#and some even longer and then i took them off and then i put them on again just recently bc of the comeback of my sherlock addiction

[luvergirl-866]

i don’t see what anyone could see in anyone else (but you)

pairing - paige bueckers x azzi fudd

word count - 6.0k

c/w - fluff, they’re both annoying and sassy, p has adhd highkey (twin)

a/n - inspired by the let’s be honest p annoying a video. i just love the girlfriends but best friends first dynamic iykwim 😣. also took a lot of inspo from some tiktok lives 🩷 anyway yeah this is stupid and late for v day but better than nothing!!

It has been a good week.

On Sunday, Azzi made it a point to spend the day getting ahead on schoolwork as much as she could. Coach had been hinting at a grueling upcoming practice week and Azzi knows herself well enough to know she’d end up putting school on the back burner anyway. And that’s exactly what happened, because come Monday, every time she left a class with homework it would end up in her desk, left there to rot until basketball wasn’t her main priority anymore.

Coach hadn’t been lying—he never is about those things. Practice was torture, often running hours into the night as the girls were made to play again and again until they were good enough in Geno’s eyes. But Azzi had been one of the few on the team who loved it, feeling just as renewed as she was drained after each practice. The more exhausted she got, the longer practice went on, the better she performed. It was unusual for her and it struck up a certain confidence, creating a subtle pep in her step everywhere she went.

The only downside to the week was the lack of Paige Time. It’s been like that for quite some time now—really, ever since basketball season started. After the long summer spent basically attached at the hip, the school year was a rude awakening for them and November was even ruder. They were juggling basketball, school, marketing, and their own personal endeavors—especially Paige’s as she prepares to declare. On top of all that, finding time to love on each other has been difficult, if not impossible. Besides for a few kisses in passing and minor flirting in practice, they really only see each other at bedtime and briefly in the mornings.

Which is why, when Azzi wakes up in her girlfriend’s room, she can’t help but smile a little to herself before she’s even really awake. Because it’s Saturday, and the sun is shining through the curtains, and most importantly, they have nowhere to be today.

She can feel Paige’s presence behind her, and can hear the TikToks playing on her phone, signaling she’s already awake. Actually, TikTok might’ve been what woke Azzi in the first place. Now that she’s really waking up, she realizes that Paige has her phone speakers turned up way too high, and a pang of sleepy irritability goes through her. “Babe,” she mumbles into her pillow, “turn that down.”

Thankfully, the tinny noises stop, but they’re quickly replaced by the familiar teasing tone in her girlfriend’s voice. “Look who’s finally awake.”

“What time is it?” Azzi yawns, eyes still closed.

“9:30,” Paige replies.

At that, Azzi snuggles further into the blankets, the scent of Paige enveloping her. “Not even that early,” she says. “Might go back to sleep.”

“Can I wake you up at ten?” Paige asks. “I’m bored.”

“Yes,” Azzi concedes, used to Paige’s neediness, “you can wake me up at ten.”

“Aight,” Paige says, sounding pleased with herself.

Azzi shifts, feeling a little lonely what with Paige all the way on her side of the bed. They’ve had a whole conversation at this point, yet she’s still yet to receive a good morning kiss. It’s off-putting, to be honest. She expects Paige, ever the affectionate one in their relationship, to sidle up beside her now that she’s semi-awake.

Instead, to her shock, the TikTok sounds start back up again. And they’re just as loud as before.

“Paige,” Azzi exclaims, finally cracking her eyes open, turning over her shoulder to find Paige propped up against the headboard, staring calmly at her.

“Hm?” she asks.

Azzi sighs. She hates having to ask for the things she wants. Usually, Paige just magically knows and provides it for her. She must be too busy on stupid TikTok to remember she has a girlfriend who needs attending to.

In lieu of asking straight-up, Azzi reaches back, grasping for Paige’s thigh and looking up at her with big brown eyes.

Immediately, Paige tosses her phone to the side, chuckling. “Mm. Sorry, princess.” Sliding down under the covers, she situates herself closer until she’s hovering above her, close enough to drop a chaste kiss on her lips. “You wanna cuddle?”

“Obviously,” Azzi mutters, reaching up for one more kiss before turning back over, sighing when Paige snuggles up behind her.

“You gotta little attitude this morning,” Paige helpfully observes, nuzzling into the crook of Azzi’s neck.

Azzi closes her eyes, trying to let sleep call to her as it was just a minute ago. “Just miss you,” she says, a little vulnerable in the way she says it—and maybe that’s also due to the minimal clothes they’re wearing, the skin-on-skin contact always making her feel safe and comforted and exposed all at once.

Paige tuts sympathetically, pressing a kiss to her bare shoulder. “I know, baby.” There’s a beat of silence as they shift, Paige’s hand running over her stomach, trailing up to one of her breasts. “Missed you, too.”

As much as the touch turns Azzi on, it’s less the sexuality of it and more the sheer domesticity; the way they know each other’s bodies well enough to be comfortable with wandering hands that aren’t meant to lead anywhere. She breathes deep as Paige holds her gently, then clasps a hand over her’s, keeping her in place.

It’s only another minute before she’s drifting off again, Paige’s even breaths in her ear lulling her to sleep.

It’s peaceful—maybe the most relaxed she’s been all week. But as she lays there, trying to get a few more minutes of sleep, Paige’s breathing changes just a split second before she’s speaking too loudly in Azzi’s ear, “I’m hungry.”

Azzi startles a little at the sudden interruption. Her eyes fly open, though only to shoot a glare at her girlfriend. “Paige!”

“What? I am.” Paige frowns, pulling away to sit up and rub her stomach forlornly. “You took too long to wake up.”

Azzi sighs, rolling over onto her back. “I thought you were gonna let me sleep until ten.”

Paige shrugs at that, making big puppy eyes at her, and Azzi resigns to the fact that she will not be getting any more sleep this morning.

“Fine,” she grumbles, sitting up with some effort. “But I’m gonna shower first.”

She stands up, Paige’s eyes tracking her from where she sits on the bed. She whistles lowly as Azzi makes her way to the closet, likely due to the fact that she’s only wearing a pair of sheer panties. Azzi rolls her eyes, pulling on a pair of clothes for the walk down the hall.

Paige, of course, trails her to the bathroom, situating herself on the floor while Azzi starts the water. She watches intently as Azzi undresses, and Azzi catches her pout just as she’s stepping inside.

“What?” Azzi asks when she sees her expression.

“Can I come in with you?” Paige asks.

The offer is tempting, but Azzi is still sore from last night and in all honestly, she’s not in the mood after Paige rudely woke her this morning. “No. I’m only gonna be like five minutes.”

“I can help you.”

“I think I got it,” Azzi laughs, pouring soap onto her washcloth—something she is perfectly capable of doing by herself.

Paige stands up, walking over to Azzi’s phone on the counter. “Okay, then lemme play your music.”

Azzi doesn’t really have time to protest before Bossman Dlow is blasting far too loud over the speakers, and Paige picks up a hairbrush, admiring herself in the mirror as she sings. Azzi rolls her eyes, refocusing her efforts on cleaning up.

Paige looks over and catches the unamused look on her face. “Oh, sorry,” she says sincerely, picking up another hairbrush and holding it out. “You wanted a mic too?”

Azzi sighs. She gets the feeling she’ll be doing a lot of that today.

————————————

It’s not until awhile later that they finally get to the kitchen—mostly due to the fact that Paige kept showing her videos and making commentary while she tried to do her hair, causing the whole endeavor to take a lot longer than it should’ve. Ironically, Paige is the one whining about this by the time they’re finally ready.

“Bro, now I’m really hungry,” she says, continuing to rub her belly a bit like a pregnant lady—which makes Azzi giggle—as she heads to the fridge.

“What should we have, mama?” she asks. Then, as Azzi’s thinking about it, she says, “You’re right, pancakes sound good.”

Azzi hefts herself onto the counter. “Never said that.”

“You took too long to answer,” Paige replies simply. She roots through the fridge for another minute before sighing, turning around to face her. “Do we need milk to make pancakes?”

“Do you have pancake mix?”

“Um…” Paige walks to the pantry at this, taking another minute to search that before once again sighing dramatically. “No.”

“Then, yes. We need milk.”

“Why, though?” Paige asks, frowning. “Shouldn’t water work the same?”

Azzi scrunches her nose up at the thought of water pancakes. “Ew. No.”

Paige shakes her head at her. “Okay, Miss Picky.”

“I know you’re not talking.”

“Yeah, whatever.”

Azzi hops off the counter, patting Paige’s chest as she walks past her to the entryway, searching for Paige’s keys. “C’mon, we can go grab some real quick.”

Azzi finds the keys and holds them out expectantly, unsurprised when Paige takes them without hesitation. “I guess. But no fucking around.”

They leave the apartment, and Azzi raises a brow as she watches Paige lock up. “What do you mean by that?”

“I mean,” Paige says, taking her hand and beginning to walk, “we get in, get the milk, and go.”

Azzi swings their hands mindlessly between them. “If I’m remembering right, you’re the one who’s currently unmedicated.”

“Yeah, and I’m chill,” Paige says, pressing the button for the elevator. “My doctors just want my money or sum’, I’m fine without that dumb shit.”

“Paige, you woke me up five times last night because you had things to tell me and didn’t wanna forget.”

“Valid reason to wake you up.” Paige shoves Azzi inside the elevator, and once she follows, Azzi pushes her right back.

“I’m just saying. You’re easily distracted.”

“Nah.”

“We were making out for like an hour yesterday and you interrupted it to tell me a story.”

“It was a funny story,” Paige explains, taking her hand once again when the elevator doors open and dragging her out.

“Debatable,” Azzi quips, even though it was kinda a good story.

“And it’s not like we didn’t continue kissing after that. I just gave us a lil intermission.”

“You never needed intermissions while you were on your meds.”

They’re in the parking lot now, and Paige unlocks her car, nudging Azzi towards it. “Just get in the car.”

“Bossy,” Azzi mumbles.

Believe it or not, the two of them do have days where they don’t fight, argue, or even sass each other. Those days, however, come far and few between—making fun of each other is their love language and thus little spats happen more often than not. And with today being the first day in awhile that they’ve spent together—not to mention Paige’s apparent decision to be more irritating than usual—it’s no surprise that they spend the car ride fighting over music.

By the time they get to the grocery store, Paige is hyperfocused on making sure Azzi stays on track. When Azzi falls behind to smell a candle, she sighs and tugs her away by the wrist: “Bro, why are we going at grandma pace.”

Ironically, Paige, like the hypocrite she is, also finds an abandoned cart in the refrigerated section. Azzi is grabbing milk when Paige bumps her with the cart, getting her attention. When Azzi looks at her, Paige simply says, “Babe, watch,” and proceeds to hop on the cart and ride it down the aisle with the vigor of a small child.

Once the milk is secured, Azzi decides she deserves some remuneration for the taxing work of going out in public with her girlfriend. Stopping Paige on their way to checkout, Azzi looks up at her with big, brown eyes and says, “Can we stop in the books? Just really quick.”

Paige avoids her gaze. “Nah, I wanna leave.”

“Aw,” Azzi coos, running a hand down Paige’s arm somewhat seductively, “please, Paigey? I need new books.”

Still, Paige refuses to make eye contact as she says, “Aren’t you working on, like, two right now?”

Azzi doesn’t usually get this much pushback from her. She wonders exactly why Paige woke up and decided to annoy her today. Still, she knows Paige can’t say no to her. Placing her hand on Paige’s cheek, she turns her face, forcing her to look at her: the slight pout of her lips, the way her eyes widen enough to be convincing. “C’mon, baby,” she says. “I promise I’ll be fast.”

That’s the breaking point. With a sigh, Paige nods, allowing herself to be excitedly led to the book section.

Azzi decides that she’s no longer annoyed with Paige as she searches through the books, reading over the synopses of every one that looks interesting. She’s desperate for something new, even though Paige is right—she already has plenty.

Paige stays miraculously quiet for a solid five minutes, allowing Azzi to take her time and even browsing through a few books of her own.

Those five minutes, however, are as long as she gets before she happens to pick up a romance novel. Paige glances at her in that moment and she barely has time to hide the cover before Paige is gagging, most likely at the straight couple pictured embracing on the front of it. “That’s so gross.”

Azzi puts the book back on the shelf. “It’s no different than when we kiss.”

“Lowkey super offensive thing to say,” Paige replies. Azzi rolls her eyes, watching as Paige reaches down to grab a large book with colorful dragons on the cover. “This looks way cooler.”

Azzi takes a few steps closer to read the bold lettering on the cover, and then snorts. “Paige, that is a coloring book.”

By the time they get back home, Azzi has officially rescinded her earlier decision—she is definitely still annoyed with Paige.

—————————————

When they return to the dorms, despite Azzi’s oddly low patience for Paige’s annoying nature today, she still wants nothing more than to cozy up in bed with her and read her new book. They make the pancakes first, Paige doing nothing to help her case by arguing about how exactly to make pancakes. Once the two of them—plus half the team, who heard from Jana in the group chat that there would be pancakes—are fed, Azzi is ready to retreat back into Paige’s room.

However, most of the team is still there, and Paige’s oblivious ass is refusing to take Azzi’s hints, too busy chatting with their friends.

She’s tried everything: muttering to Paige that she’s tired (“I see a lil’ napski in our future,” is what Paige responds with), sitting herself on Paige’s lap in an unusual display of affection (“We run out of chairs or sum’?” Paige asks), and even aggressively cleaning everybody’s dishes (“I can do that, mama, you go hang,” Paige says, taking over).

At this point, it’s all she can do not to just yell at her girlfriend. She sits on the couch, listening a little sleepily as KK tells her some crazy story. The team is far too raucous for noon on a Saturday, probably in part to the ridiculous amounts of whipped cream and syrup they all used on their pancakes. In the kitchen, Aubrey and Paige start wrestling, and KK stops yapping to go join them. She jumps on Paige’s back, knocking her over and losing her balance in the process until they’re a heap on the floor. Aubrey steps on their backs, flexing, and the girls cheer rowdily.

Azzi is overstimulated.

Refraining from covering her ears, Azzi stands, giving up on the Paige aspect of her afternoon plans. She’s not sure she even wants Paige—who is hysterically laughing as she gets up from the floor—to be with her anymore. It’d be like forcing a hyper dog to cuddle. She’d probably end up getting bitten.

She’s hoping nobody will notice her slipping away, but Kayla does, tugging on a curl as she heads to the hallway. “Where ya going, babe?”

“Paige’s room,” Azzi says simply.

“She’s gonna notice you’re gone.”

Azzi glances at the scene behind them. Someone’s turned on ‘Kung Fu Fighting’ and Ice has now joined the kitchen boxing match. Paige just barely ducks a fist to the face before barreling into Ice’s stomach, once again ending up on the floor, giggling deliriously. The other girls have mostly lost interest at this point, which is fair—this isn’t exactly an uncommon occurrence.

Azzi turns back to Kayla. “I doubt it.”

“Give her five minutes,” Kayla insists.

“She’s too busy being a little boy.” Azzi rolls her eyes, patting Kayla affectionately as she walks past.

