#and 'petition m&k to give him back now please'

[tigerstripedmoon]

Ozpin Lore in After the Fall + Analysis

So I’ve read After the Fall, which is a very good little read! It’s definitely aimed at a younger audience, as there were a lot of moments where it was ‘tell, not show’ in regards to character emotions that felt jarring to me. That said, the lore dump we get on Team CFVY, Vacuo culture, and events during v1-3 is fairly massive. The story could have been a half a volume in its own right.

But the most exciting things,of course, were the little bits of info we got on Ozpin. They don’t necessarily fill in the blanks- it kind of raises more questions, to be honest- but damn, do we get some good info.

Beware, I’m going to get meta as fuck all up in here.

SPOILERS UNDER THE CUT.

1) Ozpin’s younger than we may think. I found it interesting that in the very first mention we have of Ozpin, it’s not just to point out that he’s got a reputation for being ‘mysterious and a bit reckless with his students’, but there’s a reiteration of the fact that he’s the youngest headmaster Beacon has ever had. This is then followed by Coco comparing him to her younger brother due to his ‘mischievous streak and boyish charm’. This is followed up in a later chapter by Velvet comparing him to a boy playing at his father’s desk when in his office (and that Glynda standing behind him made it worse). Both Coco and Velvet also make the connection that Ozpin looks much younger than his physical age, while seeming much, much older.

There is a distinct possibility, given all this, that Ozpin might be no older, or only a scant few years older, than team STRQ. I don’t think he’s younger- a sixteen year old headmaster would be hard to pull off- but an eighteen to twenty-one year old fresh out of the Academy? He was noted to be a prodigy; he could have gone through the Academy younger than Ruby. Absolutely possible. Or he graduated at 18 and gained field experience for a few years, or taught.

We know approximately how old team STRQ is. Let’s put Ozpin at an age range of 18-21 when he became headmaster.  Assuming Raven had Yang shortly after graduation- at age 21/22, and Yang entered Beacon at age 17, STR would have been 38-39 at the time of the Fall of Beacon, which puts Ozpin at 39-42 years old when he died.

That’s young.

That’s young enough to still have a stupidly youthful appearance. And let’s face it- without the glasses he barely looks older than his students. We’ve all seen the screenshot edits.

This one hurts.

2) Ozpin’s sweet tooth is canon, not fanon. It’s confirmed that Ozpin drinks hot chocolate exclusively, not coffee (to promptly be ignored by 75% of the ozqrow fandom because we like our Ozpin mainlining coffee into his veins). Ozpin also just... has cookies and hot cocoa ready to give to his students at the drop of a hat, like what he offers Velvet, which is adorable and heartwarming all at once. 

(Ozpin is absolutely the dad who volunteers at bake sales. I don’t make the rules, blame RT.)

3). Ozpin is absolutely as mysterious as it gets. We’ve known this for a while, because he is an idiot bastard child, but it gets commented on in the book as well. There are tidbits about how he’s a ‘formidable Huntsman’ but he doesn’t teach classes and that ‘no one had ever seen him fight’. This is really odd for the headmaster of a Huntsman academy. Fighting is what they do. Then again, Ozpin is, as I and others have noted, is written as more feminine in his lack of aggression and passivity, and he honestly comes across as a bit of a pacifist except for when it comes down to lives on the line.

Then again, after centuries upon centuries and lives upon lives of violence and suffering and watching humanity try to tear itself apart, I would probably be sick of fighting too.

4) As of team CFVY’s leaving Vale, Ozpin’s death was unconfirmed. It’s mentioned several times that no one knows what happened to him- he’s basically the Huntsman equivalent of MIA. Qrow was seen taking Ruby into an airbus and leaving, but not returning. Glynda, Oobleck, and Port are trying to retake the school. No mention of Ironwood. No mention of if anyone tried to find him.

Which, I get that this is a young teen novel, but- we know that Jaune has a good idea that Ozpin had died because 1) he was there and 2) he didn’t call anyone for backup like he was asked and I am bitter af that he hasn’t been called out on it. We know Qrow or someone had to have had to have gone back because he had Ozpin’s cane at the end of v3. But there’s no clarity on whether they found him or if there was a funeral or what the death rituals are in Vale (they actually mention what happens with death in Vacuo!) and I need answers ASAP.

... eh, fuck it. Fanfic fixes what canon fails at. If you think this means ‘Tiger is going to write a depressing af cloqwork fic about what happened to Ozpin’s body after the Fall’, then you get a prize! ....or will as soon as I can sit down to write it lol.

5) There is no goddamn way this man is evil. Near the end of the book there is a flashback to team CFVY leaving Vale, and Glynda tells them the last portion of Ozpin’s graduation speech as a sort of good-bye. And it is heartbreaking. Team CFVY is practically in tears at the end and so was I. Because his entire mission statement, the reason he’s fighting and slogging through this neverending hell of an existence is summed up there in a few words. His students are beacons of hope in a cruel world, set out to uplift and protect their fellow man. That’s one of the things he considers part of his job as Headmaster- to help his students become genuinely good people.

Kindness. Hope. Love for your fellow man. Those aren’t things one instills in others to be cruel.

All of the speeches he gives- one is relayed by Coco to Ruby, one he gives to team CFVY, and then the last described above- are written so perfectly that they sound as if they were lifted out of the show. have to give mad props to Miles&Kerry&Myers for that.

...

In the end, all this has made me realize just how much I miss Ozpin- this mysterious, ineffable, melancholy old man, this mischievous manchild too young and too old for the role he played, who gave others hope even when he had none. 

Hopefully we’ll see him- not Oscar, not Ozma, but Ozpin- again in v7.

[mavrintarou]

[9:04 P M] - Sakusa Kiyoomi

Warning: tooth rotten fluff; S M U T; angst; happy ending

.

Sakusa Kiyoomi knew he was deep when Y/n occupied every thought.

He crossed paths with her when he was invited back to Itachiyama Institute to mentor the boys’ volleyball team since he was off for the season, the same time he had once participated in. Little did he know that Y/n, a math teacher, would also be there as the boys’ assistant coach.

He is a hot-blooded human; he’s had his fair share of women, but he was never star-struck by one before.

He felt like a teenager, repeating her name repeatedly in his head.

Kiyoomi found himself eagerly anticipating his visits to his old high school, not for the volleyball team, but to catch a glimpse of Y/n. Originally scheduled to be there only two days a week, he discreetly hinted to his former coach that he had additional availability. Soon enough, his commitment to the team extended four days a week, giving him more opportunities to see her.

“Have dinner with me!” he blurted out, sounding more like a demand than a question. Instantly, his face flushed a deep shade of red.

Her eyes widened for a second before processing his unexpected request. “Okay, Kiyoomi. When and where?”

“Now?”

. .

He knew he was deeper when her smile was enough to make his cock twitch.

At one after-school practice, she forgot her gym bag and came to practice wearing her teacher’s outfit. A mid-length pencil skirt and fitted dress shirt… and in heels.

He just about came in his joggers.

He caught himself looking at her chest too many times.

. .

The first time they had sex, Kiyoomi swore he died and went to heaven.

When she stood in just her white bra and high-waist panties, that was enough to make his cock rise and ready.

But his eyes bulge at the art on her body. She had various tattoos hidden all over her body and underneath all those sexy ‘teacher’ outfits.

Now it made sense why she always had the school jacket on at practice zipped up to her chin.

“God, you’re fucken sexy.” He needed to touch her, to feel her under him.

. .

She never stayed overnight. No matter how late, she would leave, which drove him mad.

“It is not ladylike.” She said one night, wiping the dripped cum in between her legs.

He laid on his back, hands behind his head, and sprawled out naked. He watched her clean herself since she wouldn’t let him because she knew he would take her in another position.

Having fallen for it twice before, she was now well aware of his intentions.

“Ladylike my ass, you just let me cum inside of you. Is that ladylike?”

She shot a teasing glare in his direction, knowing he was right. “All the reasons why I should go home.”

Kiyoomi rolls off his bed and wraps his long arms around her body, locking her so she can’t leave. His giant-built one dwarfs her petite body.

“Kiyoomi!” she squeals when she feels his hard cock sliding between her thighs.

“Stay,” he mumbles into her messy hair; he nips her earlobe. “Please?”

And she went home the following morning.

. .

Kiyoomi waits patiently outside next to his car for Y/n to leave her apartment for their event tonight.

When she walks out the doors, he swears everything around him paused. Her royal blue evening gown fit her curves, and there was a slit… a fucken slit that showed her thigh every time she walked.

He groans and meets her halfway. She opened her mouth to speak, but he silenced her with a deep, hungry kiss.

“I don’t want to fucken go now,” he mutters breathlessly against her mouth.

“What? Why!”

He cups her face with his large hands, “not with you dressed like this….”

Her eyes widen, “is it bad? I tried to hide the tat –“

He kisses her silently again. “No, you’re gorgeous. I don’t want others to see you… I wanna fuck you in this dress.”

He sat through the first hour and a half of the event, hands wandering all over her body. She had to occasionally push his hands away or hold them still in her lap.

It wasn’t until he met up with his three other teammates that Atsumu slapped a key card against Kiyoomi’s chest. “Here, you look like you need it next.” Kiyoomi looked at Atsumu’s disheveled hair and wrinkly suit; he knew what he and his girlfriend were up to.

Without a word, he drags Y/n up to the 25th floor of the hotel. Once the elevator doors shut, he pressed her against the corner, hiding her from the camera and kissing her hungrily. His hands grope and grip her body, wanting nothing more than to bury himself deep inside her.

As soon as the door dings and opens, he lifts her and carries her over his shoulder.

He scanned the pad and entered the room swiftly, kicking the door behind him before lowering her onto her feet.

“I need you.” His mouth pressed against hers, pushing her until she backed into the desk. Looking over his shoulder, he saw the bedsheets were in clutter and knew Atsumu and his girlfriend was there.

He looks back at Y/n, who is clueless, “did someone use this room already?”

“Yeah, but don’t worry about it.” He lifts her onto the desk, pushing her dress aside by the slit. His hand dips between her legs and chuckles, “a flimsy thong?”

“I wasn’t going to wear my granny panties with this dress….”

He nips her lips, “I love your granny panties….”

Kiyoomi shrugs out of his suit jacket, and hands spread her legs. He fumbled with his belt buckle and zipper and tugged his cock free, giving it a few strokes before pressing the tip to her folds. He let out a sigh before he pushed his hips forward, thrusting hard.

Y/n gasped, holding onto his sleeves. “Omi… wait…”

He doesn’t wait.

His strong arms hooked underneath her knees and lifted her ass off the desk, and drilled his cock hard and fast.

Her moans bounced off the walls with the sound of skin on skin.

Kiyoomi’s thrust slows down as he sets her on the edge of the desk. He watches his cock appear and disappears in her pussy, groaning, “fuck – you feel so good….”

All night he had been pent up, waiting for this moment, so he was sure he wouldn’t last too long now that he was inside her, feeling her squeeze his cock. His cock twitches, and he groans with each spurt of cum shot inside her womb.

“Omi,” she mumbles, watching him pull out his flaccid cock. Her eyes widen as globs of cum ooze out, dripping down her dress.

“We’re going home anyways.”

Kiyoomi slipped his jacket back on before helping her stand on her wobbly legs, an arm wrapped securely around her waist as they exited the room.

He slaps the key card against Bokuto’s chest as they pass by him and his girlfriend, “all yours.”

. .

For Kiyoomi, home was wherever she happened to be. Even though she still refused to stay with him overnight, he resolved the issue by staying at her place. Deep down, he knew she didn’t have the heart to kick him out. Initially, he wasn’t fond of her smaller bed, but Kiyoomi soon realized that its size meant she couldn’t escape his embrace, and he found comfort in that realization.

When pro season began again, he saw less of her, but she attended his games whenever he had a home game. She would bring the high school boys along, and they cheer for him from the crowd.

With every point he scored, Kiyoomi instinctively glanced up, eagerly anticipating Y/n’s proud smile in response to his accomplishment.

“Omi-Omi, you’re so in love,” Miya teased.

. .

Kiyoomi was not accustomed to such overwhelming emotions and grappled with unfamiliar feelings. His heart weighed heavily with longing when Y/n gave him the cold shoulder due to his reluctance to acknowledge their relationship. He resembled a lost puppy, tailing after, desperately yearning to mend their connection and make things right once more.

“What’s wrong with what we’re doing right now?”

She glowers at him, her expression filled with anger and disappointment. “So, having sex is all you’re fine with?”

No, he wanted to respond, but the weight of the situation overwhelmed him. “Yeah? What’s wrong with that?”

Seeing the disappointment in her eyes, he desperately wished he could retract his previous answer. He didn’t want her to be disappointed in him; he couldn’t bear it.

“Okay,” she mutters quietly, “if that’s what you want, Sakusa, fine, but that’s not what I want. So, goodbye.”

For the past thirty minutes, he had been making every effort to engage her in conversation, desperately longing to hear her voice and find a glimmer of hope. Yet, she remained indifferent, refusing to spare him even a fleeting glance or acknowledge his attempts to connect.

. .

He is miserable without her. The weight of his broken heart felt unbearable, and he truly believed it could be the end of him. It’s been two agonizing weeks, yet she refused to communicate or meet him, deepening his despair.

It was a painful moment for Kiyoomi. Maybe he is already dead or close to dead if he’s hallucinating that she’s there with him.

“Kiyoomi,” she calls, “can you drink some water?”

He blindly searches for her hand until he found it, holding it to his chest. “Omi...”

She frowns, “what?”

He closed his eyes and sighed, “Omi… you have to call me Omi,” he muttered.

He heard her deep sigh, “Omi, can you drink some water here, please?”

When he doesn’t answer or bulge, she takes a mouthful of water and transfers it from mouth to mouth.

His eyes slowly fluttered open, and he blinked a few times to ensure she was still there.

With his other hand, he touches her face, “are you… really here?”

“Yes, now please take care of yourself.” She sat up and was about to stand when he grabbed her wrists. “I’m not going anywhere yet just going to grab you some soup.”

He shook his head, tugging her wrist until she sat back down. “Lay down… with me?” He noticed her hesitation but didn’t back down. Determination flickered in his eyes as he held his ground, unwilling to let their unresolved issues go unresolved any longer.

He had lost track of the day and time; the world around him seemed to fade into a blur.

All that mattered was that Y/n was beside him, allowing him to hold her hand. “I’m sorry.”

She looks at him questioningly, “for what?”

“Lying,” he rasped.

“Lying?”

“You’re more than sex.”

“Kiyoomi, we can talk about this when you feel bet – “

“Omi.”

She rolls her eyes, “Omi, we can talk about this when –“

“No, I don’t want to wait.”

“Then get better,” she said sternly, voice firm and resolute. “I promise we’ll talk when you feel better.”

Two hours later, having rested, he felt ready to have a heartfelt conversation. But not before he finished his comforting bowl of soup and took the necessary medicine to alleviate his fever, which brought Y/n to him.

“I want you.” He holds a hand up, stopping her from talking. “I lied about you being just sex. You are more. Well,” he fiddles with his long fingers, “sex is wonderful, but I love making love to you. But you are more than that. I love you.” Her eyes are unreadable, and he begins to panic. “I love you, and you might not believe me, but I really do love you.” He inhales, “I love everything about you and your compassion for your students. Your big heart to teach those brats to be better at volleyball and have better sportsmanship. I love the granny panties you wear and that you wear your mask when we are out in public… just for me.”

“Is that all?”

His eyes looked away from hers, anxiety grappling him as he felt he was losing her by the second. She did not look convinced by his confession, which he truly was pouring out his heart. “I just love everything about you.” He answers quietly. “You make me happy every day and night; I just want to be with you.” He exhales softly, “that’s all.”

She cupped his face, surprising and scaring the hell out of him as he stared at her quietly, “well, you’re in luck because I love you too,” she pressed her lips to his, pulling away enough to add, and I want to be with you too, Omi.”

. . .

> > > @callmeraider @amarinthe @chaotic-fangirl-blog (I wasn't sure if you meant to be tagged in general or just for the Lord Suna series... so tagging you just in case :))

E/N: There's probably errors... I just literally whipped it as it came into mind.

We need soft and vulnerable Omi sometimes...

[monomas-a-smug-bih]

hinata with a smol(er) male manager ask

How about Hinata with a new smol(er than him) male manager in training that’s just super cute! Like he always bakes for them (with healthy recipes but they still manage to taste amazing) is always super supportive and cheery. And sometimes massages his hands after games (because it may be just me BUT MY HANDS ARE SORE AFTER A GAME BRO) please?

just posting it again to switch it to this format, cuz i like it more...

...

“AAAAAAAAAAAAAH!” A wave of annoyance rushed over the team at the sound. Karasuno should’ve been used to Hinata’s immense energy by now, but more often than not his abilities were unbelievable. What gave this small boy the capabilities to scream so high so often? Neither Daichi nor Sugawara would know, but tried their best to calm their crows’ collective irritation.

But this time, for once it seemed the energetic boy had a reason for his efforts, unlike most other times. Before the short boy, in front of the entrance to the gym, stood an even shorter boy. Quite a sight to see for anyone on the Karasuno team. Though Nishinoya surely existed, a second person to exceed at shortness as crazily as him, was nearly more unbelievable.

“Y-you’re s-shorter than me too!?” Hinata smiled with a triumphant grin on his lips, bringing his flattened hand over your heads as if measuring the two of you. “What do you think guys? Am I growin’ or what!” Hinata halted himself from jumping into the air at the sound of the other boy’s voice, it was a surprisingly soft and calming chuckle.

“Yes, I am quite short…I’m also y/n! It’s nice to finally meet you all!” You smiled sweetly at Hinata, savoring the sparkly look in his eyes before looking through the rest of the team. The other boys eyed up the container in your small hands; you’d filled it with the banana honey oat energy bites you’d whipped up before school today as a welcome gift, though I guess they should be welcoming you…but your nature refused you to come empty handed! “Here, if anyone’s hungry I’ve got these waiting for you guys! I’m here to train as a n-new manager!” Karasuno’s team gasped in awe at the offer.

“WHAAAAAT? This guy can cook!” The sudden voice made you shrink a little. After all of their previous conditioning, a ravenous looking boy with a buzz cut and wild eyes rushed to your treats, then another player, and another reached in for a ball of fruit and honey for themselves, the container soon empty on the bench. “Suga! Daichi! Please, please, please can we keep him?” The boy you assumed to be Tanaka pleaded, being scolded for ridiculousness in front someone new by who you guessed were the captains of the team. A smile made it to your face, cheering on the inside and growing giddy. This was the biggest compliment you could’ve asked of them after all!

You bowed on instinct, delivering your gratitude immediately back at them in a cute and appreciative manner. “Thank you for liking them! I’ll be sure to make more for the next time we meet!” A nervous smile crawling it’s way onto your face at the seemingly awestruck team at your formalness. “Daichi” got the team to thank you, warming your heart even more.

After the boys inhaling the bunches of nutrition you’d offered, they scrimmaged and trained somemore together. You had to admit that watching any of them play was quite the entertainment, though one player always seemed to stand out in comparison to you. “K-Kiyoko?” The reserved girl replied with a nod. “If you don’t mind me asking…who’s number 10?” The girl hummed, sending you a knowing glance. You felt your cheeks heat at the pressure. What could she possibly know from you just asking something so simple? Somehow, she gave off a very knowing yet shy sense of character, but in this moment you really wished she couldn’t see right through you.

“Hinata Shoyo,” she smiled, the black dot on her cheek raising a little at the action, her glasses catching a surprisingly devious glint from an above window. Her voice was calm as can be. “do you think he’s cute?” You had to tear your eyes from the orange-haired decoy. The sound of sneakers seemed to cease in your mind. For some reason, the teasing question made your cheeks burst only further into flames. You couldn’t help but cry out slightly and hide behind your sleeves, feeling a lot smaller than you usually did despite your already petite size.

“N-n-no I don’t! And if I did… but I don’t! Well m-maybe... I uh…” you gulped at the subtle giggle erupting from the girl, embarrassed at the question and for waving your arms about in a panic. You then whimpered, realizing you’d gained a small amount of the players’ attention, decoy-boy included. Meeting amber eyes, you couldn’t help but stare. Though he wasn’t much taller than you, you couldn’t help but admire the powerful presence he gave off on that court. What he didn’t have he made up in determination, coming out just as high as those with much more of an advantage against him. Relating to him in the height department, you couldn’t help but admire an attitude like that.

Your staring contest was broken by Hinata’s bright smile, and the wave he sent you with it. You couldn’t help but like the cute way his eyes squinted as he did, his bright orange curls swaying with every bouncy action he made. You soaked in his expression, like sun on a summer day. A volleyball interrupted the daydream before you could even wave back. An angered looking boy with dark hair and a scary face seemed to smash the ball into poor Hinata’s, your breath hitching. That’s gotta hurt. Before you could aid him, Kiyoko spoke again.

“It happens a lot more than it should, either by accident or on purpose.”

“Eh? Really, Hinata’s hurt this often? Poor guy…” your gaze swung back to the suffering ball of cuteness. Rather than making you way over, since this was somehow the usual for Karasuno apparently, you shouted from the stands. “Hinata! Are you alright?” The soft voice met his ears, said boy heaving his way back to his feet from the impact.

“I’m fine! Kageyama’s just really moooody todayyy!” He shouted back to your surprise, your soft voice usually going unnoticed. The so-called moody boy growled, and you feared for Hinata’s already rosy forehead. Though, Hinata only taunted back, making you smile.

Right before the end of practice, you made sure to scavenge for an ice pack. Though it was late already, you managed to find the infirmary unlocked! And got what you needed. Running back eagerly, your large jacket making your cute frame seem even smaller, you rounded the corner and headed back into the gym, hoping players still remained. Kiyoko and Yachi were still chatting in the stands, Yachi training to organize games as you probably should’ve of been. Though, when the dark-haired girl eyed you up, there was now anger in her elegant eyes, only that small smile, and a knowing look going from you, to the boy struggling with a volleyball net nearby. You felt the blood rush to your cheeks again, and headed towards Hinata.

A familiarly soft voice reached the other boy’s ears. “H-hi, Hinata. Want some help?” You asked, knowing well you’d never put away something like a volleyball net, hoping it’d be simpler than it looked. The brightest smile reached Hinata’s face again, and you couldn’t help but smile back.

“Yes, please y/n! You’re so nice!” He stated plainly with an excitement not expected from someone who just finished playing as much as he did. He grabbed the corners of the net below him, expecting you to do the same. So hesitantly, you did.

“I-I’ve never put away a net before!” You smiled out of nervousness, Hinata’s curiosity seeming to spike.

“Really? Not to worry y/n, it’s easy! I’ll help you!” You chucked at his eagerness, weren’t you supposed to be the one helping him?

After cleanup, teammates were saying their goodbyes, Kiyoko and Yachi on their way home already. You watched Hinata’s back as he left the storage room, remembering the cold and damp item in your jacket. “Ah! Hinata wait!” The orange head of curls faced you, foot tapping almost out of impatience. You couldn’t help but fiddle with your hands and eye his shoes rather than meet his eyes. Unknown to you, he’d found the habit cute. “S-sorry! It seems sorta stupid now that I’m thinking of it, b-but-” He replied with a tilt of his head as you looked up at him. Whipping out the ice pack you couldn’t keep in your jacket any longer, you hand it to him. “It’s for your head, I meant to give it to you earlier, but you’re so determined you’d just never stay on the bench long enough for me to help!” Another cutely nervous chuckle. Hinata stared down at the mound of slushy ice and soft plastic in his hands, an odd feeling twisting within your stomach as he did. When Hinata cried out in an emotion you weren’t sure of, you couldn’t help but worry. But, before you could manage even a word, you were tightly wrapped in the arms of the cute boy you’d been interested in all practice, your heart picking up its pace. “H-Hinata-“

“THANK YOU!” Your face filled with surprise, the boy not letting go for quite a while made your mind spin, though you missed the feeling of his soft curls brushing your cheek. For some reason, the boy in front of you seemed on the edge of tears, you hoped it wasn’t out of pain for his injuries or your presence.

“Y-you’re welcome, Hinata. Is there anything else I can do to help?” The boy smiled back at you again, this time a hand on the back of his neck.

“Ah, actually my hands are aching! Do you know anything I could do for these guys when I get home?” Hinata clenched his fists dramatically, twisting his wrists with a whimper. He must’ve been playing hard, you’d watched after all. You scolded yourself mentally for the temperature of your cheeks raising once again.

“I’ve heard massaging them helps a lot, then warm water…d-do you mind if I help?” Hinata’s smile grew once again, dragging you out of the storage room and into a bench.

“Try me!”

You did, trying to be as natural as possible. Hinata leaned back, pressing your ice pack to his head as your fingers worked at his overworked hands. We aren’t holding hands, you tried remind yourself, I’m just holding his hand, not holding hands, wait- but I’m…t-that doesn’t count, right? You gingerly pressed circles into Hinata’s palms, trying your best to repress the shyness from your rosy cheeks as you did so. After a few relieved sighs and another thanks from Hinata, he bounced up from the bench, taking him with you. You both readied yourselves to leave, the gym now empty other than the two if you. Your heart couldn’t help but sink a little.

“Goodnight y/n, I hope you sleep really well! Thank again!” Hinata jumped through the doors and out under the starry black sky, raising an arm up for a wave. Your heart leaped at the view, and you had to remember to wave back.

It could’ve been his constant bouncing, maybe the winter air, but you relished in rosiness blooming on his cheeks too.

...

tadahhhhhhhh, MY FIRST HAIKYUU ASK! hope you guys like it, it’s quite late but this was very fun! Make sure to fill my inbox with more hq asks :)

[oh-mother-of-darkness]

asks (26)

@spickerzocker​ said:

hey there! just a heads up that i tried to click on the "why i don't ship" explanation link in your faq and it says that there is no post with that url/it's generally broken. also your "a conversation about recovery" thing is beautiful and hurts in the best way and i love it. have a nice day!

Yes, I intentionally took that link down awhile ago, and last night I went and updated some of the tabs on my blog. Here are my basic thoughts:

I wrote that link years and years ago, while I was first navigating the internet and while I was still figuring out important things about my own identity and opinions. I ran my blog differently back then, but by the end of the first few months, I knew I was uncomfortable with shipping. 

As people began to interact with me and my work, I told them over and over again no, I don’t want to talk about that, and I don’t want to write about it, and it makes me uncomfortable. I don’t think that was a common position to take at the time, so it wasn’t what people expected from me. 

During those years, I felt like I had to justify myself and give a valid explanation. I wrote that post explaining why I had that boundary, and I put it in a place where anyone could find it.

I said no when people asked, let them make jokes about it, and made jokes about it myself in response. As time went on I got more and more exasperated when I had to repeat myself. I wrote definite rules into my ask box, request tab, and FAQ. People still asked. I wrote it into my description. People still asked. 

The truth is yeah, there’s a pretty simple explanation for my discomfort. It makes sense. It’s easy to understand, and most folks think it’s a “good enough” reason to leave me alone. The difference between young-me and current-me is that I no longer feel the need to justify myself. 

None of y’all need to know why I set the boundaries that I set. My explanation isn’t relevant, and I’m not obligated to give it. I said no. That’s enough. 

I think a good number of folks remember my explanation from the past, and I don’t mind that at all. There may be a time where I talk about it again, in a more appropriate context, so I guess we’ll see.

That’s a lot of information in response to a very helpful ask. Thanks! The link is gone now, and I’m so pleased that you enjoyed the fic :)

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Anonymous said:

U suck

Kenza sent this anon as a joke. She’s right, and I thank her. 

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Anonymous said:

I'm a doctor and ive seen it all.....but the milk fic made me gag

Excellent

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@wingedskyes said:

Ah. Wait. I wasn't on anon....uhm. oh well. It's fine. I like milk and am not ashamed. 😆

I don’t think I received another message from you actually, but I too like milk and I’m glad we’re on the same page

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@thelittleredheadedmusician said:

To add to the milk discussions: my best friend from home and best friend from college have each finished a gallon a milk by themselves within 2 days.

I do that too, every once in awhile. When the milk craving hits it’s a gallon a day

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Anonymous said:

"TIM! POUR HIM. A GLASS OF M A L K!"

