#attempting to write with a cold

[a-class-attempter]

Whumpee collapsed in the snow. They couldn’t go any further, they just couldn’t, they were too exhausted, their limbs and face numb from the cold.

Caretaker stopped and shook Whumpee with their foot. “Come on, Whumpee, we have to go. Whumper’s on our tails.”

“Caretaker… Go- go on without me,” Whumpee whimpered, barely audible through their chattering teeth.

Caretaker scoffed. “No. No, never.” They reached down and hoisted Whumpee over their shoulder. “We get out of this together.”

Or else we die together.

[xxlady-lunaxx]

A bit more of a fluffy ask than anything

Sanegiyuu discussing wedding stuff, and Sanemi goes "I think you should give me your last name" bcs he hates his last name despite the respect that came with it.

i say yes

Typically, for opposite sex relationships, the husband’s last name is taken. But, whilst discussing their futures, Sanemi points out that both of them are men. Giyuu’s quick to add that they could technically both keep their own last names, but Sanemi intervenes, poking Giyuu’s cheek to quiet him.

“I think you should give me your last name,” he says, resting his elbow on the table and leaning his head on his hand.

Tengen, who was visiting for the main purpose to be an annoyance, pipes up. “So you’re admitting that Tomioka’s the man, between the two of you?” He smirks. Sanemi throws the nearest thing close to him—an empty tea cup. Tengen, the fucking bastard, dodged it easily.

Ignoring their unnecessary banter, Giyuu hums. “You don’t like your last name? I thought you’d keep it…” He trails off, unsure how he was going to finish his sentence.

“Thought you might like the idea of me not being able to call you by your last name anymore,” Sanemi teases, rolling his eyes. Occasionally, when he was annoyed (or just for fun), he’d refer to Giyuu as ‘Tomioka,’ how he’d done in the past. Giyuu was never quite happy about it.

“That’s not-” Giyuu pauses. “Oh. It’s more than that, Sanemi. It’s just, like, Genya- And… I dunno. There’s a lot more to your name.”

Sanemi grows quiet for a moment. Tengen has the mind to not say anything.

“There is a lot,” Sanemi agrees. His tone is distant, and it’s clear his thoughts are elsewhere.

A flicker of understanding passes Tengen and he adds, “well, Tomioka, you could easily have a lot to your name if you let this guy take it as his own, too.”

Giyuu nods slowly, feeling that there was something more to why Tengen was the one who butted in. But he doesn’t question it, instead scooting closer to Sanemi. “So you’d be Tomioka, too?”

Sanemi flashes him a grin. “Sanemi Tomioka, right?” he confirms. “Fuck, I wouldn’t have thought I’d take the same name as the one I used to curse at.”

“Like, to my face, or alone in your room?” Giyuu pesters.

“Both,” Sanemi concedes.

“He was so damn in love,” Tengen grins. “Even when he thought he hated you, he was actually just fighting off the feelings.”

Sanemi shoots him a look. “I’ll just say that my hatred for you runs quite steadily, Uzui.”

“Okay, so, we’re settling on mine?” Giyuu asks, interrupting their arguing.

“Definitely,” Sanemi agrees. “Wouldn’t mind ditching ‘Shinazugawa’. I’ve had it for long enough.”

“Are you just marrying me so you can change your last name?” Giyuu deadpans.

Sanemi snorts. “Oh, yeah, my entire purpose of our relationship was to take your last name. I’ve never cared a moment about you, I just thought ‘Tomioka’ would be a nice replacement,” he huffs, affectionately nudging Giyuu’s shoulder with his own.

“You could say goodbye to me, too, if that was true,” Giyuu says flatly, though a smile plays on his face.

“I just realized how hard it’ll be to get used to this,” Tengen grumbles. “Alright, Shinazugawa, you’ll just be Tomioka. And Tomioka, you can be the pretty Tomioka. Or something. The original, better Tomioka.”

“You are so good at playing favoritism, there is no way you don’t have a favorite wife,” Sanemi grits out.

“I just like Tomioka better than you,” Tengen says, raising his hands in surrender. “Don’t get so bitter about being a boring person. Can’t believe Tomioka’s actually agreeing to marry you.”

Giyuu smiles. “He has his pros and cons.”

“Wouldn’t take a genius to know which column has more,” Tengen mutters. Sanemi stands.

“You little shit—”

[cloversdreams]

Fluffy July Day 11 Pairing: Atsushi x Akutagawa (Bungo Stray Dogs)

-

"Still no signal," Atsushi sighed. He paced back and forth holding his phone as high as he could. Nothing. Without any power to charge it, he decided to shut it off for now.

Atsushi's gaze shifted to the window which was blanketed in white. He was just thinking out loud when he said, "The storm must be just as bad if not worse everywhere else."

In other words, they couldn't get out and nobody else could get in. This certainly wasn't a promising start to their mission. Speaking of, his companion seemed even quieter than usual, which was a near impossibility.

Atsushi turned back towards the other man and blinked. Even with every blanket they'd found in this cabin wrapped around his shoulders, he seemed like he was shivering as he sat there on the couch.

"You look cold," Atsushi said loud enough for the other man to hear. He was met with a cough then a deadpan stare.

"A normal person would be, weretiger." Akutagawa grumbled. He sunk into the blankets so only his eyes were still visible. The rest of his words were muffled when he said, "You're the outlier here."

Atsushi wasn't completely sold on that. Though he supposed it was understandable. He turned and looked back to the raging storm outside. He supposed he could transform his arms and legs then run into town to check on things there.

But what would happen if they were powerless as well? It'd be a wasted trip and he'd have left his partner alone for no reason. Not to mention the sun was already starting to set, which meant the temperature would soon begin to drop even more. He was all right with that but as for his companion, well... he just wasn't suited for it.

He glanced back at Akutagawa. Surely, the guy would tell him to leave so he could have some peace if he even brought it up. But that didn't sit right with Atsushi. Like it or not, they were in this together. That meant he couldn't just let the guy turn into a human popsicle.

So it seemed like it was time to think outside the box. Atsushi plopped down onto the couch and let out a sigh. Ok. Here it goes. He reached over and wrapped an arm around the bundled up man.

"Just what do you think you're doing!" Akutagawa hissed.

"I'm warming you up." Atsushi replied without missing a beat.

"I'm fine." Akutagawa tried to pull away. Though his voice was raspy from coughing and he seemed physically weaker than usual.

"You're a human ice cube." Atsushi kept his grip firm.

"...Rashomon."

A thin bit of the other man's dark ability slipped from underneath the blankets and aimed directly at his own neck. He coughed twice.

"What are you doing?" Atsushi asked.

"I'd rather die than be subjected to this." Akutagawa replied matter-of-factly.

"Don't you think you're being a little dramatic?" Atsushi asked. When he was met with nothing but that familiar, unwavering glare, Atsushi finally released him. The ability retreated right afterwards and he went right back to shivering where he sat.

This was crazy. Atsushi couldn't just wait until the guy passed out to try and help him but, man, he was just so stubborn! Well, he supposed he was out of options at this point. Time for something extreme.

Atsushi stood, cracked his neck side to side, then threaded his fingers together and stretched his arms out far above his own head. He could practically feel the piercing gaze upon him. Good, he had the guy's attention. He stopped, looked Akutagawa in the eye, and said, "You owe me a nice dinner after this."

"After what exac-" Akutagawa stopped mid-sentence as the other man transformed into a tiger. Not partially as he tended to do, no, but a full on huge white cat. The tiger stretched out its front paws and spread its toes, leaning back on its haunches and showing its razor sharp claws. When it was done it turned towards the couch.

He blinked at the creature. It had a ferocity in its eyes that was all too telling about the power it possessed. They were cold, calculating, and completely lacked a sense of familiarity. There was no doubt about it, this was not Atsushi. It was his beast set free to do what it wanted.

