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vintagedolan · 4 years ago

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hiraeth: initial concept

*this is a concept train!! in short, that means you all send in asks and tell me what you wanna see! so feel free to send me in whatever you want to see happen (it would be awesome if you guys send them kinda in order of plot like not jumping way ahead or anything if you know what I mean hehe. anyways, hope you enjoy, and here is my askbox for concepts!! love yah!*

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1: The Valley Isle

“What makes Hawaiian shaved ice Hawaiian? Isn’t it just ice and syrup?”

“Well, every morning we go out and collect water from the waterfall in our backyard, and then we freeze it into ice cubes shaped like the islands, and then we shave each one special into our various menu sizes.”

“Really?!”

“No. Your total is $5.47.”

Koa looked up from the syrup station, reaching over and smacking Kahua’s arm.

“Dude. Do you want to get fired?” She kept her voice low so it didn’t travel past the window.

He just laughed and grabbed the banana syrup, finishing off the mound of ice and sticking a spoon in the side before passing it out the window to the woman who’d asked the question.

“Yes. My master plan is to get in trouble, blame it on you, get it put on your permanent record so you lose all your future jobs and have to stay here with me forever.”

“You act like you aren’t going to also be in LA in literally three months.”

“And you act like you aren’t leaving me here on this rock, alone, for three months,” Kahua countered, turning to switch out the withering ice block from the machine.

Koa looked out over the rainbow of syrups, taking in the view.

Her and Kahua had been calling Maui a rock for years - since third grade, to be precise. She didn’t say it often, and especially not to any tourists who were coming to visit. To them, Maui was paradise. Tropical, perfect weather, perfect beaches. Koa could see it. She understood the allure. But when she thought of her paradise, it came in the shape of a bustling city, of opportunities and new faces and places.

LA.

Kahua called it the haole’s dream. The white girl’s dream. Didn’t matter how many times he complained about being on the same island his whole life, he never really wanted to leave it. The fact that Koa wanted to was seen as borderline criminal by half her ohana, but she pushed their comments and insults aside.

There were only two opinions that she really cared about anyways.

First was Nahele; her older brother. She didn’t have to ask him what he thought - he’d moved to Texas as soon as he could, started up a food truck in Austin, named it 808 GRINDZ and brought every hawaiian cooking method he knew along with him. He’d been making a life for himself ever since then, and he was ecstatic when Koa told him she was moving. The thought of having family on the mainland, even halfway across the country, was comforting enough.

But the most important one? That was Amosa.

Amosa, who called her when he knew she’d be walking to her car after she clocked out.

“Hi Dad.”

“Kaikamahine, my girl. How was your shift?”

“Busy, but it was fine. They gave me a card for a free small everyday that you can have, but you gotta get the sugar free syrup when you use it.”

“Yeah yeah,” he laughed. Even over the phone, Koa could hear the waves in the background, and she knew where he was before he said it. “Come to the dock.”

“Did you book another tour?” She couldn’t keep the excitement out of her voice.

“Come to the dock,” he said, his quiet way of saying no. “I’ll see you soon. Aloha wau iā 'oe.”

“Love you too.”

The drive to the boat dock was short, and the parking lot was busy as ever. Koa passed the bigger boats, with their names in fancy script screen printed on the side. Their buoys and extra snorkel gear, the bars nestled in the middle of the deck, an extra incentive for the tourists to book with them. Everyone loves a mai tai after all.

The Honu Nai sat at her spot on the dock, the farthest to the left. She had three years on any other snorkel boat out there. Her bow was worn, paint sanded off by the salt and sun over time and travel through the waves. But the little drawing of the smiling turtle still shone through on the side, despite the fact that Koa had painted it almost 10 years ago.

Over the edge, Koa could see her father. He was cleaning, like usual, organizing all of the extra gear that he had on the boat. The kids section was scarce again, all the smaller sized wetsuits, snorkels and fins barely taking up a rack. Koa knew why - if there was ever a kid on his snorkel tour who couldn’t afford their own gear, he’d ‘lend’ it to them. Every kid deserves to see the underwater world, he would say. It changes you, shows you what life is really about.

Koa had been in the ocean since before she could walk. If she wasn’t where she was supposed to be, she was one of two places; either diving under a wave somewhere, or writing in her notebook. Or, one of her notebooks at least.

“No book today?” He asked when she jumped aboard.

“Already packed them up.”

Amosa couldn’t think about the suitcases in her room without the tears starting to form. He blinked them away and looked out to the sea of blue.

“Did you pack your snorkel gear?”

“Dad. You know I’m not going to see shit in the ocean in California,” she sighed, moving over to him and putting an arm around him.

“I know, I know. They have sea lions I’ve heard. Maybe they’ll be friendly.”

“I’ve heard they stink.” She laid her head on his shoulder gently, closing her eyes when he kissed her head.

“Well. We have 5 hours until you have to get to the airport, and I say that’s just enough time for one more run, hmmm?”

Koa didn’t want to. She couldn’t think of many things worse than having salt all over her skin for a 6 hour plane ride. But the excitement in his eyes was irresistible, so she simply nodded and offered him a smile, letting go so he could get them on their way out to the reef.

She sat on the bow as they headed out to sea, closed her eyes and soaked in the spray off the waves. Her dad laughed when they hit a particularly big one, cutting through the crest so much that it splashed up onto the deck. He used to do it on purpose when she was a little girl just to hear her giggle and have her running back to him.

They made it to their favorite place quickly, and Koa didn’t hesitate to put her mask on and get to work. She took the line and dove over the side, tying it to the anchor hook under the water before coming back up. Amosa dropped the ladder for her on the back, but she didn’t need it. She was watching the reef.

Moorish Idols. That’s what she wanted to see. They were second only to green sea turtles - honu in Hawaiian. But they were the most beautiful fish, with their delicate top fin that tapered off to a tail. She was always excited to find one and show the kids on tours. All she had to say was look for Gill from Finding Nemo and they were able to spot them. She floated for a while, watching the fish dart around, even spotting a small reef shark about 15 yards to the right before she decided to climb back in to see her dad.

He passed her a towel and smiled at her as she sat down. All he could do was look at her for a moment, taking her in. His baby girl, on the boat she’d practically grown up in for the last time in a while.

He put on his brave face, and forced his biggest smile. “You ready to go out there?”

Koa sighed.

“I don’t know how to tell.”

“You’ll do great. You’re capable, and it won’t be long until you’re writing your own books instead of writing for these… whatever boys.”

“Dolan. Their names are Ethan and Grayson Dolan.”

“Well, like I said. Soon it’ll be your stories out there instead of someone else’s, with your name instead of theirs.” He said it with such certainty that she couldn’t help but believe him. Maybe it was the salt water left over in her eyes, or the glare of the sun off the ocean, but she began to tear up.

“Thanks for always supporting me dad. It means the world. I’m sorry I have to go so far away, I wish I could stay.” It was true - she just needed the money from the Dolan’s to get herself started, and then she’d come back, help her father.

Amosa smiled.

“Kaikamahine, it’s just an ocean between us.” He reached out for her cheek. “And we know the ocean, don’t we.”

“She’s an old friend,” Koa said, her heart tight in her chest.

“Exactly. Now c’mon, let’s get you home and on your way.”

Across the ocean and 3 hour time change, Grayson Dolan was pacing.

“It’s gonna be fine.” Ethan said.

“Shut the fuck up Ethan,” Grayson said.

That was the extent of most of their conversations over the last three days. Actually, that’s how all of them had been since Ethan had signed a deal with their agent for a ghostwritten book about their lives.

“It’ll get more people connected to us, the right people-”

“Has it ever fucking occurred to you that I’m tired of that shit? That I’m tired of people prying into my fucking life? What if I don’t wanna connect with anyone else, what if I just wanna be left the fuck alone? But no, now we’re gonna have some fucking stranger asking us a million fucking questions and digging for information in my own fucking house where I just wanna exist.”

Ethan didn’t have an answer for that. He’d fucked up, and he knew it. But he also knew that he signed a contract, and there was no backing out of it now. Grayson rubbed his hand over his eyes.

“When does the writer get here?”

“She flies in tonight.”

“Fucking fantasic. Can’t wait.”

With that, Grayson walked back to his room, leaving his twin alone in the living room with his hands in his pockets.

#hiraeth #IM NERVOUS

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misc-headcanons · 5 years ago

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I've fallen in love with this man send help! Could I get an nsfw scenario where it's raining in Tottoland & Katakuri's wife doesn't have an umbrella so she's running home in the rain but Tottoland doesn't have ordinary rainwater so she's drenched in sugary syrup and Katakuri is at home and sees her come in covered in it but instead of getting her a towel to dry off he'd rather lick it off her instead(she knows about his mouth)...?? If that's ok! 😳😵

(Welcome to the Kata club, babe~ This social distancing thing has really kicked my lewdness into MAXIMUM OVERDRIVE, lol)

Word Count: 2565

NSFW below the cut!

Of all the days to forget to bring an umbrella…

At the very least, ____ didn't have to walk very long to get back to the home she shared with Katakuri on Flour Island. As she hurried her way through the cobblestone streets, the townsfolk who passed her eagerly offered her their umbrella. An elderly Fishwoman called out to her over the sound of the rain. "Would you like to come inside and dry off, Lady ____? I can make some tea, if you'd like!"

____ smiled and shook her head as she continued down the street. "That's very kind, but no thank you," she called back. "Kata's probably expecting me to come home soon. Maybe we could have tea tomorrow?"

"Of course, of course! Best hurry back, or you'll be covered in syrup from head to toe!"

____ took her advice and hurried up the hill leading to the Minister of Flour's (and her) home. The layers of mochi that made up the house's roof and accents was easy to spot as she came closer and closer, and watching the water slide down the smooth mochi was oddly soothing. The front door, like the entire house, was incredibly large to accommodate Katakuri's massive size. There were technically two doors that made up the front entrance--one large door that fit the entire twenty foot frame, and one door built within the large one for ____ or other smaller guests. It always reminded ____ of matryoshka dolls, and she'd jokingly mentioned to Katakuri that when they have children, they should make an even smaller door for them to use inside of her door; Katakuri's expression was hard to see under his scarf, but ____ was sure that he was blushing under there when she'd said it.

____ hurriedly climbed the stairs to get to the front door and grimaced as she felt the sticky rain against her skin; her clothes, skin, and hair were completely soaked with sugar water.

____ took her front door key out of her pocket and tried her best to squeeze the excess water from her hair with the other hand. Before she could put her key into the lock, Katakuri had already opened the massive door for her. "...You're wet."

____ smirked and slipped her key back into her damp pockets. "Did you need to use your Observation Haki to guess that?"

Kata let out a small "hm" that ____ recognized as his quiet little laugh when his scarf was on and he was still in his serious/no-nonsense Sweet Commander role. He closed the door behind her as she walked in and hung his scarf on a nearby hook on the wall. ____ looked back at the trail of sugar water behind her and then down at her wet clothes with a frown. "Ugh, this is going to take forever to wash," she muttered.

Katakuri took off his gloves and held out one of his arms for her to climb onto. "I can carry you to the bathroom if you'd like," he offered. "Just to prevent any more water from getting on the floor."

____ smirked and climbed onto his arm. "I'm sure the fact that you get to lick some syrup off of your hand isn't at all why you want to carry me," she teased, knowing her husband's sweet tooth was almost as large as his actual size. Katakuri smiled at her and gently touched her forehead with one of his fingers.

"You know me well," he replied, carrying her down the hallway. Now that she was closer to him, he could smell just how sweet the sugar coating her skin was, covering her body like a glaze...His thoughts drifted to the donuts he'd eaten earlier during his Merienda, and as he felt the syrup running down his arm, he wondered just how sweet his wife would taste.

He tried to avoid the warmth on his cheeks and chided himself for having such lewd thoughts when he should be tending to his wife. What if she caught a cold from being left wet for so long while he stood there idly, having debased donut-based fantasies? He tried to wipe the trickle of drool on his chin, but one drop managed to land directly on ____'s head. She let out a surprised squeak and peered up at the ceiling.

"Is there a leak?" When her eyes drifted to Kata, who was noticeably stiff as she looked at the remnants of saliva on his chin and hand (and the visible blush on his cheeks), she smiled deviously at him. "You know," she said in a faux-innocent voice, "Maybe I shouldn't shower."

Kata raised an eyebrow and looked down at her. "Why not?"

____'s grin widened and she tucked a wet strand of hair behind her ear. "I think it would be much more effective if you helped me get this off," she replied, caressing his arm and giggling when she felt the goosebumps forming underneath. She cocked her head to the side and put a hand on her sticky blouse. "After all, if I'm the only one who gets to see that handsome mouth of yours, I might as well try to put that privilege to good use."

Kata's blush deepened and one of the corners of his lips twitched. "You want me to...to--"

"To take my clothes off and then lick every inch of me, yes," she said wryly. "I know you've already had your Merienda today, but you deserve an extra snack, don't you think?"

Kata was too surprised to speak, still amazed that ____ wanted the same thing he had been fantasizing about. He wordlessly nodded, and ____ laughed gently at just how sweet he looked when he was flustered. She kissed the area of his chest nearby and then started to remove her clothes, and without having to look up at him she knew that he was averting his eyes as she undressed; they'd slept together countless times, but he was still committed to being a gentleman when it came to her stripping.

Once she was in her bra and panties, she tapped Katakuri's arm. "I'm having a bit of trouble taking these off," she said coyly. "Could you be a dear and help me?"

Katakuri reached down with his other hand to try and carefully remove her undergarments, but she smiled and shook her head before pointing at her teeth. Kata stared at her in disbelief; she wanted him to take them off with his fangs? He'd tear them! What if he accidentally hurt her?

As if reading his mind, ____ spoke up again. "I was going to get rid of these anyway," she replied breezily. "It's a nightmare to get this much syrup out of an outfit soaked with it. You'd be doing me a favor, really."

Katakuri slowly held her up facing him and very carefully moved his mouth until his teeth were hooked on her top. With one small backwards jerk of his head, her bra ripped and fell to the floor below with a light wet smack. He hooked one of his canines around her damp undergarments, and he could feel the warmth emanating from ____'s lower half underneath the thin layer of cotton as he tore through her panties as well. The feeling of Katakuri's breath against her skin left ____ biting her lip and breathing a bit heavier than before when he carried her to their shared bedroom and sank down on the bed; when she rested against his chest, she could feel his heartbeat racing as he lowered his head down to kiss the back of her neck.

When he kissed her neck a second time, Katakuri moved her sticky hair aside and experimentally flicked the tip of his tongue on one of her shoulders. She inhaled sharply at the warm, wet sensation, and he instantly pulled away. "I'm sorry," he said hastily. "We can--"

"Do it again," she breathed, licking her sugar-coated lips. She ever-so-subtly rocked her hips against Katakuri's thighs, and she felt Katakuri's member instantly stiffen from her position in his lap. Katakuri smiled to himself as he realized why she'd gasped, and he licked a long stripe from the small of her bare back all the way up to her other shoulder. The two of them moaned--she tasted fantastic against his tongue, and he felt fantastic running his tongue against her skin.

As he continued to lap at the syrup coating her backside and shoulders, he saw her hands crawl up to her breasts as she murmured and sighed praises of just how good his tongue felt on her. The taste of her sweetness made him revert to the hedonistic glutton that he became during his Meriendas, and he wanted more and more of her. His tongue traveled to the small of her back and he took advantage of her relatively petite size (compared to him, at least) to snake his tongue almost all the way around her waist; she sighed louder than before and felt a new layer of "syrup" beginning to pool between her already sticky thighs.

Before she could beg for him to turn her around, he used one hand to do just that while he unbuckled his tight trousers and shoved them down his legs with his other hand. She giggled excitedly and shivered as Kata leaned closer against her to lick the other side of her neck. Part of his wide tongue caressed one side of her face, and she quickly kissed what she could as she ground against him and caressed every area of him that she could reach with her hands. He caught both of her wrists and shoved them into his mouth, licking them clean.

As he moved her around to stroke his cock with one hand, Katakuri teased his wife by circling his tongue just inches away from her nipples as he lapped at her chest and arms. "Kataaaaa," ____ whined, "Please…"

Katakuri let out an amused purr and swiftly moved the top of his tongue to flick at the sensitive buds on her chest; ____ threw her head back and bucked her hips and when he moved his tongue back to decide where to touch her next, she reached down to run one of her hands up and down the shaft of his stiff cock underneath her. He shuddered and timed his strokes with her hand, and when he heard the soft wet sound of her wet lower lips writhing against his bare thighs, he finally focused on the part of her he was most excited to taste.

Using the hand not stroking his member, he easily lifted ____ up by the waist and held her above his mouth as he lay flat on the bed. She eagerly spread her legs as he lowered her onto his lips, and her knees rested on either side of his face. "Oh God, Kata, please…"

Spurred by her desperate pleas for release, Katakuri gently held her in place with one hand and stroked himself even faster as he finally ran his tongue over her slit at a slow pace. She cried out and rolled her hips against his mouth and when he finally entered her, her entrance eagerly accepted his tongue as it explored inside of her tight, wet walls. Every time Katakuri moaned or hummed contentedly as he consumed more and more of her sweet cunt, the vibration coming from his mouth drove ____ closer and closer to the edge.

____'s eyes rolled back slightly as Katakuri curled his tongue to focus on a velvety spot inside of her that left her seeing stars. As she rode his face with wild abandon, he stroked his cock in time with her bucking hips until the two of them were feverishly moaning at the edge of bliss.

____'s thighs squeezed around Katakuri's face, and she came with a keening cry of his name that left her body shaking; a new wave of her slickness coated his tongue, and Katakuri's moans were muffled as he came a few moments later underneath her while she rode through her high. He always came rather forcefully, almost like a geyser after just one round given his size and the size of his wife. This time was no different, and soon there was a considerable amount of seed covering his lower thighs and the sheets underneath him.

His wife shuddered and her walls squeezed around his tongue when he slowly wriggled his way out of her, and she fell backwards; before she landed on her head, Kata instinctively reached out to catch her and carefully turn her upright before resting on arm around her as she lay contentedly on his lap. If she was sticky before, now she was covered in a layer of lingering syrup, saliva, and both her and Katakuri's arousal. She didn't feel any cleaner, but she certainly felt better than when she had been out in the cold rain. Now she felt warm, full, satisfied, and she felt especially loved and well-tended to by her dear Kata. She smiled to herself and curled up in his lap, enjoying the warmth radiating from his skin and nuzzling his arm currently wrapped around her.

Once Katakuri had managed to catch his breath and come down from his own blissful high, he caressed her thighs and stomach with his thumb before reaching down to kiss the top of her head. "Would you like me to draw a bath for you?" He gave her a small sheepish smile. "I think you're covered in more...ah…'syrup' than before."

____ smirked and nodded, kissing his forearm. "Only if you join me," she replied sweetly. "Judging by how your lap feels--" she shifted her hips and felt a thick layer of his seed stick to her backside, making Katakuri's already flushed face turn even redder. "I'm not the only one covered in...syrup."

Katakuri rose out of bed with ____ in his arms and carried her to their shared bathroom; Katakuri's gigantic tub was nearly the size of a swimming pool to accommodate the both of them; he was always amused when he shared a bath with his wife as she giggled and tried making bubble sculptures and 'armor' to place on both of their bodies. On more intimate nights, she would simply lay against him as they washed themselves and enjoyed each other's company.

He turned on the warm water and dropped a sugary-scented bath fizzer shaped and colored like a donut into the tub once it was nearly filled. As it dissolved and colors spread across the water, Katakuri slowly sank into the water and heard ____ let out a small, satisfied sigh against him when she felt the warm water and soft bubbles surround her. He smiled and rested his head on the back of the tub, and heard the faint pitter-patter of rain against the walls of the house. He looked down at her closed eyes and warm smile, running his tongue over the roof of his mouth to the aftertaste of her on his tongue. Hmm...he might have to add another delicacy to his Merienda's menu soon. He never thought he would discover something sweeter and more indulgent than any icing or glazed donut, and yet the answer was in front of him all along--literally, in this case.

#one piece #one piece scenario #one piece scenarios #katakuri #charlotte katakuri #ns.fw #mine #female s/o #Anonymous

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garbagevanfleet · 5 years ago

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Learn To Leave A Room (series)

PART ONE

Pairing: Jake & female!Reader Warnings: general sexiness, but nothing too risque yet Summary: Balancing relationships is hard work - God forbid someone throw a wrench into it. Notes: This whole fic is long af because I have a lot to say about Jake Kiszka, but each chapter will be digestible in size. Bless @lantern-inthenight for beta-ing the first chapter for me. ;__; We are all taking my descent into being a Jake Girl as best as we can.

“I am not ashamed, the story goes. I swear I will learn to leave a room without touching every part of your face.” — Marcelo Hernandez Castillo, “How to Grow the Brightest Geranium,” published in Breakwater Review

You are many things. You’re a good daughter, a loyal friend, and a mother to four houseplants. You are not, however, a morning person, which is why being ripped away from your warm bed at 6 am is less than ideal. You’ve never been able to say no to Lucy though (not that she’d give you any choice), which is why you’re sitting across from her in her favorite diner as the sun rises outside.

Lucy has been your best friend since middle school, through thick and thin, and you love her to death. She can find the right words in any situation, and she always manages to look beautiful, even at this ungodly hour.

Her curls are always soft and shiny and at first, you think she might be glowing but the closer you look, the more convinced you become that she’s wearing highlighter. You frown. You could barely manage to throw your hair up in a bun this morning, let alone think about makeup-

“Hey, hello?” Lucy is leaning in, grinning expectantly. “Are you listening to me?”

You shake your head apologetically. “Sorry, Lu. I’m still waking up.”

“Want some more coffee?” she asks, but she doesn’t wait for your reply before waving the waitress over. You think most people couldn’t get away with something like that, but she’s so sweet and soft-spoken that everyone melts - even the busy waitress. Lucy kindly asks for a refill for you both so you take that moment to finish the rest of your cup. You’re not sure whether to be grateful or a bit embarrassed when the waitress takes a look at you and then decides to just leave the carafe.

“Also, is now an okay time to tell you Josh is joining us in a couple of minutes?” Lucy asks sheepishly, cutting you off from your thoughts again.

“I had expected nothing less,” you say, giving her an assuring smile, though it’s not entirely true. You’re not upset at all, it’s just that you can remember a time when it was just you and Lucy against the world. You used to eat lunch together every day and study every night in high school. When she met Josh, it had somehow seamlessly started to become Lucy, Josh, and you. Third Wheeling.

Josh is impossible to dislike, you think, no matter how badly you wish you could. He’s simply too charming and handsome, despite being a bit too loud and a lot less funny than he thinks he is.

“You can invite your guy,” Lucy suggests excitedly. You shake your head instantly, huffing a nervous laugh.

“No way. It’s too new,” you explain, fiddling with the handle of your mug aimlessly. “It would be awkward.”

You’re not facing the door, but you can tell the exact second that Josh steps through it, both because the little bell rings, and because Lucy’s face lights up like a Christmas tree. You lovingly shake your head and take a sip of the fresh coffee.

