#and eat it too and they somehow blew up the oven

[the-judicial-assistants-notebook]

Okay. Let's talk about Kay in The Forgotten Turnabout.

I've mentioned in a post before how I think Kay doesn't have a purpose in AAI2 (as in, AAI was all about the Yatagarasu which is her story, but AAI2 generally has nothing to do with her, and you can see this change just by looking at how she's positioned in the promotional material for the two games:

[left AAI; right AAI2.] In the left poster, while she's at Edgeworth's back, it's clear that they're both the main focus. In the right, though, she's on par with Gumshoe).

And I think the result of her slight lack of direction in the game culminates in what happens to her and her character in Forgotten.

From the beginning of AAI2, you can kind of tell that Kay was written to a bit different from how she was in AAI. She's still fairly consistent with how she was there, but the game kind of bounces between her original characterisation and her newer one, where she's slightly denser (see her calling the laser pointer a mole in Target, when she should definitely have known what it was; and them explaining to her what a prison is in Imprisoned like she wouldn't know??) and less concerned with maintaining formality around Edgeworth, although they haven't interacted since the end of AAI (see her partner opening line changing from "Yes?" to "Yeah, what's up?"). She also seems more eager for his approval (there are a few times when she questions/asserts her effectiveness as an assistant when I don't remember her ever doing that in AAI), and, overall just a little more like Maya.

In Imprisoned, when she freaks out, Kay hits Ray, which is notable because we've only seen her resort to violence before on purpose and as a child (whereas Mia/Maya have both hit people out of emotion). I'm not going to go through the whole game, but I bring it up because there's an argument to be made that they're trying to replicate the Phoenix-Maya dynamic and push the Dadworth interpretation in AAI2 -- probably because they realised it'd be popular with the fans -- and this comes to the forefront in Forgotten.

First, just a note about AA's amnesia cases. The thing about these cases is that they're usually done to explore some formerly unseen aspect of a character (as is with Phoenix and the one in DGS), BUT they're always true to the nature of the character (as is most clearly observed with Thalassa). This is... not so in Forgotten.

The parts about Kay that appear to remain in Forgotten are her politeness and sense of honour, both of which get dialed up to 11 and both of which we already know she possess. Everything else about her personality, though, is altered and has always reminded me of Iris (if you made a parody of Iris's soft and seemingly delicate nature). That's mostly because (1) they have similar sprites

and (2) because they're rehashing Edgeworth's mini arc in T&T (which I don't mind because T&T did leave room for that concept to be explored further) where he acts as the defence for, you guessed it, Iris. Looking at it more closely, though, I can definitely see bits of Maya mixed in, too.

The most obvious parallel to Maya, and by extension Phoenix, here is that you act as a... not-prosecutor who defends their assistant from murder charges that even they think they might be guilty of (Reunion, and Turnabout, anyone?). Just like Reunion Maya, Forgotten Kay has poor self-esteem (albeit to a greater, comedic degree), thinks of herself as weak and useless, and becomes reliant on Edgeworth for both her emotional and situational needs (this is not a dig at Maya; she was in jail after having her first big channeling session result in death. Her reaction was natural).

Another less serious but obvious alteration made to make Kay seem more like Maya here is her relationship with food -- which I know sounds ridiculous but!! It's really what tipped me off to her Maya-fication to begin with!!!

You see, in Forgotten, there's a point where Kay talks about hamburgers:

Kay: Umm... OK. I remember a faint scent... It was a wonderful smell coming from the counter of a food stall... I followed the fragrance, only to find a perfectly sculpted burger, resting on two golden buns... The tender and juicy patty made my taste buds sing with joy... Yes, I can remember what I thought at that moment! ...I want seconds!

The thing about this that stands out to me is that you never get a line about food like this from Kay in AAI; and I know this, because not only is the only time Kay ever brings up food in AAI with regards to Swiss rolls (which are notably her favourite treats), you have the option of presenting food to her, which gives you this dialogue:

Kay: It's a box of Samurai Dogs, right? Ah, but see, I'm a Jammin' Ninja fan! So, while I would love to have one... I'm going to be strong and resist the urge!

She would have one but she'll refrain. It blatantly goes against how she acts in Forgotten, and it's so obvious that they only did that to make her more like Maya!!! They even use burgers!!!!

So why am I even getting all uppity about this? There's nothing wrong with being like Maya is there? She's a great character. And, yeah, she is, but the point of Kay is that she's meant to be a foil to Maya... and Edgeworth.

Both Maya and Edgeworth lost their parents at a very young age. So did Kay. But, unlike Maya and Edgeworth, Kay was specifically written to have had the emotional support and strength she needed to move on from her father's death. Her character was created in a way that shows how you can still love and respect a dead family member (and choose to continue their legacy) without being held back by grief and trauma the way Edgeworth largely is. By making amnesiac Kay behave in a way that is so self-deprecating and reliant on other people for her emotional needs, you are implying that this has been who she is deep inside all along and diluting that message of being able to move forwards while still holding onto your love for the people you've lost. It undermines the resilience that has been a part of Kay's core as a character from her conception, and basically flattens everything that makes her... Kay.

Now, this is obviously not great, but what really gets to me about this is that they didn't need to do this for the case to still work. They could have given Kay a milder form of amnesia, where she has a gap in her memory regarding why she was up on that roof and what happened, and the story would have largely functioned the same way. The only reason I can think of for why they do a complete 180 on her personality is because they wanted to use her to develop Edgeworth's character.

Because think about it: we've seen Kay put in a position where she's been accused of murder before, and that didn't affect our or Edgeworth's desire to save her. That drama and the feelings invoked by placing Kay at such risk would still exist; the only thing that would change is Kay's reaction to it. We know from Ablaze that she wouldn't just fold and rely on Edgeworth's help; she would fight back. Her behaviour in Forgotten just doesn't quite align with her usual character (aside from being extremely honourable and polite), which makes me wonder why they did it. And the only answer I can find is that it gives Edgeworth someone to 'save' in the greatest sense of that word (because, remember, she's also extremely emotionally vulnerable and dependent on him here) and furthers his development as a character.

You remember at the beginning when I said Kay didn't have a purpose in this game? I think the developers felt that, too, and they decided that her purpose would be to make Edgeworth a better person and strengthen his arc by giving him someone to protect, without really considering what this would do to her character. This case was never about Kay; it was always about Edgeworth. And, honestly, that should have been obvious from the very moment you realise that Kay is being granted an amnesia plotline, because that whole thing about amnesia in AA being used to reveal parts of a character previously unseen? Yeah, that was never going to work with Kay. Because Kay doesn't wear a mask. She is who she is... until she isn't.

Honestly, I've said pretty much everything I wanted to say about Forgotten and Kay, so thank you if you've read this far. I really appreciate it 💝💖💕 The rest of this is me basically talking about how this change affects my feelings on the game and this interpretation of the Kay-Edgeworth dynamic, so you can stop reading now if that doesn't interest you and still get the basic point of this post.

I suppose I'll start by reiterating that I do like AAI2 despite what it may seem. The characters it introduces are some of my favourites in the franchise, and, in fact, the actual plot of Forgotten with the PIC is my favourite part of the entire game. I thought it was brilliant, but I just needed to get this out because... I don't know, it was bothering me for some reason hskdhdj Like, AA has some amazing female characters, but I know better than to go into it expecting some kind of boundary-pushing piece of new feminist media, believe me; it doesn't surprise me that they used Kay to push Edgeworth's character forwards. It is his game, after all. But I guess it's just a little frustrating to see after they genuinely achieved something great with her characterisation in AAI only to... there's no less inflammatory way to put it, infantilise her? a little? for the sake of developing a male character?

(Especially when I don't think Edgeworth even needed it?? Like, I'm pretty sure he would have been just as adamant about saving her if she had been her normal self so mmm???? It was likely just done to make him seem liked he'd be a good father and up his popularity a bit more, honestly. As if he needed it).

Again, I have no issues with anyone who enjoys the father-daughter (or brother-sister) dynamics pushed by this case; it's literally in the text, I can't say you're wrong for it and like. My opinion shouldn't matter to you anyway! It's fandom, do what makes you happy. But I personally can't get past what is actually being suggested when the game, or fanworks, echo the traits grafted onto Kay in this case within them. Like what it means when she's essentially made to take a few steps back so she's less as at peace with her father's death than she was when we first met her, or less independent and self-assured than she usually is -- especially when this is done only for an older male character (most likely Edgeworth but it could be anyone) to come in and either see themselves in her, thus coming to a conclusion that helps them better themselves in some way, or take on a "fatherly" position that lets them comfort her back to a level of confidence she would usually be at anyway, while simultaneously coming across as being such a good person (which is usually the focus/point of these kinds of things).

And, like, if you don't see a problem with Kay's characterisation in this version of their relationship, that's perfectly fine! If you think I'm reaching and do enjoy the Dadworth dynamic for what it is, then please don't let me rain on your parade. My main thing is that I want better for Kay, and this case just didn't satisfy my need for that.

Anyway, yeah! That's pretty much it. Thank you so much for everyone who read all of this, and I hope you got some amusement out of it if nothing else. Feel free to tell me your thoughts, too!

[mephinomaly]

[TL] The Joys of Cooking - Adonis Otogari 4*

Character(s): Adonis Otogari, Tetora Nagumo, Izumi Sena, Yuzuru Fushimi

Summary: Adonis wants Tetora to eat nutritious food so offers to cook for him. Izumi and Yuzuru turn up and Adonis is eager to make sure Izumi is eating enough.

Season: Winter

Location: Dorm Kitchen

Tetora: Ah, Otogari-senpai! What’s up?

Crazy to see you here~. Are you cooking at the moment?

Adonis: Yes. If I cook for myself I can eat as much meat as I’d like. What are you up to?

Tetora: Me? I was feeling a little bit hungry so I was just gonna grab some instant ramen~

Adonis: Instant ramen…? It’s easy to make but I’m concerned about how nutritious it is.

I’ll make you a portion. You’re a growing boy, so you should eat meat too.

Tetora: Oh wait, is that alright? Thanks man!

I couldn’t just stand around and watch, so lemme help you out.

I’ll do whatever you need me to do~♪ I’m a bit clumsy so last time I blew up the oven but I just like to do it a little different to everyone else…☆

Adonis: You’ve blown up an oven before? That seems like it requires skill.

Izumi: Oh? Nagumo and Otogari. What are you do— well, you’re in the kitchen so you’re obviously cooking.

What are you making? Ah, is that shogayaki?[1]

Adonis: We haven’t decided yet but why do you say that?

…Oh, like from that cooking contest we took part in?

Izumi: That’s the one. The one where people who thought they were good at cooking entered.

You were just making food that you dip in sauce but somehow made it into such a big problem, remember? You realise how much of a mess you made, don’t you Nagumo? [2]

Tetora: Uhuh! Everything turned out fine in the end though.

(Whispering) But then it was Sena-senpai who got involved first, right…?

Izumi: What did you say?

Tetora: No, nothing!

Yuzuru: Apologies for making you wait, Sena-sama. I’ve brought the ingredients with me…oya?

Adonis: Fushimi? Are you cooking as well?

Hm… That box only contains vegetables.

Izumi: I want to make a dish that's simultaneously low calorie yet highly nutritious, tastes good, and is good for your skin. Vegetables are the starting point.

Yuzuru: Sena-sama is doing this for his body, however I am learning how to cook with Niki’s Kitchen for the Young Master.

They’ve hit it off as they both believed that if they shared their ideas, they could come up with the ultimate nutritional food.

Well then, shall we begin Sena-sama? I look forward to working with you.

Tetora: Oo, I’ve never seen so many vegetables before…

They look like they’re really putting their whole body into this. We can’t let them win!

…Otogari-senpai? What’s with that face?

Adonis: ...They’re not planning on just eating vegetables, are they?

Meat has just as many nutrients as vegetables do. I wish they’d have some…

Tetora: That would be good~...

If you still don’t know what to make, why don’t you make a dish that the both of them will eat?

Like, dishes that have a lot of meat and vegetables!

Adonis: Ah… Of course, what a good idea.

But my knowledge of cooking is limited as we don’t have a recipe. All I know is how to skewer, fry, and boil things in a pot.

Unlike those two, I do not have the smarts to come up with my own ideas. Should we go to the library and borrow a cookbook?

Tetora: Or we can just look it up on our phones? Lemme see…

Ah, I’ve thought of something! Bend down, lemme whisper it to you…

Adonis: Fumu. That sounds like a plan.

—Sena-senpai, Fushimi. We have something we’d like to say.

If you are still unsure on what you are cooking exactly, would you perhaps like to cook with us?

Time: A short time later

Tetora: Woa. It’s bubbling like some sort of hellish cauldron~

Adonis: Oh, have you been to hell before, Nagumo?

Tetora: I haven’t actually, I’m just making a guess!

Izumi: I was considering a lot of different dishes, but I ended up not having mizutaki.[3]

Yuzuru: Fufu. It’s not surprising, and this is perfect for the cold weather.

Adonis: Umu. Warming up your body increases your basal metabolism therefore you burn more calories. That means you can eat more boiled vegetables than usual.

Better yet, the chicken is delicious. It’s the joy of cooking that is able to satisfy us all.

Nagumo, you are well-acquainted with mizutaki.

Tetora: It reminded me of what Taishou came up with at the heart and soul training camp. Eating a lot of vegetables and meat is pretty popular at our club activities too ☆

Adonis: Really? I shall have to thank Kiryu-senpai later on.

…Hm? It seems that Sena-senpai has only been eating the vegetables.

Izumi: I’m eating more than just vegetables. I’ve got soup too.

Adonis: Soup is a drink.

Whilst it is true that soup made from boiling meat is beneficial to your skin, if you do not eat the amino acids contained in the meat itself the benefits are not as potent as you'd think.

Izumi: Jesus dude, you know a lot.

Adonis: I like meat. There must be something you like that you know a lot about?

Izumi: I guess. I know about my beloved Yuu-kun in detail.

Adonis: Umu. Therefore you should eat some meat.

Izumi: You say "therefore" as if those two statements are related.

Whatever, I get it. If you’re gonna reach that far, I’ll try a bit.

…Hm, it’s nice.

Adonis: Fufu, I’m glad.

After all, meat is good. It makes people smile.

Alright then Sena-senpai, I’ll give you the biggest piece.

Izumi: Wait, you’re being so considerate.

Yuzuru: Fufu. Seems you’re the hotpot boss now, hm?

Adonis: Hotpot boss? I don’t really get it, but it sounds like a title that would come up in a period drama. I like it.[4]

From today I’m the hotpot boss…♪

pork fried with ginger

reference to the story Cooking where theres a cooking contest and anzu and sena partner up and adonis and tetora partner up. They're making shogayaki and tetora burns the meat like four times and it takes adonis and kuro physically standing in the way to stop him from turning up the heat lol

food like vegetables n meat boiled in PLAIN, UNSALTED, NO SEASONING water

the word used is 鍋奉行 which is a playful way of just saying the guy who somewhat bossily takes charge of the food at a hotpot. The last two characters are bugyou which means a “shogunate administrator​” which is why adonis says that

[aqpippin]

wip wednesday —

all gilded and golden (I’m your girl)

Jackie’s pissed. She’s pissed and she may be home now, but it doesn’t do anything to stop the prickling heat and discomfort under her skin; not the way it usually does. She slams the front door behind her, even though it’s juvenile, because sometimes she just needs to let loose in a way that would usually not be very well received. It helps a little that Gigi gets it, that sometimes she does it too, but it’s not enough. It isn’t what she needs.

“Bad day?” Gigi asks from where she’s sitting on the kitchen counter, peeling a fucking banana as if they aren’t about to start making dinner.

“What do you think?” Jackie asks sharply, then shuts her eyes and breathes deeply through her nose a few times, “I’m sorry, I’m just… I’d rather not talk about my day unless you want me to go on some long rant that neither of us are likely to come back from.”

“Noted,” Gigi says after a moment, sounding largely unaffected by Jackie’s tone. There’s the distinctive sound of Gigi putting down the banana - probably without eating any of it - which Jackie finds completely absurd, “I’m listening, though. If you want to.”

Jackie opens her eyes and sinks into the counter opposite Gigi, folding her arms over her chest.

“Fucking suppliers,” she says firmly, voice still a little sharper than she’d like, “we were missing a whole bunch of stock we ordered and I swear to god I spent two hours on hold with them, one of the ovens blew and Nicky nearly had a fucking stroke so that was another hour and a half on hold trying to get a tech to come out, Crystal burnt her hand on a spilled coffee, and Jan - Jan - she nearly cut her fucking fingers off with the new knives. Pissed blood everywhere. Everything that could have gone wrong did go wrong and I’m just at my fucking limit today.”

Gigi looks completely unphased by Jackie’s outburst; the banana is indeed sitting next to her on the counter, peeled but otherwise untouched. She thinks that, if the situation were reversed, she would be making a very lewd joke about that. Gigi always has a lewd quip on the tip of her tongue; they seem to live there, taking up space that nonetheless allows for eloquence alongside it. Somehow. Gigi contains multitudes behind her teeth.

[jerzwriter]

Perfection

Book: Open Heart (Post Series)

Pairing: Ethan Ramsey x F!MC (Kaycee)

Rating: General

Category: Fluffy Fluff

Summary: Ethan and Emma make a Valentine’s Day pizza for Kaycee and learn some lessons along the way.

Words: 1000

A/N: Some sweet, unadulterated fluff for Valentine’s Day. The super-fluff crowd should be happy, the anti-super-full crowd will throw confectioner sugar at me in hopes of a reverse reaction lol. I hope you enjoy some special time with The Ramsey-MacTavish family.

A/N 2: Participating in @choicesfebruary2022challenge - Day 15, Heart

CHARACTERS BELONG TO PIXELBERRY STUDIOS

If you wish to be added or removed from tags, please let me know.

Ethan was clearing away papers from the desk in his home office when he saw Emma whiz by. Her adorable blonde curls were bopping as her bed sheet, serving as a makeshift cape, blew in the breeze behind her.

“Emma,” he called after her, racing down the hall. “What are you doing, sweetie?”

“I’m making Mommy’s Valentine gift!”

He watched as she began pulling ingredients out of the refrigerator and shook his head, containing a laugh to spare his daughter's feelings. But somehow, he didn’t think grape jelly, yogurt, a can of seltzer, and cookie dough would work for Kaycee's pizza. Sure, maybe a little over five years ago when she was pregnant, but not now.

