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arisenreborn · 7 months ago

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Silver Linings

Word Count: 1295 Characters: Reverie (Arisen), Rann (Pawn) AO3: (Link)

After being thoroughly accosted by an ogre for the third time in the span of a few days, Reverie wasn't about to refuse Rann's help getting all of the slobber out of her hair. (Introspective, Dialogue-Heavy, Character/Relationship Building)

Silver linings, silver linings. The words repeated in Reverie’s head like some mantra, perhaps a vestige, a clue even, of her former self. Whoever she’d been before her memories were lost -stolen, rather- and she was forced to work at that excavation site. Further still, before she’d had her body scorched and her heart plucked out by the dragon, marked as Arisen.

Had that person had to find ‘silver linings’ under such circumstances before? The weight of the world on her shoulders, ensnared in political schemes?

Silver lining number one: The boulder she was sitting on was blessedly smooth against her bare arse. Unfortunately, the river water was wretched cold.

She also had to wonder if that woman she was before had to deal with roaming the wilds and getting accosted by ogres on the regular.

“Seriously, why do they always have it out for me?” She huffed, scrubbing at her arms. It felt like she’d never get the sticky stink of saliva off of her.

“Unfortunately, Master, ogres have a tendency to target women,” Rann answered. “I am sorry I was not better able to prevent the beast from carrying you so far from us at the time.” The pang of regret in his voice tugged at her- Ah, well, not her heartstrings she supposed. Something deeper then? Either way, it ached.

“It’s not your fault, ‘twas chaos what with the harpies and the bandits.” She sighed, and refrained from shaking her head in exasperation simply recalling it.

“Still, I shall endeavor to do better going forward.” His hands delicately moved through her hair, pooling water between his palms before rinsing away globs of ogre spittle.

She couldn’t fault him for the sentiment, she supposed. She had to do better, too, after all.

Once the worst of the ogre sludge was cleaned away, he took a bottle of rosewater and started massaging it into her scalp and strands. This she’d anticipated, but less so how good it felt.

With a sigh she slumped where she sat, feeling tendrils of tension unwinding themselves down her neck and shoulders. She had initially told him she could do this herself, but now she was feeling grateful he’d been insistent, and she’d been too weary to argue.

Silver lining number two: Rann. Actually, he ranked higher than the boulder. Considerably higher. As much as she loathed the idea of ‘commanding the Pawns’, let alone dragging them into these vicious battles, she wasn’t sure how she’d have gotten on without him.

“Ahh, that feels nice.” Somehow she managed to avoid making any particularly unseemly sounds.

“It gladdens me to be able to offer you some small respite.”

She doubted not the sincerity of his words, but it was instead the inclination behind them that troubled her. Would he not have done the same for any Arisen beyond the rift? And when that thought occurred to her, so did another; Where did a Pawn learn how to do that?

She supposed it might have simply come natural to him. But on the other hand, it seemed that some of the Arisen in other worlds had… peculiar tendencies. Her brow twitched and furrowed.

“Did you… learn how to do this beyond the rift?” She tried to pitch her voice more towards curiosity than jealousy - which seemed an absurd thing to be feeling, yet there it was. Just a pinch of it, enough to recognize and feel some shame over.

Rann hummed thoughtfully, gently pressing his thumbs in small circles down the back of her neck. Her eyes fluttered shut and for a moment her thoughts stretched into stillness. Blessedly, all she could smell now was rosewater.

“To be honest? I… don’t quite recall. I don’t believe that to be the case, however. At least, I have no recollection of doing such before.”

A measure of foolish relief came with his answer, but more pressing was a new concern alongside her curiosity. Brow furrowing, she turned her head enough to catch his mismatched eyes with hers.

“Have you… lost your memories, too?” Her voice faltered, and there was little hiding her subtle shock at the idea.

They’d been traveling together for nearly a month now, and this was the first he’d so much as hinted at such a thing. He certainly hadn’t given any indications, but then again, that span of time was plenty confusing for her. Still fog-brained from whatever Disa had done to her, clamoring for scraps of a lost identity, and being saddled up with a bevy of other issues to contend with. Mayhaps she simply hadn’t noticed.

“I would not say that,” he said, shaking his head. “But I believe I… spent a very long time in the rift without being called to aid another.”

His voice sounded strange then; a little sad and yet… almost proud? ‘Sad’ she thought she could understand. The Pawns were bent to the service of the Arisen. Void of other purpose, this alone seemed to grant them the ‘joy of fulfillment’ humans possessed. Or at least so it seemed to her, in a manner of speaking.

So to that end ‘pride’ seemed an odd addition, but she didn’t feel like she could ask when it was only a supposition.

“My memories are vague things that jump into clarity the instant they are called upon,” he continued. Placing his hands against the sides of her head he turned her face forward to continue his ministrations as he spoke. “I recall working with mercenaries before, and traveling plenty.” Woefully, she could not see the hint of a smile playing on his features, but she could hear the subtle lilt of it in his voice. “I was looking for you, everywhere I went.”

What a thing to say. It troubled and vexed her to no end, that he could say such things and not understand the weight of them. And she was all the more a fool for letting them affect her so.

“But eventually, for reasons I cannot quite remember, I returned to the rift and abided there for some time. Long enough that both my thoughts and memories grew foggy and dim, and the stretching darkness of the rift laid claim over them.”

His hands paused, resting against her shoulders with a ghost-light touch.

“And then you called to me, and all became clear once more.”

There was that uncomfortable itch in her chest again, deeper than her nails might reach. Would that she had a heart so she could better heed it, or memories so she might make sense of any of it. She felt warm despite the chill of the water, and dumbstruck, as if a cyclops had just clobbered her in the head. Though, thankfully without the accompanying pain.

How silly of her to worry about how he might regard other Arisen.

Not knowing what else to say in response to such a bafflingly sweet sentiment, she could only rely on the truth. Closing her eyes she settled into silence for a moment, recalling when she’d first reached her hand towards the riftstone. Clueless as a newborn kitten, she’d had no idea what to expect, or if she was ‘doing it right’. Yet before she could fall too far into the fear of failure, he had arrived.

Even now she could recall the relief she’d felt to see him. Almost a sense of recognition, perhaps like meeting a very old friend, but not quite. At least, not that she could remember. Nevertheless, his soothing presence endured to this day.

“I’m glad it was you who came to my call.” She said, a warmth swelling in her chest - before a great handful of cold water was dumped over her head. Biting back on a shriek, the sound was strangled into a one not unlike a rat being stepped on, and Rann laughed.

What a dreadfully beautiful sound it was.

#dragon's dogma #dragon's dogma 2 #dd2 #arisen #dd2 pawn #arisen x pawn #(slow burn af)#crow's writing.#aes. reverie & rann #small tidbit: the rosewater was a gift from sven #oc: reverie #oc: rann

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secretariatess · 11 months ago

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The Milkmaids and the Partridge

So, because I usually write other world fantasy, where Christmas doesn't actually exist. So writing a fantasy Christmas story for me . . . wouldn't be undoable, I guess, but it would take a lot more work than I wanted to put in.

So the theme was "Twelve Days of Christmas," which is meant of the literal days of Christmas and not the song. But I'm being very loose with all of this and using inspiration from the song, and inspiration from the real Christmas story.

It's more of a fairy tale than anything, so hopefully it's enjoyable despite my liberties, lol. It's under 5k words (which is surprising for me!)

For the Christmas Inklings Challenge, @inklings-challenge

Once upon a time, in the Realm of the Ten Lords, there was a humble dairy farm on the outskirts of the town. This dairy farm, known to most as the Starry Night Farm due to its uniquely painted barn, was owned and run by eight milkmaids. These milkmaids were not sisters by blood, but considered themselves such all the same because of how close they got over the years. The start of their friendship is truly an interesting story, but it is not the story right now.

These milkmaids all lived in the space over the barn. It was not a very large space, as they did not have many cows, but it kept them warm and provided beds for them, so they were quite content with their lives. Their cows produced some of the finest milk in all the realm, and so they had met many a traveler seeking to taste the milk.

Now one of their duties was to make sure their pastures were fit for their cows. A good pasture led to happy, healthy cows, and that was part of their secret for their milk. The milkmaids took this task very seriously and always kept a sharp eye out for anything that might pose a danger to the cows.

It was one morning that Spirit, for that was the name of one of the milkmaids, noticed that there was a patch of foxtail growing in the corner of the pasture. Now see, foxtail was not very good for cows, as the spikelets of the foxtail could get into the noses and ears of cows and cause great harm. Spirit promptly got rid of it and thought that that was the end of it.

The next day, Comfort, another milkmaid, saw foxtail growing in the corner of the pasture, and she took care of it before any of the cows wandered over. Like Spirit, she thought that was the end of it. But the next day, and the day after that, all the milkmaids had encountered the foxtail, each believing that they were responsible for getting rid of it and not realizing that their fellow milkmaids had done the same thing.

It was not until Spirit saw the foxtail again, and this time, there was more of it. She said to her fellow milkmaids, “Dear sisters, see here- I have removed this foxtail but a little over a week ago and it has returned in a larger bunch.”

“You have removed it?” said Meek, another milkmaid who was normally quiet. “Why, I have removed it myself only a week past! It has returned already?”

“That is quite odd,” said Suffered, yet another one of the milkmaids. “For it twas only yesterday that I removed a patch of foxtail.”

It was then discovered that all of the milkmaids had removed a patch of foxtail. The rate of its growth alarmed them.

“Dear sisters, what should we do?” asked Patience, wringing her hands. “If it will only come back, and in larger amounts, removing it will get us nowhere!”

“Come now,” chided Righteous gently. “There is no use getting in a tizzy just yet. We will ask the Nine Ladies for their wisdom about what we should do.”

It was a very good idea, and the milkmaids agreed to trek into town at the end of the week. The Nine Ladies were fond of dancing, and held a dance every end of the week. They were married to the Ten Lords, save one. This Lord fancied his leaping, as the rest of the Lords were, but thought that getting married would only tie him down. He wanted to spend as many years as he could to leap as high as he could before he settled down and got married.

It was a jolly sight when they arrived. Half the townsfolk had arrived to participate in the dance, and the music was merry. For those who were not as nimble on their feet, or perhaps were recovering from having partners who were not as nimble on their feet, there was a large banquet set up for them to enjoy, courtesy of the Nine Ladies.