“Oh, he brought Jake,” she says offhandedly. Your heart skips a beat, and despite telling yourself not to, you turn your head to look. Josh is oddly put together for this hour as well, and you silently wonder if he and Lucy are turning into the same person. You hear that can happen when you’ve been dating long enough.

When your eyes catch on Jake behind him, you snap your head back around and groan under your breath.

You had not been prepared to see Josh this morning. You had not even been well prepared to see Lucy this morning. You were absolutely not prepared for Jake.

It’s not like you don't see him often enough. Lucy drags you along to the Kiszka house nearly every time you hang out, and you can’t say you really mind. Their house is always warm and cozy. It’s just that...

You shoot a glare at her, but she just laughs and shrugs her petite shoulders.

“I swear to god, I thought he was coming alone,” she assures.

You’d never tell Lucy, but you’ve always thought Jake was the more attractive twin, even well before she had started dating Josh. He was just so effortlessly cool and collected in comparison.

On a whim, you quickly stand and slide in next to Lucy, ignoring her questioning look. In a hushed tone, you turn your head to her and say, “If Josh sits next to you, then I have to sit with-”

She cuts you off with a laugh and just as the boys reach your booth, she subtly reaches over and locks her fingers with yours under the table. The little squeeze she gives lets you know she understands.

“Hi, babe,” she greets, pulling her hand from yours. She leans across the table and strokes her fingers down Josh’s cheek. “Good morning.”

“Oh my god,” you whisper in slight disgust as Josh turns his face to place a kiss against Lucy’s palm, but they either don’t hear you or don’t care. You pull your cup of coffee up to your face to try and hide the unavoidable eye roll that follows PDA of that level. Over the rim of your mug, you catch Jake smirking across at you, seemingly reading your mind. He’s got his arms folded over his chest, instantly looking relaxed into the vinyl seat.

“Jake,” you say in way of greeting, as you push the warm carafe across the table towards the boys. “Coffee?”

Josh is far too busy talking to Lucy to hear you. Well, that’s actually not quite right, you think. More like talking at Lucy, at the speed of a mile a minute. Lucy certainly doesn’t look like she’s suffering for it though - she’s got her elbows on the countertop, her chin resting in her delicate hands. She seems to be lapping it up, eyes a little dreamy.

Jake seems to be even better at ignoring them than you are. You try not to stare at his fingers as he reaches forward and turns the unused mug in front of him right-side-up, but if your eyes linger, you can’t be blamed.

The four of you fill the morning with small talk, consuming more coffee than you think could possibly be healthy. The diner only gets busier and the smell of warm maple syrup and bacon makes your stomach growl.

When the sun rises completely, it shines in through the windows and warms your face pleasantly. It casts a comfortable, golden light across your table, and you don’t realize that you’re staring at the way it hits Jake’s face until he raises his eyebrows at you.

You’ve tuned out completely again - who knows for how long this time, so you try not to look startled when Lucy takes your hand to get your attention.

“Doesn’t that sound fun?” she prompts expectantly. You nod at her, although you’re sure she knows that you have no idea what she’s been saying.

“A party sounds fun, right?” she reiterates sweetly.

“Oh, yeah. Parties are always fun,” you agree. You go to take a sip of your coffee, but find that it’s gone cold. “When?”

Josh huffs a laugh at you, presumably because all of this has already been said. “Tonight. Our place.”

You smile sheepishly back at him. “Sorry, I’m really not used to existing outside of my bed at this hour.”

“You can invite your boyfriend,” Lucy suggests excitedly, causing the smile to drop right from your lips.

“Boyfriend?” Jake quips, eyebrows raised at you. You try not to look like a deer in the headlights.

“You never mentioned that you have a boyfriend.” The tone of Josh’s voice is a little too coy for your liking.

You can feel your face starting to warm, and you furiously try to will the blush from setting in. “It’s really recent. And it’s way too short notice to invite him for tonight.” You direct the last part at Lucy, trying to convey how much you don’t want to have to introduce your new man to your friends yet.

But Josh smells blood (or in this case, intense dread) in the water, and he’s on it like a shark. “We can move it to Friday night then.”

“Oh, no,” you quickly object. You wish you could figure out why your stomach is in such tight knots, but you’re drawing blanks. “Don’t reschedule on my account.”

No sooner are the words out of your mouth before he’s cutting in again, his lips turned up into a wicked-looking smile. “We insist. No trouble at all.”

You know you must look like a cornered animal, because Lucy presses her shoulder against yours, and in the most comforting voice possible says, “Hey, it’ll be fun. I’ve been looking forward to getting to know him better anyway.”

Neither of them gives you a chance to think of a reply before they continue on about the party. You think they’re talking about what kind of alcohol to get, but you’re already considering what disease you’re going to say you’ve contracted. You think there’s no way they’d let you attend a party if you had - say - leprosy.

When you glance up, Jake is already looking at you from across the table. He’s wearing that smirk again, but this time it’s smaller, more subtle. You can’t tell if he’s just mirroring his brother’s energy, or if he can tell how badly you want to throttle Josh and he thinks it’s amusing. You hold his eyes for a beat longer than you should, but you manage to rip them away as Josh puts a twenty on the table.

“Coffee’s on me this morning, ladies,” Josh says, but there’s not a single hit of devious energy in the smile he gives you and Lucy now.

You scowl at him and huff annoyedly. “As long as you’re handing it out, I’m suing for emotional distress.”

You wish you could prevent it, but the way Josh tips his head back and laughs makes you crack a smile.

+++

You put it off for the next couple of days. You don’t want to think about the impending party, and you don’t want to think about your boyfriend. Picking up a couple of extra shifts at the cafe keeps it all out of your head, for the most part. You tell yourself it’s because you’re too busy - you’ve got lots of things to do. But secretly, although you would never admit it to anyone, you were hoping that if you waited until the very last second to invite him, he wouldn’t be able to come. His name is Mitch. You’ve only been seeing him for a month or so, and you had never made a conscious decision to move from “talking” to “going out” to “boyfriend”. It just kind of happened, the same way the seasons slip by without your permission.

He was just a fun guy that you met at work. He ordered a black coffee, and even though he had seemed like he was in a hurry when he walked in, he sat down at the counter and sipped on it as he talked to you. You had done next to nothing for him but pour him a cup, but when he left, there was a ten and a napkin with his number scrawled across it under his empty cup.

He wasn’t particularly kind or handsome, but you gave him a chance - had a drink with him once and things just went from there. He never gave you any reason to stop seeing him, so you didn’t. One date had turned into two, and then three, and before you knew it, he was sending you emoji hearts and dick pics that weren’t unpleasant.

It’s Friday morning, and you’re sitting on the edge of Lucy’s bed. Your feet are stuffed into a warm pair of slippers as they dangle just above the floor and you’ve been watching her go through her closet for at least half an hour. She keeps pulling out skirts, holding them in front of her form and assessing them in the mirror, only to decide that she doesn’t like the top she’d attempted to pair it with.

You run your hand over her blankets, still messed up from where you’d both slept last night. You hadn’t been intending to stay over, but you had a pair of pajamas and a toothbrush there for this specific purpose.

She turns to you, a dress on a hanger in front of her body and she looks distressed. “What do you think of this one? Is it too much for a house party?”

You shrug. “Maybe, but you always look perfect in everything, so I don’t think anyone would notice. Can we get coffee?”

She waves you off. “In a minute,” she agrees, turning around to hang the dress back onto the rack. “What are you wearing tonight?”

“Not sure,” you admit, laying back and staring up at the ceiling. You don’t see her expression, but you’re positive that her pretty face is scrunched up in a frown.

“You haven’t thought about it? Do you want to borrow something of mine?” She doesn’t give you enough time to agree before she adds, “Maybe you should see what Mitch is wearing so you don’t clash.”

You can’t help but suck in a sharp breath as your stomach sinks, and you see her head whip around out of the corner of your eye.

“You did invite him, right?” she blurts, but her tone suggests that she already knows the answer.

You groan at her. “I completely forgot.” It’s not actually a lie, but you don’t add that you had been trying to forget.

“Oh my god, you should right now!”

You nod, staring at the little glow in the dark stars on her ceiling. It’s silent for a beat before she speaks again, this time a lot quieter like she’s trying not to say the wrong thing.

“Unless. Are things not going well?”

You sit up, shaking your head. “No, everything is fine,” you assure, forcing your voice to remain level. “I’m not like. One hundred percent invested in it, but everything is just fine. I think I’m just nervous to introduce him to everyone.”

“I get it. I’m sure everything will go smoothly though,” she assures. “We’ll go easy on him.”

You are positive that she’s not speaking for Josh, but you thank her anyway. She turns and dips her hand into the closet. You can hear her moving hangers around for a second before she pulls out the shortest dress you’ve ever seen. “Now how slutty do you want to look?”

+++

You had texted Mitch while you were in the shower, waiting for your conditioner to set in. You thought you were going to get lucky because at first, he had said he had plans, but he quickly texted that he would absolutely blow them off to party with you. You tried to tell him not to - that it was totally cool - but he insisted, and that’s why you’re sitting next to him on the Kiszka family couch. Lucy is on your other side, leg pressed against yours, and Josh is sitting on the ottoman in front of the three of you. Lucy was right; things seem to be going fine so far. It’s somewhere around 11 pm, and you’ve even felt comfortable enough to get a little loose on whatever pink shit she keeps giving you.

Josh is leaned in, chatting easily with Mitch about...some kind of sport? You wish you could hear better, but the music is too loud. You briefly think that maybe letting Sam DJ was a mistake. You’re pretty sure that the eclectic playlist is not in the same tastes as most of the other attendees, but you completely understand how Sam ended up in charge of it. He was far too pretty to say no to.

Lucy is significantly more drunk than you are. You can tell because she has adopted a hazy look, and her body is entirely more relaxed than usual. She leans in, speaking loud enough you can hear her.

“You wanna dance? I’m bored,” she asks and her pout forces a laugh out of you.

“Maybe a bit later. I need to be drunker for that, I think,” you reply, giving her shoulder a nudge with yours. Lucy frowns back at you, but it isn’t seconds later that she’s physically dragging Josh into a standing position and onto the dancefloor. He tries to object, but it’s weak and half-hearted, and you guess it’s only for the benefit of not offending Mitch. He gives your boyfriend an apologetic smile before taking Lucy by the waist and you watch with a slight pang of envy as they start to sway, hips pressed together tightly.

The song changes to something not quite as abrasive, and you give a little sigh of relief. It’s just quiet enough that you finally feel like you can have an actual conversation, so you turn to ask Mitch if he’s having a good time, but he’s not paying you any attention. He must be more intoxicated than you thought because he’s so melted into the couch that his drink is threatening to spill out of his cup. You go to reach for it, trying to avoid staining the cream-colored fabric below. When you slip it easily out of his hand without any objection, you realize why - his eyes are glued to a girl across the room. She’s beautiful, scantily clad, and dancing so low that you’re truly impressed with how strong her legs must be.

Mitch realizes that you’ve caught him only a beat later and he flashes you a cocky smile.

You aren’t angry - maybe closer to annoyed. You roll your eyes, but he doesn’t let you make any kind of comment. In one swift, abrupt motion he pulls you over him until you’re straddling his lap, and the shocked yelp you let out is luckily lost in the music. You are suddenly immensely grateful that you didn’t let Lucy talk you into that sinfully short dress, because if you had, your whole ass would be showing in this position.

His attempt at doubling down is obvious, but that doesn’t stop you from sharply demanding, “What are you doing?”

You may not have been that upset before, but you are now that you’re looking at his stupid face. He laughs at you, hands on your hips and leans in to press his nose against your neck. You hear him talking to you, lips directly against your skin, but you’re so embarrassed that everything sounds like static.

You go to push off of him, but over his shoulder, you catch Jake leaning against the door frame into the kitchen. He was chatting with a group of people, but when he looks over and sees you, his body tenses. You instantly feel your face run hot when you meet his eyes because you’re acutely aware of what it must look like you’re doing.

You’d seen him earlier when you first arrived, but you didn’t realize how good he looked until right now. His long hair is pushed back, letting you take in his whole face at once. The chiseled features are even more sharpened by a light sheen coming off of the string of fairy lights that Lucy had been intent on hanging.

His outfit isn’t complicated, just a dark pair of jeans and a black leather jacket, but he’s making the ensemble look exactly as it was meant to be.

He’s giving you a look that you can’t place, but it’s somewhere between smug and shocked. Whatever it is, it’s intense enough that it makes your breath catch in your chest.

Mitch picks that moment to press a hot kiss against your throat, sucking the skin and causing your lips to fall open. You whine as you feel his teeth scraping your skin because it stings. Any evidence of a smirk has vanished from Jake’s face; his eyes flick away like he can’t watch anymore. He shoves off the doorway and disappears into the kitchen, leaving his friends to shrug and continue their conversation without him.

The second he’s not there any longer, you push away from Mitch with admittedly too much force. You stand, but your legs are wobbly, both from the alcohol and from the odd sitting position you’d just been in. You try to head toward the kitchen, but Mitch’s hand is suddenly around your wrist.

“Where are you going?” he asks, and you almost feel bad because he looks truly confused, and you think maybe he’s too drunk to really figure out just how he’s fucked up. But the thread of guilt quickly unravels as your fingers find your neck, pressing into a tender spot that you can only guess is going to be an unwanted love bite.

You rip your hand away from him, giving him the meanest look you can muster.

“What am I supposed to do? I don’t know anyone here,” he objects, frowning back at you with a look of shock.

“Then get lost,” you suggest coldly. The hurt puppy look on his face tells you that you should regret being so harsh, but you just don’t. You leave him there on the couch as you start weaving your way through people. Lucy is giving you a concerned look from across the room, probably having just seen the whole display, but you offer her an assuring smile back. You hope she doesn’t worry too much, but you really can’t focus on anything other than making your way through the house.

The kitchen is crowded with giggling girls and the overwhelmingly sweet smell of perfume and alcohol but is noticeably missing the one person you’re looking for. The people around you seem to get less and less sober the closer you get to the end of the kitchen, and you think the spread of booze and mixers across the kitchen counter might be to blame.

The only other way out of the kitchen is through the back door, which is naturally blocked by a whole crowd of people. You try to politely signal that you’re trying to get past, but when that fails, you decide you’re not above shoving your way through. Everyone is gawking at you as you pass like you’re disrupting them, and you guess you are, but you’re too determined to care now. You wonder if Jake had to elbow his way through too, but no - you’re one hundred percent positive that they parted easily for him.

The autumn air hits your face as you open the door, and the not unpleasant smell of tobacco smoke on the wind tells you that you’re not alone. Your stomach lurches. Jake is standing a couple of feet from you, a cigarette between his lips. You’re not sure what you were expecting, but it certainly was not the humored look painting his face. It’s silent for a moment too long before you realize you’d been so intent on finding him that you hadn’t even remotely thought about what you’d say when you did. Lamely, you land on, “There you are.”

He exhales a cloud of smoke through tight lips. “Here I am,” he agrees. His eyes flick down to your neck, and your hand instantly reaches up to cover the spot you’re positive he’s looking at.

He breathes a laugh.

“I’m sorry.” You’re not sure exactly what you’re apologizing for but your voice sounds more pained that you’d let it if you were sober. It feels like an eternity as he takes another drag, leaving you anxious.

“That’s my family couch. We watch movies there,” he says, but his teasing tone puts you just slightly more at ease. He cracks a smile at you and you exhale a breath you didn’t know you’d been holding. “We eat meals on that thing.”

“If it makes you feel any better, I didn’t appreciate it either,” you assure. Without allowing yourself to think twice, you reach out and pluck the cigarette from his fingers. A stunned look washes over his face as he watches you raise it to your lips. A warm feeling rises in you as you realize you’d never seen him look so earnestly shocked, and you’re the one that made it happen.

It’s fleeting though - he fixes his expression quickly and steals the cigarette back from you, giving you a faux-scolding look. “Didn’t you pay attention in health class? These are bad for you.”

You can’t help but laugh, leaning back against the railing in front of him. You try to keep your tone light. “You saw everything then?”

“More than I was supposed to, I would imagine,” he agrees with a nod. “Where’d you dig that guy up from anyway? He seems like an asshole.” He takes one last drag and then drops the cigarette. It leaves behind a tiny char spot on the wood where he stamps it out with his boot.

You give a quiet laugh and look away, but you can feel the intensity of his eyes on you. “He’s a nice enough guy.” You’re not positive why you still feel the need to defend him, but it makes Jake roll his eyes amusedly.

“Please,” he starts through a smug smile. “If you really liked him, I can’t imagine you’d be out here right now. Did you just leave him in there?”

Your eyes widen, shocked by how forward he can be. Feeling rather small under his brazen judgments, the most you can muster is a nod in confirmation.

He gives a low snigger, shaking his head. “You should get back in there before he leaves then. Since you’re so into him.”

The wind picks up, which is good because now you have something to blame for the goosebumps rising all across your body. You’re staring at him silently, not sure what to say, and not sure about how you feel. Well, that’s a bit of a lie - you’ve never been less concerned about Mitch in your life, and you’ve never been so wracked with the need for someone’s approval.

“I’m not,” you admit quietly, leaning back against the wooden railing.

When you look back at him, he’s wearing that smug smirk again - the one that’s almost signature to the Jake Kiszka brand.

“I know. What are you going to do about it?” he challenges.

You shrug your bare shoulders, and it’s quiet for a beat before you try to speak again. “I blew up at him and told him to leave.”

Jake gives you an impressed look. “Wow, good.”

You frown at him. “Why wow?” you ask, the suspicion in your tone making him laugh.

“I don’t know, you just seem too nice.”

Annoyance causes your frown to deepen, you go to say something, but he cuts you off.

“Don’t look at me like that. How long would you have let that relationship go on before you finally put it out of its misery?” Your lips purse in agitation at his patronizing tone.

Dodging his question, you scoff. “I’m not that nice. I do plenty of bad things.”

He looks all too pleased with himself, like the conversation ended up here by design.

“Like what?” His voice is lower now. Quiet. “Take a drag off of someone else’s cigarette?”

You’re close enough to him that you could lean in and kiss him with ease, but you’re fairly sure that’s what he wants you to do. If he expects it, it won’t be satisfying enough. The urge to truly impress him is stronger than you’d like to admit.

You reach down to take his hand in yours, and he lets you.

You aren’t normally one to misbehave - as much as you hate to admit he’s right - but he makes you want to.

You pull his hand up to your face, and he cups your chin in his cool palm. He looks collected, but you can tell he’s waiting to see what you’re going to do next. You don’t want to disappoint him - you want to give him a good show. Before you lose your confidence, you wrap your fingers around his wrist, holding it there in front of your face. Infuriatingly slowly, you tilt your head down, parting your lips and taking his thumb into your mouth. It’s completely silent, save for the sound of the breeze and the muted music from the house, so you can hear the exact second that his breath catches in his throat. You feel electric, but you honestly can’t tell if it’s from how sexual the moment is, or how satisfying it is to see him struck silent.

All the Kiszka boys are gorgeous, but the way his face looks as you run your tongue along his skin makes your muscles weak. You let your eyes flutter closed, so you’re not expecting it when his other hand finds your hip, holding you exactly where you are.

“Jesus,” he says on an exhale. You hum around his skin, and a moment later, you pull his hand away from your mouth. It leaves a light, smokey taste on your tongue. He looks like he can’t find a single thing to say for a few moments. You can feel him start to pull you in, but both of you jump as the door swings open. You manage to step far enough away from him to not look conspicuous just as Lucy pops her head out.

“Oh my god, I finally found you.” Her words are pretty sloppy, but you smile and nod. “What are you doing out here?”

Your heart is pounding, but you try to keep a relaxed pose.

“Just needed some air after all of that,” you reply, voice quavering, but Lucy is far too drunk to notice.

“Did you know that Mitch just left?” Her brows are tipped up in a look of utmost concern.

You shake your head no but quickly change the subject. “It’s cold out here, Lu. You should head back inside.”

Her frown deepens, and you realize that she isn’t going away unless you go with her.

“I’ll come inside in one second,” you assure, tone taking on a bargaining nature. “And I’ll take you up on that dance.”

She suddenly beams at you, nodding so quickly that you’re not sure how she doesn’t make herself dizzy. “I’ll make you a drink.”

You laugh and go to tell her to slow down, but she’s gone before you can utter another word.

To your slight dismay, when you look back at Jake, he has completely collected himself. It feels like progress lost. If you didn’t notice the way his eyes linger on your lips as he pulls out another cigarette, you’d think everything was perfectly normal. There isn’t anywhere on Earth you’d rather be right now, but you acknowledge that Lucy will be back out to get you if you take too long.

You consider staying - trying to find all the ways you can convince him of your mischievous side further - but you settle instead for reaching down for his lighter, and he lets you take it from his hand. He’s staring directly into your eyes, which makes it hard for you to focus on lighting the cigarette in his mouth, especially as the flame illuminates the high points of his lovely face. When it’s ignited, he instantly takes a drag and breathes it out through his nostrils. You tuck the lighter into the front pocket of his jeans.

As you go to open the door and head inside, you catch him shaking his head with a smirk.

The feeling in your stomach is strange and foreign as you make your way into the living room to find Lucy, but as you sway back and forth with her on the rug, you realize that it must be some form of relief. You know you should feel guilty, but you don’t, even in the slightest.

PART TWO

#this is my first gvf fic yall #gvf fic #writing #learn to leave a room #jake fic #jake kiszka fic #greta van fleet

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inspirationdivine · 4 years ago

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Weight of the Word || Lydia and Rio

Timing: Current Parties: @3starsquinn and @inspirationdivine Summary: Lydia and Rio encounter an Aufhocker. Athena’s “Orion no!” senses are definitely tingling. Warnings: very brief abuse mention (Quinn parents)

Lydia hadn’t returned to the park since she’d come across the body with Morgan. In fact, as she stood as the entrance, she shivered as if ice was trickling down her spine. Maybe not the park, no matter how beautiful the sun was. What about a deeper thicket of trees? Where there was a smaller chance of finding a dead corpse because there was a smaller chance of finding anyone, while still getting that fresh summer air. She shoved her hand into her purse, to feel the cool reassuring ivory of her gun’s handle safely tucked in there. Not much help against a warden, but spellcasters died much the same way anyone else did. All the same, even as she walked through the forest, she could feel herself failing to relax, even in the light of nature’s beauty. When she heard some leaves rustle, she almost jumped right out of her glamour, pistol drawn in a moment. “Who’s there?”

