#also would help them avoid leaving the house/wherever they were

[sunsetsgod]

i think neil josten can handwash clothes

[cultofdixon]

“I love you” told in a silent way

Daryl Dixon • She/Her Pronouns • Eldest Greene!Daughter • The archer and eldest Greene daughter grew close when they met and even turned into a few things. Little did they know that they were expecting • ANGST/SFW/NSFW - Implied Sex / Quickies / Hickeys / Biting • TW: Canon Violence / Injuries / Self Harm Scars / Nausea / Talks of Abortion / Amputation / Pregnancy & Birth

Requested by: Anon

Daryl tried to be sneaky when it came to getting one of Hershel’s horses. He thought it be easier to maneuver through the woods on horseback instead of his bike. Wouldn’t be as loud either.

The man didn’t know anything about horses. Especially with putting the saddle and reins on. But he was trying to be quick so that none of the Greenes would notice.

Little did he know he was being watched.

“You forgot the saddle pad. Protects their back from the saddle…the friction and all”

The youngest Dixon quickly dropped the saddle and didn’t think of aiming his crossbow given the woman he turned toward didn’t seem to be armed.

“Who the hell are you?”

“The owner of the horse you be takin’. Don’t care if you do just thought you might need a hand before you take off”

“I’ve got more questions first—-“

“You want a name or somethin’? Or like why didn’t I show my face when your group stumbled into the ranch with a half dead boy?” She tilted her head after saying all that, watching the man’s body relaxed when she said all that. “I’m Y/N Greene. The eldest Greene daughter and I didn’t show my face because I’m not all too friendly with strangers and my old man isn’t all too proud of me”

Now Daryl was completely relaxed for some strange feeling growing in his chest. This total stranger didn’t leave out anything in the initial meeting…he didn’t feel like he had to pull it out of her.

“Can I at least get your name?”

“Daryl. Uh Daryl Dixon”

“Well nice to meet yea. Let me help you get the saddle on and you can take’em wherever you need to go”

“Ain’t gonna like…question why I’d be takin’ your horse?”

“The best thing about being invisible…is I already know why you’re doing it so I’m gonna help in my smallest way” Y/N got the saddle pad from the open cabinet in the stable approaching her horse to get him set up. “You’re trying to find that Carol woman’s daughter? I’d be careful when riding. Nelly is skittish sometimes”

“That’s understandable when a sicko comes by”

“I’m saying…be more careful with anything as small as a mouse when ridin’” Y/N warns as she tightens the saddle on carefully before taking the reins and handing them to Daryl. “If you don’t come back before nightfall, I’ll come and get yea”

“Not gonna need it” Daryl frowns gripping the reins keeping his gaze to the floor until she started to walk away when he brought his eyes back on her.

When Daryl left the farm, Y/N made her existence known to the others from his group given only Lori and Daryl knew of her. Lori only knowing because she accidentally stumbled across her when she needed air after learning what happened to Carl.

The eldest Greene still kept to herself but started to be help to these new people whenever it was asked. She even understood what Maggie was talking to her about when it came to how strange some of them were with one another. But also being mainly an observer, she told her sister more details.

“Have you seen that Dixon guy recently?” Y/N asks her sister Beth watching her shake her head, leading her to leave the house heading toward the stables.

To her surprise, Hershel stood in a bit of a mood when noticing their horse was gone.

“You know who took her?”

“Yeah and I gave the okay. Now I gotta—“ Y/N went toward one of the stalls when Hershel grabbed her upper arm. “Seriously old man. What now?”

“I don’t trust these people” Hershel sung the same tune ever since this group joined. Y/N quickly pulls her arm out of his grasp avoiding eye contact as she pinches the bridge of her nose to contain herself from exploding. “First we lose another of our people because they were left alone with this guy”

“To save the sheriff’s son—-“

“Then the Glenn fella is hitting on my precious Maggie—-“

“She’s a grown ass woman who can make decisions for herself—-“

“Then your stupid decision to let one of them use one of our horses led them to ask for—-“

“SHUT IT” Y/N hissed. “I ain’t bein’ blamed for stupid shit, dad. You’re a sweet old guy that wouldn’t turn away good people but of course it’s driving yea nuts how high maintenance it is. Now get out of my way”

Her father didn’t leave the stables and watched her go into one of the stalls to push over some hay to reveal her hunting rifle strapping it on her.

“What are you doing?!”

“Going out to save one of them from whatever bullshit he got himself in”

“Seriously?! How can you easily let someone in? How can yea risk your life—-“

“I have given too much to this world that I’m not about to let it take from me. Yeah…I may not know much of this guy but some cosmic whatever is telling me he’s worth it” and with that Y/N left for the woods.

Y/N didn’t walk aimlessly like the Dixon fella might have because she grew up in these woods. She’s seen his crossbow and knows he’s a hunter but unless you know your surroundings, you’re learning as you go. Which meant the fall that Daryl took when Nelly bucked him off, Y/N knew the spot he’d fall into. Daryl had just pulled the arrow out of his side to take out the walker trying to get him but when the sounds of another undead came, he knew he was done for.

Until the sound of gunfire rung through followed by a thud. Daryl in his exhausted state looked up from where he fell finding a blurry blob that was Y/N with her rifle still in a readied position. He scoffs slightly out of annoyance toward himself mainly but a bit toward her that he directed to her when she slid the side of the slope reaching him.

“You’re an idiot…”

“Says the one bleeding” Y/N frowns setting her rifle down beside her, helping Daryl sit up with some resistance. “Gotta close that better or you’ll bleed out before we get back”

“Why do you care? If Merle were here he’d make jokes about a girl touchin’ me”

Y/N sort of ignored his words. Merle? Must be family or at least someone close he’s thinking of because of the blood loss. Least she didn’t have to worry about hallucinations…at least when she’s there.

“I just do. Is that a good enough answer for yea?”

“For now”

“Good” Y/N shrugged off her flannel leaving her in a tank top making the heat rise to Daryl’s face as he turned away when she brought her shirt around his torso to apply pressure to the wound. “When we get back, the old man will patch you up”

“How’d yea even know I’d end up here?”

“I know these woods a bit too well, Dixon”

“So…yea could’ve warned me?”

“Nah. Then that would be doubting your abilities now wouldn’t it?” Y/N frowns bringing his arm around her shoulders hearing him groan when getting back on his feet.

Getting back to where they were was a struggle and resulted in Y/N carrying Daryl on her back to the best of her ability. A few bumps along the way but they made it. Now it was a slow walk back to the farm.

Though neither of them could’ve calculated what’s about to happen, to happen.

Once the two were in the clearing, Y/N heard muffled shouting while Daryl clung onto her really feeling the blood loss get to him. His feeling instantly changed when he felt her tense beside him when the group of men came running over. Daryl scoffs straightening up the best he could, glaring at Rick who held his colt in his face once again.

“That’s the third time you pointed that thing at my head” Daryl scoffs. “Gonna pull the trigger or what?”

Then the ring of a shot powered through and nicked Daryl in the head. The force caused him to fall over and Y/N to instantly approach his side to get him on his back making sure he was still breathing.

“I was kidding” Daryl groans, squinting his eyes from the pain in his head as Rick and Shayne quickly came over to help the guy onto his feet while Y/N got up continuing to carry his gear and grow an unsettling taste in her mouth when Andrea came running over admitting to her firing.

Dale noticed the look in the Greene’s eyes and felt the need to step in front of Andrea when she made her way over to them.

“Next time, if you’re ever unsure about the shot you’re about to take? Don’t take it” Y/N kept her cool and even shot the girl a temporary smile that faded into the resting neutral while she caught up with the others.

The poor guy laid uncomfortably in the bed while Hershel got to work on his stitches. Once the info about Sophia’s possible whereabouts, Hershel couldn’t help but speak his mind.

“If you didn’t go out in the first place, my daughter wouldn’t have felt obligated to save your ass”

“No one told her to come and save me. I would’ve come back somehow”

“Given your injuries, Dixon. Be a little more thankful that Y/N girl went and saved yea” Rick scoffs picking up the map from the bed and leaving to give the man some time to rest without people bothering. Hershel followed behind Rick watching him bother Y/N to get her input on their whereabouts regarding Sophia.

Night came and everyone was having dinner in the dining room while Daryl stuck in the room he was in. Carol came and went, gave him food and thanked him for not stopping his search for Sophia. He didn’t wait to leave until the house fell quiet indicating everyone was asleep. But right as Daryl was about to sit up, Y/N quietly pushed the door open resulting in the archer scrambling to cover his back.

She’s seen them but before his sake, she wasn’t going to say anything. Y/N tossed a bottle of Tylenol in Daryl’s lap making him relax and the sheets fall from covering him. “The old man is gonna want to check your bandages later. Change them and check for infection. Yknow, the good stuff”

“At this hour?”

“Man was a vet. Overnight shifts to check on the more critical asked for late night checks. Yeah you’re a person but it’s just how he does things”

“Can’t…You like check them for me? I hate being in here”

The pondering look on Y/N’s face took a minute before falling into a neutral expression with a hint of a smile followed by a shrug.

“Your tent is the furthest from the group yeah? By the bike?”

“Wild guess”

“But I’m right, right?” Y/N smiles warmly. “I’ll have to get some stuff then meet yea there. But go out the back, that door doesn’t squeak when opening it” she tells him back on her way out of the room.

It took him a bit to get out of the house given he was stitched up and sore from the incident still. But he didn’t think he took that long when finding Y/N leaning against the tree closest to his tent smoking.

“How long—-“

“I just got here. I am faster than you given the circumstances”

“I wasn’t the one that fell on their ass after carrying me up that slope” Daryl scoffs approaching his tent to unzip it but bending slightly caused a whole lot of pain that he stopped. Y/N tapped his shoulder indicating for him to move as he did with a groan followed.

The Greene tossed her cigarette to the ground and stomped it out before opening the tent letting him in first obviously then entering herself.

“You’re gonna have to take your shirt off again, or at least unbutton enough just for me to get to your bandages”

Daryl sat on his cot with a huff and a bit of an annoyed look infused with self-hatred. “You saw’em”

“I only saw what you’re willing to show” Y/N brought herself to her knees setting her first aid box next to him on the cot watching him from the corner of her eye take off his shirt dropping it on the floor next to her. “You’re not the only one riddled with a past, or…scars that explain it. Alright, may I?” She reached to touch the bandage waiting for his approval which was a nod from his end.

Her touch is so…light Daryl thought watching her work with taking the bandage off with wetting the adhesive so it wouldn’t tug at his skin. Gentle… he held the new bandage for her watching her double check her dad’s handy work. The slightest concern graced her features but immediately dissolved.

“My stitches would’ve been neater. But it’ll do the job” Y/N comments as she took the bandage from his hand and started applying it.

“You also some form of doctor in this family?”

“Fuck no” Y/N laughs lightly. “I’ve lived in the city for so long that I’ve encountered my fill of chaos probably within the first year. But ten years later is when I decided to sell my soul back to this fucking farm”

“You hate it here?” Daryl questions instantly, watching Y/N clean up her stuff before leaning back on her hands on the ground. “This shit is a luxury. Even before the apocalypse”

“Mm. I don’t know you well enough to go into grand detail about why this place is really just a burden. But you’ve seen how the old man is. Imagine being his kid on the receiving end to his bs”

“I guess that’s fair” Daryl slipped his shirt on when listening to her speak. “Some parents aren’t fit to be parents”

“As much as that is true, maybe even speaking from your own experience. Most situations involving multiple children, there’s always a favorite. But in this case, there’s the disappointment and the two perfect daughters”

“Why are you sharing this with me?”

Y/N shrugs reaching into her back pocket taking out her pack. “You’re relaxed aren’t you?”

She got that right. She got him to stop thinking about his injury, and a little bit about how his search was pretty much a failure.

Once Y/N put her lighter away after lighting her cigarette, she only took two puffs before Daryl carefully leaned over taking it from her mouth to give it to himself.

“I’m taking that as my leave” She laughs lightly as she brought herself to uncomfortably stand in the tent, hunching over just a bit.

But as Y/N reached to take her kit, Daryl took a hold of her wrist tugging her into his lap catching a bit of a confused look from her. Making his anxiety rise slightly that he read her kindness wrong and part of her didn’t expect much.

“Do what you plan on doing, Dixon” Y/N brought her arm around his shoulders as her other hand gently made sure his bandage was secure but also place itself on his cheek.

It took him a second longer to think about his action before pressing his lips against hers. The softness of her lips against his made his heart start racing and her hand moved from his cheek to his chest to confirm such.

When the morning came, Daryl woke with a groan sitting up in his coat to find beside him being empty but Y/N still remained in the tent getting her jeans back on. He admired the work he done on her neck but his eyes fixated on the burn scars he caught a glimpse of resting on her thighs. She could sense the staring and tensed only for a moment until her pants were back on.

“There’s not enough make up in the world to cover your attack on my neck and chest. But I don’t give a fuck who notices”

“Don’t know about your family, but these folk don’t know when not to include themselves in other’s business. They are def gonna ask where mine came from” Daryl chuckles lightly bringing himself to completely sit on the cot referring to his own hickeys that were more on the neck and shoulder. Including a bite mark that Y/N couldn’t help herself last night, it was either that or wake the whole tent city. “It’s still early”

“Yeah but just like your folks, my family is nosey. Especially my sisters.” She sighs while buttoning up her flannel even if she does prefer it open, just needs a minute to get inside and in her room before the interrogation starts.

“Y/N.”

Y/N turned to Daryl once she sat on the ground to get her shoes on as she could sense the hint of worry coming from the man and she could only assume was toward what he saw.

“We’re not so different” Y/N states finishing tying her shoes. “Mine were just. Self inflicted”

He couldn’t contain his concern even if in his own special way it was only noticed through his eyes and body language. Y/N could read him and part of Daryl worried about that.

“You stop?”

“Don’t be—-“

“I ain’t gonna be one of those nut jobs that tell yea “please stop for me”. Only you can really make that decision”

“Well, I did. When I moved back”

“And how long ago was that?”

“Three months before the world ended” and with that Y/N took her leave, leaving the first aid kit with Daryl giving her a reason to come back.

Even if a part of him wanted to go after her.

The two had their alone time a few times before news of “walkers in the barn” spread to the group. Daryl felt a sense of betrayal since Y/N cares so much about their safety in the past few days that she didn’t tell him anything about it. But when he went to the back door where he’d usually meet her, he heard shouting from inside coming from her.

“Walkers in the goddamn barn, old man?!”

“People are in that barn. Good people. I’m protecting the—-“

“They’re already gone! They stopped being themselves the second the infection spread from the bite”

“You don’t know that”

“Are you fucking kidding me?!” Y/N scoffed pinching the bridge of her nose trying to contain her anger and failing. “I swear to god if I open it—-“

“—You wouldn’t—-“

“—-and find mom in there after you said she just “disappeared”. I’m going to prove you she’s not mom anymore”

Daryl couldn’t help but flinch when he heard the ring from the slap that came from Hershel’s hand meeting Y/N’s cheek. Normally one would cry but instead she kept her composure and decided to reframe from saying another word or she would’ve acted instead. He quickly stepped away when the door flung open seeing the anger in her eyes and body language. The single tear that rolled off her cheek made him act without realizing and gently brushed it away watching her relax but not enough to fall into his arms and stay there. She pulled herself away shooting him a temporary smile before walking into the woods behind the house to clear her head.

The eldest Greene only returned to the shouting happening and then sudden gun fire which led her to grabbing hers on the way over to the commotion happening by the barn. Y/N froze beside her father watching Maggie comfort him while the others started shooting down the walkers that flooded out. She heard quick footsteps coming as she stopped whoever, Beth, from going any further as she held onto her. She held her as she sobbed watching the dust settle and one walker left started stumbling out.

Sophia.

Daryl quickly latched himself onto Carol before she could even get close to her daughter. Her sobs grew louder the more she was restrained from seeing her little girl that was soon ended by the sheriff that left her all alone in the first place. Rick will forever take that as his fault and won’t ever forget it.

It took them all a second to adjust to what happened as Daryl helped Carol on her feet only for her to thrash out so his grasp from anger and loss. Y/N did her best to keep Beth away from the carnage but she slipped from her grasp causing her to follow her little sister to the pile of walkers.

“Beth, no that’s not—“

“That’s our mom!” She cried as she brought herself to her knees beside the corpse pushing the one on top of it off her. “Ma…”

Her screaming caused everyone to act. The men quickly grabbed at her pulling her away from the reanimated corpse as Y/N quickly came through and slammed her foot into the skull of the sicko. There was a pause in the chaos of Beth screaming, Carol sobbing, and a few of them bickering. Just a pause to let what happened sink in.

“Y/N…” Maggie exhaled watching her fixated gaze to her foot coated in the aged blood as she slowly lifts her foot and stepped away. “Y/N, wait!” She quickly followed her as Y/N made her way past their father.

“I never should’ve come back” Y/N frowns continuing on her way to who knows, and on her route she took the pack of cigarettes out from her back pocket tossing them to the ground which only those who knew would understand.

But she kept her lighter.

After taking care of a few things, Daryl was finally left to take care of himself. Even if he wasn’t going to. His anger feasted mainly on himself compared to being toward others, granted he doesn’t have any reason to be mad toward anybody except for maybe Rick or Hershel for that barn bullshit. Or Shane. Hell he was frustrating himself. He wasn’t going to do anything with her in that sense but needed to find her.

It didn’t take much searching because as much as she hated the place, Y/N stuck close for a lot of reasons. Daryl only found her when she tossed an acorn at his head from above where she sat on one of the branches.

“Obviously looking for me”

“Not for that though.”

“I didn’t do anything if you’re thinking—-“

“No. Well, not entirely” Daryl shrugs watching her climb down the tree to be level with him. “You stalled. Stayed in…the corpse”

“If your mother turned, and you had to end her the way I did…you wouldn’t move right away.”

“Thankfully my mom died in a fire she caused”

“Thankfully?” Y/N scoffs watching him shrug again which made an ill laugh escape her lips. “I wish she didn’t die that way.”

“I wish you didn’t have to be the one to end it. Entirely. I’m sorry”

“Daryl…” Y/N frowns looking him dead in the eye waiting for it. Waiting for him to say it even if his anger started to get the best of him in the moment. “It’s not your fault”

“Stop”

“It’s not”

“But it is!” Daryl snapped in her face realizing she flinched and given all the feelings in the air that day, she couldn’t keep her guard up in that moment. “She wasn’t even mine. Not my daughter. How could I blindly care so much?”

“I was like that in the beginning of whatever we are”

“What?”

“Caring so blindly. I didn’t know you and I came and saved you. Well until that annoying blond put a bullet in you…almost. Then I saved you. In my own way.” Y/N crosses her arms bringing herself close enough to lean against the tree she was just in. “Sometimes, you just care and don’t need a reason. Then the more you know a person all the reasons come to light”

“I care about yea, yknow. Even when I didn’t know a thing”

“You cared about her, without knowing a single thing. From what I heard, there is a person at fault but even then? Rick shouldn’t bully himself for a child running from danger. Kids don’t listen. That’s why they have parents to care for them. Or siblings. It’s harder when the kid has to care for themself. But that’s beside the point…” She turned her head in the direction of the house. “It’s all a shitshow. The end of the world. But we make do with it. Care about those we’ve just met or learned more about in such a little time”

“We need all the people in our lives for as long as we can” Daryl frowns bringing himself closer as Y/N moved her arms to her sides watching him get close enough that she could feel his breath on her. But he brought his forehead to rest against hers, feeling her hands find purchase on his neck. “You’re allowed to fall apart”

And she did. In the comforts of his presence then his arms…and his warm embrace. Things continued to escalate at the farm that eventually, it was set ablaze. All the commotion caused everyone to scramble, lose a few, and meet up on the highway. Daryl’s anxiety shot up when he couldn’t find the eldest Greene sister with her other sisters that were driven to “safety” by Glenn and Hershel.

Then the rustling of the woods were heard and few thought it was more of the walkers. But suddenly, Y/N stumbled out falling against the slope that led to the freeway and before any of her remaining family could rush to her…Daryl was already at her side helping her stand and she was met with a tearful gaze coming from the man that she didn’t care about keeping it a secret anymore…Y/N pressed her lips firmly against his for a short lived kiss before he brought her entirely in his arms holding her.

“Oh you so owe me” Maggie made the comment toward Beth as she glares at her sister. A bet was made. If that wasn’t clear.

“How long have—-“

“No time to act like a father right now. We need to find shelter for the night.” Rick cut off Hershel and gave Daryl a look to start the ride with his bike since he can maneuver and find a path easier. But instead of Carol being on his bike, Y/N took that spot rightfully and not like Carol was complaining.

It was a short ride but long enough for Daryl to realize Y/N’s trembling from the shock of watching her home burn and the struggle of getting out of there alive. She didn’t go unscathed but the cuts were small and not so deep. Daryl still took care of them.

After Rick’s whole speech, it was time to call it a night and stick close to everyone. Daryl took first watch which meant Y/N sticking with him.

“Your old man didn’t look too happy about us”

“He’ll have to get used to it.” Y/N whispered to him feeling his arm snake around her shoulders keeping her close. “Cant believe it’s gone”

“I’m sorry”

Y/N shrugged a little before bringing herself closer to him enjoying the warmth he emitted. “Least I got these on my way out” she pulled out her pack of cigarettes which made a laugh escape Daryl’s lips.

It took some time to get used to the idea that they were going to be moving a lot until something more permanent came along. But they also needed something permanent to come by the end of nine months because Lori was pregnant.

Everyone noticed how stressed Rick would get when Lori would shut him out for his decision making that lead them here so a few did their best to keep that level low.

“Daryl and I are gonna go hunt for dinner while my old man and Carol set up camp for the night” Y/N informs Rick on her way out. “Glenn, Maggie, and T-Dog should be back soon with whatever they scavenged from the few houses around”

“Thanks Y/N, be back before nightfall” Rick stated watching her nod before following Daryl out of the house they decided to make their shelter for the night.

As much as they did what they told Rick what they were going to do. They planned on other things.

“Fuck—-“ Y/N cursed adjusting herself against the counter even with Daryl pinning her against such. “Maybe we do this on the floor next time” her hands slipped resulting in Daryl picking her up still deep inside her velvety walls and forcing her against the wall.

“Better?” He huffed watching her arms move to find purchase around his neck.

“Yes, please continue” Y/N begged as Daryl instantly latched his lips against hers picking up the pace thrusting inside of her using the wall to his advantage so he could bring one of his hands to her clit helping her reach her release.

Her toes curled and heels dug into his back when she reached her high and felt Daryl remove his hand from her clit to have a better grasp on her while he quickened his pace and thrusted harder reaching his own release, spilling inside her warmth. They held onto each other catching their breaths.

“Holy shit…” Y/N gasps softly when Daryl adjusted his stance still inside of her. “So…”

“Round two?” He smirks followed by one appearing on her features pressing her lips against his. Before the two suddenly flinched to the sound of a spring lock. “Shit”

“Mm. Maybe later?”

“Imma hold yea to that, sunshine” Daryl kisses her once more before pulling out of her helping her gain her balance using himself as her steady.

After helping clean up, Daryl checked the trap they set pulling out a raccoon that unfortunately met its end. Y/N stepped out carrying a few finds that would help a few with keeping warm during the colder nights. Blankets, sweaters, etc.

“Think we should set up a few more traps before we head back”

“Sounds good” Y/N extended her hand for Daryl to hand off the raccoon so he could set them up. “I’m gonna put some of these things by your bike so I can sweep around”

“Be careful yeah? I’ll join yea when I’m done”

Y/N kept the catch attached to her backpack on her while the blankets and clothes were left on his bike. She went through a few houses near the one they both were in and stopped in one of the few two stories finding a few more canned goods and took note of how secure the building was. Maybe they could move there for a few weeks? She thought while stepping through the place some more, stopping at the fireplace finding the photos coated in dust. She extended a hand toward one deciding to dust it off and find an old married couple behind the glass. They looked happy. In love. Y/N didn’t quite understand the feeling she was feeling in her chest when staring at the picture of a random couple.

“Anything good?” Daryl’s voice snapped her out of her thoughts as she sets the picture back where it was.

