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pinksilvace · 6 months ago

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! PAC NYC CATS SPOILERS !

What I remember from the show, feat. some official photos

This is all going off of my note-less memories so there may be some minor inaccuracies to these recollections.

Welcoming Remarks/Overture

The crowd was welcomed by the voice of Junior LaBeija, who encouraged us to google him before shutting our phones down.

We were encouraged to make noise at any and all parts of the performance

Filming, even during bows, was strictly prohibited

This show is LOUD. I wore ear plugs the entire time, and I don't consider myself to be particularly sensitive to noise. It makes sense, considering that the audience is meant to yell and the music has to be heard over them.

The theater space itself was relatively small. All seats were good seats.

Mr. Mistoffelees (Robert "Silk" Mason) could be seen dancing through the window set pieces above the back of the stage.

Jellicle Songs for Jellicle Cats

(clip)

The cast began all around the theater, with spotlights illuminating them as they began to sing. They did not mount the stage until the "Mystical Divinity" portion of the song.

The crowd went WILD at the part that has had its choreography revealed already.

The Naming of Cats

The "Man over there" bit was done by Antwayn Hopper (Macavity). In general, he seemed to be having an absolute blast throughout the show.

During the parts where cats sharing the names in the poem were mentioned, spotlights illuminated them.

Munkustrap led this number and was the only one onstage for the duration of it.

The White Cat Solo

(clip)

Compared to how this is presented in replica productions, the dance moves were very fast.

I am uncertain as to whether this part was meant to characterize Victoria, or if it was just a great chance for BABY (Victoria) to show off her incredible dancing skills.

The Old Gumbie Cat

Jennyanydots (Xavier Reyes) began the number by pulling out a trophy, showing she'd won at balls in the past

During the day, it was implied (I think?) that Jennyanydots has lots of sex. Whether it's sex work, a sugar daddy situation, etc. was unclear. What I can say is that she did lots of bouncing - on other actors, on the edge of the stage, and on a chair.

At night, Jennyanydots is a very harried single Latina mother trying to keep her kids out of trouble.

Instead of Jenny competing in a category herself, Cassandra (Emma Sofia)(implied to be one of Jenny's children, either literally or metaphorically) competed while Jenny directed her choreography from the sidelines.

The Rum Tum Tugger

VERY laid back. This is definitely Jason Derulo's version of Tugger, but done so incredibly right. He was honestly a bit too effortless for how easily he won categories.

It's not shown in this photo, but he wore a gold and black striped fur coat throughout most of the show, sort of like Munkustrap's grey and black one (shown above, with Jenny)

There wasn't very much choreography in this number, save for a bit at the very end where he was facing off "Pretty Boy vs. Thug"

Grizabella the Glamour Cat

Grizabella ("Temptress" Chastity Moore) approached the side of the stage and killed the mood. Everyone kind of just avoided her. Munkustrap tried to talk her into going away, but she refused. He then tried to pay her actual cash to leave, but she stood her ground.

Sillabub (Teddy Wilson Jr.) approached her curiously and backed off at a very subtle warning from Demeter (Bebe Nicole Simpson). (I have to add on that Sillabub wore an orange t-shirt, short pink overalls, and orange converse shoes with a crown of sunflowers on their head. They were easily my favorite character.)

Grizabella showed off a trophy she had won in a previous ball and implored the interim judges to let her compete. They refused.

This Grizabella was almost frighteningly determined.

Bustopher Jones

For the performance I saw, Garnet Williams filled in for Nora Schell, with Tara Lashan Clinkscales filling in for Bombalurina.

Bustopher was referred to with they/them pronouns.

A large portion of this number was spent with Bustopher walking around the theater. When they mounted the stage, they pulled open their shirt to reveal a bustier emblazoned with the English flag.

Bustopher competed and won in the "Body" category. They continued to remain present throughout the rest of the show.

Mungojerrie and Rumpleteazer

(clip)

It is specified both in the program and during the number that these two are from Victoria Grove, New Jersey

Those New Jersey accents were aggressive

"one of the goyles suddenly misses her woolworth poyles"

Honestly, I wouldn't expect anything less from them

During the Macavity scare preceding this number, Macavity dropped off some trash bags filled with clothes for Bombalurina and Demeter. Mungojerrie (Jonathan Burke) and Rumpleteazer (Dava Huesca) attempted to steal these.

During the second verse, both changed costumes behind some costume racks on either side of the stage.

They competed in the "Tag Team" category against Victoria and Tumblebrutus (Primo) and lost. They then stole the trophy, which Victoria and Tumblebrutus stole back.

Anyway I just desperately need other US productions to give them New Jersey accents

Old Deuteronomy

Munkustrap (Dudney Joseph Jr.) was the only one onstage for the first part of this

Tugger (Sydney James Harcourt) approached the side of the stage and grasped Munkustrap's arm at the "numerous progeny" line

The stage was left empty for Old Deuteronomy (André De Shields) to walk out on

Before he walked out, Sillabub threw flower petals all over it

Mr. Mistoffelees (Robert "Silk" Mason) pulled out Old Deuteronomy's chair for him

There was a VERY long pause for applause when Old Deuteronomy reached his throne at the far end of the catwalk. He turned in a very slow circle. We made eye contact.

Song of the Jellicles/The Jellicle Ball

(clip)

During the Macavity scare, Macavity strides up to Old Deuteronomy. Old Deuteronomy waves him back out of the room in a way that honestly looked like magic. (It's worth noting at this point that the Macavity in this production is a goofy role.)

Because of how the stage is set up, most parts of the dance number were done with only 2-5 actors onstage at a time. When there was a larger group, the dancing remained mostly sedentary.

No mating dance

Grizabella appeared on one of the high balconies. Sillabub waved enthusiastically at her. Everybody else just stared at her.

Many categories were competed in during this part. One of them was sort of an "anything goes" (I forget the exact name) category, in which Munkustrap came out in a golden ensemble with giant wings. Old Deuteronomy didn't like it. Munkustrap gave him sass.

Memory (part 1)

Old Deuteronomy walked out of the room along with everybody else (I THINK.) Grizabella approached the side of the stage, took off the scarf covering her hair, and draped it over one of the railings.

Grizabella caressed the stage as she sang.

Sillabub approached the other side of the stage, watched her for a bit, and departed. They returned near the end of the number with a glittery dress, which they offered to her. Grizabella ran away.

At the end of the number, Sillabub climbs onstage to grab the scarf and look out at the audience. Cut to black.

Moments of Happiness/Moonlight

This part took place entirely between Old Deuteronomy and Sillabub. Sillabub was still onstage, almost got scared away when Old Deuteronomy returned, and knelt in front of him.

As Old Deuteronomy sang about happiness through many generations, he tied the scarf around Sillabub's neck.

While all of this happened, old photos and reports about old balls were being projected on a large screen at the back of the stage. There was then a listing of old house mothers. Most of these were real. The final name listed was Grizabella's.

The rest of the cast joins in for Moonlight, stationed all around the theater. Bombalurina and Demeter were right next to me on the lower balcony. Bombalurina smiled at me.

Gus the Theater Cat

Shereen Pimentel (Jellylorum) was AMAZING.

Gus (Junior LaBeija) was only present for this number and the bows. Most of his lines were performed like spoken word poetry rather than through song.

There was no show-within-a-show piece after this number, but Gus did say the "I once played Rumpus Cat" line. At the very end was Tumblebrutus (I THINK) re-enacting a young Gus a la Grizabella in Tecklenburg 2015.

Skimbleshanks the Railway Cat

(clip)

AGGRESSIVELY a New Yorker in the same way Mungo and Rumple were from New Jersey. Queen of the subways.

Skimbleshanks' (Emma Sofia's) hair had tiger stripes!!!

Lyrics were both English and Spanish (?), especially during the "it was very pleasant" part

She lost her category against Rumpleteazer. They embraced and continued to dance together for the rest of the song.

Macavity the Mystery Cat/"The Fight"

Macavity (with a comically evil cackle and some Hanna-Barbera-style running around) dropped off some more trash bags through one of the windows in the back, which Demeter unpacked. As it turned out, those bags were filled with designer products.

"Macavity wasn't there" was a line used to refer to the fact that Macavity was supposed to be competing but didn't show up on time

Oh yeah, Demeter and Bombalurina were members of the House of Macavity

After Macavity proved to Old Deuteronomy that all of the products were genuine, they all got dressed up and competed in "Labels". The House of Macavity won.

Members of the losing team found attached tags on the products, indicating that the items were shoplifted.

As police sirens blared and blue and white lights flew around the room, Old Deuteronomy ushered Macavity to leave the venue. The police officers entered, looked around the audience, and then looked on the stage, where Old Deuteronomy stood in front of the bags of stolen goods and gave himself up as the perpetrator of the crime.

Macavity returns looking downright distraught.

Magical Mr. Mistoffelees

(clip)

It was much more believable to see everybody turning their backs on Tugger in this production than any other I've seen

Mr. Mistoffelees was referred to with he/him pronouns, so that's what I'm using here

Mr. Mistoffelees is introduced as a ballroom dancer who meets success, in part, by magic-ing his opponents into having wardrobe and performance malfunctions.

He also steals their stuff but I'm unsure whether that has to do with saving Old Deut or if it's just enriching for him

Old Deuteronomy was magicked into a box and stood very still when the curtain was pulled off. When Macavity approached, Old Deuteronomy jumpscared him.

After the song was done, Tugger and Mistoffelees kissed. They were not, as I have seen others say, eating each other's faces; it was very chaste and tender and lasted for just a handful of seconds. The audience went wild, of course.

Memory (part 2)

Grizabella came out in the dress Sillabub had offered earlier

Maybe I was reading too much into it but it looked to me like Old Deuteronomy and Sillabub conspired together to make her reappearance happen

This song was sung in a lower key than usual to better suit Temptress' voice

She looked so uncertain the whole time

Journey to the Heaviside Layer

A big staircase hinged down to the stage, just like in replica productions

Grizabella left through a door at the top of the stairs. Through it, the sounds of New York City could be heard.

The Ad-dressing of Cats

This song makes WAY MORE SENSE in this production in OG Cats, in my opinion. There, it sometimes feels like a bit of a slog. Here, it reinforced the core message of the show about accepting people as they are. To me, the context made it much more powerful.

These last few numbers were loud even through my ear plugs and I don't know why.

The ensemble (Frank Viveros and Shelby Griswold) brought the cast flutes of champagne

Bows

Munkustrap announced each member of the cast as they did individual dances down the stage. This was one of the only songs unrelated to Cats music.

Tugger did a striptease.

After all of the actors, the conductor came out vogueing down the stage.

Afterward, the cast began singing the "practical cats, dramatical cats" portion of Jellicle Songs. I sang enthusiastically along, catching Bustopher's eye. They blew me a kiss.

Other thoughts

Electra (Kendall Grayson Stroud) EASILY had my favorite costume: a holographic top and little black skirt with a huge ruffled rainbow coat over it

Victoria's costume changes made her much less noticeable than usual, especially as she mostly served as a member of the ensemble (I don't think anything in particular about this choice; I just found it interesting)

Despite all of the changes, this very much felt like a production of cats. Even though the actors were staged to be humans, they did nothing else to emphasize it. All of the lyrics were true to replica cats productions.

Where ballroom beats were implemented, they never distracted from the songs they were placed into. They actually enhanced the songs very nicely.

Almost all of the changes made to the original story make sense in the context of this production. I.e., Alonzo's absence makes sense because his role is no longer necessitated. Same with Coricopat and Tantomile.

I am in LOVE with this Sillabub. I really cannot emphasize that enough. They had so much youthful whimsy and KILLED those high notes. They should have been frolicking but instead they were at the club smh

Understated Tugger was an interesting look, and I think it worked well, considering that this Mistoffelees was definitely the most eye-catching member of the cast.

It was actually really cool to see a production where Macavity is accepted as one of the tribe. I fully believe that Mungojerrie learned a few pointers from this one. Again, I have to emphasize that it looked like Antwayn Hopper had the time of his life in this role.

Speaking of, there may have been some Deut bros (Tugger+Munkustrap+Macavity) staging, but I don't remember clearly enough to say for sure.

Most of the transfer of the story made sense... except for the stuff surrounding Grizabella. I've seen the directors talk about ageism in the ballroom community, but with how much emphasis this production put on respect for elders via Old Deuteronomy and Gus and the lack of general contempt from the cast, I honestly don't know why she would have been outcast to begin with. I also have no idea why she ran away from Sillabub.

I kind of wish there had been more extreme makeup, but most of the cast switched between their characters and ensemble roles frequently, so it makes sense. It didn't make the show any worse.

Overall, this was an incredible production that deserves the praise it is given. Yes, I think a number of Cats fans are casting too much judgement on the creative decisions. Yes, I think too many reporters have dunked on the original Cats staging more than is warranted in order to prop this production up. Regardless of those two factors, it was clear that the cast and creative team had a real love for both Cats and ballroom, and I think they married the two concepts beautifully.

#fern muses #cats the musical #pac nyc cats #spoilers

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woncon · 1 year ago

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Flufftober Day 27

Outdoor Event

🍁 minho x gn!reader

🍁 special thanks to @honeytwo for helping me translate this into english, correcting my grammar and other mistakes. thank you for everything! °♡̷•.

🍁 flufftober masterlist | main masterlist

✁- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

"Have you done this before?"

"No, but I'd like to try it with you."

"You sure? We still could go out to eat or something."

"Yes, Minho, I'm sure. I want this."

His eyes sparkled so hopefully whenever he brought up the subject, that you would have thought yourself heartless if you had said no. And you are unlikely to regret your decision. It's not as if you'd go hiking on Mount Everest or do hot pepper challenges without milk in your environment.

"Okay." He smiles and caresses your thigh. The touch is a little sudden, but it's really nice.

"I brought a wide range of snacks. What would you like to start with?"

He turns towards the back seat. He wasn't exaggerating when he said wide range. Your mouth remains a little open. If you tried to eat everything, you'd probably die.

"Caramel pop-corn will be fine."

Minho hums and leans back, handing over the desired sweet. He places a small bag of gummy bears on his own lap, then pushes back his chair and rolls down the windows. The late autumn wind beckons into the cabin. From the other cars comes the rumble of waiting.

"What we're going to watch?"

"Nine Lives." Of course he takes you to a cat movie.

"I haven't seen it yet."

"I hope you will like it. It's a cute film if you want to watch it that way, but you can also explore deeper issues."

"In any case," you lean over your seat to give him a kiss on the cheek, "thank you for inviting me."

Minho strokes your cheek, and you might start kissing him because he looks at you like that, but then a light comes on in the dark canvas and you break apart.

The movie starts in the drive-in.

flufftober taglist (send an ask! <3)

@jaeheekangslover

@haechansbbg

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rou-luxe · 2 months ago

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sunday, october 27th, 2024, 11:23 pm

my hatred for orange is more deep seated than I originally thought

as a child, I used to wake up early in the summer just to see the sun rise.

it was so beautiful with the orange rays of sunlight stretching across the plaster buildings, breathing life into the cold grays. I stared out the window for hours, watching, listening. birds would start to sing, lights would turn on, cats would run along the tops of brick walls. all viewed from the small window mounted at my bedside, framed by the rough dark magenta fabric of the curtains.

such a wonderful blessing.