That being said, Akutagawa felt no ill intent from the creature. It was not a threat to him right now. He was silent as he watched the creature approach the couch and sniff him. What did it want? Clearly not a fight. He didn't have anything else to give.

To say he was surprised when the tiger jumped onto the couch and laid across his legs would've been the understatement of the year. He attempted to wriggle free. No use. He could use his ability but that'd likely piss it off and then they'd end up destroying the only shelter they had from the storm if they fought.

Maybe reasoning could work. "Hey, beast. Move over."

It ignored him completely. Ok, maybe he could use Rashomon to gently nudge it a bit. The second he attempted to summon his ability the white tiger whipped its head in his direction and roared angrily. This time its eyes were aggressive. It was prepared to attack the second it felt provoked. Akutagawa stiffened. That was a clear no.

Seconds turned into minutes. His legs were going numb. He was going to die here. How pathetic. No! He wouldn't give Atsushi the satisfaction of killing him this way. Akutagawa gritted his teeth and grumbled, "Fine, I won't go anywhere. Give me my legs back."

The overgrown fuzzball rolled over just enough for him to pull his limbs free. As soon as he was clear, it rolled back into that space. On its back, with its paws in the air, the large beast seemed so carefree it was a little silly.

Against his own better judgement, Akutagawa flopped onto the stupid overgrown cat's waiting chest, pulling the blankets over his back in the process. Warm. Nearly too damn hot. He might overheat like this. It was really nice. He buried his face in the soft fur and let out a content sigh. Maybe dying like this wouldn't be so bad after all.

[jmbringitonworld]

Frans Week 2025 - Day 7 - Valentine's

Here is my second contribution to @fransweek . I really wish I hadn't gotten sick and was able to write more days for this event, but alas. At least I'm finally (mostly) over my cold now! XD

This is actually a continuation of Day 1 - Stars, so it won't make as much sense if you haven't first read that one. Both of these fics are set in my bigger, ongoing fic, A Good Father, my AU where Asgore adopts and raises baby Frisk. Just as a fair warning, this particular fic is set towards the end of AGF, when Sans and Frisk are both adults and monsters have been freed, and it contains very minor spoilers for things that will eventually happen later on in the story, as well as one for something that did happen in one of the previous chapters. It shouldn't ruin anything, since, as mentioned, the spoilers are very minor.

Happy Valentine's Day/Singles' Awareness Day!

_______________________________________

When Frisk had asked him to go somewhere with her, late at night, Sans had agreed.

When she’d said that where they were going was a secret, Sans hadn’t questioned her.

When she’d told him to close his eye sockets and let her lead him there, Sans complied.

And when the noise of the bustling city was replaced by the gentle sounds of nature, and the soft crunch of grass underfoot, Sans continued on.

The warm hand in his was all he needed, to know that everything would be alright. Frisk could lead him into hell, and he would trust her to lead him right back out of it.

After everything they’d been through together, the life they’d lived together, the experiences they’d shared, his faith in her was unshakeable.

And so, Sans kept his eye sockets closed as he walked blindly onwards, with only Frisk’s hand to guide him and her voice to direct him.

His patience was eventually rewarded, when the two of them came to a stop.

“Okay, we’re here,” came Frisk’s voice, tinged with excited anticipation. “You can open your eyes now, Sans.”

He did. The sight that met his eyelights was one he would never forget.

The monster and human couple were alone in a wide, open field, with low grass and flower patches almost as far as the eye could see, with only the occasional tree to break up the landscape. A large blanket had been laid out on the ground, atop which sat a spread of several food dishes Sans recognised as coming from Grillby’s bar. A little further away, he spied his old telescope, set up and ready for viewing.

But what most caught his eyelights was the sky.

The vast expanse of space above them was unobstructed by any tall structures, artificial lights, or drifting clouds.

Innumerable twinkling stars dotted an unending, dark canvas. The moon hung high in the sky, luminous and enchanting.

Sans had seen the night sky many times since coming to the Surface, but this… This view surpassed all others. If he had any breath, this would have stolen it. His Soul longed to fly off into space and explore the cosmos.

Only the hand in his kept him anchored to the ground.

That hand gave his a squeeze, reminding his Soul why he would always choose to remain on Earth in spite of the sky’s splendour.

“I asked around at the office, and lots of folks told me about this neat spot outside of the city, where you can get a great view of the night sky,” Frisk shared with him, voice hushed, as if unwilling to disturb the peace and serenity of the empty countryside. “And the human weather channels predicted that tonight would have a clear sky, so I knew that this would be the perfect time to take you here.”

Sans couldn’t think of what to say to that. For one of the very rare times in his life, he was utterly speechless.

Nevertheless, he owed it to Frisk to at least say something.

“it… it sure is… perfect, frisk.” His voice was barely above a whisper, choked as it was by emotion. “i love it…” I love you.

Thankfully, his Frisk had always been able to understand him, even when no one else could.

Her face softened, smile so tender and affectionate it dazzled him more than any starry night sky.

She leaned in to give his nasal bone a quick nose nuzzle, before tugging him by his hand towards the picnic blanket. “C’mon, Sansy. Take a seat and have a burg’. I asked Grillby to prepare a takeaway dinner for us. I think he even added extra when I said it was for a special date! Golly, what a cool guy, haha!”

For once, Sans let Frisk take the reins in their conversation, content to just listen to the happy timber of her voice, and let her excited chatter seep into his Soul, warming him up from the inside out, despite the chilly February night air.

“Hey, Sans?”

The monster in question made a noise of acknowledgment as he munched on a couple of fries. He paused when he noticed the blush on his girlfriend’s cheeks out of the corner of his eye sockets.

“There’s actually another reason why I wanted us to go on this date, tonight of all nights.”

Sans raised a browbone. That admission, coupled with the signs of Frisk’s embarrassment, piqued the skeleton’s curiosity.

The human woman averted her eyes to gaze up at the stars. Sans couldn’t help marvelling at how the stars reflected so beautifully in Frisk’s clear eyes, as if she’d managed to capture the night sky in her gaze.

Sans could feel his Soul thump. The sudden surge of affection and admiration for the woman before him caused his eyelights to turn heart-shaped.

His girlfriend truly was the greatest wonder he’d ever known.

“So I found out,” Frisk continued, “that apparently humans have a holiday called Valentine’s Day, which is meant to celebrate love. Romantic love mostly, though all forms of love are celebrated too in some places.”

Well that was certainly interesting. Humans sure did like having a bunch of different holidays, for all kinds of things, as monsters had discovered. Admittedly, one centered around love did sound like something genuinely fun and worthwhile. It was also reassuring to learn that even humans found love to be important enough to celebrate.

“lemme guess,” Sans grinned at Frisk, feeling his own blush begin to rise on his cheekbones, “this ‘valentine’s day’ is today, amiright?”

Frisk nodded her head. She reached up to adjust her horned tiara, even though the action was unnecessary. Sans knew his girlfriend well enough to recognise this for the self-soothing act that it was, though why she felt the urge to calm herself, he couldn’t guess.

As if to answer his unspoken question, Frisk cleared her throat. “There’s also one tradition in particular which humans follow on Valentine’s Day.” She fiddled with her tiara again. “Apparently, it’s tradition for people to give the one they love chocolates on this day. So…” Frisk retrieved her cell phone to access her personal Dimensional Box, and took out a rectangular box wrapped in bone-patterned paper. She held the box out to Sans, finally making eye contact with him. “Here you go, bone man. Happy Valentine’s Day!”

Sans was very rarely caught off-guard, yet somehow Frisk always managed to accomplish it, and so effortlessly as well. Despite knowing her so well - better than anyone, he’d wager - Sans could never fully predict his human. She kept surprising him, time and again.

The monster accepted the gift with a bashful smile.

“aw heck, if i’da known about the whole gift-givin’ thing, i’d’ve gotten you a box of chocolates too, babe.”

