#cannot wait to keep one of these for myself and hug him forever

[ryonello]

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✧ thank yall for the support i hope u like him 🥰

[saraloveslove]

A day has passed since Liam was buried to rest forever and I feel I have to express what I have in the depth of my heart.

We all agree that we all wished for a private funeral where only Liam's true people attended and where those people were free to be themselves, but this wasn't it. Maybe because Liam's family wanted a respectful public goodbye or, most likely, because they knew they couldn't avoid it (the fact syco's people was there made me question if the family had actually a say in keeping the ceremony totally private).

So, paps were allowed but with strict rules and the details weren't disclosed until the very last. They did everything necessary to keep the dignity of the ceremony. And they did it.

In this scenario, I want to point out at what the boys did: they discussed it prior and they decided to show there separately and to interact the less possibile. The fact that there were paps imposed them to wear their TM trenchcoats but they did it in silence, they maintained the lowest profile possible. They sacrified their grieve to not offer any kind of side to paps for taking pictures of the "reunion", knowing too well how disgusting outlets were waiting for nothing but that. They didn't give anyone any chance to make it about One Direction; they made it only about Liam. They gave him all the respect and dignity he deserved that they only could give him, because they only truly loved him. (Apart his family, of course). This was the biggest final act of love they could do for him, and they did.

Ohana means family, and family means nobody is left behind

Another mention goes to Cheryl and the way she protected Bear. They very likely had their private moment and she kept him away from paps, disgusting people and speculations. I could think what I think about her as a woman in regard of her "relationship" with Liam, but as a mother she has my whole true respect.

And last, to Karen and Geoff. As a parent myself, I cannot even image what kind of devastation has been living in their hearts for all this time; and yet, just because I am a mother, I can perfectly imagine that. I have never stopped thinking at them since that cursed day, and the dignity they showed is something I admire deeply. I don't think I would be able to, if I were in their shoes.

Karen, Geoff, Ruth, Nicola, Bear, Harry, Louis, Niall and Zayn: I hope you can feel our love, I hope you can feel our warm hug. You are not alone in the grief; we'll do our best to keep Liam's memory alive and teach the world what beautiful man he was, and we'll do our best to keep his legacy alive, avoiding his death was invain. Just show us the path, and we'll follow it.

And last, to Liam: you'll live forever ❤️

[beheadable]

So. The rundown, and an explanation on why I kinda look not great in the photos lol

Long ass post warning

So, we get to the con, we're getting our barrings, wondering where the actor guests are and end up happening upon them in the back l've been vaguely nauseous all day. I see him and try so desperately not to dig my nails into my mom's hand after catching a glimpse of him. Nerves, excitement, little bit of awe because beautiful man hahah

Anyway, maybe three people in line counting us, we wait a second it gets to us and he's like "hey, l'm sorry I gotta do photo ops in like ten minutes I don’t want to rush you guys. But it’ll be like ten fifteen minutes and you guys can come back?” and mom and I are like no worries! He’s so courteous about it and it actually really eased my nerves a little

We walk around! We go back, he’s there and there’s one person there so I’m like okay! Great! I’m not the first one walkin’ up! So we wait a second I’m trying to get my shit together so I can speak coherently and somewhat confidently and not end up quiet like usual, it’s awful sometimes. Anyway! I do great! Normal human I don’t sound weird or however like an alien I feel (I cannot express how much I am not built to do shit like this). I gave him the drawing first thing and through it all was a blur but mom said he called it brilliant twice <3 I don’t doubt my skills but it is still, vulnerable. This one was never intended to be seen by him nor literally gifted to him, I poured a lot of reverence into it I probably wouldn’t have otherwise if I did it with the knowledge that he WOULD see it (difference between, ‘I want this to look nice because he’s going to see it’ and ‘I’m drawing beautiful man for myself :]’)

It’s photo time, I hand mom my bag and the lady at the table (most if not all the actor’s tables had a convention employee with them) took like ten photos. I initially tried to keep a respectful distance because like, I don’t know, I’m not gonna go in for a full side hug or whatever but immediately I get squeezed right into him. Good god. Not to be weird or crazy or whatever whatever but I will never forget how that felt. Or he feels. Or any of that. Yes he is as boney and solid as I imagined <3 but just that like ‘you’re real, and sweet’ is what’s getting me. and. Well, mom said it first but it is true with how firm of a squeeze I got, my future boyfriend has a touch to live up to 😤 (I do wish I was mostly joking, but I’m mostly serious). Truly, I scrunched up in surprise and it took a minute to even fully comprehend the fact I’ve been fully tucked into his shoulder. Gonna feel that hand on my arm forever! Not a bad squeeze! The perfect squeeze, to me .

He is genuinely so so lovely and I’m so glad I actually did this. And shoutout to my mom for being the reason I’m here. And for confirming afterwards to me that I did, in fact, not come off as nervous and excited as I actually was and that I handled it well (I was still clearly very happy to be here, obviously, just, chill about it) (I do not think I will handle any situation well ever)

I’m not proofreading any of this tonight I want to go finish typing up my. Journal. Before I pass out. But. I’m happy! I still have two more days, and I’m chill, excited to continue to have a great time with my mom and enjoy my first weekend away from the grandparents in. Two months

Art I gave him……. I do love this one a lot. And!! In lieu of a ‘proper’ autograph (that was an accident but I truly don’t care) the 31 quote I am going to get tattooed on my arm as soon as I can <3 another reason I kinda had to gift him some art of mine… something of ‘me’ to give to him in return of something of his (handwriting) that will end up on me

I’ll cry about this at some point. I wanted to earlier but I was still at the con and I am such an ugly crier it’s awful. Honestly still surprised how emotional this all made me

[wito-chan-bla-bla]

Detection VII

Previous part (06)

Next part (?!)

~

–Are you sure you want me around? You can still go to your parents' house alone or introduce me as your friend.

–I-I want... I want you to be there for me. And n-not just because I feel calmer… but also because my parents need to know that I put myself in the hands of a good human.

You giggle as you look at Kalego. You try to recover a little and calm down, but it's harder than you thought. You are standing in front of a familiar house. Your hands reach for a small button to inform the owners of the house of your arrival. Your body is about to move on its own, but it's not happening yet... because you're holding yourself together.

You feel a cool hand on your fingers and turn your head towards Kalego. He gently lifts your hand and brings it closer to the button. It expects, it doesn't do the action for you. But still, it gently pushes you toward what's about to happen.

However, you don't have time to do anything. In the hallway, a door suddenly lights up, and then a woman who has changed a lot in so many years appears on the threshold. But you'll always know it anyway. Your body acts on its own, you climb over the fence, as you did many times when you were a child, when you forgot your keys, and run straight into the arms of a woman. Mom.

You don't remember, and you probably won't ever remember, what you said to her... what she said to you. You will only keep forever that pleasant feeling in your chest, that sense of reunion and peace that you can feel when you return home.

Soon, your father shows up, and three people are hugging on the porch. Kalego stands behind the fence and smiles faintly. In his family, "tenderness" is not accepted. He barely hugged his older brother and parent often. They only exchanged a few words before hurrying off on their own business, rushing to fulfill their roles in the Underworld.

But now he looks at you and suddenly understands… that his life and his children would no longer be the same as he was. You will never be familiar with the rules of his family, and therefore you will give your loved ones the love they deserve.

If you agree to have children with Kalego, you will not look at them as "future Naberius". For you, they will just be children, the children of you and your husband.

The thought of this warms Kalego's heart involuntarily, pierces it with warmth stronger than any fire spell. Although outwardly it remains unchanged.

–(Y/N), oh, what are we? – your mother gasps. – It's already evening, it's cold outside! We need to get inside soon!..

–W-wait! I-I b-brought someone with me... he was the one who helped me escape from the people I was talking to you about! And h-he's my... lover.

Your parents start looking at Kalego, who bows respectfully to them. You don't hear their quiet conversation, you stare ahead at your favorite demon. Naberius can easily climb over the fence or even break it, but he stands patiently waiting to be let in... although you can see in his eyes that he doesn't want to leave you for long, even if you're with your family right now.

Eventually your father comes down the steps and opens the gate. Kalego nods gratefully to him and hurries over to you. Your father calls out to him, and the demon turns with a question. Your father says something to him, but for obvious reasons the dialogue cannot be carried out.

–Dad, he doesn't speak our language, – you hurry down the steps and stand next to Kalego. The demon immediately puts his arm around your waist. – Like I said, I was taken out of the country... and Kalego-kun helped me a lot. And then... we realized that we loved each other.

–(Y/N), are you sure you fell in love with him… not because he saved you? – your father puts his hands on your shoulders. – I'm not sure if this is a healthy relationship.…

–N-no, it's all right, Dad! I... W-we really love each other! And w-we confessed our feelings to each other... after I was saved. It's been long enough for me to get to know him better!

You put your arm around the demon's arm and rest your head on his shoulder. Your parents look at Kalego suspiciously, but they're too happy to see you to ask. They lead you and Kalego to their home, and Naberius begins to look around with interest.

–Maybe Kalego-san can take off his coat. And what about this hat? – your mother is looking at a demon who took off his shoes and was now putting his feet in his slippers.

–Uh... Kalego-kun, they're asking you to take off your coat... and your hat.

–Then I'll do it now.

–Ar-re you sure? It's... y-your tail and your horns can be seen!

–First of all, my horns merge with my hair, – your mother looks at Kalego's head in surprise, but doesn't comment. – Second, I wrapped my tail around my leg while I was waiting behind the fence. So nothing will be noticeable.

–T-thank you, Kalego-kun! I didn't want anyone to feel uncomfortable here… He's going to take it off, Mom! Where can I put my things?..

Sitting at the table in your own living room, you can't believe that you are at home again. Your own thoughts are cursing you. I should have come here earlier! I should have at least called them more often, not just sent them messages and photos! Suddenly, Kalego takes your hand under the table, and you flinch. From the outside, Naberius continues to simply look at the new house.

–You can't change the past, – he says calmly. – If I could, I'd hit my uncle a couple of times, – the demon winces. – That's not what you should be focusing on right now, – he says, nodding toward your parents, who are busy in the kitchen. – You wanted to help them, but they ordered you to sit still and not go anywhere. So you grew up in this environment?

–Well, not exactly… This house has changed a lot since I left to study... many of the paintings and plants weren't there before. Probably because I often hit them by accident, – you giggled. – This place has become like a home worthy of "old" people like my parents. I'm glad.