“Emma,” he said, lifting her up and placing her on a kitchen chair. “Why don’t I make you a snack, and when I have all my papers away, we’ll come work on that together? OK?”

“OH KAY!” she nodded.

He rushed back to his office and finished his task at record speed. After all this time, it still amazed him how much his life had changed. Before Kaycee came into his life, everyone knew better than to bother him on his day off. He’d still be at home pouring through journals and articles “for fun.” Then Hurricane Kaycee appeared and helped him redefine what fun was. And right now, he couldn't be more grateful for the change.

Emma was finishing up her yogurt when Ethan came in the kitchen in the nick of time, not unlike her parents, when she set her mind to something, she was going to get it done. And the only thing on Emma’s mind right now was making a Valentine’s Day pizza for her Mommy.

“You ready, Tater Tot?”

“Yes, Daddy.”

“So, do you know the first step of cooking something?”

“The ingredients.”

“Yes, we gather the ingredients. Now, as delicious as these look, I don’t think they’re on our recipe card. So how about I read them off, and you get them out.”

“Teamwork,” Emma said, raising her small hand for a high-five.

“Yes, teamwork!” Ethan smiled.

Five minutes later, two kinds of cheese, tomato sauce, basil, oregano, and pre-made pizza dough (something he would have scoffed at in his pre-parenthood days) wee on the island in the kitchen.

“Now, the first thing you have to do is kneed the dough.”

“We NEED the dough, right, Daddy?”

“Yes, Emma,” he smiled, “ We do need it, and we have to kneed it too!”

Ethan pre-heated the oven as Emma's tiny hands squeezed and pressed the dough.

“Daddy? Did you always make Mommy pizza on Valentine's Day?”

“No, not always. It started when we were waiting for you to get here.”

“It did?”

“Yes. All Mommy wanted to eat around that time was pizza. But we had a bad blizzard, so all the restaurants were closed, so I made one at home myself. And now, it’s our family tradition.”

“Did you make it heart-shaped that year too?”

“I did. It was a very special Valentine’s Day because we were waiting for you to be born, and you came along just six days later. So I wanted Mommy to feel extra special.”

“Did she feel extra special?”

“Yes, she did.”

“If you wanted to make her feel extra, extra special, you should have bought her bagels.”

Ethan laughed, “You know your Mommy very well. Now let’s shape the dough into a heart.”

He would never have imagined this to be his life, this sweet little bundle of energy topped with a mop of blonde curls on his lap. He smiled as he squeezed her closer. Sometimes life turns out better than you could have ever dreamed.

“Daddy, it’s not even. Mommy might not like it.”

“No, Mommy will like it even more. See, she knows that nothing is perfect, but there is beauty in everything. And, when something is made with love like this pizza, well, those are the most beautiful things of all.”

“The most delicious too!”

“Absolutely!”

After they slid the pizza into the oven, they cleaned up the kitchen. Ethan explained it wouldn't be much of a present if they left Mommy a messy kitchen to clean. Then they snuggled together on the couch, watching all of Emma’s favorite cartoons. Ethan insisted having her watch age-appropriate documentaries would probably be the best course of action. Kaycee explained Sesame Street is sort of an age-appropriate documentary, then she mentioned something about him getting a life. He knew it wasn’t a battle he would win and, if he were to be honest, he kind of liked Elmo.

“Hey!” Kaycee smiled as she entered the door.

“Mommy!!!” Emma yelled, jumping off the couch and running to the door to greet her.

“What is that delicious smell, sweet pea?”

“It’s pizza! Daddy and I are making it for you for dinner.”

“Oh, well, I can’t wait for that!”

“Can you snuggle on the couch with Daddy and me until it’s time to eat?”

“I can’t think of any place I’d rather be!”

Kaycee took Emma’s hand and walked to the couch and Ethan gave her a quick kiss when she sat.

“Did you enjoy your massage?”

“I sure did. That was a wonderful gift, thank you.”

“You deserve it.”

Kaycee couldn’t stop smiling, and Ethan pulled her closer. “What are you so happy about?”

“This is just… just….”

“It’s perfection,” he whispered.

“Mmm-hmm, it is,” she agreed. “Even if there is no biological basis for it.”

He narrowed his eyes at her but grinned when Kaycee began to laugh.

“You’re lucky I love you so much.”

“Really?”

“Yes, but I’m the lucky one, too.”

He leaned over and kissed his wife, and Emma snuggled between them.

“We’re all lucky, you know. But could you be a little quieter, I can’t hear Elmo.”

Ethan and Casey looked at each other and tried to suppress their giggles. Their eyes said it all. Yep. Perfection.

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[codenamed-queenie]

#BatsInQuarantine

I am going insane. So I poured my restlessness into one long and very detailed post and got super into it. Please enjoy this hot mess.

The Justice League, being the well-meaning virus-proof Super Friends that they are, took one good look at the news, one good look at their non-powered friends Ollie, Bruce, and their families, and collectively decided that these normal humans must be Protected At All Costs.

Now, keep in mind, Bruce is never one to roll over when it comes to being benched. 

However, he understands the importance of social distancing. He knows he needs to set a good example for his kids, and keep up appearances as Gotham’s Most Responsible Multi-Billionaire. 

So. Quarantine it is. 

But how are his kids handling it?

Dick - 

100% on board in the beginning. Gotta do the Responsible Thing. Gotta set a Good Example. Besides, guys, this is gonna be Fun. Quality Family Time is always a Must.

He lasted 2 days. 

Then he started to get twitchy. 

And as everyone knows? A Trapped Dick Grayson is a Feral Dick Grayson.

He bounces off the walls.

Literally.

“I have to climb.” 

“Dick, no.”  

“I have to climb everything.”

Has scaled the manor 16 times already. Has climbed the chandelier. The banister. Bruce. The roof. The Cave. Anything in the house that’s been bolted down and especially anything that hasn’t. 

Duke found him clinging to the wall 10 ft off the ground like Spiderman and screamed so loud it shattered glass. 

Desperate for news of the outside. 

He thrives off of it like a starving man. 

Was the one to suggest he and Barbara take a break to Social Distance from each other (”Sorry, babe, kissing spreads germs”) and experienced Instant Regret(TM) approximately 5 minutes after. 

The Family has labelled him a Flight Risk Level 1 (Most likely to say f**k it and make a break for the outside world)

Jason - 

Accidentally got trapped inside the manor with the others when Bruce called Shutdown. If he had his way, he’d be chilling in his favorite safe-house right now, binging The Witcher with Roy and Artemis, and not worrying about finding a stray brother in his sock drawer.

But he’s nothing if not an opportunist. 

The way he sees it, Jason has 3 options:

Self Improvement

Self Isolation (See Duke, Cass, and Damian)

Descension Into Madness (See Dick and Steph)

And, well, he always wanted to try a few things. Now he’s got the free time to do it.

So he settles on baking. 

Alfred’s got enough food and raw ingredients stored up to feed an army. (Not because he’s a Panic-Buying-Hoarder in times like these. But because he’s a Panic-Buying-Hoarder all the time. Just try feeding 11+ teenagers sometime.)

Uses recipes he finds off Google.

His first few attempts are, in a word, ‘tragic’.

Alfred slips him a few of his recipe cards, and Jason suddenly starts seeing Results. 

Turns out he’s pretty good at this baking thing once he gets the hang of it. 

Hope everyone’s okay eating nothing but pie, macaroons, biscuits, and whatever else Jason whips up. 

Cause that’s gonna be the only food left by the time he’s done. 

Barbara - 

Self-quarantined with her dad. 

They’ve been binge-watching classic black and white movies together.

It’s a fun time, but she’s started to get a little antsy. Loving her dad and wanting to be around him 24/7 are, understandably, mutually exclusive. 

Calls the manor to video-chat every day.

For her sanity just as much as theirs. 

Gives everyone little challenges to film on their phones and send in. She makes compilations of everyone’s submissions so they can all watch and laugh together. 

Bonus points for Creativity

One comp shows the family trying to drop Mentos into coke bottles. 

Dick did a handstand, and dropped his Mento from the second story balcony. 

Tim did it wearing the Batman cowl. The soda exploded into his face, and the rest of the video is just Bruce’s Shrieking.

Stephanie tried it, but the bottle tipped. Everyone on camera screamed as the bottle rocketed through the front window. 

She spends most of her calls having one-on-one convos with Dick.

They’ve come up with little code phrases so they can be Cheesy even with family members lurking in the background. 

She thinks the way he clings to the monitor is cute. 

Almost like he’s giving her a hug through the screen. 

(It’s easier than letting herself worry about his mental state, at least)

Tim -

Oh this boy.

Freaked out for the first five minutes before he decided ‘hey wait, Bruce is letting me stay in my pajamas all day? Noice.’ 

Now he’s just vibing.

The rest of his family is Low-Key shielding him.

He Has No Spleen, you see.

Steph: “Someone could cough on him and he could die!”

He just goes about his day, playing Animal Crossing like there’s no tomorrow, tinkering on projects, taking naps, etc. Living his best life.

Meanwhile there’s always someone lurking behind him, keeping watch, keeping him safe. 

Dick sneezed within 5 feet of Tim once (the fact that he was on top of the dusty bookshelf Tim was perusing is irrelevant)

Jason still full-body tackled him the second Tim’s back was turned. 

No one with any symptoms--

Like, any symptoms. They don’t even have to be Corona-related.

--is allowed within 10 feet of Tim. 

Tim has been wandering the manor for weeks, now, without seeing another human being. 

(He sees Dick on the ceiling sometimes, but that doesn’t really count)

He’s been trying increasingly drastic pranks and shenanigans to draw someone, anyone, out. 

But it doesn’t matter how many times he steals Damian’s sword, or sets fire to Jason’s brownie bites.

Nobody wants to risk it. 

Cass - 

No one has seen her since quarantine started.

Everyone is approximately 87% sure she’s somewhere in the manor though

Because she does eat the meals Alfred leaves out for her.

Or at least someone does, at any rate. 

(Jason and Santa top the running suspects list)

Santa was Steph’s suggestion. For some reason it snowballed. 

It’s assumed that Cass misunderstood the meaning of ‘social distancing’ and took it too far. 

But no one knows for sure. 

She is Tim’s Guardian Angel. 

People who so much as clear their throats a little too loudly anywhere near him suddenly wake up on a different floor of the house four hours later. 

Duke came closest to spotting her while he was up in the attic. 

Either that, or there’s another Creepy Sister everyone forgot to tell him about living up there.

She is silent, and watchful, sticking to the shadows, but she does leave the occasional note out to brighten her siblings’ day. 

Things like ‘helo i love u’ and ‘hop u ar ok’  mostly. 

She is bound and determined to protect her family from this invisible threat, no matter the cost. 

Steph - 

Like Dick, she was Super Pumped at first. 

(Just kind of showed up at Wayne Manor before quarantine was enacted. The original purpose of her visit is unclear, but regardless, she’s Trapped.)

Also Like Dick, her descent into madness was swift.

She is impossible to pin down. 

Not like Cass or Damian, who’ve stayed off the grid, and are therefore Untraceable. 

No. She’s impossible to pin down, because she never stops moving. 

Switches seamlessly between Zumba on top of the Giant Dinosaur in the Batcave, and furiously knitting Alfred (the Cat) a sweater with a pair of Tim’s used chopsticks. 

Braided everyone’s hair while they were asleep.

Even Bruce’s. 

She tried to do Tim’s, but somehow blacked out and regained consciousness in the attic. 

When she woke up with a scream and a furiously twitching eye, she startled Duke out of his Makeshift Fort he built out of old cardboard boxes and antique furniture. He’s had to resort to finding a new hiding place. 

Sometimes, on the rare occasions she does sit still, staring off into the distance, she’ll suddenly start laughing hysterically. This may last between thirty seconds and thirty minutes, depending entirely on how long it’s been since she’s knitted a cat sweater or done cartwheels through every room in the house.

Blew up the greenhouse out back, somehow.

Everyone has agreed not to talk about it.

Some people were built to handle prolonged time inside their homes.

Stephanie Brown is not that way.

Damian - 

Damian Wayne Cannot Be Contained.

At least not inside the house. 

He took off thirty-six hours into quarantine. 

Thanks to the security equipment around the borders of the Wayne Estate, he can’t escape the grounds. 

(He’s tried and failed multiple times. Jason and Bruce have a running bet on how many times the perimeter alarms will go off per day.)

(Jason is winning.)

He wanders the grounds with Titus as his only companion. 

The two of them run laps, practice drills, and find ways to occupy their time. 

No one’s entirely sure what those ways are. 

In fact, nobody knows exactly where Damian is at any given time. 

Only that he is Out There. 

And he’s the best security system Wayne Manor’s ever had. 

So far, he’s stopped five groups of civilians scaling the perimeter walls before the lasers and electric nets even have a chance to deploy.

They were trying to break in and steal supplies. 

(Even ones they already had in surplus. Like Toilet Paper.)

He’s also stopped Dick from escaping twelve (12) times.

Drags him back by his shirt collar and deposits him on the welcome mat. 

Usually with a note for Alfred/Jason, requesting more fruit tarts. 

Duke - 

Did not leave the attic for two weeks. 

Then Steph discovered his hiding spot (read: was dumped there by Cassandra) which forced him to relocate to the basement. 

Yes, it turns out Wayne Manor does have a basement. 

This was a surprise to Duke, who always thought that the Batcave was Bruce Wayne’s basement. 

Alfred keeps him supplied with all the necessities:

i.e. food, magazines, assorted pastries from Jason’s latest batch, usually straight out of the oven.

Duke also snagged the Manor’s Alexa. 

She has become a sort of ‘Wilson’ to Duke’s ‘Chuck Noland’.

She is his only comfort. His only ally. 

He’s determined to wait out this quarantine, doing his best to avoid the others. 

Duke has seen these people under pressure. 

He knows exactly what he’s dealing with. 

Duke: “Alexa is the only motherf****r in this madhouse I ever respected.”

*offended butler noises from the other room*

Duke: “And also Alfred.”

[drabbles-mc]

Now It’s A Party

Angel Reyes x F!Reader

Request by Anonymous: Hi could you be able to do 5 (the edible glitter) and 11 (too much confetti) prompts with either Angel or Gilly (if you write for him)? Thank you 

Warnings: language, mentions of alcohol, the guys being absolute children but we love them

Word Count: 1.7k

A/N: I feel like I should mention that I do write for Gilly but an Angel idea hit me immediately with this request so that’s what I went with. This is just a fun little fic, so I hope you guys enjoy it!

Angel Reyes Taglist: @mayans-sauce @helli4nthus @angelreyesgirl @encounterthepast @lilacyennefer @everyhowlmarksthedead @starrynite7114 @queenbeered @rosieposie0624 @mylittlelonelyappreciationtoo @sincerelyasomebody @mijop @sadeyesgf @xladymacbethx @thesandbeneathmytoes @blessedboo @appropriate-writers-name @holl2712 @tomhardydallasstarsgirl @lakamaa12 @multiyfandomgirl40 @luckyharley1903 @sillygoose6969 @beardburnsupersoldiers @louisianalady @gemini0410 @garbinge @paintballkid711 @chibsytelford @yourwonkywriter @sesamepancakes @behindmyeyes-insidemyhead @plentyoffandoms @georgiaaintnopeach @twistnet @themoonandthewicked @bucky-iss-bae @enjoy-the-destruction

Angel walked into the room and saw all of the shopping bags laid out on the bed. His eyes grew wide and he couldn’t help but to shake his head as he walked over to take a look at everything that you had brought home.

“What…is all of this?” he laughed.

You turned around and beamed at him, “I did some shopping.”

“Yea, I can see that,” he skimmed his fingers along the edges of some of the bags, “What the fuck were you shopping for?”

“Your party!”

He fought the urge to groan, “I told you, querida, I don’t need a party.”

“But it’s your birthday,” you flashed him your best puppy-dog eyes.

“I know, but—”

“Well,” you cut him off, not wanting to get locked in that debate with him, “it’s too late now. I already bought the supplies. Party at my house this weekend.”

“Supplies, huh?” he chuckled, “Can I at least snoop and see what I’m in for?”

You laughed and nodded, “Go ahead. Your presents are already wrapped and hidden.”

You sat down on the bed and watched his facial expressions change and shift as he looked through all of the bags. It was the first birthday that you got to fully celebrate with Angel—last year the two of you had just started dating and you didn’t feel comfortable going as all-out as you would have liked. You were making up for it this time around.

“You really thought of everything, huh?” he chuckled as he leafed through one of the bags.

“I tried.”

He laughed as he reached down into the bag, pulling out a small jar, “I think the edible glitter, might be a bit much,” he looked over at you, “What could this possibly be for at my party?”

You cocked one eyebrow, “That’s for after the party.”

He laughed, “Oh is it?”

“Yea!” you motioned for him to come and sit next to you, “C’mere.” He did as you asked and you took the tiny jar of glitter from him. You spun the top open and dipped the tip of your finger into it, “It tastes like sugar, I swear,” you held your finger out to him, “Try it.”

There was a smirk on his face before he wrapped his lips around your finger. You shook your head at him as you saw the mischief building in his eyes. You found yourself biting down on your bottom lip as you tried not to let your body and thoughts get too far away from you.

He pulled his lips off of your finger with a pop, earning a small laugh from you. He could see it in your eyes that your mind was traveling to places that had nothing to do with party preparations, and he loved that he could do that to you.

He nodded with a smile, “You’re right—just like sugar,” he stood up and pressed a kiss to your forehead, “I’ll leave you to unpack the rest of your treasures.”

You laughed as he made his way to the door, “I love you,” you called after him.

He turned back and flashed you a smile, “I love you too.”

The week flew right by. You had spent all morning filling your house with loud music as you got everything ready for the party that night. You were surprised that the club was so open to having a party anywhere but the clubhouse. It wasn’t that you disliked hanging out there, but hosting it at your own house made it feel a little more personal, a little more intimate. You could do better crowd control that way as well. Plus, you liked the looks on your neighbors faces when they’d see all the bikes lined up alongside the road in front of your house.

Angel walked in and stood back for a moment as he watched you prepping food to put into the oven. He lingered at the entrance to the kitchen, unable to suppress the smile that crept across his face as he listened to you sing along with the song that was playing.

