#but like i took a nap and drank some water and was fine

[jazajas]

IDK hope far this is gonna go but to the people who don't get flu vaccines because they 'got the flu after getting the vaccine' - I've got an idea/hypothesis and i want to poll the masses

also put in the tags/replues/etc if you got any additional vaccines or if you got sick after other vaccines and how long you were sick for

[woso-dreamzzz]

Hangover

Ellie Carpenter x Reader

Summary: A holiday with your teammates

You sighed softly, relaxing in the afternoon sun.

You could hear your teammates splashing around in the water but you were happy sunbathing on the boat. They were all like children anyway and you definitely didn't want to get caught up in a game between them.

Kyra, particularly, seemed to be out for blood earlier when she'd hit you across the face with a pool noodle (you had no idea where she had even gotten one from) and then scampered off like a little gremlin to attack Charli.

Mini had run after her yelling about playing nice and you were happy to leave them to their carnage.

Vaguely, you could hear Sam shouting and you groaned. You wished you'd stayed in bed.

"Don't you look grumpy," A very familiar (and perhaps the only welcome) voice said.

You cracked open an eye to look at your girlfriend. "Tell them to shut up. My head hurts."

"You shouldn't have drank so much then," Ellie said with a laugh.

She was right but you didn't want to give her the satisfaction of knowing that. Hindsight was twenty-twenty and all but Alanna, Macca, Caitlin and you all ended up partying pretty hard last night and you had spent most of this morning hunched over the toilet as Ellie joined some of your other teammates for a morning run.

The sun was helping and the nap you had just woken up from was amazing but the lingering effects of your hangover made everything you did a little bit worse.

You look at her through squinted eyes underneath your sunglasses. "Alanna shouldn't have bet she could drink me under the table."

You were a competitive person and Alanna knew it. She also knew that you wouldn't get absolutely smashed unless she somehow goaded you into it.

You won but at a price.

"You didn't have to accept," Ellie laughed.

You ignored her then shrieked when she shook her wet hair out all over you.

Your scrambled away. "Ellie! I was trying to stay dry!"

"You were trying to be unsociable," She said, reaching out and pressing her cold, wet hand to your hip," Can't I tempt you to get in the water?"

You looked out across the bay with a scrutinising eye. Most of your teammates were already in the water having fun and you're pretty sure that you saw Kyra and Charli trying to drown each other.

"I'm fine here, babe."

You reached into the cooler and cracked open the bottom of a beer. It wouldn't be enough to get you drunk but it would be enough to take the edge off.

"Not even if I said please?" Ellie teased and you threw a towel at her.

"Not even then."

She groaned, plopping down next to you with a huff. She towel-dried her hair. "You're no fun."

"I'm plenty fun," You replied, taking another long drink before lying down again," We just have different definitions."

She laid down next to you. Her body was still cold and slightly wet but you didn't move away like you would have done earlier. Her finger drew patterns on your stomach as you snacked on the chocolates next to you.

You plucked some into your fingers and lifted it up to her mouth. She took it.

"Can I have some of your drink too?"

You grinned at her and moved it further out of her reach.

"Oh, come on!"

You stuck your tongue out. "Sorry, babe, I don't let girlfriends who mock me for my drinking habits have my alcohol."

"I wasn't mocking you!" Ellie reached over your body to grab the bottle but you just moved it further away again.

The water from her hair dripped onto your stomach and you rolled away. "Ellie!" You shrieked," Stop it! You're making me cold!"

"Oh, so I can't make you cold but I'm not allowed to drink your beer? You're so mean!"

You raised your drink mockingly at her before draining the rest. "I'm hungover, babe. Come back when I'm over it and maybe I'll be nicer."

"But I missed you!" She whined, going back to laying next to you, as close as she could without you complaining she was cold.

You turned your head to look at her, a small smile appearing on your face. "Yeah," You said begrudgingly," I guess I missed you too."

"But not enough to let me have a beer?"

"You're welcome to grab your own beer, babe, just not the one I drink from." You smirked, lowering your sunglasses to wink. "I don't want your cooties."

Ellie rolled her eyes. "You certainly wanted my cooties last night."

"And like a reliable girlfriend, you didn't take advantage of me. Thank you, babe." You leaned over to press a chaste kiss to her lips.

"I thought you said I was too cold and wet to touch."

"You can just say that you don't want me to kiss you, babe."

She scoffed. "I always want to kiss you. But, you know, what I really want?"

"What do you really want?"

"A beer."

You pulled away with a pretend disappointed sigh. "You've ruined the moment."

"I just want a beer!" Ellie laughed.

"I'm using them," You replied," If you've forgotten I'm hungover. They're helping."

"And you can't share?" She batted her eyelashes as you and you rolled over, reaching for the cooler.

You cracked the lid and flicked it to the side. "Here, babe," You said," You can't say that I don't treat you well."

She grinned. "A whole beer to myself. I feel like royalty."

You flicked your sunglasses back over your eyes and shrugged. "Good. Glad I could help."

[yikesmary]

FOUR: SHE FALLS HARDER — choi seungcheol x reader

summary: where seungcheol takes care of you while you're sick and it leads you to interesting realizations.

notes: hi yes hello this series might end soon because i don't want to drag it on. there might be one more chapter after this one but i don't know how to end it so please be patient. or if you want, share some ideas with me.

i've created a taglist so join below!

join my taglist!

previous / next

"Cheol, you don't have to stay. You had plans and you shouldn't cancel them because of me,"

"I'm cancelling because I want to take care of you. What kind of person would I be if I went out with knowing you were sick," Seungcheol told you.

"But you've been looking forward to hanging out with your friends without me for the first time in awhile,"

Seungcheol gave you a look then said, "They're just not my friends, they are yours too, you know. I bet Joshua or Soonyoung would get offended you don't see them as friends,"

Giving you a glass of water and cold medicine, Seungcheol had made sure you drank a good amount of it without overdoing it. He then gestured you to lean forward, and then he fluffed your pillows.

"Go to sleep for at least a couple of hours. I'll call the guys and tell them I'm taking care of you," he instructed, before leaving the bedroom

You had somehow became sick overnight, feeling fine the night before and waking up with a headache and a stuffy nose. You tried hiding it from Seungcheol, in order to make sure that he was going out with the others.

But he knew you better than you thought, because he immediately noticed something was wrong that second you didn't tease him for his bedhead hair like you've done since he moved in. Which was why he basically shoved a thermometer in your hands and told you to check your temperature.

Knowing that you had no choice, you decided to listen to Seungcheol and take a nap.

The smell of something delicious being cooked woke you up. And when you opened your eyes and looked around, you forgot what was happening for a second. But then the events that had happened only hours before, where Seungcheol decided to take care of you took over your memory.

Standing up from your bed, you felt a bit chilly, so you took your blanket and wrapped yourself with it.

Shuffling out of the bedroom, you moved to the kitchen where the smell was coming from. And you saw a steaming pot of something which must be where the smell was coming from with Seungcheol stirring it slowly.

At the sound of your footsteps, Seungcheol looked up to see you bundled up in a blanket. He smiled softly at the sight of you before his expression turned into concern. "What are you doing awake and up? I thought I told you to sleep," he told you.

"The smell woke me up, it smells yummy," you said.

"I hope it is, or else my mother would kill me if I got her soup recipe wrong," Seungcheol said.

"You didn't have to do this for me,"

"Like I said, I wanted to take care of you. And the soup is no problem. When I was younger, my mom would make me the soup when I was sick and I always felt better after eating it. So, I thought you'd be the same," he explained.

The thought of him calling his mom and following the step by step instructions that came from her warmed your heart.

"The soup's almost done. I was planning to give the soup in bed but since you woke up, just sit there and don't do anything," Seungcheol said.

You followed his instruction, taking a seat at the table. You were still able to see him from your vantage point, so you settled on watching him as he prepared the soup.

He grabbed a bowl from one of the cabinets and was careful not to spill any of the soup when he poured it in. Seungcheol placed the soup on the table in front of you. "I hope it tastes good," he said, placing a spoon beside the bowl.

"Are you going to eat too?" you questioned.

"I'll eat later," he shrugged.

"How are you feeling?"

"I feel better than earlier. I think it was one of those one day sickness, so the soup would probably make me feel fully better," you said, taking a sip of the soup and you hummed at how good it tasted.

"This tastes so good, Cheol," you complimented.

Seungcheol beamed at your compliment, and he was about to reply when he was cut off by the sound of your doorbell going off. You looked at him confused, but he seemed to know what it was about, so he stood up and walked to answer the door.

You went back to eating the soup, but the sound of various voices stopped you. Just then, your 12 friends entered the kitchen, hands full with gift bags. "What are you guys doing here?" you asked, surprised.

"Cheol told us you were sick and we went to buy stuff to make you feel better," Minghao said.

"Aww, you guys didn't have to do that," you said, taking the gift bag that Seungkwan was offering to you.

"Well, Cheol couldn't be the only one to see you," Jihoon said.

"Trust me, he tried stopping us," Jeonghan added.

