#and both dogs bark IMPOSSIBLY loudly when it’s walk time

[jimmyandthegiraffes]

I am not going to lie folks. I am at the end of my ROPE I’m going to SNAP

[lonely-lost-soul]

“I’m Not Soft.”

Request 5: Techno and the voices simping for the reader, maybe after reader gets in (and wins) a fight or something more domestic like farming or playing with Steve

Requested By: Anonymous 

(Technoblade X Female Reader)

~Added a little bit of spice~

Technoblade kicked the snow off his boots sending little flurries all inside the doorway of his cabin. He had just arrived home, he was coming home much later than he anticipated getting held up at a long-running syndicate meeting. He was greeted by the savory smell of baked potatoes and steak, it had him practically drooling. Techno wandered into the kitchen after hanging up his cloak by the door, his plate was sitting in the furnace. He peeked inside and saw it was set on low heat just to keep his food warm, he smiled softly. 

‘She’s so thoughtful. Keeping it warm for us. We should give her a kiss! Where even is she? Find her before you eat. You can sit together!’ 

Technoblade let out a soft hum of acknowledgment listening to the advice of the voices and searching for his lady love. He stepped into the living room and noticed the fire was roaring away in the fireplace, you were still here then, very early on he made sure you knew to put the fireplace out when you were finished in the room. He had a close call with Tommy when he was living here, and since then he made sure to remind you constantly about the fireplace. He spotted you and Steve curled up next to one another by the said fireplace, you were buried in his white fur and he was snoring away loudly beside you. A book was in your lap and you were wearing one of his shirts as a pajama top, socks with little bears on them adorned your feet. 

‘Oh my god, they’re so cute together. Take a picture! Take a picture! She looks so peaceful…’

Technoblade smiled gently making sure he did end up snapping a picture, just so he could tease you about it later. Plus you were adorable and you snuggling with Steve really melted his frozen heart, 

‘SIMP!’ 

     “You guys are doing the same thing shut up.” He growled under his breath finally walking over to you, Steve cracked his eyes open and let out a low snarl before comprehending who stood in front of him. Once he recognized The Blade he let out a disgruntled huff before falling back asleep, his movement caused you to stir. Technoblade watched as you rub the sleep from your eyes, before running your hands through your messy hair. “Morning Princess,” He cooed squatting down beside you. You blinked blearily at him for a moment before a smile lit up your face, you moved quickly wrapping your arms around his shoulders. He couldn’t help but smile in response to the hug, his hands were placed on his lower back as he squeezed.

‘So small and cute. Just like a little kitten.~ Can you give her a kiss now? I’m tired of asking for a kiss just do it. Stop making him sound like a simp. Wait look she’s pulling away-’

You pressed a kiss to his lips murmuring a weak, ‘welcome home Protesilaus.’ He shivered a little at the use of his Greek title and gave you a kiss back. 

     “Did you make me dinner?” You hummed nodded your head sleepily, “You spoil me, Princess.” He cupped your cheek with his hand and you nuzzled into it, you looked blissful. 

     “Only cause you deserve it, big guy. Want me to sit with you while you eat.” 

     “If you’re up for it.” Another kiss was pressed against the side of his lips and he purred fondly. You giggled a little and he flushed darkly, “Don’t laugh at me that’s cringe.”

     “Not laughing at you, I just love it when you purr. You’re like a big lion, who’s only soft for me.” He scoffed with an eye roll, 

     “I’m soft to no one.” 

     “Sure you’re not Tech.” You gently pat his cheek before standing up and cracking your back, Technoblade stood up beside you. The both of you walked into the kitchen, you sat at the table while he grabbed his meal. He dug in and his eyes fluttered, 

     “This is so good, god I’m so glad you’re my girlfriend.” 

     “Just for the cooking?” You teased fluttering your eyes at him and he looked thoughtful for a moment, 

     “Well, that and the great se-” You let out an indignant sound interrupting his sentence you went so red it even spread to your ears. Technoblade laughed loudly, “You’re so adorable when you’re flustered,” a smirk spread across his lips. 

‘We got her. Oh my god, she’s so cute. Awwww she’s embarrassed what a sweetheart. You should pinch her cheeks. Show her what we mean- DON’T BE GROSS. He was gross first though!’

     “You’re a terror,” You scoffed fanning your hot face with your hand trying to cool yourself down. 

     “Exactly and don’t you forget it, Princess.” He had a soft pink flush across his cheeks as you flipped him off, “Maybe later.”

     “Techno!” You squawked as he roared with laugher, “What is with you tonight!?”

     “I just missed you. I’ve been away from you all day can you blame me?”

     “I suppose not…” You trailed off smiling softly over at him and he smiled right back at you. “I’m going to head to bed, you coming or what?”

     “I’m right behind you.” He hummed placing his plate in the sink before following you up the stairs. 

The next morning was dedicated solely to you, not only because Technoblade wanted to but also because the voices just wanted to stay close to you. Your head was tightly tucked underneath his chin as he watched you sleep. The rise and fall of your chest was hypnotic and he placed his hand on your chest feeling your heartbeat flutter against his hand. He smiled watching you wake up for a second time with a sweet yawn, he kissed your nose as you regained consciousness. You snickered softly giving him a kiss right back, “Morning Techno.” 

     “Morning Princess,” He greeted, “I was wondering if you wanted to walk Steve with me today.”  

     “I’d love nothing more,” you smiled warmly “on one condition.”

     “And that would be?” Technoblade raised an eyebrow, his hand gently stroking your hip. 

      “I get to wear your cape.” His face scrunched up with disgust, 

      “My cape is sacred, you know this.”

      “I promise I’ll take really good care of it. Please for your wonderful and stunning girlfriend.” 

      “Eh?” He muttered as you batted your eyelashes at him, and despite his original distaste the voices melted seeing your face. 

‘She’s so cute. Adorable, look at those big ole eyes. Tell her she’s cute! Love of our life truly. She’s a teasing little shit ain’t she? Let her wear the cape, what's the harm?’

       “Cringe,” Technoblade said instead and the voices groaned loudly in his ears, he watched your face settle into a pout. He clicked his tongue annoyed at your pout, “come or don’t either way I gotta walk Steve- oof-“ Technoblade grunted as you sat down on his hips glaring at him. 

      “Give me the cape now.” You glared into his eyes, hands gripping onto his shoulders, his eyes lit up with amusement. 

     “Oh, you taking charge here Princess? I don’t mind if you think you can handle me.” The voices and he relished in the way your entire face turned red and you rested your forehead on his neck. 

    “You’re impossible but I’m still taking your fucking cape cringe-lord.”

     “Nerd.” He mused with a fond kiss to your lips, “but fine. I suppose you can borrow it.” Technoblade relented with a small smile, as your entire face lit up like the sun. 

‘Worth it. That smile! Be still my heart! She’s going to look so adorable. Trust us Techno you made the correct choice.’

He rolled his eyes and watched you tilt your head to the side, “The voices?” Technoblade gave a little nod. 

      “They’re being stupid.”

‘STUPID! FUCK OFF! WE’RE HELPING YOU SCORE!’

      “What’re they saying?” 

Sweat gathered on Technoblade’s brow, well now he couldn’t say they were complimenting you. He’d look like such an asshole. 

        “Nothing important.” He tried to cover himself up quickly and you gave a little smirk of your own. “Shut up don’t-“

       “Aw, do they like me?~” You cooed pinching the man’s cheek. “I love them too, they’re a part of you after all.” Now it was Technoblade’s turn to flush red all over if the voices weren’t gushing before they were now. 

‘Kiss her oh my god kiss her. We love her too! Tell her that right now! She needs to know! Bark bark bark bark! Everyone here is a simp. I’m the only one with a brain cell. Technooooooo tell her pleaaaaaseeeee.’

      “They Ugh...they want me to tell you they love you too.” He watched you smile again, “they also want me to give you a kiss.”

       “Well tell them I accept their kiss.”

       “Oh, they know sweetheart believe me.” He leaned forward to capture your lips, he felt you sigh pleasantly against them. His hands moved down to rest on your hips, rubbing gentle circles on them. He tilted his head to deepen the kiss but you pulled away from him, he let out a growl of disagreement. 

        “Oh hush up you grump. We have to feed the bears and dogs, plus if we’re walking Steve we need to get going.” 

       “Tease.” He grunted as you whacked him on the chest, before hopping off his lap to get dressed. He followed you out of bed, as the both of you got ready for the day ahead. You finished before Techno and slid down the ladders to whip up a quick breakfast and feed Steve. By the time Technoblade came downstairs, Steve was happily chowing away and you handed Technoblade two slices of bread. He gave you a quick kiss on the side of his head before shoveling the food into his mouth, he heard you giggle and he raised an eyebrow. “What’re you laughing at exactly?”

     “You’re eating like Steve,” Technoblade made an indignant sound of protest which only caused you to laugh harder. Sometimes he genuinely wondered how he put up with you but then he remembered he loved you and wouldn’t trade you for the world. He only rolled his eyes at you before grabbing Steve’s designated leash and hooking him up to it, the bear let out a huff and his little stub of a tail began to wiggle. “Someone’s excited,” You cooed at the bear scratching under his chin, “My big ole sweetheart.”

     “(Y/n) he’s supposed to be a killing machine please don’t coddle him.”

     “Oh fuck off Techno. Look at his face!” You squished the bear’s cheeks between your hands, “he wouldn’t hurt a fly!” The bear rumbled loudly in his throat but it was more of a pleasant sound than a threatening one. Technoblade raised an eyebrow at the antics before him, 

     “Leave our guard bear alone and go put on your boots.” You huffed but ultimately decided not to be a brat and listen to your boyfriend for once, you stood beside the door as Steve and he wandered up towards you. An eyebrow was raised and he looked you up and down, 

     “What?”

     “Aren’t you forgetting something?”

He watched you slowly blink before patting the sides of your winter jacket, and he chuckled deeply. He took off his cape and draped it across your shoulders, your face lit up and you snuggled into the fluff. It flowed behind you much more than it did when Technoblade wore it, it was swallowing you up. 

‘She’s so precious! We were correct, good job Techno. Such a good, sweet girl. We’re protecting her from the harsh elements! True! You don’t want her to get sick do you?’

Technoblade snapped out of his thoughts as he felt a soft kiss against the side of his cheek, “Thank you Tech, you made my morning.”

     “Anything for you.”

‘We’d kill for her you know. If anyone even looks at her wrong we’ll tear them apart. Guys, could you lighten up a little? Sheesh. Never she’s our stability.’

     “Shall we?” He held out his arm and you wrapped your hand around it snuggling against his side, he really was down bad for you. The both of you stepped out it was a beautiful sunny day the wind only a gentle chill, Techno grunted as Steve eagerly pulled him forward. He heard you laugh as he stumbled down the steps, he shot you a glare over his shoulder and you flipped him off. 

‘Hot.’ 

Technoblade’s face scrunched up in disbelief, “what the hell chat…” he muttered but the heat he felt in his cheeks showed he agreed with the voices. Once again at his side the two of you walked in the direction of Snow Chester, once you both came to the shoreline Technoblade turned towards you. “Would you like to visit L’manhole someday day soon?”

     “Like you even have to ask me that. I’d love to see the damage you caused.”

‘Our little anarchist in training.~ I for one, Can’t wait for her to join the Syndicate. We don’t want her to remember, we want to protect her. Exactly, her joining could put her at risk.’

     “Then we’ll go soon I promise.” 

     “I look forward to it big guy,” You cooed, pressing a feather-light kiss to his lips that sent electricity down to the tips of his toes. He tilted his head deepening the kiss slightly, his hand cupping your cheek, it was so small in his hand. He loved hearing the soft whimper you made against his lips as his tongue slipped into your mouth but the moment was shattered as he heard Steve let out a low warning growl. He rapidly pulled away and shoved you behind his back, he came face to face with BadBoyHalo, the egg cult leader himself. “Is that BBH?” 

     “Looks like it,” Techno muttered as you slipped out from behind him, the demon was in his smaller form and he waved enthusiastically. “Careful Princess,” Techno murmured hesitantly, watching him skip over, “remember the egg.” 

     “I got this Tech, no worries. I’ll be back in a moment alright.” You met Bad halfway and Technoblade shuffled uncomfortably. 

‘Don’t let her go. He’s gonna hurt her. Keep a steady eye. She’s not fragile but eavesdrop just in case. Be careful, and keep alert. Blood for the Blood God. Not yet shut up.’ 

Technoblade clicked his tongue but did eavesdrop on their conversation allowing Steve to sniff at the ground nearby for bugs.

     “(Y/n) my little muffin! How’re you doing?” 

     “I’m doing good Bad! I haven’t seen you in a while, how're you doing? Still doing egg stuff?”

     “Of course silly! That’s why I wanted to visit you.” He grabbed your hands, “I need your help.” He grazed his claws across the back of your hands, Techno watched you raise a suspicious eyebrow. 

‘That’s my girl. Always being suspicious and alert.’ He mentally praised, and the voice agreed with his though,

     “And that help would be what exactly?”

     “You need to convince Techno to give the egg a second chance!” You stared at him blankly and Technoblade tried not to laugh. 

     “Bad, you’re one of my good friends but I fucking hate the egg too.” His smile faltered a little bit and Technoblade’s hand went to the sword on his hip. Bad’s smile quickly returned and cupped your cheeks,

     “Language dear.” He scolded his smile turning strained, “this just means I need to introduce you to the egg silly! It’s going to love you,” 

     “Bad No.” He began to squeeze your face, nails digging into the flesh of your cheeks. Your eyes flashed with fear and Technoblade was about to step forward and intervene but skidded to a halt as he watched you knee Bad in the stomach. Technoblade’s jaw fell open, as you grabbed Bad’s arm as he bent over in pain and flipped him over your shoulder slamming his back into the snow and dirt. Bad let out a pained sound, but all Technoblade could focus on was the way his cape flew to the side with a flourish as you recovered. Your hair stuck to your cheeks as you glowered at the demon, “Don’t touch me.” You stood up, looking more regal than Techno’s ever seen you look, “Go home Bad, and don’t come back till you’ve sorted yourself out. This egg thing has really fucked with your head.” You walked back over towards Techno and smirked at him the fire in your eyes still burning bright. You brought a hand towards his face and you closed Technoblade’s jaw with your finger, “You’re going to catch flies babe.” His jaw snapped shut as you winked at him, you took Steve from his hand and began to walk away. 

‘Damn the cape’s covering her ass. THAT’S WHAT YOU’RE FOCUSING ON?! SHE JUST FLIPPED BADBOYHALO LIKE HE WAS A SACK OF POTATOES! NO FUCKS GIVEN! Stop screaming you’re too loud. Get me a woman who can flip me like that. God, I love strong women. Techno go make out with her right now don’t let her get away with that! We made the right choice with her, maybe she should join the Syndicate. Yeah but then seeing this side wouldn’t be as special-’

     “Tech you coming?” You called over your shoulder, 

‘Yes ma’am. Anything for you. Such a tease.’

He said nothing but followed in your footsteps, hands twitching at his sides, desperately trying to ignore the way the voices purred and begged for him to make out with you right here in the snow. 

As soon as you removed the collar from around Steve’s neck, and hung it back in it’s place by the door Technoblade pushed you up against the wall. You gave a squeak in surprise that he absolutely relished in, maybe he was a little bit of a sadist. His cape fell from your shoulders with a soft clatter as he roughly pressed his lips to yours, he watched your eyes droop closed before closing his eyes as well. “That was the hottest thing we’ve ever fucking seen,” He growled against your lips hoisting you up so that your legs wrapped around his waist. 

     “We?” You said breathlessly as his kisses moved from your lips and down to your neck, 

     “The voices.” He nipped at the skin between your shoulder and neck, enjoying the way your breath hitched in your throat. 

     “Oh,” was all you managed to get out letting your head fall back against the wall with a soft thump. Techno snickered against the burning skin on your neck, you whined a little before meekly murmuring, “Don’t stop. Please Technoblade.” 

‘Well, you heard the little lady. Don’t stop Technoblade. Make her beg some more first. Agreed, that’s what she gets for teasing us after all. Give the girl what she wants already. Who are we to deny her when she looks like that? We live to please one person and that’s her.’

Technoblade panted softly, throughout his life he was never one to deny giving the voices what they wanted. Especially when that something was you.  

[ykwrites]

Never with you

Pairings: Pro! Hero Bakugo x fem!reader

Rating: SFW

Warnings: None

Requests: OPEN.

Summary: Katsuki and y/n have been neighbours and ‘’kind of’’ friendly for a few months until some feelings get in the way. Neither of them want to admit how they feel, so they start bickering and arguing every chance they get to hide their true feelings.

MASTERLIST

Another day, another time Bakugo Katsuki thought that because he was a hero he could do whatever he wanted without consequences. 

Tonight the so called Dynamight decided to throw a party, on a fucking monday and no one was brave enough to go and tell him to keep it down.

The rest of the building was scared of him, not you tho.

As you walked down the hall towards his apartment door, you cursed in between your teeth, pyjamas on and a sudden urge to punch him in the face. If he didn´t stop the noise, you would only sleep about four hours before having to wake up for work.

You knocked loudly, waiting for someone to open. It took about two minutes and a lot of noise coming from inside. 

Finally, a guy with fiery red hair opened and looked at you with a shy and scared smile as soon as he saw your annoyed face. 

‘‘Would you please shut the hell up?, It´s four in the morning’‘you said, not even bothering to introduce yourself.

‘‘Oh no! sure, we will, I´m so sorry’‘the poor kid apologized waving his hands nervously.

‘‘Can Bakugo come to the door?’‘

‘‘I´ll go get him’‘

Before you could blink he was gone and a clearly intoxicated and angry Bakugo stood in front of you, crossing his arms in a condescending manner.

The noise quieted down a bit, probably because red hair kid decided to turn off the music and tell the others to lower their voices.

‘’What do you want?’’Bakugo practically barked, like a guard dog wanting you to leave.

‘’Don´t pull this shit ever again, throw parties on the weekends, not now!’’you shot back.

‘’Look, ugly, heroes don´t have weekends, so I throw parties whenever I want, in return I save the normal people like you’’

‘’No, in return I barely sleep, people have jobs too’’

‘‘Tsk, whatever’‘

Just like that, door slammed on your face once again. He did the same thing every time, holding a conversation with him was nearly impossible. 

Instead of continuing with the argument, you decided to go back home and try to sleep now that the stupid party ended. 

It baffled you to remember how at first you two started on the right foot, he was the first neighbour you spoke with when you moved and even helped you with moving boxes. The first month or so you used to say hi now and then, sometimes stopping for coffee to vent about whatever. You wouldn´t consider Bakugo your friend then, but he was nice to be around, stubborn and permanently kind of angry but nice after all. The little chatters helped you both decompress from daily life without having to worry about being judged.

The exchange between you two didn´t last long though, and sometimes it made you a bit sad, because even if you weren´t that close, you were hopeful to see him and spend a few minutes with him. A crush on him grew but faded away when Bakugo started being rude .

First, he stopped greeting you back in the hallway or elevator, then he would make stupid remarks just to be annoying and complained about everything to the point of screaming just because you forgot your EMPTY clothes basket on the building´s shared laundry room. He would bang on your door and trow the basket inside as soon as you opened, screaming about how irresponsible you were.

Instead of not responding or ignoring him, you decided to be just as rude back. The opposite would’ve probably been more peaceful, but there was no way you would let him step all over you.

Next day after the party was a nightmare, you managed to do everything you needed but almost fell asleep a couple times, growing frustrated from the lack of sleep.

When you got to your building´s elevator, your whole body trembled, so tired that you almost forgot to press the button. 

‘‘What´s up, ugly?, why the angry face?’‘a mocking voice echoed around.

Of course he had to be the first neighbour you saw as soon as you stepped on your floor. 

‘‘Leave me alone’‘you muttered under your breath, passing by him like a zombie.

‘‘No need to be so rude, it was only a little party’‘

‘‘Shut the fuck up, Bak....

Everything went black, you were supposed to respond, but destiny didn’t work that way.

Not much time later, or so you thought, a faint light started bothering you, making you squeeze your eyes uncomfortably.

What the hell happened?

Finally you opened your eyes, your head hurt and you recognized your surroundings just fine.

Bakugo’s apartment, his couch exactly.

“Finally, you are awake”his annoying voice sounded behind you.

“What happened?”rubbing your temples, you tried to get up but he pushed you back down with force.

“You fainted, wait a few minutes before standing up or It’ll happen again”Bakugo explained, leaving a glass of water on his coffee table and sitting on the couch right after.

He was close to your feet but that couch was so enormous your bodies didn’t have to touch at all.

“How long was I passed out?”

“About an hour, you woke up for a few seconds and then fell dead asleep”

“My head hurts”

“Thank me that I didn’t let you hit the floor earlier”

“Yeah, whatever, thank you”

Silence, a very weird and regrettable one because you couldn’t help but compare this situation with the ones you lived with him before. A few months ago this would’ve been much better, nice.

“So, are you going to tell me what’s wrong with you?”Bakugo asked.

“Nothing, I guess”you kinda lied.

Obviously the problem was that you didn’t sleep at all and work had been really demanding for a couple weeks, your body was going to fail sooner or later.

“Yeah”he huffed “because passing out in a hallway is so normal, means you are healthy”a sarcastic tone flooded his voice.

“Why do you care?”

“I don’t, I’m just curious”

“I’m exhausted, that’s all. Maybe it has something to do with you throwing a party on a fucking monday night”

“You NEED to rub it in my face”

“Well, it’s the truth”

“Well, I saved you now so we’re even”

You knew this bickering would continue, deciding on not responding at all and finally getting up to leave and feeling a bit dizzy.

“Careful, ugly”he said, standing up fast and holding your arm.

Reluctantly you sat down, maybe waiting a little wasn’t such a bad idea.

“Your phone has been ringing the whole time, you should block that number”Bakugo scoffed, taking your phone out of his pocket.

“Why do you have it?”

“It fell on the floor earlier, I just made sure it didn’t get stolen”he angrily explained “another thing you should thank me for”

“Whatever”

5 missed calls from Shoto. He probably was worried because you only sent him a good morning text saying you were tired and went completely silent after that.

Shoto was a good friend of yours, a fairly new friend but one that got invested in your life very fast and worried about your well-being constantly. Something about him losing people before so he got very attached to his friends.

You decided it was best to text him that everything was okay and you would call him later.

“Creepy”Bakugo mumbled lowly.

“What?”you asked, raising an eyebrow at him.

“The dude is obsessed with you or something”

“You don’t know him, shut up”

“Come on!, I went to school with that guy, trust me he isn’t all that amazing”

He what? Since when? And why didn’t you know that? Of course Bakugo wouldn’t tell you but Shoto never mentioned knowing him at all, weird considering he told you about other classmates and friends.

“He has never spoken about you”you spoke, doubting his words.

“We weren’t friends so who cares”he crossed his arms.

“But we’ve come across you on the hallway a few times and you’ve never greeted each other”

“I could care less, I’m just stating the fact that he is obsessed with you”

“He is my friend” this was so frustrating “and it’s none of your business”

“Open your eyes, ugly, he called five times in an hour”

“You know what?, I am leaving” you stood up.

Clearly Bakugo only wanted to pick a fight and you weren’t in the mood, so leaving was the best option.

Right when you closed his apartment door you heard him yell ‘you’re welcome!’ in his usual condescending and annoying tone.

What the hell was his problem with Shoto? Maybe they had some feud during highschool but that wasn’t your problem now.

A much needed shower cleared your head and you got ready for bed while speaking to Shoto on the phone, problem is you made a mistake telling him that you fainted because he ran to your door as soon as he heard to take you to the doctor.

“I’m okay”you said for the tenth time, now sitting in the passenger seat of Shoto’s fancy car.

“It won’t hurt to make sure you really are okay”he also repeated himself “my family has private doctors so they can check on you quickly”

“I get it, you’re rich”you joked.

“I hope that doesn’t make you uncomfortable”

“You know I don’t care”

Obviously the doctor was already waiting for you in his fancy office and started checking everything he thought was necessary with Shoto sitting right beside you.

“Everything seems to be alright, but you need to stay home for a few days, I’ll write you a note and prescription for your medicine, that’ll help”the doctor spoke after doing a blood test and a few more things you didn’t pay attention to.

“Really? Isn’t it too much? I just passed out from lack of sleep”

“Passing out was the first sign of your body telling you it’s exhausted, please take what I said into consideration if you want to be able to go back to work normally. If not get ready to faint way more from now on”

“She’ll do everything she needs to recover, thank you, doctor” Shoto politely replied for you and held your arm to get out.

The car ride back was silent, not uncomfortable or anything just silent except for a quick stop at the pharmacy and then back home again.

When you got back Shoto went upstairs with you and waited until you had taken the medicine and got in bed.

“Are you sure you don’t need me to stay?”he asked.

“I’ll be fine” you reassured him.

“Okay, I already made the doctor notify your boss, so focus on resting”

Rich people things I guess.

“Thank you, I promise to call you if I die”

“Please call before dying, I don’t want you to come tell me as a ghost”he laughed.

“Okay”

It took him like ten more minutes before you heard your door closing, finally letting yourself relax and melting into your mattress.

This was glory, now every muscle felt less stiff and your head stopped hurting.

What a good night sleep, the first after a long time. It felt good to turn off you alarm and stay in bed enjoying the calm and free time.

Not for long tho, someone decided to ring the doorbell like thirty times in two minutes and you had to wake up. That someone being Bakugo, that stood with a green plastic bag in his hands, surprisingly quiet and with a gentler gaze than usual.

“Can I come in?”He said.

You nodded letting him in, confused about his demeanor but not interested enough to investigate.

“I brought you some food, and a thing my mum used to make me drink when I was sick, tastes like hell but gives you mad energy”Bakugo quietly explained, putting the bag on your coffee table.

He was bringing you food and remedies?, was he okay?

This situation was uncomfortable, even more than yesterday’s. This wasn’t the normal Bakugo.

“Thank you”you finally spoke, not really sure on what to do “Do you want coffee or something?”

“Yeah, coffee”

“Good”

You made your way into the kitchen, thinking that this didn’t have to be so weird, it wasn’t the first time he had come over for coffee and if he wasn’t defensive an rude you didn’t have to be either.

“There, this one is yours”you said, putting a mug in front of him.

Bakugo just nodded and took a small sip, observing you sit next to him.

The room grew silent, both of you too invested in drinking your coffee without starting conversation.

“I wanted to say sorry for the party the other day”he suddenly spoke.

Him apologizing?that was new.

“Just, be mindful of others next time”

“Are you okay?”

“Me? Yeah”

“Shoto told me you were sick”

“You two spoke?”surprise was present in your voice.

You didn’t expect them to talk at all.

“He knocked on my door yesterday”he explanied.

‘‘And how did that go?’‘

‘‘Horrible’‘

‘‘Yeah, he can get protective sometimes’‘

‘‘I know that, I know him’‘

‘‘Okay then... good you two could talk I guess’‘

Really, what did he expect you to say? he apologized already, there wasn´t much more to say.

Having him there you were realizing how rude things had gotten between you two and how he started it without reason and now he somehow tried to act like nothing happened. 