In Paige’s room, she breathes a sigh of relief, the closed door offering some solace from the noise outside. Even better, Paige’s airpods sit on her bedside table; Azzi takes them and connects them to her phone, turning on the noise-cancelling setting. Pleased with the results, she settles into her side of the bed, picking up her book and beginning to read.

She gets maybe two pages in before a tap on the shoulder scares the shit out of her.

Jumping, she whirls around, to find Paige standing beside the bed with a sheepish smile on her face.

Azzi takes out an airpod. “Paige, what?”

Her tone comes out more exasperated than she means to and feels a little guilty about the confused look she gets in return. “I noticed you left. Kay told me you were in here.”

“Yeah, just reading.”

“I see,” Paige replies. She hovers awkwardly, then says, “why didn’t you bring me with you?”

Despite her irritability, affection blossoms in Azzi’s chest at her girlfriend’s clinginess, her need to be around her 24/7 if they’re together. And Azzi reminds herself that this is the first day they’ve really had with each other in a while, and Paige is missing her too. Gently, she says, “I tried, but it seemed like you were having too much fun.”

“I mean, I was having fun,” Paige says. “But I’d rather hang out with you than fuck around with those dumbasses.”

“You’re as much of a dumbass as they are,” Azzi quips. “Actually, they probably learned it from you.”

“Like father, like sons,” Paige nods solemnly. Then, unceremoniously, she throws herself on top of Azzi, nearly knocking the wind out of her and crushing her book between them.

“Ow, Paige!” she says, freeing her hands and book as Paige wriggles like a happy little worm on top of her.

“I missed you,” Paige mumbles into her neck.

“We’ve been together all day.”

“You left me alone out there.”

“I’ve been in here for like five minutes.”

Paige lifts her head to pout at her. “Five minutes too long.”

Unable to help herself, she leans forward, kissing the pout off Paige’s lips. When she pulls back, Paige chases after her, trying to deepen the kiss, but Azzi pushes at her chest. “I still wanna read my book.”

“Okay,” Paige says.

“I wanna snuggle with you,” Azzi continues. “But only if you let me read.“

“Okay,” she repeats. She’s staring at Azzi’s lips, though, which doesn’t spark a lot of confidence that she’s actually listening.

“Which means,” Azzi emphasizes, getting Paige’s eyes to snap back up to her’s, “no talking, no showing me TikToks. And no distracting me with sex.”

Paige pouts again at that, batting her eyelashes stupidly. “What, you mean I can’t eat you out while you’re reading?” Azzi flicks her forehead, and she snickers, pressing a chaste kiss to her lips. “Joking. I’ll be good, don’t worry.”

Azzi actually believes her, crazy enough. It’s mostly due to the fact that she and Paige have been together for nearly seven years, so she has her pretty house-trained at this point.

Satisfied, she flashes a smile, picking her book back up. Paige scoots down the length of her body until she’s settled between Azzi’s legs, head resting comfortably on the soft expanse of her tummy. Once they’re situated, Azzi frees up a hand to scratch Paige’s scalp, which’ll keep her happy for a while.

They sit like that for around thirty minutes. The noise of their teammates has died down enough to know that some of them have left, though it’s obvious by the extra chatter that a handful is still hanging around. Paige actually falls asleep within the first ten minutes, which Azzi guesses is probably why she gets so much quiet time.

It still doesn’t feel like enough, though, when a knock sounds at the door. “Y’all decent?”

Azzi glances down at Paige—still fast asleep—and quietly calls out, “We’re good.”

The door swings open and Jana steps inside, followed closely by Ayanna. “We’re going to Chick-Fil-A,” Yanna says, “you wanna come?”

“No, that’s okay.” Azzi pats Paige’s head in a silent explanation. “I’m nap-trapped.”

“Aww, parents.” Jana pulls her phone out, taking a hilariously unflattering close-up of Paige practically drooling on Azzi’s stomach. Azzi giggles as Jana shows her the picture, and she’s distracted enough that there’s nothing she can do when Yanna approaches and jostles Paige awake.

“No, wait—!” Azzi exclaims, reaching out to try and stop her, but it’s too late: the damage is already done. Paige cracks her eyes open with a little groan.

Ayanna scratches the back of her neck sheepishly. Azzi glares at her, then strokes Paige’s hair, trying to coax her back to sleep. “It’s ok, P.”

“Mm,” Paige hums, lifting her head to blink sleepily at them. “Why’d you wake me up?”

“My bad,” Yanna says guiltily. “We just thought you might wanna get Chick-Fil-A with us.”

“Nah, I’m good.” Paige nuzzles back into Azzi’s tummy, surprisingly chill considering she hates being woken from her naps. “Thanks though.”

“Uh-huh,” Jana replies, already heading out the room while she smiles at her phone—Azzi assumes she’s uploading that picture to her close friends.

“Sorry,” Yanna says once again, more to Azzi than anything, before following.

Paige yawns, her warm breath fanning over Azzi’s stomach. As she cuddles back in, Azzi thinks maybe she’ll go back to sleep. She holds onto that hope and resumes her book, threading her fingers through Paige’s hair gently.

This time, it doesn’t work. Which is evident based on the way she lifts herself up on her elbows, giving herself just enough room to press a few kisses around Azzi’s stomach. At first, Azzi tries to ignore it, hoping maybe it’s a casual gesture.

But it’s not long before the kisses slow down as she takes more time on each one, mouth opening so that it leaves the skin of her tummy just a little wet. Of course, it’s out of Azzi’s control the way her thighs tense up, blood rushing straight to her core as her body reacts to her girlfriend’s touch.

Paige curls her fingers around the hem of her top, lips following her hands as they bunch the fabric up to give herself more space, stopping underneath her breasts. She looks up at Azzi, whose gaze is now focused intently on the top of her girlfriend’s head, and flashes a devious little smile before licking a stripe between her ribcage.

Azzi tosses the book to the side, not even bothering to mark her page, freeing her hands so she can use them to pull her girlfriend up by the shoulders, meeting her in the middle for a kiss that’s nowhere near chaste.

Paige is still lying heavily atop her, their chests pressed close together, but it’s still second nature the way Azzi wraps her arms around Paige’s waist in an attempt to get her closer. Paige grins against her mouth at the feeling, their hips coming flush together which makes Azzi gasp despite herself.

“Mm,” Paige hums, beginning a slow, wet trail of kisses down her jawline. “Missed you, baby.”

Azzi can’t help but laugh at that. “We just had sex last night.”

“‘S been way too long since then,” Paige mutters into the crook of her neck. Her teeth graze gently over the sensitive skin and Azzi grips her tighter, thinking she might actually agree with Paige for the first time today.

Paige is obviously building her up, apparently horny after her power nap, and Azzi doesn’t plan on stopping her. This is usually how it goes, anyway, Paige being the initiator nine out of ten times. As Paige pushes her top up above her tits, she knows she has no problem with that.

Her hands are a little cold against Azzi’s warm flesh, nipples pebbled from the temperature change mixed with her arousal. Paige just begins to tweak one of them, making Azzi moan softly—her nipples have always been sensitive—when there’s a sharp knock on the door.

The two of them groan, Paige’s forehead falling against her shoulder.

“Y’all decent?” It is, once again, Jana.

Paige lifts her head, pausing to glance down at her hands where they palm Azzi’s bare tits, and keeping her gaze there as she says, “Not really.”

“Already?” Jana calls, sounding somewhere between amused and disgusted. “You’ve been alone for like five minutes!”

“What do you want, Jana?” Azzi asks before Paige can let out the cocky response she definitely wants to say. Her voice is a little breathy, thanks to Paige absentmindedly rolling a nipple between her thumb and forefinger, and she hopes Jana doesn’t notice.

“We’re not going out anymore. Too much work. I was gonna ask if you wanna watch a movie with us, but…”

“No,” Paige and Azzi yell at the same time.

“Okay, damn,” Jana sighs. “Just being polite. Don’t get pregnant in there.”

Her footsteps trail off, and they make eye contact and laugh, Paige leaning forward to press an amused kiss to her lips. “We have trifling teammates.”

“Don’t talk about our kids like that,” Azzi says.

“They’re some bad ass kids.” Paige gives her another kiss. This time, it’s Azzi who gives chase when she pulls away, but Paige sighs, and to Azzi’s disappointment, pulls her shirt back down.

Azzi pouts, arms traveling up to loop around the back of her neck. “Why’d you stop?”

“They’re still here,” Paige replies. “I’on want them to hear us.”

“They won’t,” Azzi insists. “I’ll be quiet.”

“No, you won’t,” Paige snorts. She kisses Azzi tenderly on the cheek. “Sorry, mama.”

As Paige scoots back down to her original spot, Azzi crosses her arms, feeling a little like a defiant child as she says, “You shouldn’t start something you can’t finish.”

“I know, baby.” Paige nuzzles against Azzi’s navel, doing nothing to help the heat between her legs. “When Jana and Allie are asleep tonight, I’ll get you right, I promise.”

Azzi huffs.

Paige chuckles softly at her, only making her more annoyed. “Thought you wanted to read your book, hm?”

“That was before you touched my tits,” Azzi replies.

Paige lays her head down. “Poor Azzi-Wazzi,” she tuts with faux sympathy.

“You’re a dick,” Azzi mumbles, picking up her book more out of spite than anything, sure she won’t be able to focus on it. She tries valiantly, though.

Her efforts are interrupted at the feeling of fingers dancing across her stomach.

Peering over her book, Azzi sees Paige walking her pointer and middle finger across the length of her tummy, an amused smile on her face as she watches herself. “‘I’m Azzi Fudd’,” she says, voice quiet and high-pitched, “‘and I have a big ol’ head’.”

Taking a deep, shaky breath to calm herself, Azzi returns to her book, pointedly ignoring her.

“‘Babe, do these pants make me look big?’” Paige continues, jumping her hand-Azzi around dramatically as she badly impersonates her.

“No, you look good,” she replies in her normal voice.

“‘You’re supposed to say that,’” Hand-Azzi whines. “‘Tell me for real’.”

“I’m not lying, I love those pants.”

“‘Babe, stop lying to me!’”

Paige sighs dramatically, as if she were actually arguing with somebody else. “I’m not.”

“‘Yes you are. And you’re probably cheating too.’”

“Baby, you know I’d never—“

Slamming her book down, Azzi grabs Paige’s hand, stilling her excessive finger movements. “Paige!”

Paige laughs, probably at herself, sitting up and stretching out. “What?”

“You are stupid,” Azzi replies a little vehemently. With Paige no longer on top of her, she gathers her things and gets out of bed, officially done.

“Where you goin’, mami?” Paige asks, getting up to follow.

Azzi holds a hand up. “I’m going to sit on the couch, so I can read.”

“You’ve been reading for so long,” Paige groans.

Azzi rolls her eyes, turning away and leaving the room.

Paige trails behind her. “They’re watching a movie in there.”

“Okay, then I’ll watch with them.”

“Cool. Wanna sit with me?”

“No,” Azzi says.

Paige grabs her by the waist, holding her against her front, leaning around to kiss her cheek. “C’mon, baby, you know I was just playin’.”

“Okay, and I don’t wanna be played with.” Azzi pulls out of her grasp, shooting a glare over her shoulder.

Paige raises an eyebrow. “Aight, sassy.”

Azzi doesn’t dignify that with a response. She just heads to the living room, flopping down beside Ice to join the movie. She’s relieved (and maybe a little disappointed) when Paige doesn’t follow her.

—————————————

Paige has left her alone for a good amount of time, maybe an hour. Azzi has KK to thank for that: the two of them have been fucking around, playing Fort, and making TiKToks while Azzi enjoys her peace and quiet. She stays in Paige’s apartment, knowing she’s still going to bed with her tonight. Just as long as Paige continues to keep her distance for awhile.

She’s lying on the couch, book held above her, glasses perched over her nose as she reads. The movie ended a while ago, and Morgan and Sarah still linger around, hanging with Jana, and Allie’s in her room. She sort of hopes they don’t hang around too long. As much as she loves her kids, they’re a lot.

Still, it’s manageable. That is, until Paige and KK come barreling into the room, laughing their asses off. Azzi squeezes her eyes shut, hoping they’re going to pass her, but to her dismay, they stop right in front of the couch.

“Babe,” Paige says.

“Yes,” Azzi monotones.

“We need your opinion.” KK cackles as Paige promptly turns around before starting to twerk—or at least, something that looks like it could be twerking—right in front of Azzi’s poor face. “It’s moving, right? There’s motion?”

On any other day, Azzi might sugarcoat it to be nice, but today she just says, “There is absolutely not motion.”

KK clutches her stomach, laughing so hard she almost wheezes.

Paige whips around, hands on her chest. If there were pearls there, she’d be clutching them. “Babe!”

“I told you!” KK yells, pushing Paige out of the way. Azzi groans as she, too, turns around and begins shaking ass. It is admittedly better than Paige’s attempt. “What about me?”

“Mm, it’s a little better.”

“You gotta teach us,” KK says, tugging at Azzi’s hand.

“Ooh, yeah, teach us,” Paige agrees, wiggling her eyebrows. “I’m a visual learner, by the way.”

Azzi scoffs. As if. She pulls herself free from KK’s grasp, then stands. “Absolutely not.”

“Why?” they both frown.

“Because I’m trying to relax and y’all are being weird,” she quips.

“Why don’t you come hang with us?” Paige offers, a little more gently, obviously realizing Azzi is actually a little annoyed.

“No, thanks,” Azzi says. “I’m already overstimulated enough just from listening to you guys.”

Paige furrows her eyebrows. “Where you going, then?”

Azzi sighs, glancing at the door, then to her girlfriend, then back again. “I think I’m gonna head to my room, Paige.”

KK gasps. “Oh, mom and dad fighting?”

“We are not,” Paige insists. Then she turns to Azzi with an exaggerated sad face. “Are we?”

“No,” Azzi says, which is true. They’re not fighting; she just needs a break. “I’ll be back later, okay?”

“Why’re you leaving?” Paige asks, stepping toward her.

“I just…I’m a little grumpy today. Not as patient as usual. I need a few minutes.”

Paige frowns, but KK, never one to read a social situation, laughs. “She really said she has a low Paige threshold,” she giggles, pushing Paige’s shoulder.

“We barely saw each other this week,” Paige says, ignoring KK as she reaches out to hold Azzi’s hands. “We’ve already been apart today.”

“I know, honey,” Azzi says. She decides against pointing out that all in all, they’ve only been apart for around an hour total this entire day. “I promise I’ll be back.”

“Like, soon, right?” Paige says, giving her big puppy eyes that she’s never been able to resist.

“Yes, soon,” she promises. She leans forward for a kiss, KK averting her gaze with an eye roll. “Play Fort with KK or something. You’ll be okay.”

“I won’t,” Paige insists, sounding genuinely worried.

“You will. We have tomorrow, too, remember?” With one last kiss, Azzi releases her hands, grabbing her things to go downstairs. She just barely catches KK making fun of Paige for being a simp before she gets out the door.

————————————

“Open the doooor.”

“Az, c’mon, bro, lemme in!”

“Bitch, you’ve had plenty alone time, pleaseeee.”

Azzi stands by the door, laughing silently at her girlfriend’s pleading—which has been going on, unanswered on her part, for about five minutes now—until her face drops at the last sentence. “What did you just call me?”

