#but it is a hill I will occasionally climb up

[dubiousculturalartifact]

PSA:

A drabble is EXACTLY ONE HUNDRED WORDS.

a self contained short fic under 1000 words is a FICLET

[mj2606k]

Cockwarming

Kinkmas Day 1

Pairing: So’lek x fem!Sarentu!reader

Warnings: MINORS DNI 🔞, P in V, raw sex, semi!dirty talk, praise, cockwarming, (technically) breeding

A/N: I decided at literally last minute that I wanted to join in on Kinkmas, so this might seem a bit rushed. Hope y’all still enjoy it though! :)

Summary: So’lek took the Sarentu he had grow closest to on an overnight trip to observe a nearby RDA site, but they get stuck in a cave during a heavy storm. They build a small fire but they’re both still freezing, so they come up with another way to keep each other warm.

So’lek grunts in annoyance as he climbs further up the steep hill, rain pelting him in the face and nearly making him lose his hold on the outcropping rock he had been holding onto. He regains his hold quickly before glancing behind himself at the other Na'vi with him — one of the female Sarentu. She was the one that escaped alone when he was helping Alma rescue her and the other remaining members of her clan from TAP.

She’s right behind him as they climb the rock, and only a few minutes later So’lek reaches the top of the hill and the foot of the cave, reaching down to grab the Sarentu’s hand before lifting her up into the cave beside him. They both just rest there for a moment, catching their breaths as they watch the middle of the storm finally reach them, the rain pouring down outside the cave nearly enough to form a small waterfall.

After a few moments the girl Na’vi stands and heads deeper into the cave, finding a few dry branches and setting them up to make a fire. So’lek does his best to scout the area around their cave without getting himself drenched by the rain, then he makes his way over to her just as she lights the fire.

She adds a few more sticks and small branches to the fire before carefully stripping off most of her coverings, leaving herself only in her tewng, chest covering, and her chest plate. So’lek watches her silently, his eyes trailing over her body here and there, pausing over the small bruises on her hips and the occasional bite spread out over her inner thighs from one of their most recent endeavors.

Hours later the pair are huddled together as far back in the cave as they can get, the Sarentu visibly shivering even as So’lek adds more wood to the small fire. He’s more discreet about his lack of warmth, but he’s quick to huddle back up behind her once he’s finished adding the remainder of the wood to the fire. So’lek takes a moment to consider his options before leaning in and wrapping his arms around her waist, resting his forehead against the back of her neck as he gently pulls her closer in an attempt to share their body heat with one another. The Sarentu smiles as he leans in close, resting one of her hands over his even as she continues to shiver, her teeth chattering quietly.

Both of them try desperately to sleep but even as So’lek begins warming slightly, the girl’s chattering teeth and insistent backing up to get closer to him does nothing but keep him awake. This goes on for another ten minutes before So’lek thinks of something new to try and begins softly pressing kisses to the back of her neck, his tail curling gently around her’s when she gasps softly.

Only minutes later the Sarentu had given him verbal consent and now So'lek had pulled her tewng to the side, lazily thrusting two of his own fingers inside her, groaning softly at the quiet moans she let out as he stretched her gently. As if she wasn't already practically putty beneath his hands, he was also finding amusement in whispering little comments, whether he meant for her to hear them or not she wasn't sure. "Nìtxan 'ekxin...tswìk oe nemfa nìtxan nìltsan. (So tight...sucking me in so well.)" So'lek murmured right beside her ear, chuckling softly as her cunt fluttered around his digits.

The Sarentu whimpered needily, bucking her hips against his hand before grinding her hips back against him through his tewng, “Please, So’lek.. Oe nìtxan mek, kin nga mìfa. (I’m so empty, need you inside.)” So’lek coos softly, nuzzling his cheek against her shoulder as he gently pulls his fingers from her before moving his own tewng to the side. He used her juices on his fingers as lube as he stroked his cock once, twice, before lining it up to her entrance and slowly pushing into her.

It seemed that they both held their breaths until he was fully bottomed out inside her, a soft whimper falling from her lips as So’lek muffled a groan against her shoulder. He allowed her a few moments to adjust before he began slowly pulling out until only the tip remained, then slowly but deeply thrusting back in, repeating his movements until little moans were spilling from her on each thrust in.

As he steadily rocked against her, soft groans and quiet curses continuously slipped out of So’lek’s mouth, little murmurs of “O-oh, fuck-” or comments muffled against her shoulder that make her stomach flutter and her cunt clench around So’lek’s cock. “Tsä’ pxaw oe.. nafì’u sìltsan ‘evenge. (Gushing around me..such a good girl.)” the words were whispered right against her ear and her inner walls gave another flutter around him, a choked moan falling from her lips as his tip grazed her g-spot, “Nga kop txukx… (You're too deep…)” So’lek groaned again before pressing a soft kiss against her shoulder in response to her words and her tone.

She could tell when So’lek was close to his release by how his cock twitched inside her, how he wet a few fingers on his free hand before reaching around and beginning to rub quick steady circles against her clit to mask the way his thrusts were starting to get sloppy and uncoordinated. “Lu nga tstu si? (Are you close?)” he asked her, his voice pitching up slightly at the end as he swallowed down a soft whimper at the way her walls were beginning to milk him, bringing him dangerously close to the edge that he was desperate to push her over before him.

The Sarentu was about to answer him when she suddenly felt his tip brush against her cervix. A loud gasp left her mouth before her inner walls spasmed around him, properly milking him as her arousal squirted out and partially soaking both their thighs. So’lek let out a quiet broken moan, thrusting hard into her a few more times before pushing as deep in as he could go and stilling, panting quietly as Sarentu shivered slightly from the feeling of his cum painting her walls white.

A few more minutes passed as they both just relaxed, panting quietly until So’lek gently adjusted their position, returning to properly spooning her while letting her warm his cock, both of them purring softly while he pressed light kisses up her jaw, his hips lazily grinding against her. “Lu nga sang set? (Are you warm yet?)” So’lek broke the silence after a while and the Sarentu couldn’t help the quiet chuckle that left her until they were both laughing quietly, the loud but calming sound of the rain outside the cave eventually sending them both to sleep.

[sunnysanae]

their favourite kind of affection

scenario. the genshin boys and their favourite type of pda. includes. zhongli, ayato, cyno, tighnari, scaramouche, childe, thoma settings. fluff, modern!au, gn! reader

zhongli waist cupping

the ex-archon found peace of mind in wrapping his large, gloved hands around your hip. his slim fingers liberally draping off your hip bone, occasionally stressing to cusp the tender skin of your abdomen. you often wandered off in public, ending up lost and teary-eyed, his hand was there to prevent that. zhongli wanted to guide you to the places he's always promised he'll take you to, while showing everyone you were his.

ayato arm in arm

ayato enjoyed taking you on short promenades, to festive gatherings, and on cute picnic dates. having you interlink your arms with his elbows, feeling you lean on his bicep, embracing him; as the two of you paddle elbowing each other to your desired destination. the exchange of smiles and blossomed laughter enveloping the centimetres of distance between you. having you close in proximity assured his heart, knowing you'll be by his side, arm-in-arm, no matter what.

cyno neck nestling

burying himself in the warm cove of your neck, nuzzling his nose on the delicate, sensitive flesh of your nape. as his ears drooped down, their ends tickling your shoulders. humming casually, as his canine teeth occasionally grazed your collarbone. the adorable gesture emerged on lazy sunday mornings, as you leaned into the work on your desk, and as you stood over the stovetop cooking your favourite foods. cyno found safety and comfort in the home you shared, more so in you.

tighnari kisses

he was never planning on admitting to this. tighnari basked in the feathery, delicate kisses you peppered on his nose. plump, soft lips pressing gently-firm on his flaming skin. the sensation torched him. the careful fragility of your affectionate initiative was fully appreciated by the boy, as he negligently leaned into your caress. tingling and numbing to his nerves. work could wait just a little longer.

scaramouche handholding

on movie nights the two of you laid overlapping each other on the cosy couch, on chilly days as you sat together watching the first snowflakes swindle—cold fragile fingers tangled upon each other, while warmth spread from your palms to his. the pads of your digits tenderly rubbing against each other's knuckles and joints. kunikuzushi would obscure his hazy blush with his scarf, or plummet his heated face into the plush pillows. your loving touch was all he ever wanted and all he ever needed.

childe resting on your lap

sitting on the birchwood park bench, as he whimpered about being exhausted from the countable steps you took. unwillingly compromising to his coquettish behaviour, as he dragged you to the free seat on the grass. minutes passed, as he would adjust his body to rest his head in your lap. childe's eyes latched with an obliviously complacent smile. he just wanted to feel your fingers brush through his hair one more time.

thoma hugs

as you sat on his lap while he knitted, he loved being enveloped by your scent and touch. his arms riddling through yours, pressing his chin into your nuchal region. you didn't want to leave him alone during his late housekeeping hours, which explains how you ended up in this position, in front of the charring fireplace. thoma murmured in your ear sweet, calming stories, and he felt you drift off into dreamland on his shoulder. as your breathing became melodically steady, climbing and rolling down gentle hills of sleep, he wrapped you in a secure cuddle. his lips sweeping your ears.

an. hmm thinking maybe i'll write a version of this for my genshin girls as well 🤐. also, can any of you imagine kissing tighnari's ears???!?KLDSM<A. i am having a sweet tooth for fluff, apologies if it has overwhelmed anyone.

[chirp-featherfowl]

so here's what i'm thinking

it's not kindergarten, guys. it's sixth grade.

bigb and pearl are definitely the "average nickelodeon fan" and "average wings of fire/percy jackson/warrior cats fan" alliance

grian's got wheelies. the clockers keep trying to make him use them on the playground so he trips and falls and EATS SHIT LOSER!!!!

(bdubs said that. etho taught him it and bdubs doesn't know what it means)

btw, the clockers are absolutely those sort of. smartasses who are meaner, cooler, and better than you.

bdubs is an art kid, cleo is one of those writing/reading kids with no thanks to some kid named joe hills (lie) ... and scar... well actually scar is just very charming

grian and jimmy are half brothers. watcher something or the other i don't really care i just think their dynamic is super funny

i'm stealing the "boogeyman is an intense game of tag" and making it more of a cheese touch thing

team ties are all in advanced math. except for skizz, who after immediately getting tagged by both scott and bdubs, was put under the protection of them. impulse holds a goddamn grudge, and no eleven year old is willing to test his patience

martyn and scott were those two friends in the friend group that never interacted as much as they interacted with others, but now that ren's moved schools and jimmy's migrated friend groups, they're suddenly best friends?? they team up with the clockers and occasionally taunt jimmy, trying to win him back

pearl and bigb are definitely tree climbers, pearl brings eight wings of fire books into the tree with her every day and bigb consistently watches in astonishment as she climbs the tree with one hand

they spy on everyone from up there

[secret-smut-sideblog]

Even If It Bleeds

Astarion x F! Tav

18+ violence, death, complicated feelings, blood drinking, restraint, sexual exploration, predator/prey, control kink, (light) dubcon, dirty talk, roughness, breast worship (f!), free use, p-in-v, overstimulation, tenderness

When a hunter threatens one of her own, Tav urges Astarion to take matters into his own hands. Further encouraging him to seek out his own needs, his own desire...

Masterlist, Prev Chapter

-

Astarion's eyes darted to her, fear under the easy pull of his smile. The Gur hunter in front of them an enemy to her the moment he revealed his mission.

"I believe he's gone to ground. But I may be able to drive him out yet."

The dagger on her hip would be a quick remedy to this situation. But Astarion's eyes were seeking something from her. Confusion spiking her own gaze. What was he waiting for?

Then it clicked.

She drew forward and quickly forced under the man's arms into a headlock. Kicking his knee out into a kneel. Neck bared in a pull on his head. All too fast for him to fight.

Her eyes flashed up to Astarion's.

"Kill him." She stated simply.

Astarion froze, but only for a moment. He lunged forward, driving a dagger into his throat.

The hunter convulsed. She released his arms and finished it with a sickening twist of his head. The crack of his neck snapped a final percussion.

"Ugh!" Shadowheart turned her back on the whole affair.

"At least it was quick." Karlach sighed.

Tav crouched to gather spilt blood in her fingers, bringing it to her nose.

"Garlic. Of course." She shook it off with quick flicks of her wrist. "Useless."

"Did you have to do all that?" Shadowheart huffed.

"He was dead as soon as he opened his mouth. I was just settling the affair." Tav rose to her full height again.

"Monster hunter not a problem then." Karlach raised an appreciative eyebrow at her.

"Oh, I'm a much better hunter." Tav turned from the dead. Starting to head down the hill again.

Astarion's eyes dug into her back.

She turned again.

He was staring hard at her, many emotions layered between his gaze. His eyes lidded, chest heaving.

"Let's go. It's getting late." Eyes soft under the bite of her command.

"Aye!" Karlach barked happily. Shadowheart grumbling next to her.

Still, Astarion stood coiled in front of her. Hands tense at his sides. Flitting his gaze over her in near anger.

She drew forward and slipped her hand behind him. Pressing him forward by the small of his back.

"Come on, it's over." She spoke low, their party already striding ahead. "We're going."

He nodded, taking up the clip of her walk. Still flitting his gaze to her occasionally.

"In the future, you don't need my permission to kill someone threatening your life."

His eyes held on her again.

"I..." He took a shuddered breath. "Of course. I should've known that."

"Not a failing. Just a reminder." She remarked easily. "It's been a long time since most of us have been in a group. New rules."

He laughed, some tension released from his shoulders.

"New rules. Or the lack thereof."

-

Empty bowls stacked by the fire, Gale and Wyll's stories exhausted, the soft shuffle of feet separating.

Tav sat in the curve of a tree, high above.

She had said it was over, but she wasn't so sure. Keeping watch wasn't a burden. She had a hard time sleeping anyway.

A cold shape rose behind her.

She smiled, catching him by the waist. Pinning him down on the length of tree next to her.

"You know you shouldn't sneak up me."

Astarion smiled.

"But your spider climb is getting good." Appraising the length of tree he had scaled. She released him, pulling him up by a grip on his forearm. His own grip met hers.

"Gods, you're strong." He nearly accused.

"Are you complaining?"

"Always." He sighed, that twinkle of jest back in his eyes.

They sat side by side on the limb. Her legs tucked under her, his hanging free over the edge. Swaying with an unconscious rhythm.

"I wanted to thank you." He spoke softly.

"What for?"

He gave her an incendiary glare.

"Everything. Gods, like you haven't been..."

She leaned back against the trunk, sharpening her dagger mindlessly.

"Even now! You don't even... you're not phased at all. You've done so much for me."

She shrugged.

He huffed breath, drawing toward her.

"Don't just... ugh! You're infuriating."

"You want me to be different about it?"

"Yes!... No. I..." His head hung. "I don't know what I want."

She lifted his head with a gentle slide on his chin with the blunt of her dagger. Her eyes steady on him. The fortification of her gaze filled his chest.

"No. No, I know what I want."

She nodded. Leaning forward to press her forehead to his. Closing her eyes. He took a shaky breath, then leaned into her.

"You're stronger than you know. You have everything you need. I'm glad to have helped you learn to use it." She hushed.

She made to pull away, but his hand caught the curve of her neck.

He breathed slowly, his cold breath tickled her lips. Ever so gently, he slid his face along hers. His lips grazing her cheek, her jaw, her ear. An exploring touch. So soft, but firm in its demand on the back of her neck.

She held still for him. Understanding that this wasn't for her. Allowing him to feel. Her breath a deep reassuring pull.

He slid forward on knees, his other hand pressed to her waist. Drawing her up onto knees with him.

His lips finally met the curve of her neck. Breathing deep into the scent she knew lay there.

He had fed from everywhere but her neck. She hadn't been sure if he was ready. She wasn't sure now, either.

He nuzzled into her, rubbing his face into the soft of her throat. Asking. Pleading.

How could she deny him when he was seeking from her like a starving kitten.

"Is this what you want?" She breathed. Only raising her arms to brace on his hips.

He drew further forward at her touch. Hips angled into her hands.

"Please." He urged into her skin. "Please let me."

"Not here." She whispered.

He scooped under her thighs, and jumped.

They landed on the ground, but she barely felt it. He was already sliding through air with her braced on hips over the hinge of his shoulder. Moving through the world as the river cuts through the mountain.

She smiled against his back.

He was getting stronger and stranger by the day.

Few things had brought her more joy than to train him in all the powers he already held. Kept from him in vile and meager blood. Hers fueled his body, and oh, how strong it was. How strong he was in its nourishing.

Showing him he was not helpless as a spawn. Far from it.