–Here we are! – your parents are looking out of the kitchen with food in their hands. – I'm not sure how much your tastes have changed over the years... but I hope you don't mind that we've made your favorite dish! You loved it when you were a kid...

–Oh, that's wonderful! – you cheerfully clap your hands. – Thank you very much! Hey, Kalego-kun, let me explain to you what dishes are made from what…

Food may be on the table, but no one reaches out to help themselves to something. Kalego waits for the older members of the family to start eating, while your parents look at you with hope and concern. You end up telling "your story" instead of eating.

You don't change much about the words you said earlier to your colleague. Your parents are looking at you with such panic, as if you are being abducted right in front of their eyes. You have to stop every few seconds and reassure them that you're fine, that you weren't tortured, that you weren't bullied. Maybe you could have come up with a different story, but you already told your parents something... and now you had to work with what you came up with.

As a result, you don't have time to tell your made-up story. Your parents just start crying, and all you can do is get up, walk over to them, and give them a hug. Kalego silently closes his eyes and turns away. He doesn't want to get involved in your family's business... and he doesn't really like it when other people cry.

You can only move away from your parents when the food is already cold. Kalego, who has been watching this in silence anyway, also serves napkins to the three people without a word. While you and your father blow your nose, your mother looks at the plates and sighs loudly.

–Everything has already cooled down… (Y/N), why didn't Kalego-san eat? Did he not like the food?..

–Uh… I don't know myself. Kalego-kun, why didn't you eat?!

–Because according to the rules, the first bite is made by the head of the family or the one who is older... and although I am older than everyone here put together, the age of your parents relative to the demonic calculus will be greater, – Naberius shrugs. – I can't stop following the manners and traditions of my world, even if I'm among humans right now.

You nod and quickly explain the situation. Your mother quickly starts saying that Kalego didn't have to do this, that your parents won't be offended if the demon starts eating before them. You barely have time to translate everything. As a result, Naberius just shakes his head and says that he will wait as long as necessary.

Thankfully, the warm food is still delicious, so you and your parents (and Kalego, of course) are enjoying something you haven't eaten in many, many years.

–It's a pity that Kalego-san can't tell us something about himself, – your father sighs when the meal is over and your mother goes to get tea. – I have a lot of questions for him. I can't leave my daughter to anyone!

–D-don't worry, Dad, Kalego-kun is very caring and good! – you smile and hug the demon. Naberius blunts for a few seconds, and then hugs you back, moving his chair closer to yours. His hands on your body are quite chaste. – He works as a teacher at a very prestigious school. He is also a great musician and has a large collection of cacti. He may seem very serious, but I don't get bored with him!

–Oh, he's a musician? Maybe he can play us something. My guitar is still in the hallway on the second floor.

–M-m-m, he mostly plays classical instruments… But I think he can give it a try. Hey Kalego-kun, do you want to try playing a human guitar?..

A few minutes later, you're giggling as you watch Naberius try to sort out human notes and a human guitar. Your father has to show you a few songs to make Kalego understand. But after that, the demon is unstoppable. You hear the tunes he played for you on the piano and violin, and you can't help but smile as you remember all the wonderful evenings you spent with Kalego.

–Wow, you're really good at this, – your mother says, clapping a few times. – Although it's definitely not the kind of music that suits our family.

–Are you still into rock? – you look around at the "calm and sweet" environment. – I thought you might have calmed down a little with your age.

–The fire in our blood will never be extinguished! – your father smiles and shows the symbol with two fingers. – But you definitely liked Kalego-san's music. It seems that you are very different from us after all, daughter.

–Yes, probably, – you grab a cup of tea and inhale the native aroma. – I know we talked about what happened after my "disappearance"… but I would like to know what I missed before I called you! I'm… I'm really sorry that I put too many things above my family. Mom, Dad… I'd just like to know how you're doing.

While you sit at the table with your parents and chat about everything, Kalego asks for permission to explore the house. You and your parents nod, not really hearing the question. The demon gets up and goes to look around.

Kalego doesn't really touch anything. He just watches. The cozy home is too different from his cold, big estate. There are pictures on the wall, bright colors, lots of different colors... the demon quietly climbs up the stairs, ignores the bedroom of the two older people and opens the door to the room... and immediately sighs.

A lot of posters with half-naked men (and even half-naked women) are hung on the walls. Kalego looks at them, their bright outfits, big smiles on their faces. They're full of energy. They have something that the demon doesn't have.

Kalego crosses his arms and sighs. He alone has more clothes on than all these people put together…

–K-Kalego-kun, what are you doing in my room?.. OH, T-THE DEMON KING!

You run up to Naberius and try to cover his eyes with your hands. When you don't succeed, you start trying to cover up the posters, but it was a stupid idea in the first place.

–I f-forgot the state I left my room in!" I thought my parents would take it all down!..

–M-m-m, don't worry. It's really my fault… I should have asked for permission first.

–I-it's fine, i-it's just... – you started taking down the posters and rolling them up. – Uh, it's a little disconcerting that you saw all this…

–Did you like all these people... when you were a teenager?

–Of course! I still like them! I love not only their music, but also their shows! They're all such interesting people! – you point to one of the half-dressed girls. – She used to be in a band, but now she's a solo singer! And these two men have their own agency. My tastes haven't changed much since I was a teenager, so I still enjoy the old performances of all these people!.. Well, at least I enjoyed it until I arrived in Hell... why?

–I was just thinking… I'm not like them, – Kalego looks around at the genuine smiles again. All these people seemed to enjoy what they were doing. – And I'm a little surprised that you ended up liking me.

–Well, I don't have a specific personality that you can't go beyond, – you giggle and continue to remove the posters. (You'll probably take them to Hell with you.) – I love "good men"! And you fit that type.

–Are you sure you know me well?

–Well, at least your "negative" sides are "positive" for me, – you smile slyly. – And you never did anything that really pissed me off. In the end, some things can be accepted... and with some, they just scream "no". Fortunately, there are no such "red flags" in your case.

–"Red flags"?..

–Um, it's a human phrase meaning…

Kalego stands with his arm around your shoulders and looks out the window. Children play in the backyard even at this late hour, having fun and having fun. You tell random stories that happened to you during your growing up. They're not very interesting, but the demon listens to them carefully anyway.

–It must be nice to wake up and see something like this... although it definitely needs thicker walls, – he sighs and touches his ears, the sharp tips of which are hidden in his hair.

–What did you see when you woke up?..

–M-m-m, mostly the face of another monster, since my uncle forgot to close the window in the hallway or some door again, – Kalego sighs. – And so… I saw the forest, the sky... nothing interesting.

You hug him tighter and press your cheek against his chest. You can hear the faint beat of his heart and smile faintly.

Suddenly, the stairs creak loudly, and you hear footsteps. After a few seconds, the door slowly opens and you turn your head to see your mother. The woman smiles faintly as she looks you and Kalego over, and cautiously steps into the room.

–Sorry to interrupt, – she says, looking over at the demon, who is trying to hide his slight embarrassment. – I was wondering... if both of you would stay the night... (Y/N), I... me and your dad would like to... have breakfast with you like before...

–Um, I... need to call my supervisor. We came here because of him. But I'll try to make it so... that we can spend some more time together.

In the next instant, loud screams are heard outside the window. Kalego almost groans in frustration and turns his head. Two demons and one boy rush down the road, happy.

You get out of the arms of Naberius (much to his regret) and run outside. You go out to the gate and shout, attracting the attention of the trio. Sullivan, with Iruma perched on his shoulders, makes a big circle, like an airplane, and stops almost in front of you.

–O-o-oh, there you are, (Y/N)! I felt an aura of boredom from here and knew you were with Kalego-kun!

–H-how did you spend your time? Iruma-kun?

–That was amazing! – the boy smiles and laughs at you. – I thought only the demon world was fun, but it wasn't! I didn't know… that there are so many interesting things in the human world...

–Oh, a familiar language at last! – your father is looking out of the house. – (Y/N)? Who is it?

–These are also people who helped me. And this is Iruma-kun, the boy I care about.

Your father makes eye contact with Iruma, Iruma looks back at him... and then they both smile. It seems that the charm of this boy knocks down absolutely everyone.

–You didn't say that there are so many interesting things in your world, – Opera appears in the zone of your vision. They don't have hats on, but they have small hairpins around their ears, like they're wearing some kind of jewelry. (It looks like they were fixed by Iruma, as they look a little crooked). – I found this beautiful stick for Kalego-kun, – they pick up a dog toy. – Do you think he'll like it?..

–Actually, we didn't want to interrupt your nice family conversation... but we have to.

–W-we're going home already... Sullivan-sama?

–Not really! – the demon-grandpa smiles broadly. – We decided to stay here until the end of the week! I want to learn many more things together with Iruma-kun! More shared memories! – he and Opera both raise their hands in the air at the same time. – So I want to warn you not to worry and keep in touch with your family.

–R-really? Sullivan-sama, thank you so much!..

–Don't thank me, but my grandson, – the demon tickles Iruma's leg. The boy laughs. – We'll be at a hotel nearby. I think Kalego-kun will be able to contact us if necessary. In the meantime... relax and have fun!

–Thank you! You too!

–So be it, – Opera puts the toy in his pocket. – I'll come to Kalego-kun`s soul a little later. Heh-heh-heh…

You wave to them with a big smile. After they disappear into the darkness of the street, you turn around and look at your parents. They're just as suspicious of seeing off the demons and the boy as your colleague was recently. Instead of any explanations, you rush to them to spend some more time with them... and let them know that you and Kalego-kun are staying the night.

–Can I sleep with Kalego-kun? – you are asking when a new day has come a long time ago. Your parents and you have been chatting for the past few hours, sipping tea that you remember tasting from your childhood. – I mean... he's myboyfriend, you two wouldn't be surprised if I shared a bed with him, would you?

–I don't mind, – your father looks at you with an innocent smile, and you already feel that something is wrong. – Except the couch we're sitting on now doesn't fold out. And the house doesn't have a double bed anymore. So you'll have to sleep in your room, and Kalego-san will sleep in the living room.

–You look tired, – the demon, who has been watching you all this time, puts the cup on the saucer and pats your cheek. – I hope you're talking about getting some sleep.

–Y-yes, you're right! And... you'll have to sleep on the couch, – you tap him on the shoulder.