‘‘I think it´s better if you go home’‘ words came out of you without warning.

‘‘Why?’‘he responded, his agressive tone coming back in a heartbeat. 

‘‘You’ve been an asshole for months, I appreciate your apology but I’m not comfortable with you here’‘

Honestly, you surprised yourself being able to express that, but you were right. 

‘‘You should listen to me first!’‘Bakugo suddenly raised his voice, making you jump back and get even angrier. 

‘‘Who the fuck do you think you are? I don´t HAVE to listen to you!’’you shouted back. 

‘‘You were an asshole too!’‘

‘‘I was just reacting back at how you treated me!’‘

The whole neighbourhood was probably thinking of calling the police right now, because this conversation got out of hand real quick.

Now both of you stood up and in each others’ faces, him towering over you with his big bulky body and you looking up at him without an ounce of fear in your eyes. 

‘‘And I was just mad at you ignoring me!’‘Bakugo continued.

‘‘Excuse me? I’m not the one who stopped greeting you in the hallway’‘

‘‘But you stopped hanging out with me as soon as you met Shoto!’‘

‘‘What? Now I can´t have friends?’‘

‘‘Of course you can! don´t twist my fucking words’‘

‘‘Oh no, excuse me mr. Bakugo, I will only hang out with you for now on, how dare I socialize’‘

‘‘You know I don´t mean that’‘he sat back down, visibly frustrated and with his head between his hands. 

‘‘Look, what I see is that we weren´t even that close and even though I enjoyed your company very much, I wasn´t going to put up with that attitude’‘

‘‘What attitude?’‘his voice was lower now. 

‘‘You know, throwing my clothes basket at me, being incredibly rude and lashing out every chance you got....’‘

‘‘You can´t leave the basket downstaits, someone will steal it’‘

‘‘And you couldn’t tell me that like a normal person’‘

‘‘I wanted to help and I didn´t know how to talk to you anymore’‘

‘‘Whatever’‘

‘‘You always say that’‘

‘‘What?’‘

‘‘Whatever, like you don´t care at all’‘

‘‘What do you expect me to say, Bakugo?, honestly I don´t know why you came here today’‘

‘‘I want you to say you care, I want you to want to spend some time with me, I want you to keep insulting me if I deserve it , I want to take you out sometime and to...

‘‘You what?’‘you interrupted him, stunned at what he just said. 

‘‘It doesn´t matter, I know I get agressive when I can´t express myself, but that doesn´t give me the right to treat you badly, or expect you to return my feelings’‘

Of all the things you imagined, this was the furthest on your mind, for some reason Bakugo having feelings for you never seemed possible. 

You felt your face get increasingly hotter and your heart pound with force as you looked at him too surprised to speak. He still had his head down, probably embarrassed. 

Now everything made more sense, he felt insecure about Shoto and unable to express himself how he should so instead he started lashing out. 

‘‘I´ll leave now if you want me to’‘Bakugo spoke, even quieter than before. 

‘‘Look at me’‘you managed to say and he complied, face as red as yours ‘’I am mad at you’’

‘‘I know, I´m sorry’‘

‘‘You should have told me how you felt’’

‘‘Whould that change anything?’‘

‘‘Yeah, I would’ve returned your feelings’‘

Now he was the one too stunned to speak, but your heart was acting on its own.

‘‘What about now?’‘you saw him almost choke on his own words. 

‘‘What do you mean?’‘

‘‘Do you return my feelings now?’‘

‘‘I guess, maybe I got so angry at you being rude because I like you’‘

Bakugo turned to look away quick, hiding his reaction.

‘‘You don´t like Shoto?’‘

‘‘No, why are you so fixated on him?’‘

‘‘He is good, and has a rich family’‘

‘‘And?’‘

‘‘He’s not angry all the time’‘

‘‘I happen to be into dudes with anger issues’’you jokingly said. 

‘‘I can cook too’‘he finally let out a laugh and looked back at you.

‘‘That sounds even better’‘

‘‘I am sorry for being an asshole’‘his eyes turned soft. 

‘‘I forgive you, don´t do it again tho’‘you smiled, taking his hand in between yours

‘‘I wont’‘he smiled back.

‘‘Good’‘

‘‘Good, do you want to come over for lunch?I´ll cook’‘

‘‘You are inviting me to your house on the first date? bold’‘you got a little closer to him, slowly.

‘‘Only if you want to, I make some bomb pasta’’he responded, looking at your lips.

‘‘I guess I have to go then’‘

Bakugo didn´t utter a word, instead he crashed your lips softly causing butterflies to roam in your stomach and a rush go through your body. His lips were so nice and velvety, nicer than you could imagine. The kiss turned heated eventually, breathing heavy and hot as he placed a hand on your neck to pull you closer, not agressive at all but romantic and needy.

‘‘Maybe we could skip lunch’‘you said without a better choice of words. 

‘‘You need to eat to recover, we’ll do whatever you want after lunch’‘he laughed, his thumb tracing circles on your leg. 

‘‘I´ll fight you after lunch’‘

‘‘Like I said’‘he got dangerously close to your neck and left a small kiss’‘ Whatever you want’‘

[unnecessarywriting]

Him? That’s My Dad - Fred Weasley

Requested: Hi! Can I get a Fred x reader where the reader is Sirius’ child and is best friends with the twins and when he first sees them they are maybe pranking snape and maybe they reunite in the shack cause they are protecting Harry and just fluff really? A/N: Thank you for requesting. First I want to apologize for the wait, but I had some personal stuff going on and I needed some time off. Also, I was a bit confused by your request, so I took it into my hands and tried to match it to the best of my ability, but if you want me to write something else (More of what you wanted) just let me know and I'll write something new! Requests are still open of course, and I hope you all enjoy!!!

ITALICS ARE FLASHBACKS

Him? That’s My Dad

Fifth year at Hogwarts meant that there was a lot of chaos, not to mention that you were dating one of the biggest pranksters in Hogwarts history. Fred had been there in your life from the beginning of your Hogwarts experience. Despite your last name and the reputation that comes with it, you were able to have a decent time with Fred and George by your side. By third year, you had become very close with the twins, and they even began to include you in their schemes. When Fred asked you out in fourth year, you began your work at becoming one of the masterminds behind some, if you dare say, epic pranks. Then, fifth year came around, and well, the chaos of OWLs ensued, and so did your more personal issues. 

You had been aware of the return of your father, or rather the escape of the murderer who just so happened to share your DNA. Were you happy that he was out? Well, that question was difficult for you. On one hand, he may have murdered a whole lot of people, and he may have been involved with the dark lord, resulting in making an orphan out of Harry and you. On the other hand, he could be innocent and have a real reason for not making more of an attempt to get out of Azkaban.

Before Sirius was sent away for the murder of the muggles and Peter, your mother had died. Luckily for you, Remus was made your godfather, which gave you a home, but Remus was sure to never overstep his role. He had never wanted to imitate a father to you, but there were times in which you wished it had happened. When you found out that he would be a professor at Hogwarts, you couldn’t tell if you were happy to spend more time with him, or worried that he would become too involved in your personal business. You knew Remus found education very important, as did you, however, spending time with Fred and George was sometimes prioritized. Not to mention, Remus was not familiar with your relations to one of the twins. 

You were sitting in the great hall with the twins trying to study, but you couldn’t help but overhear some of the murmurs from around the room. There was a lot more hatred pointed towards you because of the Sirius situation. It was hard to focus on too much that was meant to be actually important to you. Fred saw this, and he was right by your side to remind you of how amazing you were, and not to let the actions of your father define.

“You’re not like Malfoy. Who your father is, and what he has done is not a reflection of who you are. Now, let’s do something to get your mind off of all of those gits.” He motioned to where some other students were loudly whispering. You smiled at him and turned your attention to what George was working on.

“Who’s it for?” A simple question, but the answer would be the secret to your happiness.

“Snape.”

~ A Dog Tale ~

Sirius had his reasons for escaping Azkaban. When he visited Harry, he was in emotional turmoil. He felt terrible for being trusted by his best friend to take care of his son, and yet he failed. Then Sirius thought of you. He was never ready for a child of his own, but he was ready to give anything for your well-being. Him and your mother were not in a real relationship at the time, but he was heartbroken that she had died. He worried about his daughter and the lack of a mother figure, but he was sure that he would do everything he could to give you the life you deserved. When he was sent to Azkaban, however, he didn’t know how to react.

While he was not the one to sell out his friends, he was guilty for wrongly putting trust in someone. He spent his time repenting for making those choices. He reminded himself of his innocence, but there was a part of him that believed that he belonged there. Often, he would find himself thinking about you. He wondered what you looked like and what your personality was like. Did you take after him? Were you happy? Did you miss him? These questions lived in his head everyday, but he needed to grieve and take accountability for his crimes. 

When he got out, he wanted to go and find you, but he knew you were with Remus, and he was aware that Remus was very careful. His old friend knew about Padfoot, and for certain, he was keeping a close eye for any dog that came near you. He knew that he needed to go to Hogwarts to get to the rat he once called a friend, but there was a part of him that was convinced his main reason for returning was to answer those questions that had been eating away at him. 

When he first saw you, he knew exactly who he was looking at. You were the spitting image of your mother. Despite his dog form, he couldn’t help but feel a smile come on. Without thinking, he let out a bark and a whimper. He watched as your head whipped around to look at him. You stared at him with confusion written on your face, but you quickly returned to the twins that were beside you. He whimpered quietly to himself, but he refused to take his eyes off of you. You had grown up so beautifully, and from the looks of it, you were a bit mischievous yourself. 

He recognized the sound of a particular person he wished that he could remove from his memory. Snape. The git himself was a professor at Hogwarts. Of course. He pointed his gaze at your sudden change in demeanor. You got down and cast a spell. One of the twins towered over you as they cast another one. The other twin seemed to be the lookout. After hexing the greasy professor, the three ran off in a direction that would allow them to watch the mayhem ensue without getting caught. 

He also watched on the sidelines. He saw the obvious immediate spell cast. It was simple. A color change to the hair. He was concerned that this was the best that the three of you could do, but then he thought that there had to be more to it than what meets the average eye. He hoped that if he got to meet you, he would be able to ask you about it. Then he saw Snape’s legs start to falter, and he ultimately collapsed to the ground with an angry grunt. Sirius did everything he could to keep the laughing quiet, but it was riveting to see his old rival take such a nasty fall, especially at the hand of his daughter. His heart filled with pride knowing that she may not look like him, but she definitely took after him.

Sirius looked over at where you were hiding and watched as you hugged the twins. Then he watched you do the unthinkable.

~ What did you do? ~

When Fred and George had a plan, you liked to add a little bit of your own spice to the mix. You liked adding something that could only be thought of by you. Nothing was different with your prank with Snape. It was simple really. The twins had this new, altered version of the hair color changing spell. The plan was to make it near impossible to get rid of it. In fact, there was a particular potion that was needed to remove the effects of it, however, they weren’t planning on giving it to Snape too soon. The counter jinx would only change the color on Snape’s head. You thought it was genius, but there was a part of you that wanted a bigger reaction.

“Okay, I think that it’s great, but what if, and just hear me out, we change his feet.”

“What does that mean?” Your boyfriend looked at you intrigued by your suggestion.

“It’s easy really, there is an opposites spell that I found, and it would allow me to change his left foot to his right and his right to the left. It could be reversed, but there is a specific spell to do it, and I doubt Snape would know what it is.” George laughed at the idea of Snape trying to stand up without knowing how to fix his issue.

“This is one of the many reasons I love you,” Fred said as he placed a peck on your lips.

The three of you had learned which hallway Snape would be in, and you made your way in that direction. The three of you stood in the hallway chatting, so as not to raise any particular suspicion to your actions. You heard a bark from behind you, and you turned your head in that direction. There stood a large black dog. He looked as though he was trying to smile, but he also looked like he was punched in the head. You gazed at the dog to see if it was deranged or just a strangely happy dog. Eventually, you turned your attention back to the twins.

You heard the slow footsteps of the annoying professor, and you all got into position as you awaited with a nervous excitement. You ducked down to get a more accurate aim at his feet, and Fred towered above you where he focused his attention to the top of the greasy haired man. You both carefully cast your spells and retreated to a nearby space to watch the chaos unfold. As Snape fell, you laughed quietly. When he angrily struggled to stand up, the three of you had to move slightly to avoid bringing attention to how much you were enjoying his struggle. You hugged George, congratulating him on a good idea and a successful prank. Then you hugged Fred and pulled him in for a joyful, passionate kiss. You both pulled away and smiled at each other, while George awkwardly evaded his gaze. You felt eyes boring into you, so you turned your eyes to the culprit. The dog from before looked furious. Then, he began to run away.

“Hey, I’m gonna go for a walk, but I’ll catch up with you two later. Alright?” The twins nodded, but Fred was a bit suspicious of your sudden change in behavior. He kept his eyes on you and watched the direction you walked towards, but he kept his distance. He didn’t want to intrude on your time to yourself.

You followed the dog and watched as it ran into the Whomping Willow. You had a feeling you knew what was going on. You had often referred to Remus as Uncle Moony. When the twins showed you the map, you had a feeling that there was a connection. Cue you Sherlock skills. You thought about the other names on the map and tried to connect them to Remus’ friends.

“Uncle Moony?”

“Yes?” His gaze lifted from the Daily Prophet to your inquisitive face.

“When you were in school, did you ever feel connected to the animals there?”

“Why do you ask?” You needed to cover your ground otherwise he wasn’t going to give any information. 

“Well, I know that you don’t remember the events of what happens when you change, but I just wondered if there was ever some sort of connection with the animals on the grounds. I have found that there are some friendly deer around. I’ve also seen a few rats and mice wander around the castle.” You were trying to hint to some of the hints from the map. Prongs being a deer and Wormtail being a rat. Remus chuckled at your words.

“Yes, the deer and rats can be quite kind and they can often invade your personal space. Not to mention the wild dogs. Those can be the most intrusive creatures on the grounds.” A dog. That was the last detail you needed. Padfoot. Now you just needed to figure out who was who. 

In your years at Hogwarts, it was relatively rare to find a dog on the grounds. That didn’t mean that it never happened, but this dog seemed different, and you had a hunch as to what was going on. You stood far away from the tree and contemplated going into the whole that the dog ran into. If you were right, then you could easily be heading to your one way trip to the afterlife, but you wanted to protect the people you cared about at all costs. You didn’t trust the professors with this information, and Remus was no exception. Harry had become a friend to you over the years, and if the disgusting rumors held true, this could be your chance to help him. Afterall, this was your father who was trying to kill Harry. The least you could do is fight this man and prove that you were capable of not being like him. 

You ran by the swinging branches and launched yourself into the whole. You found yourself in what appeared to be the shrieking shack. The floorboards creaked all around you. You pulled the wand out from your pocket and pointed in the direction you were walking. Eventually, you found yourself face to face with the dog.

“You know, I had a feeling you were the dog. Remus never admitted to anything, but something about all that he told me about you just reminded me of a dog. You don’t have to stay in that ridiculous form since I know it’s you.” You were surprised by your own confidence, but twelve years of anger can spark a lot. Suddenly, you were met with the man you thought you would never see again. You raised the wand up to his face, and locked your jaw in anger. 

“You look just like your mother Y/N. I know you think I’m a murderer, but that’s not the case. I’m innocent. Why don’t you lower your wand and we can talk this through.” He spoke carefully and clearly so as not to push you to hex him into another life.

“I don’t know why you came here, but I’m not going to let you hurt Harry, and I sure as hell am not going to let my guard down. You escaped from Azkaban for murder. Did you really think that I was going to believe you? Honestly, you must really be an idiot. Even if you are innocent, you let Harry and I live without you. You were supposed to be there for us.” You yelled the last line with an anger you didn’t know you had. “You were supposed to be there for me.” Your voice was low and full of pain. Sirius felt everything you said to him.

“I know, but allow me to explain.” You kept your wand in place as Sirius told his story. He explained how he was framed by Peter, and his reasoning for returning to Hogwarts. “You’re right. I should've done more to be there for you, but I can’t change the past. I sure as hell am never going to forgive myself for allowing you to grow up without me. I’m here now though. I know that I cannot make up the lost time, but I can try like hell to be there for you now. I have no right to ask for anything but I beg you to give me a chance to be in your life.” 

You lowered your wand and sat down on the nearest surface. Sirius sighed at the removal of the threat. He stayed silent as he watched you think about everything he said. He knew it was a lot for you to handle. It was a lot for anyone to handle. Neither of you were aware of how long you both sat there, but when you heard a distant creak and the familiar call of your name, you both launched into action. Sirius transformed into Padfoot.

“Y/N? Are you in here?” Fred appeared in the doorway and sighed at the sight of you. “George, she’s in here. Darling, what are you doing here? We've been looking for you for hours. You had us both worried.” He pulled you into a tight embrace and kissed the top of your head. You breathed in his scent and smiled. Maybe having your dad in your life wouldn’t be so terrible. You thought about Fred and your future together often. You thought about what it may be like to have someone that you could call your dad be there to watch you achieve all of the milestones in your life, and be there for any future children you may have. You thought about how happy Fred and George were with their family, and how jealous you were of their parents.

“Were you just here with a dog all of this time?” George asked as he walked into the room. Fred moved his gaze to the big, black dog in the room. You giggle quietly.

“Oh him? That’s my dad.” You smiled and sat next to the dog and gave him a reassuring look. “And judging by the way he’s looking at you Fred, he doesn’t seem too happy that his only daughter is dating someone.” Padfoot offered a small growl at your boyfriend who was both confused and slightly scared. 

“Y/N. I think you might be losing it.” George muttered. You laughed and motioned for Sirius to regain his human form. The look of fear and shock on the twins’ faces were priceless.

“Mr. Weasley I presume.” Sirius held out his hand. Apparently the Weasley hair was something that exceeded generation. Fred reached out his hand to meet your dad’s and he muttered his response. “I understand that you are dating my daughter. I will allow this, however, after I am proven innocent, and we can have a word alone, I think we should get to know one another. Thoroughly.” You watched the interaction with joy. You knew that sirius was pranking Fred, although there was a bit of seriousness in his tone as well.

“Boys, I assume that I don’t need to tell you that the knowledge of Sirius should remain a secret. I will also say that he is of no threat to any of us, so there is no need to worry.” You grabbed Fred’s hand and gave him a reassuring squeeze. “I think that you two should return to the school. I’m going to stay here a bit longer, but I am perfectly fine.” You kissed Fred’s cheek and gave a side hug to George as they wandered out of the shack. They weren’t happy that you were left alone with someone who was notorious for mass murder, but they understood that you wouldn’t put everyone in danger.

“So, you’ve taken to pranking old Snivellus eh?” You laughed and nodded. You wouldn’t have expected your day to go from terrible to one with an amazing boyfriend, and a supportive dad, but fate works in mysterious ways.

[immacaria]

Almost

  Hello there! How are you? I hope you are alright! So, this is day 5 of Beetober 2021 from @bloody-bee-tea and the prompt is Almost. This kind of a sequel to Day 1 and takes almost exactly from where the first part ended, so it would be good if you read the first part if you still haven’t. Anyways this day’s word count is 4269 words, way bigger than the previous one lol. Well, this being said, I hope you enjoy this and are okay!

________________________________________________________________

  After the reveal, all hell broke loose and the only thing that Jiang Cheng did was put his mask back on and walk to Nie Mingjue’s side, sitting on the arm of his throne and watching amused as everybody around paled and started throwing questions at him. Beside them, the Nie disciples were invading the room with their sabers in hand and ready to attack. They only stopped because Jiang Cheng lifted a hand and kept staring at the irritated Sect Leaders. 

  “I thought you were dead! You were dead!” Jiang Fengmian said and Wei Wuxian moved to hold him back when two of the oldest disciples stepped ahead, lifting their sabers. “What are you doing here? Why are you here?” 

  “A-Cheng, what happened?” Wei Wuxian asked, surprise and confusion written all over his face. 

  “I died, Wei-gongzi. That’s what happened.” Jiang Cheng crossed his legs, shrugging before leaning back on the throne. “You even mourned me, don’t you remember?”

  “Of course I remember! We all mourned you and what were you doing? You were her-...” He screamed, stepping in front of Jiang Fengmian. 

  “I was dying, that’s what I was doing.” He snarled, eyes lighting up in anger. 

  “Stop saying that! You aren’t dead!” He screamed and this time it was Jiang Fengmian who held him back while the Nie disciples stepped ahead and around the throne. 

  “Because of the Nies! I’m still alive because of the Nies.” He screamed back and Nie Mingjue put an arm in front of him, holding him back, as Nie Huaisang stepped ahead. 

  “Let’s calm down, alright? We can’t do much if -...” Nie Huaisang started but Jin Guangshan spoke over him quickly. 

  “Nie-gongzi, and I don’t mean to offend when I say this, but I think this is a matter between the Jiangs and --” He started but Nie Huaisang quickly cut him off back. 

  “He is not a Jiang anymore, Jin-zongzhu, despite his given name saying the contrary. This is a matter between the Nies and the Jiangs, one that wouldn’t be solved now.” He closed his fan, pointing it at him and the Nie disciples stepped ahead one more time. “When no one but the Jiangs and the Nies are present. So, if you all are to be so kind, please leave so we can settle this down.” 

  “I’m sure that you will ne--” He tried again, but this time it was Nie Mingjue to cut him. 

  “This does not concern you, Jin-zongzhu, or anyone on the Jins for all the matter.” He got up and Jiang Cheng looked up to him, before standing as well. “This conference ended, we will continue this tomorrow.” He announced out loud and saw Jiang Fengmian’s face reddened in anger as he turned around to Jiang Cheng and whispered. “Come on, A-Cheng, let’s go.” 

  “He is not going anywhere!” Wei Wuxian screamed and, to his bad luck, he pulled his sword out. 

  “Wei-xiong!” Nie Huaisang screamed, eyes wide as the first Nie disciple clashed swords with him. “A-Yu!” 

  "Nie Daiyu, retreat right now!" Jiang Cheng barked, lifting his hand to the girl as a thin string flew off it and circled her waist. "Retreat." He said one more time as the string retread and pulled her back. 

  "Wanyin…" Jiang Fengmian started, but he only shook his head, not stepping away from Nie Mingjue. 

  "Swords down. Now!" He said and all the Nie disciples put their swords down - though very bedrungigly so - before looking at his father and Wei Wuxian and sighing. "Later." With that he turned around and walked out of the room with both Nie Huaisang and Nie Mingjue behind him. It wasn’t until they were away from the conference room and sure that nobody was listening to them that Jiang Cheng finally took his mask out and turned to Nie Mingjue as Nie Huaisang disappeared from a side door, pulling him to sit down next to a table and looking all over his face and body. 

  “A-Cheng, I’m fine.” Nie Mingjue said, holding his shoulders at the same time Nie Huaisang came back with a pot of tea and three cups and sat beside them. “That explosion did nothing to me, I swear.” 

  “You are still taking the tea, though.” Nie Huaisang said and passed a cup to him. “What was that, A-Cheng? What the hell?” 

  “I’m so, so sorry. I lost the grab on myself.” He sat between them, hugging his legs and putting his head between his knees. “When they started talking about Shijie marrying that peacock, I- I saw red and before I could think I was ripping the mask out.” 

  “We understand, we really do.” Nie Mingjue said and both of the others said in unison. 

  “Drink the tea, Mingjue.”

  “Shit.” He hissed, before carefully bringing the cup to his lips and making a face at the taste. “This thing is fucking horrible.” 

  “And we are going to drink three of those.” Jiang Cheng added, not looking at him and somehow still urging him up to drink the damned thing. “I just wanted them to take my opinion seriously on that matter.”

  “Well, they did. And that was, for sure, a power move.” Nie Huaisang nodded, opening his fan and smiling slightly when it brought a chuckle from both of the men. They fell in silence, one of them with his eyes closed and face hidden while the other two looked at him worryingly. Jiang Cheng’s shoulders were bended downwards and his breath came in shallow and quick breaths, his hands fisted in the fabric of his robes and every part of his body screamed discomfort and tension. It screamed fear. “Care to share your thoughts with the rest of us?” 

  “I do, actually. And I would prefer not, thanks.” He whispered, curling up even further. “Just let me breathe for a while, okay?” He said before falling silently once more and the brothers shared a look between them. They had been living with that boy for eight years by now and they knew how he could get sometimes.

  In the beginning, it was practically impossible to rile him out of the training fields because he felt that he needed to repay them for letting him stay there instead of kicking him back to Yunmeng like other clans may have done and wanted to learn their style as quickly as possible. When they finally managed to explain that he didn’t need to let his old fighting style go, that he could very well stay practicing the Jiang style, Jiang Cheng had only looked lost for a moment before nodding and leaving. They deemed the topic solved until Nie Huaisang came across him in the dogs’ shelter, sitting exactly like that while one of the biggest and most terrifying Nie dogs simply sat by him and whined. 

  Nie Huaisang had entered there and asked what was wrong but was only met with silence. So, he did the only thing he could and knew that helped his brother and hugged the sad bundle of boy in front of him. The amount of time that they stayed like that wasn’t something that he actually remembered, but he knew that at some point Jiang Cheng’s breaths settled down and, slowly but going, he started to talking and Nie Huaisang swore by the umpteenth time to never let him come back to his old family. 

  “Do you want me to go get Xiao Mifeng for you?” Nie Huaisang asked, already thinking about the maneuver that it would be to bring that beast of a dog to him without destroying absolutely everything.

  “No. He took a bath today, he’s going to be all ridden up all day long.” Jiang Cheng said, this time a little louder than before and shook his head as it lifted up. “Better leave him to lick his wounds in peace.”

  “Like we should do with you?” Nie Mingjue tried and Jiang Cheng turned to him, eyes going from his face to the cup of tea on his hand multiple times. 

  “Drink the tea, Mingjue.” He said, before putting his legs down and taking another deep breath. “No, I don’t need to be left alone. Not now, at least.”

  “Alright.” Mingjue nodded as Nie Huisang scooted closer to him and held his arms out with the best puppy eyes he could do. 

  “A hug, then?” He asked and Jiang Cheng huffed in exasperation.  . 

  “A hug, then.” He rolled his eyes before leaning down against him and having his feet pulled by Nie Mingjue. “And a foot massage, by the look of it. Drink the tea, Mingjue, you still have two more to drink.” He nudged his stomach with his toes and smiled when the man groaned and downed the rest of the tea in one go, shivering and making faces at the taste. 

  “This thing is fucking horrible.” He shuddered and pulled his feet closer. “And a foot massage too.”

  “That and you talking.” Nie Huaisang said, putting his head on the top of his and hugging his shoulders from behind. 

  “Oh, why do I get to be this pampered? I'm going to be useless by the end of the season.” He put a hand on his chest and chuckled along Nie Huaisang when Mingjue groaned loudly. “I’m sorry, Mingjue, really. For not thinking before taking the mask off.”

  “It’s okay, Wanyin. If it was Huaisang in the same situation as Jiang-guniang, I would do the same even if I had passed some time without us talking.” He shrugged, starting massaging his feet. “You should really stop walking around barefoot.” 

