#Tummy pains but its just my stomach glaring at any food ever | Explore Tumblr posts and blogs

seiyasabi · 4 years ago

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Ugly Bastard

(This is a Yandere Milluki Zoldyck x Rabbit Female Darling :))

I’m really sorry if this wasn’t what you wanted, but this is my interpretation of his character, and my interpretation is that he’s considered the ugly bastard and a neckbeard :/ I hope you enjoy this.

TW: Aged up!!, Forced heat!, !technically noncon!, !dubcon!, He’s rlly gross!, daddy kink!, objectification!!, breeding kink!, typical neckbeard behaviour, mate literally doesn’t wash himself (I’m so sorry) or clean his room!, he fucks you while you hold a comfort object, etc..

I don’t normally say this, but please, please proceed with caution! This got really dark and disgusting :/)

Giggling to himself, the short haired man holds a glass vial up to the light, the amber liquid inside sloshing violently. A grotesque smile paints his chubby face, thick fingers holding it so tightly that his knuckles are turning white, “Thank you, Illu-nii! She surely can’t resist me now!”

The oldest Zoldyck looks down at his younger brother with disgust, wondering how exactly he became this way, “Of course… But, if she was giving you so much trouble, why not take her-?”

Milluki shakes his head, holding the vial close to his breast, “No! I can’t do that, are you crazy?” Illumi raises a perfectly shaped brow, unimpressed by his grease ball of a brother, “I’m not the ugly bastard in this story! I’m her handsome prince-”

Illumi tunes him out, rolling his eyes. Of course his brother doesn’t have morals, he just wants you to bow to his every whim.

Although the eldest brother couldn’t critique the younger too much, he still couldn’t shake the overwhelming repugnance he feels towards him.

He’s seen the room you’re trapped in, seen the harsh way Milluki tugs on your ears and tail, seen the- he shivers at the memory of the short haired man forcing you to feed him. The excessive way he chews with his mouth open, trying to get a reaction out of you, makes the tall man’s blood boil. He has no idea how you’re able to keep calm, but he can applaud you for it.

“-So this is my last resort! Thanks to you, Illu-nii, we can now continue to Zoldyck like!” Illumi can’t help but shiver in disgust at the idea of Milluki reproducing.

“Yes, yes, of course. You go do that,” With quick feet, the slim man hurries away, hoping to escape this conversation as quickly as possible.

Glancing at the vial in his hand, Milluki squeals in delight, a gross smile on his greasy face.

Tonight is going to be a night to remember.

Hearing the door open, you immediately look up from your clean spot on the bed. In your arms you hold your stuffed rabbit, cradling it to your black bodysuit clad breast.

Seeing your captor waddling into the room, you jump to your feet to greet him. Putting on a fake happy smile, lifting your ears, and shaking your tail, you start to gush over him, “Daddy, welcome back! I’m so happy to see you!” You hop over empty Mountain Dew Liters filled with piss, wrappers of empty food containers, broken games that disappointed Milluki, and his dirty clothes. You try to clean up, you really do, but Milluki is one of the sloppiest people to ever live.

His ugly face grins at your beautiful form, your pretty face, and cute voice, “What a good bunny, coming to greet her Daddy!” He opens his arms for a hug, making you breathe through your mouth. Landing on his large stomach, you lay your head against his breast, trying your best to block out his grease, musk, and food stains.

This bastard fills you with so much disgust and anger. He tells you that you need to lose weight, dress up pretty, put on a lot of makeup, keep clean, and be well shaven. Yet, here he is, looking like a goddamn catastrophe.

“I missed you so much! Me and Hoppy,” You raise their stuffed animal, “Were waiting for you all day!”

He rubs a sweaty hand over your exposed shoulders, “You’re so cute, Bun. Daddy has a special present for you today,” He uses the hand that once rubbed your shoulders to reach into his pocket, withdrawing a certain amber filled vial, “Be a good girl, and drink this all. You’ll do that for me, right?”

You pull away from him to look at what he’s offering, feeling dread weigh down on your heart, “What is it, Daddy?”

He tuts condescendingly at your question, releasing you from the awkward side hug you were in. His thumb and forefinger grip your chin, a suddenly serious look on his face. Fuck, you forgot that rule, “Bun, you know how Daddy feels when you question him! Good girls don’t question their Daddies, we always know what’s best for them.”

You want to scream ‘no’ at him, but unfortunately, you’d rather not receive a brutal punishment tonight. Nodding your head, you smile up at him, “Okay! I’m sorry for questioning you, Daddy.”

He squeezes your tail, before grabbing your hand, and forcefully placing the vial into it, “Good, Bun Bun! Now, drink this!”

Rolling the warm glass in your hand, you scrunch your nose slightly at the weird smell of the contents inside. But, feeling his warning glare on your figure, you quickly uncap it, and throw it back like a shot.

It tastes horrible!

You can’t help but gag at its vomit esque taste. Covering your mouth with a hand, you stare down at the vial in both shock and disgust. Luckily, you’re able to choke it down, but you’re only barely able to.

“Good Bunny, I’m proud of you,” He runs a moist hand through your hair, making your stomach lurch.

“Thank you, Daddy,” Milluki drags you to his bed, disregarding the trash you have to step on with your bare feet. Once at the bed, he tries to push you onto his side. You don’t allow yourself to fall forward, instead opting for your designated sliver of the bed. No matter what you try, no matter how many times you change your sheets, Milluki’s side always ends up absolutely filthy! His grease, food stains and…… unspecified stains discolour any colour of sheets, even black ones! So, you only stay on your side, trying not to get a skin infection.

He makes a noise of disapproval behind you, but quickly flops down on his side, his arms squeezing your middle tightly. His right hand lays over your tummy, squeezing slightly. Thinking that he was going to critique your looks, you whimper slightly, “I’m sorry, Daddy, am I gaining weight? I can go on another diet-“

“No! No! You’re doing great, Bun! If anything, I think you’ll need to be a little bigger…” He trails off, increasing your nerves. Is that why you’re sweating? It’s suddenly very hot in here.

“Daddy, is the heater on?” You lay your free hand on your forehead, the other gripping Hoppy in an ironclad grip. Are you getting sick? That could be a problem. Your diet since getting here has changed drastically, along with your sleeping pattern, cleanliness or your environment, and your stress level. Hopefully he’ll cast you into a separate room, leaving you to your own devices.

“No, why?” He removed your hand from your forehead, and replaced it with his own. Is this supposed to happen? He isn’t too sure how heats are supposed to happen.

“I-I think I’m getting sick, Daddy. Should I go take a cold bath?”

“No! I mean, uhm, no, that won’t be necessary. Just stay right here,” He tightens his hold even more, you can feel your ribs creak underneath his fingertips.

You say nothing, starting to curl into yourself at the feeling of cramps in your abdomen. Could you be starting your period?

“I think I started my period,” You don’t see him look at you in disgust, but you can feel it.

“Then get up, I don’t want you dirtying the sheets,” You had to stop yourself from laughing. You? Dirtying the sheets? Says the man who has turned them rancid! You set your bunny stuffie on your clean pillow, trying to keep it away from any dirt.

Hurrying to your feet, you move quickly towards the bathroom. Once inside, you flick on the light, showing its pristine condition. He almost never comes in here, leaving it clean.

Unzipping your outfit, you pull your tail out of its hold, and shuck it down your legs. Once bare to the room, you open the toilet seat lid, and sit.

Once done with your business, you wipe, expecting something to be different, but not what you see. The piece of toilet paper is absolutely drenched, and not in what you think.

You slick is practically drenching your entire hand, scaring the shit out of you. What on Earth is happening to you?! And why did the feeling of your wiping feel so good?!

Grabbing baby wipes, you wipe down your pussy and ass, cleaning yourself up as much as possible. You stand up on shaky legs, closing the lid, flushing the toilet, washing your hands, but the pain becomes too much. Tears bead your eyes as your fear and pain take over, causing you to curl into a ball on the marble floor.

A burning feeling of arousal pools in your belly, making the urge to touch yourself grow exponentially. What the hell did Milluki give you? And aphrodisiac? You’ve never had a heat in your life!

Milluki knocks on the door after a long period of silence, the only thing he hears is your crying, “What’s wrong, Bunny? Is everything alright in there?”

You whimper in response, prompting him to open the door. The sight of your naked body made him do a double take. And, upon seeing a growing puddle of arousal around your hips, he can’t help but salivate.

“Is my little one in heat? How precious! Cute little bunnies need their Daddy, and if you ask nicely, I’ll be happy to assist you!” Milluki bends down to grab you, but finds difficulty when his large stomach stops him halfway. Grunting slightly, he crouched down, finally able to grab one of your arms and heft you into his own. Once secure, he stands to his feet, stumbling to your bed.

He tosses you in the middle, much to your disgust, and flips you onto your back. He gazes down at your perfect body, practically salivating at the sight of you.

Your pussy is drooling onto the dirty sheets, cleaning away his dirt in its midst. Perfect teats are pebbled, chest heaving in deep breaths. Your ears hang high above your head, curling slightly, looking adorable. Your little tail above your cute butt looks so nice to pull. A thin sheen of sweat is present on your skin, and as much as he wants to be disgusted, he can’t. You’re just too perfect like this.

“Do you need Daddy’s help? Come on, you need to beg for him,” Your body locks up in revulsion. You don’t want his nasty cock anywhere near you! For all you know, he’ll give you a bacterial infection!

“Nu-no, Daddy. I just-I just need to sleep, I think!” Looking over your shoulder, you see a dark present on his face.

“Are you disgusted by me?” His voice comes out deeper than normal, anger slowly starting to become apparent.

“No! No! Nothing like that, Daddy!” You force your aching body up, crawling towards him. You’re on your knees before him, holding onto his dress shirt pathetically within your pretty hands, “I just-you know I want to wait until we’re married,” You look down in an attempt to be bashful. Telling him that lie at the beginning really saved your ass, but right now, it seems that he’s tired of waiting, “I promise that that’s all! Because what if I get pregnant? I want to ensure my baby is taken care of-“

He grabs your hands, yanking you towards him, your naked chest smashing into his fat. He cups your face with gross hands, gaging your reaction. When all he sees is anxiety, he sighs overdramatically, “There’s no need to worry about all of that. Mama said I can marry you, so we can make a baby now!” His words make you gush with unwanted arousal, the last thing you want is him to fuck you, “See?” He releases your face with one hand, using the other to scoop up some of your arousal, “Why are you stopping yourself? Daddy’s cock is more than sufficient to fill you up.”

Try as you might, the smell of his arousal and your heat clouded mind are starting to drive you wild. He’s the closest fertile male, making your instincts go into overdrive to mate.

A pathetic whine leaves your throat, making him giggle horribly, “Even all teary eyed, you still look so cute. Good thing all of your makeup is water-proof, because if they weren’t, you’d look so ugly right now.”

You’re so aroused, that his words don’t make you furious like you usually would be.

“Now, take out my cock, Bunny. Suck me well, and I’ll breed your pretty pussy well,” In your mind, you don’t want to. You don’t even want to touch him with a ten foot pole. But, instinctually, you’re ready to jump his bones.

With shaking hands, you grab his belt, unlooping it with ease. Sliding it off, you move to his button and fly. Unbuttoning his pants is a bit difficult, due to it barely containing his large body, but you manage. Once done, you move on to his drawers, gross, white stains cover the front of them in a crusty topcoat.

Shivering in disgust, you pull them down, revealing his decent sized cock. Milluki smiles down at you, and grabs your ears in a makeshift ponytail, egging you on.

Deciding not to look to close at his repulsively unwashed cock, you close your eyes, and suck on his precum coated tip. It tastes awful. If you thought that heat inducing elixir was awful, this is 100 times worse.

Withholding your gags, you take him further down your throat, praying you don’t get strep throat. Using your tongue, you rub the vein on the bottom of his shaft. Hollowing out your cheeks, you suck him hard, bobbing your head quickly in the hopes of him finishing.

Gripping your ears even harder, he groans and pants as he bucks into your mouth. Milluki can’t believe it! His waifu is sucking his cock willingly!

That thought has him busting a fat, chunky load down your throat, causing you to almost throw up for real this time. He quickly pulls you off by your ears, looking down at you in awe.

The puddle around your cunt only grew bigger, and your fucked out expression is so endearing!

“Good girl for making Daddy cum! Do you want him to cum in that cunny? To make the hurt go away?” You nod eagerly, making a piggish smirk cross his features, “Beg for me, Bun Bun, beg for me nicely, and I’ll do it.”

You grasp his cloth covered hips in a tight grip, resting your chin on his large stomach, “Please, Daddy! Please make it stop! Please fill me!”

“Hmm, I’m not sure if I’m convinced,” Whining at his words, you turn around in his hold, pressing your slick cunt against his already hardening cock. Rubbing lightly, you keen at the pressure.

“Please, Daddy, I’m begging you! Please fuck me!” Milluki can’t hold back anymore, immediately forcing his cock inside your soaked pussy. Screaming in pleasure, you push yourself harder against him, tail tickling the underside of his tummy.

“Shit, you feel amazing,” He bucks his hips into yours hard and fast, not caring about your pleasure, “Don’t you see? This is your purpose; a little Bun like you is meant to be my cock sleeve, my little baby maker.”

You can’t bring yourself to respond, only pathetically fucking yourelf into his thrusts. He groans at your tight and wet walls, loving the way your cute, bunny body clings to him.

“Fuck, I’m gonna cum,” He lifts one of your ears to whisper into it, “You want my babies? You want me to cum inside?”

You nod your head rapidly, disregarding the slight pain of his tugging, “Uh-huh, please fill me up, Daddy! Make me your house wife! Make me have your baby!”

Your words send him over the edge. Slamming himself deep inside you, he releases his disgusting cum inside your womb, bloating your tummy slightly.

The large man leans on your smaller form, smushing your face into the dirty sheets. Within moments, the burning feeling and pain is gone, leaving you disturbed and revolted.

“Wha-what do good girls say to their Daddies?” You wanted to throw yourself out of a thirty floor window.

“Thank you, Daddy. Thank you for giving me a baby,” He pets your head with a moist hand, rolling out and off of you, in favour of lying behind you. He wraps an arm around you, pulling you close to his soft body.

Milluki falls asleep quickly, allowing you to cry quietly to yourself.

Outside the door, Illumi stands motionless. He can hear your crying, and for the first time in his life, he truly pities someone.

He can only hope his father will reject you as Milluki’s spouse.

Otherwise, you’ll be stuck with the ugly bastard for life.

Requester: @milluki-simp--i-guess

#yandere hxh #yandere milluki #milluki hxh #milluki x reader #hxh x reader #yandere hunter x hunter #hunter x hunter x reader #tw: noncon

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deafeninggardenerpanda · 4 years ago

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“PIRKA!!!!” Kirby shouted as loudly as he could. One by one, Pirka picked up a stone and threw it away. The dammed-up water flowed out, little by little.

“Stop, Pirkaaa!!” Kirby screamed. However, Pirka wouldn’t stop. The streaming water increased in force as the stone pile crumbled. On the opposite shore, Coo and Kine, Rick, and Gooey, as they fought, held their breath in fear. Coo groaned.

“The water, the Rainbow Islands-!! We’re too late!!”

“Everyone’s gonna become a puppet~?! Even my wife~?!” Kine said as he flopped around.

“It can’t be true, right!?!” Rick screamed. “Even Pick’s gonna forget about me, and she’s gonna become Pirka’s slave!?!”

Gooey didn’t say anything. However, with sad eyes, he continued to evade King Dedede’s attacks. Kirby stopped moving. While hovering above the surface of the lake, simply staring at the flowing water. He had just one thought on his mind:

“...I’ve gotta do something about this.

If this water rains down on everyone, it’ll be a disaster.

I’ve... GOTTA DO SOMETHING ABOUT THIS!!”

But what would he do? He had absolutely no clue what. Either way, he couldn’t let that water rain down. One by one, all of his friends on the Rainbow Islands that were waiting for his and the others’ return came to mind. Bandana Waddle Dee, Captain Vul, the Meta-Knights, Pick, Mine…

He couldn’t let them all fall under Pirka’s control.

He couldn’t let them become empty-eyed puppets, unable to do anything unless ordered.

He could never… HE COULD NEVER!

Kirby raised both arms and took a deep breath. Then, he held his head up. He spread his arms and inhaled with all his strength.

“Haaaaa-!”

A strong wind broke out.

Pirka looked back in surprise and hurriedly folded her wings.

“What’re you doing!?! Don’t get in my way!!!”

“HAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA-!”

No longer thinking about what he was doing, Kirby kept inhaling.

He sucked up all of the overflowing water.

Not one drop would fall to the ground!

“What are you thinking!?” Coo screamed. “Kirby, stop!!”

“No way, you’re sucking up all of the lake water?! Why would you do that?!”

“If Kirby sucks up the water, he’s gonna fall under Pirka’s control!!” Kine shouted tearfully. “It’s no use, not at all!!”

Kirby shut his eyes. It hurt to breathe. He felt as if he were going to burst.

However, he wouldn’t stop sucking.

The water that was going to rain to the ground was sucked into Kirby’s mouth.

“HAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA-!!!”

*Fwoooooooosh!*

The lakewater roared, swirled, and sprayed.

“Wh-Wh-What are you doiiiing!?”

Pirka clung to the clouds, frantically trying to resist. Kirby sucked up the water, which had become a torrent.

*Fwooooooooooooooooosh!*

Meandering as if it were a living thing, into Kirby’s mouth the water went. The former lake was now devoid of water, to the point where the bottom could be seen.

“Kirby!!!” Rick, Kine, Coo, and Gooey exclaimed as they watched. Kirby had sucked up all of the water in the lake. He had already reached his limit. Kirby hung his head, dejected.

“KIRBY!!!” the group screamed again. Kirby fell unconscious, falling to the bottom of the lake with no energy.

Rick ran toward Kirby as quickly as he could. Kine followed. Coo suddenly noticed something.

“Meta Knight? King Dedede?”

The pair, unknowingly, had stopped moving.

“Have you two come to your senses?”

The two didn’t answer Coo’s question. However, as if they had lost strength in their hands, their grips on their weapons loosened.

“Kirby, snap out of it! Kirby!!”

“Kirby, open your eyes~!”

Rick and Kine called out to Kirby, trying to shake him awake. Appearing to be in pain, his face formed a frown. That was not all. It seemed that tears were about to spill from his closed eyes.

Neither Rick nor Kine had ever seen Kirby’s face like this before.

“Kirby looks like he’s in a lot of pain~. Should we get him to spit out all that water~?”

“No, there’s no way that Kirby fit all that water in his stomach.”

“Guess that’s right~. Well, where did all the water go then?”

“I have no clue. Kirby’s stomach is full of mysteries.”

“Hey, Rick…” Kine said with anxiety, “when Kirby starts to fall under Pirka's control, what’re we gonna do?”

Rick’s expression stiffened.

“D-Don’t say scary stuff like that! If Kirby fell under her control, there’s no way we’d be able to manage!”

“I-I know, right? What’re we gonna do~?”

“It’ll be alright, probably! After all, Gooey drank the water and he was completely fine!”

“Gooey and Kirby aren’t the same~. Besides, Gooey didn’t drink that much of the water, while Kirby drank the whole lake~!”

“I told you to stop saying scary things!!”

As the two were talking, Kirby opened his eyes. Rick and Kine stared at Kirby, startled. His painful look disappeared without a trace. He rubbed his eyes with an absent-minded face.

“K-K-Kirby,” Rick said in a trembling voice, “are you ok?”

“Y-Yeah… Rick… Kine…” Kirby said in a half-asleep voice, “dinner time already?... thanks for the meal…”

“Wow! You’re alright!” Classic Kirby~.”

Kine jumped up and down happily. Rick, still startled, poked Kirby.

“Come on... we were so worried! You took a big risk there!”

“Big risk?’ Wha-”

Kirby finally remembered what happened. He jolted up, and, looking around the area, saw that the scene above the clouds had completely changed. The lake water was gone, leaving the cloudy bottom viewable. Kirby rapidly blinked.

“Did I drink all of that water?...”

Uh-huh, Kirby. How are you feeling?”

Kirby rubbed his tummy. It was the same way it always was. Kirby had no idea in the least of where the water he had sucked up went. However, at any rate, he was able to save the Rainbow Islands from a serious crisis. Kirby sweetly smiled.

“The puppet water didn’t rain down! That’s good!”

“You’re OK? Didn’t that hurt?”

“Yup! I’m just fine!”

“Really? Before you woke up, it looked like you were in a lotta pain, and you had a really sad face~.”

“Pain? Me? Well…” Kirby was saying when, suddenly, he changed the topic, "what happened to Pirka?”

“Huh? Oh, now that you mention it…”

Rick looked over at where the pile of stones used to be. Gooey was there. He had Pirka caught in his long tongue. Pirka appeared to have lost the energy to fight back, exhausted.

“Looks like Gooey dealt with her at some point!”

Rick was about to run, when…

“Are you alright, Kirby?”

Coo flew in, landing behind Kirby. Kirby nodded.

“Yeah, I’m just fine!”

“Kirby sucked up the lakewater, but he didn’t fall under the puppet potion’s effects~!” Kine reported. Coo sighed in relief.

“It’s really weird,” Rick said, “both Meta Knight and King Dedede fell under Pirka’s control, but Kirby’s completely fine. Is Kirby idiosyncratic like Gooey is?“

“Rather than that-”

Coo fixed his gaze on the puzzled-looking Kirby.

“Would Kirby’s heart not be too soft for the puppet spell to work with it?”

“...?”

“Meta Knight and King Dedede hold very powerful wills, but such things may leave their hearts easy to take hold of. Kirby’s mind is very ‘fluffy’ by contrast, not dealing with a lack of love. Rather, I’d say it may contain nothing but love.”

Rick and Kine blinked in bewilderment at the enigmatic words.

“What do you mean?”

Coo shut his eyes and answered:

“As they say… The rugged stones can be grasped tightly and swung or thrown with ease. However, the things that don’t have a set shape- for instance, the spring breeze- cannot be grasped. It’s something like that.”

“Umm?...”

Rick and Kine exchanged glances.

“Is that an allegory or something? Is Kirby the spring breeze?”

“Coo’s story is confusing~.”

Coo opened his eyes.

“Well, not even I truly understand its meaning. At any rate, Kirby’s thoughts always center around food, naps, friends, and overall fun, things which are not compatible with Pirka’s spell.”

“Oh, I get it now!”

Rick and Kine broke into laughter. Kirby, a little miffed, objected:

“Hey!! Some things are a little bit hard for me to think about!!”

"Like what?”

“Well… umm… ummmmmmmm-!”

“Don’t think too hard about it,” Coo said (while chuckling) to Kirby, who was giving himself a headache by trying to think of something, “you’re just fine. Onto more important matters, the strange state of those two over there.”

Coo raised his wing. Under the Dreamstalk look-alike tree, Meta Knight and King Dedede were standing. Both of them stood motionlessly with Pirka, as if they had become statues.

“What’re those guys doing? Pirka’s spell still isn’t broken?”

“No. While they do not seem to be in the mood for fighting anymore, they have yet to move from that spot. It’s as if their souls have been ripped from their bodies.”

Kirby and the others hurried toward the two.

“Meta Knight! King Dedede!” they called, but to no response. The two stood stock still, silently.

“What happened?...”

“Maybe we should try tickling them?”

Rick tickled Dedede’s stomach, but the king didn’t even blink.

“The spell’s effects still haven’t worn off,” Coo muttered. There, Gooey came along unsteadily. He still had Pirka caught in his tongue.

“Hey you, Pirka,” Rick said in a rough tone, “your evil plan has failed! Let Meta Knight and King Dedede go right now!"

“...I don’t know,” Pirka said in a sulky voice.

“What’s that?”

“I said I don’t know how to undo the spell!”

“You little-!!”

Kirby stopped the belligerent Rick.

“Hold on, Rick. Let’s hear what Pirka has to say.”

“What else could she even tell us-!?”

“Didn’t she say she doesn’t know how to undo the spell? Let’s hear what else she has to say.”

“What then?”

Pirka glared at Kirby with cold eyes.

“I won’t tell you foul people anything!!”

“But I wanna know!”

“Know what?” Pirka asked, seeming irritated.

“How you feel,” Kirby answered.

“...feelings? Mine?”

“When I drank the lakewater, it really hurt.”

Kirby looked up at Pirka, who still had Gooey’s tongue wrapped around her.

“I thought it hurt because I drank so much water, but that wasn’t the reason, was it?”

“...what are you trying to say?”

For some reason, Pirka seemed anxious.

“That’s how you felt… wasn’t it?” Kirby said.

“What do you mean?”

“In the lakewater, it wasn’t just the puppet potion, but your feelings were mixed in there too, weren’t they?”

Pirka opened her eyes wide and fell silent. Gooey loosened his grip until he dropped Pirka onto the cloudy ground.

“Wh-What are you talking about?” Pirka asked, hesitantly. “None of that is true!”

“Why won’t you stop being so stubborn and speak to us?” Coo asked. “If you tell us everything, that will likely clear a few things up. You carry a great pain with you.”

“Wh-What!? How am I in pain!?...”

Pirka tried to retort, but, seeing Coo’s sharp gaze fixed on her, quietly said:

“...what should I say? I have nothing to talk-”

No one had anything to say. Pirka, closing her eyes, said:

“I… just… wanted...”

“What?”

“All I wanted was to be like the great Queen Sectonia…”

“...WHAT?!”

Upon hearing such an expected name, Kirby was surprised. Pirka continued muttering.

“Queen Sectonia is the name the great queen that had ruled over Floralia went by. I know, you don’t know her, but-”

“I know her! I do!”