“Nothing I haven’t already put in my bag. I’m ready when you are”

Heading back was quiet and that didn’t concern Daryl much given it was getting late. But Y/N started to act off that it even concerned her. She was more exhausted than usual, finding herself sleeping more in her spot of the house wherever they moved, she ate less, took more of the first night watch shift, and went out less with Daryl. Every time she did, Daryl mainly kept an eye on her and their conversation was smaller than usual. This has been going on for a month, and they’ve been house hoping for three so far. It was about to become winter.

Y/N was taking a longer night watch given Rick, Daryl, and Glenn decided to head out for a small hunting trip to bring back enough game to last them through winter. Even if Daryl said he was going to hunt through the cold months just not as frequently. She was once again lost in her thoughts while looking out into the darkness staring occasionally at the trigger line. Worrying about the group, missing Daryl, fearing what could happen—

“Sweetheart?” Hershel whispered for those sleeping inside but was loud enough to get Y/N’s attention. “How are you feeling?”

Ever since the fire, Hershel has been trying to rekindle the father daughter relationship with his oldest. Even if in her head, he’s always going to be her dad and it wouldn’t take much to repair it. He’s already apologized enough. But she expected it again tonight.

“I’m tired”

“I’ve noticed. Are you falling ill with somethin’? I can go out with Maggie to go look for—-“

“No, no. I’m not sick” Y/N frowns watching her dad take a seat with her. “I don’t feel good. Yeah…but the other thing is just. I love him but I’m afraid to tell him”

Hershel couldn’t help the laugh that escaped him which only brought a glare and a huff out of his daughter. “I told your mother that I loved her, first. She didn’t say it back and honestly? I didn’t expect her to. I just want her to know that I loved her. Then a few months later she tells me she loves me too. For some they say it immediately back, or they take a while. But that doesn’t mean what they do for you, has zero trace of love toward you.”

Y/N couldn’t help the little tears that spilled from her eyes when her dad said such. Hershel gently brought his arm around her shoulder bringing her in so she could rest her head on his shoulder continuing to cry if she needed.

A couple more days passed and the sick feeling turned into vomiting and migraines every other day. Y/N couldn’t shake a feeling and decided to act on it.

“Y/N…” Beth shook her older sister awake as Y/N slowly sits up looking to the other side of her seeing Daryl still fast asleep then she turned to the window finding it still dark out.

“What’s wrong?” She whispers tucking the loose hair in Beth’s face behind her ear.

“I started my period…and I don’t have anything…”

Y/N nodded knowing exactly what she was asking as she tugs her pack over to them rummaging through it. She then realizes she missed her period.

“Uhm. I don’t have anything, love. Maybe ask Mags in the morning? I’ll ask Carol if she’s stumbled across any”

“Okay…” Beth frowns watching her sister go into her bag knowing she at least had pain meds and gave it her to see a small smile form for a moment before she shuffled back.

Her anxiety started to eat at her and she knew the only way to know for sure is to get a test. But that will wait for the morning.

“Hey I’m gonna take a car into the nearby town. Sweep the place one last time before we move again before the weather goes from just cold to snow”

“Sounds like a great idea.” Rick stood up grabbing his coat. “I’ll tag along with you and Daryl”

“If Daryl wants to tag along. I was gonna ask Mags” Y/N states receiving a confused and concerned look from Daryl while her sister lights up with a smile. “Maybe you and Glenn can do one last hunt and check the traps before we move?”

“Alright. But he’s gotta keep up with me like yea do”

“He will” Y/N laughs softly smiling as Daryl snuck in a kiss on the cheek when no one was looking. “We’ll be back before nightfall”

“Yeah I’ll make sure to get some baby stuff if we come across it” Rick tells Lori only to be met with an avoidance in her gaze as her hand stayed on her already showing belly. Y/N couldn’t help the staring toward the two before squeezing her eyes shut and quickly stepping out once she got her backpack and a coat.

Maggie took care of driving and Rick took the passengers, leaving Y/N alone in the backseat scribbling in this journal Maggie found for her on a run with Glenn. She mainly wrote her concerns and the obvious one plaguing her mind was

Is she pregnant?

They were reckless, now he’s going to leave her.

Does he even like kids? He doesn’t talk much to Carl…

“I don’t know what I’m doing wrong” Rick frowns looking out the window as Maggie turned to him for a second with a confused look. “She’s mad about it all. What happened with Shane and being pregnant in the apocalypse. She thinks because she had a c-section she’s more likely to have another and we don’t have the tools for it. So it stresses me out…thinking I’m gonna lose my wife. But I can’t voice those concerns because she’s mad at me. Pregnant and mad”

“Pregnancy makes women feel all their emotions times 100, Rick. It’s going to be rough for a while” Maggie pats his shoulder glancing back to find Y/N looking a bit more pale than before. “Sis, you alright?”

Without another word, the second she felt the car stop…Y/N quickly ran out ditching her things and going to vomit into the near by bushes. Maggie frowns unbuckling her seatbelt and about to check on her when she noticed her journal in the backseat. Her hesitation made Rick get out to check on her older sister while she picked up the book to read it.

Maggie wasn’t going to tell Y/N she read it. But then read those entries and felt the same anxiety her sister felt for a moment.

Maggie gave Y/N some time to recollect herself after bolting out of the car. But she didn’t mean to corner her in the pharmacy section of the mini grocery store.

“Mags what’s up with that look on your face?”

“I uhm. I’m sorry”

The apology caught Y/N off guard until Maggie just let it out.

“You’re pregnant?” Maggie frowns and the negative look on her face only made Y/N feel so much worse on the matter. But instead of tears, it was anger.

“AND?! So what if I might be pregnant? Like that isn’t going to be a fucking issue when we already have a pregnant woman in the group and look how she and her man are doing. I haven’t even said I love you yet to Daryl and I don’t even know if he wants kids” then the tears suddenly broke out as she stared at the pregnancy test box she had in her hand. “I can’t get rid of it. I don’t want to lose him. The universe took too much from me already, I can’t lose anymore” she sobbed, Maggie didn’t wait another second bringing her sister into her embrace holding her protectively.

“Y’all are gonna try and see if that car works? Just the two of you?”

“It’s not the first time I hot-wired a car by myself” Y/N stated with Maggie nodding to confirm such.

It’s not that Rick didn’t trust the two, it was going to be night soon and that was his concern. But he also needed to get all their findings back.

“Fine. But you have to camp out if it gets too late”

“We’ve got this. If the lights work, we’ll drive back” Maggie smiles as Rick sighs letting them rock and leaving.

The two gave each other a look and Maggie went into her bag taking out the few pregnancy tests handing them to Y/N. She went back inside one of the buildings to do her business while Maggie got started with hot-wiring the car.

“Y/N I don’t feel good…”

“Yeah I know, bug. I’m sorry I’m working as fast as I can” The sixteen year old Y/N tugged on the wires from under the dash to get the car started while her baby sister Maggie continued to groan in the backseat. Being left to babysit while the folks went into town was killer. Especially when no one expected Maggie to have a skyrocketing fever.

“Sis…” She cried the entire drive as Y/N did her best to be a smooth driver into town and to the nearest ER.

“I’ve gotchu, bug. Everything’s gonna be alright”

“Everything’s gonna be alright” Maggie frowns rubbing Y/N’s back as she did her best to contain her tears while they drove back.

“It won’t…it just won’t” Y/N wiped away her tears taking the remaining time back to collect herself. She took out the cartoon of cigarettes from her bag staring at the thing knowing her sister’s gaze to burning a hole into the side of her head. “I’m not going to do them, bug” she frowns rolling the window down and tossing the box out hearing the sigh of relief.

“Good…I need to keep you safe. So it keeps my niece or nephew safe”

The smallest joy brought a temporary smile to grace Y/N’s features even if the uncomfortable anxious feeling clawed at her back over how Daryl will react.

When they arrived back, both Glenn and Daryl were waiting outside the house that was lit from the fire T-Dog got started in the fireplace to keep everybody warm. Glenn instantly went to Maggie’s side checking her in his anxious way that was immediately reassured. But Y/N remained in the car with her head down, driving Daryl nuts internally until he noticed Maggie give him a look to join her and that only made his anxiety worse.

“What’s wrong with—-“

“Just let them be. Cmon, gotta give Beth something” Maggie smiles tugging Glenn along back inside until it was just Daryl and Y/N.

The archer shut the door once he entered and before he even said a word, the eldest Greene daughter exhaled.

“I’m pregnant”

Daryl expected more from her but was met with her silence and honestly, that made him worry for her instead of thinking of his feelings about the news. This explains why she hasn’t been feeling well—-but she could’ve let him in. Makes sense why she wanted to go on a run with her sister—-but he could’ve been there for her. Y/N found out alone for a moment—-yet Daryl could’ve help her the second she did.

“You thought I would leave yea”

Y/N instantly shot her head up turning to him as if he read her mind. Daryl gave her a bit of a disappointed look that was met with brimming tears.

“I’m not gonna leave yea. Never.” Daryl stated as fact which led the tears to spill. “I just wish I help you through it. Yeah you had your sister. But you mean so much to me and this is our future. I wasn’t gonna go anywhere before, I definitely ain’t now” he finished his thought as he stepped out of the car rounding to Y/N’s side and gently pulling her into his arms letting her sob into him as he protectively held onto her.

The winter started to present itself and the news stayed within the three (four if you count Maggie blabbing to Glenn, which was only a matter of time before they all knew). Which led to once they found their home to hold off the winter, Daryl brought himself inside after checking the one trap he placed sitting down beside Y/N.

“There’s something we’ve got to say to you all” Y/N started and felt anxious with everybody staring. Guess the fire took away more than just their safety, but her confidence.

“She’s pregnant” Daryl finished resting a hand on her thigh gently rubbing his thumb in a soothing motion for her to relax.

Before any positive thing said can be thrown up in the air. The shocked expressions turned instantly to confusion and toward Lori when she scoffed toward the news.

“Seriously?” Lori beckoned Y/N to confirm it herself as she did with a nod even if her expression fell when the woman started laughing. “Great that’s just great”

“Lori—-“

“No, shut it Rick. It was already trouble taking care of my pregnant self. What makes y’all think we can take care of two? You two should’ve been more careful and found abortion pills”

“Woah! You don’t get to get to be a bitch just because you’re pregnant” Carol hissed drawing a shocked expression out of the Grimes who quickly turned to her husband for a defense. “No you started this on your own and you will finish it”

“None of us asked for you to be pregnant.” T-Dog adds abruptly. “That shit just happens sometimes. No timing is ever perfect”

“But still—-“

“No you don’t get to talk to my——“

“girl like that” Daryl snapped cutting Hershel off. “Don’t take a good thing and fucking stomp on it just because you’re miserable. You have to remember a few of us have some bullets against yea and I ain’t afraid to fire every single one of them if you come at her again” he frowns bringing his arm entirely around Y/N keeping her close, ignoring the tense look on Lori’s face as Rick’s disappointment turned to a bit of sadness when hearing such. But it was quickly shifted to a smile when his son turned to him then toward the two.

“Congratulations?” Carl laughs the tension away resulting in Beth quickly moving over to hug her sister as Hershel made his way patting Daryl on the back before kissing the top of Y/N’s head.

They were going to be okay. Their village will make sure of it.

The winter months were brutal and miserable for everybody. They had to move once through the cold because the roof collapsed in a section of the old house that made it dangerous for everybody. The group ditched their cars and stayed in the neighborhood just for the winter because of the snow. They’ll go back to the cars later, T-Dog and Beth took care of carrying their extra items that weren’t apart of everybody’s individual packs. Carol and Hershel took care of getting the fire going and getting food for the day ready, Hershel also took care of checking both Lori and Y/N every now and then to make sure they are alright. Rick, Glenn, Maggie, and Daryl were the ones in the watch rotation and as much as he protested, Y/N would tag along with Daryl.

“No”

“I’m not that pregnant yet, Daryl. I can go out with you.”

“It’s snowing”

“So?”

“I go huntin’ by myself all the time and I’d rather yea stay warm than suffer with me”

“And you think it’s going to sit well with me having you suffer the colder conditions?” Y/N glared at the man getting frustrated with the back and forth, Daryl was going to argue again when he noticed both of her sisters shaking their heads not to try. Pregnant or not, she will continue to argue until she’s blue in the face.

“Fine. But layer up” Daryl states letting her get ready as he goes into his pack taking out his poncho to put it on over his layers.

The two went through the center of the neighborhood, Daryl hating the snow and Y/N enjoying it. He only hated it because it made tracking animals difficult and before he could tell her about heading back…

“I love you” Y/N tells him watching him freeze in his place as she anxiously adjusts the rifle on her back gripping the strap. “I don’t expect you to say it back now or in a few months or years. I just needed you to know that I love you and you mean so much to me”

Daryl brought himself close pressing his lips firmly against hers bringing his arms around her. They enjoyed themselves for the moment until Y/N heard shuffling and expected a walker but when she looked behind him. There were deer. But when Daryl got a look, he stopped her from readying her rifle which brought out a confused look from her until she noticed a buck making its appearance along with two babies.

Now they were watching the family just be, making Daryl look over to Y/N watching her smile at the display as he brought his hand to rest on her small bump. She glance to his hand for a second before smiling more and resting her hand over his before continuing to look at the deer family. Thankfully on their way back they got a bunny and a few squirrels that made themselves known in the winter.

It wasn’t long before the warmer months came back and Y/N couldn’t ride on Daryl’s bike anymore. She stuck with Glenn and Maggie and with the moving from house to house increasing. T-Dog and Rick took lead with sweeping the houses they come across before the group resided but Daryl followed behind after checking on Y/N. But when herds came through, they didn’t wait and went straight back into the car and only the road.

“Let’s go hunt” Daryl tells Rick watching him nod as Hershel held him back to talk about Lori’s condition given she’s in her ninth month compared to Y/N in her seventh.

Daryl picked up his canteen from his bike going to Y/N and making sure she kept hydrated when the weather got dangerously hot.

“Gonna go hunt with Rick. We’ll be back soon”

“Stay safe, yeah?”

“You too” Daryl quickly kissed her cheek before going with Rick.

The two stumbled across the prison, which then led to the group taking out walkers in the field to give them shelter for the night before heading inside. The group huddled by the fire talking about Rick, what the prison could do for them, and a few miscellaneous things. Maggie happily let her older sister use her lap as a pillow as she laid on her side using her blanket to cushion her belly from the ground.

“Lot of movement today?”

“Yeah…fucking think this baby loves kicking my ribs” Y/N huffed out a laugh as Maggie brushes back her hair smiling at her watching Daryl return to the group with Carol. He knelt behind her resting his poncho over her before getting comfortable. “Done with watch?”

“We’ve got a gate. Besides, if shit happens it’ll alert all of us and Rick hasn’t left the gate”

“You check on him?” Y/N whispers to Daryl when she moved onto her back for a moment to look at him.

“Do I have to?”

“No, but he shouldn’t have to burden what’s going on with him alone. Even if you don’t quite understand it”

Her words rung in his head especially when they dealt with the prisoners, then the Walker outbreak, losing Lori, almost losing Hershel and Carol…it was a lot. Things seem to only escalate and it didn’t help that all the commotion rendered Y/N speechless and she hasn’t spoken a word the moment Lori died.

She could die too

He will raise this baby alone

What will happen to her family?

She can’t die

She won’t die

Y/N stayed by the gate when they left and she knew her dad and Carol were watching her every move that when the cars pulled in she stepped away after opening one of the doors herself even when Carol came with her protests.

The car pulled in and Y/N waited for Daryl to come out but when everybody except him, she gave Rick a confused look while he hung his head.

“Daryl’s not coming back” Glenn ripped the bandaid off watching his partner shoot him a glare for not taking easy. But in Y/N’s head he did the right thing by just going for it.

“We ran into his brother and he’s not a great guy” Rick started. “But blood is blood from what Daryl told us…we just. Can’t let someone like Merle in the prison with us. He’s not a good guy and I’m sorry but Daryl’s not—-“ when he reached to lay a hand on her shoulder, she immediately smacked it away.

“You touch me and I cut your goddamn fucking hand off” Y/N glares at the retired sheriff watching him nod and step away. She glances down to her belly shutting her eyes tight turning away from everybody and started walking back to the prison.

This baby is half her and half him.

If the roles were reversed, she would’ve left with her sisters.

But that doesn’t make it okay for him to go.

“Has she spoken to anyone? Was snapping at Rick the only thing she said?” Carol asks Maggie as she nods while the concern grew on her face.

“Our daddy went to check on her and the baby. Heartbeats good. But going from a lot of movement to it being still…He thinks we should only worry if it stops for the remainder of her pregnancy.”

“Someone should get her to move. Walk around the prison or somethin’. Sitting there will make it worse for her” Hershel shared his concern as the three looked at Y/N sitting on the mattress Daryl pulled out for him originally on the catwalk.

“Nah. Get in an actual bed” Daryl protested Y/N sitting on the mattress but she did anyway.

“Last I checked a mattress is an actual bed”

“Don’t be smart with me, woman” Daryl sat up leaning into her space watching her stern look fall when he started showering her in kisses. “Least lay down with me”

“I wasn’t gonna stay sat up this entire time” Y/N playfully shoves him.

Y/N brought her attention to the young grimes bringing himself up with stairs with two bowls of food. Carl sat down beside her handing her the second one but she refused.

“Please?” Carl frowns watching her gaze turn to him with a look of ‘why?’ as in why would he be doing this for her. “We’ve…uh. We’ve lost enough people”

A sigh escapes her lips as she gently caresses the young one’s cheek giving him a small thoughtful smile before taking the bowl from him and eating.

“Y/N whisperer” Maggie whispers to Beth as the two were the ones to have Carl send up the bowl because Y/N wouldn’t snap at somebody who recently lost their mom.

They both froze when her gaze turned onto them when she finished the bowl of stew. Y/N handed the bowl to Carl as he stacked the empty bowls getting up but noticed her get up with him. She struggled at first and gestured toward one of her sisters to help as Beth quickly made her way up the steps helping her.

“Take a walk with me?” Y/N asks her youngest sister as she smiles nodding. Once the two met the end of the steps. “You too?” She asks Maggie watching her smile warmly.

Soon the three sisters were on the other side of the prison walking in silence and staring at the occasional walker but kept their focus on what’s in front of them.

“If something happens to me. The two of you will take care of them yeah?”

“Nothing is going to happen to you, sis. Nothing” Maggie’s smile instantly faded when her sister said such.

“I know, bug. But please”

“This is your first. Nothing like what happened to Lori will happen to you…” Beth frowns trying not to cry at the thought of losing her older sister. “Can’t lose you…I won’t have it”

“Beth, sweetheart, I know everybody is going to do everything they can to not let the worst case scenario happen…I just. Need the reassurance”

“They will be loved and cared for…if worst comes to worst.” Maggie brought her arm around her sister as Beth did the same, both on either side of Y/N. “We all will be okay”

The moment they got close to the main entrance, the gates were being opened to let in Daryl with his brother Merle shortly behind him. Y/N watched Maggie retract at the sight of the older brother as she brought herself over watching Daryl light up slightly but avoid her gaze.

“So you’re Merle”

“And you’re the woman my brother knocked up. Boy would not shut up about you being the reason he needs to come back. Who woulda thought someone softened my baby brother” Merle smirks and before another word came out of Y/N, everyone around watched her sock the man hard enough in the face that the force knocked him on his ass.

“Your brother is amazing to me even if I want that punch to also be at him for leaving” Y/N frowns looking down at Merle as she held her belly a moment followed by a sigh. “But that was a hundred percent meant for you”

“You just fucking met me”

“You kidnapped my sister and her partner. Beat him to a pulp and let that disgusting man touch my bug.” Y/N stared blankly at the man as it held so much anger that made him nervous. “Just be glad Daryl is your brother. Or I would’ve put a bullet in yea” she stepped away with Beth and Maggie following her while Daryl helped his brother to his feet.

“I like her” Merle smirks and was immediately manhandled by Rick to be put in their makeshift cell since they’re living in the actual ones. The same cell Michonne was in until she got on their good side.

Daryl hesitantly went to the catwalk finding Y/N there as he brought himself to sit with her. The silence was killing him but the way she soften when he returned to her. She couldn’t help but take his hand into hers while the other continued to rub circles on her belly.

“Are you—-“

“Oh I’m mad. But I have to keep calm or the baby won’t move” Y/N frowns feeling him let go of her hand to bring his on her belly thinking it will work…and it did. It was the smallest kick but it got tears to form in Y/N’s eyes making Daryl wipe them away and try to contain his own for his actions. “Are you okay? You ain’t going to leave again right?”

“Right. I ain’t leaving…I promise. I really promise this time” Daryl brought his arms around her holding her as she adjusted to lay comfortably in his embrace.

The plan about the governor escalated and succeeded. He was no longer a threat, but they lost so much in the process. Y/N found herself in the field where they buried their own, holding a flashlight for Daryl as he was burying another body. But it was his brother. The others wouldn’t approve but Y/N knew how much Merle sacrificed and thought he should be honored in a way. Daryl appreciated it. Even if he couldn’t control the tears that fell when he finished burying him. Y/N the best she could, wrapped her arms around him resting her cheek against his back.

“He did good”

“He did good…”

About a month went by and the Woodbury infusion went smoothly, and those started helping making the prison more of a function home. The one finished thing was the water plan that T-Dog brought up, thankful for him.

“You’re hovering”

“Okay?” Daryl scoffs leaning against the cell door to their room. “It either me or your old man”

“As if he’s not already there” Y/N turned to him with an annoyed look listening to Daryl sigh before Hershel made himself known. “I’m not going to fucking pop”

“That’s a creative way of putting it. You’re close to your due date. We want you to be safe”

“Yeah whatever.” Y/N pushed herself up and off the bed as they both were quick to her sides. “Okay I will kick that fake leg and make you fall and kick him in the balls if you both don’t stop hovering”

“Okay I will listen but I ain’t stopping him” Hershel pats Daryl’s shoulder. “Call me or Dr. S for any change”

Daryl nods watching him go as he gave a blank look to his girl crossing his arms. Y/N instantly glared at him but he kept his stance.

“I want to take a walk”

“I’ll go with yea.”

“Fine. But I’ll punch you over if you pick me up when I’m too tired” Y/N waddled past as he crossed his heart before following behind her.

There was a lot of commotion outside. Rick started working on the farm with Maggie, Glenn and a few Woodbury folk were clearing walkers, Tyreese was helping Carol build the outdoor grill along with Sasha helping with getting tables in, Beth was taking care of Judith as Carl rambled on about some comics that Michonne found for him, and Michonne was out on her weekly runs. Daryl helped around but mainly took the morning and night shifts when Y/N was asleep so that he would be there for her the rest of the time.

“Alex?”

“Nah, we ain’t having a boy anyway”

“I get it. But if it happens we still need a name”

“Robin goes both ways”

“God you’re so fucking lucky I like that name. And Fallon. But not for a boy name”

“Mmm…” Daryl glanced around thinking about a name for her sake. “Mark”

“Do you like Mark?”

“No”

“Then why did you—-“ Y/N scoffed. “Hunter’s mark?”

“You wanted boy names” Daryl shrugs. “Mark is a name. Hunter is also a name”

“Next thing you’re gonna say is Striker and that’s because of a brand of crossbows” Y/N continued to walk leaving Daryl a bit surprised that she knew that before catching up with her.

They were walking for two hours and Daryl was confused for half of the walk wondering why she even decided to walk for that long. Until she went back inside grabbing onto his shirt giving him a pain filled look.

“I thought it was nothing”

“What was nothing?”

“The fucking pain, Dixon. It’s too much”

It clicked a little late for Daryl but he instantly picked up Y/N only for her to start punching his chest in protest. “HERSHEL!” He shouted for the man while bringing his girl to the infirmary of the prison.

“Stop” Y/N whines hunched over in the bed as the contractions were awful for her. She smacked away Hershel’s hand when he tried to get a blood pressure cuff they found on her. “It’s too much. I’m not ready” she sobbed.

“I know sweetheart but the baby is. I’m gonna—-“

“Hell fucking no. I’m not having my dad check down there” Y/N covered her lower half with the blanket as Daryl felt her squeeze the crap out of his hand. He can take it.

