#bounce house rescue.

[gremlingottoosilly]

A little cow girl hybrid with her owner farmer König

I raise the stakes!! Konig, who, as part of the contract that revolved around fighting a hybrid trafficking ring that sold demihumans as cattle, was sent to rescue some farm hybrid animals stuck in the breeding pan/inhuman farming conditions...but you, pretty rescued cow hybrid, isn't really good at living on your own after being rescued from a farm. You were either raised here and reached maturity in captivity - or you got captured so long ago, you don't even remember normal, human life. Konig can't just release you in the wild, you don't even have documents!! He knows it's fucked up, having a pretty cow hybrid in his house isn't so much different from the way you were treated at the farm, but...god, he just can't get his hands off you. He has a big property in the mountains so like it or not, you're turning into Austrian highland cow - and you like to roam around in the pasture while he is too busy on the firing range or at the house work. He doesn't really do nay farm work, he doesn't have time between the contracts - but he allows you to make a small garden, taking advice from a demihuman therapist that suggested you need some small activity to keep yourself occupied. Cow hybrids are generally light-headed and silly, so Konig knows he can't force you into doing harsher labor - although sometimes you like to cook and to wake him up with very loud cleaning sessions. But...of course, living with an adult, mature hybrid in your house is a tough challenge if you don't want to fuck said hybrid. Konig wants to fuck you, wanted you since the first time he had to bath you because you don't understand how the shower works and afraid of him just hosing you like people did at the farm - but he always forced himself to stop before he could actually force himself, always too awkward and nervous...even though he is obsessed with you, morals be fucked. And his morals do get fucked when you beg him to milk you. Pretty dumb thing, you don't understand that he won't help you for free - that once he is done drinking all the milk that summed up in your heavy, swollen tits, he will be forcing you on your back and make you moo as he bounces you on his cock. He doesn't enjoy quiet farm life as much as he thought he would, but he surely enjoys spending time with his newest pet...

[peppermintquartz]

Tommy must have been staring at his phone for far too long, because Donato pounces on him (metaphorically) in the dining area.

"I go on leave for a week and you flew a chopper into a hurricane?" Donato exclaims, punching him in the bicep.

"Ow," Tommy says out of habit. "The hurricane was mostly over by then, actually."

Donato huffs. "The things you get up to without my calming influence, Kinard."

Putting down his phone, Tommy levels a stare at his friend. "Last I remember, you're the one who scaled a cliff sans harness to get to a scared kid."

"And got chewed up for it after," Donato says brightly, holding up a finger. Her voice drops. "Seriously though. What's the brass gonna do about you guys?"

"Hopefully? Nothing. There's enough positive publicity that's got Simpson off our asses, so I'm hoping it'll blow over."

"Melton says you might be grounded for some time."

"I wouldn't be surprised." Tommy sighs and leans back in his chair. "As long as I'm not fired, I'm ok with the consequences." His lips twitch into a smile. "You'd have liked it though. I got to land the bird on an upside down cruise ship, in a storm."

"Oh fuck you, Kinard, you lucky bastard." Donato grins, her blonde bob bouncing as she jumps to her feet. "You're buying me lunch, by the way."

"Why?"

"Because you love me," she says, laughing as she jogs off to bother someone else. "Mentaiko bowl, you know the one!"

Tommy shakes his head fondly. He didn't know what about him had attracted Lucy Donato's friendship, but her effervescent energy always brightens up his day.

Which still doesn't help with Tommy's dilemma, which is one leggy firefighter named Evan Buckley. His sunny demeanor and inexplicably funny chatter in the middle of a helicopter heist and dangerous rescue had helped Tommy stay focused on the task. Afterwards, on the return journey, Tommy, Howie, Hen, Athena and Bobby caught up with one another, and both Eddie and Evan had been there, joining in the conversation whenever they can.

Tommy hopes no one actually saw him staring at Evan most of the time. It helped that they had sat opposite each other, and Evan's eyes had been so, so blue, the color of a clear summer sky, and his smile radiant. Of course it was easy to get numbers from everyone then - Tommy needed to update the ones for Athena and Bobby, and he added Eddie Diaz and Evan Buckley into his contacts.

Eddie texted him the very next day asking if Tommy's up for a quick visit to the Diaz household, because his son Christopher wanted to meet the pilot who helped save Captain Nash, and Tommy decided that, heck it, he could do with some new friends, and went.

And for the next hour or so, he listened to Christopher wax rhapsodic about "my friend Buck", how brave and funny and clever Buck is, how selfless, how he rescued Chris during the tsunami, how good a friend he was, how he loved taking Chris to the zoo and built him a structure so that Chris could skateboard, how the lightning strike gave him insane math powers, how good a cook he is...

And the photos Chris shared about Evan all show Evan grinning happily, as if there's nothing else he'd rather be doing than be with Christopher and Eddie.

For a moment Tommy had thought that Eddie and Evan were an item, until Marisol showed up at the house and kissed Eddie in the kitchen. The relief Tommy felt is disproportionate to how much he knew Evan. Which is ridiculous - Evan might have a partner already, or might not be into men, and Evan hasn't ever texted Tommy yet. Eddie's already sending dozens of messages about the upcoming reunification fight.

The phone in Tommy's hands suddenly rings and he almost drops it in shock. Cursing, he quickly swipes up to answer. "Hello, this is Kinard."

"Oh, uh, hi Tommy. It's Evan. Buckley. E-Evan Buckley."

Tommy swallows his surprise even as a huge smile blossoms on his face. "Hey. I wasn't, um, expecting you to call."

Evan chuckles. Is that nervousness in his voice? "Listen. Um, I was, uh, I was wondering if you gave, like, tours? Of the station?"

Tommy's heart skips a beat. Does this mean Evan wants to transfer to Harbor? Then he realizes it's been too long since the question so he hastily says, "Yeah, yes. I could show you around, if you want."

It's a good thing he's not hooked up to anything measuring his pulse. Tommy thinks his heart may jump out of his chest.

On the other end of the line, Evan says, "Great! Uh, you-you have my number so. Text me possible dates and times to go over?"

"Sure," Tommy replies, his mouth dry. He thinks about fawn-colored hair, blue eyes, red lips. He swallows again. "See you soon, Evan."

"See you soon, Tommy."

[ellatoone7]

❄︎ Night off ❄︎

Alexia's favourite girls series

Tía Mapí and Ingrid to the rescue

When Mapí and Ingrid suggested a sleepover, you thought that it meant you and Alexia would be staying over too but they insisted that you and Alexia get some much-needed alone time. Alexia didn’t even hesitate to accept as she thought of all the things, she could finally do to you in an empty house. The walls haven’t heard her name being screamed in a while and she doesn’t want them to get used to that.

Alexia had gotten a few new things recently as a gift for herself that she has desperately wanted to use on you, but she didn’t just miss making love to you, she missed spending quality time with just you. A phone call was made, and she now had a reservation at your favourite restaurant. Emilia had been bouncing off the walls as soon as she found out she got to spend some time with her friends Sofia and Carlos. 

“You have your toothbrush?” Valentina nodded as she swung of her Mami’s arm. “I go to sleepover with Carl!” Alexia chuckled as she swung her up and caught her with ease tickling her belly as she squirmed in her arms. Emilia shuffled out of her room with her Barcelona backpack wrapped around her back. “Vamos!” She shouted as she legged it for the door, she was yanked back by her bag as Alexia turned her around. “Todavía tenemos tres horas hasta que tengamos que irnos Emilia.” The little blonde groaned loudly as she slumped on the ground, “I will wait.” Alexia stared down in amusement as she ruffled her hair.

Isabella was excited too, she loved Ingrid and because she was the oldest, she got to stay up later than the rest and watch a movie with her Tia’s. “Mama where is my charger for my iPad.” You held it over your shoulder as you were cooking, “Gracias.” Isabella left a kiss to your cheek before running off to do God know what. 

“Mm, smells good mi amor.” Alexia sigh as she walks in. Val is hanging onto her back as her little arms slightly choke her mother. Strong arms encircled your waist as she pressed her sturdy body against yours. Val giggled as she watched her mamí kiss your cheek, you giggled too before turning in your wife’s embrace to be greeted with two near identical smiles. 

Val was the absolute perfect mix of the two of you, she had your blonde hair and Alexia’s hazel eyes and smile. As she grew into her personality it was clear that she picked up aspects of both you and your wife which only further delighted the both of you. Whereas Emilia was a carbon copy of you and Isabella was the carbon copy of Alexia.

“How are the two cutest girls standing in my kitchen right now?” You cooed as you pinched both of their cheeks and like mother and daughter a bright blush graced both of their tanned freckly faces. “Don’t let Meels and Bella here you bebita.” Alexia whispered as she playfully bounced the little girl on her back, “Debemos ser los favoritos de mamá. ¿No crees princesa?” Val placed her finger over her Mami’s lips as she giggled loudly. You couldn’t resist to leave a kiss to her chubby cheek as she patted her Mami’s shoulder in sympathy. Alexia was pouting from the lack of affection before you too took pity on her a pressed a kiss to her cheek. 

Val frowned, “Kiss?” You cocked your head in curiosity, chancing a glance at your wife who mirrored your expression. “Why Mami didn’t get her special kiss?” The little girl babbled as she stared at her two parents, “Special kiss?” Alexia asked as she tried to figure out what her little girl was trying to tell her. “Sí, Emilia says Mami gets special kisses on the lips otherwise she will die.” Val’s eyes widened as she came to her own realisation, “No! Mami die? Quick Mama!” 

You were absolutely blindsided at the number of emotions that your daughter just expressed but she was on the verge of a meltdown and your wife was trying to hide her laugh. Before it got out of hand you quickly partook in your favourite activity and left a sweet kiss against your wife’s familiar lips. Alexia, as always, looked happily dazed as she chased your lips. You hold her in place by her chin as you turn to smile at your now very smiley daughter, ‘Bien?” Val nodded as she rested her chin against her shoulder. “Mami won’t die if she doesn’t get her special kiss, she’ll just get upset.” Val nods in understanding but you can tell it went through one ear and straight out the other. 

True to your words, Alexia was pouting heavily as she tried to push her lips towards you. You give in and kiss her until she’s satisfied, Val still has a happy smile stretching her little face once again identical to her mothers who is still sporting her cheeky grin. “Vale, stop distracting me and go get into trouble somewhere else.’ You laugh gently as they send each other sneaky smirks and with one last kiss for both of them which were happily reciprocated, and they scampered off. 

After you had rounded your family for lunch and watched each of them inhale their pasta, another thing they got from their hound of a mother and ask for seconds immediately you were finally in the car. Alexia was trying to wipe some sauce of Emilia’s face much to her disgruntlement, “Vamos, just one more wipe prometto.” Emilia huffs but let’s her quickly clean her face as she pushes her hand off. You on the other hand struggled with getting a squirmy Valentina into her seat so you can fasten her seatbelt. 

Finally, after a swift kick to the jaw and a wrestle to tie her seatbelt, you were on the road. Alexia’s hand was waiting for you as you quickly interlock your fingers, like clockwork she raised it to leave the softest of kisses to the back of your hand. There was a mixed reaction in the back of the car as Isabella groaned playfully, Emilia shielded her eyes and Val giggled. You bit your lip to stifle your laugh and you didn’t even need to look over to know your wife was the exact same.

Mapí and Ingrid were only delighted to welcome their extra guests as were the children as Valentina and Carlos both screamed excitedly at the sight of each other. “You two are insane, you know that?” Ingrid laughed loudly as she hugged you tightly, “I believe the words you are looking for are ‘thank you’” You glanced over at your wife who was holding Sofia like a little baby and placing kisses all over her face. An hour passed as you helped your girls settle in for the night before you decided to make your move. “Girls, we’re leaving!” You shouted and instantly there was herd of footsteps before they came into sight. Isabella hugged you tightly and promised to look after her sisters before making her Mami promise to play football with her when they got home tomorrow. 

Alexia picked Val up and placed kisses all over her face, “Do you have Senor Fluffy?” Val gasped in horror as she shook her head at your question, you were just about to resign to the fact you would have to drove home and get him when Alexia being the greatest mother she is pulled your daughters beloved stuffed rabbit from her back pocket. “Mr. Fluffy!” She reached out and snatched her stuffy to cuddle it close to her face. “Did you think he would let me leave without him? He’s been just as excited to come.” You smiled softly as her eyes lit up, forever infatuated with how her mother could communicate with her stuffy. “Gracias mucho Mamí. I love you.” 

You watch you wife melt as she tucks her daughters face into her neck. Deciding to give them their moment you step away to say goodbye to Emilia. “Mama, I promise I won’t have too much fun without you.” The blonde whispered as if she just confessed to a murder. “Darling, promise me you’ll have all the fun tonight.” Emilia hesitated always wanting to make sure you were okay. Emilia had imprinted on you and was like your partner in crime. Just like your wife she was extremely protective over you. 

Alexia walked over to say her goodbye while also catching the tail end of the adorable conversation. “Who will you have fun with?” She asked with her famous puppy eyes that neither you nor Alexia were immune too. “I will be with Mami all night, she’ll make sure I have fun.” Emilia lit up as if remembering that you were going to be with Alexia, “You love Mami!” You laughed as she held her hand out for your wife who was positively beaming at her little family. “Mami, promise me you’ll make sure Mama has fun.” Alexia took her request very seriously as she placed her hand on her heart and got down on one knee. “Te juro que me aseguraré de que mamá se divierta al máximo sin ti. Será difícil, pero me esforzaré.” Emilia seemed pleased with her commitment and the stern face quickly softened as she placed her forehead against Alexia’s. ‘Te amo Mami.” Alexia kissed her nose gently, ‘Te amo mucho mi princesa.” 

After the goodbyes were said and thanks given you and Alexia were back in her cupra. You already missed their little faces, but you knew they were going to have the time of their lives with your best friend’s. It also helped to have your wife who you got very little alone time with next to you. That was also obviously on the forefront of Alexia’s mind as she wasted no time connecting your lips frantically. Gone was the sweet and gentle Ale as she immediately tugged at your hair and slipping her tongue in your mouth. You moaned into her, longing to be closer to her now that you were free from any interruptions. 

Large hands hoisted your body over the middle console as she settled you in her lap, legs either side of hers. The kiss only grew more heated until whines were falling from your lips, and you were two seconds away from grinding pathetically in her lap. Alexia didn’t let up an inch as the minute you pulled away her lips were attached to your neck wanting to mark you as fast as she possibly could. It took everything in you to gently coax her away from her trance as she she stared up breathlessly at you. Pupils dilated and lips swollen, you wondered how you could go so long with just quickies and really quiet fits of passion in the middle of the night.

Her cold fingers were a stark contrast to your hot skin as she drew patterns up and down your bare back. “I’ll miss the girls, but god do I need this.” Your words were practically moaned out as you kissed her soundly again, slightly nipping at her lips to convey your need for her. Alexia could barely breath let alone respond as she leans her head back against the head rest. You laugh gently at her dishevelled form before deciding that it was now a good time to put an unfortunate stop to these activities until you were in a more respectable place. “Do you think it’s too late to ask them to keep the girls for the weekend?’ You slap her chest playfully as she chuckles at her own joke, pulling you closer so your body is flush against hers. 

Before you knew it, you were throwing on your best dress as it neared seven. When you made it home after many detours and impromptu make out sessions and one very close call where Alexia nearly had you in her backseat, you and Alexia relished in the very rare silence. As much as Alexia wanted to have you properly naked in bed so she could have her way with you, she also just missed being in your presence, so she quickly grabbed a bottle of wine and two glasses, and had you cuddled up against her on the couch while watching whatever shitty reality show she pretended to hate.

Alexia threw on her best casual suit that matched your dress and was now watching you add the finishing touches to your makeup. She loved just watching you doing mundane things, absolutely mesmerised at anything you did. You reached for her wanting her to be as close to you as possible, her hand fit in yours perfectly like they always did. She brushed her lip across your shoulder blade as her arms winded around your waist, pulling you back into her. 

Alexia swayed you both softly, a smile that was firmly reserved for you laying contently on her face. “Eres tan bella mi Vida.” Another kiss to the crook of your neck this time was delicately placed to confirm her words. It always baffled you that the woman behind you could still make you fall in love with her more and more every single day even though you had been together for you whole life. 

You pressed a kiss of your own to her jaw as you craned your neck to meet her pretty eyes. “I love you. More than anything in this whole world.” Alexia held you tighter meeting you halfway and placing the most loving of kisses against your awaiting lips. “Vamos mi amor, taxi is outside.” You sighed happily, grabbing your bag and then your wife’s hand as she led you towards the car. 

You had decided not to drive based on the fact that you were both a little bit wine drunk and had plans on having a few more glasses at dinner. Alexia was only delighted to not be driving as it allowed her to wrap an arm around your shoulder and whisper the most mind-numbing sweet things into your ear along with controlled and tamed kisses here and there. The usual booth in the corner of the restaurant was waiting the two of you as she helped you into your seat. Alexia’s arms wrapped around your shoulder again as you leaned into her firm shoulder, giggling at how you still couldn’t properly read the menu. 

Nevertheless, you didn’t even need to look at the menu as Alexia ordered for you, a kind smile on her face, something that always made your heart flutter was how kind your wife was even though it was just basic manner you knew you were extremely lucky. You fell into your own little bubble as you drunkenly giggled at every little comment both of you were making.

“So, we are free for the night. What do you want to do?” Her freckles were extremely prominent in the light as she placed her chin on her hand, leaning against the table. “There is a lot of things I want you to do tonight.” You whisper softly, gently biting at her earlobe as she inhaled deeply. “No te preocupes cariño, tengo muchas cosas planeadas para cuando te lleve a la cama.” Her words rolled off her tongue as they always did when she spoke in her native tongue, and it made you want her impossibly more. 

“Other than that, do you have anything else in mind?” Ever the pleaser Alexia wanted to do something fun with you, making sure she truly doesn’t waste a second. “Let’s go to the beach.” You quip making her smile brightly, so many of your dates had ended up on the beach always leading to great memories. In fact, the first time you ever talked about having kids was at the beach. You had just moved in together, finally being able to permanently move to Spain and start your life with your soulmate. You were both twenty-one, once again slightly tipsy as you lay on her chest. 

“Have you ever thought about having kids?” You slowly asked, not for even one second fearing her answer as you cuddle closer to her. You could practically hear her thoughts, perks of being best friends since you could even talk. “Four maybe five.” She replied so casually as if she hadn’t been thinking about it since she first kissed you. “All girls not that it would matter but knowing the Putellas it will be girls.” You laugh softly as she nods at her long line of women in her family. “You obviously haven’t thought about it at all,” You teased as she quietly groaned, pushing you onto your back as she props herself up on one arm, “Next you’ll be telling me you have their names picked out too.” It was a joke until you saw her cheeky grin and realised that she did in fact have names ready. 

Every time you go the beach you think of that moment yet now you have those girls, already secretly planning on having a fourth after each birthday passes. Your food arriving did little to break your bubble as Alexia held out her fork immediately feeding you the first bite. Like you always did in their restaurant you both hounded down your food until you nearly felt sick from how much you ate. You finished off your glass of wine while also declining the offer of desert as Alexia claimed to go to the bathroom like she did every time she wanted to secretly pay the bill. You had stopped trying to fight her on it as it genuinely ruins her night. Alexia adored spoiling you and she had plenty of money to do so not that you didn’t, you were doing quite well for yourself. 

You both stumbled out of the restaurant laughing as Alexia trips over herself. As always, the gravitating pull that has always surrounded you and Alexia worked it’s magic as Alexia wrapped her strong arm around your waist and hugged you into her chest as you walked to the beach. “Can we facetime our girls tonight before they go to bed?” You asked as you stared up at her with your signature puppy eyes and Alexia couldn’t believe how alike you and Emilia were as if she wasn’t the image of Isabella. “I already gave Mapi a time mi amor.” Alexia playfully scoffed as it she couldn’t believe you would’ve thought anything else. 

Your hand traced over her built chest as you make the last turn for the beach. You find a nice spot as Alexia quickly takes off her jacket and lays it out for you to sit on. For as long as you’ve known her, she has always been the most chivalrous person in the whole word. She would be the first to hold the door open, pull out you chair and offer her hand, give you her jacket or jumper whenever so much as a chill ran up your spine. She was so atuned to your emotions you hardly had to communicate at all. 

Just like always Alexia lay down on her back, inviting you to cuddle up to her as you eagerly do so. A kiss pressed to your temple had you closing your eyes as your hand found her heartbeat. “I have a crazy idea.” Alexia sat up still holding you close, you shot her a curious look as she softly unzips your dress. You rolled your eyes amusedly, “Having sex on the beach? Yeah, like we’ve never done that before.” You husk as you make no move to stop her, all you get in response is her charming smile. You figured you’d make yourself useful as your fingers nimbly undo the buttons of her shirt.

Normally by know Alexia would have you at the brink of an orgasm but she hasn’t even made a move to kiss you. You put it down to the fascination she had with undressing you, as her eyes roamed over every inch of new skin revealed. Finally, she places a soft kiss on your neck before she’s suddenly standing, ridding herself of her the rest of her clothes until she’s standing in front of you fully bare. 

Getting the hint, you think she’s trying to send you, you get on your knees and let your nails sink into the back of her thighs as she laughs softly, “Vamos, idiota.” She pulls you up and helps you take your panties off before you too are fully naked and suddenly, she’s pulling you towards the ocean. You didn’t even hesitate to follow her, laughing like a teenager as she doesn’t even think before diving straight in. You were a little more apprehensive in your approach but as your wife resurfaced with a mischievous smile you knew you’d be under water in the matter of seconds. Her arms wrapped around you, and you were underwater immediately, laughing loudly as you resurfaced and wiped the salt from your eyes so you could softly slap her strong shoulder. 

Alexia didn’t think you could get more beautiful, but she was always proven wrong especially with how the moon reflects in your gorgeous eyes and your breath-taking smile as you threw your head back with laughter. Alexia waded over to where you were floating, “Hola.” She teased as she placed her hand on your bare hip and effortlessly hoisted you up as you instinctively wrapped your legs around her. You knocked your forehead against hers, your face was sore from smiling as you kiss her nose. Alexia’s hands trailed down your lower back until she left a teasing squeeze to your ass and left them there.

“This night was perfect. Thank you.” You whisper as you kiss her lazily, arms slithering around her neck as you card your fingers through your wet hair. “Eres perfecto, Te quiero mucho.” Alexia just had her magic ways of making you feel eternally young. Maybe because the two of you had always been in love and it just grew the more you did but you felt safe and so incredibly loved by the mother of your children and your wife. 

Her hazel eyes bared into your soul and the air was knocked out of your lungs until all you could do was convey the bleeding, life altering, urgent need for the former athlete. Nothing else was on your mind, you could barely think but you finally were able to mutter the one thing you wanted most in the world at that moment. “Take me home baby.” Alexia’s smile could in fact get wider as she started out of the water, holding you up the whole way as she kissed you feverishly. 

Only breaking away to whisper, “Cualquier cosa por ti mi alma.”

