#big radish head

[crellanstein]

I am so PISSED we never got to see Sapphria in-person! She is by far the coolest/most-down-to-earth of all 4 sisters, and the one I wanted to most see in Ravening War.

Not to mention, since she’s the Rogue sister it would have made SO MUCH BULB-DAMN SENSE for her to be an adversary of our Scrumptious Scoundrels and all the behind-the-scenes fuckery they get up to.

Give me Sapphria going full unhinged detective on a hellbent quest to solve her mother’s murder.

Give me Sapphria working in the shadows to counteract the moves of the FDA.

Give me Sapphria breaking into the du Peche manor in Uvano to question Amangeaux about court secrets.

Give me Sapphria sneaking up on Raphaniel late one night to get info on Citrina’s death.

Give me Sapphria dueling Colin after he came to protect Raphaniel, then vanishing into the night.

Give me Sapphria whispering in the ears of Meatlanders to work against Deli’s interests.

Give me Sapphria facing down Karna in a fierce batte-to-the-death. One on one!

Give me Sapphria as the Master-Rogue we’ve always known she secretly was and by-the-bulb she deserved to be!!!

[zeeth-scribbles]

hey,

Pobody's Nerfect

[honeybard]

drawing a somewhat serious ravening war fanart and wanting to include raphaniel but also realising how much of a goofy megamind looking guy he is which might kill he vibe but also wanting to stay true to the character design and not draw him as just some guy in red and green... truly the hardest artistic dilemma I've faced since I started watching d20

[lethalchiralium]

Seasons Change ⋆⭒ Part One

Retired!Cowboy!John Price x F!Reader, “arranged” marriage AU - Series Masterlist

summary: You’ve responded to the ad, traveling for days to a secluded farm in Montana to marry a man who would free you from the loneliness that infested your life back home - at the cost of your freedom. Or so you think.

Are you truly sure about this?

Your coach wasn’t extravagant by any means, wood splintered off of its wall and the cushions almost as old as you. You were sure that if you placed your Mama’s suitcase onto the floor, it would fall through. Your nicest shoes were on your feet, tied tightly and uncomfortable as they ghosted the top of the rotting wood floorboards.

Your hands were settled in a pair of your finest gloves, which shielded away the nicks you got from farming at your parent’s small ranch; lima beans, beets, sugar peas, radishes and tomatoes. The ground was tough in Illinois, trying to learn how to farm behind your mother’s back was essential - for you to be able to have freedom when you leave for the West, you had to have a source of income. Unless, God gives you a little ad from Montana on a Sunday afternoon.

Your nails hurt every time you scraped off the top soil from your radishes, the hot sun boiled your back through your stifling dress. You wiped your forehead with the back of your hand before you pulled out the last one, a sore hand wiped away dirt to show a deep violet color. There was a smirk on your face, the vegetable settled in your small basket. Your Pa was to be back by noon, taking his horse to town for some supplies and a new sewing kit for Mama. Her time was spent inside, usually under the watchful eye of a needle and feeder as her brand new sewing machine droned on. Pa spent the better part of the money from last year’s harvest for that, she took it with a soft smile.

Mama’s clothes were good, she can sew four shirts by noon and sell them by two o’clock, her blankets still have a waitlist from last winter. You were lucky to have her sew you a new dress with how busy she’s gotten - it’s good for you, it means you can learn how to tend a farm from Pa. Independent living always intrigued you, wanting to live off the land in a quiet house with a shepherd dog. People weren’t interesting enough for you - you got that from Mama - but romance was. Wanting to be loved without the hassle of courting was a dream of yours, but it wasn’t feasible. No good man would want a woman with cuts on her hands, your Mama always said, a lady doing a man’s work insults God. That and you didn’t go to town much, never going without your Pa for fear of being harassed by men like you had been before. You were always escorted through town by your Pa, he always had a smile and a swift draw with his revolver.

You twisted a tomato from the vine, a decent size yet still not big enough - it seemed the soil was beginning to lose its strength of growing your crops bigger than the palm of your hand. Every year they kept growing smaller, every year it seemed that Mama’s sewing hobby was looking more profitable than the cornfields Pa tended to alone. Even your contribution of an array of vegetables wouldn’t bring four dollars to the table; when it used to bring seven.

There were footsteps along the side of the house, heavy and with a gentle huff as he walked on the solid Earth. It wasn’t hard to recognize your Pa by sound, your hands kept twisting off undersized tomatoes as he approached from the side.

“I’ve got something for you, Sugar Pea.”

You shook your head. “If it’s one of those Seed boys’ letters, I don’t want it.”

“It’s somethin’ you oughta consider.”

The trail began to grow bumpy, your hands held onto your small suitcase as you gazed out the window. The fields expanded as far as your eye could see, mountains clustered in the distance made you excited. You had never seen mountains before - Illinois was flatter than most states. It had taken you a day by coach then three days by train from busy Chicago to reach the calm Montana landscape, excitement bubbled in your skin. This is where you would be living the rest of your life, you hoped. You prayed this ad your father had given you wasn’t a trick for the man you had been corresponding with for the past two months.

The coach was stuffy, you already tried to open the windows in the doors but they were sealed shut, your hand waved your fan to try and keep cool in the brand new dress you sewed just for this occasion.

“No daughter of mine is leaving to go to Montana by herself!”

“Ellen, she wants to go! I won’t stop her.”

“And how did she get this ad? She certainly doesn’t have the penny to pay the damn clerk for the newspaper.”

“If she wants to go to Montana to marry a farmhand, let her. None of these boys here are worth the scum on my shoe.”

You laid in your bed, you watched as your curtain billowed from the night time breeze - moonlight dancing along with the thin fabric as the only sound you heard was your parents arguing.

“What if we need her? What if the soil runs dry?”

“I’ll learn to sew.”

“It’s a woman’s job.”

“It’s also her job to be married by now. She’s 20 for God’s sake, Ellen, she needs to have her own freedom.”

“And it’s a world’s away from us?”

Your fingers tapped your nightgown, tears running down the side of your face. You hated that you would be so far from them, but this was your chance. Romance without courting, hopefully. You were naive enough to not understand that romance is nothing without courting.

“She’s not a child anymore. She just wants to be wed.”

“And not have her husband love her?! Courting is how she should be doing it, that Joseph is a fine boy-“

“Not again with that preacher’s son-“

“-that would treat her right!”

“She doesn’t want to be here! She just wants to be wed and to be left alone, this man promised us a cash amount if she replies. All she would need to do is wed him, give him a child-“

“Gerald-“

“-then shoot him if she likes, just like I taught ‘er.”

Pa’s silver revolver was smothered by an old scarf in the deepest part of your suitcase, just in case this man in the ad turned out to have lied about his identity. A 35 year old man in need of a wife to start a family with. Payment to family if wed. You had written to him four times during the winter, spring had come in full bloom to welcome you to your new home. He had promised a warm house and a dog in his lengthy letters, detailing where he lived and where his family came from. Said he was a farmhand, tending to horses and a farm he partially owned. You didn’t have much to say back, only that you lived on flat farm land your whole life, you know how to garden, cook, and sew. And to your surprise, he found that knowing how to garden was great. You always had the idea that men hated women doing any of the dirty work, but that always came from Mama’s mouth. He wrote in detail that he found your hobbies interesting and would be more than happy to let them continue, if you agreed to marry him.

“You’re set on meeting this man. Are ya sure you want to go?”

“I am.”

“Get up. Pack quickly before your Mama hears ya.”

“Pa-“

“Hurry. The train leaves soon and the carriage can only go so fast.”

And here you were, in a coach this mysterious John Price had rented to bring you from the center of Missoula to his farm an hour away. You had enough money to get you to him, but he insisted on paying the train ticket and for you to be promptly delivered to him. Perhaps you should have considered if he was truly lying and was a one-eyed bald man named Bob. That or it was that crazy preacher’s son trying to get you to marry him again. You silently prayed that this seemingly sweet man you had been writing to all winter was actually kind and respectful.

The coach stopped abruptly, it jerked you forwards and forced you to press your shoes into the withered floorboards - yet nothing happened; you were surprised. Your gaze fell to the window, gazing out to see beautiful fields and dozens of trees. Even in the early spring with the remaining spray of snow on the ground, it was gorgeous. You could hear talking, the horse neighed at the front and all you could do was gaze out the window to the massive farm.

There was talking, a deep voice who initiated the conversation with the coach driver - your heart rose into your throat. Was this where you were going to live the rest of your life? Sprawling countryside with whinnying horses, barking dogs, lush trees and dark mountains as far as the eye could see? If it was, you were content - it was better than the flat farmland you lived on your entire life. You spotted a dark brown horse, coming into your view - a nice saddle sat on its back, deep brown hair combed and black spots dotted its belly. You would have spent the next hour admiring the gorgeous horse if it wasn’t for the coach door opening. Your eyes settled on the man who held open the door, covered by a long brown coat and brown shirt. He then held his hand out, you handed him your suitcase.

The man held out his free hand to you with a smile, eyes blue like a stormy sky. It shocked you just how gentle his gaze was, every man who ever looked at you always seemed like they would rip you apart at the seams.

Not this one.

He set your suitcase down, still holding your hand in his calloused one.

Oh. He is pretty.

Dark brown beard with mutton chops somewhat kept neat, teeth a light yellow - better than most men you’ve seen.

“What if he’s mean, Papa?”

“Then you leave.”

“If I can’t?”

“Shoot him in the head. You know how.”

His hold was gentle, better than any man who had grabbed at you when you were a teenager. Disgusting men laying hands on a young girl in the streets, but scrambling back like cats when Pa snapped at them.

“You’re prettier than what I imagined.”

Your jaw almost went slack with shock - he was British? He never disclaimed that to you in his letters, but his subtle drawl of his accent made your stomach quiver. Your lips pulled a smile.

“You have a beautiful voice.”

“She speaks.” He chuckled a little. “Thank you, Miss.”

The coachman closed the door behind you, John then began to lead you towards the horse you were admiring earlier - now noticing the cart attached to it. It wasn’t anything fancy, just something to pull heavy items around. Your trunk already sat on it, he led you towards the seats.

You gazed at his face, the jawline that faded into his neat beard - the way his brown hair seemed to glitter in the sunshine. He was perfect - like the daydreams you had for years.

“It’s a small ride to the house,” John turned to you, holding up your hand to help you into the seat. You stepped up onto the cart, settling down and letting go of his gentle hand so he could set your suitcase beside your trunk. You looked down at your powder blue dress, one you spent all winter making by hand - Mama wasn’t fond of you using her machine. You were proud of this dress, even if it was meant to wear for one day, you’d always be so proud of how nicely it came together, how your first meeting with the man you were to spend the rest of your life with was perfect. Being optimistic is a good trait, Papa always said.

You spent your time watching the landscape as if it moved with you, the short journey felt centuries long as your heart beat faster than a race horse. Life here would certainly be harder than home, seeing that neither of your parents allowed you to help them most days - you were left on your own. Always alone, always doing what was needed without overstepping. This was a whole new challenge; learning where to push and where to pull boundaries with one John Price.

“Have you eaten?”

You glanced to John, noting his one hand on the reigns and the other resting on his leg. Your eyes flickered up to his face, his eyes kept on the trail in front of the horse.

“I have not.”

“I will make you dinner when we arrive. Won’t be long.”

You nodded to yourself, your own hands settling in your lap, squeezing tightly together. You gazed down at your hands, the blue of your dress meant to calm you. What you missed was a soft smile from your betrothed, his gaze memorizing your face for a few seconds before looking ahead.

This is a good choice. New scenery. New people. Far, far away from that damned pastor’s son and Mama’s snide remarks.

I have faith in John. But I hold no trust yet.

Use the gun if you’re ever scared.

Dinner was quiet. He was a good cook, much better than what you were used to and you were secretly delighted. Just a simple pork and potato dinner was better than the porridge your mother barely made edible. You stood like an awkward stranger in the small living room of the one bedroom home, unsure of what to do as John had not asked anything of you yet after dinner. In fact, he was silent the moment you stepped foot into his home.

Were you doing this wrong? What had you done to make him suddenly grow quiet?

There was a dusty couch, a dirt covered rug and a barely used fireplace in the room, your hands clasped together as a way to ease your nerves. He hasn’t opened the door to the bedroom yet, that was the most nerve wracking part. You haven’t shared a bed with a man, not since you were a toddler in your Mama’s bed. It was a terrifying prospect - especially to a quiet and reserved lady, having been chased by many men back home.

At least you won’t have to worry about those leeches anymore. You have a… husband now. You will be a wife. He can protect you. Right?

“I’m sure you’re exhausted.”

You jumped a little, turning to look at John as he stood a few feet away - hands settled in his pockets. The awkwardness clung to your clothes, worry brewing deep in your belly. Does he not like you now?

John settled back on his heels, to your eye he seemed calm - what you couldn’t see was the tensing of his muscles, trying to not be as nervous as you were. The way he forced his jaw open to speak wouldn’t be noticed by you either. “I wanted to uh… thank you. For agreeing.”

You curtly nodded, you fought the urge to pick at your nail beds - a nervous habit. Silence befell the room again, your gaze didn’t disconnect from John for more than a few moments, where he held his hand towards the closed door - what you assumed was the bedroom. Your stomach dropped unexpectedly, your blood grew cold and you could only watch him with a nervous glare. He gazed back at you for just a moment before he spoke to himself, seeming to chastise his previous gesture, before he opened the door. He nodded towards it again.

“I’ll bring your chest in if you want to have a look around.”