There’s a distinctly panicked silence before Paige starts backtracking. “I mean, my beautiful wife who I love and respect. For real, let me in. We can be alone together!”

“Very poetic,” Azzi remarks.

Paige groans, and there’s a thunk that sounds a lot like a forehead hitting a door. “Dawg.”

Once again, Azzi goes quiet, and she can tell the exact moment Paige realizes this because there’s another thunk.

“Azzi, please, babe.”

Still, she doesn’t respond, and that’s when the singing starts.

“Pleaseeee, open the dooorrr,” she sings quite horribly. Azzi quiets her giggle behind a hand.

“Pleaseeee,” she continues, completely off-key. Sza level, my ass.

“No, Paige.”

“Baby, please! It’s almost dinner time.”

“For who? It’s barely four.”

There’s another beat of silence. Then, “Azzi, I’m gonna cry. Please.”

Obviously, Paige is bullshitting her. She’s not going to cry. But still, Azzi’s never been able to be stern with Paige. (And Paige calling her her wife earlier certainly helped matters.)

As soon as she cracks the door open, Paige is trying to barge through, but Azzi stops her with a foot in the door. “Hold on.”

Paige, obediently, stops.

“I’m still a little grumpy,” Azzi admits.

Paige nods. “Okay.”

“So…be gentle, okay? I don’t like being mad at you.”

“I don’t like you being at me,” Paige agrees.

“We’re in agreement, then.”

“A hundred percent.” Paige pushes at the door. “Now, can I come in, please?”

Azzi opens the door all the way, allowing herself to be tackled onto the bed in a very non-gentle way, but still, she laughs. Even when she needs space from Paige, even when she chooses it—she still just ends up missing her the whole time.

“Hey,” Paige says once she’s effectively pinned her to the bed. “Noticed your dorm’s empty.”

Azzi raises an eyebrow. “Uh-huh.”

“I can finish what I started earlier,” Paige offers, suggestive smile on her face before she says, “unless you don’t want that, obviously.”

Azzi’s pulling her down before she can finish her sentence.

(“We’re getting a sweet treat later,” she says a little while later.

“Okay, princess,” Paige says, situating herself between her legs. “Whatever you want.” And then, she drops a kiss on the inside of her thigh before spreading her open, dipping her head down, and going beautifully quiet for the first time all day. They stay in bed for quite some time.)

When Azzi starts her period the next day, she proudly says to herself, “I knew I wasn’t going crazy.”

[tkwrites]

regarding your reblog about quinn sitting out for four nations….. i’m sure sarah would also be very relieved that he’s prioritizing his health, but i’m now also so curious how you think sarah would have dealt with the whole situation leading up to now….. i.e., quinn playing with his injured hand for weeks, the fact that they kept sending him back out in that one game when he was clearly in so much pain and couldn’t even make it through a shift (the game was basically over anyway!), and even just the process of him making the decision to skip four nations. how do you imagine sarah was feeling about all of it and how outspoken do you think she would have been about her concerns? do you think quinn was asking for her opinion? do you think the topic caused any sorta tension at all? (rambly as hell as per usual mb)

Well, this took on a life of its own (rambly as hell in my own way).

We're going from injuries and Sarah's worry that Quinn is putting himself at risk for the team, all the way to her keeping to her Valentines Day plans despite the fact that they're spending the lead up to the day together.

I had this idea for Sarah gifting Quinn lingerie to get him hyped for her arrival in Montreal on Valentines Day, and I just couldn't let it go, so you get everything together.

Warnings for lots of angst, and then lots of teasing and longing at the end. Also, some praise kink stroking.

Hope you enjoy even though it's a little chaotic!

Though they live together, and they’re fully committed, she’s still not quite sure what her place is in this situation and how much she should say. All Sarah wants is for Quinn to not push himself too hard. To not injure himself any further. 

They first talked about it when he decided to join the team mid-way through the road trip after his hand injury. This caused a minor argument. She thought he shouldn’t go. He felt like the team needed him, and, as the trainers told him, he couldn’t injure his hand any more than it already was if he took the proper precautions. To him, it was a no-brainer.

“You’re not the only person on that team, Quinn,” she said as he was packing. 

“Yep, that’s the definition of a team.” 

“I just…” She bit her lip, trying to figure out how to make herself heard. “I know you’re the best player on the team, but —” 

He stiffened, “no, I’m not.” 

“Statistics don’t lie, Quinn.” 

He turned from his suitcase then, “but what?” 

The way he was looking at her, all hard edges and determination made her pause. 

“But what?” he demanded again. 

There was no good way to say this. “But, if they can’t figure out how to play without you, I’m worried you’re going to run yourself into the ground trying to keep them afloat.” 

Anger flashed in his face before he turned back to his packing, “you don’t know what you’re talking about.”

“Maybe not,” she acquiesced, “but I’m worried you’re going to hurt yourself even more. Isn’t it worth taking time off to heal?” 

“I have to help them,” he said, voice sounding like it was cut from glass. 

“Quinn, I know you want to win, but…” she trailed off, leaving out the at what cost? 

“We need to win these games, or we miss the playoffs.” 

“I know, but —” 

He slammed his suitcase closed. “I’m going, okay. I can’t hurt my hand any more.”

She winced, mind racing with images of someone targeting his injury, slashing him, or slamming him into the boards to guarantee it would get worse — keeping him out of the game even longer. 

The way she was looking at him, resigned and… almost frightened, made Quinn pause for half a second. His shoulders dropped, “I have to go, Sarah.” 

“Have to?”

“Yes. I have to help however I can.” 

Even though she’d thought this would be the outcome of this argument, she had to fight for him, even if he wasn’t going to fight for himself. 

“I just don’t want you to get hurt.”

Her soft voice was like a punch to the gut. 

“I’ll be careful,” he promised, pulling a half smile onto his mouth. 

Her smile didn’t reach her eyes, but she still drove him to the airport and kissed him goodbye, hating the scratchy feel of the brace straps when his hands cupped her face. 

“I’ll call you when I get there,” he promised. 

She nodded, “Please be careful.”

“I will,” he promised. “I love you.” 

“I love you too,” she said, giving him a sad smile goodbye.  

He finally understood the guilt Mysey talked about when he came back from injury as soon as possible last season. 

The night he injured his oblique, she was watching from home (of course), wincing through the whole game. Everything felt off with JT suddenly gone. Then, near the end, when they announced Quinn was off the bench, her heart started to race, and she grabbed her phone, hoping he’s sent her some kind of update. He didn’t until after the game, and after she’d watched him try, and fail to skate the way he usually did more than once, knowing it wasn’t Tocc throwing him out there, but Quinn throwing himself out on the ice. 

When he came home, wincing at every movement, she watched him with big, worried eyes. 

She didn’t talk to him when he went to the rink for the following game, angry that he was so blatantly ignoring his own welfare. She even thought about not going to the game at all but ultimately decided that would cause more damage than she wanted to repair. It was a nice surprise when he appeared next to her to watch the game. Relief flooded through her, knowing that the trainers and coaches wouldn’t let him play, despite his insistence he could push through. 

As the tournament loomed closer and closer, and his injury was getting better, but not healed, she felt stuck between a rock and a hard place. 

Quinn is competitive and intense, and hockey is something that brings him an enormous amount of joy. She didn’t want him to miss this opportunity to play for his country and with his brother and best friend, but she knew he just couldn’t. Hearing his grunt of pain when he sat up in bed each morning was enough to tell her he couldn’t feasibly play. His hand injury, though persistent, didn’t affect much of their everyday life, other than she’d been on top most of the time, which neither of them minded all that much. But this was different. And both of them knew it. 

When he finally announced he wasn’t playing, relief swept through her life like a wave. She’d even contemplated calling Jack to beg him to make Quinn see sense. The fact she didn’t have to made her feel almost giddy. If he hadn’t been so sad, she would have danced around the house in celebration.

The only thing she was a little sad about was the change to their Valentines Day plans. With school, she’d been planning to fly out to him on Friday night, and had care packages packed to sneak into his suit case, something to open on the 12th, 13th and 14th to get him excited for her arrival. 

She stuck to the plan, even though they were home, leaving a gift out for him to find each morning. 

When Quinn got up to go to PT on Wednesday, he had a text from Sarah. Don’t forget to open your gift! 

He had no idea what she was talking about. 

The gift she was referencing turned out to be a black silk drawstring bag, no bigger than a sheet of notebook paper, left on the dining room table. The tag tied to it read, This time, you get to choose. Package 1 of 3, which will it be? 

When he opened it, he pulled out a swath of meshy lace. Blue, to match his jersey. It took him a while to figure out which way was up, but once he did, he couldn’t help the noise that crawled up his throat. It was a lace body suit. Sheer and stretchy. Just imagining Sarah in it gave him an instant boner. 

He brought it up after she got home that evening, but she just patted his knee with a coy smile, “you have to wait to see all three options before you can make a choice.” 

“There was only one thing in that bag!” 

“I know,” she said, pressing a teasing kiss to his mouth, “they were supposed to go in your suitcase, so you’d be excited to see me on Valentine’s Day.” 

“They?” he demanded. 

“There are more,” she said simply, sauntering out of the room and leaving him feeling breathless. 

“You’ll get the second tomorrow,” she called over her shoulder. 

He groaned despite the excitement that reared in his stomach. 

The next morning, after a restless night of wanting, another black bag appeared. This one on the bar counter. Two is the middle, but will it win of the three?

His fingers brushed something soft when he reached inside, and for a moment, he thought it might be empty before he realized the thing he was touching was made of the same material as the bag. He pulled out a pair of little silk shorts, trimmed in lace, then a matching black camisole. Compared to her gift from the day before, this seemed incredibly tame. All the same, he had to admit, he wanted to see it on her. He knew it would be her perfect brand of comfortably sexy. 

The thought of her in the little silk set popped into his mind even more than the blue number had. The blue lace was a fantasy — one he definitely wanted to see come to life — but the silk was real, something he could see her wearing often. He could imagine sliding it off her when they settled into bed on a normal Tuesday night. 

The image of her curvy thighs swathed in the slippery material assaulted his thoughts so often, he practically jumped on her when she got home from work, cornering her against that same bar counter where she’d left the gift that morning. 

“Hi,” she said, giggling against his mouth. 

“You’re driving me crazy, you know that?” 

“Am I?” she asked, innocently batting her eyelashes. 

“Why don’t you put this on?” he asked, fingering the lace where it lay on the counter behind her.

“You have to see all three,” she said, easing away from him. “Pick which one’s your favorite.” 

“Why?” 

“Because I want you to wait. And the whole point of this was to get you so excited to see me, you wouldn’t be able to keep your hands off me once I was there.” 

“But you’re here now.” 

“Patience is a virtue, Quinn.”

“This isn't patience. This is torture.”

“Torture?” she repeated, arching a brow. 

“You don't get it! I've had a hard on for two days now, and I’m going crazy. It’d be different if I was gone, but you’re right here.” 

She smiled a satisfied smile and walked to the kitchen. 

He was so desperate for her the next morning, he followed her to the bathroom, crowding her against the sink, hips pressed to her ass as she brushed her teeth. 

“Please?” he groaned in her ear. 

She shook her head before leaning over the sink to spit out the toothpaste. The move caused her to press back against him, and he grunted. 

“Just because you’re home doesn’t mean we should skip out on the amazing Valentines Day sex I had planned.” 

“It is Valentines Day,” he reminded. “We can have amazing sex right now.” 

Shooting him a look in the mirror as she swished mouthwash, Sarah shook her head. 

Letting out a groan of frustration, Quinn let his head fall on her shoulder. 

“You just have to make it until I’m done with class,” she said, turning in his arms. “I was planning on making you wait until I would have arrived in Boston, but then I decided that was too mean.” 

“Why don’t you skip class,” he asked, nosing her jaw as his mouth dipped to her neck. 

She let out a pleasured hum. 

“Come on,” he whispered into her skin, “I’ll get you off as much as you want.” 

Swallowing her desire and clinging to the knowledge that the anticipation would make everything better, she broke away from him, “I have to go to class. I’ll see you in a few hours.” 

He was gripping the sink, breathing deeply when she left the final present on the bed, and slipped out the door. 

Barely glancing at the tag, Package 3 of 3. Are you getting excited to see me?, he tore into the silk bag, nearly ripping it in the process. Too impatient to wait, he turned it over. Several pieces of red fabric spilled onto the duvet. 

He swore as he pulled the pieces apart. The largest was a robe, satin and short. There was a bra with a bunch of straps he couldn’t figure out, but he knew would look dead sexy once Sarah had it on. Then, a pair of panties made from the same lace as the bra. Only, it seemed as though the whole back of them was missing. Like a thong in reverse. 

How was he supposed to decide which of these to pick? He wondered if he could convince her to try them all on for him so he could make an informed decision. 

In the end, after laying each piece of lingerie side by side on the bed, he decided it had to be the blue. He’d never seen her in anything like it before, and at this point, he wasn’t sure if he could wait for her to change. 

He left it out on the bed and left the apartment. He needed to clear his head and had to pick up her gifts. 

When he got back home, he called for her, hoping he hadn’t beat her home. 

“I’m up here.” 

He raced up the stairs, nearly dropping the roses and chocolates in his haste. 

“Holy fucking shit,” he said once his eyes landed on her where she was leaning against the lucky couch, wrapped in tight blue lace. 

“You like?” she asked, skimming a hand down her side.

He made a nonsensical noise that nevertheless served as an affirmative answer. She looked incredible, all lace and curves, and yet, still his loving Sarah. She was a fantasy come to life.

“You’ve been so patient for me,” she said, padding toward him and taking the gifts from him. 

She made a show of leaning over to set them on the coffee table. 

His tongue felt too big for his mouth, and he made a sort of guttural sound of longing. 

Her hand trailed up his arm when she came back to him, “you’ve been such a good boy for me, Quinn.” 

“Fuck.” 

“You know what good boys get?” 

“Rewarded?” he ventured, his voice cracking over the word. 

“That’s right. Are you ready for your reward?”

Knees wobbling, he nodded frantically. 

Giving him a sexy smile, she led him to the bedroom. 

Want more Quinn & Sarah? Check out the Snapshots Masterlist 

To read all my fics, check out the Fanfiction Masterlist

[dutifullylazybread]

Ohhhhhhhhhhhhhhh for kiss roulette 25 (kiss that's an accident) would be really fun, especially if it's pre-relationship

I am so sorry it took me so long to answer your ask! I'm so happy I could post this (a day after) Valentine's day!!

I hope you enjoy!

Rolan x f!Tav - Accidental Kiss

Content warnings: Accidental kiss, over the clothes groping, under the clothes groping.

“I thought I’d find you out here.”

Tav glanced over her shoulder. Rolan stood in the doorway, his yellow eyes bright and his silver mantle gleaming in the moonlight. His tail, usually snapping a peeved beat behind him, swayed to and fro as he approached her.

She rubbed her arms, desperately trying to pull some warmth back into her frame. Of all the things the Shadow-Cursed Lands needed to be, cold was absolutely not one of them. She would tolerate the zombies and the wraiths and the life-sapping curse… but did it have to be so damn frigid?

It didn’t help that the Last Light Inn sat on the riverbank--though Tav wasn’t improving on the situation by lingering on the second floor’s outdoor dining area.