They fazed into his tent, far on the edge of camp. He laid her out on his bedroll in a near crash.

"Well, the dismount needs work." She teased, smiling up at him. Balanced on elbows.

His eyes shook with need, barely hearing her.

She sucked a breath, seeing the depth of it. Rising back onto knees, quickly pulling her top off. The air heavy with his desire. Meeting him fully in it.

He pulled at her clothes as she shed them, like she couldn't move fast enough. Pulling his own shirt off in a whip over his head. Hands returning to her, grasping the back of her head and the soft of her hip. Fingers splaying with a shaken breath. Feeling. Feeling without the pretense of her pleasure.

His hands traveled along her at his own desire. Drawing her to him. Already finding the softest parts of her. Under her breast, the curve of her waist. Pulling her leggings down in yanks to get to the crest of her thighs.

All the while taking her by the seat of her skull, held up to him. Lips circling, trying to find the best place to bite down. Breathing jagged into her throat.

Lust rolled in her belly. Being handled like this... like she was a thing to be felt and drank, nothing more. Something soft to take from.

He found her then. Licking a line on her jumping pulse point. Drawing it to the surface.

She stifled her moan, determined to hold for him. This wasn't about her. The soak of her sex heavy on the air.

He took one more deep breath of her, then tightened his grip on her head. Rearing back and biting down. It hurt. A lot. But she liked that. Her eyes rolled up under lids. Going limp like a good girl.

He moaned into her, his hand took up the curve of her ass. Pressing her hard to the ridge of his pelvis. His desire ground into her, sending her head back. Mouthing a 'fuck' to steady herself. The gulp of his throat against her clavicle obscene.

He ground into her against the floor of his tent, the push of his hips more and more insistent with each roll of his hips. Forcing her down with his body. Tremoring with quiet desire under the demand of him. Her blood spilled in gasps between them.

She rose her hand and tentatively cradled the back of his head.

He fell into her, huffing breath. Something snapped inside him.

Hooking under her thighs, he yanked her fully onto her back. Catching the curve of her underclothes and ripping them down. Pulling on her waist, sliding her flush to him. Never leaving the latch on her throat. Growling into the mess of blood. Locked on his prey.

She kicked her underclothes off, falling open for him. Untangling the ties on his breeches.

He huffed, knocking her hands back. She laid them flat on the bedroll obediently.

He finally released with a gasp of breath, licking her closed. Rising up above her on knees, wiping his mouth with the back of his hand. Staring down with glowing eyes. Towering over her like the fearsome force he was. Cut from marble and smeared with her.

"You're so beautiful." She breathed.

He leaned down, bracing on forearms around her head. His terrifying eyes took up her vision.

"Take what you need. It's yours." She whispered to him.

He shuddered breath. Eyes flashing with need again. Pressing a hand flat to her sternum, holding her down. Head trailing to lick up the curve of her breast. Gathering her hard nipple into his lips to suck.

Her back curled up, the pleasure pulling a strangled whimper from her. The shake of her body only made him pull harder. His tongue cupped the sensitive bundle, slurping into the suck. Her pelvis ached and twisted fruitless against him.

He drug the curve of his knuckles along her skin, leading down, down, down. Dancing along the ridge of her hip, the crease of her thigh. Mouth switching sides to her soft, untouched breast, the same he had fed above so long ago. The renewed pleasure raw in her. Swollen in it, writhing weakly against him.

His two fingers glided along the cleft of her sex. The slick gathered there coated the inner curve of his fingers. Sliding back and forth in his own leisure. Simply enjoying the sensation of the velvet spilling for him.

It was torture. She never wanted it to stop. But it did.

Taking her by the hips, he flipped her onto her belly. Hiking her hips up high. Squeezing the fat of her ass in both hands. Kneading the flesh as he undid his trousers.

She watched over her shoulder but turned her eyes down when his gaze cut into her. This wasn't for her. She nodded at his silent command and rose her hands above her head. Locking her wrist in a hand, she braced down on her shoulders. Waiting for him.

She could feel his smile behind her. Sliding fingers up and down her sex again. Fully teasing her now. Curious to see her breaking point.

But she had been well trained for this. She would not break under her desire.

He coated his cock in her slick with languidly indulgent strokes. Spreading his hand down her lower back. Enjoying the subjugation of her body poised under him. Waiting his command.

The fact that he wasn't speaking felt so much more salacious. The purr of his voice was a weapon, and he didn't need it here. So he couldn't be bothered.

Taking the curve of her waist, he lined up behind her. The head of his cock trained at her soaked entrance. She nearly whimpered but held her tongue. Only her hands tightened above her. Her nipples grazing the blankets under her just added torment.

He pushed in so slowly, sighing out a breath behind her. Her cunt already clenching desperately around him and he was barely in. Her body screamed past her trained silence. And he laughed. Driving forward, so agonizing slow. Mean in his power.

The stretch was unbelievable, sending her eyes lost into her skull. Shuddering down into herself. All the lead up of his torment primed her to unravel right there. Her orgasm raw and tempting in her. But she would not break.

Then, he finally spoke. Voice not a purr or laced with honey. Nearly a threat.

"You're being so good. Let's see how far we can push that."

She bit into her lip. Cunt clenching hard.

"Oh, I bet I can break you."

He gathered her hair in his fist as he thrust, twisting it around his knuckles in a tight wind. Pulling her head back in an arch. His voice against her ear. Hot breath, hot with her blood, a wave against the sensitive hairs.

"You want me to go faster?"

She shuddered, his hips rolling into her. Strokes pulling pleasure from her in a tortuous slow rhythm.

"Deeper?"

He picked up speed despite his words. The tight pull of her cunt too much.

"Anything you want." She moaned.

"That's right." He growled, rising back again. Taking her hips in the strength of his grip. "Whatever I want."

He slammed into her, huffing out breath. His pace punishing in its drive. Uninterested in her pleasure, chasing only his down. A wolf crashing through thicket towards a rabbit.

She was lost. Eyes fully glazed over. Rocking forward in his thrusts. Limp in his wrath. Orgasm tight around her throat. Squeezing tighter and tighter by the second. Cutting off her airway in choked cries.

"Cum. Now."

She cried out, hands scrambling above her head. Not ready so soon. Writhing under him, her body tightened and released over and over. Pleasure so terrible it clawed inside her, ripping and ripping.

He thrust harder into her. The vice grip clenches of her walls demanding him to release. To fill her. But he didn't.

"Beg. Beg me to finish."

She didn't think he would. The overstimulation nearly unbearable, pushing higher and higher into another release. She hoped he wouldn't.

"Please. It's too much." She cried.

"Oh, is it?" He laughed. "I think you're lying."

"I want you to cum. I need it." She urged, body tightening again. Another orgasm poised on his word.

"Hm, you are being so good for me. Such a soft toy for me to fuck."

She buckled down into herself. Nearly cumming again.

"Did I say you could cum?" He growled.

"No, saer."

She had never been a truly willing participant in this kind of game before. It was making her delirious to respond to his demands like this.

"Beg."

"Please!"

"Again. Louder."

"Please cum Astarion!"

At the call of his name, he finally unraveled behind her.

He stifled his cry in his throat. Tremoring into the chopped thrusts he forced into her. Fingertips digging painful into her hips. Breathing in hard gasps that bordered on whimpers through the bite of his lip. Filling her to her brim, running river down the back of her thighs. Her own cum soaked along his.

And still he thrusted. His vampiric stamina a terribly powerful force.

"Are you going to cum again?" His voice almost sweet against her back.

She nodded. Eyes tightly clenched. Well beyond words.

"Good girl. You've been so sweet to me tonight."

His hand rose under her to press the pads of his fingers into her clit.

"Cum for me."

She buckled again. Curling her head in, body tensing up into a bow. His fingers pressing tight perfect circles, his cock sliding slow into the place that undid her. Orgasm pulling her apart. Breaking her down to her crude materials. Nearly blacking out while his lips grazed her shoulder in soft kisses.

It released her in a heap on the ground. Gasping out.

His fangs punctured her shoulder, supping slowly. Humming out his pleasure. Hand sliding under her chest to brace her along her sternum.

"You taste divine like this." He murmured. Licking up her sweat with the blood that trickled down her back. "So delicious. How are you so delicious?"

"I do have other qualities than a meal."

"Oh, I know. You're pretty terrifying. Especially like this."

He lifted under her waist and let her drop limp again.

"I should kill you."

"I don't think you can right now. But I encourage you to try." He laughed.

She twisted and caught him around the shoulders. Pulling him down to her chest. Cupping the back of his head to her.

"I could smother you."

"Oh, do go on."

She carded her fingers through his hair. Still damp with sweat. His body settled weight on her.

"I could snap your neck with my thighs."

"I'd love that. A dream of mine."

His hands slid under her, cupping her shoulder blades. Turning his head against her breast. His lashes tickled as they closed.

"I still have a stake nearby."

"Do you? What about holy water?"

His voice started to drift. Legs gently woven in hers. Body loosened into her.

"I'll drink some tomorrow."

"Oh, that'll burn."

His voice a hush. Falling away. Sleep sliding along him in waves.

"I'm proud of you." She whispered into the crown of his head, just as he fell to sleep. "I'm so proud of you, Astarion."

His breath the even tide of deep rest. Tears dripped so gentle onto her clavicle.

~

[angelispunk222]

it’s nice to have a friend!

joel miller x sweet girl y/n ୨ৎ

warning - fluff!!! super cute!!

-

joel miller wasn’t much of a talker. his rugged exterior and tough demeanor often kept people at bay. but for some reason, Y/N was different. she was a ray of sunshine in a world that seemed perpetually overcast, her laughter like the tinkling of wind chimes on a breezy day. joel found himself drawn to her warmth, despite his efforts to keep his distance.

It was late afternoon when Joel pulled up to Y/N’s house, his truck rumbling softly as the countryside wind started to pick up. she’d called him earlier, her voice trembling with the weight of stress and worry. he didn’t need to ask twice before offering to take her on a drive—anything to see her smile again.

Y/N climbed into the passenger seat, immediately giving joel a gentle kiss. her eyes red-rimmed but brightening at the sight of him. “hey, joel!” she greeted, her voice soft yet hopeful.

“hey, darlin’,” Joel replied, his voice rough but tender. “figured we could use a little escape, huh sweet pea?”

she nodded, a small blushing smile playing on her lips “yeah, that sounds perfect.” she holds back a giggle of excitement

as they drove out of the city, the scenery transformed from concrete and steel to rolling hills and open fields. joel glanced over at Y/N occasionally, her face relaxed as she took in the view. The song playing on the radio was soft, almost as if it was serenading their journey.

“so, what’s been on your mind hun?” Joel asked, his tone gentle and warm.

y/n sighed, resting her head against the window. “just…everything. work’s been tough, and I feel like I’m constantly running on empty. I needed this, Joel. I needed to just…breathe..it’s tough when i’m alone, ya know? mind constantly fills up with all these thoughts..and.”

Joel reached over, his hand finding hers and giving it a reassuring squeeze. “I’m here for you, Y/N. always. just call me over whenever you want sweet pea. you know i could be a grump sometimes,huh? but i can still take care of ya. isn’t that right?”

She looked at him, her eyes shimmering with unshed tears. “thank you, joel. you don’t know how much that means to me.” she almost breaks down into a sob because of how gentle joel is being with her..knowing no one else could ever treat her with such kindness.

joel pulled over at a scenic overlook, noticing you being in the midst of your breakdown, he put the car in park and pulled you into his lap. as he wraps his arms around you he whispers “it’s okay sweet girl.. just don’t cry for me hun, okay?everything will be just fine sweet thang’ i swear to you..no doubt about it.”

she nods her head, wiping the tears away from her eyes and softly kisses joel. “i love you joel, please never go away..promise?” joel looks up at the girl with the vulnerable sweet eyes and just smiles at her exclaiming “of course my love, i love you”

“c’mon, let’s stretch our legs,” he suggested, his voice softer than usual. joel placed the girl on the passenger seat. shutting his door, and running to the other side to open it for y/n before she beats him to it.

y/n followed him to the edge of the overlook, the gentle breeze tugging at her hair. She closed her eyes, taking a deep breath and letting the stress of the past weeks melt away.

“It’s beautiful here,” she murmured.

joel nodded, his eyes not on the view but on her. “yeah, it is.”

she turned to him, a playful smile on her lips. “you’re not even looking at the view, joel.”

he chuckled, the sound rumbling in his chest. “i am. just’ a different one i suppose’ huh?”

y/n blushed, the warmth in her cheeks spreading to her heart. she reached up, cupping his face in her hands. “you’re a good man, joel miller.”

he leaned into her touch, his eyes closing briefly. “only because of you, y/n.”

they stood there, wrapped in each other’s arms, as the sun dipped below the horizon. In that moment, all the stress and worries of the world seemed to vanish, replaced by the simple, profound joy of being together.

as they made their way back to the truck, Y/N slipped her hand into Joel’s, their fingers intertwining. It was a small gesture, but it spoke volumes. they didn’t need words to express what they felt. Sometimes, it was just nice to have a friend—and in each other, they’d found so much more.

the end!

tell me what you think as always ;)

[otomehoneyybearr]

Kagari Amagase

Be My Lover, Be My Beast

Ch1 | Ch2 | Sweet | Premium | Epilogue| Bonus

Warning: Mention of blood

The second prince of Kogyoku, a country known for its tumultuous times and night cherry blossoms, is feared as a "demon" due to his love for battle. He’s always calm and composed, making it impossible to read what he’s thinking.

That’s why I wanted to know—the true nature of the fierce heat that occasionally flickers in his emerald eyes.

Merchant: "Oh... Oh no."

Emma: "Is something wrong?"

One day, after finishing my duties as Belle, I visited Kogyoku, where the cherry blossoms bloom all year round, along with the bookstore owner.

A merchant who had come to the inn where I was staying at to deliver a book I had ordered, showed me a package with a troubled look on his face.

Merchant: "The truth is, I thought your book was the last item to deliver today, but I just realized there’s still one more left."

Merchant: "If I deliver it now, I’ll keep an important client of mine waiting in the neighboring town, and that’s something I want to avoid..."

Emma: "If you’d like, I can deliver it for you."

Merchant: "What? But..."

Emma: "I’ve been wanting to thank you for always recommending such wonderful products, so please let me help!"

Merchant: "…Thank you, honestly, I appreciate it. The delivery location is somewhere you’ve been to before, so you should be fine."

Emma: "A place I’ve been to before?"

(Indeed, I’ve been here before.)

The delivery location was a grand castle standing proudly on a hill, with distinctive red tiles.

(It's strange how familiar this place feels... Oh, I remember, I’ve crossed paths with him here before...)

I glance down at the package I was holding carefully.

(It’s heavier than it looks... I wonder what’s inside.)

(Oh...)

When I lifted my head to climb the stairs, I noticed a figure at the very top.

Although they had their back turned to me, the fiery red hair tied in a braid told me who they were.

Emma: "Prince Kagari..."

(Huh? ...This scent...)

What wafted past my nose was the fleeting scent of cherry blossoms mixed with the thick smell of iron, as if to erase the former.

Kagari: "Princess, your timing is as bad as ever."

(...)

When Prince Kagari turned around, his clothes were splattered with dark red patterns.

As soon as I realized what it was, my body temperature plummeted.

Emma: "A-Are you injured...?"

Kagari: "Don’t worry, it’s just blood."

(So all of that... is someone else’s blood...)

A different kind of fear crawled up from my spine.

Kogyoku is known as a war-torn land, where battles are an everyday occurrence.

Prince Kagari had stood on the battlefield since he was young, achieving countless victories.

His overwhelming strength has earned him the fearsome title of "demon," something I was told about even before coming to Kogyoku.

(I first met him when he saved me from being attacked by bandits, but...)

(Even though he had saved me, when I encounter situations like this, I can’t help but feel my legs trembling.)

Kagari: "Do you need something from me?"

Emma: "Yes."

Kagari: "…Speak from there."

Kagari: "You can at least manage that much, can’t you?"

(Did I have a tense expression on my face?)

(...No, I can’t be scared over something like this.)

Though his words were blunt, the concern hidden within them gradually calmed my racing heart.

(I’m the one who decided to come to this country, knowing it would be dangerous.)

I steeled myself and started moving my feet again, standing beside Prince Kagari.

And the moment I looked up at his expressionless emerald eyes—

(Huh...?)

Kagari: "You’re quite the brave one, Princess. But don't complain if the scent rubs off on you."

A red-gloved hand covered touched my neck.

In a situation where it felt like my life was being held in someone else’s hands, I almost forgot how to breathe.

Kagari: "Didn’t you consider that I might be on edge after returning from battle?"