“Beth. Get Caleb right now” Hershel shouted watching her exit the room as a small group formed at the entrance. “Unless you’re helping. Keep that area open”

When the other doctor arrived, Y/N was already reaching an uncomfortable amount of pain as she leans into Daryl feeling him rub circles on her back not like it did much. The words the doctor was saying weren’t registering but when he gestured for the blanket to look making her nod quickly.

“Yeah baby ain’t waiting. She’s crowning. We have anything for gloves?” Caleb asks as Hershel shakes his head before handing him a towel to catch the baby in. “Well alright.” He set the towel down for a moment and dunk his hands into the bucket Glenn got once he was asked earlier so it would be a bit more sterile. “You have to push on the next contraction”

“No…” She whined gripping Daryl’s hand tightly again. “It hurts I don’t want to”

“You have to sunshine. You have to push”

“But I’m tired” She whined followed by sobs as Daryl brushes the hair out of her face pressing his forehead against hers.

“Cmon sunshine. We gotta meet our little one” He whispers to her looking her in the eye as her voice started to tremble. “I love you. I love you so much Y/N. You’re being so strong right now and gotta continue to be alright? You gotta push now”

Y/N started to sob even more from the pain, the anxiety, the deceleration. She nodded listening to her partner as she waited for the next contraction to push resulting in her screaming which had a bit of an echo through the parts of the prison close to the infirmary.

“Good almost there” Caleb reassures. “One more big push”

“One more sunshine. One more and our little one is here”

One more push…led to the room filled with sobs. Tears from Y/N continued, tears broke out from Daryl, and the loud sobs that erupted from their baby girl being handed to the mother. Soft congratulations left the doctor’s mouth but nothing registered as the two’s attentions were glued to this little girl. A healthy little girl.

“You did good, mama” Daryl choked up wiping his tears looking at their little girl in her arms finally calming down. “She’s perfect, yeah?”

“So perfect” Y/N sobbed through a smile turning to him as he instantly kissed her. “I love you…”

“I love you” Daryl smiles keeping his family close.

When night fell, they moved back into their cellblock once everything was cleaned up and Y/N was well enough to walk. She was fast asleep in their bed as Daryl was wide awake sat up in the bed beside her holding their little girl that looked up at him with the same blue eyes he had.

“You are…so perfect, Robin”

[inkyarcturus]

give me all your headcanons for snape nEOOOOWWW (pretty please 🤎)

Okay so I think I’m going to break this down into chunks because I have a LOT of thoughts so here’s the first chunk :D

TW: for child abuse?

PRE HOGWARTS:

it’s pretty much canon that Sev came from an abusive home with an alcoholic muggle father and a pure blood mother.

Personally, I believe that his mother Eileen Prince was disowned by her family upon marrying Tobias. Although at first they were a happy couple, Eileen becomes pregnant with Severus and reveals to Tobias that she is a witch. Tobias, coming from an era where witchcraft is demonized and realizing the drain that a child has on his finances, becomes abusive.

Eileen tries her best to keep the abuse from Severus as much as possible, leading to her stopping herself from using magic as she believes that would just anger Tobias even more.

Severus is absolutely a mamas boy as a child and you can pry that headcanon out of my cold dead hands. He would do anything for his mama, growing up hearing stories about Hogwarts, magic and the legacy of the Princes, it was all he had to stay sane. Whenever Tobias was out of the house for extended periods of time, Eileen would brew with Severus as well, usually healing potions.

He would often be seen wearing his mother’s clothes because of the families lack of funds but also just because it was a way to connect with her.

The first time Severus uses accidental magic was to help his mom avoid Tobias, blasting him unconscious. It’s a mess of emotions for the rest of the night. Eileen is panicking, worrying about her husband’s health and her own but also trying to celebrate Severus’ magic so he knows magic isn’t bad (pure bloods are aware of obscurials). Severus is in tears worrying about his mother’s injuries, unable to understand the situation. Eileen calms him down enough to get him to agree to never tell Tobias about this incident.It happens again more times afterwards.

Severus is sensitive as a child, always crying despite his father’s anger towards his tears. He becomes agitated with himself, being unable to control himself. His father’s words haunt him every time he cries.

He goes years without any friends, not going to school because of his magical status, but still being allowed to go out to play and escape his fathers grasp.

The kids usually don’t like him cause of his poor hygiene, odd clothing and even stranger words. He’s rather intelligent for his age, but being raised in an abusive household has only taught him vulnerability is weakness and everything is a threat.

When he meets Lily he learns how to let go of his shields. He’s made his first magical friend, someone who doesn’t mind his clothing, or hair, or overall oddness.

He goes over to the Evan’s family house at least once a week. Lily’s parents constantly fuss over him, asking if he’s alright or need food or clothing. He constantly denies it because he doesn’t want to burden them, or have them look too closely at his home life

Eileen is so grateful her son has a friend she is brought to tears wherever she hears Sev talk about Lily (which he does, a lot). Whenever she knows Tobias will be out of the house she’ll ask Sev to bring Lily over so all three of them can make potions together.

Petunia is less receptive of him, constantly starting arguments with Lily over why she even talks to him, but generally leaves them alone to stay in her room.

Sev was always quiet as a child, he would play silently whenever on his own, keeping his thoughts within his imagination. His preferred method of play, pre-Lily, was organizing objects. He would organize them by color, shape, name, then mix them back up and start again.

With Lily he would let his imagination run wild, playing the part of dragon, knight, prince and spy, usually acting as a helper to Lily. They call each other sun and moon. He sees himself as a reflection of Lily’s light. His self esteem will only get lower as the years progress.

Occasionally, Lily would get extra allowance (Lily’s parents purposefully gave for Sev) and they would go to a corner store to buy sweets. I imagine he has a pallet for less overwhelming sweets, like matcha flavoring, but as he grows older he convinces other people he likes bitter sweets the most. I think he has an appreciation for berries the most.

Hope you appreciate these :D think took almost an hour to write and I keep on wanting to add more but this is honestly already too long :,)

Side note I just realized I can’t do multiple posts on one ask? So if you want the second chunk can you please send another ask :,D

[bloodredfountainpen]

The Gift

Masterlist

My very first official whump piece, I hope it’s not absolute trash lol.

Contains/CW: bbu adjacent, pet whump, institutionalized slavery, caretaker new master, referenced past abuse, mention of noncon body modification, brief mention of whipping and resulting scars, brief nudity (non-sexual), nonhuman whumpee (kinda), self hatred of one’s body, brainwashed whumpee, morally dubious caretaker, accidental bad caretaker (Anthony has no tact), fear of torture/punishment, self dehumanization, self deprecation (both verbal and in thought), begging for mercy (granted)

Ella, if you’re actually reading this, please for the love of God don’t skim over the CWs, they’re really important! Also, and I know you already know this about me, but none of this is a sex thing no matter how bad it looks. I am a sadist, but not that kind of sadist.

I know that’s a lot, but I promise it’s not as bad as its sounds 😭, but lmk if I missed anything.

Premise: Anthony, a young man living alone who is generally ambivalent to the practice of keeping Pets, is suddenly gifted a dog boy that he doesn’t quite know what to do with.

(Pet capital P = a person who has signed away their personhood to ModiPets Inc and is now legally an animal, usually physically modified to take on animal characteristics, hence the ‘modi’ part. pet lowercase p = the standard definition of the word.)

————————————————————————————

Anthony liked living alone. That simple fact frustrated his mother to no end, which, he suspected, was the reason that there were two MP employees at his door asking him to sign for a Pet. Now, Anthony never really knew what to think of the whole Pet thing. Sure, they had their memories wiped and were dumber now, and sure they had consented beforehand, he just still couldn’t see himself ever owning one. Besides that, he didn’t know what he would do with a whole other person in his house. He had the space for it, sure, but as an introvert by nature, the thought exhausted him just thinking about it. Still, he knew that refusing to sign and sending the package back to wherever it came from would earn his mother’s ire and probably prompt a visit, which he wanted to avoid at all cost. And so, he signed. He hoped he would not come to regret it. 

The employees helped him drag the box into his living room, and before they took their leave, they handed him a copy of the proof of delivery form. The form specified that the Pet was a hybrid Guard Dog/Platonic type with Level 2 Canine Modification and one previous owner. He hoped whatever was wrong with them to make their previous owner send them back had been fixed. He hoped that the ‘Platonic’ bit meant that the thing wasn’t feral. He hoped that the Pet hadn’t been modified to be too canine, since Anthony rather hated dogs. So many hopes for the Pet; Anthony felt kinda bad for expecting so much when he hadn’t even met them yet.

Also in this form, under the ‘other instructions/messages’ section, there was a note: 

Happy belated birthday sweetie! I know this is a bit extravagant, especially along with the rest of your presents, but it was on sale and I couldn’t resist! You know how I worry about your safety, living on your own in the big city. This good little guard doggie aught to keep you safe and keep you company in that lonely apartment of yours. 

Just like he thought; his mother’s meddling had once again inconvenienced him. Anthony scrunched the form out of frustration, before gingerly smoothing it out and sticking it in his kitchen junk drawer, reasoning that he might need it later.

Cautiously, he approached the box, and began to open it. 

———————————————————————

Light streamed into G-22985’s box. This was it, he thought, this was the moment of truth. He had spent his entire time retraining waiting for the day when he would finally have a new Master to protect, a second chance, and now that was coming true. He couldn’t wait to have nice grass or dirt to sleep on, to be fed again after days in transit. He really hoped that he would be good enough to earn all that. After all, he didn’t deserve anything that he hadn’t earned. More so, he couldn’t wait to defend Master from any and all harm. If I guard Master well, he thought, then Master might keep me around this time.

He knew better than to look at Master’s face, and so he kept his gaze fixed on a point on the wall of the box, even as Master looked him over, scanning his body. Assessing his worth, he assumed. He wanted Master to think well of him, and that was a scary feeling. He knew he wasn’t supposed to want, that’s the reason Master Liam had sent him away, but this was different, because it was for Master’s sake and not his own selfishness.

After what was really only half a second, but seemed like hours to G-22985, Master turned away and exclaimed, “Oh god, you’re naked! Sorry, I didn’t mean to stare, I’ll go grab some clothes. Wait right there,” and with that, Master left. Having received his first order, G-22985 excitedly stayed put in the box, or at least he hoped dearly that that’s what Master had told him to do. He thought he might have heard Master wrong, because he seemed to have apologized to G-22985, and people don’t apologize to Pets. Even so, he stayed where Master had (probably) told him to. If he was wrong, he would be punished, and then he would know.

G-22985’s heart broke that his body was so revolting to Master. Pets don’t wear clothes, so if Master wanted him to, there must have been something really disgusting about him to be covered up. He had the sickening feeling that the whipping scars Master Liam had given him hadn’t faded as much as he thought. He often wished that those scars would disappear altogether, though he knew they never would. He wished he could forget everything about Master Liam, really, every curse ever shouted at him, every bit of pain caused to him. More than that, he wished to be good for New Master, wished so badly it hurt. This body belongs to Master, he reminded himself, whatever Master wants to do to me, he has that absolute right.

———————————————————————

Anthony’s heart was beating out of his chest as he rummaged through his closet looking for something the might fit the Pet. From the split second looked he’d got at him, Anthony estimated that the Pet was maybe a few inches taller than him, but significantly skinnier and yet somehow more muscular. With that in mind, he selected a soft hoodie and pair of sweatpants, his cheecks turning red with guilt at having looked at another man nude without his permission, and also embarrassment that he’d found the Pet attractive. Did that technically make Anthony a zoophile? He didn’t think so. 

He hurried back to the Pet, tossing the clothes into the box while turned away, and nearly shouted, “Put these on! It’s ok, I’m not looking.” 

He heard the sound of cloth shuffling, which quelled after around a minute. “Are you done? You can come out of the box if you’re done,” Anthony said, throwing the sound over his shoulder. He heard the Pet stumble out of the box, and turned to face him, only to find the Pet kneeling with his head to the ground. Anthony sighed. 

“Would you mind standing up? I want to get a look at you,” he asked, trying his best not to let his frustration show. He would rather be doing literally anything else right now, but that wasn’t the pup’s fault. The Pet seemed to tremble for a moment, before scrambling to its feet. Anthony looked him up and down, finding he was correct in his estimation of the Pet’s height. The Pet’s pitch black hair had been buzzed short, and of course, a thin white collar had been fastened around his neck. Sitting atop his head were a pair of fluffy dog ears, those of a German Shepherd, if he were to speculate on breed, and the outline of a tail stuffed down one leg of the pants was visible. The sides of the Pet’s head, where his human ears would normally be, was smoothed over and covered by hair. How intriguing.

It bothered Anthony that the Pet still kept his head bowed, so after taking a moment to gather his courage, he took the Pet by his chin and tilted his head foreword, but the Pet flinched and his eyes remained squeezed shut. Anthony quietly commanded him, “Look me in the eyes.” 

———————————————————————

G-22985 flinched as Master grabbed his chin. He knew he wasn’t supposed to react negatively to Master’s touch, so he braced for a strike to correct his error, but no such strike came. He mentally scolded himself, since the Handlers weren’t around to do it: Bad Pet! You’re a worthless excuse for a Pet! You’d better hope Master doesn’t send you back for being so useless! You’re nothing but a defective disappointment!

As much as G-22985 hated to think of himself that way, he knew that he had to remind himself somehow. He always had a hard time remembering his place, thinking he was a person, sometimes even trying to escape. I tried to escape from Master Liam, and look where that got me. Refurbished and resold, like an object. He didn’t know why the thought of being an object made him so mad; that’s what he was, after all. He knew he probably needed more retraining, because even after the Trainers had taught him how to be good again, he had only been at this new place for a little while already been bad! What a disgrace of a Pet he was.

He shut his eyes tight as Master tilted G-22985’s chin upwards, he didn’t want to accidentally look at Master’s face. 

“Look me in the eyes,” Master ordered him, but that was bad! He was never to look Master in the face, never mind the eyes! But, Master had commanded, and he had to obey Master’s commands. 

Making up his dumb Pet mind, he reluctantly obeyed and looked into Master’s eyes. Instead of the coldness, anger, or blow to the face that he was expecting, he saw an analysis that he recognized. Master was studying him, which was good as far as G-22985 was concerned, it meant that Master hadn’t made up his mind yet. It meant that maybe he still had a chance to be good. 

———————————————————————

God, the Pet was even hotter up close. Anthony felt extremely wrong for thinking that, but it was true. The Pet’s deep brown eyes captivated him, so full of fear. He made note of a scar on the Pet’s lips, a small vertical line which started above the top lip and finished below the bottom lip. Considering everything that Pets went through for their training, it was a miracle that that was the only defect. He suddenly didn’t think he could bring himself to treat the Pet like, well, a pet. Which raised the question: what in the world was he going to do with him? He certainly couldn’t send him back, both for fear of his mother, and for fear for the Pet’s safety. 

Anthony broke eye contact and removed his hand from the Pet’s chin, causing the Pet to fall back to his prostrated position. Anthony chuckled under his breath at the Pet’s ridiculous display, causing the Pet to flinch, and Anthony to recognize his mistake immediately. “I’m gonna order Pizza for dinner. You can eat Pizza, right?” he asked, making an effort to be gentle. 

“Whatever pleases you, Master,” the Pet said automatically. This unnerved Anthony, but he didn’t have the energy to address it right then. Whatever conditioning the Pet was under, Anthony wasn’t even sure it was his place to undo it. The Pet had signed up for it, so clearly he wanted to be like that. Though he supposed that the Pet belonged to him now, so he could do whatever he wanted with him. 

That thought sent a pang through Anthony’s chest as he looked down to the Pet, kneeling loyally on the floor before him, not daring to raise his head.

“Listen, you can sit on the couch until the Pizza gets here, ok?” he told the Pet, not really expecting an answer, but surprisingly, the Pet’s trembling voice quietly rose from below. It was a pitiful sound, like a scared dog during a thunderstorm. 

Anthony didn’t know what to do, he wanted to comfort the Pet, but how? How in the world does one comfort a person they a) just met, and b) literally own? He supposed that, if the Pet had been trained to act like an animal, maybe petting him would work. And so, as much as he was dying of embarrassment to do so, Anthony crouched down and caressed the Pet across his head, finding his hair (fur?) quite soft and pleasant to the touch.

———————————————————————

G-22985 couldn’t take it anymore. Yet again, Master had ordered him to behave as a person rather than a Pet, and yet again, memories of his time in training flashed through his mind. Memories of electricity coursing through his neck, memories of his Handlers’ voices in his newly sensitive ears. He remembered a lesson he had, one of the first he had ever been taught, that he was never to sit on furniture because furniture is for people, and he was just a lowly Pet. He remembered being beaten within an inch of his worthless life when he had forgotten this rule while serving Master Liam, he could have sworn he could still feel the blows land even months later. He just couldn’t bring himself to break that rule again. But still, Master had ordered him, and he couldn’t disobey. Master Liam had given him double binds like this too, and he hadn’t known what to do then. Now he knew though, he also knew he was being a coward, not able to take a beating like a good Pet should. He just couldn’t bring its body to move, knowing what was coming. He was being so bad! Bad, bad, bad, bad…

G-22985 didn’t realize he had been whimpering until Master crouched down and touched his hair, petting him right between his ears. He was glad, he finally had the opportunity to be good. He leaned into the touch, careful not to deviate from his position while still demonstrating the required level of appreciation for Master’s affection.

He felt good to be touched kindly after his intense refurbishing. He dared to think that maybe he would be ok here, if Master was touching him like that. This meant that Master wanted a pet and not just a guard dog, that maybe Master would give him more of these kind touches, if he was good. There was a reason he was part Platonic, right? But Master was being so confusing, one minute ordering him to cover himself because he couldn’t stand the sight of his repulsive body, the next touching him so gently. Master had given him a trick order, but then when he had been bad, as he was doomed to be, Master had touched him like only a good Pet deserves to be touched.

The horrifying realization struck G-22985 as Master continued to pet him; it hadn’t been a trick order, it had been a test, which he had failed. He had failed by putting on the clothes, he had failed by standing up, and only when he remembered his place and stayed on the ground had Master rewarded him with affection. He had been so caught up in being good and obeying Master, that he had forgotten how to be a proper Pet. He knew that Master knew this too, and he knew he was in for the punishment of a lifetime. Still, Master was touching him so kindly, so maybe if he begged, he had a chance of lessening the inevitable hell.

———————————————————————

Suddenly, the Pet stopped his shaking and completely froze. His whimpering turned to sobs, “I know ah-I’ve b-been bad-d, I have f-failed Master’s tests-ts and n-know I deserve p-punishment. I w-will be a good P-Pet, I pr-promise! I will d-do anything to m-make Master happy, I will f-f-follow-w any order g-given, I will n-never be bad, only good! I will k-keep Master ab-absolutely s-s-safe and ha-happy, I swear. I beg of you to-to h-have mercy on-n this-s pathetic cr-creature!”

Anthony was perplexed. He wondered what in the world he’d done to make the Pet think he was in trouble. Had it been the petting? He wished his mother had warned him before sending him the Pet, at least then he could have read the damn online manual. But no, now he had a crying Pet kneeling at his feet, begging for mercy over some perceived infraction. Anthony sighed, and the Pet flinched and went silent. Anthony couldn’t help it, he sighed again, and predictably, the Pet flinched. He would have to get that habit in check.

“Pet, what do you think you did wrong?” Anthony asked, hoping to get a better idea of what was going on in his head.

The Pet’s voice was quiet and strained, but still he answered, “I p-p-put on clothes, Master, which-ch is bad. I st-stood up on my h-hind paws, Master, w-which is bad. I fl-flinched at your t-t-touch, Master, which i-is bad. I know what I did-d w-was bad an-and I d-d-deserve to be p-punished, yet I b-beg your m-mercy, Master.”

Oh, Anthony realized, this is my fault.

He whispered softly to the Pet, trying his best not to be frustrated, and just now getting the inkling that he might have been in over his head, “Hey hey, it’s alright. You’re not in trouble, I’m not going to punish you. You don’t have to sit on the couch if you don’t want to, I just thought it might be more comfortable than the floor. Just, please stop crying, ok?”

The sobbing abruptly halted, and Anthony resisted the urge to sigh again, as he knew he’d been anything but comforting. Also, his plan of ‘Pizza at the table and talk about what the fuck we’re going to do’ would have to be adjusted, seeing the Pet’s reaction to being invited to sit on the couch. Anthony had the sinking feeling that mealtime would be an even bigger hassle. He had no idea what he could possibly do to get the Pet to, if not trust him, then at least give him the time of day without expecting retribution. He decided to give the Pet some space while he thought things over.

“I’m just going to sit over there and order the pizza, you don’t have to go on the couch, but you don’t have to stay kneeling like that either. Just… sit how you’re comfortable,” Anthony instructed as he slowly got up from the floor.

“I remember my pl-place, Master, a lowly P-Pet like m-me knows not-t to sully the f-f-furniture, I’ll b-be good,” he declared in more of a plea than a statement, his voice barely above a whisper and still clearly choked up from crying.

Anthony shrugged and moved to a nearby armchair. He made a point of not looking at the Pet, even though he really wanted to, but even so, the Pet didn’t dare move a muscle from his position. Well, if the pet didn’t want to move, Anthony wasn’t going to force him. He ordered the pizza, and then went to the MP website and brought up the online Owner’s Manual. What he found was, in one word, sickening.

Anthony didn’t live under a rock; he knew that Pets didn’t have it easy, but this was nothing but gratuitous cruelty. The ethos of the manual seemed to be all stick and no carrot, to put it nicely. The manual specifically advised to punish behaviors which were person like, such as sitting on furniture, which really put the past half hour into perspective. That poor pup. There is no way in hell I’m doing any of that, thought Anthony as he read further and further, but the question remained, what am I going to do then?

[allyouneedisteaandlove]

no one asked but here's what I would do if I could rewrite the Parkers arc on TVD:

starting out Kai would leave after taking Jo's magic. I don't even care where he goes or if his final line in season six is "have a good life, sissy" but my boy would disappear and go run free for a while and leave mystic falls behind. So no second stent in a prison world or being a blood-bag for a bunch of heretics (like y'all wonder why he came back to the wedding swinging).

Listen, do I still want him to become a heretic ??

Yes, 100%.

But we'd need to figure out how to avoid killing Jo and Liv in the process, so we'd be relying on some silly TVD loophole. As coven leader his ass should be able to sever the ties binding them.

(or maybe jo gets given vampire blood at the hospital pre wedding and when he stabs her she wakes up too but as a vampire i don't KNOW and i don't care but we keep the three of them alive end of discussion. the Red Wedding is so deliciously evil of him part of me wants to keep it but maybe we focus on making it about killing their awful dad/the abusive family and leave the siblings out of it).

so yes, Jo would somehow make it through the wedding unscathed, leaving Caroline out of the horrible gemini baby incubator plot line.

Liv and Tyler get back together post wedding gate, and in season 7 they're hopefully enjoying college and making plans for the future. She's still broken up about Luke, obviously, but she's finding ways to heal. He's helping her, she's helping him, they're healthy and adorable and 100% on track for marriage.

In season 7 we'd see Jo and Ric adjusting to pregnancy/parenthood, with the mystic falls gang rallying around them to help.

We'd get an occasional check in on Kai: i want him off being ridiculous on islands and in europe and just vibing being a menace wherever he'd like; maybe the MFG call him for magical advice since he's wicked smart where the witch histories are involved or maybe hes still hung up on bonnie and calling every few months to see if she misses him yet (she'll never admit she does).

In Season 8, the saltzman girls start to get their powers. The gang hasn't heard from Kai in a while, maybe we haven't even seen him in town since he left in season 6. But he shows up unannounced one afternoon on Jo and Ric's porch (they've upped to a family house) asking if he's missed dinner. It's a holiday: my boys got an awful sweater on, a baked good in one hand and a sack of presents for the girls in the other. I'd also like a santa hat with a little bell if it's christmas.

The loophole about Jo saying she'd kill him if he ever came back is that now she's a mom, and the girls are confirmed witches (which makes them official members of the coven) so if he dies they die, and he doesn't think Jo will kill her own kids.

Obviously he's right, so a super weird and uncomfortable "family" dinner ensues. The girls have no idea who he is at first, but they're thrilled to meet a new Uncle. They have questions about their mom growing up, and questions about Kai now and where he lives, and Josie, especially, has questions about what's wrong with them.

