#and we’re pampering them both (separately) | Explore Tumblr posts and blogs

starshipsofstarlord · 4 years ago

Note

Hey! Could I request a fic where the reader and Bucky like each other and she has to pretend she’s Zemo’s girlfriend for the Madripor mission? Bucky gets jealous and all that jazz and they confess their feelings :)

Madripoor Muse

Pairing | Bucky Barnes x reader

Summary | Bucky harbours feelings for you, but despite Sam’s inflatable encouragement, refuses to inform you of them. However, seeing you pretend to be Zemo’s girlfriend whilst on a mission, more so when the criminal knows what strings he is pulling at, happens to infuriate him inevitably.

Warnings | jealousy, violence, references to sex work (there is nothing wrong with it, everyone is free to do what they want or need to do to get by, angst, mentions of death, grief, smut, unprotected sex, fluff, swearing

Quick link to my masterlist, if you’re interested in reading more of my crap 😬

“I mean, if he looks like a pimp, then I look like one of his workers.” Sam snorted at your words, as Bucky’s eyes trailed down the skin that was exposed through the small piece of fabric, that in modern days, was considered a dress.

Zemo simply sighed at the pair of you, shaking his head as though the former winter soldier would understand his point. “It’s Madripoor, not an american graduation. You are not going to be clothed in long robes in this place, expression is in the body, and how it is clothed.”

“Or not clothed.” Bucky retorted, frowning at how you shuffled beneath the criminal’s gaze, crossing your arms, which definitely did not help the situation, considering that it did nothing more than make your breasts rise. Admitting defeat, you let them fall, holding them to your sides, outlining your hips, which once more, was not how you wished to be portrayed as you walked through the illuminated air, careful to keep pace in your heels.

“We all have a part to play, winter soldier.” Helmut spoke, his accent causing waves to ripple through the euphoria of lights that lay up ahead. “I am me, you are you, Sam is the Smiling Tiger, and...”

“I’m a hooker?” Once more, Zemo showed disappointment, pinching the bridge of his nose as he turned to you. It seemed that tonight, you, a smart and well coordinated avenger, was absolutely adoring testing his patience, but that was his trick.

He was the captive here, forced to help the forsaken superheroes that had prompted him with the idea of escaping from the government’s ensured facility. And it was without a doubt that he would mess with their minds each chance that he got.

“No, think of yourself as more personalised to one person than that y/n. Your as you people say ‘arm candy’.” He used quotations with his fingers, causing you to reach for Sam’s arm to assume the role. “Oh no, not his.” Zemo made a come here motion, making you gulp.

“You’re kidding, right?” Bucky huffed, glaring unimpressed towards the Baron, who only tutted in reply, implying that he indeed was serious. “This is stupid.”

“Stupid would be allowing this hurrah of new age super soldiers to continue their war path, don’t you think James?” Zemo asked condescendingly, holding his arm out for you to grasp onto, so that you would look more than an associate, or a serum induced bodyguard.

“Me posing as your sugar baby is stupid.” You muttered, as you walked, Bucky on look out behind you, as he glared frustratedly at where you and the mass murderer were touching.

Zemo tugged you by the arm for the comment, causing you to roll your eyes at the man that had tried his best and succeeded, at destroying your team; your family. Nevertheless, you followed his stride, well aware of the sharp eyes of the man behind you.

As you entered the club, a spectrum of blue lights illuminated your skin, as you stared around in wander. There was a variety of all didn’t people, born from different virtues, wealths and races all intermingling around in the space.

If Zemo didn’t have a leash on your arm, you’d have stared for a little longer, perhaps even gotten purposely lost in the sea of bodies that flashed with such ambition and prospect. All were designed to suit their surroundings, and you wished that you could fit in that easily too.

But you were lost, roped into this journey by the Falcon, the man that denied Steve’s wishes and passed on the shield to firmer hands, still uncertain of where you were planning on going. What you needed was a fight, a reason to keep roaming upon the earth. If you came up empty, you may have well have taken up Thor’s offer, and accompanied him with his new friends.

The avengers were disbanded, dotted with different services. You’d heard nothing from Wanda, it appeared that her phone had been cut off, leaving you gravely confused, but you understood that she needed time to mourn. But you couldn’t give yourself the same pampering, if you did so, then all purpose of life would slip through your fingers, and you’d be left vulnerable, a hero that willingly fell from their graces.

Finally you reached the bar, with the shadow of the winter soldier hovering over your shoulder, watching as Zemo’s untrustworthy hand trailed along your furthest collarbone, using it as his sway to grab your attention. He set his sights upon his touch, glaring harshly at it.

No one would question the expression that he wore, it was only natural for his reputation to be proceeded with such a dagger like gaze; he was supposed to be playing the killer that he once was after all.

“My lady, what would you like to drink?” Helmut asked, turning your gaze towards his, gripping your chin between his thumb and forefinger, forbidding you from even try to look away from his sly eyes.

“White wine will do the trick, my love.” The words felt like spew falling from your mouth, but you withheld the impulse to grimace, instead, flashing him a flirtatious smile, fanning his face with your eyelashes as you were still held to face him.

“Fine choice.” He smirked, nodding towards the bartender, who had just presented the Smiling Tiger imposter with a shot that had the intestines of a snake floating around in its liquid. Out of the corner of your eye, you watched as Sam hesitated to drink it for a moment, before throwing it down the hatch, treating it as an old trick.

Madripoor, for an island trapped in violence, didn’t appear that bad on the outside. That was, until the shooting began, causing the lot of you to leg it from the citizens targeting their rifled hardware towards you, running with your lives depending on it.

You had temporarily lost Zemo, as you put head your own safety, your pace and spot being just between Sam and Bucky, as the first man’s arms flailed as he insisted that he could not run in the heels that he was wearing. Huh, you’d be running in heels all your life, maybe he shoulda learned how to do so earlier, it came as a great talent.

Gunshots rang out, as a hooded figure unveiled themselves, introducing the older face of a blonde that you had once knew. It had been quite some time since you had last seen her, all having gone your separate ways to evade the law, and its cruel jurisdiction. “Sharon?” Bucky spoke, instantly recognising the woman that had aided them in the past.

Once you were all reintroduced, and met with her annoyance, which was surely understandable, she led you to her property, where you were able to part from the Sokovian, and share your distaste to the man, as well as remove the skimpy dress.

It pooled at your feet as you tossed it from your ankle, leaving you in nothing more than your underwear. As you squinted, searching for some reason that you were continuing with this foolishness of thinking that the world still considered you a hero, an echo of a knock rattled against the door. It was metal upon wood; Bucky.

“Come in.” You spoke, as you tied a spare robe around your waist, watching as the super soldier, who appeared less stoic, and more human stepped into the room, closing the door behind his emerging shadow. “You alright man?”

Bucky’s eyes drifted down for a moment, before they splintered back up towards your face, his jaw physically tensing, the notion well visible. He breathed in a long breath through his nose, as he stepped closer, his brow harsh and lined upon his forehead.

“I didn’t like Zemo putting his filthy hands on you.” He admitted aloud, the words of Sharon, teasing him for pining after someone that he had once thought of as no more than a friend of Steve’s. But now that man was gone, and so was the one that he used to be. Instead, he was left standing on his own feet, having to find balance by himself somehow.

“Neither did I.” You informed him. “It was like he was pulling back the images of his collapsing country, pouring every ounce of pain and hatred upon me, evading my mind with guilt, and the memories of what it all amounted to. None of it had been worth it, living like this. We’re treated like animals, no longer idols or heroes, people under the big thumb that keeps pressing down on us.”

“Well we’re both pressed down, limited to our rules and the outlines they want us to obey.” He nodded, raising his flesh hand to your collarbone, wanting to mark his touch upon it to remove that of Zemo’s. At his action, your breath hitched, but you allowed him to sweep his pads over the flesh, shuffling indefinitely closer so that you were chest to chest.

“We’re dangerous in their eyes. That’s a mindset they have in common with our prisoner out there.” You whispered, frowning from the thought. Two monarchies, one still whilst the other already fallen, served the same opinions, though, only one could continue to take action. Zemo was a Baron, but of what country now?

Like all, his home had been vanquished into smithereens, the foundations collapsing into rubble, the history disappearing with its lands, having thrown its dusty remnants in your face.

“I’m fine with being considered dangerous so long as I’m not alone.” He pinched your chin, tilting your head, this time though, you felt in his grasp. It didn’t belong to that of an enemy, it was one of an ally, a friend. “Tell me I’m not alone y/n.”

“I’m here James.” You stared up at him with focused pools, biting your lip as your mind went haywire over everything. “The Wakandans will come for him, you do realise that, right?” He hummed in reply, briskly bringing his metal hand to toy with the belt of the white wrap around.

“Do you think that you could show me that I’m not alone?” He nervously asked, shuffling his weight from foot to foot, as he awaited a reply. But instead of words, he earned himself the sensation of your lips upon his, collaborating in a touch starved jumble of grunts. “You’re beautiful, like...”

“Like what Barnes?” You prompted, brushing your palms onto his shoulders, easing his tenseness. Expectedly, you watched him through half lidded eyes as you leant up to plant supple kisses upon his neck, sucking his skin into your mouth, as though you were trying to thread it gently with your teeth.

“A muse.” He sighed, thinking for a momentum, before dragging your hair through his vibranium fist, lightly grinning as he heard your breath wither from the sensation. “A beautiful muse, one that reminds me to be better everyday. I want to become someone better for you.”

“You shouldn’t.” You unlatched your mouth from him, frowning lightly at the brunette man. “You should become better for nobody but yourself Buck, each day, it’s about self growth, fixing everything that you have ever been taught so that you can learn to do better next time, so that no one else will die because of your expense.”

Bucky nodded, allowing your words to sink in. His fingers returned to playing with the waist band on your robe, his eyes gazing into your own, as he fiddled with the material. “Can I?”

“Go ahead.” You granted him permission, allowing him to push the coverage from you, his eyes widening at seeing you in nothing more than your underwear. His sight traced every curve and bump and dip that was upon your shape, licking his dry lips to make his gawking less subtle.

“You’re killing me doll.” He leant his head back, as he raked his contrasting fingertips down your shoulders, all the way to the small of your back. You smirked, grasping him through his jeans, earning yourself a moan from the elder man.

“I said it’s all about self growth, didn’t I? It seems that you are taking that in quite a literal sense.” You rubbed him through the denim, finding it unsurprising as the man backed you towards the bed, your knees hitting the end sending you falling onto the mattress.

Bucky crawled his way atop of you, rutting his hips against your own. It had been so long since he had been permitted to be this free, and he knew for sure, this would be a secret that he would not inform any therapist of. This was private, the sentiment making it close to his weathered heart.

His lips returned to your own, as your hands scaled beneath your shirt, lightly tracing the scars. He wasn’t as insecure as he thought he’d be about someone touching them, perhaps it was because many of your own materialised stories were written in your skin, or that you understood what it meant to be a soldier, serving under orders.

It didn’t matter too much, he wasn’t overthinking it. Instead, he was yearning as he grasped at the straps of your bra, trying to pull it over your head, as was done with the dames back in his day, but the effort seemed more difficult. Lightly leaning away from him, you reached around your back, unclamping the contraption before tossing it out of his sight.

He didn’t care to ask what the modern day had done to the garment, he was far too focused on your pert nipples, and how they stood to attention before him. The super soldier reached forwards, running his smooth hands upon the underneath of your breasts, before interacting with the present buds, softly tugging at them with his whimsical fingers.

“You’re wearing too many clothes.” Released from you as a sign, instantly becoming pleased as Bucky stripped himself from everything but his underwear, leaving a nest of his clothes upon the wooden floor, as he leant his head down, capturing your left nipple within the warmth of his mouth, moaning lightly as your hands weaved through his locks, tugging lightly at the short roots. “Stop teasing Buck.”

He didn’t miss the way your eyes roll from the slowness of motions, and thus, he reached down, and snapped the band of your underwear, the ripping noise audible, as he then pulled his boxers down, revealing his bobbing cock, that was directing its tip towards your entrance.

With a glance down, he lightly drooled at the way your cunt clenched around nothing, quickly swiping his fingers through your slit, as he brought them up to his lips, humming contently at the flavour that graced his tastebuds. “Need to be in you doll.”

“Need you in me soldier.” You taunted back, digging your knuckles into his shoulders as you pressed him against you, pushing your tongue into his mouth, as he suddenly bottomed out inside of you, waiting for a moment for the pair of you to adjust to the sensations.

He was in you, filling you to the brim, as you tucked your heels into the base of his back, lightly rotating your hips up, as your tongue chased his own, sucking on it as you nipped at the end, causing him to unintentionally jerk his rigid cock into you.

That had prompted him to start moving, screwing his hands into the satin sheets either side of your head, as your bodies succumbed the others to waves of pleasure. It was a luxury, having an outlet to all the stress that your duty brought. If you could just pass the mantle on like Steve had done, and Clint was in the process of doing, you would.

But it was all you had known; the gritty route, that had spanned the entirety of your tale. And Bucky now became a part of it, as he became a part of you, unravelling your vulnerabilities with sleek thrusts into your cunt, and smooth words that had swept you from your feet and had landed you in a bed.

A bed thats structure was creaking from the strength behind the animalistic carnage that you spent on one another. His teeth pulled at your lip, opening your mouth so that you could use him as an oxygen mask. Neither one of you had noticed the door opened, and an unimpressed Sharon standing in the entry way, her agent arms crossed unamused.

She cleared her throat, which made Bucky still inside of you, and you to clutch onto his back, to cover the decency of your chest. “You let me go on the run, then you fuck in my bed. It’s like I’m not allowed to belong anywhere.”

“Sharon-“ she halted your speech by raising a finger, her eyebrows pointedly telling you not to bother trying to speak, as sweat beading down your body. Bucky subtly rolled from atop of you, quickly pulling the sheets over you both, giving Sharon views that she neither wanted nor appreciated.

That was grittiness, she was a hustler, not a once avenger. A part of you wished she would understand that, as much as it would be painful to hear, she hadn’t been the top of anyone’s list. She had disappeared, and from so, she had became unreachable, practically falling off the face of the earth.

But she had been here, in Madripoor, the island of bones and whatever else Zemo had described it to be. “You two fucked in my bed. Okay.” She remained cool headed, her eyes trailing through the various fabrics among her floor. “Thought I’d tell you to get ready, and to blend in, though you two have that part already figured out. There’s some clothes in the wadrobe, and from what I can tell, you’re going to need new underwear.”

She bothered no longer once she had informed you of what she had told the other men. Instead she simply left, only for you to brace your head back into the quality pillows, slumping, and dreading the journey ahead.

Though you seemed restless, Bucky still thought of you as a muse. His hands grasped your chin, leading your lips to his own, as he sucked on your bottom one, his right hand grasping one of your breasts, as he pulled you atop of him, your skin flushed as you steadied your weight over his tough thighs.

“Now this is a dangerous sight.” He clicked his teeth, trailing his large hand down from your jaw, surpassing the middle of your chest, to your hip, which he grasp, as he shuffled you up just a little, so that you were seated upon the base of his cock.

“I can show you dangerous Barnes.” You smirked, adjusting the both of you so you were ready to sink down on his length. Your hands softly stroked his erect shaft, as you tapped his tip upon your pussy, before pushing down, filling yourself up one more.

Madripoor was a bad place, but good things could come out of visiting the skull island. This was the job, though, breaks were prompted, and were you glad that Bucky had became your little bit of calm in the arising trouble in the world.

“Fuck.” He groaned beneath you, his balls clenching as he felt you writhe all the way down to his base, beginning to bounce upon him, the years of training that you had endorsed coming in handy as it had helped your stamina. He was a super soldier after all, you were surely going to need it.

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ack3rlady · 3 years ago

Text

The Universe Had His Back - Chapter 7

Summer

Chapters: Six | Seven

Master List

Warnings: Fluff, Fluff and more Fluff

Word Count: ~2.74k

Inspiration: Don't Go - Exo

A/N: And with this chapter, I conclude this series. Thank you for all the love you all gave my baby project!

Tags: @sooibian, @queenofcurse, @red-n-tall, @badbitxhbuckybarnes , @sweet-assh0le

‘Why am I nervous? We've done much more than just kiss. For fucks sake! I'm the mother of his child.’

You took a few deep breaths to calm yourself down before pushing the cart from behind your truck towards the large glass doors of the café. You had offered to take today’s batch of bread and pastries to Levi’s to snag a chance to see him, much to Mikasa’s annoyance.

“Oi, brat! You’re late.”, Levi remarked without looking up from his laptop when the bell above the door rang with your entrance, expecting her to have finally arrived.

“Levi, I’m so sorry! I made an impromptu decision to come here instead of Mikasa and -”, you emerged from behind the lofty stack of boxes.

Your hair was up in a messy bun, you were panting from hauling the weight and the resultant perspiration made you glow. Your continual rambling about why you were late, instantly gave him a feeling of Déjà vu, hurling him eight years back in time to the morning when he first laid his eyes on you. Mirroring that day, he couldn’t focus on anything you were saying, gawking at you with unblinking eyes given how stupefied he was by the sight before his eyes and the sound of your voice.

“Levi? Are you listening?”, you waved your hand in front of his face, disrupting the mental movie playing in his head.

“Huh? Oh, y-yeah. Hi.” he shook his head vigorously and blinked a few times to bring himself back to the present.

Both a blushing mess, you stood by the entrance to the cafe, smiling at each other like two smitten high-schoolers.

“Are you finally back together?”, a shriek from the opposite end of the seating area made your ears ring.

The cacophony was loud enough that Erwin’s head immediately peaked out of his office; his face riddled with confusion. Both your necks snapped towards the source - Hange was running in your direction with the brightest grin on their face. Every head in the room was turned towards you. Eren and other new members of staff at the café, Armin, Jean, Sasha and Connie were slack jawed with their gaping eyes fixed on you after being subjected to this abrupt and unnecessary announcement. One look from Levi sent them scrambling back to work.

“Fucking four-eyes.” he mumbled as they came closer.

“I knew it! You lovebirds couldn’t stay apart for long!”, they squealed with joy enveloping you both in an spontaneous group hug, not giving Levi an opportunity to flinch away.

“Shhh! Calm down, Hange! We’re not back together. Yet.”, you tugged on their hands trying to free yourself from their clasp.

Levi's eyes met and stayed on yours when you uttered the last word, the way his heart fluttered at the sound of it clearly reflecting on his face.

Yet.

“But you were together last night. You have both put in way too much effort in your appearances today. And the color on Short-stack's cheeks can be spotted from Mars! What am I missing here?”, they observed, unaware of the heat rising within their two friends thinking about their final moments together at the Ackerman home yesterday.

Always the perceptive one, Hange. They weren’t entirely wrong. You did spend forty minutes in your closet hunting for the one floral lemon-yellow dress that Levi loved seeing you in; piling on deodorant while simultaneously cursing the hot summer. You picked your reflection in the mirror apart for way too long, fiddling with the necklace he bought you ages ago while rehearsing what you would say to him.

By the looks of it, he did too. He looked oh-so handsome today. Granted, he always did. But today was different. He wore your favorite navy-blue button-down shirt with slate grey slacks, sleeves folded to reveal his toned fore arms, and the top two buttons left open to aid with the sweltering heat; or was it because he knew that it made you weak in the knees when he wore his shirts that way? And his cheeks and ears were definitely a brighter shade of pink than the raspberry compote on the cheesecake you brought.

He stood pinching the bridge of his nose, his breathing starting to speed up. You figured it was his attempt at suppressing the strong urge to smack the grin right off Hange’s face.

“Hange, I promise, I’ll give you all the details later. But for now, Levi and I have things to discuss.”, you pulled him away before he could act on his impulse.

Taking a seat at the table by the large bay window, kissed by the morning sun, you watched the city slowly rise awake with your cheek resting on the palm of your hand. Levi, who was walking back from the kitchen with a cup of tea for himself and a caramel latte for you, stopped in his tracks to mentally frame this image. It was as if you were a different person than who he met over the last two days.

There were no signs of the anxious but adoring mother from yesterday nor the bewildered, pained ex-wife from the day before; you were the same clumsy, moody, garrulous, as well as kind, selfless and mesmerizing woman he fell madly in love with when you walked in through the doors of this very place eight years ago. How could one person flood his heart with a barrage of different emotions this way?

You acknowledged him with a soft ‘hi’ accompanied by a smile when he sat down on the chair opposite to you, nervous about the forthcoming conversation. You stole occasional glances at each other while sipping your beverages, hesitating to be the one to say the first word.

“Do you hate me?”, he asked out of the blue, his gaze locked on his cup.

“No! Why would you think that?”

“Uh- you obviously had a chance to think about what I said to you after going home last night. Why would you possibly want to still see me?”

“Well, I’m here, aren't I? I want to work on us if you’re willing to try as well, Levi. I want to see where this takes us.”, you smiled, placing your hand on his.

"Me too."

Four months later

The day of Suki and Furlan's wedding was finally here. The venue was set, guests had arrived and you were busy helping the bride get ready for her special day, having spent all morning with her, Isabel and the other bridesmaids in the bridal suite, chatting away in excitement and anticipation for the day ahead.

“Honestly speaking, Suki, I’d have a hard time keeping my hands off you if I were Furlan”, you teased while draping the veil into her hair, causing her to bury her face into her palms.

“You’re one to talk! Levi has been looking for reasons to see you all morning. I had to turn him away thrice already. I'm pretty sure he is going to murder me after the wedding is over.”, Isabel shot back with a smirk.

The last four months had been nothing short of a whirlwind. After that morning at the cafe, having breakfast with Levi turned into a routine. He brought Luna along on most days, and the three of you spent time chatting and admiring the toddler’s antics over tea and scones while sitting at your usual table by the bay window. Sometimes you’d have her accompany you to the patisserie to give Levi a much-deserved break.

Everyone there was enamored with the little firecracker. Her Uncle Miche had always been her favorite because the gentle giant ferried her around the large kitchen on his shoulders. Bertholdt and Reiner would happily comply to all the orders their mini boss belted out. Annie, although a little awkward around her, listened intently to her endless stories; Mikasa secretly pampered her with numerous treats even after several warnings from you, and Nanaba would fuss over her all the time and try to keep the little one all to herself, earning protests from the others.

The evenings varied between taking Luna to the park or the pier, or just spending time indoors at your place or his. You even celebrated her fourth birthday two weeks ago. All your friends and family, along with some little friends the birthday girl had made at the park were invited. You spent a beautiful evening in the backyard of your house around a bonfire, with a delectable meal and wonderful company.

Levi especially made sure you knew that you were being wooed by taking you out on date nights every now-and-then to the finest of restaurants, walks on the beach, to the drive-in theater a few miles outside your town, or star gazing from your favorite spot up the nearby hill. You both were working through your differences and had barely had any disagreements during the time spent together. Things were slowly falling in place; in fact, this newly re-built relationship with him felt much stronger than ever before.

The flashback ended when the wedding planner knocked on the door indicating it was time for the ceremony to begin. You, Isabel, and the other bridesmaids ushered Suki to her designated spot, making sure her dress, hair, make up and flowers looked perfect.

Standing at the altar by Furlan’s side as his best man, Levi was relieved that he would finally be seeing you soon after being apart all morning. Lately, the two of you spent most of your time together; and this sudden separation had him feeling restless.

On cue, the two harpists seated on either side of the rows began to play heavenly tune of ‘A Thousand Years’ by Christina Perry, a prompt for the bride’s party to start making their way towards the altar. He watched patiently as bridesmaids accompanied by groomsmen walked down the aisle, waiting for you to finally appear. He almost forgot to breathe when your form eventually entered the nave, walking a short distance behind Isabel and one of Furlan’s friends.

You wore the emerald gown from your encounter with him at the store four months ago, and looked a million times more beautiful this morning. Your usually open hair was tied into an elegant loose braid with some curly strands framing your face. The sun rays falling on your silhouette from the towering stained-glass windows of the church made you look like an angel descending solely upon him. He finally began breathing again when you smiled at him and mouthed “breathe”, after taking your position at the altar.

Levi only peeled his eyes away from you when Luna’s giggles reverberated off the stone walls as she waddled down the aisle, scattering petals of baby pink roses, about the same shade has her chubby cheeks, on the ivory carpet. You wiped a stray tear rolling down your face as you both proudly watched her play the part of a flower girl with utmost perfection. Upon making it to the end, she ran to you and buried her face in your gown, suddenly feeling shy from the cheers and applause she received from the smitten guests.

You instantly scooped her up and held her close, letting her nuzzle into the crook of your neck, cooing sweet words of encouragement into her ears. Levi was so taken by this divine scene before him that he failed to notice the bride's much awaited walk down the aisle; surprised to directly find Suki standing at the altar, facing Furlan with her lips curved into the widest smile before his attention found you and Luna again.

He lost track of how long he was marveling at his two perfect girls for, until he felt an elbow harshly crash into his ribs, knocking the wind out of his lungs.

“Is this revenge for your wedding?”, Furlan frowned.

Levi blankly stared at him, having no clue what he was talking about

“Ring, Levi!”, the fuming groom growled.

Oh, right. He pursed his lips in embarrassment melting under the scrutiny of the baffled guests while he handed over the ring that was in the safety of his blazer’s pocket. His eyes darted towards an alarmed Suki and silently apologized to her. Then his gaze moved back to you, an impish smirk on your face as you stared back at him, knowing exactly what was going on in his mind.

Fuck! Furlan was not going to let this go for a long time.

Luna had lost interest in the festivities midway through the nuptials and had fallen asleep in your arms. After the ceremony, when everyone began to make their way outside the chapel, Levi swiftly moved over to walk beside you and offered to carry the snoozing toddler. You groaned after her weight left your body, stretching your sore shoulders and aching back .

“Stop that. You have no idea how hard it is to control myself from jumping your bones, especially when you look this gorgeous.”, Levi whispered in your ear, snaking an arm around your waist.

You glanced around awkwardly making sure his words did not fall on any prying ears and gave him a quick smack on the shoulder, trying to suppress the heat creeping up your neck.