Mingyu then spotted the soup you had and turned around to see that still steaming pot of soup on the stove. He tried reaching out for your bowl, but Seungcheol smacked his hand away. "Not for you, only for her," he told Mingyu, who pouted.

"You've never made us soup before," Jun said.

"Well, he's in love with none of us so,"

You froze at that, realizing how domestic this all must look. Seungcheol sacrificed his entire afternoon/evening to take care of you.

This wasn't something someone would do for their fake relationship, so now you were thinking. You guys somehow blurred the lines of what was fake and what was real.

You knew that this wasn't going to last forever. You realized that, as long as this relationship was fake, there was going to be an end someday. And you didn't want someday to come.

Since you were in love with him.

taglist (crossed out names mean tumblr isn't letting me tag you for some reason): @geniejunn @whyisaah @goquokka @wnewoo @aurasblue @dkluvrsclub @slut4donghyuck @staurdvst @whippedforjihoon @cakeart12 @venusprada @buffhoshi @cherryredcheol @heeseungdiaries @pluviophile-xxx @tyongff-ff @variety-is-the-joy-of-life @youre-on-your-ownkid @lukeys-giggle @scorpiobitch88 @forever-in-the-sky2 @joonsytip @haolistic @becauseiloveyunho @alonelystarfish @samvagejkflxhrt @violetvoo @ohmyhuenings @minghaossv @laurasseditss @sanniekook

[valeriele3]

Hiii, I saw your post about reopening requests and I was wondering if you could do Rook Hunt x Reader when the reader gets sick? (Like maybe from the flu or a cold but nothing life threatening)

Rook Hunt x GN!Reader

I apologize for the massive ooc T-T I don't know how Rook speaks

"Trickster, you need to rest."

"I refuse."

"This isn't a matter you can refuse. You're ill; you need absolute rest."

"But I'm perfectly fine, Rook! See, I can move around like normal." You move your arms around as if to show that you're functioning like normal.

"Non!" he says sternly.

And.. now you're here.

Stuck in bed.

Missing your classes

All because that damn hunter kidnapped you and locked you in here.

"Make sure to drink your medicine, drink a lot of water, and most importantly, rest. I'll come back to check on you when time allows me to."

Normally, you wouldn't mind missing a day or two

since you could always ask your friends for notes and the lessons weren't that hard. You could always easily catch up.

But here, in Twisted Wonderland, you couldn't afford to even miss a single class.

Sure, some classes are fundamentally the same as the ones in your world, but at the same time, they are so different.

Your friends who're in the same class as you aren't much help either.

Sure, you can probably ask someone else for help, like Riddle, for example; he'll do an excellent job at making sure you're caught up with everything, but he's strict. Way too strict for your liking.

You're practically stuck in your own "home" until a certain 3rd year student who likes stalking people comes to "free" you.

All you can do for now is wait..

"Have you drank your medicine?"

"Yes"

"Water?"

"Yes"

"Rest?"

"..Yes..?"

He looks at you in disapproval.

"And here I thought I told you to rest properly."

"But I did! I even took a nap!"

"And how long exactly?"

"Ten minutes!"

He sighs, "C'mere." Reluctantly, you went closer to the man.

He places his hand on your forehead, checking your temperature.

"Oh my, you're burning up! Come, lay down." Hurriedly, he forces you to your bed to lay down.

"Stay there"

"I'll make some soup for you."

While waiting, you can gradually smell the soup coming together.

You can feel yourself drifting to sleep.

The stress and tiredness that have been accumulating seem to have finally hit you.

By the time his footsteps were within hearing distance, you were already in a deep sleep.

Creak

Step

Step

The footsteps halt. He looks down at you and places the tray carrying your food and medicine on the bedside table.

Slowly, cautiously, as if afraid any kind of movement or sound might wake you

He leans down and presses a chaste kiss on your forehead.

'Sleep tight, Mon Ange. I'll be here the whole time you need me.

By the time you woke up, it was already the next day.

Your fever is now long gone.

It amazes you how quickly it went away. It just took one day. It makes you wonder what the people here put in their medicine for it to work so effectively.

Hearing a noise from below, you get up from your bed.

Slowly, you go down the stairs, making sure that the wood doesn't creak as you do so.

You grab your trusty broom and head towards the source of the noise: the kitchen.

You prepare to hit the intruder when suddenly your broom is knocked out of your hands and you are put in a headlock.

"Oh?"

'ROOK!?' You scream internally.

Rook immediately lets go and apologizes. "I sincerely apologize; my body had reacted before I could even think."

"It's..Cough..Alright, cough what're you even doing here anyway?"

"Hm? Do you not remember? I came by yesterday to take care of you."

You try to recall the events that transpired yesterday.

Albeit it's a bit blurry, you now do remember Rook coming by.

"Ah, right, right, you did."

"I'm surprised you haven't left yet, Rook."

"How could I simply leave behind someone who is obviously not in their perfect state?" he says, a bit overdramatically.

Pausing on his words as if remembering something, he says

"Ah, the food. Go sit down; it's almost finished cooking."

As the first light of dawn filtered through the sheer curtains, the cozy breakfast nook was bathed in a warm, golden glow.

Just you, him, and the light that passes through the window, casting a warm and comforting atmosphere

The scene is serene.

You don't know what it is, but, for some reason, you don't want this to end.

You wish to stay in this serenity a bit longer, hoping that time will pause for even a second more to enjoy the scene you have before you.

.ೃ࿐Reblogs are highly appreciated! ^^

[spgothkidsheadcanons]

Hiii I hope that you're doing good and drank enough water today <33

Can I request headcanons for Michael, Henrietta and Pete with a s/o who is a nanny and often somehow ends up with two or three babies at their house?

If not it's fine of course!

Have a great day <33

Ah, yes. You most absolutely can request that

I hope this is what you were looking for! I’ve gotten a little rusty, so please feel free to let me know if I’m way off course here 😅