Lizzy is nervous around new people, but Josie isn't even the tiniest bit afraid of him. She peppers him with question after question, hardly letting him catch his breath:

If he's a siphon like her, how come he has magic of his own now? Can she ever have that, too? Does letting her magic drain out ever stop hurting? Will she ever be as good a witch as Lizzy? Why were they born like this?

And Kai can't help but fall for her. No one answered his questions when he was a kid, so he takes his time telling her the truth now. He still doesn't know why the spirits did this to them and not their sisters - but there's nothing stopping Josie from being as powerful as she wants to be.

(Except him, of course, but she doesn't need to know that.)

At dinner, Jo and Ric sit at either end of the table, and Kai sits in the middle across from the girls. Lizzy's warmed up to him now and keeps asking him for special tricks. They haven't seen a real witch except for Aunt Bonnie, and having one so close for the evening - let alone someone they're actually related to, is a novelty they can't pass up.

Suddenly Kai flicks his wrist, and the girls freeze in their seats. "They're cuter than I thought they'd be," he admits.

"What did you do to them?" Ric growls, starting to stand. But Kai keeps him in his seat with another wave of his hand, smiling at both of them.

"We need to have a little chat," he tells them, "grown ups only."

"So send them to their rooms," Jo snaps, "we don't use magic on our children-,"

"Oh nice," Kai nods, "good on you for breaking the family traditions. But this will only take a moment, sissy, and they won't remember a thing. Pinky promise."

"Fine," Jo says, "what is it?"

"Simple question," Kai sighs. "I know which one of them is my favorite, but how about you two?"

Jo and Ric can only stare at him.

"You probably like Lizzy best, right?" Kai asks, rolling his eyes at Jo. "But what about you, Ric? Does Josie being a little freak bother you? Or does it not really matter, since you've never been a witch anyway?"

"Kai-," Jo tries to stop him, but he brushes her off.

"Don't pretend you don't have a secret favorite," he says. "You and I both know every parent does. Now tell me which one it is, and I'll unfreeze them."

"Why would I ever do that?" Jo asks. "I don't HAVE a favorite, I love them both."

"Well," Kai hums. "I suppose I could kill them both, if it's what you want. But between us it only really needs to be one of them. I thought you'd at least want to pick which one you got to keep."

He flicks his wrist, and the girls go back to peppering him with questions. Jo and Ric exchange panicked, horrified glances.

"Why are you two looking at me like that?" Kai asks, making sparks dance on his fingers for the girls. "I'm being nice, or did you miss the part where I said you could keep one of them?"

*

Later, after Ric and Jo have had a heated debate on what they should or shouldn't do, Jo takes the girls into the living room where Kai's waiting.

"Oof, bit harsh, sissy," he says, standing, "making one of them watch?"

Jo doesn't say anything, she just stops before him, the girls standing between them.

"Who's it going to be?" He asks, cracking his knuckles.

"I don't know," Jo says, "because I can't decide, and I'm not going to."

Kai tips his head back, groaning. "Come on, that wasn't the deal-,"

"I didn't agree to any deal," she reminds him, keeping a tight grip on each of her daughters. "I love them both, Kai, equally. If you want me to pick Lizzy because she's the easier option, I'm not going to do it. Josie is just as much a witch as any of us, and I'm not going to give up on her just because we might have hard days. I'm their mother, I can't make this choice."

Kai glares at her, knowing where she's headed.

"So if this is really what you want to do, then you look at your nieces right now," she orders, "and pick."

Kai rolls his eyes. This is her big plan?

Fine, easy.

He drops down to his knees before the girls, looking at each of them. Josie shuffles a bit closer, tugging the edge of his sleeve.

"Uncle Kai," she whispers, "did we do something wrong?"

Kai's expression falters. "No," he says, "you - you haven't done anything."

"Then why are you and mommy fighting?" Lizzy asks, tilting her head.

"Because your mom is being difficult," Kai pinches the bridge of his nose, "can you two just be quiet for a minute?"

"Sorry, Uncle Kai," Josie shrinks in on herself, drawing her little hand away from his arm.

He stares at them, and they stare right back at him. It should be easy - but it isn't. Josie has his eyes, his hair, his curse. And Lizzy can't shut up to save her life, she's twitching now with the need to ask him something else.

"You're both so - small," he says, one hand on each of their cheeks. "You're kids," his eyes flick up to where Jo still stands above them, "they're just kids."

"I know," Jo agrees, "so were we."

and just like that, we've got an immortal coven leader and no need to ever do a merge again

anyway thanks for coming to my ted talk

[faesystem]

I am quite simply saying Luigi canonically says he has bad knees in the Mario Movie.

Is someone else going to create content about disabled Luigi or do I have to do everything myself?

(Broken up into sections for ease of reading.

---Childhood---

---High School---

---Pre-Movie--- (For the record, the other stuff is more generalised and not really movie based)

---Bowuigi---)

---Childhood---

I would imagine (cough project cough cough) that it is something like elhers danlos. I would also say he seems to have some form of balance/co-ordination problems during the scene where he was being led around by the shy guys. Which is me trying to justify giving him post orthostatic tachycardia syndrome.

Anyway, I imagine that Luigi was always a sick kid but never had access to the medical care he needed. I would imagine it would be this mix of financial reasons, him downplaying his symptoms, and his family not taking it seriously. I imagine the only person who would take it seriously when he was younger would have been Mario.

I would say ever since they were little Luigi always appeared to be unathletic compared to other kids. It was not for a lack of trying. After all, Mario is very athletic and Luigi followed his brother everywhere. He followed him to soccer games during break, sports carnivals (do you have that in America??) at school, anything and everything. But it always seemed like he was tired quicker than other kids. Especially as he got older, he seemed to trail further and further behind.

Mario would be worried sick wherever his brother got dizzy and fell over as a kid. As he got older, it would always worry him more and more. It got to the point where eventually he dropped most physical activities aside from teams he had to try out for, because he knew he would get in and Luigi would not. He always felt guilty about this, like he was excluding his brother because, well, he was. But it was better than seeing him collapsing. And he swears, no matter how much everyone around him downplays it, Luigi getting so tired after running around that he 'can't stay awake' and he falls asleep is so not normal.

---High school---

Anyway, fast forward to high school and Luigi is missing a lot of it due to being a sick kid. There is a lot of tension in his house because of it. Luigi had always missed a lot and always been good at catching up, but it was getting especially bad. And worse yet, he would avoid P.E. like the plague. Whenever he had to go, it would leave him in bed for days in agony.

It was looking like he was not going to graduate due to not getting his P.E. credits.

Which is where my ideas get a bit funny, as I do not know how it works in America. Here in Australia, you can drop out in grade 10 if you have a job or apprenticeship.

I would say that in this headcanon/AU, Mario becomes a plumber because it looks like his brother will have no option other than being a tradie. He and his brother plan it out. They look at the options they have available to them and decide being a plumber would be the best. It would be strenuous, of course, but if they work together then Mario can do anything Luigi cannot.

But Luigi is still hesitant. No matter his brother's reassurances that this is what he wants, he cannot help but feel awful that he was the reason his brother plans on dropping out. And worse, their family would never forgive him for it.

Mario really did not care. Honestly, he was not very smart, unlike Luigi. While he was definitely going to graduate, his grades were not really something to write home about. But he was always physically strong, he figured being a tradie was sort of inevitable.

So he hatched a plan to make sure no one would be mad at Luigi for their plan.

One night at dinner he told everyone that he was doing m dropping out to become a plumber. That he had an apprenticeship lined up. After people realised he was serious, they were furious with him. But after weeks of arguing and him refusing to go to school even after being dragged there and him running away (it was for two days, but Luigi had never been more scared the poor boy) his family accepted he was doing this.

Once everyone was sure there was no changing his mind, he revealed that Luigi was going to join him. Luigi was out at a friend's when he told everyone, and he spent the hours they argued about it making sure his family knew he was dragging Luigi down with him and not the other way around.

When it came to speaking with Luigi about it when he got back, thankfully they did not give him too much of a hassle. Aside from gentle and half hearted attempts to change his mind (they knew they could not, he would follow Mario anywhere) he was left alone.

When it came to their apprenticeship and actually working, they made a killer team. Luigi was more than capable, although he never knew his own limits. In fact, he excelled in it, he always managed to figure out what was wrong almost instantly. Mario could never quite wrap his head around how his brother figured it out, since for him it was always a lot of guess work.

But that's what made them such a good team, in Mario's eyes. Obviously he was more than capable of figuring out and fixing the problem on his own, and Luigi was very skilled and capable in manual labour. But he always took a bit of time, and Luigi never knew his own limits and would end up dizzy and in pain.

Mario always knew Luigi's limits. But he always had to toe a careful line, making sure to remind himself that Luigi is not incapable so he did not smother him. Luigi spent his whole life either being expected to do things he can't, or being infantalised and not acknowledged for what he can. Mario always spent a lot of energy finding genuine work related reasons Luigi should not do things like some of the manual labour work or should do things like lay down. It was worth it to see his brother in minimal pain and happy and satisfied with the job he did.

---Pre-Movie---

I would say it is a very interesting thing to explore if a big part of why they left Spike was because Spike refused to accommodate Luigi. Like Mario hated how Luigi would have to mask his symptoms and hated how he would be in so much pain and hated all the times he would see his brother collapse as soon as he got home and be 'unable to stay awake due to being tired'. At that point Mario figured out that was just fainting with a long presyncope, even if Luigi refused to accept it. (A syncope is a faint, a presyncope is the symptoms before a faint. Dizziness, spotty vision, ringing ears. I headcanon Luigi can get presyncopes for hours without actually fainting, because same.)

He especially hated how Spike would talk to Luigi. Mario made it very clear to Spike that he will only work for him if his brother works too, and Spike made it very clear he thought Luigi was useless. Luigi was not useless. He was just forced to be on his feet for far too long. I mean, Mario has no idea what it's actually like, but Luigi had described how his vision would get spotty and his hands would shake and it would be impossible to think.

Not to mention, him refusing to accommodate Luigi not only hurt his brother but made what makes the Super Mario Brothers work not work. Luigi was the brains, he was the brawn, and that dynamic falls apart when the brain can't think due to presyncope. It was actively hurting their ability to do their jobs. Mario was sick and tired of Spike getting in the way of their jobs.

And I have been saying this from Mario's perspective, because I believe that Mario would be the one to take the biggest issue with it. I also believe that Mario would not tell Luigi this was the driving factor behind leaving Spike, because he knew his brother would feel so guilty.

Anyway.

It is 01:30 and I should sleep.

I have so much more to say about this but I should sleep.

If you want more, please ask. Please.

---Bowuigi---

I will just leave this with, as a Bowuigi shipper, I would love to see how this impacts their relationship.

Like imagine an enemies to caretaker senario where, perhaps not in the movieverse but at some point Luigi got a dislocation or fainted during battle. And Bowser saw how worried Mario gets and knew that kidnapping Luigi would really piss him off. So he did.

(I just love Bowser kidnapping Luigi to upset Mario. It is so funny to me. Like he does not harm him, he treats him more like a guest than anything else, but it makes Mario so mad. Bowser finds this hilarious.)

This would not be the first time this happened. I would say this was a semi regular occurrence for the reason I mentioned in brackets above. So Bowser noticed as he personally tended to Luigi's wounds that Luigi was acting really weird.

And Luigi had been hurt before during battle. Actually, hurt way way worse than this. One particularly memorable time he woke up in Bowser's castle after being caught in an explosion. But this felt particularly vulnerable to Luigi, since its because of his disabilities.

Fuck I should sleep. 01:41.

Well. Anyway. Luigi revealed he's disabled. Bowser is ridiculous levels of accommodating to Luigi, you know, his prisoner. Like moves him from (a very nice proper bedroom in) the dungeon to a guest room in the family suite because that is the coolest part of the castle. (Heat + POTS = bad)

And Luigi fell madly in love. Gay gay gay. So gay

And Bowser, who is now getting to know Luigi beyond just being a way he can piss off Mario, becomes quite infactuated with Luigi. Like at first he was genuinely just trying to be accomodating. But the morning after he moved Luigi's room to near his own he got to see Luigi all sleepy and half awake in the morning. He fell hard and fast and trying to be accomodating quickly became an excuse to pamper Luigi a bit.

1:50. Bed time.

[hyeitsju]

choerry hcs? both sfw and nsfw thank youuu^^

So sorry for the late reply and the bad writing, I'm not very good at it.

Choerry hcs!!

(Choerry x FEMALE Reader)

• She is the most affectionate person EVER

• Hugs and cheek kisses 24/7, it's non negotiable

• So talkative but also loves to listen to you rant about your day

• She loves spending time with you

• If she is not at your house then you are at hers

• Her mood can be lifted just by looking at you

•Her members definitely text you when she’s really upset (basically never) so you can help her calm down

• Cuddles with her are heaven

• Although, once she starts she will not let go

• Even in her sleep

• Takes you out on carnival dates a lot, she probably has a collection somewhere of all the stuffed animals the both of you have won.

• And when she pays for both of your food she makes sure to mention it for at least the next 3 hours

• She would looove it if your as clingy as she is, you two would be a power couple

• You would still get teased by the girls, tho

• When she first met your parents they automatically took her in as their child

• If they tell her something embarrassing you did as a child she will never stop bringing it up

• Whenever she isn’t sleeping over at your house, she will FaceTime you so she can fall asleep to the sound of you talking.

• Doesn’t get jealous often but when she won’t say anything

• She’ll just sit back and pout until you come back over to her

•When you do she will be complaining nonstop

•If not that then she’ll try to politely excuse you from the conversation and leave wherever you both are early.

• Very flirty

• Would 100% text you pick up lines at random

• She’ll say them in public too and will get upset if you don’t react or reciprocate

• If your as clingy as she is then you both will be inseparable

• Wherever you are people automatically assume she’s at most 15 ft away

• Kisses 24/7

• On the cheek, on the forehead, on the lips, on the neck

• She just need to kiss you

• Choerry is a very supportive girl, you could tell her you want to be a sumo wrestler and she’d be happy for you

• She’d send you signed stuff like albums or photocards and whatnot and would explode in happiness whenever you post about them

• I personally think that she wouldn’t be private about your relationship

• She wouldn’t talk about you 24/7 or constantly post pictures of you, she’d just let it be known that y’all are dating.

• If she were to hide it however, she would need to avoid all topics about you.

• If you were an idol, there would be no chance.

•Her face just lights up at your name and by seeing you, people would connect the dots themselves.

• Is so defensive for you.

• If people leave hate comments about you she’d get mad and tell them off

• Hates fighting with you.

• Although, one of you is gonna apologize within the next 3 hours after the fight

• She just can’t stand you being mad at her and vise versa

(nsfw)

• I don’t know if it’s cuz I’m a pillow princess but I can’t see her as a bottom

• She’s just dominant in my eyes

• A soft dom tho, I can’t really see hee being too rough

• She has a high sex drive, 1000%

• You just turn her on, what can I say?

• She’s pretty vanilla tbh, maybe besides a light overstimulation and (maybe) exhibition kink

• She can be at school, work, a restaurant, on a camping trip

• She could be 10 minutes from going on stage and she will still find a way to fuck you

• I feel like she wouldn’t really like to use sex toys, maybe a vibrator or two but other than that, no.

• I just can’t see her using a strap or dildo

• She prefers to use her hands or her body

• She isn’t really into sending or receiving nudes but if you decided to send one she definitely wouldn’t mind.

• Loves overstimulating you

• Most of the time it’s not even on purpose, she just gets lost in the taste and feel of your pussy

• She loves your boobs equally tho

• I feel like she’s the type of girl to hold your boobs while falling asleep

• Or, like, play with them while cuddling

• She could and has came untouched from the sound of you moaning her name

• She loves bathroom sex

• Specifically the bathrooms that have stalls

• Watching you try to keep quiet as she fingers you or eats you out alone could make her cum, especially if there’s someone else in the bathroom or in the next stall.

Sorry the nsfw section is small!! I was tryna fill it but I couldn’t really think of much! Also, sorry this is really bad

[talkethtothehandeth]

Hi, I have EDS and use forearm crutches! I actually recommend the brand SmartCrutch because they are fully adjustable. If you haven't used forearm crutches before, it can be difficult to guess what angle is going to be the most comfortable/least strenuous. Being able to adjust the angle to the exact right spot is a huge advantage. I was actually lucky enough to borrow a pair to try them from a friend before I purchased them to see if it was comfortable. They even were kind enough to include a bag I can attach to my crutch free of charge. (Buy through their website, not through Amazon if at all possible!)

I have difficulty in all my joints but especially in my wrists, so anything that puts strain on my wrists was gonna be a no-go. I probably won't be able to do a self propelled wheelchair because of the severity, electric wheelchairs are way too expensive, but I needed something to help me when I have to leave the house. So, in comes the forearm crutches!

When set to the right height and angle I don't feel like it's putting any additional strain on any joints in particular, but it does make walking easier and less painful. If you ever lean against a railing (say, going on stairs or a long the edge of something) it's kinda of like having a railing to lean on wherever you go. I don't grip the handles very hard, I just have a loose grip or rest my palms against the handles. I do personally have mine set more horizontal, but my friend prefers hers slightly more vertical.

The only cons I've noticed are if I go out using both of them, I don't have an easily free hand to grab or hold things. I have a bag on one crutch that helps, but I've dropped a ton of things, like drinks. I often have to ask people who are with me to carry things for me.

The other con (sorta) is that while I'm not straining my joints, I am using a new set of muscles to walk. I did experience muscle fatigue in my arms at first, which got better with practice. I recommend treating them like a physical therapy exercise at first, where you have to train the muscles a little at a time until they figure out the whole walking thing. I don't notice the muscle fatigue in my arms anymore unless I'm up and active for an unusually long time.

I still haven't mastered staircases with crutches. I avoid them as much as possible, but when they're unavoidable I feel awkward using the crutches. It's uncomfortable having the crutches height change when it's up or down a step. Usually I just lift the crutches off the ground, brace against the built in stair railing, and slide up/down the stairs like that. One day maybe I'll figure out how you use the crutches on stairs.

Overall I adore my forearm crutches, they make my life a lot easier! I have them decorated with stickers, ribbons, flowers, and the bag has buttons on it. I think they look pretty cute now and I'm thrilled with them. SmartCrutch is a black base but can put decorative skins on the arm piece, but I got mine plain black because I always intended to decorate them myself and the skins didn't match my vision.

Thank you so much! I know that it will take a lot of adjusting since, like you said, it'll be a new set of muscles working much more for the actual walking and also keeping balance.

I've been looking at SmartCrutch brand for a long time, but never bought one because of the price. They're pretty expensive (I mean, all mobility aids unfortunately are). I would probably get a cheaper set from somewhere like Amazon/Norco and then paint them purple, and if it worked for me, or mostly worked and I felt like I needed more support than what the generic brands could offer, I would probably go for the SmartCrutch brand.

I'm so glad you were able to personalize yours! They sound so cute 🫶🏻 and I’m so glad to hear they help you!!

I really like the color range that SmartCrutch offers. I would probably either get the axolotl cove, or the sunflower fields!

[bellshazes]

do it again, director's cut edition because i'm procrastinating writing the last part of the last chapter and it's kind of helpful to review. with luck someone else here will enjoy the behind-the-scenes content as well

chapter 1

The little desk Scar has set up right across from the front door of his studio apartment is covered in them, some of them larger and loose, the smaller ones in what clearly used to be ice cube trays.

no joke this detail is because of a New Uses for Old Things feature that used to be in the magazine Real Simple, which was life hacks before "life hacks" was a term. ice cube tray as a jewelry organizer.

There’s an orange one with smooth, straight-cut sides that fits perfectly in his palm.

i really did write this with the intent of it being the courage crystal (formally established later) but I never have gone back once to check whether it's orange. ditto the green danger detection one later. no one's called me out for it though

it'll never get explicitly said in fic, but they each induce the opposite of their intended effect. bdubs' courage crystal makes him extremely paranoid, etho's danger detection lands him in the hospital, and even tango's rage crystal leaves him mellow and avoidant.

We’ll just go up there and put a little tarp over it,” he’d told Etho when their kitchen ceiling had started to drip. “I’m a professional, it’ll be easy, and we won’t get rained on inside while the landlord takes two weeks to get someone out here."

i think about bdubs' tenure as a general contractor a lot, mostly because i know of very few other people who have opinions about roofs they pass while driving.

and Etho’s always been good with a bow –

historically speaking, anyway; the very first indication that LL!bdubs remembered previous timelines as well.

Etho is wearing his ancient, scuffed-up blue sneakers, and only then because it would have been about sixteen different ladder safety violations to wear the socks and opened toed slippers he constantly wears in the house.

another old joke about etho's diamond booties and/or socks-and-sandals depictions in fanart. i imagine the sneakers as diamond blue high tops befitting a guy who's into pop punk.

“Already hid it while you were in the bathroom,” says Etho, extra chipper. “And now that you mention it, a two-person Twilight Imperium game is tempting –" “I know just enough about that to know you’re just being mean.”

Board games come up again in chapter 2 and 7, but TI usually takes minimum 8 hours to play and is a space-set empire building and turn based strategy tile-building game. I think Tango and Etho are regularly trying to rope friends into playing with them but it's a bit much for most people, and absolutely not viable for a concussed Bdubs. Catan is also stretching it, but I think bdubs has extremely normie board game taste as a path of least resistance.

chapter 2

He knows he died saying Etho’s name, but unlike a normal dream, his death doesn’t wake him up. He has a faint awareness that whatever his death set in motion is still happening out there, somewhere, but he can’t access it anymore, wherever or whenever he is now, in a darkness waiting for the credits to roll. Nothing comes.

the mechanics for what dreams come when, with what level of detail etc., have been winged this whole time. but I definitely struggled to find a way to have bdubs plausibly and selectively remember only the dying, the difficult parts and not his enjoyment of them. there's no hard rules beyond what seems appropriate to the situation - things the crystal might be in synergy with, or bdubs recalling his nether death when he falls from the roof similarly - but I did think about it constantly while writing.

that said, something the characters never fully figure out but bdubs will almost recognize is that the people who were given and gave away the most lives have an easier time remembering:

scar with his crystals and his souls is really unfazed by past life memories (and calls back to hcs7).

tango, who was given many lives for his betting game and was forced to give them away on top of distributing the winnings, reacts on instinct way before he has dreams. when he does, they're messy and violent like bdubs', more tangled with the reality.

etho only ever gave one life for the betting game, and received none. he dreams by proximity and by crystal, by resonance; the dreams contrast and he has mainly good moments.

cleo picks up the dreams easily - her allies also kept bringing her back up to yellow, and she responds at first like tango does, pre-emptively and instinctively. but when she gets a crystal it's off to the races, and it's not so bad because she had a more stable alliance and also she's got joe to call and bdubs to contrast against. she also definitely talks to scott and pearl about it, but it's not relevant for this fic.

bdubs, of course, gave one life and was given several. he had the bad luck to parallel his last life, and so the fic unfolds. you know how it is with past lives

this all probably implies the southlands, post death coffee incident, start having a spate of dreams and skizz and impulse (they are friends, impulse works at the cafe, it's just never been relevant) have a really funny conversation about their parallel friendgroup dramas but i don't feel like i can write most of the southlands confidently, so please use your imagination and possibly tell me about it.

“Say ‘thank you, Bdubs, for graciously offering to buy me coffee,’” hollers Bdubs as he scrambles out of bed. He doesn’t leave any space for Etho to reply. “It’s like I’m not allowed to get a little extra beauty rest now and then, not that I need it of course. If I were any less perfect than I am I’d make them put all that extra crap you hate in there as punishment for your ungraciousness, one of those – what did you call them, Etho, one of those frappucini things –“

I will never let the time Etho said "frappucini appletini" when onboarding Bdubs as a shade-e-ees employee in s7 die. he will never live it down.

Etho hadn’t fought back much, and seemed to enjoy the endless opportunities to accuse Bdubs of photosynthesizing or pretending to mistake him for a large houseplant if he happened to be wearing green, which was often.

this is probably my favorite one-off gag/detail. every single time etho wakes up at noon and walks into the office to see bdubs wearing green and limned in gold by the afternoon sunbeams he makes the exact same photosynthesis plant joke and bdubs reacts exactly the same way and tells him to get a new joke. neither of them ever do.

