#and also when he just silently washed the onions for them

[anon-apple]

Hot Soup and Soft Bread 20

Table of Contents and Synopsis <- Chapter 19 Read on WordPress

Chapter 20: Wild Onions Fried Rice II

Zhou Cunqu realized that throughout their relationship, Zhong Qiuyan always listened to Cunqu talk about his matters but never really talked about himself. Everything Cunqu knew came from things Da Yu and A’Shan said. After the Zhong family of three finished eating and Qiuyan brought him to the woods to play, he casually mentioned that Zhong Baochen wasn’t his biological father. His biological father had passed away from illness when he wasn’t even one year old. Qiu Xuemei remarried Zhong Baochen later. Qiuyan didn’t know this when he was little. But there were always nosy people in the village who went out of their way to tell him. He was seven or eight years old then. Finding out that his dad wasn’t his biological dad, he was quite at a loss.

At that time, Zhong Baochen was still working at a crematorium. His job wasn’t anything great, and the kids at school often used it to make fun of Qiuyan. There was a period of time when Qiuyan especially didn’t want to go to school. One day. Baochen got home early from work and saw Qiuyan sitting in front of the little shop at the village entrance watching other kids play cards. 

Baocheng asked him why he wasn’t in school at this time. Qiuyan didn’t respond. Instead, he stood up and sprinted off toward the creek's bank. Baochen rode a bicycle and chased after him. Qiuyan cried, “It’s you, it’s all because of you.”

When Baocheng caught up to Qiuyan, he grabbed his arm and didn’t let him run off. So Qiuyan hit him and knocked the things he was holding out of his hands. They were the cards that the kids were playing with in front of the shop. Baochen had bought two packs for him. A tad awkwardly, he asked: “Did you want to play with these?”

Qiuyan lowered his head. His tears fell onto the cards on the ground. 

--

Qiuyan, hitting the weeds and wildflowers growing out of the ground with a tree branch, said to Cunqu: “Anyways, Zhong Baochen is a pretty good person.”

The two of them wandered around on the mountain for a while. Qiuyan picked some wild onions, saying they were especially fragrant when fried with rice. The two of them returned to the house and placed the onions in the courtyard in passing. When they came back out, Baochen had already cleaned the onions with water and put them on the wooden counter.

Before becoming a bus driver, Qiuyan had studied cooking, so he had a bit of skill. Cunqu stood at the back entrance of the kitchen and watched him fry rice. When Qiu Xuemei walked by, she uttered: “Impressive. The great chef only touches the stove once a year.”

After cooking, the two of them each held a bowl of fried rice and sat down on the daybed[1] in the backyard to eat. Qiuyan asked Cunqu if it tasted good. Cunqu replied: “Very good.” 

Qiuyan then asked: “How is it, are you a bit tempted to offer yourself in exchange?”

Cunqun started laughing with rice still stuffed in his mouth. 

--

In the evening, Cunqu sat on Qiuyan’s desk and leafed through the sparse number of books on the bookshelf. Qiuyan had gone to help Xuemei apply medicinal ointment. Cunqu took out a novel. The inside had already been torn out by Qiuyan and stuffed with a stack of random cartoon stickers. Cunqu laughed involuntarily. He took out another book; it was a yearbook from high school. Qiuyan had written on the first page, Name: Zhong Qiuyan, Astrological Sign: Gemini, Life Maxim: If you don’t even try, how would you know? 

When Qiuyan returned, Cunqu was still flipping through the yearbook with interest. Repeating keywords in the commentary about Qiuyan from his classmates were: rowdy, talkative, and potentially ADHD. 

Qiuyan blushed and took the book back, mumbling: “Don’t look anymore. These are all things of the past.”

Cunqu tugged him close and hugged his waist, asking: “How come there’s someone who wrote: ‘Forget me, you will find someone better’?”

Qiuyan complained noisily: “This is a prank, it’s written by some guy. Ge, just look at this chicken scratch handwriting.”

Cunqu innocently said: “But I’m also a guy.”

Qiuyan was momentarily speechless, then he drew Cunqu towards himself and said in a spoiled tone: “You’re different~ You’re my little darling. My baby, my obedient wife…”

Cunqu laughed: “Stop, I’m getting goosebumps again.”

They started kissing, tongues gently intertwining each other. Qiuyan placed Cunqu down on the bed and kissed his waist. Cunqu took off his shirt, and Qiuyan bit down on the cherries atop his chest. Cunqu couldn’t help but moan. He stroked Qiuyan’s hair and asked: “Do you want to try today?”

He then looked at him and continued in a peculiar tone: “If you don’t try, how would you know?”

This time, Cunqu loosened himself. He purposely pressed against Qiuyan’s ears and let out difficult-to-endure moans. Qiuyan kissed Cunqu's hair and continued to kiss and bite his neck. Cunqu said: “Come in slowly.”

Qiuyan obediently followed his instructions, slowly entered bit by bit, and then slowly started moving. Cunqu hasn’t done it in a long time. When Qiuyan first entered, he sharply sucked in his breath and yelped. Qiuyan, holding Cunqu’s hand, moved faster; The more he moved, the quicker he went. Cunqu finally couldn’t hold it back anymore and reached down to touch himself as he cried out. 

For a moment, Qiuyan lost track of what he was doing. All that was left was an empty feeling on the top of his scalp. He held Cunqu, bit him, kissed him, and didn’t react when Cunqu started calling out: “It’s enough, Zhong Qiuyan. Ah, you, stop for a second.”

He couldn’t hear anything at all. The sentence “If you don’t try, how would you know?” suddenly crossed his mind. He finally knew now. After Qiuyan released the first time, he grabbed Cunqu and wanted to go a second round. Cunqu’s physique was relatively weak to begin with. After the first round, he had no strength left in his entire body. His legs were spread, and he leaned against the headboard of the bed; the flush on his cheeks had yet to go down. Qiuyan started biting Cunqu’s inner thigh again. The latter pushed his head away and said: “Qiuyan, are you a Gemini whose Chinese Zodiac is a dog[2]? Stop biting. Ah-- I’m telling you to stop biting…”

That night, they continued until Cunqu said slightly tearfully: “I really am tired. I already told you that I’m tired.” Qiuyan finally stopped and kissed Cunqu’s hair as he held him. He said, “Baby, you need to exercise more, you know? Otherwise, our future happy life…”

Cunqu kicked his shin.

When they finally went to sleep, Cunqu groggily really wanted to just sleep. Qiuyan, still holding him, said, "I’m a bit too excited to sleep. This is my first night. Ge, it’s very meaningful. Let me check my phone’s calendar. What’s today’s date again.”

Cunqu shut his eyes and perfunctorily nodded. Qiuyan then grabbed his face and started placing kisses everywhere. He said with dissatisfaction: “How can you have this attitude after sleeping with someone, honestly.” Cunqu didn’t know how and when he fell asleep. Qiuyan kept hugging him and refused to let go. When he woke up in the middle of the night, he was overheated from how Qiuyan was wrapped around him and almost had difficulty breathing. Qiuyan, on the other hand, was sleeping without a care in the world; his eyes were curved even when he was asleep, having some sort of a good dream.

Cunqu shut his eyes and perfunctorily nodded. Qiuyan then grabbed his face and started placing kisses everywhere. He said with dissatisfaction: “How can you have this attitude after sleeping with someone, honestly.” Cunqu didn’t know how and when he fell asleep. Qiuyan kept hugging him and refused to let go. When he woke up in the middle of the night, he was overheated from how Qiuyan was wrapped around him and almost had difficulty breathing. Qiuyan, on the other hand, was sleeping without a care in the world; his eyes were curved even when he was asleep, having some sort of a good dream.

Cunqu shut his eyes and perfunctorily nodded. Qiuyan then grabbed his face and started placing kisses everywhere. He said with dissatisfaction: “How can you have this attitude after sleeping with someone, honestly.” Cunqu didn’t know how and when he fell asleep. Qiuyan kept hugging him and refused to let go. When he woke up in the middle of the night, he was overheated from how Qiuyan was wrapped around him and almost had difficulty breathing. Qiuyan, on the other hand, was sleeping without a care in the world; his eyes were curved even when he was asleep, having some sort of a good dream.

Cunqu shifted a bit. Qiuya, like a crab, gathered him up and clutched him even tighter.

Footnotes

[1] The word used here was 凉榻(Liáng tà) which is a classical-style Chinese furniture with a very long history. It’s a rectangular low, narrow seating area/bed. See here for google images: https://tinyurl.com/3xervpwp [2] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chinese_zodiac There are 12 animals in the Chinese Zodiac (including dog), and it’s based off birth year instead of month. Cunqu is joking that Qiuyan’s like a dog with how much he’s biting him, but it’s entirely possible that Qiuyan actually is a Gemini in the Western Zodiac but a dog in the Chinese one lol. 

[medullamindset]

SOME HC'S ABT THIS FUGLY MAN 💗

Uhh no tw's i dont think? Also this is my opinion so if u dont agree w smth.. Ok ^^ idc!! :)

(Also some of these hc's (like 3) are inspired by sunlit6279 on here, their Loris hc's were like the only popular ones when i read them so i injected those into my veins and ran with it yay)

SFW AND NSFW!

• Hes so tall.. Taller than Steb, whom is taller than caitlyn, whom is 6'0 (1'88 cm's) AND wearing heels. I'll say hes around 200 cm's, which is like 6'6.. yeah...

• I feel like hes kinda clingy but not in a "Pissing all by yourself, handsome?" Way but more so that he just follows you around silently and subconsiously, hes always gotta be in the same room as you, no matter what ur doing. Exept maybe pissing.

• adding to that i think he'd love showering together, as previously stated hes like huge so unless ur shower is magic only one of u is getting wet at a time lol.

but hes perfectly fine with shivering in the corner, as long as he gets to just admire you and lather you up himself, he'll gladly wash ur hair for you 💗💗

• But PLEASE RETURN THE FAVOUR OMG. Scratch at his scalp with a fruity shampoo and hes a goner, zooked, in pure bliss, ascending. Sighing contently with his eyes closed.

• saw someone else on here (sunlit6279) mention that he probably has a bit of a kink for scents. As a homeless drinker himself i doubt he smells that nice often, and booze sure as shit doesnt. But then you come into his life, lingering in his nostrils, and he just cant get enough. I feel like its the sweet smells that get him.. Marschmellow, sugary pastries, flowers, wild berries and chocolaty scents, that kinda stuff got him weak.

• He'll nudge his nose right against the pulse point of your neck and just inhale, wherever you are, whatever you're doing. Or your wrist right before kissing your palm tenderly.

• Physical touch and acts of service!! LOVE LOVE LOVES CUDDLING. ANY POSITION. ITS THE BEST TO HIM. please just cradle his head and scratch his hair n beard. Please.

He'll do practically anything you ask him to. Feet hurting? Massage. Need tampons/pads? What size pussy, babes?😽 ur hungry? Sandwich :3 wanna take over the world? Whatever you say beautiful. ☺️

...Want him to cum inside? Oh thank god.. He was close to doing that already..

• Hes def really sensitive when it comes to intimacy, everywhere. Hes a grunter, grunts and heavy pants. In the crook of your neck, behind your shoulder, into your hair, forehead touching forehead, depends on the position. God i want him so bad.

• he a munch. Loves eating you out no matter what ur sex is. He gets so sloppy with it, licking up and down ur hole like a thirsty mutt, shaking his head side to side as you cum, teasing ur nipples with his thick fingers.

Speaking of, have y'all SEEN how big his hands are compared to Vi's? Whom is like an 'average sized' person. His hands would swallow yours whole, hold his pinkie or something its probably easier.

•Hes FIT too, broad shoulders, lean back, biceps and thighs bigger than ur head.. Slutty lil waist. after a nice shower he'll wrap u up burrito style in a towel and carry you bridal style to your bedroom to get dressed (⁎˃ᴗ˂⁎)

• On a more domestic note he loves your cooking, even if you kinda suck he still appreciates it so much. And if your great at it hes grabbing seconds.. And thirds.

He would love to help you around in the kitchen aswell, hes a terrible cook himself, but he knows how to chop an onion ok? He'd much rather do it himself than see you cry from it. He knows ur not actually sad, but he doesnt want his babys eyes to sting :((

• Loves petnames so much!!!!!!!! He'll call you things like beautiful/handsome or gorgeous at the end of a sentence. But also uses hun or honey regularily.. Sometimes he will let a 'mama' slip, but not in a weird way. Especially if you have kids already or are pregnant you're his pretty mama, okay? OKAY?.

• i love his SINGULAR mattlock dangling over his forehead. I think its a mattlock anyway, it doesnt look like a regular braid at all.

Lol i just know he'd let u use him as ur personal fidget toy, i'd flick that thing all day, watch it dangle around and smack him in the eye LMAO

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

(HI!! Im probably gonna make a part 2 cuz i most likely have ALOT more to say abt him but uh i just brainfarted so have this 🤲 also hihi my askbox is open so go ahead and yap if u wanna. Fic ideas, headcanons, literally anything. Im probably gonna toot out some Steb hc's aswell cuz i have a few and i need that fishstick bad.)

[atinystraynstay]

Different Sides - Kim Seokjin

Synopsis: To Seokjin, the world was his to claim. He could care less about the differences that were meant to keep people separated or the physical miles that made the distance. Especially when it comes to you, he was ready to give your relationship his all.

Pairing: Kim Seokjin x reader

Genre: Fluffffff, strangers to lovers high-key missing Seokjin hours 💜

Word Count: 2.5k

——————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————

Kim Seokjin has always been curious about the world around him. He believed everywhere told a story. And instead of reading about it, he wanted to just experience it for himself.

While Jin was exploring the world outside of Korea, he knew that he always had to find Korean food wherever he goes. Whether it was at a restaurant or finding ingredients at home, he was determined to get a little piece of home wherever he goes. On this particular trip, he wondered into an Asian grocery store. He never knew places like this existed, but he was overjoyed.

That afternoon, you found yourself venturing to the Asian grocery store. You were inspired by a video you saw online of a person making a stew, which you figured would be perfect for a cold, rainy night.

With a list of ingredients typed onto your phone, you began to stroll through the aisles for everything you needed. You were pretty confident looking through the produce aisles. Potatoes, onions, green chili. Where you struggled is one you got to the spices.

You frequently glanced between the English typed on your phone with the Hangul on the printed labels. Maybe you could just grab what looked like it was used in the video? But the problem was also that many of the ingredients looked alike. Your eyes glanced around you to see if an employee could help you but there was no one in sight.

Jin was around though. He wanted to make naengmyeon, a craving he had since he landed in the United States. He was able to pick up most of the ingredients pretty easily, but he was having a hard time locating the actual noodle packets for it.

That's when he spotted you. You were staring up at the expansive shelves of spices, eyes bouncing around. He took note of the freckles that decorates your cheeks and the few moles that kissed your jawline. Your eyebrows were slightly scrunched which he found adorable.

Slowly, as to not startle you, he made his way over to you. His packet of ingredients rested on his forearm.

"You seem like you might need some help? May I?"

Jin silently thanked his parents and the universe for allowing him to study abroad when he was in his youth. He had gotten pretty good at being able to read English. He was just trying to work on speaking it without additional assistance, especially since he was traveling on his own. You looked up, relief washing over your face. Jin was mesmerized by the color of your eyes. He couldn't quite describing them but he found them enchanting. They were such a unique color, almost as if it was a color made just for you. He noticed your eyebrows relaxed as you eased down from your tiptoes.

"Please? I thought I was doing a good job at writing all the ingredients down, but I forgot about the part of the bottles being in a different language."

He chuckled lightly at you. Not because he was amused by your struggle, but he just found your adorable. He also loved that you thought you had to justify yourself to him, but there was no need. It was fate by the universe for you two to cross paths like this.

Jin held out his free hand, motioning for your phone. He gladly took your device and began to scroll through. He was able to easily pick up the exact spices you needed. It also worked out in his favor seeing as he could easily reach them from his height. With ease, he grabbed the remaining spices you needed before setting them down in your basket. "You know, there is one thing you're missing from your list." To your surprise, you raised an eyebrow. You figured that this stranger must know what they are talking about. Just eyeing his own basket, he seemed to know his way around the kitchen, so surely he could put two and two together to figure out what you were making. "What am I missing? Is there a secret ingredient to make it better?" You laughed. "Yeah, you're missing my number. Every good meal needs good company."

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

You weren't the type of person to invite someone over spontaneously, let alone someone you just met a few hours ago. Yet, there was something about Jin that was different. After the interaction at the grocery store, you craved being around him.

Your eyes bounced around your studio apartment. You wanted to make sure everything was set up appropriately. Was it too casual? You had floor lamps on rather than the harsh overhead light in the main part of the room. There also were three candles of different heights lit on your kitchen table. Was it too romantic?

All the ingredients were laid out on the kitchen island, ready to be prepared. Jin insisted that you two cook together. "I just want to make sure you do it correctly," he teased you in the grocery store. If it meant that you could to spend time with him, you weren't complaining.

Knock knock knock

"Shit," you murmured underneath your breath. You didn't get the chance to second-guess yourself. Your heart pounding almost to the same beat at Jin knocking on the door. How could a stranger make you so nervous so easily?

"Coming! Just give me a second," you called out. You walked over towards the front of your apartment while your hands got busy at smoothing out your clothes. You wore a pair of ripped jeans and a grey sweatshirt with the hands rolled up to the elbows since you two were cooking. You had your hair half pulled back by a claw clip, showing off the gold earrings you might've stolen from your sibling.

Before you answered the door, you looked at your reflection in the mirror. You made sure your makeup, while light, was not smudged. You gave yourself a quick smile, wanting to make sure you had nothing stuck in your teeth. Your hands were trembling with excitement.

Satisfied with your appearance, you walked fully to the door. You unlocked the top lock before opening it up. You gasped softly to be presented first with a bouquet of flowers, Jin smiling sheepishly.

"Really hope you're not allergic," he joked. You giggled before shaking your head, gladly taking the flowers into your arms. "Not trying to take this date to the hospital."