Frisk was quick to wave off his words. “Nah, don’t worry about it! It’s a human holiday, so I wasn’t expecting you to know about it. Heck, I wouldn’t have known about it either, if all the humans I work with at the Embassy hadn’t been gossiping for the past few weeks about who was going to give chocolates or flowers to whom.”

Sans nodded his understanding. Still… He didn’t feel good about being the only one to receive a present on a day dedicated to celebrating love. He made a mental note to get a box of chocolates and a bouquet of flowers for his kind and thoughtful girlfriend, the next chance he got.

With that resolve in mind, the skeleton monster set about tearing off the wrapping paper, and opened the box. Inside, he found a tray full of chocolates shaped like his face. They were clearly handmade and crafted with a lot of care and attention.

His eye sockets widened. “you made these yourself?”

Frisk ducked her head, her previous blush returning with a vengeance.

“Uh huh.” This time, her hands went to fiddle with the heart locket around her neck. “Apparently, in many places, people are supposed to make the chocolates themselves. I think it’s meant to show how much you care about the person you’re giving them to. And, well, since I care about you a whole lot, I made them all on my own.” A beat passed. “Well, actually, Pap created the molds. But I did everything else, promise!”

“huh.” Sans’s eyelights went round and fuzzy. “wow…”

That explained why Frisk was so nervous. She’d always worked so hard on improving her cooking. As easily the best chef in their little group, Frisk had taken it upon herself to make sure everyone was eating well, and healthily. Granted, her only real competition was Sans (who couldn’t make anything more complicated than a hot dog), since none of the others could prepare anything even approaching edible. However, Frisk took her position very seriously.

With no small amount of reverence, Sans plucked one of the smiley chocolates from the box and popped it into his mouth. Gentle sweetness met his magical tongue, tinged with Frisk’s loving Intent. His Soul felt like melting at the flavour.

“Well?” Frisk asked, half nervous, half impatient. “What do you think?”

Sans responded with a wink, before tossing another chocolate into his mouth. “they’re delicious. thanks, frisk.” His adoring smile echoed the hearts in his eye sockets. “i love ‘em.” I love you more.

Frisk practically sagged in relief. “I’m so glad! I worked really hard on them, you know. I just wanted so badly to make tonight extra special.”

Sans set aside the chocolates and reached for his girlfriend’s hands, entwining their fingers together.

“hey c’mon, babe. there’s no need to sweat about this valentine’s stuff so much.” He gave Frisk’s hands a squeeze, sending his magic through the touch in a reassuring gesture. “we don’t need no human holiday to celebrate what we have.”

Frisk smiled at him, her bright eyes making up for her lack of magic, as they conveyed in just a gaze all the love in her Soul.

“I know that, Sans.” She leaned forward to nuzzle her nose against his nasal bone, causing sparks to shoot through his Soul and tingle along his bones. “But tonight isn’t just about Valentine’s Day.” At Sans’s raised browbone, she giggled, and clarified, “Tonight is the night I finally get my wish granted.”

Sans blinked. “huh? what wish?”

His brows furrowed in confusion, as he searched his mind for an answer.

Frisk’s mouth stretched into a self-satisfied grin. “The wish I made when we were just children. When you took me to the Wishing Room. Do you remember that time?” Her smirk widened. “I told you our wishes would come true one day, and I was right!”

A hazy memory floated to the surface of Sans’s mind, before solidifying. He gasped.

“oh, that wish! i remember now!” The look of realisation was then replaced by one of confusion. “hey wait, didn’t that wish come true already? ya know, that time back then, when we first reached the surface?”

Frisk shook her head resolutely. “Nope, that time didn’t count. We saw the stars with our families.” She crossed her arms. “I wished to see the stars with you. Just you, like before.” The pleased grin returned to her face. “And now I am!”

Sans chuckled, shaking his skull at her fondly.

“welp. congrats, frisk.” He let his hand cradle his skull, as he propped his elbow atop his knee. “so then, are ya happy? is it everything you wished for?”

Frisk tapped a finger to her chin, an exaggerated look of contemplation settling on her face.

“Hmmm.” She soon dropped the act, to instead bestow on her boyfriend one of her most dazzling smiles ever. Sans was captivated. “Oh gee, of course I am! This is everything I wished for and more!”

She giggled, the sound light and airy, wrapping around Sans’s Soul more effectively than any magic, before her smile turned sly.

“Though I was right about another thing.”

She leaned in even closer. Sans was mesmerised by her star-filled eyes.

Her warm breath fanned across his bones. Sans shivered.

“Your eyelights really are even brighter and prettier than the stars.”

Sans froze as Frisk’s word registered.

Heat shot across his skull. He swiftly dragged his hood down over his face as low as it would go.

He groaned. It seemed like no matter how old he got, Frisk never had any trouble sending him right back to hood town.

He really was no match for her.

“quit yankin’ my leg, frisk!” He ignored her cry of, “I’m not!”, and willed his blush to die down. He desperately searched his cranium for a change of topic. “ahem. so anyway… now that your wish has come true, how’s about you make a new one? seein’ as we’ve got real stars to wish to now, instead of just sparkly rocks.”

Frisk allowed this shift in conversation, as the question seemed to genuinely intrigue her. A crease formed in her brows, as she gave the matter some real thought.

Finally, an answer came to her, as signaled by her returning smirk.

It was a look which boded more embarrassment for Sans, whose bones stiffened in response.

“I’ve got it!” she crowed. “I wish that I could see the stars again on our wedding day.”

Sans really should have suspected something of this nature, considering his and Frisk’s shared history. His human had had her Soul set on marrying him ever since she was just a little kid, apparently - much to her father’s dismay. And each time she brought it up, it never failed to set his bones aflame (almost literally, if Asgore weren’t so nice).

After all these years, and all they’d been through together… there really was only one possible response Sans could give.

“then i wish that i could see the stars again with you on our wedding day.”

The smile that bloomed across Frisk’s face was more radiant than all the stars in the sky.

With a squeal of joy, Frisk threw her arms around Sans and clung tightly to him.

“I love you, Sans,” she told him in both words and Intent, her human Soul clumsily trying its best to reach for his, showering him in aimless, but no less powerful, feelings of love and adoration.

Sans reciprocated her attempts with considerably more success, given his magical nature. His own monster Soul pulsed its fierce devotion in waves of pure magic, which wrapped around Frisk’s Soul, bathing it in a song of endless affection. “i love you too, frisk.”

The couple shared a kiss underneath a starry sky. The moon bathed them in its ethereal glow, as if offering its blessing.

Later on, the two lovers cuddled together on the blanket, heart-shaped eyelights gazing tenderly into star-filled eyes. They held each other close, their Souls thrumming in sync, only a hair’s breadth apart.

It was Sans who finally broke the pleasant silence that had fallen between them.

“hey babe?” he whispered softly against his lover’s lips. “i know we said we wished to see the stars on our wedding day, but… i sure hope that’s not all we’re gonna do that night.” Sans wiggled his browbones at Frisk. “‘cause i got some ideas on how to spend our wedding night.” His eye sockets lidded, eyelights burning within their depths. “heh heh heh. we’re gonna have a bone time.”

Immediately, colour spread across Frisk’s cheeks in her brightest blush ever. She squeaked and covered her face with her hands.

“Sans!” she yelled at him, her voice several octaves higher than usual. “C-Cut it out! I can’t believe you, y-you- ! You horndog! Gutterbones!”

As Sans stared in amazement at the flustered mess of a girlfriend in his arms, he couldn’t fight back his laughter.

Maybe he really was the perfect match for Frisk after all.

[bigrhet]

Frankly I think that if we get a DA after TV, and Illario ends up being the crow companion, that would be be a really good way for BioWare to worm their way out of the Crow sanitation hole they wrote themselves into. Lucanis talks good about the Crows? Yeah of course he was Grandma’s favorite, Gods little prince. He says his training was torture, and he has panic attacks, but frankly I can definitely see a ‘his training was actually softer, to the point where his empathy and care for others made it out unscathed’. Which is not the case for an assassin who probably went through the actual Crow training, like it seems Illario “Lesser” Dellamorte did. Or potentially even more rigorous Crow training, since Illario always seemed set up for failure.