–M-m-m... no.

–W-what do you mean?!

–I should sleep next to you. This is an unknown world to me, and I can't let you suffer from an unknown danger.

–It's a human world. I can't be attacked by a monster or anything like that here.

–Still, my instincts tell me to protect you, – he puts a hand on his chest. – Besides, I'm used to sleeping on the floor. A lot of times after training, I'd come home and just fall on the floor... because my uncle had stolen the carpet again to sell it somewhere, – he ground his teeth.

Your father and Kalego argue for a long time after that, you barely have time to translate their words. In the end, Naberius justifies everything by saying that sleeping on the floor is good for your back... and that the demon will never do anything nasty to you in your parents' house. Your father, who still doesn't fully trust Kalego, eventually gives up and lets the demon sleep next to you.

You walk into your room and feel the memories come rushing back to you. How many times have you come here when everyone else is already asleep, carefully make your way to the bed and fall asleep? Thoughts of hobbies that have occupied your entire day and half of the night take over for a second, and you don't immediately notice that Kalego has locked the door.

–M? What is it?

–It's naive to think I'm going to sleep on the floor when there's a bed, – he says, walking past you and pulling the curtains over the window.

–So what? Are you going to kick me out on the floor? – you're giggling.

–I would never do that, – Kalego says without humor. – As a last resort, you can always sleep on me. Fortunately, this is not the case.

He snaps his fingers and suddenly the bed is a double bed! You gasp in shock, then quickly nod. That's right, magic! While you're admiring, Kalego starts taking off his clothes. Before you know it, the demon is standing in the middle of your room in his underwear, his wings spread wide on all sides.

You cover your face with your hands and exhale convulsively. It's like one of your teenage fantasies! A beautiful demon appears in the middle of the night, looking with passionate eyes only at you!..

–I don't know what you're thinking, but I don't like it anymore.

–Y-you look amazing, Kalego-kun! – you giggle in embarrassment and look at him through your fingers. – I just didn't think you'd take off your clothes... almost completely... and in this situation.

–The clothes I'm wearing are very tight on my wings... it hurts.

–Let me kiss them to ease the pain, – you make soft kissing sounds.

–You're not a dog to heal this... but I'm practically, - he's suddenly next to you and kisses the top of your head. – But you can try if you want.

–Then get down! – you point to your bed. – I'll take care of you!

–Actually, I'd rather take care of you... but if that's what you want…

It lies down and spreads its wings in different directions. You sit on his lower back and bend over. You cover his neck with quick, light kisses, then move down and down to his shoulder blades. When you reach the beginning of the wings, Kalego flinches. You immediately tenderly kiss the dark skin that glistens in the barely penetrating moonlight.

You lovingly touch the wings, gently massage them with your fingers. Kalego exhales softly into the pillow, his gaze moving from one object in the room to the next. You giggle and suddenly attack his cheek with kisses.

The demon suddenly rolls over on his back, his hands on your waist.

–You said you wouldn't do anything inappropriate in my parents' house.

–I'm just making sure my favorite human doesn't fall over and hit its head. What are you talking about?

You lean in and place a quick kiss on his lips without breaking eye contact. Kalego has one hand on your waist, and he raises the other to stroke your cheek.

–Did you enjoy being in my world? – you ask softly, hearing his tail move slowly from side to side.

–Well, this place is much louder than many I've visited… I don't think I could have tried to enjoy it if it wasn't for you. Perhaps if I studied all of this better... together with you, I might be able to love your home world.

–I hope that someday humans and demons will be able to find common ground. I'm sorry you have to put up with the inconvenience, – you run your fingers over his wings.

You barely hide a scream when Kalego suddenly turns you on your side. You find yourself trapped in his wings and arms. Giggling, you snuggle closer to him and rest your head on his bare chest. His tail wraps around your leg.

–I'm so glad that I can finally give you a hug without any extra eyes.

–Me too…

You want to talk to him a little more. You want to know what things he liked the most, if he wants you to read to him the books he bought... but you're too tired for the day. As a result, you can only close your eyes and fall into a peaceful sleep.

Finally, you and your parents are reunited again.

*+*

–I thought the park would be quiet, but I was wrong.

You mumble vaguely and pull Kalego forward. Your parents are walking in front (since you forgot the road a little), with a basket and a blanket in their hands. (The demon tried to carry things, but after he was discovered sleeping peacefully on the floor with his clothes on, your parents didn't try to put pressure on him by allowing him to be close to you.) They decided to take the day off and spend it with you, especially since the weather is great.

You often went to this park as a child. The sight of familiar ducks makes you glow and yank Kalego to the side to look around the big lake. But before you can even take a step, a huge dog runs straight at you, barking loudly and opening its mouth with fangs!

It looks... familiar…

Suddenly, Kalego lifts you over his head as if you weigh nothing, and stares at the dog. He opens his own mouth and snarls, showing his fangs. The animal immediately sits down on the ground, its front paws sliding on the ground. The dog slows down and purses its ears before hurrying back to its owner, who also seems familiar to you…

This is your friend!

You wave your legs and Kalego lowers you to the ground. While he fights the dog with his eyes, you run towards the young man with happy cries. When the demon blinks and notices that you're gone, you're already hugging your old friend!

Kalego... freezes in place. He had expected this to happen. This is the city you grew up in. Of course, your old friends will be here! But still... still…

The demon feels an incredible desire to tear you away from this man. Hey, did you kiss him on the cheek?!.

–Kalego-kun, meet Atta! This is an old friend of mine! – you point to a man stroking and soothing his dog. – Atta, this is my boyfriend, Kalego-kun!

–Boyfriend? I thought you were only interested in work! – Atta pokes you in the shoulder. – But I'm glad to meet him! – he holds out his hand. – By the way, why are you talking to him in some strange language?..

–Kalego-kun, you have to shake his hand to say hello... – you turn to your friend. – He is from another country, he has a rather unusual accent, so it is unlikely that even the main native speakers will be able to understand him…

–I'm not going to shake hands with anyone I don't know. In addition, lower-ranked demons must first introduce themselves and bow down…

–He's not a demon, and we're not in a demon world, – you shrugged your shoulders. – Okay, if you don't want to do this, I won't force you. Hey, Atta, his family doesn't say hello to strangers like that. So just put your hand down.

–Weird, but okay… You like to collect strange things around you, (Y/N).

Kalego watches you and Atta walk together, chatting. The demon keeps repeating to himself that this is normal… you've seen him every day, and you probably won't ever see your friends again... and yet... and yet...

At the very least, he wants to put his arms around you and hold you close. Demons are selfish creatures. What else would you expect from someone who carries wolf blood?

Kalego sighs and decides to look around. Children running and playing, their parents sitting and chatting, couples enjoying a picnic... how loud it all is. However, suddenly the demon's eyes take in a wonderful view, and Naberius unwittingly takes a step forward.

Puppies... so many puppies!

Kalego feels Cerberion begging for freedom. His magic wants to come out and play too! The demon, against his will, unwittingly moves forward, towards small and cute creatures. In Hell, everything, even small animals, has claws and fangs so scary that they can frighten an adult. So Kalego's heart shivers a little when he sees someone so cute... even if snotty.

–(Y/N), – you quickly turn to him, – what is this?

–Oh, that? These are puppies! Little dogs! They don't look like the ones you might find in Hell, do they?

–Can I... look at them?

–Of course! If anything... here you are.

You leave your friend briefly to give Kalego a note. "I'm sorry, I don't understand your language. If necessary, I'll call my interpreter."

–Use this if someone talks to you. You can always come to me for help, – you get up on your toes and kiss him on the cheek. – I'll go and have a chat with my parents and Atta! If anything, his dog is very cute! You can pet her!

–I've already shown her who's dominant here. I don't think she'll be happy if I get my claws into her.

You look at his fingernails, giggle, and run away.

Kalego looks at a small aviary where silly puppies run around. Yes, dogs are raised differently in Hell... the demon looks at the people chatting next to the low portable fence and sits down next to one of the puppies. The little animal immediately yaps in interest and runs towards Naberius.

Kalego involuntarily sighs, remembering his communication with Cerberion. He had to beat his own magic to keep from dying from those sharp claws. Naberius cautiously holds out his hand, and the little creature hurries towards him on its small feet. Such a pathetic, weak creature... Kalego is looking at you.

In the human world, everyone is so weak... they are all so easy to kill.

Kalego flinches when a cold nose touches his fingers, and the next second, a warm tongue licks his palm. Naberius watches as the puppy wags its tail in a funny way and suddenly falls back, landing on the ground. It quickly gets up and hurries to lick the demon's fingers again.

They're all so small, so helpless… How did (Y/N) survive in Hell for so long? And what about Iruma? With bodies like theirs, they should have died from the first monster they saw.

–Hey, how do you like our puppies? They're pretty, aren't they?

Kalego turns his head and silently shows the piece of paper. The man who came up to him nods understandingly. He pulls out his phone and seems to want to write something, but for some reason stops his actions under the heavy gaze of the demon.

Kalego points to a nearby stick, and the man nods vaguely. The demon picks up a small object and looks at the puppies, who magically pay all their attention to him alone. Naberius raises his hand... and commands.

–Fetch.

Startled, the pups rush for the stick. Kalego sighs. I do not know if they quickly understood this command because of my incredible experience as a teacher... or because my order was pretty obvious.

–Wow, he's got talent! Did you see that?! Puppies actually brought him a stick!.. Mister, miste-e-er, I need your interpreter!..

You don't understand why you suddenly found yourself next to an aviary with puppies. But even more than that, you don't understand why you're explaining to their master that your demon can't train his little animals.

–H-how did you do that? These pups have never been trained in commands…

–It's hard not to listen to someone who is stronger, – Kalego gives you a hard look. – Plus, I literally grew up fighting a dog. I know how to get the right information to them… How are you? – he looks hard at Atta and your parents.

–Everything is fine! I didn't know Atta would become a fashion designer! He was a typical bully at school, and now he's such a sweet and pleasant young man… Hey, why are you growling?

–Demonic instincts, demonic instincts…

–O-o-oh, is someone jealous? – you're giggling viciously.

–Yes, – you even stumble from such straightforwardness. – In my grandfather's time, I could have just killed them all and taken them with me. What were the times like…

–You go to jail for murder here, Kalego-kun.

–Pf, as always, too many criminals are not professional.