"I'm sure you could even make a trip to the hospital fun," you teased. You stepped aside to allow Jin into your apartment. He smiled as he crossed the threshold, watching as he shrugged off the jacket he was wearing. Holy fuck. His back and shoulder muscles are impressive.

Seokjin could feel his eyes on him, causing him to smirk. He glanced over at you from over his shoulder. "Like what you see?" As if to make things worse, he rolled his sleeves up to his elbows now that jacket has been discarded. You just couldn't take your eyes off of him, and he knew that.

Your cheeks quickly gained a red hue. You wanted to apologize, not wanting to be rude. However, hearing his laughter as he proceeded to head towards your kitchen gave you some relief. While at the same time, your stomach was warm and fuzzy from hearing him. He really was something.

"Are you coming, sweet girl? Every great chef needs their sous-chef."

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

Making dinner quickly became the thing you two did. Whether it was for one another or together, the two of you were always in the kitchen. It was your favorite way of showing your love to someone. Jin was just content to be wherever you were.

That day in the grocery store turned into your first date of many. Throughout Jin's visit to America, he made frequent visits to your apartment with bags filled with groceries. Your apartment became filled with delicious smells, infectious laughter, and the sound of you two making out.

You couldn't believe how quickly things have escalated between the two of you. Yet, it felt like you two have known each other this whole time. He understood you in ways nobody else has even tried to comprehend before. And you were so curious about him - from his wit to his kind heart.

The months of Jin's stay were quickly dwindling down to a few weeks. And now, there were only a few days.

Everyone said the two of you would never work out. Your friends were concerned that the distance would be too much for you two to endure. Your parents were not the biggest fans of him considering they only had met him once.

Yet, their voices were all white noise to you. The only person that mattered when it came to your relationship was Kim Seokjin. Every day, he made it his mission to make it known how committed he was to you. He knew long distance relationships could be a source of anxiety, especially when it comes to unknowns.

There was nothing more that he was certain about than how he feels about you. The two of you met when Seokjin was on a solo trip. Since studying abroad in his youth, he was fascinated with the world around him. That is why he was so inspired to take up English, so he could be more connected with the world.

At the moment, you were both lying on your couch. Jin's back was against the arm of the couch, so you could rest comfortably against his back. One of his arms was wrapped around your body, keeping you close. Your other hand was playing with his free hand. You were comparing your hand sizes, seeing as he was much larger than your own. You would spread your fingers and he would mimick, adding to your amusement. In reality, it was serving as a distraction from what you really wanted to do.

"Alright, I've known you for about two months now. Something is going on in that pretty little head of yours,'' Jin commented.

He lifted his head off of your chin, so he could look at you properly. You often got quiet when you had something on your mind, something that you were going back and forth about confessing. Your eyebrows would furrow the slightest bit. You always thought you were slick about it, but he could see right through you.

"Come on, talk to me."

Jin offered a gentle smile. He was ready to listen to whatever was troubling your mind. You felt so comfortable around him.

"What are we doing, Jin?"

He furrowed his eyebrows, tilting his head in confusion. "Right now, we're laying on your couch. We might cook, or if you want to just order in, you can show me your favorite restaurant. I won't get jealous because know I'm your favorite chef though," he smirked.

Normally, his humor helped lift the mood but not this time. Not when there were so many scenarios playing out in your mind at this exact moment.

"No, I mean, what are we doing? What is this between us?"

Jin sat up a bit straighter, but he didn't loosen his hold on you. His smirk did disappear though and furrowed eyebrows. He was providing all the space possible to allow you to elaborate.

Sure, he's thought about it. He was also curious as to what you two were heading toward, or what you could call yourselves. He's never felt a connection as intensely as whatever it is you two had. But he was aware that time was no longer on their side, and it was time to explore what life was outside of the bubble you two created.

If only he could freeze time before it all burst.

"Y/n, angel, I'm not sure."

You frowned at his words, trying your best not to fall apart in front of him. It could have just been a summer romance to him, nothing more and nothing less. You couldn't help but get your hopes up though.

"We have something special," he reaffirmed. "And I know that things are going to be different once I head back to Korea. I guess I'm not sure where things are heading because everyone has tried telling us that it's not going to work between you and I. But I want to prove them wrong." "So why don't we? Why don't we give it a try? Who says that it has to end the moment we say goodbye at the airport?" "What if instead of 'goodbye', we just say 'see you later'?" He offered.

If there was one thing about Kim Seokjin, he was a determined man. Whatever he wanted, he practically got.

However, Jin was skilled at making sure you never felt pressured to say yes to him. He was just happy to be in the same room as you. But, little did he know, it was so easy to say yes to him. You'd say a million times as long as it brought that charming smile of his.

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

Two years later

"I don't thnk anyone in this room would have thought we'd be here today," your best friend spoke into the microphone.

You couldn't help but groan a bit in embarrassment, turning your head to hide in Jin's shoulder. His laughter rumbled from his chest, vibrating throughout you which made your heart flutter with excitement. He had such an effect over you.

His lips gently pressed to your head, an arm around your petite body. He couldn't help himself but run his finger over the white lace that covered your body. He just loved the feeling of the material underneath his fingertips.

What he loved more was the fact it was you sitting beside you. You wore a gorgeous white dress that looked custom-made for him. Truthfully, you could have walked down the aisle in a sack and he'd still be mesmerized by you.

"Seriously though. Their love story is one that you read about in romance novels, the ones where everything good happens. But they proved that impossible can be possible."

You lifted your head off of Jin's shoulder to look up at him. Every struggle was worth it knowing he was yours forever and always. After trying to battle canceled flights, time differences, and missed calls - you two made it. You defied the odds to get to this moment where you two are officially Mr. and Mrs. Kim Seokjin.

"I love you, Mrs. Kim,' he whispered. "And I love you, my handsome Mr. Kim," you giggled.

He grinned wide before pressing his lips to yours lingeringly. You lost count of how many times he kissed you tonight, but he just couldn't get enough of the feeling of it. The way your lips felt against his, how soft they were - how each kiss felt like the first kiss.

He was devoted to you and you were devoted him. Now, you just proved everyone wrong with what you two knew this whole time.

There was nobody else for you but Kim Seokjin.

[listenheresweaty]

Food for Thought: Wilbur Soot Chef!Au

this is unedited. This was also originally an ask I planned to send someone but I ended up posting it here. ——-

Thinking about Wilbur, chef au. like— ratatouille, without the rats. An inexperienced new chef (reader) comes to the 5 star family run restaurant called the Syndicate and is for some reason hired. Wilbur, the sauce chef (third highest ranking, after techno the sous chef and Philza the big man chef— master chef. Idk), is assigned to show them the ropes. He is already cranky for ranking in *third* among his family of four, even though he loves his brother and father very much. And now they dump the newbie into his hands??? Don’t they know he has better to do?

he was going to make your life hell. if only you weren’t so damn intriguing.

the first week, he’s cocky and arrogant, sweeping through the kitchen without so much as a backwards glance to you, giving the most vague instructions to purposefully tick you off. —-

“so the pan over there goes here when the heat is on that level, then that goes there, and there over there.. yknow.. get the bottles from the fridge, put ‘em here, turn the heat on like so—“ he turned the oven nozzle on and then back off again, too quickly for you to see the heat level. He turns to you, hands behind his back. “Any questions?”

he took your gaping silence as a yes. “Good. Follow me. You’ll wash pans for the day, then we’ll see each other tomorrow morning.”

____

Oh you hate the smug bastard. But as you watch him effortlessly dice a variety of vegetables and scrape them into the pot in a matter of seconds, you realize that hatred and admiration is an awful combination.

one late night— when you had received the infuriating assignment of “master high-speed julienne cuts on these onions before you get to go home”—- you tried to replicate his movements, growing increasingly frustrated as the onions stung your eyes, the clock ticked past midnight, and Wilbur snickered faintly in the background. You were so intently focused on getting that stupid onion into strips that you didn’t notice your finger getting in the way. With a yelp, you drop the knife, hissing and staring at your cut thumb. Wilbur looks up sharply, uncrossing his arms and moving away from the counter he had leaned against. “What the hell did you do now?”

“it’s nothing,” you grit out, “don’t—“ but you are cut off by Wilbur taking a hold of your hand, lifting it to his face and inspecting the cut.

“proper safety is important in the kitchen.” He states, not taking his eyes off the cut. “Not only for our sakes, but for the safety and hygiene of those who will eventually eat the food we prepare.”

you know that, but your words die in your throat as he rifled through a medicine cabinet and took out some antiseptic and gauze. the room is silent, silent except for the ticking of the clock and the occasional ripping of gauze and tape as he patches up your thumb. His face remains impassive, neutral, showing no real friendliness but none of the hostility from earlier.

”Right.” He finishes taping down the gauze and steps back, turning to take some fresh onions out of the fridge, and a new knife and cutting board.

“do I have to do the exercise all over again?” You ask in dismay.

He pauses. “No. No, you don’t.”

you let Wilbur maneuver you to stand in front of the new cutting board— and freeze up when he stands close behind you, grabbing your hands from behind and guiding them to the knife. “put your thumb there— no— like that, yes. There. That’s the correct way to hold a chopping knife. Now, since you’ve mangled your hands, follow my lead.”

He gently guides your hands to the onion, positions them, and cuts it smoothly.

“there. You see?” He says, his voice quiet and close to your ear. It’s a lot more gentle too, or maybe that’s just the late hour getting to him as well.

“Y-yeah.” You manage, clearing your throat. “Seems simple enough.”

”hm.” He hums, amused, and lets go of your hands. “I think that’s all for the day. It’s quite late.”

you sigh in relief, dropping the knife on the counter. Instead of walking to the front door and getting your coat, however, you pick up the boards and cutlery and make your way across the room.

“what are you doing?” Wilbur asks.

“Washing the dishes. “ you blink. That was the first rule you learned in the kitchen. A chef always cleans up after cooking, and never procrastinates or postpones the work, no matter how many plates need to be cleaned.

“…I’ll wash up.” Wilbur sighed. “You go on home.”

Who the hell was this guy, and what did he do to Wilbur? “are— are you sure? What about you?”

Wilbur cracked a smile. “I’m sure. Don’t you worry about me. I can manage.”

“alright.” You acquiesced, getting your coat from the hanger and sweeping it over your shoulders. You pause before leaving through the door, and look back. “Good night, Wilbur.”

“good night, love.” Wilbur paused. “And remember to be here at 5:00 AM Tomorrow, at the latest.”

you groaned and shut the door, listening to his chuckles fade into the distance as you trudge your way home.

[bangtanxmegan]

bts reaction - your child see him crying

MIN YOONGI

Yoongi was frustrated because he couldn't finish a song. He tried to do everything but nothing turned out the way he wanted.

He just laid his head on the table and started to cry. Yoongi heard the studio door open and quickly wiped his face and composed himself when he saw his 6 year old son enter.

"Daddy, I already had lunch, now we can go... are you crying?"

"No."

"But your eyes are red... - Isac approaches and sits on his father's lap, hugging his waist. - "Okay, now you can cry."

Yoongi tries his best not to sob as the tears fall.

KIM SEOKJIN

You and Jin had a horrible argument, it was definitely the worst ever. Feeling very guilty, he decided to sit in the backyard and let all the accumulated tears fall freely.

"Daddy, please don't cry. You're too beautiful for that." - Kira approaches and sits next to her father.

Jin is startled and wipes his tears, a weak smile appears on his lips.

"I never cry, you know that."

"Don't lie to me, young man." - the child hugs him. - "Mom is just a little stressed. If you give her some chocolate, she'll talk to you again."

"Thanks for the help."

JUNG HOSEOK

Hoseok was chopping onions and his eyes were watering.

"I hate chopping onions." - He wipes the tear that fell with his blouse.

"Daddy, are you crying?" - Your daughter enters the kitchen, facing her father.

"No my love, it's just the onions" - you said to the child.

The girl doesn't pay attention to you and run to hug Hoseok's legs, starting to cry.

"Daddy, don't cry."

"My little baby, don't cry. If you cry then I'll cry."

He bent down to hug her, also starting to cry.

It took you a long time to calm down them.

KIM NAMJOON

"I just can't do it anymore. You always put your job first and forget about me and Jiwoo." - you point your finger at Namjoon's face. -"Don't forget that you are my husband and we have a teenage daughter who needs you."

Namjoon starts to cry, sitting on the floor in front of you.

"I swear I try to do my best and be more present, but you need to understand my..."

"I don't want to hear you play the victim, Namjoon." - you go to the table and grab your bag. - "I'm going out to eat something. I'll be right back."

Namjoon cries even more, letting the guilt wash over him.

"Daddy, drink some water."

Jiwoo hands the glass to his father, helping him drink all the liquid. The girl sits there stroking Namjoon's back waiting for him to calm down.

PARK JIMIN

Your son had been in the hospital for nearly three weeks and was showing no improvement. Jimin was trying to be strong, doing everything to help you.

He told you to go home and rest, because he would keep an eye on your son. While he slept, Jimin played with his hair and silently cried.

"Please get well soon..."

"I promise I'll get better." - the boy wakes up and kisses Jimin's face. - "Lie here with me?"

Jimin nods and climbs onto the bed, hugging his son.

KIM TAEHYUNG

Yeontan had passed away due to old age last night, everyone in the house was sad but Taehyung was the one who was the most shaken. The puppy that was part of the best moments of his life would no longer be there. Never.

Taehyung cried looking at the photos on his cell phone, especially the one where Yeontan was sleeping with the twins.

"Dad, he's in a much better place." - Lia kisses his face.

"I heard that good dogs go to heaven and eat treats for eternity." - Leonardo plays with Tae's hair. - "Tantan was a good dog. I bet he has a full belly now."

"He sure is."

Taehyung gives the first smile after hours.

JEON JUNGKOOK

"Breakup? You're kidding, right?" - Jungkook cry.

"No. Our relationship isn't working and you know it very well." - you wipe his tears. - "I don't want Tony to live with us just fighting."

Jungkook sits on the couch and is silently staring at the white wall.

"I'm going to stay at my mother's house. Tomorrow I'll come back to get my stuffs and we'll talk better."

You kiss his cheek and go upstairs to your room.

Tony runs to sit next to Jungkook, hugs his dad and puts on a cartoon he knew his father loves to watch.

[carmenized-onions]

chapter 333333 - we back!!

(platonically) (for now) (what?) (I didn't say anything). - HHHHNNGHH!!!! ONION!!!

is this entire series just a love letter to me wanting to take care of this guy? maybe so. maybe so. - so based of you

is this entire series just a love letter to me wanting to take care of this guy? maybe so. maybe so. - all of the cherries

you’re thankful that you’re alone - cmon now chippy did you really think carmy was able to stay away

it’s not gonna somehow get more correct than correct… - but but what if can be…

“Fuck are you doing here?” You and Carmen manage to speak in perfect unison. - they’re soulmates

“If you need a palate tester, lemme know.” - mood. i love that she’s bold enough to say it cause i’d be thinking it but wouldn’t want to overstep

lone chef - lone chef, lone wolf (well bear)

He might not consider himself a brightening presence, but to you, he certainly is a nice lamp. - fucking fuck fuck fuck

not wanting to stroke his ego, but he’s already clocked it. - i love that for them. their dynamic is everything

On their one black plate - her plate!!

But then he leans forward, head meeting your level, amusement lilting his voice - i would die

He grabs the fork from you to try for himself - the way they’ve always shared:’)))

you press the back of your hand to his chest / grazing your hand on the small of his back - it’s so small but oh the touches!!

poor man’s sommelier… - poor syd’s sommelier

“I take the L.” - yeah you do *badum tss*

“What’s wrong with home, Carm?” - she’s too good

He sniffs, he’s waiting for the shoe to drop, for you to tell him he has to go home / “You can hole up at mine.” - I LOVE THEM

“Good. Where’s the black plate go?” - in your apartment and also MY HEART

It’s heavily thrifted and upcycled from furniture you found on the side of the road - love that, especially cause you just KNOW chippy knows how to properly clean the furniture

This is a perfect apartment because you live in it. - :’))))))

Nothing can hit, in here. - 😭😭😭💕🫶🏼

“I uh, I left your Carhartt at work.” - RIIIGHT CAUSE SHE PUT IT ON HIM IN THE WALK-IN AAAAH

“you can put your shit there.” - she’s so slick

“Fuck is this?” / “Fuck is what?” - i am in love with them

“Don’t say my name like that…” / He has discovered does not like it when you say his name with any sort of animosity or disappointment. - because he liiiiikes her:3 he’s so precious

“Carmen no… Two in One?” “…Five in One.” “Five in One?!” - they’re so funny!!! these moments are so<333

pair of sweatpants your brother left here ages ago. - it makes me happy that it’s her brother’s and not an ex like most fics do :’)

Goddamn it he is very pretty, sonofabitch. - he is, it hurts

There’s a boy in your house and you’ve just discovered he’s pretty. - !!!

And without verbally checking in, you once again flow into a silent rhythm - they’re so natural together like yeah they’re meant to be

You make a face, and while he doesn’t fuckin’ guffaw, he does smile - like how richie does:’) she probably made faces with eva oh OH

You both speak at once. “Weird to see you out of uniform.” - SEEE!!! they are perfect. let’s go back to when everything was good and hair was being washed

And he can see you. - how mikey saw her, OH THIS IS A CRIMEE

“You’re good at it.” - 😭😭😭

does he laugh at the sound? Yes. Yes, he does. - that’s what good p-

“What’re you doing?” “I’m taking the couch.” - i also did not forget about this entire interaction, a monumental moment

I will be haunted all night by my Nonna if you sleep on the couch—” / “My own grandmother takes the couch when I visit. She would throw me off my own balcony if I made a guest take the couch.” / “My Nonno would stab me if I let a pretty girl sleep on a couch.” - this in particular i never moved on from. it’s so funny and accurate (especially for carm)

“Then let me use it!” “No!” - the no is so sidieirj

also once again thanks for making his text bold so we know who’s who. love you what who said that, that was just a gust of wind

ALSO!!! PRETTY GIRL!!!!