Lucanis is more willing to risk failure for others as we see in the Wigmaker job, and Illario is the one concerned out this. Lucanis isn’t, probably because subconsciously, he knows the consequences for him failing would be minimal or null.

Just take it as a “if Lucanis had to kneel on gravel for hours, I had to kneel for days” type take on Illario. Just say Lucanis kind of got the softer stick, everyone we see did, honestly. I think it would be a notable if not acceptable re-retcon.

He definitely wouldn’t hold back telling the truth and shit talking grandma as even though he is technically ’crow nobility’, unlike the others (even Rook bc Viago is not hurting their ass let’s be real), he was never treated that way. Illario is so oddly at the bottom and top of the social ladder that if he’s written in as a returning Cullen-type character, they could prob go ‘yeah Lucanis was given the privilege of rose-tinted glasses kind of, and was able to make it out with his humanity intact because of his Grandma’s weakness toward him, Illario wasn’t given that minuscule affection so he didn’t’ and then go from there.

[piplupfluffwritingstuff2]

The Winter Solstice

Jacinth Masterlist

This one is long, so I've put it under the cut!

The fae realm was abuzz with chatter as preparations for the winter solstice festival got underway. Y/N watched as fae of all different kinds fluttered to and fro, busying themselves with hanging lanterns or making food for the party. Y/N wasn’t sure how long she had been here, but she knew it couldn’t have been a full year already. Jacinth did say that time passed differently here than in the human world, but it seemed like only a month ago that winter had ended.

Some winter fae had started to create little flurries of snow in different areas of the party grounds. Y/N was suddenly overcome with the urge to catch snowflakes on her tongue. She slowly got up and approached the nearest little cloud.

“Hello, Jacinth’s human!” one of the ice fae greeted, “here to see ice magic up close?”

Y/N nodded.

“Aren’t you precious!” the other fae cooed, “why don’t you take this, hm?”

The second ice fae conjured a beautiful, oversized snowflake out of thin air. She handed it to Y/N.

“Pretty, isn’t it?” the fae asked.

Y/N nodded, staring at it in awe. The first fae looped a strand of frost spider silk through it and draped it around her neck.

“I do wish I had my own human,” he sighed, “Jacinth was so lucky to find one.”

“Y/N!” a familiar voice called.

Y/N turned to see Jacinth fluttering over.

“There you are, you had me worried,” Jacinth said, “…what have you got there?”

Y/N held up her snowflake pendant. The ice fae that conjured it smiled proudly.

“That was thoughtful of you, Crystal,” Jacinth said, “did you thank her, Y/N?”

“Thank you,” Y/N said with a practiced smile.

“You are quite welcome, Jacinth’s human,” Crystal said, “see you at the party!”

…

Y/N was still staring at the snowflake when Jacinth brought her back to his house.

“I’m glad you are settling in well,” Jacinth said, “just a month ago I couldn’t let you out of my sight. Now look at you, happy and obedient, exactly as you should be.”

Happy wasn’t exactly the word for it, but Y/N had given up trying to escape a while ago. All Jacinth had to do was say her name, and she’d come crawling back to him.

“It’s just as well, given the veil between realms will be thin tonight,” Jacinth went on, “…am I really out of lavender soap? This is terrible. I’ll be back, stay put won’t you?”

Jacinth flew out of the domicile, leaving Y/N alone in the fae house. Jacinth had always kept her in his line of sight until now. He hadn’t used her name to make her stay inside, either. Was this her chance? A glimmer of hope flickered in her chest. The snow outside started falling, if she played her cards right, she could be back in the human world before Jacinth ever realized she was gone.

…

“Looks like a storm is coming tonight,” Crystal said, “the courtyard is protected by magic, but the rest of the realm…”

“It shouldn’t be a problem,” another fae said, “the party will last well into the next dawn.”

…

Y/N must have been walking through the snow for hours. Her feet were like ice blocks, and her teeth were chattering so loudly she was sure someone would hear her. The wind whipped up, freezing her already chilled bones. Snow pelted her in the face, but she had to keep going. Surely the portal to the human realm would be around her somewhere. She wasn’t sure what one looked like, but hopefully she’d know it when she saw it.

After what felt like another month in the fae realm, her shivering finally died down and she started to warm up.

At last, Y/N thought.

Whether it was the sudden warmth making it so or the fact that she had been walking so long, Y/N felt utterly exhausted. She took one step, then another, and promptly collapsed into a snow bank. She would close her eyes for a minute, just a minute, and then she’d start walking again.

…

“Y/N!?” Jacinth called.

“Jacinth’s human?” another fae called.

“Little human!”

“Human?”

The night had fallen, and there was no sign of Y/N. The blizzard kicked up harder, and though the fire fae held flames alight, it was difficult to see much of anything.

“There!” Crystal shouted.

A lump of snow with a tuft of hair peeking out. Jacinth rushed over. He brushed the snow from Y/N’s face. Her lips had turned blue and her cheeks were ice-cold to the touch.

“She’s here!” he shouted.

…

Jacinth paced back and forth outside the medicine tree. Y/N had been cocooned inside a few hours ago, and the great plant still hadn’t released her.

“Old friend,” Jacinth said, putting his hand on the bark, “will she be alright?”

As though comforting him, a low-hanging branch brushed across his shoulder.

“This is all my fault, I should have told her to stay put; I have her name, why didn’t I use it?”

“Jacinth,” a green fae came up, “it’s nearly dawn. Don’t you want to rest?”

“I am stronger from the night,” Jacinth said, “and my human needs me.”

The fae opened his mouth to speak, then closed it. He nodded, leaving Jacinth alone with the medicine tree.

…

Jacinth was just nodding off when the bark of the tree parted. He jolted awake to see Y/N tumble out, covered in healing sap. He caught her in his arms and held her close. She was much warmer now, and her breathing was deep and even.

“Thank you!” Jacinth said, “thank you!”

…

Y/N stirred, wrapped in something warm and soft. Her eyes slowly fluttered open to see Jacinth staring down at her.

“Oh…” Y/N blurted quietly.

“What were you thinking? Going out in a snowstorm? I have been worried sick- sick I tell you!”

Jacinth continued to scold her, but Y/N was barely listening. Her mind was reeling- her escape attempt failed. She was right back where she started. It would take ages for Jacinth to leave her alone again now. Before she could stop them, tears sprung into her eyes.

“And furthermore- oh, oh dear. Don’t cry, it’s alright, I’m not really angry-”

Jacinth wiped away her tears, shushing her quietly.

“There there,” he went on, “you mustn’t cry, not when I have something to show you. Come.”

Jacinth helped Y/N out of bed and brought her to the fae courtyard. All the realm was there, and they clapped and cheered when they saw her.

“Jacinth’s human! You live!”

“Thank the stars!”

“And the medicine tree!”

Jacinth smiled.

“You missed the solstice party, so we’ve thrown you another one.”

Giant snowflakes hung between the lanterns, and a thin layer of ice covered part of the courtyard.

Y/N stared in a mix of shock and wonder. She didn’t know what it was about these fae, but they seemed really, really like her. She supposed escaping could wait for one night, especially since Jacinth wasn’t letting her go an arms-length away from him. Some fae invited her to join them on the ice, and she spent the rest of the night learning to skate with Jacinth.

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[ohwatson]

I would love to hear any thoughts you may have on Lestrade's wife and what happened to their marriage, should you feel so inclined?

i’ve thought about this specific piece of Lestrade Lore™ more than i care to admit, so i should feel so inclined, yes!

i definitely don’t think the lestrades’ marriage was short-lived, he gives the energy of someone who was married for at least a decade, maybe even 15-20 years.

i see a younger lestrade as being playful, flirtatious, probably a ladies man & definitely aware of it (have you seen young rupert graves? bffr.) but getting married sort of young. i imagine their relationship to kind of just have happened; they got to chatting and all the sudden were inseparable etc but never really saw a relationship coming until it kind of seemed like the obvious/right thing to do (in hindsight, lestrade probably recognizes that pursuing a relationship because it was expected & not because it was a good match in the long run wasn’t a great idea).