The milkmaids approached the table of the Nine Ladies, who were resting after spending only a few hours on the dance floor, and curtsied low to them, as one does to show respect to a noble. In truth, the milkmaids were not used to curtsying as they spent much of their time with their cows, and one does not curtsy to a cow. Because of this one or two of them thought they would tip over before they could straighten. Fortunately, they did not.

“Oh great Ladies of the Realm,” said Pure, rising up from her curtsy and clasping her hands together as though she were praying. “We have come to implore you for your wisdom, as we are faced with a terrible problem and do not know how to get rid of it.”

“Speak girls,” said the Lady in the middle, whose cheeks were red and jolly, “and tell us what your problem is that we may help you.”

“Great Ladies of the Realm,” said Pure again, addressing them so that she may not be seen as rude, “we discovered a patch of foxtail growing in our pasture a little over a week ago. It was not too much of an issue for us, but we found out that it was growing every day, and recently we discovered that it has come back nearly twice the size. It is not good for our cows, and we are concerned about the damage it will cause them. What should we do about this foxtail that will not go away?”

“Oh, fear not!” said the Lady at the end on the right. “That is an easy enough fix. What you need is a partridge.”

“A partridge?” repeated Pure. She remembered her manners and quickly added, “Oh Great Lady?”

The Lady at the end on the left nodded cheerfully. “Truly! That is all you need. There is a partridge in the Garden of the Eleven Pipers- if you go to her, you may be able to persuade her to return with you. When she does, she will eat your foxtail, for that is what partridges like.”

The milkmaids all curtsied low at this advice.

“Great Ladies of the Realm, we thank you for your help,” said Pure. “We shall be ever grateful.”

“Now, now,” the Lady to the left of the Lady in the middle, “rise up and smile. Perhaps you will join us for some time in this dance!”

The milkmaids did as the Lady requested, and danced for joy at the solution to their problem. When they returned that night, for they spent many hours dancing, they prepared themselves for the journey to the Garden of the Eleven Pipers and put away their cows with a lot of hay to ensure their happiness.

The Garden of the Eleven Pipers was on the other side and would take a few days worth of travel to get there. The milkmaids had never been there themselves, but they had met people who had, and they were told it was a wonderful place. So they were excited to see its wonder and bring back the partridge. It was agreed to take a sack of seeds with them to present to the partridge in order to persuade her to return with them.

In the morning, they set off, singing to each other all sorts of joyous songs.

As they journeyed on, they came upon the Great Horned Owl.

The Great Horned Owl was sleeping, and was not happy with being disturbed from his slumber by their joyful singing. He settled on the side of the path, peering at them blearily with narrowed eyes as he tried to make them out.

“Too-hoo! What is this to-do?” he hooted, blinking slowly. The daylight bothered his eyes so.

“We are going to the Garden of the Eleven Pipers,” said Peace, stepping forward.

“The Garden of the Eleven Pipers?” hooted the Owl. “Too-hoo! That is a long journey.”

“It is only a few days,” said Peace. “It is not too long for us.”

“Too-hoo! I see,” said the Owl. “Now why would eight young milkmaids be going to the Garden of Eleven Pipers for? Is this part of the Realm not satisfactory for you?” The Great Horned Owl was a nosy fellow, and had to know about people moving about where they usually did not go.

“We are going to find a partridge,” said Peace. She showed him the basket they prepared for the partridge. The milkmaids had agreed that it would be much more comfortable for the partridge to sit in a cushioned basket than to be carried by their arms or walk the whole way back to the Starry Night Farm.

“A partridge? Too-hoo! What an odd thing to look for,” said the Owl.

“We need the partridge to help us with the foxtail in our farm,” said Peace. “It is growing at an alarming rate, and the Nine Ladies told us that a partridge will eat the foxtail.”

“Too-hoo! Is that true?” said the Owl. But the Owl was jealous. He prided himself with helping all who came across his path with his wide range of knowledge, and he did not like the idea of the milkmaids seeking help from another bird. Why wouldn’t the Nine Ladies send them to him? He could have figured out a solution to their problem.

“It is true!” confirmed Peace.

“Well then, too-hoo!” said the Owl, devising a plan. “When you come back, why don’t you show me the partridge before going back to the farm? I have some foxtail myself that I would like to get rid of. If this partridge can do it, than I would like to have some of her time.”

The milkmaids agreed, because they did not know that the Owl was scheming. He did not have any foxtail that was growing anywhere, so he certainly did not need the partridge for that. He instead hoped to eat the partridge whole, so he could remain the only bird to whom the humans asked for help. But the milkmaids could not have known this, for he was very convincing.

So they continued on their way. After a few days, they stood at the entrance of the Garden of the Eleven Pipers. No one really saw the Pipers at work in the Garden, but they knew they were there, somewhere among the plants and trees the Pipers grew. The Garden was enormous, and the Pipers allowed anyone in to come and rest, and to eat the fruit and vegetables of their garden. It was a refuge for many creatures and people without any other place to go.

But because it was so large, the milkmaids realized that it would take them quite a while to find the partridge. They wandered here and there, stepping around the carrot patches and the tomato plants, twisting their way around the apple trees and blueberry bushes, until they came upon a sparkling creek winding around the orange trees. In this creek were seven beautiful swans, swimming about and coming together to share some exciting information before drifting apart again to think of something else that had happened to them that week.

The milkmaids quietly approached, not wanting to startle the swans.

One of them took noticed and let out a welcoming honk. “Welcome, welcome! Now, what brings the eight of you lovely milkmaids here?” cried one of the swans.

“We are looking for a partridge,” said Meek, stepping in front of the other milkmaids. “We were told by the Nine Ladies that we could find her here, but we do not know where to look for her.”

“Oh, the partridge!” exclaimed the swan. “Oh yes, we know the partridge. She joins us for our weddings and birthdays, you know.”

“And when we have feasts!” piped another swan. “She is quite a lovely thing, and we certainly enjoy her company.”

“Perhaps you could point us in the right direction?” asked Meek. “We are beginning to feel quite lost.”

“Oh, but of course!” said the second swan. “Now, if you go down that way, you should come out to some very lovely banana trees. There are usually some geese there who know just about everyone here in the Garden. They will tell you where the partridge likes to go.”

“Thank you very much!” said Meek, and she meant it. For it is not every day that one gets lost in a giant garden. The experience was quite overwhelming.

The milkmaids followed the swan’s advice, and sure enough, they came across some banana trees with six geese who had made themselves quite cozy at the root of the trees. Their nests were big enough to hold fully grown humans, and they were made with the softest, finest things that the geese could find. The geese were very particular about their nests, for once every week, they would lay one egg. And then on the seventh day, they would all rest and care for the egg they laid.

They were resting on this day, sitting happily on the eggs they laid and dreaming of the gooseling they would get to meet shortly.

When the milkmaids arrived, they lifted their heads contentedly.

“Excuse us, madams,” said Mercy, stepping forward this time. “Perhaps you could tell where we might find the partridge? We were told that you would know.”

“Why, of course dear!” said the first goose. Her voice was that that only a mother could have when talking tenderly to a child. “We know exactly where she is. She likes to roost among the pear trees.”

“Thank you, kind madams,” said Mercy, giving a little curtsy. She did not know if it was proper to do so, but it felt wrong to not do so. Her fellow milkmaids followed suit, giving the geese a respectful curtsy. “Perhaps you could tell us where the pear trees are? We are new to the Garden, and do not know our way around.”

“Oh, you poor dears,” fussed the second goose. “Wandering around the Garden, and no idea of how to get anywhere? It is a wonder you got this far then, I shouldn’t wonder. We would take you ourselves if it weren’t for the fact that we mustn’t leave these eggs alone. The Garden is safe, but it never hurts to be careful.”

“Well, I shan’t tell them to go alone,” said the third goose. “I would not want them to wander off and get lost again. Even with the best directions you can always take a wrong step, and next thing you know, you’re in the pumpkin patch!”

“No need to worry,” said the fourth goose calmly. “We shall send the calling birds with them. They will know where to go, and can stay with the girls so that they do not get lost. Now, you must wait for them,” she told the milkmaids sternly.

The milkmaids agreed and settled themselves by the geese while the fifth goose let out a loud honk to tell the calling birds to come to them. While they waited, the milkmaids told the geese of their mission, and the foxtail that was growing in their pasture. The geese sympathized with their plight and fussed over the long journey that the milkmaids had to take to get the Garden. The milkmaids let the geese fuss over them, for it was better to let the geese care for them and not to tell them that they did not need the care. As it was, it felt nice to be cared for. The geese made sure they still had enough food and water to continue on, and to make it back home.

The two calling birds arrived shortly after the geese confirmed that the milkmaids would be able to travel quite comfortably.

“Greetings!” said the first calling bird. “We heard that someone is in need of our service?”

“Yes, yes, these poor dears are looking for the partridge,” said the second goose. “They are quite lost, as it is their first time in the Garden. Would you be so kind as to escort them to the pear trees so that they do not get lost?”

“Most certainly!” said the second calling bird. He swept into a bow as only a bird could. “We can bring you straight to the partridge! However, we must tell you, that you will have to wait until nightfall to speak with her. For she is a very busy bird and does not come to rest until night.”

“We can most certainly wait,” assured Mercy, giving the calling birds a curtsy in turn. All this curtsying was making her legs tired. She was not used to having to do this.

“Right this way, then!” said the first calling bird. He took off from the branch where he had landed and swiftly wove between the trees. The second calling bird only took off when the milkmaids had started to follow, occasionally flying behind them or perching on their shoulder. The first calling bird stopped when he had gone far enough, making sure the milkmaids knew where to go. The second calling bird stayed with them to make sure they did not take a wrong turn and get lost. He also had a very good singing voice and knew a great deal of songs, many of which he taught the milkmaids as they made their way to the pear trees.

It was early evening when they arrived. The calling birds brought them directly to the pear tree where the partridge would rest. The milkmaids rested their weary legs underneath the tree. Even though they tried to maintain a conversation with the calling birds, they eventually became too tired and fell asleep.

