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marysdonuts · 4 months ago

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S stands for scam

nepo baby!Seungcheol x scammer!reader

Synopsis: You are cold hearted scammer who loves to break men and use them for money. Seungcheol the rich nepo baby is your next target. Will the sadness in his eyes melt your icy heart? Or will you empty his bank account?

Warnings: smut, scam, dom!reader, sub!seungcheol (first time), slightly sad!seungcheol, oral (f. and m. receiving), dirty talk, light butt stuff (m.receiving), crack

WC: 1.7K

Status: part 1. - ongoing

a/n: join my taglist to get notified about new chapters - here

You always liked cocky guys. You know, those who reek of confidence. Who boast their good looks for everybody to see. That smirk on their face.. Like they know they are the shit. Bossing people around. Extremely competitive. Eyes that don't take No for an answer. And let's be honest... Rich. Money makes you move.

You also liked, no, loved to take these type of men and wipe that annoying grin off their handsome faces. Make them beg or even better - cry. After being done with them, take all the cash and dip. Especially if they looked tough. Sweet little challenge for your ego.

That's why you picked Choi Seungcheol as your next target. It was not unusual to see him frequent the same upscale hotel bar as you. Upscale and luxury were two things you like more than putting men in their place. Unfortunately, for Him, he was both.

Sitting at the bar, each time in new tailored suit, definitely italian, changing limited edition watched like socks. Always came alone and acted like he owned the place. Manspreading on the chair, taking up space for three. So annoying.

However, men like that are such an easy prey.

"Your drink looks delicious, what is it called?" question rolled off your tongue with childlike curiosity, doe eyed, like you never had a sip of alcohol before. You always looked innocent. They never seen what was coming.

"Whiskey Sour" he slowly turned his head in your direction with raised eyebrow. He looked angry. Well, for a second. Looking you up and down, anger turned into pleasant surprise.

"Bartender, mix one for the lady" He didn't ask questions, only commands.

"I didn't say I want one" You smirked, knowing he bit the bait

"Join me" patting the chair next to him. Decreasing his manspreading to two people space. Damn, why are his thighs so huge? Sitting down, quite close to each other, whiff of his perfume entered your aura. Wood and Musk? Not sure, but he smelled good.

"Not bad. I mean your perfume" Compliments get the leo heart and you did your research.

"What about me?" he closed the distance between you, self assured look on his face

"You? Decent"

"Only decent?"

"I've met many people like you,"

"Oh? Is that right?" he paused, competitive side bubbling to the surface "Darling, you never met anybody like me" he purred

Just where you wanted him

"Spoiled, rich, pretty boy, spending his daddy's money" You continued

"So, you think I am pretty" He laughed, boost of confidence you could almost physically see. Like a skill level up in online game. Shoulders growing wider.

Confidence +1!

You sipped on your drink instead of answering. Letting him have this one. Glass hanging from your fingertips.

"Shall we get going?" he asked, suggestively brushing over your hand, taking the drink from it. You have to give it to him. He does not waste time. What Cheol wants Cheol gets. The way he was moving made it obvious nobody ever had the guts to question his autority. Sweet smile on your lips, dark shadow passing over your eyes.

"Lead the way"

Oh how you were looking forward to teaching this one a lesson.

Gently pressing your back to the door the moment they closed, his hands hugging the curve of your face, he swallowed your lips desperately. But in such a loving manner? What's going on in here? Is he not the type of person you thought he was?

"It's not often, people have the courage to say what they really think about me. To my face." Resting his forehead on your shoulder. Soft hair tickling your neck.

Why did that sound so sad? Almighty guy, now somehow looked like a lost puppy. You could tell he was tired of always being the responsible one. Searching for a caring soul that would take care of him. For once.

"There is more where that came from" you smirked. Pity? You did this many times before. Use a guy. Get the money. Why should it be any different today? You won't let any pity distract you from your goal.

Now pinning Him to the door. Forcing your knee between his thick thick thighs. He could probably crush you with those if he wanted. Ha. Take that.

"Such a big boy yet so weak" you mocked him

Eyes widening in shock, Cheol didn't resist. It was his first time being talked to like that. He didn't know what to make of it, but the growing heat of the moment your knee almost touched his Cheol Jr., showed him the way.

Next thing he knew, his knees were painfully pressed on to the wooden floor, gasping for air, as you completely drenched, slid painfully slow stroke over his face. Gliding your needy clit down the length of his nose, circling it like you had all the time in the world. You found your way to his, already open and waiting - mouth. Bulging in his pants became more and more evident, wet spot made its appearance quite quickly. Expensive fabric hardly keeping any secrets.

"Not the best day to wear gray suit, huh?" You smirked, running hand thru his full wavy hair, ending the gentle pet by pulling him closer.

"mmhm! " Seungcheol could barely breathe not to mention speak, the only thing that came out was muffled whine. No space was left between the two of you. He felt so weak. Just as you said. There was no strenght to fight back and step by step he realised that he didn't want to.

"You okay down there, pretty boy?" you couldn't help but laugh at the teary look in his eyes, mouth completely filled with your heat.

"I will need you to hold still now" not waiting for him to answer

You started rubbing on his face with gusto. Step by step increasing the vigour of your strokes. Caged moans, whimpers and what was that? Little cries? Kept escaping one by one from this tough built man, imprisoned between your thighs. You could tell he completely gave himself to the sensation.

"Look at you, moaning all over the place. Does it feel that good being used like a toy?" pushing him on his back, your legs now framing each side of his handsome, messed up face. You could see your dripping excitement spread all over his face, glistering under the warm lights. If he was wearing mascara it would be ruined by now.

"i-it does.." cheeks flushed with rosy colour, his confidence left the room long time ago

Confidence -10!

"Such a good boy. Do you know what happens to good boys, Cheollie?" At the sound of his name being spoken so sweetly, throb in his trousers almost made them explode. Nobody called him like that.

" What - " didn't finish, just looking at you with those sparkly brown eyes completely at your mercy

" You get a reward! " you exclaimed almost as if you were Oprah throwing gifts at her guests.

Straddling him backwards.

"Keep licking" you command as your warm lips reach the throbbing bulge in his pants. Soft kisses falling all over his pride. As they became increasingly wet the force he was eating you out with, surged.

"Shall I take it ou-" suddenly moaning as his tongue hit the correct spot.

"mmh p...l..se" struggling to get his answer out

"I will take that as a yes" slowly lowering his bottoms. All of him springing up like mushrooms after rain, slapping your cheek, leaving his precum all over it.

"Already this wet, huh?"

Pulling your lips closer to the tip, starting with playful licks circling the perimeter. Your kisses becoming sloppy, hands joining into the motion, cheeks hollowing. Up and down, up and down and in spiral. Producing moans from under you.

Cheol didn't know if it was the lack of air, the pulsing of your pussy tightly pressed on him or your pretty mouth, so so wet covering every single spot of his sensitive area... But he had a feeling he might finish uncharacteristically quickly. This was entirely new experience for him.

"fuck.. it feels so good, " Finally, a coherent sound escaping out for a second "not sure how long I will last if you keep sucking me like that"

"Then I better get to the highlight of tonight" chuckling devilishly as you quickly jumped off of his face.

"Put those muscles to use and take me to the bed" you ordered the poor man with his pants still stuck at the knees.

He wobbled but obeyed. After completely taking off his trousers, once carefully pressed fabric was a mess on the floor. Covered in your saliva and his own juices.

The image of finally embracing you, feeling your tightness powered his moves as he carried you in his arms, bridal style. Carefully laying you down on the sheets. You enjoyed that more than you'd ever admit.

"Such a strong big boy" you whispered as your lips brushed his cheek. Kiss as reward. Sending electric shocks down his spine.

"I will need you to kneel for me, okay?"

His head moved in agreement but the hands shamefully covering how hard he was.

"It's too late to cover up. I already saw everything," you laughed, positioning yourself behind him

"well... almost everything." suddenly forcing his head to the pillows, leaving his bottom raised up and totally exposed. He gasped as you started spreading his thick thighs apart. Nestling your face between the cherry cheeks, hot breath reaching the sensitive pink flesh. Freeing your tongue from behind your teeth. Pressing your mouth against his pulsing rectum all at once.

"Ohhh" he moaned in pleasure. Well, for a moment. Before realising what was happening

"Wait! Where do you think you are going??" He almost cried out

Cheol was an adventurous guy, but not THAT adventurous. However, the moment he felt your hot slippery tongue in his prohibited zone picking up speed running in circles, and heard your moans becoming louder and louder.. He started loosing any inhibitions present until this moment. His legs slowly opening even more on their own accord, hips pushing up and meeting your mouth halfway. All of this a reflex. He didn't know he had it in him, but the body was reacting and he could not control any of it.

Dignity -20!

to be continued

#svt smut #svt x reader #scoups #choi seungcheol #scoups x reader #svt fanfic #seventeen smut #seventeen headcanons #seventeen imagines #might have been inspired by angst spicy time with leo guy #my fanfictions #enemies to lovers #fem dom reader #scoups x you #scoups sub #i like my boys on their knees

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former-ghost-of-the-internet · 6 months ago

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One Night in Medellín

(Screen shot and image edits done by me)

Summary: Takes place during s2ep5, when Los Pepes first attacks the narcos on the streets of Medellín. You lose your hearing during a standoff and are dumped at the Search Bloc base. Javi comforts you in the aftermath, finding ways to communicate through your temporary deafness.

Javier Peña x f reader

Word count: 3526

Rating: 18+ for some dark content in the background. My blog/‘place I keep my reblogs’ is very Mature, so no minors allowed there, sorry.

Warnings: series typical violence, hurt/comfort, soft Javi, tiny bit of your blood, descriptions of panicked reader, generally able-bodied reader, might read as shorter than Javi, only one instance of female clothing for a funny awkward moment, no specific descriptions of reader, hopefully this is fairly inclusive for everyone. No y/n, no smut.

Authors note: 100% bad information on everything medical related in this story. Any cultural inaccuracies are my own fault too. Apologies to Steve Murphy for being the butt of a joke or two. First time writing in second-person. Not American so the spelling will be slightly different.

Please enjoy 😊

....

Medellín nights were always festive, despite one man’s war with the Colombian government.

You’d had a long but good day, far far away from the UNICEF office and in a little communa church hall, where you and the other doctors and nurses had vaccinated as many children as could be rounded up. Even the abuelitas had rooted out the most stubborn kids, and either guilted them into coming down, or whacked them in the right direction with their walking sticks and shoes, if not open palms on skulls. Each time was a commotion, and to ease hurt childish feelings, you slipped enough pesos into their hands for an ice cream. For the hard-working abuelitas a coffee cart vendor happily provided free coffee, after you had thrown a pretty smile his way and warned him the little old women were worked up enough to be a threat to anyone not on their side. And he absolutely wanted to be on their side.

With the unused vaccines stored at a major hospital, and saying goodnight to the local doctors who’d been right next to you since sunrise, you’d headed to a hole-in-the-wall restaurant one nurse raved about during one break you’d taken with her, with free coffees, thanks to a sharp glare from the abuelitas, bless their hearts.

It was further from the city centre than where you’d been told to stay close to at night, but you hoped your very bright UNICEF shirt would offer some protection in the dark. Even your backpack had a big red cross on it. Anything to say you were a doctor, here to help, and absolutely not a threat.

The restaurant was packed, even the few plastic tables shoved outside were full, and the small waitstaff offered paper plates to take-away, which many people had chosen, and sat on the street curbs to eat, under the yellow streetlights.

At last the line to order, which the waitstaff had banished to wait outside the actual restaurant, had shortened to only you and the two men in front of you. They both carried full gym bags. And as you noticed with a slight chill through your spine, handguns tucked into their belts. They chatted together without a care in the world, as you looked away to make sure you didn’t see their faces, even in low-light.

You stared up the street to the top of the hill and the man who walked down it with an assured swagger, encased in khaki pants. Like he’d stepped out of the jungle.

You frowned as he passed under a streetlight. Something about his face was familiar in a bad way.

He had his focus on the men standing next to you, and in a blink, drew his own handgun out.

An arm grabbed you around your shoulders, pulling you back into a chest, your backpack falling to the ground. Then the cold metal of a weapon held to your ear.

Shouts in Spanish between the men, some sort of negotiation happened as you tried to simply breathe. This is what everyone was afraid would happen to you, from the president of Colombia, to your superiors, and your family, down to the Medellín officials and a couple of American DEA agents. They’d all wanted you to stay out of the murder capital of the world. You’d told them no one would target you. The local doctors were still here, so why shouldn’t you?

Now you were a human shield, not because of your work, but because you were the closest person to grab. You had never considered the possibility of it before this minute.

The man behind you moved a step back, taking you with him. Except your legs refused to work, staying where you had left them. Another step back, dragging you along, and your legs crumpled underneath you, making you slide down his body at an awkward angle. Enough for the man in khakis to shoot.

The bullet entered his chest right by your ear. All sound stopped and you were falling.

You landed on a dead man’s chest. On instinct, you curled into yourself and away from everyone, hitting the rough and hard concrete of Medellín’s streets.

Hands grabbed you and hauled you to your feet, half carrying you to a waiting SUV. First you, then your backpack were bundled into the darkness of the back seat. The dead men’s gym bags also ended up with you. The owner of the hands hopped into the front, and the driver took off.

A hand came back to tap your cheek, grabbing your chin and twisting your head to look up. The accidental light of street-lamps and cars flashed across your view. He smiled at you and his mouth moved as if he was talking.

You frowned and focused on his mouth. None of his words were getting through to you. You blinked hard to try to clear away the fuzziness of the world, but it changed nothing.

His mouth made these exaggerated shapes and his spare hand moved in circles, like a hamster spinning uncontrollably on a wheel. Maybe he was shouting at you.

You blinked again to be sure, and then had to shake your head. You couldn’t hear anything.

He smiled then tapped your ear and gave a thumbs down. You nodded.

That caused an explosion of arms from him, as he whacked his driver on the shoulder. Looking back at you, he took note of the UNICEF insignia on your shirt, and you realised where you had seen him before. Carlos Castaño. A paramilitary man based in the jungle, fighting communist guerrillas.

You had met once before. You’d had to get permission from every side, paramilitary commanders, regular military commanders, government officials, and even the guerrilla commanders, before they let you step anywhere near the Amazon. All so you could vaccinate a few children in a communist village.

The communists had been straight-forward to convince, once you talked in their lingo, focusing on healthcare for all. For the others, a bribe that came out of your pocket, another a promise not to get in the way of anything and to get out in under 24 hours. The Castaños you convinced by saying the communists were dirty, potentially disease-ridden plague carriers. If the brothers couldn’t promise you every communist in the jungle dead in three months time, then they had to let you in to vaccinate, so no epidemic could start from their continued existence.

You hated saying it, and drunk too much later that night to get the sound of it out of your mouth, but it worked. Those kids wouldn’t die from a preventable disease. But you couldn’t save them from a bullet shot by mad, greedy men.

Carlos smiled at you again, and pointed his driver to take the next left.

Some minutes later, the car pulled up to the curb. Carlos turned to you and put a finger over his lips and shushed you. Then he dragged the same finger across his neck and finally pointed it at you.

You didn’t know what your face was doing at this point, you probably looked like a scared rabbit, all wide eyes and trembling body. Carlos broke and laughed at you, waving you out of the car. You fumbled with the car door, and stumbled onto the dark, damp street, dragging your backpack with you. They sped off into the night as you stumbled with your own weight.

Not far away, in a pool of white light, was a gate-way guarded by Search Bloc officers. Carlos had dumped you, the little lost foreigner, in front of their base. Your legs co-operated long enough to get you to the gate.

The guards stopped you with one hand up and the other resting on their rifles. You raised both hands up, and announced to everyone’s ears but your own, your name and nationality, that your passport was in your bag. The words felt like they slurred coming off your tongue, like they were heavier than usual. You wondered if you made any sense, but one man nodded at you to continue. It took you no time to dig out your passport.

With a short inspection of your passport, and a torch flashed into your face, the guards waved you through the gate. One of them touched your ear and brought it up to your eyes to show you blood. The other held his radio up to his mouth.

As you checked your ear for more blood, a police car came from the base, and the guards helped you in. A short ride and you were taken inside the bright building. The lights blinded you, and you tried to cover your eyes, barely seeing the medic ushering you to a bench.

You kept blinking, like if you could turn off the world for a bit you would be alright again. You’d be able to focus, to think, to speak, to hear. The outside world was right there in front of you, and as much as you tried to reach out, you were locked behind your eyes.

A warm hand caressed your arm and shoulder, bringing your attention to its owner. Javier Peña. He stared at you with big brown eyes, looking you over better than any doctor. His hand slid down to yours, keeping it safe under his.

Javi listened to the medic, then his attention went to a nearby officer, and you saw his lips ask a question, his eyes straying to the dark streets beyond the base. You shook your head, grabbing his shoulder with your other hand, pulling his eyes back to yours, shouting out your warning in clumsy sounds you couldn’t quite hear. If you had your way, no one, not even the narcos, would be out on those streets tonight. Especially not him.

Because Javi cared. No matter what anyone, or even he said. His heart cared for so many people you’d lost count, though he tried to keep it secret from the rest of the world.

And somehow, somewhere, he decided he cared about you too.

Javi nodded, as serious as ever, and cupped your cheek. Message understood. Relieved, you crumple into him, his arm wrapping around you to hold you close. His chest rumbled, maybe talking to you, or maybe to the officer. After a few breaths, he squeezed your hand and tilted your body back to look at him. He nodded towards the stairs. You nodded back and he helped you up, letting you lean against him.

He led you upstairs, past many doors, until he reached one particular darkened room, and ushered you in. You recognised some of Javi’s colourful shirts piled on a chair, and larger piles of Steve’s shoes, pants, and tops, scattered over half the room and one of the two-tier bunk beds.

Javi led you to a small desk, its small lamp draped a soft light over the room, pulled out the chair for you, and poured a glass of whiskey. He made sure you had both of your hands cradling the drink before he let you take the slight weight from him. You sipped a little at the strong drink, watching as he first gathered up his few visible clothes, shoving them in a suitcase, and then collected Steve’s mess, roughly sorting and folding, then at last dumped into a closet.

Javi went to the neater bunk bed, not Steve’s, pulling back the thin covers, inviting you to rest there. But you didn’t move. You just sat there blinking at the world.

He came back to you, dropped to a knee, and untied your shoelaces, gently taking off your shoes. Setting them aside, his eyes looked you over again, and settled on the whiskey in your hands. He pointed at it, and then glanced up at you. It took a second or two before you realised he was asking if you wanted more. You shook your head and moved the glass away from you. Javi plucked the drink out of your hands. He had a quick debate with himself, ended with a short shrug, and then downed the remains.

Putting the glass on the desk, he swallowed again, before catching your gaze with his. He lifted both hands to his chest, cupping them like the air was something heavy he could hold up, and jiggled them up and down. Then he pointed at you and made a gesture like he was swiping a cobweb away. You frowned and he repeated the sequence. This time his cupped hands looked like a bikini top. You still had no idea what he wanted to say.

With a quick lick of his lips, he reached forward and tapped a finger on your bra strap under your top.

Your face heated as you realised his question. Did you want to take your bra off? Yes, you did, and you nodded at him.

Javi joined you in nodding, but then put a finger up, telling you to wait. Another nod from you, and he was on his feet, dragging out his suitcase again, digging to the bottom of it. At last he brought out a khaki green t-shirt, and placed it on the end of the bunk for you. As you got to your feet, he shoved the suitcase away and retreated to the door, closing it behind him.

He could have stayed and turned his back, but maybe Javi thought that was too hard to mime. You change out of everything except your undies, draping it all over the back of the chair, and slipped on the t-shirt.

The door remained shut. It felt colder without him in the room. You rubbed an arm to try to stop your shivers. Was he coming back? Should you wait? Or was this everything you could expect from him? He had done plenty for you.

He’s probably not there. Why would he be? He’s got files to read still, the radio to sit by, informants to call, Steve to rescue, or maybe he’s finding another bunk to sleep on. So long as he stayed on the base it would be fine. He would be fine.

The hallway is empty. It has to be. You were on your own, you just had to be alright with that. And you would be. Eventually.

It would take time but you would be good again.