You spun around and nearly dropped the knife in your hand when you saw Angel standing there, “Fuck,” you clutched your free hand to your chest, “I didn’t hear you come in.”

“Yea,” he laughed as he turned down the volume on your speaker, “because you’re throwing a fuckin’ concert in here.”

You smiled and shook your head as you set the knife down and wiped your hands off on your jeans. You walked over to him and let him pull you into a tight hug, kissing you on the lips as he did so.

“You’re early,” you said as you looked up at him.

“I know,” he kissed your cheek, “Wanted some alone time with you before everyone got here. That alright with you?”

You laughed and nodded before turning back to what you had been preparing before the interruption, “Of course. I still gotta keep getting everything ready.”

“Do your thing, Mami,” he pressed a light kiss to the side of your neck, “I’ll stay outta your way.”

Angel was true to his word, for the most part. Every now and then you’d feel his hands sneak around your hips and he’d pull you against him for a kiss. You would laugh and indulge him—it was his party day after all. Plus, it was hard to say know when you felt his fingers lingering on your skin as his beard tickled your neck.

Everything was as set up as it was ever going to be. With a deep breath, you looked around your house. You knew that regardless of what you did, Angel and the guys would have a good time. You looked over at Angel, who was sitting on the couch in your living room, watching you take in all of your hard work.

“I’m gonna get changed and do my hair,” you looked at him pleadingly, “If the oven timer goes off can you just spin the pan that’s in there for me?”

He nodded, “Of course.”

You smiled, “You’re the best.”

By the time you finished getting ready and made your way back out to the main part of the house, a few of the guys had showed up already. EZ and Coco were sitting at the counter in your kitchen as they spoke with Angel, the three of them looking so natural in your house. It warmed your heart that they were so comfortable.

They saw you before Angel did, each nodding and giving a small wave of acknowledgment as you walked into the room. Angel turned to look at you and his eyes grew wide as he walked over to you. His hands landed on your hips and he pulled you closer to him.

“Who needs presents and a party when I got you walking around looking like this?” he kissed you on the cheek.

Before you could respond, EZ made a fake gagging sound, “Get a room.”

“Then get the fuck out and give us one,” Angel shot back with a laugh.

You shook your head at the two of them as you rested your forehead against Angel’s chest, “I love you.”

“I love you too.”

Everyone else started to show up and fill the house. You sat back and watched it all unfold, unable to contain the smile that was on your face. You loved having everyone over, especially to celebrate Angel.

When the time came to do the cake, you’d given everyone confetti poppers. You knew that you were going to be cleaning it up for weeks after the fact, but it was so worth it to see the childish smiles on everyone’s faces as you tossed a few to each of them.

You forced them all to sing. As much as they tried to fight you on it at first, they found themselves giving in. They knew your track record for winning arguments and figured they would cut their losses.

As Angel blew out the candles, they all started shooting off their confetti poppers. It went everywhere and no one was safe from getting covered by it, not even you. It was stuck in your hair and it looked like Coco may as well have done to the salon and gotten rainbow extensions. They were all taking what had already been popped off and throwing it at each other. Somehow EZ had found where you were keeping all the extra poppers and started handing them out to everyone so there was a whole second wave of it.

Angel was covered in rainbow strings as he shook his head to try and get them to fall out of his hair. The guys were all tossing more and more at him and he couldn’t contain his laughter.

“Alright, you can stop with the confetti now,” he brushed some off his shoulders.

There was one last pop as Coco pulled the string on his last party popper, spraying the confetti directly onto Angel. There was a smug grin on his face as he tossed the empty container aside. Angel was only able to keep a serious expression for a moment before he busted out into laughter and threw the confetti right back at Coco.

You found yourself getting pulled onto Angel’s lap as everyone sat around drinking their beers and eating what was left of all the food that you’d made for the day. You smiled as Angel pressed your body tight against his own.

“Thank you for all of this, Y/N,” he kissed your cheek, “I really appreciate it.”

You smiled, leaning your head onto his shoulder, “Of course.”

He leaned in close to your ear, “When you gonna tell all these motherfuckers to leave,” he said softly with a laugh, “I’m still waiting to see what that edible glitter is all about.”

You smiled, shaking your head at him. He hadn’t brought it up all week and you thought that he might’ve forgotten, but you should’ve known better. You trailed your fingers lightly down the side of his face, “Good things come to those who wait. It’s not going anywhere.”

He laughed, turning your head so he could kiss you on the lips, “I love you.”

Your entire body felt warm as you smiled up at him, “I love you too.”

[aninklingof]

Sharky Lickies and Sugar Cookies

This is my submition for @ticklygiggles “Squealing Santa” for @kiyachi-tickles ! Sorry it took so long! Merry Christmas and Happy New Year! ❤️

Summary— Kirishima and Deku are baking Christmas cookies together when Deku spills the not-so-well made dough all over himself. What better way to clean up a sugary mess than to eat it, right?

Ship: KiriDeku

Warnings: None.

~~~~~

“Eijirou, did you preheat the oven?” Izuku called to his red headed boyfriend from the living room. The two were currently at Eijirou’s house for the holidays, and they were trying to make cookies. So far it wasn’t going very well.

“Do what?” Eijirou shouted back.

“Did you preheat the oven?” Izuku repeated.

“What does preheat mean?”

The green-haired boy sighed and walked to the kitchen. It was in complete chaos. The counters were cluttered with ingredients, dirty measuring cups littered every open space, and there was flour and sugar spilled over all the countertops.

“What did you do?” Izuku gasped. “It looks like a stampede ran through here!”

“Well sorry I’m not as neat and tidy as Todoroki, Izuku!” Eijirou turned to face the shorter boy, putting his fists on his hips.

“It’s fine, we’ll just have to do some major cleanup afterwards. How’s the batter looking?” He asked as he cranked the knob on the oven to 425 degrees.

“I think it looks pretty good!”

Izuku hummed and leaned over the bowl to get a good look at the cookie dough. Though it didn’t look like dough as much as it looked like tan sludge.

“Ei, how much milk did you put in this?” He asked apprehensively.

Eijirou raised a red eyebrow. “I put in the amount the recipe told me to.”

“Which was?”

“Twelve cups.”

“Twelve?!” Izuku snatched up the recipe and scanned it quickly. “Eijirou, this says one and a half cups!”

“Oh. Oops,” the shark-toothed boy shrugged.

“How the heck did you even read it like that?”

“I don’t know man, I don’t think I was paying attention.”

Izuku let out a loud groan and put his elbow on the counter dramatically. But somehow he had forgotten that the bowl of cookie sludge was right under him.

The dough launched out of the bowl and spattered all over Izuku. The poor boy let out a surprised screech and jumped back, glaring down at his messy body in shock.

“Oh my god babe, are you okay?” Eijirou cackled.

“Y-Yeah, I’m fine!” The broccoli-headed teen laughed. Eijirou walked up to him and looked him up and down.

“Wow, you’re really messy. But you look really tasty too,” he commented before leaning down and licking some dough off of the other’s chin, resulting in giddy giggles from the latter.

“Ei! Stohop! That tihihickles!”

“Oh does it now?” The redhead purred mischievously. He then lifted Izuku off his feet and placed him on a clear space on the counter.

“Babe, I don’t like that loOK! Eihihihijirouuu! Nahahahao!”

Eijirou had begun to lick Izuku’s neck and lightly scribble at his sides, causing the smaller to flail and giggle uncontrollably.

“Mm, it’s so good baby! I taste mint too, but I didn’t put any in the cookies,” Eijirou teased between licks. “Maybe it’s because Izuku tastes like peppermint!”

At these words the redhead lifted Izuku’s shirt and started showering him in kisses and licks, raising Izuku’s hysterical laughter to a new octave.

“NAHAHAHAHAAA! IHIT’S NOHOHOT MEHEHEHEEEE! I DOHON’T TASTE LIHIKE PEPPERMI—AH!!” Izuku screamed when Eijirou blew a loud raspberry right over his belly button, desperately pushing at his boyfriend’s head in attempt to dislodge his tickly mouth.

Eijirou finally let up, pulling his head out from underneath Izuku’s shirt. He pulled the red-faced, green-haired boy into a warm embrace, planting a soft kiss to his lips.

“You’re too adorable. I might die.”

“I almost died just now, you jerk!”

“Love you too. Now let’s get you washed up! We gotta make new cookie dough!”

~~~~~

[indigowallbreaker]

“Make Yourself At Home”

Here’s the ao3 link! As I said earlier, super excited to share this one. Bon Appétit!

[Modern AU, established relationship, Myleth]

Yurileth Week Day 3: Baking/Cooking

The myriad aromas wafting from his apartment stopped Byleth just outside the door. He took a deep breath, trying to guess what was on the menu.

Something buttery, that was for sure, the scent was unmistakable. Amid the other savory smells was an undercurrent of cinnamon. That meant dessert was part of the deal— likely something to do with the army of apples Byleth had received from his students last week for Professor Appreciation Day.

Byleth jingled his keys before sliding one into the lock— a warning for his guest chef. Likely his footsteps had been heard already but Byleth still felt it was polite. He let himself in and smiled at the sight that greeted him.

The apartment wasn’t anything grand. A one bedroom affair with a decent living room space but a kitchen that made a shoebox look roomy in comparison. Yuri, somehow, always made the kitchen appear elegant and purposeful. He stood at the counter plucking apart fresh herbs as if he were in a Michelin star restaurant flanked by sous-chefs, instead of in a second floor apartment flanked by a secondhand toaster and a window too stuck to open.

Byleth kicked off his shoes and tossed his bag on the couch before stepping into the kitchen. “Welcome home,” Yuri said without looking up. But Byleth could see him smiling as well. Yuri dropped the parsley he was preparing and took up a spoon instead. Something was sizzling in a pan on the stove, and Yuri scooped up some of the sauce and blew on it gently. “Taste this and tell me if it’s spicy. I added half the amount of paprika called for but it’s still a little much for me.”

He offered up the spoon. Byleth held his wrist to steady it and leaned forward to taste. He smacked his lips under Yuri’s expectant gaze. “It’s delicious,” he declared after a moment.

Yuri snorted. “I knew that. I was asking about the spice.”

“I didn’t taste any spice.”

“Of course you don’t. You could eat a serrano pepper and not taste any spice.” Yuri wiped the spoon off on his waist apron and looked down at the open cookbook beside him. “I’ll finish putting everything in and test it again. Maybe it just needs more butter.”

Byleth, already crowding Yuri in the tiny kitchen, moved still closer. “Whatever you think is best.”

Yuri smirked up at him. “More people should adopt that mentality.”

He let Byleth pull him in for a kiss. Giving Yuri a copy of his apartment key was one of the best decisions Byleth had made. It afforded him moments like this— where Yuri chuckled against his mouth as Byleth reached past him to steal a piece of chopped carrot.

Pressing another kiss to his cheek, Yuri pushed Byleth back. “You’re getting your work clothes dirty,” he pointed out. The apron had indeed transferred some of its flour and sugary residue onto Byleth pants, but he found it hard to care, what with the fruits of its labor currently making his apartment feel like a home.

“It’s Friday. I can get them clean in time.” Byleth popped the carrot in his mouth and let Yuri elbow him from the kitchen at last.

In short order, Byleth had changed into more comfortable clothes and took a seat at the small table between the kitchen and the living room. He placed his phone out of arm’s reach to reduce the chance of accidentally opening up a student email and turned his full attention to his boyfriend. “So what prompted this?”

“You sounded miserable today, frankly. Wanted to surprise you.” Yuri opened the oven to peek inside. “Seems like it’s working, not to sound smug.”

“It is.” Byleth leaned back in the chair, watching Yuri scrape the parsley into a small bowl for later. “I thought you were busy tonight? That’s why we were going out for breakfast tomorrow.”

Yuri hummed and went back to chopping the carrots. “I cancelled it. Dorothea will understand. Or she won’t, I haven’t been brave enough to check my messages. And this way we can leave for breakfast together instead of meeting there. Saves on cab fare.”

That sounded nice. If there was anything better than evenings like this with Yuri, it was mornings with Yuri. Byleth would wake first and lay in bed drinking in the sight of a clean faced Yuri— lilac hair spilling over the pillow, one leg out of the covers, an arm thrown over Byleth and keeping him from moving too far. On a day off, Byleth would simply wait for Yuri to wake before nosing into his neck and kissing him good morning. On a work day, Byleth would have to talk himself into getting up, kissing a still-slumbering Yuri on the forehead before leaving the warmth and love of their bed.

Byleth sagged further in his chair just picturing it. If only he could have that all the time. Mornings would be a lot more bearable if Yuri were a constant instead of a treat.

An idea slammed into Byleth and he found himself staring sightlessly as Yuri continued to bustle around the kitchen. There was a way to have moments like this all the time. Byleth’s heart hammered in his chest at the very idea. Yuri already had a key, he already let himself in without warning— there was only one step left to take.

“I’ll take that as a no?”

“Hm?”

Spatula in hand, Yuri cocked his head at Byleth. “I asked if your day improved at all and you didn’t say a word. Was it that bad?”

In truth, Byleth had trouble recalling the rest of his work day at the moment, so seized by this idyllic vision. “It was fine,” he said. “Nothing to report.”

Yuri still eyed him with suspicion but turned back to the stove all the same. Watching him masterfully shuffle the fish around the pan, invoking fresh smells into the air, gave Byleth the push he needed to open his mouth.

“Will you move in with me?”

Years of having to watch and calculate the moves of others meant Yuri usually kept his own tells locked up tight. No one but Byleth would have noticed the slight tensing of Yuri’s arm or the sudden scrunch of his bare toes against the kitchen tile.

That meant Byleth had already braced himself when Yuri let out an airy laugh. “Where did this come from?” He asked, attention already back on the pan.

“You’re here all the time anyway. You know my kitchen better than I do.”

“Sounds like you want a cook, not me.”

“Your toothbrush is here.”

“Sorry to break this to you but I have a toothbrush at my place too. Think they’re the same color even.”

“You have clothes here.”

“I have even more at my place.”

Byleth sighed and dropped his face into his hands, elbows on the table. Logic was getting him nowhere. Time for a different strategy— honesty.

“Yuri, I love you and want to spend more time with you.”

He kept his head buried and just listened for a moment, hoping against hope he hadn’t ruined an otherwise refreshing evening. The burner clicked off. There was the muted tap of the spatula being put down. Byleth turned his head to finally look.

Yuri was undoing his apron. Dark blue and covered in stars, it was a gift from Hapi and apparently an inside joke Byleth wasn’t privy to. Yuri hung the apron on a drawer handle and kept his eyes on it as he said, “You wouldn’t be able to foster cats or dogs if I lived here.”

“For you, I’d never go near an animal ever again.”

Yuri snorted. “We both know that’s not true. And there’s no need to go that far anyway.” He met Byleth’s gaze. “You’ll need to buy more Seiros tea. It’s not cheap.”

Byleth held out his hand as Yuri moved closer and Yuri took it. “I’m not rich but I can buy tea.” He pulled Yuri to him, looking up into beautiful, calculating eyes.

“We’d have to move around your whole bedroom to make space for my clothes, you know. Another dresser, maybe, and redo your closet—”

“Why are you trying to talk me out of this?”

Yuri let go of his hand to hold the back of Byleth’s head instead, keeping their eyes locked. “Because I don’t think you’ve given this as much thought as I have.”

Byleth wound his arms around Yuri’s waist, resting his chin against his middle. “You’ve given this thought?”

“Of course I have. Ever since you gave me a key.”

“Did you think about the good parts?” Byleth began caressing the small of Yuri’s back. “We would see each other more often.”

“All the time. We might get sick of each other.”

“True. But I wouldn’t have to rush over to yours when you get into a bad fight with another gang.”

“Exactly. It would be your problem all the time.”

“It would be my privilege all the time.”

Yuri sighed and lowered his head to rest it against Byleth’s. “You’re making it very hard to say no, love,” he murmured.

In the curtain of Yuri’s hair, Byleth smiled. “I hope so.” He closed the scant distance between them in a light kiss. “Yuri, please.” Another kiss. “I want you here. I want you home .”

The third kiss went longer as Yuri held Byleth against him, lips moving with more intent, fingers digging into the back of Byleth’s head and neck. If this was a no, it was the nicest one Byleth had ever experienced.

“Alright,” Yuri said when he broke away. “Yes. Let’s do it.”

Byleth held him tighter, grinning. “Yeah?”

“Yeah. I love you too.” Yuri kissed him once more on the cheek and untangled himself to get back to the stove. He did so with a smile Byleth rarely saw— an excited, almost optimistic smile. “Balthus owes me a few favors. Anyone else you can think of we could rope into helping me move?”

Byleth cast his mind through his list of favorite ex-students. “Caspar’s always up for showing off. And if he comes then so will Ashe.”

“Perfect, I need his berry sauce recipe anyway.”

“Yuri?”

“Hm?” Yuri looked back at Byleth over his shoulder, spoon dragging through the pan without purpose.

A great deal of things to say came to mind, all vying for top spot. Byleth wanted to say he was looking forward to living together, that he was prepared for whatever other challenges Yuri had foreseen, that dinner could wait if they needed to talk more particulars out.

In the end, Byleth stood and retrieved the apron from the handle. Yuri turned back to the pan as Byleth approached. Careful not to knock his spoon-wielding arm, Byleth tied the apron around Yuri, knotting it in a decent bow in the back. He dropped his chin to Yuri’s other shoulder. “What’s in the oven?”

Yuri rested his cheek on Byleth. “Apple pie.”

“I knew it.” Byleth dipped his finger into the pan, earning a disciplinary elbow from Yuri. “There is a little spice. Maybe.”

“Don’t patronize me or you’ll jeopardize your piece of pie.”

Byleth put up his hands in defeat and backed away. “I’ll just get the wine then.”

And just like that, it was any other night. Just a weekend visit from his boyfriend. Just a meal to cheer Byleth up. Except, much like the cinnamon, there was something sweet under it all. There was an energy in Yuri’s step when he got more cream from the fridge. A grin that wouldn’t leave Byleth’s cheeks as he pulled down two wine glasses from a cabinet.

It was love, Byleth thought. It was home.

[blackmissfrizzle]

Sanctuary

Summary: The reader gives Spooky an ultimatum when he abandons Cesar.

Pairing: Spooky x black!reader

Warnings: Mention of smut & language.

Bacon was sizzling in the pan, the potatoes and eggs were being kept warm in the oven, and you were flipping tortillas while dancing to your Spotify playlist.