They were awoken by a bright light from above them. Looking up as they rubbed the sleep from their eyes, they saw light from a very bright star as a partridge came to rest in the branches of the pear tree above them. She peered down at them curiously.

“It is not every night that I come to find visitors beneath my tree,” said the partridge. “What brings you here?”

“O Great Partridge,” said Comfort. She used such great titles because that is how one addresses the Ladies. And if this partridge was to save them from their foxtail problem, it was only logical to refer to her like this. “We have come to plead for your help. Our farm has a problem with foxtail- my sisters and I have all pulled it up, but it keeps returning. We were told by the Nine Ladies that you would be able to help us.”

Peace held up the offering of nuts. “We have brought you these as part of our request to come back with us,” said Peace. “If you do, we will be forever indebted to you, for the foxtail is harmful to our cows, and our cows are our livelihood.”

The partridge looked quite pleased with the request. But not a pleased where she looked proud, but rather a pleased that she was happy they had asked her. “Of course, daughters, I will come with you and take care of your foxtail. Now settle yourselves back to sleep so you are rested for the journey. In the morning, we shall head out.”

The milkmaids thanked her profusely and settled back into sleep.

In the morning, when they were still rising from their slumber and getting themselves ready to go, they were approached by three hens who prided themselves with knowing a language known as “French,” which was spoken in a realm very far from the Realm of the Ten Lords. Though there were some who suspected that the hens had just made up a language of gibberish and claimed that it was real to make themselves seem well educated, especially since they could not speak any known languages besides the common tongue.

But these hens were not here to boast of their language skills. Instead, they looked quite concerned. “Dear mademoiselles, you must not return the way you came,” they told the milkmaids.

“Why is that?” asked Suffered.

“We have it on good authority that the Great Horned Owl is expecting you,” they informed them. “But he is not looking to get rid of foxtail, as he had told you. He was sharing with some of his friends how much he was going to enjoy partridge for dinner someday. If you return the way you came and meet with the Great Horned Owl, he will surely eat the partridge.”

“Oh dear,” said Meek. “That is something that we cannot let happen! But then, how are we to return?”

“There is a hamlet of twelve drummers,” they told the milkmaids. “Up in the hills, south of the Garden. If you go to them, they will provide you a way home.”

The milkmaids thanked the hens for their advice. They tucked the partridge all nice and cozy in the basket they brought for her, supplying her with their offering of nuts. They then followed the hens’ advice and headed south out of the Garden.

It was a hard journey to the hamlet. It consisted only of twelve houses and one meeting house. Each building sat on a hill of its own, and each hill was steep. The drummers, who were not drummers by trade, would sit outside of their houses and drum with each other. They only left their hills when they had to go to the meeting house to discuss important things that oculd not be said yelling across the dips between hills.

When the milkmaids arrived, such an event demanded the use of the meeting house. The drummers saw them from a long way off and were waiting for them there already. The milkmaids collapsed on the ground, too tired from the journey to show proper decorum to the drummers. Tearfully, the milkmaids told the drummers of their plight. The drummers comforted them, telling them that they were safe. The drummers provided for them blankets and makeshift beds so they could sleep in the meeting house. Before bed, both the drummers and the milkmaids ate a lovely dinner of fruits, nuts, vegetables, and meat that each drummer harvested from his own hill. The partridge remained in her basket, happily observing the dining.

In the morning, the drummers came to the milkmaids. They presented them with five golden rings.

“These are magic rings,” said one of the drummers, who used congas. “We use them when we want to leave the hills. They will take you back to your home without the Great Horned Owl’s knowledge.”

The milkmaids thanked them as profusely as they thanked the hens. They all partnered with another of the milkmaids, with Pure carrying the basket with the partridge. One of the drummers, the one who played a timpani, accompanied them to show them how to use the rings and to take the rings back home after ensuring they got back safely.

When they arrived at the Starry Night Farm, the milkmaids further showed their gratitude by gifting the timpani drummer with twelve bottles of their finest milk.

They set the partridge amongst the foxtail, which had overtaken the whole pasture in their absence. The partridge immediately set to work, eating away at all the foxtail. When enough of it had been eaten, the milkmaids let the cows out, who had been safely shut away.

Unbeknownst to the milkmaids, the Great Horned Owl realized that they were not going to return the way they came. Enraged by their trickery, he himself flew to the Garden in hopes of finding the partridge. Not knowing what a partridge looked like, he made sure to eat all the quail and grouse who considered themselves safe in the Garden. When he realized that he still had not caught the partridge, he headed back to the Starry Night Farm to exact his revenge.

The milkmaids were out in the pasture tending to their cows when the Owl arrived. Talons spread, he swooped towards Spirit, who cried out in fear. Her fellow milkmaids rushed to save her, but it was the partridge who jumped out in front of Spirit.

The partridge fought fiercely, caring not that the Owl was bigger than her, nor that his talons were sharp and made to snatch her up. To the Owl’s great surprise, she was stronger than she appeared and above all, determined.

Just as the sun started to sink beneath the trees, the battle ended. The Owl dragged himself away from the site of the battle into the uneaten foxtail and died from his wounds.

The partridge remained where she was, beaten, bruised, and bloodied. The milkmaids rushed to her side to find that she was already dead.

The milkmaids wept bitterly, placing her in the basket that had been serving as her bed. They brought the basket into the barn where they mourned the whole night. Their tears exhausted them and they fell asleep around the basket.

Morning came and peered through the slats of the barns. The milkmaids blinked awake in its gaze. There, in the middle of the largest sunbeam, sat the partridge, alive and well! The milkmaids cried out in amazement and happiness.

“O Great Partridge!” gasped Righteous. “We thought you were surely gone! How joyous is it that you are not!”

“Death could not keep me, daughter, after such a sacrifice,” said the partridge. “I said I would take care of your foxtail, and I am not one to go back on my promises.”

With great rejoicing, the milkmaids returned the pasture with partridge. The carcass of the Owl was thrown out by the road, where worms, scavengers, and flies discovered it. The partridge remained with the milkmaids and ate their foxtail. The cows continued to be healthy and happy, and produced even finer milk than before.

For now, at least, they lived happily ever after.

#inklingschallenge #christmas inklings challenge

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unpopularvivian · 3 months ago

Note

MC Gordon: so we’re in agreement that siblings can be annoying right? All those in favour say I

Donald: Aye

Percy: I

Thomas (MC, not mine lol): I

Ben: I

Other characters : i

Edward (my au): I

RECORD SCRATCH

CRICKET CHIRPING NOISE INTENSITY INCREASES

MC Gordon: Errr. What are you doing here Edward? I thought you were an only Child? Or something?

My Edward: Wrong Edward mate

MC Gordon: fair enough.

MC Thomas: Wait Edward you have siblings

My Edward: I have an older twin brother? I thought we discussed this?

MC Thomas: Wrong Thomas

My Edward: ….. so you use my own words against me? Well played.

MC Percy: wait so, you have an older brother? What’s their name?

My Edward: Edwin Hall.

CRICKET NOISES

MC Thomas: whoever the hell is doing that, I don’t care for it!

My Edward: Yeah no that happens sometimes just go with it.

MC Gordon: ok, so Edwin?

My Edward: Yeah that’s, uh his name, and We don’t talk about Edwin.

MC Percy: if you start singing We don’t talk about Bruno but replace Bruno with Edwin I’m gonna lose my marbles

My Edward: what marbles?

LAUGHING CROWD TRACK PLAYS

MC Thomas: Where is that coming from?!

My Edward: Ok but in all seriousness everyone-

OTHER FRIENDS FROM STEVEN UNIVERSE MOVIE CAN BE HEARD AND INTENSIFIES

A chainsaw cuts through the wooden door like butter and door shaped hole is cut

Everyone but Edward: HYSTERICAL SCREEMING

Edwin: Guuuuuueeeeeeeeeeeeeeesssssss Who got off on Good behaviour!!!

Everyone but Edward: hysterically screaming

Edwin: Oh I’m sorry. Heeeeree’s Edwin! *drops the chain saw and does Jazz hands*

OTHER FRIENDS BLASTS FROM A SPEAKER BEHIND EDWIN

Edward: I thought they sent you to the shadow realm wtf do you mean ‘good behaviour?’

Edwin: …… Eddie all I did was rob a guy.

Edward: what.

Edwin: robbed a guy, peace disturbance and-

Edward: here it comes

Edwin: graffiti, drunken bar fights on occasion, oh! Uh, one account of grand theft auto

Percy: Grand theft auto?

Edwin: Yes. GRAND Theft Auto

Edward: I’m sorry good behaviour? You? Edwin Please, you make me laugh!

Edwin: what. You know what Faak you man! It was good behaviour! And not jailbreak for once.

Edward: I’m calling bullshit that’s fake! You’re a fraud and a liar

Edwin: I’m supposed to be at community service tomorrow

Edward: Hah! Liar!

Edwin: yeah well, screw you mate

Edward: gross we’re twins

Edwin: eeeww *fake gag* that’s not what I meant!

Edward: but that’s what you said

Edwin: don’t you have a hole to cry in?

Edward: Don’t you have a scene to make?

Edwin: stop being a little bitch Edward

Edward: I twas looking for a fool when one busted down thyne door over yonder

Percy: what’s happening?

Thomas: Idk

Gordon: ….. I don’t get paid enough for this

Edwin: Are you calling a dumbass?!

Edward: Well I wasn’t calling you a smartass!

Thomas: siblings are annoying

Percy: why did we do this again?

Thomas: ask Gordon

MC Gordon: Listen. I just asked that siblings can be annoying sometimes. I didn't ask for this kind of nonsense.

MC Percy: *Takes off his prosthetic arm and aims at Edwin* Don't tell my dad that I hit somebody with my fake arm.

MC Thomas: I won't Percy.

MC Percy: Good. *Proceeds to throw it at Edwin's head*

RW Edward: You know what? I wish that you were NEVER my twin!!!!

Edwin: Yeah well no shit!!! I- *Gets knocked out by MC Percy's flying prosthetic arm*

RW Edward: ..... What the hell was that?.....