Pirka was unaware that the person who stopped Queen Sectonia and saved Floralia was none other than Kirby. Pirka glanced at Kirby and laughed.

“Sure you know. You’ve never even heard her name before. The great queen was a truly magnificent being.”

“...u-um-”

“However, the almighty, great Queen Sectonia was defeated by someone and never seen again. Such a sad ending.”

“W-Well-”

It seemed better not to say that Kirby was the one to defeat her. Pirka tightly grasped her own hand.

“When I learned of the incident that happened in Floralia, my heart was absolutely shaken. Then, as I researched, I increasingly longed to be like the great Queen Sectonia.”

“...wh-why?”

“What do you mean ‘why?’ Don’t ask such foolish questions!” Pirka said in flat denial. “There’s no one who can match her in beauty, strength, and nobility. Moreover, she ruled over many people, and everyone revered her!”

Pirka, spellbound, shut her eyes.

“How wonderful. To have tens of thousands of people obey one’s every whim. Nobody could defy the great queen’s orders. Everyone would get what they want. If only… If only I could be like her!”

“And that’s why you came up with such a plan?” Coo asked, astounded. “How foolish."

“What’s so foolish about it!?” Pirka retorted, raising her eyes sternly. “If it weren’t for you people getting in my way, things would’ve been perfect!”

Rick scowled at Pirka.

“You idiot! A true queen doesn’t use a spell to establish her rule. No one would respect someone like that, and, if the spell gets undone, they’d all just hate you, wouldn’t they!?”

“!!”

Pirka grimaced, as if she had gotten hit in some kind of weak point.

“Th-That’s fine by me! Anyway, I wanted to be like the great Queen Sectonia, so I visited the floating continent of Floralia. I understood that the great queen was no longer there, but I at least wanted to see the great castle where she once lived. So, I met a former servant of hers, and we had a conversation together!”

Pirka, once again, had a spellbound look on her face.

“He told me a wonderful tale of how amazing the great queen was. More and more, I yearned for that strength. But, how could I be like the great Queen Sectonia?... while thinking of ideas, I came up with a wonderful plan!”

“What plan?”

“They say that once, the great Queen Sectonia parasitized a mysterious plant known as the Dreamstalk, and took its power. If I utilized that power, maybe I could get closer to that goal. They say that the Dreamstalk disappeared after the battle, but I traveled from star to star, and, finally, found a small sapling!”

Pirka turned to look at the tree growing by the former-lake.

“That was a Dreamstalk after all, huh?” Kirby said. “But its color is weird. The real Dreamstalk-”

“I know. When I planted that tree, it was a nice green color. However, when I applied my spell, it changed color…”

“That’s the color of your heart,” Rick said, leading Pirka to glare at him.

“I know that!! The puppet spell I originally casted was much inferior in comparison to the great Queen Sectonia’s!! In just a few hours, the effects would wear off. However, with the Dreamstalk’s power, my spell’s power could increase tremendously! Moreover, If I let it fall down on the world in rain form, I would be able to gain control of many, many people at once! I know, such a wonderful idea."

“It’s a wicked idea,” Coo said, “if Gooey hadn’t noticed, things would’ve been disastrous.”

“...humph!”

Pirka puffed up her cheeks.

“That’s all I have to say. Hope you’re happy. Beat me up, tie me up, you should banish me to the depths of the cosmos.”

Coo looked at Kirby.

“What shall we do, Kirby?”

“...Pirka…”

Kirby walked up to Pirka.

“Now that I’ve heard your story, I get it.”

Pirka jumped.

“Wh-What? What do you get?”

“You said your puppet spell is weak on its own. Does that mean… you’ve used it on others before?”

Pirka turned pale. She tried to retort, but no words came out of her mouth. She trembled.

“Everyone did whatever you said but then the spell wore off. And then…”

It was as Rick said. When the spell wore off, everyone would go back to normal, and they’d hate Pirka. They’d be scared of it, so she’d use the spell again. Then, again, the spell would wear off, and they’d hate Pirka even more…

As the cycle repeated, people would stop getting close to her.

Kirby remembered. When he drank the lakewater, the pain. The sorrow. The loneliness. Were those feelings the shadow cast over Pirka’s heart?

For a moment, Pirka silently casted her eyes down. One by one, memories of those old days resurfaced. She looked on the verge of collapsing, her face as white as a sheet. Finally, large tears formed in her big eyes.

“I’m small, there’s nothing special about me, and I don’t have any friends, but… if I casted my spell… everyone would think I’m important. I did all of those things… so I could be happy…”

The tears spilled over and fell, drop by drop.

“But, because of that, everyone hated me. They were scared of me, they’d throw stones at me… when they saw me, they’d run away…”

Pirka’s crying voice grew louder and louder. The tears kept falling and falling and wouldn’t stop.

“That’s why I decided to cast a spell that could never be broken. With the power of the Dreamstalk… so that great numbers of people would revere me for all eternity!...”

“Pirka,” Kirby said. Pirka wiped her many tears and glared at him.

“Like you said, it’s foolish!! I get it!!”

“It’s more fun to be a friend than a great queen.”

Upon hearing Kirby’s words, Pirka shook her head furiously.

“I don’t need any friends!”

“Pirka-”

“Friends would betray me, we’d get into fights, and, soon, they’d cast me aside. However, puppet subjects would never do such a thing. They’d never hurt me!”

“If you get into fights, you can just make up, can’t you? Being a great queen’s no fun at all.”

“Silence! I… I-”

“LET’S BE FRIENDS!!!”

Kirby offered his hand. Pirka was flustered.

“Hey, Kirby,” Rick said, “you’re way too nice for your own good. Don’t you know what she did?-”

“Let’s be friends!”

Kirby kept insisting. Despite the atrocities she had committed, Kirby held no hatred for Pirka. Because Kirby knew. About Pirka’s painful memories. That loneliness, no one there for comfort, as if frozen.

“Friends?... w-with… me?...”

Until recently, Pirka, who had been ghastly pale until just a short while ago, had turned red.

“You’re lying, right? Kirby, do you understand? I’m the bad guy who cast the puppet spell!!”

“It’s OK. I don’t mind!”

“Me too!”

Gooey reached out his tongue. Pirka looked down with a white face.

“...good grief,” Coo said, “I, until just a short while ago, would never have been able to forgive Pirka. However, Kirby seems to have caused her to undergo a change of heart.”

Pirka looked up. Rick and Kine exchanged looks. Rick kicked the clouds hard.

“I-I’m… I’m Kirby’s friend!” he said. “So, if you become his friend too, well… I should be your friend too!”

“Me too~. If you get rid of your puppet spell, I’ll be your friend~.”

Nevertheless, Pirka continued to stubbornly shake her head in refusal.

“I don’t need friends. I don’t want anything like that!”

“Tell the truth, Pirka.”

“You should understand your own true wishes by now,” Coo said.

“Wishes?...”

“If you really don’t need friends, then why did you cry?”

Pirka averted her eyes.

“Wh… Why…?...”

“In front of Kirby, you didn’t lie, and you shed tears. Drowning in an everlasting pool of loneliness must’ve been unbearable for you. That’s how you truly feel.”

Pirka fraily shook her head. Once again, tears overflowed from her big eyes. She could no longer continue being stubborn.

“...yes,” she said in a faint voice, “I was jealous of you guys. Believing in each other, helping each other, laughing with each other… things I… couldn’t have. Things I thought I… couldn’t have… it hurt… but… but… really…”

She looked up, tightly shut her eyes, and shouted with all her strength:

“I want… I want… I… WANT TO BE FRIENDS WITH YOU!!!”

...then, suddenly, the sound of water could be heard.

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#kirby #rick (kirby)#kine #coo #meta knight #king dedede #gooey #pirka #Kirby: Save the Rainbow Islands!#kirby light novel #translations

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cozy-the-overlord · 4 years ago

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Dances and Daggers

Summary: The Summer Festival is upon Asgard, as is the tradition of the dagger ceremony, where each unmarried gentleman chooses a lady to bestow with the honor of carrying his dagger for the night. As Prince Thor’s betrothed, Teki’s only goal is to accept his dagger with grace and hope that her violent stepfather doesn’t find fault with her in the process. But Prince Thor is unpredictable, and when he ignores his engagement on a whim Teki finds herself in a desperate situation. Luckily, Thor isn’t the only prince in Asgard…

Pairing: Loki x Original Female Character

Chapter 2: The Piano

Previous Chapter | Next Chapter

Word Count: 3,715

Chapter Summary: In the wake of the Summer Festival, Teki gets a summons to the Queen's chambers.

A/N: Here it is! Like I said yesterday, I’m going to be posting a chapter a week every Tuesday. I’m really excited for this story and I hope you all enjoy it!

Thanks for reading! :)

TW: mentions of child abuse

Tags: @lucywrites02

Read it on Ao3!

The Great Hall was roaring.

The last night of the summer festival always called for feasting and revelries, singing and shouting, shattering glasses and toasting from tabletops, and the people of Odin’s palace were only too happy to comply. Frantic servants navigated through the chaos, pressing overflowing goblets into outstretched palms. The drunken celebration consumed the room, the one time a year every noble allowed themselves to act like peasants.

Well, almost everyone.

“What a filthy display,” grumbled Osvald, glaring at a couple kissing passionately, the woman sitting in the man’s lap. He chucked another goblet over his shoulder. “If I wanted to watch sluts tonight, I would’ve gone to the whorehouse.”

Teki didn’t say anything. She dabbed at her mouth with her napkin, balancing stiffly on the edge of the bench on the other side of the table. Any other year, her stepfather would be happily participating in the debauchery engulfing the room. She knew that he was only spitting poison tonight because of what happened two weeks ago, on the first night of the festival. On their way back to their rooms, Osvald had tripped at the top of the staircase and hurt his back, cursing and spitting and moaning about how he had been pushed. He had refused to go to the healers.

“What do want me to tell them?” he snapped at her mother when she broached the subject. “That I can’t walk down a flight of stairs?” With that, he hobbled off, insisting that he was fine.

Two weeks later, he still was hunched over in pain.

It gave the family an odd atmosphere. On one hand, Osvald’s frequent foul moods had turned into a perpetual foul mood, and Teki was frequently finding herself on the receiving end of his tongue-lashings for merely existing. On the other hand, they were only tongue-lashings. She had spent enough time with an injured back to understand that her stepfather was hurting too much to be bothered to hurt her, and that brought on a tentative sort of peace.

Brant tugged at her sleeve. “Teki,” he whispered. “Can you cut my food?”

She smiled. “Sure. But first—” she scanned the table for something with writing on it, settling on the nametags marking their seats, “Can you tell me what this says?”

Brant squinted at his name, mouthing out the sounds in silence. Teki waited patiently. She had made it her goal this summer to teach her little brother to read—honestly, he should have already been assigned a tutor a year ago, but since he was so shy around others, her mother had decided to wait. She had laughed when Teki had explained her intentions, but Brant was smarter than his parents often gave him credit for.

His eyes lit up. “That’s me!” he cried out. “Brant Osvaldson!”

“Right!” she grinned. “Good job!” Teki reached over with her knife and fork to chop his meat into smaller bites. Beaming, Brant turned towards the partiers. He turned back around rather quickly.

“Teki!” he hissed, pulling at her sleeve again. “Teki, he’s looking at you!”

“What?” Teki twisted around to see what her brother was talking about, following his gaze to the raised platform where the royal family and their close friends were eating. She locked eyes with the dark-haired prince for only a second before Loki whipped his head back towards his mother.

Teki turned back to her table quickly as well, cheeks burning. She hadn’t spoken with Loki since he gave her his dagger on the first night of the festival. That was likely due to action taken by both sets of parents, who sought to cover up the embarrassment of the Crown Prince giving his dagger to the wrong girl by making certain Thor danced with Teki multiple times every night since. It was … awkward. While Prince Thor was always perfectly polite, it was painfully obvious that there were other activities he’d rather be doing than dancing with a girl several years his junior, whose head barely came up to his shoulders.

She had wanted to spend more time with Loki, but that was awkward too. Teki was supposed to be marrying Thor, as her parents made a point of reminding her. She needed to be spending time with him, not his inconsequential little brother. So, Teki played the model daughter, model princess, model queen-in-training and danced only with those her mother told her to.

But she couldn’t forget how nice Loki had been. How he had sat with her when she cried, healed her rib, gave her his dagger—she still had his dagger, stuffed under her mattress. Usually, the whole “dagger-holding” ceremony was just that: a ceremony that ended with the night. But when Teki tried to return his blade, Loki wouldn’t have it.

“You should keep it,” he said. “To remember the night. If you want, that is. I have plenty.”

Teki’s instinct had been to refuse, to insist that it was his and that he needed to take it back, but something caused her to bite her tongue.

“Thank you,” she whispered. She was relatively certain he knew she wasn’t just talking about the dagger.

Osvald was sure to lose his temper at her if he caught her sneaking weapons into his rooms, so she was careful to keep it hidden. It was rather stupid, the more she thought about it (why would she ever need a dagger? What would she supposed to do with it?) but there was also a strange kind of thrill that would come over her when she took it out its sheath and admired her reflection in the pointed blade.

Brant was back to tugging at her sleeve. “He’s looking at you again,” he whispered. “Why does he keep looking at you?”

“He’s not looking at me,” she said, forcing a smile as she poked him in his tummy. “He’s looking at you, because you’re not eating your food, even after I cut it all nicely for you! You didn’t even say thank you!”

He giggled and pulled his plate closer to him. “Thank you, Teki.”

“You’re welcome.” Teki watched him shovel food into his mouth, trying to fight the urge to look over her shoulder again. The temptation soon became too much, and she allowed herself one quick peak.

Brant was right. Loki was looking at her again.

Teki turned back to the table, keeping her features completely neutral to hide the strange warmth that seemed to be glowing in her chest.

…

Teki stood stiffly in the middle of the Queen’s sitting room, picking at the sash on her dress with nervous fingers. The servant who had led her in had told her to make herself comfortable while she waited, but she was far too tense to even consider sitting down.

The Queen had sent word to her mother that morning that she wished to see Teki in her quarters, but she hadn’t given any explanation as to why. Of course, her mother wasn’t concerned with an explanation. She spent the morning fussing over what dress Teki was to wear, how she should fix her hair, whether or not she should put on jewelry (it was decided she shouldn’t, as her mother feared giving the appearance of putting on airs before the Queen). For most of the morning, Teki had been playing the role of a mannequin as her mother draped different fabric across her shoulders, hoping that her stillness could hide the churning in her stomach.

The Queen had never asked to see her before. They had spoken many times at balls and feasts, but Teki had never been singled out for a private audience. She told herself it made sense—after all, she was of age now, perhaps the Queen simply wanted to get to know her future daughter-in-law—but what if it was something else? What if she had done something wrong? What if the Queen was angry at her? What if (and this was the “what if” making her feel as if she was about to vomit) Loki had told her about Osvald?

Teki swallowed, pulling harder at her sash. She hadn’t outright told him about her stepfather, but she was clear after that night that he knew what was going on. He had offered to tell his mother for her, but she had refused. Doing such would only result in scandal for her family, and if Osvald thought she was spreading rumors about him … all the back pain in the world wouldn’t stop him.

She tried to push the thoughts away. Loki wouldn’t have told. He wouldn’t have! She had specifically asked him not to. What kind of prince would he be if he couldn’t keep his word?

But as time went on, with Queen Frigga still not entering the room, Teki’s anxiety began to be replaced with impatience. What was going on? How much longer would she have to wait? She found herself scanning the room for the first time since she walked in.

It was a lovely sitting room, although not quite as extravagant as she would have thought from a Queen’s quarters. The walls were of simple wooden paneling, the furniture matching with blue and golden accents. Sapphire curtains opened into a gold-plated balcony overlooking the palace courtyard. And in the corner of the room… Teki’s breath caught in her throat.

It was a piano. A beautiful, polished, mahogany piano. She found herself walking towards it without making the decision to move. It had been so long since Teki had last seen a piano. Music had been the first thing her mother purged from the household upon her father’s departure. She had taken all Teki’s sheet music away that first day and sold off the piano by the end of the week. While Teki was never directly banned from playing music, there was an unaddressed chill in the air whenever she brought the topic up. And so, after a while, she had stopped bringing it up.

Her fingertips grazed the keyboard cover, aching to lift it so they could stroke the ivory keys. She couldn’t, of course—what would the Queen say if she found her messing with her piano without permission?— but she longed to play. She missed the thrill of dancing across the keys, that feeling when you had the instrument singing for you perfectly in tune, so much going on at once but knowing that you were perfectly in control. Teki sighed, still unable to tear her eyes from the piano. Oh, it was so tempting…

She jumped out of her skin when the door opened.

“Mother?” Prince Loki called. “Father wishes to speak with you. He—” He stopped abruptly when his gaze landed on Teki.

Her eyes dropped to the floor, sinking into a curtsey out of habit. “Prince Loki,” she murmured. For some reason, her cheeks were burning.

Her curtsey seemed to spur Loki to action; he bowed politely. “Lady Teki,” he said. “Forgive me, I didn’t expect to see you here.”

He remembered my nickname!

“No worries, my prince,” she replied, looking up again. He was smiling, albeit a bit awkwardly. “I was just waiting for Queen Frigga. She—she asked to see me this morning.”

Loki nodded. “Ah. I see.” They stood there for a few moments, glancing around the room as if searching for something to break the silence. Teki shifted uncomfortably. Say something! she screamed at herself, but it seemed her tongue had turned to lead.

Finally, his gaze landed at the instrument by her side. “Oh, do you play piano?” he asked.

“Oh-uh- I did. Or I used to,” she stuttered, shifting again. “I—haven’t, in a while.”

“My mother tried to teach my brother and me. Neither of us were very good,” he grinned. “I did better than Thor, at least, but that’s not saying much.”

Teki smiled. “I’m sure you don’t give yourself enough credit, my prince.”

“I’m sure you’re just trying to be nice. I was terrible,” Loki laughed, shaking his head. “The only piece I actually learned was this silly little duet I used to play with my mother, and even then I could only do the easy part.”

That sounded familiar. How many songs had she learned by playing alongside her father? Teki’s chest expanded with warmth.

“What duet?” she asked.

“Here, I’ll show you.” He sauntered over to the piano and rolled up the keyboard cover as if it was nothing, as if he was completely unaware of how Teki had been agonizing over that very thing minutes before he walked in. She eyed the Queen’s bedroom door. Would Frigga be upset if she found them disturbing her piano? But if Loki did it so easily, then surely it was allowed, right?

Her anxious line of thought was cut off abruptly as the prince began playing a simple melody with one hand, a string of eight repeated notes that she recognized immediately.

“Wait, I know that!” she cried. “That’s Elf Song!”

He nodded. “Yes, Elf Song. That’s what it was called. I’d play this, and my mother would do the hard part.”

Teki choked on her own laughter. Oh, this was ridiculous. “What do you mean, ‘hard part’?” she giggled. “The other part is just chords! It’s easy!”

Loki laughed too, holding his hands up in mock surrender. “I told you, I’m bad!”

“But it’s so easy—here, I’ll show you.” She sat down next to him on the piano seat without thinking about it, the notes just flowing from her fingertips. Oh, she had missed this, feeling her hands on the keys. It was over far too soon.

“See, that’s hard!” Loki protested. “You’re using both hands! That makes it hard!”

“That’s how you play piano!” Teki cried in amused exasperation. “How can you play piano with only one hand?”

“Like this!” He returned to his chopstick melody. This time, Teki was certain he was making a point of being as stiff as possible. It was becoming increasingly more difficult to control her giggles.

“Here, you do that, I’ll do the chords.” She began playing alongside him. It was terribly disjointed—Loki was completely off tempo and finished way before he was supposed to, but by the time she caught up to him they were both laughing hysterically.

“You’re the worst duet partner I’ve ever had,” she said, wiping the tears from her eyes.

“But I’ll bet I’m the most entertaining,” he smirked.

“Sure, I’ll give you that.” Teki returned the smile. It was nice, just sitting here and laughing about something stupid. Relaxing, almost. For once, she realized suddenly, she didn’t feel nervous about anything.

“You should play a real song,” Loki said, motioning towards the keyboard. “If Elf Song is so beneath you, then let’s see what a true pianist can do.”

Teki hesitated. Fooling around with what was essentially a child’s exercise was one thing, playing an actual piece in front of someone was another. She wasn’t even certain she could remember any of the songs she once had memorized all the way through. She must have taken too long to respond, because Loki was quick to backtrack.

“Or not, if you don’t want to,” he said hurriedly. “I was only jesting, I didn’t mean to—”

“No, that’s fine.” There was something in the way he was looking at her, the pure apologetic sincerity, that made her determined to perform something. “It’s—it’s been a while, since I played, so I—I’m probably rusty, but, uh, here—”

It was funny, because she didn’t remember making the decision to play one of her father’s pieces. At first, she didn’t even realize that she was playing one of her father’s pieces. It just… happened. He had called it Aster Breeze—she remembered when he was writing it, ages ago when she still had to sit on his lap to see the keys.

“Do you hear that, Teki?” he’d ask as he played a new sequence of notes. “That’s the wind in the tree branches. Can you hear the wind?”

All Teki ever could hear was the piano, but if Daddy said there was wind, then there was wind. She nodded vigorously. He laughed as he continued playing.

Now, at the Queen’s piano, the notes flowed through her as if she had never stopped playing them. She still couldn’t hear the wind, but she felt it, tugging her soul forward and enveloping her in the music. It was an exhilaration she had forgotten she missed—by the time she reached the end of the piece, Teki was out of breath and grinning ear-to-ear.

She turned to Loki, who was watching her with wide eyes. “That was rusty?” he cried incredulously.

Teki burned. “Well—I—”

“That was absolutely fantastic!” he insisted, breaking into applause. “How can you play all that from memory?”

“I—I don’t know,” she stammered. “I-my father was a court musician, so maybe I got it from him?”

“Well, it was brilliant.” Loki’s tone had a definitive air to it as he nodded. “You should play more often.”

Teki’s heart, which had been soaring high above the trees, crashed back into reality. “Oh—” she mumbled. “I—I can’t—”

“I didn’t know you played, Tekla.” Teki jumped at the regal voice, spinning around so quickly that she nearly tumbled over. Frigga stood in the doorway, her golden curls pulled back behind her head, hands clasped and smile wide.

Heart pounding, Teki sank into a curtsey. “Your Majesty.”

Loki was significantly more amused. “Mother,” he grinned, merely standing in greeting.

“Rise, child, there’s no need for formalities here,” Frigga laughed, moving to sit on the couch and motioning for Teki to join her. “After all, we are to be family sooner than later.” Slowly, Teki followed her on shaking legs.

“Mother,” Loki interjected, voice authoritative and professional. “Father’s finalizing the plans for the Alfheim trip. He wanted to know if you wished to check the dates.”

“Yes, I will,” she affirmed. “I’ll look at those as soon as Lady Tekla and I have finished here.”

Loki nodded. “I’ll tell him to wait to send them in. Mother. Lady Tekla.” With an exaggerated bow and a slight smirk as her official name left his lips, he made to leave. Teki flushed, biting her lip to hold back the giggle. Loki seemed to have a knack for making her smile when she was stressed.

Frigga turned back to her. “Please forgive me for making you wait so long. I was working out the logistics of our upcoming trip and lost track of time.”

“It’s fine, I don’t mind,” Teki said, far too quickly. “Your Majesty.”

Frigga laughed, a melodic tinkle. “Yes, I could tell. It sounded as if the two of you were enjoying yourself.”

Teki’s stomach turned to ice. “Oh, forgive me, Your Majesty,” she stumbled. “I shouldn’t have—”

“Relax, darling, I’m not angry,” Frigga soothed gently, rubbing her shoulder. “I’m glad that someone was appreciating the piano. I’m afraid I don’t give it as much attention as I’d like.” She smiled encouragingly. “And you played so beautifully—how could I be angry? I can’t say I recognize that piece, though.”

Teki forced herself to swallow. “My father wrote it, Your Majesty,” she whispered. “I don’t really think anyone else would recognize it.”

“Your father must be quite talented, then.”

It occurred to Teki that the Queen probably thought she was talking about Osvald, and her heart sank even deeper than it was before. Still, she didn’t bother to correct her.

“I’m surprised Áslaug never mentioned your gift for music,” Frigga continued on, unaware of Teki’s discomfort. “She’s always so eager to sing your praises.”

Teki cringed. The mental picture of her mother obnoxiously bragging about her to the Queen was horrifically easy to conjure.

“Mama—my mother doesn’t like music very much,” she said softly. “I doubt she’d talk about it.”

“Really?” Frigga frowned. “Well, I adore music. Perhaps you could come and play for me every so often?”

“I—” Teki stuttered. The Queen wanted her to play for her? There was something frightening about that thought, but at the same time, something deeply exciting. “If you’d like me to, Your Majesty. I’d be honored.”

“I’d be honored to listen to you,” she beamed. “But now to the matter at hand.” Teki tensed again. “The Summer Festival made me realize that we’ve done a horrible job of including you in our family.”

Norns, she had to have been talking about the dagger ceremony, wasn’t she? That’s what this had to be about. Her long-forgotten nausea from earlier came racing back all at once.

“I’m sorry about that, Your Majesty,” she whispered. “With Thor, and the dagger—”

“No.” Frigga cut her off sternly. “That was not your fault in the least bit, Tekla. Don’t let anyone convince you otherwise. It’s we who owe an apology to you.”

Teki frowned. “Thor already apologized, Your Majesty.” It had been an awkward, stilted apology, on the dance floor the night after the dagger ceremony, but it was an apology nonetheless, and more than Teki had expected.