Warnings: There are none

~~~~

Henrietta:

- Oof

- Oofies

- Henrietta does not like kids, so when she showed up to your house and watched you wrangle 3 toddlers by yourself, she had half a mind to just turn around and come back later

- Alas, as soon as you took note of her standing there, you greeting her so sweetly, she just couldn’t leave you there to deal with all of that by yourself

- So despite Henrietta’s distaste for kids, she’d lend a hand, doing the absolute bare minimum with the most dramatic scowl on her face

- You couldn’t help but laugh and kiss her cheek every so often, teasing her about the future of your relationship and the change of mind she might have

- Until one of the kids tipped their full cup of juice onto her dress…

- Yeah, maybe not

- Henrietta does know what she’s doing, though, and won’t actively let the kids cause harm to themselves or each other by distracting them with some music

- If she ever finds the picture you’ve taken of her with the kids sitting quietly beside her while listening to the songs, she’d have your head on a stake in her front yard

- And after they’ve all been sent home, you’d have to turn right around and babysit your poor girlfriend’s psyche because it has been RUINED by the kids

- Would you ever get to relax? 🙄

Pete:

- Welp

- When you needed help, Pete didn’t think twice about rushing over without even asking what it is you’d need help with

- Upon seeing the set of kids all tugging at your shirt and crying for your attention, he’d act without thinking, immediately drawing their hands away

- Of course, they’d just turn their attention to Pete, but it gave you the few minutes of peace you needed in order to make them some snacks and refill their drinks

- While you werenin the kitchen, your boyfriend had no problem occupying the children with some toys that had been brought for them to play with

- Bringing in the snacks, you’d give Pete a peck on the cheek as a thank you

- And when the children were all settled, snacking away happily, Pete would tease you for running a mini zoo as a part time job

- Nap time was so easy for you

- For Pete, not so much, because as soon as you both sat on the couch, he was flooded by toddlers using him as a bed

- The experience would definitely make him think of you as a parent, and he didn’t seem so worried about your future kids anymore

- When the kids got picked up, that’s when it became nap time for you and Pete

- After the day you two have had, Pete would like to revel in the childlessness for a little bit longer, soaking up the quiet

Michael:

- Oh, you are just in for a treat

- Michael actually really likes kids, so much so that he comes ready with games and activities for the tots

- Seeing as you had to babysit for your neighbor, you accepted his invite to help out readily, glad to have someone on your side

- You might as well go on ahead and sit down because he’s got it

- Even when you think he’s going to tip over because all the kids wanted to climb him like a tree, he’s got it

- Lunch time is super easy because Michael’s probably ordered a pizza for the kids, so the only thing you need to worry about is feeding them

- If he has his guitar, yes, he is playing it for the kids (you had no idea that he knew to play Baa Baa Black Sheep, but it was kinda cute)

- Nap time for the kiddos is right around the corner, and seeing them curled around your boyfriend on the floor made your heart swell

- While they napped, you and Michael would relax and watch over them, making sure nothing happened

- This is when he’d lament that he couldn’t wait to have kids with you, seeing just how great you were with babysitting

- When the kids left, you’d tidy up the small messes they’ve made that day

- And Michael would help willingly, hoping that you knew he was serious about your earlier conversation

[billys-pretty-babe]

I'm sorry to bother you but do you take requests for lil insecure anon here? You're You're amazing writer btw...

If you can and would like to, can you pls write something about Billy being hella sick, can be after or before the events at star course, and for once someone is taking care of him, aka someone being his girlfriend that is also his best friend (sorry I just live for the hcs that billy would date his best friend).

If you don't feel comfortable is fine really! I hope you're having a good day

Hi baby, I take requests from anyone and everyone! Don't ever be afraid to request something from me (it may take a few days depending on how my week is going). I'm so sorry that this is almost a week late.

Let Me

Pairing : Billy Hargrove x Fem!Reader

Summary : ^^^

Warnings : Vomit and swearing

Word count : ~ 1.02k

A/N : Requests are open

His entire body shook as he coughed. It had been almost a month since Starcourt and Billy's immune system was still weak. He groaned, his throat sore, his nose runny and his head was pounding. "Baby," he called out as best as he could, he knew you were somewhere in the house but he wasn't sure where.

The bedroom door pushed open as you held a cup of water and placed it beside him before pushing his sweaty hair back as you felt his forehead. "Baby, you're burning up. You wanna take a bath or shower?" He shook his head and you helped him take the blanket off considering he was shivering and complaining that he was cold not even ten minutes ago.

"Here, drink some water." He nodded and groaned, his body was aching, everything just hurt and he wanted to cry from the pain but he knew if he could face death at eighteen, he'd be fine with whatever sickness he was dealing with at the moment. You helped him sit up as he drank the cold water, letting his eyes flutter shut as the water helped soothe his throat momentarily before he put the glass down.

"Want something to eat?" He shook his head because he knew he wouldn't be able to stomach it, hell, the water made him feel nauseous. "You'll have to eat soon, B." He nodded and laid back down, spreading out as you wiped his sweaty skin with a wash rag. You gently rubbed his cheek, feeling bad for him. "I'll be back to check on you, take a nap, okay?" He nodded and you left the room and he fell asleep.

30 minutes passed and you decided to check on Billy. You walked into his bedroom to see his head in his trash can, his body lurching forward. You hated vomit, always ran when someone would merely gag but this was Billy, the same boy who risked his life to save teenagers a month ago.

You walked over and moved his hair back from his face as you gently rubbed his back. He finished emptying everything in his stomach before you took the bag from the trash can and quickly ran it outside before putting a new one in the black trash can and you grabbed a rag and dampened it with cold water. You hummed as you walked back to him, cleaning his face and wiping the tears under his eyes.

"I fucking hurt," he said, his voice straining. "Want some Tylenol? It might make your fever go down too." He nodded and you searched his cabinet before finding a bottle of Tylenol and you gave him two pills and handed him his water as he swallowed them. He groaned, his head on his headboard as he looked up.

He reached for you, he just wanted to be comforted but he wouldn't allow you to sleep beside him or kiss him because he didn't know what he had and he couldn't bare to see you in the same position he was. You moved closer to him as he held your waist. "Come on, let's get you a bath." He nodded and you helped him to his bathroom as he sat on the toilet lid as you prepped the bath for him. "Make it cold, please." You looked back, your eyes sad for him.

"Billy, it can't be cold, baby. It'll make you shiver and make your fever worse." He nodded and you tested the temperature of the water, making sure it was warm but not too hot or too cold and you helped him strip before putting him in the tub. He sighed and relaxed, shutting his eyes. You wet his hair and washed it for him, knowing the sweaty strands were aggravating him.

He twisted so his arms were on the side of the tub as he groaned and coughed as you rubbed his back. His coughing fit stopped and he put his head on the side of the tub as you gently rubbed his cheek as you talked to him softly, trying to provide comfort for him as you washed his sweaty skin.

"Let me get your clothes, okay?" He nodded and you left the bathroom and found him a pair of sweatpants. "B, do you have any boxers?" "Hamper," he called out as best as he could. You found the hamper with his clean clothes that you had washed two days before and found a pair before going into the bathroom. You grabbed a towel and helped him out of the tub as you handed him the towel and he dried himself off as you unplugged the drain of the tub.

You plugged in his hair dryer and he cringed before you turned it on. "I know baby but I'm gonna try and make it quick. You can't have wet hair or you'll feel worse." He nodded and slid his boxers and sweatpants on. You grabbed the damp towel and slid it under his hair. "Put the towel over your ears so it'll muffle the sound." He nodded and covered his ears with the towel and his hands as you put the dryer on hot and on the lowest setting so the motor wasn't as loud as you quickly dried his curly hair, using the end of the towel to aid you with the excess water.

You finished his hair and dried off his torso and despite being sick he smirked at you in the mirror. "No, you're sick. Go lay back down." He huffed and walked back to his bed and he laid down and covered up. "I'm cold again." You nodded and put the blankets on him as you sat beside him, moving his hair back. "Want me to lay with you?" He shook his head, "Don't want you to get sick." You nodded, "Okay." His hand found yours, his skin scorching hot as he intertwined his fingers with yours, making you smile.

You continued playing with his hair until he fell asleep. You leaned down and kissed his forehead, "I love you," you softly said, your lips brushing against his clean skin.

[ssho197]

after the new event, xiao takes a liking towards alcohol and drinks

me when i haven’t posted in like a month 👍(i had no motivation and no idea what to write so if anyone has good concepts pls share)

context: diona was trying to make a gross drink in liyue and she makes chongyun and xiao drink it,, xiao ends up liking the drink but ofc he doesnt rly say anything bc he's the king of not communicating with anyone

its rare for xiao to ever like anything especially foods, he only ever liked eating almond tofu because it reminded him of the sweet dreams he used to eat. diona's drink felt like the pain of losing his friends but the tranquility he feels sometimes by the water resting beside wangshu inn.

months had gone by and eating the offerings of almond tofu just don't taste the same anymore. he needs to have a taste of that drink again. he took the long walk back to mondstadt to find diona.

he didn't like how populated and bright mondstadt's city was. he didn't want any of his karmic debt causing chaos to a neighbouring city and making an innocent poor civilian fall ill.