*MC Percy then grabs Edwin's arm and drags him to the dumpster while whistling "Mockingbird" by Eminem*

#ttte #thomas and friends #thomas the tank engine #ttte shitpost #ttte memes #incorrect ttte quotes #ttte thomas #ttte edward #ttte percy #ttte gordon #ttte donald #ttte ben #ttte oc #ttte edwin #ask #ask game #ask me stuff about the ttte characters #send asks

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phoenixcoin · 6 months ago

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❂⭃ @phoenixfiiire asked: ⥷❂ ❂⭃ While Joshua had been happy to see his uncle again and to know that he was alive and well, part of him felt more than a little reluctant at his insistence at throwing himself into the midst of the fray and join them in battle. It felt like he had just barely managed to survive the incident in Kanver by the skin of his teeth, only just managing to hold his own against the duplicates of Sleipnir - and the stories that Clive told, of how he had nearly ruined their attempt to track down Kupka in Dhalamil only added to the slightly sour taste seemed to linger in his mouth.

His uncle was a fine man, but he was no warrior. He was no saboteur. He would be of more help to them if he stayed at Port Isolde and offered monetary help instead of- of-

Joshua could hear Byron's voice even the large open room that served as the mess hall in the Hideaway. He was regaling his captive audience with the tale of the escape from Kanver and over how both Clive and Joshua fought against Barnabas-

"And you should have seen him! Fearless as the devil!" One of Byron's fists thumped against the table to emphasize his words. "A lesser man would have died on the spot, quaking in his boots at the sight of Odin's Dominant bearing down on him, but not my boy. The Phoenix rose from the very ocean itself to keep us safe."

The knot of frustration melted as Joshua found himself letting out a soft sigh, smiling as he did. It was easy to forget that this wasn't about who was the best fit for what, easy to forget that his Uncle had lost everyone that day. His brother, his nephews... his sister-in-law.

"You better not be telling tall tales about me, Uncle." Joshua picked up a plate before turning to walk toward the table. "Besides, I do recall you beheading more than a few of Odin's egis as we made our way to the ship. I was hardly the only one to stand again Odin that day."

His family was more than just Clive. It was something Joshua had almost forgotten, and something he was determined to never forget again. ⥷❂

⤛⌠❂⌡⤜

Byron shot a brilliant grin in Joshua's direction as his voice rose above the milling audience about him. He loved nothing more than a good yarn to spin, but to be graced by the hero of the hour during his own tale was a coincidence he could simply not let slip by him.

"Ah, and here he is, our grand and glorious hero!" he called, raising a glass to Joshua as he neared them. "To be graced with the presence of our phoenix in the flesh, I am a lucky man. But in all seriousness, Joshua, you don't actually believe I left out my own vainglorious achievements, do you? You ought to know me better than that. 'Twas not the first battle these old eyes have ever seen, and by far I wager it will not be the last! I did play my part well, I do say, and felled quite a number of the beasts. But I'm well past my own boasting, for now at least. Are you well enough to join us? It would do you some good to relax a while and have a nice meal for once."

He was not beyond worrying like a hen over the boys even now, but in the moment of grand company and stories around a meal and hearth there was no reason to be quite so serious about it. The world outside was too dismal and the future too dim for him to pull it into this safe place of comrades and family. This place of comfort an island in a dark ocean or an oasis in a vast desert. It was golden, and he could not taint its waters even if he wanted to. For all the fussing he'd done over Joshua when he was bedridden, Bryon now wanted to create a space where his stress didn't blanket them like the cold dark night. So worry though he did, he offered it in light teasing, and that would be good enough.

#tap a cask and stoke the ovens‚ for your favorite uncle is here！➻⌠ic⌡#for your trouble ➻⌠answer⌡#after what befell at phoenix gate ➻⌠main game verse⌡#phoenixfiiire #//oof i finally got here!#//sorry it took so long!

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eva-cybele · 2 years ago

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wolmeric week day 7: future

Aymeric took a deep breath and regarded seriously the large hyur and tiny raen who sat on the other side of the sitting room. “I had a question I would like to ask of the two of you, if I may.”

Roric snorted and shook his head. “It’s yer house, ain’t it, boy? Quit beatin’ about the bush and ask.”

Resting his elbows on his knees, Aymeric linked his hands together in an effort to keep from any nervous fidgeting. “My apologies. The matter is usually handled with a great deal of formality in Ishgard, though I take it not quite so much in other parts of the world. I would like to request your blessing that I seek Kaede’s hand.”

“Oh, do ye now? Yer grown, and so’s she, so why’re ye bringing us into it? I figure you two could hash that out yerselves.” A large hand rubbed against the stubble over his square chin, amusement giving way to bemusement.

“’Tis customary, I suppose. A part of the courting process, as marriage oft affects more than just the two people directly involved. Bad blood between families is a risk my people could ill-afford during centuries of war.”

The mercenary leaned back, raising an eyebrow and stretching his arm along the back of the settee behind his wife, who kept her own counsel for the moment. After a moment, the man spoke. “And if I said no, yer not worthy of my daughter, what would ye do then? Would ye stop there, and abandon yer dreams of takin’ her to wife?”

Aymeric’s jaw clenched briefly at the choice of words – unworthy, the same that had been thrown at him again and again from countless ladies’ fathers – but he forced himself to relax. He knew a trial when one was set before him.

To this one, there was only one answer: the truth.

He sat up, drawing his shoulders back and fixing the man with a steady look. “I would not. In fact, I have already asked her, before she ever left for Ultima Thule. Whether or not you assent has no bearing on my actions. I simply wished to know if I should prepare myself for a fight.”

A deep, hearty laugh echoed off the walls of the sitting room, and Aymeric exhaled in relief as Roric slapped his knee and leaned forward, grinning. “Well said, son. The only thing that would have made ye unworthy in my eyes is if ye’d been so spineless as to give up there. If yer willin’ to fight fer her, then who’m I to stand in yer way? Ye’ve got obstacles enough, I reckon.”

A quiet, softly-accented voice cut through the conversation, and both men instinctively turned towards Yuriko Kazarishi – the source, it was clear, of Kaede’s ability to command the attention of a room when she wished.

“When you asked, what was her answer?”

It was impossible to demure under her stern gaze, and Aymeric felt his shoulders droop slightly at the memory. “She… told me to ask her again upon her return. She did not wish that the bonds between us turn to shackles on my heart, should she fail. ‘Twas unfair of me to ask her now, if I am honest with myself. She knew full well that should she reject me, it could well lead to despair deep enough that it might mean my death. Perhaps she sought merely to postpone, so that I might not lose hope, if it is not her wish to be wed.” The darkest fear in his heart tumbled free of his lips without his consent, ripped free under the weight of Kaede’s cool blue eyes staring out at him from her mother’s face.

Yuriko tilted her head, composure utterly unshaken. “I do not believe my daughter would be so smitten with a man foolish enough as to truly believe such nonsense.”

The flat statement dropped into his mind as a rock does still water, and the ripples of surprise must have shown on his face, because a small smile curled the corners of Yuriko’s mouth before she continued. “It was never us you need fight for her, Aymeric. For all her strengths, Kaede has a terrible habit of running from that which she wants most, for fear of its loss. She has never loved herself enough to believe she was deserving of the things she most wished for in life. No amount of love from me has ever made up that gap. Perhaps yours might bridge it.”

Aymeric took a deep breath, closing his eyes in sorrow and acknowledgement, and then opening them in determination. “I am prepared to spend my life attempting to do so, if that’s what it takes.”

Warmth broke through the cool facade, and Yuriko smiled and nodded once, decisively. “Good.”

#ffxiv fanfiction #ffxiv writing #eva writes #wolmeric #daughters of dusk and dawn #sons of ice and fury #ending as we began: with Kaede's parents #wolmeric week

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worstloki · 3 years ago

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A few, yes.

Mobius is being kind, yes, but, more importantly, he's being tactful because he wants to gain something in each scenario* from seeing what information he can get from the kid at the church to wanting to manipulate Loki into working on the case to still having something to gain on his case by keeping Loki around or getting C-20 safe bc she knew relevant info to needing Loki to help bring the TVA down.

While he's said these things which are decent, he has also spoken/acted less morally well, and on more occasions (I won't put all the instances in or we would be here for a long while).

Which is completely understandable.

He's doing his job, and that requires being apathetic towards pruning off timeline branches, it requires dealing with dangerous Loki variants, and it requires being a grade-A jerk who has no issues with using the information he has to psychologically mess with anyone if that's what it takes to do what he has to for the TVA because that's what he believes in.

And he does this stuff (notably: 'breaking' Loki, twice), and comes out completely unaffected. The guy is remorseless. We saw him gaslight/lie to Loki back in Episode 1. We've seen him interact with his coworkers. We've seen the TVA. They really don't care if the Variants have any autonomy (re: your Loki, Variant pet, stripping them down, the entire show of putting on a trial) because they're Variants. The second you're off the Sacred Timeline you're damage control with an upcoming expiration date and no longer have any importance, one could even say you're a cosmic mistake.

WHICH IS WHY MOBIUS FINDING OUT HE IS A VARIANT IS SUCH A COOL THING BC IT'S A MILDER VERSION OF LOKI FINDING OUT HE WAS JOTUN IN THOR 1--

Overall I really enjoy his character because he isn't inherently good, in fact he leans heavily into bad, but he does show the ability to put effort and be/do nice. Even if he is, as episode 4 showed us, selfishly motivated by what he himself personally has an interest with.

He's essentially what people make Loki out to be and I find it incredibly interesting how so many people miss that Mobius leans on bad where Loki leans heavily on good and it is, to my knowledge, because of the likeability of the actor playing him. I love meta stuff and it's the ULTIMATE turn table because that's quite often a reason Loki fans get accused of making Loki out to be better than he is :D

*Except, in my opinion, the "These people are scared" "They're about to die. They should be scared." "Okay. Not of us." scene but that was so unnecessarily placed I legitimately thought everyone considered that the narrative blatantly trying to paint Mobius as a guy with sympathy, who is different to the others, look he's even got a close friend, like a cop except a nice one because we humanized him by showing he cares. <3

It is of worth to note that Loki has been present for, and arguably was the reason for notable behavioural changes in Mobius, such as when he convinced him to go against the norm and take him to Pompeii, though that also was to further the mission. I'm undecided on whether Mobius was being sincere with Loki towards the end of Episode 4 or not, but I do lean towards him believing in the good things he says of Loki because he's seen his life story, and we've seen Loki in the other movies. This does, however, depend on what state of retconning Marvel plans to settle on with Loki :(

Mobius: It's just a kid.