  “But it’s so good and freeing. And I was wearing boots at the conference.” He said back, throwing the same puppy eyes Nie Huaisang did before. 

  “Your feet are still all callous and rough from walking around barefoot.” He waved a finger at him and Jiang Cheng rolled his eyes at him. 

  “I’m not a maiden, Nie Mingjue. Leave my feet alone.” He kicked him weakly and heard Nie Huaisang gagging behind his back.

  “You two are gross. Ew!” He made another gagging sound and Jiang Cheng elbowed him in the thighs. “Ouch. Evil baby, evil.” 

  “I’m only five months younger than you.” He muttered, crossing his arms and Nie Mingjue patted his leg pitifully. 

  “We are running away from the topic.” He said and smiled when Jiang Cheng mouthed a 'I hate you' while Nie Huaisang nodded. 

  "Exactly, we are running away from the topic. Talk, A-Cheng." He nudged his shoulder and Jiang Cheng groaned, letting his head fall against his shoulder. "You were saying you were sorry for taking the mask so impulsively." 

  "And I am. I am sorry for it, but I am not sorry for the looks that I put on their faces. That shit was hilarious." He smiled slightly, putting his hands over Nie Huaisang's. "But, thinking now, they aren't worth the hassle I brought upon your clan. I mean, our clan." He corrected himself when Nie Mingjue tightened his grip on his left foot. "It's just that, I know my mother and my father and they are too proud to not take this as an offense. And Shijie is going to be so disappointed at me for not coming back. Wei Wuxian is going to be so mad.” 

  “And none of them are going to do anything because, officially, Jiang Wanyin is dead and you are Nie Qinghua, our cousin and little baby.” Nie Huaisang squeezed him and Nie Mingjue laughed at the wheeze he let out. “Unless you want to go back?” 

  “I don’t want to go back. I don’t want to leave Qinghe and come back to Yunmeng with them. I want to stay here.” He tightened his grip on Huaisang’s hands and hooked one of his feet under Mingjue’s thighs as if afraid that someone would come and take him away from them. 

  “Okay, then. You are not going away. And it isn’t like A-Sang would let you anyway.” Mingjue shrugged as Nie Huaisang nodded and kissed the top of his head. Jiang Cheng smiled at him, patting Nie Huaisang’s hands gently, and turned his face when a knock reached their ears. “Who is it?” 

  “It’s me. Nie Daiyu.” The girl said, still not sliding the door open and by that alone they knew that whatever problem she had brought to them was serious. “I can come back later, if you want.” 

  “No, no, come in, A-Yu.” Jiang Cheng said, sitting up and stealing his boots back. “The tea.” He slid one more cup towards Nie Mingjue at the same time the door opened and revealed a disheveled and angry Daiyu. “What the hell happened to you?” 

  “I got angry and almost got in a fight with Wei-gongzi. It was only because Nie Zonghui held me back that I didn’t end that boy.” She growled before remembering who she was talking to and bowing deeply. “This one apologizes for the indiscretion and causing problems.”

  “Alright, A-Yu, but why are you here?” He chuckled as Nie Huaisang opened his fan to hide his smile and Nie Mingjue lifted the cup to his lips. In front of them, Nie Daiyu took a deep breath and her shoulders went back as she gathered the courage to speak. Or the patience to.

  “Jiang-zongzhu wants to speak with Nie-guwen, I mean, Jiang-guwen, I mean... Wait, what should I call you now? Nie-guwen still or something else?” She shook her head and lifted her hands. “I’m lost here.”

  “Poor girl.” Nie Huaisang chuckled and Jiang Cheng hit his shoulder weakly. “Wait, I didn’t think about that either.”

  “What an idiot.” He rolled his eyes before stopping too and looking between both Nie brothers.  “Do you mind if I still use the Nie name? Like, if the kids keep calling me ‘Nie-guwen’?”

  “What? No! Of course we don’t!” Nie Huaisang said, snapping his fan closed and looking at him horrified. 

  “But you don’t want your name back? Don’t you want people calling you ‘Jiang Cheng’ or ‘Jiang Wanyin’ again? They are your names, after all.” Nie Mingjue said, turning to him and moving to put the cup down before Huaisang’s fan appeared under it and pushed it up again. 

  “The more you delay drinking the tea, the worse it will get.” He said while Jiang Cheng fell silent between them. He was staring at his hands, lost in thought, and his eyes got unfocused for a moment. Slowly he furrowed his eyebrows as he turned to look in Nie Mingjue’s general direction before looking back at his hands again and closing his fingers slowly. 

  “I…” He started before he fell silent again and Nie Daiyu looked at them with fearful eyes. They understood, really.

  In all the years that Jiang Cheng kept living with them, the disciples got used to call him ‘Nie-guwen’, ‘Yin-gege’, ‘Hua-shixiong’ and even ‘Cheng-gege’ and they were used to see him like this constant moving person, always barking orders or helping them with their stances in the gentlest way while simultaneously bickering at them. Gods, Daiyu was used to seeing him as this unstoppable person that not even death could hold back and was crazy enough to dump a whole pot of paint on their Sect Leader’s head without fear. 

  So, seeing him with an unfocused look on his face and a loss of words like that, it was terrifying. And all because some asshole didn’t care enough about his son to search properly for him and know where trying to give off the image of a good and worried father. Seriously, she was happy that Nie-zongzhu had come across him and they got to grow up with him because that way they could go and fight tooth and nail for him. 

  “Call me like you always called me, Yu-meimei.” Jiang Cheng said finally, looking up to her with still unfocused eyes but determination written all over it. “Bring the name ‘Jiang Wanyin’ back or even ‘Jiang Cheng’, it’s the same as bringing a boy who has been dead for eight years back.” 

 “So, Nie-guwen still?” She said, face illuminating at the answer. 

  “Yes, Nie-guwen still. And tell my father and my brother to find us in the smaller conference room. I want to end this topic as soon as possible.” He said, smiling at her before turning to Nie Mingjue with furrowed eyebrows. “Drink the damn tea, Mingjue.” 

  “Oh, fuck off.” Nie Mingjue said, downing the thing all at once and making a face at the taste. “This was a bad decision.” 

  “And you still have one more to go.” Another cup was deposited on his hands while Nie Daiyu got up and walked around the table to kneel beside Jiang Cheng with a wide smile on her face. 

  “So you're staying, right? You are not going back?” She nodded, practically jumping up and down on her seat and it was hard to see her as the sixteen years old she was. “Can I hug you?” She asked when Jiang Cheng nodded and squealed when he nodded, throwing herself at him and squeezing him for a moment before grabbing her saber and running out of the room in her giddiness. 

  They smiled at that and when Nie Mingjue finally finished the last cup of tea, they headed to the small conference room, only stopping when Jiang Cheng said that he wanted to change his robes. When he stepped out of his room, he was wearing outer robes in the colors of the Nie clan and inner ones in a pale shade of purple. His hair was half held up by a simple ribbon and he was wearing two earrings with intricate metal work and a purple gem in the middle. It was the first thing that he brought after finally presenting himself to the world as Nie Qinghua. 

  When they finally arrived at the smaller conference room, Jiang Fengmian and Wei Wuxian were already there along with Nie Daiyu, Nie Zonghui and some other Nie disciples. There was a pot of scalding on the table and some pastries on the top of the table and Nie Mingjue quickly reached for one as Jiang Cheng poured them five tea. They sat down with Nie Mingjue in the middle, Nie Huaisang staring at Wei Wuxian and Jiang Cheng at Jiang Fengmian. 

  Some minutes passed without them saying anything, just looking at each other and Nie Mingjue saw the way that Jiang Cheng started turning his ring around. In front of them, Jiang Fengmian was looking all over his son, taking in all the changes and new details. Wei Wuxian looked torn between starting to say what he thought aloud at any given moment or staying quiet and seeing what they were going to say in their defense. 

  “You look well, A-Cheng.” Jiang Fengmian said, smiling at him and Jiang Cheng smiled back weakly. “Your hair is shorter, though.”

  “A beast got me by it some months ago and I had to cut it to prevent getting my head bitten off.” He shrugged and some strands of his hair slid over his shoulder, barely reaching past his collarbone. 

  “Or maybe it was because you didn’t want to have something to do with the Jiangs anymore.” Wei Wuxian muttered, crossing his arms and looking to the side when Nie Huaisang glared at him. 

  “A-Xian, please.” Jiang Fengmian said before smiling placantigly to Nie Mingjue. “Please, excuse him, he’s just a bit shocked.” 

  “We understand that the situation isn’t the best, Jiang-zongzhu, but please understand that we only want what's best for A-Cheng always.” Nie Mingjue said, smiling back at him and Wei Wuxian glared at him before huffing and saying. 

  “By doing what? Keeping him from his family?” 

  “No, by respecting his wishes.” He retorted and Wei Wuxian huffed again. 

  “Wei Wuxian, please, can’t you believe someone else just this once?” Jiang Cheng said, sighing and looking at his brother tiredly. 

  “No! Not when they are lying and keeping you from us.” He uncrossed his arms and glared right back at him. “Why are you even there, anyways? Why didn’t you come back?”

  “To be what? A ghost? A-Die had already decided that you were going to be the heir of the clan by the time I was strong enough to get back to the clan and I didn’t see any reason to get back if I was only going to be a reason for A-Die to be resentful.” He said, furrowing his eyebrows. “At least here, I had a purpose, Wei Wuxian. I have a purpose.” 

 “What about Shijie? What about me?” He said, put his hand on his chest.

  “What about you? You had Lan Wangji, Shijie had the peacock! I had Nie-zongzhu and Nie-gongzi with me.” He took a deep breath and Nie Mingjue surprised himself with the way that he hadn’t screamed once yet. 

  “But th--”

  “No! Wei Wuxian, stop. Let me talk, at least this once.” Jiang Cheng interrupted him and held his cup to his lips. “After that night hunt, I don’t know if you searched for me or not, and if you did, thank you, but--”

  “They did. The same night you disappeared and when they didn’t find you, they said you had died. Simple like that.” Nie Huaisang said, at the left side of Nie Mingjue and glaring at both Wei Wuxian and Jiang Fengmian. “Sorry, A-Cheng. Didn’t mean to interrupt.” 

  “It’s okay, A-Sang. Anyways, after the night hunt, I woke up disoriented and started walking around until I found a kind enough lady that took me back to Yunmeng where I discovered that I was dead. Surprise, surprise. The lady waited for me and explained that apparently the Jiang heir was missing and had been declared dead two days before.” He shrugged, drinking the tea before continuing. “I thanked her and kept walking away. At first, and maybe because I was disoriented and poisoned, I thought that I was a ghost. So, I started wandering around and traded some of my old things for new and unbloodied robes. That was how I found Nie-zongzhu, near here actually. That way, I think.” He pointed to the general direction of a part of Qinghe’s forest before turning back to his brother, eyes sharp and angry. “I’m still alive because Nie Mingjue found me and took care of me. I’m still alive because Nie Huaisang didn’t let me go back. I’m still alive because I didn’t want to go back. So, if you want to scream at the Nie clan, scream gratitudes and thanks for keeping me alive and well. Because if I had come back, I surely would have died.”

 “What? But, we called you! We called for you multiple times.” Wei Wuxian said, eyes frantic as he looked between the three of them. “‘Surely would have died’? What are you trying to say, A-Cheng?” 

  “Nothing, I’m just stating facts. The poison in my body wasn't merely from the beast we had been fighting against that day, there was something more. Something that was there before we got to the beast.” He shrugged before his eyes went to Jiang Fengmian. “Nothing to say, A-Die?” 

  “What are you trying to imply here, A-Cheng? Are you trying to say that someone tried to poison you? Someone from Yunmeng?” Wei Wuxian asked, eyes wide, as Jiang Fengmian and Jiang Cheng stared at each other. 

  “I don’t know, Wei Wuxian. The day is a blur in mind, but what I know is that I almost died and I’m not risking it again.” He shrugged, finishing his tea and taking one of the pastries on the plate. “Have you tried one of these, A-Die? I find them especially delicious.” He smiled and his smile was nothing beside just a pull of his lip, a dark and dangerous thing. 

  “I have. They are good, yes.” Jiang Fengmian said, smiling and drinking some of his tea too. “A-Li will disappointed you are not coming back, A-Cheng, and your mo--”

  “Will live, I’m sure. I’m not coming back, A-Die. I’m staying here with the Nies and If you must call me something, call me either Nie Qinghua or Nie-guwen.I’m not a Jiang anymore.” Jiang Cheng said and bit at the pastry as Nie Huaisang closed his fan and smiled at them.

  “Are there any other matters you want to solve, Jiang-zongzhu? Because if there is not, Zonghui will gladly take him and Wei-xiong to your quarters for the night.” Nie Mingjue said and watched as Wei Wuxian turned between him and Jiang Cheng. “We’ll see each other at the conference tomorrow, I assure.”

  With that Nie Zonghui stepped ahead and bowed at them, waiting for them to get up and follow him. Jiang Fengmian stared at him for some more seconds before smiling and bowing at him, thanking him for tea and the pastries while Wei Wuxian followed suit, though a lot more bedrungigly so. After they left, Jiang Cheng sighed and leaned against Nie Mingjue, putting his head against his shoulder and nipping at the pastry in his hands. 

  The next morning, Nie Mingjue explained what they had decided and followed with the conference as usual. Jiang Cheng stayed at his side the whole time, this time without his mask, and didn’t run away from any questions that the other Sect Leaders threw at him as much as he didn’t even blinked when he refused to go back to Yunmeng. He had almost died once in there, he was not risking it again. Not when he had a family that loved and cared for him in Qinghe. 

[justpan]

Title: Unwilling Bride

Summary: At last it is time for the battle between Pirates and Lost Boys.

Pairing: Peter x Reader

Part 1 Part 2 Part 3 Part 4 Part 5 Part 6 Part 7 Part 8 Part 9 Part 10 Part 11 Part 12 Part 13 Part 14 Part 15 Part 16 Part 17 Part 18 Part 19 Part 20 Part 21 Part 22 Part 23 Part 24 Part 25 Part 26 Part 27 Part 28 Part 29 Part 30 Part 31

Everything was on track.

The camp was moved, the fences were ready; even better, Tootles found a way to put them all on a single pulley system.

One rope cut and all the fences would drop down in sync, that meant that the archers wouldn’t need to waste arrows trying to trigger them each individually.

Peter made good on his word, he was watching the pirates, constantly. You wouldn’t be surprised if he wasn’t sleeping at all.

All he seemed to do was sit up in the tallest trees he could find, send his shadow to locate the enemy, and report his findings to Felix who was patrolling the new camp.

‘Any news?’ you asked as Felix approached you.

‘They are less than a day away from the battle ground.’

‘Finally, guess we’d better get our asses in gear, can’t be late for our own party.’ you smiled excitedly.

‘BOYS!!! GET READY, THE GAME IS ABOUT TO START!!!’ Pan yelled as he marched into the camp.

His back was straight and he had a glint in his eye, the smile on his face was shark like and dangerous.

Like the smile you saw the first day you met him, it was as if he was on top of the world.

‘You heard me didn’t you? Get to the battle ground, or you’ll miss all the fun!’ he shouted.

The boys cheered nice and loud, and almost instantly the camp was hectic.

Everyone was running around grabbing their weapons, already laced with dreamshade.

‘You ready squirrel?’ Rufio asked.

‘As ready as I can be, little bird.’ you smiled.

‘I bet I can take down more pirates than you.’ he grinned.

‘Oh, yeah? What’s the wager?’

‘How about...if I win we try to take things further.’ Rufio suggested.

Your breath got caught in your throat, you hadn’t expected that to be on his mind right before you ran into battle.

‘And if I win?’

‘Then...we’ll do whatever you want.’

‘And if I want to take things further...what then?’ you asked, a small smile pulling at your lip.

‘Then I guess it’s a win win for us.’

Well, it looked like you were both on the same page, you both wanted to. There was a battle hours away, and by the time you got back to your room the two of them would be bloody and exhausted.

You couldn’t think of a more perfect way to lose your virginity.

‘A win win.’ you smiled.

‘Yeah?’ Rufio asked, a hopeful look in his eyes.

‘Yes, really, I’m still gonna take out more geezers than you.’ you grinned.

‘We’ll see.’

‘Hey! Be cute later, we gotta get moving and fast.’ Felix said, dragging the two of you along with the others.

You quickly shook away your feelings and started getting mentally ready for the battle; you couldn’t afford any distractions. Because this wasn’t training, it was a real battle with an opponent that would kill you if you gave them the chance.

Everything needed to go right, the fences, the arrows, the fight. Most important was the feeling.

This fight needed to feel like a guaranteed win; every Lost Boy needed to believe they would live through this fight and every pirate they let live needed to feel like it was a mistake to challenge The Lost Boys.

Once you all arrived everyone got in position, you saw Rufio taking his place with the clubs, Felix with the clubs.

Pan was standing in the middle of the clearing, watching over everything.

You walked over to him, to go over everything one last time.

‘How long?’

‘They should be here in less than an hour.’ he replied.

‘Their numbers?’

‘Less than fifty.’

‘Good, we got the mass and the skills...but I feel like something is wrong.’ you said to yourself.

‘Whatever it is we have no time to dwell on it, get down.’ Pan said.

You nodded and used your magic to put a door into the hollow tree behind Pan, you stood there and charmed the door to close.

In the dark you made sure you still had enough room for your arms to move the way you needed to work your magic.

With that done you put up a spell on the bark in front of you so you could see the clearing.

It looked like everyone was in place, now it was just a matter of time.

You watched in anticipation as the quiet settled over the camp, all you heard was your own breathing.

At last you could hear a rustle from the trees, and watched as the pirates entered the clearing.

‘I take it you are not here to deliver a box of cakes.’ Pan said smugly.

‘No I’m not.’ the one you knew to be Captain Hook said in false politeness.

‘Then why are you and your friends here? Did you want to play a game?’

‘No games this time Pan.’

‘There’s always a game, and this one is called...Pirates and Hunters. You can be the pirates.’ Pan grinned before he whistled.

The arrow zipped through the air and like magic the fences dropped down and closed in the clearing.

Immediately the clubs and swords jumped out of the trees.

‘Let’s play!’ Pan yelled.

You watched the pirates pull out their swords and listened to their war cry as the much anticipated battle finally began.

All you wanted was to be in the middle of it, but you had to keep your eyes sharp, that was your job; make sure none of your own were killed in the scuffle.

So you watched every pirate and followed every arrow to make sure only pirates were hit by them.

At the left you saw Tootles fighting with one man while another was behind, his sword ready to stab the boy in the back so you shot out your hand and used your magic to yank the pirate all the way back to your tree.

His back hit the bark with a loud crack that came from either his skull or his spine cracking, either way he was certainly not getting up ever again.

Without taking a moment to think of the first man you’ve ever killed you got back to following the battle.

A few arrows were missing targets and planting themselves in trees and in the dirt, whenever you were sure no boys were in immediate danger you would take up the arrows and have them hit any pirates that were near it.

It seemed as if everything was going perfectly, only old fat bodies were on the ground and at least six were dropped by the fences.

You looked to your right and saw Rufio, he was fighting two pirates, moving so swiftly it looked almost graceful. He kicked one down then spun to bring his club down on the other and while he did that you dragged the other and slammed his head on one of the roots of your tree.

All of a sudden you heard a loud crash and the camp went silent.

One of the fences was blown to shreds, you could see a canon where the door once was and saw the last person you ever expected to see on a battlefield.

Wendy.

She was there with her hands tied in a way that kept them over her ears and covering her eyes.

A fat man with a red cap was beside her, with a sword to her throat.

‘Smee, good form.’ Hook said happily.

You looked to Pan and saw he was standing across from the captain, their swords still touching from when they had been battling.

‘Now...how about a new game? I call it Hostage.’

Pan was furious, but if he knew how to do anything it was how to compose himself.

‘That’s cheating.’

‘Pirates aren’t known for following rules. Now how about this we’ll give you your little girl, in exchange you grant us passage off this damned island.’ the pirate smiled.

The fat man in the red hat handed the crying girl to his captain who placed his hook to her throat.

‘If I don’t like the game?’

‘Then I’ll rip this girl’s heart out, in the bloody way. From my understanding she is rather important to you.’

‘It so happens she is.’

‘Take the deal.’ the one handed pirate offered.

‘Deal, there will be a portal just for you in the middle of the sea, but know that I will never open another portal for you again. You will be in the ground feeding the maggots in some boring realm before you ever see the alligator you want.’

‘Oh I will find him, now call off your dogs.’

You looked to Pan, looking for anything, any sign that he had a plan. A sure way to get Wendy away from the pirates and still win this battle.

There was nothing, no knowing smirk or calculating look in his eyes, he just looked furious. Angrier than you have ever seen him before, considering that at one point he had chased you through the woods that said something.

‘Game’s over boys, looks like pirates don’t play fair...bad form.’ he said.

One by one all the boys threw down their weapons and the archers stepped out from their hiding spots, but you stayed put.

You looked over, when you saw something red moving behind the canon that was still smoking behind the fairy tail captain.

Rufio.

He had his club raised high and eyes set on Hook’s head, in an instant you understood his plan, kill the pirate so Pan could get Wendy and we could get back to killing these old geezers.

But unfortunately you weren’t the only one who saw him.

Hook’s namesake was always polished, not for the sake of looks, but to see the reflections of things behind him. It was impossible to not notice such a loudly dressed lad.

Swift as wind he withdrew his hook from Wendy’s neck and before you could even scream in terror he had buried his hook in Rufio’s chest.

‘NO!’ you yelled.

The pirate removed his hook and let Rufio’s body drop to the ground.

You ran through the door of your tree and rushed to your boyfriend’s side, there was so much blood covering his chest you couldn’t see where the wound actually was.

‘No, no it’s OK. I can fix it.’ you said with shaking breath.

You tried to use your magic to heal him, but it wouldn’t work. Your hands were too unsteady and you couldn’t focus on how the body was meant to connect.

‘It’s...ok...Love y-you....’ Rufio choked out before his eyes lost focus and his body went limp.

‘No…’ you sobbed, you placed your forehead to his and tried to force him to be ok, or maybe to make yourself wake up.

Whatever you were trying to do didn’t matter because it didn’t work.

Felix was suddenly by your side, his eyes were wet, but he wasn’t crying.

He placed his hand on your shoulder and kneeled down with you over Rufio.

You didn’t notice it, but the camp had gone silent.

All these centuries of running wild on this island and killing any intruders and this was the first time they had ever lost one of their own.

‘No one else try anything, let me and my men go Pan.’ Hook said, removing the blindfold from Wendy's eyes and hands.

‘Leave the girl, and know that if I ever see you again, on this island or in any realm at all you will be as dead as that brother of yours.’ Pan spat out.

With tears in your eyes you watched the pirates retreat through the woods, a part of you wanted to burn the whole island down but you couldn’t.

Magic required a good amount of control, and you had never felt more unstable in your life.

You couldn’t stop the sobs that were spilling out of you or make your body stop shaking; there was only one thing in your mind.

Rufio was dead.

Your boyfriend had just died in your arms and there was nothing you could do about it no matter how strong your magic was.

Magic can do a lot but not that; dead is dead and it’s forever permanent.

‘(Y/N).’ Peter said solemnly.

‘I couldn’t save him, I saw him making his move and I didn’t stop him.’ you said around the lump in your throat.

‘We all saw him, and we all thought he could do it, it isn’t your fault.’ he said.

All at once it clicked in your head, like the last piece of a puzzle a thought formed in your mind.

Wendy.

‘You!’ you all but growled as you stood up and tackled the only other girl on the island to the ground.

‘You got him killed!’ you screamed in her tear streaked face as you wrapped your hands around her throat.

With all your strength you tried to crush her windpipe; if it was the last thing you did you were going to make her suffer for what she did.

‘(Y/N)!’ Peter yelled as suddenly you were yanked back, partially pulling Wendy with you, but eventually you lost your grip.

With a grunt and a thud that probably sounded worse than it actually felt you hit the ground.

‘I-I’m sorry!’ Wendy coughed, looking as pitiful and as helpless as the insect she was.

‘You will be, I’ll make you sorry!’ you spat as you struggled against the magic weight that was holding your body down.

‘Calm down.’ Peter said, his voice calm and clear as he stood over you.

‘Fuck calm! I want her dead!’

‘So do I.’ Felix said from beside Rufio’s body.

Felix closed his friend's eyes and looked up at his leader.

‘She betrayed us...Rufio is dead because her. She has been prancing through camp being as useless as a leech in dress and none of us said anything to you, but this.’ Felix said, standing up and pointing the body in front of him.

‘We can’t ignore this; and I won’t forgive it.’

More boys spoke in their agreement and soon they were all but spitting at the girl, the sight at one point would have disgusted you, but right now you just want to get up.

‘Quiet!’ Pan yelled, his voice strong and loud.

‘I know...the girl deserves to die, she deserves to die bloody. She is useless and no one likes her, not even me despite what I know you all think; but I still need her. We all do if we want to win the real game.’

The real game.

His master plan, the one he hadn’t even disclosed to you completely, all you knew was the goal, he needed Bae’s child; to get him he needed the Darling boys, and to keep them in line he needed Wendy.

Rufio was dead, his killers were on their way to freedom and all Peter, no not Peter, Pan cared about was his goal.

‘I hate you.’ you said, not even realizing you had said it.

You probably wouldn’t have even noticed your own voice if silence hadn’t become so heavy, as heavy as the weight that was no longer pinning you down.

Slowly you pulled yourself up and you looked at Peter, or Pan or whoever the hell the boy demon really was.

‘Rufio...he fought for you, he killed for you, and because of that stupid daffodil in a dress he died for you. You are so selfish and self concerned that you won’t even avenge him, won’t let me avenge him! He deserves that much!’ you cried.

‘(Y/N) I know right now it feels raw but-’

‘Not just now! I will never forgive this!’ you snapped.

You looked from him to Wendy and had to refrain from attacking her a second time.

‘Hide her, don’t ever let me see her face because if I do I will kill her...the same goes for you Pan.’

‘What are you saying?’ Peter asked, still masking his emotions in that way that not even you could see through it.

‘I’m saying that I hate you Peter Pan and if I ever see you again I will put you in the fucking ground...you and your little daffodil.’ you said.

Your eyes moved to the boys, the ones you had been laughing and training with for what must have been nearly a century now.

‘Only love for you all, if any of you ever find me I won’t be sore to see you; and if you’re following orders to find me I’ll fight you fair. Keep each other safe...since we can see vengeance is only priority in the right circumstance.’

You looked down at Rufio and again your vision was obstructed by tears.

‘Bury him by my tree, Felix.’

‘I will.’ your best friend without any hesitation

With that done you felt like you had said all you could say, so you turned away from all of them,

From Rufio’s body, your ex Peter Pan, the girl who’d gotten your boyfriend killed and all your friends too.

You look out at the woods and spare no time to think of all the dangers that hid behind the trees as you walked away from what was once your home.

[omiscurls]

Lady and The Tramp - sakusa kiyoomi x reader

well hi! It’s been a while since I wrote one of those, huh?

so obviously the volleyball player you’re gonna fall for today is sakusa kiyoomi

the word count: around 2K 

summary: your boyfriend and you go for a winter walk with his dog, and he gets a bit nostalgic. 

and let’s go!