“Good. I’m glad to hear it,” she said. “But I think it’s time we went beyond words. Asgard should learn to see you as its future Queen, just as it sees Thor as its future King.”

“But…” Teki was so confused. “What—how would that happen?”

Frigga smiled. “I think it’s time you began appearing as a part of the royal family. Taking your meals with us, traveling with us, sitting with us, and so forth. I think it would also help you and Thor become better acquainted with each other if you started spending more time together.” She studied her seriously. “Is this something you would be ready for, Tekla?”

Teki’s head was spinning. Becoming a part of the royal family—it was something she had always known to be prepared for, but that had still only lingered in the distance future. Everything was happening too fast. She wasn’t ready for it at all.

But her mother had trained her well. With what she hoped was a glowing smile, she looked straight into the Queen’s cobalt eyes. “I’d be honored, Your Majesty.”

#dances and daggers #loki x ofc #loki marvel #loki fanfic #dances and daggers chapter 2 #cozy writes

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redhawtriot · 5 years ago

Note

Could I possibly have a scenario with a fem s/o who is constantly high but yet Bakugou can’t help but fall in love :) thanks in advance!

Anonymous- “Can I pls get first date with bakugo and reader goes to pay for her half and bakugo shits her down with some tsundere ass response like “I just know if you pay for this you’re gonna complain you dont have money to buy other shit.”

Tip Jar ☕- Not expected but always appreciated💞

I mashed these two request together!

Enjoy the fluff while it last cuz it’s finna get ANGSTY in this bitch!

HnM💕

How Stop liking a Stoner (Bakugou x Reader)

Bakugou absolutely hated you. Of course he didn’t get along with most people that he met, but the way that he despised you felt different from others somehow.

It all began the day that the two of you met. You had walked into class with a very distinct odor. You considered yourself to be a professional at hiding your more delinquent lifestyle; however, masked away under the layers of fruity and sweet perfumes that you had coated yourself in, was a slight, but very recognizable, dank and smokey smell.

You also had certain mannerisms that could alert even the purest of minds to your…ahem… extra-curricular actives.

Now, you weren’t a complete noob. You could handle the high well enough that you weren’t overly quiet, or loud, but you did often find yourself in situations that could expose your habits: such as when Mina asked you to feel how soft a furry piece of her hero costume was, and you ended up petting it for a few uncomfortable minutes before someone called you out, snapping you out of your trance.

Bakugou, being the ever perceptive grump that he was, noticed any of these sorts of slip ups and drew up the conclusion that you were indeed a stoner.

But that wasn’t even what he could bring himself to hate about you. No, it was the way that you made him feel whenever you were around that made him wholy despise you.

When you stupidly giggled at every slight occurrence, he could only replay the sound in his head over and over. Disgusting. When you absentmindedly swayed your body in a slight dance during lectures he couldn’t help but to watch you with a terrifyingly light feeling in his chest. Fucking gross. Even as you sat chomping on the insane mountain of snacks that you brought to class, he couldn’t fight the urge to steal glances at the little smile that was perpetually plastered onto your face. Absolutely adorable. WAIT? WHAT THE FUCK?!

God, he couldn’t stand your ass.

The furious blond found himself sitting at his desk, glaring at his laptop. He sat in thought for a moment before violently popping his knuckles and leaning into the search engine in front of him, allowing his fingers get to work.

Is marijuana bad for you?

Bakugou scrolled along the first page and found many differing views on the subject, but most scientific articles and studies mostly said the same things: “maybe”, “it depends”, and “we don’t know.” He groaned in frustration, before trying another phrasing of his question,

Can smoking have long term effects?

The teen was surprised by the overwhelming amount data that appeared, before realizing that they were mostly referencing to cigarettes and cigars. He growled and angrily smashed his fingers against his keyboard to correct his question.

Can smoking weed have long term effects?

As he eyeballed his screen he was once again disappointed by very vague and unclear answers. He slammed a fist onto his laptop in frustration. How the hell could you put that shit into your body without knowing what it would do to you later?!

Wait. A better, more pressing question shoved itself into his mind.

WHY THE HELL DID HE CARE SO DAMN MUCH ABOUT WHAT YOU WERE DOING?!

Bakugou groaned in frustration and roughly snatched a fist full of his hair, as if he were trying to rip you clean out of his mind. He knew for a fact that mind-altering wasn’t your damn quirk. So why the hell does he give a fuck about you? You weren’t even around him, yet he found himself having his thoughts wander to your well being. It pissed him off.

Bakugou once more smacked his fingers against his keyboard as he typed one final question,

How to stop liking someone?

As soon as he saw the words flash across his screen, it was like the weight of the entire situation finally cracked something inside of him. Shit. He did like you. The boy suddenly slammed his laptop shut and threw it away from him like it had suddenly disgusted him.

He then decided that he was going to pretend like the last hour of his life just didn’t happen. Yeah he was gonna “control, alt, delete” the fuck out of every thought he just had.

God dammit, he didn’t have time to dwell on crushes if he was going to be the number one hero! That stupid, delinquent girl wasn’t going to get any more of his time or thoughts!!

But.

It seemed like fate had something else planned as you hurriedly walked to your classroom, 1-A, the next morning. You absolutely couldn’t risk being late today. You hadn’t had enough time to grab your eye drops that morning and Aizawa would certainly notice your altered state if attention was drawn to you.

The hallway ahead of you moved in choppy frames before you finally whipped a turn to enter the door of your classroom. As soon as you turned into the class, you were slapped with a warm sturdy object, sending you flying back onto your butt.

Bakugou immediately thrashed his body around to confront whatever idiot just knocked into him, “HEY WATCH WHERE YOU’RE…” he trailed off as he recognized your figure. Your lunch box that you had been holding had spilled its contents all over you, but the dirty sight of you was somehow still enough to make his heart throb, “…going.” he finally finished.

“Sorry, Bakugou,” you apologized as you rubbed the side your your head, trying to stabilize your whirling mind, “Oh, man! My food!” you sadly exclaimed as you recognized the pathetic mess of snacks and small meals you had prepped for your day all over the floor and yourself.

The sight of your frown in contrast to your usual happiness gave Bakugou’s chest a twinge of pain. He growled at the emotion as he glared at you on the ground, “Well, maybe you should get your head out of the damn clouds and watch where you are going!” he yelled before stiffly turning on his heel and heading to his seat.

You blinked in surprise at his retreating figure. Well, you hadn’t exactly expected him to apologize or help you or anything, but you also didn’t expect to see the blush that creeped across his face before he stormed off.

Huh.

You cleaned yourself up easily enough. Honestly, the situation and Bakugou’s subsequent outburst had helped you make it through the day without getting suspended, drug tested or expelled. By the time you cleaned yourself up and made it back to the classroom, your eyes had pretty much returned to their normal state.

Today might not be so bad after all!

GrrrrRRRrrRRrrr, your stomach screeched, causing almost all of your classmates to whip their heads toward you in surprise.

Shit…

You hurriedly grabbed your stomach with a nervous laugh, trying to console the despairing little monster; however, you still spent the rest of the school day with your tummy loudly yelling at you. Watching everyone eat during lunch was absolute torture as your stomach cursed at you for being so damn clumsy. You honestly could have died.

Death by munchies.

However, it seems as if the cannabis lords took pity on you that day and you actually made it through your last class. You were the first one out of their desk as you rushed out of the classroom and down the hall— the thought of food on your mind, but suddenly you felt a heavy hand snatch your wrist,

“Hey, idiot!” When you looked back your eyebrows shot straight up at the sight of Bakugou’s hardened expression, “Let’s go grab some food.”

Um… hWhat? The suggestion completely threw you off balance. You shook your head as if the vibrations that just came in through your ear needed some readjusting, “Like… together?” you tilted your head in shock. You’ve never seen Bakugou willingly hang with anyone else besides Kirishima, let alone initiate an event with them!

Bakugou fumed at your questioning appearance, “Are you really that stupid!? I could hear your stomach growling from across the classroom!!”

You giggled at yourself in embarrassment, not quite sure of what else you could do in the moment, “…Why do you care?” you laughed.

Your laughed sent a searing wave of heat to his face. You’d… never directed this display of happiness toward him before, and for some reason it made him feel extremely hot,

“I don’t!” he yelled as he tried to fight the warmth away, “I just knocked your food down earlier and… I don’t want to owe you anything,” he suddenly noticed that he was still clinging to your hand. The heat in his face doubled as he snatched his hand away from yours, “So where do you wanna go? I am not taking no for an answer,” he began as he walked away from U.A.’s campus with a rigid nod for you to follow him.

You paused for a moment. Is this real?

A large smile began spreading itself across your face– the cannabis lords once gain raining mercy down upon you, “Maybe a… Mcdonalds!” you happily suggested as you skipped into a light jog ran to catch up with him.

“Mc.. donalds?” Bakugou threw you an expression that resided in an area between horrified and disgusted for a moment before correcting himself back into his comfortable anger, looking at the ground as the two of you walked.

“Yeah, like the clown place!” you added. Bakugou growled at your answer. He wasn’t a fucking idiot he knew what a damn McDonald’s was. You laughed at his response as you continued, “You’re not scared of clowns are you, tough guy?” you teased.

“Fuck you,” he simply huffed, refusing to even entertain your accusations.

“Wow, on the first date?” you boldly retorted with a stifled laugh, causing him to falter in his steps for a moment. He snapped himself out of whatever stupid emotion he felt at your words,

“IT’S NOT A DAMN DATE!” he roared, causing you to simply shrug, a pleased smile on your face as you continued to walk without him.

“Where are you going, you idiot?! There is a Mcdonald’s right there!” he angrily gestured to the golden arches the other direction of where you were headed.

“I like the one by my house better,” you explained, “It had a gas station attached to it, so I can grab some snacks on the way out.”

….

G-gas Station McDonald’s….? Bakugou could have thrown up right then and there.

“DISGUSTING!” the blond screeched, “I am not walking all the way over there just to walk back to the dorm! Are you an idiot?!”

Alright. Who the fuck did this to him? Made him crush on a complete loser?! Cupid? God?! He was gonna fight whoever the fuck it was!

“Fineeee,” you laughed and the two of you walked over to the inferior McDonalds. Bakugous eyes widened in repulsion as you ordered both a Big-Mac meal and a twenty piece chicken nugget with a dozen cookies.

As soon as you happily reached out to give the cashier your money, he swatted your hand away and shoved his own cash at the associates face, “No, take mine.” he harshly ordered. The employee shakily agreed and accepted his money.

You threw him a confused glance but before you could even open your mouth to question him, he spoke up, “I just know that if you pay for this, you’re gonna complain that you don’t have money to buy other shit,” he explained, a faint blush creeping onto his cheeks.

You noticed this red tint, but decided to tease him instead of pointing it out, “Yeah, like gas,” you nodded with a sly smile.

“Gas? You’re fifteen and don’t have a damn car, you idiot,” He argued, but the boy immediately paused as soon as he saw the suggestive expression that you held on your face. Things finally clicked as soon as you wiggled your eyebrows towards him. Gas… you meant weed. He angrily snatched the two soda cups that the cashier was extending out as he loudly yelled at you, “FUCK! YOU MAKE IT SO DAMN HARD TO BE NICE TO YOU, YOU KNOW THAT?!” He screamed as you cracked up at his uncharacteristically slow uptake.

The two of you had decided to eat at a booth near a window. You found yourself being really surprised at the quality of this McDonald’s chairs. Bakugou loudly chastised you for gawking at the chairs like some freak before the two of you promptly began eating your food.

It was mostly quiet between the two of you as the textures of the meal performed on your sensitive tongue until Bakugou finally spoke up, “Why do you put that nasty shit into your body?”

“Uh,” Your eyes danced away for a split second, “McDonalds?” your faced crinkled in confusion.

“No, you dumbass!” Bakugou fought the urge to facepalm, “marijuana!” he angrily corrected.

Oh… you felt yourself deflate for a moment, as the question absorbed into your mind. You suddenly let out a giggle, “I don’t know. It makes me feel good, I guess.” Bakugou had to fight another blush at the sight of you adorably shrugging your shoulders.

“That’s a stupid answer. You can’t feel good on your own?”

You tilted your head as you thought about it for a moment. Of course, you could feel good on your own. Just take a look at you! You weren’t even very high anymore, yet you were still on cloud nine right now for some reason, “Well… I feel good right now with you.”

That did it. His adrenaline flared up in an instant. Bakugou couldn’t even come up with fluid words as a series of death threats and curses instinctively flooded to the forefront of his mind, “S-shut up.”

You giggled at his loss for words before letting the conversation die again. The two of you once again found yourselves in silence as you sat with a smile on your face.

This time, it was you who broke the silence, “Thank you, for hanging out with me today. I really appreciate it.”

“Whatever, loser. Don’t get used to it,” he huffed, angrily stuffing a few fries into his mouth.

“So…. there’s not a second date ahead?”

“I didn’t say that,” he grumbled, snatching his glare away from you and out of the restaurant window.

So it was a date. A huge smile once again spread across your face for the millionth time that evening. You happily plopped another fry into your mouth at the sight of him blushing once more.

#bakugou x reader #katsuki bakugo x reader #bakugou imagine #bnha imagine #bnha imagines #mha imagine #mha imagines #bnha x reader #mha x reader #420 #my hero academia #boku no hero academia #katsuki bakugou #bakugou #mha #bnha

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hopelessromanticspoonie · 5 years ago

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Curves and Stripes

This began as a request from @lots-of-loki, which read a bit like: Can you write a fluffy one shot with Loki for me? There are plenty of smutty one shots like this, but I’d just love some fluff. The reader is super insecure, especially about her stretch marks and stomach. Maybe Loki gives her a cute dress and compliments her appearance all the time. He loves it when she blushes and makes her blush more. If you could include stomach kisses, where Loki pushes up reader’s shirt enough to expose her belly and gives her lots of kisses and starts tickling her and they end up cuddling?

So, I did my best to give you all of that! I did end up making the reader plus-sized, although I didn’t just go out and say that, it is hinted at pretty heavily. I hope you enjoy this, sweetheart, and that it’s what you wanted!

Two completely opposite people obviously shared your suite in Stark Tower.

The juxtaposition between your side of the closet and Loki’s was telling of how very different you were in almost all aspects of life. His, full to the brim with designer labels and expensive materials that made you want to weep for their quality, and yours with your standard fare, an amalgamation of pieces picked up from various shopping malls and department stores over the years, varying in taste and quality. Sure, Loki had gifted you extremely nice clothing over the course of your relationship, but those were separated from the rest, as if they would lose their value if they rubbed up against your mismatched wardrobe.

Fingering the edge of your soft bathrobe, you frowned, your head listing to the side as you tried to find an outfit for dinner that evening. It was one of those days where you didn’t feel particularly enthused about your wardrobe or yourself, imagining that every shirt, skirt, or possible outfit would pick up on your flaws and shout them out to the world. You stifled a low groan of frustration behind your bottom lip captured between your teeth, lifting the hem of your robe just enough to follow one of the many jagged purple lines that marred the tops of your thighs and the bottom of your soft tummy. If only...

“Almost prepared for dinner, sweetli- what are you doing?” Loki strolled into the walk-in closet behind you in a cloud of dark, masculine cologne, cutting off his question and changing it when you quickly ripped your hand from your thigh and crossed your arms over your chest.

“It’s nothing. Nothing. I’m just trying to decide what to wear,” you stammered quickly, avoiding his gaze by darting your eyes across the selection of shoes scattered across the far wall beside a full-length mirror that did nothing to hide your sudden panic.

He approached you slowly, brow quirked in curious confusion. When you didn’t meet his gaze for longer than a split second he came around to face you, lifting your chin with his thumb and forefinger so that you had no choice but to look at him. “What is troubling you?”

“Nothing-”

“Do not lie to me,” he chided you, quietly, without any real malice behind the words. He sank down on one knee before you, hands sliding up your bare legs to peer closely at the bit of skin you had been glaring at distastefully when he had interrupted you. His fingertips traced the channels etched into your skin from rapid growth, weight loss, being human, etc. gently. “I do not see any injuries. Are you hurt?”

Just your pride. You wanted to die from shame at his close examination of such physical imperfections. It was already a startling sight to see your prideful prince kneeling before you, but to have him inches away from your most-loathed aspect about yourself was almost too much. Your hands dug into the hem of the robe. “No, I’m not hurt. Can you please get up and stop looking at those?”

“At your shapely legs? At the soft curves that drive me mad with yearning whenever I catch a glimpse of them?” he asked with complete earnestness.

You tried to step away from him, but his grip tightened that much more, not to the point of pain, but enough to show his displeasure at your attempted retreat. Knowing he wouldn’t leave without getting to the heart of the issue, he was the most stubborn and determined man you had ever known, your shoulders fell just as your heart did into the pit of your stomach. “I was looking at my stretch marks.”

It was obvious from your tone and the tears prickling at the corners of your eyes how you felt about them. His eyes tightened slightly. The intensity in them sent a shiver down your spine. “And?”

A tear slipped down your cheek and you hastily wiped it away, shame coursing through your body on boiling blood that rushed in your ears. “I hate them, okay? I hate you looking at them so closely. They’re ugly.”

“Stop it,” he commanded firmly, his voice at odds with the absolute devastation and love warring on his face.

His eyes didn’t allow you to look away for how ardently they stared into yours. With slow, sure movements, his hands reached up to untie the belt of the robe, opening it up so that he could fully bare your body to him save for your bra and panties. He dropped his arresting stare to take you in, his calloused hands following his eyes as he smoothed his hands over your skin. It was such an intimate act, his perusal of your body, carefully touching and committing to memory each sign of what you perceived to be as a failure.

“You are exquisite,” he breathed, the words spoken to your stomach just inches away from his lips. When you opened your mouth to reply, he shook his head, pressing a kiss to the soft skin beneath your belly button before continuing on, “I adore and cherish you, and this body. It was unprepared for the greatness of your spirit, and these lines etched into your skin are simply the result. It is a vessel to hold the one that I love, and to allow you to love me in return.”

His hands ghosted up your sides to grasp onto the pliant flesh of your hips, and he stood, towering over you so that your eyes which had lifted to the ceiling to try to stop your blubbering landed on his breathtakingly beautiful face once more. “Your body is soft, warm and comforting, perfectly suited to press into and mold to the hard lines of my own. I relish the feeling of your curves against my skin when we fall asleep, or when we sit together on the couch. It was as if you were made to me, to provide a safe haven from my stresses in your supple skin.”

He left you facing the mirror, robe still open as he quickly gathered a shopping bag from his side of the closet. When he returned he pulled something out of it, a flash of black and green visible before his hands lifted over your head and his body shielded you from the harsh reflection you loathed once again.

“Lift your arms, beautiful.”

Puzzled, you did as he instructed, closing your eyes once silken material obscured your vision. The fabric flowed over your body, as soft as butterfly’s wings against your skin as Loki zipped up the back of the dress. His fingers encircled your wrists and lowered them to your sides before he let his hands rest heavily on your shoulders.

“I had been saving this for a special occasion, but there is no event more important than proving to you to just how stunning you are to me. Now, see yourself through my eyes.”

The dress was gorgeous, clearly meant to flatter your shape with black lace overlaid over dark green fabric. Golden threads interspersed throughout the material to give it a subtle shimmer as you twisted this way and that to inspect it. His thumbs brushed over the wide neckline of the dress, wide to expose more of your skin to his searing touch. Your hands brushed over your ribs before spreading protectively over your stomach, not wanting the mere fact that it wasn’t perfectly flat and toned to ruin the otherwise lovely picture that you and Loki presented.

“Ah-ah,” he corrected you, leaning forward so your back was pressed to his front, lacing your fingers together. He pushed your hands further into your stomach to hold you against him, allowing the heat that radiated from his body to tease loose some of the tension in your muscles. He bent to smooth his cheek over yours after brushing his lips against the top of your head. “You are ravishing, dearest, and I would have you now in this closet were it not for our dinner reservation.”

You flushed, heat blooming in your cheeks as you dropped your eyes to the ground to hide your sudden shyness at his bold flirting. “Loki…”

“I do love it when you blush. It brings out the warmth in your eyes. How they sparkle like the very stars in the night sky.” He pulled away, grabbing your favorite pair of shoes and holding them out for you. “And it reminds me of how tempting you look when that same flush spreads over the rest of your skin, spread out before me to feast upon in our bed… But first, let us find some nourishment for that precious body.”

Later, when he had plied you with enough food and drink to leave you sated and sleepy, you both rested on the couch with his head in your lap. You enjoyed combing your fingers through his long silken locks of raven hair, and he hummed contentedly when your nails scratched gently at his scalp.

He rolled over beneath your touch, wrapping his arms around your back to nuzzle his face into your belly. You froze for a breath, embarrassment clenching your body in its vice-like grip, but his hands rubbed around your spine in slow circles that eased you back into calm, languid serenity soon enough.

And then he shifted, releasing his grasp on you to lift up your shirt just enough to kiss where his nose had nudged into you just moments ago. His fingers teasing at your sides tickled, and you pushed at him weakly, biting back a smile.

“That tickles!” you protested, a bit of laughter escaping through with the words.

“Oh? You mean this?” he asked, glancing up at you for the briefest of moments, mischief written plainly across his face, before he sat up on his knees and his fingers danced across your ribs and tummy.

You wiggled beneath him, laughing and giggling and shrieking as you fought against his merciless onslaught. Tears poured down your face and your cheeks hurt from laughing when you finally managed to choke out, “Enough! You win!”

With a swift and efficient tug, he stretched you out beneath him on the couch and draped his body over yours, holding his weight on his knees and one hand. The other caressed your cheek before he left the faintest of kisses on your eyelids, your forehead, over the sting in your cheeks before capturing your mouth in a thorough, passionate kiss that curled your toes and stopped your heart in your chest.

Your fingers tangled in his hair of their own accord, and you didn’t relinquish their grip when he lifted his face from yours to shoot you a smile that made your heart ache for the love it contained. “You are absolutely resplendent, sweetling, when you blush. Now, explain to me once more why I should have any sort of opinion about these people baking in an over-sized tent?”