“So whichever one you find the least sacrilege.” - ugh your way with words

“C’mon, Tony.” / “Heard, pretty boy!" - so if i want to tattoo their dynamic on my eyes how would one do that exactly

all of this is - I JUST MISS THESE MOMENTS WOWIE WOW WOW

Binging through my Popcorn asks, what a TREAT and a half. Shout out to google docs for continually crashing as I try to write ask responses MORE EFFICIENTLY THROUGH THEM AND THEN THEY STOP WORKING FCUK YOU GUYS ANYWAYS LETS GET INTO IT!!

So many cherry flavours that I didn’t plan for. I might just really like cherries. I’ve been eating a bowl of them like every day lately cause they’re in season here right now.

BAD IMPOSTER SYNDROME BAD!! IT’S NOT GONNA GET MORE PERFECT THAN PERFECT!! DRILL BOY!! DRILL WITH YOUR HEART!!

Key signs of a soulmate: you keep talking at the same time. You think he’s a lamp. He can’t stop smiling when he can tell you’re impressed by him. He gives you the black plate. He shares forks with you (they keep running out of forks ok). Also you keep touching him and he’s not saying it’s making him freak out but it’s making him freak out. Positively.

BROKE ASS SYD’S SOMMELIER (so aggressive for no reason RELAX me)

When is he NOT taking the L. How many Chicagoans get tortured by this joke every day? I wonder. I really do. I love the way Chip manages this scene in general, but it’s so fucking. Looking back, it really tracks because like— this is the way that she mourns!! She’s not gonna tell CARMEN to do it any different from her. She sucks at taking her own advice but she won’t force someone to do shit SHE wasn’t strong enough to do. I love her.

I KNOW her handyman dad has a fucking steam cleaner and powerwasher she borrows all the time to clean her shit. As a crafty guy there’s always that little random weird tool that always comes in handy— I imagine handyman dad OG Chicago’s Kindest owns SO MANY big and small specific tools

Carmen, the jacket thief. How dare he. He likes her, he’s forgiven. Still a sinner for Five In One.

SO MANY FICS DO EXES PANTS AND IT’S LIKE— Man me personally, I gave him his fucking clothes back. But I’ve got 4 of my brothers sweaters in my closet rn. Mostly cause they’re hand me downs and he didn’t fit in them anymore but still. There’s also the pain of Chip did borrow her brothers sweats (and brought unused toiletries home) in Two Steps Back,… are they the same ones? FOR YOU TO DECIDE MY BOY!!

THERE’S A BOY IN YOUR HOUSE AND HE’S PRETTY!!! I love their silent rhythm. It’s like my favourite thing in life with people and in characters when two people just flow like one unit without effort. I adore them for this. That and the in sync speaking. Oh how I miss these days.

HE CAN SEE YOUU AUUHHGHGH (roblox death noises). You’re good at it!! Same shit she said to him earlier!! Hell scape!! Burning !! flames!! Flames on the side of my face!!

—sy sounds like—

MONUMENTAL ONE BED SCENE— Need SquidInk to recreate this rn with their Holiday Inn room. Who am I ordering, I’m the writer? 100% Carmen would say I would get fucking stabbed if I let a pretty girl sleep on the couch. That’s him. That’s him at his most romantic man. NO!!

I MISS THESE MOMENTS TOO MAN I’m looking into eye tattoos of dynamics and memories as we speak I’ll let you know when I find out. I HAVE TO GO PUT MY LAUNDRY IN THE DRYER BUT I WILL FIRST SEND THIS OUT AND GO OVER THE WONDERFUL MEMES YOU SENT IN THE NEXT ONE!!

[kits-shrine]

Onion Series~

This What If Tear jerker was brought to you but the wondering of if.... What If Ingall had been chosen as his Goddess's Vessel~ Enjoy

(Under the cut to save your feed haha)

Kit stared numbly into her dresser mirror, watching tears track steadily down her cheeks feeling detached from her body. The house was silent; the children were staying with her kin at her request. They had all tried to act as though everything was normal… but it had been anything but since her mate had been called to be a vessel for his people’s goddess.

It had been a complete shock as they thought his wish that had caused him to become a kitsune had severed all chances of that happening… but his former goddess’s will was to strong. They had thought… hoped… he had managed to keep himself even with the change. And he had… somewhat. It was Ingall…. But also not…

She thought they could pull through it. He just needed to adjust. They needed to adjust. But it wasn’t right. His words. His actions. It wasn’t her love. But the final nail in the coffin had happened today. She had kissed him on the lips and felt nothing.

Her tears flowed quicker as she remembered herself desperately clutching at his face and pressing kiss after kiss against him trying to feel something. Anything. And she still felt nothing.

It was fortunate that Ginko had been there. The silver kitsune had been staying close since it had happened. She knew Kit would need support with her mate… injured. She sensed the snap she’d been anticipating coming and she quickly and cheerfully declared a sleep over at her new home and ushered all the children out before they could see.

Kit closed her eyes with her head bowed as pain washed over her as she remembered the conversation they’d had.

“I-I mean are you even still in there? Really in there Charmer?” her hands cradled his face still looking into his face for a shred of hope. “I love you with every piece of me Ingall, do you still love me at all? Because… I can’t feel it if you do.”

His once familiar face crinkled in confusion “Love? Love is fleeting as the lives of mortals. There is no need for it. Surely pleasure is more than enough.” And it was then she knew, really knew, her mate was gone. Really and truly gone.

“Love is everything.” She whispered brokenly filling her heart fracture in her chest. Her hands moved from his face with mixture of anguish and anger at what had been taken from her and settled on his chest before pushing him back and into a portal that she opened quickly to his home world. “And it’s not here anymore.” She finished resolutely staring him in the eyes, oh how she missed his eyes “My children have lost one parent… they can’t afford to lose us both. If you stay, they will…” Before he could react she shut the portal and sat at her dresser.

Opening her eyes to stare at her reflection, Kit flinched as the movement made her hair brush against her neck like his fingers once did. A pair of sewing scissors caught her eye and in a fit of anger she snatched them up and sliced off the offending strands, grabbing handful after handful hacking away at her long hair. Barely even flinching when one frantic cut nicked one of her long ears not stopping until her hair was barely inches from her scalp. She stared at her reflection and did not recognize herself. Good… now the outside matched the inside.

Her eyes drifted around the room, her home. There were traces of him everywhere. She could see and smell him on everything. There but not.

No.