You give him a silent pat on the shoulder.

You continue to enjoy a quiet day. Kalego is sitting next to you, his leg pressed against yours, which makes you feel his tail twitching every time you even interact with Atta. Fortunately, the demon is distracted by the dog, with whom he seems to be able to find a common language. They used to stare at each other at first, but now Kalego is playing with a big pile of fur with eyes and teeth.

Eventually, you return home, feeling Kalego staring at everyone with displeasure. It seems that your communication with Atta has greatly disturbed him. Luckily, in the end, your friend left safely with his dog and no one was injured.

Your parents said they would cook dinner, so you and Kalego decide to take a walk.

The demon likes the evening park much, much better. There are already a lot fewer people here, at least in certain parts where there are no lights... or signs... and it's very dark. But you're not afraid. Because Kalego holds your hand tightly and protects you. You enjoy the view of the moon in the sky, the sounds of nocturnal insects and the quacking of ducks that will soon be sleeping.

–Why do you look sad? Are you still mad that Atta kissed me on the cheek back then?

–D-don't remind me of that! How can he kiss someone else's woman like that?!

–Friends can kiss each other on the cheek, Kalego-kun…

–But not if they're friends of the opposite sex!...

–I see it differently, so no problem!.. And why would I need someone else when I have my own demon? – you grin and kiss his fingers.

Kalego looks at you strangely.

–I had to do it.

–Maybe I want to be in charge of this relationship…

Suddenly, the Kalego pushes you up against a tree, and you flinch. The demon smiles the way an incubus should. He leans down and breathes hot air into your lips.

–I prefer to follow tradition, my fair one. And I'm clearly stronger, so don't try to undermine my authority. As a demon, this really annoys me.

–Okay, okay, Kalego-kun, – you get up on your toes and try to kiss him, but he pulls away from you. – Did it really... hurt you?..

–No, I, – he pulls away from you and looks out at the lake. – I just thought... it's terribly sad that... you're... human.

He sighs and squeezes your hand, but still doesn't look at you.

–I don't mean that I wouldn't want you to be born someone else... at least I definitely get incredible pleasure when I just lick you, – you wince involuntarily and swallow in embarrassment. – I'm just saying... that you're very... weak. And you... people live so little.

Kalego shivers slightly and closes his eyes.

–I didn't think about it before, but... you're barely going to live a quarter of my life. After all, humans are mortal... and you will leave me... sooner than I would like.

He looks at you... and there's pain in his eyes. He takes your face in both hands and sighs so loudly that something starts to shake in your ears.

–I knew that before, but I just realized... how much I don't want to lose you, – he presses his nose to yours. – I'm sorry to spoil this moment, but... the human world has once again reminded me that... humans... are mortal. And I don't want you to leave me... and I don't think I can go on with my life if you do.

You reach out and hug his face back... and then squeeze his cheeks very hard. Kalego looks very funny when his lips suddenly become the same as a fish's. The next second, you pull his cheeks away with a loud groan.

–Kalego-kun, you really know how to spoil the mood! – you start poking him in the chest with your fingers. – But I know what you mean… I also... thought about it... and I decided that I would just ignore the passage of time! – you look him straight in the eye. – I will enjoy every second that I can spend with you! And I won't regret anything, even if I end up getting old and dying in your arms, and you don't change! Because... I want to spend my life with you, no matter how long that life lasts.

–Ah, you're so careless... – he sighs.

–I'm just trying to be positive... unlike someone, – you spread your hands to the side. – And, hey... I deserve a soothing kiss after what you said! Come to me!..

–Hey, a couple of tree huggers... you picked the wrong time for your snotty actions.

You turn your head and look at a small group of unsavory individuals. Your city... wasn't a safe place in your childhood. Nothing seems to change even after all these years…

–Who are they and what do they say? – Kalego slowly moves away from you.

–They're just local bullies. They'll probably want money or something… Come on, let's not waste time on them…

–Huh... do they think they can offend someone who is under my protection? – the demon is looking at people with bats and pipes. – How interesting…

–K-Kalego-kun, don't! You're going to kill them!..

–No one will see us here, will they? - the demon looks back at people who, not hearing your answer, start insulting you and coming at you threateningly. – Cerberion wanted to take a walk in this park from the very beginning…

Then you just close your eyes... because you don't want to see it. When you open your eyes, Kalego is standing with a book in the middle of the bodies lying around. He seems to be taking notes. W-well, at least all these people are alive... p-probably...

*+*

–Kalego-kun, I didn't expect this from you! How could you set us up like this?!

–Yes, Kalego-kun! As your senpai, I am very disappointed in you…

Kalego can only sit on his knees and endure the words of his superior and his senpai because they were telling... the truth. The demon wasn't supposed to use Cerberion, but he was so used to using his magic… And also, during the short battle, his hat had come off, so that his horns were visible in the light!..

But any danger that threatens his loved ones must be eliminated... hm-m…

–Hey, are you even listening to me, Kalego-kun?! – Sullivan leans forward and coughs in frustration. – Do I have to strip you of your bonus this month?

You're not going to give it away to me anyway…

–I was just thinking that (Y/N) is a human.

–That's news! – Opera pretends they're surprised.

–That's not what I'm talking about, – Kalego pinches the bridge of his nose. – I mean... she won't live very long... by demon standards. She'll be dead before I get old.…

The room is instantly filled with something heavy. The three demons look at each other. Suddenly, Sullivan stops being an egg and becomes the demon everyone fears.

–I've been... thinking about it, too, – he adjusts his glasses. – My Iruma-kun is worthy of becoming the most important demon, even though he is a human… But he still won't be able to live any longer than I do. As his grandfather, I have to do something.

–And you have... a plan?

The atmosphere becomes even heavier. Sullivan sighs heavily.

–I'm thinking about it... but it's too early to draw conclusions. I take it you're willing to do anything to spend as much time with (Y/N) as you can physically?

–Yes... Sullivan-sama.

Kalego's eyes are filled with determination. He sits down as if he has a deep respect for the demon in front of him. He is sitting on one knee, his hand pressed to his chest, looking straight into the eyes of his superior, waiting for orders.

Opera giggles and twitches their ears.

–O-o-oh, looks like we'll have to work together to extend the life span for Iruma-sama and (Y/N)~

–I can handle it... for the sake of... (Y/N), – Kalego says through gritted teeth.

Sullivan looks in surprise at the demon who is bowing respectfully in front of him. His dark eyes flash with determination. The older demon smiles.

–Well... I hope we do a great job together, Kalego-kun! For the good of my grandson and your (Y/N). I still want another great-grandson, and demon girls are so slow to grow up…

–Yes, I'll do anything, – his dark eyes sparkle, – for her sake.

*Bonus*

–By the way, Kalego-kun, for that matter… Can you check if humans and demons can have children?~ I noticed a very nice girl next to my grandson… Hey, where are you going? Kalego-kun?!.

[musicalhell]

General thoughts on Hades 2? I'm also playing it in early access myself. I know it still needs some finishing and perfecting but I really enjoy it so far.

Oh do I have thoughts:

~Overall, I love it. Obviously it's a work in progress and things need to be fine tuned (coughArgentSkullcough) but the foundation is absolutely solid. I love the way they've adapted a lot of the original Hades mechanics in a way that feels familiar, but distinct and not a copy of the previous game. ~I adore Melinoe. If Zagreus is someone who I'd want to go out and have drinks with, Melinoe is someone I want to wrap in a blanket and give hot chocolate and hugs and soft animals and all the good things that make her happy. Because she deserves it, even (especially) if she thinks she doesn't. ~I was surprised by how sweet and chill Moros is and that makes me love him even more. ~Hestia and Hephaestus are my new BFFs (Boon Friends Forever). ~I cannot wait to see Narcissus' design. I'm kind of picturing a giant daffodil/human hybrid that's kind of creepy but also in keeping with proud Hades tradition unsettlingly hot. ~I have killed Chronos exactly one (1) time so far, and that is not enough. Smug-ass authoritarian "everything was better when I was in charge" bastard gonna pay for what he did to my Underworld family (especially Cerberus). ~That said, I'm curious to see where they're going with this story. The original Hades was all about healing--reuniting Hades and Persephone and repairing the breach with the Olympians. I kind of get that vibe from this one too, but at the same time I don't see a way forward that doesn't involve kicking Chronos to the curb and making sure he stays there. Then there's the question of the Olympians, who are definitely showing their dark side (the Apollo/Poseidon duo dialogue has them arguing over whether it's better curse disrespectful mortals with a plague or just send an earthquake to wipe them out, yikes). I hope Mel finds a way through to something better than Chronos' false Golden Age or the Olympian ego clusterfuck.

[sofasoap]

I would like to apologize for the spam liking but I couldn’t help myself. Once I started reading the Lastochka series, I couldn’t stop until I read everything! I think that you single-handedly made me fall in love with Nikolai and I thank you for it!!

Like playing with Russian roulette, even Lady Fortuna's luck runs out.

This is hands down one of the best lines I’ve ever read anywhere! I was literally frothing at the mouth after reading it!

Nikolai screaming “SHE IS MY WIFE!!” will forever be seared into my brain.

"My brother in law."

"I am not your fucken brother in law."

"Yes you are."

"I didn't agree for you to be in my family. grabbing the glass of vodka Sergio offered to him, he sniffed it before taking a sip. " Steaming Jesus, this is some strong stuff.?

"Best Russian Vodka you can get out there".

"Hm. still a bit short compared to the best Scotch whisky." Soap remarked.

Awww, they’re bonding!!

"I am sure my Russian charm will win them over very quickly." Nikolai laughed.You rolled your eyes, his optimism and ego never cease to amaze you.

His charm will win me over any day.

The crack fics literally made me fall over laughing! Like she was more worried about her floors than marrying him. And the “don’t worry, I’m from Russia” taxi meme had me struggling to breathe. 😂😂😂

Also his nicknames for her…..if anyone calls me those I will marry them on the spot!!!

Your Russian was pretty spot on, coming from someone who is part Russian, so you have nothing to worry about on that end! Side note off of that: Anya is also one of my nicknames so it was fun to see it pop up in your story!

I cannot wait for the rest of your Lastochka-Raging Waves series and more Nikolai stuff from you!! Thank you so much for introducing me to this!!! 💕💕💕

First of all… let me give you a hug *hug hug hug* spam reads are always welcome here on this blog ( unless you are a bot lol )

Second.. * deep breath in *

@siilvan @nrdmssgs @gamergirlbones @roosterr @homicidal-slvt we have another victim for the club!!!