Against his better judgement, Orion found himself floating throughout the trees still. He had tried staying away. The incident with the trolls had really done a number on him. One that he still wasn’t sure how to process. People like Winston and Ricky helped. Self defense was a good argument, and life or death made it sound even more reasonable. But he still couldn’t shake that feeling. That what if? If only he could have done something else. But it didn’t matter. The Scribe headquarters meant that a walk through the woods was unavoidable. Plus, he had spent so much of his life walking through the town that he had learned the quickest way around it was through the forest. That didn’t stop his heart from plummeting when he heard the rustling in the woods. He froze on the spot, refusing to even breathe on the off chance that he had run into any danger. He didn’t relax until he heard a woman’s voice and sighed in relief, slowly walking out from behind a tree and speaking loud enough for the woman to hear without trying to sound like he was being intimidating. Not that Rio even knew how to be intimidating. “It’s me. I mean just me. Rio. Rio is me.” Rio introduced himself, realizing that saying that it was him didn’t give much information to the lady, “Don’t worry I’m not here t-” His sentence was cut off when he finally caught side of the woman, gun drawn and pointed directly at him. The panic returned in an instant, and Rio jumped a mile into the sky, both hands raised in surrender and moments away from falling to his knees. “Don’t shoot me please! I’m just a college student. And part time pizza prep guy. And morgue assistant” All of that definitely wasn’t necessary, but he was frazzled. “Please don’t shoot!”

Lydia stared at him, and slowly lowered the pistol between them, gasping deeply like she’d forgotten to breathe when she saw him. She had, her heart had leapt into her throat. “You work with Regan?” She asked, staring at him, and while she held it pointed away from him, she didn’t put it away yet. They weren’t that far- Lydia blinked hard, pushing that thought far away from them. If she needed to, she could get into the trees, she could shoot him dead, and almost no one would hear her run away from the crime scene. Terror like that, though, it was hard to fake. Not that Regan was known for being a people person, or a good read on anything. “My apologies, I do not like to be snuck up on.”

Orion gave the woman a puzzled look. “The doctor?” He questioned here. He suddenly wondered if she was familiar with the doctor in normal, human size or pixie sized. Not that Rio doubted the doctor when she told him that she was not normally inches tall, but he did wonder how long she had been the height she currently was. Even more so, he had no idea what she had to do with the conversation. At least until he realized what he had said as he had failed to stumble through even the simplest of introductions to the stranger. “Oh! Oh. No. I mean, I know her but I don’t work with her. I uh- dead people.” He paused. Jesus Christ. Way to go, Rio. Really comforting way to correct yourself to the woman with a gun. “I mean- uh I misspoke. Sorry. I work at a funeral home. With dead people. I mean I don’t deal with dead people. But I work for Erin, who does.” He sighed, surprised that the woman hadn’t just shot him to put both of them out of their misery. “I’m sorry I just- I don’t like guns. At all. Especially when they’re pointed at me.” She must have realized through the incessant babbling that Rio clearly wasn’t threatening and lowered the gun, much to his own relief. He finally lowered his hands, placing one against his heart and using the other to prop himself a tree instead, taking deep breaths to make up for the oxygen he had lost rambling. “Sorry. I didn’t mean to sneak up on you. I heard rustling and wanted to make sure no one was hurt or something.” He tried explaining further, making sure not to take any extra steps in her direction to freak her out any further, “You’re uh- not hurt or something right?”

“Dead people?” Lydia repeated, squinting. “Right, I see. You work with Erin.” Not that Lydia knew who Erin was, but he loved to ramble, so she let him, still squeezing her palm around her pistol’s handle. “I don’t think many people like pistols pointed at them,” she agreed. “No, not currently,” Lydia replied, looking over herself to confirm indeed she wasn’t hurt, standing straight and dropping her shoulders. “I was merely frightened by you. Sorry. I think this town is getting to me.” All at once, it was as if she had jinxed it, she heard more rustling of leaves on the forest floor to her right, deeper in the forest. Lydia tensed up, until a little black dog burst out of the leaves and ran up to them with a bright wagging tail, playfully sniffling around them. “Hello little one. Is your owner nearby?” She asked softly, smiling as she crouched to pet the pup.

Orion couldn’t help but keep his eyes trained on the gun. Even though he was pretty sure that the woman had no plans to shoot him. Just the thing being on display made his heart beat slam against his chest. It wasn’t that surprising in all honesty, Rio could trace back to the root of his fear of guns. It was the same thing that caused most of his fears. The Quinn parents had really done a number, huh? He shook the thought away, trying to focus on the woman’s words even if he was still eyeing the gun. “Yeah uh- this town has that effect on people. You must be semi new then?” Maybe Rio would never get over his fears, but he had at least come to expect them in a town like this. Growing up in White Crest was trauma enough, especially growing up with supernatural knowledge. “I uh- I didn’t get your name, by the way.” He had introduced himself in a panic, waving around frantically in an attempt to not get shot. But the woman had never shared her own. He was quickly distracted, when another noise could be heard within the trees and Rio leapt inches into the other, hopping away from the rustling but turning towards it. He let out a nervous chuckle when he realized it was just a dog. One that the woman had seemed to take a quicker liking to than she had to Rio. He rubbed at the back of his neck and smiled at the puppy, expecting an owner to be following behind shortly, but Rio couldn’t hear anyone coming from the woods. And he didn’t see a collar either. Was it a stray? Suddenly, the dog leapt into the air, gaining an impressive height before landing on the woman. Rio stumbled forward as quickly as he could to help steady her if needed and make sure she wasn’t knocked down from the dog’s sudden pouncing. “Hey! Oh god are you okay?”

“Lydia,” she replied with a polite yet curt smile. One moment, the puppy had been sweet as syrup, tilting and stretching its little head with its eyes slowly drifting closed as she scratched under its jaw. Lydia shuffled slightly to make sense of it. She didn’t even notice the tiny snap of a twig under her heels. The dog leapt with a deep snarl - deeper than it had any right to be - and sank its claws into Lydia’s coat, ripping right through three thousand dollars worth of material. “Ow!” Lydia yelled, staggering against a tree. She tried to shake it off, all too aware of her wings glamoured away just beneath his claws. “Get it off me! Get it off!”

Either this dog really had some sort of vendetta against Lydia, or this was no dog at all. Orion’s brain began racing, a hundred possibilities running through his head. If this wasn’t a dog, what could it be? And why was it suddenly attacking Lydia? Moments ago, the animal had been happily accepting attention from the woman. Rio grabbed onto the dog, attempting to pull it free from Lydia, but even with Rio’s enhanced strength, he couldn’t get the grip free. More than that, this thing seemed to be getting heavier. Definitely not a dog. Which begged the question: What the heck was this thing? From the looks of it, Rio didn’t have much time to figure out. “Oh my god oh my god oh my god” Rio repeated again and again, letting go of the dog and hopping up and down and frantically thinking about what he could do. “Are you okay? What’s happening?” He needed information. That was the only thing he could do to help. He needed to help her before it was too late.

Lydia squealed in disgust as she fet something warm and wet drip down her back, black dog slobber messing up her clothes. He grabbed on and Lydia tried to yanked herself free from the dog, but it just grew even heavier as she flailed. “NO, don’t stop! Rio!” She cried, clutching the tree for support. “It’s heavy and it’s slobbering down my neck!” Lydia yelled frantically. It had been a day or two since she had eaten, she was strong, but not at her strongest. “Call animal control, or something!” She snapped, holding out her pistol for him. “Or shoot it! Just get it off me!” She could pull him close, press her lips to his and get all the strength she needed. Lydia stumbled, and snap, snap, snap went the twigs nearby. The beast on her back grew.

Understandably, Lydia was freaking out. Orion was too, and he wasn’t even the one being bogged down by some sort of evil dog with an unbreakable grip. The woman screaming his name pierced his skin and sent a shiver down his back. He had never heard his name screamed quite like that before. He had heard it in anger, but never in desperation like this was. He was needed. He had to do something. Otherwise, this woman could die. And Rio would have proven to be just as worthless as he was afraid he was. Lydia handed the gun off to him and Rio just stared at it for a long moment before giving it and gingery grabbing it from her, holding it by his index finger and thumb and keeping his arms extended as far away from himself as he could. But he knew this was useless. A gun wasn’t going to stop this thing. What would help was Rio’s brain focusing. He knew what this thing was. He knew he did. It was some kind of wolf. He had spent his entire life learning about supernatural beasts. There were clues here. He was growing. He couldn’t be torn off and… it was heavy. The puppy couldn’t have weighed more than ten pounds at the beginning. And Rio had realized while pulling that he was getting stronger. The puzzle pieces started to fit together, and Rio was starting to form an idea. “I can’t- this gun won’t do anything against it.” Rio admitted to Lydia, using his finger to click the safety on before finally stuffing it into his pocket. This gun wouldn’t hurt it, but Rio had an idea. He just hoped that he was right. “I- I have an idea. But we have to leave. Right now. I don’t-” Did this woman know about the supernatural? Would she think he was insane? “I just need you to trust me okay? I’m going to help you. I promise I’ll get this thing off of you.” He slid over to grab onto Lydia. Just as he thought, the weight of the dog was getting heavier and heavier. If they were going to make it anywhere, it needed to be now. “Follow me.” He spoke through rapid breaths, holding her up as he began walking.

Lydia almost asked, biting back a whimper as the beast snarled by her ear. It wasn’t a good idea to ask, because it would only frighten her more, so she grit her teeth together. What happens when it gets too heavy for me to carry? He didn’t even do anything useful when he took the pistol, looking at her like she’d handed him a bomb instead of a usable weapon. “Do something!” Instead, he clicked the safety and Lydia stamped her foot. “What do you mean it wouldn’t work?” In the non-panicked inch of her mind, Lydia knew. There were creatures bullets couldn’t kill. That didn’t mean she had to like it, but maybe this person knew what would kill it. She just had to… be strong, which was easier said than done when her stomach muscles were beginning to burn. She didn’t even smile as she felt his promise settle into place, and let his other words bind him too. If he failed and the wolf monster killed her, well, it’d probably kill him too, but if she could motivate him to stay, then Lydia would use everything she had. He grabbed her, and Lydia nodded, marvelling at how strong he was for such a compact body. “Lead the way, it’s not like- Ah, it’s not like I can go anywhere else!”

How much could Orion explain that Lydia would understand? Did she know about the supernatural? Or did she think he was absolutely insane? She certainly didn’t seem pleased that Rio wasn’t going to shoot the dog. He didn’t think a gun would work anyways, and chances were he would just end up shooting Lydia. That wouldn’t help the situation at all. But eventually, she decided to trust him. Or rather, she probably decided that she didn’t have any other choice. Trust may not have been a factor at all. As the two began walking, Rio pushing the two forward as quickly as he could, he finally answered her, “This isn’t… a normal dog” he began, biting his lip and trying to carefully pick his words before saying them aloud, “It can’t be killed by normal means. Which sounds crazy, I know. But it’s true. Seriously.” From the angle he was pushing, he couldn’t actually see Lydia’s face to determine whether or not she believed him. He supposed by this point it didn’t really matter if she believed him or not. Before long, the two would find out for sure whether Rio was right or not. Or the two would slip up. Crumble to the pressure, literally, and fall over. If Rio was right, he definitely didn’t want to see that. The two continued on, the weight of the dog getting heavier and heavier. He wasn’t sure one person would have been enough at this point. At least not one person with regular strength. But Rio’s strength would only take her so far.

If she hadn’t had a dog weighing on her back so heavily that Lydia was hunched over, if she wasn’t so frightened she could barely breath, Lydia might have sighed in relief. Obviously, it was no normal dog. So of course it couldn’t be just killed. All the same, Lydia clung to him as if her life depended on it, wondering if it did. If maybe the wolf would just climb off her when it got bored, instead of ripping out her throat. “I’ll have to trust you.” Each step out of the woods, it grew heavier and heavier, until she caught sight of one of its fangs from the corner of her eyes, and Lydia whimpered, It was as long as her fingers and glistened with drool If they weren’t both so strong. Lydia swallowed as they emerged from the woods, her legs trembling. “Where’re we going?”

This was getting harder. Not just because the weight of the dog was becoming more and more crushing, but because Lydia’s nails dug into Orion’s arm and he was at a really awkward angle right now. It would be his luck that he would end up dying from a cramp they caused the two to tumble over and get mauled by a supernatural dog. Plus side, Lydia was trusting Rio. Not that she had much of a choice at the moment, but hey, small victories! Now he couldn’t get her killed. She had put her faith in him. And speaking of faith, Lydia wanted to know where they were going. Rio didn’t like the answer, mostly because he hadn’t been back there since he ran away from the Quinn house. But despite his apprehension, he supposed the place may actually come in handy today. Plus, it was because of the forced attendance that he even knew there was one close by. Just over this hill and it would be at the bottom. “We’re uh- going to church.” Rio sighed. This was the worst.

“Right, great.” Lydia replied with a strain in her voice. She just needed to be a little stronger. It didn’t seem to be growing heavier or larger now that they were struggling up the pavement, but her legs were turning to jelly. Her side cramped up. She needed more strength in her than her most recent meal had left her. As Rio helped pull her over the hill, she eyed the side of his head. He didn’t feel all that artistic, but she only needed a tiny amount to take some of his life. Not a full meal, but a taste. Lydia leant into his grip, and sipped at his life force. It reinvigorated her, more powerful than she’d expected. He had a lot of life in him. With this new found strength of hers, they reached the top of the hill. “That one there?” Lydia asked, tilting her head to the church below.

Orion was exhausted. He had broken out into a sweat, supporting the weight of Lydia and the demon dog hellbent on murdering the two of them. Or at least Lydia, Rio wasn’t really sure on the specifics of whether the dog would pick him as his next meal or not. Hard to tell, honestly. The weight of the creature had been getting gradually heavier as the two had walked out of the forest and towards the road. The weight seemed to be getting heavier at a faster rate, or Rio’s body was beginning to give out on him. Rio couldn’t be sure, but he did know that the hunter strength and endurance seemed to be failing him at the moment. If he was supposed to be so advanced, while couldn’t he help carry a lady and one measly supernatural dog to a church? As if he needed anymore examples as to why this power was overrated and disappointed. He rolled his eyes at his own thoughts and kept forward, legs beginning to tremble under the pressure. But he continued. They were so. Freaking. Close. “That’s the one. We’re almost there.” Rio breathed heavily, wiping at the sweat that had pooled on his face. So gross. “Be careful going down. The last thing we want is to get eaten after coming all this way because we trip or something.” He was talking to himself more than Lydia, trying to verbally convince himself that if there was anytime to not be clumsy. This was the one. But even that thought was hard to remember when all he could think about was how tired he was.

“Saying things like that doesn’t help,” Lydia said, hot breath of the beast hissing down her neck, that was already wet with slobber and sweat. If they made it out tonight, it was her turn to drink a large vaseful of wine. If. That was a terrible thought indeed. If she needed it, she could pull more life from him to sustain her own strength, but his was still more than hers for the moment. They wouldn’t fall, they wouldn’t fall, they wo- Lydia groaned as she dropped her elbows onto the stone wall by the church, her knees ready to buckle. “Now what. Now what!” She yelled. He’d promised he’d help her, so why wasn’t he helping? Why wasn’t he doing anything?? Lydia yelled in pain as the church bells rang the hour. One, two, three… The beast on her yelped, and Lydia almost collapsed as it jumped from her back, shrinking down to the black furred pup it had been before, and ran back up the hill. Lydia’s knees buckled and she groaned as she fell to the ground, pressing her forehead against the cool wall. “How- how did you know?”

They made it to the church. Somehow, they had made it to the church. And yet… the dog hadn’t left. Orion fought back tears from escaping, not that it would have been that noticeable through the sweat. But the sniffling definitely would have been embarrassing. He needed to get inside of the church. Or he needed to throw something. He couldn’t even muster up the strength to pull his phone from his pocket and check the time. He was too tired. Too drained. The stone wall was a welcome reprieve, but it only gave them a short break. He couldn’t keep it up much longer. He couldn- His thoughts were interrupted by the sound of the church bells. Holy crap. The sound was loud and echoed, every chime like a nail being jammed into Rio’s eardrum, stupid hunter hearing. But even as he winced and tried to shove his elbow against an ear to block some of it out, he was so happy to hear that noise. Rio held his breath, hoping that he hadn’t been wrong this whole time. He was beginning to doubt himself, when nothing immediately happened. But finally the animal hopped off of Lydia’s back, a tremendous weight being lifted from both of their shoulders and the dog ran back up the hill, returning to the small size it had been. Rio collapsed onto the ground, rolling over onto his back and letting the grass, cold and moist from dew, cool the back of his neck. He was almost tempted to roll up his sleeves and let the grass cool his arms. Almost. Instead, he remained motionless on the grass, his eyes closing as he finally regained some normal breathing. “I- I read about it.” Rio explained, peaking an eye open to glance at Lydia, who looked just as tired as he did. “It’s called an Aufhocker. It doesn’t like loud noises or the sun. It really doesn’t like church bells.” As if speaking the name brought back the memories, an epiphany finally hit Rio. The twigs! It had been growing in size because of the twigs. That’s how that happened. Would have been real helpful information an hour ago. “I’m uh- glad that it worked honestly. I’ve never actually been around one of those things in real life.”

Lydia panted hard, unsure if she’d ever be able to stand up again. The rock wasn’t enough to cool her, but as she lay there, effectively kneeling in front of the church, Lydia laughed. She prayed briefly, for kindness and forgiveness, and safety from whatever had just attacked her. An Aufhocker. “I’m incredibly fortunate you had read about it then.” She promised herself that she would ask Jared about them later, although perhaps without mentioning how close she’d come to her own demise. She looked sideways at the boy collapsed in the grass. “You could have left me. I am grateful that you didn’t.” Lydia spoke in short bursts, her chest aching from the exertion on her back. “You’re strong, your hearing is sensitive, you have so much… you’re warm.” She’d almost told him he had so much life in his, but that was a strange thing to say. “You aren’t… What are you?” A werewolf, perhaps? Lydia slowly twisted so she could sit leaning against the wall instead of just pressing her forehead against it. All she could think was… thank god she wasn’t wearing heels today.

Lydia didn’t seem completely opposed to the idea of the aufhocker. Whether that was because she had just witnessed the beast for herself or because she was already familiar with the supernatural, Orion couldn’t be sure. In a town like this, it seemed like it would be hard not to know about it. But that never seemed to stop the majority of its residents from living their lives in ignorant bliss. Or uh- dying in it as well. As morbid as that was to consider. “I wouldn’t have left you.” Rio sat straight up at her comment, a wave of dizziness rushing to his head that almost forced him to lie back down. But he stayed upright, his legs still displayed against the greenery of the church yard. “You were in trouble. If I left you back there-” He didn’t know how to finish the sentence. He’d be as much of a monster as that thing? Was the Aufhocker even a monster? It was certainly dangerous. His parents had been sure to drill that point home. But Rio was more interested in why it did what it did. “I couldn’t do that.” He settled on. And then practically filling in the blanks for Rio, Lydia questioned his strength. So she definitely knew something about the supernatural. “Uh-” Rio didn’t know what to say. Would she know what a hunter was? Would she be glad to hear it or displeased? “I’m a human. Mostly. I just have… some special abilities. Heightened senses and what not.” He didn’t want to come clean. To admit to something that he wasn’t. As if to drive the point home, just in case she did know what a hunter was, he clarified “I’m glad he lived through that. The dog… thing. I don’t think I could have killed it. I mean… I’m not sure they are killable. But like, also I don’t really kill things.” Rio sighed, was that obvious enough? “You uh- don’t seem all that shocked about a growing dog and a kid with super strength.” He winced at himself for labelling himself as a kid. How did he expect others to stop doing it when he was doing it himself?

Everything he said about how he couldn’t have possibly left Lydia went right out the window when he told her what he was. Or rather, when he didn’t tell her what he was. Lydia, who had barely had time to recover from the bone crushing weight of the Aufhocker, began to panic once more. Blood rushed in her ears as she tried to stand up. It was a trap All this had been a trap. To what? Get her to a more convenient hunting ground? An easier place to hide her body?? “Oh god,” Lydia whimpered as she reached for her pistol, only to remember it was in his pocket. He’d disarmed her and exhausted her with a terrifying brilliance. “No, no, please,” She whimpered, scrabbling to her feet. She wobbled as she stepped back, and stumbled into the wall. Her chin trembled, eyes springing full of tears. “I didn’t do anything. Please. I won’t - get away from me! Get away from me! HELP!”

Orion honestly had no idea what had just happened. One moment, the two were catching their breaths after escaping near certain death together. They were casually talking in what may have been the least awkward conversation Rio had ever had with a stranger. Something about the exhaustion had sapped the anxiety from him. Well, at least until Lydia had started freaking out, screaming at him and trying desperately to get away from him, leaving him lying there in the grass, completely dumbfounded. “Hey! Hey! What’s wrong?” Rio crawled up to his feet, his energy already beginning to return to him. Okay, maybe the hunter endurance hadn’t completely failed him after all. Though clearly, standing up and towering over the woman hadn’t been the right choice. Seeing the error immediately, Rio dropped back down, this time onto his knees. As he did, he felt a stabbing pain in his side, and with a sudden, fear inducing realization he realized that he had come this entire way carrying a freaking gun. He felt hot all around. He hated guns. Hated them. “I don’t know what’s going on- but I’m not going to hurt you!” He held his hands up in surrender, his palms facing towards Lydia and slinking away from her. Clearly, it was best not to move any closer to her. “I don’t- Please don’t leave me with your gun. I hate guns.” He pulled the gun from his waist, making sure to angle it away from Lydia and setting it on the grass between them, as far from himself as his arms would reach. “I also hate getting shot so uh- please don’t shoot me?” He tried for a smile, but he could feel his lips trembling. This was a gesture of good faith, yeah? Lydia wasn’t actually going to shoot him. Right?

Lydia tried to scrabble further back as he towered over, her scream turning into a squeak, her legs too weak to get up and run the way she needed. Chances were, even if she tried he’d gun her down. Whimpering at that thought, she clung to the wall, urging herself to get back up, run, do anything other than lie there and die. He dropped back down to his knees as a trick, to get her to calm down. Why?? He’d won. All he had to do was to lunge forward and snap her neck, or shoot her, or use any of the dozen knives he must have on his person to tear into her. Maybe he was one of the cruelest ones, that liked to play mind games before slowly tearing them apart. “Please, I haven’t - I don’t hurt people, please,” She flinched as he raised his hands, even if it was in surrender, and he spoke. Lydia grabbed his words and twisted them into a promise too. He wouldn’t hurt her, he said, and now he couldn’t. Maybe he didn’t know what she was. Lydia panted, sitting a little more upright. Flinching as he pulled out her pistol, Lydia watched him set it on the grass and then lean back. Her gaze darted from him to the pistol, and back to him, before Lydia lunged for the pistol, and aimed it right at him. “Don’t move. You’re a hunter!”