The others saw the plumes of smoke and flames from the distance. They found Kit tucked up against the stone chest of her mother watching her house and nearby tree burn to the ground. The children’s possessions were stacked neatly in the lawn as well as her family portrait, otherwise nothing of hers remained.  Just like her love. It was all gone.

~~~

He watched in horror as the light died in his mate’s gaze, watched her heart shatter. She was so close, but he couldn't reach her. He was an unwilling captive within his own Soul.

“Let me out!” He roared straining against the binds, “she needs me. My mate needs me. You,” Ingall spat the word out like poison, “do not!”

The Goddess, for he would never address her as ‘The Great Mother’ again, chuckled. As she strolled his body through the Forest of his youth, heading straight for the heart.

“No, child. I need you, and you are mine to command.”

“I will fight you until the end of time itself,” he snarled, “I will wish you from existence! The worlds be damned, you will not win!”

“You can try, dear child, you can try.”

The smile on her face didn’t reach her heart as she watched her children play. Weeks had passed since the house burned. There had been many tears that night. Not just the loss of their home but in the knowledge that they’d never see their father again. Byakko in particular had been inconsolable for days.

It had taken a lot of hard work both on their new home and themselves to regain some semblance of normalcy. Kit worked very hard on it and them. She thanked her lucky stars for Kuko and Ginko and their unwavering support even with their own new ward. The skeleton brothers helped things where they could as well, especially with the kids.

It was hard, hard work. But she did it. She managed to not completely fall apart and give her children the love and support they deserved even as she fought the urge to crumple to the ground every day, to succumb to the pain and let her Soul totally shatter to end the agony of losing her mate. It was like acid flowing in her veins. Like being thrown in a icy river and drowning as what felt like hundreds of thousands of needles pierced her over and over.

By day she managed to function as normal, smiling and loving best she could. Nights were either spent tossing and turning in the unfamiliar bed she’d had made, thoughts cycling over and over on her loss or in a restless sleep with dreams plaguing her. Dreams of him and of inevitably losing him again and again. To be frank she hated the dreams the most, she could at least eventually force her thoughts elsewhere when she was awake, when she slept it was next to impossible.

When a portal opened and he walked though Kit felt the wind leave her as a vice gripped around her battered heart. The face she loved changed into the one that haunted her most stared back at her. The face of the one that took her mate from her. She took a step back as he took a step forward, the others around them freezing  in shock“No… no you can’t be here.” Kit moaned with a grimace her ears going flat on her shortened hair as she bared her teeth at him. “Go away!” She lunged at him about to strike when her eyes met his sorrow filled ones… ones showing far more emotion than this new face ever had. They were his eyes.

Kit gasped and staggered back sharply “No! It’s not possible.” She didn’t dare believe it for a moment. She couldn’t risk that hope.  Worse than the hope even if it was, that meant she cast away her mate when he had needed her most…

The pained vixen shook her head “It’s not real… just a dream.” A loud slap rang out as she struck her cheek harshly “Wake up! Wake up!” Kit hit herself even harder “Wake up now!”

He was tired, so very tired.

But he was alive.

He was himself, and that was enough.

The elf paused in his foolhardy escape from the healing chambers, resting heavily on the staff Trahan had crafted for him. Deukalion would kill him if he caught him, but he couldn’t keep Kit waiting any longer, consequences be damned. Taking a deep breath, he carried on, eyes straying to his hand. He grimaced at the sight of it. Tamashii and his brothers definitely pulled off the bony look better.

It had been weeks of agony as he’d watched the goddess parade around in his body. She had been fond of his looks, spending nauseating hours each morning and night admiring every inch of his flesh. It had given him a wicked sense of glee when one morning he found by some miracle. He personally believed it was remnants of the Hearts magic. He had some control of himself once again. Not much, but more than enough to enact what he had been wishing for weeks.

His body rejected every moral of food the goddess consumed, and divinity could only do so much for a mortal body, and the lack of nutrients slowly but surely began to show. Ingall took sick delight in the goddess's disgust. She likely would have been inhabiting a corpse before too long if Trahan and Ruby hadn’t found them staggering along the forest's edge. The goddess hadn’t noticed the pair. She’d been too focused on raging at Ingall as he laughed madly. Perhaps he had gone truly mad. Then, all of a sudden, she was quiet, and he was himself again. Without the goddess's strength, he crumbled and would have been a heap of skin, bones, and matted hair on the forest floor if familiar arms hadn’t caught him.

“What happened to you?” Trahan asked, aghast. Ruby was quiet, focusing her null magic on keeping the goddess contained. Ingall found himself too weak to speak to his friends, but tears of relief and joy spilt from his eyes, and he rested his head on the other man’s chest.

They had spirited him away to the Northern Island. It had been a long, painful process. Aureila went so far as to break laws never meant to be broken, but she had been horrified by his state by what the elven goddess had done. Ingall hadn’t been a willing vessel. No, the goddess had stolen his body by force once she’d used his mother’s up. Between the four of them, they somehow managed to pull the goddess from him. Even with their combined strengths, she’d fought tooth and nail the whole way. Shouting curses that shook the isle.

“You have changed. You are no longer a sister of mine,” Aureila rebuked her, “Your cruelty and callousness match the one who gave that dark scourge his power. By my right as an Elder, I henceforth strip you of your power and claim your creations as my own.” The Avarain Goddess’ voice thundered with power, near overwhelming for the mortal around her.

Ingall remembered, laughing; it was terribly rude to do so after such a sentencing, but he hadn’t cared at the time, and Aurelia’s eyes were only filled with pity as they met his. The Goddess of the Lights and Winds then imprisoned the Elven goddess in a crystal wrapped in her power. It vanished in a flash, “there it is done”, she looked at Ingall once again, “My crystals will grow among the eldest trees in your forest, proclaiming my new claim on your people.”

“We welcome you, Mother,” he replied weakly before the world had gone dark, and he heard the panicked voices of his friends and his new Mother. He woke again to an odd feeling in his chest.

“Your Soul was too weak with that goddess gone. Aureila blessed you with a Spirit, but it is still small and new. Much like a babe,” he recalled Deukalion explaining, “You must let yourself recover and grow stronger before you return home; even the magic of the portal could snuff it out.”

Ingall had waited a full day and night, during which he cried like a baby when they had shorn his hair as it was beyond saving while they’d so carefully tended to him before he couldn’t wait any longer.

Aurelia must have known his mind that mourning as Deuakilon was summonsed away. Ingall jumped at the opportunity given him. Slowly, damn his weak body, slowly he pushed himself from the bed and grasped the staff resting nearby. Along with the physical weakness, his balance was a mess due to the loss of his tails, which he mourned as keenly as the loss of his hair. Now, he needed to get a hold of a portal device and finally go home.

He’d borrowed Atalanta’s, who had been out on patrol. His grin hurt his face with how wide it had been as he opened the portal home, and for a frankly terrifying moment, he felt his Spirit waver as he stepped through. The distance for Aureila weakened and stressed it, though the fear was soothed instantly by the sound of chiming bells, a welcome home. He felt a little some of his strength returning with each step.

All that joy vanished as his eyes finally met Kit’s. He knew she suffered just as he did, but seeing it felt worse than the possession had. He’d taken a desperate half-shuffle backwards when she lunged aggressively. Not out of fear for himself but fear for her, as even a defensive attack, which is what he knew her aggression to be, likely would have killed him in his current state.

He wanted to vomit when she struck herself, but instead, he dropped his staff and ran to her in a panic, trembling fingers wrapped around the wrist that belonged to the offending hand, “Kiko,” he begged, tears pouring down his face, “stop, please stop! I don’t have the strength to stop you myself,” his free hand shaking just as badly as the other cupped her cheek as he pressed his forehead to hers.

Flinching at his touch she squeezed her eyes tight to escape the very vivid dream. She was drowning in sorrow at the sight, smell and touch of him. Not real… It’s not real. She chanted to herself, clinging on to it like a life line. If she dared hope otherwise it would cut whatever sliver she held on to in order to keep going. And if that happened… and it was just another dream… she knew she’d never recover. “I can’t keep dreaming of you.” She whispered brokenly. “I can’t.”

“P-papa?” Byakko’s shaky voice cut the silence that had fallen over them. Before the others could stop her the little kitsune ran over to grab his waist “Papa! Papa!”

Her wails triggered Kit’s auto pilot. How many nights had they woken to the sound of this child’s crying out, lost to her own nightmares? Kit pulled back from his touch to scoop up her daughter “No baby… it’s just a dream. Come on let’s get you back to bed.” Shushing the thrashing and protesting Bya in her arms Kit walked towards a unfamiliar house in a daze.  

A sharp hand both steadied and stopped him from following as the elder children stood there frozen, looking at him in disbelief. Holding the youngest in her arms with her own son, Ginko whispered for them to follow her back to her home. “But-“ Shakko protested pain filled eyes locked on Ingall, Reiko had broken her gaze with a little cry. Giving his father (?) a final look Shakko pulled his arm around her and led her after Ginko. He promised to look after them after all, no matter how much he wanted to copy his younger sister and run to Ingall.

The hand slowly turned him towards Kuko’s equally sharp gaze. The kitsune examined him with a anger that melted into disbelief as he took in the other’s condition and the lack of feeling he’d had from the deity that had taken him over “It is really you, isn’t it?”

The elf let out a broken laugh as he threw his trembling arms around the kitsune in as tight of a hug as his pitiful state would allow, "By the Stars it's good to see you, you grumpy bastard!"

Surprisingly he was, if a little awkwardly, embraced back "And it is good to see you Cousin... shitty though you look." He pulled away from the hug, keeping an arm around the man as he helped guide him to a place to sit and rest. "How did this happen?"

Ingall's smile died as he began his sordid tale, "It wasn't my choice; that retched goddess forced her way in. I saw, heard, and felt everything she did, but I had no control. She trapped me within my Soul. It was like that for weeks; I felt myself slipping away a little more each day. Then suddenly one day I gained a bit of control," A twisted look of glee passed over his face, "She was fond of my appearance and that was the one thing within my meagre power to destroy, so I did."

He looked to the ground with a weary sigh, "Would have done us both in if Trahan and his mate hadn't found us. Long painful," he carefully untied his shirt to show the other male his chest. It looked as if something had ripped it open in a bid to climb inside his ribcage. Which wasn't far from the truth as the goddess had fought hard to stay within her vessel, "story short the Avarian Goddess Aureila saved me and imprisoned her. She went so far as to claim the Elves as her children so that goddess can't touch us even if she somehow escaped, but I don't see that happening ever. Hard to escape a crystal tomb, wreathed in an Elder Goddess's power."

Kuko looked at the other male with new respect "I am impressed you survived." he fell silent mulling everything over "While I am happy-" (its the end of the world as we know it~) "that you have returned..." he grimaced "We do not have an easy road ahead."

His eyes flicked back up to Ingall's "You saw Kit and the kids."

Wiping his once again tear-filled eyes, the elf nodded, "Nothing worth having is ever easy, Cousin," Ingall gave the kitsune the barest of smiles, "we elves," he grimaced. He didn't want to be an elf. It wasn't right, "are known for our patience. I will wait for them until time ceases to exist if need be. Would," he paused to take a shaky breath. He was growing worryingly tired, "Would you take me to rest near the Heart?"

Ingall placed a hand over the center of his chest, "My Soul er Spirit is fragile, I thought being at The Heart might help."

Pulling Ingall's arm around his shoulder as his arm looped around the elf's waist, Kuko easily picked him up while allowing him the dignity of not being totally carried. He started to make their way towards the Heart before murmuring "I would like you to know that I do not mean it ill but I will not let the others see you until you're more recovered. I will talk to the children. Ginko may come and tend to you at some point."

“I would,” he chuckled weakly, “as Ginko puts it, jerk a knot in your tails if you did anything otherwise…thank you both for caring for them,” he murmured before falling silent.

Kuko snorted "Please as though you could right now." he side eyed the eye as they neared the Heart's barrier "I have told you I take care of my own."

“I can still thank you for it,” the elf snarked.

Surprisingly Kuko chuckled as they walked into the barrier shroud. Once they reached the center Kuko leaned Ingall up against the base of the massive tree to rest. He stood and tilted his head down at the other "Do you have need for anything else now?"

“Hmm, besides a nap? Don’t let Deukalion find me once he’s discovered I fled the healing chambers. That man can be down right terrifying,” Ingall replied, giving Kuko a tired grin as he rested his head against the trunk of the Heart, already feeling leagues better.

Giving him a very familiar haughty face Kuko replied "Do you really think that I would allow anyone that was not family here?"

With that he left Ingall to rest, the gentle ringing of the chimes lulling him to sleep with soft melancholy peals. Ingall was woken by little sniffs and tiny fingers tentatively touching his cheek.

He forced his tired eyes open, brows furrowed in concern, as he looked for the source of the sniffling.

Even with the soft glow from the tree he could tell it was the dead of night from the light chill in the air. "P-papa?" Byakko whispered fearfully with tears clinging to her lashes. "Are you real?"

He pulled her into his lap and rocked them back and forth as much as his body would allow, “I’m real, Little Miss,” he choked, “I’m real.”

Little arms wound around his neck tightly as she shuddered with little cries. "I-I thought y-you were gone! Mama said- m-mama said..." she choked.

“I’m sorry honey, I’m so so sorry,” he whispered into her hair, “I’m here. I’m here, Byakko. I’m here.”

She cried a long while before she managed to calm herself and just laid collapsed against him. Her little fingers brushed the ends of his shorn hair, her voice hoarse from her crying "You cut your hair too?"

“It had to be cut,” Ingall sighed, “I know I don't look...” he trailed off as he looked at his hands, “You shouldn't have to see me this way, Bya.”

Byakko started to hyperventalate "D-don't go! Y-you c-can't leave again!" she pleaded grabbing his shirt tightly. "I-it's not bad! M-mama cut her's too! I-its ok! Y-you look w-wonderful!" she took a shuddering breath with her assurances. He looked horrible... but to her he looked perfect.

“I’m not leaving Bya. I promise,” Ingall assured, cupping her face, “but we had wanted to wait until I was healthier to see you all.”

She leaned into his hand ears drooping "I'm sorry Papa... I just had to know i-if you were a dream."

He nestled her under his chin, “it's alright sweetheart, but you do need to go back. Mama will be worried if she wakes up and you're not there. And I have an idea,” he smiled offering his arm, “cut a piece of my shirt and tie it around your wrist. That way, even when you wake up in the morning, you’ll have it and know this was real and not a dream.”

She'd tensed at first but relaxed a little at his suggestion. Bya chewed on her lip, before looking up at him with fear in her eyes "But... what if I wake up a-and it's not there?" she whispered broken heartedly.

Ingall thought for a few moments, then looked up to the Heart, “I don't have much to offer at the moment,” he spoke quietly to the great tree, “other than the shirt off my back, but I wish for something to assure her I’m here.”

"Papa!" She gasped scandalized looking up at the branches. A glass chime rang out before it tumbled from it's branch landing safely in a knoll of grass near them.... and nothing else seemed to happen. Not letting him go she leaned forward to investigate it revealed a little hand mirror. Byakko's brow furrowed before she gasped "Uncle Kuko's mirror!" She showed it to Ingall "He said h-he used it when he was Underground t-to look here."

Ingall smiled brightly, “That’s perfect,” he leaned forward to place a kiss to her forehead, then settled back against the Heart, “Now off to bed with you, Little Miss.”

Standing Bya leaned down to kiss his forehead "I love you papa." she whispered staring at him as she clutched onto the mirror before stepping into the Nethers to sneak back home.

"I love you, Bya," he called before she stepped into darkness, looking back up at the Heart he sighed tiredly, "thank you," he murmured as he drifted off once again.

The next few days, Kuko and Ginko took turns bringing him food and tending to his injuries. Byakko managed to stay away but only by checking the mirror several times a day. Kuko kept to his word keeping the others from him. He thought the trick had been more keeping Kit from the Heart.

It had proved easier than he would have originally thought. But that was due to a decline in Kit's own health due to the shock of the very realistic 'dream' she'd had. Not that he nor Ginko told the elf that news.

"How are you feeling today?" Ginko asked as she sat fresh food down for him.

"A little like I'm cycling through the stages of grief on loop and missing acceptance each time," he sighed.

"Well that is more than understandable." She offered him a sad smile "But I meant physically."

He huffed a startled laugh at that, "better, but not whole. I don't think I ever will until I'm a kitsune again."

"Don't even think of trying that anytime soon!" she waved a finger at him sternly "I can still barely feel your Sou- er Spirit as it is. It doesn't need the strain of that." They couldn't risk losing him again.

His eyes crossed as he looked at the finger pointed at his nose, "I know, I know, but that still doesn't change the feeling of wrongness this form has." Because it was wrong.

"Again that is very understandable." Ginko booped him lightly, hiding the worry gnawing in at her. "Listen Koko and I are going to be busy watching the Shrine and the kids tonight. With a full moon and Halloween around the corner we're seeing more activity with Spirits. You should be fine close to the Heart like this, but you'll need to stay close within the barriers. Ok?"

He nodded, "I'll stay right here; I'm done with possession in all its forms, thank you very much," though he did wonder if he had enough strength to summon up spirit magic if the Heart needed him to.

"Good." she pat his head like he was one of the kids. "I'm going to go get to it then. Do you need anything?"

He rolled his eyes affectionately as he chuckled, "You know I'm older than you, right? And no, I'm alright, thank you."

"Ah and yet here we are." Ginko smiled "Take care cousin." she gave him a little wink before going to attend to the aforementioned matters. After finishing his meal he peacefully drifted back to sleep.

Much as he had been his first night a soft voice woke him. But it was not his daughters.

"Sorry it took me so long to check in." Kit's voice murmured on the other side of the tree truck that he was nested against. "I haven't been feeling my best."

He jolted awake at the sound of her voice, heart aching he froze, fearful the sight of him would cause her to spiral.

She continued unaware of his presence "But I can't shirk my duties forever right? Ginko and Kuko have more than picked up my slack enough." Kit tried to sound teasing but he could hear the exhaustion in her voice.

He wanted nothing more than to run to her, but that would cause them both more harm than good. The elf rested his head against the Heart, tears filling his eyes, desperate for guidance.

"Even the kids have picked things up." Kit continued tiredly. It was a small comfort in the familiar ritual of speaking the Heart as she tended it. But the comfort barely scratched at the surface of the pain on her Soul. Tears gathered in her eyes as she sat on one of the large roots as she whispered in confession. "It's just been so hard... and I am just so tired." she dropped her face into her hands.

Gathering his courage, Ingall whispered her name.

She let out a groan in her hands "I can't take more of these waking dreams. The sleeping ones are bad enough. Maybe this is why mother's Soul shattered right away when my father died. This is agony...  I miss you Charmer." Kit let out shuddering breath. Maybe she was just fighting the inevitable. Her heart panged at the thought, thinking about her children she shook her head as she stood weakly. "Enough of this pity party. I'm here to work."

“Sit and rest,” he murmured, “I am here, Kit. A little broken and certainly not whole, but I’m here.”

"No you're not!" Kit bit back to the open air with a wave of her hand "You're a-a figment of my grief filled imagination." She turned slowly looking around "You know how I know? I saw you die. Felt it." her hand thumped against her chest "I felt it right here then I died." Maybe not on the outside, but on the inside she had.

The elf staggered to his feet and carefully walked around the tree’s trunk, using it in place of the staff that had gone off somewhere, “You’re right, I did, but Aureila gave me a second chance,” he explained coming to face her.

“I’m right here, Kit. And I’m not going anywhere,” he swore.

Now that he laid eyes on her, he got to see her looking nearly as rough as him. Her skin was pallid and dark stains under her eyes, eyes that were staring at him in disbelief. Kit shook her head tears pooling in her eyes "You can't be here. You can't."

“Look at what’s left of my Soul,” he begged, taking a step closer, “Ask the Heart, touch me, strike me, anything that will prove to you I’m real. That I’m here.”

She shrank in on herself as he got closer "N-no."

He knelt before her and light touched her hand, “Look at me, Kit, please,”

Kit flinched at the touch, another shudder running through her "I can't." her voice trembled nearly as much as her body.

He gently took hold of her hand and placed it on his chest over his heart, “Then don't use your eyes.”

She pulled back her hand like he'd burned her "You don't understand I can't!" Kit finally managed to dragged her tear filled eyes to look at him. "Even if you're not a dream o-or a desperate delusion..." she tried to steady her ragged breathing "Y-you're either still possessed by a deity trying to screw with me for whatever reason." flames crackled around her at the thought before an absolutely broken hearted look crossed her face "Or you're really here... and I pushed away my mate when he needed me most... abandoned.... A-and I just... I can't... I... I..." her eyes shuttered to a close as she collapsed to the ground.

Ingall hurriedly pulled her into his arms as he drug them both back towards the Heart, “curse that thrice-damned goddess,” he growled, panting, as he placed a hand on the great tree and another over Kit’s chest, “Lucky I’m still an elf,” he wasn't sure who he was speaking to. Frankly, it was a good thing they were alone; otherwise, someone would have tried to stop him.  He let himself become a conduit for the Heart’s magic filling his entire being with Intent to heal.

~

The chimes in the branches sang out, (in alarm?), as power flowed through him like the first time he helped Kuko heal the tree when the Shrine was under attack. But he had been a kitsune then....

It was like a tsunami of magic crashing over him and would have washed him away were it not for the sudden flare from around his wrist.

His bracelet that the Heart had gifted him glimmered with life that it had not had since he became the vessel for the elvish deity. Once it once again connected him to the Heart it allowed him to focus the bulk of the rush through it like a filter. Now that it didn't threaten to tear him apart at the seams instantly he felt it filling him with magic and energy helping heal the wounds he'd received.

He gasped as tears of relief formed in his eyes but shoved those emotions aside to focus on Kit.

The bruise like shadows under her eyes slowly lightened as she lay limply in his arms, a little zip of magic went to a nick on her ear that even after weeks hadn't healed due to her poor health. Color may have returned to her face but she didn't seem better. Not really.

"What in Stars name are you doing?!" Ginko sprinted into the clearing "Being a damn fool." Kuko snarled partially appearing out of nowhere both called by the Heart's sounds of distress. His sister gasped seeing Kit in his arms "What's she doing here? She should be in bed!"

“She collapsed,” he snapped back, clutching Kit closer, “What was I supposed to do, twiddle my thumbs until someone came back?” the anger that had been simmering in his Soul finally boiling over, “Yes, I am a fool! For thinking I would be allowed a share of happiness in this life! That goddess may have marked me for misery at birth, but I’ll be thrice damned and left to rot in the Nether if anything takes her from this world early!” he took a breath, “Myself included, if I must I will destroy my memory from this world entirely.”

That earned him a very swift and hard hit to the back of the head from Kuko's fist, cushioned ever so slightly by his rapidly growing locks "Don't be stupid!"

Tsking Ginko crouched down to look at the pair "Are all elves so dramatic?" She asked gibbly trying to hide her fear. "Don't try anything drastic or I'll knock you out myself. Kit's tougher than we're giving credit. I mean... look at her. She's made it this far." she looked at him sternly "Got it?"

Ingall yelped, shooting a glare at Kuko, “It’s an inherited trait,” then glanced at Ginko, “That’s the price for our superior beauty and intellect, and yes, any great historical elvish figure has died a horrible death,” he mused, “Oh, I could be drastic, very easily, especially since I want to be whole again.”

Very sharp eyes pierced him and he got to learn that Kuko came by it honestly "Did I stutter? I will knock your butt out if you think about that right now. We have no idea if that is even possible or what it will cost if it is, and if even if it is it'd knock you on your ass. Right now she needs you." her tone said that was that as she pulled Kit's hand out. She gave a little sigh of relief as she inspected the other vixen's bracelet. "Good news is, it looks like her Soul is looking stable."

The elf looked as if he had sucked a lemon but wisely said no more. He tucked Kit more securely under his chin and moved to recline against the Heart. As angry and scared as he was, it didn't give him the right to take it out on his kin. He stewed for a longer before sighing and apologizing to them both, “It was wrong of me to hit you with my temper. Thank you both for putting up with me.”

That drew a small laugh from Ginko "Well perhaps you kept a little bit of your kitsune nature after all Cousin." Kuko grumbled an acceptance as he paced in agitation, not at the elf's lashing out but the situation.

Under his chin Kit made a little noise pressing close to his neck.

While he couldn't murr, the elf could still sing, and so he quietly sang the first song he shared with his mate.

It seemed to help her relax against him more.