I loved it. something so insignificant filled my heart with wonder. it was more entertaining than any movie or book I had watched. to think the sun rose every single day, to think there was such a beautiful, romantic sight every morning, it made me feel so content.

then I would go to another room and read books for about six hours (my parents woke up late then because my father was unemployed and my mother works in the education system). I didn't eat, I didn't drink, I just focused on reading. my parents were always surprised to find me awake, and would ask me, "why?" I didn't have an answer then.

I have not watched the sun rise for years. I can't bring myself to sleep early. those are times I lie dormant.

to be frank, I'm jealous.

at some point, I realized that most of my misfortune happened on the most sunny days. first day at a middle school where there's no one you know and you embarrass yourself the whole day? beautiful, sunny day. got a B+ on an important test? beautiful, sunny day. the list goes on.

it felt like even the sun was mocking me.

the sun no longer symbolizes happiness for me. I hate the sun. I hate the color orange.

#cw vent

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appropriatelystupid · 10 months ago

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can you tell us the story of how you found your cats? i'm sick in bed and would love a heartwarming story :)

ooo you caught me at the right time because i just sat down with quite a bit of time to kill (also I hope you feel better soon <3)

when i say rey picked me i fucking mean it

it’s a lengthy so i’m gonna put it under the cut and kitten pics (first pics i took of the three of them)

our story begins all the way back in 2015:

over the summer i’d had to say good bye to one of my two remaining childhood cats, pongo, after ~17 years. my mom still had the last, catscan, but in september i would be leaving for a new job in a new state and she wouldn’t be able to come with me

there was a few months of training for this new job that meant i was in a situation where i couldn’t have pets yet but by mid december i was in my new apartment and DESPERATELY needed felines back in my life (legit this is the longest i’d ever lived without a cat in my home)

so finally, sorta settled between xmas and new years, i began my search for some kittens

i pretty quickly found the closest humane society to me and started scrolling their cats and there was a GORGEOUS long-haired tortie/calico kitten with a tragic backstory to boot

within a day or two i drove over to try and meet the kitten and see if any others seemed bonded to it because i knew i wanted two so they’d have company while i was at work

so i get there and do some intro stuff with the staff and run through the five cats i’d grown up with (and the bonus cats that crossed my life in various ways) clearly proving i wasn’t terrible and was absolutely qualified for adoption. the next step was meeting all the cats they had

(a brief note about the layout of this place: it’s located in an old house that’s been remodeled to serve this purpose so there are a handful of rooms set up for different groups of cats and each room has a door that’s almost fully a window so they can keep an eye out easier)

so we go into the first room that has the very little kittens and obviously they’re all adorable but they’re only just big enough to technically be ready to go to a new home so none of them jumped out at me

the second room, as it turned out, would be the game changer

in the second room only had two cats in it. lucy and leon (who i remembered had a terribly unflattering photo on the website) were nearly six months old and were very obviously related and likely part of why they were separated from the others

the room had a cat tree in one corner but also had a wall mounted about waist height on three of the walls for them to get to the window. there was a single folding chair placed to the side of the room

so we approach the second room and the employee showing me around tells me she has to take care of something and that i should just wait in the room until she’s done (majorly sus but i think she could tell rey was about to pick me). both kittens are standing in the door window watching me come over

so i scooch into the room and go to sit in the chair and before i’m even fully seated the girl cat is already jumping in my lap to curl up and start purring. the boy, clearly more skittish than his sister, gets up on the wall to sniff at me from a safer distance but eventually stretches out to get a paw on my shoulder to really get some sniffs in

i only sat there for maybe five minutes but my original plan was wobbling majorly

the staffer comes to get me eventually and we continue through the rest of the rooms. the fourth room had the gorgeous kitten and some other unrelated cats. and it was too nervous to really let me pet her. the others didn’t seem too interested in our presence either so no second cat from the room seemed like the one either

we moved on, headed downstairs to the new new kittens who weren’t ready for adoption and the seniors who i wish i could’ve considered more seriously (my pain from the summer was still a little too fresh and i knew catscan was only going to be around so much longer)

as we head upstairs to finish up some paperwork we talk through the next steps. they like my vibes but still need to call my references to do their do diligence. when we walk by, lucy and leon are back in their door window watching

i leave for the day, text my friend to warn her she’d be getting a call, and head to target to pick up some stuff. within an hour, barely into my target run, i get the call that i’m approved to adopt, and do i have any front runners for who i wanted to take home

there was no question about it: it had to be lucy and leon

rather unfortunately, the timing of it all meant i couldn’t actually pick them up until january 2nd (only four days later but a long four days of impatience) but then, just like that, i had two precious little kittens in my house just in time for their sixth month birthday on the 3rd, now named rey and legolas

~cut to april 2021~

i’m sitting at work one day and my buddy texts me that his sister came home that day, during a storm, to discover four kittens in a storm drain/gutter. she’d sat around for a bit to see if a mother came back but after an hour or so couldn’t bear to leave them out alone anymore so she brought them inside

i let him know, if she needed any help with placing them after she got them checked out i could probably help (we lived near each other and both my parents had separately talked about wanting a cat again. and i was moving out of my apartment into more space and figured i could probably handle a third if it came down to it)

two-ish months later, i’ve moved lego and rey into their new house and my buddy texts me again, am i still interested in another cat

there was one of the four yet to be claimed and i said absolutely give me the little guy

my buddy puts me in touch with his sister and we sort out a time for me to come by and, within a day or two, kieran joins the clowder

#some fun bonus facts:#alt name considered for rey: tauriel (i had a theme but it’s harder to abbreviate than legolas)#alt name for kieran (i didn’t know if i was getting a boy of one of the girls for a bit): aithusa (i was committed to it being kmcg related #so thank you sg writers for not knowing anything about anything)#also i def teared up typing this i just love my babies so so much #appropriatelyfeline #anon #appropriatelyasked #stupidlyanswered

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immobiliter · 1 year ago

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@delusionaid sent a meme: "hey, did you see that sky today? talk about blue." (from Wriothesley to Navia :3)

An audible huff escaped her lips and Navia crossed her arms, nose turned upwards as she glanced around the cylindrical, reinforced brick wall surrounding them here in the Duke's office. Not a window in sight, of course. “ You can't even see the sky from all the way down here. ” In her defence, she had been here in the Fortress of Meropide for what felt like hours ( perhaps she was being a little dramatic, though the passage of time felt different here, these many many leagues underneath the sea ) and had gotten precisely nowhere with her line of questioning. Are you kidding me? This is hand-carved mahogany. She nearly rolled her eyes again. Anything sounds bad when you say it with that attitude. Wriothesley was being obfuscating on purpose — and while Navia had always known him to be a hard man to read, there was surely a reason why he was being this obstinate — and she believed that it had everything to do with her late father's trial.

Pursing her lips together, Navia stood from her seat opposite him. Naturally, there he remained like a lithe cat, perfectly content to continue this game of charades for the rest of their meeting. “ Your Grace, you and my father were partners. Friends, even. Do you know what they call him now, up on the surface? Callas the Unfaithful. ” Her voice shook a little, and Navia had to pause to collect herself. “ I am not asking you to help me for my own sake — considering how I haven't heard anything from you since I took over the Spina, I've gathered you want nothing further to do with me — but for his. Do you not owe it to your partnership with him to help me uncover why he accepted those charges without mounting a defence against them? ”

#delusionaid #delusionaid: wriothesley #* / answered ( navia. )#u said all three would occur in the same conversation so that's what i ran with B))#navia is ready to appeal to wrio's feeeeeeeelings like she did neuv in the aq lmao #but i'm EXCITED to kick things off with them!

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amaiguri · 8 months ago

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Writing Haven Tag

I saw @leahnardo-da-veggie post this Build your writing haven tag! and I had to jump on the open tag here. The rules are, without using any images, describe your ideal place to write.

To be frank though, it's just my ideal bedroom:

I would love to write by mosquito-less bodies of running water with ducks or fish in them. I'd try to feed them sometimes. I'd want a quiet roar when it thundered and rained. And I'd want purple wisteria and the dappled shade of trees out my window in summer and in the winter, long icicles and dreamy white snow. I'd want my springs to be a rainy Seattle winter and my autumns to be bright with crimson leaves that looked like flames in the sunset.

My walls would be full of dried or silk plants (because I'm not responsible enough to keep real ones alive) and sketches and diagrams and maps from around my fantasy world. But in addition to this vaguely-Dark Academia aesthetic, there would be kawaii plushies and bunny-themed cups to make bubble tea. I'd want my keyboard to be like a typewriter keyboard and make those satisfying punchy clicks BUT ALSO it'd just be attached to a normal computer -- though its screen could stand to be framed with an ornate frame. The seats would all tilt my knees ergonomically beneath my hips to improve my posture while enabling me to sit cross-legged. Desk would be close to the floor so I could lie down whenever I wanted.

Architecturally, I'd want the room itself to be a mix between Traditional East Asian and Cottage-core-Western styles. And mostly jeweltones and dark woods BUT with those pops of purple from the flowers and plushies. Bonus points if all the lights look like hanging orbs of some kind with elaborate, iron-wrought hangers. And the floor would need both hard room and deeply cushioned sections. The bathroom would have lavender-flavored soap shaped like cat skulls and ethically-sourced crow bones mounted in the silk-vines on the walls.

And lastly and most importantly, the room needs a bath that is separate from the shower so I can sit in the tub and write on my phone :D

That's my dream bedroom/office... But now I'm going to cheat and use an image under the cut cuz SURPRISE, that's my Vtubing Background, so naturally, I depicted something like my dream for that XDDDD

Gently tagging @maiemorrae, @reaperofcrows, @moonfeatherblue, @dragonprincedawn, but also also, open tag to everyone because that's how I hopped on this tag!

#writeblr #writing haven #writing space #dream bedroom #vtuber background #amaiguri

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craftycheetah · 2 years ago

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Taught to Love Again 4

I just realized i never posted this or the chap after!! Life grabbed me by the throat lol.

Somehow by sheer luck, Hitoshi convinced Shouta to take the trip. After leaving the cats with a reputable pet daycare, the train tickets are bought, and you’re off in a cozy cabin Hitoshi was more than kind enough to use his pro hero status to get.

“Wat dat?” Kokoro points at a snow-covered mountain through the window.

“That’s Mount Ushiro. When we get to Hyogo, we’re gonna get to see it up close,” you grin.

“Woah!”

“We’re gonna be staying there too. If you’re lucky you might see a little bunny.”

“For real life?! I wanna see bunny!”

“Me too!” Nico says from the seat on the opposite aisle.

The train stops at the station, prompting you to get your things and get off.

“Ooh, this is nice,” Hitoshi comments at the white landscape.

“Just wait until you get to the resort.”

“It’s freezing,” Shouta grumbles into his black scarf, pulling his yellow parka hood over his head. “Can we hurry?”

“There should be a car waiting for us. Let’s go.”

“Finally, ah don’t wanna get any colda than ah already am!” Sika huffs.

The ball Amelie is holding falls out of her hands and rolls under a black van parked by the curb. “Ball!”

“Ami don’t run into the street,” Sika scolds and grabs her hand. “John?”

John pushes the side of the car onto two of its wheels and kicks the ball out before dropping the car. “Here you go, sweetie.”

The owner of the car steps out, dazed. “What the fuck?!” She yells in Kansai. “Ya can’t just fucking lift peoples cars, the fuck is wrong with ya?!”

“Ahm sorry, mah neice’s ball rolled under yer car,” you apologise.

“Holy shit, yer MindJack, ahm supposed to pick ya up, sorry.” She bows.

“You had yer husband lift up the fuckin’ car of our driver?”

“You wanted me to leave mah baby’s ball in tha street like that? Hell no! How was ah supposed ta know?”

You roll your eyes and wheel your suitcase forward. “She’s taking us to the resort,” you tell the rest of your group.

The rest of them nod and start placing their things in the back of the van, and John and Shouta open the door helping Eri and the kids get into the van.

Once the kids are all strapped in, you sit in the second row with Hitoshi and Koko as you hear Shouta chuckle as Ami babbles and squeals, trying to play with him.

He lets her hold his hand the whole drive.

“Ma said to come over when we settle in,” Sika says as she types on her phone. “She’s making dinner.”

“Ooh, I hope it’s hot pot,” you smile.

“Mama, when we gets to the moontan, we see bunny?”

“Maybe, Koko. They’re white like the snow so they’re very hard to see, but we might see a deer.”

“Ooh!”

Once you arrive at the resort and get your rooms in order, you take the short bus ride to your childhood home.

“This is a lovely home,” Hizashi comments.

“Thank you,” you smile and ring the doorbell. A dog barks inside, and you hear footsteps approaching the door.

‘Down Anzu.’

Hina opens the door and smiles when she sees you. “Mah babies! Come in, come in!”

She steps aside, letting the ten of you in to take off your coats. The old Shiba Inu wags his tail happily, licking your hands and sniffing the kids' faces. Cocoa Puff yips happily and sniffs Anzu before running into the house.

“Welcome!” Hina smiles, hugging Hizashi and Shouta before giving an equally tight hug to Eri. “You must be Hitoshi’s family, it’s so nice to meet you,” Hina grins.

“It’s nice to meet you too,” Eri smiles.

“Hai Mama mama!” Koko waves as he holds onto Hitoshi’s hand.

“Hi Koko,” Hina giggles as he waddles over for a hug. “Hi Hitoshi.”

He lets her hug him. “Hi Mrs. L/n.”

Hina turns towards the kitchen door. “Ahimitsu, the girls are here!”

A tall man with salt and pepper hair walks in, hands behind his back as he undoes his apron. “Hi girls,” Ahimitsu smiles.

You and Sika rush over and hug him. “Hi Dad,” Sika smiles while you just squeeze him tighter.

“Hi Sika. Hi Y/n.”

“Granpa!” Nico squeals as you pull away, running over to get his hug.

Ahimitsu bends down and picks up Nico, kissing his cheek and smiling. “Is that Nico?! Oh you’ve gotten so big! You’re getting too heavy for grandpa.”

If Hitoshi thought you looked just like your mom, he was wrong because you and your dad could be the same person.

“Gapa!” Amelie squeals waddling up to Ahimitsu, and hugs his lower thigh as he puts down Nico.

You call Koko over. “Koko, this is my dad.”

Kokoro walks up to you and looks up at Ahmitsu. “This Mama Daddy?”

You nod as he waves shyly.

“And this is my boyfriend, Shinsou and his family.”

“You remember, the heroes,” Hina says.

“I remember, ahm not an idiot.”

“Well sometimes ya forget. Come on Sika, let’s finish up dinner.”

“Why do ah gotta cook? Ain’t we guests?”

“Get in the damn kitchen,” Hina glares.

“I’ll help,” John offers.

Hitoshi nervously shakes Ahimitsu’s hand. “Nice to meet you sir.”

“You too, been waiting to meet you since Hina mentioned my baby started dating.”

“Oh God…” you groan. “Dad.”

“I’m just saying! Nice to meet you all, come on into the living room.”

You lead the rest of them into the living room as Hitoshi sits beside your Dad on the couch.

“I’m gonna go help my mom,” you announce and disappear into the kitchen.

“So, you’re number fifteen in the hero rankings, that's quite an accomplishment.”

“Thank you sir,” Hitoshi says proudly before sitting on the couch next to Shouta. “If don’t mind me asking, what do you do?”

“Well,” he starts. “I was one of the top realtors in Hyogo for fifteen years straight until I got old and slowed down.”

“You're not slowing down, Mr. L/n. You just need an assistant. I used to think the same thing juggling pro hero work, being a radio host, and teacher,” Hizashi chuckles.