Hold on I have to google some things

Yeah this is funny

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Anonymous said:

I have read that milk fic three separate times and every time I’m laughing just as hard as Tim and dick by the end it’s just so excellently executed and builds so perfectly that by the time dick cracks I’m ready to go too and I just lose it it’s amazing I love it

Awww anon I’m so pleased :)

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@the-smartass-under-the-mountain said:

Just wanted to drop by and say your recent fic with Tim antagonizing Damian with increasingly outrageous milk concoctions had me giggling. It was so cute and refreshing to see Dick enjoying Tim's little prank. And Bruce's reaction to just... walk away was fantastic!

Thank you! I’m always so thrilled when y’all think the jokes hit

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@njtheboywonder​ said:

I havnt really enjoyed a fic in years, but i stopped to read ur fanfic with tim drinking milk just to fuck w dami amd it made me smile. Thanks, for writing it.

Oh that warms my heart <3

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@bruciewayneisbatman​ said:

Tim Is totally the guy who would drink ridiculous amounts of dalgona coffee to annoy damian, according to that fic.

Had to google that one, but I guess so huh

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Anonymous said:

(diff anon) but that birthday fic was so good oml and you have opened my eyes as to the batfam in quarantine this is such a Concept

We’re all here dying..... together...

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Anonymous said:

Happy birthday! 🎉 or belated! 🎂 thank you for being in the fandom. 😊

&

Anonymous said:

To anon! Sorry. I forgot to add that! Anyway, thanks to them we get a lovely fic. I hope you have many more birthdays! 😊

Message for you anon

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Anonymous said:

Your writing gives off good vibes

Hear that guys I “passed my vibe check.” Is that what the youth say these days? I am an elder now and I do not know

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Anonymous said:

finding your blog while being relatively new to batman fandom is such a bliss. your batfam content especially is *chef's kiss* amazing.

Thank you my darling :) I’m glad you’re here

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Anonymous said:

Best line in a fic? Hard to pick just one, but this particular one from "Just Desserts" by fyeahbatmanandrobin on Tumblr is one of my faves: “Anyone else would be hard-pressed to provide the particular brand of excitement you bring to my life, Dami.”

&

@noisypaintersong​ said:

For the line thing: "I don't doubt it. Bruce Wayne, the unexpectedly normal guy wrapped in a mystery wrapped in a superhero wrapped in an enigma wrapped in a fake socialite wrapped in a businessman wrapped in a secretive billionaire." He paused. "…You're the seven-layer burrito of Gotham," he pondered. - Barry to Bruce in 'Of Friends and Foes' by Paganpunk2 on FFN. It's one of the funniest things I've read someone say to Bruce LOL

& 

@kirakats​ submitted:

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Anonymous said:

“I do know that according to everyone else, there is no chance, no future, no universe where I stay a hero.” Describes my frustration with the way DC treats Damian so accurately. Let the kid be a hero dammit.

Thanks! That’s really helpful. I’ve got a decent answer to my question now. 

@kurawastaken​ submitted:

So this is Kenza retaliating against me for the milk fic. I very much hate tomatoes and specifically ketchup. This photo (1) is a nightmare and (2) fulfills its intended purpose.

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Anonymous said:

I love your blog!!!

And I love you 

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Anonymous said:

quick question: how do you think jason reconciles with the fam?? i think in the comics they kinda just reboot and now he’s on better terms. but like what conversations happened, yknow??? (you’re doin great work by the way, it rips out my heart but it’s great)

This is an amazing question, and I’ll be thinking about it for the next bit, I think. That would be a really interesting topic to explore in depth

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@angel-gidget​ said:

*hugs you real tight* would you please send this to the first 10 people in your dash? Make sure someone gets a hug today and stay safe!

Oh thank you for the hug <3

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Anonymous said:

I hadn’t been aware of that Memphis petition, but I live in Memphis too (Altho I know you said you just grew up there so you may not be living here currently haha) so ig I just wanted to say thanks for bringing it to my attention!

!!!

I’ve been in Texas for six years now, ever since I started school, but I’m still in and out of Memphis for family purposes. Love the trash heap of my birth 

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@damianwaynerocks​ said:

hey! any chance you know of any other dc heroes around damian’s age?

Sure! You could try Billy Batson, Jon Kent, or Maya Ducard

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Anonymous said:

hi! i don't know if it's okay to leave anons like these but ive been feeling down because my country has passed a bill that deprives us of lots of human rights freedom and i want you to know that i just found your blog through the damian/bruce + justice fic and it comforted me. im slowly going thru your works and so far they are all comforting. i love your stuff, thank you.

Philippines? I’ve heard some things, and I’m real sorry y’all’re going through that. I don’t know that there’s anything I could say about that to help, but I hope you’re finding joy somewhere

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@awesomeness-ofgaybitches​ said:

Tumblr hates you. The links in your bio and to your fic masterlist don't work on mobile. I'm sorry.

FUCK

[lyrazehedgieboiii]

Insecurities

Hey guys! SO, I decided to make a one-shot on how Amy’s feeling very stressed, and her feelings on top of that make it harder for her to be happy. How will Sonic feel once he finds out? Let’s GO!!!!

Amy was sitting at Tails’s house, listening to Tails identify his newest invention, and was smiling, as if she were listening, but the only thing she was listening to was her thoughts. 

  ‘Ugh, don’t you have better things to do, Pinky?” her thoughts kept focusing on when she’d get to go. She started going to far in thinking and ended up hurting her own feelings. ‘Yeesh, you’re so weak, no wonder no one likes you.’ Amy widened her eyes, realizing that everyone had their eyes on her.

  “Uhm, why is everybody staring at me?” Amy asked, not liking the sudden attention. 

  “We were asking if we could have dinner at your place?” Sticks said. 

   “OH. Uhh...o-of course! I’ll go home and start. What does everyone want?” 

    “CHILI DOGS.” Sonic yelled, kneeling down, begging Amy to make them.

    “Eh, I’m fine with whatever you make, Amy.” Sticks said. Amy smiled, not sure whether to take that as a compliment. Amy looked at Tails.

     “Cookies for dessert, Tails?” Amy asked, smirking.

     “You know me, Amy! You’re chocolate chip cookies are the best things that ever happened to me!” Amy felt tears coming, this was too much for her to take. She ran towards Tails and hugged him, and then hugged Sticks, and Sonic, lingering a bit during his turn. As she was about to turn to Knuckles, Rouge slammed the door open, and bent down to control her breathing. 

   “Eggman’s...*pant*...attacking...the *pant* village.” Sonic immediately got up, still a bit giddy from Amy’s unexpected sign of affection, and sped off. Rouge, flew by Amy as they all ran. “What’s up with Blue Boy today? He seemed a little excited, did you kiss him?” Rouge asked the petite pink girl.

   “OH NO, no, no, No, no, NO Rouge! I just gave him a hug.” Amy exclaimed while blushing. 

    “But you wish you could more, right?” Rouge said, nudging her elbow at Amy. Amy turned red, trying to hide the fact her heart was hammering. The team made it to the battle scene, finding Eggman in his Eggmobile waiting to introduce his newest robot. 

   “OH Ho, ho, ho, this robot is sure to get rid of that pesky blue rat!” Eggman laughed evilly, while the villagers just rolled their eyes and watched the fight.

   “You keep calling him a ‘pesky blue rat,’ just call him something else! Maybe...,” Lyra stared off into space for a few moments. “DEFORMED PINEAPPLE!” Amy was the only one that giggled. Sonic glared at her. Amy just smirked at him, and sent a blowing kiss. Sonic went giddy and red again.

   “Ok, let’s take this from the top. OHOHOHO, THIS ROBOT IS SURE TO GET RID OF YOU, YOU DEFORMED BLUE PINEAPPLE!” Eggman shifted to the side, to reveal a 20 foot tall robot, with lasers, missiles, and shooters on its arms, legs, and head. Everyone went straight for it, Sonic being in the lead. The missiles fired, but were quickly dodged. Then the lasers started firing, and that started to get tough. Along with the crabbots and beebots in the background, it was gonna put up a lot of effort. Knuckles and Tails got blasted away leaving Shadow, Rouge, Amy, Silver, Sonic, and Lyra left. Suddenly a missile was fired, and pushed Rouge aside before exploding. It didn’t cause too much damage to her, but she fell to the ground, caught by Knuckles. 

     “Come on Hedgie Squad, we can do this!” Lyra said, stabbing the beebots with her scythe.

     “Don’t call us that ever again.” Shadow muttered, running towards the back of the robot. That wasn’t a very smart idea, because there were lasers and missiles at the back too. Shadow got blasted, and that only enraged him. He ran faster, but got shot by a laser. He gave up, needing a break. Lyra gave up too, because she just felt lazy. She was cautious though, she didn’t feel like this would end well. Silver, Sonic, and Amy were left. Silver got annoyed with all the unnecessary scrap metal zooming around them and picked them up with his powers, and pushed them all together, and threw them to the side.

While he was doing that, he didn’t notice that Sonic was warning him to get out of the way, and Sonic pushed him, but they both got shot by the laser. 

   Eggman chuckles. “Looks like Sonic’s whiny little girlfriend is left. Well, that’ll be easy, since she’s so weak and pathetic anyways. I mean come on! The pink brat can easily be thrown off with a laser, or her hurt feelings.” Lyra and Rouge widened their eyes. That wasn’t a good idea...

Amy fell to her knees. She let out a loud sob. She recited every cruel thing that’s ever been told to her. ‘Weak and pathetic.’ ‘Pink brat.’ ‘Those people aren’t your friends, they just feel sorry for you.’ Everyone looked at Amy with surprise. They didn’t know that Amy was getting bullied. Amy stood up, feeling her heart burn with that same weird feeling she had earlier. She couldn’t identify what it was...

Until Sonic muttered. 

   “Rage.”

Amy’s eyes went dark, along with her quills, and her outfit changed, which surprised Sonic. He was the same when he was in his dark form, he never got a change of wardrobe. Amy however, did. Her dress turned into a dark red halter top, with a high-low skirt, with the back ending just a little below her knees. Her quills became longer, and a blackish aura tinted her vibe.

   “I’m sorry Dr. Eggman, what did you say?” Amy asked, floating towards the eggmobile.

    “Uh...I’m sorry?” Amy leaned back, and the aura only seemed to deepen.

    “YOU LIE! Pathetic old man!” Amy shot some of her negative energy at him, and he disappears into the sky. She summoned her hammer, and it evolved to about 10 feet, and she smashed the robot. It fell back, and then Amy pounded its head.

    “Amy?” Amy’s pupils came back, and she looked scared. She turned back to her normal form, and ran off crying. Lyra held Sonic from catching up to her.

    “Give her a few minutes, bro. Then go.”

-

Meanwhile, Amy was in her room sobbing, her thoughts keeping her up in a bubble. She didn’t know how it started, but wanted it to stop. She couldn’t help how she felt, but it only hurt her more. She heard a knock on the door, but ignored it. She heard the door open, and she dashed into her closet, and hid under the clothes. 

    “Ames, I know you’re in the closet, open up!” Sonic yelled from the other side.

    “And what if I were changing?” Amy asked, in quite a harsh tone. “I-I’m so sorry, Sonic. I-I don’t k-know what’s happening to me!” Amy let out a sob. 

    “Amy. Just open the door and talk to me. Please.” Amy thought that his tone was a bit strange. It almost sounded as if he were...begging her to open the door. She got up, and slowly opened the door. “Thank Chaos, I thought you’d never come out.” Sonic wrapped his arms around Amy, and sat on her bed with him. “Now, tell Doctor Sonic what’s wrong.” Amy put her head on his lap, and he stroked her quills.

    “Well, it started a few months ago. I was walking through the village, going to a local mall, and I heard some teens talking trash about m-me. You know how I am when that happens, right?” Sonic nodded. He knew what it was like under the wrath of Amy Rose. “I hit th-them with my hammer, and they literally started crying. Those weird feelings kept my brain occupied for some reason.”

    “Don’t worry, Amy. Just be ha-” Sonic was cut off by Amy’s growl.

    “Don’t tell me to be happy, Sonic the Hedgehog, don’t you think I already tried that?!” Amy sobbed. Sonic hated the fact that she was depressed. He would do anything to see her smile. He pulled her up, and hugged her. 

    “I want you to be happy, so what can I do?” Sonic pulled back just a little, to tuck a loose quill out of her face. 

    “Well, you can kiss me, take me out on a date, marry me, have about seven children, I don’t mind more. You can-” This time, Sonic was the one to cut off Amy. However, it wasn’t with a comment. It was with a kiss. Amy immediately kissed back. Sonic used tongue in this kiss, and that excited specific parts of Amy’s body.

    “Sorry Ames. Only one at a time, you’re only 16! Chaos.” Amy pouted. “Okay, two things.You are officially now my girlfriend.” Amy smiled, and squeezed the living daylights out of her new-found boyfriend. 

 Sonic wrapped Amy’s hair around in his finger. “I see your quills are still long from that, incident.” Amy giggled a little. 

    “I don’t think I want to cut it.” 

    “And I don’t mind that at all. But, next time, can’t you tell us what’s eating you.”

    “Why do I have to acknowledge that you’re eating me?” Amy joked. Yes, she intended the joke to sound a bit...dirty.

    “Oh my CHAOS, Amy! Way to get a man’s hormonal drive up to 130%!” Sonic said, putting his hand to his heart, acting all dramatic. 

    “Wow. How was it so easy to confess to me?” Amy asked, while smirking.

    “I never confessed! But here it is! I...I-I l-love...you...” Sonic barely said it all out. Kind of hard to explain feelings when you’re ego is the size of an Olympic Swimming Pool. His ego would probably die there, anyways.

    “IT’S ABOUT TIME, GOD, I THOUGHT AMY WOULD END UP WITH SOMEONE ELSE!” The couple turned around, to find the whole team standing at the door. Lyra was recording with a camcorder, a digital camera, and her phone. She even set up a tripod. Knuckles was the one who yelled, just wanted to let you know. Suddenly, Sonic felt warmth on his ear.

    “I love you too. Good job on recognizing your feelings for once.” Amy winked at him and left the room.

WOW WAS THIS LATE. Sorry for posting this a bit late. I started this on Wednesday, but somehow completed this Sunday night. It’s weird because I usually spend fifteen minutes writing a oneshot, but writing this was a bit difficult, because I’m not one to insult Amy Rose. I LOVE HER TOO MUCH SHE’S MY FAVORITE SONIC CHARACTER!!!!!!!!!! I’m very tired because my bed is so fricking hard. 

[peg-legz4]

peggy's klance fic rec :)

this is my first fic rec and i know its really sloppy but one of my friends said she wanted it do I an forced to post it after procrastinating finishing it for a month. enjoy!

Best Friends to Lovers

Hearts Don't Break Around Here - klancekorner

AHHHHH okay okay okay this is the first klance fic i ever read and it set the bar soooo high. basically keith and lance have been bestfriends since foreverrr and it jumps between flashbacks and present day where keith is realizing hes just been In love with lance for like the whole time they've known each other and lance calls him snickers and its s l o w b u r n bc they're both oblivious idiots but theyre also pining and aghhghhh AND THE WAY THEY START TO REALIZE THEIR OWN FEEELINGS IS! IM- it's super cute pls read!!!

with love - allinadayswork - 8,888  AHHHGGGGGGGs high school au! this is so cute they're both so smitten basically they're best friends but lance is also keiths secret admirer and ahhhhh!!!!!! so cute pls read i beg of you + valentines day and overprotective shiro!!!!

 Your Smile Makes Me Awkward - Lancelee (ashleeforreal) - 8,791

another best friends to lovers (hehe) lance gets his braces taken off and keith is in a gay panic because lance looks hot and he doesnt know what to do and theres miscommunication but its all good in the end this was so cute

One Heart Missing - starlightment - 24021 HSWOQSJKNQJNIU BEST FRIENDS TO LOVERS AU IM A SUCKER FOR THESEEE they’re in college and keith finds out he loves lance nd then they have a fwb thing going on and ppor keith but also poor lance for reasons i can’t disclose anD THE REOCCURRING THEME WITH THE ICE SKATING ITS SO CUTE AND DEHQIJOjqsk please just read it oh my god 

Soulmate AU

between two points - Alltheroads - 20,589 red string of fate au!!!!!!! keith is one of the few people in the world who can actually see the strings though, and lance seems not to have a string, just like keith. its them falling for eachother and keith teaching him how to repair a motorcycle and 50′s themed diners its amazingggg

Tell Me It’s My Name Written In Your Skin - Ivnars - 15,636 soulmate au where the name of your soulmate appears on your wrist once you fall in love with them (i think?) and lance thinks his is unrequited and of course he also has a martyr complex and is willing to die for the team and almost does and then omgomg i just its so great pls read

Bend It Like Soulmates - Reader115 - 23,998 HHHHHHHHhh SOCCER SOULMAtE AU AND THEYRE SO GOOD TOGETHER AND OMGOMGOMG SO MUCH PINING AND TENSION AND IT SJUST SO HAPPY AND AMAZING  IT HAS THEM BEING THE FAMOUS SOCCER SOULMATE COUPLE PLEASE READ READ READ YOU DONT EVEN HAVE TO KNOW ANYTHING ABOUT SOCCER

there, nestled against his pulse - hiuthyn SHAOAMALAL ITS A SOULMATE AU I LOVE THESE HJDJSJSJSS AND ITS CANONVERSE (im pretty sure this was a one shot first and then I came back and it was a multi chapter fic and I read and it was like 1000× more amazing ajsjska) this was one of the very first klance fics i read and it’s definitely the first one that made me like gasp and scram cause oh my god,. okay basically the first and last words your soulmate says show up on your wrists and keith hides his wrists because he thinks he k words his soulmate and there’s miscommunication aND KEITH’S BACKSTORY AND IT GIVES LANCE SO MUCH DEPTH??????? and it has a really happy ending and its slowburn and angsty and pining and i’m a sucker for all those things which made this amazing!!!!!!!

College AU

i just wanna be (with you) - aknightley - 8,020 COLLEGE ROOMMATES AU LETS GOOOOOOOO there’s a lot of tension and pining and they give eachother gifts all the time i’m sOFT pls pls pls read

reasons why keith is the worst - MellodramaticLawliet - 5517 lance and keith are roommates and to cope with his hate for keith, he starts a list of why he hates keith and it just turns into a journal abt keith and lance is so oblivious and there’s also fencing tournaments which is cool hadjalkj read ittt

You Should Date Me - petalloso ahhhh lance and Keith are both freshman in college and they have little adventures and it's just super cute and fluffy ajskkasna

Canonverse

The Art of Secret Telling - jilliancares - 4,880 so to form another coalition, voltron has to form another coalition and lance has, 1, never kissed anybody and 2, has a crush on keith hehehe

a culmination of things - viscrael ahhh it's super cute and short and basically jumps around in time and they're just in looovee

instincts - godsensei lance n keith are getting their groove on when red mistakes Keith's pleasure for distress and comes crashing through the wall ajsksksmsna

i can’t help but want - aknightley  lance and Keith's lions get stranded on different islands but their comms get through so they're just talking and bonding and falling in love while they get their lions fixed akssjal so cute pls read!!!!

never saw you coming - dimpleforyourthoughts HOLY HELL OG MY FREAKINGNS JUEUSS I LOVE THIS FIC SO MUCH IVE READ IT LIKE 20 TIMES AND EACH TIME IM BLOWN AWAY BY HOW BEAUTIFULL ITS WRITTEND AKAK its canonverse and goes in depth with my boys and lance has a martyr complex and keitHS BACKSTORY AND LE PETIT PRINCE AND THEY WOULD DIE FOR EACHOTHER AND ALMOST DO AND IT MADE ME CRY AND GINGER THE TABBY CAT PLEASE READ OH MY GOD ITS SLOWBURN AND THEYRE BOTH S O SMITTEN AHHHH

Terminal Velocity - speaks tHE ANGSTTTTT. i'm like, a whore for angst. but basically. voltron gets captured by these alien empaths and this guy feeds off of other people's pain(???) and so he tortures lance and makes keith watch and oh my. this is so good I felt so many emotions pls read.

Keith McClain - orphan_account 🥺🥺 keith sees visions of him and lance in the future on the space whale and its v soft

In English, Please  - orphan_account this is a fic I'll always remember omg so lance flirts with Keith in spanish but pretends they're insults and he thinks Keith wont find out (he does)

how not to be a cat: 101 - jilliancares- 8,113 kEITH KEEPS  accidENTALLY TURNINg INTo A CAT aND THEN ENDS UP CUDDLING WITH LANCE I”M SOFTTT THIS FIC BROKE ME WITH ITS CUTENESS HAHIUSJK 

 moderation - Katranga - 21, 613 HSJHKJAJOIHQQ keith gets bitten by a love bug and sees lance first and then allura gets bitten and sees hunk so he just tries to act how allura acts so it doesnt give away his actual crush on lance hsjksskjs

Public Displays of Affection by hattricks lance n Keith are undercover on a mission and they see guards and they hide by making out ajkaka

the waiting game - they frick frack a lot but basically Keith and lance make eachother wait through a week without sex and only teasing sksjakak

To Bite, Or Not To Bite - jilliancares - 11,433 lance gets bitten by a vampire!!!! and he turns into one!!!! need i say more? and the way it like happens AND THEN THE WAY HIM AND KEITH DECIDE TO OMG IM THIS IS GRESR

feelings on fire i guess i'm a bad liar - melancholymango - 22679 a witch curses lance and now he can’t lie to Keith or anything having to do with Keith and its really funny i cackled sjhkah

The Loverboy Trials - PM_Writes - 20,838 THSIEIHWHIJIHJI I LOVED THIS ONE AHHHHHHH.basicaly the aliens think keith is their god of fertility and stuff so they’re like oh we need to do a ritual thing where people fight for his virginity and voltron is like oh fuck no so then lance has to compete to save keith i can’t get over it it’s- i’m softttt

Sorry, Who Are You? - sjskakaja lance and keith were childhood best friends but keith is bad with faces so when they meet at the garrison lance is really salty and keiths backstoey and the way he find out i'm- its great trust me pls

it might not be that bad - Katranga - 16,416 omg i adore this fic okay so. basically. keith doesnt know the difference between jealously and attraction because of him clinging to the closet in middle school and now hes trying to find out why his and Lance's definitions of jealousy differ and Keith's bad at feelings please readd

Everything Else

read all about it - starlightment AHAKAKAL HIGH SCHOOL AU!!!! i just read this one and it’s great!!!1 Lance is on the newspaper and writes and articles professing his love for Keith, the star quarterback that everyones in love with. it's such a good read and oh my goshh this made me throw my phone and squeal out of freaking excitement i love it so much 🥺 idk how but this made me feel as if i was living out senior year through this fic??? it was just that amazing

it's you that's haunting me - perfchan 

suuuper cute youtuber au where Keith hunts gosts and enlists lance as his cameraman. (includes a haunted mansion ballroom dance scene) and its just great oml oml i love it so so much!!! there’s also like 4 sequels so that makes it even better!!!1

Dirty Laundry - 

this is a staple and if you havent read it you're either new to the fandom or living under a rock but its a fake dating au where keith spends winter break with Lance's family and they bondddd and its great!!!! 

alright i just realized the author took it down so uhhhh

adaigo by shipstiel

lance moves in next to keith and Keith likes to play piano at the ungodly hours of the might where lance is just trying to sleep. this ones so cute!!!!!!

eyes to you wide with wonder - aknightley

an office au where Keith is shiro's secretary and lance always comes up to his desk to annoy him and they mask their affection under playful banter and lance also ends up being Keith's knight in shining armor ajskssnns it's so great!!!!

okay i know that you are not my type (still i fall) - quidhitch

ajoasbak nyma cuffs lance to a bed during a party and then leaves but then the bed turns out to be none other than....Keith's bed!! so they like talk while Lance is only in boxers and cuffed to Keith's bed

you never stood a chance - kagshina

it's a snapchat fic!!!!!!! lance accidentally snaps keith a shirtless pic and then Keith snaps back and it's just 😳😳 the whole time it's great omg

Cold Hearts Looking for Love - swang_is_trying typical enemies to lovers where lance is the son of a rich businessman and visits the orphanage that Keith hangs around to visit Pidge??? but its fricking jam packed with them thirsting over each other sshsksksm (i must warn you, its incomplete)

Of Don Juan And Elvis - shipstiel 

Keith is a starbucks barista and lance always comes in and orders with really weird names ehehe

And Now Presenting: Rielle and the Forbidden Meringue

tsbkakaK this ones so cute keith is a galra guard and hes guarding a garden (ooh alliteration) and climbs a tree and then falls into lance's arms (who's an altean guard) and its really cute sjkssahajaj

how to not keep a diary, or, lance’s terrible, horrible, no good, very bad semester - glitterfreezing sjskasla they're sophmores in college and roommates pidge forces lance to keep a diary and he just ends up ranting about keith but he’ oblivious to his won feelings heheh

Lance and the Search For Keith's Boyfriend - haikquu - 9497

lance is jealous bc everyone keeps talking abt keith’s boyfriends but he doesnt know who he is (it’s him)

bus buddies - WhatTheBodyGraspsNot - 8033

lance notices Keith doesnt have a bus buddy on a 3-day-trip to save the bees so he goes and sits with him and it's so cuteeeee

got got got it bad -  kairiolette - 10,377 so keith is bad at feelings so he asks what its like to have a crush on someone and then basically tells lance that he has a crush on him and lance just casually brings it up

Only Fools Rush In (but I Can't Help Falling in Love with You) - Fangirl_on_fire_ - 13,524

OMGOMGOMG LANCE IS A MAFIA .BOSS AND IT STARTS OFF WITH A ONE NIGHT STAND AND THEN THEY AHAAKSJSKSM ITS GREAT PLS READ

The Bitter And The Sweetness - The_Real_Karaage - 66337

its a klance youtuber au!!!!!! I love these!!!!! okay so keith makes like conspiracy theory videos and knife throwing ones and lance does like vlogs or storytimes with pidge and they also do dance and then they meet irl but lance doesn't know keith is the YouTube guy cause he hides his identity and omgomggg also Keith is from Texas so he acts like a stereotypical emo cowboy and as a Texan I find it extremely funny

nobody puts baby in a corner - orphan_account - 3,950

 its like the 23rd century and aliens are on earth and keith is a royal galra and lance goes clubbing and and they meet and dance and wOOHOO 

okay thats all for now but i'm probably gonna make a part 2 cause i have a whole bunch saved to my notes app lmao have fun reading y'all

[emeraldwaves]

Title: Noblesse Oblige Chapter 2 Written with @supereveylg Pairing:  Kacchako, Kirimina, Dekulissa, Kamijirou, Todomomo Rating: E (this ch has nsfw) Word Count: 7,731 Read on Ao3 Summary:  

For Bakugou Katsuki, being the best knight in Noblesse Oblige was all he ever wanted. An elite group of knights, those in Noblesse Oblige are tasked with keeping the higher tiers of the city safe by exploring and purifying the Dark Woods, a poisonous forest which plagues the underbelly of the city. However, Bakugou isn’t interested in purifying the Dark Woods. Despite everyone telling him he needs a witch partner, he has no need for one, especially when partnering means locking and regulating a witch’s magic. Witches and knights are meant to work together to destroy monsters and purify pools deep in the woods, but Bakugou can defeat monsters just fine on his own.

Uraraka Ochako is a witch who has been hiding among the creatures of the city for years. Enjoying the experience of living outside of the Dark Woods, she’s avoided being caught and having her magic locked. But her life will change completely when she attends the mayor’s grand gala party and she has a fateful encounter with an explosive blond.

Thank you to @supereveylg for this AMAZING art, we’re so excited for this collab! And thank to @amaisenshi for reading this over!

The chatter of the party was far too loud for Bakugou's liking. Even standing off to the side, he was tired of all the idiotic people. He really wished Kirishima had let him have his damn cigarette, because right now he wanted one so bad.

Wrapping his finger around his tie, he pulled it looser. The stupid thing was going to choke him and it only added to his discomfort. He held a drink in his other hand, swirling it around as he stared at the crowd, trying to drown out the massive amount of noise. So far, he had done a good job of avoiding talking to anyone, and he knew his luck was about to run out.

"Kacchan!"

He could've broken the damn glass in his hand when he heard that voice.

"Deku," he growled, not turning to look at the stupid green fairy boy.

"I'm glad to see you're okay. Melissa told me she saw you come in and I was-"

"Why the hell wouldn't I be okay?" he snapped, gripping his drink even tighter.

"Well you turned off the communicator-"

"Cause you were trying to tell me what to do!" Bakugou snapped.

Deku frowned. "That's my job, Kacchan," he said, sighing. "You know what will happen if you stay in the forest too long without a witch-"

"I don't... need a fuckin' witch," he hissed. "When are you dipshits going to get that through your heads?!"