Mobius: Don't worry, that devil's afraid of us. We're gonna take care of him. And we're gonna put you back where you belong.

Loki: What is this place?

Mobius: Come on!

Mobius: You do know yourself.

Loki: A villain. ( Sighs )

Mobius: That's not how I see it.

Ravonna: But Loki is an evil, lying scourge. That is the part he plays on the Sacred Timeline.

Mobius: Maybe he wants to mix it up. Sometimes you get tired of playing the same part. Is that possible? He can change?

Loki: Okay. Why are you in there sticking your neck out for me?

Mobius: I'll give you two options, and you can believe whichever one you want. A, because I see a scared little boy, shivering in the cold. And you kinda feel bad for that ice runt. Or B, I just wanna catch this guy, and I'll tell you whatever I need to tell you.

Loki: I don't need your sympathy.

Mobius: Good, 'cause I'm runnin' out of it.

Mobius: Hey! These people are scared.

Hunter D-90: They're about to die. They should be scared.

Mobius: Okay. Not of us.

Mobius: Look at me.

Hunter C-20: It's real. I wanna go home.

Mobius: We're gonna get you there. Call the TVA, let the infirmary know...

Mobius: You were right, about the TVA. You were right from the beginning. And if you wanna save her, you need to trust me. Can we do that?

Loki: Yes.

Mobius: Okay. You could be whoever, whatever you wanna be, even someone good. I mean, just in case anyone ever told you different.

#but seriously mobius says a few good things here and there and that's real sweet but he says far more bad to loki?#and as someone who still considers the main timeline canon as canon? basically everything bad he's said about loki is.....not right exactly #unless they're legitimately retconning thanos torturing him and the mind stone's influence and forgetting the entirety of the thor 1 arc #yeah no #Loki didn't spend his life growing up to be the damage control of Thor's fun-massacre hammer time for this #unless they're retconning further than Ragnarok did... which means to take the DB Cooper and Sif events at face value :/#im ignoring that because in-universe it's FAR more likely the TVA/Mobius is skewing things #ya know #since loki is *supposed* to have a genius level intellect and he picks up on the propaganda immediately along with Mobius' self interest #in fact i love the way he uses the latter in ep 4 because ''the TVA is lying to you'' as in YOU because of course Moby is listening NOW XD #loki show spoilers #loki spoilers #the Loki show #wait has anyone checked to see if Mobius satisfies the NPD criteria #maybe twas HIM projecting this entire time :0 #i... think that could explain quite a bit? like poking at Ravonna's analyst on the side and her treating him special having him whipped #he does after all believe he's serving a higher purpose and does it just because he believes in it? plus the mirroring of loki in ep 1 #lmao that'd be hilarious because he WAS soliloquizing about the TVA seriously 👀#like..... i enjoy mobius as a character i just wouldn't say a few good words make him good #it's like how doing bad doesn't make loki bad imo #mobius does bad but i'd place him around neutral #i legit love loki and mobius' dynamic (as a platonic one) because mobius will say a blatant propaganda'd thing and he's raising an eyebrow #loki's pretty self aware he's got to know on some level that he's worth *something*#but then again his self esteem is somehow always in the dumps too so I think that's where the confusion comes in #he was a prince who was never respected as one and then found out he was jotun which he was raised on xenophobia on so uhhh #it's all justified and reasonable imo #of course he lashed out in Thor 1 the lad had Odin as a measure-er of worth and was yeeted the throne and a whole war #that Loki came back to Asgard and didn't look for revenge >>>#that he calls out Odin's war crimes and speaks of them as they are >>>#quality character and the show better not butcher him further >;[

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greycaelum · 3 years ago

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Jujutsu Kaisen: Gojo Satoru X Reader

(Kaleidoscope Series)

[Word count: 3.5k.]

[Notes: Thank you so much! This is a wonderful 'ask' that also got me thinking and totally into your idea. It might be a little late because I was writing 4L&5S Series when this came and I rush research how people get hitched in Japan and few more details I'm melting to add. I hope you guys like this—a friend of mine sent the photo above days ago—'twas definitely an inspiration while writing this one.

• Yama— King of Hell in Buddhist Mythology, judges the dead, presides over purgatory/hell, and the cycle of rebirth.

• Niwaka Corporation— a high-class jewerly brand that was born in the ancient city of Kyoto with a history of over 1200 years.

• Marriage in Japan consist of Marriage Registration Form or kon-in-todoke with two witnesses submitted to the city/local ward office and few days the Declaration of Marriage or Kon-in Todoke Juri Shomei-sho will be sent to you. You're married then, congrats~

• Pomp wedding ceremony can follow afterwards depending on when and where you wanna held it.]

[Songs used: My Only One by Sebastian Yatra ft. Isabela Moner]

Faithfully

• I can see Satoru drawn to a sweet but firm lady. A woman who can indulge him with his random whims but has a firm foundation in morals and can honestly address him when he's going overboard.

• If you're with Satoru and seriously into him you need to know you're in for a long time relationship because I can see him as a type that wants stability in terms of emotion and understanding.

• Satoru isn't the one to be faithful to a certain woman—

• Until you came barging in his life, as simple as ABC Gojo Satoru is absolutely, blisteringly, captivated by you.

• Relationship with Satoru will teach you to appreciate time. His time with you, the time in your relationship and time with yourself.

• One of the harshest and valuable lesson you'll learn in a relationship with Gojo Satoru is that—You need to learn how to be honest with yourself and to Satoru. Are you feed up of his lack of time? Are you feeling unnecessary? Are you not happy anymore? You have to be honest because no matter how much observant he can be, the reality that Satoru isn't exposed to dealing with raw emotions is a steep ladder in the relationship.

• Confident as he is, Satoru would be a man who still needs your reassurance, because he's still human.

• Proposal with Satoru is the same as planning but ad-libbing in the end. Because let's be honest, Satoru is as random as the weather in London.

• You'd definitely do the Shinto-style wedding to shut up the Gojo clan but if you want another western style wedding no worries Satoru wouldn't say no to an opportunity of collecting a double 'double honeymoon' from you in exchange for few measly amount of million yen to spend. He might even ask you to 'elope' with him and get married away from traditions and all. Coz we all know he's not a man of tradition.

Engagement: 婚約 (Kon'yaku)

"Y/n, did Satoru propose to you?"

The tapioca pearl you're sipping went down the wrong pipe erupting violent coughing from you.

"Gomen," Shoko soothe your back until you calmed down and glared at the brunette doctor.

"So?" She insisted.

"No, Satoru haven't. Did he bribe you into asking me those 'confirmational questions'?" You eyed your friend who held her hand in surrender and shake her head.

"Just curious. It's been how many years and you two are basically an old couple now."

That got you thinking too. Well you and the lovable annoying menace are staying strong and healthy over the years of demanding and rough path. Gojo clan being hard and opinionated about you with their Clan Leader, the dark industry of Jujutsu Society and the fact how one action from your beloved could alter the balance of the bad and good.

Loving Satoru is as simple as breathing oxygen yet as complicated as the circulation of blood.

"It will come when it come. Besides who said only guys can propose?" You grinned imagining a blushing Satoru with you doing the deed.

Yep, there's no way he would say 'no' to your proposal.

II.

Satoru came home to your apartment, the man is literally boarding in your house despite having his own penthouse. He doesn't really mind, wherever you are is where his home is.

"Honey, your handsomest, cutest, strongest, love of your life is home!"

He waited for you barrelling to him as always when he's home. That said his face lit up at your figure in his shirt reaching your mid-tights, hair tied messily and barefooted walking up to him with the small pout on your adorable lips.

"Welcome home you rascal, you're dead this time." You growled but still hugging his large frame, next thing is your feet dangling mid air and Satoru scoop you in his arms marching in the house with a grin.

"What did I do?"

"The. Fucking. Plates."

"What about the plates?" Innocently he asked at your accusing face clearly the man is laughing internally while ruffling your feathers.

"Don't act innocent here Mister. I told you many times not to put them in the highest shelf!"

"Oh... My bad honey, next time I'll put them lowest shelf, wouldn't want that tiny feet of yours aching from reaching the tall cabinet now would we?" He grinned at your fuming face struggling in his arms to pull his ear.

One thing, Satoru never uses Infinity around you. He lets himself be limit less around you and within your reach even if you punch, pinch or pounce on him he's game on with you.

Satoru appreciates the warm meals you prepare. He teases you when you mess up sometimes but Satoru never fails to thank you for the meals you prepare for him so he wouldn't go hungry before going or coming home from work.

Living like this for someone like him is enough. He should be contented because he can't have too much, but Satoru is human and humans are greedy.

On the bed when you two aren't busy you'd find yourself in deep talks with Satoru, this is where you learn more of how wide his perception and deep is his principles than the usual rambunctious whimsical persona he is to the eyes of public.

Just like now, your head above his bare chest, legs tangled and Satoru's fingers threading the tresses of your hair.

"Y/n can you see yourself growing old in this society?" Satoru meet your confused eyes.

"Honestly? I don't know. But I can see myself growing old with you." You stare at his widened eyes.

Do you understand there's more than just marrying him? He has to tell you, Gojo Satoru is already half buried with all that's weighing and burdening him as a sorcerer. He don't want to bury you half dead with him without you understanding of how difficult it would be for you and him. He love you enough to let you go if you will it.

Hypocritical as it may sound but he'd rather set himself aside than see you unhappy and wilt away in this rotten world he's living. He's ready to let go of his salvation— that is you—with one word from your mouth.

"You'd be pulled into my world, even if we want to get out we'll never escape. We'll always be under unnerving gazes. Our marriage isn't a happy ever after Y/n. We'd fight, compromise time. There would be day that you can't be my priority, cold bed and no replies, days turning to week—"

You let him ramble his insecurities out. Let him be, there are the times the best assurance is silence.

"Our future family might not be your dream family. And our children, they will have to live in this world."

You smiled at him. Did he realize he just openly told you he's thinking of babies even before he could propose? Silly. Tracing the lips that babbled things you knew ever since. Propping your elbows you threw you legs to the other side and straddle him.