Time skip – Evening

The wedding reception was underway. You sat at a table sipping lemonade, watching the newlyweds grooving to the beats of music being played by DJ Zeke. Levi swapped his usual glass of Macallan for a cup of ginger lemon tea; His reason being that his throat was sore from carrying out best man duties. But you knew he was just being supportive of your goal to stay off alcohol.

Erwin and Hange sat by the bar, socializing with Furlan’s Boss, Mr. Pyxis while Luna was busy playing duck-duck-goose with some new toddler friends she made at the venue. Levi needed to be physically restrained from ambushing Isabel who he had discovered slow dancing with the same groomsman that walked alongside her at the ceremony. Miche and Nanaba were spotted in a rare public embrace, dancing leisurely to the slow music; and your army of helpers consisting of Eren, Mikasa, Armin, Jean, Sasha, Connie, Reiner, Bertholdt and Annie took the lead on setting up tables as yours and Levi’s patisserie and café were the official caterers for the evening.

The choice of DJ Zeke's next track brought a sparkle to your eyes. Your smile spread from ear to ear when ‘Fly me to the Moon' by Frank Sinatra emanated from the speakers. You sang along and began swaying cheerfully in your seat to the melody.

“Remember, Levi? This was the song we had our first dance to at our wedding.” you reminisced; a nostalgic smile spread across your face.

“How can I forget?”, he asked.

His eyes were unfocused, lost in memories of his own. He remembered how ethereal you looked in your white wedding dress. How your diamond jewelry shimmered under the spotlight, how you whispered honeyed words into his ears when he felt exceptionally uncomfortable dancing in public, how warm your hands felt wrapped around his body, how your breath tickled his neck. He’d give anything just to go back and relive that moment.

You gaze was still lost among people enjoying themselves on the dance floor when a stretched-out hand entered your line of vision. Your eyes followed it to land on Levi’s face. A quirk in your eyebrows wordlessly asked him what this action meant.

“Let's dance.”, he said.

“You, Levi Ackerman, are willingly asking me to dance? Did someone spike your tea?” You smirked, earning an eye roll from him.

“Oi, brat! Let’s go before I change my mind.”

“Only if you ask nicely.”

“May I have this dance with you, my love?”

You accepted and the pair of you headed towards the dance floor. He gently pulled you close to him and firmly held on to your hand. His other hand wrapped firmly around your waist and you rested yours on his shoulder. You both moved to the slow rhythm in perfect harmony, as you drowned in those gorgeous blue-grey eyes. It felt like the world around you had dissolved and it was just the two of you and the music.

“You look nice today. I see you bought the same gray suit you hated with a fiery passion.”, you teased.

“How could I not after you said you liked it?”

You looked over his shoulder to Suki and Furlan flashing you a wide grin from across the dance floor. And so did Hange, Miche and Nanaba from over that the bar. Erwin gently raised his drink in your direction. The heat from the from the sudden metaphorical spot light you stood under was cooled by the kiss Levi planted on your cheek.

“Did I tell you how lucky I feel to have you?”, he whispered into your ear as while brushing strands of hair off your face.

“I could stand to hear it more often.”, You hid your blush by resting your forehead on his shoulder, feeling too shy to keep his gaze.

“It's true. You’re the most beautiful woman is this room tonight, scratch that, you’ll be the most beautiful woman anywhere, any day; and I get the honor of calling you mine.” he cooed, drawing gentle circles on your back with his fingers.

“You’re awfully talkative today!”, you lifted your head again to reveal a contagious coy smile spread across your lips.

“Don’t be stupid. I’ve always been talkative.”,

“Come with me.”, he moved you off his chest and tugged at your hand.

“Where?”, you asked in utter confusion, and a bit of annoyance at the wonderful moment being ruined, just to receive silence in response.

Levi quickly glanced over to find Luna munching on garlic bread sticks with Erwin and Hange, as he guided you away from the venue and towards the lake nearby. The ripples in the water gleamed under the moonlight, resembling liquid silver. Warm yellow light from the lamps on either side of a wooden dock dimly illuminated the path that led to a gorgeous gazebo that stood at the end, its ceiling sprinkled with fairy lights that defined the intricate floral carvings in the wood. You stood in the center of the structure and slowly spun around, marveling at the work of whose ever brilliant hands built it.

“Levi, this is stunning!”, you said gazing in all directions, running your fingers over the sophisticated engravings.

“Yes, it is.”, Levi agreed, his eyes not on the architecture, but instead on the human embodiment of radiant sunny day that stood by his side.

Not remotely expecting anything to outshine the sight before you, your vision was captured by an extravagant display of red, green, and gold against the dark blanket of the night’s sky. You jumped when the sound of the first soaring explosion caught you off guard. An arm slid across your waist and a kiss was placed on your temple. You were enamored by the shattering sparks of the fireworks, eliciting frequent oohs and aahs, until a voice snapped you out of your reverie.

“Marry me.”

It took you a few seconds to fully register what you just heard. But when you did, overwhelming feelings of joy rendered you speechless; fingers absentmindedly running over the carved railing of the gazebo, stunned orbs darting between the brilliant sky and the love of your life.

This time Levi had to remind you to breathe.

Your eyes and lips both turned into wide Os, and you slapped your hands to cover your gaping mouth when he slowly lowered himself to kneel before you, opening a little black box containing the same gorgeous ruby ring from all those years ago, which he sneaked out of your nightstand during one of his visits.

“I know that you said you wanted to take this slow. But the last four months with you have been the most precious of my life, where I got a glimpse of what having a perfect family would be like. I learnt the hard way, what I lost when I lost you and you gave me a second chance at finding happiness when you decided to come back. I promise to love and protect you every single day for the rest of my life, and even after. You complete me, love, and you complete our family. So, will you do me the honor of being Mrs. Ackerman, again?”

“Levi...”, your trembling voice was barely audible.

“Yes.”, you breathed, letting the floodgates finally open when he slid the ring on your finger.

He got back on his feet and engulfed you into the tightest embrace as you wept joyous tears into his shoulders.

“I love you so much!”

“I love you too!”, moving to look into your eyes, he cupped your face with warm hands.

And finally, his lips found yours.

It felt... like home;

Like laying in a cozy bed after a long day of work, like the warm chocolate sauce on a cold scoop of ice-cream, like wearing a fuzzy sweater on a crisp autumn evening, like walking barefoot on the beach at sunset, like taking a cool shower on a blazing summer afternoon, like everything you ever needed.

After being torn apart from the one person who made your life perfect, you were finally back in the soothing confines of his strong arms, resting against his able chest, ready to fall apart; all while the fireworks in the sky mirrored the fireworks in your hearts.

“Mama! Papa!”

You were awoken from this surreal euphoria by the most beautiful squeal you had ever heard. Both your heads turned towards the source of it – a tiny figure running towards you with all her might while all your near and dear ones including the newlyweds watched from a distance, cheering merrily.

“They knew?”, you gasped, sobbing and sniffling from the joyous tears.

“Yeah, pretty much everyone but you knew.”

Luna flew into Levi’s open arms when he bent down to receive her. The three of you merged into one blob of a positively smothering family hug, only pulling away to pepper each other with more kisses. Levi held his two girls close. His sun and moon were now back together in the sky of his life. He looked into Luna’s crescent shaped eyes and whispered,

“Moon beam, Mama’s coming home.”

#levi x reader #levi ackerman x reader #levi ackerman #attack on titan #snk #shingeki no kyojin #levi ackerman x fem!reader #levi ackerman fluff #levi ackerman angst #levi ackerman fic #levi ackerman imagine #levi ackerman headcanons #domestic levi #dad!levi #aot fic

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idvlover · 3 years ago

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hi! may i request eli, norton, and william (separate) hcs of a rescuer s/o?

I'm back-ish!

Eli, Norton, and William with a rescuer s/o:

William:

He met his s/o as soon as they were listed as a rescuer. He was the first one to introduce himself. Probably did a silly introduction to break the ice

He was very curious as to what their ability will be and is excited to see it be used!

Gives them tips and ideas on how they can rescue

Sometimes he learned a new thing or two from them if it doesn't involve their ability

He and his s/o argue about saving tide if one of them gets chaired

"Save your tide and leave me!"

"I DON'T THINK SO."

Sometimes they both accidentally say: "don't move I'm coming!" At the same time and they're trying to figure out who's rescuing. They both end up at the chair and the realization dawned on them only one person is decoding

Both of them remind each other not to beat themselves up for not reaching a survivor in time to rescue

They both probably get beaten up pretty hard in matches, so they spend the rest of their day in their shared dorm cuddling and napping

William probably does the most pampering to be honest because he does worry a lot knowing that being rescue means you will have to take hits no matter what, especially body blocking and trying to trigger the Hunter's cool down at the chair

Has probably been scolded by s/o for attempting a reckless rescue for them

"Do not attempt to rescue half-health ever again."

"We got a four man win though!"

"I could care less about the win DO NOT try that again. When I say don't rescue. DON'T RESCUE."

"I love you though. :)"

"You make it damn near impossible to be mad."

S/o can't resist melting when he's being sweet

Which means William gets away with every reckless rescue attempt after he's been scolded

They both drive Emily insane though

Norton:

When Norton heard about the new rescuer he kind of just shrugged and continued on with his day

He didn't meet them until he messed up on kiting and it was just him and s/o left. So he told them not to rescue

Then came s/o! He was literally telling them get away, but of course, they ignored it. He kind of thought they were going to run away and just trying to get the dungeon opened fast, but instead, they body blocked for him and yelled at him to keep running to a specific cipher and they'll handle kiting

They were able to get a two-man win and he's a little bit shocked that they weren't going for the dungeon. So, he gave a silent thank you to them

Now when they do start dating, Norton secretly worries for his s/o. The moment a survivor goes down and he hears them say: "don't move I'm coming!" Anxiety creeps upon him

He feels like a complete asshole when detention is active and his s/o is chaired. Which means he has to leave them behind. Despite his s/o understanding that they couldn't be saved

But he is always the first one to rescue even if his s/o protests

He will throw a magnet onto them of it means for them to gain distance between them and the hunter

Hunter's do not like it when these two are in a match because this means they have to deal with a determined rescuer and one mean-ass kiter lmao

He will help them with any injuries they have after the match. He will also scold them but will give them kisses on the face while doing so

He has probably carried them out of the match before. He doesn't care if he's not supposed to, but he's a faster runner meanwhile his s/o is Panicking in his arms because the hunter looks pissed

"Norton... Norton they're catching up"

"Almost there"

"NORTON JUST DROP ME AND LEAVE"

"Hey, can you grab a magnet off my belt and throw it at them"

That magnet is what saved their asses

Eli:

S/o was extremely confused in their first match when an owl flew around them. But they found her cute

But it got s/o distracted and they were found first. They didn't get downed, but they did go on half-health

Well, they got downed eventually

Eli kind of felt bad for not warning them that Brooke Rose needs to find everyone, so he knows where everyone is at. So he rescued them and apologized when they lost the hunter

S/o always gets so happy when they see Brooke in matches and Eli found that to be adorable

So outside of matches, he let's them hang out with her and he takes this chance to get to know them

When they started dating, Eli insists that they stay together, that way he knows immediately when they rescue. He tries to save his owl for them that way they don't have to take the first hit while rescuing

But s/o tells him not to do that because of his taxing debuff

He tries to listen. But doesn't listen in the end because he really hates it when they're taking hits constantly and wants to lessen them a little bit

When he gets chaired he always chuckles awkwardly and apologizes. S/o just kisses his cheek and tells him it happens sometimes

But when s/o gets chaired, he the first one running to them with his owl

The man will drag them to the gate if he has to

"Eli-"

"Be quiet, we haven't been caught yet and we're almost to the gate"

"Well shit okay-"

After matches he likes to spoon them because it makes him feel better, plus being held by Eli is probably the most soothing thing ever

He'll end up falling asleep while s/o is just petting Brooke

#eli clark x reader #william ellis headcanons #eli clark headcanons #william ellis x reader #norton campbell headcanons #norton campbell #norton campbell x reader #eli clark #william ellis #idv x reader

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flr-house-husband-blog · 3 years ago

Text

Female Led Relationship In Real Life

FLR explained, the woman has final say on all matters. The man accepts her wishes, her wants, and her punishments. This isn’t the FLR most men dream about in real life which is sexual in nature; I can promise in real life it is much different and more rewarding long term for both parties involved.

For us, yes housework is my responsibility and it started out with her lowering the normal standard that she kept up so that I could get down a routine. Overtime I’ve gotten better and worked longer in rooms and areas that did not meet her standards. I want to say higher, but they were only higher standards to me when we were vanilla. I see now the importance of daily, weekly, and monthly deep cleaning chores and tasks. They really do make the house ready for guests at a moments notice without worry and it really lifts a level of stress off of her which reflects back into us and our time together.

I’ve been timed and my daily chores I can do in 20 mins if I hustle. Normally it takes me an hour in between making her breakfast or getting ready for or after my work. Either way my “right” to ask permission to play video games or have screentime on my phone is once my chores are complete. The weekly tasks I’ve broken down into days to accomplish them easier (for myself), to not get behind, and make sure I meet her expectation of cleanliness.

My fav part of our FLR which has led to has been more love, time, and attention towards her is a phone rule. Dinner at home or out, regardless with friends I have to ask permission to use my phone. Needless to say no one bats an eye as they think it’s great we’re not on our phones. I like to check google reviews and see photos of different food options at a restaurant and it’s almost always a yes when I ask and then I put it away or it goes in her purse. I will say getting to that level of discipline isn’t easy.

In FLR I thrived with any new rules or expectations as soon as Goddess Amy figured out the best punishments that one changed my perspective and made me do risk/reward calculations before taking an action. What worked for her and didn’t cause her too much additional time away from what she enjoyed and was highly effective for me was corner time (30+ mins sometimes) and marking down in my shared chore app her grievances, which I too could see and were addressed with the paddle when she so decided. Unlike fantasy FLR there is nothing fun about having your pants around your ankles and being met with a firm paddle. She knows once I’m over ten that each and everyone will be remembered throughly. She has taken it a step further and makes me recite while I’m being paddled. Again not sexy but to make sure i know what I did and what I should do again.

Writing lines or the same thing over and over on paper takes a lot of time and she doesn’t except sloppy work. When that comes up I know I’m metaphorically fucked. It’s the equivalent of a cold shoulder when we were vanilla and I know a conversation is coming.

FLR isn’t all chores and sex. It’s a means to have a more loving and quality filled relationship. It’s non-standard but really does the trick for us. Of note when you’ve been met with consequences for falling short on expectations it really does change you behavior and moments vanilla you might want to give constructive feedback or argue a point of view. In FLR skip it and if you don’t like the point/topic/discussion try and bring it up at the end of the day or week, and if you really want ask if she wants feedback and if she says yes then maybe; otherwise wait until the end of the day or week.

In real-life FLR I can only give my perspective and maybe some of hers. For me I’d say the most important part is the man accepting she has the authority. Leadership isn’t all about being right, it’s about inspiring follow-ship naturally and accomplishing shared goals of the individuals under you and for the organization. Goddess Amy does that wonderfully and this is where you could say she understands my kinks (motivation) and pessimistic characteristics (frictions). She has a firm grasps on all things me and has goals for me, expectations for herself, our house, and our family. FLR works well for us because I accept and want her authority and she cares about all of the above to ensure each and everyday we move forward and improve. It’s not like the kink where things are expected to be absolutely perfect. She knows what I can handle and pushes the bubble little by little until it’s “perfect”, I look back and think wow what a difference I never thought this was possible.

Have you heard the phrase “If mama ain’t happy, ain’t nobody happy. If daddy ain’t happy don’t nobody care. “ That phrase sums up FLR. This ties in with communication and roles of FLR. She can easily say be ready we are going out and that means get in nice clothes and get everything ready to go or she can say she’s going out, which means I have the house to myself and if I’m lucky I’ll be given permission to watch TV or play games on my laptop. This ties in with staying on top of the routine she has set for me and other rules like no screentime without the chores being done. Most times I’m fortunate enough to get sceentime when I have the house to myself and sometimes it’s an opportunity for me to address a writing assignment she would like or an addtional chore. Rarely does it include me playing and sending pictures while she is out and about, but either way I’m always responsive and accept what she chooses as I know and believe it has a purpose. I just don’t sometimes fully understand it until later on down the road.

Real-life FLR the man only does what she wants and in ours she has retained meal prep for us and weekday dinners. The weekends I get to grill out and make her meals. Dishes are easy in our house. After a meal we clear the table, some things into rubber ware, some things rinsed in the sink and then into the dishwasher. We have a sign for clean/dirty and the dishwasher gets ran at night once full every couple of days and per my checklist is emptied or check daily.

A big benefit for her is me seeking ways to earn extra privileges ultimately by going out of my way to be on my best behavior, pampering her with love, surprises, and foot rubs. Some days she surprises me with the same to include paid massages and also breakfast in bed.

In public we appear vanilla, with the exception that I may secretly ask permission to have a soda or bend our diet plan a bit with a dessert. I’ve found asking before we go out with friends is better and also she has coded eye brows and looks which convey a silent approval or disapproval as I talk through what I might want when asked.

In addition to not meal prepping every meal since she loves cooking and helping us meet our fitness goals there are a few other things she retains control of. One is laundry, not because she loves it but because only she understands our walk in closet system for her stuff. Every morning I make sure everything is in the hamper and check the dryer- going through and pulling clothes tout of the dryer and separating out her dresses, tops, panties, etc in a way that makes it faster for her to put away herself, along with hanging and putting away all of my clothes neatly. Second the baby’s room there is a fancy rug which gets cleaned a certain way that’s off limits to me. I didn’t ask why and daily just make sure everything is clean and organized. Unlike fantasy FLR you won’t see me begging to do more chores, but you will see me finding areas which I add to my daily to keep off my monthly and deep clean routine to save myself time another day but just maintaining the area better. One example for this is dusting, yes the dreaded dusting. Once despised, I now prefer to address it per room per weekday versus all at once on the weekend. For me it’s less tedious when mixed in with picking up toys, vacuuming, and wiping down surfaces versus a whole hour of it another day.

To end this long discussion one thing that I like most about our FLR is despite me, the man not having final decision is that she gets my feedback 9 times out of 10 before making the final decision. I always feel heard and understood even when I don’t get what I wanted on most big topics, this isn’t the case with little chores or screentime expectations.

#female led marriage #female led relationship #house husband #the way of the househusband

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xjoonchildx · 4 years ago

Text

guarded | jhs x reader | chapter one: fan mail

summary: you’ve tried to separate yourself from your infamous crime family, but a new case has your carefully-constructed world crashing down around you. now you have to figure out how to heal old wounds and handle the new man who enters your orbit.

pairing: hoseok x reader

genre: mafia AU, E2L, slow burn, tsundere, eventual smut

rating: 18+

word count: 2.8K

Chapter 01 | 02 | 03 | 04 | 05 | 06 | EPILOGUE

***************************

You stare at the words for a moment before folding the paper in half and slipping it back into the envelope you pulled it from.

Honestly?

It’s not the first time you’ve gotten a threat. It happens from time to time in this line of work.

But this note plucks a chord of anxiety inside of you. Must be the eleven missed calls you suspect go hand-in-hand with your little love letter. Your phone hasn’t stopped buzzing for a half-hour now.

“Are you okay?”

Hyejin’s voice filters through your thoughts. She’s taken stock of the strange look that crosses your face in the split-second before you school your features back into a mask of calm.

She’s observant like that.

“Oh yeah, it’s nothing,” you say, shaking your head. “Just some fan mail.”

Your phone buzzes against the papers on your desk -- again -- and Hyejin raises an eyebrow.

Make that twelve.

“Tell you what,” she says, standing to stretch her legs. “I’m ready to go blind from reading these files and I could use an Americano. You want one?”

“Actually yes,” you exhale. “That’s exactly what I need. You’re a lifesaver.”

She gives you one last are you sure you don’t need to tell me anything? look before opening the door to your office. You reassure her with a soft smile but the second the door to your office closes, you blow out one long, heavy breath and reach for your phone.

you: what the hell? [ 3:15 PM ]

namjoon: this can’t wait [ 3:15 PM ]

you: clearly [ 3:16 PM ]

namjoon: come in ASAP [ 3:16 PM ]

You groan.

Namjoon knows you avoid that place at all costs.

It’s not a good look for you to be seen there -- and so as a rule -- you’re not. Your brother is usually understanding about your stance on the matter. But it’s not like him to push so there’s probably a damned good reason why he’s summoning you to his office like some wayward employee.

You glance back at the stack of files on your desk, riddled with notes and highlights. Even after a morning spent tag-teaming with Hyejin, there’s still a shitload of work to be done. But then you look back at that envelope sitting on your desk and pick up your phone again.

you: give me thirty minutes [ 3:19 PM ]

namjoon: okay [ 3:19 PM ]

Paperwork is going to have to wait.

*****************************

You’re not a moron.

You know what people say about your family, what they say about you.

You know what they whisper when you show up to charity galas and fundraising dinners. You know what they murmur the second their false smiles fall and you turn your back. They say that the money that paid for your prep schools and top-notch legal education is blood money; paid for by one of Seoul’s oldest and most powerful crime networks. They say that you took a job prosecuting crime to assuage for your family’s sins.

They’re not wrong.

Your father -- your cruel, unsophisticated father -- shelled out top dollar to put you in fancy schools and fancy clothes and fancy riding lessons. He threw elaborate birthday parties where he showered you with extravagant gifts in front of guests who were only there to celebrate because they feared turning down the invitation.

So others saw your material good fortune and mistook you for a pampered mafia princess. None of them had to come home every day to the stench of death and destruction. None of them had to endure the gossip and the looks and the cold shoulders.

That was a burden you shared with only one other person.

You and Namjoon huddled together during your lavish and turbulent childhood, leaning on one another for strength because no one else understood. He was the only safe harbor you had in the storm you both lived every day.

And then you left.

You walked away from your father and the Gajog and crossed the country to study law. Far from the vicious gossip and prying eyes and violent drama that always awaited you in Seoul. You walked away and decided that you weren’t going to live that life anymore.

But you also walked away from Namjoon.

Now it’s a cold comfort, seeing your brother seated so naturally at the throne of power your father vacated when he died. The old-school brute-force organization your father ran for decades is a thing of the past. In its place, a well-oiled, highly-organized machine -- making far more money and far fewer mistakes.

Namjoon single-handedly pulled the crime syndicate into a new era, dusted it off and dressed it up. He legitimized parts of the business, took up residence in one of the city’s most expensive buildings, and basically dared law enforcement to come get him.

They still haven’t.

And there isn’t a day that Namjoon doesn’t cross your mind.

There isn’t a day that you don’t pray that the menace that existed inside your father never takes root inside of your brother. You pray that he can shoulder the burden of his responsibilities without rotting from the inside out.

If anyone can, you tell yourself, it’s him.

**********************

Namjoon cuts an imposing figure behind his grandiose wooden desk.

He’s seated when his assistant first opens the door to his secure private office, but as soon as you follow her inside he makes to stand.

He looks so tall now, you think -- as though it’s been years since you’ve seen him.

In reality, it’s only been a few months since your last brief encounter, but it’s still hard sometimes to recognize the handsome, polished man in front of you as the kid you grew up with. You’re hit with a pang of regret that it’s been so long since you’ve seen one another face-to-face.

Two men stand guard on either side of Namjoon’s desk, which doesn’t surprise you. Your brother is always surrounded by guards these days.

The only one you recognize is Min Yoongi, who gives a slight bow in your direction as you cross the broad expanse of the office. You’re certain you’ve never seen the second man, who stands eerily still on your brother’s other side. You can feel the stranger’s stare from a distance and avert your eyes.

You bow to Namjoon and take a seat in the plush chair facing his desk. A fond look passes over his features but when he opens his mouth to speak his tone is businesslike, serious.

“I know you don’t like coming in here,” he begins carefully, “and so I have to apologize for asking you to make an exception. I hope you understand this can’t be helped.”

“Yes, of course,” you say softly. “Sorry it took me a while. I’m buried with a new case.”

Namjoon nods.

“That case is the reason why we’ve run into a bit of trouble in the past few days,” he admits. “Some of our friends across town are pretty upset about it. Apparently very agitated and hoping to leverage the fact that you’ve been assigned to this case to their advantage.”

“I see,” you murmur.

You knew the men you’d been assigned to build a weapons trafficking case against were part of a rival organization -- but on paper they were low-level foot soldiers, considered expendable in a business like theirs. Why the Ssijog were so worried about losing a couple of nobodies from their ranks was a bit puzzling.

“I guess that explains this,” you say, reaching into your bag for the letter delivered to your office.

You hand it to Namjoon and he reads the words with a tight expression before turning it over to the man you don’t recognize. It’s a relief when the stranger’s focus moves away from you and onto that paper. You take the opportunity to get a closer look at him.

The first word that comes to mind is sharp.

Everything about the man is sharp -- from his meticulously tailored suit to his severe jawline to the angles of his body. Intense dark eyes set in honey gold skin and black hair carefully styled off of his face. You’re caught staring when his eyes snap up from the paper and back to you.

You clear your throat, gaze darting back to your brother.

“They want you to make this go away.”

You sigh.

“I can’t do that. I don’t have that kind of authority. And besides, it would attract all the wrong kinds of attention to me and -- “ you pause, choose your next words carefully, “ -- to my ties to this organization.”

Namjoon concedes your point with a slow bob of his head.

“Right. So we have a problem,” he admits. “Because the message we’re getting is that they’re willing to do whatever it takes to get what they want. And it’s been made quite clear to me that hurting you is not off the table.”

You take in a deep breath.

“This is Jung Hoseok,” Namjoon says after a short silence, motioning to the stranger at his side. You straighten when the man acknowledges you with a barely-there bow.

“I’ve assigned him to your detail.”

“Detail,” you repeat slowly. “Like a bodyguard.”

“Exactly like that.”