Maybe giving the gun back to her had been a bad idea. As far as decisions went, it hadn’t been one of Orion’s smartest choices. But when had Rio ever been applauded for making particularly intelligent choices? He swore he was the dumbest smart kid alive. “I don’t hurt people either.” Rio tried to reassure Lydia. That was why he was giving up the gun. A peace offering of sorts. Only, Lydia grabbed the gun and trained it on him. Rio felt his heartbeat jump and he kept his hands held up in surrender. Don’t cry. Don’t cry. Don’t cry. He kept repeating the mantra to himself. Over and over hoping that he would follow his own advice. “I’m not!” Rio frantically claimed, his voice was erratic and came out scratchier than he had intended. Of course this was about being a hunter. This was the response that he expected every time someone found out. This was the response he deserved. He took a deep breath to try to gather himself before trying again, “I’m not.” Okay, that sounded a bit better, “I mean genetically yes. I guess. But I’m not like them. I don’t hunt. Anything.” He supposed he couldn’t honestly say that he hadn’t killed anything. The troll was a near constant reminder of that. “I don’t want to hurt you. Just like I didn’t want to hurt the Aufhocker.” How did people stay calm with a gun pointed at them? Rio was seconds away from hyperventilating, a minute from a full on panic attack. At that point, Lydia probably would shoot him, “Please don’t shoot me. I- I don’t want to die.” Now. Finally. He truly didn’t want to die.

Lydia’s arms trembled just from the weight of holding up her tiny pistol. All of her was exhausted. The trembling could just as much be terror. She swallowed, slowly getting to her feet. She’d need a cab to get her home, but she couldn’t call one when he was still there. Her legs wobbled. “I am not like that animal!” Lydia wanted to glance around, in case it was coming back, but wardens moved fast as lightning and carried iron in their veins. He didn’t need a weapon when he was the weapon. “I don’t want to die either! And the last thing I need is a dead hunter that other hunters want to avenge. I don’t- I don’t understand. So what, you don’t hunt, but instead you’ll tell every hunter you know about me? How is that better?” Her voice cracked, not even aware that exhaustion had her lowering the barrel. He couldn’t hurt her. He couldn’t hurt her. It wasn’t a reassuring mantra in the slightest. “Why should I believe you?”

This wasn’t going well. Orion couldn’t keep his composure for much longer. If the shaking and heavy breathing could even be considered composed. He would have a full on meltdown soon. And he didn’t think that Lydia was exactly the type to fetch his inhaler for him. Okay, well Rio had not meant to compare her to the creature before, but noted. If Lydia wasn’t human… what was she? Clearly not a werewolf, Rio would have sensed it. Unless she had some sort of magic to stop it. He wondered if Winston knew anything about that. “We don’t have to! Neither of us should die. We got away from the thing trying to kill us!” They had worked together. Gotten through the forest, and over a hill and to a church of all places. Wasn’t that like bonding? Couldn’t they be friends or something now? “I don’t think there are many hunters that would be dead set on avenging me” Rio found himself saying, then immediately cursed himself for practically giving her an excuse to shoot him. Nic probably wouldn’t be happy. Maybe Kaden and Alain. Athena would definitely lose her mind, but Athena would have no regrets about killing this woman regardless. “I don’t even talk to hunters. Not really!” That wasn’t the entire truth, but it was true enough. “I don’t like hunters. Or hunting. I want to protect the supernatural. Not hurt them. I-” He broke off into a sob. There it went. He knew he couldn’t hold the tears back forever. “I don’t know how to prove it to you. Or how to get you to believe me. But I’m telling the truth!”

He sounded so much like Lydia had moments ago, pleading for his life.The difference was that he kept putting himself down, telling her how little he was worth to others, which would only make it easier to kill him. He sobbed as she stared at him. It wasn’t pity. It certainly wasn’t empathy. It was the cold, calculating cogs of Lydia’s mind that had her slowly lowering the gun, until it wasn’t pointed at him any more. Once again, she was ready to change that at a moment’s notice. Which was a second’s length away from being ready to shoot at a moment’s notice. She had to trust the promises, and look beyond the terror of the last hour. Beat the fear, and see the opportunity here. He wasn’t valued by other hunters. He didn’t hunt. He wanted to protect. There was a treasure trove to use here, if only she could get her own heart to stop screaming. Humans like him had killed her sister, but if she could see past that…. Lydia swallowed. “You know, this really wasn’t what I was planning to do with my afternoon,” she said softly, her voice breaking around her chuckle.

Orion didn’t want to look anymore. If he was going to die, he didn’t want to see it happen. So he shut his eyes. Tried picturing better things. Like that day at the carnival, surrounded by his closest friends, hours away from holding hands with Winston. He thought about dying his hair with Blanche. Pleasant memories, even if both times had been coupled with different traumatizing events. He thought about Layla and how it had felt when the two had escaped from the vampire. Or how close he felt to Nic, despite how different the two were. How he wished he had more time to watch anime with Skye and Winston, or to help Skye figure out that being a Selkie wasn’t as bad as she thought it was. But the longer he sat there thinking about all of these things, he realized that he was still here, doing just that. He hadn’t been shot yet. He risked opening an eye, blinking through the tears and looking at Lydia. She had lowered the gun. Rio opened both eyes now, staring a bit wide-eyed at her. He hadn’t expected this. With Lydia, it seemed like he didn’t really know what to expect next. When Lydia spoke again, Rio laughed through one last sob, using his sleeves to wipe away at the tears that had been streaming down his face. “Me neither.” Rio agreed. Now he was emotionally drained along with physically drained. He fell back from the spot he had been anchored to, falling back on his beat and cradling his knees against his chest in a fetal position. His knees stung from how long he had been resting in that position, “I don’t- Neither of us wants to hurt the other. I don’t think.” At least, considering she had pulled the gun away, he hoped that she didn’t want to hurt him. “Maybe we can just call a cab. And go home?”

Lydia pulled a handkerchief from her purse, and held it out for him to wipe his face properly, if he so wanted it. Her eyes were red, her mouth full of fearful saliva, her hair messed beyond recognition and her clothes destroyed too. She sat outside a church with a gun in her hands and a hunter in front of her. It might as well have been a nightmare. A hunter that didn’t hunt, no less, that was cowardly and weak emotionally. Her lips quirked slightly, as if she was feeling self-deprecating, or self conscious. “No, I don’t want to hurt you,” Lydia agreed softly. Not for now, anyway. She sat on the wall, looking over the graveyard of the church. A dozen tombstones as old as her dotted the grounds. Lydia itched for a bath, for a hot drink, and the comfort of Remmy’s pleasant presence. Maybe she’d even make those plans to meet with Deirdre in the mirror district, and work out how to make their fairy ring debacle right again. That was one friend she couldn’t afford to lose. “I think that’s- I think that’s probably a good idea. Rio, right? Can I pay for your cab?”

There was a wave of relief as Orion realized that he wasn’t dying. Especially at a church, which was objectively the worst place that he could possibly have been killed. He took the handkerchief timidly from Lydia and patted at his cheeks softly. He didn’t know how these things worked. Was he supposed to give it back to her now? Would she ever want it back? “Thank you” He nodded. Finally, Rio risked standing again. He slowly pushed himself off the ground, climbing to his feet and testing the waters. His leg had fallen asleep, and his body ached all over from the walk, but other than that he was functional. He wobbled away from Lydia, only a few feet away, just enough to lean against a tree and shake his leg in an attempt to wake it up. “You really don’t have to do that.” Rio smiled. He almost offered that they just share one into town. But he decided that going their separate ways would probably be for the best today. “But uh- I can order a lyft or something. One for each of us.” Rio pulled his phone from his pocket. The only reason he even had the app had been because of Blanche. He used to just drive or walk anywhere he needed to go. “Do I uh- Do you want the handkerchief back?” He asked Lydia, holding it up for show.

Lydia’s eyes flickered as he thanked her. If she hadn’t known already, Lydia was certain of it now - he had never had a long conversation with a warden about hunting. She smiled, as graciously as she could manage considering both their states, accepting it completely. All the same, when he stood up, Lydia tensed, hand tightening around the handle of her gun. Trying not to look like her heart was planning its evacuation from her chest. “I’ll order my own, don’t worry about it.” She said softly, tapping away at her phone when he addressed her again. Lydia looked up, and shook her head. He really was practically a child. “Keep it,” Lydia said. Just like she would keep the three promises binding him to her close to her chest, to be saved for another time.

#wickedswriting #the working docs title for this 'soft and definitely fine'#para #chatzy #rio

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priimestore · 5 years ago

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Which fruits good for health, Ranked By Experts

Which fruits good for health: In a strict sense, it is not possible to rank the healthiest fruits. They're all good, which fruits good for health we can decide by consuming them as by taking fruit juice. And most of us do not eat as many servings as we must always. According to Survey One large survey discovered that a poor food regimen was the main reason behind loss of life and incapacity in the US—worse even than smoking—and probably the most damaging elements of that crummy food regimen were not consuming sufficient fruit. However of all the alternatives on the market, from fiber-rich apples to antioxidant-packed blueberries and the whole lot in between. Which fruits pack essentially the most highly effective punch for total well being and weight reduction? Understanding which fruits to prioritize can go a great distance in boosting your well being whereas eliminating that every one too widespread alternative paralysis your expertise within the produce part of Complete Meals Market. So we tapped a few of our favorite vitamin specialists for his or her prime picks.

What makes fruit further healthy?

Earlier than we dive into our listing of healthiest fruits, it is vital to have a tough understanding of what makes a specific fruit a standout alternative. So we requested vitamin specialists for some perspective. What Expert says "High-fiber, lower-sugar fruits & to observe component sizes are recommended. Ideally, you additionally ought to eat fruit within the context of a balanced meal or snack that additionally gives protein and/or fats," says Jessica Cording, M.S., R.D., CDN, registered dietitian, and well-being coach. Listed below are other good ideas to remember: Colorful is sweet, the deeper the higher. The fruit's immune system lies in its pores and skin within the type of darkish phytonutrient pigments. These phytonutrients (e.g., anthocyanins in blueberries and carotenoids in apricots) defend the fruit from environmental stressors just like the solar's UV rays and bugs, and So they're additionally what imparts a lot of fruits' highly effective antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. "These phytochemicals emphasize our cells in small, tireless ways in which trigger our immune system's antioxidant defenses in opposition to threats. like irritation, most cancers, and untimely growing old," says Maya Shetreat, M.D., integrative pediatric neurologist, writer of The Grime Remedy, and an all-around plant meal skilled. The tart is sweet, the tarter the higher. Some crops additionally developed to include phytonutrient compounds that impart a pointy style to their fruit to chase away predators (e.g., the tanginess of raspberries or the pucker of pomegranates). Very like phytonutrient pigments, these tart compounds usually point out a richer storehouse of micronutrients and phytonutrients that operate as highly effective antioxidants. Natural means extra antioxidants Natural fruits and vegetables have additionally been proven to include, on common, 20 to 40 percent more antioxidants than their conventionally grown counterparts—so in case you do go for natural, any of the alternatives beneath will probably be even more healthy. Plus, you will be steering away from actually lots of pesticides. Each contemporary and frozen are good choices All fruits lose vitamins over time, too, so it is vital to eat them whereas they're contemporary. Shopping for domestically grown greens from a farmers market or meals co-op is nice for that reason however not important. Shopping for natural frozen fruits is nice, too, as they're frozen at peak freshness. What Expert says All that stated, do not get caught on only one fruit being wholesome or the healthiest, says Dr. Shetreat. Develop your palate and go for selection. The broadest vary of nutritional vitamins, minerals, and phytonutrients is what you are after. Use this listing merely as a piece of information that can assist you to slim down your selections. Whenever you're feeling indecisive.

Top 9 of the health-giving fruits on the planet

Even with the rules above, we needed the specialists to assist us to determine which fruits go above and past, based mostly on their nutrient profile and the most recent analysis. So we requested Cording and Dr. Shetreat to share some prime picks that might make it onto their healthiest fruits listing: 1. Raspberries

With a fast scan of this listing, it is protected to say berries are the equal of leafy greens within the vegetable world. They're full of fiber (Eight grams per cup—that is a few thirds of your every day wants!), include a wide range of phytonutrients, and their web antioxidant impact is, gram for gram, second only to herbs & spices. According to 2011 Rasberry study Moreover, a 2011 study confirmed that consuming 60 grams of black raspberry powder slowed the expansion price of colorectal most cancer cells and the blood vessels that offer them in two to 4 weeks. Researchers consider that the fruit phytochemicals stimulate our enzyme defenses that neutralize mobile waste merchandise often known as free radicals, which, left unchecked, promote mobile deterioration and result in cancerous mutations. Admittedly, many of the berry most cancers analysis has measured the impact of a berry extract on human most cancers cells in a take a look at tube. What Expert says However, Dr. Shetreat considers that berries as a modern solution for cancers of the colon, prostate, and breast look promising. The colon most cancers connection makes particularly good intuitive sense, she provides, because the fiber within the fruit feeds good micro organism within the intestine, which then produce natural acids, which then feed the cells that defend the colon's lining. Bonus: Raspberries are additionally an excellent supply of vitamin C. Try it: This beet, apple, and raspberry mixed salad along with herbed millet are brimming with filling, digestion-friendly fiber. 2. Cranberries

These little pink berries pack an identical phytochemical punch as their berry brethren however with a bonus. They've been well-studied for his or her potential to protect against the strains of microorganisms that trigger urinary tract infections (UTIs). They’re not an antibiotic and should not do a lot for a full-blown UTI. However slightly a prophylactic, "ceasing micro organism from latching on to the epithelial cells that line the urinary tract," says an expert Doctor. Try it: This cranberry thyme spritz enables you to imbibe without the guilt. Merely make certain that the cranberry juice you’re using doesn’t have any added sugars, as sugar can stimulate the expansion of microorganisms. 3. Blueberries: fruits good for health

Smaller and tarter wild blueberries are phytonutrient powerhouses. Wild blueberries are one of many prime fruits antioxidants which are good for health, in keeping with the Nutrient Data Laboratory from the US Dept of Agriculture. What Expert says However, even the plump blueberries at your native grocery retailer or farmers market are outstanding. They've got a pleasing candy style however are pretty low in energy and low on the glycemic index, says Dr. Shetreat. The perfect analysis means that berries are positively good for blood sugar management. The fiber within the fruit varieties a gel within the intestine that can slow down the release of glucose into the bloodstream. And sure phytonutrients within the fruits could block sugar from being absorbed via the intestine wall and into the bloodstream. Unhealthy LDL cholesterol Moreover, analysis means that blueberries assist defend the center, reducing "unhealthy" LDL cholesterol and slowing plaque buildup, thanks partially to their soluble pectin fibers. Whereas different analysis suggests blueberries assist defend the mind from oxidative stress and could also be protecting in opposition to dementia. "They’re additionally included within the MIND diet, which was intended to guard in opposition to Alzheimer's illness," says Cording. Try it: This brain-boosting blueberry smoothie will maintain you centered all morning lengthy. 4. Tart cherries: fruits good for health All cherries are loaded with the standard polyphenolic phytonutrient suspects in addition to a very good dose of heart-healthy potassium. However tart cherries, particularly within the type of tart cherry juice, have been the very best studied for his or her anti-inflammatory results, together with their potential to cut back joint ache and muscle soreness after train. Tart cherries is one of the fruits which provide all kind of health benefits. A 2018 review of the health benefits additionally discovered some proof for a discount in hemoglobin A1C, which signifies improved blood sugar management. Try it: This beet and cherry smoothie is the best post-workout drink. 5. Elderberry: fruits good for health

Elderberries are a particular case, says Dr. Shetreat, who grows them in her yard within the Bronx. They don't seem to be meant to be eaten uncooked—they will trigger abdomen upset—however, once they're cooked and diminished right into a syrup or a jam, they're remarkably effective against the flu. What Expert says In Dr. Shetreat's household, each day teaspoon of the syrup often wards off that unwelcome wintertime customer when taken on the first indicators of sickness. Analysis additionally means that the syrup could battle again in opposition to MRSA (methicillin-resistant staph aureus) and reduce inflammation in the brain. Try it: This is methods to make an elderberry syrup shot at the house—which our well-being editor recommends taking earlier than each flight! 6. Pomegranates: fruits good for health Pomegranate seeds and their juice-filled compartments are phytonutrient giants. With two to 3 occasions as a lot antioxidant exercise as inexperienced tea or pink wine. In keeping with the U.C.–Berkeley Faculty of Vitamin. Not surprisingly, there's a tantalizing preliminary analysis that means pomegranates may help defend in opposition to most cancers, lower blood pressure, enhance levels of cholesterol, and enhance cognitive operate all these factors are those which good for health. In a single small research, a bunch of older topics who drank Eight ounces of pomegranate juice each day for 4 weeks scored larger on reminiscence assessments than a management group. One drawback: They don't seem to be the simplest fruit to eat. Should you go for a pomegranate juice, combine it with seltzer to maintain the sugar content material underneath management. Try it: This Turkish-spiced wild rice salad comprises entire pomegranate seeds and is the right sweet-savory combo. 7. Crimson grapes

Crimson grapes, just like the pink wine they produce, could also be useful due to one in all their polyphenolic compounds. Resveratrol grew to become a media darling when a Harvard researcher produced some preliminary animal research suggesting that the compound was a mobile fountain of youth. The jury continues to be out on that one, however, there's a big pool of literature suggesting that resveratrol is vital for coronary heart well being, Dr. Shetreat says, lowering arterial plaque buildup and reducing blood stress. Try it: This final kale salad is full of fruits and veggies, together with pink grapes and plenty of our healthiest vegetable picks. 8. Citrus fruits: fruits good for health Citrus fruits like oranges, grapefruit, and lemons have historically been touted as nice sources of vitamin C. Which is vital for sustaining immune defenses through the winter chilly and flu season. They're full of folate, too, "which is vital for supporting secure ranges of the pleasure-inducing mind chemical dopamine," says Cording. What Expert says Citrus can be a double-threat, Dr. Shetreat says: The pulpy fruit comprises many of the nutritional vitamins and minerals. Whereas the pores and skin, with its characteristically bitter taste, comprises plenty of phytonutrients. Whereas most of us don't eat oranges or lemon rind, you'll shave some off with a zester. And add it to smoothies, or it's best to buy kumquats and eat the fruit and the pores and skin. for buy click here Try it: These heat dates with orange zest and olive oil are what Mediterranean dessert desires are fabricated from. 9. Apples: fruits good for health Certain, apples aren't essentially the most glamorous fruit—you are not prone to discover them on many superfood roundups. However they've loads of virtues, not the least of which is that the retailer and journey properly. Apples are additionally a wonderful supply of the phytonutrient quercetin (so are pink onions, one of many healthiest greens). Which, in many research has been proven to cut back irritation and counteract bronchial asthma and allergy signs. As a result of apples are so full of fiber, each soluble and insoluble. They're additionally rather more filling than their modest variety of energy would recommend. Several studies have proven that apples can present useful help in a weight-loss program. Try it: This apple-raspberry crisp combines two super-fruits in a single!

Conclusion: Which fruits good for health

Fruits come in all shapes and sizes, and different kind of fruits have different types of health benefits. For the best results out of the fruits, add a different types of fruits to the diet. You can enjoy a borad variety of fruits to improve your health to level up in life. And lower down the risk of inflammation, heart disease, cancer, obesity, and diabetes. Read the full article

#health

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littlestgahena1301 · 5 years ago

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3 recipes that uses sugar syrup, side recipe ideas for @Katsukitchen Zine!

Hello everyone! Hopefully everyone is well and in joyous spirit! Its been a lovely week for me and right after Halloween I will be going back to college for my second half of this semester but not before letting you guys know that @katsukitchen zine is having their last week of sale and we are already more than halfway through the sales to unlock EXTRA content pdf and also a set of of poscards for those who bought the merch bundle set.

Now back to what I am here for, to give simple recipes that you can follow along with. The main ingridient things to use in this recipe is the cinnamon sugar syrup that are used in my other recipe which is the Rose flavoured shaved ice with tapioca pearls! Two of these also uses rose syrup so if you happen to have some of those left you can make these two drink and I will tell you how to layer them.

For the cold version. You would want to pour your syrup on the bottom of the glass and coat them with as much syrup as you love. Put in some ice, about halfway up

Next, pour in your cold milk to cover the ice. You can use any kinds of milk you like. Even soy milk, which you can add some vanilla essence to make it even more delicious before you add it into the glass.

Have your favourite kind of tea ready and infused with some rose water, or you can just use rose tea but just incase if you dont have either rose water or rose tea, you can just add the rose syrup to the tea and it will give you 3 layers without the gradient but it will just be as impressive!

The trick to layering milk te is to have the most dense liquid at the bottom and the most watery one at the top. The ice also helps to slow down the layers from mixing. To make sure that the ice doesnt melt, make sure that the tea is in room temperature before you pour it in.

Now for the finishing touch, you would need to water down some of the red rose syrup to just enough to colour the water bright pink. This step is totally skippable since it is just for the aesthethics but it makes such a lovely colour to not do it! Take a spoon and then just drip the water at the top of the tea using a spoon to control the flow.

Put that on top of a coaster and there you have it, your first recipe! Feel free to mess around with the ratios. Some like more milk than tea while others the other way around! Onto the hot version.

So we are basically using the same ingridients except this time we would want to mix the tea and rose syrup together later.

The first step is to pour down the cinnamon syrup like we did before and now before you pour down the milk, I would want you to warm the milk, not to boil, just warm the milk before we can froth it.

Frothing the milk would add a nice layer of foam on top of the milk. You dont need a special utensil for this, just two about similar sized cup that you can "pull" the milk from back and forth until you get the foam that you want. If you watched Indian pulled tea videos on youtube, you know exactly how it is.

You would need to raise the cup that you ARE pouring from high up from the cup that you are pouring into. Pouring while having cup high up will incorporate some air into the milk that will create that nice foam that you want. Pour it into the cup and then we can move on to pouring the tea.

Now compared to last time you would actually want the tea to be hot. After mixing in the rose syrup, you would need a spoon big enough to slow down the tea from mixing. Have the back of your spoon facimg up and have the edge pointing to the side of the cup. Slowly and gently pour the tea onto the backside so that it will drip down to the edge of the cup and went below the foam.

If your tea is not hot enough or the milk is not as cold compared to the tea, they will mix. You can cheat by making extra foam and adding the foam later after you added the tea. Especially since this is actually kind of dangerous as you might pour too much tea at once that it splashes onto you.

Alright so the last recipe which is a pumpkin pudding recipe. If you have made custard pudding before, you can just do that and add some pumpkin puree and have some pumpkin spice into the mixture but since this is autumn and pumpkins are in season, I would make my own puree from scratch. You want to use canned puree? Go ahead, you can. And I would usually infuse my milk with some pumpkin spice and then take them out after its infused.

I have my own golden ratio for my pumpkin pudding and I rather have it very soft and decadent rather than having it a little bit on the stiff side. I would like to add the full recipe for my pumkin pudding into the extra content zine. Now its kinda like a work in progress. I have all my numbers down, I just want to rewrite it in Baku's word so it would feel like you have your own Bakugou in your kitchen that likes to remind you to eat your vegetables.

Add all your ingridients which is the milk, the eggs and the puree rogether into a blender and blend away. This might create a foam on top and you would actually want to get rid of the foam before you pour it in cause the foam would actually change the texture of the pudding and you dont want that. For the smaller foam, you would want to get rid of it with the back of the spoon, and also a bowl of water. Coat the back of the spoon with foam, not scooping up any mixture and then rinse it off with the water.