The sun shines a little bit different every season of the year. The winter sun is a tad bit more harsh and refreshing that the slow, dripping summer mornings. And as you look at the white, glistening snow, and the cold sun rays shining directly at it, you just have the urge to go out and do something with yourself, don’t you?

Same struggles happened in Sakusa Kiyoomi’s head that very morning when he woke up to a cold apartament drowning in sun rays, causing him to put a hand over his eyes, to cover them from the merciless light.

“Did I forget to turn the heaters on again?” He whined, and cursed his need to open windows before going to sleep each night. Now it was almost impossible for him to get out of the sheets, considering the temperature in his room was way below zero.

He managed to get one arm outside the warm bed and reached for his phone, charging on the side table. A sight of you in his MSBY shirt, sat on a kitchen counter and showing something you just baked, with a proud grin on your face on his wallpaper greeted him, and the widget above your head told him that it was six in the morning.

So he woke up before his alarm? Impressive, given that it was a Saturday and no practice was planned. He had exactly thirty two minutes before his phone would tell him to “get his ass out of bed” and go for a run.

Sighing, he threw the phone away on the mattrace, and wrapping his blanket around him, he went over to the window.

It snowed last night.

Wait, it snowed last night?

Suddenly, he was a little kid inside, because oh gosh, it never snowed these days! It was all looking so nice, everything covered in a white layer, as if it wasn’t the outside of his apartment, but a picture taken from a children’s book.

After he almost jumped from excitement, the adult side of his has taken over. If it snowed, it meant the temperature went below zero. If it went below zero, the sidewalk would be so slippery that running would be almost impossible.

Well, screw it. He wasn’t going to let a tad little detail like that ruin his good mood. And so he went over to each radiator he had and turned it on, then going to bed again and scrolling through his social media until the temperature around was warm enough for him to leave the sheets. 

And so it took a couple of hours for him to finally get himself up and going, but it was still fairly early when you knocked on the door of his apartment, and heard some shuffling inside.

“Sit already, would you? Fine, okay, I know you’re excited, but-“ your boyfriend’s voice was cut off by a bark, and he was silent for a second, while on the other side of the door, you were barely holding in your laugh.

“Hey! Behave! No!” he raised his voice ever so slightly, but apparently it worked on the poor dog, because soon enough you saw him, leant against the doorframe with both his hands in his pockets, his pet sitting beside him, although almost jumping from excitement upon seeing someone else.

“Oh, didn’t expect you here today” he said nonchalantly, a smirk forming on his lips, as he knew well that he invited you here himself. You rolled your eyes, and passed him by, leading yourself to his bathroom. “Not even a hello?” he whined jokingly, as you shook your head.

“I was in a public bus, let me go wash my hands” you explained, and he nodded, mentally trying to convince himself that’s just something people do. You’re not doing it just for him.

He followed you to the bathroom and once again stood in the door, looking at you with a happy spark in his eyes.

You looked so in place while just casually standing anywhere in his apartament. Like you belonged there. And he was almost certain you indeed, did belong there. He wouldn’t have you any other place, rather than by his side.

“You should really get a license already” he said, quickly looking down at his nails, so you wouldn’t see him stare.

“Mhm” you agreed silently, wiping your hands “I know” you slowly approached him, firstly playing with the material of his shirt, and after a while, curling his hair on your finger. It required staying on your tippy toes, which he found endearing. “And you, sir, are due for a haircut”

“Am I?” he said, touching his curls himself, but not leaving you to check in the mirror. “Can you do it?”

You giggled.

That was kinda part of the plan, since he absolutely loved hearing you laugh. He wasn’t the most funny person on earth, yet he was motivated to become a full comedian just to hear that genuine chuckle you gave his finest jokes.

„I cant cut your hair, silly” you said, rubbing his temple with one finger as you were still playing with the pitch black curls. “You have to go to a salon”

He shivered theatrically, rolling his eyes at you and walking away towards the kitchen. “And here I thought you loved me” he huffed, making you smile in disbelief.

“You’re being a baby!”

“I’ll ask my sister to do it”

“Your sister lives kinda away, you’re aware of that, right?” you continued, following his steps to the bigger room, where he was sitting on the floor and tying his shoes.

“So? She loves me, she’ll do it”

“She has her own kid to take care of, she doesn’t need a twenty two year old one” you shoot back, remembering the last family reunion you attended with your boyfriend. It was a complete mess, but meeting his parents explained... a whole lot of things about his character. 

He really did look like a little kid, reaching for another one of his sneakers, scarf already put half on around his neck, smiling softly, having to pause the process of tying his shoes every time his dog tried to lick his face in excitement. The poorly named Swiss Setter never left your boyfriend’s side whenever he was home, so used to his their very own slow lifestyle. 

You knew damn well she was emotionally attached to her owner, and loved him dearly, as you were the one to babysit her whenever Kiyoomi had an out of town game, and the first couple of times she didn’t sleep at all, and neither did you. It required him staying overnight at your place together with the dog for her to understand it’s a safe place. 

“Now now, calm down, Lady, at least let me tie my shoes!” he giggled childishly. The first time you ever saw him snuggled up on the couch with the dog, watching some crappy Netflix show, you couldn’t believe your eyes. 

THE Kiyoomi Sakusa. On the couch. With a dog. 

You soon found out that Lady, because that’s the crappy name the dog so proudly got by, had been one of your boyfriend’s only friends until the time he graduated. She wasn’t exactly a rescue dog, but his older brother brought her home from his former friend’s house, where she didn’t exactly had the best start in life. 

Kiyoomi didn’t fall in love at first sight, he needed time to adjust to having a dog in the house, but Lady seemed very fond of him, and weirdly enough, only listened to his commands. (The trainer said it’s about his voice, as it is deep and raspy, when he says something loudly enough, she feels respect towards him). 

He was soon in charge of training the dog to be a good pet for a household such as the Sakusas place, a huge, always so elegant and spotless house, where no one is around too often, but frankly, “family friends” came back every other night to drink rosé with his mother, or whisky with his father. 

It was to no one’s surprise, that when Kiyoomi moved away and went to college, his porcelain doll of a mother and distant father couldn’t get a hold of the Swiss Setter, who’s manners weren’t so ladylike. The deal was simple, either kiyoomi takes her to his place, or she ends up in a shelter. 

And as he loved dogs, and secretly had a heart of a four-year-old, he took her in with himself, and, frankly, let her rule over his at-home life all the time. 

She was very well behaved when in public, knew what was on her owner’s mind by the look in his eyes and reacted on the snaps of his fingers, but inside the four walls of his apartment, she could walk all over him, which you found amusing. 

Kiyoomi put her on her leash, and rose his eyebrow at you. 

“Coming?” he asked, having the door opened for you already. You nodded and left, waiting for him to lock the door behind the three of you. 

It was cold outside, but not too cold, and the air was refreshing, even in such a city as Osaka is. Kiyoomi mindlessly tied his pinky with yours, a bit of a hard thing to do in leather gloves, but he was all about the details. 

After two years of your relationship, he was perfectly capable of holding your hand just fine, but sentimentally enough opted to hold your pinky instead, as if your romance was fresh once again. 

You smiled at the feeling and squeezed his pinky back with yours, You glanced over at him staring at his feet, as you walked towards the park in comfortable silence. 

“When do you have the next match, Omi?” you started a casual conversation, and he looked as if you took him out of a trans of sorts. 

“Oh, uhm, next Friday” he answered upsentmindedly. You caught him sparing loving glances in Lady’s direction, an indescribable nostalgy painting his face in cold colors. 

When you reached the entrance to the huge park, where dogs were allowed off leash, you bent over and made a snowball, the throwing it at his back. He turned around to face you and gave you a look of betrayal. 

“You didn’t” he whispered. 

“I think I did” you giggled, covering your mouth with your hands, waiting for his next move. 

He bit back a smirk, trying to remain stoic as he kneeled down to release Lady off her leash, hiding it in the pocket of his black coat, then picking up snow in his hands and forming a round snowball, directing it right at you. 

Lady kept running around the two of you, jumping in excitement, not fully understanding what you’re doing, but happy to be a part of it. 

“Hey, ouch!” you laughed, theatrically covering the shoulder it reached. “You didn’t need to spike it!” 

There weren’t many people at the park that day, considering the fact that it was first snow, and parents don’t usually bring kids, who want to build snowmen, to a park where dogs are allowed off leash. 

“Oh, you wanna see a spike?” a little smile covered his lips, exposing his blushing cheeks, contrasting with the rest of his pale face, and dark curls. 

“Try me, pretty boy” 

“Aight” he put his hands up in an agreeing gesture “Just don’t whine about the bruises later” 

“Same goes to you” 

He huffed, getting back as he gathered snow in his hands and rolled it a bit before aiming at you, jumping in place as you tried to “become a harder target to hit”. He shook his head in disbelief. 

God, I love that dork, he thought, purposely frowning and posing as if he was about to serve. 

Lady kept jumping around him, noticing a round object in his hand. 

“This is not for you, dummy” he laughed, but noticing her excitement, excitement that he didn’t get to see a lot recently, since she was visibly getting older, and more tired, a warm feeling flooded over his chest. He sighed. “Alright, you want it? You want it?” he kept teasing, making her jump around, before breaking the ball and rubbing the snow in her fur.  

She layed down on her back, showing her tummy for pets, which he did obviously provide, tickling that one spot that made her move her leg uncontrollably. 

He got up, and formed another snowball, showing it to her. 

“Watch out, I’m throwing it!” he said to her, before aiming at some free space far from him, throwing the ball from behind his back, watching with a heartwarming smile as she ran after it. 

He seemed to have forgotten about defeating you, watching as his dog kept digging for the “ball” that already disappeared in the snow, so you walked back up to him. 

“You okay?” you asked softly, and he looked at you in surprise. 

“Yeah, obviously” he responded, but something seemed off. You tangled your arms around his shoulder, smushing your cheek against it, and looking at Lady sniffing around the place the snowball landed. “You know, if it weren’t for her, I’d still be too anxious to pet dogs I like when I’m on walks” he started, his mind some place else. 

“Well, many things wouldn’t have happened if it weren’t for her. We probably wouldn’t have met!” you smiled against the fabric of the thick coat, both of you remembering that sunny afternoon when you sat by the river in the park, reading some sort of upsetting news on your phone, frowning, tears forming in the corners of your eyes, when suddenly, you flinched, seeing a snoot between your arms, and when you parted it, you saw a panting, big dog staring back at you. You heard a distressed  “Oh my god, Lady! Come back here!” in the distance, and you lifted your eyes to see a tall like a tower twenty-year old, black curls swept away from his face with hairgel, but getting a bit in the way due to the wind, the guy wearing black t-shirt, with a golden logo, of what appeared to be a... fox? You then thought, only later discovering it’s actually a Jackal, and the letters B and J on the sides of it, and sporty shorts. Apparently, they were on a run. 

“I’m so, so sorry, she never does that. Please don’t get too mad at her, she means no harm! Oh, my god, Lady, come back here!” he hissed, putting the dog back on a leash. “I’m sorry! Hey, I can buy you a coffee, if that’ll make up for her? I’m choosing the coffee shop though, there’s a little one nearby and there’re not too many people in it, the popular ones are a rip off anyway, wait— are you crying?” he panted out, staring directly at your face, with a deadpan look.

“It’s alright, I like dogs. But I like coffee, too”

You smiled upon remembering that afternoon, as the completely different sun shined on you two in that moment, not the exhausting, August-ish one, that makes you want to never leave the nearest pool, but a cool and refreshing February one. Two years passed, and the both of you weren’t just strangers in the park, you were one of these cheesy couples teenage girls look at and get upset because they think they’re never going to be like that with anyone. Although, the bonding dog stayed the same. 

Speaking of Lady, she ran up to Kiyoomi, who was lost in his thoughts and memories, proudly showing off a stick she must’ve found under the snow at some point. 

“Look what you got there!” he kneeled down, trying to get it away from her to throw it. “My good girl” he giggled. 

Some February afternoons could just last forever.

[littlerockerao3]

103 please 💙

I finally did it anon, I hope you like it!

Also, sorry if the ending kinda sucks I just god sad all of sudden and… yeah.

Btw, this is basically a compilation of Theon stealing Robb’s stuff

103. “Sharing is caring, now give me your fries”

