#and then I keep getting trapped in the rarepair death grip

[nejishadow]

It all Comes So Naturally With You

Summary:

When Makoto canted his head back to better see his expression after another failure and Kenji tilted with him to quickly press a kiss to his lips, it didn’t register at all. He simply readjusted to settle back against him once he saw he wasn’t getting angry at the game and kept watching him play, gently returning the crushing hug Kenji gave him when he finally did win, saying he couldn’t have done it without Makoto there to help him focus.

It was only now, late at night tucked away in his own bed – his brain doing nothing but looping through the day’s events – that he actually realized what they’d done.

Credit to @bakafurai for the idea / inspo

Chapters: 2/2

Fandom: Persona 3

Rating: General Audiences

Warnings: No Archive Warnings Apply

Relationships: Arisato Minato/Tomochika Kenji, Yuuki Makoto/Tomochika Kenji, Male Persona 3 Protagonist/Tomochika Kenji

Characters: Tomochika Kenji, Male Persona 3 Protagonist, Yuuki Makoto (Persona Series)

Additional Tags: Accidental Kissing, video games - Freeform, Late night thoughts, I Wrote This Instead of Sleeping, Boys Kissing, Gentle Kissing, Self-Reflection, Developing Relationship, Wishful Thinking, Cuddling & Snuggling, (kinda - Makoto sits in his lap), Relationship Study, Sleepy Boys, Mutual Pining, (again kinda - this is hard to tag for some reason?), No Dialogue

[doyelikehaggis]

Twelve Days of Rarepairs: Sciles | Scott McCall x Stiles Stilinski (Teen Wolf)

Requested by @childofsquidward & anonymous

It's a lot colder inside the ice rink than Stiles remembers. He can't even take his jacket off, and his fingers are practically numb trying to do up his skates. But he's not letting that stop him. 

Well. Mostly. He's just warming up a bit before he actually skates, staying seated in the stands, eating a Reese's cup. For energy! 

Of course, when he tries to use that on Scott, he just gives him a look and a smile.

"Come on," Scott says, holding out a hand. "Neither of us have skated since Sophomore year. We're both totally out of practice compared to everyone else here."

"Not inspiring much confidence, buddy." 

Stiles glances out at their friends, already on the rink as Scott laughs. Allison and Kira gliding along, both laughing as they try and hold onto each other. Malia carefully edging along the side, a hand firmly gripping the barrier while Erica tries to be encouraging while laughing. Even Boyd and Isaac are doing their own thing on the ice. And Lydia and Jackson, skating along perfectly together. Doing little twirls and practically dancing—this isn't a competitive tv show! 

But he'll admit… they do look happier than they have in a while. That breakup, moving away, being with other people for a while thing then reuniting really seemed to help.

"I meant that it'll be fine, because we're both… not great at it," Scott says.

Stiles glances from their friends to Scott, to the hand he still has held out to him. 

"Fine," he groans, with a theatrical roll of his eyes, taking his hand. Because actually, he doesn't mind. Especially when Scott's holding his hand, lacing their fingers together. 

He allows Scott to pull him up off the bench and stumble their way to the ice. 

"But if we fall and I break something—" Stiles starts.

"I will carry you to the hospital," Scott says, his smile widening.

"Promise?"

"I absolutely, one-hundred-percent give you my word," Scott promises, stepping closer. "I'll even do it bridal style if you want."

"No, seriously, because my jeep broke down from the cold when we got here and I don't even know how we're getting home, you'd need to carry me," Stiles says. 

Scott laughs, rolling his eyes. But he's nodding and saying, "We'll take a look at the jeep later, but yeah, I promise."

"Then lead me to the death trap!" Stiles says. 

"You" —Scott leans forward, lips inches from Stiles, pressing a kiss to them with a barely contained smile— "are the biggest dork."

"And you only enable me with your love," Stiles quips back, quickly stealing another kiss. 