The silver foxes stood and watched him before exchanging a glance. Nodding Kuko turned and exited the ring of trees around the Heart. "We're going to go back to what we were doing, ok?" Ginko whispered to him before handing him a slip of paper "Tear this if you need either of us." she looked at Kit "When she wakes up maybe go slow? Let her come to things on her terms."

Ingall didn't stop his quiet humming, but he took the slip of paper with a nod.

Giving him a final pat Ginko followed after her brother.

After she'd left the area was filled only with the sounds of the chimes and the elf's soft song. Eventually another sound met his ears from right underneath them. A little whimper accompanied by a trace of wet on his chest.

His song stopped, and he simply held her close, hoping the sound of his heart beat and the feel of his breath would sooth her.

"...miss you..." she breathed.

“I missed you so much,” Ingall murmured.

"Hurts." she groaned. Whether she meant in missing him or her body at the moment was up in the air. Kit rubbed her face against her pillow, baffled at how much it smelled like him given she'd burned absolutely everything that should have had any trace of him. The mind was a strange and cruel thing.

With the strength the Heart had given him, he let healing magic dance along his fingertips as he gently rubbed her back, filling the air with an herbal scent he hadn't been able to replicate since that night in the hot spring so long ago.

Kit did something she hadn't been able to in weeks... she gave a weak murr.

Maybe... maybe dreams weren't so bad. At least for now she could enjoy it.

Greatly bothered by the fact that he couldn't murr back, the elf started humming once again.

Tired eyes eventually slowly opened and looked up at him. Well his former form just solidified his being a dream. Tears rolled down her cheek as she stared up at him listlessly "I would give almost anything to stay here with you." her hand shook as it went to touch his cheek in apology "They need me..."

He took it and kissed her palm, tears of his own slipping past his lashes, “I know they need you, but you don't have to do it alone, My Dear Lady.”

"I know." she breathed eyes sliding shut again "But it's not the same as you."

As desperately as he wanted to scream, ‘I am here,’ the elf took a steadying breath and kissed her forehead, ‘Slowly, go slowly,’ he mentally chanted, taking Ginko’s advice to heart, “Stay as long as you like. Ginko and Kuko are looking after things. Rest, Kit, our children are strong.”

Her fingers tightened in his shirt holding him close. "Yeah." Kit opened her eyes again to look up at him "They miss you too." she was trying to enjoy this moment, being in his arms. Fear crawling at her, waiting for that moment that always came when his face became someone else's.

He’d leant his head back to rest against the Heart again, “Daydreaming about you all was the only thing that kept me sane.”

"I try not to think about you... but you're always there." Kit's eyes watered "Then you're gone again."

She pulled herself up level to his face framing it with her hands soaking him in, fingers softly carding through his hair letting out a shaky sigh. "But you're here now." And she was going to allow herself this moment even if hurt more later when she woke up. With that thought in mind she leaned forward and pressed her lips to his.

Ingall cradled the back of her head as he kissed her slowly, gently, and full of longing.

His fingers passed through her short hair, vastly different than her former long locks as she matched him kiss for kiss that grew in desperation. "Stay. Please stay." Kit whispered between kisses. "I would give up all my tails to have you stay. Please stay."

“I’m not going anywhere, Kit,” he murmured against her lips, “I swear it on the Heart.”

She pulled back to look at him. His taste on her lips. His smell all around her. His arms around her like a warm blanket.

Her heart gave a little tremble. She needed to end this dream, before it was too late for her. So she did the one thing that never failed to end the dream. "Ingall..." her mouth went dry "do you love me?"

The tender expression that crossed his face was one she’d beheld many times, “With all my Soul, Kit. I will love you until my dying breath and keep loving you when I’ve passed into the world beyond.”

Confusion crossed her face, her ears wilted as she touched his face. "I-I don't understand." His face didn't morph into the other. Didn't utter the words that made her heart shatter. He didn't disappear into nothingness. That's what always happened.

“I love you, Kit,” he smiled softly, “And I keep telling you so until you believe me. I love you,” he pulled her closer, “I love you,” pressing their foreheads together, “I love you,” Ingall spoke the words with all the strength in his Soul.

Her breathing quickened as she stared at him in disbelief "...Ingall?" Kit breathed.

“Yes, My Dear Lady?” he smiled.

"Ingall?" her voice cracked clutching him tighter.

The peppered kisses across her face, “That is my name, My Love, and how lovely it sounds from your lips.”

"B-but how? You... you were gone." Kit hyperventilated slightly "Gone. I saw you.. gone. How?"

“It wasn't easy,” he chuckled tiredly, “but between the combined efforts of Trahan, Ruby, Deukalion, and my own inherited kitsune stubbornness, Lady Aureila was able to save me.”

"They were able to save you." Kit repeated back numbly her hands leaving his face to cover her own "I didn't even try..."

He gently pried them from her face, “Kit, please look at me,” he asked softly, “you had our family to protect. You did what you had to do to protect them and yourself. I don't blame you for it. I would have been angry if you’d subjected yourself and them to that thing wearing my face.”

"You're my mate." she protested tearfully "I should have tried harder. Done everything. Done anything." Kit bowed her head in shame "And I didn't even think to try." After what happened to his mother, she'd assumed everything about him that made him, him was gone. But she should have tried "I'm so s-sorry that I left you alone when you needed me most."

“You never left me, Kit,” he chided softly, taking her hand into his to kiss them both before placing them over his heart, “you were with me the whole time, right here.”

She gave a little sob curling to lay her head against his chest overwhelmed by emotion. The beads brushing against his fingers from around her wrist gave a little shiver a hairline crack spreading on one of them.

He kissed her forehead and let them both fall into the Forest’s Soul, hoping the change of scenery would sooth them. The changes startled him a bit. Instead of the heady scent of fresh earth and growing things, sunshine and the perfume of wildflowers drifted on a gentle breeze. They floated in a leafy canopy filled with too many glowing lights to count. It all reminded him of Lady Aureila’s gentle smile.

Taking a shaky breath Kit turned to press her cheek against him as she looked around their new surroundings. After a moment she managed a weak chuckle "You'd tell me if we were dead right Charmer?" It did look a little heavenly after all, even more so than the first time they'd been there.

“As if I’d keep a secret from my mate, but I have to agree it looks much more ethereal now,” he smiled softly.

"It's pretty." Kit whispered laying against him, breathing leveling out exhausted. "If I fall asleep... you promise you'll be here when I wake up?"

“I promise,” Ingall murmured kissing her brow.

"Better." she muttered back, fingers digging into his clothes as her eyes slid shut.

He wasn’t sure how much time had passed as they floated peacefully in each other's arms. Ingall didn't really sleep, but he did find himself dozing on and off a few times.

Kit on the other hand was absolutely KO'd. Weeks of next to no sleep and emotional trauma strain on her Soul had wore her out.

Meanwhile at the Shrine~

"Where are they?!" Kuko snarled circling the heart.

"I don't know any more than you!" Ginko called back tersely searching for a sign. "Maybe he went back to his world and took Kit with her?" which earned her a very peeved look from her brother before they continued the search hoping to find their missing kin before the children work up. Thank goodness Tony was being such a trooper.

After a bit longer, he was assured Kit wouldn’t have any nightmares and fell asleep himself.

When he woke up he found himself wrapped up in Kit's arms, legs, and tails and her murring softly on top of him.

“Well, this is a fine way to wake up,” he chuckled huskily.

His voice roused Kit from her semi sleep state she'd slowly woken too "Hmm?"

“You’ve got me all tied up, Love,” he replied highly amused.

Her blue eyes slowly blinked up to his "I couldn't let you go." Kit murmured nuzzling his chest "You're still here."

“I promised, didn't I?” he whispered, kissing her forehead, “how are you feeling?”

"Tired, achy, over all questionable mental health." She inhaled leaning into him "And yet better than I have felt in what feels like forever." Kit semi teased with a laugh placing a kiss over his heart "What about you?"

“Very much the same,” he replied, returning the kiss with one to the soft fur of the ear closest to his lips, “though I’m still sorely missing my ears and tails.”

"I'm selfish enough to take you any way I can get you." Kit murmured moving to kiss his neck. "But maybe we can get them back."

She suddenly felt very self conscious of her shortened hair knowing elves feelings on cutting their own. "This might take a while to grow back..." she said apologetically touching her hair.

“As much as I love your long locks, I rather like this too,” he grinned impishly, leaning closer, “gives me better access,” he quipped before playfully nibbling at her neck.

That drew the first real laugh out of her that she'd had in forever. "Well there is that."

“Indeed~,” he hummed, “but I'm sure Tony could work his magic and get it back to normal if you’d like,” he grinned then blanched a bit, “Speaking of Tony, I do believe Ginko is going to skin me alive when we get back…I didn't exactly tell anyone we’d be doing this.”

"They'll understand." Kit assured kissing his lips. Truth be told he wasn't wrong... but they also weren't stupid enough to do anything to him in front of Kit for a looooong time for fear of losing limbs.

Ingall chuckled, “Ready to go back? Or would you like to stay here for a while?”

Kit fell silent before whispering "I know we should go back... but I'm scared."

He held her tighter, kissing her temple, “Tell me how to alleviate that fear, and I’ll do it.”

Laughing weakly Kit just held him tighter in return "Just still be there when we leave."

“I will be,” he promised, as the warmth of the Forest’s Soul was replaced by the stillness of the wee hours that blanketed the Heart, broken only by the worried and angry voices of the silver kitsune siblings.

Still holding on him tightly Kit looked over to the sound of her kin "Hey."

Two heads whipped around to look at them both "There you are! Where did you two go?!" Ginko demanded hurrying over, Kuko following at a more sedate pace, the flick of his tail the only indication of his aggitation.

“Just to the Forest’s Soul, I thought we could use a change of scenery,” Ingall muttered, then quickly added, “It doesn't take any magic to get there, so I wasn't doing anything drastic!”

Ginko's ear twitched but she didn't comment as she bent close to look over Kit "How are you doing?"

Arms tightened around Ingall "It was touch and go for a moment, but I feel better now."

Ingall rubbed soothing circles on her back.

She leaned into him "We'll have to figure out how to tell the kids." A thought hit "Oh my stars the other day really happened didn't it? They know?!"

Ingall cringed, “Yes, it did, but they’ve already talked to them,” he nodded to the silver pair.

 “They’re strong, Love, and it wouldn’t have done for them to see me in that state anyhow,” Ingall soothed, “and don't worry about Bya. I had a sneaking little visitor my first night.”

"What?" came at him from three directions before Kit sighed "I am both surprised and not." She looked up at Ingall "Are you ready to see them? Ah!" she exclaimed before looking chagrined "Also incase the others hadn't told you... we have a new house." She couldn't quick get herself to confess to burning down their home.

Ingall blinked in surprise at that before speaking, “Well then, a new home for new memories,” he nodded in understanding, “and I’d very much like to see them, please.”

"Can either of you even walk?" Kuko asked dryly.

Ingall arched a brow then stood easily with Kit in his arms, not trembling in the slightest, “Between the Heart and the Forest’s Soul, I’m more than well enough for this.”

He rolled his eyes as Kit had a smile tugging at her lips as she wrapped her arms around his neck. "That makes me so happy." she whispered in his ears, not that he was carrying her but that he was well enough to do so.

He kissed her cheek, “Me too. If Kuko still had to cart me around, Shakko and Reiko would never let me live it down,” he teased.

Kuko arched a brow at that as Kit giggled lightly. Ginko couldn't hide her look of relief at the other kitsunes happiness as they walked home. Kuko vanished at some point to investigate something or take some time to himself perhaps. Either way by the time they reached Kit's newly built house dawn was starting to spread on the horizon. "I'll bring the kids home after they wake up." Ginko promised getting ready to split off towards her own home.

Ingall nodded, “see you all then.”

Ginko gave him a little squeeze to his shoulder "Happy to have you home." she murmured before leaving the couple to themselves. The house was drastically laid out differently than it had been before (quite intentional) as Kit quietly directed him where her- their- room was.

Ingall laid her down and crawled in with her.

"My Charmer." she breathed looking at him lay next to her in mild disbelief, quickly moving back into his arms.

He held her tight, “My Dear Lady, I’m home.”

"You're home." she whispered back pulling him down for another kiss her feet and tails twineing with his legs.

It was a good thing the children wouldn't be up for a while yet as the pair began to reacquaint themselves with each other.

~

Morning came and Ingall woke to Kit stuck to him like velcro deeply asleep.

Chuckling softly, Ingall carefully sat them both up, Kit still tucked comfortably under his chin as he listened for the arrival of the rest of his family.

Her ears twitched a little in her sleep as she picked up the sound of a familiar toddler's laugh outside. From the window he could see the remaining trio of kids trying to catch the little bugger as he ported from place to place on the way to the house. "Wait, wait, wait!" Ginko called in amused exasperation as she too gave chase with her wee one in her arms.

The enter scene had the elf shaking in silent laughter.

"Cheat codes! Cheat codes"! Shakko yelled after Tum with a laugh, narrowly missing the cackling tot. The noise managed to rouse Kit from her slumber with a sleepy hum.

“We’re about to be invaded, My Dear Lady,” Ingall murmured highly amused.

Kit rubbed at her eyes before chuckling and adding in her own murmur "We need clothes." she yawned "And coffee."

Snorting the elf rustled up their clothes, “There’s one thing done.”

Kissing him under his jaw as she stood to get quickly dressed while their family grew rapidly closer. More so than she thought as a blur of purple appeared in the room "'Prize Mama!" Touma declared with his hands in the air with a grin that briefly went away at the sight of the elf.

Quick footsteps raced down the hall "Sorry Mom! Tum was ready ta... see ya..." Shakko trailed off as they all rounded the corner. They looked between him and Kit uncertainly before Tum squealed "Papa Gall!" and charging at him full tilt colors flashing erratically.

Ingall laughed warmly as the tot bowled him over, “Good morning, Tum,” he smiled, wrapping his youngest son in a hug before looking at his eldest, “Too old for hugs now, are we, Shakko?” he asked teasingly.

Shakko was standing there clearly trying to compose himself rubbing at his eyes harshly as Byakko shot past him to hug Ingall too "P-papa your hair grew back!"

"Sorry, I didn't have a chance to talk to them before that one decided he wanted his mommy." Ginko apologized nodding towards Tum in explanation to the children's shock, patting the eldest's back soothingly. Reiko sniffed stumbling forward to hug him too "H-hi."

“It did, Little Miss,” he grinned, “Hello, dear one,” then Ingall somehow managed to embrace all the children that had run to him, and half-hopped half-shuffled with the lot of them to get his hands on Shakko too. With Tum hanging onto his neck, Bya on one shoulder and Reiko in his left arm that left the right free to the other redhead.

Shakko took a shuddering breath as he returned the hug tightly. Byakko shifted so she could slip between him, his face pressed against Ingalls shoulder she nuzzled between them both to give him little foxxy kisses. Kit's arms wrapped around them sandwiching the children between her and her mate.

True Fin~

True End- You are here

Rotten Stinkin' Onions

Sweet Onions

Wild Onions

[dreaminghour]

Hayden/Ewan RPF - The things in that drawer

Event: @domaystic Fandom: Star Wars RPF Rating: General Audiences Prompt: 08 The things in that drawer Ship: Hayden/Ewan Disclaimer: References to real people are used fictitiously. Do not share this with them! Context: Present day, sequel to "Taking turns" and "A stash of..." Basically Ewan crashed at Hayden's farm and they're reconnecting. (You can also read "Crisis" which precedes Taking turns, and “Police at the door” which precedes "A stash of..." in this series. There's hardly any plot until this one though... And they're all under 1k.) Note: There is a reference to my friend's fic for this prompt, which I think can be read fandom blind: "midnight mourning." Words: 787

The next time Ewan's in Hayden's office, he is blatantly snooping.

He told himself he needed a pen, but he doesn't really. He's not going to send the postcard but hand deliver it the next time he sees his daughter, and truly he's not really the postcard type, so she isn't expecting it. But while he was in the drug store downtown with Hayden, he couldn't help himself but pick up the quaint little card, proclaiming in cursive, 'Wish you were here!'

If he'd just needed a pen, he could have gotten one from the kitchen or the living room; he wouldn't have needed to bypass the nice weighted fountain pen in a tray to pull open drawers.

He finds pens, plenty of them, as well as all the sundry office supplies a person who writes fiction might need. Nothing tells him what he wants to know, but then finally, he pulls open one more drawer and finds a curling stack of paper.

Centered on the page, in all caps, is the title, MIDNIGHT MOURNING, followed by the by line. The date on it states it was printed three years ago, and when he briefly flicks through the pages, he sees numerous notes in pencil, marks in red, and the paper feels soft.

He lets the pages fall shut and hesitates before dropping the first page. It isn't his business. He'll ask, but he shouldn't read it without permission, no matter how much he wants to.

His hand hovers over the fountain pen for a moment, he picks it up. It's heavier than he expected, but it feels comfortable in his hand. He wonders if Hayden writes longhand with it before typing his stories up. He puts the pen back and shuts the door behind him when he leaves.

"Did you need something?" Hayden asks when Ewan wanders back into the kitchen with the postcard. He's chopping onions and only glances up for a second before lowering his gaze back to the knife.

"Just a pen— Ah."

Ewan catches Hayden's glance to the cup of pens by the phone in the corner.

"Been a few days, you'd think I'd know by now."

Hayden just shrugs.

"It's so quiet here," Ewan says rather than just taking his postcard back to his room to write it. "I don't just mean the distance from people, from town. I mean, this house."

Hayden doesn't reply, he sweeps the chopped onions into a metal bowl and then washes the cutting board and knife before turning to Ewan.

"Well, I mean, you're here," Hayden says, as though that's enough. He reaches into a bowl on the counter and touches one or two of the tomatoes before picking one up and giving it a quick rinse.

So Ewan doesn't leave, he puts the card and pen down on the counter and sits on the barstool, listening to the quiet music on the speakers, the tap of the knife as Hayden cuts the tomato.

"I'm just surprised you don't have friends stopping by, or people to go see," Ewan says at last.

"Don't worry," Hayden says, smiling that secretive way, "you're not cramping my style."

"Heaven forbid," Ewan replies.

Hayden sprinkles salt and lime into the bowl and then finally cuts the avocado.

"I'm also surprised," Hayden says after he mashes the avocado, shaking off the cilantro where it had been drying next to the sink.

"About what?" Ewan asks, wondering if Hayden had seen him in his office.

"Why'd you come so far to find a shoulder to lean on? Not that I mind it at all, I'm just curious."

He is silent while he stirs the guacamole, focusing entirely on the task while Ewan feels an odd sort of lightness in his limbs. He feels as though he's been caught.

"You're just the person I wanted to lean on," he says quietly, "isn't that alright?"

Hayden looks at him, raising his eyebrows and not smiling exactly, not calling Ewan out, but somehow looking through him. What he sees, Ewan has no idea.

"You were the one who happened to find me that night," Ewan says.

"In my hotel room," Hayden says. He opens two bottles of malted elderberry soda, and passes one to Ewan.

"Our hotel room," Ewan says, tapping his bottle with Hayden's. "Cheers."

For several moments, they devour the guacamole in big mouthfuls via tortilla chips. For a second, Ewan thinks this is the end of the conversation.

"Whenever you're ready," Hayden says, "if you want to, you can talk to me."

He looks up at Ewan from beneath a tilted brow.

"You always were a good listener," Ewan says, not able to say much else.

Hayden hums and that's that.

[kazxraval]

An occasional drinker. He'd rather have the drown-your-sorrows type as a customer. But, hey. A little time on the island and perhaps frequent might look just fine to Amy, whether with anyone else or not. "Mhm. Okay, gotcha. What's your definition of good company then?"

She silently inspected the knife. Outwardly laid back but her eyes hopped around to analyze the important points: the edge of the blade, the construction of the handle. Amy made it clear without a word. She knew what needed to be checked for damage, structure, to ensure the knife could hold up.

Of course it is. "Huh, don't believe me?" Kaz answered lazy and without enthusiasm. Not even a bare blink of his eyes. "Oh, I'm a terrible liar." (That was the fib, Kaz was a fantastic liar when necessary). "Didn't know I needed paperwork on a damn knife, but." If she wanted proof, she could trek out and confirm with Tomas. Who might not be reliable either. But Kaz doubted it'd be much of a sticking point. More a waste of time, really.

Onions and slashed throats, she teased. "Sounds like something a cannibal would say. Or, you're that tough on critics of your cooking?" Another tease, and Kaz grinned with a low rumble of a laugh in his chest. Short but clear enough.

"Yes, chef," he had to poke back. "Oh wait, you're not a Michelin star chef, hm? Should I hop in the teleporter and find the real one again? Get his CV for you? So you can look over his training? Now we can also track down whoever forged the damn thing in Japan, yeah? Go that route, hm?"

Kaz said it all light-hearted enough. And curious to hear what Amy would fire back at him. As sunny as she seemed, Kaz knew well enough that sunshine could fucking burn. He liked a good scald.

A new arrival wandered into the bazaar. And she wanted that. What was clearly a knife meant for cooking. Washed up on a totally fucked island-- and Amy's first foray into a trade was for an item meant for cooking. Ready to close the deal too.

Kaz moved closer. Still on the opposite side of the table, but immediately across from Amy now. "I always need teleporter credits. They should've given you a card." Which wouldn't have many points on it, as Amy seemed to have fallen from the sky not so long ago. "I'll take other trades too. Where'd you come from anyway? Have anything on you when you got here?" Some did, some didn't. "People look for all sorts of things. To remind them of home, you know."

Amy remembers various nights with her former people. All gathered around a campfire, telling stories, eating twist bread, and drinking whatever alcohol they had managed to find that day. Basically giving comfort by spending time with each other. ❛ I do drink. Occasionally, that is. And preferably in good company. ❜

The woman happily reaches for the knife as soon as she obtains permission to do so. While in many other instances Amy would be grateful for a little guidance from an expert, at least since she became an involuntary resident of this mysterious island she has not truly figured out yet, in this case it is not at all necessary. Not when it comes to cookware, food, or other ingredients.

Amy chuckles a little given the alleged origin story of the knife: A knife once used by someone with a Michelin star and now she, of all people, is holding it in her very own hands. A quick glance at Kaz. ❛ Of course it is. ❜ A typical sales pitch, she supposes. It is indeed a very expensive knife, though. Professional quality, in good condition. It might as well have been used in a Michelin star restaurant. Or not. Who would be able to really tell after all these years?

What would you do with it? ❛ Oh, you know. Cut some onions, slash some throats, the usual, ❜ she casually replies as she turns the blade in her hands, looking at it from every angle to check for flaws. She looks at Kaz again. ❛ Just cooking, ❜ she then clarifies, unsure of whether her American sense of humor would find his approval or not. ❛ —putting that questionable Michelin story of yours to the test. ❜

Now, the important question: ❛ How much? Newbie discount included, of course. ❜ Frankly, she does not know whether she can even afford it. It is not like she had a lot of time to accumulate a lot of money ( or whatever the currency is here ) since she got here.

[tomitsuya]

HOT COCOA

summary: there’s something so warm and comforting about your best friend, miya osamu. you just wish you stopped feeling a ferocious flutter every time you look at him

pairing: miya osamu/f! reader

tags:  friends to lovers, timeskip, msby appearance, fluff

It's tough out there– Christmas is peak couples’ season and you’re surrounded by happy couples entwined everywhere you go. Lest you sound like a jilted heroine, you angrily push through a couple of them as you rush to Osamu’s restaurant for dinner. You hated being reminded about your singlehood– whether at work or in public, or on social media. This time of the year is especially draining. 

Osamu invited you as an end of the year treat– he was closing Onigiri Miya until the new year and he invited you, along with a couple of other guests for a small party. As far as you knew, his brother and some of the MSBY players were also going to be in attendance.

You’re the last to arrive at the party because you missed your train, so most of the guests are inside and there’s a gentle hum of activity. Osamu’s back is turned to everyone as he dices some spring onions behind the counter. His muscles flex as he works on his cooking, dressed in nothing other than a thin, black t-shirt. You stare for a moment longer than you’d like, admiring his strong arms and hands prepare the vegetables with utmost care. 

“Y/N!” Atsumu hollers, calling you into the restaurant. 

Osamu’s ears perk up and he looks over at you. He gives you a quick smile which you return shakily, still simmering in the shame over nursing your attraction to your best friend. It was embarrassing– being an adult and having a crush on your childhood best friend but you were determined to ignore it. 

Atsumu beckons you over to where he is, joined by his teammates and a girl. Before you can ask, Atsumu answers any questions you might have had.

“This is Hana, my girlfriend.” 

You nod, giving her a brief smile. Hinata and Bokuto bombard you with questions, while Sakusa nurses his glass of tea silently. Atsumu and Hana seemed wrapped up in each other, so much so that you can’t help but feel a touch jealous. Not of Hana– never, no– but that they had each other when every atom in the atmosphere was reminding you of the joys of being in love. 

Osamu joins the group a little while after, sliding a tray of Atsumu’s favourite negitoro onigiri towards him. Atsumu thanks his brother and tucks in with gusto, disgusting Sakusa, who hides his mouth behind his collar. You pat Sakusa on the back sympathetically, earning you the smallest of smiles from him, a miracle in its own right, and go on with your night, sampling a little of everything Osamu put out for the party. 

Once the party cleared out, with a tipsy Atsumu draped on his girlfriend and having to be led out, you stuck behind to help Osamu with the clean-up.