“Did you need something?” she asked Rolan. She leaned against the stone railing, taking in the fellow as he paused beside her. Rolan looked out on the river, his posture pensive. He flicked his tail, cutting at the air with its barbed tip.

“I mostly came out here to ask you why my money isn’t good enough for you to take,” he said with a snobbish lilt to his voice—one that he further accentuated by turning his nose upwards.

Tav quirked a brow at him. “Careful how much you flare your nostrils—a bug might try to make its home in one of them.”

He scoffed. “Cute.” The curl of his lip indicated that he found her comment anything but endearing. “That, however, fails to answer my question.”

“Is it so hard to just accept that I helped you and your family without needing a reward?” she asked. The stone railing bit into her hip, but she still relaxed into it.

Rolan turned to face her. “Yes.”

“Why?”

“You expect me to believe that you didn’t have any ulterior motives? None at all?”

“You can think whatever you like,” she said with a shrug. “I’m still not taking your money.”

He glared at her. “I take it that you intend on wringing a favor out of me then? Your wizard companion was quite interested in me introducing the lot of you to Master Lorroakan when you reached the city.” Condescension practically rolled off of him.

He braced one hand on the rail—Tav was vaguely aware of how the stone seemed to shudder with the added weight.

She disregarded it.

No, she was more keen on setting the record straight.

“Gale wanted to meet Lorroakan, yes,” she said. “I’m content to never put a face to the name.”

“I don’t believe—“

“Rolan.”

He paused, his lips still shaping his rebuttal.

“I care about you,” she said. “And I care about your brother and your sister.”

She laid a hand on his elbow, half expecting him to pull away.

He didn’t.

“You don’t have to believe me,” Tav said. “I didn’t do any of this to prove a point to you or to them or anyone else for that matter. I just…”

“Just what?” The demanding edge in his tone had softened to an impatient query.

She exhaled softly, preparing herself for a cutting dismissal. “I… I see how the three of you laugh together. How you joke and rib and bicker. And… it reminds me of how I used to talk with my family when they were alive.”

Rolan’s eyes widened.

Tav pressed forward. “I only have memories,” she continued, “and as time has passed, those have faded. I… I don’t even remember what my mother’s voice sounded like. I most certainly don’t remember my father’s laugh.” She swallowed the salt-thick lump forming in her throat. It stuck in her chest. “It’s silly and it’s sentimental and ridiculous and it very likely makes me a bleeding heart of a person… but if I can make sure that you have more than memories, even if it’s just for a little longer, then I will.”

A chilled wind stirred the trees beyond the moonlight-cast barrier that enclosed the inn and its grounds. Tav shivered, drawing away to rub warmth back into her arms.

She waited for Rolan to say something—anything. He’d have some acidic remark to make, she was sure.

But… nothing came.

She didn’t know what was worse—the silence or the promise of a biting reply.

Rolan’s eyes glowed a pale yellow in the moonlight.

“I… am grateful,” he said slowly, “that you would risk your life for us. Thank you.”

The ghost of a smile skirted across her mouth. “You thanked me once already.”

He huffed a laugh. “That I did. Well, I suppose I can manage one more—one good turn deserves another after all.”

The tension left Tav’s frame. “Your altruism knows no bounds,” she teased.

And, to her pleasant surprise, Rolan broke into a grin.

Her heart stuttered in her chest.

She’d always thought that he was dashing—even while he was scowling. But when he smiled so genuinely and without restraint? Tav couldn’t put words to how lovely he was.

And then, as she rested the brunt of her weight against the rail, her attentions fully devoted to Rolan… the sickening sound of stone fracturing and crumbling caused her to tense.

And the rail, buckling as it tumbled away, sent her lurching out into empty air.

Tav grasped Rolan’s arms, whose gaze remained trained on her face—on her lips. He seemed almost oblivious to the risk at hand… and more intent on closing the space between them.

He took a step towards her, setting her further off kilter, and as Tav desperately plucked at the strands of the Weave, urging it to slow her descent to the ground below, Rolan kissed her—

—only to find himself dragged off the veranda, falling with Tav.

Tav held Rolan close, one hand pressed to the crown of his head as she urged the Weave to buoy them up, to make them as light as feathers knocked loose from a wing.

Were it not for her heart slamming in her chest, she would have suspected that the spell had emptied her insides, leaving her as hollow as the core of a bird's bone.

Their fall slowed from a plummet to a smooth, steady glide.

They were deposited into one of the hedges running the length of the inn, and their combined weight returned, crushing the dead brush beneath them.

“Are you hurt?” Tav asked Rolan. His face was pressed to the crook of her neck—were it not for his tail slicing an agitated tempo into the air, she wouldn’t have known anything was amiss.

“I’m fine,” he snapped. Rolan drew up, his cheeks a heady wine red. He tried to rise to his feet, but dried branches held him fast, their thorns snagging into his robes. “Zurgan!”

He thrashed about, which served to only entangle him deeper into the hedge and draw him down against Tav.

“Stop laughing,” he snapped.

Tav pushed her mouth into her palm. “Sorry.” She smothered a small giggle.

Rolan glared at her. “I suppose that this is all rather amusing to you?”

“Getting caught in a bush together? Well, it is a little funny.” She shrugged, and the spindly branches held her fast in place, digging into her exposed skin and raising welts. “But I imagine that isn’t the whole of what you’re referring to, is it?”

Rolan’s mouth snarl twisted up into a grimace. “The kiss--that was a… foolish misunderstanding,” he said. “I would appreciate it if you treated this entire ordeal, including my momentary misstep, as an accident. And I would beg your forgiveness.”

As much as she wanted to tease him, as easy as it would be with him all but disheveled and pinned in place on top of her to easily reach for a well-placed, and very suggestive, comment, the mortification was written clear on Rolan’s features.

She didn’t want to be cruel.

But she also didn’t want her affections to go wholly unknown either. After all, there was the distinct possibility that, once they were out of this bind, Rolan would retreat into hiding and she would see neither hide nor hair of him when she reached the city.

Tav bit her lower lip, searching for the proper words. “No apologies are necessary,” she said. “It was an accident, after all.”

The tension left Rolan—marginally.

Tav pressed forward to say. “Though… I wouldn’t have been upset if the kiss was entirely intentional.”

His eyes widened and the intense flush of red returned to his cheeks. “I—what? That is to say—“ He sharply cleared his throat. “You—you’re mocking me. I think it goes without saying that I—“

She tugged on the front of his robes, drawing him down so that she could gently press her lips to his cheek. The warmth emanating off of him was utterly delicious, and it was so tempting to let her mouth linger.

But she laid down, settling back into the bed of dead foliage. She couldn’t exactly free herself until Rolan got off of her…

…and he was frozen in place.

He opened his mouth only to close it again, caging a strangled sound in his throat. His eyes were bright with confusion…

…but was there something else caught in the facets of his stare?

Tav wondered.

He cupped the line of her jaw in his shaky hand.

“You…” he whispered, the yellow of his gaze warming to a honey gold, “are impossible. Infuriating. Impulsive.” He huffed softly. “And I’m still the bigger fool of the two of us.”

And he pressed his lips to hers.

At first, his kiss was soft, tentative. And so warm.

As the darkness pressed in upon them, as the curse threatened to snuff out this one pocket of light, and as a cold breeze lifted off of the river and stroked a finger down Tav’s spine, she found herself set alight by Rolan’s touch.

She whispered his name, and he swallowed it.

Try as they may to be slow, furtive even, it took one well-placed moan from Tav and a smothered whimper from Rolan before they were grabbing at each other’s clothes—he pushed his hands under her shirt while she tangled one of hers in his hair and palmed his cock through his trousers with her other. He moved into her touch, rolling his hips. The bush shuddered and crackled around them, swaying with their movements.

“Gods,” one of them whispered—or perhaps neither of them did? They didn’t particularly care.

Rolan’s lips were hard on hers, as if he wanted her to remember how he felt against her when they finally parted. His breath was hot. His soft gasps were honey-sweet. She was content to lose herself in his touch.

But their reverie was cut short by the sound of a door flying open and slamming into stone.

“Hurry! I heard it come from over here”

Tav’s eyes snapped open.

Shit—of course someone would have heard a stone rail break.

And here they were, tangled up in a hedge.

“Rolan, we need to move,” Tav hissed. She pushed against his shoulders, but instead of prising himself free, he dug into his spell components pouch.

“Just a moment,” he murmured.

“Rolan—“

Invisibilis

The spell unfurled itself, cloaking them in a shifting illusion.

Though she could still feel the comforting weight of Rolan on top of her, all she could see was the moonlit sky. Her hands, once braced flat on his chest, were gone as well—as was the rest of her body.

Two Harpers rounded the corner, looking around for the source of the disturbance. And then, with slow and assured steps, Jaheira followed several paces behind.

“I could have sworn I heard something,” a Harper insisted, her eyes catching on the bush before shifting to the chunks of crumbling rail that, were strewn about it. “Was it the…”

“It is an old building,” Jaheira said. “Isobel’s magic may protect us from the curse, but natural decay? Not so much.”

“Better safe than sorry,” the second Harper said, patting their comrade’s arm.

Jaheira was silent. She looked to the broken rail on the veranda above before her trailing her gaze down to the somewhat flattened hedge below. Her eyes narrowed and her mouth quirked.

“I’d rather too much caution than too little—especially after Marcus attacked,” she said. “Get back to your posts for now. Keep your wits about you.”

The Harpers moved past Jaheira, who remained a moment more before she, too, departed.

With a shaky exhale, Rolan’s spell fell away. His eyes were bright with relief.

“That was awfully close,” Tav said, biting the inside of her cheek to keep herself from laughing.

He rolled his eyes. “Far be it from me to protect our dignity.”

She pushed herself up and planted a kiss on his cheek, her lips lingering. “You know… there is a loft over the forge. Shall we make our way there? Pick up where we left off?”

“Even after—why am I not surprised?” Rolan snorted.

“Is that a no?”

“Hardly.”

Rolan wrenched himself free from the bush, its thorns snagging in his robes and its limbs snapping like kindling as he drew away. “Well, are you coming?”

For all his bluster, he offered Tav his hand and, as she rose, he freed her from the hedge’s grasp.

“Thank you,” she said.

In the moonlight, she wasn’t quite certain, but she could have almost sworn that he blushed, his cheeks burning a wine-dark red.

He cleared his throat and gestured to the staircase mounted to the side of the forge. “That the way?”

Tav nodded, weaving her fingers between his. “Shall we?”

They would have liked to think that they managed to keep their voices down while enjoying each other’s company.

They were wrong.

[ladykailitha]

Yellow Daisies- A Valentine's Story

When I finished the last of the Boy with a Bat story I wanted to do something fun for Valentine's Day. But I bit off more than I can chew, so I'm releasing the first part and will release the others as the come.

Summary: Steve was told that men only received flowers once and that was at their funeral, so he made it he's life's mission to give everyone flowers as often as he could. Or Five Occasions Steve gave flowers and the time he got them in return.

Each part will have the flowers he gives and their meaning for the occasion.

~

Steve had heard early on in life that men only receive flowers once and that was when it was too late to appreciate them. At their funeral. It made him sad. Even boutonnieres had to be bought and paid for by the boy doing the asking.

Men got hearty handshakes and boys got a pat on the head. Even in sports, girls got flowers for their wins, boys if they were lucky got teddy bears and other stuffed animals. Things that guys immediately tossed on their way out.

Not Steve though. If he got a teddy bear, he kept. Some times they got regifted if the girl really liked one of his collection, but rarely.

So he always tried to make sure he gave as many flowers as he could. Because even though he would never get any back, he wanted to make sure everyone else in his life got as many as possible.

1. Mother’s Day: Pink Carnations- motherhood

When Steve was about eleven and was given money for the first time as allowance when he started middle school, the first thing he did was rush out and buy flowers for his mom.

He bought her white roses, like his father did all the time.

Maureen sighed. “I know you don’t know any better, Steven. But don’t be an idiot like your father. I’m allergic to roses.”

Steve nodded and quickly carried them away when he saw that her eyes were starting to water.

Then he tried poinsettias for Christmas, because he had seen her put out the plant every Christmas and he even picked out the best ones.

Again the gesture was dismissed, though this time it took longer for Steve to notice the poinsettias that were on display weren’t his. It had been hard to tell at first. Because they all seemed to look the same to him.

But then while he was taking out the trash, he spotted a pot tucked away by the garage with wilted leaves and a cracked base.

Steve felt a swooping in his stomach. He knew without taking a single step toward it that it was the one he gave his mom. And while he wanted to believe that the cracked base was the reason it was hidden away. He knew it wasn’t. He knew just didn’t fit his mother’s idea of perfection.

The last time he tried to give her flowers was on Mother’s day a few years later. She had actually been home for a change and so Steve had wanted to do something special for her. So he bought her her favorite chocolates and pink carnations.

Maureen took them with a pained smile and a quiet thank you.

It wasn’t until Steve had come out to the kitchen for a glass of water did he understand what that meant.

She was on the phone with one of her friends. “The chocolates are all right, I suppose. I’ll just have to be sure to portion them out so I don’t get fat. But those flowers, Sophie! They were dreadful! Like I wanted to be reminded I was a mother. My youth is already fading and now carnations! I might as well have one foot in the grave at this point!”

Steve put a hand over his mouth as tried to fight down tears, but they spilled out over his fingers, hot and stinging. He slid down the wall and sat down with a quiet thump. He listened as his own mother complained about how she had felt pressured by Clint to have children and was honestly relieved when told she wouldn’t be able to have anymore.

He got up and walked back to his room, where he held his pillow to his chest and laid down on the bed as he cried and cried. He knew his father hated him for being such a disappointment but to hear that his mother hadn’t wanted him in the first place was hard pill to swallow.

~

“Dude,” Steve huffed, smacking Dustin on the back of the head, knocking his trucker hat to the ground. “You aren’t doing anything for you mom for Mother’s Day? I thought you loved your mom.”

“I do!” Dustin protested slamming his head back on his head. “But gifts to moms are like baby stuff.”

Steve rolled his eyes. “No they aren’t. Now, if you tried to make her shitty ashtray or macaroni necklace I’d agree with you them being childish. But a heartfelt card or even make her one of your electronic doodads would really make her smile.”

Dustin scoffed.

Steve leaned forward into his face. “Because if you don’t I will completely show you up and you’ll never live it down for the rest of your life.”

Dustin gulped, eyes wide. “What would you even do?”

Steve just smiled slow and sinister.

~

Dustin had made a light up sign that said: Happy Mother’s Day, Ma!

Claudia kissed the top of Dustin’s head when he handed it to her. “Oh baby, I love it. Thank you so much. It’s going right on the mantle.”

Dustin puffed out his chest. Just beat that, Steve! he thought gleefully.

Then Steve showed up for dinner with the biggest bouquet of pink carnations he had ever seen. They were like the size of his head. They were wrapped in a delicate white tissue paper and tied neatly with a pink ribbon.

“Oh Steve, they’re beautiful!” Claudia cooed, gently taking the flowers from him. “You didn’t have to get me anything. I’m just grateful you could make it to dinner.”

Steve beamed up at her. “Nah, I wanted to. You’ve been more a mom to me than mine in every way possible. And I know everyone loves to get get flowers.”