Tw: mentions of sex and they’re naked at some point. Then it’s all just fluff.

~~~

Robb’s so used to staying the night at Theon’s sometimes he gets confused when he wakes up alone at his own place. Today though, it’s not one of those mornings.

It’s late in the morning and he’s cooking eggs, in his boyfriend kitchen, when Theon comes join him.

“Is that my hoodie?” Robb asks. The white hoodie with a small wolf print on the left shoulder is the first things he sees after Theon’s messy hair.

Theon yawns loudly and shrugs, “I don’t know, could be. Let me check…” he stretches his arms above his head and the hoodie goes up and exposes his bare belly. Theon nods at that, “Definitely”.

That’s the thing when Theon steals Robb’s clothes, they always look too loose around his shoulders yet they’re too short to fully cover his belly when he’s stretching. Robb kind of loves how that makes him look younger than his age. It also makes his features look softer, and when his hair is all messy like that... god, all Robb wants is to cuddle with him on the couch all day long.

“You thief” he says instead, sticking his tongue out at him.

Theon just rolls his eyes, slips his hands inside the hoodie’s front pockets and presses a kiss to the corner of Robb’s lip, “It just smells so much like you, I love it”.

Robb snorts, amused. “Babe. You wear my clothes more than I do, they basically smell like you by now”.

He’s not wrong, and Robb knows Theon knows. Robb’s closet at his apartment is almost empty, by now, it’s all in Theon’s closet and drawers. Sometimes he wonders how come he hasn’t moved in with him already.

“Hey, sharing is caring” Theon replies, taking one hand out of his pockets to pinch Robb’s side. Robb swats that hand away and rolls his eyes, “It is, it is.”

“You made breakfast?”

“Will be ready in five, can you set the table?”

Robb checks on the eggs, and when he turns back around to stare at Theon, he’s caught up in a proper kiss. It doesn’t last as long as he expected nor as they both wanted, but they know there’s going to be time for it later. It’s Sunday, after all.

“Sure gorgeous” Theon caresses his cheek, then moves to grab the plates from the cupboard and all they need. Robb’s hoodie goes up one more time, and it’s leaving Theon’s lower back exposed. Robb smirks, stare at those cute little dimples right above Theon’s glutes, and thinks that that hoodie is going to come off in a little.

*

Theon parts from Robb’s lips after the umpteenth overly dramatic howl coming from downstairs, “Why the hell is he howling like that?!”

Robb snorts, rests his head on the pillow, his breath struggling to go back to normal. He looks up at Theon, who’s still over him, hands still resting on Robb’s bare and sweaty chest.

“I think I forgot to fill up his water bowl” he says, his voice muffled by another ark and dramatic howl. Theon rolls his eyes, “Jeez, that’s a husky not a wolf”.

That could be: Robb found Grey Wind and his siblings in some alley, he just knows his mom was a wolf. His dad could have been a husky, cause Grey Wind is by far the most dramatic animal Robb has ever had to deal with.

Theon jumps out the bed, Robb already misses his warmth, and walks towards the door.

“Hey, don’t walk naked past him” Robb says, fixing the pillow under his head and running a had through his sweaty hair.

Theon huffs loudly, “God, he walks naked past me everyday Robb”, he says, yet still turns around and opens the nightstand’s drawer and grabs a pair of underwear.

“Hey that’s my underwear” Robb realizes.

“It’s the first pair I found” Theon rolls his eyes, as he puts the red underwear Robb’s mother got for him a few months ago, along with tons of more stuff, when Robb finally got his own place.

“It’s still mine” he mumbles.

Theon sighs, hands resting on his hips, eyes frowning in his typical “don’t start” stare. “For fuck’s sake Robb, it’s your house don’t you remember? Of course it’s your stuff.”

Robb shrugs, thinking about how actually his own place is filled with Theon’s stuff, and how Theon’s place is filled with Robb’s stuff.

“But there’s plenty of your stuff too here” he says, in fact.

That causes Theon’s upper lip to curl up lightly: Robb’s noticed how much he likes when somebody points out things like this. He just loves to know his stuff is at Robb’s place and Robb’s stuff is at his place, Robb guesses. That’s fair. Robb likes it too, though he doesn’t show it so much: it’s not like he wears Theon’s clothes everyday, unlike Theon does with his clothes, instead.

Theon puts one knee on the bed and arches forward to kiss Robb’s still puffy lips “Just grab one of mine so we’re even. And sharing is caring, by the way.”

He’s about to kiss him one more time, suggesting a round two would be very much appreciated, but Grey Wind starts barking and howling again.

Theon grunts almost as loudly at the dogs, only to yell right after, “I’m coming you dipshit, calm down!”

“Hey! Do not call our child that!”

“Fuck you”

One of Robb’s eyebrows rises as he stares at his boyfriend making his way downstairs to finally give his dog some water. Jeez, Theon looks good in Robb’s underwear.

*

Theon is still buckling his belt as he walks out the bathroom and past the corridor to approach Robb, who’s waiting at the door, “Hey I’m ready, we can go”.

Robb studies his boyfriend for a few seconds, before asking, “You don’t have a bag or what?”

They’re going to spend the night at Robb’s, cause Grey Wind is staying at Sansa’s (she talked about some dog resort and apparently she wants to take Lady there but wants to bring Grey Wind along “just in case Lady won’t make any friends”, and then they say Robb’s the dog mom) and it would be very nice to have sex in Robb’s bed for once, without Grey Wind scratching the door and barking, disappointed for being left out.

Theon just shrugs carelessly, “Nah I’ll just steal your clothes”.

Typical. Robb should have expected that. He rolls his eyes, ad wraps an arm around him, whispering, “The thing is, sweet boyfriend of mine, that all my stuff is at your place, cause in case you haven’t noticed, you keep stealing it.” He kisses his forehead, “There’s literally no more clothes at my place”.

He can see Theon struggling to hide a smirk, as a cute shade of red starts blushing his cheeks as he looks away and mumbles, “I don’t steal your clothes that often”.

Robb’s eyebrow jerks up in front of the biggest bullshit he’s ever heard, “You do”.

“No I don’t”

“You don’t?” Robb pulls the corner of Theon’s shirt, “You’re wearing my hockey jersey. There’s my name in the back, since when your last name is Stark huh?”

Theon’s cheeks are bright red now. It takes him the hardest effort to go back looking into Robb’s eyes and say, softly “Hey, sharing is caring”.

The sound that comes out of Robb’s mouth is more of a snort rather than a laugh, but he can’t keep the smile off his face, “You keep using that as an excuse”.

“Because it’s true!” Theon’s hands gently cup Robb’s neck, thumbs caressing his jaw.

Robb pulls him closer and tilts his head on one side, “It still doesn’t give you the right to steal all my clothes! Literally, my house is empty”.

He doesn’t mind, really. He doesn’t mind. If it was up to him, Theon would have moved in at his place already. If it was up to him, Theon’s last name would have been Stark ages ago, by now. He likes it when Theon wears his clothes, when he uses his stuff, when he acts like Robb’s stuff is his stuff cause that’s actually how it really is, after all. But he likes it even more when Theon blushes when someone points it out.

“I don’t see what’s the problem, we can just stay here, order Chinese and watch a movie” Theon suggests. Robb just stays silent, but keeps his eyes curiously staring at Theon’s, just to make him blush some more.

“Come on babe!” Theon exclaims, then he just jumps into Robb’s arms so suddenly that Robb can barely wrap his arms around his thigh to keep them both from falling.

“I hate you so much” he mumbles, giving in, as Theon smooches his face with kisses.

“So do I baby” he whispers to his ear, as Robb leads them both towards the couch.

*

When Theon opens the door for Robb to get inside he’s shirtless, his face is green and his hair is wrapped in a towel. Robb frowns, recognising the familiar smell.

“Is that my beauty face mask?” He asks.

Theon starts walking to the living room, “Yeah? Before you say anything: you left it here at my place for days, I’m allowed to use it”.

Robb waves his hand distractedly: he hasn’t seen Theon for three days, fuck work and fuck how tiring it is, and he doesn’t have the patience he usually has to tease him. He needs to kiss those lips a little, first.

“Wash it off, I need to kiss you” he says.

“Needy” Theon is smirking as he’s walking to the bathroom. Robb would like to take him seriously but it’s impossible when he looks like that. Actually, it’s impossible to take Theon seriously when he’s smirking. Actually, it’s impossible to listen to whatever Theon’s saying when he’s smirking cause you just can’t keep your eyes and focus anywhere but on those lips.

He comes back a few moments later, face all clean now and hair still a little wet but naturally wavy and naturally sexy. Robb engulfs him in a hug so tight he fear he could break some of his bones, he looses his grip just so that he can start kissing his mouth repeatedly before they eventually share one long proper kiss. They’re both smiling into the kiss cause they both know they’re thinking the same thing, that is: sometimes they still act like teenagers who just got together and that’s fine cause it’s funny as hell.

“Are you ready?” Robb asks Theon at some point.

Theon nods, patting his shoulder, and moving away from him to run to his bedroom, “Yeah, I just gotta put on a shirt. I think I’ll use one of yours”.

“I’m not even going to pretend to act surprised”

“Hey, sh-“

“Sharing is caring, I know I know.”

Theon comes out his room wearing Robb’s dark blue hoodie, the only oversized hoodie Robb owns (or used to own) that doesn’t expose Theon’s lower back and belly if he stretches out or leans over.

“N’aww, you’re learning” Theon says, squeezing Robb’s cheeks with his thumb and index finger.

“Let’s go.” Robb says, gently pulling Theon’s hand away from his face.

He’s driving today, so Theon takes control over the aux cord and spends all their small trip playing nostalgia songs. Robb’s new place has yet to be fully furnished, so they’re going shopping to get some knick-knacks, tablecloths, even some small plants, so the mess won’t be too huge when Grey Wind will knock them over.

When they get inside the car again, still having to decide which shop they should stop at next, Robb hears Theon’s stomach growling.

“You hungry?”

Theon keeps scrolling through his phone, searching for a new song to play, “Just a little. I could fancy a snack though.”

Robb doesn’t need to be told twice and turns to the nearest fast food on the way. Theon’s too busy figuring out which songs he wants in his new Spotify playlist to notice where they’re headed, until Robb eventually asks him what he would like to eat.

Theon looks around and his eyes lit up the moment he realizes they’re in line at the drive thru, “Aw babe, you shouldn’t have”.

“What do you want?” Robb repeats, smiling at him.

Theon waves his hand, “Just some French fries”.

They stay silent for a few minutes before they get to take their order and they’re asked if they want small, medium or large fries.

“Large” both Robb and Theon say at the same time, Robb says it out of instinct and it causes Theon to extend his hand to squeeze his cheeks one more time, “Aw you know me so well!”

Then, Theon reaches for his wallet in his pocket, “Here, I just-”

“I got it” Robb hands the cashier his card before Theon can even do anything. He hands him his fries and gets a kiss on the cheek in return, “I really don’t deserve you”.

Robb tries to ignore how his cheeks are feeling warmer, so he lightly shakes his head and says, “It’s just some fries”.

“You noticed I was hungry and you got me food. You’re adorable.”

Theon silently eats his fries. Robb stops the car near some park so they can go take a walk in the meantime. Theon is humming the song they just heard in the car, it was one hell of a catchy song and Robb would probably have it stuck in his head too, if he hadn’t just realised that maybe, just maybe, he’s hungry too.

“What?” Theon asks him the moment he catches him staring at him eating.

“Can I have one?” Robb asks.

Theon frowns and immediately shakes his head, “No way, get your own!”

That reply is so unexpected it causes Robb to chuckle against his will, “Excuse me?! I literally paid for them!”

“You could have got your own!”

Robb folds his arms against his chest, “Well sharing is caring, now give me your fries.”

Now Theon is laughing too, he grabs one of the fries and feeds it to Robb.

“God I seriously should have got my own too” he mumbles, and Theon hands him the packet of fries afterwards, “I guess we can share”.

“Thanks babe” Robb smiles, extends his hand to grab the pack and notices the small silver thing around Theon’s wrist.

He frowns, “Hey, is this my bracelet?”.

“You left it at my place” once the pack is in Robb’s hands, Theon hides his own inside the pocket of his hoodie.

Robb’s eyebrows are both raised in confusion and amusement now, “And you thought wearing it was better than returning it?”

“I like to wear your things, okay?!” Theon’s a blushing mess. He’s smiling, tho.

“Oh believe me I noticed”

Theon just shrugs, “It makes me feel closer to you” he confesses, avoiding any kind of eye contact.

Robb grabs him by the arm and forces him to look into his eyes, instead.

“Even when I’m right here?” He asks, smiling wickedly at him cause god, how he loves to see him blush like that.

Theon chuckles nervously, then moves to caress Robb’s cheek, “Yeah especially when you’re right here.”

Robb doesn’t get it, but doesn’t say so. He just wait for Theon to understand it on his own and eventually explain himself. It takes him a few minutes and one deep breath, but in the end he says, “Sometimes I wonder how the hell is possible that you’re with me and it helps me, cause then I’m just “of course he’s with me, I’m wearing his briefs””.

That confession is lovely, though Robb doesn’t like how insecure Theon still seems to be. “Insecure” and “Theon” aren’t exactly words that look good if put next to each other, but sometimes it’s just this way: when it comes to their relationship, Theon gets insecure at times. Insecure of himself, like he doesn’t deserve Robb. Robb will never get tired of telling him he’s all he wants and he could never replace him, but sometimes he just wishes Theon would understand it.

“We’ve been together for years by now, hon” he tells him gently.

Theon just shakes his head, “Doesn’t change a thing. I’ll never get used to how amazing you are”

He leans forward to kiss Robb’s lips. They should be having a serious conversation right now, but Robb fears it’d ruin the mood. They can talk about it tonight as they’re lying in bed, that’s usually the moment when they share their deepest conversations. Right now, he just smiles at him as he pulls away, and says, “If sharing is caring does it mean I can wear that beautiful white shi-“

“Absolutely not”

Yeah he should have expected that. Still, “But-“

“Your big ass shoulders would rip it” Theon shakes his head firmly and pats both Robb’s shoulders with his hands, as if to prove his point.

Robb pouts, “You love my big ass shoulders”.

“I sure do, but I love my expensive shirts too”.

“Then can I wear your purple hoodie? The one with the squid?”

Theon’s eyes lit up. It looks like a bulb just turned on above his head, like Robb just gave him the best idea ever.

“Now that would look good on you.” He says, “You know what else would? My cream jumper. God you’d be so adorable with that on. We need to go back to my place so you can try on all my clothes. Come on, let’s go.”

Robb lets him grab his hand as they basically run to the car. When they get home, Theon literally makes him wear all his clothes (expensive shirts excluded, of course). They all smell like Theon. Robb gets why Theon likes to wear his clothes so much, this actually does make him feel closer to him.

Though he notices that night, that the sheets smell like both of them, instead. He doesn’t know how come he never noticed this, but it’s the best smell in the world. Theon is sleeping in Robb’s pyjamas, Robb is sleeping in Theon’s. It all just feels so good.

[maraudingthrough]

Hi! Can I ask for prompt number 4? The one with the hugging with Sirius and female reader? Thanks !!

It's been a long, long time.

Sirius Black x Female!Reader oneshot

Words: 1.114 

Warnings: Reader is a healer (for the mini-plots sake), spoilers? if you haven’t seen the movies? I hope you have?!

A/N: Hi Anon! I hope you are talking about “a hug after not seeing someone for a long time”. This calls for a big post-Azkaban scenario 😭 full of angst and fluff, hope you enjoy!

“Is this twisted sick prank?” she asked to no one in particular, the letter from Remus dropping to the polished hospital floor. The poor letter detailed the truth of what happened in Godric’s Hollow 12 years ago, or was it 13 now?

She remembered how she had woken up late the 1st of November, she had almost fainted when she reached her flat on Halloween. Going on missions for the Order wasn’t always that taxing, she usually had time to sleep in near the location, but seeing as she had to go into the deep woods to look for special plants for potions and ointments needed in the order. The war was starting to look particularly nasty on their side, and as the most qualified healer in the Order she was to roam around the woods and up the hills looking for the bloody herbs and as cozy as the woods were (obviously they weren’t), it was highly dangerous to sleep, not only because of the creatures, but because of the death eaters and she had no partner, so she had to be extra cautious.

Therefore, she was woken up not because of the rays of sun coming through her window, but because of the hurried knocks on her door. Warily she opened the door, Remus, her best friend looked defeated, pale and horribly miserable. Her gut knotted in anticipation, expecting bad news.

Nothing could have prepared for what Moony had to say.

Lily and James were dead, little Harry was with Lily’s awful side of the family, Sirius, the love of her life (although he didn’t know) was on Azkaban, Peter, squeaky and innocent Peter was dead as well. And everyone was happy, because the war was over. To say that (Y/N) was falling in a deep pit of depression and hopelessness was an understatement. 

Then, she had parted ways from Remus. He thought Sirius was the awful coldhearted mass murderer everybody said he was. She was sure, so goddam sure it was impossible. Padfoot had defied all his life the beliefs of what the Black family, what Voldemort, believed in, blood supremacy. It didn’t make sense, no matter what witnesses had witnessed, it didn’t sound like Sirius. “You know Padfoot! As well as I do, how can you believe what anyone says!” She had told Moony, tears in her eyes.

“You are letting your stupid sentimentalism get in the middle of your reasoning!” He spat back, enraged on how blind his best friend was.

Needless to say, they never spoke again. Of course, until the unexpected happened. She saw all the tabloids, it was the only thing anyone in the wizarding world would talk about. Sirius Black, the mass murderer, gone from his prison cell in Azkaban. (Y/N) was able to live her life as she had till now, without too much excitement on her life, apart the long shifts at St. Mungo’s, of course.

She wrote back to Remus, asking for a further explanation, maybe they could get together for tea or something, it had been quite some time and she missed her best friend. Her shift was over, and decided to get home, deciding to dine some take out, her comfort food to be specific.

She was humming to an old song from the 70s, one that particularly reminded her of Sirius, of course she couldn’t get him out of her head. She almost dropped her take out upon looking at her door, where a black dog sat with his tongue out. He barked at her and wiggled his tail, walking to her and nudging her leg. She couldn’t even say hi, she just opened the door and let the dog in, closing the door behind her and walking to the kitchen. She heard human steps behind her and she forgot to how to breath when she turned around. 

Sirius Black past glorious appearance was completely lost. The mischievous glint in his grey eyes was lost, his once silky hair was mated, knotted and reached his elbows, his body skinny and frail. His once healthy pale skin now looked sick, yellowish pale skin and dark circles down his eyes, talking about the horrible treatment he received all this years because of those foul creatures that surrounded Azkaban.

And maybe this was the worst state Sirius had ever been, but (Y/N)’s eyes twinkled and filled with tears, and she was sure she had never loved someone so much as she loved Sirius in that exact moment. Meanwhile, Sirius was afraid she was frozen in her place out of fear, but soon felt relieved when she lounged at him, wrapping her arms around him, embracing him and crying loudly.  She started repeating  I knew it, I knew it over and over again. She pulled back and pecked his lips, then caressed his cheeks smiling at him. “You look terrible.” she told him, a pitiful smile scanning his face.

“Yeah, I know.” he rasped, his hands had fistfuls of her jacket, holding her close to him.

“Do you need anything? Food? Water? Do you want me to fix your hair? Clothes that can warm you properly?” She asked, looking around and thinking. His lips corners twitched, and nodded.

“A shower sounds nice.” he muttered, squeezing (Y/N)’s hands. She nodded eagerly. Although she had her comfort food waiting for her, she cooked something quick and warm for Sirius. Then she rummaged around her wardrobe for his old jumpers she used to sleep, and had to Engorgio some warm sweatpants for him. 

Maybe Sirius took a little too long in the shower, but she expected it mostly because of his long hair. When he emerged from the bathroom his cheeks were flushed because of the warm water and he had a towel around his waist. The witch blushed and gave him the clothes she could offer, asking him to please change in the bathroom.

After a warm meal, (Y/N) took a brush, some scissors and turned on the muggle radio she loved, because they played music from when she was in Hogwarts. With a little bit of work, she recreated a similar haircut to the one he had before. She ran her hands through his hair, it smelled like her shampoo. 

“There, handsome as always.” She commented smiling brightly, sitting beside him. He grabbed her hand and squeezed it, she looked at him and was almost hypnotized by his eyes. He pulled her close and kissed her deeply.

“I missed you, love.” he muttered, kissing her again. “I missed you, so much.”

That night, they both slept together hugged and tangled, whispering sweet words to each other, and how much they had missed each other.

[creative-hanyou-girl]

The Witch’s Daughter (Pt.2)

Now with a cover!!!!

Disclaimer: I do not own InuYasha/Yahahime or any of its characters. All InuYasha characters belong to Rumiko Takahashi, Sunrise, and Viz media.

Genre: Family/Romance/Angst

Rated: Teen (for some cussing and depictions of violence)

A/N: First off, I want to give a big fat “Thank You” to all of you guys who left likes and reviews and for reblogging the 1st chapter of The Witch’s Daughter! I am so sorry for the long wait. A lot of stuff happened over the holidays and beyond that, and college has kept me pretty busy too. I hope you guys enjoy this chapter, and I’ll try to be quicker with the next one!!!

I should also say that while Touga holds both these titles in the story, in this universe, the title of Emperor is not the same as the title of Inu no Taisho.

Emperor: Ruler over the people, responsible for governing the country; Sesshomaru to be successor.

Inu no Taisho: Commander and General of all armed forces, literally translating to “Great Dog General”; InuYasha to be successor.

(trust me, knowing the difference is important.)

Chapter One 

FF.Net 

With that said, on with Chapter Two!

Chapter Two

Swinging the sword in his grip at a downward angle, Lord and General InuYasha huffed in satisfaction. His sparring partner and friend, Miroku, had his own weapon knocked out of his hands as a result of the half dog-demon’s offensive maneuver, the force of the technique even toppling the human man over to land on his butt.

Scenting the approaching threat from behind, InuYasha whirled around smoothly, his blade clashing thunderously with the sword that was about to come down on him. 

This time facing off against his rival and soldier, a wolf-demon named Kouga, the two demons went at each other fiercely, weapons clashing and clanging loudly and violently at speeds that’d be impossible for a human to achieve no matter how skilled a swordsman they were. Sparks flew as the two sparring men met each other’s attacks with vigour.

Miroku, seeing an opening, grabbed his own sword and went to attack the young dog-eared general. Rushing at his seemingly unsuspecting target, Miroku’s blue eyes widened in alarm when InuYasha ducked, hunching his broad shoulders and back forward to avoid Kouga’s blade coming at him from the side. The human soldier couldn’t stop himself fast enough, resulting in him barreling atop his Lord’s back, only for said Lord to adjust his movements in order to have Miroku’s slightly smaller frame roll over the curve of his spine. 

Kouga had no time to react before his fellow soldier rammed into his stomach, losing his grip on his own sword as both he and Miroku toppled over in a heap not too gently on the marble floor. 

The two soldiers looked up at their General as he aimed his trusty blade, the Tessaiga, to be level with their eyes.

InuYasha smirked triumphantly down at his fallen comrades, his golden amber eyes dancing with victory, before swiftly shelving Tessaiga in its sheath and offering a clawed hand out to Miroku. 

Grinning and shaking his head, the human male accepted, the two friends collapsing hands as the demon lord pulled the dark-haired man up before collapsing his shoulder good-naturedly. 

Kouga grouchily climbed to his own feet once Miroku was off him, crossing his arms as he scowled at his rival, “How the Hell do you always manage to one-up us every time, dog-turd? Call me crazy, but I’d think you were playin’ dirty!”

InuYasha glared right back, “There ain’t no such thing as playing dirty on the battlefield, wolf-boy. You know that as well as I do; when you're out there facing a shit-ton of soldiers tryin’ ta lop your head off, ya don’t got the luxury of playin’ fair!”  

“Yeah well the wolf tribes know to fight with honor, unlike you and your sad excuse of an army, General,” Kouga retorted, emphasizing the word ‘general’ in a demeaning, sarcastic tone.

The aforementioned general growled, shoving his snarling face into Kouga’s, his large, clawed hand cracking as he stretched the tendons in a threatening gesture. 

He and Kouga had never gotten along ever since the wolf-demon was enlisted to serve under the Inu no Taisho’s armed forces, only to be surprised and furious when he found that the Emperor’s youngest son, a half-breed, had already taken charge of many of the imperial forces, as he was set to succeed his father in becoming the next Inu no Taisho. Under that position, he’d serve under the next Emperor, his brother, as the commander of all of their Empire’s armed forces, leading himself and his men into the battlefields while the Emperor governs the rest of the country.   

Kouga was angered to be placed in one of InuYasha’s troops three years ago when he enlisted to be under the command of the current Inu no Taisho and Emperor, Touga.

He made it very clear to InuYasha from the get-go that he was displeased to be bossed around by an ‘honorless half-bred mutt’, though he knew better than to say as such around the Emperor and his family. 

That didn’t stop the wolf-demon from expressing his disdain for his general with his fellow soldiers, many of whom also shared his bias, and to InuYasha himself when the imperial family wasn’t around. 

The feelings were mutual, as InuYasha hated the wolf’s stench and despised his high and mighty attitude. But while the half-demon lord loathed to admit it, as his father had pointed out when the two of them were overseeing recruit training, Kouga was a strong and resilient fighter, quick on his feet and great at tracking scents from miles away.

“Almost as good as you,” his father had commented.

Almost. 

Keh!

At the end of the day, InuYasha knew he’d be a fool not to enlist the canine demon just because Kouga held a prejudice against him.

Didn’t mean he had to like it though.

“Well we ain’t in the wolf tribes now, are we ya scrawny wolf!” InuYasha exclaimed back in the present.

The two canine demons continued to snarl and bark back-and-forth, until a previously forgotten Miroku shoved his way in-between the two feuding men, breaking them up after some struggle as his human body was much weaker compared to those of his demonic comrades.

“I believe it’d be wise to step away from each other for a while. We did just return from a five-month trip in the North, after all. Perhaps now’s the time to relax and take a breather after all our hard work, do you not agree?” the human male reasoned, his tone soothing and placating. 

Kouga continued to glare as he looked between the two human and half-demon men, before huffing haughtily and stomping out of the in-door combat training room.

InuYasha watched him go before snorting and going over where he stashed his red cloak and armor, stepping next to the large water basin to wash his face of the sweat and grime he’d accumulated from the return journey and the sparring match that he had just won. All the while, Miroku walked along with him, washing his face and grabbing his own gear.

As the two friends strapped back on their heavy armor over their under garments, Miroku looked over at his companion.

“You know Kouga says that stuff at this point just to get a rise out of you, right?” he asked, locking the straps for his armor to his right arm.

“Pfft. Whatever, not like it matters,” the general mumbled, clipping on his ragged and torn up cape.

“Just take a break from him and other troops, InuYasha. Use this time to spend with your family for at least a few hours! Nobody will blame you, and who knows when we’ll be sent out to fight more battles again.”

“Ain’t that simple, Miro. I ain’t no ordinary, run-of-the-mill soldier like you; I’m gonna have to become the Inu no Taisho after my father. I have ta be on my toes all. The damn. Time. Add to the fact that I’m a half-demon, and that makes my job ten times more difficult since more and more people are questioning my authority and capability to lead them into battle. I don’t got time for a break, not yet anyways,” InuYasha argued, a hint of bitterness seeping into his tone.

It had become such a sore spot for him, being a half-breed. A mutt. When he was young, while there might’ve been a whisper here and a distrustful glare there, InuYasha had been fortunate to not have had to face too much discrimination for his mixed blood, but he now knew that was due to his status in the royal family. It was only when he snuck out at age thirteen in commoner clothing that he experienced first-hand how half-demons are really treated by the outside world when they have no status of nobility or royalty.

It was horrible; he returned home hiding the bruises and scars under his clothes before they healed by themselves. He never told either of his parents.

The incident still didn’t stop him from sneaking out to explore, though.

And then he was announced to be the next Great Dog General, the Inu no Taisho, after his father when he turned sixteen, and that news shocked and appalled many in the Emperor’s court and beyond that. Everyone had expected, nay, hoped that Touga would’ve named his eldest, pure demon son Sesshomaru as both the future Emperor and Inu no Taisho, seeing as Touga himself held both titles. No one had anticipated that his younger, impure half-bred son would’ve been named as Touga’s successor to anything!

If he was being honest, InuYasha was shocked too, but he didn’t want the role. 

He’d never told his family, since he knew it’d hurt them, but the then teenage InuYasha had always hoped for a life outside of the castle walls. Even after the incident that happened when he was thirteen, the half dog-demon still wanted to go out in the world where nobody knew who he was, and explore with no obligations or responsibilities to anyone. The brief experience with the outside world when he was thirteen had opened his eyes to how fake court-life truly was, and he hated it. 

Still, seeing everybody who didn’t even know him, already doubting and questioning his capabilities in such a rigorous, brutal, and powerful position just on the basis of him being a half-demon motivated him to take up the mantle he had previously tried to avoid. 

He’d prove to them, all of them, that he was the man for the job, and that his mixed blood didn’t matter.

That was his motivation that still drove him even now.

“Enough about that. Whatta ‘bout you? S’not like your working to become General; Why dontcha go see Sango and the kids. Bet they’ve been missing their old man,” Present InuYasha said, intentionally driving the conversation away from himself.

Miroku suddenly grinned dreamily at the mention of his wife and kids, and InuYasha still couldn’t believe this was the same perverted seventeen-year-old soldier he’d met all those years ago.

They’d met when Miroku joined InuYasha when he had taken charge of overseeing his first troop of soldiers. When he wasn’t giving them orders or training them, InuYasha kept his distance from everyone in his troop as much as possible, just as everyone had kept their distance from him. 

That all changed when Miroku approached him one night when they were traveling along the Eastern borders. The human had grinned mischievously, but no less kindly with a jug of sake and had asked to talk with him.

“Just want to get to know our fearless new general, is all,” is what he had said.

From there, their friendship grew, though it took months for InuYasha to start warming up to Miroku. It didn’t help either that the young soldier had the bad habit of rubbing up along any pretty woman’s ass and asking them to “bare his children” for him, whether the woman was human or demon.

And then Miroku met Sango, a female soldier and the only woman who knew how to put him in his place. From that moment on, the perverted soldier only had eyes for the no-nonsense woman, and InuYasha watched as his two only friends grew closer and closer for the next few years, eventually getting married and having a shit-ton of kids.

Now they were awaiting baby number...eleven? Twelve? The half-demon had honestly lost count. All he knew was that they were expecting yet again, and Sango was pissed not being allowed into the troops again until the pup was born.

The kids adored InuYasha, or ‘Uncle Inu’ as the little ones and even the oldest three, Kin’u, Gyokuto, and Hisui, liked to call him, and InuYasha, in turn, adored them all right back.

 An old, but familiar lump settled in his throat. 

 He was happy for his friends. He really was, but InuYasha couldn’t help the feeling of jealousy and longing to swell up to the surface.

He wanted what they had.

He wanted love.

He wanted children.

But he’d never have any of it.

Because he was a half-breed, and half-breeds, royalty or not, never find love, real love, let alone have children.

“My Lord! My Lord InuYasha!!!” cried the familiar, but no less annoying voice of his brother’s servant, Jaken.

 The aforementioned lord sighed in aggravation as both he and Miroku turned at the squawking cry, just in time to see the small imp-demon come barreling in only to trip over himself in his haste.

“Lord InuYasha! It is important, your father needs to speak with you at this very moment! It is urgent!!!” Jaken continued on.