Emma: "I... I don’t think you’re the type of person who would take out their frustrations on innocent people."

(If he were, he wouldn’t have taken the trouble to keep me from getting too close to him when I was scared.)

The hand that had been gripping my neck easily let go, allowing me to steady my shallow breath.

Kagari: "You’re right. If I were to take it out on someone, it would probably be one of my attendants."

(I feel sorry them...)

Kagari: "Don’t worry. There’s nothing to gain from killing you... for now."

Emma: "Is there a chance that could change?"

Kagari: "Who knows?"

(That’s ominous...)

Kagari: "So, what do you need from me?"

I handed Prince Kagari the package.

Emma: "I brought this package addressed to you from a merchant."

Kagari: "Why you?"

Emma: "It just turned out that way. The merchant was worried he wouldn’t make his next appointment on time if he delivered it himself."

Kagari: "I see. So you offered to deliver it for him?"

Kagari: "You’ve been made to work for free, you kind-hearted Princess."

Emma: "...That’s not a very pleasant way to put it."

Kagari: "It’s the truth. Deal with it."

Kagari: "....."

After receiving the package, Prince Kagari seemed to think for a moment, then looked back at me.

Kagari: "Thank you for going to the trouble. I appreciate it."

Emma: "It was nothing. Well then, I’ll be on my way..."

Emma: "......... Um, Prince Kagari?"

Kagari: "What is it?"

Emma: "I can’t leave if you’re holding onto my arm."

(And he’s got a pretty firm grip; I can’t even move.)

Prince Kagari’s expression remained unreadable as he looked down at me, as usual, making it impossible to know what he was thinking or feeling.

Kagari: "Don’t you want some dorayaki?"

Emma: "Dorayaki? Not particularly..."

Kagari: "I do. I’m going to change, so wait here."

Emma: "Huh? Wait, Prince Kagari... And he’s gone."

(Why dorayaki all of a sudden? And without even asking about my plans... Well, I don’t really have any, so it’s fine.)

(If I go home now, he’ll probably come after me...)

(Prince Kagari is still as abrupt and forceful as ever.)

After changing with frightening speed, Prince Kagari and I were soon riding in a carriage to a sweets shop in the neighboring town.

.....

Emma: "Matcha, sakura, strawberry, chestnut, butter... There are so many options. Do you have a recommendation, Prince Kagari?"

Kagari: "All of them."

Emma: "...That doesn’t make it easier."

The sweet aroma of freshly baked dorayaki filled the air, making it hard to resist.

I kept scanning the menu from top to bottom, but I couldn’t decide.

(They all look so good... I’m leaning towards the classic red bean paste. But the butter one sounds interesting too.)

(No, since I’m in Kogyoku, I should probably go with the sakura flavor!)

Kagari: "Shopkeeper, one red bean paste with butter and one sakura, please."

Shopkeeper: "Got it, just a moment."

Emma: "...Did it show on my face?"

Kagari: "Your eyes are more honest than your mouth, Princess."

(It’s hard to hide anything from Prince Kagari.)

(Let’s see... The sakura dorayaki costs...…)

As I reached for my wallet, Prince Kagari suddenly grabbed my hand, stopping me.

With efficient movements, he used his other hand to pay the shopkeeper and took both dorayaki.

Kagari: "Too bad, I already paid."

Kagari: "Consider it as thanks for delivering the package."

(I see, so that’s why he brought me here.)

Emma: "Thank you. Then I’ll accept your offer and enjoy it."

(Woah...)

Still holding onto my hand, Prince Kagari led me to a nearby bench and had me sit down.

When I took the dorayaki he offered, the warmth of the freshly baked treat gently eased my heart.

Prince Kagari sat down beside me—and for some reason— turned to face me.

Kagari: "Princess, would you like to split the butter dorayaki with me?"

Emma: "Were you having trouble deciding too?"

Kagari: "...Something like that."

(Is he really fond of dorayaki?)

It was so unexpected that I couldn’t help but smile at the cuteness of it.

Emma: "I’d be happy to share. I was actually torn between the sakura and butter, so this makes me happy."

●●●●●● Flashback ●●●●●●

Kagari: "Your eyes are more honest than your mouth, Princess."

●●●●●● Flashback End ●●●●●●

(Wait…. Did he order the butter dorayaki because he noticed I was struggling to decide between the two...?)

Kagari: "Here, Princess."

Emma: "Ah, sorry. I’ll split mine too."

I carefully broke the dorayaki in half and exchanged pieces with him.

(The slightly melted butter bean paste and the beautifully pink sakura bean paste... Which should I try first?)

(Which one did Prince Kagari start with?)

Kagari: "…That was good."

(What, he’s already finished!? It’s only been a few seconds!)

Ignoring my surprise, Prince Kagari stood up and spoke to the shopkeeper.

Kagari: "One more red bean paste dorayaki, please."

Shopkeeper: "Got it, coming right up."

(So... he didn’t suggest splitting because I was undecided; he just wanted more dorayaki for himself.)

(I never imagined Prince Kagari loved dorayaki THIS much.)

Prince Kagari sat down next to me again and, without changing his expression, began eating his dorayaki with complete focus.

(I still can’t quite read what he’s thinking, but from the way he looked out for me at the castle and thanked me with dorayaki...)

(He’s probably a kind person at heart.)

(Ah…. Both flavors were amazing.)

After finishing the dorayaki, a contented sigh escaped my lips without me realizing it.

Kagari: "Was it good, Princess?"

Emma: "Yes, very! They were so delicious; I’d love to try every flavor now."

As I nodded, his emerald eyes narrowed slightly in satisfaction.

Kagari: "I see. Then I’ll treat you again."

Kagari: "So, please be my lover."

Next

▼・ᴥ・▼

[renren-006]

Angel | Daryl x nieve! reader!

plot: Daryls pinning after naive reader

A/N: from @madzzz07097 request they had mentioned neive reader and Daryl so here's the fic for that. I loved your ideas btw thank you sooo much for requesting them! more daryl to come!

taglist: @rosecentury

(I don't condone smoking cigarettes  but for sake of story its added)

You were nieve for being just a couple years younger than Daryl, although like Beth you had been sheltered for a lot of your life. The two of you often bonded over that, the younger girl taking a strong liking to you. Maggie, after seeing her sister's fondness, also became close friends with you. Maggie and yourself were similar in age and talked constantly about their lives growing up. 

“I remember when I was 16 I snuck out, I think my dad just about lost his mind�� Maggie told you, passing the cigarette back to you. 

“I didn't sneak out till I was 18, trying to go see my boyfriend. After the look on my fathers face when I jumped down from my room, I never did that again” the laughter floated through the air. It was mid afternoon and the two of you quit your working for the day to sit out and relax. The others were either working or doing the same. 

Daryl had his eyes on you from beside his bike. He had been working on it for a few hours when you and Maggie ventured out into the yard to smoke and laugh. He hated that you were smoking, he wanted to keep your youthfulness intact. 

“Y'all shouldn't be smokin” Daryl said, causing your head to turn towards the redneck. 

“Shut up D” Maggie said, causing you to laugh slightly before you saw the scowl on his face. You looked back at the cig in your hand and buried it in the ground. 

“Damn it y/n! That was the last one” Maggie cursed. Daryl's eyes were wide, shocked that you put out the cigarette. You were not the type to snap at him, nor be snarky, but for some reason he assumed you would give him shit for telling you to do something. It shocked you that you let his words flow over you and take control. 

“He's right.” you told Maggie, “Shouldn't be smoking. Not in this dead world anyways” 

“Fine! fine!” Maggie said brushing your words off, “I'll just trade for some later. Smoke without you”

“You should get Glen to go with you” you told her, causing her to jump up with a blush on her face and stomp off. Maggie was the one to give it back, not you.  

“How's your bike coming?” You asked one day. He was out in the yard working on it again. 

“It's alright,” he said. The hot sun beat down on both of you, it was obvious that Daryl was beginning to feel the effects of the hot sun.

“Want to take a break for a bit?” You asked him, His eyes glanced back up at you. Your hands were up trying to cover the rays of sun from your eyes. It wasn't helping much. Darly glanced from the bike to you and back again, slowly nodding and standing up.

“Stupid things pissin’ me off anyway,” he said. You laughed a little and turned to walk back up the hill to the prison. It had begun to get hotter as the summer threw its full force in Georgia. The hotter days meant that some of you would only work in the early mornings and leave when the height of the heat hit in the afternoon. You typically would get up early and work outside in the gardens in the morning, occasionally joined by Beth or Carl, and would wrap things up by mid-afternoon. That was when you typically would try and drag Daryl back inside to keep him from getting heat stroke. You cared for him and the big crush you had on the redneck didn't help. 

Daryl watched your back as you made the climb back to the indoors. He knew he was beginning to catch feelings for you, it didn't take much for him to feel comfortable around you. With your sweet words and comfort you offered him Darly fell hard and fast during those years at the prison. Soaking up the days you would quit your work just to pull him inside away from the sun. 

You were never the type to snap, at least not for the first couple of years Daryl knew you. Once the prison fell and everyone got split up, you grew up a bit. When you found the others again and Daryl saw you, he could see that you sharpened up a bit. You still did not snap at people, but you were better about letting people walk all over you.  

“Hey” the gruff voice of Daryl pulled you back to the harsh road that stretched in front of you. You glanced up, realising you had been gone for a bit. 

“Hey”

“You alright’?” he asked, his head tilted slightly to catch your eyes. You nodded your head. 

“Just tired” you told him, not entirely meaning just from exhaustion. You were tired of a lot of things

“Ain't we all,” he said with a laugh. “I…understand,” he said, coughing away the fake laugh and realizing you didn't need to be cheered up, you just needed someone who would understand what you were going through. No fake words. 

“I knew you would” 

“How hard was it?” the road alone, with no one there, Daryl wanted to add that last bit on the end but figured by the look on your face you knew what he meant. 

“Don't” you said harshly. Daryl looked down at you again. He was shocked he had poked a nerve. 

“That bad”

“I said dont Daryl” you rushed ahead of him, joining some of the others and keeping your head down. Darly could see that you were realising the world's hate and truths now. You were not the naive girl you were before. 

Alexandria brought out that young and free side of you again, Daryl was more than happy to see it. While Carol had her part she played for the community, Darly knew that your part wasn't faked at all. You smiled at the town's residents, helped with guard duty and were ecstatic when you could get out of the community for a few hours on a run. Daryl saw how the others looked at you, especially some of the men. You never saw it, didn't pay too much attention to the men that had lived here for years. Darly knew that even without you telling him, your eyes always focused on him. Rick had shaped up Daryl a few times since living in Alexandria reminding him of your feelings that were never hidden. It took Daryl a few weeks to piece the puzzle together with your feelings and heart eyes for the redneck. You, on the other hand, were as naive as when you first met Daryl, oblivious to his feelings and knowledge of the reciprocation. 

Daryl's constant acts to keep the other boys away slowly caught your attention. There was one day in particular that made everything clear for you. It was another day that you got to leave the confines of the Alexandrian walls to the outside world.  You were getting ready to head out with Daryl when one of the men walked over. Daryl put himself between the two of you, un-noticed by you.

“I just came to talk to her”

“Yea? Walk away” Daryl said harshly

“D” you said, putting your hand up, “What's up Flynn?”

“I wanted to talk to you alone?” “I'm sure whatever it is can be said here” you told him, “We have to head out”

“Why don't you go out with me instead?” “I'm sorry Flynn I can't,” you told him. Your face told Daryl you were uncomfortable by the man in front of you. He wanted to punch him out for making you feel that way. “No no I mean like a date, do that with me instead of…that” He said, stepping closer to you. Daryl thought you were clueless about his intentions, seeing the hungry eyes from Flynn made his own skin crawl

“Like I said i’m good” you told him, “Come on Daryl”

“Bitch, I wasn't asking” Flynn swore, almost reaching out to you. 

“She told ya know man” Daryl said, “she's mine, leave her ‘lone” and put his arm behind you pushing you towards the bike. You grabbed his hand and followed behind towards the bike, backpack in hand. 

“So I'm yours hu?” you asked. Darly stopped walking once h e was next to the bike. 

“Time you noticed” “Oh?” you asked, climbing on the bike, jousting slightly once Darly hopped on too. “Okay”

“Okay?” “What? You think I don't want to be yours?” you asked. “Nah I know you want to be,” Daryl said grinning as he took you two out of the community on your run. It was an understatement to say it was the best afternoon and day you have had in a while.

[xetlynn]

Twilight- Youngest Shadow: Chapter Five, Sick Days

(Alice X Reader X Jasper)

[four] [five] [six]

Since it’s getting warmer students around me are wearing shorter clothing even though it’s barely sixty degrees.

And collectively we all sit outside for lunch today, but of course it’s the one day I got sick. Plus on our big game day and due to my fever that keeps growing I’m going to have to leave school early and miss out on maybe being in the newspaper.

“He’s not here.” Jessica says, startling me as everything makes me jumpy from how shitty I feel. “Whenever the weather is nice the Cullens disappear.”

“They just ditch?” Bella asks, not understanding.

“No, Dr, and Mrs Cullen yank em out for hiking and camping and stuff. I tried the idea out on my parents, no even close.” Jessica sighs. Bella takes it all in and I cough earning a look from Jessica who was sitting on the ground. I just put my head down.

“I’m going to the prom with Eric! I just asked him, I took control!” Angela jumps on the table in between Bella and I, hugging my sister as I lift my head back up to smile. “That’s amazing,” my voice is hoarse and I cough as it strains my throat.

“Oh, [Name] are you okay?”

“She’s running a fever and her throat is bothering her.” Bella explains for me that and I’m internally grateful for it. “I’m sorry.” Angela says, rubbing my back then talking to Bella again.

She ends up keeping a hand on my back which feels nice. I repeatedly keep shivering from occasional breezes.

“Are you sure you have to go out of town?” Angela asks Bella, “it’s a family thing, [Name] is staying though.” I put my thumbs up to confirm that.

“Oh my god, we need to hit the stores in Port Angeles before the dresses get cleaned out.” Jessica gasps,

“Port Angeles?” Bella asks, “can I go with you guys?”

My face scrunches even though they can’t see it, Bella? Dress shopping? If only I wasn’t sick I would love to see this.

“Thank god, we need your opinion.” Angela says.

I end up leaving right after lunch, sneaking past school staff to get to my motorcycle I luckily got back from Jacob yesterday. I tried calling my dad but it just rang through, I’m guessing something is going on to where he can’t answer.

I take my helmet out of Bella’s truck bed and roughly tug it on my head. I lazily try to put my leg over the bike, almost falling so I hold on to the truck. Giving myself a minute as I feel dizzy. A horn honks, scaring me to the point where I hear my heart beat thump in my chest.

“[Name]! What are you doing?”

Alice? Wasn’t she supposed to be hiking or some shit? I go to talk but my tongue feels too big for my mouth. I take a deep breath. “I don’t feel good, I’m trying to get home.” I try to say as loud as I can, even then doesn’t feel loud enough.

“Want me to take you home?” She goes to reach over and I shake my head. “I gotta get my bike home somehow.” I take a few steps closer to her car. “I’ll have Jasper bring it over.” She smiles, I tilt my head, squinting as I looked at her.

Get into her car? Or drive home myself?

“Where do I put my keys?” I jingle them too close to my face. “Hide them on Bella’s truck tire, closest to the bike.” She instructs me and I drag my feet back over to my bike, doing as told. I then take my helmet off, putting it on the bike for Jasper.

I climb into her car as if it were a hill. Accidentally slamming the door behind me. “Sorry, thank you.”

My body faces her, I watch as she drives, wearing sunglasses. She glances at me and sadly smiles. “You should’ve stayed home.”

“I know.” I mumble,

After moments pass it felt like milliseconds and we’re already at my house. “Alright, we should get you inside and you need to lay down.” She unbuckles herself, going around the car and opening my door as I am pretty slow with my movements. “My body is aching.” I try to laugh at myself but I just end up in a coughing fit.

She puts a hand on my waist and she walks me to the door, making me feel more fragile than I actually am. “There’s a um house key under the uh mat.” I tell her and she bends down to grab it.

Opening the door I trip inside. We go over to the living room and i plop down, accidentally bringing her with me. I feel how cold she really is and I shiver from the touch. She giggles and stands back up.

“Let me call Jasper and I’ll find you something small to eat and medicine.” She boops my nose, leaving me to be alone as she heads towards the kitchen.