“Namjoon, I -- “ you look away from the man to turn your attention back to your brother, “-- I can’t have one of your guys following me around. People are going to talk.”

“Amsaja,” he sighs, “They talk anyway.”

You bristle at his use of your childhood nickname.

You know it’s meant as an endearment but it still feels infantilizing in front of his men -- one of whom hasn’t seen you in years, one of whom knows nothing about you at all. You’re a grown woman, a successful prosecutor, and more than just Kim Namjoon’s little sister.

“Joon -- “

There is annoyance behind the way you fire off his name and one of your brother’s eyebrows lifts in warning. A silent reminder that in this room, in this building, in this realm, he is the absolute authority. You swallow back the argument on the tip of your tongue.

“Namjoon,” you start again, this time with a restrained calm. “Please. Let’s have this conversation in private.”

He drums his fingers across the surface of his wooden desk before nodding his agreement and raising a hand to motion his guards out the door. You wait until both men are gone and the heavy door to Namjoon’s office clicks shut to speak again.

“You’re putting me in a terrible position here,” you exhale. “I’ve worked so hard to -- distance myself. I can’t walk around with a reminder of my family history at my heels.”

Your brother stands from his seat and walks to an ornate sideboard, pours liquor from a heavy crystal decanter into a highball glass. He takes a slow drink before speaking.

“You are worried about your image; I’m worried about your safety. Those two concerns are not equal. Not to me.”

Your face heats at the kernel of truth in your brother’s assessment.

Certainly, it’s about how it looks, but it’s so much more than that. It’s about the life you’ve worked so hard to build away from the drama surrounding your family name. It’s about a future that depends on the burial of your past.

Namjoon leans against his heavy wooden desk, arms crossed.

“You should know me by now,” he continues. “If I thought these were empty words, I wouldn’t have bothered you with them.”

“I know that,” you admit quietly. Doesn’t make the pill any easier to swallow, though.

“Hoseok is under orders to stay with you at all times. Obviously, he won’t be physically at your side while you’re working, but he will be close by. And he will be staying at your apartment for the time being.”

You blink. “In my apartment?”

A flash of irritation crosses your brother’s face. “Yes, in your apartment. I’m privy to information you don’t have.” He takes a long drink from the highball glass. “It’s necessary until we have this situation under control.”

“I don’t know this man,” you argue, and that eyebrow lifts again at the rising heat in your tone. “Can’t you give me Yoongi or Seokjin or someone else?”

“No.”

“Thanks for considering that, Joon.”

You don’t even bother to hide your displeasure now, climbing out of the plush chair and walking over to the massive window that makes up the back wall of your brother’s office. You look down at the street. From this height, the cars below look like toys and the people look like ants.

Namjoon joins you in front of the window, drink in hand.

“I don’t want to fight with you, I want to protect you. Jung Hoseok has worked for me three years now and he spent many more years serving in the military. He is the man I want for this assignment and I need you to trust me on that, too.”

You say nothing, staring out the window and feeling suddenly exhausted. You hate everything about today -- the letter, the case, this arrangement you now have to endure. You hate that this is the first real conversation you’ve had with your brother in months and you’re locking horns.

“Okay,” you whisper after a while, reluctant to let the tension escalate. Your brother has asked so little of you since you severed ties with the Gajog -- and effectively, with him. You swallow past the taste of guilt when you turn to look him in the eye.

“I’ll play ball, Jaegyueo.”

Your brother seems to soften when you use his childhood nickname in return, shoulders relaxing as he takes another sip from the highball and looks out over the city he basically runs.

“Thank you, Amsaja.”

*************************

Hoseok

“Has she seen this?”

Hoseok stares down at the glossy photograph in his hands.

There’s little to be gleaned from the details in the picture. There are no shadows, no reflections, no personal items to give away any clues as to who took it or when.

You are asleep, one bare shoulder peeking out from underneath your plush bedding -- your hair spilling out onto your pillow. You appear blissfully unaware of the danger standing just a few feet away.

“Hell no,” Namjoon exhales. “And I would like to keep it that way. She’d probably never sleep again if she saw that shit.”

Hoseok hands the photograph back.

“I need the two of you to figure out who got into her apartment. And then I need you to bring him here.”

Namjoon doesn’t finish that train of thought -- he doesn’t have to. Hoseok and Yoongi hear clearly everything he hasn’t said.

“We’ll find him,” Yoongi vows, and Hoseok nods his agreement. “It’s gonna be handled.”

Namjoon scrubs a hand down his jaw, eyes still glued to the picture on his desk.

He’s an uncharacteristically even-tempered boss, particularly in this line of work. Seeing him this unnerved is unnerving to Hoseok, who’s seen him handle countless shitty situations with an unnatural calm.

“She’s my sister,” Namjoon says quietly. “I don’t expect any of you to understand our dynamic, but I need you to know that her safety is my top priority.”

“Understood,” Hoseok murmurs and in that moment, the heavy door to the office opens wide. Namjoon shoves the photograph into his desk drawer.

Hoseok studies you as you trail Namjoon’s assistant across the length of this massive office.

The first word that comes to mind is small.

You’re much smaller than Hoseok imagined you’d be, basing that assumption almost entirely on Namjoon’s tall and solid frame. Physically, you are nearly the opposite of your brother, delicate features set in smooth skin, any appearance of height owed directly to the high-heeled shoes you’ve carefully matched to your business suit.

Hoseok notes that you have the same stubborn set to your jaw, though -- a defense mechanism that slips momentarily when you lock eyes with your brother. He catches the brief flash of sadness in your face before you manage it away.

In the years he’s been with the Gajog, he’s only heard your name a handful of times -- almost always followed by hushed exchanges and pained expressions. Never once has anyone breathed your name in front of Namjoon, though. That appears to be an invisible line everyone understands not to cross.

But now you’re here, in the flesh. One piece of the puzzle revealed.

Hoseok watches your exchange with Namjoon with curiosity. It’s not the easy back-and-forth one would expect to see between a pair of siblings -- but there is an underlying affection between the two of you. A quiet respect.

Amsaja, Namjoon had called you. Lioness.

Hoseok doesn’t see a lioness when he looks at you, though.

He sees a rich girl desperate to prove how much better she is than her own flesh and blood. He sees a social climber so eager to make a name for herself in this city that she walked away from her own brother to make it happen.

This is the moment that Hoseok decides that you’re not the kind of person he could ever respect.

Because unlike you, he would never put ambition above loyalty.

Never.

**********************

tag list:

@yoongbug @brilliantlybasicb @lemonjoonah @illnevertrustmyselfagain@sunkissed75 @taetaewonderland @shadowhale

#hoseok smut #hoseok x reader #bts mafia #hoseok mafia au #bts tsundere #btscreatorscorner #btswriterscollective #ksmutclub #ficswithluv

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just-dreaming-marvel · 4 years ago

Text

Out Of Time ~ 105

MASTERLIST

< previous chapter

Word Count: 3,640ish

Summary: Thor leaves. Tony and Y/N spend needed time away.

Warnings: mentions of sex

The new Avengers Facility was finished the week of Tony’s birthday. It was now the day before his birthday and Tony and Y/N decided to pay a visit to the new facility to say goodbye to Thor before they left to Tony’s private island to celebrate his birthday. When they arrived, Thor had requested to talk to Y/N alone.

“I wished to talk to you before I left because I want to offer you the chance to come with me,” Thor said. “I am planning on searching for the Infinity Stones and the only person that I would trust to help me with that is you.”

“Oh, Thor,” Y/N replied, surprised at his offer. “That is… I… honestly, if this were a month or two before, then I might have taken you up on the offer. But I can’t, I’m sorry Thor. As much as I want to find the Stones, I need to keep living my life here.”

“I understand. I will keep you informed if I find anything.”

“Please do.” Y/N hugged Thor. “You’ll be missed around here, Thor.”

“I’ll miss you too, Lady Y/N.” He pulled away to meet her eyes. “Do not let anyone do anything to hurt you, you got it? Especially the Captain and Stark. They both do love you, but they both can be blinded by their own thoughts.”

Thor and Y/N met Steve and Tony in the hallway, leading to outside. It was almost time to say goodbye. The men were currently discussing the Vision’s ability to wield Thor’s hammer.

“The rules have changed,” Steve stated.

“We’re dealing with something new,” Tony added.

“Well, the Vision’s artificial intelligence.”

“A machine.”

“So it doesn’t count.”

“No. It’s not like a person lifting the hammer.”

“Right. Different rules for us.”

“Nice guy, but artificial.”

“Thank you.”

“If he can wield the hammer, he can keep the Mind Stone,” Thor said. “It’s safe with the Vision and these days, safe is in short supply.”

“But if you put the hammer in an elevator…” Steve continued.

“It would still go up,” Tony added.

“Elevator’s not worthy.”

“I’m going to miss these little talks of ours,” Thor chuckled as they exited the building.

“Well, not if you don’t leave,” Tony said.

“I have no choice. The Mind Stone is the fourth of the Infinity Stones to show up in the last few years. That's not a coincidence. Someone has been playing an intricate game and has made pawns of us. But once all these pieces are in position—“

“Triple Yahtzee?”

“You think you can find out what’s coming?” Steve wondered.

Thor made brief eye contact with Y/N. He knew she knew what was coming, he just didn’t know it himself. “I do,” Thor stated. “Besides this one,” Thor patted Tony as he walked away, “there’s nothing that can’t be explained.” Thor separated himself from the others. “I will be in contact,” he promised Y/N.

“Stay safe, Thor,” Y/N said. “Those Stones are not to be messed with.”

Thor gave her a smile before lifting up his hammer and returning to Asgard, leaving a burnt patch of grass in his wake.

“That man has no regard for lawn maintenance,” Tony stated. He turned, calling his car to them, and grabbing Y/N’s hand. “I’m gonna miss him though. And you’re gonna miss us. Miss me. There’s gonna be a lot of manful tears.”

“I will miss you, Tony,” Steve said.

“Yeah? Well, it's time for me to tap out. Maybe I should take a page out of Barton's book and build Y/N a farm, hope nobody blows it up.”

“A farm would be nice,” Y/N smiled.

“The simple life,” Steve said.

“You’ll get there one day,” Tony told him.

“I don't know, family, stability. The guy who wanted all that went in the ice seventy-five years ago. I think someone else came out.”

“We’re different people now, and that’s okay, Stevie,” Y/N said. She came up and pulled him into a hug.

“Don’t be a stranger.”

“I won’t.” She pulled back. “Natasha already had be agree to visiting a few days a month to help with trainings.”

“Alright. You stay safe, okay? Let me know if you need anything.”

“I will.” She kissed his cheek. “I love you, Stevie.”

“Love you too, Y/N/N.”

Y/N went around to the passengers side of the car. Tony was about to get into the drivers seat when he noticed how Steve was looking around.

“You alright?” Tony asked Steve.

“I’m home,” Steve answered.

~~~

It was nice to be on the island again. By the time they arrived, it was past midnight.

“Happy birthday, Tones,” Y/N smiled as she gave him a kiss. They were currently walking into the house. “What do you want to do?”

“I want to spend it with you,” he answered. He picked her up as they entered the house. “Just you and me.”

He quickly got them to their room. Tony laid her on the bed before crawling over her. Y/N brought him down for a kiss before he ripped off her shirt and kissed his way down to her stomach.

“I love you,” he whispered. “So much.” He continued to kiss her. “I want to marry you… I want you to bare my children. Y/N, I—“

He looked up and chuckled when he saw her sound asleep. Tony carefully got her changed into her pj’s before changing himself. Tucking them both into bed, he gave her one last kiss for the night.

“Don’t worry,” he whispered, mainly to himself, “we’ll talk in the morning.”

~~~

Y/N was up first. It was Tony’s birthday and she wanted to make sure it was special for him. Though they had people on the island to cook for them, Y/N wanted to make breakfast and a cake herself. She left the cake cooling on the counter when she took dinner to the room. Tony was no longer in the bed when Y/N arrived. Setting the tray down the the desk, she realized that the door to the balcony was open. She slipped out to see Tony looking out at the water. She wrapped her arms around him and rested her chin on his shoulder.

“Happy birthday, sweetheart,” she whispered, kissing just under his ear. “You make 45 look good.”

Tony laughed, turning around in her arms so that he could hold onto Y/N. “And you make 97 look amazing.”

“Hey!” She playfully smacked him. “I’m still 96 a little while longer.”

“You’re right, you’re right. I’m sorry.” He gave her a kiss. “You know you fell asleep last night?”

“Well, I did wake up this morning, didn’t I?”

“No, like, we were going to start making love and then—“

“Oh, my gosh!” She buried her head in his chest. “I’m so sorry, Tony! The flight must of taken a lot out of me.”

“Was it the flight or the four rounds we did on the flight?”

“Both.” She looked up at him. “I’m so sorry, Tony. How ever will I make it up to you?”

“I can think of something.”

His eyes darkened as he pushed her against the outside wall and kissed her, his tongue making its way into her mouth. Panting, Y/N pushed his back slightly.

“I made breakfast,” she said, softly. “Can I at least get some food in me before we go another round?”

“Fine,” Tony pouted, giving her one more quick kiss. “Only because I don’t want you falling asleep on me again.”

As they ate, Y/N could sense that something was bothering Tony. He wanted to talk about something, but was clearly worried about doing so.

“What’s going on inside that head of yours?” Y/N wondered, running her fingers down his face until they were under his chin. When they were under Tony’s chin, she forced him to meet her gaze. “I can feel you thinking a mile a minute. Don’t worry though, I haven’t peeked.”

“It’s… uh, nothing… it’s nothing,” he rushed out, nervously. Y/N gave him a questioning look. “I’m serious!” He held his hands up in defense. “It’s stupid… I don’t know why I even thought that I’d deserve it…”

“I’m sorry, what? What don’t you think you deserve?”

“I already have you. I’m pressing my luck with that as it is.”

“Tony, what’s going on? And no more lies or avoidances. I’ll look if I have—“

“I want kids.” Y/N’s silent look of shock made Tony keep going. “I want to have kids with you… I want your kids. Wait— that didn’t come out right. If I could, I would have your kids, but I can’t,” he rambled. “But I want kids with you. I want to be able to watch and feel them grow within you. And I know we only talked about a future not too long ago and nothing more. But I… well, I just haven’t been able to get the thought of having a family with you out of my head. Ever since I saw Clint with his family, I knew what I wanted. I want a family and I want it with you.”

“I… I… Tony—“

“You know what? I’ve completely put you on the spot. I’m so stupid! I’m just going to—“

Y/N yanked him down and kissed him, hard. She held his head in place so that it would be hard for him to move. Standing up, with their lips still connected as much as possible, Y/N led them to the bed. She laid down so that Tony could hover over her. Without an answer giving Tony a verbal answer, she let him make love to her. Because, sadly, though she wanted a future with him, her heart was still torn. Even after all this time. Which just confused her.

How could she love a man she hadn’t been with in literal decades? Who was currently on the run, not wanting to be found? She had this man with her, ready to give her the world. And yet, she still loved Bucky. She loved them both.

Then there was the fact that she had seen a part of the future. How could she bring a child into this world when there was destruction ahead? How could she risk it? For her and Tony? And how would that be fair to their child?

~~~

Tony and Y/N spent 3 weeks pampering each other on the private island before heading back to New York. Y/N was needed for a few days of training at the new Avengers Facility and Tony had avoided Pepper and board meetings so much that they were now all piled on him for a week. Y/N drove herself up to the Avengers Facility, where Natasha was waiting outside for her arrival.

“Long time no see, Rogers,” Nat greeted with a smirk as Y/N exited the car.

“It’s only be a few weeks, Romanoff,” Y/N teased. “If I knew you were going to miss me that much, I guess I could have invited you to the island.”

“Ew, no. I’m good. How was it? You and Tony have a good time?”

“Yeah…” Y/N nodded, thinking back on the things Tony had said.

Nat raised a curious brow. “Now that doesn’t seem very convincing.”

“Let’s just say we have a few things I’d like to talk about.”

~~~

“Wait a minute,” Nat panted, as she dodged another one of Y/N’s advances. “So, he told you that his wants kids with you? Tony Stark?”

“Yep,” Y/N grunted as Nat kicked her back, but not down.

“And instead of answering, you shut him up by kissing him and letting him have sex with you?”

Nat kicked her leg up. Y/N wrapped her leg around Nat’s, flipping her onto the floor.

“Yes.”

“And you don’t think he took that as your answer?” Nat went to swipe out Y/N’s legs, but Y/N jumped up.

“Honestly, I have no idea.” Nat had jumped up and began attacking again. “I haven’t wanted to peek inside his head.” Nat got the upper hand, throwing Y/N onto the floor with a hard thud. “Okay, okay… enough.”

Offering a hand, Natasha helped Y/N stand back up. “Don’t you think you should talk with him? Besides, I thought you did see a future with him.”

“I do. It’s…. It’s complicated.”

“Then uncomplicate it.”

“You’re one to talk.”

“Hey, you’re the one who came to me for advice, remember?”

“Actually I came because no one besides Steve is willing to go toe-to-toe with you and you wanted my help with Wanda.”

“True,” Nat nodded, throwing Y/N a water bottle. “Vision’s been a good help though.”

“He should be. He’s housing the thing that gave her, her powers.”

“And you.”

Y/N nodded. “I need to work on mine a little more. See what limits I can push.”

“You know if you do that without Tony, he’ll be pissed.”

“That’s why I’m hoping I can do it when Steve gets back and get away with it.”

“Is that your motto? It’s better to ask forgiveness instead of permission?”

“Sounds about right… Any word on Bruce?”

“No,” Nat shook her head. “Can’t find him or the quinjet anywhere.”

“He’ll turn up. He always does."

~~~

“Heard Natasha beat you today,” Steve said as he entered the kitchen where Y/N was currently eating. “How long has it been since that happened?”

“We switch off who wins,” Y/N excused. “She needed this win.”

“She needed it? Or you needed a beating?”

“Same thing.”

“Have you worked with Wanda yet?”

“No, but Vision, Wanda, and I are planning to work outside tomorrow.”

“Good. I’ll come out and monitor. How’s Stark handling retirement?”

“It’s only been a few weeks, so it’s too early to say, but so far so good.”

“And you? How are you?”

“I’m doing good, Stevie.”

Steve sighed. “Y/N, I need to apologize for questioning you and not trusting you during the whole Ultron incident. I shouldn’t have been so harsh with you, I’m sorry.”

“I forgive you, Steve. I understand where you were coming from.”

“Would you, uh… remember when we’d do those sleep overs?”

“Yes!” Y/N laughed. “We’d stay up all night, knowing Ma would be mad in the morning.”

“And she was,” Steve chuckled. “Sometimes I really miss those days.”

“Me too.”

“I know that we’re like 96 now and probably too old to have a sleepover, but do you want to? We can set up in my room and have FRIDAY play anything we want.”

“I’d love that, Stevie.”

The Rogers twins stayed up watching shows and movies they needed to catch up on. Y/N was the first to crash, at about 3 in the morning. All Steve could do was laugh and get her settled into bed before following suit. It was nice to feel like a family again. It had been so long, too long.

~~~

“Are you serious, Rogers?!” Sam shouted, pounding on the other side of Steve’s door. “I thought you didn’t believe in sleeping in!”

Steve looked at his bed side clock, realizing he was 15 minutes late for his morning running with Sam. “Shit,” he muttered, getting out of bed.

“Language,” Y/N groaned. She turned over and buried herself back into her brother’s bed.

“Rogers!” Sam continued.

“I’m coming, I’m coming!” Steve responded, rushing around the room.

“Sam, could you quiet down?” Y/N wondered as Steve opened the door.

“Y/N?” Sam questioned. “You know you have your own room, right? And it just happens to be the biggest and nicest of all of them because you’re dating the guy who built this place.”

“That’s true,” Steve nodded. “Why didn’t we do the sleep over in your room?”

“Sleep over? What, are you guys like 7?”

“Just leave and let me sleep,” Y/N grumbled into the pillow.

Steve laughed. “Well, Y/N, you better be up in an hour to start training with Wanda and Vision.”

“I will, I will.” Y/N swatted.

“Sweet dreams, Y/N!” Sam teased as the men left.

“Screw you, Wilson!”

~~~

“Good morning, Agent Rogers.”

“Good morning, Vision,” Y/N replied, making her way outside. “You know that you call just call me Y/N, right?”

“My apologizes, Y/N.”

“It’s really no big deal.” Y/N noticed Wanda walking up to them, she seemed nervous. “You ready for this?”

“I’m never ready,” Wanda replied, revealing her nerves.

“You’ll do fine. We’re all going to work on helping each other.”

Before doing anything, Y/N wanted to assess Wanda’s combat skills. As the two began sparring, Steve, Sam, and Natasha came out to monitor. The women had agreed that powers would be allowed so that the best results could be observed.

Wanda threw blasts of red at Y/N. She dodged them physically and by using the portals. Wanda advanced towards Y/N, trying to start some hand-to-hand combat. Using her portals, Y/N appeared behind Wanda, swiping her feet from underneath her. Falling to the ground, Wanda wasn’t able to stop Y/N from entering her mind and freezing her to the ground.

“Interesting,” Vision noted from his spot beside the other observers.

“What is it?” Steve asked.

“Wanda is unable to get into Y/N’s mind, but Y/N is easily able to get into hers. That’s how Wanda is stuck on the ground.”

“That is interesting,” Sam said, nodding. “Why do you think that is?”

“The Mind Stone.” Vision motioned to the Stone on his forehead. “It’s protecting her.”

“But isn’t that Stone what gave Wanda her powers?” Nat questioned.

“Yes, but not in the same way Y/N is given her powers.”

“All this power stuff is giving me a headache,” Sam commented with a shake of his head.

“Yield,” Y/N ordered.

“I yield,” Wanda stated.

Y/N withdrew from Wanda’s mind and helped her up. “Good round for a first time. Next time, no powers, for either of us. I need to see what you can do on your own.”

“I think that’s good for today, ladies!” Steve said, looking up from his tablet. “Your energy levels are fluctuating, Y/N. I think you need a rest before another round.”

“Have you ever used all your abilities like that?” Wanda wondered.

“No,” Y/N answered, shaking her head. “I’ve also never entered someone’s mind who has abilities similar to mine. That could be the reason for the energy levels.”

“How’s he tracking that?”

“This.” Y/N held up her wrist. “Tony made this for me to help monitor my abilities. I can get him to make you one as well, only if you want it though.”

“I’ll think about it.”

“I’m starving,” Sam said, coming over and throwing an arm over Y/N’s shoulders. “You ladies want some lunch?”

~~~

Tony had been sitting in the board meeting, half listening, for an hour. He was absentmindedly staring at the speaker as his hand flicked the hair tie against his wrist. He didn’t want to be here in this meeting. He wanted to be with Y/N.

“Mr. Stark?” The speaker called, everyone’s attention falling onto Tony. “Mr. Stark?”

“Yes, dear?” Tony responded, breaking through his thoughts.

“What do you think about the plan?”

“I think that the plan is… it’s well thought out and you did a wonderful job explaining it. Alright,” Tony clapped his hands together as he stood up, “we done here? Cause I think it’s time for a break.”

“Tony,” Pepper scolded.

“The plan’s great, it’s good. Go with it. It was nice meeting with you all. Can’t wait until next time.” Tony slipped through the conference room door, Pepper going after him.

“Tony, we’ve only just started. And don’t you dare try and say you were listening, you clearly weren’t.”

“I was listening.”

“What was the plan then?”

“It was about…. How we need to add new coffee machines in all the break rooms. A really great and needed plan.”

“Are you serious, Tony? The plan was about our going green initiative.”

“Oh? Well, I approve that too.”

“Where are you going? You still owe me a weeks worth of meetings and paperwork.”

“Just forge my signature, Pep,” Tony waved her off as he entered the elevator. “You did remember how do to that, right?”

“Tony, I’m serious. Yes, I’m the CEO, but this is still your company and I do need your help sometimes.”

“Looks like you’re doing a great job to me. Let me know if you need a press conference done or any of the buildings are on fire and I’ll me there.” The elevator doors began closing. “Bye.” He waved. Once the doors were shut, he leaned back against the wall. “FRIDAY, can you take me to my floor and call Y/N?”

“Of course, Boss. Dialing Y/N Rogers now.”

“Hey, Tones,” Y/N greeted. “Having a break from the meetings?”

“I decided to leave the meetings,” Tony answered, entering their floor. “They can figure that stuff out without me. How’s training going?”

“It’s fine.”

“Missing missions already?”

“Not as much as I miss you.”

“Then come home. My schedules completely open now.”

“How about tomorrow morning? I need to finish up some things here first.”

Tony groaned. “I don’t know if I can wait that long.”

“We’ve barely been apart for a day,” Y/N giggled. “I think you can manage one more night. I love you.”

“If you loved me so much, you’d come home tonight.”

“Nice try, Tony. I’ll see you in the morning.”

next chapter >

NOTES: from now on the taglist when be added by a reblog. I will reblog it using my second account, @just-dreaming-marvel-2. Just so that my main page doesn’t get too cluttered.

If you want to be added to the tag list, please dm me or send in an ask.

#avengers x reader #the avengers x reader #tony stark x reader #iron man x reader #tony stark #Tony Stark fanfiction #tony stark imagine #Iron Man #iron man fanfiction #The Avengers #Avengers #avengers age of ultron #age of ultron #marvel #marvel fanfiction #marvel imagine

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bigskydreaming · 3 years ago

Text

I know some people just aren’t comfortable engaging with parts of canon where Bruce is abusive, because that’s just not the version of the character they’re here for, and I get that.

But the second a fic shows a willingness to address or even center itself around something like RHATO #25 or the Batman issue from King’s run where Bruce hits Tim......but DOESN’T acknowledge any of the many, MANY times that Bruce has been abusive to Dick on both sides of the Reboot, from post-Forever Evil to after Jason’s death post-Crisis and times in between?

Yeah, that’s when I see red.