You huddled into yourself, your eyes dropping to the ground, as you tried to make your heart understand that Javi had done enough for you tonight. Then you saw the shadow under the door, like something was behind it. Your hand was on the knob before your brain could think.

Javi twisted his body to face you. He had stood guard on your door as you changed. The worried look over his features seems to be a permanent guest this evening.

Your eyes must have said please come back, as he maneuvered you inside with a gentle hand above your elbow, and followed, closing the door again. He sat you down on his bunk bed, and then further down to lie on your back.

He rubbed your arms a few times, slow and comforting, staring at you for a while. At last one hand came up to cup your cheek and he pressed a kiss to your forehead. You nuzzled closer, his mustache tickling your skin. Your heart, mind, and body called out for Javi to stay. Nothing else would help you, could soothe your tremors, calm you and find yourself again, like being close to him.

Javi drew back, and your hand shot out to grab his arm, gripped tight so he couldn’t leave you.

His hand still cupped your cheek, his thumb soothing over the slight hurt he’d caused.

When your breathing eased, you pointed at him and then at the bunk below you.

Javi looked over his shoulder at the door, like he was saying he would find another place to sleep, but that wasn’t what you meant.

You jostled his shoulder to get his attention once more, pointed forcefully first at him then at your bunk. Not another bed, this one. With you. This time he understood. His eyes flicked from place to place, your bunk and then Steve’s bunk, even down at his shoes as he thought of something, and then he nodded.

You were shuffling to make room for him when he stopped you. Javi pointed at you then covered his eyes with a hand. He wanted you to keep your eyes closed, so he could get comfy too. But it meant you’d be down another sense. No sight and no sound. The world would be even further from you.

His eyes begged you to trust him. You took a few deliberate breaths, and he waited for you, watching for any sign of major distress. At last, you nodded and used both hands over your eyes to show you weren’t peeking.

In your darkness and quiet, the only company you had was the bunk under you and Javi’s weight next to your thigh. You could smell his aftershave and cigarette smoke, not overpowering, but most definitely there with you, and not leaving anytime soon. Nice and comforting and him. You took deep breaths of it.

He shifted his weight forward, one way then another. Shoes, you guessed. He came back to you, and did a short wiggle. Something landed next to your arm, soft and warm. His shirt.

Javi’s weight left the bunk completely. Panic made your muscles clench, and you forced your hands down into your eyes, trying to glue them in place, and breathed as best you could.

Something rougher and stiffer and warm landed on top of his shirt. Jeans? He was still here.

You waited a long, long moment for something more to happen.

Two fingers tapped the back of your hand. A deliberate action, purposeful, a message to you. Safe to look now. You drew your hands away and saw Javi standing next to the bunk in a pair of white boxers, folding his shirt and jeans away in his suitcase. He leaned over and placed a quick kiss on your forehead. A thank-you for your bravery.

He left before you could catch him, going to the bottom end of Steve’s bunk, lifting it up and closer to your bunk. He repeated with the top end, and you got to your knees, reaching over to grab the metal frame and pulled it in snug next to yours.

Javi, the genius man that he is, had just created a queen-sized bunk bed. Room enough for your body and his broad shoulders.

You watched as Javi climbed into his side, wondering how he wanted to sleep, when he draped his arm over to you, hugging you to lay snug against his side, your head resting on his bare chest, one of your arms across his waist. He fussed with the covers for a moment or two, making sure most of your body was underneath it.

He was warm and smooth and solid. Safe. At last. You breathed in deeply, his unique scent filling your nose, and then let it go. Another in, and out again.

Your heart had settled. The world was as far away as it needed to be right now. Or perhaps the world was as small as this room, as this bunk. This man. Your arms around him, and his around you.

If your eyes closed tonight, Javi would be there, under your touch.

One more thing left to do. You shifted to look into his eyes. They were filled with concern, until you whispered your thanks to his ears alone. Even a tiny smile on his lips crinkled the corners of his eyes. You couldn’t stop yourself from planting a kiss to his cheek. One of his hands cradled the back of your head, and he nuzzled his nose against yours as soon as your lips left his skin, then moved up to your forehead, kissing it again.

Those brown eyes locked with yours for a moment, before he closed his eyelids, and then opened them quickly and nodded at you.

He wanted you to close your eyes. So you did. You felt Javi lean in closer still, and then his lips placed a kiss first on one eyelid, then the other.

Opening your eyes, you pressed your forehead to his, and moved your hand from his chest, to soothe over his jaw, his chin, then trace over his lips. You wanted to kiss him there. And from the glint in his brown eyes, he wanted it too.

But it wasn’t the right time. Both of you knew it. Besides, you wanted to hear him.

Javi’s lips twitched into a soft grin as if he heard your last thought. His mouth formed words, slow but firm. Three short words. Then he settled you back down onto his warm chest.

You felt Javi’s heartbeat against your cheek, counted its beat without numbers, let its languid pace lull you further towards sleep, until at last your eyes closed with the peace he gave you.

And in your dreams Javi’s heartbeat was your world.

....

Thank you for reading!!!!!!!!!!!!

#javier peña #javier pena x reader #javier pena fanfiction #javier pena #javier peña x reader #javier peña fanfiction #javier peña x you

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juniperskye · 10 months ago

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Why are you in my head? Pt. 3

Sneak Peek: Eddie and you are soulmates. The legend of soulmates is that you start to hear one another’s thoughts around age 16 – not all the time, but when you’re feeling a strong emotion. It simply flows out of you and into the other, the legend also states that the closer you are, the more you can hear them. **The events of season 4 did NOT happen** I did also use some of the dialogue

Bold are Eddie’s thoughts; Italics are reader’s thoughts. (mind you, they are essentially hearing both sets of thoughts)

Eddie Munson x Fem Sunshine! Reader (Soulmate AU)

Fluff/Angst - Part 1 Part 2 Part 4** Part 5

Word count: 2583

REQUESTS ARE OPEN - not edited - please be kind. Feedback is welcome if it's constructive!

Warnings: READ AT YOUR OWN RISK!!! My blog is 18+, minors DNI, explicit language, no use of y/n, fem reader, mentions of drugs/sale of drugs/drug use, arguing, mentions of Eddie’s drug addict parents, mention of post-partum depression, mention of child endangerment, mention of child death, mention of murder, mention of suicide, mention of foster care, let me know if I missed any!

That being said I do not own the characters portrayed in this story

I miss you so fucking much. How could you think so little of me. I’m sorry. You just don’t understand what it’s like. You don’t even know me. We’re soulmates, of course I know you. Our thoughts weren’t shared until we were both teenagers, you know nothing about how I was brought up. Can I see you? Please.

Thoughts between soulmates were shared more frequently when experiencing high levels of stress, primarily during long periods of separation after meeting, or fighting.

“Hey bug, Eddie’s on the phone for you.” Your dad knocked lightly on your door.

“Tell him I don’t want to talk to him!” You hollered up to your dad.

Since your fight with Eddie, one week ago, your parents had noticed your very apparent, sour mood. You really had no choice but to tell them that you had in fact met your soulmate and had been hanging out with him non-stop. Your mom had been thrilled for you; she had wanted to know everything about Eddie. Your dad on the other hand, he was furious. He clocked the tear tracks that ran down your cheeks the second you walked in the door, and he wanted Eddie’s address so he could kick his ass. You had assured him that it wouldn’t be necessary, that no matter how upset you were in the moment, in your heart you knew the two of you would be able to work things out.

“Sweetie, maybe you should take his call.” Your mom suggested.

“Maybe you should butt out!” You shouted back.

You were immediately filled with regret. Quickly making your way up the stairs you threw open your door to come face to face with your parents.

“Mom, I am so sorry.”

She pulled you into a tight hug, her hand gently brushing at the hair on the back of your head. She always did this when you hugged, and it always brought a warm comfort throughout your body.

“It’s okay. I know that you are upset. Maybe you should try talking to him sweetie, it might make you feel better.” She suggested once more.

“Okay, I guess you’re probably right.” You nodded.

“Well, that’s good because he is on his way right now.” Your dad informed you.

“What? Dad! A little warning would be nice! He doesn’t live that far, and I have to get ready!” You started scrambling down the stairs into your room to get ready.

Your parents chuckled, remembering what it was like to be that young and new in love.

A knock at the door had you sprinting up the stairs and practically shoving your dad out of the way so you could get there first. You weren’t quite ready to have Eddie meet your parents, especially since you aren’t currently on the best of terms.

You opened the door with just enough room to slide out of the house. You took note of Eddie’s disheveled appearance, he had bags under his eyes, his hair looked especially frizzy, and his skin didn’t have its usual glow.

“Hey.” He said sheepishly.

“Hi.” You replied.

“Did you uh, did you want to go sit in the van and talk?” Eddie said gesturing to where it was parked at the end of your driveway.

You nodded and the two of you made your way to the vehicle. He wanted so badly to pull you into his arms and kiss all this pain away, but he knew that it wouldn’t be that simple, he had made some snap judgements and said some hurtful things to you. He knew he needed to apologize and that the two of you still had a lot to learn about one another.

“Baby, I am so sorry. I said some awful shit to you, and I shouldn’t have. I just, I am so used to having people judge me. For how I look, for where I live, who I live with, the people I hang out with, the music I listen to, the field of work I’m in. And I know that you weren’t judging me, that you were just looking out for me because you care, but baby I couldn’t help but let those past feelings eat me alive when you were talking to me.” Eddie explained.

“Eddie, I appreciate you apologizing. I’ve had time to think about things too and I can understand how my reaction could have come across as judgmental. Eddie, my dad is a cop, I have heard what happens to people when they’re caught with a little bit of weed in their possession, but if you were caught selling it, or something worse. Eddie I can’t lose you. Not when I have only just found you.” Tears were running down your face at this point.

Eddie scooted closer to you on the bench of the van, he brought his hand up to cup your cheek, gently brushing away your tears with his thumb. He leaned in and pressed a sweet kiss to your lips. When you two broke apart, he leaned his forehead against your own, his hand brushing a strand of hair behind your ear.

“I am so sorry baby. Please forgive me?”

“Eddie, before I can forgive you, I need to know that you don’t really think of me like that. I may come from a well-off family now, but there is a lot you don’t know about me and I just – I need to know that you don’t see me as some privileged brat.” You begged.

“Sweetheart, no! I don’t think of you that way. I am so sorry! I don’t even know why I said that. It’s like a defense mechanism. I know that there’s so much I don’t know about you, and I hope that you will trust me enough to tell me everything there is to know about you.” He rushed.

You were both startled by a knock on the window. Looking over at the passenger window, you were mortified to see your dad standing there, giving you and Eddie a small wave. He then gestured for you to roll the window down. You visibly cringed as you began cranking the window open, mouthing an embarrassed apology to Eddie.

“Dadddd…what do you want?” You whined.

“Your mother sent me out here to let you know that dinner is ready. She also wanted me to ask if your friend here would be joining us.” He explained.

Your eyes darted over to Eddie. You were trying to decipher his expression, was he as horrified as you were? Was he intrigued by the idea of meeting your parents.? Was he ready to flee and never return?

Would you want me to stay?

You couldn’t help but smile. His thought was timed perfectly, this soulmate thing definitely had its perks.

Of course I want you to stay! I just don’t want them to scare you off.

“If it’s alright with you sir, I’d like to stay for dinner.” Eddie looked at your dad, who replied with a curt nod.

“I can’t believe you’re a Metallica fan! I just finished learning Master of Puppets on my guitar!” Eddie gushed.

“That’s a tough song, I bet you had to practice for weeks!” Your dad indulged Eddie.

This is so embarrassing! Your dad is so cool!

Your mom laughed at the exchange between the two men and she and you cleared the table. She gave you a knowing look and nodded towards your room.

“Why don’t you two go watch a movie, your dad and I can clear the rest of this up.” She suggested.

“Only if you’re sure.” You asked, gaze shifting from your mom to your dad.

“Door stays open.” Your dad pointed towards you.

With that you grabbed Eddie’s hand and led him down to your room, being sure to leave your door open, per your dad’s request. As you descended the stairs, Eddie’s jaw made its way to the floor. He was amazed by your room, you had records hung on the walls and ceiling, one of your walls had an incredible photo collage, with photos of you, your friends and family throughout the years, and below that were stacks of books next to a small desk. He’d have to ask you about who all these people were. You also had a projector screen that you clearly used for movies.

“This is amazing! You read J.R.R. Tolkien and Stephen King? And these records, this is so cool, I would never want to leave if this was my room!” Eddie exclaimed.

God, like you could get any hotter.

“Yeah, my parents are pretty cool about letting me express my creative freedoms or whatever.” You shrugged.

You couldn’t ignore the sinking feeling in your stomach, Eddie had talked about how you got everything you’d ever wanted, and this made that seem true. If only he knew.

Things had continued on pretty well with you and Eddie over the next few months. You guys had grown closer, trusting one another with the heavier secrets of your lives. Eddie had told more in depth about his parents. His mom had gotten hooked on drugs thanks to his dad, who was quick to put hands on Eddie and his mom when he was under the influence – which seemed to be more often than not.

You had wanted to tell Eddie about your past too, but the timing just didn’t seem right. Every time you went to share, something came up, or you were trying to avoid it coming across as you are one-upping him and his trauma.

Things aren’t always what they seem.

Eddie had dinner at your house once a week, and you’d traded off whose house you’d go to after school each day. Nothing physical had transpired between the two of you other than a few heavy make out sessions. At each other’s houses you had fallen into a routine, at yours you would either watch a movie or read, at his you’d either watch a movie, listen to music, or help him with his campaigns.

Tonight happened to be dinner at your house, your parents had suggested ordering a pizza tonight and playing Monopoly. Eddie had enjoyed nights like this, your parents had been extremely welcoming of him. He had appreciated that they didn’t judge him, not once in all the time he has known them. They had been warm and kind and accepting.

Your dad had bonded with him about his taste in music and had shown an interest in Dungeons and Dragons. Your mom talked to him about his future and his dreams of being in a band, but the reality of him probably becoming a mechanic. Your mom had told him that he should pursue music as long as he had something he could fall back on should it not work out. She told him that he could achieve his dreams as long as he worked hard at it.

These conversations, these dinners, these nights with your family had been amazing, they had also been painful for Eddie. He couldn’t help but feel hurt that he didn’t get to have a childhood like this, that he had to get his ass beat by his dad while his mom was strung out on the couch. He hadn’t been removed from their custody until he was about 10 years old, that’s when child services pulled him from their care and moved him in with Wayne.

Wayne had grown fond of you immediately; he had seen how Eddie had changed immediately after meeting you. He had been happier, which meant the world to Wayne. All Wayne had ever wanted was for Eddie to have something good in his life and here you were. You and Wayne were buds and it filled Eddie with a sense of pride that his uncle approved of you.

Now if only things could stay simple like that forever.

Eddie and you had finished dinner and a game of Monopoly at your house. You were planning to go to Eddie’s after to watch Texas Chainsaw Massacre 2. After pulling up in front of the trailer, Eddie made his way to your side of the van and pulled you out of the car. You giggled as he kissed you and the two of you stumbled into the living room.

He made his way to the kitchen to grab drinks for you both and he began popping some popcorn.

“Sorry about my parents tonight. I know they can be super lame.” You huffed out a laugh.

“What do you mean? Your parents are great!” Eddie said.

“No, I know, but they act so goofy. It’s embarrassing.” You shook your head.

At least you have parents.

“Jesus Eddie.”

“What? I didn’t…oh shit. Babe I’m sorry. It’s just, you should be thankful that you have parents who care about you. Not all of us are that lucky.”

“I’m not that lucky Eddie! Fuck! How many times do I have to tell you that you don’t know me! You don’t know anything about me!” You sighed.

“Then tell me! Please, enlighten me as to how your two wonderful parents can be so bad!” Eddie egged you on.

“THEY'RE NOT MY PARENTS!” You shouted at him, then took a deep breath. “Eddie, they’re not my real parents.”

Eddie sat a looked at you, mouth agape, speechless. You could tell that he was waiting for you to continue, but you needed a moment to collect your thoughts. You had to explain everything, this conversation could change everything.

“My parents, Eddie, they did some horrible shit. Neither of them had any other family, my mom she uh, she had post-partum depression, she wasn’t doing well, for a long time after my little sister was born. I guess that had caused my dad to seek comfort elsewhere, I was only six when all this happened. But uh, my mom she uh she left my sister in the bath alone, my sister slid down into the water and drowned, she was only 8 weeks old. When my dad came home and found her, he was furious. Eddie he killed my mom, and then he killed himself. I ended up in foster care and bounced from home to home until I was twelve, until they took me in.”

“Sweetheart. I, I am so sorry. I don’t, I’m not sure what to say.” Eddie whispered. “But uh, you said. You had mentioned that your mom told you bedtime stories about how her and your dad met.”

“My mom now, she would tell me how her and my dad met, every night until I finally started sleeping.” You explained.

The nightmares made it impossible. I couldn’t stop seeing the blood.

Eddie crossed the room and pulled you into his arms. He couldn’t believe that he had been so stupid this whole time. You had been silently telling him that your life wasn’t all that perfect, that though now, it seemed good, it hadn’t always been. He needed you to know that he was here for you, no matter what.

I’ve got you. I will always have you baby.

A sob escaped your throat, ripping through the silence. Eddie held you; he laid you with him in his bed, his hand brushing through your hair gently, whispering sweet nothings to you.

I haven’t told anyone that story. Nobody, ever. Not even my parents. Your secret is safe with me. You are safe with me. I love you sweetheart. I love you Eds.

Tag List: @sashaphantomhive

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silentcryracha · 2 years ago

Note

Hi babe okay who in Stray Kids you think is an ass man vs a tits man LET'S GO I'M ALL EARS 🧎🏿‍♀️

HELLO okay so we're getting into horny territory, I gotchu babe LOL OKAY LET'S GOOO

Warnings : this is basically NSFW so minors turn your heels, 18 + ONLY

Word Count: 1.9K

masterlist

.・。.・゜✭・.・✫・゜・。.

Chan - Ass

He is one of those to which I'd give the 'both' label, but maybe, just MAYBE ass got a couple extra points. Chan is the type to use your butt as a pillow just because he can, it's soft and it's you.

Definitely the type to grab your butt when he kisses you, especially if he wanted to bring you closer. Putting his hand in your back pocket as you walk, resting his hand dangerously close to your butt cheeks but straight up lying and saying that 'it was your hips/lower back' when you tease him for it.

Channie WOULD shower it (you of course lol) with compliments. 'Damn baby those pants are making me feel some typa way', 'You look beautiful baby, that dress hugs your body perfectly' and so on.

Also the type to squeeze it and slap it while you have sex. He'd use both his hands to guide your hips as you ride him, or squeeze it as he slaps his own hips into your while he fucks you from behind. May even *whispering* suggest to try some butt stuff. Would definitely involve it in your sexual life though, one way or another.

Doesn't seem to be one of the members who's as constant to giving butt slaps for fun but he will 100% do it some time. You're teasing him and he wants to get back at you for laughing? Slap. You're fresh out of the shower with just a towel wrapped around you and casually walk past him? Slap.

Minho - Tits

Okay hear me out I know that he's basically THE butt hunter in Stray Kids but, BUT. I don't know, I almost feel like in an actual sexual way a nice pair of boobs would get him stupid drooling you know what I mean?

Absolutely the type to get flustered when he sees you wearing a particularly flattering or revealing item, and then get a grip just to start teasing and complimenting you until you're the flustered one.

A born tit sucker, dare I say. Doesn't matter the position, if he (and usually he'd make sure of it) has access to your tits rest assured that he will spend most of the time sucking, licking, grazing and biting on them. The hardened nipples as well as the soft, smooth, surrounding area. If by the time you're getting intimate your nipples aren't hard yet he'd make it his personal job to get them there right away, like it's a fundamental step.

On a more softer note though I think that he'd absolutely love to feel your soft chest against him. As you're hugging, him wrapping his arms around you from behind and so on. But also I can picture his cat-self just enjoying laying his head on them or kneading them both for comfort, or as you make out.

Changbin - Ass

This man cares so much about his own cake, how could he not be obsessed with his partner's? Gym boy Binnie taking EVERY chance to check out or touch your ass. 'Oh sweetheart wait let me help you' and you'd assume that he's talking about the weights but then he just grabs your ass cheeks as you're like ??