In this recipe would actually want to steam the mixture in a ramekin, making sure you butter the sides if you want to take it out later. But eating it in the ramekin is also an option. If you're lazy you can just do that. Buttering the sides would make it easier to clean. Up to you. Cover it up with aluminium foil and make sure you close it shut and tight. Even use a rubber band to close it up real good. You dont want water to sneak in there cause that will change the texture.

Next, you can steam it for around 25 to 30 minutes, depending on the size of the ramekin. And also have your steamer cover open slightly as you dont want the water to pool on top of the lip and the drip onto our foil cover. You can even have some clean cloth wrapped around your cover to absorb the moisture if you want to be extra careful.

Once done, bring to room temperature and cool it off for an hour before serving it up with cinnamon syrup and also whipped cream.

So there you have it! Three different recipes that uses cinnamon sugar syrup!

If you like these, please make sure to get and buy the Katsukitchen zine, the profits will go to a charity that feeds the poor and the unfortunate. In a way, you are feeding yourself and also some homeless people off the street! Its a labour from a lot of time and love and I definitely hope you check it out!

Peace out!

@zinefans @zine-scene @zineapps

#bnha bakugo katsuki #katsuki bakugou #bakugou katsuki #fall recipes #anime recipes #bnha recipes #bnha zine #kirishima eijirou #sero hanta #bnha #bnha bakugou #mha zine

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queenofeden · 5 years ago

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Day 11: Glory Hole

Pairing: Nadia Satrinava/Female Apprentice

Word Count: 2197

Summary:

Silly, that she should demure now at the thought of a stranger’s hands on her.

✨ My Ko-Fi // Read on AO3 ✨

The room is elegantly appointed, nearly every flat surface draped in luxurious bolts of velvet damask, all in matching hues of burgundy and black. It doesn’t look much like a brothel -- not that Laurel had spent much, or really any time in one prior to this. Were it not for the very obvious rack of… implements along the wall, the straps built into all four corners of the too large poster bed, and the long undecorated wall to her left, she could almost pretend this were some lavish hotel, if a tad eccentric. It’s the latter that truly catches her attention, though:That wall, with its littering of holes, of various heights and sizes, some with padded benches attached, all lined with privacy curtains made of heavy black leather.

She reaches out and touches the cushion of one of the benches, sitting at just about hip height, so similar to the ones they keep at home and yet somehow so foreign here in this new environment. The room is clearly meant for more than two people to share, judging by the sheer size alone, and yet it was empty save for them.

Nadia’s arms wind around her from behind. Her lips press against the nape of Laurel’s neck, soft and dry. “How do you feel, my love?” she asks.

Laurel draws in a deep breath, leaning back in the embrace. Her heart is racing, there’s no hiding that if she tried. “Nervous,” she says, then licks her lips. “But excited as well. Is that bad?”

Nadia chuckles. “Bad that you’re excited? Heavens no, if you weren’t excited about this, we would never have stepped foot in this place.”

Laurel lets a wistful sort of smile play at the corners of her mouth and gives the room yet another cursory glance, taking it in all at once. "Speaking of, this is quite an... interesting place. However did you find it?"

Nadia's hands toy with the flimsy ties holding Laurel's cloak together. The silk ribbons slip against each other and part, one by one, allowing the fabric to fall open. Beneath it she is completely bare, has been since they left the palace where Nadia had prepared her. She had sat as innocently as she could, nude as the day she'd been born, cunt soaked with a plug in her ass in the back of a gondola all the way here. Nadia runs the flats of her palms up Laurel's abdomen, over her pert nipples and past her shoulders, letting the heavy cape fall to the floor with a quiet whump .

Laurel looks down and takes Nadia's hands in her own. They are Nadia's again, not glamoured as they had been for their journey. The level of discretion had been necessary for this excursion, though doing so had been taxing both magically and emotionally. Laurel only hopes that her silly request proves worth while.

"I have my ways," Nadia replies, leaving a necklace of kisses along Laurel's nape. "But rest assured, I have spared no expense to assure your safety--"

"And yours."

Laurel feels Nadia smile against her back. "And mine, of course. I swear to you this establishment has the finest reputation in Vesuvia, both for their discretion and… cleanliness."

Turning in her arms, Laurel presses close to Nadia's still fully dressed form, wrapping her arms around her shoulders. They kiss, both reaching for each other at once, lips slanting together easily. She had thanked Nadia so many times already that her wife had nearly forbade her ever saying the words again, and so she poured all the rest of her gratitude into this kiss.

When Nadia pulls away, she licks her lips, eyes flashing with hunger. "Are you ready to begin?"

Laurel nods.

It begins with Nadia reaching into Laurel's bag, taking all of the assorted amulets she had fashioned one by one, and cording them around Laurel's wrists. Perhaps she had been overly cautious, but as each one is tied she names them in her thoughts: protection against physical harm, against disease, against pregnancy; one to keep her slick, another for relaxation, and she feels the last of her nerves fall away. They look nearly like cuffs around her wrists when Nadia is finished, the thought sending a thrill deep and resonant through her core.

Nadia, of course, saves the best for last. She sweeps Laurel's hair to the side and presses the delicate golden collar to her throat. Normally they did not bother with such trappings, Laurel knew well who she belonged to. But for this, tonight, she had requested the extra physical reminder, and Nadia had been all too eager to indulge her.

“There, just one more thing,” Nadia breathes, petting down her shoulders, kissing the place where the collar latches. She runs her hands down Laurel’s back, and grips the base of the plug that keeps her open and waiting. Slowly, she pulls it out as Laurel whimpers. Setting it aside, Nadia turns back to face her. “Time to take your place now, my love.”

Laurel reaches backwards, hands touching the bench again, and levers herself up onto it. Nadia helps her scoot down into position until her legs ease through the hole in the wall and out the other side. Where wall and leather stop, so does the bench, leaving her lower half hanging. Her heels touch smooth ceramic on the other side. For a moment, Laurel wonders if that is it, and then a hand on the other side grips her left ankle, drawing it upwards. Laurel starts, a gasp ripping through her chest. Nadia kisses her forehead, stroking and petting her hair.

“Tell me what you feel, Laurel.”

Laurel gasps again, foot twitching as a cuff encircles her ankle and tightens to support her. “S-someone is binding my legs,” she says as the same happens to her other leg.

“The proprietor,” Nadia tells her, voice calm and steady.

“Oh.” Laurel laughs, mostly at herself, feeling foolish. Silly, that she should demure now at the thought of a stranger’s hands on her.

“Now you are on display for everyone to see, for everyone who passes to covet,” Nadia says, voice dipping low. “Isn’t that what you wanted?”

Laurel shudders. “Yes, Nadia.”

The air on the other side of the wall is warm and still. She can see nothing through the leather curtain around her hips, and so her mind swims with imagined thoughts of what it must look like. The other holes in this room were left empty, clearly, but were there more? Was she just one of many? A hall full of anonymous cunts and asses left hanging for those who wished to peruse and try like trinkets at a market stall? She clenches, wetness leaking out of her and dripping down.

A hand appears, or rather, she feels a hand stroke against the swell of her ass and thigh. She releases a quivering breath she had been holding for the gods only know how long.

Nadia’s lips tease the shell of her ear, asking, “Someone is there, aren’t they?” even as the stranger’s hands begin to explore. Laurel nods, hips twisting, twitching as a thick finger finds that bead of slick she’d leaked and drags it up, smearing it over her clit. The lips of her cunt are spread wide, and that same finger teases at her entrance briefly before sliding in, pumping in and out of her a few times as if to test whether she would be a good fit, before resting the head of a thick cock against her hole.

Laurel’s mouth falls open, lips trembling as the cock pushes into her. She is grateful for Nadia’s preparation, but nothing quite readies her for the feeling: Hot and firm, yet soft in a way no toy can replicate at the highest price, even with magic. There is no romance, no easing her into it. The cock slams into her, the hips of whomever it belongs to slapping against her exposed ass. Laurel cries out as a wave of pleasure rips through her, the stretch of her cunt around the stranger’s cock unfamiliar, heady, intoxicating.

The cock fucks with a driving pace, each thrust making her jolt, until it quickly stutters, twitches, and spills inside her -- searing hot and unfamiliar. Nadia’s mouth finds hers and swallows her noises with a kiss, tongue licking deep into her mouth as she is filled.

And then it is gone. Having found their pleasure, the stranger retreats, leaving her gasping and shuddering in Nadia’s arms, dripping someone else’s spend out of her still twitching cunt. It isn’t long before new hands take the old ones’ place, softer, smaller this time.

“A--another! So soon?” Laurel manages to get out, before they use the other man’s come to ease their way, without preamble, into her stretched ass. She chokes, the air in her lungs turning suddenly to syrup.

“There is likely a whole line of people,” Nadia whispers, “just waiting for a taste of you.”

Laurel whines, eyes fluttering as the new stranger rolls their hips expertly. The person’s hands grip her hips to hold her steady as they thrust, slow and dragging each time.

“They’re fucking your ass this time, aren’t they?” Nadia asks, waiting for Laurel to nod. “Yes, I would recognize that look on your face anywhere. You can never hide how eager you are to have that hole filled up.”

Laurel’s face flares red-hot, and grows hotter still as the cock inside her pulls out without coming only for her to feel the splash of their seed against the crease of her thigh moments later.

So it goes. A third set of hands, then a fourth, each of them taking their turns using and spilling inside her cunt. The fifth stranger’s hands feel distinctly feminine, the familiar but unfamiliar feeling of manicured nails curling inside her while a tongue teases her ignored clit. This is the first time Laurel comes, with a strange woman’s mouth on her cunt. The thought makes her sob with shame, with elation, has her gripping Nadia’s arms, nails no doubt digging half moon crescents deep into the skin. Nadia doesn’t seem to mind, just holds her through it even as the stranger leaves her again and is replaced by yet another cock, larger than the others, filling her ass.

“You’re doing so well, my sweet,” Nadia says, her praise washing over Laurel like a comforting balm. “They love you.”

Laurel pants, words and thoughts failing her. Nadia pets over her stomach, cradles her breasts. Laurel swallows dry and feels the press of Nadia’s collar on her throat.

“What would the people say, I wonder?” Nadia continues, tweaking Laurel’s nipples roughly. “If they knew it was their precious Lady Laurel they were fucking like a common whore?”

Laurel’s chest heaves, a white hot knife of pleasure striking true through her core. Nadia chuckles, pressing kisses to her tacky brow, her temples, her jaw.

“Do you think they would love you all the more for what a perfect cockslut you make? I do.”

Laurel’s second orgasm rips through her unexpectedly. She shouts her pleasure full throated, not caring that those on the other side might hear and recognize her voice. A few errant tears leak from the corners of her eyes from pure overstimulation alone. The cock still inside her continues to thrust, faster and faster, until they too reach their climax and pump her ass full of come.

“I -- I can’t, Nadia, no more. Please!”

Without question or hesitation, Nadia reaches for a cord dangling from the ceiling and pulls it three times. The cock slips out of her immediately, and for a moment Laurel hears and feels nothing at all. The next hands that touch her do so only to unbind her ankles, slowly lowering her stiff and aching legs. Nadia hefts her upwards along the bench, easily pulling her back through to their side of the wall. Her legs feel as though they are made of lead, heavy and recalcitrant, unwilling to move or support her if she’d tried. Her well used holes throb, pulsing with the rapid beat of her heart.

Laurel shudders again, a sound almost like a sob bubbling up from her chest. Nadia’s arms hold her tight, rocking her, clutching her to her chest as she peppers every inch of skin she can reach with light kisses.

“Wa--was I good?” Laurel asks, dazed, tongue thick in her mouth.

“Oh my love, you were magnificent,” Nadia whispers. “Just look at you.”

Laurel looks down her body, blinking in flushed surprise at the mess of herself. There is no pain, only bone deep satisfaction mixed with the slight discomfort of the mixed spend leaking sluggishly out of her. It makes her hot all over, gooseflesh prickling every exposed inch of skin.

“Absolutely gorgeous. Did you enjoy yourself?”

Laurel hums, nodding. A sudden wave of exhaustion rolls over her, and try as she might to blink it away, it returns again to drag her back down. Her head lolls against Nadia’s shoulder.

“Good. Tired?”

Laurel nods again, or tries to. Nadia strokes her arm.

“Poor darling. Come, let’s get you cleaned up.”

#the arcana #the arcana game #nadia satrinava #nadia x apprentice #arcanagame #my fic #kinktober2019 #nadia

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deadmomjokes · 6 years ago

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Adulting 101: Grocery Shopping, Smarter

I have roomed with way too many freshmen who lived on fries and takeout because they, per their own admission, had no clue how to buy groceries. And I know a bunch of people are probably in the same boat. So I’m going to take you through the issues I often had to help my tiny baby roomies with, and drop some extra tips on you that I’ve figured out while living away from home. Feel free to add your own!

PRODUCE BUYING (yes, you need to eat a plant every now and then)

Canned and frozen veggies are just as nutritious as fresh, sometimes moreso. Nutrient content degrades as the vegetable sits after picking, and if you live somewhere that your produce has long shipping times, it’s actually less nutritious than canned or frozen. In canned vegetables, look for the “low sodium” marker. Canned and frozen also last a million times longer than fresh, and are WAY cheaper. Buy the frozen broccoli and thank yourself later when you have Netflix money left over.

Pro tip: when using canned veggies, rinse them a few times. They now taste fresh, ready to cook or ready to eat straight. You’re welcome.

When shopping for canned fruit, pick ones that are packed in 100% juice, not syrup. That syrup not only makes things way less healthy, it makes it pretty slimy too. Plus the juice is nice in smoothies, if you choose to save it.

If you buy fresh, do so in quantities that look too small. Get what you think you need, then put a little back. You always need less than you think. If you DO buy large quantities and they start to look funny, cut them up and freeze them.

When buying fresh, get some that are ripe now, and some that need a few days. This way you have some that will last a bit longer rather than trying to scramble to eat 3 avocados within 24 hours.

Buy onions in bulk, chop them up all at once, and freeze them. Only cry once, my friends. They cook much faster when they were previously frozen, and they last ages. Plus a sack of chopped frozen onions makes a good makeshift ice pack for twisted ankles and sore backs, and it won’t hurt to thaw and re-freeze a few times.

Here’s a cheat-sheet for how long produce lasts and how to store them. This should give you a good idea of how much to buy. It is very conservative, tho, so don’t panic. For instance, it says tomatoes only last about 3 days, but I’ve gotten a week and a half out of them if you don’t refrigerate them and keep them away from other fruit. Use it as a guide, and google some other “produce cheat sheets” to get an idea of your time window.

When buying frozen vegetables, get the big resealable packages. They’re cheaper per ounce, and you don’t have to worry about whether you can eat all of it at once. If you have limited freezer space, however, just get some freezer ziploc bags and store the extras in that. Twist-tying the opened, non-resealable bag will just freezer burn your food.

I know you think you eat a lot of potatoes, but you, an individual, do not eat enough potatoes to warrant that 5 or 10 pound sack that’s always on sale. Pass it by and go to the individual, select-a-piece display. You’ll thank me when you aren’t cleaning up rotten potato goo in a few weeks because you only got halfway through the sack and just couldn’t eat any more potatoes.

MEAT BUYING

Buy in bulk, keep out only what you’ll use within a day, and freeze the rest into individual serving size packages. You can get SO many meals out of a tray of chicken breasts, so buy as big a package as you have freezer room for.

Check the yellow-tag/clearance section. You find amazing deals there! Just freeze it right away if you aren’t cooking the whole thing for dinner that night. Yellow-tag is always because it’s nearing its sell-by date.

Don’t feel like you have to cook meat in whatever size or form it comes. Buy big honking roasts and cut your own chops/steak from it. Buy that tray of chicken breasts and cut each piece into stew chunks or strips . Get the bone-in stuff and fillet it yourself. Think big when buying, small when storing, and then use that knife block your mom gave you and slicey slice things down to an individual size, or into something new. (Pork roast into chunks makes for a great, cheap stir fry.) Pop the rest into freezer ziploc bags and take it out the day before you need it. (Thaw in-fridge, please, it’s much safer.)

Ground turkey acts the same as ground beef in most recipes, and is generally cheaper unless you live in beef country. Substitute and save.

GRAINS

As with produce, buy your flour and sugar in much smaller quantities than you think you need. That 2lb sack doesn’t look like very much, but it’s a lot less likely to attract pests if it’s not sitting there for months while you struggle to use it, and it’s also much more manageable so it doesn’t get everywhere while cooking or storing. (You’ll also make fewer sweets if you don’t have a huge bag of sugar sitting in your cabinet getting clumpy and worrying you.)

Mac-and-cheese IS a viable grain option, and if you dump in some broccoli and/or chicken chunks, it’s a full meal. It’s cheap, but less sodium than ramen, so try switching it up. Also try to look for mac-and-cheese made with whole and/or enriched flour if you eat a lot of it, you’ll be slighly less likely to get constipated from it.

Premade loaf bread has a butt-ton of sugar in it. This is not only not as good for you, but makes the bread more likely to mold quicker! So look for low-sugar options. (Or make your own bread, it’s not too hard.)

DAIRY

Unless you’re like me and drink a crapton of milk (doctor’s orders, don’t judge), buy your milk in half-gallons. You can always grab another one if you run low between regular grocery shopping days, but you don’t want to have the experience of going to pour your cereal and getting your appetite ruined by the smell of rotten milk.

If you can’t or don’t want to drink milk, most milk alternatives are now fortified with the same nutrients that animal milk has. Don’t skip the dairy recommendation because you don’t like animal milk, get yourself some soy or almond milk and get your daily calcium intake!

Cheese lasts a long time, but will get dry, hard, and powdery if not stored properly. Look for, you guessed it, resealable packages.

Most of the time, block cheese is cheaper than grated and you can just grate it yourself at home. But always check the price-per-ounce, it’s usually located in the corner or on the side of the tag.

Yogurt lasts longer than you think it will. Buy in the big tubs, not individual cups. It’s cheaper, and you can pick how much you want.

SHOPPING TIPS

Shop by what’s on sale to save money. Have an idea of what you want when you go in, but be flexible with your choices. For instance, I would go in with a shopping list that had an item that was simply “sale meat.” I had meal ideas planned out that I could replace or alter based on what was on sale at the store. No chicken on sale, but the tofu was marked down? We’re having tofu stir fry on Wednesday instead! Apples on sale? You had planned to get bananas, but if the apples are cheaper you can either get some of both or just do apples. Check the sale papers or online ads beforehand to see what kind of specials they have, and try planning meals around that.

Speaking of, CHECK THE SALE PAPERS! Save those mailers, compare prices, and see which store has what you’re after. Google the store’s website and see if they list their specials online.

Have a basic plan for what you’re going to do with your purchases. Don’t just pick up a bunch of kohlrabi “to try” if you don’t have a plan. It could be as simple as “I’m going to look up a recipe later today and I’m moving Tuesday’s dinner to next week so I can make this new thing on Tuesday.” But don’t just go “huh, that’s neat” and buy it without consciously planning when to use it. Or you’re going to end up with rotten kohlrabi and money wasted. Be aware of what you’re buying, and tell yourself how you’re going to use it before you put it on your list, or in your cart if it’s a last minute decision.

Don’t shop hungry. Simple idea, you’ve probably heard it before, but you’ll come home with impulse buys and a headache if you shop on a very empty stomach.

Make a list. You ARE going to forget that you really needed rice if you don’t put it on that list. I know you think you’ll remember, but you won’t. Crossing the threshold of a supermarket completely wipes your RAM. Write that stuff down somewhere and take it with you.

Be willing to shop around. I know Walmart is convenient, and it has asparagus on sale, but if the Kroger also has an amazing sale on the salad greens that you were planning on buying, try to make the effort to get to both stores. Nobody said saving money and eating well was easy, but it is worth it. Unless one store has price match, then just take your ad in and do the shopping at that store.

Try to have a buddy. Grocery shopping can be exhausting and stressful, but a friend can make it easier, and keep you sane. They can also help steer you away from impulse buys just by their very presence. It’s a lot harder to justify the checkout candy bar when your friend is right there, even if they don’t say anything. (Or you could get both of you a candy bar, if you’ve got the cash for it.)

Try to pick a single grocery day and plan for it consistently. Weekly, biweekly, whatever is best for you, just plan a day to do your in-depth shopping. Shopping piecemeal is a good way to spend more money than necessary, and to make sure you forget stuff. (You may have to make fill-in trips between big shopping days, but plan the big ones and try to put off as much as you can until then. But stopping for milk because you ran out won’t break the bank, so don’t worry about doing an occasional quick-stop.)

STORAGE TIPS

Ziploc bags are your friend, but make sure you know what kind you’re getting. Only specifically labeled “freezer bags” should be used in the freezer, or you risk your food getting icy and freezer burnt. Also, look for the store-brand zipper bags, they work just as well.

Label everything you put into the freezer if it’s not in the original package. You’re going to have days where you can’t tell if that’s chicken or tofu. Most freezer zipper bags have a space just for labeling. Keep a kitchen sharpie handy and label stuff. Also put the date on it, and use things within a year of freezing.

Get canisters. There are some cheap ones, even, but get SOMETHING. Put your flour and sugar in the canisters. It will last longer, and you don’t risk the bugs. You may think your apartment is safe, but bug season comes for us all in the end, and those little turds go right for a folded-over sack of flour, I swear.

Keep a list on the front of your freezer of everything that’s in there. Add to the list as you put stuff in, and cross stuff off as you take it out. That way you don’t have to dig to know if you have any more of those frozen peaches you like in your smoothies. Nor will you forget for a million years the bag of stew meat you had intended to use. Small magnetic whiteboards are particularly good for this purpose. (Also consider doing that for each major storage area--fridge, cabinets, pantry, etc-- if you routinely forget what’s in there. You could even tape it to the inside of the cabinet door so nobody else sees your bad memory.)

Don’t store potatoes and onions next to each other. They’ll both sprout.

Keep bananas away from all other produce. They’re naughty ethylene fiends that will spoil your tomatoes just for fun. That said, stick a banana in with an under ripe fruit and it’ll be ready in a day or two.

Take your produce out of the little plastic bags unless they need to ripen a bit more.

Go through your fridge completely once a month. Take everything out, check the dates, sniff it, and throw out old/rotten/nasty stuff. Go through your freezer once every 2 or 3 months. Reorganize your stacks, and double check your content list is current.

I know this is long, but I hope it can be helpful. Please add on any tips you have, at the very least I’d love to read them!

#long post #food tw #adulting #grocery shopping

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secret-vore-lair · 5 years ago

Text

Neyra’s Gift

Okay major warning here because this one is rough. I PROMISE it’s not fatal vore but that’s . . . really not obvious for a long time. Mally is fine. I’ll tell you that up front in case you don’t want to read this, since, well, this is definitely not going to be for everyone. It gets dark before it gets sweet. That said, I really hope that if you do read it, you enjoy it!