She kissed his cheek and then went to go put them in a vase. “It makes me so angry when I think about your mother, Steve. There are some people who don't deserve children. But I’m grateful you’re here, now.”

“Yeah, Steve,” Dustin said, crossing his arms in front of his chest. “Even though you aren’t blood, you’re as much a part of this family as either me or Ma.”

Steve blushed. “Thanks guys.”

Claudia bustled him further inside to the dinner table and started dishing out the gorgeous meal she had made.

Steve smiled up at her. He had offered to make it for her, but she told him she loved cooking and it was always a treat to make something special so he let her. And seeing her now, he was glad he had gotten her flowers instead pressing the dinner issue, because she looked really happy.

And when he came back the next week, he found the carnations turned upside down to dry out so she could keep his flowers for longer. The love he felt for her grew so much more when he saw that.

2. Get Well: White Spider Lilies, Snowdrops, and Yellow Orchids- Good Health, Consolation, and New Beginnings and Friendship

Steve wasn’t sure who was less surprised when Nicole got mono their freshman year, her parents or her friends.

Even at the tender age of fourteen, Nicole liked the boys and she wasn’t afraid to get what she wanted.

Which made it more hilarious when it was revealed that she got it from a dirty drinking fountain at the elementary. When kids too young to be kissing got mono, her parents first thought that she got it from a boy who had a sibling at the elementary and had been contagious. As her younger sister hadn’t gotten it.

But nope! She had drank from the same fountain because she been there to pick up Penny from school and had gotten thirsty waiting for her.

So when they were allowed to visit her, Steve of course bought flowers. He had asked the florist for something especially nice for a sick friend and she made a bouquet of beautiful white flowers.

Steve went up to her house, flowers in hand. Nicole’s mother cooed over the flowers and told him what a sweet young man he was.

But it went spectacularly wrong when he went to hand them to Nicole.

She took the flowers and looked at them mournfully. “I–I mean thanks. But I only think of you as a friend. I–the flowers are very pretty but I’m not sure I can accept them.”

Steve stared at her for a moment shock. “No, no!” He waved his hands back and forth. “No. It’s not that. I promise! I just taught growing up that you got people flowers when they weren’t feeling good. That’s all, okay?”

Nicole looked down at the pretty white flowers and breathed out a sigh of relief. “Yeah. Okay. Thanks, Steve.”

Things went smoother after that. But Steve made sure to let the person know they were get well flowers right off the bat.

Something he was sure he didn’t have to say, but now he wasn’t so sure.

~

The aftermath of the Battle of Vecna as Dustin was calling it, was rough on everyone. Eddie and Max were in the hospital. Neither one with good prognoses. Max was in a coma and Eddie was still in surgery after eleven hours.

Even Steve was currently in the hospital being treated for sepsis because once the adrenaline wore off after bring Eddie to the hospital his body decided to overreact to his injuries and shut down.

He hated it. He hated that he was there in a bed that should be used for someone else.

“Steve!” Robin admonished when he voiced these complaints to her. “You almost died! I think it’s okay for you to take a break and let other people handle it for a change.”

Steve really didn’t have anything to say to that, because she was right. He could have died if he hadn’t fainted when he did. And they were telling him it was going to be a long and painful road back to normal, but he would get back to normal. He was in good health, kept up a healthy diet and exercised regularly, it was just almost getting eaten alive that caused his body to go into overdrive.

Which, fair.

So he made sure that both Max and Eddie had flowers delivered every day. He even told the nurses to give the other flowers to patients that didn’t get visitors. Something the nurses loved him for.

The flowers he sent Max and Eddie were the same ones he had gotten for Nicole all those years ago. Snowdrops and spider lilies. But for them he asked that another flower be added to the bouquet. Yellow orchids.

When Max woke up, he was standing there, holding her hand. She looked over to see the flowers and scoffed.

“I don’t need flowers, dumbass,” she said rolling her eyes.

“Everyone needs flowers,” he insisted. “The snowdrops are for consolation. The spiderlilies are for good health, and the orchids are for new beginnings and friendship.”

Max looked over at the flowers again and then up at Steve. “I love you, you asshole!” And she gave him the fiercest hug.

Steve held her tight and kissed the top of her head. “I love you too, Max.”

~

Tag List: TEN SLOTS REMAINING

1- @itsall-taken @estrellami-1 @zerokrox-blog @sadisticaltarts @dolphincliffs

2- @gregre369 ​@a-little-unsteddie @irregular-child @cryptid-system @kultiras

3- @maya-custodios-dionach @goodolefashionedloverboi @val-from-lawrence @carlyv @wonderland-girl143-blog

4- @bookbinderbitch @bookworm0690 @forgottenkanji @dreamercec @blondie1006

5- @yikes-a-bee @awkwardgravity1 @genderless-spoon @fearieshadow @thesecondfate

6- @dragonmama76 @ellietheasexylibrarian @thedragonsaunt @useless-nb-bisexual @disrespectedgoatman

7- @counting-dollars-counting-stars @tinyplanet95 @ravenfrog @swimmingbirdrunningrock @lingeringmirth

8- @gutterflower77 @a-lovely-craziness @just-a-tiny-void @w1ll0wtr33 @beelze-the-bubkiss

[blackmoonowl]

𝐁𝐚𝐤𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐭𝐫𝐚𝐲𝐬

ꨄ Pairing: Beelzebub x reader

ꨄ Summary: Going to bake something, but a certain demon keeps pestering you for a sample. Never wrote Beel before so I hope I did well.

ꨄ Word Count: 578

You didn't even have to look around when you heard someone enter the kitchen behind you.

"Smells good," the familiar deep voice of Beelzebub sounded. A small smile crept on your lips as the orange haired demon stood next to you in a few steps.

"Had a few leftover ingredients," you replied, turning around to look at him. Beelzebub's nose twitched, and he wiped his mouth with his sleeve before he could start drooling.

"Your homemade cookies..." Beelzebub trailed off, his eyes lighting up even more. You chuckled at his enthusiasm, leaning on the counter.

"You know, I could definitely help the extra help making them." The sixth brother perked up at that, nodding.

"I'll help, I was looking to spend more time with you anyway," he offered without hesitation. You didn't even need to tell him anything else as he quickly retrieved the eggs and flour from the fridge, placing them beside the milk and chocolate chips you had just gotten from the store. Beel barely reacted to your amused expression as he placed the equipment on the table next before giving you an expectant look.

"Yeah yeah, I'm on it. Just don't try to eat the ingredients while I work. Speaking of ingredients, can you mix them once I'm done?"

"Yeah, I can do that. I'll do my best."

True to his word, Beelzebub restrained himself as you quickly measured the ingredients. The avatar of Gluttony cracked the eggs into the bowl with practiced ease, tossing the shells in the bin.

"Here you go," you handed him the measured ingredients as he tossed them in the mixing bowl before grabbing a whisk. A smile crept on your lips as you saw his brows twitch with the struggle to keep the drool from seeping out of his mouth.

After he was done mixing the ingredients, you offered him the molds to pour the batter into. Beel awkwardly tilted the bowl, pouring in the batter... making a mess of everything else in the process.

"Careful!" you warned but it was too late as some of it dripped onto the table, and your fingers as you tried to guide his movements to pour everything in properly.

"Whoops, sorry..." Beel muttered as he placed the bowl down. He swallowed thickly as he saw the mess on your fingers and the table. The avatar of gluttony couldn't help himself any longer, gently gripping your wrist and bringing your hand closer to his face. He then opened his mouth, closing his lips around one of your digits, licking the batter of it. A small smile found itself onto his face once he pulled back. "It's delicious!"

You ignored the way your face felt hotter than before as Beelzebub licked your other fingers clean. "Is... is it?"

You wanted to smack yourself for the dumb question, but Beel seemed rather amused. "Yeah! Here, try some yourself."

You almost reached for the whisk, barely missing it as Beelzebub leaned down, letting his lips meet yours. He gave you a gentle squeeze on your hip, causing you to nearly gasp. The demon took the opportunity to slip his tongue into your mouth, letting you taste the leftover batter he hadn't yet swallowed. When he pulled away, he had that almost innocent smile of his on his face. You took a moment to gather yourself, picking up the tray with shaking hands to put it in the oven.

"Yeah.. I.. I guess it is pretty good."

[grimesve1l]

Get it back

Read previous part here

Summary: Rafe helps make things right

Warnings: Swearing, mention of weapons + violence

Y/n turns to Rafe. "Your sister stole from Barry?" She asks. "What?" he responds. "That's what he just told me." Y/n says standing up. "Sarah? Nah she's hanging around some pouges right now but she wouldn't do something like that." Rafe replies. "Well sounds like she did so you better figure that out cause Barry is not happy." Y/n says grabbing her purse and heading for the door.

"Wait. Where are you going?" Rafe asks grabbing Y/n's arm. "I gotta go calm Barry down." she says turning back around "and get his money back." she adds. "Lemme help you" Rafe says trying to pull her back. "In case you couldn't tell from his screaming on the phone Barry's mad at you too." Y/n says as she unlocks the door.

"Look you're cute and I like you but Barry's family and right now your family fucked him over so looks like we've both got shit to fix. Get your sister to give the money back or something." Y/n says before she walks out the door. "Shit!" Rafe yells once he knows she can no longer hear him.

He rushes downstairs to Topper and Kelce "Yo y'all gotta get everybody outta my house." "Why and what happened to the touron?" Topper asked. "Don't worry about it and she's not a touron." Rafe says going up to other groups telling them to leave.

Y/n's made it back home at this point and has gone inside to see Barry. "Barry where are you?" She calls out. He comes around the corner tucking a gun in his waistband. "What are you doing?" she asks concerned. "I'm getting my shit back tonight." Barry says pushing past Y/n. "Wait. I'm coming too just wait a sec." she says going go her room to grab something.

"Y/n I already told you you're not getting involved with this shit okay? I shouldn't have even let you fuck around with Rafe but-" Barry gets cut off by a loud knock on the door. "This better be them damn pouges with my money." Barry says throwing the door open. "Where's my money Rafe I know your sister took it." He says to Rafe as he stands in the doorway.

"Okay let's go. Y/n says re-entering the room "What are you doing here Rafe?" Y/n says noticing him. "Look I don't know where your money is but Sarah and her friends are probably at John B's place. Let's go there and get the money back." Rafe says to Barry. "Sounds like a plan to me, let's go." Y/n says trying to walk out the door.

"No." Barry and Rafe say simultaneously as Rafe puts his arm in front of Y/n's waist to keep her from leaving. "So I grabbed this for nothing?" Y/n says pulling out a gun of her own from her purse. "Where the-? Man I don't have time for this shit. You stay here while me and Rafe handle this. A'ight?" Barry says to her. "Fine just don't die. If you do i'll be pissed." she says giving him a hug goodbye.

Y/n watches the two leave in Rafes truck. She attempts to stay up but falls asleep while waiting for them. She wakes up to Barry talking to Rafe. "They really thought they could get away with that shit. Huh?"

"What time is it?" Y/n asks looking at the two in front of her. "Hell if I know but I got my shit back." Barry's says putting the money in her face. She pushes it away as she sits up to check the time. "Damn it only took y'all an hour? What'd y'all do?" she asks as Rafe sits beside her. "Don't worry about it." Barry says going to put his money back.

"What happened here?" Y/n asks reaching to touch a fresh cut above Rafes eyebrow. "Nothing, you should see the other guy." he jokes. Y/n laughs putting her head on his shoulder. "It's late you should stay." she says. "Yea?" he responds. "Mhm in my room." Y/n adds.

"Barry wont mind?" Rafe asks. "He doesn't control who I take to my room." Y/n tells him standing up. "Come on." she says motioning for him to follow her. Rafe gets up and follows her down the hall. They pass Barry's room on the way. "Where you think you going country club?" he asks leaning against his door.

"Leave him alone Barry, he's staying in my room." Y/n responds. "If y'all get loud i'm kicking both of y'all ." he says only partly joking. "Yeah yeah goodnight Barry." Y/n says continuing to her room. Once her and Rafe are inside she closes the door and falls face first into her bed letting out a content sigh.

"I gotta change" she says getting back up and going to her closet. Rafe sits on the side of the bed and starts taking of his shoes. When he turns around he's met with Y/n's topless back. He stops in his track as she puts on a tank top. She takes off her shorts in exchange for sleep shorts before finally turning to face him.

"You gonna sleep like that?" she asks pointing at his clothes. "Oh umm, nah" he says as he takes off his shirt and shorts. She turns off the light before crawling into bed but he hesitates. She can still see his face faintly due to a small light on her dresser.

"Less than a couple hours ago you were all over me in your bed but now you're scared to get in mine? Come on I don't bite." she says pulling the covers back and patting the bed. "Unless you're into that." She jokes.

He gets in bed and she moves to put her head on his chest. He wraps his arm around her before saying "You know I had fun tonight. Before the whole Barry thing at least." "I did too, especially in your room." she says while trailing her hand down his chest to his lower abdomen.

"I was thinking." he starts "I wanna take you out before you start working." "Are you asking me out?" Y/n asks turning to look at him. "Yeah" he says meeting her gaze. She smiles before agreeing.

"So you gonna take me to some fancy rich place." Y/n asks. "That what you want?" Rafe responds. "I don't know, i've never been on a date before." Y/n says. Rafe turns to look at her. "You've never been on a date?" he asks not believing her. "Nah, a guy hasn't ever really caught my attention like that. Not like you have." she says cuddling closer to him. Rafe doesn't respond but he smiles as he thinks about how he'll make the date special for her.

A/n: this is kinda short but i wanted to post this so i can get to the next chapter cuz i'm excited for it. i promise the next chapter is js gonna be pure fluff❤️

[kalisburnerphone]

Found // Song Mingi

Summary: in the madness of this world I’m glad I found you. When my heart don’t seem to work it’s you I turn to.

Warnings: idol!mingi x idol!oc who’s called Jules by those close to her. She’s older than him by 3 years. Fluff, slight angst. I’ll edit later but for now, don’t ask me what this is, I just wanted to write a little something for my baby given the way he’s been getting treated not only lately but always. I wrote this on 3hrs of sleep so I’m sorry if it doesn’t make sense. It’s also lowkey a little piece of a Mingi story I’ve been working on but who knows if it’ll ever see the light.

S/N: Happy Carat Day to any fellow carats/caratinys 🩷🩵

It takes a few minutes for Mingi’s mind to register your last text before he’s scrambling off his bed and rushing to the door to pull it open.There you are, the person he can confidently say is the love of his life. Without hesitation he’s pulling you inside and wrapping you up in his arms as soon as the door is closed. It had been months since he’s held you like this, both your schedules keeping you apart even throughout the holidays.

“Fuck, I missed you.” He whispers, face buried in the mess of curls atop your head. Your arms tighten around him, a kiss pressed to his shirtless chest, a silent response to his confession letting him know that the feeling was mutual. You both stay glued to each other a bit longer before he’s bending forward and picking you up, legs wrapped around his waist he’s moving you both to the bed and settling in with you.