(also he looked so good in the episode jesus christ)

it was a healthy marriage in the beginning, lestrade is clearly devoted (he evidently went back to his wife after she cheated the first time, which speaks either of his loyalty or obliviousness, or something else). i think lestrade was content and was working his way up the NSY ranks during the early years of the marriage probably had the successful-career-as-a-detective-with-a-family-in-a-semi-detached-in-the-suburbs kind of vision for himself. however, he got the offer for a DI position & knew that the workload would increase and it could take a toll but the offer was too good to decline even if it meant he spent several extra hours at work in the evenings.

i imagine his wife got jealous or felt bored and insecure because of that, and i’m sure having sherlock ringing lestrade’s phone during dinner or at 2am demanding a case (& lestrade indulging him) didn’t help matters. so eventually she sought out someone else, thinking lestrade would be too busy to notice (she was right, but sherlock dredged that secret up quickly enough, & i do believe lestrade had suspicions but gave her the benefit of the doubt). she probably thought he cared more about his career than her, which wasn’t the case, but i do think lestrade probably took some of his marriage and personal life for granted and put it on pause for The Work (like sherlock in a way tbh).

obviously they separated at some point & i think it was probably lestrade who made the first move at trying to reconcile because he probably felt he was the reason for his wife’s infidelity. he truly thought they had been making progress until the infamous asib christmas (he cancelled the dorset holiday. the greek islands were nicer, anyways).

he looked a little sullen and tipsy at the wedding in tsot which i just chalked down to him having feelings about his divorce and also his friend’s gay situationship but evidently he’s not opposed to dating again as we see from tst & The One is out there for him somewhere live laugh love lestrade 🙂‍↕️

[actress4him]

Whumptober 2024 - Day 19

Blood Trail | Abandoned Cabin

Contains: generic whumpee, blood loss, waiting for death, escape attempt, cold and snow, hopelessness

They were leaving a trail. Whumpee spared a thought to acknowledge the fact, but there was nothing they could do about it. They already had their hand pressed to the wound, catching as much blood as they could, but there were still bright red drops falling to the ground, glaring and brilliant against the pure white snow. 

Honestly, they might as well have quit walking right then and there. Curled up under a tree and waited to see whether their hunters would find them before they succumbed to the frigid cold.

But they couldn’t give up, not now. Even if it was hopeless, even if this excruciating hike through the woods was all for nothing, they had to press on. They’d been through too much to just lie down and accept their fate now.

By the time that the trees opened up into a clearing, revealing a small, rickety cabin, the trail of blood drops had started zigzagging with Whumpee’s stumbling steps. They halted, swaying in place, and blinked several times to clear their eyes. The cabin didn’t disappear. Maybe it wasn’t a hallucination, after all. 

Something in them warned that they needed to keep walking, to get further away, but their feet took them straight to the door. Maybe…maybe there would be someone inside that could help. Maybe they’d have bandages, or at least would let them hide for a little while. 

But the door swung open as soon as they touched it, and the one room inside was dark and void of furniture or life. There was no one to help. No one wanted to help them, anyway, who had they even been kidding? They were completely on their own. 

It wasn’t warm inside, by any means, but at least the wind was mostly blocked by the log walls. A fireplace on one wall taunted them with the dream of heat, but there was no firewood and they had no strength to do anything with it, anyway. 

They knew they should leave. Staying here was going to do them no good, especially not with that blood trail leading anyone who might be looking right up to the door.

But they were so tired. Slowly, Whumpee leaned against the wall next to the fireplace and slumped to the floor. They could just…rest here for a little while. Right? Just for a few minutes…

The next thing they knew, they were lying on their side, facing the cold fireplace, with their blood beginning to create a small puddle on the wooden floor. It was no use. This was as far as they were going to make it. All they could hope for now was that the blood loss would take them before they were found and dragged back to where they came from.

[thefage]

I wrote a long rant about how 23andMe is morally despicable for potentially exploiting users' data in order to make more money off of them, but then I found out about the bankruptcy, and honestly, good fucking riddance. My only concern in this situation is the talk about them selling users' data, which is just a new level of attrocious, but I am not overly concerned since I know for a fact that they tread on legally dubious grounds in doing so in the first place, but if they were to fuck it up they'd end up breaking so many laws in so many different countries that they would never see the sun again under the pile of lawsuits that I would personally encourage people to file as I know for a fact that, as per the agreement, the data cannot be used by outside parties without a user's consent because when I was looking at signing up for the service I actually read the agreement to make sure the cops could not access my DNA data(you know, in case I ever decided to one day commit a crime. 18 year-old me was a forward thinker. For legal reasons, I'm just going to mention that I have not, as of writing this, ever commited a prosecutable crime)

[pixelatedraindrops]

can we get another sick yuma fanfic?

I usually don't take fic requests because I feel I'm not creative enough to write too often. But if its sick Yuma you want I may have a lil’ oneshot for ya c:

Here's a fic where he catches a terrible cold after losing his hat in the rain. This one's less whumpy and more fluffy. And Yuma will be speaking in a nasally tone pretty much the whole time.

Enjoy!

Under the Weather

(Oneshot)

Word Count: 4,000+

Genre: Hurt/Comfort, Sickfic, Found Family

Fandom: Master Detective Archives RAINCODE

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

It was just more terrible, awful luck for Yuma. When has it ever been good? He was minding his business investigating the situation in Kanai Ward like he usually did to track their ultimate secret down, but suddenly when he was doing something that upset the wandering Peacekeepers, they had begun chasing him. Thankfully Yuma was able to evade them, however it came at a price. A sudden gust of wind had blown across the trainee as he ran in the neon city of rain…and his rainhat had flown off. Yuma wanted to try to go back to get it, but the peacekeepers were still after him. He had to keep running, he had no choice. If he was captured, it would be all over.

He eventually lost them by running into a corner of the city. He decided that he needed to go back to the agency, thinking maybe this was enough for today. Yakou always said that if things like this happen, it was best to lay low until things calmed down. So, Yuma waited a little bit for the peacekeepers to get further from him so he could rush back to the sub safely. But as he ran, the rain kept pouring. He had no hat to cover him anymore. By the time he got back to the nocturnal detective agency’s submarine base, his hair and face were soaking wet.

“Master, you look like a sopping wet cat! Kyahaha~!” his spirit partner Shinigami cackled as she viewed how wet her master was. “Practically…dripping…wet…” The death god’s dirty mind decided to jab at the short detective.

Rain water was dripping down every strand of his lilac hair. To say he was sopping would be an understatement, He was practically drenched with the rain from the city by the time he came back from the chase. He began realizing how much that hat was protecting him as he tried to shake his head in a poor attempt to try to dry off.

“Stop it. There was nothing I could do. The Peacekeepers would’ve caught me if I went back to get my hat…” Yuma responded, starting to sound a little bit slurred in his speech.

He sighed as he opened the cover of the sub.

“Hey Chief, I’m back…” he announced climbing down the steps to the entrance chamber.

“Hey Yuma, how’d things go out there?” Yakou’s voice could be heard from the office of the sub. “You find anything new out?”

Yuma slowly walks into the office room sniffing a bit and wiping his nose with his sleeve. “No…” he quietly responded.

Yakou was not paying attention to the boy, as he was reading the paper at his desk with a cigarette in his mouth like usual. “Well, don’t sweat it, can’t do everything all at once.”

Yuma shivered as he took his rain attire off. “I-I was cha- aehh..” He stopped as he felt something tickle his nose.

“You were what?” Yakou asked still not paying attention to him.

Yuma couldn’t finish his sentence as he felt a sneeze building up something fierce.