Mally wheezed and dragged herself across the snow, one of her back legs stiff and refusing to cooperate. Her wings were bent unnaturally, one of her eyes appeared swollen closed, and she was "bleeding" a thin trail of liquid the same color as her scales. In fact, it was her scales. It appeared that the dragon was terribly injured, and her whole body was coming undone, twisted and unable to hold together.

She collapsed, leeching green into the powdery white around her, and heaved a slow, deliberate breath. She wouldn’t last long out here. She knew it. Her life would be over, soon. Yes, any second now. . .

A shadow fell over her. Her one good eye looked up dully, its rich red faded by exhaustion and despair.

She saw an angel.

A fire dragon like her, but twice her size and with the smoothest, glossiest scales, and a silky mane flecked with snow and flowing hypnotically in the current of the wind, now stood over her, head canted as if listening, clouded eyes as white as the bleak world around them gazing at nothing. The angel's tongue flicked out, and she lowered her head beside Mally's to speak. And oh, her voice. . . It was as exquisite as her appearance, Mally thought to herself in her muddled brain. So focused was she on the dragon's soothing, compassionately soft tone that she missed the first few words, only focusing in blearily after several euphoric moments.

"--ly wish I had found you in time," she was saying. "I'm so sorry to say this, but there's nothing I can do. I don't know if that's what you want to hear. I only know that, were I in your place, I would desire honesty. So I will give you the truth, at least."

Mally struggled to keep up with what she was being told by this gorgeous creature. The dragon had such a beautiful face, even though it looked so very sad. The other dragon kept speaking, but Mally was too tired to comprehend much. But then she licked Mally's forehead, and Mally refocused in time to hear her say, "Actually. . . there might be something I can do for you after all." Now the larger dragon looked both sad and conflicted, and Mally hummed sympathetically. She didn't want this pretty dragon to be sad! She wanted to help, but she was just so sleepy. . .

Neyra looked down on Mally, her heart breaking inside. The poor thing was doomed to die out in the miserable, unforgiving cold. Or, at least, she was, until Neyra had happened upon her. But there was only one thing Neyra could offer her, and though it was undoubtedly a kindness, it promised to wrench her tender heart even more painfully. Before she could torment herself further with premeditation, she forced herself to move forward with her mercy, giving Mally another lick, then slipping her jaws over the smaller dragon's snout. Her . . . her prey . . . didn't respond at first to this initial step, and, feeling encouraged, Neyra hurriedly pushed her mouth over Mally's entire head, the plush pink flesh of her maw sheltering Mally's damaged snout in softness and warmth. Soon the wounded dragon's entire body would be so held. This was Neyra's gift. Mally would not pass alone in the cold, but surrounded by love and warmth. As the other dragon began to struggle feebly with some of the last of her strength, Neyra's unseeing eyes welled with tears. She choked back a sob and took a weighty gulp, trapping the dragon's head in her throat. She held her arms and wings to her sides with her own larger claws, and rushed to consume her, even if she wished she could go slower, be more gentle, and savor her prey. Indeed, the other dragon possessed a flavor superior to anything she'd eaten before, her scales shedding the faint taste of citrus over Neyra's especially sensitive tongue, along with a viscous green film that drizzled through her teeth like a sugary syrup.

Neyra purred. She couldn't help it. As much as she felt guilty about enjoying this, wouldn't it be wrong not to seize what pleasure she could from this act, and encourage the other dragon to do the same? It was what was best for both of them, after all. Her throat bulged with the shapely mass of the doomed dragon as she walked her jaws over her wings, restraining them safely. With consistent, smooth swallows, soon only a pair of kicking legs and a weakly lashing tail could be seen of Mally. Neyra lifted her head high, wincing, and finished the deed, slirking the other dragon into her firelit confines with a thick, wet gulp and sealing her fate with the closing of jaws and interlocking of gleaming white teeth. Peristalsis would take over, now, and bring Mally into Neyra's core. With a meal this large, it would normally be a struggle, but so faint was Mally, and fading, that she couldn't put up much of a fight, and Neyra's involuntary processes would be more than sufficient for doing what was required. Neyra wiped the drool from her lips and lowered her head, feeling Mally's wriggling, depleting form gain admittance to her stomach, her middle sagging down with the extra weight, her belly stretching and groaning, a pleasant, slothful satiation spreading from her abdomen and warming her from head to tail.

"Wh. . . Why?"

She tensed up as she heard the word spoken with some effort, the other dragon's muffled voice cracking as she pleaded to understand.

"Why would you. . . I thought. . ."

Neyra shut her eyes tight as she felt the other dragon paw at her inner walls and struggle to catch her breath. She took a shaky breath of her own, her lungs expanding to press in against Mally's body. She whispered, "Please. . . I know you have to struggle. I understand. But I promise, I don't want to scare you. I know it's so much to ask, but will you listen to me?"

Mally panted, staring at the faintly glowing walls, then frantically casting her gaze down to the fluid that lapped at her exhausted body, harmlessly. . . For now. The slimy walls squeezed in on her in a way that was almost calming, like an embrace. But even in her state there was no denying it. This was a stomach. She had been eaten. And yet, when her devourer spoke, she sensed that same earnest kindness in her voice from when she stood over her with concern. There wasn't a trace of smugness or cruelty. She didn't feel like she'd been deceived. She mustered her strength and strained her vocal cords, managing an, "Mm. . . Mmhm?"

Neyra sighed and settled softly onto her side, raising her external temperature to melt the snow in a perfect ring around her. "O-Okay! Thank you!" She rested a claw on her stomach, but immediately thought better of it and removed it, such a familiar gesture seeming out of place in this scenario. Heartened by Mally's willingness to hear her out, she asked, "What's your name? I'm Neyra."

"Mal. . . Mal . . . ly."

"Mally. That's a lovely name." The more she spoke, the easier it became to continue the conversation. She smiled sadly. "Mally, I know it's difficult to accept, but you and I both know that, um, you're . . . you're not long for this world. And I can't save you. But . . . I can hold you. And I can give you a different way out, one without pain." She sniffled. "Gods, I wish we were meeting under different circumstances." She wiped her eyes, then gasped in surprise when she felt Mally prod her from within. "Yes? Are you alright?"

"Yeah. . ." Mally croaked softly. Even with Neyra's keen ears, she had to hold her head close to her stomach and strain to hear. "Will you . . . di . . . digest . . . me?"

Neyra moistened her lips, nervous. She didn't want Mally's end to be filled with fear. But honesty had worked so far. "Yes, Mally. That's what I intended. You would be warm, and I would be with you the whole time, and I would remember you--" She cut herself off as she heard something faint from inside her. Mally? A stomach sound? She was extremely quiet for a long moment, and when it became clear that Mally wouldn't repeat herself unprompted, if at all, she hesitantly asked, "Mally? Did you say something?"

"Ye. . . yes."

Neyra waited.

"It's . . . okay."

Neyra trembled. "It is? I mean, um. I didn't think you would. . . I didn't think you would, well. . ."

Mally pushed against the stomach lining with her snout. "My end . . . serves purpose this way. You're kind. Want to help you." She smiled in spite of herself. She was shockingly calm now. It became much easier to speak, though her voice stayed low. "You'll keep me company? Talk to me?"

"I will," Neyra said without hesitation.

"Then this is better. You'll carry me with you. I'll become . . . part of you." Mally laughed, then coughed. "Talk about . . . an upgrade."

Neyra blushed. "I don't know about--"

"Shush, you're ravishing. You're going to kill me, so you have to accept my compliments. That's the rules."

She laughed, and Neyra laughed along with her. Mally sucked in a pained-sounding breath, cutting off the mirth for both of them with a harsh reminder of the dire nature of their situation. "You . . . had better get started. Think I might go . . . any time now."

"Right, um. Okay. You sure? Yeah? Then, well, h-here we go." With that, Neyra elevated the temperature of her innards, activating the enzymes inside and causing the liquid to bubble and simmer. Her heart leapt when she heard Mally's voice once again. Amidst the escalating gurgles, she could make out broken purring. "Oh, Mally. . . I wish it didn’t have to be this way. I think . . . In another life, I think I would've liked to have you for a friend."

Mally shook her head as the flickering of Neyra's inner elemental energies showed her body succumbing to the biological expression of the larger dragon's hunger. As her form blurred and ran further, tingling all over, she was scared, yes, but the process, even as it only just began, already brought her such relief from her suffering. As the walls pressed in, the tension left her incrementally. It was like slowly relaxing into a deep sleep. . . "Neyra. You already do have me for a friend. You have me . . . completely. There's no other way I'd rather my story end. I give myself to you."

Neyra was shaken. She opened her mouth to say something, but no words came out. Instead she curled tighter around the dragon dissolving in her core, shrouding her stomach in her wings and wrapping her tail around her body, trembling. Finally, she managed, "I . . . I need to know how I can honor you, Mally."

"Keep living."

Of course. That seemed obvious. Carry her memory forward. Never before had Neyra so resonated with the idea that her body was a temple. With Mally's sacrifice it seemed to become a holy place. Their union was consecrated, sacred. "I promise, Mally." She kissed the scales of her belly, and tried not to think about the surprising softness and give in its surface as she did so. "Thank you." She waited. Listened. Wait, when had the purring stopped? She pressed a claw to her stomach in alarm. "M-Mally? Mally?!" She stifled a sob. Knowing what would happen didn't make it any easier. But as her stomach continued to churn, and she felt energy flowing into her body even as a wave of heaviness and exhaustion washed paradoxically over her, she tried to focus on a silver lining. She was alive, and fed, and Mally had been given an exit she was satisfied with. At least, that's what she hoped. Her life was better for this, for knowing Mally, even if it hurt. If she'd never stumbled onto her, then Mally would have suffered. So would she, and she never would have known what she had missed. She heaved herself to her feet, belly sloshing and swaying beneath her with liquid weight. She had a long way to go before she was home. But she had the strength now to make it. Of that she was sure.

"And as for Mally? The dragon too sweet, literally and figuratively, for this dark, gritty world? Why, she's nothing but calories now for the most beautiful fire dragon to ever walk the earth. She's nothing but pudge on the world's cutest tail, keeping the owner of that tail warm and plump and--"

"Mally," Neyra chided the voice in her head, "Don't you think narration like that undercuts the raw emotion we're supposed to be feeling right now? The profound loss and all of those things you talked to me about when we planned this?"

Neyra's claws crunched a steady rhythm in the snow, in time with the sloshing of the sludgy remnants of her very willing meal.

"Neyra, come on," Mally replied mentally, her consciousness settling itself alongside the blind dragon's own in her neural pathways with comfort and familiarity, an ease that comes with practice and trust. "You can't really expect me to talk about anything else! Your body demands appreciation. Surely you don't need me to tell you that."

Neyra found her cheeks getting hotter again. "I . . . do always find myself to be more confident when you're part of me. You're very . . . affectionate, and when all of that gets translated into self-love, I'll admit I do get a little . . . overwhelmed. In a good way."

"'Overwhelmed in a good way' is what I live for, sweetie," Mally said proudly.

"Hehe, yes, I suppose so. Even though I don't quite understand what it is you enjoy so much about playing out such morbid scenes with me, or the others."

"I don't know, there's something just kind of alluring about it. The permanence of it, the desperation. . . And it's all hypothetical, so as long as I don't push your limits and you don't push mine, it's just a safe space to experiment with my feelings and . . . face my fears." Mally said.

Neyra nodded, brushing her mane back. She tasted the air, making sure the two of them were still going the right way. "Yes, imagining how you and I would make the most of a terrible situation is a compelling story, not to mention cathartic. And of course, not actually needing to deal with the consequences is a bonus. I couldn't bear to lose you, after all." She rubbed her gut, causing Mally to mentally purr. "Speaking of which, I know we agreed that you could appear wounded to increase the immersion, but that form you took, it was a little much. Even if I knew in the back of my mind it was just some macabre charade, hearing you act so hurt, feeling you all twisted up and disintegrating . . . it was, well, it was a lot for me."

"Aww, sorry Neyra. I'll dial it back next time, I promise."

"Next time?" Neyra raised an eyebrow.

"Pleeeeeeease?" Mally begged, hopeful. "You were so good. I wanna get mercy-killed by you every day now. But I'll settle for . . . once a month?"

Neyra smiled. "Fine. You wore me down." Then, hearing Mally take the mental equivalent of a breath to wind up for a quick bit of banter, Neyra swiftly added, "'No, I wore you down.' I know, I know, I set you up for it."

"Wore me right down to mush, hahaha!" Mally giggled, way too pleased with herself. Still euphoric from dissolution and integration into Neyra. "Yep, you know me so well. It's like you're in my head! Get it? 'Cause we're sharing a brain? Oh, I slay myself. . . Or I would, if my gorgeous girlfriend didn't beat me to it!"

Neyra shook her head. She couldn't help but smile at her partner's barrage of terrible puns. Finally arriving at the entrance to Mally's cave lair, she squeezed inside, the entrance a little dicey for her with the addition of Mally, but still manageable. She settled onto Mally's treasure hoard with a groan, the coins and trinkets pressing into the sensitive scales of her belly and providing a pleasant texture to relax atop. "Mally, you know something? You're a lot," she said with a chuckle. She felt Mally's consciousness twine around her own as they prepared to sleep and dream together. With uncharacteristic mischief, perhaps something that quite literally rubbed off on her from Mally, Neyra saw them both off to sleep on a note she knew would leave her passenger prey a flustered mess, whispering, "Yes, you're a lot. . . And you’re all mine. Lucky me!" She smiled as Mally found herself at a loss for words, and then was promptly dragged into unconsciousness when the brain she dwelled within shut down for rest. Neyra couldn't wait to see what kind of dreams the two of them would conjure up now.

#oc: Mally #oc: Neyra #vore stories #digestion

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sharperthewriter · 5 years ago

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Chapter 14 of SFV

Chapter 14: Day 1: The Bumblebees Incident

(4:45pm)

The van finally reached the exit to North Platte, NE, but not without suffering more damage. The right side of the van had a couple more dents and scrapes, the hubcap on the right rear wheel was gone, the rear windshield was cracked in the rear, half of the front grille was gone, and the front bumper coming loose and flapping. The car was also covered in syrup, dirt, and prairie grass. This was in addition to the damage of the driver side mirror and the scraping of the left side of the vehicle against the SUV at the Bueno Nacho from earlier. The trailer also had dents on the top and both sides as well.

The clouds, in the meantime, were starting to gather.

"And here we are, Stoppables, North Platte, Nebraska!" Ron exclaimed. "Remind me never to say that phrase 'And nothing will go wrong' ever again!"

Rufus groaned over his owner's poor driving and trashing of the car. Though...the worst was yet to come.

Kim observed the place and said, "Looks like a smaller version of Middleton."

"So now that it's close to five pm, what do you want to do?" Ron asked.

"We'll check into the hotel first and get two rooms. A suite for us and the kids and a room for Mary and Canna" Kim insisted, . "And then we'll get ready to eat at the Bumblebees here."

"I'm right with ya on that strategy, KS!" Ron replied before turning to Rufus. "Now Rufus, watch the kids while Kim and I check in the hotel."

Rufus saluted while his owners went into the hotel lobby.

"We're here for our room." Ron said.

The hotel clerk said to them. "It's room 296, on the other end of the property. As for your other room it's going to be room 294 right next door"

Kim grabbed the hotel key and said, "Thanks! It's so not the drama!"

They parked the van right at the end of the property. Mary and Canna got out of the camper. They also got their suitcases out and, like Kim, they were filled with long denim overalls.

(6:45pm)

The room was actually a suite in which there was a pull-out couch and the kitchenette in one room and the bedroom in the other. The kids were going to occupy the couch while the Stoppable parents had the bedroom. Mary and Canna had a normal hotel room with two twin beds.

Ron and Kim chose the suite for more extra...privacy. As for Rufus, they brought along a small naked mole rat bed for him. Rufus got a little apron bib ready to take on the nachos.

"Okay, Ron." Kim called out from the bathroom. "I'm going to make some changes to my button-down shirt and then we'll go with the kids to the restaurant."

"Alright, KS! Let's see what you look like!" Ron said with anticipation.

Kim loosened the top two buttons to show off a little more cleavage and a b. She also added a couple of long gold and silver chain necklaces to her jewelry and replaced her teardrop earrings with gold hoops. She also swapped out her flats for black booties with a heel on them.

Kim also removed the top side buttons on both side to the leather overalls she was wearing.

Rufus gave a wolf-whistle as well.

"Ooooo! Very nicey! Me like!" Ron grinned devilishly, "The looks are just one thing of your complete package, KS!"

"Why thanks, Ron! Round up the kids and get to the van!" Kim replied "We're going to head to Bumblebees!"

Alexa and Justin were watching Baloney on the TV on their side of the suite before Kim instructed them to turn it off.

Mary and Canna also came out of their hotel room next door. They were in the same outfits as before, but decided together that they were going to wear their dark denim overalls with the bib down but straps attached route and a belt to hold them up and wear simple white tennis shoes.

"You know..." Kim remarked at the way the two women were wearing the overalls. "...I could go for that look on one of the days."

"As long as the belt doesn't fail on you, Kim, you should be good!" Mary remarked.

(15 minutes later)

The sky above them was slowly growing more dark and ominous. The storms were going to appear within a matter of hours.

Kim was at the drivers' seat of the Stoppable-mobile, starting up the engine.

The NWS broadcast was on the radio, informing the two heroes of what was to come.

The National Weather Service of Hastings Nebraska, has issued a Severe Thunderstorm Watch for the eastern portion of Nebraska until 2:30am. Wind gusts of up to 70 mph, rain up to 2-3 inches, and hail up to the size of golf balls is expected with this line of system of storms. Stay weather-alert.

"I think we still should head on over to Bumblebees!." Kim said, "The kids are starting to get cranky for their food."

"As long as they have a vegan menu, we'll be good!" Canna replied.

"Vegan and gluten-free too!" Mary agreed.

(7:15pm)

The Stoppables, Mary and Canna entered into the restaurant. Kim's overall strap was barely hanging onto her shoulder.

She asked the waitress, "Do you have a table for six?"

"Plus one naked mole rat?" Ron asked with Rufus popping out of his pocket.

"Food!" he squeaked.

"We do, Mrs. Stoppable, yes!" the waitress said, "Would you like a table or booth?"

"We prefer the booth!" Kim replied.

"Right this way." the waitress replied to them while getting coloring books and crayons for both Alexa and Justin. She then escorted them to a booth in the middle of the restaurant.

Kim, Ron, and Justin sat on the left side of the booth while Mary, Canna, and Alexa sat on the right.

"Here we are! Your server will be out in a few minutes!" she said before leaving the Stoppables.

(5 more minutes later)

"So what's the general game plan that you're suggesting, Ron?" Kim asked her husband.

"I'd say that once we get to Rapid City, we're going to go for Mt. Rushmore first." Ron replied, pulling up the map of South Dakota on his smart phone.

"But that is a good almost-ten-hour round-trip across almost the entire state!" Kim countered. "Justin and Alexa really do want to see the bears at Bear Country USA.

"Don't worry, KS. We'll stop and get some food and gas on the way there." Ron said as the waitress came to their table.

"Welcome to Bumblebees! What can I get you two to drink?"

"I'll have a cola and my bon-diggety wife here will have a diet tea." Ron said, "The oldest one will have a fruity soda as well."

"Okay, I'll be right out there with your drinks!" the server said.

"So where is the Oh Boyz concert going to be at?" Mary asked.

"Sanford Premiere Center in Sioux Falls!" Kim replied, "It's even got a wine bar!"

"So that's another reason why you wanna go to the concert!" Ron slyly replied.

"Who was your favorite Oh Boyz member?" Canna questioned.

"Hands down, Dexter for his...smarts!" Kim recalled. "It was the time that we saved them from the Senors and that weasel of a manager of theirs."

(10 more minutes later)

"Oooh, it seems that Sheila has sent me a text!" Kim said when she felt a buzz on her phone. She went through her handbag and as she did so, her overalls strap slipped off her shoulder.

It read the following:

Princess,

I found something on PictoGram that you may would want to see. The directors of that live-action movie about you is going to drop some big news tomorrow.

Your friend

Sheila.

"Hmm...it's about time someone released something for that live-action movie." she said, "It's been three months since there was any news about it."

"Maybe they'll keep her plasma powers intact." Ron wondered.

"I think they'll maybe keep the blue skin of Drakken." Kim laughed as the strap was now on her elbow. "Ah, here are our drinks right now!"

The server came to their table and awaited their orders.

"My husband would have the nachos supreme, same with our naked mole rat here, and I would like a Caesar salad." Kim said, "The kids would like to have two grilled cheese sandwiches. As for Canna and Mary, they'll both have the casesar salad too."

"Coming right up." the server said, leaving the table.

"So what else do you wanna talk about?" she asked, pulling the overalls strap back up.

"Maybe the weather?" Ron said while looking out the window.

"That's so the oldest conversation starter in the book!" Kim chuckled.

"No, KS. The weather's gonna go south in a few hours." Ron exclaimed while pointing it out on the doppler. He could see a lot of red associated with the storm, which meant really heavy rainfall. "A really bad storm's headed our way! With big hail and everything! That's what the NWS says!"

"It's so not the drama!" Kim said, blowing off the storm.

"What about the Stoppable-mobile?" Ron asked.

"Rest assured, Ron." Kim reassured him, "The van will make it to the Lipskys!"

(30 more minutes later)

"Oh man... I am stuffed!" Ron exclaimed, holding his stomach. He had already paid for the food.

"I'm glad that I brought along my baggy overalls for the trip." Kim said. "That'll offset whatever pounds I'll put on at the Lipskys."

Kim added as she was standing up. "I'm going to use the ladies' room, Ron. You and Rufus watch the kids!"

"Sure do, KS!" Ron replied.

"Uh-huh!" Rufus squeaked.

Kim left the booth, grabbed her purse, and headed towards the ladies restroom.

(4 more minutes later)

Kim got out of the restroom and she was somewhere between the borderline of angry and embarassed. The rest of the restaurant's patrons were laughing and pointing at her. The servers couldn't help but chortle at her predictament. Even worse was that some of the said patrons were holding up their smartphones, taking pictures and video.

Three of the waiters were then tripped by one occupant of the restaurant near where the Stoppables were at. This resulted in her being drenched with soda and covered in ketchup, mustard, mayonnaise, barbecue ribs, chocolate and ice cream all over the front of her one-strap black leather overalls.

"Oh hey...uhm...KS! You look more scrumptious than usual." Ron chuckled nervously.

"Ron...this is so the most embarassing moment of my life!" Kim growled. "I want you to cover my back!"

"Covering your back? I thought you only said that on missions!" Ron said.

Kim groaned and turned her back to Ron to point out the reason why. The right back pocket of the overalls was torn out, showing off Kim's Pandaroo panties and a bit of her back leg.

Rufus, Justin and Alexa couldn't help but laugh. Mary and Canna also joined in on the fun by also taking pictures and video.

"Why couldn't we do that?" Justin asked.

"You're doing what Daddy does!" Alexa giggled.

Ron gasped and asked, "How did that happen?"

"Bathroom door lever got caught against my pocket and...this happened!" Kim grunted with all the chocolate syrup and ice cream dripping off of her.

