#but he can wake up and talk to a bug and promise to move on from dora and finally sees her as unremarkable

[kingdomhate]

Finding Out You're Pregnant Scenarios!

Anakin Skywalker: You both knew something was wrong when you would wake up at the crack of dawn, vomiting out the contents of last night's dinner, and when you would have mood swings like crazy. At first, you thought it was just a really gnarly stomach bug, but after your period had not come at all, you decided to get a pregnancy test.

You had already known the answer, as it was the most logical reasoning after you missed your period, but just to be sure, you took the test, waited and once the results came back positive, you were elated, in shock, and a little nervous. You didn't know how to tell him, and how you guys could manage take care of a baby what with him being a Jedi and constantly risking his life to protect the galaxy.

Nevertheless, the challenge was one you would accept for the sake of being able to bring in another life, one that you would no doubt love with all your being, and Anakin would as well.

"My love, have you thrown up any today? Fever? Have you eaten?" Anakin bombarded you with questions, concerned and on edge as he always was when you were under the weather. You shook your head, you hadn't thrown up yet and hadn't run a fever, but you had managed to eat earlier. "I ate earlier, Ani." You say softly, as he hugged you to his warm chest, his hands caressing your skin with ghost-like gentleness. "Ani, I.. I have something to tell you." You whisper against his chest, almost inaudible. "What is it, angel?"

His eyebrows furrow, and you can see his eyes harden a bit, protectively. He always assumed the worst.. "I'm.." You pause, taking a deep, long breath. Anakin's expressions grows more tense. "I'm pregnant. That's what the sickness was." You gaze into his deep blue eyes, trying to gauge his reaction as he became motionless after you spoke, no doubt processing or in shock. You searched for fear, hesitation, apprehension, anything, and as he blinked away the last remnants of his dumbfoundedness, he beams, the corners of his lips turning up into a wide grin. He was overjoyed.

Immediately, he kissed you deeply and passionately. When you both broke away, a bit breathless, he leaned to whisper in your ear. "That's awesome, sweetness. I'll be sure to give you and this child everything I have." He promised, kissing your ear and then your lips again. Safe to say, he did everything for you, not wanting you to overexert yourself, or the baby, whatsoever.

Luke Skywalker: Poor Luke, like his father, had thought you had caught something and couldn't stop himself from feeling worried as what started with complaints of not feeling well turned into morning vomiting, and times where he would run to the bathroom, after hearing your moans and groans of pain, to find you sitting by the toilet, curled into a ball.

He felt awful that there was nothing he could do, nothing that could soothe you from feeling horrible. Pretty quickly, you suspected it was pregnancy, and to confirm your suspicions, took a test. You stood in the bathroom, clutching your stomach as you waited for the results. As they came back positive, you were glad it was pregnancy and not something you had caught. Pregnancy with something both you and Luke wanted, talked about and tried a lot for, so of course he was simply overjoyed when you had told him the news. "Luke." You said, cuddled up to him in your guys' cozy, warm bed as he played with your hair and you absentmindedly stroked his skin, a gesture that soothed both of you. "Mm?" He said sleepily, clearly on the verge of dozing off.

"Get up for a second, baby," You tell him and reluctantly, he moves. You move to your side, grab something he couldn't see from the dresser and hold it behind your back. "I have a surprise for you." Luke's eyebrows furrow, confused and curious. When you pull out what you had been hiding, he stares at it blankly and then cries, pulling you into the longest and tightest hug you've ever experienced. It was a baby onesie that Aunt Beru had helped and taught you to knit. "Oh, Y\N! Y\N!" He sniffles, nuzzling into your chest as he hugs you tightly to himself. You chuckle, and hug him back, stroking his sandy locks as you smile to yourself, tears forming in your own eyes. "I know, I know..." You say softly, sniffling as well.

He pulls himself up, and you both gaze into each others eyes. You can practically feel the undeniable joy that is rushing through his veins, and he can feel yours. You both hug each other tightly again and kiss. You had both daydreamed of this day for God knows how long, and for it to actually happen feels like one of the most exuberant, emotional, surreal and awe-inspiring moments of your entire life.

Obi-Wan Kenobi: Immediately, the two of you knew exactly what it was. Obi-Wan had known and seen the early signs of pregnancy many times before in the homes of galactic families he had visited and protected countless times for the Jedi Order, and you had familiarized yourself with it from reading books and talking to ladies with children.

Obi-Wan hadn't any words to describe how purely incredible the moment was, and what exactly on gone through his head as it was something that stunned him for a few moments, something that you both knew you wanted but couldn't expect happening. Of course the first thing he does is kiss you until the both of your lungs scream for air, and he whispers how much he's longed for this child, and thought of having a happy, sweet family with you, the love of his life.

"I will devote myself to giving you and our child what they deserve and everything your hearts desire. You absolutely deserve the galaxy, Y\N." He says the following night, a sincere promise deep in his eyes as he caresses your cheek and holds you close. "Obi, what more can I possibly want but just you and this child? I'm sure this child will be the light of our lives, and as long as we can remain happy together, than the galaxy means nothing." You say in return, kissing him deeply, pouring your emotions like liquid into that kiss, for him to feel as well as hear. Never wishing for anything more than happiness and love for the both of you, this child and the ones to come after if you both decide it.

[rafeandonlyrafe]

kiss of death

words: 2.9k

warnings: 18+ only, smut, p in v sex, unprotected sex, alternative universe, soulmates, grim reaper!rafe, talk of death, superstitions, reader kind of dies (its explained in the fic)

you swallow deeply as you step into the graveyard. the darkness is creeping into every corner, but you know it's not midnight, not yet.

you feel a pang of guilt as you walk through the rows of graves, briefly glancing at the names to distract your focus from the anxiety filling your chest.

it's an old superstition, but you're beyond desperate.

you stop at the hole in the ground and the temporary headstone, ready for burial tomorrow.

“sorry mr. crawford.” you whisper. you barely knew him, the town psychologist currently kept in the morgue. you could probably use him right now as you move carefully to your knees.

you recite the words from the local town lure, the promise of your true love showing up to kiss you awake at sunrise if you laid in the grave at exactly midnight.

all your other friends have found love, love that is so pure and beautiful it makes your chest ache with jealousy and wanting.

you look at your watch and let out a sigh. five minutes of looking into the grave until the hands of the clock point straight up, five minutes to change and regret your decision.

the minutes tick by but your resolve only grows. you're beyond desperate and the worst thing that could come of it is you spend the night sleeping in a hole under the stars.

you climb down the second the minute hand crawls to the 12 and lay back in the grave, blinking upwards towards the starless night sky, the bright sunlight reflecting off the moon blocking out any other suns.

you close your eyes, trying to ignore the fact that you're exposed to worms and bugs and whatever else happens to be lurking in the graveyard at night. certainly nothing you want to come across.

soulmate. your soulmate. your one true love is worth one night in a grave as you fall into a deep slumber.

--

you can feel the light against your eyelids, but before you can open them, it's blocked out by a shadow.

you gasp as lips are pressed against yours, cold but soft lips. you want to open your eyes but they feel so heavy as you kiss back, hands reaching upwards but you feel nothing, just pressing into the freezing cold air despite it being the middle of summer.

you finally force your eyelids open and you realize who you have been kissing as he pulls away, more of a black figure then a true human form.

“no.” your voice quivers. “no!” 

“did you not want your one true love to wake you with a kiss?” he smirks down at you, hovering directly over your body.

“my-my true love is not death.” you thought it was just another superstition, the grim reaper, the one to facilitate your crossing to the other side, but when looking up you know that the mans face that looks back down upon you is nothing but pure and utter death.

“then tell me why i was called to this spot only to find you laying here.” his voice is smooth but deep in tone, not what you expected from the grim reaper as you almost find comfort in his soft words.

“this can't be right.” you look around you, realizing that all light from the rising sun has disappeared, along with the walls of dirt around you, replaced with darkness so thick it's like you could reach out and touch it. “am i?”

you can't make the word out fully. “kind of.” the reaper shrugs. 

reality shifts and despite you not changing positions, you can tell in the inky blackness that you're now on your feet.

“come with me.” the grim reapers legs push out from the black mass, appearing and disappearing as he begins to walk, somehow able to find his way, walking with the purpose of a destination that is unseen to you.

“what if i don't want to?” you question, even though your heart is pulling you towards him, telling you to follow and stay close.

“i will give you this option only once.” the reaper turns to you. “you can turn around and walk away, or you may follow me and be with your one true love and rule the underworld as my queen.”

you know your back should be towards the reaper as you begin to walk, but you can't go back to your earthly reality after discovering the grim reaper is just waiting for you to die, for you to take your place.

as you walk alongside the grim reaper, you begin to make out shapes moving through the darkness.

the first one scared you so bad as you whipped your head to the side, trying to make out what appeared to be someone walking the opposite direction.

“what is this place?” you ask, voice quiet, feeling as though you don't want to interrupt the figures pushing through the dark.

“the place between life and death. the farther we walk, the closer we are to death and my-our kingdom.”

“and the people walking the other way?” you turn to look over your shoulder as your feet continue forward.

“some have been revived. by doctors or desperate loved ones. but most made a choice. most got to the final step and realized it wasn't there time.”

“and is it my time?”

“you will not truly be dead.” he states, and you find yourself swaying to walk closer to him, his cold presence comforting as the only thing around you can truly make out. “i will keep you in the state that you are now for as long as you please. you will be in limbo, in status. your earthly body will still be yours.”

“so no one will know what happened to me?” you can tell that your body isn't left in the grave, that you're whole and complete right here, soul included.

“no.” he sounds almost regretful as the blackness ahead of you turns into a swirl of dark grey, making out the rolling hills as you get closer.

“your final choice.” the reaper says, and you don't mention that he already gave you what he claimed to be your final choice before you began walking.

it hits you then. the reaper is in just as new of a position as you are in, and your nerves don't outweigh him.

“what is your choice?” you parrot the question back. “do you want me… to rule with you?”

“i have waited an eternity for you. so long that the memory of how i came to be the reaper is no longer available to me.” the grim reaper pauses for a moment before continuing. “yes. i want you alongside me always.”

you nod and then take a step past what you can tell is the final film, the one separating you from whatever rolling hills of gray grass await.

a weight you didn't realize you were carrying leaves you as the grim reaper steps out next to you, the black mass of his body gone as he appears as a fully realized man, legs and all.

you don't mean to, but you reach out and touch him, seeing if your arms would move through him as they did before during your kiss, but your fingers just press against the soft fabric of his black long sleeved shirt.

“welcome to the underworld.” he says, taking your hand in his and pulling you to continue walking.

you can make out a castle in the distance, and the closer you walk towards it, the warmer the hand in yours gets and the less gray seems to be blotting out the world as the grass turns green beneath your feet.

you gasp the first time you see one, stepping closer to the reaper.

“they won't hurt you.” he clarifies quickly as the large wolf runs past you in the distance, several hills away.

“you control them?” you question.

“yes.” he nods. “and all the wolves on earth as well. they are part of my domain.”

“i thought it was going to be a three headed dog.” you whisper slightly sheepishly as you realize your hand has been intertwined with the grim reaper the entire walk, feeling so natural that you don't question the fingers snug between yours.

“everyone got something partially right.” he says. “the egyptians, the greeks, the christians. they all had pieces.”

“oh.” you don't care to question more, not yet. you're already overloaded with all the information.

you pause as you get to the door of the castle. it's not dead quite like you expected, you can hear voices chattering inside and when you look up you can occasionally see people passing by windows.

“people do what suits them best after death. what would make them most happy. for most, that's reincarnation. for some, that's helping others cross or serving me in other ways. everyone inside this home is dead.”

you like that he calls it a home and a slight smile stretches across your cheeks.

“do not ask them how they died or their life on earth. if they wish to reveal it to you, it will be on their own time.”

“okay.” you nod, looking to the grim reaper, your soulmate. “what should i call you?”

you certainly can't continue to call him the grim reaper, it would just be an upsetting reminder.

“rafe.” he smiles down at you, not the terrifying soulless being you thought he would be. “you may call me rafe.”

--

the tour of the expansive home is long, but you find yourself only half listening as you look at rafe.

his appearance is so different from when you saw him first, he looks less harsh, kinder, more alive.

“are you tired?” he asks as he pushes the doors open to what you assume is the master bedroom. “i know you just awoke but if you need to rest-”

“how does time work here?”

“there's night and day just as there is on earth. it's still morning.” he places a gentle hand on your back, pushing gently to get you to enter the room.

“this is our chamber.” he explains. “you may rest, or bathe, or eat.”

“i…” you look down at your clothes, dirt still covering your pants. “id like to change.”

a maid ushers in, and you try to see if you can get any visual clue that she's passed, but theres nothing as she opens up a cabinet and begins to grab out various jewel toned options.

“i must attend to some business.” rafe says. “ill be back soon.”

you get changed and dismiss the maid, wondering what kind of person chooses to serve like this for all of eternity and actually enjoy it, but you're too distracted with exploring your surroundings to think too hard about it.

you find a sitting room with walls covered in bookshelves, the grand bathroom, and a door that leads to a balcony.

you step out and look over the rolling hills, seeing as they turn to gray the farther away it is from the castle, seemingly encircled completely by the void.

you occasionally see a wolf running, or a figure floating, but you can tell none of them are your reaper. that must be the other helpers he was talking about. despite not being able to see their faces, you know it's not him.

you take a seat on the lush couch on the balcony. they must not have true weather here or it would certainly be ruined by the rain.

before you notice it, now dressed in clean clothes similar to rafes, your eyes are closing and you're falling into a deep sleep.

--

you yawn as you wake up, stretching as you realize you'd been moved to the bed at some point.

you sit up suddenly only to come face to face with rafe who is sitting in an armchair moved from the sitting room to the foot of the bed.

“did you move me?”

“yes.” he nods as you blink, looking outside, unable to tell how long you've been asleep. like he's reading your mind, rafe speaks. “it's the next morning. you were exhausted from the journey.”

“did you sleep in the bed with me?”

“i do not need sleep.” rafe answers, jolting you slightly before you remember who you are here with.

“then why have this bed?”

rafe gives you a pointed look as you replay his words in your head. of course it's for you. he's been waiting.

“come.” rafe stands, imposing his tall height again.

you slide out of bed, only then realizing that your clothes have been changed.

“a maid changed you.” he says quickly. “i will escort you to breakfast and as you eat i will finish my work for the day. then we can…”

he trails off like he doesn't know what the options are. “get to know each other.” you offer. “since you're my one true love i suppose we should… go on a date?”

a smile stretches across the reapers face. “yes. a date.”

--

“what is it you'd like to know?” rafe asks as you're sat in the front of the boat, moving slowly down a river that winds through the hills.

it scared you at first, but rafe certainly wouldn't be taking you anywhere where you couldn't come back.

“uh…” there's a million questions you have about life and death, about heaven and hell, but that's not what you truly want to know. “what's your favorite color? do you have to eat? can you sleep even if you don't have to?”

“well…” rafe chuckles. “i love deep blue. i don't have to eat but i can, same with sleeping. and your favorite color?”

“also blue.” you swallow deeply, eyes turning upward as the invisible force keeps the boat moving steadily in the water. “but sky blue. like on a warm summer day.” 

you're about to wonder if you'll ever truly see the sky again when you can make out a cloud in the distance.

“i-”

“for you.” rafe says as the color of the sky shifts, matching the exact shade you were thinking of. “everything here can be changed for you.”

the conversation flows naturally, you suppose it should between soulmates. every time rafe smiles, you get butterflies in your stomach, and by the time you're back where the river meets the castle, you have a question brewing on the tip of your tongue.

“can we… can we kiss again?” you need to know what it feels like, if it's the same cold lips despite his hands now feeling warm.

the smile comes back to rafes face, and then it gets closer and closer until he's kissing you, deeply.

you almost instinctively wrap your arms around his shoulders, able to fully touch him now as he kisses you, warm lips gliding against each other's.

you pull yourself closer until you can't get any nearer without climbing onto his lap, which you do next as you cling to him.

you thought your friends talking about the instant connection with their one true love was ridiculous, but you know what is between you and rafe is complete and real and right.

there's a woosh of air and when you pull away, you're still straddling rafe, but now in your bedroom.

“please.” he said softly, and the word comes out a little strange, like he's not used to saying it. “i need you.”

your fingers grasp the bottom of your shirt before you lift and pull it off your body, revealing the bra somehow already in your size that the maid got out after breakfast.

rafes hands stop yours when you go to unclasp it. “let me.” he says.

his hands are large and warm as they undo your bra and push the straps off your shoulders so it falls between the two of you.

“can i-”

“yes.” you answer quickly. “do anything you want to me.”

you take rafes cheeks in your hands as you look in his deep blue eyes. “do everything.”

your reaper transports you again, this time only feet as you're laid on your back, head rested against the pillows as he hovers over top of you.

your clothes as well as rafes are completely gone, and you're both silent, breathing heavily as you admire each other's bodies. if someone would have asked you what your perfect mate looks like, you'd absolutely describe rafe in this state.

“i will spend eternity pleasuring you, but you'll have to forgive me for not being able to wait a moment longer.” 

rafes cock lines up with your entrance, and then he's pushing inside, his eyes shutting as he lets out a moan that makes you surge forward to kiss his lips and swallow the sound as his hips glide all the way in, fitting exactly inside of you like he's been your missing part all along.

“you're so- warm.” rafe manages to choke out. “ive never felt warmth like this.”

it makes you sad to think rafe spent so long as the cold and lonely reaper. you pull him into you, pressing your chests together as his hips begin to move, your moans growing and becoming in sync, creating a beautiful chorus even to your own ears.

you don't know what your future will hold. there will no doubt be ups and downs, hard times and great times, but you will face it all together with your reaper, your rafe.

[bluesidez]

Gym Rat Miguel Part 11 | chapter on AO3 for easier scrolling

content warning: fluff, some hurt/comfort?? angst??? bittersweet moments???, recreational use of zaza, some nerd talk, 18+ so MDNI, p in v sex (first time 😗)

word count: 10.1k, halfway proofread (don't ask me NOTHING...)

shout out to @hyjionie and @hwasoup for one of the ideas here! 😗 you guys will know it when you see it!

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GymRat!Miguel whose mom was driving him crazy. The flight for New York was at 7 am and somehow she was up running around the house at 2 am.

“Miguel! Get up, we have to go. Now!”

“Ma, no one is even driving on the road right at this hour. There's no traffic."

"Which is why you need to get up and move. You know Gabriel takes forever. Get up!"

GymRat!Miguel who groggily put on his clothes. It was the hoodie you got for him for Christmas with the doodle of the two of you on the front. If he was going to be stuck in the airport for hours, he might as well be comfortable.

GymRat!Miguel who looked made sure that his laptop was loaded with things to do.

He could catch up on shows he knew you watched so that you could have someone to rant to about them. He could listen to that one podcast you mentioned just because you mentioned it. He could read that one manga you were raving about because he was not going to compete with fictional men, and maybe, he could steal ideas from it.

GymRat!Miguel who went to wake up Gabriel before their mom's voice pierced both of their ears again.

He opened the door to see Gabriel staring bug-eyed at his wall while he ate a bowl of cereal.

“Did you go to sleep?” Miguel asked, closing the door and walking closer.

“No,” Gabriel said. “Couldn’t sleep.”

Miguel ran his hand over his hair, curly strands bouncing back, “Promise me you’ll try to sleep on the plane?”

Gabriel took his bowl to his mouth, slurping up the last drops, “Only if the voices let me.”

“Right,” Miguel says then takes his bowl from him. “Maybe you can have a conversation with them right now.”

“And maybe I will!”

GymRat!Miguel who stares at the bags his dad has stuffed into the trunk with awe. 

“Pa, you know we’ll only be there for three days, right?”

George presses against the trunk with a little more force than needed, “You never know what could happen, mijo.”

GymRat!Miguel whose bones shake with exhaustion as he stares out the window on the way to the airport. Maybe it’s due to the lack of sun, but he’s never felt a cold summer night. 

GymRat!Miguel who sighs as his dad argues with the staff over a suitcase that Miguel knew would be too heavy. He’s not even sure what his dad has in there.

GymRat!Miguel who thinks that TSA is having a field day despite his family being one of the few coming in at this hour. 

The man in front of him was taking way too long to pat him down and he got the hint was Miguel scowled at him.

GymRat!Miguel who had about four hours to kill before the plane came, so he decided to walk around the airport with Gabriel and pretend like they were a spoiled set of twins shopping casually in France.

“What do you think about this, Mimi? A little chic, no?” Gabriel held up a Gucci scarf to his green hoodie. 

Miguel stuck his nose up, “No, Bribri, it’s so yesterday.”

“Ugh,” Gabriel put the scarf back like it was on fire, “You’re so right. Thank god you’re here or I’d be so lost!”

GymRat!Miguel who feels like he’s back at home with Gabriel as they try their best to avoid the luxury brand store staff. Every time one would get close, they would giggle and rush out of the store. 

GymRat!Miguel and Gabriel who crash back at their terminal with enough food to feed a family of five. 

“What is all of this?” Conchata asks as Miguel hands her a coffee, a frustrated look on her face.

“Ma, it’s almost the crack of dawn and we’re hungry. Big boys gotta eat,” Gabriel said like it was the most obvious thing in the world.

George reached in one of the bags and grabbed a sausage sandwich, “He’s right, Conchata. We can’t survive on two bites.”

Conchata eyed her three boys with her arms crossed, “All of it better be finished and I don’t want to hear one complaint about your stomachs.”

Miguel just snickered. It’s not like she bought the food anyway.

GymRat!Miguel who is watching an older couple meditate at his terminal as the sun begins to rise. 

“Yo,” Gabriel says. “That looks relaxing as hell. I’ma join them.”

GymRat!Miguel who is wheezing as he watches Gabriel plant himself between them to spread his arms and breathe at deep paces.

GymRat!Miguel who is thankful that his parents bought better-than-Economy seats, but that still didn’t stop any of the O’Hara boys from feeling like they were in one of those miniature museums. 

Both his dad and Gabriel were already tall, but Miguel was more than tall with a heavier body to match. If another compartment almost smacks him in the face, he might lose it.

GymRat!Miguel who takes off his headphones when Gabriel grips his arm.

“The voices,” Gabriel whispers. “The voices are here.”

“Are we doing this the whole flight?”

“Miguel, what if they tell me to do something drastic?”

Miguel looked to the window next to Gabriel and then up to the ceiling, “Three hours.”

“Three hours in which my brain could be infiltrated!”

“I’m closing my eyes, Gabri.”

“But-”

“Closing!”