Cuz that’s when it starts to look an awful lot like people are viewing abuse as some kind of narrative spice that they can selectively dole out only to those characters they like, while ignoring the times its applied to characters they don’t like because it might make them too sympathetic or interesting or what the fuck ever.

And I know people aren’t viewing abuse that way, right? Like surely there’s got to be some other explanation for why fics that heavily reference every single time Bruce has done something bad to Jason or Tim seem to act like Dick was just passively at Bruce’s side through all this, backing him up or else just being too naive to think Bruce could ever be like that, instead of like....actively a victim of their father’s abuse as well.

Look, its one thing for a certain character to not be your focal point or someone you’re particularly interested in, but you GOTTA look at the way this looks when you treat a character who has had instances of being a victim of Bruce’s abuse going back over thirty years, as like, being enabling, uncaring of or even party to Bruce’s abuse to the others in more recent years. Like, I focus a lot on the times he’s done it with Dick like in NW #30 or NTT #55 and just talk about Bruce and Dick in reference to those, because I’m trying to keep the focus limited to just Bruce and Dick for the purposes of whatever point I’m making, but the thing about that is.....I’m not CLAIMING that Bruce has never been abusive with any of the others, they’re just literally not even coming into the post because it isn’t about them.

But the second you open things up to a full fic where things from all points of canon are being referenced in characters’ issues with Bruce, and you have a full cast list assembled.....it doesn’t work the same way because now you’re not just not talking about Dick’s experiences there because he’s not the focal point, now you’re actively writing over his experiences with a veneer of oh Dick and Bruce are fine, nothing like this has ever or would ever happen with them. That’s when you’re making for whatever reason a conscious CHOICE to depict certain kids of Bruce’s as victims at his hands, but NOT depicting the one who inarguably has been written that way the LONGEST and going back the furthest....because you simply don’t WANT him to be as sympathetic or the others or someone who can relate to them on this front, you want him to be an OBSTACLE to all that.

That’s shitty. I don’t know how else to tell you that that’s shitty. Please stop reserving abuse as some kind of ‘prize’ that’s only awarded to your personal faves’ backstories, because oh my god is that an offensive fucking take both coming and going. Not only are you unintentionally framing abuse as something ‘that can be quite good, actually, cuz it makes characters (people) interesting,’ you’re also again, as I said, seeing absolutely zero problem with taking a canon abuse survivor and making him part of the issue instead of someone similarly affected by it, simply because you don’t like him or find him interesting and you don’t want him to be the same as Jason or the others in this regard.

Frankly, this applies to the way this fandom treats a LOT of specific kinds of traumas. Like catch me side-eyeing the massive trend of Jason-as-Robin era fics that have Jason view Dick as spoiled, pampered, and harder to relate to or understand even than Bruce because god forbid one of those fics go with the juvie origin for Dick. I’ve more than once heard people say “I just don’t like that origin for Dick because I find it too angsty” and I gotta say, its a good thing that Cass and Damian’s origins aren’t too angsty to avoid and that nobody has ever extrapolated from what we do know about Jason and Tim’s childhoods to go into extremely elaborate and angsty detail about every possible facet of abuse or neglect they might have endured.

I mean nah, this isn’t yet another way in which people deliberately depict Dick as just ‘not getting it’ because he hasn’t been through the kinds of stuff the others have, and its like. Okay but see thing is, he actually HAS, and you not acknowledging any of those instances is a CHOICE that you’re making as a writer, and as readers, we’re allowed to question those choices. We can look at what you’re presenting in the way that you’re presenting it, and think okay, but one of these things is not like the others, and the way you treat various characters as extremely sympathetic because of various aspects of their canon stories or their backstories while acting like the same could never ever be true of a character it absolutely has been true of on many different occasions....its super uncomfortable. And it kinda casts a shadow over everything you write into your story about abuse or specific other traumas because now there’s actually this implicit undertone where its like, okay but we actually only care about these things when they’re affecting someone or some character we LIKE, and that’s.....yeah. Not awesome.

I’ve ranted many a time before about the abuse apologism that runs rampant in this fandom, particularly in the vein of people refusing to acknowledge Bruce’s abusive actions (which again, I understand and am fine with up UNTIL...) but being perfectly comfortable sticking with any and all of Dick’s REACTIONS to literal abuse, but now deliberately separated from the inciting actions which makes it look like he’s just instigating shit or upset for no reason whatsoever. That’s literal abuse apologism, no matter what your intentions are, because hate to break it to people, but “Avoid Acknowledging An Abuser’s Actions And Flip The Focus To What The Abuse Victim Is Doing Wrong Instead” is literally chapter one of Abuse Apologism 101. But this shit? Abuse only happens to people I care about or find sympathetic already, because weirdly I seem to be able to make excuses for or overlook any instances of abuse that happen to someone I DON’T like?

That’s literally chapter two of the same damn book.

And good god but am I tired of people harping endlessly on about how much they care about these topics while blithely doing nothing BUT reinforce abuse apologism tropes and narratives in the process of shining a spotlight on the abuse that happens to personal faves and personal faves only.

And this definitely falls into the same pattern of people who happily talk about taking a match to canon and watching it burn at the exact same time they make the deliberate choices to depict Dick as the one Batkid who just doesn’t truly get the others and never will, or is unrelatable or all these other things.....

And its like hey guys? 90% of the stuff you hold against Dick Grayson or cite as your reasons for not liking him? When we say those aren’t canon its not because we’re trying to be the canon police always showing up to bust up your fun and be like no no no you naughty people, that never happened so you’re not allowed to write that. No. That’s not a thing. That’s not what that is. What it ACTUALLY is, is us pointing out all the times and ways where when Dick comes across as a giant asshole in fics, and we’re like why tho, we’re just literally trying to understand where your interpretation of his character is coming from, and you guys are like bitch its canon, and we’re like okay no but thing is, its really actually not. Its us just being like hey, the vast majority of the stuff you say you dont like about the guy or the times you leave out all the stuff that you cite as what you DO like about other characters, its like....

But anyway....

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ffhseries · 3 years ago

Text

Tales of Far From Home: Winds of Change

da link

Escape had always been on my mind.

Since day one of my arrival, I knew I had to escape as soon as I could.

The first month of my stay in this horrendous world was spent in a giant’s pet shop. Not that I knew that at first: my first 2 weeks were spent in the backroom with the shop clerks and shop stock. A need for quarantine, and vaccinations, and being “handled” to grow accustomed to the monsters around me. Not that I would ever become used to being held in a giant’s fist, let alone by ones who saw me as something to be kept and pampered over. Not that I wanted to get used to this world at all. I’m still not sure why I’m here. I learned the “how” after a while: a random act of magic snatching me off the street in Dublin, Ireland, only to wind up in a gigantic world. Filled with immense creatures who saw us as pests or vermin or…pets.

The shop clerks were used to “handling” humans it seemed. Or, at least, one of them was. The other seemed all too eager and impatient with us. Yes. “Us”. I wasn’t the only one in that pet shop. A handful of us were kept near the storefront window to catch the sun and eyes of the passersby. Puppies and kittens and colorful budgerigars were kept in the main display, but “we” were never too far away.

Knowing I wasn’t alone in this predicament was comforting and sickening all at once. Matters weren’t helped when I learned I was the only one interested in escape.

“Are you out of your mind?” a woman, Daisy, asked when I made the suggestion one day. They kept us separate enough: women on one side, men on the other. More “social” and “friendly” people were kept in groups while some were in their own cages. I was one of the latter. I would never give these giants the satisfaction if I could help it.

Daisy, it seemed, wasn’t on the same page.

“We can’t stay here, this is insane! And dehumanizing!” I whispered, though none of the giants were nearby. I didn’t know just how keen their hearing truly was and didn’t want to risk it. “I…we shouldn’t stay trapped here!”

“Who says we’re trapped? Or for long?” Daisy tried to argue. “Just because you don’t like it here doesn’t mean we all do.”

“And you think I’M out of my mind?” I countered.

“Don’t take it personal, kid.” a voice interjected from beside me. “She was born into this. She’s never known any different.”

“Wait, you’re from Earth? THE Earth? AMAZING!” Daisy interrupted with renewed vigor. “What’s it like?”

To say I was defeated was an understatement. I ignored both their inquiries at that point. If I was going to get out of there, it would have to be on my own.

That’s how she found me.

Slumped in a corner of “my” cage: pathetic, downtrodden, and dispirited. I must have looked quite the sight.

“I’ll take him!” a voice stated, as an annoying tapping started. It was enough to catch my attention, not that I could’ve avoided it otherwise. “He looks like he could use a friend!”

It didn’t take long to start missing the pet shop.

Originally, I was glad to be away from all the eyes and sounds and gaping expressions that came with being an object in a retail store. Some peace and quiet for once, even if it meant I would be alone with her. There was plenty to fear from being in the presence of a singular giant monster that didn’t have concerns about supervisor oversight or daily goals to achieve or a business score to keep up. I had no idea what her true intentions would be.

It would turn out her intentions were selfish and shallow. I was bought to heal her “broken heart” from a recent break-up. She thought buying a “companion pet”, a human, a PERSON, would help her feel less lonely.

I almost believed her.

Until it became painfully obvious why she was “lonely”.

“BYE MATE SEE YOU LATER!” she’d call out as she left the apartment for the day.

In the pet shop, as humiliating as it was, at least the clerks were sure to check up on us. Made sure we were fed, we weren’t feeling ill, had stuff to preoccupy ourselves, and other such things. Even when the shop was closed for the night, they made sure we -critter and person alike- had what we needed until morning.

This woman barely made the effort. My cage had the minimum requirements: a cushion bed, a shower and toilet, and a ball. The pet shop was nowhere near as sterile and empty a set-up as this “forever home”.

Not that she paid much attention after that first day. She made sure I was fed before she left for work or parties or whatever nonsense she did, but not much else. It seemed she saw me more as some goldfish to barely bother with then as an intelligent creature that needed interaction. Let alone consider me a person. To call her a negligent pet owner would be too kind.

The only thing that kept me sane, or entertained at least, was the fact my cage was set in front of a window. The closest thing to genuine kindness she would ever offer. Outside the window, beyond the rooftops and towers of the city, just past the train station, was the only thing that held my interest: an airfield.

I wasn’t sure what kind of transportation I was expecting in this world. They were giants, who knew magic, and didn’t seem to have anything like computers or television. Would everything be horse-drawn carriages and railroads? Surely airplanes or flying carpets wouldn’t be littering the air as well?

And they weren’t. But they did have airships.

Not aircraft likes blimps or dirigibles or zeppelins. No, these were very much the standard fantasy fair that comes to mind with a word like “airship”. Large balloons were attached by rigging and netting to galleons and cartels and cruise liners and yachts and many more. It was the last thing I expected to see, frankly.

It was a beautiful sight to see the ships landing and refilling their envelopes -the balloons- and taking off all day long.

It was heartbreaking as well.

The day I arrived in this world, the day I was taken away from all I knew and loved by thunder and magic and fate, was the day I was supposed to start my new job. I was fresh out of university, had landed the interview and aced it, ready to start my career at one of Ireland’s largest aeronautics firms. A life of analyzing and designing and building all sorts of aircrafts was within my reach.

But I was here instead. Stuck in a cage. As a pet. And in clear view of the closest thing I could possibly enjoy in this wretched place, but never touch.

Imagining how the airships were built, how the envelopes were filled so quickly, what they were filled with, where they were travelling: these questions, these daydreams, were what got me through each dreary, quiet day.

Escape was still on my mind. Don’t ever doubt that. But resources were limited, and chances were few.

She barely checked in on me, after all.

She had a name. I had it memorized since the day she bought me from the shop and introduced herself as my “new big buddy”. But she didn’t deserve to be named. Not when she couldn’t be bothered to use mine. I knew she knew what my name was. I knew she had the paperwork with all my “essential” information on it. The pet shop clerks had been thorough about that: made sure my name was recorded and spelt correctly, noted my allergies (none, but still), and anything else a “new owner” might need to know. It was the only thing that gained the smallest iota of respect I could’ve had for those clerks.

She hadn’t mentioned my name once. Not even made up one in its place. Not even a nickname. She hardly acknowledged my existence.

That changed when Parvati showed up.

She had gotten back together with her ex-girlfriend about a week or two after I was “settled” in. The girlfriend took more of an interest in me, at least.

“Oh! Hello there!” she greeted when she caught sight of me and my set-up. A gentle wave was offered when she saw me flinch at the greeting. Her voice was softer when she spoke afterwards. “I’m Parvati. Who might you be?”

I saw no reason at the time not to tell her.

“Ostador. Ostador Fogg.” I replied.

Parvati would end up being my saving grace.

Even if it was also the start of an even more frustrating environment. See, there was a reason Parvati and her were an on-again-off-again couple. They would be fine for a few days, only for something to set off an argument that ignited into a full-blown row. Parvati would storm off, she would be surly for a few days in the apartment, only to have the pair make-up again. And again. And again.

I found myself the cause of some of these arguments, though not on purpose.

Parvati took to adding to “my” cage more than she did. I am loathe to say it was becoming cozy and livable with her additions. A couch, some artificial plants -from a doll house, I had to assume-, and a better water closet set-up made it more hospitable. Parvati even crocheted a life-sized rabbit she dubbed “Bunny Friend”. It wasn’t the most expertly crafted creation, but I had a small appreciation for the sentiment and the effort. At least it meant someone was thinking of me in that damned flat.

It was these new additions and supplies that helped me start stockpiling for my escape. Bits and pieces from the new “toys” and furniture would help create a grapple and a crude bag. “Bunny Friend” was undoubtedly the best resource: he was made of yarn after all. Giant-made, giant-sized, giant-strength yarn. It was enough to hold me for whatever I decided next: whether it was escape from this cage or from this life.

She didn’t like the attention Parvati was giving me. Less so the lectures Parvati would give on “proper human care”. One of their biggest blow-ups came when Parvati came over one day with a few books. I watched as she struggled to shrink them down and set them inside my cage for me. It was a small gesture but one I would appreciate. She was careful not to get too close, and moved slowly. Parvati knew I still flinched at their loud noises and their large, sudden movements.

“Thought you might like these.” she explained once the book stack was set down. I waited until she withdrew her hand and the door was latched before I made a move toward them. “I mean, I hope you do. I figured they might catch your fancy.”

“Are these…books about airships?” I asked, looking them over. “And trains?

“I’ve seen you looking out the window most of the time so I thought…if you don’t like them, that’s fine. I should’ve asked first.”

“No, it’s…this is great. Thanks a million.” I said, my nose already in the first book.

That small word of gratitude was enough to set her off. Apparently, I’d never said anything to her in all the time I’d been there. It would be a few days before Parvati returned once again into her life. I had already read through 2 of the 3 books when she came back. Parvati didn’t say anything, but I could tell she was glad I was enjoying them.

And oddly enough…I was.

Learning how the technology, or lack thereof, and their magic worked together was fascinating. Their balloons weren’t filled with helium or hydrogen or any sort of gas at all. They were all fire or heat based, much like a standard hot-air balloon would be. Odd and impractical, but that was the kindest description of this place, wasn’t it?

I mention heat because, apparently, they used crystals to hold their spells. Why there was electricity in buildings and homes but no noticeable power sources in sight; why there were working ovens but no obvious gas line hook-ups. Most, if not all, of what I saw as modern-day conveniences in a fantasy setting were, at some level, crystal based. It made things complicated but not impossible.

Especially when I finally had the start of a plan.

She had taken me out, finally, after weeks of being stuck in the cage. I believed her intent was to get me some exercise or something. There were some items on the immense dining room table. The thought crossed my mind that maybe this was my end. Fairytales may not be real back home, but that didn’t mean they weren’t partially true here.

She naturally got distracted almost immediately by a telephone call. It took her several minutes to finish the call and realize I was still sat at the table.

For a moment, she looked shocked.

The truth was, I had contemplated making a dash for the table’s edge. Jump to a chair or shimmy down a table leg or something. But the idea of being chased down was one I couldn’t shake. So, a better one came to mind.

“You…stayed in one spot?” she asked.

“I…I’m not one for looking down…” I said, pretending to avoid the table’s edge. “If you know what I mean.”

I loved to rock climb. Indoor rock walls at the local gym or taking destination holidays to scale cliffs wasn’t a new experience to me. It was one of the things I had in common with my former university roommate, Benson. A meter to this giant was nothing to me. But she didn’t need to know that.

And it worked.

She was already pretty flighty, so it didn’t take her long to take me out, set me down somewhere, and forget about me for a while. Even when Parvati came back into her life, I played the part. Parvati, to my detriment, made sure to check-in on me more often though. I wasn’t sure if it was genuine concern or simple paranoia and distrust.

I bided my time and was rewarded within the month.

The chance came one morning when she was running late. She wasn’t paying attention, as usual, and didn’t see fit to shut the top of the cage properly before she left. It was enough.

I gave her time to come back and fix her mistake, just in case she returned. After one of the tensest half hours of my life, I felt it was safe. Climbing the bars wasn’t difficult, and reinforcing the top so it didn’t fall was simple enough. I was out of the cage and on a solid surface within moments.

Finally.

A rope was tied to one of the cage bars and thrown over the side. The piece of wood attached to the end insured it reached the ground quickly. The knots had been carefully spaced for maximum hand and foot hold usage. When she came home and saw I was gone, she was sure to start her search on the ground level. Perhaps checking every nook and cranny, looking under all of her furniture in the hopes of finding me. Safe and sound, or hurt, or whatever condition I might have been. She would expect to find me in her flat, no matter what.

I took great pleasure in knowing how disappointed she would be.

The real plan was to head outside. The window was left open, as usual, to air out the flat. There was generous room for me to duck under and out, without fear of getting stuck or needing to lift it higher. I wasn’t sure what story the apartment was on, but it didn’t matter. With a hop, skip, and a leap of faith onto the window sill, I was free.

Free.

Oh, to feel the wind again, to smell the air.

To climb a rocky surface again.

The bricks were large, and wide, and evenly spaced. Not quite like the rock climbing walls or cliff-faces I’d scaled before, but I was still able to make my way up.

Yes, up.

Down would’ve been the smarter and more obvious move. Sure. No worry about falling, would probably have been easier to find food eventually. And to be honest, I almost changed my mind. But I was determined to keep the high ground. To throw her off my trail as best I could for as long as possible.

Mostly, it was to keep the airfield in sight. I knew it was stupid. It didn’t make sense. I knew that. But it was the only thing to keep me focused.

By the time I reached the rooftop, it was around noon. I set-up my “camp” as quickly and as best I could. The roof was in disarray and almost abandoned. The only life came from a broken down, but still occupied pigeon coop. The door had fallen off long ago, but nests remained inside nonetheless. It didn’t look like it had seen any giant life otherwise. The entrance into the building looked rusted over. Corners of the area were filled with scraps and detritus.

I spent most of that first day of freedom resting. The climb had been arduous. I was out of practice and out of shape because of it. That would eventually change. Climbing up and down to the flats below would become a daily excursion. At least until I was ready to find someplace new. And I knew exactly where I wanted to go.

Especially once I discovered the ship.

Scavenging through the rubbish piles that littered the roof was necessary and time-consuming. Whatever bits and parts I could use were welcomed. It seemed to mostly contain old toys and remnants of previous parties. A good deal of cloth for certain, if musty and worn in places. Nothing I couldn’t handle and mend. My heart almost stopped when one pile shifted and revealed the most wonderful sight: a ship.

I wasn’t sure how old it was. If the age wasn’t affected by the weather or whatever caused it to be discarded. It was beautiful nonetheless. Even more so when I realized what all the bits and bobs still attached to it meant.

Once upon a time, it was an airship.

It took a while to find the envelope, the balloon, that belonged to it. Neither the ship nor the balloon were in the best shape. They needed work and repairs.

It lit a flame in my heart. I was going to build an airship. Or rebuild, to be technical.

The next few weeks…or months, I wasn’t sure how long, exactly…every time I made a raid for food, I kept an eye out for airship repair supplies. Thread, nails, sewing needles, glue, whatever I could carry or gather and haul to the roof.

I made sure to avoid her flat in all that time.

I wasn’t going to take the chance of her seeing me again, let alone to catch me. There was a temptation once, to see if she had even noticed I was gone. I sat on top of her window, trying to decide on my approach, only to hear the usual shouting match between her and Pavarti.

What did I think would happen? That my disappearance would change her?

Building the ship helped put me at ease. Tired me out more than the climbing did, but still. It was amazing to feel something again. To do something I wanted to do, without supervision, without fear of being scooped up and sold off to some negligent giant as more of a living figurine than as a sapient creature.

That wasn’t true. I was still scared of being discovered.

Paranoia kept me on my toes. Originally, I had my camp set-up along the walls of the roof. Over time, and one windy afternoon that rattled the immense entrance door despite its rust, I relocated to one of the air vents. Far enough within to be out of sight or reach of a giant, close enough to still get around. The ship couldn’t stay in its spot either. It took time, effort, and days of gathering the needed counterweights to move. Eventually, and luckily, the ship was moved to the top of the doorway. Out of sight, and out of reach, of any giant that might make their way to the roof one day.

It would be one of the wisest things I could’ve done.

The day finally came. That morning was perfect. The winds were low, there was hardly a cloud in the sky, and the temperature practically delightful. It was the perfect day to fly. All that was needed was to fill the envelope. I’d plenty of candles and keeping them lit would be easy enough. It was just a matter of waiting. Which I was content to do. What was a few minutes more, when I’d been at this for weeks already?

That’s when he dropped in. Or “popped” in, rather.

I flinched at the sound, half expecting to hear the fateful thunder crash that brought me to this world in the first place. To feel the pull of motion and nausea as every part of me was forced elsewhere. I started breathing again when I realized I was still in the same spot.

And so was the giant.

He staggered to lean against something, anything, before he fell. He managed to catch himself before he bent over and retched.

Great. I was going to have to deal with a DRUNK giant.

Without a moment to waste, I started loading up the ship. I ducked down as best I could once everything was settled. The candles still needed time to do their work. The envelope was nowhere near full and had a way to go yet. I crouched, and prayed, and waited for the giant to move again.

And waited. And waited. And…waited.

I almost took it as just my paranoia acting up. That I had just imagined a giant popping in and out of thin air.

“Urrrgggghhhh…”

Until I heard the groan.

“Gods help me, how much more a’ this can I take?” he said aloud. I watched as his sandy blond hair bobbed across the roof and looked over the edge. “Hells, where am I now?”

Please don’t look up, please don’t look up I pleaded to myself, watching as he “explored” the roof.

It didn’t take him long at all to find the rooftop entrance. He gave the rusted lock and chain a firm shake.

“That’s not good.” he muttered. “I wonder if…Mend.”

I knew that tone. Heard her use that same inflection in her voice whenever she cast a spell. Not that she knew or used many, at least as far as I could tell. I didn’t like the idea of the door suddenly being accessible, but if I was lucky, I would be gone before someone else arrived.

“Damn. Maybe the ghan-bri way?” he continued.

Now that was a phrase I didn’t know. Or understand. Maybe one day I would find out.

“BLOODY SODDIN’ HELLS!”

But for now, I was more concerned with the problem at hand. It took a moment or two for the giant to stop swearing up a storm. Something about “spell locks” and “due diligence” littered in.

“Looks like I’m waitin’ this one out…” he said.

All right, fine. Sharing the roof with the strange, drunk giant wasn’t ideal, but if I kept my head I’d be out of there soon enough anyway. Perhaps if I found a way to distract him?

“What the…?” I heard him ask. The sound of something being dragged across the roof and set down close by, too close, followed soon after.

Oh no.

“Oh! A toy airship! Wonder if it’s a-?”

“STAY BACK!”

There went keeping my head.

I found myself jumping off the boat and brandishing the closest thing to a weapon I had. The giant and I locked eyes. His hand stopped where it was, within a meter of the prow. He looked surprised to see me, but he wasn’t scared. Not that I expected him to be, but it would have been nice.

Especially when all I had was a wooden splinter for a sword. Less so when my hands began to shake.

“Do…don’t you d-dare…” I tried to threaten, words stumbling over each other.

“Sorry, dinno it was yers.” the giant answered softly. I watched as he actually retracted his hand. It wasn’t something I was expecting, really. I had lived with a selfish giant and been kept in a shop with handsy ones. There was half an expectation he would grab me, or the ship, or both, anyway.

It wasn’t a surprise to see him still staring. A glance out of the corner of my eye confirmed the candles were still at their work. Painfully slow, but still doing their best. The envelope needed more time to fill up. It seemed I hadn’t any left of my own.

There was no way this giant was going to leave now. Would I be able to escape? Or would I have to do something drastic?

The scraping sound brought me out of my thoughts. The giant had stepped down and returned whatever item he used as a stepping stool back to its place.

“I dinna mean tuh interrupt. Hope ye doona mind me waitin’ fer this Jumper stone tuh recharge. Shouldne be tuh long now.” he said, leaning against the rooftop door. Or so I assumed, it was hard to tell without looking over the edge. I wasn’t about to risk being snatched that way. “Name’s Colm, by the way.”

“Ostador.” I found myself saying. My arm dropped to my side, sword still shaking. “Ostador Fogg.”

“Nice tuh meet ye, Osta. Erm, I mean, Ostador. Sorry, been told I have a habit a’ makin’ nicknames. ‘Less ye like bein’ called ‘Osta’?”

“Friends call me Osta.” I replied. There was a part of me that wanted to curse myself for the inflection. There was another part of me that was proud for including it.

“…Got ye, Ostador.”

A sigh of relief escaped my lips. The last thing I needed was a rampaging, raging, drunk giant to ruin what I’d worked so hard on. I was so close -SO CLOSE- and didn’t need to see it fall apart before I’d had the chance to lift off.

“Doona s’pose ye know where we are, Ostador?” he asked a few moments later.

“I’m not sure. I know we’re between…I think it’s called Rosecrest and…and Acadia?”

“Arcadia. Then we’re probably in Kirkfries.” he elaborated. “No, we definitely are. That’s the Kirkfries Airfield right there. An’ I think that’s the new Royal Airship they’re buildin’. Prob’ly as a coronation gift.”

