#casually going through my dany tag

[inmydrcams]

And then aegon or fake aegon dies and she sits the throne and Jon just.... exists.... poor girl can't catch a break

I can't get over how not being the last of the targs is gonna fuck Dany up so much. This is her entire basis for her claim to westeros, her life's purpose. And you're telling her it's a lie cause aegon is not dead???? Appalling

[sphvm]

heaven and back — sophia laforteza

sophia laforteza x fem!reader

tags: g!p sophia, dom!sophia, sub!reader, sophia’s a little (a lot) mean, spanking, dirty talk, degrading

masterlist

MEN AND MINORS DNI

"hey! there’s that girl i told you about!" dani spoke as she came up beside you. "sophia, the one everyone's talking about. all the girls are obsessed with her."

you tried to play it cool, shrugging off dani's excitement. "yeah, i’ve seen her." your heart raced seeing her, but you weren't about to let on. you prided yourself on being composed, not one to fall for the charms of someone like sophia — highly popular, and let's be honest, a fuckgirl. the reputation preceded her. she was known to leave a trail of broken hearts and lingering glances in her path.

"but she's only into girls, you know?" dani whispered. "i heard she was at that frat party last weekend, making out with two girls at once."

you tried to suppress the feeling that accompanied her words, covering your reaction with a laugh. "sounds like her," you said, "definitely not my type."

but inside, you knew you were lying.

the attraction was undeniable, a knot in the pit of your stomach that you were determined to ignore. whenever you saw her, you couldn’t help but stare at her piercing eyes, her long dark hair… her lips. you thought you had it all under control until the day she approached you.

it was a friday afternoon, and you were trying to enjoy a rare moment of solitude, hidden away in an almost empty library corner with a pile of notes for your upcoming exams. just as you turned a page, her voice pierced through your concentration.

"you know, pretending you're not into me is a bit exhausting." sophia leaned casually against the bookshelf, her eyebrows raised and a smug smile on her lips.

you shot her a glare, your cheeks flushing. "what are you talking about?" you said, struggling to sound nonchalant while your heart slammed against your ribcage.

sophia stepped closer, "you're always watching me from the side. it's cute, really. but i don't bite... unless you want me to."

feigning disinterest, you rolled your eyes. "i'm busy. studying, you know."

"well isn’t it time you take a little break?" she replied, a playful glint in her eye. before you could react, she grabbed your wrist and pulled you out of the library, right in the middle of your protest.

"wait — sophia, where are we going?" you barely had time to catch your breath as she pulled you into an empty classroom, the door closing behind you with a soft click.

the room was dim, lit by a single window and dust swirling in the air. your heart was racing, both from the thrill of being alone with her and the sheer intensity of her gaze, which seemed to undress you.

sophia closed the space between you, her eyes locked onto yours, searching for something. then she leaned in closer, her breath warm against your skin. "you're playing a dangerous game, you know. every time you pretend to not like me, you just make me more curious."

before you could speak a response, her hands were on your waist, her lips were on yours, soft and insistent. there was no hesitation. it took you a second to reciprocate the kiss, but when you did, it felt like heaven.

when her lips finally parted from yours, you were left breathless, staring wide eyed at her. "what was that for?" you managed to ask, your voice barely above a whisper.

sophia grinned, a victorious sparkle in her eyes. "to show you what you've been missing out on."

she wrapped her arms around your waist again and pulled you closer, feeling the heat of her body against yours. she kissed you again, deeper this time. sophia’s lips were soft and full, and she tasted sweet. you ran your hands through her long hair as she forced your lips open, her tongue exploring your mouth.

sophia’s hands began to wander. she ran her fingers over your chest, making you shiver. she reached down and grabbed your ass, making you groan into her mouth, pulling you even closer to her, releasing it with a playful smack.

sophia's hands moved to your breasts again, cupping them and pinching your nipples through the fabric of your shirt. you moaned, your body responding to her touch. sophia broke the kiss, trailing hot, open mouthed kisses down your neck.

sophia turned you around, pushing you against the desk, her body pressing against yours. you could feel her bulge pressing against your ass, and you couldn't help but grind against it, causing sophia to whine straight in your ear.

"bend that pretty ass over," she whispered, one hand pressing your shoulder down and the other tightening on your waist.

sophia reached down and pulled your skirt up, exposing your ass. she spanked you hard, leaving a red mark on your skin. “that’s for being a brat.” you moaned as she spanked you again, the pain mixing with pleasure.

sophia rubbed the red spots she just smacked before cupping your ass and reaching down, pulling your panties to the side, exposing your wet pussy. she spit on her fingers and rubbed them against your clit, making you moan even louder. “you’re soaked yn, you want me this bad? tsk, shoulda told me.” she teased.

sophia slid two fingers inside you, fucking you hard and fast. the squelching echoing through the silent room. she wrapped a hand in your hair and shoved your head against the desk, keeping her fast pace. you could feel yourself getting closer to the edge, your body trembling with pleasure. “nobody fucks you like this right?” she asked, quickening her fingers. the only noise you made was a quiet whimper.

“tell me, yn.” her fingers slowed. “nobody fucks you like this, fucks you so good you can’t talk? hm?” you were dazed, your vision blurry.

“mm-mm…” you finally let out. “nobody f-fucks me like.. you do…” you moaned once her fingers picked up their pace again.

sophia pulled her fingers out, a loud whine escaping your throat, “fuckin’ whore… can’t be empty for more than two seconds can you?” suddenly you felt the tip of her cock prodding into you. in one thrust she filled you up completely. you cried out as she didn’t give you any time to adjust to her large size, just fucking you harder and harder, your body shaking with each thrust.

sophia reached around and grabbed your breasts, squeezing them roughly. she pinched your nipples, making you whine even louder.

sophia reached down and rubbed your clit, making you almost scream. "you like that, don't you?" she growled, her hips slapping against your ass. "you like it when I fuck you like the dirty little slut you are right?"

you could only nod, unable to form words when you could feel every ridge and vein of her cock sliding in and out of your core. your body was shaking with each thrust, which were getting sloppier as sophia started whining, grabbing at your hips from the back. you were both so, so close.

and then, sophia reached around your body again, with one final rub of your clit, you came hard, body shaking and tensing, your pussy clenching around sophia’s cock. “f-fuck don’t do that — you’re squeezing me!” sophia couldn't hold back any longer, and she came, filling you up and painting your walls white.

she collapsed on top of you, her now bare chest heaving on top of you as she slowly slipped her dick out of your sensitive pussy.

“told you i’d show you what you were missing.”

you scoffed, watching her zip up her pants as you straighten out your skirt. “ugh, fuck you sophia.”

“but you just did?”

[coldshrugs]

wip wednesday

wow i'm on time!! ty @lilas and @lavampira beloveds!

i'll tag (with no pressure): @scionshtola @galadae @hylfystt @birues @impossible-rat-babies and also everyone meg and dani tagged. you're tagged again 💗

this is all being edited and will likely change but :>

The silence is not a comfort to her now. It stretches on like the gaping canyon below the city, churning with the force of something unfathomable. The street lanterns flicker to life on either side of her. "Io." He pries her away from the stone railing, and the unspoken question remains. But he smiles again, and she joins him as he playfully jostles her shoulder. Finally, now that the crowd has thinned, she throws her arms around him and squeezes until he shakes with low, rumbling laughter. He squeezes back. She steadies herself with a deep breath and releases him. They walk on. "I'm sorry. If you must know, I am a bit jealous of you. Your continued adventures. I haven't adjusted to standing still." "Easily remedied, no?" Estinien shrugs casually. "We will make our own adventure. Unless you've been chained at the ankle, what keeps you from going where you please, at least for a day? If you want for decent company, well, I cannot claim decency. But we are friends, are we not?" "Of course we are." Io bumps her shoulder against his. "Alas, the chain is metaphorical, and therefore heavier than you've imagined, and it has everything to do with the title you'd rather ignore." He crosses his arms, steps slowing as they near Fortemps Manor. "You don't even mean to try?" "I did not say that! I only meant–" "Io, dearest! And is that Ser Estinien?" Haurchefant's voice cuts through her retort. She did not hear the door open, but she certainly hears it shut as he takes the opportunity to join them. "The steward said you were out on errands, but I never expected you to procure such a treasure as the nation's final Azure Dragoon. How are you, my friend?" Haurchefant extends his hand to Estinien, who clasps his arm with practiced neutrality. The tight line of his lips tells another story–his annoyance at this interruption. For a blessing, this goes ignored by Haurchefant, but there is comfort in knowing she is not the only one hanging to her charades by a thread. "Fine," Estinien says. His gaze follows the arm he's just released settling around Io's waist. "And pray, if we must prattle on about rank, 'Knight Commander' is the less abrasive option." Haurchefant's expression brightens beyond possibility. "You are returning for good then?" "For now."

[jaskierswolf]

Hello lovely! How about Aiden and Jaskier having a very long day? And 27. the hug you didn’t know you needed from the hug list <3<3

This has been written for far too long... but here you go my dear!

_

It was one of those days, the kind where if something could go wrong, it did. His relaxing holiday by the coast had been ruined by a siren nest popping up out of the blue, terrorising the villagers, and the ungrateful bastards had pelted him with rotten tomatoes when he’d sung an amended version of Toss a Coin, artfully removing all mentions of one Geralt of Rivia. Apparently the new and improved version was not exactly what they’d been after.

Oh and of course, two of his lute strings had snapped.

Because why the fuck wouldn’t they snap?

So much for a vacation, he was stuck in a dreary old room at a run down inn, and he couldn’t even play. He had no inspiration for writing and there was very little chance of getting a good fuck for his sins.

He was honestly having the worst day.

Until there was a knock at the door, and naturally he bounded over to open it without even thinking, too used to having Geralt on the other side, but really he should have known better, especially since he’d started working with Dijkstra. Jaskier didn’t think though, and the door flung open to reveal a witcher.

Only instead of snowy white hair, this witcher had long dark hair, black as midnight and just as captivating. His skin was a warm golden brown, making his yellow eyes stand out bright. Instead of two swords on his back, he had holsters strapped around his thighs, a pair of shining daggers barely visible, the jewelled hilts glinting in the candle light.

He was really fucking pretty.

And Jaskier wanted him.

He tried not to think about the last witcher he’d met, that adventure hadn’t exactly ended well. No, this time he would keep his cool, keep it casual, just a friend (hopefully with benefits). Unless the witcher wasn’t here to make nice. Shit. Jaskier stumbled back from the door. After the day he’d had, he had no doubt that this witcher was a bad sign.

The witcher chuckled, rolling his eyes and he crossed his arms across his chest. “I thought you weren’t afraid of witchers, bard, or did Lambert mistake you for another foppish idiot friend of the White Wolf?”

Jaskier could feel the colour drain from his face. “I- ah, well, G-Geralt made quite clear that we’re no longer friends, if we ever were.”

“You look like shit, Jaskier.”

“Oh yeah, well… It's been a day… you?”

“Aiden.”

Jaskier finally felt a small smile creep onto his face, by the gods, he might actually survive this. Maybe his day was looking up… finally. “So, witcher, what brings you to my chambers, nothing good I hope?” Jaskier winked.

“Honestly, darling, you look like you could use some company, a shoulder to cry on, maybe a hug?” Aiden cocked his head, opening his arms in invitation, and Jaskier fell forward, a pitiful cry escaping him.

Strong arms wrapped around him, as he embraced the stranger tightly. Gods, he hadn’t even realised how much he’d needed this until the opportunity had presented itself. He buried his face in Aiden’s neck, a familiar musky scent of leather and hay, but unlike Geralt, Aiden actually seemed to use the scented oils that Jaskier was so fond of, nothing overly floral, sandalwood perhaps.

“Thank you,” he mumbled, tears staining his cheeks.

“Anytime, bard, anytime,” Aiden murmured back, his hands stroking through Jaskier’s hair.

-

Tag list: @geraltrogerericduhautebellegarde, @comfyswitcherblanketfort, @fontegagrilledcheese, @dani-dandelino, @dapandapod @damnbert @officerjennie @feraljaskier @geralt-of-riviass @kueble @gilberik @llamasdumpsterfire @wherethewordsare @trickstermoose67 @alllthequeenshorses

[psychologeek]

master post!

awesome tags :) +adds so far (except above this rb)

it's long. read undercut :)

@pa-pa-plasma :

#Danny: okay so this one is probably so hyperspecific it wont actually apply to anyone but#Danny: as you can already tell from the title. this is how to deal with a superpowered pet#*25 minutes of dog training*#Conner: *intense note taking*#Danny (it was actually Tucker but. secret identities) adds a livestreaming feature & kinda tiredly does a#Day in the Life livestream one day#(obviously without the Fenton stuff)#but like. showing what he does exactly. bribe his ''enemies'' into staying in the GZ this week. that sorta stuff#he doesnt do much anymore since it's been like 10 years. he knows how to deal with shit now#which is why he decided to livestream it. like#''lol surprising the NB staff by going through the drivethrough (again) live would be kinda funny''#he doesnt get a lot of views BUT his chat is on fucking fire.#Danny: *reading* How do you deal with an enemy who wants to date you? OH MAN. OKAY THAT'LL BE MY NEXT VID DONT WORRY#Danny: short answer though is: don't.#he randomly puts out a DOOMED speedrun but it's literally him possessing the game#& he's mad the mods wont accept his runs because ''ghost powers isnt modding the game''

@the-scarecrow-of-aus

#ember pesters danny into making a page for her to host her music videos#stop opening the links batman the bat computer cant take it!