It didn’t take long for her to come back with crackers and a few pills laid next to me on the arm of the couch. “Jasper should be here soon. Do you want to watch something?” Alice sits next to me and I shrug. “I’ll get you sick. You should go enjoy time with your family.” I take a cracker from its wrapping and bite it. She smiles, shaking her head. “It’s quite alright, it’s nothing I haven’t done already. I’ll stay until your dad or sister gets back.” She informs me and if I wasn’t so sick I would be bombarding with questions.

I hear an engine rev outside and I jump unnoticeably from the noise. Alice stands up and I look down at lol the crumbs I have on my shirt.

The front door opens and I see Jasper putting my helmet and keys down. “Here you should take the medicine.” Alice tells me.

“How do I know you’re not drugging me?” I rebuttals and she scoffs with a smirk laid upon her lips. “What would I gain from that?” She teases, handing me a water bottle. “I don’t know, you could rob me.” I hum, looking at her through half lidded eyes.

“Sweetheart, I could’ve already did that by now.”

I shrug, stretching my arms and sitting up. “What’s the medicine?” I simply ask. “Ibuprofen. That’s it. I couldn’t find cold medicine or anything.” She tells me, I nod, expecting that from Charlie.

“Why are you guys helping me?” I look between the both of them.

“We want to help a friend.” Alice grins, i squint my eyes at her response.

“Seriously, we will leave if that’s what you wish.” Jasper finally speaks up. My eyes follow to him. “What if that is what I wish?” I say in a snarky tone.

“Then we will listen. We don’t want to over stay our welcome.” He winks and I’m caught off guard.

“I just want to sleep. I have too many questions that I don’t feel like will be answered.” I go to stand up and they try to help but I smack their hands away. “I got it. I barely know you two I don’t get this.” I aggressively motion between the three of us.

“What do you mean, [Name]?” Alice asks, both of them wear a worried expression. “Why can’t you guys go to the Quiluete beach? Or or.. why when it’s sunny your parents just decide to take you out of school?” My throat starts hurting worse from before, the strain from me yelling doesn’t help. I almost go into another coughing fit but luckily the feeling goes away but I am definitely feeling a shortness of breath.

“[Name], you should take a nap and when you wake up, if you feel better we will answer everything you want to know.” Alice assures me.

I huff, wanting to scream from how confused I feel.

“I want you both to… to leave!” I get extremely dizzy just like before, my knees giving out, Jasper immediately helps me. Grabbing onto my arms as I hold onto his. “You need to go to sleep.” He whispers, “your skin, it’s so cold.” I tell him, he presses his lips together, glancing at Alice.

He sets me back down on the couch and I lay down. “I don’t want to wake up to you guys here.” I mutter, loud enough for them to hear though.

My eyes open to darkness, and blankets over me. I feel around and I’m in my bed. I hear whispers next to me, weight on my bed beside me. It feels like my fever has also just disappeared.

“You’re up.” A voice says softly. I jerk up in response. “Why are you two still here!?” I sternly question them, getting up to my knees on the bed, backing away from both of them.

“You’re still upset?” Alice frowns and I tilt my head. “Duh, I’m still upset! I told you both two leave, you said if I told you to leave you would. Um so seems like the problem can easily be solved.” I remind them.

“We did leave, we came back when we realized nobody would make sure you were going to be okay for a while, darling.” Jasper tells me and I sit there for a moment. I shake my head. “Don’t give me a lame ass excuse. Just explain everything I want to know then leave.” I straight up tell them, tired of this game I feel like I’m in.

“I feel like you know everything already.” Alice points out. I take a deep breath.

“Why won’t you just say it?”

“To protect you.” Jasper steps closer and this time I don’t flinch away. “Maybe I don’t need nor want your protection.” I cross my arms.

“Why me? None of this makes sense.” I tiredly laugh, I feel like I’m going insane.

“You’re our person, [Name]. You’re like a metal and we’re your personal magnets. A missing piece you never knew you needed. You’re just stubborn.” Jasper sits down on the bed, pulling Alice with him. Both take my hands and for some reason they aren’t cold anymore…

And then I really wake up from what felt like a nightmare. “[Name]! You home!?” Bella calls and I look around, confused about what I just experienced. Pinching myself underneath my blanket. It’s real. And with this being real. They really did bring me to my bedroom.

“What’s going on?” I mumble, rubbing my eyes. “Dad wanted me to check in on you. I don’t know if you heard.” She comes up to my bed, sitting down next to me. “What happened?”

“One of his buddy’s, Waylon passed away. Attacked by an animal.” She tells me and my eyes widen. Not expecting that of all things.

She hands me a pepper spray. “Dad also wanted me to give you that.”

I furrow my eyebrows in response and she chuckles dryly. “He gave me one too, twins.” She shows me hers and I smile.

“Is he okay?”

“He’s okay as anyone could be in his position.” She shrugs and I nod, that makes sense. “Did you happen to pass by Alice or Jasper at all… today?”

Her body tensed from the question.

“Not.. Alice or Jasper. Why?” She adjusts herself better to face me.

“They took me home earlier, gave me medicine.” I explain and Bella shoots me a weird look.

“They were here?” I nod

“How was dress shopping?” I change the subject not wanting to think about the dream I had.

“Eh, I bumped into Edward.” And I smirk.

“Stop it.” She rolls her eyes.

Then it was silence between us. And as she goes to stand up I grab her wrist. “Wait, i um have a question.”

“Yeah?”

“Do you feel something.. off about the Cullens?” I bite the inside of my mouth, waiting for her answer.

“You feel it too?” She whispers,

“You heard about the Quiluete story?” I question.

“Jacob told me the other day.” She nods.

“Okay, I’m not the only one then.” I sigh, taking her hand. “I had a weird dream. I just I need to find out what all of this means.” I exclaim.

“That’s how I feel. I bought a um book. From the library down in Port Angeles.” She reaches down and I didn’t even know but she placed a book bag down there before getting on my bed.

She comes back up with a heavy old looking book.

“Sleepover?”

“I’m still sick, Bells.”

“I don’t care, scoot.” I do as told and we lean against the wall, I grab my laptop bed we use that light as a resource to look through the book.

Pages of masked creatures, menacing looking.

We then turn to the another page, this time it was a white mask with black eyes and a row of sharp teeth. “The cold one.” It read.

I quickly sign in to my laptop, searching that up, immediately getting beer pop ups on my screen. I irritatedly close them. “Look.” Bella points on the screen, it was a link to “The Cold One: Apotamkin.” I click on it.

Pictures begin to load of a seductive Apotamkin with his ice blue skin, devouring victims in tapestries, engravings. The creatures that are horrific portrayed to be beautiful.

Demons attacking villages; perfectly sculpted predators luring innocent women.

“All of this is gruesome murder and sexual innuendos.” I whisper.

Words at the bottom say:

Speed, strength, cold skinned, immortal… blood drinker…

I close my eyes for a brief second. Thinking about how Edward moved fast when Bella was in the accident, how he stopped a whole van. I never really questioned it before but now… I don’t know. How Alice knew where my house was… I never told her. How they all look young and are cold to the touch.

Another picture shows and it’s a man biting a white neck.

“It’s not possible.” Bella shared a look a with me, both of us struggling to make sense of it all.

Chapter five!!!

Also I’m going to start doing short Imagines! So if you want to request anything feel free!

[arthurhillmastermind]

Anyone but him | Arthur Hill

“Same Building , same friends, zero patience for each other. For now.”

Kirstie stood in the doorway of her new flat, surveying the chaos of boxes stacked high around her. Sunlight streamed through the windows, illuminating the fresh coat of paint and the potential of the space, but the overwhelming mess felt like a mountain to climb. She took a deep breath, steeling herself for the task ahead.

“Okay, let’s tackle this,” she said to herself, rolling up her sleeves. Just then, the door swung open, and Chris bounded in, a wide grin plastered on his face.

“Look at you, all settled in! Ready to transform this place into your streaming paradise?” he teased, dropping a box beside her with a soft thud.

“More like a war zone,” Kirstie laughed, glancing around. “But I’ll take any help I can get.”

“Don’t worry, I’m here to save the day!” Chris proclaimed dramatically, hoisting another box from the car. “You’ve got snacks, right? This is going to be a long haul.”

“Of course! But you’ll have to earn them first,” Kirstie replied, mock-seriously, as she grabbed a box of kitchen supplies and headed for the kitchen.

They worked in comfortable silence, chatting occasionally about the best placement for her gaming setup and her hopes for her new place. The more they unpacked, the more Kirstie felt the weight of change lifting. She was excited about this new chapter in her life.

As Chris headed back out to grab another load, Kirstie decided to take a break and check her phone. Just as she was scrolling through her messages, she heard footsteps approaching. She glanced up, expecting Chris, but instead, she found herself face-to-face with Arthur, Chris’s roommate.

He leaned against the door frame, a casual but undeniably confident posture. His dark hair fell just above his eyes, and he had an expression that was equal parts amused and disinterested. Kirstie felt her heart rate spike—not from attraction, but from annoyance.

“Hey, new neighbour,” he said, his voice dripping with sarcasm. “Nice to see you’ve already made a mess of the place.”

Kirstie’s lips tightened as she fought the urge to roll her eyes. “Yeah, well, it’s called having a life. Maybe you should try it sometime instead of lurking in your own flat.”

Arthur raised an eyebrow, clearly unfazed by her retort. “I wouldn’t want to interrupt your little party. Are you planning to invite anyone over, or is it just you and your boxes?”

“Is there a rule that says I need to have a social event just because I moved in?” she shot back, crossing her arms defiantly. “I prefer to keep my circle small, thanks.”

He chuckled softly, as if she were the punchline to a joke only he understood. “Guess you’ll have to get used to it, then. This building’s basically a reality show waiting to happen. You might want to invite the neighbours over eventually—might help with the loneliness.”

Kirstie felt irritation flare inside her, the casual condescension of his tone grating on her nerves. “You know, some people actually enjoy their own company, Arthur,” she replied, forcing a smile that didn’t quite reach her eyes.

“Right, that’s why you’re talking to me,” he said, his smirk widening.

“Yeah, because I’m really enjoying this conversation,” Kirstie retorted, her voice dripping with sarcasm.

At that moment, Chris re-entered the room, arms full of boxes. “Hey, Arthur! Stop flirting with Kirstie and help me out!” he called out, breaking the tension.

“Flirting? Please,” Arthur replied with a laugh, tossing Kirstie a knowing glance. “I wouldn’t dream of it.”

Kirstie narrowed her eyes at him, but the smirk he wore only fuelled her irritation. “Thanks, Chris. You really know how to make a girl feel welcome,” she muttered under her breath.

“Anytime!” Chris grinned, oblivious to the tension simmering between them.

As Chris and Arthur moved to start unpacking more boxes, Kirstie retreated to the kitchen, shaking her head. She could already tell living next to Arthur was going to be a challenge. His sarcastic humour rubbed her the wrong way, and she had no idea how she’d cope with the constant reminder of his presence.

Once she regained her composure, Kirstie forced herself to focus on organising the kitchen. She’d show them both that she could make this place a home, even if it meant dealing with her obnoxious neighbour every step of the way.

The thought of streaming in her new setup felt invigorating, but she couldn’t shake the irritation Arthur had stirred within her. She resolved to keep her distance from him and focus on what truly mattered—her gaming and her audience.

As she organized the last few items, she could hear Arthur and Chris bantering in the background, their laughter echoing through the flat. It was a reminder that this was a new beginning, filled with challenges but also opportunities.

Kirstie took a deep breath, knowing she would find a way to navigate her new life—one sarcastic comment at a time.

After a quick unpacking session, Kirstie finally settled into her new home office, a cosy nook brimming with potential. The walls were painted a soft teal, and twinkling fairy lights were strung along the shelves filled with her favourite gaming memorabilia. A large, sleek desk sat against the window, adorned with a top-of-the-line gaming monitor, a mechanical keyboard, and a high-quality microphone positioned just right for her streams. She had gone all out for this setup, wanting her space to reflect her passion for gaming and content creation.

Plopping down into her ergonomic chair, Kirstie flicked on her laptop, the screen lighting up and casting a cool glow across her focused face. She adjusted her headset, making sure the microphone was positioned perfectly. Excitement bubbled in her chest as she logged into her game, her heart racing at the thought of sharing this experience with her growing audience. This was her first stream in the new place, and she wanted everything to go perfectly.

She glanced around the room, taking in the vibrant posters of her favourite games that adorned the walls, alongside her carefully arranged collection of plushies that had accompanied her through countless late-night gaming sessions. A neon sign above her desk flickered to life, spelling out “NO!” in bold letters—a fitting mantra for most of her live streams when a game wasn't going the way she wanted.

Today, she’d be diving into her latest gaming obsession, a thrilling adventure game that had captured her heart, and she was eager to share it with her viewers. Maybe she’d even drop a few updates about her new living situation and how it felt to have her best friend Chris living just above her.

As she adjusted her chair and readied her fingers over the keyboard, she felt a mix of excitement and apprehension wash over her. The stream would be a chance to connect with her audience in a new space, and she was determined to make it memorable. With a final deep breath, Kirstie hit the “Go Live” button, the familiar rush of adrenaline surging through her as she welcomed her viewers.

“Hey everyone! Welcome back to my channel! I’m super excited to share my new adventure with you all today. I just moved into a new place, and my best friend Chris, also known as ChrisMD or Christopher Michael Dixon is living right next to me, so things are bound to get interesting!”

As the chat flooded with emojis and enthusiastic greetings, she felt the comforting warmth of community wrap around her. She dove into the game, fingers dancing over the keyboard, and for the next hour, the world outside her office faded away. The game pulled her in, and she expertly navigated the challenges, sharing her thoughts and strategies with her audience.

Then, her phone buzzed on the desk, and she caught a glimpse of Chris's name lighting up the discord menu. With a grin, she accepted the call, and a moment later, Chris’s voice filled her headphones.

“Hey, Kirstie! Ready to show off your skills?” Chris's tone was upbeat, a playful tease woven through his words.

“Always,” she shot back, grinning at the camera. “But don’t get too comfortable up there, I might just win this one without any distractions.”

“Just don’t blame me if you lose!” Chris laughed, but Kirstie could already hear Arthur’s voice joining in the background.

“Yeah, Kirstie, you should really work on your gaming skills before you go live,” Arthur chimed in, his tone dripping with sarcasm.

Kirstie’s eyes narrowed as she shot a glare at the doorway where Arthur stood, arms crossed, and that infuriating smirk plastered on his face. “What do you know about gaming?” she snapped back, refusing to let his presence derail her focus. “Isn’t your expertise more about how to flex for the camera?”

“Please, at least I’m not just sitting here hoping my setup distracts from my lack of talent,” he retorted, leaning casually against the wall as if this was all just a game to him.

She could feel irritation bubbling inside her. “And what are you doing here, anyway? Shouldn’t you be out making a TikTok or something?”

Arthur raised an eyebrow, an amused glint in his eyes. “Funny you say that; I was just trying to figure out how to film your fail during this stream. It should be good for at least a few hundred thousand views.”

Kirstie's heart raced—not just from the game but from the challenge he posed. “You just wait, Arthur. I’ll show you what I’m made of,” she shot back, her determination refocusing her energy.

“You’re made of cringe. That's all you do, make people cringe” he retorts.

Kirstie’s smile faltered for just a moment. What an ass, she thought, rolling her eyes as she tried to keep her cool. “Right, because you’re the expert on not being cringe,” she shot back, the heat creeping up her neck. “At least I’m not just sitting here flexing my non-existent biceps for views.”

“Hey, at least my views aren’t just because my tits are out,” he retorted, and Kirstie felt her cheeks flush with anger. The chat erupted, a mix of laughter and shock, but all she could focus on was the annoyance bubbling within her.

Kirstie took a deep breath, her fingers hovering over the keyboard as she shot a glare towards her screen, where Chris had just emerged with Arthur, their laughter spilling into her stream like an unwanted guest. Arthur leaned in the background against the wall, arms crossed, and a smirk plastered across his face, the very image of annoyance wrapped in confidence. She felt her irritation rise like steam from a boiling kettle.

——————————————————-

ITS HERE! finally im so excited for you guys to read. the hashtag to follow is anyonebutyoufic and it’ll find all chapters!

i would like to thank everyone who helped with this, you know who you are and i love you🫶🏼

Enjoy - ArthurHillMastermind

[only-lonely-star]

Could you write a fic where the reader is Pony's friend, had been for a while but Pony doesn't really bring her up because he doesn't want the guys to tease him even though they really are just friends. Her home life is getting rough so Pony gave her his address and told her to crash with them if it ever gets to be too much. She ends up going one night and climbs in through Pony's window (she had gone with him to pick up tge book she wanted to borrow one day after school) and climbs into his bed not realizing him and Soda share a bed. Her and Pony are pretty happy cuddling eachother so she thinks nothing of it but it ends up being Soda and not Pony?