I had noticed the construction weeks before. A part of me scoffed at how long it was taking “Magical Giants” to build the thing, any thing, really. But I couldn’t begrudge them, if she was any indication: not everyone knew every spell.

I suppose that was one of the reasons the airfield fascinated me. And why I was compelled to keep it in sight. And why it would be my first destination.

“It all right if I ‘come back up’?” he asked after a while.

I hesitated. The smart thing would’ve been to ignore him and hope for the best. The envelope was making progress, and I think I could’ve set-off. Or at least kept in the air long enough to settle on a different roof.

The smart thing would’ve been not to engage any further.

“Oh-okay.”

I swallowed hard as I listened to the scraping again. Watched with bated breath as his blond hair and hilariously large eyebrows and curious blue eyes came back into view. His movements were slow and deliberate, at least. It was a relieving bewilderment that he didn’t move any closer.

“Do ye mind if I ask ye a few questions?” he eventually asked.

My stomach heaved as I nodded.

“Does she look familiar? Did ye come ‘cross’er tuhday or yesterday?”

He produced a photo and laid it down in front of me. I waited until his hand moved back before I glanced at it. It was a picture of him and a human woman. She was “pushing” him out of the camera frame. Brown hair, fair skin, glasses, hefty. If I didn’t know better, I almost would have said she looked happy. Surely it was part of an act. It had to be.

“No.” I answered.

“Figured as much. If she were here, I’m sure she wooda heard me swearin’ befer…” he sighed as he took the photo back. There was a moment of awkward silence before he turned his attention to the ship. “…Where’d ye find a ‘Duff MacDuff’ galley?”

“A what?”

“A ‘Duff MacDuff’. The ship.” he said, nodding toward my pride and joy. “At least, I think it is. Looks like the one Mum had in’er study. Her’s was named the the ‘L.F. Raibeart Brus’. Canna really tell what yers is called from’ere.”

“Is…is it famous, or something?” I found myself asking.

“Oh aye, prob’ly one a’ the most famous ships, in a way. I know most a’ the story but it should be ‘nuff…if ye wanna hear it, that is. I doona wanna take up yer day.”

I looked at the envelope. The candles were still steady and the balloon was still filling up. The ropes and ballast were in place. The ship didn’t need to take off just yet.

I hoped.

“I’ve got the time.” I said. “So, what’s the deal with this ship?”

“‘Cordin’ tuh mum, ‘bout a century ago, Duff MacDuff made these galleys as novelty airships usin’ a spell called ‘Float’. ‘Cept Float isne what ye’d call a…stable spell, I guess is the right term. It’s one a’ those spells a crystal canna hold, at least not fer long. Yer meant tuh control whate’er yer Floatin’ yerself, if that makes any sense. Needs concentration tuh use it properly. No crystal can do that on its own.”

“Oh. I… I thought magic was easier than that here…” I admitted.

“Trust me, it isne. Take it from somebody who had tuh take Remedial Magical Theory in second’ry school.” the giant chuckled softly. “Practical tests were always manageable, but havin’ tuh ‘splain how it all works? Not m’best subject, really.”

“I was never great at art history myself. Sure, I could remember the names and dates but…no, I can’t say I cared WHY a piece was made or the skill needed or anything like that.”

Why was this happening? Why couldn’t I just keep my mouth shut? He didn’t need to know this and I should be concentrating on getting out of there.

Did I miss meaningful conversation that much?

“So, erm, these were famous for making an impossible spell possible?” I asked anyway.

“That’s the worst part a’ the story. ‘Parently, MacDuff made these as prototypes so he could gain a military contract while makin’ money on the side. Proof that he had what it took. But the day he was meetin’ with Fathach’s generals tuh iron out the details, the news broke: the Duff MacDuff galleys had lost their Float spells. Turns out howe’er he made’em Float dinna last. Some think he did it on purpose so he could charge people tuh have Float cast on’em ‘gain.”

“Yikes. Famous for being a scam. Would never have imagined it.”

“Aye, that a’ course, but…mainly it’s rare tuh find a Duff MacDuff galley in one piece. ‘Least, not ones that havne been restored or pieced tuhgether from other Duffs.”

“Is…is it the materials or the construction that bad?” I squeaked out involuntarily. I had done my own inspections and was satisfied with the ship weeks before. Now, doubt was creeping in.

“Oh, no, these were well-crafted from the way mum told it.” he explained. “But somethin’ that flies suddenly losin’ its ‘bility tuh stay in the air…”

“Crashes. Lots of crashes, I take it? I can only imagine the public outcry.”

“The injury lawsuits an’ refunds drove MacDuff outta business an’ intuh bankruptcy. Made some legal changes tuh: new regulations fer testin’ spells an’ certificates needed an’ the like. Dinna wanna repeat a’ that disaster, that’s fer sure.”

“Yeah, we had similar things happen with toys as choking hazards and flame-retardant stuffed animals. Not fun.”

There was the briefest moment of surprise that passed his eyes at the statement. It didn’t take much to figure out why: the giants thought we were pets and pests for a reason after all. I could only assume they didn’t believe we were capable of anything more, that we had a society and laws and cultures of our own.

Maybe that was another reason I was so eager to get the airship working. Just to show them what I, what humans, could do.

“So, how long have ye been workin’ on this?” the giant asked. “I canna imagine it was easy.”

“I’ve been at it for a few weeks, I think. And, yes, it was probably one of the hardest things I’ve ever done. But…it’ll be worth it once we get in the air.”

“Do ye have e’erythin’ ye need fer yer flight? Food, water, a Jump…oh. Do ye need a Jumper Stone?”

“A what?”

“A Jumper Stone. It’s how I’ve been gettin’ ‘round. Most airships use’em in case uv’ emergencies. Tuh get people back on the ground.”

“Oh, I’ve made a parachute. It…should work well enough. I think.”

“…What’s a ‘parachute’?”

I couldn’t help it. I knew it was stupid to say or do anything to anger a giant. But still, I said it.

“WHAT DO YOU MEAN ‘WHAT’S A PARACHUTE’?!” I exclaimed, trying to comprehend what was just said. “Don’t you have parachutes here?!”

“Erm…”

“They’re strong pieces of fabric and rope we use to slow our descent when we jump out of pla-! When we jump out of aircrafts.”

“Ye use a SHEET an’ STRING tuh save yerselves from a crash?!” he asked, bewildered and aghast at the idea. “That’s mental!”

“You just said you rely on a ROCK! How is that any better?!”

“It’s…it’s a MAGIC rock!”

“One you said needs to be recharged! How is that reliable in an emergency?!”

“Oh, aye, ‘cuz a sheet full a’ holes woodne be worse?”

There was a moment I considered pushing the argument. But a glance at the ship was all I needed. The balloon was finally ready.

“To each their own, I guess.” I said, choosing instead to board my ship.

“…But it’ll work, right? Yer bedsheet, I mean.” he asked softly and, I would dare to say, earnestly.

“As well as your rock would.” I replied in kind.

“I wish I had m’camera. I wooda liked tuh take a picture befer ye cast-off.”

My long-dead mobile phone still sat in a pocket. If only there were a way to charge it, to turn it on and preserve this moment, at least.

“I wish you did too…”

“Is there anythin’ yer missin’? I might have somethin’ spare ye can use…”

There was a temptation to ignore him now that I was ready.

“Don’t suppose you have a moment to cast Float? Just in case?” I playfully asked.

“An’ water down yer achievement? Ne’er.”

“Heh! Well, I wouldn’t say no to a candle if you’ve got one. Otherwise, I think I’m all set.”

The giant -Colm- took a moment to take off his backpack and search through it. I’ll be honest, I hadn’t expected him to make a genuine effort.

Colm hesitated when he produced a pair of wax candles a moment later.

“Is it all right tuh get closer? Tuh load’em on, so tuh speak?”

I gripped my splinter sword again, just in case.

“Go ahead.”

He was slow and deliberate once more. The candles were set, ever so gently, on the deck of the ship. I waited until his hands were back at his side. It didn’t take much to store them below deck after that. I had prepared slots to store them, and the extra candles I’d had, to keep them in place during the trip. It took effort to keep them, and the rest of my cargo, balanced. I could only hope my first voyage wouldn’t be waylaid thanks to weight issues and loose items rolling around. By the time I stood on deck again, I was eager to set off.

Colm was still there, waiting patiently.

“We-well, this was a good talk but…I think it’s time we parted ways.” I awkwardly said, with as much strength as I could muster. “It…it was nice to meet you, Colm.”

“Aye, the same can be said ‘bout ye, Ostador.”

“Osta. You…you can call me Osta.”

“Thank ye, Osta. May Iansa keep the winds at yer back an’ may Loki keep yer path clear.”

I nodded my thanks. I had no idea who those people were, but I still felt the need to show my gratitude for the thought.

I then set myself before the wheel. There were no rudders to move, what with it being an airship and no water to turn in, but I had installed other things to help change my course. Several ropes connected to various parts of the ship; their knots were tied firmly along the wheel. The ballast was next, untying the various pieces of junk kept together to prevent the ship from sailing off as the envelope was filling. The anchors, large pieces of metal I’d recovered, were brought back onto the deck.

With that, the ship rose.

The balloon held steady as I started to float away. I turned back only once to see Colm waving me off, enthusiastic and sincere in his efforts. His once large form diminished the further I got and soon enough he, and her accursed apartment building, was out of sight.

An immense city to maneuver and explore was laid before me.

It all started out well enough. I kept myself high enough to avoid windows and the rooftops. Didn’t need to find myself in giant clutches once again just because I’d sailed too close to an inhabited building.

It was exhilarating. It was terrifying. It was all I wanted and more.

The sway of the ship as it sailed through the air. The creak of the ropes and the groan of the wheel as I set my course for the airfield. It would have been safer, and faster, to clear the city altogether. There was no need to navigate the town. I told myself that, at least for the first leg of the journey, keeping to the city meant more places to land if needed. Rooftops were closer for an emergency than the ground itself, of course.

I told myself it wasn’t selfish to show off. I didn’t believe it. Because it wasn’t true. I did want to show off. To set an example of what humans could do: that our ingenuity and tenacity could take us further than they gave us credit for.

High hopes and aspirations, I knew.

I would have to settle for at least one successful trip at least.

“OI! LOOKIT THAT!”

The giants were having some kind of gathering on their roof. Setting up decorations for…the coronation, I supposed. Lots of green and orange and white, that was for sure. A few turned to look but didn’t think anything of me and my ship.

It was impulsive. I waved. It was only then that they looked amazed.

“Holy shit! There’s a human in there!” one shouted as I passed. “Someone, get a picture! Quick!”

I didn’t turn to pose, but kept on my way. I wasn’t sure if they got the picture they wanted, but I could still hear their argument. It was nice to know some of these giants could be amazed by me.

The journey had been going well up until that point. It wasn’t until I passed a classroom that the turbulence first kicked in. The wind shifted and was working against me just then. It took all my knowledge and strength to keep myself steady. I was more concerned with keeping the candle lit and the envelope full. There was a moment when one of the ropes came loose and my port-side retractable ballast pole swung out. The weight had me lurch off my path and I found myself getting closer to the school building than I would’ve liked.

The classroom full of eager, fascinated, giant children made my blood freeze.

It didn’t take much imagination to figure out what would happen if they got their grubby little hands on me, or, worse, on my ship. I would’ve crashed through their window if I hadn’t let the next set of ropes loose in time.

The sails unfurled and caught the wind.

There was a mix of awe and disappointment and surprise and joy in their young voices as the wind carried me upwards and away. The sails acted as wings, bearing me higher and higher above the city’s rooftops.

When I reached a satisfactory height, I brought the sails and the poles they were attached to back in and against the ship. It wasn’t a hard decision to make: sailing above the city was the better choice after all. I’d had my fun.

The airfield wasn’t particularly busy. Or at least, not as busy as I was expecting it to be. The only comparison that made sense would be, of course, an airport. There were plenty of airships docked, but not many seemed to be landing or taking off. Not sure how often these crafts were used or what their schedules were like. There were railroad tracks and a station within view, the trains noticeable by their smoke trails and resounding horns as they blared. Perhaps the giants worked on a staggered schedule for transportation: whatever they used for power needed to be recharged and maintained after all. They probably didn’t want to breakdown in the middle of a route…or in mid-air.

As I got closer, it was easier to distinguish the airship I had been watching for months.

The new, apparently royal, airship looked even more magnificent than I’d imagined. It loomed over the other ships as it sat there. I could see workers on scaffolding, still working on it. Painters or varnishers or the like, I wasn’t sure. Truth be told, I wasn’t sure how regular ships were made, let alone airships in a giant world full of magic.

I decided taking a few passes around the ship would be enough to sate my curiosity. For the moment. Finding a place to land, perhaps, set up camp for the time being, felt like a good idea. Tweak and fix whatever needed to be done. Decide on another destination. If I had another destination. Scavenging would be a possibility. Would give me time to see how the inner workings of an airfield and their ships actually worked.

That was the plan. That should’ve been the plan. Until the wind changed again.

There was something different about the shift this time. Harder, more violent, than before. It was all I had to keep myself on the deck itself. Everything was shaking too hard to do much. As I turned to release the wing sails again, in the hopes of steering myself out of the dangerous current, my stomach dropped.

The candle was out. The fire was gone.

Stepping away from the wheel wasn’t possible, not without falling to my doom. But I thought I was still all right: the balloon shouldn’t lose too much air right away.

Unless one of my patches came loose.

“Oh no…” I groaned as I watched the piece of stupid fabric flap in the wind.

The swears came steadily and rapidly after that. I managed to catch the attention of a few of the workers as I started my descent. Some of them tried to make a catch but the airship was always just out of their reach.

Then one of the ropes snapped.

A wing sail flew out, sending me closer to the airship. The turn was so sudden and so sharp, I thought every bone in my body would snap. Death was certain. Should have been certain. It was by the Grace of God or sheer dumb luck that the window was open. It was a miracle the airship even fit.

The landing was a disaster. At least, so I was told.

I woke up to voices in the dark. Everything hurt, but nothing seemed broken. No bleeding, at least not that I could tell. I was in one piece.

“Surprised tuh see one a’ these out an’ ‘bout.”

Oh no.

“Haven’t seen one of these in public since I got mine a few years back.” another voice added.

“Really now? Auction or the like?” the first, and older, voice asked.

“Estate or Fire Sale. Slightly singed, but still.”

“Hmm. A shame to see this one in such a state though. See’re-?”

“LEAVE IT ALONE!”

The scream was a surprise even to myself.

“DON’T YOU DARE TOUCH IT!” I continued to yell. In an instant I was on my feet, hands stretched out to find my way in the surrounding shadows.

A bright light stopped me in my tracks. When my vision adjusted, I was met with a giant pair of brown eyes.

“Le-leave…leave my ship alone…” I threatened, fists raised. Sure, they were shaking. But still. Had to do something.

“This is your ship then?” the eyes, the giant, asked. I couldn’t tell if her tone was genuine or sarcastic. “And how’d you come across it?”

“It…it was in a pile of rubbish.”

“A Duff MacDuff, thrown ‘way? Prepost’rous. Shameful, at that.” the older voice added. “Almost as bad as one desecrated like this.”

I wasn’t sure what made me snap: hearing the insult or the sound of something falling off my ship.

“DESECRATED?!” I yelled. “I made that pile of overrated kindling fly again! And without any of your stupid magic, even!”

“Really? You did this all on your own?” the eyes asked again, before I could yell again. “What tools did you use? Where were you? Where did you find the MacDuff, exactly?”

I was tempted to answer her questions. I really was. But another part thought she hadn’t earned the answers. Not when I was still trapped.

“As fascinatin’ as I’m sure the tale might be, I need this…mess outta m’office. I’ve meetin’s tuh attend an’ I doona wanna take more outta m’day fer this.” the other voice interrupted, clearly irritated. “Dispose uv’em at yer discretion.”

“Sir?” the eyes asked.

“…I doona like the idea uv’a human infestation on m’ship befer she e’en gets intuh the air.”

“Don’t let the High Lord, I mean, the King, hear you say that. He has a human of his own, you know.”

“Doona remind me. I’m dreadin’ the walkthrough fer that ‘lone. Dismissed.”

“Aye, Captain.” the eyes said, lifting the box -no, the rubbish bin- I was trapped under and setting it aside. There was a moment I almost made a run for it. Better an attempt to escape then have them believe I would yield so quickly. Yet, I had to: the thought of leaving my hard work behind was heartbreaking.

It didn’t help her hand was closer than I expected. I flinched when it got too close.

“Easy there, big guy.” she said as she reached for me. I tensed up expecting to feel monstrously large fingers wrap themselves around me again. It came as a slight shock to see her offer a flat palm instead. Not that I took the offer. She ended up scooping me up anyway. “I got you.”

Sort of the problem, isn’t it? I thought to myself. I didn’t find myself able to talk until we were far from the captain’s office.

“Please…please don’t…don’t kill me…” I said, eyes fixated on the ship she held beneath her arm. It looked like it was barely keeping itself in one piece. “Or…or at least…don’t throw out the ship. Please.”

The giant looked both ways before pushing against a door.

“I’m not going to throw away your ship.” she reaffirmed as she set it on a table in the room. “And I’m not going to kill a human, let alone one who got a Duff MacDuff to fly again without magic.”

I was starting to think these giants didn’t have a basic concept of science. Or, if they did, it was ignored.

“I’m going to grab something to eat. I know I’m starved at least.” she said, before placing me in -what I assumed to be- an overhead compartment. The door to keep the contents safe was odd: it was more like reinforced chicken wire instead of a solid door.

I was in a cage. Again.

“I’ll check for some spare supplies too, spruce up your new place…well, temporary place, at least. I’m sure I can convince the captain this isn’t necessary.” she stated, locking the door in place. The bars separated us now. “Worse comes to worst, you’ll only be in there for a week at best. Maybe two. Then you can head home with me, yeah?”

I couldn’t bring myself to say the cutting remark I had in mind. My heart sank with the rest of me, as I picked a far corner to sit in.

I was going to have to start all over again, wasn’t I?

“I won’t be too long. I’ll see you in a bit.”

The cabin door closed behind her. Only to open again seconds later.

“Ankou take me, I can’t believe I forgot to introduce myself properly.” She said as she made her way to “my place” again. “I’m Talia McCallen, currently the head shipwright and interior designer for the L. F. Taistealaí. Who might you be?”

“…Ostador.” I eventually answered.

“Nice to meet you, Ostador. You can call me Tali if you like. What’s your favorite color?”

“What?”

“Your favorite color. So, I can make your stuff more personalized.”

There was a moment where I almost insulted her instead.

“Seaweed green.”

It was nice to finally hear someone ask.

“Nice! We’ve plenty of blue but green shouldn’t be too hard to create. Back in a bit, for real this time!”

I found myself still hating my circumstances again. Just…not hating it as much as I did before. It was still humiliating and unnerving and demoralizing, but at least Talia was making an effort.

It was still a terrible situation. But small efforts made it easier. Especially when it came to the ship.

“Oi, Ostador, can you do me a favor?” Talia asked on the second day. I wasn’t in a speaking mood, hadn’t been since I crashed and was caught again. But I turned towards her and acknowledged her existence, at least.

“I just need you to touch this stone for me.” she said as she brought the stone closer. It was triangular and fir easily on the palm of her hand.

I hesitated. Just because it looked like a stone didn’t mean that’s what it truly was. I’d seen magic stored in similar stones, after all.

“It’s for the ship. I can explain after you touch it.”

I gulped hard. And touched the stone, expecting the worst. I felt her pull the stone away after a moment.

“Thanks, Ostador. Here, take a look!” she said.

I watched from the cage-luggage rack as she stepped over to where the ship, my ship, still sat. Talia placed the stone down, followed by three others. She set each one at a corner so it surrounded the vessel. There was a brief flash of shimmer after she tapped the closest stone.

“Ready?” she asked, looking towards me for confirmation.

I nodded, worried more about her plans for my ship. I hadn’t laid a hand on it since the crash but…neither had Talia. Until now. When she passed a hand over the stone barrier, the shimmer appeared, but allowed her to pass. So far, so…odd. A light show, nothing more.

Until she picked up one of her books. Talia gave it a shake, to catch my attention apparently, before she threw it at the ship.

“NO!” I screamed.

I thought the ship was done for. That the book would ruin all my hard work even further. Except…the book bounced harmlessly against the shimmer.

“Wha…?”

“The only people who can touch this ship, to move these stones, are me…and now, you.” Talia explained as she replaced the book on a shelf. “Whenever you’re feeling ready to work on it again, that is.”

The thought of working on my ship with anyone else, let alone a giant, felt…conflicting. It would mean having her mammoth mitts on all my efforts and tinkering where they shouldn’t…but it also meant the chance of flying again.

“Tha…thanks…” I replied.

Hopefully, that would be enough for Talia. For now.

I had played the waiting game before, after all. Talia and, I suppose, my stay on the royal airship wouldn’t last much longer. Once the high lord, the king, whoever, performed the christening ceremony and made his inspection, we’d be moving back to her own flat.

Moving day would be dreadful but necessary.

At least that time around, I knew there’d be more consideration. Talia had kept to her word and made my imprisonment more bearable. It almost seemed like a proper place to live this time: a better bed, an armchair, and a bookshelf full of copies of her own collection. All in a seaweed green color scheme, as asked. Watching her magically split new books one by one, only to shrink them down was, frankly, mesmerizing. And appreciated, to be honest. Talia had done more for me in 24 hours than she had done in weeks. A step above the pet shop, even.

I had to remind myself not to get comfortable.

“Do you want the wireless on?” Talia asked a few days later. It was still early in the day and I was barely awake. “Or do you think you’re up to listening with the rest of the lads?”

Guzzling an entire pot of coffee would never have the same effect the thought of being surrounded by a whole group of giants did to jolt me awake.

Talia didn’t need an answer.

“Never you mind, I can tell. I’ll keep it going for you. It’s Coronation Day and the first king of Fathach’s going to broadcast his speech later on. No reason to miss out on history, yeah?”

“Yeah…history…” I replied.

“Need anything else before I head off?”

A way out of this cage. A way out of this world. A way home.

“No, thank you.” I said instead.

I tried to read and formulate plans while Talia was gone. The wireless was welcome company, even if the only chatter between songs and programs were concerned with the royal coronation. It was unusual yet comforting to hear familiar opinions on royals. There were no punches pulled about the apparently sudden shift to a monarchy. Opinions about the ruling family were varied, but seemed in favor of them. The idea of Ireland attempting to crown a king or queen after years of democratic elections made me laugh. There would be riots for days, if not a full-blown revolution.

It made me miss home all the more.

I didn’t pay the wireless much mind otherwise. Decent background noise as I contemplated the best ways to improve the ship. Thought I recognized a few of the voices that spoke but to be honest the giants’ accents all seemed to blur together after some time.

The king started his speech soon enough, and all sounded like your typical politician’s prattle. Something about unity and expectations, but no definite change in policies.

“E’eryone in Fathach has a right tuh live their lives tuh the fullest. Tuh the best a’ their ‘bility.” the king rambled on.

“Yeah, right.” I replied absently, still concentrated on my book.

“They should have the same opportunities tuh succeed…no matter their race. No matter their creed. No matter their magical skill. No matter their station. No matter their religion.” the king continued.

“And no matter their size?” I interjected sarcastically.

“An’…no matter their size.” the king confirmed.

The gasps were barely audible over the wireless, but my own was loud and clear. The king finished up his broadcast and the regular radio hosts quickly began their own commentary afterwards.

The pounding footsteps were ignored until the door swung open, jolting me out of my thoughts.

“Did you hear?! Did you hear what he SAID?!” Talia asked once she was inside. “Do you know what this means?”

“I…I don’t…I don’t know?” I asked, more out of shock than anything else. My thoughts were all over the place at the moment.

“ME NEITHER! Isn’t that great?”

The coronation and the now infamous speech were the talk of the ship up until the christening ceremony. I was supposed to spend the day packing while the captain and his crew attended to the king during his visit. Not that I’d had much else to do anyway.

“This might be our last day here, unless the king wants anything changed.” Talia explained as she got dress ready. She didn’t have a lot in the cabin in the first place. The rooms had been temporary lodgings for the crews as they worked on the grand ship. “Otherwise, we’ll be good to head home to Edinberry.”

“Right.” I replied, packing what few things I had.

“This commission should keep us going for a while. Plenty of time to fix up your ship and send you on your way.”

“…What?”

“Wasn’t exactly hard to figure out you don’t like it here. Not going to keep you longer than is necessary, big guy.”

There was almost a moment where I wanted to believe her. Especially after the king’s speech. I didn’t want to have too much hope.

“…Right.” I eventually replied.

I would still keep my plans close to my chest. Just in case.

“Back in a bit. Gonna make sure to sneak us some of the good food. There’s supposed to be a massive seven-layer apple cake, from what I hear.”

Once she left, I settled myself back on the couch. Reading no longer had an appeal. The king of the country was on that very ship. The same king that allowed humans to be treated like critters to be kept or cast out. The same king who wanted to change that.

The same king that deserved a few choice words from me. From any Human, really. But I’d want to be at the front of the line.

I didn’t realize I’d dozed off until the door slammed open.

“Ostador! Get dressed!” Talia exclaimed as she entered the room. Her attention was on my ship as I shot up off the couch. “The king wants to meet you!”

“He…what?” I asked, still in a daze.

“We were talking -the king, the captain, and me- and your crash landing came up and the king wanted to see you but the captain said you were gone days ago but I said you were still here and the captain is pretty mad but now that the king knows you’re still here he wants to talk to you personally!” she explained, carefully removing the stone protection barrier from around my airship. She mumbled some kind of spell under her breath. No pieces seemed to fall off or shift as she lifted it off the table. “Captain wasn’t eager to have the celebration interrupted but when the king says he wants to meet someone and their Duff MacDuff, you don’t say no, you know?”

“Right…” I replied.