“Good morning,” Spooky greeted you, his voice full of sleep.

Still mad that he didn’t care that Cesar had nowhere to go you ignored him and the one thing Spooky hates is being ignored.

He caged you in between him and the stove. “You still giving me the silent treatment, ma?”

You wanted to bump him out of the way, but you didn’t feel like hearing him yell, so you actually spoke to your boyfriend. “Can you please move? I need to get the eggs and potatoes out of the oven.”

Stepping back, Spooky moved and took a seat at the table. Bending down you got the food out the oven and you could feel him admiring your ass.

Silently, you made his and yours plates, slightly slamming his plate down. Oscar always led the prayer and the only time he heard you spoke was the amen.

Halfway into breakfast, you broke and told Spooky what’s been on your mind. “I’m gonna let Cesar stay with me.”

Oscar put down the taco that was halfway to his mouth and just stare you. To others it was supposed to be intimidating, but to you it didn’t mean shit. “Run that by me one more time.”

“I’m gonna let Cesar stay with me,” you repeated yourself, resuming to eat your food.

“No, you’re not. He’s not allowed on Santos’ streets and no girlfriend of a Santo would do that.”

“Well, one of those could easily change.” The threat of y’all breaking up is what caused Spooky’s usual calm demeanor to change. He backed out his seat, causing the chair to scrape across the floor, grabbed your seat to face him and leaned over you.

“You threatening to break up with me?”

Pulling his face closer to you, you kissed him aggressively. First, he was shocked because Spooky was the aggressive one, but once he was over the shock, he got used to it until he wanted to dominate you. Remembering that you needed some air and you had to tell Spooky something, you broke the kiss. “That’s exactly what I mean,” you whispered against his lips.

Oscar pushed off the chair and started pacing. “What do you want me to do? The cuchillos made that call, not me.”

“Oh, I don’t know, maybe put your family over the Santos,” you say sarcastically.

“The Santos are my family!” Oscar yelled back.

Unfazed by his outburst, you began cleaning up. Spooky eyed you warily, knowing you could go off at him at any moment for him yelling at you, but you never did. You continued cleaning the kitchen, then headed to the room to change.

When you came back out, you had your overnight bag in your hand. “You can throw away the rest of my things. I don’t need em.”

Spooky tried to snatch the bag out your hand but you were faster. “Y/N, quit your shit and put the bag down. Now!” He ordered you.

“No! I tried to reason with you last night and you blew me off. I tried again this morning and you still won’t budge. I’m not gonna let an innocent kid, a kid I consider a like a little brother live on the streets. So, if you and the rest of the Santos have an issue with it, y’all can kiss my black ass!” You walked towards the front door, but Spooky blocked your exit.

“You think you can do whatever you want because you’re the so-called Princess of Freeridge? You don’t even know how hard it is to live in Freeridge!”

Princess of Freeridge was a nickname that you believed you didn’t deserve. Your dad was the one, who was born and raised in Freeridge, and he was respected by all. He wasn’t affiliated with either the Santos or the Prophets, but both gangs knew not to mess with him, he was dangerous on his own. Eventually, he got out of the hood, got a football scholarship, and made into the NFL.

Once, your dad was big time, your grandma refused to leave her house in Freeridge and being a big momma’s boy, your dad made you and your brothers visit Freeridge frequently. You must’ve been just like your dad, because you took to Freeridge instantly. It was like you were meant to thrive in that neighborhood. Even your dad noticed, and he always said he felt more comfortable with you in Freeridge by yourself than your three older brothers. Also, it didn’t hurt that your uncle, who your dad could barely stand was a Prophet.

With street cred from your dad and uncle, you were practically untouchable in Freeridge. Whenever you were in Freeridge, you somehow always ended up hanging out with Spooky, which eventually turned into a romance.

As you got older, you tried to help the community. You organized various block parties against gun violence, built a community center named after your dad, and helped ex-convicts find legal and sustainable income. But eventually, you would go back to your home in the hills and live your ‘rich girl life’ as Spooky would describe it.

A knock on the door alerted you. When you reached for the doorknob, Oscar slapped your hand away and pushed you behind him, being his overprotective self.

One look out the door and Spooky rolled his eyes. “Oh, you called this pendejo?”

The man he was referring to was your bodyguard, Ray. Even though you could hold your own and no one would be stupid enough to try something with you (except them young’ins as your dad claimed), your dad insisted that you have a bodyguard especially since you came from a famous family.

Ray ignored Spooky and turned his attention to you. “Y/N, you ready? Everything at your grandmother’s is ready.”

Ray and Spooky never liked each other. Spooky swore up and down that Ray had a crush on you and would put the moves on you if he had the chance. Ray, a veteran and an ex-convict himself said Spooky was too small-minded. If he was gonna be a criminal, it better be to make his life better and he believed that it wasn’t and that Spooky was gonna drag you down, not elevate you.

“Yeah, I’m ready Ray. Can you take my bag to the car? I just need to speak to Oscar real quick.” Hesitantly, Ray stepped off the porch to the car.

Grabbing each of Spooky’s hands, you pulled him into a hug. “I love you and I will always love you. Just when you come to your senses, let me know, Oscar.” You kissed him goodbye and hoped with all your heart that he would change his mind.

—

Weeks had passed since you saw Spooky, but you never really had the time. You had to take care of Cesar, listen to his own relationship problems, make sure your play cousin Jamal didn’t get in anymore trouble, and work.

A girlfriend of another Santo bumped into you at the grocery store and told you about the party the Santos were having. She insisted you go because all the hoes would be on Spooky since he was single.

Jealousy reared its ugly head and that’s how you ended up at the party. And homegirl was right, girls were all over Spooky. You were about to go in on him when you saw a very underage person by all the liquor.

“Ay, Ruby what are you doing here?” You questioned one of Cesar’s best friends.

The endearing but annoying teen looked up to you with low eyes. “Your ex-boyfriend dragged me here. And by the way, may I mention that your post-breakup glow is phenomenal.”

Leaning down, you gave him a kiss on the cheek. “Thank you. Just for that I won’t give you any shit about drinking, as long as you can hold your liquor.” Even if he didn’t compliment you, you wouldn’t have snitched on him. It wasn’t too long ago when you were the one drinking underage.

Taking a drink of your own, you roamed around the party, mingled with some folks until one of the girls in Spooky’s lap decided to say something. “What are you doing here? Didn’t Spooky drop your ugly ass?”

Choosing to ignore her for the sake of the party, you turned around and walked away, but homegirl didn’t get the message and pulled you by the shoulder. “Didn’t you hear me, you Prophet bitch?” Her words barely registered in your head, because all you could do is stare at the hand, she decided to touch you with.

Everyone else got quiet to watch the showdown, but Spooky rushed to intervene. He knew once you got that glossy look in your eye it wasn’t long before you started swinging and there was no way Bianca could hold herself against you. Even Spooky was scared to try you.

“Bianca, yo, chill!” Spooky tried to warn the girl, but she was too dumb for her own good.

“No, fuck that! This little rich girl thinks just because her dad grew up in Freeridge, she can do whatever she wants, but she ain’t one of us! She’s more of a Prophet because of her bitch-ass uncle and cousin. She doesn’t deserve a Santo like you, Spooky.” Then the dumb bitch decided she could kiss Spooky in front of you. When she finished, she let Spooky go and smirked at you like she just won him. If she had any social awareness, she would’ve noticed he was disgusted by the kiss.

One look at you and Spooky knew he couldn’t stop you. He slyly stepped out of the way and let you do your thing.

You weren’t one for talking, so you let your fist fly and connect with Bianca’s jaw. She was out cold with one punch. People thought you were soft because you grew up privilege, but you always proved them wrong. They seemed to forget that you had three older brothers, all in professional sports, and one was a mma fighter. Hell, you basically grew up fighting.

Bianca’s friends tried to jump you, but none had hands like you. “Don’t you even fucking dare, Spooky,” you warned him against trying to get the girls off you.

Eventually, they gave up because of the embarrassment of getting beat up by one girl. Leaning over a semi-conscious Bianca, you told her and the other girls surrounding, “Leave Spooky alone and keep my name out your mouth or I won’t go easy on you next time.”

You gave her one good kick and turned to grab Spooky, tonguing him down in front of everyone, marking your territory. The hoots and hollers from everyone alerted you that you weren’t alone, so you stopped kissing him.

Spooky had that lustful look in his eyes and you knew your drought was about to end. He threw you over his shoulder and led you to his house while everyone else cheered you on.

Once inside the house, Spooky set you on your feet and tried to kiss, but you moved out of the way. Hurt that you rejected him, Spooky threw a photo of you and him across the room. “What the fuck are you doing here, Y/N? You gonna claim me in public and reject me in private? What do you want?!”

The pain in his voice caused you to cry. Never in your life have you ever heard Spooky this emotional and to know you were the cause was breaking your heart. “You,” you whispered in between hiccups.

“You got me, baby. Come back home.” He opened up his arms, inviting you back.

Shaking your head, you countered, “I can’t. Not unless your taking Cesar back.”

Spooky ran his hands from the back of his head to the front of his face. This woman was going to drive him crazy. “Come here.” He ordered, taking a seat on the couch. You followed his instructions and instead of sitting next to him, you sat in his lap. Snuggling into him you smelled the beer, weed, and mesquite wood making an intoxicating scent that described him.

Gripping your chin hardly and staring deep into your eyes, Spooky began to speak. “You gotta keep this to yourself. I mean you can’t tell anybody. Not even your pops, understand?”

Sitting up straighter at the seriousness Oscar’s voice you nodded your head yes. “What’s going on, Oscar?” You asked, only using his government name when you were serious.

He began telling you of his and Cesar’s plan of getting him back in the good graces of the Santos. They planned on setting up the Prophets and he even ensured that it didn’t involve your uncle getting caught up.

When he finished explaining, you stood up from his lap and began pacing. Your silence was making Spooky nervous, he grabbed your hand to stop you. “Baby, you good?”

Slapping his hand away, you stood over him and began yelling. “Hell no! You mean to tell me I’ve been moping around about your ass for weeks and almost fucked another guy, for you to tell me you’ve been playing me?”

“Who you almost fuck?” Spooky disregarded the rest and wanted to know who was dumb enough to mess with Spooky’s girl.

“Nah, don’t worry about that. Did you fuck any of those bitches, Oscar Diaz?” You were hovering over him, pointing your index and middle finger on his temple, not caring that he didn’t tolerate that type of disrespect.

Spooky smiled up at you. He was happy that you were just as possessive over him as he was over you. “No, quierda.” He pulled you into his lap, nuzzling his face into your neck. “I love your crazy ass too much to do that.”

“I love you too,” you muttered against his lips before kissing him. Spooky’s hands went from your hips to under shirt to your bra strap. To help him out you shrugged your shirt off and once it was off it was like he sobered up. Spooky pushed you off his lap and he stood up looking for your shirt.

“What the hell, Spooky?”

“This plan ain’t happening until a couple of weeks and for no one to suspect anything we need to keep up appearances.” Spooky explained, trying his best not to continue what you started.

“Which means you’re still not talking to Cesar and we’re still not together,” you finished for him. “How are we gonna explain tonight?”

Spooky waved you off and smacked his lips. “Man, Julio and his girl breakup and fuck all the time. It ain’t far-fetch for us to be doing the same.”

Smirking you reached out for Spooky’s belt to undo. “We haven’t fucked yet.”

To stop you, Spooky grabbed your wrists and turned your back against his chest. “And we’re not until all this is over, because if I get one taste of you, I’m not stopping.”

He was right, both of you could be insatiable. Reluctantly, you put your shirt on and began making your way to the door. You wanted to stay the night, but the temptation was too great.

“I’m sorry, I lied to you for so long. I didn’t want to involve you with all this.”

Caressing his cheek, you replied. “No, I should’ve known better. Under all that roughness, you’re a good man, Oscar Diaz.” You reached up to kiss him on the spot where your hand was.

Turning the doorknob, you were about to open the door when Spooky stopped you. “Aye, who’s the fool that’s dumb enough to try to fuck you?”

“No one important,” you rolled your eyes at him.

“Just let him I’ll shoot him if I need to.”

“Stop it!” Hitting him in the stomach to reprimand him. “I’ll call you when I get home.”

As soon as you opened the door there was a bunch of cheers for Spooky. All of his friends hyped for him ‘getting some.’ To put on a show, he smacked your ass when you turned to walk to your car.  You glared back at Spooky to let him know he would pay for that, but it didn’t faze him. Instead he smiled and mouthed ‘I love you.’ And at that you couldn’t be too mad, because despite all the ups and downs Spooky always had the best intentions and was the man for you.

Tags: @soufcakmistress​ @chonisberonica​ @marvels-gurl​ @veryfastspeedz @bananasandhoney​ @badbitchtingzs 

[mirrorforevers]

any human friend • graham coxon/reader

i know its been a while but at last its here! thank u so much for the prompt anon, hope u didn’t give up on me n i hope u guys enjoy it jkhkdjd loved writing this fic so much

word count: 2.873 pairing: graham/fem!reader

It’s a Saturday. Usually, you always have plans with your friends after your concerts, but for different reasons they all canceled that day's meeting. Life was tough for artists on the rise. The week had been exhausting enough that you wouldn't give up drinking to forget about your problems. When you arrive at the pub, you don’t recognize any familiar face, and, somewhat disappointed, you sit next to a man with graying hair who is very concentrated on his phone.

A bummer of a night for such a talkative girl.

“One pint of lager and a packet of crisps, please.” You order, mindlessly tapping on the table to the beat of a random rhythm. You kept stealing sideways glances at the man sitting by your side. 

“Can’t believe she did this.” The man mutters, still very concentrated on whatever he was watching or reading. You, for a split second, thought he was judging your very basic order for some reason but then noticed he just thought out loud, and you joke: “What’s wrong with my order, mate?”

This takes him out of his trance as he awkwardly and quickly apologizes, and while you calm him down you notice he’s one of the artists that shared the stage with you on The Nightingale earlier that day. He was absolutely incredible - you wanted to tell him how much you enjoyed his music but didn’t get the chance. Well, apparently now’s the time. “Wait, I saw you playing today.” is what you say, mid sentence, a little starstruck even though, just like you, he wasn’t famous. You were at the same page in a matter of stardom, actually. He blushes and smiles, and after he takes a long sip of his drink, he asks: “And did you like it?” 

“A lot!” You answer a little too excitedly, containing yourself so you don’t scare him away. Music was always a topic that excited you to the point of making you tremble sometimes. “Um, you’re an awesome songwriter. I played in The Nightingale today too, I don’t know if you were already there when I played. My name's Y/N, by the way. You’re Graham, right?”

“I actually arrived when you were at the stage. And yes, I-I'm Graham, nice to meet you, Y/N.” he chuckles, giving you his entire attention after he shakes your hand. Turns out you’ve found a company on this lonely Saturday night. “You’re an awesome singer, I’m quite honored to hear that you enjoyed my show.” 

It was now your turn to blush, and you playfully motion as if dismissing his comment. “You were something else. ‘In The Morning’? I think that was the name of the first song?” He nods, basking on the attention his work has gotten from a fellow artist, and you continue: “Your playing alone somehow sounded like 3 different guitars on that one. Don’t Believe Anything I Say was a favorite of mine too, what an earworm.” 

“You remember the names.” He notes, genuinely surprised and… happy. “Your voice blew me away too. You… you were stellar.”

God knows how hard it is to make a name for yourself. Actually, to make people just pay attention to what you’re doing when you aren’t a commercially successful musician is really tough. You know how you feel when you’re complimented in that sense, and you’re shocked that Graham’s artistry has been ignored all this time. He truly deserves the praise, and you want to give it to him.

“Thank you, you’re too kind. I mean, how could I not remember the names of your songs? They’re fantastic. For how long you’ve been playing?” Your order arrives, and you eat your crisps while he talks about the role music has had in his life. His reveal that it’s just a hobby to him surprises you.

“And what do you do for a living?”

“I paint. I’m a visual artist.” He steals some of your chips. “I enjoy it just as much as I like to play, but only painting is putting money in my pocket. What about you?”

“I actually work at a bank, but I’m trying to make music my main job. Do you plan on changing careers in the future, or…?”

“Oh, no. I’m too old to be a rockstar.” He ruffles his hair, timidly. There was something about this man. He’s quirky and seemingly distrait at his absurd musical talent, you almost feel offended at what he says about himself. 

He also has super broad shoulders and his arms are somehow really strong and his lips inviting but you push these thoughts to the back of your mind. He’s a total stranger, after all. An adorable and extremely talented stranger, but still a stranger.

“What the hell are you talking about? You’re awesome, bloody hell, I became a fan of yours just from that gig and music’s just a hobby to you. I imagine you’re bloody Da Vinci when painting.”

“I’m really not all that, I swear.” He laughs. "Something I found curious was that you only stuck to covers. Why is that?"

“Oh. You noticed.” You answer, a little embarrassed. “I’m still not that confident in my own material. I write songs, but… let’s say I trust my music taste way more for now.” He nods in understanding. “But before you lecture me though,” he chuckles at your energy as you continue ranting. “I know how important it is for me to sing my own songs, I’m just building up courage to do it. I still think they’re stupid.”

“The only way to find out is to play them. People make all sorts of faces. It’s like a thermometer.”

“It’s true.” You down some of your pint in hopes it gives you more stuff to talk about. “Which of my songs you liked the most?” 

“Well, they’re not your songs,” he jokes, and you share a laugh. 

“Shush. Go on,”

“But I quite enjoyed your rendition of that Fiona Apple song and Wild Time. Also your cover of Band on The Run was really great. Not everyone nails that one.”

“Thank you. Those were my favorites too.”

“But I’m looking forward to seeing you again with your own material. Blend them with the others, depending on who you were influenced by, they’ll fit right in.”

“You’re right. Thanks for the words of wisdom, Graham.”

“No problem.” He pauses for an instant. “You’re a regular here, aren’t you?”

“Yes. I’m here with my friends every Saturday night, but they all cancelled on me last minute. Some of them went to see me play, at least.”

“Huh. That’s rare enough. You were lucky.”

“I know. Did... anyone you know... come to see you?” You know what you were trying to ask him, and he knew too.

“Um… Someone used to.”

“What happened?”

“We weren’t exactly right for each other.” he smiled wistfully. “Did someone other than your friends… see you?”

