#and marveled at how we both held a straight face

[megalony]

You Keep Me Safe

Okay, this is my first imagine for S.W.A.T and it's for Luca, I just had to get this idea out my head. I hope you'll all enjoy it.

Taglist: @justagirlthatlovedtoread @musicistheway @avada-kedavra-bitch-187 @luula @missdreamofendless @bradleybeachbabe @woderfulkawaii @amberpanda99 @daggersquadphantom @marvel-and-chicago-fan @angryknightstatesmantrash @minjix @lyjen @kmc1989 @itsmytimetoodream @noonenuts @hiireadstuff @ashie-babie @classyunknownlover @jayyeahthatsme @sp1ritssz @dumb-fawkin-bitch @oliverstarksbae @gimatida @heart-35 @supernaturalstilinski @stefansalvatoresgf @kyky9103 @wutheringhearts2275 @gay4hotmilfs @itshamleth @chaoticnosleepinfluencer @gs29 @wh0reforsmutstuff @mel-vaz @natashamea18 @chrisevansdaughter @alexandra8484 @deena-beena-weena @targaryenluvs @shelbygeek @kpoplover-19 @marvelmenarebeautiful @gillybear17

@zoeybennett @mrspeacem1nusone @zephyrmonkey @estella-novella @eleventhdoctorsangel @kniselle @senjoritanana

@shauna-carsley @dottierose @cfdhouse51 @darkfemme1 @rainechase45 @ml572 @jessie-lynn28 @lolalolsstuff @jupiter1700 @ashdoctor @an-aliens-ghost @lunaroserites @houseoftwistedspirits @itshamleth @loveyouamory

Swat Masterlist

Part 2

Summary: While out with the kids, someone tries to take (Y/n) and Luca's daughter. When they go to Swat and Luca finds out what happened, he isn't pleased.

Enjoy.

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A smile graced (Y/n)'s lips as she looked around the park, keeping an eye out to see where the kids had scarpered off to.

She could see Lottie sat on the swings on the other side of the play park while Jake was sharpening his skills on the climbing wall, trying to see how fast he could make it up to the top. He was definitely taking after his dad.

(Y/n) kept her eyes on the pair of them while she headed to the baby swing and gently eased her one year old down into the seat. He immediately patted his hands down against the plastic bar in front of him and started to kick his legs. Babbling happily as the pacifier dropped and hung round his tummy since it was clipped to his top.

"Here we go, baby." She began slowly pushing him back and forth, kissing his head every time he swayed back towards her.

It had been a while since she had brought the kids to the park, just the four of them. Whenever they went out with Annie and Deacon's kids, they ended up walking along the beach or heading around town. And when Luca had a day off, they usually ended up on the park closer to home where there was a track for running and training.

After a while, (Y/n) lifted Billy from the swing and set him down to his feet, staying close as he plodded in front of her. He wasn't the best at walking yet, he kicked his legs out straight rather than bending his knees, but he was surprisingly fast.

She followed him over to the smaller, plastic climbing frame that was more for toddlers and more his height.

"Wanna go down the slide?" Jake jogged over to them and held his hand out for his younger brother, grinning widely when Billy took his hand.

He lifted Billy up the steps and guided him over to the slide, sitting the toddler between his legs so they could go down the slide together. The sight made (Y/n) smile and she snapped a quick photo, noticing just how much both boys seemed to resemble Luca in lots of little ways. From how their eyes creased when they smiled to the way their noses crinkled when they laughed.

"Didn't dad get stuck on the slide once at the play centre?" Jake tilted his head to the side, looking over at (Y/n) quizzically while she made sure Lottie was okay on the zipline in the corner.

She looked back at her boys and grinned, thinking hard about what her nine year old was referring to.

"Oh, yeah, aunt Chris had to help him get out of there." A smile lit up (Y/n)'s face at the memory that thought provoked.

She could remember Luca panicking in the play centre. Everyone told him he was too tall and broad to go down the slides, but he wanted to go with the kids because Jake wouldn't go anywhere without at least one of his parents. And (Y/n) had been pregnant at the time. Luca went down the slide and ended up stuck halfway down. Chris had been the only one in the group slim enough to help him out.

(Y/n) had honestly thought she might have to call Hondo or get the emergency services to break the slide and free her husband. What a sight and event that would have caused.

(Y/n) folded her arms over her chest and watched the boys go down the slide another two times before Jake started playing hide and seek with Billy. The toddler started to squeal, slamming his feet down as he trotted around the bottom of the slide.

Leaning back, (Y/n) looked across at the zipline but her smile morphed into a frown when she couldn't see Lottie there anymore.

Where had she got to now?

She held her hand out towards Billy and leaned down to take his hand, guiding him with her while she nodded for Jake to follow them.

Her eyes cast around the park, looking between the other parents and the few kids scattered around running from swing to swing with glee. What was Lottie up to? Where had she disappeared to? (Y/n) liked to keep them all within her sights in case they wandered and tried to talk to strangers or ended up falling off of something and hurting themselves.

Jake was an accident prone and Lottie was a drifter living in a daydream. It wasn't the best combination without parental supervision.

"Where's Lottie?" (Y/n) gave a tug on Billy's hand and smiled as he looked around as if he could spot his sister any quicker.

A shiver crawled down (Y/n)'s spine at the shrill scream that tore through the air and her gut knew that was her daughter.

She spun on her heels and looked around, unsure where the noise was coming from and she could barely control her breathing enough to scour through the play park to find her daughter. Her eyes finally locked on a familiar crop of hair and the red and purple polka dot dress she had gotten Lottie into this morning. As quick as anything, (Y/n) leaned down and scooped Billy up from the floor and headed off in a sprint, Jake right at her side, neither of them sure what was happening.

The panic (Y/n) felt seemed to flicker off in all directions, sparking different thoughts and questions.

She could see Lottie, she was laid on her side in front of the metal fence that surrounded the perimeter of the park. She was inches away from the gate which was hanging open, the hinges creaking awfully and grating through (Y/n)'s ears when she got closer.

"Baby what happened?" (Y/n) turned and stood Billy in front of Jake who reached down and held him by the shoulders so the toddler wouldn't try and wander off. The boys stood a few feet to the left, still close enough for Jake to reach out and hold his mum's shoulder if he felt the need.

He watched his mum go down on her knees in front of his sister, waiting for an explanation as other parents started to look in their direction.

(Y/n) could feel her heart hammering away in her chest and all the blood seemed to fizzle out of her hands and feet and flood her chest and stomach instead. Adrenaline fueled through her abdomen and made butterflies crawl up her chest when Lottie howled.

The five year old pushed up from where she was lying on the floor and immediately crawled onto her mother's lap. She bound her arms around (Y/n)'s waist and burrowed her face into her stomach, sobbing so loudly and sharply that (Y/n) felt as if she was the one screaming instead of her daughter.

"Baby what's the matter, did you fall?"

Leaning down, she pressed her lips against the top of Lottie's head and curled her arms around her. But she didn't like the way her daughter was trembling against her.

"T-the man…"

"What? What man?"

When she didn't get a response, (Y/n) leaned over and gripped Lottie beneath her arms. She hoisted her up and moved her so she was sat on her knees instead with one hand on Lottie's waist and the other rubbing up and down her back.

The little girl was taking shallow, bubbling breaths, mixing between crying and screaming which was starting to put (Y/n) on edge.

"Sweetie talk to me, what man?"

"D-don't know… t-the man asked me t-to go with him." Lottie feebly pointed behind her towards the gate that was beginning to slow to a stop, vaguely creaking on the old rusted hinges.

(Y/n)'s head snapped up and she looked around, but she couldn't see any man close by. The only people outside of the playground was an older couple walking their dog and a young mother with two children headed down the path towards the park. Whoever the man was, he had clearly left in a hurry which made (Y/n) suddenly feel worse.

He must have been running at some speed to disappear across the grass or down the path and out of sight. Why had be asked Lottie to leave with him? What did he want with (Y/n)'s daughter? What had he tried to do to her?

"I said no, a-and he pulled my hair." Lottie lifted her head and moved a shaking hand to the right side of her head.

Terror ransacked (Y/n)'s body when she realised there was a small scratch of blood on the side of Lottie's head.

Her hands reached out and cupped her daughter's face, tilting her head down so she could look at her properly but it felt like ice cold spikes were cutting through (Y/n)'s chest. There were at least three scratches along Lottie's temple that went up into her hairline. The two plats (Y/n) had braided into her hair were now coming loose and looked obscure like Lottie had been dragged through a bush.

Whoever it was had tried to grab her by her hair to make her leave. He had scratched her head and pulled on her hair so harshly a clump of hair had come loose.

Someone had tried to kidnap her daughter.

"What happened to your hand?" (Y/n) asked quietly when she noticed Lottie's left hand was starting to swell. When she reached out to try and touch it, Lottie pulled back with a howl and cradled her hand to her chest.

"Trapped it i-in the gate, when he grabbed my hair… mummy I s-said no."

Tears rolled down (Y/n)'s face before she could stop them. She pressed her lips together so tightly her upper lip started to cut against her teeth and she swiped her hand across her face, wiping away the tears.

If Lottie hadn't tried to say no or if she didn't reach out for the gate or make a fuss, she would have been gone by now. (Y/n) would have been on a frantic search for her daughter. She would be scouring the park with her boys, desperately trying to find Lottie and if the man had a car, the possibilities of what could have happened were endless.

The man had fled. (Y/n) wasn't sure if that was a good thing or not. He had gone, he wasn't going to terrorise her children any longer. But now they had no chance of finding him. He could try again. He could try and take another child. He could see Lottie in the street or in a different park and try his luck. He might get her if he tried again.

Each breath (Y/n) tried to take hitched higher and higher until she was barely breathing at all and her sight was fading into tunnel vision.

Her arms bound around Lottie and she attached her daughter to her chest, holding her with one arm while her other arm looped around Jake. She stood to her feet, tugging Jake with her who kept his hands on Billy's shoulders, guiding the oblivious toddler along with them.

"Mum?"

"We're leaving." Cold tremors rattled through (Y/n) as she watched Jake closely as he picked Billy up so they could move faster.

"Are we going to see dad?" Jake whispered, unsure whether he was okay to talk or whether his mum was on a mission and was going to go mute in her state of panic.

"Yes. Stay close, stay right next to me." (Y/n) was grateful that Jake clipped Billy into the chair so she didn't have to set Lottie down.

She didn't know what to do.

This had never happened before. None of the kids had ever been hurt or almost kidnapped like this. It was a lucky escape that the stranger hadn't run off with Lottie and that she hadn't gotten hurt more than this. (Y/n) had all three of her children safe and relatively unharmed, but she couldn't stay here. They had to leave. They had to talk to the police.

They had to talk to Luca.

Was this why (Y/n) always felt safer going out with Luca?

It was no secret that no one gave them a second look when Luca was with them. He was like an omen. Almost six foot tall with a broad muscular frame and he was always near his family, looming like a shadow that no one wanted to mess with.

Would that man have tried to take Lottie if Luca had been down here with them? Of course he wouldn't. Luca was a threat, he was built and muscular and could give anyone a run for their money in a chase. He was a member of Swat, Luca could outrun most people and give a good chase and he knew how to tackle someone down and restrain them. If he was here he might have been able to find whoever had done this.

(Y/n) felt Jake lean his head on her arm and move closer to her side, suddenly mute and afraid, feeling as small as a mouse. His boysterous, outgoing personality died down immediately and he tried not to shake as the two of them were almost running towards the car.

Someone had tried to snatch his sister. What would his mum have done if they succeeded? Would the police have come down and done a search and rescue for her? Would his dad and his team have come down to the park to search for Lottie? Would they have found her? What would happen in their family if they didn't get Lottie back?

***

"Hey, look who's rolled into town." A smile lit up Chris's face and she held her hands out at her sides when she spotted familiar faces wandering through the gym.

She sped up her steps towards Jake who was walking in front, pushing the pram with Billy who looked like he was either waking up for a nap or about to go take one.

'Look at my nephews,' was on the tip of her tongue and about to roll off, until she noticed the look on the nine year old's face. He looked panic-stricken. His eyes were sunken and rapidly darting around the squad base as if he didn't feel safe or didn't know what to expect. Not like he had been coming here since he was a baby.

And when Chris looked towards (Y/n), she could tell something was off with her too. (Y/n) had tears stained down her face and her eyes kept adverting down to the floor like she was too nervous to look Chris in the eye. Her right arm was wrapped around Lottie who was visibly shaking, tucking herself into her mother's leg like she wanted to disappear. And Chris realised the five year old was quietly whimpering and was shedding hundreds of tears.

"What's wrong?" Chris leaned down and let Jake barrell into her and bind himself against her front like he was seeking her protection.

Chris considered herself close to everyone on the squad, but she was especially close to Luca. He was like a brother to her and they were close enough that Chris was godmother to all three of his children.

"Is Luca around? I know you're busy, but I- I need to speak to him."

"Yeah, yeah he's in the back." She pointed behind her before she looked between Jake and the push chair. "Wanna show me your skills in the ring, little man?" She looked down at Jake and pointed to the boxing ring up ahead, Jake usually liked to spar with anyone on the team who would let him when he came to visit.

He gingerly nodded, still clinging tight to her even as she tried to guide him over to the ring and moved the push chair so Billy could watch them or doze off to sleep, whatever the toddler preferred.

"Hey, my troop's here!" A grin spread across Luca's face and he clapped, jumping with his next step as he jogged ahead of Deacon when his eyes set on the boxing ring and saw Jake. If his eldest was here that meant all three kids would be here. That meant (Y/n) would be here.

(Y/n) locked her eyes on her husband but she gasped and jolted forward when Lottie let go of her hand and bolted. The five year old got a burst of energy from somewhere and surged forward, making a beeline for Luca.

He bent down and stretched his arms out, not getting a clear view of his daughter before she barrelled into him like a bowling ball trying to knock him down. Her arms bound around his neck and she slammed into his chest, deadlocking her legs around his waist, clinging to him like a monkey. And Luca obliged, curving his arms around her as he stood back up.