"So Kirishima brought it up with you again too?" Deku asked, a small smile appearing on his face. "I don't know why you're fighting it so much. You'd be so much more productive-"

"Shut it Deku!" he growled, his red eyes glaring at the fairy.

"Okay, okay..." he sighed. "But, why are you standing over here by yourself?" he asked, fluttering his translucent wings back and forth.

So Deku wasn't going to leave him alone... "Why the hell do you think, shitty nerd?" he growled, taking a gulp of his drink. Deku even looked like a nerd, his green suit and bow tie were darker than his hair, but the fact he even tried to match made Bakugou want to cringe.

"Because you're doing that thing where you're antisocial at a big social event," Deku hummed happily.

"Aren't you fuckin' smart?" he said, tilting the glass up to his lips once more.

"You could ask someone to dance?" Deku suggesed, his shitty fuckin' smile on his face.

"Yeah right," Bakugou snorted. If anything, he was going to get more drinks. The black suit felt hot against his skin and he wished he could get the damn thing off. Deku was an idiot, and Bakugou wanted the green-haired nuisance to leave him the fuck alone. "Where's your girlfriend?! Go bug her."

Deku gasped, his freckled cheeks turning a bright shade of red. "G-Girlfriend!?" he gasped. "K-Kacchan! Melissa and I... we're not... I-I mean... we're not... really..."

"Midoriya? Bakugou? Why are you two standing in the corner all alone?"

"A-Ah! M-M-Melissa!" Deku stammered, jumping when the blonde girl walked up. Her royal blue strapless dress was slimming, brushing against the floor. Her silver heels peeked out from underneath the bottom of the dress and it matched the small glittering clutch she held in her hands. Her hair was tied up in a long ponytail and she had small, silver clips sporadically decorating her blonde locks. She wasn't wearing her glasses either, and the dress pushed up her breasts a bit. Honestly, Melissa was attractive; Bakugou could see it, if it wasn't for her shitty personality. Her and Deku could be fuckin' nerds together.

"Evening," she smiled, her wings fluttering as she nodded her head to the two.

"Hi! Wow..." Deku breathed, his cheeks still bright red. "You look... really nice."

She giggled, her voice soft and barely audible above the raucous crowd. "Thank you, you both look nice. I'm surprised Bakugou cleans up so nicely."

"Oi!" he growled. "'Course I do!"

"Yes, of course," she smirked. "Have you seen anyone else?"

"Ah, Todoroki was talking with his father last I saw," Deku muttered, glancing at the crowd. "I dunno if he's still over there. I'm sure it can't be easy for him. His father is the host and he loves showing off that his son is the top Knight in Noblesse Oblige.

"Oi..." Bakugou growled.

"I don't know why you're getting angry." A new voice cut in through the crowd, red heels clacking against the ground. "You're the one who refuses to get a witch. You would maybe be better than Todoroki if you weren't so stubborn, Bakugou." Yaoyorozu stood next to Melissa, flipping her long dark hair over her neck, for once, she wearing her hair down. Her floor-length red dress sparkled against the dim lighting of the ballroom and it hugged her curvy hips. It was a long sleeved dress, covering up her rune-covered black arms. The girl most likely didn't want people staring at her.

"Evening, Yaoyorozu!" Melissa smiled. "I'm surprised you're not with Todoroki."

Immediately, she turned her dark eyes away. "T-Todoroki and I were dancing, but... his father pulled him away. I don't think he was pleased we were dancing together."

"Really?" Deku asked, tilting his head. "You two have always been a close duo though!"

"...He said it didn't look good for us to dance together, since witches and knights aren’t supposed to have... 'relations'," she explained. "And Todoroki replied something vulgar about how dancing wasn't the same as... well... you know," Yaoyorozu said.

"Fucking?" Bakugou added.

"..." Yaoyorozu looked down, her bangs sweeping in front of her face. "S-Something like that..."

Bakugou clicked his tongue. "His father is an idiot."

"Kacchan, that's the mayor!" Deku hissed, waving his hand in front of his face.

"I don't give a fuck."

"He's technically our boss," Yaoyorozu sighed.

"Don't act like you like the guy, Ponytail," Bakugou snorted, pointing his finger at her face.

"Bakugou! P-Please!" she stammered, tucking her hair behind her ear. "I don't have any ill-will towards the mayor and I-"

"I said no!" A new voice joined in, cutting Yaoyorozu off as Jirou Kyouka stepped over to their group. Her short purple dress had a fluffy skirt and unlike Yaoyorozu, it was sleeveless. The purple-haired girl had no qualms about showing off her rune-covered dark arms.

"Jirou! It's just one dance," Kaminari stumbled towards them, his black suit and yellow tie making him look like a foolish bumblebee.

She turned to glare at him. "You're the last person I want to dance with."

Kaminari balked, his body deflating with the sigh he let out of his mouth. "Okay, fair... I just thought... since Todoroki and Yaoyorozu were-"

"I don't care what they do. I don't want anything to do with you," she hissed.

"Okay... also fair..."

Kaminari let out another sigh, his cheeks flushed. He glanced away from them, not wanting them to see.

Unlike Yaoyorozu and many of the other witches who often resigned themselves to helping Noblesse Oblige once they were caught, Jirou Kyouka spent most of her time frustrated and angry at her knight, Kaminari Denki. He wasn't particularly bad to her, in fact he often let her use her magic as she pleased and he kept trying to win her over.

However, he usually did it in an idiotic way, which usually resulted in Jirou growing annoyed and wanting nothing to do with him.

"Kyouka!" Yaoyorozu said softly. "You don't have to be so mean to Kaminari, I really think he just wants to dance, nothing else."

Jirou rolled her eyes. "Momo, just because you and Todoroki are a dream team doesn't mean we all are. Look at Bakugou, he doesn't even have a witch," she said. A smirk pulled across her lips, obviously rather proud of herself for diverting the subject.

"Shut it," Bakugou hissed. "I don't need a goddamn witch. I don't need to be like this idiot," he said, gesturing to Kaminari.

"H-Hey! I'm trying, really I am!" he said, glancing towards Jirou. She turned her eyes away from him, keeping her arms folded across her chest.

Bakugou clicked his tongue. He couldn't deal with these damn extras. "I'm done here," he grumbled, making his way towards the bar which sat at the edge of the room. Behind him, he heard Deku call after him, but he didn't even look back. He could only talk to them for so long.

He leaned against the bar, ordering a new drink; gin and tonic. He wasn't looking to get drunk, but a little buzz to ignore the idiots didn't seem so bad. As much as he didn't want to be here, he could appreciate some free alcohol; better than giving all his money to Kirishima for the evening.

Glancing around the ornate ballroom, he silently observed. As Yaoyorozu had mentioned, shitty Half and Half was over by the stage, talking to his father, the mayor, looking disgruntled. Hah. At least he wasn't the only miserable one here.

There was a long table of food on the other side of the hall and standing by it was a petite girl, her eyes excitedly peering at all there was to offer. She had a long pink dress which hugged her hips and flowed out around her legs. She looked far too happy to be standing in front of a table of food. Bakugou clicked his tongue. She was probably some mid-tier peasant who somehow got into the party. Her face was cheerful looking which gave her away.

Flicking his gaze to the side, he noted Deku had decided to dance with his shitty 'not girlfriend' Melissa, while Yaoyorozu and Jirou stood close to the wall, talking to each other. Kaminari was nowhere to be found which could only mean...

"Yo! I'll have what he's having," Kaminari smirked, leaning over the edge of the bar. He chuckled, grabbing the small glass as he stood far too close for Bakugou's liking.

"You know," Kaminari said, sighing after taking a sip of his drink. "There are a lot of pretty girls here tonight."

"Shut it, Sparky," Bakugou snorted. He didn't give a shit about that, though his eyes fell back to the table. The brown haired girl was still over there. Her hand was plastered against her cheek, her lips pulled into a wide smile. Obviously she had tried something delicious. At least someone had found something redeeming about this party.

"Hm..." Kaminari hummed, leaning over Bakugou's shoulder, following the direction of his gaze. "Cutie by the table. I see, I see. You gonna go for it, man?"

Bakugou pushed at his face. "No."

Blinking, Kaminari took a long swig of his drink and slammed the glass down on the table, letting out a sigh. "I'm going for it."

"What?" Bakugou hissed.

"W-What?! You said no!" Kaminari gasped, waving his hands up and down.

"Whatever," Bakugou snorted. He glanced back towards the table, watching as she picked up some sort of chocolate covered fruit on a stick. He didn't care. He wasn't going to go out of his way to talk to anyone at this damn party.

"Cool, okay," Kaminari grinned, making his way towards the table.

However, as much as Bakugou didn't care, he couldn't help but watch. Kaminari held up a piece of fruit, smiling at her. She laughed and the two of them each ate some it. She wrapped her lips around the piece and pulled it off with a pop, laughing with the blond idiot.

She seemed entertained by the conversation, especially when he noticed her gesture wildly to the various food items littered across the table.

Kaminari moved to stand next to her and slipped his arm around her waist. The brown haired girl opened her eyes wide, looking shocked at the move. She didn't look as happy now, more uncomfortable and nervous.

What she didn't know was she could just punch Kaminari and he would disappear easily. She laughed again and placed her hand on his shoulder.

Admittedly, she was... cute. Different than some of the other girls Bakugou had shared an occasional evening with. He really wasn't looking to find some girl to spend his night with, not when he was so damn tired, but he also didn't want to subject this one to Kaminari all evening.

With a sigh, he slammed his glass down against the bar and made his way over, grabbing Kaminari by the collar of his blazer. With a grunt, Kaminari stumbled backwards, the girl looking at Bakugou in awe.

Her round, brown eyes twinkled under the gentle lighting of the ballroom and the bodice of her dress had a slight shimmer to it. She blinked, clearly surprised by the interruption.

"Oi, Idiot. What the hell do you think you're doing?" Bakugou's grip on Kaminari's jacket was tight.

"B-Bakugou!" The other boy flailed for a moment. "I-I was just chatting with Uraraka-"

"Chatting my ass. Your hands were all over her," he snapped.

"It's fine, I think he was just being friendly-" The girl, Uraraka said.

"Don't defend him," Bakugou growled.

"E-Eh!? Bakugou..." Kaminari whimpered and twisted his lips. "I thought you said-"

"Changed my mind," he muttered. He hadn't; but for some reason he really didn't want her to feel uncomfortable.

"Ugh. Fine," Kaminari sighed, rubbing at the back of his neck. His fingers fanned out across his rune marking. "I should... probably find Jirou anyway."

Bakugou didn't want to tell him that was probably a terrible idea.

"It was nice to meet you, Uraraka," Kaminari said, bowing his head as he stepped away. "Good luck with Bakugou."

"Huh?" Uraraka blinked, her eyes watching as Kaminari trotted away. She turned to face Bakugou, twisting her lips. "You know I didn't exactly need rescuing."

"Tch. Excuse me then, idiot."

Her eyes widened again. "I just meant... I could've handled it. He didn't seem dangerous or anything."

"He's not," Bakugou grumbled, folding his arms over his chest. "You can go back to your food now."

Her lips curled into a pout momentarily, but she reached forward, pulling out a few chocolate covered strawberries, all skewered on a small stick. "Have you tried these yet? I think it's the best chocolate I've ever tasted!"

Bakugou glanced at the dessert she was offering him. He wasn't particularly in the mood to eat anything, and he stared at her as she bounced it up and down once with her hand. "Go on!" she said, "It's my thank you, since you 'rescued' me," she teased.

"You're thanking me with food the party provided?"

Uraraka shoved the food into her mouth, pulling the stick out. "You don't have to be a jerk about it."

"Whatever. I'm getting another drink," he said, making his way back over to the bar.

"H-Hang on!" Uraraka said, calling after him. He was now starting to think it was somewhat of a regret he hadn't just let her suffer with Kaminari.

"What?" he snapped, placing his glass against the bar. "Another," he said, turning to the bartender.

"I'll have one too," Uraraka said, holding her finger up. "Why did you come over to 'save me' if you knew he wasn't dangerous?"

"Because that idiot wouldn't have left you alone," Bakugou shrugged. Really he'd done her a favor, whether she understood or not.

"Well, what if I didn't want him to leave me alone?" she asked softly.

"Then go find him again, see if I care!" Bakugou snapped, feeling oddly angry about it.

"Nah," she shrugged. "It's more fun to talk to you, grumpy pants."

Oh this woman was a devil.

He growled, clenching his hand around his drink.

She sipped casually on her own drink, looking out over the crowd. Who the hell was she? Uraraka wasn't a name he had heard. Obviously she was someone from one of the lower tiers, but how the hell had she gotten into this party?

He didn't care. Not at all.

"So why are you here if you obviously don't want to be?" she asked, raising her eyebrow at him.

"I have to be here," he stated flatly, purposefully choosing not to elaborate.

She stared at him expectantly, as if she was waiting for more. No other information would come however; this stranger didn't need to know any of his business.

Sighing, she placed the empty glass down on the table.

"Are you going to ask me to dance or what?" Her brown eyes were wide, staring at him with an eager gaze. Her cheeks were flushed and Bakugou couldn't decipher if they were normally like that or if the alcohol was going to her head.

"The fuck you talkin' about, Cheeks?" he asked, taking another drink.

"Dance with me," she said, holding her hand out.

"Forget it. I didn't come here to do that shit," he grunted, wrapping his lips around the edge of his cup.

"So what... you 'save' me from some other guy only to stand by the bar and drink for the rest of the night?" she frowned, her brow furrowing.

"Tch," he scoffed. He really wished he had that cigarette now.

"Hmph..." She clicked her tongue, narrowing her eyes at him. "Hm. I get it now." She leaned in towards him, a smirk pulled across her face. "You're scared."

Bakugou's eye twitched. He wasn't fuckin' scared of anything. He glanced her way, his red eyes burning with frustration. She was challenging him; her brown eyes squinting at him playfully.

"Hah!" she said, pointing in his direction. "I figured it out-"

With a roll of his eyes, he reached his hand over, wrapping his fingers around hers. Grabbing her hand, he yanked her forward out onto the dance floor. He placed his hand on the small of her back and he could feel how warm her skin was. Up close, her cheeks were even more red, her eyes staring at him in surprise. "Let me clear some shit up for you, Uraraka," he hissed, leaning towards her ear. "I'm not scared of a damn thing."

"Good," she said, sliding her hand up to his shoulder. "I'm not either, Bakugou." From how lidded her eyes were, Bakugou could tell she was serious.

He clutched her hand, pressing his other on her back to pull her close as he began to lead her. Though dancing hadn't been a skill he cared much for learning, his mother had forced to him as a young boy. He moved them in line with the others, twirling her away from him, only to pull her back a moment later.

Her hips swayed against his, and she closed her eyes, humming softly with the music. She smelled nice, like fresh flowers; a scent Bakugou hadn't come across in awhile. The flowers in the Dark Woods were different; toxic and wilting away. This woman, Uraraka, smelled as if she came from a flower of legend, bright petals catching the rays of the sun with each breath she took.

He had been right to save her from Kaminari. She didn't need to deal with someone like him.

As much as he hadn't come to this party looking to find any sort of company, he found himself impressed. He respected her forwardness and ability to take what she wanted. He often did the same, and soon, he was going to do the same with her.

She moved close to him, her brown eyes opening to meet his red ones. "You're shockingly good at this," she murmured, gently tapping her fingers against his shoulders.

"Hah!?" he yelled, a few of the others looking his way. "What the hell is that supposed to mean, Cheeks?!"

"I don't know," she shrugged, her eyes twinkling playfully. "I never thought someone as brash as you would be such a good dancer."

He growled and squeezed her hand harder, swinging him around her body as he dipped her down. He slid his hand up her back, the ribbons from the back of her dress brushing over his knuckles. "I'm good at everything," he grinned.

"You're especially talented at being humble," she giggled.

"I'm always fuckin' humble," he muttered, pulling her back up.

"I can see that," she said, her heels clacking against the ground as they continued to sway with the music.

He was starting to feel the alcohol buzz through his system, his face heated. This girl... she was cute, and fiery. She intrigued him, the pull of her large brown eyes too much for his slightly intoxicated mind.

"I need some air," he smirked, and pulled her hand towards the balcony.

The party filled most of the ballroom and at the end of one side, there were two doors which opened onto a large balcony. It overlooked the mayor's garden down below. There were stairs which led down to the garden, if patrons cared to take a look, but most of them didn't want to get their shoes dirty, enjoying their alcohol and asinine conversations.

"B-Bakguou?" Uraraka squeaked behind him, following him outside. She stopped behind him, and he felt a tug on his hand as he turned around to look at her. Her neck was craned upwards, looking towards the sky. "You... can actually see the stars out here," she breathed. A small cleansing jellyfish floated by her head, and she watched it, giggling as it did. "There must be a lot of these around here... to see the stars so clearly."

"If you keep saying shit like that, you'll give yourself away," he muttered, leading her over to the rail.

"E-Eh!?" she gasped, her hand pressing to her chest quickly, panic fluttering across her brown eyes. "W-What do you mean!?" Her teeth pressed against her pink lips, and Bakugou decided he was going to kiss this girl tonight.

Maybe do more than that.

"That you don't live on this tier," he snorted, leaning against the railing. He reached for her hand and pulled her close, pressing her flush against his body, his hand wrapped around her waist.

"Oh," she whispered, staring up at him. "Not everyone here lives on this tier."

"No. I don't," he said. "But you don't see me talking about the goddamn jellies."

"They're cute," she pouted, leaning her arm on the railing with a sigh. She peered over the edge, her eyes widening. "The mayor has a garden!? An actual garden!?" she gasped, wrapping her fingers around the edge of the railing. "I can't believe how beautiful it looks," her eyes scanned the flora below, as if she was taking in each and every flower, bush, or hedge she saw. She turned to Bakugou eagerly. "We have to get a closer look!"

Bakugou didn't particularly care about walking through the gardens, but getting further away from people, especially when he was feeling a decent enough buzz, sounded perfect. "Fine. I don't wanna be around these extras anyway."

"Extras?" she giggled. "Wow, you really don't like people very much."

"They all suck," he snarled. "I don't give a shit about any of them."

"Not even your friend who you saved me from?" she asked, raising her eyebrow.

"Especially not him," he growled, wrapping his hand around hers as he tugged her to the staircase at the edge of the balcony.

She laughed, following him down the steps as she walked onto the gravel. "Wow..." she breathed. She shut her eyes, and pulled in a long, deep breath. "The air is so fresh here. So clean..." She pulled away from him, leaning down to look at a few flowers. Her pink skirt gently blew in the wind as she tucked her hair behind her ear, the rose clip in her hair twinkling against the night sky. "This is amazing!" she giggled.

Quite frankly, Bakugou didn't think there was anything great about a few flowers, but he liked being away from all the people.

Uraraka was... strange, but he couldn't pinpoint why.

"Oi, Cheeks," he muttered, tucking his hands into his pockets while he stood next to her. He couldn't take his eyes off her; it was oddly endearing how cute she looked, completely dazzled by the plants. "You really haven't seen shit like this."

She stood up and tucked her hair behind her ear, shaking her head back and forth. "No... that's not it," she explained. "The plant life in the mid tier is very different." She paused, staring at the plants while her skirt flowed around her legs. "It's just been a very long time."

A look of nostalgia crossed her eyes, and he wondered when the last time she'd actually seen something like this was. He glanced at the clip in her hair and nodded his head towards the middle of the garden. "C'mon, this way."

"Hm?" She blinked, rising up as she followed him deeper into the garden. Next to a tall statue of some founder of the tiered city sat a rose bush, covered in red and pink petaled flowers, matching the one in her hair. She gasped. "Roses!" Rushing to the bush, she reached forward and brushed her fingertips against the petals, smiling wide. "They're my favorite! How did know?"

He rolled his eye. "Your clip, idiot."

"O-Oh!" she muttered, covering her mouth. "I-I completely forgot about that..." She began to giggle. "I wish I could take one but... it wouldn't last and... I don't think I would want to watch it die."

She looked sad as she spoke, her voice growling quieter and quieter. That look truly didn't suit her face. With a sigh, he reached forward and touched at the clip in her hair. "Just enjoy them for now then," he snorted. "It's not like you'll forget anytime soon."

Her cheeks flushed and against the lighting of the moon, her face looked even rounder, illuminated in the dark. "I-I guess you're right," she said, her breath catching in her throat.

Fuck. She was so cute; so damn cute. He could no longer tell if it was the alcohol buzzing through his system or if it had just been too long since he'd known the company of a woman, but he wanted her, and he wasn't going to stop himself.

Leaning down, he held his lips inches above hers. "I'm always right."

He pressed their lips together, kissing her hard as he snaked his arm around her waist pulling her close to him. Her lips were warm, and she kissed him back eagerly, her tongue swiping across his lower lip.

Oh.

Oh, this was going to be very fun.

Swinging her around, he pressed her up against the statue. He gripped her hips with his hands, slipping his tongue inside her mouth. She moaned, adjusting to the new position, her back arching off of the statue.

When he pulled back to breathe, he couldn't help but enjoy the sight in front of him. Her round, rosy cheeks were flushed even more, her chest heaved gently with her deep breaths. The warmness of them tickled his lips and it made his stomach churn. "Wow..." she breathed. Her round, brown eyes met his gaze, but he quickly pulled himself away, not wanting to be drawn in by her gaze.

He dipped his head down to her jaw and peppered kisses over her skin. Kissing down her neck, he paused just above where the edge of her dress sat, he pulled some of her flesh into his mouth, a small red mark appearing on her skin. "Ngh... B-Bakugou..." she moaned, the noise echoing through the small garden area.

"Oi," he growled, running his tongue over the red spot. "Be quiet, Cheeks. The balcony is right there. You wouldn't want to get caught would you?"

She gasped, rolling her head back against the statue, nodding quickly, agreeing with his statement. He smirked, happy she was willing to continue. There was a challenge, in both getting her to make noise and keep her quiet and he wondered how she would fare.

He slid his hand up her back, his fingers dancing around the ribbons which draped down from the back of her neck. He tugged on one, pulling it loose so the neck of the dress dropped. Now he could really leave a nice mark. He kissed down her neck, sucking gently on the skin, scraping his teeth over the wet, sensitive spot. He wished he could've ripped the dress off and wrapped his lips around her nipples and groped at her chest, but the sleeves prevented him from doing so.

Instead, he moved his hand under the skirt of her dress, stroking up her bare thighs. "Spread your legs for me," he demanded, kissing up her jaw. He sucked on her lip, letting it go with a small pop.

Her breath was hot, her cheeks even more flushed and a shiver rolled down her spine, she was moaning softly, gentle squeaks slipping between her lips, especially when his hands stroked over her thick thighs. It was just his luck, he smirked, to find a girl kinky enough to let him do this to her in the public garden.

Kneeling down, he watched her spread her legs and she gripped at the bottom of her dress, bunching it as she pulled the front of it up to her hips. Her panties were a little wet, Bakugou could see a soft stain there, and he smirked harder. "I really got you this excited, Cheeks?"

"S-Shut up!" she blushed, her cheeks puffing out. "Y-You were kissing my neck. It's a sensitive spot."

"Bet this is sensitive too," he chuckled deeply, brushing his thumb over her panties and he watched her knees tremble. Hooking his fingers around the upper curve of her panties, he yanked them down and immediately pressed his nose up against her, wrapping his tongue around her clit.

"Ah!" she gasped, moaning so loud. She quickly clasped her hand over her own mouth, her hips bucking towards him. Fuck, she looked hot, her legs spread, knees trembling. Her folds were so wet and he tilted his head to lick across the spot where she was dripping. She tasted sweet, almost as good as she smelled, and he thrust his tongue into her eagerly.

"Hah!" She sucked in a large breath of air, rolling forward onto her tiptoes as she rode out the pleasure screaming down her spine. He fucked his tongue into her core, pulling it back down to lap at her clit, rapidly stroking over it.

He squeezed her juicy ass, and brought his other hand up, pushing a finger inside. He wished it could've been his damn cock, but he wanted to do that later, in the privacy of his apartment, where he could really ravage her. For now, getting her to cum against his hand would be good enough... more than good enough.

She moaned again when he pushed a second finger inside of her, thrusting up into her. Her head pressed against the statue, her body shaking as she gripped at her dress, her knuckles turning white.

He slurped and sucked, rapidly flicking his tongue against her clit, listening to her moans get louder. That wouldn't do at all. Dammit...

Pulling back, he kept his fingers inside of her, feeling her walls pulsing around his digits. He stood up slowly and pulled her leg up, hooking it around his waist to spread her legs even more.

"A-Ah... B-Bakugou! I-I...."

"I told you to be quiet Cheeks," he said, curling his fingers inside of her.

She gasped, her chest heaving, especially when he lifted his thumb, pressing it against her clit.

"I-I'm trying!" she gasped.

"Not hard enough," he muttered and slammed their lips together while thrusting his fingers into her. He fingered her hard, spreading his digits inside of her, curving and pushing in deep to find the spots that made her tremble. He swallowed all her moans, drinking down every one.

He kept his other hand on her thigh, holding her in place, pressed against the statue. Suddenly, Uraraka tugged away from the kiss, her head tilted back as she clenched around him hard, her walls throbbing as she came. "Ah!" she gasped breathily, her voice echoing into the air. He kissed down her neck, licking at her skin while her orgasm rushed out of her, gushing onto his fingers. They were sopping wet, completely covered in her and Bakugou silently wondered if anyone had heard them. He probably should've been more concerned, but she looked so cute writhing between him and the statue, he didn't really care.

Kissing at the side of her lips, he slowly pulled his fingers out of her. Leaning in towards her ear, his hot breath tickled against her skin.

"Why don't you fix your dress and come home with me, Cheeks?"

~~

Uraraka liked to consider herself a sensible person. She worked hard and saved her money so she was able to pay and actually live in the city, disguised as a regular human. She hadn't done many risky things in her time living in the tiered city.

So when she found herself holding hands with the strange man, Bakugou Katsuki, leaving the party with him, she questioned just how sensible she was.

She supposed she could've blamed it on the alcohol. She'd had quite a few drinks, seeing as they were free and it would've been a waste if she hadn't indulged in at least a few. But really she blamed it on him and the way he'd completely destroyed her in the garden.

Uraraka wasn't very daring when it came to these sort of things, most of the men she'd been with had been very vanilla, so letting Bakugou finger in the public garden wasn't something she normally did but...

Oh. Oh, he was so good. His tongue, his hands...

It was practically unfair.

She didn't know anything about him; his job, why he was at the party, especially when they took the elevator down to the mid-tier of the city.

All she knew was she wanted him to touch every inch of her skin, since he'd practically set her on fire and she didn't know how else to cool down.

He pulled her into his apartment and didn't say a word. He slammed her against the door and kissed her. He slipped his hands up under her thighs and hoisted her up, pinning her against the door. She could feel the bulge in his pants and her hands grabbed at the buttons on his shirt yanking the black button-up open.

He loosened his tie, pulling it over his head as he pressed against her. He nipped at her lips, growling as he gripped at her ass.

"Now you can be as loud as the fuck you want, Cheeks," he mumbled. Pulling her off the wall, he carried her towards the bedroom, dropping her down on his bed.

"Good," she smirked, kissing down his jaw. She didn't want to fuel his ego by telling him she was trying not to scream back in the garden.

He reached behind her untying the ribbon from her dress once again. This time, he tugged it forward, pulling the sleeves off and she helped him. Shimmy it down to her waist, she raised her hips up and tossed it to the ground. She lay before him, brown hair splayed out against his pillow, her pink lace bra covering her breasts and her panties, through slightly crooked, covered most of her lower half.

She rolled her hips up and let out a sigh as he fumbled with his belt, unbuckling it and kicking his black pants to the ground. Uraraka could see the bulge in the front of his boxers, and she licked her lips. Earlier, his fingers felt amazing and she could only imagine how good his cock would feel too. It had been far too long since she'd done something like this. She blushed at how muscular he was, something she hadn't realized upon seeing him at the dance. But with his shirt off, her eyes gazed over every thick muscle that pulsed under his skin.

He leaned over her and kissed her and she pressed her tongue into his mouth. She could taste the alcohol on his lips, and was happy to know he wasn't much better than her when it came to how much he'd drank that evening.

Panting, she felt her insides flip flop, the tension throbbing underneath her panties. She wanted him to touch her again and again, all night.

