#and okay look here's the thing. i made this one forever ago as a gift for someone and wasn't gonna post it by itself

[sillyabtmusic]

[ID: A GIF of multiple shots of Seoho from the kpop boy group "ONEUS" in a hallway lit only by pulsing red lights and lined by plants on either side. He's wearing a cropped, black, long sleeve shirt, black pants, and chains hanging from his belt loops. One shot is close up and shows him gazing into the camera, the second focuses on his stomach as his shirt lifts up, and the third shot is from further back showing him stretching his arms up, his shirt lifting and revealing his stomach. End ID]

seoho in no diggity (src)

[nochukoo97]

boyfriend drabbles (pt.33)

pairing: jungkook x oc

summary: the one where you and jungkook celebrate christmas, and you get a tiny bit jealous

word count: 1.4k+

masterlist

 sometimes you curse the universe for intoxicating you, making you become addicted to him like a drug. every moment spent with him made you find another reason to love him, another reason to gaze at him and think one thing: forever.

to you, jungkook is like an angel, glowing the brightest amongst all darkness and light in your life, always there to catch you if you fall. it makes you wonder just how much you’ve done in your past life to deserve a man like him.

that’s what you think as you hold the front door open for your boyfriend, who’s grunting as he tugs the christmas tree into your apartment. the lights in the apartment have yet to be switched on, and only the little cat lamp that jungkook had bought you a few years ago provides minimal light to guide the both of you through the door.

yet even the small lamp manages to make his face glow, his eyes meeting yours for a second when he realises your staring, again. instantly it’s like you’re falling in love all over again, and jungkook loves every moment of it. the way your pupils dilate the moment you look at him, or the way your eyes instantly light up even at the mere sight of him.

“where should the tree go?” he hums, halting in his steps as he pulls the tree to stand upright, huffing when the weight finally lifts off his hands.

“right next to the fireplace,” you point over to the empty spot where a plant use to sit, before you had overwatered it and caused its death. “right… here!”

jungkook carefully adjusts the tree, realising it might have been much larger than the both of you had expected it to be, as he notices how close it is to the ceiling.

“baby, are you sure this is the right size?” he laughs as you peer up to the top of the tree, bewilderment written all over your face as you try to recall if it was meant to be this big.

“i think we got the wrong size!” you whine, realising that since the top of the tree was so close to the ceiling, the star that you had planned to place at the top would definitely not fit.

“it’s okay, you know what they say, the bigger the better,” he snorts, sending you a wink as you gasp at his sudden innuendo, before sending a smack to his chest as you sigh.

-

“oh, you two are finally here!” your sister squeals when she opens the door, your niece running to peek at you and jungkook between her mum's legs as she waves at you shyly.

“yeah, sorry we got caught in a jam,” your boyfriend explains, passing the huge bag of gifts that he insisted the two of you needed to get for your niece, the small girl hiding behind her mum now curiously peering into the bag.

“come in, come in, ___ everyone’s excited to see him,” she snickers as you roll your eyes.

every year your family hosts a huge christmas celebration with friends and relatives, and one thing that doesn’t fail to happen is the guests gushing over jungkook.

“oh, jungkook is here!” your mum immediately calls out when she spots him supporting you as you remove your heels, your boyfriend chuckling when the aunties squeal a little louder than usual, him becoming the center of attention as he greets everyone.

“all good?” he turns to you, whispering slightly so that only you can hear his words, and you turn to him and meet his gaze.

“yeah, seems like you have fans here too,” you joke, poking his rib, jungkook laughing before he’s being called to answer more questions about, ‘what have you been up to lately’ and ‘you look more handsome”

as the conversations flow, you’re having a pretty good time catching up with your relatives, and chatting with newly made friends, but there was a sight that poked at your nerves ever so slightly.

a girl, looking about your age, which you had been sure was your sister’s college friend, batting her eyelashes at your boyfriend as she attempts to flirt with him.

“you’re so muscular, i’m sure you’d be able to lift me up so easily,” she giggles, reaching her hand out to slap over jungkook’s, but not before he quickly slips his hand off the table and onto your thigh, thumb stroking the exposed skin as he laughs nervously.

“so, how long have you guys been together anyways, like a year? ten months?” she smiles a little too widely, gesturing to you sitting next to him.

“we’ve been together for six years,” he proudly says, now shifting his arm around your shoulder as he shifts his gaze to you, noticing the slightly stiff and awkward look on your face.

the girl on the other hand tried to conceal her surprised expression, which she doesn’t do very well considering both you and jungkook noticed the shift in her demeanor.

“i’m gonna refill my drink,” you awkwardly shuffle out of your seat, grabbing your cup that couldn’t have been less than half full, quickly walking towards the table where the pitcher of water was.

“baby,” you hear jungkook walking up behind you, wrapping an arm around your waist as he shifts your body to face him.

“save me from her, please,” you hear him plead, now looking up to meet his eyes.

you almost burst out laughing at the desperate look of pure torture on his face.

“she’s being so obvious, when i’m literally sitting next to you,” you roll your eyes, pouring the water into your cup before jungkook takes the pitcher from your grasp.

“jealous?” he smirks at you, now passing you the full cup of water, “i’ll make sure she knows i have the fattest crush on you,”

you let jungkook drag you back to the table, not missing how the girl squints at your interlocked hands that disappear under the table when the both of you sit back down.

suddenly, a piece of meat is being brought to your mouth, as you widen your eyes in surprise, but you happily accept it as you open your mouth, letting jungkook feed you.

“good?” he asks you, making his voice loud enough for the girl sitting opposite to hear, and you nod, pressing a kiss to his lips, and staying there a little longer than needed, but just long enough to send her a message.

she seems to receive the message well when she scoffs and pokes at the potato on her plate.

-

“finally,” you huff, clicking in your seatbelt as jungkook gets in the driver’s seat and shuts his door.

the engine hums softly as you drive home, the warmth of the car cocooning you both.

jungkook, still riding the high of the night, reaches over to intertwine his fingers with yours, his thumb gently tracing patterns on your hand.

stopping at a red light, jungkook turns to you with a playful grin. “can you believe that girl thought we'd been together for only a year?” he chuckles,

“six years of putting up with you, and she thought it was just a year,” you playfully quip, earning a light nudge from him.

-

the familiar scent of your apartment greets you as you step through the door, and jungkook wastes no time pulling you into a tight embrace, his warmth enveloping you.

“i missed this," he murmurs against your hair, and you smile, reciprocating the hug.

“me too, maybe next time we should make out in front of her,” you giggle, making jungkook tut at your words.

you decide to unwind on the couch, the soft glow of christmas lights creating a cozy atmosphere. jungkook wraps a blanket around both of you, his arm draped casually over your shoulder. with the tv remote in hand, he navigates through the movie options with playful commentary.

“let’s watch the grinch,” you point at the tv when it lands on the movie, and he nods, clicking on it.

as the movie begins, jungkook’s affectionate nature takes center stage. he presses gentle kisses to the top of your head, his fingers absentmindedly tracing patterns on your arm.

“baby, focus on the movie,” you giggle when his breath fans against your ear, tickling the skin and making you squirm.

“shh, let me love you,”

with the room bathed in the soft glow of holiday lights and whispered conversations between scenes, jungkook’s fingers find their way through yours, a silent reassurance that he's there, grounding you in the moment.

you rest your head against his chest, listening to the steady beat of his heart. his fingers gently play with your hair, and the room is filled with a sense of contentment. the outside world fading away as you lose yourselves in the movie and the warmth of each other's presence.

taglist!: @imlyfie @jksgirlhere @laylasbunbunny @borahaexoxo @jklvrs-world @jksoftii @yoongisgirl69

[actuallysaiyan]

I Love You Forever(Kento Nanami x Fem!Reader)

warnings: Spoilers, AU/canon divergent, Nanami and Reader have just gotten married, smut, unprotected sex, mentions of pregnancy, slight breeding kink, vaginal fingering, mentions of scars, mentions of insecurities word count: 1.4k pairings: Kento Nanami x Fem!Reader summary: after healing from the terrible things that happened in Shibuya, Kento made it his mission to marry you. After the "I dos", he whisks you away to that beautiful beach in Kuantan he desperately wanted to visit and he has a new mission...to make you a mommy.

The smell of the sea and the sunlight peeking through the curtains is what woke you up on that day. You stretch a little, rolling over. But your husband is nowhere to be found. Not in the bed, not in the room. You know you shouldn’t worry, but after everything the two of you have gone through, you find yourself wondering if he’s okay. You slip into the silky white robe your husband bought you as a wedding gift and make your way into the kitchenette/main room of the cottage you rented for your honeymoon. Your heart races when you see that your husband isn’t here either. 

You look out the sliding doors that lead to the beach, and you sigh a breath of relief when you spot your gorgeous husband lounging on a chair outside. He seems so at peace, which makes you so happy. He’s worked so hard for this. He’s sacrificed so much in his life to be able to have this comfortable honeymoon. The moment you said “I do”, you knew that your life would be so complete. You’ve loved Kento since the moment you laid eyes on him all those years ago. So when he finally proposed to you, you knew it was a no-brainer to say yes. The man was your rock, and he would do anything to keep you safe and happy.

Kento is resting in one of the chairs, and while you previously thought he was just resting, you realize he is probably sleeping. His body twitches slightly as you gently open the sliding door. The warm sand feels amazing on your bare feet. You knew he had always wanted to go on vacation to Kuantan, but for it to be your honeymoon was even more special.

You slowly approach his chair, noticing the small amount of drool coming from his lips as he snoozes. Then you notice the mimosa sitting on the side table, just sweating with condensation. You gently place your hand on his shoulder and nudge him. Kento slowly opens his eyes, a bit disoriented but then as he blinks a few times, he realizes where he is and what’s going on.

“Good morning, my sweet husband.” You greet him with a soft kiss on the lips.

“Good morning, darling.”

He sits up on the chair and then he pats his thigh for you to sit up on his lap. You take no time to settle on his lap, slightly straddling him so that you can press kisses all over his face and neck. You smirk as you realize you’ll be able to press kisses on his exposed chest too as he hasn’t really bothered to button up his shirt too much. He’s been covering up a lot more since the incident, but you are quite happy that he feels comfortable enough to show you his scars. You’re very happy to see just how much your husband is enjoying his time away from work and how he’s so relaxed and at peace. The incident at Shibuya had been quite the shock for the two of you, but you were ready to move on from it and to live a good life.

“This beach is doing you wonders,” you murmur against his skin before you nip at his earlobe. “Do I even see a tan on your skin?”

Your teasing is warming his heart. For the first time in so long, Kento feels completely at peace. He knows that it won’t be forever, but he has no intention of cutting this honeymoon short. He let everyone know at Jujutsu Tech that he’d be gone for some time. He even remembers the look on young Yuji’s face when he told him that you’d be gone on a honeymoon. Yuji had been the ringbearer at your wedding and he was so happy to see his Nanamin so in love.

“I think you’re imagining things. We’ve been here for three days, I don’t think a tan can develop that fast. Besides, I’ve been applying sunblock. The doctors said I shouldn’t allow my scars to get a lot of sun exposure.”

You notice how he looks down when he mentions his scars. You hate that he’s become so insecure about it all. Despite just barely escaping the attacks with his life, he was left with a permanent reminder that he’d never be attractive enough for you anymore. You know that look on his face, and despite the eyepatch that covers his damaged eye, you know that he’s got that solemn look in his eyes. 

You react fast, pressing kisses on his neck and shoulder. You kiss every single scar, murmuring soft words of love to him. He shudders with every touch and every kiss, tears filling his eyes. This is just too beautiful for him. He doesn’t know what he’s done to deserve your love, but he knows he’ll never regret falling in love with you. He’ll never want to divorce you. ‘Til death do you part, and then on. 

“Mmm…” he groans softly. “You’re doing something so magical to me, darling.”

You smirk as you feel his growing erection poking you now. He then pulls you in closer to him and your lips meet in a hungry and desperate kiss. He’s been kissing you a lot more like he’s going to lose you these days. And Kento fucks you like his life depends on making you cum.

“Let’s head back inside,”

You gasp as you feel him picking you up and carrying you back into the cottage. With the doors closed behind you, Kento carries you all the way into the private bedroom. He lays you on the bed, undoing the knot to your silky little robe. His cock throbs when he sees that you’re not wearing anything underneath. Your soft hands caress his cheeks as you pull him in for another passionate kiss.

“Have I ever told you how much I love you?” you whisper between heated kisses.

Kento smiles mischievously, “Yes, but tell me again…”

You moan as his lips press against the very sensitive spot on your neck. His tongue soothes over the spot before he bites down. He intends to mark you up so much; his own way to show the world that you are married to him.

“I love you so much, I don’t think I’d be able to live without you. My heart stopped the very moment I saw you for the first time. You’ve always been the most beautiful thing I’ve ever laid eyes on, and that won’t ever change.”

Kento’s hands are heavenly on your body. The more you speak your words of love, the more excited he gets. It’s not long before he has your legs spread and his long fingers are pumping into you. The words get a bit more difficult to speak, but you continue to name all the ways you adore him. You moan his name like a mantra as Kento works you to an earth shattering orgasm.

Even as you come down from that intense high, Kento barely gives you time to truly recover. He’s got his shorts pushed down past his ass so he can free his cock. It slips between your folds a few times before he pushes it into your dripping hole. He lets out such a deep moan as your gummy walls begin to clamp down on him.

“My sweet angel…” he murmurs as he presses a hungry kiss to your lips. “You feel so good wrapped around my cock.”

He takes it slow at first, but soon you’re begging him for more. You want it harder and faster, and he feels that desperation creeping up on him. He needs to fill you up with his hot cum. You had both mentioned trying for a baby while on this honeymoon, and he’s not going to waste anymore time.

You wrap your legs around him, pulling him even deeper. A fire is being stoked deep inside your belly as Kento plunges into you over and over again, the fat tip of his cock bullying your sweet spot. Your toes curl as the orgasm begins washing over you, sending electrifying courses of pleasure throughout your body. You cry out his name, and your walls pulse and clench around him. Just a few more thrusts and he’s being pushed off the edge completely. A loud growl rumbles through his broad chest as ropes of his hot, thick cum fills your waiting womb.

Slowly, you two begin to come down from your high. The air conditioning feels good on your sweat slicked skin. Kento kisses you ever so softly, a grunt coming from him as your walls clench around him one last time.

“You think that did it?” you ask with a mischievous look on your face. “Think that got me pregnant?”

He then pushes your legs up to your chest, ready for another round. “Who knows? Maybe we need to go again to make sure.”

[soobnny]

halfway through summer — kim seungmin. best friends to lovers. fluff. can happen in the universe of "eighteen" a few years back.

that one time kim seungmin almost confesses (1.0k words)

It is halfway through summer, and the last train is coming. 

Seungmin worries first about whether the pair of you can make it in time to the station, taking you by the hand and rushing through the crowd of people hoping to make the last trip. He worries about the consequences of knowing how your hand fits perfectly with his after, and the way you’d smiled at him that night, among other things. 

It’s easy to find an empty compartment when half of the world is asleep. The train is ghost-like, and when you sit down, it looks like there are words brewing in your throat that you want to say, but don’t know how to phrase.

Seungmin doesn’t push you.

Five minutes pass by.

“Thanks Minnie.” It’s two words that has him swallow his heart back down his throat, especially when you smile up at him, soft eyes staring down at the sneakers you’d gifted him a few birthdays ago. He wears them everyday.

The night had started early, and truthfully, Seungmin had been willing himself to sleep as early as 7pm so he didn't have to think about the prospect of another boy holding your hand, someone who could’ve made you laugh louder than he ever could. Then it blurred along the lines of receiving a phone call, and the heartbreaking way your voice quivered, and the immediate concern washing over Seungmin as he’d raced into the restaurant he’d dropped you off at earlier. 

“He– he stood me up. I was waiting there for hours, it made me feel so stupid, and he���”

“Shh, come here. Come here. It’s okay.” 

He pulls you to his body, gently bringing your face to his neck. The back of his shirt is wet. You don’t know it’s from the sweat he’d conjured when he’d rushed to you. 

“Is it me? I just—”

“I don’t want you to finish that sentence. It’s not you, okay? He’s just an ass.”

Seungmin holds you for a while, rubbing your back, and soothing you with quiet words. The way he cages you in his arms is gentle, but his eyes showed that he was angry. He would never say he was angry, but it was always painfully obvious when he was. His eyebrows would knit, and his eyes would speak words that are brewing in his throat. 

When you look up at him, the look vanishes into something that looks softer. Seungmin has always been mastered in only directing emotions that he means to you—happiness, pain, romance, but never anger. He knows you hate it, the loud voices and the harsh inhale and exhale.

Instead, he brings a hand to wipe the stray tears nipping at your eyes. He takes you around the city until the disheartened look on your face leaves. 

“You don’t have to thank me. You know I’d do anything for you.” It’s sincere, the way he looks at you, and the slight quiver on his lips, like he wants to say more. 

“You always take care of me.” 

“That’s because I—” 

Seungmin stops himself before he can say it, biting his lower lip. Timing is a fickle thing, and he knows this moment with you in this small, empty train compartment is not the right time to confess the feelings he’d buried so deep in fear of it spilling out. 

“Because?” You ask.

It’s silent, and Seungmin looks at your hands, the same ones he’d held mere minutes ago. The city lights outside are lulling. 

“Because if I didn’t, you probably wouldn’t have survived this long.” 

Your laughter rings out the moment he says it, and he barely feels the playful kick you had directed at him because he’s too busy relishing in your crinkled eyes and how they’re in sharp contrast to the teary, red-stained way it had looked earlier. 

You smile at each other. Yours in laughter, and his in admiration. He is only a person with a mind making room for more memories with you, for more moments like this with you.

The moon falls across the train compartment, and it’s in moments like these that have Seungmin reconsidering how forever would feel like, and how he wouldn’t mind having this moment last for a little bit longer than it should. Sitting here with you, a mere spectator of who you are as a person amongst the soft glow of the moon, makes Seungmin feel hopeless. 

But you remain unaware. You look outside, laughter having died down, but a smile staying. Maybe divinity had heard his secret plea, his quiet prayer, as the train’s intercom announces a slight delay. And he could’ve sworn he heard a whisper telling him to confess, but he hesitates. You’re still staring at the window, no sign of saying anything, and he feels himself redirecting the breath of words he’s been meaning to tell you to the floor. 

You tilt your head to look at the city lights better, and Seungmin is still looking at you subtly. The train starts to move again, and time continues to pass.

“Would you really do anything for me?” 

He barely hears you say it, but when it registers, he shifts in his seat as if coming to life. He wonders whether he should make a joke out of it, if he should continue hiding his feelings in the guise of teasing, but your eyes look sincere. Almost hopeful. 

“Anything.”

The way you smile after he says it makes happiness feel like nothing more than a human construct, because what is it if not the way you’re looking at him right now? 

The last train makes a stop at your station. Seungmin walks you back to your dorms, and he spends the rest of his way home thinking about tonight. The consequences of the things he’d worried about are washing over now, the feel of your hand, the sound of your laugh, and other things. 

It is halfway through summer, the train is long gone, and he whispers a silent prayer where no one can hear for the rest of the summer to feel like the forever he had felt in that train compartment. 

[mrsbarnesblog]

sandcastles

masterlist ko-fi ao3

CEO! Husband! Bucky Barnes x Wife! Reader

Summary: Bucky is always working overtime, but when his best girls really need him, he leaves everything behind just to make you happy.

Words count: 1.6k

Warnings: modern setting, CEO Bucky, they have a daughter, fluff, real love

Author’s note: this one was inspired by Sebastian’s appearance in Paris. he really gave me a heart attack with that look❤️‍🔥

Bucky Barnes was a busy man. Running a multi-million-dollar company wasn’t the easiest thing, but something that he cared more about than this job was his family. His beautiful wife and daughter.

You always loved and appreciated the attention, support, and endless love that your husband gave, even when you just started dating eight years ago. As soon as you met, it took some time for both of you to finally admit your feelings, but when you got together, it was perfect. You’ve never felt that way in your life before. When you were younger, everyone told you that you wouldn’t be able to find a person because of your high standards, but when you started dating James Buchanan Barnes, you knew that it was forever.

A beautiful, respectful, and caring man who would do anything for you.

For the past two months, he has been more distant. His company was getting bigger; he had too many meetings, and too many new things required his whole attention. You understood it; of course you did. But you would be lying if you said that you didn’t miss him. Your daughter felt it too. She was totally daddy’s girl, so being away from him for too long upset her, even though she was trying to be tough and careless, just like her dad when he was working.

You talked to her about her dad’s work, and she was a smart girl for a 3-year-old. She understood that he has a lot to do right now and that he still loves her more than anything in this world.

Today he returned home only after 2 am., you heard that he went to take a shower in a different room, probably not to wake you up. But you were too eager to spend as much time with him as possible, even if it was when he was falling asleep.

Bucky came into the room quietly. As soon as he got under the blanket, his warm and strong arms wrapped around you. He pulled you closer to him, burying his nose into your neck.

"I’m sorry, doll. Again." He took a deep breath, enjoying your scent, which he missed so much. "I love you."

"That’s okay, baby." You moved even closer to him, burying your fingers into his wet hair, and left a kiss on his temple. "I love you too. Now take some rest."

You hadn't even started to fall asleep when you heard a weird noise outside your bedroom, and then the door slightly opened.

"Daddy? Mommy?" A little voice came through the silence of the room. "Are you asleep?" Your daughter suddenly sobbed, and you and Bucky immediately sat on the bed, reaching for the nightstand lamps.

"Hey, angel, what happened? Come here." Bucky’s voice was very soft and gentle, as always when he talked to your daughter. She came closer to the bed, and Bucky picked her up, putting her on his lap. She was tightly holding her favorite white wolf, which you gifted Bucky as a joke because of his nickname at work. Your daughter's eyes were a little bit red, her hair messy, and her cheeks wet with tears. You moved closer to them, gently rubbing her face.

"What’s going on? You saw a bad dream?" You quietly asked, but she just shook her head.

"I— I—" She was obviously too upset to put her words together, so Bucky started to rub her back, whispering a quiet "sh-h".

"I— miss you, daddy." As soon as these words left her mouth, you and Bucky froze, and she started crying even harder. "I don’t s-see you, and me and mom—mommy are always alone."

Bucky looked you in the eyes, and you saw that his own were full of tears. The last thing he wanted to do was upset either of you. He felt that his heart was ripping apart. You made your daughter cry, you idiot. Your wife deserves better.

You just put your hand on his shoulder and squeezed, already knowing where his mind went. He always wanted to give his family everything, and the fact that he put work above his two favorite people in the world made him sick.

"Angel, hey, baby, look at me." Bucky turned back to your daughter, grabbing her little face with his hands and gently wiping away her tears. "I promise that the day after tomorrow we will go somewhere. Only mommy, you, and me, okay?"

"But—but you’re working."

"I know, angel. But I didn't want to make you feel lonely or to stay away for too long from your mom." He grabbed your hand and brought it to his mouth to leave a kiss. "We will go wherever you want to. Maybe stay there for the week. You would like that?" He smiled at your daughter, and she happily giggled, wrapping herself around Bucky’s neck. "I love you. Both of you. You two are my whole life, and I'll do anything to make you happy."

You softly smiled at him, leaning in to leave a quick kiss on his lips.

Your daughter put away her white wolf and opened her other arm, wanting you to join her and Bucky in a hug.

That night she stayed in your bed because she almost passed out in Bucky’s arms but still held onto you both too tightly. The three of you happily curled under the blanket, with your daughter in between. Bucky knew that it was time for him to finally make the right decision. To choose his family.