he found the cats tail after watching from the tops of the buildings. upon entering, a small black cat came up to his side and rubbed on his leg. this was rlly sudden to xiao so he froze up but he felt relaxed. the soft pur of the cat eased his tensions (he should go and get a massge or smth i could help w this if yk what i mean)

he asked around for diona and luckily found her after asking only one person. "so ya want me to make you a drink? ugh fine.. but im making it non-alcoholic!"

xiao decided to go up to the second floor to find somewhere to sit, luckily no one was up there,, except some lone cats curled up into balls napping. xiao drank his drink while overlooking the cats tail. there were tcg players thinking hard about their next moves, cats clawing away at vertical scratching posts and drinks being shaken up by diona. xiao would be back soon.

after a few frequent trips to the cats tail, xiao decided to head back to wangshu inn and hoping he would see the traveller (us) again. mainly because he wanted to try alcoholic drinks. he doesn't really understand why people get drunk just to avoid their problems. maybe he would end up becoming like that one day?

[mj-iza-writer]

"Hey I'm sorry to bother you, but Whumpee just woke up from their nap, and they realized you weren't home. Now they are laying on the floor crying", Robert sighed, "wha-what do I do? You said you'd be back before they woke up, I'm not good with this comforting stuff."

Caretaker sighed, "okay take a deep breath, you sound really stressed, and you are going to make it worse for yourself if Whumpee senses that."

Robert took a breath, "okay, now what?"

"This took a little longer than I thought it would, but I'm almost done", Caretaker looked over a few notes, "for right now, go into my office. On the couch you will see a gray fluffy blanket."

Robert stepped over the sobbing Whumpee, "I'll be right back, stay here", they sighed, "okay found it."

"Great, that is one of their favorite blankets, lay it on the ground, and wrap Whumpee in it like a burrito. Yes, you can absolutely roll them on the floor if it's easier, they'll be fine with it", Caretaker waited.

"Okay I'll put you on speaker", Robert set the phone down, "come here Whumpee", Robert groaned as they dragged and rolled Whumpee on top of the blanket, and started to wrap them like a burrito.

"Do you have a Whumpee burrito yet?", Caretaker asked, "this is slowing me down."

"Caretaker?", Whumpee sobbed.

"Yes Whumpee, it's okay, I had to do some paperwork for you. Robert said he'd watch you, but you woke on him", Caretaker soothed Whumpee.

"What do I do with their arms?", Robert looked at the half done burrito.

"Tuck them into the blanket", Caretaker sighed.

"Okay I have a Whumpeerrito", Robert exclaimed.

"Good, now carefully place them on the couch, do not drop Whumpee", Caretaker listened to Whumpee being plopped into the couch.

"Now what?", Robert grabbed the phone, "they're just staring at me."

"They tend to do that", Caretaker sighed, "go up to their room, and get the weighted blanket. Be careful it is heavy, they like the deep pressure. Cover them up with that, just right on top of them."

"Okay", Robert sighed, "I was not planning to do all of this."

"You're being a hero", Caretaker laughed, "you'll survive, they normally chill in their cocoon for a while. The blanket will help relax them."

Caretaker heard the blanket plop down.

"All you have to do is offer them water and snacks", Caretaker shuffled a few papers, "I'm almost done."

"Okay cool", Robert looked at Whumpee, "do you want some water?"

"See you're an honorary Caretaker now", Caretaker congratulated.

"No offense, but you can keep this job, I'll stick to what I do", Robert sighed as they held the straw still for Whumpee as they drank, "please hurry up."

"You act like they are going to kill you or something", Caretaker hurried a little.

"It's not that, I'm terrified I'm gonna do something to hurt them or scare them", Robert set the water down, "I don't want to add anymore trauma."

"That's what will keep you from hurting them", Caretaker packed their bag, "you being careful and taking care of them is helping them, and if you do screw up, they know you are trying your best. I've messed up a couple of times already, we are human, it happens. They know you are trying to help though."

"I'm leaving now, I'll be home shortly", Caretaker signed out of the office they had gone to for the paperwork.

Robert nervously bounced their leg watching the clock, Caretaker hung up a while ago. Whumpee was just staring at them, but content being wrapped in the blankets.

"Why is your leg bouncy?", Whumpee whispered.

"Oh uh, just nervous, I want to do my best and not make you nervous", Robert answered, "sorry, I'm sure that's not helping."

A knock came to the door, making Whumpee jump.

"I got it", Robert stood quickly, trying to get away from the awkward situation.

"Man Caretaker likes packages", Robert came back carrying two boxes.

They entered the living room and looked at the couch.

"Whumpee?", Robert panicked, "now is not the time for hide and seek.

The weighted blanket was thrown to the side, and the blanket had been dragged across the floor until it was dropped.

Robert hurried around the house looking.

"I'm serious Whumpee, you need to come out", Robert yelled, "I do not want to be the one to tell Caretaker I lost you."

Robert heard the door open and close, he rushed to the sound.

"Whumpee.. oh crap", Robert panicked again seeing Caretaker kicking off his shoes.

"No, I'm Caretaker. What's going on?", Caretaker set his papers down.

"I don't know how else to say this, but I lost Whumpee", Robert tried to catch his breath.

"You what?", Caretaker looked at him in shock.

"There was a knock at the door, a package delivery. I left them in the living room to get it. I came back, the blankets were tossed and Whumpee was gone", Robert looked like he'd seen a ghost, "I've been all over the house."

Caretaker went back to the front door and opened it.

"Crap..... I forgot to put up the 'do not knock' note on the door", Caretaker sighed and closed the door, "Whumpee gets panicky when people knock, they think it's their abuser."

Robert sighed, "oh, that sign would have been helpful", Robert started to walk, "I'll keep looking, I doubt they left if they are that panicked."

"Don't bother", Caretaker watched.

"What do you mean?", Robert looked back.

Caretaker started to walk, "follow me."

Caretaker led Robert into the kitchen, and pointed at the pantry door with a smile.

"We keep Whumpee's hiding spots secret, that way they can hide when they feel they need to", Caretaker opened the pantry door.

Robert's eyes glanced down each shelf, until they reached the bottom. Sure enough, Whumpee was squeezed into the bottom shelf, shaking and glancing at each of them quickly.

Caretaker knelt down, "trying to give Robert a heart attack?"

"Yeah, why didn't you come out when I called you", Robert folded his arms to his chest.

"I'm sorry, I was scared, I wasn't ready to come out", Whumpee continued to shake.

"Do you want to stay in here for a little longer?" Caretaker lovingly patted Whumpee's head.

"Yes please", Whumpee nodded.

"How is that comfortable, your wedged in there so tight", Robert looked closer.

"I've been in worse positions", Whumpee sighed.

Caretaker stood and closed the pantry doors.

"They'll come out when they're ready", Caretaker walked into the living room and picked up the blanket, "come on and catch your breath", he called Robert.

A bit later Whumpee peaked into the living room, "Caretaker may I have some some sweets?"

"Yes", Caretaker stood and walked into the kitchen, "do you want a cupcake?"

"Yes please", Whumpee awkwardly picked at their lips.

"Here you go, please don't pick your lips though", Caretaker handed them the cupcake.

"Yes sir, sorry. Thankyou", Whumpee reached for the cupcake.

"You're welcome, let's go into the living room and talk to Robert", Caretaker smiled.

Whumpee listened to them talk while eating the cupcake. They smiled at Robert.

"You thought I disappeared", Whumpee snickered.

Robert sighed then laughed, "yes I did."

Taglist. As always please let me know if you want to be added or taken off of the list. It's not a problem at all. @villainsandheroes @the-beasts-have-arrived @sacredwrath @porschethemermaid @monarchthefirst @generic-whumperz @bloodyandfrightened

[bepisbee]

feeling nasty so heres a hurt/comfort sickfic

read on ao3

He knew what being sick meant. They had told him all about it, but being a monster he had never experienced it before. Before now, anyway. It was awful. It almost made him wish he hadn’t become a regular person. He didn’t realize it at first, feeling slightly off. He sneezed more, kept sniffling, this gross stuff came out. But then his head ached and he could hear less from one side, sounding like static fuzz. Then came the draining and coughing and he sure as hell could not ignore or hide it anymore.

He coughed into his sleeve again, having been yelled at before that it was gross not to.

“Oh, poor Shadow.” Green frowned. “That sounds terrible.” He walked into their room with a glass of warm water mixed with honey, and handed it over.

“Thaah-aa- ahem” he cracked. “Thanks OG.” Shadow drank gratefully. Slightly soothing his rough throat. “Mm.”

“Blue is making some honey candies for you to suck on, some of them with some herbs Vio grows he says will help with vitamins and soothing and… I don’t remember honestly he was rambling. He’s so worried about you, it’s sweet.” Shadow blew his nose into a tissue and tossed it into the trash bin they set next to the bed. “Getting bored yet?”

“Yeah,” he admitted, “I might actually end up reading some of the books Vio left for me. He said they’re not too hard and mostly fiction.” He sighed nasally, leaning his head back and then forward again. ‘ughh okay nope can’t do that. eugh. How can y'all stand this? I can literally feel it draining into my-”

“Eww- Shadow gross! I don’t wanna hear about it.” Green made a face and patted his leg. “Drink your water, Vio’ll bring up some tea and whatever he’s brewing up down there. Let us know if you need anything else okay, buddy?” he got up and Shadow nodded, turning an agreement into another cough.

“Feel better,” he left him alone to his misery.

Shadow woke up, head feeling giant and chest tight. He sat forward coughing harshly. Someone next to him gently rubbed his back. Shadow’s eyes napped up, instantly relaxing when he saw it was Vio. “Hey…”

“Hey, love. How you feeling?”

“Same.” he frowned. Vio handed him a glass of honey yellow liquid that was purple on the bottom. It was warm to the touch. “?”

“It’s a tea short version. It has honey, lemon, menthol, elderberry syrup, cinnamon, and of course water. I made it sweeter for you.” Vio  kissed his forehead. Shadow shut his eyes, the appreciation of care warming him in a way much better than the fever.