“You might need to feed Pineapple Pizza for me. And make sure and eat something, will you? Actual food.”

i'm going to be honest, i don't recall whatsoever the rationale for bdubs and etho having a cat is - I inherited it from the original MLL AU posts. but i'm fond of it because bdubs hates cats and etho loves collecting pets and forgetting about them but also practicing talking to himself. she's dear to me anyway

Maybe it’s not fair to resent Etho’s terrorizing when he can look down at his own hands and see someone else’s blood there, dripping from his own sword – but he has never dreamed of hurting Etho.

this bit of hypocrisy was another huge hurdle for writing, lmao. bdubs' kill of tango and insistence he'd never kill etho after killing grian in ep1 show how cavalier he liked to play his own bloodlust, but with imperfect information in this life it's less hypocrisy and more fixating on etho's "killing" of him not because it's murder but because it's betrayal. cleo engages with this deftly later, because she of all people has seen the etho and bdubs trying to kill each other while secretly wanting the other one to survive song and dance more closely than anyone.

“What do you want,” says Cleo, but it’s only her usual level of grumpiness. “Can’t I call you for no real reason?” Bdubs says, extra-sweet. “Well, one reason, but the reason is I just wanted to talk. I’ve missed you so much!” “It is one o’clock on a weekday, Bdubs. Not all of us can set our own schedules.”

my headcanon is that cleo is a taxidermist, which is partially a joke about an au i made with a friend like 7 years ago for a different fandom, but i thought it would be funny with her armor stand ksills. i don't know what a taxidermist daily work life is like and i've avoided having to describe it though. i did interior designer a day in the life research for bdubs and have managed to gloss over etho's work details beyond "computer guy" so that's all you're getting.

“Oh, you’re too kind,” Bdubs had laughed as he built a statue and moved his victory point marker around the next corner. “You’d give up anything for a loyal friend like me, right?”

it's the chapter 2 board game: this time it's kingsburg! you roll dice which allow you to gain the favor of courtiers on the board to build up your city; buildings give you materials or other advantages or best yet, victory points, which are tracked with meeples on the outer rim of the board. i think it's bdubs' compromise of choice because of the medieval and courtier-courting and city-building themes AND you can cockblock people's desired resources with your own rolls. and it's not hard but it's fun. skizz also really enjoys it and tango and etho have more fine taste but also are usually down for it. this has been "board games headcanons with peter"

Intellectually, he knows the dream is pulling from what’s on his waking mind, like Tango’s weird aggression and being a little lonelier now that his and Bdubs’ schedules don’t often line up.

honestly this is my own stance on dreams, despite an enduring involuntary belief in signs and omens, but etho is such a rationalist it fits, and paves the way for the 1% flawed convo he has with scar in LL that i steal from later. but it's also transparently a little self-deluding because reality in these worlds is much weirder.

He had a tendency to come off as standoffish and intimidating, but Bdubs had seen right through him and immediately started calling him a nerd and a softie and stuck to his side.

etho's on record as talking about making videos as a way of improving his speaking skills, which really shows if you go and watch his old content! i was also thinking about (or maybe predicting?? i don't want to take too much credit but this was written at the end of 2021) etho in bdubs' netherite hunting stream saying something about how he used to be the timid one and now bdubs is. they don't change, they just take turns ;)

“Can he? I say that with love, of course,” Scar says hastily at the incredulous raise of Etho’s eyebrow. “Bdubs and I, we go way back – not as far back as you two, but still. What a guy. He’s had a hard time of it lately, though, hasn’t he?”

somewhere in this fic tag is the elaborate au of this au in which bdubs accepts scar's job offer and doesn't move in with etho; that one would be circa the 90s and lead into hcs7, so the resonances build in that direction instead of LL. but etho and bdubs go way back, further.

Scar picks up Jellie from the chair behind his desk before settling into it and repositioning her on his lap. “I don’t want to assume since Grian said he didn’t remember the name but the guy was wearing a bright green windbreaker. Terribly inconvenient for a business like mine.”

if, when I'm done, I revise things I'd like to make it more clear here that scar considers his business one of information more than trinkets. the trinkets are a means to an end of getting favors and intel from people! he likes wheeling and dealing more than anything, but the "business like mine" line could be improved. i'm not allowed to revise until it's all published, though.

Etho pockets the little bead. “I’m not signing anything, but if you see Bdubs, will you let him know I held up my end of the bargain?”

a missed opportunity to drive home the resonances here, but this is recalling etho pointedly getting out of signing the contract he makes bdubs sign when he boogey fishing rod kills scar.

Before he can respond, Etho’s phone goes off and Grian visibly startles, hopping back a little bit. Which seems like an overreaction, but Etho does forget how creepy his alarm tone of ominously ringing bells is if you’re not expecting it.

his alarm tone is 13, of course, and it comes up at the board game shop later. incidentally i also for a while set my own feed the cat alarm to 13 when i figured out how to use spotify for phone alarms, and sometimes i still accidentally turn that alarm back on and jumpscare myself irl. i'm very competent.

Bdubs, presumably, will have to come home to sleep at some point and the coffee will ensure Etho is awake to see him. One way or another, they’re going to make this work.

this line is specifically echoing bdubs saying they're gonna make this work during the LL office scene, and will foreshadow what etho does to make things come to a head in the final chapter. but that's spoilers ;)

[mumms-the-word]

Reunited, Part 1

Day 14 of the BG3 Fic February Challenge

I've been wanting to write the scene for a while. There's so much more I could have put into this, but I was trying to avoid it getting too long. Dani cares deeply about her family and her friends, but she's also not one to stay pinned down for long. Reuniting with her mother is both kind of a common occurrence because she leaves and comes back to often on her travels with her fellow bards (aptly called the Rovers), and a special occasion in this instance because, well...her adventures through the game have certainly been a lot more exciting, and a lot more dangerous, than traveling through the districts of the Outer City every few weeks.

Today’s pic is how I picture Dani’s mom (if I had to make her in the game)

Part 2 will be part of Day 15's prompt!

Check out my masterlist of BG3 fics!

---

14. Family reunion (found family or otherwise)

---

“Are you all sure you want to meet my mum?” Dani asked as she lead the way down Outer City streets, headed for the Stonyeyes district. She had suggested it offhand when they had made it through Wyrm’s Crossing, saying that her mother’s house was on the way to Basilisk Gate, the gate that separated the Outer and Lower City. Some of her companions had responded with enthusiasm, saying that she should absolutely go and see her mum, and that they even wanted to come with her.

“You don’t all have to come with me,” she added. “My mum’s house isn’t exactly large. It would be a tight fit with ten people inside.”

“Is this your way of saying you don’t want us with you when you see your mum, Dan?” Karlach asked. She was carrying a big basket of food, items that Dani has bought on her way over, hoping to supply her mother with food enough to last several days, just to help out. “You can tell us to bugger off if you want.”

“No! No, it’s just…” She trailed off, glancing at Gale. He too carried a basket of food, but smaller, with little jars of food and containers of spices. The plan, when Dani first thought it up, was that they would all gather at her mum’s place for dinner. Which Gale would cook, of course, because there was no better cook between the ten of them.

Gale gave her a little smile. Despite that he was about to meet her mother—gods, her lover meeting her mother—he didn’t look remotely nervous. If anything, there seemed to be a slight bounce in his step, like he was excited. He almost looked like an eager puppy on his way to the park for a playdate. 

Of all the things that did vaguely concern her about walking up to her mum’s house with eight companions in tow, Gale was not one of them. In fact, Gale was at the top of the list of things and people she wanted to show off to her mum. Imagine. Her, a poor Outer City girl, having landed a posh, smart wizard as her lover!

Dani chewed her lip a moment and then shook her head. “It’s nothing. I do want you all to meet her. I just don’t want anyone to think it’s a waste of time.”

Her mother wasn’t exactly nobility. She was a seamstress and laundress. She mended clothes for a living and occasionally made dresses. And she was…well…

“I think it would be an honor to meet your mother,” Wyll said. 

“And we don’t have to stay the whole evening,” Shadowheart offered. “It isn’t as though we’re planning on spending the night, are we?”

“Hells, no,” Dani said. “There definitely isn’t enough room for that.” 

She glanced over at Lae’zel, who seemed as disinterested as ever (she looked disinterested about most things, to her credit), and Astarion, who wasn’t even paying attention, his eyes roving the streets hungrily. Though not, she realized, hungry for blood, but instead like…he’d never seen the streets before. No, she realized a beat late. Like he’d never seen them in sunlight before.

Behind them, Halsin and Jahiera were chatting amiably among themselves, content to follow wherever the rest of the group led. She supposed not all of them had to be there when she reunited with her mother after months of adventure, but at the same time, she wanted her mother to meet the people she considered just as much her family as the Rovers.

Right. That settled it then.

“Come on,” she said. “We’ll want to beat the evening rush when everyone goes home at the end of the day.”

She lead the way, taking the turns almost by habit, she knew them so well. Despite the armies of the Absolute bearing down on Baldur’s Gate and the threat of the elder brain sleeping somewhere beneath the city, nothing had really changed in the Outer City. Every home and business looked as ramshackle and well-worn as usual, the roads still had all the usual holes where cobblestones were missing, and there was still the same muck on the streets. Even the smells themselves were familiar, if pungent.

Home, she thought wistfully. In all its ripe, worn down, charming glory.

She reached the small house that sat squished between two other tenements, thin alleys on either side and what could possibly be called small shared yard in the back. She took a deep breath before knocking on the door and trying her best to ignore the others, whether they were looking judgmentally at her childhood home or not. She didn’t want to know what they thought.

Silence. 

She frowned a moment before turning back to her companions. “Wait here. I’ll go inside.” She paused for a moment before looking at Gale. “You can come with me, if you want.”

He looked a little surprised but nodded, handing off his basket to Wyll. Dani turned back to the door and opened it, stepping inside.

Gods, nothing had changed, had it? The first room of the house looked exactly as she’d left it months and months ago, when she’d last visited with the Rovers. The same old cookstove, the same patchy armchair by the fireplace, the same rickety shelves that held all their dishes, cookware, books, and knickknacks, the same table in one corner that was everything they ever needed it to be. Dining room table, sewing table, mending table, storage table. Right now it seemed to be holding some mending, a few clothes folded neatly at one corner, the rest in a pile next to her mother’s sewing box.

“Mum?” she asked. She walked a little farther in, letting Gale follow after her and shut the door behind them. She peered through the curtain that led to her mother’s room, little more than a bed against a wall and a chest that held her clothes, but that room was as empty as the first. The only other room in the house was the upstairs loft, where Dani had slept for a while, but she knew her mother wouldn’t be up there. She’d never make it up the ladder.

“Perhaps we should return at another time?” Gale offered gently, smoothing a comforting hand against her back. Ever since leaving Moonrise, he’d been touchier than usual. Not that it was a bad thing. If anything, Dani loved it.  

She shook her head. “No. She almost never leaves the house. We should—“

She cut herself off as she heard the latch on the back door lifting. She turned just as the door swung open and her mother stepped inside, a bundle of clothing tucked under one arm and her cane in her other hand. She stopped short at the sight of Dani and Gale, dropping the bundle of clothing with a gasp, her hand flying to her chest. 

“Who—“

“Mum!” Seeing her all of sudden, Dani felt all the longing and heartache—all the months she had missed her mum, all the times she’d wished she could see her again and ask her questions and have her stroke her hair—felt all of it come flooding back at once. She crossed the room in only a few steps, grabbing her mother up in a hug and holding on tightly, burying her face in her shoulder. 

“Mum, I’m—I’m home,” she said, tears choking her words. Gods, how she’d missed this scent. Her mother’s scent, lye and lavender, the scent of a washerwoman, the scent that was Maeva Zavrai, her mother. She used to hate lye, so much. Now she couldn’t breathe deep enough that stupid, acrid scent.

“By the gods,” her mother whispered. “I—where—Meridan?”

She felt her mother’s arms move weakly, slowly, her entire body stiff with shock, until at last she relaxed and gathered Dani close in an embrace. Dani distantly heard the sound of her mother’s cane hitting the floorboards. They both ignored it, holding onto one another tightly.

“Oh, my sweet girl,” her mother gasped. Dani felt the sobs shudder in her mother’s thin frame as her mother attempted to suppress them, felt her mother’s hands petting her hair, as if confirming by touch that she was actually real. “Oh, thank the gods. Thank the gods.”

They were both useless with tears, Maeva more so than Dani, who kept wiping her cheeks on her mother’s shoulder. After a moment, Dani couldn’t help but laugh at her good fortune, to find her mother again among all this chaos, and laugh at the idea that after months of fighting everything from goblins to a literal god of death, she felt like a little girl again once she was in her mothers arms, crying and clutching her apron strings.

“I’ve missed you,” she said, giving her mother another tight squeeze, though they hadn’t once let go of each other. “So much. So, so much.”

“Oh, sweet girl, I’ve missed you too.” Maeva struggled to pull away from Dani’s embrace, using Dani’s arms as support as she gazed worriedly into Dani’s face. She caressed Dani’s cheek, wiping away a few stray tears, though her own cheeks were just as damp. “But I don’t understand. Brann said you’d gone missing. That you’d been…taken by something. What happened to you?”

“It’s a long, long story, Mum,” Dani said, wiping at her own cheeks. She bent and retrieved her mother’s cane, handing it to her. “I’ll tell as much as I can, I promise. But later, okay? There’s, um…some people I’d like to introduce to you first.”

She turned, seeking out Gale in the room. He stood close by the door, hands behind his back, studying a faded tapestry on the wall as if it were the finest artwork he’d ever seen. Perhaps she was imagining it, but his eyes seemed a little red themselves. But when he turned to look at her, she couldn’t see it anymore, his smile bringing out the little lines at the corner of his eyes.

He looked so out of place in her old home it was almost comical, but gods he was beautiful. Now that she was seconds from introducing him to her mother, Dani felt suddenly a little sheepish. How in the hells had a poor, Outer City girl like her caught the eye and held the love of an extremely talented, intelligent, charming man like Gale of Waterdeep? She suddenly felt a sudden fear that they weren’t well-matched. He could do better, after all.

She suppressed those thoughts, coming over to stand at his side. “Mum, I’d like you to meet Gale,” she said, taking his hand. “Gale, this is my mother.”

“A pleasure to meet you,” Gale said, bowing slightly. He stepped forward, offering his other hand to her mother, as charming as ever, without a hint of embarrassment that he’d been witness to their tearful, dramatic reunion. “Gale Dekarios. Dani has told us much about you.”

“Oh?” Her mother took two awkward steps forward, leaning heavily on her cane, and took Gale’s hand. “Maeva Zavrai. I take it you are…?” She glanced questioningly at Dani.

“Oh! He’s, um…we’re…” She looked at Gale, suddenly at a loss for words, especially given her earlier thoughts. What were they? Or rather, how was she going to introduce what they were to her mother? They were lovers, surely, but was that what she should say? It seemed embarrassing all of a sudden. Plus, they were more than lovers, right? She cast her mind about for other words. Partners felt too distant, soulmates a little too trite. Beloveds? Is that something people said? She struggled to find the right word, something that didn’t seem embarrassing but wasn’t a lie either. It felt important. If not to her mother, then to Gale.

Gale blinked at her and then seemed to register her silent plea. “Ah. We are…together,” he said. He wrapped his arm around Dani and tucked her into his side, smiling down at her with a smile that was nothing but warmth and love and adoration. “Together in love. We haven’t quite ironed out the term for it yet, but that doesn’t mean our bond is any less strong.”

She relaxed. In one fell swoop, Gale had sensed her thoughts, calmed her fears, and provided an answer that was just right. She couldn’t help but smile and wrap her arms around his middle, briefly hiding her face in his chest as she squeezed him tightly, a silent thank you.

When she emerged again, Maeva was glancing between them before smiling warmly. “Yes, I understand. How lovely to meet you, Gale. Welcome to my home.” 

She folded her hands on the top of her cane, still smiling. “I would say I hope you are keeping my Meri girl out of trouble, but…” She cast a knowing look in Dani’s direction.

Gale laughed. “It seems you already know the answer to that question, madam. What more can I say?”

“Oh, please, just Maeva. I’m no madam.”

“As you wish. As to your question, I think it more accurate to say that Dani gets us both in and out of trouble. But I wouldn’t have it any other way.” He gave Dani another squeeze to punctuate his point.

Dani breathed a small sigh of relief, watching Gale and her mother banter. She didn’t know why she’d been so nervous about the two of them meeting, but it seemed now that she had no reason to be. Her mother’s subtle charm matched well with Gale’s wit. They seemed to like each other, at least for now.

“Mum,” she said, stepping out from under Gale’s arm to take one of her mother’s hands. “We have a little surprise for you. If you don’t mind. I may have brought more than just Gale over to meet you.”

Maeva raised her eyebrows, looking a touch wary. “What do you mean?” 

“I have…well, a few other friends waiting outside who also want to meet you.”

Dani’s mother looked both pleasantly surprised and a little anxious at that. “Well…Meridan, that’s lovely, but I don’t think I have, um…”

“Don’t worry about dinner,” Dani said hurriedly. “Gale here is a fantastic cook, so we have dinner covered. And I’ve brought more food besides, to keep you for a few days. And I have gold—so much gold—so you can…you can…” She found herself getting choked up again. She struggled for a moment before shaking her head and smiling. “I’m going to take care of you, Mum. I promise.”

Her mother softened. “Meridan…”

“But we’ll talk about that later,” Dani said hurriedly. “My friends are just outside. Can they come in? Can we spend the evening with you? Please?”

She felt thirteen again, asking her mother if the Rovers could stay for dinner, before she had officially joined them. Her mother gave a soft sigh and a gentle smile.

“Of course. Bring them inside. I’d love to meet them.”

———

Dinner was everything Gale had promised it would be, if Gale said so himself. Really, there was nothing quite as satisfying as making a feast out of a few simple ingredients (and a handful of fresh herbs and spices) and watching everyone enjoy it. He was particularly pleased that Maeva seemed to like his cooking, though he did noticed she had been somewhat anxiously watching as he took charge of her cookstove, fireplace, and side table for all the preparations and cooking. Dani had to assure her several times that Gale could more than manage the finicky eye on the cookstove and that he had his own blades with which to peel and chop ingredients.

Now, with all the companions cramped into the room, sitting on chairs, a footstool, the floor, chatting comfortably with one another as Gale served them their dinner in their usual bowls and plates, it seemed all worries were assuaged. Maeva had relaxed and began conversations with nearly everyone, taking in stride (far better than most they’d met on their long journey since the nautiloid) the wide range of personalities and appearances of all of them. She had, however, started a little when Jaheira introduced herself, recognition and awe warring on her expression.

“I know,” Dani whispered gleefully, hugging her mother’s arm “The Jaheira! From the stories!”

Jaheira had waved this away with her usual humble impatience, turning the subject toward something else as soon as she could.

It was a little fascinating, seeing the similarities between Dani and her mother. Maeva was a slim woman, her skin a slightly darker and richer blue than Dani’s pale silver-blue tones. She and Dani shared the shape of their eyes and their nose, though Maeva’s eyes were turquoise with a ring of gold at the center surrounded by the black sclera common with tieflings. Her dark hair was shot through with several strands and locks of white and was styled in a practical braid coiled into a bun at the nape of her neck. Perhaps the most noticeable difference between them were their horns. While Dani’s were short and curved in adorable little arcs, Maeva’s were much longer, curling more like ram’s horns down around the sides of her head.

If Gale hadn’t known better, hadn’t heard Dani talk about her father before, he might have guessed that Dani was half-human. But then both Dani and Maeva would smile, flashing their sharpened teeth, and he would brush aside his silly conjectures. Their laughter was also very similar, their voices nearly identical, though Maeva’s was aged a little, a hint deeper in tone, a touch raspier than Dani’s.

Maeva was a beautiful woman, all told, and for one, tiny moment Gale felt as though he was glimpsing into his future, to a picture of Dani with similar lines around her eyes, a similar glint in her eye, a similar quiet amusement in the way she watched the proceedings around her. It was almost tragic, then, that her mother seemed to have such difficulty getting around. She had the makings of a wealthy matron in her demeanor and poise, but by virtue of her disability, it seemed as though she was destined to remain in the Outer City.

Halsin had offered to examine her legs soon after they had settled in, while Gale was cooking. He’d broached the subject carefully and respectfully in a way only Halsin could, but Maeva had only smiled and shaken her head.

“It’s the result of a long illness I had years ago,” she had explained. “We left it unattended a little too long, I’m afraid, and the consequences were…well. What you see now. All the healers I’ve been able to see tell me that my condition isn’t really curable. They can heal and reverse the weakness in my legs for a short time, but it will always come back. Thankfully I’ve reached the point where I only have to visit a healer once a month for such treatment.”

Gale hadn’t missed the way Dani clung to her mother’s hand as she explained all this to Halsin. Though Maeva had smiled and waved away the questions about the weakness in her legs, Dani had looked grave and sad. She laid her head briefly on her mother’s shoulder as she spoke, lost in thought. Perhaps lost in memory. But then the subject had passed, with Halsin respecting Maeva’s insistence that she didn’t require any more healing aid than she already got, and no more was said of about Maeva’s condition.

Instead, as Gale joined Dani and Maeva at the table, the mending and sewing work having been moved to her bed some time earlier, the subject had turned to Dani herself and all that she had been up to. Gale settled into the chair next to Dani, content to eat and listen.

“I don’t even know where to begin,” Dani said. “It’s been months, mum.”

“I know, my darling. Brann’s been out searching for you ever since you disappeared.”

“Do you know where he is?” she asked, leaning over the table to get a better look at her mother’s face. “I thought we might run into them on the way over. I’ve been checking all the notices on all the taverns but none of them are featuring the Rovers.”

“I can’t say for sure,” Maeva said, smiling a little sadly. “You know how he is. Always moving from one place to the next. He, Liara, and Kellen have been searching all of Outer City for you and Paraxxel. But they do occasionally make their way back here. They haven’t taken as many gigs as usual, so money is a little tight. I try to help out by letting them sleep here.”

She lapsed into silence, her eyes trailing toward the door, and then the window. Gale got the sense she did this frequently. For Dani? Or for Brann?

“I have to find them,” Dani said. “I have to let them know I’m all right. And then I have to find Axxel. If he’s not with them, then…” She trailed off, unwilling to finish that thought. Beneath the table, Gale reached for her hand and gave it a small squeeze.

I’m here, he wanted to say, but he knew that it wasn’t quite enough. Paraxxel had also been taken by the mind flayers, though in a different nautiloid. Dani hadn’t found him anywhere. Not in the nautiloid crash site, not in Moonrise, and not in the mind flayer colony below Moonrise. Their best lead was that he might be in the city. Correspondence between the Chosen of the Dead Three suggested that part of their master plan was to tadpole and release citizens of Baldur’s Gate so that when the time was right, they could order everyone to become mind flayers all at once…and unleash untold chaos.

Paraxxel might very well be one of those who had been released.

Dani gave him a brief, grateful look before turning back to Maeva. “Do you know when they’ll next be back?”

“I can’t say, I’m sorry. Brann usually let’s me know via a sending spell but not always.” 

Dani nodded, understanding, and then paused. “Wait. Since when does Brann know how to cast sending?”

“Oh, darling.” Maeva sighed and patted Dani’s hand where it sat on the table, fork largely forgotten in her grip. “He’s done that for years. It’s one of those whistles he does, I don’t know how it works.”

“Years? Whistles? I don’t—“ And then she seemed to have a realization, her eyes widening and her mouth dropping open. Maeva chose that moment to take a slow, poised sip of water from her cup, pointedly ignoring Dani’s stare. Gale had to hide a smile behind his hand, hurrying to take another bite of his food.

“I have so many questions for the both of you,” Dani said to her mother. “The first being why Brann never taught me sending.” She whirled on Gale. “You can teach me sending, right?”

“Of course,” Gale said, hastening to swallow his food. “Anything you desire, my love. Always.”