“I don’t mind,” he smiles, “Ya can head home too.” 

“Well, I don’t mind staying.” 

“Alright,” he tosses you a damp rag for you to wipe down the tables. 

“This yer first time meetin’ Hana?” He asks.

“Yeah, why?” You reply, cocking an eyebrow. 

Osamu’s done washing up and starts putting away the dry utensils and plates. 

“She seems nice, doesn’t she?” He asks cryptically.

You nod. “Yeah, they seem happy. I’m happy for Atsumu.” 

“Ya were starin’ at them the whole night,” Osamu observes quietly, setting down the plate he was drying with more force than necessary.

It rings throughout the quiet restaurant. 

“What are you talking about?” You ask.

“Nothin’, just wonderin’ if my idiot brother gettin’ a girlfriend made you jealous,” despite him trying to come across as light-hearted, you notice a palpable bitterness in his tone. 

“It doesn’t, because I don’t have feelings for Atsumu. What’s bringing this on?” You move closer to him.

“Ya just keep goin’ on about how all the couples annoy you around this time of year and I saw you starin’ at Atsumu, and I couldn’t help but wonder.” He says placidly, not meeting your eyes, “That maybe yer just jealous.”

“Hey, I confided those things to you in good faith,” you frown, “Not for you to throw them back into my face.” 

“Well, maybe if you stopped whinin’ and saw what was in front of ya, then I wouldn’t have to.” 

“What are you even talking about?” You ask, tugging on his arm to get him to face you.

“I like ya,” he says bashfully, “And it's buggin’ me to see yer moonin’ over everyone, even though I’m right here.”

“And how was I supposed to know that?” You say, and even though your tone is biting, you’re more than a little pleased that he returns your feelings. 

“Dunno,” he mumbles.

You roll your eyes, “Osamu, ugh, look at me.” 

He meets your eyes shyly, so unlike his usual confident self. Osamu seems shocked that he confessed to you, more surprised than even yourself. You lick your lips as you search to find the words, but Osamu takes that as an invitation to lean in and kiss your lips softly. 

“Was that okay?” He asks.

“Yes,” you breathe, “And I’m going to kiss you now.” 

Before his lips can curl into a smile, you’ve met his lips and throw your arms around his neck. Osamu reciprocates enthusiastically, picking you up and setting you on the counter. 

“Stop complainin’ now, because ya got me. And I’m not goin’ anywhere.” 

“Aw!” Atsumu’s shrill voice cuts through your moment. 

The both of you jump up and look at him, but neither of you bother to unwrap your arms from the other. 

“I left my wallet, and I came to get it,” he explains, “Sobered up when I got home and Hana made me come back to get it.”

You nod, but Osamu grumbles at him.

“Yer make a cute couple! Goodnight!” Atsumu laughs on his way out. 

Osamu grumbles once more, “I’m tellin’ mom he was bein’ rude to you.” 

You slap his chest at the obvious lie but he just grins devilishly, caging you against the counter in his strong arms. His lips skim the skin of your neck, teeth nipping you when he reaches your ear. 

“I’m gonna make ya some hot cocoa after this,” he says as seductively as he can, “with marshmallows and everythin’.”

[landothemuppet]

can you do one of Tom liking how reader gets along with his family please🙏🏼🦋

approval || (t.h)

word count: 1.2K

pairing: tom holland x reader

N/A:  And there you go! It's longer than what I really imagined! I hope you like it and that it meets your expectations. 

taglist: @angeliquekalampoka @harryhollandsgirlfriend @cedricdiggorysimpp @hogwartsmarvelmommy , @delightfulmuffinclamauthor @allthisfortommy @kimberlyemerys @mcushvft   if you want to be notified of all my future writings you can add yourself in my taglist : here

There are little things that make a couple work: affection, the time you spend together, seeing in the same direction, laughter, teasing eachother. For Tom, it was all of these things, but the most important: to be appreciated by those close to him.

The first time he noticed that you had his family's approval was at an "official" family meal. You had only been dating Tom for a few months, but his mother had insisted that you come. As a sort of test perhaps. You had arrived early in the morning, Tom enjoying a well-deserved break to be the most with his family. As Harry chatted with Tom about an idea for a script they could put together. After all, what you yourself would expect when there is no work, Tom is working. Nikki had set out to find a document Dom had lost in the living room papers, arguing over it saying now was not really the time. You loved that they acted so naturally with you. Paddy was in his room, after all he was still a 17-year-old teenager and it seemed logical to you not to force your presence on him all day. Sam had just returned from Scotland and was happy to cook a meal for his family, without the pressure of work, just for the sake of cooking; a return to the source in a way. You stood up, kissing Tom's cheek so as not to disturb him too much. He was anyway, too caught up in his discussion with his brother. You calmly walked over to the kitchen and approached Sam.

 "What are you up to, boss?"

 The Holland brothers with multiple freckles turned to you, his hazel eyes on you. He didn't expect to have company in the kitchen as he worked on the meal. When Tom told you that his parents invited you to the family dinner, you found it touching when he also told you that Sam asked if you were allergic to any food. You felt listened to and included in the family without even having met them. The young cook smiled at you, shrugging his shoulders.

 "Not much. A simple Katsu curry."

 And as he continued chopping his onion to put it in a bowl, you turned your head around a bit, before opening a drawer next to Sam and pulling out a knife and peeler. The next second, you reproduced the same research expressions, not without having rosy cheeks by your daring.

 "What are you doing?"

"I'm looking for a cutting board"

"You don't have to ..."

"Shhh, just because you're the chef in this kitchen doesn't mean you have to do everything on your own."

"second cabinet to your left, top drawer".

 Sam rolled his eyes and you took out the utensil. You washed your hands and silently began to peel the carrots, but Sam gave you a smile. Tom finally noticed your absence and his head instantly turned around the room looking for you when he heard your laughter coming from the kitchen. Her eyes rested on your figure, cooking with her brother. He narrowed his eyes slightly as he admired you interacting with Sam for a few minutes. During the meal, as Sam placed the plate in front of Tom, the young chef slipped into Tom's ear a little "I like her", which made the actor smile with all his teeth.

 The second time he noticed that his family liked you, it was a normal day at home. You were snuggled up on the couch, scratching between Tess' two ears, lying next to you. A replay of an episode of Love Island was playing on television. You didn't live here, you just spent the day with Tom, who was in the bathroom. Harry walked past you on his way to the kitchen, growling a few curses. You turned your head towards him with an eyebrow raised, puzzled by his bad temper.

 "What is it?"

"Something is wrong with my script"

 Harry and you got along well already, you couldn't tell you were close friends, in your mind you were just his brother's girlfriend, so you didn't impose your presence in the redhead's life. However, there is something to push you a little harder to bond with him. You tilted your head as you watched him make tea. Slowly, you got up from the couch to go out onto the patio, glancing at the laptop screen. When Harry returned he frowned when he saw you hunched over his computer.

 "What are you doing?"

"I think there is a lack of dynamism between these two dialogues. It does not go together. Maybe you should add some step-by-step to express the emotions of your female character. It would add some meaning and depth to it. this dialogue.

 You pointed to the sentence you found problematic and Harry positioned himself next to you, plunging his nose in front of the screen as he reread his dialogue. His eyes widened slightly and a smile slit across his face.

 "Yeah ... Yeah I think you're right. Thanks"

 He gave you a light hug, a small hug of thanks. Tom meanwhile, had returned from the bathroom, his gaze fell on you and his younger brother, in each other's arms. He passed the bay window on the terrace, a confused look.

 "What's going on?"

"Oh, I was just helping Harry with his script"

 You smiled as you stepped away from the curl. You moved back to the living room and Tom frowned at his brother, still confused. Usually, other than him, no one helped Harry write. Harry, meanwhile, nodded at Tom, as well as a wink and a thumbs-up signifying his approval. Once again, Tom's smile radiated across his face.

And the last time Tom had his family's approval and saw you interacting with his loved ones was just now.

 You were leaning with your elbows on the table, leaning over the phone that Paddy had handed you, who was right next to you, a little tense and impatient. You watched the clips of the series he had recently starred in. The whole Holland family is extremely talented. But he had wanted your opinion because, you were more outside the circle, more neutral than his family. Yet when the video ended, all you did was congratulate and cheer her on this time, causing amazement and a beaming smile on the younger Holland's face. Tom was in the kitchen with his mother, brewing tea - it's amazing how many tea an Englishman, and especially a member of the Holland family, can drink in a whole day, a lifetime - Nikki was smiling as she looked at you, she leaned over to her son's ear, keeping her good humor fixed on her face. She could see the spark of love in her son's eyes, the admiration he had for you and that only reassured her and warmed her already big and warm heart.

 "We like her, you know? She's great."

"Yeah, I love her too, mom. With all my heart."

"Keep her safe, treat her well, she deserves it."

"I know mom. I think it's the right one."

 And he was right. You were the one for him.

[le4ftea]

So, uhh how would Tanjiro Inosuke and Genya act after having sex with their s/o for the first time? Would they be protective? Shy? Lovey-dovey? Thank you ^^

OWO HONEY. I'll tell you.

Demon Slayer Boys after being Intimate. G/N!Reader

Tanjirou

When he found out about you liking him back...

He was shaking with excitement, his hands shaking and his fingers going numb.

He was so happy that he felt that he could die and know that at least he had you.

But when you both had sex

He was very passionate and kind with each thrust, the world spinning with every deep pound into you.

After you both had lose your innocents to one another

He was shy and very gentle with you the next day, and felt as if he fell in love with you all over again.

°◇°◇°◇°◇°◇°◇°◇°◇°◇°◇°◇°◇°◇°◇°

You softly hummed as you felt like the day had been washed in vanilla and cinnamon, the morning was somehow more lovely then before. Slowly rising up from the bed, you felt a bit of soreness in the lower half of your body.

Groaning quietly to yourself, you sat up.

A fuzzy bath robe wrapped around you yet slipped off your shoulders due to the fact it was a little bigger then usual.

Both of your bare shoulders shining with a pink blush.

Still half closed, you looked around the room almost drunkly.

Confused of why you were alone in the bed you passionately shared with the hero to all himself.

Tanjirou.

Without another minute of worry of his where abouts, the sliding doors open in a clumsy way.

A soft gasp leaving whomever it was, as the sound of dishes cling together.

"Oh oh no!" He whispered shouted as they struggled with the door and what seemed to be a tray.

You stumble onto your feet and quietly walk over to the man at the door, gently holding the door open for him to enter.

A soft smile on your face as you spoke to him, silky and smooth.

"Need help love?"

Tanjirou squaled and almost fell back from your sudden presence.

"D-Darling! Did I wake you?" Sounding worried about being to loud.

Giggling and shaking your head you replied with a 'no'.

Tanjirou had brought a tray of rice eggs and bacon that had sliced green onion and some yellow mashed potatoes that had some cheese inside, with some tea.(I wish I could eat this.)

A small blush on your face at the cute gesture.

You sat next to him and kissed his cheek.

Turning to face you immediately, his face burning a bright red. Almost whimpering at you.

Both of you grabbed your chop sticks and started to eat while you asked why he brought the food himself.

He looked away as he scratched his cheek, a blush still visible.

"Well... I just felt bad that I went to rough on you last night, I got selfish near the end and gave into my needs and probably hurt you a bit. So I asked if I could take our food here today as an apology."

His mood at change the atmosphere in the room, his face also turned into a sad frown.

You gently crested his cheek drawing his attention to you.

"You didn't hurt me love, all you did is make me fall in love with you more."

His frown jumped into a smile as a small tears popped from his eyes.

He would never be able to let you go now.

○●○●○●○●○●○●○●○●●○●○

Inosuke

He was very obvious with his crush on you, yet you seemed to be denser then a brick.

When he start up told you he loved you.

You had no other choice but to know.

And when you both finally got intimate.

Holy Hell.

This man was going really hard and rough with you, gentle groaning as you screamed his name. It was like he had been waiting forever to pound you into the bed.

Like a beast breeding his mate.

The next day he was in a daze almost for a week.

Not speaking to anyone but only staying by your side with flowers dancing around him.

°◇°◇°◇°◇°◇°◇°◇°◇°◇°◇°◇°◇°◇°◇°

Laying on his chest, you would occasionally snuggle into him. His arm underneath you holding you closer to him.

His other laying on his toned stomach.

You both stayed like this for a while till you had the feeling of hunger, stomach grumbling quite loud now.

You pushed yourself from his warm body and saw his state that you didn't notice before.

He seemed to be a melted puddle of happiness, his aura a heart warmed glow as he had finally had you.

A dopey grin on his face until he saw you about to leave, gripping your wrist he sat up too. Looking you in your eyes deeply.

"I'm going to get food Inosuke" you whined almost at the growing hunger.

He pouted and almost asked you to stay with his eyes alone, his body language begging for you to not leave him yet.

Sighing you stood up but helped him up too and hugged him.

"Just come with me, we can eat together." His aura rising back to a heart warming glow as you felt hims nod, grabbing his bore hat he placed it on and walked with you to find food.

Sitting outside together, munching on bean buns. Humming at the yummy flavors, you turned to look at Inosuke.

A soft smile on his mouth as he ate his bun, still happy as a puppy that got a treat.

You giggled and sat closer to him as you both enjoyed eachother presences.

The wamr spring breeze blowing soft smells of nature, it was a perfect morning with Inosuke.

○●○●○●○●○●○●○●○●○●○●○

Genya

This man was so rough when it came to all but you. He just silently stays by your side and always make sure he gives you enough attention.

When he confessed to you, he was a stuttering mess which was quite out of character.

And when you both decided to have sex

O my God.

You would think he would go crazy

But when he put himself in.

He would slowly pound into you, with each thrust he would whisper how much you truly meant to him.

Telling you how long he waited to be connected with you.

And he made sure you had at least four orgasms.

So in the morning he was more prideful then ever and actually acted happy to others which made people scared for their lives.

He also marked you up quite a lot on your neck to make sure they all knew you both were together.

°◇°◇°◇°◇°◇°◇°◇°◇°◇°◇°◇°◇°◇°◇°

"Ouch! G-Genya that hurts!"

You whined as Genya gently pressed each hickey that was a beautiful purple on your neck.

Small tears forming at your big loveable eyes.

The morning was bright and fresh as the two of you woke form your long night of love making, the both of you were hugging one another when you guys opened your eyes.

Genya quickly moved away from you and wore blush of crimson while yelling at you to not get the wrong idea.

Even though the two of you basically saw eachother naked.

You both chatted about how silly he was acting but Genya smirked when he saw your neck that looked like you came back from a fight.

Blushing at how many you had, he kissed each one with a cute smile on his rough face.

"You look so beautiful."

He made sure you did not hide any of his marks with your cloths and walked with you around the temple where all of the demon slayers stayed.

The others asked if you were okay since you looked like you were in a fight to the death.

You waved them off, saying it was nothing serious and they shouldn't worry to much.

As you drifted off to the reality of what gave you such mark in the first place.

Blushing and shaking the heat from your face, you saw in the corner of your eye.

Genya grinning like an idiot. But you found this quite charming.

Running to him after saying your goodbye to the others you were talking too

You hugged Genya and hid your face in his chest, a soft groan at the sudden impact.

He frantically tried to get you off him as you could tell he was blushing at your embrace, you laughed to yourself quietly as you heard his heart beating faster then anything in the world.

He was adorable in his own strong way.

[primofate]

2K Followers Event: Pancake and Waffle Cafe Masterlist

Plain Pancakes with Syrup (Domestic life)

Characters: Thoma x fem!reader

Warnings: not proofread :D mentions of pregnancy (just once)

Notes: @chibettosuna I’m so sorry this took so long T_T 

Thoma

Being married or living together with Thoma is like always having a fireplace in your heart. It’s warm, it’s safe but it’s also fun and unpredictable at times (You just never know when he’s gunna put something weird in the hot pot again)

He’s never going to let you do something dangerous around the house (or what he considers dangerous) like carrying things that are too heavy or climbing up a ladder to reach something that’s dangerously high on the shelves. 

Will legit get mad at you if you attempt to do the above things while you’re pregnant, and let’s face it, sometimes you do it cause he’s not around to help you but if he catches you it’ll be one of those rare times you’ll see an annoyed look on his face directed towards you. 

He doesn’t like seeing you cry..............so he will chop the onions for you. XD

He’s not a clean freak but he likes things in order too, so you won’t have a hard time folding clothes or arranging them in his closet cause he will probably do that for you if he has time or if you ask him to. 

Will keep the house in tip top shape. 

Shopping for ingredients with him is an adventure, you’ll find him trying to make you laugh by putting oregano leaves as a moustache or seaweed as his eyebrows (you’d think it’d get old after a few years but no it doesn’t)

Will carry the bags for you, as per usual and will talk about what to cook for dinner on the way home. 

Cooking one of the meals together is a thing with the two of you. It’s like a bonding time where not a lot of words are exchanged but you pass him the chopping board and carrots and he already knows how you want the carrots sliced. There’s just a certain comfort with passing the ingredients around and then getting a final dish out of it. It’s literally made with love. Likewise with washing the dishes.

Sometimes it gets chaotic though, mostly when baking. He just loves goofing around with the flour and wiping some on your cheek. It escalates sometimes that both of your clothes are covered in flour. 

The type to leave you a note if he goes out of the house earlier for work. Say you like your coffee in the morning he’ll write “I’ve boiled hot water for you,” or if you like a certain juice it’ll be “I squeezed fresh orange juice for you before I left,” 

Doesn’t want to wake you up in the morning when he leaves for his duties, mostly just presses a quick kiss on your forehead and as silently as he can goes away.

Always comes back home with some type of souvenir for you (You swear your house is getting cluttered with all these different things he comes home with and at some point you tell him to stop buying you things) He always just says “I couldn’t help it darling, it reminded me of you and I knew you would like it so I got it!”

Oh my lord if you get sick he is dropping everything and staying with you. Will monitor you like a hawk. If you as much as breathe the wrong way he’s gunna ask “You ok? You feel anything? What do you need? Tell me if you feel any pain,” 

Hug wise this man will hug you any way. Side hugs, back hugs, front hugs, bear hugs, pick you up and twirl you around hugs, his face buried in your neck hugs...Everything at any moment he feels like.

He doesn’t hate house chores but he wouldn’t volunteer for them. If you ask him to do it, he will do it though. So in a sense you’re still in charge of the house chores, you just have to delegate it to him and he’ll do it without complaints. 

Doesn’t know where some of the things in the house are. He knows where the towels and medicine cabinet are but if he can’t find something specific he’ll ask you and you would magically pull it from somewhere and he’s always amazed by how you can remember every single thing.

Tried to impress your parents so much but honestly any parent would love this man even if he didn’t try. 

Cuddle time on the couch is a thing that happens every night after dinner and after washing the plates. It’s here that the two of you might talk about your day or if it was particularly exhausting, just stay silent in each other’s arms.

All in all recommend. You won’t regret having this guy in your life. He’ll make things so much easier and you’ll wonder where the hell he’s been all your life.

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[dokifluffs]

Cutting Onions | Kita Shinsuke

Pairing: Kita X Reader (female) 

Genre: soft 🥺, pregnant reader 

Author’s Note: I thought of this standing next to onions at the grocery store 😂 This was also almost for Osamu buttt Kita needs love 

Gif Creds: @rivaillerose​

The afternoon sunlight shone through the sheer white curtains as the floated through the air from the steady, calm breeze circulating through

Birds chirped in the oak trees out back

The water from the small man-made stream babbled just outside the window

The wooden floors creaked beneath his feet as he pulled a thin blanket and draped it over you as he stifled a yawn

Kita’s body sunk into the couch cushions adjacent to the couch you laid fast asleep on, your body laid on your side as you had been doing for the last seven, almost eight months

You were due in just around two or so months

His hair fell effortlessly onto the pillow as he laid, his busy legs and feet finally able to catch a break after all the errands he had to run, the fields he had to tend to

There weren’t too many days off for the two of you but it had been just him

Once you entered your second trimester, Kita wouldn’t allow you to do anything too straining

He worked as soon as he woke, made you breakfast, leaving it in the stove or oven for you so it was still warm enough when you woke

You would only see him maybe for lunch but definitely for dinner as he made everything too, wanting you to relax as much as possible

Yet even after dinner, he still wasn’t done

He got ahead with chores for the next day, some nights even heading back out when the sun was barely lighting up the sky anymore and wouldn’t return until sometimes you were already asleep

Kita was always super busy, you barely saw him

His heart beat was slow in his ears as his vision began to blur, the last image he could see was of you before he slipped into some much needed rest

“Just... for a little...” his final words before he let rest restore his body

With that, kita’s chest rose and fell at a slow and steady pace, his breaths deep as the cushions he laid on felt comfier than the bed

Your eyes blinked to consciousness as your ears could hear heavy breathing aside from your own

You pushed your hands into the warm couch you had been asleep on for the last few hours, the blanket you didn’t even realize was draped over your body, slid down your arms, pooling at your waist

Kita was fast asleep on his stomach, arms beneath the pillow his face was smothered into

You slipped off the couch as quietly as you could, waddling on the balls of your feet as you made your way over to him, kneeling down

Your fingers combed through his light gray hair, blackened tips

He was so gentle even as he slept

You leaned close and pressed a kiss to his hair, giving his back a little rub, something that normally would have woken him up easily yet  

He stayed sound asleep

You silently waddled away, walking on the balls of your feet, the oversized t-shirt with baby fox patterns all over it, tickled your bare thighs as you moved

Walking into the kitchen, the golden glow of the setting sun pooled all through the open windows, the lacy curtains, a gift form Kita’s grandmother, floated in the breeze, the air much cooler as dusk approached

“Let’s get to it,” you drew your lips into a line, smiling as your cheeks puffed now that Kita was asleep, you could prepare dinner for him for once

You began the preparations the best you could as quietly as you could but you knew as soon as Kita could hear the sound of you doing something when he wants you to be resting, he would make you stop, insisting on you resting as much as possible

But you were done resting

You wanted to help because you knew you could do more

As time went on, you chopped ingredients of vegetables and meats as the rice cooked in the rice cooker, a process you had to do so quietly, you thought for sure your husband would wake

The sun continued to set as you continued your preparations as long as you could, as quietly as you could

And now you were onto the last ingredient you would be caramelizing: onions

Onions always made you cry and now was no exception

You sliced through the acidic vegetable as Kita stirred, your focus on the onion since you didn’t want to hurt yourself with the knife as well as to finish your task at hand

Kita’s mind began to regain consciousness as his tired, and now very much relaxed body stretched not he sofa, his head foggy as he pushed out a yawn, hot tears prickling at his eyes

And that’s when he heard it

He was wide awake andiron his feet in seconds as he snapped his head towards the kitchen, hearing the sound of your sniffles and crying

“Y/N? Honey?” Kita almost slipped on his feet as he frantically slid on his socks into the tiled floor of the kitchen as you turned to him, your teary eyes meeting his own as you set the knife down

“Honey, what’s wrong?”

You were teary cause of the onions but there was much more behind your tears now that you saw Kita

The visible concern and pure emotion stuck on his features as he caught his breath, his hand hooding your arm as he took the knife from your hand, setting it down on the cutting board with the diced onions you had been working on

“What happened? Are you hurt?” He inspected your hands, bringing them under the faucet and washing them, looking for any visible cuts until you held his hands, shutting off the water and drying them to interlace them with yours

You weren’t cutting onions anymore but the tears wouldn’t stop

“Shinsuke, you look so tired,” you reached up and held his cheek in your hand

His hair disheveled, the last bits of panic still present in his eyes

“You’re working so hard, you always have been but now that I’m pregnant, you want me to rest but I can still help you. I want to help you,” you sniffled as you looked up to your precious husband

“I know you do,” he took your hand that held his, pressing a kiss to your palm

“I want you to just live a good, comfortable life, especially since another one will be joining us,” he brought his hand down to the side of your swelled belly

“But you’re always so tired, I don’t want you to be so tired and to burn yourself out,” you squeezed his hand

“I won’t, my love. I promise, I’ll take more breaks, okay?” He pat your head, wiping your tears away with the back of his hand, his eyes and lips pulling into a smile as he bent down, pecking kisses to your cheek and temple

“You know you’re so cute when you pout, right?” He pressed his body as close as he could to yours, his breath hot against your lips as he leaned close, rubbing his nose to yours

“Mmhm,” you hummed, leaning up the best you could to press your lips to his

“Let’s make dinner together,” his voice still deep and raspy from sleep, everything about Kita able to make your heart flutter so much