In the bedroom he'd do the basic stuff, like grabbing it and slapping it depending on the position, but he's also another one who may be into butt stuff. Definitely gets hard just eating you out from behind or abusing the fuck out of it during a heated make out session.

Occasional butt slaps? Doesn't seem big on it though. Would love to rest his hands near it (so lower back/hips) as you're standing, even in public. Would also shower you with compliments and be a sucker for when you're wearing clothing items that hugged your ass perfectly.

He'd also be resting his hands there a lot I think, like when you're laying together. Another one who's use it as a pillow. But careful because one wrong move of your hips against his crotch while spooning and he'll gonna start grinding like an animal.

Hyunjin - Tits

The amount of clips (even some compilations lmao it's definitely a thing) that I've seen of this man casually grabbing or squeezing other people's chests are... many. If Minho is the butt hunter, Hyunjin is the boobs hunter.

Aside from a pure horny sexual aspect I think that as an artist, therefore a lover of beauty and aesthetic, he truly appreciates the 'sight' of them? He'd be noticing the way that they sit on your chest, their outline from certain see through/large clothes. Or the crease between them and their shape when you wear bras, low v necks and so on.

Has absolutely the clear and detailed image of your whole body engraved in his mind. Which also includes your breasts. Their color, the skin texture, eventual moles or veins. From an artistic point of view yes but also from an horny point of view let's be real, there's no way that he's just gonna sit there watching your tits and be normal about it.

Just the thought of them sitting all pretty in his hands, the soft skin spilling in between his fingers, the weight of them, the softness and warmth...yeah he could very well come in his pants (and probably already did a couple times). He'd pay special attention to them during sex, licking, biting and kissing them. Maybe, just maybe even have a thing for coming on them/getting them wet with his tongue.

Jisung - Tits

He one of the few ones for which I had less doubts. I don't know why specifically but boobs and Jisung just go together imo. Is it the subby vibes? Is it the possible anime influence? Doesn't matter. This man enjoys a nice pair of tits no question.

Would probably be shy about it at the start because he thinks it's actually a little embarrassing just how horny tits (yours especially) make him. You'd probably start noticing him eyeing you a little too much whenever you're wearing low necklines, lingerie, or straight up not wearing any bra around the house under your shirt.

As soon as you start being intimate though he wouldn't even try to hide it anymore. Buying his head in your chest would be his favorite activity along with actually kissing, licking, biting your tits. Absolutely the type to grab them as he's holding you up against his chest while he fucks you from behind, or when he has you on all fours.

Likewise, his mouth would be on them constantly in missionary, or as you're riding him. Don't even get me started on the way that looking at them bounce would make his chances of lasting significantly go down. Another one who would like to cum on them/fuck them.

Felix - Ass

Okay so the aussie line are the top two members that I would put in the 'both'. Because I'm pretty sure Felix does like tits quite a lot, and probably has a few kinks linked to them, BUT, I went for the ass in the end.

Absolutely number one hype boy when it comes to compliments. Both sweet and wholesome but also horny and suggestive, my man has range. 'Those jeans look great on you, angel' to then add some shit like 'Wish I was the one sticking to your ass though'.

Would also be a big fan of buying you lingerie. The thought of your pretty ass barely covered with an equally pretty (and expensive) piece of lace would definitely get him feeling some type of way. Speaking of butts and gifts...how about pretty plugs. I don't paint him as a furry (lol) but I could easily think about him getting excited about seeing you wear a tail of some sorts. Bunny, fox, cat, whatever.

In general he'd really enjoy playing and touching your ass during sex, sometimes grabbing it like a lifeline when he needs to ground himself to not cum too soon, or just because you feel so good that he just needs a stress ball.

Speaking of stress, he's definitely the type to massage you when you need it but also to use your ass as a pillow or even a literal..stress ball? When he needs it. Like when he's playing a video game, you could just be laying on your stomach next to him, minding your own business, but you'd definitely feel a few kitten kneads on your buttocks from time to time.

Seungmin - Ass

This one is based on vibes but I'm not that unsure about it either to be honest. I don't know what is that screams 'Kim Seungmin ass man' into my brain, but something is there.

I don't picture him as someone who'd want to be too obvious about it in public or in general. I get a 'reserved for the bedroom' type of energy from him, but I wouldn't exclude the random butt slap every once in a while. Not even as a joke, just straight up to nag you and annoy you.

Sometimes be a little shit and scare you. For example you would be minding your own business, cooking or something, and out of the blue Seungmin would announce himself with a loud smack on your ass. And of course you'd give him a death stare because he almost made you drop a whole pan with boiling stuff.

I do feel like he's also someone who secretly loves seeing you in lingerie. Specifically in lace and dark colors, both two pieces and one pieces. He would get extremely turned on whenever you teased him, but specifically when you grinded your ass on his crotch, or even gave him a little personal lap dance, making sure to show off your bottom perfectly.

He would love to eat you out from behind and grab/bite your soft flesh. Not sure about the actual butt stuff but he's definitely someone who enjoys spanking and ass play, just as a teasing concept. He likes to 'torture' you until you're begging him to fuck you.

Jeongin - Tits

Another one who's based on pure vibes and instinct. He could be an ass man, too, yes. But my heart and the compass in it points me to the tits idk what to tell y'all.

I feel like Jisung and Minho (and Felix) he may be another one of the members that have them as a 'kink'. Don't know how to explain it, but he does. He's another shy one though, similar to Seungmin, which is why I think that he'd keep his business in the bedroom.

He would absolutely appreciate a lot the way that some clothing items look on you and of course compliment you and stuff but I don't feel like he'd just straight up go feral.

In private though, well. Basic kissing, licking, biting and so on BUT, hear me out...he'd worship them. Like he absolutely loves to hold and squeeze your boobs in his hands, he likes the feeling and the sight of it. He gives off the vibes of a man that would spend a good portion of time just worshiping your tits, like it's a whole part of the foreplay like giving oral.

Who knows he might even be the type to just randomly get the urge to get his mouth and hands on them while you're laying together. Not necessarily leading to sex, but just because it's something that he enjoys doing. Maybe a sort of stress reliever? Whatever it is, he's in love with your tits that's for sure.

.・。.・゜✭・.・✫・゜・。.

K, that's it. I need a shot of holy water along with a couple of delulu pills and so do you 🫵

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foliosriot · 1 year ago

Text

SCREAM

ghostface!noah sebastian x reader

WARNINGS!!

talk of death and murder. brief knife-play. vaginal fingering. p in v sex (wrap it before you tap it, my friends). pre-kink. fear-play i guess. non-con but becomes con. please let me know if i missed anything else! 18+ only MDNI or i’ll block you.

TAGS!!

@starsomens @cncohshit @concretenoah + everyone else who didn’t know they needed ghostface!noah in their lives hehe

AUTHOR’S NOTE!!

happy halloween, my fellow noah whores >:)

masterlist

You will admit: the recent string of murders have had your guts twisted with fear and anxiety. Because what if it’s someone you know next? What if it’s one of your friends? What if it’s you?

It has been terrifying just trying to exist the past week and a half. Three people were already dead, and who knows when the next person would be found mutilated? The last one was just down the street from you, for fuck’s sake! What’s stopping that masked psycho from claiming every other life — including yours — on your street?

Nothing, you’re sure. Serial killers are hardly ever satisfied. And this one is absolutely fucking insatiable.

However, right now, it’s a little hard to think about a psychotic killer with your boyfriend looking the way he does. He’s standing in your little kitchen, a mug of tea in one hand, the other tucked into the pocket of his sweatpants.

“I don’t think it’s a good idea if you stay over, Noah,” you finally manage to say. Noah had asked if he could stay over for the night what felt like an eternity ago. You had struggled to comprehend what he had said, and were only able to respond when your best friend and roommate, Olivia, had walked up next to you.

“Why not?” Noah asks, his eyebrows scrunching together in confusion.

“There’s a murderer on the loose, remember, dickhead?” Olivia snaps at him. “I would rather not come back to find my best friend all dead and bloody, then adding you into the mix just to make it worse.”

Olivia had a family reunion she had to go to, something that had been planned in advance long before any of the murders had taken place. She wasn’t able to get out of it, nor was she able to convince her parents to let you tag along, even though they love you like you were their own. She was heading to the airport later tonight and coming back in two days.

You watch Noah shoot a glare at Olivia as he says, “Yeah, I’m aware there’s a murderer on the loose. But I, also, would rather not come back here to see my girlfriend dead.”

As Olivia is clearly gearing up to launch herself into a heated debacle with Noah, you stop her with a hand on her shoulder.

“Guys, I’ll be fine,” you assure them, hoping they can’t hear the waver in your voice. “After I take Olivia to the airport I’ll lock the doors and windows, turn off all the lights, then sleep with my dad’s old baseball bat next to my bed. Besides, Noah has a label meeting early tomorrow morning, so he should just head home to get some sleep for once.”

Neither of them look particularly convinced. But the mention of the metal bat seems to be enough for their tense limbs to relax.

This is the exact reason your dad gave you his bat when you first moved out, anyways. He wanted you to be safe and to protect yourself in case of an emergency. And this seems to be an emergency worthy of the beloved metal bat.

Olivia sighs dramatically from beside you. “Fine. The bat is better than nothing.” She returns Noah’s glare. “You better be gone by the time we leave for the airport in an hour.”

Noah clenches his jaw. “Got it,” he says.

With an annoyed grumble, Olivia turns on her heel and stomps towards her bedroom. Your boyfriend and your best friend have never really gotten along, simply because they both want what’s best for you and they both tend to believe they know exactly what that is. They butt heads a lot when it comes to you. Thankfully, they know they can’t have you without the other, so it’s become a resigned acceptance between them, however uncomfortable they may be about it.

You are finally able to relax your shoulders after you hear Olivia shut her door with a loud thud. Olivia is very overprotective of you and would just have you attached at the hip if she could. But sometimes her worry is suffocating. Like now. So you know she just needs a few minutes to herself before she gets on her flight.

“Did you have to be such an asshole?” you say to Noah.

“How was I being an asshole?” Noah fires back as he sets his mug down by the sink.

“You never seem to know when to stop antagonizing Olivia.”

“Well, excuse me for being worried about your safety. She’s not the only one who gets a say in this shit.”

“And you do?” you scoff, resting your hands on your hips. “So would you be okay with me unlocking every door and opening every window? Turn on each light so I’m just a fucking beacon for the murderer to come and get me next?”

Noah narrows his eyes as he stares at you. You’re now beginning to forget any thought of a psycho killer, and instead thinking of letting Noah stay tonight anyways. Let him keep you safe while also letting him do whatever he wants to you. The idea is very enticing.

“But if you don’t want that to happen, just stay the night, ‘cause I know you want to,” you encourage Noah, a small smirk making its way onto your face. “You’ll still be there for the label meeting. Olivia doesn’t have to know. Come over and keep me safe.”

Silence falls around you. Noah just continues to look at you with a dark gleam in his eyes, and you can feel a white hot knot beginning to coil down in the depths of your stomach. You shift slightly under his gaze.

“You’re being a brat.”

“Oh, fuck you,” you spit at him immediately, knowing with 100% certainty that he is going to make you pay for that comment.

“I will if you stop being a fucking brat,” Noah counters sharply. “Unless you want to keep being one, and end up being punished for it.”

You remain where you’re standing. You have zero intentions on obeying Noah, nor do you plan on dropping the bratty act. Noah loves it when you’re being a bratty bitch and defying his orders, even if he doesn’t outwardly say it. You know what it does to him, so why stop?

“Stay tonight.”

Noah doesn’t say anything. His eyes remain fixed on you, and you can feel the searing sensation of his irises roving over every inch of your body. You shift once more, hoping he doesn’t catch the movement, but you know he does.

“Come here.”

His tone is almost casual. It catches you slightly off-guard that he appears to be mildly bored, when he would normally be demanding you to approach. But you’re feeling defiant, because what is he gonna do if he doesn’t get dominant with you?

“No, I’m okay,” you say with a sickly sweet smile. “I’m not feeling very passive at the moment. Thank you, though.”

That earns you a glare. You can see the way Noah takes a grounding deep breath as his gaze darkens even more. You watch him cross his tattooed arms over his chest as he settles his weight back against the kitchen counter. He angles his head downwards, his eyes still trained on you.

God, is he trying to scare you? Because if that’s the case, he needs to rethink his fear tactics.

“I’m not afraid of you, Noah,” you practically scoff at him.

“Have I ever given you reason to be afraid of me?” he asks lowly. The tenor of his voice hums in your ears.

“No.”

Noah doesn’t say anything in response. He just continues staring at you intently, his dark gaze fixed on you wholly. You aren’t able to detect any emotion in his eyes or facial features. If you couldn’t see the subtle rise and fall of his chest you’d think he were a statue — a man carved from marble with numerous, intricate paintings spanning across the beautiful stone.

As the silence drags on you begin to grow uncomfortable. Noah staring at you isn’t what’s causing you discomfort; no, it’s the anticipation and sense of the unknown he’s letting fall over you. You roll your bottom lip into your mouth and begin chewing on the skin.

But then the corner of his mouth twitches upward. The action is sly and riddled with intention.

“Then I won’t start now,” he finally says. “Unless you want me to.”

His word choice is deliberate, each one laced with a level of teasing you don’t think you have ever heard come out of Noah’s mouth. He knows what he’s doing. And he knows it is finally getting to you in the way he had initially wanted.

“So what’s it gonna be?” Noah asks. His voice is firmer as he speaks. “You gonna come over here like a good girl … or will I be giving you a reason to be afraid of me? Either way it’ll be worth it, I’m sure. But hey, your choice, princess.”

Now, there is the commanding voice you had been expecting from the start. And your heart is pumping uncontrollably now. The pulse buried beneath the surface of your neck is throbbing and vibrating, making the blood roar loudly in your ears.

He’s giving you an obvious choice: admit you were being a brat and surrender. Or, run like your life depends on it. Because it might at some point, in a manner of speaking, you realize.

“Oh, but I don’t wanna scare you too bad,” Noah continues nonchalantly, like he’s talking about the weather or something. “Especially with that psycho killer on the loose and everything, y’know.”

You’re gonna kill him. He’s being a complete ass but being so unreasonably cool and collected about it. He knows he’s getting under your skin, burrowing further beneath your veins and tendons. It has you growing enraged and annoyed with his antics, despite that searing hot coil deep in your belly.

When Noah casually pushes away from the counter, you stagger back a few steps. His grin slowly grows as he makes his way in your direction. Your feet seem to be glued to the floor as Noah is now towering over you.

“You’re gonna pay for that, by the way,” he murmurs. He brings his hand up to your face, and grips your chin between his fingers. “But not tonight. You said it yourself, princess: I have a label meeting early in the morning.”

Noah uses his grip on your chin to tug your face towards his. Your lips meet in the middle, and Noah already has his tongue in your mouth before you can process what’s happening. And you have half a brain to kiss him back, but he’s pulled away by the time you manage to catch up. You can’t control the whine that bubbles up from your throat.

“I’ll see you tomorrow night,” Noah says with a grin. “I love you.”

Then he’s stepping out of your space and leaving through the front door.

He leaves you breathing heavily. You nearly sprint outside and stop Noah from leaving when you hear someone walking up behind you.

“Oh, good. He’s gone.” Olivia’s voice nearly startles you. “I’ve got my stuff ready so let’s just go now. I don’t wanna get stuck in traffic.”

You nod in acknowledgement, but your brain feels fried. Your entire nervous system just got short circuited because Noah thought it would be fun to mess with you. He knows you want him to stay over while Olivia’s gone. And, you know he wants to stay over. So why did he just blow you off like that?

You don’t give yourself time to think it over before you’re following Olivia outside. You let Olivia drown you in conversation on the drive to the airport. She doesn’t appear to notice your weird behavior, or, if she has noticed, she doesn’t mention it.

But then she’s getting out of the car with her bags and you’re hugging her and you watch as she walks inside the airport and leaves you behind.

You feel like screaming.

The drive home feels like a blur. You wish you would be arriving home to see Noah waiting for you, but the house is empty. Annoyance strikes your intestines as you do what you promised initially: lock the doors, close the windows, turn off all the lights, put baseball bat at bedside.

It still feels wrong somehow. You want Noah with you, even though he has that meeting very early in the morning. In order to remedy his absence you tug on one of his sweatshirts before climbing into bed.

The next day drags on. Olivia had texted you when her flight landed and when she was reunited with her family. Noah had sent a good morning text and nothing else. You were growing increasingly angry as the hours ticked by.

You were off work today, so you had the entire day to do what you want. But your brain was vibrating with anxiety and had you stuck on the couch. You were able to get through an entire season of your favorite show, though! It still didn’t feel right.

The sun had long since fallen beyond the horizon by the time you’re rummaging through the kitchen to find something to eat for dinner. You settle on making some mac ‘n cheese, and get to work.

You’re pouring the small pot of hot noodles and water into the colander that sits in the sink when the phone rings. Another thing your dad had insisted on when you moved out: a fucking landline phone. You thought it was ridiculous, but you had humored him anyways by getting one.

With the noodles in the colander and the hot metal pot set aside you reach for the phone. You press answer and stick it between your ear and shoulder as you continue making your dinner.

“Hello?”

“Can I help you?”

“Who are you?”

“I dunno, who are you trying to reach?”

“I’m not sure.”

“That’s okay. Must be wrong number. Don’t worry — it happens.”

You’re quick to transfer the phone back in to your hand and end the call. Dialing the wrong number happens all the time, so the oddity of it doesn’t irk you.

Not until you have the mac ‘n cheese all ready a couple minutes later and the landline rings once more. You furrow your eyebrows as you go to answer it.

“Hello?”

“Oh, I’m sorry, I must have dialed the wrong number again.”

It’s that same voice. There’s a familiarity to it you can’t quite put your finger on.

“It’s alright. I’ll let you go so you can try again. Third time’s the charm, right?”

You’re about to put the phone down when the person on the other end stops you, saying, “Wait! Aren’t you gonna tell me your name?”

“Why do you wanna know my name?”

“Just in case I accidentally call you again, of course.”

“Well, I’m confident you won’t. You’ve got this.”

“In the meantime, as I’m trying to remember the correct number, let’s play a game.”

You roll your eyes. “A game? Why?”

“‘Cause it’s fun,” the person says simply. “Plus, I think we’re friends now, so it’s only fair, isn’t it?”

“I guess…”

“Good. Answer a series of questions correctly and you win. Answer incorrectly, and I win.”

“What does the winner get?”

“Whatever they want.”

You consider this for a moment. Because what’s the harm in answering some meaningless questions from a stranger? But you find yourself anxiously rethinking your decision even as you agree.

“Good. I’ll give you a couple warm-up questions. Starting with: do you have a boyfriend?”

“I do.”

“Hm. Pity. What’s he like?”

“First you wanna know about me, and now my boyfriend?” You’re growing more and more irritated with every passing second you are on the phone with this person. “You planning on stealing him from me?”

“No, of course not. Just tell me about him.”

“Oh, my god. I’m hanging up now—“

“Hang up and it’ll be the last thing you do.”

The sheer aggression and violence that ripple through this stranger’s voice forces you to stop. The phone begins to gently rattle against your ear and you can’t suppress the shaking that overcomes your body. Panic is now flowing through your veins as you stand in your kitchen in silence.

“Good girl. Now, where were we? Right: tell me about your boyfriend.”

“Um, he… He has tattoos, a-and he’s really tall. Uh, he— He’s in a famous metal band, and—“

“Yeah? What band?”

“B-Bad Omens.”

“Oh, I know them. Don’t they sing that song Just Pretend?”

You nod, even though you know they can’t see you. “Y-Yeah. Yeah, that’s them,” you murmur.

“Well, let’s start the actual game, shall we? First question: your boyfriend was at a meeting this morning with his band and their label. Who’s their label?”

The question stuns you. You’re suddenly frozen in place and you can’t gather the air in your lungs to even breathe, let alone speak. How the fuck do they know that? Why do they want this information if they obviously already have it?

“S-Sumerian,” you choke out.

“Correct. Next question: what band member left before the production of their second album began?”