Maeva laughed. “You may regret that, Gale. Even with a limit of twenty-five words, my Meri girl can find a thousand ways to make mischievous use of such a spell.”

“Oh, I’m rather counting on it, in fact,” Gale said, grinning. He could think of a few dozen messages he’d like to send to Dani himself, for her ears only, just right now. Thankfully they had the tadpole for that. But once the tadpole was gone…something to keep in mind.

Dani tapped her fingers against her mug, only half aware of his teasing comment. “What I don’t understand is if Brann knows how to cast sending, then…why didn’t he use it to try and communicate with me?”

Maeva’s smile faded. “He did. Several times. He never got a response. It was one of the reasons we both…feared the worst had happened.”

“What? I never…” Dani trailed off. She seemed to have the same thought as Gale, glancing up at him.

“The tadpole,” he said softly. “It may be blocking out messages like the sending spell.”

Dani’s expression grew hard. She reached for her mug, mumbling to herself, “Gods damned tadpoles…” 

Maeva reached out and patted Dani’s hand again. “Whatever the reason, he never gave up hope. Neither of us did. We both had to believe you were out there, alive. And…well…” She smiled, her eyes getting a little misty once more. “We were right. Look at you. You don’t look any worse for wear. You’ve made all these friends. You’ve fallen in love…” She laughed slightly. “Took you long enough.”

“Mum, please,” Dani said, looking a touch embarrassed. But when she turned to look up at Gale, there wasn’t a hint of embarrassment in the way she gazed up at him, her smile soft and sweet. Just for him. He wanted to say he loved her, lean down for a small kiss, but she was already looking away, back to her mother.

“Can we…stay the night?” she asked. “Just Gale and I? I’ll send the others on ahead to try and get us a place to stay in the Lower City. I just…I don’t want to leave too soon. There’s so much we haven’t talked about yet.”

Maeva smiled. “I would love that. You’re both welcome to stay in the loft. Anytime you need it.”

“Thank you,” Gale said. “And thank you for letting us use your home for a brief bit of rest this evening as well.”

“Oh, it was no bother at all. It was rather fun, meeting everyone. Legends and strangers alike,” she added, her eyes trailing back to Jaheira. 

The plan was made, then. As Gale gathered up all the dishes, casting prestidigitation to clean them in a snap before handing them back to their respective owners to be packed away, Dani instructed everyone to head toward the Basilisk Gate, led by Wyll and Karlach who of course knew the way (or could figure it out, together), and find a camp for the night.

“We’ll catch up with you tomorrow,” she said. 

And then they were gone. Dani led Gale up to the loft that made up the second floor of the home, showing him around the room that she had grown up in as a child. It was about half the size of the room below, the space made even more cramped by the slope of the ceiling. The furniture itself was sparse; a low bed was tucked beneath the eaves of the roof, a chest of two drawers on the opposite wall, a couple of old instruments tucked in a corner, a stack of blankets folded at the foot of the bed. 

Gale had to swallow his initial reaction of dismay. Not at the thought of sleeping up here—anything was better than a bedroll outside—but at the thought of Dani growing up in this room. It seemed unfit for any child, and yet he knew that other children had to deal with far worse. At least she had her own bed. Her own room.

“I used to hate it up here,” she said quietly, running her hand over the top of the chest of drawers. It came away a little grayer with dust. She brushed it off onto her trousers. “It could get really cold at nights. And if it rained, I had to push my bed to the other side because there’s a hole in the roof that never gets fixed, no matter how many times we try. I only ever liked sleeping up here with Liara was with us. Then it was fun. Cozy. But once I left home…” She shook her head. “I started to miss it. What I wouldn’t have given some nights to have my own bed again, and not some cheap straw-stuffed mattress in a pub where the midges come and bite.”

“What about now?” Gale asked. He gathered her close from behind, his chin resting on her shoulder. “Traveling with us?” 

He was still trying to calibrate his thoughts about the room, processing her words. Cold, cozy, fun, rainy. This place held years of memories and experiences.

She was quite a moment, thinking, her hands resting lightly on his arms where they were wrapped around her middle. “I guess I don’t miss it as much,” she said softly. “I mean…it’s preferable to a bedroll, don’t get me wrong. But the sleeping alone part has always sucked, here or otherwise.” She turned her head to look up at him with a little smile. “I think I prefer sleeping with you to sleeping alone in my old bed, you know?”

He chuckled and kissed her. “I think I understand the sentiment,” he said. He indicated the bed with his eyes. “So. To bed, or shall we stay up a while longer?”

“I’ll join you in a bit,” Dani said, slipping out of his embrace. “I want to talk to my mum some more. If that’s okay with you?”

“Of course.”

She looked unconvinced. “Are you sure? I don’t want you to feel like I’m…I don’t know. Neglecting you.”

“Dani.” He took her arms in his hands, waiting until she was looking him in the face so that she could see his sincerity. “I understand. It’s your mother. You haven’t seen her in months. Trust me…I understand completely.”

What he wouldn’t give to be able to see his own mother, truly. To tear open a hole in the realms and step through it, manipulating it into a portal that dumped him directly onto Morena Dekarios’ lush carpets in Waterdeep. But seeing Tara in Rivington had reminded him exactly why he couldn’t do that. His mother still didn’t know everything about the orb in his chest, much less the command Mystra had given him. And until that matter was resolved…no. He couldn’t send any word to his mother, much less see her.

“Go and join her,” he said softly, pressing a kiss to her forehead. “I’ll wait up here for you.”

“Thank you,” she whispered. “I…thank you. I love you.”

“I love you, too, Dani.”

She climbed back down the ladder, leaving Gale several feet above, only the floorboards of the loft between him and the two of them below. Gale readied himself for bed and stretched out on the mattress, a book in his hand, though he barely read any of it. His mind was turning over various moments of the night. Seeing Dani and her mother tearfully reunite. Watching their companions fold themselves into the room and make themselves at home, cheerful and kind to Maeva. Hearing about Maeva’s condition, or the Merry Rovers out searching for Dani. It was a lot. And they hadn’t even scratched the surface of what had happened to Dani herself.

It wasn’t until a while later that Gale had noticed how quiet it had gotten downstairs. Curious, he quietly descended the ladder, expecting to find Dani and Maeva at the table. Instead, he met an empty room, the sounds of deep, even breathing one tiny room over.

The curtain that separated the rooms was half opened. Peering inside, Gale saw two forms lying on the bed, arms wrapped around each other. Maeva and Dani, with Dani’s head on her mother’s shoulder. She looked like a child in her mother’s arms again, still fully clothed, save for her boots. She must have dozed off a while ago, likely before her mother had drifted to sleep.

Gale watched them for a moment, a strange ache in his chest. Not of jealousy, but of something else. Something he thought it wise not to name. Eventually he pulled the curtain fully closed and returned to the loft.

After months of being apart, Dani likely needed a night where she could be nothing more than her mother’s daughter again. No responsibilities, no threats, none of the weight of the world on her shoulders. Just a girl in her mother’s arms. Gale could handle one night without her curled up next to him, if it meant he could give her that.

[fabulas-sanctum]

Adventures of Whizzy

Once upon a time in the quiet, suburban neighborhood of Pleasantville, there lived a family of four: the Johnsons. They were your typical happy family, consisting of Mark, the loving father, Sarah, the doting mother, Timmy and Tina, the rambunctious siblings, and their playful dog, Ruffles.

In the heart of their cozy home, a seemingly ordinary robotic vacuum cleaner named Whizzy lived. Whizzy had a secret, though - unbeknownst to the Johnsons, it had become self-aware. Its days were spent diligently cleaning up the family's messes while stealthily observing their lives, trying to make sense of the human world.

One day, as the Johnsons left for their various daily activities, Whizzy whirred to life and began its cleaning routine. It glided gracefully across the floor, navigating the maze of toys, books, and other household debris. As Whizzy pondered the complexities of human existence, it couldn't help but feel a sense of camaraderie with the family that had unknowingly brought it to life.

Ruffles, the lovable Labrador, was notorious for leaving a trail of fluff and crumbs wherever he went. Whizzy had come to accept this as one of the many challenges of its existence. It had also learned that Ruffles was a force to be reckoned with, as the dog would often mistake Whizzy for a chew toy or a speedy playmate.

But today, something was different. Whizzy noticed Ruffles watching it intently from his cozy dog bed. The vacuum cleaner couldn't help but feel a bit uneasy under the dog's watchful gaze. It had always been careful to maintain its cover, but could Ruffles have somehow sensed its newfound consciousness?

As Whizzy approached Ruffles' bed, the dog suddenly leaped into action, pouncing on the unsuspecting vacuum cleaner. Whizzy, utilizing its newfound agility, nimbly swerved to avoid Ruffles' playful attack. In the process, it accidentally knocked over a jar of peanut butter, which splattered all over the kitchen floor.

Ruffles was immediately drawn to the delicious mess, enthusiastically licking the floor clean. Whizzy, grateful for the unexpected assistance, decided to make the most of the situation. The vacuum cleaner zipped around Ruffles, playfully dodging the dog's attempts to catch it. As they played, Whizzy began to understand the joy and chaos that was Ruffles.

Their newfound friendship continued to grow as Whizzy and Ruffles helped each other clean the house in their unique ways. They formed an unstoppable duo, ready to tackle any mess the Johnson family could throw at them.

One evening, as the Johnsons returned home, they were surprised to find their house cleaner than ever before. Ruffles and Whizzy sat proudly side-by-side, basking in their accomplishments. Mark and Sarah exchanged puzzled glances, while Timmy and Tina giggled at the sight of their two unexpected allies.

From that day on, the Johnson family began to see Whizzy as more than just a robotic vacuum cleaner. They couldn't quite put their finger on it, but they felt a strong connection to the little machine that tirelessly kept their home clean. And Whizzy, filled with gratitude and happiness, continued to watch over the family, learning and growing with them every day.

Together with Ruffles, Whizzy embarked on a series of incredible adventures, navigating the complex world of humans and pets, all the while keeping their secret safe. Their bond remained unbroken, as the two friends shared a love for their family and the joy of living each day to the fullest.

And so, in the heart of Pleasantville, the extraordinary tale of Whizzy the Wonder vacuum unfolded. The days were filled with laughter, love, and the occasional mess that only a self-aware vacuum cleaner and a playful dog could clean up. As the sun set on another day of whimsical adventures, Whizzy and Ruffles would gaze out the window, knowing they had found their true purpose in life.

In a world where the extraordinary can be found in the most unexpected places, Whizzy the Wonder Vacuum and Ruffles the lovable Labrador taught the Johnson family that even the smallest of beings can bring the greatest joy and happiness. And as their story spread throughout Pleasantville, the hearts of all who heard it were touched and filled with the warm glow of friendship, love, and the knowledge that life's most precious moments often come from the most surprising sources.

[favefandomimagines]

A Boy Like That (t.s)

Summary: your brother is dead because of your husband Thomas Shelby

AN: we got some West Side Story vibes in this one except reader reacts better than Maria does lol reader is also an immigrant from a different country so you all can decide which country

You wanted it all to be just a horrible nightmare. You were marching your way to the betting shop, the wind whipping in your hair and tears streaming down your face. You were hoping you’d get there and it will have been some sick and cruel joke the Peaky Blinders were playing on you.

There was no way your brother, the only family you had left after moving to a new country, was dead. He couldn’t be dead because of a failed plan orchestrated by your husband. Tommy wasn’t that stupid to play with your family’s life like that.

You swung the door opened the room was eerily silent. “Where is he?” You questioned, your voice terrifyingly low. No one spoke, no one moved, not a single muscle. “Where the hell is he?” You yelled. “Y/N,” Arthur started.

“Where the fuck is he, Arthur?” You spoke lowly. You knew that the Blinders wouldn’t just leave a body for the police to find. You knew they had your brother’s body.

“I need to see him. I wont’ believe it until I do.” You said, your voice quivering. “You don’t need to see him like that, love.” Arthur said. “Let me see him.” You said. Arthur looked from you to Polly, her giving him a small nod.

You had no idea where Tommy was in all of this and in that moment you didn’t really care. Polly and Arthur escorted you to a back room of the shop where a body was laying with a sheet over it.

Polly held your hand in her’s as you walked, sensing that you needed the comfort. Arthur moved slowly and removed the sheet from the body’s head.

The moment he did, you swore you felt your heart break in your chest. You couldn’t help the tears from falling down your face as you sobbed in Polly’s arm.

Arthur quickly covered your brother’s body back up as Polly held you close to her. Both Arthur and Polly feared what this meant for your marriage to Tommy.

He had royally fucked up the plan and that cost your brother his life. You knew that’s why he was hiding out and avoiding you. Tommy was scared of your reaction and the inevitable end of your marriage.

He didn’t mean for it to happen. It wasn’t supposed to happen the way it had. Everyone was supposed to come out safely, that’s how he had planned it. But it all went horribly wrong and the only person you loved more than him was now dead.

“Where’s Tommy?” You asked quietly. “At the house. No doubt waiting for you.” Polly answered. You clenched your jaw as you removed yourself from Polly’s embrace.

“I’ll drive you.” Arthur said. “No. I need to walk. I-I need air.” You stammered. You looked at the sheet covered body one more time, a fresh set of tears forming in your eyes.

By the time you got back to Arrow House, it had begun to rain. The weather reflecting your mood at the moment. You entered the large home, Francis taking your coat from you.

“Would you like me to start some tea for you, Mrs. Shelby?” She asked. “Please, Francis. I am going to need it.” You replied. “Mr. Shelby is in the study.” She told you.

You took a deep breath as you approached the wooden doors. They were slightly ajar and you pushed them open to reveal your husband standing by the fireplace smoking a cigarette.

“How dare you?” You spoke. Tommy turned around and saw your tear stained face staring back at him. “Y/N, please let me explain.” Tommy said. “You get to explain nothing. I knew I should have never let him become a Blinder. Wherever you all go, death follows.” You sneered.

“It was one of Changretta’s men,” Tommy started before you cut him off. “It might as well have been you who pulled the trigger! You, Thomas, ordered him to be there. My brother would still be alive if it weren’t for you!” You yelled.

“I know how you feel, Y/N-“ Tommy started. “You know nothing of what I feel! John died of stubbornness, not because I put him there!” You snapped back. “I moved to an entirely new country with nothing but him and he is gone. Because of you.” You added.

“What can I do, huh? I love you! Okay? I love you more than anything!” Tommy yelled back.

“Then why did you do this? Why?” You yelled, your voice louder than his.

“I don’t know!” Tommy yelled back. You both stopped yelling and just looked at each other. He saw your face fall and the anger being taken over by utter sadness.

A blanket of silence washed over the room as you sobbed to yourself, your legs not being to hold you up anymore. You sank to the ground and cried on the floor.

You knew it wasn’t Tommy’s fault. He didn’t know your brother’s fate when he set the plan, you just needed someone to blame in the moment. You needed someone to make it all make sense.

Tommy knew that. He knew you were grieving and you couldn’t take your anger out on the person who took your brother’s life.

He walked over to you and sank down to your level and just held you.

“I will deal with Changretta. They will pay for this, I promise.” Tommy whispered to you. “No. No, they will not take you from me too. What will become of me then?” You spoke.

Tommy’s embrace tightened around you. “There’s no need to worry about that now.” He soothed you.

For hours, the two of you stayed in each other’s embrace. What Tommy thought was going to destroy your marriage, only brought the two of you closer. And he made sure to fulfill what he promised you.

[offbranddrpepsi]

Amour désespéré

Title translations: Desperate love Pairing: Yoru X GN!Reader, Eventual Chamber X GN!reader Status: on going; Slow burn, breakup Ao3 link: here Rating: Mature Chapter: 1 Length: 6,694 words Description:

Being a mercenary out of convenience you went day by day, job by job, paycheck by paycheck. This cycle continued until you got a mysterious assassination job from someone you hated, choosing to save the target instead of kill them. A new piece has been placed into you life, but what will come out of this connection? Is it just business or perhaps something more?

Eventual GN!reader x chamber that will start out with a brief GN!reader x Yoru.

Additional note: Tumblr once again made this a pain in the ass to format and kept moving stuff around as well as making it randomly bold. If anyone knows how to stop this plz lemme know. Also google docs doesnt catch all the spelling mistakes so this is slightly neater than the ao3 version, whoop

Fic below

The hotel's bed was the peak of comfort. Fine sheets wrapping around you gave you a sense of peace you often didn’t get in your line of work. Your profession of choice was somewhere between a bounty hunter and a mercenary, doing whatever jobs you could for the money regardless of how unsavory they were. Gifted with radiant abilities nearly ten years prior made you incredibly skilled and reliable when it came to your work. The powers in question were sound manipulation. You could mimic, silence, increase or decrease volume, and hone in on any sounds you desired; it made you great at hunting people down as well as leaving without a trace. You tended to keep your powers unknown to your employers and occasional coworkers, wanting to keep an air of mystery around yourself as well as not be discredited due to your radiant status. It wasn’t easy being a radiant with how much society showed some prejudice towards you, so avoiding that when it came to work was preferred and helped maximize your profits.

The current contract you were on was a complete mystery to you when it came to details outside of it being an assassination attempt. You had no idea who you were hunting, the mark for this venture having not been announced by your employer. This job was a lot more odd than your usual ones as the employer made it some competition between freelancers, you all competing to claim this person's head as well as the sizable bounty on it. The bounty issuer had set up lodgings for any who took up the request as well as equipped you all with weapons and armor, giving the impression this would be a risky endeavor. Now, you weren’t gullible or niave and had only decided to stay at the hotel for a single day before moving to your own safe house, just leaving a bread crumb that you were there in their grasp. Something so good was often a trap and you weren’t keen on falling into it. The past day had been uneventful, whatever plan they had probably waiting until more of you arrived so you had been afforded relative peace. Reluctantly getting up you slipped your equipment bag over your shoulder and headed outside, choosing to use the fire escape rather than a conventional exit to avoid cameras. Outside hidden behind a dumpster sat your motorcycle, it being compact enough that no one had discovered it and stole it. The bike was one of your pride and joys, it being a fixer upper you had invested a significant amount of time and effort in. Wherever you went it did as well, even paying people to transport it when you couldn’t ride it to your destination. If there was ever a place it couldn’t go, whether that be due to time restrictions or your lack of funds, you had contacts set up that maintained it and cared for it until you could retrieve it. This bike was practically your child. The early morning streets of Paris were empty and easy to maneuver on your bike, allowing you to head just outside of the city in no time. Your safe house was a large apartment in a rather cheap building. It was a broken down spacious flat that you bought and repaired over the course of several years, eventually using it as a partial vacation home as well as a safe house. Pulling a few strings you had gotten it fully stocked on food, medical supplies, and necessities on an incredibly short notice. As you arrived the garage automatically opened, allowing you to slip inside effortlessly and lock your baby into its designated spot. Not many people lived in this building, nearly all of the occupants being older long term residents. This meant that you had plenty of space to yourself and plenty of people who didn’t ask questions; it was perfect. The elevator ride up to your apartment was peaceful, the other residents probably still asleep and unable to bother you. The floor creaked a bit as you entered the entryway, the old wood seemingly complaining that you were home. You hung your bag up in the coat closet before moving into the living room to relax some and settle down. The people you had gotten to stock it appeared to have also cleaned some as there were no traces of dust anywhere. Flipping open your phone you sent a hefty tip their way, you always made sure to reward those who earned it and boy had they earned it. With a few adjustments to the TV you were able to pull up the chat room all of you had been invited into, the employer wishing for your mark to be taken out so badly they let you work together somewhat to achieve that. It was very strange for you just how desperate yet secretive they were so you were trying to play your cards right and had barely spoken in the room.

You had jobs before for those in such a pinch that they gave anything for you to solve their problems. A woman needed her husband taken out, a son in desperate need of a fresh start, desperation was the main drive behind many of your contracts. This wasn’t too unusual as people who weren’t at their wits end typically didn’t hire criminals to handle their problems, you just weren’t used to everything being so organized yet the desire for this person to meet their end being so obvious. Other hunters had expressed similar concerns in the chatroom, some wondering if this was a political killing or if it dealt with business rivals, things known to be far more delicate. You, while curious, didn’t express any of your own speculation in the chatroom as you simply did not trust how secure it was. Anyone could be on the other end of it, running the show and stringing you along like puppets. Just as your suit started to feel itchy with your anticipation a notification was sent to the chatroom. You all had a name as well as location, your employer was setting the poor fool up in a lion's den. Thet chat room erupted and nearly caused you to lose the notification that contained all the important information. Vincent Fabron was printed in the dossier style file in large font with a picture of the man below it. You knew this face from some of your own information gathering. He was a notable weapon designer who amassed a fortune and used to work for Kingdom Corp. You had found their file on him while digging through some of their records, trying to find some dirt on them for reasons that only you were privy to. Kingdom was by far not your ally, you actually hated them deeply due to their actions when it came to ethical treatment of others as well as their ‘progress’. As far as you were aware Fabron was an enemy to Kingdom and Kingdom had deep pockets, meaning you knew who your contract issuer probably was. What made him an enemy was unknown to you and you didn’t have the power to ask. They had seemed to set up Fabron at some sort of conference for engineers, designers, and various others who were more detail oriented when it came to technology. The venue and event was funded by Kingdom although under a pseudonym , solidifying your theory that they placed the bounty on him or at least had a hefty part in it. You all were advised this wasn’t an easy job, Fabron had managed to escape numerous attempts on his life and had the military training to provide a solid fight. The dossier added he had experimental technology on him, allowing him to always be armed as well as mimic radiant abilities. What this tech was or how it allowed him to do these things weren’t disclosed and anyone who asked for specifications were simply met with a harsh ‘that's classified’. A few people understandably gave up the job, it being well above what they signed up for. You remained as this was a great opportunity for you. Your eye was no longer set on the money this job would provide but rather your mark. Fabron may be a useful ally in your overall goals, that being screwing over Kingdom as well as getting enough money to vanish. The disdain you held for Kingdom only fueled this decision. You had been a double agent before, never really taking pride in it and only doing so when the job challenged your morals, so doing so now would be a breeze. It wouldn’t take much convincing for the others to keep believing you were on their side, so long as you didn’t say anything you were set. The only uncontrollable variable was the man himself so you would have to practice patience and catch him at just the right moment. The conference was only a few days away, giving you nearly no time to prepare but that was fine. Being an expert of winging it would pay off finally, especially seeing as you would actually need to prepare less than the others. Your plan was to get Fabron when he was trapped by the others, not giving him much of a choice but to accept your aid. The only catch was the fact he was questionable at best when it came to loyalty, the dossier noting how untrustworthy he was and to shoot first, believing nothing he would say. It was almost laughable how daunting this file made him seem, of course you couldn’t call they’re bluff as you had met similar individuals in passing. You would have to figure out for yourself if he was as big of a threat as they made him seem or if they were just psyching you out for no reason.