“I love you.” Shadow stirred the drink with the long spoon that was in the cup and drank some. “Oh, wow.” he chugged half. “I didn’t expect medicine to taste good?”

“It’s not quite medicine,” he smiled, “But close enough.” he handed over a small compressed thing. “This is, though. A new technique I’ve been working on with Syrup. It’s a bit much to explain everything but it should help your fever and swelling.”

“Are you saying that because there’s some kind of mushroom in it?” Shadow deadpans at him. Even if he couldn’t taste them, he absolutely hated mushrooms. Vio didn’t respond, only pushing the tiny piece at him. Shadow made a dramatic sigh that turned into a cough. “Fuck- fine. anything to feel better at this rate.”

“Take it whole without chewing, drink with it.”

“I know how to swallow, darlin.” Shadow laughed and winked. He winced and then took the medicine. “Ugggh.”

“Good boy.”

Shadow’s face pinked, and the whipped around the face him. “Excuse me!?”

“hahahaha,” Vio wrapped an arm around him. “You earned that one,” He maneuvered Shadow off the bed. “Come with me.”

“Where?” Shadow wobbled, dizzy. He helped lead him to their bathroom, where a hot bathrub steamed a little, smelling faintly of flowers. It had to be strong if Shadow could smell it in his state. The mirrors were all fogged up already.

“A warm bath is gonna help a lot. It soften the muscus in your nasal passages and lungs.”

“Can I have that in Hyrulian please?” Shadow pulled off his sweaty top and pants shamelessly. Despite his earlier joke, he really was in no mood to be fooling around like that right now.

“You’ll feel better. Sneeze and cough when you need to and get rid of it.” He translated, and helped Shadow into the tub.

“Oooh.” He laid back, the salted bath soothing him. He even tilted his head back a little against the ledge. “This is nice.” Vio sat next to him. “Thanks darlin.” he sighed and relaxed in the water, letting the warm steam help clear him up. Vio handed him tissues as he needed between small talk. Which mostly consisted of just Vio talking at him, instead of with, but he was okay with that. Vio leaned in with something on his hands. “??”

He started to scrub his hair with something sudsy. Shadow hummed and shut his eyes and he was pampered. Vio gently rubbing his scalp and washing him clean. “Okay, love, dunk for me?” Shadow submerged his head and came back up. “Perfect,” He grabbed a sponge and soap. 

“You know I can bathe myself right?” Shadow isn’t actually protesting, as evident by his arm he puts out for him right away.

“I know. But I like taking care of you, you deserve it.” Shadow didn’t expect that, not in that sweet tone that Vio reserved only for him. His heart soared and he had to look away. He chuckled and washed him with care, taking some time. Down his thighs and between of course. Shadow grumbled at him for teasing him and he moved on. Vio left a delicate kiss to his lips.

“Don’t- you’re gonna get sick.” Shadow frowned sternly.

“Love, I’ve been sleeping and laying next to you. I’m going to get sick anyways.” he places another on his forehead again. He helped Shadow out of the draining tub and dried him off, while he held the counter for balance. Vio kissed his hand and arms and shoulders and stomach.

“Vio,” he warned.

“Mmmhm.” he relents. “Wait here a second, I forgot to grab clothes for you.” He hands over the towel to cover up while he stepped out. Shadow looked dup to the ceiling. He would be the death of him, he swore. But he did feel much better. Vio returned with some soft cotton pants and an undershirt. Shadow slipped into them, relishing the clean clothing. They walked back to the room where fresh bedding now covered their bed.

“Aw, Vi,” he started.

“Mm-m. It’s good for you. Sleeping in your own germs with only get you worse. Plus feeling clean makes you heal faster.” Vio laid him back down with a fresh blanket. “I’m gonna start on a stew with Red.”

“Potatoes??” he perked up.

“Of course, love.” He could hide vegetables easily in it if Shadow was distracted with his favorite starch. Blue knocked and walked in with a little bag.

“Hey, I got those candies.” he handed them over quickly. “Feel better.” he ran out of there. He really hated germs and sick. Vio thanked him as he ran and Shadow took one.

“I don’t know how I can thank all of you, you’re so nice.” Shadow sniffled and turned away his cough.

“Just try and get better. Worry about everything else later,” he pat his back and got up, “I’ll be right downstairs if you need me for anything.”

“Thank you.” he replied. Even though he felt awful at the same time, he felt really good. They were there for him. Shadow fell asleep like that, a tiny smile on his face.

[whumpsmith-participates]

Medwhump May 2024

Day 25 - High fever

Kinda a prequel to Day 11 - Passing out and also Day 13 - "You've been very sick"

TW: minor whumpee (17), illness, fahrenheit, tobacco

@medwhumpmay

Erick was prone to infections. Between frequent injuries, less than ideal living circumstances, not quite adequate diet, and constant stress, it was nearly a miracle that he wasn't sick all the time. It didn't help either that he had the tendency to ignore any early symptoms, powering through so he wouldn't disappoint Fetch, or anger him. He didn't like to be called lazy or ungrateful, because he wasn't, so he avoided being seen as such.

Until his body forced him to stop.

Beep!

Fetch looked at the display on the thermometer, frowning a bit.

"A hundred and three," he said, "how long have you been feeling sore?"

"I think...since yesterday?" Erick said, pulling on his shirt a bit as the sweat was making it stick to his chest.

"Why didn't you say anything?"

"It wasn't this bad yesterday," Erick said with a shrug, "I just need a nap..."

"Not so fast," Fetch said, "I want you to drink some water first and take an Advil. Then I'll go out to get you some ice to cool you down."

"Hrm...I'm sorry," Erick said.

"It's okay, I had nothing better to do anyway," Fetch said, "just get into bed, I'll sleep on the couch tonight."

Erick stumbled towards the bedroom while Fetch headed into the kitchen to get a glass of water. He found some b-brand ibuprofen in the drawer and took out a pill before heading towards the bedroom, where Erick was adjusting the pillow in an attempt to get comfortable. He helped the teen take a couple of sips to wash down the pill, before telling him to call if he started feeling worse while he was out.

Luckily it was a short trip to the store, and Erick slept through Fetch's absence. He quietly entered the apartment, putting some of the ice he just bought in a bowl and stuffing the rest in the freezer. He added some water to the ice and let it sit for a bit before finding a clean washcloth in the pile of unfolded laundry that sat on top of the machine.

He carried the bowl into the bedroom, setting it on the nightstand and dunking the cloth into the water, making sure it was nice and cold before squeezing most of the water out before laying the washcloth over Erick's forehead and eyes.

"Oh my god..." he groaned quietly, "thank you."

"You know the drill," Fetch said, "try to flip it or wet it again whenever you wake up."

"Mhm..." Erick just said, seeming to drift off already again.

Fetch just shook his head a bit and headed out, finding something to do to keep him busy, though he still checked on the teen frequent enough, making sure he drank water, or refreshing the wash cloth with a new layer of ice water.

After a couple of hours he checked if his temperature had gone down yet, only to find it had climbed to 104. He sighed, getting up and heading into the bathroom to begin filling up the bathtub. Once he was satisfied with the temperature, he plugged the drain and headed back into the bedroom to wake Erick.

"Hey, come on, sit up. I know you're tired, but we need to get your temperature down, okay?"

"Ow..." Erick groaned while Fetch pulled him into a sitting position.

He tried to lay back down while rubbing his eyes, but Fetch stopped him, grabbing a hold of his jaw to make him look at him.

"Where does it hurt?" he asked.

Erick pulled his head from Fetch's grip, rubbing his eyes again, before pulling his hands through his hair.

"I dunno," he said, "everywhere? My head..."

"It's just fever aches," Fetch said, secretly relieved, "come on, a bath will do you good. Do you need help getting in?"

"No," Erick quickly said, "no, just give me a minute..."

Fetch just nodded, but waited to make sure whether the teen would need a hand at all or not. He managed to make it to the bathroom okay, and then closed the door in his face.

"Don't lock it," Fetch said, "shout if you need me."

"I'm fine," Erick insisted, turning the tap off before the bath would overflow.

He waited until Fetch's footsteps had moved away from the bathroom door, before getting undressed and climbing into the tub. The water wasn't as warm as he'd liked, but the cooling effect was kind of nice too. The fog in his head cleared a bit, and the aches settled a bit as well, allowing him to relax.

When the water got too cold, he got out, draining the tub and finding Fetch had left some clean clothes on the edge of the sink. He dried himself off with a towel before getting dressed, already feeling a lot better. When he left the bathroom Fetch made him sit down and drink some more water, as well as eat some toast, and take his temperature again.

"Did I pick up another flu on the last job?" Erick asked, holding still when Fetch jabbed the thermometer in his ear.

"Something or other," Fetch said, "if it's viral we just gotta wait it out. If you don't improve it can be bacterial instead."

"Hrm..."

Beep!

"Back to a hundred and three," Fetch said, "hopefully it doesn't shoot up again."

"Can I...go lie back down?" Erick asked.

"Finish your water first," Fetch said.

Erick nodded, slowly sipping his water until he'd emptied the glass before going back to bed, leaving behind a half-eaten piece of toast.

Unfortunately his fever spiked again during the night, this time accompanied by delirious babbling, keeping Fetch plenty busy as he had to stop the teen from getting up when he was in no state to move around.

Luckily his temperature dropped a bit again after Fetch finally got him to go back to sleep, but they weren't out of the woods yet. He continued to fluctuate the rest of the day between a high fever and a concerningly high fever. And after another restless night, Fetch was beginning to suspect it might not be a viral infection after all.

He contacted one of his associates to try and get his hands on some broad-spectrum antibiotics, hoping they would be enough. At the end of the morning, he finally heard back, getting a location and a price. With a sigh, Fetch got ready to leave, checking on Erick a last time.

"Kid, wake up," he said, taking the damp washcloth off of his forehead and dunking it in the icewater.

Erick groaned a bit in reply, keeping his eyes closed. Fetch sighed, taking the wash cloth and dabbing a bit around his throat and on his chest before laying it back on his forehead.

"Did you hear me?" he asked.