Your legs felt like they could give way at any moment, but you still walked silently towards the room - John moved out of your way, making sure there was no chance to accidentally touch you. Acting as if you were made of thin porcelain, one wrong move and you would shatter on the floor. He turned away as soon as you passed, you didn’t miss the near-silent wince he made as soon as he started walking. You looked to him, a fleeting moment, just to memorize his figure before ducking into the quaint bedroom.

A large bed was pushed into the corner, only able to crawl onto the bed on one side. A fireplace across from there, connected to the one in the living room. The floor was bare hardwood, your shoes most likely shielded you from miniature splinters. There was a mirror in the corner, reflecting the entire room from where you stood. Only a few pictures adorned cleaned spaces, photographs of places that you’ve never seen before. A bay, with ships sailing in and out. One with snow covered trees. Another with a decrepit looking house.

You were quick to change. Your eyes watched John through the mirror, his back completely to you. You threw off your nice dress as soon as you untied it - not without a little struggle - before you pulled on a long nightgown, sleeves down to your wrists and hem grazing the top of your feet. You pulled the pins from your hair,

You pulled your quilt from your trunk, your hands gripped it tightly as you turned to face your… fiancé. His back was to you, showing many light pink scars. Some were the size of your pinky, others the size of your palm. If you were brave, you would walk up to him and trace the edges of them - but you weren’t. You waited for John to finish the bed, nerves swirled in your belly. You hadn’t shared a bed with someone since your Mama stopped letting you in hers when you were six. You’re a lady, she said, ladies don’t sleep in beds with men if they’re not wed.

“We’re not married yet.” Your voice was soft, John’s hands halted as they set a pillow on the far side of the bed.

“We are not.”

“We can’t sleep in the same bed.”

The man chuckled a little before he took the pillow closest to him, tossing it onto the floor beside the bed. “I forgot you wrote about that.”

Your grip tightened on the quilt. “About what?”

He yanked off the blanket from the bed, leaving the brown sheets before he dropped the blanket onto the floor next to the pillow. He turned around, it was hard not to try and gaze at his bare chest but you still kept his gaze. “Not sleeping beside each other until we were married. I meant to make my sleeping arrangements earlier but a man’s work is never done.” He shrugged, his smile softened as he nodded towards the bed. “Go on.”

You stood there for a moment, contemplating if you should sleep in his bed when he was to work the farm in the morning, but he held out his hand, the smile never fading.

“You’ll sleep alone just for the week, love.” He nodded again towards the bed. “I promise I’ll be fine on the floor.”

You silently made your way to the bed, hoisting yourself onto it before you spread your quilt over your body and the bed. It was cold, comfortable but not inviting. You supposed it wouldn’t be - you had been in this house for less than a day and the only thing comforting you was your belongings from home.

Home, you chuckled in your head. I suppose home is here now.

John fluffed his pillow on the floor, you didn’t hear an ounce of complaint as he pulled the worn blanket over himself. Your fingers traced the stitching of Mama’s sewing machine, your quilt sheltered you from the scratchy sheets on John’s bed. You could hear your mother droning on about marrying a farmhand, that you needed to go for someone with more money like a politician or a Christian - you didn’t like any man she chose, you shook your thoughts of that away. The first man you had chosen for yourself was far better than any lowlife scoundrel your Mama could find, and she would find ones that couldn’t have kindness anywhere near their greedy hides.

You slightly jumped when John spoke your name.

“Yes, John?”

He cleared his throat. “We’ll marry by the end of the week. I’ll sleep on the floor ‘til you decide you want me up there.”

“Okay.”

The stitching reminded you of home, of your cozy room with as many blankets as your Mama could make. It reminded you of quiet nights sitting with Pa on the porch, letting your mother stew inside after she made a comment that made Pa defend you. It reminded you of being little and standing outside Mama’s sewing room, hands holding your stuffed toy while you watched her sew by hand - one footstep into her room was ten minutes worth of scolding.

As you closed your eyes, you pressed your hands into your sternum. John was to be your husband, which meant children sooner or later. You promised yourself you would never scold your children for wanting to love you.

You hoped John would hold the same value.

[frankenstein-ate-my-left-shoe]

part 2 to this | T | wc: 2,141

🐺🌕🐾🐺🌕🐾

No wonder he didn’t fuckin hear him. His whole brain was focusing on excuses that it drowned out anything else. Without the door opening (which would 100% have shut him up), Steve didn’t have the brain power to listen for even the softest carpet-muffled footsteps.

“Sorry, I was coming to help and then I heard you talking about…” Eddie starts, but trails off, glancing between Robin and Steve, then shakes his head as if getting himself back on track, “But then you said you’d ‘radish’ me and it was so damn funny…”

For a breath, no one says anything. Steve can hear it in Eddie’s breath and in his heartbeat’s slightly quickening pace that he’s just about to say something else, probably some way to excuse himself, when Robin bursts out laughing.

“Seriously! I couldn’t believe it either, ‘Radish’! Ha!” She continues to cackle, doubling over dramatically.

Steve rolls his eyes at her, “Yeah, yeah, Steeb no good with word.”

That just makes her laugh louder. “Oh this is too good, damn, I can’t breathe.” She giggles again, standing straight only momentarily, because as soon as she looks at Steve, she starts cracking up again. “Sorry, sorry, I gotta,” another giggle, a gesture toward the house, “I’m just gonna…” she heads back inside, cackling all the way. He even hears her mumble ‘radish’ to herself again just before she slides the door closed behind her.

“Uh…surpri–”

“You’re really a werewolf?” Eddie cuts him off, then realizes. “Oops, sorry.”

Steve sighs and sinks down onto one of the patio chairs. He looks up at Eddie, still standing by the sliding door, and pats the spot on the seat next to him.

Eddie, of course, nearly trips over his own feet to get over to him, falling onto the chair with enough force to shift the feet on his end backwards an inch or two.

“Yeah, I really am.” Steve takes a deep breath and glances over at Eddie; his eyes are wide and wholly focused onto Steve, more than ready to listen. He huffs a laugh when he lets out the breath. “I’m sure you have questions.”

He’s barely gotten the words out when Eddie starts pelting him with questions. “So, can you like..smell really good? Or hear? How far can you hear? Does everyone have their own scent? If you bite someone, do they become a werewolf too? Do you only change on the full moon or is it a ‘whenever I feel like it’ type thing? Like, are you a werewolf or a Werewolf TM?”

Steve snickers at Eddie taking the time to actually say the letters T-M out loud, but it doesn’t affect Eddie’s focus on asking a million and one questions in the slightest. “What color is your fur? Is it brown like your hair? Do you even have fur when you change? Do you have claws? How big do you get anyway? Do you have a tail? Is the pack thing real? What about the mate thin—”

That’s where he cuts himself off. The bright blush on his face seemed to be the cause; all the blood that he could’ve used in his brain to ask more, suddenly rushing to fill up his face with color.

Still smiling, Steve asks, “You done?”

Eddie gulps down nothing, managing a strangled “Yep.”

“Well, I’m a werewolf, I turn into a…not exactly a wolf, I don’t think, more like a big dog? And it’s not really a moon thing; I can change whenever I want to, though I feel more of a need to around the full moon. It’s easier then too.

“I’m about as tall as I am now when I’m changed, like, my face is right about the place it usually is, and yes, I’m stronger, faster, and have had better hearing and smell since it happened.”

“What happened anyway?”

“Hang on, hang on, I’m still answering your first zillion questions.” Steve says, faux-disgruntled. It makes Eddie laugh and do a weird half gesture slash bow in his seat for Steve to continue.

“Okay, uhm…” He starts to count out things on his fingers, thinking back on what Eddie asked. “Yes tail, yes to everyone having a scent, but that’s already been a thing, you can smell other people too, can’t you?” Eddie shrugs in acknowledgement, “Mine’s just stronger of a smell; Not claws, but I have nails like any other dog.. 

“And the pack thing…” This one was going to be more difficult, “Yes? But mostly only for the kids I suppose. And Robin. Don’t get me wrong, I’ll put myself between any of you and whatever danger comes along, but it’s like in my bones to want to…I dunno, hoard them all away? Wolf analogy would be to put them all in the cave,” he gestures to one side, “and put me in the entrance.” Then gestures to his other side. “Not realistic, but that’s what it feels like.”

Eddie snorts a laugh, but nods, so he continues on. “The mate thing though,” Eddie tenses, “It’s not like the fics, not really at least as far as I can tell.”

“You’ve read werewolf fics?”

Steve shrugs, “I got curious, sue me.” They both fall silent, staring out over the pool.

“How’d it happen?”

He takes in a long breath through his nose; the chlorine stings.

“Couple years ago the shitheads roped me into venturing through these tunnels under Merrill’s Pumpkin Patch. Upside Down related nonsense, of course, and when I was helping them back up out of the hole to avoid this..herd of demodogs, I was still down there when they came tearing down the path.

“I think one of them snuck a taste and that’s what did it. Though I didn’t notice it at first, adrenaline and all; plus the beating I’d taken from Hargrove what, a couple hours before that at minimum?

“I woke up a couple days after everything was over that time as a dog, nearly snapped my bedframe in half with all the extra weight. Anyway, long story short is: I woke up a dog, took me a couple days to figure out how to turn back, then another chunk of time figuring out how to do it on purpose, then Starcourt happened and whatever those guys shot me up with made it so I couldn’t change for a while, made me pretty loopy, but I got Robin out of the whole thing, and told her about wolf Steve while coming down off that truth crap, and that’s pretty much it.”

Eddie blinks at him once.

Twice.

Then, sounding as if he was releasing a breath he’d been holding that whole time, Eddie heaves out a “Jesus Christ.”

“Yep.”

Eddie blinks at him a couple more times, then his face scrunches up as if he’s in pain, “Jesus Christ, you heard me talking about being claimed and shit… I was talking to you about it, uugh!” he drops his face into his palms in exasperation.

Steve hears Eddie’s frantic heartbeat grow faster then, so clear it’s as if he had his ear pressed directly to his chest.

“And you overheard me saying I’d like to radish you,” a loud laugh escapes Eddie’s lips, “So I think we’re about even.”

He’d tried to sound confident and nonchalant about it, but in the breath it took Eddie to finally drag his hands down off his face, Steve’s own heart and thoughts were thundering on. It must’ve really, only been hypotheticals, wishful thinking, fantasy. There’s no way Eddie would actually want him. No way his affections that'd grown for the man beside him in the short month since the world didn’t end, would be returned.

Eddie finally removes his hands, “The full moon is only a couple days away.” he says, glancing up at the sky.

See? Topic changed. Steve knew it’d be too good to be true.

“Yeah, there was one right before everything happened last month.” Steve nods, swallowing down the lump in his throat, “Maybe I’ll come by the park and visit.” He elbows Eddie playfully.

“I’ll make sure Wayne doesn’t shoot ya.” Eddie grins.

Steve snorts, elbowing him again and standing. “C’mon, let’s go back in, I think Robin wants to play Uno.”

- - - - -

True to his word, Steve loped out into the light of the full moon a couple nights later on all fours, trotting away from Loch Nora with one place on his mind. 

Crossing through the forest separating the two neighborhoods, he makes it to the edge of the Forest Hills park in no time at all. He skirts along the edge of the park to where the government had bought and placed the Munsons’ new apology double-wide and hunches low, padding along until he’s under the window he knows is Eddie’s.

Even if he hadn’t known before now, the music he could hear across the highway out by the entrance to the park would certainly tell him which one is the metalhead’s.

He hops his front paws up just under the edge of the window and sneaks a glance inside.

Eddie’s bed is against the wall in this trailer, the end of it falling right under this window, and Eddie is sitting in the middle of the mattress, hunched over his guitar.

Not wanting to scare him, Steve originally wants to just scratch his nails along the sturdy vinyl siding here, but even if he didn’t have enhanced hearing, he’d know that Eddie wouldn’t be able to hear something so light.

So, he barks.

One short ‘boof’ at the bottom pane does it, and if Eddie had been holding anything but the literal most important possession of his, it’d be on the other side of the room with how far he jumps.

“Jesus Chri— Steve?” he asks disbelievingly at the window.

Steve feels his doggy face react to the goofy grin he’d be doing if he’d been on two legs. Tongue lolling out one side, tail swooshing up a mini hurricane behind him, damn he’s obvious.

Eddie comes to the window and Steve drops down onto all fours, plopping down on his haunches while he waits for his friend to budge open the glass.

He finally wrenches it open, grinning down at Steve in wonder, “Look at you, big boy, y’came to see me after all—”

Whatever Eddie says after that is lost to the now-settling wind. 

All of Steve freezes up. His tail stops mid wag, his jaw snaps shut and narrowly misses catching his tongue on his own teeth. 

Because Steve can smell him.

He can smell Eddie.

Screw whatever he’d told him before at his pool, not everyone has a smell. Not one like this.

Sweet and spicy, smoky and delicious, like nothing he'd ever smelled before.

The wolf part of his brain, a mostly mute half of him that seems to be what tells him where the moon is in its cycle, how far away that smell he picked up on the wind is, that holds all his baser instincts, screams “MINE.”

Just before he’s about to fling himself over/onto/past Eddie in the window to get into that trailer by any means necessary, Steve’s conscious human brain grasps onto the last sliver of conscious thought, and not a moment too soon. His legs were couched as if about to leap.

He wrestles his wolf brain back, tucking his tail down (telling it desperately to stop wagging goddamnit), lowering his front paws and nose to the ground and taking lungfuls of dirt smell instead, and backs up.