"Hah... ngh!' she moaned against his lips, feeling the bulge of his cock press against her hips.

He smirked, and let his fingers glide up her skin, slipping under her bra. "Now I can play with these."

"Oh?" she breathed, sitting up enough to unhook the bra and slip it off. Her round breasts bounced against her chest and he let out a breath, dipping his head down to suck on her nipple. "Mmph..." she breathed, a large huff of air slipping from her nose. She moaned, rolling her hips up and hooking a leg around his waist as he swirled his tongue around her hard bud. He flicked it back and forth, the wet muscling tickling at her sensitive skin.

"And here I thought... you were... more of an ass guy," she breathed.

"Mm..." he mumbled, switching to her other nipple, watching her chest heave. "What the fuck gave you that impression?"

"I dunno, you kept groping my butt," she teased, stroking her fingers through his blond locks.

"A guy can be both. You got... the perfect fucking roundness," he said, giving her tits a squeeze.

"Roundness?" she breathed. "What does that mean?"

"It's a good shape," he snorted, kissing down her stomach. He flicked his fingers over her nipples and her body jolted, twitching towards the touch. Of course, he smirked again. "It means you're hot, Cheeks."

She giggled while he pulled back and hooked his fingers around her panties, pulling them down. She shivered when the cool air hit her soaked folds, her body completely ready for another orgasm. "You're not so bad yourself."

Reaching over to his bedside table, he yanked the drawer open and pulled out a condom. He shoved his boxers off and rolled it over his length, giving it a stroke. "Good. Cause we're about to have the best sex you've ever experienced."

"Mmm..." she purred, licking her lips. "How exciting."

She spread her legs, rolling her hips up towards him once again and he scooped under her ass, lining himself up to her entrance. "It fuckin' will be." He pushed his tip to her wet folds and began to push in.

She swallowed, relaxing as he began to fill her. This was perfect; just the amount that had been missing before. She moaned loudly, her voice echoing in his room. "Ngh... Bakugou!" she gasped, panting as she felt him push inside even deeper than before.

"Fuck..." he grunted, pressing his feet against his bed as he leaned down to kiss her again. "That's fuckin' good..." he mumbled, pulling his hips back to snap into her.

"Ahhh..." she moaned and wrapped her fingers around his back gripping hard at his shoulders.

His thrusts were quick to pick up speed, their skin slapping together, echoing in his room. He was grunting and nipping at her neck and licking at her skin. Her tits bounced against his chest, her nipples grazing his muscles and her body clenched around his cock as she angled her hips up to push him in even deeper.

"B-Bakugou," she breathed, moaning heavily, while he gripped her hips to pound into her. "Ngh!! Y-You're... going so deep..." she whimpered.

"F-Fuck... you're fuckin' tight," he grunted, reaching his hand down to rub at her clit, matching the speed of his thrusts.

She gasped, moaning even louder as she curled her toes in the air. Her hips thrust up involuntarily, her body bouncing closer to him, twitching and desperate for her release. "I'm... I'm close, ngh..." she groaned, clinging to him.

"Cum for me, Uraraka," he growled, thrusting slower, angling himself deep inside of her. She moaned, feeling his cock slip slowly inside of her, hitting all the sensitive nerves which lined her wet walls. The head rolled over every ridge and divet, making her body twitch. He picked up the pace slowly, each thrust growing heavier and faster and she moaned the shockwaves of her pleasure shooting up her back.

"B-Bakugou," she gasped, lurching forward as she came around his cock. She clenched hard, her walls throbbing with her release. Her body trembled as sweat rolled down her neck and soaked her back. Her orgasm made her legs shake, her chest heaving as she breathed heavily, moans lacing her breath.

He grunted, his thrusts growing sloppy as he chased his own orgasm, pumping himself into her. "Ngh... Fuck!" he grunted, leaning forward to press his teeth against her shoulder. She hissed out, wrapping her hand around his neck, keeping him pressed close to her as his body twitched, his cock moving inside of her. His breath sputtered, his chest heaving as he poured his finish into the condom.

He lowered himself down onto her, his breath tickling her neck. "Fuck..." he moaned, and the two of them panted heavily, gasping for air and trying to calm down. "That was fucking good."

"Mmm... it was..." she breathed. A soft sigh slipped from her lips when he pulled himself from her, rolling to the side. He yawned and she did the same, her body feeling like a floating jellyfish. Exhaustion was taking over now, being two orgasms and all the alcohol, she was ready for a really long nap. "I'm... gonna sleep here," she mumbled.

"Yeah..." he sighed, reaching over to grab the blanket they had kicked off in the process. However, Uraraka barely noticed him placing it over them as she drifted off.

~~

Touching her bare toe against the pool, the purple, green and orange specks began to float away, the pool turning a vibrant shade of cerulean.

Her brown eyes widened, and she pulled her toe back, her brown locks floating away from her neck.

She let herself float off of the ground, smiling as she brushed the tips of her fingers across the surface of the pool. The trails of blue followed her thin fingertips as she skirted across the pond, her smile pulling over her lips, waves of blue slowly engulfing the contaminated colors.

Gently shaking her hand, she let her body float slowly down into the water. Her brown locks fanned out around her, her arms cutting through the water as she floated on the surface.

The water began to change color completely, the blue overtaking the other colors with ease. Magical energy pulsed in her veins, making her cheeks flush as she let out a soft giggle.

"Ochako," a soft voice came from the side of the pool, and she raised her eyebrows, pushing up to stand in the waist deep pool.

"Uhm... yes?" she asked, clasping her hands behind her back.

"You do know you can purify pools without playing in them, yes?"

She rubbed the back of her neck. "Well... yeah."

The elderly woman began to chuckle. "I suppose if the process is done it doesn't matter how."

She walked forward, the water flowing around her body as she stepped out of the pool. "It can be fun," Uraraka giggled.

"If you say so my dear. The important thing is we keep purifying the pools. The plants take the water from these pools-"

"And eventually, when all the pools are purified the Dark Woods will return to normal and normal life can return. I know," she sighed, running her hand through her hair as she shook the water out from her brown locks.

"We still don't know who keeps tainting them and the Dark Woods are dangerous my dear. Even us witches are no longer safe here. The witch killer is no laughing matter."

"I thought that was just a witch's tale," Uraraka said, curling her lips into a pout.

The woman's face grew dark. "Not anymore. Purifying the pools is our number one task and very important but you need to watch out for the monsters lurking in the Dark Woods."

"I know, I know... I'm always careful," she smiled, her hair bobbing next to her cheeks.

The elderly woman laughed. "I find that difficult to believe."

"No, I am! I promise!" she said, as a loud buzzing noise echoed through the Dark Woods. Uraraka immediately covered her ears, the sound loud and deafening. "Ah!" she screamed. "W-What is that!?"

"Go, Ochako! Go back and warn the others!"

"But I-"

"Don't argue! Go!"

She wanted to run, but her legs wouldn’t move as she waved her arms frantically. She fell backwards into the pool, the water pulling her under as the buzzing noise grew louder and louder, drowning her in the obnoxious sound.

~~

Uraraka groaned when the buzzing from her dream trickled into reality. Her phone? No... it was someone else's...

Oh.

Right...

She jolted up, glancing around the unfamiliar apartment. Her hair flew around in various directions and she pulled the sheet up, covering her very naked breasts. She gasped, taking in heavy breaths.

She remembered now... She had slept over at that man's apartment; Bakugou Katsuki.

It had been so long since she'd dreamed of the Dark Woods, she felt lost and disoriented. It didn't help she was in this unfamiliar apartment.

With a groan, she flopped back down against the bed. The pillow smelled like him, minus the stench of booze which was now long gone. Her head ached a bit, and she rolled over to look at his bedside table, where his phone started buzzing again. Where the hell was he?

She reached forward and grabbed the device, squinting at the bright screen when her heart leaped up into her throat.

The name on the screen was as clear as clear as purified pool water; Noblesse Oblige.

Bakugou Katsuki was part of Noblesse Oblige. The very people she'd been trying to avoid since coming to the city.

Slowly, she placed the phone back down and buried her face against the pillow, trying not to scream.

All she could think was one word over and over...

Shit!

[rike-with-love]

Melody of our Hearts (chapter 2)

Author’s notes: Here’s the second chapter as my apology for being MIA for so long!!

Pairings: Okikagu, Gintsu (minor), Takaban (minor)

Rating: M for mature content, bad language, fluff, light angst, enemies to friends to lovers

Disclaimer: I don't own Gintama or it's characters, Sorachi Hideaki does. I only own this story.

Chapter 2

<- Previous Chapter ~~  Next Chapter ->

”So the stage is reserved for us from 4pm to 6pm.”

”Okay,” Gintoki said to his loyal assistant, Shimura Shinpachi as he presented a piece of document in front of the silver haired CEO.

”And Kawakami-nim will take care of the soundtracks as we spoke earlier,” Shinpachi said and placed another paper on the desk.

Before Gintoki could answer him, third, fourth and even fifth paper was gently swiped to rest on the wooden surface.

”Here are the receipts we need to copy for our accountants – here's the official approval from the city to hold the concert – here's a bill of the advertisement for the concert.”

Shinpachi's words spiralled through Gintoki's ears, so much to remember and so much more to do. ”Oi oi,”, he wailed. Then, from the corner of Gintoki's eye, he saw yet another paper coming. ”Ne! Shinpachi!”

”What is it Sakata-nim?” Shinpachi asked and straightened his almost oval-shaped glasses.

”Please, you can call me Gintoki”, the man said, discreetly guiding the conversation to somewhere else. ”I'm not that into the honorifics.”

”But Sakata-nim, you're my boss now. I don't want anyone to think that I'm disrespecting you.”

Gintoki turned with his chair towards the young black-haired man. ”Shinpachi, we've been friends for years, you don't have to worry about that”, he said. ”Just leave the honorifics for the public stuff, ne?”

Shinpachi smiled and his brown eyes sparkled. ”I guess I can do that...Gintoki”, he said.

There was no-one who could call the young man rude in any way. He was a polite and hard-working person, someone Gintoki could really count on.

Shinpachi was also quite good with computers. Actually he was a lot better than Gintoki could ever imagine. In addition to his diligentness and computer skills, he had a decent sense of style. Actually he was the one who made Gintoki dress like a boss should.

Gintoki's taste in clothes was pretty casual, so he went with a white dress shirt and a light grey suit. A tie was an enigma he wasn't ready for, but maybe someday in the distant future.

Shinpachi on the other hand liked to dress up. He wore a light blue dress shirt with a beige cotton vest. He also claimed that his pants were dark blue rather than black, but no-one really cared.

Gintoki felt like he had successfully turned the tides of the conversation. But he was wrong, oh so wrong.

”Now, can we get back on the preparations of the concert?” Shinpachi asked, he knew very well his bosses lazy agendas.

”Haha, certainly”, Gintoki said with a forced smile.

Shinpachi flashed his shiniest smile and began to bombard Gintoki with documents. As the papers kept piling up, the easy-going CEO got lost in his thoughts.

Gintoki had always known it wasn't a cakewalk to run a business, especially not a record label, but that was the exact reason he had hired people to work for him. For Gintoki's salvation and headache, his employees worked faster than his mellow brain could adapt.

Maybe I could hire someone to be the boss so I could just jump on a plane and enjoy some parfaits under the sun in Bahamas, Gintoki thought to himself.

Not that he could afford a trip to the Bahamas. Or a plane. Or a parfait for that matter. More importantly, if Gintoki would distant himself from the company, he wouldn't be able to help Kagura in achieving her dreams as an idol. He was his manager after all.

When the Yorozuya Entertainment was founded, it was difficult to just get by. It took time to find idols, it took time to make music. There wasn't a possibility to hire more people and that was the exact reason Gintoki decided to become the manager for the label's idols. Just for the time being anyway, he had said. To get things started you know, he had also added.

The voice of Shinpachi finally snapped Gintoki out of his trip down memory lane and the pressing worry of the massive loan he had taken for the company.

”A bill from the security firm – a bill from the equipments we bought for the concert – a bill from the fabrics...”

Shinpachi's words sounded all the same to Gintoki. Why am I so lousy with these things, Gintoki thought to himself.

”GINTOKI!” A loud shout came from the door, startling both Gintoki and Shinpachi momentarily.

At the door was non-other than Shimura Tae, the head of public relations of YE, the older sister of Shinpachi and the one keeping Gintoki's laziness in check. ”I need you to sign these papers right now,” she said with a ominiously calm smile.

Tae, who more commonly went by Otae was a sharp young woman. After moving to Seoul she had graduated from business school with impressive papers.

Otae was one of the first persons Gintoki wanted to hire, she was a ball of endless ideas with an unwavering drive to make them happen. There wasn't anyone who could have been a better fit for the head of PR than her.

She looked very similar to her little brother, aside from her brown hair and her not needing any glasses. She liked to wear a tight pencil skirts and a matching blouse. Today's colors were purple and white.

Otae had shoulder length hair, often worn in a neat ponytail. She had bangs to frame her petite face nicely. Also, she wasn't shy with accessories, usually sporting a tiny scarf around her neck with a matching color as the rest of her outfit.

”Hello ane-ue*!” Shinpachi said. The siblings were originally from Japan, so they liked to refer to each other in Japanese. Sometimes it was funny to observe when the two got into an argument and the language switched immediately back to home shore.

”Hello Shin-chan*, did you give Gintoki all the papers?” Otae asked and pushed a dark brown strand of hair behind her ear.

”Almost there”, Shinpachi chuckled and rubbed the back of his neck a little.

As the Shimuras chatted, Gintoki was halfway sliding down from his chair.

”Uh, Gintoki?” Otae asked.

A single call of his name froze Gintoki right up. Otae had a flair in her voice, soothing but chilling at the same time. A perfect voice for tortu-...uh...negotating with people.

”Yes, Otae?” Gintoki asked and magically sat up while casually fixing the sleeves from his shirt.

”Would you mind signing this?” Otae asked and tapped a piece of paper with her pen. ”It's a permission to-”

Gintoki raised his hand at Otae, who stopped talking out of surprise. It was rare for Gintoki to act all bossy and condescending towards employees, friends – towards anyone really.

”Me and Shinpachi here,” Gintoki said and began to fondle the documents on his desk. ”We're a little busy at the moment.”

Gintoki didn't have anything against the adamant woman, he just wasn't in the mood to handle another important matter. It was probably something urgent as it came from her.

Shinpachi glanced at his boss with wide eyes. All of a sudden Gintoki was very into the paperwork.

”Yes, thank you for taking things seriously for once,” Shinpachi said.

Gintoki looked at the young man standing next to him. ”But I always do.”

”No you don't.”

”Nope, not even little bit.”

Gintoki huffed. He knew they were right, but he also wanted to be the boss. ”I'll forgive you this time, okay?” he said. Both Shimuras nodded as they were trying to take him seriously and Gintoki took what he got.

”Alright Shinpachi, give me all the details,” Gintoki said and actually took one paper into his hands.

”Ah, wait,” Shinpachi said and searched the stack of papers he was holding. ”Just one more.”

Gintoki elevated one hand, ready to receive the last document. ”Take your time Shinpachi.”

”Hah! Here!” Shinpachi cheered and offered the paper to Gintoki. ”Here's the rent-”

Gintoki moved like a shadow the second he heard the word 'rent'. Before anyone could say another word, Gintoki had grabbed his gray jacket from his chair and suddenly stood next to Otae, carefully examining the permission note she tried to offer him a moment later.

”I'm in a meeting right now Shinpachi, take care of those for me”, Gintoki said and walked out of the office with Otae.

”Heeeyyy!” Shinpachi yelled after them, a vain effort that he pretty much new from the start. ”You can't run from the rent forever!”

*

*

It had been a busy week at the YE building. After the release of Kagura's first single, Eli & Zura and Sugar Addicts released their first singles as well. Otae's PR plan for the company was to come out to the k-pop scene with a bang. Three new artists debuting at once was a real bang to say the least.

On top of everything, the free outdoor concert was well on its way. Almost everything had been taken care of, but Gintoki was a ball of stress on every single little detail. Yes, he appeared that he didn't care or had any interest on the matter, but that was just his defence mechanism. Honestly, he felt a little overwhelmed by the paperwork and stuff like that, but he cared.

Luckily he had Otae and Shinpachi. They were a power house together - and separately. They took care of running errands, permissions, equipments, all of that. This way Gintoki could focus better on the idols or as he so endearingly called the 'moneymakers'.

Gintoki helped everyone to prepare with the best of his ability. He wasn't a singer or a dancer, but he was a long time fan on k-pop. Yes, he was a grown man in his late twenties, but that didn't stop him from enjoying the music.

Gintoki understood showmanship, he was good at looking at the big picture, but he needed help with all the separate parts to build the idols into a functioning package.

Sugar Addicts had a member called Tsuu, going by the stage name Otsu. She had been dancing for several years. She sort of became the unofficial choreographer of the group and pretty much a choreographer for the whole company.

Apart from Sugar Addicts, none of the other idols had any prior professional dancing experience. However with Gintoki and Otsu's help, the rest of the idols; Kagura and Zura & Eli were able to add enough movement for their performances to pop.

Kagura had the rhythm and she had the spark, but learning steps wasn't really her strong suit. Still, she was better in dancing than Eli & Zura, a duo consisting of Katsura ”Zura” Kotarou and Elizabeth ”Eli” Dragonia.

Zura was a peculiar rapper/singer and an old childhood friend of Gintoki's. He was...how to put this nicely...he was a total corky lovable weirdo. Zura did all the vocals for the duo and Eli, well Eli played a synthesizer*. He couldn't really participate with the vocals as the man was mute.

When Gintoki was trying to get Zura to join his label, he explained that all the music could be produced by computers, but Zura didn't really care. He had only one condition before signing any papers, Eli and him would form a duo together, no matter how weird it sounded to anyone.

Gintoki knew it was a risk, there wasn't anything like that in the k-pop scene, but Zura managed to convince Gintoki that they would become the next big thing, the k-pop version of Modern Talking*. It sounded too interesting for Gintoki to pass by, so he agreed to debut the duo.

It was still a mystery where Zura had found a mute man named Elizabeth, but they seemed to be inseperabtle friends despite it all.

After Kagura's demand on finding someone to help with the costumes for the idols, Gintoki found Tsukki. She was a talented stylist who never told anyone her full name, she just went by with Tsukki. She was a beautiful woman with blonde hair and sharp purpleish eyes. She also had a scar on her left eye , but no-one dared to ask anything about it.

Tsukki was a woman shrouded in mystery.

And what it came to making music, Gintoki was totally at loss. Luckily the company found a musical genius to work for them.

Kawakami Bansai, a graduate from Korean National University of Arts. He was a prodigy. The young man was courted by many big companies when he was close to graduating. His future promised great things for him, he could have worked for anyone in the entire music industry, that's how talented he was. But...after graduating, he simply vanished.

No-one ever knew why did he go or where did he go. Well, there was one person who knew why he disappeared, but that's a whole another story.

So how he ended up working in a new, rather unsure record label? Gintoki and Shinpachi didn't know Bansai or his background in music when they met him for the first time. The man was playing a shamisen* in a park, eyes hidden behind sunglasses, expression telling of his fondness for the instrument he was playing.

Gintoki liked his music and he asked if the man wanted a job. Bansai paused his song and looked into the silver-haired man's maroon eyes. There was nothing suspicious in the way the man looked at him. For some reason Bansai felt like trusting this man, thou he wasn't even sure what trust even meant anymore.

Only after Bansai signed his contract in Gintoki's office, he casually mentioned his degree in music. Gintoki practically and literally fell off his chair, how could he have known the man was a mastermind in music.

Otae suggested on upgrading his contract and salary, but Bansai refused. The only thing he desired was to make music without crazy expectations and no questions from his past. Gintoki and Otae both agreed to his terms, they would have been fools to decline.

And there it was, the group of people who together formed the Yorozuya Entertainment and Gintoki couldn't be any prouder.

*

*

In a nice cozy office/work space of Tsukki, a final fitting was well on its way. Kagura twirled in front of a mirror and admired her outfit for the concert.

”Well, what do you think Gura?” Tsukki asked.

Kagura had her long vermillion hair done with her signature look. Two small buns on top of her hair. It was like she had small round ears made from hair. The rest of the her puffy hair was flowing free, reaching all the way to her lower back.

The outfit Tsukki had sown for her was a perfect fit. Kagura had a red, off-shoulder shirt with long sleeves. Tsukki styled a high-wasted black cotton skirt to accentuate her small frame.

The skirt reached just over Kagura's knee, the length matching nicely with her black ankle boots. No heels was Kagura's only wish for Tsukki when the design for her outfit was being created.

”It's really pretty Tsukki, I love it,” Kagura said as she played with a black  velvet collar around her neck. It even had a cute golden heart in the middle.

Tsukuyo crossed her arms and smiled. ”I'm glad to hear that,” she said and walked to her desk.

It was hard to tell it was a desk from all the sewing equipments and drafts of clothing covering the whole thing. She really needed a bigger room to work in, Kagura thought, but she very well knew this was all they could afford at the moment.

”You were the last one to do a fitting, every costume is now done for the show.”

”You're very efficient, yes,” Kagura pointed out to the blonde woman wearing a black form-fitting suit, hair cut into a short bob to fit the look.

Tsukki hummed happily. ”It wasn't that big of a project, there's only eight idols to dress after all.”

”That's true,” Kagura said and returned to posing for the mirror.

Tsukki began to dig out some papers to deliver for Gintoki. Probably more bills to pay for the poor CEO.

”Tsukki?” Kagura asked and looked at the ever elegant woman through the mirror.

”Yes Gura?”

”Don't tell A-Gin...but I'm a little nervous about the concert.”

Tsukki lifted her gaze up. ”Why would you be nervous?”

”It's just that...the interview for the radio went well, but...”Kagura paused.

”But what?” Tsukki asked. She seemed to be seriously nervous. Sure, Tsukki hadn't known Kagura for a very long time, but the girl was like an open book when it came down to reading her emotions. She was one of the most confident and robust personalities Tsukki had ever seen, so seeing her falter worried her.

”You can talk to me,” Tsukki said and connected eyes with Kagura through the mirror.

”Well...this is the first time I'm performing live and...what if I screw it all up...”

Tsukki abandoned her papers and walked straight to Kagura. She placed her hands on her bare shoulders. ”Listen to me Gura”, Tsukki said in a really empowering voice. ”Look at the mirror.”

Kagura did as Tsukki said, and looked at her reflection. She sure looked like an idol...it felt almost surreal. ”What do you see?” Tsukki asked her.

”I see...me and you.”

”Yes, that's true. What else?”

”I see...your pretty clothes, yes.”

Tsukki shook her head a little. ”Those are not my clothes anymore, they're yours to wear, yours to feel confident in.”

”O-okay...” Kagura answered unsurely.

”You don't have anything to worry about Gura, you know you were born to command a stage.”

A smile sneaked on Kagura's pink lips. ”Uh-huh...”

”Just be yourself and sing the crowd into a bliss, okay,” Tsukki said and squeezed Kagura's shoulders slightly before letting go.

Kagura turned to look at Tsukki as she returned to her desk to get back to work. ”Hey...” Kagura said.

”What is it now?” Tsukki asked. She didn't even spare a look at Kagura, but that didn't bother the young starlet. Tsukki was all about keeping up a tough exterior, rarely allowing many feelings out.

”Thanks for the pep talk,” Kagura said.

Tsukki glanced at the redhead. She had a pleased look on her face, but it lasted only for a second. She's a complete softie inside, Kagura giggled to herself.

A knock on the door drawed the attention of both women in the room. ”Come in,” Tsukki said.

It was Gintoki coming in. ”Ne, how are we doing in here?” he asked and rolled his shoulders a little.

Kagura cocked an eyebrow. Was the ever lazy Gintoki being nervous. A thought of something being seriously wrong immediately crossed her mind. It was the day of the oblivion when Sakata Gintoki would stress openly about something.

Suddenly Tsukki turned her face away from the door. "We're doing perfectly fine here Sakata-nim," she almost mumbled.

”Uh, great...” Gintoki said and gulped a little.

Kagura stared at Tsukki for a moment. Where did the ever calm Tsukki went, she wondered. ”A-Gin...can we talk a little?” Kagura asked and walked closer to Gintoki.

”Oh, Kagura...I didn't see you there,” Gintoki said.

”What?” Kagura almost laughed.

”I-I mean of course I saw you there, that's not what I meant jeez...”

”Let's go already, yes”, Kagura said pulled her foster-father towards the door.

Tsukki cleared her throat behind her desk and tried to get up quickly. ”Before you go-” Tsukki said before she bumped her knee on the wooden table. "Tsk!"

"Tsukki!" Kagura called.

Gintoki moved by instict as he rushed to check on Tsukki. He went to her side to see if he could help in any way. "Are you okay?"

"It's nothing," she hissed and turned to Gintoki, who was closer to her than she had expected for him to be.

Kagura watched in complete silence as the usually super serious stylist slithered away from her desk, with a flushed face. Her completely black suit just made her blush more apparent.

"I-I'm fine," Tsukki said and tried to compose herself. "Uh, there's some documents for you on my desk Sakata-nim."

Kagura noticed a sudden shift in Gintoki's behaviour.

”Ne, Tsukki...when will you drop those unnecessary last names and stuff like that,” Gintoki said and leaned his right arm's elbow against the wall. ”You can call me Gintoki.”

Tsukki rolled her eyes at the surprisingly suave boss. Kagura felt equally amused by him as Tsukki was agitated.

Without any warning Tsukki grabbed Gintoki by his open jacket, never breaking eye-contact with Gintoki. ”Listen Sakata-nim,” she said, face still adorably pink. This felt like the right time to take a step back for Kagura.

”I-it's Gintoki.”

”For gods sake, do you understand you are my boss? I don't want to raise any rumours by calling you anything else than Sakata-nim."

Gintoki opened and closed his mouth like a confused goldfish in its glass bowl.

"Do you understand?" she snapped and shook him a little.

Gintoki laughed nervously at the woman. ”Ahaha...I know, I'm...I'm just joking...haha...” he said and slowly quieted his laughter down.

Tsukki let the man go and pointed her finger at the documents she was talking about.

Kagura was waiting outside Tsukki's office. She had seen and heard just about everything and all of it tickled her funny bone. ”Let's go A-Gin!” Kagura shouted to draw his full attention.

”Ah, yes! We have to go now. Have a nice day Tsukki!” Gintoki said and shut the door behind him as fast as he could.

Gintoki exhaled deeply through his mouth. Kagura crossed her arms and waited for him to say something and to try to explain himself out of everything that just happened.

”Well...?”

”Well what Kagura? We should be going already?” Gintoki hissed a little. ”We need to go and check out the stage at the park and-”

”No no no...wait”, Kagura grinned at the man. ”Do you have anything to tell me...anything at all?”

Kagura was a young woman with a quick mind. She was excellent at picking up on things, not that anything about Gintoki's behaviour was hard to read. She had known him for most of her life after all.

Gintoki squinted his eyes at Kagura. ”What are you talking about brat?”

Kagura rolled her eyes. ”Well you obviously have the hots for Tsuk-” Kagura's statement was muffled out by Gintoki's hand blocking her mouth.

”Shhhhhhhhhh! Shhhhhhhh! Someone could hear you”, Gintoki whispered. He wasn't actually blushing...but there was a some kind of glow on his cheeks.

”Mmmffhghmmmmm!” Kagura tried to point out.

”What?”

Kagura pushed his hand off her mouth and frowned at him. ”You heard me.”

”I don't know what you're talking about”, Gintoki brushed her words right off. ”You kids nowadays think you know everything.”

Kagura was familiar with Gintoki's ways of handling difficult situation. He wasn't old, but he was an old(er) soul to say the least. He began to blame the youth when it was about remote controllers, computers or crushes.

”So are we going to the park now?” Kagura asked, graciously pretending she hadn't pointed out anything.

Gintoki smiled at her. ”Yes, we definitely are”, he said.

”Great, let me just change clothes,” Kagura said and pointed out her new outfit. ”I don't want anyone to see this yet.”

”Of course,” Gintoki said and walked Kagura to her dressing room.

Before closing the dressing room's door Kagura couldn't help but to tease Gintoki just a little bit more. "Oh, A-Gin!"

"Hmm?"

"I'm pretty sure she's into you too," Kagura said and vanished before Gintoki could do anything.

"H-hey!!!"

* *

Kagura stopped teasing Gintoki about the Tsukki thing, he seemed to prefer not to talk about it. Maybe some other time he could confess his crsytal clear feelings, but now he had so much more on his mind.