You now feel sick to your stomach. You suspect this has to be some crazed fan with an unhealthy obsession with Bad Omens. If that’s the case, they should know already know the answer to this particular question. So why are they asking you?

“Vincent.”

“Good. Final question: where am I?”

“Wh-What? What do you mean where are you?”

“Where. Am. I?”

Dread floods your body. “Are you in my house?!” you practically yell in to the phone speaker.

“Come find out. But if you find me it won’t count as answering the question.”

You’re quick to tear the landline from your ear and jab your thumb against the end call button then tossing it onto the kitchen counter. Your hands are shaking as you take a few steps away from it, silently hoping it won’t ring again.

But it isn’t the phone’s shrill ring that makes you jump. It’s a sound coming from somewhere else in the house.

Your fight or flight response kicks in immediately. You rush to flee through the front door when you hear slow, heavy footsteps coming down the hallway. They sound calculated and deliberate, and you have no choice but to stand there in terror.

From the direction of yours and Olivia’s bedrooms comes a dark figure. They walk out of the shadows and into the dining room. Their body is covered in a black cloak, with a hood up over their head and a white mask on their face. The mask is a simple depiction of a screaming face. But it’s not any less mortifying as you watch them.

The figure comes to a stop when they catch sight of you. Their head tilts to one side, almost they’re considering their next move of action.

But you move first, suddenly booking it for the opposite end of the house towards the laundry room, the extra bathroom, and the garage. You hear them give chase a moment later.

You scramble your way into the garage in hopes of getting the large door to slide open. But the masked figure is one step behind you, and prevents you from hitting the door controls. They have you tripping forwards, and you nearly face plant into the concrete but you catch your weight on your hands. You push yourself up just as the intruder goes to grab you.

Darting around your car, that still sits idly in the middle of the space, you are being taunted by the figure in the hood. They stay near the door back into the house which keeps you on the other side of the car.

Then they’re skirting around the vehicle straight for you. You make a last second decision and make a break for the door inside. The intruder races back after you.

The figure chases you down the hall towards your bedroom. You go to slam the door shut before they can reach you, but you didn’t anticipate their strength. They shove the door open all the way, making you scramble back to your bed. You’re panting as you scoot backwards on the mattress.

The black-cloaked figure says nothing as they slowly stalk towards you. Adrenaline in coursing through your veins and you’re panicking. You are rendered silent as they reach the bed and continue their hunt across the sheets until they’re looming over you. The white mask is haunting as it stares down at you with that soundless wail.

“P-Please… I-I don’t wanna die…”

No response. Whoever is underneath that mask does not seem interested in listening to your pleas.

One of their hands reaches back behind them and reveals a shimmering hunting blade. The metal is clean and shiny, and you can see your fear reflected back at you through it.

Their unoccupied hand goes for your shirt, and you flinch at the contact. Your heart is pounding relentlessly as your shirt is lifted from your body. You couldn’t help but be compliant, especially with how they’ve got you situated between their legs.

You watch as they point the knife at you, then have the fine tip poking at the indent at the center of your collarbones. The barely-there feeling of the cold metal on your skin is sending your brain into overdrive. They then slowly, lazily, drag the blade downwards across your bare chest. You see how they’re clearly enamored by the goosebumps flaring across your abdomen as they continue dragging the knife down, down down…

Suddenly, there’s a hand gripping your throat. But it’s not with the murderous intention you were expecting. Instead, there is almost a gentleness to how their squeezing your neck, with the way their thumb grazes your pulse point.

You’re horrifically confused.

You nearly say something to them, but they’re taking the hand holding the knife to their mask. And then they tug off the black hood and this is the end, oh god—

“Noah?!”

And yes, that is your boyfriend kneeling above you with a wicked grin on his face and a knife in his hand. The terror and anxiety you had been feeling begins to melt away, and you can feel nothing but anger and embarrassment.

“Told you I’d see you tonight, didn’t I?” Noah says casually.

It’s a struggle to comprehend his presence. You can’t understand why he’s doing this or why he thought it was okay with a murderer running rampant.

“Wh-What the fuck?” you stammer.

“Oh, what’s wrong, baby?” Noah takes his gloved hand away from your throat and uses it to brush aside the stray hairs that were clinging to your skin. “I thought you wanted me to stay over? Keep you safe?”

You did want that, yes. But this is not what you meant. Never did you say you wanted Noah to stalk you like he were the predator and you were the prey.

But you can’t stamp down the exhilaration that is igniting your insides. You can’t get rid of it, especially with how Noah is looking at you. You suddenly want to turn in to jelly and be completely and utterly obedient to his every word.

And that sort of terrifies you.

“I-I did, but you didn’t have to do this,” you tell him. Your body is slowly relaxing beneath the weight of his own, now that any imminent danger has been found folly.

Noah looks at you quizzically. “What do you mean?” he asks you innocently. “I just wanted to make sure you were safe and sound.”

Noah begins tracing lines across your stomach and chest with the blade’s edge once more, a careful hold on the hilt in order not to pierce your flesh. The sensation has your brain faltering and not fully processing his words. Your hands inch towards his thighs.

He notices your hands moving in no time. He doesn’t stop you and says nothing.

You slither your hands under the cheap black fabric, and you immediately grip at his legs. You boldly glide your hands upwards until you reach the waistband of Noah’s pants. Noah watches as you tug lightly at one of the belt loops, then going for the zipper.

“Did my little charade turn you on, baby?” Noah moves the knife under your chin and gently pushes up so you’re forced to make eye contact with him. “Did you like me chasing you?”

You nod. And you see him grin.

“Shit, and who am I to deny you?”

But you know Noah. He’s going to tease you and get you all worked up, have you in near hysterics before he finally gives you what you want. And he doesn’t seem to be in a very generous mood at the moment.

Noah drops the knife to pull off the entire costume. He tosses it aside before getting rid of his shirt as well. A part of you knows this is what he wanted from the beginning, when he first offered to sleep over. But you can’t be bothered by that, not when he’s moving back enough to pull down your pants.

When he gets your pants off, and they join the rest of the clothes on the floor of your bedroom, Noah drags his tattooed hands up your legs agonizingly slow. He stops briefly when he reaches the top of your thighs, but then he proceeds to dig his fingernails in to the soft flesh and tugs you towards him. You yelp in surprise and are promptly shut up when you find your legs slung around Noah’s waist and his hand resting at your throat again.

“Good girl,” Noah says quietly. The hand not on your neck has begun making its way to your clothed core, which earns a weak whimper from you. “Are you gonna keep being a good girl for me?”

You whine when his fingers start stroking at you through your underwear. You think you answer him, but you don’t care enough as you are now grinding into his hand.

For a moment, you feel Noah remove his hands from your body. You whimper and whine at the loss of touch, until his hand is back at your throat and there’s a sharp cold resting on your hip.

The knife harmlessly glides against your skin once more. Then the pressure from the waistband of your underwear vanishes, to be replaced by the metallic cold of the blade in Noah’s hand. It slowly travels down past your pelvis, making you jerk in surprise.

Noah chuckles at the way your body reacts. You almost begin bitching at him when the knife disappears and is then substituted for his fingers. And his fingers feel so much better against your folds than that stupid knife could ever dream of.

And he’s just lazily stroking, avoiding slipping any one of his long, tattooed digits inside of you. You try your best to grind back against his hand, but the one at your throat squeezes for just a moment. It makes you pause, whining at the unexpected dizziness you are now experiencing.

Then his fingers are inside you, stroking and rubbing and searching for that bundle of nerves deep within. You cry out at the sudden intrusion. But then you’re pushing back on Noah’s fingers and the pressure on your throat eases a bit.

“Such a good girl,” you hear Noah murmur. “Can you cum for me, sweetheart?”

You nod frantically and he thrusts his fingers harder into your pussy. You’re moaning and writhing at his touch, and then that same pressure is applied once more to your throat and it’s just too much. Your body clenches around Noah’s fingers and you ride out your orgasm as he slows down his strokes.

The feeling of suddenly being empty is overwhelming. But you don’t have to worry about that much longer when Noah maneuvers your body off of him and onto your stomach. You feel the bed shift as he moves, and the sound of him taking off his pants has you gripping at the sheets.

Then the bed dips from Noah’s weight and he’s suddenly right above you. His bare legs are caging in your thighs and his hands are gently roaming over the expanse of your back. You can feel his cock against your ass; it takes a little too much self control to not push back into him, although you end up failing.

“You look so hot like this, baby,” Noah says. His hands halt at your hips, and he’s digging his fingertips into the bone. “So, so good for me.”

Noah doesn’t hesitate when he begins pushing his hard cock into you and using your hips as leverage. You’re crying out and moaning weakly as he adjusts slightly and then bottoms out.

There isn’t any warning given before Noah is pulling out just enough then slamming back in. He sets a brutal but steady pace as he fucks you. Your knuckles are whitening from your tight grip on the bedsheets. You quickly become a moaning, blubbering mess beneath Noah as he keeps going and going.

He keeps hitting your cervix perfectly and it makes you see stars. His hands on your hips is currently the only tether you have on reality.

Suddenly there’s a hand in your hair and it tugs at the roots until you prop yourself up on your elbows. Noah’s grip on your hair is sending spikes of pain from your scalp all the way down to your shoulders. But each thrust of his hips is another tug on the strands of hair entangled in his fingers. It’s a mashup of sensations that has you chasing your high again.

“Ah— Ah—“

God, you’re so close. You need to cum so fucking bad.

“Ah, Noah—“

“Come on, baby,” Noah breathlessly encourages you. “I want you to cum with my name on your lips.”

And with that, your pussy is clenching around him and you’re coming with a cry of his name. Then his thrusts get sloppier until he’s coming inside of you. You feel all warm as you are filled with nothing but Noah.

Noah then pulls out and the feeling of his cum dripping out of you is definitely the best thing you’ve ever experienced.

His hands are then forcing you to turn over and rest on your back. He straddles your weak body, and the sight of him above you like that makes you want to go again.

“Such a good little slut for me,” he says quietly. His chest is heaving as he drags one of his hands upwards, starting at your stomach and stopping at your tits. He palms one then the other, playing with each for but a moment. “Always so good for me, baby.”

Silence settles over you while Noah continues to just touch you. It’s calming and has your eyelids growing heavy.

But there’s still something that is gnawing at your brain. And you have to say something.

“Are you the killer?” Your voice is fragile when you verbalize your question.

It doesn’t seem to bother Noah, though. His hands are still wandering and touching you as he seems to process what you said.

“Yes. Does that scare you?” he replies. His eyes dart up to meet yours, and the dark glint has your heart pounding. “Do I scare you?”

You don’t have an answer for him, so you remain quiet.

“Are you afraid of me?”

He’s referring to what you had talked about yesterday. A part of you wants to yell out and tell him you are utterly terrified of him, that you cannot fathom the horrific atrocities he has committed. You can’t stand the thought of how much blood stains his hands. The hands that are touching you, caressing every curve…

“No,” you whisper.

Noah’s mouth twists into a lopsided grin. Your answer seems to satisfy him, and you can’t help the satisfaction you also feel spreading throughout your chest.

“Good. I would never want you to be afraid of me,” he tells you as he leans down so your faces are parallel. “You’re mine. And I’ll get rid of anyone that thinks they can take you from me.”

thank you for reading! hope you enjoyed! likes and reblogs are very much appreciated <3

♱ foliosriot 2023

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teshadraws · 9 months ago

Text

Pokemon Mystery Dungeon: Seekers of Soul

[Chapter 57]

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Tobias, Nia, and Junie travel south to find Will and the human settlement.

“You’ve got food and water for the road, and the map I gave you.”

“Yup and yup!”

“And you know what to do if anyone gives you trouble.”

“Bo, c’mon! Nia and Toby are stronger than they look. They’ll keep me safe.”

“Answer the question, Junebug.”

“Fine, fine. If anyone gives me trouble, I peck out their eyes.”

“Good egg.”

Tobias snorts. He and Nia, well-rested after an admittedly cozy night in Junie and Bolat’s home, lean against one of the tall pines to the side of the flying types’ home as they wait for them to finish saying their goodbyes. Junie seems ready to head out, at least, bouncing in place with the aforementioned map pinned under one of her tiny feet.

Now they just need Bolat to stop being an overbearing blissey.

Tobias looks up at slivers of blue sky as the wind rustles through the pines. It’s not as early as he usually likes to get going, mid-morning rather than dawn, but Junie and Bolat alike had refused to get up sooner. Outvoted three to one once Nia realized she had sleep-in backup, Tobias had settled for resting a bit longer, eventually flipping through Nia’s book about abilities out of boredom.

He’s glad they’re finally getting moving. The day looks nice, only a bit chilled by autumn winds, but he’s feeling restless. Ready to talk to Will and find out if the yamask has any answers. If not, then he’s ready to head back to the guild where they can see if August and the others came up with anything instead.

“Bo, we’ll be fine! Seriously!” Junie complains after another round of questions. “You worry too much.”

The skarmory gives Junie a playful nip with his wickedly sharp beak. “I don’t think you worry enough, for such a tiny thing. I’d prefer to escort you all there myself, but I can’t get someone to fill in for my mail route on such short notice.”

Nia cringes. “Sorry. I debated sending a letter ahead of time, but I thought it’d be a nice surprise for Junie.”

“It was!” Junie assures.

“We’ll be fine,” Tobias says, stepping forward and plucking the map out from under Junie’s foot before she loses it. He ignores her squawk of protest. “Luckily for these two, I can actually read a map.”

Bolat laughs as Junie pecks at Tobias’ leg and gets a light kick in return. “Good to hear. ‘Mon are fairly kind around this area, so just stop someone if you do get off the path and they should be able to guide you back.”

Nia and Tobias nod, and it falls quiet as Junie and Bolat both seem to realize there’s nothing else to be said.

“Bye, Bo,” Junie whispers, hopping forward to rub the top of her head against his metallic leg. “Sorry for ditching so suddenly. I’ll be back soon.”

Bo bends to rest his giant beak on Junie’s body. “Just come back safe, all right? We both know you have a penchant for trouble.”

Junie laughs, hopping back. “But I always find my way out of it!”

“Rarely on your own,” Tobias says. Nia elbows him.

“Oh, just wait and see if I save your butt next time you’re in trouble! You two have no room to talk!” Junie sticks her tongue out at him.

Tobias can’t resist doing the same.

“And on that note,” Nia says, laughter in her voice. “We’d better get going. Thanks again for letting us stay the night, Bo. And for the food! We’ll see you on our way back through, okay?”

“Safe travels, you three. Bring this little troublemaker back in one piece, all right? Too quiet around this place without her.”

Nia assures him that they will. Junie hops onto her shoulder, and the three of them start on the forested path back to Stonebrook, Nia and Junie waving until Bolat is completely out of sight.

Junie is directing Nia where to go, so Tobias lets himself fall back to pull out the map Bolat had lent them.

While the skarmory had pointed out their destination once already, the map is still more detailed than Tobias expects, spanning half the continent and even including some simple drawings to illustrate. He finds Stonebrook in the middle of the forest, then traces the path leading to the main road. From there, he moves south until the road leaves the forest entirely and enters the plains to the south. Eventually, the path hits the ocean at Kaleido Bay.

According to the skarmory, the human settlement is halfway between where the forest ends and the ocean begins, built into the side of a mesa off the main road. If they follow the trail south and stick to it, the mesa should be easy to spot. Bolat guessed that they could even make it there by nightfall, if they kept up a good pace.

Tobias looks up as they break from the pines and into the bright sunlight bathing Stonebrook in warmth. He would love to take a rest on one of the smooth, heated boulders strewn about the little village, but they have places to be. He folds up the map and tucks it into their satchel, then speeds up to match Nia’s stride.

“Marie makes the bestpastries ever,” Junie is saying, swooping around Nia as she points out different areas of the village. “Especially her pies. Ooh, we could stop and get one to eat on the way!”

“We can’t stop every time you get distracted,” Tobias says. “If we want to make it to Will’s by nightfall, we need to keep up a good pace.”

Junie pouts at him. “Spoilsport.”

“We do need to talk to Will as soon as possible,” Nia says, even as she lifts her nose into the air to sniff for pastries. “Maybe when we come back through?”

“Fiiine!”

Tobias takes the lead as they reach the path leading out of town. Junie doesn’t argue, instead diving into a conversation with Nia about what she’s been learning during her mail ‘mon training.

“So even though I’m tiny I could still carry letters and smaller packages. And if I did ever evolve—oh! Nia, have you seen a picture of what my evolution would be?!”

“I don’t think so?”

“I would be huge!” Junie says, swooping past Tobias to splay her wings wide. “Like, bigger than Bo!”

“Really?” Nia asks, eyes wide.

“Guess that’s one upside to the world ending,” Tobias says. “I don’t trust you with the power of a corviknight.”

Junie lands on the satchel looped around Tobias’ shoulder. “Aw, you scared?”

“No. You’d be a steel type. I’d scorch your feathers right off.”

“You wish!”

“You’d be a steel type?” Nia asks, curious.

“Yeah! Like Bo! Isn’t that neat?! Toby, you’re just jealous of how cool I’d be. I’d scare the pants off everyone!”

“Oh, please. I’d be a charizard. You’d be no match.”

“I still don’t think I’ve seen what a charizard actually looks like,” Nia says thoughtfully, head tilted. “You said you’d be big enough to carry me, right?”

“Easily. Charizard are strong flyers.”

“We could be flying buddies!” Junie chirps.

“Not a chance.”

“Flying,” Nia says, voice weak. “Great. How about land buddies instead?”

Tobias snorts, resigning himself to a day of lively conversation.

Their walk to the main road is uneventful. When they arrive, Tobias is a little surprised to see that the new path doesn’t look that different from the little trail to Stonebrook. It’s still a dirt road, just much wider and flattened from countless footsteps, the tall trees on either side a little more open to let in patches of sunlight.

The biggest change is how much busier this road is; they end up passing quite a few Pokemon on their way south. Mostly carts carrying goods between towns, some travelers on foot, and even another Seeker team or two, who give them cordial nods of acknowledgement as they pass.

Maybe an hour in, Nia and Junie take to guessing the names of each unknown species they see, making a game out of it with Tobias as the referee. After a bulky pignite passes by, the two wait until he’s out of sight before conspiring.

“Okay, what do we think?” Junie asks, perched on Nia’s shoulder. “Definitely something with ‘pig,’ right?”

“Hm…could be ‘boar’ instead,” Nia points out. “He had little tusks, right?”

“True. Okay, so ‘pig’ or ‘boar,’ and a fighting type.”

Nia frowns. “I was thinking fire, actually. He was a really bright orange.”

“Yeah, but did you see how jacked he was?! Plus, his fur kinda looked like was wearing a leotard or something. Definitely a fighting type.”

Nia hums doubtfully. “Okay, so fire or fighting? What does that give us?”

“Fire, fire, fire…cinder, maybe? Flame?” “Flame,” Nia murmurs. “Flame, flame…flambé?”

“Nia!” Junie gasps, sounding delighted. “Pork is not a thing here! You cannibal!”

“I-I wasn’t—they have a Pokemon called fidough, Junie! As in D-O-U-G-H! It’s a fair guess!”

Tobias barks a laugh, then quickly schools his expression when Nia and Junie look his way.

“Okay, okay!” Junie says, relenting. “Flambé’s on the table. So what’re our options? Flampig? Flamboar?”

“Flamboar’s not terrible,” Nia says. Then she gasps, paws clapping together. “I’ve got it! Flambabe!”

Tobias and Junie shoot Nia a puzzled look.

Nia shrinks back. “L-Like Babe the pig? From the book..?”

“Nerd,” Tobias and Junie say, in sync.

Junie gives Tobias a thrilled look. He gives her a horrified one in return. It’s not a good sign when they’re on the same wavelength.

“O-Okay, so it’s probably not flambabe!” Nia says, looking embarrassed. “Tobias, what’re they actually called?”

“It’s probably not even a pun this time,” Junie sighs.

“You sure you want to know?”

“Yeah!”

Tobias smirks. “…Pignite.”

A pause. Then Nia and Junie groan, defeated once more by the wordplay of the Ordirune language.

“But he was a fighting type, right?” Junie asks.

“I still think he looked a little fiery.”

Expectant, both of them look to Tobias once again.

“Pignite are fire types.”

“Yes!” Nia fist pumps.