GymRat!Miguel who used the flight to catch up on sleep and listen to the playlist you made for him. You gifted it to him earlier this month and said it would grow more and more. Miguel loved it because it showed that you were thinking about him, daydreaming about him. It also meant that he could connect to you more. 

No sound of crying babies, no smell of the artificial air packed tight, no light from overhead, just you and him in his mind, dancing on clouds. 

His heart felt like it followed the tempo of each song that played, the words and melodies taking over his mind. 

GymRat!Miguel whose mind wanders by the time the second half of the playlist starts. It was sensual and intimate in a way that passed the sticky sweetness of the first half. 

He was thinking about the nights when it was just the two of you and a bed. He could feel your body tangled with his in the sheets and your eyes piercing his skin. He could see you in front of him as the music played, the words glowing on your skin and the harmonies bounding you to him.

GymRat!Miguel who is yanked out of his fantasy of him pressing you up against a wall when his body jerks from the turbulence. 

He opens his eyes to see Gabriel knocked out and not a clue in the world.

GymRat!Miguel who is always reminded how idiotic people can be at the airport. 

Standing in the aisles is not going to make the people in the front move any faster.

GymRat!Miguel who could finally stretch his legs once he exits the terminal.

“If I get on another plane where a kids stares back at me the entire flight again, I’m going to spin my head like an owl,” Gabriel mumbles as he cracks his neck.

GymRat!Miguel who has a time laughing at his dad slowly losing his mind. 

First, he complained because his fabric luggage was lopsided and twisted from its buckled components, extra bag barely hanging on. 

Second, a wheel on his luggage was a few more spins from giving out. Every time the bag would skirt across the shining floors of the airport, George would grunt in frustration and yank it back. Gabriel almost pissed himself leaning onto Miguel from laughing. 

Third, the ride to the hotel almost gave him a heart attack. The cabs in New York were fast and no-nonsense when it came to getting people to their destinations. The cab drivers were also known to bob and weave into lanes like it was nothing. At every switch of a lane, George was mumbling prayers into the air. 

Conchata kept a hand on his shoulder as best as she could from the middle back seat, but George’s grip on the handle was turning white as he tried his best not to yell into the driver’s ear. Gabriel was filming him from the left side, wheezing like it was the funniest thing in the world. 

GymRat!Miguel who dropped his stuff off, took a nap, and used the rest of the afternoon to walk around Times Square. 

“You refused to go to a Broadway show with me but mark my words, you’re going to one with me before the year is over,” Gabriel pointed his finger at Miguel. 

“Unfortunately.”

GymRat!Miguel who watches as Gabriel dance battles with the random people in costumes in Times Square when they try to heckle him. 

At first, Miguel was worried for him trying to navigate such a bustling place, but there are moments like this that show him that his little brother has always been quick on his feet. His little brother was light years ahead of him in so many aspects and he couldn’t be prouder. 

GymRat!Miguel who probably filled his phone with more pictures and videos of Gabriel experiencing New York for the first time than were necessary. 

He couldn’t help it. His baby brother was soaring.

GymRat!Miguel who sends you places that he wants to visit with you. 

Envisioning you in his hoodie or with a fluffy, long scarf and walking down the sidewalk hand-in-hand with you had him excited to see you again. You would shine so brightly under the Christmas lights.

GymRat!Miguel who didn’t get back to the hotel with Gabriel until the evening. His parents both snoring in the room across the hall. 

GymRat!Miguel who still manages to get up early enough to hit the hotel gym before he and his family go tackle Gabriel’s dorm room. 

GymRat!Miguel who feels like the only other lady in the gym is trying her best to follow everything that he does. 

So much room in the tiny cube of a gym that they’re in and she moves to wherever he is after five minutes. 

GymRat!Miguel who is annoyed when she taps him in the middle of his set. He removes one ear of his headphones and tries his best to stop the disgusted look on his face from forming. 

“Hey! Sorry, I was wondering if I could use this machine! I’m kind of in a hurry.”

“After I finish this set,” she jerks back at that. “I’m using it right now.”

“Well, I just thought that-”

“Ma’am.”

“I’m 22! Don’t call me ma’am.”

Miguel’s eyebrows went up. He could hear Gabriel in the center of his mind calling her a “hard 22,” so he just put his headphones back on and continued to work through his set. 

GymRat!Miguel who thinks that interaction ruined the girl’s mood but he really didn’t have the energy to be concerned. 

He had to freshen up for breakfast. 

GymRat!Miguel who feels absolutely cramped when he steps into Gabriel’s dorm. 

“It’s not bad!” Conchata rubs Gabriel’s back as he looks around with his mouth in the shape of a line. “Once we clean it and set up your things, it’ll be just like home.”

Gabriel puts his hands on his hips, “Home doesn’t look like cell block 1.”

“At least the window overlooks the city,” Miguel says. 

The door behind them opens with George poking head inside. 

“Mijo, we need to set some ground rules. Your suitemates have no idea how to organize.”

“Did you go in their rooms?” Gabriel asked in disbelief. 

“It’s not my fault they left the door open!” George puts his hands up. 

GymRat!Miguel who works harder than he did for his own dorm. Every piece of clothing was in its rightful place, every surface was sparkling clean, the bed was made with minimal pillows and a giant RJ churro plushie, and there was an odd-shaped humidifier plugged up on his desk. 

“I’m putting your cleaning supplies in the corner of your closet, so this room should stay clean,” Miguel grumbled as he stuck a mini vacuum against the wall.

“Whatever, mom,” Gabriel replied.

“Gabriel,” Conchata had a hand on her hip and a finger pointed at her son. “Don’t whatever him. He’s right. There’s no excuse for this room to be a mess.”

Miguel and Gabriel stood in shock at Conchata’s quick defense.

“Are we in the twilight zone?” Gabriel asks out the side of his mouth.

“Maybe it’s the air pressure,” Miguel whispers back.

GymRat!Miguel who equates Conchata’s growing softness to the fact that not one, but two of her boys will be leaving the nest. 

The sentiment is sweet, but by the fourth time she just lets him and Gabriel roam the busy streets, he’s internally freaking out. 

It was far different from the woman who pinched their ears when they tried to sneak sweets into the shopping carts or the woman who had her shoe locked and loaded for when one of them did anything to annoy her. 

GymRat!Miguel who stays up late to talk all night with Gabriel about anything and everything.

“Which one of these do you think is better?”

Gabriel reaced into his backpack to unfold two flags, one with Jungkook over the Mexican flag and a Weenie Hut Jr. sign.

“Well, I definitely feel like there’s a clear answer.”

“You’re so right,” Gabriel says and folds up the Spongebob sign. “It’s better to represent.”

Miguel only sighed, “If that’s what you insist, Gabri.”

GymRat!Miguel who hugs Gabriel tight as their parents pack the cab back to the airport.

They’ve dropped Gabriel back at his school and said their goodbyes all morning. Miguel feels like he’s fading away. He bites his lips in order not to cry, but it’s hard when Gabriel's hands grip his hoodie like a lifeline. 

“Knock em’ dead, baby bro.”

Gabriel leans back with a wet laugh, “They won’t see me coming.”

GymRat!Miguel who waves out the window as the cab drives off. Gabriel waves back with both hands and a smile on his face. 

Miguel keeps looking back and Gabriel is still standing there. He wants to tell the cab to turn around.

After the fourth look, Gabriel is no longer looking at the direction the cab went but to a girl who also seems to have said goodbye to her family. He’s talking animatedly, arms moving as fast as the words fly out of his mouth. 

Miguel turns back around and pulls the strings on his hoodie hard, eyes welling up with tears. 

“Ay, pobrecito,” Conchata pulls Miguel into her arms, kissing the top of his covered head. “I know, it’s ok.”

Miguel’s lungs take in chopped breaths, hands never moving from the strings. He doesn’t know how to stop the tears from falling. 

“George, you too?”

To Conchata’s other side, George was looking out of the window, sniffling with a fist covering his mouth. 

“It feels like just yesterday I was teaching him how to kick a ball!”

Miguel blew out some air, “That probably was yesterday. He sucks at soccer. And football. And kickball.”

“How did he ever make the basketball team?” George says, voice riddled with sorrow. 

“His height, pa,” Miguel’s throat was tight again. “I didn’t call him beanstalk for nothing.”

The two of them lean onto Conchata, snot and tears crowding their faces. 

“Lose one baby and I gain two more,” Conchata sighed as she rubbed their backs, barely space in the little cab. 

GymRat!Miguel whose eyes remained puffy and swollen the whole trip back home. 

GymRat!Miguel who had to go back to school as soon as possible. 

He loved his parents, but being in the house without Gabriel took a lot more patience than he was willing to give. 

GymRat!Miguel who doesn’t see you coming while he's looking for you around the Student Center. 

The campus feels a little different since he’s become more familiar with it. Now he’s got shortcuts and pathways down. He knows more places to hide away in and he carries more tips to survive than he did his freshman year. 

A tap on his shoulder has him turning around. He spins, looks down, and his mood immediately lifts. 

You’re standing there with a pretty smile on your face in the midst of the bustling crowd. Miguel bends down to pick you up, arms wrapping around your thighs, mindful of your skirt. You laugh his name out as you cling to his shoulders. 

He kisses your lips, mouth warm and cozy like the sun shining through the window in a cool room. 

“I missed you so much,” he breathes after two heavy pecks. He moved to the corner of your mouth to your nose to your cheek. “‘M happy to see you.”

“I’m happy to see you, too,” you run a hand through his hair and cradle his face, looking into his eyes. “Are you alright?”

Miguel puts you down, knowing your limit for periodic PDA was nearing its end. 

“Better with you here.”

“Really?” You lean into his chin on his chest with hearts in your eyes. 

“Absolutely,” he plants his arms around you. “Been replaying your playlist for me. You want me to be your good boy?”

Your eyes get wider and you bury your face in his chest. 

“Why are you hiding? You should have known I was going to ask about it,” Miguel chuckles as you groan. 

“You’re using it against me.”

“No, I just want to confirm!”

The irritated face you gave him was too much, he had to tease you more. 

“Just say the word.”

“Hmph,” you lean back as Miguel grins. “Well, be a good boy and help me find our friends.”

Miguel let you pull him, smile loopy, “Whatever you say, baby.”

GymRat!Miguel who is glad to see his friends again. Peter, MJ, Jess, and Ben are sitting at one of the high tables and they all greet you both with smiles. 

“The lovebirds are here!” Peter reached to shake Miguel by the shoulders. “Good to see you both alive.”

“Never better,” Miguel replied, holding the seat out for you to sit on. 

“Look at him,” Jess snickered. “His eyes are practically shaped like hearts.”

“It’s ok to look away from her Miguel,” Ben said. “She’s not going to disappear.”

“C’mon guys, leave them alone. Haven’t you ever had someone you’re head over heels about?” MJ asks.

“No,” Ben and Jess say in a monotone voice.

“I’m sure you’ll find someone someday,” Peter quips as he wraps his arm around MJ. “Someone to stare at like they’re the only ones at the table.”

Everyone looked at Miguel talking to you as you tapped on your phone. He would whisper something in your ear and you would push him back with a shy laugh. His hands rubbed on your shoulders and your thighs. 

“Movie night might be insufferable,” Ben sighed.

Jess leaned back, “A girlfriend or boyfriend would suffice. I’m not picky!”

“I am,” Ben says with raised eyebrows. “I need someone to acknowledge my beauty.”

GymRat!Miguel who does in fact become insufferable during movie night. 

Flashing bright colors are painting the white dorm walls, lighting up the room, and the two of you are cuddled together on his bed. It’s way too cramped and Miguel could barely fit on the thing by himself, but somehow, he has you laid in his arms, a blanket covering you both. 

He’s not even sure what movie is playing on the projector because his mind is too focused on you. His hands keep wandering your body under the thick blue fluff. He’s watching you body jump and listening to your breath hitch as he kneads your thighs, your sides, your stomach, your chest. 

He really did miss you and he wanted to take this time to become acquainted with your body again.

But you would kill him if he let his thoughts take over and sink his hands under your clothes. 

So he settled with touching you and kissing your neck occasionally, your mind to preoccupied with the movie before you. 

GymRat!Miguel who insists on a snack run and makes you tag along. 

Does he want snacks? Not really.

Does he use it as an opportunity to make out with you on the outside of his car? Absolutely.

“Mig, mm-” you melt into him as he pries your mouth open. “I thought you said you wanted milkshakes.”

Miguel cages you against the car, pans down to your chest, then back up to your eyes, “My milkshake is right here, though.”

You scoff, hit his chest, and push his arms to walk around to the passenger seat.

GymRat!Miguel who has milkshakes ready for everyone on their way out to their own dorms. He spent way too long playing with you in the privacy of his car.

GymRat!Miguel who by his second day of classes thinks he has the ideal fall semester schedule planned.

He’s still blocking things out on his calendar, but his classes are a bit more spread out this time, which means more time to be with you. 

With your stacked studio classes, he was going to take every opportunity he could to see you. 

GymRat!Miguel who wanted to take up a basic game programming class as an elective. What better way to nerd out than to get insight on how his favorite games worked?

Learning C++ and Python, breaking down the technical side of things, making his own small games through engines; Miguel was beyond excited, to say the least.

He walked into the empty lab, scoping the classroom out for the best seat. The perks of being early. 

GymRat!Miguel who is scrolling through his watch later list while he waits for class to start. Maybe he could finally watch the Let’s Plays he’s been piling up. Maybe character builds would be better. 

“Hare-Hare, is that you?”

Miguel stopped, that nickname something he hadn’t heard in forever. 

He turned to his right with a smile on his face, “Xina?”

“It is you!” 

Miguel stood to hug her, his body rocking from the weight of her, almost knocking him over. 

“It’s been so long,” she breathes out. Her hands slide down his arms. “Have you gotten even bigger?”

Miguel laughed, “Probably.”

Xina’s eyes flitted over his body and back to his face. 

Miguel sat back down, “You look different, too. Is that a tattoo?”

“Y-yeah! You like it?”

It was some computer code in a spiral shape on her arm. It was really different for her. A far cry from the conservative, shy girl who left the South. 

In fact, the outfit she had on was something she would never wear. It looked like something that Lyla or Tempest would throw on. No collared dresses or long socks over stockings, just low-cut skirts and flowy-sleeved tops. 

“It’s pretty cool. Do your parents know you have it?” 

She shuffled the sleeves of her shirt back down, “They weren’t too fond of it, but what can they do now.”

Miguel smiled softly, “Lyla told me you were coming down here. I guess I just didn’t believe it until I saw you. How have you been?”

“I’ve been pretty good. Just trying to readjust. It’s a lot different here.”

Miguel raised his eyebrow, “From China or from up north?”

“Um, from up north. It’s a lot slower.”

“Really?” Miguel watched as she picked at the mountain of bracelets on her arm. “Hopefully not too much slower. I want you to enjoy your time here.”

More people started to fill up the lab, dropping their backpacks and pecking on their phones. 

Miguel rolled his chair closer to Xina, “What happened up there? Is everything ok?”

Her eyes shifted nervously, voice tight, “Lyla didn’t already tell you?”

“She can say a lot of things, but I’d rather hear it from you.”

Her shoulders dropped and whatever thoughts that were clouding her mind disappeared. 

“I’ll-” the professor heads to the front of the class. “I’ll tell you one day.”

Miguel nods, dropping the subject. 

GymRat!Miguel who is really excited about the future of the class after the first initial day. 

The professor seemed to have a lot of knowledge involving the industry, and even if Miguel couldn’t see himself really tapping into the industry, he enjoyed the banter. 

“Class seems like it’s going to be fun,” Xina says as she walks next to him, bag patting against her hip. 

“That’s a sentence I’ve heard no one ever say.” 

“Oh, shut up,” Xina pushes his shoulder and Miguel fakes being knocked over. “This is coming from the man who got excited about encyclopedias being available for checkout.”

“There was good stuff in there! Not my fault that others didn’t catch on.”

GymRat!Miguel who chats with Xina like old times. 

She looked different, but the core of her was still there. Still the sweet, reserved girl that he remembers. 

“Ah,” Xina looks down at her phone. “I gotta go. Me and my roommates are having a house meeting.”

“You got a quad suite?”

“An apartment! You should come over sometime. We’re going to have a little housewarming party soon.”

“Cool, I’ll be there. See you Thursday?”

Xina grinned wide, hands folding together in front of her, “See you Thursday.”

GymRat!Miguel whose time with you during the day was limited to lunch time. Your studios were stacked along with some general ed classes and he hated it. 

“Miguel, stop pouting, I’m here now!”

“That’s until you have to go mix your paints with others and cut floorboards.”

“I’m not mixing paint with others,” you reach to wipe some salad dressing off of his lip. “I’m mixing paints with other paints. And mineral spirits. And turpenoid.”

Miguel slumped down his chair, petulant. 

“Why can’t I just sit next to you and encourage you?” Call you pretty, stare at you, hold you. 

“Because it’s a college course just like any other class. I just can’t just walk into your labs unannounced.”

“If it were one of my lectures, you probably could.”

You left out a soft breath through your nose, “True. Too bad my classes are three hours long, babe.”

Miguel groaned, “I should have switched my bio class to yours.”

“So you and I both could be distracted all day? Not a chance.”

“No,” Miguel held out the vowel. “I wouldn’t get distracted, I swear! We’d sit at the front of the class to ensure it.”

“And somehow, you’d still find a way to distract yourself.”

Miguel puffed and folded his arms.

“How so?”

“Oh, I don’t know,” you shake your cup, seeing if you had any drink left. “Writing me messages on your notes app, spamming emojis, sending naughty pictures in the middle of class.”

“That was one time.”

“One time that my professor almost saw the hairs leading to your-”

“So what you're saying is, you don’t want my chest in your phone?”

“No! I never said that!” 

Miguel smirks and you fall back into your chair with your heart pounding. 

“You’re so mean, I’m going to class early.”

“Baby, I’m sorry, I’m sorry!”

Miguel held your hand to stop you from leaving the table, pulling you to his side. 

“Let go, I’m going to class.”

“Let me walk you there at least?”

Miguel wrapped his arms around you and moved his head wherever your gaze went. 

“Fine, hurry up.”

GymRat!Miguel who finished his lunch in two bites and reached for your portfolio. 

GymRat!Miguel whose heart swelled as you swung his hand on the walk to class. 

“I think we can still make more time for just us. There’s the weekends, your birthday, fall break, winter break, our anniversary,” you sang as you looked up at him. 

“You excited?”

“To spend time with you? Always.”

Miguel felt his cheeks warm at the simple statement. 

“Are you?”

“If I’m not excited to be with you, you’ll know I’m being kidnapped.”

“Stop,” you giggle. 

“It’s true!”

GymRat!Miguel who lingers in the art building while you wait for class to start. 

“Is there anything in particular that you wanted to do for our anniversary?”

You fan your eyes up, “Hm. I’m not picky. As long as it’s close to school. We can save the bigger trips for the future or holidays.”

So no sporadic trips across the country. He can check that off his list. 

“Your face is telling me that you were thinking of something else.”

“No…”

GymRat!Miguel who after two weeks of class could definitely say that his elective was taking more brain power than his science classes combined. 

It was fun, but god, he didn’t understand the point of his professor insisting that they learn C#. 

“This is so stupid,” Miguel grumbled after the third failed attempt to get his program to run. “I think I’m in hell.”

“With me here? No way,” Xina snickered beside him. 

“Yeah, you’re right. Still doesn’t change the fact that this is a program that is completely useless to not only me but the rest of this course.”

“It literally can’t be that bad”

“Look!”

Miguel showed Xina his code and the lack of progress that it seems like he made. 

“That’s ‘cause your lines are wrong, silly.”

She leaned over him, tapping at his computer. Miguel noticed that her tattoo was on display today despite the cool chills coming in as fall approached. 

“There. That should fix it.”

Miguel ran his program again and was filled with relief when it actually did what it was supposed to do. 

“You’re a lifesaver.” 

“Anytime,” she beamed and fanned absentmindedly. “I’m always here to help. I definitely need your guidance for quantum physics.”

“What do you need that class for?”

“My advisor suggested it, but I’m starting to regret it and I can’t afford to drop it.”

“Tell you what, you help me with coding and I’ll help you with physics. Fair trade?”

“Plenty equal to me.”

GymRat!Miguel who smells Xina’s perfume as she helps him for the third time that class. 

It’s sweet and earthy. It reminds him of the time you fed him ice cream on a campus bench not too long ago. 

“What is that? It smells good.”

“Really?” Xina looks over to Miguel with a smile. She leans back and twirls the black strands of her hair. “You like it?”

“Yeah, it’s nice.”

“Thank you.”

GymRat!Miguel who gets invited to Xina’s apartment-warming party. 

“It’s pretty small, and I’ve only made a few friends here so far, but I would love for you to come.”

“For sure, for sure. Should I bring something?”

“No, just you and your body will suffice.”

GymRat!Miguel who laughs with Xina as they exit the class. 

“I’m just saying that if you have time to make merch for your games immediately after the first patch of it does numbers, then you have enough time to improve it and make other parts faster.”

“Game developers have families to feed, ya know?” Xina states. “They can’t just sit at a screen all day, they need quick money like the rest of us.”

“So you sell plushies instead? Whatever happened to ‘hi, hello’ or ‘this is how progress is going this month.’”

“Miguel!”

He turned to where he heard his name, that voice like music to his ears. 

“Bebé!”

GymRat!Miguel who runs to you and spins you around like he hasn’t seen you in years. You squeal into his neck, excited because he’s so excited. 

He puts you down and stands in shock, checking his watch, “I thought you had studio right now?”

“Critique ended super early, so I wanted to surprise you!”

“So the rest of your day is free?”

“Pretty much, yeah.”

Miguel would punch the air with glee if he wasn’t in public. 

GymRat!Miguel who turns when you peek your head past him to see Xina standing with a small smile on her face. 

He slots his hand into yours and pulls you over. 

“Xina, meet my girlfriend. Bebé, meet Xina.”

You reach your right hand out, introducing yourself. Xina takes your hand with a grip like a blood pressure machine and a quick introduction. 

When you take your hand back, your eyes do a double take between the two, Miguel oblivious to what just took place. 

You clear your throat, “Do you guys take the same class?”

“Yep, we-”

“We go way, way back,” Xina grins. “Like trading silly bandz and Pokemon cards back.”

“Oh shit, really? So you saw Miguel in his baby days. What was he like?”

“Please don’t say anything embarrassing,” Miguel groans out. 

“Yeah, tell me something good. Something juicy.”

“Hm,” Xina tapped her chin. 

Miguel shook his head behind you, hands clasping together in a pleading motion. 

“Miguel had a crush on me.”

That’s not what he expected Xina to say and from the raised eyebrows on your face, neither did you.