Welcome to Nikolai club, or we have another sub-branch, Slavic man club. * handing out brochures * here you will find Nikolai, Makarov, Yuri, and my secret love, Sobieslaw "Gromsko" Kościuszko

I am so happy I have another tick of approval from another Russian speaking person!!

Oh Nik and Soap has this love hate relationship with each other. Poor Mini is the one to keep the equilibrium, keeping the Russian Bear and Scottish Unicorn in check.

As for crack fics… dont ask me what I have in my brain as well when i started it lol. I have a lot of fun throwing crack ideas in, i just want to share my wacky ideas with you peeps out there 😝

Seriously when I started this series I didnt even think too much of it, until middle of it I started to notice there’s other Nik lovers out there slowly crawling out. And to you guys, thank you so much for the support!

Ill try my hardest to make Raging waves a decent series, even if it burns my brain and souls out…,

And again, thank you so much, you have no idea how happy I was waking up to this ask *hug again *

[expirydateofficial]

Expiry Date (Chikn Nuggit Infection AU Fanfic POV : Slushi)

Read Chapter 1 here

Read Chapter 2 here

Chapter 3 - Promise - Part 1/2

Read Chapter 3 Part 2/2 here

[Image ID: (Note : The original dialogue was coloured so y'know who was speaking, but that's kinda impossible here so I've added a few more sentences here and there, that way, you'll get to know who's talking!)

Milkshek resisted. "I won't leave you behind."

"It's ok. I'm a newt, I can climb this." Old Pea reassured.

Milkshek kneeled down and gently carressed his head with a kiss.

It's clear that I'm the tallest.

"Right, I guess I'll climb up and break the window, then I'll pull you in. " I explained.

It was hard to speak through that noxious fog of sweetness.

Milkshek climbed onto Old Pea.

I turned my head.

Big mistake. I saw the tangled mess of skin flopping in its own filth and fluids, inching closer and closer.

I swallowed my puke and climbed.

I pressed against the glass.

"Here goes nothing." I said to myself.

I bashed the window as hard as my body would let me with the rifle end. A mist of glass flew into the air, I felt them injected into all over my flesh, slipping under my closed eyelids. It burns like hell.

I pulled myself upwards and rolled into a sea of glass.

I felt them pull and tug against my flesh, like millions of paper cuts all over my body. Every movement dragged and pulled at the glass in my skin. I saw red everywhere. It was from me. I can barely keep my eyes open, but closing them makes the pain worse. It felt unreal, but I couldn't scream, not now.

I quickly sweeped the mist away and turned to pull Milkshek, a shard in my neck squirmed in my skin. Old Pea pushed her upwards.

"Babe!" Milkshek shouted.

The thing was way larger than I realised.

It was towering, still progressing at that ever mind numbing constant pace.

Old Pea was already by the window, his hands slipping around the window sill.

We each took both his hands and raised him in.

Milkshek pressed against a switch, light floods and blinds the room.

...

Milkshek stared and gasped.

"Slushi, you're bleeding!"

I looked down, red lined my fur and the ground below. I hadn't even realised the extent of my injury.

Old Pea laid down his backpack and took out a box.

"Hold still." He mumbled, pulling out a pair of tweezers and a bottle of iodine.

Wait, TWEEZERS???!!!! Shit!!

"WAIT! Do we really have to do this?" The words flowed out of my mouth in fumbled panic.

"The wound may get infected." Old Pea replied coldly.

"Slushi, please. Just bear with it, for a while, ok?" said Milkshek.

"Yeah! I can do that, Yeah!" I replied, forcing down my sense of fear.

I can feel my sweat building up in my fur.

"Yeah! Yeah!" I repeated, as if that will make me feel better somehow.

Old Pea turned on a lighter and placed his tweezers under the flame.

It kicked in, I can't breathe. The flame, its's heat, its taunting me. I swallowed as hard as I could. I wished that this moment would last forever, that the imevitable would not come.

I let out a scream.

"WAIT!!!"

I struggled to breathe. I kneeled over, I felt stings in my chest.

"Slushi." Milkshek sat next to me. "You can do this, I believe in you."

I cannot let my friends down.

I slowed down my breath and stared.

"I understand. Let's do this." I replied.

Old Pea nodded, and pulled at the first shard. I felt the shard being ripped off from its tight hug on my flesh. Suddenly, I felt a sharp stab as a cloth made contact. I gritted against my canines.

He moved on to the next one, the one in my neck.

My tears washed away the dust of glass in my eyes.

It felt like forever.

Pain increasing exponentially every time.

"Done." he signalled.

I moved, relief. Air carved in and out of my wounds. A few microshards still writhe in my skin but I felt much better.

"Thank you." I sighed.

I looked around. A bed, books, a computer, all pristine as if time had froze. A family potrait, three kids.

A charger laid on the desk.

"My phone." I realised.

I picked up and shoved it against my phone.

"IT FITS!" I screamed in excitement.

Milkshek gasped.

"Now I need to find a plug, plug, plug..." I scanned every object in the room. I saw it, under the desk. I let out my excitement and relief.

"PLUG!"

"Do any of you have your phones?" I turned to ask.

"Mine... was destroyed." Milkshek mumbled.

"I don't have one." Old Pea replied.

"Wait, you don't?" I turned on the switch, I felt my phone vibrate in response.

"He only uses a PC for streams." Milkshek answered.

A light emitted from my phone.

+99 missed calls.

End ID]

Read Chapter 3 Part 2/2 here

[obsidiancreates]

Don't Hug Them (The List Of Don'ts) Part 3: Trevor Tries To Cook

"Two down, 'A common way to greet someone', hmm... they're making them tricky these days..."

Robin keeps his eyes on his onw newspaper. He's finished the crossword already.

Trevor always used to get it done first. Robin would wake up to his fiancé- not by any formal proposal, just by them both knowing they'd like to be married one day if it became possible- already out of bed and at the table, the puzzle finished, a second paper waiting and a smug look on Trevor's face as Robin rolled his eyes and refused any hints or help.

As usual, or as usual since bringing him home from that place, Trevor hasn't got any food in front of him, nor any drinks. He's just sitting at the table with the paper, not a single square of the puzzle filled out yet.

Robin clears his throat. "Do you want some coffee?"

Trevor looks up at him in confusion. "Stop making up words."

Robin clutches his cup tighter and takes a deep breath through his nose. "No, love, it's a drink. We drank it together every morning."

"Stop trying to get me to remember things." Trevor shakes his head and looks back down at his paper. "I hate when that happens. The big red one likes it, not me. Where is he anyway?"

"He doesn't live here."

"Of course not, there's no pictures of him. But he should be around somewhere, if I'm here. Unless that family took him aga- dammit!" Trevor slams the paper down with a scowl. "Look what you did, making me remember things!"

"It's a good thing, Trevor."

"Says you, you're not the one remembering, are you?" He gets up, abandoning the paper. "I'm going to help myself to a chicken picnic."

"Alright." Robin rubs his eyes. At least Trevor is... interactive. Robin doesn't have much contact with the other families anymore, they all agreed after that rescue to... to keep the recoveries seperate.

But he's had calls from both families, once or twice over the months, asking if Trevor's recovery was anything like what they were dealing with. And poor Tina's description of her brother...

Yes, at least Trevor is interactive. Even if he's not... pleasant, to interact with.

His phone chimes, and he shakes himself out of it to check. He sighs in relief at the message just as Trevor comes back into the dining room with a plate of-

"No, not again." Robin stands and snatches the bowl out of Trevor's hands. Trevor shouts, affronted, but Robin holds it above his head. Trevor is a little shorter now, than when he went missing. Robin doesn't want to think about it. "We've been over this. I know you know that."

"I don't make a habit of all this recalling nonsense! It's too much of it, it's supposed to be once and a while only!" Trevor says it with such confidence, such authority, like it's a universal truth he's speaking and not something completely nonsensical. He's been doing it from the moment he woke up after the rescue.

"You can't eat raw eggs," Robin scolds. Again.

"Not if you take them from me!"

"You shouldn't eat them, then. You know how to co-"

"Not listening, not listening!" he plugs his ears and shuts his eyes. "You strange person who doesn't even know about Chuddle Dollops cannot tell me how to eat!"

"Trevor, you're acting like a child."

"I'll do my paper in the sitting room!" He blatantly ignores Robin, snatching the paper from the table and storming away. "With your silly TV that doesn't have any of the right channels!"

Robin puts the eggs back into the fridge. Hot tears sting at his eyes.

Strange person. As if they hadn't lived together nearly as long as Trevor had been missing for. As if they hadn't talked about marriage, about a family, about forever. As if Robin is no-one to him.

He wishes they'd burnt that horrid place down.

He knows that still wouldn't have brought back his Trevor.

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

It's early afternoon when he opens the door for Emily. She hugs him tightly, and he nearly sobs into her shoulder. Only nearly.

"How is he today?" she asks softly, shrugging off her purse and coat. Off-white feathers drift down as she does, mixing with the cream and light brown already on the floor, and-

And green. Dark, mossy green, too big to be feathers just from the head. It used to be just his head.

"Uncle Robin?" Emily shakes his shoulder gently. "Hey. I'll sweep it up."

"No, no." Robin sighs, rubbing his face again. "Sorry. ... He's... the usual."

"Oh." It not good news, and not bad news, but with every passing day 'the usual' and 'the same' feel more and more like a terminal diagnosis. "Well, I um, I had a thought for today. Something that could help."

"Emily, I told you, we can let the therapists-"

"This one is from a therapist. Well, articles by them." She grabs her purse again and digs into it. She pulls out a small stack of folded papers and hands them over. "Sometimes actually practicing an activity is more effective than just talking about or demonstrating it."

"We- oh, no, no we can't trust him at the stove."

"I'll stand by with the fire extinguisher. Just something basic? Like um, what's a breakfast you both enjoyed?"

Robin reads the pages for a moment. "... I... suppose... it'd be hard to make a disaster of beans and toast."

"There we go." She smiles at him. "I'll go grab him."

Robin follows her, but lingers in the kitchen doorway as she goes to Trevor in the living room. She crouches down to his eye level, taller than both older ducks by a good head or so. "Hi, Uncle Trevor."