"Hey girlie… what's wrong, why the tears?" His lips attached to her cheek, but his broad smile began to fade when he realised Lottie was crying. Her face was hot and sticky with tears and she started to gasp and mewl into his neck, unable to catch a proper breath because of the tears streaming down her face.

When Luca tried to lean back and get a proper look at her, she hid her face in his neck which made him frown. He could feel his heart fluttering against his ribs, thudding out a fast paced beat as he wondered what was going on.

Whenever the kids came to the squad they were all excited and bubbly and loud. They would find Luca and hug him, then they would filter around to see the team and try out the gym equipment or wait for Luca to show them something cool.

But right now, Jake was barely interacting with Chris in the ring and Lottie was crying and clinging to Luca. She usually squealed and talked his ear off and dragged him round, running on an endless bout of energy. She didn't hide away in his neck or cling to him like this unless she was ill or frightened.

His hand cradled the side of her neck and he gently swiped his thumb across her cheek, trying to look at her before he gave up and looked ahead at (Y/n).

He didn't like the tears staining her face, the panic he could see in her eyes or the way (Y/n) had both arms bound around her waist like she was trying to hug and comfort herself.

Luca took a quick look behind him to make sure Chris was alright with Jake and he peeked over at Billy, satisfied the toddler was dozing off and not upset or panicked like the rest of their family. Luca headed over towards (Y/n) and the moment his arm was stretched out towards her, she moved.

She tucked herself into Luca's side, binding her arms tight around his waist while her face meshed into his chest. She didn't care about the scratchy Swat shirt he was wearing or the way it brushed against her cheek and nose. She couldn't find the will to care that the rest of the team were looking over and people passing by were starting to stare at them.

All (Y/n) cared about was having Luca in front of her and wrapped around her. The feel of his hand squeezing her hip, the touch of his lips against the top of her head and his steady breaths in her hair that he was trying so hard to control.

"Baby, what's happened?" Luca's voice was quiet, the words whispered into her hair.

He had his daughter crying into his neck and his wife glued to his chest, both shaking, both clearly rattled and upset and Luca had no idea what the problem was. He didn't like not knowing things and being out of the loop, he had to know what was going on so he could fix things.

He danced his eyes around the squad, noticing a few eyes glancing their way and he could see Deacon frown and dip his head down, silently asking if everything was okay. The blank look on Luca's face told him he had no idea what was happening.

His fingers squeezed (Y/n)'s hip and he held her that little bit tighter, kissing her temple to try and coax her to talk to him.

"A man tried to take Lottie." (Y/n)'s voice shuddered and came out breathless as a shiver tore down her spine and seeped into Luca's body.

His muscles went rigid and he tensed up in front of her, gripping her waist tighter as something dark crossed his eyes. His head tilted to one side and his eyes narrowed while his lips quirked as if he wanted to smile in utter confusion. Who would do that? Why would they do that? What exactly did that mean?

He leaned back, gripping (Y/n)'s hip and using it as leverage to nudge her back just enough so they could lock eyes. She could see the confusion and the panic pooling in those blue eyes and it made her heart drop down to her stomach.

"Take her? What does that mean, take her? Like walk off with her or what?"

"She said no but… babe, look at her head, he grabbed her by her hair. He almost ripped her hair out to drag her with him."

As swift as anything, Luca's arm retracted from (Y/n)'s waist so his attention could turn to their daughter.

His hand cupped the side of Lottie's face, his thumb brushing across her cheek as he fought to lift her head from the crook of his neck so he could check her over. Sorrow danced through his eyes while anger plastered across his face when his daughter's watering eyes finally looked up at him and a broken mewl left her lips that had Luca's heart shattering into a million pieces.

His eyes flitted across her face and over her head, noting the scratches on her scalp, the blood spots on her temple where her hair had been forcefully ripped from her scalp. He saw how her plaits were ruffled and pulled apart and how some of her hair was in knots and tangled up from her ordeal.

When Lottie carefully unravelled her arm from around her dad's neck, she held her trembling hand out to him. Letting him look at her swollen joint that flared with a biting pain whenever she tried to touch it.

"Did he do that?" Something dark laced in Luca's tone and (Y/n) was quick to shake her head.

She had seen Luca when he got defensive and protective over his family and those close to him. But that was nothing compared to this. She had never seen him so riled up and furious like this.

"She trapped it in the gate, trying to get away." (Y/n) rung her hands out in front of her, letting her nerves fizzle down to her hands to try and calm herself down. "I- I know I should have called the police, but he scarpered, I didn't even see him, Luca. He vanished. I didn't know what to do-"

"No, it's okay, you came here." When Lottie dropped her head back onto his shoulder, Luca reached his hand out and cupped the back of (Y/n)'s neck, reeling her back into his chest.

His lips smothered her temple and he closed his eyes, trying to take a second to calm down before he exploded.

Someone had tried to take his daughter. Someone had hurt his child and frightened his family. He wasn't letting them get away with this, he was going to find who did this.

"Alright team, gather up, we got a case."

Hondo's voice broke through the air and (Y/n) couldn't help but clutch tighter at Luca's back, pushing herself into his chest like she was trying to merge them into one person. She knew what that meant. She knew coming down here meant taking Luca away from the team and he was busy, his job was high profile and demanding. (Y/n) didn't want to detain him or distract him from work, she just had to talk to him so she didn't go out her mind and seeing him put the kid's minds at ease, especially Lottie.

"I- we should go, you're busy-"

"No, no… Cortez." Luca lifted his head and nodded at the Captain when she was about to walk past.

He knew the anger was overriding the panic written across his face and he knew the Captain could sense it when she walked over. She was familiar with Luca's family, she got on well with (Y/n) and she always said family were always welcome to drop by the squad. And right now, Luca's family needed to be here, they needed help.

"Everything okay Luca?"

"Cap, someone tried to take Lottie. Can you get an officer down here to do a sketch and take a statement? He got away and I want him arrested, now." This squad was part of the police. He knew Cortez could get hold of a uniform officer and have someone come down here to talk to (Y/n) and the kids.

They would feel safer staying here around people they knew and trusted. Someone could talk to Lottie and Jake and try to get a sketch out there, they could have uniformed police searching round the park to find whoever this man was who thought he could terrorise Luca's family. If not Luca would be out there in five minutes scouting round for the man who did this.

He watched the way Cortez took a deep breath, her hands moving to her hips as she bit down on her lip but she nodded quickly, reassuringly. This was a family unit and they took care of each other.

"Of course, you can all come to my office, I'll make some calls." She took a few steps back to let them talk, noting Chris who was stood with the pushchair next to her and her arms around Jake. Keeping the eldest tucked into her chest to keep him calm while his parents talked.

Luca tried to smile, but he knew what this meant. He had to finish his shift, they had a call to go on and he was still at work. But with any luck, they would all still be here when he came back and if not, he would be able to head straight home after this mission. They would all be safe here.

"You go give a statement, I'll come get you as soon as we're done I promise." His thumb brushed across (Y/n)'s jaw and she leaned into the touch, trying to stop herself from crying any more.

She nodded and held her breath when Luca stole a kiss from her lips. She gave his shoulders a squeeze and gave him another lasting kiss before she looked over at Lottie, tucked into his chest.

"Baby," He murmured softly, dragging the pad of his finger down Lottie's cheek to gain her attention. "You go with mum up to the big office, yeah? And when I'm finished at work, I'll come right back to you baby, okay?"

Lottie lifted her head but kept both arms deadlocked around Luca's neck, her lower lip wobbling as she looked at him.

She wanted to stay with him.

Lottie wanted to stay with her dad, he would keep her safe. He always kept them safe, that was his job. He was forever telling them that his job was to take care of people and protect the city. Now he could protect Lottie. She didn't want to go anywhere if Luca wasn't going with them, she wanted to stay right here where he could keep her safe.

"No, you come too. Please, daddy?"

Tears welled up in Luca's eyes but he tried to push them aside. It took a lot for him to cry, especially when he was on shift. He didn't want the rest of the team to see how badly his heart was breaking. "I won't be long. You go with mum and be a brave girl for me-"

"You keep me safe!" She all but whined, letting out another sharp cry when Luca leaned close and pressed his lips to her temple.

That was what he was trying to do. He was trying to keep her safe, it was all he wanted to do. He wanted to protect and look after his family and having them here talking to the police was the best way to do that.

"Baby, you're safe here, that's a promise. Stay here with mum and when I'm finished, I'll take you all home. I love you."

Luca took three shallow breaths against Lottie's temple and pressed a dozen kisses to her cheek before he leaned forward to let (Y/n) take her. If this was left to him he would crack and end up staying with them, but the team was waiting for him. And he wouldn't be much help talking to the police, he hadn't been there when it happened. His temper was already about to overflow and being around the police was going to make him explode and want to go out there looking for the one responsible for all of this.

(Y/n) gave his shoulder a squeeze but when she tried to hold Lottie, the five year old deadlocked her hands around Luca's neck and belted out a scream.

It was a noise that caught everyone's attention.

All eyes tuned in on them, everyone walking past came to a stop and all the voices ceased into silence so they could observe what was happening.

Luca tilted his head back, unable to hold off the tears any longer. He reached behind his neck for Lottie's hands and carefully unhooked her arms from his neck. He took a few steps back, kissed her palms and let go so she couldn't latch onto him any more.

He had to go. She could cling to him as soon as he was finished. As soon as he got his family home, all the kids could latch onto him and he wouldn't let them go. Lottie could sleep in their bed and Luca wouldn't sleep, he would stay awake looking out for her and protecting her to make sure she stayed safe.

"Daddy no! Daddy!"

A horrible banshee screech errupted past Lottie's lips and she screamed until she could barely breathe and stars danced in front of her eyes. She flopped over (Y/n)'s arm, kicking her legs, stretching her arms out and flapping them in Luca's direction, but he shook his head. He had to let her go talk to the police and calm down, he had to get this shift sorted so he could take them all home.

"Go." Luca pointed (Y/n) in Cortez's direction and turned sharply to face Chris and the boys.

His hand dragged along his face, wiping away the tears and dragging down his jaw before he bent down in front of Jake. The nine year old suddenly looked like a toddler, stood there frightened and panicked in Chris's arms.

"Go with your mum, tell the police anything you remember, and then I'll come and get you all. Are you okay?" His hands found Jake's arms and he rubbed up and down and kissed his temple.

"Scared, dad."

"That's okay. You're safe here, we'll all protect you. Go with Captain Cortez, and I'll see you soon." He murmured a soft 'I love you' against Jake's temple, reeling him in for a hug.

He kissed Billy's temple, thankful his youngest was just about asleep, despite Lottie who was still screaming for Luca.

His eyes followed his family, expression turning to stone as Cortez led them down the corridor to take them to her office. (Y/n) was struggling to keep hold of Lottie who was wriggling and fighting and crying out for Luca. Jake was shakily walking beside her, pushing the pram to keep Billy safe and within their sights. And Cortez had her hands on (Y/n)'s shoulders, trying to both comfort and guide her away from all the prying eyes.

A cringe tore through Luca's body and his shoulders hunched when he heard Lottie's feeble screams continue to wrack through the gym like her voice was purposely following and reaching out for him.

"Luca?" Chris tried to reach out for him but she took a step back when he twisted round.

She stepped away, hands retracting to her sides when Luca slammed his foot into the bench and gave such a powerful kick that the metal bench flipped and crashed into the boxing ring.

His hands ran up and down his face, wiping away the tears that wouldn't stop. He could feel his eyes stinging and turning red and a dark rouge tainted his face and slithered up his neck that was tense and throbbing. Every breath made his chest ache and tense but he didn't feel like he was breathing at all.

"He tried to take her." Venom spat through his words and his head snapped in Chris's direction but his eyes set on the figure looming behind her.

Hondo. Watching from the sidelines, unsure whether to approach and try to calm Luca down or just let him ride it out.

His hands balled into fists as he stormed towards the computer room where the rest of the teams were gathered, ready for their briefing that should have started five minutes ago. He felt Chris reach out for his shoulder but he shook her off and his steps halted when Hondo reached an arm out in front of his path, cutting him off.

"Luca, take a minute, calm down."

Calm down. How could he calm down? How could he control his thoughts, his feelings and his raging emotions when his daughter was screaming for him and his wife and sons were scarred and terrified? How could he compose himself when all he wanted to do was find the person who had done this to them?

"Some fucker just tried to kidnap my daughter. Once I've got the bastard in custody, then I'll calm down."

He pushed past Hondo and stormed into the room like a hurricane not to be trifled with. The sooner this was over, the sooner his family had talked to the police, then the sooner he could take them home and look after them.

But Luca wasn't going to calm down. He wasn't going to be satisfied or calm or at ease until this sick idiot was locked up in custody.

[moonxytcn]

I just need some cute wanda fluff, I'm like desperate

a magical evening

| Wanda Maximoff x fem!reader

summary – Wanda makes your evening magical

tags & warnings – just pure cuteness, wanda using her powers to make you happy

a/n – my first Wanda fic, I hope you like it 😊

| English is not my first language so there may be some errors.

| Masterlist —✽— Pinned post

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The day had been perfect—a whirlwind of laughter, joy, and shared moments that seemed straight out of a dream. Now, as evening settled over your cozy home in Westview, you and Wanda found yourselves enjoying a rare moment of solitude.

The soft glow of twilight filtered through the curtains, casting a warm, intimate ambiance in the living room. You sat together on the couch, Wanda's arm draped around your shoulders as you leaned into her side, content and relaxed.

Wanda turned to you with a playful glint in her eyes. "What do you say we add a little magic to our evening?"

You chuckled softly, knowing exactly what that meant. Wanda's powers always brought an extra touch of wonder to your lives together.

"I'm all for it." You replied with a grin.

With a flick of her wrist, Wanda conjured a small, shimmering orb of light that hovered above your heads. It danced gracefully, casting ever-changing patterns of light and shadow across the room. You reached out to touch it, marveling at the warmth and gentleness of its glow.

"That's beautiful." You whispered, looking up at Wanda.

She smiled warmly, her eyes filled with affection. "Not as beautiful as you." She murmured, leaning in to kiss your cheek.