“Don't forget musician babe,” Shouta adds.

“I was hoping my girls would take after me but what happened? They left for the big city and never see their old man anymore,” he says loud enough for both you and Sika to hear.

“Ah went up to college, Papa and y'know I had to go!” you shout back.

Ahimitsu chuckles at your response before picking up Ami as she waddles up to him, seating her on his lap. “So any plans for little ones, Shinsou?”

Hitoshi ignores the smug look on Eri’s face as she grins.

“Well we’ve talked about it a couple of times so it’s a huge maybe but we’d have to get married first.”

“And when is that happening?”

“Uhh, sometime in the next five years hopefully. Maybe.”

“Can I be the flower girl?” Eri giggles.

“You’re too old,” Hizashi chuckles and messes up her bun.

“Ami can do it, can’t you?” Ahimitsu asks the toddler in his lap.

“Yah,” she agrees, not really sure what she’s agreeing to.

Hina walks in with a grey tray carrying a pitcher of lemonade and glasses. “Ya better not be bugging the poor boy, Mitsu.”

“Ahm not!”

Kokoro runs up to Hitoshi. “Daddy, me and Nico pway wif doggies outside?”

“Oh, you found Anzu. Anzu’s a sweetie, he won’t harm anyone. You can go play with him in the backyard,” Hina says. “I’ll take you.”

Koko nods and follows after her, holding her hand.

“Cocoa Puff, lessgo,” Nico calls the pup to follow him outside.

“So, lemonade anyone?” Mitsu asks.

“I’ll have one,” Shouta responds.

An hour later, the huge dinner spread was ready. You and Sika walk in and put the pot, ingredients, and bowls on the living room kotatsu while Hina comes in with the boys and Anzu.

“Your hair’s all wet, Koko,” you tut and adjust his headband.

“I falls down,” he giggles.

“Falls down a lot,” Nico giggles. “I falls too though. We make angels too.”

“That explains the wet hair,” Sika sighs. “You can’t be putting your head on the ground, Nico. Your hair gets dirty easily.”

“Sowwy.” He doesn’t sound sorry.

“We play wif doggies!” Koko tells you and sits between you and Hitoshi, tucking his legs under the kotatsu.

“Sounds like you had a lot of fun, bud,” Hitoshi says.

“Doggies nice and lub snow!”

“He was my dog when I was a teenager,” you tell Kokoro.

Anzu sighs tiredly and plops next to the fireplace.

“You wore him out,” Ahimitsu chuckles.

“Damn dog doesn’t wanna die,” Sika mumbles.

“Let ‘im live his life. He’s a good boy.” Hina laughs and picks up a slice of raw beef to give Anzu. “Good boy.”

Anzu’s tail wags at the praise before he lays down again on his back, warming his belly.

Amelie fusses until she gets to sit on Shoutas lap, patting the table and clapping happily.

“We should get another one,” Hizashi coos.

“No,” Shouts deadpans. “No more.”

“Okay, relax.”

Dinner is nice. The hotpot you put together is yummier than anything that Hitoshi’s eaten in a while.

After cleaning up, you all stay under the kotatsu for hot cocoa and satsumas while the kids play with Anzu and Cocoa Puff by the fireplace.

“I’m dying of cuteness, look what Mrs. Bakugou posted on Dyna__Bites,” Sika coos and shows you the video of what looks like Hiro in a puffy red and black red riot baby jacket.

‘Popsicle, do you like the snow?’ Iwa’s voice asks off camera.

Hiro whines as he stands stiffly while Popcorn and Pop tart play in the background with their dog.

‘Can you say snow?’ Katsuki asks him.

Hiro whines louder in response.

“Oh no,” you giggle.

‘Snow?’ Katsuki repeats and Hiro falls onto his back. ‘Oh shit!’

Hiro starts wailing and flailing his tiny arms before Iwa rushes into frame to help him up. ‘Guess that’s a no on the snow.’

You and Sika laugh at the video. “Poor kid.”

“But that was so cute,” you smile, rewatching it fondly.

You idly eat your orange, occasionally sputtering when you bite into the rind.

You feel a small weight on your back, looking over and not seeing Ami with the boys so you assume it’s her.

“Hi Ami,” you giggle.

“Ahtie, hai,” she squeals and comes round to hug you. “Wa do?”

“Just relaxing with your mama.”

“I do too! Hai mama,” she giggles.

“Hi baby,” Sika smiles and pushes her cup away from Ami trying to get it. “No, this is mommy’s drink.”

You look over at Hitoshi and giggle when Ami pats you eagerly and giggles when you kiss her cheek.

“Shinsou, would you like some Baileys in your cocoa?” Ahimitsu asks as he opens up the bottle.

“Oh, no thanks.”

“I’ll take it,” John says and holds his half empty cup out.

“Just say when.”

“Just fill it up, I’m really tired. It was a nightmare trying to get my christmas break, I had to put it in four months in advance.”

“Wow. Four months in advance just to put in time for a week off. Poor guy.”

Hitoshi smiles fondly as you tickle Ami. ‘She’s so good with kids.’

A hand on his shoulder snaps Hitoshi out of his trance.

“Hitoshi,” Shouta calls out softly before tilting his head towards the kitchen entryway.

Pulling his legs from under the kotatsu, Hitoshi follows Shouta out of the room.

“Yeah, Dad?”

“I see the way you’ve been looking at Y/n. I don’t want you to get hurt again.”

“What do you mean?”

“I’m just giving you some advice. Don’t rush into this, okay. Take it slow so that nobody gets hurt. Koko doesn't deserve to lose a mom twice in his life.”

“I won’t. But thanks for the advice, Dad.”

After Cocoa, it’s time to go back to the resort.

“We should rent a car,” you grumble and squeeze in next to Sika in Hina’s station wagon.

“I’ll do it,” John says and helps Nico into Ahimitsu’s jeep.

“Make sure it’s big enough for everyone,” Sika tells him and shuts the door.

“Just us girls now,” Hina grins and starts the car.

“I hope Dad doesn’t drive them off a cliff.”

“He won’t…hopefully.”

“Um, Miss Y/n?”

“Yeah Eri?”

“My dads and ‘toshi…they’ll be okay right?”

“Oh they’ll be fine, my dad’s a great driver,” you reassure her and look at Sika who’s grimacing. “Don’t worry.”

“She says like she don’ remember what happened with the deer an’ tha phone pole,” Hina scoffs in Kansai.

“What did she say?”

“The guys will be fine,” you smile, ignoring the eyeroll from your mom and sister.

You get to the resort just after the guys who’re a little shaken up.

“Dad, Papa, are you okay?” Eri asks as she steps out of the car noticing their flushed faces.

Hizashi holds onto Shouta, trying not to vomit, nodding softly.

“We had a bumpy ride,” Shouta explains.

John throws up on the sidewalk. “I drank too much.”

“Oh, ew,” Sika cringes. “I mean, poor baby.”

“My tummy hurt,” Nico whines.

“Let’s get you both inside.” She ushers then into the resort.

Ami reaches for Eri as you hold her. “Ahwee!”

The mono-horned girl turns around. “Hmm? Aww, are you trying to say my name?”

“Ahwee!” she giggles.

“Can I hold her?”

You nod and coo when Amelie pats her nose and giggles.

“Booo!”

Eri smiles and boops her back. “Boop!” she giggles.

Kokoro hugs your legs, yawning. “Sweepy.”

“Your dad is an awful driver, babe,” Hitoshi chuckles.

“I know, let’s go inside before we catch a cold. Bye Mom and Dad.” You wave at your parents.

You watch them climb back into the cars and start driving down the road before picking up Koko and walking inside up to the apartment you’re staying in.

You get the couch pull out bed ready with the extra sheets while Hitoshi gives Koko a nice warm bath and gets him dressed for bed.

After using one of the open bathrooms to shower and change, you step out just as you see Hitoshi straighten up from his suitcase, wearing nothing but his black sweats.

You yawn softly and climb into bed with him. “Hey,” you smile tiredly.

Hitoshi kisses your forehead as you rest your head on his chest. “Hi,” he hums. “You okay?”

“I’m tired. Sleepy.”

“Your dad grilled me so much I think I need a week to recover.”

“What’d he say?”

“Future plans and stuff.”

You hum tiredly. “He likes you.”

“You think so?”

“Mhm, a lot…” you trail off and fall asleep.

“I’m glad he does. I was ho–babe?”

Hitoshi smiles softly, trying not to laugh when he sees you fast asleep on his chest.

“Sweet dreams.”

The next morning, you all drag yourselves out of the rooms into the open kitchen for breakfast.

“What the fuck is that?” Sika drawls when she sees Shouta’s sleeping bag.

“My sleeping bag,” Shouta says like it’s the most obvious thing ever.

“…it’s eight A.M…”

“Okay?”

‘Weirdo…he’s still hot though,’ Sika thinks before going to the fridge to get eggs.

Nico and Amelie whine in protest as John carries them in by their feet, not wanting to get out of bed.

“Daddy no! Wanna sweep!” Nico whines.

“No Dada!” Amelie shouts.

“Hey, you two can’t sleep all day,” he scolds and puts them on the dining room chairs.

Nico tries to make a run for it but quickly gets caught by John.

“Sit down.”

“Hmph,” Nico huffs and sits, crossing his arms.

“The joys of parenting,” Hizashi sighs.

“Mischievous little brats,” Shouta chuckles. “There was this one time I was training with Hitoshi and teaching him to use his capture weapon and he ended up wrapping himself in a cocoon.”

“What’re we talking about?” Hitoshi yawns as he walks in wearing a pale gray tank top with last night’s sweats.

“Nothing,” Sika snickers. “Good morning.”

Hitoshi grunts in acknowledgment before looking for the coffee pot to fill with water, noticing the fancy coffee maker with a drawer labelled coffee pods underneath. “Ooh, fancy coffee. Dad, look.”

“You had me at coffee.”

“Hai,” Koko greets everyone and goes to sit with Nico and Ami.

“Ma’ll meet us at the ski lodge,” you tell everyone and flick the kettle on to make tea. “Why am I so tired still?”

“Did you stay up late?” Sika asks.

“No?”

“When was the last time you got to relax?”

“Uhh before I started working at Kurume. Keeping twenty kids with crazy quirks in check is ridiculous.”

“Oh, Y/n, no,” Sika sighs. “You need to relax this week.”

“I’ll try.”

“If you want stress-free hang out with Eri for a bit. She’s pretty chill,” Hitoshi suggests and rests his chin on top of your head.

Eri smiles at you.

You smile back. “That would be nice.”

After breakfast, you put on a new outfit you’ve been meaning to wear for a while.

“Okay, do you hate it?” You ask Hitoshi. “Say no or I'll cry.”

Hitoshi looks up from his phone as he sits on the edge of the bed and his eyes widen. “Wow…”

“I look horrible, don’t I,” you groan.

“Y/n, c’mere,” he sighs as you walk over. He pulls you closer so you stand between his legs. “You’re beautiful. This outfit is adorable and the colours suit you. Makes your ass look nice too.”

“Hitoshi!” you gasp when he playfully squeezes your ass and grins at you. “I got Koko a matching jacket too but what if he hates it.”

“If it’s from you, he’ll love it.”

Kokoro runs in, flopping on the bed. “Hai!”

“Woah, toddler attack!” Hitoshi chuckles as Koko flops next to him.

“Hai Daddy! Hai Mama!” he giggles. “What you do? Ooh, Mama pebby!”

“Thank you, Koko,” you smile and walk up to your suitcase on the floor. “I have something for you.”

“Me?”

“Yup.” You take out the mini version of your jacket. “It’s a jacket like mine.”

“Wowee!” He gasps. “I lub it!”

Hitoshi helps him out of his regular purple jacket so you can put him into your olive green one.

“Ooh, you look so handsome,” you giggle and zip it up.

“Now I has Mama and Daddy jaket! I go show ganpa?”

“Yeah, go show him.”

He holds your hand. “We go show ganpa.”

“Oh, you want me to come? Okay,” you giggle, walking with him towards the living room where Shouta’s watching cat videos with Hizashi on the big screen.

“Ganpas! Lookie.” Koko stands in front of them to show his jacket. “Mama gots me jaket like hers.”

You fan your face as your cheeks warm, waving softly as Koko does a little proud pose.

“Wow Koko, you look so handsome,” Shouta chuckles.

Hizashi nods, looking at the olive green. “You look so cute, little listener,” he chuckles.

“Tank yew,” he giggles. “Now we show Ahtee Eri and then Nico!”

You try not to laugh as Koko drags you around the cabin showing everyone his gift.

“Not you stealing my boots,” Sika huffs and shows you her same red moon boots. “Of course you would.”

“I had these first,” you scoff, sticking your tongue at her before walking with him back to Hitoshi’s room.

“Mama?”

“Yes Koko?”

“I lub you. Tank yew for my gif,” he smiles,hugging your waist.

You try not to cry at the display of affection. “Love you too.”

“What took you so long!” Hina yells when your little group approaches the lodge.

“We’re tired, Ma,” Sika sighs.

“What’re you wearing? Ya look like a hooker.”

Sika adjusts her coat and dusts off her bodysuit. “Good.”

“Ya look fat. Ya pregnant again?”

“Ugh! Ma!”

Mitsu hugs Sika sideways. “Ya look perfect as always, darlin’.”

“Thank you Daddy,” Sika smiles.

“You look good Y/n,” Hina smiles. “Wait, did you get this little man a matching jacket?! It’s so cute! His purple hat too,” she squeals as Koko shyly hides his face in your leg.

You pat Koko’s head and smile softly. “Thanks. Now let’s go.”

“We ski?” Nico asks John.

“It’ll be the first time, but yeah. Let’s go to the rental shop.”

“Have any of you skied before?” Hitoshi asks.

“We used to as kids,” you tell him. “Cause Ma thought it’ll look good in pictures.”

“It did!” Hina scoffs.

“I broke my arm and had to skip my highschool summer trip,” Sika scoffs.

“But you were both still cute.”

“They still are,” John smiles as Hitoshi hums in agreement.

“Very.”

After getting mini ski gear for Eri and the kids except for Amelie who gets a small sled, a ski instructor is assigned to your group.

“Aren’t you skiing?” He asks Sika outside.

She puts her sunglasses on. “Ew, no. I came here to look cute, that’s it.”

The instructor’s eyes wander along her body. “Well, you're doing a great job at that.”

She hums in acknowledgment and walks away, unaware of the gaze on her body.

The instructor gasps when he feels something grasp his neck.

“I can break your neck in three places right now if I wanted to,” John growls. “Don’t ogle my wife.”

“Y-yes sir, I’m sorry!”

John lets go and pats his head before following his wife.

You zip up Koko’s jacket and tighten the strings. “Be careful, okay?”

“Okie. You watch me?”

“I’ll go with you and watch from the benches over there.” You point at some benches at the bottom of the kiddie hill.

“Promise?”

“Mhm, I’ll take lots of pictures too.” You adjust his hat and goggles. “And don't forget to have fun.”

“Okie!” He waves and runs to the ski instructor waiting with the other kids.

You walk to the bottom and sit on an empty bench, taking your phone out to record Koko as he gets ready. He waves at you and you wave back, snapping a few pictures. Sika plops next to you, holding her jacket closed with one hand and holding a cup of warm cup of warm cocoa in the other. “Fuck me it’s cold!”

“I know you wanted to look cute but that's not a mountain outfit.”