[curvykittyyssmutfics]

House Husbands ft SatoSugu

househubby!Sato is overjoyed with his decision to shift his focus solely on taking care his overworked little wife. He feels worthless in his own line of work because regardless of his efforts, nothing ever changes. Being at your beck and call, making you happy.. It's all Satoru needs outta life and he's never felt more fulfilled.

househubby!Sugu is absolutely exhausted dealing with the internal war rampaging his thoughts, distorting his morality into a demon he can't recognize. But the unyielding love and support of his nonsorcerer wife is enough to suffocate his uncertainty. And Suguru's proud that with your help, he's able to shed all the toxic doubt and decides to dedicate his life to the woman that saved him.

househubbies!SatoSugu refuse to acknowledge the absolutely ridiculous qualms that they're putting their wants and needs on the back burner to take care of you. They constantly remind you that you're everything they'll ever desire in life; that they could only continue to witness curses bring the world to its knees long as they could always be there to keep you safe.

househubby!Sato is on pins and needles waiting for you to come home every single day. Bouncing on the tips of his toes like an anxious child, tense as fuck while pacing like a madman. "Relax, Toru. She gets in the same time every evening. Rilin yourself up for no reason." Suguru chuckles from the stove, finishing up dinner. "But she's been gone for hours and I miss heeer." Satoru whines like a brat, wholeheartedly feeling like his partners calm demeanor was nothing more than pure utter cap. "Quit actin like you don't want her home too. Listened to you fuckin your fist to that video of her in the bathroom earlier." Electric blue eyes narrowed, slender finger pointed accusingly in a sputtering Suguru's direction. "Will you just finish settin the damn table before y/n gets home!" He hisses back, shame licking warmth across his cheeks. "Fuckin creep Toru, I swear.."

househubby!Sugu consistently rescues you from a needy Satoru's overbearing 'welcome home' after each grueling work shift. Heroically puts himself in-between the world's strongest sorcerer and woman of their shared affections; effectively untangling you from the bone crushing embrace and ambush of kisses. "Seriously gonna smother her one of these days, idiot. Actin like she's gonna disappear or somethin." Suguru chastised, scooping you up in his own snug embrace and pecking your lips in adoration. Only a second in the kiss turns way too passionate for Satorus liking and he immediately despises the soft mouth moving slowly against your own, so damn sensually. "Lies! You just want y/n all to yourself." Satoru pouts listening to your tiny hums of pleasure as he stomps off to pour his tired little wife a glass of wine.

househubbies!SatoSugu make it a daily routine to lay you out after work and massage the accumulated tension outta every inch of your depleted frame while askin bout your day; coppin a feel as they simultaneously knead your stressed ridden muscles till you lay limp and aroused on the bed. "Fuuuck, y/nnn. Look so good spread out like this for us. Wanna continue to make our girl feel good.. Gonna let us play in that pussy for a lil bit?" Satoru speaks low at your ear, leaving sweet kisses down your neck and your shoulders when you nod. "Lemme and Sugu relax our perfect lil wife even more. Know you want this pipe, baby. Let us make you cum, deserve that and so much more. Can we, princess, hm? Work so goddamn hard every. fuckin. day." Print of his mouth leaving goosebumps over your sensitive skin while grippin on your love handles, lips trailing lower and lower as Suguru takes his place at your ear. "'S all up to you, babygirl. Tables set; blunts rolled.. Can go smoke and eat, maybe come lay back down after.. Rub ya pretty feet till you pass out inste-," "mmmfuuuck, Toru.. Oh! Yeees, right there.. Oh, oh- tongues so deep, Daddy." You interrupt, breathless moans loud and airy as Satoru spreads your doughy chocolate cheeks and digs inside you further. Pulling back to lap at your slick like a kitten does milk. Suguru chuckles when you shamelessly groan your pleasure all up in his face. "Play in that pussy it is then, babygirl."

househubby!Sato slipped into domestic bliss quite effortlessly. He's proud to admit his biggest worry these days is how mad Suguru gets when he forgets to separate the whites from the colors. "Dammit Gojo!" Satoru flinches from the spot between your legs, head snapping away from his video game to the rapid footsteps barging his direction from the bedroom. You continue to card your fingers through his soft hair, chuckling when a furious Suguru appears clad only inna pair of tight white briefs splotched with pink, holding a pair of your panties. "How many fuckin times have I told you not to mix colors with whites?! I gotta whole basket full of pink boxers cause you never pay attention to what the fuck your doin!" But Satoru only gives him the saddest puppy dog eyes he can muster while trying to ignore his Fallout character getting absolutely slaughtered by a Deathclaw. "I'm sorry! Just wanted to help with the chores. You know it wasn't on purpose, Big Daddy." His taunting and dramatic fluttering lashes have you both clutching your tummies in serious efforts to hold in your guts from the raucous laughter. But Suguru is less than impressed. He seethes in silence for a few moments before growling out through clenched teeth. "Both of you shut the fuck up.. Know what? Get over here and hurry up. Now.. On your fuckin knees." It was interesting start to your day off to say the least..

househubby!Sugu! likes to the play the role and has no problem keeping his brats in place. He's good at being the perfect Daddy with only one demand: utter compliance. And he doesn't tolerate disobedience. "I know that- ah ah ah. Slow, baby. Slow.. All the way down. Mmmmm.. Jus like that." Suguru tightens his grip on the soft locks, using them as leverage to control the pace of him dipping his cock in and out of his lovers throat. "I know it's confusing baby, sooo confusing to my girl hmm? He's your Daddy too. Aint that right? Oooh shit, suck it harder.. Mmm, ohhh yeaah- oh fuuuck!" Suguru huffs hoarsely, head fallin back in pleasure before he looks down and stares into your eyes heatedly, your gaze making his nut creep closer. "But I'm his Daddy, sweetheart. And it's time I- fuuuuck, 'm close! T-time to teach you both a lesson. Ready Toru?" Suguru slides a hand into your kinky y/h/c hair, yanking you closer to his hips and buss heavily into Satoru's waiting mouth. "Mmmmph!" Your poor husband struggles and chokes around the first gush, gagging harshly when Suguru slides his dick in deeper. "So bad at t-takin dick, Toru." He teases, wide tip knockin into glaring Satoru's abused throat; spurting twice more and flooding it with thick pearly cream. "Fuckin hell, Toruuuu! Oh God, Saaatoruuu!" Suguru moans filthily, snatching his cock and aiming at your pretty face. "Ah, ah- mmmnnh! Take it, take the rest of Daddy's nut, mama." Suguru's cum blankets your cheeks and lips in three milky streams. "G-good boy.. Ohhhh, my good giiirl, y/n." He praises when you and Satoru gently suck and lick at the oozing head of his throbbing cock, prolonging the intense pleasure.

househubbies!SatoSugu! try not to ravish you too often because of your hectic schedule but there's nothing to save you from their fiendish antics when you take your mini vacations. Time off with your husbands is nothing short of more work for you. At the very least, it's a very thorough and strenuous workout. They very consistently keep you stuffed: with happiness, love, and of course dick. "Toru- ah f-fuck.. Don't do this to me, Daddy pleeease!" You cry for your husband to give your puffy overused coochie reprieve but he's consistent with his denial. "Shhh, princess, shhhh. You're okay, you can take it. Gotta be quiet though. Me and Sugu both worked so damn hard to fuck this pretty chocolate lil pussy so good.. Don't wanna wake him up after all his hard work do you, baby?" He sucks and nibbles on your folds incessantly, grinning when the pressure of his thumb at your overstimulated clit makes you shriek and gasp for air. "Bullshit, Toru. Got her screamin her fuckin head off." Suguru exhales tiredly with closed eyes, scooping your trembling body closer into his side as you writhe from the intense sensation swirling between your legs; head thrashing from side to side on his broad chest. "Daddy, please! A-already came three t-times tonight. Ahhhnm, oh oh- needa a break, pleeease!" Your increasingly desperate cries raising in volume have Suguru's half hard dick filling full as he peeks down between your thick brown thighs, making direct eye contact with a sadistic Satoru. Who ofcourse gives a naughty wink, mouthing 'watch this' to an intrigued Suguru and latches on to your throbbing nub to nurse on you hungrily; pulling off repeatedly with acute bursts of suction that have you wordlessly keening as you squirt impressively allover Satoru's swollen pink lips inna messy glaze. You cum so fuckin hard, hands shooting to anchor themselves in Suguru's dark roots; plushy frame jerking erratically in attempt to twist away from the suffocating pleasure. "Fuuuck, Look at that.. Got her raining cum all over your pretty face, Toru. Gotta be the hardest our lil wife's eva came." Suguru admits, putting his ego aside. Too preoccupied with wetting up Satoru's face to notice how your husbands stare into each other's eyes, dicks pulsing and raging between their legs.

househubby!Sato despises Suguru's all work no play attitude. After an entire week of repetitive chores and errands in addition to no sex, Satoru's dying to get home so one of his spouses can drain his fat sack dry. "..need a warm tight hole to slide into. Been so fuckin pent up.. Babygirl is gone entirely way too much lately." He complains as Suguru drives them back to the house. "Well you know y/n's been workin hard as hell towards that big promotion, Toru. Left for work at like 5 this morning.. She'll probably need some rest and jus wanna cuddle after work." Suguru reminds him. Satoru manspreads with a huff, head slamming back into the headrest and groans in agreement. Well if not y/n then.. "What bout you? Been a minute since my handsome husband had a good nut. Don't you.. Need some relief?" Satoru asks, voice low and deep. Fingers slinking into his husbands hair scratching at his scalp lightly, his other hand caressing up and down his muscled thigh. Suguru gulps audibly, adam apple bobbing as he concentrates with all his might to keep his eyes on the road. "Uhhh.." Satoru's clear invitation instantly has him rock hard and remembering that last time he had the strongest man in the world on his back while you were at work. Filth spewing from his mouth that eventually went quiet and slack when Suguru held down his wrists and grinded in deep as fuck over and over. Damn, the slutty way Satoru kept rolling his narrow hips.. Effectively fuckin himself on Suguru's dick with the prettiest flush on his chest, strands of snowy locks plastered to his damp creased forehead, stiff untouched cock twitching and smearing precum between them. "Sugu? Still with me?" Satoru asks, cheeky smirk alluding to knowing exactly what's on his husbands mind. Suguru clears his throat and nods, mouth dry and parched; immediately in dire need of a drink of the tall glass of water sitting next to him. "Well? You gonna fuck me before y/n gets home or nah?" Another curt nod from Suguru has Satoru grinning like he just one the lottery, greedily groping his spouses bulge the rest of the ride home.

househubby!Sugu feels like he can only indulge his husbands despicable fantasies when all duties have either been prepped or taken care of. Therefore he feels absolutely guiltless when he's halfway to heaven and his cell rings, your parents number popping up on the screen. Satoru stares at Suguru in disbelief as he pulls away and gets outta bed. Mouth running a mile per minute to your dad while he hops around the room trying to get his leg into his pants. ".. Alright, bet.. Love you too pops.. Bye." He ends the call and turns to a disheveled frowning Satoru, reaching up to swoop his long hair up inna bun. "The fuck, Suguru-," Satoru starts but his protests are swiftly dismissed. "Don't start. They just need one small lil favor. Plus, Moms said she missed you cause you didn't come by with us last time y/n and I visited." Satoru sighs in acknowledgement and quickly chucks on his clothes, features softening considerably. "I do miss Mama y/l/n. Wanted to run a few things by her for y/n's birthday surprise anyway." He shrugs, slipping into his black nike slides. "Alright, sounds like a plan- oh! She said to tell you she's got your favorite mochi wai- Gojo, WHAT THE FUCK!" Suguru sentence abruptly cutting off, consumed in horror that Satoru just teleported them into your parents kitchen clad only in a pair of black jeans. "Christ almighty!" Your mom jumps at their sudden appearance and Suguru's exclamation, holding her pounding heart and sternly eyeing your husbands up and down. "Sup Mom, where is it?" Satoru gets straight to the point, kissing your mom's cheek and skipping off to the garage freezer when she points. "Hell is wrong with that boy?" Your mom asks the sanest of the two, already heading to grab Suguru a shirt and some socks. "So many things, Ma. How much time you got?"

househubbies!SatoSugu are both pleasantly surprised when you pull up to your parents spot after work and tell them there's something that's been on your mind for the past few weeks. "Spill the beans, princess. Can't believe you waited this long to tell us." Satoru gives his signature pout as he pulls you down to sit on the couch in-between them. "Yeah, sweetheart. You know we don't keep secrets. Tell us what's been on your mind." So you take a deep breath before you launch into your mini speech. "I love you both so much, never ever dreamed I'd be lucky enough to marry my soul mates. And I know we've talked about kids but my job has always made that impossible but today I got the promotion." Your husbands are ready to click their heels in excitement at your news but you hush sweet words with a finger to their lips. "But that's not all. I- uh. I make my own schedule now and haveso much more time on my hands that I think- um.." You stall a bit, nervous as fuck. "Y/n spit out already. Got us on the edges of our seat here." Satoru groans at your reluctance. "Honey, what's goin on?" Suguru questions with concern. "I stopped taking birth control so we can have a baby!" Your hands pop over your mouth at the outburst but your men already have that look in their eye and quickly close in on your tense frame. "That's all? So anxious just to tell us you wanna get bred tonight?" Satoru teases, gripping your hips and kissing your cheek. "That right, sweet wife?" Suguru sneers, loving how your breath speeds as they feel you up. "You want us both to put a baby in that needy lil pussy tonight?" You're only able to nod and moan as Satoru takes that moment to slip his tongue into your mouth and grope your tit roughly. Suguru watches with a sly smile as your other husbands assault evolves into finger fuckin you while inhaling your soft pretty cries. "Time to say bye bye, princess. Your Daddies need time alone with our perfect lil wife now." Suguru finally says after watching for a couple minutes, pulling you from a distraught Satoru and ushering you towards your parents. "And we're leaving your car. Tell em I'll pick it up tomorrow." Satoru demands as he sucks your slick from his fingers. You do as they say like always. And since you so sweetly asked for a baby, your generous husbands happily give you two tonight.

[munson-blurbs]

hii 🫶🏻 i've had this idea of the reader and eddie being at a halloween party and her drink getting spiked (roofied or wtv) and like eddie comes to the rescue and takes care of her - enemies to slight lovers pls!! have a good day/night :))

Hi! I changed it a bit so that her drink was spiked with extra booze, but I kept it enemies-to-lovers!

Warnings: underage drinking (everyone is over 18 but under 21), reader's drink gets spiked, drunkenness, brief mention of Eddie dealing, Billy Hargrove needs his own warning tbh, enemies-to-lovers, idiots in love

WC: 2.5k

Thank you so much to @corroded-hellfire @lofaewrites and @manda-panda-monium for their help! Y'all made this fic much stronger, and I am indebted to you.

--

A brief, incomplete list of activities you enjoy: grabbing coffee with a few friends, walks down by Lover’s Lake powered by whatever cassette you’ve jammed into your WalkMan, reading a good book and curling up in the sunlight streaming through your bedroom window.

A brief, incomplete list of activities you despise: Steve Harrington’s house parties.

The bass from the stereo has the entire downstairs shaking, and you wince as you pass by it and make your way to Nancy. She’s the reason why you’ve started coming to these stupid things, and although Steve isn’t as big of a tool as you’d previously thought, it doesn’t make other people more tolerable.

“You having a good time?” Nancy asks now, bouncing along with the music. Her eyes are hazy with booze; her half-filled cup of the jungle juice concoction is clearly far from her first of the evening.

You shrug, hitching your bag close to your shoulder as a beast of a man in a letterman jacket pushes his way through the crowd. “Not really.”

“Cool, awesome!” Nancy chirps, senses compromised by the constant flow of alcohol and the blasting music. 

Steve has his arm around her waist, pressing chaste kisses to her neck. He looks up at you for just a second and frowns. “Where’s your drink?”

You jingle the car keys you’ve had clenched in your fist the whole night, ready to make a getaway as early as you can. “Designated driver. Unless you want José Cuervo behind the wheel tonight,” you raise your brows as you motion to your friend.

Steve shakes his head. “Nance is gonna stay here with me tonight,” he tells you, taking Nancy’s cup from her hand and placing it in yours. “She’s had enough, anyway. So, uh, go crazy.”

Go crazy. It’s tempting to dull the roar of the dozen or so conversations worming their way into your consciousness. And no doubt it’ll be easier to slap a fake smile on your face and even join one of them. But you still have to get home somehow, and the thought of asking either of your overbearing parents for a ride home from a party has your stomach in knots, especially considering you’d told them you were going to the library and sleeping at the Wheeler’s. 

Instead of going crazy, you toss the couple a frustrated eye roll, but they’re both too enmeshed in their puppy love for each other to catch it. Home. You just need to get home, snug in your own bed, away from–

“Hey, Goody Two-Shoes!” Billy Hargrove flings his muscular arm around your shoulder, pulling you into him despite your clear lack of interest. “Didn’t anyone ever tell you it’s bad etiquette to bring down the party vibe?”

 “Get offa me,” you grumble, but his strength easily overpowers yours. 

“What you need,” he continues, stifling a beer-scented belch, “is to fuckin’ loosen up.” He punctuates his statement by placing one beefy hand on each of your shoulders, shaking you back and forth. He stumbles a bit in his drunken state, and you seize the opportunity to step away from him.

The entire encounter makes the drink in your hand even more tempting, and you throw it back without another thought. Your throat burns with the sting of alcohol, and you wince reflexively. Jeez, if this is what Nancy’s been drinking all night, no wonder she’s wasted, you think, grateful that you only had half of the cup.

Eddie Munson arrives when the party is in full swing, lunch box of illicit substances gripped tight in his hands. He hates spending time with these jockstraps outside of school, but parties are a great way to make some extra cash, and rich douchebags like King Steve practically throw the money at him, too drunk and lazy to actually count it out.

He sees you out of the corner of his eye, swaying to the music alongside Billy Hargrove. You’re leaning into him, with his hand around your waist pulling you into him. You laugh loudly, though it doesn’t appear that Billy’s said anything.

What a weird pair, Eddie muses, comparing your usual type-A, pain-in-the-ass, teacher’s pet personality with Billy’s thoughtlessness and indifference. He watches as Billy nonchalantly refills your drink and grabs your backside.

When Billy notices Eddie, he props you against the counter and murmurs something before staggering over to buy something. “What do you have tonight, Munson?”

“The usual,” Eddie replies casually, placing the tin box on the kitchen table and flipping it open. “So, uh, looks like Goody-Two Shoes is having a good time.”

Billy chuckles, twirling a toothpick across his lips. It’s a menacing laugh, and Eddie doesn’t care for the sound of it. “Yeah, she needed a little help, but I took care of it.”

He really doesn’t like that. “What do you mean?”

“Slipped a little extra in her drink when she wasn’t looking,” Billy whispers, flashing Eddie a now-empty mini bottle of tequila. “Shit was pretty strong to begin with, but she’s definitely feeling it now.”

“You spiked her drink?” Eddie’s mouth goes dry, and he snaps the lunch box shut. When Billy just laughs again, Eddie shoves him. “What the fuck is wrong with you?”

Billy holds his hands up in defense. “Hey, man, you can’t blame a guy for doing what he has to do to get laid. Especially when it’s someone as uptight as her.”

Rage pounds in Eddie’s ears, and he barely hears anything after that. He marches towards you, fists clenched. You weren’t his favorite person, and he wasn’t yours–not after what happened in health last year–but he’d be damned if he let you get taken advantage of.

“Hey,” he says softly, tapping your shoulder to grab your attention. “Let me get you home.”

You sloppily shake your head, jungle juice sloshing over the side of the cup. “‘M fine.”

“No, you’re not.” He’s insistent, tone much harsher than his usual carelessness. “You’re absolutely plastered, and I’m taking you home.” He extends his hand, and you reluctantly take it, letting him lead you to his van. Your feet are bricks beneath you, and you giggle involuntarily as you trip over them.

“Munson, what the fuck?” Billy calls out, charging over. His own stride isn’t much more graceful than yours; the Keg Stand Champion having reclaimed his title earlier in the evening. “Get your own girl.” He reaches for your bicep to tug you away, but Eddie’s faster, which only makes the jock’s eyes stonier. “Fucking freak!” he calls out, quickly downing another plastic cup of beer.

Your eyelids begin to close, and slurred words leave your lips. “Whas’ goin’ on? Why’s Billy shhh-so mad?”

Eddie ignores your question, not wanting to slow down and risk Billy catching up to you. Once he’s safely got you in the passenger seat, he starts the ignition and glances at where you’re leaning against the window. “Where to?”

“Home.”

“Right, and, uh…where might that be?”

You shrug, body heavier with sleep by the second. “Dunno.”

“Like an address, or a general direction…anything?” Eddie drums his ringed fingers against the steering wheel. He sighs and throws the van in reverse when you shake your head. “All right, looks like you’re staying at mine.”

He keeps his eyes on the road, stealing a peek at you every minute or so. You’re sleeping, soft snores punctuating the otherwise silent ride. He winces as he goes over a bump and puts his arm out to prevent you from falling against the dashboard. 

Twenty minutes later—it would have been fifteen, but he drove slowly to prevent jostling you too much—he’s pulling up to his trailer. “Welcome to Casa Munson.” He opens his door with a dramatic grunt and shuffles around to your side. “C’mon, let’s get you inside.” If any of the neighbors see him, they’ll assume the worst, but it’s either that or have you sleep in the van. 

The last thing you remember is mumbling about needing a bed and Eddie leading you to his with an offhand comment about not knowing where the stains are from. When you wake the next morning, a jackhammer has replaced your brain and your throat is filled with bile. 

“Ugh, fuck,” you groan, pulling your sheet up over your eyes to shield them from the sun. Except this isn’t the baby pink set your mom bought you from Wal-Mart. These sheets are white and smell like cigarettes, weed, and drugstore cologne. The realization that this isn’t your room has you jolting up in bed despite your body’s protests. “What the hell?”

“Good morning to you, too,” a voice grumbles from below. You look down to see Eddie Munson laying on the floor, a towel rolled below his head in a makeshift pillow. A throw blanket covers from his shoulders to just above his ankles, leaving his sweat sock-clad feet exposed. “There’s some water and pretzels next to you, and I can grab Advil if you need.”

You nod, squeezing your eyelids together at the pain the slight head movement causes. “Yes, please.” He returns with the medicine, and you eagerly swallow it with a gulp of water. A quick assessment assures you that your clothes are still on, but you still have to ask, “did we…”

“Nope. No way. Not even a little.” He takes a seat next to you, offering the pretzel canister. Though your stomach is churning, you need something to absorb the medicine, so you take a handful and carefully munch on them. “But you had quite the offer last night.”

“Wha—?”

“Hargrove spiked your drink to get you in bed,” he explains. His mop of curls is disheveled from tossing and turning, but he doesn’t seem to notice. “And, uh, not to sleep.”

“Yeah, I gathered that,” you mutter. A fresh wave of nausea washes over you, and it’s not from the hangover. Your memories are muddled, but you can vaguely piece the night together: Nancy and Steve, the unfinished drink, Billy’s arm around you… “We left before he could do anything, right?”

Eddie nods, stealing the plastic water bottle from your grasp and taking a swig. He swishes it around his mouth before answering. “Got you outta there before he could even cop a feel.”

You grimace at his brazen response. “Well, um, thanks. You didn’t have to do that.” You start to stand up, fumbling for your keys in your bag when you remember. “Fuck, my car’s still at Steve’s.”

“I can take you,” Eddie offers, grabbing the jeans he’d haphazardly flung over his desk chair. 

“Nah, s’okay. I can walk.”

“Seriously?” He throws his hands in the air, utterly exasperated with you. “You’d rather walk three miles back to Harrington’s—hungover as shit…looking like that,” he gestures vaguely at your smeared makeup and bloodshot eyes, “than take a ride from me?”

You remain quiet, so he proceeds with his rant. 

“Y’know, when you ditched me last year, I figured you weren’t, like, into me or whatever. But, Christ, what did I do to make you hate my guts?”

Your brow furrows in confusion. “I ditched you?” The thunderous headache makes it difficult to wrack your brain for the memory, but you definitely would recall ditching Eddie Munson. “I never did that.”

“Last April,” he begins, tone clipped and direct, “the night we were supposed to finish our health project—”

“You ditched me.”

He shakes his head. “Uh, no. I invited you to see my band play and then we would finish the project after—which you agreed to—and then you never showed.”

“No, you told me, and I quote, ‘Corroded Coffin has a gig at The Hideout at 8, and we can put the poster together after we play.”

“Exactly!”

“Exactly what?” It hurts to roll your eyes, but you do it anyway just to emphasize the absurdity of the situation. “That wasn’t an invitation; that was just you telling me what time the show starts.”

“What time it starts,” he says slowly, as though explaining it to a child. “If I just wanted to meet up for the project, I would’ve told you what time it ends.” His eyes narrow. “Do you really think I spent all that time doing research with you just to flake when we got to do the creative part?”

The missing pieces shift into the puzzle. You’d been thrown off when Eddie had failed to show that night; you’d genuinely thought the two of you had forged some kind of friendship during your evenings at the Hawkins Library. But when midnight had rolled around, you’d given up altogether, gathered your notes, and made the poster alone. 

“I…I didn’t know…” you muse, mouth drier than it was before you’d drank water. “I thought you forgot, or didn’t care…” You press a tooth into your bottom lip and gnaw at the chapped skin. “Trust me, I never would’ve ditched the guy I—”

You’d tried to cut yourself off before Eddie catches what you’d inadvertently implied, but it’s too late. “The guy you…” he gently goads. When you don’t answer, he sits on the bed next to you and knocks his knee against yours. “Would it help if I told you that you’re the girl I…” He tilts his head and peers at you through his deep brown eyes.

“Me?!” There’s no way he’s serious; you brace yourself for the ‘gotcha’ or some other punchline he’ll inevitably toss your way.