“Hey you,” you speak softly not wanting to shatter the little bubble you’re both in. Both his cheeks are cupped in your hands as you look at him, his eyes, soft and shining with unshed tears as he looks at you. If it’s one thing you’ve always admired about your boyfriend was that he wasn’t afraid to show his vulnerability and at first it took some getting used to because it was something you found easy to do. Mingi was patient though, he let you set the pace but made it known that he wasn’t interested in just a casual thing with you. Don’t ask him how but he’d just known from the moment Wooyoung introduced you both that you were his person and he hasn’t had a single doubt about that in the almost two years you’d been together.

There was never much need for conversation in moments like this, you both somehow just always knew when the other was needed and after your last FaceTime call you just knew that something had happened. You hadn’t been online to see what was going on so you’d just assumed it was the boys usual antics that had him sulky but after Woo had spilled what had happened earlier that day, you’d quickly wrapped up your last schedules and hopped on a flight. The others had sent you updates but Hongjoong was the only one that knew you were coming.

“What’s wrong?” you question when he keeps looking at you.

“How much time do we have together?” Time, one of the biggest obstacles in your relationship. You both made it work but sometimes it gets to you both.

“Until the finale in Seoul.” you respond, pulling him closer to you and pressing kisses all over his face before you get to his lips. He’s pulling away much too fast for you and as you chase after his lips it’s his turn to chuckle at how cute you’re being.

“ no unexpected schedules that’s going to pull you away from me?” You shake your head no and it’s all it takes for him to put his lips back where they belong.

You both can’t help the way you melt into each other like a warm embrace on a cold night. You had group shit to deal with but right here in this moment is where you need to be. In the arms of the man who seen every side of you and loves them all unconditionally. With the man who never asks for your love but knows how to take it in the ways that you offer it. Mingi never needs you to tell him that you love him because it showed from the beginning when you had randomly started asking him if he ate and if he slept to sending him food or showing up with it yourself. He had quickly learned that that was just one of the many ways in which you showed your love. It’s the same way in which everyone sees you both as this cold,alpha male/female but only the ones closest to you know just how soft you both are, how much you both even each other out.

Just as your sweet little kisses start heating up there’s a knock on his room door that Mingi has have a mind to ignore had you not spoken up, “that must be Joong, I asked him to order me food cause I had to miss lunch and dinner.”

With a pouty little huff he gets off the bed and goes to the door only to be pushed aside as soon as it opens “I heard Jules is here?” You hear Wooyoung before you see him. He waltz into the room just as you’ve taken your coat off.

“Where’s Joong? And my food?” You question looking past him.

“He’s currently building Legos with Hwa on live so he asked San and I to get it. They’ll come by after though.” He says clearing up the table in the room such as San and Yunho enter with bags of not only food but drinks as well.

“Hey Jules.” They both greet as they enter, leaving your pouty boyfriend leaning against the entrance wall with his arms folded across his chest.

“Yuyu, Sannie” you call back as you make your way to your baby.

“Do they have a you sensor or something?” you laugh softly as you unfold his arms and link your hands together. A kiss to one cheek, then the other and then his nose. “ let them have their fun, I’m not going anywhere.”

It’s a whisper against his lips as you start pulling him back into the room but he halts pulling you back against him.

“I love you.”

“Forever and Always.”

“Always and Forever.”

[riddle-me-ri]

a/n: Happy Valentine’s Day everybody!! I hope that no matter your relationship status you all love and treat yourselves well because you deserve it! I did Lupin the Third and Gang and figured I'd also try my hand at the roster of Jojo characters I write for lol, enjoy~

Reader Asking Various JJBA Characters to Be Their Valentine

Jonathan Joestar

- Instantly flattered, stumbling over his words.

- Jonathan will likely tease you about how it was his job to ask you first..

- However, he will let it slide as long as you let him treat you-

- Treat you to what? Well, a proper Valentine's Day date of course!

- He was going to treat you even before you asked, but now he's definitely got to make the plans and

- It's a gentleman's duty to sweep the object of his affection off their feet, you know!

Robert E. O. Speedwagon

- Speedwagon is rendered speechless.

- Just how in the hell do you manage to be so damn adorable.

- He couldn't say no even if he wanted to, which by no means would he ever turn you down to begin with.

- When he accepts, it's with an abundance of joy that causes him to pick you up and twirl you around effortlessly.

- Speedwagon's mind is reeling over the next steps-

- Where to take you out, what gifts to get you, what flowers you said were your favorite if you had any…

- Speedwagon couldn't wait to spend the special day with you as your special person.

Joseph Joestar

- Well, Duh! That wasn't already a given?

- Besides, even if you didn't ask Joseph–he already assigned himself the role.

- Will definitely rub it in everyone's face

- (especially Caesar if he's in the picture)

- Through all his teasing, Joseph is deep down extremely grateful.

- Joseph feels like the luckiest bastard in the world…

- And he may even tell you that today when you two are alone…

- Expect to spend the entire day with him and him proudly claiming to be “your” Valentine.

Caesar Zeppeli

- Caesar is stunned.

- Much like Jonathan, he feels it's him who should be the one asking you!

- Caesar, of course, accepts your offer full heartedly.

- Somehow, his romanticism goes up by 11, considering it wasn't already there to begin with…

- Of course, he has to seal the romantic union with a kiss-

- Which definitely won’t be the last kiss of the day…

- Caesar has way more where that comes from and more ~

Jotaro Kujo

- Jotaro is speechless…he's never really cared for the holiday…

- He feels you should celebrate your loved ones year around and not just put all your eggs in one basket, so to speak.

- Jotaro doubts you’re being serious…

- But he's known you long enough to see signs of you being nervous and anxious…

- Which you were showing the longer he took to respond properly.

- If it was anyone else, he'd likely ignore them or tell them to leave him alone…

- He quietly accepts as he lowers the brim of his cap over his eyes.

Noriaki Kakyoin

- Huh?

- Kakyoin stumbles with his words, almost pure word vomit.

- W-what does he say? Is just saying yes enough?

- Should he say more? He should probably say more…

- It's okay, his brain is short circuiting from his crush, asking him to be their Valentine.

- After fumbling, he does come out on top and accepts your request…

- Kakyoin can't hide his excitement, though, as he holds your hand, and you're both off to spend the day together.

Jean Pierre Polnareff

- May or may not start tearing up from the sheer overwhelming emotion of love for you.

- Polnareff is so deep in his emotions he may forget to answer the question-

- Although his dramatic response serves as a good reference that his normal answer would be yes.

- Polnareff is quick to sweep you off your feet-princess style as he begins spilling some cheesy romantic lines.

- If you aren't already in a relationship, this is definitely the moment that starts it

- Polnareff will do whatever it takes to be your one and only Valentine for the rest of your life.

Hol Horse

- Hol Horse has been a handful of people's Valentine…

- Yet there was something different when you asked him this year round…

- You and Hol have been friends for awhile, sure you two flirted and had a fun banter going on…

- In fact, Hol almost suspects you of teasing him because of it, if it wasn't for the anxious look on your face.

- He accepts, of course, without any other second thoughts.

- The smile you give him is sweet enough to do him in.

- Yeah, this isn't the first time he's been asked to be someone's Valentine.

- But he can't deny that he hopes he can be yours year round…

Josuke Higashikata

- Josuke has definitely had his fellow classmate or two ask him this.

- While he is flattered, of course, he doesn't really accept anyone…

- This does make you a little nervous to ask yourself, you two were friends, and what if this ruins it?

- When you push through your nerves, Josuke is surprised.

- But only for a minute–

- Of course, he accepts!

- In fact, he's been waiting to see if you'd ask before he had to ask you himself!

- You're annoyed at the shit he gives you–

- But the beaming smiles you give each other is well worth it.

Giorno Giovanna

- Giorno is flattered, so much so he's rendered flustered.

- He never thought he would ever be considered to be someone's Valentine…

- However, if it had to be anyone that asked, he's glad it was you.

- Through his surprise, he does accept your offer–

- You'll likely have to take the lead as to what you two do to celebrate the day and union.

- Giorno has always had feelings for you, but after this, he's come to the full realization.

- He absolutely adores you, and he wants to make sure he's your Valentine every year for years to come.

Bruno Bucciarati

- Bruno tries to shake off the surprise, but he is fairly taken aback.

- He also feels like he should have been the one asking you-

- When he does accept, he admits that he did plan on asking you himself–

- Yet, in the end, he's just content that the feelings were clearly mutual…

- Bruno sets out to treat you and spend the rest of the day with you.

- He may not have got to ask you, but he will make up for it with actions instead…

- Bruno will never hear the end of it from the gang, but he can't care less.

- As long as your hand was in his and your smile was caused by him, Bruno wanted nothing more.

Jolyne Cujoh

- (the fact you're attempting this knowing Anasui could pop up anywhere is honestly pretty daring, you have my respect)

- Jolyne is surprised.

- Granted if it was anyone else, she would likely ignore them, like her father would–

- Yet, she does care about you a lot..

- Plus, Jolyne does think it's pretty sweet thst you asked her out of everyone else…

- Her cheeks are dusted a soft pink, but she does accept.

- There's not too much you two can do locked up-

- But spending the day with one of the few people you care about the most–there's really nothing better than that.

[bellysoupset]

Super sick Wendy + Jonah - Part 3

this is the caretaker palooza

-------

Wendy's head was pounding. She couldn't quite figure out which way was up or down and felt incredibly nauseous, but her mouth was so dry that even moving her tongue hurt.

She let out a groan in the back of her throat, forcing her eyes open. Everything was blurry shapes, but she could hear voices far away... "Here," someone cupped her neck, helping her half sit up and pressing something against her lips, "take a sip, Wen."

Vince?

She obediently took a gulp of water and felt instinct kick in, her whole body lurching forward so she could clutch the bottle and greedily drink. The person pulled the bottle back, easily winning against her weak hold and Wendy let out a whimper. She was so thirsty.

"I'll give you more in a minute," he promised her and Wendy realized it was Luke's voice. Slowly she started to come to her senses. Luke was sitting by her side, but she was almost fully in his arms, back resting against his chest as he pressed a cold washcloth to her forehead.

She turned her head, trying to ignore the way the whole room swam at the small motion. Jonah was leaning out of the bed, half of his body out, shirtless, back convulsing-

"Jon...?" Wendy reached in, blindly, only to realize there was someone else sitting with on her bed. Leo was the one holding the bucket under Jon's chin, cooing softly.

She turned her face again, burying it in Luke's chest, and he rubbed her back, "I need you to take some meds," his voice was very soft, "alright?"

Alright. Wendy nodded, but didn't move, and Luke fed her the pills, with another gulp of water. It settled in her belly like a brick and she gagged, a sick burp coming up. Lucas didn't move at all, continuing to hug her, "is it staying down?"

Wendy swallowed in, breathing slowly through her mouth. Her nose was blocked. She hesitated, before nodding and yawning, the room becoming a blur once again as all her energy vanished.

The next time she came to be, she was wearing different clothes. Which was concerning considering the only people she recalled were Lucas and Leo. Wendy grimaced at the thought of one of them changing her, only to let out a sigh as she heard Bella's voice down the hall.

She stumbled up, grabbing on her headboard and then on her walls as she put a foot in front of the other. Her knee was throbbing and Wendy couldn't remember when she had fallen, but there was a nasty cut on it, now covered with band-aids and peeking out from the stretchy biker shorts Bella had dressed her with. The fever had broken, because she felt warm and clammy, but at least her body no longer felt like it weighed a thousand pounds.

Nevertheless, she was hyperventilating by the time she made it down the hallway.

Jonah was sprawled on the couch, his head on Leo's lap, a bucket on the ground under him, but it seemed to be empty. He was hugging a Gatorade bottle and drifting in and out of consciousness.

Leo didn't look much better than his boyfriend, he had dark circles under his eyes and his blonde hair was greasy and sticking out in weird directions. Still, he was smiling at Bell, who was sitting on one of the bean bags of Wendy's living room, between Luke's legs, reading something off her phone.

Lyrics, Wendy thought vaguely, pressing her forehead to the wall and regretting getting up from the bed. She let out a cough, which caused the whole room to erupt with noise.

"Santa Maria Madre de Dios- What are you doing up!?" Bella squealed and Wendy let out a groan as the ginger jumped up and rushed through the room, wrapping her into an embrace, "aw Tink, you shouldn't be up, you're not well..."

She guided Wendy through the living room and Jonah curled up his legs so she could sit on the couch with him. Wendy collapsed with a relieved sigh, catching Leo's worried glance in her direction. Instead of blushing and looking away quickly, he stared openly.

"How are you feeling, Wendy?"

Oh she had scared him, she thought with a snort, letting her head fall against the couch's arm, "dizzy..."

"You haven't eaten in a while," Luke said, getting up from the bean bag as well, "do you think you can handle soup? Or just toasts?" at the mention of food, although she expected to feel another wave of nausea, Wendy's belly let out a famished growl.

She blushed, curling up more, "uhm- Maybe just toast for now..." Bella was hovering by the couch, clearly wanting to do something to help. Wendy gestured to her outfit, "where did you get these ugly clothes?"

The ginger let out a cackle —loud enough it seemed to snap Jon back into reality — shaking her head in disbelief, "never change, Wen," she teased, leaning in and planting a kiss on top of Wendy's head, "I'm glad you're feeling well enough to bitch about your outfit."

"Wen," Jon rasped out and Wendy's head snapped into his direction. Last she remembered of him he had been in a bad shape. Burning up, completely unresponsive as she shoved his shoulder before running out of the bed to get sick in the bathroom... Asking her if she was leaving...

She frowned, locking her legs with his and letting out a sigh as Luke came back to the living room, holding out a bottle blue Gatorade and some dry toasts for her, "small bites," he instructed, as if he was the doctor. Wendy noticed Leo quietly moving the empty bucket from under Jon, towards her.

She took a small bite, under all their watchful eyes and then a sip of the electrolyte drink. Her mouth exploded with flavor despite how bland the items were and for a second she had to stop chewing and breathe through the queasiness, but soon the hunger got the best of her and she swallowed in.

Leo was staring at her, "is it staying down?" he asked, wearily, and Wendy would've bought his almost annoyed tone, wasn't it for the fact her memory was being juggled and she remembered him carrying her out of the bathroom, terrified.

"Yeah," she took another bite, then smiled at Jonah to calm him down, while Luke and Bell returned to their previous position.

Wendy didn't say anything as she continued to eat, Jonah equally quiet as he sipped his drink and dozed off once again, waking up not even ten minutes later in order to curl up and muffle a string of sickly little burps against Leo's thigh.

She crawled closer, so she could plant a hand on his arm, and Jonah raised his head, "I'm alright..." he rasped out, "stomach's just bitching, I'm not gonna be sick again..."

"What time is it?" Wendy yawned, looking around. It was bright out, but she couldn't pinpoint the exact hour.

"A little past 3 PM," Luke answered, checking his own phone, "I texted Vin, to let him know what was going on. You should let him know you're awake."

Wendy opened a thankful smile, although she wasn't sure if she was more glad that Luke had had this forethought or that the two idiots were on talking terms.

Which, again, brought her back to Jon's weird accusation, "I'm not leaving," she blurted out, not bothering to pretend everyone in the room clearly wasn't in the weird gossip that had triggered Jonah's question. They were into each other's business, always, "to Doveport, I guess. I don't know who came up with this ridiculous idea, but I'm not leaving."