As Bucky promised, one day later your little family was on a vacation where no one could disturb you. He left Steve, Sam, and Natasha, his closest and oldest friends, in charge of everything, canceled all the meetings, and took you and your daughter on the private jet that brought you here. One of the most beautiful places you’ve ever been.

It was quiet. No strangers, no annoying noise, no worries. Just the three of you on the beach with a perfect little house and warm, crystal-clear water.

You were wearing a light flowy dress, and Bucky, finally free from those annoying suits, chose trousers with a white tank top and shirt on top of it.

You two were sitting under the sunset on a blanket with food and a bottle of wine, while your daughter was playing near the water with sand. It was such an amazing evening; just everything was perfect, and as you were watching your smiling husband, you felt that you had fallen in love once again.

"You keep staring at me, doll, You ‘kay?" He finally turned his face to you, and you couldn't hold your wide smile, which he immediately returned.

"I’m okay. It’s just… everything is perfect here—the beach, the house, you two here." You covered your eyes with your hand because of the setting sun. "You know, you’ve been here for a couple of hours, but you look much better. Your skin is glowing, you’re happy, and, god, that hair bun looks really hot." Bucky’s smile grew wilder because of your words.

He grabbed you in bridal style and set you across his lap, wrapping his hands around your waist. You slightly screamed, not being ready for such movements, but then happily melted into your husband's touch.

"So you think that I look hot?" A cheesy grin crossed his face, and you playfully rolled your eyes.

"Do you think I would’ve married you if I thought otherwise, James?" You arched an eyebrow at him. Your hands found the perfect place under Bucky’s blue shirt by themselves. God, it's been too long since you spent good time together alone.

"What do you think about the idea that when we get home, we send our daughter to visit her amazing grandparents, so we could be completely alone for a couple of days?" He said it as if he was reading your mind, so you just silently nodded. "Doll, you’re too beautiful for this damn world; I can’t even understand how I was able to be far away from you for that long. I missed you so much, baby." Bucky’s hands slipped lower on your hips, while his lips were leaving sweet kisses on the side of your neck.

"Not here, Buck; we’re not alone, remember?" You nodded back at your daughter, who was honestly more interested in building sandcastles.

"Of course. Just wanted to say that I’m so sorry for my absence. I got so involved in work that I didn’t even notice that you too were hurt. I’ve never wanted to do that. I’m sorry. And I love you. So fucking much." Bucky connected your foreheads and put his right hand on your cheek.

"Don’t be sorry. I know that you want better for us and that you want to do everything right. It’s okay to make mistakes sometimes. You know, you are such a great dad because your daughter’s tears made you leave everything and spend time with us. And I’m forever thankful for this." You smiled, holding his stubbled face in your hands. "I love you, James."

You two connected with a kiss. It wasn’t too rough or desperate. It was just pure love and adoration for one another. Bucky was slowly moving his lips, feeling the need for your taste, your smell, and your touch. Your little bubble didn’t last too long, though, not after your daughter finally wanted your attention.

"Mommy! Daddy!" You pulled away from the kiss, looking back at your daughter, who was now all in the sand. "Do you want to help me build a castle?"

You looked at Bucky, who had the same smile on his face.

"Of course, angel. What do you need from us?"

[meggletoomanyfandoms]

Valentines Day!

(Not my gif!)

Alastor x Fem!Reader

Summary- Valentines Day is coming up and Charlie has decided to incorporate the holiday and use it to create an exercise to bring the hotel staff and residents closer together!

Word count- 1,625

TW- None really. Alastor fluff, super sweet!

Not proofread, there may be some spelling/grammar mistakes!

Author's Note- This might just be the sweetest thing I've written in forever! I can't wait to write more for Alastor, as I had so much fun writing this one! I am also taking requests, feel free to send one in!

“Alright everyone! So for today’s lesson, I thought it would be fun if we did something for Valentine's Day!” Charlie excitedly said, clapping her hands together with a big smile on her face, “This could be great to strengthen our bonds and help us get to know each other better!” You looked around the room and could see the other’s weren’t too happy about this, especially Angel.

“Look, do we really gotta do this?” he asked, rolling his eyes, “Noone hardly even celebrates that holiday here.” 

“True that may be, I still think this would be a great lesson and exercise for us all!” Charlie grinned, “Okay, so what I was thinking is we draw names from this bowl and whoever you get is the one you have to make a valentine for and deliver them at the end of the day!” 

“And what are we supposed to be making?” Husk shook his head, “I gotta agree with Angel on this one, I think this is stupid…” You looked at Charlie who now had pleading eyes.

“Oh come now, this should definitely prove interesting,” Alastor said, his wide grin unfaltering. 

“Uhm.. I think this could actually be fun..” Charlie grinned and grabbed you into a big hug.

“Oh thank you, thank you!” she let you go and stuck the bowl with the names written on folded pieces of paper in it, “Here y/n, you can pick first!” 

You gulped but then stuck your hand in the bowl and grabbed one of the small sheets of paper, “Alrighty now, don’t tell us who it is! Simply make them a gift and give it to them!”

“What's the point of doing this if we’re not going to be sharing it with the rest of the group?” Angel asked as Charlie passed the bowl on, now holding it out in front of him. 

“I was thinking that we are always doing group activities so I thought that maybe this time we could do something sort of one on one! And if you’d all like, we can always share it with each other later!” 

You waited until Charlie finished passing the bowl around and everyone went to draw names., “Now everyone, see who you got!” she excitedly said as she unfolded the small piece of paper in her hands. With a racing heart, you followed suit and did the same. When you read the name on the small piece of paper your eyes instantly widened and your heart began racing.

Alastor. 

You immediately looked up to find a certain radio demon eyeing you and grinning, and after a few seconds he turned and made his way out the door. Around you you could hear a few sighs coming from the others but your thoughts drowned them out. What were you supposed to make for Alastor?You hadn’t really even spoken to the demon since you’d started staying here a few weeks ago; he really kept his distance from you and you from him. In all honesty, he kind of frightened you a bit as everything about him was so mysterious.

Sighing you made your way upstairs and into your room. You started rummaging through what few things you had in your drawer, hoping for any sort of idea to pop into your head but… Nothing. Not a damn thing. You rubbed your hands over your face and sighed once again until something at the bottom of your drawer caught your eye.

Red ribbon? You thought for a moment and grabbed it, an idea immediately popping into your mind. It won’t be anything big but it’s the best you’ve got…

--------- 

Putting the last few finishing touches on his Alastor’s gift, you felt kind of proud of yourself for making his gift. You managed to find a small box to put it in and now you just had to deliver it. Feeling suddenly nervous, you held the small box tightly in your hands as you made his way to his room. You stopped in front of his door and took a deep breath, then knockers slowly on his door.

“Come in, come in!” he said, static clinging to his voice. You did as he said and slowly opened his door to find him sitting at his table in his, er, swamp that connected to his bedroom? Yep, definitely mysterious…

“Oh my dear!” he said, standing up and making his way over to you, “yes I thought it was you got my name from the bowl!” You nodded.

“I did,” you said, “And I uhm, made you a gift but Alastor it’s not the greatest thing-” before you could finish speaking he simply shushed you.

“Now now, dear girl! I’m sure whatever you’ve made is marvelous indeed!” he held out his hands, “May I see it?” You handed the small box over to him and watched as he lifted the lid and tossed it to the floor. His smile didn't change a bit as he pulled the bright red bow out of the box and inspected it.

“I thought that maybe you'd like to put on your uhm, microphone thing? To uhh.. Liven it up a bit?” you felt your cheeks heating up instantly as you spoke aloud, what an awful gift! You could have made him literally anything else,  but this is what you came up with? 

“Thank you!” he said, sticking the ribbon onto his cane, just below the microphone, “this was a well thought out gift indeed!” You were surprised and were going to question him when he spoke again.

“For your gift my dear, we’ll have to take the long road if that is alright with you!” You shook your head.

“Uhm, Alastor I think you’re supposed to give a gift to the person whose name you drawn, not me-”

“Well whose name do you think I drew?” he said, reaching into his pocket and handing you a small white sheet of paper. Your eyes widened when you saw your own name written on the paper. He held out his arm to you, “Would you please accompany me?” You hesitated but finally took his arm and followed where he led you. 

His radio tower. You’d never been in there before- actually, you don’t think anyone except Alastor himself had been. “My gift is up here?” you asked him. He nodded his head and pointed to a seat, “Won’t you please sit, my dear?” Hesitantly, you did as he asked and sat in the chair. You watched as he took a seat at his desk and began speaking into his microphone. 

“Good evening, ladies and gentlemen,” he said, still grinning from ear to ear, “For tonight’s broadcast, I do have something special planned indeed..” You watched as he spoke and then, like it was absolutely nothing a.. Piano materialized in the room? Instead of him sitting at a desk he was now sitting in front of the instrument. 

“Yes yes, usually my broadcast’s are a bit more.. Different from the one I have planned for tonight, but ah, it is almost Valentine’s Day indeed so I thought to myself, tonight and tonight only, my dear listeners, I shall sing you a song,” he said, making sure to look directly at you with the last thing he said. It was then that he started playing the piano and you watched as his fingers effortlessly flew across the keys and then he began singing..

You instantly recognized the song, ‘La Vie En Rose’ and you were, well, most definitely caught off guard but also you were amazed. He had the sweetest singing voice and, since when did he know how to play the piano? The Alastor you knew was a ruthless soul whose only goal you thought was making deals and stealing other’s souls, but this? Maybe you really didn’t know Alastor, perhaps there was so much more to him then you had realized. 

He finished up the song and piano de-materialized and his desk reappeared, he continued on with his broadcast and you sat by him until he was finished. 

“And with that, dearest listeners, I shall bid you goodnight until next time..” he said, finishing his broadcast and then turning to look at you, still grinning from ear to ear. 

“I do hope you liked your gift, my dear,” he said to you, “Perhaps it wasn’t what you had in mind but I do hope you still enjoyed it.”

“Alastor, since when could you sing like that? And play piano?” you questioned, “Oh! Yes I did enjoy it, so much.. Nobody has ever done something like that for me.” 

“Ah my dear, there is so much that you don’t know about me,” he said, taking your hand and then kissing the top of it. You felt your cheeks begin to heat up as he did so, “Shall we go back to the others now?” You nodded your head.

“Uhm, y-yes Alastor,” you agreed, following him out of the radio tower and back down to the hotel to meet up with the others. 

BONUS:

In the hotel a radio sits upon Husks bar and is playing a certain radio demons podcast, with everyone gathered around it and listening intently. 

“Is that..?” Charlie questioned, turning one of the dials to turn up the volume. 

“Didn’t know the guy could sing, “Angel said, crossing his arms in front of his chest, “Who woulda guessed..” Husk rolled his eyes, taking a cloth and wiping out one of his glasses. 

“I seriously can’t believe it,” Vaggie said, turning to Charlie whose eyes were now tearing up, “Charlie?” 

“He has the most beautiful voice,” she said, now crying. Vaggie rolled her eyes but took her girlfriend into a hug, patting her back to calm her.

[siriuslychessi]

Day 02

@jilytoberfest

A: “If anyone does X I’m going to love them forever.” B: Does X.

Lily did not miss much from the muggle world when she was at Hogwarts, maybe the phone to talk to her parents, even if letters came regularly, but more than that with all the classes, inside of a magical castle, there were few things that she actually missed. 

That was for most of the time she spent in the magical community, however, once a month she had cravings that just one or two things could satiate. She loved the sugar quills, chocolate frogs, licorice wands, but when her period came there was just just a muggle sweet that actually hit the spot, and maybe a snack. She really wanted a bag of crisps and a Mars Bar. Nothing else. Yet by the time her owl reached her parents and they sent the stuff back it would already pass. Making her feel terrible to ask for something so silly, so she refrained. 

Then she remembered Mary, lovely gorgeous muggle born Mary, that had a drawer full of sweets and she would probably have what she wanted. She could ask for more sweets from her parents with the pretext to gift something to her friend, she wouldn’t feel that bad repaying the witch. So she made a b-line to her in the Great Hall at lunch, sitting next to her friend.

“Mare, dear.” she started sweetly, making Mary chuckle.

“You want something.” Mary said, taking a bite from her meal, “Shoot.” 

“Do you have any Mars Bars in that lovely hideout of yours? If you do, and you give me one, I will love you forever, I’ll give you my first born child.”

“You already love me forever.” the blonde chuckled again, “And I don’t think I can take your child for a chocolate bar.” she said sincerely, looking at her friend. “I ate the last one I had a couple of weeks ago.” She was sorry, because she could see how desperate Lily was, but there was nothing Mary could do to replace it at the moment. 

Lily groaned, her head resting on the table. She supposed she could get some chocolate pudding, but that wouldn’t be the same. 

With a heavy sigh she moved her head up, as one hand was carefully placing a Mars Bar next to her plate. She moved her eyes from the hand, to the arm, finally ending in James Potter’s smiling face. 

“Alright, Evans?” he asked, with a smirk.

“Why are you giving me this?” it was not accusatory, it was more in awe, like she could not believe someone would give them willy nilly. 

“I heard you offering your first child to MacDonald over here, thought you were desperate.” he teased, “I don’t want a child, I’m too young.” he joked once more. “You can have it.”

“I could kiss you.” She really could, maybe he did not need to know that part, but Lily was really happy with her snack.

James blushed a bit and shook his head, “Not without taking me out for a date first, I’m not easy like the others.” he joked, thinking that she was just grateful, but she really didn’t mean it. 

Lily grabbed the candy bar, and put it in her back, pondering something as she did so. She was not sure what she was about to do, it felt too forward, but maybe it was just forward enough. “Okay, how does the next Hogsmeade weekend sound?” she asked, looking at him, hoping that she would convey that she was not doing this for a candy bar, but that she really wanted to go out. 

“Hogsmeade?” he asked, perplexed. 

“Yes. You, me, a date.”

“You don’t have to do that, Remus gave me a bunch of muggle sweets I don’t mind sharing.” he started to excuse her, because he really did not want to impose. 

“Potter, I’m not doing this because of the candy bar.” she replied blushing a bit, feeling rejected, but hoping that the truthfulness of her words would make ear something other than a ‘no’. 

James took a moment to gather himself, Lily Evans was asking him out, not hexing him, no bickering, just a real date with the girl he had been hoping to date. 

“I’ll meet you at 11 at the bottom of the stairs.”

“Don’t be late.” she smiled at him, turning back to her lunch.

“I won’t.”

[theresthespark]

Okay Lestat is canonically a Scorpio and Louis a Libra which are both painfully accurate. I wanted to play Estelle and share my astrology headcanons

Claudia:

Leo rising – the hair, the general slayage, her association with yellow aka the sun

Aries sun – she’s so bold plus libra and Aries are sister signs so they share traits that present different which feels right for Louis and her’s kinship

Taurus moon – not prone enough to over emotionality to be a water sign but not overly practical in the way the other earth signs are. Very stubborn and does canonically enjoy beauty and luxury. Also if you know a Taurus I feel like it just makes sense

Madeleine:

Virgo Rising – She just gives demure when we first meet her and yet no bullshit either. Virgos just seems very put together almost unassuming which is funny since every Virgo I know is crazy lol

Aquarius sun – the decisions she’s made in her life feel the best suited for an Aquarian. Also her talking to Armand? That woman stopped giving a fuck about what everyone else is doing years ago

Cancer moon – Almost did Scorpio here but her loyalty and intensity didn’t feel suited there. Cancer still has some of Scorpio’s snap but its homey and soft too. I also can’t see Claudia gravitating towards someone similar to Lestat at all lol

(Bonus: suspected Aries Venus. The intensity of her!! Her directness when she cares! How she chases life and joy!)

Armand:

Pisces Rising – those big ole eyes are a big marker for this one. Also Pisces have big baby energy despite being the oldest sign which feels perfect for him

Gemini Sun – Please what else could he be? There’s the 27 different faces but more so, the love for technology and knowledge, the urge to always strategize. The near inability to ground into his emotions. The perpetual anxiety. Also Geminis are so funny without even trying but that’s just me

Capricorn Moon – Caps are ruled by Saturn which is in short a struggle bus placement. Fits well with the forever 27 thing (stuck in perpetual Saturn return) and his tendency to self flagellate. Also it being represent by the devil card in tarot. Iykyk

Daniel:

Capricorn rising – When you first meet him he comes off quite no bullshit in a way that only makes sense for Capricorn to me. Also fits for the workaholic tendencies (our risings tend to be a truest to self energy aka us at our best). Also feel that may be what draws Armand to him hehehe

Sagittarius sun – If you look up famous Sags all of them are silly goobers (and lowkey problematic 💀). Like him being a Sag makes SO much sense to me for San Francisco. Only a Sag would make that many dumb decisions just bc it was a vibe lmaoo

Aries moon – Thinking about Eric’s comment about Daniel not taking kindly to bullies. Also how similar him and Claudia feel to me I feel they’d share some major signage too

(Bonus: Gemini Mercury bc his got the gift of the gab, the quick wit)

Louis: (i couldn’t resist finishing their big three)

Libra rising – Ruled by Venus, Helen of Troy, Malena coded. What else could he be really?

Libra sun – Painfully canon

Scorpio moon – With how he talks about himself and his life versus how he moves through the world it makes perfect sense to me. So much emotion but also a lot of passion all bottled unless in the right company. Also he would loooove SZA (plus plus you’re more likely to become heavily attached to people who’s sun is your moon)

Lestat:

Aquarius rising – Leo’s sister sign (perfect for him and Claudia’s dynamic). She’s a rebel she does her own thing she does not give a flying fuck about the rest of yall. Only an Aquarius could be responsible for the events in Queen of the Damned

Scorpio sun – Again debilitatingly canon

Leo moon – Do I even need to explain it? Pull any TVL passage if you want an explanation lmaooo

I hope you enjoyed my analyzes I love astrology and would kill to get a proper birth chart for these characters. The house placements! The Aspects! The CHIRONS!! I need to chill

[legendofmorons]

Hi i was wonder if i could request a platonic headcannon or oneshot where the reader is a dragon that adopts the chain. Beacuase it could be very adorable!!! ^-^

-a shy annon

Honestly, that's amazing, and I'm very excited to write this!

Dragon's hoard (chain)

Pairing: Chain & reader

Rating: G

Summary: You are a dragon who adopts the chain. The catch is that you don't know this at first. Somehow, the chain realizes before you, but they think it's sweet. (Even if Legend refuses to admit it.)

Warnings: cursing, implied injury

Other: If I missed anything please let me know

-------

This is written in sections, the scenes are in order of who was collected first. There is a final realization scene

A few quick headcanoms for refrence too

You're a dragon shifter based off of fairytale dragons.

You are capable of half shifting to access fire breathing and wings. You get scales like freckles during these times

You slowly add to your hoard, it's not all at once. You "mark people" as part of your hoard by gifting them shiny things.

You don't realize you have a hoard of heroes until after.

1- Wind

You are on watch with Wind when you feel the urge to gift him the old tarnished spy glass you keep in your bag. You aren't sure now is the tume but you are sure he'd love it.

You've kept the spy glass polished, it's just wethered and about fourth years old. But it works great and you can already see Wind running around with it.

The idea of your gift keeping him safe makes your heart warm. He's such a good kid, you want him to be safe.

And he could use a cheer up after the ankle sprain a few days ago.

So what's the real harm? You have more than one spy glass.

And this way, Wind knows you, care!

How else do friends show affection? You've always exchanged shiny gifts with loved ones. (That probably isn't just a Dragon thing ^TM.)

"Hey, (Y/n)?" Wind calls. "You okay? You look lost."

"Hm? Oh! I was just thinking."

"That's dangerous buissness."

You laugh, shaking your head. "For you maybe."

"Hey now!" Wind protests lightly.

"What do you mean 'hey now'?"

He just gives you a look. Deadpan and unimpressed. He seems to be impersonating Time's 'done with it' stare.

How adorable! He might as well just declare being the youngest sibling of your group.

"How’s your ankle feeling?"

"It's fine, the potion did most the work."

"That's good. I actually have something for you!" You say, deciding then and there to give Wind the spyglass.

"Really?"

"Of course!" You say, "Stay here I have to grab it."

You stand up, walking to your bedroll and bag.

You crouch down and rifle through your bag, thankful as always for the bottomless and weightless charms you have on it. It weighs no more than the materials it's made of, and it fits anything insode of it.

You take a minute to find it- but your hand closes around the spyglass. You pull it out with a triumphant grin.

You close your bag and make your way back to Wind, sitting back on the log beside him.

"Here you go!" You say, holding out the spyglass. "It could probably use a polish, but it's in working condition!"

"Whoah- this looks old! Where's you get it?"

"I found it on a ship wreck at the beach when I went a few years back."

"It has an inscription!"

"Mh- oh yeah! It's stretched up, but it says, 'may you always find a lighthouse'."

Wind nods, "That's so cool!"

You watch the boy take the spyglass with revrence, unlike what you're used to him showing.

"I'm glad you like it!"

The smile he gives you is enough to cement your promise to yourself. You promise that you'll keep him as safe and happy as you can. Forever.

2- Hyrule

Hyrule isn't the best cook. He's not the worst, but if you were home, you wouldn't let him do much more than box recipies.

But the chili he's pulled together is pretty okay. It's not necessarily great, but you don't hate it either.

So after you've eaten lunch and done your turn of dishes, you find yourself sent to forage with Hurule.

Bag on your person. You and Hyrule set out to find some more edible plants.

Thankfully, this is close enough to his time that Hyrule knows the plants.

You let him show you the poisonous plants that you should never pick. You also let him show you the edible plants that taste amazing!

Amazingly enough, you find something that looks a lot like present-day strawberries! Unfortunately, you seem to need sharp nails or a knife to properly pick them.

You have both.

"Hang on, I have a knife for you." You say, reaching into your bag of holding.

"Oh- thanks! I'll clean it before I give it back."

"Don't worry about that, I've been meaning to give it to you anyways."

You manage to find the knife quickly. It's a pocket knife, folded into the handle securely.

You pull it out and pass it to Hyrule.

The knife isn't super huge, about a three inch blade with the handle a little longer. But it's well maintained and has a locking blade.

The handle is wood plated metal. The blade and body are both made of steel.

"This is- really shiny." He manages, taking the knife, "Thank you!"

"Anytime. I have knife sharpeners too if you need them."

"I don't think I do, but thank you."

You just smile.

You turn back to the task of picking the almost-strawberries. You choose to shift into your half dragon half human form, using your claw like nails to easily pick the berries.

Thankfully, this isn't the first time Hyrule has seen you shift between forms, so he just gives a surprised "Oh!'. He keeps his attention on the task, though.

You should probably slip the knife sharpener into his bag later. He's not always great at taking care of himself, and if you can help, you definitely will.

3- Sky

You don't have any grand reason for wanting to gift Sky the shining chain bracelet. You just saw it earlier and thought of him.

It's a delicate chain but it seems sturdy enough.

You've pulled Sky away from the group, standing by the fireplace of the inn you're all staying at.

He just watches you rifle through your bag. "Really, (Y/n), if you can't find it right now we can do this kater."

"Hush now, I just need a minuete."

"Okay."

You find the bracelet after a minute, fingers closing around the silver chains as you pull it out.

You hold it out to him, the silver shining in the firelight. "Ta-da!"

"That's- beautiful." Sky says, reaching out to touch the metal gently.

He takes the braclet then, trying to fasten it on his left wrist. As the only right-handed Link he figures it'll be safer on his shield arm.

"Let me help." You say.

You reach out and manage to fasten the clasp quickly. You drop your hands once you're done, flashing a smile.

"Thanks for the help. And thank you very much for the bracelet. It's beautiful." He says, and Sky is absolutely beaming.

It's good to know you were right. That he does like it.