Erick blinked his eyes open, looking over at Fetch, but not really looking at him. Fetch sighed. He couldn't blame him in his current state.

"I'm going to get you some medicine," Fetch said, trying to keep things simple, "try to remember to drink water. I'll grab you a couple of bottles so you don't have to get up for them, okay? You can just stay in bed."

Erick didn't reply. Fetch just sighed and patted his knee before going back to the kitchen and pulling a six pack of plastic water bottles from the fridge. He placed them on the nightstand in the bedroom, taking the plastic wrapping off so Erick could get to them easier in his state. When he headed out, he stopped by the door and turned back to the teen. He was still peering at him, but there didn't seem to be much thought behind his eyes at all.

"I'll be back before dinner," Fetch said, before heading out.

He wasn't. His contact made him wait, then he changed the location, and then he bitched about not getting paid enough. Fetch had to set he record straight, but the whole ordeal caused him to arrive home much later than he had planned.

He was already cranky about all the effort he had to take, he was hungry because he hadn't had dinner yet, and he really hoped Erick's condition wouldn't have worsened, or he'd have more cleaning up to do. With a sigh, he lit himself a cigarette before unlocking the front door and heading inside.

He could tell right away that something was off. The bedroom door was open, and he could see Erick lying in the doorway. Fetch cursed under his breath, throwing his cigarette on the stairs before rushing inside to check on the teen.

He seemed to have passed out, not responding to Fetch shaking him. His breathing was shallow, and he felt hotter than he had before. Fetch cursed as he dragged him back to bed, checking his temperature. It was over 105 again. He did get antibiotics, but he got the oral kind, and if the teen wasn't conscious, he couldn't take them.

"Fuck," Fetch said, pacing the room a moment before making a decision.

With a grunt, he hoisted the teen over his shoulder and carried him out of the room and outside towards his van. He propped him up in the passenger's seat, covering him with his jacket to keep him warm before putting on his seat belt. Whilst he walked around to the driver's side, he pulled out his phone and looked up a number, pressing his phone to his ear while putting on his own seat belt and starting the engine.

"Hey, is this the emergency room? ... Great. I'm bringing in a young man, late teens, spiking a high fever and unresponsive, I'm turning onto the road now, I can be there in twenty or thirty minutes."

He didn't give them any more details. He could think of a cover story on the road. They could worry about police poking around after Erick had been tested and treated.

I really didn't think I'd serialise any of these, yet here I am

Masterlist Main account

Taglist for the dynamic duo: @lavndvrr

[aditublog]

Rhasta took the kids outside with him to the garden. He knew he’d not get much work done with the three of them running around but the night had been difficult and Medusa had been awake during most of it. She deserved some rest now.

Besides, it was fun to have the kids with him, just not productive. The smaller of the twins was tied to Rhasta’s back with a wide cloth and sleeping.

The eldest rushed towards the garden, not bothering to wait while her sibling toddled along, clutching onto Rhasta’s hand. The skirt of her dark blue dress fluttered around her tail, a speck of colour in the otherwise plain steppes.

It was hot, though it was still early in the morning and the troll carried several flasks filled with water in his free hand. They’d need it.

The sand was warm underneath his feet, it had stored the heat from the previous weeks. The troll shaman smiled as he turned his face into the sunshine, he was sure it would be a wonderful day.

As soon as he had opened the gate to the garden, his two kids vanished between some of the taller plants. He could hear them laughing as he put the flasks down in a shady spot. He’d get to work immediately, as long as he could. The kids would want to play with him sooner rather than later.

To keep animals out, the garden was completely fenced in. The kids were able to climb over the fence if they put their mind to it, but since there was nothing of interest in the steppes, they wouldn’t. They also knew that it was dangerous out there, it was one of the first things they had learned in their young lives.

Rhasta began to pull weeds, listening for his kids to be sure they were close by. Just because they knew the rules didn’t mean they would stick to them. At least he didn’t have to worry about them eating poisonous plants in the garden, he had taken care of that after the first kid had began to crawl and to eat everything in reach.

If they wanted to, they could munch on every leaf and flower here. Some wouldn’t taste very good but nothing would harm them.

With the sleeping twin on his back, Rhasta was sweating almost immediately. It couldn’t be comfortable for his kid, either, but he knew that as soon as he put the little one down, sleep-time would be over. No matter how warm or sweaty, Rhasta’s back was obviously the best place to take a nap. Or his stomach. It didn’t matter, as long as it was on him.

After a while, the two others reappeared. Both were laughing and the smaller was already covered by a thin layer of dust and sand. His slightly green skin and hair was rather brown now, the two small snakes he had inherited as hair from his mother dangling next to his face the only clean spot on his body because the dirt didn’t stick to the smooth scales.

“Da, we are thirsty.” The hair of his eldest kid, long wavy strands so unlike her mother’s, bounced around her face.

“Honey, the bottles are over there.” It could’ve been that easy, the two got the flasks, drank and then played again. It wasn’t and that was fine. Rhasta needed a break from pulling weeds anyway, with a kid on his back it was straining.

So he sat down in an open patch. He took one of the sticks lying nearby and started to draw into the sand. “Now, look at this raptor. Who wants to draw a baby raptor?”

Small hands grabbed sticks and within seconds the formerly even sand was a chaos of lines. Rhasta’s raptor hadn’t particularly looked like a raptor but now there was nothing of it left. The game was over, there was no discernible drawing on the sand and two sets of eyes looked at the shaman expectantly.

“Okay. Should I tell you a story?”

“Can we cuddle while you tell it?”

“Of course. Just let me get your little sibling from my back.” A few minutes of shuffling around, and then the three kids were cuddled against the shaman. A bit of wind had picked up and Rhasta’s sweat dried quickly.

For a few seconds, it was quiet. Then Rhasta began, his voice carrying over the steppes.

@maidot

[marvel-and-dc-geek]

The Labours of Alcides

The Nemean Lion

Gods could, of course, hear the prayers of mortals, and knew which beasts and ailments tormented them.That made it quite easy to choose the tasks.

After Alcides left his home, the chief hindu god, Shiva, left him as task that he didn’t expect the boy to complete: he was to murder a monstrous lion, grandchild of Typhon himself, and bring its skin back. The lion lives in Nemea, a region close to the Argolide.

The creature was so evil that it wouldn’t kill humans and cattle just for food: as if it has learned from humans themselves, the beats seemed to do so just for fun.

Many villagers tried to beg him not to go, even showing Alcides the shield of the last man who tried to slay it, which had been cut in half by a single blow with its paws. He didn’t even need to ask what had happened to the poor man, but he still wouldn’t back down.

He asked them to give him thirty days to come back, and if he didn’t, they could assume he was dead. None of the villagers expected to see him alive again, so, in desperation, they made plans to sacrifice a child to the gods to get rid of the beast.

It took weeks to find the creature’s track, until one day…

“Hurry up kid! We don’t have all day!” A white crow complained

“Shh, solo debemos vigilar !” The black crow complained

“I’m sorry if this has taken too long, but I need to see where the lion is. “ the redhead youth apologized.

Many gods didn’t believe that his strength was at such level. Sure, he had drank the ambrosia, but did that guarantee he could live through all the tasks? So, a one-eyed god had send the duo to observe the tasks, and send the word in case the boy ended up being the cat’s latest meal.

As to be fair, some gods of the pantheon he was supposed to join had given him some weapons that, while powerful, would be useless if he didn’t have the ability or the strength to use them properly. The one he expected to be most useful for that particular task had been a gift from Apollo himself: a beautiful golden bow, which carried equally beautiful arrows.

Tracking a creature was never easy, but there was a method that never failed; searching for a source of water. Every animal, from the smallest mouse to the biggest bear, needed to drink in order to live.

“Shh…” he told the crows as they got closer. It would be better not to startle it and kill the animal with the least amount of pain as possible.

He drew back the bow to set his target and shoot him straight to the heart, which should have given it a quick and painless death. Should’ve have, as the creature kept drinking as if nothing had happened.

“Ha, you missed !” The white crow laughed

“The human is going to fail!” The black crow laughed.

He observed, quite perplexed, that the arrow was simply on the ground. Maybe if he aimed for a leg, he would just need to get close and give it the killing blow.

So he targeted a leg, and he was sure he hit it, but instead of sticking, the arrow simply bounced. The lion stopped drinking and decided to take a nap. The young man took the chance to sneak close to it.

The god Hermes had given him a fine sword. Maybe he didn’t use the right amount of strength for the arrows, as, being a gift from Apollo himself, there was no way they could’ve just failed like that.

The beast didn’t wake up, so young Alcides tried to cut its head off, but all that came off was his blade. The lion woke up, not because of the hit, but because of the noise the metal made as it hit the ground it roared angrily and tried to scratch the hero with his claws, but the redhead stomped another one of his paws. The lion felt something new: pain.

“How did that hurt him?” Asked the white crow

“Not even the gods’ gifts harmed him!” The black crow commented.

The beast managed to get free and run back to his hideout, but that allowed the young man to think of a way to slay it.

Luckily, this time it was easier to track it down, as it had been close to the water and so his paws were covered in mud. So, he found the lion’s cave.