“That’s,” you rock on your feet and adjust your backpack, “definitely something.”

“Yeah! He was so cute running around handing me flowers with the roots still attached. I was too busy trying to be the best ballerina around, though. Right, Hare-Hare?”

“Right,” Miguel looked to the door. “Uh, we’ll see you around Xina.”

“Yeah, see you soon,” her fingers twinkled, chains on her nails dangling. 

GymRat!Miguel who kept waiting for you to say something as you both walked to his car. 

He was excited to eat dinner with you for once, but your silence was scaring him. 

“What’s wrong?” He breaks, sick of his aimless thoughts. 

“I don’t know, Hare-Hare, you tell me.”

“Amor, don’t be upset. It was such a long time ago.”

“That’s fine, I don’t care about that. Why would she bring it up in the first place? I don’t even know her like that.”

“I think she was just nervous, she’s not usually like that.”

“Compared to…?”

“Compared to the kind person I know her to be. Look,” Miguel reached for your hand, voice steady. “I’m sure she’ll open up to you as I’m sure you will to her, ok?”

You blew out a deep breath, “Ok.”

“Trust me?”

“I trust you.”

“Good,” he pecked your lips. “Now let’s go get pizza. I’m starving.”

GymRat!Miguel who still brought a gift to the apartment warming. It felt rude to not show up with something. 

You had recommended a candle, so Miguel went and got something that smelled similar to Xina’s perfume plus a candle warmer in the shape of a flower. 

He knocked on the door, a gift bag in his hand.

After a few seconds, it swung open with a guy who he didn’t have to bend down to look at. 

“Woah,” he said. “You’re huge.”

“Uh, thanks? Is Xina here?”

The guy was brushed to the side to reveal a frazzled Xina. 

“H-hey, Miguel! You came!” Xina clung to him, fingers clammy and breath burning through his shirt. 

“Yeah, of course. Was this the wrong day?”

“No! No, no. You’re right, come on in.”

GymRat!Miguel who felt that the apartment was really nice and Xina’s roommates were a rambunctious bunch. 

Although, he expected the event to be a bit more relaxed. There were people crowded together in the living room, some screaming at a game on the TV, some making their mark on the couch, others dancing out on the balcony. 

Miguel was anxious to say the least. 

GymRat!Miguel who was pulled into Xina’s bedroom, the stench of that sticky, sweet perfume filling his nostrils. 

“Sorry about that, I didn’t know it would get this wild.”

“It’s fine,” Miguel shuffles the bag into her hands. “I just wanted to give you this, then I’ll be on my way.”

“Aw, so soon?”

“Yeah, I’ve got some stuff to catch up on.”

He wanted to get out of here. 

His eyes panned around her room, the style of it matching more to her past self. White lace, lilac and soft pink bows, tiny bunny and hamster families sitting on a shelf above her desk. 

A poster from a franchise that she swore she hated but he loved. Funny. 

Xina dug into the bag pulling out the candle warmer, “Miguel, this is so cu-ute! It’ll be perfect on my desk.”

“I thought you would like it.”

“You do know me very well,” she pulls out the candle and holds it to her nose for cartoonishly amount of time. “This smells fucking amazing. It’s like, like the inside of an ice cream bucket. But in a jar.”

“Xina,” Miguel sits the candle down before she moves the wicks up her nose. “Are you high?”

“Only a little…un poco,” she holds her fingers in a pinch. 

He pushed her hand away from his face. 

“They’re not making you take anything, right?” He pointed back to the door. 

“No, I wanted it to. It’s nice. You should try it sometime. Relax a little.”

Miguel watched Xina’s eyes for a moment, searching for anything, something about how she really felt. For the moment, they were only cloudy and unphased. Miguel supposes that he should be like that too. 

“Maybe another time. I think I’m gonna go.”

“If you must,” she pouted and hung on to his shoulder until they reached the door. 

GymRat!Miguel who finally breathed easier once he was in his car. 

He wondered what to get a person to help them come down from a high easier. 

GymRat!Miguel who didn’t care what Lyla had to say, the arcade was a great idea for the 1st Anniversary date. 

He had it all planned out: pick you up at your dorm door, drive you out, about an hour to the closest city, spend the rest of the night exploring the city, come back to the hotel, breakfast in bed, an afternoon at an art class because you wanted to see him paint, an evening at the arcade, and a night to complete out his Mission B: Virgin No More. 

It was perfect. Immaculate. Sublime. 

GymRat!Miguel who took the term passenger princess more seriously than he needed to. 

“You sure you don’t want me to drive?”

“Nope. Just sit there and look pretty.”

“I might fall asleep.”

“You’ll still be pretty either way.”

GymRat!Miguel who has the most fun going to random stores with you. Sure, there were some boutiques where the owners looked at you both like extra heads were sticking out of your necks, but there were also stores that were cozy and warm. 

You both stayed in the nooks and crannies of stores looking at trinkets, jewelry, books, anything. 

“Miguel, look!” you hold up the tiniest pair of baby shoes he’s ever seen. “How precious is that?”

“Put those down, I don’t need any new ideas.”

“You had old ones?”

GymRat!Miguel who buys a giant puzzle for you both to complete together. It’s a watercolor painting of the night sky and the bright day blending together. 

It was the two of you together in one piece, he had to get it. 

GymRat!Miguel who is giddy that you bought a set of matching silk pajamas for you both to wear. 

He knew you were definitely going to get hot in them, but what are hotels for if not turning up the A/C and cuddling together under the thick, starchy comforters? 

GymRat!Miguel who keeps staring at you through the mirror as you brush your teeth. There’s a fluffy headband keeping your hair out of your face, and you’re only wearing the top of your pajama set. 

He’s no better, only rocking the pants. 

“What?” you say with foamy toothpaste flooding your mouth. 

“Nothing. You’re cute.”

You spit out the toothpaste, “You’re cute!”

GymRat!Miguel who holds you close as you take a bunch of mirror selfies before you both head to sleep. 

GynRat!Miguel who knew this day was starting off right when you came out of the bathroom with your stomach showing. The shirt is like a blessing, mesmerizing in multiple areas, hugging your skin tight but loose enough for him to stick his hands under it. 

“Amor, I don’t know if you know this, but,” Miguel pulls you in between his legs. “We’re supposed to actually make it out of the hotel room today.”

“And we will,” your eyes sparkled. “So until we get back, be good.”

Miguel groaned and peppered searing kisses across your skin, hands hot on the pocket of skin he could see, squeezing and gripping. 

“Do I get a reward?”

You lean and whisper in his ear, breath tickling his skin, “A really, really hot one.”

Miguel's eyes are opened wider when you stand back, neck burning. 

“You’re killing me.”

GymRat!Miguel who really sucks at painting. 

“I don’t understand what I’m doing wrong.”

“Well, to start off, your brush isn’t even clean.”

You guide his hand to his water cup with a giggle, “None of your colors are going to show up if you keep dipping them willy-nilly.”

“Ok, but how come your hearts are so much better than mine? We both followed the teacher.”

Your eyes looked from your uniformed artwork, colors tangling together intricately and shapes flowy to Miguel’s canvas that had dripping paint, a bad mix of oversaturation, and wobbly shapes. 

“You know, I’m not completely sure how you managed that, babe. What matters is that you did it with love,” you say noticing both of your initials in one of the best hearts on the page. 

“Maybe you’ll be better at pottery? Mosaic?”

“I think you just enjoy laughing at my expense.”

GymRat!Miguel who rolled the sleeves of his sweater up when it was time to play arcade games. 

He had to look good, show off, and earn prizes. 

You watched with heavy eyes as he geared up to play the boxing game. 

He made the boyfriend outfit look even more yummy, with his button-down peeking from under his blue sweater to match your outfit and his big jeans hugging his waist. 

With a heavy swing, the machine seemed like it lifted off the ground with the force he gave it. His face was so serious as he waited for the score and you were inching closer to insanity. 

The machine faltered, red dashes dancing across the screen. 

“Did you break it?”

“Uh. I hope not.”

After what felt like a moment in which you both probably should have run away or called a worker, the machine blinks back to life. 

“No way.”

A max score of 999 stared back at you both and the card machine lit up with rainbow colors. 

You held his hand in yours, looking at his knuckles for any bruises or blemishes. When you stared up at Miguel incredulously, he had a goofy smile on his face. 

GymRat!Miguel who may have been more competitive than he needed to be. 

You yelled as his score kept inching away from yours on the basketball arcade game. 

“You’re, like, as tall as the machine! You’re cheating!”

“It has nothing to do with height, chiquita.”

You groan out a sound of frustration as you miss your shots, messing up your streak. 

The timer goes out, Miguel winning by a landslide. 

You push your head back as Miguel celebrates. 

GymRat!Miguel who keeps this song-and-dance up for the rest of the night. Sometimes you would win, sometimes he would win. 

His final strike was when you both were in one of those FPS games that required you both to be crammed inside of a dark box. 

“Miguel, stop taking my fucking shots!”

“Oo, she’s getting feisty with me now.”

You thought quickly and leaned over. With an eye on the screen and the intention to rile him up, you moan his name right in his ear, breath needy and warm. You lick at his jaw to seal the deal and turn back. 

Like paper, Miguel folds, and his aim becomes absolutely terrible. 

“W-why would you do that?”

You couldn’t bring yourself to feel that bad as “Player 1: Bunny WINS” and “Player 2: Bear LOSES” jumped across the screen. 

You kiss Miguel on his cheek as he readjusts his pants with a frown on his face. 

GymRat!Miguel who could hear his heartbeat in his ears on the elevator ride back up to the room. 

You were holding onto the giant plushie he gave blood, sweat, and tears to earn, saying that it reminded you of him. 

Miguel, on the other hand, was digging his nails into his palm and opening the collar of his sweater sporadically. 

“You alright?” you say, placing a hand on his elbow.

“I might pass out.”

“Miguel,” you hold him close as you both walk to the door. “You gotta calm down.”

“I am! I’m just nervous.”

“You’re shaking.”

Miguel’s hands tremored as he ran the key card over the censor.

GymRat!Miguel who let you hold his hands as you kissed over his wrists. 

He was so dear to you. His presence, like a beautiful spark.

“You’re so sweet.” A kiss to his palm. “The sweetest there is. I adore you.”

Miguel took a shuddered breath as he watched you, heart rushing to his ears.

GymRat!Miguel who is more calm when you both start to remove your clothes. It wasn’t steamy and desperate like he imagined. It was slow, intimate, and quiet. 

It was like seeing you all over again for the first time when he helped you take off your shirt. It was like stepping into new territory when you held his jeans so he could step out of them. You both took turns taking off an article of clothing, savoring the moment. 

Miguel fumbled a bit when he was met with you the clasps of your bra, fingers knocking against each other.

When the time comes, after what was an hour or so of touching, feeling, and existing within each other, your hands fumble with the condom.

Miguel feels out of his body as you slide it down with care, hands moving as if you were molding clay. 

It wasn’t until he was on top of you that he felt that this was really happening. The foreplay between you a spot of comfort and habit.

After so long, he finally slid in deep, the pit of his stomach quivering. You were so unbearably tight.

“Y-you ok?” Miguel squeezed onto your hand, watching your eyebrows knit together. 

“Yeah, it’s just,” you chuckle, breath almost gone from the feeling of him. “You’re really big.”

Miguel’s face shifted from worried to shocked. 

“Oh! Well, I guess that’s a good thing?”

“You don’t have to guess, I can feel it.”

Miguel twitched and jolted involuntarily, causing you to whimper, your words going straight south. 

“Miguel! Stop moving.”

“Sorry! You’re really tight right now and I’m trying to focus.” 

“God,” you sigh and let your head drop to your pillow. “Are we even doing this right?”

“No clue.”

Miguel kissed your collarbone as you wrapped your arms under his. He continued to kiss across your shoulders, lips light and airy. Up your neck to your jaw, he could feel you relax and breathe a little easier. 

He grazes his mouth to your cheeks, humming as you move them closer to his lips. He kisses your temple, your eyebrows, your forehead. At your nose, you start to giggle, Miguel’s kisses leaving flutters on your skin. 

Miguel joins in on your joy, grinning as you try to return the pecks. 

“Ok,” you whisper. “I think I’m ready. You can move now.”

“You sure?”

“Yes. I want you to make me feel good. I want you to feel good.”

Miguel looked at your eyes, waiting, wanting, open. He couldn’t help but to think how lucky he was to have a girl like you who was just so beautiful and lovely. 

His body is pressed against yours, the plush of your chest molding onto his. Your legs were wrapped around his thighs and your fingers danced across his back. 

He takes a hand to hold the side of your face while the other one is pressing you even closer to him. He moves out as best as he can, the warmth of you an addicting feeling, and slides back in slowly, a shallow thrust to start off. 

Your breath was hot against his mouth as you shuddered. Miguel groaned, feeling the heat of you through the thin condom. 

He moved again, watching as your face twisted and turned. Your hands are pressed against his back, palms applying pressure until the feeling stretches to your fingertips. The pricks of your nails dig softly into Miguel’s skin, muscles moving as he tucks your hair away from your face. 

By the third thrust, Miguel is moaning out, overwhelmed with you everywhere. When he breathes, you breathe. When he tightens his hand on your back, you tighten yours. When the feeling of you becomes too much to bear, you’re right there with him, eyes heavy and wet. 

Everything was heightened, from the sound of the bed squeaking as Miguel’s hips moved, to the little sounds you made when he inched in deeper. He’s scared he might shout in your face due to how good you feel so he presses against your lips, grunts coming out with each thrust. 

You take him with stride, hands balling up to fists as he gets deeper and deeper. 

His name from your lips is broken down from two syllables to four, enunciation clear enough for Miguel to know that he’s doing something right. 

“Don’t stop,” you plead, gaze reaching Miguel’s soul. “Please.”

“I won’t.” He would never leave if he had the choice. “Am I, shit, am I doing good? Do you feel alright?”

He shifts back to see your face and his heart speeds up watching you under him. Your arms fall to the bed and your mouth stutters open as Miguel continues. 

Your eyes drip as you let out staccato moans and Miguel leans down to kiss away your tears. 

“C’mon, bebé, let me know.”

You nod your head and cry out when Miguel goes even deeper. He hums against your mouth as a thank you. 

“Miggy, I,” you stop as you take a breath. 

“Yeah?”

“I love you.”

A rush of heat from top to bottom filled Miguel’s core. The air left his lungs swiftly and came back in twice as fast. His back shook, nerves like a spring. All he could hear was your breaths, all he could smell was your warm skin, all he could taste was the lingering touch of your tongue, all could feel was the hot valley of you, all he could see was you.

He dies and comes back to life, sight piecing together that the stars and hearts were not part of you but they were just his muddled brain taking you in like the first day he met you. His throat burns like he swallowed hot coal. 

Your mouth is moving but he still can’t connect the words yet. He feels himself floating away. 

“Baby?” the way that your hands grip his body ground him. “Can you hear me?”

“Yes,” Miguel nods, eyes blinking fast. “What just happened.”

“I think you came?”

Miguel looked down, and sure enough, you were right. 

He doesn’t remember you getting any relief. 

“Can I-” he groans as you clamp down on him when tries to pull out. “Can we do that again?”

You nod your head, “Please.” 

GymRat!Miguel who, after a brand new condom and a clearer mind, realizes that he has a lot of work to do. 

He knew that you were his everything, but he couldn’t deny that he was a little embarrassed. You swore to him that it was ok, flattering even, but Miguel isn’t buying it. 

Your legs were bent at his sides as he lifted your hips off the mattress. He held them up as he stroked deep and focused on the sound of your breaths. 

“B-baby,” your voice is stunted as Miguel keeps a steady tempo. “Look at me”

Miguel groans into your neck, shuddering from the sound of your voice and your hands rubbing his sides. Your moans were high in your throat, breaking as Miguel’s hands pushed and pulled at your skin. 

“I can’t.”

“Why,” your words fizzle as Miguel hits a sweet spot. “Why not?”

“If I look at you, I’m gonna cum.”

Miguel goes faster as he feels you constrict against him. The bed creaks as the sound of him delving into you gets louder and louder. 

“Oh,” your nails scratch his back. Miguel matches your voice, desperate to please you. 

You open your mouth again, a three-letter phrase ghosting your tongue. 

“D-don’t,” Miguel’s hips freeze and unfreeze as he hears the first vowel leave your mouth.

“I wanna see you.”

Miguel shifts, eyes finding yours, and he knows he won’t make it. 

He tells you just as much and you pull him closer. 

“Te amo, mi luna.”

Miguel cries as he feels the air leaving him. He reaches down to touch you, your body jolting when his fingers graze your clit. 

You cum around him and he pushed through, waiting until you were shaking to let go. 

“You,” Miguel leans his forehead on yours. Both of you are shaking, blood pumping with adrenaline. “Play so unfair.”

“But you love me?”

He cuddles into your thumbs wiping at his eyes, “So much. I love you so, so much.”

You kiss him, feeling warm and satisfied, sighing as he melts on top of you. You run your fingers through his wild hair and scratch at his name. 

After a while, Miguel perks up, eyes sparkly and big like a little puppy. 

“A-again.”

“What?”

GymRat!Miguel who pulls you to the edge of the bed by your legs. You yelp at his strength and the icy pricks of the hotel A/C coating your overheating skin. 

Miguel slides back in with a practiced ease, the angle different, but not unfamiliar. 

He held your legs and hips from the bed, watching as your body moved from the faster momentum he produced. 

Your voice reaches the ceiling as your hands grip for anything. Seeing your reaction, Miguel grips your hips and your stomach, angling even deeper. It was fulfilling until your hands landed on your chest, stopping them from jerking so.

Miguel pulled your wrists together and down, watching as your arms framed your chest. He moans out your name, eyes stuck on the picture presented before him. 

How could anyone ever believe you were not beautiful? 

GymRat!Miguel who can’t help but to ask for one more round. In your disheveled state, you tell him it’s the last one. 

The sounds leaving your bodies were enough to make the bed blush. It was something so perfect about the whispers you mewled into each other's skin contrasting the wet sound of Miguel slapping into your wet entrance. 

Somehow you were nearly bent in half, knees almost next to your ears, as Miguel’s feet were planted on the bed. You didn’t even know your body could do that. 

At every smack of skin, Miguel was moaning your name louder and louder, mind completely gone. 

“I’m, ngh, gonna cum!” Your voice comes out at a volume that matches his. 

Miguel nods, encouraging you to release, kissing along your skin. 

You shout as he swerves his hips, melting your cour as he slides along your sweet spots. 

“So good,” Miguel says, balls twitching against you as crumbles to the bed. “So amazing. Mi luz, mi sol.”

The two of you catch your breath in the dim hotel lighting, jolting with aftershocks of your anniversary. 

GymRat!Miguel who held you on his chest as you slept, lips pressed against the top of your head. He checked his phone before going to sleep, wanting to set a timer for the morning. 

A Game Exchange’s Worst Nightmare

Miggy Mig MC: I did it

Winner-Winner: ???

Ly(ability)la: Only you would announce losing your virginity like that

Tempie: omg

You’re not a baby anymore 🥺

What am I gonna do

Winner-Winner: WAIT

LESGOOOO

Tempie: I never thought this day would come

Winner-Winner: you was tearing it up wasn’t you? 🤪

Ly(ability)la: you’re so annoying

Tempie: like I didn’t prepare fast enough

I

I WASNT READY

Winner-Winner: I hope you did that trick I taught you

It gets em every time

Guaranteed banger

Tempie: This actually ruined my night

Ly(ability)la: Temp is losing it and so is Wins

Congrats to you ig

Winner-Winner: I bet she’s KNOCKED OUUOOT

Ly(ability)la: is being normal like not in your cards or…

Tempie: I think I’m sick

Miggy Mig MC: .....

Gabri 🤏🏽🤡:

“I did it”

“No fucking way"

"NO FUCKING WAY"

"AND? AND SO?"

“It was just as good as you say. That’s all I’m saying.”

"I feel like I need to throw something on the grill"

“Not too much Gabri”

GymRat!Miguel who wrapped his arms around you as you fixed up something the next morning. 

“G’morning,” you say to a heavy Miguel leaning down on you. 

“Super good morning,” his hands reach to cup your left breast and your stomach under your robe. He left a long kiss on your shoulder. “Whatcha doing?”

“‘M getting your gift together.”

“Another one?”

“Mm-hm.”

“Well, let me step up my game.’

GymRat!Miguel who sits with you on the bed as you both trade gifts.

“Aw, Miguel! How am I supposed to eat these? You look so cute here,” you took a piece of candy in your hand and looked his face planted on it. 

“Like this,” Miguel takes your hand and guides the candy to his mouth. 

You smile watching him, body warm. 

GymRat!Miguel who watches your eyes glow when you see the dolphin charm with the date that you two took our first date. 

“Put it on me?”

Miguel slid the jewelry over your skin, watching as gold danced against your skin.

GymRat!Miguel who feels like crying when flipped through the scrapbook you made. Each section matched a song in the playlist you made for him. 

It was so thoroughly crafted and thought out that Miguel couldn’t stop the waterworks. 

“Why did I think that outfit was cool?” Miguel laughed wetly as he saw a picture of you both at a pumpkin patch.

“You look adorable,” you catch his tear on your thumb and hug his side.

GymRat!Miguel who drops you off at your dorm with kiss after kiss to your lips. 

Jess opens the door with a dramatic sigh, “The two of you are glowing. How cute.”

GymRat!Miguel who reaches back to his night with you every time he’s sick of the class he’s in. 

A little bit dangerous when it comes to his labs, but everything is reminding him of you. He can’t even look at his blanket without thinking about the way your shirt draped your body. 

Maybe he should make love to you with it next time.

GymRat!Miguel who is in a daze during his programming lab. 

“Earth to Miguel. Did you finish the mini code?”

“Uh, yeah,” Miguel replied to Xina. 

“Good, because I need you to check this equation really quick. I need to turn it in later this week.”

Miguel leaned over to Xina’s laptop, arm reaching across her. 

“So,” she slides her nails up his arm. “What do you think?”

“It’s fine. This part is very wrong, though.”

She squeezes at his muscle, chest pressing on him.

“Are you cold or something?”

“No, why do you ask?”

“Because,” Miguel slides her laptop in front of him. “You’re really touchy today.”

“Miguel, I’m always touchy.”

She puts an arm on the back of her rolling chair and leans on her wrist. 

“True.”

“Is there a problem with friendly touches?”

“No, Xina. I’m not like that.”

“Ok,” she holds her hands up in defense. “I’m just trying to understand.”

“Don’t do that.”

“Do what?”

“That,” Miguel says turning to her, “Being weird. Overstepping.”