"Of course. Now come on, I think Wild's done with dinner."

"Good, I'm starving."

You laugh, shaking your head as you lead Sky back to the group.

You sit down between Sky and Wind, gratefully taking the food Wild gives you.

"Nice braclet." Legend says as he nods to Sky, "What's it for?"

"Nothing?" He asks, glancing to you.

"I think the lady I got it from said it's a 'protection ' bracelet. Whatever that means." You explain, still not sure what it does.

"Cool." Legend says.

"That's really interesting." Four says, already getting a look in his eyes that probably means he wants to experiment.

"It is!" Sky beams happily.

4- Wild

You enjoy getting to spend time with Wild. He's fairly down to earth despite his love of shenanigans. And he's all too happy to teach your recipes.

He's helping you search the farmer's market when you see it.

A gleaming gold handled dagger. Wild would love that.

"How much for the dagger?" You ask, turning your attention from the blade to the woman running the shop.

"Two hundred rupees. "

"I'll take it." You say, fishing out the coinage to pay.

The lady takes your payment before wrapping the dagger in its sheath and handing it to you.

You thank her before setting the dagger in your bag for now. You still need to find Wild, you've gotten separated since you came over.

Wild is easy to find. He's haggling with a rather round older man about the price of flour.

You make your way to him easily. Weaving in and out of the crowd until you're standing at his side.

"Hey." You greet.

"Hey." He says. "I just finished here. Did you want to look at anything else?"

"Not really. I got you something though!"

"Oh. Thanks!" He says, flashing a smile.

"Come on, let's get out of the way. Then I can give you the thing."

"Okay."

Wild leads you away from the booth to a bench. He sits down and pats the spot beside him

You sit down as you pull out the cloth wrapped dagger.

"Here you go!" You smile, holding it towards him.

"Thanks, (Y/n)." Wild says, his voice softer than usual.

You watch Wild open it up. You watch him pull the glinting gold dagger from the sheath.

Wild inspects it, and then turns his eyes to you. "It's perfect, thanks (Y/n)."

"I'm just glad you like it!"

You decide then and there that you'll have to make sure he's more used to being loved. Because the way he looks shocked and pleased means he isn't used to it. And he deserves to be.

5- four

You really need the boys to stop being such magnets for monsters. Patching them up is not fun.

But you do prefer patching Four up to patching the others up. The blacksmith has always been good at following directions, and he won't hide injuries like some people. (Couch cough, Time, Warriors, and Twi, cough cough.)

It's nearly lunch when you're almost finished cleaning and bandaging Four. He sits patiently, though, handing you supplies from your bag.

"Can you grab another bandage?" You ask, barley glancing at his face as you frown at the gauze you hold in place.

"Sure."

Four isn't as used to your bottomless bag and instead pulls something else out - a silver hair stick with a mouse like creature on the top. "Oh! You know the picori?"

"Hm?" You manage, looking up to see what he's talking about. You smile when you see the hair stick. "No, the lady I got it from said it was a mythical creature. You can keep it if you like."

"Oh- but I don't need a hair stick."

"You don't have to keep it."

"Can- Can I? Even if I probably won't use it?"

"Of course you can, Four. I'd honestly forgotten it existed it'll be much better off with you."

"Thank you, (Y/n)." Four says.

He sets the hair sticks down before reaching back into your bag to grab a bandage like you had asked. When his hands close around it he smiles softly to himself.

You take the item when he hands it to you, starting to bandage the gauze in place.

"And.... Done!" You declare as soon as you're finished patching him up.

"Thanks, (Y/n), I really appreciate the help."

"Anytume, Four. If I can ever help you out, let me know. Okay?"

"Okay."

6- legend

Legend is a particularly stubborn ass sometimes, and while usually you at least admire that trait, today it's a pain the ass.

Since he decided he can go two days without sleep and lied to people about it. He didn't wake anybody up for watch the last two nights like he was supposed to either.

All of this is why you are put on babysitting duty while Legend is effectively in timeout.

Thankfully, Legend is happy to sit with his arms crossed on the stump you're standing near. He's got his back to the others right now.

You however have an idea.

You've got a ring that helps with sleep, according to the inscription at least. Maybe it will help Legend? He probably has an underlying reason for not sleeping.

You might as well offer it. He can always say no.

"Hey.... Ledgend?" You call, already reaching into your bag in search of the sleep aiding item.

Your hand closes around the ring quickly so you pull it out.

"What?" He asks, sulking as if he's paid to.

"I have something for you."

"Why?"

"It might help you sleep more? I know you're probably exhausted. You're still hylian."

"Yeah. So?" He asks, finally turning to face you.

"Just take this, you grump." You say, stopping in front of him and holding the rin out to him.

"What's it do?"

"It's supposed to help you sleep."

"Does it?"

"I've never actually tried it."

He tilts his head, eyes narrowing as he observes the jewlry. He's not exactly the most trusting, but he does seem to be considering this.

Good.

If you can help him take better care of himself, you're happy to do it.

Legend takes the ring, "Thanks."

"Anytime!"

"If this dosen’t work I'm selling it."

"That's fine." You say.

And really, it is. You had all hut forgotten you had the thing, it might as well go to someone who wants it.

Though you really do hope it helps Legend sleep. The stubborn man needs it.

7- Twilight

You're oddly used to Twi and his extended stints of disappearing. It's not as concerning as it used to be, at least.

Although you've got half a mind to stick him with one of your many shiny objects so everyone knows he has a dragon looking out for him. He could use it, the trouble magnets.

Actually- that's a hell of an idea. You think you'll do that! But it has to be something useful. You don't want to burden him with a useless knick knack.

What do you have that he could use? Maybe a ring that grants unnatural luck? Or an old compass that leads you home? Oh! Or maybe Twilight wants a letter opener?

Those all sound useful on occasion but not like something Twi would actually use.

Oh! You know exactly what you should give him.

You're already searching your bag for it when it comes to mind. You'll gift Twilight a gold-plated mirror that allows him to talk to whoever has the other. That way, if he needs help, he can ask!

Yes.

This way, everyone knows not to mess with him, AND he can ask for help if he needs it. This is perfect!

Now you just have to find him.

Easier said than done sometimes.

However, you think Twilight said he was going to be back before night, and it's nearly dysk now. So he should be back real soon.

So you pull one of the two mirrors in the set out and begin polishing it. It's got to he very shiny. How else will he know you care?

Enough time passes that the mirror is practically shimmering. You've definitely shined it enough.

"What are you doing?" Four asks, asks you curiously.

"Cleaning this mirror up before I give it to Twim"

Four laughs, "Adding to your hoard again?"

"No?" You say, confused enough that it comes out as a question.

You aren't adding to your hoard. You're removing things from it.

"Okay." Four says, amusement evident in his expression.

You raise a brow, but allow it all to pass. There's nothing worth dwelling on.

You hear more footsteps entering the area. You aren't sure who it is, though, so you turn to see.

Twilight is back, a bag of supplies in hand.

"Twi!" You cheer happily.

"Hey, (Y/n)."

"Come here! I have something for you."

Twilight shares a look with four, biting his lip and trying not to laugh. It's not mean he just thinks it's sweet that you like all of them enough to add them to your hoard.

He's also pretty sure you don't know.

"What are you thinking about?" You ask, tilting your head to watch him.

"Nothing much. What did you want to show me?"

"This!" You say, holding the mirror out to him, "It's for you!"

"It is? Why, thank you!"

Twilight takes the mirror gently. He squints as he examines it.

"It's enchanted so you can talk to whoever has the other mirror in the set!"

"Oh- that's amazing! I didn't know you could do such a thing."

"You can. I know a sorceress back home. She loves things like this."

"Well, I love this. Thank you, (Y/n)."

"Now you'll use it if you need help. Got it?" You ask, watching him intently.

He laughs and nods. "Of course I will."

"I mean it."

He nods. He does believe you. He's just not used to having someone go out of their way to make sure he has a way to ask for help.

Because of how much he does back home, most people assume he doesn't ever need help unless he asks. Though they are usually right about that.

"I know. I- really appreciate this."

"Now we should go eat. I know you're hungry."

"Yeah, I am. Let's go eat."

8- warriors

You should know how you ended up here. Really, you should. But it doesn't matter because you're in the middle of a festival dancing with friends.

You and Twilight are doing a mangled box step side by side, laughing the whole time.

"Have you figured out what you want to do for Warriors?" Twilight asks.

You blink, surprised he knows that you want to do something nice for the captain. But then again, you weren't hiding it.

"Yeah I do actually!"

"What is it?"

"I thought he'd like a set of earrings."

"He woukd."

"They protect from people talking badly about you."

"He'd love that for sure." Twilight says with a playful shake of his head and a stumble in his box step.

"Oh be nice."

"I am!"

"Liar." You laugh. "Stay here I'm going to grab a drink."

"If you see Wind tell him to come see me."

"I will!"

You go off to get a drink, passing sacral friendly locals, two goats, and like ten kids.

You don't see the others until you take your drink to go sit on a bench.

Warriors comes over and sits next to you. He flashes you a smile.

"Hey, (Y/n)."

"Hey, wars."

"Twi said you had something for me? Should I be worried?" He asks, cracking a playful smile so you know he's not being serious.

You roll your eyes and shake your head. "No, I just had some earrings I thought you'd like."

"Oh, really?"

"Yeah. I can show you of you like?"

"I'd love that!"

9- time

You can't be bothered to make some polite attempt at giving Time the compass you have. You just slide it into his bag when he's off doing something.

You aren't scared of him, but you've been nervous about it so this is your solution.

Although you really didn't expect to have him pull you aside while holding said compass in hand.

"What's up, Time?"

"Did you put this in my bag?" He asks.

He dosen’t sound upset at all. He just sounds curious.

The compass glints as sunlight hits it.

"Yeah. Why?"

"Just curious. What's it do?" He asks, biting back a smile.

Why does he look like he knows something you don't?

Probably the adventures.

"It points you home." You explain, "It always points towards wherever you consider home."

"Thank you. This is- very thoughtful. "

"I try."

"I appreciate it."

He smiles at you, putting the compass into his pouch of items. He seems so thrilled.

"I hope I wasn't out of line when I slipped it into your bag."

"It's fine. I don't mind."

"Good."

Bonus

You are in your full dragon form, curled around all of the boys when you realize something.

There's nothing profound to start the realization. The stars are out, and there are fire flies all around. But that's normal here. The boys are bickering, but that's all in play.

What makes you realize something is actually Warriors.

The boys are talking about things that surprised them on this adventure. If you weren't so content you might have joined their conversation.

But you are happy, warm as the fore crackles in front of your pile of heroes.

"I mean, I didn't expect to meet you guys." Sky admits, "I'm used to being- the only hylian."

"That does fall in line with your stories." Warriors says, "But I was more surprised to become part of a dragon's hoard."

The others all chime in their agreement, and thoughts on that. You don't register them though- too caught up on Warrior's words.

Is Warriors part of a dragon hoard? Which dragon is he part of a hoardwith?

Why does that thought make you so upset?

Why-

Oh- he's part of your hoard.

They all are.

Huh.

That makes some of the comments about hoards make more sense.

You should have recognized the signs. Or at least the official actions.

This definitely explains your protectiveness over them.

How did they figure it out before you did?

You'll have to ask later.

But you decide you like this. They're part of your hoard, and their family. They don't seem to have an issue with it either.

You should talk about this later. For sure.

But for now, you are happy just to exist in the moment with your friends.

[inmyicyworld]

Sandcastles

CEO Husband Bucky Barnes x Reader

Summary: Bucky is always working overtime, but when his best girls really need him, he leaves everything behind just to make you happy.

Words count: 1.6k

Warnings: fluff, dad and husband Bucky, like one curse word.

Author’s note: just a cute little drabble. obviously, Sebastian’s pictures from Paris inspired me, so enjoy <3

masterlist my ao3 ko-fi

Bucky Barnes was a busy man. Running a multi-million-dollar company wasn’t the easiest thing, but something that he cared more about than this job was his family. His beautiful wife and daughter.

You always loved and appreciated the attention, support, and endless love that your husband gave, even when you just started dating eight years ago. As soon as you met, it took some time for both of you to finally admit your feelings, but when you got together, it was perfect. You’ve never felt that way in your life before. When you were younger, everyone told you that you wouldn’t be able to find a person because of your high standards, but when you started dating James Buchanan Barnes, you knew that it was forever.

A beautiful, respectful, and caring man who would do anything for you.

For the past two months, he has been more distant. His company was getting bigger; he had too many meetings, and too many new things required his whole attention. You understood it; of course you did. But you would be lying if you said that you didn’t miss him. Your daughter felt it too. She was totally daddy’s girl, so being away from him for too long upset her, even though she was trying to be tough and careless, just like her dad when he was working.

You talked to her about her dad’s work, and she was a smart girl for a 3-year-old. She understood that he has a lot to do right now and that he still loves her more than anything in this world.

Today he returned home only after 2 am., you heard that he went to take a shower in a different room, probably not to wake you up. But you were too eager to spend as much time with him as possible, even if it was when he was falling asleep.

Bucky came into the room quietly. As soon as he got under the blanket, his warm and strong arms wrapped around you. He pulled you closer to him, burying his nose into your neck.

"I’m sorry, doll. Again." He took a deep breath, enjoying your scent, which he missed so much. "I love you."

"That’s okay, baby." You moved even closer to him, burying your fingers into his wet hair, and left a kiss on his temple. "I love you too. Now take some rest."

You hadn't even started to fall asleep when you heard a weird noise outside your bedroom, and then the door slightly opened.

"Daddy? Mommy?" A little voice came through the silence of the room. "Are you asleep?" Your daughter suddenly sobbed, and you and Bucky immediately sat on the bed, reaching for the nightstand lamps.

"Hey, angel, what happened? Come here." Bucky’s voice was very soft and gentle, as always when he talked to your daughter. She came closer to the bed, and Bucky picked her up, putting her on his lap. She was tightly holding her favorite white wolf, which you gifted Bucky as a joke because of his nickname at work. Your daughter's eyes were a little bit red, her hair messy, and her cheeks wet with tears. You moved closer to them, gently rubbing her face.

"What’s going on? You saw a bad dream?" You quietly asked, but she just shook her head.

"I— I—" She was obviously too upset to put her words together, so Bucky started to rub her back, whispering a quiet "sh-h".

"I— miss you, daddy." As soon as these words left her mouth, you and Bucky froze, and she started crying even harder. "I don’t s-see you, and me and mom—mommy are always alone."

Bucky looked you in the eyes, and you saw that his own were full of tears. The last thing he wanted to do was upset either of you. He felt that his heart was ripping apart. You made your daughter cry, you idiot. Your wife deserves better.

You just put your hand on his shoulder and squeezed, already knowing where his mind went. He always wanted to give his family everything, and the fact that he put work above his two favorite people in the world made him sick.

"Angel, hey, baby, look at me." Bucky turned back to your daughter, grabbing her little face with his hands and gently wiping away her tears. "I promise that the day after tomorrow we will go somewhere. Only mommy, you, and me, okay?"

"But—but you’re working."

"I know, angel. But I didn't want to make you feel lonely or to stay away for too long from your mom." He grabbed your hand and brought it to his mouth to leave a kiss. "We will go wherever you want to. Maybe stay there for the week. You would like that?" He smiled at your daughter, and she happily giggled, wrapping herself around Bucky’s neck. "I love you. Both of you. You two are my whole life, and I'll do anything to make you happy."

You softly smiled at him, leaning in to leave a quick kiss on his lips.

Your daughter put away her white wolf and opened her other arm, wanting you to join her and Bucky in a hug.

That night she stayed in your bed because she almost passed out in Bucky’s arms but still held onto you both too tightly. The three of you happily curled under the blanket, with your daughter in between. Bucky knew that it was time for him to finally make the right decision. To choose his family.

As Bucky promised, one day later your little family was on a vacation where no one could disturb you. He left Steve, Sam, and Natasha, his closest and oldest friends, in charge of everything, canceled all the meetings, and took you and your daughter on the private jet that brought you here. One of the most beautiful places you’ve ever been

It was quiet. No strangers, no annoying noise, no worries. Just the three of you on the beach with a perfect little house and warm, crystal-clear water

You were wearing a light flowy dress, and Bucky, finally free from those annoying suits, chose trousers with a white tank top and shirt on top of it. 

You two were sitting under the sunset on a blanket with food and a bottle of wine, while your daughter was playing near the water with sand. It was such an amazing evening; just everything was perfect, and as you were watching your smiling husband, you felt that you had fallen in love once again.

"You keep staring at me, doll, You ‘kay?" He finally turned his face to you, and you couldn't hold your wide smile, which he immediately returned.

"I’m okay. It’s just… everything is perfect here—the beach, the house, you two here." You covered your eyes with your hand because of the setting sun. "You know, you’ve been here for a couple of hours, but you look much better. Your skin is glowing, you’re happy, and, god, that hair bun looks really hot." Bucky’s smile grew wilder because of your words.

He grabbed you in bridal style and set you across his lap, wrapping his hands around your waist. You slightly screamed, not being ready for such movements, but then happily melted into your husband's touch.

"So you think that I look hot?" A cheesy grin crossed his face, and you playfully rolled your eyes.

"Do you think I would’ve married you if I thought otherwise, James?" You arched an eyebrow at him. Your hands found the perfect place under Bucky’s blue shirt by themselves. God, it's been too long since you spent good time together alone.

"What do you think about the idea that when we get home, we send our daughter to visit her amazing grandparents, so we could be completely alone for a couple of days?" He said it as if he was reading your mind, so you just silently nodded. "Doll, you’re too beautiful for this damn world; I can’t even understand how I was able to be far away from you for that long. I missed you so much, baby." Bucky’s hands slipped lower on your hips, while his lips were leaving sweet kisses on the side of your neck.

"Not here, Buck; we’re not alone, remember?" You nodded back at your daughter, who was honestly more interested in building sandcastles.

"Of course. Just wanted to say that I’m so sorry for my absence. I got so involved in work that I didn’t even notice that you too were hurt. I’ve never wanted to do that. I’m sorry. And I love you. So fucking much." Bucky connected your foreheads and put his right hand on your cheek.

"Don’t be sorry. I know that you want better for us and that you want to do everything right. It’s okay to make mistakes sometimes. You know, you are such a great dad because your daughter’s tears made you leave everything and spend time with us. And I’m forever thankful for this." You smiled, holding his stubbled face in your hands. "I love you, James."

You two connected with a kiss. It wasn’t too rough or desperate. It was just pure love and adoration for one another. Bucky was slowly moving his lips, feeling the need for your taste, your smell, and your touch. Your little bubble didn’t last too long, though, not after your daughter finally wanted your attention.

"Mommy! Daddy!" You pulled away from the kiss, looking back at your daughter, who was now all in the sand. "Do you want to help me build a castle?"

You looked at Bucky, who had the same smile on his face.

"Of course, angel. What do you need from us?"

[unactive-shroom]

hello! i hope you're doing well. for your Valentine's event, may I request nikolai lantsov with prompt #4? have a great day!

Prompt #4: Proposal ♡

“It seems like someone has a very important question to ask… and what better time to do it but on Valentine’s night?”

Character: Nikolai Lantsov. See Valentine's Event: HERE

You stood at the edge of the lake, watching the purple glow of dusk slowly swallowing the last of the early February sunshine. It had been thirteen months since Alina Starkov had left the Little Palace, and despite her offering for you to join her and Mal, you had remained by Nikolai’s side in Os Alta. Recently you’ve found yourself taking the long winding path through the trees to the Little Palace, reminiscing about the days you would spend together at the lake, chatting and feasting on blini or pelmeni stolen from the kitchen. A hand snuck around your waist. “I thought I’d find you here.” You smiled and sunk into Nikolai’s warm embrace, not realising the cold that had crept up on you. “I get that the Grand Palace is ugly on the outside and all that, but really, y/n, you’ll catch a chill if you keep coming down here without warm clothes” he said as he fussed over you, pulling a heavy velvet cloak around you. Once satisfied that you were warm, he turned his attention to the lake. The silence stretched between you two until Nikolai softly said ”You know we can visit them, right? Keramzin isn’t too far away. We could stay a few nights, bring some gifts, maybe. Or maybe they could come visit us, either.” You chuckled at that part. “I think Alina’s had enough of the palaces by now. Besides, isn’t it too risky for them to come here? They are supposedly dead, you know. And I think that people might start to get suspicious if the King of Ravka and his entourage start to regularly visit an orphange.” he hummed in agreement, tilting his head. “It’s okay, Nikolai. We did just see them, what, two months ago? I’m just being nostalgic, that’s all. Let’s head back to the Palace, It’s cold.” He took your arm in his, a look of feigned pain on his face. “Funny how you always seem to want to go back whenever I join you. Unrequited love is a terrible, terrible thing. Am’st I doomed to be alone forever-?” You let go of his arm and strode ahead of him, in no mood to put up with his antics. “Y/n, wait! I’m sorry, I’m sorry, let’s go warm up, please?”

A few hours later, whilst Nikolai was in some meeting, you found yourself in the concert hall. Empty, as always, but with a beautiful, sleek, black grand piano in the centre of the stage. Your footsteps echo, magnifying your pathway to the stage, announcing your presence as you pull out the piano stool, and as you played, you thought about how you had gotten here. Going from a high ranking army officer, experienced in intense and gruesome warfare, fighting alongside friends and seeing horrors unlike any other, to sitting here now, in a sleek and comfortable kefta, playing piano, and living in a palace. Of course, you were still a very active member of the army, and while politics held a greater position in your life than it had previously, you still had many army duties, one including tuition at the little palace. But recently, no doubt accredited to Nikolai, you had a lot of free time. “Mandatory resting periods for those involved in the war”, as he called it. And, not to mention, the whole country’s eye on you and Nikolai after a stablehand had leaked information about yours and Nikolai’s relationship. At this point, you were simply waiting for the day where acquiring a Ravkan Queen, a wife for Nikolai, was simply unavoidable, and the relationship was cut off. It made you sick to the depths of your very being, but you were determined to enjoy it while it lasted. It’s something that had always hung over the two of you, and at the beginning of your courtship you had discussed it in great detail, and you were adamant on the fact that when the time came for Nikolai to choose a wife, they would simply forget their relationship and move on with their lives. But it was getting increasingly difficult for both of you. You’d noticed that Nikolai had been closer to you recently, constantly there whenever you both had free time, or, pestering you at work, egging you on to leave work to go read with him in the library or take a walk around the palace grounds. And you had felt closer to him too, saving snippets of poetry for him in books you read, playing melodies for him on piano. These small, intimate moments meant everything to you, especially knowing that Nikolai had very little time left to spend with you before he was married off to some stranger.

Leaving the concert hall and heading back to your chambers, you heard voices in the hallway ahead of you - Nikolai and Zoya. “I just- I don’t know how to tell her, Zoya. How can I ask her-?” he sighed audibly, running a hand through his hair. He turned, and locked eyes on you. “Oh- Y/n!” The marble floor seemed to grow colder through your shoes as Zoya looked at him meaningfully. “I think you and Nikolai ought to take a quick walk around the Palace, Y/n. I’ll see you in the morning, your Majesty. Good night.”. As Zoya’s footsteps echoed down the hallway, you felt your heart fall to your stomach. This was it. Nikolai was going to tell you he had found a suitable bride and that it was no longer possible for this relationship to continue. You swallowed, and smiled at Nikolai, not wanting to draw this out any longer. “Shall we?”