When Gintoki and Kagura got to the company's car, Gintoki had a simple question for Kagura before they entered the vehicle.

”Can I ask you something Kagura?”

”Uh-huh, ask away.”

”The concert is only one week away”, Gintoki said to her, voice remaining as calm as he was talking about puppies. ”How do you feel about it?”

Kagura smiled. ”Well...I'm very excited.”

”Good...good.”

”Yeah.”

”You're almost a fully debuted idol.”

”I guess I am,” Kagura felt like Gintoki was tiptoeing about something and it annoyed her. ”Where are you getting with these questions A-Gin?”

”Kagura, you're like my daughter...do you really think I'm not worried about your well-being? This industry is very stressful.”

”Worried?”

”Yes, I feel like you're not telling me everything.”

Kagura knew what he meant. So he had seen her nervousness through her smile, she thought.

”I...I'm just afraid.”

Gintoki's eyes sharpened at her words. ”Afraid?”

”...I know how much effort you've put into me, this company and everything...”

”That's true...but what are you afraid of Kagura?” Gintoki asked.

Kagura could feel her eyes getting watery. This was one of her biggest fear and talking about it made it feel more real. ”Well what if I screw the show up or something else? I don't want to let you down and-”

Kagura's rambling quieted down as Gintoki pulled her into his arms.

”Silly girl...” Kagura listened to Gintoki's voice. It was deep and endearing. Also fatherly. It was just what she needed to hear.

”You could never let me down, no matter if things won't work out the way we planned.”

Kagura answered his hug by latching her fingers into his gray jacket. Even the stupid soft fabric felt comforting.

”I'm still going to work my ass of, yes”, Kagura said and sniffed quietly.

”I know that already Kagura..I know,” Gintoki said and patted the back of her head.

”Can we go to the park already A-Gin?” Kagura asked and tried to calm down her voice. She didn't want to cry over stupid things, she was too busy to do that.

”Yes, let's go then.”

A/N:

*ane-ue: a honorific for a sister in the Japanese language *chan: a honorific for someone younger in the Japanese language *Modern Talking: a German duo consisting of singer Thomas Anders and arranger, songwriter and producer Dieter Bohlen *synthesizer: an electronic musical instrument that generates audio signals that may be converted to sound *shamisen: a three-stringed traditional Japanese musical instrument derived from the Chinese instrument sanxian

[k-popmakesmyday]

can i request doyoung!dad au 👀 make it fluffy

Thank you for requesting sweetheart!

Rules for requesting are here

The flashback is kind of like that one part in Drop Dead Fred if you’ve seen that movie. If you haven’t, go watch it because it’s gold.

[5:30 pm] Doyoung sighed as his daughter looked up at him with her famous pout and glossy, chestnut eyes.

“Mina, we have to tell mummy/daddy what happened today. It’s only right, okay?”

“But I didn’t mean to!” The six-year old cried “she was a meany and-”

The petite girls words were cut off by her mother/father walking through the door. You left your shoes by the door and approached the strange-looking situation.

“What happened?” You asked as Doyoung inhaled exasperatedly but kissed your forehead nonetheless, as his usual greeting

“Mina got rid of another nanny,” Doyoung explained while Mina waved her arms around frantically, desperately trying to defend herself.

You gave your daughter a sympathetic look as you knelt down to her level “What was it this time, sweetie?”

Doyoung and you were busy a lot and had to find someone to take care of her between the time she was out of school and the two of you getting home from work. Mina’s imagination had always been a wild one and she had a tendency to.. scare off her nanny’s, not that she meant to.. most of the time.

Mina’s small fingers fidgeted with the hem of her skirt, avoiding your gaze before sighing dramatically

“Well..”

M A G I C A L F L A S H B A C K ✨

“Ready, Rosie?” Mina asked her stuffed cat as she hid behind the large, oak tree, holding the rope tightly while she kept her eyes trained on the front door of her childhood home, watching intently for the perfect moment.

“Mina? Mina, it’s time for lunch!” The unknowing nanny wandered out into the garden, looking for the mischievous girl.

Mina stifled her giggles as she took her chance to release the rope and catch the nanny’s foot in the small trap she had set. Holding the nanny upside down, waving her arms around frantically and screeching for the entire world to hear.

Mina couldn’t help but to burst out laughing at the hilarious sight, doubling over in snorts and wheezes, not forgetting to give Rosie a triumphant high-five.

It was at this very moment Doyoung had arrived home from work, his eyes widening at the sight and bolting over to let the nanny down.

“I can’t do it! I have tried and tried Mr Kim, but I simply cannot stand that impertinent child any longer!” She screeched in frustration

“No please, Minyoung, stay! Please, we need you!” Doyoung chased after the woman desperately “she’ll never do it again, I swear! We’ll pay you double! Triple!” He sighed as Minyoung hurriedly got into her car and drove away

When Doyoung turned back to scold his daughter, he was surprised to see her standing right in front of him. Upon meeting her gaze, she bursted into floods of tears

“I’m sorry, daddy! It was just a joke, I didn’t know she was going to leave! I promise!” She cried as Doyoung immediately bent down to her level, using his thumbs to gently wipe the tears that raced down her cheeks

“It’s okay, honey, I know you didn’t. We’ll get you another nanny, okay?”

Mina shook her head vigorously before wrapping her small arms around her fathers neck

“But I don’t want another nanny!” She wept “I want you to play with me instead!”

Doyoung furrowed his eyebrows as he leant back from cradling Mina’s head and eyed his daughter curiously

“Mina, what are you talking about?”

“I-I really miss you and mummy/daddy when you go off to work all the time.. I thought that if I drove all the nanny’s away then you’d both take care of me all the time. B-but then you started getting angry with me and I thought you didn’t love me anymore..”

Doyoung felt his heart break as he brought his daughter close to his chest, muttering apologies every so often and he held the crying child as if she could shatter at any minute.

M A G I C A L F L A S H B A C K O V E R ✨ (wow wasn’t that fun)

“Oh, sweetheart”

You took your daughter into your arms so she couldn’t notice the warm-tears escape your eyes. Doyoung broke and enveloped the both of you in a large embrace and the three of you cried in each other’s arms.

You all stayed like that for a while, only your soft snivels filling the room as unspoken words were communicated through your actions. It was you who pulled away from the hug first and took a deep breath before speaking.

“Mina, honey, I don’t want you to ever, ever think that we didn’t love you anymore. We both love you to the ends of the earth, I promise”

“Sweetie,” Doyoung added “you only have a nanny so that someone can look after you while mummy and I are busy at work”

Mina snivelled and wiped her nose before nodding “I understand that now, daddy, but I still don’t want another nanny. They never play dinosaurs with me.. why can’t uncle Johnny look after me? He has the best velociraptor impression”

Doyoungs expression twisted and he opened his mouth to say no, but not before you shot him a look as if to say ‘can’t you give it a chance?’ And his frown faltered

“I’ll see what I can do” he smiled

Despite how stressful Mina’s antics made you sometimes, you both loved her to bits and couldn’t ask for a better daughter.

HI SORRY THIS TOOK FOR FOREVER BYE LOVE Y’ALL -Em

[mythicamagic]

Swimming in Silk - chapter 19

Training in front of her, engaging her in conversation and now lending her his clothes…Kagome is starting to suspect that Sesshoumaru is trying to gain her attention.

Sesskag - Romance, Humour, Drama, Angst

Rated M - As always you can read this story on Ao3, fanfiction.net or Dokuga

Chapter One - here                Previous Chapter - here    Next Chapter - here

AN: Sorry this chapter is all over the place, I still didn't fit in everything I wanted lolol good news though! After this depressing chapter, the angst won't be so heavy in this fic anymore x

Haunted Hounds~

After wading through the shallows to shore, Kagome peeled her sodden sweater off, sighing as she wrung the waterlogged material. Inuyasha promptly shook himself, soaking her anew.

"Gah!" Kagome sputtered. "Can you not?"

"How else am I supposed to get dry?" He grunted, white hair puffing up under his cap.

She couldn't help but giggle. "You're not, be cold and suffer with the rest of us."

By the time they'd padded up to the huts, Kagome was positively shivering. The ocean was a quiet crash of waves behind them as lights suddenly flared to life in various windows. The covers over doors were thrown back, and various demons rushed out, raising weapons with wild, fearful eyes.

Kagome quickly raised her hands, "we come in peace!" She squeaked, spying a familiar face among them, who lowered his axe. "Kaito!"

The demons paused, frowning and looking at the dark haired man. "General, do you know them?"

"Ah! That's Lord Inuyasha," said one.

Inuyasha acknowledged them with a grunt. "Lower your damn weapons."

"Yes, do so. The Lady of the Western Lands stands with him," Kaito said, eyes gentling slightly. He shifted on his crutch, raising a hand to her and beckoning. "Come, my Lady. Everyone else, go back to sleep," he dismissed. The demons murmured amongst themselves, wandering back into their huts. Kagome padded into the hut Kaito indicated, Inuyasha following.

Inside, Inukimi adjusted her silks, covering bare shoulders. Kagome caught a glimpse of fresh bite-marks and cherry red hickeys before they were hidden, causing her to blush.

"W-we didn't mean to disturb you so late!" She glanced at Kaito, now noticing his rumpled clothes.

"Hush. Time-travel is not known for being considerate," Inukimi gave a soft laugh. With her hair down, she looked simultaneously radiant and decadent in her loose clothing.

"It smells like sex in here," Inuyasha grunted, yelping when Kagome stamped hard on his foot.

"Zip it!"

Inukimi laughed, fixing the futon and smoothing the covers as Kaito sat down beside her with a grunt, resting his crutch down. "Adorable. I'm surprised you're familiar with the smell, Hanyou."

"Shut up!" he barked, cheeks blooming red.

"Lady Inukimi?" Came a gentle, feminine voice. "What was all that just now? Shippo thought he sensed-" the cover over the door was tentatively peeled back and a taller Shippo peered in, along with a girl who Kagome vaguely recognised.

She gaped when it clicked."Shiori?"

"Ah, Kagome!" Shippo darted inside, scooping her up and hugging so tight her bones protested. His head came past her stomach now.

"Wow, lookit you! So tall," she wheezed, giggling and wrapping her arms around him, lifting so that his feet left the floor. At least she could still do that.

"It's lovely to see you again after so long," Shiroi murmured, folding her hands neatly in front of her and bowing. The previously petite child had matured, becoming a young woman perhaps a little younger than Kagome. She still wore a modest white yukata, but her face had lost most of its childish features. Those violet eyes remained as kind and sad as they were before. The miko suddenly remembered her mother, and realised she must have passed, leaving the hanyou alone.

Smiling gently, she blinked when Shippo detached himself from her and immediately hugged Inuyasha, who bristled. He made to say something, before closing his mouth and setting his rough hand on the fox's red hair.

"It's been a while...little brat."

"Hmph, it's not like I missed a big bully like you," Shippo mumbled.

Blue eyes shining bright, her chest warmed. Turning to the others, she voiced the thought that had been with her since surfacing: "Where's Sesshoumaru?"

Their expressions immediately shuttered, some unreadable or awkward. Ice shot into her chest, hitting the bullseye of her heart.

"Don't worry," Shippo immediately soothed, straightening. "He's just uh…sleeping right now."

She blinked, giving a relieved laugh. "Well duh, it's late at night. Heh, you all looked weird for a sec there."

Inuyasha's ears flicked under the cap, heavy brows drawing into a frown. "Spit it out, Shippo." He growled. "You ain't explainin' everything and no doubt it's some crap that'll just worry her later."

Surprisingly, it was Shiori who timidly spoke up.

"Our village is home to many different kinds of demons. The majority of them are survivors from the West's fall that happened 10 years ago. They fled here, and we sheltered them, or some joined us of their own accord like the wolf demon tribe led by Kouga. When they came, Lord Sesshoumaru was among them, so he picked up the mantle to lead again."

"That's not surprising," Kagome tilted her head.

The Hanyou fiddled with her sleeve. "It's just that…concerns have been raised about the amount of sleep our leader gets."

"Yeah, because it's not healthy." Shippo snorted.

Inukimi huffed, lighting her signature pipe and inhaling. "Ridiculous. He's perfectly fine. How do you explain his performance in the fighting pit? Resting isn't a crime. He defeats challengers when required," she uttered darkly, words flowing out with the exhale of curling smoke.

Shippo throws his hands up, bristling. "Lady I don't wanna get into this with you again! Sleeping for 18 hours is not normal!" He burst, flashing small fangs.

Differing energies crackled in the air, raising the hair on Kagome's arms. She'd never seen Shippo argue so boldly with someone collected like Inukimi. "That's…that's enough you two, please calm down," she tried to wrap her head around everything.

"The fuck? 18 hours." Inuyasha grumbled. The strict and disciplined 'Killing Perfection' sleeping so long sounded ludicrous. "Where is he now?"

Kaito spoke up, absentmindedly sharpening his weapon. "In a cave not far away, located within the cliffs. He rarely shows himself, but always makes an appearance at the pits."

"Fighting…pits, right?" Inuyasha's ears twitched.

"Guessing that's exactly what it sounds like," sighing, Kagome tried her best to ignore her mounting worry. "Okay, let's backtrack. You said it's been 10 years since the big battle. How many years ago did Kouga and Sesshoumaru arrive?"

Shippo rubbed the back of his neck. "Uh, two?" Seeing the look on her face, he added. "We've tried talking to him but he doesn't want to see anyone. He's…changed so much, we've got no clue how to help."

Sensing her turbulent emotions, Shiroi spoke up. "I'll ask Ayame to take you to him tomorrow."

"Ayame?" Kagome croaked.

"Mhm, he only wakes up during the day if her cubs go to bother him," Shippo offered a weak smile.

Unbidden, Kagome answered it with a small one of her own. You've always been pestering him to do things, huh Riza?

With no alternative but to sleep, Kagome left Inukimi's hut, deciding to rest with Shippo. Glancing behind her as she settled down on a futon, she noticed Inuyasha taking a seat. He'd followed without a word, and now rested his faithful sword against his shoulder, closing tired gold eyes.

Kagome also spied the two white-haired fox sisters curled up together in their true forms. She supposed they must have moved to the village along with Shippo at some point, and wondered what had become of the Fox clan. Shippo curled up with them, and Kagome loosely curled her arms around herself, shivering and closing her eyes.

-------

Sleep proved to be a flirtatious but unobtainable friend. A burst of loud noise, that of high pitched yips and barks, broke her out of her dozing. With her eyes still in the process of opening, Kagome shrieked when tons of bundles of fur landed on her stomach. Countless wet noses and tongues attacked her cheeks, causing her to burst into startled giggles.

"Oi! What did I say?" A familiar gruff, masculine voice barked. "Settle down and get off her already!"

Kagome laughed, setting her hands on the wolf cubs that kept climbing over her, occasionally licking the miko while ignoring their father.

"OI!" He called again, before being nudged aside.

"OFF!" Ayame snapped, voice dark and green eyes blazing.

The countless amount of cubs immediately scrambled off, looking at their parents in the doorway with perked ears and expectant faces.

Picking herself up and wiping the slobber from her cheeks, Kagome noticed Inuyasha and the foxes had already left for the day.

A whine sounded out, "Ayame! I told ya to let me handle it this time. If ya keep butting in, they're never gonna listen to me!"

"You were taking too long," his mate flipped some firey red hair over her shoulder. "Besides, you let them rudely wake up Kagome. You call that handling it?"

Kagome's cheeks hurt, and she touched her mouth, finding she was smiling too wide. But she couldn't help it. Not wasting time, she rushed forward. The two wolves abruptly stopped when she wrapped her arms around them, resting her face against their shoulders.

"K-kagome? What's wrong?" Kouga mumbled, resting a large hand on the small of her back. A strangled, happy sound reached their hearing.

"Nothing, I'm just...really happy. So happy," she breathed, squeezing them. "Seeing you both safe is a big relief."

Pulling back and grinning tearfully, Kagome ignored their perplexed looks. It was one thing to hear they were safe in the Future but was another to actually see, hear and touch them. It made her long for Sango and Miroku.

"Thank you so much for finding Sesshoumaru and helping him. You saved him," she rambled, causing Ayame to laugh gently and nudge her.

"It was no trouble. C'mon, I'm sure you want to see him. You can cry on us some more later," she said, tucking Kagome's hand through her arm.

"Hey! I haven't seen her in ages," Kouga soured, watching as the miko was ushered outside.

Ayame glanced over her shoulder, smiling flippantly. "You've seen her now~ are you saying you're more important right now than her mate?" She asked sweetly.

Kouga's shoulders fell, expression shifting into a grumpy, accepting one. Letting herself be tugged along away from the huts, Kagome held on when the cubs followed, racing through their legs and causing her to trip on the sand.

"Careful!" Ayame growled at the bundles of fluff.

Smiling and carrying on along the shore in the morning light, Kagome walked them play and leave tiny paw-prints in their wake. "It's kind of strange, seeing you guys with kids."

"Heh, it feels strange for us too. Still doesn't feel real even after two years."

They approached a cliff with numerous crags and splits, which had eroded into caves and openings. Nerves erupted into her stomach. "...Shippo said he's been like this since arriving," Kagome murmured.

A snort sounded out close to her ear. "Honey, I've been baby-sitting this Lord for at least five years. He hasn't changed since Kouga first found him all injured. Hasn't shifted out of his true form once from what I've seen."

The words made dread pool in Kagome's stomach, along with a hard lump of sadness in the back of her throat that was difficult to swallow. Jaken had mentioned once, in passing, how true forms often dulled more complicated emotion. Demons merely became creatures of instinct.

Is it...less painful for you this way?

"I remember first seeing him. I'd been told stories about The Killing Perfection ever since I was a cub. A God on the battle-field. But he was just an abandoned, lost puppy. Still is," Ayame lifted a shoulder. "Aside from when he's in the pit, I honestly find it difficult picturing him conquering anything. Don't get me wrong though, our tribe kind of like him after he aided us getting here. I was heavily pregnant at the time and heh, let me tell ya; walking through human territory in that state was not fun! But ole' Ice Prince woke up enough to protect us during the journey. We lost men during the battle of the Western Lands though so, I guess to him it might've been paying his debts."

There came a beat of silence between them, the words left hanging in the air. Eventually, Kagome spoke once more, voice subdued. "I keep trying to get used to everything changing...but the second I get my head around a place it's already shifted."

Ayame smiled. "I might not time travel but it's still changed too fast for me too. At least there's always a place for you, no matter where you drop in, right?"

Kagome blinked, smiling gently and nodding.

They reached the mouth of the cave, Kagome's boots crunching on the pebbles and stone. The spray crashed against the nearby jagged rocks, flicking water up near them. He's really picked a remote spot, she thought, glancing at the distance from the village, which was in view but far off.

The cubs stopped to play, biting on a piece of driftwood while Kagome and Ayame padded inside. The shadows of the cave swamped in. All noise felt drowned out within the large space. The crunch of their shoes echoing too loud. To the side lay remains of animal bones and carcasses, everything beyond the light of the entrance drenched in dark. Yet on the edge of the light, silver fur glinted.

A large body shifted, around the same size as she'd seen him before, that of a large bear. His true form looked much healthier at least. Well fed, unharmed. Yet scars crisscrossed certain areas where the fur was thinner, no doubt more hidden by the lustrous fur that flamed around his shoulder. He slept on despite their presence.

"Oi!" Ayame growled. "You have a visitor. Wake up!"

Sesshoumaru stirred, opening one groggy, ruby eye. He stared at them listlessly for a moment, before closing his eye again, seeming to fall back asleep.

"Hey!" Ayame barked, only to be drowned out as a flood of yips and galloping tiny fluffballs racing around them. Uncaring of their sleeping mountain, the cubs bound atop the Daiyoukai, nudging and sniffing at him.

Sesshoumaru didn't stir, despite their antics. A low sound built in the back of his throat however, the more they tugged at his ears or tail. Unfortunately, they didn't seem deterred by his grumbles.

Cuuute, Kagome couldn't help but think. "They seem to like him."

"You know what kids are like. Don't know to be afraid of something most would faint in fear of." Ayame smiled, before frowning at the dozing Daiyoukai. Growling, she sank to one knee, plunging her fist into the ground. The walls around them trembled with distress, and the cubs yipped with alarm, huddling around Sesshoumaru.

"HEY! This girl time travelled for your ungrateful hide!" She bellowed. "She came here just to see you! The least your sorry ass could do is say hello!"

Sesshoumaru's tail flicked out, sending a cub rolling free from its personal tug of war. He huffed quietly, giving another low noise and shifting so that he was turned away, back facing them.

"If he doesn't want to see me, Ayame...it's okay," Kagome said, watching quietly.

Ayame growled, straightening and putting her hands on her hips. "It's weird, almost like he doesn't believe you're really here or...doesn't want you to be?" She then winced, glancing at the miko. "Uh, I didn't mean to-"

"No, it's fine," Kagome soothed. "I'm going to um, stay here for a little while. Just in case he changes his mind."

"Are you sure?"

She nodded distractedly, watching every inhale and exhale.

"Alright, but I'm only leaving you for an hour. Shippo will come fetch you. It isn't healthy to stay here alone."

"Sesshoumaru's alone."

"By choice!" Ayame tsked. "It's true he was injured, and the battle at the Western Keep probably took a toll. But everyone else has tried to move on. They might still revere him as Leader, but honestly he needs to be defeated soon and replaced if we're gonna progress. Otherwise, we're all sitting around waiting for him to get better."

It occurred to Kagome then that no one else knew. Sesshoumaru probably hadn't told anyone what he'd been through with the monks. They just thought he was pining for his lost house.

Kagome assured her she'd be fine, waiting until she left along with the rambunctious cubs, before turning to Sesshoumaru. Without their presences, the cave was plunged into silence, save for the tumble and crash of waves against rocks outside. Sitting down, she wrapped her arms around her knees and hugged them to her chest, just listening.

Little by little, she inched closer. Carefully, agonisingly gently, she reached out and lay her palm on his side. The jagged bite mark on her arm pricked, and her body tensed, but he didn't stir. Lithe fingers combed through damp fur, untangling it. He felt warm and steady, much better than his previous trembling, but she could sense the undercurrent of something. A great tired weight on his chest that caused every draw of breath to seem like effort.

"I don't know why I wanted to see you while you were still recovering. Maybe it was just me being full of it, thinking I could be the one to heal you. Seriously...I'm an idiot," she chuckled quietly. "But here you are, wounds closed. Healthy. Least that's what everyone thinks, mn?"

She didn't know if he were listening or could feel it, but she stroked her hand through his fur all the same. "I get why you didn't tell them about the monks. Too proud," her lips curved into a wobbly smile. "But Shippo would help if you opened up to him, I'm sure of it."

His lids remained shut. Her fingers lightly slid over his muzzle. You were like this when Rin died too...just trying to sleep it off. So many bad things have happened to you, I bet they've mounted up. Why don't you ever talk to anyone, you beautiful dumbass?

Leaning down, Kagome rested her head against his back. "It's going to...get better, you know?" She murmured. "Not to be patronising, but it will. So for now, if this is what you need, to be comfortable, then that's okay. Just...don't sleep forever," turning her face into the warmth of his side, she trembled.

"I'd miss you too much."

--------

She stayed with him until Shippo came to collect her an hour or so later. Kagome didn't check her watch to know, just let time disappear. Leaving without a word or fuss, Sesshoumaru did not stir without her presence.

"Are you alright?" Shippo immediately checked, padding back with her along the beach.

Unprompted, Kagome smiled gently, causing him to blink. "Yeah. I think since I can't help Sesshoumaru this time, I'll focus on doing what I can around him."

"Meaning?"

She hummed, "well, why were the demons last night showing their markings and claws? On the outside, this place looks like an ordinary village, but I can feel a barrier around it. Wouldn't it make sense to start covering up their demonic features so that everyone can hide in plain sight without wasting energy on that?"

Shippo smiled, tilting his chin up to look at the morning sky. "You don't miss much. That's been a huge thing lately, big mess. No one wants to start posing as humans except the foxes, Shiori, and a few of the wolves."

"Why?"

"They refuse to unless their leader does it first. Set an example. But it's like he's doing the opposite, lounging in his true form all the time."

Slowly, the pieces started to fit into place. Now she understood Ayame's frustration. Shippo continued, sighing. "Sesshoumaru's the strongest, as proven every week in the pits. Hence he's the leader. If someone could just beat him in the fighting pits, someone who gets that we need to change to survive, then we could really pass ourselves off as a human village. We'd be so much safer! Plus that way us foxes wouldn't have to be the ones going to neighbouring villages for supplies. Shiori wouldn't exhaust herself by keeping the barrier up too. We're sitting ducks like this."

Kagome nodded seriously, mind whirling with the new information. "When's the fighting pit next open?"

"Tonight. It's held over there," Shippo pointed to the opposite cliffs and caves, situated nearer to the village and on the right of the shore, where Sesshoumaru's was on the far left. Isolated.

"Great, I'm heading there tonight."

"N-not to fight, right?"

She laughed. "No Shippo. If I beat him and became leader where would that leave you guys when I disappeared? I just want to watch."

Shippo exhaled with relief, smiling up at her. Tentatively, she offered her hand.

Green eyes flickered with surprise, and it occurred to her how much older he'd become. She shouldn't have done it, he wasn't a little kid anymore. He'd survived war and-

Shippo's hand slid into her own.

Emotion welled up inside her and when he gave a squeeze, and she felt that he'd done it more for her sake than anything else. Kagome squeezed back with gratitude as they walked in step back to the village.

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

That night, Kagome walked among the crowd through the narrow passages in the caves. They walked with torch in hand, until the rocks bathed in orange hues gave way to a giant opening, fit for the hall of a King.

Kagome followed the demons to the rings that looped around the massive pit in the centre of the floor, almost like they were in a colosseum. The cave seemed to have been carved, paving seats for them, so she took one. Glancing to her left, she found Inuyasha, who had decided to follow. He frowned, ears pressing against his skull.

Sesshoumaru's form became visible after a moment, climbing down into the room via one of the higher openings in the cave and making his way to the pit, jumping in and waiting with a tired sort of expectation. The demons in the crowd glanced around, muttering to themselves.

Finally, a challenger Kagome didn't recognise jumped into the ring, bulls horns protruding from his head. With a blast of yellow youkai, his form melted into a demonic bull, tossing his head and rearing on hind legs.

Everyone watched with bated breath as the fighting started without introduction.

Two forms collided, roughly slamming into each other. Kagome noticed that while they used no real techniques, more throwing weight or striking, they each avoided using their deadly weapons of poison, teeth or horns if they could help it.

Sesshoumaru ended things by moving with a burst of speed, leaping atop the bull, which was struggling to get up. A large paw slammed down into its jugular, bracing his weight and opening large jaws, pining the burly demon down via rows of deadly teeth on ethier side of him. Sesshoumaru held him there despite the kick of frantic hooves beneath him.

Eventually, the bull made a noise, and Sesshoumaru backed off, panting.

"He's...like a stray dog or something," Inuyasha mumbled, ignoring the cheer from the onlookers.

Kagome glanced at him. "What do you mean?"

"When demons communicate, it's like human speech, just different. Gestures and stuff. But even using that, it's like he's completely closed off. He might still fight well, but he's not the taunting asshole I know. The hell happened to him?"

"He got hurt, badly," she murmured, not wanting to say more than that. It felt like a betrayal of trust to explain, for some reason.

"Oh for goodness sake," came a voice behind them.

Kagome turned, looking at one of the higher stands and spotting Inukimi. Her eyes were on the pit, so the miko shifted to look. She then gaped.

Kaito limped into view, facing Sesshoumaru while leaning on his crutch.

"You foolish oaf! What are you doing?" Inukimi stood from her seat with a rustle of silks, glaring.

From within the pit, the General glanced up at his Lady, mouth curving. He lifted a shoulder, giving a sad, rueful smile. "We can't live in the past, my Lady. I should at least try to end this stagnation."

Kagome's eyes widened. Kaito who had been so proud he'd all but rejected her as Lady of the West. Kaito who hated the House lowering itself. It was he who stood before his lord, discarding his crutch.

Blue light coated the dark-haired Generals form. Smoke billowed out, slowly sighing away to reveal a three-legged black inuyoukai. He leaned forward, equal size to Sesshoumaru, who growled softly.

The two leapt, meeting with a clash of hard bodies. Black and white fur met again and again, demons trying to topple the other. A few times their paws swiped out, hackles rising as they snarled, teeth starting to snap and bite. Their forms chased each other around the pit, colliding into the walls and causing the structure to shake.