To your surprise, there is none. “What can I say?” he shrugs. “I’m a total sucker for a goody-two shoes.” He stands up again, crossing his arms over his chest and pacing back and forth in the tiny room. “So, since I’m the guy that you…and you’re the girl that I…can I interest you in some of the finest hangover food this town has to offer?”

“Can I brush my teeth first?” You grimace at the tang of last night’s tequila that sticks to your molars. “Unless you also happen to be into girls with wicked morning breath.”

He chuckles, a true and hearty laugh, and it’s one of the most beautiful sounds you’ve ever heard. “Spare toothbrush is in the top drawer,” he says, pointing towards the bathroom. 

Once minty freshness has replaced stale booze, you wash the remnants of your makeup off of your face. You look a bit better; tired and hungover, but better.

Eddie’s dressed in ripped jeans and a faded concert tee, keys clenched in his palm. “Ready?” he asks, leaning against the bedroom doorway.

“Mhm.” You feel his hand ghost the small of your back as he leads you towards the front door, sending shivers of excitement down your spine.

“Hey, by the way?” 

When you turn around, his lips are on yours. It’s soft and sweet, just a bit more than a peck, but you can tell it took every ounce of courage for him to do it. You both take a small step back, swapping shy grins.  

“Eddie?”

“Yeah?”

You take his empty hand and lace your fingers with his. “Does Corroded Coffin still play at the Hideout?”

“Every Tuesday at 8.”

“I’ll be there.”

--

[inkonparchment]

sentinel - re4r bodyguard!Leon x college student!reader.

Leon offers you a piggyback ride.

The ache in your heels feels so good, hands gripping Mia's with a huge smile plastered on your face as you bounce off beat to the music. The atmosphere is lovely; conversation drowned out by the music, bodies huddled together in someone's house, a makeshift bar standing in almost every corner.

You stifle a giggle when you notice a flash of Leon's blond mop, obscured from your view with the expanse of the makeshift dancing floor between you. You know he's not happy to be here, something about being "too old for this kind of crowd" that had made you roll your eyes, reminding him that he was barely even thirty and also without a choice.

He blended in well enough, a black ensemble of t-shirt - god were all his shirts so tight - and pants and his leather jacket that was probably hanging around somewhere. Leon would blend in better if he lost that permanent scowl on his face, offering you one whenever you would give him the suggestion.

Mia pulled you towards her, helping you avoid crashing into a particularly drunk person stumbling behind your back. You shared a look with her before dissolving into a fit of giggles, the alcohol finally catching up to you, not so much to plaster you but enough to make the world fall away a little.

"Here you are ladies," Johnny greeted cheerfully, red solo cups in both hands and a plastic water bottle stowed under his arm.

"Oh thank god," Mia groaned, taking one of the solo cups and immediately taking a swig. "All this dancing is killing me."

You laugh at your friend, wiping her lip as some of her drink dribbles out, "God Mia, I raised you with better manners than that."

Johnny gives you a kind smile, handing off the water bottle to you. You like him, he's nice, good company, makes Mia laugh louder than anyone else and always makes sure she's okay. "Hey uh, I don't know how this fits in your whole situation but I think your guy may be in need of some rescuing," He nods behind you.

You turn, confusion etched on your face. 'Your guy'? Leon and him needing rescuing? What a laughable sentiment. The ball drops in your stomach when you finally spot him, Johnny's words making sense.

Leon's practically pressed up against the wall, defiantly looking anywhere but at the trio of girls that have him surrounded. All pretty nails, giggling forms and trying their hardest to take him home. Anywhere is more fun than here, they say to him, batting their eyelashes.

You want to laugh, so bad, but something stops you, maybe it's the acidic sensation that's beginning to pool in your stomach. His face drops down, locking eyes with you across the room, the crease in his forehead flattening. The rumble of the music falls away, the ache in your feet fading into the background.

Your eyes flicker to the swipe of one of the girls hands across his chest and you find yourself moving, muttering a "I'm gonna head out" to Mia. Leon's gaze doesn't stray from you, keeping you in sight as you approach.

It fills you with satisfaction when he straightens, shuffling away from the girls and coming to meet you halfway. You can practically see the "Are you okay?" lingering on his lips but you beat him to the punch. "Let's get out of here."

And it doesn't take long for the two of you to exit, smirking at the girls who can only watch you walk away with Leon, jackets on and beginning the walk back to the dorms. It's a nice night, quiet with no one around as you walk through campus grounds, your heels clip-clopping satisfyingly against the ground.

Leon strays behind you, not too far but not too close, his presence a comfortable warmth in the cool breeze. Your heel catches in one of the cracks, making you stumble with pathetic grace thanks to your drinking. But before you meet the cold pavement, a hand steadies you on your forearm, calloused fingers gentle against your skin.

You look up, nose only a hairs breadth away from Leon, your stomach lurching at his close proximity, the cerulean blue irises focused fully on you, searching your face.

"Are you drunk?"

"What are you a cop?" You shoot back.

The corners of his lips twitch upwards. He sighs, guiding you to one of the benches and gingerly making you sit down. You blink at your hands, finally remembering the bottle of water that you were holding. You go to open it, only to have it swiftly plucked from your grip, a quick twist of the cap and then thrust back in your palms, Leon's own encouraging you to take a few sips.

He crouches down infront of you, looking distastefully at your footwear. "I'm surprised you haven't started complaining about your feet yet."

You hold away the bottle from your lips, offering it to Leon silently, unable to find the cap. His palm comes up, wrapping around the bottle, engulfing your hand in it's warmth, the sensation shooting up your arm, making you avert your eyes from his.

You focus on the ground, hand still in his as he twists the cap shut. "I was just warming up. What would you like for me to start with?"

Leon's fingers brush over your thigh, lingering for a second, the feeling electric under his touch, as he stuffs them back into the pockets of his leather jacket. "Your bad choice in choosing shoes."

You gasp offended, straightening your leg to show him your heels, "These are designer! How dare you?"

"And how do your feet feel?"

You huff, folding your arms over your chest defensively, mumbling, "They hurt."

"What's that?" God, that teasing tone.

With a harsh roll of your eyes, you say again but louder, "They. Hurt." You shake your head, "We're still a long way from the dorm and you best bet I'm gonna chew your ear off about- what the fuck are you doing?"

Leon's turned away from you, back to you as he's still leaning. He gestures to him. "Hop on?"

"Excuse me?" You ask incredulously.

"You said it yourself," He shrugs, "We're a long way from the dorm. And I'd rather not explain to your father that the reason his daughter has a beat up face is because she got plastered at a party and fell on the ground face first."

Fury rises in your chest, "I am not plastered!" He doesn't respond. And you don't relent. "I weigh a lot."

At that he turns around with a raise of his eyebrow, an unimpressed look on his face. You grow heated under it, fingers fiddling your thumb. "I can walk by myself."

Leon sighs, turning fully to face you again, looking up from his bent position. He puts one hand beside your thigh, other hand coming up to fix the collar of your jacket, making it more tighter around your body. "I know," He hums, taking a softer approach, like you're a deer ready to scamper off at any moment. "But you don't have to do everything by yourself."

You gulp, almost wanting to curse the celestial beings hung up on the sky and how they always soften Leon under their glow; the sun, the moon and the stars united in their agenda. The iridescence of the moon almost offers him a halo, deepening the shade of his baby blues. And it all makes it so hard to say no.

"Okay," You whisper.

Leon positions himself again, your heart beating quicker as you slide your hands over his shoulders, feeling the ripple of muscles underneath. His big palms come to rest on your thighs, pulling them firmly against his waist and locking them. Leon airily asks if you're ready, you tighten your grip around him and nod. And he stands, without any hesitance, without any stagger. Your rock.

You rest your chin on his shoulder, his hair strands tickling your face, caressing your cheeks with the scent of his vanilla shampoo. He feels warm, back sturdy on your chest and fingers secure under your thighs. You thaw under his heat, unravelling defiance from your form, settling comfortably in his assuring grip.

"Thank you," You mumble against his ear, the ache in your feet a memory of the past.

[sparkly-sediment]

Tf2 Mercs Weedequitte

Asks are open my little giggle biscuits!

Scout

He hands that joint back WET

Slobber dripping off the sides, the tips cold when you go to take a puff, and you can see the corner of his mouth glisten

If Scout ever got high he would have munchies and get scared. He would have to go outside and walk around, maybe even hug a tree for comfort

Coughing and gagging in the most annoying way possible. Like that one cat picture with its protruding tongue and watery eyes void of complex thought

Scout couldn’t handle a bong. Just couldn’t. Stick to a cold can of bang! He might try to make a bong outta a bang can, but he won’t figure it out

Soldier

Do not give him weed.

Do not give him anything.

Dont give him any drug hes insane nuts bonkers and, yes, even bananas

He took acid once by mistake. Ended up in Europe a year after the war ended

Soldier is borderline on a good day but king will spiral into a drug induced psychosis. There will be bugs, skin, and a whole lot of paperwork for Medic

Wouldn’t even smoke he’s a total fucking narc too

Says devils lettuce

Demoman

Uses every weed euphemism known to man

Mary J is his fav. Kush, grass, gas, doubie, all of them

Approaches Sniper while the poor bastard making his trek between camper and civilization. Demo does an insinuating chuckle and says, ‘let’s make love to that wee lass Mary J’

Sniper starts running

He prefers drinking but this guy smoked some grass back in the day. Doesn’t fuck around and can pass a blunt without falling out

In half baked, Demo is the guy who gets munchies and accidentally kills the horse

Will smoke with Sniper and always provides what he can or hits a curtesy role, but he doesn’t pursue weed much and if snipes didn’t share, probably wouldn’t smoke

It does help the pain from his missing eye!

Pyro

One time, he got wild.

Pyro burned down an entire pot grow and was absolutely spazzing off that za rolling his way down the mountain

They were on the astral plane the entire hike down. Pyro crashed through the trees, crawled, laughed hysterically, cried, and vomited. Pyro drank water from a creek thinking it was the fountain of immortality

Pyro befrinded a squirrle named Banabo Jo. He knew Jo and knew his people were wise and brave. Banabo Jo recognized Pyro’s mystical capabilities and ability to see beyond, thus creating a mutual respect and brotherhood.

Banabo Jo guided Pyro from the mountain top and into the Heart of the Valley. He watched over as Pyro awaited rescue and gave the sacred squirrel farewell through the van window

(hypersensitive to drug induced psychosis)

Heavy

Rolls a blunt on Medic’s back and smokes it while they fuck

Smokes weed but only pipes. Very rarely will roll with paper, typically in the aforementioned situation

He can do some of the smoke tricks like puffing out O’s. He cannot french inhale and tbh has a chronic stuffy nose 😏

Medic

Wholeheartedly believe in and support the usage of medical marijuana

Smoked a little weed in university, but his classmates were too scared of him to invite him to the smoke sesh

He kinda gives off narc vibes!! Completely chill though, unless he could gain from blackmailing you

Asks if Sniper wants to puff and Sniper is shocked! Medic uses pompous words like oder tho and not the German oder

Arches his back so Heavy can sprinkle some flower on him for the roll-hole ritual

Engineer

Scene in Top Gun, “we’re in the spirit world asshole!” HIM OKAY HIM

Builds intricate and sick as fuck bong structures, dab rigs, and some real crazy stoner shit.

He love getting blazed and tinker with something, but that did cost him the tip of his pinkie finger

He’s a lightweight and really just skims a hit or two and bounces

Totally hotboxes that fucking workshop

Spy

He’s a classy kind of smoker

No weed inside, at least not his house. Very discreet about it and even if he was just in the world’s foggiest hotbox, he would never snell like week

No weed smell ever it’s incredible

Mainly sticks to cigarettes but he will smoke with Sniper.

Smoking, whether it be weed or cigarettes, is a form of foreplay for them fr

He never has cotton mouth either

Sniper!!

Save the best for last bc he is a canon pothead

Sniper just tries to be a chill guy. Go to work, fire a gun, smoke some weed. Would he like more? Sure. But is he okay where he’s at? Good enough

The first to discover his gardening habit was Spy. The whole breaking and entering thing really gives away secrets

Sniper has SO MUCH TEA. Various team members come to him and smoke, which is cool with him. He prefers when they replenish his stash, though. Or at least give him something in return

When they smoke they also complain. Inhibitions are dropped and suddenly Sniper knows that Demo is pissed at Medic for not letting him drink rubbing alcohol, every though Demo knew it would kill him, because he and Pyro were trying to light a burp on fire

He only enjoys smoking with Spy and Ms. Pauling. Pauling is fun and they talk mad shit together, maybe do something stupid on a minor scale

Spy and Sniper venture into the bush if yk what im saying. Weed is just kinda a plus but Spy can get too zesty sometimes

[jamesmydeer]

Hey! I have an idea for a Remus x fem!reader. They volunteer to babysit Neville and Harry(both James, Lily and Frank, Alice are ok) and kids try to set them up, get them to play games like Reader being a princess who they have to rescue and Remus - the knight, who has to kiss her (smth like Sleeping Beauty).

true love’s kiss

notes: if you can’t tell, i love writing dialogue.

wc: 2.8k

masterlist

Laughter filled the Potter household as James hoisted his son, Harry, and the Longbottom’s boy, Neville onto his shoulders. Harry threw his fists into the air, obviously used to his father’s antics. Neville gripped onto James’ arm and held on for his life.

“Potter and Longbottom have done it again! The quidditch cup goes to Gryffindor! The crowd goes wild,” he yells, bouncing up and down as if he were celebrating a big win from back in his quidditch days.

“Inside voice, James Potter,” Lily remarked, entering the room with her purse in hand and James’ coat thrown over her shoulder. He groaned and rolled his eyes playfully. “Fine.”

The boys giggled as James pretended to drop them and quietly mimicked the loud murmur of a crowd.

Lily plopped her stuff down on the table and turned to Alice, who was making sure Neville had everything he needed in his bag.

“Okay, I’ve got all my stuff, Frank is laying out the boys’ pajamas, James cast a protective spell on the house, I think we’re good to go!” She turned to look at the clock on the wall. “Remus should be here any minute now.”

“Uncle Moony!” Harry cheered, having overheard his mom’s conversation. “He’ll give us lots of chocolate. Just don’t tell my mom,” he informed Neville who nodded his head eagerly, pretending to zip his lips shut.

Alice turned to Lily with a confused look on her face as she queried, “You asked Remus to babysit?”

James walked towards the pair and grabbed his coat from Lily, kissing her cheek. “Well yeah Alice, leaving them with Sirius would be as good as leaving them alone.”

“It’s not that, I just thought I was supposed to find someone to watch them. Y/n is on her way.”

“Aunt Y/n!” both the young boys cheered. They couldn’t believe their luck at having two babysitters instead of one. Alice, on the other hand, was not as pleased with her mess up. She brought her hands up and covered her face as her cheeks flushed in embarrassment.

“Hey, it’s not a big deal. Two for the price of one,” James joked, slipping his coat on. He paused momentarily. “Except we’re not paying them, right?”

"We might have to pay Y/n if Remus loads them up with sugar," Frank chuckled, entering the room and throwing his arm around his wife’s shoulder.

“Maybe the boys can play matchmaker,” Lily raised her eyebrows and smirked. “Give them that little push they need.”

“The one they’ve needed since third year?” Alice adds. A knock at the door had everyone’s heads turning. James turned to walk toward the door, but the boys beat him to it.

“We’ll get it!” Neville exclaimed, racing Harry to the door. They opened it and you scooped them up immediately, playfully tickling them.

“How are my favorite boys in the whole world?” you asked, pinching their cheeks which earned a groan from both of them.

“You better not let Moony hear you say that. He might get jealous,” James teased. You rolled your eyes at James and set the boys down. You had just stepped foot in his house and he was already teasing you about your crush.

“Well it’s a good thing he’s not here, isn’t it?”

Lily and Frank looked at you apologetically, Frank sucking in through his teeth. James and Alice shared a similar expression of holding back laughter.

Your face dropped. “What did you do?”

James grabbed you and pulled you into the kitchen, Lily following suit. “So there may have been a wee bit of confusion on our part,” Lily starts to explain.

“No no no, this is a good thing!” James started, attempting to keep the situation strictly positive. He gripped your shoulders and looked into your eyes as if he was about to give you a pep talk. “You get to be alone with Remus for a whole afternoon. When was the last time you two were alone together?”

Lily was about to chime in that they would be watching his son, not alone, when there was a knock at the door.

“There’s your Moony,” James teased. He smoothed out your hair, jokingly making sure you looked good for Remus. He had known about your little crush since third year, but he still acted as if it were a big deal.

“You see him all the time Y/n. Just act like you always do around him,” Lily rubbed your shoulder comfortingly, then exited the kitchen to greet the second babysitter. You turned to follow her but stopped momentarily to punch James in the arm.

Lily opened the door for Remus who kissed her on the cheek. “Where’s the little tyke? Haven’t seen him all week,” he moved into the living room looking for Harry but was met with another familiar face.

He straightened up at the sight of you, his features softening slightly as a smile tugged at the corner of his lips. “I didn’t know you were fifth wheeling with these guys tonight,” he joked, butterflies filling his stomach as you laughed at him.

“I’m not. They’ve started a babysitters' club and were the only two members.”

Remus looked between the two couples who just shrugged at him.

“Do you four not communicate?” Remus scolded playfully. Hearing his voice, Harry ran into the room and jumped into his arms. Remus threw him in the air and you couldn’t help but smile.

“You’re lucky I like Remus,” you quipped. “Had it been someone else, I would’ve gone straight back out that door.”

James snuck a quick look at Remus and wiggled his eyebrows. He walked towards him and took Harry, all the while leaning in to whisper in his ear teasingly “She said she likes youuuu.”

Had James not been holding his son, Remus would have shoved him.

“I’m sorry you guys, I’ve just been so scatterbrained lately,” Lily apologized, kissing both of your cheeks in passing as she headed to the table to grab her purse.

You both reassured Lily that it was okay and both couples were ushered out of the door by their excited children.

“We love you, Harry, behave!”

“Mind your manners, Neville!”

The boys shut the door behind their parents and turned to each other. Neville winked at Harry in a way that looked a lot more like an exaggerated scrunch of his face. Harry nodded and scurried back into the living room, Neville a few steps behind him.

“Aunt Y/n, will you read to us?” Harry begged. Neville assisted by giving you the cutest pleading eyes you had ever seen. And although they looked adorable, you couldn’t help but think they were up to something.

You shot Remus a confused smile at the boy's behavior. He just shrugged his shoulders and chuckled. “Of course, she will. You boys go pick out a book.”

You giggled as they scurried away towards Harry’s room. You turned to Remus, who was already looking your way, a soft smile on his face. A blush ran up his face as he averted eye contact and rubbed the back of his neck.

“I can go make them a snack while you read,” he pointed his thumb over his shoulder in the direction of the kitchen. He wanted to stay and listen to your pretty voice, but he was discouraged at the idea of you catching him staring again. 

“What? You don’t want to stay and hear me read the story they pick?” you pouted playfully.

Remus bit back a smile, pretending that he was having to think about it. On cue, the boys came running back in with their choice of book and settled on the couch beside you. They looked expectantly at Remus.

“Well, make room for me.” You met his eyes and smiled brightly at his statement. You grabbed the book from Harry’s little hands.

“Hmm, Sleeping Beauty. This is a very good pick.”

Harry and Neville snuggled into either side of you as you read. Remus observed the way you animatedly told the story. The way your lips moved with each word had him in a trance. It reminded him of how he used to sit in the library, hopelessly watching you study with a lovesick smile. He closed his eyes and imagined what it would be like if you read to him—just him.

Before he knew it, he was being shaken out of his trance by two eager little boys. The story was over and they needed something else to entertain them.

“Uncle Moony, will you please be the prince? Please please please?” Harry begged, holding his hands together in front of his face. Remus couldn’t help but scoff, seeing so much of his father in him. He looked at you for help as to what exactly they were asking him.

You giggle at the boys. “They want to play knights, Remus. They need a prince,” you playfully cleared up his confusion. He smiled at you and turned back to the boys.

“Oh, I see now,” he nodded his head in understanding. “And why do I have to be the prince?”

Harry and Neville shared a look as if the question was absurd. Remus could sense them growing impatient, so he stood up and allowed them to drag him away. He turned back to you and playfully mouthed ‘help’. You giggled and he couldn’t help the feeling of pride that came along with making you laugh.

Harry stopped and ran back towards you. He stood on his tiptoes and cupped his hand to the side of his mouth. You leaned down and craned your neck for him to whisper in your ear, a skill he hadn’t quite honed yet. “You’re the princess. Pretend to be in a deep sleep like Aurora.”

You pulled away and Remus held back a laugh as you wiped your ear. You mouthed an ‘OK’ and he ran back towards Remus to drag him away.

Once alone, you couldn’t help but ponder Remus’ question about having to be the prince. He was always like a prince to you. A blush creeps up your neck as you recall all the books you read about princes, and how you pictured them as Remus every time. The longer you thought about it, you realized that you pictured him as the love interest in every book you read.

You could hear them rustling around upstairs in Harry’s bedroom. You imagined how Remus looked playing along with them. How the sleeves of his sweater were pushed up. The way his eyes would crinkle as he laughed along with the boys. How soft his voice would get comforting them if they got hurt.

It got quiet for a moment, and you almost stood up to go check on them. Suddenly, there were three sets of footsteps running down the stairs. You quickly laid down and shut your eyes, trying to hold back a smile.

The ‘knights’ rushed in and kneeled at your side. Remus stayed back, standing in the doorway. His chest rose and fell in a soft sigh as he studied your ‘sleeping’ figure. He took advantage of the situation and allowed his eyes to linger. He noticed the corners of your mouth twitch and he felt his stomach do a flip.

Neville put his hand to your forehead to ‘check your pulse’, to which you could hear Remus softly blow air out of his nose. He moved from the doorway to kneel beside them whispering, “If only we had read a book that told us what to do to wake her up.”

“A kiss!” Neville exclaimed, earning a harsh shush from Harry. Neville giggled and whispered the same words again. Remus ruffled his hair and nodded down at the boy.

“That’s a good idea, Sir Neville. Try it and see if it works.”

You couldn’t help but smile at the soft voice Remus used with the boys. You always admired how the marauders played with Harry, but there was something extra special about the way Remus did it. He was so gentle and encouraging with them.

Neville began to lean in to kiss your cheek but was stopped by Harry’s small hand on his lips. He shot Neville a look that reminded Remus so much of the one Lily gave James when he says something stupid.

“True loves' kiss, Sir Neville! Remember?” he asked, the last word spoken through gritted teeth as if he was conveying something secret. Neville's face changed to one of understanding, before scooting over and making room. Harry turned to his beloved uncle Moony,

Remus’ eyes widened and his cheeks flushed immediately. His first thought was how much he wanted to, but his second was how much he couldn’t kiss you right now. Not while he’s playing pretend. This scenario had played out in his head over a thousand times and none of them involved children.

Remus shook his head and went to stand up, but Harry grabbed his hand. “But you’re the prince! You have to save the princess!”

You opened one eye and could visibly see how nervous poor Remus was. Since he had the boys’ attention, you took the opportunity to reach for his hand. He startled at the touch, then relaxed when your eyes met. You nodded at him softly as if to tell him it’s okay, just play along.

And you had meant that he could just pretend to kiss you. You figured he didn’t want to and was uncomfortable at the thought. That was not how Remus understood it. Remus took your actions as an okay to kiss you.

He blushed and squeezed between the two boys who were watching in anticipation. He leaned down so that his face was hovering over yours, and you felt his hair fall against your cheek.

Before you could start acting, you felt his lips graze the corner of your mouth. Your eyes snapped open as the younger boys both cheered. Remus pulled back suddenly and looked down at you horrified. Had you not wanted him to kiss you? You brought your hand up to touch the place his lips just had.

Before Remus could see your face break out into a smile, he abruptly stood. “Tell Y/n goodnight,” he stated, turning away from you and waiting. Both boys kissed your cheeks and followed Remus up to Harry’s room.

—————————————————————

Remus entered the kitchen to see you sitting on the counter drinking out of a mug. You offered him one, but she shook his head. He didn’t want it to throw him off the apology he had just rehearsed over and over.

“I’m so sorry Y/n,” he started, running a stressed hand through his hair. “I don’t know why I thought that was okay. I clearly misinterpreted what you meant and I hope you can forgive me.”

“Mus,” you called softly. He turned to you, making eye contact for the first time since the kiss. “Come here.”

He walked towards you slowly, as if he were a scared animal. The smile you gave him has the crease between his eyebrows relaxing. You motioned for him to come closer. He listened to you and slotted himself between your legs.