He settled over you with his head pillowed on your stomach, listening to you defend and explain one of your favorite shows for what wouldn’t be the last time. But it was alright with you, as long as you got to hold each other while you did so.

~~~

Little Bit o’ Loki Taglist: @myownviperroom @grahoundart @darealbellabelleoftheball @boubouinscarlet @iamverity @rt8815

Whole Shebang Taglist: @just-the-hiddles @yespolkadotkitty @nonsensicalobsessions @vodka-and-some-sass @he-is-chaotic-she-is-psychotic @myoxisbroken @blah666 @brokenthelovely @myworddump @polireader @wiczer @littleredstarfish @the-broken-angel-13 @arch-venus25 @xxloki81xx @jessiejunebug @tinchentitri @sllooney @devilbat @vikkleinpaul @bouquet-o-undercaffeinated-roses @angelus80 @wolfsmom1 @kthemarsian @toozmanykids @claritastantrum @princerowanwhitethorngalathynius @sabine-leo @lovesmesomehiddles @silverswordthekilljoy

#loki #loki/reader #plus sized reader #loki fluff #stretch marks #comforting loki #loki fanfiction #loki fanfic #marvel fanfic #marvel fanfiction #hopelesswrites #curves and stripes

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hecohansen31 · 5 years ago

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Never Too Much Champagne:

Duncan Shepherd+Female! Reader+Fallon Carrington.

(A/N): Hello there, lovelies!

So... I am not going to be at home in the weekend, but I’ll be away, which is going to be nice... I hope (I low key need relax), but I thought I’d still share a little fic with you.

This is a personal ‘thank you’ to @melodylangdon for her support to my favorite rich OT3, Fallon, Duncan and Reader and who made the beautiful moodboard here (this is like one of my favorite things ever, and I got a lot of inspiration from it), but THANK YOU AGAIN!

It meant the world for me!

(Also I am tagging @wickedlangdon because she is also a fan of this OT3)

So I hope you’ll enjoy this little one!

WARNINGS: Sex, Strap-On Action (also in these cases it is suggested to wear a condom, better be safe than sorry), Oral Sex (Male & Female Receiving), Fingering, Dirty Talk, Daddy/Mommy Kink, Use of Champagne (please don’t use this fic as a tutorial for Champagne Sex, food/liquid, unless stated, SHOULD NEVER BE USED FOR INTERNAL USE, this is a fic and it is Duncan Shepherd/Fallon Carrington, but avoid it in reality).

You knew perfectly that Adam’s accidental slip wasn’t so accidental.

But you hadn’t protested or made a scene and had simply excused yourself to the ladies-restroom to dab away the excessive champagne on your newest dress, a gift of Fallon, since it had made her think of you.

Meanwhile you were in the bathroom, you heard its door being opened without too much thought about knocking or courtesy, immediately making you realize that it was Fallon, coming up to you with a few muffled excuses.

“I’d like to say that he is that way because he was adopted, but… that isn’t true as much as I wish it” she mumbled, coming to softly try to collect the excessive champagne from your drenched dress, since Adam had fallen onto an entire tray of champagne, which had then fallen onto you.

“… don’t talk about adoption with Duncan, it’s a touchy subject, you muttered lightly, knowing all too well that Fallon was fresh to your own relationship.

You saw her immediately biting her lips as if she kind of wanted to take back the words, but nodded softly, continuing the useless job onto your dress, probably just a simple excuse to continue on touching your body, highlighted by the drenched fabric.

To which you had no objections.

“Ahh, it’s such a shame that dumb-dumber decided to ruin this dress, you almost looked as pretty as me” joked Fallon, falling back to admire you, which made you smirk lightly, as you adjusted your hair, avoiding them to touch your champagne drenched neck.

“… almost as pretty as you?” you pumped out your leg through the slit of the dress, giving Fallon a good look of it, ending up and being even more enhanced by the pair of golden Jimmy Choo you had been wearing.

You smirked at her dumbfounded expression.

But you were also soon surprised as the bathroom door opened again, and before Fallon could utter ‘I am having a lawsuit against you’, Duncan appeared behind the door, sending you a light smirk and raising an eyebrow, meanwhile you set your leg down.

“I came to see if you needed some help” he joked, although you doubted it ”…you were taking quite your sweet time”.

“Did you think we had started without you, handsome?” joked, smirking, Fallon as she approached him, coming to gently caress his chest, through the tailored Hugo Boss shirt, the cufflinks, which adorned it, another gifts of Fallon, who had in common with Duncan his penchant for spoiling her lovers.

“… I was worried” he smirked softly, before he lowered his lips onto Fallon, and a little thrill of jealousy went through your spine, pushing you to lightly glare at them, annoyed that they weren’t giving you any attention “… you can’t leave two beautiful women, even more if one is drenched in expensive champagne”.

You felt the gears shifting in Fallon’s head at those words and she smirked at you, turning to join your lips in a kiss, extremely open-mouthed, probably to show Duncan the entire dynamic of it.

“... why don’t you go and shed that drenched dress in my room” she suggested softly on your lips, making you ask for more, your eyes half-closed, in an hazy daze “… we wouldn’t want you to catch a cold, would we?”.

Duncan shook softly his head, a breathless smirk on his face, probably understanding what Fallon wanted, but you were clueless.

Still you obeyed the two of them, going to Fallon’s room, to wait for them, shedding the dress and the lingerie under it, although you kept the panties: a light line of tiny diamons connecting the two pieces in the front and he back, on the sides.

It had been one of Duncan’s most appreciated gifts, alongside your other pair with little pearls that teased you whenever you wore them, making you already drenched, just for Duncan’s cock…

… or, as happened lately, for Fallon’s strap.

You then moved onto the bed, waiting on your stomach for the two, meanwhile you took in Fallon’s elegant room, definitely designed with style and efficiency (and you weren’t going to lie a bit of… flare, but you didn’t mind it too much).

(You had quite grown to like it, with Fallon’s company).

As you felt a little clicking of heels you realized that she was on the threshold, of the room, and you turned lightly to give her a good view of your perky breasts, even going as far as to twirl lightly a nipple, as you looked around.

“… this place is nice, I am going to ask for the interior designer name, me and Duncan are thinking of redecorating our Washington house…” you joked softly, meanwhile Fallon was speechless, taking in your naked body, as you smirked.

“Fuck, now you look fucking beautiful” she commented simply, rushing to the bed, and gently laying on you, the silk of her dress creating a delicious friction on your legs, meanwhile she collected your mouth for a messy kiss, her Dior lipstick staining your Yves-Saint-Laurent one, as you smirked, an hand immediately going to the slit of her dress, inching it up.

“Even more than you?” you joked as your fingers slipped inside her dress, teasing her lightly over the panties “… am I not mommy’s prettiest princess?”.

Fallon wasn’t able to reply, just letting soft shaky breaths, when she was busied by your soft lips and your delicate fingers.

“... what I said about starting without me?” Duncan’s deep voice startled both of you and you turned around lightly, Fallon with a pure look of shame, but you simply smirked, continuing on teasing Fallon, who wasn’t unable to stop herself from letting out a soft moan.

Meanwhile you did this, you were finally able to notice what Duncan held in his hands: a champagne bottle and a glass, something wicked working up in your mind, making you smile lightly.

“… oh, c’mon Daddy, I am just making mommy ready for you, am I not, mommy?” you joked, meanwhile you kissed down Fallon’s exposed neck “… she is so wet… daddy, I can’t wait to feel her”.

Duncan simply mumbled a little ‘mmm’ and he joined you in the bed, setting the champagne bottle in on the ground, it was opened so it was definitely stolen from the party going on downstairs.

“… do you like what our little minx is doing to you, Fallon?” asked Duncan, pushing himself on top of her, his chest to her back “…she is good with her hands, isn’t she?”.

And he pushed his hands onto her covered breast, kneading them softly, meanwhile he focused on biting her ear lobes, in a mix of pain and pleasure that made Fallon moan louder, meanwhile your fingers slipped inside Fallon’s panties, simply pushing them to their side.

At first you teased Fallon’s folds, her eyebrows scrunching alongside her nose, which you kissed softly, almost to comfort her.

Then you finally reached her pearl, smirking as Fallon let out a breathy moan, shaking lightly between you and Duncan, who had raised lightly her dress to allow you an easier access.

You continued on rubbing with attentive touches Fallon’s pearl, meanwhile Duncan reached up to palm Fallon’s cunt, as you softly spread her fold, letting Duncan dip his finger easily, allowing him to enter her with his fingers, and Fallon threw her head back, pleasure coursing through his veins.

Duncan kept a steady rhythm, till Fallon reached the ecstasy point, in a lazy orgasm that made her scrunch up her nose light, again, a sight you found adorable dragging her in a light kiss, meanwhile Duncan licked up his fingers, shining with her juices.

“You made me feel so good” she muttered your lips, once she finished riding her orgasm, as she moved slowly down your body, till she was met with your panties, dragging them down your legs slowly “… now let me and Duncan make you feel good”.

And you were simply able to nod, simply resting you back down onto the soft mattress, meanwhile Duncan went to kiss your lips, sharing Fallon’s flavor with you, as he grabbed the glass from the nightstand and Fallon collected the bottle, pouring the golden liquid in the crystal glass.

“You know that champagne always taste better, if mixed with the taste of your skin?” he asked lightly, meanwhile he twirled lightly the glass, as Fallon smirked, licking a small stripe from your inner thigh to the juncture of your legs and hips, teasing lightly your pubic mound.

“… oh” you simply muttered, as little droplets of champagne fell onto your overheated neck, pushing a pleasurable sensation on your tummy, which Fallon stroked lovingly, tickling you.

Then Duncan’s tongue followed the droplets of champagne on your neck, meanwhile Fallon gained the control of the glass and dropped some other onto your tummy, making it spasm lightly, the coldness definitely surprising you, but her tongue soothed it, meanwhile her plus lips, caressed your hips.

A little mark of red being left in its wake from her lipstick, meanwhile she continued trailing champagne till right on your mound, and Fallon wasn’t certainly shy to lick a bold line from your Venus peak to where your pubis met your stomach, your abs tensing under such a teasing action.

Duncan smirked in your neck, feeling you arch under him, meanwhile your hands set down to explore his back, pushing him closer.

“Sweetie, can you raise your hips for daddy?” he asked softly, pushing a pillow onto the small of your back to keep your back on an higher level so that there would be a light difference in height, which allowed to create a perfect descent.

Perfect to let champagne fall, right onto your pearl: the coldness of it, alongside its bubbles completely awakening a broken moan from you, unable to stop buckling up, although Fallon held you down, before she dared a light lick down there, slurping champagne straight from the source.

“Duncan was fucking right… it tastes better”.

Duncan smirked against your neck, before he dipped down two fingers, rubbing them on some of the champagne mixed with your juices, before he brought it to his lips, moaning around them, because of the perfect taste.

Fallon dropped more, some of it even dirtying the mattress, something which made you lightly laugh and then moan as Fallon’s tongue followed the taste of champagne, in the most private of your secrets, pushing her tongue in and out, meanwhile Duncan’s rubbed your pearl.

It was a torture from heaven, and as Duncan pushed a kiss onto your lips, you understood why they were so… ravenous.

It tasted like fucking ambrosia.

But right when you were reaching the edge, they stopped their ministrations and Fallon retreated from the bed, meanwhile Duncan started undressing, with you raising lightly to help him, although your fingers were clumsy and hasty, desperation coursing through your veins, meanwhile you moaned at their denial.

“Don’t whine, little one” giggled Duncan, pushing you back, pinning your hands over your head, as you smiled silly “…daddy will make it up to you”:

“But I am… so so desperate daddy” you replied, pushing on his hold, trying to get a soft kiss, meanwhile he pushed you back.

“Be patient, little girl” he grabbed her chin, immobilizing you softly onto the bed, meanwhile Fallon reappeared over your shoulder, to which you sent her a pleading look, but your mood immediately brightened as you saw that she was wearing the strap, your legs immediately brushing together in a desperate attempt to ease the friction “… now, mommy Fallon, here, will fuck your picture perfect pussy, with her big fat cock, meanwhile I’ll fuck your pretty red mouth”:

You nodded, immediately excited, as Duncan moved away from the bed, to push off his boxers, giving you and Fallon a good look of his ass, which she pinched, meanwhile you smirked at his shocked face.

“Don’t make me spank you” he muttered, although his tone wasn’t threatening in the slightest.

Even more because both yours and Fallon’s eyes were glued onto his big and hard cock, swollen with the lack of attention you hadn’t given him.

You licked your lips, already anxious about the treat you would be given soon.

Fallon, oh so jealous Fallon, brought you attention onto her, leaning down to bit down onto one of your tits, making you moan lightly, as your mound accidentally brushed against her strap, making you repeat the movement, wanting to goad her further in you, but she kept it steady and Duncan set himself over your head, his cock right in your face, your lips lightly teasing him as they brushed against it.

And then Fallon pushed herself in you, lightly and slowly.

A little moan escaped you, before it was shushed by Duncan’s cock, completely stealing your breath and you were thankful for Fallon’s attentive movements, stilling and kissing your thighs, as she brought your legs to her hips, to deepen the thrust.

Because Duncan wasn’t so merciful.

He quickly took advantage of you and pushed a ruthless rhythm, one still that you enjoyed because your internal walls gripped Fallon’s strap tighter and tighter but she kept up her gentler rhythm, pushing slowly in and slowly out.

And Duncan just chased his high with your mouth, in a rather vulgar way.

But it wasn’t as vulgar as when he reached down, shoving his cock entirely in your throat, to collect the champagne bottle and with an easy move of his hands, he dipped champagne onto his cock and in your mouth, mixing the pre-cum with it, in something that tasted deliciously contrasting.

Due to the thrust some champagne even ended up onto Fallon’s breasts, drenching your entire body.

Duncan thought it was a complete waste of good champagne and he quickly pushed himself to lick it off, making Fallon moan and her thrusts intensified, following the friction of the strap against you, which felt heavenly in you.

And it was enough.

You were already oversensitive for the previous teasing, and it took Fallon just to find the perfect spot and you were seeing stars, dragging Duncan alongside you, completely engulfed by the heat of your mouth, spilling cum and champagne again in your mouth.

As you came down, the champagne started being less sexy and simply sticky, and you couldn’t help but feel too oversensitive to withhold Fallon anymore in you, and she exited you slowly, making you feel each painful inch, as Duncan did the same, softly coming to your side, exiting your mouth, meanwhile you felt your throat raw and painful, and were thankful when Duncan moved away to collect some towels to clean you up and a glass of water, and Fallon discarded the strap, throwing it carelessly away.

Then she laid down next to you, and although you felt a bit annoyed by the stickiness of the champagne to your skin, you were more than happy to cuddle up to your lover, as she caressed your hair, murmuring about what a ‘dirty mess you were’.

“A dirty mess that we will have fun cleaning” giggled Duncan, pushing a towel up your thighs, awakening your desire again.

“Just no more champagne, I don’t think I can have more” asked Fallon, making you and Duncan laugh.

“I’d never thought I would hear you say that”.

#Duncan Shepherd #Duncan Shepherd Reader #Duncan Shepherd x Reader #Duncan Shepherd Imagine #Duncan Shepherd Fic #Duncan Shepherd Smut #Duncan Shepherd Fan Fic #Duncan Shepherd FanFic #Duncan Shepherd OneShot #Duncan Shepherd One Shot #House of Cards #HOC #HOC Imagine #Duncan Shepherd Moodboard #fallon carrington #Fallon Carrington Reader #Dynasty

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shezza1854 · 4 years ago

Text

PICKING UP THE PIECES

Chapter 1. Breathing Space It was his palace now; this small ramshackle farmhouse. From it, he reigned over New Asgard like the king he was supposed to be. Yet, this king bore the heavy twin burdens of guilt and failure that drove him to overindulge in beer and food, forcing him to pack on the pounds and become the proud owner of a huge belly. In his sleep, nightmares plagued him, causing him to wake up screaming and throwing him into a deep depression. He was Thor Odinson, no longer the God of Thunder and Lord of the Lightning; but Thor Odinson, God of Gluttony! Silence hung heavy in the air as he watched her walking about the room. She said not a word, but every once in a while, a tear would fall as she remembered the emotional pain he caused her five years ago. He was just starting to feel his guilt then, and she was offering her friendship and support, only to be driven away. Terrible and ugly things were said, and they hadn’t spoken to each other since. It was her decision to come and see him with the intent to mend fences and, hopefully, to start again. She hoped he felt the same. Weary of walking, she finally sat on the threadbare couch and folded herself up into a ball. He cautiously approached her, unable to gauge her mood. He carefully sat down beside her and waited for her to speak. She looked balefully at him through one eye, never knowing whether to chew him out or just take him in her arms and forgive him. Heaving a huge sigh, she uncurled herself and got her first full look at him. Gone was the sleek black and silver armour with its red cape and, in its place, he wore an ancient pair of tan plaid pants, a pair of Crocs, a couple of shirts layered one atop the other; all covered by some sort of jacket. His beard was scruffy, and his hair looked as though it hadn’t seen a bottle of shampoo for about a fortnight to a month. In short, the poor man was a mess. He sat on his end of the couch much as he did on that bench five years ago; big hands folded in front of him and failure written in his eyes. He bowed his great shaggy head and started to sob. That made up her mind. She slid over to him and held him as tightly as she could. He, too, remembered that awful day five years ago, smiling a little as he felt his shoulders being rubbed. He looked at her, wondering how he could hurt her the way he did; returning her embrace. “Doc Strange told me everything,” she finally said. “I wasn’t your enemy, Thor. You could’ve told me.” “I know, my lady, but it was all too painful to repeat. The words I said to you were those of a spoiled child who revels in the pain and misery of others. I’ll admit I was surprised he brought you hereafter that,” he explained. “If you wish, you can end our friendship, and we’ll say goodbye here.” She shook her head as she chuckled at that notion. She leaned her forehead against his. “If there was one lesson I learned from that first day I met you, that lesson was there’s no getting over you, Thor Odinson. I’m here to give you a second chance and hope that you and I can go further than just being friends?” she told him. “I mean if you’ll have me.” “ Rossi, you don’t know how much I want that, but look at me! I’m fat. I eat and drink too much. I sit around and play games all day. Surely, you don’t want a mess like me who had failed everyone. Are you sure I’m the one you want?” he asked as she hugged him. “I guess I am the one you want.” She kissed him and patted his belly. She cared not what he looked like for she wasn’t too svelte herself. She liked men with big soft bellies for it meant they had plenty of padding to squish, and Thor had more than his fair share of squish. He shook his head as he tried to dry his tears. Excusing herself, she headed for the nearest Kleenex box. She returned to his lap, box in hand, and gave him two of its contents. He blew his nose and dried his eyes, looking at her again. “I...I don’t deserve you, Rossi,” Thor hiccupped. “I don’t deserve the friendship of anyone. I’m a fat failure.” “You let me be the judge of that? Over these past five years, I’ve grown quite fond of you, my big beautiful Viking. Yes, you did hurt me when you drove me away that first time. Well, my dear boy, you’re not going to do that again,” she told him in no uncertain terms. “You may be fat, but you’re no failure. I read the letter you left behind, and the words I read weren’t those of a spoiled child, but those of a remorseful grown man. That’s the main reason I’m here. It’s time to give Earth back her God of Thunder. It’s time to give me back my God of Thunder.”

“I’m nobody’s God of anything,” Thor sniffled. “In my dreams, I keep seeing my parents and Loki die again and again.”

He smiled sweetly as his again filled with tears. He had forgotten she was always in his corner, much along the lines of Tony Stark. He remembered her anger toward the Avengers for his sake when he thought she had no need. Now, here he was--a mess of a man who feared failure.

“I know how to clean up messes, including messes that walk on two feet,” she said. “When was the last time you had a good bath?”

The big Asgardian shrugged. He had gotten used to his own smell during the time he was in exile. He didn’t think he stunk, but it was obvious she did. She didn’t mean it to be unkind, but showing that she cared a lot for him. He looked at her and shook his shaggy head. She stroked his temple.

“That’s okay. It’s all fine. Now, I’ve brought some nice clean clothes for you,” she said. “Now, let’s get you naked.”

Mischief now twinkled in the ice-blue eyes. Didn’t Viking men have other things to think about besides sex? Oh, yeah, there was also that little thing called war. She paled a little when she saw his partial erection. He stepped into the tub and settled in the water with a contented sigh. She slathered a washcloth with soap and started scrubbing his broad back.

“Ahhh!” he groaned. “Gods, this feels good!”

“Okay, Thor, give me your arse!” she chirped.

He rose on all fours and broke wind. She opened the window to air out the room. When she came back, she found him lying on his back; his huge stomach exposed to the air. She handed him the soap and washcloth and told him to wash his front. He pouted a little but obliged. Again, she saw his cock rising for the simple reasons that the water was still warm, and he was scrubbing it. She pronounced him clean and told him to get out of the tub. She closed the window and told him to stay put as she went to get the shampoo she had also brought with her. He had pulled the plug out of the tub and was drying himself. She turned on the shower; this time to wash his hair. She knew he didn’t like people touching it, but she needed to get it clean; he needed to have it clean. She handed him the bottle and told him to wash it.

In his room, she looked at the mattress on the floor and had a pretty good idea as to why it was there. He was soon with her, and she showed him what she had brought. She had T-shirts big enough to cover his tummy and buttonless trousers that would stretch and caress his stomach. A bear hug awarded her efforts. His old clothes were still wearable but needed washing something fierce. He dried his hair with the towel than let it dry naturally. She next turned to the mattress and considered clean sheets for it. The ones it had on now, well, words couldn’t describe the shape they were in. One thing for sure was that they needed to be changed and, knowing Thor’s penchant to go into town for his meals, she would check out the town to see if there were any linen shops. His room seemed big enough for two people, so she’d build a nest for herself close enough to Thor so he could reach out and touch her during the night. He wouldn’t be alone when he had one of his nightmares again. She suspected that he had no one to comfort him in the past, but he had someone now.

“Let’s get something to eat,” Thor said. “You look tired, Rossi.”

“I feel as though I’ve been ridden hard and put up wet,” she said as she tried to stifle a yawn.

“Would I be pushing it if I asked you if you’d like to have a snooze with me?” Thor asked.

She smiled as thoughts of laying her head down on that great belly for use as a pillow danced in her head.

“No, I don’t think you’d be pushing it,” she replied as she tried to stifle another yawn.

She flopped down on the mattress and watched as the great deity take off his clothes. He soon stood naked before her; his great belly and erection proudly showing themselves.

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“WAIT...AM I HEARING YOU RIGHT? YOU NEED HIS HELP? AFTER CASTING HIM ASIDE LIKE AN OLD WHEN HE WAS GOING THROUGH HIS OWN PERSONAL HELL, YOU NEED HIS HELP? FIVE YEARS AGO, NOT A DAMN ONE OF YOU CAME OUT OF YOUR OWN PITY PARTIES TO SHOW HIM ANY SUPPORT OR FRIENDSHIP OR GIVE HIM A SHOULDER TO CRY ON. YOU CALL YOURSELVES HIS FRIENDS, BUT REAL FRIENDS DON’T ACT LIKE YOU ALL DID. HE ONLY SHOVED ME AWAY BECAUSE HE THOUGHT I WAS ONE THE SAME WAVELENGTH YOU GUYS WERE THEN ON. YOU TREATED HIM LIKE YOUR GOLDEN SLAVE OR YOUR GOLDEN LACKEY. THOR SAID IT BEST HIMSELF WHEN HE SAID: ‘NOTHING LASTS FOREVER, NOT EVEN FRIENDSHIP. NOTHING.’ WELL, HE CERTAINLY HIT THE NAIL ON THE HEAD WITH THAT ONE, IF YOU WERE EVER FRIENDS AT ALL. THE ONLY ONE WHO WAS IN HIS CORNER, BESIDES ME, WAS TONY HERE,” she roared at them. “FRIENDS, MY ASS! IF I LOOKED UP ‘FRIEND’ IN THE DICTIONARY, I WOULDN’T SEE YOUR PICTURES BESIDE IT. YOU’RE JUST COVERING YOUR OWN ASSES BECAUSE YOU DIDN’T WIN YOUR LAST BATTLE WITH THANOS.”

“Rossi, we’re protecting Midgard from him,” Thor tried to tell the irate little woman, but she was having none of it.

“THOR IS THE BEST THING TO HAPPEN TO ME SINCE JT. NOW, YOU WANT TO TAKE THAT AWAY FROM ME? WHEN ARE YOU BLOODY LOT GOING TO STOP?” she bellowed; her voice breaking.

She dropped into Thor’s chair. She had had her fill of Stark and his bunch. Cap tried to say something in the Avengers’ defence, but he got one of her deadlier glares. He closed his mouth and stepped back into his spot. He and Thor exchanged looks as she rose from the chair and left for the bedroom, slamming the door behind her.

“Let’s go,” was all Thor could say. He knew trying to reason with her when she was in this mood was night onto impossible.

“She’ll be okay, Thor,” Tony assured him.

“I’m not so sure, Brother Anthony. The last time she was this angry was five years ago,” Thor said. “I know she misses her husband. Now, she fears losing me. I hope she’s here when I get back.”

The Hulk made an attempt but was warded off. He shrugged his big green shoulders and followed his friends out. Stark thwarted all attempts to reason with the Canadian expat and herded them out the door.

“She won’t listen to any of us, so we might as well go,” he said. “Thor, did she say how long she was married to her last husband?”

“Ten years, I think,” the big Asgardian replied. “She told me he was murdered by a group of of people call the New York Mafia.”

Stark cringed. That was one group of people with whom no one should mess. The wounds from his death were still fresh, and Thor was there to help her heal.

“All we can do is get you back to her in one piece, Point Break,” he said quietly.

The minute she was gone, she started to pack. There was a bed and breakfast in town where she could clear her mind and decide on her next moves. Yes, she’d go back to him because she didn’t want to see him drink himself into the ground. He deserved a good long happy life.

Why couldn’t she give that to him? It was for the simple reason that the Avengers kept getting in the way. She could remember when he first came to Midgard as an arrogant spoiled Asgardian prince who thought humans were petty and tiny. Well, a lot of water had gone over the Falls since then, and the prince change his mind. She and her fellow humans welcomed the deity with open arms once he cut out the arrogance and snobbery. He had certainly mellowed during his time here and she, for one, was glad for the change. She now sat in the diner, picking at her food and wondering about her future.

The memory of what he said about being a good man rather than king made her smile. Thor was the polar opposite of his father--a man who, once during his numerous rages, almost beat the young Thor to death. Thor treated the people of Midgard with love, thoughtfulness--words that never were in Odin’s vocabulary. Thor learned that, if you treat people right, they’d treat you right.

Things his father never learned.

She pushed her plate aside and stared out the window, thinking of what her life would be like without the big Asgardian. God only knew that she couldn’t compete with Earth’s Mightiest Heroes. The only solution was now staring her in the face, and that was to give Thor over to the Avengers and just walk away. She spent this long without anyone; hell, what’s a little longer?

“G’day!” a voice said, making her jump. “Food’s usually pretty good here.”

“Mmmm...what?” she asked as she came out of her daydream.

“Kip Hemsworth,” the voice continued. “I was wondering if you’re okay. If ya don’t wanna talk, I’ll understand.”

Tears of relief coursed down her cheeks. Who sent this guy? Sure, he was a stranger, but she desperately needed to talk to someone. Besides, weren’t strangers friends one had yet to meet?

“Rossi Sullivan--hi,” she sniffled as she watched her small hand disappear into his giant paw.

“Mind?” he asked as he pointed to the bench opposite her.

“Park it,” was all she said before going silent.

When she got her first good look at him, her jaw dropped because she couldn’t believe what she was seeing--sandy blond hair, blue eyes that looked right into her soul and, before he sat down, 6′3″ in height. How could three men look so much alike without being related?