“And that’s why I forced John to give me his jacket.” She waves at John tugging Amelie in her sleigh as Ahimitsu takes pictures.

“Sis, he’ll freeze.”

“He has a second jacket and thermal clothes. He’s fine. He’s trained for this,” she smiles. “Where’s your boo?”

“I think he went to go rent something.”

You look back at your phone and smile as Koko skis down the shallow slope, almost hitting a tree but gets to the bottom. You stop recording and grin when he calls out to you.

“Mama, you see me? I do it!”

“Yes you did, Koko! I’m so proud of you!”

Sika cheers when Nico slowly skis down and comes to a halt at the bottom. “Good job, baby!”

“Yay! Hai Koko!” Nico calls out waving at Koko who’s barely twenty feet away.

“Hai Nico!” Koko giggles, waving back.

“They’re so cute,” Sika smiles.

You look up as Hitoshi walks over, slightly covered in powdery snow with a yellow snowboard in hand. “Hey Toshi,” you smile. “I didn't know you snowboarded.”

“I learnt a while ago for an undercover mission in Switzerland. Broke my leg but it was fun.”

“What other secrets are you keeping from me?”

“Wouldn't you like to know?” he smirks. “Koko come down the hill yet?”

“Yeah, he’s talking with Nico. Oh shit I'm supposed to be taking pictures.” You take a few more and pocket the phone.

Loud laughter from the direction of the rental lodge gets all your attention. Hina and Hizashi walking arm in arm, cackling about something while Shouta looks annoyed walking next to them.

“C’mon Sho, just go down one mountain with me?” Hizashi pleads.

“Stop being so loud,” Shouta groans.

“So grumpy,” Hina mutters. “But we’re gonna get you outta that sour mood.”

“Please don’t.”

“Your mom’s great,” Hizashi grins at you.

“Thank you, Mr. Aizawa,” Hina smiles.

“Call me Hizashi.”

“Now, let’s get this grumpy guy to the lodge bar. They have mulled wine and the best dumplings.”

Shouta gives Hitoshi a look that screams, “save me!”

“Have fun dad,” Hitoshi smiles and waves trying not to laugh at Shouta’s glare.

You look over the boys and smile when you see them hugging before snickering when they fall backwards and flail. “Oh no. Sika, the boys fell again.”

“John!” She yells.

“Yeah?” he calls back.

“The boys!”

John looks over and sees the instructor help them up. “They’re fine.”

“Ami’s running!”

As soon as her father is distracted , the toddler waddles away as fast as she can towards a man with a fluffy husky.

“I’ve got her!” Hitoshi calls out, dropping his snowboard and running after the toddler, picking her up before she gets to the man.

“No!” she squeals, flailing around before looking at Hitoshi. “Wan Doggy!”

“You have a doggy, little one. You can’t go running off like that,” he chuckles as she pouts. “Time for you to go back to your Daddy.”

Ami lets out a ‘hmph’ and pats Hitoshi’s cheek.

“Hey! Don’t hit me,” he chuckles, playfully trying to bite her mittened hand.

Amelie squeals and flails her tiny hands.

“Thanks,” John sighs and takes her back. “Little troublemaker, no candy for you today.”

“Nooooo!” she whines.

You giggle at their antics before feeling Koko patting your leg. “Hmm? Hi, Koko, are you done skiing?”

“Yah, was fun. Wanna be wif you and Daddy.”

“Well, I might go inside to get some cider and I think your Daddy’s gonna go snowboard.”

“We go watch Daddy then get hot joos?”

“Hot juice?”

“Yah hot appa joos!”

“Oh, the hot cider. Yeah we can.”

“Yay!

You, Koko and Hitoshi head to the big slope and wave at Hitoshi getting on the ski lift to the top.

“Can we do that?” Koko points at the lift.

“One day when you’re an expert skier,” you promise him.

“I be best ski!”

You pet his head and walk with him towards the benches near the bottom of the hill after getting some nice warm cider.

“Why daddy ski different?” Koko asks you.

“Because he’s snowboarding, Koko,” you explain.

“Woah! I do?”

“When you’re a little bigger.”

“What I do now?”

“You can sit with me and we can cheer him on?”

“Okie,” Koko grins.

You and Kokoro cheer Hitoshi as he weaves his way between the trees, and not much later skids to a stop near your bench.

“So, how’d I do?”

“Daddy coolest!” Kokoro cheers and runs to hug him. “So amazing, daddy!”

“Definitely the coolest,” you agree and stand up to give him a sip of your cider.

“Mmm, this is good.”

“Right?”

Hitoshi unclips his boots from the board, shaking his leg out. “Harder than I remember.”

“Didn’t look that hard.”

“Really? Try it then.”

“Gladly,” you grin.

He takes off the ski boots and hands them to you in exchange for his regular ones.

“Your big ass feet,” you grumble as you put the shoes on and stand on the board. “Push me.”

“Okay.”

Hitoshi gently pushes you forward and you yelp as you pass over a small rock and wobble, grabbing Hitoshi’s jacket. Unfortunately you fall into the powdery snow with him on top of you.

“Oh no!” Koko yells. “Mama!”

“This feels familiar,” you say between laughs. He can’t help but laugh either, hiding his face in your neck.

“Told you it’s hard.”

“The rock fucked me up.”

“You’ll get the hang of it babe,” Hitoshi chuckles before groaning when Koko plops onto his back.

“Cuddle!” he squeals.

You start laughing as Kokoro nuzzles the other side of your neck.

“Lub you!”

“We love you too, Koko.”

At the lodge restaurant, you all sit at a large table near the fireplace for lunch.

“Koko, do you wanna try my venison?” You cut a small piece of the meat and hold it to his mouth.

“Wat dat?” he asks and sniffs the meat.

“It’s wild deer.”

His face drops. “What?!”

You giggle at his expression. “It’s yummy, try it.”

“No!” He huffs and turns his face. “No eat deer.”

“It’s like eating chicken,” Hitoshi reassures him. “You like chicken. And sushi is fish.”

“It kind of tastes like beef, if that helps. You like beef, right Koko?”

“Beef yummy. Maybe I eat deer,” he mumbles, opening his mouth for you to feed him. “Oh! It guf!”

You smile softly as Koko talks with his mouth full. “Swallow then speak, hun.”

“I likes it!”

Hitoshi ruffles Kokoro’s hair before going back to his chicken ramen.

“Daddy, I has your eggie?”

“I thought you weren’t hungry,” Hitoshi chuckles.

“Peez?”

“Why do you want it, anyway?”

“Share wif Nico.”

You take one off the shrimp tempuras from the plate Nico and Koko are sharing. “But you have your own food with Nico.”

“Ahtie!” Nico whines.

Hina laughs and puts half of her boiled egg on Koko’s plate. “You can have mine, sweetie.”

“Tank yew, gamma!” Koko giggles before giving Nico the yolk while he eats the egg whites.

Hina coos softly and fans her face.

“Ma, you okay?” Sika asks.

“Ahm tryin’ not ta die of cuteness,” she coos.

“What’d she say?” Hitoshi asks.

“Koko’s being too cute for her to handle,” you snicker.

After lunch, the six of you, except for Hina, Ami, Shouta, Eri, and Hizashi who stayed behind for a nap, went on a tour of the forest held by the lodge in hopes of seeing a deer or a bunny.

“Mama, we see bunny?” Koko asks as he holds your hand.

“Maybe hun, but they’re very hard to see.”

Sika points at a snow covered log between the trees at something darting between them. “There’s a weasel over there.”

John flips the guide book open. “Apparently they’re really common here but we can’t touch them.”

“Woah!” Nico gasps.

The tour guide points out the many species of trees and animals living at the bottom of the mountain, encouraging you to stay on the path.

“Wanna see bunny,” Kokoro pouts as he trudges along. You hold your hand out and make a small bunny for him. “Real bunny, mama.”

“Okay, Mr. sassy pants. I’m sure we’ll see one, hun. But if we don’t we can go to the Shibuya petting zoo for a field trip and you can see all the bunnies.”

“Okie,” he pouts.

Further down the path, you walk with Hitoshi, trying to cheer up Koko by showing him some of the birds and squirrels before stopping.

“Hey Dad, look over there,” you snicker, pointing towards a figure in the distance.

“Ooh, Sika, sweetie, look,” Ahimitsu points at some deer walking in a clearing.

“Oh God…” Sika groans.

You crouch down to Kokoro’s level to watch. “Koko look at the deer over there, don’t yell out they’ll run away.”

“Pretty but I want bunny…” he mumbles.

“I know but you wanna know something? It’s a Sika deer.”

“That my mommy name,” Nico giggles. Sika rolls her eyes. John takes a few pictures.

“Dad thought it would be funny to give me that name.”

Mitsu puts his arm around her. “They’re my favourite animal so it makes sense to give my first born their name.”

“And now I always get ‘like the deer?’ whenever I introduce myself,” she scoffs.

“But they’re cute and I don’t mind the love of my life having the same name as a deer,” John smiles, before looking back into the book.

“Thanks babe.”

You follow your tour guide and look back at Hitoshi when he groans. “Hmm? What’s wrong ‘toshi?” you ask.

“Look up ahead,” he sighs.

“Is that Phantom Thief?”

“Kendo’s here? At least he won’t be an entire ass…”

“Shinsou? What a coincidence running into you here!” Neito grins before looking at you and Koko who hides his face in your leg. “Who’s this?”

“That’s my son.”

“Son? Since when do you have a son?”

“Five years ago as of November…”

Neito stares at Koko then you. “Wow, your genes completely hogged him. He looks nothing like mom over here.”

“I’m…not his biological mother,” you explain. “I’m…” You look down at Koko looking up at you expectantly. “His stepmom.”

“No, you Mama,” Koko huffs.

“Thank you, honey.”

“So you got married?”

“No, Monoma, she’s my girlfriend.”

“Right. So why’re you all the way in Hyogo?”

Hitoshi gestures to your family. “Family time. What about you?”

“Same. Itsuka’s from here too so we’re visiting her family.”

Hitoshi looks around for her familiar orange hair. “Where is she?”

“Think she went ahead to see some deer.”

Sika clears her throat. “We’re gonna do the same, see you two at the bottom.”

John scoops up Nico and follows Sika down the trail, Ahimitsu behind them.

“Well, now that we’re alone, we can look for the bunny,” you smile, making Koko squeal. “Let’s go.”

Kokoro runs ahead and falls down, flailing his feet.

“Koko!” You right him back up. “You okay?”

“Mhm. We see bunny!”

“Let’s try and look for bunny tracks, if we’re lucky we can find a den.”

“I’m gonna go with them. It was nice seeing you and tell Itsuka I said hi,” he nods before following you and Koko.

You walk further up the trail looking off to the side and stop when you see something rustle in the bushes near a clearing. “Koko, ‘toshi, c’mere!” you whisper-shout, crouching and taking out your phone. “I see one!”

Koko waddles over and crouches beside you as you see a white blob hop out of the bushes into the snow, digging in the ground for food before wiping its nose and scampering away. You quickly take a photo.

“Mama! Bunny!” he squeals. “I sees it!”

“It’s so small and cute.”

You smile and pet his head as he hugs you then holds your hand. “Thank you Mama. You the best.”

“You’re welcome, baby. Let’s go back down the mountain.”

“Mow hot joos!”

“We’ll get some after we see them light the Christmas tree in the square,” Hitoshi tells him and takes his other hand.

You and Hitoshi swing his little body, smiling when he squeals as you walk down towards the lodge.

After watching the tree lighting and setting Koko down for bedtime, you rest on the outdoor couch, cuddled in Hitoshi’s arms by the fire pit, soft music playing from one of the speakers.

You look up at Hitoshi as he kisses your temple. “That tickles,” you smile as he kisses along the side of your face.

“Hey, babe?” he mumbles as he squeezes your waist gently.

“Hmm?”

“When we were on the mountain…you called yourself Koko’s stepmom.”

“Did I? Oh. I didn’t know what else to call myself, I hope you don’t mind.”

“I don’t, honestly. I think it’s sweet how much Koko loves you and I’d hope that you would be his mother someday,” he hums, kissing your cheek.

“Oh god, is this a proposal?” You laugh.

“Not yet, babe.”

You snuggle more into him, tilting your head for kisses. The sliding door to the porch opens. “Ew, get a room,” Sika gags.

“Go away,” you huff and throw one of the small pillows at her head. She catches it and throws it back, nailing Hitoshi in the face.

“Ow.”

“Whoops! Sorry, Toshi.”

“It’s fine, it makes me feel like I’m part of the family.”

“You are family. You and Koko.”

“Thank you,” he smiles.

John steps through the door with a tray. “We come with hot cocoa and mini marshmallows.”

“Ooh, I’ll take one!” you call out and pick two of the christmas themed cups and give one to Hitoshi. “These cups are ugly as fuck though.”

“It’s all they had here,” he chuckles.

“This cocoa’s good.”

They settle into the second couch, cuddling up under the red blanket. “Finally put the kids down so I can relax.”

“Nico’s been so energetic lately,” John sighs. “But it makes it easier to put him to bed.”

“I bet you can’t wait until you have one of your own, right sis?” Sika snickers.

“Yeah, I guess. At least I'm getting practice with Koko.”

She hums and stares into her mug of cocoa. “Ahm pregnant again.”

You choke on the cocoa and start coughing, putting the mug down on the glass table.

“Are you okay?” Hitoshi asks and pats your back.

“Fine,” you wheeze and turn back to Sika. “Really?”

She nods. “Found out last week…”

“Oh mah goodness.” You notice her lack of excitement. “What’s wrong? Ya don’t look happy.”

“Ah am, we started tryin’ in late September and ahm excited but ahm nervous too. Ami took a lot outta me and ah dunno if ah can do it again.”

Hitoshi gently shakes you. “What’re you guys talking about?”

“Shh,” you dismiss him. “Y’dont haveta have tha baby, Sika. Does John know?”

“Mhm.”

“It’s okay to get cold feet about another one until yer ready.” You scooch over to hold her free hand. “Ya don’t have ta keep it if ya don’ wanna.”

“Yer, right. John and me will talk about it but don’t tell Ma, y’know how she gets.”

“Ah won’t, ah promise.”

“Thanks.”

“Babe, what happened?”

“Don’t worry about it, Toshi. She was asking for fashion advice,” you lie and settle back on him.

Hitoshi stares down at you before squinting suspiciously. “If you say so.”

The fire is doused close to midnight and after a nice warm bath, you say your goodnights and head to bed, snorting quietly at Koko and Nico sprawled out on the pullout bed for their mini sleepover.

“You smell nice,” Hitoshi murmurs when you climb into bed.

You giggle softly as he reaches over and kisses your neck. “Toshi,” you giggle as he bites softly and starts on a hickey. “Oh.”

His fingers work you open until you’re wet enough for him to climb over you.

You hold back a moan as he pushes into you, trying your best not to wake up the house.

“Fuck, ‘toshi, harder,” you whisper. Your body rocks forward with his thrusts, your fingers linking at the base of his neck for purchase, softly gripping the hair there.

Hitoshi places a pillow between the wall and the headboard before gripping it for leverage to fuck you harder, squeezing your thigh with his free hand.

“Shit, you feel so good, baby,” he groans. “Fuck, keep squuezing me just like that.”

His mouth locks with yours when you cum, swallowing your high moans and cries.

“Good girl,” he whispers into your neck as he feels his orgasm draw closer.

“Toshi, fuck, give me your baby,” you whimper between kisses.

