#because i was hoarding bugs for flick

[midnightmoonbeams]

Randomly hit 5 stars on my island, mostly thanks to all the bugs I was hoarding to get models from Flick.

From September 4th, 2020

[scoops-aboy86]

I guess this... is the end! With an epilogue to follow, probably, that's a little more soft feedism related, but for those who aren't into that it's totally optional. Thanks to everyone who came along for the ride, and I'll put this up on ao3 sometime soon. 😊

Part 1, part 1.5, part 2, part 3, part 4, part 5, part 6, part 7, part 8, part 9, part 10 of the love spell no go au

-

The world didn’t end, so life goes on. Eddie, who is the king of casting teeny little spells so he heals fast but not too fast, gets out of the hospital and moves into a one-story little place with Wayne that’s miles from the trailer park. It’s on the same street as Robin’s house so he sees her all the time—but still not as often as he sees Steve. 

And they tell Wayne what really happened, NDAs be damned. It’s a Tuesday night and Steve and Robin have brought a couple Western tapes from their latest shift at the miraculously still standing Family Video; they put one on in the background and a flick of Eddie’s fingers make sure that’s all the government bugs scattered throughout the house can hear. 

Afterwards, when they’re about to head over to the bigger record shop in the next town over to replenish Eddie’s music collection but pulling up at a gas station first, Steve complains that the whole thing was a little anticlimactic. 

“We told him there’s a whole other dimension under Hawkins that there’s this huge government cover-up about it and he didn’t even blink.”

“Well,” Eddie starts, then abruptly reaches for Steve’s ear and produces a quarter from it. He leans over from the passenger seat and holds it up in Steve’s line of vision with a smirk. “It takes a lot to startle us Munson men, sweetheart.”

“Really?” Robin interjects dryly while Steve pulls up to the pump and cuts the engine. “Because the other day Steve asked you to get a sponge from under the kitchen sink and something touched your hand and you shrieked because you thought it was a spider.”

Steve eyes the quarter critically. “Did you… really just magic a coin out of my ear?”

“When it was, in fact, the sponge in question,” Robin finishes. 

Eddie sticks his tongue out at her. “Of course not, baby, that was slight of hand,” he tells Steve, repocketing the coin and glancing around to make sure the gas station is deserted before planting a little kiss on his cheek. 

“Oh, okay.”

“I actually magicked it from your gas money jar into my pocket.”

Steve laughs, and that Eddie wants to bottle and hoard like one of those stupid rich old men with their dusty old French wines. “Good thing I’m not just about to get gas or anything, or I might need that back.”

“I’ll get you something from the convenience store?” Eddie offers, batting his eyelashes and tilting his head in a way that he knows makes his eyes look bigger. Knows because Steve has told him, and seems as susceptible to it as cats to catnip. 

“Strawberry slurpee,” Steve says immediately. “But if they only have cherry, I want a blue one. Wait, Robs—that’s what the screaming was about?”

Eddie flails with both arms, waving at them both to get out of the car as all three of their doors pop open. “Alright, nothing to see here, some of us have snacks to buy and one of us has a car to gas up, let’s go!”

So they all pile out, and Steve points at Eddie over the car while unscrewing the gas cap. “You’re going to use that on the gremlins, right?

“Just who do you take me for?” Eddie scoffs, hooking an arm through Robin’s and dragging her towards the store. “Of course I am, Harrington.”

Robin snorts but keeps up with him, breaking into a frankly jarring skip that causes them to almost trip over the curb right in front of the doors. Once inside, they break into their customary shop-till-you-drop game of trying to grab everything they want, beat the other to the register, and get to the car before Steve finishes filling the tank. They both almost always lose, but it does help make stops like this more efficient. 

(It has been Steve’s idea.)

“You know,” Robin starts conversationally while he’s filling two slurpee cups at once and she’s flipping rapidly through a nearby magazine rack, “I’ve never witnessed the dingus in an actual relationship before.”

Eddie flicks his eyes in her direction, then to the bored-looking cashier, but the statement was vague enough and Robin isn’t stupid. He returns his attention to the slurpee machine. “I find that hard to believe.”

“No, I’m serious. He’s dated a lot, and I mean a lot, but—ah ha!” Snatching the magazine she was looking for, she moves on to the soft pretzel heater and grabs the tongs to fish a couple off the slowly rotating rack. “But no one he’s ever really gotten serious about. He used to complain to me about his dates at length… Kinda relieved that’s over. He’s literally the happiest I’ve ever seen him these days.”

As she turns away to grab a couple Cokes, Eddie hides a giddy smile behind his hair—and then beats her to the register with a slurpee in each hand and a flimsy but full little shopping basket dangling from one arm. 

Because Robin wouldn’t lie, not about Steve. She’d already threatened him over Steve’s welfare back in the hospital (and people thought he was scary, Jesus); it’s obvious that she wouldn’t encourage him if she didn’t think it was in Steve’s best interest. And, against all laws of probability and magic, Eddie seems to make him happy. 

The happiest his platonic soulmate has ever seen him, even. 

“I win,” Steve crows when Eddie is still a few feet from the car. He lifts the nozzle, blows on it like it’s a smoking gun, and pumps his fist in victory. “In your face, Munson!” 

Eddie doesn’t care though. His prize is in Steve’s beaming smile, in the energy that rolls off him that crackles across Eddie’s senses like a kind of magic all his own. “Yeah yeah, big boy, you’re a champ.” He holds up the slurpees and the flimsy plastic bag crammed with a tube of Pringles, a bag of pretzel sticks, Doritos, and various snack cakes. “Are we ready to hit the road or what?”

Robin jogs up behind him, bagless because she keeps insisting that they’re bad for the environment but barely hanging onto her sodas, pretzels, magazines, and a few odd candy bars. “Aw man, did we lose to the dingus again?”

“Yes,” Eddie tells her faux mournfully as he crowds past Steve to the front passenger door, bumping against him way more than necessary but meeting no complaints. “Almost makes me reconsider giving you the change, Steve-o.”

He does anyway, though. Drops a nice, shiny quarter into the gas money jar after getting himself situated, slurpees nestled in their cup holders and a Twinkie already unwrapped to shove suggestively in his boyfriend’s mouth as soon as the wonder twins are both in the car. Robin heckles from the back seat; Steve takes it with the ease of practice and a smirk as he chews and swallows and licks escaping cream filling from the corners of his mouth. 

It’s a beautiful summer’s day and Eddie feels like the luckiest guy in the entire world.

Tag list (comment to be added/removed): @hotluncheddie @8em-em-em8 @anaibis @connected-dots @lawrencebshoggoth @zombiethingy

[peppermint-toads]

𝚗𝚘𝚝𝚎𝚜 absolutely tooth-rotting fluff

𝚠𝚊𝚛𝚗𝚒𝚗𝚐𝚜 smoking, protective eddie, a little bit of suggestiveness at the end

eddie does not let you smoke cigarettes with him. absolutely not.

when he catches you digging in his jean pockets while he’s in the shower, being as quiet as you possibly can, searching for a smoke, he tuts in a sing-song voice.

“looking for something, sweetheart? you won’t find it there.”

outsmarted by eddie munson.

one night after band practice, all the boys were hanging around eddie munson’s trailer. music was playing, and eddie and jeff were arguing about something.

“c’mon, gareth, just give me one!” you pleaded.

and maybe you pressed your arms together a little bit as you leaned over him to make sure your tits were hanging out of your shirt just enough.

he looked nervous, maybe he was sweating.

“i don’t know, eddie doesn’t like when you do that shit.”

“just one?” you asked again, blinking your eyelashes up at him. and he finally relented after smelling your pretty perfume on your neck.

you pressed yourself against eddie’s back so he couldn’t see your guilty face because he’d know something was up in an instant. you gave him a quick kiss on the cheek before telling him you needed some fresh air. you also made sure to wrap your arms around his waist, carefully slipping your hand into his pocket and snagging his lighter.

he chuckled and you felt it, but he seemingly let you go without suspicion. you slipped out of the screen door and skipped down the steps, huddling yourself behind the side of the house.

feeling the plastic siding of the trailer against your back you sighed. finally.

you flicked the lighter again, and again, and again. no luck.

“fuck,” you muttered under your breath, the winter air biting and clawing at your cheeks and nose. “c’mon,” you grunted, trying again to ignite the lighter.

eddie had rounded the other side of the trailer, ending up watching you silently from behind.

“you’re doing it wrong,” he suggested simply.

a gasp of pure terror caught in your throat and you dropped the lighter entirely. he bent and picked it up from the grass, flinging off the wet dew on it. he also plucked the cigarette from between your teeth and settled it between his own.

the end of it glowed like a lightning bug as he inhaled, dropping his head back against the trailer with a satisfied hum.

you glowered at him as he hoarded your cigarette.

“it’s my cigarette, you know.”

“no, it’s garett’s. who you so lovingly flashed.”

you curled into yourself. suddenly wanting to change subjects.

“he came running straight to me immediately after you left. my little sheep are loyal, y/n.”

“why won’t you let me smoke, anyway. you do it.”

“because,” he started, taking another drag of the cigarette, “you’d get lung cancer and die. besides, nobody likes a smoker.”

and you laughed. “i like you.”

“what? why didn’t you tell me?” he feigned immense shock, jaw falling open as he clutched his chest.

“and anyways, if you got lung cancer,” he stepped in front of you, legs caging yours as he blew a puff of residual smoke onto your face.

“your pretty moans just wouldn’t sound the same.” he frowned.

he’s only half-joking.

[honeyycorpse]

Lost n Found (Kuzusouda fic)

   Fuyuhiko couldn't find Kazuichi that day. He was no where to be seen. Which was unusual for his boyfriend, the taller male would want to follow the other like a lost puppy most of the time, often showing up at Fuyuhiko's dorm door when he's not working in his room or the shop the school has for his talent.

   "Peko, have you seen Kaz? I haven't seen him all day and he won't answer my texts." Fuyuhiko had almost startled Peko mid practice with the question. He had been sitting watching his sibling as they trained but hadn't brought up his reasoning to be around Peko so much that day. Peko knew he had a lot on his mind though.

   The silver haired one set down their bamboo sword, "My apologizes but I have not. Have you asked Ibuki or maybe Leon from the 78th class?" Fuyuhiko shook his head.

   "I'll go find them and maybe ask around on the way, thanks Peko." Peko nodded, "Just keep me updated."

   Fuyuhiko passed by many in the hallways on his way to where Ibuki usually would hang around. The hall monitor with crimson eyes, a short female with blonde hair along side a taller female being a shy stutter bug as usual, even the robot and his detective boyfriend but none would be Kazuichi.

   Entering the dimly light music room, the Yakuza already knew Ibuki was in here from the sound of her odd music filling his ears. He saw a swift figure on the stage and another still frame sitting in a chair in front of the bold stage. Fuyuhiko flicked on the lights to illuminate the rest of the music room.

   "AH! Who turned on the sun!" The music's cut was unpleasant and there was a sight of Ibuki rubbed their eyes with the palms of her hand. The other female was Miu Iruma who, coincidently, was another one of Kazuichi's friends. She also rubbed her eyes to adjust to the sudden burst of light.

   "My bad, I just came to ask a quick question." Fuyuhiko didn't plan on staying long as he leaned against the door frame.

   "Ooohhh Mr. Yakuza coming to ask a question! Well spill away virgin!" Miu's mascara was smudged due to her frequent eye rubbing, and if it wasnt for the comment, Fuyuhiko would have actually told her.

   "Have either of you seen Kazuichi at all today? I haven't been able to find him."

   Ibuki put a finger to her chin to insinuate they were thinking, "Oh- Ibuki is sorry! They haven't seen Kazuichi since dinner yesterday!"

   Miu also tried giving it a thought, Fuyuhiko had no faith she knew something until she said, "Nah I haven't seen the twerp today but I saw him talking to Leon yesterday before the nighttime announcement. Don't know what they were talking about or if you knew."

   Fuyuhiko didn't know, but It's almost confirmed now Leon had been the last to see Kazuichi. The Yakuza gave Kazuichi a goodnight kiss a little after dinner because he was going to bed early. Fuyuhiko thanked the two and turned back off the lights. He knew he needed to find Leon soon.

   The blonde first peered outside a window from the second floor at a good spot to where Leon would be practicing baseball. To no avail, Fuyuhiko instead tried to remember people other than Kazuichi, Leon surrounds himself with. He sooned realized the hall monitor he saw earlier was seen around Leon sometimes. Fuyuhiko rushed back down to the first floor to find the man, he quickly sped walked throughout the hallways, peeking into classrooms to make sure he wasn't in any. Turning the corner sharply, he began to pick up his pace, he didn't know when his heart began to race but his thoughts were soon torn from him as he heard a loud,

   "Slow down!! You cannot run in the halls!!"

   Fuyuhiko stopped instantly and whipped around and was faced to face with the who he was looking for at the time, Kiyotaka Ishimaru.

   "I was looking for you that's why!"

   "You ran in the halls to come find me? You could have done the same thing without running!" Kiyotaka shot.

   The Yakuza rolled his eyes, "Whatever, have you seen Leon? I need to talk to him."

   Kiyotaka tapped his foot, he obviously knew something, "This will not turn into a fight will it? I will not inform you about Leon's whereabouts if you're out to get physical!"

   Fuyuhiko was getting frustrated already with the taller man, as he always did, "No you idiot! I'm just trying to find my fucking boyfriend!"

   "Kazuichi? The one with the garish outfits?!"

   "Yeah that would be him." Fuyuhiko huffed. Taka let out a big laugh as he always does, "Ah! You should have just said so! Leon is with chihiro in the greenhouse! Chihiro may not be there anymore though.." Fuyuhiko let out a sigh of relief and mumbled a slight thank you. Before Kiyotaka could say anything, the blonde bolted up the stairs as fast as he could.

   He didn't notice how much he had started to worry about Kazuichi, even though it wasn't like him to go a whole day without talking or even seeing Fuyuhiko, Kazuichi has disappeared a couple times after being mad at his boyfriend. Though, Fuyuhiko couldn't recall him ever doing anything to piss off or upset the pink haired man recently. Maybe Kazuichi was instead having a bad day, wanting to be left alone and deal with whatever it was by himself. That wasn't uncommon for him either.

   What broke Fuyuhiko out of his thoughts this time was a tap on his shoulder. He hadn't even made it into the greenhouse so the sight of Leon Kuwata was a surprise as he turned around.