You slowly moved your hand to the back of his neck, lightly running your fingers through his hair—something you had wanted to do since you felt it against your cheek earlier. The other hand rested on his broad shoulder. He leaned down and placed his head in the crook of your neck to hide his blush.

“If I didn’t want you to kiss me, I would have stopped the game.”

You felt Remus nod against your neck, his eyelashes tickling your skin. He places his hands on your waist, rubbing his thumbs slowly against the fabric of your sweater. He retracted his head from your neck, choosing instead to lean against your forehead.

“Can I do it again?” he whispered shakily. You could feel his breath against your lips as he looked at you with pleading eyes. You bit your lip and nodded. His hands tightened on your waist as he eagerly crashed his lips against yours. You tugged on his soft strands and he groaned against your lips, pulling you flush against him.

He pulled away with a sigh, keeping his eyes closed and resting his forehead against yours. He started laughing and you were brought back to reality. Your face grew hot and you removed your hands from his hair.

“What?” you pulled back to get a better look at him. He opened his eyes and shook his head, unable to control his laughter.

“Remus, what?” you whined. He brought his hands up to cup your face and kissed you softly again. This kiss was much shorter, but you felt the same amount of butterflies in your stomach.

“You have no idea how long I’ve wanted to do that.”

+

"They kissed? Blimey, you exceeded my expectations kid," chuckled Sirius, handing Harry the new toy motorbike he had promised him for playing matchmaker.

“8 years. We tried to set them up for 8 years and my son does it in an afternoon.”

[cannibalhellhound]

Wings AU character bits

Hi this is me trying to get a grip on writing again and getting the characters while also adding the wing bits.

Ice Harpy Eagle

Likes having long nails (harpy eagles have fuckin huge talons), keeps them shaped and neatly painted if he's in the mood when on leave

Likes to keep his nest cool and clean (comfy but practical)

Tall nesting! He always claims the top bunk! 

His childhood bedroom had one of those tall beds with a desk under them because he kept piling stuff up to sleep atop of them and it could fit multiple people 

Sad because Navy bunk beds are small :(

Strong as fuck (he's smaller than Sli but can bench press almost as much) (harpy eagles grab animals as big as them like sloths and carry them) (can carry others while flying if needed just not for lengthy flights)

Very keen eyesight so sunglasses for light sensitivity (maybe reading glasses for near sight focus? I like him with glasses)

Very good hearing (don't shit talk near him he'll definitely hear it)

Hair moves very slightly, similar to feathers (kinda like their facial disk and feather crest) 

*Baby feathers are almost all white with some light gray. They molt usually once a year (sometimes twice) and it takes 5 years to get the adult coloring 

Ice's stayed in a middle coloring and he got insecure. His mom suggested matching his hair and that's how the frosted tips came to exist :D

He's a provider by nature but his little sisters have made him very nurturing and affectionate too (Slider knows this firsthand and thinks it's hilarious how fussy Ice can get)(the others learn with time but first baby goose)

Leaves feathers around the house (perfectly placed thank you very much)

Slider Bearded Vulture

Lämmergeier means “Lamb vulture” (wrong because they don't prey on sheep but shhhhh).  Slider calls Maverick “Little lamb” as a joke because he loves annoying him and wants to eat him up

CAN ACTUALLY EAT BONES!!! (Bone soup is a thing!) Will chew on them till it's painful to watch and will take anyone's bones off their plates to pick the marrow off them

The bone dropping shows a lot in him just throwing stuff. He does it. A LOT.

He also likes to have a tennis ball around to fidget dropping it and catching it when it bounces

Has an actual nest bed. The mattress is on the harder side but it has a shit ton of blankets and pillows (to the point you can't feel the mattress)

There are old feathers around the nest tucked in between pillows (don't tell Ice!!) ⁠(⁠ ⁠⁄⁠•⁠⁄⁠-⁠⁄⁠•⁠⁄⁠ ⁠)

Very involved into the life of the ones he loves (helpful, affectionate, etc) (this includes parenting looks at baby goose)

His feathers only dye red when visiting his family or on vacation with family because they frequent iron rich waters (his mom loves her red feathers and looking at her baby look like her makes her teary eyed)

Maverick Peregrine Falcon

Very lightweight!!!

He's beauty, he's grace, he'll dive down and kick you in the face (literally, peregrine falcons kill prey by punching them with their closed talons when dividing)

Very keen reflexes (both at ground and on air), will grab anything you throw at him even if distracted

Very! Good! At courting!!!! (Looking at the beginning bar scene)

Small but comfy nest. Very soft and also bunk bed! is perfect

Has a favorite blanket that he will ALWAYS take everywhere, even on deployment 

Cracking his head fuckin open more than once as a kid because he's a menace and small and tried to dive from places he climbed (not his best idea)

crying because he's so small he can't carry goose after the accident and can just grab at him until they get rescued

Now this would be for trans! Mav

To everyone's surprise Mav is as big as he can get (Female birds of prey are bigger than males= bigger wingspan, human height is genetic so for avians is a bit mixed)

Wings don't allow binding (for obvious reasons) but kinesiology tape exists! 

He already used KTape before joining the navy and top surgery so he's used to just strutting around shirtless (we stan a short confident king! It's honestly so freeing to tape and be shirtless I might just leave him pre surgery for next fanart pieces)

Goose Emden Goose

Literally a Mother Goose™

Has learned to deal with Maverick and not only does he not get surprised by his antics, he can predict them and is already prepared for them (aka get ready to scoop tiny ass Mav if he gets in trouble or hurts himself)

The good part is that it has made him baby proof. He can deal with a child he's been dealing with Mav!

Terrified. Absolutely terrified. Because his beautiful baby gosling is as much a little shit as his wife and best friend. If his wings weren't already white they'd for sure be by now ಥ⁠‿⁠ಥ

I need to think more about Mav and Goose but that involves looking for Peregrine Falcon and Geese facts

Edit to take out the divider because I don't like it

[celestialprincesse]

𝐒𝐚𝐲 𝐆𝐨𝐨𝐝𝐧𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭 𝐧 𝐆𝐨 - 𝐅𝐨𝐮𝐫

I'm so so sorry this took so long to get out! It's here now!

as usual, slight nsfw 💕 mdni please

Your dinner date comes in the form of a candlelit booth in the darkest corner of one of the nicest restaurants in town. Even in all your giddy, feet swinging, cheek hurting beaming, you can't miss the way Nikto's hands shake as he withdraws a pair of thick framed glasses from the inner pocket of his jacket before turning away from you to remove the black material of his mask.

"I'm not going to judge you." The sound of your soft admission has his shoulders bunching with a deep breath to slow the thundering of his heart. "I do not wish to frighten you." He murmurs lowly, sliding his glasses over his nose before turning back in his seat to face you.

There's a split second where you just stare, clenching your teeth until they creak in protest as you attempt not to gape over at him. You want to reach out and touch him - to run your fingers over the dipping craters and lines of raised, pale skin, to trace over the constellations of suffering etched into the face of the man sitting so self consciously before you. You don't, but god you want to. Art should comfort the disturbed and disturb the comfortable. You've never felt so safe.

Instead of saying anything, you simply reach for his hand across the clean white tablecloth, an encouraging squeeze given before you return to peering at the menu you've set out before you. "I've never had lobster bisque before." You hum, absently chewing at the pink paint of your nails, realising how very out of your depths you are when most of the items on the menu don't spark any sort of recognition in the depths of your mind. What the fuck is a fregotto?

"Do you like shellfish?" Nikto clearly sees your suffering, your wide eyed gaze as you stare down at the menu, and manages to pull himself from his thoughts in order to rescue you from your own. "I guess." You shrug, chewing on your glossy bottom lip nervously.

You've always subconsciously known that the man next door has money - not that he's the ostentatious type - but the neighbourhood is expensive, and the car in his garage, from what you can tell at least, is new and shiny. The watch around his wrist, though functional at first glance, is clearly expensive too. The only reason you live next door is because you'd inherited your little house from some aunt you'd barely remembered. You're not exactly struggling, but you don't fit in all too well either.

"The wagyu here is excellent." He continues, noticing the way you bounce your leg and fiddle with your pretty little hoop earrings, eyes darting across the off-white card of the menu pages. Your attempt at nonchalance is obvious as you rest your cheek in the crook of your palm, looking over at your date. "I can order for you, if you would like." Nikto shoots you a look he hopes comes off as considerate, practically praying that his actions are helpful, as opposed to controlling. He's never been too god with women. "Yes. Please." You sigh, the weight on your shoulders suddenly disappearing as your eyes flit to the drinks menu, relief evident when you gaze down to the 'house' cocktail menu, immediately settling on the fruitiest thing there.

After the waitress has come and taken the order of the odd pair in the corner, you and Nikto sit in a strangely comforting - albeit awkward - silence. "You look beautiful tonight." His voice is the first to carry through the quiet, drawing you back to him as your eyes glaze over, coming out in a way he's seen you do countless times before. "Thank you." The candlelight does little to hide the way you blush under his obvious, piercing admiration of you.

In your panicked browsing of the menu, you'd not even noticed the lack of pricing. The last time you'd been somewhere as fancy as this had been to celebrate your graduation, where you and your family had shared appetisers and some artistically crafted dessert, before promptly heading to the nearest gas station to stock up on chips and sodas which you'd sat eating in front of the TV. What Nikto knows, and you don't, is that places like this tend to provide the priced menus to the men, and he'd ordered you just about the most expensive thing on there. To him, you're nothing short of a princess, and it's only right that he should treat you as such.

He knows he's made the right decision when you take the first bite of your meal, which leaves your lashes fluttering and your eyes rolling back with a hum of appreciation. He hopes that one day maybe he'll see the same sight under him as he fucks you. "You like it?" He inquires, not even bothering to hide his obvious admiration for you and your animated reactions. "I don't even know what it is. But it's delicious." You breathe, taking another bite, savouring the way every flavour melts on your palate.

Dessert comes and goes, and you feel so blissfully full and happy by the time the waitress comes with a small leather folio, containing the bill. "Oh!" You chirp, rooting around in your inconveniently tiny purse to try and find your card. "Sorry, two seconds." Again, you're blushing with obvious embarrassment as you empty tubes of lipgloss and bubble gum packets out onto the table, your card nowhere to be found. "We are not splitting the bill." Nikto states firmly, removing a card from his wallet, before handing the folio back to the waitress, who promptly disappears to scan his card. "But-" "No. I invited you for dinner. I do not expect you to pay."

Nikto even walks you home, stands there on your porch as you fumble with your purse again, trying to find your keys. "Would you - uh - would you like to come in?" The hope in your eyes makes his gut wrench, but he holds firm. "Maybe another time."

You feel like a fool, some kind of a slut inviting him upstairs after the first date. He probably thinks you're some overzealous little girl as you stand there gawking. The kiss he gives you, tilting your chin up to capture your lips with his, soon fixes this perception. You melt into him just as he pulls away, using his thumb to wipe away some errant gloss on your chin. "When I fuck you, princess, I will do it properly. Yes?" You nod, utterly gormless at his words, at his reciprocation of your feelings made clear. "Goodnight, princess. Sleep well."

You don't sleep well that night. Not in the slightest. You toss and turn under the white silk of your sheets, pyjamas tossed to the floor as you desperately fuck your fingers to the thought of him. He does the same.

Finally here !!! I'm sorry for the wait!!!! I hope you enjoyed !!! Mwah!!!!!!!! Also, tell me you like my new badge🤭

[reborrowing]

Hands of Fate

so, gt soulmates huh? a concept that could turn into a full story, maybe, where humans don’t get soulmates. usually.

Fate wasn’t fair.

In most ways, it couldn’t be predicted much better than the weather or your hosts’ comings and goings. It was fickle and anything you thought you saw coming turned up on its own twisted terms.

As the sun went down over an old farmhouse, a young borrower beneath the floor woke up with a prim white handmark on her forearm, a sign that she was soon to meet a soulmate. She was seventeen, a good age for that sort of thing, and her family living with her in the walls of the old house was all abuzz with celebration and speculation.

Her siblings all pressed their own hands against the mark to try to imagine what sort of person the soulmate might be—young or old, male or female, delicate or rough. Her uncle and grandparents argued about whether it meant Stepha would be leaving or a stranger would come creeping into the walls of the old house, and which would be better for the lot of them. Once a mark appears, fate starts to pull you into place to make sure the two of you will meet. That was the whole point of the old magic—to ensure that no borrower ever got too isolated.

Excitement spread through each crack and crevice of the old house until all the hidden little households heard the news. Very little ever changed in the quiet eaves where they lived their lives so rumor of a newcomer was hot news indeed. All were happy to titter on about planning a welcome party of some when the time came, gathering the families like it was a holiday. It was unlikely they’d actually pull anything so grand, but for now the musty walls were full of congratulations and excitement.

Cob, meanwhile, seethed.

He had grown up hearing about the heroic rescue from a flooding storm drain that brought his parents together and the garden walk where his aunts Kit and Melly stumbled into each other under a romantic rain of cherry blossom petals. He had admired the bond between Mix and Daisy, not romantically inclined, but so close they could outwit the and outmaneuver the neighbor’s cat without speaking a word to the other. Even the souls-tied rivalry between his grandmother and the garden trader was endearing, in its way. The connection soulmates had was deeper and more enduring than that in any relationship without…and Cob was still waiting.

It was childish to be jealous, he knew, but the bitterness was not so easily dismissed. He was old enough now to consider seeking out a partner in a more mundane manner before he missed his chance at raising a family of his own.

Why would Fate send a newcomer to his baby cousin instead of to him? It was well past his turn, wasn’t it?

Fate wasn’t fair and it seemed to have a grudge against Cob.

Rather than get caught sulking, he volunteered to go out and see if he couldn’t find something fresh and sweet to bring to the gathering. That took his mother by surprise, since Cob rarely went out into the house unless someone dragged him.

It was a decent trek down into the kitchen and it felt good to stretch his legs and get away from talk of soulmates. His agitated mood started to relax as he rappelled down the spice rack to look around the counter for a good prize. He imagined the best food would be in the fridge, but he didn’t have a good way to open it on his own. Instead he crept toward a wooden bowl on the other end of the room that ought to have fruit of some sort. Maybe, so long as no one made a habit of it, he could get away with slicing away a bit of apple or…

The bowl was lighter then it looked and tipped over when he tried to climb its side, flinging out its precious contents. Cob scrambled back to avoid getting trapped underneath. A pair of apples rolled to the floor and bounced heavily across the hardwood, easily audible in the next room over.

Cob hurried to get out of sight as he heard the door. He hid in the shadows behind the toaster as the rest of the room lit up with electric light. His heart raced. He clenched his teeth so hard to keep quiet, he thought his molars might crack. His gear was still hanging down the spice rack in plain sight to anyone who thought to look Loud footsteps drew near and with them, the looming giant. Cob closed his eyes, lest the reflections give away his position, and mouthed a quick prayer to any power that might care to help keep him hidden—though Fate was the only one he knew by name. Thankfully, someone answered.

The human picked up the mess and walked off without even glancing in his direction, muttering something unintelligible as they turned off the light and retreated to the other room. Cob breathed out a sigh of relief but his skin still prickled and burned with fear and shame over nearly getting caught right after lashing out that anyone would question his competence. Today had gone so badly that it made him feel ill. Cob hastily made his way back home, suffered through dinner, and went straight to bed.

He woke up to a whispering crowd gathered around her hammock. His father shook her and wanted to know what had happened to her in the kitchen the previous night. He scowled tiredly. He was still hot, almost feverish, and he wanted nothing more than to roll back over fall back asleep. Someone grabbed his arm and he thought his heart might stop.

His whole right forearm was newly white—as was the rest of the arm and the entirety of his left. He inhaled sharply as he ran his now-pale hands over the new development and nervously pulled up his shirt. His skin glistened soulmark white from the neck down. He’d never seen anything like it. No one had ever even heard of such a thing. This wasn’t a handprint from another borrower’s touch, the mark was everywhere.

And there, on his chest, was the faint whorl of a human thumbprint.

Fate had decided that his destiny was intertwined with a human, for good or for ill, til death do they part.

-

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[lemonlover1110]

Baby Steps

Satoru Gojo

[Chapter 25] Progress

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Pairing: Satoru Gojo x f!Reader

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For the past four months, Satoru has experienced being a father to the best baby in the world. Satoru quite literally cannot fathom the thought of loving someone more than he loves the little baby that’s strapped to his chest. And there’s nothing he loves more than hearing his little baby laugh as Satoru cuts up some strawberries.

“Is that funny, Seiji?” Satoru asks as the baby laughs, looking at how his father takes a strawberry and magically makes two of them. There’s no better sound than his baby laughing at Satoru doing the bare minimum. Seiji’s simply Satoru’s favorite human, he always will be. The same laughter emits when Satoru cuts up yet another strawberry.

“Satoru, aren’t you going grocery shopping?” You question as you walk into the kitchen to find him cutting up strawberries just to entertain your baby. He hums in response.

“Are you coming with?” Satoru responds and you shake your head. He’s noticed that you avoid going out. The most you go out lately is to the balcony of the apartment to take a breath of fresh air. He doesn’t want to call you out on it but it worries him.

“Do you want to take Seiji with you?” You ask him, and Satoru nods. Satoru insists on taking Seiji out, and while you try to say that inside Seiji is safer, Satoru just wants to show off his baby to the world.

“He helps me pick up ladies.” He jokes, making you roll your eyes. You’ve been dating– Not officially but you’re affectionate with each other and act as if you were dating. It’s like the beginning of your pregnancy, just this time you aren’t all too worried about labels. You’re both more focused on Seiji than anything; Satoru does want to make it official though, he just wants to make it special. “I was thinking… Maybe next week we can call Kaya to babysit so we can go on a date.”

“Depends on where it is.” You answer, and Satoru can’t bite his tongue.

“Why are you scared to go out?” Satoru brings up, and you shake your head. You’re definitely not scared to go out, inside it’s just simply safer. You chuckle.

“I’m not scared to go out.” You claim, but he really doesn’t believe it. The evidence makes it clear. You barely step out of the apartment.

“You know that we’ll have to move out eventually? We have to look for a house for the five of us, and I can’t exactly pick it out by myself.” He points out, and you end up sighing. “I know you refused to go to therapy but you should really consider it.”

“I’m fine.” You reply, and as the words leave your mouth, Seiji begins to fuss. It’s always funny to see Satoru bouncing to try to calm the baby down, Satoru’s hand going to Seiji’s tiny foot and caressing it. It doesn’t work, and he takes Seiji out of the carrier. You take the baby from Satoru and you kiss the top of Seiji’s head, “You wanna stay with mommy, don’t you?”

“He’s a traitor.” Satoru rolls his eyes. But only God knows that he would give up his life for that tiny little traitor.

-

Maybe Satoru is right, that’s all you think about while trying to go to bed. With Seiji you barely get any sleep, and you want to take advantage of every minute that you get to sleep, however, you can’t fall asleep even though you’re so tired. You’re just thinking about your son, how you’re refusing to go outside and how if you refuse to step a foot outside again, you’ll miss so much from his life. That’s the only thought that consumes your mind and it doesn’t help you sleep.

“Satoru.” You try to get his big arm off you because you hear your baby crying. Satoru is also exhausted; not only is he working but every time Seiji cries, Satoru tries to go to his rescue. Of course, he doesn’t have an unlimited source of energy so he’s bound to get tired eventually. Satoru rolls over and you get out of bed to get Seiji before he wakes up the sleeping kids.

You turn on the light of the nursery and smile as you walk over to your baby. You pick him up and kiss his forehead before walking to the rocking chair to feed him. You never really thought that at twenty one years of age you’d be breastfeeding your son but here you are. Worst of all is that you’re not even officially dating his father– No, worst of all is that you’d do it all over again just to be able to hold your son in your arms.

Once he’s finished, you smile at him. You were thinking that the older he gets, the more he’ll look like you but it feels like he just looks more and more like Satoru. You boop his nose before your hand caresses the little hair that he has on his head. Maybe it isn’t ideal to be a mother at such a young age, but you’d do anything for Seiji.

“I love you, Seiji.” You tell him and he coos. You can’t wait to hear him talk, but you also hate the thought because it means he’s just growing faster and faster. You want him to stay small forever but you also want him to grow up to be his own person. 

And you can’t stay locked inside forever while it happens. 

You rock him until he’s finally asleep again. You kiss his forehead before standing up and putting him in the crib. You turn off the light and walk back to the bedroom to go to sleep. When you lay in the bed, Satoru’s arm goes over you again. He cuddles into you, and a smile comes to your face.

“Everything okay?” He asks, his voice barely comprehensible since he’s three quarters asleep.

“He was just hungry.” You answer. His nose buries in your nape, and you feel a smile creep onto your face. “You were right, I should go to therapy.”

“Really?” He wakes right up, his eyes shooting open. You hum in response. He brings you even closer to him before asking, “Why?”

“If I stay inside forever then I’ll miss so much of his life… And maybe with that help we can start a relationship and whatnot.”You respond and you feel his lips on your neck.

“Aren’t we technically in a relationship? We’re sleeping in the same bed and we–” He begins but before he can finish the sentence, you cut him off.

“I mean… We weren’t technically in a relationship when Seiji was conceived. And do I need to remind you that you were dating Leiko while we–”

“Leiko doesn’t count, not a real relationship.” He interrupts you because he doesn’t like to remember that part of his life. It hasn’t been a year since it happened but he wants to pretend like it never happened. He did all that to protect you… And he wonders how the secret spilled. How Suguru got to know about you and your pregnancy. He wonders if he should really look for the person who spilled the secret because he’s vengeful and he doubts he’ll let the person live after you were so close to death. “I’m glad that you want to get help to be a better mommy to our son.”

“I’ll do anything for him.” You say.

“I know you would. I would too.” He responds. He kisses your shoulder before he tells you, “I love you.”

“We should go on that date.” You tell him, a smile coming to his face. And while you said that you wouldn’t have more kids, that was right after giving birth. The more time passes by, the less you remember the pain of giving birth, “If all goes well, maybe in a couple years we can have another baby.”

“I like that idea. We have to have a daughter so we can give her your name.” Satoru says which causes you to laugh. You do want a daughter. Your smile fades when you feel something on your back.

“Satoru… Does the idea of getting me pregnant turn you on?” You ask him as you feel his erection on your back. He tries to deny it as he lets go of you and rolls to the other side out of embarrassment. You go to hug him, kissing his cheek, “I’m flattered, really. Especially with how I look now.”

“How do you look now?” Satoru sounds completely confused. He turns again so he can look at you. You end up shrugging, looking away slightly embarrassed. His hand goes to your chin and he tilts your head up before pecking your lips. “You truly have never looked more beautiful. It takes everything in me to not pick you up and drag you in here. You’ve never looked hotter.”

“You’re flattering me.” You chuckle, and he brings his lips to meet yours. You can’t help but smile at him. He really makes you happy even if he irks you at times. 

“You’re really the most beautiful woman that has ever walked on Earth.” Satoru tells you and you have a stupid smile on your face. You wish you could fight it off, but it’s impossible. “I would knock you up right now if you’d let me.”

“Hmm…” You laugh before kissing him again. “I was about to have sex with you, but you scared me off.”

“I said if you’d let me.” Satoru insists, but you shake your head. 

“I’m just really tired right now, maybe tomorrow.”

-

“Alright, which one will hold Seiji?” Satoru asks as he holds Seiji with one arm, and the other holds a camera. Megumi points at Tsumiki while she raises her hand. Megumi saw the last mess Seiji made in his diaper, and he isn’t going to risk that happening to him. Satoru smiles as he hands Seiji off to Tsumiki. He makes sure she holds the baby right.

You told Satoru you wanted a picture of Seiji with the kids, and of course he’s trying to do so while you have your first therapy session. You’re in the bedroom, talking in the phone with them while Satoru tries to arrange the kids in the living room. They’re all wearing a cute outfit, a matching blue color. Satoru arranged the furniture so he could have a blank background for the picture of the kids.

“Stand next to Tsumiki and Seiji, Megumi.” Satoru orders as he gets the camera ready. He has to make it fast because he doubts that Tsumiki will be able to hold Seiji for too long. “Okay, smile. Say cheese.”

Megumi smiles, showing all his teeth and it makes Satoru roll his eyes. He won’t argue about it though. He snaps his fingers to get Seiji’s attention, and when he does he makes a stupid face to get the baby to laugh. When the baby laughs, Satoru snaps the picture.