Xina folds her arms and nods her head, “I got it.”

GymRat!Miguel whose time with you dwindles within the next couple of weeks. If it’s not studying, it’s the robotics team. If it’s not the robotics team, it’s his class schedule never matching yours. If it’s not your studios, it’s his study sessions with Xina. 

Currently, she was sitting beside him on the first floor of the library, head on his shoulder as she sighed over a new formula. 

“This is so gross,” she said, wiping away eraser shavings.

“Did you even try?”

“Like, once. That was enough.”

GymRat!Miguel who gets your text and looks up to where he knew you’d come from. He felt like he could feel you close, but the entrance was so far away he couldn’t see. 

He got up for a second, turning and standing tall to catch a glimpse. 

“I know you’re not about to give up this. You said it was easy! That’s not the Miguel I know,” Xina grabbed his wrist, hands unbearably hot. 

His phone buzzed again. You said you were going back to your studio. 

He sighed and sat back down, mind foggy.

divider by: @thecutestgrotto + @adornedwithlight 🩵

a/n: Y'all know that gif with the smoking duck? I feel like that but I would replace the cigarette with an Icee or something.

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[littledreamer9211]

The bet.

A/N: Hi. This has been bugging me for weeks and I just needed to get it out. There will be a part two. Once I write it. This is barely edited or proof read but its getting late and I can barely see so I'm going to bed. Let me know what you think. If you hate it...lie to me. I'm fragile.

CW: Angst. I'm an angsty gal, what can I say. Swearing. I'm Scottish - it just comes naturally. I don't think i've missed anything but let me know if I have.

~~~~~

Frankie 'Catfish' Morales x female reader. No use of Y/N.

Word count: 3716. Sorry. I like to ramble.

~~~~~

Voices drifted in from the garden through the open kitchen window, full of joy and banter. It still blew your mind at how quickly you could identify his voice in a crowd. Listening to it now as it laughed and replied with a witty comment to Benny’s latest, good hearted insult. You couldn’t hear exactly what was being said but the laughs that came in reply, you knew were at Benny’s expense.

Walking out the join the gathering with your arms full of more beers for the cooler, they were quickly taken from you with a kiss on your cheek and a playful wink. Frankie. Ever the gentleman and the love of your life. You hadn’t even seen him move from his chair to meet you before you could struggle any further with the goods in your arms. “There she is and just in time.” Benny moved to help Frankie open the cooler and take a cold one out as you turned to smile at the small group sitting on your lawn around the fire. “Glad to know what you love more Benny.” You laughed as you joined the group, allowing Frankie to gently pull you down on to his lap as he sat back in his vacated seat. His arms wrapped around your waist and his face nuzzled into your neck as he placed a gentle kiss below your jaw. “Hey you know I love you and if it wasn’t for Frankie, I’d have been the one you married,” “Watch it.” Frankie growled playfully, his face not even leaving your neck to speak. “but alas I’m left to deal with my second favourite girl…beer.” Benny shot you a wink, not even phased by the growling man underneath you. “Easy there Catfish. We all know Benny never stood a chance after you waked into the bar that night.” Pope smiled as he remembered the look on his friends face that night. Will laughed and slapped his brothers shoulder as he walked by to grab another beer. Benny just huffed and mumbled incoherent words as he took another sip from the bottle in his hands, shooting his brother daggers before rolling his eyes. “Mine.” Was all Frankie mumbled into your ear as he squeezed your waist. You hummed in agreement and turned to place a soft kiss on his lips.

Your heart skipped and a small smile of amusement lit up your face when you thought about that night. Almost 4 years ago and it still felt like it was yesterday. You had been in a local dive bar your best friend had dragged you to after your latest tinder date couldn’t even be bothered to show up at the cafe you had agreed on. Crying to her down the phone about giving up on love and men altogether, you were ready to go home and drown your sorrows in strawberry cheesecake ice cream. Thankfully she had refused to let you wallow in self-pity and rerouted you to the dive bar that you must have drove past a million times before but never noticed. She promised that unless you wanted to go home with the town drunk or old Jesse-two-teeth then you would most definitely be having a girls night. Unbeknownst to you both, a certain group of men would be meeting in town that night to raise a glass on the anniversary of their friend Tom’s death. By the time they began to appear in the bar, you were 4 rounds of tequila in and singing your heart out to Lady GaGa that you had managed to sweet talk the bartender into playing. First to walk in were the Miller brothers. After ordering their first round and finding a table at the back of the bar, they watched the in-house entertainment that was you two, whilst they waited on the others.

By the time Pope and Frankie arrived, you had managed to talk Jesse-two-teeth into a slow dance whilst your best friend did her best Coyote Ugly impression on the bar top. The raised eyebrows and amused head shakes were all they gave up as they ordered the next round and met the brothers at their booth. It wasn’t too long after that that you were first approached. The Miller boys bought your next round and Will hit it off straight away with your friend. The two of them whispering and giggling for the rest of the night. You were happy to talk with Benny and while you could admit that he was a very attractive man, he just wasn’t your type. It didn’t stop him from trying though. But once you slurred out your awful date story and drank a glass of water at Benny’s insistence he realised it wouldn’t be going anywhere and was happy to keep you entertained whilst his brother got to know your friend…better. Once the two of them returned from their ‘bathroom break’ the boys took you over to their booth to meet their friends. As soon as Frankie raised his eyes to meet you, from the shadow of his cap, you were a goner. It was like all the air had been stolen from your lungs and all you could see where his beautiful, dark, sad eyes. Of course you played it cool - well when you tell the story thats how it comes out, Frankie’s version is of course very different. And although he managed to charm your number out of you, it took him 3 weeks to get you to agree to go out with him. That first date lasted almost 3 days. The two of you just clicked straight away and have pretty much been together ever since. It took Frankie a year to propose and the small courthouse wedding took place 2 weeks later. And here you are, sitting in your back garden with your favourite boys and the love of your life. The spark between Will and your best friend was quick to fizzle out but they remained friendly enough that it didn’t make gatherings uncomfortable.

With their jobs taking them all over the world, it wasn’t often that they could all be in the same place at the same time, so nights like tonight were precious. You snuggled into Frankie as the night went on, stealing his body heat as the warmth of the day disappeared with the setting of the sun.

As the beers continued to go down well, the conversations jumped from topic to topic. The current one being Benny’s latest dating drama. “…she was insane. Like sexy insane but not the keep around kind if you know what I mean.” Scoffs of laughter came from around the fire as we listened to his latest ‘sexcapades’ as Frankie would call them. “Damn Benny, how do you always manage to find the craziest woman in every town?” Pope shook his head as he laughed and downed the last of his beer. Benny shrugged his shoulders, a smile the size of the Cheshire cats took over his face. “We can’t all be Frankie and win the bet for the best girl in town, can we?” As Benny’s words left his mouth it was like someone poured ice water over the group. Will, who had been slouching in his chair almost asleep was now clearing his throat and shifting his eyes between his brother and you warily. Pope had choked on his beer and was thumping his chest to clear it as he growled at Benny under his breath. And Frankie…it was like he had stopped breathing. The grip he had on your waist was almost painful now as he whipped his head over to look at Benny. Benny looked at the group, confused by their reactions when nobody laughed and you watched in slow motion as he seemed to realise what he had said.

You? You burst out laughing. What a ridiculous but very Benny thing to say. It didn’t even make sense. When you realised that you were the only one laughing, something clicked in your head. What had Benny said? Something about a bet. What bet? “What are you waffling on about now Benny?” You tried to sit up to get a better look at his face but the vice grip Frankie had on you meant you were going nowhere. “Frankie. Baby, let go a bit. You’re cutting off the circulation to my legs!” But Frankie didn’t move. Turning your head to try and make eye contact with him, you noticed the absolute death glare he was shooting to the youngest in the group. “What did you mean Benny? What bet?” Your eyes flicked between them all as your brain started to click onto something being wrong. “What bet Frankie? What does he mean?” “Frankie, man. I’m sorry. I’ve had too much beer. I didn’t realise she didn’t know-” Benny moved to come closer to you and Frankie but was stopped by his brothers hand on his shoulder. Will shook his head and motioned towards the gate. “I’ll take him home.” Was all Will said as he made to steer his brother towards the trucks in the drive.

“What? No, don’t go Benny,” You managed to shake Frankie’s hands from you and made it stand in front of the blonde brothers before they could take anymore steps out of the garden. “Boy’s whats wrong? What bet?” “Let them go mi amor. Benny’s just had too much to drink, doesn’t know what he’s talking about.” Frankie was standing on the other side of the fire pit, his hands flexing down by his side. Pope had moved to stand at his left side. The light from the fire highlighting the stress in both their faces. “If it’s nothing bad then tell me what it means Frankie.” Your hands flew up with frustration and landed on your hips. “Will? Pope? Someone tell me what the fuck just happened.” All four men couldn’t look at you. Benny’s head was so far down that you would have to get on your knees to make eye contact with him. Will’s never left Frankie, he’d moved into protective big brother mode. Pope’s eyes were closed, his fingers grasping at the bridge of his nose in frustration. And Frankie’s killer look had never left Benny. Like a predator waiting for the right moment to strike.

In the silence, your brain started to tick over what had just happened. What was it that Benny had said? Frankie had won a bet for the best girl in town? Me? Frankie had won some bet to get me? “What bet Frankie?” Nobody moved. Nobody said a word. If someone was to walk in on the scene right now it would be like something out of an old cowboy western, enemies waiting for the first twitch to snatch out their pistols and make sure they’re the ones to shoot first. Keeping your eyes on Frankie, “Boys…go home.” Came out of your mouth. The tone was deathly calm. Frankie knew that tone straight away and it was the only thing that was able to make him finally move his eyes from Benny and connect with yours. It was then that you saw the shift in his features. From livid to terrified. You didn’t break eye contact with your husband as you heard the other men as the muttered and moved towards the garden gate, towards their trucks. With a final, “I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to start anything,” from Benny, it was just you and Frankie left. Eventually you heard the start of their engines and the roaring as they took off out of the driveway.

You watched as Frankie made to move towards you but before he could take more than a step, you turned on your heels and headed into the house. Shivers raced throughout your body but you had a feeling it was more than just the cooling night air. As you crossed the threshold you heard a faint “fuck” from Frankie before his footsteps followed you.

You needed something to do with your hands whilst your mind was whirring so you grabbed the tea towel and started to dry the already dry dinner plates from the side of the sink. On your third plate you felt Frankie’s hands rest on your hips and his head rest between your shoulders. Your head drops forward, eyes closed as you gently discard the towel and plate in your hand. Your hands move to grip his, his black wedding band digging into your palm with the force of your grip. “Speak to me Frankie.” Your whisper breaks the air and you think he’s not going to answer until you hear him let out a long, defeated sigh. Twisting in his arms, your hands move to cup his face whilst your eyes search his. He looks so sad. “Please.” He moves one hand to push his cap up and run his fingers over his scalp before putting it back in place. “Fucking Benny.” He grumbled whilst moving to lean against the island counter opposite you. The move felt like he had put miles between you. Wrapping your own arms around yourself as a form of protection, from what you didn’t know, as you waited for him to say anything else.

“It’s stupid. Nothing really. I don’t know why he’s got to bring up such stupid shit when he starts drinking.” You remained silent, letting him work out what he needed to say. “I honestly forgot all about it. It means nothing.” He crossed his arms as he leant against the counter top but his foot tapped against the tiles in an angry/frustrated rhythm. Your silence only seemed to make his foot tapping worse. “Do you remember the night we met? In that grotty bar in town?” He waited for your nod of acknowledgment before continuing. “It was a pretty rough night for us. It was the first time we’d seen each other again since Tom…”

He’d never gone into too much detail of what went on during that mission but you knew enough to put the pieces together and come to the conclusion that it certainly didn’t go the way they had planned even before Tom was killed. “We thought going to that bar would be best, nobody goes there. We didn’t need anyone to see us drinking our sorrows away like that.” His hand moved to rub at the back of his neck as the sound of his phone ringing in his pocket distracted him. Pulling the device out with a sigh, he looked at the caller ID.

Without answering, he threw the device across the kitchen, not caring where it landed or the damage it would cause. As it soared through the air, you could just make out Benny’s face before it disappeared and became silent.

“Give it a rest man.” He grumbled before focussing back on you. His brow furrowed when he finally realised the closed off stance you were stood in. Eyes focussed on your crossed arms, he continued, “You were like the light at the end of the tunnel. A breeze of fresh air that I didn’t know I needed until I saw you dancing with that toothless, old goat at the bar.” A faint smile lifted his mouth as he reminisced. “I knew straight away that I needed you. As soon as I walked in I knew that I needed to make you mine some how. But Benny…” The smile wiped from his face as he thought about his ‘brother’. “Benny had his eye on you too. And you know what a little shit he can be. Especially when he can sense any hint of competition.”

He was right. Benny was so competitive that you had learned very quickly over the last couple of years to never go against him unless you knew for certain that you could win and even then he wasn’t against cheating in some way. It was all in good fun but not worth the hassle if you were being honest.

Benny having his eye on you was knew information though. You had been victim to his endless flirting more than once and you wont lie, you liked the flirty banter. It was never more than that though, after all you had Frankie. You never needed more than him.

“Well we weren’t much more sober than you were. And what started as a joking comment from Pope was blown into a Benny bet.” “A Benny bet?” Your voice came out much more fragile than you had wanted. You had a feeling you knew where this was going but prayed to anyone who would listen that you were wrong.

Frankie looked sheepish as he shrugged his shoulders, his hands sliding into the front pockets of his jeans. “Yeah. He wanted to make a bet about who could get the girl first. Get you first.” You nodded in understanding as you felt your heart freezing. This was going exactly where you didn’t want it to go. “Thats when he and Will made their way over to you. He was trying to woo you.” He shook his head with a soft snort. “When he realised that you weren’t interested he was going to forget about the bet but then he brought you over to the table.” He stopped for a moment and just stared at you, his throat bobbed as he thought about his next words. “When he saw I was smitten and you were too but were trying to play it cool as you would say, he wanted to change the bet. He knew he was going to lose and he couldn’t have that.”

“For fuck sake Frankie.” Your hands moved to run through your hair as you tipped your head back and whispered your words at the ceiling. You could feel your insecurities raising their heads. Insecurities that hadn’t been around for years, since Frankie had broke down your walls and taught you to trust again.

“I’m so sorry baby. I wanted to tell you from the beginning but I…I guess I got scared.” He moved to stand directly in front of you. His arms caging you in against the counter. He knew better than to touch you right now but he needed to be close to you.

“You know…if you had told me all of this from the beginning? I probably would have found it funny,” You shrugged your shoulders to seem indifferent but he knew you better than that and his close proximity allowed him to see your bottom lip quiver just slightly. “But now? It feels like our whole marriage is based on a lie. Was I just a joke to you Frankie?”

His head whipped back in shock. “No baby, never!” His words came out firm but you couldn’t hear them. Your head was being overrun by old demons. “Hey…” He tried to catch your eye but instead you moved his arm and slipped out. You moved to the other side of the island counter, needing the space between you so you could think. All he could do was watch, his mouth pursed and eyebrows crunched.

“What were the stakes?” Voice breaking, you cleared your throat and tried again. “How much did I win you in your precious bet?” “Don’t do that. You know you mean the world to me. You are my life-” He tried to lean across the counter and catch your hands but you were faster and took a step back. “-baby.” “What. Did. You. Win. Frankie.” You took a breath between each word to stop yourself from crying. It came out as more of a statement than a question.

“He - We changed the bet.” His hand rubbed across the stubble on his chin, his black wedding band almost mocking you. “He wanted to bet that…god I hate myself right now.” He was actually crying now. It must be bad. “It’s Benny. He wanted to bet that I couldn’t get you to sleep with me before the second date.”

A knife. There must be a knife that somehow ended up embedded in your chest as you suddenly couldn’t breathe. Your gasp must have been louder than you thought because before you could blink, he was around that counter with his hands on your face, his thumbs wiping away the tears you didn’t realise had started to fall.

“W-we slept together on the first date Frankie.” Your voice came out broken and it only made him cry harder. “I know baby. I know.” Your hands came up to wrap around his wrists. You squeezed them before slowly pulling them off. You knew he could stop you if he wanted to but thankfully he cooperated. “So did you win?” Running your hands under your eyes to dry the tears, you stared at him expectantly. “P-please don’t do this. It wasn’t like that. Our first time was-“ “A fucking joke apparently.” You burst out. You could feel the heartbreak being overtaken by pure rage. “Mi amor. Please.” He took a step towards you again but you put your hand up to stop him. Shaking your head.

“Damn you Fransisco Morales.” The finger you pointed in his face as you spat out the words stopped him dead in his tracks. “What did you fucking win? The least you can do right now is tell me what it is I’m apparently worth to you.” With his hands on his hips, he looked down at the floor before daring to look at you again. “Please listen to me for just a minute. It wasn’t like-“

“FRANKIE!” You had never shouted his name like that before. You don’t think you have ever shouted at anyone like that before.

Your breathing was ragged as you watched him. He looked over to the window, sniffing as he mumbled something under his breath. “Wha-“ “200.” It felt like he stared right into your soul as he spoke. “$200. Thats what I would have won.”

You nodded your head as if to say thank you, then without a word turned and walked calmly and silently to your bedroom and locked the door behind you.

You didn’t even flinch when you heard what you assume was your nice dinner plates smashing against the kitchen floor.

Part 2

[base0h]

HOW HAIKYUU CHARACTERS REACT TO BUGS

a/n - watched a TikTok vid by @emmafischer8 about how setters would react to a spider and it was hilarious so I had to do everyone else too 😀👍

Warnings ⚠️ - g/n reader, s/o reader, crack

- he’s not very scared of them so you can probably count on him to kill them for you if you ask 😭🙏

- but honestly he’d probably name a spider Fred and give it a leaf to sit on when he puts it outside

- and in the morning when he wakes up he’d also say good morning to Fred even if he doesn’t see him because he thinks Fred might still hear him

- “Bokuto who’s Fred..?” -you

- “That spider fella from last week! The one that was on the ceiling :)”

- “…You named it?”

- “Mhm!”

- “I love you Bokuto 😭”

- “Oh I love you too y/n :D”

- He has a lot of bug friends

- especially during summer he gets a lot of ladybug and butterfly buddies

- he prolly has named them after which friends he thinks they remind him of

- theres a praying mantis named kuroo 🙏

- he’s scared of them

- he hates them with every fiber of his being

- never take him to Australia or ANYWHERE remotely outdoorsy 💀

- he’s the type to get even quieter when he’s afraid— and he can’t even bring himself to move away from said danger he just stares at it helplessly 😭

- he could be doing homework or something and then all of the sudden his pencil will stop, and he’s just frozen in place

- you can’t even tell if bros still breathing

- “Akaashi..? You ok?” -you

- there’s no answer

- no acknowledgment

- just dead silence

- then you see why, and it’s a tiny little spider on the wall in front of his desk

- you have to kill all the bugs or take em outside, akaashi will do everything else but that for you so yeah 😭

- you also might have to comfort him for a while after because he’s so scared he gets nightmares about em 💀

- I swear yk those jumpscare vids on TikTok where the bug legit jumps out at you and that Asian dude is like: hey, you ok?

- BUT THE MF COMES WAY TOO FREAKING LATE SO IT DOESNT EVEN HELP

- yeah akaashi has beef with him

- he wants to set his house on fire and lock the doors with the guy still inside :)

- seriously you could be just chilling and all of the sudden he’ll chuck his phone across the room and he looks like he looked at Medusa or sum 💀

- those vids that try to like make you feel bad for bugs because they’re just trying to exist mean nothing to him

- “Ok then exist somewhere else? Preferably nowhere near me?” -Akaashi (probably)

IM TALKING ABOUT THIS GUY. (JUMPSCARE WARNING)

- ok see— he doesn’t call it ‘fear’

- he calls it ‘disliking things with more than 3 legs’

- he acts all tough and mighty until you’re faced with the final boss…

- summer

- Idk why but I feel like he’d have a tiny little dog— like a corgis or a terrier or something

- it sometimes eats flies and stuff— and Kuroo worships it 😭

- he’s totally the type to like try and create some intricate trapping system for bugs so that his dog can take care of it for him

- Kenma thinks he’s insane :) (he is)

- side note he also probably cuddles with his dog and has good dreams whenever he sleeps with it nearby him 🥲🙏

- anyways, you’re basically his knight in shining armor now, congrats! :D

- “Oh y/n you look absolutely gorgeous today—“ -kuroo

- “Where’s the bug.”

- “…..Corner wall.”

- sly mf 💀 bro thought he could fool you

- don’t worry he’ll make it up to you however you want 😭

- you name it and he’ll do it

- anything for his knight in shining armor

- his heroic insect slayer

- his courageous promised messiah—

- yeah you get the gist lmfao

- you should probably start taxing him for it

- he MIGHT boycott you though 💀

- I honestly think they’re scared of him

- I feel like no bug has ever escaped osamu’s sight

- like if a fly lands on his food it’s genocide time

- he will find its cohorts and kill every single last one

- kinda scary ngl 😭

- in the kitchen he’s probably armed with a fly swatter 24/7

- not one of those plastic flimsy ones though, the heavy duty high voltage shit, only the best

- Let’s be real though, if a fly noticed Osamu looking at it— it’d run and not be able to escape 💀

- Those vids that are like: “no but the bug was just existing— what if it had a family?” Yeah no Osamu doesn’t give a shit

- “It’s their fault for touching my food. Not my fault they might not have a parent anymore.” -osamu

- “Yeah but you didn’t need to like— chop it up like an onion—😭”

- “It reminded me of Atsumu so I was extra pissed at it.”

- “Hey! :(“ -Atsumu

- “Ah I see, makes sense.”

- “HEY! >:(“

a/n - I need an osamu to kill the mosquitoes in my house I can’t kill em all myself— I’m losing the war here 😭

[muffinsin]

LISTEN, sisters dimi with s/o having a pet spider (in case it would be like a part 2) the spider finds one of the many hidden passages that has in the castle and one of these in particular leads to the sisters' room and the spider ends up climbing on their face and they are extremely nervous about it, in my head it was very funny. - anon miranha 🕸️🕷️. curiosity, miranha comes from the spider man, only that in Brazil has a meme of it and we call him miranha because of this meme and it’s pretty cool, as if someone asked you if you watched the movie of the miranha that came out and the other person will know (possibly) that he is talking about Spiderman

Haha awhh, poor bug babies and Donna XD!🙌🕷️ turning this to meme reactions👀 Oh? That’s really cool, hon! :) we love the insider memes👀

Let’s get into it :)

Masterlists

Bela

She awakens to a light, almost ticklish feeling

Momentarily, she thinks it might even be your fingertips tracing her face

When she reaches up and feels something small, almost hairy, though, she knows better

Instinctively, she flings the spider off of her, screaming and kicking away all blankets and pillows to ensure the thing can’t return under them

She desperately wipes her hand on the covers, panting, gagging

She can’t believe a spider was on her face!