“I don’t know where to start,” she said.

“The beginning is always good,” he said.

She sighed as the waitress appeared.

He ordered her a grilled ham and cheese and a cuppa; for himself, steak and eggs and a beer.

She told him everything--how she left North America to become a British citizen and how her husband was murdered by the New York Mafia, cutting her last ties with that continent.

“Sorry, I must be boring you. Here I am prattling on, and you haven’t gotten a word in edgewise, she said.

“No worries,” Kip said, taking a sip from his beer. “So, what do you do in London?”

“I brought my mother’s family home, so to speak. I’m half British blood, and I have my British passport. After the 2012 Games, I started the process of becoming a British citizen. I now have a lovely little flat right above Sherlock Holmes and John Watson,” she said. “I have a job with Madame Tussauds Wax Museum.”

Kip just looked at her when she said that. Weren’t Sherlock Holmes and John Watson fictional characters? She just smiled and assured him that they were just as real as she and him were. She pulled out her tablet and went to Tumblr. There was an article about her solving the Regents Park Zoo murders and putting a huge dent in Holmes’ ego. She also dented his ego when she found the person causing all the trouble with the weather on the Westminster tube. She pulled up a picture of Holmes and Watson and showed it to him. Kip just staring at it, trying to wrap his head around the idea that pair was real.

“So, how long were you and JT married?” Kip asked before taking another bite of steak.

“”We were married fifteen years...,” he voice trailed off and she bowed her head.

‘Hemsworth, you idiot!’ Kip berated himself as he pulled her close.

“I didn’t mean to upset you,” he whispered as he pulled her close.

“It’s okay, Kip. I was just thinking about our life together, and how we were hoping to grow old together.”

“I’ll soon have to go back to Stralia, but how about we travel together to England? I can stay for a few days, and you can show me London and, maybe someday, you can come and see me?” Kip offered cheerfully.

“I’d like that, “ she murmured as she smiled at him through her tears. “So what do you do besides go searching for the perfect wave?”

“I’m a sheep rancher in the Outback,” he replied as he finished the last bit of his steak and eggs. “I’ve got one of the bigger stations.”

“You don’t run it by yourself?” she asked as she swallowed her last bit of tea.

“Nope! It’s usually just Liam and I. Liam’s my youngest brother,” Kip said.

She went white. What were the odds of two men having a brother named Liam?

All Kip knew about Chris was that he was an actor and he played a god.

Kip was constantly smiling, bless his Aussie heart. He was smiling now, and she smiled back.

“Are you alright, Rossi?” he asked now.

She nodded. Sure, she was a bit weary, but fine.

“I was thinking of Thor,” she said.

“Ah, your fella. Now, the truth comes out!” Kip teased.

“May I bring your check?” a voice cut into the conversation.

“I guess there’s no time like the present,” she said before turning the tablet on again.

She tapped the Tumblr icon and found a picture of Chris as he look in Thor: The Dark World. She swallowed once and showed the picture to Kip. Beer flew everywhere, and the rancher started coughing. She put the tablet down and slapped him between the shoulders. He held his hands up in an attempt to get her to stop. He stared at the picture, speechless, for the next few minutes.

‘I’ve come this far. I might as well go all the way,’ she thought.

She found a picture of Chris being his charming goofy Aussie self at a convention.

“Um...Kip?” she said.

“Yeah?” he said. “What have you got there?”

She handed him the tablet, and the poor man went as white as a sheet of paper. She was beginning to suspect that this was the first time he ever slapped eyes on Chris. They headed for the airport. Purchasing their tickets for Heathrow and checking their suitcases, they headed for the lounge to await their flight. She glanced at him and felt the tears come again.

“So you’re leaving him?” Kip asked.

“I’m not leaving him. I’m giving him breathing space so he can get his priorities in order. I left him a letter stating as such because I can’t compete with the Avengers--you know, Earth’s Mightiest Heroes. I’d call them Earth’s Mightiest Homewreckers, but that’s just me. All Tony Stark has to do is snap his fingers, and Thor gallops off like some obedient Golden Retriever. I’ve had it with Tony Stark and his bunch. Five years ago, his so-called friends, the Avengers, never lent him a shoulder to cry on or talk to him about the hell he was going through. That hell was the death of his parents and his brother, Loki, plus his feelings of failure. I called the Avengers out on the carpet, but he went anyway...I’m sorry!”

“Come here, Rossi,” Kip said.

“I’m sorry for dumping this all on you,” she said as she fell into his embrace.

“It’s alright. I asked,” he said as he held her.

She pulled some Kleenexes from pocket as she smiled moistly at him.

He was one of the good ones, this lad.

When she finally got her act together, he held her out at arms’ length.

“Still have feelings for him?” he asked.

“Yeah. There’s just no getting over Thor Odinson,” she said.

#chris hemsworth #thor x ofc #thor fic

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sickybubbies · 5 years ago

Text

No food for me

BTS AU: Medical student Hoseok finds it hard to stomach any food after his graphic studies. Luckily, roommate Namjoon is there with some tummy rubs

Collab with the amazing @featherypromises

TW: Emeto

Jung Hoseok was finishing his notes from the previous slide in the empty lab. He had completed surgery practicals on animals, but he was moving onto cadavers... the slides alone made him queasy. The discoloration and the... appearance of the veins... and the blood pooling before it was removed...

Hoseok spun away from the projected images as a small amount of vomit filled his mouth. He swallowed with difficulty. His breathing was labored. He had to get over this or he'd never become a successful doctor.

A sigh was heard from afar. His roommate Kim Namjoon, majoring in AI (Artificial Intelligence) stood there with an oppressed look on his face, arms crossed “Yah, why don’t you call it a night already”

Hoseok grimaced, Kim Namjoon was every parents' dream child. He was a born leader, a talented artist, spoke 4 languages, and he was brilliant! He heard that Joonah was in the top 1% of tested students in South Korea. Hoseok couldn't even hate him for it. The boy worked hard.

He sighed, glaring daggers at him anyway.

"Go away smarty-pants, some of us have to study."

Namjoon paid no heed, swinging a chair out before climbing on it, hugging its back rest. He twists the screen, a foul look on his face with a mutter under his breath “ugh..grim”

He turned to his roommate, pulling the papers out of his hands and flicking through them with an approved nod. “Come on you glum. Some of us have to eat you know” he taps his head with the documents “I got take-out for two”

Hoseok felt his stomach flip at the mere mention of the other f word. He swallowed and shut his eyes against the glowing images on the wall. Hoseok shuddered at the memory of the grotesque images.

"You just save the other portion... I don't think I'll be hungry... for the rest of my life."

“Hmm” Namjoon hummed, stroking his chin with his index and thumb. Swiftly walking around his friend, before holding him by the shoulders and pulling him to a stand. Already shoving him out the door “Let’s say you owe me one, so you can eat it to do the least sunshine boy” He chuckled

Hoseok groaned,

"Were you even speaking Korean just now?"

He let his roommate force him bodily from the room.

“Well, someone’s left their brain behind” Namjoon jokes, sat at the table and ridding the food of the poly bags. He takes out each container of delicacies like kimchi, pork belly, black bean noodles and his most craved. Blood ox soup. Rubbing his hands in excitement and takes the chopsticks, splitting it in half and launching the food into his mouth “eat up buddy”

Hoseok couldn't even look at it.

He stood and mumbled about going to the restroom. He held his breath. Ugh…

“Hob-ah! Come have a bite” He twirled his chopsticks around, frowning in concern that his friend was barely eating anything these days. Dunking the chopsticks into the soup he picks a piece of meat, getting to his feet and holding it before the latter’s mouth, a hand ducked underneath it “Hobi say ahh”

Hoseok feels tears well up in his eyes and clamps a hand over his mouth and races to their half bathroom in their room. His feet slip and he falls but his hands catch the rim of the toilet. He pulls himself up and retches his back arching violently.

Namjoon froze. Trying to comprehend the situation, did he do something wrong?

He thought to himself, tilting his head a little with his brows pinched in worry till a loud retch sounded through the apartment.

“Shit” he cussed, quickly darting to the bathroom to see Hoseok hauled over the toilet seat miserably

Hoseok winced at the pain in his hip and side where he fell but his face quick was beyond his control as he vomited bile and the granola bar he had eaten for breakfast hours ago.

His feet slid on a carelessly dropped towel and he clung to the toilet bowl with shaking hands.

“Hey hey easy” Namjoon warned. Crouching down he placed a steady hand on his back. Helping him over the bowl so he doesn’t get anymore mess anywhere or on anyone.

Hoseok's tears trickled into the porcelain, reminding him of the hideous mess in the bowl: the bile, which was made by the liver and released by the gallbladder, his head swam and he heaved and coughed.

“Aish..you should’ve said if you were feeling queasy you doughnut.” His fellow 94’ liner light-heartedly scolded, rubbing his palm up and down the bridge of his back.

“Anything more to let up?” He adds nonchalantly, this was the fewer the norm. He knew hoseok couldn’t handle the vile images with a stomach as squeamish as his. Why he still wanted to be a doctor he had no clue..

Hoseok gasped and coughed up a few acidic, nasty drops more before shaking his head. He slid bonelessly to the floor. The cool tile cooled his head a bit, making the swimming vision clear.

"Just leave me here to die. Then donate my body so someone else can throw up because of me."

“You sound like you’ve OD’ed on fucking morphine Hoseok” Namjoon laughed while soaking the towelette under the tap, reaching over to flush the puke filled bowl too

Namjoon sat down with a sigh, wringing the cloth out before tenderly wiping at Hoseok’s face and the spittle of sick that had got on his chin. He snorted “you aren’t gonna find such a friend that cleans after you get sick huh? I’m truly one of a kind..” He giggles to himself as he helped Hoseok off the floor

Hoseok nodded tiredly and groaned. His stomach gurgled threateningly and cramped viciously causing him to cry out:

"Ah! Ah-ah-ah! Aiish! That really hurts!"

Namjoon frowned, hoisting the boy up with his arms and letting him lean his weight a hand on his stomach. “Still nauseous or crampy just crampy Hobi?”

Hoseok gasped and doubled over Namjoon's arm dry heaving. "C-cramping. Didn't wanna eat... Didn't wanna be sick..." his voice was hoarse and weak.

“Okay Hobi, Lets get you comfortable first yeah?” Namjoon muttered, voice slow and heavy with worry. Not usually the affectionate (Hoseok) out of the pair, he resorted to stroking his hair back a little which was sweaty and disheveled.

He walked out the restroom ever so carefully with Hoseok, supporting him fully as he winced in pain and set him into his bed “did you want any water? Heating pad? Medicine?”

Hoseok cringed. Even water he would pay them a return visit very quickly at this point, and without food or water medicine would not be kind to him. He limped over to the bed and clutched Namjoon's hand, tears trickling down, as the younger man lowered him into the narrow bed.

"P-please. Don't leave m-me... Joonie!" Hobi's thin frame was curled into a question mark. Hoseok pressed Namjoon's warm hand firmly into his stomach, moaning as the warmth of his large hand began to relax his muscles.

“I won’t leave Hobi-ah, Just relax” Namjoon comforts as he sat down, rubbing comforting circles onto Hoseok’s bloated pouch of a tummy.

Namjoon found it hard not to coo at how Hoseok’s dramatic pout so he carded his hands through his locks and placed a soft kiss behind his ear “Get some sleep if you can, I’m right here”

Hoseok released a shuddering watery sigh and closed his eyes feeling Namjoon's usually clumsy hands relaxing him and taking away the pain. Slowly, the anxiety and pain faded, revealing a softer, more vulnerable Hobi. He slept, not caring for a few blessed hours about his success or his family's expectations... he was just Hoseok and that was enough.

#btsau #bts emeto #sick!hoseok #caring!namjoon #namseok

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omg-imatotalmess · 6 years ago

Text

Surprise

Hey guys! I hope this was kinda what this person was looking for. Idk if I made it fluffy enough. Hope you enjoy

Pairing: Draco Malfoy x Reader

Requested: Yes

Anonymous Requested: i binged all of your fics yesterday and turned on your post notifications. your work is amazing!! can i request a super fluffy draco fic?? the reader gets knocked up by him in 6th year and luna senses it and draco and reader are super shocked haha. thank you so much!!!

Warnings: Teenage pregnancy (wrap it up kids!), swearing

---

Sunlight filtered over your face, warming the part of you not already covered by Draco. His arm stretched around your waist as he pulled your back flush against his chest. The smooth expanse of skin that met your naked back made you smile. Last night had been great. The two of you had laid together, occasionally trading sweet kisses and feeding one another chocolates.Rolling over, you looked into his sleeping face and felt yourself smile.

Draco looked so innocent when he slept. When his face was relaxed like that, all traces of his usual scowl were gone. Without that scowl it left his expression open to the sweet look he reserved just for you. You traced your finger over his slightly parted lips, smiling when he mumbled incoherently. It was almost painful how much you loved him. Especially looking at him with half his face squished into a pillow on a lazy Sunday morning. It wasn’t often that you got to spend a lazy morning together given his roommates. Pressing a soft kiss to his forehead, you settled down against his chest.

No sooner had you gotten comfortable then your stomach gave a harsh jerk. Sitting up and pressing a hand over your mouth, you scrambled into the bathroom. The door slam must have woken him up because, as you emptied the contents of your stomach, you heard him calling for you.

“(Y/N), love? Where did you go?” He called. Coughing, you spat into the toilet. What in god’s name was that? You stood, rinsed your mouth, and opened the door.

“In here,” You said horsley.

“What’s the matter?” He asked, kicking the blankets away.

“I guess I ate something that didn’t agree with me,” You said. You watched as his lips turned down into a frown and he made his way to you. When he reached you, he pressed his palm against your cheek.

“Do you need to go to the hospital wing?” He asked. You shook your head, nausea passing.

“No. No, I’m okay,” You said, leaning your head into his hand. A worried expression creased his forehead in a way that made you want to kiss away all his troubles.

“You really should see a doctor if you’re sick. I’ll write my father and make sure you see the best doctor the world has to off--” You pressed your hand over his mouth.

“I’m fine, Dray. It’s probably just something I ate. Really,” You said, softly.

“If you’re absolutely sure, love,” He said.

“I’m perfectly sure.” Sighing, he nodded and pulled you into a hug.

---

There was something wrong with you. No bones about it. Something was wrong. You hadn’t felt good for weeks; going through bouts of nausea and vomiting for no particular reason. Of course, you made sure to hide it around Draco. Worrying him was the last thing you wanted to do, not that you really wanted to hear the ‘my father will take care of this’ speech again either. Though, it had been getting harder and harder to hide. You’d even started avoiding the Great Hall because the smell of some of the foods made you sick. Draco caught you just before dinner.

“You still aren’t feeling well, are you?” It was less of a question and more a statement. Biting your lip, you shifted your eyes from his face.

“I’m fine,” You said.

“You insist you’re fine, but you’ve been avoiding me,” He said, furrowing his eyebrows.

“I’m not--”

“Don’t you dare lie to me, (Y/N),” He growled, grabbing your shoulders. You felt tears spring to your eyes. For whatever reason, you’d been incredibly emotional lately.

“I’m not trying to avoid you, I swear,” You whimpered.

“What’s the issue, then? Is something wrong? Are you in trouble?” He asked. You shook your head.

“No, nothings wrong. I’m not in trouble,” You said, trying your best to smile like you meant it. Something was wrong, but you weren’t going to say anything until you were sure everything was okay.

“Is there someone else?” Your heart broke at the way his entire body tensed with dread. His face hardened and his lips pressed into a thin line. For a split second, you thought he was going to cry. Shaking your head more vehemently, you wrapped your arms around him.

“Oh, Dray, no. Of course not. I love you,” You said gently.

“Damn it, woman, what is it?” He asked. As you opened your mouth to respond, a familiar blonde head popped up.

“Hello, (Y/N), Draco. I hope I’m not interrupting,” Luna said. Silently, you thanked whatever forces had brought her bobbing along just now. There hadn’t been a good answer to Draco’s question.

“No, we were just talking. How are you, Luna?” You asked.

“Quite good, actually. The nargles haven’t been so bad as of late,” She said, smiling at you.

“Lovely. Did you need something?” Draco asked impatiently. Shooting him a glare, you elbowed him for being rude. Not that Luna seemed to notice. She simply smiled dreamily, looking between the two of you. Pushing her hair behind her ears, she began to study you.

“Congratulations you two,” She said.

“For what exactly?” Draco asked, raising an eyebrow.

“On your baby, of course,” She said pleasantly. You and Draco shot each other a look before you tipped your head and smiled.

“Luna, we don’t have a baby,” You said.

“Well, not right now, but soon!” She laughed.

“What in the name of merlin’s beard are you talking about?” Draco snapped, clearly not in the mood for Luna’s usual cryptic ways. Laying a hand on his arm, you turned your questioning look on her. You loved the girl, but you seriously had to wonder what went on in that head of hers.

“Haven’t you told him yet?” She asked, glancing at you, “(Y/N)’s pregnant.”

The Earth seemed to stop turning for a moment. Did she just say what you thought she said? Pregnant. Leaning back against the wall, all your problems seemed to make sense. The nausea, the mood swings, the way even the mention of some foods made you feel all pointed to one thing. How could you have missed it? Your hand found its way to your stomach. You were pregnant. You were pregnant with Draco’s child. Looking up, you saw the worried faces of your boyfriend and your best friend.

“(Y/N), love? What’s wrong? Are you alright?” Draco asked. You stared at the wall across from you as though it had the answers.

“You didn’t know either,” Luna said. You shook your head. “I suppose I should let the two of you figure this out.” With that, she skipped off towards dinner, leaving you and Draco alone in the hall.

“I think I’m pregnant, Dray,” You muttered.

“Are you really going to listen to Loony Lovegood?” He scoffed.

“I’m not joking. I really think I’m pregnant, Draco,” You whispered, turning your (E/C) eyes up to meet his grey ones.

“Let’s get you to the hospital wing, then,” He said.

Madam Pomfrey went about the test with very little fanfare. Only speaking to tell you that you were, in fact, pregnant. She gave you a soft congratulation and allowed you and Draco to be alone. You appreciated that. She didn’t tell you that you were too young or scold you in any way. It was good of her. The soft smiles she offered you helped out quite a bit too. Turning to Draco, you grabbed his hands.

“I’m really pregnant,” You said.

“I’m going to be a father,” Draco said. He grinned, looking down at you with such pure, unbridled joy that you nearly burst. Taking your face in his hands, he kissed you. “I’m going to be a father!”

“We’re going to have a baby! I’m going to be a mommy!” You squealed.

“God, you’re beautiful,” Draco laughed. You leaned up, pressing kisses to any part of his face you could reach.

The thought of being the mother to Draco’s child made your heart pump pure happiness through your veins. Nothing in your life had ever made you feel this way. You were elated, absolutely over the moon. You loved Draco more than anything and now you were going to have a baby together. A mini you or him running around. Your heart skipped a beat.

“I love you.” The raw emotion in your voice made Draco pause. Brushing a piece of hair behind your ear, he slipped off the bed and onto one knee.

“Marry me, (Y/N).” At sixteen, you weren’t sure that any of this was a good idea, but you really couldn’t bring yourself to care. You flung yourself to the ground, wrapping around him.

“Absolutely!” You laughed. His hand came to rest on your tummy as he swallowed the word with a soft kiss.

“I’d always planned to have a ring when I asked for your hand in marriage,” He chuckled.

“Fuck the ring,” You said, pecking his lips, “We love each other and that’s good enough for me.” And it was.

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insanely-creative-things · 6 years ago

Text

Big Hero 7 Special: Obake’s Origins

(WARNING: THIS TWO PARTER CONTAINS ABUSE(PHYSICAL, EMOTIONAL, MENTAL), LOSS OF A FAMILY MEMBER, MURDER, INCREASED INSANITY, AND HORMONES FROM TEENAGERS. TREAD CAREFULLY)

Big Hero 7 Special

(long post)

In an island far off the western coast there is a village hidden in the leaves in a island; a village that no one had ever seen or heard of outside its world. It was a mix of tech and tradition in terms of style, with houses resembling the ones at San Fransokyo but with solar energy roof tiles, cars not possessing wheels but instead levitating via magnetic suspension, and most notably a large and imposing castle near the entrance of the mountain. The villagers passed their time working and passing their lives in peace. But unknown among them is that there is a new face that they have never seen: a little boy with messy black hair and light blue eyes just four years of age entering the city, his eyes widening in curiosity and wonder. He sees people start their day working and greeting others with smiles and jovial attitudes. Course, this didn't mean he should approach them easily and carelessly for he is an outsider. The reason he was there in the first place was because he had snuck abroad a ship carrying supplies they couldn't make on their own while running away from the orphanage he grew up in.

When his tummy growled he decided he had to find food and quick.

But he also knew that if he wanted food, he has to have money. Which is something he does not posses. Before he had time to process this he sees two figures walk into town.

One was a tall man with long black hair tied to a slim ponytail, possessing dark brown eyes, and a goatee. He appears to be a man who could be described as powerful. The woman next to him is as tall as him, equally imposing, as she looks around the village to which the others slightly bowed their heads in respect. She was definitely a beautiful woman; her hair black as night, red rose lips, pale skin...and the eyes...it was brown but it had hints of dark red. It made her look more mystifying and alluring. When he saw a coin purse just peeking through the woman's sleeve he saw his chance.

So he cautiously walked behind the couple, his eyes glimmering at the thought that he would finally get food in his tummy after days of scraps living on a ship towards the island. The little boy's hand was finally within reach of the purse-

"And just what do you think you're doing?"

His eyes widen in fear just as the woman's hand caught his wrist in a tight grip. He yelped in response of the pain as he looks fearfully at the woman looking at him with venom in her voice and eyes soon growing the flames.

"Answer me boy."

The young child couldn't utter even a stutter, fearing for his life as his hand is in pain from the vice grip of this woman.

"Nozako, what are you doing?"

The little boy looked up to see the man joining the woman's side, no doubt at this point her husband, and flinch as he expects the same anger the woman is showing.

"Let go of him."

"This little thief tried to steal from me. Do you have no regard for my wellbeing?"

The man looked at the little boy again, seeing the fear in his young face and quickly noticed the following. This boy was not native to the village, after all he mostly familiar with the citizens and on good terms. Second was his poor state. Aside from being filthy he clearly has not eaten in days considering how thin his arm is. Finally he grabs Nozako's hand and pries it off the little boy's own, which lead to a incredulous look in her brow and slight relief to the villagers watching this scene.

"My name is Isamu Mizichio, and that woman is my wife, Nozako. What is your name little one?"

Isamu's voice, in contrast with his wife, was strong yet kind. The little boy opened his mouth to respond but his stomach responded by growling louder than before, which caused the little boy to flinch as his hunger pangs.

" I suppose you're in need of a good meal. Would you like join us for lunch?"

The young boy's eyes widen as he hears the offer and soon nods his head excitedly. Isamu smiled as he gently holds the boy's hand. Soon the three of them start walking the opposite direction towards the couple's home. Though the boy becomes confused as they pass by the houses which he presumed would be one of their own. But he soon gets his answer as they arrive at the largest castle he has ever seen. Once the man enters a code they enter inside and the boy's eyes widen in wonder. There was a large and beautiful garden with flowers and trees more beautiful than anything he could ever see, and the building is beautifully structured as a Japanese style castle housing perhaps hundreds of people. He sees people in yukatas working through as they look at the couple and then the young child.

"Who is that little boy?

" Is he a nephew?"

"He's very cute!"

The young boy heard the whispers of the servants and blushed. When they enter inside Isamu turns to the boy and speaks towards him.

" There are matters to which I have to attend to so I will have to leave you be."

The boy's brow furrowed in worry as he looks at the woman briefly before looking down at his feet.

"Don't worry little one. You don't have to be with her for now..."

As he spoke this his eyes turned to his wife, slightly glaring to which the wife simply remains stone faced.

"But there is someone that I would like you to meet. And I think he's better suited to look after you."

The young child tilted his head in confusion as they walk upstairs and into a hallway. He took notice that while there where doors of sliding doors and regulars doors, the hall is decorated with oddities of tech he had never seen before in his life. Finally they stop in front of a door where the man smiles warmly at the boy. When he did open the door the little boy's eyes widen.

The room is large and spacious, with walls decorated to suite a child's room. And in the middle of the room sitting on a rug is a another little boy. The boy was playing with his stuffed bear as he gives hums quietly.

"Hello Mizuchi."

The boy named Mizuchi looks up and his eyes widen as he gasps, smiling widely as he drops his teddy bear.

"Papa!"

He stands up and runs towards the man, now revealed to his father as the man hugs him in return.

"You're back!"

Isamu chuckles before he turns to the little boy, who is now hiding behind him. Mizuchi then notices the little boy and walks towards him.

"Papa, who's that?"

"Mizuchi, this is...actually..."

The man kneels down to face the child.

"What is your name little one?"

The young boy furrowed his brow as he pouts his lips before responding.

"Bob Aken."

Mizuchi tilts his head in response as he bluntly speaks.

" You don't like your name do you?"

Isamu turns his head towards his and speaking in a slight warning tone.

"Mizuchi, mind your manners."

But the little boy nods as he mutters a quiet no in response. The man finally clears his throat as he turns to his son and looks at him in the eye.

" There are some matters I have to attend to as of now and I can't leave this young child alone. So I'm asking you to keep him company."

While the boy pouts at the thought of his father going away so soon, his face brightens as the thought of having a playmate to keep him company.

'' Really Papa? Can I play with him too?" grinned Mizuchi

"Only if he wants to; you have to be courteous of his feelings and not force him to do anything he doesn't want to do. Understand?"

Mizuchi nods happily in response.

"Yes papa!"

With a large smile the man closes the door behind him, leaving the two boys alone in the room. Bob looks at Mizuchi, finally taking notice of his appearance. Unlike himself he is properly fed and clean, his cheeks rosy pink and his hair, while neat, is fluffy and dressed somewhat of a little Japanese prince. Bob looks at his own filthy and ragged clothes and blushes in embarrassment. But the thing he notices was the eyes: He had the tall woman's eyes. But unlike the cold and sneering dislike she had on him, Mizuchi's was kind and warm. He snaps out of his thoughts as he sees Mizuchi brings out a bunch of toys from stuffed animals to toy cars and places them in front of him.

"You can play with any of the toys if you want! Friends have to share things right?"

For a moment, Bob's heart stopped before it fluttered.

Friends?

The boy in front of him, who is dressed in riches, never known a hungry day, considers someone like him a friend? He thought back at the orphanage, where the other children gave him funny looks, how they whispered behind his back, where the older children bullied him? No one had offered to be his friend...

Mizuchi tilts his head when he sees Bob sob as tears left his eyes. Mizuchi then grabs his teddy bear and grabs a tissue. Bob looks up to see Mizuchi holding the bear's hand holding a tissue. He warily grabs it and wipes his eyes before blowing his nose.

"Thank you..."

Mizuchi smiled softly as he waited for Bob to calm down.

"Did you two have fun?"

"Yeah!"