~~~~~ Thanks for reading! Masterlist for more! Please do not repost anywhere else!

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[strangeinternetwasteland]

Mating Season- Hawks x Fem! Reader 18+

A/n: thank you to the beautiful and talented @titanialev once again for feeding me ideas check out her art for this piece here

Warnings: Sex, biting

Word count: 2.5k

This day seemed to have dragged on forever. Work couldn’t be over soon enough. How much fun could you have working at a civilian bank. Nothing of note happened here, all you did was count money and do paperwork all day. The few times you got to text your boyfriend he didn’t respond, but that was probably because he was out patrolling, or doing something for the Commission. He was one lucky bastard.

After a few more hours of torturously boring paperwork you sluggishly waved goodbye to your coworkers and walked out of work. You check your phone one last time before walking home. You smiled as you saw the text you received from your boyfriend. Nothing in the world made you more excited.

The parking lot of your work was always empty, but today it seemed even emptier. Those who couldn’t wait to get home left quickly. Not that you could blame them.There was only one place you wanted to be anyway. “Well isn’t there a sight for sore eyes?” You heard a male voice say to you. You huffed at the attention. Any man who used a cheesy pick up line deserved to be punched. You really just wanted to punch that smug voice in the throat. You groaned internally, rolled your eyes and looked toward the voice.   

“Look, here asshole!” You started saying but when your eyes fell on the most handsome man you ever laid eyes on. His golden eyes pierced your soul. All the anger you felt melted looking at him. How could it not when you’re looking at your boyfriend. 

“I was going to punch you, you know.” You told him. As you looked at him, you saw him leaning against his car hood casually. Wearing his black leather jacket, blue jeans, and sunglasses he looked like a model.

“Yeah, I know. I had to come see my dove.” He told you as he walked over to you.

“This is most certainly a surprise, you never pick me up on Fridays, you’re usually out patrolling until late.” You said surprised as you two embraced. The warmth of his body made you shiver, even though the evening was warm for the season. 

“There are few things in life that I like, you are probably my most favorite.” He muttered into your lips as he pressed his lips into yours. Those soft lips the way they seemed to mold with yours so perfectly. He loved making you flustered in public, and especially in front of your co-workers. You broke the kiss, and your face warmed.

“Keigo, please stop, you’re flustering me.” You whined. He laughed at your remark.

“I like you flustered. If everything goes, right you’ll be more than flustered by the end of the night.” He whispered against your ear. You felt the hair on your neck stand at his comment. He took your hand and walked to the passenger side of the car. You slid into the seat, and buckled yourself in. Keigo slid in the driver’s seat and turned the radio on. You normally wouldn’t think twice, since you both listened to the radio, but you heard Keigo belt out in a terribly strangled voice:

“This is the part when I say I don’t wanna, I’m stronger than I’ve been before. This is the part when I break free cause I can’t resist it no more.” You stared at your  boyfriend like he grew two heads. The fact that he was singing wasn’t what made you want to laugh, it was when he started dancing in the seat. When he stopped the car at a red light, and turned up the music, you weren’t even sure if he was actually you boyfriend.

The driver in the next car over just looked at him and started laughing. You were a bit embarrassed but when you realized that he was having fun, who were you to stop him? When he had continued singing, and this time surprisingly well, you couldn’t help but laugh. He was definitely in a good mood, but something seemed a bit off, and you couldn’t explain it. You thought no more of it, as Keigo turned into the parking garage that was attached to your building.

“Here, I thought we were going to take me to dinner.” You mused aloud and gave him a sweet smile.

“My little bird, I’ve decided that I’d make dinner for you tonight.” He gave you his smug smile that make you melt.

“Oh, I didn’t know you could actually cook, Kei. We’ve been together for a while and you’ve cooked only breakfast for me.” You teased him. He visibly tensed up at your comment.

“Oh, no I am sorry, babe. I didn’t mean it.” You tried to calm him down.

“It’s fine, let’s just go inside.” He told you before he got out of the car to open your door. You walked toward the penthouse you shared while Keigo followed behind you. You both stayed silent while making your way.

After unlocking the door, you sighed heavily. You made him upset, and you knew it. It was best to leave it alone for now. Keigo walked in behind you and wrapped you in his wings and placed a kiss on the nape of your neck, causing shivers to run down your body.

“Dove, you go take a bath and relax. I’ll make us some dinner.” He reassured you. You did as he suggested. The warmth of the bath made your muscles relax and you felt your eyes getting heavy. You heard a soft knock at the door just before you fell asleep.

“Hey, dinner is almost ready, but please don’t rush on my account.” Keigo told you and he left the door slightly ajar. You decided that instead of sleeping you should wash your body quickly and join him for dinner.

After stepping out from the bathroom in your bedroom, you heard the sizzling of meat, smelled garlic, and onions. Your mouth started watering and your stomach rumbled. You were hungry. You went to your top drawer where you kept your panties, and found a handwritten note, from Keigo. It was written in his undeniable scrawl, ‘Go look in the closet’. You debated on it for a moment, you really didn’t want to wear anything but pajamas, but also, Keigo didn’t go out of his way for no reason. 

When entering the walk in closet you found a garment bag hanging in the front of your side of the closet. You unzippered the bag, and found yourself staring at the most gorgeous, black silk halter dress. You’d been eyeing this one for a while now, and when you did go buy it, it was sold out. You decided that you could spend your money on something you needed instead of something you wanted. It wasn’t meant to be for you. Here it was, hanging right in front of your eyes. You quickly changed into it, foregoing any underwear, and went to do your hair and makeup quickly.

After ten more minutes, you were assaulted with whatever food was currently cooking. You saw Keigo swaying to the music he put on, his wings slowly rising and falling with the beat. This time, it wasn’t Ariana Grande, but watching him move was mesmerizing. You noticed the whole dining area was covered with candlelight. The curves and flicker of the flames drew shadows on the wall. The sizzling had died down, and plates were placed on the table. 

“Kei, this is so beautiful. What on earth is all this about?” You asked, eyeing the beautiful bouquet on the table. He turned to see you, and gave you the biggest smile.

“Can I not do something for the woman, I love?” He asked as he pulled you into a slow dance. You notice he had changed out of his jeans and tee shirt into a button down shirt and dress pants. Your heart fluttered at his words. Of course, you loved him, and he loved you. You two spent your days off entangled in one another, but this was a different side of Keigo, you’d never seen before. 

After the slow dance was over, Keigo brought you to the table to eat your food, where he was a gentleman, by pulling out your chair and pushing it for you. You smiled at him. His eyes glanced over your body, the lust very evident.

“You look so beautiful, my dove. You truly are a vision.” He spoke as he kissed your hand.

“Thank you, but where did you find this dress? It’s been sold out as long as we’ve been dating. It wasn’t necessary to buy it.” You told him with excitement.

“The thing is, I am a hero. Even in civilian form, everyone knows who I am. You know I am willing to pay for the things you want. People are willing to do things when a hero asks.” He waved his words away.

“Well, thank you, but it wasn’t necessary. This dinner looks amazing and smells just as good.” You replied. He gave you a knowing smile. 

The conversation throughout dinner was light. The two of you discussed the other heros and his agency. You discussed how boring work was, and how nothing ever happened, but you knew the reason nothing happened was because the Heroes did their patrolling properly.

Keigo took the dishes and cleared them from the table and brought out a small four layered chocolate cake topped with strawberries and whipped cream.

“Did you make this yourself too?” You questioned him. “It looks like something from that little bakery I like not too far from the bank.” 

“I admit. I didn’t think about dessert until right before I picked you up from work. So it is from the bakery, yes.” He admitted to you as he sat down in his chair. You didn’t wait, you took your fork and shoved it right into the cake. Not waiting for Keigo at all. You hummed happily and smiled at your boyfriend. You took your finger and swiped a bit of whipped cream from the top of the cake. Pointing the finger at Keigo’s face, he debated for a moment leaned forward and bit your finger.

“Ow! What the hell?” You jerked your hand back. “That really hurt. Why would you ever bite me?” You questioned him, giving him a bit of side eye.

“Sorry, I guess. I am feeling a little off tonight.” He told you slumping his shoulders. He took the rest of the cake, wrapped it back up in it’s packaging and placed it in the refrigerator to keep cool.

You genuinely felt bad for him. He looked so down, when not even moments ago his spirit was so high. 

“I guess, I will just call it a night. I really didn’t mean to hurt you. I was just being playful.” He told you as he walked into the bedroom. You couldn’t be mad at him. The man you loved more than anything, had danced with you, had made you the most delicious dinner, he sang to you, he bought you the dress you wanted since before you two were dating. What more could a girl possibly want? 

“Keigo, look. I-” You started saying as you walked into the bedroom. When you entered you saw Keigo wearing nothing but a bow. He looked up at you sheepishly.

“What-” The next thing you knew his mouth was on yours as he kissed you deeply. His hands running over your curves, feeling nothing but your dress beneath his hands. You snaked one arm around him and pulled him close.

“I don’t know what’s gotten into you today Keigo, but you’re acting strange.” He grabbed your hips and pressed you against the wall. 

“I can only think about one thing… being inside of you.” His voice was dark with lust. He pressed his bulge against you, while undoing the ties of your dress. He didn’t care about anything other than unloading himself into you. 

“My dress!” You cried as he tore it off. 

“I will buy you 100 more, I just need you right now.” His warm breath on your neck. Without a care, he thrusted himself deep inside you. He moaned in ecstasy.