He takes two good steps back before Eddie’s voice cuts through his hold on himself, “-eve? Steve! What’s wron–?”

His hold on his last strand of conscious thought wrenches him around and sends him flying back into the trees to Eddie’s call of “Where are you going?”

He just needs to stay out of Hawkins, stay in the woods at least, nowhere near where Eddie would find him if he came looking.. At least until the full moon is over and he won't feel that uncomfortable itch beneath his skin to shift if he goes back to two legs.

His thoughts threaten to whirl, why now, why Eddie? Okay, he knows why he’d like it to be Eddie, but really? Mates are a real thing and Eddie is his?? 

The wolf brain rumbles happily and Steve finds himself listing back towards Forest Hills mid-run and corrects himself.

He can’t risk hurting Eddie; what would he even do? His wolf brain says to bite, to claim, reminds him that Eddie wants that too, but wouldn’t that hurt him?? His teeth are, in fact, much larger in this form.

He’s listing again.

Steve shakes his head, empties his head of everything but run, breathe, run, breathe, run…

Daybreak can’t come soon enough.

🐺🌕🐾🐺🌕🐾

surprise! it was always meant to be 'radish' lmao

editing to tag folks who were interested in the last part!

@shainsaw22, @devondespresso, @sageclipse, @allyricas, @hotluncheddie, @stedumpsterfire, @themoonagainstmers, @mugloversonly, @yesdangerpls, @matchingbatbites

[saint-ambrosef]

newbie's guide to produce

for all my peers who were not taught how to shop for veggies and fruit on a budget and struggle to use them before they go bad:

(disclaimer: prices are approximate based on where i live in the Southern US. costs may be higher in your area, but the comparison of cost should still be valuable.)

cheap produce year-round:

roma tomatoes. if they look under-ripe you can leave them on the counter for a few days. keeps in fridge for about 2 weeks. $1/lb.

cucumbers. around here they're 50-60 cents each. go bad quickly though, about 1 week in fridge.

celery. two bucks for a head. starts to get sad after two weeks in fridge. only makes sense if you like to snack on celery or make soups often.

corn. whole ears are like 20cents each mid-summer, otherwise just get frozen. $1.50 for a lb.

peas. get these puppies frozen for $1.50/lb. good protein, too.

romaine lettuce. one head is good for several small salads, about $2 and lasts a week in fridge. the big boxes/multi-packs may seem like a better deal but not if it all goes bad before you can eat it.

onions. kind of a given but you can get regular yellow varietals for less than a buck per pound. will last for 1-2 months in pantry.

potatoes. you can get 5lb bags of russets for three bucks. sweet potatoes are a lil over $1/lb. last 2-3 months in pantry; if they grow sprouts, you can cut those off and still eat it.

bananas. dirt cheap. a small bunch (4-5) costs like a dollar. if they go over-ripe before you eat them all just get less or get a few green ones (p.s: you're allowed to break them off larger clumps).

radishes. $1.50 for a little bundle. greens get wilty after a week, roots will last 2 weeks (you can use both parts).

hot peppers. poblano, jalapeno, etc., are often quite cheap and you usually don't need very many anyways. few weeks fridge or counter.

cheap produce when in season:

summer squash. in summertime (duh), zucchini and yellow squash are like $1.25/lb. only last a week or so though in fridge.

winter squash. actually in season in fall, these are your butternuts and acorn squash. less than $1/lb then. lasts in pantry for months.

green beans. in warm months they can be on sale for $1.50/lb! last 1.5-2 weeks in fridge? (kinda depends on the shape they're in)

kale. it's a cool-season green that commonly is on sale in colder months. $1.60 for a big bunch, about 1.5 weeks in fridge before it gets seriously wilty. (can be eaten cooked or raw!)

apples. fall/winter, usually at least one variety on sale for $1.25/lb. last forever.

oranges. most citrus are winter fruits. $1/lb. will last forever in your fridge.

strawberries. spring. at their peak, i can find them for $2/lb. otherwise they are too expensive.

watermelon. $8 for big 10lb melons. they can take up a ton of space though and need to be refrigerated once cut/ripe.

cantaloupe. another summer star! $1.50 each on sale. they will slow ripen in the fridge but you do have to keep an eye on it.

pineapple. $1.50 in summer time. might be ripe even when still a bit green, ready when they smell noticeably ripe.

pears. fall season, sometimes into winter. $1.20/lb. last 1-2 weeks on the counter or forever in the fridge.

pomegranate. in winter time they can be found for $2 each. tricky to peel though.

peaches. and nectarines (which are just fuzzless peaches). $1.25/lb in summer and will last for weeks in your fridge.

eggplants. summertime veggie, you can get for $1.50 when they're on sale. otherwise a bit pricey. keep in fridge for 2 weeks.

mid-range produce:

cabbage. three bucks for a 2-lb head but you can get a lot out of it. will keep 3-4 weeks in the fridge but any exposed cut sides will start moldering after a week.

mushrooms. white button or baby bella. $1.50 for 8oz. keep in mind, mushrooms halve in size after cooking. ~2 weeks though.

avocados. if you live in the South like me, small hass varietals are 60-80 cents apiece in winter. ripe when it gives just a little to squeezing (you can't go off color alone).

broccoli. fresh is $1.70ish per head and lasts a week in fridge. frozen is $1.50/lb but might be kind of mushy.

most greens. spring mixes, spinach, arugula, etc can really vary in price but often fall into a few bucks at least per bundle/package. in a fridge's humidity drawer they last 1-2 weeks.

kiwis. i love them but they're a bit pricey for their size. 50 cents each. their keep depends on how ripe they are at purchase.

expensive produce:

asparagus. one of the most expensive veggies. sometimes in spring you can get it for $2/lb (a steal but still a bit much). lasts 1.5 weeks.

brussel sprouts. same as above.

red or yellow bell peppers. they are used sooo often in recipes and it annoys me. often $1.50-2.00 each. last a long time in fridge.

caluiflower. three bucks for a head. yikes!

green beans. when they're not in season, they are like $3/lb.

snap peas. same as above, except they never seem to be on sale.

raspberries. go bad in 3 days and cost an arm and a leg. sometimes when they're in season you can get them for like $2 per half-pint as a treat.

blueberries and blackberries. even when they're in season, they're still $2 per pint.

grapes. they can sorta be affordable in the fall season for $2/lb, but otherwise they're double that. and usually you have to commit to buying several pounds. last 2 weeks in fridge.

plums. i love them so so much but they're only in season for like 2 weeks of the year it seems and they're like $3/lb.

inexpensive accoutrements: (for garnishes, seasoning, etc)

limes. 25cents apiece. they'll start to dry out after 1 week on the counter so keep them in the fridge unless you will use it soon.

lemons. usually 50cents each for the small varietals. keep same as above.

green onions. less than a dollar for a bunch, and you can easily regrow a few times at home if you stick the white rooted end in water by a window.

cilantro. 50cents. will last WAY longer (1-2 weeks) if you keep it in a mug of water in the fridge.

parsley. 85cents. same as above.

obviously sticking just with popularly available produce across the country. it's not an exhaustive list but can give you a bit more perspective on what produce you should be focusing on if you're trying to work with a tight grocery budget. good luck!

[nanaluvbug]

🧀🥪🌶️🥭 The Ravening War portraits  🧀🥪🌶️🥭

patreon * twitch * shop  

[ID: a series of digitally illustrated portraits showing - top left to bottom right - Bishop Raphaniel Charlock (an old radish man with a big red head and large white eyebrows & a scraggly beard. he wears green and gold robes with symbols of the bulb and he smirks at the viewer) Karna Solara (a skinny young chili pepper woman with wavy green hair, freckled light green skin with red blooms on her cheeks. she wears a chili pepper hood lined with small pepper seeds and stares cagily ahead) Thane Delissandro Katzon (a muscular young beef man with bright pinkish skin with small skin variations to resemble pastrami and dark burgundy hair. he wears a bread headress with a swirl of rye covering his ears and he looks ahead, optimistic and determined) Queen Amangeaux Epicée du Peche (a bright mango woman with orange skin, big red hair adorned with a green laurel, and sparkling green/gold makeup. she wears large gold hoop earrings and a high leafy collar) and Colin Provolone (a scraggly cheese man with waxy yellow skin and dark slicked back hair and patchy dark facial hair. he wears a muted, ratty blue bandana around his neck and raises a scarred brow at the viewer with a smirk) End ID.)

[stickandthorn]

A deeply dramatic, deeply tragic ,character-defining, politically AND narratively important scene between a fully non-anthropomorphized blackberry in a wimple and a radish with a big old head in bishops vestments? Oh yeah, Callorum is BACK baby.

[sturnsbaebackup]

SHY - M. STURNIOLO (PART TWO)

i highly recommend reading part 1 first, which is linked here!

summary; after madi and nick set up their plan to make you and matt fall in love, you’re finally going over to their house to film for the first time… and the connection between you and matt only grows stronger

warnings: she/her pronouns used, mentions of gagging. purely fluff!!!

—

your car ride to the sturniolos apartment consists of nothing but a very happy madi in the passenger seat and severely shaky hands. so much that madi almost had to take your spot in the drivers seat a couple times because you haven’t been able to steer correctly.

when you arrive in the parking lot outside of their complex, you sit in the car for a minute to regain some control of your emotions. as deep breaths exit your nose, madi speaks up. “y/n, you’re going to be fine i promise. now can we go inside? i don’t want to keep them waiting any longer,” she begs. you exhale sharply, nodding your head as you grip the door handle.

before you can even realize it, you’re standing in front of their door as madi gently knocks on the door. you fully snap back into reality when you see matt’s face at the door, greeting you both with a big teethy grin. “hi guys! come on in!” he says, stepping aside for both you and madi.

their house isn’t necessarily the cleanest place you’ve ever seen, but you can tell that they put in somewhat of an effort to clean it for you guys. you smile at nick as he comes running to the door, pulling you into a tight hug. “y/n, hi! i’m so glad you came!” he smiles, making your heart swell with joy. even if you’re in shambles from your nerves, you’re still super joyous that you’ve been adapted into their lives so quickly.

“so before we start the video, we need to go to the grocery store. for some context, we’re doing a challenge where we all buy a few gross or weird foods of our choice, and line them up on the counter. we have an app that when you put a bunch of fingers on it, it randomly selects someone and whoever gets picked has to eat the next food item in the lineup,” nick explains.

“oh god, this sounds awful,” you groan, earning a laugh from a few people.

“this sounds fun y/n! lighten up,” matt teases, nudging your shoulder lightly as he does so. you blush a little and that pit from a few days ago immediately comes back.

“okay people we don’t have all the time in the world, so let’s go!” nick exclaims, pushing you and madi out the door. the five of you get into the car, driving to the closest grocery store. you all go in and make sure to separate so that you don’t spoil your items to one another. each person is supposed to buy 3 items so that the total will add up to 15 items. your items of choice are horse radish, sardines, and to be nice you decide to add unicorn pudding cups.

while you’re using the self checkout, you see chris appear in the line in your peripheral vision. you notice him trying to peak at your items, and you turn your head to him. “stop cheating chris!” you say sternly, making him roll his eyes.

“i wasn’t even looking at you y/n,” he lies, knowing damn well you both know he’s bluffing. you just chuckle to yourself and secretly place your items in your bag, making sure chris doesn’t see. eventually everyone finishes their quick shopping, and you all head back to the apartment to begin the video.

“hi guys! today we’re going to be playing disgusting food roulette, but we have a couple special guests with us! c’mere guys,” nick says, wrapping both his arms around you and madi to drag you both into frame.

“hi guys,” madi says softly with an awkward smile.

“and for those of you who don’t know who y/n is, she’s a great friend of madi’s, and one of our newest friends! her socials will be linked below, so go check out her stuff! she posts a lot on tiktok and instagram, so make sure to go follow her! you can expect to see her in a lot more videos,” nick says smiling at you. you smile back, truthfully unsure of what to say.

“yeah yeah okay we get it nick now stop kissing y/n’s ass and let’s reveal what foods we bought,” chris groans, making you flip him off.

“chris is just mad i caught him trying to look at my foods at self checkout,” you shrug. chris gasps and immediately throws his hands up in defense, “you’re just full of yourself! i was not looking at you,” he rolls his eyes playfully.

“okay chris, leave y/n alone,” matt chuckles, putting his bag of food on the counter. per usual, this sets off that feeling in your stomach once again, but not as bad as before. you’re starting to embrace the obvious feelings you have for matt, and you’re actually okay with that. once everyone reveals their items, it’s time to let the fun begin. “okay guys put your finger down on the phone screen! whoever’s finger gets the little white dot under it has to eat the food,” nick says as you all place your fingers on the phone screen.

the first couple of items on the counter aren’t very bad, but as you further along the line things start to get bad. unfortunately you get chosen to eat the horseradish. “clearly this is my karma for buying this,” you groan, hesitantly placing the spoon into the jar. you quickly shove it into your mouth and swallow, trying to forget about the fact you’re eating horseradish. the taste fills your throat and begins stinging your nostrils from the pungent smell. you start gagging a little, and everyone bursts out laughing.