Lots of detail sorry lol just love your work and would love to see this come to life!

୨୧ ⁠♡ Night to Remember ⁠♡ ୨୧

~ Ponyboy Curtis, Sodapop Curtis ~

Warnings - This is somewhat sad in the beginning and how I worded a few things makes the situation for the reader sad. It’s nothing too bad, only minor arguing and yelling. Neglectful and abusive parents. Besides that, this story is sort of a funny one in a way. I decided it’s best to classify it as ‘fluff with a side of angst’ 😭

Summary - Escaping your toxic household to the Curtis’s house with…a twist?

Author’s Note - I GASPED when I first read this request, thank you so much for submitting!! I’m so glad you like my writings. I hope I wrote it well! Enjoy 🫶🏼

Word Count - 1.9k.

••●••••●••••●••••●••••●••••●••••●••••●••••●••

Walking up the steps to your small house on the hill, you could already hear the distant screams from your parents. They constantly argued only to make up the next day and argue all over again by nightfall. It was an endless loop you seemed to be stuck in - wishing you were anywhere else but home. The walk home was always fun, up until Ponyboy turned the corner and left you to finish the walk on your lonesome. Strolling down the street as the sun slowly set on a cold fall evening calmed you.

Unlocking the door with the spare key, you saw a broken glass bottle smashed along the cracked wooden flooring. Your parent’s constant hollering seemed to worsen as you stepped foot inside.

“Go! Just get out - take your daughter with you!” Your mother hollered to your old man who seemed utterly fed up with her. You looked between them with fear in your eyes, confused as to what you had done to be put into this mess.

“I just got home, what are you on about?” Your voice came out, thicker and more bitter sounding than you had expected. Your mother’s cold eyes aligned with yours, an uncomfortable amount of emotions flooding over you.

“I said get out!” she yelled louder than before, clearly displeased with your presence, “You don’t do a damn thing to live here! You don’t pay a single bill or work a job - all you do is hang out with those hoodlums!”

Your mind darted to thoughts of your good friend, Ponyboy. His words echoed in your mind, tuning out your own mother’s as she continued to holler.

”Come whenever you need to, okay? If it ever gets too hard on you back at your place…you’re welcome at mine…”

You brushed past your father’s tense shoulder, not caring to argue further. It calmed you to know you had a safe haven to escape to on nights like this. Ponyboy would be warm and welcoming just like a family should.

Drowning out the shouting that continued on, you began the trek to the Curtis’ home - book bag and all. Striding down the sidewalk, you slipped your hand into the side pocket of your tattered backpack. A crinkled piece of paper was retrieved; Ponyboy’s address was scribbled on it in blue ink. You’d never been there, but you knew him well enough to have heard about his own family issues. The loss of his parents which left him and his two older brothers to fend for themselves seemed scary. It made you feel a sense of gratitude to still have parents even if they were horrible to you.

The sun seemed to have set, stranding you amid the crisp air and the occasional streetlight ahead. Only a bit further and you’d be there. Convincing yourself you’d have a better stay at Ponyboy’s home was very comforting. You could both catch up on some reading or maybe even smoke a bit if he’d lend you a cigarette. Before you knew it, there you were. The same scribbled address on the paper matched the street and house number you had walked to.

Taking a deep breath, you approached the front door with a pit in your stomach. It seemed quiet; too quiet. Backing away from it, your anxiety had gotten the best of you.

”I’ll just use the window,” is what you said to yourself, kicking away small twigs and leaves to pry it open. You slid the window up, slipping yourself through the crack you managed to open.

The room was dark, a limp body lying underneath the olive-colored comforter. You smiled fondly. Ponyboy was already asleep - a strange sight to see since it was still a bit too early to wind down for the night. You let out a small sigh of victory knowing you could finally relax in a much quieter space than your parent's home. You carefully slipped the straps of your backpack off, mindful to not wake Ponyboy.

“Close that damn door,” he murmured, his voice raspy and sleepy. You instantly felt a pang of guilt for waking him. You set your bag down beside the small wooden desk that was pushed beside the bed. With a swift movement, you shut the window from the inside.

Ponyboy lay in a white oversized t-shirt, his back facing you as he curled himself up into a ball underneath the bedding. You glanced around the bedroom before joining him in bed. You kicked your shoes off, spreading open the sheets and comforter.

“How was school?” the voice spoke in a drowsy state. You decided to not ramble on and let him rest. Besides- you were the guest here.

“It was nice,” you replied softly. You were starting to feel sleepy as well, all of that walking surely paid off. Snuggling underneath the bedding, you felt him shove some of the sheets your way to cut you a bit of slack.

“You cold?” he asks, his head slowly turning to glance at you. Your back was facing his, the only source of light being the pale moonlight seeping through the window. You mustered a small head nod.

The warm touch of his arm suddenly draped over your waist was unexpected but welcomed nonetheless. He nuzzled the tip of his nose to rest against your spine, exhaling with a soft chuckle. “You smell like a little girl or something,” he teased light-heartedly.

You let out a forced laugh, not totally understanding the punchline to his little joke there. His voice was awfully deep; something you didn’t remember Ponyboy’s voice to sound like. He sounded like he had more of a southern drawl now as well. Hell- your voice became naturally deep when you were sluggish but nothing like Ponyboy’s sudden change.

Your eyes fluttered shut, the gentle hug from behind causing a wave of sleepiness to wash over you. Your breathing slowed, signaling you felt at ease for once. It was a nice contrast to the nagging hollers from your parents- that was for sure. Ponyboy seemed to relax further, a deep sigh being released from his lips. He nuzzled his face closer, “Pony, did you ever take out that trash?”

You froze, lifting your head in utter confusion. You glanced down to find a random man you’d never seen a day in your life. Panicked - you let out a scream and scrambled off the bed, falling to your ass on the cold wooden floor, taking the sheets with you.

The scream startled the stranger as well, sitting straight up in the bed - what was left of the bedding covering his lower half. “Who the hell are you?!”

Your eyes flung open, standing from the floor in a swift second. You stammered over your own words for a moment, trying to get them out. “Where’s Ponyboy?!”

He glanced at you and then to the open door where both Ponyboy and his eldest brother stood, shock etched on their faces. Your immediate shock subsided once you reestablished that this was in fact the correct house, and you’d perhaps slipped into the wrong bedroom.

Ponyboy pushed past his other brother, muttering a slur of words under his breath. “Oh no…no, no, no…”

His siblings exchanged confused glances, the oldest on the brink of a migraine. He pinched the bridge of his nose tightly. Ponyboy stood beside you, dragging your arm and ushering you by the window for a bit of space. He could see the messy attempt you’d made in trying to shut the window and locking it back up firmly. “Damn it, why didn’t you knock on the door?” he questions, glancing behind him to see the boy in the bed rushing to slip on a decent pair of pants.

Your eyes were staring into his with a look of guilt and confusion. “I’m sorry, I didn’t know this wasn’t your bedroom!”

You flung your arms in the air, innocence in your expression clear as day. Ponyboy sighed and rubbed his temple using his middle and index finger, adding pressure to the spot. His lips curled into a soft smile, the laugh echoing in the room. “I share a room with Sodapop over there,” he cracked up at the lack of information he’d given you, resulting in this whole encounter.

Sodapop’s eyes met yours, a rather apologetic and embarrassed look sewn onto his face although a bit of a grin was visible. With this newfound information, you quickly put the pieces together and realized the other brother was Darrel. You let out a deep exhale, your own giggle slipping out.

“I am so sorry…” you began, your flushed cheeks and smile being quickly covered by your hand, “Pony, I blame you for not telling me!”

You swatted his arm before placing both hands over your mouth, the embarrassment lingering. Both Sodapop and Darrel couldn’t help but chuckle - this big mishap was too hilarious to just brush off. Sodapop stood from the bed and ran a hand through his greasy combed combed-back hair before approaching the two of you.

“Pony, why didn’t you tell me you were at that age you start bringin’ girls home?” he teased, wrapping his arm around Ponyboy’s neck from behind and giving him a good noogie to mess up his hair. Ponyboy giggled, attempting to pry Sodapop’s arm off and away. Darrel stood at the doorway, nearly about to throw a fit at the mention of it.

“We’re friends, I told her she could come over when her folks got into fighting and stuff again,” he explained, trying to save the friendship from becoming awkward at his brother’s teasing.

Sodapop’s eyes had a slight shift in expression, but he reached a hand out to you nonetheless. He smiled warmly and looked down at you. “Soda,” he introduced himself so friendly to you that you nearly forgot how you screamed at the first sight of him.

You returned the smile with one of your own and shook his hand firmly. He spoke up again, nudging Ponyboy with a laugh. “Ponyboy’s got the voice of a girl - I was convinced that was you talkin’ to me!”

Ponyboy retaliated, shooting a glare at him. Before he could say much more, Darrel stepped closer and held his hand out to me as well. The introduction went smoothly, his hand was quite large but perfect for firm handshakes. “I’m Darrel…Darry.”

For once you felt welcomed inside of a home. You felt an immense amount of gratitude for Ponyboy and his cordial brothers who didn’t seem to mind your company at all.

Darrel stepped aside and motioned to you for the door, gently pushing Ponyboy’s shoulder to follow. “Ponyboy, get her familiar with the couch if she’s stayin’!”

He did as told and picked up your backpack to carry towards the living room. He sat you down as Sodapop’s charming laughter echoed down the hallway.

“Next time just knock, okay? Better yet, come right in. The door is never locked,” Ponyboy instructed with a small head shake following that up with a giggle, “You’re welcome anytime.”

You grinned from ear to ear at the strangely new feeling of belonging. Welcome anytime? Was this a dream?

Before you knew it, you had your arms around Ponyboy’s neck, trapping him in a tight hug to show how thankful you truly were. It was safe to say this was a night you’d never forget.

[daryl-dixon-daydreams]

Words: 5,818 Pairing: Daryl Dixon x Fem!Reader Reader pronouns: she/her Era: Alexandria, pre-Negan Warnings: scary imagery, frightening scenarios A/N: This is part of a series! Find the rest on the Master List!

Summary: Escaping from the horde and leaving the ruins of the cabin behind, Daryl and Y/N head down the mountain and then must decide what happens next.

Previous Chapter

You cut the engine of the snowmobile and shut off the lights. The slope of the foothills behind you continued to carry you downwards toward the darker shadows looming, rising up in front of you like a tidal wave. The moon was bright enough to illuminate your way.

You were shivering, almost violently, and Daryl’s arms tightened around you. Your teeth chattered.

“What is it?” Daryl drawled over your shoulder.

“W—we’re almost there. We should f—find somewhere to leave the sled and g—go on foot. I don’t want th—the engine noise or lights to attract the dead or the l—living,” you stuttered. You both squinted ahead at the dark buildings.

“Yer frozen,” he said. The worry weighed heavily in his voice. “We gotta get ya warm and into some dry socks and shoes… Hopefully I can build ya a fire when we find a clear buildin’.”

“I’m—I’m okay,” you managed, though you weren’t sure you believed it. You felt as if you’d been in a daze since you’d woken up and seen the crowd of dead outside the cabin. You still had the fleeting thought that this wasn’t real, that this wasn’t happening, but then the bite of the cold on your cheeks and fingers would reassure you that it was. You were far past feeling anything in your toes, even the painful teeth of the frigid wind.

At last, you stopped the sled at the bottom of the hill and pulled it sideways along a row of brushy shrubs to conceal it. Daryl climbed off immediately and the dogs eagerly jumped out and began nosing around in the snow. Bear let out a few quiet whines, but they showed no sign of alert due to any nearby enemies, dead or living.

You climbed off the seat and staggered on your feet in the deep snow. Daryl’s hands seized your shoulders and steadied you. In the glow of the moon, you could see the frantic turmoil in his blue eyes. “Ya alrigh’?” he drawled softly. He was on edge. You could hear it in the flinty sharpness of his voice.

You gulped and nodded.

Your frozen fingers fumbled with your gear, pulling it clumsily from the snowmobile and shouldering it over the oversize parka you’d pulled on hastily on the mountain. Daryl popped open the storage container and began tugging more bags from inside, shifting them onto his back. Crossbow in hand, he was waiting nearby until you were ready, and then he began to lead the way to the closest building.

The night air was dampened of all sound from the blanket of snow. Somewhere among the buildings you could hear the occasional squeak of metal or bang, perhaps from some infected trapped somewhere, but the street seemed blessedly empty.

You were trying hard to control the violent shivering wracking your body, clenching your teeth and trying to focus on staying alert to the surroundings, but your feet had begun to burn again in your sodden layers. Daryl’s hand drifted along the painted cinderblock as he moved stealthily toward a heavy metal door ahead. You were at the back of some store, though you couldn’t say what it may have been a long time ago. There were no windows and Daryl heaved in a steadying breath when he finally stopped in front of the gray, metal door. He raised the butt of his crossbow and knocked it hard in the center. A hollow reverberation sounded and you could almost feel the vibration in your bones.

Both of you strained your ears in the silence. The dogs stood on either side of you, alert. You waited several long minutes, rigid with anticipation, until finally you wavered on your feet and Daryl almost dropped his bow in his anxiety to steady you again. His brow furrowed deeply. “I think it’s clear, but dun let yer guard down until we know for sure. We gotta check the whole building.” He reached out and tested the handle cautiously. It was loose. He turned it and pushed inside into the darkness, clicking on the light mounted on his bow.

You moved through the building efficiently, searching for any sign or people or infected, but the building was silent with its maze of shelves and newspapered windows. Part of the roof had collapsed at some point and pigeons took off and flew through the hole toward the inky night sky overhead. The dogs gave chase briefly but quickly returned to your sides when they realized the birds were far out of reach.

Daryl was shining his light around what must have been an employee break room at some point. “I think we’re good,” he drawled, heaving a relieved sigh. As if that was all you needed to hear to allow your body to finally give out, you collapsed in a heap on the floor. “Whoa—hey, hey!” Daryl rushed to you. Bear whimpered and licked your cheek. You were breathing hard, clearly exhausted and crashing after the highs of the adrenaline. “Hey—yer alrigh’,” he drawled, kneeling beside you and quickly dumping his gear down on the floor. He cupped your face between his hands and wiped at a spot of blood on your cheek from your fight with the walkers outside the shop. “We’re okay. S’gonna be okay…”

“I c—can’t f—feel my feet,” you said, reaching a still gloved hand toward your sodden feet. The slippers were blocks of ice and so were the socks beneath them.

Daryl’s brow furrowed. “Yeah… uhh—yeah, we need fire. We gotta get ya warm. Lemme—” he glanced back at the hole in the roof, perfect to let the smoke escape. “Okay. I’mma make a fire. Lemme gather up some shit to burn. Just—ya peel off those wet socks and stuff and move your toes and feet, see if ya can warm ‘em a bit with yer hands. If ya gotta, wrap ‘em in yer coat or put your mittens on ‘em.”

You realized for the first time that he barely had any winter gear on either. “W—what ab—bout you?”

He gave you a half-smile. “‘M okay. Haven’t ya noticed ‘m immune to the cold now? It almost had me once, but ain’t gonna happen again.”

His cheeks were red and windburned and you frowned. “It’s n—not a virus. Ya don’t g—get immunity l—like that, Daryl,” you argued. “Ya can’t just—”

He suddenly cupped your face and pressed his lips eagerly to yours. Yours were chilled and tasted slightly salty, like tears, but you kissed him back hungrily, feeling a screaming welling up inside your chest—too close, it was too close, too close, that was all too close… “I’ve got this,” he whispered to you when he pulled back, brushing some strands of your hair that were sticking to your cheeks. “Just rest here and try to unfreeze them toes.” Daryl was here. Daryl was going to make sure you were okay. The scream lessened to a dull roar. You nodded and watched him step away into the darkness to gather dried bits of cardboard and paper and broken pallet wood to build a fire. The glow of his flashlight was a warm torch in the cold darkness.

You sighed and turned your attention back to your frozen feet. Bear laid down against your side, whining slightly. Strider walked calm patrol around you, on alert and staring and sniffing into the darkness.

When you peeled (or cracked may be more accurate) the sodden socks from your feet, the skin on your feet was so white it looked completely drained of all life and you thought that the tips of your toes were slightly blue, but it was difficult to tell in the warm, yellow light of your headlamp. You did as Daryl had instructed and tried to move and wiggle them, mentally trying to summon hot blood back into them. You finally took off your mittens and pulled them on over your feet. Slowly the warmth from your hands began to penetrate the iciness of your skin.