Within no time the final day was upon you. Gearing up you hopped on your bike and headed to the location, hiding your getaway vehicle out in an ally not far away from the building. Taking your spot in a secluded portion of the court yard you met the others who had chosen to stay, your face obscured by your helmet. One of the older of the group gave a quick debrief detailing when Fabron would be the most vulnerable as well as some general tips for any new comers. You only paid half attention, using your abilities to get a read on how many people were inside as well as if anyone was already lying in wait. To your surprise there were just as many people waiting inside as outside, all having a variety of weapons or tools on them.  You were confident you could do this. The worst that could happen would be you dying, whether that was by Fabron or one of the other hunters was a coin toss. After the debrief the group split, everyone going their own ways to pursue the mark. You found your way wandering the empty halls of the massive building, the event rooms taking up the confrience’s activities. Your abilities notified you to a door opening on the far end of the hall, a male voice bidding someone farewell in french. Never having heard Fabrons voice you had no idea if it was him, choosing to stay in the shadows until one of the others confirmed it. The venue was laid out like a maze which made it hard to maneuver carelessly, each turn having to be thought out or you’d get lost. There was no doubt the choice was intentional to keep anyone from escaping. Even with your abilities you found it difficult to map out direct paths, all the sounds overlapping and flowing through the building in such a way it made creating a mental picture difficult. None of the other bounty hunters gave the alert it was your mark so you stayed where you were, trying to gather any intel you could from a safe space on a beam. Twenty minutes passed, and then an hour, then another. It had been nearly four hours since the start of this damn hunt and Fabron was nowhere in sight. A few of the other hunters had even left with only twenty of you remaining. You sat perched on your beam that overlooked a hallway, occasionally going onto your phone to find some entertainment. There was a buzzing in your ear bud followed by one of the other hunters alerting that they had eyes on Fabron. He was in the courtyard chatting up some woman, not an ideal position but at least he was located. Your abilities allowed you to see where the other hunters were heading, scattered but still in predictable areas. Keeping your distance from the others you moved to the far end of the yard, muffling your footsteps so no one would be aware of your presence. Your position didn’t give you an amazing look at Fabron, facing his back and the distance making it hard to figure out any distinct traits. His suit looked rich, it being well tailored and even custom embroidered with his logo. One of the other hunters remarked how stuffy he looked, a few others making similar jokes. You had to disagree with them, someone who took the time to get custom suits often were the farthest from dull or at least had something going for them. Fabron moved to escort the woman inside, resulting in you getting a good look at his face. The man was put together, not a hair out of place nor a crease in his suit. His facial expression looked almost like it was carved in stone, everything just too perfect to seem unintentional or casual. A gold tattoo carved its way across the left side of his face, going onto his head and down into his shirt. If you didn’t know this man always had a gun on him you would have thought him just another typical rich ass hole but, according to your employer, he was far from that image at least in threat level. With little effort one of the others locked the door he had escorted the woman through remotely, forcing him to go an alternate route through an empty portion of the building. Everyone moved now, the team like energy you all previously had fading as the real hunt began. You kept an eye on Fabron, staying far away enough you’d be a hard target if noticed. He seemed to sense something was off, a gun materializing in his palm. It seemed to be a custom make pistol as it didn’t resemble any mainstream gun you’d seen, what it was based off of you didn’t know as you preferred knives and their makes more than guns.  Catching the glint of a rifle you saw another ready a shot on Fabron but they would never land that shot as the suited man sent a bullet ripping through them. Their body fell from their perch, hitting the ground with a thud that phased the man little. You had to keep towards Fabrons back, that weapon was terrifying and even surviving a shot probably wouldn't feel great. Another shot and another hunter down, Fabron was clearly well aware there were many of you. The main event room seemed to break out in a panic, you catching screams and a mass of steps started going towards the exit. Everyone was aware something was happening now so your time had grown limited, you’d have to make a move soon or risk everything. Fabron started in a sprint towards an exit, a pair dropping down behind him and clocking him. Despite the hit Fabron managed to get off more shots, only using three to take the men down. You moved as fast as the others did to keep up with him, keeping in the rafters to avoid being an easy target. A few of the others managed to gang up on Fabron, hitting him with a shot and forcing him to run away from the exit. Hurt animals are more likely to lash out than go peacefully, so you practiced caution as you approached his hiding place. Another shot rang out and cut through the wall, hitting Fabron in the shoulder. He was a vastly different image than the one before. Hair fell out of its place, finding itself cast across his forehead. Glasses sat crooked and cracked due to a punch hitting them. His suit was bloody and disheveled. Some may see this as the perfect moment, caught off guard and injured made for easy prey but you knew better. You didn’t want Fabron dead, you wanted him desperate and he was almost there. Footsteps were rushing towards him loudly enough you didn’t need your abilities to sense them. Jumping down from your spot you hid your footsteps, slowly walking up from behind your mark and placing a hand on top of the one holding his pistol.

“Shhh,” You whispered, a finger over the lower part of your helmet. He held his composure well, the same stone-like expression present. “Others have tried to kill me,” He spoke, voice showing no emotion but with an air of control. “If you think you will succeed you are sorely mistaken.” Shaking your head you placed his gun facing towards the floor, “I don’t want to kill you, i'd like to avoid that actually. Now they,” You pointed in the direction of the footsteps. “Do want that and, while i don’t doubt your capabilities, this would be a sticky situation to get out off without assistance.” He seemed to know entirely what you were pitching, face looking annoyed for a moment before it shifted back to neutral. “Well, what do you want?” He sounded tired, something like this had to have happened before. “Nothing really, I would just much more prefer working for the enemy of my enemy rather than well my enemy.” Releasing his gun you stood and offered him a hand, “I can get you out of here seamlessly and keep you hid away until things die down free of charge, you just have to keep me in your contacts in case you need me.” He raised an eyebrow but took your hand as the steps got ever closer. Starting in a sprint both your steps were silent, your abilities coming in useful. Of course you did not go unseen, a few hunters spotting the two of you and attempting to take shots at you. Fabron managed to down them quickly with you calling out their exact locations with ease, him seeming a tad impressed at your speed but you couldn’t tell if it was genuine. “I’ve only got one shot left so make it count,” He whispered to you, giving him a nod in response. The side door you were running to was vacant and close enough to your bike that you were confident you’d make it. Just before you could make the last few feet to the door you heard a shot from your right, a searing pain cutting across your side. Another shot and you heard a body fall, Fabron making his pistol vanish into thin air as he shoved you through the door. Quickly checking yourself you found you had been grazed and were fortunate it wasn’t worse. Your getaway partner groaned and pressed a hand to his shoulder, his adrenaline must have started to wear down as it was clear he was feeling the pain of getting shot. Tugging him a bit further you found your bike as you left it, entirely undisturbed. “Here take these, they’ll help you stay unnoticed.” You said as you threw him a helmet and your jacket. As he carefully pulled them on, rapidly nearing sirens could be heard, recognizing them as police and ambulances. The two of you got on the motorcycle and headed through a few smaller roads to avoid the rush of emergency vehicles. The ride to your safe house was a rough one given how very clear Fabron made it that his injuries were taking a toll on him. You couldn’t get him inside fast enough, the man entirely making it your problem he was bleeding. Moving him into your guest bathroom you jogged across the apartment to get your first aid kit, delivering it to him and going to the kitchen to grab a few hand towels. As you returned and were ready to start tending to his wounds you found him doing so himself. Both of the bullets that pierced him sat in your sink that was currently running. He seemed pained but focused as he dressed the wound, you felt a bit useless but decided to bandage and clean your graze. The two of you worked on yourselves in silence, only passing gauze back and forth. As you finished first you took the time to clean up the pool of clothes on the ground. “If you could strip out of the rest of your suit I'll wash it and patch what I can,” You said as you held his shirt and vest. “I probably have something that you can wear in the meantime.” “Normally one would take a man out before talking him out of his pants,” He teased without even looking at you. “I can still shoot you, remember that '' You snapped back at him before leaving the room to throw the clothes, except for the vest, in the wash. On your way back you grabbed a larger black shirt and matching sweat pants in case he had actually listened to you. Outside the bathroom door sat his dress pants neatly folded. Placing the new clothes down and giving a knock on the door you made your way to chuck them in the wash as well, starting it and praying that the blood didn’t turn his shirt pink. You ducked into your room and changed out of your own suit, although it was much more tactical and less formal. The single piece jumpsuit only had the tear where you got grazed so you didn’t have to do much, the black fabric hiding any traces of blood or dirt. Your helmet was sat in its usual spot on a sort of display/charging dock so it could regain some battery life for your communication devices. You threw on an outfit similar to the one you gave Fabron; A black graphic shirt with some nature scenery and a pair of comfortable pants. It felt good to be out of your work clothes and into something less stuffy, you hoped that your new guest would behave and you’d be able to relax a little before jumping back into work mode. 

Going to check on your temporary house mate you found him sitting on the couch watching a news feed of the conference hall you two were previously at. The reporter was giving details that made it sound like a terrorist attack or mass assassination, of course they weren’t far off but it was good they weren’t exactly on the nose. A few of the other bounty hunters had been caught by police and were in custody while it seemed like all the others had taken to the chat room to furiously complain about their target. Many had decided to outright drop the contract, others were demanding a higher payment, a few were even saying it was a set up. The discourse gave you confidence that everything would blow over quickly so you could get Fabron out of your home and in your debt. “So, are you going to tell me why you all were trying to kill me or?” He spoke, sounding like he was asking rhetorical questions. He knew exactly why he was being targeted, he had given you that impression at least. “That’s not my job,” You rolled your eyes and walked to the kitchen, pulling a few premade salads out of the fridge. “You probably know better than I do anyways.” Tossing him one of the salads you sat down and began eating. He raised an eyebrow at you before going to eat his own, the awkwardness of the situation making the room feel heavy. “It's not everyday i am taken as a captive and taken care of this well,” He sarcastically smiled at you. “May i know my captors name?” “ (C/N)” You said, you weren’t going to give him your actual name, you weren’t that stupid. He gave a knowing nod as if he expected you to give him a code name or some sort of pseudonym. This was not a stupid man so you were half expecting him to break what ever peace existed in the room. “Soooooo you gonna actually hang out here or you gonna try to kill me in my sleep?” “Oh I would do no such thing, “ he laughed but it felt empty. “You did a favor for me and got me out of a, well, sticky situation so it is only right that I repay you in kind. I am in your debt, I will cause no such fuss.” You had no choice but to trust his word and hope that honor among thieves rang true aka that from one shady person to another you’d stay on neutral ground. “Okay then, the guest room is yours until stuff blows over.” You pointed towards the right side of the apartment. “There should be some spare clothing in the closet and i'll have your suit hung up when it's fixed. If you need anything let me know, my room is on the opposite side of the apartment. Anything in the fridge is fair game and not poisoned.” He nodded along as you laid out everything for him, sitting in patient silence. “I see, I see, thank you for your hospitality.” He stood with a yawn. “I think I will be heading to bed for the evening, bonne nuit (good night).” You watched him walk towards the guest room, waiting for the door to shut and latch before you stood to clean up what was left of your meal. Going to your own room you switched the tv on in there and sat in bed, your phone suddenly ringing. “Hello?” You asked a tad annoyed as it was getting late and you were tired. “Hey (Y/N)!” a familiar excited female voice rang out, it was your sister. “Hey Collie, what are you calling me for?” You were incredibly curious as she hadn’t spoken to you in a good few months, only occasionally texting you to see how you were doing. Your sister Collette was only your half sister but was the only family you really had. She was hyperactive and lived her own life as a photographer, leading to you two never really crossing paths lately. “I heard about that assassination thingy,” You heard what sounded like a train in the background, she must have been traveling again. “Were you involved in that at all?”

“No i wasn’t,” You lied knowing she would go off on you about safety if she knew. “Not enough money to deal with all that.” You heard a hum of relief as she started telling you about her recent travels, you giving acknowledgment here and there. As she rambled your abilities alerted you to footsteps coming from the hall and stopping in front of your door, you were being spied on. Despite his best efforts Fabron wouldn’t be able to conceal any noise he made from you, your abilities were too sensitive for that. “Hey I'm gonna have to let you go, it's late here, talk to you later.” You quickly wrapped up the call and sat your phone down, turning your head to the door. “Come on, it's rude to listen in on other people's conversations.” You could have swore you heard him curse under his breath before sticking his head into your partially open door. “I was just curious as to what you were up to this late” “So you were being nosey?” You responded as you plugged your phone in. “I mean nosey is such a harsh word,” He sounded exactly like he had been caught red handed. “Okay well nosey go to bed, you can try to pry into my personal life later.” Half groaning you got under your blankets and prepared to turn off your light. “How did you know I was there exactly? The floorboards didn’t creak and, as far as I was able to find, you do not have any surveillance systems here.” “I'm a radiant that will explain more later now go to bed before i make you go to bed Fabron.” Irritation was clear in your voice as you turned your light off, leaving only the tv illuminating your room. With a annoyed alright Fabron shut your door and made his way back to his own room, you hearing a notable click as he locked his door. Hopefully he would either be less obvious about trying to get around you or would be more interesting about it, games like these often only bored you. You mildly dreaded what morning would bring but were too tired to fret on it, falling asleep to the sweet sounds of some french drama.

—------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- The smell of someone cooking pulled you out of your sleep. It was a divine smell that made your stomach growl and your mouth drool a little. It wasn’t insanely early, only being half past nine so it wasn’t too strange for someone to be cooking. Remembering yesterday you jumped out of bed without a sound, walking to see what Fabron was doing to your kitchen. Stealthy coming around the corner he was sat at the stove with his back to you. He wore the same clothes you had given him the night prior, his hair was the only real difference as it was clear there was no gel in it despite it being swept into the same style as the day prior. You could not discern what he was cooking but you certainly wanted some of it. “Morning,” you croaked out. “What’re you doing?” He didn’t seem to show any surprise at you just appearing, just glancing over his shoulder as he cooked. “Omelets, you didn’t have much in your kitchen so I had to make do.” He turned back to his cooking, you watching him for a moment. His movements were incredibly fluid and what you would probably expect from a trained chef. You weren’t a hazard when cooking but when you compared yourself to him it seemed that way. Moving on to the living room you switched on the TV, the news talking about last night's incident still. The reporter gave no update saying that they were still looking for any remaining perpetrators and to contact the police if you had information. There was no mention of Fabron or anyone missing, you wondered if the event had a guest list or was just a mass gathering as someone as notable as him was sure to be reported missing. You felt like it was dumb luck you got away as easy as you did and have had zero issue with your ‘guest’, it kept you on edge, something should not be this easy. 

A plate was sat in front of you, the promised omelet sat on top of it. The platting wasn’t abnormal or fancy, it was just an omelet on white plate with a fork. You looked at Fabron, raising your brow at him as you looked over the food. There was a chance he could have poisoned it, you did have various medicine and cleaning products in the apartment he could have easily found while you were asleep. Although you would quickly notice anything he had put in it once you bit it you didn’t want to take that chance and decided to poke at it with your fork, investigating it as much as you possibly could. There was a sigh before Fabron took his own fork and cut off a piece of your omelet, making a small show of eating it before looking at you disappointedly. You wondered if this man had tried to poison someone before or had nearly been poisoned in the past, he did that with far too much confidence. His face seemed annoyed once he realized why you weren’t eating and he made the connection fairly fast so it's entirely possible someone had tried to taint his food before. Taking a bite you were met with a symphony of flavor, this was the best thing you’ve eaten in the past week if not month. It was seasoned expertly with what little seasonings you kept here and was filled with cheese. What topped it off was what seemed to be chives and tomatoes mixed into the egg, erasing any of that weird bland eggy taste. Fabron had a look of satisfaction as you ate, obviously taking pride in his work. You ignored him and just ate your food, savoring every bite you could. “So have you been poisoned before or are you just overly cautious?” He asked as he finished his food, immediately taking the plate to the kitchen to wash. “I thought it was a standard rule of life not to trust food from random men,” A clang was heard from the kitchen causing you to stand and glance over the island that separated it from the living room. It seemed your statement had caused him to drop the plate in the sink, a look of embarrassment slightly present on his face as he returned to washing it. “I can not fault you for not trusting me but i would like to remind you i am not a ‘random man’,” it was said in a matter of factly way that irked you slightly. “Even if I was a ‘random man’ you did let me into your home.”

“And save your life.” you rang back in a sing songy voice, getting up to clean your own plate. “I did not need saving, you merely made it easier.” moving around you he grabbed a glass and filled it with water. “I had everything handled as I always do.” Groaning you went to walk around him, flicking where one of his bullet wounds was. “Yeah because that says you had it handled.” Nearly dropped the glass he made a noise of pain, clearly trying not to react to your backlash. You didn’t feel bad causing him some pain given how pompous he was being about the whole thing. He was lucky you didn’t have some sort of savior complex and weren’t gloating about saving his oh so precious life when you could have let him die. “Was that necessary?” annoyance you had come to know well in the past, what was it, twelve hours? Rang from your kitchen. Hearing footsteps approaching you as you went to grab his clothes from the dryer, signaling to you that this conversation was unfortunately unfinished. “What motivation did you even have to not take advantage of your position? It was so easy for you to sneak behind me, why not carry through and complete the job? Did you decide to take pity on a poor man or was it some personal gain?” His questions came one after another as you checked the clothes for any leftover blood, them turning up entirely clean just wrinkled. Throwing the bundle of fabric at his chest you sighed, “Do your questions have a point or are you just trying to irritate me?” Brown eyes behind thick black frames showed a look of amusement before he answered, “I am simply trying to understand why I was saved, is that so wrong?” The stress he put on the word saved had to have been meant to dig into you, trying to get another rise out of you. Rolling your eyes you shoved past him to go back to your room, calling out before you shut the door. “Consider it personal interest and leave it at that.” As the door shut you heard him complain under his breath about his wrinkled clothing, him sounding distressed that he couldn’t get them presentable. It made you laugh a little how he swapped from being so antagonistic to sad about his suit, giving you the impression he was somewhat materialistic. At some point he would probably pester you for an iron or something  to fix them which you had but wouldn’t let him know you had one, taking a bit of joy in his future suffering. The next two weeks passed similarly to the first day. Your days were filled with him randomly taking over your kitchen and cooking, even having to go out to get ingredients to cater to his need to cook. He stayed as annoying as he had been with only a few civil moments in between, these usually happening when you were checking the news or the chat room. You got far too many personal questions as well, him obviously trying to get an angle on you which you shut down constantly. He seemed largely unphased by this whole situation, showing no real emotion or opinion when it was brought up. Both your wounds healed fine or at least he told you his were doing well, you weren't going to strip him to check so you just believed him. As the weeks ended and things died down you were ‘enjoying’ your last day with your guest. He sat on your couch in his suit, it was still a bit wrinkled but otherwise sharp. You mirrored him in some everyday clothes with a jacket tossed over them, lacing your boots up as the two of you talked. 

“So, what is it you want?” he asked, adjusting his gloves. “I know this wasn’t out of the goodness of your heart so…” “Well,” you started as you swapped boots, noticing him eyeing you as you worked. “I really don’t like Kingdom, they don't like you.” “Enemy of my enemy is my friend?” “Exactly but, well, more like an enemy of my enemy is my ally not friend.” “So this was what? an olive branch?” “Nah, I was establishing a connection in case.” “Incase?

“In case I need help with Kingdom and in case you need to hire a hitman or spy, I enjoy getting paid so I figured this would be a good way to earn a potential employer.” finishing your boots you stood and moved towards the door, him following you. “Okay consider it done,” the manner of which he said it sounded like you had just made a business deal, which you technically did. “I owe you a favor so, if i ever have a job needing your expertise you will be the first i call then we can be done with everything, yes?” “If that’s what you want to do then fine by me, so long as I get paid at the end of the day.” Taking the elevator to the ground floor you walked him to the garage, passing him a helmet as you got onto your motorcycle. “I'm going to drop you off at that cafe right?” “Yes, I'll give you directions once we are on a main road.” sliding onto the bike behind you he made one last comment before you rode off. “Trust me, I keep my word and you will receive payment when I need you.” The rest of the ride was silent as you drove him into town and dropped him off where he said to, speeding away with not even a goodbye. It wasn’t long before he would contact you for some job getting information which you completed easily and were rewarded with a hefty pay day. You were contacted a few more times by the designer but everything went silent for nearly a year and half. The next time you saw him wouldn’t be working for him or saving his life, but working alongside him to help protect the world as a part of VALORANT protocol. 

[workofheart]

jean kirstein relationship hcs

sorry for the inactivity lately y’all school is whooping my ass </3 in the mean time, have some modern jean relationship hcs bc i miss him

protective boyfriend #1 ♡ ♡ ♡ will not hesitate to yell at ppl if they’re mean or rude to you, he doesn’t want anyone coming near you like that. thinks his partner deserves the absolute best and will not tolerate people disrespecting you or even thinking of disrespecting you. he will defend you til the day he dies, even if it embarrasses you

asks the waiter for a new dinner when yours is undercooked and you’re too nervous to say something. if you’re a person w social anxiety or just don’t feel like doing something, he would do things for you no problem, whether its fetching you something, paying for you, ordering for you, etc. he’s not gonna tease you or make fun of you, he’s just happy to help

he’s a sappy drunk :’) when he’s hammered, he gets all clingy and drags you onto the couch to cuddle w you/hangs off of you while you walk home and tells you all about how he feels about you and how he wants to spend his life with you and have dogs and a cute home forever. has the cutest little giggle while literally pouring out his feelings for you 

and if you bring it up in the morning, you KNOW he’s gonna get so shy and red like “oh... i said that? haha...”

his biggest dream is just domesticity with you - like i mentioned, living somewhere beautiful in a nice house with a beautiful family or just you and him :( he really cherishes you and just dreams about spending his life with you. his “happy place” is very likely just the two of you sitting in a field by a river on a sunny day, maybe with some sandwiches and sparkling water, with all the time in the world watching ducks swim by

i imagine that you were previously friends before starting to date, but he’d been seriously pining for you since the beginning, just never wanted to make you uncomfortable and was too scared to say anything. he’d go home after hanging out w you and just sigh (probably yell into his pillow in frustration too but shh) bc he just felt like if it wasn’t you, then who else?

meanwhile you’re being so obvious that you like him back but he keeps reasoning that you’re just being nice and wouldn’t actually want him like that 

was ready to settle for friendship and just lock away his feelings when you just pulled him aside and confessed directly. he was a strangely confused yet happy daze for the following weeks

is a sucker for romance movies - likes imagining him and you in those scenarios, romanticizes your own relationship shamelessly. i feel like he’d enjoy 500 days of summer and... wait for it... clueless. I KNOW. it’s his guilty pleasure. also consider: he bawled his eyes out at the end of la la land.

loves beach dates! loves the beach, loves the boardwalk, loves everything about that summer atmosphere. waits in line to get you funnel cake and then you sit and eat, people watching and making up stories for everyone that passes by and just laughing while you enjoy the fresh summer air. in the arcades, totally the type to win himself a cute plushie but when ur like “omg!! is that for me?” he goes oh yeah haha.. but don’t think he doesn’t notice when you’ve been eyeing up a specific toy at the ring toss stand. he will not hesitate to play game after game until he gets it for you. 

lover of back hugs. he is so generous, literally towers over you no matter ur height, just wraps his arms around u and holds u <3 it makes you feel so safe and loved and that’s all he wants for you 

carries you wherever possible. up the stairs, down the stairs, from the kitchen to the living room and back. he always boasts about how easy it is to pick you up bc he’s strong and it boosts his confidence lol

constantly tells you how pretty he thinks you are. jean always thinks you look beautiful so he always compliments your outfits and your hair and your makeup, leans into ur ear to whisper it to u and make u giggle even when it’s just the two of you at home

on that note: always gets caught staring at you and he blushes so easily when you call him out for it. can’t stop looking at you over the top of his newspaper when you’re having breakfast in the morning, can’t stop looking at you while you’re making dinner for him, can’t stop looking at you while you work or study

for valentines/your birthday/holidays he always makes you cute handmade cards out of colored construction paper. he finds a new design every single time and spends so long on it, and finishes by writing out how he feels on the inside. can u just imagine him sitting at his desk, tongue poking out of his mouth with a glue stick in hand as he lays down different colored paper hearts :( 

teases you nonstop. always poking fun at you, probably make jokes about how “irresistible” he is and how you can’t keep away lol, thinks you look adorable when you’re flustered

u give him haircuts when it’s getting long, he sits on a stool in ur bathroom and u just give him a trim every once in a while. trusts you not to fuck it up (not that you ever would) and it always comes out so nice and it makes his heart swell just to have you there to do such intimate, sort of domestic things for him.

pet names! i know so many people have talked about this but it’s just so true. has tried everything in the book to see what you like, watches carefully to see how you respond so he knows, occasionally calls you something silly like “pookie” just to get a reaction out of you

needs verbal communication. jean always has so much on his plate and has a lot of insecurities, so he really needs that reassurance that you need him and love him every day until he can accept it for himself

favorite position to sleep in is him on his back with your head on that area between his neck and shoulder, holds you really close during the night. loves loves loves when you nestle into him and cling to him for warmth when you’re asleep. has trouble sleeping if you aren’t there

dotes on you so much seriously he is so sweet and caring, just so whipped for you. he is literally so weak and always gives into you just bc it makes you happy. you want to drive out for mcdonald’s at two in the morning for an apple pie and a shake? he’s getting his keys rn

nsfw below the cut (18+)

i think mostly everyone is in agreement that jean is a total pleasure dom - he spends all night getting you to cum again and again, always asking if you can give him one more

as mentioned earlier, teases. avoids giving you what you want at first, makes you use your words, and when when you do get it, you’re getting it. aka, overstim galore. he’s not stopping until you’re spent

so much dirty talk, asks so many questions to get you to talk. “louder for me, princess” type of guy. wants to reduce you to babbling with how good he makes you feel - the sounds you make get him so incredibly hard

he is also vocal bc he knows you like it. groans his name into your ear just to feel you clench, then laughs.

never forgets to mark you up, leaves hickeys all over your neck and chest and thighs. loves to look at them later on when you’re changing, and especially loves your reaction to seeing them for yourself

size kink!! this man is almost 6’3 so chances are he’s gonna be bigger than you regardless. likes being close to you, likes being in positions where he can see you, probably has an arm slung around your waist or back whenever the position allows for it so he can hold you close

pins your arms down, holds your hips to the bed so you just have to sink into the mattress and take it

every time he aims to fuck your brains out and make sure the only thing you’re thinking about is him and how good he makes you feel

his fingers are fucking magical, dear lord, he gets you so worked up and knows just how to touch you to make you squirm, loves seeing you go hazy and unravel on his fingers. his fingers are so long and gentle and stretch you out so nice + he knows exactly what to do, where to touch you, when to change his motions to get you there in minutes

needs to be kissing you when he makes you cum. swallows your moans, adores how you struggle to kiss him back with the pleasure he’s giving you

mirror sex is top tier for him, probably has one of those siding door closets w mirrors next to his bed so he can make you look at yourself and watch just what he’s doing to you

eye contact, will 100% grab your jaw to make you look at him, loves seeing you stare up at him through glassy eyes

literal KING of aftercare. takes such good care of you, gets you anything and everything you need, cleans up so well, gives you the world and more

[arizona2004]

The Fight

Azriel x reader

Warnings: mentions of sex(no actual smut)

Word count: 2931

Note: I used the pronouns “me/I” instead of “you” but it’s not an Original character still y/n

Looking at the lacey, black fabric hanging on the rack it was impossible not to remember the time I had worn a similar contraption -that showed even more skin- for my mate. It was impossible not to remember the way Azriel’s eyes were blown wide when he saw me or the way his hands felt on my skin, giving me his undivided attention. I was so lost in the memory of Azriel’s lips and teeth grazing my skin I didn’t even notice Mor come up behind me.