As the orb continued its mesmerizing display, Wanda's fingers traced delicate patterns in the air. Sparks of light followed her movements, weaving intricate designs that seemed to come alive before your eyes. You watched in awe, captivated by her skill and the sheer magic of it all.

Then, with a flourish, Wanda produced a bouquet of flowers. Each bloom shimmered with a soft, ethereal glow, their petals unfolding gracefully as if awakened by her touch. She handed them to you, a tender expression on her face.

"For you." She said softly.

You accepted the flowers with a grateful smile, admiring their beauty. "Thank you, Wanda. They're perfect."

Wanda's eyes sparkled with happiness. "I'm glad you like them."

The evening continued in a gentle rhythm of shared laughter and quiet moments. Wanda used her powers to create tiny bursts of fireworks that filled the room with bursts of color and light, like your own private celebration. She made a gentle breeze sweep through the room, carrying with it the scent of jasmine and lavender, creating an atmosphere of tranquility and comfort.

At one point, she even levitated a small plush toy, making it dance and twirl in mid-air, eliciting delighted laughter from both of you. It was moments like these—simple, magical, and filled with love—that made you realize just how lucky you were to have Wanda in your life.

As the night wore on, you found yourselves lying on the floor, surrounded by pillows and blankets, lost in conversation and each other's company. Wanda's hand found yours, fingers intertwining in a silent promise of love and support.

"I love you." Wanda whispered, her voice filled with tenderness.

"I love you too." You replied softly, squeezing her hand.

In that moment, surrounded by the warmth of her embrace and the gentle glow of her magic, you knew that no matter what the future held, as long as you had Wanda by your side, everything would be alright. Her love was a constant, unwavering beacon in your life—a source of strength, joy, and endless wonder.

As you drifted off to sleep that night, safe and secure in Wanda's arms, you couldn't help but feel grateful for the magical evening you had shared. Every moment with her was a gift—a beautiful, extraordinary adventure that you cherished with all your heart.

[coryothesub]

Coryo wanting to be dominant, only receiving ridicule from the reader (it excites me and at the same time makes me laugh so much)

I have no idea how to tag this, I guess they're both switches?? Anyway I loved writing this!

nsfw / mdni / switch!coryo / switch!reader

“Now let's repeat your safe word!”

“Trust me we ain't gonna need it,” you giggled looking at Coryo, all serious and slightly annoyed at your laughter.

His wish to try out the dominant role was nothing but amusing to you, but he seemed to take it very seriously.

“Safe word!” He repeated in a stern voice.

“Coooryo, are we in the role already?” You kept bantering. Maybe ramping him up a bit would make him do better.

Coryo gave you “the look” and you finally replied.

“Alright, alright, it's “constitution”.”

“Constitution…” Coryo raised his eyebrow.

You nodded.

“Alright now kneel!” he said casually.

You just shook your head and stayed where you were. It turned out that being a brat was actually fun.

“Kneel!” Coryo sounded more impatient, but not enough commanding for your taste. Still you obeyed and got on your knees the cocky smirk never leaving your face.

“Open your mouth for me!”

“No, not like that,” you bursted into laughter again, making Coryo visibly frustrated.

“It has to be short and confident, without hesitation,” you were trying to describe the right tone, gesturing with your hands, but suddenly you were caught off guard by him grabbing your jaw and tilting your chin up.

“Open it up!” His voice now sounded low and raspy and you actually found that pretty hot. 

You opened your mouth and stuck out your tongue waiting for what was gonna happen next.

Coryo struggled a bit to pull his half-hard cock out of his pants and you couldn't help but let out a little laugh.

The boy shoved it into your face and started slapping your cheeks and lips. You quite enjoyed that, yet it wasn't convincing enough.

“Now take my cock!” He instructed.

“And what if I don't?” You gave him a bratty smile batting your eyelashes innocently. “What then?”

“No talking back!” Was the last thing you heard before Coryo slapped you across your cheek and that sting went straight to your pussy.

The boy was learning.

He hadn't told you not to touch yourself so your hand quickly dove under the waistband of your panties.

After rubbing your painful cheek you leaned forward and took his dick in your mouth starting to suck it in a lazy manner.

You noticed the frustration in Coryo's face. Something wasn't right here, but he wasn't quite sure what to do.

“Can you do it with more enthusiasm?” Coryo whined.

You let his cock out of your mouth and gave him a devilish smirk.

“Well you’ll have to make me then.”

Coryo put his hand on the back of your head and pushed himself deeper, but you knew damn well he was saving his strength and it was quite easy for you to wiggle out of his grip.

“Is that all you can do?” You started laughing again. “This is truly pathetic!”

You noticed Coryo clenching his jaw as his bright blue eyes went slightly darker.

“I'm gonna make you shut up,” he growled and grabbed your head aggressively pushing his cock all the way down your throat, so deep that your nose hit his pubic bone.

Eyes full of raw lust, he held you in place marveling at your cheeks turning red and your eyes welling up with tears as you were gagging and fighting for air. 

Now that was something. And you were loving every second.

Feeling that you won't be able to hold on any longer, you grabbed onto his thighs, making him finally release your head. You had turned into a coughing drooling mess struggling to catch your breath. Being manhandled like this made your panties soak in wetness. You needed more of this.

You looked up at Coryo and his breath sped up seeing your teary eyes and swollen lips. You could see exactly how much it was turning him on.

He couldn't believe that you were still laughing though.

“Is that all you got? That's some amateur level shit,” you were taunting him on purpose knowing he would snap eventually. And he did.

“Is that so doll?” He cooed, but his intentions were pretty sinister.

“Maybe a little face fuck will do the trick?”

He grabbed your head and shoved his cock down your throat again but this time he started fucking your mouth at a relentless pace, holding you in place firmly and pushing his tip against the back at your throat with full intensity, again and again.

Your ears were ringing and your head got all floaty, you knew full well that your throat was gonna be sore for a few days at least. Tears were streaming down your face and saliva dripping down from the corners of your mouth, but your pussy was leaking from arousal as you kept rubbing yourself manically.

“Look at you, serving my cock so well, such a pretty little whore,” Coryo muttered praises and curse words, his thrusts becoming even harder as he was chasing his own release using your mouth as he pleased.

You closed your eyes and let yourself float in bliss, giving into a full submission, your fucked out mouth full of cock and your cunt throbbing with arousal.

Your eyes were flooded with tears and you weren't able to see much, all you could feel was your mouth being empty again and a sudden burst of warm cum spurting on your face. The white pearly liquid covered your cheeks and lips, it was dripping down your chin, some heavy white drops landing on your cleavage.

“Fuck, you look so delicious like this,” you heard Coryo speaking through your daze.

It took a hot minute for you to snap out of it. You raised your head and looked up at Coryo who was watching you curiously.

“So, how did I do?”

You looked back at him and let out a small laugh. 

“Still much to learn, baby.”

“Can I take a picture of you?” He paused, realizing how weird that sounded. “Y-you just look so beautiful like this.”

“What are you going to do with it?” You chuckled.

“Just save it for the memory. Well at least until I become a serious politician. And… Maybe send it to Sejanus to show him what a good little cumslut you are.”

As weird as it was the thought kinda turned you and you let him grab his phone and snap a little incriminating pic.

“Cumslut, huh?” You leaned closer to Coryo and whispered into his ear. 

“Guess who will have to clean up all this mess.”

The boy's eyes went wide as soon as he understood what you were hinting at. But it was already too late. You were laying on top of him, pinning his hands to the bed.

“Time for a little revanche.”

[jjsmaybank20]

Watching You

Wanda Maximoff x Fem!Reader

Summary: your sons want to be just like you, so they copy your mannerisms as best they can.

Warnings: all fluffy family shit

Word Count: 1.4k

navigation  marvel masterlist

---

You had just picked Tommy up from school, McDonald’s Happy Meals in the car ready for him. Billy was home sick with Wanda, so you were in charge of picking Tommy up. You buckled him in and got back in the driver's seat, chatting idly about his day with him as you drove him home. 

You watched the 7-year-old scarf down his nuggets, knowing that he couldn’t have the toy till they were gone. You glance forward and a traffic light that had been green turned straight to red. You hit the brakes, making everything in the car pitch forward. You mumble curses under your breath, hoping that your son can’t hear you.

Tommy’s fries go flying towards the front, and his drink tips over into his lap. He looks down at his now soaking wet pants and says, “Shit!” You look at him, surprised and concerned, but he just grins right back at you. The light turns green again and you continue driving, still worried about where your son had learned that word.

“Hey, buddy. Where’d you learn to talk like that?” Tommy just smiles at you before saying, “I’ve been watching you, mama! I wanna be just like you. I’m gonna eat all my food, and grow as tall as you are. We both have Yankees baseball caps, and- and Lakers jerseys! We're just alike. I wanna do everything you do.” 

You tear up slightly as you pull into the driveway of your house. “Yeah, buddy. We’re just alike. Now run inside and go check on your brother.” He nods and runs towards the front door, leaving you standing by the car, thinking over your life choices.

Wanda comes out and sees you with a slightly pained expression on your face. “What's up, babe?” You shake your head and pull your wife into a hug. “It’s just… Tommy said he wants to be just like me in the car. He also said shit, which he apparently learned from me. I’ve done so many awful things in my life, and I don’t want him to turn out the same way I did. Please Wanda, help me help my stupid self.” 

She chuckles slightly, smiling up at you. “He said shit?” You groan and nod, looking up at the sky. “Yes! God, I need to stop cursing.” Wanda nods in agreement. Suddenly, your other son runs out the door and jumps into your arms. You let out a quiet ‘umph’, swinging him around as he giggles.

“Mama, mama! I feel so much better. Can we work on our project?” You hike him up in your arms, laughing at his enthusiasm. “Yeah, of course kiddo. Go grab the tools.” He drops from your hold and hits the ground running. You watch him take off before turning back to Wanda. She is looking at you with an indescribable look of love in her eyes. “You’re a wonderful influence on the boys, and the best mom and wife a woman could ask for. Now go build a treehouse with your son.”

You grin at her and you place a kiss on her lips before chasing after Billy. He had gone into the garage and brought out the toolbox that held all of the things you needed to put together the treehouse of his dreams. You make your way into the back yard, watching him get the drawing that he had made of what he wanted his fort to look like. You noticed that he had put on a baseball cap that you recognized, and as you came up behind him you asked, “Is that my hat?” 

You watch his eyes go wide and he practically rips it off and holds it out towards you, muttering apologies profusely. You watch him panic for a second before letting a smile spread across your face. You reach out and push the hat into his chest, saying, “Keep it. It suits you. Looks better on you anyway.” He frowns slightly, answering, “But I wanted to look like you.” You can’t help but think about how much he sounds like Tommy in the car, and you pull him into your arms.

“Have you and your brother been conspiring together again? Y’all are saying the same shi-,” Billy gives you a stern look, and you fix your language. “Stuff. Stuff. And yeah, we look exactly the same. Guess who you got your ruggedly handsome looks from?” Billy pretends to think about it for a second before answering, “Mommy.” You gasp in offense and Billy takes off running while you chase after him.

When you catch him, you tickle his sides until he relents and wheezes, “Okay, okay, fine, I got it from you, Mama!” You nod, feeling accomplished. “That’s what I thought. Now go clean up, your mom will come after me if you track dirt through the house.”

---

Later that night, you sat yourself down between the two boys beds and turned on their Scooby-Doo night light that they had insisted you buy for them. It took you a couple of tries to get them to settle down, but you eventually tucked them both in. Almost immediately after the covers went over him, Tommy hopped out of bed much to your annoyance. 

That annoyance quickly melted away as he shyly handed you a paper that he had just pulled from his backpack, murmuring, “I made this for you, Mama.” You glance down at it, not knowing what to expect. As you read further and further down the page, you couldn’t help the tears that formed in your eyes. Tommy looks at you worriedly, thinking that he had done something wrong to make you cry.

“It’s okay, Mama! Why are you sad?” You shake your head and wipe your eyes. “I’m not sad, buddy. These are happy tears. I love you both so much.” You glance at the paper, having to look at the sky so that you don’t start crying again. “God, you guys are both growing up so fast.” 

Tommy wraps his little arms around you, and they are quickly joined by Billy’s. “You know, Mama, even when we’re big we’ll still know what to do, cause you taught us.” Tommy nods enthusiastically, adding, “You taught us to eat all our food so that we can grow as tall as you are, and if we work hard we can be just like you. When we’re all grown up, we’ll be able to do everything that you do.”

You give them a watery smile before sighing and concluding, “You two are already so much stronger than I’ll ever be. Your mom and I are so proud of you, and we are so lucky to have you as our kids.” You look at them lovingly before sitting them down on their individual beds and pushing their heads towards the pillows by their faces.

They giggle at you and you place kisses on their foreheads before turning their light out and exiting the room. As you make your way downstairs, you think over what your sons had told you. You find your wife in the kitchen making the two of you dinner. 

You wrap your arms around her from behind, and almost instantly, she melts into them. You stick your face in her neck and place feather-light kisses on it. Wanda sighs shakily, trying to stay focused on the food so that it doesn’t burn. You pull away slightly, before randomly saying, “You know, both boys want to be like me. How much do you wanna bet Billy will turn out like you?” Wanda laughs, and the sound makes your heart flutter and creates a giddy feeling in your stomach. She turns around in your arms and wraps her arms around your neck. “I don’t doubt it. Tommy definitely shares your personality more.” You chuckle and lean in to press a kiss to her lips.

She chases after you when you pull away, and you almost let her suck you back in, but then you smell a burning scent. You look behind her, seeing the food is burnt to a crisp. You move quickly to turn off the burner, and Wanda looks at the stove apprehensively. 

You glance at her before asking, “Pizza?” She nods and smiles at you before going to order it. As you watch her go, it hits you that you finally have the family that you had always wanted, and you had it with a woman that you love more than anything in the world.

You couldn’t be more grateful for such a wonderful family, and you would love them until the day that you die.