   Leon rubbed the back of his neck, "Man I knew you'd come looking for me. Can't find Kazuichi can you?"

   "Don't make it sound so fucking ominous! Just tell me where he is!" Fuyuhiko barked, clamping his fists shut.

   Leon took a step back, "Wow chill man! He's in the greenhouse but he told me to guard it for him so no one will go in to bother him,, but he doesn't seem too good so if he gets pissed you got in just tell him to blame it on me." Leon shuffled over to unlock the doors to the greenhouse, "He really needs you, man. Even if he doesn't admit it."

   Fuyuhiko took a peek inside the greenhouse and looked back towards Leon, "Thanks." Leon nodded and shut the door behind the blonde.

   The Yakuza didn't see anyone at first but as he began turned the corner of the giant plants stationed in the middle of the greenhouse, he heard a small sniffle. He stopped, and peer around the corner and there he was. Kazuichi Souda.

   Leon was right when he said Kazuichi didn't seem too good. Kazuichi's back was facing where Fuyuhiko stood, but the sight was just....sad. His beanie was across from him, assumed to be thrown with how disheveled it looked, his slouch from sitting on the floor was worse than usual, his hair seemed unkempt and tattered, not even his jumpsuit was tied in the front like he would always do when he was too hot, it was instead displayed across the cold floor. The most noticeable feature of disarray from Kazuichi, was the small sobs and whimpers that left him. Fuyuhiko knew he couldn't leave Kazuichi alone like this.

   "Kaz?" Fuyuhiko's voice was calm and quiet but Kazuichi still jumped and whipped around. Kazuichi didn't even get to respond as a hoard of tears streamed down his face and he ran to hug Fuyuhiko. The vaster sobbed into his boyfriend's shoulder. Fuyuhiko wrapped his arms around Kazuichi and began to rub his back, trying to calm him with light "Shh"s and "It's okay"s.

   The blonde was able to set Kazuichi in his lap, on the rough floor once again as his lover began to calm down. Fuyuhiko tried his best to brush and play with Kazuichi's hair without accidentally pulling at it and disturbing the boy. He used his other hand to rub soothing circles around Kazuichi's back under his tank top.

   "You wanna talk about it?" The blonde whispered, still holding Kazuichi close to him. Fuyuhiko saw the tears fall from Kazuichi's eyes as he blinked tears away, he waited for a response with patience.

   He soon felt the pink haired boy shift and sit up, wiping his tears from his eyes and shaking his head, "Not...not right now.." He avoided eye contact with his lover.

   Fuyuhiko nodded, "Whenever you're ready to talk I'm here to listen, Babe." He placed a kiss on Kazuichi's cheek, "I love you."

   "Thank you..I love you too.."

[peterparkerincorrectquotes]

Wholesome hcs for what the Iron fam's or even all the Avengers' Animal Crossing islands are like and what their play-styles are?

omg this is such a cute ask thank you

Tony

•  His island is fucking FULL of turnips for the stalk market.

•  Hoards bugs to sell to Flick. 

•  Uses lots of bait to catch rare and expensive fish. 

•  Refuses to use hacks to make money, but ends up fucking LOADED anyway. 

•  His house is totally upgraded, but terribly decorated. 

•  After unlocking everything and getting rich, he runs up to Peter and goes, “I beat it.”

Peter: you can’t beat animal crossing, Mr. Stark—

Tony, firmly: I beat it.

Peter

•  He probably focuses on getting his favorite villagers. Not necessarily the popular ones, but ones he had in previous games or ones he thinks are cute! 

•  Definitely wants at least one of every personality type!

•  Wishes there were spider villagers. Like, so bad.

•  Lots of fruit trees and flowers on his island, not lots of decorations tho.

•  His house is packed with furniture that he thinks is neat, but not in a coordinated way at ALL; it looks super cluttered.

•  He’s really excited for the update where you can SWIM!!!!!!

•  Soft spot for Celeste; constantly calls her a lesbian icon.

Pepper

•  Probably shares Tony’s island

•  She does all the decorating, flower breeding, etc.

•  She will never admit it, but she wants blue roses SO BAD. Out loud she says she’s not addicted tho

•  Morgan plays as Pepper’s account, and she’s the one who picks all the villagers on the island

•  Pepper is frustrated that Tony takes up half the island with his fish and bugs, and they definitely have passive aggressive conversations about it 

Tony: Hey, Pep, can you pass the salt?

Pepper: I dunno can you finally sell all those fucking tarantulas?

Tony:

Pepper:

Tony:

Peter: I am very uncomfortable with the energy that we’ve created in the studio today

Rhodey

•  Does not have animal crossing, but he definitely backseat drives when Tony plays.

Tony: *fishing*

Rhodey: GO GO PRESS A NOW GO GO

Tony, freaking out and losing the fish: JESUS CHRIST RHODEY GET YOUR OWN GAME

Steve

•  Sees Peter playing one time, and gets really curious.

•  He asks to watch Peter play all the time, then just sits there like :-) because he thinks it’s cute 

•  Peter lets him play sometimes, but all Steve does is talk to the villagers.

•  He gets super excited when villagers say kind, cute, friendship things. 

•  Only shops in the game to get the villagers gifts.

•  Learns villager’s likes and dislikes to get them better gifts.

•  Doesn’t like it when Peter gives them ugly/ironic outfits; says it’s mean.

Bruce

•  Gets, like, all the gorilla characters because he knows people think they’re ugly and he relates to them.

•  Not because he’s ugly but because he is also lorge sometimes.

•  He fishes/catches bugs, but only so he can donate them or keep them as pets.

•  Loves the snapping turtles; clicks on them to make them nom all the time.

Natasha

•  Her island is, like, exclusively snooty villagers.

•  Definitely only female villagers, but I say mostly snooty because she’s the type to be like, “Oh, you’re an asshole. >:) I love it.”

•  She has Audie because she likes how her energy is like... a dumbass but with CONFIDENCE.

•  Definitely tarantula farms; will catch scorpions and tarantulas with no hesitation. Like a badass.

•  Hits ugly villagers/any male villagers who move in with nets.

•  Cherishes Timmy and Tommy tho.

•  Has a soft spot for Blathers.

Clint

•  Look, he probably just plays someone else’s, and only because he likes shooting the balloons out of the sky.

•  Hears the whooshing from across the compound; comes running and goes, “CAN I BE THE ONE TO SHOOT IT DOWN.”

•  If you need to summon him for any reason, just play that sound. Always works.

•  Has a soft spot for the crafting feature/animation. Just thinks it’s neat.

Thor

•  Does not understand the game.

•  Thinks the goal is to attack the villagers/other players with axes and shovels.

•  Please send help.

[sidnihoudini]

fic: let’s not try to figure out everything at once

post-15x20 read on ao3 instead

“Come on, Sammy,” Dean says with a smile. “Let me buy you dinner.”

*

Just like on earth, Dean’s idea of a nice date is flicking a fake credit card at Sam, rattling off his food order, and waiting in the car.

Sam bounces back down the little roadside diner steps with a plastic bag stretched heavy with food.

“Hey,” he says through the open passenger window, startling Dean’s hand away from the tape deck. “Remember Three Rocks?”

He opens the door as Dean screws up his face and asks, “What, like Oregon?”

“Yeah.” Sam gets his legs in and Dean starts the engine. “Spring Equinox. You got hexed, and we didn’t figure it out until you started to hoard like… cornflower and cinnamon sticks and shit?”

That’s the nicest, shortest way to tell the story. Dean snorts.

“Of course I remember that,” he says. “Friggin’ fertility witches, man.”

Sam laughs again, because Dean’s foibles with the dark arts always tickle him.

“Remember how it made you go crazy?” he presses. For three long days, Dean oscillated between hoarding, sweating, and acting like a prickly pear around everyone who wasn’t Sam. That’s why it took them so long to notice -- it wasn’t until late on day three that Dean started with the stockpiling. “Well, the waiter you wanted to knock out is the one who just served me your pie.”

Dean scoffs and starts eyeing the bag. “Everyone has bad days, man. What do you want me to do about it now?”

“Well next time, you can go in, for starters.” Sam punctuates his request by throwing the credit card back at Dean. “And they didn’t have any cherry left.”

As Dean catches the card with a hand slap to the chest, he also leans over to curiously peer into the bag. “What’d you get me?”

“Apple.” Sam reaches back for his seatbelt, even though there probably aren’t any car accidents or speed traps in Heaven. He catches the sudden weird look on Dean’s face and raises an eyebrow. “What?”

Dean’s eyes go all squinty into the distance as he tries to figure something out.

“Why is the place where I threatened to knock some guy out up here in Heaven?” he wonders, gaze suddenly snapping over to Sam. They make direct eye contact, and Sam feels his face get hot when Dean starts smirking. “Something you want to tell me, man?”

Sam snorts, overcompensates, realizes it, and then tries to play it off with a casual, “Like what?”

“Like,” Dean dramatically announces, raising both eyebrows. “Maybe you got all tingly when I defended your honor, and now you want to relieve that memory again and again and again?”

Even though Sam knows he’s all twitchy, he tightens his expression and plows through.

“Keep dreaming, man.” He shakes his head and snorts again, but when he glances over, Dean is still staring at him with that look on his face. Sam clears his throat and quickly changes the subject. “Can we just find somewhere to park for the night?”

Dean’s expression softens from I’m calling you out to I’m reaping the benefits.

“You got it, Sammy,” he grins, officially letting Sam off the hook.

They pull out of the tiny parking lot, and Dean stretches his arm out along the back of the seat, fingers curling to rest against Sam’s shoulder.

Sam cranks his window down. It’s a perfectly balmy midsummer night, even though they haven’t been up here for a whole day yet, and they both died in winter.

As they get back on the highway, Dean knocks his fingers into the back of Sam’s ear.

Sam bites back a smile.

*

The highway runs up the coast, and then out onto a peninsula that hangs over the water.

Sam knows they aren’t earthbound anymore, but the blue ocean and the tall trees are all unmistakably redwood country. They bomb down the peninsula with Dean’s favorite mixtape playing. There’s nothing out here but dusky blue skies and deep blue water.

“It’s kinda like driving right into space,” Sam comments. “But like, uncanny valley.”

Dean parks the car near the end of the road and turns off the ignition. “I wonder who controls the scenery, me or you.”

“Maybe both of us?” Sam raises his eyebrows. “We’ve been in all the same places.”

With a shrug, Dean digs into their takeout bag, and pulls out his gigantic burger in a double-wide styrofoam container that buckles when he tries to hold it one handed.

“I don’t know, man,” he says, briefly glancing over at Sam. Sam stares back, and then drops his gaze to watch as Dean flips his container open and lifts the top bun off his burger to remove the pickle. “You got me extra sauce,” he gasps, picking up the drippy, shitty burger with both hands. “Have I told you I love you lately?”

Smiling, Sam shakes his head slowly, and unwraps his ever reasonable sandwich.

“About thirty years ago.” Sam takes Dean’s pickle slice and adds, “Once.”

The smile on Dean’s face is big and bright. A thousand megawatts lit up, brighter than anything else even in Heaven.

“Well, I love ya, Sammy,” he says, fondly.

*

The stars come out, and all of the little adobe houses sprinkled up the coastline turn their lights on.

“We could find a motel,” Dean suggests, gaze fixed out on the water.

Sam turns away from Dean and looks at all the houses scattered away from them.

“Nah.” Sam wrinkles up his nose. Dean wrinkles his back. “I wanna sleep here.”

On earth, every new day had possibility -- kismet, and advent, and Dean. The comfort in knowing they were only separated by death is what kept Sam alive some days; he knew this, that he would be here again, whether it happened under the stars or in hellfire.

When Sam got into bed on the mattress Dean never laid on, in the big house Dean never lived in, he would close his eyes and sink away. Just so he could see stars, like these stars, and be here again.

Small, lonely celebrations. They can find a motel to sleep in tomorrow night.

The houses up the coastline glow for a little while longer. Sam lays on the hood and stares up at the sky.

*

“Catch,” Dean says, tossing Sam’s toothbrush into the air.

They keep looking at each other, grinning and laughing as they stand on the bluff and spit toothpaste off the rocks.

“Mine definitely went further than yours, Dean.” Sam is both eternally Player 2 and the one who makes the call. He points out into the dark black water like he can pinpoint exactly where his last one hit and gives Dean a smug look. “Beat that.”

Dean imitates him in a wobbly high-pitched voice, “Mine went further than yours,” and then loses interest in going for distance and turns to spit at Sam instead. Sam can tell he’s going to do it by the look on his face, so he laughs and jumps away right as Dean loads up and aims for his feet.

As he bounces by, he smacks Dean in the chest.

“Don’t swallow,” Sam unhelpfully cackles when Dean starts choking on his toothpaste.

Dean bends over, gagging and spitting, and even with tears in his eyes he still shoots a dirty look in Sam’s direction and smirks, “Why I don’t think I’ve ever heard you say that before, Sammy.”

“Shut up.” Sam laughs some more and goes back to angling his toothbrush over his back molars. “You know, I didn’t miss your sex jokes.”

He actually missed everything, but that’s nothing Dean has to know about.

Even so -- Dean looks scandalized for the first time since Sam has been topside. “I’m the funniest person you know.”

“You’re the only person I know,” Sam counters.

He knows he screwed up last time they were in Heaven. There wasn’t a day that went by where he didn’t think about Dean’s hurt expression lit up in those streetlights.

Dean looks like he wants to say something, too. They stare at each other as Dean clearly works out whether he’s going to cop to whatever it is, or keep it to himself for a while.

“About that,” he finally starts, hedging. Sam raises his eyebrows. “We’re not alone up here anymore.”

Sam gives him a look. “That’s cryptic, Carol Anne.”

“I was here for about a minute before Bobby found me, man,” Dean explains. Sam’s eyebrows knot; that actually is a surprise. “Well, I guess I found him.” Dean pauses to reconsider, clearly still trying to figure out his train of thought. “He gave me a beer.”

Still not totally following, Sam asks, “What, like a memory?”

“No, not a memory.” Dean shakes his head. “Bobby told me Heaven is different now. Jack busted all the walls down.”

Both of Sam’s eyebrows jerk up. “Seriously?”

“That’s what he said.” Dean shrugs. “Mom and dad, Rufus, Ellen.” He dramatically twirls his toothbrush around in a circular motion. “Everyone. They’re all around here somewhere.”