Having nearly a full blown panic attack, and not knowing where the animal is due to flinging it away, she’s left with only a few options

Releasing a banshee-like scream, it thankfully doesn’t take long for Alcina to enter the room, visibly tired, but with her claws drawn

Clearly ready to slice whoever managed to intrude her daughter’s room and scare her into ribbons

What she doesn’t expect is to see Bela sat on the farthest corner of the bed, looking around anxiously with silent tears running down her cheeks

She attempts to move closer, and Bela quickly shoots out her hand

“Mama, spider!”

The following day, of course, she confronts you

Yet, she cares not for your comforting words or apologies

Instead, she gives you an ultimatum

To keep the thing locked tight or she will kill it

Or rather have Alcina or a maid kill it, really

She’s entirely serious about this, her arms crossed angrily. She never wants something like that to happen again and is in a good mood to kill the nuisance herself

Alas, she knows you like the animal, for a reason she cannot possibly imagine

You promise, you will get a new terrarium and ensure your pet will never simply roam around free

Satisfied, she at last allows you to comfort you, albeit with a small glare pointed at you

Cassandra

Generally speaking, Cassandra is quite the heavy sleeper

Of course, any physical attack is enough to wake her, physical touch, even

Aside from this, though, she can sleep through pretty much everything

Still, she stirs when she feels something move on her

Not yet fully awake, she battles with sleep as she feels the strange, light feeling move up her body

Sleepily, she tries to swat it away, and momentarily she thinks it has worked

Then, the light feeling returns, almost ticklish against her chest

She opens her eyes eventually, finding your beloved pet spider climbing up her throat and chin

Immediately- despite her fear of spiders- she grabs the thing and flings it against the wall

She turns on the light immediately, summoning her sickle

Beloved pet or not, the stupid creature is dying, she thinks

How dare you let it roam free after she’s already done you the favor of allowing you to keep the thing?!

She’s furious!

Swarming out of her room quickly, she wakes you instantly, and none too gently

You gasp as you’re shaken awake, a sickle immediately pressed to your neck

She’s practically trembling with anger and frustration and- unusual for her- fear and disgust

That thing was on top of her! She almost pukes at the thought, feels ill

You’re about to talk when she presses the sickle harder against you

You know, she loves you, you’re safe. But you also know something massively riled your girlfriend up, and not in the good way

Eventually, she speaks, angrily, her teeth nearly grinding together in anger

“Get your pet under control or I will dispose of it, and you!”

Immediately understanding what must have happened, you jump up and spend the rest of the night finding your pet spider and convincing her not to kill it, and, as she suggests, to prevent her from maiming the poor thing

She’s still furious, incredibly so, makes you check every single evening that the thing is where it’s supposed to be, has even hired a maid to specifically wake you up three times a night just to ensure the spider has not left

It seems, your sleep schedule is to suffer in order to keep your beloved pet alive. Cassandra will not have a slip up again

Daniela

She sleeps so comfortably, so happily

Not a care in the world

Still, she stirs when she feels light movement on her

She whines, thinking it must be one of Cassandra’s flies, another time the woman comes to annoy her, quite possibly as payback for the last time Daniela was a little troublemaker

Alas, there is no buzzing…

Groaning, she opens her eyes at last, seeing first only darkness, then…

She screams, swarms automatically

She cries out as she finds your stupid pet snatched two of her flies as she did this

Seeing the monster on her pillow, Daniela can only think of one thing: to flee

She swarms fast, crying, panting, trying hard not to throw up as she feels your stupid spider draining her poor flies and devouring their insides

Bela shrieks when she feels someone jump into her bed, confusion written across her face as she finds her sister, crying and shaking, curling up under her blanket and hiding against her stomach

She’s ready to kill you, certain that it must have something to do with you, but shivers instead when a single word is uttered by the younger woman: “spider”

In the morning, you’re given trouble

Finding Daniela with dried tears on her cheeks and two very angry looking older sisters behind her, as well as a maid with your pet spider held securely under a glass

It’s handed to you, and all three sisters shiver in disgust as you hold the animal and allow it back into its terrarium

“Destroy it, or keep it locked up!”, Cassandra snarls the moment you lock the animal up

Daniela refuses to talk, only stares in disgust, knowing parts of her are in the small animal’s belly. Your love for the spider is about the only thing keeping it safe

Alas, secretly, all three of them hope the animal won’t make the winter

Donna

Being a light sleeper and having countless dolls to watch out for her, it’s no surprise she awakens the moment she feels something move up her body and graze her arm lightly

Something…almost ticklish

She awakens immediately, turns on the light and glances around

No one there, nothing

Then, another ticklish sensation

She shudders and quickly swipes her hand across her neck, unintentionally slinging the spider there onto the bed

She notices it’s yours immediately

Being a doctor, seamstress, scientist and gardener, Donna has no fear of spiders

Despite this, she isn’t a fan of having one right by her face

She picks the small animal up gently, commanding dolls and such to turn the lights on for her

As she enters your room, she gently places the spider back in the tank, then turns to you and attempts to wake you as gentle as possible

Alas, she is rather ghostly, so that you gasp and nearly shriek in surprise upon seeing her in the middle of the night

She draws back, holding back a giggle at your reaction

When you realise all is fine, you drown in confusion. Donna isn’t known to sleepwalk, nor does she casually stroll into your room for no reason in the middle of the night

She clarifies soon enough, though, asking you to please keep your spider contained to your room only

Shyly, you promise her it won’t happen again

[nickeverdeen]

The ATLA gaang reacting to reader having a nightmare

Request: “Hello!

I was wondering if you could do an imagine (kidna like the bug one) on how the Gaang would react to gn reader having nightmares. Have a lovely evening,

- V”

Requested by: @verybadatwriting

(The person meant preferences so you wouldn’t get confused)

Aang

Aang sits quietly beside you, offering silent support during your nightmares

Aang wraps you in a gentle embrace, providing a sense of security and comfort

He listens attentively as you share your nightmares, offering empathy and understanding

Whispers words of reassurance, reminding you that you are safe and loved

Guides you through calming breaths to help ease your racing heart

Aang strokes your hair or rubs your back, offering physical comfort

Suggests simple activities like stargazing or cloud-watching to shift your focus away from your nightmares

He establishes comforting bedtime routines, like reading a favorite book or sharing a cup of tea

Praises your courage and resilience, highlighting your inner strength

Aang expresses his love for you, promising unwavering support through your struggles

He ensures the bedroom is a peaceful sanctuary, free from distractions or triggers

Aang gently suggests seeking professional help or trying relaxation techniques to manage nightmares

(The professional help would be Katara, though)

Shows patience and understanding, earning your trust over time

Reminds you that you are not alone, standing by your side through the darkest nights

“I’m here for you. You’re safe with me. You’re not alone in this. I’m right here beside you, Y/N”

Zuko

Zuko wakes up immediately upon sensing your distress, his instincts kicking in to soothe you

He pulls you close, wrapping his arms protectively around you and whispering reassurances

Zuko gently strokes your hair or back, offering comfort through his touch

Listens attentively if you want to talk about your nightmare, offering understanding and empathy

Just like Aang Zuko suggests techniques like deep breathing or visualization to help calm your racing thoughts

He stays awake for a while after the nightmare, keeping a watchful eye on you to ensure you feel safe

He shares stories from his own past struggles and how he overcame them, offering hope and encouragement

He offers to stay up with you until you’ll fall back asleep, providing a sense of security

Zuko surprises you with your favorite comforting food or drink to help them relax

He makes a mental note to be extra attentive to your emotional well-being in the days following the nightmare, showing them extra affection and support

Zuko softly sings or hums a calming tune to help lull you back to sleep

“Hey, it’s okay. You’re safe now, I’m right here. I’m here to protect you, always. You don’t have to face this alone.”

Sokka

Sokka suggests having a late-night snack together, whipping up some of his favorite comfort foods like savory meat pies or sweet fruit tarts to help lift your spirits

He offers to tell you a humorous story or joke to help lighten the mood

And to distract you from your troubling thoughts, using his quick wit and playful humor to bring a smile to your face

Sokka suggests going for a moonlit walk together, strolling along the beach or through the quiet streets of their village as they share stories and enjoy each other’s company under the night sky

He encourages you to express your feelings through creative writing

Or journaling providing you with a safe outlet to process your emotions and reflect on your experiences

Sokka suggests practicing some basic self-defense techniques together

Just teaching you simple moves and strategies to help you feel empowered and capable of protecting yourself

He offers to build a makeshift fort with you using blankets and pillows

And that creates a cozy and comforting space where they can relax and feel safe from their nightmares

He suggests engaging in a friendly competition or game together

It can be a board game, card game, or sparring match, to help distract you and boost your mood with some lighthearted fun

Sokka uses his storytelling skills to craft an original bedtime tale for you, weaving together elements of adventure, humor, and inspiration to captivate your imagination and ease your troubled mind

He ends the night by simply being there for you, offering you a reassuring hug or comforting presence as you drift off to sleep, knowing that you are not alone and that he will always be there to support you

“Hey, it’s okay. You’re safe here with me. It was just a bad dream.”

Katara

When you have a nightmare, Katara would immediately notice your distress and offer her support

She’s the group’s mom so she’s kidna used to it

Plus she had tons of nightmares when Aang almost died numerous times

And later when he did…

Anyway

Katara would sit beside you, gently placing a hand on your shoulder or back to offer comfort and reassurance

She would encourage you to share your feelings and thoughts about the nightmare

Assures you that you can trust her with your emotions

Katara would offer words of reassurance, reminding you that you are safe and that the nightmare was not real

She might suggest calming techniques

Like deep breathing or visualization to help you relax and ease your anxiety

Katara would offer physical comfort by hugging you if you’re comfortable with it

And providing a sense of warmth and safety

She might create a soothing atmosphere by dimming the lights, playing soft music, or offering a warm cup of tea to help you relax

Katara would offer affirmations to help you feel empowered and supported

Remindes you of your strength and resilience

Katara would stay with you until you feel calm and ready to go back to sleep

She’s ensuring that you don’t have to face your fears alone

In the morning, Katara would encourage you to engage in self-care activities that help you feel grounded and at peace after experiencing a nightmare

Throughout the day, Katara would check in on you to see how you’re feeling and offer continued support and encouragement

“I know it can be scary, but nightmares aren’t real. You’re strong enough to overcome them. I’m here for you. You don’t have to face this alone.”

Toph

Toph’s first instinct might be to offer some tough love

Like telling you to toughen up and not let the nightmare get to you

Toph might offer practical advice

Suggesting techniques like grounding exercises or focusing on your breathing to calm down

Despite her tough exterior, Toph is fiercely protective of her friends

She might offer to stay with you until you fall asleep again, ensuring you feel safe

Toph is known for her blunt honesty

So she might reassure you that nightmares are just tricks of the mind and not something to be afraid of

Toph might suggest distracting activities to take your mind off the nightmare

Like practicing bending moves or sharing stories of past adventures

Toph might share her own experiences with nightmares

Just letting you know that you’re not alone and that everyone struggles with bad dreams sometimes

Toph often uses humor to lighten the mood

So she might crack a joke or make a sarcastic comment to help you feel better

Despite her tough exterior, Toph can also be surprisingly gentle when it comes to comforting others

She might offer a reassuring pat on the back or a comforting hug if you are open to it

Toph might use her unique perspective as someone who has faced her own challenges to empathize with you and offer understanding and support

Toph’s approach to comforting you might be more straightforward and direct, reflecting her no-nonsense attitude

“Quit your whining. It’s just a stupid dream. Focus on something real. Like the feel of the ground beneath your feet.”

[astrophileous]

currently i just keep thinking of derek talking to little bug while bug is still pregnant and bug thinking it's hilarious but also adorable

OMFG yesss hear me out, I personally think derek persuades bug to move in with him as soon as she comes out of the hospital because her place is trashed during the investigation of her kidnapping (at least that was the excuse derek gave, even tho everyone knows he just wants her around 24/7) and since THAT FIRST NIGHT he's been doing this

Love Bugs Masterlist / Criminal Minds Masterlist

You awoke to the sound of gentle whispers against your stomach.

This wasn't the first time that it had happened. You had been waking up in the middle of the night to Derek murmuring things to your belly. The first time it occurred, you kept your eyes shut throughout the whole thing, discreetly listening to the conversation Derek was having with the baby. At first, you thought the whole ordeal was a one-time occurrence, until it had happened again the next night, and the next night, and the next night after that.

This time, it was no different.

"Hey, Little Bug," Derek said softly. "Just checking in. How ya doin'?"

You clenched your jaw to keep the laughter at bay.

Waves of cool air from the AC flowed against the skin of your abdomen, courtesy of Derek rolling your night shirt up to expose the bump that had grown even bigger in the last couple of weeks. You could feel his large hands cupping your belly, seemingly trying to coax a movement from the baby despite Spencer previously telling him that he wouldn't feel anything for at least another month.

"I'm just making sure you're doing okay in there," Derek continued. "Now, I know you've been through a lot for such a small bug, and I know it wasn't easy what you've gone through. But I just wanna say how proud I am that you held your ground through it all."

Your heart stirred at Derek's statement.

"Stay strong and healthy in there, Little Bug. Just gotta hang on there for a few more months and you'll be out in the world. Once you're here, I promise, you won't need to fight for anything else 'cause I'll do that for you. There's a whole lotta people here who can't wait to meet you. Me and your Mama, we can't wait to meet you. So you hang on tight, alright?"

Derek peppered dozens of tiny kisses on your belly. The scracthy sensation of his stubble made your abdomen constrict involuntarily.

"You know," Derek's voice suddenly erupted, "it's rude to eavesdrop in a private conversation."

You opened your eyes to see Derek staring mischievously right at you.

"As long as this baby is still inside of me, privacy is sadly a privilege you can't have, Derek."

Your reply earned an impish grin from him.

"You hear that, Little Bug? That's your Mama for you. A very sneaky--"

"Hey!"

"--impatient--"

"You know I can hear you, right?"

"--and hot-headed woman. But God, if she isn't the most gorgeous thing I've ever seen."

A stealthy smile slipped onto your lips. "You're trying to sweet talk me, Derek?"

"I'm tryna teach our child to appreciate their Mama's beauty." Derek grinned.

Unable to resist the flutters in your stomach anymore, you pulled Derek closer with the collar of his T-shirt before connecting your lips in a deep kiss. His hand creeped up your waist with a touch that burned your body to its core. When the two of you finally pulled apart for air, the fire you saw inside Derek's eyes was unmistakable.

"Hey, Little Bug," Derek said, bending himself down so he was leveled with your belly once more. "I'll get back to you in a sec, yeah? Me and your Mama got some important business to attend to."

[estrellami-1]

If I Should Stay

Part 1 | . . . | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9

After pizza—and after El wakes up and eats her own pizza—everyone gathers around again to listen to Steve and Robin. “So I think by now we’ve proven we’re from the future,” Steve says. “We’re here, four years in the past, because a lot of bad things happen, and if we can, we’d like to stop those things from happening. The big one, and really the recurring problem, is a guy named Henry Creel who essentially took control of an alternate plane of existence we call the Upside Down.” He motions El over beside him, and she goes gladly, tucking her feet up onto the couch as she leans into his side, trusting him to hold her up. He does, sliding a protective arm around her shoulders as he says, “He’s also One.”

He watches as one by one the lightbulbs come on. “Oh, shit,” Dustin whispers, and Steve doesn’t even call him on it, just nods.

“Beyond Henry, though, there are creatures in the Upside Down that can and will kill you.” He rolls his eyes fondly at the boys. “For some inexplicable reason, you came up the names, so they’re called demogorgons, demodogs, and demobats. Demogorgons are what took Barb and Will, but they both got away. That doesn’t mean they’re safe, though. Like El said earlier, Barb was safe in the moment, but it’s still a very dangerous place. There are vines everywhere that are connected to a hive mind. You step on one, and Henry knows you’re there.”

He continues telling the story, Robin interrupting when there’s a detail he misses. It’s silent when they finish. Finally, El speaks up. “So, it is… my fault?”

“No, El,” Steve says softly. “None of this is your fault. Things out of your control happened that made you who you are. Those same things created all of this.”

El frowns. “So I am bad? Like One? Like the Upside Down?”

“No,” Mike says sharply. “You’re good, El.”

“He’s right,” Steve murmurs. “You made yourself good.” He pokes her arm teasingly, and she smiles, leaning back into him.

Steve looks around, catches Nancy’s eye, and sighs. “Nance? A word?”

“Steve?” Robin asks.

He shakes his head. “I’ll yell if I need you,” he promises, rubbing her head as he passes. She squawks and bats his hand away.

“Asshole,” she mutters, and he laughs as he disappears down the hallway, Nancy in tow.

They end up in a room Steve thinks was meant to be a study. “You have questions.”

“Understatement of the century. There’s just one that’s really bugging me, though.”

“Us?”

“Yeah.”

Steve sighs and leans against the wall. “On Halloween, Tina throws a party. We didn’t know what we do now, about the Upside Down, and you were still looking for her. I was an asshole, self-centered and unhelpful.” He blows out a breath, crosses his arms, and looks away. “You got drunk, called me, and my love for you, bullshit. Left. I tried to talk to you the next day at school about it and you couldn’t say you loved me. I was still hopeful. I’m a romantic at heart, y’know? I thought maybe if I could be everything you needed, if I changed enough, if, if, if…” he shakes his head. “So we stayed together. I tried. You slept with Jonathan Byers, then broke up with me.”

Nancy looks horrified. “Steve-”

He shakes his head. “I made my peace with it. And maybe this makes me an asshole, I dunno, but Nance, I can’t go back. We’re okay, we’re friends, but I can’t pretend I still have feelings for you. I’m sorry, but we both know I was just convenient for you.”

Nancy takes a breath. “So that’s it?”

Steve shrugs helplessly. “I don’t know what you want me to do. I tried and got my heart broken for it. I moved on, found someone I think I can really be happy with, without changing who I am. And for the record? It gets rocky for a second, but I think you and Byers are it, too.” He smirks. “Plus Mike likes him better than me.”

Nancy rolls her eyes. “Oh, well, if Mike likes him better…” they both laugh, and she looks at him. “No more feelings?”

He shakes his head. “We make much better friends.”

Nancy grins lopsidedly. “And Robin?”

Steve snorts. “Purely platonic, I promise. Neither of us want anything else with each other.”

Nancy looks at him then. Studies him. “You’ve been through some shit,” she decides. “But you look happy.”

He smiles. “I am, for the most part. I know who I am.”

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[literalite]

mistki's the land is inhospitable and so are we (2023)!! as edits featuring mine and some of my friends ocs 😁 had a lot of fun with this project... rough explainer of how/why each song corresponds to each character/s under the cut because i love symbolism and talking! sorry it is long

bug like an angel - sapphire

without spoiling too much of her story and arc... sapphire's life is not easy. she's hurt by people she cares for and who care for her, although inadvertently, and in turn hurts people who she cares for and who cared for her, also not by her own volition. it's kind of a terrible truth that you will harm and be harmed by the people you love, even when you and they truly don't want to. it's up to you how much you're willing to take and deal. you can't keep every promise you make and you can't right every wrong. but you have to keep trying anyway. that's sapphire's strength, and the core of her goodness and why i personally consider her one of my favourite ocs. i chose to depict bug like an angel in mitski's more positive interpretation here and in that light i think it works best for saph

buffalo replaced - heiya

well first and foremost the vibes of the song fits heiya perfectly fhgjk but also lyricism and tone... yep. quick breakdown of heiya's background since i doubt i'll ever be able to do it properly she's an interesting character for me because she like a lot of my other characters has lost. everything. she had a wife and a child and they were both killed and she had to leave her home again and again and unlike how some of my others would have taken this she has never flagged in her unwavering dedication to preserving hope. for herself for her people for the future etc etc. which is a very fucking difficult thing to do! the world changes faster than you can keep up with it sometimes but for heiya she will not let herself tire and be swept away in it all. people rely on her. she's a guiding star as much as she is a woman. she's a lover and a fighter and thats what buffalo replaced means to me! so

heaven - vinny and caleb

i feel like of all my oc couples so far they have like. the sweetest most kind of simply mutually trusting dare i say straight forward love. they just love each other so much and thats all. the world could end around them when theyre together and it'd be okay truly. also yeah vinny is ostensibly in heaven now bye angel i feel like this one was pretty self explanatory. me and who WHEN

i don't like my mind - sunny

he just like me fr (said in denji voice) anyways wow ha. unstoppable unending guilt due to past actions that haunt your every waking moment? throwing yourself into any and all distraction just to take your mind off it, filling your time with other shit so that past sin doesnt for once echo in your awful and hollow brain? this song is perfect for sunny honestly just that sentiment also the "please don't take this job from me".... sometimes the coping is worse. you can be proud of something because you can do it better than anyone else even if that thing is terrible

the deal - wolfgang munch by @gunthermunch

Wolfgang Amadeus Munch. umm this will make more sense later on but it still kind of makes sense now i think. he doesn't want to be himself he keeps . leaving and moving and running away from his own memories his own self in reaction to others. if he could pawn it all off he would. if he could be better in an instant without having to feel every agonising second of change he would! but thats not how the world works. or is it. read munch by gunthermunch thats an order

when memories snow - lilian

i feel the older you get the more your past kind of swells up and trails behind you... at least for lilian that is shes very linked to the different versions of the girl/young woman she used to be. for her its a double edged blade, a lot of her own strength is drawn from who she was and what happened to her throughout her life. they haunt her but she's haunting it back in her own way

my love mine all mine - saige, bellona, ari

stares you down okay so usage of this song very much almost verges into spoiler territory but uhm. uhm. starts twitching basically the whole dynamic here is . sometimes when you love you will sacrifice. and while that is usually a good thing sometimes it is not but sometimes it still is. sometimes you pay your dues for love and sometimes someone else has to pay for your love as well. and whether that is worth it to them remains to be seen. but it's all about love still. whether that's a worthy cause is up to you i suppose

the frost - yoshiki and hikaru from hikaru ga shida natsu

fun fact (or not so fun fact since i had it listed as such) this slot was originally meant to be taken up by a gojo/geto edit and while it still works for them frighteningly well i swerved to do another black and white haired doomed gay pairing gfhjkl; i really recommend yall to read hikaru ga shinda natsu/the summer that hikaru died because honestly it speaks for itself! it's SO good i love it so bad

star - ari and luca by @anjitrait

wow these two did not deserve the horrors the narrative (me) slammed down onto their heads. they're kind of the most married of all time to me but like of course under pressure even the strongest most loving of bonds will warp. they've been together for roughly a decade and a half now. they know and love each other as totally as you could possibly imagine. despite it all i am yours, no matter. are we picking up what i'm putting down chat

i'm your man - nayef and sióar by @lucidicer

after the album dropped like at least 3 people swung into my dms with a ?this you?? about this song which. i mean the fucking dogs that start barking halfway through the song. are you kidding me. but anyways sioyef and devotion. sioyef and putting yourself in your lover's hands and looking to them like they are a god. this is super self explanatory. you know

i love me after you - redacted and ophelia

HM.... all i'll say here is that sometimes the homoerotic tension filled high school friendship where both parties have something very wrong with them but in totally different directions can be. scarring. bad. sometimes love just isn't enough when you don't know what you're meant to do with it and when you've lived in survival mode all your life. but that once the dust clears you can scrape yourself off the ground get up keep going and that isn't gonna be the end for you there. or for love, even. sometimes shit just ain't meant to be and thats ok

[mara-xx217]

Baldur's Gate 3 Companion Sleeping Positions/Habits

Every time I long reset in the game, I think about this and I've come up with some pretty good headcanons for them all, I think

Astarion

The man is dead, darling.

