take a Flamingo Drink please.”

-    -   -    - 

They were closing up when Wizardmon heard Gatomon sigh.

“You know this whole new drink thing is going to turn into a mess.”

“A mess can be good if you’re tired of things being clean.”

She gave him a very unimpressed look.

“I think you enjoy the solving,” he said, giving into clarity. “You like doing a lot more than just listening. And you like doing things that make your shop better.”

“But it’s not mine, not really, is it?” she said, bitterly. “Might as well accept that before it all comes crashing down again.”

It hurt when she said things like that. She had so much fight in her, but she couldn’t lift up a hand for the one battle she needed most anymore.

“I wasn’t being entirely kind when I supported their idea, you know,” he tried instead. “They’re unlikely to run back to their boss if they’re outing themselves doing it.”

Gatomon smiled at that. “Ha, I should’ve known you would have something sneaky like that.”

She hesitated. “I do have to admit you all are on to something. I do miss creation…” 

She shook off the thought. “Nevermind that. It’s time to go.” 

They went outside, and when Gatomon nodded towards her car, he didn’t argue. Given he’d just been ill it was not a fight he thought he would win. They drove along in quiet companionship, listening to the quiet tones of the radio. When Wizardmon got out at his apartment, Gatomon stopped him before he could say goodbye.

“Wait. I have something for you.”

He watched with curiosity as she rifled through her bag before pulling out a bundle of fabric she held out to him. He stared at it.

“Well?” She looked distinctly like she was trying to power through her own discomfort. “Take it.”

He reached out, a wide, beautiful scarf unfolding under his hands. The yarn was a deep indigo, with bits of pale code patterned into it. He couldn’t quite tell under his gloves, but it looked soft. And warm.

“Gatomon… this is for me?”

“Of course it is,” she huffed. “You certainly need one.”

He couldn’t stop looking at it. “It is lovely.”

“Yes, well- consider it a business expense. So you stay healthy.”

He smiled up at her. “Thank you for this gift.”

Her eyes went wide, then she looked away. “You’re welcome,” she mumbled, before clearing her throat. “I’d better see you wearing it next time you’re outside in the snow, you understand? Good night, Wizardmon.”

“Good night Gatomon.”

Later, after he’d eaten, and Tailmon had yelled at him until he went to bed, he was sitting up and thinking as he stared at his cat on the end of the blanket.

“Tailmon,” he said. “I believe things may be changing for the better.”

[vulpeskorsak]

Day 26 of Whumptober 2024: Baking bread

No. 26: NIGHTMARES Breakfast Table | Parting Words of Regret | “I’m haunted by the lies that I have loved, the actions I have hated.” (Poe, Haunted)

AO3 got banned in my country and VPNs have not been working well on my PC lately, so I am not going to post these there for now. But hopefully I can do that at some point.

This is taking place in my own DnD/fantasy world.

Dr. Victor Moreau is my mostly human fleshsmith inventor (KibblesTasty Homebrew class).

Ludwig Richter is a tiefling and a former gravedigger turned archeologist who wields a rifle and a battle shovel named Charon.

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

Baking bread

Ludwig does not remember the last time Victor sat down with him to have breakfast.

Their kitchen is filled with the smell of fresh bread and fried eggs. He does not remember cooking but Victor must have done this to take care of him after all the writing he had to do the previous night.

Right.

That must be it.

He is so thoughtful today.

Victor smiles and nudges a basket of fresh sliced bread towards his partner, encouraging him to take a piece.

"Where did you get this?" Ludwig wonders out loud.

"I baked it," he grins.

"Huh? When did you learn that? You barely ever cook."

"Oh, it is not hard to learn at all. It is basically the same as alchemy. You put specific ingredients together in a specific manner using specific temperature and it is done."

That makes sense to Ludwig. What does not – is the way Victor does not move his lips when he says that. His grins stays perfectly in place but the sound keeps coming, making Ludwig feel extremely uneasy.

"How did you say that? Don't tell me ventriloquism is also the same as alchemy."

"Is that the only thing that you find weird in this situation?" Victor asks, lips still unmoving. "Really?"

A shiver runs down Ludwig's spine. He frantically looks around, trying to figure out what else he might mean. The bread? Cooking?