He looks at the picture momentarily, but he only looks at his baby boy without caring to check how Megumi and Tsumiki look. Satoru picks up Seiji from Tsumiki’s arms. Then when he holds the baby, he looks at the picture: Megumi’s awful smile, Tsumiki blinked right on cue, the only person that looks adorable is Seiji. That’s all he cares about, the Gojos can’t look bad in any picture.

“Can I look at the picture?” Megumi asks and Satoru shakes his head. Megumi pouts his lips, and when Seiji sees it he laughs. That fills Satoru's heart up with joy.

“Oh, you’re just so cute.” Satoru kisses the baby’s cheeks. Then he holds Seiji up to blow a raspberry on his tummy, “I can’t wait to show your mommy the picture.”

“He doesn’t look like you, that’s why he’s cute.” Megumi says, and Satoru doesn’t pay any attention.

“Tsumiki, will you argue with your brother?” 

[torukmaktoskxawng]

'anla - part seven

Series Masterlist Summary: The next generation is getting ready to complete their Iknimaya. Ao'nung and Y/n aren't exactly hiding, but people are finally noticing. Pairing: Ao'nung/Fem!Na'vi!Sully Reader Warnings: Mature language, overprotective parent, heated arguments, heated gazes (in a sexy way), fluff, coming of age, mentions of mating, mentions of drowning and death, etc posted on ao3 Word Count: 8k+ Tag: #'anla ao'nung fic Na'vi Words: Marui - house/pod, ilu - plesiosaur like animal, tulkun - whale like animal, skxawng - moron, akula - shark like animal, olo'eyktan - clan leader, ma'yawntu - my love, paskalin - honey, syulang - flower, tìyawn - love, tsahik - spiritual leader, tswin/kuru - queue braid, tsakarem - tsahik in training, tsurak - skimwing, ikran - mountain banshee, tsaheylu - the bond, swoa - intoxicating beverage, oel ngati kameie - I See you, ma'yawntutsyìp - my darling, nantang - viperwolf, ma'ite - my daughter, taronyu - hunter Taglist (bold indicates "could not tag"): @bangtanxberm @aonungmyaddiction @lv9su @aisselasstuff @yourusername1 @amortencjja @king-julian6201 @gg-trini @im-in-a-pansexual-panik @mikeyswifie @heart-an0n @iloveavatar @urdads-gf  @kentfisherswifee6 @sakurayuki8655-blog @ken-zah @nilrilie @g-l-1-t-c-h-3-r @iovemoonyy @sopluto @frvv A/N: Two chapters in just two days??? Anyway, like I said the last chapter, I had to split my writing into two parts since it was getting to be over 10,000 words, so here is the next part!

The trip back to the village was a quiet one, Y/n's mind still reeling about her conversation with Neteyam. Jake thankfully didn't ask and acted as a pillar of strength when they returned home. He made one look at Neytiri and she opted out of saying anything, gladly letting her husband and her daughter return to the marui but not before she held them both in her arms out of relief that things would be alright between them. Y/n went to bed early, exhausted from all of the events of the day that resulted in the grief come bouncing back. If she woke up in the middle of the night to find herself in a cuddle pile of both Na'vi and human siblings, she didn't mention it, and none of the Sullys made any comments the following morning. Everyone was just happy that bonds were mending and hearts were healing. They were one step closer to feeling like a family again.

Lo'ak was visibly more comfortable walking beside Y/n that morning, knowing that she and their father had talked, and was happy to no longer walk on eggshells around either of them. Y/n appeared more relaxed as well, despite receiving some odd-looking glares from nearby Metkayina girls. To ignore the stares and lighten the mood a little more, Y/n shoved her little brother into the water before he could even blink. The resulting splash sent Y/n laughing and Lo'ak sputtering when his resurfaced, vowing revenge. It was then that Ao'nung and Rotxo showed up, grinning down at Lo'ak's predicament while standing beside Y/n.

"Quit messing around, Lo'ak," Ao'nung teased good-naturedly, "We got work to do today."

Lo'ak frowned, slightly embarrassed but summoned an ilu for himself. The other teens do the same and they head out to work, all the while Rotxo explains today's task to the Sully children, "When training to be a warrior among the Metkayina, you have to ride an ilu to chase away predators that threaten the young."

"Bro, we used ilu to rescue a tulkun and fought against Sky People," Lo'ak retorts, "I think that should count."

"He's got a point," Y/n added, "I think we rescued plenty of our young doing that."

Lo'ak squints his eyes in his sister's direction, "I couldn't tell if that was sarcastic or not."

"Figure it out, skxawng."

"It is all about tradition," Ao'nung explained, "I am sure the Elders would appreciate us keeping up with old traditions despite we have done enough to become warriors ten times over already despite our young age."

"So we're only doing this to impress a bunch of old people?" Lo'ak questioned with an added groan, getting splashed by Y/n in the process.

"Lo, for someone who just tries to fit in--"

"I know, I know," he waved her off half-heartedly.

"I'd like to see you talk that way to Grandmother."

A bit of color drains from Lo'ak's face, but otherwise he says nothing. Ao'nung laughed as they leisurely swayed in the water, leaning over in Lo'ak's direction, "They say that the Elders see and hear all. I would watch my back if I were you, Lo'ak te Suli. Maybe make a necklace for them as an apology."

Y/n laughs while Rotxo's smile slowly turns up into a mischievous grin, eyeing Ao'nung while opening his mouth, his eyes all-knowing, "Speaking of necklaces, that is a very nice arrowhead, Y/n. Akula?"

Ao'nung spun to glare at Rotxo in warning while Y/n briefly pressed a finger to the arrowhead she had yet to take off. She quickly retracts her touch and pointedly doesn't look at Rotxo, "Yes, thank you."

By now, Lo'ak is also staring at the necklace, eyes widening each time his brain puts another piece of the puzzle together, head tilting to Ao'nung, then Y/n, then back again. Rotxo could see Lo'ak's realization slowly dawning on his face and decided not to let up for the sake of teasing his friend, "Did you make it? Or was it given to you?"

"The necklace is mine... the tooth was a gift."

"Oh? From who?" Rotxo's big eyes practically sparkle with mirth, staring directly at Lo'ak as he adds, "You know, speaking of tradition, usually when a Na'vi gifts another something as special as that, it means they are courting--"

"I think we should split up on our patrol," Lo'ak abruptly states, briefly glaring daggers at Ao'nung while urging his ilu forward to swim beside Rotxo, "As I am about ready to strangle both of you, I will be going with Rotxo."

"Sure," Ao'nung shrugged, "Meet back here around midday?"

"Alright. See ya then."

Ao'nung and Y/n watch Lo'ak and Rotxo speed their ilu up and swim away, jumping in and out of the water before disappearing on the horizon. The pair waits until they are completely alone before Y/n flashes a side-eye glance in Ao'nung's direction, "You told Rotxo?"

"I didn't tell him anything," he defends, "But practically everyone has been asking. They all probably know."

"Yeah... 'Teyam used to tease me about it." She smiled sadly at the memory.

"Did he? I was so sure he would have killed me."

"No, he was the brother you didn't have to worry about," she huffed a small laugh, "Lo'ak and Spider on the other hand... well, you've been punched by the one before, and Spider might be more level-headed but you have never seen him truly angry."

A small glimmer flashed in Ao'nung's eyes, a wave of respect for the human boy washing over him, "That's intriguing."

She snorts quietly, her eyes returning to the spot where the other pair of teenagers disappeared, "I'm pretty sure Lo'ak has known about us for a while, maybe before I even knew there was an 'us.' So I wouldn't worry about him. He's just acting like a child."

She raises an eyebrow when Ao'nung emits a small growl, "Maybe your brother should worry about me if what I heard about him and Tsireya is true."

"Oh, please. They have been fond of each other since the day they met, don't act like you didn't notice." Y/n rolled her eyes.

"I am going to kill him."

"You will do no such thing if you know what's good for you," she glared dangerously back, though Ao'nung noted that it was not as heated or as threatening as her usual glares, "You cannot hate him for seeing your sister and then turn around to see his. Besides, I think your mother doesn't mind it after she and I talked that one time we were foraging. She heard my side of things and I think she actually approves of Lo'ak and Tsireya now."

Ao'nung goes back to that day when he found Y/n and his mother walking out of the forest together, his ears sheepishly pinning back against his skull when he remembered what had happened after Y/n had left, "My mother asked about you."

Y/n's eyes widened, "She did?"

"And she tells my father everything, so..."

"Same here. I think our sisters know, but they are not saying anything. They would take it to their grave if we asked them." Y/n smiles to herself.

"It wouldn't matter. This whole village is full of spinsters," Ao'nung snidely comments, "Everyone's business is everyone's business."

He watched as the gears openly turned in Y/n's head, her eyes looking to the sky while she asked, "... Is that why there were girls staring at me down by the docks this morning?"

"I do not know," initially, he shrugs, but she watches as Ao'nung's eyes slowly start to sparkle as his teasing grin reemerges, "Maybe they are jealous."

"Jealous?"

"Of course," he flaunts dramatically, "Jealous that a forest girl from a faraway place managed to steal the future olo'eyktan out from under their noses."

Her scowl immediately pitches into a laugh when he reaches over and briefly grabs her tail. Y/n pulled away from him before he could do it again, still laughing while trying to evade his hand.

They urge their ilu to swim a bit more after that, chasing one another playfully until they get to their next spot for patrol. By the time they got there, Ao'nung noticed that Y/n was staring off into space and looking a little unsure of herself, "What is it?"

Her eyes and ears lower, gaze pointedly staring down at her hands, "We mentioned honoring tradition earlier, then just now you reminded me of your stature. Maybe the Elders wouldn't appreciate the chief's son choosing a forest girl over one of their own."

Ao'nung scoffed, "The Elders don't care about that sort of thing. You are Na'vi. That's all that matters to them."

"But even you didn't think we were true Na'vi," her eyes flick up to his and his blood turned cold under her stare, "Not when we first arrived."

He slouched, ears drooping while his eyes softened into regret, fingers twitching with the need to reach out to her, but remained in his lap, "I was wrong."

"Maybe. But there are others who still think the same way you did. They still look at me, Lo'ak, and Kiri and think we are freaks. I am pretty sure even Tuk has more friends than us because she at least looks Na'vi."

"That is not why she has more friends," Ao'nung tries to smile, "Tuk is Tuk."

Y/n hums to herself, feeling one corner of her mouth twitch at the fond thought of her baby sister, "That's true."

"You..." Her eyes flick back up to Ao'nung when his voice didn't sound very confident. He wouldn't look her in the eyes, clearly feeling out of his comfort zone. She patiently waited for him to speak, occupying herself by watching drips of water fall off his brow or glisten in his hair, the sun reflecting off his wet braids like diamonds. Y/n's chest squeezed, but it wasn't an uncomfortable feeling. It was warm and it was spreading over her like a comforting blanket that her mother would leave beside the fire. Her thoughts are disrupted when Ao'nung finally finds the courage to look up, "You have never once doubted yourself like that. Lo'ak and Kiri sometimes still look at themselves and hate what they see, but not you. You've never doubted yourself, Y/n, so why start now?"

"It doesn't matter whether or not I despise how I look," she carefully answers, feeling small and scrutinized under his disbelieving gaze, "It matters what everyone else would think if they knew you were courting a deformed freak."

"You are not deformed."

"No?" She bitterly questioned, frowning as she lifted up her hand to him, purposely wiggling her pinky finger, "This doesn't freak you out? It is alien."

"So what?" He reached out for her hand, "An extra finger just means there is more of you to hold."

The response stuns her to the point she didn't react when Ao'nung slipped his hand into hers. Looking down, she stared at their joined hands, fingers wrapped around one another in an ornament of two different colors. Looking back, their skin tones complimented each other beautifully together, and the contrast just made sense. Y/n was still amazed about how big Ao'nung's hand was compared to hers, despite being the same age. Once those thoughts vanish, all that's left are Ao'nung's smooth words and the color slowly rising in her ears.

Y/n scoffs, trying to play it off, "Do you think yourself charming?"

Ao'nung grinned, "Only for you, ma'yawntu."

The term of endearment surprises her out of a laugh, playfully horrified, "Eywa, no."

"Paskalin?"

"Stop."

"Syulang?"

"Please, you are embarrassing."

"I got all day, tìyawn." Ao'nung laughed, "What would you like me to call you?"

"How about my name?" She asked sarcastically.

His smile was wide, bright, and downright beautiful. It took all of Y/n's willpower not to melt right then and there, "Of course, Forest Girl. It's what I prefer anyway."

"I'm sure it is, Seaweed Brain."

~~~~~~~~~

Ronal's baby was born in the traditional way, in a water birth ceremony called the First Breath, where the whole clan gathers around in shallow water to celebrate. Now, normally the tsahik would help the mother guide her newborn to the surface to take its first breath, but seeing as Ronal was the one expecting, one village healer and Tsireya were chosen to help her. This was a new kind of ceremony for the Sullys so they hadn't fully participated until after the baby was born, then they proceeded to celebrate with the rest of the Metkayina.

Kailani was a beautiful baby girl and everyone adored her. Nearly everyone wanted to see her and hold her. As the newest baby in the village, she had earned herself a lot of attention and was loved by all, especially her older brother and sister. Ao'nung was little enough that he couldn't remember when Tsireya was born, and Tsireya had always been the youngest, so this was the first time either of the chief's children experienced what it was like to have a new baby in the family... and it showed.

This became obvious a month into Kailani's life when Tuk came out of nowhere and started to drag Y/n and Kiri by their hands toward Ronal and Tonowari's marui, "Come on, come on! I wanna see the baby!"

The teen girls reluctantly follow their little sister, smiling fondly at Tuk's excitement. It was adorable to see that Tuk didn't have much experience with babies either. Approaching the pod, it was obvious neither tsahik nor olo'eyktan was home, and yet there were soft cries coming out of the marui. Tuk drops her sisters' hands and runs in while Y/n and Kiri dutifully follow. Walking inside, they find Tsireya and Ao'nung sitting close together, appearing a little worried and exhausted while looking down at the small baby lying in her big brother's arms. Both of the reef teenagers looked up when they heard someone enter, and Tsireya waved them over, "Have either of you seen our mother?"

Kiri and Y/n exchange a look before the former responds, "She's in the healer's hut. A warrior came in all scraped up from getting thrown against the coral reef."

"What is wrong?" Y/n asked.

"She won't stop crying," Tsireya admits shamefully, looking a little distraught, "We do not know why. We fed and changed her, but--"

"Have my sisters help," Tuk confidently offers without missing a beat, proud at her idea, "They know about babies. They helped Mama take care of me when I was little."

Tsireya and Ao'nung pointedly look up at the older Sully sisters, their eyes desperately pleading. Kiri was initially going to scoff at Tuk for her idea before Y/n wordlessly stepped forward and knelt down in front of Ao'nung. One look and she could tell why Kailani was so upset. Her tiny body wasn't exactly held close to Ao'nung's body but was instead held in his arms and in his lap. It didn't look comfortable and Y/n pitied the child.

"Here," Y/n offered, leaning over and helping Ao'nung adjust his hold on his baby sister, having him lift Kailani up from his lap and making sure he kept supporting her neck, "Babies need a lot of skin-to-skin contact at the beginning of their lives. It helps them bond with their mothers and other members of their family."

Y/n helps Ao'nung lift Kai until she's nestled snugly against his chest, her face protected in the crook of his neck. Almost immediately, the baby calms down, trying to bury her cold little nose into her brother's warm skin. Ao'nung is unable to speak or look away from Y/n, his ears only perking up as a sign he is listening when she keeps on explaining, "Try not to pinch her tswin. Without any hair to protect it yet, the tswin can be extra sensitive."

Kiri smiled softly to herself as Y/n continued to list several things Tsireya and Ao'nung could do, both of them listening with intense determination, all the while Kiri could only think about her older sister. It really was a shame that Y/n didn't want to take on the role of tsakarem, instead passing it along to Kiri when her adopted sister had shown an interest. Y/n still remembered a thing or two about healing from when Mo'at had begun to teach her, but from what Kiri understood, Y/n would get easily distracted and would beg their grandmother to dismiss her so she could go find Neteyam and train alongside him to become a warrior. Mo'at eventually gave in, fondly stating how Y/n was just like her mother, then proceeded to name Kiri her successor.

While Y/n may not like the method of healing and preferred hunting, she was still pretty knowledgeable when it was needed, and as Tuk said, she and Kiri remembered what it was like having a new baby in the family. Tsireya and Ao'nung appeared incredibly grateful for Y/n... but Kiri couldn't help but grin under her hand while looking at the way Ao'nung was staring at her older sister. The way his mouth formed such a secretive smile without the intention of showing it, his eyes subtly falling from Y/n's eyes to watch her lips as she spoke before flicking back up to her eyes before anyone would notice. But Kiri noticed, and she eventually had to look away because she felt as though she was intruding on something so intimate.

Rotxo had told Kiri and Spider about the mysterious arrowhead-shaped tooth that suddenly appeared around Y/n's neck one day, but the adopted Sullys didn't want to believe it. Lo'ak had scoffed, rolling his eyes and refusing to talk about it, but Neytiri had overheard and had this all-knowing smile on her face as she cooked over the hearth when her children walked back into the marui after bidding Rotxo goodnight. Jake and Tuk were none the wiser but Kiri had a feeling that her father was like Lo'ak, trying to ignore that something was clearly going on between Ao'nung and Y/n. Now, it was more obvious than ever.

~~~~~~~~~

While Y/n had not been able to complete all of her rites of passage alongside Rotxo and Ao'nung, she and the other Sully children still cheered them on and celebrated alongside them, especially after watching in amazement to see how a young Metkayina must finish certain challenges alongside their bonded tulkun brother or sister. After finishing those trials, along with taming their own skimwings, Ao'nung and Rotxo were gifted a special article of clothing, their first tattoo as warriors of the clan, and three beads for their songcords. Everyone was proud of the reef boys, now celebrated as young men among their People.

Next was going to be Y/n. She was determined to follow suit, as were Lo'ak and Kiri. They went out to practice for their trials every day, playfully competing with one another. Whilst Kiri was planning on becoming a healer in the tribe, she still wanted to tame a tsurak as her rite of passage and receive a Metkayina tattoo meant to signify healing. Jake and Neytiri were not sure how to feel about three of their children rushing toward adulthood, but they were supportive either way. The older Sully children tried very hard not to exclude Spider in the many training exercises, but he goodnaturedly shooed them away and told them to have fun and train hard. He may not be able to follow them, but he will still cheer them on from the sidelines, being there in spirit.

Lo'ak passed his trial with Payakan with flying colors, and now he and his sisters would move on to taming their own tsurak. Kiri did so with ease, her attachment to Eywa helping her befriend the mighty skimwing instead of mastering it. All of her siblings cheered for her from the docks, watching her disappear to wander with her new friend beyond the sea wall. Lo'ak was determined to go next, and while it looked a little rocky at times, he too, mastered his own warrior's mount, and Jake yelped and whooped proudly for his son. Lo'ak also left the safety of the lagoon to explore with his new friend and likely introduce him to Payakan.

When it was Y/n's turn to go tame a skimwing, Ao'nung approached her and spoke quietly under his breath, "Remember. The tsurak are temperamental creatures. Much like an ikran, you have to work hard to form a strong and loyal bond with them."

"Got it," Y/n nodded in acknowledgment, wrapping leather around her knuckles per her father's advice. Speaking of whom, Jake was approaching his daughter so Ao'nung simply nodded his head toward Toruk Makto and walked away to stand beside his own father.

Jake narrowed his eyes as he watched Ao'nung leave before softening his gaze and speaking down to his firstborn, "You're your mother's daughter. That makes you the best flyer and hunter on an ikran, so this will be a cakewalk for you. Tonowari told me that the ikran and the tsurak share a distant ancestor, so it's easy to see where they get their stubbornness from. You know how to tame stubbornness. You'll be a pro at this."

Y/n tried her very best not to visibly shrink up under her father's advice and praise. She wants to stand tall and proud under his words of affirmation now that they're starting to see eye-to-eye, but it is still a work in progress. She's not used to her father being so encouraging as of late, due to him stressing out over the war, moving away, and losing a son, so it was still a big step that needed adjusting. So, Y/n instead smiled widely up at her father and whispered a small thank you before rushing over to get the tsahik and olo'eyktan's blessing.

Ronal and Tonowari bid Y/n good luck with their own hidden smiles while Tsireya shared her confidence for her friend and lifted Kailani's arm up to wave at the Sully girl for encouragement. Ao'nung flashed his forest girl his own secret smile and a small nod, barely noticeable to the naked eye. Y/n practically beamed and with a new wave of confidence, turned and ran down the long dock to the very end, diving gracefully into the water.

All forms of sealife greet her underwater, her breath held as she forced herself not to get distracted. Since that fateful day against the Sky People, Y/n had been training herself to hold her breath longer, hoping to never have to worry anyone over her drowning ever again, not wanting to be a burden. Without wasting any time, she called out for a skimwing to approach her.

She had managed to find a school of fish Ao'nung told her was the tsurak's favorite snack, so she swam close to the fish and continued to call out, her heart singing when her strategy worked and a familiar beast gradually glided toward her, its powerful, scaled body creating a disturbance in the water. Looking like a Terran gharial, the tsurak approached with purpose and demanded to be respected, other small fish species quickly scattering to avoid it. With its long, sword-like snout, it gave itself personal space, and with its beady, soulless eyes, it analyzed Y/n. For an animal that was nearly domesticated with the Metkayina, Y/n wasn't worried about whether or not the creature deemed her as a threat, but then again, she looked different compared to all the other Na'vi the tsurak likely grew up with, and it was possible the skimwing could smell the part of her that descends from demons.

Y/n didn't take the kind and befriending approach as Kiri did. That form of taming only works for someone as Eywa-blessed at Y/n's adopted sister. Instead, she kept herself between the beast and its likely prey, the schoolfish behind her. The threat was clear. If it wanted to eat, the tsurak would have to go through her first.

The reptilian-looking fish didn't appear insulted by the threat and leisurely swayed side to side, jaw gradually opening and closing to breathe while stuck in place, showing off its small rows of razor-sharp teeth while staring Y/n down and waiting for the right opening to strike. Y/n slowly and carefully pulled her kuru braid over her shoulder all the while keeping her eyes locked on the tsurak. As they continued with this ocean version of a standoff, Y/n gradually began to inch forward, only moving in small, very slow strokes of water.

When she got too close, the tsurak opened its jaws and snapped down, quick as lightning, but Y/n was prepared for it. Much like taming an ikran, she quickly moved out of the way before the creature could bite her head off and, using her knuckles and palms now wrapped in leather, clamped down on the jaws of the creature, keeping it shut with as much muscle she could muster while using her newly found momentum to quickly swim onto the skimwing's back, never letting go. Knowing she would only have a second before the creature was no longer stunned, Y/n let go of the jaw with one hand and quickly grabbed her braid, immediately forming the tsaheylu.

The beast wiggled and then paused, swaying calmly back and forth as the connection was made. With her lungs slightly beginning to burn, Y/n didn't panic but also didn't hesitate to give the creature the order to resurface, now letting her other hand let go of the tsurak's snout in good faith. She promises to let the tsurak eat, later, if he swam up for air.

As quick as a bullet, the tsurak follows its new rider's order, shooting up through the water at great speed. Y/n nearly forgot to hang on tight, clamping her thighs down on the creature's back as tight as she could, her ears beginning to pop at the very sudden water pressure as they rose higher toward the surface. Sunlight was coming in fast and, before she knew it, Y/n was out of the water, leaping through the air, and plunging back into the ocean, all while still holding on tightly to the back of her very own tsurak. The beast resurfaces more gently this time and stays leisurely swimming above the water, giving Y/n much-needed time to breathe. She smiles when she can hear scattered cheering from the beach and docks but keeps on task, trying to stay focused. She has yet to fly with her new ride.

Adjusting her grip on the creature, she gives her new order, clenching her thighs again while preparing for the powerful beast's ascent. The tsurak begins to speed up, faster and faster until it's zipping through the water like a ship. Eventually, it gains enough momentum and the creature lets out its wings, extending them until they begin to catch air, and then the body rises out of the water. Y/n hangs on tight, stamping down the anxiety in her gut, sharing her determination and willpower through her new bond so the skimwing knows she means business. There is no room for failure.

The tsurak doesn't stumble, doesn't break, and doesn't lose focus. As they sail, the pair sails gracefully without a single wiggle or wobble. Y/n can faintly hear cheering in the distance but doesn't let it phase her. One more test. She gives the order and holds her breath, immediately bending down and pressing her body tightly against the creature's back.