So even with the walls down, he and Dean are still stepping in the same footprint.

“Wow.” Sam smiles a little. “So it’s like, fairytale Heaven now.”

Dean shrugs and digs around in his toiletry bag. “Guess so.”

“So… what.” It’s not like Dean was ever a social butterfly, but… Sam watches as he packs his toothbrush away, and looks at him curiously. “You didn’t go and see mom? And dad?”

They stare at each other for a minute, and Dean gets shifty.

“I just drove around until you got here,” he finally shrugs, playing it cool.

Which really means he’s circling the drain and acting all bugged out, because that’s how Dean always gets when he has to admit he has feelings for Sam in a way that doesn’t include suicide or the death of whoever else gets stuck in their crosshair.

And Sam doesn’t help, because he starts to crack up in a truly uncontrollable way.

“Moment ruined,” Dean scoffs, throwing one hand up.

He turns back around to face the car, and Sam scrambles after him, still laughing.

“I’m sorry,” he calls, voice coming out all lopsided when he tries to swallow another laugh. “I’m sorry, Dean. Hey.” He reaches out and snags Dean by the back of the jacket; Dean spins around and glares at him. “Hey,” Sam says again, serious this time. He clears his throat and raises his eyebrows earnestly. “I would have done the same thing.”

Dean is still glaring up at him but he does let Sam get in a hug.

“You wouldn’t have had the wheels to do so,” he says petulantly.

Sam smiles and tilts his nose into Dean’s ear. “Guess I would have been waiting for you at the side of the road, then.”

“Yeah, sounds like something you would do,” Dean crabs back.

But under Sam’s jacket, he worms his fingers around until he finds Sam’s waist.

“I was scared I would wake up in the dark.” Sam finally admits it, quietly, into the soft collar of Dean’s flannel shirt. “I memorized a druidic memory spell. Just in case.”

Dean snorts, but his grip on Sam tightens, as well. He whispers, “I would have found ya.”

“Yeah.” Neither of them moves an inch. “I know that.”

*

sam and dean’s fuckin around in heaven playlist: * red bull & hennessey - jenny lewis * between the bars - elliott smith * love me anyway - chappell roan * fake empire - the national * pacific coast highway - hole

[katzkinder]

Pomegranate Seeds, Give My Life To Thee

“This is so troublesome I could just die.”

“It’s not that big a deal. I’m immortal, after all.”

“Thanks, but I’d rather kill myself.”

Mahiru hates the way his Servamp talks.

There were a number of things Mahiru disliked about Kuro.

Getting oil on the controllers, leaving crumbs and empty chip bags behind, forgetting to take stuff out of his pockets before chucking his dirty laundry into the bin, not managing to make the dirty laundry get to the bin at all, and most annoying was certainly Kuro’s habit of snacking just before meal times.

But these were all small things. Minor things. Things that Kuro had, he had to admit, improved upon since they had begun living together. The sort of things you’d expect from someone who had essentially lived for who knows how long as a bachelor (he thinks? He’s still honestly not sure on just what kind of relationship Kuro and Gear had had in the past. Thinking too hard on it made his heart twist) and then however many decades as a homeless bum. And he was proud of him! Of course he was.

These were things he could overlook. Easily help Kuro improve on. Nag him into submission about, though the housewife and “yes mommy” jokes were getting stale. But there were some things, some habits, some phrases… He just couldn’t stand. And it ate at him.

“This is so troublesome I could just die.”  

“It’s not that big a deal. I’m immortal, after all.”  

“Thanks, but I’d rather kill myself.”  

“Who cares? I’m immortal.”

“I do.”

The words were out of his mouth before he could stop himself, and Kuro blinked up at him, lackadaisical in even his surprise at how… Firmly it had come out. The bag of chips, once full of empty calories and now empty itself thanks to the Servamp’s habitual snacking, crinkled noisily in the still air. The burgeoning argument over Kuro’s dietary habits had come to a halt before it even really started, yet somehow Mahiru felt as if it would have been better, simpler to just let it play out like usual.

Mahiru couldn’t find it in him to care. Not when all these bubbling, festering, unpleasant feelings were reaching a boiling point over such a tiny phrase.

He swallowed, Kuro’s eyes flicking down momentarily to track the motion in his throat, then back to his eyes, and Mahiru felt another pang, along with another stroke of anger that quickly cooled to simmering annoyance.

“You’re starving yourself again, aren’t you?”

Kuro broke their impromptu staring contest at the accusation, gaze drifting somewhere else, anywhere else in the tiny apartment living room as he literally turned his back on his Eve, returning to the safe, artificial light and colorful world of his handheld.

“I was literally just eating chips,” he mumbled, all the petulance of a child who knows they are guilty in his drawled words. He scooched the empty bag closer to himself, posture practically screaming that he wanted Mahiru to let it alone, let the sleeping lion lie.

“That’s not what I’m talking about and you know it.”

“... Why does it matter? It’s not like there’s any danger here. I’m fine. I’m-”

“Yes! I get it! You’re immortal! But... that’s not the problem!”

He was also not very fond of the way Kuro never wanted to address anything until things were nearly as a breaking point.

The heat in his chest was back, along with a bit of bitter satisfaction at the way his outburst had made Kuro turn to really look at him. But then his partner was standing, and the look on his face was so full of concern, gingerly taking the laundry basket from Mahiru’s hands and setting it aside so that they could stand face to face and Mahiru resisted the urge to bow his head in shame. The vampire caught his bottom lip between his teeth, worrying it in a way that worried Mahiru.

A gentle thumb just below it made Kuro freeze, sanguine eyes widening ever so slightly when Mahiru carefully pulled it free, voice uncharacteristically gentle for his scolding.

“Stop that. You’ll make yourself bleed.”

“... Sorry. Didn’t even realize I was doing it…”

“That seems to be a running theme with you.” Mahiru winced ever so slightly at the harsher than he’d meant wording, but Kuro didn’t seem to mind. Or, at the least, was too concerned with other matters to mind at the moment.

“Mahi…” Kuro’s voice had taken on that softer, more raspy quality that Mahiru recognized as sincerity, and coupled with the nickname, he couldn’t help but soften just a bit more himself. “I…” Another pause, Kuro moving to take his lip between his teeth again but managing to stop himself. His fingers twitched ever so slightly, and Mahiru reached for it, carefully interlocking their hands. “What is the problem, then? This… Isn’t just about the blood, is it?”

Biting down a snarky comment, Mahiru replied, “No, it’s not,” gripping the larger hand in his own more securely, knowing far too well that Kuro was liable to bolt. He’d been getting better about that, too, but his issues with taking blood were particularly touchy for him, he’d found. He hoped that, one day, the other would be able to be candid about it with him. To tell him the why and the how. Until then, though... It was better safe than sorry. “But if you keep it up I’ll start hiding it in your food like a cat who won’t take his pills.”     Kuro snorted, relief making his shoulders sag and stiff posture unwind. If Mahiru was joking, it wasn’t that serious. He hoped. “So? What gives. Talk to me. It’s not like you to just… Suddenly explode like that.”

It was Mahiru’s turn to look guilty, staring at their joined hands and Kuro’s pale, almost translucent skin. There was the faintest scar on the webbing of his thumb, and his nails were getting long again. He’d have to trim them for him soon. The vampire, he’d found, was prone to either chewing them down to the quick or clipping them too short. It was simpler to do it for him, and had become part of the routine of their lives. He didn’t mind it. Enjoyed it, even, if only for the excuse it gave him to hold Kuro’s hand, admire his long, elegant fingers and the difference between them and his own sun kissed ones smattered with freckles.

“Would you believe me if I said I don’t even know where to start?”

A finger at his chin, lifting his gaze back to Kuro’s, red, red eyes focused on him and so, so worried.

Why can’t you worry about yourself like that?  

“Keep it simple, then.”

Having his own life motto parroted back to him, he couldn’t help but crack a smile. Of course. Simple was best. And simply thinking… He just needed to say what he felt.

“Earlier, what you said…" he began, words slowly picking up steam as he found his voice again, found his thoughts again, "About how you don’t really care, because you’re immortal? It kinda... Pissed me off.”

A stunned look, Kuro once again blinking owlishly at him, no doubt thrown for a loop by the rare swear dropping from the Eve's lips. “O… kay? I won’t… Say it anymore?”

Still missing the point, huh?  

How did he ever end up with such a dumbass vampire?

Mahiru extricated his hand, instead cupping Kuro’s face, ensuring that the vampire of Sloth had no choice but to look him in the eye as he spoke. “Just because you’re immortal, doesn’t mean you shouldn’t take care of yourself. In fact, when you don’t, it… It hurts! It hurts a lot. Because you’re important to me. Because I care about you. And I hate seeing you suffer.”

“Oh.”

“Yeah. Oh." The words were coming faster now, louder, more desperate, as if this were somehow his only chance to get them all out and he couldn't stop himself if he tried. Didn't want to, because holding it in was so much more painful. "And not just that, either! When you say things like you want to kill yourself, or that you want to die, or that it’s fine that you got hurt… I hate those too! I really, really, hate it...”

His voice cracked on the last word, embarrassingly so, but he couldn’t find it in himself to care at all, not when Kuro had a dawning look of realization, not when halting hands were reaching for him as the Servamp’s face twisted with contrite, not when he really, really wanted the hug that was being sort of half offered to him. He stepped forward, let Kuro embrace him, a shuddering breath leaving his lungs and all that awfulness he had been hoarding with it. He really... Wasn't okay at all, was he?

 “It scares me… And I’m sorry I got mad at you-”

 “I’m sorry, too. For not… Noticing that it bothered you so much.”

 “... I mean. I dunno if you’ve noticed, but I’m… Kind of really good at hiding when something is bugging me. To be honest…” He snuggled closer into Kuro’s chest, shut his eyes and breathed deep, that mixture of misty mornings and his body wash because of course Kuro was too lazy to pick out his own, all layered over the subtle metallic tang that seemed to cling to every vampire he met. It was soothing. It felt like home, and safety, the same but different as his uncle. Like everything would be okay, if only he just stayed right where he was. “I don’t think I even realized how badly it bothered me myself until just now…”

Kuro hummed, Mahiru feeling the vibrations under his ear and against his cheek. “That seems to be a running theme with you.”

“Ass.” A light thwack to his shoulder, Kuro releasing a little puff of amusement.

“My bad. Couldn’t resist. We’re both… Pretty similar, huh…?”

“I guess so. Who would have thought?”

A pat or two to his back and Kuro drew away, Mahiru reluctantly letting him go. “I’ll clean up my mess, and, um, once I’m done…” The human blinked, head tilting curiously when Kuro cleared his throat, scratched at his cheek. It could sorely use some color. “Maybe we can figure out an, uh… Feeding schedule? Or something?” He gave a helpless sort of half shrug, quickly dropping it when all he got in return was a blank stare. “Sorry, forget it, dumb idea, just thought it would, like, help or something. I dunno-”

 “No!” Kuro jumped at his shout, his anxious rambling cutting off and replaced instead with anxious finger fidgeting, clenching and unclenching his hands while Mahiru rapidly moved to reassure him. “No, feeding schedule is great! In fact, let me get a marker for the calendar and my phone while you do that.”

It was a small thing. A minor thing. Something that shouldn’t even be a problem to begin with. But it was a step towards getting Kuro to take proper care of himself. To value himself. Even if he was only suggesting it to comfort his Eve…

Mahiru tried and failed to hold down the amused little smile sprouting when he sighted the red at the tips of Kuro’s ears, quickly padding out the living room and leaving Kuro to his task, and the dirty laundry in its basket in the middle of the otherwise clear space.

No matter what the reason, it was a step in the right direction. For the both of them.

[heresathreebee]

Brackish and Briny Waters (two)

[Ralph Lamont X Female Reader]

Summary: Settling into your new house Part 1 Masterlist Part 3

Tags: +17 | 1.7k words | just really fucking domestic stuff, one (1) bad attitude, presumptuous behavior, unprotected morning sex, more remodeling.

AN: I kind of know where I'm going with this. The conflict will be subtle at first but it's there I promise.

The first day goes by fast and for Ralph meeting every single person on staff in this prestigious school was like trying cheeses and wines in a vineyard– fun at first but you get a stomach ache because somebody forgot to tell you not to swallow and there are just so many of them each more rich than the last. By the time he crosses the threshold to his new home, he's exhausted and annoyed. 

"I told you not to unpack without me." 

You look at him from the kitchen and shrug. "I needed stuff, baby. I already wrote a list of things to work on in this 'bare bones' house you put us up in and I was bored." 

You don't care for his attitude but offer him the covered plate anyways. "I saved you some dinner." 

All at once, Ralphie's anger melted from his face. He shuffled his tired feet across the still empty living room and pulled you into his side. The plate was warm (still warm or recently warmed up, he couldn't tell) and his stomach growled. 

"M sorry," he said, "I don't mean to be an asshole." 

You smile your forgiveness. "Long day?" 

"Yes," he hisses. "I already can't wait for the weekend." 

You chuckle. "Oh come on, it can't be that bad. Give it a chance, baby!" 

"As you wish." 

After eating, Ralph is right to sleep despite his insistence you finish packing together tonight. A part of you thinks it's the climate here– fresh sea salt air and less artificial light to disrupt the body's natural sleep patterns. You took off his shoes and empty his pockets because he was just 'resting his eyes for a moment,' then slid in right next to him. He's fine without a blanket, but you pull the back of the quilt over your rear and curl into his side. Sleep comes easier tonight than last night and you dream of wallpaper and wood smoke cologne. 

DAY THREE

The rest of the week gets easier for the both of you. You arrived on Monday and unpack the bigger furniture together by Wednesday with the help of some locals. Ralph is getting to study the lesson plan for Ms. Lewis' math class and establishing a gentle authority with his temporary students. He is still excited for the weekend, intent to help you figure out what to do with the walls of the house. 

"Has anybody come to see you at the house yet?," he asks you Thursday night. 

You pause dicing onions to think. "Besides the neighbors to the north and those Vayle boys? No." 

Ralphie raises his eyebrows and drops them, an involuntary gesture made more for himself than you. 

You put a hand on your hip. "Why?" 

Ralphie waves you off and continues mixing the meat with the spices. "Nothing. It's just everybody and their fucking moms has been asking me about you." 

"What?" This was news to you. "Why?" 

"Because they're nosy," he replies, "asking me about my whole life story and I let slip I had a wife and then they just wouldn't shut up about it." 