@piedpiperart

#Danny is the dad of all dads#batman: let me into amity my kids are in there#phantom: what kids these are all mine#each of the ghosts set up their own lil boot camps#Skulker teaches about weapons and mech suits#technus teaches hacking#undergrowth teaches plants or how to combat gas or plant based attacks#box ghost teaches about shipping and handling and how to recognize what boxes carry guns and what Carrie’s radioactive materials or somethin#lunch lady just makes them all lunches#jk she teaches how to poison people!! haha!!#dc x dp#dp x dc#dcxdp#dpxdc#clockwork teaches time stream shenanigans#they’re gone for a year but turns out it was only a few mins#it’s helpful but terrifying and theyre not taking that class again#spectra teaches them how to recognize their villains motivations and when to get them psychiatric help or just jail them#or kill them#jk#unless#not sure what kitty and Johnny would teach but I feel like they’d be good with relationships and gender and stuff#teaches what to do if you fall in love with a villain or fellow hero#Dani teaches clones probably#vlad is a guest lecturer in dani’s class to explain why clones were his go to plan and teach them how to clone people or hide their dna well#frostbite teaches medicine prolly

@frostedthroughghost

#depends on the time line#but#i feel like Danny just casually dropping 'clone' could lead to some pretty big paradim shifts in the jl#or maybe Kon goes to Danny when Superman rejects him#pretty soon there's a very pointed video titled 'How To Deal With Being Cloned'#which could lead to other clones in DC being treated very differently#would legitimately pay for more of this#i don't know anyone outside the batfam well enough to even really imagine it#let alone write it#but it's amazing

@robinasnyder wrote here: https://archiveofourown.org/works/44721676/chapters/112519846

@unordinarywarlord's take here:

@izarnox

#Danny acting like a kind of elder in the hero community??#chef kiss#and being seen like a respected one too??

@@batsyheere

@farmercale

@valiantsuitcaseskellington

Like and Survive! (DC x DP)

Everyone knows who Phantom is. He was one of the very first heroes though he inexplicably chose to dedicate his life (metaphorically) to micromanaging the hell out of some random town no one has ever heard of. He's a specialist hero, only really useful for ghost stuff. He comes every time someone contacts him for help but it's only happened a few times in all of his years of operation.

Then, kid heroes become a thing. Robin, once perpetually hidden beneath the shadow of the bat emerges into the metropolis sun just in time to make the front page.

When Batman's child-raising skills are called into question, Kid Flash is brought out at a press release by Flash to show that these exceptional children are around. They just aren't common knowledge for their own health (aside from the villains - being a child star wrecks your brain).

A few villains do come forward and say "no, the sidekicks will go out on their own if their hero doesn't let them. And they have all the powers and none of the restraint. Please don't separate them."

(Batman and Robin are both very flattered that all their rogues think they have powers. Robin is ✨glowing✨ with pride.)

Cyborg calls Robin at 3am. He asks if he's seen the new 'BooTube' page.

Phantom has set up his own website. It's a dark and moody ripoff of YouTube with 1 channel. His.

Introduction Video: Transcript Hi guys, I can't lie to you, I was as up-in-arms as anyone when I saw what people are now calling "The Robin Reveal". But then I remembered that I started my hero work when I was mentally and physically fourteen years old...

Danny doesn't mention he was also chronologically 14 at the time. Secret identities and all.

...and I had no mentor, no training and no backup. It was just me and two humans, neither of whom even had powers at that time. I understand the call, in a way that none of the non-hero people criticising you could ever hope to comprehend. I'm glad to see most of you fellow child-heroes have an experienced adult watching your back. But if you don't. If there's even one of you out there who need a mentor, consider Amity Park open for business, and consider adding my number to your speedial. I'm not like those people in interviews saying "Oh, someone needs to help the children!" I am helping you, I am helping you whenever you need with whatever you want.

The ghost swallows and seemingly forces down his brimming sincerity.

And for those of you who do already have backup? Consider checking back here. I'm going over my old reports from my first few years on the streets to see what I most needed to hear, and what I wished I knew sooner. Hopefully no one else will have to learn what I know the hard way.

You know how to fight, this channel won't be for that. This is about coping with secret identities, and the messed up situations that can only happen to a vigilante or hero.

Anyways, the first video is already ready to be edited so in a few days I'll be back here to discuss what you do when you've been cloned. How to deal with that emotionally and physically. My clone isn't very well known outside of my town but I think she'll add a great perspective!

Within weeks, without his knowledge, Danny is somehow remote-mentoring heroes of all ages.

[lovelyrita1967]

Hold You In My Smile💖

Lambert/Aiden enemies-to-lovers, temporary amnesia, bed sharing, mild hurt/comfort, monster hunting

Inspired by this art from @Vangberg1 (and this and this and this). 

*  *  *  * 

“Here for the contract.” Lambert held up the notice for the alderman, steeling himself for the sneer that was sure to follow. 

Yeah, there it was. The man’s droopy lip curled as he took in the rough-looking red headed witcher before him. “No need,” he sniffed, inching backward as if that could make any difference should Lambert decide to run him through with either of his swords. “It’s done.” 

“Done? Who?” Fuck’s sake. Lambert was flush out of coin and this was an easy one, nothing but a patch of drowners. He’d hurried here from Guleta, eager for a simple job, and the full belly and warm bed that would follow.

“One of your type,” the alderman snipped, his sneer growing. He tugged at his too-tight doublet. 

Lambert frowned. He hadn’t heard so much as a whisper about another witcher in these parts. “Obviously one of ‘my type’. What was his name?”

“I’m sure I have no idea.” 

Well, he was going to be difficult about it. Lambert took a step forward, hoping it would speed along any information the man might have. “What did he look like then?” He let his voice drop into a threatening rumble. 

The man stiffened, but tried desperately to keep his tone casual. “Uh… brown skin, long black hair, beard...” 

Lambert narrowed his eyes at the alderman, just to watch him squirm for a moment, then crumpled the notice up and tossed it onto his desk. He offered a sarcastic salute before he tromped back out to his horse. Another night in the fucking dirt. 

Then it happened again in the next town, only a few days later. 

“Sorry, contract’s closed. Another witcher took it yesterday.”

“Are you f-” Lambert started. He thought for a moment. “Any chance he had black hair and a beard?”

“That’s the one.” 

“Goddamnit,” Lambert swore, startling the clerk. “Did you get his name?” 

“Er… let me check…” The young man fumbled through the papers on his desk. “Says here… Aiden?”

Hmm. He didn’t know an Aiden. But he would soon. “Where did he head after this?” he demanded, resting his hand on the dagger tucked into his belt. 

“I don’t know,” the clerk gulped, his eyes growing rounder.  

“Any other contracts ‘round here you’ve heard of?” 

“Uh… they say there’s a basilisk causing trouble in Eysenlaan…” 

Lambert stomped out. He was about done sleeping on the cold, hard ground and having nothing to eat but scrawny, half-starved hares. He had two words for this ‘Aiden’: Fuck. Off. 

*  *  *  * 

Here’s the rest on AO3, 6.9k, M 💖🐲⚔️🌿

@oxbridge-quality-fanfiction-co @ro-the-bard-writer @marvagon @chaotic-bard @carmillacarmine @ikeptupwiththejoneses @bardlingb @fangirleaconmigo @jaskierswolf  @bounce-a-coin-off-your-witcher @lottelorelei @gilbert-von-kneecap @sharingfandomsilove @gosh-diddley-darnit @benisalilbitch @distractedbyfandoms @panerato @fontegagrilledcheese @ewanspotter @spacewitchqueen @peanitbear @dapandapod @stinastar @tee-aitch-official @constantlytiredpigeon @llamasdumpsterfire @tempy-the-tempest @actionnerdgamerlove @artemisiatodd @planetesastraea @dani-dandelino @placeyoursmileinmine @kalikatze @wolf-and-bard @newtomofgods @bandersnatchcrumplesnort @mintjuleppy @unsociallife @frances-the-red @elliestormfound (Let me know if you want to be un/tagged.)

[21burritoseavey]

control - daniel seavey imagine

a/n: i hope you enjoy this one, this is probably the longest one i’ve ever done but i still hope you like it. oh also if anyone wants to be tagged in a post just let me know:)

warning: this imagine does describe/mention anxiety. I know that anxiety can look different for everyone but what happens in this imagine is kinda how I have experienced it. It’s nothing too crazy but be mindful and read at your discretion:)

Early in the morning I still get a little bit nervous

Fightin' my anxiety constantly, I try to control it

 4:58am

Daniel awoke suddenly, his bright blue eyes snapping open. He felt the uncomfy tightness in his chest, rising and falling with every rapid breath he took, and his eyes darted around the dark room, paranoid that the terrorising monsters of anxiety had escaped from his dream world into reality. The silence of his bedroom and distant chirping of crickets outside said otherwise. Daniel swiftly shifted his gaze to his nightstand, the alarm clock read 5:00, signalling another rough night of sleep for him the third time that week.

 Even when I know it's been forever I can still feel the spin

Hurts when I remember and I never wanna feel it again

 He sighed tiredly before relaxing back into his bed, trying his best to smother his shallow breaths into his sheets. Daniel was wide awake, and mere seconds later, he slowly lifted his blankets to the side, draping his legs on the edge of the bed and got up cautiously. He walked slowly to the bathroom with quivering hands and approached the mirror in his en suite, grimacing at the sight before him. 

 Messy hair, damp forehead, ruffled clothing. 

 Don't know if you get it 'cause I can't express how thankful I am

That you were always with me when it hurts, I know that you'd understand

 Daniel reached for the collar of his sweaty t-shirt before pulling it off, distaste etched in the features of his tired face. He tossed it in the basket, huffing lightly as he leaned onto the vanity. He stared blankly into the mirror and let his mind wander from thoughts about work to music to Y/n. Y/n, he thought again, furrowing his brows as he contemplated calling her. His phone sat plugged into the charger near his nightstand, easily reachable. Daniel knew that Y/n wouldn’t mind listening to his unwavering rambles about his nightmares like she typically did, but he still didn’t move from his place behind the mirror. Before anything else could stumble into his mind, Daniel quickly turned the tap on, the cold water flowed easily from the faucet and he rinsed his face quickly, washing the remnants of his horrors away. 

 9:23am

 Incoming call from Y/n/n

Daniel almost grinned eye to eye as he read Y/n’s name on his phone screen and he quickly accepted the facetime, instantly seeing her sunshiny face light up his screen.  

“Heyyy!” Y/n said tenderly from her comfy spot on her bed. Daniel’s expression softened as he heard her loving voice through the phone. 

 “Good morning, honey.” Daniel said sweetly as he pulled out a chair from the kitchen island and sat down. 

“How did you sleep?” Y/n yawned.

I don't wanna lose control

Nothing I can do anymore

Daniel paused for a moment, pondering what he should say next, “I slept well.” Daniel grinned before continuing “Did you just wake up, honey?” He chuckled gently. 

“Yeah...” Y/n smiled as she rubbed her eyes. She perked up quickly “Are we still coming over to my place later?” Y/n asked sweetly, gazing expectantly at Daniel.

 Tryin' every day when I hold my breath

Spinnin' out in space pressing on my chest

I don't wanna lose control 

 “Yeah...of-f course” Daniel said as steadily as he could as he felt the anxiety boil up in his chest again. “Uh, I gotta go, I have a long day-” Daniel said with a tight smile, “I’ll talk to you later, I love you so much Y/n.” She smiled widely before replying. 

“Okay, I love you, Dani.” Daniel tuned into the warmth of her voice before fading out with a quiet goodbye and hanging up. He set his phone down tiredly and got up from his seat to make some breakfast. He worked quietly but quickly, avoiding the reeling thoughts in his head. 

Daniel couldn’t get his mind to stop, to just relish in the gift of presence like his girlfriend did. He admired her a lot in that way, in her ability to disregard any negative thoughts and go on with her day with the same soft, happy mood, gentle and steady.  In truth, Daniel couldn’t shake the gut wrenching, shameful sense of feeling like a burden. Y/n was the person he felt safest with, but recently, he found himself intentionally suppressing his uneasy thoughts, which only left him with guilt and a distressing pit in his stomach. 

 3:42pm

The band had been doing interviews since 11am that morning and Daniel felt particularly exhausted from his rough and frankly non-existent sleep the night before. “Okay, listen up. You guys have two more fan meet and greets, okay?” Randy reminded the group while they sat on Daniel’s living room sofa. 

 Sometimes I still think it's coming but I know it's not

Tryin' to breathe in and then out but the air gets caught

 The boys all agreed casually, replying with an asynchronous chorus of “okay”, but Daniel’s face only grew in panic and he shifted nervously from his spot a few paces away from everyone else. It was safe to say Daniel’s anxiety was majorly challenging him today, throwing him into a prison of worry and holding him hostage. He stared deeply into the blank monitor in front of them, his own loneliness reflected at him. The vibration of his iPhone notification piqued his attention and he read the simple message from Y/n with a grin “I miss you”. His eyes remained downcast and he dropped his phone in his back pocket again.