You and Nikolai walked side by side through the moonlit gardens in utter silence, until finally, stopping at the glaringly white marble statue of some old king, you stopped. “Nikolai, I know what’s happening.” You whispered, turning your head away from him. “You do? Y/n, I-” You shook your head. “Don’t. I undertsand, Nikolai. You need to do what’s best for your country, I’ve always loved that about you. Just…before we part ways, I need to ask you for one last thing - and then I’ll be gone by morning, your majesty.” You turned to face him, a single tear betraying your determination to not cry, only to find Nikolai on one knee, a look of utter bewilderness on his face. You mirrored the look, not knowing what he was doing. “…why are you on the ground? Nikolai, you’ll ruin your clothes, and it’s far too cold to be-” You sniffled. “Y/n. Please let me talk. I don’t have a clue what you’re talking about, but you can’t leave now - and what’s this about us parting ways? I think you really misunderstood what I’m asking you.” Nikolai cleared his throat, suddenly looking nervous. “I… I know that our relationship hasn’t been under the best circumstances - first as Sturmhond, when I quite litterally held you captive on a boat for the state enemy and yet you fell for me, Saints knows how, and then when I proposed marriage to Alina… and now, having to keep our relationship secret…” He took a deep breath. “I know it’s been impossibly unfair on you. But please, y/n. Allow me this selfish idea - at least consider it - because I mean it when I say that you are my everything. You thrive in politics, the people love you, you have given incredible service to Ravka, you’ve fought wars - been through hell and back for this country, your beauty is unmatched even by the primal, eldest saints of the land - the sun and moon themselves are outshone by your radiance. When I imagine the ideal Queen for this country, the only person I can see fitting the role is you. Y/n L/n, would you allow me the honour of being your husband? Will you marry me?” In a complete and utter state of shock, you took a step back, incrediously shaking your head. “Me? But- but Grisha can’t- I have no title, no links to nobility - I’m an orphan from Keramzin! What will you get from marrying me?” Nikolai remained on one knee, looking directly at you. “What would I get from marrying the love of my life? Saints, y/n, I would get happiness. I would be able to go to sleep in the arms of the person I love, be able to count on her unwavering support that she’s shown me since day one, be able to wake up every morning and know that whatever happens today, I have the most incredible person by my side. I would be able to feel safety in my role as King, with an incredibly capable Queen by my side, beloved of the people and the crown itself, and know that I will not have to spend my life yearning for the woman I sent away so that I could marry for political values, as she would be in her rightful place by my side. I would do anything for you, y/n. But I just can’t bear the thought of you leaving me.”

At this point, your vision was blurry with tears, but you felt Nikolai take your hand. “Well, my love? What do you say?” You felt the tension in his gentle hold of your hand. “If you’re sure about this… then yes. I do. I will gladly marry you, Nikolai.” He beamed at you, standing up and wrapping you in his familiar, warm embrace. As he wiped the tears from your eyes, you giggled. “So does this mean that I get to call you Nikolai even when referring to you?” “You could always do that, my love.” “Yeah, but, if I did, I’d get funny looks. Oooh, can I give you nicknames now, too? How about Niko? LaiLai? Kolai? E-Kolai?” You gasped suddenly, startling Nikolai. “Oh, I have to tell Alina and Mal!” He smiled, then hummed thoughtfully. “Yeah, We’ll have to make a public address too. Then decide on the length of the engagement, do a tour, loads of boring court stuff - but it shouldn’t be too bad with you by my side. Now come along, it really is quite cold. How about we have a glass of brandy’s to celebrate? The one the Kerch ambassador sent awhile ago has been calling my name, but I simply hadn’t a good enough reason to break it out…”

A.n: Y’all the amount of Nikolai Requests I have in my inbox is INSANE. ALSO WHEN I WAS WRITING THIS I MIXED UP MAL AND MATHIAS?? so glad that I realised cause wtf. also I had to break up the last paragraph bc apparently tumblr has a limit of words u can have in one text block?? anyways. thanks for requesting, I hope you enjoyed &lt;3

[therabbitthatpostthings]

Gonna be a lil OOC, bear with me please. We’re getting to the end I promise. I’m more inclined to do a full 10 chapters just so it looks even lol. Who knows?

(Masterpost)

“Are you okay (L/N)?” Makomo asked.

You registered her question a few seconds later. Your face felt hot when you noticed you hadn’t put your fox mask back on. Even though you had come down to the village many times, it still felt strange. Makomo became the only person you could confide in.

“I’m fine.” You replied.

Of course she didn't believe you. “Well I’m almost finished with your hair tie for your boyfriend.”

“He’s not my boyfriend!”

“Right,” she laughed “I mean your, ‘travel companion’.”

You huffed in annoyance. She wasn’t wrong. Everytime you came to the village all you could think about was Giyuu. He’d been so adamant about you never leaving and it only took one night to change that. He would never come down with you, not like he needed to. It felt like the distance was going between you again.

Makomo’s took you hand in hers. “You don’t have to tell me if you don’t want to.”

“It’s okay. I’m worried is all.”

“About him?”

“About us. About the day we’ll stop livin- traveling with each other.”

“Do you want to stay with him? Forever?”

A couple months ago you would have jumped at the first opportunity to leave this cursed mountain and never look back. The idea hadn’t crossed your mind anymore. Is it selfish to want the days to go on like this forever? To be with Giyuu forever? Is that what he wanted too? Of course you wanted to stay but could you?

“Would it be alright if I left everything behind for something so selfish?”

“I think you two should do what makes you both happy.”

“And if he doesn’t want that?”

Makomo smiled, “Then let’s stay here forever! Just like this.”

You pulled her in for a hug. “You’re a great friend Makomo.”

After finishing her shopping you helped carry her belongings home. Urokodaki sat outside, making another familiar fox mask. Makomo had mentioned he started to make them more frequently after running into you.

“Thank you again (Y/N), would you like some tea?” He said as you came out of the house and back to the porch. Sat next to him was a little tray of tea and snacks.

“Thank you sir.” You sat beside him and drank the warm tea. You felt the warmth flow through your chest. I wonder if I should borrow some for Giyuu?

“I see you're still wearing that old mask. I still want to meet the young man that carved it.” Urokodaki stated.

“Oh! M-Maybe one day. He’s so shy.” You nervously chuckled.

“It must mean a great deal to you, to wear it so much.”

“Yes, it's such a special gift.”

He hummed in agreement. “And how’s the mountain treating you?”

You almost choked on your tea. Quickly you brought your handkerchief up to your mouth. “P-Pardon?”

“That’s where you two are camping right?”

“R-Right! Yes! It’s fine! Thank you!”

Why do I feel like I’m being interrogated?!

“No monsters have come out to bother you? Oh I forgot, you don’t believe there’s a scary monster up there.” He chuckled.

“Nope! No scary monsters at all!” You laughed nervously.

“Right, just the lonely one.” He laughed again. “You have your friend to protect you so it’s all right. If you two ever want to stay over, my door is always open.”

That deep pit in your stomach returned. “C-Could I really do that? Stay?”

Urokodaki stopped carving. He didn’t speak, giving you time to continue. “Ever since I’ve been, traveling, I’ve been able to send things back home. Things my family needs. I’m scared that if I stop then I’ll just be leaving them with nothing. I’m their only child, how could I do something like that?”

Your hands gripped the teacup. Staring back at you was the reflection of the mask. The mask Giyuu gave you. After that night you found his collection of masks. Some broken, some shoddily made. All piled in an empty room. Except yours. Yours was just as pristine as Giyuu’s. He made that special for you and now. It’s like he couldn’t stand to be around you. You had just gotten closer and he’s treating you like all those months ago. Does he want you gone? Is it all over now?

“(Y/N).” Urokodaki’s voice pulled you back. He shifted towards you and offered a snack from the tray. “You know, I’ve raised many children over the years and all of them are long gone now. Even Makomo will get tired of this life and go on her own. Parents have to make peace with that. You do too.”

“I love my family. I love it here too. I don’t want to leave him behind.”

Urokodaki sighed, “Well if he’s as shy as you say, he probably doesn’t want you gone either. Hard to reason with a silent man.”

That made you laugh. It filled you with a little hope. You knew well enough by now. He needed time is all. If he really wanted you gone he would say so. He wouldn’t help you or your family if he didn’t want to.

Urokodaki cleared his throat, “If your friend ever wants a job, I’m getting older and I need help cutting the trees down.”

The thought flashed in your mind like a bolt of lightning. “A woodcutter?”

It was all so clear. Why hadn’t you thought of it before?!

“Well yes-”

“My dad’s a woodcutter! Well- he’s a lot of things but woodcutter is one of them! And my mom! She’s a great seamstress! Resourceful too!” You were jumping out of your seat. You hurriedly fixed your mask and pack the rest of your snacks away. “Thank you Urokodaki-san!”

“(Y/N)! The hair tie you wanted!” Makomo called after you. You quickly took both out her hands and rushed back back to the mountain path.

“Thank you Makomo!”

“Grandpa, did something happen?” Makomo asked.

“Not that all know.” He said hiding a smile under his mask.

✩₊˚.⋆☾⋆⁺₊✧ ♡ ✩₊˚.⋆☾⋆⁺₊✧ ♡ ✩₊˚.⋆☾⋆⁺₊✧

“Giyuu!” You called out. “I’m back!” You called his name all throughout the house. He popped up behind you and instead of being scared you rushed to grab. “I have news and a present for you!”

“A present?”

“Yeah! Come on, sit, sit!” You pulled him along to the sitting room and sat him in front of the large chair. You ran into your room and grabbed a brush and comb. “Do you mind if I comb your hair?”

“No.”

You sat behind him and gently ran your fingers through his hair. Untangling bits from his antlers. You spent a long while making sure to go through every clump and tangle before running the comb through it. Giyuu gave you no hint of discomfort. In fact his shoulder relaxed and he slumped against the chair. Once you started brushing he tilted his head back in your lap. You looked so focused and beautiful like this.

What did I do to deserve this?

The answer didn’t matter. He felt so peaceful. He didn’t notice you had pulled his hair back to a low ponytail. Your hands lingered on the side of his face. “There you are.”

Your warm smile greeted him as he opened his eyes. “I wanted to see your face.”

Your thumb idly traced the blue markings on his skin. He leaned into your touch, his heart was racing in his chest. This all felt too good to be true. His hand cupped yours, keeping it in place. You had too strong of an effect on him.

“Giyuu. There’s something I want to ask.”

He hummed in acknowledgment, still lost in the haze.

“It’ll be spring time soon and- I- I talked to Urokodaki. I think my parents should move here.”

His breath caught in his throat. Of course you talked to him. He lives down there.

You continued rambling. “Y-You wouldn’t have to make long trips down the mountain anymore if they lived close by. Plus there’s work here for them! I’d just have to go get them- they might be scared of you…”

Giyuu fully tilted his head back to look at you. You’d never seen him look like this before. Blue eyes staring right through you. Like he wanted something. Like he wanted you. “Where would you stay?”

“Here. With you.” You said like it was the most obvious thing in the world.

You hadn’t think that far ahead but, why wouldn’t you stay here with Giyuu? On your way back up the mountain you imagined going down to see your parents everyday. This has become a second home to you. It was old and creaking and creepy at night. It was also where you two cooked together, took strolls through the garden and stayed up all night talking. You couldn’t imagine a life without Giyuu.

Inches away from his face the gravity of your words surely hit you and you shot back up in the seat. “That is if you want me to! It’s fine if you want me to leave-”

“(Y/N).” Giyuu rose up. He held your hand in his. You could feel his breath on your knuckles as he knelt before you. Gently, he kissed your hand and your heart fluttered. “Stay with me.”

“Of course.”

⋆☾⋆

“And that’s all you know?” Uzui asked.

“Yes!” Your father urged.

“I just find it hard to believe the demon fed you and let you go and demanded your child come back and gave you clothes! That’s not typical monster behavior.”

“What am I supposed to say?!” He yelled “That is what happened! You told me you could avenge my child!”

After another half hour or so of questing, Uzui called it a night and left your old home. He walked back to run-down inn, wanting to nurse his growing headache.

“Any news from the old man?” Shinazugawa asked.

“Nope, same story as before. This demon doesn’t even sound malicious. You get food and free stuff from it as long as you don’t steal from it? What kind of creature is that?!”

“One looking for sacrifices.” Obanai stated.

This didn’t sit right with Uzui. Something about this story wasn’t adding up. They had been in this village for two weeks and like clockwork the creature had snuck supplies to the family under their noses. And only to that family. No one else could even attempt to enter the mountain pass without getting lost and ending up back on the trail they started. Even on accident. The only way through was around the mountain to the next village over. And even now that the snow was starting to melt, the weather of the mountain stayed cold as a dead winter night. This didn’t sound like a monster that wanted a steady supply of sacrifices. It wanted to be left alone.

“You know something else about this is confusing me. We’ve had hunters up and down this area for years and all hostile activity stopped about 8 years ago.”

“So?” Shinazugawa hissed. Uzui could feel the tension in the room shift.

“So, it doesn’t bother either of you that three of the people involved in this encounter all got away unharmed.”

“The kid-”

“For all we know is alive. Alive and guarded.”

“You sound ridiculous.” Obanai jeered.

“What's ridiculous is that you two asked me to come in the first place.” Uzui snapped. “And now you want me to storm up an impenetrable mountain over some vendetta neither of you want to share.”

Obanai spoke before either hunters could make a move. “The demon on the mountain was locked there by a retired hunter after a 45 year long killing spree 15 years ago. Anyone from either of the villages that went up there would die. That demon is powerful. No other creature can control the forest the way it can. When it opens up the forest again, that is our only chance. We can’t chance another 45 years on the thought that one person may be alive up there.”

“Regardless of what happens, that demon is dying.” Shinazugawa declared.

Uzui still didn’t feel right about this. All he could do was hope that the person on the mountain was still there.

[xlovely-liviix]

Long Gone: A Hazbin Hotel Fanfiction

Angst is my lifeline.

So is huskerdust.

And sibling relationships.

Why not combine them all?

Hi everyone! I decided to create a small little mini fanfic on @scribbsyscribs 's fanfiction: 'When You're With Me', that is based off of @boldlygreatsuit 's huskerdust lovechild AU!

For context: Angel had been killed on extermination day, and had gotten himself into heaven. Little did he know, Husker left him a little "gift" the night before the extermination. (Yeah, if you haven't guessed, it's mpreg.)

TW: disassociation, violence, (implied) drug abuse,, (implied) SA, etc.

[If you're uncomfortable, please click off, okay? It doesn't hurt me!]

Years.

Years of waiting.

Years of trying to get clean, failing, and then trying again.

Years of disappointment.

It was finally paying off in this moment.

Was Angel nervous?

Fuck yes.

Besides the nervousness, there was another feeling.

One of anticipation.

He knew that this was the sole reason that he even decided to put an effort into trying to get redeemed. This would finally make Angel feel complete.

Angel ran a hand through his fluffy bangs as he walked down the gold-plated street. Never had he ever forgotten how to walk, but in this moment, he felt as if he couldn't even function properly.

This whole ordeal was just so...nerve-wracking! It's not every day that you get to reunite with your sibling that you haven't seen in....decades.

If he succeeded, that was.

Five months ago when he first got into heaven, he had immediately started looking for his sister.

What he didn't realize, though, was that heaven housed a lot of people. It was nothing short of overwhelming.

It also didn't help that whenever he tried to seek assistance in finding her, people shied away from him, treating him as some sort of outcast..some sort of...disease carrier.

He knew that not everyone here would welcome him with open arms. After all, he was a sinner, a redeemed sinner perhaps, but a sinner nonetheless. His every step, every word, every action was tainted by the memories of his past. He couldn't help but wonder how the other inhabitants of heaven would treat him, how they would judge him.

By now, everyone had heard of the redeemed sinners from hell.

Due to the events that led to Adam's death, the people had begun to get more curious on the matter.

Nevertheless, curiosity comes with questions.

Questions that the higher-ups of heaven weren't fond of answering.

In order to "protect" what they had built and shield the winners from finding out the real truth, the elder angels, along with the seraphims, crafted a fib in hopes of quenching the winners' thirst for answers.

They had made out the redeemed sinners to be some sort of parasite-- some infectious disease that you shouldn't get too close to.

It hurt.

It hurt when Angel was stared at with pure hatred and fear as he went about his business.

It hurt when people chased him away.

It hurt when he was excluded from things.

Was it him?

No, no. It's heaven's twisted views.

....Right?

｡ﾟ•┈꒰ა ♡ ໒꒱┈• ｡ﾟ

Angel stood before the gates of heaven, gazing up at the vast, celestial expanse that stretched above him. 

The air was cool and crisp, the sky an unearthly shade of blue that seemed to go on forever. He shivered, not from the cold but from the weight of anticipation and hope that threatened to crush his chest. He had finally made it here, to this place of eternal peace and beauty. A place he had fought so hard to reach.

It felt…unreal?

Did he even deserve this?

Angel shook his head.

Of course he deserved it! He had worked so hard to get clean, and it all paid off.

Although the conditions of his redemption were…undesirable, Angel still felt a sense of pride within himself for finally making it into the utopia. 

He glanced down at his wings, newly grown and radiating a soft, golden glow. They felt strange, foreign almost, but they belonged to him now. They marked him as one of the chosen ones. He flexed them, feeling the air around him ripple like silk, and marveled at their delicate beauty.

As he took in the breathtaking scenery around him, he couldn't help but wonder what it was like for the other angels. 

They had lived here for eternity, after all. 

Did they ever grow tired of it? 

Did they ever long for something more? 

Something new?

 He hoped not. He hoped they found peace and contentment in this place.

Angel squinted up at the sun, feeling its warmth on his face. It was bright, almost blindingly so, but it didn't hurt his eyes. It felt good, almost comforting. He wondered if he'd ever grow accustomed to the light here.

Albeit, he’d admit it was much better than the fires of hell.

Angel looked around, trying to take in every detail of his surroundings. He noticed that the grass was a brilliant emerald green, soft and plush under his feet, and the flowers that dotted the landscape seemed to glow with an inner light, their petals shimmering like stained glass. The trees were tall and stately, their bark smooth and silvery, and their branches teeming with an abundance of fruit that looked too perfect to eat. Even the clouds that floated lazily across the sky seemed to have been painted by an artist's brush.

He closed his eyes, breathing in the fresh air of heaven. In hell, there was only the fog of ash and the smell of smoke, a vast contrast to the scent of heaven, which smelled quite pleasant-- if peacefulness was a smell, this would be it.

Opening his eyes, he was greeted with a bright white light, as he looked up, bringing a hand up to shield his face from the light source as he tried to take a glimpse at what was becoming of the strange light. 

The white light grew stronger, before two figures began to appear within the midst of the light.

Angel found himself gaping at the sight before him as the two beings slowly came into focus. One of them was a woman, tall and statuesque, her wings a shimmering white that seemed to glow from within. Her face was serene and ageless, her eyes a piercing blue that held wisdom beyond measure. Her hair flowed freely down her back, a cascade of gold and silver that shimmered with every movement.

The other figure was much younger, a girl perhaps, with wings that were a vibrant shade of grey mixed with a sunny yellow. Her features were delicate and innocent, her eyes bright with wonder and joy. She smiled at Angel, revealing a set of pearly white teeth, and bounced on her feet eagerly.

"Hi!" she exclaimed, her voice tinged with excitement. "I'm Emily. It's so nice to meet you!" She held out her hand, her movements lively and uninhibited. 

Angel took her hand, feeling a surge of warmth and energy flow through him.

"I'm Angel," he said, smiling back at her. "It's good to meet you too."

Sera, the older Seraphim, smiled kindly at the pair. She stood several feet behind Emily, her wings folded gracefully behind her back. Though she appeared calm and serene, there was an air of authority about her that was unmistakable.

"Angel," she said, her voice smooth as silk, "I am Sera, and it is my honor to welcome you into the fold." 

She dipped her head in a respectful nod. "Emily and I will be your guides as you begin your journey here in heaven. We will teach you the ways of the angels, and help you find your purpose among us."

"Thank you, Sera," he said, his voice steady and resolute. "I am honored to serve beside you, and I promise to do my best to uphold the ideals of heaven." He had never talked in this way before, but in the presence of a being such as Sera herself, Angel felt the need to be..more professional in a sense. 

He glanced at Emily, feeling a pang of envy mixed with admiration. 

She was so full of life and joy, and it was infectious. He couldn't help but wonder what it would be like to be as carefree and unburdened as she was.

Sera nodded, her expression approving. "Very well then," she said.

She motioned for Angel to come along, in which he did.

As they walked through the clouds, the sunlight streaming through the cottony mass above, casting dappled patterns on the landscape below, Emily bubbled with excitement. She skipped from cloud to cloud, her wings fluttering gracefully as she moved. Sera walked beside Angel, her wings followed behind her once more.

"So, Emily," Angel asked, trying to keep up with her pace as they jogged over the clouds, "what's it like here in heaven? I mean, what do you do all day?"

Emily beamed at him. "Oh, there's so much to do! We help people, of course. We guide them, comfort them, and protect them. But we also get to play and have fun! Sometimes we'll fly together, just for the joy of it, or we'll have picnics on the clouds. Sometimes we'll even race!" She giggled, looking back at Angel.

Sera chuckled softly. "Yes, Emily does enjoy her races. But she is also quite skilled at herding. You'll see when the time comes."

They continued their walk, passing by clusters of clouds that formed into shapes of animals or objects. A herd of glowing, white deer grazed nearby, their hooves making no sound on the soft surface. A flock of birds, their feathers shimmering with iridescent hues, fluttered and sang in the distance.

"And the gardens," Emily added, pointing to a section of clouds that had been shaped into a lush, green garden, filled with flowers and trees. "We get to tend to those. Sometimes we'll plant new seeds, or prune the trees and flowers. It's so peaceful, and it makes heaven even more beautiful." She glanced at Angel, her expression hopeful. "Would you like to see them?"

Angel nodded, eager to see more of this wondrous place. As they drew closer, he marveled at the intricate details of the garden. The flowers were more vibrant than anything he had ever seen before, and the scent that drifted through the air was intoxicating. 

He bent down near a nearby rose bush, carefully plucking one of the luscious flowers from its stem.

"These roses," he said, holding the flower up to his nose, "smell unlike anything I've ever encountered before. They're so... so alive."

Emily nodded, her expression gentle. "Yes, they are quite special. You see, when people on Earth give roses to one another, they're showing love and appreciation. Well, here in heaven, we take those feelings and amplify them, making the roses even more vibrant and alive as a reflection of the love that was shared. It's a reminder of the bond that connects all of us, even from beyond the grave."

Angel paused, looking down back at the rose. 

Although the younger seraphim didn't mean any harm with that sentence, it only pained him to think about the love that he could've had...the love that he and Husk had shared...

Emily, who was still walking beside him, seemed to sense his melancholy and put a comforting hand on his shoulder.

 "You know," she said softly, "it's not just about having love in the past. It's about carrying that love with you, and using it to make your present and future brighter. You never truly lose someone who mattered to you. They'll always be a part of you, just like the love you shared."

Angel looked up at her, his expression uncertain. "Y-yeah…"

"Oh, you'll see," Emily assured him with a warm smile. "You'll make friends and find love again, here in heaven. It just takes time. In the meantime, why don't you focus on getting settled in and exploring all that heaven has to offer?"

They continued their walk, passing by several more wondrous sights, such as a sparkling lake filled with swans and a small, golden-domed building where the angels gathered for worship and song. As they drew closer to his new home, Emily pointed out several landmarks, such as the Great Hall where they held feasts and celebrations, and the Garden of Eternal Life, where the souls of the most virtuous mortals resided.

Finally, they arrived at a small, cozy abode nestled among the clouds. It had a thatched roof, ivy-covered walls, and a door made of oak. White flowers climbed up the sides, and a stream meandered nearby, its waters sparkling in the sunlight.

"This is your new home," Emily announced with a smile. "It's not as grand as some of the others, but it's perfectly suited to your needs."