—

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[yourimagines]

Marvel fluff with kang the conqueror

It’s a short one, sorry

Love

* English is not my first language I apologise

* Gif is not mine

* Triggers: fluff, soft side

Y/N POV

“Love are you in here?” Kang walked into our room. I smiled at him as he walked up to me. “There you are.” I wrapped my arms around him. “Did you miss me?” I nodded. “Yes I’ve missed you.” He smiles at placed a kiss on my head. “I missed you too my love.” I smiled at him. “How’s the baby love.” He placed his hands on my swollen belly. “Good, we’ve been good.” “Do you need something, food, a foot massage? Anything?” I shook my head. “No I’m fine, just want to spend some time with you.” “I’m yours tonight my love.”

We both were laying in bed, cuddling each other. I held his hand and played with his fingers. “Do you remember anything from your planet?” “Yes, a little bit, why?” He softly shook his head. “Just wondering.” I rolled over to the side, looking at him. “I can tell you what I still remember.” “Tell me.” I placed my hand on his bare chest. “The planet I lived on was earth.” He hummed and caresses softly my shoulders. “There is no leader of earth, there are multiple leaders of the land we divided.” “So no one is leading earth?” “No, they are leading their land, their people.” He hummed again. “I was working at Oscorp as a scientist.” “What did you do?” He kissed my head. “Modifying DNA.” “Making them stronger?” “Something like that, mostly trying to find a cure for diseases.” He smiles at me. “Your way to good my love, always wanting to help others.” I smiled at him. “I’m sorry that I care.” He carefully grabs my chin and kisses me. “Don’t apologise, not to me love.”

I was laying against him when I felt the baby kick. I whined softly, trying not to wake up Kang. I placed my hands on my belly. “Are you okay my love?” Kang sat up in bed, looking at me. “Yes, the baby kicked. I’m sorry for waking you up.” I moved to the edge of the bed, sitting straight while holding my belly. “You sure?” I nodded as the baby kicked again. “Let me help you.” I felt his body hugging me from behind. His large hands wrapping over mine. I lay my head back against his chest. He started to place a trail off kisses on my shoulder and neck. The baby kicked again and I whined a bit. I moved my hand on top of his, placing it on the spot where the baby was kicking every time. I felt him smiling against my shoulder. “You feel that?” “I do.” The baby kicked again. “Easy there, don’t need to hurt you mother like that.” I smiled up to him. He had a bright smile on his face, looking happy. “I think we have a fighter.” I giggled at him. “He’s definitely yours with all that kicking.” He carefully nudge me. “Your saying I’m not gentle?” He raised his eyebrows. “Maybe…” I said in a teasing voice. He smiles and kisses my neck. “I know I’m a bit rough sometimes but I think I take good care of my wife.” I giggled as he squeezed in my thigh. “You are a good husband.” He smiles against my shoulder. “I love you and our little fighter.” He caresses my belly. “We love you too.” I relaxed against his chest as he traces his fingers over my stretch marks. “You my love are so beautiful.” I closed my eyes, smiling softly. “Sleep my love, I’m here.” I started to breathe a bit slower, slowly falling asleep. “I can’t wait to meet our child.” I heard him whispering while I drifted away into the darkness.

[honestreviewsblog]

Dreaming of a Freaking Fairytale - A Fan's Journey (with spoilers!)

Ep 1-2

OH MY GOD THIS IS HILARIOUS. It's givinggg 2011-2013 Kdramas in the best way possible. Very well casted I might say, I've watched Pyo Yejin before and I've always loved her in every role I've watched her in so I already expected she was gonna nail this one too but it's my first time watching Lee Jun-young and omggg I LOVE him hahahahaha. He's so gorgeous, and the role fits him so well. Their chemistry is off the charts and it was going so well for the past 2 episodes that I was actually wondering, 'Wait, if they both like each other now, what about the rest of the episodes?' then BAM insert obligatory Kdrama fiancé. Which is hella cliché but the drama IS all about clichés so really it's just living up to it's expectations.

There's a thin line between cringe in a good way and cringe in a bad way and so far, this drama is in the good-o-meter lololol. We'll see tho in the next few episodes and dammit I'm excited. I do love my melo dramas and action packed thriller dramas but really I'm just a girl, I also crave cute, hilarious, weird sht every so often.

Ep 3-4

Can I address their names?? Hahahahaha. Cos Prince Cha min is hilarious and you kinda get it from the get go (Prince Charming = Prince Cha min) but Cinderella is a bit too Korean-ized that you don't get it until you've watched 3 episodes lololol (Just a theory this might be a stretch but Koreans put -nim as a suffix for jobs, titles, or relationship to show respect, ex. harabeonim (grandpa but probably not your own grandpa because adding -nim means that you're not that close), gisanim ("gisa"/driver is the root word, adding -nim is a polite way of saying it and mostly used when you speak directly to the person). So my theory is Cinderella 》 Cinder-nim 》 Cinder-im 》 Shin Jae rim.

Anyway back to the episodes, I looove that line about the reason why Jae rim wanted to marry rich because giiiirl I probably won't do it but I totally get it lolololol. Her ambition was revealed tho and it does not look good esp among the rich. It must've felt soo humiliating, and I can feel her pride slowly ebbing away. The ending WAS a total cliché but I loooove it, can't wait for more lol.

Also, can I just say Cha min's business is sooooo fun. It's exactly the type of business that we think about in our daydreams and when asked the question, "What would you do if you have a lot of money". Cos I'm totally going to build myself a playground for adults to have fun in, adults need it more than kids anyway.

Really happy for Jae rim and her painting, she's sooo good, I also wished she continued her passion, but I have high hopes for the next few episodes.

Ep 5-6

OH MY GOD THEY KISSED AAAAAAAAA. And I gotta say it was marvelous hahahhahaha—not the regular cutesy cutesy kissing scenes we normally see in cutesy cutesy Kdramas. Really just from the kissing scene alone I gotta give ep 5 a standing ovation lololol.

I totally expected Jae rim's visit in Do hong's studio to go horribly wrong but it's nice to be wrong for once hahahaha. We got to see his "weakness" and don't we just love to discover those? Makes the characters more human. Dan-a and Jae rim's face off tho 👀 Our girl totally held her ground with the line, "I had fun too. He's a very good kisser" YOOOOOOOOOO Imma tell you the way I gasped?? I was so gagged???

And the scene AFTER that, the way she bursted out her frustrations on Cha min and him not knowing what to do or what to say or how to make things right because in his point of view, he never meant to be cruel, everything he did was just self-preservation.

Ep 7-8

Hello??? I was so invested on that kiss and you're telling me it was a dreamscape?? Call the authorities, straight to JAIL. But on a more serious note, I love how her doubts and her fears of not being enough was easily eliminated by Cha min, and her voice over about being comforted by this was sooo heartwarming, the butterflies in my stomach won't stop churning!!

The ending was emotional but I gotta say, probably bcs we didn't get to have that many teary eye scenes so far, the scene with Cha min's mom just felt a bit I dunno, I didn't cry that's for sure. But I guess we weren't meant to cry, we were meant to feel for him and comfort him.

Ep 9-10

/sigh/ I think I just got diabetes. It was so sweeeet. Have I said Jun young is so gorgeous? Cos he's so gorgeous. I gotta tell you about 90% of the reason why I'm watching it is bcs I just gotta see him smile hahahahahahha. Happy ending all around, really cliché so I can see why some people might not like it. But I loooovee clichés, it calms my anxiety and it's sure to be a happy ending, what's not to love?

The thing about this drama tho, is it's very self-aware and doesn't take itself too seriously and I think that's part of the reason why it's so charming (pun intended). 10/10 cutesy ending I got what I came in for and I'm happy about that, satisfied customer here! Hahahahahaha

[fe-fictions]

Kellam x Kiran Commission (I got sick and had a really rough end of year... here's hoping 2024 is a normal one! the flu killed me the last week of 2023 :") but here's my last commission! my resolution is to post more consistently from here on out LOL)

You were all thrilled at the thought of the Hallow’s Eve festival. It was a perfect break for everyone to experience between all the battles that Askr had to face.

That, and it provided an excellent opportunity for those who didn’t celebrate a similar holiday in their own worlds to have a new experience.

Kellam was one of these people; and he seemed to be particularly interested in the customs. It wasn’t all that different from the holiday you celebrated in your own world. 

But seeing him so excited about it was the true joy.

“Wow…all these sweets and decorations- it’s all so colorful!” Kellam marveled at the beauty in front of you, utterly stunned by it all. The town was alight with the raucous fun of the town-wide party. 

It was filled to the brim with adults and children alike, families boisterous while they danced and played about the festival.

You smiled softly at Kellam, “I must say, you do make a dashing pumpkin.” 

“A pumpkin farmer, actually-” Kellam corrected you as he adjusted the large orange headpiece. “It wasn’t my first idea, but once we got to work on the costume, I couldn’t say no. It’s a little silly though, isn’t it?”

“I don’t mind it. It’s very charming.” You reassured him, making him chuckle bashfully.

“Really? You wouldn’t like it better if I were dressed as something fearsome, like a werewolf or a dragon?”

“It just wouldn’t suit you. I’m sure you’d be very handsome in either, but…I like this. Pumpkin Kellam is dashing all on his own.”

“You flatter me.” Kellam blushed, laughing nervously in a bid to hide the quickening of his heartbeat. “B-but enough about me! We should really enjoy this festival while we have a chance. I’ve never seen anything like it before!”

“Ylisse doesn’t have a Hallow’s Eve festival, does it?” You remembered the conversation from earlier, Chrom and Lissa chattering excitedly about being able to experience a whole new holiday (with said princess plotting out her “tricks” for said portion of the colloquial saying).

Kellam nodded as the two of you headed into town, starting your adventure. “No, I’m afraid not. We have a few holidays that are similar to ones that are held here in Askr, but there isn’t one that’s particularly similar to this one. I’m really excited about trying it out. What about you?”

“We do have one; though we call it Halloween. Similar theme, but rather than one big festival, we all go out into our local neighborhoods and give out candy to each other- it’s very popular with children. The adults who don’t have kids to take out treating will just have a big party or watch a bunch of scary movies, or-”

“Movies? What are those?” 

“Think those photograph tomes that one Anna sells at the ocean, but it’s constantly moving for an hour straight; with talking and music and whatnot.”

“How interesting!”

“It really is. I wish I could show you,” You admitted, “They’re really fun to watch when it’s in a group or just with a friend or two. I’m sure there are plenty of movies you’d enjoy.”

“Don’t worry about that-” Kellam reassured you, “I enjoy spending time with you no matter what we’re doing, Kiran. I don’t mind missing out on a, er, scary ‘moving’ when we can do other things together!”

“Movie, Kellam- no ‘ing’ at the end.” You laughed, fighting to suppress your own blush at his earnest confession. “I’m sure we’ll have our hands full with this festival, anyways. Look at the size of it…”

You both slowed as you reached the town’s front gates, which had been clogged with people as they all struggled to enter and enjoy the celebration.

The noise was audible even from the back of the crowd, where the two of you were. It made your stomach twist, if only for a moment. You were quite sensitive to auditory and visual overloads, particularly when you were already nervous or on edge.

It was something you could fight through during battle, with the appropriate gear to help ease the tensions courtesy of Anna’s gadgets or some useful spells. 

But when it was just the two of you, in a casual setting and no  battle gear to be had…it was easier to get overwhelmed.

Well, that, and you had a very handsome, well built knight standing next to you, confessing how much he enjoyed being around you.

It was certainly a nerve-wracking experience, indeed; not one that you wanted to dampen his spirits with by leaving early or lashing out at him because of the stress.

You sucked in a deep breath, the two of you closing in on the entrance one step at a time. It wouldn’t be that bad; it would be loads of fun.

You’d get to play games, eat good food, dance and enjoy music; maybe even win a prize for Kellam. That’s what you turned your focus to; something you could definitely do. That you wanted to do for the sweet pumpkin man.

Naturally, just as you thought this, you felt a calloused hand close around yours, prompting a jolt and confused stare at Kellam.

“It’s getting pretty thick at the gate; I don’t want to lose you in the crowd. If you don’t mind, that is.” He explained quickly, and you shook your head.

“I don’t mind at all.” You replied with a geuine smile, giving his hand a soft squeeze. It was certainly the right call; considering within moments, you were thrust into an intimimdating crowd, being pushed and pulled in various directions while being jostled further into the city.

His grip tightened on your hand, trying to keep you close to his body for fear of losing you among the strangers.

The excited babbling of passersby sent a shiver down your spine, and a jolt of anxiety up your throat. 

With a deep breath you focused on the feel of his hand, his warmth a welcome comfort in spite of the nerves gathering in your chest.

Kellam, in all of his sweetness, did not notice what was happening; but he could feel that you were squeezing his hand a little tighter than he would have anticipated.

He cast a glance at you between trying to navigate the crowd and getting through the entrance. 

“Kiran, you all right?” He asked you quietly, which drew you from your nerves just slightly.

“Yes.” You swallowed, fighting to press those feelings down. “I just…don’t like the tight space. It’s a bit overwhelming, right?”

“You’re not wrong,” He agreed warmly, “But, we’re almost there! Look, the crowd’s already thinning right up ahead.”

“Finally.” You muttered, though the relief was countered only with the realization you would no longer be able to hold Kellam’s hand without reason. But the pain and stress of the boisterous crowd finally relinquished your anxiety, as people filtered through the damn gate and spread out to all the various stalls.

Once you were able to see something other than the costumes in front of you, you were both surprised by the beauty surrounding you.

Bright lights, autumnal colors that were saturated and cheerful, and the scents of sweets and savory meats filled the air. 

It was hard to spot a single person who wasn’t wearing some sort of costume; even the knights stationed and on duty had some sort of little decoration on their helmets or chestplates.

You and Kellam were fighting to keep your smiles from widening; it was such a delightful scene in front of you!

“Wow, I don’t even know where to start. Look at all this!” He remarked, spotting a stack of flyers that were loaded with all sorts of pertinent information to the party.

He led you off to the side, out of the way of foot traffic. You looked over his shoulder, finding the loads of information almost equally overwhelming.