He couldn’t let it get away again: that would only make it be more fearful and careful, which would make him harder to find. Not to mention that the creature would keep killing innocents. Alcides checked the place as well as he could on the outside and found it had two entrances: he covered the one in the back with a huge rock to make sure the beast couldn’t get out. Going up front against an animal that couldn’t escape was usually a terrible idea, but in that case, it would be for the best.

Now, his strength could harm the lion, but his weapons couldn’t: he wouldn’t need a new one. After breaking a tree in half, Alcides used the remains of the sword to carve himself a clover. It was simple, yet effective.

“Not even the weapons the gods gave you worked, why would that thing work?” One of the crows laughed at him

“Oh it also won’t be an exact fit for the job, but it’s all part of the plan” answered young Alcides as he went into the cave. The crows decided to stay in a nearby tree to observe.

The lion was still scared about the fate of his poor little paw, so when he saw the hero peaking into his cave, he tried to run away, but the exit was blocked. Seeing that wasn’t possible, the lion roared and tried to leap against him, which gave the hero the chance to hit him as hard as possible on the head with the club.

That wasn’t enough to break his school and much less for killing him, but it left the lion stunned. It was so confused that the beast couldn’t even react when Alcides used the lion’s own strategy against him and jumped to grab the cat, putting his arms around his throat.

That was a rather cruel form to go, and much slower than the hero would’ve liked to used in order to slay the creature, but it was the only option he had. The lion squirmed and tried to free itself, making the hero squeeze his neck more and more until the lion breathed for one last time.

Hearing no more noise, the crows went to investigate and the saw dead lion on the Greek youth’s arms.

“You made it?” The white and black crow asked.

“Yes…” now he just had to take the body and leave, but the crows didn’t let him go through.

“Only the skin!” Said the white crow

“You will have to peel it off!” Said the black one, but that was pretty much impossible, seeing nothing could pierce jt.

So, wanting to test a theory he thought about, Alcides grabbed the cat’s paws: if his paws could pierce through a shield, maybe it would pierce its skin.

It worked: the skin bleed, and after a while, he had the lion’s intact skin. He grabbed it and started his journey to present the god’s his first accomplished mission.

It was just the thirty day after he had left the village: the people were about to sacrifice a young boy to the gods, so they would send help, but they saw the youth who they believed death return, and, even more astonishingly, with the lion’s skin. They immediately let the boy go and killed some cows instead.

“For our hero, Alcides!” They threw a feast in his honor, which he couldn’t refuse and so stayed with them for the rest of the night.

The crows stayed far away, as they shouldn’t draw any attention. The feast lasted until the next morning, and the hero came back with a piece of meat for both birds.

“What is that?” Asked the white crow

“Are you taking provisions?” Asked the black crow.

“They are for you: you kept me company during the whole hunting and it would be unfair if you went hungry “ Alcides had even made sure to ask for two raw pieces, as that type of bird preferred.

The people of Nemea wrote and told the story of the hero, just as it had happened. Of course they changed a detail, which was a lie that everyone, even a certain kid, accepted: the boy had offered to sacrifice himself of the hero didn’t return, in order to save his people.

[softlyapocalytpic]

🛌 take a nap with yours

(I totally reblogged this with no idea of how this ask game works so take this! Also, for the sake of some fun drama and actual narrative the Dads die in the purifier still.)

Amy had always hated naps. From preschool to graduation, Amy had refused naps no matter how exhausted she was and it'd been the bane of everyone's existence. She couldn't help it, she just didn't get it. She'd even fought her dad on bedtime up until she was eleven-years-old when she got good at pretending to listen to him. Sleep and Amy had never gotten along. Which was why she was embarrassed to admit how easily she'd been corralled into snuggles and nap time with Lainey as nineteen-year-old young adult.

Amy had tried to put up a fight, brush Lainey off and tell her everything was fine, but the shorter girl was just as stubborn and twice as cute. What was Amy supposed to do? Say no? When Lainey was doing that pout that made Amy's head short circuit. The one that Lainey had unknowingly been using their entire lives to wrap Amy around her pretty little finger? Amy was exhausted from days of not sleeping and when Lainey dragged her into the shower for a totally-platonic-and-not-sexually-charged-scrub down she was melting into the other girls touch. Like sweet electricity on her skin. Water washing away the blood, grime, and sins of her wasteland travels- travels she'd kept Lainey out of the loop of. She could see she wanted to ask about the scars and scrapes. About which blood was Amy's and if not hers then whos- but even if Lainey's eyes wandered her big mouth stayed blessedly shut. It was only temporary. Amy knew that, but she'd take the little mercies.

Lainey wrapped her up in their fluffiest towel and combed out Amy's wild mange of hair, and when Amy was nodding off under her touch, Lainey pulled her into a tight snuggle. She buried Amy's face in her chest and stroked her hair, and Amy was too tired for her face to burn. She drank in the sweet cinnamon of her best friend and let herself finally sleep.

Amy woke up in a dreamy haze, starlight peaking through in pinpricks through the skylight above, the desk fan whirred lazily while radio played softly in the other room. Lainey's arms were curled protectively around Amy, even as she snored. Was it wrong to stare while she was sleeping? Could it really hurt?

Amy had come to terms with her feelings only recently, only when Lainey was there to help pick up pieces of their life with her and keep Amy from diving off the deep end, but it felt as natural as breathing. She loved Lainey. She'd always loved Lainey. Through the dumb fights and late night giggles, the two of them had always had each other's backs no matter what, so how couldn't she love her?

Her stomach was full of butterflies and her heart beating hard but full in her chest as she took in every little scar, freckle, and detail of her best friend's face. It was dangerous to be this close, to allow herself this little selfishness, because Amy knew that the longer she looked the more she wanted her. And she couldn't- there was no way Lainey felt the same. She was in love with Butch, Amy's other best friend, and it was going to be the two of them as soon as Butch came out of the vault. Amy had no right to want Lainey like this.

Memories of stolen kisses in a dark closet, the safety and courage that it brought, surface to the front of her mind. Her faze flickered over those chapped pink lips and her heart hammered harder.

'Could I...?'

Lainey snorted loudly in her sleep and Amy buried her face in the pillow. Maybe she should just go back to sleep.

[collectingsparechangemadeeasy1]

Song of Summer

Oop! I got another one! The Small Moments AU lives rent free in my brain, and I love sharing it with y’all! Also, if you have any questions, headcanons, or anything like that, send them my way!!!

Qrow was lounging on his wooden lawn chair, his straw hat resting over his eyes as he chewed idly on a stalk of hay. The day was hot, the air shimmering in the distance as cicada’s cried and the shade was barely a reprieve. Qrow didn’t mind much though, sure he had to forgo his usual charcoal work shirt and black canvas pants, and he definitely couldn’t wear his red cloak in this heat. No, now he had to wear a white billowy t-shirt with red embroidery along the collar, in the artistic shapes of crows and trees. Along with tan shorts, cuffed at the ends, and no shoes.

His black unicorn, Harbinger, wasn’t too far. He was napping in the shade of Qrow’s little shack at the edge of Oz’s property, laying down to preserve energy and because he felt safe to do so with Qrow around. He himself made damn sure there was a bucket of water for Harbinger, and a cool breeze blowing on them both whenever there could be. Wind magic was his second strongest type after all.

He was supposed to be working technically. As the officially unofficial grounds keeper of Ozpin's land, he took care of a lot. He’d generally let everything grow wild, but sometimes he’d snip loose branches before storms, top up artificial watering holes or feeders for animals as needed, get rid of invasive plants and bugs, and he’d patrol the grounds. Patrolling was his least favorite, but most important job.

He had to patrol, check for illegal traps, and free anything caught in them. He’d drive off trespassers, or occasionally save some poor lost soul in Oz’s forest. Or get rid of trespassers. Oz was fine with people wandering onto his property, so long as they didn’t touch anything. No taking souvenirs, no hunting or foraging without his express permission, and absolutely NO hunting of the rare or magical creatures in the woods. Those were protected species.

Right now though, Qrow was taking a break. He’d done his second patrol, topped up what needed to be topped up, and he’d gotten rid of a type of ivy that was extremely fast growing and could smother whole trees in a matter of days. He’d earned a little break for himself.

He lifted his hat as he heard approaching hooves. He smiled seeing the familiar black and white coat of Long Memory, Oz on her back. He was sporting a red bandana around his neck, white button up, with the sleeves rolled up to the forearm and blue jeans embroidered with vines and leaves in green thread along the sides, and his usual signature glasses; even if they resembled sunglasses more right now. “Good afternoon Qrow! I wanted to check on you, see if you needed anything.” Qrow waved a hand dismissively, “Nah I’m fine. So’s Harbinger. I appreciate the check up though Oz.”

Oz dismounted Long Memory and walked over, offering him a sip from his canteen. Qrow sniffed and took a swing, it was some kind of potion that cooled his entire body when he drank it. “Thanks. One of Glyndas?”

“Her recipe, but I brewed it.” he explained, sitting on the grass next to Qrow, sighing contently. “I may not like the heat, but I do like the way the world sings in the heat of the summer. Don’t you?” “It certainly adds the right touch, wouldn’t be the same without.” Qrow agreed, laying back on his chair and putting the hat back over his face. “Where’s Oscar today?”

“Visiting my brothers at home. They stopped by unexpectedly.” he hummed, playing with a wild thistle in his fingers. “I’d be over there, but it was getting a bit much. So I thought I’d check on you.”