Rufus was even taking video of this too on his very small smartphone. Ron sighed at his mole rat and said "Why do they even sell small smartphones to mole rats is even beyond me."

"Let's just get out of here before I make a bigger joke of myself!" Kim insisted.

Ron covered up the damaged part of her overalls by him grabbing her behind with his left hand.

Kim sighed, "Why do I even bother?"

"Sorry, show's over! Turn off your smartphones! Nothing to see here!" Ron exclaimed.

Justin, Mary, Canna, Alexa and Rufus followed them out of the restaurant.

"Do you have any duct tape, Ron?" Kim asked when they got in the van.

"I do, in the glove compartment." Ron replied while going to the glove compartment and pulling out the duct tape.

"These overalls cost me $800 from Country CB and now they're ruined!" Kim complained, "I'll have to sew them when we get back home..."

Kim then applied the duct tape to her behind and started the car. The damaged van crept out of the parking lot and headed back to the hotel.

Flashes of lightning were seen in the distance as the storms were heading this way to make the family's night even worse.

The man who tripped over the waiters grinned and spoke through a microphone.

"My Queen, the show has just begun!"

About 200 miles away, Bonnie was enjoying the misery of the Stoppable through her big screen at her mansion.

"Good! Very good!" the Queen snickered, "We'll let the Vacation Curse take its full effect on the family!

"What of the Stoppable-mobile, though?" the man asked.

"We'll put that piece of shit of a minivan through the coals soon enough!" Bonnie grinned, "Now, you will await further orders for the next phase of my plan!"

"Yes, Your Majesty!" the man obeyed.

#kim possible #fanfiction #stoppable family vacation

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nelvana · 6 years ago

Text

In which the lost are found back home

First: In which the human is transformed Next [ARC 2]: In which a present is prepared Previous: In which help is requested from a higher power

“Keahi…?” Tsuki asked, padding up beside the torchic. “You ran out in such a hurry…”

Keahi exhaled, slowly letting out the tension in her body, “I just… I really hoped they’d be back,” she replied, squinting in annoyance at the desperation in her voice.

Tsuki paused, and then sighed as well, “yeah, me too…”

The pair stood outside for a few more moments, watching the morning sky. The sunrise had already passed, so they were left to stare at the clouds that slowly lolled on by across the open light blue field above them. Tsuki glanced back at the team base, and then back to her teammate.

“What did Gardevoir tell you? Good news, I hope…?”

“Oh, yeah!” Keahi answered, finally turning to face the absol. “She said it’s possible to bring them back… but I don’t know how long it will take.”

Tsuki shifted her weight, “then we’ll just have to be patient. Nothing else we can do about it,” she muttered, but her digging her claws in and out of the dirt path told Keahi that the absol was just as impatient.

Keahi didn’t respond; she turned her gaze instead back up to the sky. It was looking to be a beautiful day so far, there wasn’t a cloud in the sky. A gentle breeze blew by, ruffling the torchic’s feathers, the ends of the scarf she was wearing around her head feathers, and the absol’s fur.

“Edgar insisted that because we both skipped lunch and supper yesterday, that we’d have to make a big breakfast,” Tsuki told Keahi, “unfortunately, neither of us are the best at cooking…”

“Are you asking me to help?” Keahi questioned, looking over at her teammate again.

“Yes, I suppose I am,” Tsuki admitted, “it would help pass the time, at the very least.”

“Mm, yeah… alright, alright… let’s go back inside,” Keahi agreed.

Even with that said, neither of them moved for a moment. Tsuki was about to turn and head back in, but hesitated when she saw that Keahi hadn’t moved, and so she stayed in place too. The torchic had begun tensing up again, stepping back and forth in place as she kept her eyes fixated above her. Then, she began shaking, her gaze dropping down to the ground again.

“I… I-I miss them so much… I just want them b-b-back,” Keahi gasped, tears pricking at her eyes again.

“I know… me too,” Tsuki responded.

Keahi staggered over to Tsuki, who pulled her close. The absol leaned down and pressed her muzzle to the torchic’s forehead as she let Keahi cry into her fur again. A feeling of pain swelled up in Tsuki’s chest and throat, and she let out some tears as well.

Together, they comforted each other in the quiet early morning on the lonely path.

Slowly, they let each other go again after a few minutes. Tsuki shook out her fur as she stepped back, ridding herself of the remaining tears in her eyes as well. Keahi stayed in place before finally offering her teammate a small smile.

“Okay, let’s make some breakfast,” she told her in a quiet voice.

They walked back inside the team base, where Edgar had been patiently waiting in the kitchen area. Some bowls and other various dishes and ingredients had been pulled out across the counter and table, but evidently none of them had actually been used yet.

“You’re back!” Edgar exclaimed, floating over to the pair. “Are… How are you doing?”

Keahi opened her beak to speak, and then hesitated and shrugged instead.

“We’re managing,” Tsuki answered the duskull, “Keahi says that Gardevoir is working on a solution to… to the problem, but we still have to wait.”

Nodding in agreement to Tsuki’s answer, Keahi hopped onto one of the stools so that she could properly look over what had been brought out.

“Okay, okay…” Edgar responded, nodding as well. “But… But it still hurts; while we have to wait.”

Tsuki sighed, “of course.”

“What were you two trying to make here?” Keahi interrupted, glancing back and forth at them.

“Pancakes!” Edgar answered, approaching the torchic to speak to her more directly. “I asked what made a good, big breakfast, and Tsuki told me that the biggest breakfast she had had with you guys was pancakes. So, we decided to make that,” he explained, looking over what had been brought out for a moment as well. “We… We didn’t get that far with it though,” he admitted.

“I see that… That’s fine though, we can all work together with it now,” Keahi replied, “here, I’ll help show you what to do…”

It was a slow process, perhaps the slowest breakfast had ever been made in this house, but they made breakfast together. Keahi relayed the instructions and did the actual cooking, Tsuki gathered any ingredients and dishes that hadn’t been brought out already, while Edgar did most of the mixing. Together, they managed to make a couple pancakes for each of them, and enjoyed that with some syrup for their morning meal. Without any of the extra toppings or side food that was usually added, this breakfast became a fairly bland meal; but after not eating in a while, no one complained.

Afterwards, though, they were left with the same emptiness that had consumed them the day before. While actually working had become a more available option in their minds, it was still one that was quickly rejected for various reasons. They all wanted to wait for the missing trio to return, though Keahi was the one to enforce it the most, and no one wanted to have to pass through Pokemon Square like this yet.

However, it didn’t take long for the idea of just going outside for, at the very least, some fresh air to become appealing. It had barely been a half hour since everyone had finished eating before the idea of hanging out on their lawn outside was brought up, and agreed upon.

“Perhaps we should head to the Hill of the Ancients instead,” Tsuki suggested as they walked out of the house, “if they disappeared there, then that may be where they reappear.”

Keahi furrowed her brows, “I think we should wait here,” she decided.

“Why do you think that?” Tsuki questioned, shoving the door shut behind them.

“I… I just do. I feel like we should stay here,” Keahi insisted, “besides, if they do appear there, then Xatu can just use telepathy to let us know,” she added.

“Very well,” Tsuki responded, “let us wait here then.”

Idly, Tsuki wandered over to their mailbox and pawed it open. Surprisingly, there were a few new letters in there that hadn’t been there the day before; but she barely spared them a glance before closing it again. She had only opened the mailbox just to have something to do anyway, and she hadn’t actually expected to have to read any messages left behind from others. They could deal with that later.

Taking a step back, she began looking over the mailbox itself. At this point, Keahi and Edgar had wandered over to join her, and so together they studied the painting they had left on it when they had put the mailbox back after the Team Meanies vandalism. The different colored paints still held strong, and everyone could clearly see the names written on the sides alongside the footprints and handprint that had stuck on. It gave the mailbox a bright and colorful look, shining with happier memories of only a few days before.

“Did you guys make this?” Edgar asked after a few moments of silence.

“The mailbox, no. But we did paint this, yes…” Tsuki answered.

Keahi nodded, “after we finished building the base… we decided to give the mailbox some colors.”

“It looks really nice like this,” Edgar commented with a hum.

“Thanks…” Keahi murmured, rereading all the names written on the mailbox.

After another few moments, Keahi let out a sigh, leaning forward and resting her forehead on the side of the mailbox. Tsuki’s shoulders sagged as she glanced over at the torchic, but she said nothing and eventually turned her gaze back up to the empty sky again. Edgar hovered around the pair for a bit longer, before beginning to slowly wander around the property; something he didn’t get the chance to do before now.

He floated around the house first, just a quick tour around the outside walls. It felt smaller on the outside, but an easy peek inside told him that the size, of course, had never changed. The grass growing on the lawn was a strong green, but it faded into patchy bunches closer to the recently constructed house. A chimney made from bricks stuck out of a side wall, which he knew connected to the large fireplace inside.

At the other end of the base, a tall flagpole had been erected at the roof, hanging the galaxy-print fabric from it. With no wind, the flag currently lay limp against the pole. He brought himself closer to it, tugging at it with one of his hands to get a better look at it. There was a white crescent moon and two stars stitched into one side, but was otherwise the galaxy-print that he had already grown to recognize with the team leaders’ accessories; both of which Keahi was currently wearing.

Looking down at the other two, he noted how high up he was. He hadn’t been paying attention as he had hovered up here, but this was a pretty big home. He didn’t know much about construction, but even he could tell that this must have taken a lot of work from the entire team.

“Edgar.” Keahi had noticed that the duskull had wandered up. “You’re up on the roof,” she commented.

“Yes, I am!” Edgar called back, “do you want me to come down?” he questioned, tilting to the side. “I was just admiring your flag.”

“Oh, you can stay up there if you want,” Keahi replied, “I… I want to go up there too.”

“Really? Okay!” Edgar responded, floating over to the lower part of the roof to await his friends.

While Keahi made it back to the side of the house first, it was Tsuki that managed to climb her way up onto the roof first. She shuffled around to get in position, before making a beautifully high leap straight on top of the building.

“Woah, that was a good jump!” Edgar complimented.

Tsuki nodded over to the duskull and then turned around to look back down at the torchic again. Keahi was still looking up at them from the ground, her gaze shifting around the walls as she wondered how to get up. The group had just been up there the night before, but she had always gotten help whenever they decided to watch the sky from the rooftop.

Fortunately, Tsuki seemed to reach the same conclusion. She laid down on her belly and reached a forepaw down for Keahi to grab on to. However, this still wasn’t enough to break the gap between them. Deciding to try helping as well, Edgar floated back down to give the torchic a boost, which was enough to help her grab onto the absol’s paw and be pulled up the rest of the way.

Now, the three were up sitting on the roof together, taking in the familiar view. Ahead they could see the path winding out across the land, and if they looked further and around, they could see where the forest began, as well at the outskirts of Pokemon Square. Above, of course, stretched out the ever open blue sky, still practically devoid of any clouds.

“Shall we wait here then?” Tsuki asked quietly, sitting down on her haunches.

Keahi nodded, letting out a hum of approval instead of giving a vocal answer. She looked up to the sky like she had done when she was outside not that long before, sitting with her feet tucked under her feathers.

And they waited.

For the most part, they remained quiet. Simply taking the time to quietly enjoy each other’s company as they sat together on the roof.

Eventually though, they began speaking again. After an entire afternoon of practically complete silence, it felt good to begin just talking to each other again and letting out some of their feelings. Keahi began recounting stories of the team’s adventures, Tsuki chiming in when she could as well. When the memories became bitter instead of sweet, they began asking Edgar more questions about his time in Sky Tower, and how he felt just being here on the land. Once conversation picked up, it felt easy to keep it going. While it wasn’t enthusiastic chatter, it was a good talk, a peaceful discussion to keep them going.

After a bit over an hour of this, Kangaskhan dropped by again. They could see her walking down the path long before she was in earshot, and watched her approach the house, carrying a pan covered with foil in her hands. Seeing the group outside, she offered them a warm smile as usual, but her eyes didn’t carry the same cheeriness that Keahi and Tsuki had grown accustomed to.

“Hello there dearies,” Kangaskhan greeted, “it’s good to see you all outside today.”

“Hello, mom,” Tsuki replied softly, nodding. “It is a nice day… despite everything. Getting some fresh air does us well anyway,” she murmured.

“That’s your mom?” Edgar blurted out.

“Adopted, but yes,” Tsuki responded, scratching the back of her head with a hind paw as she spoke.

“We’re waiting for the others to come back,” Keahi told Kangaskhan firmly.

Deep down, there was a moment of doubt, that Kangaskhan would think them to be foolish to hoping for this miracle. But the feeling swiftly passed as the large pokemon gave them a slow, approving nod. There was no doubt in her eyes, only a glimmer of hope that they had now passed onto her.

“I made this vegetable casserole for you all. It can make good comfort food,” Kangaskhan began explaining, “plus, cooking is a good activity to work through one’s stress,” she added quietly, “I figured that I would drop by, check in, and leave this for you in case you didn’t feel motivated to cook for yourselves. Perhaps you can just share it with the others when they get back, I did make a lot anyway.”

There was a pause, and then Keahi smiled.

“Thanks, Kangaskhan,” she said.

“Of course, sweeties. It’s no trouble at all,” Kangaskhan assured them, “you all deserve better times, and I wish from the bottom of my heart that you’ll get that soon.”

“Thank you, again,” Tsuki responded, now giving a soft smile as well. “It is nice to have you visit again, thank you for giving us our space yesterday,” she added, “I believe that we’ll want to save that casserole for later though. The door is unlocked if you want to put it on the table.”

Kangaskhan nodded, “I’ll do that then. Thanks for letting me know.”

She opened the door and entered the house, but only for long enough to set the pan she had brought down on the kitchen island table. Closing the door again, she walked back over to the trio still up on the roof. Her brows creased in a look of concern, but it faded away again after a moment.

“Will you all do fine if I leave you again? I’m afraid that despite everything, my job doesn’t offer many vacation days,” Kangaskhan said.

They paused, and then Keahi nodded. Tsuki shifted her position on the roof, offering Kangaskhan another small smile.

“We’ll be alright, but thank you for offering, mom,” Tsuki replied.

Kangaskhan opened her mouth to say something, but then closed it again as she reconsidered. After a moment’s thought, she managed another smile at them and spoke.

“Very well. I trust that you all will be able to handle yourselves for now, just remember that you can always stop by my stand, or even my place, if you need some other company,” she responded.

“Okay, we’ll keep that in mind!” Edgar chimed in.

Another pause, another reconsideration of a reply. Instead of speaking again this time though, Kangaskhan simply approached the side of the house more. Tsuki instinctively to see what her mother figure wanted, and received a comforting nuzzle in farewell. Kangaskhan went to Keahi next, who leaned down as well to accept the gesture. Edgar even accepted it too, floating downwards instead of forcing Kangaskhan to reach up. Despite not knowing her that well, he was willing to take the comforting touch before she would leave back to her own work again.

With the silent goodbyes done, Kangaskhan turned to go down the path again. She glanced over her shoulder a couple times as she walked away, but there was nothing else said before she disappeared back into the streets of Pokemon Square.

And they waited.

They waited on the roof for another few hours, the sun creeping across the sky into the afternoon. As with the previous passage of time, they did begin talking to each other again, and this time they would pace around as their limbs grew tired from not moving for so long. There were no signs of their friends’ returning, including no telepathic message from Xatu. Doubt was beginning to creep in, but none of them would admit to it and remained strong. After all, they hadn’t been promised a certain time. For all they knew, it would take a day, or even weeks or months.

Then, there was a golden orb in the sky that Keahi had been staring so intently at.

“They’re back!” Keahi yelled, being the first to spot the small light.

In her excitement, she leapt off from the roof of the house, only to face-plant into the ground below. Before anyone could react, she scrambled back to her feet as if that stumble was only a minor inconvenience, kicking dirt around her as she got up to her feet and hurried out into the path again. Tsuki leapt down swiftly afterwards, landing much more gracefully than the torchic had, and Edgar floated back down to join them.

“Please… please… please,” Keahi repeated under her breath, pacing around the path while keeping her gaze on the orb.

Slowly, it continued floating downwards, finally settling itself in front of Keahi, where it spun around her a couple times before landing on her forehead and fading away. Keahi blinked, shaking her head as the glow disappeared, and looked back up at the sky to see if there was anything else.

There was nothing. The sky was just as empty as it had been moments before.

Tsuki padded up beside Keahi, studying the torchic’s blank expression for a moment. Edgar floated up to her other side, and the absol glanced over at him instead.

“Do you sense anything?” she asked.

“I…” Edgar paused. “There’s something, but I don’t know what…?”

Keahi nodded, “I think that was a message. We just have to wait a bit longer.”

“…very well,” Tsuki replied, stretching in place for a moment.

And they waited.

Minutes dragged on far longer than they ever should have, but the trio remained in place. Keahi continued staring up at the sky as she had been, hoping for something else to appear.

Then, it finally happened. Another golden orb appeared in the sky, soon followed by dozens upon hundreds more. All swarming down from the heavens and landing in front of the group. The lights continued swirling around for a few moments, before finally fading away from the last time, revealing Nelvana, Alex, and Ceebee, clumped together, appearing a bit dazed.

“You’re back! You’re back! You’re back! You’re finally back!” Keahi yelled.

She rushed forward, tackling Nelvana into a hug before any of the returned trio could properly react to any of this. The cubone stiffened from surprise, but quickly relaxed again, returning the hug and letting a laugh bubble out from her throat.

“Yes! We’re back! We’re back, don’t worry, we’re back!” Nelvana responded, using repetition to push the point to even herself before pulling her partner close to her and resting her forehead on hers.

“I’m so glad… I missed you all so much, I was so scared that you’d never come back,” Keahi replied, and then paused. “Oh, Nel! Look! I kept the scarf for you, see?” she mentioned, tugging at one of the ends of the scarf with one of her wing talons.

Nelvana’s smile grew, “you did, thank you!” she hummed, bumping her forehead against the torchic’s again for a moment. “I knew I could trust you with that.”

She lifted an arm from around the torchic to tug away the scarf, but the pair didn’t separate. Keahi kept herself stuck next to Nelvana, as if she would disappear again if she let go. This made putting back on the scarf a bit more challenging, but she pulled this task off and then immediately pulled Keahi in another hug.

Behind them, Alex erupted into an excited laugh as well, too impatient to just sit back and watch the reunion, he hurried forward now and scooped the pair into a hug as well and spun around. Tsuki let out a cheery bark and began running around them, waiting for Alex to slow to just standing before leaning up next to them, waving her forepaws in the air in an attempt to join in the group hug properly. Ceebee giggled, flying over to the group in a hurry and leaning into the hug as well after a couple spins. Edgar was the last to join in, but not by long, and he joined in similarly to how the celebi had.

Another laugh bubbled up from Keahi, and it infected the rest of the group, bringing them all to a joyous chorus all at once. Once again, there were few words, but it wasn’t silent, and it wasn’t uncomfortable. Just having each others’ presences together again brought them the needed comfort.

“Arceus…” Keahi gasped, “I’m so glad you all are back… I was just so… so scared that you were gone for good,” she whispered.

“You’ve already said that,” Alex chuckled.

“I know, I know… But it’s true,” Keahi replied, “I don’t know what else to say… I’m still scared that we’ll lose you all over again.”

“How long were we gone?” Ceebee asked, finding herself in a very comfortable position leaning over Alex’s shoulder and onto Keahi’s warm feathers.

“Over a day,” Tsuki answered, glancing down at the ground as she spoke before looking back up at the others again.

“A day?” Alex repeated, “that isn’t that bad. Could’ve been worse.”

“It was the worst day of my life!” Keahi snapped, immediately shrinking back at her own harshness with her tone in that comment. “Ah… s-sorry.”

Alex frowned, “hey, no need to apologize for that. That must’ve been a really painful time, we’re sorry.”

“But, hey, we aren’t leaving again,” Nelvana added, “I promise.”

“You really promise?” Keahi questioned.

“Of course, I promise,” Nelvana replied, “as long as any of us have a say in it, we’re sticking around.”

“Thank you,” Keahi replied, nuzzling her head in her partner’s shoulder.

“Look, sorry guys but I can’t carry you forever,” Alex commented, carefully setting Nelvana and Keahi back down onto the path.

“It’s fine,” Nelvana responded softly.

This action didn’t separate the group much though. Even though Alex had set down the pair he had been carrying, he didn’t step back afterwards, and no one else seemed too inclined to move away either, keeping everyone bunched close in a clump together.

“Where did you go, anyway?” Edgar asked.

There was a pause, and then one-by-one the three time travelers’ expressions shifted into one of shock as they tried coming up with an answer to what should have been a simple question.

“I-I don’t remember,” Alex mumbled, then snapping his gaze to exchange looks with the other two. “Do either of you?” he asked, receiving stiff shrugging and head shaking as a response.

“We definitely went… somewhere. I guess we just don’t get to remember where?” Nelvana suggested, rubbing the back of her neck anxiously. “That’s really weird though… I don’t like that,” she added under her breath.

“Perhaps it is for the best,” Tsuki murmured, “you went somewhere where people aren’t supposed to come back. Who knows what else would have been there, and what secrets could have been leaked out if you had remembered and just told us now.”

“That sounds likely,” Ceebee agreed, “besides, what’s here, right now, is more important anyway.”

“And I’m sure if we ever do get curious enough about it, we can probably go ahead and look into it later,” Alex added, slowly relaxing again after that jolt. “But for now…”

“For now, we should celebrate!” Edgar suddenly squealed, spinning around the group again. “You guys are back! You’re back again! We should celebrate or do something!” he continued, “at the very least, we should announce it to that town! There were lots of people who stopped by worried about you guys, well, all of us really!”

“Edgar has a good point, we should go into Pokemon Square to announce your return,” Keahi responded, nodding. “Everyone will be so happy to see you all back again!” she added, grinning again.

“I guess we shouldn’t waste anymore time then, should we? We can always spend more time alone here again afterwards,” Nelvana said.

Despite saying this, no one moved for a moment. Nelvana, deciding to take initiative, lifted her foot to take a step forward, but it bumped into Keahi, who was still huddled up close to her.

“Keahi…?”

“Oh, sorry!” Keahi scrambled back to her feet, but still didn’t move too far away from the cubone. “I just…”

“Nah, it’s fine. I can carry you if you want,” Nelvana offered, smiling.

“I’ve been carried enough in the last while!” Keahi huffed, puffing up her chest feathers defiantly. “I can walk! I just… want to stay close to you.”

“Too late, I’ve decided that I want to carry you,” Nelvana insisted, snickering, to which Keahi didn’t continue arguing about. “Hey Alex, would you mind holding my club for me?” she requested.

“When did I become your designated club carrier?” Alex quipped, placing a hand on his hip.

“Please?” Nelvana pressured, waving the bone in the grovyle’s face.

“I’ll carry it for you, Nel,” Ceebee butted in, taking the weapon from the cubone’s hands.

“Why thank you dear Ceebee,” Nelvana replied with an exaggerated sweetness in her tone.