“fuck oh my god! this is disgusting!” you say, leaning over onto the counter in disgust. you pray that you get the coconut water since it’s the next item, but unfortunately it goes to matt. he takes a sip and scrunches his face a little, and you groan at the gross taste in your mouth. nick and chris are arguing in the middle of the kitchen, while you and matt stand off in the corner. “do you want a sip of my coconut water?” he chuckles, and you accept it gratefully. even if it tastes nasty, you still drink a few big gulps to get the taste of your previous item out of your mouth.

eventually it gets to sriracha sauce, and you’re afraid of getting that as an item seeing as you don’t do good with spices. and of course with your luck, you do. “oh fuck me!” you groan, lifting the spoonful of it off of the counter. you take a deep breath before putting it in your mouth, groaning at the burning sensation on your tongue and lips. you have an overwhelming mix of different disgusting tastes and sensations in your mouth, making you fall to the ground out of disgust and discomfort. everyone laughs at your reaction, and matt lifts his hand out for you to take as a guide back on your feet.

thankfully along the way you get a few good items, but the next item is that stupid pepper chris bought. everyone is deathly afraid of getting it, but unfortunately matt is the one who gets chosen. “you’re joking, you’re actually fucking joking! i’ve gotten all of the worst items!” matt cries out while dragging his hands down his face.

“oh no poor matt,” madi laughs, and matt just groans. he takes a bite of the pepper, and immediately his eyes start watering. he falls to the floor and just curls into a ball while groaning in pain. you all let out a laugh, but after a few moments you guys start getting a bit concerned.

“matt are you okay?” nick asks. matt just looks up at everyone and pouts with little tears welling up in his eyes. you make a little frown at him while letting out a little chuckle. he gets to his feet and stumbles over towards you, pulling you into a hug. he isn’t necessarily thinking clearly, seeing as his mouth, throat, lips, and basically sinuses are all on fire. your eyes widen, but you hug him back gently. you let out a few chuckles, and nick hands him a glass of milk to try and subside the burning sensation in his mouth.

“i’m going to bed, goodnight everyone,” he sadly laughs, waking to his room. you all burst out laughing and end the video without matt.

“someone should go check on him, y/n can you go make sure he’s alive? we need to clean everything up,” nick asks while giving a look to madi. you roll your eyes at the two of them, “yeah sure,” you say in an annoyed tone. they’re making their plan so obvious that even chris is starting to pick up on it.

you softly knock on matt’s door and you hear a muffled voice telling you to come inside. you walk in and his room is surprisingly clean. the lights are off and he’s laying in his bed hugging a pillow, with the empty glass of milk on his bedside table. “i was tasked to come make sure you’re alive. you doing okay?” you ask.

“my mouth is on fire,” he groans and you laugh a little.

“do you want me to get you anything?”

“more milk, please,” he practically begs. you nod and take his empty cup to the kitchen. when you bring it back to him, he’s now sitting up in his bed with his phone in hand.

“fuck, thank you so much y/n,” he says before chugging the whole cup in under 5 seconds. you let out a giggle and he just smiles at you bashfully. he pats the end of his bed, signaling you to sit down on it. your heart rate begins to increase but you do as you’re told and sit down.

“y/n, i know we just met and this might seem a little quick… but i think you’re really pretty and sweet. i was wondering if you maybe wanted to grab food sometime? and i know it’s a little awkward since you just saw me crying from eating a pepper, but it’s the first time i’ve actually gotten the chance to ask you this,” he chuckles and you laugh at the end of his sentence.

“oh my gosh of course matt! i’d love to,” you blush, this time not even worried if he can see your cheeks turning pink. you both figure out a date and time, meanwhile madi chris and nick are all secretly standing outside the door listening in. you exit matt’s room and you see them not so slyly trying to pretend they weren’t listening.

“you guys suck, you know that?” you jokingly say, and they all just shrug.

“have fun at dinner with matt on saturday,” nick winks as you exit their apartment. you just roll your eyes with a smile, “yeah yeah whatever nick.”

[eatmyass-x]

One afternoon while Wei Ying is preparing dinner, A-Yuan looks up from his toy trucks and asks, “Baba, how comes lots of people in my class have a mom, but I don’t?”

Wei Ying’s hands falter at the chopping board. “Every family is different,” he explains carefully. “One mom, two moms, one dad, two dads. There’s loads of options.”

“But who decides?”

“What do you mean, baobei?” Wei Ying asks.

A-Yuan looks at him like he’s being silly. “Who decides who gets one baba, or two babas, or ten babas?”

Wei Ying laughs. He’s relieved A-Yuan only seems curious and isn’t upset. “Well, grown ups usually decide if they want a husband or a wife. And then they have baby radishes together.” He gives A-Yuan’s nose a gentle poke, making the boy giggle. “But some people like me decide to do it alone.” His explanation is probably not the best, but A-Yuan’s questions have admittedly taken him by surprise.

“So grown ups can have a husband or a wife…” A-Yuan holds up two sticky fingers to demonstrate. “And Baba still doesn’t have anyone?”

“I—” Wei Ying is gobsmacked. He stares at A-Yuan with his mouth agape. A-Yuan looks at him expectantly, like he’s waiting to hear an explanation as to why his Baba is incapable of finding love. Wei Ying quickly turns away and starts plating out their food. “Dinner’s ready.”

“Aunty Yanli said—”

“Eat up, baby.” Wei Ying grins wide and feeds A-Yuan a mouthful of rice, effectively shutting him up. And that’s the end of that.

Or so he thinks.

The next morning on the school playground, A-Yuan escapes from Wei Ying’s hold the second he spots Lan Jingyi, running into his friend’s arms like they’ve been separated for years. They see each other every weekday, and sometimes on the weekends too.

Wei Ying laughs and spots Jingyi’s dad looking similarly amused. The sun is out today and Lan Zhan’s pretty eyes sparkle in the sunlight. He’s utterly breathtaking. Wei Ying's heartbeat still stutters every time they see each other, and they see each other almost every day. It’s humiliating, really.

“Good morning, Wei Ying,” Lan Zhan greets, voice as rich and low as ever.

“Morning, Lan Zhan.” Wei Ying gives him a big, beaming grin. “How was your weekend without us?”

Lan Zhan doesn’t quite smile, but there’s laughter in his eyes. “Messy. Jingyi got into—”

“Mr Lan! Mr Lan!” A-Yuan runs back over and attaches himself to Lan Zhan’s leg like a limpet, creasing up his neatly ironed slacks.

“Yes, A-Yuan?” Lan Zhan’s hand instinctively goes to A-Yuan’s head, patting it like he does his own son’s.

“Baba needs a husband, Mr Lan,” A-Yuan says.

Wei Ying’s blood runs cold, his whole life flashing before his eyes. “A-Yuan, no—!” he splutters, trying to get the boy to stop.

But A-Yuan forges ahead without a care, voice filled with glee. “Can you marry my Baba please, Mr Lan? Then me and Jingyi can be real, actual brothers and be together forever! And then— And then we can all live happily ever after!”

“That’s enough, A-Yuan!” Wei Ying exclaims. His body feels like it’s on fire and he can hear the blood rushing in his ears. He crouches down to be at eye level with A-Yuan, despite the shakiness of his legs. “Remember what we said about thinking before we speak?”

“Ummm… that we should think before we speak?” A-Yuan blinks his innocent doe eyes up at him like he hasn’t just ruined Wei Ying’s life.

“Exactly,” Wei Ying sighs. But he doesn’t have it in him to get upset or annoyed with his son. “It’s time for you to head into class. Your teacher’s waiting for you.” He kisses A-Yuan on the forehead. “Bye bye, radish. Love you.”

“Bye bye, Baba! Love you too!” A-Yuan gives him a fat, slobbery kiss right back and then skips off to his classroom, hand in hand with Jingyi.

Wei Ying grits his teeth and slowly stands back up. Time to face the music. “I’m so sorry, Lan Zhan. I promise I didn’t put him up to it.” He doesn’t quite have the courage to meet Lan Zhan’s eyes. “He’s been asking questions about families and moms and dads and I don’t know, maybe I didn’t explain things properly. I’m so sorry, Lan Zhan.”

“No need to apologise,” Lan Zhan tells him.

“No, but there is!” Wei Ying insists. “Tell me how I can make it up to you?”

When there’s no response, Wei Ying braces himself and hesitantly looks up. Only to find that for some strange, inexplicable reason, Lan Zhan is smiling. “Let me take you out to dinner, Wei Ying.”

“What?!”

“A date,” Lan Zhan explains, like it isn’t clear enough already. “To make it up to me.”

“But Lan Zhan, I— You—” It seems that all Wei Ying is capable of today is sputtering and making a fool of himself.

Lan Zhan steps closer, still with that amused glint in his eyes, and gently brushes away a strand of hair that’s blown into Wei Ying’s face. “Don’t you want to live happily ever after, Wei Ying?” he asks.

Wei Ying feels like he’s died and gone straight to heaven.

[wannaeatramyeon]

The Crew Heads with Reader: Dinner

G/N. (Jake Kim, Eli Jang, Johan Seong, Samuel Seo).

Bro Code | Dinner | Shopping | Television | Gacha | Board Games | Suits

The manchildren are ignoring each other.

It's for the better, really, considering their temperaments.

Johan (slouched, head propped up by his palm) and Samuel (straight backed, perfect posture) sit opposite. A worn, beaten dining table separating them. Both deliberately keeping their gaze on their phones, scrolling half-hearted through social media and trivial articles, faces lit up by bluelight.

Anything to try and block out one another.

Occasional sounds ringing out from their devices, joining the backdrop of sizzling and clanging floating out from the kitchen down the hallway.

Dinner shouldn't be too far away, judging by the smells. Even if Jake and Eli are helping, at least with you taking the lead, they won't be able to get away with anything untoward such as adding a hearty dose of cyanide. 

If you don't do that first, that is.

Facilitated by your presence, an uneasy, delicate truce hangs in the balance between the Crew Heads. Could be broken by the most miniscule interruption. 

Someone breathing too loud.

Someone taking up too much room.

Someone-

"YOU KISSED?!"

Johan and Samuel lift up their heads in unison at your voice. 

Followed by a screech (also yours).

Then - BANG!

Something heavy clatters in the kitchen.

The sound of an indignant shout (Eli's), yelping (Jake's), after a resounding smack (likely courtesy of you). 

One, or both, of them must have pissed you off.

Nothing new there.

They both return back to their phones, trying to keep the strained peace but-

Eyes lock, long enough to antagonise. Samuel's, full of patronising superiority and Johan's, narrowed with distrust and disdain. True feelings laid bare.

Neither look away.

The seconds tick by. Grows into minutes.

Samuel, always having a complex to soothe, pokes him first. With a smirk, "So you took my advice. Stealing shoes worked out well." 

Lips pressed tight and ears burning, Johan glares at him. Taunting tone matching his, "So did being Eugene's dog."

Samuel's expression takes on a dangerous edge, "How's your eyesight-"

Johan clenches his fist, white-knuckled and tense. Prepares to lunge to punch that smug look off his face-

"DINNER!" 

You slam down a large pan of kimchi stew in the middle of the table. Breaking the tension and whatever trouble is stirring.

No doubt Samuel is the instigator, and you throw him a dirty look as he holds your gaze for a just moment, before rolling his eyes and looking away, tips of his ears burning red.

Called it.

Johan huffs, small and pleased and victorious. Hand reaching out for a serving-

"Not yet," you chide, slapping his hand away with chopsticks and you are greeted by a look reminiscent of an annoyed cat.

Jake and Eli join soon after, carrying the rice and banchan. Jake gives Eli a grin, looking pleased with himself as the latter pointedly ignores him.

"Seriously, you can join Big Deal. Maybe as No.7. Lua would kill me and I can't bump Lineman."

"I said no." Eli sits down, as far away as possible from the Big Deal boss.

"I heard Jerry and Warren are getting friendly." Jake picks up the pickled radishes. "They would probably like fighting alongside each other.” 

Eli pinches the bridge of his nose. Somehow this guy is even more persistent than his own toddler. “For crying out loud-” 

"No. How many times! " Your hands dart out to grab Jake's around the wrist.  Intercepting him about to add the pickle juice into the stew. Poised to ruin it for the rest of you. Speaking slowly and clearly, you stress, "No. Pickle. Juice."

"It tastes better, trust me." He tries for a winning smile and is met with groans all around the table.

"No." 

"It tastes like shit."

"Keep it in your own bowl."

"I don't trust you."

Jake, defeated, clicks his tongue. "Fine. You all have no taste."

"Us?" Eli scrunches his face. Jake opens his mouth, but is cut off before anything comes out, “And no! Stop asking Hostel to join with Big Deal. We are not a family.”

Taking this as an opportunity to get even with Samuel, Johan growls, low and menacing, "What the fuck did you say before?"

Samuel sneers, finding no threat in this boy, "I said-"

You sigh.

So long, pleasant meal.

So long, keeping the peace.

You let the noise and angry voices wash over you, serving yourself a portion. At least it won’t get physical with you around (and you’re proven right when they keep casting shifty looks over, as if waiting for you to tell them off).

Better to let them get it out of their system like this, you think, tucking into your food.

[crimsoncandy04]

It's been a while.

You know what that means? 😏☺️

Time for The Unwilling Sex Slave of The Balladeer pt 4!

After putting your son to bed one night with Wanderer's help, you decide to stay up late and form a plan on how to see Aether again without rousing any suspicion from your partner as you just knew for some reason that he'd insist on tagging along which would make the entire trip futile.

Aether hated Wanderer being with you for some reason.

And you needed to know why.

Because as far as you knew, Aether was being unreasonable and Wanderer was just some dude. A little snappy and standoffish at times but it's not like those things were a crime to display. Right?

You had an idea. But it depended on whether or not your nearly shattered electro vision still worked. Last time you tried to use it you were hurled backwards as the force of any attack it made seemed to be too strong to wield.