“Not really, no.”

A comfortable silence hangs between you two, as both of you share some shy smiles. A song by The Smiths starts playing in the background, and that’s enough to get the gear of a nice talk running once again. You really liked this man. Gradually, he talks more about himself, and also learns so much about you in the span of a few hours. 

As you feel more comfortable and used to his presence, you allow the back of your hand to brush against his a few times as you pick up your food. You give no indication you noticed the weight of his gaze, and you feel the butterflies fluttering on your belly. After eating and having a few more drinks, you were out on the sidewalk. 

There's nothing you loved more than the aftermath of afternoon storms. The earthy scent that permeates the city's dusk while its lights are reflecting off the wet asphalt, the mysterious aura that hovers over every street is something that really speaks to your senses, in a way. You also loved how those lights now reflected in Graham’s eyes. He offers to walk you home - after you tell him where you live he agrees it’s indeed not very far. Those who walk past you might think you’ve been friends for years. 

As he walks you up to your door, you feel he’s reluctant to say goodbye. And so are you. 

And the inevitable question escapes from your lips.

“Will I see you again?”

“I… I hope so.” He answers, somewhat relieved you asked. “Whenever you feel like it. And… whenever you’re free, of course.”

“I’d love to. Actually… Graham, if you can, of… of course, I-I want you to stay tonight.”

He blinks, as if the invite went completely over his head. You giggle, and make your intent more clear.  “Gosh, don’t make me repeat myself. I want you to come inside.”

“Inside, yes,” he blushes, his eyes shining. He reacts like a flustered, yet excited, teenager.  “Of course. I want to stay too, then.”

-

You were definitely not expecting to bring someone home tonight, so your flat is a cozy mess you try to conceal as coyly as you can. You show him to the couch, and after handing him another beer, you go to the kitchen to fiddle with your temperamental oven to try and get it to warm up enough to cook a frozen pizza. While you wait for it to cook, you stand in the balcony, watching him from afar still wondering about the courage you mustered to bring him home.

His eyes met yours, and there it was, that cute, easy smile of his again. He sighs, as if silently asking what was going to happen next. And you answer. “I barely ate anything today because I was so nervous I was finally playing on The Nightingale. I know we ate already but I’m still hungry, sorry for being anticlimactic.”

“Don’t worry.” He looks around, a little nervous. I guess that’s a first for him too, you think. “Cute place.”

“I recently moved so there’s still a lot to unpack, but I haven’t had the time.”

Small talk ensues, and after you finally eat what you need, you share the couch with him - in a somewhat of a bold move, but just to show how comfortable you feel around him, you place your head over his shoulder. His arms fall over yours.

“Thanks for not letting me spend my Saturday night alone.” You murmur, positioning yourself so your face is closer and facing his. He tends to speak with his brown eyes - which are now cast on your mouth. He answers by very calmly slipping his hands below your ears, making you shiver, and pulling you to a tender kiss.

Then he says, “Thank you for having me.”

He kisses you fully now as you arch into him. His hands are now inside of your coat, teasing to take it off, but before they explore your skin further than your sides, he asks if they can, if you’re comfortable with going all the way. You nod, positively impatient. After a few more heated moments of kisses, you now find yourself on your back, with just your bra and jeans on, his weight on top of you as his lips travel down your jawline and your neck. His fingers run tantalizingly through the hem of your high-waisted jeans. “Planning on taking that off any time soon?” he whispers. 

“I was afraid you might think I was going too fast if I went any further, actually,” you giggle. “Do the honors.”

“My pleasure.” 

After he takes it off you, he pulls you closer to him, your bare skin against his still very clothed one, and you wrap your legs around his waist, once again trying to be as near and physically intimate with him as possible. He seemed to want that too, slowly rocking his hips against yours, groaning softly. “Please get rid of those too,” You whine, voice slightly breathy, tugging lightly at his striped shirt. Your wish is his command. 

Now that he’s shirtless, if he was already an eyeful to you before, you absolutely can’t take your eyes off his body now. He’s surprisingly fit for his age, though that wasn’t something you were particularly meticulous about. You were aching for him, painfully wet, and your anticipation was almost tangible in the air you shared - he detected it, apparently, and you hear the slightest waver in his voice when he adjusts himself to slowly begin stroking you over your underwear. “Tell me if I’m going too hard.” The softness of his voice made you shiver. You nodded, not intending to tell him anything of the sort as you pressed yourself harder into the soft pads of his fingers, gradually picking up speed. In a few more moments, you were worked up enough to nearly panting. 

You pull your panties to the side and guide his hand to your heat directly. His other hand lifts your chin. “You want to see my face while you touch me, right?” you asked, voice smokey. He huffed gently, eyes darting away, a light blush spreading on his cheeks while your breath starts to falter. You don’t know what does it, exactly – the slow and deliberate circling on your clit, the lingering over skin that makes you whimper your pleasure, or the gentle flick of a finger over the small bead of nerve endings, but suddenly everything is blurry starbursts and your body is spasming with the intensity of your orgasm.

You let out a sound that’s hallway between a whimper and a sigh as reality blurs back into your consciousness. As you come down from your high, you try to say something but your voice doesn’t seem to be working quite yet, so instead you shut your eyes and let out a long breath. That had been intense. You wonder what Graham has in store for you next. 

His finger then enters you without warning and your hips buck involuntarily into the penetration. You clench around him, gnawing at your bottom lip as he eased his finger in and out of you. You closed your eyes and shuddered at how good it felt. He pushed two in deep and crooked his fingers. You felt a flush of new heat radiate from your middle. “Don’t stop,” you whispered, shakily, and sank into it.

“I don’t intend to.” He coos as he presses the pads of his fingers against the walls of your pussy. Involuntarily, you made this needy guttural sound you’d never heard from yourself before. You wanted to ask what he was doing to you. While it felt good, it was different. There was a new kind of tension now. It wasn’t like your first climax. This was hot and urgent and taut like a fist clenching. You writhed on the couch and mewled for something. 

Feeling you were close once again, he abruptly stops his movements - that fucker! - to your clear dissatisfaction - and rids himself of the rest of his clothes. His size intimidates you a bit, but you were determined to make it work. Once his hips are adjusted to meet yours once again and he puts on protection, after a few more kisses and a few more hard breaths, he is inside you, hands not leaving your clit this time as the eager hips of both of you started to settle into a cohesive pace.

"So fucking tight," he breathes. Your fingers dig into his skin as he's getting faster and more urgent with every thrust. His breathing is ragged and his eyes are half closed, and you tilt your face up and kiss him sloppily. There is no possibility for precision. Your bodies are rocking back and forth together too quickly for that. He grabs your ass, drinking in the moans he pulls out of you. "Come on my cock, baby, touch yourself for me," He murmurs into your ear, teeth grazing the lobe. Your attempt at a reply is cut off by another moan, pleasure overriding your senses. 

He isn’t going to last very long, not if he keeps fucking you like his sole purpose is tearing you apart. And neither will you, as one of your hands goes to your clit and moves in sync with his hard thrusts. You want to tell him that you're about to come, but you can’t, you can barely form coherent thoughts, let alone coherent phrases, so you tighten the hand that’s gripping his arm tight and you press a bruising kiss to his lips while you clench around him, hoping it’s enough. Seconds after, judging by the way his breath falters and his pace becomes slightly more mechanical before it slows down and stops, you guess that has done it for him too. You stay some long minutes in that position after you're both done, completely spent.

He pulls out of you after he gives your forehead a small kiss. "That was amazing." He smiles, voice still a little breathy. "You're incredible in every way."

"So are you, and I didn't even know about that talent of yours."

"Got some more time for me to show you the rest of them?" 

"Definitely."

[cheeseburgersstuff]

Life As We Know It

Ransom Drysdale x Reader

Warnings: language, mistakes, shitty writing...(2.7k words shit)

A/N: this is for the nacho-baby weekly challenge @optimistic-dinosaur-nacho @captainchrisbaby​. Go check it out and support these loveliess!! <3

This is completely based on the movie:)

Master-list

“I can’t believe you are doing this” Ransom scoffed sitting on the couch watching his best friend fixing his tie. Peter turned towards him and a frown. “What do you mean by that” 

“I mean look at you, we used to have so much fun but then you suddenly decided to get married,” Ransom said, making peter roll his eyes. 

“You are saying this because you have never experienced love but one day ransom you will be standing there trying to fix this damn thing and I’ll not help you” Peter spat, still struggling with the tie. 

Ransom stood up and helped his friend. “You know that’s not gonna happen. I don’t do this love shit.” 

“Yeah, I know. You are an asshole. I mean you even didn’t take y/n out that day ``Peter sighed remembering, setting him up with her to- be- wife’s best friend. 

“Oh god. Stop it, Peter, she was such a bitch to me, I was just an hour late and she insulted me in front of all those people.” 

Peter didn’t say anything, knowing Ransom wouldn’t accept his mistake…

-----

“Omg, Alice you look so beautiful.” y/n said, her eyes filled with tears to see her best friend getting married. 

“I’m so nervous, it’s time, right,” Alice said pacing around the room. y/n nodded and led her outside where everyone was waiting for them. 

There she saw ransom standing beside Peter as his best man and suddenly her mood was spoiled because of his face. She knew he was going to be there but she wanted to avoid him.

The ceremony started and when the priest announced them as husband and wife, ransom made a gagging noise, which to her surprise everyone laughed at. 

y/n shook her head in annoyance. He was such an asshole. 

The whole evening went without any hitch, ransom got busy with some chick and y/n was enjoying her time with her friends. 

And finally, it was time for speeches. Everyone made their speeches, even Ransom. y/n waited for everyone to finish, for her emotional speech. 

But when it was finally her turn suddenly a tipsy ransom started the music and danced interrupting her in the middle. She felt so mad and was ready to hit him when Alice pulled her into a hug.  It wasn’t the first time ransom was being an asshole to her, they had always been like this especially after the date, Peter and Alice set up for them.

 Everyone knew about the rivalry so they ignored the rude intrusion of Ransom.

 ~

The next time the two saw each other was on Sophie’s 1st birthday. Ransom didn’t want to go but for the sake of his friend, he went there and because he was the co-god parent as well.

On the other hand, y/n was excited and was preparing the birthday cake for Sophie’s birthday. Ransom and Peter entered the kitchen. Ransom was picking up Sophie and brought her near the cake. 

Sophie giggled seeing the bright colors on the cake. “You like it, baby. You like your cake” y/n cooed at her but suddenly barfed and started to cry. 

Fortunately, the cake wasn’t ruined but ransom was laughing loudly. Alice stood up and took the baby in her hands.

 “Omg this is hilarious,” ransom said, teasing y/n only to receive a deadly glare from her. 

“Oh you two, don’t start now. She must have overfed” peter jabbed in before they could start to fight. 

Everyone gathered in the living room for the cake cutting. Alice put Sophie in y/n’s hand and mentioned her to cut the cake. y/n looked at her in confusion but did it anyway. Peter also pushed ransom in their direction.

 “Go on, you both are the Godparents” And with that, they both grabbed Sophie’s hand and cut the cake. Everyone cheered, making the baby giggle. “Say cheese,” 

Alice said and clicked a picture of them. Everything was perfect, all of them were living happily. Sophie with her parents, ransom his bachelor life and y/n focusing on her career.

 But suddenly everything was shattered when both y/n and ransom received a call of the accident. y/n was in the hospital when ransom came and saw her. Her eyes were swollen because of crying. Ransom looked at her in questioning but she shook her head. 

The doctor came out and declared their friend’s death. y/n couldn’t control herself and began to sob.Ransom reluctantly, pulled her into his arms. 

They both were worried about Sophie, she was too small for all of this.

`------

The next day they were called by Peter’s and Alice’s lawyer to their house. They both were sitting awkwardly next to each other, waiting for the lawyer to explain things. 

And the things they had been told about blew their minds. “What?” they both declared. 

The man in front of them just nodded. 

“They made you both the joint guardians of her,” he told them again. 

“What does that mean,” ransom said. 

“How could we do anything. How are we both gonna take care of her?” y/n cut him off. 

“Well, it’s all up to you. But whatever you guys decide, just remember if you couldn’t take good care of her they’ll put her for adoption.” 

“They, who they?” ransom asked incredulously.

“Child protection services. They gonna observe you both for few months before you guys officially become her parents” 

“Parents? We are not even married” Ransom yelled. But he just shrugged in response and stood up to leave. 

y/n kept sitting in her seat, without moving. She was too shocked to understand anything. One second she was celebrating with her friends and the other, she was a mother? 

But Ransom’s condition was even worse than her. He was worried about his life, he never wanted to be a father, he never wanted to settle down. But it wasn’t an issue right. The CPS wouldn’t be satisfied with them both and… Sophie would go to some orphanage and then some family would adopt her. 

He didn’t know why but thinking about that made him feel worse than before. Sophie wasn’t an orphan, his friends made them her godparents. 

He looked towards y/n who was still sitting there. “What are we gonna do?” he asked, for the first time like a normal person. 

“I think… we should try this. For Sophie, for them” …

----

It was a tough decision, they both knew. But somehow they both started to tolerate each other. They still fight but not as usual.

And surprisingly ransom was enjoying this life, with Sophie. He was preparing the milk bottle for her because y/n was taking too long in the shower. 

Sophie was crying in front of the TV which ransom thought to switch on to distract her. “Shh... it’s okay baby, here I come” 

Ransom ran towards her with the bottle and took her in his arms. Sophie started to feed, with her eyes now glued to the tv screen. And suddenly it was peaceful.

y/n came downstairs after some time, her hair was still wet, and saw ransom sleeping in an awkward position with Sophie comfortable on his chest. 

It had barely three weeks since they were living together and y/n’s opinion about ransom was starting to change. He still was an asshole but he could be responsible too. 

He had helped her so much, always volunteered to take Sophie out whenever y/n would be working from home, he sometimes helped in changing her diaper as well. 

She walked towards them silently and bent to take Sophie from his grip. Her face was too close to ransom and her wet hair touched his cheek making him open his eyes. 

y/n’s breath got stuck in her throat when he opened his eyes. Ransom on the other hand didn’t understand anything that moment but then he looked down, their hands were touching as they both were grabbing the little girl. 

Ransom gave her to y/n and sat up. y/n turned towards Sophie’s room to put her in the crib. 

When she came back ransom was still there. 

“Have you eaten anything?” y/n asked as she was warming her food in the oven. Ransom shook his head, so she served him too. 

They both kept eating in silence. And for the first time, y/n thought maybe they could handle this whole guardian thing but god she was so wrong. 

The very next day they fought. 

It was evening when she was ransom getting ready to go out. 

“Oh, you are going somewhere?” ransom hummed without looking at her. “Well, take Sophie too then cuz I’ll be going soon too. I’ll have to meet a client” she said. 

“At this time?” he asked incredulously. y/n nodded and tried to give Sophie to him. 

“No, I’m going on a date okay. I can’t take her” he stepped back. 

“God ransom! Date?? I have a meeting to attend, can't you go tomorrow?” she asked but he just shrugged. 

“No, I gotta go, you change your plans this time” and before she could reply ransom went out of the house.

y/n let out a frustrated sigh and called her Eva, her colleague to ask her to keep Sophie for a few hours. 

But the time she dropped Sophie to her house and went to the meeting she was twenty minutes late. 

“I’m so sorry for being late Mr. James.” she apologized but the man just shook his head complaining how long he was waiting for her. 

Aside from that, the meeting went well and she came back home with Sophie. She was still pissed at Ransom. 

Couldn’t he wait for one day to bang a chick? She wanted to yell at him but he didn’t come home and eventually she fell asleep. 

It was past midnight when ransom came and saw her sleeping on the couch. He ignored her and went towards his bedroom locking it from inside.  He knew there was a war coming tomorrow. But now he was too tired to think anything so he just went to his bed…

------

The next morning ransom went to the kitsch where y/n was making her breakfast. “Can I have some too?” he asked, his voice hoarse from sleeping. 

“Go ask the chick you banged last night.” her reply made him annoyed. 

“Oh C’mon y/n, it’s too early for your shit” he scoffed which made her angrier. 

“My shit Ransom? I was humiliated last night because of you,” she yelled but before he could reply the doorbell rang. 

He turned away from her and walked to open the door. A woman dressed up professionally was standing there. 

“Hello, you must be Mr. Drysdale,” she said. 

“Ransom” he replied grumpily. 

“I’m Jenny, your CPS caseworker,” she said and walked inside. She looked all over the house, and ransom was internally panicking. 

y/n came outside and saw the woman. “Hello,” Jenny greeted and explained her reason to come. y/n and ransom sat in front of her, as if were in some interview. 

“Where is the baby?” she asked them. y/n got up with a smile and brought a sleepy sophie downstairs. 

Sophie looked comfortable with y/n as if she was with her own mother. Their behavior with Sophie satisfied Jenny but she felt them a bit rude with each other. 

Their answers were not the same about Sophie's routine. 

“Well, you don’t know that cuz I took her for check up last week.” y/n whispered angrily to ransom. 

“Oh so now you're gonna act as if I don’t do anything for her? I was the one cleaning her shit when you were too busy with your work but look I didn’t complain like you” 

But before y/n could reply back Jenny cleared her throat awkwardly making them look in her way. 

“Well, look, you guys are really good with sophie. Trust me I've seen so many worst cases but what I’m worried about is you two. If you couldn’t adjust with each other how you gonna keep Sophie as a family. So it’s better you decide to patch up or we could look for a new family” jenny declared and stood up to leave. 

“Two more weeks, before that, decide whatever you want."

y/n and ransom watched her go and sighed. y/n sat on the couch. 

“We can’t do this.” she whispered to herself. “We can’t be them, they were perfect, they never fought. And look at us.” she chuckled. 

Ransom frowned at her but agreed. “You are right. This was never going to work out. I’m even surprised I made up this far.” he scoffed. 

That day no one talked to each other. Even Sophie could feel something was wrong. She looked up at ransom and cooed gaining his attention. Ransom looked down and smiled at her. 

“D..da..d” she made, grabby hands towards him. His breath stuck in his throat hearing those words. Who knew someone would call ransom drysdale a dad? and he would even like it?!!

And that moment ransom knew there was no way he would let anyone take the single chance to live a happy life… 

-----

y/n was in her room packing her things. She thought she would be happy but she wasn’t. Living with ransom and Sophie became normal, just like they were a family. 