 'Cause even though I'm older now and I know how to shake off the past

I wouldn't have made it if I didn't have you holding my hand

 It felt like just minutes- no, seconds after they had finished their lunch break but the team were already preparing for the next zoom meet and greet. Daniel sighed deeply and approached the rest of the band before sitting down on the sofa beside Corbyn. 

“Okay guys, you ready?” Randy asked, barely waiting for an answer before entering the zoom call. Daniel’s breath hitched in his dry throat, and he felt his body tensing and his heart pounding. He wasn’t ready. Daniel tried to cling onto any steady breath, but there wasn’t one. He felt himself spiralling into even more anxiety and his body abruptly dropped to the carpeted floor. 

I don't wanna lose control

Nothing I can do anymore

Tryin' every day when I hold my breath

Spinnin' out in space pressing on my chest

 “Dani?” Corbyn asked quickly, kneeling down beside Daniel. His sudden tone of concern sparked almost everyone’s attention. Daniel merely clasped his hands over his head, failing to slow down his heavy breathing. 

“Daniel? Hey? Daniel-” The guys stumbled out with jittery voices.  Daniel heard their concerned words on repeat but couldn’t get himself to respond. His poisonous anxiety flowed through his blood and soon he found himself heaving through heavy lungs. The boys all scrambled to get Daniel water or a cool towel or anything as Daniel sat sorrowfully on the floor with his knees up to his chest and his arms wrapped around his body. The group’s concern for their best friend’s wellbeing only made Daniel feel even worse and all he wanted in that moment was to leave. The overlap of panicked voices.

 The abundance of eyes he knew were on him and the distant echoes of the fans’ voices through the screen all sent Daniel into suffocating overwhelm. In one swift motion, he lifted himself off the floor with all the might he could muster and ran to the bathroom. 

The boys stood there stunned and Randy rushed to get his phone “Who should we call? Y/n?” Randy asked swiftly. 

“Y-yeah, I’ll call her” Jack said quickly, grabbing his phone from his pocket and he dialled her number. 

 4:11pm 

I need you to know, I would never be this strong without you

You've seen how I've grown, you took all my doubts, 'cause you were home

 Y/n leaned her head on the bathroom door and she tried to call Daniel’s name as calmly as she could without letting her own nervous tears fall. “Dani” she said quietly, pushing her ear against the door as if to hear what he was doing. The sound of Daniel’s muffled sobs could be heard from the other side of the door. Her heart broke at that very moment, and she instantly felt sorrowful tears fall silently down her cheeks before she tried again.  “Daniel, please, can you just open the door” Y/n said quietly, but Daniel heard and to Y/n’s surprise, he opened the door cautiously. 

 I don't wanna lose control

There's nothing I can do anymore

 Daniel’s red teary eyes and quivering body were immediately noticed by Y/n, and she looked at him with concern carved in every part of her face. Daniel’s frustration and anxiety balled inside him, ravaging his mind with painful thoughts and emotions, finally erupting in front of Y/n. She shuffled over quickly to wrap her arms around him as he cried heavily into her shoulder, panting from pure exhaustion. Y/n gulped down her tears as she held Daniel tightly, whispering quiet reassurances as he let all his emotions out. Daniel clinged onto the material of his sweater she wore, and he let himself be calmed by Y/n’s presence. The sheer touch of her skin made Daniel’s sobs soften with each deep breath he took. Y/n looked down at him sweetly in her arms, “I love you, Dani” she said kindly, with the most genuine affection. 

Daniel took a trembling breath before replying tiredly but easily “I love you too.”

(i swear i always end it the same smh, i wrote this so late)

[not-playable-character]

S/Os in the Happy AU verse

So this is gonna be officially NON-canon to my AU but I just wanted to put my opinions on possible S/Os.  I want everyone to be able to have their own ideas for this verse as it is an Everyone is happy (including the readers) AU

no spoilers this time but I don't want a long post clogging the tags

Sal

Female OC (nameless)

She's a research assistant assigned to monitor his squad

They start off as a shy friendship

Sal’s squad mates try to hype him up to ask her out

Her friends are scared of him and tell her to stay away (she refuses to listen as he is a nice person to her)

The Mermen eventually trick them into a small casual date

This leads to future dates and a relationship

She is always complimenting him and trying to bring up his confidence

He does the same for her 

He likes to bring her little gifts from his missions

She keeps all his gifts in a lockbox so no-one steals or breaks them

Male OC (nameless)

One of his squad mates (not one of the originals)

They spend a lot of time together

He looks up to Sal as soldier

They never get that brotherly bond like the others (its something more)

The other members notice their tiptoeing around each other and convince them to just date and get it over with

once a couple, they simultaneously want to always be on missions together and never want to be on the same mission

Donna

So Donna is complicated as I kinda see her as being 2 possible ages (early 20s/ early 30s) so I ship her with people depending on the age

Alcina

For 30s Donna

once Donna moves into the castle and they start spending time together, they slowly develop feelings for each other

Alcina refuses to accept her feelings at first because she is worried about what the girls will think

They try to be subtle around each other and the girls (they fail miserably) 

The girls eventually get annoyed with the longing and drop hints to their mom that they are fine with them being together

Alcina is the one to ask Donna out on a date, they go on a picnic and have a lovely time

The girls never really call Donna mom they stick with Aunt Donna (but occasionally they will if they have nightmares or get caught in the cold)

Donna is ok with the girls seeing her as just an aunt and takes a backseat with parenting as she doesn't want to intrude in their family dynamic

Female OC (Angela)

For 30s or 20s Donna

She is a hunter sent to the village to be a double agent to find the weaknesses for the “monsters”

She spends time befriending Donna

Alcina is indifferent to her

The girls and Angie are very suspicious of her

She starts to have a change of heart when bonding with Donna and seeing how the others interact with each other and the Winters family

She starts feeding the other hunters bad info and working to try and get them to leave without completing the hunt

During a meeting with the hunters, she finds a strange fly and recognizes it as one of the Girls

Panic ensues and the other hunters try and kill it, she stops them but this leads to the Fam finding out about her betrayal from Cassandra (who was the spy)

Donna doesn't want to believe it but they use her hallucinations to get the truth

they find out she is on their side but still hurt

After a long period of distrust they find their way back to each other and live happily ever after

The Girls and Alcina take longer to trust but try for Donna

Bela

For 20s Donna

Develop feelings for each other through mutual hobbies (reading and gardening)

Donna talks about her feelings and worries with Alcina during their Tea times

Alcina comforts her and assures her she would make a wonderful partner for Bela and she would love her as a daughter in law

Donna has a plan to show Bela her feelings using the language of flowers

It takes Bela a few days to realize the meaning of them and plans a date for them in a nearby town (a modern one not a village)

They go to a nice bookstore/coffee shop and have a slow pleasant date

most of their interactions remain the same but now with more kisses

Alcina

Female OC (Katherine/ Katie)

Came to the castle from the Stronghold before the Rose incident

was meant to be experimented on but Alcina took a liking to her and made her a personal maid for herself and the girls (closer to 30)

she was unique as she was considered older for a maiden 

they all grew close through her time at the castle

she was given more personal duties to do with the winery

she helps persuade Alcina to work with Ethan

after the “incident” , Al begins to realize her feelings and starts to put on her Lady D persona more

Katie tells her she prefers the authentic Alcina

after a few years of marriage they have a 4th daughter they name Elena

Mia

They bond over parenting rambunctious girls

find out they have a lot more in common

honestly head empty, go check out @highlifeboat for more fantastic Mia/ Alcina content

Heisenberg

I don’t really see Heis as the type to settle down and have a partner, he’s just a “do what/who I want when I want“ type of guy to me

Forbidden Ships

Rose/ Dani

Sal/ Chris

Ethan / Chris

[mypersonmyg]

crash and learn | myg, kth, jjk

pairing: yoongi x reader ft. maggie x taehyung, dani x jeongguk

genre: fluff, college au, the misery chick au

rating: pg15

wc: 2.3k

warnings: swearing, not really edited

summary: you and yoongi just want some time alone OR maybe jeongguk and taehyung will finally stop crashing your dates

a/n: haha i bet you thought i forgot but i didn’t! its drabble week and i will be posting one every day this week (weekends debatable)...this one is a part of the misery chick universe but also you don’t have to read it to get it because...

this is for my FAVORITE CUTIE MAGGIE @kimtaehyunq​!!!! who asked me to write a cute tae and jeongguk request ft herself and yours truly <3 and i think its fun to have one universe with all the members being with one of my friends so,,,maybe more coming?,,,either way i might write another drabble or two to sort of bring this one full circle, maybe not this week but yeah

[drabble masterlist]

[the misery chick]

One date turned to two and two to three, needless to say that months later and Min Yoongi still finds room to swoon for the girl who thought him puffing smoke before the start of the period. The misery chick isn’t gone, but the words are forbidden within a radius of the two of you, more likened to prolonged stares and the occasional glares of those wondering about the developing development of your arms locked and stares stopping on your respective pupils dilated in the glare of the midday sun. 

Though those passersby who let Yoongi pass by for too long without a positive step in the direction of his natural charms hold their tongues, the boys that fill the round of the courtyard picnic don’t hesitate to gag into half eaten sandwiches and dribble the purple fizz from the cans perched at their lips. 

“This is a little excessive, no?” Taehyung, the least bothered of the present, pipes up. He slurps from a straw that traces the length of his arm, wrapping the sleeve of his half buttoned button up. No one dared ask about his latest purchase, Jeongguk who was slurping from his juice box even eyeing with envy the can perfectly placed atop a tuft of grass, feeding into the straw at Taehyung’s lips. “When you invited us on a picnic I was hoping for a little more ‘we time’ and a little less ‘you time’.”

“To be clear, we didn’t invite you.”

“I like to think it was an open invitation,” Jeongguk shrugs, falling back against the blanket spread beneath you. 

Yoongi kisses his teeth, his own position resting against your chest, the perfect avenue for the pass of a grape from your fingers to his lips. He’s too content to bother with the bothersome nature of his uninvited roommates, both found minutes before his departure scavenging the lunch he’d spent the better part of the morning putting together. It was only the delighted pitch of your giggles that stopped him from scolding the two and sending them on their way when they followed you out of the door. He even caught you sneaking a few extra snacks into the basket for the fiends. 

“The point is, I will not hesitate to press my face to Yoongi’s because this is supposed to be a date.” 

“Press your face? That’s fuckin’ weird can’t you just say kiss?” Taehyung snatches the grape from your hand midair, sending Yoongi a smug smirk when he pops it past his geometric lips humming along with the satisfactory burst of the skin against his tongue. 

“No, because it makes you uncomfortable.” You tut, quickly replacing the grape to remedy the pout pulling at Yoongi’s cheeks. “This’ll teach you two to stop crashing our dates!” 

Dates is, in fact, plural because the tag along of your spritely comrades has been less and less few and far over the course of just a few weeks. You aren’t blind to the odd trend, not missing the attachment of Jeongguk specifically with each expected visit. Only recently had Taehyung begun to fill the void at Jeongguk’s side, previously partnered with any member of the house available at the time. 

What you’ve failed to account for with every impromptu double date is Jeongguk’s wise up with each stand in. He began to worm his way with Hoseok, clear that Yoongi would never turn down his best friend and you would never turn down Jeongguk. He would then try his hand with each member of the house, the worst of them being Jimin who had them sent away without even a morsel of the pizza you and Yoongi planned on sharing that day. 

It was that evening that Yoongi stood barefoot in his doorway, scratching at his brows toeing the reason behind Jeongguk’s sudden interest in you to which Jeongguk sputtered and blushed Yoongi out of the door with the assurance that his interest in you still remained platonic despite your commonalities and attraction. 

Jeongguk would never disclose the reason for his sudden interest in the almost daily escapades of Yoongi and yourself for fear that the blush painting his cheeks would be due to the teases and pressures of his friends, much the way he heard his hyungs pressuring Yoongi just months ago. He reasons that the position served Yoongi well, his eyes often traveling to the trace of your hand against Yoongi’s and frequent pecks to his forehead, his cheeks, he averts when you ‘press face’.

He wouldn’t dare admit the lift of his heart when you utter a defeated ‘I’ll just call Maggie and Dani, we can all catch a movie or something’ or when you plan ahead, which you’ve been doing more often, and the two meet you at your destination. The assumption of his appearance for the consumption that is often his source of a meal was accurate at the start. Your weekly dinners increasingly put on hold in place of a date with Yoongi, a point that Jeongguk used to his advantage the first night he beat Yoongi to the front seat of his own car while you snickered on the passenger side and Yoongi grumbled his way to the rear. 

His tactic had been to spend more time with his friend busied by love’s intoxicating hold, but his routine was struck by the catch of his own wrist in the hold of the bug. It was subtle before all at once, just an insignificant flutter passed off as a change in the weather, allergies. It was the not so subtle jab of Hoseok’s elbow into Jeongguk’s ribs after a particularly festive frolic through the spring festival that hipped him to his blind intentions. 

“Dude, you’ve been eying Dani for like three weeks and I’m tired of going on dates with you.” Suffice to say that was the last time Hoseok was glued to his side and Jeongguk only hoped the few feet between him and Dani just ahead provided a gap gaping enough to save her ears from Hoseok’s assail. 

It was a constant trial and error leading up to the night just a week ago that conjured Taehyung in stride, far too dressed up for casual with a confident glint in his eye. 