The tsurak retracts its wings and points its snout down, briefly falling through the air before diving straight into the water below. The impact and mighty force of it all was much more powerful than riding an ilu, and Y/n had to hold on for dear life. Water rushed through her ears and she squinted her eyes in order to see better, but she held on and she held firmly. She would rather get her arm pulled off than let go, so she held on tighter, her leather wraps doing the trick to give her a better grip. One last order and Y/n feels the pair of them shooting back up through the water and into the air again, and this time, Y/n hoots triumphantly at the top of her lungs, hanging on tightly with one hand but throwing her other fist in the air, her trial complete.

Several people are cheering with her on the beach and in the water. Spider, Tuk, and Jake are whooping and hollering like party animals, ecstatic for their daughter and sister. Ao'nung and Rotxo are cheering alongside them, along with several other Metkayina watching the event. Y/n beams proudly at all of them from a distance, then proceeds to follow Kiri and Lo'ak's lead and head for open waters.

Ao'nung is smiling just as proudly from the beach, and once Y/n takes off, so does he. The chief's son immediately breaks into a sprint down the side of the beach, diving into the water before another word can be said. Once below the surface, he calls for his own skimwing and takes off after the Sully girl.

The only one who appeared to notice Ao'nung slip away was Neytiri, but she appeared to be smiling as she watched the reef boy chase after her daughter. A brief wave of déjà vu washed over her as she watched until she couldn't see either tsurak anymore. She smiled fondly, proud and filled with unimaginable joy as she had witnessed history repeat itself, much like it had with her when she first chased after Jake on their ikran.

The new warriors do not stay out for long. When eclipse comes, Y/n, Ao'nung, Lo'ak, and Kiri return for the Sully children's ceremony. The sunlight disappears and it's replaced with a bioluminescent glow everywhere, as far as the eyes could see. Lo'ak, Y/n, and Kiri stand before Ronal and Tonowari as they are presented with their rewards, their article of clothing, and the beads for their songcords to signify this triumphant milestone of adulthood. The Na'vi believe that every person is born twice and the second time is when a Na'vi finds his or her place among the People forever.

Once Ronal and Tonowari bestow the three Sullys their first tattoos, they were officially one with the Metkayina, marked with warrior and healer ink. Everyone gathered around the new young adults and congratulated them, making room for the parents to squeeze their way through the crowd and finally gather their children up. Neytiri held her children against her, joyous tears in her eyes even as her heart broke, mourning their childhoods but celebrating their futures. Jake held his children just as tightly but didn't make a sound, afraid of what would come out if he tried to talk.

The ceremony gave way to celebration, large bonfires lining up and down the beach, the flames rising high into the night sky, embers blinking down on Eywa's children along with the stars above. The Metkayina dance together in wide circles around the fires, conjoined in several different rings, moving in opposite directions as they sang, talked, laughed, ate, and drank to their hearts' content.  

Y/n found herself dancing around a fire that was shared by most of the newest warriors of the tribe, people around her own age, and her brother and Kiri. There were so many fires along the beach, however, so it would be nearly impossible to find out which ones her other family members were socializing at, hidden among the chaotic crowds of flailing limbs and boisterous songs. She allowed herself to let loose and cared little about what others thought of her, letting the swoa warm her stomach and the fire her skin. She stuck close to Kiri and Tsireya for a short while before the chief's daughter ran off to find Lo'ak. Y/n and Kiri playfully rolled their eyes before the latter decided to turn in for the night-- which is just code for she was going to keep Spider company so their adopted brother didn't feel left out. Y/n let her sister go without complaint, giving her a brief hug and voicing how proud she was of her. Kiri smiled brightly under the praise and took off, leaving Y/n's heart feeling warm as well. Getting roped back into dancing, Y/n danced without a care in the world, not bothered by whether or not she looked bad, and sang with the others until she was breathless. The celebration was getting to be too disorderly with everyone having so much fun that faces had begun to blur and sometimes when people danced, they were spinning too fast to figure out their bearings. 

But Y/n let her feet carry her to her intended destination, and that was right into Ao'nung's arms. With her family elsewhere and other Metkayina having too much fun to otherwise gape at the sight, Y/n danced with the chief's son for practically the whole night, tired and out of breath, but never wanting to stop. She couldn't help it. With the fire lighting one side of his face and the bioluminescent ocean lighting the other, Ao'nung looked ethereal, and Y/n couldn't stop her rapidly beating heart even if she wanted to.  

Ao'nung only looked at her, never caring about who saw them, his smile gentle and eyes proud, not helping the flips Y/n's stomach was taking. Her body felt like it was on fire in the best way possible under his gaze, and maybe it was the lighting, maybe it was the liquid courage, or maybe it was the way he was looking at her, but her mind was open and her voice was knocked loose from her throat as she pulled her reef boy close to her and whispered so only he could hear the words that she knew, deep down, were only meant for him, "Ao'nung. Oel ngati kameie."

Ao'nung's eyes briefly widened, mouth falling open in shock, yet he couldn't take a breath in. The fire didn't help the blooming fire in the forest girl's yellow eyes, piercing up at his and leaving him breathless, unable to come up for air. She didn't look afraid or even bothered by his reaction, instead, she smiled, a little cheekily, as if she could see just how much she affected him. Slowly, he comes back to his senses, a smile slowly creeping up his lips once more. His hands gently cup both sides of her face, marveling at how her entire head fit perfectly in his palms, while her reasonably smaller hands move to hold his sides, keeping his body close to hers. Ao'nung leans in, taking a small breath in through his nose, memorizing her scent before he gently fits his lips against hers, to which she responds in kind. The kiss tasted like sea salt and swoa, but neither complained, closing their eyes and reveling in their closeness.

Despite her lessons, Y/n regrettably needed to pull away for air, and when the kiss broke, her soft pants ghosted across Ao'nung's skin, hot and prickly, and when her eyes opened, she stared up at him through her eyelashes, cheeks slightly flushed. It took a tremendous amount of willpower to relax his body, his heart racing to the tempo of drums playing somewhere in the crowd. Eventually, his mind clears and he manages to find words again, leaning his forehead into his forest girl's.