Both half-demon and human arched their brows in confusion, exchanging concerned looks.

“You go on back to your family, Miroku. I’ll deal with this,” InuYasha said.

“You sure?” Miroku asked, still concerned.

InuYasha simply nodded.

With that, the future Inu no Taisho with his armor fully on once more, turned and followed the panicky little demon out of the training room without another word.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Making their way through the halls leading to the throne room, InuYasha contemplated the matter Jaken had frantically informed him his father wanted to discuss.

It wasn’t unusual for Jaken to overreact over certain matters, but the half-demon had never seen the servant as panicky as he was at that moment, even during the times he’d displeased Sesshomaru. 

When he first followed after the imp-demon to the throne room where his family was stationed, the young general had briefly feared it was another marriage proposition his father had arranged for him. There had been quite a few of those over the years, all of which didn’t work out as they should have. It wasn’t necessarily that all the women the Emperor picked for him were bad choices (although there were some who were stuck-up bitches who only wanted him for the rise in status and wealth), but none of them ever seemed to...click, with him.

He could never explain it, but being with them just felt wrong.

Like he was betraying someone by doing so.

Someone who haunted him in his dreams the few times he slept, but could never identify by face or scent.

Someone he didn’t know.

Or perhaps….someone he didn’t remember.

As they got closer to their destination however, the less InuYasha began to believe the situation to be about something as trivial as matrimony. Jaken wouldn’t be reacting the way he was if it was simply about him being offered the hand of a noble woman.

The more he thought about it, the more apprehension and dread he felt in the pit of his stomach at the unknown situation that awaited him.

Stopping in front of the sliding doors separating him from the unknown, InuYasha glanced down at Jaken, who bowed in understanding at staying put outside the room. The demon lord and general huffed and slid the doors open, expecting but unprepared for the worst.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

“How’s that feel, sweetheart? Is it too tight?” Kagome asked gently, wrapping the young girl’s injured arm in gauze.

Her silent patient nodded hesitantly, staring at the pretty woman treating her wound and glancing at the silent quarter-demon girl who’d saved her.

Kagome finished wrapping her up and patted the child assuringly on her back, “You're going to be just fine, little one. Now why don’t you take one of the beddings we have here and get some rest, hmm? In the morning, Moroha and I will take you back home, okay?”

The little girl hesitated for just a moment.

“...Th-Thank y-you.” she stuttered in a soft voice, averting her brown eyes shyly when the mother and daughter pair blinked in surprise.

The experienced spell-caster smiled pleasantly, nodding her head.

“You are very welcome, my dear. That’s what we’re here for, and I’m glad that you are okay.”

The child blushed, then glanced at the teenage girl still staring at her in shock, before bowing towards the teen in gratitude, which only served to shock the poor quarter-demon even more.

“...And th-thank you, too. F-for rescuing me from th-those big men,” the human girl said, keeping her upper body lowered in a bow of respect.

Moroha was beyond surprised; She was flabbergasted. Never before had anybody who wasn’t her mother thank her, much less genuinely. She was more used to people belittling and repaying her and her mother’s kindness with cruel words and actions. Yet, here this young human child was, wholeheartedly and genuinely showing them, showing her, gratitude for saving and treating her, knowing or at least suspecting very well who they were, what they were. 

The young spell-caster blushed, flustered, “K-Keh! It wasn’t a big deal; I was just passing through!” she explained, defensive.

“Yes...just passing through.”

Moroha froze at the deadly calm tone. Cringing, the teen glanced slowly at her mother, flinching at the angered glare the older woman was shooting her.

Oh crap.

Turning back towards her slightly confused patient, Kagome adapted a cheery smile and clapping her hands together.

“Well, I believe that’s enough for now! Why don’t you go and get some rest, dear, and then we’ll get up bright and early tomorrow to take you home! That sound good?” the woman asked, her tone motherly and upbeat.

The girl nodded, getting up and taking a few steps towards one of the beddings close by. Before she got there though, the young brunette turned her head to look back at her temporary caretakers.

“Miss Pretty Lady, Miss Demon Lady? Really, thank you for saving me. I was really scared,” the child thanked them for the hundredth time, her words more confident and assured.

Moroha’s eyebrow twitched in annoyance, “Demon Lady?”

“Hey kid! We have names!” the spell-casting quarter-demon exclaimed, aggravated. 

“Moroha!” Kagome scolded, her message clear.

Don’t dig yourself deeper into the hole you're already in, missy.

Understanding the silent threat, said ‘missy’ gulped and shut her mouth, not daring to utter another word that could get her in even more trouble than she already was.

Huffing, Kagome once again smiled kindly towards the younger girl.

“Please excuse her, she can be a bit brash. She’s right though; we haven’t introduced ourselves yet, have we? My name’s Kagome Higurashi, and that troublemaker over there is my daughter, Moroha. What is your name?” she asked.

The girl, again, hesitated. Only for a split second, though, as she soon opened her mouth and answered.

“My name is Rin.”

Kagome nodded, standing up and leading her previously unnamed charge over to the bedding, a gentle hand on the small of the brunette girl’s back.

“Well Rin, it's late, and you must be exhausted, so go to sleep and we’ll get you up in the morning. I’m certain your family misses you terribly and won’t be too pleased if you come back to them dead-on-your-feet tired, now will they?” 

Rin shook her head as Kagome tucked her in. Unsurprisingly, the young girl was out within seconds, the craziness from the day catching up to her.

Once she was sure her charge was fast asleep, the spell-caster turned back to her nervous daughter, arms on her hips as she frowned at the teenager.

“Mama, I-” 

Kagome put a hand up, abruptly cutting off her child’s excuse before it could begin, “Come with me over here. Now.”

Moroha shivered at the serious, deadpanned tone. Her mother only used that tone when she was about to give her a tongue-lashing. No doubt about it, she was in trouble.

Deep trouble.

The mother and daughter pair strode over towards the treeline that surrounded their camp. It was far enough away to where they could talk in private and not disturb their sleeping guest, but close enough so that they could still see and check in on the child if any danger invaded their camp. 

Sighing and rubbing her temples, Kagome started, “Moroha, what were you thinking! I told you to not go any farther than you absolutely had to to deliver that medicine, and then you come back with bruises and scratches, blood on your clothes, and an injured child in your arms, telling me there was a mob riot in the village!? And that you used magic to eviscerate a demon’s arm!? Do you know what kind of danger you put yourself in!?” 

Moroha winced, trying to keep the bruises on her neck hidden from her mother’s sight. When she had burst through the treeline back into their camp, carrying Rin who’s arm wound was still sluggishly bleeding out onto her and her clothes, her mother took one look at the injured child and sprang into action, having to clean and then stitch up the wound before it could get infected. So focused on ensuring the child be taken care of, Kagome had only noticed in passing the light bruises and few scrapes on her own child’s arms and legs, but they were superficial and were already healing, so Kagome and Moroha paid them no mind. Not when they had a much more serious, much more human injury, to be taken care of. 

The demon girl was grateful that Kagome had been more focused on the human child as soon as she saw her. Otherwise, the dark, yellow and purple bruises on her neck from where the demon had a tight hold on her would have instantly been spotted on the older woman’s ‘Mom Radar’, as she liked to call it. 

Moroha hadn’t wanted to cause her mother any more worry, so as soon as she was sure Kagome was too preoccupied with the human child to pay any mind to her, Moroha had taken the scarf she wore around her neck and readjusted it to hide the bruises that were still there. With how tight the demon had clutched onto her, the bruises were quite nasty looking, and would take longer for her demonic healing to get rid of them completely. 

Of course, this act of secrecy equated to not telling her mother exactly why she’d had to eviscerate that demon’s arm with her magic. She still wasn’t so sure telling the truth about that was a good idea, but she had to say something!  

“He gave me no choice, Mama! I had to use magic!” the teen defended, hoping her mother wouldn’t press the issue from there.

“And why was that, Moroha? What did he do to make you blow your cover and the cloaking spell to destroy his arm using magic?” 

And of course, her mother pushed the issue.

“Uh…” was all that came out of her mouth, her mind running double-time to come up with a valid, but less severe explanation than what had actually happened.

Unfortunately, the world seemed to be out to get her that day. While Moroha fumbled, trying to make up a random excuse, Kagome had finally noticed the unusual way her daughter’s red scarf covered the quarter-demon’s neck, and had reached her hands out to remove the scarf.

“Wait! Mama, don’t-” Moroha panicked once she felt her mother’s hands moving the scarf.

“Moroha!!! What on Earth happened to your neck!?”

Too late.

Moroha winced when Kagome gently poked and prodded the darkened, abnormally large fingerprint marks on her neck. They weren’t as sore as they were hours ago, telling the inexperienced spell-caster that the healing process was already underway, but with how dark and severe the bruises were, it’d take longer for the bruises to completely vanish from her skin. 

Prying her mother’s hands away from her injured flesh, Moroha cringed even more at the panicked expression, as well as the unshed tears, that she could see in her eyes and face.

She hated making her mama look like that. 

“These were why I had to use magic; he had me by the neck,” Moroha swallowed, figuring there was no point in lying or trying to come up with another excuse anymore. 

The older magic-user stared at the marks that dared to mar her baby’s lightly tanned skin before pulling the demon girl tightly into her arms, embracing her most precious treasure like a life-line, her anger completely forgotten. 

Surprised at first, Moroha quickly regained her composure and wrapped her arms around her mother’s waist, embracing her just as tightly as the severity and exhaustion from the day finally caught up with her, and she buried her head into her mother’s shoulder as her small frame shook from her emotional turmoil.

For the first time in a long while, Moroha was desperate for her mother’s comfort.

She didn’t cry, but it finally hit Moroha just how much danger she put herself in that day, and how scared the whole ordeal made her, though she’d never admit it out loud.

Even so, the partial-demon couldn’t find it within herself to regret stepping in to help a child in need, and she expressed that sentiment to her mother, her voice muffled slightly from her face still being buried in her mama’s shoulder. 

Kagome sighed and pulled herself and her daughter out of each other’s arms, though she still had a grip on the much more petite girl’s shoulders. Her face was resigned, but understanding as she addressed Moroha.

“I understand, sweetheart, and I would’ve done the exact same thing if I were you. But I’m your mother, and I just worry for you is all. I know you can take care of yourself, and I know you did what you thought was right, but I just can’t help it; I want you to be safe. You’ll understand one day when your a mother,”

Kagome grinned when Moroha blushed at the last part.

Moroha coughed awkwardly, shuffling her feet as she looked away from her mother’s grinning face, and Kagome had to stifle a giggle at just how familiar Moroha’s countenance was.

“She’s truly her father’s daughter, that’s for sure…”

“So, um...are we good?” Moroha asked, nervous despite herself.

Taking pity on her poor child, Kagome smiled and looped an arm around her daughter’s shoulder as they walked back away from the trees and led her to their own beddings for the night.

“Yup, we’re good.”

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

“You wished to speak with me, Father?” InuYasha asked, bowing respectfully before the Emperor and the rest of his family.

The second he entered the room, InuYasha sensed the tension in the air. His family all had grim expressions upon their faces, save for his mother who had a clearly worried look upon her soft features.

The feeling of dread in the pit of his stomach only intensified when he noticed Sesshomaru and his twin daughters clenching their clawed hands into fists, enough to draw rivlets of blood from all three of them. Sesshomaru’s eyes were also bleeding a light pink, telling InuYasha that whatever the issue was, it was enough to rile up the normally stoic demon lord that he was holding back from transforming.

But the most telling, and ultimately the most concerning, indicator was the absence of his young, cheerful adoptive niece. 

InuYasha’s mouth went dry.

“Where’s Rin?” he asked, fear creeping into his heart.

“Missing,” his father simply stated.

A reverberating growl from the Emperor's eldest son rent the air in the room at the word.

“We need you, Sestuna, and Kouga to go and search for her; try to scent her out,” Touga continued, his tone authoritative and resolute like the leader he was.

InuYasha, stone-faced, kneeled on one knee before his father and family, head bowed as he addressed them.

“I will not rest until she is found and safe, Your Highness.” the half-demon general vowed, determination clear in his voice.

The current Emperor and Inu no Taisho nodded, eyeing his Setsuna imploringly. Catching her grandfather’s gaze, the half-demon princess nodded back and stood up, taking her naginata with her as she stepped off the raised platform to her uncle’s side.

“I have already sent a messenger to retrieve Kouga; he will meet you at the front gate. Now go,” the Emperor commanded firmly, to which both general and princess nodded sagely.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

  “InuYasha!”

InuYasha and Setsuna turned at the call, seeing his half-brother striding up to him with a serious glare.

“Father, what is it?” Setsuna asked, her tone deadpanned like her father’s often was. 

The future Emperor stopped before his daughter and brother, his gaze steady but no less imposing.

“I urge you, little brother, to not be your stupid, impulsive self with this matter. It does, afterall, concern my daughter,”

Normally, such a reminder would cause InuYasha to roll his eyes and respond with a smartass retort.

But this time, InuYasha knew the severity of the situation, and he could easily spot the worry in his half-brother’s golden eyes.

They were the eyes of a father, worried for the whereabouts of his child.

Something InuYasha was sure he was never going to experience.

He nodded, his face grave and resolute.

“You have my word, Sesshomaru, that I will find your daughter and bring her home,” 

The young lord glanced over at Setsuna, his niece catching his gaze.

“Both of them,” InuYasha concluded.

The older demon stared down at his brother, as though assessing the half-demon’s sincerity of his promise, before giving a single nod of acceptance.

With that, the two half-demons turned and made their way to the front gate, set and determined to bring back their loved one.

To be Continued....

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

A/N: Hope you guys enjoyed it! 

Tagging: @misteria247 @loveanime89 @xfangheartx @keichanz @holi-holy @jgomz92 @lostinfantasyworlds @born-for-eachother @littlestuffstohide @nat-the-cat-123 @cnderpaws @mymidnightnightmare @butterflyhufflepuff @bluehawaiicat @pinkweirdsunsets @sangoslays @disneysooner @blairex @shinidamachu @thisisthebesticando @squeep123 @redflamesofpassion @lavendertwilight89 @sailorbabydoll92

Let me know if I missed anybody or you want to jump on the tag train for any of my InuYasha fanfictions!

[thejosh1980]

Little Wing

(Trigger warning: animal/pet death)

Today, right now, I am sat at the spot where Mijo felt his last sunrise, just 24 hours ago.

He was 28 weeks old, he spent 20 of those weeks with me, and my family. He was my family. He was thrust upon me by my wife and mum, who knew Mijo would be the kind of birthday present I'd want, but could never ask for.

When he arrived he was unexpected. Straight from the car, into my bedroom, onto my lap, what a surprise, it was love at first sight. Those eyes, that tail, that round belly, the fur, I was all in. I had to say goodbye to 4 beautiful pets whom I loved dearly when I left Germany, so then and there I made a quiet, whisper promise to Mijo;

“I'll never ever leave you”...

We began like any other Daddy and cat story, playing, eating, talking to each other. We may have made a few messes on the bed learning to potty train, but I couldn't really fault him, he was perfect. He loved cuddles, got under our feet all the time, talked to us a lot and wanted to be a part of everything happening around the house.

He meowed very loudly too. Sometimes he'd meow from the next room sounding lost and worried. That's when I started to realized something was very different about him. It took about 2 weeks, but then I realized, he was totally deaf!!!! No vacuum cleaner, loud bangs, claps, or door slams could get his attention. When he meowed loudly, it was either because he had to, to feel himself meowing in his head, or he was missing us and could smell us, but not hear us in the next room. I had never had a cat who couldn't hear me call their name, so this was going to be a challenge.

Mijo accepted that challenge...

In a short time I figured out how to clicker train him, using a torch. I love training cats. Most folks think it's impossible, but I've taught cats to fetch, sit and come on command in the past.... So, pretty soon I had him jumping up, over and across chairs and tables on cue. I also learnt a way to “call” him; assuming he could see me, if I knelt down and tapped my leg, he'd come a running. Every time. We had it all figured out.

Grab a harness and a lead, and off we go, walking around the garden. This wasn't a cat, this was a dog. He had very little fear, I mean, he couldn't even hear the birds making a racket or the car driving by or the dog barking next door. He was fixated on me.

I bought him a blow up boat, to use in the pool, to help him get used to floating on water. It was a huge boat for his little size, but he'd hop in, and I'd “treat” him while he got used to the motion. The plan was to build him up to a real boat, or canoe or SUP. I could imagine him walking on water.

He was also great with other cats, so I could take him to visit his cousin and they'd play all day (if we'd let them). He'd come with me to visit other family and then... well, then the real adventures started. Mijo and I could go to the river, the park and the beach. We also went for coffee at the busiest part in the local village, and he took it all in his stride. We took bike rides too, as he sat in a special backpack I had for him. I could hold him while skateboarding or put him on my shoulder as I walked around. He was chill, happy to see and smell his silent world.

When Alex or I came home, and he'd be in the bedroom snoozing or gazing out the window, we could come in, take off our shoes, put our stuff down, maybe run to the loo, then we could snuggle up with him, cause he hadn't heard us arrive. He would just be waiting... He'd just wait for someone to step close enough, blow on his ear, feel a vibration and then he'd meow a big BIG hello, purr and snuggle. He was a no pressure cat... But always ready for hugs and pats.

Besides being deaf, he just didn't seem like any other cat I'd had or even met...

But isn't the way it is with all pets? They're all unique.

He loved Alex. He always had a hard decision between my lap and hers, or sleeping close to one or the other. We had a son to take care of, to love and to enjoy. At the beginning, Alex wasn't sure about having a cat, she'd pretty much always been a dog person, but it didn't take long for Mijo to wrap her around his little paw. She was hooked.

We thought he was going to be grow up to become a big boy. You know, Maine Coon sized 5-6 or maybe 7 kilo. We had high hopes for a dog-like cat, big enough to take on the world. We wanted to show him the world too.

After he had his snip (desexing) in mid March, he wasn't very well, and it really traumatized all of us, we just weren't sure why he took it so badly. He was in a lot of pain, even though the operation itself was quick and really good, with no issues. He would spend the day, in his “bread loaf” position, with his nose to the ground. It was like he was conserving all his energy for when we came home or wanted his attention.

Eventually, after a few weeks he bounced back, back to being his usual self, for a while. He actually lost a lot of fur during this time, most likely due to a reaction to the antibiotics and pain killers. Where his collar and harness were, he lost all his hair. It only took a few days, a bit too quick to realize what was going on, he rarely wore the collar or harness after that. It meant we sometimes lost him in the house without his bell on to tell which room he was in, so I'd be running around turning on and off the lights to get his attention and a meow.

It was our fun game of “Mijo Polo”.

We had noticed he wasn't eating as much, and he wasn't as playful. In fact, all his toys were being ignored, and he rarely chased anything we teased him with. When we took him for playtime with his cousin, he wouldn't last as long play fighting. Something was up, we thought he'd bounce back by now.

Overall, he was a very chilled cat, having just had an operation and now with, ringworm, a tooth problem (one adult tooth was causing him problems and needed to be pulled) maybe that was why he wasn't too interested in food. Surely it wasn't bacteria, an infection or a virus in his blood.

In early May, Mijo developed ringworm, which, by the way, isn't a worm but rather a fungal infection. The vet already had us on anti fungal cream day and night. It's very unusual to get ringworm; it's all around us, but a strong immune system, actually, a decent immune system, would fight off any infection naturally. Cats generally just lick it all off their fur. Humans sometimes get it, from a scratch or a wound. It's in the soil, it's in the air.

When we got the treatment for the ringworm, we also gave him an appetite stimulant, to encourage him to eat, but it made little difference. As nothing changed, we went back to the vet a few days later, and did a hypothyroidism test; the results were borderline.

What could be going on?

At the time of his desexing operation, he was 1.7 kilos, a week later he was down to 1.5 and eventually 1.45 kilo. His body was growing a little, but his muscle and fat wasn't.

We talked to the vet and decided, even though his ringworm was infectious, the tooth had to go, sooner rather than later. It seemed logical that it was his biggest barrier to fulfilling his dietary requirements and his well being. We wanted him fattening up, growing up, and being his usual self again, ASAP. We needed to get him back on track towards good health, enough was enough.

On Monday 17th May I dropped the little guy off at the vet for the day. A check up and a tooth pull.

Before any cat gets an anesthetic, they run a simple blood test to determine if the cat is well enough. During the day we got a call that the operation couldn't happen, and that he'd have to stay in over night or longer, with meds to help him, because his red cell blood count was low. 10%. Most cats need around 40%, if there's any complication with the tooth pull, his blood may not clot.

It's official, he was very unwell.

I was at school when I got the news. I was in shock. Our little boy was that unwell? But he does eat (a little), he does walk on the lead with me, he's eating his treats... was he that unwell?

Suddenly we had to decide on some expensive tests to figure out what was wrong with him. I mean, the red blood cells were being eaten up by the white ones, but why?? We arranged the suggested tests and they kept him in over night.

I was very distraught. How can my little guy be so unwell yet behave well? With that blood count, he shouldn't be able to walk, he should be so lethargic that he can't keep his head up!! He should be in a coma.

All in all, theoretically, he should be dead.

So was it dwarfism, hypothyroidism, mycoplasma??? And and and?? Tests... Blood being taken.. Our boy in the vet over night, alone, worried, scared??? Will he make it through the night? I didn't sleep well...

On Tuesday afternoon the vet let us bring him home. His blood level was down to 9.1%. The idea was that, at least at home he'd have cuddles and love, and that might help his immune system. He was lethargic but not completely terrible. I would need to bring him in on Wednesday for another blood test, to see how he was doing.

On Wednesday, it didn't go well, Mijo had gone from 9 to 8.1% blood level. It was now becoming almost impossible to get any blood out of him. I saw how difficult it was 2 weeks earlier when he had the hypothyroid test, they had to try on both legs and his neck to get a half mil of blood! He was a champ and barely complained. But now, I couldn't imagine the pain he went through with even less blood.

He's been that sick for how long?? Why hadn't we noticed?

We were panicking.

The vet suggested we meet with a mature, more experienced doc, on Thursday. We should be able to figure something out, we had to. Each day = less blood = more chance of...

Well, I am a hopeful guy. I realize, I live on hope. I spent years hoping certain people in my life would change, or love me in a way that I feel some love. I always hope things will change for the better. I don't know why, but it's ingrained in me to feel hopelessness or hope... I think I'm never in the middle... or is that called acceptance? OK, maybe I do feel that too, eventually... But it takes a long long time...

I have videos of Mijo on Thursday 20th, he's cleaning himself in the sun, meowing and purring, happy to see me, walking around the garden with me. Full of life and adventure.

At lunch time, Mijo and I go to the vet. He is his usual cute self, always curious at the vets, and now there's a the new guy he's meeting, what an adventure.

Before he opens the cat box he said something along the lines of “Well, because his blood levels are so low, today is really about deciding if he goes to heaven or not...” I'm not sure, but I know I heard words like “heaven” and “euthanasia” early on in the consultation. Shock was setting in. I barely heard anything else he said, luckily we had Alex on the speaker phone.

Turns out, not only is our little guy deaf, he's an anomaly.

Any cat with 8.1% should be comatose. They should barely be able to walk. They certainly can't pee or poo without help and don't drink or eat much. Mijo came out of his box and sniffed around, was alert and ready to meet the new guy!!

The vet was stumped. He had never seen this before, in over 30 years...

We didn't know he was so sick, because, he was, overall, a well behaved cat. His weight he lost, sure, but he was now at least stable. He was eating, it just took a lot of creativity sometimes to spark his interest (mostly warming up meals and giving him treats).

The vet tried to explain to me, but I'm sure Alex on the phone understood it clearly, that we had very little time, well, no time. We had 3 choices that day. Go to a specialist an hour's drive away, give Mijo steroids and hope he had mycoplasma or Immune mediated hemolytic anemia (IMHA) or, lastly, euthanasia.

Wait???? What does that even mean??

The specialist would give him a blood transfusion, and some special custom drugs which should help him. The vet said it could cost in the 10s of thousands, and may help Mijo for a few weeks, but it's not a solution that we are sure would be long term or not.

Giving Mijo steroids would give him a fighting chance, or not... Basically it could cure or kill him. Because we aren't sure what is the cause of the low blood count, it could be IMHA, mycoplasma or something else, but it's a best educated guess at this rate. If it is the wrong choice, he may die quicker than expected.

Euthanasia, no explanation needed.

We decided on steroids. According to the vet, there was a 50/50 chance it would work. If the cause of the blood cells killing off each other was for or against steroids, we'd know soon enough. Still shocked I tried to understand it all. I'm so grateful Alex was on the line and knows this stuff through experience and study.

The idea of taking Mijo an hour's drive north to the specialist, to a cubicle, a place where we may not be with him 24/7, on the off chance that he wouldn't make it and die alone, we couldn't fathom that.

Mijo took the steroid injection like a champ, he always did injections well. He was given some antibiotics to also help. The vet said, that by Saturday we'll know if it was the right decision. We'd know if he would be getting better...

It was decided that on Monday 24th we'd go back in for a blood test to actually see if the steroids were working (cause apparently one can't really tell with Mijo's behavior, the cheeky monkey).

Mijo and I came home, and well, he ate, he was purring, sitting on my lap. The usual deal. When I went out to get the washing in, he tried to go out too, something we, as parents, have been very protective about. He doesn't go out alone, he doesn't go out without a lead or a bell. He's not an easy cat to find if he runs off, not that he has ever tried. He deaf, he can't hear cars or other dangers out there.

I promised him I'd take him out to that side of the house/garden that afternoon...

So we did, we went out, we sat down, he explored. He was well, good, better, best. He was my boy. He trusted me, I trusted him. I'm always amazed how well he walks by my side, like a dog, with loose leash... Taking my steps as cues when to walk, and when to stop.

We also met the neighbor's dog, which was a first, both were not really interested in each other... But still, Mijo knew there's a lot to live for...

Overnight he went great... Woke up with him on my chest relaxing waiting for me to get up and feed him, luckily I have a wife who had to get up for work at that moment. I remember she sang him a lullaby and held him like a baby. It was really sweet to see how much love they had for each other. Rock-a-bye Mijo...

We wanted to him feel as much love as we could. We felt that, if the steroids and antibiotics were doing their part, and we did ours, there's nothing he can't beat. And he sure felt the love...

I held him while doing some singing exercises, close to my chest. It was something we hadn't done before, and he purred. He'd look up and meow every time I stopped making vibrations. He felt it, I felt it, it was a connection.

We spent a lot of time, reading, relaxing and sitting on laps. Alex and I cuddled him, told him we loved him. He was really fighting. He was eating. He was a little more playful than in recent weeks. He wanted to live. We could feel it...

He went from eating half a packet to 1.5 packets a day, plus dry food. He always wanted treats, and I was always glad to oblige.

By Saturday he was wonder cat! Kneading... Purring... Chasing toys... Eager to hang out...

We'd overcome the problem! He was getting better. There's fight, love and life left in him. He was amazing. If it hadn't been for his ringworm (which was also healing very very well) I'd say he was perfect, especially once he put on another few grams...

We had 4 awesome days, loads of energy and love. He was never alone in the house, and rarely alone in a room. We wanted him to know, to feel, that we loved him so deeply and that all we want was him in our life, for adventures and cuddles.

On Monday morning, his appetite went down... He didn't really eat much...

We all left for the day, work and school. I think we were all worried, but he'd been so good and improved so so much, that we were sure he'd be fine. We have the blood test booked for the afternoon, I'm sure he'll pep up by then. The injection could be wearing off too...

Mijo and I went in to the vet, and his test came back at 14%!!! Damn, that's 6 points!! The vet expected 3 to be a big improvement. In fact, if he had 3 or less, euthanasia may have been the only option... Happy days! He was well. He's going to live! He'll be fine.

We're not out of the woods yet, but we are in the right direction.

All that love we lavished on him, not just in the past days, but the past 4 months. The adventures, the friends he'd made (both human and animal) the smells and sights he'd seen, the vibrations he felt, it was all coming together... He was a fighter with a lot of love to give...

We were over joyed. Really, I couldn't have been happier when I got the results. I gave a “whoop” and threw my fist in the air (I've never done that before in my life!).

We changed to tablet form steroids, as they'll be better long term, keep up the antibiotics and off we go...

But we all know, that often people and animals, when they know they are dying, they give it one last shot. And that was it... We didn't realize until Wednesday, that he wasn't actually going to get better...

Mijo stopped grooming himself, he slowly ate less and less... He became more and more lethargic, he started to sit in the “bread loaf” position with his nose on the ground, as he did after the snip, resting. We thought it was the change in steroids, and as I was at school and the girls at work, we just kept thinking he'd pep up eventually.

When I left for school Wednesday morning, he was alert, but lethargic. When I came home early to check on him, he had really changed again.

His belly was a little bloated, but he had hardly eaten. He had trouble walking, it seemed like it was a mix of muscle degradation/pain and confusion. His meowing changed to a high pitch cry, similar to that of a young kitten. He also stopped eating, he wouldn't even touch any of his tasty treats. He searched for any bit of sun to stand in, but he was looking so uncomfortable, his posture had changed, half sitting, half standing. I was grateful, when I carried him to his water bowl, that he drank a lot. He also went to the toilet, I held his tail so he didn't make a mess on himself.

We spent the afternoon outside, as the sun started to set. He loved the sun, I wanted him to feel warmth... I held him, talked to him. I don't know now many times I asked him to please hold on, please fight and that I loved him. He looked more comfortable in the sun.

I did film us walking around the pool. I am forever grateful for technology, so that I could just put my phone down, touch a button and record a moment. As we walked and talked, oblivious to the camera, I recognized a change in his breathing... I may have missed it previously, but for sure, his breath was becoming more and more labored. Every 3 or 4 breaths, he just had to try harder... His eyes were changing too... But I was sure he could recognize me, the way the vibrations from my chest reached his body and the way I smell. He would react from time to time, shifting or clawing at me.

He often touched my chest with his paw. Reaching out...