"Crap, Kaito's really letting him have it," Inuyasha muttered.

Seeing Kagome's questioning look, he scratched his cheek. "Let's just say he's yelling at the Bastard and telling him to wake up and fucking lead already. Sesshoumaru is pissed-"

A hard-hitting sound echoed off the walls as Kaito hit the floor a moment later, his single back leg giving. His jaw smacked hard against the ground as Sesshoumaru remained atop him, pressing him down and snarling quietly.

"What's Sesshoumaru saying now?"

Inyasha tsked. "...For Kaito to find someone strong enough to take over or leave him the hell alone."

When the dust settled, Kagome watched as the silver inuyoukai padded around the pit like a restless tiger. Kaito's black form receded, his more human appearance returning. Taking up his fallen crutch, the General gingerly got to his feet and limped away.

When no other challengers stepped forward, the fighting pit drew to a close.

------

She'd asked around, but apparently, defeating Sesshoumaru was indeed the only way to seize control over the village. Even if she could win, Kagome also asked if she could pass on the mantle immediately after- only to be shut down and told an 'outsider' like herself wouldn't be accepted as a leader in the first place.

Kagome thus spent her week helping Shippo and the other foxes. Kouga and some of his wolves had unfortunately left to run an errand. Despite how busy she kept, she always noticed the lack of Sesshoumaru's presence. Visiting him had only become possible in the evenings she was so tired, helping newer arrivals construct a hut. On one day she walked the road to the neighbouring human village and helped load supplies onto the wagon, discussing trade. Pushing some hair back from her eyes, Kagome sighed.

"It's hard work, mn?" Shiori smiled knowingly, tending to the horses.

"Sure is. How are you able to leave the village and move around if you're...you know," Kagome glanced at the humans walking around. She cupped a hand to her mouth and mouthed: 'using your powers.'

Dark eyes danced, her hanyou features under a glamour. She beckoned, and the miko leaned in, watching as Shiori opened her pocket, revealing a glowing orb.

"Oh, you had something like that last time."

"Yes, but I was being used back then. Now I'm...happy to be of use to the village, even if I wish everyone would be a little braver," Shiroi said gently.

Kagome nodded, brows drawing together. "You feed your power into that and it projects a barrier around them, right? You must be exhausted all the time," she said, eyeing the pallor of Shiori's usually darker skin with thin lips.

"E-excuse me, are you a miko?"

Turning, Kagome faced a nervous looking man.

"Yes, hello?"

"Please," he took her hand. "My wife is giving birth. I-I don't know what to do, please help! Our village priestess is away visiting friends. Please!"

Everything else fell away as Kagome nodded seriously. "Don't worry, I'll come. Shiori, can you-"

"I'll come too."

With a nod, the two women rushed to aid the man and his wife.

------

Kaede's teachings had certainly come in handy. It had felt kind of surreal, holding the newborn. Whenever she'd helped deliver in the past, Kaede had always been the one easing the child out, taking the lead.

Shiori had been a massive help, advising whenever the miko had become uncertain. It was clear the woman had more experience.

Washing her hands for the umpteenth time, Kagome padded back to the village with the hanyou.

The foxes and cart had left hours ago ahead of them, the sky darkening to lush purples.

"Kagome, do you think it's possible for Lord Sesshoumaru to still lead?" Came the quiet question.

Feeling caught between a rock and a hard place, Kagome sighed. "...Not right now," she admitted. "He seems to just be attending the pits out of necessity. If...if you ask me, it looked like he almost wanted to be defeated," she murmured.

Shiori nodded, raising a hand to her head. "I worry that- that soon raiders will come, and our village will be snuffed out just like the Great Houses. If we got attacked, I don't know if my barrier will hold. That's what I'm...afraid of…"

"Shiori?"

Glancing at the Hanyou, Kagome squeaked in alarm, catching the woman before she fell. Feeling her blazing forehead caused clammy sweat to cling to her skin. "Shiori! Hold on, w-we're not far from the village!"

Awkwardly ducking, Kagome lifted her onto her back, supporting Shiori under her thighs. But the days work had significantly weakened the miko and she only managed to make it down a hill before stopping. Panting, she sank down to her knees. I can't just leave Shiori to get help, what am I going to-

"Kagome!"

Lifting her head, gladness filled her heart.

"Inuyasha!"

With the smell of sea-salt clinging to him, Inuyasha leapt down from the trees, racing towards them on the path. "The hell happened?"

"Shiori fainted. I think she's done too much today, or maybe...all week," Kagome murmured, wondering quietly.

Inuyasha removed the weight from her shoulders and hitched the woman onto his back. "Let's hurry then, don't slow me down, idiot," he muttered almost affectionately. Kagome smiled despite the situation and followed, hurrying after him.

As her feet pounded on the path, Kagome watched as he took off in front, bounding ahead. Strange, nostalgic feelings wrapped around her heart and squeezed. She shook her head and raced quicker in the direction of the sea.

------

A fire flickered in the centre of the largest hut. Within, the majority of the village residents lingered, waiting for any sign of change from Shiori. They drifted around, looking a little lost.

Shiori herself lay on a futon, breathing shallow. Kagome had done everything she could think of to bring her temperature down. Nearby at a low table, Inukimi poured over scrolls and paperwork, frowning at the disturbance.

"What happened to her?" Ayame peered down.

"She was overworked!"

A few demons glanced at Inuyasha, vague guilt passing over their faces.

"Cease your yapping." Inukimi sighed. "I dislike children who shout."

"Tch, what? You'd rather I was more like Sesshoumaru, keeping my trap shut?"

"Preferably. He always was quiet, even as a pup. Granted he did cry at first, but ignore them long enough and they learn not to make noise. Obviously, it's a lesson you were never taught."

For some reason, though the comment hadn't been meant as particularly malicious, Kagome thought of Sesshoumaru's scars. Of him. Alone, quiet and drenched in the dark of the cave. Not making a fuss. Hiding his distress. The pain so keen he couldn't bring himself to see anyone lest they think him weak.

She stood, hands balled into fists as a low fire churned in her gut. "All of you are cowards," she muttered lowly.

The demons instantly bristled, but she didn't care. Tip-toeing around them achieved nothing. "Shiori is like this now because you're too afraid of change. She's been managing the force field and helping everyone, keeping up appearances with glamour. Not just her but the foxes and wolves. The rest of you are falling behind, don't you understand that?"

"Shut up! What would a human know of it?" One growled.

"I know you all loved the House of the West!" She burst, brows drawing together. "It's that love...that fuels your protectiveness over your markings and features. Your heritage and species. That's why you don't want to cover them up. It would feel like a betrayal. It's why you won't act on your own despite Sesshoumaru not really leading you."

A low growl sounded out, and Kagome was surprised to find Inukimi's narrowed gaze on her. "You dare call yourself his Mate and then encourage us to go against him?"

"He's not given you any orders!" She snarled, reiki and a skitter of hot, familiar youkai curling out of her bite mark. Sesshoumaru's presence loomed over her aura, lending weight to her words. "He doesn't want this position at the moment. The way I see it, he's fighting out of obligation for tradition. And that's what this all is! You're going to die for your traditions."

"Kagome!" Ayame chided.

"Well, they are! You can't stay isolated forever. You're not on an island. Your human neighbours will get curious, and one day they'll bump into the barrier. If the humans see you like this, don't you think they'll retaliate? The time for...surgiving is now. I'm sorry. I wish you didn't have to cover up your marks. All of them are beautiful..." a blue crescent moon on a beloved brow came to mind as she looked around at them, seeing stripes, pointed ears, horns, tails. "All of them. But you have to. It's time you start living for yourselves, not for the past."

Inuyasha's ears flicked, swivelling in her direction as he looked slightly shocked.

"Adapt or die, is it?" Inukimi's words came low and solemn, looking through her. "I recall musing something similar at the burning Western Keep."

Kagome faltered, the energy around her dying down. "I hope your choice isn't the same as it was then..."

"Choice? My fate was decided for me, don't you recall?" She sneered, rising from her low table. "Foolish."

Watching the demoness pass by with a flow of silver, Kagome glanced at the inventory paperwork, feeling her shoulders fall.

------

The night of the fighting pit came around again. Kagome and Inuyasha sat in the same seats as before, her hands tightening into fists, honestly debating jumping in herself. At least it would free Sesshoumaru from responsibility and allow him time to collect himself.

Slowly, she inched from her seat to stand.

"Don't," firm fingers wrapped around her wrist, tugging her back.

Kagome glanced at General Kaito on her right. His back hair fell loose around his shoulders, dark eyes sharp.

"But General I-"

"It is not your fight," he rumbled.

Usually his tone would have riled her enough to disobey, but Kagome found herself weakening. She didn't know what to do. But there had to be something! Otherwise she'd be leaving without having helped at all, and that was the purpose of these jumps, right?

Feeling something brush her side, Kagome raised her head, looking at the blurry image of red and white. Scrubbing her eyes, she blinked up at Inuyasha, who had risen.

Words caught in her throat as Kagome watched him. The hanyou stared down at Sesshoumaru, who paced around the ring, snarling for a challenger. His roars echoed off the walls right into her bones.

Kagome's fingers latched onto his clothes before she'd realised it.

Solid, bold golden eyes slid down to her. Inuyasha's mouth tightened.

"...I gotta go, Kagome."

She stood, babbling immediately. "No you don't. What are you talking about?" She squeaked. "I-If you go and end up winning, you'll have to stay here."

Inuyasha stared back levelly.

Cold fear, sadness, confusion and panic erupted in her chest. "Please don't," she said quietly. "I-I don't know how far away from the Present we are. What if...what if we never see each other again!" Hysteria laced her voice and a few heads in the crowd turned. "I can't take that! You can't disappear from my life like Sango and Miroku! I need you, I-"

"Shut up already!"

Her shoulders were seized in a tight grip, and Inuyasha glared down at her. "That's enough. You don't damn need me!" The shout died in his throat, golden eyes dimming slightly. "C'mon. You haven't needed me for a long, long time."

Kagome trembled in his grip, rendered helpless, like that frightened 15-year old that had stumbled from the well all those years ago.

"Look, I get that you wanted me to stay in your Time. But it's...not where I'm meant to be. Least I don't feel that way. Don't get me wrong, I'm grateful," he grumbled, eyes shadowed from his cap. "You and your family made a space for me. They're- you're good people. But I can't exactly fill a role there. I'm just a house guest."

"But you're n-"

"I said shaddap!" He cut her off, growling. His voice soon lowered again, the fight leaving him. "I can't protect them. But I can protect these guys. I was useless in that big battle at the Western Keep and I've felt shitty ever since. Sesshomaru's been leadin' our old man's people for years. They haven't ever accepted me but I can't just ignore em' anymore. And don't start whining. You're the reason I want to protect people in the first place. It's your fault I'm like this now," he grit his teeth, letting go slowly. "So just, remember your own damn goal. That's your future, right there," he said, pointing a clawed finger at Sesshoumaru in the pit. "So keep damn working towards it and quit looking to the past! I gotta...start working towards my own future now."

Tears rolled down her cheeks as she watched him take a step. Then another. And another, further and further away from her.

His shoulders were broad and strong. Back straight. He walked with purpose.

A harsh sensation, like that of a knee being rammed into her stomach, caused Kagome to bolt forward, burying her face in his thick hair. She clung to that strong back, wrapping her arms around him and trembling and sobbing. Because now she knew.

Even if Inuyasha lost this fight, he'd be staying the Past no matter what. And there was nothing she could do to change his mind. I don't want to lose anyone else. Inuyasha is supposed to be...supposed to be my rock.

A coarse palm, rough from years of scrapping, slid over her hand.

Her breathing hitched. The tears felt hot, thick and ceaseless.

"I would have died with Kikyo if it weren't for ya," he grumbled lowly. "I'd be in the netherworld embracing her. But instead, I've kept my life. So let me do something with it, Kagome." The waver in his voice strengthened until it was all she could hear in her ears.

Finally, finally, Kagome's hands fell.

His form immediately jumped into the pit, discarding Tetsusaiga and his cap. Sesshoumaru fell quiet, tail flicking out as he raised his head.

"I hear ya became pretty useless, bastard." Inuyasha taunted, rolling his shoulder as his ears twitched. "It's been a little while since our last proper fight. I'm in the right mind for it now, so let's go."

His smaller form leapt into the air, and Kagome gasped as Sesshoumaru met him with a crack of blazing with red energy. From within the haze, their bodies came flying out, the Daiyoukais transformed. His clothes looked less pristine than usual, skin ashen, something in his face looking tired, but focused on Inuyasha. He met every punch and kick with one of his own, tossing his brother into the ground. The Hanyou turned mid-air, landing on the balls of his feet and pushing off again to strike.

As they fought, Kagome felt a smaller hand wrap around her own. Frozen, she only sat down beside Shippo when tugged. The entire crowd watched silently, the air hanging heavy.

Harsh snarling and strikes of claws bounced off the walls.

Inuyasha picked himself up and threw himself into the wall that was Sesshoumaru again and again. Catching his fist, the Daiyoukai tugged on it with a deceptively small movement and Inuyasha lurched forward with his whole body, stumbling after the hand Sesshoumaru led him by like a puppet on strings. A classic taunting move.

Subverting this however, Inuyasha planted his foot down, using his free fist and striking. Sesshoumaru's head snapped to the side, gold eyes slightly wide. Inuyasha doesn't wait this time, following one punch with another without hesitation. Fists pummelled. Coarse knuckles split and ran raw as he unleashed the depth of his frustration at his own powerlessness. At change and Time.

For all his efforts, Sesshoumaru swayed on his feet, expression unreadable under the scrapes and bruises. Inuyasha panted, eyes having bled red, lips peeled back. Even feral, a part of him couldn't understand why. Why his formally proud, nightmarishly strong brother took it. Why he didn't answer with blazing anger. Inuyasha kept punching until ribs and bones cracked, Kagome's cry to stop halting his fist inches from Sesshoumaru's bruised and bloodied face.

Sesshoumaru's jaw moved, before he spat. Blood met the floor, soon joined by knees. The daiyoukai sank down, head bowing and limp hair sliding forward.

Inuyasha snarled with bloodlust, taking a few steps forward- until Tetsusaiga was shoved into his palm. Kagome looked at him searchingly, standing between the two as the Hanyou panted, gripping the sheath as his eyes wavered to gold once more.

Kaito and Shippo exhaled with relief.

Howls and shouts broke out into air, the wolves and foxes singing their praises. Even the other demons looked mildly impressed, but most were astonished.

Heartbroken.

Inuyasha panted harshly, looking up at them dazedly.

The roar of the crowd was lost on Kagome as she turned, words on the tip of her tongue, but Sesshoumaru had already picked himself up, leaving. Glancing at Inuyasha again, she bit her lip, wavering.

Inuyasha tsked, before bending down and retrieving his cap. He then placed it on her head and tugging it down so that she couldn't see his expression. "Go after him, ya idiot."

Feeling the pull of elastic in her gut that heralded Time's approach, she nodded mutely and turned on her heel, racing away.

Thank you, Inuyasha.

Hurrying out of the caves, the noises from behind her grew dimmer as she ran into the night air, holding back tears.

"Wait!" She called, breathless.

His figure was a pale spectre on the white sands, distant and padding further and further away. The sands cushioned her boots, feeling like they were pushing her back, but Kagome raced forward determindly, starting when the tide raced in, waves catching her feet.

"Sesshoumaru!"

The demon halted, and she knew he'd heard her this time. Felt her. But the elastic snapped, and Kagome cried out as the waters turned pink. Her body sank under the waves, feeling the current lash at her clothes and hair as water closed over her head.

No!

Squeezing her eyes shut, Kagome struggled and fought. It was the same as all the other jumps. She'd resist and the waters would pull her quicker and harsher away, stealing her breath. Even as she panicked, the miko forced herself to become still.

To try and think. To reject Time without resisting.

Lungs protested, spouting fire into her throat and tearing her mouth open. Salt flooded in, and she choaked, kicking her legs to push herself up.

She broke the surface a moment later, sucking in gulps of air.

Feeling the tide lull her once more, Kagome opened her eyes. The exact same shore awaited her, and hope fluttered in her heart.

The changed position of the sun revealed she had time-travelled, but how far she didn't know. A warm orange sunset bathed everything in a soft glow, catching on fur. Kicking her legs, Kagome swam for the beach, noticing the tell-tale silver.

Wading out of the water and kicking off her boots, she padded wet foot-prints on the sand, feeling it crunch beneath her toes.

Approaching his sleeping form, she sat down beside the Daiyoukai, taking off Inyasha's cap and wringing the droplets from her hair.

"One good thing about short hair; it sure dries quicker," she smiled, panting.

One red eye peeled open. Sesshoumaru's head remained on his paws, unmoving. Kagome felt saddened to see his melancholy hadn't improved much, but at least he was out in the sun. Looking out at the ocean, she exhaled. I can't believe I was able to come back like this. I-I know in the grand scheme of things this jump might not matter but-

A weight settled on her thighs. Sesshoumaru rested his head down, letting out a long sigh. Kagome blinked down, softening and placing her hand on the crescent moon. Slowly, her thumb grazed the mark, dragging over blue fur.

"Time wanted me to go home but I came right back here. I don't know how long it's been since Inuyasha won, but you don't have to force yourself to heal quickly. Just take your time. I'm sorry if I made you feel...inadequate or something, I was just worried. But I...think I need to apologise to your mom too."

Between one moment and the next, fur disappeared under her fingertips, red steam leaking out from around his form. Smooth skin replaced it, and Kagome smiled slightly. Looking at his handsome face, her thumb automatically stroked the bridge of his nose. Her other hand combed through his bangs, a kind of peace settling over them. Soon however, an idea took hold.

"Do you have one of those pipe things your mom has?" Kagome asked randomly. This time a golden eye cracked open.

"Hn," he opened his juban, parting the silks to reach in and bring out a pipe.

After lighting it, Kagome brought it to her lips and took a drag- bursting into a coughing fit. The bitter taste brought tears to her eyes. Placing her hand on her chest, she blinked rapidly, glancing at Sesshoumaru's perplexed expression.

"I'm trying something, leave me alone," she snipped.

Giving it another go, she managed to exhale the smoke somewhat smoothly this time. Reiki hummed over her skin, and she tried her best to put the image she wanted into the smoke merely by thinking it. She sighed when nothing happened.

"You are doing it wrong," Sesshoumaru croaked, as though unused to using his voice. Sitting up and taking the pipe from her, he tapped the ornate carvings. "You are focusing your powers externally, which is defensive." He said, silken tones returning the more he spoke. "But for this, you must push them back down so that they flow internally. That way, the power will come out on your breath when you exhale."

"O-oh, usually I pull the reiki out of me and concentrate it to my hands to lace with my arrows. So, I have to somehow keep it contained inside me? I've never thought of using it that way. Demons are pretty impressive," she smiled.

Sesshoumaru said nothing, watching as she centered herself. Activating her powers, Kagome fought tooth and nail against the impulse to raise the energy to her skin. Taking another drag, she exhaled unsteadily, seeing the faint pink sparks flow out in the smoke.

"It worked!" Kagome grinned at him, sobered by the way he stared at her tiredly. Her heart squeezed, and the smile on her face fell a little. Even depressed and worn down, he still had the patience to teach her. You're kinder than you give yourself credit for.

Doing it again, this time Kagome pictured a face. The smoke flowed out, collecting into an image. It took a few attempts, but soon enough a gentle, masculine face smiled back at them in the smoke.

"...I do not know him," he muttered.

"Mhm, that's my Papa," she smiled gently, passing the pipe back to him. "He died a long time ago."

Sesshoumaru rose a brow at her expectant face, before he glanced away and closed his mouth over the pipe. Tilting his chin up, he exhaled, smoke producing three inuyoukai's that danced and chased one another in the air, before curling into an image.

"Show off," she teased.

His lips curved slightly even as the wraiths of thick air cleared. A demon with a strong jaw and bushy brows stared back at them.

"Your Father?" Kagome guessed, seeing the resemblance.

"Hn."

The pipe was passed back to her, and Kagome felt pleased he seemed to understand her intention without words. Creating another smoke piece, Grandpa smiled back.

For Sesshoumaru's turn, he exhaled Bokuseno, which made her shoulders fall.

Next for her came kindly Kaede.

For him, bossy, proud Jaken.

Sango and Miroku followed.

Demons she didn't know came from his breath but she could tell from their armour they were of his House.

She exhaled Edo, the village as she'd known it.

He, the House of the West.

When he went to pass her the pipe again, Kagome's hand pressed it gently back to him. Tears swam in her eyes, but she squeezed his fingers, waiting.

Sesshoumaru hesitated, gaze dimming. He then haltingly brought the pipe to his lips and exhaled shakily.

Kagome gazed up at the image of Rin, the smoke curling to give her hair playful whisps. The grey wraiths couldn't help but flow into beautiful blooming flowers to adorn her image.

Seeing movement out of the corner of her eye, Kagome noticed his head had bowed, form shaking slightly.

"Sesshoumaru…"

Sliding her arms around him and tugging slightly, Kagome braced herself against his sudden weight as the Daiyoukai drooped into her, resting his forehead in the crook of her neck. She smoothed her hands over the plains of his back, murmuring soft comforts.

"It's alright," she soothed. "It's okay."

He didn't make a sound, but something wetted her skin, and Kagome gathered him closer. Sesshoumaru did not mourn loudly, and there was more going on than simple grief. So, when the tremors subsided, Kagome kissed his neck and touched his torso, sliding the material of his clothes back from his shoulders. He wore no armour so it parted easily.

His once almost pristine body held multiple scars now, as she'd suspected. They'd carried over from his True Form no doubt.

Patient hands slid over lean muscle, touching the damaged flesh. Sesshoumaru kept his head on her shoulder for a moment, before lifting it. Those weathered gold eyes shifted over her face, leaning to rest his lips against the side of her head, inhaling her scent.

The ageless tiredness of his body relaxed as she slid her hands over him, stroking, trying to soothe. Kagome touched every scar available and bent to kiss them, until they lapsed into simply laying and holding one another on the beach. Sharp claws combed through her short hair with vague confusion, so she held his face in her hands and kissed him again as assurance, shifting on the sand.

Soon, the tide swept in, waves rising up to claim the lovers in its embrace.

Answering quiet laughter joined the crash of surf on the rocks.

[ashl3yruiz]

City of La Grange Portfolio:

Featured in Fayette County Record “Best of 2020″ Magazine

Tues. 3/1

The Texas Heroes Museum is located inside the Old Fayette County Jail, which opened in 1883 and was in operation until 1985.

Today, the museum honors Texans who sacrificed everything to secure and defend freedom and liberty. The museum covers the time period of the Texas Revolution, through the present day.

When you take a tour you’ll be transported back to a time before, whether you’re listening to stories about the fight for Texas Independence, or recounting the Jail’s century of history.

There is no admission charge to tour the jail and the museum.

March 3rd (3pm)

The Bugle Boy is a nonprofit organization in its 16th musical season, and they are proud to present Butch Hancock and John Baumann this Friday and Saturday, respectively.

The Bugle Boy is home to one of the “finest listening rooms in the nation”, and can accommodate up to 80 people.

They regularly host live shows on Fridays and Saturdays, and you’ll always be hearing the crème de la crème directly.

For tickets visit https://thebugleboy.org/, or call (979)968-9944.

March 5th at 3

What a success!

Because of YOU we sold out of our Rescue ornaments and are now offering these ADORABLE Puppy Pickup ornaments to continue to raise funds for the Gardenia E. Janssen Animal Shelter.

As you may already know, the shelter’s mission is to provide care for homeless, and displaced animals. They rely on donations and grants to support their operations so this has been a wonderful opportunity to give back and support their efforts!

Let’s continue to give to this GREAT cause.

Fri 3/6 Noon

It’s Foodie Friday again!

This week we’re highlighting a La Grange staple… Lukas Bakery(tag)!

During World War II, Raymond Lukas joined the army to serve his country. After he was honorably discharged Lukas continued to serve by baking for those at Camp Swift in Bastrop.

Around this time,  Lucille Kurio was attending a local wedding when she ate a cake so heavenly she proclaimed she NEEDED to marry the man who’d made it.

Remember Raymond? He happened to be the baker of said cake, and by happenstance he’d been standing behind Lucille when she’d made her proclamation. He became enamored with her and 4 short months later, they were engaged.

In 1947, the two opened Lukas Bakery, and it’s been family owned and operated since, baking everything from scratch, just like Raymond once did.

Today, they serve everything from loaves of bread and homemade noodles, to cookies, kolaches, and “the best pigs in Texas”.

Stop in, and check out their AMAZING pastry selection before browsing the rest of La Grange’s Downtown Square!

Just a word to the wise… Lukas Bakery only accepts cash and is open from 5:00 a.m to 1:00 p.m Monday through Saturday.

March 8

The La Grange Visitor Center is proud to announce our partnership with the Rotary Club of La Grange!

We will be selling Australia themed socks with proceeds benefiting the Australia Zoo Wildlife Warriors foundation established by Steve and Terri Irwin.

Together, we hope to bring relief to the people and animals in Australia.

The socks are $15, and available in the Historic Casino Hall Visitor Center’s Gift Shop.

March 9th

Want to get kids out of the house this spring break? Be sure to sign them up for one of Le Petite’s awesome, fun, and educational cooking classes!

Wish you yourself were more comfortable in the kitchen? Now you can be! Sign up for one of Le Petite’s many classes, improve your skills, and impress your friends and family!

Feel free to stop by Le Petite and see their plethora of different kitchen goodies for sale including: quality cookware, cutlery, tea, spices, coffees, health products, foods, cook books, and other gadgets!

You can even register gifts for weddings, birthdays, showers, anniversaries, and other special occasions!

Le Petite is located on the Square in downtown La Grange.

March

When it comes to the Round Top Antique Show, it’s pretty easy to get overwhelmed by all the awesome vendors!

We know how important it is to have a game-plan going in, which is why we invite you to stop by the Historic Casino Hall for your guide to the 2020 Round Top Spring Antiques Show!

Happy antiquing!

March 11

ALL ABOARD!

If you’re in La Grange this weekend, be sure to stop by the M-K-T Depot!

The Depot was completed in November 1897 by the M-K-T Railroad (specifically: the Taylor, Bastrop, and Houston Railroad). It replaced the earlier depot that was on this site from 1887 until it burned in March 1897.

It’s sure to be fun for the whole family as the depot now houses the La Grange Depot Museum, which has a lot of cool information about train history in the area! It is open to the public every Saturday (except some holidays) from 10 a.m. until 4 p.m.

Thursday March 12th

ON THIS DAY IN HISTORY…

Former President Theodore Roosevelt (pictured with the X over his head) spoke a few words to a large gathering of La Grange citizens at the current M-K-T Depot.

At the time, Roosevelt had friends in the area who were privy to the fact he’d be passing through.

Together, the town got to work and sent a telegraph to Judge Walther Burns saying, “The city council of La Grange has passed an ordinance strictly prohibiting any ex-president from passing through this city without making at least a five minute stop. You will please so instruct the Roosevelt committee and warn them against a violation of this ordinance.” Burns immediately passed the telegram to Roosevelt who responded, “By all means, let the train stop at La Grange. We are in a hurry, but are not taking such chances as to violate city ordinances.”

109 years ago today, March 12th of 1911, Roosevelt arrived, shook hands with the friends he knew, and then commenced his 5 minute speech. He was well received by the people of La Grange.

It’s unknown what all was said verbatim, however the clipping of the La Grange Journal from the week of the event stated that Roosevelt had lots of good praise for both Texans, and Texas.

Afterwards the crowd stayed behind to watch him depart and the train disappear.

March 13th at noon

It’s Foodie Friday again!

This week we’re showcasing Texas One Stop!

Located along the stretch between Houston and Austin, Texas One Stop is more than a convenience store.

Texas One Stop is family owned and operated, and EVERYTHING is homemade, from their amazing BBQ, to their flavorful soups, and delicious bakery treats!

Plus they offer catering, clothing, gifts/decor, some farm and ranch stuff, along with convenience items!

Texas One Stop, is really a one-stop shop! Stop by today to get your hands on something good!

City March 12

As the impact of the Coronavirus (COVID-19) evolves, the City of La Grange is working with state and federal officials to share the latest information. While the immediate risk to most residents remains low, we are taking steps to limit the spread of the virus, mitigate health and economic risk, and protect our community.