But they weren’t perfect, as a family should be. 

y/n was looking under the bed to find her things when she saw a box. She pulled it out and saw dvd’s and albums inside it. 

It was all Peter and Alice, the moments they captured. The wedding, honeymoon and when Alice got pregnant. 

“No Peter not blue” Alice yelled behind the camera. They were painting the baby’s room. 

“But she will love blue sweetheart. Not all girls are the same” peter argued. 

And then the video ended with their silly arguments, just like her and ransom. Wait, did she just compare her and ransom with them?

“So they weren’t perfect either” ransom voice came from behind. She turned to look at him, expecting him to wear a smug smile but he wasn’t. 

There was a weird sadness in his eyes. y/n shrugged. 

‘Does it matter. They are gone and now we will be too,” she wanted to cry for sophie. 

Ransom walked towards her and kneel down. “Last try? And this time not just for Sophie or them…. But for each other too?” his eyes were filled with hope. 

“This time, i won’t be late. I promise”  y/n chuckled, the tears spilling from her eyes. “You better not be” 

Ransom smiled and kissed her hand. 

------

Two years passed and the small arguments between Random and y/n were still there. But what’s the fun without arguments? These little things are what makes a perfect family.

“C'mon sophie come to me” y/n said. It was Sophie's second birthday and yes, y/n made the cake this time as well. 

Ransom chuckled seeing Sophie ignoring y/n and continued doing her thing. 

“Hey, princess come to me, it’s time to cut the yummy cake” hearing his voice, Sophie giggled and took small steps towards ransom. 

Y/n watched them with a wide open mouth which only made ransom smirk. 

“You know she loves me more, she even called dad first.” saying that ransom ran away before y/n could burst out on him. 

Everyone was present there, their friends, family, celebrating her birthday. It was the best time for ransom. So after eating the cake he walked towards y/n who was laughing with her friend. 

He tapped her shoulder making her turn. Ransom knelt on his knees and took out a hand. Everyone gasped seeing this. 

“Never in my life I thought I would do this, but y/n… you made me do this, you made me experience what love is. And now I want the same thing Peter did.” 

Sophie came from behind with a small black box and gave it to ransom. “So y/n y/l/n, Will you do me the honor of becoming my wife?" ” 

Y/n jumped out of excitement and nodded her head. Ransom placed the ring on her finger and stood up to kiss her. 

Everyone cheered at the couple. 

She looked at her parents smiling at each other, a picture of them smiling was hanging on the wall from Sophie's first birthday.

And that moment both, ransom and y/n thanked their friends to choose them as the guardians...

.

@donutloverxo​ 

[meet-me-in-the-kitchen]

SIX CANDLES, ONE WISH (2)

part one

Harry misses his daughter’s sixth birthday, and some things can’t be undone.

— Recap of Last Part —

“You didn’t even call, daddy.”

“You have to understand that some things just are the way they are and in order to provide for our family—“

“Nevermind,” she muttered under her breath. “Forget I even asked you.”

— Recap Fin.—

Y/N knew what it meant to have a father who was willfully absent when it came to their child’s life.

Her father had been a man of great physical prowess coupled by a both thrilling and frightening lack of restraint resembling that of a wild animal in a kingdom that had never learned the rules. He was once a boxer renowned in a small town which multiplied in tourists whenever the ring flooded with the divinity of his strength. Somehow, somewhere, he had met her mother. After she had died while giving birth to Y/N, she had always felt the cruel truth of her father’s hate simmering somewhere in the back of her mind.

Harry wasn’t like that. She’d married him knowing he wasn’t like that, partly because he would never intentionally miss recitals, avert his eyes from his daughter- eyes that held anything but the palpable disgust y/n had been used to as a kid. He wouldn’t resort to alcoholism. she’d sworn her children would never be stuck in the cycle of worshipping their father most days, and wishing their bodies were drained of his vile, cursed blood on others.

“Forget I even asked.”

Yet, as her daughter, barely ninety centimetres tall, pushes the phone back into her hand while the receiver rings with excuses, she’s not so sure of who Harry is anymore.

“Y/N,” he starts, voice still flat. He doesn’t even know what he’s done wrong, she realizes with horror. “It was just a party. I’ll come home soon, and we can celebrate properly. It’s just her sixth birthday, any—“

“Six.” She repeats, voice choking with disbelief. “She’s six now, Harry.”

“What are you saying?”

Sighing, Y/N moves further back as groups of kids rush past in a game of tag, all with bright smiles on their faces, besides the birthday girl. A bit of anger stirred in her chest. Of course, he’d had to make her sad on this day.

“It lasts so much longer, you don’t even know,” y/n shakes her head. “Darcy’s six now, but she won’t be forever. She still waits up for your phone call, regardless of the fact that you’ve missed calling her for weeks. Do you know what it does to her, when I have to tell her own father chose a stack of documents and negotiations over her own birthday?”

“I wouldn’t if it wasn’t important—“

“That’s the thing, isn’t it? I’m afraid you’re forgetting that she is too.”

“That’s ridiculous,” he rebukes harshly. “Stop putting words in my mouth, Y/N. I never said that.”

“I don’t need to put words in your mouth,” she laughs bitterly, “your actions are enough. I don’t have to tell you what went through her mind when she blew out her candles, with everyone there but you. She’s a baby, Harry. Our baby. Her self-confidence is going to be in shreds if you keep this up.”

“I still call,” he cries, his voice lined vaguely with desperation. “She knows I love her more than anything.”

“The least you could give her is some consistency. On the rare occasion you call, it’s when it’s most convenient to you—she stays up till two in the morning some days, just to hear your voice. You know what she wished for? For you to either come back, or stay away.”

“I didn’t—“

“I’m not done,” she exhales sharply, swiping her hand over her tearstained cheeks. Her voice broke. “She asked me if you wanted to give her a divorce, Harry. What am I supposed to tell her?”

He’s sobbing at this point. Guttural cries harshly racking through his chest, and he’s never cried so hard that his rib cage felt it would burst from the image of his little girl blowing out the candles dejectedly, searching for her daddy’s face in an otherwise crowded room, only to come back empty. For fuck’s sake, she thought he wanted to abandon her. He had never hated himself more.

“How do I tell her you choose paperwork over her life? How do I keep her from thinking she comes second all her life or developing an inferiority complex. She’s six now, Harry, but I’m afraid of what happens when she’s not anymore. If she carries all of this with her. I still carry it with me,” she sniffles, “and it is not pretty.”

“You really hurt her.”

“I love her so much,” his hoarse voice insists unconvincingly, an ugly feeling spreading within him at who he has become. His fingers shake as they hold onto the phone. He glares at the fineprint in front of him as it blurs to meaningless, double-spaced diatribes. “I didn’t mean to hurt her.”

“I know,” y/n says, looking down at the streamers that lay on the ground. The shattered tiara. Her voice lowers as people pass by. “I’m just afraid, one day, you’ll forget.”

Darcy watches her mother’s wet face crumple and then twist into an unconvincing smile as guests walk by her. She hears her father’s cries, rendered meaningless to her young mind by the simple fact that it measures meaning through who shows up. And he hasn’t shown up for quite some time.

Her wish echoes in her mind: for daddy to come back or stay away. Lifting herself off of the ground, where she sat quietly listening to her unbeknownst mother’s words, she decides the latter would hurt less.

—

“Hey,” Harry breathes, shrugging off his black coat and gently pushing the door shut in conjunction. His eyes immediately find Y/N, who shuffles a bit closer. She blinks blearily, confused and uncertain if he’s actually there, or if this is some sleep-induced dream.

Her worries are smoothened by a low “come ‘ere,” and his strong arms pulling her to his chest, twisting around her in an impossibly warm cocoon. She mumbles something incomprehensible even to herself, and feels his chest rumble as he chuckles, lips pressed furtively to her hairline.

“Miss me?” He questions, light humour in his voice, but sincerity in his green eyes. She rolls her eyes, are you kidding me? This brings a smile to his face; he leans in slightly, cupping her cheek with one palm, capturing her lips in a tender kiss, his mouth closed over hers, like she had been waiting for.

It was easy to get lost in the kiss. Her head was swimming from impact, the dizziness sending her knees buckling, his arms holding her up. She blames it on being exhausted, but internally knows it’s because it’s him.

“Sleepy girl,” he brushes a lock of hair back with his fingers, eyes lighting up with affection at the sight of her: with a bare face and blinking eyes, a yawn tugging at her lips.

“As much as I am not opposed to this sort of intervention,” she begins, rubbing her eyes with closed fists, “mind explaining why you’re here at—“ turns to look at the digital clock atop the kitchen’s oven, “—two in the morning?”

“Guilt?” He offers, sheepishly. She’s confused at first, but her eyes soon widen with realization.

“Right,” she sounds, pushing him back lightly. “You’re,” tap “a,” tap, “jerk.” (jab)

“I know,” he grouses, “but ‘m an apologetic jerk. I need to talk to m’baby.”

“I don’t know, Harry,” Y/N sighs, eyes flickering towards Darcy’s bedroom tentatively. “She’s really upset.”

His eyes are morosely swimming with guilt. “I want to make it better.”

“You will,” she promises, “you’re you, and she adores you. But, it’s not going to be a cake-walk, either.”

—

Darcy wakes up to the scent of buttermilk pancakes and the sound of bacon sizzling on the griddle. Lifting herself out of her twin-sized bed with a yawn, she squinted her pale green eyes as sunshine flooded into the room, signifying it was morning. Her stomach rumbles with hunger.

“Mumma,” she called hoarsely, waiting a few seconds before calling again, with a slightly higher voice.

When Y/N walks in the room, she quickly shuffles over, pressing her face against her leg, so her cheek is mushed.

“Good morning, darling. you hungry?” y/n asks, lifting Darcy up so she’s latched onto her hip, free fingers caught in her thick, chocolate brown curls, detangling them gently.

“Mhm,” she responded, clinging to Y/N like a koala while her mother took her into the washroom to brush her teeth.

“I have a surprise for you, Darc,” she hums, turning the faucet and testing the water for lukewarm temperature with her wrist. This causes Darcy to brighten a bit. “A belated birthday present.”

“Present?” Darcy asks delightedly while Y/N finally carried her freshly washed self to the kitchen, where the scent of stacked thick, syrupy buttermilk pancakes, bacon, and berries once again evade her senses. What causes her to shift slightly in her mother’s hold is the familiar man in the kitchen, his back towards them. He has chocolate curls just as she, and once he turns, those are her eyes on his face, the same dimples poking out as he grins.

“Hi, Darc,” he coos, setting the spatula down and walking towards them with arms wide open.

Darcy twists in Y/N’s hold, and Harry clearly doesn’t notice—he’s still smiling expectantly.

“Look! Daddy’s home, baby,” she urges, but Darcy just tightens her grip on Y/N uncomfortably.

“Momma,” she mumbles lowly, hiding her face in her mother’s neck when Harry comes closer. She lets out a low whine.

Beginning to notice a pattern, he frowns, stepping back a bit before forcing a smile onto his face. Harry gestures to the breakfast foods on the counter.

“‘ve made your favourite,” he tries half-heartedly. Y/N’s own heart breaks at the look on his face and the way Darcy’s hiding from him.

“You two should eat,” he finally says to Y/N, smiling at her reassuringly, although she can see the dejection in his eyes. “She’s hungry, and I don’t think she’ll eat if I...”

“H...”

“It’s fine,” he says, kissing Y/N soundly and then retreating to the bedroom. Her eyes follow him worriedly as he leaves, but her train of thought is disrupted with tiny fists tugging at the hem of her top.

“Pancakes,” Darcy instructs, and Y/N rolls her eyes, before following the command.

—

Harry likes to think he’s making progress when he sits by Darcy as she plays with her toys, and she doesn’t exit to the nearest room. Of course, he’s sitting quite still, just watching her and not really making much conversation as she conducts a tea party, but he can wait until she wants to talk.

Things are going fine, until he rises to step out for a moment and get something from his car. Darcy’s eyes curiously follow him, before being filled with dread.

“Daddy, wait,” she whimpers, carrying herself as fast as her legs could take her, before her arms finally latch around his left leg, catching him by surprise and nearly sending his clumsy self tumbling. He struggles to balance himself with the six year old at his leg. He’s quite alarmed to look down and find her wide, green eyes shining with tears, her bottom lip trembling just like Y/N’s does before she’s about to cry.

“Hey,” he croons softly, lifting his daughter up, smoothing his hand through her unruly curls as she hiccups a small cry. “What’s wrong, hm? Are you hurt?”

“Are you leaving again, daddy?”

His heart stops.

“Are you leaving for good, because I didn’t play with you? I promise I didn’t mean it when I wished for you to stay away, I take it back,” she cried, breathing unevenly and sniffling.

He lifts her up until she’s at eye level with him, and shakes his head.

“No,” he stresses, making sure he’s firm. “I am not leaving. Never leavin’ you, bug. Never think that.”

“But you didn’t come to my birthday,” she sniffles. “Y-you don’t even love me anymore.”

“That’s not true!”

“You don’t hafta lie,” she says softly, looking at the floor and shifting uncomfortably, sadness coating all of her cute features. Her eyes darken to a hazy jade, just as Harry’s do when he’s upset.

“I’m not lying,” he promises, expression softening as he sets her on the ground and then sinks to her level, on his knees. Her posture suggests she’s just gotten told off, back hunched and face crumpled.

“Love you this much,” he gestures, spreading his arms as wide as he could, “and more.”

Darcy peers at him skeptically, still not quite convinced.

“And I’m sorry,” he enunciates slowly, regret written all over his face. “I’m so sorry I wasn’t there last night, or any of the nights before. I lost sight of who I was for a moment, but I don’t want anything if I haven’t got you. You’re the most precious thing in my life. I’m sorry I was being a shi— er, a bad daddy. I swear I won’t be anymore.”

“Pinky swear?” Darcy asks in a hushed tone, bringing a smile to Harry’s face. His hand reaches for hers.

“Pinky swear.”

MASTERLIST

[unsaidholland]

the way i loved you | h. holland

yes this is fully inspired by the way i loved you by taylor swift, no we’re not going to talk about it.

warnings: really sad ngl, talk of a toxic relationship (WE DON’T STAN TOXIC RELATIONSHIPS, BUT AS SOMEONE WHO LOWKEY JUST CAME OUT OF ONE THEY ARE QUITE EXHILARATING)

shawn was the perfect boyfriend. whenever you were hungry and the two of you were going out to eat, he always knew what you wanted. he was a gentleman, always opening up the door for you, always pulled out the chair for you to sit in, and always said what you needed to hear. the two of you had weekly date nights, and you always alternated paying the check, though he would always try to pay. shawn always gives you his jacket when the two of you are out and you’re cold, and he surprises you with your favourite sweets and snacks. he was perfect, and all your friends couldn’t help but be jealous of the new relationship that you were in. ‘where can i get one?’ they would often ask you, and all you could do was laugh it off. 

the relationship was new, just a few months old, but it felt lived in. there was no exciting firework when you two kissed, or butterflies in your stomach whenever he did something nice, but the two of you did click really well, so you brushed the lack of butterflies off, thinking that it would come eventually. you did like shawn, but there was something off about the relationship, you just couldn’t put your finger on it. every text he sent didn’t make you excited, but you did want to talk to him. 

you woke up to a good morning text, as you always did, and it brought a smile to your face. you texted him back, adding a heart to the end of your text. the day always started the same, and it ended the same, not that you minded. you enjoyed the consistency, right?

you got out of bed and went to go get ready for the day. knowing that you and shawn were going to your parents’ for dinner that night was enough to motivate you to get out of bed and go to work with a positive attitude. knowing that you had something to look forward to after your shift at the record store was enough to make you excited for the day. you made yourself a coffee and warmed up a croissant in the toaster oven, and then you were ready to leave for the day. the drive over to the store was filled with you eating your croissant at red lights, and singing along to a playlist that was playing through the car speakers. 

your shift at the record store was a normal one until an all too familiar song began to play over the speakers - faithfully by journey. a song that reminded you of not shawn, but your ex, harry. it was a song that had always reminded you of him, ever since the beginning of your relationship. as time progressed, it had become your song. now, whenever that song came on, it was like putting salt in a wound. all you could think about was harry, and all you felt was pain.

you thought about getting angry at harry late at night, and the way you would call him names behind his back because of how frustrated you were. you thought back to how everything was so intense. every emotion you ever felt with harry was always so strong, you didn’t even know you could feel emotion like that. 

a customer had come up to the register with a few records, breaking your chain of thoughts. thinking about harry seemed wrong. you had a boyfriend, it had been months since the two of you broke up. he wasn’t in your life anymore, so why were you thinking about him?

up until your break, you continued fighting off thoughts of harry. shawn came to surprise you at lunch, effectively ending the battle against your thoughts. he had brought the two of you subs, the two of you eating in his car since your manager wouldn’t let him into the breakroom. the heater in his car was on, helping you stay warm as the wind blew the fallen autumn leaves down the street. he had some music playing quietly in the background, a compilation of both of your favourite songs. 

“thank you for the sub and for surprising me!” you said after finishing one half of your sub. he smiled at you, silently saying it was nothing. 

after the two of you finished your subs, you gave him a kiss goodbye realizing that you needed to be back at work soon. he said his goodbyes, a “see you tonight,” and just like that, he was on his way back to work. you went back into the store, resuming your shift.

•••

thirty minutes before the end of your shift, you had been reshelving some records. you came across a song for every moon by bruno major, an album that you introduced to harry which he’d fallen in love with. you remember the nights the two of you had fallen asleep to that record softly playing in the background, the nights the two of you were yelling at each other while that record was still on. you remember taking it out of a box of your things that he had given back to you after your breakup. you remember feeling like you had lost everything upon the return of the record. it would take you some time to realize that harry was your everything.

your shift ended, and you finished the work you were doing. you got into your car and drove home, feeling compelled to play the album you came across earlier in the day. as easily came on, all you thought about was harry. it was as if he was singing about the two of you. nothing came easily, but you both still tried - until you couldn’t anymore. your relationship wasn’t a fairy tale, but even if you had the option for it to be absolutely perfect where the prince ends up with the princess, you wouldn’t hesitate taking what you had with harry instead.

you got home and started to get ready to have dinner with your parents and shawn. shawn was supposed to pick you up at six-thirty, but it was just before five, so you decided to relax just a little bit before getting ready. you practically threw yourself onto the couch as you stalled. you couldn’t rid the thought of harry from your mind. it seemed like wherever you went, something would always remind you of him. you were lucky that he was working abroad with tom. you thought that would be enough space for you to escape him, but everywhere you went, he was always there. the worst part was, those thoughts only increased in amount and length when you started dating shawn. you couldn’t help it, harry was your first and only long-term relationship, and everyone after harry would be compared back to him. 

by the time you were finished getting ready, a knock on your door signified that shawn was there. you walked away, hearing your music get fainter as you walked away from your bedroom. you opened the door to see the blond man holding a bottle of wine and a bouquet of flowers. he was wearing a blue, floral short-sleeve button-down, with a pair of dark blue pants. 