You swat his shoulder. "Well don't sound so depressed about it. Do you not like having a wife?" 

"No!" Ralph huffs and turns to look at you as he says, "I just hate that every single one of them bugs me about a million personal things and then I mention you and it's the only thing they can talk about now." 

Ralph turns back to stirring the pan and grumbles to himself, "might tell them to fuck off and just hoard you forever…" 

It clicks in your head at least a bit. Ralph's a born and bred city kid. In the city nobody cares who you are, what you like, or where you're from. Strangers don't want to be anything more than strangers. Their eternal social motto is 'don't waste my time' and anyone who acts differently is probably scheming something. 

You chuckle and rest your chin on his shoulder. "You're forgetting these are a different breed of people. Rich and educated socialites more over but suburban, maybe even rural. We're probably the first new thing to happen to them in decades, and communities like this don't have a 'mind your business and I'll mind mine' attitude." 

Ralphie flicks you a look but you know he knows you're right. It doesn't mean he has to like it but at least he understands it's not malicious, at least not inherently. It's out of his element, a little out of yours too, but you'll have to adapt and play by their rules if you want to stay here for a while. 

The dining room table can seat six, but your Ralphie takes a seat right next to you at a corner so he can hold your hand while you eat. Homemade tacos ease your apprehensions a bit and you go over the remodeling plans with him until midnight. Getting ready to sleep, you wear your thinnest shift and wrap around him like an octopus, your warm core brushing over his barely clothed manhood in temptation. 

Ralphie hums, tucking a stray hair back into your bonnet. "We need to get up early tomorrow." 

It's a weak protest. The two of you keep rocking into each other and sighing at the feeling of friction but eventually fall asleep despite the delightful buzz of sexual energy surrounding you. You do wake up when Ralph flips you under him and sucks a few marks into your neck.

You spread your legs to accommodate his breadth, feeling him settle deliciously and glancing at the bedside clock. It's barely 5 o' clock and the sun is rising. You gasp as you feel Ralphie's cock slide into you and he's met with little resistance. You two have sex for the first time since you moved and it's been so long that the affair is short lived. 

Ralph already has an apology on his lips but you shush him and come a moment later with your fingers brushing your clit in tandem. He peppers you with a dozen more kisses as silent promises to make it up to you. 

You shower together, barely bumping elbows as this bathroom is way bigger than your New York City apartment ever was. You chat idly about the weekend and the town and when you're ready to leave, you grab the manila folder where you store the plans for the remodel. You've even got samples from the wallpaper, only taking the ones you like and want to replace. 

"I know we probably won't find exact replicas but I want to at least find something similar." 

Ralph squeezes your thigh. "Ok, ok. We'll try." 

While this town doesn't have a McDonald's (the town over does and it's fancy for some reason), it does have a Home Depot (also pretty fancy). You know you'll need wood and screws and glass panes to finish that solar room but that's not the goal for today. 

Ralph skips right over the green paint swatch section to the creams. He's rambling about paint brand pros and cons, he did his research on the way in since you were driving and he brought the book from the school library. You follow and half listen. 

"What?" 

Ralph finally catches on to your soft smile. You glance around to make sure no one is in earshot because god forbid these gossipers over hear your conversation right now. 

"I guess I got you pretty excited last night, huh," you say with a sense of pride. Ralph feels the opposite about his performance this morning. 

"I just… I think it's just been a while." He occupies his hands by grabbing every single free swatch sample on the shelf and says, "I promise I will make it up to you." 

You roll your eyes in a not unkind way. "It's fine, babe, really. I uh… it feels kind of good to know I still have that kind of effect on you…" 

Ralphie sports a smile of his own and puts you under his arm. "Of course you do, sugar." 

He leans down to plant a kiss on your lips when you're interrupted by a bright voice. It's so startling that your husband bounces away from you. He stares wide eyed at the woman who interrupted you and he gets that dark look in his eye that only you can see. 

"Jesus, Julie," he tries his best not to growl her name. "This is Julie, she's a teacher at the school. Julie this… is… my wife." 

Julie makes a noise like a whistle. "Oh my god you are so much more beautiful than I imagined! Ralph doesn't have a picture of you in his office!" 

"It's on my desk," he huffs, "it's the one turned towards me." 

"And why would you do that?" 

"...so I can look at it while I work…?" 

Julie's… a little too hands on for just meeting you. You're too reserved to say something about it so you sling a loose arm around her back and hope Ralph doesn't say something for you. 

"Hi Julie, it's nice to finally meet you," you tell her. "Ralph's been slowly but surely introducing me to the concept of his coworkers." 

"I can't believe we haven't met before now! Ralph keeping you all to himself, me and the other teachers are just so curious about you," she coos. It feels almost put on, like overindulging in sweet to play up her first impression. You let it slide though, maybe it's just your city lens. 

"Well, uh, once we've got the house fixed up a bit, we can plan a housewarming party," you suggest. "But not a day before and you may quote me on that, miss!" 

Julie laughed and gave you her phone number 'in case you need anything at all.' Ralph breathed easy once she finally left and you tug his ear gently. "She's veeerry friendly." 

Ralphie shoots you a glare like you'd made a joke he didn't find funny and you go back to debating the paint to use for your walls eagerly.

@escape-your-grape @hoodoo12 @softbeej @go-commander-kim @beetlesstuff @imma-fucking-nerd​ @werwulfy​

[glorious-kt]

The Case of the Cybernetic Arm

Joining up with the Bad Batch was either his stupidest idea or his best idea. Echo was still debating on it to be honest. Hunter treated him with respect, but... he also treated him differently than the others. Tech treated him normally, always asking him questions and trying to get his help with his new hacking gear. However, Tech... didn’t seem to trust him much. Crosshair treated him with disdain, full of sarcasm and blunt whit. Sometimes Echo could fire back with his own silver tongue, but... there were instances where Crosshair’s words hit a little too close to home. He was an outsider. A “reg”. To those three at least. Wrecker... Wrecker treated him with kindness, happy to have a new friend to nag and to challenge.

Echo wasn’t sure what he could do to earn the other three’s trust and clear respect. They never trusted him enough to let him go off on his own during missions, they hardly let him do anything on his own, they tended to just disregard any strategies he tries to offer. But... but they also let him have his own room, buy his own things, read whenever he wants to, they let him hoard as many droid parts that he can find. It wasn’t all bad, but it wasn’t perfect either. It’s why he was debating on if he had made the right choice. One out of four disliked him, two out of four tolerated him, and the last actually treated him correctly, like a person. He had wanted to join them mainly because they offered freedom. Freedom to figure out who he was now. That and they also reminded him of Fives. He wasn’t stupid. He knew Fives was dead. That didn’t mean it didn’t hurt though.

“Oi, Echo. You’re stuck in your own head again,” Wrecker’s voice cut through Echo’s thoughts, making the former ARC Trooper blink rapidly as he pulled himself back to reality.

“Sorry, Wrecker. Just thinking,” Echo smiled back at the larger trooper in front of him.

They were playing some sort of brawling game that the Bad Batch had installed into the ship’s main table. Echo had no idea how to play, but Wrecker had begged him to play, so he was.

“Whatcha thinkin’ ‘bout,” Wrecker asked, grinning as he pressed a button, forcing one of the holographic creatures to attack one of Echo’s own holographic creatures.

“It’s nothing. Just my mind rambling on,” Echo huffed in slight frustration as he glared down at the game, he was loosing.

“Oh! It’s doing that thing that Tech does when he talks about computers,” Wrecker grinned back at Echo, tilting his head.

“Yeah,” Echo laughed lightly as he made his own move in the game, wincing internally when he had moved to try and use his right hand only to be met with the strange cybernetic attached to him instead.

He really needed to start working on that cybernetic hand. It was getting annoying, not being able to use his right hand anymore. Plus, having both hands would make him more useful on the battlefield right? Maybe that’d earn him some more trust.

“You and Tech ramble a lot, but you do it internally,” Wrecker nodded as he finished off Echo’s last remaining creature with a smirk, making Echo groan.

“Yeah. I don’t want to annoy anyone.”

——————

He was stuck with Crosshair this mission. Echo normally didn’t work with Crosshair on most missions, mainly because the sniper didn’t like him all that much, but this mission required him to be Crosshair’s second pair of eyes. That’s what he’d been told, but Echo had a sneaking suspicion that the real reason was because Hunter didn’t want him anywhere near the intelligence center they were infiltrating. He wasn’t stupid.

“Should we look for an alternate escape route for them should they run into trouble,” Echo asked quietly, glancing at the sniper beside him.

“No. They’ll be fine, reg. Just be my second pair of eyes and be quiet,” Crosshair scoffed quietly while he scanned the area with his scope.

Right. A second pair of eyes. What sort of use was a second pair of eyes for a sniper whose eye sight is perfect and his aim even better? Echo tried to hide his disappointment. His shoulders dropped anyways, and his left hand traced over the cybernetic piece on his arm. Useless. A second pair of eyes to a perfect sniper was useless. Why was he even invited to join them if they were never going to treat him like he was one of them?

He just needed to wait a little longer. He’d get that cybernetic hand fixed up by the end of next week, then he could be useful.

“Let’s move, reg.”

“Right.”

———————

Staying up till midnight wasn’t his best decision or his favorite decision, but he wanted to get that arm done so badly. He was halfway through though, so he couldn’t complain. Tech, however, apparently could.

“Look, I don’t know what you were doing last night, but please keep it down. Some of us like our beauty rest,” Tech scowled as he poked Echo in the chest.

“Sorry. I’ll try to be quieter. I was just fixing up my cybernetics,” Echo apologized quietly.

“What for? They’re in prestine shape. What damage could you have possibly done during the missions we’ve been on? Especially with where you have been placed in each mission,” Tech fired off two questions immedietly, crossing his arms over his chest in suspicion, or at least it looked like suspicion to Echo.

“I was just fine tuning some stuff. I get phantom pains, and tinkering helps me block it out,” Echo shrugged lightly, his voice going quiet under the scrutiny.

“Hmm. Just be quieter,” Tech huffed before heading back towards the kitchen in the ship.

“Right. Sorry.”

———————

Echo took Tech’s advice and was quieter the next night, tinkering away at the new cybernetic arm. He was 95% done with it when Hunter entered his room, making Echo jump. The Seargent studied him quietly, his face blank while he flicked his gaze from Echo, to the tools, and to the arm on the floor of his room. Echo swallowed heavily when the man took a few more steps towards him, closing the door behind him, and took a seat on the floor beside Echo.

“Is this what you were working on last night,” Hunter asked quietly, gesturing to the arm.

“Y-yes, sir. I just... I figured if I had both of my hands then... then you would trust me more. I wouldn’t be able to plug into anything anymore, and it would give me back my mobility. I’ve been useless so far. You won’t let me go off on my own, or do things by myself, and you don’t trust me enough to use any of my strategies. I’d be of more use this way. You could point and I’d shoot and—”

“Who said you were useless,” Hunter cut his rambling off, sitting up straight, alarm seeming to color voice.

“N-no one, but... I’m not stupid. I can tell when you’ve just put me with somone to keep me out of the way or to keep me away from computer terminals,” Echo replied quietly as he stared down at the unfinished cybernetic arm.

Hunter stared at Echo, studying the broken ARC in front of him. They treated Echo differently, because he was. Echo was the only brother that they had welcomed into their family that wasn’t a commanding officer like Cody or Rex.

“We’ve been treating you like glass and you took it the wrong way,” Hunter said softly, tilting his head away in slight shame.

“What?”

“C’mon, vod. Let’s put these tools away and get some sleep. You can finish this in the morning, that way Tech can make sure you hook it up correctly.”

“But, I—”

“No “buts”, reg. In the bed, even ARCs need sleep.”

“I- yes sir.”

———————

When Echo woke up that next morning he woke up to a steaming cup of caf beside his bed. That was... new. Not unwelcome of course just new. Echo sat up tiredly in his bunk and nursed the cup of caf for a good thirty minutes before he even got out of bed. It was then that he noticed the arm he had been working on was missing. Had Hunter taken it when he had taken the tools? Echo yawned lightly as he exited his room and went towards the kitchen to dispose of his cup.

“Hunter where did you put my stuff last night? I want to get it done by the time... we...,” Echo yawned as he stepped into the kitchen trailing off as he blinked at the picture in front of him.

Both Crosshair and Tech were curled over the cybernetic arm he had been working on last night, tools and paintbrushes in hand, slightly alarmed at Echo’s presence. Hunter looked smug almost as he sipped on his own cup of caf. Wrecker was- as usual- barely awake.

“What,” was all Echo’s tired brain came up with.

“Just fixing up the calibrating for it. We added a few things too. Crosshair kept bugging me about the design, so he helped too. We can attach it once we’re done,” Tech said, recovering first, voice as steady and logical as ever.

“It was made out of scraps of course I bugged about the design,” Crosshair scoffed, rolling his eyes.

“What,” Echo squeaked again, not understanding what was happening.

“Hunter said that we have been making you feel useless by not letting you do things by yourself or join the harsher missions. We didn’t mean to cause that type of thinking. We wanted to give you time to adjust first. That and we need you to regain some of your weight back, but that plan seems to have backfired. So, we are changing up our plan. You still won’t be in some of the harsher mission until you’re body is back up to it’s healthy weight, but we will no longer treat you like glass,” Tech replied easily as he finished working on the cybernetic arm.

“Because the reg isn’t made of glass. He never was,” Crosshair rolled his eyes lightly.

“By the way, Crosshair calls you a reg out of affection. Not insult,” Tech spoke up again.

Echo blinked in shock at the information, he twitched lightly when Crosshair didn’t even deny the comment either. They were... they were giving him space... giving him time to get used to things. Oh. OH.

“I was an ARC trooper. Still am really. You realize that being in the 501st on top of that makes me the farthest thing from glass, right,” Echo said quietly.

“Yeah we sort of figured that out,” Hunter laughed quietly.

“The boys in blue are crazy,” Wrecker nodded, starting to wake up.

Tech stood up from his seat and moved over to Echo, cybernetic arm in hand. The ARC trooper blinked in shock as Tech began to remove his old one and replace it with the new one. Echo twitched lightly when he felt it connect with his nerves.

“That should do it,” Tech nodded as he pulled back, the other Bad Batchers shifting slightly in anticipation.

Echo swallowed as he opened and closed his new cybernetic hand. He grinned sharply when he could feel it.