"Ma'yawntutsyìp Y/n. Oel ngati kameie."

~~~~~~~~~

Neytiri sees everything when it comes to her children, especially her firstborn daughter. That girl is a spitting image of the mother who birthed her, except for the little human features she inherited from her father, so Neytiri often knew what was going on in Y/n's head because she had been in her daughter's footsteps. Neytiri was young once. She knew what it was like to be in love.

Neytiri te Tskaha Mo'at'ite had seen the lingering glances, the stares when the other wasn't looking, and the smiles that were only shared between each other. Furthermore, Neytiri had noticed the arrowhead on Y/n's necklace the second she came home that day, and then the mother noticed Ao'nung anxiously waiting to get out there and chase her daughter into the sea astride their tsurak. And of course, even in the vast crowds lining the beach the night of Y/n's ceremony, Neytiri could see the young pair kissing, unbothered by the amount of people around them. It felt as though no one had seen them but her. 

And yet, she had not said a word. Much like Y/n and Ao'nung's sisters, Neytiri intended to take their secret to the grave if it meant seeing her eldest daughter smile again. Sure, Neytiri was fiercely protective of her children, but she would never refuse her child when it came to whatever made them happy... especially after she had lost Neteyam.

So Neytiri kept quiet and just watched from a distance. Now that three of her children were seen as adults among the Metkayina, their tattoos a physical sign as such, she wasn't gonna go around telling them what to do anymore and just enjoyed their company while it lasted. After all, soon they will choose men or women to be with... and not long after that, Neytiri will find her marui emptier than the day before.

One fateful day, Neytiri found herself alone with Y/n in their family pod, cooking some fish over the fire to prepare meals for the rest of the Sullys to take with them throughout the day. It was a quiet and comfortable morning until Ao'nung showed up, respectfully greeting Neytiri before asking Y/n if she would like to join the other warriors on a hunt that afternoon.

Y/n perked up at the offer, her smile brightening under Ao'nung's gaze. Wordlessly, she nudges Neytiri's shoulder with her forehead, and her mother leans into the touch before the daughter draws away and stands up. Y/n briefly grabs Ao'nung's arm before diving into the water with the intention of having him follow her. Ao'nung stayed a second longer, lingering in the doorway of Neytiri's home when he noticed the woman staring at him. Despite wanting her daughter's happiness, Neytiri also wants her daughter to be safe, so she briefly glares at the chief's son before simply looking back down at her task, "If she gets hurt, I pluck your eyes out."

For some reason, he knew she wasn't talking about the hunting party.

That same night, during communal dinner, Neytiri could see just how obvious Ao'nung and Y/n looked. Instead of sitting with her family, Y/n sat with his, conversing between him and Tsireya without a care in the world. Occasionally, the chief's son would try to sneak a kiss on the forest girl's cheek, hiding it by pretending to whisper in her ear. Y/n would smile shyly, her pinky finger subtly reaching out for his hand whilst she talked to his sister.

This time, Neytiri wasn't the only one who noticed, and she cursed herself for not trying to distract her husband sooner instead of openly gawking at the young pair with him. The moment Ao'nung reached for Y/n's pinky finger, Neytiri could feel her husband tense up beside her. Immediately, she knew what was about her happen once her mate quickly stood up and she was helpless to stop it. 

"Jake--" She had gotten up as well but it was too late. Her mate had already stormed off in the direction of their daughter. Several eyes throughout the communal meal turned in their direction and Neytiri could feel their stares prickling along her back, her other children now aware of something wrong when she stood.

"Mama?" Tuk asked.

The older Sully children immediately clock the situation once they follow their mother's gaze, seeing their father clearly out for blood as he beelines for the chief's family. Spider immediately scrambles to his feet, "Shit--"

Neytiri didn't know whether to hiss at or agree with Spider's observation, her feet taking her to where Jake was going, the rest of her children now standing up to follow her as well, abandoning their meals. Neytiri would not make it in time, but even from where she was, she could hear the commotion already starting when Jake reached down and grabbed Y/n's arm, pulling her to her feet and away from Ao'nung, "Alright, young lady. Time to talk."

"Dad, what--"

Ao'nung immediately rose to his feet without thinking. Neytiri almost pitied him, "Sir--"

Jake's glare fell on Ao'nung, his voice dropping low to a tone only the military side of him could produce, "And you, boy. Did you mate with my daughter?"

"Dad!"

Y/n's exclamation further drew the attention of the tsahik and olo'eyktan, along with even more Metkayina sitting around the growing commotion. Neytiri could see Ronal and Tonowari stand up as well, their eyes only on Jake and their son, dread forming in her gut at the idea of what might happen next. Ronal handed Kailani over to Tsireya and marched with her mate over to the confrontation as Jake continued to talk down to her son. 

"And whatever you say better be the answer I'm hoping for, young man. So choose your words wisely."

Neytiri finally reached her husband and grabbed his arm, opening her mouth to try and get him to calm down while the rest of their children stood around them and simply observed with worried glances. Ao'nung glared only at Jake, his shoulders squared back, and stepped up no doubt to defiantly say something stupid before Y/n stopped him from where she stood behind her father.

"Ao'nung," she warned loudly, to which his eyes flicked to hers at the sound of her voice.

Time stilled as everyone turned to Y/n, waiting to hear what she had to say, even her father. She didn't look at anyone else other than her lover. All Y/n had to do was flatten her ears and just ever so slightly tilt her head, eyes locked on his the whole time for Ao'nung to get the message, loud and clear. His shoulders lower and visibly calms himself under her stare, and in response, Ao'nung merely nods. The young Metkayina backed down, stepping away from Toruk Makto and glancing off to the side, eyes and ears lowered like an injured nantang pup. Jake's eyebrows furrowed in confusion, glancing between Ao'nung and his daughter, trying to figure out what had just happened.

From beside Lo'ak, Kiri silently gasps behind her hand as she whispers to the younger brother, "Oh, my Eywa. He's so whipped for her."

"Bro-- shut up," Lo'ak hissed back, glaring at his sister's tiny amused smile while Spider laughed under his breath.

Jake didn't have time to berate his other children as he shook off his confusion and his wife's arm, letting go of Y/n's bicep but keeping her frozen to the spot under his cold, scrutinizing glare, "Look at me, young lady," she refused at first, eyes flicking elsewhere in shame and fear, "Look at me."

Her frown twitches just as the fear dissipates, her usual distaste for authority returning. Her eyes harden as she purposely and slowly glares up at her father through her eyebrows, her entire posture now defiant and standing strong against him.

Either Jake didn't notice this subtle change in body language or he didn't care, glaring right back at her, "Tell me the truth. It's a simple yes or no. Did you mate with him?"

She flashed her fangs, grinding out her response between her teeth, "No, sir."

"Do you plan on it?"

"I do not see how that is any of your business anymore."

"Y/n, where I'm from, you're still too young to have a family," he points back to Ao'nung without ever taking his eyes off his daughter, "And he is the chief's son--"

"You can't tell me who I can or cannot be with when Mom went against everyone and everything she believed in to be with you," her tone was strong and accusatory, throwing Jake into a state of shock as he nearly stumbles back. Y/n stood strong against her father, her words bold and as destructive as a tsunami wave, "I would not exist if you hadn't gone off and mated with the chief's daughter so don't you dare try to sound as if you are above such scandal." 

"Oh, snap," Spider muttered, earning an elbow to his chest from Lo'ak.

The entire commotion had been driven to silence, everyone waiting with bated breath as to what would happen next. Neytiri felt both fear and pride for her daughter, again, feeling history repeat itself through the eyes of her child. Tonowari finally broke the silence and the stand-off by stepping between Jake and Y/n and placing a comforting hand on Toruk Makto's shoulder, all the while pointedly staring at each and every Na'vi who was openly watching the family feud, "I think it is time for everyone to return to their meals."

Ronal backs up her mate's demand by glaring at all the bystanders, "Go on."

The Metkayina scatter, either to return to their seats or avert their eyes back to their food, the silence now filled with casual mumbling among the People. Jake's ears droop when he realizes the size of the audience he attracted by his outburst and he has the decency to look ashamed. He peers back to his family and mutters, "Lo'ak. Spider. Take the girls home."

"I can walk myself home, thank you very much," Y/n snarled dangerously, stepping around Tonowari and her father and stomping through the parting sea of Na'vi who dared to get in her way.

Tuk pouted and stomped her foot defiantly, "So can I!"

Kiri sighs in mental exhaustion toward her baby sister, "Tuk..." 

Once the other Sully kids gathered and vanished from the meal, Tonowari glanced between Ao'nung and Jake, "Let us return to my home to further discuss this."

Ronal gestured Neytiri over to her before looking over her shoulder to address Tsireya, "Stay here, ma'ite."

Tsireya nodded appropriately, keeping Kailani close to her chest as she flashed a small look of encouragement to Ao'nung. She watched her parents and brother walk out of the community marui, the Sullys following suit. Neytiri walks out into the night with her husband's hand in hers, squeezing his fingers in encouragement.

Once the group was safe inside Ronal and Tonowari's home, Jake immediately apologized, "Brother, forgive me for my actions against your family. I was out of line and your son did not deserve my behavior toward him."

Tonowari raised his hand to gently silence him, "I will not fault a father for just trying to protect his child. There is nothing to forgive. Ao'nung is still young and has much to learn. Before he began to court your daughter, he should have gone to you for your blessing immediately."

Ao'nung, clearly embarrassed, kept his head down while he quietly whined, "Father, please--"

"You are the one who wishes to court Toruk Makto's daughter, boy," Tonowari directed his gaze to his son, eyes darkening but not as a threat, but in disappointment, "As the future of our clan, you should have done what tradition demands."

Jake took pity on Ao'nung, watching the way a father looked down on his son, immediately thrown back to the past when he, too, looked down on Neteyam and Lo'ak, and instantly knew he had to speak up this time, "No. I don't blame your son for not coming to me. I don't deserve that sort of respect. Y/n is strong-willed and she knows I don't deserve the respect of being her father or any traditions that require me to be so. If anything, she would much rather have Ao'nung ask for my sons' blessings over my own because her brothers respect her as an individual who can make her own decisions... unlike me."

Tonowari nods, looking back to meet eyes with his mate. Ronal shares a silent conversation with him before the chief turns back to the Sullys, "If it is any consultation, Jakesully, Ronal and I have approved of this match a long time ago."

Ao'nung's head perks up with interest, "You did?"

Jake's question echoed Ao'nung's, equally shocked, "You did?"

The chief explains with a distant look in his eyes, "I was much like my son at that age. Arrogant, crude, and desperate to please the other reef boys around me. All it took was to find Ma Ronal to get my head back on straight. From that day on, I only ever ran after her." 

Ronal pointedly looks at Neytiri, her chin held high, "Even though he is destined to be olo'eyktan one day, my son has never shown interest in a mate. Never. Not once. That is... until he met your daughter."

Neytiri took Ronal's stare as an opening for her to add to the discussion, raising her hand to gently take her husband's arm to grab his attention, "Jake. I already knew."

Jake turned back to her, still shocked and sounding like a broken record, "You did?"

"Everyone did," she nodded, smiling slightly, "Apart from you. Why do you think none of us have said anything before now? It is because we have accepted it and even approved of the match. We all would have said something sooner if we were against it. Y/n is taronyu now and she does not need our permission to live her life anymore. She never had."

Jake takes a moment to collect his thoughts, breathing deeply in and out slowly through his nose. He stared off into space, conflicted with a war going on in his head before Neytiri simply squeezed his arm and he returned to the present. Jake looked back at his wife before raising his white flag, turning his gaze onto Ao'nung with an expression of guilt.

"I am sorry, Ao'nung. I shouldn't have accused you of anything. I know Y/n is capable of taking care of herself and I know she wouldn't have given you the time of day if she didn't think you were a good man," Ao'nung stands up straighter, appearing grateful and nodding to Jake before the former marine turned to Tonowari, "We'll take our leave now. I apologize for interrupting your supper."

Jake takes Neytiri's hand again and they walk home, speaking as they walk so their conversation is kept private before they would have to face their children, "Does he have to court her now? They're too young."

Neytiri hums in agreement, "Courting sometimes takes years, Ma Jake."

"It wasn't with us."

She hums again, only it was full of fond amusement, "If I recall, you never courted me."

A small grin played on his lips, a little drained from tonight's events, but it was genuine all the same as he playfully spoke, "No, but if I recall, you knew exactly what you were doing taking me out there to the Tree of Voices, alone, wearing your hair like that and wearing that lovely top--"

"Ma Jake!" Neytiri gasped in astonishment, gently slapping his chest and laughing as they finally made it home.

The parents quiet their amusement before they walk into the marui, instantly met with five pairs of eyes, four yellow and one brown. While the rest of their children stared expectedly at them, Y/n immediately looked away, ears pulled back in embarrassment and tucking her knees up to her chest.

Jake immediately beelines for Y/n, slowly sitting down beside her as he wraps an arm around her shoulders, "I'm sorry."

Conflict flashes over her face. It felt as though she and her father were back at square one, fighting as though they hadn't already sorted out their issues. Then again, this wasn't Neteyam, or the war, or Y/n's depression. Jake was just trying to be the classic overprotective parent he was always meant to be. He wasn't acting as a soldier. He was acting as a father, and that's all Y/n had ever wanted from him. Slowly, she melts into her father's embrace and sighs, "I know. You were just being my father. That is not something I'll ever blame you for. Just... don't be so embarrassing next time."

Jake and the rest of the children laugh while he just holds Y/n close. Neytiri smiles at the scene, trying to memorize it as best as she can so she can share it with Neteyam the next time she visits her son. After all, Y/n was one step closer to moving out of their family marui and wouldn't be able to hug her father like this as often as they used to. As sad as that made Neytiri feel, she was comforted by the fact that Ao'nung was kind and good to her daughter, and she would never be alone again.

A/N: The next part will be the final! Basically, I wrote everything that I wanted for this story, and the rest of it can be told in just one more chapter, so I hope you've enjoyed it as much as I have!

[thirtysomethingloser92]

Chapter 4. I don't know if I saw to much or not enough.

Warnings: Swearing, violence, gore, smut, angst.

Summary: You did your time when it came to timelines and the multiverse when Wanda Maximoff entered your life. So when Deadpool and Logan need to rescue their friends from a the Void, they turn to you, someone with the power to bounce between timelines and realities. But when you finally arrive, the only person left standing is Gambit. Together, you all return to the current timeline, but your life takes an unexpected turn when Gambit decides to stay with you, offering his protection against the TVA as a thank you for rescuing him. You can't ignore the way your heart races when he’s near, or how his touch lingers just a moment longer than necessary. The fear of the TVA dragging you back is real, but so is the comfort you find in his presence. As the days pass, your emotions grow more intense, leaving you torn between your heart wanting what it knows it can't have and the terrifying reality that time itself is your enemy.

The previous night had been a restless one, your mind a whirlwind of worry and tension, plus the headache that never seemed to vanish. You felt the throbbing, wincing in pain as you opened your eyes. Thoughts of the TVA weighed heavily on you, a constant presence in the back of your mind that you couldn't shake. You knew that at any moment, they could find you, could pull you back into the nightmare you had only just escaped. The fear was like a living thing, coiled tight in your chest, making it hard to breathe, hard to think of anything else.

Every sound the house made seemed amplified in the stillness of the night. The soft creak of the wooden floorboards as they settled, the rustle of leaves against the windows, even the faint sound of the refrigerator—each noise made you flinch, your heart racing as you imagined the worst. In the darkness, your mind conjured up images of shadows slipping through the cracks, of agents appearing out of nowhere to drag you back to the Void.

You lay in bed, staring up at the ceiling, your eyes wide open. The shadows cast by the moonlight seemed to twist and shift, forming shapes that played tricks on your exhausted mind. You tried to focus on your breathing, to calm the storm inside you, but it was no use. Your thoughts kept circling back to the same fears, replaying over and over again like a broken record.

What if the TVA found you? What if they took Remy, Logan, and Wade? What if you were the reason everything fell apart? The weight of responsibility pressed down on you, making it impossible to relax. You kept thinking about the people you cared about, about what could happen to them because of you. It was a burden you couldn't bear, and the guilt gnawed at you, keeping you wide awake.

You tossed and turned, trying to find a comfortable position, but the bed felt too cold, too empty. Every time you closed your eyes, the anxiety spiked, sending you into a spiral of what-ifs and worst-case scenarios. The night stretched on, each minute feeling like an hour, and with every passing moment, the hope of sleep slipped further away.

When sleep finally claimed you, it was shallow and fitful. Your dreams were plagued by images of the TVA, of endless corridors and looming figures. You saw yourself running through the Void, the landscape shifting and warping around you, always just one step ahead of your pursuers. In the dream, you were never fast enough, never far enough away. The dread followed you, a shadow you couldn't outrun.

You woke up repeatedly throughout the night, your heart pounding, your body drenched in sweat. Each time, you forced yourself to lie back down, to try and snatch a few more minutes of rest. But when the morning finally came, you were more exhausted than before, the few snatches of sleep you managed doing little to ease the fatigue that weighed you down.

As the first light of dawn filtered through the curtains, you lay there, staring at the ceiling once  again, feeling the heaviness in your limbs. The fear and anxiety from the night before still clung to you, making it hard to find the motivation to get out of bed. You felt drained, both physically and emotionally, the weight of the unknown pressing down on you.

But eventually, the sounds of the house waking up—the low murmur of voices in the kitchen, the clatter of dishes—pulled you from your thoughts. You knew you couldn’t stay in bed forever, hiding from the world and the fears that haunted you. With a deep sigh, you forced yourself to sit up, running a hand through your tangled hair. The day was starting, whether you were ready for it or not. As you finally mustered the strength to swing your legs over the edge of the bed, your body protested every movement. The exhaustion from the sleepless night made your muscles feel heavy, as if they were weighed down by the burden of your thoughts. You took a moment to collect yourself, inhaling deeply and letting the breath out slowly, trying to shake off the lingering dread. But it clung to you, like a shadow that wouldn’t let go.

You padded down the hallway, your bare feet making soft thuds against the wooden floor. The low hum of voices in the kitchen grew louder as you approached, a mix of Wade's playful banter and Logan’s gruff responses. The smell of something cooking—burnt toast, maybe, or overcooked eggs—filled the air, but it wasn’t the kind of smell that made your mouth water. It was more like the kind that made you question whether breakfast was really necessary.

As you entered the kitchen, the warm light from the morning sun cast a soft glow over everything. The scene was almost domestic, the kind of moment that might have felt normal in another life. Wade stood at the stove, poking at something in a frying pan with a spatula, his expression a mix of concentration and amusement. Logan was leaning against the counter, a cup of coffee in hand, looking as though he was already done with the day despite it just beginning.

Remy was the first to notice you. He was sitting at the small kitchen table, cradling a steaming mug of coffee between his hands. The moment he saw you, his expression softened, a gentle smile curling at the corners of his lips. There was a warmth in his eyes that made your heart flutter, a quiet concern that tugged at something deep inside you.

“Good morning,” he greeted, his voice low and smooth, with that familiar Cajun lilt that always made his words sound like a melody. His gaze lingered on you for a moment, taking in the tiredness etched into your features, the way your shoulders slumped slightly under the weight of fatigue.

“Morning,” you replied, your voice coming out a little rougher than you intended, the remnants of sleep still clinging to your vocal cords. You tried to force a smile, but it felt hollow, more like a reflex than a genuine expression of cheerfulness.

Remy’s eyes narrowed slightly, a flicker of concern crossing his face. He set his mug down on the table, leaning forward just a bit. “How’d you sleep?” he asked, his tone soft and inviting, as if he were offering you a space to unload the heaviness you carried.

You hesitated, caught off guard by the question. It was such a simple thing, a basic courtesy that anyone might ask, but coming from Remy, it felt different. There was an intimacy to it, a genuine care that made your heart ache with both gratitude and a twinge of something you couldn’t quite name. You knew he was asking more than just about your sleep; he was asking about you, about how you were really doing.

“Not great,” you admitted, your voice quieter now, as if the admission itself cost you something. You shrugged, trying to downplay the exhaustion that was evident in every line of your body. “Just couldn’t shut my brain off, I guess.”

Remy nodded slowly, his gaze never leaving yours. There was an understanding in his eyes, a silent acknowledgment of the fears and anxieties that had kept you awake. He didn’t push, didn’t pry for more details or try to offer empty reassurances. Instead, he simply nodded, as if to say he understood, that he was there if you needed him.

“Yeah, I get that,” he said, his voice carrying a quiet empathy. “Some nights are like that, when the mind just won’t give you no peace.”

The sincerity in his words, the way he spoke as if he’d been there too, wrapped around you like a comforting blanket. It was a small thing, really, just a few words shared over the breakfast table, but it meant more to you than you could express. It was a reminder that you weren’t alone, that someone else understood the darkness that sometimes crept in at night.

You offered him a small, genuine smile this time, the kind that reached your eyes even if only faintly. “Thanks, Remy,” you said, the words simple but carrying a weight of their own. You weren’t just thanking him for asking about your sleep—you were thanking him for being there, for caring, for making you feel like maybe, just maybe, everything would be okay.

He returned your smile, his eyes crinkling at the corners in that way that always made your heart skip a beat. “Anytime, cher,” he replied softly, the endearment slipping out so naturally, like it was meant for you and only you.

The moment hung between you for a beat longer, filled with an unspoken connection that neither of you dared to acknowledge fully. Then, as if sensing the intensity of the moment, Remy picked up his mug again and took a sip of his coffee, breaking the tension with a simple, everyday action.

“Now that you’re up,” he said, setting the mug back down and pushing his chair back from the table, “I think I’m gonna go grab a quick shower.”

You nodded, feeling the moment slip away, replaced by the regular rhythm of the morning. “Alright,” you replied, your voice steadier now, more grounded.

As Remy left the kitchen, you couldn’t help but watch him go, the warmth of his concern still lingering in your chest. There was something about him, something you couldn’t quite put into words, but it drew you to him in a way that was both comforting and terrifying. And as you turned back to the kitchen, trying to focus on the mundane tasks of the day, you knew that the feelings you had for Remy were growing stronger, no matter how much you tried to ignore them. You turned back to find Wade and Logan watching you with varying degrees of amusement. Wade was the first to break the silence, a mischievous grin spreading across his face as he flipped a half-burnt pancake onto a plate.

“Well, well, well,” Wade began, waggling his eyebrows suggestively. “If it isn’t Sleeping Beauty gracing us with her presence. Those basic bitch pyjamas are a real fashion statement. I can’t tell if you’re ready for a slumber party or just trying to blend in with the Target clearance rack.”

You rolled your eyes but couldn’t help the small smile that tugged at your lips. “At least I’m not trying to pass off a pancake that looks like it’s been through a war zone,” you shot back, nodding toward the slightly charred mess on the plate.

Wade feigned offense, clutching his chest dramatically. “I’ll have you know; this is an artisanal creation. It’s called ‘burnt to a crisp with a side of shame.’ A real culinary masterpiece.”

Logan snorted, his expression hovering between exasperation and amusement as he sipped his coffee. “You sure you’re not trying to poison us? ‘Cause that’s what it looks like from here.”

Wade waved him off dismissively, turning back to the stove with a flourish. “You two have no appreciation for the fine art of breakfast. This, my friends, is how you start the day—with a little adventure on your plate.”

You chuckled, shaking your head as you took a seat at the table, eyeing the plate Wade placed in front of you. The “pancake” looked more like a sad, deflated piece of rubber, and you could still see bits of raw batter peeking out from the charred edges. You poked at it with your fork, giving it a wary glance.

“I think it’s alive,” you muttered, half to yourself, half to the others. But despite your scepticism, you took a bite. It was, unsurprisingly, terrible—chewy and burnt on the outside, undercooked on the inside. Still, you forced it down, knowing that complaining would only encourage Wade to make something worse.

“So,” you said, swallowing hard and setting your fork down with a grimace, “what’s the plan for today? Assuming we survive breakfast, that is.”

Logan grunted, setting his empty coffee cup down on the counter with a thud. “There’s some work that needs doing around the house. I was thinking of fixing that broken fence out back. It’s been an eyesore for too long, and if we’re gonna be here for a while, might as well make the place more liveable.”

You nodded, grateful for something concrete to focus on. The idea of working with your hands, of doing something productive, was appealing after the restless night you’d had. It was a way to channel the anxiety that still hummed beneath your skin, to burn off some of the nervous energy that had built up.

“That sounds good,” you agreed, leaning back in your chair. “I can help with that. Might be nice to spend some time outside, clear my head a bit.”

Wade, never one to miss an opportunity to insert himself into the conversation, clapped his hands together, his face lighting up with excitement. “Ooh, I can be the foreman! You know, supervise, make sure everything’s up to code. And by ‘up to code,’ I mean we’re all wearing matching hard hats and have a playlist of construction-themed songs. I’m thinking ‘YMCA’ but construction worker version.”

Logan rolled his eyes, but there was a hint of a smile on his lips. “You’re not getting anywhere near that fence, Wilson. Last thing I need is you turning it into some kind of art installation.”

Wade pouted dramatically, crossing his arms over his chest. “You wound me, Logan. I am a man of many talents, and fence-building just happens to be one of them. But fine, I’ll leave you to your manual labour. I’ve got more important things to do anyway, like… supervising from a distance.”

You chuckled, shaking your head at the banter. It was moments like these that made you forget, if only for a little while, the danger that still loomed over all of you. Wade’s ridiculousness, Logan’s gruff exterior hiding a softer heart—it was a strange, mismatched family you’d found yourself a part of, but it was a family nonetheless.

“What about you?” you asked Wade, genuinely curious despite his antics. “What do you have planned for the day? Aside from making questionable breakfast choices?”

Wade grinned, leaning against the counter with a mischievous glint in his eye. “Oh, I’ve got big plans. Top-secret, highly classified, involves a lot of lounging around and maybe some light sabotage. You know, the usual.”

You couldn’t help but laugh, the sound bubbling up despite the fatigue that still weighed you down. “Well, as long as your sabotage doesn’t involve setting the house on fire, I think we’ll survive.”

“Hey, where’s the faith?” Wade said, clutching his chest in mock offense again. “I’ve only set one house on fire, and that was totally an accident. Mostly.”

Logan groaned, but there was a fondness in his voice as he muttered, “We’re doomed.”

The conversation continued like that, the three of you falling into an easy rhythm of teasing and light-hearted banter. It was a good distraction, a way to push back the thoughts that had plagued you throughout the night. And as the morning wore on, you found yourself relaxing, the tension in your shoulders easing just a bit as you focused on the tasks ahead.

But even as you laughed with Wade and Logan, part of your mind lingered on Remy, on the way he’d looked at you with such concern earlier, the way his presence seemed to ground you in a way nothing else could. You pushed the thought aside, trying to focus on the here and now, but it was impossible to ignore the way your heart sped up at the mere thought of him.

Breakfast eventually wound down, the three of you finishing your meals—or in Wade’s case, abandoning the cooking experiment entirely—and began to scatter to your respective tasks for the day. But as you made your way back to your room to change into something more suitable for outdoor work, your thoughts drifted back to Remy.

You were caught between wanting to be close to him and the fear of what that might mean, the risk of crossing a line that could change everything. And as you moved your hand to open the door to your room, the bathroom door opened and someone stepped out, your heart skipped a beat at the sight that greeted you—Remy, standing there in nothing but a towel, his torso on full display.

It was a moment that would replay in your mind over and over again, one that you knew would change the way you saw him—and yourself—forever. Your breath caught in your throat, your eyes widening as they traced the lines of his chiselled torso, the muscles of his abdomen taut and defined. His skin was still glistening from the shower, water droplets clinging to him like a second skin. You could see the way they trailed down from his damp hair, sliding over the curve of his collarbone, down the broad expanse of his chest, and following the hard lines of his stomach before disappearing beneath the towel.

He was beautiful—there was no other word for it. The kind of beauty that made your heart race and your thoughts scatter like leaves in the wind. You felt a flush of heat rise to your cheeks, your pulse quickening in a way that had nothing to do with the morning chill still lingering in the air.

Remy seemed just as startled as you were. His eyes widened slightly, and for a moment, the two of you just stood there, frozen in place, neither of you quite sure what to do or say. His hair was still damp, dark strands clinging to his forehead and the nape of his neck, and you could see a few errant droplets making their way down his neck, pooling in the hollow of his throat.

Your gaze followed the path of those droplets almost involuntarily, your eyes tracing the lines of his body with a kind of fascinated reverence. The way his muscles moved, the subtle shift of his weight as he adjusted his stance—it was all so mesmerizing, so intensely, overwhelmingly Remy.

He cleared his throat, breaking the spell, and you tore your eyes away from his chest, your face heating up as you realized you’d been caught staring. His expression was a mixture of embarrassment and amusement, a faint blush colouring his own cheeks as he shifted awkwardly.

“Uh… sorry,” Remy said, his voice a little rougher than usual, as if he was struggling to find the right words. He rubbed the back of his neck, a gesture that sent another droplet of water sliding down his bicep. “I, uh, forgot my clothes in there. Was hopin’ to grab ‘em before anyone came down.”

You blinked, trying to force your brain to cooperate, to come up with something coherent to say. But all you could focus on was the fact that he was right there, standing so close, looking like he’d just stepped out of a daydream you hadn’t even realized you were having.

“Oh,” you managed to stammer out, your voice a little higher pitched than you intended. You quickly looked away, staring down at the floor as if it suddenly held the most fascinating secrets in the world. “No, it’s—it’s fine. I didn’t know… I mean, I wasn’t expecting…”

You trailed off, feeling like a complete idiot. The words were jumbled, tripping over each other as you tried to regain some semblance of composure. You could feel your heart pounding in your chest, the rapid beat echoing in your ears like a drum.

Remy chuckled softly, the sound low and warm, and it sent a shiver down your spine. “Guess I didn’t plan this out too well, huh?” he said, his voice laced with that easy charm you’d come to know so well. “If I make a quick dash now, I think I can avoid traumatizin’ anyone else.”

You nodded, still avoiding his gaze, your face burning. “Yeah, um, go for it,” you mumbled, trying not to think too hard about the fact that he was about to walk past you wearing nothing but a towel. “I won’t look.”

Remy laughed again, a soft, almost teasing sound. “You sure ‘bout that, cher?” he asked, a hint of mischief in his tone. “Don’t worry, I’ll be quick.”

You forced yourself to glance up, just for a second, and the sight of his playful smile sent your heart into another wild flutter. There was something so disarming about that smile, something that made you want to smile back despite the awkwardness of the situation.

“Just go,” you said, but there was no real bite in your words. If anything, you felt more flustered than ever, caught between wanting to disappear into the floor and the irrational urge to sneak one more glance.

Remy flashed you a grin, then turned and quickly made his way toward his room. You caught a glimpse of his back as he walked away—the broad expanse of his shoulders, the way his muscles flexed with every step—and you had to physically stop yourself from watching him until he disappeared around the corner.

As soon as he was out of sight, you let out a breath you hadn’t realized you’d been holding, your entire body tingling with a mix of embarrassment and something else, something deeper and more dangerous. You could still feel the ghost of his presence in the room, the lingering warmth of his smile and the way his eyes had met yours with that playful glint.

You leaned back against the door, closing your eyes for a moment as you tried to steady yourself. Your heart was still racing, your thoughts a jumbled mess of emotions you weren’t ready to unpack.

When had this started? When had you begun seeing Remy in this new, dizzying light? You couldn’t pinpoint the exact moment, but somewhere along the way, he’d gone from being a companion, a friend, to something more. The realization was both thrilling and terrifying, a storm of emotions you weren’t sure you were ready to face.

And now, after seeing him like that—so unguarded, so incredibly human—you knew things would never be the same. Every time you closed your eyes, you saw him, felt the heat of his skin, the way the water droplets had traced the contours of his body.

You were in trouble, deep trouble, and you knew it. Because the feelings you had for Remy weren’t something you could easily push aside. They were real, and they were growing stronger with each passing day, no matter how much you tried to ignore them.

And the worst part? You had no idea what to do about it. The rest of the morning passed in a blur of awkwardness and confusion. You finished getting dressed with a sense of urgency, as if moving quickly could somehow erase the image of Remy standing in just a towel from your mind. When you emerged from your room, you did your best to avoid bumping into him, even if it meant taking the long way around the house.

You found yourself in the garden, trying to focus on the task at hand. The fence needed repairing, but your mind kept wandering back to the way Remy had looked earlier, his wet skin glistening and those deep, expressive eyes. It was as if your body and mind had decided to replay that moment on a loop, making every other task seem insignificant in comparison.

Logan and Wade had started working on the fence. Logan was methodically checking the posts and nails, while Wade was busy concocting some sort of makeshift contraption involving duct tape and a level. You threw yourself into the work, pushing through the physical labour to keep your mind occupied.

Despite the physical exhaustion, you couldn’t shake the feeling that you were on edge, as if you were constantly waiting for something to happen. And when you thought of Remy, it was always with a mixture of anxiety and guilt. You knew you were acting oddly, avoiding eye contact and keeping your interactions with him to a bare minimum. It wasn’t that you wanted to ignore him, but rather, that you didn’t trust yourself around him anymore.

Every time you heard his footsteps approaching, you found some reason to be somewhere else. If he walked into the room, you’d quickly excuse yourself to fetch something from another part of the house. If he sat down to join the group, you’d find a reason to be busy elsewhere, whether it was “organizing” the tool shed or “checking” on the plants that didn’t actually need checking.

Logan and Wade noticed your behaviour. Logan shot you a few puzzled looks but said nothing. Wade, on the other hand, was more vocal in his observations.