You just needed to go outside and get far enough away that the elemental traces wouldn't be too obvious and no sound could be heard. You couldn't leave any trail whatsoever otherwise Wanderer would probably panic and come looking for you and just trigger Aether before you even got a word in.

You had placed your old vision in a small wooden box on your nightstand just in case of an emergency. Getting it was no big deal because Wanderer was still in the kitchen cleaning up after dinner even though it was late (He had spent so long just trying to get Makoto to go to sleep). It's not like you did much housework anyway since Wanderer always made it clear that you were considered physically disabled and making you work too much reflected on him poorly.

You couldn't understand why your friend disliked him so much.

Wanderer was so responsible and considerate. Especially when it came to the fact that you were still trying to get used to using prosthetic arms and legs despite everything.

Wanderer would be distracted.

But he wasn't oblivious nor stupid.

You had to really watch your body language tonight and your expressions.

You slid your vision in your skirt pocket and stepped out into the living room.

Wanderer immediately looked up from the kitchen sink as he finished scrubbing a small pot.

"oh? Do you need something? I thought you'd be preparing for bed right now. Is something wrong?" He asked pleasantly. Still eyeing you carefully though.

You shook your head as you feigned an exhausted look.

"no I'm fine. I just forgot to water the radishes out back. I just want to do that before I forget."

"i can do it for you. Just go to sleep. You look exhausted anyway. Don't worry it's no trouble for me. You should go relax."

His eyes bore into yours.

Oh he knew something was up.

You had forgotten how scarily perceptive and intuitive he was.

You shook your head again.

"sorry I didn't want to come out here and lay more work on you. It's just one little task. I won't even be outside for more than 10 minutes. You already do so much. Let me handle the gardening stuff." You lied.

Wanderer suddenly stopped what he was doing and began to walk over to you. For some reason this made you feel nervous for a second but to your surprise, he passed right by you and went to sit down on the sofa.

"Come here. We need to talk." He pat the seat next to him. You slowly went to join him. He sighed as he turned away from you and rested his elbows on his knees. His hands gripping fistfuls of his indigo hair as he seemed to be silently debating something.

He didn't look at you. But finally he spoke.

"I know you're trying to go see your friend. I presume it's to ask why he doesn't approve of our relationship?" Wanderer's voice lacked more emotion than you were used to.

It felt oddly familiar to hear though.

"yeah. I didn't mean to be sneaky. But I knew he probably wouldn't tell me the truth if you came with me. I just want to know why he refuses to get along with you." You confessed.

Wanderer gave me a long silence again before responding.

"I can tell you. Or rather...Lesser Lord Kusunali can. I'll take you to her myself. But just...I have only one request."

"what is it?"

"The truth about The Traveler's anger towards me right now... might cause you a lot of stress. Please wait until you've had the baby before you let me give you the answers to all of your questions."

His voice sounded so tired suddenly so... defeated in a way you couldn't describe.

"Of course. I trust you. I know you'd do anything to keep me and the kids safe. We're your family after all. I'll drop the subject for now and wait a little longer." You smiled reassuringly at your partner. But he just continued to sit unmoving as his breathing began to sound a little shaky now.

"Wanderer are you -?"

"Please go to bed." He suddenly snapped.

"What? But I -"

"I'm not mad just PLEASE give me a few minutes!" He blurted. You froze for a second.

Was Wanderer... trying not to cry?

You knew when to stop pushing people.

And so without another word, you got up from the couch and went back to the bedroom he and you shared.

Your heart breaking for the man you loved.

What secret burdens did he have to carry that he kept you unaware of?

***Time Skip***

Many months had passed since your talk with Wanderer that night. Things went back to normal pretty quickly much to your relief. And it wasn't long before you were welcoming a baby girl into the home either. Since you had already given your son Makoto a very Inazuman sounding name, you decided to give your daughter a common name from your own homeland, Fontaine.

You chose Margaux. A family name that once belonged to someone who cared for you greatly before your work took you abroad.

And my goodness was your Margaux just as lovely as the maternal grandmother you had named her after.

She had your natural little pout and a full head of gorgeous raven waves. However you were a little disappointed (but not terribly so) to notice that she had her father's blue eyes.

Why did your children seem to be allergic to inheriting your physical traits?

First Makoto and his deep violet eyes and hair.

Now Margaux and her ocean blue irises.

It felt a little personal that the lives YOU carried always seemed to prefer the appearances of their fathers at this point but you just laughed it off and cherished them both nonetheless.

But finally after several long months of resting and bonding with your new baby, Wanderer had kept his promise to you and asked you early one morning if you wanted to go visit the dendro archon still and learn the truth about him and Aether.

You quickly agreed as you believed knowing the truth would help you rest easier at night and quickly you got yourself and everyone ready to go out.

This trip would prove to be anything but restful.

Makoto held onto his father's hand as the four of you entered the surprisingly large and cavernous sanctuary above the akademiya. Everything was bathed in a tranquil soft green and white. With floral patterns designed into practically all aspects of the structure and interior of the throne room which rested in the very center. Large marble walkways suspending it over a large opening below.

You tightened your grip on the sleeping baby girl in your arms as you looked down and thought about the fall that could occur if one weren't careful enough.

A small voice suddenly chimed out happily.

"You're here! And you brought your family this time! I've been wanting to meet these little ones for so long now!" A tiny woman with porcelain skin and hair the color of moonlight suddenly appeared behind you all. Her bright green eyes stared and marveled at your daughter as she rested in your arms.

"So freshly introduced to the world and already such a vibrant dreamer. I think your daughter will prove to be quite imaginative in time." She reached up as you knelt down a little to gently pat Margaux's tiny head.

This was the dendro archoness?

She appeared to be but a baby herself as she turned and waved Wanderer over. Reaching out briefly to hug Makoto warmly as he scurried alongside his father's feet.

"Such a restless young one. So full of life. You should be playing more. After all, don't all living creatures once born into the world require the gentle embrace of the sun and its enveloping warmth as they mature into themselves?" She eyed Wanderer suspiciously but not judgingly so.

"Something tells me your father is very reluctant to let you be on your own while outdoors for too long."

Wanderer averted his gaze as he pulled Makoto back a little.

"Tch. He gets plenty of time to run around. The only problem is catching him."

The small archon laughed a little at this.

"Sounds like a wonderful and healthy little one to me!"

Finally she returned to the topic at hand as she turned back around to face you.

"I'm Nahida. I don't believe we have ever been properly acquainted until today but Wanderer tells me so much about you! You sound like a very sensitive and empathetic soul." Her next words made you feel a little uncertain.

"which is why before I return your memories to you, I want you to promise me that you'll try to keep a level head after you learn the truth. I don't usually ask this of anyone directly, but I'm afraid the things that were removed from your mind are far more unpleasant than you believe."

Your body felt oddly cold.

Why was everyone acting like this would be so terrible?

Surely the truth wasn't THAT bad...

Right?

Upon Nahida's request, you handed Margaux to Wanderer and followed her over to the center of the sanctuary. A floating green orb of light floated just above the ground before you. It appeared to be made of pure dendro energy as the little archon guided the glowing shape towards you.

"if you're absolutely certain about this, and feel ready, just lay your hand upon the memory. Everything should be made clear to you soon after." Her eyes held a small glimmer of sadness as she gazed up at you.

Well.

It was now or never.

You reached out and gently touched the lost memory.

Suddenly you were plunged into near complete darkness.

"Who does that bitch think she is?" A voice of a young man spat as he paced back and forth in the dimness of what appeared to be some sort of factory made of Inazuman architecture.

"She'll be with him. Like always. This time, I'll make sure, she knows exactly who she's dealing with this time. Teach her to respect those who are clearly superior to her!" The man's voice rose and fell with his words as if he was angry but also on the verge of insanity.

You could feel...a strange longing and feeling of inner turmoil emitting from his very presence.

It scared you.

But what scared you even more was when he turned around and you saw his face.

"Wanderer?" You ask confusedly. He says nothing. Clearly unable to hear or see you as you hear the sounds of footsteps charging to the area from an outer hall.

Suddenly you became aware of what was happening.

Scaramouche. The Balladeer...had taken you hostage not long after the point in time you were seeing. But why?

Was that feeling of longing you felt for him... for you? Then why did he do something so heinous?

And was kidnapping you always a part of his plans? Why?

The memory continued on as the world warped around you and became some place else.

A cold and sterile hospital-like room. With your unconscious body laying upon an old operating table. You were still you...

Gloved hands fell across your body's stomach as you lay in your unaware state of mind.

"to think that it was possible... and that... you were almost gone too..." The strained voice of the villainous young man uttered softly as he caressed your sleeping form gently. Lightly rubbing your belly and even leaning down to give your unconscious lips and the small swell of your lower abdomen a little kiss before he turned to leave.

Pausing in the doorway as if he was hesitant about something. Finally you hear him mutter.

"it's better this way." Then vanishing before your world shifted again and the dream-like memory went on.

You saw yourself crying with Aether telling him every horrible thing you endured at the hands of the man who had an unhealthy attachment to you. You saw your mutilated body in the arms of your friend.

He did that to you.

Scaramouche had ruined you.

A coldness filled you as you were almost forced to accept bits and pieces of information that infiltrated your brain. Gaps filling in, certain feelings and thoughts making sense as you felt yourself crumple to the ground.

Utterly defeated and so...so so...

Angry.

But also full of a deep and heavy feeling of sorrow as well.

Because now you knew...why Aether didn't want Wanderer around you.

And in this unstable emotional state, you realized you both deeply loved and despised the same man.

It was too much for you to handle.

So you were thankful when someone came to distract you, and as you sat in a whirling void of flashing memories, you heard your voice suddenly call out to you.

"Are you satisfied now?" The clone of the old unmutilated you asked bluntly. Her feet came to stop just inches from you as she knelt down to your level.

"not really. I feel like knowing all of this has given me more grief than understanding. How could I possibly go back to my normal life after this?"

"Easy. Don't. "

"i have to. What about Margaux and Makoto?"

"well that IS a problem huh?"

"You're not helping"

"no."

The old version of you got to her feet again as she helped you stand on your artificial ones.

"YOU aren't helping us. We both know what needs to be done now. You can't continue like this. But you also don't want to cause your family any unhappiness."

She reached out and wiped a tear from your eye that had fallen without your knowledge.

"It'll be okay. I know you love him. You love your family and your life here that you built from nothing. But..."

She took your hands gently in hers.

"Do you have any love for you?"

Your world went white again then. You thought you had ascended to celestia for a second before you opened your eyes and realized you were laying on the floor of the sanctuary.

You slowly sat up. The little archoness Nahida was still watching over you carefully as Wanderer stood close by attempting to comfort both of your children as he assured them that you would be okay.

"I don't feel so well right now..." You whispered as your head still whirled with emotion. You struggled to your feet. Slapping Wanderer's hand away as he attempted to try and help you.

He said nothing. Immediately drawing back with a mournful look in his eyes but also somehow... accepting.

"thank you Nahida. As much as I would love to spend more time here today and talk with you...I really just want to go home."

The tiny goddess nodded understandingly.

"I'm sure everything you just experienced was quite taxing on you in many ways. You shouldn't feel guilty about wanting to give yourself some rest. After all, most humans tend to crave slowness after experiencing one or two deep emotional scars in their lives. To have relived everything that burdens your mind in one day, I can't imagine how tired you must feel right now."

You said nothing.

Instead as tears fell from the corners of your eyes and rage burned in your heart, you used the final ounces of your sanity to just make it back home in one piece.

You tore off your shoes and jacket in a silent fury. Discarding them both at the front door not even caring about them or your surroundings as violent thoughts race through your mind and more bitter tears fall.

That BASTARD.

That VILE and DISGUSTING man.

How could he...what right did he think...why the hell would someone ever...

The thoughts began and ended in the same second. Because despite everything else this evil man had taken from you

Your freedom

Your body

Your friends

Your life

He had also withheld the truth from you

And took your heart as well.

A piercing and agonized shriek of azure fury left your lips as you kicked the bedroom door off its hinges. Stomped inside the room and just sobbed as you took your anger out on anything you could find.

You grabbed and tore into the pillows on the bed. Knocked over the vanity and threw the chair across the room. You tore everything from the bookshelf beside the fallen vanity and hurled it into the wall then screamed as you finally grabbed the box on the nightstand with your vision inside and chucked it through the window. Scattering glass everywhere as the whispers of concerned passerbys could barely be heard in your ringing ears.

You collapsed to the floor then. Your entire body is shaking as your anger adrenaline crashes finally. It's then that you simply sit in silence. You look at the torn up room and feel both shame and despair.

None of it was real. Yet it most definitely was.

The man you loved...was the same man who had abducted and tortured you...the same man who rocked your two children to sleep at night...was the same man who had your body butchered to his liking and impregnated you against your will...the same man who was so kind and attentive to you and your family...was the same cold hearted being who killed for minor inconveniences...

You wished you had never met him.

How could you go back to normal after this? How could you pretend that you are still comfortable with your abuser in front of your babies simply because they didn't know the truth and would wonder why their momma doesn't like their daddy anymore?

You couldn't do it.

You just couldn't.

A strange feeling of detachment takes over your mind. What could you even do now? He had known the truth and purposely wormed his way into your life as much as he could and why?

Was it perhaps that he did love you in some sick and twisted way?

Or more likely...had he just been obsessed with you and deluded himself into thinking it was genuine affection?

You couldn't look him in the eyes after this.