“i thought your mom would like some wine, but these are for you,” he said with a smile, holding the flowers out towards you. you grabbed them, thanking him, and let him in as you searched for a vase to put the flowers into.

“i just have to grab a few things, and then we’ll be ready to go,” you said, putting the vase of flowers down so it was centred on your kitchen island. “they’re beautiful by the way!” you turned back towards your room, grabbing your phone and purse, putting chapstick, and your wallet into it, before coming back out and putting your shoes on. 

“let’s go?” shawn asked, and you nodded in response. he held the door open for you as the two of you left your apartment, and he opened the car door for you before he got in himself. the drive over consisted of the two of you singing along to songs on the radio.

•••

dinner ended and now the four of you were sitting in your parent’s living room. you watched as shawn got along well with both of your parents. he and your father had a really good relationship, though it was a professional one, it was still something to admire. the way your mom acted around him also brought you some joy. she loved him, and she was a very honest person, so if she weren’t too fond of him, you’d be able to tell. harry was also well-loved by your parents, but not to the same extent as shawn. somehow he was perfect in their eyes - he was perfect to everyone, and as much as you agreed with them, there was still something wrong with your relationship. something you couldn’t quite put your finger on.

it wasn’t until that night when you realized everything. you realized you missed all the yelling and fighting, you missed cursing at him at two am, and you missed how everything felt like someone had turned everything on high. you missed how harry was constantly so frustrating and complicated, yet you felt so intoxicated by him. you missed kissing in the rain and dancing around the streets of london with no care in the world, because all that mattered was him. 

you realized that you were always faking a smile around shawn. you never felt anything because it was too perfect. when the time came to it, you wouldn’t feel hurt because you had to break up with him. you would be only hurting him. yes, shawn was perfect, but he wasn’t harry. he didn’t make you feel like you were on a rollercoaster, waiting for the drop, or amidst the drop. shawn didn’t make you break down only to fix it afterwards, and he didn’t make you feel anything but comfortable. you were comfortable because of how picture perfect everything was.

“how did i ever let him get away?” you asked yourself, hoping that you would find an answer. you rolled over and faced where harry would’ve been if he was laying in bed with you. you hoped that he would’ve been right there, as if the breakup never happened.

you and harry were so in love that the relationship crashed and burned. your love for each other was so strong that the both of you acted completely insane around each other, always making something out of nothing, always loving each other to the point where you hated each other, but that was just the way you loved him. 

-

anything and everything taglist: @hollanderfangirl @hxrryhxlland @ohmy-moonlightx @musicalkeys @notsosmexy @writertoo18 @icyhollands

harry holland taglist: @euphorichxlland

[dragonrajafanfiction]

Borscht and Khachapuri

Fic request for @gothlebedev

When the boys get a new student who is very pushy with her concern, they learn an important lesson.

Based on https://youtu.be/HZK2RHl5Whc by request

Johann Chu sighed softly, drumming his nails on his desk and slowing the natural rise in his pulse in response to the weather. The view outside his dorm window was white with rain. The sound of its hiss came in waves. When the wind blew, the large drops rattled heavy on the glass. Lightning flashed brightly and the thunder occurred close, like a wildcat’s scream. 

A text popped onto his cellphone. “Severe thunderstorm warning has been issued for the Chicago area…”

Followed by “A Tornado Warning has been issued for the following counties…”

Followed by “There’s a legit tornado on the ground just a county over!” This text was from Luminous. He added a fearful emoji in his text.

Johann texted back. “We are not in any danger.”

“Yeah but still! Have you ever seen a tornado?”

Johann’s eyelids lowered in a slow blink. He didn’t respond to that. Of course he’d seen a tornado. After all... Shavee’s EX was...

“Never mind. I’m stupid. Forget I said that.” Luminous replied with a face palm emoji.

Another text, this one from the principal. “Forgive my poor timing. However, this is an emergency, I need you to come to my office right away.”

It was a group text to Caesar, himself, and Luminous.

Johann grabbed his coat, his umbrella and his sword on his way out the door. An emergency in this weather requiring his immediate presence had to be truly dire.

He arrived at the same time as Caesar. Caesar and he approached from opposite sides of the hall, walking confidently towards the principal office door on the left. Normal human interaction would dictate that one yield to the other and let the other enter first as only one could fit through the door at a time. 

But their eyes met and they both matched their stride so that they would have to arrive at the door at the same time while neither was willing to yield to the other. The result was that they stood in front of the door. Lightning flashed outside illuminating their shadows. 

Caesar was in a crisp navy blue suit and had somehow managed to stay untouched by the pouring rain outside. Nono had just informed him that she was leaving tomorrow so he had just come from the airport after seeing her off when he got this cryptic text from the principal. “What are the odds, meeting you here?”

Johann tilted his head. “100 percent. I was invited in the same group text as you.”

“That was a group text?” Caesar examined his phone and at that time, Johann  walked in ahead of him.  

The office was empty so Johann waited while Caesar caught up. The door on the far side of the room was open and the principal’s jolly voice could be heard behind it.

He was speaking to someone. “Oh, don’t be shy. Here, I’ll go first.” The principal was also wearing a suit with a button down tailored shirt with a frilled collar. He bit down on a fine Cuban cigar. His blue eyes were sharp and glowing with activity. Both of the young men stood up straighter. He only got in such moods when something important happened, usually when it came to dragonslaying. “Thank you for coming out on such short notice. I-...” 

He looked back and forth. “Where is Luminous?” He checked his phone. Luminous had filled the text messages with objections due to inclement weather. “That boy. Ah. I suppose we’ll have to continue without-”

“We could have been hit with lightning?! Don’t you know there’s a tornado not far from us?” Luminous entered the Principal's office, being dragged by the collar by a soaking wet Finger Von Frings. 

“Here he is, just sign here!” Finger held out his checkbook.

The principal pulled a pen from his jacket pocket and signed a big 0 on the check book. “I did not order delivery, but thank you for your service.” 

“Brutal! Not a single cent!” Finger howled. 

“Now go on. I’m afraid your grade is not high enough to take part in this meeting.” He shooed him away with a gentle wave of his hand.

Johann held out his umbrella to Finger who readily accepted it. “Thank you, brother. At least someone here is kind to me!”

Luminous whose soaked clothes were creating a puddle on the shining floors growled. “Don’t give him your umbrella now, he’s already wet!”

Anjou's eyes shifted back to the open door. “Oh pish-tosh, it’s just a little rain…”

"Seriously principal,  getting struck by lightning is a thing! Why are you laughing? You like to laugh at the misery of others? What a sadist! This had better be good." Luminous shuddered, the air conditioning getting to him. “Is this a prank? Seriously?”

Luminous trailed off. Caesar and Johann both understood that the Principal's methods tended to be more educational than sadistic. He was letting Luminous voice his complaints without interruption because he had a reason. Luminous suddenly realized he was the only one speaking, like a warrior running into the battle shouting a battle cry, only to realize his army wasn’t behind him.

The Principal beckoned to someone. "I just couldn't wait to introduce our new student."

The click of small heels echoed against the rumble of thunder. Her heels were white with frilly ankle socks. Her pale legs had a gentle curve up to her knees. Her Cassell uniform skirt rested right where her thighs began.

She was below average height of 5'4". Her waist length hair was colored light lavender to match her grey eyes which tended to reflect the color of the room she was in, whether it was the blue of the sky, the silver of a sterile hospital or the Principal’s warm colored office which gave them a lavender hue. They were wide and earnest as she walked up to Luminous and looked up at him with an intense regret. “I’m sorry, let me dry you off!”

A thick plush towel was in her hands and she hurried to Luminous who leaned back in terror.

“No, I-!” Luminous tried to back away but she was too fast and too determined.

“You must be freezing. I didn’t know the weather or I would have asked the Principal to wait.” She spoke with a slight Russian accent. She dabbed at his face, his hands and his shoulders and chest, while he squirmed helplessly to escape. But where he moved he exposed another soaked part of his body that she firmly patted dry, brazenly invading his personal space with her female presence! 

“Stop! You don’t have to dry me off!” He reached for her towel but she ducked under his arm and ran her hands along his side. 

“Please, you’re going to catch a cold!” She snapped.

Anjou observed, his face as tranquil as a mirror pool. “This is MC, our new student. She’s just finished her 3E exam and has also come back S-ranked.”

“Another S-ranked student in so many years?” Caesar raised an eyebrow.

“The Dragon Kings are accelerating their awakening as well. I think it’s reasonable to assume these occurrences are connected. That’s why I called you here.” Anjou said gravely.

Chu Zihang lifted one hand to his chin, his eyes narrowing. Her earnest manner seemed completely innocent, but her moves were anything but. They were calculated, swift, and without any hesitation. Luminous could only vocally complain. He couldn’t catch her or her towel. She was only holding a towel, but if it was a blade instead of a towel, Luminous would be covered in stab wounds!

Luminous finally gave up resisting. His face was completely flushed with embarrassment as she patted him down cooing. “See? This isn’t so bad is it?”

They were quick to learn that MC was like this to everyone.

“Johann! Johann!”

Early one morning a week later, the man was on his way to school when he heard MC screaming his name. He turned to see her running for him full tilt. She made so much noise that people around stopped what they were doing. She halted right in front of him and held out a small Tupperware. “I made you some snacks.” She puffed twice and straightened, holding the box with both hands.

“I already ate breakfast but thank you. You shouldn't just do things for me without asking.” Johann turned away and started walking.

“You just eat that simple porridge for breakfast. It’s not enough! You’re going to wither away to nothing!” She grabbed his hand and placed the Tupperware in it.

Johann’s eyes sparked with irritation. He followed a very strict diet plan and what she put in his hand smells of eggs and bacon and possibly a baked good or two. It was far too much and he wouldn’t eat it. “It will get cold.”

“Put it in the uh… the uh…” She snapped her fingers to recall the word. “The oven. The one with the buttons on it. That turns it into a circle.”

“It turns it in a circle.” Johann corrected her. He also became pointedly aware that other people were starting to gather and watch.  “Fine. Just this once. And it’s a microwave.”

She tilted her head. “A what?”

“Microwave oven. It’s the oven with the buttons.” He turned away to walk and much to his shock, she followed him! 

“What’s a microwave?” She asked, looking up at him. Her eyes were so big, judging from the ratio they would fill at least a quarter of her face.

“It’s a form of radiation that…”

“Radiation?!” Her eyes widened even further. “Oh no, no no!” She shook her head, dismayed that the microwave was dousing her food in radiation.

“It’s harmless radiation. There are microwaves all around us. Microwave ovens move the molecules of food, specifically water molecules and that heats the food…”

Later that day, Caesar received a phone call. “Gattuso speaking.”

“...Gattuso?”

Caesar checked his caller ID. It was one of his Student Union people. In fact, it was the exact one he sent out to invite the MC to join the Student Union. “MC why are you on Marcus’s phone?”

“Who is Marcus?” She asked indignantly. “I’m calling Caesar…”

“I’m Caesar!” Caesar covered his eyes, laughing.

“Why didn’t you just say that?” She asked with a touch of wounded pride. “This man here says he wants me to joining some sort of Union. I am not interested in a Union. I don't have any money for fees and I don’t know what it's about.” Her voice sounded like she’d turned her face away to yell at him.

“Calm down. It’s a club. I run it. It happens to be the most prestigious club in Cassell College.”

“Oh.” She was quiet for a moment. “So it’s not a Union?”

“Can I talk to Marcus please? The man who’s phone you’re using?”

“Oh… alright… Here Caesar wants to talk to you.”

“Oh thank god.” Marcus was gasping. “She attacked me and put me in the pantry! There are nothing but beets in here! I’m covered in dirt”

“You’re not hurt too bad around you?”

“She punched me in the stomach!” He whimpered! “Please! She won’t let me leave!”

“Her English is a bit limited. Let me talk to her.” 

Marcus hands MC back the phone. “Did you work it all out?” She asked.

“Yes. There is a misunderstanding. Please let Marcus go. I think I’ll have to invite you in person.”

MC’s voice brightened immediately! “Good! Come over to my house for dinner, I’m making borscht and khachapuri. You like khachapuri.” Statement, not a question. “It’s egg and cheese in a bread. Come over to my house. I’ll teach you how to make it.”

“Fine, I'll come over. How does 7 pm sound?” Caesar chuckled followed by silence. “Hello?”

She’d hung up!

By the time Caesar got there, Johann Chu was already there. Johann looked bewildered as she struggled to help him understand how to knead the dough properly into a boat shaped bread. “Now, you need to …” She looked up and noted that Johann was looking at Caesar. “No, don't look at him look at me. You put this cheese here, okay?”

“Did you make this cheese? It looks fresh?” Johann said in wonder.

“Yes, only fresh cheese for khachapuri. Caesar! Close the door, you'll let out all the heat!” She yelled over the strains of traditional Russian music. “Take off your shoes!”

Lu Mingfei was on dish duty. He looked terrified and mouthed the words. “Help me…” At Caesar, who did not help.

“I brought some wine!” Caesar said brightly.

The woman looked it over and nodded approvingly. “Good. Please set the table.”

The oven was blazing at full power and sent out a wave of heat on opening that might have seared Johann if he wasn’t already used to much higher temperature. MC herded Luminous to the table that Caesar had already set with bowls and utensils.

In a few minutes, the MC had served them borscht and khachapuri. “Good thing I brought some wine over.” Caesar was always well prepared with a fine vintage for dinner invites. He even poured a confused Johann Chu a glass. “How did she rope you into this?” Caesar asked.

“She told me she needed help with homework. But this was actually home-work. Not… studying.”

Caesar laughed. “Okay, I see how that happened.”

Once everyone was seated, MC stood in her flour dusted apron at the head of the table. Her cheeks were flushed and her eyes were misty. She shocked everyone by suddenly dipping her head into her hands and sobbing quietly. Luminous hesitated but Caesar was at her side in a flash. “What’s wrong?” He asked.

“No, it’s just… I’m so happy. I thought… I thought I would never have any friends any more.”

Caesar grabbed a napkin from the table. “Why would you think that? You’re such a sweet person.”

And then she told them. All her friends were killed. In front of her. On Christmas day. It turned out that she had been looking forward to a warm hearty dinner with friends as her last memory and was eager to recreate the feeling of gathering around a table for a home cooked meal. It was only after everyone was seated and the food was warm and served in front of them, that she could finally let go of her earnest desire. She did it. “I’m sorry. I’m sorry I have to say such sad things and cry like this.”

Luminous and Johann Chu and Caesar stood around her, hugging her tightly in turn. Luminous regretted trying to stop her from drying him off. Johann regretted rejecting her food so harshly and Caesar regretted not understanding her intentions and laughing at what seemed to him to be strange behavior. They didn’t realize how much sorrow she was working under and that they were her replacement friends.

After that, Johann got into the habit of skipping breakfast and incorporating her rich food into his diet plan. Luminous let her care for his health even wearing the lumpy knitted hats she shoved on his head whenever it was slightly cloudy or breezy outside. And Caesar always showed up for dinner.

[pixieungerstories]

The Captive - 2

“You are getting fat faster than your kind usually does,” George observed.

Elly gritted her teeth.  “Maybe if I got to go out and exercise more it would be less of an issue.”

George rolled his shoulders and shook like a dog shedding water.  “Of course you can leave!  You can go anywhere you want, as long as you are back on the property by sundown.”

Elly shivered.  “You ate my cat.”

“I don’t know what happened to your cat,” George protested.  “Besides, it’s not like we have mice, what do you need a cat for?”

“Company?”

That made him snarl, “You are supposed to be here as MY company.”

Elly took a step back.  George fought to get himself under control.  “You just need time to get used to me, treasure, I’m sure we can-”

Elly turned and headed back to the stairs.

“Wait!” George commanded.  

Elly paused on the bottom stair and waited, but she didn’t turn to look at him.

There was an award silence for a moment, then George blew out a stream of air through his nostrils.  “You are right.”

She looked over her shoulder at him.

“I don’t remember your name.”

She turned to look at him, “I’m Elly.”

George nodded awkwardly.  “You are going to need to remind me of that.” He paused for a moment then added, “Elly.”

“I’m the only person you talk to, George.  Try harder.”  With that, she headed upstairs to get ready for the day.

Ben was already in the kitchen, laminating puff pastry.  “Soups today will be chicken and dumplings for the non vegetarians and french lentil as the vegan option.”

“Sounds good, Ben.”

“You ok, Boss?”

Elly smiled weakly at him, “I’m just a little tired.”

Ben grinned, “The storm kept you up too, huh?”

“Something like that.”  Elly mumbled.  “Now are you going to teach me to run the coffee maker or what?”

“What!” he announced triumphantly.  “Go sit down, I’ll bring you a cappuccino.”

They had french toast and coffee together.  Ben always made her breakfast, and technically lunch.  It was just that they staggered their lunch breaks to cover for each other.   He had given up on asking her out when she kept putting him off.

How do you explain to a guy that you can’t be out after dark and that he can’t stay over because the monster in the basement might eat him?  Hell, she couldn’t even become that crazy isolated cat lady.  George hadn’t ever admitted it, but for how guilty he had looked that first morning when she asked if he had seen Mittens, she was sure he was involved in the disappearance.  She had put up signs anyway.  No one had called.

“Elly?”

She blinked at looked up.  “Sorry?  You were asking me something.”

“I was,” he agreed frowning slightly at her.  “But now I’m wondering if you just need the day off.”

She shook her head, “I don’t have anyone to cover for me.”

Ben leaned back in his chair.  “Well, I can run the register and I’m pretty sure the Wednesday morning group could pretty much take care of themselves.  You could always ask to see if any of them want a job as your emergency back up.”