Angel stepped up to the front door, running his fingers over the smooth, polished wood. He felt a sense of both familiarity and unease washing over him. On one hand, it was comforting to have a place to call his own again; on the other, he couldn't help but wonder if he would ever truly belong here.

"Go ahead and open it," Emily urged, her voice gentle. "Your belongings are inside."

He hesitated for a moment, then reached out and turned the brass knob. 

The door swung inward, revealing a cozy living room with a fireplace, a comfortable-looking couch, and a few framed photographs on the mantelpiece. Sunlight streamed in through the windows, casting a warm glow over everything.

"This is your bedroom," Emily said, leading him further into the house. 

The bedroom was smaller than the one he had on Earth, but it had everything he needed: a bed, a dresser, a nightstand, and a few personal effects that had been brought over from his old life. There was also a large window overlooking the garden, where the roses swayed gently in the breeze.

Emily showed him around the rest of the house, including a small kitchen, a study where he could read and write, and a bathroom with a clawfoot tub. 

"You can explore more of heaven whenever you like," she assured him, "but for now, I think you should get settled in and rest. Tomorrow will be a big day, because it'll mark the start of paradise!!"

Angel nodded, feeling both grateful and overwhelmed. "Thank you, Emily. You've been so kind to me." He hesitated before asking, "Will I see you again soon?"

Emily smiled reassuringly. "Oh, you'll see me around from time to time," she said.

 "I'm always nearby if you need anything. Just call out for me and I'll be there." She patted him gently on the shoulder. "Now, why don't you unpack your belongings and get settled in? The sooner you do that, the sooner you can start exploring heaven properly."

He watched her fade away, leaving him alone in his new home. As he wandered from room to room, he couldn't help but marvel at the beauty of everything around him. 

It was so peaceful....so serene….a utopia, even.

If only he had someone to share it with. 

Angel gripped his chest as his breathing picked up. He stumbled over to the bed and sat down on it, tugging on his cheeks in hopes of catching his breath.

Tears formed in his eyes as he quietly sobbed into his hands.

He was gone.

Would he ever see him again?

That thought echoed through Angel's mind like a solemn dirge, a never-ending refrain that drowned out all other possibilities. He had been so focused on the idea of finally finding a place to belong that he had momentarily forgotten the weight of his loss.

His chest ached with an unbearable emptiness, and tears welled up in his eyes once more as he stared at the pictures on his bedside table. There was one in particular that always made him ache: Husk, his Husk, standing tall and proud, his smile radiant and infectious. The memory of their life (well-- afterlife) together flooded his mind, and for a moment, he could almost feel the warmth of Husk's fur against his own.

He had been so sure that he would see him again, that they would be reunited in whatever came next. But now, as he sat in his new, unfamiliar home, he realized that hope had been nothing more than a flickering candle in the darkness. It had flickered and died, leaving him alone with the harsh reality of his situation.

Angel clutched at his hair, pulling at the roots in a futile attempt to ease the pain. He wanted to scream, to rage against the heavens for taking Husk away from him. But he knew that wouldn't bring him back, and so he remained silent, tears streaming down his face.

He couldn't do this. 

Not without Husk.

｡ﾟ•┈꒰ა ♡ ໒꒱┈• ｡ﾟ

Angel shook his head. This isn't a time to let his mind wander. For now, he had to focus on what was important.

Finding Molly.

The arachnid finally approached the winner's resource building.

"This is it..." he spoke aloud, a hand coming up to lightly caress his stomach.

It was a habit. At first, he resented the thing, but overtime he had grown to love it. His bambino. His little love. His spark of hope.

Even with Husk not here, with Molly by his side, he would be just fine.

Angel exhaled, quickly pulling out his compact mirror to observe the state of himself before entering the building.

He was so-- different.

In contrast to how he had looked in hell, at least.

He looked happier, relieved, although his eyes still held the weight of pain. Being separated from his lover also while carrying a child was nothing short of a burden.

Was this punishment?

It couldn't be, people can't be sad in heaven....right?

He closed his compact, looking up to the building once again. 

The Resource Building was where one went to seek guidance or assistance in finding a loved one who had passed away.

 It was a place where angels and other celestial beings would help the lost souls find their way back to heaven or reunite them with their family members.

 It was also a place where Angel had procrastinated going to, afraid of what he might find or what he might lose if he were to confront his past. But today, he had finally mustered up the courage to face his fears and seek out his sister.

As he approached the grand entrance of the Resource Building, its golden doors etched with intricate designs, Angel felt a sudden sense of trepidation wash over him. 

He glanced around, taking in the other souls who had come seeking aid, and noticed that everyone seemed to be giving him peculiar looks. Some openly stared at him, while others tried to pretend they didn't see him at all. He could feel the weight of their judgment pressing down upon him, making him want to turn tail and run. But something inside him, some small spark of determination, refused to let him back down.

He took a deep breath and pushed open the doors, stepping into the hallowed halls of the Resource Building. The air inside was cool and still, carrying with it the scent of burning incense and the faint sound of whispered prayers. The Resource Building was divided into several sections, each dedicated to a different aspect of the afterlife: reunification, guidance, and education, among others. 

Angel made his way through the winding corridors, his steps slow and hesitant, until he finally arrived at the desk where a celestial being sat, ready to assist him.

There sat a cherub, typing away at a computer. She glanced up, peering at him through her thick glasses.

She blinked multiple times. 

She deals with sinners all day, every day. But this one…was like no other.

She cleared her throat. “Erm…sorry. I’ll be right with you-” she let out a nervous chuckle, quickly collecting her papers as she pushed away from her chair, smiling awkwardly. 

Angel raised an eyebrow, but ultimately shrugged it off. 

He watched her scurry away, occupying himself by continuing to observe his surroundings. 

The cherub's desk was tidy, with several framed pictures adorning its surface: one of her with a group of other cherubs, looking like they'd just finished a particularly difficult task; another of her with a human family, beaming proudly at the camera. He wondered how many of the people in the pictures were still alive, if they even remembered her.

As he waited for the cherub to return, Angel allowed his mind to wander. He thought about his time on Earth, the laughter and the tears, the triumphs and the failures. He wondered if Molly had found peace here in heaven. He wondered if she was happy...

Of course she was happy! This is heaven!!

Everyone is happy here…

Eventually, the cherub reappeared, an awkward yet fearful smile plastered on her face.

"Right then..." she began, taking a seat at her desk once again. She glanced up at Angel once more, her gaze falling onto his stomach. She blushed a little, immediately snapping her head down as she began typing.

“Now…what service might you request today?” she didn’t even bother to make eye contact with him.

“Oh! Uhm…I want to find my sister…h-her name is Molly Vittori…” 

The cherub nodded. " Molly..." she mumbled to herself, beginning to type before continuing,

"Yes, she's been through quite an interesting journey, hasn't she?" she paused. "Well, I'm afraid I can't just give out personal information like that. But if you'd like, I can help you locate her. That's what we're here for, after all."

Thomas nodded gratefully, unable to speak past the lump in his throat. 

He watched as the cherub tapped away at her keyboard, her fingers flying across the keys. After a few moments, she turned her monitor towards him. There, on the screen, was a picture of Molly, smiling brightly at the camera. 

Her hair had grown longer and was now sporting different colored pink strands, and she seemed to have gained a certain...peacefulness in her eyes. But it was her nonetheless.

Angel found himself tearing up as he just nodded profusely. "That's....that's her.."

"There you are!" the cherub forced a smile.. "There are people that can help you find her in the Reunification Wing. If you'd like, I can escort you there right away." Angel nodded, a lump forming in his throat as he forced a smile.

They walked through the winding halls of heaven, the cherub leading the way. The air was thick with the scent of flowers and the sound of laughter. People of all shapes and sizes walked past them, some stopping to wave hello or engage in brief conversations-- although once they got a glimpse at Angel, they shied away. 

The cherub, clearly uncomfortable with her task, kept her head down and hurried along.

Finally, they arrived at a set of double doors guarded by two cherubs. The one who had been escorting Angel approached them cautiously. "Uh, hi...I'm here to see someone about...well, I'm here on behalf of this….” she glanced at his stomach once again. “Err- gentleman," she gestured to Angel, "He's looking for his sister."

The two cherubs exchanged glances. "Well, we're a bit busy right now," one of them said dismissively.

"But I really need to find my sister," Angel pleaded, his voice beginning to crack. "Please, she's all I have left."

The second cherub fidgeted uncomfortably. "I'm sorry, but we can't just help everyone who comes along. There's a process, you know."

The first cherub nodded in agreement. "Look, we'll put in a request for you, but we can't make any promises. It might take some time."

The other cherub looked at Angel sympathetically. "I'm really sorry," she murmured.

As they spoke, the doors to the Reunification Wing opened, and a lone figure emerged. It was another cherub, her face etched with a courteous look. 

"Is there someone here about finding a sibling?" she asked, her voice was softer..innocent, even.

The first cherub nodded. "This gentleman is looking for his sister, Molly Vittori."

The cherub sighed. "Well, I suppose I can take a look," she said, glancing at Angel apologetically. "Follow me!"

Angel followed her through the winding halls of the building, feeling a mixture of hope and dread in his chest. 

She led him to a small office tucked away in a quiet corner of the wing. Inside, she moved to her desk, sitting behind it, her face immediately covered by the large stack of papers that was piled on her desk. 

"Oops! Sorry about the mess!" she giggled. "I've been a bit...overwhelmed lately." She cleared her throat and gestured for Angel to sit across from her. "Now, tell me about your sister. What's her name?"

Angel hesitated for a moment, trying to compose himself. "Her name is Molly...Molly Vittori. She...she was the light of my life. We did everything together." He took a deep breath, bringing a hand up to rub small circles onto his stomach.

The cherub began to type on her computer, before glancing at the screen, staring at it for a while, as if she was zoning out.

 "All right," she said, leaning back in her chair. "I'll see what I can do. We have a system here, you see, and sometimes it takes a while to...well, sort through things. But I'll do my best."

Angel felt a surge of hope. "Thank you," he managed to choke out. "Thank you so much."

She leaned back in her chair and began to sort through the papers on her desk, humming under her breath as she worked. 

Angel watched her, his heart in his throat. He couldn't help but feel a sense of hope beginning to flicker within him.

After several minutes of searching, the cherub finally came across a file labeled "Vittori, Molly." She flipped through it quickly, her eyes scanning the pages. "Ah, yes," she murmured. 

"Mollena Louise Vittori-- fraternal twin sister to Anthony Charles Vittori...?" she mused, looking up at Angel.

Angel’s heart leapt into his throat. "Yes! That's her," he practically shouted, his voice echoing in the small office.

She smiled reassuringly. "Well, it looks like you've found each other. She’s currently residing in the Earthly Desires section of heaven. It's a lovely place, filled with people who enjoyed the finer things in life while they were alive...only the purest of winners abide there."

Angel smiled. He knew that she deserved it. 

Despite their...unfortunate upbringing, he was glad that it all paid off in the afterlife. 

She stood up, straightening out her wings, and motioned for Angel to follow her.

As they walked through the winding golden paths of heaven, Angel’s heart pounded with anticipation. The closer they got to the Earthly Desires section, the more he could feel his emotions churning inside him.

"Are you alright?" Angel looked over to see the cherub, with a concerned demeanor.

"I...I think so," he stammered. "It's just...I never thought I'd see her again. It's overwhelming….I mean..it’s been, what? Decades, now."

She smiled. “Reuniting is a wonderful thing! Seeing families come together after time apart is…uplifting.”

She paused, frowning a little, before sighing, plastering her smile back onto her face. 

They reached the entrance to the Earthly Desires section, a grand archway adorned with gold and precious gems. Light spilled out from within, illuminating a lush garden filled with trees heavy with fruit, sparkling fountains, and winding paths that disappeared into the distance. In the center of the garden stood a beautiful mansion, its walls covered in vines bearing ripe grapes and its windows framed by sheer curtains that danced in the warm breeze.

The cherub led Angel behind a wall that had vines growing up to the top of the massive structure, shining green, a stark contrast to the greyish-white of the walls. 

The cherub paused, taking a deep breath. "There she is…" she said softly, pointing towards a deck that had many tables, although all were unoccupied except one.

There she was, as beautiful as the day he left her.

"You can go in and find her whenever you're ready." Angel was snapped out of his daydream by the cherub’s voice. 

Angel took a tentative step forward, his heart pounding in his chest. He glanced back at the cherub, searching for some reassurance in her eyes. "Are you sure?" he asked, his voice barely audible.

She smiled gently. "Of course I'm sure," she replied. "Go on, Angel!” 

With shaking hands, he turned back to face the garden. He forced his legs to carry him forward, taking one step from behind the wall, before drawing himself back in, pressing his back to the wall. 

“What do I say?!” he snapped his head towards the cherub, who let out a polite chuckle.

“Start with a ‘hello’!!”

The cherub winked at him, giving a soft smile and a thumbs-up of encouragement. “Now, off you go!!” 

Angel returned the gesture with a smile, as he exhaled, preparing himself for the moment that he had anticipated for a very long time.

He rounded the corner of the building, as he took slow and hesitant steps towards the table that Molly and her friends had currently occupied.

He smoothed down his blazer, tsking as he ran a hand over his now-significantly-larger bump.

What would she have to say about it? 

Would she think any different about him after finding out?

What if she calls him a slut?!

No…she wouldn’t do that.

Oh, she’s leaving.

Angel shook his head, snapping out of his trance. He looked up to see Molly and her friends scooting their chairs back towards the table as they began to grab their things.

It’s now or never.

“Molly!” Angel called out, quickening his pace to a small sprint.

The arachnid turned around, her thick mane of hair swaying along with the motion. 

“Molly,” he repeated, finally catching up to her. He paused for a moment, trying to catch his breath. He examined her from head to toe. 

Her hair, now white with the occasional pink strand, was styled in the same fixture that she had always worn when she was alive. She wore a pink and red dress, the color scheme matching those of Angel’s. 

Bright and sparkly magenta eyes raised up to meet mismatched pink and black ones. 

“Molly Vittori,” he breathed, the name felt so good on his tongue. 

“Yep! That’s me!!” she beamed, flashing a smile that was enough to make Angel forget about all of his past struggles. 

Angel exclaimed in delight, immediately pulling her into a hug. This caused her to giggle, squeezing him back.

“Hello hugs are simply the best!!” she broke the hug, still clasping onto his forearm. Her gaze fell onto his stomach, causing her to let out a delighted gasp.

“Oh, and you’re expecting too! A whole new life is inside of you…my best congratulations!!” 

Molly removed one hand from Angel’s arm as she moved it to his stomach, giving it a gentle rub. 

Angel sniffled, his smile never fading as he wiped away a few of his tears.

“Yeah..I’ll..get into that later. It’s a long story.” 

He paused, looking into her eyes once again, before grabbing her shoulders with his top set of arms, melting into her embrace.

“God, I missed ya so much, Molls! I’ve got so much to tell ya…” 

He expected something similar in return, but was confused as his sister raised an eyebrow.

“What do you mean? You can’t miss anyone here!! Everyone is happy and content in heaven!” she exclaimed, her smile remaining as Angel’s faded.

This earned him a few suspicious glances from Molly’s friends.

“Uhm..” Angel removed his hand from her shoulders, moving one up to rub the back of his head awkwardly. “Molly? I-I’m a little confused.”

She blinked at him, puckering her lip as she tsked.

“Oh..i’m sorry, I don’t really understand what you mean-!”

“Molly, it’s me. Ang- Anthony. Anthony Vittori. Your brother??” 

She giggled. “I don’t have a brother! Nice joke!! But it is nice to meet you, Anthony!” 

Angel’s heart dropped to the depths of his stomach, as he let out a distressed chuckle.

“Wha-- what do ya mean, Molls? I ain't jokin’! Don’t you remember? We-- we were together for the longest time! You, me, and Nissy. T’was a long time ago?” he paused, before continuing, a small sweat starting to form on his brow.

“I had gone to hell-- went cold turkey, dropped everything! Just fa you!!” his voice cracked, as he became a bit more desperate. He reached out and grabbed Molly’s wrist.

Molly’s two friends, a butterfly and an antelope, exchanged weird looks with each other, before the butterfly took a step closer to the two.

She grabbed onto Molly’s other hand, and gave her a small tug in the opposite direction.

“Watch out Molly. That’s that sinner who got rehabilitated.” Molly turned towards her friend, raising an eyebrow in confusion. “Don’t you remember? The Seraphim were talking about him?”

Molly’s mouth shaped into an ‘O’ as she nodded, looking back at Angel. 

“You probably have me confused for someone else! I’d love to be friends, though!!” She smiled again, this time softer.

Both Molly’s friend and Angel blinked at her, their mouth’s agape in shock.

“Moll, he’s clearly talking crazy, we should stay away.”

Another tug at the hand. 

Angel tightened his grip around Molly’s wrist.

“Ya know, I can hear you.” he glared at the butterfly, who just rolled her eyes.

“I promise, Molly, please just remember!! It’s me, Anthony! It’s me!!” Angel turned back towards Molly, and exclaimed a bit more desperately this time. 

The butterfly angel gave yet another tug at Molly’s hand, causing her wrist to slip out of Angel’s grip as she was beginning to get escorted away. 

“Dammit, Molly, it’s me!” he hissed, stumbling over his own feet as she was yanked away from him. 

Molly’s other companion, the antelope, appeared next to  Molly, gently taking her hand. 

“You oughtta keep your distance, Molly.” she pressed a hand to her back as she gave Angel a quick, judgemental glance. “He seems to still have the hatred and fury inside of his heart-- probably a result of his time down there..” she grimaced.

“Not to worry, though. We’ll keep you safe.” the butterfly glared at Angel, before turning her gaze back to Molly. 

Angel snorted, letting out a humorless laugh.

“Keep her safe? From me?!” he giggled again, running a hand through his hair. 

“The fucks you are! That’s some bullshit right there.” he pointed a finger directly at the two, frowning.

“To even have the thought that I would lay a hand on my own sister?! Get the fuck outta here, man! I love ha’ more than any other bastard in this place!!” he began to raise his voice, taking a few steps closer to the three.

“M-Molls…” he turned his gaze back to Molly, a few tears glistening in his eyes. “I love ya. I really do! It was all fa you…everything! I-i’m clean, I got clean-- it was all fa you…don’t- don’t listen to them, Molly!!” 

He stepped closer to her, reaching out to grab her hand, before the butterfly angel slapped it away. 

“Molly, please!! I’ve crossed hell just to see ya again! Please!!!”

Molly’s companions began walking in the opposite direction, ushering Molly along with them.

“Molly!!!” Angel cried out, throwing out a hand as a few tears began to roll down his cheeks. 

The arachnid looked back over her shoulder, offering a small, yet confused smile along with a shug, before turning back around, being forced to proceed down the path her friends had guided her down.

“Molly!!” he shrieked. It was a horrible sound. One that was laced with decades of pain and suffering. One that was hopeful, but had those hopes crushed. 

He collapsed to the ground, palms pressed firmly to the gold-plated path beneath him.

Between pained sobs and gasps for air, Angel called out again.

“Non lasciarmi! Per favore!! Mi dispiace!! Ti amo!” (Don’t leave me! Please!! I’m sorry!! I love you!) 

Angel stumbled yet again, making an attempt to get up and follow them. It took two attempts-- the first, he had tripped over the heel of his thigh-high boots, falling back over onto the ground, before crawling on all fours until he was able to hoist himself up successfully.

He began to follow them, before a bright light was shown, and two elder angels created a barrier in between the two groups.

They had sensed the situation, and quickly intervened before anything could escalate. After all, it was heaven-- nothing bad or undesirable was supposed to happen!

….in public.

Angel tries to push past one of the angels, but is caught by two gentle, yet strong arms restraining him. 

He threw his hand out, reaching out to his sister’s silhouette, which was just now starting to disappear into the distance.

“Non lasciarmi…” (Don’t leave me…) he sobbed, lowering his arm as his knees buckled. He dug his nails into the elder angel’s arms, as it held onto him, wrapping Angel into a secure hug as it guided him to sit on the ground. 

Angel, through eyes blurred by tears, looked past the angel’s legs, as he saw his sister walk away.

No, no, no!!

She couldn’t walk away.

Not forever.

Not again. 

｡ﾟ•┈꒰ა ♡ ໒꒱┈• ｡ﾟ

Anthony took a long drag of his cigarette, exhaling the fumes as he hummed along to the jazz-like song that was playing on the radio in the corner of the room. 

His humming was brought to a halt as he was interrupted by about a thousand knocks on his front door.

“Si accomodi! Porte aperte..” (Come in! Door’s open..) he chuckled. He listened for the sound of the knob turning, and the squeak of the door.

The clicking and clacking of high heels on the hardwood floor of his apartment only belonged to one person. 

“Hey there, brother!” Molly’s voice sounded as she approached the couch in which Anthony was sprawled across.

Anthony smiled weakly up at her. She was wearing a long, flowing red dress that contrasted sharply with her pale skin and blonde hair. Her eyes were a bright blue, and they seemed to hold a hint of worry as they surveyed the mess that was his apartment.

"Oh, Anthony..." she sighed, shaking her head as she took a seat on the armchair across from him. "You really should clean this place up. It's a disgrace, you know that?"

He shrugged, not meeting her gaze. "Yeah, I know. I'll get to it, Molly. Really." His voice sounded distant, even to his own ears.

Molly reached over and took his hand in hers, giving it a squeeze. "I'm worried about you, Anthony. You've been acting...different lately. You're not yourself."

He forced a laugh, trying to brush off her concerns. "Ah, Molly. You worry too much. I'm fine. Really." He took another long drag of his cigarette, watching the smoke curl up toward the ceiling.

 "Ma wouldn't have stood for this mess. She'd have you scrubbing floors 'til your hands bled if she could see you like this." Molly frowned. 

Anthony was about to take another drag of his cigarette, but stopped, holding the dart in mid air, the stick dangling over his face.

Molly's expression softened. "I know she'd want you to take care of yourself, Anthony. You need to get out of this...habit. You know it's not healthy." Her gaze flickered toward the makeshift bar in the corner of the room, where bottles of the remains of alcohol and empty glasses were scattered about.

He shrugged again, looking away. "It helps me cope, Molly. It's all I've got."

She sighed, her eyes filled with sympathy and understanding. "I know it does, brother. But it's not the answer. There are other ways to cope." She paused, searching for the right words. "We can help you. Together, we can get through this."

Anthony didn't reply. Instead, he reached for another cigarette and lit it with a shaky hand. Molly watched him silently, wishing she could make him see that there was hope, that things could get better. But for now, all she could do was be there for him, however he would allow it.

Molly noticed the soft tunes coming from the radio, and stood up, going over to the device and turning up its volume.

She slid off her coat, and held out a hand to her brother.

"Care to cut a rug (dance)?"

Anthony glanced up at Molly, confusion briefly flickering across his face. "Dance? Now? I don't know, Molls. I..." He trailed off, not quite meeting her gaze. 

Molly smiled gently and took his hand, her touch surprisingly gentle and reassuring. "Come on, Tony. Just for a little while. Let's pretend everything's alright."

He hesitated, then finally nodded. Standing up, he let her lead him over to the makeshift dance floor in the center of the living room. The music was a slow, romantic ballad, and Molly began to move gracefully, guiding his steps with hers.

He followed her lead, trying to match her movements. Her dress swirled around her ankles as they danced, the red fabric brushing against his pants. The air was thick with the scent of her perfume, and he closed his eyes, trying to lose himself in the moment.

As they moved together, Anthony felt a strange sensation in his chest. It was a mix of emotions: sadness, longing, and a tiny flicker of hope. He realized that he had missed this, missed dancing with his sister. It had been so long since they had shared a moment like this, a moment where they were just Tony and Molly, not just siblings, but friends.