But what choice did you have?

You notice something underneath the bed suddenly from out of the corner of your eye. A small glass vial full of extracted flower oils, herbs, and two different kinds of rare but local seeds. Together the concoction was intended for pain.

Pain you usually felt some nights in your shoulders due to a botched amputation at some point in your past.

If only you had known that the person who brought you that had been the one who originally caused you to hurt in the first place.

You were needed to feel numb.

You didn't know what else to do. Perhaps a small swig of the good shit would knock you out for a few hours and help you forget about the nightmare you live trapped in.

You brought the vial to your lips.

Sipping a little then waiting a few minutes.

A small tingling sensation in your body.

Just like the feeling of electro being used to snuff out your ability to think properly.

You take another sip of the medicine.

Your head swayed but the feeling of helplessness remained.

Another generous swig.

Another.

Another.

Just please take the pain away.

Make it go away.

Please.

You feel sick. You feel like your heart is beating out of your chest as you hear the empty vial fall to the floor beside you but you don't see it.

You can't see anything.

If felt like you were dreaming actually.

But you were still awake right?

Your chest hurt. In fact it felt like it was getting harder to breathe.

It didn't scare you through.

It felt... relieving.

And wasn't that what you wanted?

You felt like you were falling asleep as you heard something like distant voices shouting for you.

But you weren't anywhere close to them. It felt like they were so far away.

Finally... you felt...free.

Free from The Balladeer at long last.

[writing-zelda-brainrots]

The Apothecary’s Travel Guide Chapter 1

Quickly, before we begin, I want to set some things straight about this little fic series.

This fic will use Fem!Reader in both pronouns and body descriptions. I usually stick to gender neutral stuff, but this fic just works better with a female main character in mind (or at least I think so).

While I won’t be going into actual nsfw stuff (maybe in the future, I haven’t decided), this fic will still contain sexual themes and scenarios. This fic is meant for older teens and up. I don’t write with a young audience in mind, both for this fic and in general.

For those of you who are not familiar with The Apothecary Diaries (wtf are you doing here, go watch it), the series takes place in a fictional version of Imperial China. You don’t absolutely need to watch it to read this fic, but you will have a better understanding of things if you have (also, it’s just a really good show, very well written with one of the best female protags I’ve ever seen).

Also, this fic starts before Sunset, so the whole “Twilight is Wolfie” and “Hyrule can heal” things are not known yet.

–

It felt a little strange to be back in the busy streets of the pleasure district after spending months in the rear palace. But it was the good kind of strange. The smell of grilled meat skewers that you missed so much, the paper lanterns hanging overhead, people haggling for better prices in the street side shops, playing games on the side of the road, or drinking tea in teahouses. And of course, beautiful women calling men over to offer ‘special services’ in the many brothels.

It’s a sight you’re all too familiar with. Having grown up here, raised by the women of the famous Verdigris House, these things did not phase you. One would think that working in the palace would be quite the change of pace, but if there’s one thing that you’ve learned over the past however many months, it is that the palace and brothels aren’t all that different. A beautiful caged garden full of flowers for the emperor to enjoy looking upon.

In truth, if you had the choice, you would not want to have anything to do with the imperial palace, but given your situation, what could you do? You certainly didn’t ask to be kidnapped and sold off to the palace back then and you didn’t ask to be promoted to lady in waiting to one of the four highest ranking concubines. You were doing just fine as an apothecary back in the pleasure district, thank you very much.

You had originally attempted to stay low, worked as a simple, low ranking servant until your contract expired and then head home. You hid any signs of value that could get you promoted; you hid your ability to read and write, as well as hid your ‘true beauty’ so you wouldn’t become a concubine (even if a servant could only ever become a low ranking concubine). Any extra money you would have earned  from those promotions would just be swiped by your kidnappers, anyway. At least you still got paid for your regular work.

Had things originally gone according to your plan, you would have worked hard and been released within three years. However, now that goal post has been moved quite a bit.

But you shouldn't be thinking about work right now; it was your day off, after all. You were back home (after managing to haggle your way into them letting you leave the palace) and that’s all that matters right now.

I should get some radishes and chicken for soup tonight. You thought as you walked down the street of the makeshift market. You hoped that your father had been eating well. He was never all that good at feeding himself. If he was starving for a few days, the old lady from the Verdigris House would force something down his throat.

Speaking of the Verdigris House, you should probably head there later. Both to say hello to your ‘big sisters,’ but also so you could take a bath there. They’d likely want some medicine, too, now that you thought about it. The last time you delivered medicine there was the day you got kidnapped.

Heh. Even on my day off I’m running errands.

With your little morning shopping excursion done, you stuffed the ingredients into the basket you carried on your back and started heading to that familiar little shack you affectionately called home. Dad should be in the fields tending to the plants right now. Honestly, he was getting too old for that trek, especially with his busted knee, but you couldn’t deny that he loved that little garden he’s cultivated over the years. Not like you were any different when it comes to your passion for medicinal herbs. As your master, he taught you everything you know about medicine; what herbs work in which situations, what to use and what to avoid, how to make medicine, what plants, mushrooms and animals were poisonous and which weren’t, etc. He was a very learned man, having studied both eastern and western medicine. With a few more years of teaching, you might be as good as him, or you hoped so, at least.

Finally you reached the calm little neighbourhood you grew up in. It was on the very outskirts of the city, not even protected by the tall stone brick walls. Looking at the small sizes of the houses, barely larger than your average shack, told people that this was where the poor lived. It wasn’t much, but it was home. Truth be told, your father was an excellent medical expert, even having worked in the palace before from what you’ve heard, but for all his skill and knowledge, he had terrible luck, which is why he ended up living here instead of somewhere more fitting for his stature.

But when you got to your little childhood home, you were met with a worrying sight. A woman you didn’t recognise, worry and uncertainty written on her face, knocking on the front door of your home. That’s strange, did she need medicine? You didn’t recognise her servant uniform, but she seemed to be from one of the inns in the area.

You called out, catching her attention immediately. “Are you looking for the apothecary? He’s currently out, but I can leave him a message.”

“Please help, it’s a medical emergency! Someone’s been poisoned!”

Your face immediately turned serious as you dropped your belongings before running inside the shack to retrieve an emergency med kit. “Lead me to them.”

--

People had gathered around the doorway of the inn, clearly all in a panic, but not sure on what to do.

“I brought the apothecary. Please step out of the way.” The two of you moved past the seemingly small army of staff and patrons.

What you saw seemed to match what the woman had told you before. A man lying on the bed, restless, breathing erratically, hands clenching at the fabric of his clothes right over his heart. Immediately you entered your ‘work mode,’ practically diving next to the man. First, a physical check up.

You pried open the man’s eyes, looking into them; you checked his pulse and stuck a finger into his mouth. Judging from the spittle running down his chin and trace amounts of sick on the bed sheets and his blue scarf, it’s safe to say that he had vomited. Still, you pressed down on his solar plexus to induce more of it. It would help expel whatever caused this reaction, but it would also dehydrate him. There was a hrrk, and spit came pouring out of his mouth, which you wiped away with the bedsheets you had gripped.

Suddenly, a new man with brown hair and eyes came running through the door with what seemed to be a waterskin in his hands.

He was just about to offer the water to the man you were tending to, but you shouted at him: “Don’t let him drink that! Charcoal- we need charcoal!” The startled man dropped the item onto the floor, but recovered just as quickly, running off once again to retrieve the required item.

You repeated this process several times on the victim; making him vomit, wiping the bile away ad nauseum until nothing but stomach acid came out. The man was able to breathe much easier now, no longer hyperventilating. Thankfully, at your request, the charcoal had arrived just in time, which you quickly ground up with your mortar and pestle.

“This’ll be rough on his throat, but it’ll flush the toxins out of his body.” You spoke as you poured the fine powder into his mouth. Some of the men, who you assumed to be the patient’s associates, had gathered around the two of you, clearly worried.

“Wa… Water. Please…” Those were the first words you heard him speak, weak, but nonetheless a sign that he was recovering.

“Not yet. I’m sorry, but you’ll have to endure this a little bit longer.”

Though unhappy, he accepted and resigned himself to his scratchy and dry throat for the time being. Finally you were able to remove yourself from the bedside, letting the other men move the patient while the inn’s servant ladies removed the soiled linens.

First damn thing in the morning and I already have to deal with an emergency. I only just got back. You grumbled in your mind as you looked at your filthy hand. Ugh. I really need a bath. You sighed both from relief and exhaustion.

“You doin’ okay, Captain?” One of the taller men with brown hair asked while holding him up so he could stand.

The patient - now identified as ‘Captain’ - took a breath. “Much better.” He then turned his attention towards you. “Thank you. I was certain that I was a goner.”

“I am simply doing my job. There is no need to thank me.” Utilising some water in a pitcher that one of the servants offered, you wiped your hands with a damp cloth.

You then took out a wooden slip, wrote just a couple characters on it and handed it over to the servant woman who you first encountered. “Deliver this to doctor Luomen and bring him here. He should be by the south wall.”

With that, the servant gave you and everyone else in the room a small bow before leaving.

The man with a blue hat turned his attention to the patient, who had once again been laid down onto the cleaned up bed. “Now I know that stuff took you out; you didn’t even try to flirt with your “guardian angel”.”

“So that’s your impression of me?” The sarcasm in his voice was evident. “Glad to know that it took me almost kicking the bucket to change your opinion.”

--

Within about half an hour, the servant had returned, your father in tow. It took longer than you had hoped, but given your father’s age and condition, it wasn’t all that surprising.

He took a good look at the patient and asked some questions.

“I suppose you did an adequate job here.” He gave you his trademark gentle smile after he was done with his examination.

“‘Adequate’?” You ask, annoyed.

A man who you assumed to be the owner of the inn came into the room. “Thank you, doctor Luomen. You are the best medical expert one could ask for.”

“Don’t thank me. My daughter did all the hard work.”

“Tell me, how much do we owe you? Name your price.”

“There’s really no need-”

You nudge your father’s side with your elbow. “Can you pay rent this month?”

“Ah… Well, in that case, I’ll take the usual fee.”

This was one of his habits; undercharging for his work, or even failing to charge at all, much to your distress. You understood the desire not to take money from people who were already struggling to get by, but this was not the case.

A tall blond man in heavy armour came up to you, holding out a small-ish sack. “Please, allow us to reimburse you as well. We owe you a lot.” Seeing no reason not to, you accepted the item.

With that, your father and the inn’s owner head into another room to discuss payment, leaving you to gather up your tools.

From the corner of your eyes, you noticed a few of the men fidgeting nervously or giving each other glances. They obviously wanted to say something. You didn’t know why they were hesitating. Sure, you might have sharp, mean-looking eyes and you didn’t smile all the time, but there’s no reason for these numerous grown men to act like this around you.

“Can I help you?” You broke the ice. No point in delaying this.

The one who you assumed to be the leader cleared his throat. “Actually, we’d like you to answer some questions we have. We’re travellers from afar, you see, and we don’t know much about this place or nation.”

They came all this way here and they don’t know the first thing about where they are? “You’re in the country of Li, specifically in the capital city of both the nation and the Central Province. I’m not going to judge how you choose to spend your time, but if you wanted to go sightseeing, I wouldn’t exactly recommend coming to the pleasure district first.” You raised an eyebrow. Just who were these people?

You saw that a few of the mens’ faces had turned bright red when they realised where they were. “Ha! Told you that this is where we ended up.”

“Are you implying that you frequent these kinds of places, Captain?” It sure seemed like these two had a penchant for arguing. Even during the time while you were waiting for your father to arrive, you noticed that they kept butting heads.

“Enough, you two.” The oldest shot them a quick glare. “Either way, it’s good we left Wind with Four back at the city outskirts. Both because of the inappropriate nature of this place- no offence…”

You shrugged. “None taken.”

“... But so that they wouldn’t have to see you get in trouble like this.”

“You are the apothecary here, right? If so, then you should be familiar with people who have gotten injuries.” You nodded. “Have you heard anything about encounters with any strong monsters, particularly those with black blood?”

Alright, now you were really confused. Monsters? Black blood? Was this some kind of way of informing you of a new disease spreading among the troops of enemy nations? But if so, why not tell this to an army physician instead of a random apothecary?

“Can’t say that I have.” You spoke up after having given it some thought. “Though I have to admit that I have been working in the inner court for the past few months, so I’m not caught up on the goings on outside the palace walls. But if you are telling the truth, I’m certain I would have heard rumours.” Thinking back, Xiaolan - a girl you had grown a friendship with when you were a simple servant at the palace - sure loved her gossip, and if there was one thing she loved more, it was sharing that gossip with you over tasty snacks and food.

“Thank you anyways.”

While this conversation didn’t seem like it yielded much, it did get your gears turning. It was time to do some espionage- or rather, some investigating. Something you’ve gotten pretty good at lately, if you said so yourself.

“Please wait here while I get you some medicine.” With a quick bow you left the room. In truth you had already prepared the medicine while waiting for your father to arrive, but this was still a convenient excuse.

As quietly as you could you hid yourself behind the sliding door and pressed your ear against it. Sure enough, once the men in the room believed you to be gone, they started talking. Words like “monsters,” “eras,” “shadow” and others got thrown around as if it was common knowledge, yet it only served to confuse - and intrigue - you further. One thing was certain; these were not your regular, run-of-the-mill travellers.

Your earlier talk also gave you an opportunity to scrutinise their appearances. Given their unfamiliar clothes and armour, plus features like light coloured hair and eyes, and their utter lack of knowledge of where they even were, you assumed them to be from a distant land, the west, most likely. But that was before you noticed one curious detail that they all shared; pointed ears.