“…And fighting types.”

“Yes!” Junie shouts.

“Wait,” Nia says. “So is that another tie?”

Their fourth tie in a row. Nia and Junie look at each other, then groan again, loud enough to startle a laugh out of Tobias.

______________________________________________________________

It’s early afternoon when they finally reach the edge of the forest, the trees thinning out into wide, flat fields of dry grasses. In the distance sits the faint, blocky shape of the mesa they’re looking for, tall amongst the flat landscape. Bolat wasn’t wrong—it’s certainly easy to spot.

They decide to stop there in the shade for lunch, pulling out the food Bolat had packed for them: mostly leftover berries and nuts from yesterday, as well as some bread that melts deliciously in Tobias mouth.

Maybe they do need to stop by that bakery on the way back.

They’re finishing up their meal food, looking out at the mesa, when conversation turns to Nia’s developing aura abilities.

“You can read minds now?!” Junie asks, beak dropping open to reveal a mouth full of mushed-up bread.

Tobias wrinkles his muzzle and reaches over to snap her beak closed.

Nia laughs, bashful. “Not exactly? It’s still mostly just emotions and, um…vague ideas of what they’re thinking? But they do get easier to understand if I’m really close to whoever I’m reading.”

The riolu glances at Tobias before looking away again. Tobias takes another bite of food and refuses to look at either of his companions, face burning hot.

Junie, unfortunately, catches the brief exchange. “Oh? And how did you find this out?”

“W-Well, I tested it out with some of my—some of ourfriends during training, and on my instructor.”

“And Toby joined in on the fun?”

Tobias glares at the little bird. “Val made me.”

Junie tweets a laugh. “Okay, okay, jeez. If looks could kill. So it doesn’t work if you aren’t really close to someone?”

“Well…” Nia tilts her head, lowering the bread she’d been nibbling on. “No. I can still latch on to their aura and get a vague idea of what they’re feeling. Like I always could. But with Tobias, it was almost like he was talking. It was more…specific.”

Tobias crunches into a chestnut to crack it open with his teeth. He still isn’t fond of that whole deal. Sure, if someone has to be peeking into his head, he’ll take Nia over almost anyone else, but those are his private thoughts and feelings. He doesn’t want someone poking around and judging him for what they find. He’s not a great Pokemon, but no one else needs to know that.

“So you took a little tour inside Toby’s head? Pretty nasty place, I bet,” Junie says.

Case in point.

Tobias reaches over and steals the rookidee’s last bluk berry, popping it into his mouth just to spite her.

“Hey!”

“You deserved it.”

“You kind of did,” Nia says, smiling sympathetically.

Junie huffs, but doesn’t argue. Then she perks up again, and Tobias knows what she’s going to say before the words even leave her mouth. “You should try it again on me! I wanna know if I can feel you rummaging around in my head.”

Nia doesn’t seem all that surprised by the request, either. Still, she looks cautious. “You sure? It’s kind of, uh. Private.”

“You said the same thing the first time you looked at my aura! C’mon, let’s try it!”

Nia laughs. “Okay, okay. I’ll, um, try it from a distance first, then use contact if that doesn’t work.”

Junie doesn’t argue, settling down a foot or so from Nia.

Nia closes her eyes, concentrating. Her paws remain in her lap.

Tobias watches, curious despite himself. Just because he doesn’t want to be the test subject doesn’t mean Nia’s powers aren’t interesting.

“Oh!” Nia’s eyes remain closed, but her brows shoot up. “I got it! And I didn’t even have to make contact first.”

“Does that mean you’re getting better at using your aura?” Junie asks. “Or that we’re besties?”

Nia makes a so-so gesture with her paw. “Probably a bit of column A, bit of column B? Stay there—I want to see how far I can get.”

Nia stands up, eyes still closed, and starts backing up across the grass.

“Rock,” Tobias calls, just in time for Nia to stumble and nearly fall on her tail. She shoots him a grin and a thumbs-up, eyes still closed, before continue to step back, slower this time.

Finally, Nia stops a few yards away from Junie. She’s frowning and tilting her head as if to hear better.

“I think this is my limit right now,” Nia says.

“That’s farther than it was at the guild,” Tobias points out.

“Can you tell what I’m thinking?!” Junie calls.

A moment of quiet. Then, Nia laughs. “Not exactly, but I can tell you’re trying to think of the weirdest things possible to catch me off-guard. You feel…playful?”

Junie laughs. “I’ll show you playful! Here, see if you can feel what flying is like!”

With that, Junie launches herself into the air.

“Oh, this should be good,” Tobias mutters, watching Junie flap higher above their heads. She catches a breeze, then falls backwards and does a loop-de-loop with more agility than Tobias expects. Huh. Maybe her training with the skarmory is helping after all.

Nia groans, sinking to her knees and looking sick. Her eyes crack open. “Ugh. Yup, I felt that.”

“You did?!” Junie calls, stopping to flap in place.

“Unfortunately. I swear I could feel my stomach flip.”

“Yeah, isn’t it awesome?”

Tobias snorts, watching as Junie does more loops and spins overhead, a dark blur against the bright blue of the sky. Her shadow passes over them.

Nia trudges back to Tobias’ side and plops down, still looking vaguely nauseous. “I don’t think I was built for the air.”

Tobias laughs. “You literally weren’t.”

Nia whines, tucking her head into her knees.

Tobias gives her another patronizing pat on the back before tilting his head back to watch Junie again. The little flying type is whooping with joy as she shows off, and Tobias is torn between envy and a weird sense of peace.

Tobias doesn’t hate having the rookidee around. He likes how happy she makes Nia, for one. And with such a heavy atmosphere hanging over them lately—what with the world ending and all—even Tobias can appreciate a bit of levity.

In some ways, Junie actually reminds him of his sister. Much more annoying, of course, much pushier, but she has a similar kind of wit and playfulness to her as Vivi did. At first the similarity rubbed him the wrong way, but it’s starting to feel familiar now. More entertaining than upsetting.

“Toby! Toby, watch this!”

She even uses the same stupid nickname.

Tobias rolls his eyes. “I’m watching!”

Junie tucks her wings and drops like a stone. Beside him, Nia yelps, tensing as if to jump up. But Junie snaps open her wings just in time and swoops low across the ground to flutter to a stop at their feet.

“Wasn’t that sick?!”

“It looked dangerous!” Nia frets.

“Nah, Bo showed me how to do it safely.��

“Bolat showed you how to do that?!” Nia asks, scandalized.

“Uh, yeah? I told you he has fun uncle energy. He’s not my dad.”

“Still!”

Tobias shakes his head, biting back a smile as he starts cleaning up the remains of their meal. It’s time to get moving again.

_____________________________________________________________

By time they find the fork in the road leading to Will’s settlement, it’s sunset and even Junie has quieted down, fatigued after a long afternoon of travelling the road through open fields under the hot sun. The mesa looms over them, still in the distance but close enough that they can pick out some of the finer details of its stone face and scraggly trees.

Noticing the branching path, Junie perks up from where she’s nestled into Nia’s neck fluff.

“Finally! I feel like we’ve been looking at that stupid rock forever. How much longer do you think we have?”

Tobias doesn’t answer, stepping onto the smaller trail leading in the direction of the mesa. Unlike the main road, this path is made for only one or two ‘mon at a time, dirt trail nearly swallowed by the long, dry grasses swaying gently around them.

“Maybe an hour or two, if I had to guess?” Nia says, squinting.

Junie whines, burying her face into Nia’s fur.

“You aren’t even the one walking,” Tobias grumbles, hopping down a shallow shelf of rock in the path.

“At least we can see where we’re heading,” Nia says, ever the optimist. “And it’s late enough that it’s going to start cooling down soon.”

“I guess.”

With that, they fall silent again. Slowly, the sky bleeds to a lavender gray, only their breaths and the whistle of the wind through rustling grass to keep them company. It’s nearly dusk by time they reach the foot of the mesa, its presence overwhelmingly tall above them. It brings to mind half-remembered sensations from Tobias’ childhood in the mountains.

The trail they’d been following starts to wind its way up a steep, mountainous incline. It’s almost serpentine, snaking through the environment, cobbled with rough stones underfoot and walled in by cliff faces, wiry trees, and foliage. Tobias, already tired from the journey here, is breathing hard within minutes. Junie takes mercy on Nia and hops down to trail along behind them.

Tobias isn’t sure how long they follow the trail, relying more and more on Tobias’ tail flame to light the way as the sky darkens. Nia and Tobias both trip more than once on the rough terrain, and take to skating their hands along the rocks and branches crowding on either side of the path to keep their balance. Junie at least doesn’t have to worry about going slipping into a ravine or sliding off the mountainside.

Tobias is getting close to calling that they stop to rest for the night, the conditions too dangerous to traverse with such low light, when they round a bend and see…lights.

“Oh, look,” Nia says, stopping.

Tobias and Junie stop too, staring across the small canyon they’ve been ascending.

On the other side, tucked under the shelf-like lip of the top of the mesa, sprawls a surprisingly sizeable town, seemingly carved into the side of the cliff itself. The buildings are angular structures made of stone, and there is enough golden light spilling from windows and open doors to illuminate them, an oasis of warmth in the sprawling darkness of night.

“It’s beautiful,” Nia murmurs.

“It almost looks like a human city!” Junie says.

It’s…fine. Tobias doesn’t understand why they’re fussing so much.

“C’mon,” Tobias says, moving forward again. “Almost there.”

Luckily for their sore, tired feet, they wind their way around the canyon and to the entrance of the village relatively quickly.

There, a hulking mass of purple armor and pointed barbs is stationed. A nidoking. Tobias remembers seeing him at the human convention, but he still stops in his tracks as the poison type’s beady eyes lock onto them.

Before anyone can say anything, a high voice speaks up.

“Oh, hey! It’s you three!”

Tobias blinks. Then, movement catches his eye. It’s a tiny yellow blur, hopping down from the nidoking’s shoulder and skittering across the rocky dirt to stop before the trio. A young joltik, his fluffy yellow fur bright against the darkness. He’s barely the size of Tobias’ hand.

Tobias’ brow furrows at the familiar greeting. He glances up at the nidoking to make sure this isn’t some sort of trap, then back at Nia and Junie. They seem just as lost as he is.

“I’m sorry,” Nia says, stepping forward and crouching down. “Um. Have we met?”

The joltik cocks his head, but then looks down at himself and chirps, “Oh, right!”

The little bug type leaps up, tucks into a roll, and in a flash of cool blue light, grows over five times as big before landing on four paws. His coat is orange with black stripes and accented with fluffy cream fur.

“I’m Asher!” The growlithe pup yips, tail wagging proudly. “I ran into you at the convention, remember?”

Tobias stares, still more caught off guard by the haunting coat pattern than anything.

“Whoa!” Junie shoves forward. “How’d you do that?!”

Asher snickers, leaps up again, and in another icy blue flash lands on more delicate paws. They’re a deep red against his dark gray coat, matching the tuft of red fur sitting atop his head beween pointed ears. His golden eyes are bright as sparks.

Tobias breathes again.

“I’m a zorua, duh!”

“Don’t duh me! I’m human. How was I supposed to know that?”

“Humans don’t seem to know a lot of things.”

“Hey!”

While Junie and Asher squabble, Tobias takes another breath to calm himself. It’s better with the growlithe visage gone. Zorua are tricksters, but he can handle a trickster better than a growlithe.

“Can zorua turn into…anything?” Nia whispers to Tobias, eyes wide and ears perked. Tobias can practically see the questions building on her tongue.

“Any Pokemon, yeah.”

He snorts despite himself as Asher morphs into a rookidee, Junie’s mirror image. The real Junie squawks, outraged, and bats at him with a wing. Asher laughs, and for a brief moment Tobias sees a flicker of gray fur and red paws before he perfects the illusion once more.

“They’re more like…illusions, though, rather than actual transformations.”

That doesn’t deter Nia’s obvious fascination. She asks Asher if he can turn into her as well, and the zorua does so in a heartbeat, grinning at Nia’s awestruck expression.

“As fun as this is,” Tobias interrupts, still eyeing the silent mass of nidoking nearby. “Can we go inside?”

“Oh!” Asher morphs again in a flash, changing into another charmander, just without Tobias’ scarf. “Sure! C’mon! I can show you around. I know everything about this place.”

Asher skips towards the nidoking and the light of the town behind him. Junie giggles at the sight while Nia bites back a smile. Tobias huffs, following the cheeky kid with a lash of his tail.

The nidoking is even more intimidating up close. Over four times their height and just as wide, with a variety of scars. Tobias can feel the nidoking’s weight and strength as he shifts, looking over each of them.

“Hi, Slate!” Asher chirps.

The massive nidoking grunts in return. “You know them?”

“Sorta! They were at the human convention in Ghatha.”

Slate nods, stepping aside and shifting his heavy tail out of the way.

“Thanks, Slate! I’ll bring you more gummies tomorrow.”

Slate doesn’t answer, but Asher isn’t fazed. He shifts into a meowth and trots by the nidoking with his tail held high. “You haven’t been here before, right?”

“No,” Tobias answers, looking around as they enter town.

A path leads around the outside of the village, a sturdy wall of stones to their right to prevent anyone from tumbling off the cliff. Periodically, torches are perched atop the stone to provide light. To their left, they pass tall buildings constructed of rocks and mortar, where golden light and laughter spill from open windows into the cooling night air.

“So what do you wanna see first? We’ve got all kinds of cool human stuff here! Like…clothes! You guys like clothes, right? We have someone who makes those!”

“You do?” Nia asks, tail wagging in excitement. She picks up her pace to match Asher. Junie hops onto her shoulder to listen as well. Tobias trails behind.

“Yeah! But they aren’t working right now, since it’s late. Oh! Do you want a bath? We have a soapmaker here, too. All the humans go crazy for soap.”

“You have soap?!” Nia asks, voice cracking. She sound like she’s about to cry.

Asher laughs. “Yeah! I don’t really like it. Too strong for me. But we can get you some to use! I know they’ve been working on new, uh…flavors? Scents!”

“What else do you have?” Junie asks, sounding just as excited as Nia.

“Lotsa stuff! Oh! We have someone who makes games and toys, too! You definitely have to visit him. He’s the best.”

Tobias falls farther back, continuing to look around as the three babble on. Most of the inhabitants seem to be inside as night settles in, but the group passes one or two ‘mon out and about. They’re wearing more cloth than Tobias is used to seeing outside of cold weather. A flaaffy has a billowy transparent shawl around their shoulders and another tied around their hips, and a strangely familiar-looking elekid and sandile wearing lightweight scarves scamper by right after.

One building’s door is propped open, and Tobias glances in as they pass by. While the group of Pokemon inside don’t seem to be related biologically, all different species and types, they laugh comfortably with one another as they play games and chat. They’re sitting around a small firepit in the center space of the home. Tobias catches sight of large alcoves set into the rounded walls behind them, with blankets spilling out. Nests?

There are large jars bordering the empty wall off to the side of the group, likely for water. Plus a table with some chairs, books in a small bookcase, floors covered in rugs, and even a few pieces of art hung on the walls.

It's…cozy-looking, admittedly. Spacious enough, but warm. Lived-in.

“Is that a band?!” Junie asks from up ahead, just a smidge too loud.

Her question snags Tobias’ attention, and he jogs to catch up with the three of them. Nia and Junie are looking expectantly at a small outdoor area, with a little fire pit lit in its belly. A small crowd of Pokemon—of humans—are gathered around its edges, reclined and chatting across tiers of stone steps.

In the center, near the fire, a trio of Pokemon do appear to be preparing for a song. A clobbopus hovers their broad tentacles over a pair of drums. A loudred is holding a delicate wooden flute to his lips with giant hands. The last Pokemon, a brionne, appears to be a singer. She has a flipper held to her throat, her eyes closed as she hums to herself.

Nia, Junie, and even Asher gravitate towards the performers with shining eyes. Tobias sighs, resigning himself to listening too, and stands next to his partner.

The drummer start first, jumping right into a tempo so quick that their tentacles are a blur of movement. The crowd’s chatter slows and quiets. After a moment, the flutist joins in with surprising grace, their sharp notes somehow weaving perfectly around the drumbeats. Finally, a few beats later, the vocalist starts up, raising her chin and closing her eyes to release a high, haunting note.

Tobias feels a chill roll over the skin on his arms, as much as he doesn’t want to admit it. He was hoping these three would be terrible. Instead, as the brionne sings a few more wordless notes, her voice lilting high and low in tandem with the flute, Tobias has to admit they’re…good. Really good. His fingers twitch towards the satchel at his hip, wanting to pull out his guitar and join in.

He chances a glance at Nia and Junie. Both of them are enraptured, and Nia even looks a little emotional. Tobias wonders if she knows the song, or if it’s just his partner being her usual sensitive self.

Tobias huffs and closes his eyes, letting the stupidly beautiful music wash over him. The night breeze drifts by, cool, but it carries some of the warmth and scent of the bonfire with it, too. He should probably be enjoying this.

Eventually, minutes later, the song dies away with a warbling high note. The crowd breaks into applause, whistling and cheering.

“Wasn’t that great?” Nia leans over to whisper, eyes shining. Apparently she remembers that he exists again.

“It was fine,” he grumbles.

Nia gives him a more focused look, smile faltering. “Are you okay?”

“Asher!” A voice calls from behind them, cutting Tobias off before he can respond.

Asher jumps and squeaks at the voice, meowth tail bottlebrushing as he spins around. “H-Hey Dad!”

Tobias turns around to see a jolteon moving towards them at a brisk pace. Tobias can’t tell if his fur is the normal level of spiked for a jolteon, or if it’s pricklier than usual from the worried annoyance Tobias can read on the Pokemon’s face.

The jolteon seems surprised when he notices Tobias, Nia, and Junie, though, slowing to a stop. “Oh! Hello there. I…wasn’t aware we had newcomers.”

“We’re not,” Tobias says.

“We just got in tonight. We were hoping to talk to Will about something,” Nia says. “A-And maybe stay for a night or two to rest afterwards? We ran into Asher at the convention in Ghatha, so he was showing us around.”

“He’s supposed to be cleaning his room,” the jolteon says, giving Asher a dry look.

“Can’t it wait until after I show them around?” Asher whines. “Cerise is singing tonight!”

The jolteon’s stern expression doesn’t falter, but he does sigh. “You can come with me as I show them around, but after that you’re cleaning up your toys.”

“Fiiine,” Asher groans. He transforms back into a zorua and moves to the jolteon’s side, tail held low. “I wasn’t doing anything bad.”

“He’s been really helpful, actually!” Nia assures.

The jolteon’s spines relax a bit more. “Well, that’s good to hear, at least. Did you three want to keep watching the show? I’d imagine you’re likely half-asleep if you traveled here by foot, but Cerise is quite the treasure.”

“Well…” Nia glances longingly over her shoulder at the band as they start up their next song, and then at Tobias.

There’s a sudden loud gurgle, and all of their heads snap down to look at Junie.

For once, the rookidee almost seems embarrassed. Still, she laughs. “Uh. You got any food?”

The jolteon chuckles. “I think that can be arranged. Come with me. We can always show you around more tomorrow.”

The jolteon trots down the path, deeper into town. The rest of them follow as the band’s next song drifts into the air. Their group passes by a few other Pokemon, but Tobias doesn’t pay them any mind until he sees Nia do a double-take, slowing to a stop.

“What?” Tobias asks.

“That Pokemon looked like Seiji. The scientist who helped me with my aura at the convention?”

Tobias turns to look at the group again. Sure enough, there’s a little blue disk of a bronzor bobbing along with the others.

“Oh, have you met before?” The jolteon asks, doubling back.

“Briefly,” Nia answers. “I guess I just wasn’t expecting to see him here.”

“Ah. Well, we had a large surge in numbers after the fire. Lots of humans didn’t feel safe after that, unfortunately.”

Tobias suddenly realizes why that elekid and sandile they’d passed by earlier looked familiar. They’d seen the electric-type at the convention, having trouble containing his electricity, and Tobias had pulled that very sandile out of the building’s rubble himself.

“Is everyone here because of stuff like that?” Junie asks, hopping onto a nearby stone to be closer to eye-level.

“Not everyone, but the majority. With the way the world is breaking down, animosity towards humans has only gotten worse. They come here for sanctuary. For likeminded folks who they can connect to and feel safe with.”