“Eeeahh… Ahhh…” his eyes were squinted as he tilted his head backwards.

“AAAH-CHSHUU!!!”

The loud wet sneeze finally came out of the small detective in training like a volcano erupting. His head shot downward as the sneeze came out, he tried to cover his mouth with his sleeve.

Let’s just say…he failed.

This finally got the chief’s attention. Yakou heard that sound and then moved his gaze to meet the shivery trainee detective at the corner of the right side of the room. His nose was bright red and now leaking profusely after that sudden onslaught.

He was dripping wet in a different way now.

“Whoa, gesundheit! Are you alright?!” Yakou exclaimed putting the paper down.

“Y-Yeah…” Yuma replied weakly as his nose continued dripping.

The NDA leader immediately stood up from his desk and grabbed a box of tissues that were in the desk drawer and walked over to the trainee.

He took one of the tissues out, handing it his way. “Here you go.”

Yuma still had his eyes shut from the intensity of that sneeze, his eyes stinging a tiny bit as tears formed, but he reached for the tissue grabbing it.

“Tank you…” he responded sheepishly. The congestion in his speech is now making its way to him.

“Sheesh. You’re a mess… Did you catch a cold out there in all that rain?” the chief asked as he leans down to be more at the trainee’s level.

Yuma sniffled hard. “Ugh…I guess so…”

Yakou sighed as he placed a hand on the boy’s shoulder. “Well, that much can be said from the way you look and the way you sound…”

“AH-ACHSHUU!”

Yuma let out another wet sneeze interrupting him mid-sentence, making sure to do it into the tissue he held. Yakou flinched, turning his head away. “Yikes…that sounds bad.”

Yuma sniffled again finally opening his watery eyes to look Yakou’s way “I’b…reawy sowwy…” he muttered in his nasaled tone looking embarrassed and ashamed.

Yakou sighed, smiling at him a bit as he stood back up. “You poor kid. I’ll go get a towel to dry you off. Then I’ll get you something warm to drink, how’s that sound?”

Yuma held the the tissue to his nose wiping it a bit.

“Uh-huh…dat souds good…” he responded before he blew into the tissue.

Yakou felt sorry for the boy but couldn’t help but be a little amused by his nasaled speech. He walked over to the shower room to grab a towel he could use to dry his wet hair. He walked back over to see Yuma sitting on the purple sofa still holding the tissue to his face.

Yakou placed the towel on Yuma’s head and began drying it moving his hands in a circular motion. Yuma tried remaining as still as possible while the older man dried his wet hair off.

He put the towel around the boy’s neck after he finished drying him off best as he could.

“There we go.” He said with a grin. “Thats about as dry as I can make you. You can hop in the shower later.”

“Tank you…” Yuma responded before his nose tickled him again. “Ahh-choo!” he sneezed into the tissue he held.

“Gesundheit!” Yakou responded surprised as he placed the tissue box he was holding right next to the boy and walked over to grab the trash can by his desk and put it below the purple sofa where the stuffy detective was sitting.

“Here, the trash can is officially reserved just for you today.” he responded kindly.

Yuma sighed as he threw the tissue away. His nose leaking again not long after, but he didn’t notice as he felt a little dazed.

The older detective sighed. “Yuma, your nose is still running…” Yakou grabbed one of the tissues and placed it to his face wiping it away himself as Yuma scrunches his face up, then he threw it away. Yuma blushed in minor embarrassment.

“Hey, are you feeling alright?” Yakou asked looking at him with some concern. “Aside from…well this.”

Yuma sniffled in response before answering.

“S-Sowwy…my head’s just fuzzy…” he responded putting a hand to his head.

Yakou slid his hand under Yuma’s bangs and onto his forehead after the sniffly boy uttered those words.

“Mmm yeah, you’re feeling a teensy bit warm. Rain sure did a number on you, huh? What the heck happened to your hat?”

Yuma looked down. “I…was chased…by some peacekeepers…”

“What!?” Yakou exclaimed in shock looking nervous. “Th-They didn’t follow you did they!?”

“Don’ wowwy…I lost dem…” Yuma said sniffling again. “But…I lost my hat while I was running…and couldn’t go baaaa…aaah…” he felt another sneeze coming. He quickly grabbed another tissue sneezing into it. “…back to go get it...” he finished throwing it away afterwards sighing.

Yakou sighed and calmed down hearing that they weren’t in any trouble looking at the boy with pity in his expression.

“Okay I gotcha. Sorry about that kiddo.” he said putting a hand to his shoulder to try to comfort him. “Looks like you got a pretty nasty cold though. So no more going out today, got it?”

Yuma nodded without hesitation or further argument. Without his hat, going out in the rain again would only prove more harmful. And he was starting to feel a little bit dizzy, so he didn’t really want to get up again anyway.

“I’ll write to the WDO to send you a replacement hat later, but for now I’m gonna go make you some tea. Drinking something warm should help you feel a little better. You want ginger or chamomile?”

Yuma wanted to respond but then his voice got a little hoarse in his attempted response causing him to cover his mouth in embarrassment.

Yakou raised an eyebrow as he closed his eyes smiling. “I’ll do chamomile then, sounds like your throat’s getting a little scratchy.”

Yuma nodded quietly as he laid back. His head was starting to hurt a little as well as his throat. He cleared it as he grabbed another tissue in his hand feeling his nose start leaking again. It just wouldn’t stop.  

“Sheesh! You humans sure are pathetic! Can’t believe you got this roughed up from JUST the rain, gosh you’re so lame master!!” Shinigami said floating by her master’s side laughing to herself a bit. “And you look awful!! May as well be dead Kyahahaha~!”

Yuma rolled his eyes as he blew his nose into the tissue again throwing it away.

“Just leave me alone…I’m not in the mood for your antics right now.” Yuma responded in perfect speech to the cackling spirit in his head.

“Ooh, you’re so snappy!! Are your face holes being full’a gunk making you a bit cranky!?” she retaliated teasing him again.

As Shinigami kept yapping away, Yuma just turned away from her as he curled up trying to ignore her and how bad his sinuses felt right now. He could hardly breathe through his nose, so he had to do so through his mouth. His head was starting to hurt again, and he felt another tickle in his throat.

He definitely caught a cold. It was going to be a long day.

After a short while Yakou returned with the tea as he saw Yuma curled up facing away from him. Yakou sat down. “Hey, Yuma? You awake?”

Yuma slowly got himself up before he let out another harsh sneeze.

“Aahaa…” Yuma whined trembling a little from the shock as he didn’t have a tissue on him, so his nose was leaking again, and his teary eyes were clenched shut.

Yakou put the tea down grabbing another tissue placing it to Yuma’s face. “Alright, let it out Yuma.” He responded. Yuma did so as he blew into the tissue harshly.

“I think we may need to get some nasal spray for you kid.” Yakou said throwing the tissue away. “Didn’t think you had this much mucus in your tiny body.”

Yuma sniffled while groaning miserably.

“Ughh…Adythig…to make dis stop…” he muttered quietly in an annoyed tone.

“Alright kid, sit up. Let’s get a warm beverage in you for now.” Yakou said as he grabbed the warm tea again.

Yuma sat up as Yakou handed him the tea. Yuma tried smelling it, but there wasn’t much luck in that. He was still way too stuffy to smell anything.

“Made it extra warm. Hopefully it’ll settle that tickle in your throat down.” Yakou said.

Yuma sighed as he drank a bit of the tea. It was sweet and warm, and felt nice going down. It uplifted him a little bit.

“Tanks Chief…” Yuma said weakly smiling.

“No problem.” Yakou replied smiling petting his head. “I’ll go get you a blanket. You’re officially taking today off to rest. I’ll see if I can tell the other master detectives to get you some things to help. Like, maybe some nice warm soup, nose spray, cold medicine, and some more tissues and herbal tea bags.”

Yuma nodded. “Dat souds dice…tank you…” he took another sip of the tea then handed it back to Yakou.