This one thing had you calling things into question. Sure, the world was a large place, but in all your years of studying medicine and the human body, you’ve never heard of any group of peoples with such a distinctive feature.

But now came the question of what to do. What were you going to do about this suspicious group? Should you report them in case they were here to cause trouble? To be honest, you didn’t want to get involved. No point in sticking your neck out for these strangers and possibly risk getting accused of treason. You’ve done your job, you healed them, and you’re about to give them their medicine and leave. There’s no need to let them occupy your mind anymore. You’d steer clear of them from now on. Yeah, that sounded good.

Finally, you pretended to have returned from your ‘excursion’ and knocked on the door. Given the sudden silence from the room, it was safe to assure that whatever they were talking about was not for others to hear.

Walking up to the Captain still in bed, you handed over a small paper bag. “Please take this for the next few days. It’ll ease your stomach and help with getting rid of any lingering toxins. I would recommend drinking it as tea.”

The one who you had identified as ‘Legend’ from when you were listening in groaned. “Ugh. This whole thing’s been a wash. You guys ready to head back to camp?”

A unanimous ‘yes’ was heard.

--

Ironically enough, you could not get those men out of your head. Was your intuition trying to tell you that there was something wrong with them? Or were you simply curious? They were certainly the most interesting people you’ve met in some time.

They had already left the inn and you had headed in a different direction. You did finally manage to get that warm bath you were looking forward to. And getting to speak to your ‘big sisters’ at the Verdigris House was nice. But still your mind was occupied with something else. Damn it, this was supposed to be your day off, but you haven’t been able to relax completely!

You kicked a small rock in front of you in frustration. Hopefully having dinner with your dad would help alleviate your problem.

Suddenly you felt an all too familiar feeling of being pulled backwards.

Well, this wouldn’t be your first kidnapping.

--

And Wars will have to suffer through that dry, ashy throat for the remainder of this fic- lol jk.

A.N Fun fact: did you know that other than Twilight (who has lived among humans for a long time), technically, Legend is the one who has interacted with humans the most? The people of Koholint Island had short, round ears, as did the people of Holodrum (Oracle of Seasons), Labrynna (Oracle of Ages) and Hytopia (Tri Force Heroes).

[lewiscarrolatemybrain]

bby a-Yuan as cute things my niblings have done

a-Yuan, fresh out of the bath, sitting naked in LWJ’s lap and using his big sleeves like blankets

LWJ: Can you dressed now, please? It is cold.

a-Yuan: No! I want to be cold!

LWJ: You want to be cold? Why?

a-Yuan: So you have to hold me UwU

----------------------------

a-Yuan: Qing-jie, you wanna know how tired I am?

WQ, dryly: I’m sure you’ll tell me.

a-Yuan flops face down on the floor and then just lays there

----------------------------

a-Yuan: Where’s Qing-jie, Xian-ge?

WWX: She’s at work, radish.

a-Yuan: Why?

WWX: Because she needs to make money.

a-Yuan: Why?

WWX: ... Capitalism.

a-Yuan, suddenly furious: CAPITALISM?!

---------------------

a-Yuan: Rich-gege, the sun is not up. I’m sleeping.

LWJ: I know, baobei. That’s because it’s raining. You need to wake up now.

a-Yuan, very tired: But the suuuuuuuuun.

-------------------

WWX walks into the kitchen to find a-Yuan and Wen Ning hard at work

WWX: Oh? Whatcha making?

WN: Popo gave me her recipe for--

a-Yuan, delighted: A MESS!

----------------

a-Yuan: I’m telling on you!

WWX: Oh yeah? To who?

a-Yuan pauses to think for a moment, then puts his head down and begins to pray.

[staysaneathome]

The Start of the Ravening War

The Ravening War starts with the death of Queen Pamela Rocks, first of her name, beloved matriarch of the realm and of her family. A fructeran who knew the truth of her adopted home’s motto well before she married into it, found not killed but splattered all over the interior of the disguised carriage she was travelling in, arousing the wrath of five, of a thousand, grieving their mother/queen.

No, no, that’s late, far too late. Here, try again.

The Ravening War starts when a little radish is driven to fits of screaming at the sight of bladed teeth and viscera when he falls and scrapes his knee. His parents drag him to the nearest Bulbian church, where religious icons are pressed to his face and hands and body until the edges break flesh and the pain starts anew. The young radish learns that the only way to make it stop is to pretend it worked. To give praise to a light he has never truly known nor understood the warmth of, never questioning anything for that is how the pain comes back. That those who bestow such pain upon a little boy have power. That they have the power to ensure it never happens to them.

No, no, that is too early. What about this?

The Ravening War starts when a widow-to-be emerges from her toilette, all traces of her vomiting carefully hidden. She realizes she had been tricked, the heavy drinking, the promises that her old friend took herbs that ensured his impotency, the tisane that he swore would ensure her own. That she is trapped in the prison he has made of her own body, an eternal blackmail victim regardless if the child dies or lives, but oh, she is surprised by how much she wants the child to. To be a queen is to be a mother, after all, to sire the next generation of rulers. But queens are not blackmail victims. She will need to talk to someone.

Tangential, much too tangential. Perhaps this way?

The Ravening War starts when a tiny chili pepper watches as her big brother is beaten into the dirt by his friends. He refuses to take up with the strange adults (is it adults? All those different faces, yet the same eyes every time) who pay kids to watch and listen, and now he is paying for it. She sees how he’s made small, made broken, when he seemed so big and strong before. She flings herself at his attackers in a whirl of teeth and nails and screeching, manages to drive off two through sheer fury alone. The strange adult watching smiles. He can use this.

A tragedy to be sure, but not the start of a war. What about that?

The Ravening War starts when a young meatlander fidgets in the toga of the Ceresian Senate, not quite able to hide behind the spaghetti of his venerable grandfather. He is loved dearly by both sides of his disparate family, but the force of his mother’s personality has made him a shy boy, desperate for direction, for purpose. He has been sent here to learn the ways of his grandfather, to learn how to smile and to charm and to speak in the Senate. The senator smiles as she shakes his sweaty hand in greeting, as he blushes at the waft of her perfume. This will be even easier than she thought.

A dalliance, but again, hardly the start of a war. Perhaps here?

The Ravening War starts when a small boy watches his father get melted in the middle of the square. He is squeezed between legs, can only see the way the air distorts with heat and a vague figure flailing on a hook, but he can hear the screams. Dear Bulb, can he hear the screams. He’s almost transfixed by them, but not enough to not notice the guards, wading through the crowd, heads down and searching, like they’re looking for someone small. Looking for him. He runs and runs and runs, tears greasing his cheeks as he vanishes into the alleys he grew up in.

No, not that, but getting closer. How about—?

The Ravening War starts when a handmaiden reassures a hyperventilating bride on her wedding day that she was, of course, born to be queen. She is a silly girl, a naive one, who has fallen in love with the man she is to be wed to, but that’s alright. She is a du Pêche, soon to be a Cardoon, and above all else that means she has breeding. She has poise, she has manners, she has charm, there is no one else more suited to be Queen than she. Amangeaux will make new friends in this court soon, and if all else fails, Chutney will always be there for her mistress, to comfort and guide her. She promises.

Still not quite right. What about—?

The Ravening War starts when a spymaster wearing the flesh of her ex-mentor hears whispers in the streets of a count who would unify Fructera and Vegetania. Unification would mean ease of travel, a significant expansion of her network, the chance to walk among the court of Greenhold in her true form and have all those pompous nobles bow in deference to the royal spymaster. For all Karna is a spymaster, she is still a twelve year old girl, still prone to getting swept up by the promising ideals of men who could give her more, prone to setting her whole heart on a goal and doing whatever she must to see it through. It will be her downfall someday.

Closer but no cigar. Maybe—?

The Ravening War starts when a senator sprays her favorite negligee down with scent and folds it delicately to be placed in a package. It’s a shame she won’t get to wear it again, but she can always flutter her eyelashes at Focaccia, and she will have three nicer ones by the end of the week. It’s a kindness, truly, to give the boy a scrap of hope, a memento of something he will never truly have. And with the work she has done on him, she has no doubt her little Deli will prove to be one of the most valuable pieces the Sanctus Putris will have on the board, his loyalty and eagerness to please translating making him a useful pawn to fulfill their goals and prevent the end of days.

No, no, that’s way out. Why not—?

The Ravening War starts when a bishop overhears an old chorister remark at length about how King Cardoon has his great grandmother’s taste in spouses. The bishop, preparing for his responsibilities ministering to the new king and queen, engages the member of his flock in conversation, where the old woman’s knowledge sparks an interest in genealogy. Soon there are intricate charts of lineage and birthright spread out in the bishop’s quarters, and though he does not realize it, the head gardener is getting paid very well indeed to look the other way when Father Charlock goes to gather herbs for His Majesty’s tea.

Not yet but getting warmer. Perhaps—?

The Ravening War starts when a cheesy sellsword walks into the Chieftess of the Beef Clans. The buffoon stutters apologies and pleas for mercy, relying more on Provolone coming over to attempt to smooth ruffled feathers, the Chieftess’ son far more proficient in soothing his mother’s wrath. From there the conversation turns to needing to hire guards, a carriage to Comida, and by the end of the day the two of them are on strawberries riding to Fructera. Colton Gouda touches the emblem of pressed palms and a feather deep in his pocket. He’s fulfilled his part—now it’s up to his fellows to do the same.

No, no, it’s almost but doesn’t get everything, not at all. Here, tell it this way:

The Ravening War starts when a drunken tomato makes a wild claim, fueled by ire at the lack of deference from his perceived inferiors. He is made all the more furious, all the more resolved by their refusal to recognize his rightful place as king, and so even once sober, rallies his countrymen to fight for his birthright. He truly does not know what ruin this stupid, shortsighted, selfish decision will bring.

Hardly better than all the rest, but it will do. With so many machinations in play, how could it ever come down to a single event?

[daichiduskdrop]

˚ ༘♡ ⋆｡˚⋆·˚ ༘ *𝙎𝙣𝙤𝙬 𝙖𝙣𝙜𝙚𝙡 ⋆·˚ ༘ *ੈ✩‧₊˚

Chapter 02

Pairing: BTS Ot7 X fem!reader

Genre: A/B/O AU, Fluff, Angst, Strangers to lovers,

Warnings: anxiety attack (kinda?), Mentions of criminal activity

Word count: 3611

Previous:

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"Yah, hyung!" A light growl rang through the room. Jungkook stared at his elder with shock and anger. His scent went from a softer forest smell mixed with banana fruits to a darker, muskier one that felt heavy on your sensitive nose.

Slouching over the plate of noodles, you tried to appear smaller. The new man that arrived not too long ago had long black, fluffy hair that covered his eyes slightly. Even then, you could feel them on you.

To your right, you noticed Namjoon pinching the bridge of his nose, while Jungkook stood behind you, obviously a bit off. Even though he knew you for only a few minutes, he already grew fond of you - the way you shyly mumbled small words, how you avoided their gazes when small tears shined in your eyes. It all went straight into his heart. What was he to do? You were just too adorable to resist.

"Kook-ah, let it go. I forgot to tell you, I'm sorry Tae," the pack alpha sighed out before looking at you for a moment. Softly patting your head, slight calming pheromones wafting around you. Sniffing, you hid further in your hoodie, hiding your palms into the sleeves.

"..Okay? And what happened? Is she okay?" his voice deep and rumbly, still tired from his afternoon nap he was just woken up from. Rubbing his eyes, he started serving himself a plate of noodles.

Quietly shrinking even deeper into yourself, you looked down at your lap. Your scent was unsettled like never before, most definitely getting more stressed out with Taehyung pointing out the obvious. An unsatisfied Omega was hard to ignore, doesn't matter if it was alpha or a beta or even another omega that was watching so it didn't take long until someone stepped in.

"Kitty, eat up. It will get cold like this," Yoongi murmured from your left while he started to eat himself, subtly trying to bring you to different thoughts. Picking up the chopsticks given to you with shaky fingers, you hummed almost inaudibly, picking up a few noodles, biting into them. The taste was nice - not too spicy, sweet, and savory, so it was easy for you to handle.

Noticing that the others were quietly watching your reaction to the first bite, you mumbled about how tasty it is. Jin's wide shoulders sagged in relief as he too dug in with all others. You didn't eat much, only about half of your plate, until there were different chopsticks above your plate.

Startled, you quickly looked towards the man, only to see Namjoon, smiling with his dimples showing. One hand holding the cutlery, the other underneath so no drops got on you and you wouldn't get accidentally dirty.

"Here, try it cub."

Opening her mouth slightly, he allowed her to take a small bite first before he placed the leftover sliced pickled radish between her lips. Chewing slowly, she nodded. It was cold and tasted savoury and a little sweet too.

„Its tasty hm? Do you want some more?” Said Hoseok from across you, already picking up another one. Looking at him with big eyes, you once again parted her lips, silently asking for more. Giving in immediately, he hand fed you, like it was the most natural thing, smiling when you finished another slice of pickled radish.

Feeling full, you clumsily pushed your chair away from the table, turning in the seat and climbing out. You didn't get too far before a hand took a hold of your forearm, pulling you back to your seat. The pack alpha gave her a light but pointed look before speaking clearly:

„You aren't finished yet cub. That's not enough, come on, eat some more.”

Whining, you pulled at his hand lightly, only to have your chair pulled back close to the table.