"Ludwig. My love." Victor calls out to draw his eyes to himself again. "You don't live in this house."

How did he not notice?

"You don't even own a house. You live in a giant magical tower, Director Ludwig. How did you even come up with this?"

The chair under Ludwig breaks and crumbles into dust as he falls to his knees. He tries to get up or move away but his limbs feel frozen. The table between them rots and disintegrates in seconds followed by his partner's chair, leaving Victor sitting on air.

"What is happening here?!"

Ludwig helplessly tries to move again and fails again.

"Nothing. Nothing at all, my dear."

Victor's skin turns gray rapidly as it begins to rot, only his smiling head remaining untouched.

"Victor! Wait!"

Ludwig watches his skins, muscles and organs all vanish one by one, until only a skeleton is left. Seconds later it shatters into sharp bone shrapnel, showering Ludwig who is unable to turn away from the shards that pierce his skin.

The heaf falls to the floor.

"I am waiting," Victor's head says as it rolls up to him and stares him straight in the eyes. "I am waiting for you to say it."

"Say what?"

Ludwig remembers right as these words leave his mouth. He remembers Victor dying. He remembers killing his undead body afterwards. He remembers severing his head from his body.

He picks up the head as the entire building around them begins to disappear, able to move again but feeling no desire to run or do anything else. Victor's head turns gray as his eyes turn entirely black. His teeth grow and sharpen.

“Victor…” Ludwig lifts the head up to give it a long soft kiss on the lips and teeth sticking out here and there. “I love you. I’m so sorry I never actually said that. But I love you.”

Just like he did all those years ago.

"Goooood. Good. I love you too, Ludwig, but that kiss was lackluster," the head laughs before unhinging its jaw and lunging at his face.

Ludwig wakes up shaking, feeling tears in the corners of his eyes. He curses under his breath, wiping them away, and turns to lie on his stomach, hoping to fall asleep again as quickly as possible.

[this-is-my-main-i-follow-from]

the rosary in michif

So the way I rewrote this is how to pronounce it with symbols that make sense to me. I also changed the english versions so you know how these things are pronounced.

ɑ = anywhere between father & mop

a = the a in the french la, or anywhere between the a in above & father, (not in between like the way the o in above is in between u from rut & o from mop), except the a in above is more like the u in bun or the e in the, but in the english I started using u to symbolize the u in crutch/a in above/o in above (even tho it is more like the o in mop or the o in more without the w at the end)/e in the

é = the e in met or pen

æ = late, bait, may eidelweiss

i = if, bit, some ppl even use this i in both halves of spirit (if they don't say spyyrit), & sometimes that sound that is like "eu" crossed with "uh" crossed with "o'" crossed with "a" crossed with "e" & you just can't exactly tell what it is

í = eat, feeble, meme

o = anywhere between boat & the first two "ho"s of ho ho ho, it can be the o,w of words like hope, or it can be just the o' like if someone interrupted you before you finished saying "go". It's almost like how er starts with eu & ends with r, this starts with o' & ends with w,

oo = on in french, between boat & boot, it's like the "o" from above was a little more short/fat in your mouth so it is slightly more like a "w" but not quite, & then you do end it with that diphthong w. Like if you end the french garcon with a w as well as an n.

ʊ = oo, like shoe which can be eu'w, or it can be just the w (which is a vowel, the welsh are right), who, the first part of when, or when you say a really elongated "ooh" not just an euw but an euwwwww!, the end of "oh!"

eu = book, look, cook, hurt, the french feu, birch, earl, like take your tongue down from the back there & stop saying the r, it's like how we say "uh" in north america but they spell it "er" in england, they don't mean ir/eur, they mean euh. Like heard in a british accent

ä = a like cat. It was originally written as ae, but ae to me means éy (or ah-y), while in michif according to my legend it is supposed to mean a like ban. I actually do get it being spelled ae, but I used to spell it aa & have taco be spelled ah & lot be spelled aw (cahmmin vs cawmmun being two ways to say common). Anyway this is the a like fabulous or the way your white (not european) grandmother says pasta.