Tobias frowns. On one hand, he gets that—he feels an automatic kinship with other Seekers, after all, and fire types. But something about all of the humans hiding out here still feels…wrong. Nia’s happy at the guild, right? She always gets so excited about meeting new Pokemon and learning new things. Do these humans really want to trade all of that away? Is the world really so scary to them that they have to hide from it entirely?

Tobias glances at Nia and Junie.

Nia’s brow is furrowed, but Tobias isn’t sure exactly what she’s thinking.

Junie tilts her head at the jolteon. “That makes sense, but how did you get here?”

“Pardon?” The jolteon asks, looking surprised.

“Well, you’re the kid’s dad, right?” Junie asks, glancing at Asher. The zorua has transformed into a vulpix and is absentmindedly chasing his own tails. “He told us he wasn’t a human at the convention, so…”

“Junie!” Nia admonishes, looking embarrassed.

“What?! It’s a valid question!”

It is, actually. Tobias had forgotten about that. He narrows his eyes at the jolteon.

…Who he hasn’t gotten the name of yet.

The jolteon doesn’t look cornered by the question. He simply laughs. “Ah, right. Well, I’m close with Will, so I just wanted to help him out. I’m not the only non-human here.”

“Really?” Nia asks.

“Of course.” The jolteon sits back, looking at ease. “We couldn’t have built up this village with just the humans, especially at the beginning.”

“Slate’s not human!” Asher muffled voice chimes in. His fluffy tails are caught in his jaws, and he’s still spinning in a circle. “He helped us build a lot since he’s so strong!”

“Why?” Tobias asks. The humans he gets—they feel safer here, and they’re hoping Will is their ticking to returning home. But natural-born Pokemon?

“Most of them were hired during the building process and just decided to stick around,” the jolteon says, shrugging his shoulders. “Some of them want to go to the human world, too.”

Junie frowns. “How would that work if they don’t have a human body to go back to?”

“Will’s been looking into that. The research team figures that if humans were given a body to fit into this world, then the same should happen for Pokemon going the opposite direction. If not, then they’ll likely just keep their Pokemon forms.”

Tobias exchanges a doubtful look with Nia. They both know the truth, after all, that Nia and Junie were only given their Pokemon forms because Mew created them. Although yamask are formed without any interference, so…

The jolteon catches their look. “You said you wanted to talk to Will, right? Is it about getting back to the human world?”

“To…an extent,” Nia answers. “It’s related, but it’s actually more to do with the natural disasters. We were hoping he could help us with a lead.”

The jolteon hums, glancing down at Asher as his son rolls over with a flash and turns into an eevee, weaving between his legs. “I’m sure he’d be willing to talk, but he’s likely retired for the night. Can it wait until morning?”

Tobias opens his mouth to say no, but Nia beats him to it.

“Sure!” At Tobias’ glare, she adds. “W-We need to rest anyways. One night shouldn’t hurt, right?”

Tobias doesn’t argue, much as he wants to. He is exhausted. And he wants to be in top form when they talk to Will.

“I vote food and sleep!” Junie chirps.

The jolteon smiles. “We can manage that. Come on. Not much farther now.”

The jolteon turns to go, but Tobias steps forward first. “Wait. First—what’s your name?”

Both Nia and Junie look startled, first by the sudden question and then by the realization that they’d made it this far into the conversation without such a basic exchange.

The jolteon looks at them for a moment, then laughs. Tobias doesn’t like it. “Right, my apologies. I forget sometimes, with newcomers. Here. You’re probably more familiar with this face.”

The jolteon doesn’t need to leap up, and simply flashes a bright purple before he transforms into a psychic type ponyta, with a fluffy mane and a small black horn.

Junie gasps and points a wing. “The My Little Pony!”

Nia yelps, “Fidel?!”

Fidel smiles, sidestepping Asher as the kid tries to tackle his legs. “We didn’t get to talk much at the Ghatha convention, with everything that happened. But I remember you three. Nia and Junie, wasn’t it? And…”

“Tobias!” Junie offers up.

Tobias flicks her with his tail, nearly knocking her over.

“Are you a zorua too?” Nia asks. She looks a little embarrassed about the bluntness of her question, but it’s clear she’s been thrown for a loop by this revelation.

“Not quite.” In another quick purple flash, Fidel transforms again. Then he’s twice his previous size, towering over the rest of them. Lanky, powerful arms are covered in deep gray fur and tipped with long red claws. Longer red fur flows from atop his head and around his neck like a mane. Sharp face, sharp ears, sharp smile.

“Dad’s a zoroark!” Asher says proudly, transforming back into a zorua and craning back to look up at Fidel. “If I do stay a Pokemon when we go to the human world, I’m hoping I’ll be able to evolve there! Then I can make illusions for all the big Pokemon that Dad can. Right?”

Fidel leans down to nose his son’s head with a tight smile. “Right.”

Tobias frowns. So Fidel is planning on going to the human world with his son? That feels…off. Even if Fidel and Will are friends. Even taking the natural disasters and mystery dungeons into account. Would that really be enough for Fidel to take his son away from the only world they know?

“Are there other zoroark around?” Junie asks, clearly from a place of curiosity and not the suspicion Tobias is feeling.

“Oh! Right!” Nia says, tail wagging excitedly. “You’re a canine—do zorua and zoroark travel in packs like riolu and lucario do?”

Fidel gives Nia an amused look. “I don’t see much of a pack with you right now.”

“That’s ‘cause she’s got us!” Junie says, hopping up to perch on Nia’s shoulder. “Much more versatile.”

Fidel looks endeared by the idea. “I suppose that’s true.”

“Me and Dad are the only zors around here,” Asher adds. He scrambles up his dad’s back to burrow into the zoroark’s fluffy mane. A moment later, his little face pokes out to look at them. “Sometimes I wish there were more, but it is fun playing pranks since no one here is good at seeing illusions.”

“Which is a habit we’ve been trying to break.”

Asher snickers and burrows back into Fidel’s mane.

Fidel sighs, but the sound is fond. He looks down at the three of them. “How about I finally get you all to the inn?”

Tobias doesn’t argue, trailing behind Nia and Junie as they chat with the zoroark. The dark type leads them to one of the larger structures, near the edge of the settlement. It’s a tall, tan building made of stacked stones and mortar, golden light spilling from its windows.

The door is cracked open, so Fidel nudges his way inside. They follow, finding themselves in a spacious room taking up the entirety of the first floor. A brightly patterned rug circles the floor, a fire pit at its center, providing light and warmth. An assortment of alcoves line the rounded walls. Some are large enough to hold entire Pokemon and have blankets folded up inside, ready to be used as nests. Another section of the wall has much smaller nooks dug into the stone. For storage, likely, considering the wrapped goods and jars Tobias spots there.

There’s a torracat lying in one of the sleeping shelves, a blanket draped over her. She’s using a claw to carefully carve into a chunk of wood, the little alcove lit by the glowing bell at her throat. Her ear twitches, and she glances up at the newcomers.

“We’ve got a few late-night visitors, Clara. Think you can get them settled in with some food and a bed for the night?”

The torracat sighs, setting down her carving and slipping to the ground to stretch. Her black and red striped pelt ripples. “Only for you, Del.”

“Thank you.” Fidel smiles. “I have to get Asher to clean up his room and—”

The zoroark cuts himself off, blinking. He pats at his mane, then looks down around his legs. Asher is gone. They all give the room a quick glance, but the zorua is nowhere to be seen.

Fidel’s expression falls flat. “No desserts for him for a week. You’ve got this, Clara?”

Clara looks amused, whiskers twitching. She gestures him out with a paw. “I can handle ‘em. Go catch your kid.”

“Thank you.” Fidel gives them all a tired smile and a nod. “I’ll come get you tomorrow morning when Will is free. Rest well.”

With that, Fidel slips back out the door.

Clara yawns, showing off sharp teeth. “Well. Let’s get you settled, I guess. You could’ve came a bit earlier, y’know. I was in the middle of something.”

“Sorry,” Nia says, sheepish. “We, uh, came a long way.”

“Isn’t this your job?” Junie asks, much less apologetic.

“Eh, kinda.” The torracat slinks to the side of the room where the smaller alcoves sit in the wall, full of goods. She flicks her tail for them to take a seat on the ground by the fire. “As much of a job as you need here, at least.”

“Which means..?”

“Will takes care of us whether we work or not,” Clara says, pulling down wooden plates and some wrapped goods to throw together a late-night meal. “I just like having a bit of pocket money.”

“That’s kind of him,” Nia says.

“Yeah,” Tobias says, doubtful. “How did he hire the ‘mon to build this place if he’s throwing money around like that?”

“Maybe he found a good job?” Nia suggests.

“Or he found hidden treasure!” Junie chirps.

“Mm. Dunno, don’t care.” Clara unwraps the packages to reveal breads, cheeses, berries, and nuts. Tobias’ stomach growls. “It’s chill here, and that’s all I care about.”

Nia and Junie continue the conversation as Clara puts together a little snack plate for each of them. Tobias crosses his arms and leans back against the wall, unsatisfied. Maybe he is being overly cautious, but he’d argue he’s just compensating for Nia and Junie’s lack of caution. Someone’s gotta make sure they don’t end up dead from trusting the wrong ‘mon.

But at least for tonight, he’ll rest. Tomorrow they can see what Will has to say.

#pmd #pokemon mystery dungeon #pokemon #pmd seekers of soul #tesha writes #tesha draws

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nicossunshine · 5 months ago

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Had a sudden random realisation I had to yap about:

So I feel like it’s a common misconception (not just among viewers but among the characters of HTTYD as well) that Hiccup and Stoic are polar opposites because of how much they butt heads and their views don’t seem to align. But in reality they are incredibly similar - both are protectors with large hearts. But where Stoic sees his duty in protecting his people from the dragons (and this forms a hatred that he’s later blinded by and which causes him to be downright cruel to Hiccup when he says he’s not his son), Hiccup sees a duty in protecting anything innocent.

For example, Stoic had downed Toothless instead of Hiccup, he would’ve killed the dragon, yes. But not out of “im a man and have to prove I’m strong and cool”, but because he would see Toothless as an embodiment of harm and think that he’s protecting his people and his son by killing a nightfury.

But Hiccup obviously spares Toothless, and not because “I’m not a man and I’m weak”, but because in that moment Toothless isn’t a threat, he’s an ‘innocent’ animal caught in a trap that Hiccup made. To kill him goes against Hiccup’s morals of protecting and caring for the helpless and innocent.

So, though their world views cause them to act very differently, Stoic and Hiccup are both fierce protectors at heart. But it’s their differences in world view that makes Stoic be downright mean to Hiccup in the first movie as all he can see is that fundamental difference between them.

Now take Hiccup’s daughter, Zephyr. In (I’m pretty sure) a Christmas short movie (???) Zephyr reads up on old books about dragons and deems them dangerous and starts setting up traps around the house to protect her family from dragons.

She shares this same fierce protective quality as her father and grandfather, but is more like Stoic in that she sees dragons as something dangerous that needs to be eliminated in order to protect those she loves.

But what’s really interesting to me is Hiccup’s approach to her vastly different view of dragons (that really stems from her never having seen or met one). Hiccup doesn’t barrate her, yell at her, make her take down her traps. He tries to explain to her that dragons are amazing creatures that don’t have to be feared, and then, when she doesn’t agree with him and sticks to her own ways, he’s keeps trying to change her mind but not by trying to force her to have his world view like Stoic did to him. He lets her keep building her traps that makes her feel safe, and tries just showing her the friendliness of dragons through sharing his own stories with Toothless.

And what really hits for me is that, even though Hiccup gets fucking twatted by these traps (that he fundamentally doesn’t agree with) multiple times, he never gets angry. In fact, every single time he’s knocked flat on his ass, he tells Zephyr, and anyone who’s around to hear, that he’s “so proud”, because he sees their shared qualities of being fierce protectors (as well as creative inventors) in her building her traps.

Where Stoic would say openly that he was embarrassed and ashamed of Hiccup for having this difference when Hiccup was young, Hiccup is sure to repeatedly assure Zephyr that she makes him proud and keeps uplifting her in what she does, even though it’s completely different/ wrong to him. I just can’t stop thinking about it, how openly Hiccup raises his children with nothing but love and pride and acceptance, so differently to how his father was to him.

(This isn’t Stoic hate btw, he ends up being such an amazing character and dad by the end of the first movie but we all have to agree he was pretty shit at the start)

Anyway Hiccup’s a great dad. Thanks for coming to my TEDTalk.

#this realisation hit me like a stack of bricks #HTTYD #how to train your dragon #hiccup haddock

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p-artsypants · 3 months ago

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No, You Go First (16) The Aftermath

FF.net | Ao3

Two weeks later

“Absolutely not!” Stoick boomed over the village square.

Everyone present turned to look at what Stoick was yelling at, only to see Hiccup finally up and about.

Well, not exactly up. He was in a wheelchair. And the image you have in your head is probably wrong. Viking wheelchairs were not ideal. It was a chair, and it had wheels, small wagon wheels at the bottom. It allowed for mobility, but the person sitting in it was at the mercy of those around him. Of course, since Hiccup had one leg still, he could kind of kick and scoot around, though it wasn’t practical.

Hiccup had cleverly found a temporary solution, as he held onto Toothless’ tail and had him pull him around.

Stoick stomped over. “You’re not supposed to be up yet.”

“Dad, please. I’m going stir crazy! I promise I’ll take it easy, but Astrid said she’s teaching the others to train their dragons, and I want to see how it’s going…and I want to make sure the tail that Gobber’s been working on is right.”

“Who gave you the chair?”

“Gobber, obviously.”

Stoick looked around for the man, wishing to glare at him, but he was over in the forge.

“It’s okay, Chief,” Astrid assured. “I’m making sure he’s taking it easy.”

“Oh, and I supposed you helped him into the chair too?”

“If by ‘help’ you mean ‘picked up and put me in’ then yes, she helped.” Hiccup had tried to insist that he could do it himself, and he just needed her for balance, but Astrid could not be persuaded otherwise.

She had been doing everything for him, nearly smothering him when they were together. She had even helped him put his pants on this morning. It was humiliating.

If not touching.

Stoick pinched the bridge of his nose. “What am I going to do with you, son?”

“Uh, trust me to be responsible?”

Stoick glared at the three of them, not happy with the situation, but obviously understanding where they were coming from.

“Fine,” he groaned. “But the second you feel tired, you’re goin’ back to bed!” He pointed up at the house. “And I better not see that butt out of that chair!”

“Yes sir!” Hiccup smiled, just happy to be allowed outside.

“Come on,” Astrid beckoned. “The others are training down at the arena!”

Hiccup took hold of Toothless’ tail. “Alright bud, let’s show these losers how to really tame a dragon!”

“Slowly!” Stoick bellowed.

They did heed Stoick’s orders and leisurely made their way through town.

Folks stopped and stared as Toothless passed, and then shouted greeting to him.

“There you are, lad!”

“Good to see you out and around!”

“Got yourself a fine steed for your wagon!”

Hiccup couldn’t help but smile as the wave of well wishes washed over him. It had been a while since he was so thoroughly welcomed in the village.

Astrid felt it too. Though, she hadn’t been locked away for the last two weeks. People were smiling at them, both of them.

The looks towards Toothless weren’t necessarily friendly, but not hostile. Just intrigued.

Who could blame them? The injured son of the chief, the runt of the Hooligan tribe, was holding onto the tail of a Nightfury.

That was the fabled, mystical, elusive Dragon only heard about in stories.

And little Hiccup was playing with it like an overgrown kitten.

There were bound to be some looks of awe and confusion.

There was enough awe to be shared, however, as other village folk had seemed to pick out their own dragons to love.

Granted, no one else was riding one, but they were petting and scratching and over all trusting the dragons in a way that made Hiccup’s chest swell. Mrs. Larson was hanging laundry on the line, and a Nadder was helping her do it. Ingmar was repairing his roof and a Zippleback was handing shingles up to him.

The best one was the rotisserie. Someone had rigged up a spit with a boar and a few chickens to roast over a sleeping Nightmare. The spit was connected to the water wheel at the mill to keep it continuously turning.

“Look my boy!” Said Axel, proudly. “I took a note out of your book and made a little gadget of my own!”

“Wow dad, that’s great!” Hiccup said.

The man grabbed him up and out of his chair and into a tight, bone-crushing hug, slightly for the praise, but mostly because Hiccup had called him ‘dad’.

—-

The three made their way down to the arena. Toothless nudged Hiccup’s chair down the sloped entrance, and he rode down and entered with a cheerful “whoo!”

“Hey, look who it is!” Said Tuffnut, stopping Hiccup’s journey with a boot to the side of his chair.

Hiccup cringed, preparing for the ridiculous nickname.

“Hiccup! The Dragon Master and Jorgenson Blaster!”

Hiccup barked a laugh.

“That’s not funny!” Snotlout yelled back. “I’m telling you, I threw the fight on purpose! I could have willed myself to not pass out!”

“It’s okay, Snotlout,” said Hiccup. “I could never beat you again if I tried.”

“So you’re admitting it now? You’re not even going to give me the satisfaction of a rematch?”

“Snotlout, I don’t have my left leg.” He gestured to his stump. “How is fighting you now even fair?”

Snotlout narrowed his eyes. “Fine, but once you can walk like Gobber, it’s go time.”

“Whatever,” Hiccup rolled his eyes. He glanced around the arena, taking note of the assembled dragons.

Fishlegs seemed to be getting along really well with the Gronkle, as he scratched it and cooed at it.

The twins had taken the Zippleback, and they were taking turns throwing fish up and guessing which head would eat it.

The Monstrous Nightmare kind of lingered by Snotlout, but there wasn’t much interaction going on.

“So,” Astrid began. “We’ve been working on trust. I showed them how to form a loose bond with the dragon by holding out your hand and letting them come to you. Everyone managed to do it!”

“Great!” Hiccup praised. “So, have we thought of names?”

“Oh oh oh!” chirped Fishlegs. “Meatlug’s so easy to get along with! He likes scratches here, here, and here!” Fishlegs demonstrated by scratching the Gronkle in several places before she fell over, rumbling. “See? He’s nervous around thunder, and his favorite rock is sandstone.”

“That’s—amazing, Fishlegs! Glad to see you’ve bonded so well with your Gronkle.”

“He makes it easy,” Fish gushed.

“Well…great. Who would like to introduce me to their dragon next?”

“This is our dragon,” said Tuffnut, casually. “This head is Barf, that head is Belch.”

“No,” said Ruffnut. “This head is Belch, that head is Barf.”

“That’s what I just said, Stupid!”

“Don’t call me Stupid!” And they started fighting, slapping each other.

But, Hiccup watched in pleased fascination as the two heads each grabbed a twin and pulled them apart. It didn’t stop the siblings from trying to hit each other, but at least they were out of range.

“Okay, Barf and Belch,” he nodded. “That sounds about right.” He kicked his chair around to look at Snotlout. “So, how’s it going with the big guy? Make yourself a new buddy?”

Snotlout put his hands on his waist. “Hookfang isn’t my ‘buddy’, Hiccup. He’s my partner in battle. I’m training him to be the ultimate killing machine.”

Hookfang simply puffed a tiny fireball at Snotlout, igniting his pants.

“Ow! Ow ow ow!!” Snotlout went running for a bucket of water.

“I see we have work to do over here…” Hiccup muttered.

—-

After cataloging what he needed to cover with the other riders about training their dragons (especially if he wanted to keep them from burning the village down), it was off to the forge.

“What do you think?” Gobber held up the prototype leg. “I call it ‘making my way downtown 2.0.’”

“Uh, kinda long name. What about ‘Hiccup’s leg’?” Hiccup deadpanned.

“I thought you liked naming contraptions.”

“I do! But…this one is my leg. I don’t feel right naming it, or any part of my body, for that matter.”

“Most men would disagree, but that’s your prerogative, I suppose.” He hobbled over to the workbench where Toothless’ tail rig was laid out, mostly assembled. “Now, I followed your surprisingly detailed blueprints and replicated the prosthetic tailfin you made. Real masterpiece, there!”

“Thank you, I learned from the best.” Hiccup smiled.