“Thanks. When can I test it in the field,” Echo smiled upon at them, the smile was sharp and near feral, all teeth and mischief.

“Next week, Echo,” Hunter laughed loudly.

[pink-peony-princess]

Thank you for loving me/S.M

"Baby, time to get up hon, you've got work in an hour," Shawn whispered in my ear, peppering kisses from my brow down to my chin. His calloused fingers- from his favourite hobby- the guitar- running up and down my arms.

"Mmm, morning," I smiled leaning up to meet his soft kiss.

"Is that coffee I smell?" I asked, sitting up slowly, pulling my (Shawn's) favourite over-sized sweater off the arm chair at the side of the bed and standing up only to be pulled into my favourite spot in the world, Shawn's warm embrace.

"Do you really think I'd be so silly as to wake you without the coffee pot at the ready?" he laughed, kissing my temple again, before taking my hand and leading me down the hallway and into the kitchen.

Both Shawn and I worked for the City of Toronto Fire Department, me as a recently qualified paramedic, and Shawn as a firefighter and paramedic. It had been a tough few months for me, the job was demanding and taxing, but I loved it, and I had Shawn and all my work mates to help guide me.

"Sit," he pointed to the barstool where a cup of coffee in my favourite mug and omelette was waiting.

"Ahhh I love you!" I groaned, flopping down in the chair, shovelling a piece of the fragrant food into my mouth.

"I take it it meets your expectations," he laughed, coming to sit next to me.

"Exceeds!" I mumbled around the next mouthful.

Am hour later and Shawn had dropped me at my station, before headed off across town again to his station.

As I made my way into the station the familiar sounds of saws, engines and various other equipment- once so threatening now seemed to welcome me home.

"Hey El." my work partner and paramedic in charge Jo called, coming to meet me at the locker room door.

"Morning, how are Eli and Felix today?" I asked referring to her two little boys.

"They're okay. Eli had a meltdown before school this morning at having to get out of bed, but once I reminded him that Mummy can't go to work and save people if he doesn't get up and go to school all was well. I swear if the kid doesn't become a firefighter or a paramedic himself one day I'll walk to the moon!" she laughed.

"Aw, he's so sweet, it's so cute how you're his idol, speaking of don't we have that school group coming today?"

"We were supposed to, but due to budget cuts'" she rolled her eyes "the department is no longer able to fund it, apparently it's too expensive and labour intensive to have people out of action."

I sighed," How are we supposed to encourage the next generation of they can't see it for themselves. I mean I became a paramedic because my school had a field trip to a firehouse."

"You're preaching to the choir here girl, you're preaching to the choir." she laughed, turning and walking out. I went about putting my stuff away before heading to the kitchen/common room where we all spent our time inbetween calls.

The day turned out to be a slow one and by eleven o'clock I was doing laundry- (only having been called out once) when Mo one of the longest serving fire fighters and overall cool dude appeared by the door.

"You've got a visitor El, there's someone waiting for you it on the apparatus floor."

"Thanks Mo, " I smiled, putting the clothes I had been folding down and heading out the door.

When I got to the apparatus floor, I was slightly shocked. There was Shawn, leaning casually against a Pilar waiting for me a brown bag in one hand- a bunch of sunflowers (my favourite) in the other.

"Shawn... What are you doing here?" I asked, still stunned.

He beamed running and picking me up.

"I had to come speak to chief Hachette about an arson case so I thought I'd surprise my girl. Do you have time for lunch?" he asked just as Jo walked out, stopping in her tracks. She looked so surprised I thought she was going to faint for a minute.

"And who's this?" she asked with a smile, coming over to stand in front of us where Shawn was still holding me.

"Jo meet Shawn." As soon as I said it I knew it was a mistake. A mischievous grin came over her face and I suddenly felt sick at all the intimate details I'd shared with her about our relationship on long nightshifts-mostly under duress, but still.

"Right so we're going to have lunch before we get another call," I spoke quickly, tugging at Shawn's arm to get him to walk before Jo had an opportunity to embarrass me.

"She seems nice," Shawn commented as we found a quiet spot to sit in the grass behind the firehouse.

"She is," I agreed as he handed me a turkey and Brie sandwich from my favourite deli downtown.

Half an hour later and lunch was done all too soon, duty unfortunately calling for Shawn leaving me alone to face the scrutiny of Jo.

"Girrlll, OMG, he's fiinnnee El. I hope you've locked him down cause I want me some of that," she spoke a million miles a minute running to catch up with me a la I made my way back into the common room and through to the laundry to finish folding the clothes from earlier.

"Well, speaking of," I dug around in my breast pocket, pulling out the engagement ring Shawn had proposed with over the weekend on a mini getaway to the Hamptons.

The scream that left Jo's mouth was louder than expected and sent the whole house into a frenzy. Mo and several of the other firefighters including Tiny and Bug to come running.

When they realised there was no actual issue they turned around grumbling about how we'd pulled then away from the basketball game theyd been placing bets on.

"So when, how, where all the details," she demanded grabbing my arm and jumping up and down. Just the thought of the romantic evening Shawn and I had spent made me giddy again.

However before I got a chance to response the bell went off overhead signalling an incoming call

"Main to 41... Possible GSW, 56th and Main."

I sighed.

It was probably some gang related drug issue again there were plenty of lovely people , but that side of town had a reputation.

"41 responding," I spoke into the radio on my shoulder l before running to the trick, jumping in and flicking the switch to the lights and sirens.

When we got to the scene all was well at first, the cops were already there assuring us it was safe to enter, however just as we were about to leave having treated a minor self inflicted wound a man brandishing a gun leapt from a concealed closet.

"Give me all the drugs you have b*TCH." He yelled before either Jo or I could take in what was happening.

"You know we can't do that sir," Jo spoke calmly. Moving to try to assess the man, who's head was bleeding heavily.

"I said give me the f*cking drugs b*TCH ."

He yelled again, storming towards me. The next few seconds were a blur, I heard a shots, there was immense pain in my abdomen and leg and then I crumpled to the floor, whacking my head in the process.

"El, El. Omg, stay with me." Jo panicked.

"41 to main we have an officer down, urgent assistance required for a GSW, EMS required now!" she shouted down her radio.

"Hurts," I gasped as the initial shock wore off and the pain hit, everything seemed to ache, my leg, my ribs, my head. The room was spinning and I was having trouble breathing no longer able to keep track of the flurry of activity.

Somewhere in the chaos,I'm not sure how long after the incident I heard his voice, Shawn's voice and at first I thought I was dreaming, but I managed to open my eyes and there he was, looking down at with with so much fear.

"It's alright baby, I'm here now, we're going to fix it up, you'll be just fine. Can you tell me where it hurts?" he asked.

I went to move, instinctively seeking his comfort, but he stopped me, and I instantly wanted to cry, more than I already was.

"You have to stay still Princess."

I let out a loud groan as he placed an oxygen mask over my face.

"El? Can you hear me?" I grunted, the effort of actually forming words seeming too hard right then. I could feel hands all over me, and as much as I just wanted to be left alone, I also knew , they were trying to help me.

"It hurts," I cried again.

"I know it does honey, but you're going to be okay. I'm here, and so is Connor and Jo, and we'll look after you, and then when we've got you all comfy we'll take you to get all fixed up, how does that sound?"

"Okay, lets get her onto the bed, and then we can assess her from there," Connor suggested, appearing by my side, with a back board and neck collar that Jo had brought over.

"Okay, we're going to roll you onto the board El just let us do all the work okay?" Shawn said.

I let out a serious of screams as they rolled me, gripping Shawn's gloved hand like my life depended on it.

"We'll get you sorted yeah?" Shawn tried to reassure me as they strapped me onto the bed so I was safe, and then starting to push the gurney out the door and towards the entrance of the ambulance which was no more than ten metres away.

"Shawn ," I whispered, tears falling down my face, mixing with the blood which I could feel was congelling on my face.

When we were in the ambulance Shawn and Jo attached me to the hundreds of leads which I was so used to attaching to others while I lay there helplessly.

"I've started some morphine," Jo patted my arm gently as Shawn pulled a blanket over my body as I drifted off into fairy land.

Ten minutes later and we were pulling into the emergency bay.

The automatic doors opened, where we were met with a hoard of staff, ready to assist, the first person being Brian, Shawn and my mutual friend and colleague.

The look of horror on his face when he saw that it was me on the gurney was unsettling.

"She's a priority one, bed four, resus," he directed Shawn, following behind. " What do we know?" He asked, starting to attach monitors and leads to me all over again.

"GSW on scene, while responding to an incident on the other side of town. Wound to leg and abdo, possible broken ribs and concussion." Shawn reeled off.

I wasn't aware that they'd even assessed me, clearly I'd lost consciousness at some point and I wasn't even aware of it.

I lay there mulling over this lapse in memory, letting the chaos wash over me like a wave.

The last thing I was aware of was Brian shouting orders at the floods of nurses, and Shawn standing helplessly in the corner, red-faced from crying, before everything went black.

"Ah, can you turn the lights off!" I groaned as I came to again, reaching to rip off whatever annoying piece of wiring was sitting over my face "My head hurts," I added as a dull.ache consumed my thoughts as Shawn's worried face came into view, his frame helping to block out the blinding light as he bent over the bed.

"Oh thank God I was so worried," he cried kissing me with so much force I forgot to breathe, making the monitor go crazy for a second. "How are you feeling he asked, stopping me from pulling at the thing on my face which turned out to be oxygen tubing

"What happened?" I asked,. I remembered the main.events but the rest was fuzzy, whether from my injuries or from the drugs I had no doubt been plied with I wasn't sure

"You were shot while on-call, drug exchange gone bad, you scared me so bad baby," he whispered, brushing hair out if my face as Brian made his way into the room clearing his throat to announce himself.

"Hi El, it's good to see you awake, how are you feeling?" He asked coming to check a few things on the monitors before flipping my chart that sat at the end of the bed open.

"So as you know you had two gun shot wounds, one to your left let and one to the abdomen, luckily for you they were both clean shots and we didn't need to do anything other than clean and irrigate the areas and stitch you up. You did however manage to fracture three ribs when you fell as well as sustaining a sizable concussion.

"So what does that mean work wise?" I asked. Shawn must have sensed my nerves, because he was sure to keep a hand intertwined with my, the other tracing soft patterns up and down my arm.

"We'll unfortunately, during the fall you fractured your tibia, which has left you in a cast, and pretty well imibilised, I'm sorry to say you'll be relying on this big guy-" he slapped Shawn in the back, "for the next week at least while everything settles.

You'll be in a cast for at least six weeks and off work from a minimum of two weeks with rehab worked in. Rest up El, give me a yell if ya need anything," he spoke to Shawn as he left the room.

"I'll lose my job," I cried, the thought of not being able to do what I loved terrified me.

"No you won't Brian said you'll be sore for a bit and need to rest, not that you'd lose your job, besides now you'll have a real reason to boss me around, I'll be your slave". He laughed covering .me with a blanket and lifting my bung leg to rest it in a pillow.

Besides when you're well enough there are some people who'd like to see you.

"Get some rest and we'll work it all out when you wake up.

True to his word, he helped me with everything, toileting, showering (which proved to be a challenge with the cast), dressing, getting up and down stairs, making breakfast, lunch and dinner, and forcing me to take pain medication when I was too stubborn to admit I needed it.

By the end of the first week though, I was miseeable,.not used to doing nothing but sitting in my behind.

"You my dear, need to get a coat on we're going out!" he announced, coming over with said coat and helping me to stuff my arms in.

"Where are we going?" I asked.

"SSH, it's a secret," he grinned, before carrying me to the car and making sure I was all buckled up.

Half an hour later and we were pulling up to the firehouse, where a few of the guys were sat outside playing cards as we made our way (me hobbling haphazardly on crutches) into the firehouse

"Hero in the house!" Mo called out and they all came running.

"I'm so glad you're okay. You scared me girl." Jo sniffled coming to hug me.

"Ouch still a little sore." I laughed leaning into Shawn for support as she blubbered all over me.

"Well sore is better than the alternative.

If it weren't for this one," she pointed to Shawn "you'd be dead."

"You've got yourself a keeper,"Mo added with a smile.

"Well if Mo approves it must be true." I agreed. "I think I'll keep you." I added, causing everyone to laugh.

"Thank you," I whispered to Shawn when the others were out of ear shot.

"For what?" he asked.

"Just for being you and for loving me," I shrugged, snuggling futher into his embrace, feeling greatful just to be alive, let alone call this wonderful human mine.

[monstersandmaw]

Embers - Male dragon shifter x reader, Chapter Five! (sfw)

So... this was supposed to go up on Friday but no one reminded me and I’m clearly not able to set a weekly reminder like an actual adult.

Hope you’re still enjoying this weekly series... Don’t forget to show me it some love if you are.

And I seem to have thrown my 'short chapters/800 words only' thing out of the window. This one is the longest so far, at 2455 words long. *rolls eyes at self*.

One, Two, Three, Four

An entire week passed without word from Mikaeïl. You had almost given up on the whole commission for this departmental murder mystery dinner, when one lunchtime your phone buzzed and you answered with barely a glance away from what you were doing. With a searingly important deadline looming for work, your stress levels were possibly at their highest since university finals, and you had been staring at the computer screen for what felt like days without a break.

“Yeah?” you barked, still tweaking the design while holding the phone with your other hand.

“It’s Mikaeïl,” came a surprisingly shy, male voice at the other end. “Is now a bad time?”

Your heart skipped a beat or two and you grinned despite the lingering frustration that the design wasn’t looking anywhere near ��there’ yet. “No, not at all,” you smiled, “I’m at work, but I’d much rather talk to you.”

That seemed to fluster him a little, but he cleared his throat and said, “Well… I spoke with the department and showed them your preliminary design. They loved it and are very happy to commission you to do the posters for the event.”

“Fantastic!” you grinned, genuinely thrilled to have a more exiting project to work on than this steaming pile of minotaur shit currently sitting on your computer.

“I thought we might discuss it in more detail when you bring Celia over on Friday...” he said, his softly-articulated words doing odd things to your insides and heartbeat. You could imagine him standing amongst his hoard of plants, one arm folded protectively across his slim chest as he stood, ramrod straight, surveying the gardens beyond.

A second after that image had flashed through your mind, you realised that it wasn’t your turn to being Celia to her flute lesson that week. When you said as much, he sighed and said, “Never mind.”