Scott just shakes his head, his smile making his eyes crinkle slightly. The look he gives him has been the same for the fifteen years they've known each other, not once changed from when they were four. And yet somehow it still never fails to bring a fluttering warmth to Stiles' chest.

He thought that he would become more immune after the first couple months of being together, but if anything he's just softened to it more. And to Scott.

"Come on," he says, pulling himself of his daze with a gentle nudge to Scott's shoulder and a tug of his hand.

"Before we start to annoy all of our friends?" Scott asks, grinning as he complies and allows Stiles to guide him onto the ice.

"Oh, no, we've been annoying them since the day we met," Stiles replies, turning slightly to face Scott, taking the other hand he holds out to him to keep them both balanced. "We are sickeningly in love and they knew before we did."

"I can't disagree with that one," Scott says, and he looks utterly delighted about it. 

Stiles misjudges his control and nearly flies backwards when he goes to move his foot a little too far. Fortunately, supernaturally quick reflexes on Scott's part keeps him upright. Except he's also fumbling to keep himself steady, and they're both yelping as they go down. 

So, falling on ice hurts. Quite a bit. 

"Okay, we're definitely not good at this," Scott groans, and Stiles grunts in agreement. 

There is most definitely laughter coming fron somewhere, as well as a few concerned people asking, "oh god, are you okay?" 

But after a beat, the laughter takes over in all of them, espscially when there's another yelp from across the rink, followed by, "I'm sorry! I was distracted, I thought you were holding on!"

Scott and Stiles push themselves up into sitting positions, still trying to catch breath from the fall and the laughter that hasn't quite died down yet. 

"Why did we think ice skating was a good idea?" Stiles asks.

"Because it's Christmas Eve and Boyd had the keys?" Scott says, shrugging. He's laughing even as he winces and rubs the back of his head. "It's fun!"

"Yeah, breaking your limbs is fun," Stiles says drily. But he's already got an urge to get back up and do it again. Without the falling part.

"Rematch?" Scott suggests.

Stiles turns his head to look at him, his eyes narrowing. "Oh, this is a competition now, is it? What happened to being on my team?"

"I'm always technically on your team," Scott says, then shrugs, his grin widening. "But wouldn't this be more fun?"

Stiles considers it for a moment. Then he nods, holding out his hand.

"All right, a competition it is then," he says.

There's a muttered, "oh no" from close by. He ignores it as Scott happily takes his hand and they manage to stumble back to their feet. And then it's every person for themselves on the ice (aside from Boyd and Lydia, who are smart enough to stand to the side to avoid being plowed over). 

Their competition turns into all of them screaming at each other to help them stay upright, or for trying to knock them over. Fortunately, and miraculously, the night does not end in any broken bones or dislocated limbs. Just a few scrapes here and there. 

And a jeep that refuses to start back up. Everyone tries to chip in and help fix it, some googling what could be wrong with it while Scott and Stiles mess around with the engine and some wires they probably should be leaving alone. 

But when they're taking a break from trying to fix it, and they're just joking around in the snow, Scott and Stiles sitting on the roof of the jeep, just staring up at the stars, it all feels worth it. Especially when the jeeps lights suddenly flash to life after an hour and the engine starts up on its own. Maybe it just wanted the night to last a little longer, like they all did. 

[ankhlesbian]

FE Rarepair Week: Day 3

Prompt: Beginnings/Journeys, for @ferarepair-week

Fandom: FE Fates

Pairing: Setsuna/Hinoka

AO3 Link: Here

Length: ~1k

Title: one step forward

After the war, Hinoka finds herself feeling restless, not sure what to do with herself. Luckily, as always, her loyal retainer and closest friend is there to help.

It almost seems unreal that the war ended so easily, that Hoshido is close allies with Nohr now. It makes Hinoka a little uncomfortable after a lifetime of hating Nohr for taking Corrin away. But Corrin’s back now, and the two countries are allies, and she needs to accept that.