“You made the right call, I don’t know why it took you so long to make it, but I’m here now. The doctor is in.” Taehyung surveyed the small span of the restaurant's front entrance that day, confident in his abilities to  nudge Jeongguk ever closer to the girl he’s been crazy about for the past few weeks. He found it endearing that the youngest was having a hard time, especially when he was often the target of straying gazes and the not-so-subtle flirtations of all shades. 

It didn’t take long for all involved to realize that the doctor inconveniently called in sick from the moment Yoongi showed up with three ladies en route, one familiar from a photo Jeongguk scrounged and the second filled with a familiarity not quite familiar to Taehyung. You were quick to introduce her as Maggie, and Taehyung couldn’t form a sentence coherent enough for the rest of the night. 

If it weren’t for the quickened explanation on the drive home, Jeongguk would’ve been a lot less forgiving about his botched date, but here they are two weeks later, both lovestruck idiots jumping with each sound of crumpled grass while you and Yoongi are none the wiser to their intent. 

“So, what are we doing tomorrow? Aside from watching you two be all lovey dovey.” 

“I don’t know,” Yoongi’s head tilts, eyes squinting in the face of the sun’s rays. “What are you two doing tomorrow? I personally plan on spending the day with my girlfriend, preferably alone at some point.” 

“Huh, well there’s this horror marathon at the drive-in tomorrow and I was thinking we could all go!” Taehyung nudges Jeongguk’s leg, the younger immediately onboard with the suggestion. 

“Yeah! We could even invite Maggie and Dani so we have someone to talk to when you two inevitably claim the backseat for making out or whatever.”

You eye the two, eyes as wide as fresh puppies and smiles spanning the length of their cheeks. You aren’t completely blind to the trend of the past few weeks, but you haven’t been keen enough an observer to call them out on it until now. You’ve joked with Yoongi in private about your impromptu triple dates, most of the time brushed off with the shift of his lips to your own, too exhausted to think about anything but the moment he finally has you to himself. 

You nudge him with your knee, catching his eye with the minute dip of your head and the draw of your brow. 

“Ya know, you guys could always just go yourselves. I could give you their numbers,” You don’t miss the exchanged glances and tinted cheeks, Jeongguk’s eyes averting to the opposite end of the grass, one hand lifting to tug at the lobe of his ear. “I know Maggie is really into horror and Dani will def tag along if you ask nicely.” 

“Oh...they’re your friends though, I don’t think they’d wanna hang with us.” Taehyung sputters, nearly knocking the can at his side. Yoongi scoffs, head lolling from its place on your thigh. 

“You’re kidding right? The way those two act around you is not exactly subtle.” 

“What do you mean?” Jeongguk’s body leans forward, pupils doubled in hopeful curiosity. 

“I guess you’ll just have to see for yourself.” Yoongi shrugs. 

“And there’s no time like the present!” Your hands flag at something beyond the scope of their heads, Jeongguk freezing on the spot, but Taehyung’s neck craning to capture the bodies bounding over and moments later plopping in the convenient spaces between. Maggie squishes herself between you and Jeongguk while Dani takes the spot beside Taehyung. 

A panic flashes in both of their eyes when they note the unmatched arrangement of bodies. There was no specification as to who Maggie or Dani harbor unspoken feelings for, or what kind of feelings they are,  and the time to question has since vanished. 

The group falls to routine, broken conversations and voices piping in, Taehyung notes the lack of attention the girl that has a grip on his bursting appendage has paid in the past twenty minutes. A simple nod of the head or half smile is the only acknowledgement to his thoughtfully witty remarks. 

He doesn’t miss the drop of her hand to Jeongguk’s arm when he tells a funny joke, her head thrown back with exaggerated laughter and he fights to send a glare his way but thinks better as Jeongguk is too entranced by Dani who has barely said a word since sitting. 

“So, Tae was just telling us about this horror marathon they’re having at the drive-in tomorrow night. He and Guk wanna go.” You fill in once the six of you fall to comfortable silence. You catch Maggie sending a smirk Taehyung’s way, recovering at once when she peeks your gaze out of the corner of her eye. 

“Oh yeah?” 

“Yeah, Yoon and I could use some alone time so I thought you guys might wanna go with them.”

“Horror?” Dani speaks up, gently shifting to shield herself from Jeongguk’s wandering eyes. “That’s cool, but I don’t know that’s not really my thing.” 

“That's okay!” Jeongguk startles himself with his words, lowering his voice with a nervous chuckle. “I mean, we don’t have to stay the whole time, I wouldn’t mind leaving early. We could get some food or something.” 

“Hey, not all of us are chicken. I wanna stay the whole time,” Maggie pokes her tongue in Dani’s direction, earning the same in return. 

“I’m not chicken. There’s just only so much nuclear family, last girl blah blah blah that I can handle.” Dani shrugs, turning her attention to Jeongguk for the first time that he’s aware of, since she arrived. “It’s okay, you guys should just go without me.” 

“No, I wanna hang with you. We could go to this new pizza place in town if you’re interested?” Jeongguk is pleased to note that you and Yoongi have gone back to your regularly scheduled program, pretending as if your date hasn’t been crashed for the millionth time. Taehyung and Maggie, on the flip, are watching you two as if they’re already tucked into the boot of a car with popcorn between their fingers. 

“Um...I mean, if you really don’t mind. I don’t wanna steal you or them away from the movies.” 

“I’ll stay...ya know, Maggie and I. We could stay and watch the movies and you two could go after the first one or two.” Taehyung glances at Maggie whose eyes are already taking him in, flashing away the moment pupils meet. 

“Yeah, that’s always an option.” She agrees, flashing you a thumbs up. 

“Great!” Four heads snap in your direction, Yoongi is finally sitting upright and you’re all smiles, neatly folding your blanket to pass off. “So it sounds like you guys have a lot of planning to do and we have a lot of kissing to do, so we’ll be seein’ ya!” 

“Wait, don’t you guys wanna finish your food?” Maggie gestures to the half eaten meal left resting in the basket.

“No no, you guys have it. I’m actually in the mood for pizza now so we’ll probably grab some on the way home.” 

“Okay...bye, I guess.” Dani watches with scrunched brows and Jeongguk and Taehyung send Yoongi the same look he’s been sending for weeks for a completely different reason. He sends them a smirk, arm slung around your shoulders as the two of you leave your date crashers in the dust with potential of their own. 

“Have fun!” 

[thiswasinevitableid]

Hi there! If you're feeling it for mermay, I would like to request #9: folklore with OT4? No preference on rating: go with whatever feels best! Thank you so much and I hope you have a nice day!

Here you go! I went SFW on this one.

“You did what??” Dani stares at Barclay, shocked.

“I offered him a job. He needed work while he was here in town for his research, and he seemed nice, and, uh, and-”

“And attractive.” Indrid adds, turning to a new page in his sketchbook.

“Branchin out a little from your usual type, sugar.” Duck kisses his cheek.

“Barclay, he’s a folklorist. A folklorist who specifically studies selkies.”

“Yeah he, uh, he said so. I figured if he’s working for me, or even if he wants me to show him around, I can steer him away from all the selkies.”

“Except for the one showing him around.” Dani gives him a look only an older sister could give.

“It’s not like he’s gonna see me transform.” Barclay mutters.

The meeting ends much as it began; with everyone agreeing that the new guy in town was a potential threat and should be given absolutely no information whatsoever. It’s not that Barclay doesn’t see the man, who introduced himself as Joseph Stern, as someone after Keplers secrets. It’s more that the guy uprooted his entire life to come to an obscure, Alaskan bay in hopes of finding the thing he wants most in the world. Barclay sympathizes. 

Kepler is notorious among selkies; a safe haven, a place where there are humans who will protect them, help them, even love them. More than one enterprising selkie, trapped in a loveless marriage or unending servitude, has tricked the human who betrayed them into going north. It’s rare that a human who committed such a breach of trust remains there long; and they always give the pelt back, usually while packing their things in a desperate rush.

It’s a pity, then, that Barclay never got the man who tricked him up here.

He finishes the dinner rush at Amnesty Lodge, located on the edge of the bay and a welcome stop for travelers from land and water alike. As he usually does this time of night, he heads to a dock, far from the lights of town or the ships out at sea, and sits with his feet in the water, solitary and solemn. Tonight, he’s not alone for long. 

Silvery hair emerges from the water as Indrid, now sporting a lovely grey tail, swims over to him. They met when Barclay first came here, Indrid more than a little odd but appreciative of Barclays skill in the kitchen and bedroom in ways he’d been without for years. The gift of future vision meant Indrid was nomadic, in that he was determined to use his powers to prevent tragedy whenever he could, and so one day he swam away from Kepler.

Barclay didn’t see him for years. No one did. Until a ranger by the name of Duck Newton was helping tag seals that kept swimming too far up the salmon runs and got the shock of his life when the one he caught turned into a man as he was holding him. Indrid pointed out that his ear was already pierced and if they needed him to hunt somewhere else they could just ask. Duck who, in spite of living in Kepler for years, did not believe in the supernatural until he was holding it, offered the first apology that came to mind, which included inviting Indrid to dinner.

They’ve been dating for two years now.

Indrid rises from the water enough to rest his head in Barclay’s lap, “Come stay with us tonight.”

“I...do you really want me to?”

“If you do not, you spend all night brooding and unable to sleep, thus making for a miserable morning. Too, I am rather fond of your company.” Indrid tilts his chin up with a grin and Barclay leans down to kiss him, “and before you ask, yes, Duck remains fine with this. He says, and I quote ‘Barclay’s my friend and also if you’re hugging him I can escape bed long enough to get ready for work.”

He chuckles, “Okay, I’ll be over soon. I, uh, is there any chance-”

“No” Indrid shakes his head with a sigh, rubs his cheek against Barclays leg, “there are still no futures where we find your coat. Wherever that bastard sent it, he hid it well.”

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

Barclay’is in trouble; not only is Joseph a good cook, he’s good company too. He finishes his shifts sweaty and exhausted, same as Barclay, and the selkie wonders what it would be like to see him breathless and red faced in other contexts. He suspects he’s not the only one.

Joseph’s research regularly takes him into the national forest or the adjoining state park on the beach, meaning he’s routinely running into Duck. The ranger initially worried his inability to lie convincingly would be a problem. But after some cursory questions that Indrid saw coming and coached him through technically true responses to, he and Joseph have struck up a passing friendship. 

“Joseph is also very interested in his love life” Indrid reveals while swimming circles around Barclay as he stands in the cold water, “not that I blame him. He has excellent taste in men. Present company included.”

“He’s just being nice to me. And I’m practically his boss.”

Indrid pauses his swimming to stare at him, “Dearest, when he’s not working, what does he do?”

“Uh, crosswords? Or he reads, and he likes trying new restaurants and going to movies.”

“And you know all this how?”

“Because he does it near me or asks me to go with him. Oh, uh, huh. Maybe he does have a thing for me.”

Indrid floats into his arms, kisses him, “invite him to dinner. The others at the Lodge are, understandably, still wary of him and don’t want him around. But there’s no harm in him having over for a meal.”

Barclay pulls Indrid closer, tickles his cheek with his beard as he teases, “Seems like I’m not the only one with a crush on him.”

“Not in the slightest.” Indrid grins, “Our lives have not been easy. I don’t know about you, but I intend to embrace affection and love whenever the opportunity presents itself. ���

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

There’s no way Joseph is passing up this opportunity. 

He’d been refilling his travel mug at the complementary coffee kiosk in the Lodge and asked if anyone happened to know which rivers had the most reported selkie sightings. After each blurting out a different answer, his fellow guests (tenants, really) decided on the Bluff Creek river as the best option.

He wonders if they know just how obvious it is that they’re hiding something. 

Joseph is well aware that folklorists are seen as credulous and gullible. He uses that to his advantage. There’s no reason for anyone to know about his seven years in the FBI prior to this. No reason for them to know he knows that Dani will propose to Aubrey soon, that Jake is sneaking out every night, that Barclay is searching for something as intensely as Joseph is. 

Most nights, he falls asleep under a burnt orange bedspread dreaming that he’s what the cook is looking for. 

Barclays feelings for him are one of the few things at Amnesty he can’t decipher. He offers him a job, takes a personal interest in his welfare, and makes him coffee just how he likes it. Every single morning. But he gets jittery when Joseph asks him about himself, and some days he outright hides from him until they’re in the kitchen. 

The dinners with Indrid and Duck aren’t helping his confusion. Barclay practically holds his hand during them, but turns pink whenever Indrid winks at him. And Duck…well, Joseph knows he’s good looking, and he’s never had a hard time hooking up while traveling. The rangers attention just makes him so hot under the collar he wants to strip down at the table. Which is why he can’t decide if Duck agreeing to be his guide on the river is a stroke of luck or a brilliant plan to keep him from noticing things they don’t want him to see. 

When Duck meets him at the dock, his casual outdoor clothes unfairly flattering (Indrid likes the uniform better, but Joseph finds it hides too much of Duck’s arms and chest), he decides there’s no point in looking a gift hunk in the mouth. 

They paddle upriver, trading bad, pun-based jokes until the wind picks up and drowns their voices out. It’s slow going, and there’s no sign of a selkie, but Duck remains excellent company. They make camp an hour before sunset, in a two man tent that leaves them smushed shoulder to shoulder. 