Holy shit. This was it. I was going to meet the king. Meet him, and give him the earful of a lifetime.

“…Is that what you’re wearing?” Talia asked after a moment.

“What do you expect me to wear? Coattails and a top hat?”

“There has to be something slightly better in your wardrobe, I’m sure?”

“Oh yes, let me just check my massive walk-in closet for my ‘Meeting Royals’ regalia, I’m sure my butler has it pressed and ready to wear.”

“…All right. I think I can grab a spare ship uniform. Or the slacks and a shirt at least. What’s your size?”

“46 trousers, large shirt?”

Talia was gone and back before I knew it. As soon as I was changed, we were off. About half way through our walk, the nerves started to set in. We were about to meet royalty. Even Talia was getting nervous, as she kept prattling on about not being nervous.

Needless to say, it didn’t help either of us.

A pair of guards, or so I assumed by their uniforms, stood outside an ornate door. One opened it as the other entered behind us. The room was stately but not as large as I figured it would be. Not kilometers long, at least. A table and chairs were provided, set with drinks, hors d’oeuvres, and canapes. Talia was careful to set me down beside the plate before placing the ship close by.

There was a temptation to run toward the ship, toward my Duff MacDuff, and never leave it again. But the hors d’oeuvres plate called to me.

“Do you need me to Diminish any or…?” Talia softly asked.

“No, I’m good.” I replied, breaking off a piece of cracker and scooping it into the pâté that sat on it. It wasn’t the best I’d ever had but it was still pretty good. I hoped it was enough to settle my stomach.

Especially when I noticed we weren’t alone in the opulent room. In each corner was another guard, all standing stoically and waiting patiently. Made sense, I suppose. You’d want to make sure the room is secure and safe before royalty arrived for an impromptu meeting.

The wait felt like an eternity. Talia and I found ourselves pacing the room -or in my case, the table- soon enough. Maybe the king had changed his mind. Maybe this was the set-up for an elaborate prank. Maybe we were about to die for…reasons I couldn’t think of at that moment.

Maybe I was waiting for disappointment whatever the case might be.

Talia and I froze in our tracks when the door creaked open.

“Good afternoon.” the man stated as he entered. He was quick to make his way to the table and knelt down before me. I had to admit, seeing his large crisscrossed scar up close made me step back. It wasn’t until he leaned his arm on the table that I saw them.

The first pair of humans I’d seen since the pet shop.

“Captain Michael MacKenzie, Arcadia Guard.” one of them said, reaching out their hand in greeting. “This is my Second Lieutenant, Phelan Fleming. Tall, dark, and brooding behind us is General Dorian Stryfe. Who might you be?”

“Ostador. Ostador Fogg.” I answered absentmindedly, shaking Phelan’s hand when it was offered. His eyes were light compared to his dark skin, and I found myself lost in them.

“Nice to meet you, Mr. Fogg.” he stated, his voice smooth and kind. He smiled with perfect teeth gleaming. “Or might I call you Ostador?”

“Osta is good too…”

“Your ship is very interesting. You did all the work yourself?”

“Yeah, of course. I mean, I didn’t erm, build the actual ship, but the rest…the rest is me.”

“…I’m afraid I’ll need my hand back if we’re to inspect your ship, Osta.”

“Yeah, of – what? No! Oi, no!” I said, finally snapping out of my daze. I turned to see the other one, Captain Mac-something, reaching for the ladder. I smacked his hand away before he could start climbing. “No one is ‘inspecting’ this ship if I can help it!”

There was a moment as Phelan and the other one considered each other.

“How do you want to play this one, General?” MacGregor, or whatever, eventually asked.

“Oh, what, plan on arresting me for manhandling an ‘officer’?” I interrupted before the giant general could respond. “Humans suddenly rise to that level on the social ladder, have we?”

“Not yet, but I’m sure ye will someday.”

The interjection came from a new, but familiar, voice. He was dressed well enough, his dirty blond hair tied back and almost out of his eyes that time. It still took me longer to recognize him than I probably should have.

“Wait…Roof Guy? Callum…Colin?”

“‘Roof Guy’?” the general asked with a raised brow.

“Colm. Close though.” he said, taking a seat. He produced a box, and moved its pieces around until a table and chairs were made. “Please, have a seat, Ostador.”

I begrudgingly left the ship, still glaring at McKillroy as a warning. Phelan at least seemed content to look with his eyes and not with his hands.

“I’m glad tuh see ye made it in one piece.” Colm said, as I took a seat. An engineering part of me wanted to inspect the table and chair to see how it worked, but I ignored it. For that moment. “More or less.”

“Yeah, it was going well until…well, it didn’t…” I explained.

“Was it somethin’ I coulda helped with when we met?” he asked. His face actually fell at the thought.

“No, no it wasn’t anything you could’ve helped. The wind just…I miscalculated or got stuck in a slipstream. Unless you can control the wind.”

There was a split second when the worst thought crossed my mind.

“…Can you control the wind?”

“Heh. If I could, I’d’ve been able tuh ‘void a few notable kilt incidents, lemme tell ye.” he chuckled. His tone returned to normal with a look and a cough from the giant general. “…But perhaps those’re stories fer ‘nother day. I’m actually here tuh ask ye a question.”

“And what might that be?”

“How would ye like tuh make more airships?”

I waited for the punchline. Waited for this moment to fall apart. Waited for the overbearing giant laughter at the “human aviator” to echo in the room.

“…Are you serious?” I asked. I made my voice as steady and unfeeling as I could make it. I wasn’t about to fall for whatever they had in mind. My eyes kept to his face, waiting for any sign he was about to break.

“A’ course.” he simply replied.

If he was lying, he was doing a good job of it.

“And why would you want me to make you more airships? Want to recreate Duff’s disaster for a new generation?”

“Erm, Ostador, maybe-?” Talia tried to interrupt, but I wouldn’t let her.

“Or perhaps you’d like to see more humans in the sky as a novelty? ‘Oh look, how cute! Humans think they can fly! How silly, how idiotic, how droll.’”

Colm’s face didn’t change after my rant. He had a better poker face than I expected.

“I was thinkin’ more like an alternate mode a’ transportation fer humans tuh get ‘round the cities an’ e’en the country. Not sure ‘bout crossin’ the oceans but I doona have tuh know ‘how’ fer that anyway.”

“You still haven’t answered why.”

“Doona s’pose ye heard the king’s speech the other day?”

“Yes.”

“An’ know what it meant?”

“…Yes.”

“Change is comin’ an’ I’d like tuh make it happen sooner rather than later, if I can. An’ that means findin’ the right people fer the right jobs. People like ye.”

“And what makes you think I’m the right person?”

“Osta, ye took a pile a’ scrap an’ a broken toy ship, spent weeks buildin’ it intuh somethin’ new when ye coulda spent that time fortifyin’ a new home, an’ ye flew. Without magic.”

“…It’s not exactly difficult if you know-!”

“That’s m’point! Ye do know! Ye do know an’ yer clearly passionate ‘bout this sort a’ thing. If yer not right fer this, no one is.”

There was a moment I wanted to believe him. He seemed very passionate about this himself. Like he wasn’t lying.

“What sort of compensation should I expect for doing all this?” I asked eventually. “I assume you didn’t think I’d do any of this for free?”

“A’ course not. Is there anythin’ specific ye had in mind?”

“Money. A salary. Standard for any job, really.”

“Still workin’ out the kinks uv’a comp’rable future economy.” he replied, finally starting to look uncomfortable. “But it would come in due time.”

“A comparable economy? That mean your lot are working on more than just freeing humans?”

“Aye. Slowly, a’ course. Doona wanna make it hard fer humans tuh build a life without some kinda foundation.”

“Equal rights?”

“Workin’ on it.”

“Areas to travel, to live safely?”

“Workin’ on it.”

“No more humans coming over through magic?”

“That is somethin’ the world’s best thaumaturgists have been workin’ on fer centuries, I’m afraid.”

I gave myself a moment to consider his words. To decide if his words had any weight to them. I needed more.

“So, you’re expecting me to just…what? Hop on board with working for giants, for free, for God knows how long?” I asked with an exasperated sigh.

“It’s why we’re askin’ as a voluntary position. We know it will be tough goin’ fer a while yet.”

“What happens if I refuse? You’ll snatch me up and press-gang me into service anyway?”

“No. We back off, respect yer decision. Maybe we wait tuh ask ye ‘gain when plans are more finalized. If we can find ye ‘gain. If yer still interested. An’ if yer still not, well…I s’pose we start the search fer someone else.”

It was all sounding too good to be true. Too easy. Too much like…naivety. But…maybe…

“…I want to hear this from him. I want to hear the king himself say he wants to change how things are. That humans don’t deserve to be pets or pests anymore. Then I’ll give you an answer about this…position.”

There was a moment of awkward silence as Colm stared, his ridiculous eyebrows raised in surprise. A groan was heard from the giant general when he turned to look at him.

“Colm, please just-!” the giant general began.

“No, no. He has a point. Let’s get the king in here.” Colm interrupted, with a broad smile. “We’ll be right back with the king, Osta.”

The pair exited the room without another word.

“Ostador, that was-!” Talia tried to explain, once the door closed behind them. She was interrupted when the giant general reentered the room.

“May I present his royal majesty, Colm Matthew Alexander Brian Arcadi, Magistrate of Arcadia, High Lord of all Fathach, High Commander of her forces, Defender of her peoples, first king of Fathach, by the grace of the Gods, long may he reign.” he introduced, clearly exasperated and on the verge of snapping.

Colm entered the room, retook his seat, and locked eyes with me once more.

“Hullo!” he said, smile broad and eyes bright. “I am doin’ m’best tuh change how things are. That humans doona deserve tuh be pets or pests anymore, an’ I hope ye can help me pave the way for a better, brighter future fer all.”

A pin could’ve dropped like a ton of bricks in that moment.

“…You’re taking the piss.” I finally said.

“If this is how your reign is going to be, I may just retire early.” the general sighed.

“This whole time? You’ve been the king THIS WHOLE TIME?!”

“No, just fer the last few days. ‘High Lord’ befer that.” he, Colm, -the KING- explained. “I thought ye knew. That’s what I get fer not doin’ proper introductions right off the bat.”

“My apologies, M’Lord, I should’ve mentioned it before you got here…” Talia stated.

“It’s all right. So…what do ye think?”

“If I agree to this…what exactly do you expect me to…well, do?”

“Design, build, add yer input tuh makin’ human-sized an’ operated airships. Ye’ll prob’ly start by makin’ one fer our human guard in Arcadia.” Colm clarified. “Yer livin’ quarters an’ workshop would be there as well.”

I admit, the idea of my own workshop piqued my interest. My own place to build and design and work. To come up with my own escape plans if this whole thing went pear-shaped. I took a moment to glance at Talia. She had been quiet for most of the conversation, but I could feel her fidget with each question I asked. I couldn’t tell if they were good signs or not.

“…Are there any…problems we’d have tuh resolve befer ye give an answer?” Colm calmly asked, now looking at Talia as well.

“What do you mean by…oh! Oh, no, m’lord!” Talia began, her nerves shot again. “Ostador has been, erm, under my care but I’m not…there’s nothing legally keeping him here. He not registered under my name or anything.”

Registered. I was registered. If this really was a ticket out of that, I should I take it, shouldn’t I?

“There…there is something like that. Would…will you take me back?”

“Do ye wanna go back?”

“NO.”

I surprised myself with how loud and forcefully I’d answered.

“N-no. No, I don’t want to go back. Never, if I can help it.” I stated.

“Then ye woona go back. E’er. We’ll see tuh it.” Colm confirmed. “I promise.”

I almost believed him.

“If ye need more time tuh consider it, it’s fine.” Colm said after a moment. “I just wanted tuh make the offer while we were both in the same place.”

“The ship comes with me. No matter what, that ship stays with me even if it means claiming a finger or two! Yes, even if you ARE the king.”

“Heh. I woodne expect any less.”

There I was, sitting and waiting for the other shoe to drop. I’d be getting a workshop to build my own ship -my own ships- without having to worry about going back to her again.

And I’d get to know this Phelan better. It was the opportunity of a lifetime. I should take it.

Shouldn’t I?

“Fine, let’s give it a shot.”

“Glad tuh hear it. We can discuss this further if need be ‘nother time. I still have this tour tuh finish an’ all.” Colm replied as he rose from his seat. “We’ll see each other soon. Stryfe will take care a’ the rest fer now. Good day, Osta.”

Colm, the king, was gone before I knew it.

“If you’re ready to go, we can leave now. I’m sure you’ll want to get settled in while you can.” the general, Stryfe, said.

“Wait!” Talia quickly interjected.

Oh no. I should’ve known. She wouldn’t have tried anything in front of the king.

As I raised my hands up in defense, it came as a slight shock to find Phelan’s hand on my shoulder and MacKenzie in front, acting as a shield.

“Don’t you want your stuff? Your clothes, the books?” she added, either ignoring the gesture or oblivious to it.

“Oh. Oh, yes, I…I guess I do…” I stammered.

“Then I’ll be right back!” Talia said, before running out of the room.

I took the time to examine the ship. It had been too long since I’d seen her up close. It wasn’t a complete disaster but a lot of patches and fixes I’d originally made were damaged. A lot of it had been difficult to fix in the first place. At least the second time around, I’d have access to the right parts and tools.

“So, how did you come across this ship, anyway?” Phelan asked, as he sidled up next to me.

“Oh, um, it was…ah…garbage. It was in a pile of garbage.” I answered, trying to get the words out.

“You were lucky to find something like this in such great shape. I can’t wait to work on it with you.”

“Hahaha ha ha…ye-yeah, me too…”

Talia returned quickly enough, clothes and books and other knick-knacks that were part of my entrapment. She helped load them onto the ship while MacKenzie, Phelan, and I stashed them below deck.

“Oh, and one last thing…” Talia said, handing me what looked like an oversized poster board or novelty cheque.

“Is this…your business card?” I asked once I looked it over properly.

“Hey, you never know if you might need some advice, or opinions, or to just…you know, chat. Backup, maybe, if you need it.”

“Thank you. Really. I…I’ll be sure to keep it safe.”

“That’s all I ask.”

We braced ourselves as Stryfe carefully lifted the ship. I waved Talia one last farewell before we, inexplicably, were teleported off and away from the royal ship. There was actual joy in seeing her return the gesture.

My time with the Arcadian Human Guard was…well, not what I expected.

While it was true I’d have my own living quarters, they were still shared with the rest of the human guards. Flashbacks to Benson, the pet shop, and even her place kept coming to mind. The others were patient with me at least. Most of them knew what I had been through. I was sure to meet more in the future. Hopefully not too many more, if the king was honest about his intentions.

Working alongside Phelan was a delight.

Our workshops were close together. It turned out Phelan had his own projects outside of “working” with the human and giant guards. All of them involving magic and how to apply them for human use.

“I’ve been experimenting with different crystal shapes and formations.” He explained once. “My theory is a crystal’s shape, density, and structure can affect how well a spell keeps hold inside it. I was hoping you’d let me test out an alternate power source for your ship.”

“How do you mean?” I asked, looking over his own bookcase. It was full of magical-sounding texts and theories, as well as geology and crystal encyclopedias as well.

“Instead of candles to provide the necessary elevation, we might be able to use specialized Heat crystals instead. Similar to how the Tergaian airships stay aloft. Wouldn’t have to worry about the fire going out, at least.”

Phelan was helpful. And smart. And curious. And cute.

“Y-yeah, I don’t see why not.” I replied.

“Ostador? It’s almost time for your appointment.”

I gulped hard as Stryfe started dialing a nearby phone.

“You can still back out if you want.” he mentioned as he was put on hold. “You don’t need to go if you’d rather stay here.”

“No, no, it’s fine.” I said, setting aside my work apron and tools. “I’d…I’d rather face this head on.”

“All right, understood. Phelan will be going with you, just in case. The second you want to leave-!”

“I’ll be right there to Jump us out.” Phelan said, putting on his uniform coat. “Of course, General.”

“They’re ready if you are.” Stryfe said into the phone receiver, his hand raised in anticipation. He gestured to us soon enough. “They’re on their way.”

With a simple squeeze from a magic-imbued stone chip, we were out of the Arcadian Guard Station. It took a moment for the world to settle down. I didn’t think I would ever get used to Jumper Stones. Or teleportation in general. Being on solid ground, even if it was just an enormous desk, helped.

“Good afternoon, Mr. Fogg.” the giant warmly greeted. “It’s good to see you again.”

“You too, Mr. Manchester.”

Wallace Manchester was part of the Arcadian City Hall and was in charge of its license and permit regulatory commission. If you needed a permit to host a parade or needed to know how legal it was to build on your land. He was the man to see. He was also in charge of pet licenses and registrations. Including human licenses. Including mine.

“If you’re uncomfortable, you don’t need to participate. I’ll speak for you and state your case. If anything has changed, now is the time to tell me.”

“No, nothing’s changed. I just…I just want this officially settled.” I replied after a moment.

“Then if you’re ready?” he asked, his finger on his intercom. Wallace pressed it once I gave my nod. “All right, Chelsea. Send them in.”

I thought I was strong. I thought I was confident. I thought I was certain of myself. My stomach still turned when the door opened.

When she entered.

Parvati was with her as well. Both seemed somber enough. At least, until she caught sight of me.

“Oh! You found him!” she exclaimed. “We’ve been so worried about him!”

I took a step back as she tried to reach for me. Phelan was quick to get between me and her. Wallace made sure she didn’t take another step.

“Miss, please take a seat.” he told her sternly. He returned to his seat as she and Parvati took theirs. “You were contacted about your missing human complaint.”

“Yes, of course, and you found him. I thought this was just…I dunno, a formality. Thought I’d be reclaiming him at the Kirkfries City Hall, to be honest.”

“It is a formality, but not in the way you think.”

“If this is about a fine, I’ll be happy to pay it to have him back. He’s been gone for so long and I’ve missed him SO much!”

“Yeah, right…” I muttered under my breath.

“There is no fine that needs to be paid, Miss. The fact of the matter is, you have no legal say here.”

“What are you talking about? He’s my human!”

“According to the record, no, he isn’t. While he was rightfully registered by the Petville pet shop, and ownership was temporarily transferred to you, you never officially registered him under your name.”

“Are you serious?!” Parvati hissed in irritation. It wasn’t the first time she had forgotten something important.

“And because you never registered him or renewed the license, the temporary one expired. He wouldn’t be considered ‘yours’ even a little bit. Your missing human complaint was filed long after the permits expired and long after you…‘noticed’ him missing.”

“But…but he’s mine! I paid for him, cared for him! He must miss me as much as much as I miss him!”

“What’s my name?!” I finally blurted out, barely able to hold back my anger.

“What?” she replied, a bit shocked to hear me speak up. It was a delight to see her flinch.

“What’s. My. Name.”

“It’s…I mean, I never gave-!”

“What’s my favorite color? My favorite snack? My favorite anything?”

I took more pleasure in watching her fumble for an answer than I probably should have. I continued when she couldn’t bother to reply.

“How can you claim to care so much about me when you don’t even know my damn name?”

“Which says a lot about your level of human care and welfare.” Wallace interrupted before she could speak again. “It is my conclusion, given the clear evidence of neglect and irresponsibility, that you have no legal claim to Ostador. It is also decided that you will be banned from procuring a human license for a minimum of five years.”

“What?! You can’t-! This isn’t fair! It’s not right!” she exclaimed.

“You have the opportunity to appeal this decision in court or on the next Grievance Day, but I can assure you now that you will have no leg to stand on. Please have a good afternoon.”

Parvati had to drag her out of the room as she swore up a storm, promising all sorts of legal disputes and a few threats thrown in for flavor. I didn’t spare her a second look when she finally said my name.

“What…what would’ve happened if…if she did…” I tried to ask after everything had calmed down.

“We’d still find some way to keep you here and away from her.” Wallace stated as he put the paperwork away. “Your reluctance did factor into how I decided on things and which loopholes to look for.”

“And if there were no loopholes to manipulate? Or a human actually wanted to go back with…with their…”

Wallace let the question hang. Or ignored it. I couldn’t tell.

“Hopefully such things will no longer be necessary, if we’re lucky.” he stated instead.

Phelan and I chose to return to the guard station and our workshops shortly thereafter. We were quiet for the rest of the afternoon, but I was getting nowhere with my work. My hands kept shaking and I wasn’t sure why.

“…Do you want to talk about it?” Phelan eventually asked.

“YES.” I blurted out, dropping a compass in the process. The blueprints would need to be reworked again anyway. “…Yes, I’d like to talk about it.”

Phelan had a kettle on and poured us tea. It was oddly comforting to see the hot plate or, rather, the crystal, glow and hum as it heated -Heated- the kettle.

“I don’t…I thought I’d be all right after that. But even now, I’m still just…waiting for something to go wrong. That I’ll…that I’ll be back with her again.”

“You feel like you’re going to lose everything you’ve worked for any minute now.” Phelan added.

“Yeah, exactly. I mean, back home there were tough times and I won’t pretend it was easy, but the stakes feel so much…bigger, here.”

“They are. I don’t…I don’t know what Earth is like, and I don’t suppose I ever will but…I want to do what I can to make here better, even if only a little bit at a time.”

“…What was it like, growing up here?”

Phelan took a moment to steady himself and drain his cup before he continued.

“I don’t…I don’t have the same frame of reference as you do so I’m not…I know it was a different experience. That our lives aren’t…weren’t comparable.” Phelan began, setting his cup aside. “The man…the man I lived with, he practically raised me. Taught me everything I know about magic and how it worked. I thought…for the longest time, I was happy. I thought I meant as much to him as he meant to me. But as soon as I got older…as I got better at reading, and studying, and theorizing, he grew colder and colder. Until one day he decided I was…I guess he thought I was too smart. Decided I was better off living somewhere else. Those days in the human shelter were some of the worst of my life. There were times I thought it would’ve been kinder if he’d just killed me instead. Because all I could think about was what I did wrong. What I did to make him hate me. I never thought…I thought we were happy. I thought he’d be proud.”

“He sounds like a complete arsehole.” I commented softly. More softly than the bastard deserved.

“Yes. Yes, he was. And it took me so long to realize that. And I feel so…so stupid.” he replied. “I’m…I hate to say it, I’m glad your…that person was never kind to you from the start. At least you always knew she was bad.”

“I don’t think she could have said or done anything to change my mind anyway. I had a life before and I can’t pretend it never happened. Having to go from a person to a thing to having to gain personhood again is…it sucks. I hate it. I hate how easily this can all fall apart and I’ll be…I’ll be a pet again. I can’t…I don’t know if I can do that again.”

“I can’t either. I…I like working as a Guard. I like the friends I’ve made. Friends. I’ve never had human friends before! And I get to work on my own projects! I get to…I get to find out who I am. Who I can be. Who I want to be.”

“Yeah, it’s good to have that again after so long…”

“It’s why I jumped at the chance to be a Guard when the General came all those months ago. Not because I thought he was going to change the world right away. It was because he asked. He didn’t pick and choose and grab. He simply…asked. After years of being told and taken and dismissed, it just…it felt like a nice change of pace. And look where we are now!”

Phelan made a grand gesture to our surroundings. Bits and bobs to the giants were normal sized tools and materials to us. Dioramas to them were space separators to us. A corner of one of their back offices was a living space to us.

“I know it doesn’t seem like much, but this…this is more than I could’ve hoped for. And knowing there are others like me, like you, who can, who WILL make things better? It gives me hope for a brighter future. One I never would’ve dreamed of before.”

Phelan reached forward and grabbed my hands, tenderly.

“I don’t know what will come next. But I’m glad you’re here and I’m glad you’re with me. Whatever happens, I promise we’ll get through it together. And if you ever feel scared or worried or angry, I want you to know you’ll always have my shoulder to lean on.”

Phelan seemed so honest. So genuine. So naïve. He had just offered his shoulder, but I was more interested in his lips. I leaned forwards and kissed him.

Maybe I needed a little naivety to get through this.

My heart lifted when I felt him reciprocate.

“S-sorry, I should’ve…I didn’t mean to surprise you.” I stammered when we finally pulled away.

“It was a welcome surprise.” he replied.

We leaned in for another kiss.

“Hey fellas, do you-oh!” someone interrupted, making us break away once again. “Sorry, just wanted to tell you tea is ready. Whenever you are.”

MacKenzie made his way back the way he came, but not without one last shout.

“OI, HARITA! GUESS WHO OWES ME £20?!”

#tales of ffh #tales of far from home #toffh #far from home #ffh #stories #giant #tiny #fantasy

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tinawritesstuff · 4 years ago

Text

A Not So Friendly Match (Henry Cavill x Reader)

Pairing: Henry Cavill/ First Person Reader

Wordcount: 4.6k

Warnings: Smut, NSFW, angst if you squint a little.

A/N: Hello! This was based on an idea my good friend @1ookatthestars00 gave me. I don’t know a thing about rugby, the stuff I wrote was purely researched on the internet, and I’m sorry if any of those facts is wrong. I hope you all enjoy, especially you my love!

Taglist: @cavill-sass

@tillthelandslide

@1ookatthestars00

@al-wiisa

Being in a relationship with a rugby fan is never easy, considering they’re always on edge when their team plays some important game. Well, imagine what could possibly happen in a relationship with not only one, but two rugby fans, AND from different teams.

Henry and (Y/N) were both a really particular couple. Both of them stubborn, hardworking and passionate about the different activities and stuff they enjoyed doing and watching. One of those being rugby, they supported their teams separately and in their own ways: Henry would always have both a bottle of Guinness beer and his Jersey beanie on top of his head, and his girlfriend would always have a Guernsey shirt and a bottle of beer next to a bowl of chips.

What happens when both their favorite teams were set to play against each other in the annual rugby union charity match and Henry gets invited to play? We’re about to find out.

Today couldn’t have gone any worse than it went. Working for the English National Health Service, and considering this Covid nightmare, is not easy at all. Specially when you have to work to help people and on top of that, be extra careful to not get infected. All I wanted to do was to go back home and enjoy some time with my man.