After Ryoma’s coronation, once everything has settled down, she finds herself listless. There isn’t much for the pegasus knights to do anymore, so she throws herself into her training, for hours on end. Ryoma’s busy being a leader, Takumi disappeared to travel the countryside with Corrin, and Sakura’s spearheading the organization nationwide medical treatments. Even Azama is taking to his new post, somewhere on a far border of Hoshido, like a fish to water. He sends letters, sometimes.

Hinoka just trains. Usually alone. The other pegasus knights are happy to have more time to spend with their families, and she doesn’t know where the people she fought beside under Corrin have gone. Nothing can stop her from running through the same training exercises, over and over again, war or no war.

She’s spent her whole life fighting, from being a stubborn child who wanted her sibling back to a stubborn adult who wanted to protect the citizens of her country. Now, to serve her citizens, she spends her time making stuffy public appearances in heavy formal kimonos, holding seiza and drinking bland tea through all sorts of meetings with ambassadors.

She hates it. Intellectually, she knows she’s being useful, but she can’t help but feel antsy. She could be doing anything else. She could join Takumi and Corrin, run amok through Hoshido helping villagers and rebuilding towns. Maybe she should try to pick up healing from Sakura.

She sighs, lowering her naginata and wiping the sweat from her brow. It’s late, and she has to be up early tomorrow to get ready for a meeting with Fuga. She has every intention of going straight to bed like a good little princess, but then she’s hear a crashing noise from nearby the outer walls of the royal compound. There’s probably someone on patrol who’ll handle it, but, well, she can’t just let someone break into the compound when she’s right here.

There’s plenty of shadows to hide in, so she readies her grip on her naginata and creeps forward towards the source of the ruckus. She peers through the trees that skirt the edges of the property, prepared to lunge at the enemy. Except, it’s not the enemy.

“Setsuna?”

Said woman is hanging by one foot from a snare trap tied to a rather sorry looking branch of a tree. Beneath her is a deep pit, full of poisoned spikes. Hinoka’s set more than her fair share of those very same traps, back in the day.

“Oh. Lady Hinoka. It’s been a while.” Setsuna blinks at her placidly, voice amazingly monotone for someone who has only a thin rope keeping them from death. “I’ve had to find my own way out of quite a few traps recently.”

It has been a while. The need for retainers was less high than it had been, and Hinoka had just assumed Setsuna had gone back to her family’s estate. She didn’t even know she was staying in the palace. She’s a terrible friend. Despite the wave of guilt, she can’t help the smile that tugs at her lips.

“Some things never change, huh. I’ll get you down easy.” As she speaks, there’s a crack, and her eyes widen, darting to the branch Setsuna’s dangling from. It’s snapping.

Curses fall from her lips and she drops her naginata, rushing forward. She pushes off the ground just as Setsuna falls, jumping straight over the pit with her arms outstretched. She tumbles to the ground on the other side of the hole, popping to her feet and blowing her hair out of her eyes.

She has Setsuna clutched to her chest, bridal style, one arm under her knees and the other around her back. Setsuna doesn’t even look bothered, though her hair is a mess, spiking up at wild angles. Setsuna’s arms are looped around her neck, and she stares up at Hinoka.

“Thanks, Lady Hinoka. That was a close one.”

“I didn’t realize you were still here.” Hinoka blurts, because she can’t have Setsuna this close and pretend she hasn’t done anything wrong. Setsuna cocks her head.

“Where else would I be?”

Hinoka shrugs, trying to look anywhere other than at Setsuna.

“I dunno. You never were a fan of all the hubbub here.” The capital’s been even more crowded than usual lately, too.

“But you’re here, so here I am.” Setsuna yawns. “You might want to put me down… I might fall asleep… it’s pretty comfy.”

Hinoka blushes, but something in Setsuna’s words distracts her.

“That’s your reason for being here?”

Setsuna looks at her like she’s grown a second head.