"You're blocking my TV!" He cranes his neck to look around her.

"Do you know me?"

"You're the other one. Other than the other two I can't find, and the other one who won't let me have a picnic."

"That's progress." She stands back up. "We're going to try something out today, okay?"

Robin feels the tears again at the way Trevor stiffens and grips the armrests of his chair. "No thank you."

He used to love to learn. He would mutter as he read, and then when Robin would ask "What're you reading?" he would get not only a summary, he'd get corrections and theories and "But I don't think that's right," and tirade after tirade of passionate thought, and now, now even the mention of Trying Something New or "Do you know how to?" just-

Just-

"It's something you used to do a lot," Emily tries again. "We'd like your help with it."

Trevor's body language relaxes. "Of course you do. I'm the best one!"

"Yes you are. Now let's head to the kitchen."

He gets up and confidently leads the way, and at least that has somehow survived. Emily grabs a pot, and a plate, and some bread.

"Oh, I know this." Trevor rips open the bag and pulls out a slice. His brow furrows at it. "Why's it asleep? Doesn't it know we're doing something with it?"

"Bread isn't alive, Uncle Trevor." Bless that girl, she has the patience of saints sometimes, because Robin is near tears again and he doesn't know how she can do this with a smile.

"Hmm. Strange place." Trevor shakes his head and puts the slice in the toaster.

"Great job," Emily praises. "Now let's get the beans ready." She goes to the cupboard. "Will you turn on the burner for me?"

"Yes, yes, I've got it." Trevor's hand hovers over the knob for a moment. "Um... ah." He confidently turns it all the way up. "Just right for the grease fire."

Trevor looks away, and Robin quickly moves over to lower the temperature. When Trevor looks back Robin is merely closing the bread bag back up (as best he can, Trevor really shredded it).

"Right, we've got your favorite brand." Emily pulls the familiar blue and yellow can out of the cupboard and turns around-

Trevor screeches.

Emily drops the can and slaps her hands over her ears, Robin doing the same! Trevor backs away, plasters himself to the wall and keeps screaming, his eyes going glassy and his hands shaking and something is very very wrong with his voice, like a filter like autotune and it scrapes at their ears and pitches so strange and it's all wrong wrong wrong-

Trevor collapses.

Robin sucks in a breath and rips his hands away from his ears. He falls to Trevor's side and lifts his head, checking for bleeding. It's fine, he's fine, but his eyes are still wide open and completely unseeing and he's wheezing and whimpering and-

And his hands are pawing at his-

...

His scar.

They... haven't talked, about the scar.

One of the first things they'd done was rush Trevor to a hospital. One of the first things they were told is it's a miracle he's alive.

Because he's missing several organs. Including his heart.

They didn't know how it was possible for him to be alive. He's on a transplant list.

But why did a can- a simple blue and yellow can with nothing else on it- make him relive... whatever was done to him?

"Trevor," Robin says softly, voice cracking as he lifts Trevor's head into his lap. "It's okay. It's just us. Can you come back to us?"

"Uncle Robin?"

"Just-just clean up the mess, dear. I've got him."

"I-I'm sorry."

"It's not you." Robin's feathers puff up. "It's that place," he spits.

Emily cleans the mess. The can had broken open and spilled beans everywhere. Robin, with no little amount of difficultly, carried Trevor to the sitting room couch. He laid him down, brushing a hand through the feather atop his head. He sat there and did this until Trevor's breathing evened, until his eyes cleared a little, until he let out a small sob.

"I told you," are the first words Trevor chokes out. He hugs himself tightly and rolls over, shivering, pulling away from Robin's touch.

"Wh-what?" They'd never spoken about anything like this, nothing like this had happened-

Trevor's voice crackles with that terrible autotune-like quality once more.

"I don't like the remembering."

[zorkaya-moved]

@al-hazen

ABOUT: AL-HAYTHAM — LOVE.  I will worship you in every samsara, I will love you past death's embrace.

Love is... the only emotion I know that is pure within me, but even it can become tainted. My family, my beloved... My love for Al-Haytham has always been pure, I never allowed it to become tainted. His brash attitude, his intelligence, his view of the world as it is, his pain and his fears alongside his strengths and his charm. I saw so much and I fell in love more and more. Because he isn't perfect, he's a person with flaws and virtues. He is flawed, to some, far more than others, but... He said he loves me, he said he liked me when I stopped wearing the extravagant mask of an entertainer. He said he liked my truth, my reality, and my flaws. No one but my family saw that and accepted. No, stayed with me. He still kissed me, he still said my name, he still embraced me. My love is the purest emotion I'll ever experience, the only emotion I'll never let anyone sully, even him. This love will keep me strong against corruption. The memories of our lazy afternoons and our sarcastic exchanges... Everything we've done and gone through, I'll treasure forever. Huh? What if he still loves me? ... Ah, you're sweet, Traveler. If he does still love me, I hope he... No, I... He shouldn't. I won't be able to handle it. I'm afraid if he hugs me, I'll shatter. Why? Because then... everything just might've been for naught. I'm afraid if he as much as cups my face and say my name again like he did before, I... No, you don't need to know. It won't happen.

ABOUT: AL-HAYTHAM — FEAR.  I will worship you in every samsara, I will love you past death's embrace.

Al-Haytham has things he fears, events you'll never be able to understand or fathom. Hm? Oh, you mean my fears? You'll be surprised, but just the thought of him or my family being hurt causes something in me to tremble. The Abyssal Serpent tried to create his image in my head to control me, but I had to erase it. Because the 'real' Haytham was waiting outside, and if I were to allow the Serpent to take over my body and my mind, he'd be in danger. The image of him being hurt terrifies me. Losing him... Not being able to protect him... It scares me. But I'm not weak anymore; I'll keep him and my brothers safe. This time, for sure. I won't have anyone else die because I was too weak to protect them. Not again.

ABOUT: AL-HAYTHAM — GRIEF.  I will worship you in every samsara, I will love you past death's embrace.

I don't need your pity, Traveler. My decisions were made with a clear head. Even now, I know... I think it was the only choice. This world is not sweet, nor is it kind. Power and corruption lead countless nations and their progress. In this world, only the strongest can survive and get a chance at happiness without fearing their loved ones being taken away. But even then... Even now... I miss him, I miss those moments of warmth and intimacy. I miss him caressing my cheek, and I miss falling asleep next to him when he still reads his book. But those memories, they'll hold me in place a [myself]. Huh? Why am I tearing up? Know your place. To know is to suffer. To have the ability to pursue knowledge that can protect at the cost of your humanity and not use it? No, if I can break through and grant him and my brothers a future after Tsaritsa burns away the current world? Even my grief will act as a push forward. Because I cannot stop. Al-Haytham... probably wouldn't want to see me anymore. He even doubted my love for him. Even when everything he is remains the key to everything you want to learn. Haha... I wonder if he'll mourn those wonderful sunny days. But it's too much to ask, isn't it? Maybe it's better if he hates me. If he were to tell me that he wants to help me or that he still loves me... I might fall apart.

[novemberdevils]

I took a shower before puck drop so you will get only intermission thoughts for today.

Jack keeping his hotel is just like me to the unending hatred that my sister for me, NO BECAUSE first race ALWAYS STRESS ME THE FUCK OUT-im a Ferrari fan im always stressed, jack my dear stupid Ferrari driver nico is not playing a game he just figured out that you have a praise kink and he is obsessed with you, oh jack I will wait for you oh oh moment to realise I actually think about nico a lot not because he is my rival but it’s because I love him, jack feeling like everything is tight and everything fits wrong is the worst anxiety feelings ever so please nico give him a hug and tell him it’s from me, Formation laps are awful. Oh I know -throwback when I went to bring my phone and looked away for literally two seconds and charles was in the fucking wall-, OUR FIRST RACE IS ON!! And let me tell you the way I was STRESSING reading the commentary and when they fucking touched?? Oh I lost it had to put my phone down to breath because first corner is ALWAYS stressful, you have killed it with the Ferrari radio bit it was so good genuinely got me even more into the fic and it made me so much invested with everything.

Okay second period has started so we will be back in the second intermission! 

WHAT DO YOU THINK FERRARI’S CALL WILL BE IF SAINZ GETS UP TO SECOND? Please dont do this to me I Will Cry, ryan being tired of jack and it’s only the first race is something I will cherish because no one can annoy the race engineers like drives do it’s a talent they all share and race engineer just have to suffer through it, but anyway yes let them fight, A JACK WIN!!!!!!! YAYYYYYYY AND IT IS A FERRARI 1-2!!!!!!!!!! Thank you for writing this and making me happy over fake results, ah jack having the home race curse there always a Ferrari driver who has it but he has a hundred home races he is good, oh my jack my dear you are in LOVE; what do you mean he thinks about what might noco say and is thinking about the articles they might be writing about him like boy get a grip, AND thinking he hasnt earn it because he didnt get to fight him for his he win JACK WTF??? This Is Not Normal Behaviour, “You didn’t like getting an easy win?” Where is that twitter meme the “you like pancakes? So you must hate waffles”, anyways jack really went and said I want nico to race me so I can earn my win; my guy wtf? YOU PUT THE COOL DOWN ROOM I let a squeal when I read it.

Okay third period has started and im getting so sleepy from my shower so I will end my rambling thoughts here today and will be back later to continue.

ferrari fan stress is so real... i will confess i was always more of a red bull fan myself but i live with ferrari fans lmao so we were just fighting whenever the race was on. go red bull. that was the easy life when i was paying my highest attention to the sport... what a great season it was. when max won like 15 races or whatever it was. he is so crazy <- i promise i am not doing That breed of crazy in my fic

i cannot resist the jack hughes praise kink. i swear it writes itself. i had nothing to do with that. don't look at me!!!

ferrari's call will be Annoying as always. ferrari team orders sideplot goes crazy. the only thing jack and carlos can agree on is fuck that we are not listening to their nonsense. i love when teams give team orders and the drivers just say no (oscar piastri TAKE NOTES.)

jack will forever be fighting the idiots in the media... and he will also forever be fighting. Himself. home race curse is real but like cmon man you DO have three home races a season there's got to be SOME hope for your unlucky ass. no spoilers though. it is about to be his first home race though yippee!!!

cool down room is a necessity i do intend to do it for every single race for the entire fic

[thesillygoosetapes]

Sleepy Mornings

Word Count: 864

POV: First Person

Commission for: myself

Note: This is a yumeship! If you don’t like it simply scroll away! No one is forcing you to read this. Don’t expect this to be reader x character because it is not! It is self-insert x character, so when/if you read it don’t expect it to be for you! This is simply am example piece (and many more to come) to show off for my commissions. If you want to commission me here is my carrd; https://yumejoshicommissions.carrd.co

It was a serene morning on the Luofu, the bright sun shining brightly and the calm zephyr winds perfect for the forever spring that made up the artificial weather. Children were playing on the streets, and the adults were too busy shopping. The streets rumbled with this newfound excitement on this particular morning. Officials were patrolling the streets as people whizzed by, and the staff made sure that all the paperwork was started for the day and that all was well on the Luofu. Lastly, the seat of Divine Foresight was…empty?