Jonah raised a shaky hand, pointing at Bella, "she did," he tattled, a hint of humor in his voice, and Bell let out a gasp, blushing.

"Traitor?!" She scoffed, while Luke frowned at his wife and Leo let out a snort, "all I said was that you were acting weird, okay? You're always there nowadays, you're saying the town is great, that we should visit-"

Wendy rolled her eyes, taking another sip, "you could've asked me," she scoffed, but there was no heat to her voice. She didn't have any energy to be annoyed and it wasn't that big of an offense to begin with, "I'm not leaving."

Jonah grumbled, "told you so," slowly sitting up with Leo's help and Bella pouted, crossing her arms.

"You're acting weird," she defended herself, while Luke quietly scolded her that Wendy was too sick for this conversation. The brunette let out a huff at her friend's antics, looking at Jon, who was watching her like a hawk, even weak as he was.

Another hour went by, until Bella and Luke packed up their stuff to leave, Leo deciding he wasn't going anywhere until the other two were back on their feet.

"You let me know if you need anything, kiddo," Wendy overheard Bell tell Leo, "I'm off work this week, I can swing by any hour."

Did anyone know what had happened?

Wendy caught Bell's eyes and deep down she understood that nope, they hadn't told anyone and weren't going to. The ginger crouched down next to the couch, pulling her into a hug, "try not to die while we're away," she berated lightly, messing Wen's hair, "you call me if you're sick of them-" Bella gestured over her shoulder, to where Luke, Leo and Jon were regrouping, Jonah now on his feet, "and I'll come by, alright?"

"Okay," Wendy hugged her back, "thank you for coming, you gossip."

Bell wrinkled her nose, shoving her off lightly, "Jonah's such a snitch," she grumbled, getting up and taking Luke's hand in hers.

As soon as the couple was gone, Leo got up from the couch as well, to take a shower, since he hadn't had one in a long while and had clearly been cleaning the place all over, as well as dealing with them.

"You two stay put," he glared at them and Jonah let out a little chuckle, leaning his head back on the couch.

"Yes Dr. Wagner," he teased, causing Wendy to perk up.

"Dr. Wagner-Banks," she corrected, causing Leo to turn cherry red as he walked away.

When he was gone, Jon turned to Wendy, taking her hand in his and squeezing it, "I'm sorry," he said, "I was supposed to be taking care of you..."

She rolled her eyes, intertwining their fingers, "we were probably both exposed yesterday- Well, the day before yesterday," it was so weird to have a whole missing day in her memories, "and if you hadn't brought me home, I don't think anyone would've noticed-"

Jonah's whole face contorted in disgust, "shut up," he said sharply, "I would've noticed. Vince would have. Bell too- Shut up."

Wendy opened a little smile at his explosion, rolling her eyes. It was cute, but it was also an objective fact that she had a million activities and because of that her disappearance would take longer to be noticed by her friend group.

"I didn't want you to leave," Jonah confessed after a minute of silence, his voice sounding like he had gargled with glass, "I know it was dumb to just assume so, I just- You're my best friend, and I love you, I didn't want you to leave."

"Good thing I was never leaving then?" Wendy grinned, scooting closer so she could rest her head on his shoulder. Jon wrapped an arm around her shoulders, pulling her closer, "I love you too, Jon."

She could feel his hesitance, a breath sucked in and held, but Wendy said nothing as she heard her best friend's brain working things up, "would you be my maid of honor?" he asked quietly, after a beat, squeezing her, "please? There's no one else I'd want more than you."

If Wendy wasn't so dehydrated, she'd have probably started to cry. As it was, all she did was pull back with a smile, before throwing her arms around his neck and squeezing him into a hug, "of course I would, Jon, of course!" Wendy breathed out, groaning as he hugged her back just as tightly, pressing a kiss to her temple.

[lightofraye]

Hi there!

Well, I try, anyway. It's studying body language and listening to people, to the point of doing it on repeat and driving myself up a wall. Ahem. Anyway….

To your question!

So… yes. A lot of Cockles fanatics like to reference the older convention videos because, well, there was more for them to draw on. It's also due to the fact that Misha wasn't that BAD. He'd make an off-color statement or two, drop teasers that he and Jensen were more when it wasn't true.

I think Jensen just brushed it off, if he was even aware of this stuff being said in Misha's panels. I honestly don't think he's aware unless someone told him. In fact, Jensen didn't know Misha tweeted that awful photo manipulated photo of him as a young model until someone showed him in a panel! In a more recent panel with JDM, Jensen was told of Misha fat shaming him and JDM just brushed it off as Misha saying shit. Jensen wasn't aware of that either.

He's honestly too busy, Jensen, to pay attention to half the stuff Misha says. And it's a good thing that he doesn't, because it's just so full of toxicity, bullshit lies, and pandering.

Anyway, sorry. Jensen and Jared were decent work friends with Misha. I think a lot of times, Jared and Jensen had to put up with it precisely because they were working with Misha. But as Misha's hours got cut more and more, his scenes fewer, I think was a relief for J2. Especially for Jared, given how Misha clearly hates him and is jealous of Jared's success.

As for Jensen….

This will be a hit and miss for some. I know some will disagree. This is my opinion.

Like @go-diane-winchester once speculated, Jensen is timid. He doesn't do well with standing up to others--I've mentioned this before. He failed to stand up for Mark Sheppard when CW decided to be an asshole. (Misha caved too. The only one who didn't was Jared). It also doesn't help that a lot of stans don't listen to him. When it comes to Destiel and Cockles, it doesn't seem to matter what Jensen says--they're not listening. And Misha seems to know that; depends on it; grifts on it.

Maybe once upon a time Jensen was a friend to Misha, but Jared? I think Jared saw him as the snake he was and made sure to set down boundaries that Misha couldn't break. Then Jensen began to rail against Destiel hard and it nearly destroyed his reputation. Misha saw that, knows that that's his money ticket.

The nonsense about the ring? Misha wasn't gifted that ring by Jensen. Misha just bought it, a fan noted it was similar to Jensen's and decided that yeah, it was that. That's all it took.

In fact, I don't think Misha and Jensen have hung out together outside conventions in years and the few times they were seemingly seen outside of conventions--such as having a snack in Jensen's trailer with Danneel during filming--were just that, filming. Misha himself said he had never been in Austin before the convention last year. Jensen himself said Jared was the only one his kids call uncle.

Why are the Cockles fanatics so desperate for that ship? I have no idea. Jensen and Misha have zero chemistry and Jensen is frequently seen sitting far away (and that "cute" thing of how personal space is overrated was quickly negated by Jensen immediately pulling away) from Misha, will try to move away from Misha…. While J2 are like damned puppies.

I think they want to believe it because Misha is feeding it. It's a fetish, not an actual "Aww, they're so cute together!" It's a desperate "I have to believe they're together because it's an obsession!"

Your ask was not long at all! In fact, I think my answer is longer than the ask, haha! No worries. Feel free to ask me more.

Keep in mind this is just based on observations of panels, a study of their social media, and other aspects. Not an expert. Just a layperson with a history of body language thanks to my upbringing.

I also decided to crop and answer, just to keep you safe.

[starlight-eclipsed]

Very random but if the chain ever happens to visit legend's time again

Or even worse they happen to visit legato’s era and get dropped in front of legend's hut

And Ravio happens to be there …

Oh boy , I can only imagine the sheer salt and acidity in legato’s entire being as Ravio ends up getting “friendly” with Legend

While legato is seething with rage in the background at the display of affection and feeling deeply hurt at it

Because Ravio would always rather choose his older still hylian and more mature looking self over him

He did prove it when he got back to him

Even if legato felt so much more comfortable as a dopple Ravio would only see it as his death being disgraced by this circumstances

He did never get to hold a funeral for legend

Legend died in his eyes and a doppelgänger took his place not giving him the opportunity to mourn

Which both probably are in the right in some way because Ravio couldn’t bare it any longer to see legend get hurt over and over again while he sees him become less and less the person he once was for better and worse

While legato was given the opportunity to no longer be in pain at the expenses of his mortal body and he was more or less comfortable with the losses of many things that came with being a dopple the eventual rejection would hurt in a way nothing ever hurt before

He lost Marin through circumstances and it hurt

But he never experienced the kind of pain of being rejected by someone he loved the way he was now

While he still has to deal with the fact the person is alive and very much just over it

He probably copes like shit with it because he has no idea what to do about it other then put it in a box and pray he never has to deal with it (master at suppressing trauma and pain that he is)

He already is kinda unhappy about the way he looks

It would get so much worse when he sees that Ravio likes legend more (even if it is a version of Ravio who doesn’t even know who the random kid that looks at him with ill intent even is )

The sheer hit to his self esteem would be the equivalent of a nuke going off

Complete annihilation

The sheer amount of jealousy that would then proceed to generate towards legend as a result (even if he doesn’t want to)

Lil guy would throw a hissy fit at the very notion of legend and Ravio being in general proximity while he can’t do anything about it

And he is both happy for them and also intensely bothered because he knows exactly how painful it would be when it ends and he doesn’t want this pain for legend to experience as well

The chain meanwhile would be concerned why Ravio seems to bother legato too such an intense degree

He would have a hard time explaining why exactly he is seething at Ravio and probably get Ravio killed by accident when he messes up one single excuse for his intense sad meow meow behavior and why he wants to protect legend from the guy who kinda broke up with him and he never really had the time to get over it but that part he obviously can’t name lol he just doesn’t like scammers and there is no other reason whatsoever

But with the context that he is in a very very exploiting industry

By himself with no real support system

And apparently hates scammers with a passion to the point where he throws his first ever tantrum in front of the chain over it

When he always seemed to be a happy go lucky lil dude with only sunshine and rainbow energy to the point where getting maimed and being on the death bed is taken with a smile and no problem

He still is legend after all he can get bitter as a lime it would probably need a lot nonetheless because he is hanging around with his brothers to get his mood sour enough to metamorphose back into legend … like having to deal with his ex and a version of himself who he hopes won’t get dealt just as horrible of a hand as him

The chain gotta wonder just how worse it can show itself to be

Okay, quick disclaimer before I fully answer this: Ravio's side of things is more complicated than Legato knows. The situations you're describing would not play out that way in the series due to a variety of factors.

That said, I do enjoy angst and can appreciate the directions you're taking with this, so let's get into it :D

Either way you go, Ravio would probably be more comfortable interacting with Legend. And as you mentioned, Legato has a tendency towards avoidance whenever he can get away with it--he spent most of their visit to Legend's era hiding away and not really interacting with anyone.

Granted, he was able to get away with this because of the incident in Kakariko. Everyone thought he was upset about that and elected to give him space so long as he didn't wander too far. This would not be the case should they end up in Legend's era again.

With the newfound context that Legato is Legend's sort-of successor, Legato would have to be careful about the others interpreting his awkwardness as meaning something regarding Ravio's future. He could play it off as trying to avoid influencing the timeline too much with what he knows of it. But if he slips...

A Plot: Legend has a (not so) mild crisis, spiraling as he tries to figure out what Legato's attitude towards Ravio means. Time and Twilight try to reassure him but fail miserably due to their own personal struggles with trying to fix the past--ultimately Wild turns out to be the voice of reason, to everyone's surprise (minor callback to that LU comic about Kings of Hyrule, wherein Wind lectures Wild about fighting for the future).

B Plot: Legato sneaks off since staying in Legend's house will drive him insane, Wind and Four follow him. Wind specifically points out that it'll be good to have him along for emergencies since his pirate charm can connect to Wild's slate. They get to have a fun day of visiting the different treasure caves and mini games (and trying to cheat at them) scattered around central Hyrule. As a nice break from the angst.

C Plot: Warriors, Sky, and Hyrule are checking in with Fable at the castle. Warriors does most of the talking, while Sky and Hyrule hang back and get to wander around the castle. They talk about legacy and what it means, both as a predecessor and a successor. Their conversation mirrors some of the stuff from the A plot, in that terrible things may happen in the future but the most you can do is try to keep going and leave something for future generations to work with.

Anyway the whole thing concludes when everyone regathers at Legend's house, and it's Warriors who accidentally lets slip that Ravio was part of the War of Ages, and that's probably why Legato was worried but insisting that it all was fine. Legato is quick to latch onto that excuse and run with it.

(Ravio is very panicked about how he'd fare in a war, but quickly warms up to the idea when it's pointed out that he could make a lot of money through opening a shop in Warriors' Era. Legend now has a new thing to worry about.)

[sprunki-pain-tolerance]

A little bit of angst this fine fine Valentine’s Season, with my favorite gay couple because I love making Clukr feel emotions! Fun fact: I based this off of the singular relationship I was in back when I realized I was Aromantic (the break up was because she was a lesbian and I was no longer a woman, not the Aromantic thing). Don't worry, they're still together, they need each other so much.

11 years.

That's how long they'd been together.

Garnold loved Clukr. There was no other way to put it. He loved them. He loved their passion for everything whether a like or a dislike, he loved their little fidgets when busy, he loved how easily they fit in his arms, he loved the things they made and could easily pick out every little sign of their creative process. He loved them. He wanted to spend the rest of his life by their side. Everytime he dwelled on his feelings it always just felt like he was that confused kid in college again, struggling with his sexuality and an adorably dorky roommate. Hell, the day they'd confessed, though unorthodox and a bit painful, felt like a weight had been removed. Although immediately, there were navigational issues to hammer out. Namely with Clukr's orientation.

They were aromantic. He wasn't.

It was confusing for him at first. He didn't really understand how they couldn't experience romantic attraction but still wanted to date him. At first he rationalized it as them being clingy, but after about five attempts at explaining (the curse of neither of them being good with emotions at that age) he was pretty sure he got it. It was love, just not the same kind. It wasn't really a hard thing to work with usually; discussions about boundaries, wording, what they wanted to be, but every February seemed to be a nightmare for them. They’d confided in him about their sheer hatred of Valentine’s Day and how they didn't want him doing anything special for them on it. He always agreed to just treat it like a normal day. He was always so loud and proud about his spouse that some people thought it weird that he did this, but their comfort mattered over anyone's feelings. If they just wanted this to be a day, then it was just that. Another day.

Albeit, another day he had to pry them off their work computer and make them go to bed at a halfway decent time. But that was usual.

What wasn't usual was them face down and crying in front of a blank monitor. Usually when he found them like that they were trying to use Blender. And they actually took their glasses off first, meaning that this wasn't a spontaneous meltdown or an anxiety attack. They were obviously dwelling on whatever it was first for longer than a few minutes.

“Hey hon.”

Garnold rested a hand on their back. They barely responded, actually crying harder at the touch, drawing further into themself.

“Hey, what’s wrong?”

They sniffled harder, not even looking up as they quietly stuttered out a response. It was barely audible, but he could still hear it plain as day.

”Why?” Before he could question them, they elaborated, “Why have you stayed with me this long?”

“Cause I care about you.” He didn’t use the word love. He thought it, but he didn't say it. Clukr didn’t like hearing him say it.

They must’ve picked up on his implications though, because their response to this was, “You deserve someone who can actually love you back…”

It was so disheartening to hear. They were the one to confess. They were the one to propose. Garnold watched them gain all of the confidence needed to bear their emotions to him front and center ever since they’d first met. He’d watched an endearingly pathetic guy become brave and stoic in real time. Seeing them like this felt just like their first meeting all over again. Tense, like one wrong move would completely break them and ruin everything.