“I just mean,” Hinoka fumbles. “Everyone else seems to have found a new purpose. I thought you might’ve moved on, too.”

It would’ve explained why Hinoka hasn’t seen her around. Then again, it’s not like Hinoka was trying to find her.

“I don’t need a new purpose. As long as you’re happy and safe, I’m happy.” She pauses, staring into Hinoka’s eyes. There’s an intensity in them that takes Hinoka off guard, piercing into her mind. “But you’re not happy, are you, Lady Hinoka?”

Hinoka wilts.

“I just feel… useless.” She says lamely. Setsuna’s not like her, never cared for fighting beyond a means to an end. Setsuna cocks her head.

“Does it matter? Lord Ryoma’s taking care of… everything, I suppose. You can do whatever you want. I’ll be right there with you… it’s not like anyone can really tell you what to do anymore.”

That’s the problem. She doesn’t know what she wants, doesn’t know how to want anything outside of protecting people. But.., during the war, there had been times when she thought about other things, hadn’t there? Wanting to soak in the hot springs after a freak thunderstorm drenched the army. Craving sweets when Setsuna complained about the field rations being bitter so she could be happy. Wanting to try street food from festival stalls a princess had never been allowed to go to, mouth watering at Orochi’s vivid descriptions, imagining getting to play festival games and win prizes. Setsuna would probably love a giant stuffed animal.

She smiles down at Setsuna, feeling her heart beating a little faster. Alone, she might still be in a funk, and she still kind of is, but she doesn’t have to do this alone.

“Are you hungry right now, Setsuna? Let’s go misuse royal funds.”

Setsuna sighs dramatically, tightening her grip on Hinoka’s neck. Her neck feels hot, and she resists the urge to rub at it.

“Only if you carry me… My legs are sore from that trap.”

Hinoka rolls her eyes. Her muscles ache from her extended training, but she’s had worse. The guards patrolling can handle resetting the trap, so she leaves it to them, swinging herself over the compound wall to hit the streets in search of greasy food from whatever restaurants are still open at midnight.

[ariphyll]

Weary Eyes Hide Nothing

AO3 Ver

Written for FE Rarepair Week day 2: Patient/Hurt (Takumi/Camilla)

Word Count: 2024

Summary: Being forced to sit around doing nothing was absolutely making Takumi go insane - there was only so much a person could take of their own thoughts. At least he could find a safe haven for the night, if unexpected.