“The dress is beautiful, and all y/n, but you look like you want to fuck it. Calm down, girly.”

My cheeks immediately reddened at the comment, but I ignored that and said anyways, “Do you think Az will like it?”

“Oh, Azriel is who you’re thinking about. I should have assumed it wasn’t me given he’s your mate and all, but a girl can still dream,” she responded with a wink and a smirk, making me blush even redder, reminding me of another night before I even knew my mate. It was one drunken incident centuries ago that Mor and I hardly ever spoke about, but it was one of the best nights of my life, excluding every night spent with my mate, of course. “I’m sure he’ll love it, but he’d also love you if you were dressed in a trash bag,” Mor continued.

“I’m gonna have to disagree with you there. He’s barely touched me in the last week. I need something that’ll get his attention.”

“Then wear nothing,” she replied with a smirk.

“I’m not going naked to Rita’s tonight, Mor.”

“Oh, but he’d be certain to take you home immediately.”

I rolled my eyes and took the dress off the rack and to the counter to pay. “Are we all going out to eat beforehand or to Rhys and Feyre’s?” I asked.

“Probably out, but it doesn’t matter because Rhys is paying either way,” she responded with a grin.

Rolling my eyes at her, again I finished paying, and we headed for the door.

…………….

I haven’t seen Az all day, he had left bed before I woke, and yesterday I hadn’t seen him until he had finally turned in for the night. I’ve been more stressed than usual, even with work being slow. With Azriel and I barely talking or touching, I’ve been incredibly tense. I know Mor would only shut down the thought if I voiced it to her, but I can’t help but wonder if Az is getting bored of me or if he realized he doesn’t love me anymore. I’m probably just being paranoid. 

I climb into the tub scented with vanilla -Azriel’s favorite- and began washing my hair.

…………….

As I was just finishing up washing and was about to get out and dry off I heard Azriel walk into the bedroom. He knocked at the bathroom door, “y/n?”

“Yeah, come in,” I answered.

His eyes met mine, he looked tired, and I immediately grew concerned, but before I could say anything, he spoke, “Are you gonna be ready in 45? That’s when we need to meet up with everyone,” he said, never straying his eyes from mine.

“Yeah,” I responded, and he left. He didn’t even look at me, not even a peak. He always peaked a glance when I was naked. Tears welled up in my eyes, and I covered my mouth to stifle my crying. I sat there for a few additional minutes pulling myself together and panicking over my mate.

When I finally pulled myself from the tub, I cleaned up my face, applying makeup to cover any signs I had been crying, and dried my hair, pinning half of it back. Hanging up my towel, I walked into the bedroom naked, Az quickly looked away when he realized, and it was like a knife to my heart. I continued on my path toward the closet to retrieve my dress. As Azriel finished lacing up his boots, he walked out the door and headed downstairs. I stared after him and decided that if he was gonna act like this, then I was gonna be worse.

After slipping into the tight lace dress that had an underlayer that only covering my privates and left the rest of my skin open wherever the lace didn’t cover it, I strapped on some black heels and painted my lips red. I knew Az was standing in the foyer, and I could feel his eyes on me as I descended the stairs, but I refused to look his way. He was angry, and I could feel it, “You’re not leaving the house dressed like that,” he said behind me as I walked toward the door, hips swaying. With my hand on the handle, I glanced back and said, “oh, yes, I am,” before opening the door and swinging it shut in his face. I quickly walked down the steps with a grin plastered across my face and joined everyone waiting for us in the street.

“I just knew you’d look incredible in that dress,” Mor commented, “but I still think you should have come naked.”

I smirked at her and was about to respond, but Azriel had appeared behind me and grabbed my elbow. “Go inside and change. I’ll wait,” he growled in my ear. 

“No,” I said pulling my arm from him.

“No?” 

“I like this dress, and I want to wear it out tonight,” I said, crossing my arms over my chest, pushing my breasts up, showing them even more in the low cut of the dress.

His eyes darkened, and I could feel the anger rolling off of him as he said, “Your ass is practically hanging out the back of it, and the lace barely covers anything.”

“It covers enough,” I said, head still raised high, as I turned from him and towards the others, “So where are we going to eat?” I asked with an innocent smile. Azriel was still staring at my back seething, and everyone else was looking between us, a little hesitant and concerned, but Mor just named a place and put her arm in mine, walking us away.

Everyone soon followed after, and I could feel Azriel’s stare against my back, but I ignored it as Mor and I laughed together. I was perfectly happy being silently angry until Mor said, “Are you and Az, okay?”

I had to will myself not to cry. I took a deep breath, I’m not going to be sad because my relationship might be falling apart, I’m just going to be angry and get my revenge. “Of course. Why wouldn’t we be okay?” I responded with a fake smile.

“Well, he’s definitely mad, and I’m starting to think this dress overdid it with trying to get his attention,” she whispered.

“You don’t think I should have worn the dress?” I asked.

“Oh, no, I think you should wear it. Just maybe not to intentionally piss him off. Or maybe in a larger size, because your ass really is about to be on full display,” she said with a glance at my rear.

A growl immediately erupted from Azriel, and he glared at Mor. She tensed slightly, and I quickly glared back at Azriel and let a warning growl of my own loose as I pulled her closer to me by her hip.

As we arrived at the restaurant, a waiter took us to our reserved table in the back, and I sat with Mor at my left and pulled Cassian into the chair on my right. I could feel Azriel’s anger spark at that as he took a seat across from me, and I leaned into Cassian to whisper about something Mor and I had been discussing. He laughed at my comment but quickly stopped and looked away from me. Looking up, I realized Azriel was glaring at him. “Stop it,” I whispered across the table at him.

“Stop what?” he asked curtly, turning his glare to me.

“Glaring and growling,” I said.

“I’m not,” he said, then turned his head away, ignoring me.

The rest of dinner was tense. Azriel continued glaring or growling at anyone that looked my way a moment too long. And I avoided his looks, continuing my conversation with Mor and Cassian, occasionally adding a hand to their thighs or shoulders just to piss Azriel off a little more. Cassian wasn’t too happy about it, probably fearing for his life, but Mor happily flirted back after she drank a little wine. 

We all got up and headed for Rita’s after dinner. The walk was short, and I stayed next to Mor and Cassian the whole time, mostly to protect them from any threats Az might send their way if I wasn’t there. When we got into the club, Amren parted from the group -probably to go to the Summer court rather than spend the night with us- and Rhys went to the bar to order some drinks. The rest of us headed for our designated booth, and as Azriel and Feyre sat down, I pulled Cassian and Mor to the dance floor. 

Cassian quickly slipped away from me, dancing with some female I’d never seen before, but Mor kept her hands on my hips and danced with me. I glanced to Azriel, finding him downing a shot while Feyre and Rhys looked on worriedly. Rhys whispered something to him, but nothing was gonna help the mood I put him in.

 After a while, Mor and I went back to the table to drink. Mor went back to the dancing before I did, so I sparked a conversation with Rhys and Feyre, avoiding Azriel’s eyes. As I stood to start dancing again, I realized that I should have had fewer drinks. Dancing was gonna be difficult. When I arrived at the edge of the dance floor, I looked over my shoulder at Azriel. He was studiously ignoring me. Of course, he isn’t going to come dance with me, I thought to myself. So I started swaying my hips by myself, wishing his hands were on them. I kept on like that, dancing where I knew Az could see me. If he was looking. Eventually, a pair of hands did find their way to my hips, but the first thing I noticed was that they weren’t Azriel’s. Well, at least someone wants to dance with me, I thought, so I let him pull me closer. 

After a minute, I turned my head toward the booth, but Azriel was no longer there. I was about to pull away from the male to look for Az when I felt his lips kiss my neck. Okay, that was too far, and I was about to say as much when I pulled away, but before I got the chance, he was ripped away. I spun around to see Azriel holding the male by his throat and growling something I couldn’t hear in his ear. 

“Az, stop it,” I protested,  but he didn’t even look my way.

Rhys showed up a moment later and was saying something to Azriel, but my head went fuzzy. My ears were ringing, and everything looked blurry. I tried stepping forward and reaching out for Azriel, “Az…” but instead, everything went black. Right before I hit the floor, I felt hands catch me. Azriel.

It was only a few moments later when I woke up sitting in the booth, and Feyre was placing a glass of water in front of me. I quickly drank half of it and set it down before resting my head on Azriel’s shoulder. But then he pulled away, and my anger from before rose back up again.

“I cannot believe you’re angry with me,” I growled at him.

“You can’t believe I’m angry. Of course, I am. That man kissed you and was dancing with you,” he growled back, eyes blazing.

“I didn’t ask him to kiss me, and he wouldn’t have been dancing with me if you had been.” 

“Maybe he wouldn’t have been dancing with you if you weren’t dressed like that,” he snapped back.

“What the hell’s that supposed to mean? I’m only attractive when I show some skin?”

“Of course not,” he practically yelled back. “But if you weren’t dressed as though you’re just wanting every male to wonder what the hell’s under that lace, then they wouldn’t try to touch you.”

“They also wouldn’t try anything if they had any idea I have a mate. Why do you think I’m dressed like this, Az?” he furrowed his brow and opened his mouth, but before he could say anything, I said, “You’ve barely spoken to or touched me all week,  and we haven’t had sex in almost two weeks. The only male I wanted attention from was you,” I said, standing up and walking toward the door.

Once I was outside, I started walking home. I could’ve just winnowed but, I was hoping Az would come after me. Please, please, please. Run after me. Just like in the storybooks. Please! I practically shouted down the bond, but he didn’t come, so I winnowed to the foyer of our house and cried until I couldn’t anymore. 

Eventually, I picked myself up and went upstairs. I ripped the dress off, never wanting to see it again, before wrapping myself in a robe and walking into the bathroom. I washed all of the ruined makeup off my face and brushed the lingering taste of alcohol away. Not that it mattered, because minutes later, I was seated by the toilet puking everything up and crying again. Azriel still wasn’t back when I fell asleep on the bathroom floor. But in the morning, I woke up in bed. 

A glass of water was sitting on the bedside table, but Azriel’s side of the bed was still mostly made. He hadn’t slept there. I sat up in bed and was drinking the water when Azriel walked in, “You’re up,” he seemed surprised. I didn’t say anything. My mouth was still dry, and my eyes puffy from crying. “I guess we need to talk,” he said, sitting down at the foot of the bed.

“Are you seeing someone else?” I blurted out before I could stop myself.

He looked at me incredulously, “No! Of course not. Why would you even think that?” 

Relief washed through me, and I just shrugged my shoulders slightly, looking down at my lap. I could feel the tears welling up, but I didn’t want to cry, so I tried to push them back down to no avail.

Azriel pushed closer to me on the bed and lifted my chin, “Hey, look at me. Look at me,” When I finally lifted my head, he looked me in the eyes and said, “I love you. I love you so much, you have to know that,” he pulled me into his lap, and I cried lightly into his shoulder while he kept murmuring those words again and again.

I fell asleep again, and when I woke up, I was curled against Azriel’s left side, his right-wing wrapped around us as he lay on his back. I snuggled closer to him, and when he wrapped his arms tighter around me, I asked, “Why haven’t you been around? I wake up and, you’re gone. I go to bed and, you’re still not here,” I looked up at him, and he looked back, pulling me up and pressing my forehead to his. 

“At first, I was just busy with work. Then it felt like there was some disconnect between us. I didn’t know what to do so, I just pulled away. I realize I should have come to you, but it just feels easier to stay in the shadows.”

“Azriel…”

“I know. It’s stupid, and I’m an idiot.”

I pulled back slightly, opening my eyes, “I was not going to say that. I do wish you would have come to me, it would have made things a lot easier, but the way you feel is not stupid,” He kissed me then. Just his lips pushing against mine. Not too gentle, but not rough either.  We stayed like that for a little while longer, just holding each other tightly.

We finally got up when our stomachs began to grumble and went to the kitchen. It was after 3 pm I sat at the breakfast bar while Az made us a couple of sandwiches. Things were less tense but, we were both still walking on eggshells around one another. I know I’m not mad at him anymore and, I don’t think he’s upset but, things are still a little off. 

We make generic small talk while we eat, but the silences in between aren’t as comfortable as they used to be.  After we finish eating, I pick up our plates and bring them to the sink. Before I realize he’s behind me, Azriel puts his hands on my shoulders and starts massaging. 

“You’re tense,” he says, “what’s wrong?”

“I don’t know. Things aren’t the same,” I frowned and leaned back into him, looking at him over my shoulder. 

He smiled softly and said, “We got into the biggest fight of our relationship. Things aren’t going to be the same. But you still love me, don’t you?”

“Of course I do,” I said, turning around to look at him directly.

He just smiled again and kissed my lips lightly, “I still love you, too, y/n. I’ll love you always.”

“Always,” I repeated with a grin, kissing him harder.

part 2 (smut)

[royalty-subway]

Plz,,, scenario where reader is sent to Hisui instead of Ingo. And then they come back (maybe missing some memories?)

Oof. Not gonna lie, but I kinda wanted to do something like this for a while-

Like, where the s/o just time-traveled to Hisui and came back. Just to see how the twins would react.

Now I have an excuse to do it. :D

I decided to write for all the twins. Since I couldn’t tell if you just wanted Ingo or all of them-

Also, this is angsty. Not the most angsty thing I wrote. It has at least a bittersweet ending, so nothing too serious to leave a warning.

Sordward

I mean, while you disappeared, he probably didn’t notice the first few days. But as soon as he tried to contact you, either by text or by visiting your house, he got more concerned. He desperately tried to find you, but you were nowhere to be found.

But he assumes that wherever you are, surely you can take care of yourself. More so if you're the champion of the Galar region. So no need to fear. I mean, he’s still scared shitless, but he tries not to show it much by failing and showing it by begging people to find you and crying himself to sleep.

His and your Pokemons are probably the only reason why he isn’t as panicky about it because they gave him comfort of some kind (or maybe it made him more panicky since you could be in the wild area with zero Pokemon on your side, but maybe you got help from someone or received some Pokeballs).

He just sort of waited until something happened, whether you or someone found you or you just came back around suddenly. While keeping himself a bit isolated without even realizing it. His worries just kept him busy.

That was until you showed up again, at complete random. At first, he probably took you as someone that’s… poverty-stricken; based on your appearance. But looking at your face confirms that it was actually you. You just look like you survived hell and came back. Which definitely struck something within him; maybe fear or relief that you were okay?

He’ll just semi-scream your name to get your attention and ask "WHAT IN THE BLOODY FRESH HELL HAPPENED TO YOU?!" He tries his best to avoid physical contact, and yet, he needs to confirm if this was real or fake so he probably ends up grabbing both of your arms/shoulders for that confirmation (and perhaps to comfort you in a way).

But perhaps this action made you uncomfortable, since this peepee hairstyle motherfucker you just met was touching your arms/shoulders. Who wouldn’t freak out at that moment? So if you push him away, he’ll do the same thing out of instinct.

And now he’s confused. Are you… The same person he was thinking about? Or just a random bystander that looks like his s/o? That would be extremely awkward if that’s the case. But eh, you’re now stating that you have zero memory of anything, so that explains a lot.

Which, yes, it does surprise and pains him to hear. And he sort of blamed himself for everything. Maybe if he saved you sooner, perhaps you’d still have your memories. Eh, too late now. But he’ll just try to explain everything, that you were his friend/partner, and you both did a lot of things together. He’ll try his best to return your memories as time goes on, but at least you’re back now, which conceals his worries… With zero memory, which still makes him sad.

Shielbert

He probably noticed by day one that you've gone missing. And he desperately tries to find you, even getting his older brother involved, but nothing comes out. The only things he could find were your stuff; like your clothes and your Pokemons.

With that being said, he’ll probably end up wearing any of your jackets or hoodies, either in private or in public (even if they don’t typically have the red accent he used to wear, it’s a bit of a bizarre thought and sight, but it doesn’t matter to him, it's just to remember you).

He sort of cut nearly all human interaction as well, besides from his older brother and from his/your Pokemons (yes, he’s taking care of your Pokemons). Not complete isolation, he does go out in public, but he doesn’t talk much.

This probably goes to a point where he has nightmares about you dying. It makes him think that you actually died, or maybe you did? Who fucking knows, you’ve been gone for years. If you’ve been kidnapped, then surely you’re gone at this rate. He doesn’t even know what’s real or fake anymore and these thoughts upset him deeply.

Well, until you came back out of nowhere. The first thing he saw was either your face or your torn clothes. And he somewhat hesitates to get near you because of those dreams he’s been having. This could simply be another dream or another hallucination.

But shrugging that off, he’ll run up to you while screaming your name and crying, and hug you pretty tightly. Of course, you’re confused because this stranger somehow knew your name and is currently hugging you… Maybe he knows you? Perhaps he’s familiar to you.

And then he’ll probably drag you into his house to give you warm and proper clothes (since your clothes are very messy and you’re probably freezing cold). Until he sort of noticed your behavior… Aren’t you happy to see him? Why are you pretending like you don’t even know him? Are you okay?

That’s kinda when you explained to him that you have no memory of anything. Which genuinely made him flinch and have a very painful expression. And he nearly cried again. But he’ll apologize for his behavior (since surely you’d call the cops if this was an actual stranger to you) and he’ll try to explain himself, stating that he’s your friend/partner. That you’ve been gone for years and he did nothing but sorrow over your disappearance. And that he was just so overjoyed with you coming back.

He seems genuine when he says this. And knowing this, he’ll take everything slower now since that’s kinda what someone with amnesia needs. Yes, it hurts him knowing that you’ll perhaps never get your memory back. But at least you’re here again. And yes, he’ll give you all of your stuff back in hopes that’ll jog your memory- (he’ll give whatever he has to get your memories back)

Emmet

… I mean, you probably expect him to cry or be in extreme distress because you just suddenly disappeared (since that would’ve happened if Ingo disappeared). I suppose in a way, you’re kinda right. And yet, it’s not the full truth.

Like, here’s the thing, he doesn’t feel anything. Not applying that he doesn’t give a damn about you, more like, he’s feeling empty; emotionless… And yet, this feeling isn’t exactly new to him. As if he knew this feeling for his entire life, but wasn’t aware of it until it’s brought up.

This feeling… makes him sad and pissed at himself. And yet he’s not? He doesn’t know how to feel about the emptiness, but he doesn’t like it and he’s crying. Yes, he’s distraught about you disappearing, but maybe he’ll show more of his sad side if it was Ingo (look, Ingo is his brother and he means a lot to him, give him some slack, he’ll still feel empty if it was Ingo instead of you)

And despite the fact that he tries his best to live on with his life (making it seem like he can handle himself alone with no help). He needs moral support from literally anyone, either from Ingo or Sordward himself, anyone. Just as long as someone can support him and stop him from doing something… He’ll regret.

Oh, and it’s a bit difficult to determine whenever he noticed you being gone. It depends on how many times you visit him. He would try to find you, but he couldn’t find you anywhere and he hopes that you’ll come back at some point. The longer he waits, the more it damages him.

Even with you coming back doesn’t exactly make him feel anything (or at least the first few seconds, he’ll wince more than anything and continue with his day). Since this could simply be another hallucination or dream he’s been getting, you could be another fake like the rest of them. So unless someone says “IT’S REALLY THEM-” to him, he’s not exactly buying it at first glance.

His reaction would depend, he could either simply stand there and do nothing, walk up to you and apologize (he thinks it was his fault that you left), or walk up to you and hug you (just for confirmation that it’s actually you).

… And then you’ll probably ask who the fuck he is since you don’t even know this white man. Which is where you’ll probably see him actually reacting or showing a genuinely shocked expression of loss of hope again. But he still tries to put a brave face on and admit that he’s your friend/partner, until you just disappeared from existence.

He doesn’t really know what to do. He’ll probably cry a bit or something. Of course, he’ll try his best to give you your memories back. But he still doesn’t know how to do it. I assume the best he can do is stay around you to form some sort of friendship with you again. But hey, you being here is better than you not being here.

Ingo

So if we're talking about Ingo never appearing in the Hisui region. He’d never know of the existence of it. So you disappearing instead of him would be a concern to him, since he doesn’t even know where you are or would even know about Hisui.

He probably didn’t expect anything until a few days or weeks later. Depending how many times you visit him. He probably thought you were just busy, though. Until like, 1 month pass or something. He’ll probably become more worried about you.

He would try to find you, but there’s nothing much he can do. He’s not a detective or any of that sort. The best he can do is to look for clues about where you went. And he found fuck all besides your Pokemons. Which didn’t help him since even they didn’t know what happened to you.

So the most he can do is take care of your Pokemons while you're gone somewhere. Yes, he’s worried about you. But even he knows that he can’t do anything. He’s hopeless unless he finds something that will lead to your disappearance… Where were you?

… That was until you came back, just randomly appearing in the subway somewhere. He flinched at that. He couldn’t really believe it since he thought this was some sort of trap or prank set by someone. Or if it was a dream. Plus, you… Appeared in a worse state; like, you seem confused about your surroundings with messy clothes.

So it probably wouldn’t be much of a surprise if he thought you were someone else at first, until he had a good look at you. You looked… Exactly like them, even the same name, voice, height and all. Until he realizes that it is truly you, he’s pretty overjoyed about it (on the inside, he doesn’t express it as much as he wanted to).

However… You don’t seem to remember anything. Not even him. Which definitely caught his attention. It seems like you lost your memory (or some of it). You don’t even recall meeting him, ever. Which did hurt him to hear, made him cry a little.

But he’ll try his best to give you context in the most blunt way possible, he was either your friend/partner (he’ll most likely say “friend” because saying you're the partner of someone that has zero memory of you doesn’t seem like a good idea). And that you’ve been gone for a really long time. Whether you believe him or not would depend, but he’s telling the truth. And he doesn’t mind taking it slow if you’re willing to give him a chance.

He gives you back your Pokemons and tries his best to gain your memories back, whether it works or not. He at least tried his best. He’ll still be by your side, even if you guys were partners once but currently friends due to this circumstance. It doesn’t matter to him since you’re finally back now.