“I mean... Celia doesn’t have to be my only reason to come over and see you, does she?” you asked playfully, doodling with the stylus on a new layer of the design. As you listened to him speak, his eyes began to stare out at you from the screen as you drew them, all distant and guarded, but glittering and somehow soft all the same.

“No,” he said slowly, the slight smile audible in his rich voice. “No, of course not. I’m rather busy with work this week, and I’m presenting a paper at a conference on Thursday, but if you’re alright to meet up in town instead during the week we could do that?”

“Stickybeaks?” you suggested, thinking of the cafe where you’d first met him.

He clearly along the same lines because he gave that sonorous chuckle that made your stomach churn pleasurably. “Perfect. What day suits you? I’m free most days after five, except this Thursday.”

“Friday?” you suggested. “I think Stickybeaks stays open til seven. We could have an early supper? That way you can tell me all about the conference too, if you like.”

“I wouldn’t want to bore you,” he said reflexively.

“Oh, I think you’d have to work quite hard to bore me. I’m really quite a curious person...”

There was something melancholic about the tone of his clipped response. “If you say so,” was all he said. “Well, Friday works well for me. Shall I meet you there at half past five? That will give me enough time to walk over from the department.”

“Perfect. Looking forward to it.”

A beat too late, he said with a slight crack in his voice, “So am I.”

You rushed out of work that Friday and ended up getting to the cafe way too early, so you got out your A3 sketch pad and started to draw a number of variations on the same theme that you’d doodled back at Mikaeïl’s house. When he stepped through the doorway at precisely 5.29pm, Mikaeïl glanced around, the lenses of his round glasses glinting in the low light, and when he saw you, the hard line of his tense shoulders eased just a little.

Mikaeïl nodded politely at Lidaë, who was fluttering around behind the counter as usual despite the fact that there weren’t all that many customers in at that time, and then he strode over to your place in the back corner. The pathway through the sleek, modern tables gave you the opportunity to admire the slender form of his body and the effortless grace with which he moved, almost like a dancer. Today he wore a butterscotch coloured trench coat, belted tightly at his slim waist over black skinny jeans, and his autumn-red hair was tied back in a sleek ponytail again, with the shorter sections at the front falling down to mask the full intensity of his bright golden eyes.

“Hey,” you said, half standing.

“I hope you haven’t been here long,” he said by way of a greeting and staring at your drawings again with that odd expression again.

“No, not really,” you said, awkwardly sitting back down again. “I finished work a bit earlier than usual and came straight here. I roughed out a few more designs for the poster anyway.”

“You’ve been here long enough to have finished your drink,” he said pointedly. “Can I get you another?”

You eyed your empty cup and then glanced at your watch. “I just turned in a major project that’s been bugging me for weeks,” you grinned. “I think I earned a grown up drink…”

He cocked his head slightly and the corner of his pretty mouth twitched ever so slightly to show his amusement. “Congratulations. And I think I might join you in that.”

By the time he returned, you’d shunted the sketch book to one side and once he’d set your drink down, he took his coat off to hang it on the back of his chair. It was a real effort not to stare at the beauty of his figure. Perhaps it was the artist in you, but you really noticed the strong, straight lines of his waist and thighs, his body clearly tightly corded with extremely lean muscle, and the elegant movements of his fingers as he worked the buttons of his coat.

When he was finished, he sat and shyly drew his ponytail over one shoulder, twisting the end of it between his fingertips and blinked softly at you. “What?” he asked in a breathy murmur.

“I… Uh…” you blushed, and settled on a bashful, “Nothing. Have you come straight from teaching?”

He nodded.

“Oh boy,” you laughed. “Your students must love you.”

“I can’t tell if you’re being sarcastic or not,” he said bluntly.

“I wasn’t,” you said, feeling a heat creeping up your neck. Did he seriously not have any idea how attractive he was? “Don’t take this the wrong way then,” you said, sipping your drink and letting the warmth of the alcohol ignite a little courage in you, “But if you were my professor, I’m not sure I’d get much learning done…”

“Then I’d be failing in my duties as a teacher…”

Damn but he was hard work.

“Never mind,” you said. “How did the conference go?”

“Very well, to my surprise,” he said, holding the stem of his wine glass as if it were a rare specimen rose. He inhaled the scent of the wine before drinking, and closed his eyes briefly as he savoured it. His throat worked and you watched his sharp Adam’s apple bob as he swallowed, and that newly-kindled heat in your cheeks flared a little hotter while blood rushed south away from your brain to somewhere a little less articulate.

“What was your paper on?” you managed to rasp.

He cleared his throat and swirled his wine absentmindedly around his glass. “It’s… hardly a dinner time conversation,” he said.

“What, because you study bodies and death?”

His golden gaze flicked up to meet yours. “Most people find it repulsive.”

“You’re searching for answers,” you said. “I’m sure you’re respectful about the way you treat the remains. What’s repulsive about that?”

Mikaeïl blinked, and then his hard, wary expression flickered to something a little gentler, bordering on relief. “Well, alright. I was presenting my preliminary findings on the use of MRI and CT scans to determine the presence of necromantic activity in long-dead remains…”

“That stuff shows up? Even centuries later?” you asked, instantly intrigued.

He made a side to side shake of his head. “That’s what I’m trying to find out. X-ray has been used in the past, but because any damage caused post-mortem usually presents exactly the same whether the person in question was truly alive or undead, it’s not always particularly accurate… I want to explore the use of other technology to explore the effects that necromantic magic in particular has on the body after the heart has ceased beating.”

“That’s awesome,” you breathed, and he smiled again. “Was it well received?” you asked tentatively.

“Yes, for the most part. Non-invasive examination is always preferable, so there was a deal of interest from others in the field. I even had a lich in the audience who was willing to undergo some testing, which was encouraging.”

“Did you study medicine at the university here?” you asked, and he nodded.

“Quite some while ago though,” he said. “I worked as a medical examiner for a long time.”

You frowned, and he read your next question in your eyes.

“I’m not as youthful as I look,” he said. “My kind is long lived. And before you ask, I’m just over two hundred and sixty.”

“Whoa…” Honestly, it wasn’t actually that much of a surprise, given how… ‘remote’ he seemed at times. A moment later you added with a wry smile, “You must have enjoyed watching the leaps and bounds that science has made then in the last hundred or so years! I’d love to witness something like that…”

“That’s…” he faltered into silence.

“What?”

Mikaeïl steepled his long, fingers and rested his lips against his index and middle fingertips, elbows resting on the table. “That’s… honestly not a reaction I’ve had before.”

“I don’t understand?”

With a dry chuckle, he said, “Most people - though the number is admittedly few - discover I’m old enough to be their ancestor, and they start to act strangely. Friendships have been hard to initiate, and even tougher to maintain, though I’m sure that’s partly due to my own…” he swallowed, apparently unsure of the word before settling on, “‘Quirks’.”

You shrugged. “It sucks, I’m sure, but anyone who doesn’t at least try to understand or get to know you is missing out, and probably isn’t worth the effort anyway, at least in my limited experience. Can I ask you another question though?”

As his lips hitched up on one side, he nodded. “Of course.” And with that, he seemed to relax a little more in your presence.

“Is it super rude of me to ask what you are? I had thought you were at least part tiefling, but that was literally just from the horns and the eyes.”

“A common misconception,” he said over the rim of his wineglass before he took another sip. “And one I usually let slide. But no, I am not any part tiefling. I am… my family is… that is to say…” He set his wine down, took off his glasses, and cleaned them with a little cloth that he drew from his top pocket while he said quietly, “We are dragon shifters. Wyvern, technically.”

You blinked in silence for a stunned moment. Dragon shifters were exceptionally rare these days, having been hunted ruthlessly for sport, mostly by orcs but also by humans, about five hundred years ago. They’d been massacred in droves almost to the point of extinction. “No way,” you finally breathed.

He acknowledged the truth with a brief pursing of his lips, and returned his glasses to his face. Tersely, he added, “Please don’t ask me to prove it here. I won’t fit into this corner of the cafe, and besides, shifting is a huge inconvenience to say the very least.”

“I wouldn’t dream of it,” you said hastily. “I’m just… amazed? Surprised? Honoured?”

Mikaeïl deftly and promptly steered the conversation onto your drawings and drafts after that, and you allowed him to slide the limelight onto you. Clearly an intensely private individual, Mikaeïl had just honoured you with the truth about himself, and, curious as you were about what he might look like in his wyvern form, you respected his gift by focusing on the real reason you were there. This was not a date after all, no matter how much you wished it were.

Despite that fact, however, it was five minutes before closing time when Lidaë flitted over to you, her iridescent hummingbird’s plumage shimmering, and politely asked if you’d mind wrapping up so she could close up her cafe.

Mikaeïl startled from your conversation as if he’d suffered an electric shock. “I’m so sorry, Lidaë,” he said, standing abruptly and pushing his chair back with a decidedly ungraceful scrape on the wooden floorboards. “I had no idea it was so late.”

She patted his arm fondly and shook her head. “Never you mind, my lovely. I’m glad to see you having such a good evening.”

For the first time since you’d met him, his pale cheeks flushed and he glanced briefly at you before fumbling to pick up his coat. Once he’d slid it on, he fished out his wallet and insisted that he pay for everything.

Outside, with your bag packed and a design finalised, you looked up at him and he turned his deep, golden eyes on you. In the light from the street lamps overhead, his yellow eyes reflected the soft glow in a decidedly inhuman way, and you felt something stirring inside you again.

Feeling perhaps a little uncharacteristically bold, you reached for his shoulders, took them gently in your hands, and leaned in to kiss his smooth, cool cheek. As you withdrew, you saw that he’d gone rigid, his eyes wide with surprise. Allowing yourself a small giggle at his expense, you grinned at him.

“I’ll bring the finished design with me when I bring Celia over next Friday, if that’s ok.”

“Mmhmm,” he hummed softly.

“Looking forward to it,” you said. “And thank you again for supper.”

“My pleasure,” he croaked, bowing his head. “Sincerely.”

Tossing a final grin and a wave his way, you walked off down the street, leaving him standing there, and when you glanced back, you saw that he was walking away in the opposite direction, his fingertips just brushing his cheek where your lips had kissed his skin.

To be continued next Friday! (don’t let me forget!)

—

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[pinkpeonyprincessblog]

Thank you for Loving Me

"Baby, time to get up hon, you've got work in an hour", Shawn whispered in my ear, peppering kisses from my brow down to my chin. His calloused fingers- from his favourite hobby- the guitar- running up and down my arms.

"Mmm, morning," I smiled leaning up to meet his soft kiss.

"Is that coffee I smell?"I asked, sitting up slowly, pulling my (Shawn's) favourite over-sized sweater off the arm chair at the side of the bed and standing up only to be pulled into my favourite spot in the world, Shawn's warm embrace.

"Do you really think I'd be so silly as to wake you without the coffee pot at the ready?" he laughed, kissing my temple again, before taking my hand and leading me down the hallway and into the kitchen.

Both Shawn and I worked for the City of Toronto Fire Department, me as a recently qualified paramedic, and Shawn as a firefighter and paramedic. It had been a tough few months for me, the job was demanding and taxing, but I loved it, and I had Shawn and all my work mates to help guide me.

"Sit," he pointed to the barstool where a cup of coffee in my favourite mug and omelette was waiting.

"Ahhh I love you!" I groaned, flopping down in the chair, shovelling a piece of the fragrant food into my mouth.

"I take it it meets your expectations," he laughed, coming to sit next to me.

"Exceeds!" I mumbled around the next mouthful.

Am hour later and Shawn had dropped me at my station, before headed off across town again to his station.

As I made my way into the station the familiar sounds of saws, engines and various other equipment- once so threatening now seemed to welcome me home.

"Hey El.", my work partner and paramedic in charge Jo called, coming to meet me at the locker room door.

"Morning, how are Eli and Felix today?" I asked referring to her two little boys.

"They're okay. Eli had a meltdown before school this morning at having to get out of bed, but once I reminded him that Mummy can't go to work and save people if he doesn't get up and go to school all was well. I swear if the kid doesn't become a firefighter or a paramedic himself one day I'll walk to the moon!" she laughed.

"Aw, he's so sweet, it's so cute how you're his idol, speaking of don't we have that school group coming today?"

"We were supposed to, but due to budget cuts'" she rolled her eyes "the department is no longer able to fund it, apparently it's too expensive and labour intensive to have people out of action."

I sighed, "How are we supposed to encourage the next generation of they can't see it for themselves. I mean I became a paramedic because my school had a field trip to a firehouse."

"You're preaching to the choir here girl, you're preaching to the choir." she laughed, turning and walking out. I went about putting my stuff away before heading to the kitchen/common room where we all spent our time inbetween calls.

The day turned out to be a slow one and by eleven o'clock I was doing laundry- (only having been called out once) when Mo one of the longest serving fire fighters and overall cool dude appeared by the door.

"You've got a visitor El l, there's someone waiting for you it on the apparatus floor."

"Thanks Mo, " I smiled, putting the clothes I had been folding down and heading out the door.

When I got to the apparatus floor, I was slightly shocked. There was Shawn, leaning casually against a Pilar waiting for me a brown bag in one hand- a bunch of sunflowers (my favourite) in the other.

"Shawn... What are you doing here?"I asked, still stunned.

He beamed running and picking me up.

"I had to come speak to chief Hachette about an arson case so I thought I'd surprise my girl.Do you have time for lunch?" he asked just as Jo walked out, stopping in her tracks. She looked so surprised I thought she was going to faint for a minute.

"And who's this?" she asked with a smile, coming over to stand in front of us where Shawn was still holding me.

"Jo meet Shawn." As soon as I said it I knew it was a mistake. A mischievous grin came over her face and I suddenly felt sick at all the intimate details I'd shared with her about our relationship on long nightshifts-mostly under duress, but still.

"Right so we're going to have lunch before we get another call," I spoke quickly, tugging at Shawn's arm to get him to walk before Jo had an opportunity to embarrass me.

"She seems nice," Shawn commented as we found a quiet spot to sit in the grass behind the firehouse.

"She is." I agreed as he handed me a turkey and Brie sandwich from my favourite deli downtown.

Half an hour later and lunch was done all too soon, duty unfortunately calling for Shawn leaving me alone to face the scrutiny of Jo.

"Girrlll, OMG, he's fiinnnee El. I hope youve locked him down cause I want me some of that." she spoke a million miles a minute running to catch up with me a la I made my way back into the common room and through to the laundry to finish folding the clothes from earlier.