š = technically sh, but I actually often pronounce this as an s. Many cree speakers, especially as they get older, say things with a bit of a lisp, making the s turn into sh, & we have taken that into michif. In fact, the word michif comes from the lisping of the t in metis into ts, & the all-too-common lisping of ts into ch. You can say as s or as sh & it is fine

č = ch, in michif we usually say it more like ch, the "tsh" sound, but in cree it is more like ts, sort of like the japanese tsu. You know how ts is at the very front of your mouth but ch is a little farther back & a little more on the edges? Go halfway in between. Keep a little more contact with either side of the front of your tongue, & say it. Mix ts & ch to get smth halfway between. It's almost like chs in the way it sounds, but more like tch in the way it feels. Evn throw in a bit of soft "th" in there if you need.

I don't think I have ñ, but it is like a "ng" that doesn't quite make contact. It's the french n

r = Two options here. Option 1: earl but hover before you close your teeth on the r. Feel how far back that is in your mouth? Push it a little farther back, push that r a little further in general. Instead of that r being stupidly in your teeth (that's the reason kids way w instead), keep it closer to your throat, more in your soft palate, not where the bone starts. Option 2: khrkhrkhrkhrkhr almost like that arabic crackly h, & it can be voiced or unvoiced. It's a trilled g. Not a trilled d like in spanish though. Make the sound like the dentist's vacuum. It's a fricative.

ž = j, like how ch is just tsh, j is just dj, like how s becomes sh, z becomes zh. It is j without the starting d.

Some of the Gs can also be Ks occasionally, along with many other consonants. t/d, p/b, etc.

In fact, k/p/t are often pronounced softer, less aspirated.

hk can be either h,k or it can be the semitic/celtic ch like in bach or loch. hp can be like the filipino f that they make bilabial instead of labiodental.

I think that's everything. It is a lot more simple than writing it out seems.

Oh & in english I used eth & thorn, eth being bath/thank & thorn being bathe/that

Li Shaplæ - The Holy Rosary

Wíčæwagɑnɑ Tapætamwag –

Apostle's Creed

Ndɑpwæténn li Bonjeu,

li Papa kašokatišidmawači,

kɑkiw kaožitɑt li syél ékwa la tér.

Ndɑpwæténn li Jéyzʊs

kɑgíkičítotɑt péyʊg égo son

Garsoo, kɑnígɑníštamagoyak,

kíošíéw očé

okičitawišokišíwinn avik

ékičitwɑwak Kinígígwann,

ékwa énítawigit očé la Sänt Vyɑrž.

Pontyas Paylat nɑšpič kígwatagíéw

li Bonjeuwa, kíšagawéywag

denn krwa, kínipo, ékwa kínačigɑšo. 

Kíšidša'hwawandagɑnipočig,

dɑn la trwazyém žʊrnæ kípašéygo mína.

Dɑn li syél kítotéw,

ékwa kíapígɑšo andɑ

tapiškoč Papa.  Mína tapætotéw

čipæwíéšowɑdat kapimɑtišíid

ékwa kɑnipoyit.

Ndɑpwæténn ékičitwɑwak

Kinígígwann, kɑkičitwɑwak liglíz,

kakío kapimičawɑčig li Bonjeu

awɑ dɑn li syél ékwa dɑn la tér kakío

li Bonjeu sa famí, čiponéy čigɑtég

kamačítočigɑtég, li kor číapačipɑt

ékwa čipimɑtišik tapitaw.  Answičil.

Aí bilív in God, þa Fɑþer ɑlmaítí,

kríæter av hévén änd eurð.

änd Aí bilív in Jízas kraíst, hiz only San,

äwr Lord, hʊ waz kɑnsívd baí

þa päweur av þa Holí Spírit, änd

born av þa Veurjin Méry.

Hí suffeurd undeur Pɑnčas Paílit

waz krʊsifaíd, daíd, änd waz beuríd. 

Hí déséndid tʊ þa déd, änd ɑn

þa ðird dæ hí roz agén.  Hí

aséndid intʊ hévin, änd iz sítid

ät þa raít händ uv þa Fɑþeur.  Hí

will kum ugén in glorí tʊ juj

þa living änd þa déd.

Aí bilív in þa Holí Spirit, þa holy

käðlik čeurč, þa kommyʊnyeun av

sænts, þa forgivniss av sins, þa

réseurrékšan av þa bɑdy, änd laíf

éveurlästing.  ɑmén.