Mum and I went to the vet late Wednesday afternoon, the earliest we could. I explained it must be the change of steroids. No, it wasn't. They were the same type, it was just that he wasn't able to fight anymore. We discussed the specialist, called them and made a plan to go in first thing in the morning. I arranged for a friend to come with me, and Thursday morning bright and early, we were going up to get Mijo cured. Transfusion, drugs, you name it, we were going to do it. We had to, we told him we'd make him better.

There and then, Alex and I decided to trade in our honeymoon, you know from the wedding we had 13 months ago and still haven't done the traditional thing of a week or two away somewhere. We decided the money we had aside for that, would go to Mijo's specialist costs, because without Mijo, our honeymoon, whatever and whenever we decide to do it, wouldn't be worth doing, if he wasn't around.

I made a firm plan on how to help him through the night. We would hold him in shifts... All 3 of us... If one showered, the other held him. Dinner time, we shared the responsibility, not that we ate much anyhow. We cuddled, we talked, we purred, I would blow gently on his head... He was feeling love and he was fighting...

Because he hadn't eaten all day, we decided to try feeding him with a syringe, with success. With the tablets we were putting into his stomach, I felt he needed something else down there too... With a small syringe, he took it well, lapping up a tasty liquid treat.

When it was bed time, we put pillows around the bed, incase he fell, because he was very wobbly on his feet. He would cry out at random times, possibly from pain, but I think more from confusion. He sometimes wanted to get away from us, as we know, pets know when it's time and usually disappear, isolate.

We barely slept. I managed about 3 hours... But it was tough.. He wouldn't stay still, and eventually we put him in his little bed, near our bed... Of course he didn't stay there long.

At 4am I heard him crying... I found him under the bed... Alex woke up too... His breathing had changed a lot... Every breath was labored. He wasn't getting enough oxygen.

I laid on my back, and Mijo laid on my chest. This was how it often was, especially when I was reading... We did that until around 7am... Alex taking turns, holding him, talking to him, loving him. Mijo could barely hold himself up, he just laid in our arms... Breathing... His eyes began to glaze over...

We discussed our options, we felt the specialist was now a long shot. We didn't think he'd make the drive, he was near the end. Our little man had little fight left... And we wouldn't forgive ourselves for him dying in a foreign place. There were a lot of tears and back and forwards, including mum coming in for cuddles with the little guy at 5am...

Alex called the emergency vet, and we planned to go in at 8:30... Mijo's time had come...

When the sun comes up, if the blind is open in our bedroom, the sun shines right on through to Alex in bed, Mijo was in her arms, while she drank coffee as the sun rose.

Sometime later I took the little guy out to the pool, where we walked and talked, cuddled and loved, around and around, in the morning sun. I talked to him about all the adventures we had, riding bikes, visiting people, the beach and the river. I spent most of that hour, holding him, looking to his eyes... He gazed up, I just hope he knew it was me. I just knew he felt the vibrations of my words.

We both told him, it was OK to let go now. We were ready. But he kept on fighting for each breath... I think he was just like his Dad, always hopeful..

He last moments at home, where in the chair I'm sat in now. It gets the best light, first thing, even though it's inside the “catio”. Alex had sat down while I was walking outside, I seem to do better when I walk, and I brought him in for cuddles with her in the sun... He was bathed in sunshine, in Alex's arms... It was beautiful...

Actually getting in the car and going to the vet, was tough, but it really hit me when I walked in. I held the little guy, and just burst into middle-aged-man tears and sobbing... If you were there, you'd know I was my mother's son, cause she was sobbing too... I couldn't look anyone in the eye... I didn't understand what was going on, or about to go on...

I think I was in another place...

We went into a consult room, and I just laid the little guy down, not thinking of using the blanket we had... The vet explained the procedure and took him away for his catheter and first injection, some anesthetic? I don't know, but apparently it was the right thing, it helped with his pain.

I couldn't even look Alex or Mum in the eye... I just cried...

I still had hope...

When they came back, Mijo was wrapped in a soft blanket, what a great idea...!! He was quieter, more peaceful... The vet left to give us a moment...

He was still breathing, still fighting... I put my ear to his face, and heard him...

I kept making sure his eye lids closed from time to time. I remember back when Catalina, my little girl in Germany, needed to be anesthetized for a check up. The vet put some put liquid drops in her eyes and made her blink, so her eyes didn't dry out... So for Mijo, I did that every once in a while... I didn't want his eyes to dry up... I wanted him to be able to see me, because laying on that table, he couldn't hear me.

I begged Alex not to bring the vet back in for the final injection... I think I may have screamed something at her... I don't know... I wasn't me... I was trying to hold him in my arms, without moving him... I was trying to give him another chance...

I bawled...

I don't know if I have ever cried like that before... I thought I'd be all cried out... I thought all my tears had already left the building the previous hours and days... But there was more... a lot more... and more to come...

I know that Alex and I held hands over his body... I felt the love... I felt his warmth... his breathing... I know I cried tears onto him, there were tear drops on his lips...

I looked him in the eye as much as I could, but mostly, I cried...

I felt the liquid go into him, I felt it go around my hand into him...

I don't know much about what happened after that... I know I didn't want to leave him, I had promised him I would never do it. I regret not holding him once more... I know that at that moment, I felt the life drain out of me... I felt hope die...

I walked out, not knowing what to do, and flopped down on the grass outside... I never sit on grass, but Mijo liked it...

I managed to drive home...

That was yesterday...

Since then I've tried to rest, tried to come to grips with what has happened, tried to connect with a few friends, I've tried... I'm still trying...

This morning I got up wanting to do some sport, washing, then study and take on the day with confidence... It's a new day, I should take that opportunity to get back into my routine... It took all of 1 minute, from bed to bathroom, to be bawling... Except for the time I manage to calm down enough to type this blog, I've been crying... It's now 10am... I was awake at 6:15...

We are running out of tissues..

I felt so bad this morning, I wanted to plead with Alex not to go to work, because I just can't today. I just can't. We have discussed how she copes in these situations, and I know that's how she copes, by going to work, so I kept my trap shut. I just want her to hug me all day, so I can feel her warmth.

I cried so much on the drive to drop mum off at work this morning, she started crying too, and contemplated not going to work... She wanted to be there for me, but I told her, honestly, I don't think I'd be much company today.

I don't know the grieving process, we haven't learnt that in counseling school yet, but I do know, I'm feeling very lost... I feel very numb...

I can't explain it, and maybe that's why folks can never really explain how they feel after someone close to them, or their pet, has passed. We are just lost.

I also feel that I am grieving for my other losses in my life. It's a bit like, it's a culmination of all the others before him, plus him on top, making me feel pain like I have never experienced before.

Grief is just love, with no place to go... Alex and I talked about that quote last night. I used this quote to help me through leaving my 4 pets in Germany, I know I have to find a new place for my love, but for now, I just can't.

I know I couldn't have gotten through this without the support of my Mum and Alex...

While Mum cries at the drop of a hat, she is solid and thoughtful and loving. Alex is strong and experienced in these matters. She knew what to say, and when, even if I did yell back… Both have a lot of time and patience for me.

I know Alex and Mum feel bad, maybe even guilty, for choosing him. Mijo was a present, to give me joy and love and comfort. And he sure did, in multitudes, to all of us. I would never have gotten a cat back then, I didn't feel Alex or I were ready, we were still working through our issues with our pets in Germany.

Alex and I decided that we want Mijo home with us. He was only on this earth for 6.5 months, we expected him to be with us for 10+ years. Taken too early. Once he's cremated we'll have him in a little urn. He was so small, but if there's a little left over, we will either plant a tree with his ashes or sprinkle him down by the river, the first place he went to that was close to water.

The past day or so, I have shared what happened with some friends, classmates and family, and everyone has been so thoughtful and caring. Thank you, it's really helped to know you're all out there, thinking of the little guy. He would have loved to meet you all.

He was perfection. If someone else had gotten him, realized he was deaf, they may not have given him the adventures and life he had. Mum considers him a rescue cat...

So here I am, in the chair, his last chair in his last moments at home.

I can still smell him on my shirt. When I walk around the house, dazed, I sniff my shirt. He had a wonderful smell. The smell of love and adventure. I hope that smell lasts a life time.

I miss his warmth, his meow, which was damn loud!! I miss, that sometimes he'd get lost around the house... Or he'd lose me, around the house. He was gentle, and only bit me once, by accident, piercing my thumb a little. I miss the fact he had 1 tooth growing forward, directly out, making him a tri-toothed kitten with a protruding top lip! He took on the world without fear. I've never experienced anything like it in a cat. My girl Catalina did sit on my shoulder as I walked down the street in Germany, but Mijo, he let me go skateboarding with him, played guitar with me (he'd chew the strings) and one time, I even vacuumed his tail.

All trust. No fear.

Back when he lost all his hair around his neck and stomach after his snip operation, we were pretty concerned. Funnily enough, it grew back pretty quickly, but it grew back white, not grey. He had a ring around his neck and kind of marks on his back wrapping around to his belly. Alex googled it, and actually found out, cats can often have their hair grow back white after trauma or experiencing extremes of temperature if their hair was cut short or fell out.

About a month ago, I sent my dearest of friends, Sandra, a photo of his regrowth, and she commented looks like “little angel wings”...

Fly on little wing, fly on...

RIP Mijo Angus

12-11-2020 – 27-05-2021

Thanks for reading,

Josh

[planetsam]

“Look if you don’t want her she’s going to the pound,” Wyatt says, “she’s too fat to be of any good on the farm.”

“Do you need to think of the most dickish thing to say? Or does it just naturally come out of your mouth?”

Wyatt’s face screws up but Alex snatches the leash from him before he can say anything. He’s done listening to assholes with the last name Long. On the other end of the leash Buffy regards him with a mix of wariness and disgust. It’s more tempting than Alex would like to admit to shove it back at Wyatt, but his grip tightens on the leash.

“Glad you got a souvenir,” Wyatt sneers and storms off.

Alex tries not to rub the most recent addition to his scar collection and instead looks down at the dog. Buffy whines loudly and the sound matches whatever’s going on his recently repaired gut. Emotionally at least. Physically he’s been given the almost all clear, which for him is good enough. He kneels down and looks at the beagle who backs away.

“Yeah, I get that,” Alex tells her, “do you remember me?” He holds a hand out for her to sniff but she turns her snout up, “I’ll take that as a yes.”

He straightens up. Buffy looks in the direction she came from but Wyatt’s long gone. Alex has no idea what to do with a dog, much less a beagle who seems to like him about as much as her owner actually did, but standing in the road with her leash he realizes they’re in the same boat. Both left standing there, wondering what the hell they’re supposed to do now. When he glances down again, Buffy is looking up at him. She’s still reproachful but she hasn’t run and Alex is at a point where he’ll take what he can get.

“You wanna go home or should we go to the pet store first?” He asks. She perks up slightly at that, “pet store it is,” he says, “come on.”

* Since losing his leg Alex has been in several hand to hand situations, gotten kidnapped, discovered aliens and blown up a handful of buildings. He’d say he’s good with his prosthetic. Some days he uses his cane but it’s far and few between. He’s good but he hasn’t had a consistently strong pressure yanking his cane arm walk after walk. And there have been so many fucking walks. Buffy is overweight and though her diet is the main thing, walking helps. It helps one of them at least.

“Buffy, come on,” he says, “heel.”

Buffy huffs, lowers her body and digs in her paws.

Her blatant disregard makes the military man in him seethe. He doesn’t know how one beagle is more difficult to control than than a group of soldiers, but here they are. Buffy does not respect the chain of command. Or maybe she just doesn’t respect him. Alex thinks he’d be used to the universe ignoring what he wants but the manifestation of it in an overweight beagle left behind by a man who manipulated him so openly is a fresh wound on his ruined ego.

“Buffy,” he says.

Buffy puffs herself up and erupts into her signature barks. How such a loud noise can come out of such a small creature is beyond him. Buffy spends a lot of her time napping and laying on her back, but when she gets going it’s impossible to stop or ignore. Alex is used to people staring at him on the street. He’s learned to dismiss the judgement about things he knows he can’t change. For the first time though he gets it. He’s pretty sure he’d cross the street too if he saw what was happening.

“Buffy—“ he starts. She keeps going crazy, “Buffy come on,” he’s got nothing else so he scoops her up again. Immediately she stops barking, “seriously?” He sighs, “you know we’re both supposed to be walking,” Buffy looks over her shoulder at him, “God, fine,” he shifts the weight in his arms and starts walking, “I need the workout anyway.”

“Aren’t you both supposed to be walking?”

Alex turns around to see Michael standing there looking confused. He’s not close enough to hear what he just said, but the fact that it’s the first thing that comes to his mind makes Alex’s chest tight. Buffy gives Michael a look of complete disdain. Michael raises his eyebrows at the dog’s reaction, though Alex is fairly certain Michael is just glad to have an excuse not to look at him. Not that he can fully blame him, not with everything that’s happened recently.

“When did you get a dog?” Michael asks.

“A few days ago,” Alex says, “it was me or the pound,” he explains, “I wasn’t looking to get one.”

“Right,” Michael says slowly.

“Her name’s Buffy,” Alex volunteers. Michael finally meets his eye, arching his eyebrows at him.

“You sure you weren’t looking to get a dog?” Michael asks. Alex looks at him questioningly, “if I had to guess what you would name a dog, Buffy’s pretty high on the list—“

The truth smacks him across the face. Buffy squirms in his arms and he’s all too glad to put her down, even though that means he’s forced to figure out something else to do with his hands. Something that doesn’t involve punching things. All he can do is laugh bitterly at how stupid he is. Laugh and pretend that he doesn’t see the alarm on Michael’s face.

“You okay?” Michael asks. 
“I’m good,” Alex says, shaking his head, “I just realized how much of an idiot I am,” he looks at Michael who looks confused still, “Buffy was Forrest’s dog,” he explains, “he left her behind,” he sighs, “I thought the dog was real.”

“She looks real to me,” Michael says.

“He named her Buffy,” Alex retorts. Michael winces, “like I said, I’m an idiot.”

They both look at Buffy who gives them a look back that says they are both idiots. Alex doesn’t think either of them would disagree after the things that have happened lately. But realizing that there’s a good chance the dog was adopted just to manipulate him is salt in that wound. Not by Forrest necessarily but by someone in Deep Sky.

“Your dog seems to agree,” Michael points out.

“Shit,” Alex mutters looking down at the beagle, then he looks at Michael, “what do you know about microchips?
 “What do I know about what?” Michael asks blankly. 
“I need your help,” Alex says.

It’s got nothing to do with what just happened but Michael goes serious and nods. Alex tries not to be affected by it. Or by how Michael seems committed to being open after months of them lying to each other. 
“Whatever you need,” he says.

There’s a weight to his words that lasts a moment before Buffy decides right there is a good place to go potty.

* “Up you go,” Alex says and gets Buffy onto the table, “good girl.”

Buffy huffs at the compliment but when she spots Kyle she immediately starts wagging her tail. Because Kyle has that effect. He grins and scratches her ears as Buffy rolls onto her back. Alex looks over at Michael who seems surprised by this turn of events. 
“Good thing he wasn’t trying to seduce you,” Michael says, “she’s already fallen for it.”

Kyle looks at him sharply and Michael realizes his mistake with a swear but Alex waves him off. Whether or not there were genuine feelings is an issue for another day. Or another lifetime, if he gets his way. Thankfully neither Michael nor Kyle have made the mistake of suggesting he get rid of the dog in case Deep Sky is spying on him with her. Kyle picks up the device and scans Buffy as best he can until Alex reaches out to help hold her steady. They find the first microchip easily enough. It’s just surprising how easily they also find the second one.

“They put a tracker in the dog?” Kyle shakes his head.

Alex agrees. It seems stupid with all the messed up shit they’ve done, but looking at Buffy with her upturned nose and disdainful glares and imagining her being picked out and named and then used like that makes him ache. Especially if it was in the pursuit of him. It’s not the only thing that’s wrong but Alex has always had a soft spot for animals and it’s the first thing that makes his throat tighten.

“We have to get them out of her.”

“We will,” Michael says, “first lemme make sure they don’t work.”

“It’s not going to hurt her, is it?” Alex asks as Michael reaches out.

Kyle and Michael trade looks and Alex knows his voice sounds odd but the dog’s been through enough. Especially on his behalf. A part of him thinks giving her away might be best but if Deep Sky is still using her then who knows. He could give her away and bring more people into this.

“Alex,” Michael comes around the table and stands next to him, doesn’t say anything when Alex shifts back, “look, it’s not gonna hurt her. I’m going to just disable them. We’ll figure out how to get them out of her after.”

Buffy rolls over and gives Kyle’s hands a lick before she reluctantly belly crawls to Alex. She doesn’t look thrilled about having to come to him, but she sits in between him and Michael and looks at Michael with her usual disdain. It’s not full on affection but Alex appreciates the defense all the same. He looks up at Michael.

“Okay, do it,” he says.

Michael puts his hands on Buffy’s shoulders and focuses. Alex waits for her to yelp or do anything but she just glares at Michael like this is the most ridiculous thing she’s ever been subjected to. He pulls his hands back and blinks rapidly, going a little pale. It’s one of the effects of whatever they did to him, his powers are there but using them takes more effort than it did. No-one knows when they’ll fully return.

“Kyle get the—“

Kyle gets the bin just in time for Michael to puke in it. Buffy flattens her ears and decides she’s done enough comfort one day. She trots back over to Kyle and flops on her back, bracing a paw against his arm so he has maximum access to her belly. Before Alex can think about what he’s doing his hand settles on Michael’s shoulder as he heaves. It’s another sign of how badly he’s fucked up and Michael consenting to it under duress doesn’t make him feel any better. But he forces himself to hold onto Michael’s shoulder as he empties his stomach.

“Shit that sucks,” he mutters, unthinkingly wrapping his hand around Alex’s elbow. Alex doesn’t let go of his shoulder as he wipes the back of his mouth. He looks up at Alex and gives a quick, shaky smile, “I disabled the chips on both, they’re dead,” he says.

“Thank you.”

Michael nods, looking more relieved than Alex is comfortable with at the words. He tears his eyes away to look at the love fest going on between Buffy and Kyle. It’s honestly hard to say whose fallen more for who. Alex pulls away and tries not to focus on how cold his elbow and palm feel without Michael’s signature heat.

“Now we just gotta get them out,” Michael says.

Kyle seems to be aware they are all looking at him intently. He opens his mouth to reject whatever they’re going to say and Buffy whines for him to continue the belly rubs. It’s written all over his face that of all the ways he saw his life going, this definitely wasn’t one of them. He looks down at Buffy.

“Am I still gonna be your favorite?” He asks her.

Buffy huffs.

“I think that’s a yes,” Michael says.

* “Your back hurting?”

Alex winces at the question, he thought he had done a good job of hiding it. The concern is there in Michael’s voice and it’s not well hidden at all. Alex looks over at him, seeing the guilt in his eyes.

“It’s from picking up Buffy,” he says, “she’s having trouble getting on the furniture.”

It’s almost laughable how furniture is so complicated in his house. Alex never thought the height of a seat could make such a difference in someone’s life. The perfect height for him though is apparently too much for his still overweight beagle. His best solution is to pick her up but for all her laziness Buffy isn’t good at staying put. It’s not overly painful but it’s not ideal while he’s still healing.

“Oh,” Michael says.

“She’ll get better,” Alex says, “she just has to lose some weight,” he rolls his shoulder, “and I have to heal.”

“She can’t stay off the furniture?” Michael asks. Alex glares, “just asking!” Michael says holding up his hands, “I never had a pet. I had a foster home where I wasn’t allowed on the couch once, it sucked.”

Alex doesn’t know how Michael can stand to be so casual about things like that. Mentioning something so devastating hasn’t even interrupted his rhythm in eating his fries.

“I’m sorry,” Alex says quietly. Michael acknowledges it with a quick nod, “I want her to be able to go where she wants,” he explains.

“Except maybe the bunker,” Michael points out.

“Okay maybe the bunker,” Alex agrees.

“What about stairs?” Michael asks, “they make stairs for dogs right?” His brow furrows, “your furniture is custom heigh though, right?” Then he perks up, “I can make her stairs.”

Alex almost chokes on his water. Michael’s response to everything was to throw his tools in his bunker and seal it up. Alex isn’t even sure he has the materials to build dog stairs. But it’s the first time he’s seen Michael look excited about building something.

“Are you okay with that?” He asks, “I can pay you.”

“You don’t have to,” Michael says, “if it gets Buffy to stop constantly stink eyeing me we’re good.”

“Just tell me how much they cost,” Alex says after a moment’s consideration.

He texts Michael the asked for measurements.

Michael doesn’t want to be alone with him and Alex can’t blame him. He doesn’t really want to be alone with Michael either. Not yet. It’s not until he hears the truck in the driveway that he even thinks more about it. The truck pulls in, parks and Michael gets out before Buffy starts going crazy. Alex feels a rush of affection for her.

“It’s Michael,” he says, “and he’s already almost inside.”

Buffy still puffs up like she’s done her job and Alex scratches her ears before he opens the door. Michael is standing there with two stairs in either hand and a black bag slung over his shoulder.

“Can I come in?” He asks.

“Yeah,” Alex says, his mouth dry, “of course,” he says, “come in.”

“Thanks,” Michael says. Buffy looks at him and howls. Michael glares, “the hat isn’t negotiable,” he tells her firmly, even as he takes it off and sets it aside.

Michael puts one of the stairs by the couch and hands Alex the other for his bed. Alex puts it down where it is and follows Michael to the back part of the house. Michael drops the bag and picks out a few tools before moving to the trap door.

“What’s all of this?” Alex asks.

“Eh I could tell you didn’t mean it when I said Buffy wasn’t allowed in the bunker,” he says, “so I put something together.”

“You built her an elevator?”

Michael shrugs and goes pink around the ears.

“Yeah I mean I want her to feel welcome,” he says, “and if you gotta hide I know you aren’t leaving her behind.”

Alex looks over at Buffy whose stink eyeing the stairs like she’d prefer to be carried. He wouldn’t leave her behind. He wouldn’t leave Michael behind either but just being alone in the same room is a lot. He doesn’t want to push this. He doesn’t know if Michael feels that as well.

“Can I get you anything?” He offers, “I have lemonade?”

Michael hesitates for a moment. Alex wonders if he’s read this wrong before Michael nods and Alex finds he can breathe again.

“That sounds good,” Michael says, “thanks.”

[seb-owns-these-tatas]

Free Me (Series)

Characters: Chris Evans x Reader, Henry Cavill x Reader

Prompt: 1. "I never want to hear your name during my life anymore." 2. "Your lips used to be my sanctuary, but now I feel trapped." 3. "Isn't it time we both stopped pretending we make each other happy?"

Summary: Y/N has been noticing how her husband was slowly slipping away, guessing that another woman was illegally involved and included in the marriage she was in. Deciding that what was best for the both of them is to finally let go.

Warnings: Cheating, some cuss words, No smut so you're good to go. 😉, ANGST. (Y/H/T means your hometown! 😊)

Words: 2,430

A/N: PLEASE DON’T FORGET TO COMMENT AND REBLOG! Thank you, Tater tots! This has a sequel! Just go find it in my masterlist blog located in my blog description. Heehee!

Disclaimer: PNG's used in edits are not mine even the GIF's too. However, the edits and oneshots are definitely from moi.

MY WORKS ARE NOT TO BE POSTED ON ANY OTHER WEBSITES. My official username in Wattpad is “TATATHEPOTATO” and that’s the only other site I have aside from Tumblr. Thank you, Tater tots 

The night sky was more wistful than you thought it would be. Stars were trying to partake in what you were feeling as it wasn't actively twinkling like it used to. That was always your problem, you get caught in the fantasy that you've been dying to live in. Imagining a perfect story without flaws and rabbit holes, with a prince who will stay by your side forever. Dreaming that something lasts forever. That even your love would last forever.

Yet, it didn't.

The clock striked twelve. It was time for Cinderella to come home before it was too late. There she went and ran, leaving a glass slipper behind for her prince to find and return.

The door knob rattled, you began to feel tense, sensing your heart beat in anxiety. Your emotions spinning round and round, only getting to feel two heightened emotions: pain and anger.

You heard the door creak, footsteps can be heard. Hearing the soft taps of his rubber shoes against the tiled floor. It would only take him ten steps before reaching the leaving room where you were sluggishly sitting cross legged.

In 5..4...3...2...........1. Cinderella was finally home at last.

You uncrossed your legs, sipping on your Absinthe, the harsh liquid leaving a fiery trail on your throat, now feeling his presence close as you glared at the man before you. Alas, there he was, standing tall, looking ragged and slovenly. Behold, the man that you once dreamt of and thought who would never break your heart.

Chris gave a smile, but it wasn't as bright as you remembered. He changed, his smile changed, everything changed. Even his heart did.

The glint in your eyes was full of spite, once he began walking towards you. He was going to give you a kiss. A fake kiss that you wanted to spit out, as you began over thinking how he shared saliva with the woman he was just with.

He held a hand on your chin, gently lifting it up as he entirely crouched down, nonchalantly giving you a kiss. A kiss without the love you once had. A kiss that you imagined to be loving and zealous. A kiss that would make you heart jump in utter affection and passion, a kiss that would make your legs weak, but it didn't. It was never the same way as it used to before, and it broke your heart and soul.

"Your lips used to be my sanctuary, but now I feel trapped." Those were the first words that came out of your mouth, his lips left yours with a faded sound. You began to feel your heart beat quicken in rage, feeling the alcohol start to kick in. Giving you the strength to finally burst out your feelings and hidden thoughts.

"That sounded like a line in one of my movies. Where'd you get that, Babe?" He quietly sat beside you, giving you a nervous chuckle before taking your hands in his which you quickly rejected with one hostile push of your hand.

You stood up, the transparent, fragile glass in your hands. Your emotions were starting to bubble up and it was beginning to burst into tears. You love him. You gave him your heart. You gave him everything. Yet, he chose to throw it away. You trusted him. You trusted him to fully give his heart to you. However, you didn't realize Mr. Cinderella left his shoe on his way home, and you didn't know..It wasn't just any shoe. It was already his heart. His heart that was once yours, but was now in the hands of another woman. A woman that was the complete opposite of you. A woman who was sexier, and hotter. A woman he probably ever dreamt of.

A woman who isn't you.

"Isn't it time we both stopped pretending we make each other happy, Chris?" You aggravatingly spoke, biting your lower lip hard in anger. The pain was finally poisoning you alive, and it was time that it did.

"W-What? What are you saying?--" He stood up, daring to even walk close, his face looking so confused, a face that you wanted to slap a million times. His face that could lure you into believing him again with just one snap of his sad puppy eyes, and his beautiful lips that continued speaking words that were full of lies. "--You got to stop, Love. You're already drunk, I know you get emotional when you're drunk--"

"Do you really know me, Chris? Do you? Well, Mr. I-know-everything-about-my-wife..What does my face say right now?"

His baby blue eyes stared downright at you, deeply staring, his eyes turning scared and afraid. "It's the face that I never want to forget. The face that was once full of happiness but is now filled with sadness. A face that--" You cut him off, your eyes turning cloudy as you got the unknown watch from your pockets, your fingers trembling in absolute fury as you harshly pushed the watch on his muscly chest, hard enough to tell that you weren't in your usual state. Hard enough to show him that the woman in front of him wasn't the same anymore. "--A face that isn't hers. A face that isn't the woman you've been secretly dating, flirting and fucking with. This face I have right now? Isn't the face you ever want to see from me!" He grabbed the watch that you furiously pushed, examining it with utmost curiosity before his face fell, like his world fell apart. Pathetic. "That watch. It isn't mine, Chris. It's under our fuckin' bed. We don't have a daughter in this home for God's sake! where would that watch even come from?!" You began shouting hysterically, finally caught up in your inexplainable rage.

You thought you were the princess in your own fairy tale. Turns out you were the knight in shining armor who kept on fighting and protecting the pure love you both had. The love that was now ruined forever because of one unforgivable sin. His infidelity.

"Th-that was my sister's! You know how she loves her watches! I was about to give this back to her but--"

You heavily dropped the glass on your coffee table. Loud enough to startle his dog named 'Dodger' that was currently barking nonstop, however that didn't stop you. "I'M DONE WITH YOUR FUCKIN' LIES, EVANS!" You loudly screamed, glaring up at him with the most wrathful look you could ever give to anyone. Your tears threatening to fall, and one by one it did. They were traitors, just like the man in front of you. He was a traitor of your heart.

"I-I called your sister when I was back in (Y/H/T). That watch isn't the only evidence I have, You weren't being too discreet when you uploaded that fuckin' video of dodger singing because I damn sure heard your ex's voice laughing in the background, you fucking invited her in our damn house!" You sneered, your words coming out like venom. His broad, thewy shoulder fell in surrender. He finally lost because he was caught. The traitor was finally caught red handed.

"You've changed. We've changed. The sweetness turned into coldness, everything's starting to feel fake now.." You frankly said and paused, sniffing loudly. "Wh-what happened to us, Chris? What did I do wrong? Is it me? It has always been me, I know." You mumbled to yourself, tears falling like rain on the newly waxed floor.

Chris began pulling on the strands of his black hair in frustration. Never looking at you in the eye, hesitating to speak or not, "I-I loved you, I still do, (Y/N). I do, I loved you,"  He trailed off, seeming to be in a baffled state, his eyes shamefully having the courage to stare straight back at you. There, you saw him shedding tears, his blue eyes turning reddish from the cries.

"Loved? Funny how one letter can create a whole new meaning to the word," You gave a broken laugh, saying it with bitterness and with a broken heart. "L-Let's fix this, Babe. W-we can fix this.." Chris walked towards you, grabbing your face with his cold, large, calloused hands. His face turning paler as fear washed away the love it once had. He was scared, probably scared to be left alone and abandoned by the wife that promised to be with him by hook or by crook. You were starting to disappear in his life, slowly staring to fade away, you were ready to let him go and that made him scared for the life he decided to create. A life without you, a life without his wife that he shared vows with.

You angrily slapped his hands away, feeling grossed out because you imagined those hands had obviously just been held by his bitch. "We can't fix something that has already been broken. You broke my trust, and most importantly my heart, Christopher!"

He took a few long, fast strides before wrapping you in a desperate tight hug. One tight hug that wasn't impossible for you to breath in, you could sense his body shake from weeping. You could sense the fear that was wrapped inside of him, the fear of loosing you once and for all. "We-we can fix this..I-I can fix you again..W-we can make this work--"

"Don't try and fix me when all you need is to fix yourself!" You seethed, breath starting to come out deeper and more harsh. "I am not the man who cheated here! I wasn't the person who destroyed this marriage! It's all on you! You committed adultery! You remained unfaithful, yet you want to try and fix this?! What makes you think you would never try and do it again?!"