"Remember when we used to dance like this all the time?" Molly asked softly, her breath tickling his ear. "Back when we were kids?"

He nodded, unable to speak past the lump in his throat. "Yeah," he managed to croak. "I remember."

They continued to dance, lost in their own memories and the music. Anthony found himself focusing on the rhythm of Molly's heartbeat, the rise and fall of her chest as she breathed. It was a strange sort of comfort, this simple connection, and he clung to it as if it were a lifeline.

Molly suddenly spoke up. “Goodness, Tony! You’re such a dead hoofer (bad dancer)!” Molly giggled, making sure to watch her feet to prevent herself from tripping over her brother’s feet. 

“You ain’t much of a jive bomber (good dancer) yaself!” Anthony snorted.

Molly giggled, her hand on his shoulder guiding him through another turn. "Oh, you're just saying that 'cause you can't dance worth a lick!" she teased, her eyes sparkling with mischief.

As they circled around the living room, Anthony found himself focusing less on his own dancing and more on the way Molly moved against him. There was an ease to her steps, a confidence that he hadn't seen in her since before their mother's death. It made him feel a strange mix of emotions: happiness, sadness, and a sense of longing.

"You know, Tony," she said softly, "it's okay to not be okay. It's okay to feel the way you feel. But you can't let it consume you. You have to keep moving forward, you know?"

He nodded, not trusting himself to speak. He didn't want to let her down, to disappoint her. But he didn't know how to keep going when everything felt so bleak. 

"I'm here for you, you know," she continued. "No matter what. You can talk to me about anything, anytime. And I'll always be here to help you, to support you."

Anthony could only mumble a response, due to the huge lump in his throat. 

Her words hung in the air between them, bringing back memories that Anthony had tried his very hardest to keep locked away.

He suddenly came to a halt in their dance, letting go of his twin as he exhaled shakily.

"No, Molly," he said, his voice barely above a whisper. "I don't need your help. I'm fine." His words were laced with anger and denial, but there was a brittleness to his voice that belied his words.

Molly's face fell, her eyes filling with concern. "Tony, I'm just trying to help," she said softly. "You can't keep going like this. You know that."

He took a step away from her, his jaw clenched tightly. "I'm fine," he repeated, more forcefully this time. "I just need some time."

She bit her lip, watching him warily. She knew he was lying, but she didn't want to push him further away. "Okay," she said finally. "But if you ever need to talk, I'm here. And I'll help you get through this, no matter what."

Anthony didn't respond. Instead, he turned his back on his sister and made his way over to his favorite chair. It was an old, worn recliner that their father had brought home one day, a relic from a different time in their lives.

A better time.

As he settled into the chair, he reached up and ran a hand through his hair, feeling the familiar weight of the situation pressing down on him.

Molly watched him from across the room, her heart aching for her brother. She wished she knew how to make it all better, how to take away the pain that she knew he was feeling. But she knew that sometimes, all you could do was be there for someone, even when they didn't want you to.

With a heavy sigh, Molly turned away and made her way back to the dance floor. As she began to dance solo, she couldn't help but feel a strange mix of emotions: anger at Anthony for pushing her away, fear for his well-being, and an overwhelming sense of helplessness. She knew that she would have to find a way to reach him, to make him see that he wasn't alone.

Meanwhile, Anthony reached into his favorite chair's side table and pulled out a small stash of drugs he had been hiding there. He took a deep breath, steadying himself, before selecting one of the packets and opening it with shaking hands. He brought the white powder up to his nose and inhaled deeply, feeling the familiar rush of warmth spread through his body.

As the drug took effect, some of the tension began to ease from his shoulders. He closed his eyes, trying to forget about Molly and the memories she had unwittingly brought back to the surface.

 He thought about their mother, how much she would hate to see him like this, how she would tell him to stop, to get help. But he couldn't, not yet. He needed this numbness, this escape.

Just as he was beginning to feel a sense of peace, however, the music abruptly stopped. 

Anthony's eyes snapped open, panic rising in his chest. He glanced around, looking for the source of the sound, when he saw Molly standing before him, a look of concern etched onto her face.

"Tony," she said softly, taking a step towards him. "Are you okay?"

Anthony felt his anger rise again, hot and bitter in his throat. "I'm fine," he snapped, trying to sound convincing even to himself. "Just leave me alone."

Molly took another step closer, her expression not wavering. "No, you're not fine," she said, her voice steady and unyielding. "And I'm not going to leave you like this."

The words stung, but  Anthony couldn't bring himself to care. All he could think about was the need for numbness, the escape. He reached for another packet of drugs, already planning his next high. "Just leave me alone," he repeated, more harshly this time. "I don't want your help."

Molly's eyes filled with sorrow as she watched her brother slowly slip further away from her. She knew that he was lying, that he was hurting, but she didn't know how to make him see it. 

"Tony, talk to me..." she placed a hand on his shoulder, in which he immediately jerked away.

"Don't touch me!" he shouted, his eyes blazing. "Don't you dare touch me!"

He didn't know why he had lashed out like that. Maybe it was the drugs?

It was definitely the drugs, but he didn't care.

Molly's heart ached as she saw the pain in his eyes, the desperation to push her away. She knew she had to keep trying, even if it meant risking further rejection.

"Anthony, I'm not here to hurt you," she said softly, taking a step back. "I'm here because I love you, and I'm afraid of what's happening to you."

Her words seemed to have some effect on him; his shoulders slumped, and he looked away for a moment. But then he straightened up again and fixed her with an angry glare.

"I didn't mean that," he said, his voice harsh. "I'm just so tired of losing people. I can't handle it anymore. I can't..." His voice trailed off, and he looked down at the ground.

Molly took a deep breath, trying to steady herself. She knew that he was hurting, and that his anger was a defense mechanism. But she also knew that she couldn't let him continue down this path.

"I know you're hurting, Anthony," she said, her voice gentle but firm. "And I know you're scared. But you can't keep using drugs to numb the pain. It's not going to make things better."

Anthony looked up at her, his eyes red and brimming with tears. "It's the only way I can cope," he whispered.

Molly wanted to reach out to him, to comfort him the way she used to when they were children, but she held back. She knew that he needed to face his demons on his own terms. Instead, she offered him a small, sympathetic smile.

"I understand that," she said. "But I'm here if you ever want to talk, or if you need help. Okay?"

Anthony looked up at her, his eyes red and brimming with tears. He wanted to believe her, to accept her offer of support, but something inside him refused to let him. "I just need..." he started, then trailed off. "I just need some time, Molly. Please, give me some time."

He sighed, pushing himself up from his chair as he went over to his small kitchen, rummaging through the worn-down wooden cabinets until he retrieved a bottle of booze.

"Tony, please..." Molly pleaded, following him and watching as he unscrewed the cap, taking a long swig. The alcohol burned down his throat, and he winced, coughing briefly before taking another gulp.

She wanted to reach out, to take the bottle from him, but she didn't want to make things worse. 

She knew he was in pain, and she wanted to help him, but she didn't know how.

"I'm just so tired, Molly," he said, his voice barely above a whisper. "I can't do this anymore." He took another swig, wiping his mouth with the back of his hand. "I just want to forget."

Molly's heart ached at the sight of him, so lost and alone. She wanted to tell him that she'd be there for him, that she'd never leave him, but the words caught in her throat. She didn't know if he'd believe her anymore.

Instead, she took a step closer, reaching out to gently touch his arm. "You don't have to do this, Anthony," she said softly. "You don't have to be alone. We can get through this together."

He looked up at her, his eyes red and glassy. "I don't know if I can, Molly," he said, his voice barely more than a whisper. "I don't know if I want to."

She could feel the weight of his words, the hopelessness that had settled over him like a suffocating blanket. But she refused to give up. She refused to let him give up on them.

"We'll find a way," she said, her voice firm despite the tremor in her voice. "I promise we'll get through this. We'll be okay."

"Dammit, Molls, would ya stop fuckin' saying that?!" he suddenly yelled, swinging the bottle down to his side, its liquid contents swishing about.

She recoiled, her eyes wide with surprise and pain. "Tony... I'm sorry. I didn't mean to..." she stammered, taking a step back.

He looked at her, his expression twisted in anger and self-loathing. "Just... just leave me alone for a while, okay?" he said, his voice barely above a whisper. "I need... I need some time."

Molly's heart ached as she watched him struggle. She wanted to help him, to make it all better, but she knew that he had to find his own way through this darkness. 

"Tony, i-"

"Leave it, Molly." he growled, taking another swig of the drink.

Molly frowned. She didn't want to push him, but if she were to allow this, then he could lose himself. 

That was the last thing either one of them needed. 

She stepped forward, reaching out to grip the neck of the bottle, earning a glare from Anthony.

"Please don't, Tony," she said softly. "You don't need this. You don't want this."

He wrenched the bottle free, his grip tightening until she winced. "Molly, I told you, I need some time alone," he said, his voice low and dangerous. "Just... leave me be."

Her heart ached at the pain and anger in his voice, but she couldn't back down. Not now. She took another step closer, meeting his gaze unflinchingly. "Tony, I can't just leave you like this. I can't watch you hurt yourself like this."

He snorted, looking away for a moment before meeting her eyes again. "What do you want me to do, Molls? Huh? You want me to just forget about it? To move on like it was nothing?" He took another swig of the booze, wincing as it burned its way down his throat.

She winced too, but didn't back down. "I know you can't forget, but you don't have to do this. You don't have to be alone. I'm here for you, Anthony. I'll always be here for you."

He laughed, a harsh, bitter sound that made her heart clench. "Oh, that's real fuckin' comforting, Molls. Thanks for that." He took another step back, moving away from her. "Just... just leave me be, okay? I'll figure it out. I'll get through this."

She wanted to believe him, she really did. But she couldn't help but feel a growing sense of helplessness as he continued to push her away. "I'm sorry," she whispered, taking a step back herself. "I just want to help."

He looked up at her then, his eyes filled with pain and something else - despair. "You can't help me, Molly. No one can." With that, he took another swallow of the booze, disappearing deeper into his own darkness.

Molly's heart ached as she watched him slip further away from her. She wanted to reach out, to pull him back from the edge, but she knew that he had to find his own way out of this darkness. All she could do was be there for him, to let him know that she cared, that she would never leave his side.

"Tony, I-" 

"Leave it, Molly!!" he suddenly shouted, turning around hastily as he hissed at his sister.

Molly flinched, her hand automatically going to her chest where she could feel the sting of the pain he'd unintentionally inflicted. She winced, shocked at his outburst, as he took another swig of the bottle.

He was right, she shouldn't have tried to take the bottle away from him. She should have known better. She should have been more understanding. He was hurting, and she was just making things worse.

She opened her mouth to apologize, to tell him that she understood, but the words stuck in her throat. 

How could she possibly tell him that she understood when she didn't? 

When she couldn't even begin to fathom the depth of his pain?

Anthony took another swig of the booze, his eyes glazing over as he stared into nothingness. Molly could see the tension in his shoulders, the way he was clenching and unclenching his fists, the way he was breathing heavily. He was losing control, slipping deeper into the darkness.

She wanted to help him, but she didn't know how. She wanted to make it better, to take away the hurt, but she knew that she couldn't. All she could do was be there for him, to let him know that she cared, that she wouldn't abandon him.

She took a tentative step forward, reaching out a hand to rest it gently on his shoulder. "Tony, I'm sorry," she whispered. "I didn't mean to hurt you. I just wanted to help."

He turned to face her then, his eyes filled with anger and pain. "You don't understand, Molly. You can't understand." His voice broke, and he looked away, taking another swig of the booze.

She wanted to argue, to tell him that she did understand, that she was there for him, but she knew that he needed to find his own way through this. All she could do was be there, offer what comfort she could, and hope that one day he would be able to see past the darkness and find the light again.

She sighed, knowing that she just couldn't break down his protective walls.

Not now, at least.

She caressed his cheek as she reached up, giving him a kiss. 

"I have to go meet up with Niss...i'll see you tomorrow, Anthony." her voice was solemn, as she had given up. 

The impact of their mother's death took a toll on everyone.

Their father, their older brother, and the twins themselves.

Anthony took the hardest hit.

Their mother had treated him like nobody else (besides Molly) had ever done so before.

She treated his wounds when their father told him to toughen up, she helped him deal with his confusing emotions, she never favored the twin's older brother over any of her other children.

And now, she was gone.

Anthony's grief was as immense as the ocean, as relentless as the waves crashing against the shore. It consumed him, drowning out all other thoughts and feelings. In that moment, as he sat there with the bottle in his hand, Molly's presence was a constant reminder of the pain he was feeling, of the loss that threatened to engulf him.

She tried to help, but he couldn't let her in. Not yet. Not while he was still trying to come to terms with the fact that the one person who had always been there for him was gone.

He took another swig of the booze, feeling the liquid burn its way down his throat. It was a brief respite from the ache in his chest, the tightness in his chest. But he knew it was only temporary. Sooner or later, the pain would return, and he would be left to face it alone.

Molly watched him, her heart breaking all over again. She wished she could take away the pain, but she knew that she couldn't. All she could do was be there for him, to let him know that she cared, that she wouldn't abandon him.

As she turned to leave, she took one last look at her brother, feeling a desperate urge to do something, anything, to help him. But she knew that she couldn't force him to face his feelings, not when he wasn't ready. 

With a heavy heart, she forced herself to walk away, her footsteps echoing through the empty hallway.

In the bedroom, Anthony let out a shuddering breath as the door clicked shut behind Molly. He reached for another bottle, taking a long swig before dropping it back onto the bed. 

The room spun around him, the alcohol and drugs dulling the edge of his grief, if only for a moment. He thought about calling one of his dealers, but he couldn't bear the thought of talking to anyone else, or admitting how much he needed this escape.

He lay back on the bed, staring up at the ceiling, his mind awhirl with memories of their mother. The way she used to sing to him when he was sick, the smell of her perfume, the feel of her hand in his. He missed her so much it physically hurt. He missed the way she'd tease him about his clumsiness, the way she'd make him feel special even when he thought no one else did.

With a groan, he rolled over, burying his face in the pillow. He didn't know how he was supposed to go on without her. It felt like a part of him had died along with her, and he didn't know how to live without that part. 

He closed his eyes, wishing he could just fade away, disappear into nothingness, where the pain wouldn't be so sharp, where he wouldn't have to face the world without her.

The room began to spin, and he realized he'd taken too much. He forced himself to sit up, fighting the nausea that threatened to overwhelm him.

 His head felt like it was about to explode, and his vision was blurry. He reached for a glass of water, but his hand trembled uncontrollably, and he spilled half of it on the bed. He sighed, defeated, and lay back down, staring up at the ceiling.

The memories came flooding back, unbidden and unrelenting.

 The first time she'd held him, the day he'd graduated high school, the way she'd looked at him when he'd told her his dreams. He could hear her voice in his head, her laughter echoing through the empty room.

 He wanted nothing more than to be able to talk to her again, to ask her for advice, to tell her how much he missed her. But he knew that was impossible.

He reached for another bottle, unscrewing the cap with shaking hands. 

The sweet smell of alcohol filled the air, and he took a long swallow, feeling the liquid burn its way down his throat.

 It was the only thing that seemed to drown out the voice in his head, the one that kept repeating the words "I'm sorry, Anthony, I'm so sorry." He closed his eyes, trying to block it out, but it was no use.

He couldn't help but think back to Molly. He had watched her walk away, her heels clicking against the floor until they were heard no more. 

His world spun.

It spun like never before.

He was no stranger to getting high, but this was different. 

Eventually, the darkness consumed him, the last thing he'd ever see was the sight of his dear sister, who only wanted to help, walking away after he had hurt her. 

｡ﾟ•┈꒰ა ♡ ໒꒱┈• ｡ﾟ

Angel was a mess of sobs as he was restrained. He just melted into the angel’s arms as he sank to the ground.

He let go of his death-grip on the elder angel, bringing his hands to his face as he pressed his eyes into the palms of his hands, continuing to wail. 

Through sobs, he brought his head up to see another elder angel-- along with the one that had blocked Angel’s path, holding out a hand for Angel to latch onto.

He just stared at the hand, before shaking his head profusely, slowly sliding away from the two angels as he turned around, once again tripping over his own feet as he tried to get away from the angels.

Angel ducked behind the wall that he had come from previously, immediately sinking back to the ground once he was shielded from the stares of the elder angels. 

The cherub had noticed him, and flew over, puckering her lip as she frowned.

“I suppose it didn’t go so well..?” she hesitantly asked.

“What’s ya first fuckin’ clue, sherlock?!” Angel screeched, turning towards the cherub with tear-stained fur.

She flinched, taking a step back as she raised her clipboard slightly, in a manner of self-defense.

“I’m sorry ....I…thought you knew that-” she paused, preventing herself from saying anymore.

“What?!” Angel exclaimed, still heaving.

“Err--- what’s the best way to explain this..” she mumbled to herself. “Family, or-- anyone in relation to a soul in question-- if they aren’t sent here after they die, then all memories of said person will disappear from the winner’s mind.” 

The cherub averted Angel’s gaze, as he continued to sob.

“And you….you….you wouldn’t think to tell me that beforehand?!?” Angel resisted the urge to reach out and choke the creature.

“I-i’m sorry…” she backed away once more, and tsked. “Is there anything that I can do to help?” 

This only earned herself a glare from Angel.

Before he could respond though, a flash was seen, before the two elder angels from before appeared again.

Angel glanced up to them.

“Do not be afraid..” the one closest to Angel said, lifting his hands in innocence. 

“We have not come to hurt you..just to have a word, if you would allow it, Mr. Vittori.” he smiled down at Angel, who just cowered on the ground.

Angel continued to hyperventilate, shaking his head.

“No…no….just…get away from me-!” Angel stood up, stumbling a little bit. The angel held out a hand to help him up, but Angel ignored it as he spread his wings, taking off.

He flew away from the cherub and the two elder angels, not wanting to be near them anymore. The wind whipped through his fur as he soared, tears streaming down his face. He didn't know where to go or what to do.

His mind was a mess of conflicting emotions: anger, hurt, betrayal, and confusion. He couldn't understand why the humans had done this. They were supposed to be the good ones, the ones who cared about others. But they had abandoned him, just like everyone else in his life.

Angel finally landed under a tree, in an endless field of beautiful flowers of all different colors, shapes, and sizes. 

He sat down on the soft, green grass, and buried his face in his hands, trying to muffle his sobs. 

He tucked his knees to his chest as far as they could go with the extra weight creating a blockage. Burning his face into his knees, he brought his lower set of hands up to wrap around his stomach. 

“Guess it’s just you and me now, kid.” he sniffled.

 “I’m so fuckin’ sorry…” he managed, before beginning to sob once more. 

｡ﾟ•┈꒰ა ♡ ໒꒱┈• ｡ﾟ

Days later, Angel was awoken by pounding on his door.

Angel sighed, rubbing his eyes. He knew whoever it was wouldn't take kindly to being kept waiting. 

He swung his legs over the edge of his bed and stood up, stretching his wings.

Being forced to come out of his depression-like state already put Angel in a bad mood. Albeit, deep down, he knew he needed the exercise. With a baby on the way, he couldn’t just laze around all day. 

 Angel reached the door and paused for a moment, taking a deep breath to calm his raging emotions. 

With all that was happening, Angel was in a shut-down mode. 

 With a growl, he yanked the door open, revealing the cherub, her wings wrapped around her body in a defensive posture. Angel groaned at the sight of her, and immediately made a move to shut the door, before the cherub stuck her hand in the crack between the door and the wall, exclaiming:

“Wait! Please, hear me out…”

"You'd better have a damn good reason for why I should forgive you," he snarled, his eyes burning into hers. "Because if you think you can just apologize and all is forgiven, you're dead wrong." 

The cherub trembled visibly, her lower lip quivering as she tried to find the words to explain herself. But before she could say anything, Angel cut her off. 

“I worked so damn hard to get here, been through alla that shit, just ta find her. You could’ve at least had the damn courtesy to tell me that she wouldn’t fuckin’ remember me!” he pointed a finger towards her, causing her to take a step back.

She exhaled. “Angel, I- I know it hurts, and i’m so sorry that I didn’t tell you, but you-- you have to understand, whe-”

Angel cut her off with a growl. "No,you don't get it. You don't get to decide that for me. I've been through hell and back ta find her, and you just took it all away with one stupid mistake." He leaned in, his eyes boring into hers. 

“I-”

“Shut the fuck up!!” he had yelled louder than he intended to, but in this moment, he didn’t care. 

The cherub flinched at his outburst, her wings pressing tighter against her body. 

Tears welled up in her eyes as she took another step back, bumping into the door behind her. She lowered her head, her voice barely more than a whisper as she spoke. "I-I'm sorry. I didn't mean to make you so angry. I just wanted to protect her--- protect you! I didn't know what else to do."

Angel felt a pang of guilt, but that didn’t stop him. 

“Like fuck you had my best interest in mind!” 

Angel's voice was a low growl, his wings shifting restlessly behind him as he took a step closer to the trembling cherub. "You should've just left me alone. If you'd just let me find her and leave, none of this would've happened."

The cherub looked up, her tear-filled eyes meeting his. "I couldn't just do that, Angel. I couldn't let you- hurt her again!”

Angel flinched, before firing back. 

"You don't know what I was going to do," he snarled. "You don't know what I wanted." He took another step closer, looming over her. "But I think you should be worried about what I'm going to do now."

The cherub swallowed hard, her throat feeling tight and raw. "You- you can't just hurt me, Angel. I'm only trying to protect her."

He let out a humorless laugh. "Protect her? Is that what you call it? You're lucky I don't think you deserve any better than this, or I'd rip your little wings off right now." His eyes narrowed as he studied her face, searching for any sign of fear or guilt. 

“You don’t fuckin’ know the pain I went through to get here! All that shit I had to endure down there! And it fuckin’ sucks up here too! This’ supposed to be the happiest place on earth?! Fuck you all!!” Angel took a step forward, causing the cherub to flinch, raising her clipboard over her face for protection.

This caused Angel to stop, losing his snarl as he just stared at the cherub.

This scene felt all too familiar. 

｡ﾟ•┈꒰ა ♡ ໒꒱┈• ｡ﾟ

TW: Valentino. Need I say more? Skip to the next page divider if you’re uncomfortable!!

“Val, I-”  

Angel was cut off by a brisk slap to the face. 

Valentino trudged over to Angel, barely leaving him time to recover as he picked him up once again, this time via Angel’s dressing gown, as he shoved his star actor up against a wall.

The overlord brought his bottom set of arms up, and took his cigar, tracing a pattern of smoke in the air that formed to become a chain. The smoke wrapped around the arachnid’s neck. His top two arms remained on Angel’s neck as they continued to press him up against the wall. 

“You think just because you’re my favorite whore that you can do whatever you fucking please?!” 

Another slap to the face.

“Val. Please, I wasn’t trying to- agh!” he grunted as he was thrown across the room, colliding with a table in the process. 

The spider tried standing up, but that only resulted in stumbling, until Val yanked him by the robe once more, tugging him closer. 

"Please, just let me explain!!" 

Valentino had no intent of doing that, and picked him up by the robe collar, dragging him over to the couch, slamming him down on it.

"Do you even know how much money I could’ve lost because of you?!" he yelled, his face turning beet red with anger. "And then you have the nerve to try and beg for another chance?"

Angel, still stunned, couldn't bring himself to respond. His boss's words were like a knife to the heart, and he couldn't help but feel a lump forming in his throat. He wished he could just disappear, vanish into thin air, but instead, he found himself trapped in this living nightmare.