Ton Pérínɑnn - Our Father

Ton Pérínɑnn, dɑn li syél kayɑyénn

kíčitwɑwann ton noo.

Kiya kɑníkɑništamann péytotéíé

kɑndawætamann tɑtočíkatéw

ota dɑn la tér tɑpiškoč dɑn li syél.

Mínɑnn anoč mon pänínɑnn

ponæíminɑnn kamačitotamɑk,

níštanɑnn nkaponæmɑnɑnik

aniké kɑkímaítotɑkoyɑkʊk

kayakočíinɑnn, mɑka

pašpíinɑnn ɑyik očé

mɑčíšíwæpišiwinn.

Kɑníkɑníštamawíɑk,

kišokišíwinn, kɑkičitæmíak

kiya aníé, anoč ékwa takíné.  Answičil.

Awr Fɑþeur in Hévin, yor næm

iz holí.  Mæ yor kingdeum keum,

änd yor will bí dun ɑn eurð äz

it iz in hévin.

Giv us teudæ þu fʊd þät wí níd

änd forgiv us for aʊr sinz,

just az wí forgiv þoz hʊ sin

ugænst us.

Giv us stréngð to résist témptæšun,

änd kíp us frum ɑll ívil.  ɑmén.

Kičítéím Li Bonjeu - Glory Bé

Kičítéím kí Papaínɑnn,

ékwa li Garsoo,

ékwa Ékičitwɑwak Kinígígwann.

Tɑpiškoč kɑmɑčipaíik,

ékwa šæmɑk, ékwa tɑpitaw ~

la tér ékɑ čiponipɑyik.  Answičil. 

Glorí bí tʊ þa Fathér, änd tʊ

þu Son, änd tʊ þa Holí Spírit, äz

it wuz in þu béginning, iz naw,

änd forévir šäll bí ~ weurld

wiðawt énd.  Amén.

O Mon Jéyzʊ - Oh My Jízus

O Mon Jéyzʊs, ponæminɑnn

kɑmačitotamɑk, pašpíinɑnn

dɑn li feu očé dɑn lenfér.

Nígɑníšta kɑkío ninígíawɑnɑnig ékwa anigé nawač kandawéítakig

číkitimɑgæ mɑčig.  Answičil.

O mɑy Jízus, forgiv us awr sinz

änd sæv us from þu fɑyrz uv héll. 

Líd ɑll soolz tʊ hévin, éspéšullí

þos most in níd uv yor meurcy.  Amén.

Kigičítéímitínɑnn Marí - Hail Mary

Kigičítéímitínɑnn Marí,

ékičítéímit, Li Bonjeu wiya

avik twa.  ékičítakišoyénn

kiya ki tʊ lí fém, ékwa

kíčitwɑwɑnɑ mawišwɑnɑ

kapimotɑtayénn katɑk Jéyzʊ.

Kíčitwɑwann Marí, Mér di

Bonjeu, ayamíéštémoinɑnn

šæmɑk ékwa atinapoyɑko.  Answičil.

Hæl Mærí, full ɑv græs, þu

Lord iz wið yʊ.  Bléssid ɑr

yʊ amung wimin, änd

bléssid iz þu frʊt uv yor wʊm

Jízas.  Holí Mérí, Muþeur uv Gɑd,

præ for us sinneurs, naw, änd ät

þí aʊr uv awr déð.  ɑmén.

Míawɑtann Mɑmaškɑč

i.  Li tɑnž Gabríél kípæwítamawéw la Sänt Vyɑrž än pičí Jéyzʊ  æwéyɑwat.

ii.  La Sänt Vyɑrž kígíogawéw sa koʊzinn ílizabéth.

iii.  Li pičí Jéyzʊ natɑwagéw.

iv.  Li pičí Jéyzʊ kítotaígɑšo kɑkičitowak la Méyzon.

v.  Kímiškɑgɑšo li pičí Jéyzʊ kɑkičotawak la Méyzon égoté žérʊsalém.