An orange glow flickered to life in the direction Daryl had gone and you watched embers lick up toward the hole in the roof. Daryl reappeared around some shelves and paced over to you. “C’mon,” he said. “Let’s get ya warmed up.” He glanced at your feet and nodded. “Nice socks.”

“Thanks.” Your shivering and stammer was gone. Being out of the wind of the sled and at least protected from the worst of the descending cold of night seemed to allow your body to make some headway toward warmth again. “It’s a new trend I’m starting.” You noted that his hand was chilled as you accepted it and he pulled you to your feet. Daryl gathered up the gear and hauled it along to the fire. The dogs trotted beside you.

There was already a happy blaze and you sank down beside it and warmed your fingers and feet, sticking them out toward the flickering flames. It wasn’t lost on you that you’d almost died in a fire not 40 minutes ago and now the same thing was perhaps saving your toes. The cabin—gone. It was hard to believe it was gone. Gone like your mom and dad. Gone like Brian. All of your old life was now behind, smoldering on the mountain, perhaps trampled under rotting feet. But you’d made it out. No thanks to your own obstinacy, you’d made it out.

Daryl watched you silently for several long minutes, warming his own body in the glow of heat and throwing on more pallet wood to stoke the fire as needed. Finally, he broke the silence. “Ya okay?” he asked. His voice was thick, worried.

But you looked up at him, your eyes a bit teary and sad at first, and then you smiled. It was small and tired, but it was there. “Yeah,” you said with a nod. “I am. Or I will be… I’m with you. The boys are here,” you said reaching over to pet Strider’s ear. “That’s all that matters.”

He nodded, and a wave crashed over him, nearly dragging him under. He tore his eyes away from you and blinked furiously at the tears burning in them, staring instead at the movement in the coals. “I—I really thought I might lose ya,” he admitted. “That fire—it was spreadin’ so quick. And then the roof fallin’ in—”

You hastily pulled off the puffy coat you still had on and laid it down on the ground next to him before sitting on it, scooting close beside him. You leaned against his side and slipped your arm through his. “Me too,” you said. “But then—I heard your voice on the other side of that wall—and I knew you would get me out. I just knew that you’d do everything you could to get me out. You saved me. Again. I can’t ever repay you for all you’ve done.”

Daryl looked over at you in surprise. “Repay me?” His blue eyes flickered between yours again, but you were relieved to see that they were less turbulent. “Ya dun owe me a damn thing.” He leaned in toward you then and kissed your cheek, but it was soft and lingering and it warmed you even better than the fire did.

You laid down close to the fire, tucked against each other that night. Daryl’s arm looped over you protectively. You felt the crash coming hard from the waning of your adrenaline, the terror of your ordeal. “What do we do next?”

Daryl was almost afraid to ask the question, but he did. Part of him still didn’t believe that someone as good as you could come to him and then stay… “Will ya come with me? Back to Alexandria?”

You turned over beneath his arm and leaned up on your forearm, your eyes flickering between his, seeing his fear and his nervousness. “Of course, I will. And not just because of what happened tonight. I—I would have made the same decision if the cabin and everything was still there. I don’t—I don’t want to be parted from you.” You pressed your hand flush to the center of his chest when you said it and Daryl felt a surge of relief and happiness and hope and—

He smiled at you. Just a small one, but it touched the corners of his eyes. “Everybody back home is gonna love ya. Just wait. Ya got a ready-made family waitin’ for ya back there.”

“Waiting for us,” you corrected him.

He nudged his nose up in a nod, that signature Daryl move. “Right. Us. Tomorrow, we’ll see if my bike is still where I left it months ago when I rolled into town—see if it’ll still run. If it ain’t, we’ll figure somethin’ else out. A car… somethin’. Or take the sled as far as we can. And we head home.”

You nodded, thoughtfully biting your bottom lip. “It’s a long fucking way. Do you really think we can make it?”

“Yeah,” he nodded. “I know we can. The two of us together? Are ya kiddin’ me? Ain’t shit standin’ in our way.”

You let out a small laugh at that and then leaned forward and kissed him softly. His hand landed lightly on your neck. Then, exhaustion was winning and you lay down, tucked in against his chest, his arm draping over you again.

_ _ _ _ _ _

Three Months Later “Hey—hey!” Glenn shouted down to Rosita who was standing by the gate. “Did anybody go out today on a run?” he asked, glancing back up to stare down the street in the distance.

“No,” she said, shaking her head. “Why?” Before he could answer, she looked out through the gate and saw the approaching truck too. She hurried to climb the ladder and stood beside Glenn on the guard platform. He had dug out the binoculars and raised them to his eyes.

There was a long silence where he just seemed to be staring, fixedly, at the approaching vehicle.

“What? What is it?” Rosita urged. The truck was still too far away for her to see much with no scope to aid her.

Glenn lowered the binoculars and looked over at her, his eyes a little wide. “Go get Rick—everybody, go get everybody!” he said, almost in a daze.

“What is going on?” she urged him. That’s when his face finally cracked into a wide smile, his eyes a little teary.

“There’s a bike in the back,” he said.

She knew what that meant. “Is it—? Can you see him? Are you sure?” she asked desperately.

Glenn nodded. “Yeah. It’s him. Go get everyone! Hurry!”

In the truck, Daryl glanced over at you in the passenger seat beside him. “Are ya ready for this?” he asked.

You shook your head and shrugged. “I—I dunno. It’s a lot of people,” you laughed. “But I’m—I can’t wait to meet them. Nervous though…” you added. Bear stood, sensing the end of the journey somehow and tapping his paws excitedly on the back seat, giving a big stretch and a loud yawn and whine. Looking ahead you could see the gate, just as he’d described it, and the sign posted on the wall: Alexandria Safe Zone. Mercy for the Lost. Vengeance for the Plunderers.

Daryl’s hand landed over yours and gave it a gentle squeeze. “They’re gonna love ya. Ya ain’t got any reason to be nervous. I know it.”

The brakes squealed as the truck came to a stop in front of the gate. Daryl flashed the lights three times, the old signal they’d always used that the coast was clear to open it. He nudged his head toward his door and you nodded. You both climbed out, the dogs jumping out after you, climbing over the center console to get outside. As the metal gate rattled, drawn back by someone you couldn’t yet see. It rolled to the side to reveal a small crowd gathering. More people were rushing up the street to join them. You met Daryl’s eyes again as he stepped around his door and gave you a warm smile. Home. He was happy to be home. And you were with him. You’d made it.

Daryl shut his door and strode forward. You stopped by the front of the truck, hanging back a little awkwardly. “Stay, boys,” you murmured to the dogs. They heeled on either side of you, but Strider was wagging his tail and Bear was whining a little, looking ahead at all the people.

“Move! Watch out,” a voice rose from the crowd and a woman with short silver hair burst through. A huge grin spread on her face when she saw him walking toward the gate. Carol. It must be Carol. She rushed to him and threw her arms around him in a huge hug, then pulled back to clasp his face between her hands before hugging him again, a teary, broad smile on her face, her eyes squeezed shut. Daryl hugged her back, but looked up as the crowd parted and a lean man with curly hair broke through with a little girl in his arms at a light jog.

“Maggie, would you hold her?” Rick murmured, almost not believing his eyes as he glanced back up at Daryl standing there, Carol now at his side. Maggie, happy tears on her cheeks already, held Judith. Rick’s eyes flickered over to you briefly but then landed back on Daryl again. His expression was almost disbelief at first and then it melted into emotion he was trying hard to hold back. He walked right up to Daryl and gripped his shoulder hard, looking him square in the eye and nodding, gulping emotion back. “Where the hell have you been?” he drawled, his face finally breaking into a smile touched with tears, and he pulled Daryl into a hug, clasping the back of his neck. “God, it’s good to see you brother.”

You bit your bottom lip, choking back your own emotion at the reunion, and feeling like you were intruding on something. After Daryl broke from Rick, he was quickly surrounded as his family came one by one to welcome him home—Michonne clasped his face and kissed his cheek, Eric and Aaron hugged him with broad smiles and pats on the back, Glenn gave him a hasty hug, Maggie pressed her palm gently to his cheek and Daryl stroked Judith’s soft blond hair. He was chewing on his bottom lip hard, trying to stop himself from completely going to pieces. Carol and Rick never left his side, but after a few minutes the rest of the Alexandrians who weren’t part of Daryl’s core group wandered away with plenty to talk about. Who was that standing there with the two dogs? Do you think its Brian’s sister? Did he really find her? He can’t have made it all the way to Montana and back!

Finally, he was able to gather himself and looked back at you still standing by the car, running your fingers through Bear’s thick fur nervously, biting your bottom lip. He cleared his throat and caught Rick’s eyes again. “Rick—uhh, everybody… This is Y/N. She’s—she’s Brian’s twin sister. And that’s Bear and Strider,” he said, pacing over to pat the big lab on his head and tousle his ears around.

For a moment everyone just stared at you, mostly good-natured looks on their faces, sure, but also some pity and grief and curiosity and wariness mixed in. Daryl met your eyes and gave a questioning look to ask non-verbally, are you okay? You nodded and managed a tight smile to tell him you were, though your nerves were fizzing.

“Well, what the hell are we standing around out here for?” Carol said finally, grinning again. “Come inside!”

There was some laughter and they all moved back in past the gate.

“I’mma drive the truck in, alrigh’?” Daryl said to Rick, who gave you another appraising look and then nodded. “See ya at the house in a few.”

Carol came and gave his arm a gentle touch. “We missed you,” she said. “See you in a minute.” She glanced at you and gave you a tight smile which you did your best to return, though you were so overwhelmed and nervous you weren’t sure it came off.

“C’mon,” Daryl said, nudging his head back toward the truck. He whistled and opened the passenger side door for you and the dogs. They bounded right back in and you slid in past him. The door shut with a snap and you realized you’d been holding your breath.

Daryl climbed in behind the steering wheel again and started the engine. “Ya okay?” he asked, shifting into drive.

You nodded. “Yeah. Just—a bit overwhelmed is all.”

He nodded. “Well, ya’d been alone up there a long time. I know this is a lot. Ya want me to tell everybody ya just need some space for tonight?”

“What? No! No, I want to meet everyone,” you argued. “I do. I just need to remember to breathe,” you said with a laugh.

He nodded and his eyes flickered over your face. “I’ll be right by ya the whole time.”

“I know,” you nodded.

“And if ya do need a break, they’ll all understand.”

“I’m good,” you said.

It was a quick drive to park in front of the group’s two houses. Maggie and Glenn were waiting outside when you pulled up, and you saw Rick on the porch, though he stepped back inside as you all were climbing out.

“Is this the same bike?” Glenn asked Daryl, looking at the motorcycle in the bed of the truck.

“More or less,” he drawled. “Lots of parts went to shit on the road and had to be patched up or replaced, but most of it made it.”

Maggie was grinning as the dogs ran to greet her and she bent down to let them lick her face and to give them lots of scratches and pets. “They’re adorable,” she said.

“I tell them all the time,” you said.

“We always had dogs on the farm,” she said, scratching under Bear’s chin. The next moment she stood up and pulled you into a gentle hug. You expected her to break from you quickly, but she didn’t. She really hugged you for a long moment, and you hugged her back through your surprise. “I’m so glad you’re here. We all are,” she said. Her southern drawl was sweet and warm. “We—we all loved Brian so much.” Tears bit her vision as she said it.

You nodded and swallowed at the lump in your throat. “I know you did. Thank you for that. Daryl’s told me so much about all of you and—and I’m so grateful to be here.”

“Well, let’s get you and these cute dogs inside. We don’t need to stand out here all night. Come on in and have something to eat and drink,” she said.

You glanced back at Daryl where he was talking with Glenn still and he started after you and Maggie up the porch steps and into the warm light.

Everyone was crowded around in the kitchen after you and Daryl had time to clean up and get some food and water into you. Now there was wine being passed around and the atmosphere seemed suddenly charged as a natural lull fell in all the conversation. You and Daryl looked up and met each other’s eyes at the same time.

“Well?” Carol snapped suddenly. “Tell us everything!” she laughed. “You’ve kept us waiting long enough!” The tension seemed to break and many of Daryl’s family laughed.

He let out a gruff laugh too. “I think both of us are a little too tired for everythin’ tonight,” he said. “But we can give ya a few bits from the journey back.” He glanced over at you beside him and you nodded. “We hit a blizzard in Wyoming. Literally couldn’t see yer damn hand in front of yer face. Got snowed in for six days.”

“Daryl killed his first elk in Wyoming too,” you added with a proud smile.

“We were ambushed by hunters in South Dakota. Was a bit touchy and go but we got the best of ‘em,” he went on. “Most of Iowa was a wasteland. We dropped south to avoid the Chicago metro area, but we still saw some of the biggest hordes I’ve ever seen. Had a car wreck in Indiana and then got attacked by some group of assholes—” He almost reached for your hand at that moment. It had been one of the most terrifying, lowest points of the journey back. He could still see the gash you’d gotten on your head and the cut on your neck healing. “Uhh,” he rubbed a hand over the back of his neck instead of reaching for you. “After that, a lot of the roads were fucked or camped on by groups who didn’t look too friendly. We ended up going way south to Kentucky and trying to stay off the main roads after that…”

“Flooding in West Virginia,” you added. “We had to go way around.”

“Yeah. And then—somehow, we got back here.”

The silence settled thickly again until Tara suddenly raised a glass, a welcoming smile on her face. “To family, new and old,” she said.

“To family,” Rick echoed, giving the first wide smile you’d really seem him break into all night.

Carol raised her glass and cleared her throat. “May we look forward with hope and backward without regret,” she said.

“Hear, hear!” Abraham exclaimed, hugging an arm more tightly around Rosita.

Everyone drank, and you felt full in a way that had nothing to do with the good meal and everything to do with the warmth, safety, and welcoming company. When you glanced at Daryl at your side, his eyes were already on you.

The evening wore on and some people drifted away to bed little by little, but many of you were still gathered in the cozy space of the living room.

Daryl had stepped outside for some air and not long after Rick stepped out onto the porch and came to stand beside him, gripping his shoulder briefly and giving him a classic Rick Grimes smile. He glanced back in through the illuminated window at you sitting with Maggie and Glenn on the couch. Bear was curled up at your feet on the floor, content to snooze. Strider was hamming it up getting belly scratches from Carl and Abraham, thoroughly enjoying all the attention. Carol was cuddling Judith and seemed to be watching you closely, but not in a suspicious way—just taking you in. It wasn’t lost on anyone how you and Daryl seemed to relate to each other, his regard for you and yours for him, how he hadn’t left your side all night, the clear chemistry though no one had seen any sort of touch pass between you. “So, am I wrong or did you find more than just Brian’s sister in Montana?”

Daryl scruffed a hand through his long hair and nodded once. “Yeah… more than I bargained for, tha’s for damn sure,” he said, turning to look in at you and the warm scene with his family gathered around. He leaned back on the railing and drew in a deep breath of the cool spring air. “She saved my life,” he drawled. “I think in more than one way.”

Rick smiled. “I have a feeling you’ve done the same for her. She was up there all alone?” he asked. Daryl nodded.

“Yeah. And not just survivin’, but almost thrivin’ up there in a lotta ways. I know she left a piece of her heart back in them mountains. S’gonna be an adjustment here for sure…”

Rick nodded. “Well, it was for all of us. You especially,” he pointed out. “As for that piece of her heart, I’m pretty sure you’ll be able to help her with that too. Give her a new one.” He sighed again. “It’s good to have you home, brother. We never gave up hope but we were worried—we were starting to think maybe you wouldn’t be coming back to us.”

He ducked his head and nodded. “Yeah… It was a long haul. Twice,” he said with a wry laugh.

“But worth it?” Rick asked.

Daryl looked up at you through the window again. You were bathed in a golden glow and surrounded by other people he loved. It was better than he ever thought he’d have, even before everything went to shit. “Hell yeah.”

Rick laughed happily. “Now, one more thing… You aren’t takin’ her down to sleep in the basement, are you?” Rick asked, cocking an eyebrow at him, an amused look on his face.

Daryl scoffed. “The hell is wrong with my room in the basement?”

“Well, there’s a washer and dryer in it for starters. Second, it’s a basement,” Rick teased him. “Seems like you aren’t a bachelor anymore, Daryl. Take one of the rooms upstairs. We’ve got spares.”

Daryl sighed. “We can—figure that all out tomorrow. I was thinkin’—maybe she and I would just get a place…” Rick smiled at this. “For tonight, we just wanna crash. We’ve been livin’ on the road so long now, few months. Ain’t been stayin’ in the same place more than a couple days at a time, ya know? Will be nice to put down roots again.”

Rick’s eyes were crinkled in a smile. “Can’t wait to see what grows.”

“Me either.”