Valentino, on the other hand, seemed to take some sort of twisted pleasure in Angel’s misery. He leaned in closer, his breath hot and foul in the man's ear. 

"You know what? I think I'll make an example of you. I'll make sure everyone in this company knows what happens to people who mess up as badly as you did."

Angel felt a shiver run down his spine as he heard those words. He knew there was no point in protesting anymore. There was no one he could turn to for help, no one who would believe him if he told them what had really happened. He was all alone in this world, and it felt like everything was slipping away from him.

Valentino stood up, towering over Angel. 

With a snap of the fingers, he instantly summoned the familiar golden contract.

The stupid, stupid contract.

“Now, let’s see…” Valentino smirked, skimming over the contract. “How about…3 more decades onto your contract?”

Angel’s eyes widened. “Val! That-- I-”

He was met with another slap. 

No, you don't get to speak! You don't get to argue!" his boss spat, the words dripping with venom. "You're nothing but a worthless piece of trash, and I'm going to make sure everyone knows it!"

The man could feel his face burning with shame, tears stinging the back of his eyes. He wanted nothing more than to disappear, to vanish from existence, to never have to see this man's cruel face again. But he knew that wasn't an option. Not anymore.

Valentino leaned in closer to Angel. “You have no control. You’re merely a pawn in my game. You are nothing.”

He summoned the chain again, and pulled Angel closer to him.

“You’re just a toy-- don’t forget that.”

｡ﾟ•┈꒰ა ♡ ໒꒱┈• ｡ﾟ

She just cowered in fear, as Angel took a step backwards. 

He couldn’t form words. He was just-- shocked.

How could he stoop this low?

Inflicting the pain that he had felt for decades onto another person? Who wanted to help him, for goodness sake. 

What was he doing?!

Angel's mind reeled as he tried to process the situation. He couldn't believe that he had just reacted so violently. He had never meant to hurt her; he had only wanted to protect himself. But in that moment, it had all spiraled out of control.

He took a deep breath, trying to calm his racing heart and steady his shaking hands. When he looked up again, he saw the tears streaming down her face. He had never meant for her to suffer like this.

 "I'm sorry," he murmured, his voice barely audible over the thunderous beating of his heart. "I didn't mean for this to happen."

Angel looked down at both sets of hands, all four hands trembling. 

The cherub couldn’t even bother to look at him, as she just quickly got up and flew away.

Angel had half a mind to go after her. 

No.

She didn’t deserve it.

Instead of just being honest and telling him the truth, she didn’t and now he was hurt.

Angel tried to use his self-pity as an excuse, but knew deep down that he was in the wrong.

He didn’t care.

Not anymore.

Heaven wasn’t worth it if he wasn’t happy.

If his happiness was in hell.

With Husk.

With Charlie.

Vaggie, even.

Anything was better than being here, where not even his own sister remembered him.

He was going back, no matter what it takes. 

｡ﾟ•┈꒰ა ♡ ໒꒱┈• ｡ﾟ

Usually, when you’re faced with a collection of heaven-- no, creation's most powerful beings, you would be scared.

…Right?

That wasn’t the case. 

Normally, this would cause any (normal) person to shit themselves.

In Angel’s situation, he was too broken to even care.

He looked around the room.

The room was vast and ornate, adorned with the finest materials money could buy. The throne at the head of the chamber was empty, the weight of its importance palpable in the air. A grandiose painting of a great battle hung on the far wall, the celestial beings depicted within showing off their power and majesty. 

But Angel wasn't paying attention to any of that.

Instead, he focused his gaze onto the boxes that were positioned at an altitude that held the various members of the heavenly council. 

Sera peered down at him from the highest box, her face a display of both disappointment, and shame. 

"So," Angel drawled, "You’re here to tell me I'm a monster?"

One of the lesser-ranked members of the council cleared his throat. "We do not believe that you are a monster, Angel," he said carefully. "But we are concerned about your recent behavior."

Angel snorted. "What, you mean the fact that I've been angry because every one of those goddamned angels shit on me like I've got polio?!” 

The council exchanged glances. One of them cleared his throat. "You have... acted in ways which have brought harm to those around you," he said carefully. "We believe that you need time to reflect on your actions and find a way to move forward."

"Oh, that's rich," Angel scoffed. "You're talking about the same bunch that cast me out like I'm some sort of leper? The same ones who made sure every other angel knew I was a freak? Yeah, I'm sure you're just looking out for my best interests."

The room fell silent for a moment. Angel could feel their eyes boring into him, weighing him up, trying to decide what to do with him. 

He let out a bitter laugh. "What, you're gonna send me back to hell? Go a-fucking-head!!"

Sera  leaned forward in her throne-like chair. 

"Angel," she said, her voice calm and measured, "we understand that your time in Hell has left you scarred. But you must understand that your actions have consequences. You cannot simply lash out at those around you without considering the effects of your words and deeds."

Angel scoffed. "What do you know about it?" he spat. 

"You guys get to sit up here on your pretty little thrones, looking down on everyone like you're better than us. Well, news flash, bitch: we're all just as fucked up as each other."

Her expression didn't change, but her eyes narrowed slightly. "That may be true," she said slowly, "But it does not give you the right to inflict pain upon others.” 

Angel rolled his eyes, crossing his arms over his chest. 

She continued, "Never in all my years of serving heaven's council have I  encountered such defiance. Angel, you must understand that the life you once knew is gone. You can either choose to accept that and find a new purpose, or you can continue down this path of self-destruction. It is your choice."

Angel snorted. "Oh, please. Spare me the fucking platitudes. You think I don't know that my life is over? You think I give a shit about finding some new purpose?" 

He leaned forward, his voice low and dangerous. "You might as well just send me back to hell right now, because that's where I belong. With the rest of the rejects and the damned."

Sera’s expression hardened. 

"We have given you a choice, Angel. You can either accept our help and work with us to find a new purpose, or you can continue down this path of self-destruction. The choice is yours." She snapped, instantly summoning a golden sheet of paper.

A contract, to be exact. 

Angel snorted derisively as the golden parchment floated down to him, settling on the table in front of him. 

After Valentino, he had sworn to never sign a contract again.

But despite himself, he found his fingers twitching towards the paper, drawn irresistibly to the spot where his name was to be written, waiting for him to make his mark

The lead angel watched him warily, her expression unreadable. "Angel," she began, her voice gentle but firm, 

"You should reconsider. Not only are you harming yourself with this decision, you are also taking a new burden-- this one to be put upon your child.” she motioned down to his stomach, causing his lower arms to come up and wrap around the swell.

He looked up at her, his eyes hard “Well it’s my fuckin’ choice.” 

Sera gripped the railing of the balcony that she was seated on. "A foolish one at that!"

Her words echoed through the throne room, causing the other angels in attendance to shift uncomfortably in their seats.

 The tension was palpable as they waited to see what Angel would do next. He glanced up at her, his eyes narrowing. 

“Fuck it.”

Then, with a sigh that seemed to come from the depths of his soul, he reached out and took the golden quill that had appeared next to the contract.

Angel's hand shook slightly as he signed his name at the bottom of the contract. 

Once he finished his signature, a portal suddenly opened, causing a rush of wind to sweep through the throne room. 

Angel's wings, now free from their restraints, disintegrated with a powerful snap, their snowy feathers fading in the ethereal light. His halo fell to the floor in a quiet clatter. Angel stared at it, before looking back up at Sera. 

She peered down menacingly at him, before turning her nose up.

“I hope you’re satisfied with your decision, Anthony..”

｡ﾟ•┈꒰ა ♡ ໒꒱┈• ｡ﾟ

Damn.

I didn't know I was capeable of writing that much.

(Also, took me a second because my tumblr crashed, LOL.)

Took me about 2 months, although I crammed about 7k words in like, 3 days (And I didn't forget about it, YOU DID!!)

As I said, this was a little gift for my friends @scribbsyscribs and @boldlygreatsuit!!

This fanfiction was based of of Scribssy's story: When You're With Me, on A03!! This story is based of of Boldly's Alternate Universe: when-your-long-lost-partner-shows-up-at-your-doorstep-and-is-heavily-pregnant (LOL, I made that up.)

Anyways, I hope you enjoyed this! Took me forever to write and i'm so proud of myself for formatting and editing and beta(ing??) it all by myself. And I didn't procrastinate. So yay!!

Thanks for reading!!

Word Count: 13661 (DAMNNN)

[sugacookees]

lovebug again

✩ boo seungkwan x reader ✩ high school setting, fluff, mutual pining, mentions of death  ✩ w.c. approx. 7.1k ♫ this town - niall horan; lovebug - jonas brothers; for lovers - lamp; forever&more - role model; la la la that’s how it goes - honne; falling for you - colbie caillat

I hate being sick.

Everyone does, but some people enjoy the special treatment they receive from loved ones. But in my household, that is never the case. When I get sick, it always seems to be my fault. Too much time on my cellphone, not enough sleep, going out with friends too much—every leisure activity that could be blamed except for the fact that it actually happens.

Teenagers get two to four colds a year on average. But maybe I’m not a teenager after all since my mom says I should never catch a cold. Only weak people do. And annoyingly so, I kind of agree. As president of the class and of the school council, each day is vital. So, being sick is totally not on schedule and ruins everything. The time I’m spending lying on my bed staring at my ceiling could have been time for me to finalize our plans for the fundraiser and the booths for the upcoming school festival. But no, the universe decided that I should become the most helpless human being on earth at the time I'm most needed.

I couldn't even check my phone for updates or messages from other school council members. My mom is convinced that my phone single-handedly caused me to catch a virus and that it should be kept away from me. She even went out of her way to wrap it in a drawstring bag so my sister wouldn't get sick like me. I tried to do some schoolwork in advance, but I felt like my head was about to fall off, so I quickly abandoned that plan. 

It was a day ago in Chemistry class when I started feeling ill.

“Okay, here are five chemical equations to balance. I’ll give you a couple minutes to accomplish this and then we’ll get right to checking them.”

I look down right away at my notebook and copy the equations. By the second one, the numbers and letters are starting to jumble and lose sense. I feel like I’ve been reading the same number over and over again. I look up and around at my classmates to see if I’ve just been looking down too much, but I quickly regret it as soon as I see Jisoo’s head in front of me turn into three. I clutch my head and shut my eyes closed, hoping it would go away. Nevertheless, I go back to my problem set and attempt to accomplish it.

“Hey, are you okay?”

Looking to my right, where the voice is coming from, I see Seungkwan, who looks concerned. I quickly reassure him that I’m fine and that it’s probably just the heat. He nods in agreement, but does so hesitantly. Anyhow, I couldn’t find it in me to reassure him further as another wave of pain hits my head, and right at that moment I think I would just like to be hit by a train and be done with.

As I am looking down, I see a peek of navy blue hovering by my peripheral. I slowly turn my head towards it and see a jug held by Seungkwan, still with his worried face.

I’ve known Seungkwan for years. Our parents know each other way back from their childhood as we live just about 7 houses down by each other. It’s a small town too, so we go to the same market, same bakery, same school, and same dainty old cafes and restaurants. On holidays, we exchange meals and gifts, and simple hellos and goodbyes.

I remember the time before Nari was born. Seungkwan and I would always run around the house and play together. He invited me to his birthday parties, and I did too. Though, when we grew up and my father passed, I found myself forever changed. Seungkwan and I started to drift apart as a result of that, among other things.

Seungkwan has always been the most extroverted one in the room, and me, well, I’m completely on the other end of that spectrum. Wonwoo and Jiheon have always been quite introverted as well so we quickly got along. Surprisingly though, Wonwoo had also made friends with Seungkwan along with a few other boys. We would all be together from time to time at the park, the boys playing sports, and Jiheon and I, along with the other younger siblings of the boys, playing a definitely more beginner-friendly version of whatever game they were playing. All in all, we all got along well. Seungkwan and I would exchange conversations every now and then, but we weren’t as close and playful as we were before.

But I must admit, I have, and always will, hold a special fondness for Seungkwan. He was always sweet and kind, and even loved by all the elderly people in town. I recall the time I was out to buy some bread for our house, I saw him happily chatting with Chan’s grandmother. I say chatting, but more like gossiping by the way they were hunched and shifting their eyes. He would always make sure everyone in class was included, and he would always make everyone happy with his jokes and skits that he, Seokmin, Jisoo, and surprisingly, Jihoon, would act out. Seungkwan would also unhesitantly offer assistance to the student council during major projects. Sometimes, he would even stay late with me, saying, “So you have less to do tomorrow, and more time to rest!” He would then walk me home, and never forget to greet my parents and wish them well.

Seungkwan is lovely. And he is even more lovely now as he offers his water to me. Our drinking fountains have been under maintenance recently so, if I take up his offer he’ll have to wait until he gets home to get a drink again. He sees me hesitate and about to reject his offer, so he firmly places his tumbler on my desk and turns back to his notebook, offering no space for compromise.

In perfect timing, Mr. Hyun announces that the time is up and it’s time to check our answers. I pick up the tumbler, open it, and drink. I turn to Seungkwan quickly and smile. He smiles back.

By the next day, the headaches still come and go, but I keep it to myself and head to school anyway. During our break time, Wonwoo and Jiheon notice my weakened state and urge me to go to the school clinic.

“I’m fine! Just sleepy, that’s all.”

They share a look and thankfully leave my table.

But my peace is soon ruined as Jiheon slams a piece of paper on my desk. A clinic slip. The loud thump gathers the attention of the class, and they take notice of the much familiar white paper that occupies my desk.

“Oh my god, class president is sick?!” Soonyoung exclaims while exaggeratingly covering his mouth.

Usually unconcerned Hansol, Myeongho, and Junhui jerk their heads in my way with horrified expressions.

“I’m not sick! It’s just a small headache. It’ll go away soon.”

“It won’t.” Wonwoo says firmly with his arms crossed. “You’ve been having them since yesterday. Go to the clinic right now or else I’ll drag you there myself.”

Now, I'm usually assertive and tend to win in situations, but when I remember how Wonwoo once dragged Mingyu down the stairs by his backpack down the stairs because they were running late, I decide to sign the slip. I definitely don't want to be dragged like that.

On my way out, Jeonghan and Jisoo give me a few applauses with matching devious smirks.

I point at them accusingly and say, “Unlike you, I’m not pretending just to get out of class.”

Now here I am, at home, holed up in my room, bored out of my mind. Until, I hear a knock on my door and see Nari peeking in.

“Unnie, your classmate’s downstairs. He’s talking with Eomma. Come quickly.” She says hurriedly before rushing out.

I wonder what’s Wonwoo doing here. He usually sends me a text if he’s coming over. Well, he’s been one of my best friends for years, and he has come over a lot, so it’s not like my family has no idea of his existence, and maybe, he thought that sending me a text would end up in me stopping him from coming over. Probably.

Knowing it's only Wonwoo, I skip glancing at the mirror to fix my appearance; after all, he's seen me worse. Still feeling a bit lightheaded from lying down for hours, I make my way downstairs.

“Yah, Wonwoo. You couldn’t even se-“

I halt and gape at the man in my living room who is definitely not my best friend with fifty-eight centimeter wide shoulders (we got bored in class).

Seungkwan stands there in his collared navy blue sweatshirt, holding a basket of tangerines, looking at me with an alarmed face, then gives me a soft smile. It is at this moment I truly realize how much the universe hates me. I probably look like absolute shit right now, and Nari’s sly smile only confirms that further. That little girl.

“Oh, I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to intrude or whatsoever. I hope it’s okay. I’ll just drop this off and go, I’m sorry again.”

My mom quickly butts in, “No, no! It’s alright Seungkwan. The gesture is much appreciated. And I know this one has been dying for a familiar face that isn’t ours.” She gives me a look, which I have no idea what it even means, and smiles. She takes the basket and heads to the kitchen bringing Nari along.

In the living room, Seungkwan and I find ourselves standing awkwardly, a noticeable gap between us. It's evident that he wants to say something, but he seems hesitant, perhaps fearing that he might not be welcome. Unable to bear the silence any longer, I take the initiative and speak up.

“Thank you for coming by the way. And for the tangerines too. Those are my favorite.”

“I know.”

His response catches me off guard, and my surprise seems to have unconsciously shown on my face, prompting him to explain further.

“In middle school, we were asked to bring our favorite food. You came in holding this single medium-sized tangerine. And you know, my family has a farm so I brought one too. I was really embarrassed because Seungcheol had brought this full-blown meal and everyone was gathered around him. But then you saw me, approached me and told me-“

“‘Tangerines are cuter anyway.” I finish.

We both share a laugh and in between our laughter he asks me, “What the hell does that even mean anyway? How could tangerines be cute?”

I look at him fondly and answer, “Well, they just are.”

There’s a pregnant pause that follows our laughter as we gauge what to do next. As I’m about to ask him what made him drop by, he already answers me with a sheepish smile, “I, uh, just seeing you pale and weak in class, and you not showing up today just really had me worried.” He scratches his head and looks away. “So, I decided to check-up on you to see if you were alright.

Despite my disheveled bed hair, crusty and pale lips, and being dressed in Anpanman pajamas, I confidently say that I'm doing well.

“Don’t worry, I’ll be coming to school tomorrow.”

He gives me a worried look, like the one he gave me a day ago in Chemistry. “Are you sure? I think you should rest more. The council’s doing alright with the prep anyway.”

Feeling my stomach flutter at his genuine concern, I try to brush it off, blaming it on my feverish state, and reassure him that I'll be okay.

“I’ll be fine, Kwan. It’s just a cold.”

Kwan. I hadn’t realized I used a nickname for him I gave him years ago until I had said it. Either he didn’t notice, or doesn’t really care as it doesn’t seem to have caught him off-guard, seeing that he still seems to worry about me.

“If you say so…”

Ever the worrywart, but undeniably cute.

?!

“Well, it’s about to get dark in a while so I should head home. It was good seeing you. I hope you feel better. And if you ever decide not to come to school tomorrow that’s a hundred percent just fine, and I’ll take care of letting our teachers and the council know.”

I chuckle and walk him to the door.

“Thank you, Seungkwan. For coming by, and for the tangerines. I really appreciate it. Be safe on your walk back, and see you in school tomorrow.”

A few steps away from the door, he turns around, now walking backwards, with that charming smile and says, “I mean this in the nicest way possible. I hope I don’t.” As he walks away, that smile still on his face, I wave goodbye, returning the gesture with a warm smile of my own.

Subconsciously admitting that I do feel a little under the weather, I retreat back inside, hoping to get more and better rest.

Nearing the staircase, my mom stops me, and Nari hovers behind her with a smile that makes me feel uneasy.

“So,” she starts, annoyingly elongating the ‘o’. “I haven’t seen you and Seungkwan together for a while.” I quickly try to jump to correct her until she interrupts me. “I mean, you know, conversing. Especially with him coming here to our home.”

“Yeah, conversing.” Nari butts in, also, elongating her vowels. I roll my eyes at them.

“Tell that sweet boy he should come over often like the old days. Makes me feel younger.” My mom yells.

Don’t think I’ll be doing that, but like the good daughter I am, I say okay anyway and go back to my room.

My head pounds as I struggle to wake up, attempting to open my heavy eyes. The blaring alarm in the background adds to my discomfort, and I quickly move over to silence it. Another second of that noise, and my head might just explode. Despite feeling weak, I gather the strength to stand up, determined to get ready for school

Looking at my state and the fact that I can’t even tie my shoes right without getting lightheaded should be enough reason for me to garbage the idea of going to school. But then, I remember all my missed classes and the council preparations. I can’t miss one more day.

During breakfast, I try my best to act normal and perfectly healthy. Nari gives me a side eye every now and then, waiting for a moment to catch me red-handed; pretending not to be sick. Fortunately, my mom is preoccupied with getting ready for work and preparing our lunches, so she doesn't pay strict attention to my condition.

So far so good.

I collect my things and head out. As I open the door, the sun blares right at me so I cover my eyes with my hands and take a few steps forward to get into the shade. As soon as I remove my hand, I jump out of surprise at the sight of Seungkwan.

“Yah! Are you trying to kill me?! What are you doing?!”

“I’m sorry! I just..” He trails off and leads me into confusion.

“You just…?”

“My mom!” He screams frantically, and I jump in surprise again. “My mom also knew about you getting sick, so she asked me to accompany you to school to make sure you were okay.”

“Oh, well, she really didn’t have to. I’ll send her a text that I’m alright-”

“No!” He screams again.

“Seriously! Why do you keep screaming so early in the morning?!” His agitated state isn't exactly helping mine, and the never-ending screaming is starting to make me lightheaded again.

“I’ll do it. I mean- you don’t have to send her a text. I’ll tell her myself later. Don’t. Send a text.”

“Okay, alright!!”

I turn towards the direction of the school and start walking. He quickly follows and walks beside me.

Trying to make small talk, he asks me, “Are you feeling better today?”

“Yeah I am.” Well, technically, yes I am better. I didn’t say anything about feeling totally okay, so I’m totally, technically, not lying.

“That’s good,” is all he says.

He doesn’t make further small talk and we make our way to school in comfortable silence. Even if we hadn’t maintained a close friendship all these years, I can never feel uncomfortable around Seungkwan. Somehow, he always knows when I am in need of a cheery conversation, or time to be left alone. He also supports me in any endeavor I take on, like running for class president, and school council president. He even went as far as taking Soonyoung and Seokmin to the crafts store, buying materials to make a ton of banners and posters for me. I thanked them by treating them to Chan’s grandmother’s restaurant.

As we arrive in our classroom, our arrival makes some commotion.

“Oh? Class president, hello! Seungkwan-ah… hello to you too.” Soonyoung greets, adding a wink for whatever reason at the end.

As we walk to our seats, I feel lingering eyes following our every move. I look back and see Seokmin and Soonyoung whispering to each other. I raise a brow at them, and turn back to my seat shaking my head.

“Sorry about Soonyoung. I guess he missed you.” Seungkwan says beside me as he settles on his seat. “We all did…” He adds.

Wonwoo and Jiheon approach me asking about how I was and if I was feeling better. I fed them the same remarks (not lies) as I did Seungkwan. Wonwoo looks at me accusingly but decides to brush it off and keep to himself. If I don’t want to be sent home, I should really look out for Wonwoo. He might smell my bullshit about being okay from a mile away.

I made sure to bring a lot of water, using the big jug my mother uses on family trips. And also, to avoid Seungkwan offering his, and ending up infecting him. After all he’s done for me, I really don’t want to do that to him.

I excuse myself and head to the restroom to take a pain reliever, so a headache wouldn’t come over and torture me during class. After doing just that and trying to get myself together, I head back and continue as normal.

At lunch, Wonwoo and Jiheon eat with me. As I open my lunchbox and pause, both of them point at me accusingly, “Aha! I knew it! You’re still sick aren’t you?”

I guess my reaction, or lack thereof, to seeing my lunch was a dead giveaway that I don’t feel so up to par. Usually, I would get excited and eat right away, leaving no crumbs for Jiheon to steal.

“Ugh, but I feel better now. I promise!” I beg, mostly to Wonwoo. “Help me here Jiheon, please?”

“Sorry, I’m with Wonwoo on this one. You’ve been overworking yourself these days and coming to school today will just make your fever worse. You need to rest. It’s okay to, y’know?” She says.

I lean back on my chair, any appetite I even had, gone. I appreciate my best friends’ worries, but I really can’t afford missed days. But maybe they’re right. I can rest, and if I push myself harder I’ll miss more school days than I should.

Wonwoo pulls out an all-familiar slip and pushes it towards me. A clinic slip, all filled out and ready for me to bring. “We’re only worried about you. It’ll be better anyway if you were here in perfect, healthy condition, than physically being here but your mind—no offense, helpless.”

I take the slip and put it in my pocket. And since I don’t have any appetite, nor will I be in the classroom, I offer my lunch to Jiheon, which she accepts excitedly. Wonwoo shakes his head.