His hand found you bottom, steadying you above his abdomen and wait what you'll do. Your lips descended above his forehead—littering feathery kisses to his closed eyes, the tip of his perfectly angled nose, and the sharp jaws of his. You stare at his softening iridescent blue eyes bare of the glasses and bandages.

"I won't ask more than what you can give. Because my love for you isn't limited to my ideals... You're more than a dream Satoru you're an unexpected reality. And I don't love you to fulfill my dreams. I love you because I can see myself build a life with you. Dreams are fleeting but fantasy, life is forever and real, can you see the difference My Love?"

You've finally done it.

Satoru swallowed a breath. How you take his breath away with your words runs addicting goosebumps to his spine.

III.

Satoru wants to splurge.

To splurge for your engagement ring because he was too absorbed taking in your words he totally forgot to asked if you'll really marry him, good thing coz he didn't have a ring prepare yet.

But the problem here, he can't choose. He want something sentimental and with deep meaning, he can just make it out customized but he's stumped with what idea of ring he wants. He's been browsing what kind of gem he wants for you, pearls to diamonds to sapphires but he can't pinpoint that 'this is the one' feeling with all the glittering stones in the brochure.

His phone ring with his pet name for you on the screen.

"Love?" Your voice on the other line.

"Miss me Honey?"

"Are you free tonight? Come over later, 'kay? Bye take care, I love you!"

He didn't even got to answer your I love you back, you already drop the call.

In the end he went out of the top jewellery shop in Tokyo empty handed.

Begrudgingly he wish time would pass quickly to night and he appeared before your apartment taking off his shoes he could already see you sitting on the sofa fidgeting.

"What are you doing Baby?"

He chuckled at your small jump from his voice. His heart settled seeing the ever beautiful soft smile graze your lips and jump into his waiting arms.

"Just a rain check you don't care about patriarchy right?"

He frown a little confused but nod. Strength isn't measured by gender, fuck the traditional rules and their narrow-mindedness.

"Good," you grinned and let go of him, reaching for your back pocket you stood in front of him with a box.

Satoru blink and almost want to pinch you for taking too long to open it.

"Since our relationship here is already defying lots or rules and regulations. Would yo—"

Oh no~

Satoru fling his body forward dragging you with him, knocking you back to the sofa cutting your words. His lips found the skin above your beating heart, delicately he kissed it with adoration and remove his bandaged staring at you with his vivid electric blue eyes.

"Marry me Y/n, it won't be sun and smiles but I'll try my best. Marry me because you'll never find someone who can love you like I can. Marry me and even Yama cannot separate me from you."

...

"Hey, that's my lines you line stealer!" You laughed. Stroking this hair.

"Marry me." Satoru said, searing you with his eyes.

"Where's the ring?" You could careless about the piece of metal but you also prepared for this until Satoru himself decided to crash your proposal.

"Shit," he muttered evading your eyes scratching the back of his head.

"Don't tell me you ruined my proposal and you forgot to bring your own ring?" You look at him who chuckled with sheepish smile.

Dumbass. You sighed and look at him hopelessly smiling.

"I'll marry you."

At your words he broke into a wide smile, eyes sparkling and tint of rose shade blossomed on his cheeks like a whipped teenager receiving his confession from his crush, it's just that you're not his crush—you'll be his wife.

"Oh by the way, I got you a ring. Unlike someone who proposed without ado," you hummed handing him the box.

"I could buy Niwaka Corporation for you." He rolled his eyes made a 'give me, give me' hands and giddily opened the box like a kid in Christmas.

Popping it open Satoru look at you with complex emotions. Fighting if should he smile or frown? Should he take this seriously or reassess your fashion taste? But he assures you he loves you flaws and all. It's just that... Are you seriously giving him this ring?

Plucking out the 'ring' he look at you again and back to it. Mind you it's a bit sticky in his fingers.

A candy pop ring with a huge candy on the center, so big like a pacifier.

"Let me guess, a candy ring because if I eat this it will stay inside me." He smelled the confectionary and found it close to barley scent.

"As expected, you're so bright, see my love for you will be turned to glucose and circulate in your blood all over your body to give you energy!" You clapped awarding his pouting lips a kiss. It was just a spur of moment idea you thought and executed.

"I'm so lucky to marry such smart lady~" shaking his head he shove the candy ring to his tongue and lean to kiss you probing your lower lip for entrance pushing the sugary treat to your tongue sharing the 'engagement ring'—after all sharing is caring is a step to healthy marriage.

Wedding: 結婚式 (Kekkonshiki)

• Satoru and you didn't really extended the engagement any longer, nobody even knew you two were officially engaged til Satoru asked you if you want to register the marriage to the city office, Shoko and Principal Yaga signed as the witnesses to process the papers.

Yaga turn to his student and pat the young man's back. "Congratulations son."

"There's no refund or replacement, are you sure about him?" Shoko asked making you laugh and Satoru pouting.

• Satoru would be the type that stares at you in awe walking down the aisle, that the breathtaking lady walking down the aisle is gonna be his wife, the one he's vowing to spend his life starting today until his soul fades. He won't cry—or so he would like to believe—

• Just elope with him. Trust Satoru to get things done, especially if honeymoon is on the line.

• He wants to take you away, indulge him. It's not everyday he snatch and take you to a picturesque chapel and get married just the two of you.

Are you perhaps a tad unhappy he just snatch you away like this, without preparation without guest and pomp decoration? Satoru didn't mean to make you feel not special in the most memorable day. Fuck did he just took the first wrong step in marriage?

His thoughts stop at the door of the chapel stood you in a simple white wedding gown and bouquet of lilies, smiling.

Kami, you look so beautiful he could barely breathe.

You're happy like this, right? You're not disappointed with his selfishness to have you as intimate and close off away from others like this? You're happy to be with him, right?

He's sorry for letting the dream invitations you designed, the six-tiered cake he imagined, and the uchikake you and Satoru designed together not be present today. Kamis forbid but Satoru's not ashamed to present you as his wife, you know how he keeps reminding his workmates and students he's getting married to you, everyday just to annoy and present his soon to be wife to them. But if he let those people come in your wedding he's unhappy it won't be a wedding centered between you two but on shallow congratulations and gazes from people you hardly know and he doesn't care about.

You smiled at him, in his black tux he never fitted as perfectly as he does today.

Satoru frowned at your glistening watery eyes. Forgetting that his eyes are adorned with unshed tears.

'Please don't cry Baby, Are you upset? Tell me I'll fix it, anything for you.'

Your eyes crinkled in a smile staring at him fading his worries as he watch you taking your time on the aisle. This is just the two of you, no need to hurry for guests or worry about fumbling your words because he got you.

The reality started to hit in to Satoru like an overflowing dam. The woman walking towards him is the love of his life, his wife, the mother of his children, pieces of future flash before him all of them have you and the family he promises to build with you. The warm meals and snuggles, the petty fights and make up moments, and if ever and something he'll fight tooth and nail is the image of your wrinkled hand and his, worn out by passage of time but still holding each other just like he promised that's it's you and him in this lifetime.

He remove his glasses and his hand found his eyes no matter how he tries to fight of the tears from falling he can't. He trusts the security you provide that it's okay for him to be human and feel emotion. He doesn't need to care that a single action from him will affect the balance of the world. Because at this moment it's just you and him.

With you. Because from now on he's not alone anymore. You're gonna be his better half. Part of his soul and the extension of his life. He won't have to worry dying alone in regret because there's someone who's waiting for him to come home. Someone he can share whatever he have, tears or joy.

You are a reason for him to live.

You stood in front of him cupping his tear stained face.

"W-why are you crying."

He breathe in, clearing his spasming heart and flash you a smile and in shaky voice he said.

"I never thought I'm allowed to be this happy."

• After Satoru announced he's married with you, the Gojo Clan cannot intervene anymore, not that Satoru will listen to their 'tradition' and 'ethics' and all.

• But he'd push a Shinto wedding with you, and all the things you planned with him, you deserve that celebration and all he cares is to see you happy with him.

II.

He didn't wear his glasses today. You insisted he wear them to prevent his eyes from hurting but Satoru is a stubborn man, indulge him.

Earlier at the photoshoot with your shiromuku he can't keep himself from squeezing your hand over and over. When he write his name to the pledge and saw your signature with his surname, kami help him he's melting inside.

Gojo Satoru & Gojo Y/n

During the duration of the ceremony he almost can't keep his hand to himself wanting so much to hold your hand. Whoever says Gojo Satoru has patience is a fool.

He's a non-alcohol, you're a witness to that but today he cannot evade drinking sake. The san-san-ku-do where the bride and groom must take three sips from three cups. But it's a small price to pay in exchange for you.

Satoru read out the pledge he signed with you.

"As we marry

No matter what the health situation is

We will love, respect,

Console and help

Each other

Until death

Protecting fidelity

We swear."

After is the offering to the kamis, the exchanging of ring which Satoru prepared a proper ring for you this time. He insists making you three of of them.

He can't find the perfect ring so he designed it himself. Eternity ring encasing his own curse energy—just like how curse tools are imbued with curse energy for non-sorcerers to use—his reminder and pledge to you that you're an extension of his Infinity.

The chief priests announcing the toast of family and relatives as sign of support. A high five to the Gojo clan at the word 'support'.

Finally! The freaking 45 minutes ordeal is done and Satoru snatched you away before the well-wishers mob his wife away from him.

His wife. Wife! His. Wife~

Cue for Satoru to giggle and melt like a puddle of goo in your hands.

Satoru ordered all the attendants to stay away from you and him for an hour. Inside the vacant drawing room he hugged you so tight and stayed like that. He's been very patient this day.

"Sat—"

"Shhh," he shushed you, still stuck in the spaces of your neck as he remove the heavy headdress.

He's gonna fire those people for making you wear something that could practically break your neck!

The next words from your lips was the last straw to his strand of self control.

"I love you."

"Hmm." His throat constricted, closing his eyes and drop to the tatami mat.

"Y/n,"

"What is it?" You sat down patting your lap he succumbed to you hold letting his head rest above your tights and stare at your eyes.

"I'm faithfully yours, wife."

—GreyCaelum,

PLAGIARISM IS A CRIME

Check out the Masterlist for more.

All rights and credits of the Jujutsu Kaisen character(s) mentioned, image(s) and song(s) used belong to their respective owner(s).