Bob merely nodded after Mizuchi answered his father. They're currently sitting at a long table where across them is Mizuchi's parents. They had been called to the dining room as they were playing a game earlier. While it took a bit of coaxing from Mizuchi's part, Bob slowly but surely played with him and soon enjoyed his time with the other boy. Soon enough their food arrived.

"Yay! Its Ramen!"

Isamu chuckled at his son's excitement as Nozako slightly rolled her eyes. Bob looked at the bowl, finding himself drooling at how delicious it looked. And so excited he is to eat that he grabbed the pork with his bare hands to eat, only to yelp at the heat.

"Are you OK?"

Mizuchi looks at Bob as he shakes his head while he blows his burned hand to cool it. Isamu sighs quietly as he walks over to the boy's side. He brought a pair of chopsticks with him and gently placed them in the boy's hands.

"Your fingers should be holding the chopsticks like this. If you still have trouble we can ask for a fork."

The little boy nodded as Isamu went back to his seat, which strangely enough was far from his wife, who did not seem to notice. Mizuchi looked at the little boy before he turned his head away in case his father sees that he's staring. After a few moments of hesitation the little boy picked up the slice of meat again, which for a minute begin to slip from the chopsticks before he holds it firmly and bites it.

"Yay!" cheered Mizuchi, throwing his hands in the air.

Bob blushed as he hears Mizuchi's cheer over something this small when he looks up to see Isamu smile at him, which caused his heart to flutter in happiness. Soon he returned eating his first bowl of ramen, slurping at times as he never had food this good. then he gave a small burp to which Mizuchi giggled. Isamu stand up as he gestures Nozako to come with him, whispering to her about something. They both stand up as they leave the two children, but gestured a robot who appears to be Mizuchi's Nanny and went by the boys' side. The afternoon soon turned to night where Bob is currently waiting for Isamu to return as he sits down at a chair. He looks at his feet and wonders what will happen to him next. Will he contact the orphanage and send him back? A part of him didn't want to go back there. Not to the bullies and apathetic care takers, not back to being alone and called a freak. And he did like Mizuchi, who asked if he can see him again once the nanny took him to his room for bedtime. Finally he saw Isamu walk towards him and kneels down to look at him directly.

"I've recently looked up information about you while you were playing after dinner...did you live at an orphanage? Answer me truthfully."

Bob muttered out an quiet yes in response with an even softer whisper.

" I don't wanna go back there."

Isamu's eyes burrowed in thought as he heard that, then he looked at Nozako, who seemed to be getting what he is thinking but clearly not liking it. None the less he looks at the boy again.

"Would you like to spend the night?"

When he heard his question Bob nodded eagerly, happy that he could stay a little longer. Soon after he is bathed and changed to spare pjs, to which he kept sniffing since its the first time he got fresh, clean and soft clothes. He is lead to Mizuchi's room who is already fast asleep, where he is gently placed next to him. Bob buries his face into the pillow next to Mizuchi, not used to the comfort of the bed and warmth. He soon falls asleep next to the boy with a content smile, for the first time since his whole debacle, dreaming.

When morning came he is awakened by a nanny, gently shaking Mizuchi then himself. Mizuchi yawned loudly as Bob rubbed his eyes to wipe off the sleep. When the nanny brought out clothes Bob half expected to see his old clothes to tell him to go back to the orphanage. But he is dressed in clothes similar to Mizuchi's and given the care the people had gave to Mizuchi. As of now Bob and Mizuchi are lead to the dining hall for breakfast, to which Mizuchi looked around for his father, hoping to see him before he goes to work. Finally they see the man enter the room followed by his wife, both already dressed for the day. Bob turned his gaze away from Nozako, his stomach tightening in fear of the woman. He couldn't fathom why Nozako, a beautiful looking woman, be so cold and hostile and married to the kind man. Or how she is the mother of the boy next to him, who has been sweet and caring to him despite his appearance. Well... at least if he goes back to the orphanage, he'll remember their kindness and warmth, even if it was for a day. That's when the man changed his life forever.

"After some consideration...would you like to be my son?"

Bob's eyes widen as he gasps, his heart pounding as he tried to sink in the question he asked. He wanted him to be his son? He could have him as his father? Mizuchi hears this and soon smiles widely as he bounces up and down.

"Really? He can be my Brother that's so cool!"

Bob's face glowed with happiness and he smiled brightly.

"Yes!"

Mizuchi hugged Bob happily to which the little boy froze until he realized this was not hostile, it was loving.

"So little one...do you want to change your name? So your adoption is official?" Asked Isamu, smiling at the scene between his sons.

The little boy pouted his lips at he thought about his new name, something that was cool.

"Kage."

The boys looked up to see Nozako as she sighs after drinking her tea.

"Kage Mizichio...does that sound pleasant?" said Nozako.

Isamu blinked at Nozako's suggestion, finding it a surprise that she would suggest a name for him after what happened. Isamu turned to the little boy who nodded.

"Yes! I am Kage Mizichio!"

Isamu gave a bemused smile at the little boy's shout, finding it adorable at the first name given to him and adopting it as his own. Bob Aken, the little four year old orphan dressed in rags and filth, is now Kage Mizichio: The second son of Isamu Mizichio and brother to Mizuchi: The leader and heir to the Mizichio Yakuza clan.

"Settle down boys! Do you want me to tell you the surprise or not?"

"Yes Father!

"OK!"

Isamu chuckled at the two boys who are now settled on their own bed. Its been 3 years since Bob Aken, now Kage Mizichio, had been adopted into the family. He was rather impressed by the boy's growth; when he had first joined the family he had been shy, kept to himself, and mostly expressed his thoughts to Mizuchi. But as time passed he had gotten more comfortable with the others and had started calling him father. The shyness and worry melted off to reveal a sweet and caring little boy, curios about all the technology the island possessed. It was around that time that they realized that Kage is far more intelligent than any other boy would be his age. They had discovered his intellect when he had solved rather advanced equations one of his scientists had left over by accident. Instead of being frowned upon like Kage worried, it was encouraged. He was given projects that help him better understand the material and continue to feed his curiosity. While Mizuchi was happy over his brother's intellect, it would be a lie if he said he wasn't a little jealous. Mizuchi has been a little slow in his studies, struggling most with math, which had been a small relief when Kage decided to help his big brother with his mathematics to catch up. Language and music are his favorite as he learned different languages, to which was expected as the heir so he can communicate with potential business partners. And for music he turned out to be skilled at the shamisen, eagerly learning new songs and hummed along. Kage turned out to be skilled in piano and singing, to which Mizuchi always cheered which would make Kage flustered; and that's because he was always bullied for his intellect and liked singing, calling him nerdy birdie and girlie. To find that he can be praised for doing something that's feminine is reassuring. Another thing that Mizuchi is surprisingly acrobatic, being able to climb up with ease, especially Kage on his back as Mizuchi would attempt to climb up a tower, which would usually result in Isamu scolding the boys for endangering themselves.

"Alright now, children behave. You see, we three are going on a special trip on Mizuchi's tenth birthday."

"What is it father?" Asked Kage, excitement mirroring his brother's.

"We'll be going to San Fransokyo and visit the sites our ancestors helped rebuilt."

Mizuchi bounced up and down at the thought of the special trip while Kage smiled as he thought about the stories related to San Fransokyo. He had heard that its technology is impressive, though not as much in their village in comparison.

"There's plenty of fun places to visit in San Fransokyo. We could even get Ube cake.~"

He raises a cocky eyebrow and smirk as he looked at the reactions of the boys, both of them practically drooling over the possibility of getting Ube cake, which they dubbed their all time favorite dessert, next to chocolate.

"I wish my birthday would come sooner so we can go now!"

"I know Mizuchi, but patience is a virtue. And with patience the time will pass by before you know it. Now goodnight you two."

He gives a goodnight kiss to both boys before he leaves the room, shutting off the lights but leaving a soft glow of a holographic version of the galaxy to soothe them. Mizuchi turns to his brother and whispers.

"Hey Kage."

"What?"

"Do you think this means we can go see the world? Father and Mother always traveled, so does that mean we can go to?"

“ I think so!”

That places excitement in his thoughts. While they do love their island, they want to see just what else is there in the world. Perhaps it would be and adventure where they would find buried treasure. Or discovering a rare cure, and perhaps an adventure where they would gain friends. They did not have many friends outside their family, especially since the villagers' children are taught to leave them be in respect, which saddened the boys a bit. At least they had each other for company. For Kage its a protector and best friend, for Mizuchi its was a trusted friend and brother who can change the world. While he knew he would lead the clan when he grows up, his brother will accomplish amazing things. And he couldn't wait to see what it is.

"Night Mizuchi."

"Night Kage."

For the first couple of weeks afterwards it went on as normal with their studies and playtime along with time with their parents...But it wouldn't last forever.

"Father do you really have to go?" Whimpered Mizuchi. His father had to go on another business trip towards Japan, leaving him and his brother alone with the servants and their mother.

"Its something that can't be avoided at times. Mizuchi, you will look after your brother and protect him from any harm and continue working hard to prove yourself. Do you understand?"

"Yes Father.."

"And Kage."

The younger brother looked at his father's eyes.

"Be a good boy and help your family anyway you can. You're smart and you can do amazing things."

"OK father."

"I love you boys."

"We love you too." Said Mizuchi and Kage.

Isamu hugged his sons tightly as they did before letting go. Mizuchi couldn't help but sniff as he sees his father walk out the door; Kage sighed as they headed back to their studies. Even if their father's reality is going away on business trips they still couldn't help but feel saddened by his absence. As Isamu walked out he spotted his wife Nozako, dressed in her usual attire, remaining stone faced.

If there is one person Isamu distrusted it was his own wife.

When he was introduced to his then fiancée he was admittedly impressed by her intellect and skill with a sniper gun. And it helped that she was beautiful and graceful. But after they were wed he started to notice something about his bride. If a servant were to make even the smallest mistake Nozako would tear them apart with her sharp tongue, did not hide her disgust for certain people and at times take out her frustration on the lesser servants by slapping them if they dared questioned her orders. It gotten worse when their son Mizuchi was born. When he first held his son he was overcome with joy and love at the healthy little boy brought to the world. But after he handed his son to Nozako to feed him, there was no Mother's love present in her eyes. They were hollow with a mixture of interest and apathy.

She would at times push away their son when he wanted hugs or even the slightest attention and scold him openly for any damage he could have done. Isamu was the one providing the love and care she should have been giving, especially towards their adopted son. And Nozako was especially colder and hostile to the younger son; when no one looked she would sneak-fully push him or say things that would hurt him but claim to be a joke that he took too seriously. The last straw was when Nozako ripped the arm of Kage's favorite teddy bear for touching her hand which caused Kage to cry. Needless to say Isamu had a servant fix the teddy bear and he and his wife fought all night. Isamu feared that if she continued behaving this way his sons would suffer under her. Which was why he told her last week that they are going to be divorced. Of course Nozako objected to it, saying that it will mean that she would be kicked out of the island and never return, how she would be left penniless on her own. The only reassurance to her was that Isamu would give her a small portion of money so she could get an apartment. Isamu had been planning to talk to the boys after he returns and plans on looking for a step mother for his boys, and so far he found a candidate to be his bride and mother to his children.

"I will return two weeks time. By then I expect you to leave this island with what you can carry and never return. Farewell..."

Isamu stepped into the car where it would drive him towards the dock to sail to Japan. But after he left she gave a small but malicious smile at his car.

While he was away he met the bride that would be better suited to be their mother, their business had been running smoothly with minor bumps on the road and they were heading home. But when they got on the car and start driving towards the docks on a rainy night he suddenly lost control of the stirring wheel.

When the boys have been told of their father's death by their nanny at bedtime, they wailed and cried.

That night the boys lost their father and Nozako was a widow.

The funeral was quiet and somber, nobody daring to speak as they saw the coffin lowered down. Mizuchi sniffed as he holds Kage's hand tightly, afraid that if he let go he would collapse. Kage could only stare numbly at the sight, a part of him refusing the reality of his father's death. What would happen to them now? By default Mizuchi is the leader of the clan as the first born son, but because of his age it was decided that the one to run the clan before his marriage would be-

"Come along children."

The boys looked their mother, dressed in black and umbrella carried by a servant. They boys slowly walk over to Nozako as they head inside. Mizuchi sniffs some more before Nozako speaks.

"You're still crying? Its only natural that a parent dies before their child. Its science."

Mizuchi looked his mother's cold expression and suddenly a feeling of dread is planted within his core. And when Kage saw it the same plant is placed, remembering the beginning on how Nozako was when they first met.

"Not to worry Mizuchi. I will guide you on running the clan."

The mother takes her son and walks faster, leaving Kage to follow faster until he slips and falls on the wet grass. Mizuchi looks back and tried to let go to help him but the look in her eyes had him frozen. A servant leads Kage back to Mizuchi, looking at the widow with contempt for the young boy next to her son. At that moment, the servant knew that with Nozako having power, no one would be safe...

Not even her own children.

It was a day before Mizuchi's tenth birthday where Mizuchi and Kage gathered the courage to ask Nozako if they can go to San Fransokyo for his birthday. In response Nozako looks at them in the eyes and spoke.

"You two want to go outside? Mizuchi you are the heir of the clan. You know how your father died outside. Imagine if you perished, there would be no one to lead. You would disappoint your father greatly."

His heart became numb at the response and his eyes turned blank. She was right. He's the leader after Nozako, if he left and something happened to him he would let everyone down. He didn't want to disappoint his father and leave his brother vulnerable if he was killed. Kage put his hand on Mizuchi's shoulder to comfort, gulping as he gathered his courage.

"We understand Mother. But if we had body guards we would we OK. We'll be careful on our journey...and its Mizuchi's birthday tomorrow. Can't we go please?"

Nozako's calm demeanor remained but her eyes were a raging inferno at the boy.

"Are you speaking back to your mother boy?"

Kage gulped as he looked at Nozako.

"Answer me!" Her tone, while low, had laces of fury.

When Kage couldn't respond Nozako ripped Kage off of Mizuchi and drags him away.

"Wait!" shouted Mizuchi.

"Mother hold on! Stop!" pleaded Kage.

"Wait!" shouted Mizuchi, even louder this time. He tried running to them only to be blocked by the servants in the door. Kage struggled to free himself as Nozako dragged him through the halls, the other servants trying to avoid her eyes as to protect themselves. They arrive at a dark door made with Vibranium a rare and strong metal Isamu discovered at the edge of Wakanda and ported it back home. Nozako entered a code to which it opened to show a toilet and sink and nothing else. There were no windows or even small light bulbs. Before Kage knew it he is thrown inside and the door immediately closed on him. The darkness surrounded the boy to which set a feeling of fear, unable to tell which way is where. He felt around until he was certain it was the door and began pounding it.

"Wait! Mother let me out! Let me out!"

But his cries went unheard as Nozako left already and give orders that he will only be let out tomorrow for Mizuchi, lest she will have to endure Mizuchi's whining about Kage.

The next day Mizuchi waited for his brother to join him for his birthday, looking around to see a glimpse of him. He then sees his mother enter the room, a small present in her hands.

"Kage is currently engaged in something, but he'll join us later. I brought his present for you...Happy Birthday Mizuchi."

Mizuchi looked at his birthday present as he held it close. Meanwhile the servants opened the door per Nozako's instructions and let him out. Kage immediately ran outside, breathing heavily as his eyes squinted after being stuck in darkness for 24 hours. The servants led him to bathe and change his clothes to join his brother's birthday celebration. After he was changed he was led to the hallway where Mizuchi was waiting. He smiled and went to hug him but his mother stops him, wagging her finger as to shush him.

"Hello there Kage, so nice to see you again. Mizuchi was just getting tired of waiting for you...did you have trouble with your chemistry set?"

Kage looked up with disbelief at Nozako. She knew full well what happened to him, but flat out lied to his face and his brother.

"None the less, we appreciate you finally joining us."

Mizuchi looks back and forth between his mother and brother, sighing before he revealed his present, still unopened.

"I waited for you to see me open your present."

Kage gave a small smile at Mizuchi's reaction: A small music box containing his favorite song called 'Familiar'.

"There now, isn't it much better than being outside?" smiled Nozako, her grin sickly sweet. The boys look up at their mother before they gave slow nods to her, trying to appease their mother.

"Mother must I do this?" asked Mizuchi.

"Of course, it is your physical. Its important for a child to be healthy, especially since you are the heir to the clan." replied Nozako.

Mizuchi had just turned 16 while Obake was 14, waiting at the scientists' lab for their health check up. When Nozako took over she had every say on what the boys would do, ranging from their studies, their recreational activities, and even time with each other. Their time together had been forcefully pushed from each other. Now Mizuchi is taking more classes to prove himself as the next leader, but it had also been in physical tests where he is tasked from jumping to climbing and boxing. While Isamu had taught his sons self-defense, this kind of training was far more intense than Mizuchi had ever been through. Kage's time was far more intense: While he wasn't put through the physical trials his brother had, his tutors had been more distant and cold and giving him far more work than normal, to the point where he had skipped meals. They even left him alone, with no other projects to do except wandering around looking for something to do and hopefully spend time with his brother. Each time he did it was met with silence and the constant responses of how busy Mizuchi is as the heir or how he shouldn't bother any one's of this Kage would snap at others due to the lack of food or sleep, and while most of the time it was spat at his tutors...when he spat his venom at Nozako, he was immediately locked in the dark room. Days he would stay there until she deemed it necessary. Each time Kage came out he became weaker and paler, at times barely able to walk.

But even with the attempts to separate them, Mizuchi pushed back in small ways to connect with his brother. He would make sure he rests after the time at the dark room and be fed his favorite meals. And each time he would simply hug him gently and stay quiet. Kage appreciated these moments, happy that he is still someone important to a person.

But Nozako was doing a good job at tearing him apart. Her sniding comment about his appearance to dehumanize his value to then being praised on his test scores and intellect; how she got him the bets tutors to educate the boy who otherwise would have stayed living in the streets starving and homeless with no one to ever love him. He hated the comments about Mizuchi the most. He hated being told that Mizuchi didn't see him as his brother and equal, but as a pet to play with and eventually get bored. Each time it happened his smile lost meaning little by little. Mizuchi saw the change but didn't know what to do...and now he is at the mercy of his mother for her experiment.

"Now then, Mizuchi, these doctors will here will hold you still while I get a very special object."

Mizuchi's eyes widened in fear at the thought. His mind went through the times where after he suffered a broken bone, she would replace it with metal that would grow as an organic bone. So far its his left leg and both arms that had been replaced. Before he knew it he was tied belly down, feeling the back of his shirt being ripped and exposing his back.

"This brand is something very important Mizuchi. It will connect deep into your metallic bones and strengthen it. You will be able to accomplish great feats of strength...and this will pass on to your children and their own children after. This shall be your legacy as well as theirs..."

Kage was walking to his room from his studies just outside the door when he heard the scream. Kage immediately covered his ears and shut his eyes, trying to block out the pained wailing as he heard sizzling heat meeting flesh. After what seemed to be an eternity the screams stop, and soon Mizuchi is let out, his arms wrapping his own body as he shivers. Kage held back a horrified gasp as he sees the brand.

It was their symbol. A scorpion mix of a crab, making it look like a creature from hell as to strike fear into their enemies and rivals. He also noticed that water is dripping down his body, which he assumes was to cool down the scar on his back...along with rivettes of blood.

"Make sure he gets the food he needs and ice down his burn..." Nozako looks to her right to see Kage staring at Kage's back with Horror.

"Oh my!" Nozako chuckled, " Have you been peeking inside? Then again you are a growing child. Its natural for boys to be curios about others."

Kage gulped as he backs away, but still looking at his brother as he passes by to recover.

"Look how thin you gotten! You're practically skin and bones here."

Kage felt her hands around his waist, freezing up as he felt her hands run up and down, feeling his ribs as his heart pounds. Her hands are beautiful at close perspective, but over time he saw her hands resembled more like claws. Her long, black painted nails were the worst of her hands. When their fights got physical her nails would scratch his skin to the point of bleeding. After she lets go Kage lets out a deep breath as he calms down.

"You better eat more. No person in their right mind would ever consider you a boyfriend... and that's excluding your poor frame."

She chuckled at her own joke, to which Kage blinked before he self consciously hugs himself for comfort. Nozako calls over a servant near by and points at Kage.

"Make sure he has a proper meal...no use spending good money on a small coffin."

A servant went by and directed Kage to the dining hall, quietly asking for what he would like to eat, but those words echoed in his head. While he had his meal of ramen, his comfort food, he thought about her actions. This was clearly not how its meant to be. He and his brother can't continue living as animals for her amusement, to play around and scratch at. But what can he do? Everyone at the island and at the castle are too afraid to stand up for them, fearing for their lives despite of the pain she's forcing them too. After eating he went to his room where he pulled out a box containing his prized possessions. It was the stuff he had received form his father and his brother, ranging from the robot gundam of Shinji's eva to the teddy bear he got for his first birthday with his family. It was among his favorite things that he saw a postcard Isamu showed them to explain what kind of city San Fransokyo is. He taps the button to where it shows San Fransokyo in all its glory, a city filled with promise...and a city he will never see so long as Nozako reigns...unless...

That night he went to his brother's room, carefully sitting by as his brother rests from the trauma and burn.

"Mizuchi?...do you remember how Father said we could go to San Fransokyo one day?"

"...Yes..."

The monotone reply and clouded eyes of his brother slightly broke Kage's heart as he sees his sweet brother be so broken.

"I think I have a plan...brother... I want to go to San Fransokyo."

This causes his brother to sit up with shock in his eyes. Fear filled his eyes as he looks at his brother.

"A-Are you sure Kage?"

Kage nodded, but his hand wring together as an unconscious clue that some part of him held doubt.

"I-I know it sounds crazy and dangerous, but I think that if I go to San Fransokyo I could find someone to help us, or maybe do something to get us out of here!"

"But Brother, if Mother finds out she'll kill you!"

Kage looks at his hands then back at his brother and took note of their appearances. He thought after he had been adopted he would never experience hunger, loneliness and cold ever again now that he had a home. But now here they are...both damaged by the woman meant to love them as a mother.

"I know its scary...but I have to try! And I promise you Mizuchi, I will make sure you get out of here so we can make a name for ourselves... like Father wanted."

Mizuchi bit his lip as he thought over his brother's plan, mixed feelings spinning around his mind. But as he looks at the eyes of his brother he managed to get a glimpse of his little brother; the hopeful and sweet inventor that he met all those years ago and cherished. He deserved to fly away from this hell. Mizuchi slowly reaches out his arm to wrap around Kage, to which the younger stiffened up before he calmed down, glad to receive a warm hug.

When they heard that Nozako will be going out of the island for a few weeks Mizuchi and Kage set their plan in motion. After getting two of the servants that still saw them as people to help them with the plan to send Kage to San Fransokyo. When the morning came it was foggy and cold. Mizuchi gave him money to support himself. Kage looked hesitantly at the small ship, his heart pounding. This is the first time in years since he had stepped on a ship to head to the unknown. Mizuchi gives a small smile to encourage him to go. And with that Kage Mizichio ventured through the sea to finally see San Fransokyo. During the whole trip Kage tapped his foot excitedly as he fidgeted his hands, waiting for any sign of land. His mind wondered where would he go in San Fransokyo, but found it frustratingly blank.

"Young master...San Fransokyo is up ahead."

Without even blinking Kage stood up and ran up to the helm where the fog parted ways to reveal the city that he and his father dreamed of, the city their father had promised to take them when they were children. When the servant went to check the boy, his eyes started to water as he saw a hopeful glint in the young man's eyes.

It was a look that he thought he would never see again since Nozako took control. And perhaps if Kage is smiling now, its hope that their Mizuchi would smile as well.

When they landed at the dock Kage immediately ran out the ship and started exploring around the bay.

"Kage! Hold on!"

But Kage was so taken in by his excitement that he could hardly hear them, his eyes swallowing the buildings in front of his. The two servants soon joined his side as they talk over where to go and what to do, trying to calm him down so he wouldn't wander around the city and therefore get lost.

"Now Kage, where do you want to go?"

"SFAI!"

"If that is what you wish, young master."

With that the three servants walked through the city of San Fransokyo, taking in the sights more closely as they walked to their destination. Kage remembered the stories Father told him about Gozaburo and Lenore Shimamoto...or at least the beginning of their friendship. They had met in the aftermath of Shimamoto's catastrophe, looking for loved ones that hopefully survived. Back then it was a town call San Francisco, where it was predominantly white with minorities living separately. While Father told this story as a warning, he had to admit that perhaps Shimamoto's disastrous experiment led to a better city where the previously mistreated minorities are now equals, thus allowing their city to prosper and grow. Perhaps he could finally invent something that could hopefully set the world to a better future...just one where it didn't cost thousands of lives.

"We're here young master."