As they’re comparing notes on growing up trans in a small town, Joseph shares the story of the time he nearly broke his tailbone after slipping on a packer he left on the floor. Duck guffaws, shaking the tent as he does, and ends up giggling into Joseph’s shoulder as they both wipe tears from their eyes.

“You have a great laugh, you know that?”

“Sound like a bird of paradise gettin hit by an accordion.” Duck isn’t moving his head.

“That’s a remarkably accurate description, but my point stands.”

He feels Duck turn his head, “Joe? Would, uh, would it be okay if I kissed you? You can say no, swear I won’t abandon you or leave you for the bears so some shit. Just, uh, been thinkin about it all day and figured I’d ask.”

“It won’t upset Indrid?” He slides his hand from his sleeping bag to hold Duck’s own. 

“Nah. He and I talked about it. And, uh, his uh, his social circles ain’t super invested in monogamy.”

“Oh. Um” He wants to roll over, wants to pin Duck and kiss him until dawn. But if he does, it might mean he never gets a chance to do the same to a certain someone else, someone who he wishes would just tell him how he felt-

“If it, uh, helps any, happen to know Barclay sees things the same way ‘Drid does.” 

“In that case…” he crawls from the sleeping bag, Duck unzipping his own and kicking it open so there’s nothing to stop Joseph’s hands as they stroke and grope their way across his body, “I have a proposal for you.”

Unsurprisingly, they get a late start the next day. As Joseph is paddling, he spots a tail flipping out of the water, far too large to be an otter. Before he can say anything, the roar of the river changes, turning rougher and deeper.

“Fuck, the snowmelt must’ve started earlier than usual, these rapids normally ain’t this big.”

“Should we try to reverse?”

“Maybe we can, nope, fuck, okay we’re goin through whether we like it or not, try’n stay low and hold on.”

Duck’s excellent advice goes out the window at the same instant Joseph goes out of the boat, a swell catching him off guard. He hits a rock at just the wrong angle, pain shooting up his wrist as he releases his paddle. He’s not panicking, but the more he fights to keep his head up, the closer he gets. 

Then an arm is around his waist, pulling him to shore. He has just enough time to see his rescuer has a grey tail before they disappear under the water. There’s no sign of the boat or of Duck. A tremendous splash resolves one of those problems. 

“Duck!” He hurries to where the ranger coughs water onto the pebbles, “thank the lord.”

“Nah” he coughs again, “thank him.” He gestures weakly to the familiar face and torso now attached to a tail coated in silver-grey fur. 

“You’re a selkie.” Joseph scoots across the rocky ground. 

“Indeed.” Indrid taps his fingers together, “I, ah, I am sorry my love. I know we agreed he could not know, but when the timelines showed the rapids most of them involved you both going into the river and in, in many of them one or both of you was knocked unconscious on the stones and did not resurface. I could not let that happen to you. Either of you.”

Joseph reaches out reverently with his uninjured hand, and Indrid guides his tail to meet him. It’s exquisite to touch, and as he smooths his fingers along it, Indrid purrs and rolls onto his back. 

“Mmmm, already you are proving why it was worth it to save you.” Indrid grins, wiggling closer. 

“You, uh, you ain’t angry at us for hidin it from you?” Duck guides Indrid’s head into his lap, petting his hair, looking warily at Joseph.

“Duck, I’ve known you and the rest of the people at the Lodge were hiding things from me, and that given the towns reputation those things were probably related to selkies. It’s not like there aren’t dangers to people learning about selkies and where they live, and I never made it clear whether my research would lead to that. It hurts not to be trusted but, well, I’m used to it.” He looks down at where Indrid is nuzzling Duck’s belly, “I promise, I won’t put you or any of the others in danger.”

“Mmmm” Indrid’s tail relaxes under his hands, “apologies, I am listening, but it took a great deal of energy to reach you in time and pull you from the water. I think I shall nap until our ride comes.”

“Uh, think you’re gonna nap in the car.” Duck tilts his head towards the treeline, where the rumble of an engine rattles up the abandoned logging road. A minute later, a door slams and Barclay appears from the trees. 

“Fuck, he wasn’t kidding that you had rough time.” Barclay helps Joseph into the back seat while Indrid, now sporting legs, climbs into the front, “Duck, med kit is behind the drivers seat.”

“Great. Joe, c’mere, I can secure your wrist and get you some painkillers.”

“Right. Thanks.” He turns back to Barclay, eyebrow raised.

“Guess, uh, guess we have a lot to talk about later. I, uh, I should probably just tell you the big thing now. I’m uh, I’m like Indrid.”

Joseph smiles, “I guessed as much the moment Indrid revealed himself.”

“Oh.”

“Is there, um, anything else you want to tell me sooner rather than later?”

Barclay’s honey-rich baritone comes out as shy as a first kiss, “If you said you’d go out with me, it’d make my whole fucking year.”

Joseph murmurs in his ear, “The instant I’m out of the hospital, you’re taking me to dinner.”

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

There’s a sturdy hammock at the edge of Duck’s yard, overlooking the river. Joseph had no interest in it until he discovered it was the perfect size to have Barclay lay in so he could then lay on his chest. They’re in that configuration when he asks the question he’s been putting off for fear of upsetting his boyfriend. 

“How did you end up in Kepler? Were you born here?”

“No.” Barclay’s hands settle on his back, “I grew up off the coast of California. There was a guy, a human, we’d been friends since we were teenagers. As we got older he got, uh, he got it into his head that we could go on the road as like a, uh, a sideshow act. That people would pay big money to see a real selkie. I hated the fucking idea, told him to drop it, and he did, went back to being the considerate, cool guy he’d been when we met. He made a big dinner for my birthday, invited me over and…” his fists tighten in Joseph’s shirt, “and when I was there, he stole my coat.”

“Oh, Barclay” Joseph pets his chest, “I’m so sorry.”

“I agreed to work with him because I didn’t have a choice. I hated every goddamn minute of planning, of knowing he saw me as a fucking meal ticket. One night I snapped, told him to give me back my coat and let me go or I’d make him regret it. He locked me in the fucking basement, and when I got out, he told me he’d shipped my coat far, far away, and if I ever wanted to find it, I’d better stay with him. Asshole didn’t realize getting rid of the coat meant he didn’t have a hold on me anymore. I left, looked for it for years, then basically gave up and moved to Kepler because I knew there were other selkies here. Indrid’s convinced the pelt is here somewhere, keeps saying our finding it is just on the edges of his visions. But I dunno. I think it’s gone for good.”

Fear clings to his heart, “Will you get sick if you never find it? Are, are you sick now, or in pain?”

“No. Selkies don’t die or get sick without their pelts. It’s more like...like a part of you is missing, with this ache where it’s supposed to be. Mine’s been gone so long I barely notice it anymore.”

Joseph sits up, frowning, “You’re lying.”

“...Yeah. Yeah I am. But what else can I do?”

“Let me help. I’m an investigative professional, I have been for years, and I can’t think of a better use for those skills than finding your coat. Than, than making you happy and whole.”

Barclay studies him a moment, then yanks him down into a kiss, whimpering when Joseph nips his lips and licks between them. 

“Now, big guy,” he brushes their noses together, “what does it look like?”

“It’s the same color as my hair, with a crescent scar at the base of the tail from where a shark bit me. God, Joseph, I hope you see it some day, if you think Indrid’s tail is beautiful, and it is, mine is fucking gorgeous…”

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

“Joseph! How is my favorite connoisseur of cryptozoology today?”

“ I’m fine, Ned. And since I can see the dollar signs in your eyes from here yes, if you have new merchandise I would like to see it.”

Stationed on the highway at the edge of Kepler, the Cryptonomica is the kind of tourist trap Joseph can’t help but love. Even if the informational plaques contain miles of misinformation, it’s nice to be somewhere that doesn’t scoff at the supernatural or strange. 

As Ned rummages in the back, Joseph circles the room to arrive at his favorite display; Bigfoot, complete with a supposed “stuffed bigfoot” whose fur is so many different colors it looks like a patchwork quilt his grandmother kept on the couch. Not for the first time, he amuses himself with the observation that the back portion resembles Barclay’s hair. 

“Wait.” He says, loud enough that Ned’s assistant, Kirby, looks up from his desk.

“Something you need, Mr. Stern?” 

He kneels down, pulling his penlight from his jacket and peering at the creatures lower back.

“Yes. I need a knife, and I need it now.”

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

“Goodness!” Indrid yelps a moment before Joseph bursts through the door. 

“Barclay, Barclay look!” The researcher spins in a circle, searching for the cook.

“What is it, is everything okay?” He hurries out of the kitchen, then drops to his knees in shock, “it, it can’t be.”

“It is. Or, um, there’s a very strong chance it is. Look” He holds out the chestnut cloak, “the scar matches.”

“I, I, I-” Barclay grabs the pelt, holding it to his chest, “I must be dreaming.”

“There’s only one way to find out” Indrid grins as he pulls Duck up along with him, then tugs Barclay to his feet, “to the water!”

They’re moving so fast that Barclay only has a moment to swing the coat over his shoulders as he dives into the water, Joseph calling out to be careful. 

And then is heart thrums, whole for the first time in decades, as warm fur envelopes him. His second skin sings into his nerves, reunited with it’s home, and he let’s the transformation take it’s full form. When he leaps for joy out of the water, there’s not a human feature to be seen. 

Joseph cries out in triumph, Duck whooping out cheers along with him. There’s no sign of Indrid until he returns to the waves, at which point the most stunning silver seal twirls around him. The next time he rises from the water, he reverts to his half-form, savoring the sensation of moving it through the depths as Joseph and Duck wade in to join them. 

He pulls Joseph into a kiss, dipping him so his black hair fans out in the water, “You did it, babe.”

“I, I may as well quit all my other jobs, nothing else I accomplish in my life will compare to the look on your face right now.”

“Oh pet” Indrid smiles, “you’ve not seen anything yet. Did I say that right?”

“Close enough, sugar.”

“Come, dearest, I’ve been waiting for years to see if you can out-swim me.”

“You’re fucking on” Barclay kisses Joseph once more for good measure, “be right back.”

As he speeds through the water, Indrid keeping pace with him, he just makes out the conversation behind them. 

“You, uh, you know givin a selkie their pelt back is a marriage proposal, right?”

“Yes. But we can talk about that later, all four of us.”

[writingwithadinosaur]

“Alibi” - Oneshot

“Alibi” - Oneshot

My Masterlist - Here

My Tag List - Here

Malcolm Bright x Reader, Gil Arroyo x Daughter!Reader

Word Count: 2,000-ish

Key: Y/N = Your Name, H/C = Your Hair Color, E/C = Your Eye Color

Warnings: Mentions of murder, cursing. Large chunks of text in italics mean that it is a flashback.

Summary: After your boss is murdered, you are brought in as a suspect. In order to prove your innocence, you have to reveal a secret to your father. 

Author’s Note: This was one of those ideas that hit me like a train right as I was about to go to bed, so I scribbled as much as I could down and tried to make sense of it the next day.

We’re also gonna pretend that Gil and Jessica aren’t a thing cause then that would make this story a bit awkward.

This is not beta read, so let me know if there are any mistakes! 

If you would like to be tagged in any of my future pieces, check out my tag list above and let me know! And as always, feedback is greatly appreciated!