“Fuck, you feel so good.” He thrusted into you again as he hardened even more. “Dove, I don’t know what is wrong with me. I’ve been on edge all day.” 

While you normally didnt mind the sex, there was an edge of anger and desperation to it today. Thinking back on it, you two had been together for a little less than a year. It was Rumi who had told you on a drunken girls night out that once a year, when it was rutting or mating season, she’d act more aggressive than normal. She told you that normally she’d find whatever poor soul she could to take care of it. When you had asked her if Keigo went through the same things, she told you probably, but wasn’t sure how he went about it. It was after that night you’d done some research on the subject.

“God, you look so beautiful, my little bird.” His gold eyes bore into your soft (eye color) ones. His thrusting sped up faster. He nipped at the tender spots of your neck, groaning into you.

“Keigo.” His lips crashed onto yours again, tangling his tongue with yours. He was too far gone in his haze to respond to you. He spread his wings behind him as wide as he could, you remembered seeing this once before when studying biology. Keigo didn’t seem to have noticed that he was showing off his feathers. 

Suddenly, he picked you up and threw you onto the bed. His wings at thier full span.

“I am going to fuck you straight through this bed.” He hissed in your ear and he closed the gap between the two of you. He thrusted himself in you again with more force than before. Harder and faster he crashed into you again and again. His wings opening and closing with his pace. You felt him as he came closer to his limit. His breathing severely labored. His mind no longer concerned with his normal traditions with you. Mating was the only thing on his mind. Releasing this angry beast that overtook him. A final few thrusts, and he released every drop of his seed into you. 

You felt his racing heart slow a bit, and he got his breathing back to normal. You laid underneath him as he had wrapped his wings around you, as he normally did after love making. The haze of lust that filled his eyes was gone. His golden eyes looked at you with love again. He peppered your face with kisses, as you stroked his wings. As he laid his head on your chest for a brief moment, you heard the faintest whisper from him.

“I love you so much, Y/N. Be mine forever. Marry me.” Those were the last words you heard before you both fell asleep.

[wherethewordsare]

Right Where You Left Me

Real quick. Two things. Thank you @kuripon for being just an absolute gem and beta reading this for me. I’m sorry for all of my yelling. You’re an actual factual life saver.

SECONDLY!! Some Content Warnings upfront: Post Mountain, Post Torture, Near Death Experiences, Descriptions of Injury (though not graphic.) and some mild drugging. Just... Jaskier Wump ahead. Happy ending though, I swear. 

Jaskier felt it in his bones, the way his body was starting to give out. He knew it wouldn’t be long now. They had been zealous in his interrogations, all of them. He huddled in the corner of his cell and took a deep breath, wincing at how it pressed against his broken ribs. He wouldn’t give them the satisfaction of breaking him, not mentally at least. Bodily however, he knew he didn’t have much left to give. 

They had pulled him off the road to Oxenfurt as he was returning from the dragon hunt. Though he was still broken-hearted and angry, he still wouldn’t give them what they wanted. Maybe it was because he didn’t want to be responsible for one more heap of shit shoveled in Geralt’s life, maybe it was because despite the way his heart broke, he would still remain loyal to that bastard. 

He coughed, his body shaking, and he knew that the next time they came to collect him for the information he would not give, they would only find his body but Jaskier would be well far away from this hell. At least he thought so.

Large hands gripped him and hauled him up and when his feet did not find purchase on their own, he was scooped up and carried. He might have heard a small huff and a hum that sounded familiar but he had been hearing that everywhere recently. His eyes had been swollen shut for the past day and what he could see was merely a blurry collection of lines.

Jaskier ached and he was so tired and there was a sickening feeling like the world had turned the wrong way for a moment. Still the guard held him, silent as he was carried. Jaskier was determined not to go out without at least a few biting remarks but his mind was so muddled and his throat had been screamed raw weeks ago. 

“You’ll never find him,” he wheezed, choking on the words as the figure laid him down on- 

Jaskier knew he must have finally snapped. The surface under him was soft and there was a blanket, warm and clean being pulled over him. 

“He’s worse than I’d have imagined,” said a voice he couldn’t quite place, a woman’s voice that made something old and familiar turn in his gut. 

“He’ll make it. Jaskier’s always been a stubborn shit,” came another voice, gruff and also familiar. His chest ached in a way that had nothing to do with his injuries and he didn’t have time to really think about it before he was slipping into darkness. 

~

Jaskier woke slowly, his mind fighting back against the hazy sleep that kept pulling him down time and time again as he slowly realized his body was healing. It still hurt, but the pain wasn’t as deep. There was something warm pressed against his face, gently rubbing against his cheeks and forehead and a soft humming. He wanted to turn into the presence and cling to the comfort that washed over him. 

The cloth pulled away from his face and he knew the whimpering he had heard was his own as he tried to chase the feeling again. A large warm hand cupped his cheek, calloused fingers grazing against his jaw. He could weep with how good it felt after months upon months of that dungeon and those guards and their mages. 

“Can you hear me, Jask?” someone murmured only inches from him. Jaskier could feel the tips of his hair brush against his neck. “Jask, you have to wake up.” His voice sounded tight and wounded. “I’m-” Geralt made a hurt noise as a thumb brushed his temple. 

“Hmm, G-rlt?” He turned his face into the palm that held him, sighing as though it had been the balm to all his aches. The hollow pang of loss in his chest flared again as he slowly gained his bearings. Oh, this wasn’t a dream but a nightmare. Geralt, the Geralt he knew wouldn’t touch him like this, wouldn’t be this soft. The Geralt he knew, the one that had thrown those words at him on the mountain, wouldn’t care about him now, not like this. 

Tears came unbidden. He had been so careful not to let the guards of Nilfgaard see him break but some tricks were far too cruel not to hit their mark. He tried to pull away from the hand, fighting every fiber of himself that wanted it to be real, needed it to mean he was safe. He sobbed as his heart finally cracked open. 

“Jaskier, no. No no, you’re-” Firm hands lifted him up gently by the shoulders and he felt his head rest against a broad chest as he was being cradled. The feeling turned his stomach and he struggled to pull away. 

“You might need to axii him,” came another male voice from somewhere beyond Jaskier’s senses and the chest under his head expanded with a sigh. 

“I don’t want to make it feel like I tricked him, I need him to believe it’s real,” Geralt said from above him, those calloused fingers now sliding into his hair. 

“Geralt, he’s not with it yet. Just let him sleep a little longer,” said the voice. This one he didn’t recognize. 

Jaskier tried to thrash, to pull away. He wanted to fight this but he had no more fight in him to give. The man above him sighed again, almost sadly and Jaskier felt a twinge of magic against his scalp. By his cheek, a round metal piece seemed to hum for a moment and then there was darkness again. 

~ 

The next time Jaskier woke, he was alone in a large room, cocooned in a pile of furs and pillows. The room was bright and outside the window, a craggy landscape stretched as far as he could see. It smelled of pine and clean air and the very tail end of summer. 

“You’re awake, bard.” A man walked in, carrying a tray with what looked like a bowl and two cups, steam rising from all of them. 

“Where am I?” Jaskier croaked, wincing at how his words scraped against his throat. He knew he wouldn’t be singing again any time soon. 

“Welcome to Kaer Morhen, home of the witcher keep and the school of the wolf,” he gave a smile that tugged at the scars that ran along the one side of his face though he had let his hair fall in a way that looked like it was meant to hide them. 

“You’re a witcher?” Jaskier found himself leaning away slightly, not trusting his own eyes. 

“Last time I checked, yes. Eskel. It’s good to finally meet Geralt’s bard,” Eskel set the tray down on the edge of the bed and backed away to give Jaskier room. He sat in a dusty arm chair in the corner, fishing a book from his pocket. 

“I’m not Geralt’s anything,” Jaskier said automatically. It had been what he had told Nilfgaard, again and again and again, even as they continued to break his bones and burn his skin and invade his mind. “Geralt isn’t anything to me,” he added, swallowing around the taste of ash in his mouth. 

“Eat, then we’ll talk,” Eskel only gave him a small smile and turned back to his book. 

Jaskier looked down at the tray. One cup remained and the bowl, a broth with onions and small bits of root vegetable floating in it. Jaskier immediately recognized it as the same soup Geralt had made when he had caught a fever a few years back. He picked up the tea, foregoing the broth for the moment, not ready to swallow those memories just yet. 

It occurred to him that all of this may have been some kind of trick. He had never met Geralt’s brothers in arms, he had never been to Kaer Morhen. Maybe they thought he had and they were waiting for him to mess up. But there was nothing to mess up any further. 

Eskel lifted the other cup of tea that Jaskier hadn’t seen him take, sipping slowly as he disappeared into his book. “Broth too, bard.” It felt like a gentle chide, though he glanced up with an easy smile. 

“Are all witchers this bossy?” Jaskier grumbled as he lifted the bowl to his lips, sipping. It turned out to be nothing like the broth Geralt had made him, this was so much better. The moment the liquid touched his lips, he realized he was famished. He made only a small attempt to go slow at first before simply tilting the bowl back to drink it down. It burned his throat but it warmed his limbs with a deep kind of comfort. 

When the bowl was empty, Jaskier leaned back against the headboard, cup of tea in hand. He let the quiet stretch between them for a few moments, Eskel still in his book, Jaskiser in his thoughts. 

“Now, let’s start with the easy stuff,” Eskel set his book aside but made no move to stand or come near Jaskier. “We heard Nilfgaard had you about six months back. We finally managed to get you out four weeks ago. You were not in good shape but you’re doing better now.” 

It had just frosted when he was taken from the road, Jaskier thinks. Now it looked to be the end of summer. He had been captive for almost a year. He took a sip of his tea and nodded. 

“So this isn’t a trick?” He said flatly, curling his toes to test his minimal strength. They ached with the rest of him. 

“No. We understand that you’re going to take some time to trust that, but we’re not going to rush you. Anything you want to know, we’ll answer to the best of our ability and you are, of course, welcome to stay here,” Eskel looked down then, scuffing his boots along the floor boards. He seemed to be trying to word his next statement carefully. 

“You’re asking that I choose to stay peacefully. I’m not a captive, but leaving isn’t a good option,” Jaskier bit out. The tea and broth and rest had rekindled a fire in his gut that Nilfgaard hadn’t quite managed to bank and he felt like he was burning with it. 

“Just for now, till we know it’s going to be safe for you,” Eskel shot back. He rubbed his hands on his thighs. 

“Safe for Geralt and his child surprise you mean. I’ve seen your hidden fortress and am now a liability,” He knew it to be true but it didn’t take the sting out any more. 

“Jaskier, that’s not fair. Geralt-” Eskel clicked his mouth shut quickly. 

“Oh no, no no, go on. Tell me what that asshole said, hmm? Did he mention that he threw me aside? Is that why you’re worried I’ll turn him in so quickly? They had me for three seasons and the most I gave them was trouble,” Jaskier shook, suddenly exhausted. He found that he struggled to keep his eyes opened and he looked back down at the bowl of soup. “At least you had the decency not to axii me this time,” he spat. 

Darkness took him again, but before it did he heard another voice from the door, “I’m sorry, Jask.” 

~

He was alone the next time he came to, though he hadn’t been moved to any kind of dungeon which was a relief. His chest tightened at the thought of going from being the prisoner of an army to the prisoner of someone he had once considered his friend. 

He stood slowly, letting his weight shift gently onto the balls of his feet as he made to get up. He nearly collapsed again, grunting at the way his muscles refused to hold him. He scolded himself for not having seen it coming. He couldn’t remember the last time he stood, let alone walked under his own volition. 

Jaskier took a deep breath as he let his fingers pry gently along his healing body. He found that the worse of the damage had been healed though he still ached and he was certain he would have to rebuild his strength again. It would take time, time that he probably had now that he was a resident of circumstance in Kaer Morhen. All those years he had wished of coming here and how he longed to be anywhere else. 

He dropped his head into his hands, groaning. He had just wanted to go home and forget the war and the witcher and the mountain. 

The tap on the door made him jump but when he looked up, Geralt was standing there. He was without his armor, his hair pulled back, and his arms crossed over his chest. Geralt frowned at him, his brows knitted together. 

“Jaskier,” he started then stopped again, his jaw clicking shut as he shifted. He didn’t budge from the door, only looked out the window as he took a deep breath. 

“I won’t fight. If you want me to stay, I’ll stay. I-” It was Jaskier’s turn to look away. He hadn’t had much time to consider just how he might have made it out of a heavily guarded Nilfgaardian fort alive but with Geralt standing there looking all the world like a man put out by one underfoot bard, it wasn’t hard to put the pieces together. “You didn’t have to come rescue me. I would have-” he swallowed around his next words. I would have still protected you with my last breath, Geralt. “Thank you, anyway.” 

Geralt rubbed his face and took a hesitant step forward before retreating back to the door again. “Jaskier, why?” There was something wrong with Geralt’s voice, like it had been rubbed and frayed. 

“Why? Why am I staying? Because I don’t really have much choice, do I? Apparently I’m not done healing, and now I know where you and your child surprise are hiding, I’m a liability, aren’t I?” He let his hands fall into his lap in defeat. 

“I don’t want you to stay,” Geralt said quickly, his hands coming up in surrender. He looked up for a moment and shook his head before he opened his mouth again. 

Jaskier felt like his heart had finally snapped. “Right, well. Now that we have that settled, I’ll just give myself enough time to get up to snuff and then I will be on my way, shall I? Should have known you didn’t want me here.” He sounded wounded, even to his own ears. “Don’t understand why you went through all that trouble to rescue me if,” Jaskier tilted his head back and squeezed his eyes shut, willing the tears there to not fall. They did anyway. 

“I didn’t mean to shovel more shit, Geralt. I don’t know why you didn’t just let me die in there doing the one thing I’ve always tried to do,” he looked at Geralt then, wincing, “try to make your life a little easier.” 

“I don’t want you to stay if you don’t want to,” Geralt said softly. He took a hesitant step forward as though Jaskier had the strength to cause any real damage to anyone other than himself. “You didn’t give me up, even after the way I… after the hunt,” Geralt rubbed his face. “I just don’t understand why you did it, why you wouldn’t tell them even as they…” His words trailed off and they both seemed surprised to find that he had knelt down beside Jaskier, his hands wrapping around one of Jaskier’s. “Why did you do that, Jaskier?”

“You’re a fucking fool,” Jaskier spat. “Because I love you. Because I’ve loved you for nearly twenty years and even after you tore my heart out, I couldn’t bring myself to give you over,” Jaskier cried. He could feel Geralt fighting down a flinch where their fingers met and a small part of him was pleased. He was shaking, his mouth impossibly dry as he pressed his free hand to his eyes. “Geralt, how did I get here?” 

Geralt moved to sit beside him on the bed, not letting go of his hand, his eyes never quite meeting Jaskier’s. He was getting his words together, Jaskier knew and he gave him the time. 

“We had heard they had a travel companion of a witcher. There are… very few of those who exist, let alone one Nilfgaard would be interested in. When we sprang Yennefer, she confirmed that she had heard you had been taken prisoner too,” Geralt gave a small smile then. “She had heard that you would just sing to them, all of your songs instead of giving them information.” He sounded almost proud as he said it, but then his face fell. 

Jaskier sat in stunned silence, trying to pay attention to Geralt’s words as he seemed to hyperfocus on the warmth of his hands around his own. Slowly, he withdrew his hand, trying to make sense of what was happening. Either his confession was going to be left unacknowledged or Geralt was working up to let him down easily for once. He had to beat him to the punch for once. 

“I’ll get my strength back and then I’ll be out of your hair. I don’t want to cause you any more trouble. I’ll lay low, maybe head to Creyden or somewhere out of the way.” He clasped his hands together, pressing where his skin was still warm from Geralt’s touch. Twenty years of wanting stuck in his throat. Then he thought of the mountain and swallowed them down again. He had always been good at that. 

“You don’t have to leave here, Jaskier. You’ll be safe,” Geralt said, tilting his head down slightly to meet Jaskier’s eyes. 

“I’d be in the way,” Jaskier reasoned. 

“You…” Geralt sighed and rubbed his eyes tiredly. “No, Jask, you wouldn’t. But I don’t want you to feel like you’re trapped here. Just… Give me some time?” Geralt winced as he looked back at Jaskier. 

“What am I doing here, Geralt? I don’t want to be kept around just to absolve you of some guilt you’re carrying,” Jaskier asked again. 

Geralt made a low noise, somewhere between wounded and relieved. “I shouldn’t have yelled, it’s true, and it’s my fault they took you in the first place. But I brought you here, because this is where I wanted you, where I thought I could keep you safe.” His jaw worked for a moment as he chose his next words carefully, though he seemed stuck.

“I don’t get it. Help me understand, Geralt. I didn’t even think you cared,” Jaskier frowned, his fingers fidgeting. 

Geralt looked up at him and his eyes had gone soft around the edges. “I’m a fucking fool.” His hand came up and cupped Jaskier’s cheek, his thumb brushing away the tears Jaskier could no longer hold back. He couldn’t help but lean into the touch, his stomach swooping. “I love you, I’ve loved you for… far longer than I was willing to admit.”

Jaskier gave a soft laugh, trying to cover his sob. “What the fuck do you witchers put in your soup?”  

Geralt went still for a moment before he snorted, ducking his head. “It’s the onion.”

Jaskier gasped as he pulled away from Geralt dramatically. He only just managed not to start cackling. “I knew this was a trap! The Geralt I knew would never-” a pillow hit him in the face, knocking him back. He grinned madly from where he had landed only for it to be lost into a yawn. He hadn’t realized how taxing the conversation had been. 

Geralt stood, leaning over to adjust Jaskier’s bedding. “Rest, bard. You’ve still got healing to do and we have a lot to talk about.” He hesitated for a moment before leaning down, pressing a kiss to Jaskier’s temple. “I’ll be here when you wake up.” 

Jaskier let himself settle into the bed again as he watched Geralt leave the room. He felt it in his bones, the way his body melted into the furs around him. He’d be on his feet in no time and he was free to follow them wherever they took him, though he knew he’d still happily follow Geralt anywhere he went.