“Hey, what’s with the running away act?” Wade asked one afternoon, as you tried to sneak past him while he was lounging on the sofa, engrossed in a comic book. “Did I miss something? Did you accidentally insult Remy’s cooking or something? Because I swear, he’s been more on edge today than I’ve ever seen him.”

You forced a chuckle, though it came out as more of a nervous squeak. “No, nothing like that. Just… a lot on my mind, you know?”

Wade raised an eyebrow, clearly not buying your excuse. “Uh-huh. Sure. Because running away from your problems is totally the best solution as we’ve all come to find out these past few weeks.”

You didn’t have a response for that, so you just mumbled something about needing to check on the garden and made a hasty exit.

As you spent more time avoiding Remy, you became increasingly aware of the growing tension between you. Whenever you did have to interact with him, your heart would pound in your chest, your palms would sweat, and you’d struggle to find the right words. Conversations that used to flow easily now felt stilted and awkward.

Remy seemed to sense something was off, though he didn’t confront you directly. He’d throw you concerned glances, his eyes searching yours for answers you weren’t ready to give. And every time he reached out to you, whether it was a casual touch on the shoulder or a question about how you were doing, you would flinch slightly, unable to fully meet his gaze.

The more you tried to distance yourself from him, the more you felt the weight of your emotions pressing down on you. You knew that avoiding him wasn’t solving anything; in fact, it was making things worse. The guilt of not being honest with him, of not facing your own feelings, was eating away at you.

As the days wore on, your avoidance of Remy became more noticeable to everyone around you. Logan, with his keen senses and naturally gruff demeanor, picked up on the tension almost immediately. He didn’t say anything at first, just watched from the sidelines with a quiet, observant intensity. Wade, on the other hand, was less subtle about it, making little quips here and there that only added to the discomfort simmering beneath the surface.

It was during one of these days, as you were busying yourself with cleaning up the kitchen—though it was already spotless—that Logan decided to step in. You were scrubbing the counter for the third time when you felt his presence behind you, a heavy sigh escaping his lips.

"Ya missed a spot," he grunted, nodding toward an imaginary speck of dirt.

You glanced over your shoulder, catching the hint of a smirk on his face. "Very funny," you muttered, returning your attention to the counter, hoping he’d take the hint and leave you alone.

But Logan wasn’t one to back off so easily. He leaned against the doorframe, crossing his arms over his chest as he studied you. "You’ve been actin’ off lately," he said, his tone more serious now. "And it ain’t just me who’s noticed."

You tensed, knowing exactly what was coming next. "I’m fine, Logan. Just...trying to keep busy. You know, since I’ve pretty much been put on lockdown with all these TVA assholes popping out of the woodwork whenever I go out, I’ve been a bit bored”.

"Busy, huh?" he repeated, raising an eyebrow. "Busy avoidin’ Remy, more like." Your hands froze, the sponge in your grip slipping slightly as your heart skipped a beat. You knew Logan wasn’t one to beat around the bush, but hearing him say it out loud made it all too real.

"I’m not avoiding him," you said, though the words felt hollow even as you spoke them. You could feel Logan’s eyes boring into you, cutting through the flimsy facade you were trying to maintain.

"Could’ve fooled me," he shot back, his tone not unkind, but definitely firm. "Whatever’s goin’ on with you, you need to figure it out. Remy’s been walkin’ around like a lost puppy ‘cause of it."

The image of Remy, hurt and confused, tugged at something deep inside you. You knew Logan was right, but that didn’t make it any easier to confront what you were feeling. "It’s complicated," you finally admitted, your voice barely above a whisper.

Logan nodded slowly, as if he already knew. "Complicated don’t mean ya gotta deal with it like this," he said gruffly.

Before you could respond, Wade’s voice rang out from the other room, the unmistakable sound of his boots clomping against the floor as he approached. "Hey, you two havin’ a secret heart-to-heart without me? That’s not cool!" he called out, his tone teasing but his eyes sharp as he walked into the kitchen.

You rolled your eyes, trying to brush off the tension. "Nothing secret about it, Wade."

"Oh really?" Wade quipped, a mischievous glint in his eyes. "‘Cause I’ve noticed you’ve been doing the whole ‘awkward avoidance’ thing with a certain Cajun charmer lately. Don’t tell me you two’ve got a secret agenda going on."

You could feel your cheeks flushing under Wade’s scrutiny, and you quickly turned back to the counter, pretending to be wiping it down again. "I don’t know what you’re talking about."

Wade wasn’t deterred. He sauntered over, leaning casually against the counter beside you. "Oh, come on. We’ve all seen it. The way you’ve been dodging Remy like he’s got the plague or something. What’s the deal? Did he eat the last of your favorite snack? Use up all the hot water despite you having all-round hot water?"

"Wade, enough," Logan cut in, his tone firm. But you could see the concern in his eyes too, masked by the usual gruffness. He was giving you space, but it was clear he wasn’t going to let this go unnoticed.

Wade, however, wasn’t one to back down easily, especially when he sensed something juicy. "Or maybe..." he drawled, leaning in with a conspiratorial grin, "maybe you’ve got the hots for our boy Remy, and you’re just too chicken to admit it. Am I warm?"

Your heart skipped a beat, and for a moment, you considered denying it, laughing it off like you usually would. But the look on Wade’s face, a mix of genuine curiosity and something deeper—concern, maybe—made you pause.

"I...it’s complicated," you finally said, echoing the words you’d used with Logan just moments before.

"Complicated," Wade repeated, his spot-on impersonation of you earning a sharp glare from Logan. "Well, complicated is kinda our thing, isn’t it? But avoiding it ain’t gonna make it any easier."

You sighed, feeling the weight of their words pressing down on you. They were right, of course. This wasn’t something you could just run away from, no matter how much you wanted to. But facing it—facing Remy—felt like stepping into uncharted territory, and you weren’t sure if you were ready for what might happen next.

"I know," you admitted, your voice small. "I just...I don’t want to mess things up. I don’t want to lose him."

Logan’s expression softened slightly, and he stepped closer, placing a hand on your shoulder. "You’re not gonna lose him if you tell him, kid," he said quietly. "But you keep this up, and you’re gonna lose something. Whatever it is, you owe it to yourself—and to him—to be honest."

Wade nodded enthusiastically, his usual humor taking a backseat to something more serious. "Yeah, what the hairy guy said. Besides, if Remy knew you were feelin’ this way, he’d probably be over the moon. Dude’s been pining like a lovesick puppy, and it’s kinda adorable in a tragic sort of way."

You couldn’t help but smile at that, despite the knot of anxiety still twisting in your stomach. "Thanks, guys," you said softly, genuinely grateful for their support, even if it was wrapped in their own unique brand of tough love.

Logan gave you a small nod, the kind that said more than words ever could. "You know where to find us," he said, before turning and heading out of the kitchen, leaving you alone with Wade.

Wade watched him go, then turned back to you with a more serious look than you were used to seeing on his face. "For what it’s worth," he said, his voice uncharacteristically gentle, "we’re here for you, whatever you decide. But, uh, just don’t let it drag out too long, okay? Life’s too short for that kind of drama when we’ve got bigger drama.”

You nodded, feeling the weight of their advice settle in your chest. "I’ll figure it out," you promised, though whether you were saying it to them or to yourself, you weren’t entirely sure.

Wade gave you a thumbs up, his usual grin returning. "That’s the spirit! Now, let’s get outta here before Logan starts growling about us having feelings and stuff. He’s got this whole ‘tough guy’ image to maintain, you know."

You chuckled, grateful for the lightness Wade brought, even in moments like these. As he bounded out of the kitchen, you took a deep breath, trying to steel yourself for the conversation you knew you needed to have with Remy.

Because, no matter how scared you were, Logan and Wade were right—avoiding your feelings was only going to make things worse. And if there was one thing you’d learned through all of this, it was that some risks were worth taking, especially when it came to the people who mattered most. In the days that followed, your avoidance of Remy became almost an art form, a delicate dance of dodging and deflecting that grew more intricate with each passing moment. It wasn’t just about staying out of his way anymore—it was about maintaining the illusion that everything was fine, even as the tension between you both grew like a shadow stretching longer with the setting sun. Despite what you told Wade and Logan, you weren’t ready to discuss your feelings with the object of your affections. You were barely ready to even acknowledge them. The way Remy made you feel, the way just his presence made you stutter your words and knot up your stomach was uncomfortable enough to make you keep up the avoidance. This way you were able to at the very least think straight about what’s happening, or not happening, in your life.

Mornings were the hardest. You’d taken to waking up before anyone else, slipping out of the house before the sun had fully risen, and disappearing into the quiet stillness of the neighborhood. It gave you a moment of peace, a chance to clear your head before the day’s inevitable encounters. But no matter how early you left, Remy always seemed to be one step ahead, waiting in the kitchen with a cup of coffee in hand, as if he knew you’d try to slip past him.

“Another early start, huh?” he’d say with a lopsided grin, his eyes searching yours for some hint of what you were feeling.

You’d force a smile, grabbing a mug and pouring yourself some coffee before mumbling a quick, “Yeah you know how it is.” The moment he turned his back, you’d make a hasty exit, leaving him to stare after you with a look of quiet frustration.

Vanessa noticed the moment she stepped into the house.  She’d catch you staring out the window or fiddling with your phone, trying to look busy whenever Remy entered the room. At first, she thought it was just a coincidence, but after the third time she saw you hurriedly leave the living room when Remy sat down next to you, she began to suspect something was up.

“Are you avoiding him on purpose or is it just my imagination?” she asked one afternoon, cornering you in the hallway as you tried to slip past her.

“I’m not avoiding anyone,” you lied, but the flush in your cheeks gave you away.

Vanessa raised an eyebrow, crossing her arms over her chest. “Uh-huh. Sure. And I’m the Queen of England. And Wade sort of gave me a brief run-down on what was happening. Come on, spill it. What’s going on with you two?”

You’d brushed her off with a noncommittal answer, but Vanessa wasn’t easily fooled. She watched you like a hawk, her eyes narrowing every time you suddenly remembered an errand that needed running the moment Remy entered a room. She tried to talk to you about it a few more times, but you always found a way to change the subject, leaving her more bemused than before.

Logan, of course, wasn’t one to let anything slip by unnoticed. He didn’t need to ask questions to figure out what was happening. He could sense the tension in the air every time you and Remy were in the same room, and he saw the way you’d find an excuse to leave whenever Remy tried to start a conversation.

“You’re makin’ this way harder than it needs to be,” Logan said one day, finding you in the garage where you were pretending to look for something in a toolbox. He leaned against the wall, his arms crossed as he gave you a look that said he wasn’t buying whatever excuse you were about to make.

“I’m just giving him space,” you mumbled, not meeting Logan’s eyes.

“Looks more like you’re givin’ yourself space,” Logan shot back. “What are you so afraid of, huh? You know Remy ain’t gonna bite your head off if you talk to him.”

You sighed, knowing Logan was right but too tangled up in your own fears to admit it. “It’s not that simple, Logan.”

He didn’t push you any further that day, but you could tell he wasn’t letting it go. Every time you avoided Remy after that, you could feel Logan’s disapproving gaze on you, a silent reminder that you couldn’t keep running forever.

Wade, on the other hand, found the whole thing endlessly amusing. He’d taken to making a game out of it, placing bets with himself on how long it would take you to come up with an excuse to leave the room whenever Remy walked in.

“You owe me five bucks,” he said one evening as you quickly stood up from the couch, muttering something about needing to check on the laundry. “I said you’d last two minutes, but you barely made it one. You’re slippin’, kid.”

You shot him a glare, but Wade just grinned, unfazed by your annoyance. “Come on, you know I’m right. This whole avoidance thing is gettin’ old. Just talk to the guy already!”

“I don’t know what you’re talking about,” you huffed, though you knew it was a weak defense, “I spoke to him earlier,” “Yeah you asked him to put peppermint tea bags on the shopping list. Hardly a conversation,”

Wade rolled his eyes dramatically, plopping down on the couch and kicking his feet up on the coffee table. “Just so you know, Remy’s startin’ to look like a sad puppy, and it’s breakin’ my heart. I might have to buy him a chew toy to cheer him up.”

Despite yourself, you couldn’t help but crack a smile at Wade’s antics, though the guilt gnawing at you only grew stronger.

Wade wasn’t the only one who noticed Remy’s change in demeanor. Logan caught on quickly too, the subtle shifts in Remy’s mood not lost on his perceptive nature. The usual spark in Remy’s eyes seemed dulled, his usual quick wit subdued as he tried to make sense of the growing distance between you. He wasn’t one to wear his heart on his sleeve, but it was clear to anyone who knew him that your avoidance was affecting him deeply.

Then there was the way Remy started pulling back himself, though not out of spite. It was more like a defense mechanism, a way to protect himself from the confusion and hurt that came with not understanding why you were pushing him away. He’d stopped lingering in the kitchen in the mornings, giving you space to make your coffee alone. He’d started spending more time outside, tinkering with the old car in the garage or going for long walks by himself, as if trying to give you the space you seemed so desperate for. You missed Remy in ways you couldn’t fully articulate. Your avoidance of him had become a coping mechanism, a way to shield yourself from the vulnerability that came with your feelings. Yet, every time you caught a glimpse of him out of the corner of your eye—whether it was him sitting alone on the porch with a cigarette in hand or staring out at the woods with that lost look in his eyes—the guilt weighed heavier on your chest.

It was an evening after a particularly awkward dinner. The clink of cutlery on plates had felt like an intrusion into the silence that had settled between you. You’d barely exchanged two words with him, opting instead to retreat into your own world. As you sat on the edge of your bed that night, staring at the blank wall, the realization finally hit you like a wave crashing on the shore.

You couldn’t keep doing this. Not to Remy, who had been nothing but kind and supportive, despite the whirlwind of emotions you were both navigating. Not to yourself, for the emotional distance was becoming a chasm you could no longer ignore. And certainly not to the friends who were clearly worried about you both. They had seen the way you and Remy were drifting apart, and their concern was palpable.

The ache of missing him was a constant reminder of what you were forfeiting in the name of self-preservation. You missed the sound of his voice, the warmth of his presence, and the comfort of knowing that you didn’t have to go through this alone. The avoidance had been a protective barrier, but it was one that was crumbling under the weight of your own regret and longing.

You knew you needed to bridge the gap you had created. The thought of confronting the situation felt daunting, but the pain of continued separation was proving to be even more unbearable. It was time to face it head-on—to reach out to Remy, to be honest about your feelings, and to find a way to mend the rift between you. For both your sake and his, and for the sake of the friendships that were clearly strained by your silence.

You knew what you had to do. You had to face your feelings head-on, no matter how scared you were. Because, as Logan had said, you couldn’t keep running forever. And if you kept avoiding Remy, you were only going to push him further away—something you couldn’t bear the thought of.

But even as you resolved to confront your feelings, a part of you still hesitated, the fear of what might happen next holding you back. And so, you found yourself caught in a limbo of your own making, knowing that the only way out was to take that first, terrifying step toward the truth. The house had settled into its usual evening rhythm, a quiet that felt almost oppressive after days of awkward avoidance and strained conversations. You knew you couldn’t put it off any longer, not with the way things had been festering between you and Remy. So, with a deep breath to steady your nerves, you made your way to the back porch where Remy often retreated at this hour, seeking solace in the cool night air.

He was there, as you expected, leaning against the railing with a cigarette between his fingers, the ember glowing faintly in the dim light. The soft rustle of leaves in the breeze was the only sound, save for the occasional creak of the porch wood beneath your feet.

Remy didn’t turn around when you stepped outside, but you could feel the tension in his posture, the way his shoulders stiffened ever so slightly when he heard you approach. You hesitated for a moment, uncertain of how to start, before finally taking a seat on the worn bench by the railing, leaving a deliberate space between you both.

“Mind if I join you?” you asked, your voice sounding quieter than you intended.

Remy took a long drag from his cigarette, exhaling a plume of smoke before finally glancing over at you. His eyes were shadowed, reflecting a mix of emotions you couldn’t quite read. “You don’t need to ask, chérie. It’s your porch.”

There was a tightness in his voice, a hint of something that made your heart ache. You wrapped your arms around yourself, as if to ward off the chill that wasn’t entirely from the night air. “I… I wanted to talk. About what’s going on.”

He nodded slowly, his gaze flickering back to the darkness beyond the porch. “Figured you’d get around to it eventually.” His tone wasn’t accusatory, but there was an edge of weariness to it, as if he’d been waiting for this moment for too long.

You swallowed, trying to steady your racing heart. “I know I’ve been distant. Avoiding you, really. And I’m sorry for that.”

Remy didn’t say anything, but the way his fingers tightened around the cigarette told you he was listening, waiting for you to continue.

“It’s just… everything’s been so overwhelming lately,” you began, the lie sticking in your throat even as you forced the words out. “The TVA, the multiverse, everything with Logan, Wade, and Vanessa being here—it’s a lot to process. I’ve been trying to make sense of it all, and I guess I just needed some space to clear my head.”

He turned to look at you then, his eyes narrowing slightly as if he were trying to see through the words you were saying. “That’s what you’re tellin’ yourself?” he asked quietly, his voice almost too soft.

You flinched inwardly, the guilt twisting in your stomach. You hadn’t expected him to see through you so easily, though maybe you should have. “It’s true,” you insisted, though even to your own ears, it sounded hollow. “I’ve just been overwhelmed, that’s all.”

Remy’s expression shifted, a mix of hurt and frustration flashing across his features. He took another drag from his cigarette, exhaling slowly before speaking again. “Y’know, I thought we were past this point. The point where we lie to each other ‘bout what’s really goin’ on.”

His words cut deeper than you’d anticipated, the pain in his voice evident. It was as if he were laying bare the wound between you, exposing the rawness of it. You opened your mouth to protest, to tell him that you weren’t lying, but the look in his eyes stopped you cold.

“I can tell you’re not bein’ honest with me, chérie,” he continued, his tone tinged with a sadness that made your heart twist. “An’ I ain’t gonna push you to tell me what it really is if you’re not ready. But don’t stand here and pretend that it’s just ‘cause you’re overwhelmed. I know you better than that.”

You looked away, unable to meet his gaze any longer. The weight of your deception pressed down on you, making it hard to breathe. You had wanted to protect him, to keep your feelings hidden to avoid complicating things, but in doing so, you were only hurting him more.

“I’m sorry,” you whispered, the apology feeling inadequate for the hurt you were causing.

Remy sighed, stubbing out his cigarette on the railing before tossing it aside. He leaned against the post, his eyes searching yours with a gentleness that made the lump in your throat grow tighter. “Look, I don’t know what’s goin’ on in your head, an’ I won’t force you to tell me. But I’m here when you’re ready to talk, okay? Just… don’t shut me out like this and stop tryn’ to pretend like I don’t exist.”

His words were a lifeline, offering you a way back from the brink you’d been teetering on. You nodded slowly, the sting of tears pricking at your eyes. “I promise, Remy. I just… need a little more time.”

He gave you a small, understanding nod, though the pain in his eyes didn’t lessen. “Take all the time you need, chérie. Just don’t take too long.”

With that, Remy pushed off from the railing, giving you one last, lingering look before turning and heading back into the house. The door clicked softly behind him, leaving you alone on the porch with the echoes of your unspoken feelings and the growing weight of the lies you’d told.

The night air felt colder now, the silence almost suffocating as you sat there, grappling with the knowledge that you were the cause of his hurt. The truth was, you had no idea how to move forward from here. You wanted to protect what you had with Remy, to keep things from getting too complicated, but every step you took seemed to push him further away.

As you sat there, the stars twinkling faintly overhead, you realized that no amount of avoidance or deflection could change what you felt. And sooner or later, you would have to confront the truth—not just for your sake, but for Remy’s as well.

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[pedge-page]

Joel dealing with preggo wife #7. 5 Special where Joel DOES get you the dog

Decided Olive from the Esquire shoot will be Spoon because LOOK AT THAT PRECIOUS BABY

Notes: Joel's wifu is never not gonna be pregnant but hypothetically this is a snippet if Joel does decide to follow through after his promise in part 7. Again, not part of main timeline or series but would take place in future after the baby is born:

- - - -

Flash forward after your pregnancy, when your healthy little girl is already over one-year-old and Joel can just now barely trust Tommy to babysit her without assistance …

True to his word, Joel brings you to the local pound. You bounce giddily in the passenger seat of the truck with more energy than you’ve had in the last 18 months.

"Ya know, you're almost more excited to get a dog than when we brought our own baby home."

"Gee I wonder if it had anything to do with a 9 hour labor and then splitting my vagina apart, not sleeping for 3 days and then having to wear a pad the size of Africa as she cried the entire ride home?"

He shivers at the thought, remembering how your temper due to sleep deprivation was at its worst yet. "Yeah. Yeah good point."

 You both peruse through the sad, shaking little animals behind the serilized gates, and you almost want to burst into tears and leave. But he takes your hand and you both listen closely as the handler explains each story. How they were rescued, their recovery stories, certain needs and comforts, whether they’d be comfortable with children.

You find one who’s chipper to have an audience today, eagerly sniffing you through the gate and wagging his tail.

“Oh, Joel!”

Joel glances at the clipboard on his cage, noting the name: Tommy. 

“Hell no.”

“Oh come on, he’s perfect! Already part of the family!”

“Aint letting a dog named after my brother lick your face, hump your leg, and steal you away from me every night. No way.”

The handler comes over and apologies: “Tommy actually already has a family coming to pick him up tomorrow, so he’s not available.”

“Ha!” Joel puts his hands on his hips with a sassy head tilt. “Good—for the dog of course,” he adds to the annoyed handler.

 Then Joel finds an anxious little dog whos previous owner had died with no one to look after her. You two sit in the room for a while, quiet and calm and patient until the mut finds the courage, tail tucked between her legs, to rest her chin on your knee. You come in and visit Spoon, as she's appropriately named given how much she likes to conform to your leg and rest, every day for the week before you're absolutely sure she's coming home. And just like that, you two adopt her into the Miller house.

At first Spoon isn't sure of the new home, and especially unsure of the interesting smells coming from the small human in the crib but eventually she quietly relaxes.

Joel was pretty quick to establish rules that would be absolute BS.

"No dog on the couch" well that went out the window week 1. "No dog on the bed" yeah fuck that by week 3. "No food of the plate" bitch you JUST saw him give her the rest of his lasagna.

You had to scold him about giving her too much shit food for her health.

By week four, you started to notice that Spoon is taking a real liking to Joel.

More than she likes you. And Joel is eating it up. Belly rubs, cuddles, even training responses are better suited with Joel than with you. Spoon pretty much only comes to you when she feels like it, never when called. Never sits for you. She's sweet, but pretty much ignores you. And it's kinda fucking--upsetting that your dog is stealing your mans.

Until you find out the dog speaks Spanish.

"That's not fair!" You shout to Joel as Spoon excellently heeds and sits to Joel's every command, tail whipping excitedly with each praise--all in Spanish.

"Its not my fault, honey."

"You KNEW"

"How would I have known?"

Ok, fair point.

And you're kinda pissed but it's so adorable watching Joel really love and train this dog--basically everything he said he wouldn't do cuz it was supposed to be "your" dog.

And while you were scared to introduce her to the baby, Spoon acted like a pro--extremely gentle, happy tamed wags as her big head and wide eyes perched on her petite feet and watched with curious quiet eyes for hours as she slept soundly. She adapted to true guard duty better than even Joel, especially when you would breastfeed, or burp her, or just sway her in your arms. Spoon watched and kept a tight perimeter that not even Joel could intercept when it was Baby duty.

Then one day on her own, while you're reading a book on the couch, Spoon drags her body over and rests on your lap. Always looks at you, presses her snout into your stomach and lies there for hours. And it's so cute, until she's preventing Joel from coming close to you, growling protectively, and keeps being a guard dog for you whether the baby was there or not.

"The hell is wrong with her?" Joel asks, being shoved off to the less-than-deseriable side of the couch.

You shrug and stroke Spoon's ears.

It's not until you go to the doctor with woozy symptoms and an upset stomach that you figure out why Spoon's behavior towards you changed:

You're pregnant again.

--

Series Masterlist

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[springwitch26]

green like her eyes (part 2) (melissa schemmenti x fem!reader)

part 1

summary: you and melissa enjoy smoking weed together to blow off steam from work. this time, things get really steamy.

warnings: smut (18+), recreational marijuana use, consensual high sex, i'm a big fan of dirty talk can you tell

notes: consume drugs responsibly. my requests are open—what do you want to read next? leave a reply and i'll kiss you sweetly 💚

despite your best efforts, you both got soaked in the rain. you were high, so running through the woods felt like flying—but in reality, you two were pretty sluggish as you made your way back to melissa's house. it had been an exhausting work week, after all.

when you found shelter on melissa's front porch, you spent a moment catching your breath and giggling at the absurdity of your situation. melissa fumbled with her keys as her eyes, dark and slightly bloodshot, raked over you.

your thin blouse and skirt were thoroughly drenched and nearly see-through. she made a point not to look below your waist, but she did sneak several peeks at your breasts as they bounced with every breathy laugh. your hair was disheveled, and your makeup had been ruined by the water dripping down your face. you looked messy, and melissa's heart raced at the thought of seeing you like this in a different context.

seeing you shiver broke her out of her trance, and melissa swiftly unlocked the door. she guided you inside with a hand on your lower back and followed after you. once inside, you hesitated to venture past the welcome mat. your clothes were dripping wet and freezing cold, and the last thing you wanted to do was make a mess of melissa's treasured home.

"it's a little late to get shy on me now, sweetheart," melissa said, watching you hover by the door with your arms wrapped around yourself. "you're shakin' like a leaf. come warm up by the fire."

melissa crooked two fingers at you, calling you over to her, and at this point you were convinced she was teasing you on purpose. she had to know that you were thinking about those two fingers curling and pumping inside you.

nonetheless, you obeyed melissa and joined her by the fireplace. dazed and still deeply high, you thought nothing of resting your head on her shoulder.

"mel, i'm coooold," you whined in her ear. "these clothes feel awful."

your clothes felt like icy weights on your body, and you wanted them off as soon as possible. so did melissa. she didn't miss a beat.

"you can borrow some of mine. be right back, okay?" she kissed your cheek lightly—so lightly you thought you imagined it—before rushing upstairs to her room.

uncomfortable and missing melissa already, you had only one goal: to get those evil clothes off your body. you pawed and tugged at your shirt in an attempt to pull it over your head and off. but with your motor skills having taken a hit from the weed, you failed. instead, you got stuck with your arms above your head and the shirt halfway off.

"jeez, hon! what'd ya get yourself into now?" melissa's tone was playful as she came swiftly to your rescue. she took hold of the shirt and instructed you to hold still. "easy now... there we go."

melissa didn't hesitate to help you out of that predicament. she also wasn't prepared to see you topless. as soon as the blouse came off, melissa felt herself salivate. her hands almost tingled with the need to touch you, to map out every inch of soft skin and commit it to memory. she held back for the moment, but her resolve was weakening.

"my hero!" you pulled melissa into a quick hug, missing the way her face flamed at the feeling of your almost-bare chest against hers. "can you help me with one more thing?"

you turned around and gestured toward your bra, hoping she would unhook it for you. the bra, too, was soaked through. in the corner of her eye, melissa caught your nipples straining against the damp fabric, and she took pity.

her fingers left goosebumps in their wake as she deftly unhooked your bra, and you smiled to yourself. your plan was working. you may have been high, but you were well in control of your faculties that night. you knew that the time to make a move was upon you, and you wouldn't give up a shot with melissa schemmenti for anything.

confidently, you spun around to face melissa, now completely bare from the waist up. you giggled when you saw her averting her eyes politely. melissa schemmenti, flustered? you never thought you'd see the day.

"what did you bring me to wear? anything good?" your questions forced melissa to meet your gaze and refocus. she knew what you were doing, and it was taking all of her strength to resist pouncing on you like a tiger.

to your pleasant surprise, melissa then tossed you a cherry red oversized tee with black text on both sides. the front read "abbott elementary field day 1999" with the school's mascot; the back had "ms. schemmenti" above a number, like a jersey.

the best part about the shirt? it was warm. melissa must have just taken it out of the dryer. you held the garment up to your chest, in part to preserve your modesty but also to get a sneaky breath of her scent. your heart felt warm and fuzzy, both due to the older woman's tenderness and the sentimentality behind this little piece of abbott history.

"'99 was a rough year for the kids. i called in a favor with my custom t-shirt guy and had those made for field day. my red team won," melissa said proudly.

you pulled the shirt over your head and let the warmth and comfort surround you. melissa gently helped guide the shirt over your arms, smiling when she saw you in her clothes. you looked good in the shirt. for a moment, she let herself fantasize that you were hers.

"mmm, feels so good," you purred in melissa's ear teasingly. you wanted her to snap so badly. "this skirt is killing me. i hope you don't mind..."

it's killing me too, melissa thought as she watched you pull the wet skirt down your legs and off. she felt no shame about devouring you with her eyes—how could she when you were standing right in front of her, bending over and enticing her as you stripped down to your (suspiciously damp) underwear?

"looks like the rain got your panties wet, too," melissa's voice was hushed, but sure. you turned around and let the red shirt fall to cover your ass. you stalked over to her with a sickly sweet smile and leaned in to whisper.

"not the rain, guess again," you never broke eye contact as you awaited her reply, daring her to make a move. melissa drew a sharp breath in.

"if you keep teasin' me, i won't be able to control myself," she almost growled the confession.

"what if i want you to lose control?"

melissa wasted no time. she reached out and cupped your face, then pulled you in roughly for a kiss. the first kiss was gentle, with her lips like pillows against your own and one of her hands migrating down your back. but it soon became clear that melissa was not interested in taking things slow. she had already waited too long for you.

her hands were all over you as she kissed you roughly, tasting every corner of your mouth. you gasped for air when melissa's hands found your ass and gave a hard squeeze. while you were distracted, she pushed you away from the fireplace and onto the couch. she looked ready to devour you whole as she joined you on the couch and descended on your body.

"so," she started, pausing to place several heated kisses on your neck, "you wanna tell me why your panties are wet?"

"i think you know," you breathed out, your shaky voice betraying your neediness.

"oh babygirl, i wanna hear you say it," she purred before latching on to your neck, marking you while she awaited your response.

"you're why. it's you," you confessed, hoping that would be enough to satisfy her.

"i'm gonna need specifics, hon. what about me makes you so wet?"

"i- um..."

"is it the way i touch you? when i feel you up on this couch, do you sit here drippin' down your thighs?"

you nodded profusely, eyes widening and cheeks heating up. she read you like a book. if you weren't so high and desperate, you would have been impressed. but all you could process was the incredible feeling of melissa's hands and mouth finally exploring you without restraint.

her hands slowly migrated upwards, caressing your torso and landing on your tits. she held them and squeezed, kneading the flesh eagerly. when her fingers suddenly moved to pinch your stiff nipples, you let out a pathetic squeal.

"that's a good girl, lettin' me play with you like this," she cooed.

you shuddered, goosebumps erupting on your skin at the praise. melissa, of course, noticed, and she pulled back to look at you with a sly grin on her face.

"found one button," she said, her green eyes sparkling with amusement and arousal. "let's see if i can find another."

her skilled fingers darted down to your panties, on a mission. she watched your face intently as she pressed her pointer finger firmly on your clit through the fabric. you gasped and squirmed, bucking up towards her finger.

"oooh, she likes that," melissa purred. she swiftly dipped inside your panties and began to rub soft circles on your clit. "do you touch yourself like this and pretend it's me? hmmm?"

you managed to choke out a "yes" between moans, and melissa seemed pleased.

"i bet you do. god, you're pretty like this," she mused, increasing the speed of her ministrations. she leaned down to your ear, wanting you to feel the heat of her breath as she worked you up. "you wanna keep wearin' my shirt while i fuck you? so you remember you're mine?"

you whimpered, feeling hot all over as you approached your high far too quickly. when your legs started to shake, melissa withdrew her fingers and sat up.

"lie back and spread your legs for me, pretty girl," she said gently, and you complied. she situated herself between your spread legs and leaned down to get a closer look at your pussy. she guided you to lift your hips, then pulled your panties off and stuffed them in her pocket. using two fingers to swipe through your folds, she spread your wetness around. "you're soaked, honey."

"please, mel. need you," you said, the words coming out as a keening whine. melissa didn't hesitate to give you what you craved. holding your legs open with her hands on your thighs, she dove in, licking through your slit with fervor.

her tongue trailed up to your clit, drawing quick circles around it. melissa seemed genuinely enamored with your pussy, aiming to taste every glistening inch. she alternated between playing with your clit, feeling it pulse and jump against her tongue with every stroke, and sucking on it.

when she felt you trembling again, she doubled down, wrapping her mouth around your clit and sucking on it like it was all she loved in the world. the heat in your lower belly burst and spread throughout your body, and you spasmed against melissa as you came.

while you were still reeling from the aftershocks of your orgasm, melissa began to tease your entrance with two fingers. her tongue never let up as she thrust deep into you, earning her a strangled cry.

her fingers brushed sweet spots you didn't even know you had, reaching deeper than your own digits ever could. when she curled her fingers to press on your g-spot, you wailed. searching for something to anchor you, your right hand grasped melissa's and your left hand gripped the sheets.

"right there, baby? does that spot feel nice?" she teased, already knowing the answer. before long, your legs were shaking again, and melissa had to lean on you a bit to keep you still. "are you gonna come for me again? i know you're close angel, just let go."

so you did. and melissa was there by your side through every crest and valley, her thumb soothing over the back of your hand while she whispered sweet nothings.

"you did so well for me, hon. my beautiful, good girl..." her words were a whisper that echoed around you, keeping you calm after an intense high.

once your heartbeat started to slow, you opened your eyes and looked at melissa. she gave you a warm smile, her lips shiny with your arousal. overcome with feeling for the goddess in front of you, you sat up and surged forward. you captured her lips in a passionate kiss.

"so," melissa said, panting as she drew away. "wanna smoke another one?"