"Well, speaking of... " I dug around in my breast pocket, pulling out the engagement ring Shawn had proposed with over the weekend on a mini getaway to the Hamptons.

The scream that left Jo's mouth was louder than expected and sent the whole house into a frenzy. Mo and several of the other firefighters including Tiny and Bug to come running.

When they realised there was no actual issue they turned around grumbling about how we'd pulled then away from the basketball game theyd been placing bets on.

"So when, how, where all the details," she demanded grabbing my arm and jumping up and down. Just the thought of the romantic evening Shawn and I had spent made me giddy again.

However before I got a chance to response the bell went off overhead signalling an incoming call

"Main to 41... Possible GSW, 56th and Main."

I sighed.

It was probably some gang related drug issue again.there were plenty of lovely people , but that side of town had a reputation.

"41 responding," I spoke into the radio, before flicking the switch to the lights and sirens.

When we got to the scene all was well at first, the cops were already there assuring us it was safe to enter, however just as we were about to leave having treated a minor self inflicted wound a man brandishing a gun leapt from a concealed closet.

"Give me all the drugs you have b*TCH." He yelled before either Jo or I could take in what was happening.

"You know we can't do that sir," Jo spoke calmly. Moving to try to assess the man, who's head was bleeding heavily.

"I said give me the f*cking drugs b*TCH ."

He yelled again, storming towards me. The next few seconds were a blur, I heard a shots, there was immense pain in my abdomen and leg and then I crumpled to the floor, whacking my head in the process.

"El, El. Omg, stay with me." Jo panicked.

"41 to main we have an officer down, urgent assistance required for a GSW, EMS required now!" she shouted down her radio.

"Hurts," I gasped as the initial shock wore off and the pain hit, everything seemed to ache, my leg, my ribs, my head. The room was spinning and I was having trouble breathing no longer able to keep track of the flurry of activity.

Somewhere in the chaos,I'm not sure how long after the incident I heard his voice, Shawn's voice and at first I thought I was dreaming, but I managed to open my eyes and there he was, looking down at with with so much fear.

"It's alright baby, I'm here now, we're going to fix it up, you'll be just fine. Can you tell me where it hurts?" he asked.

I went to move, instinctively seeking his comfort, but he stopped me, and I instantly wanted to cry, more than I already was.

"You have to stay still Princess."

I let out a loud groan as he placed an oxygen mask over my face.

"El? Can you hear me?" I grunted, the effort of actually forming words seeming too hard right then. I could feel hands all over me, and as much as I just wanted to be left alone, I also knew , they were trying to help me.

"It hurts," I cried again.

"I know it does honey, but you're going to be okay. I'm here, and so is Connor and Jo, and we'll look after you, and then when we've got you all comfy we'll take you to get all fixed up, how does that sound?"

"Okay, lets get her onto the bed, and then we can assess her from there," Connor suggested, appearing by my side, with a back board and neck collar that Jo had brought over.

"Okay, we're going to roll you onto the board El just let us do all the work okay?" Shawn said.

I let out a serious of screams as they rolled me, gripping Shawn's gloved hand like my life depended on it.

"We'll get you sorted yeah?" Shawn tried to reassure me as they strapped me onto the bed so I was safe, and then starting to push the gurney out the door and towards the entrance of the ambulance which was no more than ten metres away.

"Shawn ," I whispered, tears falling down my face, mixing with the blood which I could feel was congelling on my face.

When we were in the ambulance Shawn and Jo attached me to the hundreds of leads which I was so used to attaching to others while I lay there helplessly.

"I've started some morphine," Jo patted my arm gently as Shawn pulled a blanket over my body as I drifted off into fairy land.

Ten minutes later and we were pulling into the emergency bay.

The automatic doors opened, where we were met with a hoard of staff, ready to assist, the first person being Brian, Shawn and my mutual friend and colleague.

The look of horror on his face when he saw that it was me on the gurney was unsettling.

"She's a priority one, bed four, resus," he directed Shawn, following behind. " What do we know?" He asked, starting to attach monitors and leads to me all over again.

"GSW on scene, while responding to an incident on the other side of town. Wound to leg and abdo, possible broken ribs and concussion." Shawn reeled off.

I wasn't aware that they'd even assessed me, clearly I'd lost consciousness at some point and I wasn't even aware of it.

I lay there mulling over this lapse in memory, letting the chaos wash over me like a wave.

The last thing I was aware of was Brian shouting orders at the floods of nurses, and Shawn standing helplessly in the corner, red-faced from crying, before everything went black.

"Ah, can you turn the lights off!" I groaned as I came to again, reaching to rip off whatever annoying piece of wiring was sitting over my face "My head hurts," I added as a dull.ache consumed my thoughts as Shawn's worried face came into view, his frame helping to block out the blinding light as he bent over the bed.

"Oh thank God I was so worried," he cried kissing me with so much force I forgot to breathe, making the monitor go crazy for a second. "How are you feeling he asked, stopping me from pulling at the thing on my face which turned out to be oxygen tubing

"What happened?" I asked,. I remembered the main.events but the rest was fuzzy, whether from my injuries or from the drugs I had no doubt been plied with I wasn't sure

"You were shot while on-call, drug exchange gone bad, you scared me so bad baby," he whispered, brushing hair out if my face as Brian made his way into the room clearing his throat to announce himself.

"Hi El, it's good to see you awake, how are you feeling?" He asked coming to check a few things on the monitors before flipping my chart that sat at the end of the bed open.

"So as you know you had two gun shot wounds, one to your left let and one to the abdomen, luckily for you they were both clean shots and we didn't need to do anything other than clean and irrigate the areas and stitch you up. You did however manage to fracture three ribs when you fell as well as sustaining a sizable concussion.

"So what does that mean work wise?" I asked. Shawn must have sensed my nerves, because he was sure to keep a hand intertwined with my, the other tracing soft patterns up and down my arm.

"We'll unfortunately, during the fall you fractured your tibia, which has left you in a cast, and pretty well imibilised, I'm sorry to say you'll be relying on this big guy-" he slapped Shawn in the back, "for the next week at least while everything settles.

You'll be in a cast for at least six weeks and off work from a minimum of two weeks with rehab worked in. Rest up El, give me a yell if ya need anything," he spoke to Shawn as he left the room.

"I'll lose my job," I cried, the thought of not being able to do what I loved terrified me.

"No you won't Brian said you'll be sore for a bit and need to rest, not that you'd lose your job, besides now you'll have a real reason to boss me around, I'll be your slave". He laughed covering .me with a blanket and lifting my bung leg to rest it in a pillow.

Besides when you're well enough there are some people who'd like to see you.

"Get some rest and we'll work it all out when you wake up.

True to his word, he helped me with everything, toileting, showering (which proved to be a challenge with the cast), dressing, getting up and down stairs, making breakfast, lunch and dinner, and forcing me to take pain medication when I was too stubborn to admit I needed it.

By the end of the first week though, I was miseeable,.not used to doing nothing but sitting in my behind.

"You my dear, need to get a coat on we're going out!" he announced, coming over with said coat and helping me to stuff my arms in.

"Where are we going?" I asked.

"SSH, it's a secret," he grinned, before carrying me to the car and making sure I was all buckled up.

Half an hour later and we were pulling up to the firehouse, where a few of the guys were sat outside playing cards as we made our way (me hobbling haphazardly on crutches) into the firehouse

"Hero in the house!" Mo called out and they all came running.

"I'm so glad you're okay. You scared me girl." Jo sniffled coming to hug me.

"Ouch still a little sore." I laughed leaning into Shawn for support as she blubbered all over me.

"Well sore is better than the alternative.

If it weren't for this one," she pointed to Shawn "you'd be dead."

"You've got yourself a keeper,"Mo added with a smile.

"Well if Mo approves it must be true." I agreed. "I think I'll keep you." I added, causing everyone to laugh.

"Thank you," I whispered to Shawn when the others were out of ear shot.

"For what?" he asked.

"Just for being you and for loving me," I shrugged, snuggling futher into his embrace, feeling greatful just to be alive, let alone call this wonderful human mine.

[shsl-fluff]

SDR2 girls and S/O playing New Horizons

Because I'm that brand of gay (also first post yay)

Tw (just in case?): Mentions of spiders. Mentions of bullying in Hyokos scenario, but does not include any verbal degrading

Akane Owari

Isn't honestly that big on video games, but loves spending time with you and plays a lot with you.

Every time you guys play together you have to reteach her the controls.

Loves the jock villagers.

Often you guys play with Nekomaru too, who was given the game by Chiaki during a gift exchangse

The three of you just mess around together when they visit your island

Hit each other with bug nets a lot, but it's all friendly and you guys know when to knock it off

One time though Akane and Nekomaru got a bit heated after hitting each other with nets to much and duked it out outside as you played

Sometimes you guys do little challenges together, like who can catch a bug quickest, who can catch a bass first, etc.

It's hard to compete with Akane or Nekomaru on a physical level seeing as they are so strong, but you have the biggest advantage when playing New Horizons

It's nice to win sometimes against them

They treat you like a hero tbh

Akane just stays in the tent. Even if she had the Bells/Nook Miles to get a house, she likes the tent.

Chiaki Nanami

She bought you the game and gave you her spare switch

(She bought the New Horizons one and has a pink custom one and has one she bought on opening day that you now have (neon red and blue))

You guys both have your own islands and villagers on eachothers islands

You guys spent hours playing together once she got it. You weren't even in the same island, just playing together in silence.

You play every day and change your time on your switch,

yet every time you visit chiaki she somehow is even farther than you are.

She got KK Slider on her island the first weekend of playing

You two visit each others islands all the time

She sends you little letters that often have nothing in the text space, and a little gift she got

Stockpiles turnips

Has an inventory of tarantulas waiting for flick.

First one to pay off her first house upgrade.

Hiyoko Saionji

You honestly thought she wouldn't play much without you but she got really obsessed

She'd insist on visiting your island if you wanted to play with her.

Played a lot on her own and wouldn't let you see her town.

She was scheming...

One time she lets you visit, and invites Mikan, too

You were excited to see what she was doing, but also nervous, thinking she had a plan.

Her island was a nightmare.

All the villagers were blocked inside by fences, furniture, or even cliffs around their houses.

The island was covered in buried items, so you couldn't tell what was a normal item and what was tons of pitfalls.

You and Mikan trudged through, falling into pitfalls and being berated by nets the entire time

Mikan was her main target, but she messed with you too.

She laughed the whole time

You found it funny, yet annoying. But Mikan got upset and teary eyed

You ended up stealing Hyokos switch and turning off the online session, before apologising to Mikan

When she left, you had a talk with Hyoko

"You are so evil... but I'm impressed. Where did you get so many pitfalls?"

Ibuki Mioda

She didn't play many video games but was pumped

Plays on her own and with you, but doesn't really get much progress done

When you unlock the resident center on your island, she goes nuts with it.

She makes a villager in your island and starts making town tunes pronto

She's converted all her songs to town tunes

She's made songs using the town tunes, and then turned them into actual songs

Shes used the town tunes as backing on her songs

Same goes for KK Slider songs.

Gets so excited with each town tune she makes, like every other song she writes or makes up on the fly.

Mahiru Koizumi

Doesn't really play videogames on her own, besides the occasional phone game time-waster

She mostly only plays with you but will play on her own every once in a while

Loves the little details of the game. Thinks it's so cool how no one would have noticed if they weren't there, but they still added it

When she saw Harv and was able to go to his island, she got really interested

Does less playing and more of the photo island

Likes to mess around with different perspectives and compositions.

When you asked her for ideas for your layout, she made like ten different good layout ideas for you.

Mikan Tsumiki

"O-oh you got me a game? Thank you, Y/N!"

Actually gets really into it

There's no big conflict in animal crossing, and it really calms her after a long stressful day.

Asks chiaki for help sometimes

Learns to breed flowers and tries to get some purple and pink ones around her house

Due to a poor reaction time, she isn't that good at fishing or bug catching

One day she runs over to you, stumbling

"Y-Y/N! I'm so sorry.. I-im so sorry please help I think I broke the island im so sorry I-"

She got knocked out by a tarantula and panicked, afraid she died and that the town would reset.

You had to calm her down for a while and she took a break from the game for a day.

Third one to pay off her first house upgrade.

Peko Pekoyama

Was reluctant at first.

Doesn't really play video games much, besides an action game that Chiaki gave her that she lost interest in after a while

But damn she got hooked

The cute animals loved her and didn't run from her????

Its all so cute!?!?!?!

When she has a goal, she is determined

Isn't to big on the aesthetics of her island. Keeps it tidy and weeds it and stuff, but doesn't really care for flowers or little items around

She is drawn towards accumulating money and paying off her debts

Just uses the rooms to hoard more stuff she plans on selling or using

Honestly really likes Isabelle. She doesn't care much for the characters but Isabelle is just great to her.

You bought her a little Isabelle keychain and she treasures it

Second one to pay off her first house upgrade.

Sonia Nevermind

Didn't play many video games before leaving her home country

Likes the aesthetic but only really plays with you

She's super good at bug catching and fish catching.

Wants to fill the entire museum

She buys a lot of clothes and furniture on impulse but it just gets thrown in storage most of the time

Uses QR code clothes most of the time

The first of any of the girls or yourself to catch a tarantula.

[calypsoff]

Thirteen. Part 6

To be with my man, I am honestly so in love. To wake up to him, to be in his bed and in his arms. He is like a puppy on his own and I love that for me, watching his hand lightly rub against my thigh as we watch Netflix together, we woke up at the same time and it’s pretty early too so Chris decided to watch his show, I am just here to get cuddles and leg rubs, if he continues to do this to my thighs I won’t speak, even though he told me off to stop running my hand through his hair, that is because my nail got caught in it but I am doing it again, he can’t stop it. Nuzzling my nose at the side of his face “I love your legs” he pushed the covers back exposing my leg under the covers just over his waist “I can feel your pussy pressed against my side too” resting my head on his shoulder “which one is your fave? My neck or legs?” I think it’s my neck “your neck, a hundred percent. I just want to bite it every time, I really find it so sexy. Then it leads to your face, which makes it even better” I groaned out “you need to stop biting my neck, I can’t believe you gripped my arms above my head so you can assault my neck, you know how hard it is trying to hide this?” I know he don’t care but I do “oh well, you want to use the shower? Do you have a towel and stuff?” shaking my head “I am using yours, but I do need a shower, I smell like you which is a good thing but still, if you can get me a towel that would be nice” kissing his chest, hearing his phone go off “who is facetiming you?” looking over at his phone, well trying too “my side chick” he laughed reaching over to the side and grabbing his phone “mother” he rested back in bed, let me move back.