<3

- DreaSaurusREX

~~~~~~~~~~~~

“So, (Y/N), got any news for me?” Your boss, Mr.Naruski asked from his desk chair, casually weaving a pen in between his fingers. It was lunchtime and you had gotten salads from the meditarrian place that he liked.

“Well, Simon wanted to move his meeting with you to Friday, but there would be no way to do that unless we add another 4 hours to the day. Oh! And Mrs.Krewnshe asked me if--”

“(Y/N), sweetheart! We are on our lunch break! Which means I don’t want any news with my clients unless it's urgent. I meant news in the world of the best secretary in New York!” 

You couldn’t help but roll your eyes a little bit and smile. Mr.Naruski was a true blessing when it came to employers. He owned his own architecture business in New York and somehow wasn’t a complete asshat like some of your previous bosses. He and his wife were incredibly caring and truly understood that you had to be a human in order to work with other humans. The respect you got here was well worth the daily commute!

“Well, if you really want to know... My boyfriend set up a nice, and very last minute, date for us tonight.” You couldn’t hide the true smile that spread across your lips. Mr.Naruski leaned forward and raised an eyebrow.

“Oh? And where is this ‘nice’ date happening, if I might ask?” 

“I’m not sure. He wouldn’t tell me. All he said was to be ready by 6 because we have reservations for 6:45. But I have a feeling it’s that new modern industrial place that I was telling you about. He knows I love to walk past it and appreciate the details. While I don’t think I’ve ever said out loud that I like it or would like to go inside, he has a great ability to read me.” 

Your smile grew a little more as your eyes drifted slightly down, thinking about all the times your boyfriend picked up on the smaller details in the past. He was good with surprises. Mr.Naruski watched how this interaction brought out your best side. The two of you finished your lunches and got back to work. 

Your boss had one more meeting this afternoon. It was with a company called Jetlan Inc. From the small bit of conversation you heard as Mr.Naruski escorted his guests out, it was a successful meeting. He turned back to you once the door was closed and let out a relieved sigh.

“I take it everything went well?”

“As well as I could. They are going to take tonight to mull it over and then give us a call tomorrow. So expect Samuel to call at some point.”

You wrote down a little reminder to yourself on a sticky note “May get call from Jetlan Inc.” and placed it near your desk’s phone. You went back to typing out the schedule for next week when Mr.Naruski tapped a finger on your desk.

“How about you leave early today, (Y/N)?”

“Are you sure, sir? I can stay and help with the final prep for tomorrow’s deal if you want. I should also probably finish this schedule.”

“I think I can handle that on my own. And you can add your final touches tomorrow. You,” He stood up and walked around your desk and held out his hands. You put your hands in his and he helped you up before grabbing your coat from the coat rack. “Have a date to get ready for.” 

You couldn’t help but laugh. It was almost unbelievable to have a boss that really cared about your personal life as much as your professional one like he did. You just slipped on your coat and grabbed your purse, knowing that when Naruski made up his mind, it was set. He opened the door for you and put a hand on your arm.

“He told me to ‘love with my whole heart, but be smart enough to know when to use my brain instead.’ I think it was his way of saying ‘Be safe and have fun.’” 

A small but sad smile worked its way onto your face at the thought of him being so supportive. You felt a wave of tears coming, so you finished up your story to try to stop them from falling. 

“After that, I thanked him again, and I left to go back to my apartment and get ready. The next time I saw Mr.Naruski was the next morning, behind the crime scene tape blocking my office, dead.”

You couldn’t believe that just 24 hours ago, you were happily talking to your boss about your date. And now he was dead. Murdered in his own office, two hours after you had left. You were being questioned at the NYPD by none other than JT Tarmel, Dani Powell, Malcolm Bright, and your father, Gil Arroyo. 

No one spoke, they were taking in all of the details of your alibi. It felt like forever before Malcolm broke the silence. 

“Are there security cameras in your office?”

“Yes. There is one in the main office where my desk is positioned, one in Mr.Naruski’s office, and one in the hallway outside our door.”

“Great. We can check those. They’ll show (Y/N) leaving and should have a timestamp on them that we can check.

The team did their own little nods, still thinking about your alibi. They wanted to trust you, but they needed to think of every possible thing that could have happened, or if they could find any evidence to the real killer.

“Who did you go on a date with?” Dani was sitting about 6 feet to your right, a bottle of water in her hands as she leaned forward, elbows on the table. 

“I don’t see how my dating life is relevant to my boss being murdered in his office.”

Lies. You knew why she was asking. It was a major part of your alibi and it’s the only other way that they could concretely cross you off of the suspect list. JT jumped in to try to diffuse the situation, none of them aware of how much you didn’t want to share. 

“It's just another way that we can confirm your alibi, (Y/N).” 

You could see Gil adjusting his stance as he leaned against the wall to your left. You couldn’t bring yourself to look at your father, already feeling his intense stare boring into you. 

The room was silent, but the anxiety in your chest made it feel like the room was half of its real size. You kept your posture as straight as you could while you focused on your hands that were unconsciously fidgeting on top of the table.

“Tell us the kid’s name, (Y/N).”

“Why can’t you just check the cameras like Malcolm said? That’ll show when I left at around 4:30 yesterday afternoon and when I came back today for my shift but saw the tape instead! You could even check my apartment’s security cameras!”

“Woah! We will, (Y/N). We just want to be able to cover our asses and yours.” JT tried again to calm you down, everyone know seeing how uncomfortable the idea of sharing the details of your date made you. 

Your leg started to shake under the table, that was your cue that your anxiety was getting bad. You lock eyes with Malcolm. He sees how much you’re struggling and just gives you a short nod. You knew what he was trying to say, but you really didn’t want to agree. Malcolm then took a deep breath, trying to get you to do the same. You looked down and tried to take a deep breath in.

“Why can’t you just answer the question, (Y/N)?!” Gil didn’t yell, but you could hear the annoyance in his voice. It was the final hit that broke the last of your defenses.

“Because it's Malcolm, alright?!” 

Even you were a bit shocked at the slight frustration and exasperation in your voice. As everyone let that fact settle in their brains, you closed your eyes and took a couple deep breaths, trying to accept the fact that it was out in the open now. Malcolm made his way behind you and put a comforting hand on your shoulder, lightly rubbing this thumb to try and soothe you. You opened your eyes and stared at the center of the table, your hands now clasped together. 

“Last night I left work early to go get ready for a date with Malcolm Bright. He took me to that nicer place off of 47th that has the grey brick exterior with the iron corner details. We went there to catch a break from our lives because it's been so hectic lately and we haven’t had much time to just sit and enjoy each other’s company.” 

Our reservation was for 6:45 under Malcolm’s name. You can check with the manager there, go into their electronic reservation system, and see that we checked in and everything. Or Malcolm may have some sort of confirmation email. Now do I need to go into detail about what we ordered or what cocktail I was drinking, or am I good?”

You slowly looked up to meet your father’s eyes. You expected something upset in his eyes, but instead, they were very professional. He looked from you to Malcolm, who in turn nodded, confirming your story. Gil audibly inhaled through his nose and exhaled through his nose and he rubbed a hand down his face.  

“No. You’re good, kid.”

You look back to your hands and close your eyes, focusing on your breathing. You weren’t hyperventilating, but you definitely felt a weight in your chest. 

Dani and JT looked at each other, unaware of what to do in this situation. Malcolm looked from you back to Gil, his face slightly pleading. Gil quickly tilted his head towards the door, a small sigh of relief coming from Malcolm as he moved his hand to your arm and leaned down to quietly talk in your ear.

 “C’mon, (Y/N). Let’s get some air or something to drink, okay?”

You nodded and stood up as Malcolm grabbed your coat from the rack near the door. You took yours and slung it over your arm as Malcolm opened the door for you. Before you could leave, Gil spoke up.

“I will be seeing the two of you in my office in an hour though. We need to have a chat.”

You just nod and leave already knowing what this “chat” is going to be about. Malcolm was reaching for his coat when Gil’s voice resonated again.

“Malcolm, take care of her. Go to that shop around the corner. They have those little pastries she likes. And make sure your both are back here soon. We’re not done with this.”

“Will do.” Malcolm nodded and quickly left and caught up with you, walking you safely out of the NYPD.

With that, there was still a semi-awkward air in the meeting room. Dani quietly fiddled with her water bottle and let out a “Well…”

“Heh! Yeah. That was somethi--” 

Before JT could get further, Gil pointed at him and sternly said “Don’t.” JT just raises his hands in defense and backs off. Dani couldn’t help but smirk a bit at the sight of JT getting called out. 

“So where do we go from here?” Dani calmly asked the room. 

“We need to get the security footage from the office building and (Y/N)’s apartment complex. Get in contact with the restaurant owner and see if we can check their reservation system, if not, ask Malcolm if he has any email from their reservation.”

“On it.” JT confirmed as he left the room to head to his desk and start working. Gil leaned on the table, thinking for a moment. “What do we know about this Jetlan Inc.?

~~~~~~~~~~~~ Tags:  @malindacath @shadowfoxey @whovianayesha @melconnor2007 @ashenfallsof @geeksareunique @all-by-myself98 @sj-thefan

[thisstableground]

do you have any hcs for if usnavi's parents hadn't died? it would change him and his story a lot and I feel like it could be really interesting, how he's still him but with such different experiences. and you write him and get his character so well so you're definitely the person to ask about this kind of thing if you're up for it :) (also as a fellow brit the uk au is really really weird to me, I can't quite work out why)

(lmao ikr? i wouldn’t actually call it a uk au because i firmly do not believe it could work as a fully-fledged idea without changing way too much about a very culturally specific story in a way that has very uncomfortable implications, tho it is hilarious to briefly entertain the idea of ITH except it’s all set in fuckin milton keynes or something because Simply No Thank You)

THIS WILL BE LONG, BUCKLE UP

i think that a lot of canon usnavis traits are perhaps things he already had but that got magnified by a huge amount after losing his parents, because they could also be seen as ADHD traits; particularly the anxiety and the difficulty with making changes or starting new things. he’s still worried about messing up, about making a fool of himeslf, or just doesnt have the executive functioning to do things. but the difference is prior to losing his parents he had a lot more optimism and self-confidence to push himself past those anxieties or to find it easier to listen to his friends and family when they encourage him, because he has this certainty when he’s younger that things will turn out okay. an usnavi who never loses his parents carries that certainty into adulthood (i think even after abuela passes, because while it’s difficult and tragic for him, it isn’t deeply traumatising in the same way). so this version of usnavi still worries about failure, but the stakes are so much lower; he might embarrass himself but he has the safety net of his parents support, whereas the fear that fuels canon usnavi’s difficulty with changing things or moving forward is “what if i fuck up and lose someone else important to me again?”, where things which aren’t actually literal life-or-death tend to feel that way to him, and he’s a lot more cynical about whether things will have a positive outcome.

with his parents still alive doesn’t find it so terrifying to look into the future – “today’s all we got”, he says in the opening song, and i think he would still say that but in a way that means “live for today, live in the moment, enjoy life”. that might be the attitude he’s trying to get across in canon, but he also uses it as a way to hold himself back and keep himself stuck in place, to not let himself hope for anything in the future: in canon, he knows in a very painful way that he isn’t promised a future, and nobody he loves is promised a future, so why make plans or hypotheticals or even seriously believe that he’ll ever go back to DR? (i genuinely think there’s a subconscious part of him that’s firmly convinced he’s going to die young, but that’s a whole other tangent). he’s living in the moment because he’s scared of what he’ll see when he looks past it; usnavi with his parents still around lives in the moment because he likes the moment he’s in.

i wonder if him and vanessa would have ended up dating, or at least if they’d have been so successful and long-lasting as a couple. they’e always known each other and got on well, but i see their deeper feelings as growing out of  this shared understanding between them based on the difficulties they’ve been through – would they have still had the champagne bet, if usnavi didn’t have that grief and loss and extra responsibility that drives his vague non-plans to go live in DR? would he even want to leave new york, in this version, or would he still be content with the place he grew up because it doesn’t have those painful memories? 

the character arc of reconciling moving forward from a place that symbolises a painful past without having to completely sever from the good things about it is something that both of them share in canon. without those moments of both being given too many responsibilities and too much independence way too young because they don’t have parents who can ease the transition into adulthood, or this unspoken recognition that even with all their barrio family around both of them are very much on their own in some ways, would they make the deeper emotional connection that makes them work so well together in a more long-term way? or would they just have gone on a few casual dates that didn’t stand out from any other casual dates they might have with others?

and hell, maybe usnavi would’ve already been in a relationship with someone completely different – he’d be working at the store with two other people who were experienced in running it. he’d have so much more time to go out, have a social life, go to clubs and hang out with more people his own age. usnavi after losing his parents became quite disconnected from the larger group of people him and benny would hang out with at school; he doesn’t have the time, he doesn’t have the energy, and for a long time while he’s still so deep in grief i think they find it hard to know how to be friends with this quiet, broken, listless usnavi. they’re all still friendly but internally i think he loses his sense of place with his peers because he’s been rapidly catapulted into a stage of life that none of them are in. an usnavi who doesn’t lose his parents also doesn’t lose his sense of being around the same level and life stage as his peers, so who knows who he meets or develops feelings for?

his relationship with sonny is definitely different. his love and care for him isn’t so full of fear, because he doesn’t feel this need to protect him from every little thing or like it’s his personal responsibility to keep him alive, because it doesn’t really occur to him that he could lose him. canon usnavi i think has a lot more of a somewhat parental vibe, and often an overprotective parent at that. i think this usnavi, because he doesn’t have to grow up so quickly and he isn’t sonny’s boss, has much more of a fun big brother role. and i think sonny in return doesn’t feel so much responsibility for usnavi as he grows up - he doesnt feel like he has to force him to have fun or get some rest or put himself first every so often because usnavi doesnt push himself nearly so relentlessly and because his parents can look out for him when he does. 

maybe sonny doesn’t start working in the bodega until much later, either – a lot of why he spends so much time there is because usnavi watches him while his mom’s at work but can’t just close the store. if his parents are there to keep working then usnavi watches sonny at one of their homes, or they go out and do more stuff. the bodega is still important to both of them but it isn’t nearly as much a main setting for sonny’s adolescence as it is in canon.

on that note, since in my version the first thing that makes usnavi hold an instant vendetta against pete is catching pete tagging the store only a few weeks after losing his parents, where his feelings are still so intense and raw. the store hasn’t reopened and so the graffiti feels like someone else making a claim on the only thing he has left of his parents. in this version he’d be annoyed to catch someone tagging the store at most but much quicker to forgive and forget. so in a world where usnavi doesn’t lose his parents, usnavi also doesn’t hate graffiti pete.

 if we’re assuming that things did go roughly similar to the point of usnavi being in the club with vanessa on the night of the blackout, here’s the things that would change:

- sonny isn’t the one at the bodega, his parents are, and they’re together so usnavi doesn’t feel the same urgency to get back and check on things there when the power goes out. instead he finds vanessa and walks her home and by the time he’s back at the store, i think his mom would already be with abuela making sure she’s okay, and usnavi would focus on helping his dad make sure everything was safe and secure at the bodega

- he’s also probably still pretty drunk at this point, so there’s a chance that when everything at the store is secured he just goes straight to bed; it’s been a long night, and he’s tired, and he doesn’t have the trauma of past loss making him feel like he personally has to check every little thing himself. he trusts his parents to take care of abuela, it isn’t all on his shoulders. so they don’t have their moment together on the roof.