When I get inside my home, I leave my shoes and coat inside the little closet by the door after sanitizing them and myself with a lot of alcohol gel and frown when I don’t see Henry nor Kal coming to welcome me back, which is weird considering that they both came back from Scotland yesterday and, usually when that’s the case, they run to fill me with loads of love. I start walking to the living room, going though the foyer whistling for Kal, but they never come. When I reach said room, I find both my boys laying in the couch with the tv on in front of them and, when they notice my presence, the two bears run my way. Henry engulfs me in his arms and picks me up, making me wrap my legs around his strong torso; Kal? Oh, that bear. He just jumps between Hen and I, positioning himself on my lap, thankfully my human beast is strong enough to hold us both up in his arms.

We laugh together and suddenly I feel a complete sense of peace I missed all day. He’s here, with me, he’s home. He feels like home. Hen puts us down, keeping his hands on my waistñ for good measure, and we finally share a wonderful, earthshaking kiss (well, not literally, but you know what I mean).

- How was your day, dove?

- Ugh. – it’s all I need to say and he chuckles. – Honestly, I love my job but sometimes it can be a lot.

- I understand. Want to talk about it?

- Not really, honey. – I pout a little and he pecks my lower lip, then goes for a deeper kiss, which has me sighing against his mouth.

When we break apart, I pay attention to his attire and I see that he’s wearing his Jersey shirt, which can possibly mean one thing.

- Is Jersey supposed to play today? I didn’t hear anything about it.

- Nope, love. I’m wearing this shirt because I had to make a post on Instagram, thanking Jersey for inviting me to play a match for the charity event they’re running next Saturday.

- Oh, that’s great news, bubs! – I exclaim excitedly and he nods his head with a big smile. – I won’t cheer for the team, but I’ll obviously be there to support you and help you take care of your wounds.

- Oh baby, nothing would make me happier. You gonna be wearing my Jersey shirt? – he smiles cheekily and I let out an unlady-like snort.

- Yeah, right. – I roll my eyes, but smile anyway. – I love you, bear, but not even my love for you will change the fact that Jersey, to me, is the worst fucking team since the appearance of rugby in this world.

- You did not just say that. – he pretended to be deeply hurt and I just let out a giggle when he tickles my ribs. – You’re a little shit.

I only laugh in his face and retire myself from his arms, to go shower and change my work attire. He follows after me and I just know what he’s planning to do.

Once inside the room, I start removing my uniform jacket, then my pants, leaving myself in my underwear in front of the touch starved man that’s standing by the door. I look at him, batting my lashes innocently, and then shake my head.

- Don’t even think about it, handsome. I have this horrible hospital smell, and I don’t want to do anything else but shower it off.

- Mhm, I was actually thinking, - he paused and moved his hand through his strong jaw, as if he was actually thinking. – I haven’t showered today, and I went to the gym this afternoon with Kal after our cardio session, it would be a shame to waste such quantity of water if we shower separately, don’t you think?

- Oh, how thoughtful of you, Cavill. – I roll my eyes at him but a little smirk takes place on my face.

I grab a towel from the drawer and head to the attached bathroom, unclasping my bra and removing it from my body as I walk. I turn my head to Henry’s direction and smile alluringly at him.

- You coming or not, handsome? – and then disappear inside through the door.

Saturday comes way quicker than I expected it and thankfully I wasn’t set to cover any shift that day, which gave me the opportunity to be with Henry and go to the match with him. We had traveled to Jersey the day before to get settle in the island peacefully and with no rush, and this same morning, we woke up together to go for a run with Kal, then came back and showered (separately this time, because he had things to fix and settle before leaving) and finally had breakfast before he took off, leaving me with Kal.

Which brings us here, to the afternoon, a couple of hours before the match. I usually know what to wear to events like this, considering that it’s not something really fancy (or is it?), but today seems not to be the case, because I can’t decide if I should go elegant but casual, or completely casual.

I decide to text Henry to ask him, but in the meantime, I decide to pamper myself a bit and do my skincare routine, because the last time I did it was waaaaaaay long ago. After I’m done, I continue with my hair and finally, I paint my nails. When I check my phone again, I see that Henry has replied and the text says:

Wear anything you want to, just not that dirty Guernsey shirt xX.

I smile and shake my head, because I can’t understand how my love for this man only grows more and more each day, even though we have so different preferences. Guess that’s what makes our relationship so interesting and versatile.

I decide to go with casual, but pretty. I grab a pair of plaid pants, cream sweater and my pointy shoes. I pick a light brown coat and a black beanie, but I leave them on the bed to put them on later.

After what feels like years, I see Hen’s car stopping by the front gate and I put on my coat and beanie to get out of the house. I lock the door, run to his car and I can hear him wolf whistling my way, which makes me laugh out loud. I open the passenger door seat to get into the car, greet him with a big smile and a long kiss, which he reciprocates with big passion.

When I’m done, I decide to wait for Henry in the foyer, checking social media and uploading a picture of me smiling with my sunglasses on, on my Instagram Story with the caption “Ready to support my bear! (Not Jersey though 🤮🤮!)” and tag Henry on it.

The drive to St. Peter (currently known as Stade Santander International) is a relatively long one, considering that the house we were renting was on the opposite side of the island, and when we arrive, I can see a bunch of people with cameras and flashes waiting for Henry to make his big appearance. He parks the car, stops it and then we get off to walk hand in hand to the big entrance of the stadium. When we get inside, I can see the big pitch in front of me and I can’t help but feel giddy about the idea of watching a match from up close, after the longest time of my life. Henry talks with some people, introduces me to some other and then they finally lead him to the changing rooms and showers for him to get ready for the match.

I pace around, just looking at the walls’ decorations, the medals, trophies, everything. I take pictures, but only to take the piss on Henry and tell him that Guernsey has waaaaay more prizes than Jersey does (which isn’t true, but I love to rile him up). After that, I decide to check social media while I continue walking around, until I reach the stairs that lead me to the chairs. Once I’m situated, I sit on one of the chairs, that it’s actually in front of the pitch so it gives me a really good view of the arena, and keep scrolling through my Instagram page until I hear someone clearing their throat. I look up and I can see a smiling Henry staring at me expectantly, which causes me to widen my eyes and bite my lip, because he looks just so good right now, that I don’t know if we’ll make it to the house before I make him rip my clothes off.

- Sooo, what do you think? – he looks down at himself and then back at me. - Do I look like a rugby player?

- Mmmmhm, don’t know. Turn around. – I order and he giggle but does as I say. – Mmm, yeah, that’s what I thought.

I look down at his shorts- covered butt, and it looks exactly the way I was expecting. I slap one his cheeks playfully and he let’s out a surprise yelp, turning his body back around to face me again. Hen leans down and kisses me slowly, tasting the waters first, but I grab his face and pull him as close to me as the bar lets us, which earns me a moan from him.

When we break the kiss, I peck his forehead and look at him right in the eyes. It’s a promise, a little ritual we have and perform to assure the other that we’re present, that we’re proud of our accomplishments, that we love each other no matter what. He smiles widely at me and moves his head to the side to kiss my palm, and I peck both his cheekbones before pecking his lips one last time.

- You’ll be amazing. No matter what, I’ll be here supporting your sexy ass till the end. I love you, bear.

- You’re so good to me, my love. So, so, so good you have no idea. – he goes back to kiss me and then breaks away. – I love you; I need to run and warm up. Don’t go anywhere, okay?

- Okay.

He takes off, leaving me alone with the feeling of his lips still lingering on my mouth, and I take a seat to enjoy the game that’s set to start in a few minutes.

The reporter starts making the presentation of the local team, explaining what positions the players will be playing in, and when he goes to the visiting team, my eyes widen and I start laughing uncontrollably. It’s fucking Guernsey.

Now my heart is definitely torn. What am I supposed to do? Cheer for my beloved boyfriend or my favorite team? Ugh, this is a decision I never thought I’d have to make.

The game starts, Jersey takes the lead but one of the Guernsey guys tackles him away from the score area, which causes me to cheer and jump excitedly. Henry is sitting on the backups bench, so I don’t have to cheer for him just yet; meaning I can actually support my team.

The first half ends quicker than I would’ve expected, with Guernsey on top by five points, which has me giddy. It’s when the second half starts that the coach decides to bring my bear in, and I clap excitedly while watching him running into the pitch. The referi indicates the continuation of the game with his whistle, and I can see Henry grabbing the ball and running away from the big men that go after him. I take a deep breath, trying to convince myself that he’s done this before, he know what he’s doing and everything’s going to be fine.

I have mixed feelings about this, going from super scared to super horny at the same time. One of the many things that made me fall for this man were his looks and the macho demeanor, so seeing him dodging punches (but also receiving a few), tackling other guys and running away like a wild animal just wakes up a deep desire inside me.

Oh, that man is going to have it good tonight. I don’t even care how tired he is, he’ll have to fix the mess he created on my panties.

The game finally ends with the victory of Guernsey over Jersey, and I just know I have to mock Henry about it. The whole team goes inside, to the showers I suppose, and I decide to go after them and wait for my man outside the changing room door. When I reach my destiny, I check for good measure that Henry is, in fact, in there; which he is. I look to the sides, noticing the he’s alone, I walk to him and hug his neck from behind startling him a bit.

- Well, hello mister. – I whisper in his ear and he kisses one of my arms.

- Hello, my dear love. – he replies in a tired voice.

- I know for a fact that you’re tired, but I have to admit that watching you there, playing like a bull, got me quite excited…- I admit in a sultry voice, kissing the spot behind his ear. – I’m so wet for you baby, specially since Guernsey beat your ass as well. – I giggle and take a step back because I know what’s coming for me.

- Oh honey, you better stop if you know what’s good for you. I’m not in the mood to be mocked. – he warns me turning his body to face me.

He arches one of his eyebrows while looking at me starting to undo the buttons of my coat.

- Oh Henry, but I know exactly what’s good for me.

I continue undressing myself until I’m standing in from of him in just my underwear, but he ignores me and keeps removing his sweaty attire to get into the shower.

- C'mon, baby. Are you going to give up on me and lose the opportunity to fuck my brains out like you lost the game?

Fuck, I know that my ass is going to burn like boiling water tomorrow, but I’m so wet for him that I don’t care about the consequences right now.

- This is the last warning, baby girl. Stop right at this moment or your ass in gonna look like sweet, red peach tomorrow.

- Ugh, maybe I should go ask one of the Guernsey guys to help me with this, after all they can score anything they want. But you can’t, can you babe?

Apparently, that’s the last thing I need to say, because he gets up from his place abruptly and walks towards me in a speed I’d never seen before. He grabs me by both my biceps and looks at me dead in the eyes, making me gulp and look at him as innocently as I can, but I know he doesn’t buy my façade.

- Do you want to repeat that, my love? – he asks in a threating tone

- No, daddy.

- That’s what I thought. – he removes his briefs in a quick movement without letting go of me and throws them away – Not so smart now, are you? Is this what you wanted? Huh? You wanted me to punish you like the slut you are?

- Oh god, Henry. – I let out in a moan and close my eyes, but he grabs my face in one of his big hands and makes me open them again.

- What did you call me, little one? Didn’t quite catch that.

- Daddy, I meant daddy. – I cry out when the hand that isn’t holding my face goes down my body till he reaches my underwear.

- You want to repeat what you said, my darling?

- No daddy, I’m sorry.

- It wasn’t a request, bunny. It was an order.

I gulp audibly and shake my head, because suddenly I feel a level of embarrassment and I don’t want to say it. He pulls my hair, not enough to make it hurt, but enough to make me whimper and close and open my eyes to make the tears go away.

- Now, let’s try again. What did you say earlier?

- Get dressed, we’re going home.

- That I should go to one of the Guernsey guys and ask him to fuck me because any of them would be better than you. – I close my eyes and take a deep breath, because now I’m regretting not thinking before saying it – But I didn’t mean it, daddy. No one fucks me better than you, I promise.

- I’m not sure now, (Y/N).

Fuck, he rarely calls me by my name. Specially not when we’re about to fuck. He’s mad, but mostly he’s hurt.

On the way to the place we’re staying at, none of us says anything. Him because he’s mad, and me because I don’t dare to utter a word out. Should I apologize? I know he’s hurt, because we don’t joke about other people “replacing” us, especially in cases like this.

The only sound is the radio, but even that won’t stop me from thinking that I fucked up. Badly. When we reach the house, he parks and stops the engine, but doesn’t get out of the car.

- Hen… - I try in a soft voice.

- Don’t. Don’t say a word. I want you to get out of this car, go to the room and wait for me on the bed in your underwear.

I let out a quiet whimper, but do as he says. When I get inside the house, Kal comes to greet me and I pet him, going to the room right after. I reach the room and then do as Henry told me to.

I can hear him playing with Kal and greeting him, and he stays with the bear for a good couple of minutes. In the meantime, I’m still laying on the bed, wearing just underwear.

He comes into the room and stays by the door, watching me quietly. And just when I think he’s going to make a move on me, he just walks past the bed and doesn’t pay me any mind. I let out a huff and turn to lay on my belly, leaving my ass exposed for him to see.

He takes his good time in the bathroom, showering I suppose, and when he comes out he’s wearing nothing but a white towel around his slim waist, leaving his hairy chest on display. I bite my lip and extend my arms to signal him that I want him with me in the bed. He sighs and walks slowly towards my direction.

- You know you overstepped the line today, right? – he asks me once he’s sitting next to me and all I can do is nod – You hurt my feelings, little one.

- I know that, Hen, and I’m so, so, sorry. I swear I regretted saying it the moment the words left my mouth – I pout and hesitate to go closer to him, because I don’t know if he wants me to touch him.

Henry only nods and opens his arms, which makes me move closer to him and hug his strong body, leaving my head on his lap.

- I don’t want any other man but you, my love. I’m sorry I said that. I shouldn’t have, because you’re more than enough for me. – I whisper against the skin of his stomach, and then leave a little peck in there.

- I know that, my dove. It’s okay.

- It’s not though. You’ve spent every single day since the moment we became an item making me feel like the most beautiful woman in the world. You’ve made me feel enough and loved and cared for, and I promised to myself that I was going to try my hardest and making you feel the same security you make me feel. Today I failed you, and I’m sorry, even if it was a joke.

He says nothing, only grabs my jaw with one hand and leans down to kiss me. I put my hand around his wrist, and I feel him deepen the kiss, which makes sigh against his mouth. We break apart and I get on my knees in front of him, looking into his eyes, and grabbing his face to kiss him one more time, more fiercely this time.

- Let me make it up to you, my love. Let me prove to you that you’re the only man I need. – I whisper against his mouth and he grabs my body and turns us around, so he’s on top of me.

- You can do that later, honey. Now I’m going to show you that I’m the only man you’ll ever need.

With that, he just devours my mouth with his, making me whimper and moan, while roaming his hands up and down the sides of my body. Then, he poses his fingers on the waistband of my panties and pulls them down, kissing my thighs and then my calves as he removes the undergarment from my body. After that, he goes touching all the way up, going from legs to my back, until he reaches my bra and unclasps it, taking it off next.

Henry looks at me in the eyes and then attaches his mouth to one of my nipples, making me gasp and grab his curls to pull him closer to me. Then he goes for my other nub, which is the most sensitive one of the two pair, and it makes me let out a long moan. Hen spends some good time on it, to finally let it go of his mouth with a pop.

- I want to make you feel so good, my love. Even though I don’t think you deserve it.

- Oh, Henry. – I whimper when he starts to travel south, leaving a trail of kisses on my belly and then my mound.

He then attaches his mouth to my labia, lapping and kissing around my lips and entrance, paying no mind to my little bundle of nerves, which causes me to let out a groan of protest. He’s got me so wet since the match started, this isn’t fucking fair.

He starts to make out with my lower lips, putting his tongue in the way and using it to run it around all the lower area of my womanhood, slowly, but with fervour. Then, he goes to my inner thigh and leaves kisses in one and the other. Then, he goes back to my entrance and starts penetrating me with his tongue, while looking at me in the eyes. He’s going hurtfully slow, and it causes me to arch my back in desperation, because I need him to just fuck me senseless.

Of course, I enjoy slow, passionate sessions of love making, but right now all I want is for him to become a wild stud and fuck my brains out. He inserts two of his fingers inside of me, kissing my mound while doing so. Finally, I can feel him moving the two impostors that rest inside my pussy, building a good pace, starting slowly and then increasing the speed. I pull his curls to bring his head closer to me, and he moans against me, making me shudder.

He finally, finally, gets his tongue on my clit, lapping around it and flicking it to bring me closer to my well needed release. After a couple of minutes, I can feel my walls clenching around his fingers, and so does he.

- C'mon baby, give it to me. I can feel your sweet, tight cunt squeezing my fingers. Cum for me. – he encourages me and that’s all the motivation I needed to let it go.

I let out a loud and long moan, holding his head against my sensitive wetness with one hand and one of the soft pillows under my hair with the other. I close my eyes trying to get myself together again, and I feel him kissing his way up my body. He positions himself on top of me, caging me between his body and the mattress, and leaves his weight resting on his elbows on either side of my head. Henry leans down and kisses me briefly, letting me taste myself on his mouth, and I wrap my legs around his thick, strong body, to feel him even closer.

Without any warning, he gets inside me, making me gasp loudly and hold onto him for dear life. His thrusts are deep and calculated, as they usually are when he’s in the mood to go slow. My body wraps itself more tightly around his, and we share a breathtaking kiss, making the connection grow even more. As the passion rises, his movements become sloppier and more uncoordinated, which gives away that he’s getting close to his own release. I cling to him even more, hiding my face between his head and shoulder, and he moves one of his hands to stimulate my clit. That’s all I need to come for the second time tonight.

- Ohh, baby, you feel so good. C’mon Hen, cum for me. Know you’re close, come on. – I encourage him and he moans in my ear.

- Oh, baby girl, I’m going to fill you up so good. You’ll feel me right here. – Henry puts his hand on my lower belly and I let out a moan.

- C’mon bear, I can feel you throbbing inside my little cunt, fill me up and put a baby in me.

He lets out a moan and groans loudly, letting himself go inside me, filling my womb with his seed. I don’t know if that comment came because of the heat of the moment, but it caused the effect I was looking for. He lets himself collapse on top of me, and stays there for a couple of seconds before moving his head to the side to kiss me. I reciprocate the gesture, holding him closer to me (as if that was even possible) and finally let him go.

- I love you so much. – I whisper looking at him in the eyes, those beautiful baby blues.

- I love you too, my love. – he kisses my forehead and then breaths in. – I love you too.

It’s the last thing I hear before falling asleep, peacefully wrapped between his strong arms. Where I belong.

#henry cavill #henry cavill imagine #henry cavill fanfiction #henry cavill one shot #henry cavill smut #tina writes

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chilly-me-softly · 4 years ago

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Every Little Thing's Gonna Be Alright • Chapter 23

Chapter 1 - Chapter 2 - Chapter 3 - Chapter 4 - Chapter 5 - Chapter 6 - Chapter 7 - Chapter 8 - Chapter 9 - Chapter 10 - Chapter 11 - Chapter 12 - Chapter 13 - Chapter 14 - Chapter 15 - Chapter 16 - Chapter 17 - Chapter 18 - Chapter 19 - Chapter 20 - Chapter 21 - Chapter 22

A few months later the situation between Evelyn and Jack was quite stable, both of them very happy with their relationship and always doing their best to see each other as much as possible. Not everything had always been rosy, of course, sometimes distance or small misunderstandings turning into big ones had contributed to create bumps along the way. But the two of them always found a way to fix things, either in person or from a distance.

Cece continued to grow pampered by everyone, giving smiles and babbles here and there. It was impressive how much she had achieved in that time, how she could keep everyone trapped around her little finger. How much love Evelyn felt for that little creature who every day added a brick to her personal growth and development.

Another football season was coming to an end and Jack had made her a proposal she'd had a lot to think about recently. Villa's last game would be at home and not only had Jack asked her to go to the game, but also to take part in the traditional lap of honour to thank all the fans for their support during the season.

Needless to say, she had taken a few days to think about it. Taking part in the event would certainly have meant first of all making their relationship public, exposing not only her but also Cece and giving the green light to various gossips and unwanted free opinions. On the other hand, however, there was being able to spend time with him, in his world. Taking the relationship a step further.

It was in those moments that she realised that her good intention to think less and act more would be more difficult to carry out. If she could let herself loose on some things, well, there was still something of her old self that surfaced from time to time. It was always like that, she knew from the start that she would eventually go but until that day she wouldn't stop worrying about this and that, about what might happen....

As she sits on the bed keeping an eye on Cece who is playing with the puppet given to her by Ben, Jack phones her. A smile automatically forms on her face as she runs her finger across the screen to accept the call. It's time to give him an answer.

"Hey you"

"Hi. Where are you? Doesn't look like your room to me or am I wrong"

"We're in Ben's room. Apparently this girl here got bored of hers" Evelyn shifts her phone slightly to also frame Cece who continues to chew on that bear's ear she holds in her hands undisturbed.

"Who is he? Who is he? Is he Jack?" she coos as the little girl pays attention to that familiar figure she now sees regularly, waving her little legs and babbling something making Jack smile.

"Hi sweety! Hi! I miss you so much"

"So I have news for you"

"Really?"

"Don't act like you didn't call just for that" he chuckles throwing a quick glance at the calendar where the date is marked a thousand times with a black marker.

"So what did you decide?"

"Well me and my girl have been consulting a lot"

"Oh yeah?" he interrupts her smiling cheekily as he closes one hand in a fist and uses it to hold up his head.

"Yeah" she teases him sticking her tongue out at him as Cece starts opening and closing her hand to greet him.

"Ha ha she doesn't like it when you're a smartass. Tell him we're not going anymore"

"That's not true!" his voice almost covers the last part of what she's saying but in reality he's understood all too well that in a few days he'll be able to hold them both again, and the smile on his face cancels out the poor attempt to claim he's offended.

"Say bye bye to Jack"

"Nah she likes me"

"To sleep, sure. I'm a little jealous to be honest she has the blanket with your scent on it though"

"You have me" he promptly replies as she bites her lip moving her gaze out of the camera frame.

And they continue to talk as they always do, the confirmation took a load off both of them, with Jack most of the time just watching the two girls while Evelyn plays with Cece wishing time could move faster. Until they are forced to interrupt the conversation due to a nappy change and the little one has already hit her with the puppet a couple of times.

Evelyn and Cece arrived at Jack's a few days before the last game of the season. He has promised that sooner or later they will also be able to get out of that house and maybe take a walk in the park taking advantage of the beautiful days the weather is offering, but the first few days are for him and no one else.

He comes home after the last training session of the season a little later than usual because he stopped for a little extra with some teammates and finds no one downstairs. As he goes upstairs, however, Evelyn's voice and Cece's little cries become more and more indistinct enough to take him to his room, and when he opens that door he can't help but smile. The two of them are playing tenderly with Evelyn leaning over to kiss the little one's tummy and the baby laughing moving her tiny hands, closing her fists around her mommy's hair.

He can't help himself when Cece won't let go of a lock of Evelyn's hair causing her to moan, laughing and blowing his cover. Evelyn looks up at him immediately lighting up and signalling for him to come closer.

"We have a surprise for you" she tells him and his curiosity immediately ignites so much that he almost runs making those few steps that separate him from the bed.

"What is it?" Evelyn simply shifts her gaze between him and the girl wanting to point at something and he after a moment gets the message by lowering his gaze, his eyes immediately falling on the Villa crest and wandering over the small kit trying to find differences from the usual. But it's only when Cece rolls onto her side, showing part of the Grealish name on her back, that he swears his heart has stopped beating for a few moments.

Cece's kit had always been plain, no name no number on the back. Evelyn had always felt on the edge for a choice that was so simple on the outside but actually brought up so many questions. Should she have had 'Daddy' written on it? No it was too soon. What did Jack think, was it too much? And again, does using his surname mean forcing him to take responsibility? What are we? Geez, the fight with her madness was really open.

And it was Jack who had then put an end to her paranoia, as always, and bought a small plain kit, giving her further time to clear her head and be satisfied with the fact that for the time being she would still wear the kit while supporting the team he played for.

"Since we're only going to see each other tomorrow when the game is over, we made a preview just for you" Evelyn pulled him back into the room and he reached out to the little girl taking her in his arms.

"Probably for the best or Jack would have cried in front of the whole stadium. Don't you think so too?" he murmurs cuddling the little girl, who seems to just want to reach up his nose, under Evelyn's tender gaze.

"I can't wait for tomorrow now. I mean look at this!" Jack lifts her up in the air like in the Lion King scene so he can look at that name once more and Evelyn can't help but laugh at the boy's excitement, happy it was the right choice after months.

The atmosphere in the stadium is something sensational, but she wouldn't have expected less to be honest. That's how it is when someone cares about a team, you stick together through thick and thin. It's a mutual kind of love. It doesn't matter if the previous week went well or badly, every time you try to do your best on one side and show all the support on the other. And that season for Villa had not gone badly at all, no one's fate depended on that game but it was still an opportunity and should be taken as such.

That hour and a half passed between watching something of the game, entertaining Cece, chatting with some of the girls she had already met in the previous months until the final whistle blew and little by little everyone began to prepare to take the field. Having fulfilled their duties more or less, even the players can finally allow themselves to relax. Jack is quick to find them and take Cece in his arms leaving her a loud kiss on the cheek, happy for the win and the moment.

"Ready?" Evelyn just nods, following Jack around the field but still remaining a little on the sidelines allowing him to do what he needs to do, greet the fans and enjoy the moment. More than ever she can understand when both he and her brother referred to those people as a second family, seeing them all gathered there happy and smiling joking with each other or playing with their kids. Everyone seems to know everyone, everyone is nice to everyone and she really has a good time getting to know this new family.

Once home and having put Cece to bed, who had fallen asleep in the midst of all the commotion, the two of them enjoy a moment alone snuggled up on the sofa.