We have compiled resources to assist you, and educate the public with tips for controlling the spread of the Coronavirus. We will continue to update the linked page as new information develops.

Friday 3/13

UPDATE: We have 13 more Koala socks, and 4 Kangaroo socks at this time. Come get yours and help support this wonderful cause!

The La Grange Visitor Center is proud to announce our partnership with the Rotary Club of La Grange!

We will be selling Australia themed socks with proceeds benefiting the Australia Zoo Wildlife Warriors foundation established by Steve and Terri Irwin.

Together, we hope to bring relief to the people and animals in Australia.The socks are $15, and available in the Historic Casino Hall Visitor Center’s Gift Shop.

March 14

Do you have the luck of the Irish on your side?

Put your luck to the test with our St. Patrick’s day contest!

Winner will win the St. Patrick’s day decoration and the vase of mints!

Guess how many candy mints we have in our green vase, in the comments, or in person at the Historic Casino Hall 254 N Jefferson St. in La Grange, TX.

MONDAY March 16

It’s important that we continue to support small businesses during this time!

Which is why we must recommend you stop by Julie B’s downtown! They have everything from cute clothes for every occasion, to candles, decor, and jewelry! Not ready to shop yet? Grab a gift card for later!

Julie B also has the FRIENDLIEST staff. Head on in and find the next showstopping piece for your wardrobe!

March 17

SUPPORT OUR LOCAL BUSINESSES!

It’s amazing what you can create while quilting! The artists at The Quilt Museum create truly stunning designs.

Over 60,000 people from every state, and 58 different countries have visited the Museum in its lifetime (almost 10 years!).

This week the Quilt Museum will be presenting a new exhibit, and they change it out every 3 months so you’ll always see something new.

We encourage you to swing by, if you’ve never been or if you have before, you won’t be disappointed with their displays! Afterwards stop by their period garden which is adjacent to the Museum it shows what would be typical of “city gardens” in Fayette County and Central Texas around the time of our buildings, about 1890, through the 1930s, and is one of only a few.

[jojuarez26]

When love isn't enough:It's for the best

Mature content and strong language Divergent fanfiction: Eric/OC @pathybo @tigpooh67 @ljvosscmt @beautifulramblingbrains @scorpio2009 @clublulu333 @frecklefaceb @societalfailure @ericdauntless @ariwolff14 @kiiiimberlyriiiicker1995 @glamlover87 @dani5102 @mom2reesie @crystalbaby12 @drowning-in-my-dreams @james-k-delaney @muffinmano @angolodiparadiso @singingpeople Its almost ten and Eric has been gone since a little afternoon. Audrianna is sleeping but I am getting a little worried. If I'm to be honest with myself I am missing him a little bit too. I've just gotten use to him being here. He has snuck out of the dorms and stayed with me every night since I was released from the infirmary. I think my mom knows that I have had a guy here at night but she never says anything about. I think she feels guilty that I am home alone so much. Honestly I am still a little surprised with myself. I never thought I would be comfortable or content spending so much time with Eric. I have come to realize too that when I watch him with his sister and see the compassion and burning desire to protect I feel more drawn to him. He hasn't pressured me not even once to try to do something more than cuddling and occasionally kisses. Around ten thirty I give up and decided to try to get some sleep. I know he has to be back eventually. For one Audrianna is here obviously and for two I noticed he seems to be more well rested since he has been sleeping here. It's helped keep my nightmares at bay as well. I"m running down the hallway as red is chasing me with a knife. I've managed to stay ahead of her for the most part as I grew up here and she has only been here a few weeks. I round the corner to the training room knowing Amar, Eric and Tobias will be in there only to skid to hault. Kendrick is standing there pointing his rifle at me. What?? He's should be at the fence. It's not his week to be here. Also he can't petition for a compound position for three more years. My mom made sure of it. He raises his rifle laughing. "Bye bye bitch" I turn to run the other direction as red stabs me and I yell for Eric. I sit up in bed. Shift it was just a dream. I look down and see him looking at me. He asked if I'm alright. I will be as soon as I lay down next to him. I laid on the floor and curled myself around him. I just want him to hold me. Thats where I feel safe. I can't believe Kendrick was in my dream. Especially shooting at me. I really thought I was past all that, besides he never really blamed me. He blamed my mother and himself. It was his own damn fault and he knew it. Being safely wrapped in Eric's arms I drift quickly back to sleep. I wake up with a start at the feeling of being picked up. My eyes fly open to realize it's Eric putting me back in my bed. It's time for him to go. But first he kneels down beside the bed so he's eye level with me . "Good morning beautiful. I need you to get a few things done for tonight while I"m at training." he slides his points card across the bed to me. "Get the blackest hair dye you can find and some scissors. If you don't have any clothes that will fit her, buy her an outfit. Don't let her out of your house for any reason. PERIOD. I'll be back for lunch, I'll bring enough for all of us" I reached out and put my hand on his cheek. He leaned into at put his hand over mine. "Do you trust me?" I wasn't sure how to answer that. I trusted him to protect me from everyone, except himself. He had already let angry and jealousy get the best of him once. "Yes, " it sounded hesitant to my own ears. I'm sure he didn't by it either. A slight look of hurt flickered in his eyes but it passed quickly. "No you don't. But it's alright. I understand," he had almost a loving look in his eyes. " I have to go. I'll see you for lunch." he placed my hand back on the bed and gave me a soft quick kiss. Then he was gone. It was still really early so I set an alarm for seven and rolled back over. Who would ever thought I would find myself slowly but surly falling for him. I sure didn't. Even though I knew logically it was a terrible idea, I couldn't help myself. I guess I'm not really as smart as I pride myself to be. If I was I would listen to my head, not my heart. The alarm was blaring and Audrianna groaned streching next to me. Neither of us are excited to be awake. "Did Eric ever come back? " she looked around the room nervously. "He did, but it was really late. Then he had to leave early to sneak back to the dorms. He'll be back for lunch." "Does he have a of action yet," she had a scowl on her face that matched Eric's. I couldn't help but laugh. "What!!" she snapped. It just caused me to laugh harder. No denying they are related. "Nothing. You just remind me of your grumpy ass brother," I smiled thinking about how similar they are. Her scowl turned into a smile and she giggled. It amazed me how calm she was all things considered. "He's growing on you isn't?" she couldn't look more pleased if she tried. I bit my lip thinking about it before I answered. As simple as the answer should be, it was hard to put into words. "I really should have no business getting comfortable with him or letting myself develop feelings for him. Ever since I got stabbed and every time I see him with you, all the bad things start to seem irrelevant. It all just seems to melt away." "I know he's a jerk, he's terrible at expressing his feelings, but he really does care about you you know. ALOT. He's never trusted anyone like he trust you either. You make seem...... human again," she had an affectionate sound to her voice. There was that word again. Trust. I felt a small pang of guilt about not being able to feel like I fully trusted him. In all fairness he did choke me, but that felt like another life time ago. "Come on. I'll make us some breakfast. Then start the to do list your brother gave me." I looked sadly at her beautiful, long, silvery blonde hair. "Why are you looking at me like that," she knew she wouldn't like my answer. By ten I was back with the hair dye and scissors. I grabbed her some shoes too. I found a few things shoved in my closet I had out grown. Even though she was nowhere near thrilled about her hair, she understood. I promised to put ponytail holders on the both ends when we settled on a length and keep it for her as a reminder. "Do you know where I'm going or when we are leaving?" I was elbow deep in black hair dye. "Not really. I think Eric will tell us more when he comes for lunch." I think we were both nervous not knowing what the plans were. Audrianna was just as terrified of Jeanine as Eric, actually a little more. I couldn't fathom how awful it must be to be terrified of your own aunt. My uncle was like a father to me. He would never dream of harming me. "I wish I could just stay with you and Eric," her voice quivered when she spoke. "Oh honey! I wish you could too." she was breaking my heart. Why the hell would anyone be so foolish to believe this child was a danger to anyone. Jeanine needs more damn therapy than Eric's psychotic ass. The door opened at noon and Eric sauntered in with three boxes from the mess hall. He sat them on the table and stopped dead in his tracks. He had to do a double take. Audrianna was clad in black from head to toe. Her once waist length silvery blonde hair, now just past her shoulders and midnight black. "Stand up and turn around. Let me see you," he looked impressed. "Leci sweetheart, you did an amazing job. She is unrecognizable. Perfect," he walked across the room and gave me a quick kiss. Then he motioned for us to sit at the table with him to eat. He looked exhausted. Transfers were doing guns and knives today. I'm not sure what the afternoon schedule was. I hadn't gone down in a few days. "So. Leci and I will be eating in the mess around six. We have to keep to a normal schedule. Sorry baby girl but you will have to stay here. After dinner we'll come back. I need you girls to have everything for an overnight packed. I will take and hide the bags out by the tracks around seven." "We'll be sneaking out a side entrance around eleven to catch the train to Amity." Audrianna got a horrified expression on her face. "NO ERIC!! I don't want to stay in Amity! Isn't there a place I can stay in Dauntless." she was close to tears. "Absolutely not. Jeanine has too many eyes and ears here and she brings her ass here way to much. It would be to dangerous for all of us to take that chance," he had a stern tone but a sorrow filled eyes. "I am having your falsified certificate make you two years older. That means you can do your choosing in two years. If I feel it is safe enough to do at that time then you may choose Dauntless." Tears streamed down her face. Eric threw his fork down and put his head in his hands. It broke my heart in two seeing them both so upset. "I'm sorry Audi. Believe me, I don't want to send you anymore than you want to go. It's the only place that fucking bitch won't take her stuck up ass too. It's easy to blend in there, I have a friend who you will be staying with. You'll like her, she's nice," his voice got angrier by the second. I stood up behind him wrapping my arms around his neck and kissing his cheek. He reached up running his hands up and down my arms trying to calm his breathing. "I have to do what's best for baby girl. This is what's best. I'll try my hardest to come see you every couple weeks. When I get next months points I will buy you a tablet and send it Sonny." He patted my arms so I would move them for him to stand up. He stood in front of his devasted sister and crouched down. He tilted her head up and wiped the tears off her cheeks. She wrapped her arms around his neck and just cried harder. "I hate her! Can't you just kill her? You would be doing Chicago a favor!" she sobbed. "I wish it was that fucking simple Audi. Believe karma is a bitch. Jeanine will get hers. However that takes alot more planning and people than I have the time or trust right now." "Initiation is almost over. If I can land the career I have my eye on it will put me in a position to travel between Amity and Dauntless freely. I am not throwing you out there to forget about you. I could not and would not do that to you." "I know, " she hiccupped. I wished there was something else to be done. This was going to tear them both apart. I quietly headed to my room to give them some space.

[honeydroplet]

Golden Desires (M)

word count ; 4.1+k words

genre ; smut, romance, slight fluff

summary ; Kim Eunji (19) is an A star student in her university who keep her status clean...unlike her roommate, Jeon Jungkook (21).

warning(s) ; prosistute!jungkook, collagestudent!OC, age gap (?), smut

The annoying beams of sunlight woke up Eunji from her long slumber that morning. Normally, it would have been the creaking and banging of Jungkook’s bed frame clashing up against her wall, so the sensation was peaceful for once. She rolled on the other side so that the light wouldn’t be in her eyes anymore, hoping to gain at least fifteen more minutes of sleep, but her body went off the bed length and fallen to hard floor, blowing the air out of her lungs.

 Groaning in pain, Eunji fluttered her eyelashes open at the harsh impact and quickly got off the floor, stretching her arms high above her head and let out a high pitched noise of awakening. Her voice was stuffed up so she cleared her throat before getting on her bare feet. She pushed her back forward and cracked the spine before trudging towards the kitchen, her feet sticking on the polished hardwood until she touched the vanilla creme carpet. The nineteen year old girl poured a bowl of cereal and as she walked her way to the table counter, she saw a girl about her age, eyeing Eunji with black tousled hair in knots and she was only in her red and white laced lingerie, a red wrinkled oversized  flannel, unbuttoned and her upper body was covered in dark spots. She definitely must be one of Jungkook’s customers. Eunji let out a long sigh at the dazed girl. The confused teen opened her mouth to say something but Eunji cut her off by hitching her thumb to the left and replay her instructions to every customers who spend the night with Jungkook. “Exit’s that way if you’re wondering. Take the elevator down to the lobby and you can go call a cab to take you home.”

 The stranger closed her mouth and looked at the door Eunji was pointing to. She turned her head toward Eunji, giving her a slight smile before exiting out the complex. Eunji rolled her eyes and turned back to her breakfast. Not a minute later, a loud yawn echoed from the hallway. Turning her head towards the noise, she was greeted by her roommate, half naked, jeans unzipped and hanging from his hips so she can see his defined v-line, entering the kitchen. “Morning Eunji.” The raven haired male greeted the pre-teen girl seating at the counter. Eunji looked up slightly in reply. “Morning.” The girl’s eyes traced the male as Jungkook made his way to the refrigerator and took a long chug from the orange juice jug. Unlike the stranger, Jungkook looked very…attractive. Not by the fact that Jungkook was wearing a fraction of the amount of clothing the girl was. The way his adam’s apple bobbed up and down by every chug, his eyelashes fluttering like angel wings, and the way the orange juice was oozing out of the corner of his mouth and slithering down to his toned abs. He was just the definition of sexy. Hell, Jeon Jungkook could make anything he touch looks sexy. “You sleep well?” Jungkook asked, as he placed the jug to its original place and Eunji went back to her breakfast. “For once, it was good.” Jungkook nodded and grasped a handful of grapes and sat next to Eunji, both not saying a word. About another few minutes passed until Jungkook broke the silence by slamming his head down hard on the tabletop and cursed under his slightly minty breath. “Shit!” Eunji looked up from her bowl of milk to see the older grunting. “What’s wrong this time?”

“That fucking bitch didn’t pay!” Jungkook grabbed a fistful of his hair in rage. He kept punching the marble counter, causing my bowl to vibrate from the harsh impacts. “Calm the hell down!” The brunette teen remarked before getting up and place her bowl in the sink. “You don’t understand! This is the fourth time this week.” Jungkook walked to Eunji, whining like a puppy. “If Kiseop hyung finds out, so help me, he’ll rip off my cock and make me choke on it!”

“Not my problem. You’re the fucked up prostitute here.” Eunji replied as she turned the water off and place down the bowl to soak. She didn’t approve the job Jungkook is doing, but as long as he pay for the water bills on time and his sexual life doesn’t interfere with her, Eunji could care less about the pretty boy. “Please Eunji-ssi! Won’t you help me out here?!” Jungkook begged trying to make eye contact with the teenager. The teen set down the cloth she was using to dry her hands and finally made eye contact to the older man. “I’m not leading you money if that what’s your thinking.”

Jungkook pouted. “Why? You know I’m worth it!”

“Really, Jungkook?”

“I’ll give you whatever you want!”

“I’m not interested in anything that you could possibly buy for me.” Eunji pointed her forefinger at the half naked male. “Look I know you don’t do one night stand, but come on! Don’t tell me that you are not interested by this!” Jungkook flexed his arms and display his body to the female. Eunji eyed the male up and down. The flawless milky skin, the toned abs, his belly button piercing, the attractive jawline, his trademark smile, the mini tattoo of the feather on his tailbone, those brown doey eyes, his silver graduated lobe piercings, the always-perfect hair. Honestly, Eunji would have just dragged Jungkook to his room and let him fuck her like there’s no tomorrow. But Eunji has more dignity than that. The teen leveled her eyes with the raven haired male and walked away from Jungkook. “I’ve seen better!” She directed her way to the bathroom. “You know what, Kim Eunji? Fuck you!” He hissed at Eunji. “You wished Jeon Jungkook!” Eunji yelled back, sticking her middle as she slammed the door behind her, making the argument halt.

It was about 2:30 by the time Eunji arrived back to her house after her classes in college. She had her history test on Monday and she needed every last second to study - also including the next four hour shift she has at the cafe she works at. She grabbed her house key from her pocket and plugged it into the door. But before she could turned the doorknob, the door opened inward and for the second time today, Eunji was glared upon a stranger, but this time a male.

“Well look what we have here.” The boy standing at the door, tracing his eyes on Eunji’s feminine body like raw meat. Everything about this man made Eunji want to punch him in the face. The boy’s dark brown hair was sticking out everywhere. His shirt was torn up and didn’t looked like it’s been washed for decades. He had a pocket full with twenties and a pack of cancer sticks, making Eunji realized that he was one of Jungkook’s stands. Eunji rolled her eyes at the man and as she did so, the male grasped on her wrist and dragged Eunji into the house. She was stared at about five or seven men and women, waiting for their turns. The smell of wine and tobacco overdosed the room, making Eunji cough a little from the pungent smell. “Hey, Jungkookie!” The brunette yelped to Eunji’s roommate, whom must be in another room. “Is this the girl you’ve been babbling about?” The girl snapped her head at the male, trying to get out of his grip but there was no use.

 “You’re a tough one, are you?” Smirking at Eunji, the male pulled her closer. “Hey! How’s about you sleep with me instead if you don’t want to have sex with Jungkook.” The rude male smirked with slightly whiten teeth towards the teenager. "As if anyone would be willing to have your dick shoved in their ass, Hyunseung…” A voice from the hallway muttered and everyone’s head turned to see Jungkook standing in the room with his arms crossed. “You were begging when we first met, Kookie.” The guy, whom name was ‘Hyunseung’ looked at the elderly and glared at him. “That’s why I make everyone one pay like you do.” He narrowed his eyes at Hyunseung. “Now back off.” Jungkook threatened. “Why? I think she wants me.” Hyunseung lightly kissed the back of Eunji’s neck and younger twitched by the touch. That made the pretty boy snapped. Jungkook walked up and pulled the two apart, keeping the male’s tattered shirt in his balled up fist. “I said back off, Hyunseung!”

Before Jungkook could turned his head toward Eunji to ask her to leave, she was out of the door, without any warning.

  Eunji sighed when she saw the clock struck to 11 o'clock. The cafe has been closed for more than four hours ago. She turned back to her biology textbook, eating a slice of key lime pie, still wearing her

She was about halfway finished with the book when the ringtone of the front door alerted her that someone entered the shop. “Sorry we’re closed now. Please come back at 9.” She said as her nose was buried in the crack of the pages. “Then why are you still here?” Eunji was startled by the familiar voice and whipped her head to see her roommate with his arms crossed with one eyebrow raised. “J-Jungkook?!…”

“At your service,” Jungkook replied not breaking his expression. “Now, why are you here? I thought your shift ended a few hours ago?” He questioned again. “It did. But I needed a quiet place and I’m sure I couldn’t focus if I’m hearing you moan for hours, banging against my wall. Plus I didn’t knew how long your 'friend’ was going to be there.” Jungkook gave her a look. “So what, you were planning to stay here all night?”

 “No!” The youngster shot back to the male. “I-I was going to give you a more time and if they were still there, I would a kicked their asses to the curb!” Eunji growled beneath her teeth. “You? You almost got raped by a pervert!”

 “He didn’t rape me!”

 “Yeah, because I was there to save your petite little ass!”

 “Okay…” Eunji tsked. Then a thought popped into her head.“Wait a minute, why are you here?” Jungkook shrugged. “You didn’t come back home and I kind of got worried sick about you due that I’ve blowing up your phone with text messages so I walked here to see if you were alright.”

 “You were worried about me?” Eunji blinked in disbelief.

 “Of course I was worried, what do you take me as? A cold hearted person?” Jungkook uncrossed his arms and looked at the female. “You’re my roommate! If anything happens to you then I would have get my ass broken to pay for every bill myself!” Eunji laughed at his joke. “I’m touched…Wait, you said you called me right?”

 Jungkook bobbed his head as a reply.

 “Then how come my phone…?” She dug into her pocket to see her buried in text messages and multiple voice messages. “I forgot I turned off my phone so I could study.” Eunji kept on staring upon each message with a smile across her face. Surprisingly the other was worried sick about her. “So will come back home?” Jungkook asked Eunji who was grabbing her stuff in her backpack. “That depends, are your clients gone?”

 “Yeah, I kicked them out an hour after you left.”

 “Why?”

 “Because after you left, I got the courage to call Kiseop about quitting. Of course he blew some steam but we finally made an agreement” Jungkook hitched his thumbs into his pocket nonchalantly. “You- what! You can do that?” The girl was having trouble wrapping this around her mind as she hung up her apron. “So let me just get this straight, no more one night stands?”

 Jungkook shooked his head.

 “No more half naked people roaming around our house?”

 Again, Jungkook shook his head in agreement.

 “And you’re not a prostitute anymore?”

 “Well about that…”

 Eunji looked at him, shocked.

 “Jeez I’m just pulling your strings,” Jungkook chuckled. “After they left I went out and got a full time job at the music shop about an hour away from here.” Eunji gasped at the male. “Really?”

 “I started on Sunday.” Jungkook announced and Eunji just smiled like an idiot. “Jungkook! That’s amazing!” The teen threw her arms around his neck, hugging him with all the strength she had. “Thanks…” The brushing of his breath against her skin snapped Eunji right back into reality and she quickly pushed Jungkook away. “S-sorry…” The girl looked down as her cheek bloomed into a radiant red color. “Don’t be,” Jungkook painted his trademark smile as his arms coiled around his roommate’s hip and looked into her eyes. “I like being close to you.” Eunji’s eyes were as big as saucers, her heart racing. “Really?” Jungkook nodded. “In fact, why don’t we get more closer…” Before she could replied, Jungkook slightly tilted his head and smashed his lips on her petite one’s. Eunji was awestruck by the older’s bold move. Jungkook’s lips were so moist and softer than Eunji could have imagined but she felt it was too risky. The teen tried to push away the male but Jungkook had a good grip around her waist and his lips were stucked on her like glue. As much as Eunji tries to back away, the pretty boy was one step ahead of her.

 Eunji went so far that she was practically crawling on top of the table in chances to detach her with the raven haired male so she brought her hands to the older and shoved Jungkook off of her. The two stared into each other eyes for what seem like an eternity, chest falling up and down, hearts beating up against their rib cages. By the look in Jungkook’s eyes, he was overpowered with lust and sexual desires while Eunji’s was still in searching mode, believing that this is just dream. The teen was trying to think of any reasons to not be doing this with her roommate. But in those few moments, she couldn’t think of one good solution whatsoever why she can’t so Eunji forfeit and relinquished herself to what her body’s been begging and prayed for a long time: Jeon Jungkook. Without warning, the teen wrapped her arms around Jungkook’s neck and pulled the man’s irresistible lips back to hers. Her eyes were closed as she shoved her pink muscle from the older. She hadn’t realised until now that Jungkook wanted to this more than she did. But by the way how Jungkook was looking into Eunji and his hand roaming around her pink uniform, it was clear that Jungkook was begging for Eunji’s body as well.

 As their hands continued to roam around one another’s bodies and tongues wrestling, lust was overdose in their body. There was heat and passion that neither of them had for such a long time. It was final that each other wanted to do one another and we’re going to get what they desired for. “Can I?” Jungkook smirked as he slowly unzipped Eunji’s maid costume. “Why not…” the brunette whispered back to black haired male, her hands placed on the tea table. A small chuckle escaped from Jungkook as he quickly unraveled the annoying fabric to see her beautiful laced bra, covering her mound. He hadn’t wasted any time to admire in girl’s smooth rich skin and attacked her hardening nipple with his lips. Eunji didn’t even try to even soften her moans, she want to let the male know how much she been wanting him and only him. Once the ex-prostitute finally realized he given enough attention to Eunji’s chest, Jungkook hitched up Eunji’s skirt to see her panties soaked. Jungkook pulled off everything excepted for her white socks and spread her legs to see her wet clit. The teen didn’t feel embarrassed at all, but when Jungkook was hypnotized by the beautiful teen’s organ, the blush started to flow into her face. “Your face matches your lingerie.” He blew hot air against her sensitive area, making her squirm in delight. “S-Shut up..” Eunji covered her eyes with her arm as she could felt Jungkook’s nose nuzzling in her folds. “I’m gonna make you feel good, sweetie.” Jungkook swiped his tongue at her folds, and later started to make a rhyme, making Eunji a moaning mess, Jungkook was bobbing his head up and down, sucking her dry, memorizing the sweet nectar that was spewing slowly. He went back to her clit, humming a song to vibrate the wiggling organ. Eunji felt like her eyes were about to rolled behind the back of her head and her hands were holding onto Jungkook’s hair for dear life.

“Jungkook I feel like I’m about….to…” Jungkook felted her clit throbbed around his plump lips and quickly let go of the wet, hot clitoris. “I can’t let do that, Eunji-chan.” Jungkook teased as he ripped his black tight shirt of him and pulled down his pants and boxers together, his erection pointing towards Eunji. “Do you need a little help there?” Eunji smirked as she pointed at Jungkook’s friend, going down on her knees. “If you insist.” Without a second to waste, Eunji shaped her mouth to an “O” shaped and slipped the organ inside her mouth and looked up at the pretty boy who was holding on the table. Eunji’s first lick sent shivers down his spine. Her first suck sent Jungkook to Cloud 9. Pleased by the reaction she got, Eunji went faster and faster making Jungkook more weak to his knees. Jungkook started bucking his hips rapidly. “Eunji p-pull out….” She didn’t listened on purpose and added in a humming noise to the concoction making Jungkook lose his mind. Jungkook bites his lips hard enough to taste the blood and grasped Eunji’s hair, pulling her mouth off of him with a loud “POP!”

“You’re such a bad girl…” Eunji was later pinned on top of the table, her legs spread wide open. “Kim Eunji…I want to fuck the sense out of you.” Jungkook rubbed his hardening erection on Eunji’s wet pussy. “Then show me.” Eunji pecked Jungkook’s lips and wrapped her arms around his shoulder. “Do you have condoms?”

“You’re talking to a retired prostitute! Of course I have protection with me.” Jungkook dig into his back pocket to behold a black packet in the air. Eunji took the plastic wrapper and teared it with her teeth. He grasped on the plastic condom and securely coated his cock with the plastic, pumping it a few times. “I’ve been waiting for this day to come!” He looked into Eunji’s hazed eyes. “Jungkook, just fuck me alright!” Eunji cupped her roommate’s cheeks and Jungkook smirked. “With pleasure.” And with that, Jungkook grabbed on both side of the teen’s waist as the tip of his cock disappeared into her pink, puckered hole. “Fuck!” Jungkook sworn because of Eunji being tight and the heat was so different, yet Jungkook found that he could thrusted inside the younger easily. And to be honest, Eunji didn’t looked like she was in pain…at all.

“J-Jungkook…” Eunji moaned, her eyes fluttering shut.

“Wow, you really have fingered yourself really well.” Jungkook mutter once his balls were lodged inside the youngster. Eunji’s eyes blinked. “H-How did you…”

“Come on, I’m your roommate and I hear you moan once in awhile, plus you don’t do stands and I know you don’t have a boyfriend so it was kind of easy to connect the dots!” Jungkook smirked at the dazed Eunji. By the time he finished his last word, without any warning, the older male rammed inside the teen, knowing that she could take it. Eunji yelped, feeling the ping of pain shooting through her back with every thrust Jungkook made - she would definitely be feeling that in the morning indeed.

As Jungkook was repeating his action of pulling out so that the tip was inside and then pounding all the way back in hard, the teen collapsed on her elbows, touching her back on the cold table. The roommates took a while to catch their breath until Jungkook’s eyes were locked on something nearby. “Are those kitty ears?” He reached over to captured the pink furred feline ears with two silver bells on each corner and laughed hysterically. “I’ve never seen this before. How come you never wear this?” Waving the headband at Eunji, the teen bites her lip, looking away. “Because I feel…like a…”

“Like what?”

“A…slut…when I wear that. Plus people look at me weirdly.” That made Jungkook softly chuckled at his roommate’s cuteness. “Well,” Jungkook then turn Eunji’s head and placed the accessory on her head. “I think you look beautiful…” Jungkook looked at his cute feline teen and pecked her nose as he kept on thrusting into her. He alternated between bursts of fast and furious rams, and stretches of slow and deep ones - the bells on Eunji’s kitty ear kept clashing every time their skin slapped together. The teen’s eyes rolled close, Jungkook’s cock rapidly hitting against her g-spot, making Eunji feel like her was melting with the addictive sensation. Eunji slurred a few pleads of “More!” and “Faster!” while moaning Jungkook’s name in the café, letting it echo in the hallways. The air around them was get hotter and they yelped loud enough to wake the gods but they didn’t care one bit.