Elly looked down at her plate, “I’m not exactly raking in the big bucks here, Ben.  Honestly, after expenses, my take home is less than yours.  The only reason I’m not folding is the free rent.”

“Shit,” Ben whispered under his breath.  “I mean, I knew it was slow but…”

Elly just shrugged.  “You bring in more customers than the yarn does these days.”

There was a long moment of awkward silence.  “You know if we go out to dinner, I’ll pay, right?”

Elly’s head snapped up and she looked into a pair of worried brown eyes.  She laughed, even if it was a bit on the bitter side.   “Funny thing about that.  There is a long standing clause in the title.  I have to be on the property every day from dusk to dawn.  I can’t go out to dinner with you without losing the business.”

“That doesn’t sound real, Elly,” Ben said softly.

Elly pursed her lips, “Do you have anything in the oven that will burn in the next, oh, say, ten minutes.”

Ben glanced at the clock, “three minutes on the cookies, then I’m all yours.”

Once the cookies were out cooling on the racks, Elly lead Ben up to the attic.  “I hate it up here,” she explained.  “It just feels creepy.”

Ben watched the light bulb flicker, “Bad wiring?”

Elly shook her head.  “I insisted the place be rewired before I moved in.  There was a fire that destroyed most of the property a hundred years ago.  The rest was structurally unsound and had to be demolished.  Somehow this survived,” she pointed at huge bronze plaque

Ben read for a moment.  “Wait.  The king bestowed this land upon your family in 1595.  There wasn’t even a town here in 1595.”

Elly nodded sadly.  “Look, it’s complicated, but-”

“Oh, come on!” Ben protested.  “No one is going to take the farm if you go out for drinks with me!”

Elly looked at the floor and shivered.  “The last time the owner of the house was out after dark, a fire burned down most of the house, and a good chunk of the town.  People died.”  She wanted to say more but she was aware this was sounding crazing all ready, so she turned and climbed down the ladder instead.

“You really believe that?”  Ben asked from above her.  Then he stumbled awkwardly and mostly fell out of the attic, barely catching himself on the ladder.  He looked back up.  “That was weird.  It felt like something pushed me.”

“Come down!” Elly hissed.

“I have to go turn off the light,” Ben protested.

“Come down!  You go bake; I’ll get the light!” she insisted.

The light turned itself off with a click.

“That was weird,” Ben commented.  “Is it on a timer or something?”

“Just go, I’ll take care of it.”

Ben frowned at her.  “Just think about taking a day off.  Even if you have to be here after dark, you can at least go out and see a matinee.  Get some fresh air.  Something.”

“I’ll think about it.”

Ben watched her for a moment then turned and left.  Elly went back up the ladder. She noticed the switch was firmly pointed down and therefore off.   “I have enough issues to deal with.  If you want me to be here, you leave him alone.”  Then she stepped down to the second floor and pushed up the ladder and went back downstairs to have another coffee and set about her day.

----

“Come here.”

“I don’t think so.  I’m fine over here.”

George rolled his eyes then he heaved himself to his feet, “I can come to you, but you are much more nimble than I am.”

Elly grabbed tightly on the hand rail, “Sit down.  I don’t want you close to me!”

George froze, “I want to see your face.  Hold the lantern up then.”

“Why do you care what I look like?” Elly sulked but she did as she was told.

“The boy thinks you are unwell.”

“And?”

“I do not want you to be unwell,” George said patiently.

Elly snorted.  “Why does it matter?  I can’t leave.”

“Neither can I,” George growled.  “That is the arrangement.  I do not leave and hunt you.  You do not leave and abandon me.  You promise to keep me fed and I promise to keep you wealthy.  I am holding up my end of the deal, treas- Elly-” he stressed her name, “you aren’t exactly -”

“I am HERE!” Elly snapped. “I gave up my life and my love to be here.  I did that. I am here.  I don’t have to be happy about it.”

George fell silent and sagged.

Elly watched him looking for the trick.

“If the boy makes you happy, he can stay.  I just don’t want you coming home smelling like him.”

“What?”

“Don’t fuck him,” George quailified. 

Elly blinked, “You don’t actually think I’m a virgin, do you?”

George made a sound of disgust.  “Go.  I am done talking to you now.”  He huffed out a stream of steam and turned his back on her.  Elly fled.

----

It was sometime after midnight when Elly sat bolt upright out of a dead sleep.  She had forgotten to feed George.  She had been angry about not being able to take the day off and then he reminded her she was trapped.   She had been dismissed before she had organized his dinner.  In theory, he would be ok if he didn’t eat for a few days.

But.

Mittens.

Shit.

 She hauled herself out of bed and trudged down the stairs to the shop, then down more stairs to the basement.

The kettle and her cup and saucer was sitting on the walnut table next to the chair.  The room was dark, no electricity down here.  How would she ever get an electrician in?  Tonight though, there was no faint glow coming from George.  She held the lantern up over her head, but the darkness just sucked the light away.

No dragon.

“George?”  Her voice echoed.  The basement shouldn’t be big enough for that.  Then she realized that if he was asleep, maybe waking him wasn’t the best idea.  She crept carefully forward.  Nothing.  She looked over her shoulder and was relieved she could still see the light coming from the doorway at the top of the stairs.  She took a few more steps and found a leather couch with deep button tucks that seemed to match the chair.  Holding the lamp up over her head she could see a large stone arch way further ahead.  Through it there was only darkness.  Elly swallowed and tried to listen for the sound of George’s breathing.

Then her nerve broke and she sprinted for the stairs.

[masjestickingdom]

FRIENDS (Part 2)

Pairing: NCT Jaehyun x reader

Genre: Angst, slight fluff

Summary: After returning to Korea to work for one of the biggest entertainment companies, SM Entertainment, memories of your life in your home country before you left for university flood your mind. Swallowing the past behind you, you decide to be professional and face the people you haven’t seen in a while--including the boy whose name you dared not think of for the past five years.

Note: What was originally supposed to be a oneshot turned into a two-part series. I’m so glad that a lot of you enjoyed the first one and reached out to me to request a second part, so here it is! Oh, and if you haven’t read the first part, go read it here.

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    Under the light the street lamp posts provided him, the youthful boy ran towards the run-down store under the bridge. He didn’t know why he was heading for the closed store, but his legs had a mind of their own. He ran and ran until he heard a voice.

    “Jaehyun!” it called.

    Suddenly, his legs weren’t mindlessly running on their own. It was as if the sweet voice that called his name controlled his legs because he found himself slowing down, looking around his bleak surroundings. The store was old and the bridge seemed ancient with vines traveling down it. The ground was concrete, but it had a few cracks. This seemingly desolate place had no meaning to Jaehyun, yet there he was, searching for the owner of the voice that called his name.

    “Jaehyun!” it said again.

    Before he could take another second to turn around, a pair of hands, rather slim and somewhat fragile, covered his eyes, blocking his vision. An unknowing smile appeared on his face while his hands, trembling with happiness, reached out to touch the soft hands.

    “Guess who?” it spoke with great excitement.

    Hearing the familiar voice up close, a brighter smile tugged his lips upward. As the owner of the faceless voice, which belonged to a girl, gently removed her hands from his face, she finally revealed herself. With one of her hands holding onto his right wrist, the girl appeared in Jaehyun’s view, the wind blowing past her face, causing her hair to cover half of her face. She smiled at him endearingly, and the sound of her laughter carried along the cold wind. She led him closer and closer to the store, but they never reached it. Jaehyun, however, got a clearer view of the sign on the store and when he did, the girl’s smile wasn’t a bright smile anymore. It was bittersweet. “Pain” were the letters written out on the sign in red ink.

    “It’s a pain spending time with you,” the boy heard his voice echo, but it didn’t come out of his mouth. Somewhere in the mystifying darkness, behind the legs of the bridge, the voice boomed, “It’s a pain.” In an instant, the floor rumbled and the bridge above his head began crumbling into pieces. “It’s a pain,” the voice repeated, causing more and more disruption. The girl, unlike him, stood still and watched his frightened face, continuing to smile the same way she was.

    “Y/N,” escaped the awoken boy, drenched in sweat. With wide eyes, he frantically scanned his setting, searching for the girl in his dream--nightmare, rather. When he realized that he was in his room, which he shared with fellow groupmate Jungwoo, his eyes contracted and his breathing slowly stabled. Uttering a breath of relief, Jaehyun checked the time on his phone, and his eyes quickly dilated again as soon as he saw that it was two in the morning. He groaned and tried to fall back asleep, but no matter how many times he twisted and turned, he was wide awake.

    And it was all because of a girl he hadn’t seen in five years.

...

    For you, summer was the worst season of all: the sun stared into your soul until you broke down in slimy sweat; in the afternoon, the sun blew hot air against your body, causing your clothes to absorb the revolting sweat; at night, even when the sun set, it managed to influence the moon to blow steamy air at your face. For those reasons, you liked mornings the best. You didn’t care if it was hot then because you rarely left the house in the morning anyway. You got to sleep in late with blinds shielding you from the sunlight. You got to wake up late and peacefully watch the shadows of the tall trees outside dance to their normal routine, swinging back and forth behind the blinds. It was wonderful, really. Of course, you realized that wonderful things were momentary because after getting a job at your older sister’s company, you had to wake up at half past six in the morning and be at your cubicle by eight. However, it didn’t matter that you had to deal with the awful mornings outside of the mini apartment you shared with your sister; you were on a plane to Korea.

    It had been five years since you were in your home country. After getting your bachelor’s degree in Communications and Psychology earlier than your peers, you studied furiously to the point you felt dead instead to obtain your master’s degree in Psychology in a year. Fortunately, you got a paid internship at your sister’s company, a therapy-based workplace, until your sister recommended you for an open job position in Korea. More specifically, SM Entertainment was looking for a full-time, SM-focused therapist. It was funny how things worked out, but you couldn’t pass on the amazing opportunity. As an employed therapist, you would be helping the company’s artists become healthier in a psychological aspect.

    To Korea, accompanying you was your college friend Bora and her two-year old daughter Eunkyung. Eunkyung was the most adorable toddler you had come across, given you didn’t encounter many kids in your life. Like her mom, she was a jokester, and she loved tugging your hair whenever she could. It became a bad habit. A really bad one.

    You were on the plane, sitting at the window seat, while Eunkyung was situated in the middle (thankfully because it was a vacant seat) and Bora in the aisle. Eunkyung started pulling your long hair towards her body, giggling, but she soon retracted her hand when her mom scolded her.

    “She didn’t get any sleep last night,” Bora lectured gently. “The last thing we want is to wake her up.”

    “Why?” Eunkyung asked innocently, tilting her head upwards at her mom.

    “Why can’t we wake her up? Your poor auntie was up trying to find us someone who would let us stay at their house, and once we land, she has to go straight to work.”

    Yes, you were a poor thing, but you were a poor lucky thing because after five short years of dedication to studying, you landed on this golden opportunity. That’s why when you woke up at the shaking plane, ready to land, instead of getting cranky and groaning like you would have normally done, you gratefully closed your eyes again and enjoyed the last few minutes of laziness.

    In a blink of an eye, you were somehow seated in the shotgun of your friend’s van, heading to your new workplace.

    “You wouldn’t believe the look on Y/N’s face when her mom told her she couldn’t stay at their place,” Bora spoke, sitting in the back seat with Eunkyung on her lap.

    “Y/N? Getting mad? I would like to see that,” your friend Hyunwoo said jokingly.

    “Thanks for letting us stay over the last minute,” you said, brushing off his comment. “My mom’s not usually the type to back out like this, but she apparently had a big fight with my dad, and the tension won’t serve any good to Eunkyung.”

    Hyunwoo simply shrugged. “I’m glad to have the company. Ever since my roommate moved out, I’ve been feeling kind of lonely.”

    As he gradually stopped the car at a red light, you took the moment to look out the window on your right, and you immediately spotted a dome-looking venue. It was flocked with decorations, mostly banners of people’s faces you couldn’t make out, but when the car pulled forward, the wind blew past the banners, straightening them out in a certain way. The only thing you got the chance to see was the bottom part of the nearest banner that read “NCT 127”.

    An unsettling feeling sat in your stomach. It was weird. You heard about NCT 127 from your friends back in college, but it was weird to see their faces plastered on banners in your home country.

    You ignored the lump in your throat as you set your eyes on the road.

    ...

    Six months passed, and you loved your job. With the exception of a certain friend, you met practically everyone from the company. It was certainly an exciting job to talk to celebrities, so every so often you had to remind yourself that they were humans too to calm your beating heart. You also had a routine down. Every morning, you would leave Hyunwoo’s place on an empty stomach, but you would be greeted by the sweet pastries fresh from the oven of the first floor cafe in the building. Every afternoon, you would stay in your office like a loner and eat chips for lunch. Every evening, you would enjoy the view of the falling sun from your desk. It wasn’t until the last night of June that your routine was disrupted.

    Your last session that night ended at ten, and you were more than ready to go home. Well, that was until you heard a knock on your door. That knock gave you the impression that you would be there longer than you wanted.

    As you struggled to switch from your heels to sneakers behind your desk, you yelled, “Come in.”

    Just as you managed to slide the heels of your feet into your cushioned sneakers, the door swung open. You rose from the ground, pushing your uselessly uncomfortable heels under your desk with your toes, and when you looked to see who was at the door, your breath hitched.

    It was him, your former best friend, the guy who pushed you away. He was soaked from the summer rain and had bloodshot eyes. His hair was a mess, and it appeared to you that he was out of breath because his chest rapidly rose up and down. It was the first time you had seen him in five years, and that was how he presented himself to you, unannounced.

    “Jaehyun, what...?”

    You found your feet taking you to Jaehyun step by step. Your eyes studied his, worry evident in yours. You wanted to comfort him, to hug him as hard as you could for all the years you couldn’t, but something inside of you screamed at you to stop. There weren’t any cameras installed in your office. In fact, your office was one of the rare areas in the building that didn’t have CCTVs for the sake of privacy and efficacy of your delicate work, but you couldn’t bring yourself to fling your arms around on the drenched boy. You couldn’t... but he did: as soon as you were a few feet away from him, he suddenly advanced towards you and engulfed you in a tight hug.

    “I’m sorry,” he said, his voice unbelievably shaking. “I’ve missed you.”

    At those simple words, an overwhelming wave of emotions washed over you. Despite the coldness provided by his wet clothes, your heart felt warm. After five years of nothing, no voice nor touch, he had finally reached out to you, and that was all you needed.

    “I was a jerk and an idiot,” he said, tightening his grip around your waist. “I shouldn’t have pushed you away, but I did.”

    His body was trembling while yours was stable. Your hands were by your sides, but you slowly raised them, secured them around his body, and patted his back the way he used to do to yours whenever you were uncontrollably sobbing after a sad movie. To your surprise, it seemed as though your actions caused the opposite effect because another wave of tears stained your back.

    “Shh,” you said, rubbing your hands on his back in circular motions.

    He buried his wet face in your neck and choked out, “I’m sorry.”

    “I heard you,” you whispered, slightly rocking him back and forth.

    After what seemed like a short minute (when in reality it was five), Jaehyun finally loosened his grip, and you pulled away, gripping the side of his arms. The two of you stared off into each other’s eyes and let the silence overtake the room. His eyes were full of sorrow and regret, and all that clouded your mind was how tired and worn out he looked. You were the first to offer a smile.

    “You should go back to your dorm and dry off,” you told him in a soft voice. “Otherwise, you’re gonna catch a cold.”

    With droplets of water dripping from the tips of his tousled hair, he shook his head.

    “I need to tell you why I did what I did.”

    Your smile faltered noticeably, your stomach twisting into knots. You were beyond nervous to hear his reason for pushing you away. Were you really annoying? Did his friends secretly think you were annoying? Whatever it was, Jaehyun had no hint of tenseness nor anxiety; he was ready to tell you.

    “I had a crush on you.”

    There and then, the world stopped: your analog clock stopped ticking; your phone, which was on silent mode, stopped ringing; the whispering drops of the rain outside stopped talking. To you, the only sound that was loud and clear was your rapidly beating heart.

    “When you came over for Chuseok dinner, when you told my parents that we were like twins, I-” Jaehyun stopped in mid-sentence, biting his lower lip in embarrassment, but you patiently waited for him. “I was frustrated at how you thought of me as a brother and a platonic friend rather than something more..” Before he continued, he rested his hands on your shoulders and stared dead straight into your eyes. “When I said it was a pain spending time with you, I meant that it was painful for me to contain my feelings around you because you didn’t look at me in the same way. I’m sorry that I lashed out. ”

    You let your hands hang onto his elbows as you barely audibly said, “Thanks for telling me.”

    The intense, yet soft look in Jaehyun’s eyes was the same gaze he gave you the day he yelled at you. It was then, you realized, that he was still in pain.

    “What is it?” you asked, your curious eyes searching his for clues.

    The now anxious boy let out a shaky breath, his eyes leaving yours. You took your hands and lifted his chin slightly upward, forcing his eyes to land back on yours.

    “You can tell me,” you encouraged.

    And before you knew it, Jaehyun was blurting out the words “I’m still in love with you”.

    .

    .

    .

    That was the quietness that filled the room. That was also the blank state your mind was in. You didn’t know what to think. You loved him, yes, but you loved him platonically. How could he, your childhood friend, still be in love with you after all those years? You couldn’t take your eyes off of the loving but painful expression in his eyes.

    For the first time in a long time, Jaehyun let out a chuckle, earning him a confused stare.

    “I know how you feel about me, and unlike my former self, I’m okay with it.” After a moment of silence, a gentle smile grew on his lips. ”I’ll wait for you.”

    Cue the waterworks and the hug. This time, it was Jaehyun rubbing your back.

    “I’m not gonna go anywhere,” he said quite confidently. “So when you’re ready--whether it be rejection or welcome--I’ll be here.”

    “Except when you go on tour and stuff,” you murmured, to which the both of you laughed.

    Fortunately for you, Jaehyun did wait. When you confessed your feelings to him, a year had already gone by since he promised he would wait. To him, your best friend and now lover, you were worth the wait.

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Additional Announcement: Thanks for waiting to read this second part! I hope that it was “worth the wait”. Anyway, this may be the only post for the month of August due to SAT season. I will make no promises to make an update this month, so please hang in there! And for any of you taking the August SAT too, good luck! If you aren’t taking it, please send your thoughts and prayers to those who are. We really need all the hope we can get.