“Oh honey... Who got that idea in your head?”

Clukr finally lifted their head up, only to shrug and slump over again. “You just deserve better than me… I dunno...”

“You know I don't care about that kinda thing. I want to stay with you, that's all that I care about.”

He picked Clukr up with ease. They practically went limp in his arms as he carefully maneuvered them over one of his shoulders. The glasses came next, which he carefully placed in his jacket pocket (they were already on life support as is). Then the cane… was not in the room. 

“C'mon. You've been awake too long.”

[inawickedlittletown]

We've Got A Long Way To Go (BuckTommy) -9/?

Summary: A few months after the break up, Buck picks up a call that changes everything. Tommy has his own regrets, and an unexpected meeting and a change in Buck's life will bring them together. Fix-it fic.

Words: 2.1k

Read on Ao3

Chapter One - Chapter Two - Chapter Three

Chapter Four - Chapter Five - Chapter Six

Chapter Seven - Chapter Eight

-

Chapter Nine

When he got off the phone with Evan, it was a bit later than he’d expected. Tommy didn’t mind. He wished the call had gone on for longer, but Lucas had woken up and Evan had rightfully said a quick goodbye. Tommy didn’t even care that it meant he’d be getting a lot less sleep than he’d planned to before his shift. He’d missed Evan far more than he’d even allowed himself to admit. 

Right after the break up, Tommy had had every intention of grabbing anything Evan had left behind and putting it in a box to pass along to him. There actually wasn’t much stuff considering Tommy was usually the one going to Evan’s place. He never did go through the trouble. Three months in the things remained where they were or they had gotten — in the case of Evan’s clothes — mixed into Tommy’s own wardrobe. They’d never fit Tommy, but he liked the idea that Evan still existed in his life somehow even if it was just a couple of shirts and a hoodie.

It was almost like if Tommy wished for it enough, Evan would just walk right into his life again and they could pick things right back up. That was not going to happen. He hadn’t seriously believed it would before, but now there was a kid to think of. Evan had far more on his plate than to deal with Tommy. He deserved so much more. 

Getting to work the next day, he could almost push away thoughts of Evan and Lucas. It wasn’t a slow day, but it wasn’t overtly busy either. He got a few flights out to help with a stranded hiker, then a medevac for a heart attack.

“You’re kinda distracted today,” Lucy said over lunch. 

He hadn’t heard from Evan all day, not that he’d been expecting to. It just felt…well, it felt like he was being left out of the loop somehow even though he knew that Evan knew he was on shift. Evan was probably busy too. 

“Tommy?” Lucy asked. 

Tommy hadn’t planned on sharing anything with Lucy, but he had to talk to someone and she was probably his best bet. 

“Remember the kid from our last shift?” 

“Yeah,” Lucy said. 

“I, uh, I wanted to make sure he was alright. Both parents gone and everything.” 

She nodded along. “And?”

Tommy took a breath. “His name is Lucas. He’s Evan’s son.” 

Lucy’s mouth fell open and she blinked at him a few times. “Come again? Buck has a kid? A kid whose parents died. Wait, did he even know? How do you know? Kinard, this is tea. Piping hot tea and you kept it from me.” 

Tommy ducked his head and chuckled. The whole thing was kinda ridiculous.

“He’s biologically Evan’s son, but only because he was a sperm donor so his friends could have a baby. He’s taking custody of him, though.” 

“Wow,” Lucy said. “That’s insane. So I take it you went to check on the kid and ran into Buck?” 

Tommy nodded. 

“And how did that go?” 

“Surprisingly well,” Tommy said. 

The other shoe would drop eventually, though. If Tommy had any hope of even staying friends with Evan they would need to talk about it or it would fester. Talking to Howie had given him some insights into how Evan had been after the break up and it was nothing like what Tommy had expected. 

“That’s good,” Lucy said. 

“But it’s really over, you know,” Tommy said. 

“What does that even mean?” 

Tommy shrugged. “He has a kid. That’s his priority now and I’m not going to complicate everything with all my bullshit, Lucy. I can’t. And maybe it’s for the best. Maybe one day he’ll meet someone that will—”

Lucy punched his arm. “Now that is some bullshit,” she said. “I can see it all over your face, you already care for his kid. You didn’t stop caring for Buck. Yeah, a kid complicates things, but you’ve been heartbroken for months over Buck so it’s not going away. Why don’t you actually talk to him? Clear things up and go from there?” 

It would be too hard. It might change everything and the very slimmer of hope that Tommy had gotten that maybe they could become friends and stay in each other’s lives would die away and Tommy would have nothing again. Did he even have anything at all? 

“I don’t know,” Tommy said. 

“Think about it, Tommy, because you’re right, one day he might meet someone that wants to stick around that wants to settle down with him and that kid and then you won’t get a chance to say a thing.” 

-

It was late in the morning when Lucas was finally discharged. The doctor took a last look at him and signed off. The worst of his scratches were already scabbing over and the bruises looked a lot worse than they actually were. Buck was given instructions on how to care for the arm in the cast and he could tell that Lucas was even more sore than the day before. 

“It’ll help if he moves around a bit more,” the nurse at the desk told him. “Children’s tylenol will help with any pain, but only if he needs it. And you have your appointment for when he gets his cast off all set.” 

“That’s what the doctor said,” Buck said. 

“Good luck,” the nurse said. “You and your boyfriend are going to do great.” 

Buck just smiled and nodded. If only he did still have a boyfriend to help him with all of it. He headed back to the room and found Lucas sitting on the edge of the bed, teddy bear clutched in his arms. Karen, holding all of their belongings, smiled at Buck. Lucas seemed a bit wary, but then he had met a lot of people in the last twenty-four hours. He hardly even knew Buck for that matter. He must have realized, though, that they were leaving the hospital room. 

“I guess that means we’re ready to go,” Karen said. 

“Yup. Hopefully Hen got the car seat situated.” 

Lucas looked at him. “Where mama?” 

It broke Buck’s heart to hear the question. He didn’t know quite how to have this conversation. 

“Where dada?” 

“Lucas,” Buck said, “your mama and dada aren’t…they aren’t with us anymore.”

He shot a look at Karen and she seemed to realize that he really didn’t have this. Lucas looked confused and maybe it was because Buck wasn’t actually saying it. They died. They were dead. Lucas was never going to see them again. He felt Karen’s hand fall on his shoulder. She mouthed ‘you got this’ at him. 

“Lucas, they died,” Buck said. 

Did Lucas even know what that meant? Had Connor or Kameron ever talked about death with him? Was that even a concept that a kid that age could take or was this the first time he was encountering it? 

“It means that they’re gone. You were in an accident, it’s why your arm is in a cast. Your mommy and daddy died so now you’re coming home with me.”

“No mama. No dada?”

“No, honey. They were hurt bad.”

Lucas pointed at his cast. “Me?” 

“Worse,” Buck said. “They didn’t wake up. I’m so sorry.” 

Maybe it was his tone, or maybe it was that Lucas did understand, but he started to cry. It brought Buck right back to last night. 

He’d been on the phone with Tommy. He’d told him more about Connor and how meeting him in Peru had eventually led to Buck moving to LA and becoming a firefighter. He’d told him all about the house they shared with four other guys that was little more than a frat house. He and Connor had been kids back then, running around LA to clubs and bars and picking up women left and right without a care in the world. Buck had outgrown that eventually when he really took being a firefighter seriously and especially once he and Abby got together. He didn’t talk about Abby, knew it would open up a whole can of worms that might destroy the line of communication that had been opened between them. Instead, he’d told him about having Kameron stay at the loft and how much Buck had liked her. 

Lucas had started squirming a little in bed and then he started making whimpering noises and then he cried out. Buck had said a quick goodbye to Tommy, reaching for Lucas to wake him even as he dropped his phone on the bed carelessly. 

Lucas woke up at once, shaking and whimpering still. He’d curled into himself, so Buck didn’t try to touch him. Buck did realize that he was crying, though, face wet with tears that didn’t seem to want to stop. 

“Lucas, are you okay? Did you have a bad dream?” 

Lucas whimpered, but nodded. “Mama?” 

“It’s just me, Lucas. Just Evan. Can I give you a hug? Would that help?” 

Lucas took his time before he nodded, uncurling and opening his arms as if asking for Buck to pick him up. Buck did, gently situating him in his arms before he sat down on the bed, conscious of the tiny arm in the cast. 

“Do you want to tell me what was scary?” 

Lucas shook his head. 

“Was there a monster? Or a ghost?”

Lucas shook his head. Buck reached for a tissue and he helped to gently wipe Lucas’ face, careful of the scratches he’d gotten during the accident. 

“Was it a big dog? Or a bear? Or, I know, a crocodile?” 

“No,” Lucas said, already calming down. 

“Not any of that. Alright, then, but it was something scary?”

Lucas said what sounded like a ‘yes’ as he snuggled closer into Buck, his little head fitting into the crook of his shoulder. 

“Well, I know nightmares can be scary. I have them sometimes, but they’re not real. Nothing is going to get you, Lucas. Not while I’m around.” 

Lucas didn’t let him go and for a while, Buck just talked to him. He told him about being a firefighter and Lucas fell asleep on him and Buck didn’t know how to let go, so he didn’t. He held him and let him sleep, even grabbing his blanket to cover him. Buck didn’t know when he drifted off, but when he woke again it was to Lucas squirming to get out of Buck’s hold. 

Buck let him roll off of him and Lucas laid down next to him, blinking at him. 

“You okay?” 

Lucas tried to nod. 

“Do you need something? No? Did you have another bad dream?”

Lucas shook his head. He didn’t look like he’d be falling back into sleep, but then Buck figured that he’d probably spent more hours sleeping over the last day than he was used to. 

“How about we read a book?”

Lucas sat up at that. Buck chuckled. He rolled off the bed and went to the bag Maddie had brought earlier. He grabbed one of the books. Goodnight Moon. He’d read it to Jee enough times and maybe Lucas would enjoy it too. 

He brought it over. “This one alright?” 

“Yes,” Lucas said with a nod. 

Buck arranged himself so that Lucas could see the book and he began to read. Lucas did not fall asleep by the end, but he seemed content to lay on the bed and have Buck read it from the start again. 

Buck had been able to help with the bad dream — one that he hoped wasn’t related to the accident — but to actually present Lucas with the reality of his parents being dead felt far more difficult. He grabbed for a tissue and tipped Lucas’ chin up. Lucas stared back at him with eyes that were far too familiar and definitely full of tears.

Lucas reached for him and Buck picked him up, hugging him and rubbing his back as he hiccuped and cried some more. 

“It’s going to be hard and you’re going to miss them lots and that’s okay. They loved you so much, Lucas, and we can hold onto that even if they’re not around anymore. But, all they wanted was for you to be happy and hopefully I can help with that,” Buck said. 

Buck met Karen’s eyes and she smiled sadly at him. Buck set Lucas back down on the bed. He was sniffling a little still. 

“Now, it’s time we get out of here,” Buck said. 

“Teddy too?” 

“Of course.” 

He wiped Lucas’ face as best as he could one more time. 

“Do you want to walk, or can I carry you?” Buck asked. 

Lucas responded by lifting his arms, cast and all, towards Buck. Buck picked him up again, already sure he loved the way that Lucas seemed to fit into his arms. When he looked at Karen, she was wiping her eyes. She gave his arm a squeeze as they walked out. 

[ofresoluxe]

Naomi   blinked   at   the   casual   correction,   throwing   her   off   balance   just   enough   that   she   almost   forgot   to   respond. “Santi,”   she   repeated,   testing   the   name   on   her   tongue   like   it   was   something   foreign   and   new.   It   almost   felt   too   familiar,   but   he   had   insisted.   She   gave   a   small   nod,   as   if   deciding   the   name   suited   him.   “Right.   Not   a   boardroom.”   That   much   was   obvious,   but   there   was   something   about   the   way   he   said   it   that   made   her   stomach   flip. Her   lips   parted   slightly   in   surprise   when   he   mentioned   a   hot   date,   but   before   she   could   even   begin   to   process   why   that   information   unsettled   her,   he   delivered   the   punchline. Bed.   Naomi   let   out   an   exasperated   huff,   rolling   her   eyes   as   a   small   smile   tugged   at   her   lips. “Cute,”   she   muttered,   shaking   her   head.   “Very   smooth.” She   was   still   processing   her   own   reaction   when   Mr.   Navarro   – Santi   –   turned   the   question   to   her,   leaning   in   just   enough   to   close   some   distance   between   them   and   making   it   harder   for   her   to   concentrate.   Naomi   took   another   sip   of   her   hot   chocolate   to   buy   herself   a   moment   and   realized   she’d   finished   off   the   last   of   it.  “I   mean,   I   wouldn’t   say   the time   of   my   life,   but   I   also   haven’t   resorted   to   flirting   with   my   mattress   yet,   so   I   guess   that   puts   me   ahead   of   you.”   The   words   left   her   before   she   could   second-guess   them   and   as   their   sound   reached   her   ears,   Naomi   felt   her   face   warm.   She   was   being too   familiar.   She   cleared   her   throat,   lowering   the   now-empty   cup   as   if   it   could   serve   as   some   sort   of   distraction.   “I,   uh,   was   here   with   my   brother   and   niece   earlier.   He   had   to   call   it   a   night   earlier   and   I   thought   I’d   grab   something   to   warm   up   before   I   did   the   same,”   she   explained. “But,   it’s   been   nice.   Decent   hot   chocolate,   interesting   company.”   Her   gaze   met   his,   holding   for   a   second   longer   than   necessary   and   shrugged   nonchalantly. “Could   be   worse.”

Santiago winced. Not outwardly - he’d trained himself out of that a long time ago - but something about the way Mr. Navarro left Naomi’s lips sent an unpleasant shiver down his spine. Too stiff. Too formal. Like he was someone’s father, someone’s employer, someone with a stick lodged somewhere he’d rather not think about. “Santi’s just fine,” he said, “Ain’t a boardroom, Naomi.”

He should’ve been enjoying the festival, should’ve let the evening pull him into its orbit, but the truth was, he’d been on his way out before he’d decided to make one last pit stop for a warm drink. “If I’m honest, I was fixin’ to head out before I ran into you.” His mouth curved, something half-smirk, half-sigh. “Got a hot date waitin’ on me.” He paused, letting the words settle like they had weight to them - like it was some kind of confession. Then, just when he thought she might pry, he let the corner of his mouth curl just a touch more. “Name’s Bed. Likes to be kept warm. Might treat me to six hours of sleep if I play my cards right.”

He returned the question with his stupid, lazy grin, leaning just slightly towards her as if to push it all back on her. “What about you, Naomi? Are you having the time of your life, or are you just counting the minutes 'til you can bolt off?”

[skrrtscree]

burn my dread 💀💙

[redraw of sorts of official art, the og under the cut]

[strmpt]

update: finished all of my assignments on tuesday night. forever. im actually really done with school. i graduate on saturday omggggggggg

im so fucking burnt out. it will probably be a while before im like. okay again lmfao at least as far as drawing. i miss it but wowzers. i dont have it in me.

but anyway rrraaaaaahhhhhhh graduation rraaaaahhhhhhhhh