It was one of Takumi’s biggest duties to himself to not get hurt on the battlefield. The fear of death aside, he couldn’t handle being out of commission and useless around camp. What good was he to his family if he couldn’t survive on his own? So, naturally, as was expected when Takumi just needed to be good at something for once, he ended up with a broken leg. It wasn’t even from an enemy - he had simply taken one too many steps back and the ground gave underneath him. A few rolls down a hill and he had landed on his leg wrong with too much force. He didn’t need to be a healer to know that the sharp crack and blinding pain meant he had broken his leg from his carelessness. If he just hadn’t been an idiot this never would’ve happened. While he had managed to be rescued before any vallite soldiers could find him and transported back to Corrin’s tucked away castle, Takumi couldn’t be more unhappy with himself. His frustration only grew when Sakura confirmed the broken bone and, while being able to mend most of it through magic, still put him on bed rest for several weeks. He didn’t want to wait for it to finish mending naturally - he needed to get back out into battle, damn it. His little sister was persistent when needed though, and Ryoma was even more stubborn. He agreed on the down time and that was that. Takumi had to deal with being useless for the next couple of weeks. A part of Takumi tried to explain to himself over and over that it was only because they cared, that his family was worried about him. It made sense right? Worried siblings would want to make sure their brother heals right, of course they would. Yet it didn’t matter to the larger more colder part of Takumi’s mind. The side that whispered nothing but harsh words and blackened insults, and spat at the idea of care. By day two Takumi was positive he was going to go insane if nothing changed. He could only spend so much time with himself before it got too loud in his head and reading only helped him stay distracted for so long. Oboro and Hinata tried to help as best they could but they still had training and work to do. They couldn’t sit around making sure Takumi didn’t drive himself crazy. He had other visitors here and there, but most left quickly. They had things to do and Takumi wasn’t in exactly a good mood to socialize. When Camilla stopped by, he had to admit it was a surprise. The only Nohrians to stop by was Leo and Elise - Leo to play chess and exchange book analysis, Elise to babble at him and try to boost his spirits. Takumi didn’t expect someone like Camilla to come by at all but by the end of the evening she was there. “You seem to be cozy all tucked away in here, Prince Takumi,” Camilla said with a smile. She walked over to sit at the edge of his bed, out of her armor for the night. She wore a simple Nohrian style dress but she still had heels on that clicked against the floor. “Having fun resting?” “Not exactly,” Takumi huffed. He glanced up at Camilla from the book in his hands before returning to it. It was given to him from Leo, and while written in Nohrian and causing him to struggle to translate it, it was holding his interest well. Camilla hummed to herself and looked around his room. Her face fell into a frown once she noticed his half eaten dinner. “Not hungry tonight?” To be truthful, Takumi had been having a hard time not gagging at the thought of food so he had just opted to set it aside. “Uh, I got busy reading I guess...” “It’s not good to skip meals,” Camilla chided. “How else are you going to heal? The bags under your eyes also tell me you haven’t been sleeping.” Takumi left the sleeping comment alone. He didn’t know how to tackle that one without having to explain his nightmares. “I'm pretty sure I can survive one meal.” “I have half a mind to forcibly feed you myself.” Takumi huffed. “Princess Camilla, I’m not going to starve from one meal - and would you stop trying to feed me? What are you even here for?” “I just wanted to check up on you. I’ve been meaning to but Xander has needed me for this and that the past few days.” Camilla ran a hand through her hair. How she managed to keep it so clean and perfect in the middle of a war was beyond him. Takumi nodded. “You’re certainly not obligated to see me. I’m sure you have more important duties than seeing some lousy Prince.” “But I do count this as important,” Camilla said. “You’re a dear friend to me, Prince Takumi, I want to make sure you’re doing alright.” “Well, I’m breathing so that should be enough for you.” A part of Takumi was getting more irritated by the moment, and it was getting difficult to not lash out. He didn’t need to make the tensions between Nohr and Hoshido flare up again because he couldn't control his mouth. “Hmm…” Camilla paused, staring at him. She crossed her legs and rested her head against her hand. “Are you sure you’re alright, dear?” Takumi’s grip on the book’s pages tightened. “Yes, Princess Camilla. Is there anything else you need?” Camilla was quiet for a moment before standing. At first Takumi thought she was finally going to leave, but before he could say a word she was sitting down next to him and pressing against his side. She reached her arms around and pulled Takumi’s head to her chest, squeezing him close. Oh gods, this couldn’t be happening. While soft and warm, having his face pressed against Camilla’s breasts was not what Takumi needed right now. He prayed to whatever god could be listening