- whether the store gets looted in this version or not, i don’t think usnavi’s waking up at sunrise to deal with it, but even if he is then he gets up, helps his parents, is upset and annoyed but not in the same visceral, overwhelming way that he is in canon because he doesn’t have all those other long-term anxieties building up in him, he doesn’t have that pressure of his parents legacy tied up in the store when they’re still right there, he doesn’t have that conversation with vanessa where she’s hurt and betrayed that he left her in the blackout and didn’t check up on her.  (sidenote this may even mean that vanessa doesn’t move downtown, because if he isnt looking for a way to make things up to her before he leaves then he might not think to speak to dani about co-signing her apartment)

-  this means he probably doesn’t get overwhelmed and abandon cleanup to go visit abuela in the morning like he does in canon when we get Hundreds of Stories. he might not even be around, since he tells sonny in canon to get a generator and candles to the church and that’s probably an errand he’d do himself while his parents manned the store. this means he probably does not see abuela that one final time or have that one final meaningful conversation with her before she passes.

final sad note: in a version of events where usnavi never loses his parents, christmas is still his favourite time of year.

[gonemechaniic]

     HOWDY Y’ALL!! 

This here is a private, selective, canon divergent, and multi-versed CINDY AURUM from FFXV with some Versus XIII elements, who’s just adored and gushed over by a lil sweet potato named Salt/Dani (she/her 30+). Country mannerisms and sayings are not only welcomed, well shoot, they’re downright ENCOURAGED!!  

Please read the rules before interacting and thank ya kindly for stoppin’ by!! Personals/fan blogs DNI

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Wire :: topmechanic Disco :: for mutuals Anon :: on Starters :: 4 Inbox :: 10 Drafts :: ?? Current activity :: ( atm coverting some drafts to the beta editor 🙃 ) Low activity/mostly by queue 💛

Nitty gritty rules, regs & info...

DON’T...

Be a dick. Any harassment or discrimination towards me or my friends will not be tolerated and will result in insta blockage. 

Godmod or force a ship. Shipping requires chemistry. It's also not my blog’s focus and I will not change my muse(s) for yours or for a ship.

Expect me to instantly follow you. It usually takes me a while to go through people's pages in order to get a feel for their writing style or if our characters will mesh well if at all. Like shipping chemistry there's also writing chemistry; if it's not there it's not there.

Continually poke me for interactions. A casual reminder is cool cause we’re human and forget things or tunglr is just ... being tunglr. However hourly/daily reminders, random follows & unfollows might get you blocked.  

DO...

Have fun, be cool and respectful.

Understand that I am as intimidating as a kitten. But I am an awkward af bby and it takes a minute for me to get comfy with people.

Tag any and possible trypophobia & arachnophobia posts cause it really ooks me tf out!

[aboveallarescuer]

I'm very sorry to brother you with what is probably my own problem, and of course feel free to disregard this ask. I'm not one of your followrs, but I followed a hashtag that landed your (extremly long) meta on my dash. Now I've read about half and it was excellent, but could you please use a read more in the future?

Sorry for the inconvenience, I wasn't even sure that the meta was going to appear in the tags since I added so many links to it.

I often use a read more for other metas. I didn't for this one because a) I assumed everyone who follows me does so because of Dany (specifically Dany metas) and wouldn't mind seeing it on the dash and b) the essay I was replying to was quite popular (it has the support of a well-known meta writer in the fandom and the author runs a popular podcast), even among Brazilian casuals right after the GoT finale aired. So I wanted people to read/skim through my counterarguments or, at the very least, to find out that this essay exists and what it intended to argue. I wanted to show that defending Dany by stating that she's not the Mad Queen is not enough, because some people (like the person who wrote that essay) in the fandom don't claim that she is and still speculate about her demise based on mischaracterizations and double standards. And worse, they seem "impartial" while doing so.

But yeah, after this meta, I will go back to using a read more. Again, sorry for the inconvenience.

[chilling-seavey]

Ok idk if this has already been a blurb so if it has just ignore me but I can’t remember reading one about it lol. A Halloween blurb! Idk if Halloween is big in Canada where they’re from but maybe they don’t really celebrate but since Florence is from LA she loved Halloween growing up and makes them celebrate or something

Oh for sure! I’ve written one before and one in ABM itself but since it’s October 2020 I’ll throw out another just in time for Penelope’s first Halloween! :)

When Anything But Mine ended (not including the epilogue), we left off with Daniel freshly single and him and Florence in a strange state of friendship vs. raising two girls together vs. a whole mess of where they stood after such a crazy year. Regardless of living in a state of friendship purgatory, they were still close and Daniel was more than excited to spend another Halloween with Clementine and Florence and, now, baby Penelope.

Like the year before, Florence went over to the guys’ house near the university in the afternoon since trick-or-treating was much more fun in a neighbourhood rather than in an apartment building. Clementine was already dressed up – having insisted on what she wanted to be a good month in advance through persistent chants of “kitty cat!” every time she possibly could – in black pants and a black long sleeve turtleneck and Florence bought her a little black hairband with pretend kitten ears and a felt tail and drew whiskers on her little cheeks with eyeliner. Penelope didn’t have a costume, mostly because Daniel said he had an idea and, like the year before with Clementine, Florence decided to put her trust in him and let him do what he wanted.

Taking the subway with one baby was a hassle but now with two under two, Florence was nearly falling apart when she made it to the old Victorian house on the tree lined street. Penelope was strapped into the stroller and Clementine was holding her mother’s hand and trying to jump in all the leaf piles that lined the sidewalk, her little tail that was clipped onto the back of her jeans waving around as she walked. Florence held her hand tighter as they reached the house, reminding the excited nearly-two-year-old to take the stairs slowly. Clementine stomped up the stone steps one at a time, her little hand wrapped around the spokes of the metal banister, as Florence carefully lifted the stroller up to the porch as well.

“Okay, Clemmy, in-spin.” Florence said, opening the front door to usher the toddler through the threshold.

“Dayul!” Clementine shrieked as soon as she spotted him in the kitchen, pattering her way across the wood floors.

“Oh, hi! Hi, baby!” Daniel cooed down at her, grinning ear to ear as he met her halfway and crouched down to scoop her up. “Oh my goodness, you are the cutest kitty cat.”

Clementine threw her arms around his neck and just smiled proudly over at her mother.

“The subway sucks.” Florence sighed, closing the door behind her.

“If I knew you were coming already I could have picked you up instead.” Daniel tisked, going over to take the diaper bag from her shoulder.

“I didn’t want to bother you.” Florence mumbled.

“Never a bother.” Daniel rolled his eyes playfully. “Come on in though, the guys are still getting ready upstairs.”

“Do you have the things for Penelope?” Florence asked as she bent down to pick up the quiet baby from the stroller and followed Daniel to the living room.

“Of course, I do! It’s all upstairs.” Daniel grinned, setting Clementine on the couch before turning to Florence. He clapped his hands to the baby in her arms, “Your turn to get all dressed up, little one!”

Penelope reached out a hand to him and he took her from Florence, cuddling her right up close to his chest.

“Me too!” Clementine slid off the couch and ran over to him, grabbing two little fistfuls of his jeans.

“You wanna help me get baby sister ready for Halloween?” Daniel asked, twirling his finger around one of her pigtails. Clementine nodded excitedly. “Okay, let’s go upstairs then.”

Daniel sent Florence a smile before leading the girls to the stairs and held Clementine’s hand as they took the stairs one at a time. Florence watched them leave before she sat herself down on the couch with a heavy sigh and leaned back. Any moment to herself was relief and she basked in the momentary silence where her hands weren’t full with two toddlers.

Upstairs, Daniel had Penelope laid out on his bed and Clementine sat beside her sister and a shopping bag on the other side of the three-month-old.

“Okay, Miss Penelope, let’s get you changed.” Daniel said, leaning down to wiggle her out of her jacket and under clothes until she was left in her diaper. Clementine pet a gentle hand on her baby sister’s tummy, shooting a cheeky grin up to Daniel. “You’re so good with her.” Daniel complimented softly.

“Mama says gotta be gentle.”

“Yes, we do have to be gentle.” Daniel agreed, pulling the blue jeans from the bag and ripped off the tag with his teeth before putting them on the baby. Penelope whined softly at being moved around but Clementine kept her distracted with a plush rattle that honestly was more entertaining to her than to the baby. Daniel grabbed the two shirts from the bag and pulled them carefully over Penelope’s head and slipped her arms in.

She let out a small cry, trying to wiggle away from him.

“Hey, hey, bug, it’s okay.” Daniel cooed, smoothing down her shirt over her tummy before leaning down to press a kiss to her chubby cheek.

“Pelope.” Clementine called softly, shaking the rattle for the baby again.

There was a knock at the door and Clementine and Daniel both looked over to Jack standing there, “I thought I heard my little orange.”

“Jack!” Clementine squealed and slipped off the bed to run and hug him as Daniel finished up with the baby and a jar of hair gel.

“Hey.” Daniel greeted his friend casually as he finally picked up the baby and set her against his chest.

“How’s the littlest Beatle?” Jack chuckled.

“Never looked better.” Daniel smiled proudly, tugging down the black shirt that housed The Beatles logo. Penelope’s dark hair was gelled and combed over her forehead to mimic the 60s bowl-cut style and he pulled a toy guitar lastly from the bag and passed it to her. The baby stuck the end in her mouth right away as she looked up at him.

Jack led Clementine downstairs first and Daniel followed with the baby in his arms. Florence sat herself up on the couch as they came into the living room.

“Now presenting, for one night only,” Jack called in an announcer voice, “The Beatle!”

“Oh my gosh!” Florence laughed, holding her hands over her mouth as Daniel straightened out the baby’s outfit to show her. Penelope looked up at him as she slobbered all over the tiny toy guitar. “Dani, that’s…freaking amazing.” Florence grinned.

“Isn’t she all that?” Daniel chuckled, tickling the baby’s tummy to make her giggle. “I was listening to Penny Lane the other day and it made me think of my little Penny girl so I thought I should put them together. My favourite band and one of my favourite girls.”

Florence figured he meant Clementine and she pet a hand over her eldest’s hair but she didn’t catch Daniel’s lingering glance on the both of them, hidden behind his kiss to the baby’s head.

After a quick early dinner, the guys all gathered downstairs to leave for the frats; each of them kissing the little girls goodbye on their way out the door and then it was just the four of them. Florence buckled Penelope in the stroller and they headed the opposite way down the street to go trick-or-treating. Clementine held Daniel’s hand as they walked down the sidewalks and up to each house. After a while, Daniel insisted on bringing out the baby since he was so darn proud of his costume idea and he definitely earned plenty of compliments from house owners on his cute blonde kitty cat and the chubby cheeked band member he had in his arms. Clementine’s basket was getting full and they were going to hit a few more houses before calling it a night. Penelope was getting restless and Daniel’s arm was getting tired anyway so he set her back in the stroller with Florence before rushing after the two-year-old up the next lawn.

Florence could only smile at the sight of them together, her best friend and her daughter, a duo that was strong from the start. She didn’t mind letting Daniel take her from house to house – even when he asked her multiple times if she wanted to switch – because the calm stroll and watching her daughter have fun was just fine for Florence.

Daniel held Clementine’s hand as they headed back down the steps of their last house, the toddler babbling on about some incoherent story. They returned to Florence on the sidewalk to get ready to head back and Clementine ran up to her to show her how full her basket was.

“Wow, Clemmy, you got so much candy!” Florence smiled down at her daughter before picking her up, “Did you have fun?”

Clementine nodded, curling into her mother’s neck as her tiredness started to overtake her small body. Daniel pushed the stroller beside them all the way back to the house, both girls fast asleep by the time they got inside and Florence laid sleeping Clementine on the end of the sectional sofa and Daniel set Penelope next to her.

Florence kept a hand on both of them as Daniel brought over warm damp wash cloths for them and she thanked him softly. Neither of them spoke as they cleaned up the girls, Daniel washing the gel from the baby’s hair the best he could and Florence wiping the drawn on whiskers and nose from the toddler’s face. With the diaper bag set between them, they got the little ones changed and into pyjamas in perfect comfortable silence, only sharing small smiles as their hands brushed or when Penelope did a little stretch that was too cute not to smile at.

Daniel threw out the garbage as Florence tucked Penelope into the stroller again and set a pillow on Clementine’s other side so she could sleep soundly without rolling off the couch and by then, both Daniel and Florence were nearly exhausted themselves too. They both fell back onto the other end of the couch together, side by side, both sighing at the same time before looking at each other.

“Success.” Daniel held his fist up between them.

Florence smiled softly at him and knocked his lightly with her own, “Good teamwork.”

They fell into silence again, just staring into space through the nearly dark living room, a good few inches of space between them with their own hands folded on their own laps.

Daniel looked over at her again after a moment, “You wanna stay over?”

Florence looked back at him with a sleepy smile, and then rested her head against his shoulder, “Yes, please.”