Heat flashes through his body. “What?”

Your ankle locks behind his thigh. “I want your baby. Cum in me.”

“Y/n, do you mean that? You know what happened last time…”

“I’m not her. I love you Hitoshi.”

“You…you do?”

You nod and gasp when he kisses you passionately while thrusting faster. “Oh, fuck, ‘toshi! I’m gonna cum again,” you gasp as he grips your neck.

“Go ahead baby,” he grunts. “I’m not too far behind you.”

You grind your hips up against him as he cums, sending you both over the edge.

“Fuck,” you both shudder.

“I love you too,” he whispers and rolls off you onto his side of the bed. “Damn my back hurts.”

You chuckle tiredly and adjust your crooked bonnet. “Wow. I’m sweating.”

“So…a baby?”

You sit up with a groan, stretching your arms over your head and cracking your back. “I was kidding, Hitoshi. I’ve had an implant for months.”

“Oh…”

“I’m not saying I don’t want one with you ever. Just not now,” you explain. “But it’s fun to pretend to wind you up.”

“You’re a brat,” he chuckles and pulls you back down to playfully bite your cheek. “But you were serious about loving me?”

“Of course. You’re amazing and you come with a cute little bonus,” you giggle.

Hitoshi chuckles and kisses your cheek before going into the bathroom to get a rag to clean you up.

You sigh contentedly when you’re back in bed, clean, snuggling against his chest. “Merry Christmas.”

“It’s midnight already? Wow. Merry Christmas, babe. I love you.”

“I love you too.”

The next morning, you gently shake Nico and Kokoro awake. “Boys, wake up, it’s christmas.”

“Huh? Ahtie?” Nico mumbles.

“It’s Christmas. Santa came and left you all a bunch of gifts.”

“It Crimmas!” Nico gasps before trying to wake up Koko who groans softly.

“Koko wake up, Santa came to gve you gifts last night,” you smile, shaking the little boy.

“Santa?” Koko mumbles as he wakes up.

“Mmhm,” you smile.

“Santa!” He cheers and both of them jump up. “Where presents?”

“They’re at my moms house, let’s get you both dressed so we can go.”

“I wear Mama jaket!”

Sika peeks her head in. “Better hurry then, come on Nico.”

“We go!” Nico giggles before running towards Sika’s room to get his clothes and to get a bath from John.

Hina is trying to get you in an ugly christmas sweater as soon as you’re through the door.

“Ma! Stop!”

“It’s tradition! Get in the sweater!”

You begrudgingly take it and put it on, frowning at the red ‘Ho Ho Ho’ in the front. “It’s itchy.”

“Ya look cute, stop complainin’. I got some for the kids too. And Hitoshi and John.”

“You what?” Hitoshi asks, crouching by the tree to help Koko open his present.

Hina holds up a matching sweater.

“Oh shit…”

“No ba wa!” Amelie whines.

After she squeezes all of you into the sweaters, Hina takes a million pictures as you open your presents.

“Ooh, a new iPad,” Sika smiles as she tears the wrapping. “Thanks, Daddy.”

“You’re welcome sweetie,” he smiles.

“Open mine next,” you giggle and give Hitoshi a big box and a smaller one.

He stops scratching his itchy sweater to unwrap the first one. Opening the box, Hitoshi grins when he sees the small purple humidifier and box of essential oils. “Wow, this looks cool.”

“It’s to help you relax after patrols. You can put it in your office too when you do paperwork.”

“Thank you, Y/n,” he smiles. “I love it.”

“Open the other one!”

Kokoro helps him rip open the big one, peeking inside. “Ooh, wat dat?”

“It’s a shiatsu shoulder massager. Your weighted scarf is always around your neck so I thought it would help.”

“Wow, thank you, Y/n,” he smiles.

You kiss his cheek and look at him as he holds out a medium sized gift wrapped box. “This is for you,” he smiles.

“Ooh, I wonder what it is.” Unwrapping it, you gasp excitedly at the pink chocolate mould set. “This is so cute!”

“I know how much you like baking so I got that for you.”

“I love it, thank you.”

“There’s two more, but they’re kinda back in Tokyo.”

“Well, I can’t wait until we get back,” you giggle.

“Daddy, look what ganpa zashee and ganpa zawa get me!” Kokoro giggles as he runs over wearing a new set of gray winter boots.

“Very cute, Koko,” Hitoshi smiles. “They go with your new jacket Y/n gave you.”

“Yah! And Ahtee get me acta figah of you and Wed Wiot.” He holds up the two toys proudly. Hitoshi takes the mini version of himself. “Why do they always make my hair so dark?”

“I think it’s because the reference photos of you are always at night, son,” Shouta chuckles. “They used to make my goggles this mustard yellow and it looked so bad.”

“I think it looks good,” you smile, looking at the figure. “Got the suit just right.”

“Maybe I’ll look into one of those photoshoots…”

After the gift exchanges you sit with Sika as Koko plays with Nico while Ami plays with Shouta, Eri and the dogs.

Hina slots herself next to you and Hitoshi. “So, remember my proposal?”

“I don’t know about five, Ma. Thassa lot. Even fa me,” you laugh nervously.

Sika sips her water nervously.

“But we need lotsa grandbabies runnin’ around! Okay, three’s mah last offer.”

“Y’already have two!”

“An’ we need more,” she counters.

You pinch your nose bridge in exasperation. “Ugh, Ma.”

Shouta nudges you. “What’s she saying?”

“She still wants us to have lots of kids. Ma, we ain’t even married yet.”

“I don’t think I have it in me for more than three,” Hitoshi mumbles. “That’s a lot of tiny feet running around. Koko’s enough of a hassle as it is alone.”

“But yer not alone! Y’got my baby witcha!”

“What?”

“She said you’re not alone cause we’re together,” you translate.

“Ohh.”

“We’ll see how life plays out, Ma.”

Hitoshi nods and kisses your temple. “Hopefully it goes well.”

The day before new years eve, you say goodbye to your parents as they load your suitcases.

“Y’better come an’ visit me again, y’hear?”

“Ah promise, ma. Ah’ll bring ‘toshi an’ Koko too.”

“Ah wan’ mo granbabies, Y/n.”

“We’ll see,” you giggle hugging her before hugging your Dad. “Come an’ visit us in the city, Daddy. Sika an’ I would love ta have you ova.”

“I’ll try mah best,” he smiles. “ Maybe in a month or two.”

“Jus’ lemme know when.”

‘15:09 train to Shibuya departing now’ the intercom crackles above.

You hug them both before entering the train with Hitoshi carrying Koko.

“Bai gamma,” Nico waves.

“Bai!” Koko waves too.

“Bye babies!” Hina shouts as the doors close. “Toshi, the next time I see you there better be a ring on my baby’s finger!”

“Ma!”

Back in Shibuya station, you wave goodbye to Sika’s family as they pile into their car left at the parking garage.

“Good luck, sis,” you tell her. “I’m behind you no matter what.”

You smile as she hugs you and enters the car.

“Let’s get this one home,” you coo at the sleeping Kokoro in the car seat holding his new action figures.

Hitoshi says goodbye to his parents and sister, promising to visit soon then all of you go your separate ways.

You wave at them before helping Hitoshi put the luggage in the trunk and climbing in the passenger seat. “This was fun. I’m sorry about my mom though. She’s a lil pushy when it comes to us and relationships,” you sigh softly.

“It’s fine. Honestly, My pop’s been like that since I told them about us. I really like your parents though, they’re fun.”

“Yours too, well Mic is fun, Eraser is fun in a lazy cynical cat way.”

“The cats do follow him around though,” he smiles.

You laugh and look out the window as he drives, watching the snow covered landscape. “This really was nice though, maybe next year we can do something with your parents.”

“Oof, they’re the stay home and chill type so i think Christmas vacations should be a your parent thing.”

“My mom will flip but yeah, that sounds cool.”

He reaches over to intertwine your fingers together, bringing it to his lips to kiss your knuckles.

You decide to spend the rest of the break with Hitoshi and Koko. Of course the toddler is ecstatic, spending his week off with his Dad and his favourite teacher.

“So what’s the gift you promised me? I’ve been itching to know what it is,” you ask Hitoshi after you’ve gotten the kitties from the daycare, unpacked and settled down for the evening.

Hitoshi gets two small black boxes from the kitchen drawer and sits next to you on the couch. “Pick one. They’re both for you.”

The size of the boxes makes you a little nervous. You hope there’s not a ring in either of them. “This one.”

You take the box and start unwrapping the bow before lifting the lid. “A key? What does this lead to?”

“I’ve been thinking,” he starts. “It’s really inconvenient for you to take the trains all the time to come here or go home from work. So I was wondering if you wanted to move in? Totally fine if you don’t want to, but I feel guilty whenever I'm stuck at work and you have to bring Koko all the way here or all the way to your apartment. So…yeah.”

You stare at the silver key, smiling wide. “That’s so thoughtful, Hitoshi. I would love to.”

“You mean it?”

You laugh softly and hug him tight. “Of course I do! Thank you!”

Kokoro walks in with the cats, hoping to get a juice box from you or Hitoshi.

“Daddy, want joos.”

“It’s too late for juice, bud. You can have tea if you want.”

“Bleh! No tea. Wat dat?” He points at the box.

“Koko, I’m gonna live here from now on,” you tell the toddler. “Isn’t that exciting?”

“Mama live wif me?!” Koko gasps before climbing on the couch between both of you. “Yay! Mama stay!”

“And you’ll be coming home after school with me.”

“Yay! I lub you!”

“I love you too, baby. You and your daddy, very much.”

“Wat about da kitties?”

Onyx hops in your lap, purring happily.

“Also the kitties,” you giggle as Onyx rubs his face in your chin.

“Open the other one, babe.”

You unwrap the second one and there’s an electronic key inside with a Mercedes logo on it.

“Hitoshi…”

“Yes, Y/n?”

You start to scream in excitement and shock, scaring the cats and Kokoro. “You’re serious?!”

“Yup.”

“Daddy, why Mama scream?” Kokoro asks, holding onto Hitoshi.

“She loves her gift, bud. She’s happy,” Hitoshi chuckles.

“Can I go see it?!”

“In the morning. The parking lot’s pretty dark right now…”

You tackle him in a bear hug and kiss all over his face. “Thank you thank you thank you! I love you!!!”

“Mama lub Daddy!” Koko squeals.

“Yes I do,” you smile before giggling when he joins the hug. “I love you.”

Unfortunately, Hitoshi is summoned to court again after the new year. But it's good news this time.

‘This court finds that the prosecution no longer needs to pay child support to the defendant Akibimi Nezama. And the defendant must sign sole custody of the child. We are adjourned.’

The sound of the gavel hitting the block brings a smile to Hitoshi’s face. ‘It’s over,’ he thinks. Outside the courtroom, he quietly celebrates and thanks his lawyer.

“I can't believe you,” Akibimi grumbles, mood sour from the verdict.

“Maybe now you can get a job and stop mooching off of me,” Hitoshi glares

“I’m quirkless, no one's gonna hire me,”

“There’s thousands of jobs you could apply for. As much as you irk me, you're still Koko's mom, so as a sign of good faith, I’ll get Deku to put you in that quirkless program he started.”

“What about Koko?”

“He’ll be fine but he wouldn’t mind seeing you if you were nicer to him. But with my or y/n’s supervision,” he offers.

“Why that bi–woman?”

“That woman is my girlfriend. The only woman that Koko trusts as his mother, so that’s why she has permission. I doubt she’d let you considering what happened the last time you met.”

‘Fucking deserved it if you ask me.’ Akibimi thinks. “Fine, I’ll call you.”

“You need to give me at least a week in advance when you want to see him. No popping up. Understand?”

“Whatever. Bye.”

Her heels click as she walks away. Hitoshi doesn't even feel bad. Instead, he feels relieved.

#bnha x black!reader #mha x reader #x black reader #hitoshi shinsou #shinsou x poc!reader #shinsou x reader #shinso x reader #bnha x reader #bonnie.writes #hitoshi shinsou x reader #shinsou x black!reader

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ogdoadfates · 2 years ago

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I finally wrote the scene for the Apocalypse au where Keyleth confesses to Vax when he’s asleep! (what isn’t mentioned at the end is Scanlan accidently overheard and high tailed it back to his room lol)

It’s rare that someone other than Keyleth gets sick but here she is watching poor Vax hack and cough while clutching his head. Luckily it’s nothing contagious so they don’t have to worry about it spreading to anyone else, like that knowledge stops him from trying to shy away from her ‘just in case’. It’s really starting to feel like a game of cat and mouse with how Vax refuses to let anyone care for him and Keyleth can see the tension it bleeds into the group as a whole, Vex even more so.

Keyleth rests her head against the window in the living room of the small farm house they were able to secure for the next few nights, looking out into the pouring rain, occasional flashes of lightning sparking the surrounding fields into view. She can see Vax just vaguely in the reflection that finds its place on the glass.

She can hear his harsh breathing and Keyleth can’t help but feel her heart break. Is this how he feels when she gets sick? Gods if it is, how much anguish does he feel on an everyday basis with the knowledge that she can fall ill in a seconds notice? Her heart feels like it’s been ensnared in a fishing net so tight that it’s bulging between its ragged yet strong netting, seconds from bursting into a gorey rendition of a firework.

She wants to cry but she can’t.

So she stays sitting at the window, her leg bouncing with her mounting anxiety. Another flash of lightning passes, she really shouldn’t be seated this close to the window, let alone be resting her head against it.

Keyleth was so wrapped in her own thoughts that she jolted when a hand was laid on her shoulder, causing her to headbutt the window with a loud smack. Pain blooms from her forehead as the hand quickly retreats from her shoulder.

“Shit! I’m sorry dear, I didn’t mean to spook you. Are you alright?” Vex says, clear distraught written in her voice and face. Keyleth whines a little at the hissing pain as she turns her gaze away from the window. Vex held her hands close to her but Keyleth can tell she’s dying to reach out and check her over, Keyleth also can’t help but notice Vax half way out of his seat eyes wide and staring at the two of them.

“I’m alright.” Keyleth quietly replies, both the twins visibly relax just a little. “What is it?”

“Me and Percy are heading up for the night, we just wanted to make sure you knew.” Keyleth could read between the lines for what Vex was really saying. Take care of Vax and get the selfless asshole to go to sleep. Keyleth smiles and gives Vex a nod, She returns her smile before walking up to the upper floor with Percy, who gives Keyleth a nod and goodnight.

Leaving her and Vax alone on the main floor. He’s settled back onto the couch keeping to the farest end, away from her. She releases a sigh and goes back to looking out the window, her head once again resting upon it. As Keyleth pays attention to the storm she starts to notice a pattern. She really should get her head off this glass but at the same time if she’s right there is a fifty percent chance that it’ll cause Vax to finally let her get close. It pains her a little that she’s using his own protective nature against him but at the same time if it’ll help her help him, she at least has to try.

So she waits for the thunder to rattle the house, this also means the storm is a lot worse then she’d first thought and gods is she glad she warned everyone that storms are always unpredictable. The entire room flashes white for a moment leaving Keyleth temporarily blind, hurriedly closing her eyes and feeling great panic overtake her strained heart. Even knowing the chance of this happening was high, she could never prepare herself for it.

BOOM!

The entire house shakes to even its foundation, she swears she hears someone yelp from upstairs. Keyleth fully expected for her head to yet again smash against the glass, what she wasn’t prepared for was Vax’s arms to encompass her and pull her away from the window and into his chest. The two of them hold onto each other as the rattling slowly stops.