Kage looked up to see the campus of SFAI, where in the middle is the statue of Lenore Shimamoto. He looks around to see other people walking around, talking to each other and doing what they want. While he smiled at the scene he couldn't help but feel jealousy's sting. They were all living their lives blissfully as the days goes by, unaware of the pain and suffering he is going through; He wanted to have that sense of peace and happiness, he wanted it back for himself and his brother. Back when Father was alive. But now the sun is shining through the parting clouds, giving the Earth warmth and light, warmth he hadn't experienced since years. At that moment, he couldn't help but laugh happily as he starts running through the grass, a huge smile as he realized that he could actually do what he wanted. For the first time ever he was completely free. He ended up falling back on the grass and laid there, staring at the sky, his heart growing as he stared at the sky. The two servants smiled at the boy's giddiness, happy he can have his moment of happiness. He finally stood up as he started looking for the parts of the campus that his great grandfather had constructed with Lenore Shimamoto. As he did he noticed that all it ever mentioned was Shimamoto's accomplishments...but it didn't show the story of how she contributed to the destruction she made. He raised an eyebrow when he looked further in the history plaques as he saw no mention of the Mizichio Clan. Shouldn't they be getting the praise? Why don't they exist in the stories told about Lenore Shimamoto?

"Young Master, we just heard that there's a fellow college that is hosting a science showcase just near us?"

This intrigued the young man's mind, his love for science resurfacing.

"Really? What's the College's name?" Asked Kage.

"I believe its call 'San Fransokyo Institution of Technology', its one of the best schools in the country."

Kage's eyes widened in excitement as stars sparkled in his eyes. Soon enough they arrive at SFIT where Kage gives the same breathtaking expression at all of the inventions and projects the SFIT students are showing.

"You seem very happy Kage." said one of the servants.

"I really am! Its more than I ever dreamed of." smiled Kage.

"I'm glad you are enjoying the experience for you and your brother."

"My brother?...Oh..."

With that his heart sank a little as he realizes that his brother is still at the island, alone with their mother. He suppose he could always share his experience with him, to let him know that San Fransokyo, despite not mentioning the Mizichio Clan, is everything the had hoped for and more. When Kage looked up he saw a small booth where it seemed to be a competition; once he got a closer look he saw that it was to construct a rover from Steele mechanisms. And so far every student there is trying but they couldn't seem to fit the parts. He walked over and immediately his mind went over drive as he begins to picture the mechanisms and parts to construct the rover properly. His hands flowed smoothly as he instinctively grabbed the tools and bolts to build the rover. So focused he was on the rover that he did not notice that the students attempting the rover had stopped as they realize that a young teen is constructing an advance rover with ease, so focused and dedicated to completing the rover to see the world around him. The servants grew worried over him as they realize he was getting attention from the people in the showcase. It even reached to the professors of the school. Kage gave a small gratified smile as he saw the rover activate and moving.

"Excuse me young man, how did you do that?"

Kage's eyes widened as he finally realized what is going on. He hesitantly turned around to see a tall African American woman with gold earing and necklace, dressed in red and blue with a lab coat over it.

"OH um...Y-you see I just put the p-parts together..."

"You certainly knew what you were doing for you to build the rover in such short amount of time. What is your name young man?"

Kage froze as he saw the other people staring at him, which caused his stomach to drop as his thoughts turn rampant. All he could say was silence, unable to answer the woman until the two servants stepped in to help Kage.

"We're so sorry Ma'm, but its time for us to go home now."

"Go home? But he just won an entrance to SFIT!" said one man.

"...What?" Muttered Kage.

"This was a small entrance exam where students are tasked to build a rover in groups, and the group who complete a functional rover first will be accepted to SFIT." Explained the woman.

Kage felt at that moment that he done screwed up. He didn't mean for this to happen! He was enjoying his time at San Fransokyo, enjoying himself for his first time outside his home. But then he thought about his brother and his promise...if he goes to this school, the best one in the country, it could mean that he could flourish outside the island and improve his skills. There is an open opportunity to go constantly and provide an escape. Now, having his mind made up, took a deep breath as he looked up to her eyes.

"So.. when do classes start?"

After much discussion with his brother and the servants, it was decided that its best that Kage will attend SFIT in secret. And in good timing too since Nozako decided that its best that both of her sons do not spend time with tutors...especially if they got any ideas to go against her wishes. Another thing was that now her focus is solely on Mizuchi for his training, leaving Kage be without any attention. Despite the pain Mizuchi knew this was a small blessing in disguise for it means that Nozako will not bother to even look for Kage for whatever reason it may be. With that Mizuchi made sure to spare no expense for his brother's education, personally supplying him with text books and new clothes so that he could attend school prepared and clean.

For the first few weeks of his first semester could be well described as...hectic. Kage had been used to being alone and ignored, letting him be in peace even when he needed physical affection the most, to which his brother would do his best to deliver when he can. So when he was first bumped from behind he screamed very loudly, frightening others and the professor asking if he was alright. And the times when he had been stuck in the dark room for days without food or light was evident at lunch time as he would eat everything on his plate; as for the food he couldn't finish he put it on napkins to save for later. He would always have a lamp beside him if the room turns dark to keep him company. However there had been someone who had helped him gradually adjust to his scenery; and that person happened to be the same woman who had noticed him at the showcase, who's name he later learn to be Professor Grandville. When he had her as his professor she was lively and caring, willing to hear out her students and explained her lectures with high energy. Needless to say she became his favorite teacher as time past by. And as it did Grandville saw immense potential in the young man as he eagerly learns the material in front of him with his jovial attitude growing slowly but surely. She had also been close to him over time, encouraging him to go towards his goals while keeping an eye on him, making sure he had plenty to eat and rested well during his time at school. Even making sure she communicated with his 'guardians' about his needs.

When Grandville and the two guardians conversed about Kage's schedule should he be late or wanted to stay after hours due to certain...situations at his home. While accepting, Grandville had a developed an uneasy feeling about it; while Kage at times would talk about his father and brother when he could but when the subject turns to his mother he would turn be visibly uncomfortable and would become mute for the rest of the day. Of course they didn't tell her about Kage's lineage to the Mizichio Yakuza clan or Nozako's abuse in order to keep her safe, but made sure that they contact them instead of his mother should anything happen. Perhaps this was why she had gotten close to Kage, and he in return bonded with her. If someone outside SFIT would see them they could almost mistake them having a mother son relationship, something Kage never had growing up aside from the occasional hand maidens that would try to fill the gap only for Nozako to 'talk' to them and never speak to him again. He enjoyed his time at SFIT, he loved his teachers, and he loved San Fransokyo. And he would tell his stories to Mizuchi so he can know what is going on and how wonderful it would be to finally leave the castle and see SFIT and introduce him to Grandville, to which the eldest would laugh full heartedly and smile brightly at his brother's happiness. It seemed like everything is slowly falling to place for him, and despite the fact that he only bonded with Grandville, was content with what he had.

Even smiling at a particular rainy day.

He walked through the streets holding his books on one hand and an umbrella on the other. But before he knew it there was a blast of wind that forced his umbrella to fly off his hand and slip on the wet sidewalk, dropping his books. He groaned as he quickly picked up his papers before they would be ruined. When he reaches his final paper he noticed a pair of shoes in front of him and the rain stopped falling on his head. When he finally looked up his heart skipped a bit. In front of him is a girl his age with Strawberry blonde hair, green eyes, slightly tanned skin with freckles.

"Hey."

Kage couldn't respond, as he just slowly stood up, holding his books and papers close.

"Hmmm...so...I think I found your umbrella."

She pulls out the umbrella that flew out of his hand and he immediately snaps out of it once he realized he had been staring her a bit.

"Oh!..Thank you..Sorry I just..Lost in thought."

"It's OK." Replied the girl.

"I'm Kage!" Blurted out Kage, immediately blushing as he realized how flustered he looked to the pretty girl. Then he heard a light hearted giggle from the girl, which caught him off guard.

"I'm Chara."

When they heard thunder, the two jumped before they calmed down.

"I know a coffee shop not too far from here, wanna hang over till the storm stops?"

"Sure."

They both walked quickly to the coffee shop which happened to be called Lucky Cat Café. They sat down at a table near by as a young waitress around their age entered.

"Hiya! I'm Cass and I'll taking your order today! Any requests?"

"Just a vanilla cream coffe please", said Chara, giving a small smile. When Cass turned her attention to him he just shrugged and asked for the same thing. After getting their order and Cass leaving they were left in silence. It was then Chara's turn to be surprised as Kage spoke.

"So... how's life?"

Chara blinked in response which Kage internally face palmed for asking such a dumb question.

"Well, I would say OK. Highschool has been quiet the warzone with all the jocks and plastics."

"Plastics?"

"Girls that make themselves look older than they should and possibly suck off Jocks for popularity."

This surprises Kage.

"Really? Wow.. I don't think SFIT would ever do that."

"SFIT? You mean that college nearby? Probably, and I can't wait to graduate. And probably you too."

"How come?" Asked Kage, curiosity rising.

"You're the type that studies alone. You're the jocks and plastics favorite tool to screw around with...figuratively and literally. If not you'd be beaten constantly, and that's only cause you're smart." replied Chara, with a hint of snark.

"Wow... Then I'm glad I'm at SFIT instead of high school...no offense."

"Wait you're at SFIT? You actually go there?" This time it was Chara's turn to be surprised. "You're barely older than me! You must be super smart to be going there right now!"

"Thanks...I guess." Said Kage.

"Here's your drinks!"

Cass placed two cups of Coffee in front of them as she went back to serving others.

"So when do you think you're graduating?" Asked Kage, raising his cup to drink.

"Hopefully with all the advanced classes I should graduate by them time I'm 16."

"Then I guess you're smart too." said Kage, slightly impressed.

"I guess, though that meant those people would try to bribe me to do their homework. And sometimes I had to otherwise I would be left in the bottom feed."

"Well that's not fair.. what did the staff do?"

"Nothing, they value physical strength and football games over music and the arts, with the occasional dabble in science. They don't do anything to fix the problem, they would just sweep it under the rug."

'They sound like dicks." Said Kage, to which he blushed as he realized he cussed in front of her. But she laughed as she heard it.

"Definitely."

That's when Kage noticed that the sun is parting through the clouds, the rain now dissipating. They sat in silence before Chara spoke up.

"Well, looks like the rain stopped."

"Yeah..."

"...Its interesting that you go to SFIT right now...think we can go here tomorrow and talk more after school?"

When he heard that Kage looked up and let out a small yep. He realized how he responded and then chuckled at his own behavior to which Chara joined in.

"Well, see ya later Kage."

After paying the cashier and drinking the rest of the coffee, Chara stood up and walked out of the door, leaving Kage at the table alone, where for the first time in his life...his heart began to pound loudly and yet feel lighter than helium. He didn't know what exactly it is...but he knew that he liked this feeling. And wanted more...

To be Continued

Here is Part one of Obake’s origins! I’ll post the second part soon after I draw the cover. but beware... this is the part where Kage Mizichio/Bob Aken will become like..

A love SIcK, inSANe MoNSteR

#Big Hero 7 #Big Hero 6 fanfic #Obake #Bob Aken #Bob Aken x OC #Kage Mizichio #Professor Grandville #Grace Grandville #wendy wower #Ren seto #Aunt Cass #Nozako Mizichio #Isamu Mizichio #Mizuchi Mizichio

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kristallioness · 7 years ago

Text

Feed a cold, starve a fever

Summary: Aang tries to fight a cold, with a little help from Katara.

Word count: 1,754

Author's note: Will I ever stop writing about this couple taking care of each other when one of them is sick?.. *whispers* Nope. NEVER. Anyways, my dad has fallen ill - he had a weird feeling like his throat's becoming sore (it went on and off) for almost a week, until he really felt under the weather this Friday (the 13th, talk about bad luck.. I personally don't really believe that though, 13 has always been one of my luckiest numbers). I'm just glad he only has a cough now and that I haven't caught his cold yet. *spits over her shoulder 3 times* My dad's a Libra (born in October) and I swear he's a true airbender at heart - besides the personality, he seems to treat colds just like them (not wanting to take any strong medicine until it gets worse). So this time, have Katara taking care of a poorly Aang (since I've written it the other way around quite a few many times before). Also, (the title is) inspired by (a saying in) "Don't Blow It", a short comic from "The Lost Adventures", which I happened to reread recently (I reread them all and I was laughing half the time, they're so good!). I imagined they're in their early twenties, so at least Katara's wearing the same clothes as seen in the "Old Friends" poster. Aang's only wearing long pants and the same socks as seen here. The story takes place in their home on Air Temple Island, specifically in the room that viewers of TLOK would know as Tenzin's study (which I headcanon was theirs before because.. THE FOUNTAIN!).

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Focus... Breathe in.. Breathe out.. Don't swallow, don't swallow!.. Ugh, I need to swallow again..

Aang gulped and grimaced as the soreness scraped his dry throat. He wished he had some honey to soothe the constant pain for even a couple of minutes. It didn't help that he had to breathe through his mouth due to his almost-clogged up nose.

All of this was making his head hurt. He rubbed at his temples, but quickly withdrew his hands under the blanket he'd wrapped around himself. Shivers ran down his spine and he felt the need to pull the blanket closer, but it wasn't helping. An extra layer could come in handy right now.

Brrr!.. Cold-cold-cold! Why did I have to do that? Okay, focus.. You're an airbender, you can warm yourself with your breathing. Breathe in..

A loud series of coughs echoed to the hallway from the study room. Apparently his special breathing technique didn't work with colds. Once Aang had caught his breath again, he curled up even more and continued shivering. Accompanied only by the sound of his wife's element flowing inside the small fountain behind him.

What's taking you so long? Katara, please come back soon.. I don't feel so good.

His stomach growled, reminding him why it'd been almost half an hour since he last saw her. After all, preparing lunch for her sick husband as well as searching for some medicine and supplies from the healing hut wasn't a simple task.

At least she'd helped him pull on the yellow woollen socks she'd knit for him years ago to keep his feet warm while she was busy. Aang rubbed the soles to stimulate the blood flow. His feet felt like ice blocks against his heated palms.

Wait a second.. of course! Firebending can help me keep warm!

He took a deep breath and tried to puff out a small stream of fire, but forgot about his sore throat.

Ow-ow-ow.. Ow! Too hot!

The flame he'd swallowed, and thus extinguished, formed a puff of smoke instead and forced him into a horrible coughing fit until he hacked it all out.

"How are you feeling?"

He looked to his right and saw Katara at the doorway, carrying a tray of food and some of her instruments. He hadn't heard her come up the stairs and enter their study, but he was so glad that she'd finally returned.

She waited until he finished coughing, placing the tray on the floor in the meantime and grabbing her own pillow to put it right next to the one he was sitting on.

"Worse than before," he replied, watching how she knelt down on her pillow right beside him. Her cool palm found its way to his hot forehead.

"I take it that meditating didn't help?"

Aang shook his head.

"Not at all. There's too many symptoms distracting me all at once. Neither airbending nor firebending helps."

Katara gave him a loving smile as she stroked his flushed cheeks with the back of her hand.

"Well, maybe waterbending will. Cause unlike airbenders, us Water Tribe folks don't just let a cold 'blow itself out'. We prepare remedies and treat the sick person until they're better," she insisted. He let out a defeated sigh.

"Fine. You're the healer. Correction, the best healer in the-"

"Shh.. save your voice. You almost sound like Appa already."

Aang huffed and pouted at that comment, even though she was right because his voice did sound hoarse. But his grumpy face only made Katara giggle.

"Besides, I wanna listen to you in silence," she added while grabbing the stethoscope, which she wore around her neck. He watched how she put it in her ears, breathed on the metal tip and pulled the blanket off his bare chest a little so she could lay it above his heart.

The cool air intruding through the exposed part in the blanket and her slightly cold fingers touching his skin gave him chills again, which in turn made his runny nose even more stuffy. And that slowly made his eyes want to begin watering. He blinked in vain a few times to hold it back.

"Aww.. Don't cry, sweetie!" Katara comforted him in a slightly teasing tone, wiping off the small streak of tears on his cheek. Aang sniffed and gave her a pathetic glare.

"Ha-ha, very funny."

"Shh!" she hushed him again by holding a finger in front of her lips.

"Breathe," Katara ordered in a much more caring tone, moving the diaphragm a bit higher to listen to his lungs. He tried to take deep breaths and follow her orders, but it turned out that he couldn't breathe that way. He immediately went into another nasty coughing fit.

"Oh my.. that doesn't sound too good," Katara spoke in a low tone. She frowned and rubbed the blanket on her husband's back while auscultating from his chest, not needing to ask him to cough anymore since she'd already heard enough. She lifted the tip of her stethoscope from his skin a minute later and hung the medical instrument back around her neck.

"Does it hurt when you cough?" she wondered.

"No.. I just have this itching feeling in my throat and it's making me co-"

And he started again. Katara let Aang catch his breath and picked up a cup of ginger tea, which she'd boiled for him, from the tray. When he stopped coughing, she handed it to him.

"Here, drink your tea. If you sweat it out, hopefully your fever will fall a little. And if that doesn't work, I'll lower it myself, should it get too high," she said, patting the pouch visible on her right side.

"Thanks, Ka-.. ah.. ah.. ACHOO!"

His sneeze accidentally blew the tea out of his cup, but luckily Katara was well-prepared and caught the liquid with her waterbending. She bended it back into the cup. At least he'd gained better control of his sneezes through the years and didn't fly through the ceiling of the temple each time.

"Thanks."

"You're welcome. Now, drink," she ordered and held a hand below his to lift them up to his mouth. Aang sighed in relief after two sips.

"Aahhh.. that's the stuff."

"I put some honey in it," Katara said as she softly massaged the back of his neck. The sensation sent another wave of chills down his spine, but these were the good kind.

"You're an angel."

She blushed. Aang would've wanted to kiss her, but he settled for giving her shoulder a gentle squeeze to show his gratitude.

That tea really worked wonders. His throat seemed to become a lot softer by the time he finished drinking. Katara had snuck a thermometer under his arm to measure his temperature as well. She put the empty cup back on the tray and reached for a bowl and a spoon.

"What's for lunch?"

"I made you some noodle soup, just like you asked."

Aang brought his nose closer to the broth and attempted to get a whiff of the aroma. The sniff sounded more like a snort though.

"Mmm.. smells delicious."

Katara stirred it before she picked up a spoonful, but instantly dropped it back.

"Oh, one more thing! Say 'Aahh'!"

Aang rolled his eyes and chuckled, but obeyed by opening his mouth and sticking out his tongue to let her have a quick look.

"Hmm.. your throat does seem a little bit red. Still sore, huh?"

"Uh-uh," the airbender nodded in response. She stroked his cheek for a moment, then lifted another spoonful to his mouth to feed him.

"Let's get some of this soup into you."

Aang slurped the tasty broth and felt how the warm liquid softened his throat. The warmth collecting in his tummy started heating up his entire body from the inside and he was sure that his fever would begin to fall soon, too.

He rubbed at his eye to prevent a second wave of tears, then continued eating. His gaze met Katara's for a second before she averted hers back to the bowl in her hand to lift the next spoonful to his lips.

Her brows were slightly furrowed in concern, but the small smile in the corner of her mouth showed how happy she was that she got to take care of him. That he'd eventually allowed her to take care of him her way. It made him smile back at her.

He shut his eyes for a moment when she fed him another spoonful. When he opened them, his gaze had dropped to the bowl she was holding in front of him. It shifted to her chest and near her waist when he noticed her healer gear. A sight he'd gotten used to within the past few years, ever since she'd established the first hospital in Republic City. Her hat, uniform and belt were missing though, but she rarely wore those at home anyway.

He reached out his right hand from under the blanket, mindful of the thermometer still under the other one, and poked the metal end of her stethoscope, making it swing from side to side near her belly. Katara gave him a puzzled look, but started giggling when she saw what he did. Aang's smile grew. The medical instrument reminded him more of a long shiny necklace than what it actually was. And he thought that it suited her appearance really well.

His hand rested on her thigh, his thumb softly rubbing her navy blue tunic from that spot.

"Open wide!"

He raised his head to look at her, his grey eyes widening a bit in surprise. He'd forgotten to open his mouth for the next bite of delicious noodles. He complied and, having swallowed that spoonful, watched how Katara stirred the remaining soup in the bowl, then tenderly grabbed her hand with his own. She gazed back at him, sensing how he caressed her knuckles.

"Katara.. thank you."

She released the spoon on the edge of the bowl and stood up on her knees to carefully shift closer to him. She wrapped her free arm around his neck and simply gifted him with a hug, feeling how Aang returned it, the palm of his right hand landing in the middle of her back and pulling her close. Katara hummed in delight.

"Mmm.. you're welcome, Aang. Anything for you," she murmured into his left ear, and he could've sworn that she even gave it a light peck. Aang wouldn't have wanted it any other way either.

#Kataangtag #Kataang #Aang #Katara #ATLA and TLOK #my fanfiction #mine #shards of Kristal

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ellanainthetardis · 7 years ago

Photo

Finally the long awaited visitor ;)

[FF] or [ao3]

38. 11 Days

Effie loved bath time.

She liked making faces at April while she washed her, she liked the baby’s obvious delight at being in the green plastic bathtub… Her daughter’s favorite toy seemed to be the red fish. She was far too young and small to play with them yet but every time Effie made the fish slowly wave in front of her face, she could have sworn her eyes brightened.

“I love your laugh.” Haymitch’s voice said suddenly behind her. “I ever told you that?”

“You might have.” she hummed, flashing him a grin over her shoulder. The baby bathtub was inside the bathtub and she was kneeling next to it. She wrinkled her nose at April, still attentive that the baby didn’t slip further down the tub even if the risks were limited – all their material was top notch. “Look who is here… It’s your papa!”

Haymitch lowered himself on the floor next to her and smirked at the kid. “Look at that… A shrimp in water.” Effie smiled but covertly studied him. He had been under the weather for a few days now. She was trying to be discrete but, clearly, she was failing because he rolled his eyes at April. “Tell your mama to stop worrying about me, sweetheart.”

She pursed her lips, not quite amused. “How are the tremors today?”

He showed her his hand without giving a verbal answer. His fingers weren’t shaking as much as they had a few nights earlier but they weren’t exactly steady either. He had been avoiding carrying April, which meant she had the double of work and it was starting to take its toll on her body. She was tired and the fact that he hadn’t really been sleeping, added to their daughter’s frequent wailing for food, kept her up at night.

They had been doing well at first but now she was afraid they were headed toward the nightmarish period Johanna had described at length and Eileen had alluded to. Not enough sleep, too much laundry to do – because it was astonishing how much clothes a baby went through a day – general crankiness due to the fact their whole life revolved around a little human being, her body still recovering from childbirth… And worrying about Haymitch, it seemed. Plus the fact that she had to give her baby formula because she couldn’t produce enough milk.

Her mother had been sending boxes upon boxes of that, insisting that the brands in the Capitol were much healthier than the one in Twelve. Haymitch had seemed to agree. Effie had no opinion whatsoever, she would have liked it better if April had remained completely on the breast.

“And how is…” she hesitated, letting her sentence trail off. He didn’t like talking about his thirst for liquor. She had a feeling he viewed it as a weakness and he had never been able to deal very well with his own flaws. He felt guilty about it.

“I’m dealing.” he said, in a definitive tone. “I’ll be fine.”

“Perhaps, you should consult Doctor Larcher.” she suggested – not for the first time.

“He’s gonna ask if I want to go back on the pills.” he grumbled. “I don’t want the pills. I don’t need a treatment. I’m fine. It’s gonna go away in a couple of days. I won’t relapse.”

“I know.” she promised. “I know, Haymitch, but there is no reason to make this harder than it ought to be and…”

The doorbell rang, startling them both.

It was rare that anyone used it. People either knocked or came in uninvited, depending on their degree of acquaintance – the children, for instance, never bothered to announce themselves.

“Waiting for someone?” Haymitch frowned, propping himself on the edge of the bathtub to get up.

They heard the sound of the front door opening. Snowball suddenly barked twice and then audibly scampered up the stairs and to their bedroom.

Acting on instinct, Effie scooped April out of the tub, wrapped her in a towel and kept her close to her chest.

“Stay here.” Haymitch ordered her as he took a step toward the nursery only to come to a stop when a very familiar voice came from downstairs.

“Hello!” it sing-sang “Is anyone home?”

They exchanged a look.

Haymitch made a face. “Thought she wasn’t supposed to be here until Sunday?”

“Yes, well…” Effie winced. “We are in the nursery, Mother!”

She carefully toweled April and placed her on the changing table while the familiar clicking of heels came closer and closer. It explained why Snowball had fled though, the dog didn’t have much love for her mother who always wanted to have him dyed one color or another.

“Truly, Euphemia, you should not raise your voice in the house.” Elindra chided her as she came in, in all her glorious fashionable self. Effie was almost blinded by the shocking crimson hair and the yellow dress. “Is this April?”

Haymitch opened his mouth – and she just knew he was going to make a sarcastic comment about how they had kidnapped another baby to keep their daughter company – but he closed it very fast when Effie shot him a warning glare. He smirked. She glared harder.

Elindra distractedly kissed the air next to their cheeks and made a beeline for the baby. She leaned over April who didn’t seem to like the sudden looming menace. The baby started fussing, Haymitch tensed and Effie felt incredibly ill-at-ease when her mother’s long manicured faked nails gently poked their daughter in the stomach.

Haymitch moved as if to snatch April away but seemed to remember his unsteady hands and tossed her a pleading glance. Effie was about to reach out when…

It had happened to both of them a few times already and they were mostly nonplussed by it now.

Elindra clearly wasn’t prepared for the spurt of pee that hit her square in the face.

She screamed at the same time as Haymitch started laughing so badly he had to hold his stomach. Effie felt the chuckles bubbling in her own throat but she quickly swallowed them back, taking Elindra’s place in front of the changing table when her mother stepped back.

It was stupid because she knew April was unharmed but she checked anyway, running her fingertips on the smooth skin of her tummy just to make sure.

“Stop laughing and help me, you horrid man!” Elindra screeched. Her mother was rubbing her hands against her face, making a mess of her make-up… It was too much for Effie who giggled, which only increased Haymitch’s hilarity and the Capitol’s ire. “Oh, yes, Euphemia. How funny. You daughter urinated on me. Please, do laugh your full.”