Jing Yuan sleeps like a bear, which I cannot deny. When he sleeps, it’s like his entire body weight is on top of me, which, given the fact that when you’re asleep, you’re considered dead weight, makes sense. It’s like he weighs a ton when he’s sleeping; when he sleeps, he never lets me go. His huge arms wrapped around my frame as we cuddled next to each other in bed, our bodies flushed against each other. Not that I like getting up in the morning either, but on this particular day, I had to travel with the Astral Express to Penacony. He knew I wouldn’t return for a while, keeping me trapped in his cuddle cage. I sighed, looking around for any reprieve from the man.

It was like he could sense I was trying to get up, and he pulled me closer to his chest into a tight embrace; from this angle, I could feel his heartbeat through the thin layer of shirts we wore. (He never wears his gear to bed. What were you thinking, reader?) His hugs are warm like the sunshine he radiates and the softness of a lion (considering I’ve hugged Mimi many times, it’s like that.) On any other day, I would gladly oblige his morning routine of staying in and laying together in each other’s arms. I was tightly tucked under his chin, my arms wrapped around him, and Jing Yuan wrapped his arms tightly around me. However, there was something odd about his cuddles, like he was afraid to let me go.

That was the thing about Jing Yuan; he’s a clingy bastard. If he wakes up and I’m not there, he will go traipsing through the house, calling my name until I answer it. Sometimes, I’m working on my computer (something for the Luofu, like database analysis), and other times, I’m just in the kitchen making food for myself because I’m not the cook—Jing Yuan is. So when I don’t call out, he’s like a sad puppy, waiting there at the house or sulking in the seat of Divine Foresight until he sees me again. Sometimes Qingzu has to call me because she can’t handle the General sulking so much.

I huff, trying to get up, but then I hear a grumble from the sleeping Jing Yuan. Good, he’s waking up. I reach over for my phone, trying to gain any semblance of time to know whether or not I am late. Before I can fully reach over, Jing Yuan pulls me back, causing me to huff again. I love him, I swear I do, but Jing Yuan is going to be the death of me. If I don’t get up, I know Himeko will be on his ass before I can stop her.

“Jing Yuan…” I whisper to him. “You gotta let me go.”

“No,” he mumbled defiantly.

I sigh again. “I have work to do…and you do too!”

He opened one golden eye, still crusted from last night’s sleep, and his gray hair fell over his face. He was adorable like this in the morning, half asleep and all groggy. It was a sublime time to stay in and let the day pass us by. We cuddled each other as we talked about our weeks together, not that we were far apart in the first place. There was something about whispering sweet nothings to each other as we lay there in each other’s safety.

There was something warm about his hugs and cuddles—something akin to a drug, something that I couldn’t get enough of. On his good days, he’ll spray some body spray that smells of lavender and oranges, one of my favorite scents. I could bask in his embrace all day if he wore it. On other days, he smelled of musk and sweat, a scent I’ve gotten used to over time—a scent that makes me remember that he’s human.

“Jing Yuan, do you want Himeko to wake you or me?”

“Neither.”

“Stop being stubborn,” I say, raising my fingers to flick his forehead.

“A few more minutes…” he mumbled before pulling me back in. “Please?”

Damn it! He knows my weakness! I could never deny him when he says ‘please’ when he begs for it so sweetly in his morning voice. He tightens his embrace around me, but not too tight that I’m suffocating, taking a deep breath of my scent. My head is nestled under his chin, keeping me locked where I couldn’t move. I sigh in defeat, wrapping my arms around him and closing my eyes.

I guess I could say in for a few more minutes.

[96xie]

keeping myself afloat

the past 8 months have been absolutely terrible, honestly im waiting for this pain to go away. i have cried countless nights unlike before and i have begged god to relieve just a tiny bit of pain of mine. i dont want to be here anymore but i cant grant that wish because i dont want to cause sadness upon my loved ones.

i dont look like myself anymore, my eczema has gotten so much worse to the point where i cannot recognize myself. i grieve every. single. day. i look at my old photos and wish i can go back to what i deem as normal. i feel so sorry to my boyfriend and friends because i look so embarrassing. my skin is on fire, its itchy 25/8, wounds open and scab up and its a cycle. i hate this so much.

i am currently on medical leave (currently unemployed) but i dont think i have benefits therefore i cant keep my financials afloat: i barely have enough saved for my car and its insurance for a month. my return date is in a month and HONESTLY i dont think i can recover until then. my entire body is in physical and mental pain: it hurts to bend my hands, arms, legs, body, i cannot twist my neck, it hurts to open my mouth at times, its like im not living. im literally crying as i type. i probably have like ONE good day every two weeks and i just dont want to live like this anymore.

i am trying my best to keep myself sane. i am trying to play games that i once loved but its difficult because my face is so dry to the point where my eyelids get dry too and my eyesight becomes blurry. when i go out, i become so envious of everyone because they get to wear short sleeved shirts, short skirts and shorts, and i have to cover because of my scars and open wounds. my boyfriend still holds my hands, hugs me, kisses me, but deep inside im crying because i feel so embarrassed that he has to be seen with me. ilove him so much but i feel so burdened because he has to put up with me.

my body is so dry its like scrunched up, its entirely red, i cant stretch, my eyesight is constantly blurry, i have no eyebrows, its been 8 months and no sign of healing. i dont know why i have to go through this. i have always always always tried to remain hopeful but its no use. healing is not linear. i know this very well. but each day has become discouraging. i am physically, mentally, emotionally, and financially in a bad place.

i have visited my dermatologist and she has been extremely condescending each visit. i just want to get better except she has been prescribing the very medicine that has ruined me in the first place. she has no empathy and i teared up in the office because she has given me no hope.

it is the same for my mom, i wish she had been more emphatetic of my situation. yes she understands my situation, she knows very well. i am so grateful she feeds me healthy food and herbal teas but the constant yelling and berating, i feel like im trapped in my child-self. i just want her to tell me it will be ok.

i want to be ok. i want to feel better. i want to look the way i have been. i am pushing myself to stay alive each day but it is very much becoming difficult each day. i love my friends and boyfriend but i feel like my breaking point is near.

this is not a cry for help i promise you! just a place for me to vent.

if you have reached this far, thank you for reading! i am finding ways to keep my mind busy despite the difficulties. if you can spare few dollars towards my car insurance or car, i would be forever grateful! my v3nm0 is @/alexieemreen

i will try to live another day being hopeful!

[wewringmagicfromtheordinary]

#ha ha ha HA good luck convincing me that parker and eliot are not huggers #they're huggers all right #they're just picky huggers #they're huggers only in the correct circumstances with the right people #but YOU CANNOT TELL ME THEY DO NOT ENJOY THE FACT #that their boyfriend alec hardison was born with his hug dial permanently set to ten #that their boyfriend alec hardison is at any moment in time thinking about how much he wants to hug either or both of them #THEY ENJOY IT #ELIOT MIGHT GRUMBLE ABOUT IT #PARKER MIGHT WANT TO MAKE SURE EVERYONE KNOWS THAT SHE IS THE ONE WHO DETERMINES WHEN THE HUGS BEGIN AND END #but they fucking love that shit my friends. they love it. #look at this canon as fuck proof of life on this concept i mean come on #THAT HUG IN THE TOP RIGHT GIF #IS FROM THAT JOB WHERE THEY CLIMB THE MOUNTAIN #and hardison is like oh hi eliot i'm cold hold me and then they cut to aNOTHER conversation and it's not until the camera cuts back #LIKE THIRTY SECONDS LATER #that eliot remembers to shove him away #if eliot hadn't remembered that he's supposed to pretend he's not in love with these assholes #because they're like ~too good for a man of his darkness and shit~ #he would've hugged hardison all goddamn day #AND PARKER #FORGET IT #LOOK AT THE WAY SHE TUCKS HERSELF INTO HARDISON'S ARMS which like girl: i feel that #if my boyfriends looked like your boyfriends i'd be tucking myself up against them too #but like god she evolves from poking them in season one to pressing up against them in season two to THIS #because from people she trusts and knows won't try to trap her or keep her she's got many years of hugs to make up for #HUG THEM FOREVER HARDISON. FULFILL YOUR DEEP NEED FOR HUGS AND THEIR DEEP NEED FOR HUGS #USE THOSE ABSURDLY BEAUTIFUL LONG ARMS FOR THE PURPOSE THEY WERE ALWAYS DESTINED (x)

#i love all of these hugs#they hug so well#(okay but connor and i noticed the other day that parker and eliot only hug once the whole series?)#(we're pretty sure)#(after 12-step job)#(how did they not hug more?)#(c'mon you know parker probably just leaps at him without warning because she knows he'll catch her)#(she calls them spidermonkey hugs)#(and of course eliot pretends to be all grumpy and put out about them)#('dammit parker don't just jump on me gimme some warning!!!1!')#(but he always catches her and smiles after he growls and he hugs her back real tight)#wait what happened this got away from me (via lizznotliz​)

Parker and Eliot may not be huggers, but they have their exception. (Yes, it was just an excuse to have the OT3 hugs.)

[mangoisms]

MOSSSSSSS. I just caught up on frmb!

Miyuki and Eijun's relationship is SO cute in these chapters. The scene where they spot everyone in the crowd, giving them the boost they need to close the game out!!! And then the reunion with their family and friends!!! And Miyuki chooses that moment to confront reader about the costume contest!!! Lmao…

Miyuki's self-blame and shouldering of all the responsibility for the calls. It's SO him. I love that you've written reader as someone who is constantly reminding him that they're willing to help shoulder that too.