Gobber poked him in the chest. “You tryin’ to flatter me? You tryin’ to butter me up?”

“No, no! Why would you think that?” He grinned.

“Alright you little bugger.” He rubbed his head affectionately. “There’s just one part of the tail left, and then all that’s left is for you to heal.” He held up the stirrup, and showed that the leg clicked into place.

“Wow, that’s great!”

“At first, I couldn’t get it to stay locked in, now I’m having a hard time getting it to unlock. Might cause a bit of a problem when trying to dismount!”

“Oh, I see. Can I work on it?”

“I was hoping you’d say that. Got lots of folks asking for work to be done. I didn’t want to put this off, because it's a matter of you and Toothless getting around.”

“I appreciate it so much, Gobber. I can iron out the little kinks. Gothi still says I have a month before I can try a prosthesis anyways.”

“Lots of time to tinker, huh?”

“I have to. I’m going stir crazy. Astrid and I already redesigned our new house three times. I think we finally made a perfect design, but if I don’t have another project, I’m liable to change it again.”

Gobber laughed. “You’re not able to walk around and you’re already designing a new house? What’s wrong with the old one?”

“It’s on Spitelout’s property. He wants it back. He jokingly said I could take the house and move it…which I’m starting to consider. Except I think it’d be funny to leave the giant bed there. That and the basement were the only things Snotlout wanted.”

“I’d love to see the look on his face when he wakes up and sees a hole with a bed in it.”

Hiccup stayed at the forge for the rest of the day. Toothless laid at his feet and he diligently worked.

Only when the Green Death (that’s what the Twins started calling it, and the name caught on, “cause it’s green and Hiccup almost died”) made her dinner time call, did Hiccup realize how busy he had been. Excited, he scooted across the forge to watch.

The Green Death surfaced from the water, dumped a load of fish on the cliff next to the forge, and then retreated. She climbed up the slope to the volcano and slipped inside, retiring for the night. It never got any less amazing to watch this behemoth dragon at work. She had submitted to Toothless’ call, and now she was almost docile.

The rest of the village came alive then. Dragons swarmed the fish, while vikings started heading back home for the evening. Yes, the old queen had definitely found her place in the village, and life on Berk was peaceful.

For like a week.

Because of Hiccup’s condition, Astrid and Hiccup and Valka and Stoick had switched houses. There was no way to get Hiccup up the stairs, and no way to get their bed down the stairs. So switching for a month was the compromise they came up with.

For the two weeks of their marriage, Hiccup and Astrid had shared the largest bed on Berk. One the size of a room. Now, they were sharing Hiccup’s old bed, that was teen sized.

Neither of them complained, as it was nice to be close, especially as it started to get colder.

So here they were, fast asleep in the main room, holding onto each other as they softly snored.

Before dawn had broken, horns and bells started blaring. All the signs of a raid.

Astrid bolted up, immediately awake. Toothless, who was on the floor nearby, also popped to wakefulness.

“Babe,” Astrid shook Hiccup. “Babe!”

“Hu-huh?” He blinked rapidly.

“There’s a raid!”

He scoffed, turning back over. “You’re having a nightmare.”

“I’m serious! Listen!”

He paused, then heard the shouting as well. He sat up quickly. “A dragon raid?”

“Couldn’t be, right?”

“We need to get out there!” Hiccup beckoned Toothless over and climbed onto his back.

“You’re not supposed to be flying!” She chastised.

“I can’t! But we need to move! Hop on!”

She obeyed, climbing on behind him and taking hold of his waist, before Toothless took off bounding outside.

Stoick was at the square, with several vikings surrounding him with torches and weapons. There were several dragons around, but not raiding. Rather, they were waiting for instructions to help.

“What’s going on?” Hiccup asked, trying to get his father’s attention.

Instead, his mother answered, coming up to their side. “A raid. A viking raid. About two dozen ships.”

Hiccup swallowed thickly. Leave it to these neanderthals to declare a war right after one was finished.

“Can we tell who?” Asked Astrid.

“Outcasts,” said Valka. “Led by Alvin the Treacherous. He’s had a beef with your father for years.”

Hiccup beckoned Toothless closer to Stoick, listening to what the man was saying.

“Bucket and Mulch will take the elderly and children to Thor’s beach. The rest of you, gather weapons and prepare to board those ships.”

“But chief, we don’t have enough ships in our fleet to take them on.”

“Dad—” Hiccup tried to speak up.

“Not now Hiccup.” Stoick held up a hand. “It will have to do. We’ll simply have to designate people to steer and push off so we can board multiple ships at a time.”

“Dad!”

“Not now, Hiccup! You shouldn’t even be out of bed! We’ll handle this!”

Hiccup understood his father’s worry, even if it was unfounded. He started to formulate his own plan, then snapped his fingers. “Of course, it’s so simple.”

“What’s simple?” Asked Astrid.

Hiccup leaned down to talk to Toothless, “take us to the cliffside.”

Toothless complied and bounded over to the grassy edge. From here, they could see the little lights on the ocean from the ships. Hiccup slipped off the saddle and sat on the grass still covered in dew.

“What are we doing?” Asked Astrid, crouching next to him.

“Getting a front row seat.” Hiccup smirked. “Toothless, sorry I can’t help you fly there, but I think our new friend can help with our problem. Try to tell her to frighten them first, and then start smashing. This isn’t a buffet.”

Toothless yipped and wagged his tail. He did an excited little circle before bounding off towards the forest. His call echoed, blasting out over and over and farther and farther away.

“Wait, you don’t mean…” Astrid pointed towards the mountain.

“Yep.”

Stoick came running over. “Son, what is your dragon up to?”

“Oh, you’ll see.”

The ground started rumbling. People began shouting in fear, and some who realized what was happening, in premature victory.

The Green Death burst from her volcano with a fireball and an echoing roar.

“Oh, nice entrance!” Hiccup complimented.

The dragon leapt from the volcano and into the ocean, creating a great wave.

Gobber joined them at the cliffside, spyglass in hand. “They’re panickin’. Probably wettin’ themselves.”

Stoick rested his hands on his hips. “Now why didn’t I think of that?”

The lights on the water shifted, and some went out as the wave hit them. Distantly, they could hear the invaders shouting.

The Green Death submerged under the water, and seemingly disappeared.

“Oh, she’s fun,” said Gobber.

The rest of the town who had gathered in the square, were now watching from the cliffs, still with weapons and torches in hand just in case, but just watched in awe.

The great beast burst forth from the ocean, right in front of the armada, and blew another fireball into the sky.

At that point, Toothless returned from his trip, panting.

“Just in time to see the finale, bud.” Hiccup scratched him heartily.

Toothless enjoyed the scratch, but didn’t relax completely. He kept his eyes on the battle below, and prepared to intervene.

But the Green Death only dove back into the water and retreated.

Whole ships were on fire, but those that could move had turned and were making a hasty retreat from Berk’s waters.

“Well, that was fun.” Gobber shrugged. “I think I still have time to sleep before I have to be in the forge.”

Slowly, carefully, the Green Death emerged once again, but this time right in front of the cliffs. Close enough to touch.

So Hiccup did. He reached his hand out and touched her, scratching her hide, though it probably felt like a tickle of a gnat. “Who’s a good girl? Who’s a good girl!? Who’s a force of nature? It’s you! It’s you!”

The Green Death made an almost happy chuffing noise.

“Hey dad, do we have any boar or deer carcasses in the food storage?”

“What? Are you telling me you want to give her a treat?”

“I think she deserves it!”

So, they gave her two boars and an elk, before she retreated back to the volcano to sleep. Those were supposed to be food for winter, but considering she stopped a seemingly unbeatable raid, no one was too cut up about it.

Seeing the giant dragon in action like that, seeing that she could be reasoned with and persuaded to help gave Hiccup some ideas.

Another week later, he decided to try to experiment.

He was good with that, afterall.

When the Green Death made her morning tribute of fish, he called out to her. “H-hey Green! How’s it going?”

The Green Death looked at him, this tiny toothpick of a human, balancing with two other toothpicks holding him up.

“I have a favor, if you wouldn’t mind?”

—-

Astrid awoke to rumbling. A different, much closer rumbling. Hiccup wasn’t in bed, and she had a horrible feeling that he was responsible.

She burst from the house, stumbling down the steps.

Hiccup was right there on the grassy hill, using crutches instead of the wheelchair.

“Hiccup?” She squawked.

“That’s good, yep…keep going…that should do it!” He was talking to the giant, giving directions like one would to builders.

The Green Death had a talon in the cliffs bordering the Great Hall. She had burrowed a hole through one side and out the other, exiting on the hill behind the chief’s house.

“W-what?” Astrid asked.

“I had a different idea for our house, you’re going to love it!” He gushed.

“H-H-Hiccup?!”

“Alright!” He called to the Green Death. “Just one more thing!” He leapt on Toothless’ back and rode him across the square over to their old house.

“You can’t be serious,” Astrid drawled.

Apparently he was, as he pointed at it and said, “alright, pick this one up!”

Toothless barked what was probably a translation.

The Green Death squinted her several eyes and tilted her head. Then slowly reached over the entirety of the village with her dizzyingly large leg.

Gods this dragon was enormous.

She pinched the house with her claws, crushing the sides, but lifted it up anyway.

Then Toothless pounced back to the hillside, where Astrid stood.

“Alright, set it down here, gently!”

The Green Death tilted her head the other way, and swung the house over, and dropped it none too gently on the grass.

“Careful!”

The beast lifted her head to the sky and gave a head pounding rumble.

She was laughing.

“Alright, that’s enough from you!” Hiccup chastised.

Now, Astrid spotted the dead elk on the grass, and watched as Toothless tossed it up to the beast, who chomped it up with a sickening snap. Then she retreated to the ocean once more.

After a minute of shocked silence, Astrid yelled, “what the hell was that!?”

Hiccup seemed to just now notice her. “Oh! Morning honey! I came up with a new idea for our house! You’re going to love it!”

“You already said that.”

“I did? Oh. Well, I was too excited! Did you see that?! She did exactly what Toothless told her! She likes red meat, so giving her a treat encourages her to listen to Toothless!”

“So I saw…”

He pulled out a blueprint from under his arm. “Okay, so I took your basic floorplan, but I had an idea. What if we built into the cliff? Look, I added this launchpad, and it connects to a stable for the dragons—”

Astrid stood on her tippy toes and kissed him, restarting his brain.

“Babe,” she giggled. “I’m happy for you. I’m happy you’re inspired, but please…can we work on getting you standing on two feet first before you start renovating the village?”

He smiled at her. “I suppose I could take it easy.”

#fanfiction #httyd #how to train your dragon #hiccup #hiccstrid #hiccup haddock #toothless #astrid hofferson #no you go first

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zoros-sake-bottles · 2 years ago

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Having a girlfriend who spaces out (Ace,Sanji,Law)

So basically you space out for long periods of time especially when your stressed and tired or feeling mentally unwell

Your brain just stops and you block out everything around you

You begin to talk to yourself in your own thoughts or look into the darkness of them

You can see images and even hear sounds

For everyone on the outside it looks like your completely absent

It definitely isn’t normal but no one knows why it happens

The first time it happened he was beyond worried like the way you stared directly passed him despite how many times he called out to you made him think you were either seriously upset with him or you were sick

In that case he panicked and ran to get Marco as quickly as possible and Marco too was concerned because according to Ace you had been like that for a whole 10 minutes

Trying not to alarm anyone else Marco asks Ace to go and get his Ophthalmoscope or for Ace the flashlight that makes your pupils grow

After two minutes he realizes that was a mistake because every medical tool looks almost the same to Ace especially now that he’s panicking

So Marco goes after Ace hoping to stop the possible destruction of his office

Suddenly you snap out of it slightly groggy from your eyes being open for so long without blinking you could have sworn Ace was in front of you

You get up and go look for Ace only to find him going insane along with Marco in his office

They both stop to look at you before Ace drops whatever he was looking at to hug you

“Y/n ! You scared me!” he squeezes you tight

Though confused you gently rubbed his back and looked at Marco as if he could fill you in with his eyes

Ace pulls back and puts a hand to your face “Are you okay!?-Here sit down”

Before you can answer he picks you up and sets you on the cot in Marco’s office

He starts bombarding Marco with questions and they start talking on their own without you, that is until you butt your way in to the conversation-clearly distressed by the secrecy

“You disassociated for a long time and it gave Ace quite a fright yoi” he explains

Your body relaxes before your eyes shut and you begin to rub your temples, you thank Marco and assure him your okay before asking him to give you and Ace a moment alone

You signal for Ace to take a seat next to you before taking his hands in yours and explaining to him that your zoning out is just a coping mechanism and that its not really something you have control over

“It only happens when your drained right? Maybe I could help you relax and re-charge-IF YOU WANTED ME TO- I’D TOTALLY UNDERSTAND IF YOU PREFERED DOING IT ON YOUR OWN-…”

Smiling you lean forward and kissed the boy on the cheek

“I-um…are you hungry? Thatch made some of your favorite cookies earlier, I’m sure he saved a bunch for you”

After this Ace most definitely makes sure you NEVER over do it

He makes sure you reserve time to yourself everyday!

PANIC ATTACK

PANICK ATTACK

PANIC ATTACK

THE WORLD IS ENDING

I REPEAT

THE WORLD IS ENDINGGGGGGGGG

*cough cough*

Sanji has always been dramatic about every single injury you have ever gotten

A stub of your toe, a scratch from a twig or a paper cut is just enough for him to hunt down Chopper and make him give you a check up

Just let the injury be bigger than that and he physically won’t be able to bare the fact that he allowed you to get hurt

So just imagine how he would react if the threat was in your head and he couldn’t protect you from it, from yourself

You knew as soon as you started dating that telling him about your condition was the right move

While you were explaining it all your head lay in the crook of his neck and the both of your fingers intertwined

When you finished it was quiet for awhile as he took it all in

“Is there really nothing I can do?”

You shake your head a little and he feels it

“You said stress is what triggers it right? Maybe I can prevent it a little if I eliminate some of the factors-”

You sympathetically smile at your boyfriend, he’s always jumping to take on your burdens and to fix your problems

You tell him that he can’t keep your mind from going into overdrive all the time and this makes him frown

You squeeze his hand

“but you know what you could do for me baby?”

“What?” he perks up a bit

“Take care of me when I come out of it, I’m always a bit confused and I don’t know how much time has passed-”

“Darling that’s a given, I don’t even know if I could leave your side when your in such a state” a puff of air came out from his nose

When it happens, now Sanji is either by your side holding your hand or just around the corner preparing you something light to eat

His main goal is to create a gentle space where your mind can slow down

He knows

He knew before you

Does he know what your illness is exactly? No

Is there medicine to treat it? No…well not unless you want to loose the ability to blink

As soon as he noticed your symptoms he started looking for a cure without even telling you

He worries but he hides behind knowledge and sarcasm

While your trying to do some work on the submarine your breathing becomes labored and you feel yourself begin to sway a bit- almost falling back, that is until he catches you

“If your tired sit down, its common sense”

You’d normally respond by mocking him, childish things piss him off real bad but you were beginning to disassociate

“Y/n ya?”

You blink at him and try to shake your head to keep yourself grounded

Law uses his powers to bring you to your shared bedroom

He makes sure to lay you down gently on the bed and gets you something to drink (it contains electrolytes)

Its a struggle but you manage to avoid spacing out and instead try to explain to Law (what he already knows)

“I’m aware, I am a doctor y/n” he attempts to be snarky but you can see his hands shaking a bit by his sides

“Law-”

He turns around “If its too much don’t do it please”

“but I can’t just do small things, I want to contribute too, I don’t want everyone to see me as-”

“Who’s the captain of this ship y/n?” he intercedes

You go silent

“If the others have a problem with it they can get the hell off of my ship”

You huff and sink down into the bed knowing that you wouldn’t be able to argue with him and that he had good intentions

“Actually I have a feeling your not going to listen” he clicks his tongue

“I’ll have to go notify everyone to keep an eye out-”

“Don’t” you sit up, but he’s already shambled himself out of the room

You can’t lift anything more than five pounds and everyone’s always helping you out with tasks

You know Law is somewhere not too far away smirking at the sight and it pisses you off

#fem!reader #ace x reader #sanji x reader #law x reader

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madschiavelique · 2 years ago

Note

Hello! May I please request Miguel head cannons with an asexual! Reader. Both romantic and platonic. I don’t feel like reader needs any specific pronouns so they/them are fine. Thank you so much!

HI ANON

I took more time to write this one because i wanted to make sure i would give correct representation ! i talked to my bestie @gollygothgal so that she might help me on this and tried my very best ! i also tried to learn more on the subject with this video right here

PLEASE if you are ace and you feel like you have not been represented properly in this i beg you to tell me, misrepresenting you is the last thing in the world i would ever wish for

word count : 757 words (without vocabulary)

headcanons : Miguel x asexual!reader

Platonic :

when you came out to him, you had to properly explain to him what this meant

because although this man is very understanding, he also doesn’t know much about sexuality and gender (you also had to explain to him about gender, be patient with him because he’s trying very hard to understand)

the man made EXTENSIVE research on the matter, asking Lyla about articles and historical events as well as chemical explanation just to be sure to understand you and respect your orientation

once he understood what it was exactly, he bought you an ace bracelet so that you could go around the society without being bothered, but also so that you could be sure that you were in a safe environment that respected your sexuality and identity

you might’ve gotten anxious about the possibility that he would’ve looked at you in a different way when coming out to him, but this man just dearly wants you to be honest with him so that he can be sure to never ever make you feel uncomfortable in any sort of way

at this point he knows everything about the subject, to the extent that he might even know more than you on it

if you’re (aro)ace, he might try and strangle any person that annoys you the slightiest bit on the subject of your sexuality

someone actually once compared your sexuality as “just being single” and Miguel was so about to braid their veins

“yea I’m just like you I don’t want to have sex this year” ← the person who said this ended up to the hospital

he heard about a sort of inside joke in the community of asexuals about them loving cake, so he buys you some occasionally

he is curious though about how your life works with that, but will only ask questions if you assure him you’re comfortable on this subject

romantic :

first of all, he is very respective of your sexual orientation

once, you felt bad about not being able to satisfy him sexually, and wanted to at least try to do something for him

but it made you way too uncomfortable and had to stop

Miguel was not disappointed at all, far from it, because you had tried your best and he loved you no matter what

he spent his whole time after that event comforting telling you how it is okay

because this man is grown alright

he knows that love is not only about sex, and that sex is just a part of love. things like trust, respect and communication are much more important to him than carnal stuff

he knows that you love him, and that’s all that matters to him

one of this man’s love languages is touch, and whenever he touches you, he has to hear from your own words that you are okay with him touching you even if it’s on regular places of the body like the waist for instance

once he accidentally touched your butt = the man apologised and felt bad for the entire day because of this no matter how you told it’s okay

you were worried that miguel would want to stop dating you as soon as he learned you were asexual, but not at all, because you had not built your relationship around sex, you had built your relationship around each other, and that’s what mattered to him the most

if you do like cuddling though and maybe are heteroromantic, this man will never get his hands off of you (he will also kiss you at every given moment because kisses are the “I love you”s of he body after all)

if you’re a grey asexual/sex positive asexual, he really wants to be sure before doing any move that he has your written consent

if you’re a repulsed asexual, he is completely understanding

if you’re demi-sexual and bond enough with him to have sexual attraction developing towards him, he’ll fly through the roof

if you’re autosexual, he is completely okay with that and gives you room and space for this (will even leave the house/quarters to make sure you can have this time for yourself)

if you’re acespike, he’ll waste NO TIME like- he’ll really be there on the minute for whatever you want to do

if you’re quoisexual he will be incredibly patient and of course understanding. He knows it can be hard sometimes to identify your own identity and will support you no matter what

if you’re caedsexual, and you tell him how and why, he might cry and never let go off you because he feels extremely honoured that you felt trusting enough towards him to tell him your story

vocabulary :

gray asexual : they experience some sexual attraction though it may be rare or mild, inconsistent or irregular

demisexual : they experience sexual attraction only after a very close emotional bond is formed

autosexual : they feel sexual attraction to themselves as opposed to other people (like preferring masturbation to sexual activity with a partner)

ace spike : will usually experience no sexual attraction but may sometimes have sudden very intense spikes of sexual attraction (these usually last for short periods of time before returning to feeling no sexual attraction)

quoisexual : describes a little bit of uncertainty or confusion as to your identity on the asexual spectrum/can describe someone who doesn’t really understand sex or sexual orientation as it relates to themselves – they also sometimes don’t see the importance in defying it

caedsexual – describes someone who once had sexual attraction and no longer does, especially people that have had negative sexual experiences in the past or ptsd that contributes to their lost of attraction

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melancholicheart · 1 year ago

Text

All This Time- Chapter 8

cw: implied/referenced transphobia, trans male pregnancy (past, mentioned), angst, miscommunication, fluff and happy ending

Simon hears Johnny loud and clear. Nods his head a little and sits back into the couch. He tries to speak, no words coming from his mouth, and he eventually commits himself to silence.