Kaleidoscope Series Taglist: @ice-icebaby

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lutawolf · 2 years ago

Text

Love In the Air Ep 12 Review & Running Commentary

Previous reviews and commentary can be found here.

Are we ready for the pain people?? No! Well, me either, but still. I'm going to put myself through it. Masochist. That's what we all are.

We start off cute with dork boy getting a paper cut and Sky freaking out. Yes, I'm aware it wasn't actually a paper cut, but it wasn't much more than that either. It twas a mere flesh wound. The coconut is enjoying being fawned over a bit much. "Why are you smiling." "The pain makes me go crazy." 🤣🤣🤣 Nope, not worried all. Omg, I bout fell off the bed laughing when he scared him. Dead. I'm soaking up all this joy while I can. "Worried about me? I think it will heal faster if you kiss it." Did he really ask him to kiss it one more time. This boy is a simp. Is he gonna keep the band aid too. He can't help it your honor. The boy's cuteness drove him insane. It was a very long drive but none the less.

Omg, the brother is a dipshit, but I love him. Who are you to call someone silly! Ha! Are they seriously arguing over the type of dog. Are you really locker room talking. I am dying here. "He is a delicate and lonely boy who wants to be loved." Tell me Pai doesn't understand Sky. He gets him. I love how he is rambling on about his boy, and they are just listening. Soft teasing but actually very supportive. Seriously though, you notice how much attention he is giving to Sky. He knows him now.

Don't go to the party! Ha! Text from boyfriend asking him to shop with him. Party is less important. And off on the date they go. Couples' shirts! They are so stupid but look how Sky is smiling. HA! Look at Pai calling his boy out. I love it. Seriously though shit is always cheaper at a mall compared to a university.

He chose this place because he remembered you saying that you love barbecue. Oh! They brought it up. He's feeding him. So cute. I'm fucking dying you guys. And don't come in my comments talking about how you didn't like the wife comment. This was fucking hilarious. He wasn't using it to demean the female race or his partner. He was mocking him. Like bitch, you can accept being called boyfriend or they can know just how intimate we are. 🤣🤣🤣 The fuck boy has turned into a much better flirt.

Ah, the condo. The infamous condo where they first did the deed. Sky smacking him. These bitches are for sure switches. Ahh, assuring him that he is the only one. "When you snarl at me, I want you to do it again." The honest flirting is the best. See, Sky makes Pai a better person and he won't even deny it. He lays himself bare, with no qualms at being vulnerable.

That kiss was so sweet but now the heat is coming. I love it. Pai is like, screw the birthday party. That whine in his voice says it all, lol. Oh! Did you guys catch the "I'm yours, all yours."

Uh, I wanted to see it! I'm gonna whine. Fine. We are at the party now. Fucking, stupid party. You said it because you meant it. You are all his. This is not going to go well. He is like, I don't know who you are cayote ugly.

From this point on, I'm going to fill in some of the gaps with words by @akitbeast Cause my ass isn't going to risk a flashback while my two babies are sick. Depending on the trigger or flashback, I could push through to be there for my kids, but it wouldn't be great. So, to be safe, here is her commentary. Meet you at the next section.

TW: Sky watches party boy drapes himself over Prapai, and he's beginning to spiral. The lights, music and all are getting to him. He runs back to the car. He's flashbacking in red while he weeps in the car. "It's happening again"

TW: Back to the party. Party boy is interrogating Prapai, who is talking highly of Sky. Party boy makes a move, Prapai turns him down.Party boy looks like he's not done. Prapai walks out and is seen by someone.

Sky pretends to be asleep in the car when Prapai comes back. Prapai is worried but understanding that he's tired.

TW: Guy, who saw Prapai walk out calls Gun, lets him know he's just seen Sky, and he was with Prapai. He reminisces about Gun allowing him to do to Sky (verbally, no images). Gun is interested, wonders if Sky still remembers what he taught him. 🤢🤮🤮

I'm back! Okay, so we are at the point in which Sky is making excuses not to see him. Pai isn't stupid, not when it's important to him. He knows he has done something but doesn't know what. Still, he isn't giving up. Look, guys. We have a female coconut! Pai is hot. He doesn't know what is going on and doesn't know how to find Sky to fix it.

Sky answered to a number he didn't know. Notice that the first concern for Pai is that he is worried. Oh, baby boy, you are saying everything you expect him to say to you. The pain! I'm gutted! So is Pai.

Remember, Pai knows Sky better than he knows himself. He is just up in his feelings right now. See, he is starting to think. He knows better. Knows something is up. See why having such a determined person is important.

Sig is so perceptive. Total coconut but perceptive as hell. If he doesn't get a series, I'm gonna cry. Maybe it's just better to cry.

The sunflowers. He feels him everywhere. Sees him everywhere. Suprise, he is there! He might know, but he is pissed. Oh, you are killing me softly with your words. Strumming your pain. Damn. Poor Sky. He isn't even reading. He knows it line by line. He is killing me. Damn Pai, you need to hug him. Damn this love confession got me dead. I'm not crying. You're crying. Fine! I'm crying, but you know damn well that you are too. The begging is half gutting me and half a turn on. Don't judge.

Yup, this all started because you hugged someone else. How about you not do that. Kid, you are still worried about that. This man hid in a dark room, waiting lawd knows how long, for you to come back. Look at Pai reassuring him. Sky opened up about his ex. I hate that dude. A fucking wanna be dom his ex was. "I see nothing at all, cause love makes me blind." 🤣🤣🤣 "Then I'm permanently blind." "I guess we're both blind."

Rain, adorable white crayon. Pai is laying his claim all over the place. Wouldn't it be easier to just pee on him. Damn. These buffalos. Just Mark Your Territory Already! They are cute now. Their room! Damn!

That's all, folks. Hope you enjoyed it. 💜💜💜 Next week is gonna be rough, so remember to buddy watch! Wish you all the best.

#lita #love in the air series #love in the air the series #love in the air #coconuts mafia

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therealvalkyrie · 4 years ago

Text

Painter’s Hands and Guatemalan Coffee: Part 4

the ackerman influence

Pairing/setting: Levi Ackerman x Female!Reader, modern!college!AU

Summary: When you catch your idiot boyfriend cheating, your grumpy roommate is there to pick up the pieces and watch your back as you toe a carefully drawn line in the metaphorical sand.

Word Count: 3.5k

Warnings: consumption of alcohol and weed products, intoxication, swearing, pretty dang fluffy

AN: SURPRISE BITCHES it’s out tonight!! An infinite thank you belongs to my beloved @ghostlightprincess for her keen eye for editing and swoon-worthy compliments and encouragements. Seriously, this chapter is dedicated entirely to her. I hope y’all enjoy!! I hope y’all appreciate the love I gave Sasha this chapter because........reasons. Pleease feel free to come scream/squeal/chat in my DMs or askbox! In love with you all<3 ~valkyrie

(read part 3 here)

“Here, thisun ‘sblue!” Hange slurs as she passes you yet another shot glass with Greek letters etched on the side.

“Mmm, I like blue,” you giggle, then clink your shot with hers before you both tip your heads back to pour the liquor down your throats. It tastes inexplicably like turquoise, and you laugh loudly over the thumping dance music in approval.

The poor freshman charged with staffing the drinks table eyes the pair of you skeptically. “Maybe you two should slow down, you seem like you’ve had enough—”

You round on him, offense written across your face. He’s definitely right, but you aren’t exactly gonna let some pimply, snot-nosed teen tell you how to drink. “Woah, Nelly, this ain’t cocktail hour, this is fuckin’ Greek row an’ I won’t have your judgment,” you waggle a finger in his general direction for emphasis, “harsh my vibe.”

“You tell ‘em, girlfriend,” Hange approves vaguely, hanging off your shoulder.

The freshman holds his hands up in defeat, amused. “No judgment.”

You nod once.

“C’mon, Han, let’s see if we can find the snacks.”

“Pleeeeeeease…”

You turn away from the drinks table to do just that, angling towards where you remember the kitchen to be — honestly, this frat is huge — and set off through the crowd. Hange trails after you, fingers tangled with yours like they have been all night, yammering on about something you can’t be bothered to follow.

“‘Scuse us, comin’ through, on a mission!” You push past jostling bodies until you reach the far wall and lean against it for the last leg of your epic journey to the fluorescent lights of the kitchen.

Someone calls your name and you look up through squinted eyes to see Sasha leaned up against the counter by the fridge, bowl of chips in her arms and dab pen tucked behind her ear. She’s dressed casually, sweatpants and DIY cropped t-shirt contrasting your jeans and flashy top.

“Sasha! My love! My dearest, sweetest darling!” You stretch your arms wide towards her, Hange jolting forward where you’re connected. “We come in search of snacks.”

Sasha laughs and lazily deposits her bowl on the counter, stepping forward to stabilize you both with a hand on your shoulder. “You’ve come to the right place, my friends.”

She steers you both to sit at the island, wedging you between the only other two people in the kitchen. You vaguely recognize them as soccer players on the university team: a shaggy-haired brunette and a tall blonde. Sasha passes you her dab pen before ambling over to the pantry. You take a hit, then pass it to Hange, who’s looking much better now that she’s sitting down.

“Sash, these your friends?” the blonde asks, peering down at you through red-rimmed hazel eyes. You pluck the pen out of Hange’s limp grasp and offer it to him in greeting, along with a drunk smile. He takes it and grins back.

“Yep,” Sasha confirms with half her body still stuck into the pantry. “It’s the mad scientist one and the architect.”

“Almost architect,” you correct. “Not official until I have my degree! Although, I will agree, Han’s a mad scientist.” You poke her in the side and she swats you away with an eye roll.

“Oh,” the brunette soccer player pipes up from Hange’s other side, now looking at you curiously as well. He’s also high, startling green eyes hooded and posture relaxed. “So you’re Braun’s ex.”

You hide your shudder of distaste by turning back to take a drag off the pen. “Please don’t tell me that’s all I’m known for,” you sigh out with a cloud of smoke.

“Eren, don’t be an ass.” Sasha finally returns with a box of chocolate pretzels and a bag of hot Cheetos. “Pick your poison, hot stuff,” she offers each in turn. You ponder for a second, then reach for the Cheetos. “That’s Eren—” she points to the brunette, who raises a lazy hand “—and that’s Jean—” the blonde reaches for the pretzels. Sasha makes an offended noise and cradles them to her chest.