“Oh my god, look at all this- dances, games, contests…acrobatic shows and musical performances? And this is gonna go on until dawn!”

“These people definitely don’t mess around with their Hallow’s Eve partying, do they?” He turned the parchment over, finding a meticulous map outlining the location of just about anywhere you could go to have fun. “Well, I’m happy doing just about anything- what do you want to try first? Should we eat, or maybe play a few games?”

The thought of eating did make your stomach turn just slightly, reminding you that the anxiety wouldn’t go away just because you were entertained. It would only be a matter of time before the stimulation of your surroundings spilled over into some sort of attack.

If you could at least keep it tamped down for a couple of hours…

“U-um, I’m not particularly hungry right now. Why not try out a few games? I believe you owe me some prizes if you’re successful.”

“Of course. I’ll win you the best and biggest prizes I can manage- but don’t get upset if I can’t get anything good. I hear that festival games have a nasty habit of being rigged.”

“I’m sure we can figure it out,” You grinned, and you immediately headed off for something that you knew would be perfect for Kellam, given his deceeptively physique.

It was harder to hide his massive body in his costume, but given his lack of presence in the space, it was easy for people to dismiss him. 

That would be the case, at least, until you requested a ticket to play the hammer game.

“So all you have to do is swing this hammer as hard as you possibly can…and if you hit the bell, you win the grand prize!” You explained to him excitedly, lugging the mallet from the staff member’s hands and hauling it to him. “Oof, this thing weighs about as much as you do.”

“I guess this isn’t a game meant for you to play, huh?” Kellam chuckled, gladly relieving you of the thing. He gripped it in one hand, managing it without issue. You were in awe of him; how one man could possibly be so strong was fantastical. 

He weighed it back and forth, looking up at the contraption that he was about to absolutely obliterate. 

“Try not to hit it too hard, Kellam.”

“No promises,” He grinned, “Not if you want that prize!”

It was as if he was deliberately trying to make you swoon. You couldn’t linger on the sweet words of the knight, for the mallet struck the base with a mighty crack, shooting the little piece so hard into the bell that said metal bit broke in two.

The passersby gasped, stunned by the sudden explosion of power that shattered the game.

“Kellam!!” You bit your cheek to keep from laughing, the poor man running the game pale from the shock of what just happened.

“Ahh…sorry, I didn’t mean to hit it that hard- guess I was just focused.” He chuckled nervously, handing the mallet back to the man. “So, Kiran, which prize do you want?”

“That one please, sir.” You pointed to the largest possible stuffed toy you could find; a fine prize that couldn’t have been handed over faster (for fear of the mallet coming down on his head, instead).

“What should we play next, then?” Kellam asked, “I don’t think we can come back to that one.”

The two of you were a fit of giggles, hurrying away to find something else to do. 

And it didn’t take long. The hours of the night ticked by, the two of you filling it with apple bobbing (two for you, a stem for him), dart throwing, and tasting a number of pastries, sweets and hot, savory street foods that filled your bellies.

Perhaps this wasn’t so bad. Your nerves weren’t too high, and throughout the night you’d been able to avoid scarier or louder noises that might trigger an anxiety attack. The crowd thinning out from the front gates had been a gods-send, too. 

There were plenty of people, and it was still pretty snug, but it could’ve been much, much worse. The noise was manageable, provided that you focused on Kellam. He could keep you calm. You were safe with him, after all.

Nothing bad could possibly-

Crash!!

You nearly jumped out of your skin when the sound of glass shattering hit right beside you. It was followed by laughter, but your heart was already thundering.

“What the hells-?!” 

You were clinging to Kellam’s arm, looking for the source of it. Another game, shooting rocks at glass bottles. 

“Oh, that one looks fun. Looks like someone figured out a trick,” Kellam was amused, trying to ignore you were wrapped around his bicep for fear of his whole body turning red.

“You can’t use magic to win this! You’re disqualified-” The game runner snapped at the player. What worried you was that the more he spoke, the harder it was to hear him.

The world was starting to get waterlogged in your ears, your heart pounding and your fingers trembling. You were on edge, before. But that shock was sending you careening into a panic attack.

“Kiran, want to try it? I won’t cheat, I promise.” Kellam offered, looking down at you when realizing you were unmoving.

In fact, you were frozen in place…and the prize he’d already won you was on the ground.

“Kiran?”

He realized you were breathing hard. Too hard. Your face was so pale-

“Um, let’s get out of the middle of the road, here-” Kellam stooped to grab the plush and hurried out of the way, taking you into a small alley off to the side.

He gently pulled you from his arm, his hands on your shoulders. He was concerned, clearly, and it made you feel worse. Or it would, had you been able to register what was going on outside of the panic bubbling in your heart.

Truly, all you wanted was to get out of there.

This was almost worse- enclosed space, panicking in front of your crush, and a boisterous crowd of strangers just outside…it was a nightmare. 

“Kiran, what’s wrong? Can you talk to me?”

“I’m- um-” You stumbled over yourself, feeling the blood drain from your faec. “The sound startled me. I-I don’t think I’m-”

“You’re not startled. You’re…you’re panicking.” Kellam realized, leaning down so that he was at eye level. “You’re safe, Kiran. I promise. I’m here. There’s nothing to be afraid of.”

“I-I know that. Don’t you think I know that?” You looked away from him, your hands pressed to your forehead. You were trying to take deep breaths, but they were pulled from your chest, only making the tightness and pain blossoming feel worse and worse.

“Just slow down for a moment. We can get through this.” Kellam insisted as he took your hands into his, giving them a gentle squeeze. “Um…here. Just…just breathe with me.”

You looked up at him, somewhat surprised that his suggestion was actually one that was quite helpful with anxiety attacks.

“Trust me. I’m here for you.” He promised you, nodding to encourage you to try. You weren’t sure that you could focus beyond the fight or flight instinct that was practically screaming at you to get out of there.

Get away from all of this.

But it was the warmth in his eyes…the patient, encouraging smile on his lips. So you took a breath. Then another. Another, this one shaking, but deeper than the last. Kellam didn’t let go of your hands for a moment, a soft demand for your focus on him.

“You’re doing great, Kiran. Just keep breathing. In, and out. You’re all right. You’re safe here, and you’re with me. I’m not going to let anything happen.”

The beat of your heart started to soften, the thundering becoming much more of a softer roar rather than an unconquearable crash against your rib cage.

You managed to meet Kellam’s eyes, nervous, but starting to regain your focus. 

Another shatter split the air, followed by raucous cheering. Your hands jumped in his, but he didn’t falter.

“It’s all right. It’s just someone playing that game, again.” He assured you once again, reminding you how sweet this man was in front of you. “Just focus on me.”

And so you did. You focused on his kind face, the warmth of his touch, his steady, slow breaths that you matched to his.

Slowly…finally…your heart rate managed to come down. You squeezed Kellam’s hands, once, then twice.

“I’m okay.” You managed to eek out some sort of comment, after you regained your breath. His gaze remained warm and comforting, but you could see he was still uncertain.

“Are you sure? We can stay here a while longer, if you’d like to.” He offered, “I don’t want to push you more than you’re able.”

“No, it’s…it’s okay.” You reassured him, nodding again. You crossed your arms over your chest, trying to avoid looking at him. The embarrassment of what just happened was starting to sink in; to think he of all people would be the one to witness your upset!

“What do you want to do, Kiran? We can stay a little longer if you’d like, but I’m just as happy going home. We’ve had plenty of fun, but it doesn’t look like the party willl slow down any time soon. It’s probably going to stay hectic and crowded.”

“I-I don’t want to leave if you’r ehaving fun. I know it’s just a crowd, and I know it’s just games. I can handle a little more.”

“Hey.” Kellam’s hands were suddenly in yours again, sending a shock of elextricity through your fingertips. 

“Kiran…please don’t push yourself on my account. What matters is what you want- no, what you need to do right now, so you’re calm and you feel safe, again.”

You pursed your lips, looking back to the jovial crowd just beyond the uneasy quiet of the alleyway.

“I don’t want to stop spending time with you.” 

The admission was quiet, almost barely there. But Kellam heard you, loud and clear. And if his heart hadn’t skipped a beat before, it most certainly did in that moment.

“Well…you don’t have to stop spending time with me just because we don’t stay here. Why don’t we find somewhere just a little quieter first, and gather our bearings? Maybe there’s somewhere close by so that we can at least rest a little while before we head back home. I’d hate to push you harder before you’ve fully gathered your bearings.”

The young knight’s thoughtfulness was borderline shocking, how boundless it seemed to be. He offered you his arm, in hopes of keeping you grounded and steady when you ventured back out into the raucous festival.

Mercifully, the town’s archives weren’t far; a small, library-esque location that was plenty quiet compared to the goings on outside.

Kellam closed the doors quickly, giving you both a safer respite. It was finally clearer to you now, what had happened and where you were. 

What he did for you.

“Kellam…how did you know to do that?”

“What do you mean?” He asked innocently as ever, and you looked down at your hands, fidgeting.

“How did you know…to calm me down?”

“Well, it’s not the first time I’ve seen a panic attack.” He said simply, “It’s a common sight, especially among new recruits. We’re trained pretty early on about how to handle the stress as it comes, and how to address and alleviate panic attacks. I’ve done it for plenty of other people, myself included. There’s nothing to be ashamed of.”

“I’m…I’m not ashamed of it.” You said in spite of the blush rising on your cheeks. “I just wish you weren’t the one to see it. It’s not my best moment.”

“It’s all right- you’ve seen me at my worst more than once. I’d never judge you for something like that.”

“Even though it cut into your festival time? Wearing that handsome costume?”

Kellam laughed, his cheeks as red as the apples he’d failed to bob for. “Trust me, there’ll be plenty of opportunities in the future for us to enjoy a festival like this. It comes around every year, and sometimes more than once, depending on the realm we’re in.”

“B-but I…”

“It’s okay if you want to go back. We can get a nice cup of tea and sit at the campfire together. Besides, there’s going to be fireworks in an hour, if I recall. I’m not sure you want to be up close for all that noise…and all those people.”

You smiled sheepishly, conceding defeat. “I don’t know if that would end well at all.”

“Then we return home.” He decided simply, “Honestly, Kiran. It’s okay. What matters most to me is that you feel safe, and that you’re calm. I would hate to keep you here knowing you were on edge the entire time.”

“I…I’m glad, but…why?” You asked him in earnest, drawing your coat a little tighter around yourself. Kellam hesitated for a moment, considering his answer carefully.

“Because…you’re important to me. Nothing matters more to me than making sure you’re all right. Probably…more than anybody else.”

“Oh.” You looked down at your hands, your heart thundering for an entirely new reason. “W-well, I feel the same about you.”

“You do?”

He sounded so hopeful. You nodded, stealing a peek at him. “I do.”

“I’m so happy to hear you say that, I…wow, Kiran, I…” He found himself at a loss for words, laughing nervously in spite of himself. 

To see a mighty, massive creature like Kellam alight with bashfulness made your whole body warm. What a sweet knight he was.

“Come on, let’s get back to camp. We should celebrate with that campfire and tea, don’t you think?”

“I really do.” You grinned, your legs still a little shaky from the receding adrenaline, but if not also for the hint of excitement that lingered for a whole new reason.

Kellam offered you his hand to take, this time; much warmer and softer than his arm.

He led the two of you from the festivities, taking care to avoid the more boisterous and raucousareas on the way back to the gate.

And of course, once you were safe in the warmth and quiet of the fire, you found it much more delightful and preferable even to the festivities.

There were few things sweeter than sitting together, alone and basking in the glow of a new, autumn love.

[notyetneedcoffee]

Rub

Kinktober - Foot Fetish NSFW - Adults Only

Author's Note: I had a request from a reader for a follow up to my story PDA 3 to pick up with Steve and Nat where the story drops off. It just seemed perfect for this particular kink.

Natasha stretched out on the sofa, her bare feet in Steve’s lap. His big hands worked on the sore spots from spending hours standing around in high heels. It felt good and she stretched out like a cat.

“I think we’ll head off to bed, too.” Stark stood up. “As good as the foot rubs look, I’m more partial to my jetted tub.” Pepper took his hand and arched an eyebrow at him. “Fine.” He rolled his eyes playfully. “I’ll rub your feet while we’re in the tub.”

Steve chuckled. “Good night.”

After all sounds fell away, Nat sighed. “You know, my lotion is on the table next you. It would make this even better.”

Steve grinned, not really minding that she assumed the ministrations would continue. “Yes, ma’am.”

He gathered a fair amount of the clean smelling lotion in his hands, warming it before rubbing it into the arch of her foot. She let out a low moan and sighed. The sound went straight to his cock. Swallowing back the surprise at his reaction, Steve focused on his task.

Her feet looked so small in his hands. He rubbed the slick lotion over every soft curve. Steve tried to focus on her perfectly painted red toes nails instead of the little mewls and sighs she made as his fingers dug into delicate spots.

Laying back on the sofa, Natasha relished in the feeling of Steve’s hands sliding over her feet, digging in and relieving every little ache. She also realized just how good it felt to have his hand on her flesh. As she shifted, her foot grazed against the growing evidence of his enjoyment. Nat fought back a smile, there would be no hiding it in those sweats.

She scooted down a bit more, bringing her butt closer to his hip. The movement pushed her dress up dangerously high. It also allowed her to move her feet more precisely. The foot resting in his lap rubbed along the length of him.

Steve gave a quiet groan. His eyes traveled up Nat’s strong legs to her mischievous grin. “Natasha.”

“More lotion.” She grinned. Her toes found their way under his t-shirt and she felt his stomach clench.

“Should we be doing –“

“Shush.” Nat rubbed the length of him through his sweats again.

Steve’s eyes dropped closed, but he stopped rubbing her foot.

She said his name and his eyes snapped to hers. “Keep rubbing. More lotion.”

Steve squirted more lotion onto her foot and continued his massage. When the toes of her other foot found their way under the edge of his sweats his hips jerked. Still, his focus remained on the small foot in his hands.

Natasha’s other foot rubbed against the rock-hard length of him.