[valkyrieofthehighfae]

Pairing: Wolffe x Danica Word Count: 2.8k Warnings: None Tagging: @roseofalderaan​, @catsnkooks​, @clonewarslover55​, @miss-spixx​, @sweetheartartist​ Join the taglist here

A crisp breeze tossed my hair about my face, the coolness a nice contrast to the heat of the sun shining down on us. Wolffe and I were watching my troops working with his men, teaching them some new techniques to help them in their fight against these droids, silence reigning awkwardly between us.

“Would you like to get dinner tonight?”

“What?” My head whipped over towards Wolffe, eyes wide with shock. Of all the things I was waiting for him to say, asking me to dinner was not one of them. He wasn’t looking at me, his stern gaze still fixed on the training ring ahead of us, and I looked away from him quickly, trying to gather my thoughts, my heart racing in my chest.

“After last night, it seems like we should spend some time getting to know one another better. If we’re… soulmates, then we need to make it a priority to spend time together outside of this.” He motioned to the training ring and all of the soldiers milling about, talking and sparring.

“I… yes, okay, you’re right. I’d love to get dinner.” I cleared my throat nervously, glancing back over to see him watching me with a slight frown. I could feel heat rising in my cheeks and I looked away quickly, shouting some orders to Sif and Loghain.

“What’s the matter, princess? Nervous about spending time with me alone?” There was a playful lilt to his words, a slight smirk lighting his face up at the idea of me being flustered.

“What? Me? Nervous? No!” My voice rose in pitch when protesting that I wasn’t nervous, which was a boldfaced lie. Hell yeah I was nervous! We were doing things backwards here really. Dinner should have happened before we slept together, but mistakes were made and, well, here we were.

“Right, of course not. Don’t worry, I won’t bite,” He leaned in closer, his smirk getting bigger. “Unless you ask me to.” And with that, he went to go speak with General Koon, leaving me to stand there with my jaw dropped and my cheeks burning.

“Sif! You’re in charge for the rest of the training. I’ve got some stuff to go take care of!” I called over to the Fae woman barking orders in Sylvarus to the others, laughing over something Loghain said.

“Got it Commander! You heard her!” Sif jumped into leader mode and I quickly walked away to go figure out just what the hell I was going to wear tonight.

~*~*~

“You have been through almost your entire wardrobe. Have you found anything to wear yet?” Ashlyn groaned, flopping back on my bed.

“No, I haven’t. This has to be perfect. Things are so ass backwards with us and I don’t know, Ash! Wolffe makes me so nervous and it’s weird, no one has ever made me this nervous before. I get all tongue tied and my heart feels like it’s bruising my ribcage with just how hard it’s beating just from standing near him! Not to mention my bond mark has this stupidly intense sensitivity whenever he touches me or the mark itself; my head gets all muddled and fuzzy and I can’t think straight.” I ran a hand through my hair with a groan, flopping back onto the bed next to my best friend. “I just don’t want to fuck this up more than we probably already have. I mean honestly, who the hell sleeps with someone before actually going on a date with them?” I couldn’t help but complain a little bit, sighing dramatically.

“Mates who just couldn’t wait,” Ash teased me, a grin on her lilac face. “Seriously, you didn’t fuck it up. Who says you have to do things in a specific order anyway? Look, you’re overthinking this Dani. Just put on a cute oversized sweater, some comfortable pants and shoes and then you’re good to go! The Festival of Ghosts is starting tonight, instead of dinner, why don’t you two go to the carnival instead? It’s casual, relaxed, and less stuffy than dinner.”

“Ash, you’re a genius!” I shot up and dove back into my wardrobe with a renewed vigor.

“Yeah, I know. I’ll just go pass the message along to your boyfriend then, shall I?” She snorted and ducked out of the room, leaving me to my own devices. I’d finally found the perfect outfit to wear tonight; a soft, black oversized sweater with a pair of my most comfortable cream colored riding breeches and a pair of knee high boots that were soft and positively the most comfortable pair of shoes I owned. Once I was satisfied with my outfit choice, I threw on some simple eyeliner and lipgloss, and studied my hair, frowning slightly at the wild mess cascading around my shoulders.

I suppose I could do a simple victory roll and tie it all back with a bandana. I grabbed my curling iron and got to work, pinning the thick silver waves back and out of my face, securing it down with a multitude of pins and a bright red bandana, pleased with the final results.

A knock on the door had me nearly leaping out of my skin and I practically tripped over my own feet while diving forward to throw the door open, revealing a mildly startled Wolffe waiting for me.

“Hi.” I breathed, straightening up with a shy smile, reaching up to touch my hair with slightly shaking fingers.

“Hi yourself. You look nice.” Wolffe returned my smile, looking a touch shy himself.

“Thank you. You look nice, too. I’m assuming Ashlyn was the mind behind the outfit?” I motioned to the leather jacket and dark shirt with a pair of nice jeans and boots.

“Yeah, your friend is… interesting. Sinker’s taking her to this carnival, I think she really charmed him.” He chuckled low in his throat, putting an arm around my shoulders as we headed out to join in the festivities.

“That figures. She’s a sweetheart, though, so Sinker’s in good hands.” I leaned into him, tentatively wrapping my arm around his waist, my breath catching in my throat when he squeezed my shoulders slightly. “Um… so… right, ah, yeah, um… So we’re getting to know each other, yeah?” I rolled my eyes at myself, mentally flapping a hand over my face. Smooth, Danica, real smooth.

“That’s generally how a date works, yes.” Wolffe grinned down at me, eyebrows raised slightly. I wanted the earth to open up and just swallow me whole right now, completely embarrassed by lack of eloquence. He just made it so hard to think properly whenever he was near me, it was like my brain just quit working.

“I know that! Ugh. I’m sorry, you just… well, you make me -” I got cut off when Ashlyn bumped into me on purpose, grinning devilishly at me as she and Sinker went past us. I opened my mouth to say something when Wolffe shifted his arm from around my shoulder to my waist, pulling me closer to him, startling me into silence.

“Are you hungry?” He nodded towards the food vendors just down the way near the games and I nodded eagerly.

“Starving, actually. C’mon, let’s see what’s good.” I laced my fingers through his without even thinking about it, eager to grab a bite to eat and something warm to drink, the temperature dropping lower as the sun began to set. The sweater I chose was a perfect choice since Ellodeem got pretty chilly in the evenings during fall, although being close to Wolffe certainly didn’t hurt either considering the man was like a living heater.

“So, what’s your recommendation, Dani?” Wolffe was eyeing all of the vendors curiously, stomach growling at the barrage of scents slamming into us all at once.

“Hmm… well, do you want something sweet or savory? Spicy? Something you can easily eat while walking around or something we have to sit and eat? Because really, all of this is divine, but I think the cafe over there has the best comfort foods.” I pointed to a cute little building at the very end of the walkway with cute decorations put up and a multitude of carved and uncarved pumpkins neatly arranged along either side of the door.

“Alright, comfort food it is. Lead the way princess.”

“Is that officially my pet name or something?” I furrowed my brow at the use of his seemingly preferred nickname for me and he shrugged a little, grinning from ear to ear.

“Might be. Do you want me to stop? I’m sure I could think of something different.” His grin was a touch too toothy at the mention of finding me a new nickname and I shook my head quickly, swallowing hard.

“No, no, princess is just fine. Forget I said anything.” I pushed the door to the cafe open, inhaling deeply and sighing happily. The smell of freshly baked bread and fresh caf filled the air, hints of spices and apple intermingling in the air, my stomach growling just as loudly as Wolffe’s had mere moments ago.

“My lady, it’s a pleasure to see you again. Your usual table is ready to go!” A perky voice spoke up from just behind the register, a brightly smiling young man grinning happily at us.

“Thank you, Ulric!” I chirped back, going to a table in the back, sliding into the small booth and picked up a menu to flip through. “I think I already know what I want, but they always change up the menu this time of year, so it’s nice to look for a new favorite.”

“What do you usually get?” Wolffe slipped out of his jacket, resting it on the back of his side of the booth before snagging the other menu.

“Usually the dry-roasted lunar minmishi and boar, it’s in the macaroni pasta bowl and it’s so good. It’s got a really nice flavor to it and it’s the perfect cold weather food.” I was practically drooling just at the thought of that bread bowl stuffed to the brim with pasta and minmishi. Wolffe nodded, his lips curving up into a soft smile, eyes going back to his menu while he reached over with a hand to hold onto mine, thumb casually running over my skin absentmindedly as he thought about what he wanted.

“What can I get you two lovebirds to drink?” Hilde came bounding over, datapad in hand and a huge smirk on her face.

“Hey Hilde. Could I get an apple cider please?” I mumbled, cheeks heating up again when she wiggled her eyebrows suggestively at me, a pointed look on her face when she glanced over at Wolffe then back to me.

“Of course my lady! And for you?”

“I’ll have an apple cider as well, thanks. Are you ready to order princess?” Wolffe squeezed my hand gently, Hilde immediately “awwing” out loud, a hand pressing against her chest and a sappy smile on her face.

“Um.. y-yeah, I think I’m ready if you are.” I shot Hilde a look, glowering at the over excited woman who pointedly ignored my death stare. “I’ll have my usual please Hilde.”

“And I’ll try the wuuf steak, medium rare with the silver amble and baked yarrot.” We handed Hilde our menus and she skipped off to get our orders put in, leaving us in a calm, peaceful silence. “Is she always that cheerful?”

“Yes, yes she is. Hilde is like a ray of sunshine personified. It’s impressive really. I don’t know anyone else that perky.” And that was true, no one else I knew could match Hilde’s level of brightness and happiness. “I think Ashlyn is the only other person I can think even slightly close to matching Hilde’s energy, so Sinker’s gonna have a constant ball of sunshine on his hands if they get serious.”

“So you and Ashlyn. How often do you two go to parties like the one last night?”

“Ah. I was wondering if that was going to come up. Um… honestly, it’s only a once a year thing. I mean, we do attend a lot of parties, but they’re not generally like the one from last night. That one is… um… hm… more geared towards us younger Fae. It’s a night where we can let loose, do stupid shit and just have fun.” I was hesitant to talk about the rave we were at when we realized that we had soul bonded, not wanting to really broach the subject quite yet.

“It’s like us going to this clone bar back on Coruscant, the 79’s. I get it, sometimes you just need to blow off some steam.” Wolffe was nodding sagely, a look of understanding in his pretty eyes.

“You party? Hard to believe there’s a party animal under that stoic exterior.” I joked with a soft laugh, making him laugh too.

“What can I say, princess? I’m full of surprises.” He leaned across the table, our lips almost touching, when Hilde interrupted by setting our drinks down with a quick apology for ruining the moment. I leaned back, taking my mug up and taking a sip of the warm cider, savoring the crisp flavors of fresh raven buckthorn apples and various spices that filled my mouth with each sip I took. “Here, hold still, you have a little something right here.” He leaned in again and pressed his lips to mine, brushing the tip of his tongue across my lower lip to get some of the foam from the cider off, a playful glint in his eyes when he broke the kiss as quickly as he’d started it. I swallowed hard, drawing my lip between my teeth and sucking in a sharp breath of air while my heart raced in my chest.

“I, uh, can see that. That you’re full of surprises, I mean. Oh, look at that, our food.” I winced as my voice went up a couple octaves from nervousness, the pitch making my sensitive hearing hurt just a smidge. “Thank you Hilde, this looks and smells amazing.” I turned my attention to the food being set down in front of us, mouth watering at the sight of the large bread bowl stuffed full of pasta and meat sitting in front of me. I could not wait to dig in!

“That looks really good. Smells great, too.” Wolffe was eyeing my bread bowl with interest, so I speared some noodles and meat up onto my fork and offered it up to him, grinning shyly when he leaned in to take the bite, closing his eyes with a happy groan as he tasted the rich sauce.

“See why it’s my usual?” I took another bite myself, damn near dancing in my seat with pure joy. “Yours looks really good too.”

“Here, try some.” Wolffe offered up a bite of his steak, waiting to see what I thought of it.

“Wow, that’s really good! Way more tender than I was expecting it to be.” I was pleasantly surprised by just how good that steak was. We sat chatting for a while, trading stories of our various adventures and how he got the cybernetic eye. I silently swore a blood oath against this Ventress woman, vowing to take an eye from her the way she took one from him. Not that I would tell him that, anyway, I didn’t want to worry him.

“Come on, let’s go check out the rest of the festival. I saw some rides that looked like they could be fun.” Wolffe offered after we paid and left the cafe, stepping out into the cold nighttime air.

“Brr I should have grabbed a coat. I wasn’t expecting it to be this chilly out.” I wrapped my arms around myself, shivering a little at the sudden change in temperature. The cafe had been so nice and cozy, that the cold was a shock to the system.

“Come here cyar’ika, I’ve got you.” He slipped out of his jacket, wrapping it around my shoulders before pulling me close, our fingers intertwined together as we walked around, oohing and ahhing at the faelings that were running around, dressed in costumes and gathering treats with gleeful shrieks and laughter.

“This has been a blast. Thank you.” I looked up at Wolffe through my lashes, coming to a stop near the ferris wheel.

“Night’s not over yet princess.” He murmured, rough fingers tilting my chin up as he leaned down to catch my lips in a heated kiss that left my knees feeling like rubber. I had to hold onto his forearms to stay upright, the kiss leaving me dizzy and wanting more.

“Let’s go back to the palace, yeah?” I whispered, biting my lip slightly as I looked up at him.

“Whatever you want sweetheart. Your wish is my command.”