Yakou smiled taking it then putting the tea on the table. Then he stood up to walk the other room to get a dark blue spare blanket that he had stored away. He brings it back and places it over Yuma’s head and shoulders wrapping him up into a cocoon.

Yuma smiled as he sunk his chin into the blanket taking on its softness.

“So warm…” he said sighing in content.

“Good. Now you lay down and rest. I’m gonna head out to tell everyone else what happened then later we’ll all come back with more things to help you feel better alright?”

Yuma nodded. “Tank you. Ad…I’b sowwy for da twouble…”

“It’s no trouble Yuma, you’re sick.” Yakou chucked. “And hey, it beats being caught by peacekeepers. At least here you’re safe and warm instead of being stranded in the rain or in some run-down cell at Amataerasu.”

Yuma nodded before he laid back down sniffling curling up sinking his face into the warm blanket. He groaned a little bit. “…by head huwts…” he complained.

“Hang in there kid, medicine is on the way. Just try to relax.”

Yuma fell asleep soon after Yakou responded to him.

Yakou nodded as he grabbed his raincoat and put it on. He turned one of the lights off in the office to see if dimming the lighting a bit would help the trainee sleep better. Then he left closing the door behind him.

 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

After about 2 hours, Yakou along with the rest of the Master Detectives all came back with multiple shopping bags. Containing many different necessities for the cold-stricken trainee waiting back at the office. Everyone also wore facial masks. It was probably already too late for Yakou on being a carrier, as he spent quite a while with Yuma along with touching him, but him getting ill wouldn’t be a big deal. But he could not risk any of the other detectives getting sick, or they wouldn’t be able to do any work.

They all entered the room to find Yuma awake sitting up on the side of the purple checkered sofa wrapped in the blanket trying to get comfortable looking very out of it. Shinigami decided to be quiet as Yuma continued to ignore her, so she eventually gave in and just stayed quiet floating beside him.

Yuma’s hair was a mess, as was his face, his nose was running, and his eyes were as watery as before. The tea left on the table was empty and there were tissues everywhere. Even on the sofa and table, and the trash can was full of them as was the floor. Only one person littered the sub in trash today. One sick little trainee detective.

“Hey Yuma, we’re back!” Yakou said smiling brightly at him.

Yuma looked his way, not changing his expression nor speaking. Just lightly nodding.

“How are you feeling, my man? Heard the rain gave ya a pretty bad case of the sniffles!” Desuhiko chimed in also grinning behind his mask.

“We got some basic necessities for you.” Halara said muffled as well as they lifted the bag they were holding. “Hoping to help to cure whatever ails you.”

“Yuma, you look like a caterpillar in a little cocoon right now!” Fubuki stated observing the state of the trainee as he tried to get warm. “How very cute!”

“Honestly Princess, have some compassion! Can’t you see he’s suffering right now?!” Desuhiko exclaimed a bit annoyed.

“Looks comfy…wish I could…do that too…” Vivia lastly responds.

Yuma sighs as he lets out another sneeze before groaning and sniffling the nasal discharge up again. Then he wraps himself in the blanket once more hugging himself shivering a little bit.

This pitiful sight and clearly very miserable gesture from him made everyone else get a worried look in their eyes.

Yakou signals the other detectives to keep their distance as he removes his raincoat putting it to the hanger, and walks over to the wrapped up trainee sitting down next to him moving his face closer to observe him carefully.

Upon looking at him more closely, his skin looked a little paler and shinier and there was a slight pink flush in his cheeks, but not nearly as red as his nose.

Yakou placed his hand to the boy’s cheek gently. The older detective frowned a little.

He felt warmer. No wonder he wasn’t speaking.

“Hang tight kid, medicine’s here.” Yakou said as he rummaged through his bag to grab some liquid cold medicine as well as some aspirin for his headache.

“Mhm…” was all Yuma could utter.

Yakou then clapped his hands twice as he began instructing everyone else.

“Halara, go start making the soup, Desuhiko go grab some spare clothes from your disguise bag that he can change into later after he showers, Fubuki go get me a spoon from the kitchen and a glass of water, and Vivia go get me the thermometer in the shower room along with an ice pack.”

All the master detectives did as they were told. Halara grabbed the can that was in their bag and went into the kitchen to get to work as Fubuki followed them to finish her own task. Desuhiko unzipped his bag going into it to search for any spare clothing in Yuma’s size. And Vivia walks slowly to the shower room. Leaving the two to have a small moment alone.

When the coast is clear, Yuma weakly leans into Yakou’s shoulder still trying to get himself comfortable.

Yakou sighs as he places a hand over Yuma’s body scooting a little closer to him until the small blanket cocooned boy was in his arms. He smiles down at him sympathetically as a parent would for their sick child.

“Not feeling very good, are you kiddo?” he asked, looking down at him, placing a hand on his head stroking it softly.

“Mm-mm…” Yuma pitifully responded in a whiny tone shaking his head as he sinks his warm cheek into the older one’s chest.

“You’ll be fine, don’t worry. We’ll take care of you.” Yakou said petting his head more to soothe him.

Yuma nodded smiling before he felt another sneeze building up.

Like clockwork, Yakou quickly grabs the last tissue from the box he had and places it to his face catching the sneeze just in time.

“Gesundheit.” He says with a gentle smile.

“…Tank you…” Yuma whispered quietly with his eyes closed.

Yakou wipes the trainee’s nose then he tosses the last tissue on top of the ones already overfilling the trash can.

“Hey, look what I bought.” Yakou said rummaging through another one of the bags. He pulled out a small bottle of nasal spray handing it to him. “There ya go, instant relief for all that pesky nose stuff you have built up.” he gave him a reassuring grin.

Yuma smiled sighing in relief as he held the bottle and nodded in silence.

Soon Fubuki and Vivia had returned. They both hand Yakou the spoon and thermometer almost in synced unison.

“Here you go Chief! And here’s the water too!” Fubuki says a bit muffled by her face mask as she puts the water down on the table.

“Thank you Fubuki.” Yakou said smiling. Fubuki then turns her eyes to Yuma.

Yuma just turns and shyly hides his face away. He’s a little embarrassed to be seen like this in front of his coworkers.

Fubuki just smiles behind her mask at this reaction. Yuma was so cute!

Vivia places the ice pack down on the table next to the water.

“Thank you, Vivia, you’re excused to go back to your corner now.” Yakou said.

As if Vivia was waiting for those words he walks back to the fireplace and lays down and begins to read his book again.

Yakou uses his hands to shoo Fubuki away telling her to give the two of them some space. Telling her to go assist Halara in the kitchen. Fubuki nods and heads over to the kitchen where Halara was.

Desuhiko had found a suitable pair of pajamas for Yuma in his bag, but decides to stay in it to give Yuma and Yakou some space. He quietly watches them from a small open space from the open zipper.

“Coast is clear Yuma. Nobody’s here anymore. Except Vivia but he’s just in the fireplace like usual. He won’t bother us.” Yakou said telling Yuma he can stop hiding now.

Yuma turns his head to look around and then looks up at Yakou who was holding a device in his hands. Yuma raises an eyebrow in confusion.

“Just gonna take your temp real quick alright? Can you open your mouth for me?”

Yuma opens his mouth as Yakou places the thermometer inside. The feverish trainee instinctively moving it under his tongue and closing his mouth.

After a few seconds the device beeps and Yakou takes it out. It read about 37.7 c (100. f)

“Yep. Definitely a fever, but it’s nothing serious.” Yakou replied looking at the device then putting it down on the table. “Good thing we caught it early. We got some medicine for it, so it should break in a few hours after some rest.”

Yuma nodded as he leaned back into Yakou. He was feeling very tired.

“Whoa, before you go back to your nap, let’s get this medicine in you first so you can wake up later hopefully feeling better.” Yakou said noticing how sleepy he looked. “C’mon, sit up for me.”