to not have anyone come in. He didn’t need rumors to spread around and then have an angry older brother breaking down his door. No, he enjoyed his body only having one broken bone for the moment. Though he couldn’t break free of Camilla’s grip no matter how much he squirmed, trapped by her strong arms. “Princess Camilla,” Takumi said, voice slow and even. “Would you please release me from your chest.” “Now, now, don’t get all shy,” Camilla said. “You need to relax.” “I don’t think this is the way to go about this. In fact I would probably be more relaxed if you let me go.” Camilla chuckled. “Just relax dear.” She started to run a hand through his hair, working out all the knots that had built up over the day with gentle ease. Whatever argument Takumi had against this started to break apart at the touch. Camilla’s fingers were cool and felt nice against his skin, leaving sharp trails wherever they touched. Takumi sighed. “Is this really necessary?” “You don’t seem to be relaxing any other way,” Camilla said. “Just let yourself enjoy this.” “The least I could be doing is studying up on strategic theory or something, not letting you pet me like an animal,” Takumi mumbled, unable to help tilting his head as she grazed by his neck. “I’m useless like this so I might as well try to be productive somehow.” Camilla hummed again but the sound was hard and firm. “You’re far from useless, Takumi, you just need to have some patience.” The drop of his title turned the conversation to a different tone, one Takumi couldn’t quite decipher alone. “Your leg will heal and then you’ll be back to being the best archer we have.” “False flattery isn’t necessary,” Takumi grumbled. “I’m not a child in need of his pride being stroked.” “I’m not treating you like a child - although children do refuse to sleep and eat.” A playful tone had taken to Camilla’s voice. “I just want you to relax. Drop your fears for a while.” Takumi grimaced, and tried to pull away again. “Don’t mock me.” “I’m not mocking you.” Camilla’s voice had gone hard again, her arms not budging against his pulling. “Simply telling you to relax. Do I need someone to make a sleeping draught for you?” So much of Takumi was begging to start a fight. Energy buzzed throughout him and over his skin as every inch of his body wanted to lash out, move, do something. Camilla’s arms made it hard though, and the constant brush through his hair made it harder. It was soft and rhythmic, and the part of him that wasn’t screaming inside wanted to comply and do as Camilla said. Rest and enjoy it. “Why are you even bothering with this?” Takumi asked, letting his eyes close. “There’s no point.” “If it gets you to quiet down for a while, I think it has a good purpose,” Camilla said. “Berating yourself is good for nothing but wearing yourself down. At this rate you’ll end up not back to a hundred percent before fighting and will just end up hurt again.” Takumi gritted his teeth. “Well, I would just love to stop but I think I would’ve by now if I could.” Camilla sighed. “I know. But for at least tonight try and relax. Focus on nothing more than right now.” It was tempting, it was so tempting to try and follow Camilla’s advice. A night of rest without a constant thrum running through his body would be wonderful. Before he knew it he was timing his breaths with hers, and letting himself focus on her touch.  Her nails were sharp but feather-light against his skin. It was easier to ignore the urges like this. The pent up frustration telling him to lash out. Takumi started to find a pattern to Camilla's movements. “All you need is patience,” Camilla said. “A bit of patience and you’ll be fine soon. Your leg will heal and… you can work on the rest.” “Don’t belittle me over this. I don’t need to be reminded I hold a child’s fears.” “They are not a child’s fears because you are not a child. You are just a man who has stronger fears than others.” Camilla adjusted to push Takumi into a more upright position. She leaned in to press a kiss to the corner of his mouth. “Do you feel better now?” Takumi could tell he was blushing. He knew it and yet he couldn’t stop it from happening. He chose to divert his eyes instead. “Uh- yeah?” He didn’t mean to phrase it as a question, but to be fair he was a little unsure on where everything was going here. He didn't have much time to focus on the women surrounding him, and that included Camilla. However, he's not going to look a gift horse in the mouth if he's being given one. Camilla laughed, voice high and airy. “Would you like me to stay here for the night, Takumi?” He almost said no. His gut instinct to any kind of help or aid - no, always no. Yet Camilla’s face was too soft for that. Too warm with her smile for Takumi to say no. He starting to realize he was almost powerless here. “If… you want, I guess.” “I’ll take that as a yes.” Camilla let out another small laugh before bringing Takumi close again, lying them back down onto the bed and wrapping her arms around him. The running motion through his hair started up again. After a while, Takumi managed to let himself fall into a doze and curl up closer to Camilla. ‘Patience’ she has urged him. It would require patience for all of his wounds to heal, but at the moment the task wasn’t as daunting as it usually was. Right now, he couldn't even focus on something like that. Only the soft fingers running through his hair and down his back. His breathing fell back in time with Camilla's.