When Steve finally pushed down his sweats enough to free his cock, Natasha moved so the arch of each foot encircled him. She marveled at the look on his face, lost in passion. Heat welled in her core as she stroked him.

Steve poured more of the lotion over her feet, slicking them up, and pressing them against his cock as he rocked his length against them. His head fell back and he panted at the feeling, fight back the urge to moan aloud.

Looking over, Nat had her dress hiked up with her fingers buried between her legs. Steve held the toes of both her feet in one hand to keep them tight around his cock. The other slid up her leg, a finger slipping into her wetness beside her own. She moaned softly.

“Tell me something.” Nat breathed. “Do you, ah, recover from this as quickly as you heal?”

Steve wet his lower lip with his tongue and gave a nod.

“Good.” She fought to concentrate as his fingers curled into sensitive spots and her own fingers dances against her clit. “Because I want to see you come, just like this, then we can head to my room for some more fun.”

“Fuck,” He sighed and pushed himself harder into the curve of her feet.

“That’s it.” Nat plead. “Like that.”

Steve used both of his hands to mold her feet against him. He fucked into her arches, aware of her stare, excited by it. Amazed at the newest of the sensation. She began to speak, quietly urging him on. Soon he was panting and squeezing tight. His eyes fell on her glistening core, lips spread wide as she stroked and touched herself. He wanted more.

With a sudden tug on one of her legs, Steve pulled her onto his lap and impaled her on his cock, pulling her all the way down in powerful motion. She bit back the moan and took ahold of his broad shoulders.

Steve braced his feet and slammed his hip up into her fast, and hard, and desperate. She held on, relishing in the violence of it. The intensity welcome after years of want. His mouth attached to her breast over the silk, his teeth pulling at the hard nipple.

She came with a gasp, body trembling in his hands. Her cunt clenched and convulsed. Steve followed her over the edge.

Panting, clothes mussed and slick with sex, they grinned at one another before kissing for the first time.    

Want more? Check out my Master List.

[mamahex]

(Just a bit of Vandermatthews fluff, no actual storyline)

That Beautiful Devil

Dutch was sleeping in the blankets beside me, a lance of sun touching his face, splitting through the tent flap and carrying sparkling dust motes that spun like crushed glass. It lit up his face like a warm caress. His hair was shining, in the light, blue black and curling, at the ends. A stray strand had fallen over his forehead, and I couldn’t help but gently stroke it back behind his ear.

He stirred, briefly, beneath my hand, moaned in his sleep.

“Shhhh…”

I watched his face relax beneath my fingers. I ran my fingertips over his brows, his cheek, his jaw, and simply marvelled that a creature as beautiful as this could possibly be mine.

Stubble darkened his cheeks, and I let my fingers linger there, to rub through the rough. My fingernails crackled. I simply peered down at him as he slept, at the smooth skin, the lack of lines around his young eyes. His youth really struck me then…and how lucky I was that I was allowed to be with someone so young, so utterly beautiful, when I was old, worn and…less.

His full lips were parted, relaxed in sleep, and I could feel his warm breath touching me. I breathed him in, as I watched him, I breathed in his breath and held it inside me; as if I could somehow hold him within me and never let him go.

I leaned in closer, and, as gently as I could, I kissed him. I kissed his thick bottom lip, so gently I barely felt it.

He stirred, again, and closed his mouth, his brows creasing.

I couldn’t help but smile, and I bent again to kiss his furrowed brow, to smooth it.

“Hosea…” he murmured, and his warm hand gently touched my back.

“Sorry,” I said, but I couldn’t stop smiling.

Dutch smiled too, but he didn’t open his eyes. He let his hand slide down my naked back to fall back onto the blanket. “Go back to sleep,” he said, and his voice was thick with sleep, deep and soft.

“I don’t want to miss this,” I said, and again, my fingertips went to caress his face. His eyes flickered open then, and he peered at me, squinting as the shaft of sunlight touched him.

“What am I missing?” he asked.

I chuckled and ran my hand through his hair. “Nothing…I just don’t want to…not be looking at you…”

I watched his face smooth into a smile, and felt my stomach lurch as his cheeks began to glow pink.

“You old romantic…”

I grinned at him stupidly and felt my own face burn. “It’s not my fault that god made you so utterly, breathtakingly beautiful, Dutch Van Der Linde…”

Dutch closed his eyes and sighed, through his nose. “You’re making me blush,” he said, then, faster than I was expecting, hooked his leg over my back and flipped us both, pushing me onto my back and laying on top of me. His naked body was pressed flush against mine, and I could feel the heat of his skin against mine, the moist of sweat and the mess we had made in the night and hadn’t wiped away fully, touching my skin.

“Dutch…” I chided.

“What?” he asked, leaning down to kiss me. It was a slow, deep kiss; his lips were hot and soft and I could taste his sour morning breath, but I didn’t care. It began as gentle kisses, to part, then to lean in again, then again, until we simply didn’t pull apart. Gently, he parted my lips with his tongue and touched mine.

I loved the sounds of our kisses, of our lips working each other’s…such a strange and foreign sound to me. And with the morning birdsong and the gentle breeze touching the trees, the music of our kiss was blissful, was magical.

Dutch pulled away from me, to peer down at me. His black eyes swiftly reached inside of me, striding straight past the walls he had battered down, to rest at the core. “I love you…” he said, and his voice was small, then, tentative, afraid.

I felt my heart lurch. “I love you too,” I said, and my voice came out strange, pushed up through the salty ball that had appeared in my throat.

I reached up and kissed him again, pulled him back down with me, my hand combing through his hair to hold him to me. And a kind of desperation gripped me as I kissed him, as I held him to me. I wrapped my other arm around him and pressed his body onto my own, suddenly and utterly terrified to let him go.

He must have sensed the change in me, for he pulled his lips from mine and looked down at me, his hand going to my hair, my face, to stroke and soothe me.

“Ok?” he asked me.

“No…” The sudden panic gripped me, then, and I reached up to clutch him to me, tightly.

“Hey, hey…what’s wrong?” he asked. I felt him kiss my forehead and hold me, and the feeling surged through me, fierce and terrifying and sudden…it was hot and terrible and far too huge to contain. I felt tears begin to gather, my heart begin to beat me.

“I…I just…love you…” I tried, but my words were simply too small to show him the giant waves that were beginning to crash over and drown me then. “I…please…just don’t leave me alone…please…” I found my arms crushing him against me as panic smothered me.

“Stop…” Dutch spoke gently, and pulled himself from my needy grasp. Gently, he moved himself to lay beside me and pulled me around so we were facing each other. He put his arms back around me and cuddled me against him. He kissed my forehead, my cheek, the bridge of my nose. “I ain’t ever leaving you old girl…shhh, you’re ok…its ok…”

I held onto him, and slowly, slowly, the panic began to ease.

Between forehead kisses, Dutch spoke so gently to me. “I love you too Hosea…I’ve got you…you’re mine…you’re safe…”

I felt myself melting into his arms and I wrapped my arms about him, my legs through his legs. Our hot and naked bodies were pressed so tightly together that we could almost have been one creature, there, one person, one soul.

I caught his face and pressed my lips against his, and Dutch leaned in and kissed me back. The world seemed to melt away to silence, then, to nothingness. All that was there in my world was Him…his lips, so soft and full, sliding against my own, his tongue so gently caressing and playing against mine. His stubble touched me, sending shivers of arousal to run up and down my body. I could feel him breathing through his nose, the sounds of his breaths getting louder as our kisses began to grow more fierce.

When we finally did pull apart, Dutch immediately bent to kiss my face again. He rubbed his nose against mine, gently, before meeting our lips together once more.

He kissed me deeply, slowly…it was a much different kiss than the hungry and frantic kisses we exchanged when we fucked…this was soft, hot, slow…this kiss was love, was safety, was a promise of Forever…

“Look at you…” he said, as he peered at me between kisses.

“What about me?” I asked.

Dutch smiled, his face flushed, sweaty and utterly glorious. “You are so…beautiful…”

I snorted a laugh. “Funny…”

“You are…you really have no idea how handsome you are, do you?”

“This is rich, coming from someone who looks like he’s just…clawed his way up from hell…”

Dutch huffed a laugh, fragrant and hot against my face. “Ain’t that supposed to be, ‘you just fell from heaven’?”

I grinned at him and swept the hair back that had fallen over his face. “No…not you…you’re no angel Dutch. You’re some beautiful fucking devil thats come to corrupt and save me…”

Dutch laughed, his voice deep and rumbling against my body.

“You’re not altogether sane, are you Old Girl?”

I grinned at him and stroked his face. “Not since I met you…”

Dutch grinned wickedly at me. “Well we can be crazy together then."

He leaned over to kiss me again, slow, sensual, loud and wet and perfect.

I could feel him growing hard against me, and I smiled into his mouth. “You just can’t help it, can you?”

Dutch smirked at me, his face utterly evil and sexual and wonderful. And he was mine…that beautiful devil was mine. And I’d never let him go.

[wrightingdungeon]

Sweet Scales 1

Pure head canon fanfiction ahead, not sorry, its my gift to myself for passing my test.

As Always MDNI this is a adult space

pt2.

pt3.

MDNI pt4.

Liam didn't think he would be able to fall in love with the death of his parents, being left alone with the twins Emma and Elizabeth, moving them all to Sunhaven, and starting up the bakery. He was a busy busy man, with no time for anyone besides his family, but that idea was completely changed when Nessa came slithering into his door. He laughed to himself remembering that first day they met.

He nearly dropped the tray of Madeleines he was pulling out of the oven when he turned around seeing a pair of striking red snake eyes looking at him. “Ah…. Hello, how can I help you?” He said slowly, he didn't mean to judge but the Naga standing in front of him looked like they had come straight from Withergate, his eyes flicking to his sisters. Both of them now ignoring their toys, staring up in awe, eyes twinkling at the new person in their shop.

He saw her gaze soften as she noticed the twins, a small smile playing on her lips. “Hello, I just moved here from Withergate and was just curious about your bakery,” she said in a voice as smooth as silk. So she was from Withergate, he relaxed slightly at her friendly tone though. “Well, welcome to Sunhaven, I'm Liam,” he replied, trying his best to keep his nerves steady. Liam looked down at her tail; it was his first time seeing a Naga this close. He couldn't help but marvel at her intricate scales, gleaming in the soft light of the bakery.

“Miss Snake Lady! Do you eat kids who don't go to bed on time?” Liam's face turned red as he heard Elizabeth speak. “Elizabeth, don't ask that,” he softly reprimanded her as he put the tray down, feeling embarrassment wash over him.

“Oh, hello, sweetheart.” Nessa looked down to Elizabeth, her eyes sparkling with warmth. “No, honey, kids taste really, really bad. We prefer to eat cookies.” She laughed using her thumb to point at the still-steaming tray, her laughter filling the room with a contagious joy.

“Really! Liam makes really good cookies!” Emma exclaimed, her hands fluttering with excitement. “What about your tail, what does it feel like? Can you see in the dark? Are you poisonous?” Liam gently pulled his sister's back, shaking his head. “I'm so sorry, ma'am. We uh… don't get many Nagas here,” he explained, recalling encounters with Amari like Kitty and Catherine, but Naga's visits to Sunhaven were rare if not never that he knew.

Her serpentine eyes twinkling with amusement, waved off Liam's apology with a graceful flick of her hand. “No need to apologize, hun. It's sweet to meet curious minds.” She leaned down to the children's heights, her voice tinged with warmth. “To answer your questions, yes, I can see quite well in the dark, its like having a night light on. Am I poisonous? No, not at all. We Nagas are quite harmless, I assure you. And yes my tail is soft and its strong.” Her smile was reassuring, dispelling the lingering apprehension Liam had.

“Did you want to feel it?” Nessa asked them, moving the tip of her tail closer to the girls and Liam. “Really!” Elizabeth squealed and grabbed Nessa's tail, her eyes wide with curiosity. “Emma! It is soft!” She looked back at her twin sister, offering the tail to her.

Liam buried his face in his hand, face palming, sighing as he watched his sisters fawning over her tail. “It's nice to meet you all,” Nessa chuckled warmly as she held out her hand to Liam. He quickly tried wiping the flour that was now a permanent part of him off his hand before taking hers. Feeling her hand in his sent a shiver up his spine; it was cold, but she is a Naga; they must be cold-blooded like snakes. Liam couldn't help but notice the smoothness of her skin, contrasting with the roughness of his own. As he looked into her eyes, he realized there was something captivating about her gaze, something he couldn't quite place.

"Liam! Liam! You gotta feel it!" Nessa laughed, her voice bubbling with amusement, as the girls held up her tail, tugging at it in an attempt to place it in Liam's hand. "Girls, don't pull on her!" he scolded, reaching to free the tail from the children's grasp. "Oh, it's okay, they are just kids," she reassured him with a maternal tone that caused Liam's heart to skip a beat. As his thumb absentmindedly traced the scales, the texture was unmistakable—like that of a snake's tail. Cool and smooth to the touch, he ran his thumb along the length of it, feeling the delicate ridges and grooves of her scales. With each stroke, Nessa's tail responded with a slow, fluid movement, her muscles contracting and expanding under his touch. In that moment, captivated by the responsive motion of her tail, they shared a quiet connection and a sense of awe washed over Liam.

Hearing the pair of girls giggling brought him out of his awe, remembering he was still in the bakery. Letting Nessa's tail go, he watched as it went back into her tail's coiled-up base. “It's soft, right Liam!” The girls were just giddy with excitement, almost buzzing like two little bees. “Y-Yeah, it is,” Liam said shyly, eyeing his hand flexing slightly, missing the cool touch of the scales. “Thank you all,” Nessa said, bowing slightly and playfully. “I just finished shedding, so it should be soft.” She laughed slightly, seeing the girls' eyes go wide, mouths dropping open. “YOU CAN SHED!??!?” Liam felt embarrassment heating his body, his sisters kicked back into a shark frenzy of questions. As the barrage of inquiries continued, he couldn't help but feel mortification at his sisters' unrestrained curiosity. “Girls…”

As the two girls finally settled down, Liam and Nessa concluded their conversation and exchanged pleasantries. Escorting Nessa to the door, Liam bid her farewell, his eyes following her graceful slithering departure towards Kitty's. Suddenly, his sisters' giggles broke the silence. "Liam has a crush!" they teased, causing his cheeks to turn red. "No, I don't, she just moved in." he protested, trying to fend off their teasing. But their chant persisted: "Liam has a crush! Liam has a crush!" Unable to contain his laughter, Liam watched as the girls began skipping around, singing their playful song. Indeed, Liam did start to harbor a crush, and who could blame him? Nessa had brought immense joy to his sisters and himself with just one visit.