When it finally does the two of them stare at each other, Keyleth a bit blearily due to having been blinded not but a minute ago and Vax wide eyed and fearful.

“Everyone alright?!” They hear Pike yell out from the top floor, it takes but a minute for everyone to shout back that they were alright.

Vax still hasn’t let go of her and this close and pressed tight against him she can feel his rattling breath, he gives her a squeeze before talking. “Please stay away from the window.” His voice is gruff from his sore throat and Keyleth can’t help but blush slightly, giving him a nod and gripping his arms.

“Alright.” She says, trying desperately to slow down her racing heart, racing from anxiety or something else she isn’t so sure but regardless she keeps her hold on him. She can tell he’s torn between wanting to stay close to her and wanting to flee from her, it tears at her but so far her plan worked even if her eyes hurt a bit for her efforts. Slowly but surely she leads the sick man back to the couch, keeping her grip tight as she sits down, motioning him to join her which he does with only slight reluctance.

At some point the two of them rearrange themselves with Vax’s head now resting in her lap, idly playing with his hair as sleep starts to finally claim his tired form. Keyleth stares at his face, watching as his breathing evens out as much as it can in his current state. She can’t help but let a soft tired smile form on her face as she watches him sleep.

She’s well aware of the way he feels for her, he’d told her before all of this began. She didn’t know how to answer him at the time, slowly she’d been figuring things out but then everything happened and yet instead of it hampering things it let the little seed that had been growing in her bloom. A flower of affection that despite the harsh climate has pushed through. Now telling him, that was a different story cause even if she knows her answer it’s never the right time to tell him. But sitting here with him lying fast asleep on her lap she can take a moment to just imagine, a moment to breath, a moment for herself yet also for him though he’d never know.

Softly so as to not wake him, she moves a bit of his hair out of his face and behind his ear. “You know I love you too, right?” She whispers.

#apocolaypse au #vax'ildan #vaxleth #vaxleth fanfic #vaxleth fanfiction #vax #keyleth #autistic keyleth #criticalrole #critical role #criticalrole fanfic #critical role fanfiction

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countlessrealities · 1 year ago

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@mcltiples sent:

On top of the building, Ladybug landed right next to her partner. A sigh escaped from her lips as her utility yo-yo settled into her palm. She took her time to seat herself on the ledge.

"Chat Noir, I need to tell you," She squished her body, hunched over, eyes fixated on the ground beneath them. "I found out who Monarch is... was,"

Brows furrowed in concentration. For a minute, she let the words hang in the air. Just enough time for them both to process what she was about to say.

Then as she turned to gaze at Chat Noir, determination within blue eyes, she spoke. "It was Gabriel Agreste, the famous fashion designer."

{ To Chat Noir from Ladybug >:D }

For the few days that had followed Monarch's demise, Adrien had allowed himself to believe that, after all, things were finally taking a turn for the better. Paris was safe from the relentless attacks that had been plaguing it for far too long. He wouldn't have to lie to his loved ones every single day to lead his double life, but just once in a while. He could freely be with the girl he loved.

Of course, he missed his father, but knowing that he had done the right thing, that his sacrifice had been what had allowed the world to become a better place was a comfort. Besides, he hadn't been left alone. Not only Natalie had stepped into the role of his legal guardian, but his aunt and cousin had moved to Paris, into the Agreste mansion, to be by his side.

The only thing that bugged him a little was Félix's odd behaviour towards him. The other watched him like a hawk, with a slightly creepy, unreadable expression. Adrien had tried to approach him to ask what was up with him, but they had been interrupted every time his cousin had been about to give him a proper answer.

In spite of this, he had still decided not to worry about it too much. After all, Félix had always been a little weird and he had even worse social skill than Adrien himself. Eventually, he would have told him what it was all about.

So, when Ladybug had asked him to meet so they could discuss an "important matter", the last thing he had been expecting was for the talk to be about their late enemy. And, even less to hear those words.

I found out who Monarch is… was.

Even before she was done saying that sense, Cat Noir's heart had jumped in his throat, making it feel tight and uncomfortable. He could feel it, like a bad omen hanging over his head, ready to drop and stab him right through the heart. She wouldn't have said it with that tone, if she hadn't been about to reveal a heavy secret.

It was Gabriel Agreste.

Gabriel Agreste.

GABRIEL AGRESTE.

His father and Monarch...the same person?

Adrien's brain was frozen, unable to process that piece of information. He knew that his father could be strict. He had been forced to acknowledge that the man had made bad choices and mistakes for the sake of his own beliefs. He had hurt his own son, in the name of doing what was best for him. He had uprooted him and locked him up in a white room with no windows, for crying out loud.

But being a supervillain? That was a whole different story. Yet, Ladybug had no reason to be lying to him. She didn't even know whom he was.

"...W-What? That...That's can't be right," he stuttered out, green eyes wide with shock. "It makes no sense. Why...calling him a hero, if he was the one behind it all? Why did you...? Why would you want to protect his name?!"

His hands balled into fists without him realising it, claws leaving marks against the tiles. Now that the surprise was slowly fading, there were other, darker feelings bubbling their way towards the surface. He could feel them mounting in his chest, threatening to explode out of him with the same destructive energy of one of his Cataclysms.

Pain. Horror. Desperation. Anger. Betrayal.

All the innocent people who had been used, hurt, traumatised. All the destruction that had been rained on the city and on their lives. All the fights, the sacrifices, the lies, the empty promises. The neglect, the disappointments, the wasted efforts he himself had made. And for what? What was Gabriel trying to obtain? What kind of wish was worth ruining all those lives, including their own?

...Did he even truly know the man he had called "father"? Or was he just seeing what he had to see, because the truth would have led to a catastrophic ending?

Like in his nightmares.

In the blink of an eye he was on his feet, unable to stay seated anymore. He couldn't stay there with her. He couldn't be around anyone right. He shouldn't even be Cat Noir, not when he was feeling like that. It was too dangerous.

"I...I have to go. There's...I have something urgent to do, that I had forgotten," he blurted out in a rush. He didn't even know if she had started to answer his questions, and honestly he didn't care. He just needed to leave. "I'll...see you soon, Milady."

And with that, he hopped off the roof, landing in a side alley and dashing away as soon as his feet hit the floor. He couldn't risk having his partner following him. Not this time, not when he needed to transform back so urgently. Before that, however, there was one thing Cat Noir needed to do.

His father wasn't a hero. He wasn't a good person. He wasn't even a decent human being. He was a monster, and Adrien just hadn't wanted to see it.

That painful, devastating truth rose so many questions, what was he supposed to be as the son of said monster first and foremost. All interrogatives he had no answer to. Perhaps, he would find them, once his mind would have been clearer. Now, he clung to one and only thought.

Gritting his teeth, he took a sudden turn, changing direction so that he could head towards the part, near Marinette's house. He didn't know what he would do, whom he could talk to. He didn't know what he wanted to do about all this. However, one thing was crystal clear to him: Gabriel Agreste didn't deserve the shiny fake light he had been put in.

And if he couldn't destroy the lie in itself, he would turn its symbol into ashes.

#[ ic :: Cat Noir ]#&& Ladybug #[ v. Plagg claws out! ; main verse :: Cat Noir ]#mcltiples #[[ this definitely broke Adrien for a moment ]]#[[ and then some more ]]#[[ he just doesn't know how to process it ]]#[[ plus I just love the idea that he'd cataclysm that gd statue ]]#[[ it's what he deserves u.u ]]#;; queue

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hostilecityshowdown · 2 years ago

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[ previous ] ♡ [ ao3 ]

Heartbreak Hotel: Put your loving hand out chapter four

18+ Exclusively.

spinoff of mango’s heartbreak hotel au

as always, co-written and edited by @1-2-3kid. special thanks to @razor-ramons-thighs for being my emotional support punk and @bigzaddycool for rekindling my need to write diesel and finish this fic up

content warnings on AO3! i highly advise checking them out

Pages flew as the registry book struck the gaudy floral carpet, the rings of the binder springing open. A novelty mug full of pens followed and bounced, rolled, came to a stop against the wood paneling of the front desk, pens embossed in hearts scattered amongst red and pink matchbooks. There was a display case mounted in the desk, full of souvenirs littered in broken glass and the shattered remains of a flowerpot. Crushed rose petals and baby’s breath obscured postcards of the hotel’s sweeping, Mid-Century exterior. Even from a distance, Diesel could tell the postcards depicted a respectable resort, nestled comfortably amongst looming aspens and far-away mountains. This confused him for reasons he didn’t understand. For this brief moment, Diesel was alone with the hotel.

His boots were sinking into the carpet, so deep he imagined it continuing to the planet’s core. Above him hung a massive chandelier of brassy gold, candelabras draped in glittering crystals and pearls. Velvet, lace-trimmed plush hearts hung from the chandelier, only inches above his head yet miles above; despite the hotel's vaulted ceiling, Diesel was lucky he could stand up straight. He sunk into the carpet beneath him a little more, feeling the space above his head widen. The only light filtered in through the massive, floor to ceiling windows, despite the apparent pitch darkness outside. He was freezing. It was snowing and it was summer, and the air was still but everything was moving.

Diesel blinked, the red haze easing.

Everything was moving. Shawn had slid across the front desk, chased from behind it by a figure much broader than him and nearly as fast. That was when things fell- but when was that? Just now, minutes ago, years? A fine layer of dust settled on everything, including Diesel, but none kicked up as Shawn sprinted across the lobby, footfalls muffled by the impossibly hungry carpet. All sound was devoured by the wall upholstery of pink, painted silk. Diesel somehow knew there was a mirror wall behind him but, with just as much certainty, knew it would be a mistake to look at it. Do not look at the mirror wall. Do not look at the mirror. Don’t look at the-

Still pursued, Shawn vaulted over the back of a booth in the shape of a horseshoe so tight it was nearly a full circle. Flowering plants fell without making a sound or visible impact, as if they had been lying on the carpet, dead, long before Shawn knocked them over. He landed on a table draped in pastel blue lace and slid, touched down on the other side of the booth, and resumed sprinting. A few of these wrap-around seating arrangements were in that area of the lobby. The conversation pit was behind Diesel, under the mirror. He didn’t look at it, he looked at Shawn. Slowly, Diesel turned his head to follow the hotel proprietor’s escape attempt, watching him climb more furniture and breathe heavily. Shawn used a stiff ottoman as a first step and hopped to the arm of a leopard print loveseat, precariously standing on the sweeping back of the small sofa with all too many pillows. His arms wheeled as he tried to keep his balance, knees bent, hair a mess. The brunette after him lunged from behind, over the loveseat’s cushions, and Shawn sprung off the back like a cat. The loveseat toppled, bringing the other man with it. Shawn was gone. Diesel was there, though, no longer covered in dust, sunglasses darkening the room even more than previously, one arm wrapped around Shawn’s assailant's neck, the other under his arm. The man struggled, grunted, brought Diesel to the ground. Diesel caught a flash of livid, brown eyes and a glimpse of a faded band t-shirt before he was alone again.

All was still. He stood, knees aching, dust floating through his lungs freely. He didn’t cough, but gently pat his leather down before trekking to the front desk, careful not to look at the mirror wall. Instead, he looked at the full key cubby on the far wall. All of the placards were faded red, the gold paint flaking off, matching the telephone on the desk with its receiver off the hook. He couldn’t read any of the placards, even when he inched closer, nor could he hear a dial tone from the phone. Bending to carefully fish one of the matchbooks out of the display case, he nudged crystalline pieces of glass away with his glove and raised the collectable up to his face. He squinted in the low light. It was red, each chain link connecting the silver hearts adorning the borders looking almost hand painted. At the bottom, in black text, read ‘PROTECT YOUR LOVER - CLOSE COVER BEFORE STRIKING.’ At the top, ‘you’re never lonely at the…’ In the centre was a gold heart surrounding two words in blue and yellow cursive:

‘HeartBreak Hotel.’

Diesel dropped the matchbook. It struck the carpet and smoldered at his feet weakly. He cautiously turned his head and looked at the mirror wall.

Barreling through the gauzy drapery, Shawn launched himself through the art nouveau room divider as if it were a portal to his escape. It was a structure of twisted aluminum and peeling cream paint, the opening arched like a tunnel entrance, leading to the bedroom of a honeymoon suite. It was one of the smaller ones, but it had a window behind the backboard of the bed - granted, it was covered by the redwood paneling, but he shouldn’t have trouble ripping that clean off the wall, right? He leapt onto the heart-shaped bed, stepped across the mattress like he was trying not to slip on ice, and began attempting to rip the wall apart. His fingers were bloody before he even started somehow, nails broken painfully, nail polish now wet and oozing onto his throbbing, exposed nail bed. Wincing, Shawn turned and kicked behind him, hearing a sickening crack. Did it again. Another crack, and he collapsed to the bed, face shoved into the silk bedspread as if someone had cranked up the gravity. He choked, spat, struggled to move; it felt like someone kicked him in the spleen. The bedspread was lapping up the blood. The curtains he’d run through were fluttering to a halt, the entertainment centre with analogue television and lamps with shades askew visible through the dense lace.

Something was moving. Panic tore through him and elicited a groan from somewhere deep in Shawn’s chest, heart racing, ears ringing. He went still and hoped they wouldn’t see him, hoped it wasn’t Marty still coming for him.

The shape paused as he did. It heaved and shuddered when he did, and it tilted its head in curious confusion when Shawn did, dangling earrings sparkling far too brilliantly for the dark, dingy room. Drawing his eyebrows together, he slowly began to sit up, wheezing as the force pinning him down eased. His reflection did the same.

“When did I put… A mirror…” Shawn shook his head and dragged himself off the bed, tumbling to the floor and resisting the urge to sprawl across the shag rug. This room had rugs over marble flooring. He never liked this room. It was tacky and ugly and it used too much white and not enough shiny things. He stared into the vague reflection of his own eyes through the curtains, one lens of his flip up sunglasses snapped off, and began to crawl. Shawn used the bars of the room divider to haul himself up and blew his hair from his face as he pushed the curtain aside, locking eyes with himself. He looked horrible. Why didn’t Diesel protect him from this? The bloodied curtain fluttered shut behind him as he lurched forward with a snarl, anger rising within him like an eruption. Before he could take hold of the mirror, it lowered, and Shawn stumbled to his knees in surprise.

He hadn’t put a mirror on the entertainment centre. There was no room to fit a mirror that big, with all its lace trim and pearl bordering. Someone with long, claw-like, black nails was holding it. Someone wearing black lace gloves, with rhinestones in her hair and shimmering eye shadow smoked out from her eyelashes to her eyebrows.

The mirror lowered to Shawn’s kneeling height and, unable to look away from it still, he realised he wasn’t being reflected at all. The Heartbreak Kid stared at him, wide-eyed, kneeling on the marble flooring, draped in jewellery shining blindingly bright. He was smaller than Shawn was, leaner, face softer, clean shaven, his sunglasses unbroken and dark. Lipstick kisses trailed down his jaw and neck, staining the white hem of his vest. The chains didn’t look ornamental anymore, lashed so tightly over his pecs they rubbed the skin raw. His hair was blonder, softer, styled, but he looked horrified. Shawn reached a bloody hand out to him, his false reflection mimicking him, their white gloves both soaked through with red.

The mirror dropped and shattered, and Sherri smiled down at Shawn.