"Today was nice"

"Evelyn" Jack sighs and she waits for him to continue, but when that doesn't happen she lifts her head from his chest meeting his eyes, "Move in here"

"What? Are you sure? Just know it's different from having us here only once in a while"

"I want everything. I want you here every day when I wake up or when I go to sleep. I want you here to cheer me up or have fun together. I want to live both of you every day, I want to be part of your lives fully, make this our home and I don't want to worry anymore that you might leave. I want to give you everything I'm capable of and build something strong with you" Jack strokes her cheek softly.

"So what do you say?"

----

I just want to let you know that there won't be a chapter next week, I need to focus on something else but I'll be back for the last chapters normally then. In the meantime I hope you enjoyed this one x

Tag: @alexajanecollins @emwritesfootball @rosie7703

Chapter 24

#every little things gonna be alright #football imagine #football imagines #jack grealish #jack grealish imagine #jack grealish imagines #ben chilwell #ben chilwell imagine #ben chilwell imagines #original #my writing

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kozlvri · 3 years ago

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[ 🌱 ] . . . . she used to be mine . k.bakugou x fem ! reader

ଘ angst | fluff | above age

HER DELICATE FINGERS slowly raked through his hair as he rubs circles, with the pad of his thumb, on her pink dusted cheeks.

the tall willow tree casted its shadows above the couple from the heat of the sun. to make the scenery even more perfect, a rush of the cool spring breeze cuts through the air making her hair flow in the midst of it. he tucks a part of her hair behind her ear, wanting to see all of her facial beauty.

oh how deeply in love they were, how perfect they both looked. although, not every scenery was picture perfect because behind the girl’s eyes, was sorrow. the boy matched her eyes because he knows, that he was not the one she loved first.

the pain that tinged his heart when she looked at him with her e/c eyes.

“i love you,”

he heard her say, washing that pain away. it was easy as that, just those three short words.

she used to be his, but now she’s his.

┈ 🍃 ┈

“she used to be mine.” red crimson orbs. he was the one that broke her. that shattered her into a million fragments. he wished he could turn back the time to when he was hers—when she was his.

he didn’t mean for any of this to happen. it felt like it was just yesterday she allowed him to take all of her. only yesterday when she smothered him with kisses and the words “i love you,” countless and countless of times.

it was him that she loved. not him.

he took a wrong turn ( literally ) which he wished he hadn’t because if it weren’t for that, he would’ve been the one to feel her fingers through his hair. her warmth.

┈ 🍃 ┈

“shoto, let’s head back home. it’s getting late,” she spoke quietly to match the mood.

the two toned male nodded his head as he stood up from her lap. offering her a hand, she accepted it, standing up herself.

she patted her dress, smoothing it out to prevent any wrinkles.

┈ 🍃 ┈

“she has always been a neat freak,” the blonde chuckled to himself as he watched the girl whom he’ve given his all to with another man.

he remembered coming home from work, he’d find the apartment sparkle from dust, the picture frames perfectly symmetrical, the floors polished and swept. the couch were he would always slump on once he closed the door was neatly put together.

everything was clean, organized, and perfect. she liked it that way.

but he wasn’t able to give her a perfect life.

┈ 🍃 ┈

“we’re home!” the couple shouted as soon as they entered their shared home. at that moment, 3 heads popped out from the couch.

one had white hair with e/c eyes, the other had red hair with gray eyes, and the last one had ash blonde spiky hair with e/c eyes.

“momma! poppa/dad!” they shouted as they ran to the door to greet their parents. shoto hugged them, showering them with kisses. y/n waiting patiently for her turn.

the kids laughed as they left their father’s grip to give their mother much more love and attention, making y/n giggle at shoto’s pout.

“now we know who the favorite is,” shoto mumbled standing up. y/n giggled, pampering the kids with kisses before standing up giving her husband a kiss.

“your my favorite,” she whispered to his ear. a smirk appeared on his face, as he gives her a kiss on the lips.

“eeewwww!!” they heard their kids disgust.

y/n giggled again as she gave shoto one more kiss on the cheek. she picked up her littlest child as the other two followed. “alright, time for bed.”

ignoring the kids whines she lead them to their shared bedroom, tucking the youngest in his bed.

the other two went to their separate beds, ready for their mother to tuck them in. “goodnight, ren.” she kissed the white haired boy.

“night night momma.”

y/n then went over to her second oldest. tucking her in. “momma, when can i get a boyfriend?” the little red head questioned causing y/n’s eyes to widen.

y/n felt a hand on her shoulder. “when you’re in college,” shoto said, causing the little girl to pout. y/n playfully punched shoto’s arm before kissing her little girl’s forehead.

“goodnight, yuri.”

“goodnight!”

lastly, it was the oldest’s turn. his spiky ash blonde hair reminded her of him. he looks exactly like his father. “hey ma,” he spoke.

“hey katsu. how is everything? anything good at school?” y/n asked the ash blonde boy.

“yeah, everything’s cool.” he seemed quiet when the couples came. y/n tilted her head, stroking the ash blonde’s hair.

“is there something on your mind?” she asked him.

“can we see old man tomorrow?” y/n was hesitant but she didn’t show it, instead she showed a soften smile at the boy.

“of course.” y/n said. she gave him a kiss on the forehead before tucking him in and making her way to shoto.

“light on or off.”

“on!” “off!” she turned the night light on.

“open or close.”

“open!” “close!” she closed the door.

y/n sighed, looking up at shoto who was rubbing her arms. “he’s becoming more and more like him.” y/n nodded, taking a hold of her husband’s hand before walking to their bedroom.

┈┈

the family walked down the stone path. katsu nod being able to hold in his excitement walked faster than the rest of his family. his siblings following behind.

“wait up katsu!” yuri shouted, holding ren’s hand. katsu didn’t slow down, instead he increased his speed.

y/n and shoto holding hand in hand watching their children run off. “be careful!” y/n warned them.

┈ 🍃 ┈

“she’s always been so careful, selfless.”

┈ 🍃 ┈

katsu made it to his father before the other’s. “hey old man,” katsu said, feeling the edges of the letters.

in the loving memory

a hero, son, husband, and father.

katsuki bakugo

(year) - (year)

“hey katsuki,” y/n said as her and shoto approach the graved stone. she bent down, placing a bouquet of tulips down.

shoto took the candle out of his pockets, placing it beside the stone and lighting it up.

“hello bakugo, us and the kids wanted to visit. they miss you a lot.” shoto spoke as he kneeled beside katsu, bringing him in to an embrace.

“im taking good care of them, don’t worry. i love them both dearly. so bakugo, i promise you that i will care for them much more and love them more. i will keep my word,” shoto finished. turning around to give his wife a turn.

“i love you, katsuki.”

“i love you too, my tulip.”

[ 🧸 ] 𓏧 cozimille lounge !!

#🧸 . . . one-shots !!#💥 . . . katsuki !!#x reader #bakugo x reader #katsuki x reader #bnha #mha #my hero academia #boku no hero academia #[ 🧸 ] 𓏧 cozimille lounge !!

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thetravelerwrites · 4 years ago

Text

DuMont (Part 3) Lemon

Rating: Explicit Relationship: Female Elf Ranger/Male Tiefling Barbarian Additional Tags: Exophilia, Tiefling, Elf, Kobold, Half Elf, Human, Rogue, Bard, Barbarian, Ranger, Mage, Wizard, D&D, Dungeons & Dragons, Sex, Third Person Perspective Words: 3839

Kharis seems dissatisfied with DuMont's... performance, so DuMont intends to ask for advice from Rupert. Things don’t go as planned. Please reblog and leave feedback!

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“Why do you do that?” Kharis asked as she and DuMont lay in their bed of straw and furs together.

They were sheltering in a run down barn on the outskirts of the nearest town. Rupert, Sanoh, and Norman were at an inn, but DuMont was too large to fit through most doors. Kharis decided to stay with DuMont instead of enjoying the comforts of the inn, which usually meant she was feeling frisky.

“Do what?” DuMont asked, looking over at her in confusion.

She sighed. “Ask me if I’m okay every time I make a noise when we have sex? And you’re always so gentle, like I’m made of glass and you’re scared you’re going to hurt me.”

“I am scared of that,” He replied, propping himself up on his elbow to look down at her. “I could injure you very easily if I’m not careful. I don’t want to hurt you.”

Kharis sighed discontentedly and reached up to scratch his chest absentmindedly. “It’s not that I don’t like the gentleness. It’s sweet. But I wish you would lose control sometimes, take charge, be spontaneous. Just grab me and fuck me senseless without even saying anything. I’m always the one who tells you what to do, and trust me I love giving orders, but I’d love it if you told me to just shut up and suck your dick once in a while.”

DuMont grimaced. “I don’t think I’d feel right, saying something like that.”

“That’s kind of my point, darling,” She said, sitting up with a slight chuckle. “You’re too pure for your own good sometimes. It’s growing up in that church that did it, it must be. What did that caretaker of yours tell you about sex?”

“That it was mostly a trap set by women to steal a man’s money. He was rather bitter about some woman in his past, I think, though he never talked about it.”

Kharis snorted. “That tracks. Look, it’s not like I want you to treat me badly or be cruel to me. It’s not about being gross or vulgar or wanting to hurt me, it’s about being aggressive, feral, demanding. Using my body to get what you want. When that’s done the right way, it’s so sexy. And I’m giving you consent to do it, if that’s what you’re worried about.”

“But I don’t know how to do that without hurting you,” He said, mildly frustrated.

Kharis sighed again. “I know, angel. It’s alright, don’t worry yourself too much over it. We’ll figure it out.” She rolled into him and snuggled against his body. “Get some sleep. We need to be up and moving before dawn. Love you.”

“Love you,” DuMont echoed, curling his body around hers and making sure she was as warm as he could make her.

Kharis fell asleep pretty quickly, but DuMont was unable to fall asleep for some time. He replayed the conversation with Kharis over and over in his mind, trying to parse what it was she wanted. Did she really want him to hurt her or be violent with her? That couldn’t be right. When he was violent, he killed people. He didn’t even mean to kill people sometimes, it just happened. He was still trying to gauge his strength and he often failed. How could he be forceful with her and not end up injuring her, or even killing her?

Maybe he could ask Rupert or Norman. Rupert and Sanoh were… very active… almost as active as he and Kharis were, but they both had more experience than he did. Norman was known to hire companions frequently, so he had different partners often. Norman and Rupert might be able to help.

The next day, the five of them came upon something that they hadn’t encountered in their travels: a proper bathhouse. It was lavish and resplendent and wildly out of place in this little town.

“Oh! Look!” Kharis said, pointing excitedly. “Look how big the doors are! DuMont, you’ll fit! We should splurge a little! We made a ton of gold from our last job and I haven’t had a bath that wasn’t in a cold pond in ages. Please, let’s go!”

“I’m totally down for this,” Sanoh said. “My scales have been so dry and itchy. I think I’m getting ready to molt.” She grimaced and scratched at her arm, which did look a bit flaky. “I hate molting. I’m out of commission for a solid week. It’s such an inconvenience.”

“How often do you molt?” Norman asked.

“Once a year. The good news is, once I’m done we can sell the skin for a good price. People grind it up and use it as a wound paste.”

“That’s actually fascinating,” Rupert said. “I wonder what magical properties your sheds might have.”

“Yeah, that’s great and totally not gross at all, are we doing this or what?” Kharis said impatiently.

“Sure, sure,” Norman said. “As long as we’re not spending all our money, it’s fine.”

The four of them started forward toward the building, but DuMont hesitated. Kharis doubled back.

“You okay, big guy?” She asked, patting his arm.

“Are you sure you want me to come in with you?” He asked apprehensively.

“Of course!” Kharis said. “Have you ever had a proper bath before?”

“I don’t think so,” He said.

“Then this could be an opportunity for you. Come get pampered with us. It’s fun.”

DuMont groused uncertainly, but he allowed Kharis to drag him into the bathhouse.

DuMont felt very out of place inside the pastel walls of the parlor, looking around at the delicate figurines and statues with discomfort and attempting to make himself smaller. The hostess, an elven woman, looked at him warily but greeted them all brightly.

“Welcome to the Rushing Waters Baths. Will you be needing separate rooms or a communal room this evening? The separate rooms are more private, but also more expensive.”

“One for the boys and one for the girls?” Rupert asked.

“Sounds good to me,” Kharis said. “Do you have one big enough for my sweetheart here?” She patted DuMont’s arm.

The elven woman looked him up and down appraisingly. “Unfortunately, I think the only bath that will fit him is the public bath. However, we have no other customers at the moment, so he will have it to himself.”

“Oh, that’s great!” Kharis said. “You’ll get to stretch your legs and soak for a while.”

DuMont grunted. “Thank you,” He said, addressing the hostess. His deep, low voice rattled the shelves slightly.

“We also offer laundering services,” The hostess said. “Simply leave your clothing on the shelves at the exterior of the bathing rooms and a silver for the service.”

DuMont looked down at himself and the simple loincloth he wore for modesty’s sake. He also donned a simple coat that Kharis had fashioned for him out of some large drapes for when it started getting cold. She wasn’t a great seamstress and the coat was a little haphazard and slapdash, but DuMont had treasured the gift and rarely took it off.

He had money now for the first time in his life, but there wasn’t many places that made clothing in his size. He could commission something, he supposed, but considering how often he ended up covered with dirt and blood, there wasn’t much point.

“You will need to leave your… weapons,” She glanced at the massive church bell tied to a post that DuMont used as a bludgeon. “At the door, of course. They will also be cleaned.”

“This is a strange place to be in the middle of such a small town,” Norman said.

“We’re a resort town, actually,” The hostess replied in a chipper tone that made Kharis roll her eyes.

“A what?” DuMont asked.

“It’s a town rich people build so they can pretend to be simple country folk while looking down their noses at them at the same time,” Kharis said in an undertone. The hostess frowned at her.

“How much for two private rooms and the public bath?” Sanoh asked, redirecting the hostess’s attention.

“The public bath is only two copper, and another copper for soap,” The hostess replied, still eyed Kharis while disfavor. “For two private baths, it’s six silver. Soap and towels are provided.”

“Do you provide companionship?” Norman asked.

“Wait until we get to the inn, Norm!” Rupert said. “I don’t want to be in the room with you when you have your fun!”

“Prude,” Norman sniffed.

“We actually own the inn, as well,” The hostess said. “You can book your rooms and companionship here for later, if you’d like.”

“Good, let’s do that,” Norman said.

It took a few minutes for them to iron out all the details while DuMont stood in the back awkwardly. He then waited while his friends were led to their own bathing rooms.

Before he could be taken to the public bath, he asked the hostess, “Could I visit my friends’ room? I’d like to ask their advice privately.”

“Of course,” The hostess said. “Right this way.”

She led him to one of the rooms, in which there was a flowery perfume smell. Steam emanated from under the door.

“They are undressing in the side room,” The hostess said. “You are free to wait for them.”

“Thank you, miss,” He replied. She nodded and excused herself.

DuMont stepped in and lowered his massive body into a squat-sit position, waiting patiently. The door opened after a moment, and to his dismay, a very naked Sanoh walked through. DuMont slapped his hands over his eyes.

“I’m sorry!” He exclaimed. “The hostess must have brought me to the wrong room! I meant to go to the mens’ bath!”

Sanoh laughed. “It’s okay, big guy!” He heard the sound of her slipping into the water. “Feeling a bit lonely? Did you want to bath with the guys?”

“No,” He replied, still covering his eyes. “Well, yes, but no. I wanted to ask their advice about something.”

“Oh?” She said, her voice piqued with interest. “Maybe I can help. What’s the problem?”

“Oh…” DuMont hesitated. “Well… It’s private.”

“It’s about Kharis?” Sanoh hazarded.

“Yes,” He responded.

“Is it about sex?” Sanoh said shrewdly.

“Yes,” He said, almost dropping his hands in surprise. “How did you know?”

“Because Kharis and I talk, sweetie,” She replied. “Look, you can lower your hands. I’m not all that shy, honey; ask Rupert. Besides, if you want to know what a woman wants during sex, you shouldn’t ask a man. Why don’t you get in and sit with me and we can talk. Kharis is getting a drink, so she’ll be a few minutes.”

DuMont slowly lowered his hands and was relieved to see that Sanoh had sunk beneath the bath, which seemed to have a cloudy, pleasant smelling mixture in it that obscured most of her body. He carefully stood up and climbed into the bath, raising the level of the water by at least a foot. He took great care not to crowd her, looking much like an oversized dog crouching in a box too small for him.

“Alright, so what’s the issue?” She asked.

“Kharis wants me to be more aggressive,” DuMont said, hanging his head. “But I’m worried that I might hurt her.”

“I see,” Sanoh said, leaning forward a little. “I mean, I like a little bit of pain during sex, but I imagine it would be difficult for you, considering your size and strength.”

“That’s what worries me,” He replied anxiously.

“Well, there are plenty of ways of being assertive without hurting anyone,” Sanoh replied. “What about just ripping her clothes off the next time you feel frisky? Ooh, with your teeth! That would be hot.”

“But wouldn’t I make her mad if I ruin her clothes?” DuMont asked, cocking his head.

Sanoh shook her head. “Trust me, do it right, and she’ll be putty in your hands. Besides, we’re flush with cash right now. Kharis can buy new clothes. Kharis is also a little bit of an exhibitionist, so she’d probably like some public sex.”

DuMont balked at this idea. “That’s indecent! And also illegal, as far as I know!”

“I don’t mean do it out in the open! Although, knowing Kharis, she would probably love that,” Sanoh muttered thoughtfully. “No, no, somewhere public adjacent, like a rooftop or just beyond a tree line, somewhere you have the potential to be caught.”

DuMont frowned uncertainly. “Alright. What else could I do?”

“You could snarl at her when the two of you are getting in the mood. Some women really love that primal, feral energy. Love bites could be good, too. I do love it when Rupert puts his teeth to my scales.”

“But…” DuMont ran a finger over his exposed fangs. “I don’t know if I could do that. What if I actually bit her?”

“Drawing a little bit of blood might be alright, just don’t go very deep.”

DuMont grimaced uncertainly, but didn’t say anything.

“Honestly, honey, I think you’re really overthinking things. You’re just a big sweetie pie! I don’t think you could hurt Kharis, even if you tried to.”

“That’s patently incorrect,” DuMont protested.

“Just try it, big guy,” Sanoh insisted. “It’s called experimenting for a reason. If it doesn’t work out, then you don’t have to do it again.”

“I suppose,” DuMont replied slowly.

“Either way, Kharis should be here soon, and you should go take your bath. First rule of being a freelance mercenary: never let something you paid money for go to waste.”

With some difficulty, he climbed out of Sanoh’s bath and headed back for the public bath. It was fairly large; he was able to stretch out, still clothed, and soak his whole body with relative ease. He swam around the bath a little, using the soap Kharis had bought for him to wash his body and clothes.

In the warm water, he mulled over the suggestions Sanoh had given him. Feral, huh? Like… maybe hunting? The only time he really let loose is when he was hunting, though his intent was usually to kill. Perhaps he could modify it and turn it into a game? Would Kharis like that? He could try it.

After only ten minutes, he rinsed himself and got out of the bath, sloshing water all over the floor and walked dripping back out into the foyer, the hostess glaring at him as he exited the bathhouse. Should he try now? It certainly would be unexpected. He wanted to be more spontaneous, like Kharis suggested, and take her by surprise. She might like that.

Hide. He needed to hide. There was a grove of trees near the bathhouse, an orchard likely belonging to the inn. The trees weren’t especially dense, but the sun was setting and it would be easy enough to hide in the dark.

It was over an hour before Kharis came out of the bathhouse. She was alone, thankfully, and looking around with concern, likely for him. It was understandable; DuMont usually stuck close to Kharis in unfamiliar places.

“DuMont?” She called. “Where’d you go?”

DuMont purposefully snapped a twig, catching Kharis’s attention. She spun around and looked into the orchard, squinting, and moved away from the lantern light.

“Is that you?” She asked as she walked forward.

DuMont let a low, quiet, guttural snarl issue from his throat, shifting his weight carefully. Kharis’s brow furrowed and she laid a hand on the hilt of her short sword. DuMont moved forward slowly, waiting for the perfect moment to strike. He had to admit, this was kind of fun.

“Show yourself!” She said. “I’m armed!”

DuMont snarled again, a little louder this time. Kharis started backing away, beginning to draw her weapon.

Now.

DuMont rushed out of the shadows of the orchard, snatching Kharis by the waist and throwing her over his shoulder, making her squeak in surprise, and began to scale the tall bathhouse building, digging his claws into the stone.

“DuMont!” She shrieked, smacking his shoulder. “What are you doing?”

DuMont didn’t answer, just continued to climb the wall up toward the roof. As he pulled himself up, he dropped her unceremoniously, pulling rope from his waist pack. Kharis watched in confusion as he tied her hands up, behind, and down to her legs.

“DuMont, what are you doing?” She asked, a slight smile on her face.

“Taking your advice,” He replied, a deep growl to his words.

Her eyebrows raised, intrigued. “Well, I’m glad, but how are you going to get my clothes off if I’m tied up like this?”

He took hold of her tunic with his hands and ripped it open down the front, exposing her breasts to the air. Her skin smelled of the rose and cardamom soap she had used.

“Oh,” Kharis said. “Well, then.”

He put her on the ground and sniffed down her body, growling low like an animal stalking prey. She bit her lip and squirmed a little. DuMont pressed his nose in between her legs and took a deep breath before taking the fabric in his teeth and ripping it, tearing a ragged hole

“Oh, fuck,” He rasped. “That’s so fucking hot.”

His tongue came out and licked a large swipe up and down, and she strained against the ropes, squealing. She was swollen and pulsing against his tongue, and he could tell she was enjoying herself.

With one hand, he picked her up and carried her to the ledge, where there was a large decorative gargoyle looking down over the courtyard. He placed her face down on top of it, so that she could see the courtyard. The way the light was directed by the lanterns, she could see down, but people couldn’t see her. Probably.

Holding her down with his hand, he plunged his tongue inside her and contracted it over and over, in and out, up and down. She moaned loudly, and DuMont answered with a snarl. The entire lower half of her body was inside his jaws, and while he knew he wouldn’t hurt her, he had to admit that the hint of danger was thrilling.

Her hips moved in time with his strokes until she lay her face down against the stone and just whimpered in pleasure. Before she could recover, he withdrew his jaws and lined himself up with her entrance, thrusting in hard.

She howled, making as much noise as she could, reveling in the feeling of him inside of her and the idea of being overheard by anyone down below. She’d always loved the idea of being almost caught.

She began to quiet down to a faint whimpering, and the interior of her body flexed and contracted as she climaxed around his cock. He slowed to let her draw out the orgasm, and then sped up again, thrusting so hard that her body rocked to and fro on the back of the gargoyle. He pulled out, flipped her onto her back, and pulled her up against him, holding her in the air and pumping into her, moving her on him, using her body as she told him to. He granted her, it did feel amazing.

Her head was thrust back and she grunted with her teeth clenched, her eyes closed. Her face was flushed, a vein bulging in her neck, and she was sweating all down her body.

“Are you--” He began, but she opened her eyes and snarled, “Don’t you fucking dare ask if I’m okay,” and he shut his mouth.

He thrust and thrust vigorously, with more force than he normally used, until her body went completely stiff and she was gasping for air, then went limp in his arms. He slowed his movement to a crawl, giving her a moment to recover, before driving himself back in again, full-speed, not giving her a chance to regain speech. She strained against her restraints, not as though she wanted to be free of them, but in a manner that suggested she was trying to contract and stretch with pleasure, the muscles in her stomach and legs rigid and hard. Her face was red with exertion and sweat poured off her body.

“Cum,” She grunted at him. “Cum for me. Do it.”

He snapped his hips against hers faster still, the rise of ecstasy building in him quickly, and he roared as he released inside her. He had to be careful not to drop her as he felt himself pop finally, gushing and shooting into her. As such, he did manage to lay her down before collapsing. As exhausted as he was, he used his claws to snap the ropes free and let her body completely relax under him.

“Is that what you wanted?” He asked breathlessly.

“Shush,” She replied faintly. “Let me bask in the afterfuck.”

They lay there together on the cool bricks of the roof, the evening air blowing lazily over their flushed, overheated skin.

Eventually, Kharis pushed on DuMont’s shoulder and he rolled off and lay next to her. She sighed contentedly.

“Yes, to answer your question,” She said. “That was undoubtedly the best lay I have ever had in my life. I didn’t think you had that in you, but I’m pleasantly surprised.”

“I wasn’t too rough?” He asked.

“No, not at all,” She said. “It was perfect. Just what I needed.” She rolled on her side and looked up at him. “You weren’t uncomfortable with doing it, were you?”

“No,” He replied. “I was uncertain I was doing what you wanted and worried I was hurting you. Did I?”

She shook her head. “I think if you had gone any harder than you did, you might’ve, but it was great.”

“Good,” He said, satisfied. “The hunting and stalking part was really fun, I enjoyed that very much.”

She laughed. “You startled me, certainly, but it was fun. Next time we’re camping in the woods, we should have ourselves a nice game of hide and seek.”

“I would like that,” He said.

“Well,” She said, hopping to her feet. “I’m starting to get cold, and my clothes are…” She looked over at the shreds of her tunic and trousers. “Well, unwearable. Can you give me a lift down to the ground?”

“But you’re naked.”

She shrugged. “I’ve got spares in my bag downstairs.”

“But you’re naked.”

She snorted. “It’s not the first time I’ve walked nude through an inn before and it likely won’t be the last. Just get me down.”

He obliged, lifting her onto his back and scaling back down the wall. Kharis drew a lot of stares as she made her way through the common area of the inn. Like normal, DuMont was too large to get into the inn, but he watched Kharis from the door to make sure she didn’t run into trouble.

Norman, Sanoh, and Rupert were sitting and drinking, staring at Kharis as she strode through the room, though Sanoh caught sight of DuMont at the door and smirked, winking at him.

If he ever needed advice in the future, he definitely knew who to ask.

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