I leave the room and head to the clinic. On the way, I really start to feel my fever taking a toll on my body. What even possessed me to leave my bed and get ready? I should have stayed and slept all day.

When I get to the school clinic, they take my temperature and quickly assess that I should be sent home (again) for better recovery. Nurse Yang tells me she’ll ask someone to bring my stuff over for me.

After waiting for a bit, the sound of the chimes by the door brings my attention to Jisoo who is wearing my backpack.

“Thanks, Jisoo.”

“No problem. Though, I’m kinda jealous.” I smack him square on the shoulder. Nurse Yang gives us a side-eye glance. “Kidding. Obviously.” He heads out the clinic, but not before shouting, “Get well soon, our president!” I chuckle at Jisoo’s antics. “Sorry about that.” I tell Nurse Yang, to which she only shakes her head at.

“Your mother says she’s near, you should go to the gate now. Get well soon, dear.”

“Thank you, Nurse Yang. Hopefully you won’t see me back here anytime soon.” I really, genuinely, hope that.

I meet my mom, who is visibly mad, at the school gate. As soon as I get in the car, she gives me a lecture. I drown it out, and use my headache as an excuse to nap, even for a bit.

As soon as we get home, she orders me to stay on the couch for dinner and to drink some ginger tea. Even though the couch might not be as comfortable as my bed, I still snuggle in and nap.

The sound of the doorbell wakes me up. Despite being just a few feet away from the door, I refrain from standing up to get it. I know my family understands my current sickly state, and they will likely get it themselves. I hear the door open and my mom’s delighted gasp.

“Ah, Seungkwan!” I jolt upright and check if my ears heard that right. I look at the door, and there he is, right outside, holding a paper bag and smiling sheepishly at my mom. I contemplate whether I’m dreaming or not, but with Nari tapping my chin, I guess I’m not.

“A fly might go in, Unnie.” She teases then runs away before I give her one.

Seungkwan greets my mother back. “Hello! Just wanted to drop by again and give this samgyetang Eomma made. I also just wanted to check if…” He points at me, on the couch, “…is okay.” He smiles, and waves at me.

“Oh! How kind of you Seungkwan. Come in, come in!” My mom ushers him hurriedly inside, and takes the paper bag from his hands.

She looks at me pointedly, “Make some space for him!”

Seungkwan, alarmed, quickly blurts, “Oh no, it’s okay! I can just stand here...”

Despite his protests, I move my legs off the couch and move off to one side. I look at Seungkwan, who has a look of horror (and a bit of shame) on his face, and pat the very vacant seat beside me.

“Seungkwan, it’s okay. Lying down for so long isn’t great anyway.” I reassure him.

“Well, I won’t be here long. I just wanted to check if you were okay. But also, I felt a bit guilty that I didn’t notice that you were sick this morning.”

If I thought my head pounding was painful, the rapid and loud beating of my heart in my chest is quickly overshadowing that pain. Kind, charming, sweet seat mate and friend Boo Seungkwan, who offered me his water bottle [despite the fact that he can’t get a refill throughout the day], dropped by my house afterwards to give me a basket of tangerines, came to my house early in the morning to accompany me on my way to school [even if he was closer if he were to walk from his home], brought homemade samgyetang, and now says he feels guilty for not noticing I was still feeling sick. I think I might just melt into this couch, actually.

Thinking of nothing to respond, I switch the subject and ask him how his family is doing.

“They’re doing pretty good. My sisters miss seeing you. They always liked you ‘cause they could dress you up and talk about girl things I probably can’t understand.” He laughs.

“Well, I miss them too. Being an elder sister to Nari makes me want one too. I’ll make sure to visit when I get better.”

To that, he merely nods. We’re left in awkward silence again. Running out of things to say, I impulsively invite him over for dinner.

“Oh, no it’s alright, I don’t want to be a nuisance.”

My mom overhears him and quickly excuses him (more like begs him with pleading eyes), “No, Seungkwan. It’s alright. We would love to have you over for dinner! It’s always just us three, so another would make great company.”

“Eomma’s right, Kwan.” 

Kwan. The nickname again. I silently hope he doesn’t notice. And instead of dwelling on why it felt so natural to call him that, like in the old days, I beg him to stay.

“It’s the least we can do for all you’ve done for us, for me. The visits, the tangerines, the samgyetang, your water… Please stay.”

He looks at me to my mother, in deep thought. He fumbles with his hands, and I take notice of how slender and pretty they are. He takes a deep breath as he answers, “Okay.” My mom cheers and shouts my sister and I’s names, telling us to set the table and help her in the kitchen.

“Let me help!” Seungkwan says loudly, standing up from his seat.

“No.” We say in unison. Seungkwan gives up and sits back down with a huff.

During dinner, the atmosphere in our cozy kitchen is delightful, with lively conversation filling the air. A table for four, an antique lamp hanging right above our heads, and a lit candle on the counter. Seungkwan seamlessly fits in, right here beside me, engaging in cheerful chatter with my family. As we lock eyes occasionally, we can't help but share sheepish smiles.

In the middle of Seungkwan telling a story of how his sisters dressed him up for Chuseok last year, a sudden and powerful thunderclap reverberates the room and takes us all by surprise. Nari drops her spoon in surprise and latches on to our mother. As my mom consoles her, I look over at Seungkwan and see him deep in thought.

Oh right, he still has to go home.

“Oh, that must be the rain. Before it gets any stronger, I should probably go…” He says, looking down, afraid to disappoint my mother.

Out of concern (and concern only), I butt in. “What if it gets stronger as you’re walking home? Even with an umbrella, the walk home will still be pretty dangerous.” My overthinking self proves to be quite resourceful at this moment in concocting excuses, even though, in reality, it's not even raining yet. Despite that fact, I continue, “It’ll be better to wait it out, here, where you’re safer.”

I look to my mother in hopes she would agree with me. Her brows are raised but she relaxes them back as soon as I nudge mine for her to interject.

“Oh, yes. Agreed. Definitely. It’s time we took care of you, don’t you think?”

We all look to Seungkwan. An uneasy expression settles on his face. So, to assure him that he isn’t overstaying his welcome (I don’t think he ever can), I place my hand on his arm and smile softly.

“Please?” I squeeze his arm a bit. “I don’t want your family to get mad at me anyway for sending you home drenched.”

He chuckles and places his hand on top of mine. It’s warm. Where is this heat coming from? My fever? My naturally sweaty hands? My hand being sandwiched by his skin? The candle? Or maybe, it has something to do with the loud, fast rhythm my heart is going.

“Okay, okay. You convinced me.” He says out loud. His hand still on mine.

As dinner ends, my mother tells me to put on a movie in the living room to pass time in waiting out the rain. Seungkwan and I make offers to help with the dishes, but my mother is sure she can handle it and doesn’t let us forget that, actually, I’m still sick. Seungkwan, as if hit with this revelation, looks to me with shock as if he had also forgotten why he had come in the first place.

He rushes us back into the living room, settling on the couch, and picking a movie to watch.

“How about that one?”

“The Mimic?! Are you serious?! I’m sorry but no.” He says to me, as if very offended.

“But they said it’s good!”

“How about this one instead?”

The Lover’s Lake, flashes on the TV. I look to him in surprise. I should’ve known he was a rom-com guy.

“See, look. 5 star ratings! This is definitely the one.” He says excitedly. With this much excitement coming from him , I find it impossible to say no. He celebrates shortly, then stands up to dim the lights, setting the perfect mood, and then settles back down, wiggling around to find a more comfortable position. And this said position seems to be at a spot closer to me than he was previously.

I have this thing where, if the movie is good, I tend to instantly fall asleep. And that is just what I did. My eyes were getting heavy about just 20 minutes in. I had felt myself slowly leaning onto Seungkwan, and continued doing so until my head rested on his shoulder. He had not said a word about it, and continued to watch the film.

Maybe it was just my imagination, but he had leaned onto me too. Though, I wouldn’t be so sure about that as I had drifted off to sleep by then.

“Okay, now just pull the bunny ears you’re holding. Pull them tight.”

Following his instructions, I pull tight and successfully tie my shoelaces. His face contorts in delight and breaks out in a big smile.

“See! You did it! Not that hard, right?”

“It was hard.”

He laughs and picks me up in his arms.

Giving me a big smooch on my cheek, he tells me, “I’m proud of you anyway, my love.”

“Thanks, appa.” I say, and hug him tighter.

“Now go back down and show them.”

I run down the stairs excitedly. Today’s my 4th birthday and my family and friends have come to celebrate with me. There’s people towering over me everywhere. Finding my way to my mom to show her my recent feat, I maneuver through the crowd the best I can, but in doing so, I bump into someone.

“Ow, my head!”

As the voice screams out, I instinctively reach for the spot where we bumped, trying to figure out who I even bumped into.

It’s Seungkwan!

“Seungkwan!” He greets me back with the same enthusiasm, both of our pains ebbing away.

“Look!” I point to my shoes and he looks down to see what I’m even excited about.

His jaw drops a bit at the achievement usually only 6 year olds can achieve. “You did those?!”

“Yep.” I say with a proud smile. He continues looking at me in shock and he looks down at his shoes.

Velcros.

I laugh heartily but stop immediately when Seungkwan looks back up at me with an annoyed face.

In an attempt to make him feel better, I ask him if he wants to go get sweets with me. He puts up a bit of a fight before agreeing, but says yes anyway as if it was his last resort.

I take his hand in mine as we weave through the crowd towering over us. He squeezes my hand every now and then, when someone bumps into him and he’s lagging behind, afraid I’ll leave him behind. I tug on his hand.

After what felt like the world’s most grueling journey, we arrive at the kitchen. The sweets are on the counter, but they are really, really high up—way beyond our reach.

Seungkwan and I share a look.

He gives me a nod and I return a look of confusion. He nodded at me like I knew what he was about to do, or that we’ve been through this a million times. He really needs to stop watching those spy movies.

He leaves for a moment and comes back with a stool. As he takes a step on it, it wiggles a bit and I clutch onto him immediately. I look up at him and he merely says, “Oops.” I furrow my brows at him in annoyance.

“Let go of me! I’m so near!” He whines while gently pushing my forehead.

I sigh in defeat and let him go.

He takes another step, both feet on the stool. The added leverage enables him to see the array of sweets on the counter, which, judging by his reaction, is a pretty damn lot.

“Woah! There’s bungeo-ppang, chocopie, songpyeon, and-” He pauses and lets out a gasp.

“What? What is it?! Tell me!” I beg, tugging on his shorts.

He looks at me to create suspense, and then screams in glee, “HOTTEOK! Our favorite!”

In utter surprise and excitement, I pull my hand away from Seungkwan and start applauding. But it seemed like I did it too quickly, causing him to lose balance. From the first wobble, I start screaming his name repeatedly.

“Seungkwan! Seungkwan!” I say it repeatedly, and too fast, that by some point (yes, at this point he is still pretty much wobbling, putting up a good fight) all anyone would hear is, “Kwan! Kwan! Kwaaaan!”

He falls.

I rush to his side and ask him if he’s okay. He stays on the floor, with his eyes closed. After a beat of silence, he starts laughing. I look at him in confusion, wondering if he hit his head too hard. Seungkwan is now crazy and I have to say bye-bye forever.

He opens his eyes and stops laughing as soon as he sees my expression.

“You sounded so funny. ‘Kwan! Kwan! Kwan!” He says, mimicking my voice.

I smack him square on the shoulder.

“Sorry. Here-” He tries to sit up and hands me something. A single piece of hotteok. “Happy birthday!”

I take it from his hand saying, “Oh. Thanks!”

“What happened here?!”

We both look up in surprise at the horrified voice. It’s my mother.

In fear, Seungkwan starts apologizing frantically. “Sorry! We just wanted some sweets but I fell down. Don’t worry they’re still fine! I just got one hotteok though.”

My mom sighs deeply and helps Seungkwan up. She returns the stool from where it came from and reaches for something on the counter.

“Here. One for you, since you fought so valiantly for it.” She says, ruffling his hair. Someone from the living room calls for her. She gives us a smile and walks away.

Seungkwan and I exchange amused glances and burst into laughter. Amidst our laughter, I manage to take a bite of the hotteok now and then, only to continue laughing with my mouth full. Seungkwan playfully teases me, "You hotteok addict! At least wait for us to stop laughing!”

I smack his shoulder again, which seems to urge him to tease me further. “Hotteok addict! Hotteok addict!” He starts mimicking my voice and my rushed tone from earlier, now saying, “Tteokki! Tteokki! Tteokki!”

“What does that even mean?!”

He shrugs. “I don’t know. What does Kwan mean?!”

“Your name is SeungKWAN, stupid!”

“Kwan! Kwan! Kwan!”

“Tteokki! Tteokki! Tteokki!”

“Yah!” We both look at the booming voice, and see my dad towering over us with his brow raised. Seungkwan and I look at each other and nod. Then we start running away in laughter.

A loud thunderstrike jolts me awake.

Huh. My 4th birthday. That was the last time my dad celebrated my birthday with me, and the last time Seungkwan ever saw him alive. What a bittersweet memory.

I try to raise my head but feel a weight on top of it, stopping me from doing so.

My cheeks heat up at the realization. Seungkwan fell asleep too. And, he’s leaning on me.

In a state of panic, I try to make him more comfortable, but only lead myself to move my head and realize how stiff my neck is. I wince in pain which jolts Seungkwan awake. He looks around, feeling heavily disoriented.

“Sorry! I didn’t mean to wake you.” I say.

He looks at me with his mouth slightly open, his hair all floofed up in different directions, and a faint red mark on his left cheek where he was leaning on me.

He gains a bit of composure and says, “No! If anything, it’s my fault. Sorry for falling asleep on you. It must have been uncomfortable.” He scratches the back of his head, feeling a bit ashamed.

With no intention of lying, I agree with him. “Yeah, a bit. But it’s alright.” I say, laughing a bit towards the end to make him more comfortable.

“Well, it seems like the rain has stopped. I should head home…”

My mouth opens to say something, but the words seem to escape me, leaving me with a simple, "Oh."

He stands up to collect his things and prepares to leave. I stand and go to the door before he can, then Seungkwan appears in front of me.

I open the door and gesture my hand for him to step out first. He smiles shyly and heads out, with me following right after.

“So, uh, thanks. For coming by today. I really lo-liked having you here.”

“Me too.” He responds promptly. It seems to be a vague response so he adds, “Thank you, I mean. Thank you also for the great dinner and letting me stay for a while. Sorry again for… sleeping on you…” He looks away.

I laugh and tell him, “Kwan, you apologize too much y’know. Honestly, tone it down.”

He lets out a blissful sigh. “Well, I won’t keep you out here for too long. Goodbye.” He wistfully says, saying my name at the end.

“Goodbye, Seungkwan. I’ll see you in school.”

He starts walking away, towards his home, away from me. And for some reason, I wait. I wait for him to do something. Not exactly sure what. But I just feel like I don’t want this to end.

So I rush back inside the house and reach for something below the shoe rack. I run after Seungkwan, shouting his name.

Alarmed, he looks back immediately in shock. I stand before him tired and panting with my hands on my knees.

“What are you-”

“Here-” I hand him an umbrella. It’s pink and has flowers. “You should use this. Y’know, in case it- umm, rains again.”

He appears hesitant, almost ready to decline, but he stops himself and settles for a simple, kind, and gentle, "Thank you. You didn't have to do that.”

We stand in the middle of the street, just staring at each other with soft smiles. Just two people who have been gravitating around each other, now seemingly refusing to be apart.

He breaks the silence and says, “I’ll go now. For real this time,” while pointing a finger at me. We share a laugh.

Feeling a bit ashamed, I look down and say, “Sorry.”

“Ah, it’s alright.”

He smiles at me, and in response, I smile back and nod, silently indicating that I have nothing else to say to hold him back from going home.

“Get well soon, Tteokki.” He says, ruffling my hair. I say nothing about the nickname, like he did all those times before, and keep smiling.

Seungkwan finally turns back and walks towards the direction of his home, and I do the same.

Before I step inside, I can't help but glance back at him. Seungkwan continues walking with the umbrella hanging on his wrist, swinging it along with his arms. I keep my eyes fixed on him until his silhouette fades away.

With a sigh, I turn back inside, unaware that a certain round-faced boy had momentarily halted his walk and looked back, his thoughts mirroring mine. Just for a moment.

After an exhausting day of essentially doing nothing, I plop down on my bed. I fluff my pillows, get under my covers, and hold onto my teddy bear, hoping for the best sleep ever.

However, just as I close my eyes for about three seconds, I hear a notification sound from my phone. Unable to ignore it, I reach over to my bedside table and check the notification. The curiosity of not knowing what it is would surely keep me from sleeping soundly anyway.

It’s a message from my mom.

Confused, I swipe to open our conversation and see that she has sent me an image. It hasn’t fully loaded yet so I click on it and wait.

When the image loads, my heart starts beating quickly.

It’s a picture of me and Seungkwan sleeping on the couch. My head on his shoulder, his head on top of mine. My brows aren’t furrowed like they usually are. I look relaxed; at ease. I don’t look like I’m sick at all. And Seungkwan looks the same.

I zoom in behind us and see Nari smiling wide holding up a peace sign.

I shake my head and react on the picture with an angry emoji. Before I turn off my phone, my finger hovers over a button.

It doesn’t take much resistance from me to go ahead and click it, so I do.

Then a pop-up notification appears on my phone.

Image saved.

I smile to myself, then turn off my phone and head back to sleep.

Maybe I don’t hate being sick anymore.

a/n: loosely based on a dream I had of seungkwan! fun fact: that dream was the reason he ultimately became my bias T__T i miss u boo! Be well, always <3

[lazyyogi]

Hi LaziYogi I guess I’m writing because I need some help or encouragement , maybe advice, whichever one. A year ago, I was in crippling depression after not getting into my physicians assistant program somehow, I mustered up the courage and decided to apply to an accelerated MSN program. I found out that this January I got in. I was so happy, then two months later my dad died in an accident. I feel like life is personally attacking me. I just went through depression and got out. I only had happiness for a month now I’m in grief and depressed. My program allowed me to defer, thankfully. But I feel bitter, angry, and sad. All these emotions at once. It feels like I’ll be sad forever and things that made me happy don’t anymore. It feels like nothing matters. Do you have any mantras, Buddhist teachings, or book recommendations to help? Thanks.

The book I would recommend is The Places That Scare You by Pema Chodron. Or take a look at any of her books and see which speaks to you. She does a really excellent job of capturing our most difficult inner states and making them workable.

I am so sorry to hear of your father's passing. Having your dad die in such a sudden way would be traumatic for anyone. If you are not already, I recommend taking some time to see a therapist on a regular basis too. It helped me when I was processing my own father's death.

It sounds as if you are no stranger to depression; you have experienced periods of it before. So while it feels as though this current depression will last forever, remind yourself that "this too shall pass." You've been here before and you've emerged from it before too.

It's okay to feel whatever you are feeling right now. But don't use your current state to draw conclusions about yourself or your life or how things will be. Such thoughts are inaccurate and distorted.

The river of life will carry you forward regardless. You will find your way through this. Be willing to do the work and take an active role in your own healing--then it becomes a maturation. And it will also gift you with the kindness and wisdom needed to help others who may suffer similar trials in life.

None of this is fair. I really am sorry for what you are going through. But I know that if you approach your present suffering and struggle with self-honesty and wisdom, you will turn these wounds into mettle.

Much love.

LY

[romancingdaffodils]

Pictures and Portraits - THE FUTURE

thank u @jadeissues for requesting this love u so much everyone this was all jade’s idea

ARTIST!WILBUR LOML

CUTIE PIES

PROPOSAL EXCEPT UR BOTH IDIOTS

abour 760 words not very long but still very cute

part three of the actual series is coming soon i jusy had to do jade’s request obviously ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️

It had been about four years since you met Wilbur. Three years since you’d moved in together, and one year since the jokes about marriage had started from your family. Neither of you had any intention of rushing this relationship, you’d get married when you were ready. You both knew you were ready. Wilbur had forgotten to buy the ring a few months ago, it was a whole thing. Now he was ready.

You were sat on the very same stool he had painted you on when you went on your second date, only this time in your shared house. You were sat, leant forward with your head in your hands. He’d carefully positioned you, handling you like porcelain as always. Never once had he grown bored of painting you, and never once had his muse failed to inspire him. You were endlessly spectacular to him.

When he realised he wanted to propose, he had gone on a rant to Lovejoy and Shelby. He never shut up about how perfect you were, but this time it was different. He was panicked. You had always made him nervous, always, but he adored you too much for any of this to go wrong. He managed to devise a plan, with the help of his friends.

The plan left you, sat here being painted. Something you’d grown fond of but, never used to. “Almost done, dove.” he said, looking over at you. That pet name had never disappeared, and you never wanted it to. You were both so infatuated with each other, it was sickeningly sweet. “How you feeling?” he asked, noticing the tired look on your face.

“Bit tired, but I’m fine. Can’t wait to see it.” you replied, gifting him a soft sappy smile.

“You’re doing great, love. Thanks for doing this.”

“Anytime, you always say it like it’s me doing all the hard work. You’re the one with all the talent.”

“You sit for hours and just let me paint you, it’s a joint effort. Okay, I’m done. Close your eyes. It’s a surprise.” he said, getting ready to turn the easel to show you. You screwed your eyes shut, yawning lightly.

He smiled, spinning round the easel and checking his pockets. He hid the small box behind the canvas, his hand tightly around it. He was sweating. He felt physically sick with nerves, what if you said no? You’d never turned him down before, it was well overdue. He had to ask. He needed to. He pushed his fear aside, and swallowed before he spoke “Open.”.

You opened your eyes immediately, pupils dilating at the sight of the portrait. Pure adoration. Love, even. “Oh, Wil. It’s, oh my god. I think this is your best.” you complimented, he smiled.

“I think so too.” he replied, the smile not faulting. He was still so incredibly nervous, but he knew you’d notice. “Oh? You added a ring? Where’s that come from..?” you added, tilting your head to look up at him. He laughed lightly, you looked in such detail at his paintings it was adorable.

“Y/n, dove.” he began, moving his hand from behind the canvas. Opening the ring box, you couldn’t quite see it yet.

“Wil?” you prompted, standing up to look at him. You didn’t really understand what was happening, confusion evident on your face.

“Y/n. I’ve never met someone like you before. I love you. I adore you. You’re my everything, my inspiration. My muse. You’re so enchanting. I know, that you’re far too good for me. But, here we are. So, dove, my love, will you marry me? I don’t want anybody, but you. You make everything so much better. You truly have ruined me, in the best way possible.” he said, holding out the ring. He didn’t go down on one knee, you both thought it was a little silly. But he did put you above him, with his words. He had made it clear that he was yours, forever.

You cried, you didn’t mean to. “Oh. Wilbur. Yes, of course I’ll marry you. You’re incredible.” you said, tears dribbling down your face. You sniffed and giggled as Wilbur put the ring on your finger. He smiled, kissing the tears from your cheeks. So delicate. So perfect. He’d never seen you look so pretty, he’d never been more happy. He was beaming down at you, you returned the smile.

“Are you alright?” Wil asked, holding your face in his hands. You went onto your tiptoes to press a kiss to his cheek, using his shoulders as support.

“Perfect.”

“Hungry?”

“Always.”

“Chinese?”

“That seems fitting for a proposal.” you joked, looking down to admire the ring. He had perfect taste, and he’d painted it very accurately in the portrait. You did wonder how long he’d been planning this.

“I agree. I didn’t think you’d want a fancy dinner after being painted.”

“You’re right.”

“I know, love you dove.”

“Love you too, Wil.”