Mɑmatawinɑgwanɑ Kɑwašaškotéígé

- þe Luminous Mysteries

i.  Jéyzʊs kíšigayatagašo dɑn la rivyér dé žordan.

ii.  än nas aštéw én Kana.

iii.  Jéyzʊs itwéw kakičitowišid pé ayaw.

iv.  Jéyzʊs wapataíwéw ogičitoišíwinn éywɑškošod kíošta'ayik wiya dɑn li montaynn dé Téybor.

v.  éškwač Jéyzʊs sʊpí kɑmíčišočig avik wíčéwagana kígímíægonɑnnwiyawɑnn ékwa son sɑn, číwíčéwayak tapitaw. (the institution of the eucharist at the Last Supper.  Jesus gives us his body änd blood so that we can choose to receive eternal life.)   

Mitɑtætɑgwann Mɑmaškɑč

i.  Jéyzʊs kwatagætaw dɑn li žardan. (I've heard it as "jargin" not just "jardan")

ii.  Jéyzʊs kínočígɑšo än fwét kíabačitɑwag ékwa lí ploon égígamogé.(the scourging at the pillar has a much longer name here: he is tied to a pillar & beaten with a whip made with lead)

iii.  Jéyzʊs kíačigɑtéw än koronn oči šnélí.

iv.  Jéyzʊs kípimíwatægɑšo la krwé. (I'd actually say krwa like krwoa bc it is croix in french, but michif is like cowboy french)

v.  Jéyzʊs kíšagɑwéywag dɑn la krwé očičig ékwa očitak.

Mɑtawpayinn dɑn li Syél - Glorious Mysteries

i.  Apičípaw Jéyzʊs niponik očé.

ii.  Jéyzʊs dɑn li syél itotéw.

iii.  ékičitwawišid péítotéw.

iv.  La Sänt Vyɑrž šipwétaígašo dɑn li syél.

v.  La Sänt Vyɑrž ošigašo la Rénn dɑn li syél.

Kígičítéímitínɑnn Kɑgičitwɑošyénn La Rénn - Hail Holy Queen

Kígičítéímitínɑnn

Kɑgičitwɑošíénn La Rénn,

Mama očé gɑšɑgí'íwét. 

Kičítéítɑ mbimɑtišiwinínɑnn,

kɑšíwišíɑk, ékwa

kɑpagošéítamɑk.

Nimɑtonɑnn mon Sänt Vyɑrž

anɑnn očé kɑwæpinigɑšoyak

líz enfen očé ív.

Ota dɑn la valí mɑtowinn, ékwa

kɑgɑškéítamik,

kígagwæčímikawinn

číwíčí'íɑk.

Ayamíéš tamɑwínɑnn

wíjí'ínɑnn čimiškawayɑk

ton garsoo Jéyzʊs.  Answičil.

missing in the translation so idk if it is correct: thine eyes of mercy toward us & after this our exile show unto us the blessed fruit of thy woumb, o clement o loving o sweet virgin mary pray for us oh holy mother of got that we may be made worthy of the promises of christ let us pray grant we bessech you that by meditating on the holy mysteries of the most holy rosary of the blessed virgin mary we may both imitate what they contain and obtain what they promise through the same christ our lord amen. It's missing it after it says "pray for us most gracious advocate & help us to know your son jesus" which is skipping the "turn" your eyes & the exile part. It is also missing toe rosary closing which is not technically part of the prayer but I associate it with the salve regina bc that's when I usually say it.

Ayamíɑwinn očé ékičitwɑwak Kinígígwɑnn - Prayer to þa Holy Spirit

 Kɑníganíštamɑwíak dɑn li

syél, ana kaočicanawapamigoyɑk,

onígí'igwɑnɑ kɑtɑpwæit

mišíwæayaw ékwa kakío

kégwéy kaítagwak, anda

kaočikičitotagawíak, ékwa

pimɑtišíwinn kɑmí'igoyak;

Pépítigwæ dɑn mon čoér,

kišípégininɑnn

čígɑšíɑpawitayénn ægok

kɑpémačitotamak,

pimɑčitɑ ní'ígígwaínɑnn

kɑkičitowišíénn.  Answičil.

Jéyzʊs Mon Bonjeuínɑnn - Jesus prayer (better translates to jesus my God(our's)

Jéyzʊs Mon Bonjeuínɑnn,

li Garsoo kapimɑtišid očé

ton Bonjeuínɑnn,

kitimɑgæminɑnn

kɑmačigækwyʊiɑk,

kiyanɑnn očé kapašpí'íwét.  Answičil.