Daryl followed Rick back in, and you looked up and gave him a tired smile as he came in, trying to blink the waiting sleep from your eyes.

“Whatcha think?” he drawled, leaning forward on his hands on the back of the couch just behind you.

“I’m exhausted,” you laughed.

“Yeah, me too,” he mused, looking around at his remaining family. Judith had fallen asleep in Carol’s arms and everyone was cooing at her. “C’mon,” he said, nudging his nose up. “Let’s slip away while we can.”

You happily agreed and jumped the back of the couch, but your sneaky exit was immediately ruined by the dogs needing to follow. Hoots and hollers rose behind you but the two of you hurried out anyway, calling back only a few goodnights. Daryl grabbed your hand and led you toward the stairs. “We can crash in my old space tonight.” He could hear Rick in his head. “Uhh—but it ain’t much… s’just a mattress in the basement mostly,” he drawled.

“Better than we’ve had for a while. And as long as you’re there, I don’t care if it’s a moldy carpet on the floor,” you said.

Daryl snorted and looked down at you. “Moldy? Really?”

“Daryl, I’m so exhausted I could fall asleep standing up right now,” you said, yawning as soon as the words left your mouth.

“Well, ya dun have to do that,” he said. “C’mon. We can both get some deep sleep tonight… It’s safe here. Safest place I’ve ever had… ‘cept maybe for that cabin of yours.”

“More,” you said. “My cabin didn’t have big ass walls all around it.”

“This way,” he drawled, still holding your hand, fingers laced with yours. You followed him down the staircase and into a dim room. It looked like any normal basement; a washer and dryer on one wall, random boxes and storage. But there in one corner was a mattress, neatly made and piled with blankets and pillows. He patted a hand down on them expecting to see a puff of dust, but none arose. “Huh. Somebody musta made the bed up fresh while we were getting cleaned up.”

“My money is on Maggie,” you said, collapsing down onto the blankets and sinking in. “I like her,” you said, before another yawn interrupted you. The dogs settled on the rug.

“I like you,” he said, climbing toward you and caging you beneath his body. He stroked your hair away from your forehead and your eyes shut at his touch. “Maybe a bit too much…” he drawled, smiling. He leaned down and kissed your cheek, and then your lips. You were already drifting toward sleep.

“Too much? Not possible. And only like?” you smiled, opening your eyes again.

He gave you a look and you laughed. “Ya know—ya know I love ya,” he said. He still sounded somewhat shy when he said it… like he couldn’t believe he got to say it at all.

You gave him a sleepy smile. “I love you, too. And I’ll live down here in the spider webby basement or sleep on a moldy rug if I have to…”

He laughed and leaned in to tuck his face against the crook of your neck and breathe in your smell, his body now flush to yours. “Nah. We’re gonna build our own space together. You’ll see. But for now—my bachelor bed is the best I’ve got for tonight.” He lay down beside you and tugged you in against his body, much the same way he had by the fire that night when you’d escaped the flames and the horde. Your breathing was soon soft and deep.

“G’night,” you sighed, snuggling in, already falling into a warm, contented sleep you hadn’t had since long before, back in the cabin after you and Daryl had finally become something more.

“Night,” he breathed. Just before he fell asleep, he sent a thought to Brian, up into the ether, to tell him that he’d done as he’d promised, that you were here and you were safe, and he was going to make sure he protected you with his life… but better yet, that he’d build a life with you that he never thought he could have. I promise. I’ll do right by her. I swear on my life.

The End.

A/N: I hope you enjoyed reading this series as much as I enjoyed writing it. I can’t wait to embark on a new series in the near future, and I have a lot of waiting one shots I have been holding off on until this was finished. And here we are! Bittersweet, it is. 

[venerablemonk27]

I've done a lot of birding the past couple months and not a lot of posting, so I'm going back to our Tucson, AZ trip from April. I hadn't been to the Western US since picking up birding or wildlife photography, so I knew I was going to pick up a ton of lifers. One of our target species for the trip was also my fifth Owl species ever: the Burrowing Owl.

[ID: A Burrowing Owl stands on a mound of dirt. They are facing left and looking toward the camera. The sun is low in the sky off to the right, which illuminates the right side of the Owl's face and their back, while casting the rest in shadow. They have striking yellow eyes and a furrowed brow that gives them the appearance of a permanent scowl. Their oval-shaped head transitions naturally into a slender cylindrical body covered in mottled tan and white feathers. About half the bird's height is body and folded wings, with two naked grey legs planted on the ground. End ID]

This was the morning we had picked for me to do some solo birding, so I drove out to a spot west of Tucson where eBird indicated that Burrowing Owls were likely to appear. It was just after sunrise when I found the road cutting between farm fields where the Owls were reported. I drove slowly down the side of the road in my rented Dodge Charger, stopping occasionally to inspect a suspicious clump of dirt with my binoculars. I had not seen any sign of the Owls when a Land Rover pulled up behind me. A group of three folks in their 60s with binoculars piled out of car, clearly more birders here to do exactly what I was doing.

[ID: A Burrowing Owl stands on a mound of dirt, facing the camera. The sun is still low in the sky, but now the bird's face and chest are more brightly lit, showing the transition in feather colors from tan to mottled tan to white as they progress downward from collar to belly.]

They introduced themselves as coming from the UK, and had been visiting Arizona for several weeks in search of all the unique birds the state could offer. The driver was particularly puzzled about the location of the Owls, saying he was "absolutely foxed" that this place with no real habitat could host Burrowing Owls. I showed him the recent sightings on eBird and explained that it was possible the birds just hadn't emerged from their burrows yet.

After another 15 minutes of searching the fields, I offered to lead them to an alternate site nearby. We got in our cars and slowly drove back the way we had come. Just as we were approaching the end of the road, I spotted a small tan creature standing right on the edge of the irrigation ditch along the near side of the field. A Burrowing Owl! I swung the Charger around and flagged down my companions, who had also spotted the Owl.

[ID: A pair of Burrowing Owls stand on a mound of dirt. The one in the foreground looks decidedly sleepier and plumper than the one in the background (seen in previous images). Both Owls are similar in coloration, but the one in the foreground has an aluminum leg band for identifying them. End ID]

We got out to take a look and grab some photos from long distance, then slowly crept forward with my Charger as a rolling blind. There turned out to be four Owls spread out along the irrigation ditch, likely close to their burrows which were out of sight. They were surprisingly unbothered by the cars rolling up to them, probably because they see trucks and farm vehicles driving past all day every day. Once we were directly across the irrigation ditch from the closest pair, I climbed into the passenger seat to take some better photosm. Mostly the Owls just stood on their tiny hill and looked around. Though I did witness one of the pair above fly down to pounce on a grasshopper, then return to feed it to their partner.

[ID: A pair of Burrowing Owls stand on a mound of dirt. This photo was taken midday, with the sun directly overhead. At least one of these individuals is different from those above, as they have two leg bands instead of one. It's also apparent in the photo that the Owls are standing at the edge of a farm field from the row of green plants out of focus in the background. End ID]

I had such a great view of the Burrowing Owls that I had to bring my family back to see them on our last day in Tucson. Because we were heading out of town in the middle of the day, I was confident we'd find them right away and avoid testing the patience of my kid. It turns out I didn't have to worry. Not only were the Owls right where I left them, but the kid had fallen asleep on the drive, so we had to wake him up to see them! And seeing as I already had the camera within easy reach, I had to take a few more photos.

[ID: A Burrowing Owl stands on a mound of dirt. This one is looking alert in the midday sun, standing and scanning the area around the edge of the farm field. End ID]

On a trip full of exciting views, long hikes, and thousands of photos, it was nice to finish the trip quietly sitting in the car just a few yards away from such a compelling bird. And it always feels good to track down a lifer and share that experience with others!

[genyawritesshizz]

A Hum of Time. Toshinori Yagi x Reader

Part 6

-Technically 5.5, shorter chapter

Summary: An innocent relationship between two workaholics could not possibly be that eventful. Just two individuals finding comfort within each other's company and the occasional cup of coffee. What happens when a secret that could ruin both of their careers brings the whole thing crashing down? In a heart wrenching decision, you must do what is best for all three of you and brave the future alone. Will you ever tell the truth? You might not have a choice. Amidst the fallout an opportunity arises, one that could perhaps benefit them all. A coup to send All Might into retirement once and for all flourishes amidst unsuspected old friends.

Part 1 Part 2 Part 3 Part 4 Part 5

If you want to check this out on AO3 lemme know, ill drop the link in the comments

3272: word count

With a deep sigh, Toshinori could remain silent no longer. Waiting for Chiyo to step out, for he knew the older woman would forbid him from transforming after such exertion, his guilt prevailed through stain.

 As the hours ticked by and the sun long casted down behind the hill at which the school rests atop, the moment of opportunity presented itself as she ventured into the hallways. Glancing to his prodigies bedside wary of objections, the young man slept soundly. With a puff of smoke and fatigued muscles straining All Might emerged. 

Approaching tightly drawn walls with a deep sigh, a labored stretch of his smile and clearing his throat as to announce his presence he prepared to face the emotionally vulnerable mother beyond. 

However, the moment thin fabric slid within his grasp his mind felt fuzzy.

“Sleep” 

Catching a peek through pulled barriers as his mind hazed, though the two figures within blurred the faint sight made his heart drop…

‘(Y/N)?’

Ending credits rolled and a quieted theme song jingled throughout the silenced room. Wrapped snugly within each other's embrace, sleep tugged at the edges of tired bodies. It had been months since time had allowed such a night, savoring every second spent together neither wished to depart.

“We should go to bed my love, it's getting late.” 

“You go ahead, I’ve got a couple emails I should check up on be-” 

“It can wait. Please Toshi.” Grabbing his hand and pulling him away from the couch he could not refuse.

 Led to your shared bedroom you sat him atop cooled sheets. 

Though dark, the seldom moonlight allowed gazes to meet, seemingly glowing cerulean swam with admiration looking up to the woman before him. Cherished and dear to his heart, he would never grow tired of such a sight. 

‘Beautiful’

A gentle thumb slid over the hollow of thinned cheekbones and down to his jawline. Wandering further, to massage the tense muscles of his neck and dip under the neckline of his shirt to brush over protruding bones of his vertebrae. A sensual shiver of ecstasy ran through Toshinori with each swipe of warm fingertips and an almost silent sigh had his head lulling back. A now familiar yearn grew hot within tightening trousers. His palms outstretched, holding your hips within their wide grasp, fingers squeezing into the supple flesh of your behind.  Lowering over the loose fabric of his collared shirt, you carefully undo each button as they pass. The wide expanse of his chest presented itself, mindful of his scar, your expedition continued. 

Both sets of hands grew hungry, though unrushed, as clothes drifted off, discarded to the floor for further exploration. Basking in the soft touches of the other, the need to be closer pulled you in.

Climbing on top, within the cover of darkness, without worry of work, without the weight of the world, love bloomed and bursted between them. Bodies conjoined, moving in sync, hushed praises arose as pleasure flared. Whispers of ‘I love you’s’ flew between moans of rapture. It had been far too long since they’d been allowed such a time together. 

As his peak reached deep within you the two collapsed. Rushed breaths mingled, heart rates thumping and arms never untangling. Resting within your shared bed, contentment settled. With eyes closed his arms tightened, pulling you closer.

“That was-” 

“The last time.” Thin eyebrows scrunched, your tone sounded distant. Catching his breath he hummed, confused by your statement. 

“What do you mean?” Finally opening his eyes to look down at the woman within his arms he's met with nothing but balled up knots of blankets. The euphoria evaporated within an instant. “(Y/n)?”

“ALL MIGHT!”

Bolting up from the bed, nude, he ran through the house. Tearing each door open in haste, howling your name till his throat ran raw. Your yells became animalistic, echoing off each emptied room, tauntingly calling his name.

“All Might Please! Save Me!”

“I’m trying! Where are you?!” Padding into the living room he collapsed, inches away, yet just out of his grasp your body laid. Hero suit torn, your once loved form battered, bloodied, and lifeless…  

“I’m sorry, I’m so sorry. Please…”

“Hey All Might!”

“Are you awake?”

“All Might?”

Back inside the far too small cot of the infirmary Yagi’s head swam, dazed, confused. Haunted by dreams of the past. 

“All Might? Are you.. Crying?”

Snapping back into reality, a trembling hand swiped across gloom stricken features. Wetness gathering against thinned palms, mind struggling to find solid ground, and breaths puffed in rapid succession.

“Are you okay?” 

‘What happened?’

Looking over to the once drawn curtains he’s met with a now emptied infirmary. The bed that once held his other student now striped and barren.

“Where did young Akeno and his mother go?”

“Oh, Recovery Girl sent them home a couple hours ago. She said we were also free to leave, but I didn’t want to wake you up. It looked like you were having a nice dream until… Are you okay? It looked like you-”

“I’m fine Midoriya. Nothing to worry about” 

‘It was a dream…But I…’ Sighing as he shoved the memories back from whence they came and turned to his student.

“Let's go home.”

‘It was only a dream.’

Healed over the weekend class resumed anew Monday morning. Though with the looming shock of the attack still fresh on their minds, the students of class 1A buzzed with exhilaration.

“You guys, did you watch the news last night!”

“We’re totally big deals! Those news channels love us were basically celebrities!” 

Amongst the chatter of premiering on television and All Might’s victory Midoriya’s mind swam with questions that had been burning to escape after his recent discovery. Finally spotting his blond haired classmate as he entered, he struggled to withhold his onslaught. The image he had uncovered seared into his mind. As much as he wanted to simply blurt it out, he knew such an important topic must be eased into. Instead opting for a more friendly approach, he greeted his classmate.

“Hey Akeno! How are you feeling?” Cerulean met Emerald and with a smile as Akeno took his seat, smiling wide as ever.

‘That smile.’

“Not back to one hundred percent yet, but I'm getting there!” His deepening voice still sounded scratchy, his throat raw and aching yet miles beyond the infirmary.

“I’m happy to hear that! Hey, so theres something I wanted to ask-”

“Attention homeroom, class is about to begin. Everyone, stop talking and take your seats!” Entering at top speed Iida stood before the podium, silencing the question. 

“We can talk during lunch.” With a shaky grin Midoriya agreed, though his questions boiled, just below the surface, threatening to overflow.

“Morning class.” Muffled through layers of bandages Mr. Aizawa stood within the doorway, much to everyone's shock. As chatter picked up regarding his well being, it was quickly squandered by their teachers' unwavering stoicism. “What’s more important is your fight isn't over yet. The UA sports festival is about to start.”

Overflowing with excitement the teens all congregated on their shared aspiration for their upcoming performances. The questions brewing were almost forgotten within his own enthusiasm, yet as the bell rang for lunch his bustling curiosity repopulated.

“You guys go on ahead, we’ll meet you there!” Dismissing Uraraka and Iida the hallways cleared around the two aspiring heroes.

“Midoriya, you said you had something you wanted to ask me?”

Now alone standing before his friend, the boy fidgeted with the strap of his backpack, unable to maintain eye contact. Though he was curious, a part of him knew this was a touchy subject. One that could potentially change his classmates' life.

“Hey, is everything okay? You look really nervous. You know you can talk to me right?” His blatantly nerve stricken friend seemingly shrunk beneath him, trembling within his presence, and unable to meet his gaze. “If this is about the villain's attack? Don't worry about it! You did everything you could!”

“No…it’s not that.” Steadying his breaths and gathering himself, Izuku attempted to relax his tense body. If he was going to ask the one profound question that had been weighing him down, he must first present and validate his evidence behind it.

“You said your mom used to be a hero right?” 

“Uh yeah, she used to be a sidekick.” 

“And you said that she was hurt when you were younger, in America?”

“Yeah?” Worried confusion grew within Akeno, now it was he who shrunk beneath the other. 

“How… how old were you when that happened?”

“Around four. Izuku, why are you asking me all this?” Fretted lines drew between furrowed brows and down turned lips. Each question sent the young man further into perplexity. “What does my mom have to do with anything?” 

Slinging his backpack around and fishing within a pocket, Izuku withdrew his phone.

“That’s just the thing…” Finally, emerald met cerulean. Both gazes ardent, swimming with steeled perception. “given what you said about her being a hero in the past-”

“She was just a sidekick!” 

“Even so, she used to be a hero here. Tracing back the history of female heroes that worked in Japan over the last thirty years with vocal quirks, filter out how many transferred to America in the last twenty and those who quit within the last decade… I-I found nothing b-”

“Then what was all this for!” 

“Wait! I’m not done!” Sighing, Akeno nodded, annoyed at the suspended anticipation gnawing at his twisted stomach. “I could not find any heroes matching that description…alive. But I did find one that had passed and-”

“Izuku, my mother is alive! You saw her yourself. She was just here last week.” 