He is totally silent, still, doesn't even breathe while he's sleeping.

Is he even sleeping...?

Astarion sleeps stiff as a board, his arms flat at his side and his ankles touching one another.

He dead ass looks like a corpse on display.

It scared Karlach so bad during her first night at camp that she all but picked Astarion up and shook him violently, screaming his name in his face as she cried about him 'not breathing' and 'dead, dead, he's bloody dead'!!!

Astarion was not pleased the first night Karlach was in camp and was less impressed the massive tiefling had him a foot off the ground, laughing with relief that 'he's not dead after all, just playing at it'!

He was not playing but he won't say he enjoys the attention at least a little bit as well

Gale

The type to sleep with an eye mask.

Has a routine that he follows, to ensure that he gets all his rest.

Uses pleasant perfumes and oils on his pillows and blankets. (Much to Astarion and Lae'zel's chagrin)

Has a nice, soft robe he sleeps in, along with slippers.

Starts sleeping on his back but always flips onto his stomach and wakes up like that.

Shadowheart

Hands down the most 'normal' sleeper of the entire camp.

No overtly loud snoring, no sleepwalking, no sleep talking, nothing.

She does sleep with a dagger under her pillow and her hand curled around the grip, but has yet to 'accidentally' stab anyone that wakes her up as of yet.

Sleeps either on her side or her back.

Lae'zel

Sleeps in an extremely tight fetal position.

Likes she's reverting back to egg.

Her knees are to her chin, which looks uncomfortable, but she sleeps soundly so... Good for her?

Also sleeps with a dagger under her pillow, like Shadowheart. Only Lae'zel will actually just hold it out in the open, like a threat full of promises.

Karlach and Wyll would throw a blanket over her, thinking she's curled up from being chilled, only to have her throw it off rather violently, totally in her sleep, of course.

As silent as a mouse, but will hiss, snarl and growl occasionally, especially if sounds are present while she's asleep.

Wyll

Sleeps flat on his back like a weirdo.

Usually crosses his arms over his chest too.

Sleeping with horns after he's turned into a devil was an... interesting learning curve. (Read: totally fucking annoying)

Switching from sleeping onto his back to his stomach was extremely uncomfortable.

Ends up sleeping sitting upright for a while, as he simply cannot get comfortable to save his life.

Brings a box over to his bed role so he can lean against it while resting.

Karlach

She's everywhere.

No, she doesn't sleepwalk thank Gods but she moves so much that she damn near does.

Karlach acts out her dreams and talks in her sleep, but stops just shy of speaking complete sentences and walking about punching random trees (or people-).

Clive, her trusty bear, has been at her side for as long she could remember, and it remains true even now.

Belly, side, back, side, belly-

The blanket has caught on fire not because of her unnatural heat, but because she has yeeted it into the fire in her sleep.

Halsin

99.99% of the time, he is in his bear form, the rest he's in his 'natural', elven state.

SNORES

Growls and grumbles both as a bear and as an elf.

Otherwise, he's pretty 'normal'.

Snuggle bug supreme

Jaheira

Another 'normie' when it comes to sleeping.

She's an extremely light sleeper, mostly out of necessity.

Hears movement, cracks an eye open, assesses possible threats then goes back to sleep.

Usually sits up/leans against something when resting, which is the strangest thing that she does.

Is it actually comfortable? Who knows! Jaheria won't tell and just says to 'leave an old woman alone'.

Minsc

Good Gods, it's like this man and Halsin are trying to out snore one another at night.

And it's like he and Karlach are trying to have a conversation with one another while sleeping as well...

At least he's not a sleepwalker.

Minsc will grab any poor passerby and wrestle them into a bear hug while sleeping, so everyone has learned to stay clear of him after Astarion was the poor bastard to learn this first hand.

Yes, he was trying to snoop through Minsc's things so he pretty much had this coming.

Boo is always on his person as well, of course, and somehow manages to remain safe from any accidental crushings.

Minthara

Another that's as still as a statue while she sleeps.

Somehow, she looks just as serious asleep as she does when she's awake...

It's sort of cute

Another incredibly light sleeper, and yet another that sleeps with a dagger under her pillow.

What's the strangest about her is that she sleeps little at all, almost always awake when other's get up in the middle of the night to take a leak or fool around.

The last to fall asleep and the first one to wake up, even beating Lae'zel to the early worm.

@prettycutebunny, @infinitewhore, @kennbb, @cherrysodalite, @space-arsonist, @pink-soft-shadow, @sinlessdesire, @hoemine, @memoryofheather @horny-3

[astracora]

EVER's Tool - Chapter 5

Characters: Poly!LADs x gn!mc, Caleb x gn!mc (MC POV/Rafayel POV)

Warnings: Hurt/No Comfort, Angst, Talk of EVER Experiments and Torture, Violence, Gore, Suicide Ideation, Spoilers for all current story.

Word Count: 10112

Written: 7th March 2025

Notes: Established-relationship with gn!MC with all LADs, with my personal pov of the game and lil headcanons littered in. Unnamed MC, but using my personal MC's basic appearance and adjusted backstory. I take some liberties with what the game offers me. You know that feeling when you're meant to only write like half of a chapter, and then resume the next day. But then you don't stop, and now it's past midnight, and your eyes are bleary? Yeah, got that feeling.

Now Playing: Heavy is the Crown, by Linkin Park

Masterlist AO3

<- Previous

You very nearly leave your new problem behind, when you wake up that morning. The ache in your body is so strong, you barely stumble out of bed. Groaning at the agony ripping through your temples.

The one night of peaceful slumber was short lived. You don't remember what haunted your sleeping mind, you just remember it being cold, painful. A familiarity, if nothing else. At least your nightmares are consistent, even if the exact image never comes to mind when you wake.

A note on the side greets you as you roll over to grab at your claw, fumbling with the prosthetic straps as you try to read, hunched over.

Sorry Pipsqueak, the Fleet called me back for a little while, I promise I'll be back soon. Stay safe, make sure you eat. Don't get too lonely without me.

Your hand shakes on the clips of your straps, moving away, so you can turn the note over in your hand. Looking at the back, like it will reveal something else. A joke? A bug? Stupid little paranoias that won't leave you alone.

Someone… left a note for you. To tell you they would be returning. To you. The feeling in your throat hurts, and you can't identify it. Heat behind your eyes, a flutter in your chest. Far more delicate than the pulse of your core. Than the tremble of your weakened heart.

Suddenly you want to talk to him again, like the previous night. Hair brushed back, comforting you in ways you didn't believe possible. Shown what gentle hands can do, instead of scalpel.

It's nauseous, in a way that makes you feel like you're falling, down the side of that building, mist reaching out to grab you. The fall terrifies you, the inevitable landing comforts you. Except this feels like there's no ground to greet. It's horrifying.

You push the note into a draw, nestled amongst underwear, cheeks warm. You don't want anyone else in this cage to find it, to know there's even a little bit of something that doesn't hurt in this world.

Lest they steal it out of your hands, now you finally have seen it.

Even if you still think of cold eyes, and sharp tongue.

Finally finishing changing, you're leaving through the door, before colliding with a chest. You step back, go to whip out your dagger, to place it under chin… before your hand comes back empty.

The cold is back, biting and sore and violent.

Ah…

You lost it. The only thing that was yours.

"Unicorn?" You blink up at your problem, as forest green eyes soften, and a hand extends for a moment, moving from a fist to knock on your door, to extend to your cheek. You step back, avoiding the touch as Zayne flinches, pulling his hand back. "Are you feeling better now?"

There's no response to him that wouldn't be a lie, "Fine." You offer, even if the lie burns on the way out of your mouth.

You're shocked when he laughs, a soft chuckle in the back of his throat, and a finger pointed at your forehead. "You're sti- a terrible liar." You reach up to feel at the furrow in your brow, and sniff, pulling away from him. "Should you not get some more rest? I'm not aware I have anywhere to be."

"I do." He doesn't require pushing past, he seems to be given you plenty of room when you move, perhaps he's wary of your bite.

Or simply doesn't want to be get too close.

You suddenly want to sniff yourself, a weird sense of discomfort that perhaps you smell. It's a stupid thought, why would it matter if your prisoner thinks you smell.

It's fine. It has to be.

"Without me? I was under the impression I wouldn't be let out of your sight." His steps fall into place beside you, easily, unharried and in control. You wonder what it would take to really rattle him. To shake the doctor into disarray. If kidnapping and attack didn't leave him shaking in EVER's walls.

Maybe nothing.

Maybe the head of the red eyed man on his bed.

You shake the image away, unsettled. You do not want more reasons for guilt.

You don't want to have to fight him again. After all, needless bloodshed is dangerous… cruel…

Violence should be used strategically. Thanks for the lesson, crime boss. You're welcome, Kitten. I'd hate you to think me cruel. No. Never cruel, Sy.

You stumble over the ground, arm turning to ice when Zayne catches your elbow. Left arm in his grasp, while you almost shake him off, the nausea builds. Head splitting.

"Darling?"

The crackling on the outer edges, the colours flicking in and out, the ice cold chill and bloodied handprints.

They're a child, they deserve better than this. They barely remember, we're not hurting anyone. We're hurting them, part of them remembers. When they flinch, when they hide from us, their soul remembers, even when they don't. They're barely human, what we learn could-

"Darling!"

Ice around your elbow, a frozen over hand gripping you, the chill grounds. Hurts, hurts but the ground is under your knees.

Your heart pounds and races and thunders. Screaming at you, trying to break out of its cage.

Hand on your cheek, turning your head to careful eyes. You want to pull away from him, push the doctor back. It's not his business, you're the problem, you did this, you're a-

Monster.

Monster.

Monster.

Scalpel in chest, electricity coursing through limbs, cold analytical eyes as you scream.

"Ph- Philip." You croak out, forcing it through a closing throat, through the pain in your chest. Desperate. You claw at the ground with the only one of your limbs you can control. It's grotesque carapace scratching into cold rubber ground.

Swirling and falling, sparking heat in your skin, a mess in your head, the yelling of the shadows…

You slip back under.

—------

You're under the ocean. Surrounded by fish, beautiful colours of rainbow.

The sea is pink, a whale sings as it passes you by.

You can breathe, turning carefully to avoid the jellyfish that float beside you, luminous and beautiful. Dancing on a current too small to take your own body. When you extend your right hand to them, silver metal glints back at you. Bubbling around the water.

A blue fish painted into the casing, as you look at it, waiting, you think it twists for a moment, before you're drawn back to the song of the whale.

A voice supplies in your head that it's young, you kick out, following it. Forcing yourself to remember how to swim.

Something EVER never taught you to do.

As you approach, the pink of the ocean darkens, slipping into red. The whale cries out, its song dipping into a eulogy.

Heartbroken, as it twists, and turns and sinks. Flesh melting away, bones falling through the ocean, further down than you can see into the darkness.

You reach a hand out, the silver darkening, cracks breaking apart the metal and the painted fish. Maybe if you- If you can reach- you can-

Clawing at the space where the bones fall through your grasp, where fish flee, where you watch it sink, your legs turn to lead.

You kick, and you reach, as the water fills your lungs. As it recedes into your body, pulled through your throat as you open it to scream.

As you watch the ocean turn to desert as you drown inside. Sinking into the cage of the whale fall, it's ribs your prison, and its haunted song turning to broken radio static.

What did you do?

There's a dagger in your claw, it drips black ichor over sand and you choke on water.

I have no need for traitors.

—----

You're warm, the chill in your body gone, despite the sore remnants of your broken heart's bloody chill still thrumming under your sternum. Your claw isn't attached, you realise as you try to reach out with it. Residual limb itching.

Instead, you reach out with your left. Hand touching something soft. You blink through the haze, the bleary vision, to see a blanket draped over you. It feels like fur, you think absently. Brushing your fingers through it, something twitches in the back of your mind.

Cats, curled up on laps, purring as gentle hands stroke behind ears.

Don't worry, the doctor will take good care of you.

I will if you stop hogging our patients.

Sharp spike of pain in your temples, you shake your head. The rattling only making your nausea rear its head again.

"You back with us, Unicorn?" A hand steadies your head, you pull away to glare, only to recognise Philip, who sits at your side. Looking over your chart. "Thought we were going to have more problems then, your doctor knows his stuff."

"What are you-" You look over, at the doctor in question, head leaned against the bottom of the surgical bed you're lay on. Pillowed against his crossed arms, glasses pushed up on his head. "I… What…" You tremble inside, and carefully pull your feet up. So you do not accidentally knock him.

You're not sure why. Something tells you he sleeps almost as little as you do.

You don't know why you care.

It shouldn't matter.

"What happened?"

Philip sits back, pulling his goggles back to sit around his neck, and ruffles his greying hair, "Well kid, I was hoping you'd tell me that. Your core spiked, large burst of energy, it almost shut your heart down. We got you in here, gave you some meds, hooked you up to my machine and stabilised you." He extends the tablet so you can read, even if you don't really understand what you're looking at for the most part. Numbers, more numbers, then lines.

An electrocardiogram.

It's rapid, and uneven, then it stops. Flat. Before it picks back up again. Steady. You press your hand to your chest, feeling it. Where the weak beat can barely be touched, a tiny broken little thing, desperately forcing the blood through your body.

"You had what looks like a heart attack, then you went into asystole." A vague feeling, like you've heard the term before, but can't pull the meaning into your mind. You can work it out though. A flat line on the rhythm of your heart, where it turned to silence. "The doctor did CPR, honestly, I- It was close."

You frown, staring at the line. It's long, stretches out across the ecg. Too long. It's too long.

You feel something twitching at the back of your mind, a sickness that won't be forgotten.

It just scurries away when you try to look at it properly. A shade that haunts but will not speak, so you can solve its unresolved issues that keep it tethered.

"I was hoping you could tell me what caused it." He pulls his tablet back out of your hands, turning to his notes.

You want to answer, looking over at the sleeping doctor, stress lining around eyes you know to be kind, even if you think he might be a fool for it. There's nothing to say, though, you're not sure. You… you're not sure. You tell yourself.

Except you do. Seeing ghosts, hearing voices. Your mind might be breaking, and pulling your already useless heart along with it.

A steady hand presses to your knee, and you look up at the scientist who offers you comfort when he can. When no one else would. One you can trust, enough to go to him when you thought you might be dying. One you trusted not to kill your charge.

Even if it was just a little bit, even if it was because you doubt him capable of violence.

Many scientists in this compound, so many capable of horrific acts of violence. Even if their arms were far more fragile, than the claw they attached to you.

You move your knee away from him, twitching away from the feeling of his gloves, and turn your face away. It aches, to be weak.

If you're weak, do they have any use for you here? What becomes of Caleb if you're marked for disposal? The doctor, with no one to protect him?

Aren't you more useful a tool, than whatever you are becoming to ghosts?

"Do your memories haunt you, Philip?"

You don't look at him, staring down at your hand, clenching and unclenching in your lap. Desperate. If only you had your dagger, something to hold. A reminder of who you were.

If you were anyone.

He exhales at your side, and that draws your attention, as he sits back in his chair again. Hand moving to his goggles, toying with the straps, twisting them around a finger. "Haunt me?"

His brow is furrowing as he thinks, you nod, and you worry you've said something crazy. Crazier than normal, you suppose, with the life you're leading. Blood caught under your nails, and in the cracks of your carapace. There is no normal here. "Like you… you turn a corner, and you see things, that aren't there?"

"Are you having hallucinations?"

"No. No… maybe." You feel all the weight on your shoulders when you sigh, aching, so heavy. It's all so much. "It's-" How can you even try to explain it, to put to words how tired you feel. Without bringing EVER down on your head. 

You want to be fixed, you do. If the static goes away you'll be you again, right?

Whoever that person is.

You just don't know if you want the agony of what they'd do to fix you.

He leans forwards, and that familiar warm smile comes to his face, the kind that often greets you when you're trembling after an episode. The kind that reminds you he's careful with his tests. The kind that reminds you he keeps as many secrets for you as he can.

Hard to keep them all, with so many eyes around the place. Still, here is as safe as anywhere can be. At least you have no direct eyes on you.

"I hear things, voices I don't recognise. Noise in my head, like crackling." You don't know how else to describe it. The way it feels like you drop out from your body, into a broken image you can't see. The pain that has started to get worse and worse, like you're being punished. Punished for emotions and memories that aren't even yours. That you don't understand.

Like someone else is stuck in your mind. Screaming to claw out.

Alien.

"I don't have many memories left," Philip speaks, he walks over to the side, pouring out some coffee into a cup, and bringing it back to shove into your cold hands. The heat of it is comforting, but it makes the spark of static rip through the back of your eyes. He steadies your hands until it passes, but the scent leaves you with an aching emptiness in your chest.

It always hurts so much.

What were you, before you were this, that it aches so deeply?

"Whatever my life was like before, I don't remember it."

"Nothing?"

"No, I asked them to remove them. Well, I believe I did."

You're stunned at it, to request EVER to remove your memories… You'd heard stories, you'd wondered maybe it could fix whatever was wrong with you. To offer up your brain? It was easier thinking every vile beast here worked off their own backs for the monster that is EVER.

"Why? Why would you-" Lose who you were? Ask to have your place in the world taken away? Be alone. Here…

He fidgets a little, getting comfortable, and his smile is so sad, as he looks at you. It pierces your chest, the tears tremouring in the backs of his eyes. Like they can't break through, no matter how much they want to. "I was raised by EVER, with my twin, we underwent tests. I don't remember much of them, I don't remember much other than we weren't the only ones to go through it. I remember that one test didn't work out. My twin, Philip-" You frown, "didn't make it. They told me he died."

You want to ask, but you don't know how to. It's more than you've ever inquired from anyone already, hesitating on the edge of vulnerability, and hating every second of it. It is only that he responds with his own, that you don't leave the room.

"I took his name, I don't remember my own. We were connected, more than most people are. Felt each other's pains, emotions, everything. When he died, it was too much I think. All of what I had known was taken from me. My brother was gone, and I was all alone. I didn't know what to do, Leon offered me work with him. To keep studying the cores at his side, but I couldn't see past the emptiness."

Emptiness.

Like something is missing. Always missing.

"Leon told me EVER offered me the chance to forget it all, all the pain. That it would help me move forwards, make me capable of working, stopping it from happening to anyone else. So I accepted. Maybe I didn't want to have anyone suffer through what I did, losing the other half of their soul. Their closest friend. Maybe I just wanted it to stop, but I was a coward and couldn't do it myself." He laughs, but it's humourless, and the sound aches to hear, like he finds the very thought pathetic, "Maybe I was just willing to take the first option presented to me, how unlike a scientist.

"I don't remember anything though. My brother, I don't know what he looked like. If we were identical or not. I don't remember who he was as a person. I don't know how we spent our time together, what he sounded like, I don't remember anything. Just his name, because I've made it mine before they took it away. Before I-" He chokes on it, "Gave it away. Sometimes I wake up in agony, like I want to cry, but I can't."

You reach over, very carefully, to touch the top of his hand with your own. Stunned when he smiles at you warmly again, squeezing your fingers before it grows too much and you have to pull back. "Why do you still work for them?"

"Because I'm a foolish old man now, kid. I believed I could help people like me, but little changed, but now I can at least help with that heart of yours. Keep that core stable, maybe that's atonement. Something I owe to him. For forgetting him, for agreeing to forget him, like he didn't matter."

Is helping you really atonement, with all the blood on your hands, and the people you hurt for them? The inescapable prison, of the monster far bigger than you, that keeps you here. That even death can't seem to free you from.

You think about the flat line of your heart, for over two minutes.

"Some memories, Unicorn, might be worth forgetting. Not everyone wants to live with them, and that's your choice. If I can give you any advice though, don't tell them. Don't forget. Whatever is there, lurking at the back, it's precious because it's part of you."

"There's little precious about me, Philip." The name now sticks as you say it, but you remind yourself it's not like Unicorn, or Little Bomb.

It's warmer, a memory.

'Kitten' 'Starlight' 'Darling' 'Cutie' 'Pipsqueak'

Is that how it's supposed to feel?

"Whatever memories I have, maybe they're bad, maybe I'm- I was- I-" It doesn't come.

Monster.

A monster.

Maybe you were a monster.

Always this thing, that kills or hurts. You're good at it. You have to have been good for a long time, surely.

When Leon talks about you, it's with the acknowledgement in his voice that you are dangerous, a weapon.

Were you always sharp, and angry?

Or were you empty, unfeeling, cold?

What kind of person could you be, that you can't even be happy that Caleb is back? Someone who should matter. Was your heart that broken and worthless?

"Kid, the good thing about humans, is we're capable of changing. I don't think you're a bad person, I think you're as capable of good as you are of cruelty. It's your choice what to do with your own hand." He pats your knee again, "A terrible person wouldn't leave me cakes when they pass by my lab late at night."

You feel your cheeks heat up quickly. You were sure he wouldn't notice, or even come to think it was you. Pastries ferreted away on your rare escapes, brought back and left in an empty lab. A thanks for each time the tests didn't hurt. Even if you could never say the words out loud. Torn between anger and hurt, that he had any hand in your tests at all. A mess of feelings you couldn't untangle.

Leaving behind a desire to at least make sure he ate something.

The next scientist would be worse, after all, you assure yourself.

"I need to make sure you eat."

"I eat far more than you do, Unicorn."