I moved out of the way, I am not about to be in the video like that “morning mom” peaking over, his mom is so sweet. I love her so much, she was so kind to me when I would go to the house and do projects with Chris “morning baby, your father is missing you. He honestly never cared when you were in Virginia but now you in Texas, he is all uptight” oh his father, it’s cute. He has his moment when he looks like his dad, when he is grumpy and angry at something he looks like his dad, when he starts being cute and smiling he is his mother “Houston we have a problem” Chris laughed “you speak to me like I am your baby still dad, relax. Your bald head is shiny, hurting my eyes” parents, they never know how to work things “is everything ok there? You look a mess” Chris snorted laughing “mom, I just haven’t shaved, I just woke up too. Y’all bugging already but how is the Brown household? Is my sister still hoarding the house? Does she ever leave” I should sneak off, poking Chris’ arm slowly. He looked over at me “huh?” everything went quiet, he flicked the phone to me and then moved it “fuck you!” I hit him “towel?” I mouthed “huh?” he is acting like he can’t hear when he can “stop it” I said lowly raising an eyebrow “it’s in the closet, on the left hand side. It’s a light blue towel, or blue there is two” nodding my head, let me sneak off “be careful, niggas could be around ok? Just quickly go to the bathroom and put something on” slowly dragging the covers with me, he is protective I like it “uh no! these are mine” he yanked them off me and left me butt naked “Christopher what is this?” hearing his mother ask “I have a girlfriend mom, long story but I will tell you soon, promise” he is so shameful that boy.

Showering at Chris’ is hell, I have to make do right now but I thought I would cook the boys breakfast, with them having to put up with me and they also left us alone to have some time I thought why not “won’t be long” I said, even though TJ is playing my ex’ music, I mean I can’t stop people from doing that “cool, thank you” sweet of him “what was it like to date him?” TJ asked, I didn’t think he would “uhm, he is better as a friend. He is so much better as a friend then a boyfriend, I think the reason why we split so amicable was because we were friends, industry friends and then ended up saying let’s try but no, didn’t work. He is super cool; he has a nice smile” which he does “who does?” Chris asked “TJ asking about my ex” Chris let out an oh “what did your mother say about you having a girlfriend” Chris inhaled deeply and wrapped his arms around my waist “she said who is it, tell me. I said maybe later I will, she won’t be shocked. She thought we dated back then so this won’t be shocking for her” I hope she approves “stay another day?” shaking my had “I can’t I have to go I am sorry, but we will be meeting again soon right?” looking to the side of me “yes” he pecked my lips.

It’s nice to see empty plates “is this what good dick does to you?” Chris had to say it “keep that shit!” Barry spat “you are both acting like my kids, if the parents want to speak on sex we will. How do you not know we haven’t had sex on this table?” Barry’ face dropped “you wouldn’t?” he is shook “wouldn’t? So please don’t’ test me” he chuckled “he is lying to you but thank you, it’s been so nice to be welcomed in your place, in your space. It does mean a lot, it’s going to be trying times maybe for you both too. I just ask that you try and not get yourself involved with my fans, they can be a pain and love to hound me. And just I guess have fun, but I am most nervous for Chris. He is going to show his moody side, I know him” TJ cackled “man, the pussy I am about to get because I know Rihanna, we balling” I caught Chris side eyeing TJ, he doesn’t like that stuff “Chris, I need to see the clothes you done ok? I want to help you all as I can so show me, I can wear and stuff and tag you in it” Chris remained quiet, he didn’t really comply and say yes or anything “I will” TJ said, smiling at him “but yeah, I will see you both for the tour, pack well” Barry and TJ are very excited I can tell “so like we get to be with you, backstage or you just putting us on to be in the crowd?” look at these two “you want backstage passes now, only one person will get that. I am joking, of course I will sort you both out. Excited?” I asked “I am hype” I bet they are.

Chris looks so annoyed even showing me his clothing line, like am I that bad. I know I am not because all I want to do is support him “why are you being this way Chris? Like I am burdening you” I am confused on him “because we haven’t even set off right, and then you’re wearing this already which just looks like you’re putting yourself out there for me, I am getting handouts from you and then going public, it’s all so much. Like it’s wrong, I get it but it would be good if we set off first and you then wear it but doing it now looks bad, it makes me look bad like I want you for the fame. I know you know I don’t but it looks it and I don’t want that, and it’s the moment you are going public with me” nodding my head slowly “so how you suppose I do it? Speak to me Chris, not speaking to me doesn’t help because I don’t know how to help you” he doesn’t speak on it “I rather you just wait to do that, let us promo our clothing line and then give it a while, then you can do that. I don’t have an issue with you doing it, but I don’t want people assuming shit, it’s hard on me. Like you will have you team to shut down shit and then protecting you, I will be back here and get shit here you know. I just don’t want to do too much, is that ok?” nodding my head “I understand” sometimes I have to step back, I can’t be too much for him.

I didn’t expect Rich to be here, he actually came “uh who sent you? And how did you know I was here in this apartment? Are you tracking me?” I am shook “Mel told me, just like that. Anyways, your SUV awaits you” that is creepy, but Mel should have kept her mouth shut “this is your bodyguard? He looks weak to me” I laughed at TJ saying that “you want to test that?” Rich said “leave my bodyguard alone anyways, Chris. I will see you yes? You will come to me; you better not back out on me. And you will do what we spoke on? No backing down yeah?” he saluted me “promise, I am going to miss you so much Robyn. This does suck, you know?” walking over to him slowly “and things will get better for us, promise it. Just go to wait it out, we will get this right. I know we will be fine yeah?” wrapping my arms around his neck “be excited, I have so many surprises for you. I cannot wait to spoil you” kissing his neck “I will be counting the days” he squeezed me close, he is such a baby, I love him to death.

[thecozywhaleshark]

Pocket Monsta X

Choose Your Fighter

A/n: Sorry this got super long, blame @taetaesbaebaepsae she got carried away with me and we had a ball of a time

(For reference, all pocket members are about the size of a mouse. Please treat them kindly and with care, as they are very smol.)

Word Count: 1580

Shownu: 

quiet pocket

stands in his shirt pocket

you have to pat him sometimes to make sure he’s still there

thinks he’s your protector

takes this role seriously

all puffed out chest when a bug flies by you

wouldn’t hurt the fly, just gently shoos him away

“Go away, little guy”

might scream if it came too close to him -“LARGE FLYING BUG HELP”

you will have to flick it away from him

wants to help you with things

will help you contain pocket Wonho and Minhyuk

has been known to drag them by their collar or ear to their pocket mom

“excuse me Wonho’s mom/dad he is misbehaving.”

quiet but sweet 

will wake you up in the mornings by hugging you

always hungry

if you keep snacks in his pocket he’ll be happy

wants to dance 

give him freedom of the countertops while you cook dinner

don’t forget the music

Wonho:

a real sweetie

a mommas boy

he wants to be s t r o n g

give him things to use as weights

built his own gym set out of broken pencils, pen caps, two marshmallows on the ends of a toothpick

wants cuddles all the time 

clings to your face if you have him on your shoulder so you have to keep him in your pocket or hold him in your hands at all times

mischievous

always trying to escape

will conspire with Minhyuk to pull pranks on you

will tie your shoelaces together when you’re not looking

but will be so upset if you scold him

will start crying

wants to make it up to you

follows you around the house pouting when you refuse to pick him up for a few minutes as punishment

will give you his favorite toy 

“I’m sorry I was bad I’ll do better” 

his lower lip is trembling while he does so 

you use one finger to push it back at him - “it’s okay hoseokie I already forgave you okay? And I think bunny needs you more than I do.” 

SO GRATEFUL

clings to his bunny and cuddles you the rest of the day

you can’t take him out of your hand

wrap him in a handkerchief, make sure he’s warm

will get pouty and jealous if you’re not paying him enough attention

also a hungry boy

give him food to keep him occupied while he sulks and you do your thing

he likes noodles

you carry a packet of ramen in your backpack/purse at all times and break off pieces of it to give him to crunch on

eats way more than someone his size should be able to

Result = little round belly

will complain of a stomach ache and you just sigh

“why do you do this every time” 

Kihyun:

likes to feed you

finds candies and small pieces of food to carry back to you

little candies he doesn’t know you hide for him to find

wants to be helpful in the kitchen, run up to the spoon to taste thing Ratatouille style

will sit on the counter and contently watch until the food is in need of tasting

much like a baby bird

runs up to you feet pitter-pattering going “snack snack snack snack snack”

if friends are around you’ll get stampeded by the whole 7 all chanting “snack snack snack”

will sing to wake you in the mornings

if you don’t like his singing he’ll get sad. Very sad.

likes to crawl up until he’s right next to your ear, sits with his arms around his knees and sings so joyfully

sometimes it’s not even a song just a tune with words he’s put in himself – like happy birthday but it’s just “window sky ship star tool, window sky ship star tool, WINDOW SKY SHIP STAR TOOL…” 

will be very proud if you compliment him

wants to look nice

always excited for new clothes

spends much time brushing his hair the right way and straightening his little bow tie (a/n: idk why but I’ve decided pocket kihyun has a bow tie and suspenders and now i can’t stop thinking about it)

if you get him a little doll suit he will preen around in it for days

will NOT take it off

will help Shownu contain the other boys

but occasionally gets into mischief and plays innocent

gets embarrassed if caught

blushy red baby

randomly pulls out multiplication and division cards that your niece left at your house and quizzes you while you cook dinner

“you’ll be better at baking if you learn these.” 

“I don’t see how 9x3 will help me any but sure the answer is 27.”

Minhyuk:

wants you to read to him

all the daring tales of pirates and princesses and daring rescues and mythology

he especially loves mythology

you have to go to the library weekly and he gets so excited

piles of books

you have a minimum of one hour of reading together a day

he always begs for more

will flip out if you eat cucumbers, pouts in his pocket and complains loudly

a yeller

“MY MOM HATES ME I WANT A NEW MOM” 

tries to climb out, almost gets himself killed

you’ve threated to put him on a leash

forever in trouble

“Min put that down Min stop that Min give Kihyun his bow tie back you know that makes him upset”

will try to talk you into letting him do dangerous things, like bungee jump off your shoelaces

will do so without your permission if you aren’t watching closely

very loud and friendly to others

yells “HI!” at everyone from his pocket

does not matter if he knows them or not

always popping his head out

“HI I’M MINHYUK! MY MOM SAYS I’M ANNOYING. WILL YOU BE MY FRIEND?!” 

“Min honey we don’t talk to strangers” 

“WHY NOT?! SORRY MISTER MY MOM SAYS NO” 

will cuddle you splayed out on your belly that’s his favorite spot

secretly wants to be a flower 

Hyungwon:

sleepy pocket

you call him your green bean baby because he’s just so l o n g

barely fits in your pocket actually

stays in pocket for the most part because he’s sleepy

shy

will makes faces if he doesn’t agree with something said

will come out when you go shopping though

likes to model the doll clothes

another one for wanting more Barbie clothes

always begging for more

likes poetry

and flower petals. Thinks they’re soft

will write you little poems

will run away after giving them to you

tell him you love them and give affection

put a rose head in his pocket with him and he’ll be so smiley

doesn’t want his own bed 

wants to sleep on the pillow you don’t use

will crawl over for morning cuddles

hides behind your legs if left on the ground and gets scared 

Jooheon:

thinks he’s a bad boy

but likes to pick you dandelions

you have a special mini vase for his findings

likes to play with fire

keep the matches away from him please he underestimates the size of the flame every time

get him a candle instead and tell him no touch

complainer 

does not want to do chores

wants to sit on your shoulder and point out all the things of interest

wants everyone to think he's a “bad boi” but always wants cuddles when nobody is looking

will stop playing with kyun to go to his pocket and cuddle while occasionally yelling at kyun from above

throws occasional fits

always bopping his head to a beat

put music on for him while you’re out and he’ll be entertained for hours

I.M:

another quiet pocket

rests his chin in his hand and watches the world go by

another one you’ll need a pencil for

he has his own hoard of papers, don’t look or he’ll be angry

you gave him his own little music box to keep them in

likes to spin around with the ballerina inside the box

but he’ll bring you them when he’s done because he wrote them for you anyway

if you deny him pencils because he’s in trouble he’ll use anything, like a piece of chocolate, to write you an “I’m Sorry” note and leave it on your pillow

let him bounce around the pillow with Joo in the mornings he gets pent up energy

whines when he’s lonely and you’re busy

“moooooom I’m booooooored”

sits on your shoulder and attempts to braid your hair

might try to swing on it to get your attention

“TARZAN!”

“KYUN NO”

pokes you in the cheek to get your attention

“mom mom look at me” *does something really weird * 

will poke you from his pocket if you put him in time out

“kyun stop poking mommy that hurts” “....” *pokes harder *

he will only wear hoodies

after a bath you’ll be lucky if you can catch him to make him wear any clothes at all

you’ll have to get Shownu to catch him

endless whines as Shownu forces him into pajamas

wants to sleep on your pillow bc he likes to play with your hair as he falls asleep and he thinks it smells nice

but he’ll sneak out of your bed and get into mischief if you aren’t careful

like you’ll wake up and the sink will be taped off to spray you and you’ll be wondering how he even got up to reach the sink

a good climber

resourceful boy

makes himself his own latter so he can get to places without you knowing

likes to wander around at night

if you and Joo’s momma are in the same room they’ll do their raps back and forth from the safety of their pockets yelling as loud as they can

[dollsonmain]

Ok, so

Flick buys bugs @ double, no stipulations.

CJ buys fish at x1.5 but only if you pay the 500 bell fee and complete his challenge first.

Leif buys weeds at double but didn’t bother showing up until a lot of folks had already full cleared the weeds on their islands.

I wonder if that stoned otter will show up again once diving is fully implemented and maybe buy what you bring up, or pay a premium for shells, or if there will be an NPC that buys plucked flowers at a markup eventually.

Now that I have so much storage space I might start hoarding stuff that they buy instead of selling to the Nooklings, once I’ve gotten the sell stuff to them achievements, anyway. I need to sell about 40 more shells.

But that also depends on how often they show up because I don’t want to hold items too very long.