A guttural scream jerked Diesel from sleep, pillows and blanket flying. The motor lodge’s phone was ringing, so excruciatingly loud it felt like machine gun fire. The trucker fumbled with it, dragging it into bed and tangling his wrist in the cord as he scrambled to answer.

“‘Lo?” Fuck. He cleared his throat, which sent him into a coughing fit so harsh it made him drop the phone. He picked it back up quickly. “-uck. Fuck, hello?”

“This is a test of th-”

“-esel? Diese, are you alright?” Kimberly’s voice crackled to life, cutting through a blaring tone so loud Diesel wasn’t even sure he heard it. She coughed, too, wheezing before speaking again. “Diese, are you there?”

“Y-yeah,” he replied, running a hand through his tussled hair. It was practically matted. He must've tossed and turned all night. “I’m here, Kim. Are you…?”

“I’m okay. The hospital’s discharging me today. I need you to convince Dallas to not come get me.” Diesel couldn’t help but grin, eyes tired, sore. Everything was sore. He untangled himself from the phone cord and shook his head.

“I’ll handle it, Kimmy. We’ll make a straight shot to Miami if you can handle seventeen hours on I-95.”

“Oh, god,” she groaned, audibly collapsing against her pillows. Her voice grew quieter, more somber. Almost threatening; a big cat stalking through the underbrush in Diesel’s peripheral. Kim could be scary when she wanted to. “I don’t understand.”

“Miami’s a long-”

“I know,” she interrupted. “A long way from the Poconos, I know. I don’t understand how I’m a long way from Florida. I wasn’t even going north, Diesel, I was going southwest, I-... This doesn’t make any sense. Dallas says I’ve only been gone overnight, but I left home at six PM. How did I get my bike up here and crash it before sunrise? How did I-”

She coughed again and groaned. Diesel could envision her holding her bruised ribs. He’d already put together a care package for her when he made his quick haul to New York, there and back before the hospital had even performed the CT scan on her head. The concussion must be killing her. He could only hope it wasn’t bad, only hope they could get her into occupational therapy fast, convince her to rest long enough to recuperate. That last one might have been the hardest to pull off. Inhaling deeply, Diesel dragged himself out of bed and carried the phone with him as far as it allowed. His morning stretching was half-hearted.

“I get it,” he said, wincing at how stiff his knee was, a sharp pain shooting down his tibia. Nothing unusual. “I don’t get how it happened, but I get it. Things have been weird since I left, Kim, really weird. I’m thinking about coming back.”

“To the Exchange?”

“You think Raze would bite?”

“Not a chance in hell,” she murmured, sipping whatever carton of sugary juice they gave her through a straw with an air leak in it. Diesel could hear her struggling with it. He hated those flimsy little plastic straws, always chewed through them unintentionally. “He’s having too much fun with Kid. His business might be shady, but he’s a flawless sell.”

“But,” she paused. Diesel waited. It sounded like she was holding the phone with her shoulder and messing with the straw. “Studd would follow you to the ends of the Earth and back, Vin.”

They wrapped the phone call up around the same time Diesel gave up on stretching and decided to hit the shower, sticking his little boombox on the counter and dropping in VOWWOW’s Beat of Metal Motion. The CD started spinning even before he poked the drive shut, satisfied with the little click followed by Kyoji Yamamoto’s opening riff for Break Down. It was easy for Diesel to get lost in the music enough to forget to feel relief that he’d booked an end room with a vacancy next door. No one interrupted his shower with noise complaints, but something felt off as he stepped out, dropping a towel over his own head and wrapping it around his long hair. He couldn’t have spent more than fifteen minutes in the shower, especially since he still had an abundance of the warm (never hot) water the motor lodge offered available to him by the time he twisted the faucet off.

He hadn’t heard the CD skip, so how was it playing Sleeping in a Dream House, a track twenty six minutes in? The boombox was quieter than it had been during his shower, too, Genki Hitomi’s poignant crone of ‘I know, I’ll just have to dream alone…’ barely audible. Diesel wrapped the bigger towel around his waist and secured it, waving away more steam than the shower should have been able to produce. The bathroom seemed bigger than it had been when Diesel entered it, the sickly orange light above the mirror no longer able to illuminate the far walls.

“Dreams- and in dreams, in the dreamhouse…” The boombox sounded like it was underwater and Diesel shivered, breaking out in a cold sweat as he inched towards the counter. He could just barely see the little machine’s black and chrome outline on the countertop, which had elongated during his shower. The mirror was no longer a simple oval, either, now spanning the full length of the counter and etched with frosty, floral patterns around the edges. It was rimmed in gold. “Gotta get away, let me out of here… In the dreamhouse I’m alone-”

A burst of deafening static made Diesel jump, one hand instinctively going to his chest. His mouth was dry, the mirror so fogged his reflection was nothing more than a blurry blob of colour. The CD’s audio came back, even more distorted. Deeper, gruffer. Hoarser, with a frightening desperation creeping into the melancholy. “-with my fingers on the walls… Searching for the door that leads to you.”

It didn’t sound like Genki anymore. It sounded like Shawn.

Diesel bolted, finding the door on instinct alone and rattling the knob until the screws came loose. It wasn’t locked but it wouldn’t open, the stereo repeating ‘gotta get away- get me out of here’ on an endless, broken loop. The music abruptly cut off when Diesel took a step back and kicked the door open. Everything was normal when he opened his eyes. The door hung correctly on its hinges, the knob firmly screwed into place, and Diesel clutched his towel around his waist as he slowly turned to face the mirror. It was a small oval, peeling at the bottom left, streaks of condensation running down it. The steam that had filled the bathroom was gone, the counter almost too small to fit everything Diesel laid out on it, the light a warm yellow glow. The CD sat in the tray, unmoving.

He’d never plugged the boombox in.

“Diesel Cool, here to see Kimberly Page,” Diesel tiredly informed hospital security, ID already in his hand. They kept it behind the desk and gave him a visitor’s pass to stick on his shirt, sending him on his way to the second floor. Thankfully, Kimberly’s room wasn’t a long walk away from the elevators. He didn’t wear his knee braces during hauls unless he planned to make a lot of stops and do a good amount of lifting, but his legs were killing him after his freakout. He’d have to talk to his psychiatrist about his anxiety meds and find out if he was supposed to be experiencing psychosis or what. His appointment was still a few weeks off, but he felt like he needed to talk about the Heartbreak Hotel and Shawn as soon as possible. He wasn’t even sure why his psych didn’t comment on his long absence when he was working the hotel, but he wasn’t putting anything past Shawn. Maybe he’d been talking to his psych the whole time behind Diesel’s back. He couldn’t remember if he had any of his medications aside from his testosterone at the hotel, the memories growing fuzzy and blending together already. He knocked on Kimberly’s open door before entering, relieved to see her already packed and waiting for him.

“Don’t even come in, we gotta go,” Kim said, limping to Diesel and grabbing his arm, steering him backwards out the door. He chuckled and turned, taking her bag and carefully draping his left arm around her shoulders as they walked to the elevator. Kim didn’t laugh back, speaking no louder than a whisper when the elevator doors closed behind them. “Something’s wrong with me, Diesel.”

“The CT scan? It doesn’t look that bad-”

“No, not-” she held her breath when the elevator shook, “not that. I saw something.”

“On the road? The asshole that hit you?”

“Here, in the bathroom-” Kim cut herself off when the elevator stopped, smiling brilliantly at the janitor and nurse waiting to enter. Diesel’s stomach soured. She said hello politely in passing, thanked the security guard after he handed Diesel’s ID back with a suspicious glare, and hustled her big man to his truck as quickly as they could collectively manage. Diesel helped her climb into the passenger seat of his truck before rounding it to the driver’s side, Kimberly starting to speak before he even closed his door. “Something was wrong with the window. It wasn’t the hospital window, Diese, it was-”

Frustrated, she motioned with her hands vaguely before throwing them up and letting them fall into her lap. She buckled her seatbelt when Diesel gently reminded her, and was quiet until they merged onto the interstate. Diesel let the radio play quietly, music low enough to be indiscernible. “It was somewhere else’s window. I’m not crazy.”

“Never said you were,” Diesel replied, trying not to clench his jaw too tightly. His knuckles were white on the steering wheel. “If I did, that’d make me crazy, too.”

“What do you mean?”

“I saw something like that in the bathroom. I had a fucked up dream, Kim. The hotel was trying to get you, Shawn was trying to prey upon you, that’s why I had to get you out-”

“What? Slow down, what? Who is Shawn? What hotel, what bathroom?”

“The- fuck,” breathing out deeply through his nose, Diesel eased off the gas. Last thing they needed to do was jackknife in perfect weather on I-95. That’d just be embarrassing. “I went somewhere, Kimmy. It was like a-a living thing.”

The hours flew by, both travelers content to keep their stops to a minimum. Diesel told Kimberly everything, and she recounted what she remembered of the accident. One minute she was driving down the strip, getting ready to start heading west, and the next she was wiping out three miles from the Sweetheart Corner in Syracuse, New York. She didn’t know the area, but Diesel was familiar with Syracuse, and her description of the ornate, white and red payphone booth struck him as eerily wrong. There was no payphone at the intersection of Route 11 and Taft Road. The Sweetheart Corner hosted a small plaza, boasting a farmer’s market, ice cream, barber shop, liquor store - but no telephone booths. She would have had to go inside to use a phone from what Diesel remembered, but Kimberly didn’t recall anyone setting up shop at the Corner except the Sweetheart Market. That hadn’t been true since the 1960s.

After Diesel rescued her, her motorcycle had disappeared, the police unable to find any remains of the bike near Malden Road, where she reported the accident. She was adamant about that being the location of her crash, but the cops swept the area up and down and couldn’t find anything. The air force base off Malden even assisted in the search and, when they didn’t have any luck, the police agreed to report the bike stolen.

“Not that there was anything left of her to steal,” Kimberly grumbled into her onion rings. They pulled into a diner in Durham, North Carolina, seven hours into their drive. It was afternoon and busy, bustling with more tourists and travelers than locals by Diesel’s guess. He was actually enjoying being around so many people. He didn’t even mind the kids sitting two tables behind Kim, constantly turning around in their seats to make faces at him. Whenever Kim looked down at her food or out the window overlooking the full parking lot, Diesel would raise an eyebrow at them and make them burst into fits of giggles. He couldn’t even remember the last time he saw a kid-

“Ground control to Major Tom.” “Huh?” “Stay with me, space cadet.” Kim was grinning up at him. She cast a glance at the kids behind them and waved, both excitedly waving back until their grandparents made them sit down and eat their brunch or grilled cheese or whatever kids got at diners. Shaking her head, Kim traded an onion ring for one of Diesel’s fries. She had managed to choke down more of her chicken than he’d got through his panini, his stomach still churning with anxiety. Rubbing his right hand and sitting back in his booth seat, Diesel looked Kim over. Plenty of scrapes and bruises, scabbing. She needed two little sutures up in her hairline, she didn’t have any of her makeup or hair products, and she was wearing clothes Diesel bought for her. In the truck, she layered with one of Diesel’s shirts, so much smaller than him she looked like she was wearing a circus tent. They had both forgotten to remove her hospital bracelet. Diesel reached for her left wrist and Kim held it out, letting him peel up the adhesive on the plastic band until he could tear through the last bit.

It was a long drive. It was another seven hours before they hit the Florida state line, and they were exhausted. Diesel was used to it, but not under duress, and the Interstate Commerce Commission had been changing up the industry’s rules like it was going out of style recently. He was just relieved he hadn’t had to drive a cab outfitted with a Qualcomm yet, or he’d have to actually explain what he was up to. For now, he could tell his employer he was using time off to run errands and would be local again in a few days, no questions asked. He’d purchased the cab he drove years ago, anyway, but he anticipated the new regulations were going to phase his cabover out soon. At least the newer trucks had better breaks, if he was forced to trade.

“I’ll ring Dallas, let him know we’re close,” Kimberly said, pulling Diesel from his thoughts. She was grabbing a leather bag from the centre console, her bag phone fully charged after the long ride. She manually dialed his number, being outside the regular service area, and waited. Her face lit up when her husband answered. “We’re in Jacksonville now, heading to Patti’s. Please get me their chicken parmesan, I’m starving. You’ll know what Diesel wants.”

Diesel could hear Dallas laugh on the other side of the line. He followed the signage along Beach Boulevard for the Roosevelt Mall, relieved when the ornate, white siding of the restaurant came into view. Kim was nearly jumping out of the cab before Diesel could park. He related to the sentiment, neither caring to collect themselves before walking across the small parking lot. Dallas was waiting outside for them and lifted Kimberly off her feet in a bear hug so tight, Diesel remembered when he used to expect her to snap in half. He remembered when he used to think he’d snap in half from Dallas’s hugs, too.

“Alright,” Dallas began, setting Kimberly down but still holding her waist. “You’re only off the hook for as long as it takes my wife to inhale a chicken breast.”

Seated in Patti’s, a handful of people wandered over to inquire after Kim, and she regaled them with the harrowing tale of her motorcycle accident. One woman, a former Diamond Doll at Dallas’s club and previously trained by Kimberly herself, hummed the chorus to Leader of the Pack by The Shangri-Las, earning laughs all around the table. It was so normal it was wrong, the trio communicating how surreal it all felt through locked eyes, grazes of a hand against an elbow, an arm draped across the back of a chair. Diesel couldn’t fathom why they had to sit in a restaurant during the late dinner rush and pretend everything was fine, but he followed the Pages’ lead. They’d taken care of him so long, he couldn’t do anything but trust them.

“About that down payment,” Kimberly began, voice taking on that frightening tone again. Diesel had only just started splitting the panna cotta in half to share with Dallas, “on a new bike.”

“Down payment?” Dallas asked, head dipping as if to scrutinise Diesel over his shades. They were tucked away in his breast pocket. “New bike?”

“A desperate man will say anything,” Diesel muttered, stabbing into the coffee flavoured dessert with more force than necessary. “No one should be held accountable for what they say in an emergency.”

“Sounds like you made my wife a promise, Diesel.” Dallas’s tone became as serious as Kimberly’s. Diesel could feel the migraine coming on, alongside a wave of nostalgia. Any second now, Scotty would come tumbling through the door, dancing his way out of women’s arms and hiding behind the biggest guy he could find… “You better keep it. You’re an honourable man.”

“Since when, Dally?” Diesel groaned, elbowing his friend in the ribs. Kimberly laughed, stole a bite of her husband’s panna cotta half. Despite all his complaints, he still slipped Kimberly a check for a couple thousand before the end of the night, knowing Dallas would beat him half to death if he found out before Diesel was halfway up the Eastern seaboard. On their way out, he glanced at the outdoor smoking seats, stopping in his tracks when he laid eyes on one of the ashtrays. It was frosted glass, filled with a gooey substance similar to a lava lamp, and cracked, the liquid and oil inside slowly bubbling out. It held no ash, but the bottom of the tray read ‘HeartBreak Hotel’.

#[ heartbreak hotel au ]#[ put your loving hand out ]#[ voyager ]#[ mango madness ]#long post #the heartbreak kid #big daddy cool diesel #in compliance with poll results i'm posting this as one chapter and then hbk's perspective as the next chapter #aaaand finishing commissions Finally. then writing some things for this au mango wanted me to write. then starting the sixth chapter #unless i get distracted.

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deputyash · 2 years ago

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OC Aesthetics - Naturecore

Thank you for tagging me @harmonyowl and I believe @strafethesesinners :3

Tagging: @teamhawkeye @ri-a-rose @statichvm @derelictheretic @cobb-vanthss @cryptichobbit and anyone else who wants to! (Pretty sure most people have been tagged but just in case.)