“So to translate, you used me as “Get out of social engagement” free card?” he smirked, chuckling at how Oz blushed.

“I suppose it’s one way to look at it. But you know my brothers! Ozma and Diggs can get so… rowdy when we’re all together! I just needed a breather.” he almost seemed to pout, which Qrow thought was almost cute.

He shrugged, running a hand through his long messy black hair, speckled with strands of gray here and there, it was tied back in a messy ponytail at the moment. “Don’t gotta defend yourself to me Oz. I use you as an excuse just as much. I wanna leave, I just say “Oz needed me to get some work done on the property today! Gotta go!” and no one ever questions it!”

Oz laughed and shook his head fondly, “Well, you’re more than free to continue that practice. After all, what are friends for?”

“Cheers to that!” Qrow chuckled, sipping the cooling potion one more time before handing it to Oz, who also took a big swig.

They sat like that for a bit, listening to the song of summer around them. Their horses lay in the shade, snorting at each other, cicadas crying out looking for their potential mates, the occasional breeze from Qrow cooling them and rustling the drying grass. A true symphony.

Qrow eventually stood and stretched, “Alright, you should head back, I’ve got some work to do after… all. Huh.” Looking at his companion, he found Oz had fallen asleep. Hands behind his head, relaxed expression, chest moving up and down in a slow steady rhythm. There were wild thistles, black eyed susans, and regular daisies framing his sleeping form. The picture made Qrow smile, Oz just looked so peaceful. But he was also pale as anything, and Qrow didn’t want him to burn.

He picked up a stick and poked at Oz with it, “Hey! Sleepin beauty! Wake up!”

Oz grumbled and swatted a bit at the stick, but his eyes squinted open. “Qrow? Oh goodness did I fall asleep?” He rubbed his eyes and  yawned, stretching languidly. But suddenly froze. 

“…Oh gods I’ve been gone too long! Long Memory! Here girl!” He sprang up, as did the horse, and Oz quickly hopped onto her bare back, and smiled sheepishly at Qrow. “Thank you for waking me, I deeply appreciate it! I’ll see you soon Qrow! Come by the house if you want! HIYAH!” With a light kick, Long Memory ran off, leaving Qrow and Harbinger alone once again.

“See ya’round Oz.” he chuckled, walking towards Harbinger. Time for another patrol. Maybe he’d catch sight of Ozpin's brothers on his way around. Who knows?

[pbandjesse]

I accidentally took a two hour nap this afternoon so now I feel very much not ready for bed and also daylights savings continues to confuse my body. So it's after 10 and I'm just starting this.

I had a good day though! Just busy. I slept a little better last night. But waking up was super hard. I would get out of bed and found myself just with a stiff neck and feeling really tired. I was just moving really slow.

James had jury duty today. So they would leave right after me. I wore the wrong jacket and would be very cold. But it was fine. The car would be warm enough.

I stopped for breakfast and went over to the museum.

We had a highschool tour first thing. None of us realize it was an extended tour. So once the school was there we were like. Okay!! Add in transportation and pharmacy. And it was fine. They were such good kids. Some of the other groups apparently weren't very chatty but our little group was and they were really fun. Had excellent questions and made me laugh. At once point in the begining I asked them what industry meant and they were all quiet and one goes "guys!! We gotta get this!! Our teacher is gonna kill us!!" And it was just so funny.

We didn't have much time after the tour to grab a drink. Because we had a 1st-3rd grade tour right away. We don't normally have tours for that age. And it was funny jumping right into that from 11th graders. It was a nice tour though and the kids were super sweet. I also liked the teachers a lot. They were Monasori kids so I was looking forward to seeing how they approached balls and track later one.

We would have a break for lunch. I ate my sandwich and worked on my knitting. I would finish my first ball of yarn before the end of the next program.

And the kids enjoyed building. But also just watching me knit. Kids are so funny though asking if I can give them my project when I am done. And I'm like. I'm not going to be done before you leave?? Silly geese.

They would soon leave me. After a visit to the car. And I would sit in the back talking to Gaby and Mubtasin about toy collecting and how stupidly expensive thrift stores have gotten. And then I had to go.

I went to get pizza at 711. And then drove to my rhumatologist for my appoint.

And everyone there is so nice the woman at the front desk is always so lovely to me. The doctor is great. The medical assistant. The woman who does the injections. The only person who gives me weird energy is the phlebotomist. She just seems so annoyed at me every time and I don't understand it.

At least the nice guy who checked me in last time was there. And I got to show him my art and we talked for a bit. And then the doctor came in and she said she isn't to worried about my nose but wants me to get set up with a new dermatologist anyway so this is a good time to start working on that. And then it was time to get some blood taken. Which again. Weird energy. She also said I was dehydrated and my blood was moving slow. So I gotta be more mindful of that next time I get blood taken I guess.

The injections went just fine. Quick. Only a little pain. My one leg bled a lot for some reason but it was fine. I set up my next appointment and headed out.

I got really really tired in the drive home. I drank all my water. And had a snack and made it back in one piece but man was I tired.

I would get inside and get in bed and wait for James to come home. They did not get picked to be on a jury. And would lay in bed with me for a few minutes. Eventually I fell asleep.

They woke me up around 6. And I was very disoriented. But I was okay. I had a salad and a vegetarian chicken patty for dinner. And made two more bear designs.

Auni suffered a make one based on a former congresswoman that was known for her hats. And so I did that. And made an old bay themed one too. It was fun. Eventually I would move to the studio to try to cast some bears. I'm still struggling getting my resin to set consistently. But we will keep trying.

Brandon came over tonight. And we talked for a bit while I worked on my knitting. And now James and Brandon are watching a show and I'm hanging out with Sweetp and texting with Laura about America-core and it's very funny to me. I hope she comes back to camp this year.

Tomorrow I have my first class at the hospital! I hope it's fun. And then I have my meeting with the craft castle. Fingers crossed cause I think it could be really great!! Goodnight everyone! Be safe!!

[brightdarkness-2013]

Chapter 5: Let’s goooo

Summary: Gunmax is found.

I onlined to a touch. I felt much cooler and the evening was beginning to give way into night. The pressure was still there, but the discomfort and need to turn back was gone. There wasn’t even a shadow of pain. I looked up into the concerned gazes of Duke and Deckered. With a stunt like this there would normally be some anger there. Yet there wasn’t even a hint of that anywhere.

“Quit looking at me like that. I was going to come back.” I finally spoke, my voice sounded so loud in the quiet.

“We were worried about you. You’ve been gone for quite a while.”

“I’m fine.” I breathed as I returned my gaze to the water.

I felt far too tired to summon any anger at that. I was roaming somewhere near empty and whatever had occurred earlier had sucked quite a bit of energy out of me. That pressure just kept prodding and for some reason I got the feeling that I wasn’t alone in my frame anymore. I looked back up at them when a canister was offered to me.

“Drink. You’ve gone far too long without it.” Duke spoke calmly.

I didn’t bother putting up a fight though I knew I’d probably needle him somehow had I been feeling better. So I simply took it and sipped at it.

“Are you tired? Would you like a ride back?” Deckered settled more comfortably next to me.

“No. I just had a nap.”

I knew they really wanted to press. They wanted to know what had happened. There were no doubt some intense skid marks on the bridge from where I lost control. There was an obvious story of how I ended up down here, but what had caused it was a mystery to them. To myself.

“Max.” Came the quiet prod.

“Hm.”

“Are you ok?”

“I’m better.” Much better than earlier.

“Would you just talk to us? Please.”

“There’s nothing to say.” I answered quietly.

Emotions were difficult to reach with how drained I was. No hurt formed at them having tracked me down because they didn’t trust me to come back. No irritation at how they all thought that I was so weak and broken. No worry at what had happened earlier. No relief at them understanding that I didn’t want to talk and leaving it at that. We just sat together while I drank. The night seemed painfully fragile as it drew in. And ever so slowly I stood and began wheeling my bike away from the cool waters edge. They followed without a word. Silent guardians that I would never admit that I appreciated.

As we headed back onto the road I caught sight of the wall my team had formed. Redwave and Bluelight stood beyond them. I hadn’t seen them since we had woken up in the repair bay. Their expressions were pinched and their gazes locked on me. McCrane and Shadowmaru appeared passive despite having such strong stances, while Dumpson and Power Joe were more expressive as they stared the two down. Drillboy was always so animated, always moving. He had a glare that looked far more cute than threatening.

I really didn’t want to get into whatever was going on between them all right now. I just wanted to go back home and rest a while longer. So I was off without a word and they were quick to follow. Our little herd was probably a sight to behold as we made it back. And when I was off toward my room Drillboy caught up.

“Hey! I got Boss to get me some new movies. I have some picked out for tonight’s sleepover.” He grinned.

It was forced as it always was around me now. Half of the time he wasn’t even watching the movies. Just glancing at me from time to time and fidgeting. He was very mobile. He found joy in activity so sitting still for so long watching movie after movie had to be terrible for him. And as we lay watching the small screen that night I heard him speak.

“Max? You do know that we care about you a lot? Right?”

I couldn’t find it in me to answer him. It was such a simple question. All I had to do was say yes or no, but at the moment I wasn’t sure how I felt. So I said nothing.

“Are… Are you asleep already?”

After another bout of silence he cuddled into my back just like he had been doing the past few nights. I knew it was more for his comfort than anything else.

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