She bit down on her bottom lip and handed her the towel.

“My apologies, Mother.” she said, taking pain to sound sorry. “It can happen with a baby as I am sure you already know…”

“How would I know?” Elindra grumbled, clearly vexed. “Do you think I changed diapers perhaps? What are nannies for?”

“It’s mostly water.” Haymitch snickered, calming down a little. It warranted him a glare from her mother and he turned around to grab a baby outfit from the dresser. “You’re early.”

“And what a welcome party I get.” the Capitol retorted, clearly still not over that little mishap. “I could not wait anymore, I was too impatient. I left everything in Lyssa’s capable hands and boarded a train.”

“Did you have a pleasant journey?” Effie asked, quickly putting a diaper on April to avoid further incidents. “You should have warned us, we would have come and get you at the station.”

“Well, I thought that given the press situation and your stance on publicity, it would be best to travel incognito…” her mother hesitated. “I do hope my coming early is not an imposition?”

It wasn’t really a question and Effie took the grey and pink romper from Haymitch with a fond smile.

“Not at all.” she hummed. “You are welcomed at any time.”

Haymitch coughed and she elbowed him in the stomach.

Elindra pursed her lips tight but pretended not to have understood what he meant. “My suitcases are downstairs if you would be so kind as to carry them to the inn, Haymitch?”

That wasn’t really a question either.

Effie shot a worried look at his hands but he shrugged and pressed a kiss against her cheek. “I’ll get one of the kids to help.” he said in her ear and then leaned down to kiss April’s brow. “Behave for your Granny.”

Elindra emitted a horrified gasp.

“Grandmother. Grandmother.” Effie’s mother corrected. “I will not be called… Granny. How undignified.”

“We’ll see.” Haymitch dismissed with a smirk that told Effie he would have his way in the end no matter how much scheming he would need to do.

She almost rolled her eyes and remembered at the last moment that it would only warrant her a lecture.

“I am happy to see you.” Effie offered hesitantly, once Haymitch had left the room.

She heard him whistle once, followed by the obedient paddling of Snowball. It was good that he was taking him out, the dog hadn’t been getting the right amount of exercise lately, neither of them could really afford the time off. She was desperate to start exercising herself but with Haymitch being unwell, she hadn’t dared leaving the house for a run in the morning.

“And I, you.” Elindra replied with a soft smile that quickly disappeared. “But enough effusions. Let me look at her now that she is not at risk of… doing messes on me. Really, there is no doubt who her father is.” Effie pursed her lips to hide her amusement. The comment had more to do with the pee incident than with April’s features, she figured. “She is rather lovely, isn’t she? Certainly much more than some of those babies they use for those commercials. Why, if you would audition her for…” Elindra abruptly fell silent. “Well, no, I suppose you would not.”

“I want her to have a normal childhood.” Effie snapped, a bit defensive. “I do not want her to feel as if she is not worth everything in the world. Rejection for a child…” She shook her head and smiled at her daughter who, probably sensing her uneasiness, had started fretting. “Let’s finish to get you ready, my darling… Then we can catch up with Granny.”

“Grandmother!” her mother hurried in correcting in the very same horrified tone she had used earlier. “Please, do not indulge him with this joke.”

Elindra excused herself to fix her make-up – and to salvage her outfit. Effie took her time making sure April was perfectly dressed, added a hat so she wouldn’t be too cold and gave her daughter a genuine smile once she was done.

“You are the most beautiful baby on the planet.” she informed her daughter very seriously. “Rather lovely.” She huffed. “Granny does not know anything about babies.”

April chirped as if in agreement.

Elindra had still to reappear by the time she had put the kettle to boil in the kitchen for some tea. April was almost done feeding when she finally came back, her make-up and her outfit pristine. Effie had no doubt that she would find her dressing table reorganized when she would walk upstairs.

“Good gracious!” her mother gasped when she walked in the kitchen. “Euphemia! Do you have do that here? How improper! Anyone could walk in.”

Effie was more amused by her reaction than anything. She was in her own house after all. She could breastfeed anywhere she felt like it.

“The children do not come around at this time usually.” she dismissed. “And if they did and stumbled upon something they would rather not see, then perhaps they will learn to knock.��

The number of times Katniss and Peeta had almost walked on she and Haymitch having sex…

“Still.” her mother insisted with a small frown, taking advantage of the kettle whistling to pour water into two mugs and adding bags of tea from the box abandoned on the counter, between a half empty box of formula and bottles that needed sterilizing. “You could make people uncomfortable.”

Effie held her tongue but thought no less. If she made people uncomfortable in her own house by feeding her own daughter, so be it.

April was done anyway and it wouldn’t be long before the baby fell back asleep. She suggested they settled in the living-room.

“May I carry her?” Elindra asked when Effie stood up.

It was instinctive to cradle her daughter closer, to almost hunch over her as if to protect her from a threat… Her mother was so… Capitol. And Capitols and children…

Seeing Elindra outstretching her arms, ready to take her baby away…

She took a step back, blinking hard against the memories of crowds of thousands Capitols screaming for tributes, victors and escorts alike…

“Later, if you do not mind.” she denied, managing to keep her voice calmer than she had feared. “I do not want her to get unsettled before her nap.”

Her mother looked a bit hurt but she hid it behind a polite smile. “Of course.”

The atmosphere was a bit uncomfortable and she busied herself placing April in her basinet, making sure she had everything she needed – and fretting for no real good reason other than the hope Haymitch would come back. He didn’t, of course. She suspected he would hide at the children’s as long as he could bear to be parted from their daughter – which, based on previous experience, wouldn’t be much more than an hour or two.

“I will send you a lovely tea set.” Elindra said suddenly. “You cannot entertain with mugs. Cups and saucers are the proper way. Like I taught you.”

To diffuse the awkwardness, Effie picked up the stack of pictures she had yet to file away and handed them to her mother.

“April was only a few hours old on this one.” she explained.

It seemed to pacify Elindra a little. Effie commented each picture, providing an exact account of April’s first days. Katniss had been liberal in her use of the camera and there were numerous ones of Haymitch looking at April with compromising silly expressions.

“He is taken with her.” her mother remarked.

“It was love at first sight.” Effie snorted. “He was barely fazed by the fact she was a girl after all.” Her fingers automatically reached for the butterfly necklace that was resting on her collarbone. “He is an amazing father.”

Elindra was studying her without seeming to, in that way of hers that had always had Effie slightly on edge, ready to dodge a rebuke.

“You look well, Effie.” her mother observed. “You look… fully at ease with her.”

She sipped her tea slowly, to give herself time to consider how to answer. Hiding her feelings from her mother had always been a rule but lately they had made progress and while she wasn’t about to confide everything to Elindra… She felt that she could confide some things.

“It is… difficult sometimes.” she admitted.

“Motherhood is no walk in the park.” the Capitol triumphed, as if to tell her she had been wrong to blame her for failing at it.

“It is not motherhood I find hard.” she denied, a bit guarded now. “It is… No matter. Oh, look at this one. April’s first bottle!”

Haymitch looked so proud on that picture. Effie had been on the verge of tears all along but she had fought to keep a straight face, if only because he looked so happy to be able to feed her too. It had been what had reconciled her slightly to the idea of complementing breastfeeding with bottles: the fact that Haymitch clearly loved being more involved and being able to provide for their daughter too. Besides, April had gained enough weight in the last few days that Larcher had declared her cleared and freed of daily visits. They had regular appointments – because they were both paranoid – but their daughter was fine and in perfect health and it was all she could care about in the long run.

It took a long time for Elindra to look at the picture, her blue eyes lingered on her.

“Haymitch was young when he lost his parents, wasn’t he?” her mother asked, detached. “He inferred as much.”

“His father left a little after his brother was born.” she confirmed, feeling a bit guilty for discussing that. It wasn’t a secret exactly but… He was such a private man… “As for his mother and his little brother… Well, don’t you remember? The Capitol made it look like a big tragedy…” Elindra waved her hand to profess her ignorance. She had never really paid attention to the Quell victor. She had never liked Haymitch. She had been rooting for the girl from One and the fact that she had been so taken with the underdog had irritated her mother to no short extent. “He did not get to see his family again, they were dead when they sent him back to Twelve after his crowning.” she explained sadly, glancing toward the corridor to make sure he wouldn’t come back and walk in on that particular discussion. “There was a fire…”

“A fire?” Elindra repeated, her voice rising in horror. “What a terrible way to die!”

Effie shook his head.

“What he did in the arena… It was deemed too… Challenging. Seeking the limits of the arena, using the force field, probably choosing to hold his ally’s hand while she was dying…” She paused and let out a long sigh. “They punished him for that. The fire was his punishment. That and his girlfriend being executed for poaching.” Her gaze automatically turned to the bassinet where April was sleeping. “His family… They meant everything to him, you must understand. He was starving himself to feed them, risking to be whipped, taking tesseraes… And his girlfriend… He felt guilty about it. He still does to some extent. Their death broke him.”

It was rare for them to discuss the Capitol from before, too aware that they had been on opposite sides of the war. She had a new understanding of what Elindra had truly known about the state of the country though and she wasn’t sure how she felt about that. It was one thing to support a tyrant out of ignorance – she could only relate given how blind she had been in the beginning – it was entirely another to support a tyrant with all the cards in one’s possession. Her mother had chosen to do what she had done to better protect her daughters, Effie understood but… She wasn’t sure it sat well with her all the same. She had suffered too much because of it.

“He looks mended to me.” Elindra ventured carefully, following Effie’s gaze to the sleeping baby. “He is no longer the wreck we used to see on TV…”

“That was mostly a role he played, you know.” she confessed. “So they would leave him alone. An unappealing victor was… preferable. He was too handsome. The drinking was no pretence but the way he behaved in public was, most of the time.”

Talking about that made her thought back to old times and it wasn’t exactly a good feeling. She finished her tea in a long mouthful and stood up, picking up random books that had been abandoned around and placing them back in their proper place on the bookshelf if only to have something to do with her hands.

It felt like another life. One that they had left behind but that was looming still, waiting in the shadows to swallow them back. She knew they would never really stop being those people, the escort and the victor, but she wished… They forgot sometimes. They lived in their bubble in the Village, with the children and now April, and, to some extent, Twelve was a sort of bubble too. But the rest of the country would never let them forget and perhaps it was fair but perhaps it was not. There would always be women in the street abruptly crossing to the other side with their children when they saw her walking toward them, there would always be whispers behind her back and speculations about her pardon… And that was in Twelve where things were paradoxically tame, thanks to years spent there and her victors’ protection. Outside of that bubble… Outside it was sneers and insults and threats from both camps. Monster or traitor, those were her only options.

She blinked, willing those bad memories away.

“He is still sober, I trust?” Elindra asked politely, as if she was simply enquiring about the weather and not a sensitive subject.

Effie was thankful for it, for the varnish of upper class behavior that allowed them the pretense of discussing heavy things with a light tone. District people would never have understood that but, to her, it was a relief. It allowed her to stay detached, it allowed her the refuge of her masks.

“It is not always easy for him but I think he would move mountains for April.” she smiled, going around the room, picking up things and putting some order back, careful not to make too much noise so the baby wouldn’t wake up. “He has been struggling lately though. The attention the press gives us…”

She let that sentence trail, certain that her mother was aware of the situation. Serious newspapers had moved on to bigger things but gossip rags and trash TV channels were still all over their baby’s birth. It was all about the Abernathy girl. Some were nice and some were not. Everything to sell their stories, including reminding the whole country of her alleged crimes as an escort who had mysteriously been pardoned.

Plutarch, of course, was suddenly unreachable.

He had sent a card to congratulate them. Haymitch had crumpled it and tossed it in the bin.

“Do you know…” Elindra hummed, slowly taking a graceful sip of tea. “I still think there would have been better prospects for you out there but… I must admit it is a good match. He is not a bad man, your husband. A little crude perhaps but that is to be expected from a District person, I suppose. I do believe he will do his best to make right by you and the child though.”

“Of course, he will.” she scoffed. As if it was even a question.

“And hopefully you will balance out his natural coarseness with proper upbringing for the child.” her mother nodded, almost to herself. “I must admit… I must admit I find myself… warming up to him. Your father is certainly no stranger to that. Why, he is fonder of that man than he was of Rufus and yet Lyssa’s husband was…” She fell silent and clucked her tongue. “No matter. Suffice to say… I am glad to see you happy even if it is not the life I would have chosen for you.”

That was huge coming from her and Effie found her eyes burning with tears she hastily blinked away.

“Thank you, Mother.” she whispered.

Elindra dismissed that with an impatient wave of her hand, focusing on the stack of pictures once more, uncomfortable with demonstrations of affection that were genuine and not dramatic.

For a few minutes, Effie went on picking up bibs and baby stuff that had somehow invaded the living-room – and kicked Snowball’s toys back to his bed. She was so set on her sudden cleaning spree that she almost startled when Elindra spoke again.

“I met a man.”

She dropped everything she had in her arms in a cacophony of sounds and Aprils immediately wailed in protest.

And yet she stood there and stared at her mother, wide eyes.

To start with, she really didn’t want to know about that – she had long believed her parents had sought elsewhere what they couldn’t find within their marriage but she had always been happy not to ever think about that and since she had reunited with them they had looked almost… in love – as in love as they could be anyway – and…

Then, her mother sounded so serious that…

“Does Father know?” she asked, dread coiling in her belly.

Was that why Elindra had come earlier than planned? Had she and her father gotten in an argument about her extramarital affair? Were they going to get a divorce? Now? After more than forty years trapped in a loveless marriage? Was that new lover reason enough for them to split?

Her head was spinning.

She was so not ready for her parents to get a divorce.

People did not divorce in their social class.

It simply was not done without a huge scandal and…

“Of course, he does. He was actually eager to make his acquaintance.” Elindra mocked, placing her mug down on the table to walk to the bassinet. She shot her a curious glance but Effie was rooted to the spot, too stunned to move. Even when her mother bent down to pick up the child, she could only stare… “There, there… Ladies do not make fusses like this, little one.”

Obviously, it was the moment Haymitch chose to come back.

He froze on the room’s threshold but took the situation in stride. His grey eyes studied her for a second, from her tense attitude to the mess at her feet, and then darted to the baby. His whole stance changed in a flash, he went from casual to defensive.

It seemed the sight of their daughter in a Capitol’s arms wasn’t triggering only for her.

It was clear to her he struggled not to dash over and tear the baby away from Elindra.

Her mother remained blissfully unaware of the look that passed between them, too busy smiling at April. Until she wrinkled her nose, at least.

“She needs to be changed.” Elindra declared.

Haymitch was next to her in a heartbeat. “I’ll do it.”

“Are you sure?” Effie asked.

He didn’t answer immediately but once April was safely in his arms, he nodded. “I’m good for now. I’ll call you if…” He glanced at Elindra and stopped, keeping his attention on her. “I’m good.”

And he had missed taking care of their daughter.

She trusted Haymitch to know his limits and, more importantly, not to endanger their child so she smiled and gave him an encouraging nod. She crouched down to greet the dog who kept on nudging her leg with his head if only to keep a certain countenance.

She waited until he had left the room to clear her throat.

“Are you and Father… Are you separating?” she asked in a small frightened voice.

She had half a mind to rush to the phone and call Lyssa immediately.

Elindra blinked, her fake eyelashes so heavy it took almost a second for them to flutter back up. “Separating? What in Panem are you talking about, Euphemia?” Her mother sat back down on the couch, looking entirely puzzled. “Why, we have never been so close… And I do not mind telling you your father has not been sleeping in his own bedroom since…”

“Please!” she squeezed, mortified.

Her cheeks were crimson, she was sure, and she suddenly found the room unbelievably hot. She let go of Snowball to gather her hair in her hand and tie it up in a hasty bun on the top of her head.

It was starting to get too long, easily past her shoulders. Haymitch loved it but it was a hindrance and a few inches shorter wouldn’t hurt anyone. Going to a hairdresser was on her list of things to do when she could catch a breath.

Elindra naturally eyed the new hairdo with distaste.

Effie didn’t care.

Compared to those unnecessary revelations, her hair was of little consequences.

Her parents had been using separate bedrooms as long as she could remember and she really didn’t want to know who slept where now and what it implied.

Then she thought she understood what her mother was saying and she blanched.

“Oh my… Are you and father and that man…” she exclaimed, her voice pitching an octave higher.

Elindra’s eyes widened. “What are you imagining?!”

“Bad things.” Effie winced, covering her face with her hands, ignoring the repetitive nudges Snowball gave her knee. “Things I never want to think about ever again.”

“Euphemia, you are utterly ridiculous!” her mother snapped, now slightly flushed herself. “How improper to even bring that up. Living here is doing no good to your manners. Come and sit down.”

She wasn’t sure she wanted to but she took her place back on the couch. The dog immediately rested his head on her knees and she petted him absentmindedly.

“You said you met a man.” she said defensively. “It seemed…”

“Were I to be unfaithful to my husband I would hardly confide that fact to my daughter.” Elindra huffed. “Now hush and listen. Do you remember my close friend Ceecee?”

Her mother had hundreds of ‘close friends’ and Effie had met all of them at one point or another. Most of them had been useful contacts when she had been looking for sponsors – not that any of them had ever supported Twelve though.

“The novelist?” she chanced, having the vague image of a mildly successful woman with dyed blue skin in mind.

“Exactly, yes.” her mother confirmed. “Well, she is writing a new book and she is doing some research on post-traumatic stress, you see. She went to a seminar at the university and I offered to go with her. You can imagine how boring those things can be, I do not mind telling you she was glad for the company.”

“You went to a lecture on post-traumatic stress disorder…” Effie repeated, a bit confused by the direction the conversation was taking. “I do not…”

“Why, one of the speakers was that man I was telling you about.” Elindra cut her off – or rather went on without acknowledging that Effie had spoken at all. “A very nice Capitol young man, all things considered. He founded an association… You know how those people from the Districts and the government are… Or perhaps you do not since you have not been to the city in a while… Well, there is a strong feeling that Capitol voices are silenced and their part in the war dismissed. The ones who were on the rebels’ side, that is…”

Elindra was babbling fast, on a gossipy tone that hardly fit the subject, and Effie was having trouble making sense of it.

“An association for what?” she frowned.

“To bring awareness about Capitol citizens who have been imprisoned and tortured during the war.” her mother said, very fast. Effie tensed but before she could say anything more, Elindra continued. “He was a victim himself, you see. Although he does not like the term.”

“It is debasing.” she commented without really meaning to. “Victim. It is so… passive.”

There had been nothing passive about what had happened in those cells.

“Yes, that is, in essence, what he said.” her mother nodded, seemingly unperturbed by her sudden tension. “He was a spy or whatever the correct term is. He claimed to work for Plutarch Heavensbee as a source of information and he was captured a little after the arena exploded, just like you.”

Effie licked her lips. She focused on petting Snowball, her fingers shaking a little.

“Mother, I really do not think…” she said slowly.

“He gave an account of what had happened to him.” her mother insisted. “Ceecee had to step out. It was… very detailed.”

“Mother.” she insisted.

“He talked of whips and beatings and…” Elindra continued. Effie grabbed her wrist and she finally fell silent, her breath a bit short. When she looked at Effie, her eyes were lost and desperate. She looked her age suddenly despite the facelifts and the plastic surgeries. “Did I turn you away after they did those terrible things to you, Effie? Did I…”

Her mother’s voice broke and she was very afraid, all of sudden, that Elindra would start to cry. She had never seen her mother cry before. Never.

“It is alright.” she said and she was surprised to find that she meant it.

“No, it is not.” Elindra hissed. “The things the press prints about you… And they don’t know… They don’t…” Her mother shook her head. “The things that man described…”

“You should not have gone.” she sighed. “It upset you. You…”

“Upset me?” Elindra scowled. “What upsets me is that those butchers may have done the same to you. What upsets me is those scars you think I am not aware of. What upsets me is that I failed you when you needed me. I did not know… I did not believe…”

“Mother.” she whispered, squeezing her wrist. “You couldn’t know. That was partly my fault, I could have told you.”

“You tried to.” her mother scoffed. “I did not want to listen. I was only preoccupied with finding a new ruling position in that new world. I was angry with you for siding with those District people, for openly being seen with that man…” She shook her head. “With Haymitch. I was…”

She hugged her.

Elindra was so shocked she stopped talking and stood rigid.

A second passed. Two…

Effie started to rethink her spontaneous move, the side hug was awkward enough that she felt stupid. She cleared her throat and started to let go… Only to find herself in her mother’s surprisingly tight – if a little hesitant – embrace. She breathed in the familiar smell of her cosmetics products, of the same expensive perfume Elindra had always worn, and a lump formed in her throat. She felt like a child again.

Hugs had been rare and short-lived but they had always been treasured.

She kept expecting her mother to collect herself and push her away but Elindra awkwardly freed her hair from the tie instead and combed the wild curls with her fingers.

“He said it was important to put words on what happened.” Elindra whispered after a while. “To not let it fester. Did you… Have you talked about it with someone? A professional, perhaps. Or…”

“I talk about it with Haymitch when I need to.” she muttered, feeling very strange.

The whole situation was strange. Her mother wasn’t the caring type and this right now… Whatever that man had said must have shaken her, she thought, enough that she had given up on a company event to cross the country.

“Good. Good.” Elindra nodded, a bit stern. “That man was not… I suppose he was not as important as you were. I… I imagine it was worse for you. I know you probably do not want to talk about it and I respect that, darling, but I need to know… I need to know… How bad was it? Because when you said they had tortured you… I was horrified, naturally, but I do not think I quite realized… What that man said, you must understand…”

Her mother’s fingers were almost frantic in her hair, she tugged on knots and it hurt a little. Some pain was good though, it helped her ground herself, just as the smell did. It was on the smell of her perfume that she focused not to let the memories swallow her whole.

“I was not human anymore.” she mumbled. “They took my humanity away from me. I was just… a thing by the time Haymitch found me. Just a plaything. A toy for them to pass their frustration on. A dog.” She took a deep breath. “The physical pain wasn’t the worst. The worst was… being denied the right to be a person.”

“I see.” Elindra said.

She couldn’t see.

She couldn’t.

However, Effie didn’t dispute her that claim.

“I am glad you came.” she offered, more sincerely than she had when her mother had first showed up earlier. She doubted she had been to that lecture only to keep company to her friends, there were always hidden motives to Elindra Trinket’s actions. She was too much of a player for it to be otherwise.

“I am glad you let me.” Elindra snorted, in an uncharacteristic show of honesty.

Haymitch made a lot of noises coming down the stairs and Effie sat straighter. Elindra’s eyes were suspiciously shiny but a few flutters of her fake eyelashes remedied the situation. She immediately gushed over the baby when he carried April back in the room.

More surprisingly, Haymitch let her.

One look was enough for Effie to know he had heard most of if not the whole conversation. He glanced at the baby monitor on the fireplace’s mantle that was most likely on. She smiled to tell him she was alright. He still stayed close to her all evening. He made an obvious effort to be nicer to her mother and Elindra replied in kind. The children weren’t exactly thrilled to have her mother back in town but Katniss was polite enough and Peeta was his usual charming self.

All in all, it was a nice day.

Still, Effie was relieved when everyone left and she was able to collapse on the couch at the end of the day. She was even happier when Haymitch placed April on her knees and sat next to her, his arm wrapped around her shoulders. Snowball didn’t want to be left out and curled up on Haymitch’s other side.

It was perfect.

She played with April’s little hand for a while, happy every time her daughter closed her fist around her finger…

“When my father arrives… We should go out.” she suggested. “Have lunch at Sae’s maybe.”

“Sure.” he shrugged. “I’ll stay home with April.”

“No…” she sighed. “I mean all of us.” They hadn’t even used the pram yet despite the nice weather. “We cannot keep her locked in here forever. It is not fair. She needs to be introduced to the world.”

He didn’t shoot down the idea at once but she could tell he was reluctant.

“You know that means they might get pictures of her, yeah?” he asked. “It’s stupid to think they won’t try.”

“We will do our best to protect her face.” she promised. “But… I think it is something we will have to learn how to live with. She will grow up and it is equally stupid to hope they will get tired of talking about us. We cannot keep her a prisoner in the house just because…”

Her voice faltered.

He pressed a kiss to the side of her head. “It’s not the same, sweetheart.”

“I know.” she whispered, closing her eyes. “I know but… I think it is time. I want to go out with my daughter, I do not want to be afraid anymore. We cannot let them make us afraid.”

“Worse comes to worse, I’m setting Katniss loose on them.” he warned. “A few arrows should keep them away…”

She laughed and snuggled closer to him, making sure April was still steady on her knees.

“Perhaps you should tell her to bring her bow…” she agreed. “That should be intimidating enough.”

“That’s a plan.” he snorted. For a few minutes, they were silent and Effie’s eyelids started drooping. It startled her a little when he spoke. “You’re okay?”

She didn’t need to ask what he was talking about.

She took the time to think it over before nodding. “I think I am. It did not… It did not upset me, really. I was more upset that she was so upset.”

“She’s becoming alright.” he commented. “For a Capitol.”

“I think she is becoming alright for a mother.” she remarked. “I think… I think she really wants to try.”

“Yeah…” he nodded and then smirked at April because the conversation was a bit too serious for his tastes. “Hear that, shrimp? Granny’s becoming alright.”

“She will kill you if April calls her like that when she’s older.” she chuckled.

There was a twinkle in his eyes that told her everything she needed to know. “Bring it on, sweetheart.”

What else could she have done but kiss him?

#hayffie #effie trinket #haymitch abernathy #april showers

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