Laughing slightly, Liam shook his head and brought himself back to the present, refocusing on the dough he was kneading. The shop bell ringing made him look up. “Liam!” The girls came flooding in, their little hands gripping the front counter as they peeked over at him, going on about everything that Jun had taught them. His eyes moved to behind them, smiling at Nessa as she waved slightly to him, before heading out, having offered to pick up and take the girls home for him. He appreciated her kindness, feeling grateful for the support she provided him and his family.

Now, if only he could gather the courage to confess his burgeoning affection for her, tell her that he had fallen for her over the days they spent together. He loved the way he saw his sisters would get excited in seeing her. Her culinary prowess was undeniable; those cookies she baked were beyond comparison. Yet, he couldn't shake the nagging doubt: were those treats truly meant for him and his sisters collectively, or were they exclusively for him? Something in her eyes when she handed them over always held a twinkle that he couldn't quite read, a mysterious glimmer that danced with secrets untold.

[polizwrites]

A Close Call

This is a slightly belated fill for @whumptober #2: Delirum prompt as well as my @halloweenhorrorbingo  Dealing with Extreme Cold,  @buckybarnesbingo  Cold, @warmandfluffybingocards Huddling for warmth and  @stuckyversebingo  Last Resort squares.   

Fandom: MCU/Marvel Rating: Teen Pairing:  Bucky Barnes/Steve Rogers Tags: pre-war, shrimpy!Steve Rogers, pining!Bucky Barnes, hypothermia, mutual pining.   Word Count: 817 words

The cold was seeping into Bucky’s bones, and he knew Steve had to be even worse off. He’d told him to stay inside, that he could run their route this morning just fine by himself.   Considering how much snow had fallen in the city overnight,  he figured no one expected their paper on time anyways.    

But Steve was stubborn as a mule, insisting that if they split the route, they’d both get done faster and could spend the rest of the day listening to the radio, curled up on the couch under every blanket they owned.  “Besides, as long as I keep moving, I’ll stay warm enough,”  he argued, jaw jutting out as he pulled another sweater down over his head.  

“Fine,” Bucky shot back.  “But I’m carrying the papers for every stop south of York street.”

“That’s way more than half, Buck!” Steve protested.  

“Is that so?” Bucky grinned, pulling his scarf up over his nose and cheeks as they headed out into the weather.  

Neither of them had counted on the bitter wind blowing in straight off the  ocean,  howling its way up through  Brighton Beach and Coney Island  to Vinegar Hill, sending needles of icy sleet into their faces.  The sidewalks were slick and treacherous,  especially when wearing boots with soles worn smooth from use; Steve had nearly fallen twice already. 

As they slung newspapers onto the stoops of their subscribers,  Bucky found himself wishing he’d made another pot of coffee and left it sitting on a burner turned down to low; sure, it would have been bitter as sin by the time they got back, but it would at least have been hot.   At least there was another can of chicken noodle soup in the cupboard; that would be easy to heat up.   

He turned to share his plans with Steve, only to see his companion standing in the middle of the sidewalk, a confused look on his face as he held a newspaper in one mittened hand.   “Buck?  Did we do this street already?”    

“Yeah. We just passed the bakery.” 

“Oh.  I guess I missed it.  I’m so tired all of a sudden. Lemme just rest here for a little bit.”  Steve sat down on a snow-covered bench,  wrapped his arms around himself and started to shiver.   

Bucky didn’t like the looks of that at all.    “C’mon, Steve.  Let’s head home. We can get the rest of these done later.”   He tucked a hand under Steve’s armpits to nudge him to his feet, planning out the quickest way back to their apartment.  

By the time they were through their front door, Steve’s teeth were chattering uncontrollably, and he couldn’t seem to catch his breath.   Bucky thumped on the radiators, hoping to  get some hot water flowing, but no such luck. 

He racked his brain for another way to warm Steve back up; the only thing he could think of was an old Boy Scout trick.  “Okay, strip down to your skivvies and get in bed. I’ll join you in a moment after I put some soup on.” 

“ ‘kay,” Steve mumbled, fumbling with the buttons on his coat.  The fact that he didn’t protest gave Bucky pause, even as his traitorous heart skipped a beat.   He hurried over to their kitchenette, lighting the stove burner and setting out a pot before rummaging in the cupboard .  He nicked a finger on the sharp lid of the soup can before dumping its contents in the pot, adding water and setting it on the stove.    

Bucky turned around to see Steve slumped over on the couch, still mostly dressed.   “Stevie?” 

He slowly raised his head as Bucky approached.  “ M’ fingers ‘re all tingly. Can’t figure out why.” 

“C’mon, pal.”  Bucky pulled Steve to his feet and half-carried him to the bedroom, sitting him on his bed and helping him remove his clothes as Steve weakly protested. 

“ ‘M cold.” 

“I know.  Just trust me.”   Once he’d gotten Steve down to his undershirt and boxers,  Bucky got him to lay down and pulled the covers over him.   He then quickly stripped down, grabbed the blankets off his own bed and tossed them on top before crawling in next to his friend. 

Steve’s skin was cool and clammy as Bucky pulled him close.   “I’m not tryin’ to get fresh, Steve, promise.” It wasn’t quite a lie; he’d never take advantage of anyone - much less his best friend - like this.    

“Thas’ a dirty shame.” Steve slurred as he tucked his face into the crook of Bucky’s neck.   “Feels so good t’ finally be in your arms.” Bucky stilled as a pair of chilly lips pressed against  his jaw. “Could stay here forever with you.” 

“You’re delirious, Steve.”  Bucky rasped out, scarcely believing his ears. 

“Pro’bly,” Steve sighed.  “Lemme dream a bit more, ‘kay?” 

“Sure.”  Bucky brushed a kiss against Steve’s forehead;  he’d check on the soup in a little while.  

[kylesvariouslistsandstuff]

THE MARVELS looks to lose money at the box office. I mean... It's MCU Movie #33... 33... And how many "losses"? QUANTUMANIA? This movie? The 2008 INCREDIBLE HULK that didn't make its money back? Not counting the COVID-era release of BLACK WIDOW?

That's a hell of a track record!

Some are saying that the ongoing strike, which ended just recently, played a part. Maybe? It does help to get the actors to do press and promo, but part of me feels that it wouldn't have made any difference... Because it's the 33rd movie, you had to have watched multiple shows and movies in order to know what's going on (and maybe you don't have Disney+ to watch WANDAVISION and MS. MARVEL), and the MCU's goodwill has been rather sloppy lately because of some of the recent movies not really meeting audiences' expectations. Especially when you're paying upward of $14+ at night to see these things, and another $41+ for concessions. (A slight exaggeration, but you get my point, right?) But yeah, strike shmike, look at how FIVE NIGHTS AT FREDDY'S did a couple weekends ago. It just boils down to "what people want to see".

And clearly THE MARVELS was not high on the list. Post-ENDGAME, the game has changed. A competently-made superhero movie that's basically a homework movie for a future movie, with rushed VFX just isn't enough anymore. People, I feel, want to see superhero movies with a vision behind them of sorts. Note how well GUARDIANS OF THE GALAXY VOL. 3 held up, note how much people love the SPIDER-VERSE films, etc. etc. I feel like a movie like BLUE BEETLE would've been a respectable hit in - say - 2017, not now.

Of course, this is all going to be drowned out by people that we quite frankly shouldn't give the time of day to. The people who honk "WOKE WOKE WOKE" like a flock of defective geese, sadsacks who hate Brie Larson so much that she lives in their heads rent free... They hate her over something she said in 2018 that she was... Absolutely correct about. I wish I had that kinda power, just to exist and be me, and make a bunch of men who will never amount to anything worthwhile angry.

Hint hint, there's money involved. It's why we need to just ignore these people, cut off their income and revenue streams. They thrive off of hate and outrage, and getting people like us to watch their rancid loud nonsense and platform them in the form of dunking them. That's still giving them attention.

I don't know. I think most "normal" moviegoing audiences don't care. I've worked at movie theater for 8 years now, and only a few customers do I hear this kind of weird-ass antisocial talk from. They didn't reject THE MARVELS because it stars three women. I mean, WONDER WOMAN made big bucks. CAPTAIN MARVEL itself was a billion dollar smash. SPIDER-VERSE is about a Black Puerto Rican Spider-Man, and the deuteragonist is a Spider-Woman, possibly a trans Spider-Woman at that! And this year, we had an anti-imperialist anti-war and probably anti-American movie make HUGE bucks both domestically and worldwide, we had a literal Barbie movie with tons of Barbie characters of different races and even a TRANSGENDER Barbie, and it became one of the highest-grossing films ever. At the end of last year, we had an AVATAR sequel. Environmentalism, colonialism, that's as "woke" as you can get! Like, you can't look at me with a straight face and tell me that THE MARVELS is going to lose money because it's "woke".

No, it's going to lose money because it's just more of the same, and audiences have kinda moved on from that. It happens in cycles with all kinds of movies.

It's an inert conversation that's been going on for far too long. Algorithms thrive off of chuds who complained about every STAR WARS movie made since Disney bought the franchise, who complained about MAD MAX: FURY ROAD, who complained *incessantly* about a GHOSTBUSTERS movie lead by women, dudes who are deathly allergic to anything that isn't about straight white men. It's a vocal minority, and that the conversation should be more about why the MCU is running out of juice for storytelling reasons and meeting audiences at where they're collectively at. Not why these perpetually-unsatisfied people will never be satisfied.

I mean, this past election cycle, we saw several Republican losses. And in 2022, that "Red Wave" turned out to be a "Red Mirage". Most angry chuds, if they don't vote Republican, then they sure seem to be their biggest base. The overlap with them and MAGA and such. I'd like to think that most normal Americans who aren't extremely-online don't give a shit about who's starring in what. Again, look at how BARBIE did. Republicans make it seem like Americans are fed up with transgender folk (among many other "issues" they're trying to run on), and in BARBIE, the transgender Barbie played by Hari Nef was no background character. She gets *a lot* of scenes... And it still made like $1.4 billion. Maybe because, shocker, most Americans aren't fazed by that. They don't care if you're not white, gay, trans, whatever- They just wanna grill! And are probably fed up with Republicans constantly telling them to be afraid of people who pose no threat.

I dunno, just a hunch?

This year, we saw QUANTUMANIA open in the triple-digits, but score an abysmal 2x multiplier. We're seeing this movie open with relatively low numbers. DC flop-a-doo'ed with SHAZAM 2, THE FLASH, and BLUE BEETLE. I don't see AQUAMAN 2 doing great, either. It looks more of the same, backwash from 2017. James Gunn's SUPERMAN: LEGACY needs to really stand on its own in order to make an impression and get people back for a new take on Kal-El. As for the MCU, I still think DEADPOOL 3 is locked to do great next summer because... People love that character, and the last two movies satisfied audiences. And Hugh Jackman returns as Logan, which is a plus. Not that the movie needed it to do great, but it's an added bonus, and given that this is a Deadpool movie, it'll likely be an irreverent takedown of what's wrong with superhero movies lately. All these forced cameos and multiverse plans that seem to not add up, and such... The rest might see diminishing returns as well. Are people up for another Captain America movie? THUNDERBOLTS? Yet another take on Fantastic Four? Blade, even? Or whatever is off in the future, like a 3rd Doctor Strange movie or that ARMOR WARS project? How many more of these movies can you belt at audiences before it's just a small group that dutifully shows up for them?

This is the conversation I'm much more interested in. Not so much the "death" of the superhero movie, but where it goes and how the MCU's path informs things going forward. Again, my theory is that we're going to see audiences respond to more director-driven films and films that have - again - some kind of vision. Films like THE BATMAN, GUARDIANS VOL. 3, ACROSS THE SPIDER-VERSE, etc. And on the TV end of things, stuff like INVINCIBLE. New and dynamic takes on this type of story.

[marieadeledracherambles]

Forbidden fic and foreshadowing go brrr

In Worlds Collide--aka the mega-crossover fic that is supposed to be deferred until the author of one of the loadbearing fandoms stops being a magnificently awful person or dies, I'll take either--both Marvel and DC are involved, and those franchises make a point of delineating different worlds in their multiverses by numbering them. So I needed to number the world that the main characters and plot all live on if I wanted to terrorize include characters from different parts of the multiverse. I added up all the number tags from each Earth and thus chose the number 628.

Now, an odd thing about my brain is that I cannot keep straight certain things. One of these things is the specific number of the SCP that's just a giant, unkillable lizard. I can never remember whether it's 628 or 682. (I had to look it up for this post. It's 682.)

Tonight I had a brainwave. If I made the number tag for Worlds Collide-Earth the same as that SCP, it would be both a funny reference and a secret bit of foreshadowing to how, when Miguel-2023 lands on this Earth, he immediately implodes.

And then gets dogpiled by people who hear him say Miles wasn't supposed to be Spiderman and go "HYDRA RHETORIC* ALERT KILL KILL KILL"

Earth-682 will eat Miguel alive because their entire thesis is "together we stand, learning from each other and helping avert tragedies is good actually." Even if he didn't keep accidentally sounding like a racist dudebro, his insistence that Spiderman Can't Save Everyone flies in the face of not only the true meaning of the suit, but the entire attitude of the world and the heroes living there. And this makes them absolutely unstoppable, just like the SCP.

*(In WC, the source materials don't exist because I don't feel like dealing with the headache that would be authors/actors meeting their characters, or someone trying to get hold of the source materials to use as a weapon. I held this opinion even before certain authors went mask-off bigot! So in-universe, the people who object to a Black Spiderman aren't comics dudebros having Bad Takes. They're the kind of bigot who votes Republican in every election. "The Black Spiderman isn't a real Spiderman" is, in-universe, well known to be HYDRA rhetoric and anyone who says it is Sus.)