“It’s just that… back when we were all in the infirmary and your mom came to visit, I think I recognized her.” Quivering fingers tapped at the now alighted screen, scrolling further into its archive. 

“You recognized her? That's impossible, mom hasn’t been back in Japan in years.” 

The world fell silent.

Revealed from a turned phone screen, a single photo sent Akeno’s world crumbling. 

“It’s hard to tell since she’s wearing a mask, but doesn’t she look a lot like this hero? Her name was S- 

“No.” 

“B-“

“No. That is not my mother Izuku. I don’t know what you think you’re onto but it’s not true.”

“But I-Wait, where are you going?” Thunderous footsteps blazed past the baffled boy, heading down the hallway to hopefully catch the last minutes of lunch. Refraining from following, Izuku feared he had made his friend uncomfortable. All he wanted to know was if it was possible. Perhaps his assumptions were wrong after all.

‘It can’t be true. That picture has to be fake. It has to be.’

Silenced for the remainder of the day, Akeno’s mind drowned within its thoughts. 

Far too scared to approach for fear of worsening the situation, Izuku allowed his classmate space. 

The final bell rang, signaling the end of the day. As students flooded the hallways ready to be home Izuku was once again pulled aside by his mentor. Exchanging pleasantries and pouring two cups of tea, Toshinori sat rigid before his pupil. Shaking hands curled into the excess fabric of his suit as words struggled to form.

“Young Midoriya, there’s something I must ask of you. Though I hope you don’t find it too weird.” 

“Of course All Might, what is it?” The boy's demeanor starkly contrasted the older man's gloom; his apprentice's charisma almost made him cringe. 

“I-I’ve been meaning to ask,” Sucking in air through gritted teeth he almost recanted his curiosity though burning desire for the truth propelled the notion. “What do you know about Akeno’s mother?”

Emerald hues widened.

“Actually that's something I wanted to talk to you about as well. Did you happen to see her while in the infirmary?” 

“No, I… I didn’t.” A sense of confusion clouded over once sharpened instincts.

‘I could’ve sworn I was going to try and talk to her…But then I… Fell asleep?’  

“I know you spoke to her, who was she? Have you seen her before?”  

“That’s the thing, she looked vaguely familiar to me. I thought I figured out where I’d seen her before but when I tried to talk to Akeno about it, he didn’t agree. Now looking back at it, I don't think my assumption was right either, it’s too far-fetched.” 

“What was your assumption?”

“It…It was nothing, I really don’t think it could be who I originally thought. It wouldn’t make sense.” Refraining from showing his mentor the photo or divulging in his theory after reading more about Siren and her untimely demise, If he was wrong about this theory then telling All Might could upset him, especially if they were close.

“But, Akeno has told me a lot about her so maybe you could figure it out?” 

Besides, surely if All Might actually knew this hero and if all the information he was about to give matched, he would tell him. Right? 

“What has he said?”

Recalling every scrap of information to his mentor, Toshinori's thin brows drew together, thick wrinkled lines of contemplation forming the further he recalled. 

“Does that remind you of anyone?”

“I… I don’t think so, sorry.” In reality the inner workings of Yagi’s mind went into overdrive, cogs grinding and turning with recollection. 

‘It can’t be. Rationalize. It’s surely all just a coincidence… All a coincidence…It has to be. She’s…she’s dead…’

His feeble attempts to sooth his rampaging mind were not boding well, buckling with each new piece of information. Pushing them back was becoming overpowering.

Sighing in defeat Izuku came to the conclusion that his theory had in fact been incorrect, a simple fairytale that his fanboy mind had concocted. 

‘It was just a theory.’

“Don’t worry about it, whoever she is, if it’s important I'm sure we’ll figure it out. Besides, you should be focusing on the sports festival!” Redirecting his pupils' attention as a way to forfeit his mind's own psychosis and dissipate the defeated look upon Midoriya’s face he pushed them back to the matter at hand. 

“That kid could be your clone ya know.” Midnight laughed, the two sat alone within the teachers lounge, wrapping up the day's paperwork. Typically Midnight would talk about her day or problems while Toshinori only nodded, occasionally adding very little to the conversation. However today's topic of discussion had landed on the sports festival and their predictions on how it would go. Going down the roster of both 1A and 1B this one off comment seized his full attention. 

The thoughts that had been plaguing him over the mystery that was Akeno and his origins resurfaced. It had been less than three weeks since his chat with Midoriya, ever since his mind had been spinning its wheels, desperate to find traction.

“Yeah no kidding, kid looks just like me” He attempted to play the comment off with a chuckle, however it struggled to come off genuine, the light quiver in his tone gave away his unease. In an effort to sooth rattled nerves a hand rubbed at the back of his sweat slicked neck. 

“All Might!?” Midnight’s voice had raised in pitch, both eyebrows up in suspicion under her mask. “Do you have a secret child?” She practically yelled this question, voice high in excitement. Steam could’ve piped out of his ears and a thick haggard cough of blood spurted from his mouth at her brazenness.

“NO! Not that I know of.” His hands flew up in defense.

“That you know of?! So it’s possible!” She laughed “How promiscuous of you Toshinori.”

“Nemuri please, there is no way that kid could be mine. I haven’t…” He trailed off thinking back to the last he’d been active. It was with you. After all these years he had not found it within himself to seek out a new lover. Not that it was not offered to him, as All Might women practically threw themselves at him. He simply had no desire to, no want for sexual or romantic intimacy with anyone ever again. Sure there were nights when he felt lonely and craved affection but the mere thought of receiving it from anyone else made his skin crawl. Besides, he had learned from you that bringing anyone into his life, his personal life, was dangerous. For both himself and them.

“It’s been…awhile”

“ Common All Might,  it can’t be that long. You’re a bit older but you’ve still got game! Tell me how long. I have to know now!”

He pondered her question. Then counted back the years in his head, sixteen… 

‘Wait, how old is this kid? He’s in young Midoriya’s class so he must be’ 

OH.

He coughed, his mind ablaze with thoughts. A splatter of blood coated his hand, gasping for air, violent hacks surged through him. The seductive hero passed him a cup of water, with a few forced sips the fit subsided. 

“Twenty” he lied through his teeth, revealing too much could lead her to the same conclusion. Midnight’s mouth hung open her eyes wide.

“TWENTY? What a travesty! Absolutely appalling! How can you go on without the touch of another?” 

“Look, I'm not too comfortable discussing this. Can we please pick another topic?” Toshinori felt as if his whole world was spinning upside down. The train of thought he had tried so desperately to derail steamed down the tracks, now full speed ahead, barreling into a brick wall of realization.

The kid matched the age gap.

He was the spitting image of him.

He had your exact same quirk.

Given all the information Midoriya had told him earlier he was born in America, however his mother was originally from Japan.

‘That's where you moved after the break up.’

The boy's whole reason for being a hero was in his mothers honor who was attacked by a villain when he was young. 

‘Deducting the years from the time you were ‘killed’ would put him around 3-4, far too young to remember crucial details yet aware of the situation.’

Too many ‘coincidences’. Too many dots connected. Yet the one gaping hole in this whole theory revolved around one central point; 

‘His mother is alive, you are not.’ So he thought. 

He needed answers. 

Now.

Sneaking into the gyms locker room to most would be seen as nothing short of creepy and perverse, yet driven by the need for mediation All Might proceeded. Scrounging through every cubby until finally reaching the quarry. Unsurprisingly, as most teenage boys did, Akeno had not washed his pullover after their last training exercise. Pillaging the uniform he examined it carefully until his target was acquired, a singular piece of golden hair pinched between his finger tips. 

“Tsukauchi, I have a favor to ask. It's urgent.”

Two strands of blonde hair sealed safely into ziplock bags were handed off to the detective. 

As the hours ticked by awaiting results Yagi’s mind spiraled further, the facts at hand repeating themselves forwards and back until the jingle of his phone broke the cycle.

“Yagi, I have the results for the samples you gave me. It wasn’t easy convincing the lab to run it without prior authorization and on such short notice but since it’s for you, we managed to pull a few strings.” Toshinori’s heartbeat thundered into his ear, threatening to overshadow the man's words. 

“It’s a 50% match. They’re either parent and child or siblings.” 

‘Parent and child.’

“Yagi? You there-”

Hanging up, there was only one person he wanted to speak to right now. 

“David. Tell me the truth.” 

[additiva]

“dvd bonus” anonym bcs i cant get enough of prince charles 🥰

Hello some anonym love for you 🥰

This is a post-fic snippet.

It’s as Max is picking Charles up late on a Thursday night that he makes his request. Demand, really.

“Max”, he starts, looking up at him with wide, bright eyes. “I want to drive.”

Max stares for a moment, surprised, then looks back to his own fingers flexing gently on the steering wheel. The cavallino rampante shines between his thumbs.

He turns slowly, considering, then back. When he meets Charles’ gaze, it’s hopeful.

Max hesitates.

“Are you high?”

It’s a silly question. Max already knows he’s not. He’s just stalling, really.

Charles doesn’t call him out; he shakes his head and lays a warm hand over Max’s forearm, squeezing gently.

“Please?”

Fuck.

Max caves.

The breath rushes out of him, and he relents, hands dropping from the wheel to undo his seatbelt.

Settling awkwardly into the passenger seat, it occurs to him to ask whether Charles even can drive.

Obviously, Charles’ amused snort seems to say.

“Obviously.” He confirms, to erase any lingering suspicion. “But most of the times Andrea is driving me.”

Max hums, hands drifting strangely, unsure where to land. He finally folds them in his lap, feeling very out of place.

Charles doesn’t wait for him to get comfortable; he clicks the car into gear and eases away from the curb. The soft growling of the engine vibrates through them as they glide through the streets, out into the dark hills behind the city.

He drives confidently, manipulating the wheel and gears beautifully. He listens to the car, shifting up and down at the perfect moment, occasionally pushing it just to hear the purr. He drives the car like he’s making love to it, barely aware of Max just inches away.

He’d probably make quite a good Formula 1 driver, Max thinks, not for the first time.

Reaching a dark spot up in the cliffs, he finally pulls over, breathing heavily as he does. His grin doesn’t dim as he finally turns to Max, pupils once again wide.

“Max, do you want to—”

The laugh that cuts him off is loud and indulgent, unsurprised. In this way, he’s so predictable.

Max nods, and throws open his door, intending to drag him into the narrow backseat. Before he can, Charles is climbing out too, catching him in the beam of the headlights.

When Max indicates the passenger door questioningly, Charles shakes his head. Max makes a confused sound. If he wants to fuck in the driver’s seat, it’s going to be really difficult. Charles is pretty flexible but there’s just not that much--.

The thought dissolves as Charles slides over to lean against the sleek black bonnet. He holds Max’s eye, reaching faux-innocently for his hand.

Oh god, Max thinks, swallowing heavily.

Oh Jesus fuck, he thinks as Charles draws him in, bringing first one then both of Max’s hands to his waist.

And that’s dangerous. He knows Max can’t think when his hands are around Charles’ waist. That’s why he’s doing it, Max is aware. 

He’s still thinking about it as he lifts Charles, depositing him higher on the striped carbon fibre panel; as he steps closer to slot between his legs.

“Charles, come on.” He tries to reason, even as his fingers begin to wander. “We can’t, here. Someone will see.”

Charles’ green eyes glitter in the low light, a little smirk pulling at his lips. He doesn’t seem concerned, reclining to lay back – arms stretched above his head.

“Mmmm, but it is very dark.” It’s not that dark. “They will not know that it is us.”

They might. The car is painted with a Dutch flag. It’s sort of distinctive. And Charles is, as it turns out, quite well known in Monaco.

“But schat”, Max tries again, “if they do, then Andrea will shoot me.”

Charles’ giggle is disbelieving.

“You are very dramatic, always. Why would you think this?”

There’s several reasons, to be honest. But the main reason is because he’d told Max he would.

The conversation is clear in his mind, despite Andrea’s slightly clumsy English.

“I will shoot you”, he’d said.

He’d used those exact words.

“I am keeping Charles safe.” He’d told Max sternly in a moment on fleeting privacy. “This is my job. But also, I am keeping him away from trouble.”

His face hadn’t twitched as he’d said it, or afterward as he’d read Max’s mind.

“This is not an easy job, with Charles. Most people, they have in the head a voice, and it is saying ‘no, this is a bad idea’. Charles? He does not have this.”

At that, Max had thought, not for the last time, that Charles would probably make quite a good Formula 1 driver.

“So”, Andrea had pressed on. “When you are with him, sometimes you are needing to be this voice, hmm? To say ‘No, Charles, this is a bad idea’.”

“Okay?” Max had nodded. *Okay now you try.”

And then Andrea had made him practice saying it.

“No, Charles. This is a bad idea.”

He’d made him practice it four times, then threatened him.

“Good. Because if he is in trouble because of you, I will shoot you.”

And then he’d explained diplomatic immunity in remarkable detail, and shown him his gun.

“I do not want to shoot you, Max. Do not make me do it.”

Throughout it all, Max had nodded dumbly along,  wide-eyed and alarmed, thinking about all the things they’d already done – all the things Andrea lets them do, and wondering what could possibly cross the line into too much trouble.

He suspects, in this moment, that this might be it.

A photo on twitter of the two of them fucking not even in, but on, his Ferrari would probably do the trick.

Even so, he can’t call those words to mind – the ones Andrea had made him practice.

Instead, what comes out of his mouth is completely unrelated.

“Maybe I should turn off the engine?”

Charles’ voice in response seems to echo the purring of the V8, warm and alive. Max can feel the vibrations through his skin.

“No.” He shifts, grinning, pulling Max in close. “Leave it on.”

 -----

There we go. A little more unhinged Charles.

Also if you like it please send me a comment or a message or smth 🤍🤍 I want to fulfill everyone's requests and likes are wonderful but this game isn't that fun for me if I'm just shouting into the abyss. I want to hear someone calling back 🤍

[xiaq]

How is Denver so far compared to Austin?

I quite prefer Denver, but I'm biased for a few reasons.

Austin makes me sad. Austin now is not the Austin I grew up in/the Austin I loved. And nostalgia for a place that no longer exists while still technically existing leaves a bitter taste in my mouth. Did you know that the greenbelt and all its trails and climbing walls used to feature a creek that never dried up? The level might fluctuate, but it ran all year round, fed by springs from the aquifer. You could climb until you got overheated and then go sit in the water for a bit to recover. Now, after years of extreme heat, persistent droughts, and people pumping water out of the aquifer, it's just miles of dry rock with small trees growing in it, that occasionally floods when it rains. I can't climb there without feeling...I don't even know how to describe it. Like I'm walking over the corpse of an old friend.

Denver gives us a community. In Denver, we live in a walkable/bikable community within 2 miles (or much less) of our grocery store, restaurants, a gluten-free bakery, coffee shops, our climbing gym, and several friends. I've seen more people in person in the last three weeks here than I did in the previous 3 months in Austin. One of my friends jogs by every afternoon. Others live at the park I walk Deacon to in the mornings. People just...drop in to see us/how house renovations are going spur-of-the-moment because they were literally walking by/on their way home. Community is so important to me and I have that here in a way I didn't in Austin.

Terrain. Texas is so damn flat. I get a thrill driving to Home Depot here because I can see mountains in the distance. Our rooftop deck looks at the mountains. I can be in the mountains after a less than 30-minute drive. I had to drive for hours to get to a hill in Austin. Here, mountains are just...present in a comforting way.

The seasons. Austin doesn't have seasons. Here, we have gorgeous sunny weather most of the time but the trees change color in the fall and we currently have snow! Deacon LOVES snow. Probably even more than me. There is something so delightful about taking a walk while it's snowing. When the whole world is quiet and white and still. Even after living in one of the snowiest places in the US for a year, snow is still so novel to me. Big fan.

Travel. I can walk to the train station from our house, which will take me to the airport in 25 minutes. And Denver is a hub for Southwest which means tons of direct flights at low costs (to places like Austin!). I also have a companion pass for Southwest, which means I can take B (or anyone else I please) with me for free on any Southwest flight. Which is very handy. B's mom has already visited us twice (coming again this weekend) because there are quick direct flights from Phoenix she can take advantage of. The negatives are the cost of living and the fact that the homeless population is large and the city doesn't seem to have the appropriate resources (or perhaps willingness) to address it. But those are both issues that plague Austin as well. The only thing I miss about Austin is the ability to see my parents whenever I want. My mom is coming to visit in two weeks and we're hoping to coax my dad out when it warms up a bit (and we have the guest rooms ready), but I definitely miss them.