„You hardly tasted the juice, drink up kitty.” Said the other alpha, handing you the tall glass, still mostly full. Taking it from his hand, his bracelets jiggled slightly, creating a nice sound. Sipping slowly, you really did like the taste of this juice - it was sweet but not too much and wasn't too thick. You might just have to go and buy it when you go back home.

Right. Soon you'll be going back to your own home, of course you will have to. This wasn't your pack, no matter how caring and nice it was here. Looking up at the packmates around the table, they all seemed calm. Chewing and talking between themselves, joking light-heartedly and sharing food between themselves.

Accidentally choking on the drink, you started coughing lightly, your shoulders moving harshly. Squeezing your own fingers, you felt a hand on your back, patting between your shoulder blades. Tears sprung into your yes once more.

Hearing a chair screeching after being harshly pulled out, within seconds you were taken under your arms and pulled up suddenly. Soon your feet were resting back against the flooring, with your head tucked into a crook of a neck. The soft banana scent took over your mind soon, making you go completely soft, leaning against Jungkooks chest.

With your mind clouded over with the scent, you couldn't tell what was exactly happening. Everything has gotten just to be bit too much - you couldn't get your medicine, therefore you will miss more lessons, and most likely fall behind. That itself was more than enough for your soft soul, but with all the scents back the mall, the car ride with the scents from outside that you didn't recognise, it got even worse. Arriving at the packhouse, you were welcomed warmly, but still, all the heavy scents that were just natural for alpha's to have made you even more anxious and out of space.

Picking you back up again, he smoothly carried you over to the couch with the other packmembers following closely behind. Placing you on the large grey couch, he took a seat near you. Your sobs were quiet but sad - something was very wrong, and it definetly wasn't the chocked on juice anymore.

Bending over, Namjoon studied your face for a minute, standing back up and sighing, he too took a seat on your side. Jin and Jimin stood before you, looking worried. Walking around the couch, Hobi took the hoodie package, also sitting down next to Kook. Most of them stayed quiet, and also took seats. Tae looked exceptionally concerned, watching closely while you shook, whimpering and whining slightly - it was normal for upset omegas to do so, they just tend to turn soft and vulnerable. More than normally, if that's even possible.

Ripping the plastic seal apart, the alpha pulled out the neatly folded jumper out.

„Louis Vuitton?”

„Yea, they sent me a note with it too. It has a bee stiched on it, see? It's cool, wah..”

Leaning closer, he held it up, showing others. Pretty much none of them looked over, keeping their eyes on the omega. They will look later, this was more important right now.

Going to touch the chocolate brown jumper, Jungkook fingers didn't even graze it before it was pulled from him. Looking up at his hyung, he quickly explained.

„It's for the pup, you'll scent it like that.”

Understanding, the maknae once again looked at you. Curled up on his right, you shook lightly, your scent coming off in waves.

Namjoon couldn't hold on anymore, and so when a whimper left you once again he was quick to pull you over his lap, cradling your head into his neck, his other palm softly petting your lower back.

„Sh-Sh-Sh now 'mega, it's okay. I'm here, hm? Don't fret little baby...” Clutching onto his t-shirt, you nested closer to his body, resting your cheek on his collarbone.

Hearing footsteps, you looked up slightly, sniffing the air so you knew well before Yoongi turned the corner that it was him. His scent that just felt like a lavender field at the moment was just easily recognisable for you by now.

The man carried a cup that was still steaming, before he walked to the coffee table in front of the couch, placing it down. Crouching next to Namjoon, the bottom of his slippers hit the ground with a faint flop. Running his fingers over your calf, that was now bare since your pants rode up just enough for a bit of your skin to show.

Once again his bracelets jiggled against one another, when he pulled your pantleg back down, going over it to insure you were warm. Cooing softly at your small form, he patted your back and stood back up.

„I made you some matcha kitty, will you drink it for me later?” Watching over you like a hawk, your face still hiden away near his pack alpha's scent gland, but still he caught the smallest little nod, and how your fingers tighten around the shirt he was wearing.

„Won't that be too bitter? Did you sweeten it?” asked the second youngest lightly, he too did have quite sensitive tastebuds and understood the pain of something bit too spicy or bitter too well.

„Yea, it's with milk and honey, don't worry. It should be okay, I tried it and it seemed fine.” the other alpha answered quickly. Meanwhile Hobi too stood up and came closer, holding the hoodie by the bottom hem, so it was the least close to the top half, where if worn you could smell the most. It was your decision if you wanted to have their scents on it after all.

It was yours now, and he wanted you to be fully comfortable with it. Of course he would scent it for you, all of them would. You wouldn't have to ask twice, you already had them wrapped around your tiny little finger.

„Here pup..,” when you didn't turn too quickly, Joon easily pulled you so you sat sideways, facing the other alpha, that was looking at you with soft eyes. Not being able to resist the way your cheeks were soft and plum, your eyes red and big, glossy with more tears that had yet to come, he cooed at you, rubbing your cheek lightly.

Placing the clothing item to your arm you slowly pulled it closer to yourself. Sniffling it softly, you deemed it nice enough and your burried your face in the nice, plushy fabric. „..can you keep an eye on it for me now baby?”

Slightly nodding again, you once again let Joon move you on his lap how you were before. One hand keeping a hold of his tshirt still, the other clutching the new jumper close to yourself. With your nose soon returning back in the crook of his neck, the pack alpha continued to run his long fingers through your hair, gently soothing you.

Noone spoke for a few minutes, the only thing filling the air were their scents, going from their thick and masculine smells to a softer, soothing version that enveloped you whole while you let the occasional soft rumble from the bottom of Joon's chest settle you deeper. Eventually you deemed it safe enough to really fully rest, slowly closing your eyes, fully trusting the alpha to keep you safe in your most vulnerable form.

A quiet noise from the TV didn't make you look up, the room filled with an odd laugh here and there. You knew one of the actresses voices, her accent easily recognisable. She frequently acted in new kdramas, and this must have been the newest one. As few minutes went by, you were once again pulled from Joon's neck to sit sideways. Whining in discomfort, you went to go back, only to have yourself pushed back against his arm.

„Drink up. It won't take long, you can snuggle back up right after, promise cub.” He said, smiling at you with his dimples showing. Holding the cup to your lips you didn't bother to even open your eyes fully, just too soft at the given moment. Tilting it up for you, you placed your hand on the cup, your fingers touching.

„Careful, it could be still hot..” said Jimin softly, making you open your eyes and watch him while drinking. It wasn't too bitter or too sweet and carried a nice earthy taste with just the slightest bit of vanilla. It was very tasty too, so far everything they provided you with was very satisfying for your tastebuds. You needed to repay them back some time.

Your eyes stayed on the alpha's face, suddenly not so afraid to look at their faces more. You didn't have much time to notice yet, your tears blurring all that was around you, but he was very handsome. There was something about his face, that was masculine yet feminine and it had you smiling softly. His eyes soft when watching over you, his lips plump and big, the upper just slightly lighter than the bottom one, his face was beautiful.

Before you knew it, the mug was taken away from you, having you looking back at the pack alpha in confusion. He placed it back down on the coffee table and pulled you back so you were facing his chest. Softly whispering about how you would get an upset stomach if you were to drink any more, you sighed and with the hoodie wrapped between your fingers you once again rested against his neck.

Softly swaying you and patting your back your eyes grew heavier, the last thing you watched before nodding off was Jungkook's soft bunny smile, warming you up from the inside.

❄️

The softness around you was comforting. You didn't sleep so well in a long time you realised, normally waking up at least 3 times, only to have more troubles falling asleep right after. That didn't happen tonight - no, no it didn't. You felt calm, safe and satisfied and warm.

Slowly blinking your eyes open, you snuggled deeper into the clean smelling sheets. The charcoal grey fabric felt soft against your body, and it didn't make it itch like most of the blankets and sheets you owned yourself did. It was a relieving change.

Your vision was still a bit blurry, and when you didn't see the sunlight throught the small gaps in the long curtains, you felt too sleepy to get up. Since it was winter, it could be midnight or the morning and the sun would still stay hidden for a while. The bed was soft, the pillow not too thin or too thick and so you pulled the brown jumper closer to your face and went back to dreamland.

Meanwhile, the pack was just about waking up, some of the members already in the living room or kitchen, watching the morning news, answering emails on their laptops, or preparing a breakfast. To be truthful, breakfast was made mostly by Jin as usual. Sure, Hobi did cut up some kimchi and mixed the soup here and there, but once Jin turned away to get eggs from the fridge, he was quick to go sit with the other two on the couch. The eldest only scolded him softly but let him be. He didn't have much left to do.

Sitting down close to Taehyung, Hobi too focused onto the morning news. It wasn't too early, just about half past 7, so the morning broadcast was just in the middle. The reporter was clothed in a suit, his hair brushed back, his strong eyebrows standing out.

„...to provide you with a weather forecast for today in Korea, specifically focusing on the snowfall and temperature conditions in Seoul.

Over the past three days, Seoul has experienced heavy snowfall, which is expected to continue further. As of today, the temperature outside stands at -8°C, accompanied by a significant snow accumulation of approximately 16cm. The highest temperatures to be reached today are expected at the -6°C and during the following night at about -14°C.

Given the current weather conditions, it is crucial for individuals to take necessary precautions to ensure their safety and well-being. Dressing warmly, using appropriate footwear, and exercising caution while commuting are highly advised.

Please note that these conditions may impact daily activities, including transportation services and road conditions. It is recommended to stay updated with the latest weather announcements from local authorities and adjust plans accordingly.

Thank you for your attention to this matter, now we will provide you with a all matter criminal broadcast, with breaking news regarding the criminal Min In-Su, previously charged a life sentence for his crimes. In a shocking turn of events, the notorious abuser and killer, managed to escape from the high-security confines of the Gimcheon Juvenile Correctional Institution in the early hours of yesterday. The escape took place between 1:30 to 2:00 am, further adding to the audacity and cunning of this criminal. With Min In-Su still at large, the local authorities have launched a massive-...”

„Yah, Taehyung-ah turn it down a bit, you will wake up the others. It's a day off, so let them sleep. Especially the little one, she has had a rough day yesterday she could do a few more hours for sure..” The eldest said, his voice growing quieter the longer he spoke.

While Taehyung was wide awake by now, since he already had more than enough rest from his nap yesterday, the others were still quite tired. Obeying, he turned the noise of the giant flat screen down, placing the remote control next to himself. With the satisfying background noise of clicking keyboard from Namjoon on his right, he focused back on the news, currently broadcasting photos of the criminal.

When Jin once again called for them from the kitchen, since he just finished preparing the breakfast. Standing up first, Joon placed the open laptop on the couch and yawned. He didn't sleep too much, and even though he could have slept in, he was just worried the small omega would go looking for him for whatever reason. He didn't want you to grow anxious if you couldn't find him for long enough, so he decided to stick close by, getting up at about six in the morning.

Making his way to the table, he sat down and rubbed his eyes, getting up so early did nothing in helping him feel more refreshed and awake, so when Jin placed a cup of coffee Infront of him he gladly took a nice sip. Thanking him silently, he relaxed while serving himself a small bowl of warm broth and another cup of rice, fresh out of the rice cooker.

The other packmates soon came to the table too, taking seats just how they usually sat. The TV still played, adding a soft background noise, having the men sometimes looking up to stare at the screen. Jin sipped on a coffee cup himself, occasionally eating his serve of kimchi eggs, after finishing those he too slurped up the vegetable broth. The two other alpha's shared a big plate of bulgogi, each having their own bowl of rice. The sun was only just about rising when the Maknae arrived at the table.

Neither of the already awoken alphas felt like waking anyone up - they could sleep in if they wanted to and they wanted them to, so they let them be.

The still sleepy Jungkook slouched down on a seat next to Jin, his eyes closed and hair all around, fluffy and wild. Dressed in only a loose shirt and a pair of shorts, it was clear he just rolled out of bed, probably getting hungry from the smell of food. Pouring the youngest a bowl of broth and giving him an occasional bite of bulgogi, he sat quietly, still partly asleep, sipping on his soup.

Eventually, Jimin also got up, it was just about to be 9 in the morning, all the others have already finished their foods and drinks, but they kept a nice portion for the ones that decided staying in bed bit longer. Some of the leftovers were still warm, so he too sat down, making himself an easy kimchi toast with a glass of vanilla milk. His hair was also messy, but it seemed to be a repeating pattern. They weren't used to being able to sleep in like this, so they greatly appreciated it.

Not having to get up and get ready so early into the day was a welcomed change for once.

Rubbing his eyes and cleaning after himself, the shortest alpha sat down next to the others that were still sleepily resting on the couch. While Namjoon once again had the poetry book in hand, Jungkook and Teahyung were playing a new game he and Yoongi just bought them yesterday, occasionally joking around and laughing. Still they kept it quite quiet, which noone seemed to mind. Everyone was just too sleepy still, with very little energy left.

Siting down next to his older hyung, he watched his younger packmates play the game before he too pulled out his phone to watch socials and play mobilegames.

When even Yoongi rolled out of bed and sat down with his breakfast, a big cup of coffee in hand rather than any actual food, waking up the still asleep omega started to be a thought running through everyone's mind. It was just about forty minutes past 10, so it would be more of an early lunch by now, still they wanted to see you full, getting bit angsty with the thought of you being hungry while under their care.

„Ill go wake her up now so she can eat..” said the alpha, getting up from his seat and heading upstairs to disturb the most likely very soft, sleepy and vulnerable omega.

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