[semimedieval]

who hasn't straight kissed on their evil father's front lawn? (what's the main plot, some kind of furniture?)

against my better judgement, i'm writing another extranei writeup post before i dig into this summary of contributions. please clap.

this entire 'oh noes monoceros's headquarters' sequence is so lame it's unreal. just really really lame. no clue what monoceros wants. he says he'll keep them prisoner until midsummer's day (are midsummer's day AND the full moon both macguffin dates here? incomprehensible.) then he says "get out of my house." then knights (there's knights now i guess) grab everyone except lupus which is such an obvious setup by Me, Guy Who Controls The Villain, to do this -

A knight appeared and pulled Max away, others held all of them back, except for Lupus. Monoceros walked over to him. "Max!" Ky screamed pulling against the grip of the guards. Lupus didn't think, didn't wonder what happened. He only froze his approaching father, then threw a snow ball into a knight's face, grabbing Max. "Maximus!" he called. "I know you only obey Ky, but please fly away?" He then pushed the other knights back with a wall of ice. "Leave my friends alone," he said, and his voice echoed around the hall. Max flew up, up before anyone could grab him again. How he hated those knights. Ky watched Lupus, admiration in her eyes. This was the Lupus who loved everyone, who really cared. Lupus and Ky. Ky and Lupus. They belonged together.

Wow! So glad that got resolved really really fast <3 this is wildly "unhealthy" but i DO think it was also deeply unfair of me to hold ky and lupus to standards of Healthy Relationship that i was absolutely not holding chuji and obsidian to. god. all for the crime of getting together really fast.

They flee the hall on unicorns. "Rim comes crashing into the hall, sitting on a wave", so the favor of "hey hope we don't mind if we resolve your My Character's In Danger Arc while you're not even onscreen <3" that moopy and i did to spark is now repaid to rim. they all get on unicorns and escape. and now, of course -

"I'm here, Ky," he said, dropping out of the sky without warning. (XD wth?!) "I'm sorry," he said, then his subconscious took over and he kissed her." He felt his cheeks redden. She hated him, and now he'd resent him more. They were over. How could he have done it? "Forgive me, Ky, I, I shouldn't have..." he said, close to tears. Ky put a finger to his lips and kissed him back. Loop's eyes widened. How could she have changed her mind so suddenly. "When you saved Max....it showed me that you cared for everyone not just me. You risked your life for us." "I...uh...we all do it for each other, every day." he stammered. "Thank you Lupus." She said in a sweet voice. "Don't look now, but there's a knight right behind us, about to stab you."

(there are some peanut gallery comments in there from the rest of the gang that i omitted, including quartz saying "this is slightly annoying" in a moment of uncharacteristic bitchiness)

the marvel movie dialogue of the last line is killing me. horrible. so is lupus 'falling out of the sky' (huh???) and so is the fact that i was wrong, ky in fact gives no indication that it's ok to make out with her now, as evidenced by the fact that lupus in the next line feels that he has made a horrible mistake (he is correct). in my defense my gender politics TENDED to be better at this (not when it comes to dunking on girls for being girly, but when it comes to appropriate occasions to kiss someone) but i was good at giving the people what they wanted.

chuji ends up "blasting the knight with fire" which is definitely scary but maybe not a guarantee of death (perfectly possible that it forces him back!), though i sure do read it that way when i have lupus say fucking uh

"Thanks for killing the knight, Chuji," Lupus smiled.

WHICH IS JUST SO COMPLETELY DERANGED. So much for my fucking musings on mortality at fort donelson earlier that year. Take a child to a civil war battlesite and they will have epiphanies about the permanency and seriousness of death for one whole day before completely failing to apply these lessons to their fiction.

and the silliness is not done yet, as we have to get hit with THIS deeply unfortunate scene

Spark looked at the two. "I wish Chuji and Obsidian would do that." Obsidian raised his eyebrows. "I heard that." Chuji walked towards Spark "Sooo. You wish Obsidan and I would practicly french kiss in front of everyone. Huh?" Quartz giggled. Tozi smirked. Obsidian blushed. ”When me and Chuji kiss, we do it in style," "Ha! Like, you know... privatley." "And not so enthusiastically. And with warning." "We never have time to do so... we'll have fun on the beach." (oh my god chuji! *nosebleed*) Tozi's ash turned red. And with that, the conversation ended.

Can you tell the children writing this are coming into their adolescence in catholic school? Does this detail surprise you? Because it's true! Augustine, as ever, is slightly ahead of the curve from me, hinting at a SCANDALOUS case of chuji and obsidian Kissing On The Beach, Nosebleed. Meanwhile, in gabe's words, "not so enthusiastically" is not the flex Obsidian thinks it is.

Jack is conspicuously absent, having termed this conversation way too inappropriate for his endorsement. Also, Obsidian's "Chuji and I are totally kissing a lot!!! Just privately where nobody can see!!" is immediately shut down by Chuji's "We never have time to kiss." (Insane thing to say, but they're an insanely dysfunctional couple.

If you (the nonexistent audience) are wondering if this made it into 2.0, the answer is a resounding YES:

Obsidian coughed politely. “Carry on,” he said cheerfully. “We’re here all day.”  “No we’re not, because we have to rescue Tozi,” said Spark pointedly, but she was holding back a smile. “That was very romantic, though. I wish Chuji and Obsidian would do that.”  “Do what? Passionately kiss in public?” Chuji asked, raising an eyebrow.  Obsidian had never mastered the art of raising a single eyebrow, so instead he raised both. “When Chuji and I kiss, we do it in style.”  Quartz had to giggle at the entirely uncharacteristic phrase, but Chuji was playing along. “Like, you know, privately.”  “Not quite as enthusiastically.”  “With a bit of warning.”  Ky and Lupus were blushing, but his hand was on her waist and his on his shoulder in a way that made Quartz suspect - and god, there was a thought - that the two of them were quite eager to get home.

Sigh at that last line. Such was the nature of Me Being Fifteen And Trying To Look Cool that my inherent assumption was "well if you're fifteen and dating you're obviously having sex!!!!" and like a) i don't wanna think about it. these kids i wrote when i was fifteen are still fifteen, and i'm not anymore. b) i failed to consider that ESPECIALLY in the Semi Medieval nature of this universe, something "we should wait!!" coded is perhaps more likely, maybe not til marriage but til they're older or certain about each other or confident with each other or whatever. i am obviously not against teenagers having sex or this being the case in fiction, i just think i was writing about them with the standards of adult relationships when they are not that. Also, shoutout to me for keeping "not quite as enthusiastically." Do you think Obsidian and Chuji have a "WHY WOULD YOU SAY THAT" fight offscreen after this exchange? vote now on your phones.

Before we close off and get back to work, a reunion.

Suddenly, Lupus saw a grey unicorn in the crowd. "Twink!" he yelled, practically jumping onto the unicorn's neck. "Twink?" Ky gave him a strange look. "What the heck." said Obsidian casually. To see cold, calculating Lupus cuddling a regal-looking unicorn who was whinnying happily was a once-in-a-lifetime experience. He stood up, embarrassed. "Twink is my old unicorn. My father named him, if you're wondering. His full name is Rainbow Twinkle, but..."

haha yeah yeah twink the unicorn we've all giggled about it but more pertinently: HORSEBOY HORSEBOY HORSEBOY

anyway the gang gets home and is setting off for the sea tomorrow. as a final note because this inexplicably takes place before the timeskip tomorrow: i'm apparently getting insecure that extranei hasn't been misogynist towards quartz specifically enough lately because i bring back the running gag about packing

Quartz grinned. It was going to be a fantastic day. Obsidian had packed this morning. Putting on his backpack, he went through Quartz's stuff and discarded a pair of sequined high heels. Where did she get these things? Obsidian came out and handed Quartz her bag. "Here you go, smuggler. And get yourself a ponytail or something, your hair is going to be in a terrible state later."

Why is he such a straight up freak all the time. MY Quartz would first degree murder knife chase for him and he would deserve it

Quartz to lupus all the time would be like "you never played first degree murder knife chase?" like penelope and azalea after them. some things never change <3

[feanor-the-dragon]

I... I literally did this with a report on the Anead. It was... it was beautiful.

kinda funny when english teachers say stuff like “i can tell if you didnt read the book” or “i can tell when people bs their paper”

no you cant.  you can tell when people are bad at bs-ing their paper.  i didnt even read the sparknotes and i barely skimmed the wikipedia and you gave me an A.  you kneel before my throne unaware that it was born of lies

[wickedcriminal]

"Let's take this nice and slow!"

...

"Tuh-Tuh-Toothless think he's gonna cruh--crash."

Hiccup Horrendous Haddock the Younger looked up from his copy of the tailfin cheat sheet with a squeak of both horror and indignance, blue eyes wide. "Toothless!" He scolded to the little green creature curled over his shoulder. "Don't say things like that! I've been worried enough as it is!!"

Hiccup Horrendous Haddock the Younger was posted dutifully at the cliffsides on the far side of the island, looking out at the sea as he waited for his brother to come into view. They'd been planning this for weeks, practicing religiously with wind and ropes and stakes and even a little cheat sheet that they drew up themselves.

Now it was time for a test drive. And Hiccup would never admit it to his older brother's face, but he was feeling quite sick to his stomach.

Toothless-- his little green Common or Garden or Terror or whatever he was-- was preening himself on his human's shoulder, tittering every so often about how stupid of an idea this was. It was a good thing his older brother didn't know dragonese, because the little dragon's words were really not encouraging.

"We just have to trust in his training," Hiccup murmured, trying to squash his nerves and think optimistically. "and the will of the gods."

The wind picked up, and a shadow crossed over the sun. Hiccup looked up in surprise and gasped as a black dragon finally swooped into view, crossing directly overhead as he flew out to the sea. If you squinted, you could see the tiny smudge of tan leather on the left tailfin. If you let your eyes trail farther up, you could see the slight green and brown of Hiccup Horrendous Haddock the Elder, buckled securely to the saddle on the night fury's back.

He was right on time.

"Oh, he's gliding beautifully!" Hiccup gasped in amazement, feeling his fear fall away for just a moment so he could admire the scene. "Look at the way they ride the wind!! These cliffs create the perfect updraft, it was an excellent idea to come here--"

"Hu-Hu-Hu-Hiccup!!" Toothless interrupted, pointing with his wings. Hiccup quickly turned his attention to his older brother, who was making a gesture down at him. "That's fuh-fuh-four fingers!"

"Position four." Hiccup quickly noted the position on the cheat sheet in his hands, then held a thumbs up out to the flyers. It's go time.

The night fury and his rider banked wide, and once again Hiccup marveled at how well the tail held the wind. They wobbled only a little, the prosthetic slightly flimsier than the flesh and blood fin, but the night fury's euphoria at tasting the sky again was palpable even from all the way down here.

They tilted slightly downward into a slow dive, the wobbling becoming slightly more pronounced as they corrected their balance. Hiccup the Younger held his breath as they rushed toward the rocky arch, praying to Thor, to Woden, to Freya-- come on, Hiccup, come on Toothless...

And they sailed straight through without a hitch.

"Yes!!" Hiccup bounced on his toes a few times, laughing breathlessly. "It worked!! That was so graceful, they haven't even hit any--!"

Ow. Spoke too soon.

Ouch! Twice?!

Toothless giggled on Hiccup's shoulder. "Duh-Duh-Do ya still think they lo-look graceful?"

"Oh shush." Hiccup muttered, and squinted out at the flyers again. His brother was making gestures again. "How many fingers now?"

"Thuh--Three." Toothless observed.

Position three. Hiccup checked the sheet again, and give him another thumbs up. He was starting to feel much more optimistic about this, seeing how well their training was being put into action. Maybe this would end well after all.

The elder Hiccup and Toothless the night fury climbed into the sky. The prosthetic tilted and sent them into circle as they rose, but it only made the endeavor look all the more exciting. Down on the ground, Hiccup only watched in awe and tried to imagine what euphoria his brother must be feeling right now.

And then they fell.

And Hiccup's stomach fell with them.

"Oh gods--" Hiccup gasped, throwing his hands up to his mouth. "Oh no oh no oh no no no--!!"

Rider and dragon had been separated somehow, plummeting side by side, twisting and turning in the air. The faint dot that was their cheat sheet fluttered high and away from them, swishing like an idle bird. There was no hope of getting it back, now. Hiccup could only watch in horror, white hot panic clutching his lungs like dragon talons.

"Oh gods, oh gods he's going to crash he's going to die--!!" He babbled, yanking his hands into his hair and crushing his copy of the cheat sheet against his head. And then-- beard of Thor, his cheat sheet!

"Toothless!" He yelled, shoving the crumpled paper into the tiny dragon's face. "Take this to him! Help him get back on Big Toothless!"

"Wuh-Wuh-Why does Toothless have to do it--" Toothless complained, but then Hiccup gave him a sharp 'NOW!!' and the little dragon was off, quick as a flash and muttering all the way.

The next few moments felt painstakingly slow. Hiccup saw his brother catch up to and grab onto his night fury, and he even saw the flash of green that deposited the extra cheat sheet into his hand.

With a painful looking jerk, Big Toothless's wings snapped open to parachute their fall. But they were going too fast, rushing straight at a cluster of sea stacks. They wouldn't be able to turn in time. They were going to crash straight into the rocks, and they were going to die.

The extra cheat sheet that Hiccup had wanted so badly to get to his brother was then tossed aside. Of course it was. The was no need for it, now. Hiccup tried not to cry, watching with wide, burning eyes as flyer and rider disappeared into the stacks. They were gone.

And yet... he waited. Maybe... just maybe...

He waited.

And waited.

And...

Like a prayer answered, they flew back out, a flash of black and green.

They did it!! Hiccup's heart jumped into his throat again, this time in joy. He jumped up with his fists in the air, copying his brother's own wild gesture of triumph. He whooped so loud they'd have heard it in Valhalla.

The test drive was a success.