SPEAKING OF READER. There's SO MUCH relationship progression here omg! Miyuki mother hen-ing reader about their knee! The petulant "Eijun did it" with the hug??? The little touch of reader's neck??? Grabbing their hand??? Reader cleaning his face??? Miyuki coming around with reader's cane??? The paparazzi scene with Miyuki being SO considerate??? The hand-holding after??? MOSS. You're killing me.

“So, you can tell me you love me but you won’t drive my car?” PLEASE Miyuki I will do anything you ask of me. (This is not true, I will give him shit forever)

AND CHRIS. He plays such a small but stable background role in these chapters. After all of this wildness is over, I cannot WAIT to start writing that dang Chris fic, you're making me love him so hard, even as a side character.

I can't WAIT for more Halloween stuff! Eijun as a lil kitty T_T what a precious image. And Miyuki's self-consciousness about the Tombo glasses is SO endearing.

I know you always apologize for the gameplay parts in the notes but honestly I loved them lol. I love that you intersperse the action on the field with crowd/reader/friend reactions and conversation to break it up and make it feel alternately social and tense like a real game. PLUS like…they play baseball, there's obviously going to be some baseball! Just curious: are these gameplay sections based off of real games too?

Ugh sorry I keep meaning to read the frmb updates as they come out so I can lose my mind in your asks every week but instead I have written you this condensed wall of text lol

HIIII FROGGY finally getting around to actually answering this but just know i read it when i first got it and just :DDD <3333 so thank you so much

thank you!!! miyuki really is the person to shoulder all the blame, particularly as eijun’s catcher and then considering the stakes of the game and where they are at… he and eijun both have their moments of struggle throughout this whole thing handling the pressure of the playoffs. but reader is there to help! and their family and friends too!!! 

YUP we are still in the slow burn stages but things really are trucking along and start trucking along during these games!!!! especially their talks afterward!! it’s truly a persisting theme here and really does inform their actions and interactions with each other when playoffs finally end (as we can see with the paparazzi stuff but also miyuki very willing to tell her to call him by his first name before they got interrupted (which is on me sorry i couldn’t help myself we have a little more ways to go!) and then also miyuki being a little shit about reader telling him that she loves him HAHA)

WOOOOO happy to constantly push my chris agenda 😎 i just can’t help myself. i was like. i need a character to do all those things and be here. and who else can it be other than my number one daiya boy, the reason i got into it, mr. chris!!!! i, too, cannot wait to see what you will write!!!! (but as always take your time i will be happily here ❤️‍🩹❤️‍🩹❤️‍🩹)

eijun really did look cute but he hated it because miyuki was being, yet again, a little shit about all of it LMAOOO. but it’s ok the glasses evened out the playing field HAHA

AHH thank you for saying that :’) genuinely so relieved to hear it. my thing was i lack that experience with Actual gameplay so i was kind of shooting in the dark and by the time we got to posting this stuff, i was like. Hm. maybe too much. and also at the risk of not being accurate? but you are right! it’s a baseball fic! also again very very glad to hear that you enjoyed it anyway!!! with that, no, the gameplay sections were not based off real games, other than a couple parallels with their game against the astros being 18 innings (but with the mariners winning this time 😎) i just made it up and hoped it was good KSDJFK

and it’s totally okay!!!!! take your time!! it’s honestly so nice of you to send in these asks at all and to read the fic too!!! no apology necessary froggy ❤️‍🩹❤️‍🩹🫶🫶 i don’t mind the length, just am very appreciative of any support at all! so thank you sm for all of this, it was so lovely 🫶🫶🫶

[ner-runi-cuyir-gar]

“Noon,” he nods. “Thank for having me over.”

He gives you both a gentle hug before leaving, not really wanting to go home, but knowing he has to anyway.

The second he walks in the door of his own quarters, he pauses at the sight of Sansa in the living room waiting for him, her arms crossed.

“I haven’t seen you all day.”

Galin gestures, “Was busy. Had work and had dinner at Kaz’s.”

“Well we need to talk. I’ve been looking.”

“You could have texted like you did earlier.”

Sansa huff, throwing her arms up. “What is wrong with you? What’s happening?”

“I am not happy, Sansa,” he says quietly, ducking his head. “I am not happy here.”

“You know Kaz is working hard to get us back to Mandalore, you can’t hold onto that planet forever-”

“I am not happy here, with you, Sansa.” Galin interrupts. “We argue like this all the time and- and you keep pushing for us to have babies and I just can’t- I can’t do it,” he shakes his head. “I cannot give you another child that will just die. I’m sorry.”

Sansa rears back, staring at him for a long moment. “You… are not happy with me because of something I can’t prevent. Something you haven’t had to physically feel.”

“I feel every single one,” his voice breaks. “I feel every single- every- it hurts me. It hurts me to see you hurt. And the babies… d-dead. I have nothing left in me, Sansa. We try and try and try and it doesn’t work and I am exhausted.”

“You’re exhausted,” she huffs a laugh, shaking her head in disbelief. “Yes, Galin, I’m sorry you’ve had to work so hard just to put your dick-”

“I have!” He tears up, pointing at himself with a shaky hand. “I have worked hard! It is so… so hard to sit here and- and watch you approach me so many times and beg for another child until I can’t say no. And then I promise myself I won’t get attached but then I do and I love that baby so very much and then it’s in my arms not breathing,” he lets out a sob, “and I have to bury another one while you’re laid up in bed and the doctors don’t even know if you will make it! I can’t do this anymore,” he shakes his head. “I can’t sit back and watch you kill yourself a little more with each baby you try to have.”

Sansa nods slowly, reaching up to wipe her own tears. “So you’re leaving me? Is that what we’re doing? Divorce? It makes sense. I haven’t felt loved by you in-”

“I have loved you fiercely,” he breathes. “With everything I have and it is still not enough for you. I give you love and- and the desire to adopt a Foundling but you keep pushing for a biological child we both know you cannot have. And then I get blamed when they die. I see the way you look at me. The way you don’t talk to me for a week after the loss. As if I am not grieving too. No, Sansa, I have loved you with all my soul can give and you have pushed me away. Yes I want a divorce.”

“Fine,” she whispers, starting to cry, “fine. Then I need you to leave. Don’t sleep here tonight. I have- I’m going on a mission in the morning, you can come get your things then. Go stay with someone else.”

She shakes her head and walks back the hall toward the bedroom, letting out quiet sobs once she’s out of sight.

Galin leans against the door and sobs quietly to himself, reaching up to scrub his face and calm down a moment before walking right back out the door.

He’ll just take an extra watch tonight. Not a problem. He could use the fresh anyway.

He goes outside and changes shifts with Cole, deciding to stay out until early in the morning. When it reaches five and the suns barely start to peak over the edge of the horizon, Galin heads inside, going to the training room.

I wake up early in the morning and get dressed, sneaking out of the bed so that Kaz can continue to sleep, hurrying to the training room so that I can watch Galin.

“Hello!” I waddle in, “morning!”

[ceilingfan5]

46 blupjeans obv

“Don’t have a one night stand with your coworker on the spaceship,” Barry says, in the gravest of tones, and everyone laughs. He continues reading, in a serious, steady voice, “And when you do,” everyone laughs again, “Don’t, under any circumstances, do it again.”

“And when you do do it again,” Barry sighs, “No matter what you do, you cannot fall in love with your coworker on the spaceship. You will see each other every day, because you both still have to do your jobs, and you will both have to pretend nothing is going on, and it will be harder than anything you’ve ever done before.”

Barry doesn’t glance up from his notes, his grip iron-tight.

“Because,” he says, a little softer, “You will want to tell the world about her. You will want to tell every world about her. You will want to run down the hallways screaming about even getting close to her, and you will try to cartwheel down the corridor, and you will break your wrist.”

Lup, who is already crying, gasps.

“You told me-!”

“I lied,” he says, still very seriously. Everyone gathered here today finds this very amusing. “When you fall in love with your coworker on the spaceship, you had better get over it quickly, because this ship’s doctor will ask you too many questions you won’t know how to answer, and it will be the worst conversation you ever did. But when you don’t get over it quickly, you should keep it to yourself, because she might not feel the same way, and that would be absolute torture.”

“Bear,” Lup says softly.

“But when you don’t keep it to yourself-” Barry’s hands are shaking. “You had better kiss her, and kiss her good, so she knows that it’s true. So she knows it’s okay to tell you she loves you too, and even though it seems too good to be true, you have to believe it, because it is the best thing that ever happened to you.”

Their wedding guests awww loud enough that the floor seems to vibrate.

“And when you realize it’s the best thing that’s ever going to happen to you, you had better propose, because you need to be with her forever, and if you’re too much of a coward to get it together and say the words, then she’ll find someone better to spend her life with.”

“Barry…”

“And when,” Barry clears his throat. “When you are too much of a coward to get it together and say the words, even though you’ve been holding onto that ring for seven months,”

“BARRY.”

Barry laughs. Everyone laughs.

“You had better accept her proposal, because she knows you better than you know yourself, and this is all you could ever hope for.”

“Barry, I swear-”

“And when you accept her proposal,” Barry continues, flipping to his final card, “You had better marry her exactly the way she wants to be married, and make it an absolute spectacle, and you had better celebrate every footstep she graces the dirt with. And when you marry her, you had better take it all in, because it’s going to be the best day of your life.”

Barry doesn’t bother to wipe the tears from his eyes.

“Lup,” he says, finally looking up from his cards. “I never could have counted myself this lucky. Can I be yours, forever and always?”

“Of course,” Lup chokes out, and hugs him tight enough he squeaks like a dog toy. “Fuck, Bear,” she manages. “I don’t have anything so, poetic. I worked on my vows for a month, and you know what I came up with?”

“What?” Barry smiles, so relieved the speech part is over that he could simply float out of the atmosphere.

Lup holds up her notecards, and drops the first one. They unfold to read, one letter on each card, HOT DAMN!

All of their wedding guests laugh.

“Merle,” Barry says, strained. “I want to have a wife.”

“Oh, right,” Merle says. “Do you, Sildar Hallwinter, wait, that can’t be right…”

“It is.”

“Take this incredible woman to be your wife forever and always?”

“I do. I do, I do.”

“And do you, Lup Taaco, take…Barry-”

“I do, do, do, do, do,” Lup sings, and she grabs Barry by the lapels and kisses him so hard everyone sees stars.