“It’s no problem at all!” Ceebee replied, using the same tone.

Alex rolled his eyes, but he couldn’t help but laugh at the warm joking that was taking place. His smile once again didn’t last long as he suddenly froze in place, patting along his body in a frenzy.

“Where’d my bag go?” he questioned, turning around to try looking around again.

“You dropped it,” Tsuki informed him, “don’t worry, it’s just inside. We shouldn’t need it right now anyway, you can grab it later.”

“Hey! C’mon you two! You don’t want to fall behind!” Edgar exclaimed.

Looking back up at the others again greeted them with the sight that they were already leaving. Nelvana had hoisted Keahi onto her shoulders, and now they were sprinting down the path in an energetic hurry, with Ceebee fluttering behind them the best she could. Alex let out another chuckle before bounding after them, catching up quickly with his natural good speed. Tsuki and Edgar hurried along to catch up with the others as well.

“They’re back! We’re all back! Team Galaxy is all together again!”

Pokemon Square had never been known for huge celebrations or parties, since it isn’t that big of a town to begin with. However, it still knew how to bring everyone together when needed. Even if in general no one carried the knowledge or the materials to throw a party, especially on such short notice, it went well. The last time something like this happened was after the mission to Magma Cavern, which despite feeling like ages ago already, had only taken place a couple days before.

This celebration blew that one right out of the water. After all, not only were they all celebrating the world being saved, but also the return of half of the team responsible for making the former happen. Many pokemon filled the place very quickly. The crowd that had made their way to the Hill of the Ancients that day before had arrived now, as well as all the citizens that had been unable to make the trip before.

Like that previous celebration, this lasted for the rest of the afternoon and into the evening. Right off the bat were the greetings and excited reunions. Even those who didn’t know of the three that disappeared that much came by to leave a comment of too. Everyone had something to say, and many pokemon had something to give as well. Accepting gifts was as awkward as ever for most of the team, but the joyous atmosphere buried that anxiety away swiftly and let everyone enjoy themselves.

But as the sun set, many of the townsfolk began turning in for the night, including Team Galaxy. Looking forward for some time with just the six of them, they spent longer than expected waving goodbye to Pokemon Square for the night before heading back to their base again.

However, they paused at the doorway, and Nelvana held up her badge, looking over at the others.

“Actually, before we settle inside for the night, how about we see about properly adding you guys to the team?” she suggested, “no sense in delaying it any longer than needed.”

“Oh yeah! That’s a great idea, Nel!” Keahi agreed.

“Ooh! You really mean it? We can actually join the team?” Edgar exclaimed, bobbing around in the air excitedly.

Alex chuckled, “of course.”

“Tsuki, are you ready to join Team Galaxy now?” Nelvana began, turning to face the absol.

Tsuki shifted her position, standing tall and proud in front of the cubone.

“I am, indeed.”

“That’s great, I’m glad,” Nelvana hummed, “here we go then.”

Still holding up the badge, Nelvana took another step forward and used the tiny device to scan Tsuki. After a quick check on how to spell her name, everything was completed and there was a cheerful beep as the registration was complete.

“Welcome to Team Galaxy, as an official member now!” Keahi chirped.

“Alright, we met up with Ceebee next, so it’s only fair to ask her now…” Nelvana continued, giving Tsuki a pat on the shoulder before turning to face the celebi. “Would you like to join Team Galaxy, officially?”

Ceebee nodded enthusiastically, “yup! I do!”

Another click of a button, and another scan, but this time Nelvana was interrupted before she could fill out the name by a loud, less cheerful, beep, making everyone jump in surprise by the sudden and unfamiliar noise. Confused, she squinted at the badge to figure out what had happened.

“What’s wrong?” Alex asked, leaning over to look as well.

Nelvana let out a nervous laugh, “oh, it just wasn’t expecting us to scan a mythical! I think it wants a rescan, and a more proper confirmation from you, Ceebee.”

“Ah, that’s alright! Pretty neat that it recognizes the oddity to have a mythical be scanned here,” Ceebee hummed, fluttering closer.

After more fiddling around, they managed to get back this strange bump in the registration and get Ceebee onto the team properly. With some sighs of relief that it had worked, and some congratulations for the new member, Nelvana finally turned to Edgar.

“Alright, last but not least… Edgar, would you like to join Team Galaxy?”

“Of course!” Edgar exclaimed, still continuously bobbing around in the air.

“Okay!” Nelvana responded, “let’s see if this works better this time ‘round…”

There was a slight pause after the scanning, but no loud beeping or extra steps this time. Edgar hovered around impatiently as Nelvana inputted his name, finally getting everyone registered properly in the team.

“Well, now everyone really is all together again!” Alex commented with a wide grin.

“Yeah! This was a great way to come back at the end of the day, thanks for bringing it up, Nel!” Keahi agreed, now stepping over to the door.

Everyone followed her closer to the base, and so Keahi simply opened the door without needing to unlock it, earning a stare from Alex.

“You guys forgot to lock the door?” he questioned as they walked back inside. “That isn’t very secure you know, someone could have broken in,” he continued.

“You don’t know what happened!” Keahi huffed, hopping up to the island table. “Here, Kangaskhan brought us some casserole today. I can warm it up for some supper.”

“Sounds good to me!” Ceebee chirped, fluttering around the house. “Say, this is a nice place you have here! It’s cozy, but has lots of space!”

“Yeah, we built it together with some help!” Keahi responded, “feel free to explore around if you’d like!”

Edgar followed the celebi, eager to show her what he had explored the day before, and Tsuki opted to follow them a bit as supervision. Nelvana was about to sit down beside Keahi and see what she could do to help prepare the meal, but her gaze was drawn to the next room, which still was littered with the papers that had been dropped the day before.

“Why are my drawings all over the floor?” Nelvana asked.

Tsuki’s head perked up and she turned back around to face the cubone, “ah… that was my bad, apologies. I wanted to look through them and ended up dropping them.”

“And then ended up not picking them back up?”

“I’m afraid not. I didn’t know what order they went in, nor do I even have the dexterity for that task.”

“Ah, fair enough. I’ll just have to put them away now.”

Nelvana headed over to the scattered drawings, Keahi watching her with a slightly disappointed look, but she turned back to her own task. Alex took note of this, and decided to sit in the kitchen instead, to keep the torchic company for the moment. Nelvana began sliding all the papers closer together, stacking those in the order they were drawn instead of by content. Fortunately, she had had the foresight to date most of them, making the reorganization a simple task. Curious, Ceebee fluttered back over to her friend to see what she could to do help, and also just to look through the art herself.

“Hey Nel, these are really good! It’s nice to see you’ve still been drawing!” Ceebee exclaimed, handing Nelvana some of the papers she had scooped up from the other end of the room.

“Yeah, she’s really good!” Keahi chimed in from the other room. “I got some papers and pencils for her to go with the other activities we had bought, and she’s been drawing up a storm!”

“Oh no, guys…” Nelvana squeaked, trying to bury her face into her scarf in a fluster.

Alex laughed, “and you still can’t accept a compliment about that!” he teased.

“But it is good art! What’s wrong with that?” Edgar questioned innocently.

Nelvana only let out a huff in response, finishing up with putting all the papers back where they were before on the bookshelf. She trudged back over to Keahi and leaned her head onto the torchic again.

“Your art is good though,” Keahi whispered.

“…thanks,” Nelvana finally replied.

With the meal that Kangaskhan had brought in earlier now being warmed up again, they gathered some plates and utensils so that they could dig right in. There had been some snacks that had been served at the celebration they had just been to, but it was refreshing to eat a larger meal together again. They were still lacking a side dish, or any desserts, but it was still a fuller meal than anything else they had had for a few hours. Everyone could easily agree that Kangaskhan was a good cook, and that they’d have to thank her for bringing this to them.

It only felt fitting that they would go play some board games when they were done eating. Many of the team had played most of the games several times by now, but with two other teammates, it made the experience feel new all over again. In the moment, they could enjoy just being with each other and bond, letting the pain from before fade away with happier times together.

Finally though, after many hours of continuously finding new things to do and fun ways to interact with one another, the night darkened the world, and the yawning of various team members told everyone that they would have to go rest soon.

They packed all that they had taken out away, and headed upstairs. Ceebee lacked a bed, but this issue was quickly resolved with the offer to sleep in the hammock with Alex. Tsuki and Edgar once again wouldn’t be able to actually sleep like the others, but would find themselves much happier with the silence this time, with the presences of their friends there to sooth any nerves. Nelvana went in her nest, and Keahi went in her’s.

Keahi, who had forgotten to tell the news after such a fast day filled with ups and downs, announced what Gardevoir had told her, about the low chance of being able to speak through the dream space together again. Even though many of the group, such as Tsuki and Alex, hadn’t even seen Gardevoir, much less spoken to her, they all felt the sadness of this long-distance friendship not working out in the end. Regardless, there was always the hope, always the maybe, that they could fix things. However, they also all knew that if they were to take that chance, it would have to be saved for a later date.

Slowly, after much more tired chatter, those that could ended up drifting off to sleep.

Nelvana woke up a couple hours later, the images of a fading nightmare still swarming her mind as she jolted awake. This had been the clearest memory nightmare in a long time, and of course, it had scared her more than usual. It was evident that the fear of disappearing or just losing her friends was plaguing her mind, and it had wormed her way into her subconscious.

Used to the scare though, she began taking deep breaths to try to calm herself down enough to go back to sleep. She paused, as she realized that there was something warm in her nest now. Lifting up the blanket she was tangled under, she saw Keahi curled up next to her. The torchic must have snuck in somehow without the cubone noticing, probably too caught up in her own nightmare to notice her partner nestle up with her.

A small smile stretched across Nelvana’s face, and she gently ruffled Keahi’s feathers. She lowered the blanket again, and snuggled up next to her friend, the nightmare already put at the back of her mind.

She was safe, they all were safe. They were all happy, together.

And if she glanced outside the window before drifting asleep again, she could see the galaxies above in the night sky.

First: In which the human is transformed Next [ARC 2]: In which a present is prepared Previous: In which help is requested from a higher power

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tipsyraconteur · 6 years ago

Text

Good Boy, Part 4

Annnd here is the last part of this fluffy dogstrosity. I managed to break 200 followers during the blogging of this story, so thanks to everyone that followed! I really enjoyed writing some pure fluff for tumblr, and I’m sure I’ll do it again in the future when I need a break from my longer stories. Thanks for reading, and enjoy!

Good Boy, Part 4

KakaSaku Coffee Shop AU

Rating: T

Word Count: ~2.5k

[ Part 1 ] [ Part 2 ] [ Part 3 ]

The next day, Sakura started her shift with a smile on her face and a song in her heart. Well, not really, but she definitely began the shift in a good mood. It was hard not to feel positive: she’d totally aced her make-up test with her professor and she was about to have two days off that she could spend catching up on schoolwork and sleep. Most importantly, however, was the company she was expecting during her shift that day.

Maybe it was stupid to feel so excited, but she was excited.

Four days ago, Kakashi had been a strange man with a pug who’d flirted with her before not paying for his drink. Now… well, she was starting to hope that he’d be more. Maybe a lot more. When Sakura had made the dubious decision to call Ino and ask her for advice, Ino had squealed “ASK HIM OUT” loud enough that Sakura had had to pull the phone away from her ear.

Sakura wasn’t sure she had the courage to do that. But maybe she could handle reminding him that she had the next two days off, in the hopes that he would ask her out himself. Sure, it was pretty cowardly, and that didn’t exactly sit well with Sakura, but neither did asking out a customer while she was at work. Somehow, she thought her boss would frown on that.

Sakura didn’t want to piss off Hana. Hana was the older sister of Sakura’s friend Kiba, and the last thing Sakura wanted to do was upset her boss, especially since it would also reflect badly on Kiba’s recommendation that she work there. And after the conversation she’d had to have with Hana earlier that week about a certain unpaid-for drink, Sakura was probably on thin ice already.

As if her very thoughts had summoned her, Sakura felt her stomach drop as she heard the sound of the back door opening and her boss’s voice ringing through the air.

“Hey Sakura,” Hana said easily as she locked the back door behind her. “I’ve had to rearrange my schedule this week, so I thought I’d come in and do inventory tonight,” she said, smiling brightly.

Sakura forced what she hoped was a believable smile in return. It was a few hours before the time when Kakashi came in, but who knew how long inventory would last? If Hana was still here when Kakashi arrived with four dogs, Sakura wasn’t sure how she would react.

And it had to be four dogs. He had to have run out by now, right?

“Is there anything I can do to help?” Sakura asked hopefully. Maybe she could hurry this along.

“No, I just need you to run the shop. I’ll try not to get in your way too much.” As Hana set down her bag and plucked her inventory clipboard from the wall, Sakura held back a sigh. All she could do now was hope that inventory was finished before Kakashi made his grand appearance.

For the next two hours, Sakura handled customers while Hana puttered around the shop counting things. She counted milk jugs, syrup bottles, and boxes of napkins and stir sticks. Sakura mostly tried to ignore her steadily growing anxiety and failed miserably every time she checked the time. However, a certain fatalistic mood began to settle over her as the clock hands crept closer to what she thought of as “Kakashi Time”. After all, he was just a customer who had some dogs, and they were a coffee shop that was dog-friendly. So, it wasn’t like either of them were doing anything wrong.

…Right?

“Sakura.” Hana’s voice suddenly interrupted her thoughts, and Sakura turned to take in the sight of Hana counting the various sizes of cups. “Do you know why we’re missing shot cups?”

Without thinking, Sakura answered, “No, I don’t know why we would be—” and then stopped, trailing off. Puppuccinos. Goddamn puppuccinos.

Hana’s eyes narrowed. “Sakura?”

Sakura gave a wincing smile. “Well, you see, we’ve had a customer lately who likes to bring in his dogs, and Starbucks does this thing where they give out little cups of whipped cream and call them puppuccinos…”

Hana folded her arms, looking unimpressed. “And you thought we needed to keep up with Starbucks, apparently. Did you not realize that would throw off inventory? It looks like theft, Sakura.”

Sakura swallowed. Why did she have to have so many conversations with her boss regarding Kakashi and thievery? “Well, I figured that we don’t charge for extra whipped cream, so it would be okay.” When Hana’s expression didn’t change, Sakura sighed. “I didn’t think about the cups. I’m sorry.”

Hana watched her narrow-eyed for a moment longer, and then a curious little smirk crept over her face. “So… who’s this new customer?”

Fuck. Sakura felt her face start to get hot, and her voice was a trifle squeaky when she answered, “What? Which customer?” Smooth, real smooth.

Hana casually inspected the nails of her right hand, although she was obviously still watching Sakura from the corner of her eye. “You never break the rules, and now you’ve broken them twice in one week.”

“I— Well, I mean, I just made a few mistakes. It’s a coincidence.”

“So, you’re telling me puppuccino customer isn’t also didn’t-pay-for-a-drink customer?” Hana’s smile had begun to take on a positively wolfish quality. “He must be cute.”

Sakura opened her mouth to make some sort of excuse—just what kind of excuse, she wasn’t sure—when she was saved by the tinkle of the bell over the door. At least, she thought she was saved, until she looked over and saw a certain lanky figure in the doorway.

Kakashi leaned casually in the door, holding it open, smiling lazily. Lifting one silver brow, he whistled—and then the dogs started walking in.

"Oh, no," Sakura whispered to herself in mounting horror. But there was no stopping it.

First was Pakkun. Out of the backpack for once, he was wearing the same blue halter that all of Kakashi's other dogs had worn, but it was so small and cute that Sakura had to repress the urge to make a very awkward high-pitched noise. Next came Shiba, and the Bisuke. All of them were holding their own leashes in their mouths. When Uhei came in the door, he paused briefly and wagged his tail before continuing forward.

That wasn't the end of Kakashi's dog parade, though.

Another smaller brown floppy-eared dog stepped through the door, followed by two other dogs of lanky, medium build. All three looked like mutts of indistinguishable breeds. But the last dog that came in caused both of Sakura's hands to fly up over her mouth. He was a dark dog whose breed wasn't immediately obvious—definitely some bulldog, maybe some bull mastiff—but he was easily the largest dog that Sakura had ever seen, the top of his head reaching higher than Kakashi's waist.

All eight dogs filed into a line before the counter, and each of them sat politely, still holding their leashes in their mouths. Completely ignoring her shocked expression, Kakashi let the door swing shut and approached the counter himself.

"Medium flat white and eight puppuccinos, please," he said pleasantly, like he hadn’t just released a canine horde upon her workplace.

“Kaka—” Sakura began, trying not to cringe, but she was cut off.

“Kakashi Hatake, why the hell are you standing in my coffee shop with every dog you have?” Hana’s voice boomed from behind her. Sakura turned to blink at her. “Let me guess… you’re the new customer I keep hearing about?”

“Oh, hi Hana. I didn’t know you worked here,” Kakashi replied in that same pleasant, unflappable voice. “It’s nice to see you outside the shelter.”

Confused, Sakura asked, “You know each other?”

Hana snorted, smirking at Kakashi. “You know I volunteer at the animal shelter. This guy,” she said, pointing at Kakashi, who looked admirably unphased by her ire, “is the guy they call when there’s a dog no one else will adopt.”

Sakura turned to look at him, briefly distracted from the tense situation. "Really? You take all the dogs that no one else wants?"

"No," Kakashi answered, looking offended, as if there was no way he would be that much of a sucker. After a long, pregnant pause, he added, "I only take the ones that Pakkun likes." Another pause. "Mostly. Pakkun didn't really like Shiba at first. I had to talk him into it." From the front of the line of dogs came a small, disgruntled 'boof'.

Sakura really wanted to ask how one went about talking a pug into something, but she decided it wasn’t the time. Especially when Hana glared from her to Kakashi and then said, “Neither of you have answered my question. Why are you here with all of your dogs?”

There was a moment when Sakura and Kakashi both looked at each other and then back at Hana, and then they both started speaking at the same time.

“Well, he saw the ‘Dogs Welcome’ sign in the window—"

“Oh, it’s really a simple explanation. I really like Sakura—”

“And when he asked what the limit was I didn’t know what to tell him because no one’s ever asked that—”

“And I thought I’d bring in a whole bunch of dogs to try and impress her.”

Sakura had trailed off, belatedly registering what he’d said about liking her, and was now struggling not to turn red again. Hana had her arms folded and was staring at him.

“It seemed like a good idea at the time,” Kakashi finished blithely, though the smile he gave was a little sheepish.

Hana was now pinching the bridge of her nose, her eyes squeezed shut. “Sakura,” she said slowly. “Make the man his drink.” Opening her eyes, she pointed at Kakashi again. “You. Take your dogs outside. There’s not enough room for them in here. And pay for your drink first!” she added as Kakashi started to move toward the door.

Kakashi chuckled awkwardly as he moved back toward the counter. “Right. Of course.”

In the awkward silence that followed, Sakura rang up Kakashi and made his change, both of them endeavoring to ignore the indistinct muttering coming from Hana, who had returned to her clipboard. Sakura quickly moved to make his flat white, very carefully not looking in Hana’s direction as she did so, and also avoiding looking at Kakashi.

“Medium flat white,” she said in a meek voice devoid of her usual cheer as she approached the counter and held out the drink.

Kakashi gave her an apologetic smile as he took it. “I’ll, uh, just take this to one of the tables outside,” he said, and within a few moments he’d herded his dogs back through the door, and Sakura was once more left alone with her boss.

Quickly busying herself by wiping down the hot bar, Sakura was startled when the silence was broken by Hana slamming down a whipped cream canister and a stack of shot cups beside her.

“When you give out whipped cream for dogs, you need to adjust the cup tally on the inventory sheet,” Hana scolded. “Don’t call them ‘puppuccinos’ again until I can verify that Starbucks doesn’t have that copyrighted.”

“Yes ma’am,” Sakura said, hope rising in her chest.

“Go take a break,” Hana finished gruffly.

Sakura blinked. She was always by herself in the shop on Wednesdays, so she never took a break. “But I don’t take breaks on—”

“Fuck’s sake, Haruno, know a good thing when you hear it!” Hana said in exasperation. “Take. A. Break.” And she shoved the whipped cream and cups toward her.

A silly grin threatened to break across Sakura’s features, and she quickly repressed it. “Of course, Hana. Thank you!” she said sincerely, albeit quickly, as she slid out from behind the register and beelined toward the door.

“Fifteen minutes!” Hana called after her, and she might have muttered something else, but Sakura was already out the door.

Letting the door shut behind her, still holding the cups and whipped cream canister in her hand, Sakura looked toward the table that Kakashi stood beside. And maybe it was the charmingly shamefaced grin he had, or all of the built-up tension of the last ten minutes—or maybe it was the pile of dogs who were crammed around his feet. But Sakura couldn’t hold it in anymore, and she burst into slightly hysterical laughter.

“I can’t—believe—you brought—eight dogs in here,” she gasped between giggles, and Kakashi’s grin grew as he watched her, his eyes warm. “I thought Hana was going to kill me. Or you.”

“Are you impressed yet? Because I’ve kind of run out of dogs and I promised Pakkun I wouldn’t adopt another one for at least a year.” Kakashi carefully stepped out of the pile of dogs and toward her, plucking the stack of cups and whipped cream from her hands and placing them on the table behind him. “Hey, do you think Hana can see us from inside the shop right now?”

Perplexed by the apparent change in topic, Sakura answered, “Well… no? She’s probably too far back to be able to see this table from—”

Sakura cut herself off as Kakashi dipped his head down close to hers, her breath catching in her throat. “Good,” he murmured, and with one hand raising to cup her face, he pressed his lips to hers.

She didn’t react at first, completely stunned by this turn of events. But when he went to pull away, her courage finally decided to show up, and she leaned toward him, throwing her arms around his neck and kissing him back with an enthusiasm that Ino would’ve been proud of.

Kakashi hummed low in his throat in response, his free hand finding the small of her back. When she pulled back slightly to take a breath, he smiled at her, and she smiled back.

“You know, I probably shouldn’t show up here again… at least not for a while,” he said as she slowly moved back a little, her face warming as her actions caught up to her.

“At least not with so many dogs,” she quipped, biting her lip.

“You’re off tomorrow, right?” he asked, and when she nodded, he continued, “Let me take you to dinner. No dogs.”

“I don’t know…” Sakura hedged, trying not to grin. “I’m kind of only in it for the dogs.” The fact that Uhei chose that moment to come and sit on her foot made the grin break through.

Kakashi laughed, somewhat ruefully. “How about dinner and a dog park afterward?”

“Yeah… that sounds fun,” Sakura said, beaming.

Sakura didn’t miss Kakashi’s quiet, relieved sigh as she bent slightly to stroke Uhei’s head, much to the dog’s obvious tail-wagging pleasure.

“Now then,” she continued, reaching past Kakashi for the cups and whipped cream, directing her attention toward the dogs. “Who wants a generic equivalent, definitely-not-copyright-infringement cup of whipped cream?”

#kakasaku #my stories #coffee shop AU #good boy #JUST THE RIGHT AMOUNT OF DOGS #the end #tipsyraconteur

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