You have no argument for that, turning your face away to look down at the doctor who still sleeps, you spot the slightest bruise poking out from his collar.

The broken heart drops.

You'd left a mark, on his skin.

It's not murder, you've done worse, but you want to be sick, at the very idea.

Capable of good, huh?

"Can we get memories back?"

"It's hard to say, some never get their memories back after trauma, others do. There's no sign you've had your mind meddled with, and if they're coming through, there's a chance you're closer to remembering than you'd expect."

You aren't sure if you want to tell him it's getting harder, more frequent.

Painful.

"If the strain of it, is effecting your heart, then perhaps we need to up your suppressants. I'll have a look into it for you, see what we can try to help alleviate the strain on your body. You need to eat more, and get proper sleep. That's not helping strengthen your body. Your protocore syndrome will just get harder to balance and treat."

"So my options are forget, remember and possibly die, or eat vegetables?" You grumble, downing the last of your, now cold, coffee.

His laugh almost makes you smile, but you nod, "I'll… try." You'll try, to eat, through the nausea. Maybe if you have a goal, the food here won't burn on the way down.

Or maybe you can take Caleb up on his offer to cook… will that be better?

You can't exactly bring Zayne out of the compound, and you can't leave his side.

"Unicorn, just try, whether you accept it or not, I would miss you if something happened to you." You want to think Caleb would too, that he'd be sad if you were gone, truly. "Doctor Li too."

"What?" You blink at him, then at the doctor.

"He was focused, never seen someone act more like a machine. Then when you were safe, he sat down there, and refused to move."

"I'm his prison guard." No, that's not right. "He's a good doctor."

Darling!

You exhale on a shake, hand twitching to reach out to him, before you raise it to scratch at the back of your neck. A little too rough, the skin stinging under blunt nails.

"Whatever he is, Unicorn, he didn't want you to die."

If you were him… would you have saved your prison guard? No, you wouldn't. You know you wouldn't. You would have let your own heart shatter. Let your body fail you.

You would not have rushed to help.

Zayne Li, a mystery of a man, with too bleeding a heart.

"Philip, I don't suppose you could get me something?"

—------

Rafayel paces the room. Kicking over one of the easels he can't bear to put away. A half finished painting sits on it, a beach view he had shared with you. Sitting watching the colours over the ocean. Candles along the beach, a picnic with rowdy voices. There's part of the sketch of figures, that he can't bring himself to finish.

Even less so now, that yet another of his loved ones has disappeared.

He's still dripping all over the floor, his scales haven't resettled into skin. His agitation and anger not eased at all. He feels the ache in his limbs, legs sore, but he can't stop pacing. Walking around in circles, burning like a roaring flame under his skin.

As if his hatred for EVER could get worse. The image of his people in their tanks, bone white and lifeless.

The worst of humans, cruel, always after what his people have left behind. Sending their dogs into Lemurian ruins. Stealing, destroying, hunting.

The storm outside worsens. Lightning ripping through the sky, as he hears the rain hitting the windows with force.

He needs to be out there, doing something, maybe if he finds Raincoat, he can get answers out of him. Even if it means a new Raincoat rears their head in the place of his corpse.

"Fish?" Rafayel does not turn, he feels like biting, like drowning. He wants to hurt, for all the pains he is feeling. "Come on now fish, talk to me." The hand is placed on his still wet bicep, turning him around. He looks up at Sylus, whose face is steady enough. Too steady.

Why is he always so steady?

"What do you want?"

"To talk to you, fish, you've been avoiding me and the prince."

Of course he had, he can't keep looking at what he could lose right in front of his eyes. Then he gets angry again, angry that he keeps losing things. Everytime it seems to be better, he forgets that loss is just there waiting to grasp at him.

"What do you want me to say Sylus? They're gone."

"It's going to be ok-"

He pushes the hand away, and steps away from Sylus, baring fangs at him as he snarls, "How? How is any of this ok? They're gone, they're gone and EVER could be doing anything to them-"

"Fish- Rafayel, you have to calm dow-"

"I don't want to be calm." He pushes over another easel, staring at the pink sunset painted ocean on the ground. Then chokes on the sob he wants to release but also refuses to, he wants to be angry. He doesn't want to hurt. "How are you so calm? Why aren't you angry? Why aren't you breathing fire all over the place, dragon?"

He throws his paintbrush holder across the room, watches the painted porcelain shatter, wishes he could bring himself to feel anything other than hurt.

"Or don't you feel anything?" He rounds on Sylus, hands in fists, flames flicking over his skin, "Empty dragon with nothing in his heart, so unbothered, so calm." He wishes he didn't see the pain flickering through garnet eyes. He shouldn't be saying this.

He shouldn't be saying this, but he can't stop. It hurts, it hurts, why can't everyone else hurt too, when it hurts him so much. "You're so calm, so much better than us." His voice breaks, the tremor coming out, and he feels pathetic.

Why won't it stop hurting?

"I'm trying to be calm for all of us." The voice is steady, like he's fighting through to keep it there. Sylus watches him, eyes never straying, even when the red dims.

"I don't want you to be calm. You should be angry!" He turns, marching to his studio bed, pushing over another easel as he does. A desert, with an oasis. A memory of opening up for the first time, truly sharing his heart. Why did he share it, just to hurt so much now?

He sits, staring down at his hands, at the trembling fish in his palm. A fish without a master.

Sylus kneels in front of him, looking up into tear filled eyes, brushes back hair so he can look into them. Rafayel cannot help himself leaning into it, the pain eases at the contact, but then comes back. Tearing at his chest, where his bond sits. Unanswered.

"I am angry. I am hurt. I am scared."

It tears the fight out of him, the air out of his lungs. "Oh."

Of course he is, Rafayel knows. Sylus feels so much, he cannot always show it, but he feels it. Deeply. He should have known better. He wants to cry more now, the burn behind his eyes is agony.

"But I have to be here, for you, for Xavier. I have to keep it together, for Zayne, for Kitten. I have to keep moving, Rafayel. I feel it, I promise."

"I know, fuck, Sylus, I'm sorry." He presses his hand to over Sylus' heart, the uneven, unsteady thrum. It's two joined beats. Two hearts he knows better than his own even. A sound he has slept to. A sound he could sing easily. Rafayel can never forget how any of his loved ones' hearts sound.

A lifeline.

"It hurts." He hiccups, hand tightening in Sylus' shirt, and his eyes spill over. The steady flow down his cheeks, the tinkling as they hit the floor, but he can barely be bothered to look as pearly tears scatter.

"I know Rafayel, I know it does." The warm hand over Rafayel's is slightly shaking, but steadies against his skin. Holding tightly. Another lifeline. His feet are back on land, and his heart doesn't want to shatter. Safety, and home.

Things that are worth fighting for. Yet it still aches, a memory of you fleeing him. Coming home to Sylus injured and struggling to move on the ground.

"Will we?"

Can things be alright again? Or will he lose yet another colour in his palette? Again. Over and over.

Is that all he has to accept in his life, to lose, everything, every time he blinks.

His head is tilted up, from his lap, to be held by red. Blazing and bright, full of righteous anger. A dragon who has been stolen from. "Fish. I travelled planets for them. Xavier travelled through time. You travelled the world. Are you so ready to give up now? Is that how little your bond means?"

"Of course not!" He snaps, and then breathes. No. His bond means the world. A lemurian's greatest strength and greatest weakness lies in their love. His bond marks him, brings his heart to life. Without it, colours lose meaning. His strength will not waver, while any chance exists. "Of course not." Said softer, steady, buoyed by the fiend at his feet.

"Then we'll find them."

"I just-" He exhales, "It was finally right, Sylus. It was perfect." Every day was warm, his home was something he was excited to return to. Every day he spent with someone he cared for, he loved. He could call, and text and always stay connected. To those who gave colours meaning.

Sylus' answering laugh is very soft, and very small. There's a quirk to his lips, eyes molten, "I know, Rafayel."

"I was happy."

"I know."

"I'm scared to lose it."

"I know, Rafayel. I really do." He reaches forwards, arms around Sylus' neck, buying his face in his skin. The man stands, lifting him, so that he can sit on the bed, and hold him. "We'll get them both back. I promise, Rafayel."

His voice is wet when he finally manages to respond, trembling around the edges, and he doesn't want to be seen, so he stays stuck to Sylus, "Raffy."

"Mhm?"

"Just for once, you get to use it."

The chuckle rumbles through him, and the warmth of a kiss is pressed to the top of his head, "It will be ok, Raffy."

It will, because it has to be. He can't lose anyone again. None of them can.

—---

Rafayel watches as Xavier cooks. He has little energy to do much besides keep an eye on any fire risks. Sylus had long gone, seeking out some information about the tracker he had planted on Zayne.

While he waits, hungry for a lot of things, Rafayel thinks, he stares at Xavier.

There's a coldness to him, like he's pulling away, and Rafayel isn't sure he can blame him. Living as long as any of them had, except for Zayne, he supposes, leaves you tired of grief. He knows Xavier blames himself. Not being there, on the mission you vanished on. Not being able to stop you, coming away with that deep gash in his chest.

Sometimes he looks like he's waiting for Rafayel to blame him. Anyone really. Waiting for them to call him a failure.

A worthless knight.

He has hurt too many people already, Rafayel thinks. Remembering the agony in Sylus' eyes as he'd thrown hurtful word after hurtful word. "Xavier."

The man doesn't speak, half nodding as he resumes working, busy hands chopping away. "It's not your fault."

Rafayel could spout poetry, speak around the issue, but he doesn't want them hurting. He doesn't want the knight's heart to shatter like a damaged sword.

He doesn't respond, but his hand trembles, the knife missing its target.

"If it's your fault, then it's all of our faults. We all failed."

"You didn't-"

"Stop them? Grab them in that cafe? I could have chained them up, dragged them back. I didn't."

He should have, but he'd been shocked, and shaken into inaction. His hands had frozen and so had his mind and heart. He was a capable fighter, an assassin. He'd plotted and killed many a man, all under your nose, all behind your back. He was not a fool, he was not useless. While he had hired you as a bodyguard, the truth always remained that he had no use for one.

His bounty had not been earned for nothing.

For all his secrets, for all the blood on his hands, he'd never wanted you to see that side. Even if he knew you wanted to. When you got back, he would. Finally, stop running, stop hiding. If almost losing you hurt this much, left him with regrets that could fill the ocean, he would change it.

"I never should have let them take that mission alone."

"Did you know EVER would grab them?"

Xavier's eyes narrow, turning on him, "How could you-"

"You didn't, because if you did, you would have been there. Not all of us can turn back time, and even you have limitations for it, star." There are few second chances, if they could, they would all go back. He has often wanted to redo bad choices. Change the past. If he could, he would do it in moments.

The present is all he has, all Xavier has.

"What good a partner am I?" It's quiet, but bitter. He rarely shares all the agony in his heart. Insular, before he opened up to you and to them. He has even now, only just started sharing his secrets. "I couldn't protect them. Any time they need me." The last part is almost too quiet, and Rafayel is relieved for his non-human hearing.

Regrets ran deep in his home, he supposed. In you, though you refused to share them and kept marching ahead even when you were bleeding and drowning. In Sylus, though he took them a challenge, bloodied hands still reaching forwards. In Zayne, using them as a way to get stronger, to create stronger walls. In Xavier, a sharpening stone for his blade, and a reminder of what motivated him. In himself, chains that kept him tethered… an ache under scales.

"I don't know why you don't blame me." Xavier speaks again, stirring a pot, pointedly looking down at it.

He can't blame Xavier, because there's no blame to be found. "If I'm blaming anyone, it's EVER."

The star's shoulders flinch. Jumping up, and his spoon clatters against the side of the pot. A sigh, careful hand takes it up, and resumes. "Right. It's EVER's fault."

He finally stands, rounding the corner of the kitchen counter, turning the heat of the stove off, and nudging Xavier into the seat. "Sit."

Xavier frowns, looking ready to argue, so Rafayel walks off, collects bunbun from the pile of plushies, and shoves him into Xavier's hands. "Your rabbit is sad, he needs some company."

"Rafayel-"

"No arguing, I can cook just fine." He picks back up where Xavier left off, watches as the prince places his chin on the top of the giant plushie. "You can get some sleep if you want?"

"Can't."

"What?" Of all the things he's heard, the prince not being able to sleep is not one of them. Though, when he thinks. He realises that in all his grief, the noise of it, that Xavier had not once lay down and gotten any rest. Drifting around from mission to mission, when he was not, he was investigating.

The bags under his eyes were now crystal clear.

"I just see them. Standing there." He buries his face into bunbun's head. Voice muffled, just barely picked up, "They don't recognise me, and they're so angry. Struggling in Sylus' arms. I see what EVER did to them, and I hear it in my head. That it's my fault."

Rafayel switches the hob off again, putting the pot in the cold oven, if he comes back to it, he comes back to it. There are more important things to worry about.

"Come on, food later. Sleep now." He makes his way to Xavier, hand gently easing the man out of the chair. Who blearily stumbles, like it's caught up to him. Like speaking the words has reminded him how tired he is.

Rafayel can't say he doesn't understand it. The exhaustion that sets in after the emotions. He feels it after his bath, after singing as loudly as he can, to air out all the agony in his heart. He never sung enough for you. The idea of losing that now…

The bedroom is tidy, but clearly not slept in. The longer time has gone, between Xavier not sleeping at all, Rafayel wondered if Sylus had even tried either. He had fallen asleep in the bath a few times, but that had not been for long. Lying down, he pulled Xavier into his arms, tucking his head under his chin, placing bunbun to the side. "If you can't sleep, at least lie down." Rafayel spoke, tucking them both in.

"Bossy." Xavier laughs, but it's so drained, and so broken, it sounds more like a choke.

He can't do much else, Rafayel thinks, never particularly sure how to ease the prince, who keeps everything so close to his chest. So he wraps his arms around him, carefully drawing patterns against his back, just behind his neck, and listens for the evening of his breath.

"You've never given up before, starry prince." He speaks, absently, staring up at the ceiling, as he watches fluttering eyelids. "I doubt you have it in you to start now."

"No. I won't." Said on a sigh, against his collarbone. "Not now. Not ever."

Regrets and commitment ran strong in his home, Rafayel mused. Bloody and broken, but crawling onwards.

It would make for a beautiful painting.

—--------

"What is this?"

"It's a tracker."

Zayne turns it in his hand, then looks at you with a brow raised. There's amusement in his eyes, but you choose to ignore it. "If you're in danger, you press that button, just in case you're not next to me. I'll be able to find you then."

"Ah, work smarter, and not harder?"

You snort, walking ahead of him, as you head down the hallway towards Leon's lab. "You can always throw it away, take the risk, see if anyone crawls out of the woodworks for your head."

"What a welcoming place this is, one part prison, one part venomous snake pit."

"EVER enjoy making people feel welcome." You're not ready for the words to come out with quite so much venom. Something uncomfortable in your stomach.

"So what else is that in your hand?"

You move the bag you're carrying behind your back, huffing, "You're very nosy for a man in danger, Doctor Li."

"Really now, have I gone back to Doctor?"

"Zayne."

"Much better."

You're not sure why that makes your stomach flip, you're willing to blame it on the soft look in his eyes as he looks at you. It unnerves you, as much as it warms. Perhaps he wasn't calm and in control, and he'd simply broken somewhere along the way.

"I believed I was under your protection anyway?" You look at him, only to find him purposefully looking away from you. You don't miss the quirk to his lips, "What safer place is there to be in this maze of white?"

"Has anyone ever told you, sarcasm is the lowest form of wit?"

"Ah, but isn't it still a form of wit?"

You refuse to laugh. Pushing the door open to Leon's lab, to find him poring over documents. You put some extra force into it, slamming the door back against the wall. You hear something rattle and fall, and ignore the dirty look you receive, heading over to the coffee pot.

"Little Bomb, is it so hard to learn manners?"

"Where would I have learned them Leon? You? Do mad scientists have a good basis for manners? What about glee filled torturers?" You pour a cup, looking back to Zayne, "Want a hot chocolate?"

He nods, glancing between the two of you, as though trying to puzzle it out, "Please."

"Helping yourself to my cupboard again, Little Bomb?"

"What's yours is mine, right Leon? After all, you're my keeper." You spit the words, stirring Zayne's cup far more carefully than you stir your own. Unsure why, as you carry it over to him. "Here."

"Thank you."

"Any updates?" You aim at Leon, spilling more coffee as you lift the mug up. He stares at you, then looks down at the side. With very slow movements, you reach over for a tissue, wipe up some of it, then throw the tissue into the sink. "There we go."

You watch the tick in his jaw twitch. Irritation in his eyes. 

Good.

"No new jobs, your job is to protect Doctor Li. If you want to be useful, then convince him-" Leon aims his sickening smile at Zayne then, who does not bother to respond or even look at him, sipping comfortably from his cup, "to work for us."

Us…

"Not in my job description. I do what tasks are handed to me by people higher than you, Leon."

"Then you'll be guarding him for a while longer."

You bare fangs at Leon, glinting and sharp, and speak at Zayne, without turning your focus away, "Hear that Doctor, you're stuck with me for longer."

"Ah, the disaster." He deadpans, "My prison experience has further deteriorated."

Leon rubs at the bridge of his nose, "If you wish to be a pain to someone else, I believe Raincoat was looking for you."

You can feel forest eyes on you, as you flinch. Another issue on top of your current ones. Nothing Raincoat wanted was good. He either wanted help, wanted to be a nuisance, wanted to boast, or simply wanted to test patience.

"I'm sure he'll find me at some point." You sit down on a table, near the doctor, watching him. He looks at you, head slightly tilted. You'd laugh if you weren't more careful, it's almost cute. "If you never meet Raincoat, count yourself lucky."

"My luck has landed me in the lap of EVER. I do not fancy my chances."

"Fair enough."

Leon scoffs, scribbling down on his paper, "Raincoat is just like you Little Bomb, a very handy weapon, when it works."

It's hard to stop yourself reaching over to wrap your claw around his throat. You would daydream about his face turning blue as he chokes without oxygen. Silencing him once and for all. Even if what he says is true, it still makes flames lick at your skin. You are nothing like Raincoat, not really.

He takes money. Kills for satisfaction and greed.

He never had to be here.

It aches in your residual limb, a pain you can't pinpoint. Maybe if you had any kind of memory, you would know why each part hurts, why you feel things you can't control.

You still haven't decided if you want to remember, but Philip's words have been playing in your head. The pain in his eyes.

Before you'd woken up the sleeping doctor, you think about him patting your shoulder, as you refit your claw.

Try to trust yourself, kid. Keep your eyes open.

You're still not sure what he meant, even though you've played it over and over. Trusting yourself seemed an unlikely occurrence. You trusted your ability to fight, to kill, to fulfill your jobs.

Well, trust in terms of desperation. You didn't want to be strapped down again, carved up and out. Watching them twist and pry your core. There were times you vaguely remember them pulling it out, but that was all you could recall. The gleaming red, flickering as a hand tightened around it, before you woke back up, stitched back together and healing up.

When you worked hard, they left you be for longer. Satisfied you were performing well. Not needing to punish you.

Keeping your eyes open was easy. No one in the compound could be truly trusted, you're not even sure how much you can rely on Philip, despite him being the kindest one you know.

There is a part of you that separates him out. Puts him on a pile of other, not like the other scientists. You truly just hope you aren't proven wrong, or right, depending on how much of a wounded animal you feel like.

"So who is Rainco-"

"Now Unicorn, ain't you introduced your new friend to me?" You exhale, moving closer to Zayne's side, so that you can keep an eye on him and Raincoat. Two killers in a room with the nicest doctor you've ever met. You'd laugh at the joke, but the punchline doesn't feel funny.

"You're not a friend, and neither is he. Reluctant colleague, unlucky charge. There. Introductions done."

"Those people skills still need work, huh?" He strolls in, hands in his pockets, "One day you'll get good at it, Unicorn, don't worry about it."

"What is it with EVER and codenames?" Zayne speaks softly near you, raising a brow.

It is not missed by your new headache, who laughs, "Some of us don't have names, Doctor Li. Our codenames are all we have left."

You flinch inwardly. As he looks at you, glint in his eye. The violent urge to attack him, claw in his chest, rears its head. You force it down. Nauseous. All you have left, huh? Two names that make you sick to your stomach, and remind you of chains.

If you remember, and it's still all you have. If it's all you've ever had? Is that… is that better?

It can't be, surely.

There has to be more, there has to be.

"You also have your snide attitude left, Raincoat. How lucky for you." Zayne speaks out next to you, his even smile never leaving his face, but you do not miss the careful way he moves forwards.

In front of you, just a little. Like you're the one who needs guarding.

Foolish, softhearted, idiot Doctor.

"What do you want, Raincoat? To spout more foolishness, or are you here for something important?"

"Can't I want to chat to a friend?"

"Like I've said before-"

"We're not friends, yes, yes. I can't believe you're in charge of guarding a doctor." His smile is wide, empty eyes and wide smile. Like a horrifying caricature of a person. You don't let him see the way your spine bristles, "They've put a prong collar on their favourite dog now, I see. What's next? FIling your fangs?"

If they ever try to file them, you promise to yourself your last moment with sharpened teeth will be tearing his throat out. When you crunch his larynx between your jaws, you cannot imagine a better service to the world, than taking out at least one Raincoat. Maybe the next one will be less unbearable.

"At least I do my work, and don't spend my time talking, Raincoat. Are you still disappointing your superiors? All those important jobs, taken out of your hands."

You watch his smile twitch, the emptiness in his eyes spark with irritation, but it's short lived. If nothing else, the man controls himself.

Shame, you would love to see him crack and fissure.

"I suppose you're right, we're the furthest from friends, I'd pick mine far better than some feral dog."

"Do you even have any? I'm sure-"

"Are you two going to keep arguing like children in my lab? If so, I'm going to go to a meeting. Leave it in one piece when you're done." Leon stands, pushing his chair back in, picking up his papers and walking off. You barely glance at him, keeping a careful eye on the only real threat in the room.

A man who exaggeratedly waves at Leon as he walks past, "Bye bye, Doctor Leon."

Then he turns back to you, "Come on now, Unicorn, I'm not here to kill your charge, you can settle down a little bit. I was just curious. Can't imagine you being kept in a cage."

Is this whole thing not a cage? Every hallway, every room, every day spent here. He can leave freely, wander around. You're both dogs, he's just better at lying.

Perhaps if you'd ever been good at it, you'd be better off.

You can't lie at all, Starlight, you should leave the talking to me. I can do the mission! I know you can, but you'll start fidgeting and laughing if you try to lie. You've never been good at lying. It's cute.