Rules: Bold what always/definitely applies to your OC, italicize what somewhat/sometimes applies, strikethrough what definitely doesn’t/never applies.

- Dove Ash -

Cottagecore:

homemade bread, throwing seeds out for the chickens, a tabby cat, patchwork quilts, puffy skirts, ceramic dishes, fresh flowers in a glass jar, herbs hanging from the ceiling, freckles, grey eyes, Athena, old recipe books, a cookie tin filled with recipe cards from grandma, home-sewn pillows, a plate of cookies, the smell of rosemary cooking in a pot of water on the stove, a floral tea pot, salt and pepper shakers, pansies, bartering with neighbors, biking to town, stained glass windows

Zen Gardencore:

rocks raked with precision, bonsai trees, holy temples, moss covering statues of gods and goddesses, reading ancient texts, being blessed by your ancestors, trusting and family devotion, watercolors on paper, ink on skin, poetry and art, hot springs, cherry blossoms, little flames flickering behind paper curtains, the smell of incense burning, figurines carved from jade and gold from centuries ago, rain, a mist seeping around your ankles as you make your way to school, a chalkboard, scraps of cloth made into art, origami, your father’s heirloom sword you long to one day pick up like your favorite Disney Princess, tranquility and peace, stubborn and proud

Junglecore:

exotic animals, tree house, waterfalls, learning the calls of native birds, bright colors and natural materials, bracelets made from wooden beads and bones and feathers, collecting mushrooms, shirts with the sleeves cut off, leaving plastic bottle caps out full of water for frogs to soak in, cutting jeans to make them into shorts, wading in the river, cutting your own hair, bamboo wind chimes, upcycled art, fish in plastic jugs, air plants, climbing up trees using the vines, harvesting your own fruit

Forestcore:

deep silences of the oldest trees, darkness, log cabins, deer antlers mounted on the wall, rearticulated skeletons, hand-dried pelts, pots of stew cooking over a fire, pancakes in a cast iron pan, brown boots worn from hiking, an old walking stick, bonfires at night, roasting marshmallows and making s’mores, strange markings carved into the bark of trees, ferns that curl up when touched, hearing animals dart here and there but never being able to catch more than a quick glimpse of them out of the corner of your eye, finding half-eaten acorns and mushrooms, large tracks from something you can’t identify, bow hunting

Beachcore:

seashell collection, model boats, jars of sand, windswept hair, the feel of the wooden boardwalk on your bare feet, big sunglasses, light blue walls, rope hammock, pillows with anchors embroidered on them, flip flops, shining sun, fish tank, sea animal plushies, a steering wheel from a boat on your wall, plates and mugs with seahorses on them, bracelets with plastic shell and dolphin and turtle beads on them, postcards from the ocean, wind chimes made of sea glass

Mountain/Meadowcore:

watching the rabbits down in the valley, reading a book in a window seat, checking the sky for storms, knitting heavy quilts for the winter, many layers of clothing, waking up to see the sunrise and sitting outside for the sunset, enjoying the company of ones-self, mountain goats, clovers, laying in the tall grass underneath the sun, field mice, crystal and gemstone collection, a tin filled with buttons and sewing needles and thread, fresh-brewed coffee in the morning, scones

#finally catching up again haha #just dove this time #tag games #my ocs #dove ash

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fenharel-archived · 2 years ago

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OC NATURE AESTHETICS.

tagged by @risingsh0t, thank you! tagging @rkyloren, @shadowglens, @arlathen, @denerims, @solasan, @thefathersbride, @queennymeria, @solasan, @leviiackrman, @necroticpetals & you!

rules: bold what always/definitely applies, italicize what sometimes applies, strikethrough what never applies.

Cottagecore

Zen Gardencore

rocks raked with precision, bonsai trees, holy temples, moss covering statues of gods and godesses, reading ancient texts, being blessed by your ancestors, trusting and family devotion, watercolors on paper, ink on skin, poetry and art, hot springs, cherry blossoms, little flames flickering behind paper curtains, the smell of incense burning, figurines carved from jade and gold from centuries ago, rain, a mist seeping around your ankles as you make your way to school, a chalkboard, scraps of cloth made into art, origami, your father’s heirloom sword you long to one day pick up like your favorite Disney Princess, tranquility and peace, stubborn and proud

Junglecore

Forestcore

Beachcore

Mountain/Meadowcore

#phoebe adler #ocs tag #sorry for doing this 3847389 years late <3 but thanks for thinking of me!! 🥺

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innaneramblingsofamadman · 2 years ago

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Chapter 2: Late Night Tea

https://www.fanfiction.net/s/14200223/3/A-New-Alliance

Chapter 2: Late Night Tea

If you were to ask how the Addams manor in New Jersey looked, you’d receive various calls for haunted, a few pleas for gothic, and a chorus of magnificent. A monolithic home suited only for the Addams and those they allowed into its halls. This was not the case for the Reserve family home though, it was a massive log cabin crafted from smooth sanded oak logs, with massive awnings and tall ceilings. Furs lined the walls in a gargantuan living room near 3 stories high, with windows of equal height, a row of mounted head trophies ringed the semicircular space. Near the windows sat a shining black grand piano, and before that sat 3 couches in a half moon around a fireplace on the right wall. The left held what appeared to be a minibar, the walls lined with various bottles of spirits and wine. Down the hall to the right contained a large kitchen with cabinets made of the same oak, and charcoal gray granite countertops, an island lay in the middle with a large gas stovetop. To the left one could find the master suite, as well as a conference room, and a bathroom.

The upstairs was far more simple, a balcony jutted out from the wall with a railing made of twisting branches, along the wall five separate doors sat closed and quiet. None of these rooms were remarkable; inside a queen size bed awaited with thick comforters to guard against the cold, a desk with spare pens and notebook, and an enchanted wardrobe designed to give the occupant the perfect outfit depending on the occasion. At the end of the balcony lay one extra door, in which came another enchanted room. The bathroom was enchanted so that any time the door was opened from the outside, the occupant would be moved to a liminal space mimicking the bathroom until they left, by doing this the house was insured against having too few bathrooms when many people were staying at once. What really tied the home together though was that all the strange angles of light, and conservative use of it as well, led to stretching deep shadows dancing along the walls and floor. A chandelier hung above it with all the candles lit in dancing flames that only added to the shadowy spectacle.

But save the best for last, and only an Addams knows the truth in this, we come to the garden outside. Carpeted by bioluminescent moss, with mushrooms of all sizes and varieties lined up in neat and colorful rows, such an effect can only be upheld by magic as well, but it is the magic of the Keeper that allows these dark and damp loving little morsels to thrive in the dry environment. Beyond the garden rested a small lake where all manner of little devils called home, yet the water remained so still it shined like a mirror of the night sky.

As both rider and hearse approached the building from the outside, Corvus let out a sharp whistle that rang clear and sharp into the mists. A moment later small blue flames lit up the edges of the driveway and led to an overhang where Lurch should park the vehicle. Inside though, Pubert was getting excited and jumping up and down on his seat as he peered out the window to watch the flames. But as soon as his eyes began to glaze over Morticia plucked him up and set him on her lap, out of sight of the little spirits outside.

“Be careful my little cat’s eye. The Will O’ Wisps are beautiful, but more than happy to trick you and lead you to your death, and I expect all my children to die in their 90’s at the youngest,” she ran her hand down the side of his cheek, “do you hear me my darling?”

“Yes mom.”

After pulling up to the house, Corvus led them on a quick tour of the building and showed each of them to their rooms while Lurch unpacked the car. Thing had crawled out of Wednesday’s pack and rested on her shoulder as they paced the echoing halls. Truth be told, it was far more comfortable and familiar than she had thought it would be. It had an eerie aura that all Addams homes tended to possess. She could see how care had been implemented into each facet of the cabin and that Corvus was going beyond his duties as Keeper by far. His singular goal and objective was to guard and report all things that Addams generations later down the line might need to solve mysteries or curses of their own without the same daunting task of months of research. In the basement, Wednesday knew the largest library of family journals and diaries was collected for this purpose alone. But Corvus had gone beyond that and turned the entire Reserve into a variable stockpile of magical components. With the land and beasts thriving as she had seen so far they could host an entire army of witches and never run dry of phantom tears, Grimm fangs, or gryphon blood.

Wednesday wanted into that library, there was no chance in her lifetime she’d find herself unprepared for a meeting such as this, she needed to learn everything about werewolves as she could in the time being to give her an edge. There were of course the obvious weaknesses she had learned from her father as a child; silver, wolfsbane, and fire were all good ways of either cornering or ending such a beast. But you had to get close to use those. She needed something that would manipulate or control them, something to perhaps make them more…agreeable, to her family’s terms in the new treaty. Whilst her mind had been wandering, Corvus finished the tour and said he would be in the kitchen making hemlock tea if anyone wished to join him.

First things first though, she needed a shower to wash off all of her parents' doting affection for each other that sat like a film on her skin from the long drive starting in New Jersey. It oozed off of them like tar. She excused herself to freshen up, giving Thing explicit instructions to stay in her room and check every corner of it for hidden passageways or places to hide things. Something deep in her soul, something she could feel was connected to her psychic power, was warning her the negotiations would last much longer than anticipated. Wednesday had brought this up with her mother once already, but Morticia had smiled and said her own abilities as a dove had offered no such warning, and that she felt things would go even better than expected.

After her shower she changed into a pair of black pajamas and decided to go downstairs and have tea with Corvus after all, opting to not re-braid her hair just yet. Nobody but her family was allowed to see her looking anything less than murderous, and the twisted nature of her cousin made her all the more certain that he would take notice of the subtle show of respect she was offering by doing this. The older man was sitting on a barstool and leaned on the counter, one hand wrapped around a still boiling cup of tea while the other flicked through an old tome as though he had read it 7 times already. Perhaps he had, with a lifespan that long she could only imagine the amount of knowledge kept in the crypt of his mind. Her foot scuffed on the uneven flooring between the hallway and kitchen, and without so much as looking Corvus lifted a finger from his book. It traced a delicate rune in the air, leaving behind a trail of dark green in the air that seemed to pull in the light, and utensils began flying through the air as the magic took hold and brewed Wednesday a cup of her own tea that was then set down in front of the seat next to his.

“Care to join me Wednesday? It’s the perfect night for a good read.”

“I’d be more than happy, so long as I’m not interrupting your routine.” He chuckled a bit at that, and placed a bookmark in the old journal before turning to her. In the dark of the night outside she had assumed his eyes had been the same dark brown as the rest of the family, but she could now see her assumption had been wrong. Corvus’s eyes were not just black, they were all black. Pupil, iris, sclera, the entirety were black as the night with the same green sheen you’d find on a beetle’s carapace as the light reflected off of them.

“There’s no routine to ruin, not for family. I’m not allowed many visitors out here so I welcome every opportunity to speak with someone other than Rue.”

“Rue? I wasn’t aware anybody else lived out here.” Wednesday’s confusion was plain on her face, and it made Corvus let out a dry laugh. Another rune traced through the air and all the windows crept open, and he let out a sharp whistle similar to the one from before, but with a musical melody reminding her of Frank Sinatra’s ‘My Way.’ Out in the darkness of the night came a keening screech, a moment later a small creature sat perched on the windowsill by the sink. It had the head of a great horned owl, with razor sharp talons, and wings stretching out from its shoulders. The body reminded her of a bobcat, large and covered with ashy gray fur with a long curling tail tipped in black. “What is it?”

“She’s a gryphowl, a subsidiary family of gryphons and hippogriffs. They’re endangered now as their blood is easier to harvest than that of their larger family members, and twice as potent. They all share the same amount of magical energy you see, regardless of size, and it causes the magic in a gryphowls blood to condense to fit in such a small package,” Corvus raised his hand and it walked across the counter, leapt onto the island, and rubbed its face against his finger. “She’s as close to a familiar as I’ll ever get, I’ve been taking care of her since she was no bigger than my finger.”

“Fascinating,” Wednesday sat down next to her cousin, held a flat hand out to Rue, and waited. Rue sniffed at her at first, before rubbing her face up and down along Wednesday’s arm before flopping onto one side and resting her head in Wednesday’s palm. “What do you mean by ‘closest you’ll get to a familiar’? All witches have a familiar, it comes with being a witch.” He sucked in a deep breath and nodded at that, a pained expression overcoming his face.

“That’s true enough, but I’m afraid I must be the exception to that rule,” he began to pet the sleek gray fur and check Rue’s toes for barbs, “but an Addams familiar is one and the same as who the curse of love picks for them. Many of our family witches have supernatural partners with animal-like forms or instincts. Your great great aunt Liza was a witch of the highest order, and her husband Leopold was a very powerful werewolf. He served as both the object of her curse and her power.”

“And because you are the Keeper, you’re never allowed to find love,” Wednesday finished.

“That’s right, the only thing that can kill an Addams and make it stick is the loss of our love. Since I cannot love, I cannot die. At least not by any natural or easily obtained supernatural means. Beyond even that, I am a cross between two old and powerful witch bloodlines. My mother was an Addams, as you know, but my father came from a family of green witches known as the Enfants de la Décadence.”

“The Children of Decay,” Wednesday translated the french, and slipped her hand out from under Rue’s head to take a sip of her tea, “what’s the difference between the two?”

“The two of what?”

“What we are and what your father was, what is a green witch? I’ve heard of them but never met one.”

“You have an inquisitive young mind, for sure. A green witch will often forge their own connection or what they refer to as ‘the path,’ to whatever energies within nature most call to them. Some find deity work to their liking, others get along well with bogs or rainforests and use plants to their benefit, and the Children of Decay specialized in all things in nature that broke down the dead, returning their energy to the earth. Mushrooms, fungus, mycelium, insects, mold, scavengers, these are the things my powers tend to relate to. As well as a penchant for simple runic magic granted to me by my mother.”

“I see, thank you for clarifying,” she said and took another sip. Behind her eyes thoughts swirled together and blended in a haphazard sorting system. So green witch blood must also be the reason he looks so young after all this time, no Addams has lived past the age of 80 without at least a few white hairs. Yet he stands here after 200 years not looking a day over maybe 24. “I tend to ask many questions, if it ever becomes overbearing or bothersome please inform me so I can satiate my curiosity with other means.”

“I’ll be sure to, so long as you bring anything of import to me first. You may rule the family one day, but for now little cousin, this is my territory and I know all the secrets it holds. Speaking of which,” from the pocket of his vest he produced a large silver key, inlaid with a large sapphire at the end, “this will give you full access to the library to use at your discretion. Take care of the library and it will take care of you, it’s more alive than you might think.” Corvus winked and picked up his tea, scooping up Rue in his other arm. “I think it’s late enough now that if I don’t sleep, I may just miss the Sinclair’s arrival tomorrow. Goodnight Wednesday, sleep well.”

“Goodnight Corvus, thank you for speaking with me,” she stood with her hands behind her back, “it was enlightening to say the least.” He nodded to her with a wry grin, and began the walk down the hall to his own room.

Tomorrow was both a nerve-wracking thought and an eager chance to prove herself, the restlessness had already gotten into her bones and made a new home for itself. Tonight she would not sleep, she would delve into the library and find any and all information she could on werewolves from her ancestors' personal accounts.

Tonight she would feast on knowledge like a man starved for weeks.

#wenclair #wenclair au #wednesday fanfic #new story

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