"Because I would never!! I'm never gonna do it again! I'm sorry! I'm s-sorry! Please!" Chris's cold hands caught your wrists, his hot tears falling from his eyes. He began to violently use your feeble hands to hit him. But, you could never. You just can't physically hurt the man that you used to love. "--Just hit me, slap me, kick me, I fucking deserve it, Babe! I deserve--"

"You deserve to fucking feel the pain I felt! You fucking deserve to feel the regret once I leave you for good!"

Chris fell hard on his knees, weeping so hard, hopelessly wrapping his muscly arms around your weak legs. He began begging when he knew you were ready to jump out of the house without any second thought. Appearing to find that begging can be the only way he could have you back. "N-NO! Please! Please, no! Don't leave me! I can make her leave! I'll leave her, (Y/N)! Just, p-please! Don't leave me! I beg you...I beg you...."

You forcefully untangled his arms that was wrapped around your body, but he was trying not to let you go, no matter how easy it is to leave..It was difficult especially having a heart that never wanted to lose hope in this marriage you were in. "Ch-Chris," You choked up in your own tears, hearing him plead in despair made you not want to leave. Nonetheless, your decision was final.

"It's time for you to let me go, Love. It's time for me to go,"

"N-No...I'm never letting you g-go, (Y/N)...N-Never." He cried, and you could hear him whimper. His arms deliberately loosened. How you did it was a complete miracle. But, now..now you were finally free.

"You began to let me go from the moment you secretly dated her behind my back," You stood in front of him, head held high with fresh tears falling from your eyes. Never planning on leaning down to give him his one last kiss because he didn't deserve it after all.

"I never want to hear your name during my life anymore." You whispered to him, "W-we could've been happy, if you just realized my love could fulfill you,"

"--but you didn't realize that, so you decided to become greedy and chose to find a different kind of love from someone else,"

You spun on your heels, turning your back away from him, you heard him cry more. It was louder this time, The realization began to hit him so hard, like a brick thrown on a wall, finally regretting every stupid decision he made. You turned your back away from the future that you thought you would have. A future with Chris. Things have turned the other way around as Chris was now a part of your past, he was once your future, nevertheless because of one sin, everything turned upside down. Turning everything worse for him, but becoming better for you.

The knight was finally free from the armor she was wearing, now she was a vulnerable knight without a job and her armor to protect the love that she thought was still there. A love that wasn't real and true.

You were finally free.

Now, Mr. Cinderella could finally marry the princess he deserved and wished for.

A princess that will never be you.

Follow moi blog and turn on the notification button every time I post updates, Tater tots! If you wanna be included in my taglists, just hit me up with an ask or DM! Or if ya’ wanna be friends, just hit me up! Heehee! 

[mvrtaiswriting]

heehee- kinda gay rn,,, can u,,, make a male!reader x Jonathan based off the song Beautiful by Thornly or Chasing Cars by Snow Patrol? Oh and if it could be in a modern universe that'd be nice aaa

Orange juice. - Jonathan Joestar.

Here I am, sorry for the laaate reply. Thank you for requesting something, I absolutely love my boy Jonathan and this was so cute to write!! Expect a lot of fluff, hope this meets your expectations. Enjoy!! x

Male reader (it’s more neutral tbf) x Jonathan Joestar

Jojo’s bizzare adventures: Phantom Blood

AU / modern universe

SFW // minor hints to violence & injuries

words count: 2069

recommended song: chasing cars - snow patrol.

Hi! Are you a new reader? Check my masterlist for more content! 

Please feel free to reblog or leave a comment :) help me support my art (it’s free!), 

© bearing in mind everything I post/write is my intellectual property so please don’t steal/copy and paste and post it as yours.

Being Jonathan Joestar’s neighbour was fun. Since the day you first met, the two of you became inseparable and it was hard to imagine a world where he wasn’t by your side. It was a peaceful afternoon when you first met him. He was taking his dog out for a walk, marching proudly on the sidewalk of the street you both lived in, holding the leash tightly to prevent his dog from running away. Jonathan wasn’t older than 6 at that time but he surely was a responsible little man, putting a lot of effort in completing his task.

Unluckily for him, however, a cat dared to cut his dog’s way. In matter of second, the poor boy completely lost control over his dog and its leash. The dog started to bark loudly before starting to chase the cat recklessly, causing Jonathan to trip over and skin his knees. You were playing outside, in the front garden of your house and you saw the entire scene. You quickly grabbed your orange juice and ran towards the injured little boy, whose cheeks were flushing red.

“Are you okay?” you asked in your little squeaking voice, kneeling beside him and patting your little hand on his shoulder. Jonathan simply nodded, too busy trying his best not to cry.

You sat next to him on the cold sidewalk floor and offered him your little orange juice.

“Mommy always gives one to me if I get hurt. It helps!” you encouraged him, who whispered a soft thank you before accepting your kind offer and takin a long sip out of the juice carton.

That was the first time you and the blue haired guy met, and you never left his side since that episode.

Years passed and the bond between the two of you grew incredibly strong. The Joestar’s family welcomed you warmly since the very beginning, making you always feel at home. You and Jonathan spent a lot of time around each other; during the younger days, you either went at Jonathan’s or at your place to have some play dates. Growing up, your play dates slowly turned into study sessions and lazy afternoons spent on the couch, catching up one of the many tv series you started watching together. Over the years, Jonathan undeniably became the most relevant figure in your life. He was the first friend you ever had, and you experienced some of life’s most important first times together.

He taught you how to ride a bike. You helped him remove the first milk tooth he lost.

Little episodes like these were what really made your relationship so particular, the affection between the two of you was stronger than any other feeling you ever experienced. You never really investigated the way you felt towards each other, always justifying the reciprocal need of spending time together with the simple excuse of it being a habit. A part of you however, knew exactly the reason why you felt as if your skin starved every time it missed his touch; it was the same reason why you felt a strange sensation in your stomach every time he’d hold you in his arms while watching a movie or simply looked you in your eyes.

Admitting your feelings towards him wasn’t something you’d ever consider. You feared your confession would have ruined years of friendship – and the bond you two shared was far too unique for you to lose it.

That night, Jonathan had one of his usual boxing matches. You never quite understood how Jonathan, the kindest person of all time, could practice such a violent sport. Outside the ring, Jonathan had a very docile behaviour; he was always so kind and a very easy going person. His beautiful smile surely was his signature, it was almost impossible to catch him in a bad mood. Inside the ring however, Jonathan seemed to become a different person. The concentration that the fight required always gave him a stoic expression, which was very unusual for him. His typical gentleness seemed to completely fade away when facing his opponents – but that was part of the game; sports such as boxing didn’t have any space for weaknesses or sentimentalities.

It wasn’t usual for you to assist his matches. You hated the vision of the man you loved getting beaten up with the sole intention of entertainment; seeing him all covered in blood was something you always tried to avoid.

“I know you’re rooting for me” he said to you earlier that afternoon. “But it would be nice to have you there, you know?” he continued, while delicately tracing random patterns on your back with his fingertips. It was impossible for you not to break under his touch, and you ended up agreeing on going to the match. An excited smile formed on Jonathan’s face, who quickly pulled you closer into his arms, wrapping you in his strong, sweet embrace.

“I should say yes more often.” you chuckled, resting your head on his chest and enjoying the feeling of his strong arms around your body.

Once you reached the gym where Jonathan’s match took place, you sat closely enough to the ring. You felt your heart pounding in your chest, unable to not worry about your best friend.

When his tall figure entered the boxe ring, his eyes started scanning every face in the crowd hoping to recognise yours – and when he did, he couldn’t help but smile shyly. He quickly looked back at the arbiter of the match, trying his best to hide his blushing and starting to focus on the match.

The first rounds were okay. Jonathan seemed more than able to handle the fight – it was highly likely for him to win; but he was tired. As time passed, his movements became slower. His shoulders visibly moved up and down as he breathed, emphasising how fatigued his body was. He staggered but tried his best to retrieve some energy, and never gave up until the last minute. The match ended when a strong, well placed punch hit Jonathan’s face, making him trip down and almost breaking his nose. Jonathan’s face quickly became covered in blood and once the arbiter announced the victory of the opponent, you quickly rushed to the ring, reaching Jonathan’s body.

“Are you okay? Let me see!” you said, leaning over him who tiredly laid on the ground, still unable to catch his breath. He simply nodded in response, looking at you with only one eye open while a soft smile adorned his lips. You shook your head hinting a weak laugh, while you helped him to get up. His almost powerless body relayed on yours as you walked to the infirmary, his arched figure still a bit taller than you. After receiving the medical treatments he needed, the two of you made your way out of the gym without saying a word. You were still shaken from the sight of Jonathan’s face covered in blood, even if you knew he was fine.

The awkward silence was interrupted by Jonathan clearing his throat once you reached your car.

“Do you want me to drive?” he asked with a concerned look on his face, his navy blue eyes looking for yours.

He knew exactly how you felt. He saw how your eyes were full of fear when you looked at him laying on the ground, he knew how badly that sight scared you. Afterall, he would have felt the same way if you somehow managed to get hurt.

“Let me.” he added, reaching your hands and slowly taking the car’s keys out of your grip. Placing a delicate kiss on your forehead, he entered the car and silently drove towards the neighbourhood you both lived in. He rested his hand on your thigh during the entire trip as if he wanted to reassure you, lifting it up only when he needed to change the car’s gear. When you finally arrived, he parked the car in front of his home.

“I’ve got some orange juice.” he said keeping his hand on the handbrake of the car, letting out a small laugh to lighten the tension between the two of you. You nodded in response and agreeing to his implict invite, causing Jonathan to smile.

Walking behind him, you entered the house. He extended his arm backwards, only to reach and grab your hand as both of you silently walked into the kitchen. You sat on the table as Jonathan handed you a glass of orange juice, cheering with you before taking a sip.

“Sorry.” you finally said, making Jonathan frown. “I just worried too much. It’s not because I underestimate you, I just hate the whole concept of you getting hurt.”

Jonathan cheeks flushed hearing your words, cautiously bringing himself closer to you inserting himself in the space between your legs. Towering you, he reached one of your cheeks and cupped it with his strong hands. He left a small kiss on your nose before embracing you, letting your head rest on his chest.

“I know.”

You sighed shaking your head; you were sure he had no clue about the reason why you felt this way. It wasn’t a matter of overprotectiveness, nor it was as simple as a worrying for a friend. It was love, although this meant everything and nothing at the same time.

Without any type of warning, Jonathan muscular arms picked you up. Your puzzled expression caused him to laugh, as he walked towards his bedroom and gently laid you on his bed. He handed you one of his t-shirts and laid exactly next to you, stretching his right arm over the length of the bed ready to welcome you in his arms.

“What –“ you were just about to start ranting millions questions when you saw Jonathan shaking his head in dissent.

“Would you just lie with me and just forget the world? Please?” he said, looking at you with the softest eyes you’d ever seen – he knew you just couldn’t resist his puppy eyes. And he was right, as you agreed silently, leaning your head on his chest and listening to the calming sound of his heartbeat.

“I don’t quite know how to explain what I feel,” he said, his eyes fixed on the ceiling above you. “But I’d react the same way if you’d ever got hurt.”

You looked at him, your hands caressing the wounds caused by the earlier boxing match. Your fingertips traced his handsome lineaments: his jaw, the shape of his lips, his nose; you couldn’t help  but being mesmerised by his beauty and wonder whether he ever looked at you the same way you were doing just now. If he ever shivered whenever you touched him, if he ever felt his heart pounding in his chest just because of something you said.

“It’s not the same, Jonathan.” you mumbled with a distracted tone.

“I think it is.” the sound of this words echoed inside of your head. What did he mean? Did he know? You tried to speak it felt as if words were just trapped in your throat; you gulped, trying to not let your mind jumping to conclusions.

Jonathan attentive eyes were locked on your face, following every movement of yours in hope to decipher your emotions – did he just say too much? He cleared his throat, not knowing exactly what to do. He was just as embarrassed as you were, and afraid that his feelings would have ruined everything.

You smiled as your cheeks were boiling hot, colouring your cheeks in red. You rested your forehead on his, your eyes intertwined in his. He slowly let his hands sliding along your back, stopping them on your hips as he gently put you on top of him. You’ve never been this close; you could hear his breath on your lips, you could see your reflection in his eyes – and you never looked so beautiful.

“Are you sure?” you asked whispering as your lips formed a soft smile on your face.

He smiled in response, nodding. Before you could say anything or process his response, he leaned towards you and kissed you passionately, wrapping his arms around your body as if he wanted to eliminate any space between the two of you. He wanted you closer; closer than you’ve ever been to him.

“Sure.” He replied once he broke your kiss, unable to stop himself from smiling.

[softlass27]

Aaron Week Day 5: “You tricked me!”

AO3 link here

Aaron Dingle is not a cat person. He has never been a cat person – give him a happy, energetic dog he can play fetch with any day.

So why won’t this furry little shit leave him alone?

One evening a few weeks ago, he’d been sat in his living room, minding his own business, when he looked up from his NME magazine to see an orange face watching him from his balcony.

Letting out a startled yelp that he was glad no one heard, Aaron had stared at the ginger tabby cat in the doorway. The cat had stared back. Aaron narrowed his eyes. The cat narrowed its eyes right back at him.

Shaking his head, he’d tilted the magazine a little higher so that he blocked his view of the fur ball outside. By the time he’d finished reading it, he lowered the pages to see an empty balcony. The cat was gone. He forgot all about it.

Until the next evening. It had been warmer that night, and Aaron had left the balcony door open for a cooling breeze. He’d been pottering about in the kitchen, making himself some beans on toast, when he heard a quiet “mrow” behind him.

“What the – ”

Aaron had whirled around to see the same ginger tabby – at least he thought it was the same ginger tabby – sitting innocently on the floor behind him.

“What the hell d’you think you’re doing?”

The cat licked a paw primly.

“You don’t live here, get out.”

Nothing.

Aaron sighed, dropping the tins of beans on the counter before gingerly picking the cat up, praying it didn’t have fleas, and putting it out on the balcony. As he quickly slid the door shut behind him, the cat looked at him with an outraged expression on its face.

“I see that collar round your neck, go to your own home!”

Instead the cat rolled to its side, putting on a real show of stretching out languidly and making itself comfortable. Essentially a massive fuck you right to Aaron’s face.

Aaron snorted. “Whatever.”

*

So now he’s got himself in a situation where this ginger nightmare appears on his balcony every day without fail. Always staring at Aaron, giving him grief and trying to mess with his head. It’s a little like having a tiny, fluffy stalker.

The point of no return comes on the day the damn thing learns how to open the sliding balcony door by itself (the lock broke months ago and he hasn’t gotten around to doing anything about it), and Aaron comes out of his bedroom to see it sitting in the kitchen sink. It hisses when Aaron tries to move it, and Aaron very nearly hisses back.

Despite his less-than welcoming attitude, the thing never takes the hint, returning over and over again.

“Why me, eh?” Aaron asks as he scratches the animal behind the ears one day (probably a mistake). “All the flats you could go to in this building, why’s it my doorstep you darken?”

*

Aaron trudges through the entrance to his building one Friday night, shaking rainwater out of his hair. It's been a week of long shifts at the garage where he works, topped off with the day from hell, one stupid customer after another coming through like the place had a revolving door.

Adam texted him earlier, trying to get him to come on a night out, and his mother’s also been trying to get him to come to the village for his tea, but he’s ignoring them both. All he wants to do is get into his flat, collapse on his bed and sleep for at least twelve hours.

As he walks up the stairs to his floor, he hears a familiar arrogant voice coming from above him, and mentally curses. The last thing he wants to do is run into Tall Blond Arsehole right now, but there’s no escape route.

Tall Blond Arsehole had moved into a flat on the floor above Aaron’s a few weeks ago – the penthouse. The first time Aaron had seen him, the bloke had been on his phone and been coming into the building just as Aaron was leaving. He’d been walking at top speed and had bumped Aaron had on the shoulder as they had passed each other.

“Watch where you’re goin’,” Aaron had grumbled, just loud enough for the man to hear him.

The man barely paused, throwing a quick glare over his shoulder and snapping “You watch it, mate.” before returning to his phone conversation and disappearing up the stairs.

They hadn’t spoken since that morning, and that suited Aaron just fine. Tall Blond Arsehole doesn’t seem to talk to anyone in the building, always on that bloody phone yelling at some poor sod named Jimmy, nattering on about contracts, deals and meetings. Nothing more than a boring businessman with an over-inflated sense of his own importance.

(He’s also incredibly fit, but that’s by the by.)

Now, Tall Blond Arsehole comes breezing down the flight of stairs, dressed in one of his usual sharp suits and barely sparing Aaron a glance as he passes by him. Aaron rolls his eyes, before continuing up the stairs and practically falling through the door to his flat.

He shuffles down the hallway to his bedroom, not even stopping to take his hoodie and jeans off before collapsing on top of the covers.

“Mrrrp.”

Aaron’s eyes fly open instantly and he rips the duvet back to reveal a curled up orange ball.

“Are you kidding me?” He shoots the cat an incredulous look. “My bed now?”

The demonic creature just uncurls and glares at him, as if Aaron’s the one who invaded its space, rather than the other way around.

“How did you even – you know what, fuck it. M’too knackered to give a shit. Do whatever you want.”

He slides under the duvet and lets his eyes fall shut. A few moments later, he feels slight movement next to him, and then soft warmth pressing against him. He falls asleep with the cat purring against his chest.

*

He awakes to knocking at the door. Blearily opening his eyes, Aaron realises that it’s much later now, the room pitch black. Too late to move.

Determined to ignore the noise – whatever the hell this person wants will have to wait – he rolls over until his face hits something soft and fluffy.

“Jesus Christ!” He jerks up and fumbles to switch the lamp on, the low light revealing the ginger nightmare still lying in his bed. “Oh God, you’re still here.”

The cat paws at the strings of Aaron’s hoodie, seemingly unconcerned by the fact it had nearly given him a heart attack. The knocking at the door starts up again. It’s louder this time and a quick glance at his phone tells him it’s nearly two o’clock in the bloody morning. For fuck’s sake.

Aaron staggers out into the living room and flings the door opening roughly, ready to tell whoever it is exactly where to go, only to find Tall Blond Arsehole standing in front of him.

He looks different to usual, smart clothes swapped for a soft-looking blue t-shirt and grey pair of jogging bottoms. His hair has lost its neat style, sticking up in all directions as if he’d been running his fingers through it, and instead of looking cocky, his entire being seems to be full of panic and distress.

“Uh… ” The furious words Aaron had been about to bark die on his throat, and he vaguely wonders if he’s still asleep and this is just part of some weird dream.

“Oh… it’s you,” the man says, a hint of awkwardness creeping in his expression.

“Er, yeah. What’s up?”

“Um, I’m sorry, I know it’s really late… ”

“It’s okay,” Aaron finds himself saying without meaning to. Christ, he must be going soft.

“I’m just… I’m looking for my cat. He’s a ginger tabby, has a blue collar and I can’t find him anywhere. Have you seen him by any chance?”

That little fucker.

Aaron grabs the man’s arm and pulls him into the living room.

“Wait here a sec.”

Aaron jogs back to his bedroom and picks up the cat, who rubs its head under his chin (probably thinks it’s getting a cuddle), and returns to the living room.

“Pippin!” Tall Blond Ars – okay, maybe just Tall Blond for now – gasps, taking the cat from Aaron’s arms and cuddling him to his chest. “You absolute demon.”

The cat – Pippin – yowls loudly, its head turning to Aaron with a look he can only identify as betrayal. The damn thing barely reacts when Tall Blond fusses over him happily, stroking his fur with a thumb and pressing relieved kisses to his head.

Tall Blond finally looks up at him with shining eyes, and Aaron swears he feels his heart skip a beat. Shit.

“I’m – God, I��m really sorry. I didn’t know where – I thought he might’ve – ” he rambles quickly, cradling the cat like a baby, and Aaron wonders how long his neighbour has been frantically searching for his pet demon. “I know he likes to go walkabout, but he hasn’t come home in days and… Sorry if he’s been a bother.”

Aaron frowns. “What? Days? No, he was just… oh.” His eyebrows raise in surprise. “He normally just comes and goes, lets himself out. I haven't been home much these last few days, I didn’t realise he’d been staying.”

His gaze drifts down to Pippin, who now looks impossibly smug. “You tricked me, you little stowaway!”

Pippin sneezes unapologetically.

They stand there awkwardly for a moment, before Aaron asks, “Pippin? Cute name. Doesn’t fit him at all.”

Tall Blond's face twitches into a smile. It makes his eyes crinkle in a way that has Aaron’s stomach doing somersaults, and Jesus Christ, how had he not noticed those freckles before?

“Yeah, it’s er… it’s from Lord of the Rings.”

“Oh. Never seen it.”

“You’ve never – ” Tall Blond’s eyes widen, scandalised. “You’re missing out.”

“I’ll take your word for it.”

“Well, thanks for having him over… even if you didn’t know it? And sorry again.”

“S’no bother. At least now I know who to call when he knocks my plants off the windowsill.”

The smile drops off the man’s face and he looks down at Pippin.

“Pip, mate!” He scolds Pippin like he’s a naughty child, and the cat meows back at him angrily. “What the hell, we talked about this!”

It’s ridiculous. This attractive man and his argumentative cat are both ridiculous, and Aaron can’t help laughing slightly hysterically.

“Oh God, I’m sorry. Again. How much do I owe you?”

“Mate, don’t worry about it.” Aaron waves away the man’s protest. “Honestly, I don’t care, they were just some cheap B&Q ones my mum forced me to get. Said my place needed brightening up or summat. Glad to have an excuse to be rid of them, if I’m honest, I’m hopeless at keeping plants alive.”

“Okay, if you’re sure… ” He still doesn’t look happy, though. “Is there anything I can do to make it up to you?”

The words fly out of his mouth before Aaron can stop them. “Buy me a pint if you like?”

The man blinks at him, before his mouth curls into a small (flirtatious?) smile. “A pint it is.”

“Okay. Great. Uhm, I’m Aaron, by the way,” Aaron smiles back as he opens the door so they can step into the corridor.

“Oh. Robert.” He gestures to the squirming cat. “And you know Pippin.”

“Good to finally have a name for him, I’ve just been calling him ginger nightmare most of the time.” He decides not to share what he’d been calling Robert up until now.

Robert's surprised laugh echoes loudly in the hallway and he presses a fist to his mouth to muffle it. Aaron looks at him, helplessly fond, and can’t help but wonder how the man he’s been silently hating for weeks on end and this man giggling in his pyjamas can possibly be the same person.

“I dunno, that’s pretty accurate,” Robert says eventually, still chuckling. “Well, I… should let you sleep. And thanks again, I know this was a bit… ”

“Random?”

“Yeah.”

“It’s okay.”

“So can I… pick you up tomorrow night for that drink? Around seven?”

“I’ll be here.”

“Great. Night, then.”

Aaron nods, watching Robert walk towards the staircase. They smile at each other one last time, and Robert disappears upstairs, Pippin’s meows still faintly audible.

Before he goes back to bed, Aaron spends twenty minutes scrolling through his phone for the best cat toy he can find. He owes Pippin a thank you present.

[beautifulmadnesss]

“Make Peace With Your Feelings” JJ Imagine Part 4

Summary: Olivia is the younger sister of John B and has always followed along with the Pogues. JJ was like a second brother to her and often crashed at their place. She really struggles after her fathers disappearance and she starts to self destruct, even JJ is having a hard time getting through to her.

Trigger Warning: sexual assault and violence. 

Part 1 Part 2 Part 3

I still wasn’t sure how I felt about going after the Royal Merchant, but getting this was the only way to find out if it was really there, so Kiara and I walked up to the gate to distract the security guard for the boys to steal the drone. 

“Hey, we have a flat, is there you any way you can help us out?” Kiara asked sweetly giving the guard a smile. He paused for a moment before agreeing and going to get an air pump. 

“Liv, could you at least try to seem like you know how to smile,” she teased and I rolled my eyes, but forced a smile as he started following us to the trailer. 

“We probably just picked up a nail, you know how it is after hurricanes,” I said, leaning up against the boat. He pumped air into the tire for a minute before we heard the sound of a dog barking. We exchanged a quick glance, hoping he didn’t notice but he did. 

“It’s probably just a raccoon or something,” Kie suggested quickly. 

He didn't seem convinced so I added. “thanks so much for doing this. You’re really helping us.” Internally gagging at my words, but it worked and he nodded before going back to the tire. 

I knew we needed to buy a little more time, so I snuck back around to let out some air from the other tire. 

“Oh wait, I think it needs a little more air,” I heard her say loudly. I panicked and dropped the cap to the air valve. 

“Shit,” I swore quietly, frantically trying to find it. 

“It’s fine, let me check the other side.” Oh we were so screwed. I heard his footsteps and tried desperately to find the stupid tiny black object. “Hey, what are you doing?”

“Oh, I was trying to, I mean I just-” He ignored me and ran off toward the salvage yard. 

“Wait!” Kiara yelled, but he just kept going. We both ran to the car to try to get the boys and get out of there. Pope and John B met up with us almost immediately.

“What the hell, where’s JJ?” I yelled. 

“This isn’t going to be a thing, right? You do realize I’m still your brother.” John B whined. 

“Yeah and you’re fine, but JJ-”

“Is amazing and got the drone.” I turned to see him triumphantly holding the drone and loading it into the back. “Now lets go eat.” I laughed and gave him a smile as Kiara drove off toward our house to drop off the drone before heading the Wreck, where she got us some food after a small amount of pleading with her dad. 

I hung out with JJ and Pope helping them with deliveries to Bald Head while we waited for the right day to go looking for the treasure. Pope and I were carrying a load over to the clubhouse while JJ delivered to a few houses on the other side of the island when we ran into Rafe and Topper. 

“Hey babe, how much for one of those beers,” Rafe asked, stopping me. 

“Leave her alone, they’re not for sale,” Pope asserted. 

“Oh, you mean this stuff?” Topper asked, using his club to split one of the bags Pope was carrying sending the produce into the sand and shattering the jar of pickles. 

“What the hell, Topper!” I lunged at him, but my momentum was quickly stopped by Rafe. “Get off me!” I shrieked, instantly panicking as I remembered a couple nights ago when he attacked me. 

Pope spun around to try to help me, but Topper swung his club hard at his back. 

“Stop it! Leave him alone,” I begged, struggling against Rafe. 

“Come on, why don’t we pick up where we left off on the beach before we were interrupted.” He spun me around and used his golf club against my back to keep me locked against his chest. “We were having such a good time,” he teased. 

“Don’t touch her,” I heard Pope yell from behind me, immediately followed by the thwip of the club swinging through the air and the sicking sound of collision with Pope. He coughed and I started crying feeling completely helpless.

Rafe kissed me and I tried to bend away, but it was impossible with the club buried into my back. On instinct I bit down hard on his tongue and immediately felt the club fall away. 

“You bitch!” He yelled, spitting out blood. I looked around wildly, but it was late in the season and there was no one around except us. My face burned seemingly before I heard the sound of his palm against my cheek. I cried out in pain just as he gripped my bicep in a vice. He leaned down and I thought he was going to kiss me, but instead he bit down hard into my shoulder. I screamed and squirmed. “Not so nice, is it?”

“Hey, dude, we should go, someone probably heard that,” Topper spoke up. 

“Fine.” He replied. “Next time, I get you to myself, you won't be getting away,” he threatened before kissing the cheek he had just slapped. They picked up a couple of the beers that had scattered along with their clubs and walked away. 

“Pope, are you okay? I’m so sorry.” I kneeled down next to him on the ground and took off the tank I was wearing over my bikini to press against where the blood was coming from his head. “We should get back to the boat. We’ll call later and explain what happened. I can help you pay for it.” I said, my words getting jumbled together and my hands shaking. 

“Olivia,” he said quietly. 

“Just put pressure on that, I’ll get this cleaned up,” I said as if I didn’t hear him. The contents were scattered all over, but I did my best to pick up the items and combine them into the bags while tears still ran down my face. Pope sat up and watched me. 

“Rafe-” I stopped him before he could say anything else. 

“JJ will be back in like 20 minutes, we should get back and get cleaned up before he does.” I picked up the bags, leaving half of them behind for him and walked off toward the boat without saying anything else. He didn’t try to stop me or say anything else until we were back on the boat and I had put on one of John B’s shirts from the pile of spare clothes we kept on the boat. 

“Why didn’t you say anything?” He asked me, looking over to where I was leaning against the side opposite him. 

I sighed realizing he wasn’t going to give up. “It’s my word against his and everyone knows I’ve been spiraling since my dad went missing and he’s rich, so who would ever believe me?”

“Us. Sheriff Peterkin. Plenty of people.” 

“It doesn’t matter, even if they did he would just get a fancy lawyer to get him off and then everyone would be pissed and it just, it doesn’t matter.” I repeated. 

“It’s your decision, but you should know we would all support you, especially your brother. He cares about you, he wouldn't want you covering up that Rafe assaulted you-”

“Here comes JJ. Don’t say anything, please,” I begged, looking him in the eye. 

“Just promise that you’ll be careful and you’ll tell someone if he does anything else?” 

“I swear.” He nodded. 

“Okay, count me in on every delivery you ever have over here,” JJ said, excitedly climbing into the boat. “What happened to this stuff?” He asked, seeing the groceries from earlier as he walked in to join us. “Holy shit, what happened to you two.” He looked at Pope’s head and my bloody tank on the floor. 

“Topper and Rafe jumped us,” Pope answered. JJ looked between us, clearly furious. 

“Are you okay?” He hugged me to his side and I relaxed comfortably as he placed a kiss on top of my head. 

“I’m fine, they just hit Pope.” I lied and I could see the disappointment on Pope’s face. 

“We’re gonna hit them back.” Pope declared as he set his jaw and pushed the boat into gear. Shortly after we pulled up on Topper’s boat. 

“Let’s do this!” JJ encouraged Pope as he dove off the side to go sink the boat that cost more than most houses.  

“Are you sure you’re okay?” JJ asked as we waited for Pope to come back. 

“Yeah, promise.” I smiled and kissed him lightly, feeling the pit in my stomach grow as I continued to lie to him. 

I was distant the whole time we searched for the ship. I tried to block out the memories of Rafe and the guilt I felt over what he did to Pope. This war between the kooks and the Pogues would only get worse after what we did to Toppers boat. Part of me knew I couldn’t lie to them forever and I wasn’t sure I wanted to, but I meant what I said to Pope, there was no way Rafe would face any real consequences for what he did. Plus, it would only bring attention to the fact that John B and I were living on our own. I would just have to forget about it. 

“It’s the Royal Merchant,” I heard John B say, snapping my attention back to reality. I looked over his shoulder and sure enough there was the hull of the ship that was plastered all over our house. It was real and it was here. I couldn't fight it anymore. My dad could be alive.