You reach a hand out, steadying against the table to keep yourself from falling over. Raincoat's eyes go to your hand, then back up to you. It takes too long to right yourself. To breathe steadily again. You can feel him studying you, making notes. Weakness, presented to him. It's a chilling feeling, on top of the pain spiking through your head.

A reminder that just like you watch him for the day you have to kill him, that he does the same to you. That either one of you will end up on the list one day, and whoever is left will have to be the hunter. EVER's favoured dog.

If you're the one on the list, you will take him with you, no matter if it finally kills you.

A warmer hand settles you into a chair, and offers you water, which you down quickly. Feeling the icy chill of it, pulling you out of the world of static and broken images. "You should eat."

It's warmer than you deserve, you think, but indicate the bag you'd carried in.

"You bought cake? Oh Unicorn, you shouldn't have." Raincoat peeks over, looking in as Zayne takes things out. He purposefully pulls it away from the man, placing things in front of you, and then keeping close. "Really now, you're just as bad, Doctor Li, and I thought you enjoyed sharing. With cats, children, Onychinus' leader."

You flinch at the name, a caw in the back of your mind. The vision of a black raven streaking across the sky. An Arbiterwing, screeching an angry song as it swoops down.

He does not pay any attention to Raincoat, of which you're glad. The man presses buttons to test people's breaking points. The only reason he studies his targets is to torment them, break them down. You know his methods, you do not like that they are aimed at your charge. It's just… hard to see through the wavering in your eyes.

A macaron is placed in front of you, and the warm voice sounds nearby, "You got these from Destiny Cafe?"

You force a nod, "Philip-" It hurts, but as you shove it into your mouth, you're relieved that the familiar taste isn't ruined. Doesn't turn to ash in your mouth. Doesn't make you throw it back up. "Grabbed them for me." You say through a full mouth, "Strawberry macarons, like you said."

"How cute, you really have become friends."

The static eases back, and you finally find your strength, through the dull ache in your temples. Glaring, baring fangs at Raincoat, "If you want to annoy someone, do it elsewhere."

"Shame you might have to kill him at any point right? When he never agrees to help them."

Zayne's jaw ticks then, shoving a macaron into his own mouth. The temperature drops, and you feel the cold around you.

"Or hey, maybe they'll put a chip in his head too-"

Too?

"You talk far too much, I see no one ever taught you the lessons of humility and the value of silence." Zayne delivers, chilly tone and cold eyes.

Raincoat laughs, shrugging his shoulders and pulling away finally, grinning, "I guess not. I'll leave you be to your snacks then, Unicorn, and your new, and only, friend." He almost pats your shoulder, but you're aware enough to pull away from him. His hand passes through air and he smirks, "So antsy. Don't worry doggy."

You think about clamping your fangs around his hand and biting through the muscle. Reaching with your claw to tear his sternum out. He would taste like rot, you think, but maybe it would be worth it to finally quieten him.

You're sure everyone tied to EVER would taste like rot. You, Caleb, even Philip. He'd talked of atonement. Was that even possible?

You watch as Raincoat goes to leave, before the door swings open, and two figures, far smaller, barrel in and through him. Barely keeping himself on his own feet.

Two kids, you wouldn't be able to guess their ages from a look, but they only come up to Raincoat's mid-thigh.

"Where are they?"

"In here right? Everyone said they spend time in Mr Leon's lab."

"You?" One of them points at Raincoat, "Are you a Unicorn?"

"Excuse me?"

"No, Mori! He stinks, plus he doesn't have a cool arm."

"Morgie, look look!"

You feel a sense of foreboding, that tends to come when you've been spotted by someone with any level of combat skill. The kind that makes you turn in time to catch a dagger to the back. The kind that alerts you to wanderers as they appear behind you.

Except this is for two children, who barrel right through and up to you. Nigh-identical faces peering up at you, and then looking at the macarons the doctor was part way through devouring.

"What in the-" Raincoat exhales, walking further into the room as he watches.

"Can we try one?"

"What?"

"Or are they just for the man with the glasses?"

Zayne blinks, "There are children here?"

"Hey! We're eight!"

You want the static headache back, that one is familiar now, a feeling you're getting somewhat used to, despite the agony of it. This new headache, is loud. Hands reach out for the treats, before you finally snap out of it, "Hey, no. Who are you?"

They freeze, stepping back, and both bow in unison. Bending at the waist like dolls on string. When they stand back up, they're both wearing big grins, crooked teeth and curly black hair. One's eyes are dark blue, the other bears silver. One has their hair in a long side braid, the other has it free.

"Why are there children in EVER's compound?"

"You want the honest answer, Doctor Li?"

His jaw ticks, looking over at the twins who are watching the three of you, curious and amused, but still glancing down at the treats. Zayne exhales, pushing two over to the two, then begins to rub his head. Exhaustion coming back into his freshly rested body, you figure, as his shoulders slump.

"I'm Morrigan!" The one with the braid grins, their hands grubby as they shovel crumbs into their mouth.

The other one is neater, carefully nibbling the edges, "I'm Morgana."

"You should be with your handler, kids." Raincoat speaks out, looking out of his depth for the first time since you'd met him.

You'd laugh, if you didn't also feel at odds. Twins… your thoughts go to Philip. The initiative to test twins had never stopped, you'd heard it talked about. Whenever you had, you thought of twin baby crows for some reason. Hopping about and eating crumbs. Seeking out the shadow of a bigger one.

It was a small fleeting piece of static. It did not hurt as much, you thought, just… made you feel like you were missing something.

"Shouldn't you two have masks?" Escapes you, on an exhale, through the dull pain.

"What?"

"No… nevermind, it's nothing." You have to get it together, Raincoat would easily take any excuse to drag you in front of those higher up than Leon, if you begin fraying at the edges. Anymore than you already are.

They look at you, and shake their heads, but don't seem bothered by the question, too busy looking at the macarons, then back at you.

"We're looking for a Unicorn, they're going to train us!"

"Excuse me? I think-"

Raincoat laughs, actually laughs, looking at you like he cannot imagine anything funnier. You frown at him, resisting the urge to show the kids their first 'lesson'. How to rip a man's arms off, and beat him to death with them.

"You've got the wrong person, kids. This one has the social skills of a plank of wood."

"You're a Unicorn?"

"Unicorn, just Unicorn, not 'a' unicorn." You sigh, not sure why you're even bothering to argue with them. It's not as though you want the title. You just don't really like being compared to Raincoat. A title that passes down.

When you're gone, you hope that's it. No more beasts, with heads prepped for the sword to be plunged through. A macabre reminder of what EVER will do, even to things that are supposed to be unique.

"Hey mister, can we have another one?" You watch as their attention is taken from you, pointing at the bag. He acquiesces easily, offering them more. Even though his smile does not grow wider, you can't help the odd heat in your chest at the warmth in his eyes. You remember Raincoat's words. Offering sweets to children. It becomes easier to understand the way he is a good doctor, as you watch him.

The guilt settles heavier in your stomach. He shouldn't be here. He should be out there, doing something better. Not being tarred and sullied by EVER, and their cruelty.

They eat gleefully, and you watch them as they do.

Caleb, I want one of those! One day, pipsqueak. Will we have all kinds of sweets? Like them? We sure will, whenever you want, yeah? I'll get it. One day. Whatever you want. Promise? Promise, Pipsqueak. Always.

"This one is the Unicorn, you're looking for." Raincoat laughs, pointing at you.

You flinch as they round on you, with grubby hands and excited eyes, "You're real!"

"We thought they were teasing us."

"'Go find Unicorn, and get them to train you.'"

"'Then you can stick around, and we won't send you off.'"

"So we came to find you!"

The two are right in front of you, staring up at you with sparkling eyes, before you can even hope to prepare for it. You flinch back, and hear the soft laugh to your side, from a man who is having far too much fun, in his own prison.

The twins smile, you can tell they're trying their hardest to look as endearing as possible, as one of them tries to grab for your hand. Which you pull out of their reach quickly.

Avoiding being smeared with crumbs, and macaron filling. The idea appealing even less than the two kids clinging to you.

"Please train us!"

[blacklegsanjiii]

Some hc about ASL x fem Sanji

Sanji is these type of person whose hair when tied looks shorter than how it actually is and also straight, but actually has the most fluffyest wavy hair who goes down to the waist. The fact she always ties her hair does not help.

Even ASL believed her hair was straight, until Baratie docked on Foosha the first time and they convinced their girlfriend to sleep in the treehouse with them. Since they stay late talking, none of them notice Sanji loose her hair before sleeping.

They just notice the morning after, when all of them are waking up and Sanji is with her hair down. It's so fucking fluffy that makes them want to put their faces on her hair. Or just stay fluffing it.

After this, ASL don't stop asking Sanji to let her hair down.

Fem!Sanji just looks like Sora. She wears her hair in braids and buns, it's never just loose like when it's down or in a ponytail so the only who knows have to be Zeff, Carne, and Patty. Tell me otherwise. Also they all know how to braid, Zeff learned it specifically to bond with the eggplant. Patty and Carne when she was getting used to being around so many men again.

So yeah, when the Baratie finally docks in Foosha and she waves to Zeff and Patty and Carne and runs to meet her boyfriends with an overnight bag packed(and a locked cooler of food). The boys meet her and hug and kiss her and swing her around and cheer about the good. Sabo gives her a piggy back and Ace carries the cooler up to the tree house so the bears don't get it and looks at the lock with sadness as Luffy whines. Sanji just laughs at them and promises to show them later. Luffy demands Sabo hand her over and now the boys are fighting over her but they're all laughing about it. Sanji knows they won't hurt her but she can also kick all their asses.

The boys fall asleep before her, after dinner and cleaning up and a very thorough bug sweep because she demands it and they're weak to her even if they're in a jungle, there's bugs all over. Sanji, babe, please. She lets her hair down as she lays next to Ace because he's the warmest and Luffy is already curled up with Sabo under what appears to be the only two blankets in the treehouse. Sanji rolls her eyes and smiles fondly and she quickly brushes her hair and then lays down and falls asleep with Ace.

Sabo wakes up first and sees a mess of dark hair first and then sits up and looks at Sanji and Ace and blinks. That can't be their girlfriend. She has straight hair, not whatever cotton cloud is attached to her. That's impossible. He crawls over quietly and touches it and it is so soft. He just threads a hand in through the locks and rubs her scalp. Ace wakes up next and looks at Sabo who holds a finger to his lips and pulls one of Ace's hands up to her hair and he tiredly pets it, he's mostly asleep still but mutters about how pillowy her hair feels and his fingers catch some of the tangles in the waves of her hair. Sabo and Ace pet her until Ace wakes up more and blurts out questioningly it isn't straight. Which wakes up Luffy and Sanji because why so loud? It's her day off? Zeff said.

"Your hair isn't straight?" Luffy asks as he crawls over.

"What the fuck you mean?" Sanji asks back as she stares at them.

"It's so soft." Sabo coos at her.

"We haven't gotten to really touch it." Ace agrees as Luffy sticks both his hands in her hair and is amazed at how soft it is.

"Yeah, this is so nice, Sanji!" Luffy cheers as he starts running his hands through it. Sanji keeps staring at them before sighing and sitting up and letting them play with her hair as she moves to start preparing breakfast. She doesn't realize what she has done after she leaves the next day.

They keep asking her to let her hair down when they see each other, bar that she doesn't then they will steal her hair ties and bobby pins. Zeff tells at Garp to control them or reimburse him because look at Sanji's hair! It can take a long time to do! Even Garp and Bogard feel it and don't see what the problem is for her to wear it down.

[ramona-quinn]

Medicine Yucky

CGs! Ragatha and Kinger and Regressors! Pomni and Gangle 🍼

Plot: One thing that everyone knows is that age regression and illness do not mix well at all.

Request by @Little_Miss_Bleeding_Heart on AO3

Pomni was in her room, curling up into a ball and holding her stomach. She was feeling under the weather and had recently lost her lunch for the third time in a row.

A gentle knock was heard at the jester���s door.

“Pomni, it’s Mama,” Ragatha said.

“Mama…” Pomni responded raspily.

Ragatha opened the door with a spoon and a bottle of anti-nausea medicine. She also had a clean trash can in case Pomni threw up again.

“Hey, sweetie,” Ragatha said. “Let’s take some medicine.”

“Medicine?” Pomni questioned.

“Yeah, so you can feel better.”

Pomni shook her head.

“No, medicine yucky,” the little jester grumbled.

“I know it doesn’t taste great, but it’s going to help your tummy,” Ragatha explained as she poured some medicine into the spoon. “Now sit up and open wide, okay?”

Ragatha moved the spoon closer to Pomni’s mouth, but the jester wasn’t having it. She scooted away from the spoon and turned over, facing the wall.

“Come on, let’s take this and you can have something to wash it down,” the ragdoll said.

“No!” the jester huffed as she whacked the spoon from Ragatha’s hand and hid under the covers.

Though irritated by the little jester’s behavior, Ragatha kept her cool and set the medicine aside.

“Pomni, we don’t whack things from other people’s hands. It’s not nice. I need you to take your medicine so you can feel better, please.”

“No!”

Ragatha sighed, not knowing what to do. Pomni was never usually cranky when she regressed. Maybe she could get some advice from another caregiver.

“Pomni, I’ll be right back,” Ragatha said as she got up.

The ragdoll then walked out of Pomni’s room and went down the hallway to Gangle’s room. Gangle was sick, too, and Kinger was taking care of her.

Gangle was lying in bed with a thermometer in her mouth. When it beeped, Kinger became startled by the sound.

“Oh, it’s just the thermometer,” Kinger said as he pulled the thermometer out of Gangle’s mouth. The temperature read 101.5 degrees.

“Papa…” Gangle sniffled as she began crying.

“I know, baby bug, I know,” Kinger empathized. “Why don’t you rest for a while?”

“No sleep…”

“Why not?”

“Blankie…”

“I know you want your blankie, but it’s in the laundry right now.”

Gangle cried once more, which pulled the chess piece’s heartstrings.

“I’m sorry, little princess. I know it’s hard, but I promise your blankie will be clean when you wake up,” Kinger said as he then grabbed Gangle’s butterfly stuffie from the foot of her bed. “Do you want to sleep with Gracie?”

Gangle looked up and nodded, wiping her tears away.

Kinger handed Gangle her butterfly stuffie named Gracie while Ragatha knocked on the door.

“Come in,” Kinger said as Ragatha opened the door.

“Hey, Kinger, can I talk with you?” Ragatha asked.

“Oh, sure. I’ll be back, Gangle.”

Kinger then walked over to the ragdoll.

“What’s up?” Kinger asked.

“I’m having trouble with Pomni,” Ragatha said. “She won’t take her medicine. Do you have any ideas on what I should do?”

“Ah, yes, I’ve had this exact problem with Gangle and Jax. I usually offer a choice of how they want to take their medicine, like a syringe or spoon. Works for them every time.”

“I never thought of it that way. I just hope it’ll work for Pomni.”

“You never know unless you try.”

Ragatha walked to the kitchen and grabbed a clean spoon, along with a plastic syringe. She then walked back to Pomni’s room.

“Hey, Pomni, can we talk?” Ragatha asked as she sat on Pomni’s bed.

Pomni groaned as she sat up in bed.

“I know the medicine can be yucky, but we all have to do things we don’t want to do because it’s good for us.”

“Like taking naps?” Pomni asked.

“Exactly. Taking medicine may taste yucky, but it’s going to help you feel better in the long run.”

Ragatha then held up the spoon and syringe.

“How about we choose how you take your medicine, hm?” Ragatha suggested. “Do you want to use the spoon or syringe?”

After a minute of deliberation, Pomni chose the syringe.

“Alright, syringe it is.”

Ragatha then filled the medicine up with the syringe and fed it to Pomni, who took the said medicine well.

“Good job, Pomni!” Ragatha praised. “I knew you could do it!”

“T’ank you, Mama,” Pomni smiled.

Ragatha got the little jester some ginger ale in a baby bottle to help ease her stomach. The rest of the day was filled with sleeping, and Ragatha was glad Pomni was going to get better due to the medicine.

[oneirataxia-haechan]

Boyfriend Minhee

requested!

Pairing: Minhee x reader Word count: 697 words Genre: Fluffy fluff ultimate masterlist cravity masterlist

your first date was probably a picnic in my opinion. either that or stopping at a cafe and going for a walk after. 

your biggest hype man.

also the first to joke about you though. sometimes in the same sentence.

yelling. sometimes it’ll be dead silent while you guys are just chilling on the couch and he’ll randomly yell. loves to see you jump every time.

similar to yelling, minhee loves to say your pet names/name repeatedly. he thinks its endearing and loves when you do it back to annoy him. the secret is, it doesn’t. he loves to hear you speak, but especially if you are going to say his pet names/name.

fights to get what he wants. if he wants a certain spot on the couch? get out of his way because he will move you. he wants the last piece of food? will hold your hand in place so he can take it with ease.

prankkkksssss. remember when he kept holding a bug up to wonjin’s face? yeah that would be your daily life. you would try to stop giving him a reaction which would make him do it more. lose lose battle for you.

is a confident boyfriend but gets emabarrassed when trying to be cocky. especially if you aren’t taking him seriously and crack a little smile.

likes being held or wrapping himself around you. he’s a giant baby who wants to be held. can’t convince me otherwise.

if he wakes up first and you both are facing each other he’ll have the biggest sleepy smile plastered on his face. it’s his favorite way to wake up. loves that he gets some time to see you fully still and relaxed. you always look good but you look especially like an angel while sleeping. he’ll usually rub your head, play with your hair, rub his thumb on your cheek, or trace little circles on your arm/back.

play fighting. not the same as above. loves to shove you lightly, fake punch you, and soft pinches.

loves loves loves lovessssss to bicker with you. bickering is his love language at this point. will know something is going on if you don’t bicker back with him though.

minhee is really good at picking up on your mood shifts. sometimes it scares you how easily he can notice. most times he won’t persist on you telling him your feelings. instead he’ll just try to make you laugh or reassure you without it becoming too much.

he will reassure you through pda, the level of pda depends on the enviornment and how you feel about it. Usually includes rubbing circles on the small of your back, rubbing his thumb on the back of your hand, leaving a hand on your thigh, etc.

holds your wrists to control your hands in a playful way. sometimes he’ll grab your wrist while you are talking to one of the other boys and playfully hit them with your hands. then he’ll throw a fake fit over him still getting the blame. “but it was y/n’s handdddd!”

sweet innocent touches. similar to the reassuring thing but these will be more abrupt and unexpected. this includes touching your arm when he grabs something next to you, light back scratches as he walks behind you, poking you with a finger, etc.

looks away when you look in his eyes but will stare at you a lot without your knowledge. he loves to watch you do things and just be you. one of his favorite things to watch you do is take pictures of the other boys. you have basically become cravity’s personal photographer at this point. you typically try to get candid pictures by making them laugh, watching you do this just warms minhee’s heart, in a special place.

the pictures you take of minhee are mostly funny ones, he’s just always so funny. he returns the favor though taking very goofy pictures of you, all the time. if you want good pictures you might want to ask anyone but minhee because he just loves you being your funny, silly self. give him some kisses or promise him cuddles and you’ll get some good pictures. 

[cyberneticlagomorph]

You must have fallen asleep in the middle of your work without noticing. 

When you suddenly sit bolt upright upon waking a shower of assorted documents fly everywhere like some angular mockery of snow in a blizzard. You blink one eye and then the other several times until your face figures out how to sync the motions, were it not for the fact that you were watching this happen from OUTSIDE of your body you might have just assumed that you’d woken up energized to the point of mania.

"MAN! It's good to be back!" Said your mouth without your permission, your voice stolen and strange to your now ghostly ears.

Ma leans in through the kitchen doorway and squints, sizzling pan in one hand and a spatula in the other. You watch your body make eye contact with your mother, a big stupid smile spreading across your face. Your smiles have always looked ‘off’, kind of lopsided like you weren’t used to the motions, but the way your lips moved now bordered on cartoonishly silly. Your nose crinkled, and so did the corners of your eyes, like a kid smiling for school pictures before the concept of ‘cool’ and ‘ugly’ took over their entire brain. "Hi Ma, I think I've had an epiphany! You keep an eye on the kids while I have a talk with tall dark and blondie, but first..." You watch your body look down at itself, "I should really freshen up.”

Your body gets up and skitters into the bathroom like an awkwardly shaped bug with very little control of its limbs.

 Ma frog blinks and mutters something about how ‘morning people should be illegal’ before retreating back into the kitchen.

You hover uneasily over the spot you’d been sleeping in, and watch your body abandon you. One of the hyenas (Bruce, the littlest one) stares at your disembodied ghost expectantly, you wave at him awkwardly and watch him wiggle with excitement, stretching up to sniff you and beg for pets. You expect your hand to go right through him, and it does, but for a second you ARE him and it freaks you out beyond all imagining. 

You bolt like a scared squirrel.

In the bathroom, Zilch is getting handsy with you, and not in a fun way either. You can feel echoes of what he’s doing and it makes you nauseous. He probes his fingers into your mouth, prying it open as far as it’ll go and then some, marveling at the elasticity. He stretches, he bends, twists and grins with your now misshapen mouth. “Man oh MAN, and here I thought Pine Tree’s whole deal was deluxe, this thing is DECADENT!” Zilch says as he looks your body over in the mirror, running his hands down your thighs and wiggling your hips just to watch you wobble. “HAHAHAHA, gross! You look like something ModeSeven would draw.”

The second you get your meat suit back, that isosceles asshole is done for.

Zilch looks at you, head turning a full 180 to do so, “Reeeeeeelax, I’m a triangle of my word, I’m gonna fix your beef with blondie and give you your disgusting flesh prison back, but I wanna have fun with it first.”

“I. Am. Not. A. Toy.” Your voice, your wretched detached ghost voice, sounds too organic. It sounds too human. Your ectoplasmic exterior itches and burns with discomfort. 

“Right you are! You’re not a toy,” Zilch smiles with your mouth, tilting your head at such a sharp angle your neck looks broken. “You’re my puppet.”

Your spectral fingers twitch, and Zilch chuckles with your broken bitcrushed midi laugh. “But before I make good on my promise, I can’t go out in public looking like THIS!”

Zilch turns to face the mirror again and inspects your body’s face with new interest, “Eugh, too blue!” He runs his fingers through your hair and you watch the color drain away, leaving a bright buttery yellow behind with black roots. He gives you black lipstick and gold eyeshadow. He leans in closer to the mirror and your eyes start to spin like a slot machine, when they stop your pupils are glowing golden triangles. With a snap of his fingers, you’re dressed in a faded button down with a moth at your throat, a cane in your hand, and Zilch’s big stupid shades over his eyes. “Now then, let’s get this party STARTED!”