Minutes passed before Jungkook felt his groin throbbing vigorously. He wanted to keep going on, he also wanted to experience what he’s been waiting for.

“Shit! I’m gonna come, Eunji.” Jungkook choked on his words as Eunji nodded and swung her arms around his shoulder. “O-Oppa…J-Jungkook Oppa~I’m gonna come t-too…” The kitten moaned, arching her back, ripping the skin on his back and that was enough for Jungkook and Eunji to come at the same time. Jungkook rode out his orgasm, rolling his hips into the kitten maid, until his penis was wet and flaccid. The room finally became silenced as Jungkook pulled out his motionless cock out of Eunji’s penetrated hole, which was still lightly twitching a bit. “Eunji…” No answer. “Eunji?” He looked down to see the girl fast asleep in a cat pose, making the older male smirked and pulled out his phone to snap a photo of the beautiful sleeping creature.

“You’re such a good girl…Eunji…”

Something weird was brushing on the back of Eunji’s neck hair which made the teen woke up from her slumber. She stretched her arms wide, as she swung the covers off of her, she spread a smile across her face. Jungkook was quietly sleeping with his arm latched around her half naked body. Eunji laid back down to see the gorgeous man, that at last Jungkook was just hers now. Eunji curled up next to him, smelling the scent of his milky white skin until Jungkook snapped his eyes slowly, rubbing his eyes to see Eunji who still had her kitty ears from last night. “Good morning, Kitty!” Jungkook smiled and pecked his roommate’s lips. “I guess it wasn’t a dream after all.”

“What?”

“Last night at the café.” Jungkook pulled out a sly smirk and rubbed his nose against the others. “I have the painful scars to prove it.” Jungkook rubbed his back as Eunji cocked her eyebrow up. “You’re in pain? My whole torso ripped into half thanks to you.” They both laughed and Jungkook held onto to Eunji’s chin. “You were asking for it.” They both kissed once again and cuddled into their arms.

“Jungkook?”

“Yes Kitty?”

“You still didn’t quite answer my question about why you quit being a-”

“Because I wanted to be with you…” Eunji blinked a few times at the older male, who was turning on his phone. “You quitted for me?” Jungkook nodded as a response. “Well you said and I quote: 'You would never date anyone like me!’. I want you, Kitty! I want you to be the person I wake up with, spend my days and nights with, and sleep with.” Jungkook confessed to his kitten, making her speechless. After get back out her trance, Eunji leaned forward and captured the other’s lips passionately until she spot something in the corner of her eye. “Jungkook?” She unlatched her lips from Jungkook. “Yeah?”

 “What’s that on your wallpaper?” Jungkook looked at his phone to see Eunji’s nude photo he took as his screensaver. “It’s you.” He smiled with confidence to the pouting girl. “Jungkook, delete that! Now!” The kitten whined into her lover’s eardrum. “Why? You look so horny in this one!” He smirked and smashed his lips against his lover's, starting their Gods know how long make-out session.

[hinatadovahkiin]

Hinata the Dragonborn #4

Chapter Four

A Wolf's Den

Jorvaskr was the closest thing to a clan compound that Hinata found in Whiterun. The central building resembled something close to an upside-down ship. Stone walls surrounded the compound and Hinata took her time examining her surroundings. Any ninja could jump over the walls but they'd be trouble for the ordinary soldiers that she saw patroling the streets. There were several locations which looked like posts of some sort. They were empty. In fact, despite the commotion she could practically hear comming from the main building, the entire compound looked... barren.

"So why are we visiting Jorvaskr again?" Sven asked.

"The Companions could welcome someone such as Hinata for her fighting skills. It would be a nice start for her, wouldn't you agree, Hinata?" Faendal turned to the Kunoichi, who was busy scrutinizing her surroundings, just as any ninja would.

"U-uhm.T-this place looks e-empty. T-the c-compound was designed f-for a larger number o-of p-people."

Faendal frowned thoughtfully and followed her gaze.

"The war has taken its toll on the Companions. They used to be over a hundred back in the days before the war with the Dominion." Sven sighed and readjusted  the straps of his satchel.

There was some sort of tension in the Nord, Hinata noticed, that it was somewhat intertwined with the Companions and Jorvaskr. Sven's eyes hardened as he stared at the building and the muscles of his jaw clenched despite his attempts to hide his discomfort.

"Let's go." the Nord said curtly and went forward with a determined stride.

There was some sort of history behind his behavior, Hinata was certain, but it was not her place to intrude. She said nothing as Faendal motioned for her to follow. As they entered, the three of them were met by a rather familiar type of ruckus.

"Oh my." mumbled the Kunoichi as she watched a tall and muscular woman beat the snot out of an elf man with ashen, dark skin and vibrant dark red hair. The elf wasn't pulling his punches either and Hinata could not help but cringe as she heard the tell-tale sound of breaking a rib.

"You bloody-" the woman heaved as she threw the elf onto one of the tables.

"Are those two at it again?" a gruff voice beside her said and the Hyuuga girl's pale eyes caught sight of a tall and formidable looking Nord. With one blank eye and two identical stripes on each cheek, the man was the very essence of the word intimidating. For a few moments they locked gazes and Hinata opted to stay still as that predatory look scrutinized and judged her worth.

"You dare fight a Dunmer!?" growled the dark skinned elf as he kicked the woman in the stomach. With a painful 'Oomph!' she stumbled backwards and soon enough the elf was back on his feat.

The woman's elbow collided with the elf's jaw and the Kunoichi winced as he splurted blood. With no time to lose, the Nord woman threw her knee into his stomach, returning the favor for that kick she recieved earlier. Hinata knew the fight would be over at any moment. Both participants were battered, bloody and bruised, but the elf had taken a direct hit to the solar plexus. He would lose this fight, no doubt.

"Hinata, nice to see you here. We'd expected you to stop by yesterday. My brother Vilkas could hardly believe us when we told him a pretty little girl like you killed a giant with a single hit."

"I-it is good to see you a-again, F-farkas-san." Hinata bowed politely out of habbit, making the dark-haired man blink in slight confusion. A pretty blush had spread on her face as the other Companions approached the newcomers. Feeling uncomfortable by the amount of attention she was recieving, she ducked her head slightly and started fiddling with her fingers nervously.

"Is this the one that killed the giant? Doesn't look like much."the muscular woman from earlier huffed, looking utterly unimpressed. "Nothing more that  a little girl."

"But that little girl was enough to down a giant in a single hit." Faendal was quick to the Hyuuga's defense."Last I remember, the Companions valued skill and courage. Not many would thrust themselves into battle without a second thought." he placed a hand on her shoulder and squeezed lightly. He had found that the gesture seemed to calm her and give her courage.

"She used magic, deceit! That is not the mark of a true warrior-"

"That's quite enough, Njada."

Every single one of the Companions turned to the new voice and then made way for the wisened Nord who had just come up the stairs on the other side of the hall. The woman, Njada, looked down as she mumbled her apologies.

Next to the old man was Vilkas. Hinata found it quite easy to recognise him as he looked almost completely identical with his brother Farkas. They were twins. He was thinner and less built than his bear of a brother. Next to him was the viscious red-haired woman, Aela.

"I am Kodlak Whitemane, Harbinger of the Companions." the old man introduced himself. He reminded Hinata of the Third. "And you must be Hinata Hyuuga, the girl who downed a giant with nothing more than a steel dagger. And as the whispers in the streets of Whiterun have it, a survivor of the destruction of Helgen. I take it you and your friends have quite the tales to tell. Please, join us for lunch."

"We t-thank you for your h-hospitality, Harbinger-sama." Hinata bowed again.

"Heh, cute kid." someone mumbled, and Hinata recognized it to be the voice of the intimidating man from earlier.

"The weather is good, so we can eat outside." Kodlak stated happily."Tilma! Prepare lunch on the Porch!"

Hinata came to the conclusion, some twenty minutes in the company of the Companions, that they had a lot in common with the rambunctious bunch that was the Inuzuka clan. Even Sven looked less disturbed by his presence in Jorvaskr, as the Companions laughed and drank and shared battle stories.

The Hyuuga was tenderly sipping on her second cup of Nord Mead, as Ria, the newest member of the Companions, was trying to coax Vilkas into explaining some sort of embarrasing story from when both Farkas and himself were still kids.

"We used to upkeep three separate training grounds, back in the days before the war with the Dominion." Kodlak spoke. "We even had separate stables. That building over there "the Harbinger pointed towards one of the smaller buildings near the rear of the Compound."It used to contain some twenty of the finest beasts you'd see in Skyrim. We lost thirteen during the war, along with many fine Shield-siblings. Brave and noble beasts. It isn't a coincidence that Whiterun's crest bears the likeness of a Horse, after all."

"You should ask Hulda, the innkeeper, about the story of the Bannered Mare." Tulma suggested as she poured in some more mead for Hinata despite her weak protests on the matter.

“Well, now that we have eaten heartily, I think it would be prudent to test young Hinata.” The Harbinger of the Companions stated and there was a murmur of agreement. “Vilkas, don’t give me that look. Sometimes, the famous come to us. Sometimes, people come seeking for fame. Last I checked, we had plenty of spare beds in our compound. If both your brother and Aela say that she has what it takes, then let her prove her worth.”

“Of course, Master.” Vilkas bowed his head slightly.

“I’m nobody’s master, Vilkas.” Kodlak corrected softly and then turned to the pale eyed girl. “Tell me, Hinata, how do you handle yourself in battle?”

“Uhm, I-I have m-much to learn, K-Kodlak-san.” Hinata stuttered, her cheeks reddening once more from the amount of attention the Companions were giving her.

“So long as you have the will and the desire to learn and improve, I don’t see a problem with that.” Kodlak chuckled fondly at her shy disposition.

“Come on, lass. Daylight’s burning.” Vilkas prompted her to stand up and his tone wasn’t exactly as welcoming as it should have been, Faendal noted. He seemed pessimistic about what he had heard of Hinata and it showed in his behavior. It was good, though, that he was actually going to give her a fair shot at it.

Neither Faendal nor Sven felt worried about her acceptance within the ranks of the Companions. The girl, despite her nervousness and shyness, was a skilled fighter. A small, knowing smirk was threatening to spread on Faendal’s face and there was nothing he could do about the glint in his eyes.

“What are you smiling about, elf?” Sven narrowed his eyes at the Bosmer.

“For all of Hinata’s expertise with small, bladed weapons, her true strength lies in her hands.” Faendal explained, remembering vividly their time in the Bleak Falls Barrow.

“You mean to tell me she would be fighting without a weapon? That she is proficient in unarmed combat, like those cat-people, the Khajiit?” Aela raised her eyebrows at that revelation.

“My brother favors a sword and a shield, if she were to fight unarmed as you suggest she would, then my brother would decimate her.”

“Elf, tell her to use those daggers of hers.” Sven’s brows were knitted in worry.

“She won’t need them.” Faendal insisted, to the bard’s surprise. “Just watch. You will see for yourself.”

And, indeed, Sven, along with the rest of the Companions, remained quiet and turned to observe the spar between Vilkas and Hinata.

888

Hinata was well aware of her own limitations and the limitations that were set by her own insecurity and fears. Before her stood a tall and wiry man, donned in heavy metal armor, holding up an equally heavy shield and gripping a shiny sharpened sword.

Her slightly lavender pearly eyes took in his posture. Vilkas presented a tall, hulking figure, not unlike an impenetrable fortress, compared to her own slender and petite form. Vilkas was not beyond her limitations, however.  Unlike him, Hinata was agile and light on her feet. She was merely wearing cloth, which gave her plenty of room for movement. Furthermore, she was a Hyuuga, and the Hyuuga were masters of perception. Even though their bloodline was not  like the infamous and now quite rare Sharingan, the Hyuuga were still considered the clan that was capable to discern truth from lie and any sort of emotion from the minute changes in stance or near microscopic movement of underlying facial muscles. And they didn't need their Byakugan to be active for that. It was for that reason alone that the clan preached immense self control over their emotions and thus facial expressions. Hinata felt herself a failure in that aspect but she was still a Hyuuga and as such she found herself immediately scrutinizing the man before her.

Vilkas' breathing was even and controlled. Despite his heavy armor, he moved with more ease than one could perceive at first glance. It was obvious that he had trained regularly and fought regularly with that hulking mass of metal upon him. But even so, his muscles were taught and very tense. He held his shield high even as they approached the small training ground right beside the porch. Hinata also noted that his footing was somewhat heavy but well-measured and that he kept surprisingly good balance – he was prepared for an attack at any moment, in any situation.

Vilkas was also scrutinizing her. In fact, he had been doing so from the first moment he had seen her. His light blue gaze threatened to send chills down her spine. While not openly hostile, there was still the promise of something feral, something wild, hidden deep within those blue eyes. Vilkas somewhat reminded her of Faendal in that regard, even though the predatory feel of his person was marginally different than the elf's. Still, before her stood a very intelligent and perceptive man, who was ready to put her in her place if she was not up to par. The concept of that brutal objectiveness on the matter frightened her. And that was just one of the reasons why she felt so uncomfortable in the man's presence. He reminded her of her father.

She was not considered worthy to be part of the Companions. In his eyes, she was weak- either physically or in spirit, it did not matter to him. Her failure would become the Companions' failure and there was a level of unconditional loyalty and something even more powerful within him that bound his beliefs with the concept that the Companions represented. She could compare the sensation she was perceiving in him to Kiba and generally all of the Inuzuka clan. To be without was not to be at all. That had been Kiba's words. Indeed, this concept rung true here as well. The companions were like a pack, Hinata realized. With new-found fascination she took in Vilkas' form once more. Even now, with every motion, with every breath he took, even by openly opposing her acceptance within the 'pack' he was protecting it. And what was even more fascinating was that he was barely cognizant of what was happening. It was an instinct to him to place the Companions first and then everything else.

As Vilkas prepared to strike the first blow, Hinata found herself releasing some of the discomfort she was feeling. She understood what was going on a little bit better, and she found herself on a new, but more familiar ground with her opponent. It was almost as if she was back with Team 8 once more, and she was having a spar with the ever cocky Kiba. The memory flooded her mind and she felt herself be a little more prepared, a little bit more confident. She held her head slightly higher and there was no longer uncertainty clouding her pearly eyes. She was ready.

Vilkas struck the first blow- a lightning fast slash with his blade. Or he tried to. Hinata had side stepped with relative ease, her posture yet to switch to some sort of stance and she was yet to pull out any sort of weapon. In reality she wasn't planning to. Vilkas' jaw clenched minutely and that had been his only visible reaction to her evasive maneuver. Another strike followed immediately but it had been avoided just as easily as the first. The third strike was more of a stabbing, swifter motion.

“Is that all you are going to do? I want to access your fighting capabilities and not how well you avoid getting hit.” Vilkas finally exclaimed seriously, careful not to show his irritation.

Hinata did not say anything but kept her eyes trained on him. Her Byakugan was not active as she did not feel comfortable using it in the current situation. Even though it was her birth right, she felt as if she'd cheat on this exam thing she was currently participating in. That woman's, Njada's, accusation still rung clear in her mind. Would her eye technique be considered 'magic, deceit' ? She'd rather not risk presenting herself like some sort of disappointment. Not when Faendal held such high hopes and belief in her. She was fairly certain that she'd be able to defeat Vilkas on her own, without actually using any Jutsu, like her Byakugan, or the Juuken or anything else considered some sort of ninja trick. Despite his armor, Vilkas still had one major weak point, and that was leaving his head out in the open like that. One simple palm strike, if well-aimed, should and would be enough to knock him out. His defense and speed, however, were quite solid. She'd have to time her strike.

With his next strike she made her first move. By now he had been used to her dodging and her ridiculously swift palm strike came almost as a surprise. It had been aimed at his wrist, and while not laced with any chakra, it was still quite painful. The joints were usually not as protected as the rest of the body and she made use of that. She silently commended Vilkas' calm, even though she had managed to get the first hit. It was not, however, a small victory, as many would think in her case. Vilkas merely tightened his defenses and held his shield even more tightly against his body, quite prepared to bash her with it in the rare event she over-extends.

On the side, both Companions and Faendal and Sven watched the exchanges carefully. Kodlak stood next to Faendal and observed from time to time the petite girl's friends, especially Sven, who looked oddly familiar.

“Hm. She's waiting for an opportune moment to strike.” Faendal mumbled thoughtfully, more to himself than to anyone else. At first he had found it odd that she had not immediately taken to her usual fighting stance. The veins around her eyes looked normal as well and not bulged as when she used that special eye ability of hers. Indeed, it was odd that she'd fight with such handicap when he had seen her take out many warriors with more than just relative ease.

“Then she'd be waiting for a while.” Kodlak responded, slightly startling the Wood Elf. “ Vilkas is one of our best. He is especially adept with the sword and shield, not to mention his solid defense.”

“Ah, well, Hinata is not fighting at her usual level of prowess.” Faendal amended, earning a somewhat strange look from Sven, who had merely seen the battle with the giant. “She fights with blows usually enhanced by something resembling magicka from what I've observed. She has killed people with a single such enhanced strike, heavily armored or otherwise. But still, she is rather...”

“Shy? Yes, I've noticed. It is strange how a person such as her is trying to earn her keep with fighting at all.” Kodlak replied, his thoughtful gaze upon the petite young woman.

“She lacks the thrill of battle.” Njada stated with a frown.

“And yet, here she is, fighting for the right to be part of the Companions. I take it this was your idea, elf?” Kodlak asked Faendal.

“Ha!” Hinata jumped higher than what normal people were capable of and landed behind Vilkas. He swiftly turned around only to find that she wasn't there. In normal circumstances, the battle would've been over before Vilkas even knew there was a situation going on. In normal circumstances, Hinata would've used her Byakugan and would've powered her Juuken with chakra. However, these weren't normal circumstances and she wasn't home.

Even back on the Elemental Continent, the civilian population had always had a somewhat mixed opinion about the ninja caste. Being ninja carried a certain stigma that made most people wary of them. Being ninja meant she'd get the job done, no matter the costs, because that's what ninja did. And being ninja meant that she'd play dirty, that she'd cheat and that her opponent would never even know what he or she had been up against. Even if she did not feel comfortable with that fact of life, it was her duty to make her Kage and Family proud and to bring prosperity to Konoha and the land of Fire.

It was with these thoughts that she knocked out Vilkas with a single blow behind the head, leaving the companions speechless. She pulled away, conflict and discomfort obvious on her face.

“I'm sorry about t-this.” She mumbled as she fiddled with her fingers nervously.

“The squirt knocked Vilkas out!” Njada exclaimed, wide-eyed.

“Well done, Hinata.” Faendal placed a hand on her shoulder and Sven came to her as well.

“You are really adept in hand to hand combat, it seems, lass. I've never seen a style such as yours. Where did you say you were from?”

People around her were asking questions, talking to her and she felt her face burn with the discomfort of such attention.

“Now, now, Companions. Let the girl breathe. Farkas, wake your brother, he has to see this.” Kodlak spoke as he placed a hand on Hinata's head and smiled kindly at her. “ So young and yet so skilled and full of potential. You'd do great among our ranks and I am certain that with time, you will grow out your shyness. Welcome to the Companions, Hinata.”

888

Even an hour and a half after the fact, it still felt so surreal to Hinata. Vilkas seemed to disapprove her method to victory, while his brother kept grinning cheekily at the little Kunoichi. Sven had spoken a few words with Aela and Skjor, the imposing looking tall Nord with one blank eye.

Kodlak had offered the three to stay at the Companions' Compound but Hinata had declined politely on grounds that they had work to do for the Jarl. Still, the Harbinger had insisted for her to come to the Compound as soon as her business with the Jarl was over in order to get her settled as a Companion. Hinata knew he meant to put her to work as soon as possible and the notion almost left her giddy. It would be just like back home, with the Hokage giving her missions. Faendal and Hinata were currently back on the road to Riverwood, while Sven had stayed at Whiterun.

“Uhm, Faendal?”

“What is it Hinata?”

“I-I think Sven seemed to know t-the Companions.”

“Ah. Not exactly. I think his father used to be a Companion. I'm not entirely familiar with his story, nor do I care for it, but you can ask Delphine the Innkeeper once we get back to Riverwood.”

Hinata nodded. It was only natural to ask the Innkeeper, since they seemed to know everything about anyone in their particular region. It was a well known fact among ninja that more often than not Innkeepers were information brokers.

[alexandraburton-x]

@zachwinthrop

       his eyes diminished to taut lines. his heart jolted to and fro, gaily as it went, but something much darker encumbered her chest and he was beginning to see its gloom eclipse her auric rondures. the ample innards of his cheeks clamped between rows of argent pearls, urging dregs of champagne to ooze from the skin, urging the pain to alert the receptors in his brain. anxieties arose that perhaps the games they were playing were not the same, and once they collided, it could be devastating. he needed to be S H A R P E R. for an inane moment, he desired nothing more than to reach out and touch her. feel the pulse throbbing beneath unsullied flesh and align his to match.        zach’s attention became diverted among the arising of a challenge from a competitor he could crush in an instant, should he need to. he almost pitied him. zach’s spine erected slowly, eyes connecting with asher’s. ❝ that is a good question, asher, ❞ he mocked, with all the innocence of a child playing upon his smile. alex continued to eject barbed falsities hoping that one of the thorns would puncture his sorry heart, but he was too occupied with trying to deduct her mindset to feel the sting. she deserted the threesome, and two pairs of eyes colossal with anticipation settled upon him. at this point, he had almost omitted faith’s presence from his precinct entirely.       ❝ to be honest with you, asher, i wanted to F U C K her so badly that it was all i could think about for weeks. but she wasn’t having it, you know? like you said, ❞ his eyes widened mockingly, ❝ complicated, isn’t she? but eventually she caved, just like she did for you, and the rest is history. in alex’s words, that was practically a lifetime ago. but this is now. did you ever stop to wonder why she’s never mentioned me? ❞ zach stands, approaches asher, then bends to his knees until they’re eye-level with one another. he wasn’t sure his risk would pay-off, but he took it, because he couldn’t live his life wondering what the look on his face would be if he didn’t. his voice lowers to a whisper that only asher can hear. ❝ did you ever wonder what that tattoo on her hip was? Z-J-W. that’s all me, asher. ❞ he tilts his head in the direction she fled. ❝ everything you curl up at night with, everything you play happy families with, that’s all ME. and i swear to you, you don’t know the half of it. if you think i’m a handful, she’s the weight of the fucking world and it’s about to come crashing down and break your fucking shoulders. ❞       he stands and turns to the two of them like a famously esteemed host, grinning bashfully. ❝ well! you both heard the lady. if she comes back to a champagne-less table, it’s all of our necks on the line. and a promise is a promise. ❞ he pivots away and saunters to the bar, positioning himself just right to catch her as she exits the restroom. he orders a fresh bottle of ❝ whatever the fuck the little brunette ordered earlier, please, ❞ and caught her by the hook of the arm as she emerged through the doorway. ❝ hi, gorgeous. what’s with the attitude? i thought we were f r i e n d s now, ❞ he utters playfully into the shell of her ear. and as if the gods themselves were watching over him, the opening notes of hotel californiabegan to ring through the lounge speakers. he suddenly becameINFECTED. he waltzes her toward the booth, spinning her body beneath his raised arm in a twisted dance, displaying her to asher and faith as though they were four close companions sharing a laugh, singing to the group, a private zach winthrop show attracting the eyes of other guests. ❝ baby, it’s ourS O N G ! ❞ he crows spiritedly, loud enough for the group to hear, giggling to himself. and for that moment, the song does what it always does for him – elevated his spirits to near euphoric, the haunting lyrics chiming between his ears acting as some kind of temporaryspell.

        ebullient champagne coursed through her negligible tenement like calescent cruor deluging through a chasmal wound. she felt I L L & it wasn’t because she was lush with sweet liquor. alexandra nudged the restroom door open, arching ( s w a n k ) curves to determine if any intoxicated patrons lingered within the stalls. they were uninhabited and for a moment, she felt placated by the silence. she placed a hand on her stomach, the other outstretching to balance upon the frosted, marble sink. was it as temperate as she perceived? she inhaled, haltingly drawing in cool breaths to soothe the fire that consumed her embodiment. ❝ it’s fine, you’re fine, ❞ she persuaded herself, well acquainted with the afflictive symptoms of P A N I C. her heart thrashed against her chest and it ached, pinching and twisting within its delicate confinement. i’m dying; ❝you’re not dying, you’re breathing. you’re fine, snap out of it. ❞ alex careened on lux four – inch heels, her head parallel with the tiled floor.          her coping skills were I N U T I L E, pointless when pressed against the thought of having to face him again. he couldn’t help but to be vile. he couldn’t ( h e l p ) but to torture her, even though he explicitly expressed his disinterest in her for the time being. so, why couldn’t he just leave her be? she was T R Y I N G to the best of her ability, but he had to keep prodding and pushing. alex frantically reached for the sink faucet, her eyes fixated upon the pallid flooring as the water rushed over her fingertips. meanwhile, asher swilled the bitter taste of bourbon between his cheeks, intrigued by zach’s persistent interest in H I S girlfriend. he sneered softly, his foot deliberately pouncing up and down as he awaited a nauseating response from the psychopath. i wanted to F U C K her so badly, of course he did. asher curled his fingers into tight fists, knuckles kissed lily white, & ready to clout zach’s inviting jaw, but he resisted.          he couldn’t – with a budding reputation, the last kind of headline he desired was one that pined him against an industry veteran; no matter how satisfying and how deserving it was. ❝ tattoo? it’s actually funny that you mention it, because i can’t say that i’ve ever seen it. she must have had it covered, ❞ he lied with a twist of hisimpeccably chiseled features. ❝ and i just suspect she never mentioned you because you weren’t worth the conversation. you had such an intense relationship, but i never even knew you existed in her world. ❞ asher averted his gaze to the dainty blonde beside him who must have been abhorred at the notion that her charming sovereign was actually a fucking M O N S T E R. what could he say to make it better? if he could have shoved the words back down zach’s throat, he would have.          moments later, alexandra had self – soothed, collecting her composure before she escaped the limits of the quaint restroom. one meager foot in front of the other, she ambled through the lounge like she owned it, lustrous tresses sweeping the curve of her back. her parity, however, had been disrupted by a hot hand coiling around her petite limb. ❝ what the fuck are you doing? ❞ she directed, her brows furrowed together in provocation as he taunted her. ❝ if i wasn’t trying to be your friend, i would have already buried you. consider yourself lucky. ❞ he gripped her lithe silhouette against his, defeating any attempts she may have made to writhe free. ❝ zach, ❞ she whined softly as he paraded her through the bar and back toward their respective dates. ❝ you’re making a fool of yourself. stop it. ❞ the song was P A I N F U L, his display ( e x c r u c i a t i n g ) as he carelessly whipped her around. O U R song; asher’s broken tinctures bore into her.         ❝ really? ❞ he fashioned with a nimble shake of his head. and he’d been so sure he’d won her affection with diligence, but he was only a reminder of what she didn’t have. she’d fucking had it. ❝ what is fucking wrong with you? your girlfriend is R I G H T here. why would you do this? are you that fucked? ❞ her prostrated muscle begged for relief as it pounded, threatening to drag her back into the depths of her angst. ❝ god, give it a – ❞ she suppressed the sonants, terrified they would suffocate her. ❝ don’t do this, ❞ she managed. { you didn’t want me, why are you acting like you can’t fucking live without me? just tell me what you fucking want. }

[angstandhappiness]

DUDE

@ clover11-10 Ah fuck reading this hurts, makes me wish Ozpin's previous host didn't perish and he was still around

@yangmight  I'd give anything to see Ozpin again. He had that gentleman charm that I think Oscar personally lacks. Don't get me wrong, Osxar is a good character, but he can never be Ozpin.

@coffee-queen448 *sobbing* I need to read this novel and alsoGIVE ME OZPIN BACK RT, YOU COWARDS

@marithlizard  *applause*

Ozpin Lore in After the Fall + Analysis

So I’ve read After the Fall, which is a very good little read! It’s definitely aimed at a younger audience, as there were a lot of moments where it was ‘tell, not show’ in regards to character emotions that felt jarring to me. That said, the lore dump we get on Team CFVY, Vacuo culture, and events during v1-3 is fairly massive. The story could have been a half a volume in its own right.

But the most exciting things,of course, were the little bits of info we got on Ozpin. They don’t necessarily fill in the blanks- it kind of raises more questions, to be honest- but damn, do we get some good info.

Beware, I’m going to get meta as fuck all up in here.

SPOILERS UNDER THE CUT.

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