Yuma slowly gets himself back up again facing Yakou. His complexion and appearance status were the same, runny eyes and cherry red nose, pale yet flushed cheeks, but his tired and dazed face made him look like a nervous yet curious little kid. Yakou couldn’t help himself when he spoke again.

“Attaboy. Alright let’s see what we got here...” Yakou said as he picked up the cold medicine. He reads the instructions over and takes the spoon Fubuki gave him uncapping the bottle and pours the orange liquid into it. “Open wide.”

Yuma opens his mouth as Yakou places the spoon of medicine into it.

It didn’t taste very good as Yuma’s face was a little scrunched up and his tongue slightly sticking out. But he still swallowed it down with no vocal complaints.

“Okay good, now let’s try this one, it should help your headache.” Yakou grabbed the aspirin tablet and placed one in his hand and gave it to Yuma. “Pop that in and we’ll swallow it with some of this water.”

Yuma placed the tablet in his mouth and Yakou gave him the water glass to drink and swallow it down with. The boy takes the glass and took a small drink from it swallowing the pill and sighing once he was finished.

“There we go. Medicine is all done. You’ll be just fine now.” Yakou said smiling at him.

Yuma smiled in return before he sneezed twice into his arm quickly turning away from Yakou as he did so. His nose was running once again. He instinctively reached for the tissue box on the table, but it was empty.

Yakou laughed. “Don’t worry, we got more tissues.” he said looking at the empty box on the table as he took out some new ones, he bought at the store placing the box in Yuma’s lap.

Yuma nodded as he grabbed a couple of tissues wiping his nose and blowing into it.

“Sowwy…” Yuma said quietly feeling a little guilty for using up the entire tissue box.

“You’re fine. You have a cold; it can’t be helped.” Yakou responded taking the tissues and throwing them away for him.

“You wanna use the spray?” Yakou asked.

Yuma nodded quietly.

Yakou took the nasal spray from Yuma’s lap and opened and uncapped it. Then he plugged it up the boy’s nose.

“Brace yourself.” Yakou said a bit playfully. As he quickly spritzed the formula into both the boy’s nostrils then quickly taking it out. He puts the cap back on it placing it onto the table.

Yuma flinched slightly as he received the spray, but then as it was removed he exhaled trying to breathe through his nose again. It was a little better, but not quite.

Yakou then lays the blanket wrapped trainee back down. “Alrighty. Now you can sleep. When you wake up later you should feel better and then you can have some nice warm soup, take a nice hot shower and change into fresh and warm clothes.”

Yakou grabbed the wrapped ice pack Vivia brought and placed it under the boy’s neck where the pillow was. “And that should cool you off while you rest.”

Yuma smiled as he laid his head to the pillow and cool ice turning his head curling up to get in a more comfortable position for his nap.

“…Tanks fo all dis chief…” he said quietly as he began nodding off.

“You’re welcome, Yuma.” Yakou said smiling, putting his hand to the trainee’s head petting it softly.

“Get well soon, okay?”

Yuma smiled as he drifted off into a deep sleep with the medicine now in his system. His chief and coworkers watching over him and caring for him throughout the rest of the day.

He was already starting to feel better.

[dinkflocculent]

Old Prey - Chapter Five: Hope

Beau

The sound of Leo’s deep snoring wakes me from my drowsiness. The wind roared outside, shaking the house each time it passed. The snow kept building up, meaning the night was dreadfully cold.

That won’t stop me from trying.

I look through the wardrobe, it contains nothing that can protect me from what awaits me outside. I don’t know where I am exactly or I don’t how far I am from a police station. But I have to try. Even if it means walking in a snowstorm barefoot.

I push the door open with the smallest ounce of strength, trying not to make a sound. The window is across the hall, just steps away from getting my freedom back.

I take a step, attempting to make my forepaw as light as a mouse’s. No sound. Step after step, I watch my forepaws closely, making sure each step is silent. No creaking floorboards or objects kicked to the ground. No obstacles.

Until I get to his room.

A small nightlight dimly lights the dark room. He lays curled on the large bed, clinging to the covers. His loud snoring is as deep as a growl. He seems completely harmless, needing a nightlight to sleep alone.

His position makes him completely distracted from what I’m doing. By the way he’s purring, he’s probably dreaming about Soleda in his arms. Clueless to the fact I’m so close to freeing myself from him. I do have a chance. I do feel hope.

I could close the door. Then all the sounds I’m making could become even more silenced. But these doors are old, they creak every millimeter they’re pushed. I can imagine waking him up—thinking that I had a nightmare or something like that—bringing me back to the room. Or worse, making me sleep in his bed with him. I should leave it.

I clamp my paws over my snout as I slowly pass his room. My heart nearly stops every time he twitches. But he stays in his slumber. Finally, I’m at the end of the hall.

Fog engulfed the whole window. Wind hitting it with such force. It’s freezing cold to the touch.

I know what I’m facing, yet I don’t know how terrible it’s going to feel. I am not physically prepared the face the devastating weather. But I need to do this. I can do this. I can get my life back.

I struggle to open the window. I get hit by the rough, cold air, almost knocking me down. It pierces my ears, and it might pierce his too.

I jump out of the window, falling into the snow. My body shivered in the cruel cold as I looked up, trying to see anything in the storm. Anything. But the falling snow is blinding me.

I walked through the snow, using all my energy with every step. The snow burned my lungs with every breath I took. I don’t know where I’m heading. I can’t see anything. But there has to be something here. A beast that could help me. It has to be somewhere.

My feetpaws feel like thousands of pins and needles are stabbing it. A warm sensation coursing through me, as if I’m being lit on fire. I can’t do this. I’m going to freeze to death. What am I going to do?

I squint my eyes, seeing something. It’s faint. Small. Yet fills me with hope. A light. Its something. It could be someone. Someone to save me. Someone to free me from this nightmare.

“I’m over here!” I yell, rapidly waving my arms in the air. “I need help!”

Crunch.

The sound of deep breathing looms over me. A shiver goes down my spine as I slowly turn behind me.

He found me.

[deadsmaidens]

something i will never shut up about is how milou is forced to become a ghost — a perverse, empty, rotten version of who she used to be … of the woman that she wants to be.

[ered]

You know, I still have time off until next monday so I thought to myself why not get a little writing done?

I don’t think I’ve ever talked about it before, but my favourite place to write in is our kitchen - the kitchen table is just the right height for me to comfortably tap away on my laptop and snacks and tea are readily available.

I haven’t written anything in so long, not since way before my hospital visit and I’ve been looking forward to it. Especially since my partner is going back to work and I’ll have the place to myself to get those first awkward pages tapped away in peace…

Anyway, our kitchen this morning

[whysamwhy123]

HALLEJUAH!! I REMEMBERED HOW TO ACTUALLY FINISH WRITING SOMETHING FOR A CHANGE!!

Of course, it's not any of the fics I wanted to finish. I went back to what is essentially my bread-and-butter now and wrote a short-ish, random OrangeHook fluff. But considering how much writing's been a struggle as of late, I'm just glad that I successfully finished something. I was back in one of those stretches where I couldn't seem to write much of anything. And this fic isn't about their age difference or Hook being a cuddlebug, so...progress?

Unless I decide I completely hate it (which is always a possibility) expect something to drop on Valentine's Day, tis the season, after all.

[ranger-kellyn]

look, i love ALL the avatar's equally. i think they all have a unique and fascinating story, and are all well-suited for the issues of their times. i can't pick a true favorite.

anyways, time to go plan out my fifth avatar fic where one of the primary settings is kyoshi island, and one of the characters connects with her spirit--

[rowandekarios]

Hi! Loving the shadows we weave, it's so interesting and a wonderful spin off of the normal Gale fics I read! When will the next chapter be coming, I can't believe you left it off at such a cliffhanger!!!!!!!!

aw thank you <3

and uh. good question lmao. I am taking a major writing break as I let my muse recover and try to balance this new work schedule so...I don't know ): I'm sorry. But I have no plans to abandon the fic, it just may take a very long time until I get something posted.