He agrees with Johnny. He doesn’t want to die in the field, lose his life on foreign ground, potentially not even get a slither of his body back to even bury, and he can’t imagine Elizabeth having to cope with that. He doesn’t want her to end up as fucked up as he was.

Before he can comprehend even making a full sentence, his phone vibrates on the chair beside him and Price’s name lights up the screen.

“We can carry on talking later,” Johnny assures, “I know you’re going to want time, Si. Take Price’s call.”

Simon nods and grabs his phone, placing it to his ear and managing a small ‘yeah’ as he answers the call.

“I have answers.” Is all Simon gets. No hello, no ‘how are you?’, just work. “Gaz and I are going to come over, we need to talk in person. I take it you’re with John and the kid?”

Simon mumbles another ‘yes’ before Price can be heard by both men in the living room, “Wheels up in 30. Be with you in about an hour, two tops. Be good to see Soap again, more excited about meetin’ the little ‘un though.”

“She’s great, Price.” Simon mutters and Johnny watches him from the side, a small smile creeping onto his face.

Out of the corner of his eye, he sees Elizabeth peaking around the corner and she jumps back when Johnny spots her. He smiles at her and beckons her over, the little girl racing to Johnny and jumping onto him as she dives for the couch. He catches her under her arms and swings her up onto his lap. Simon places his phone down and sighs. He turns and sees Elizabeth sat on Johnny, playing with his hair and squeezing his face and smiles.

“Price and Gaz know something.” He informs, “They’re on their way over, wanna talk in person. I bet you’ve missed them, Gaz especially I presume. He’s missed you, I can guarantee that.”

Johnny nods and smiles, cuddling Elizabeth close and nuzzling her chin with his nose, making her squeal with laughter as he tickles her, “Papa stop!”

“Never,” Johnny growls, tickling her more and she shrieks out again, “I’m never letting you go!”

“Daddy, help!” She wails and Simon chuckles, snatching his daughter from Johnny and holding her away from him.

“He’s so cruel to you isn’t he darling?” Simon muses, holding Elizabeth like a baby and kissing her forehead lightly, “Such a meanie.”

“A big meanie.” Elizabeth agrees as Johnny pouts.

“Hey!”

For the umpteenth time in Johnny’s life, time seems to both halt and fly by. Before he knows it, there’s a knock at the door and Johnny’s breath stills completely. Five years. Five fucking years since he’s even spoken to his best friend and former Captain, never mind seen them. His stomach sinks as Simon clambers to his feet and answers the door.

Johnny grabs a tight hold of Elizabeth and stands, slowly making his way to the door too where he sees Price and Gaz. Price is carrying a folder, tucked under his arms, and a casual jacket covers his arms. His facial hair is most certainly within ‘old man beard’ territory now with his hair curling a little behind his ears. Certainly longer than Johnny’s ever seen it.

Gaz is timeless. There isn’t a hair out of place on his head, not a single wrinkle or crease extra to be found. His biggest change has nothing to do with aging at all, more like trauma. Blunt force, to be specific. There’s a bump on his forehead, no doubt aging now since it isn’t bruised, but fresh stitches cover a slight cut in it. Likely from the butt of a gun. Johnny’s own head aches as he remembers the many injuries of the like he himself sustained.

“Papa,” Elizabeth mutters, eyeing the men cautiously and nervously tucking her face into his neck, “They the men in the pictures?”

Johnny nods, “Yeah sweetheart, they’re mine and Daddy’s friends. Uncle Gaz and Grandpa Price. He ain’t really your Granda’, it’ll just drive him mad if you call him that.”

“Soap,” Price says, pushing past Simon with Gaz in tow. Gaz claps a hand onto Simons’ bicep before following after the Captain. Johnny feels like he’s about to be chewed out for dangerous decision making or the likes when Price stands before him until he takes note of the man’s eyes. Relief, “It’s bloody good to see you son.”

“You too, sir.”

Price turns to Elizabeth and holds a hand out to her, “I believe you’re Miss Elizabeth, is that right?”

She nods and gently puts her hand into Price’s, him shaking her hand with a warm smile on his face, “A pleasure to meet you, kiddo.”

Elizabeth wiggles out of Johnny’s hold and runs over to Simon, wanting to be held by him instead, and Gaz takes the opportunity to throw himself at Johnny. Johnny holds onto Gaz and feels tears brewing in his eyes.

“You’re a fucking moron, Soap,” Gaz mutters, “You and Simon. God I’ve fuckin’ missed you, brother.”

“I’ve missed you too, Gaz,” Johnny whispers, “Coulda done with you throughout all o’ this.”

Gaz chuckles, “I bet.”

Simon taps Gaz’s shoulder and gestures to the angry looking child in his arms, “She wants you to stop swearing.”

“Oh shit, uh, I mean, yeah, sure kiddo! Bad first impression of your Uncle Gaz, ai?” Gaz rubs the back of his neck and smiles sheepishly. Elizabeth giggles at him and nods.

“Papa swears all the time!” Elizabeth chuckles.

“No I do not!” Johnny yelps.

Price chortles, “Nothing’s changed there then has it MacTavish?”

“No Sir.” He sighs.

Before long, they’re all well acquainted once more and Elizabeth takes her time playing with each of them and gauging how she feels about them all. She has taken a liking to Gaz, mainly because he does silly voices when she plays with him, but she keeps gravitating towards Price and climbing into his lap when she gets tired.

Eventually, she only wants the embrace of her Papa and climbs up into his arms. She seems tired, presumably from all the running around and playing she’s been doing, and she starts to nod off whilst tucked in between Johnny and Simon on the couch.

Simon, always believing in ‘no time like the present’, turns his attention to Price and clears his throat, “Are you going to tell us what you found or just sit and make small talk all day?”

Price chuckles at the Lieutenants tone but his smile quickly falls, “Yeah it’s- well, it ain’t pleasant stuff.” He turns and looks at Elizabeth who is pulling on Johnny’s shirt and dancing one of her dinosaurs on his stomach as her eyes flutter slowly. “Perhaps she’d be better in bed?”

Johnny nods and goes to move with Lizzie but she just whines and clutches onto Johnny tighter, “Baby, don’t you want to go to sleep? I will tuck you and Ricky in.” Ricky is her dinosaur pal.

She shakes her head, “A wanna cuddle.”

“We’re going to be having a rubbish grown up conversation,” He tries to reason, “Are you sure?”

She nods fervently, “I go sleepy here, Papa.”

“Alright, love, come here.” He holds her more comfortably and strokes her hair softly as she goes back to drifting off. He gestures towards Price and allows him to proceed.

“I’ll cut to the chase then,” Price clears his throat and stretches back into the chair, “Gaz and I did some digging, got in touch with Laswell too. All the calls are recorded and such and, well, the ones from you were locked away. When we listened, it was General Sutton that shut you down. I think he heard about your ‘situation’, John, because the last thing we picked up on was you saying you were expecting before the line went dead.”

Johnny shrinks into himself, “I- I already thought they hung up on me. That was the day I found out, I was sat on the bathroom floor crying and begging for them to let me speak to you or Simon.”

Price nods, “We know, son. Turns out, Sutton had plans for Ghost. Sent Simon out near enough the following day. Every call of yours, every letter, it’s been blocked or returned. Sutton wouldn’t let this slip up. He had heard what you said and knew that if Simon caught wind of it, he would’ve left and he didn’t want that.”

“That prick,” Simon grumbles, “Damn near killed me on those jobs and kept me away from this? From everything!”

“Sutton didn’t want to admit it, but Gaz and I- well- let’s just say we ‘forcefully’ took him, and we questioned him about it. He spilled his own secrets pretty quickly. Told us how he hated MacTavish, couldn’t believe the 141 took him in, hated the image we were giving the military by having John yet he recognised that you’re a bloody good soldier, Soap. He said that with you gone, we couldn’t afford to lose Ghost too and so, he elaborated this whole coverup so Simon would never find out about Elizabeth. Made you think that Simon forgot about you and Simon- he made you think John moved on.” Price finishes.

Simon looks at Gaz who is staring at his lap. He has anger seething from him and Simon recognises that they’re all hurt by this.

He turns to Elizabeth, tucked into Johnny’s side snoozing away, and sees his daughter. He’s not exaggerating when he says he could’ve died. There were a few close calls, a couple near misses and some poor timing over the last few years that nearly stripped his baby girl from ever meeting him.

Just like Johnny said, regardless of what he thinks of himself, his daughter looks at him like he’s made of gold and the thought of dying in the dirt without ever seeing her beautiful face or without ever making her smile the way she does around him almost kills him there and then.

He clenches his fist and mulls over Price’s words. It doesn’t fully sink in before Johnny speaks.

“Y’know when I was a kid and I first came out, I thought about the other kid’s reactions. How I was gonna be treated by them was all that mattered. I didn’t think I’d still be dealing with how people treat me just because I am who I am.” Johnny mumbles, curled up on the couch. Elizabeth is flat out and panned across Johnny whilst Simon is tightly pressed on the other side of her, practically cuddling Johnny.

He reaches behind the couch and grabs a hold of the scruff of Johnny’s neck. He pulls him towards him and Johnny gets the message and rests his head on Simon’s shoulder with a soft sigh.

Gaz clears his throat and speaks up. His tone indicative of his fighting tongue; “Sutton has been discharged. Dishonourably.”

“Good fuckin’ riddance if you ask me.” Price mutters. He clambers to his feet and gestures to the sliding door that leads to the barely-there balcony of the flat. Smoke break. Johnny nods as he strides over to the door.

“Swear,” Elizabeth mutters, “No swearing.”

Johnny and Simon look down and Johnny pouts, “Oh sweetheart, you don’t look comfortable at all. C’mon, let’s get you comfy.”

He stands up and sits her on his hip, her head pressed to his neck as he carries her through to his room.

Gaz turns to Simon, “He’s a natural Dad, huh?”

Simon nods, “He’s fuckin’ perfect, Garrick. Could do it all on his own if he had to.”

“But you don’t want him to?” Gaz asks.

Simon shakes his head, “God no.”

Johnny sits on the floor beside Elizabeth’s bed, knelt on his knees as he ricks her in and makes Ricky the Dinosaur kiss her nose. She giggles sleepily and grabs ahold of Ricky.

“Love you, Papa.” She mumbles, snuggling her toy.

Johnny leans over and kisses her forehead, brushing her crazy hair back as he smiles, “I love you more, darling girl.”

He sits for a while, just watching her as she sleeps. He strokes her hair repeatedly and sighs softly, a warm smile on his face.

The door clicks behind him and his shoulders tense.

“Is she asleep?” Simon’s voice breaks the silence.

Johnny nods. He hardly trusts his voice right now. Simon sits beside him and a hand snakes around his waist, “Johnny? Talk to me.”

Johnny turns to Simon, makes momentary eye contact, and tears immediately trickle down his face. Simon falters but quickly bundles Johnny into his arms and holds him tightly.

“I’m sorry Simon, I’m so so sorry.” Johnny hiccups, “If I’d have just- I don’t know. You would’ve known her, you would’ve been here from the beginning if I’d have just been- if I hadn’t-”

“Johnny don’t you dare say that,” Simon shoves him aside a little and grabs his face, staring into his eyes, “Don’t you think for one second that this would’ve all been fine if you hadn’t of been yourself. We would’ve never met, Elizabeth wouldn’t even bloody exist and you- Johnny you wouldn’t have been you. Shit happens, especially to us, but we’re here now and we have a beautiful daughter to look after. Let’s leave the past where it bloody belongs.”

Johnny nods a little, not breaking eye contact, and the tears just coat his lashes whilst his eyes remain shiny with unshed pain. Simon pulls him in close again and feels Johnny hug back. A slight chuckle sounds from Johnny, “Never thought I’d hear the day you, of all people, would say to leave the past in the past.”

Simon laughs a little too and rests his head on Johnny’s, “Yeah well I’m a little sick of living in the past. I want to live in the present, right now, where I have you and I have Elizabeth. I have the two things I’ve always needed but didn’t know what I was missing out on until I had it. Until I had you both.”

“We need you, Simon Riley,” Johnny sighs, watching his daughter as she breathes peacefully through her sleep. Simon does the same. “We need you so much more than you’ll ever know.”

#call of duty #mw2 #ghostsoap #mw2 2022 #soapghost #john soap mactavish #ghost #soap #family #simon ghost riley #trans mpreg #trans man

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a-crumb-of-whump · 2 years ago

Text

A New Beginning #15: I Love You

Masterlist | AO3

Content: Weight talk, [implied] past minor whump, PTSD/trauma, body dysmorphia, vampire whumpee, human caretaker.

“What’cha choin’ there, man?”

“Hm?” Carlos blinked and glanced up from his spot on the living room couch, feeling some heat rising to his cheeks as soon as he realised he’d been caught playing with the new-found fat on his pale stomach. Granted, there wasn’t a lot of it at this point, but he knew he would only get bigger as time went on. Bigger meant healthier.

Which meant he was finally getting better.

Ryker offered the embarrassed vampire a smile as he sat down on the couch opposite him. “It’s okay,” he assured him, sprawling his legs out across the entire couch to get more comfortable. Being he was 6’0, it confused Carlos as to why they’d gotten couches that were so small in the first place. As he lay like that, Ryker’s feet dangled off the arm of the couch easily. That couldn’t have been near as comfortable as a couch that was suited for someone of his height. “Sorry, I didn’t mean to embarrass you.”

Carlos’ blush never faded as he slipped his shirt back down and sat up a bit with the intent of crossing his legs beneath him. “It’s okay, sir.”

As usual, the room seemed to go quiet the moment their little exchanged greeting came to a finish. Carlos often felt like it was inappropriate for him to start a conversation, being he’d lived his entire life conditioned to believe that his opinion on most topics were invalid. He remembered so many instances as a child where he’d slipped up and tried to butt in on conversations with his own thoughts. It always ended up with a scolding or even a beating of some kind if he wasn’t careful.

Though, now he’d slowly come to realise that things were indeed different. Ryker and Adam were far above beating him over anything - they’d proven that time and time again.

So…

“You know, I’ve never been this big before,” Carlos commented conversationally, causing the human to glance up from his phone with an immediate lopsided smile. The vampire took the look on his face as permission to continue. “I think I like having body fat… more than being skin and bone. I don’t like feeling like I might shatter the next time someone bumps into me.”

Ryker grinned. However, rather than the teasing smiles he sometimes gave or the ones that had underlying irritation within it, this one held nothing but pure adoration. Carlos couldn’t quite figure out why.

“Is that why you were poking the fat on your stomach?”

“Yeah! It’s- It’s so fascinating, Ryker. You have no idea how long I’ve been hoping and wishing that one day, I might get to experience this. That i’d- i’d be healthy enough to get to this point, and now I’m finally getting there!” the vampire excitedly gushed. Lifting up his shirt, he squeezed the fat there once more and smiled excitedly. “I’ve never had many wants or desires, but this has been one of them for so long. All the human children in my life back when I was a child were bigger than me. There were three of them, all a few years older than I was, and every single one hated the way they looked. I never understood why because they were so, so beautiful to me.”

“Well, not everyone feels that way,” the human shrugged. Sinking into the couch a little further, he let both his hands come to rest on his stomach and sighed; tilting his head to meet Carlos’ eyes. “I’m what a lot of people would consider to be fat, and I always don’t look at myself and see beauty.”

Carlos’ face dropped. “You don’t?”

“No. I mean - I grew up with two parents who, no matter my size, found a way to criticise me for it. They ruined the way I see myself. I could look at someone with the exact same build as me and think they’re the most gorgeous person on earth, but when I look in the mirror? All I see is someone who “needs to lose weight” or “doesn’t deserve love”.”

“Is that… are those things your parents told you?” Carlos asked quietly after a small pause. He knew all too well that Maria and David were not the nicest of people, even by his standards, but to criticise their own child? The person they created and brought into the world? That was just cruel. It broke him knowing that he could have been the person to remind him of just how worthy and beautiful he was, had he known that was how he felt in the first place.

Much to his dismay, Ryker’s bitter shrug gave him the answer before he even said a word. “Yeah. Children are impressionable. Extremely so, particularly when it comes to their parents. So, to be told time and time again that you aren’t worthy of anything because of the way you look, whether that be because of your size or something else that you cannot change - that shit leaves a scar.”

Carlos pondered for a moment. He wondered if the humans who had raised him were telling their own children those same things. They were much kinder to him than he ever deserved, though they still treated him like he was a pet, but perhaps the relationship they had with their children was different.

He guessed he would never know now. The parents had been dead a long time now, and the children… well, who knew if they’d even remember him. If they were even alive.

That was a thought for another day. Standing up, Carlos carefully circled the coffee table in between the two couches and knelt down on the floor beside the human; slender fingers reaching out to grasp his. Ryker tilted his head to look at him again, a smile coming to his face the moment they made eye contact again.

“I know how hard it can be to accept compliments unless you believe it, too,” the vampire whispered. “I know that my opinion may not matter to you, and- and it shouldn’t, but for what it’s worth, you’ve always been worthy of love. I believe ugliness is determined by what is on the inside.” To emphasise, Carlos used his free hand to poke at Ryker’s chest. “In here, and if that’s what we’re going by, then your parents- my old masters; well, they’re some of the ugliest people I’ve ever met.”

Ryker laughed; fingers squeezing around Carlos’ even more. The sound was proof that the vampire had said the right things.

“I couldn’t agree more,” he nodded, his face falling a little as soon as his laughter had died down. “I’ve been working on self-love for so long, Carlos. I keep telling myself that I’m worthy of the things I have and the people in my life, but it just doesn’t seem to be enough. I just want to be able to tell myself that I’m happy with who I’ve become and how I look and actually mean it, y’know?”

Leaning down, Carlos let his head come to rest on Ryker’s chest and wrapped his arms around his neck before giving a small nod. “Yes, I know. I’m… I’m sorry.”

At first there was no response. Carlos could feel Ryker hugging him tighter, both arms wrapping around his torso while his chin rested on his head. It felt so nice. So warm. Carlos remembered times like this many years ago, where Ryker would come to him for hugs that his parents wouldn’t give him. He was so neglected back then.

“What for?”

Carlos lifted his head for a moment to look Ryker in the eye again. Fingers gripped at the human’s shirt and he could feel the tears threatening to well in his eyes. He truly couldn’t go a day without crying.

“You were such a good child,” he eventually mumbled as he tucked his head into the human’s neck once more. “I know that you always talk about how no one deserves to go through the things that you went through, and- and I agree, I truly do, but you really didn’t deserve it. I suffer a lot of guilt knowing that I could have told you I loved you and I could have done more to protect you, but I didn’t.”

He could feel Ryker’s lips curve into a smile. “I knew you loved me, Carlos.”

“Really?”

“Of course.” Ryker’s hand drifted up and down his back a few times before settling in between his shoulder blades again. “You always used to stay up and pull all nighters with me so I felt safe enough to relax. You’d steal children’s stories and read them to me before bed when I was very young. I mean - you even used to tuck me into bed and guard the door some nights, if my anxiety was too bad for me to handle. So, yeah, you never said that you loved me, but you never needed to. Your actions said so much more than any words ever could.”

Whimpering, Carlos only held on tighter. Despite the relief he felt from hearing that, there was still a weight there, settled comfortably on his shoulders. He needed to do more. It was the only way to make it go away.

“I want to say it anyway,” he whispered. “I love you. I love you, love you, love you.”

“I love you, love you, love you, too, man.”

There it was. The relief. Carlos could finally relax.

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