You introduce both yourself and Hange while Sasha plays defense against Jean’s long reach.

“Sorry,” Eren apologizes to you, leaning over Hange to grab some Cheetos. “I heard what he did to you. Really shitty.” His tone is casual, but the way he’s practically pinning you in place with his eyes makes you twitch.

“Puh-lease,” Hange pulls out the word, long and sarcastic. “‘Twas more than shitty, what that douche did. I’d’ve wrung him out to dry, but she didn’t—”

You cut her off with a sharp poke to her side. “Drop it, Han, I don’t wanna think about it.”

“But— ooh!” She’s sufficiently distracted when you shove your food in front of her face.

“Sorry,” Eren apologizes again.

“S’okay,” you sigh and take another drag, then hold the pen out to him in a peace offering. He smiles slowly and takes it.

“You guys staying over? There’s plenty of room in the basement, and friends of Sasha’s are always welcome.” It’s Jean who offers, returning to his seat beside you with a singular pretzel for his trouble.

“Hmm, might be nice,” Hange muses, but you’re already shaking your head.

“Thank you, but my roommate’d probably have a conniption if I wasn’t home in the morning.”

Hange actually snorts at this, then starts coughing violently because of the hot Cheeto dust suddenly up her nose. You pat her back in mild concern.

“What, they got a stick up their ass or something?” Eren asks.

“Or something. Levi’s just protective.”

“Levi?” Eren’s eyes are suddenly wide, almost fearful. “Levi Ackerman?”

“Yeah.” Your tone edges on defensive. “Why?”

He takes a hit and shrugs before answering. “He’s just my foster sister’s cousin. Interesting family.”

“Oh, you mean Mikasa?” You didn’t know exactly how they were related, but she’d helped Levi move in and it had struck you how eerily similar they were in disposition.

“Yeah, Mikasa. She’s around here somewhere…” As though by magic, he turns to look over his shoulder just as Mikasa and another blonde boy you don’t recognize mosey in from the hallway. She’s leaning down to catch his soft words and he’s talking with his hands, stalling as his eyes light on the little group in the kitchen.

“Oh, hey guys,” he greets.

“Armiiiin,” Eren greets with a genuine smile. “Come meet some new friends.”

The pair rounds the kitchen island, Armin allowing Eren to pull him in by the arm and Mikasa going to stand shoulder-to-shoulder with Sasha.

“I know you,” Hange pipes up, tilting her head to observe Armin. “You’re in the sophomore biochem class I TA for. Arlert, right?”

Armin ducks his head in a nod. “Yep. Professor LaBelle is a wonder, I had a great time this semester.”

“She is, isn’t she?” Hange’s grin is almost slipping to the dangerous side of intrigued. “I graded your final paper, by the way, and just between us, you set the grade curve.”

He blushes red but his eyes shine with something akin to satisfaction. “Really? That’s a relief, it was a bear to write.”

Eren leans back behind Hange to gesture to you, looking across the kitchen at his foster sister. “Mikasa, this is—”

“—Levi’s roommate,” they say at the same time.

“I know.” Her dark eyes regard you interestedly. “Hi, again,” she greets, saying your name even though she’s maybe heard it once in her life.

“Hi!” You give a small wave.

“What, uh, what,” Jean clears his throat and you look up at him to catch a blush staining across his cheeks and nose. He’s looking at Mikasa. “What’re you guys up to in the basement?”

“We were just going to start a movie, Connie’s setting up the projector,” Mikasa says, eyes flicking from you to Eren. “Wanted to see if you guys wanted to join.”

Jean stands suddenly, his stool rocking from the force of it. “Y-yeah, we’ll join!” Sasha hides a snicker behind her hand.

Eren stands, too, between Armin and Hange, who are still chatting. He looks down at you and says your name like a question. “You coming?”

You find yourself shaking your head again. “I’m so crossed, I think if I even look at a couch I’ll fall asleep. And I, uh,” you yawn, slipping your phone out of a back pocket to check the time. 12:11 AM. “I should be getting home.”

It’s earlier than when you would normally call it quits, but suddenly all you can think about is going home and falling into Levi’s clean, soft-smelling sheets. Plus, it’s the Saturday preceding finals week and tonight was only meant to blow off steam between intense days of studying.

“You stayin’?” You bump Hange with your shoulder, and she looks around at you with wide eyes as though she forgot you were there.

“Hmm?”

“You stayin’ for the movie?”

“We’re watching It: Chapter Two,” Armin supplies, eyes crinkled in excitement.

Hange’s eyes grow impossibly wider behind her glasses and she grabs your elbow a little too hard. “You wouldn’t mind, right? I’ve been meaning to watch it.”

You smile and shake your head. “Wouldn’t mind at all. You stay, I’ll call an Uber.”

The whole group starts migrating in the lazy way drunk and high people do: Mikasa helps Sasha with the snacks; Eren and Jean grab canned drinks from the fridge; Armin and Hange gravitate towards the door, talking fast with words you’ve never heard before. You stay sitting at the island, tapping away at your phone to order a car.

When you stand to find the front door, your high hits you from behind like a fuckin’ baseball bat and you sway dangerously. You whistle through your teeth, low and soft, planting a hand on the counter. Sasha looks over at you in concern, her arms full.

“You okay, babe?”

“Yeah, I just… what is in that dab pen?”

She laughs, head tilting back. “Good shit, right? Got that one new last week.”

“For real…” you trail off, getting your bearings.

“Here,” Mikasa starts, piling even more food into Sasha’s arms, “I’ll walk you out. Levi would skin me if he knew I didn’t make sure your driver’s not an ax murderer.”

Normally, you’d protest, but the room really is starting to spin.

“Okay,” you sigh and allow her to hook your arm through hers. She’s surprisingly solid, and you find yourself leaning heavily into her. “How’re you still sober?”

“I don’t drink or smoke,” she answers, gently pushing past Armin standing in the doorway. “Doesn’t affect me, anyway, so it’d just be a waste of money.”

“Huh,” you grunt, then twist to wave to the group. “Night, everyone.”

A replying chorus of “goodnight” chases you and Mikasa through the dark foyer littered with drunken party-goers.

“Oh, wait,” she pauses with a hand on the doorknob. “Did you bring a jacket?”

“Oh,” you wrinkle your nose and think back to getting ready in the afternoon. It had been unseasonably warm and your coat didn’t match your outfit. “No, I didn’t bring one.”

Mikasa gives you an odd look and deposits you by the door. “I’ll be right back.”

Your body feels light as you lean back, tucking your hands into your armpits so they don’t float away. Your eye catches on movement in the dark shadows by the staircase and you squint, trying to see who’s there. It takes a second, but you eventually make out a pair of people, well… making out. They’re completely absorbed in each other, bodies impossibly close and you giggle quietly to yourself before your stomach rolls. No, don’t think about… too late.

You shut your eyes tight and turn away from the couple to lean sideways against the wall. The image is too similar, too gut-punchingly familiar.

“Didn’t mean what? Didn’t mean to stick your tongue down my best friend’s throat? Didn’t mean to practically fuck your best friend’s girlfriend in public?”

The biting words and stuttered apologies are still rolling around in your head when Mikasa comes back, thick puffer coat in hand. She hands it to you and you mutter a subdued “thanks,” twitching to dislodge the dull pain that’s settled in your ribs.

“It’s Eren’s, but he won’t mind. He doesn’t wear this one a lot, and you can just give it back next time we see you.”

“Right,” you nod, head moving a little too easily as you slip your arms in and fumble with the zipper. The faux fur around the hood tickles your face as Mikasa flips it up over your head. She’s clearly experienced in the art of taking care of intoxicated people.

Outside, you’re grateful you bundled up because the temperature has dropped significantly since the afternoon. Chilly December wind bites at your face and you bury your hands in coat pockets to save them from the same fate. Your fingers brush against something cold and metallic, and before you know it you’re pulling out a fistful of crumby objects: a super plus tampon, the packaging split down the side; two “for her pleasure” condoms; and, inexplicably, a Hot Wheels matchbox car. An ugly snort escapes your nose and Mikasa looks over at you in alarm. You raise up your fist and she chuckles through her nose as well. Squinting in the dim light of a flickering streetlamp, you find the expiration date on the condoms to be several months ago, so you lean over to a convenient trash can and toss both them and the tampon. The matchbox car returns to the pocket. Who knows, maybe Eren’ll miss it if it’s gone.

Mikasa doesn’t look affected by the cold, only winding her red scarf more securely around her neck as you both quietly wait on the sidewalk for your Uber. A quick glance at the app tells you that it’s three minutes away.

“Are you and Levi close?” You find yourself asking into the night sounds of Greek Row on a Saturday night.

You almost think she doesn’t hear you over the sound of a group spilling out of a neighboring sorority, but then she answers.

“Not particularly. We didn’t grow up together and only connected because of Uncle Kenny a couple years ago.” Her tone is light and casual as she talks about her family, as though you should know who Uncle Kenny is. Should I know who Uncle Kenny is?

“Oh,” is all you can think to say.

“We may not be close,” she starts again, eyeing you closely, “but I think we’re very similar. And I can tell he cares a lot about you.”

“Oh. Right.” Your palms are suddenly sweaty in your pockets.

“He may not show it,” her tone is careful, “But he does.”

You smile faintly and kick your boot against the curb. “He does show it, in his own way. He’s been really good to me.” Somehow, it’s easy to talk about this to Mikasa, even when you get all stuttery and weird having an identical conversation with Hange. Maybe it’s the drugs and alcohol, or maybe it’s because there’s not a hint of judgment in Mikasa’s eyes. Either way, it feels good to speak your feelings into the world.

“Good.” She nods and follows your gaze to where you’re still scuffing the curb. “Some unsolicited advice for you: if you ever want anything besides mutual pining to come out of it, you need to be really obvious. Or make the first move outright.”

This makes you stutter and wring your hands, she just puts it so bluntly. “R-right, the first move…. Oh, I think that’s my car.”

“What’s the license plate number we’re looking for?”

You read it out from the app while Mikasa steps to the back of the blue sedan that just pulled up. She nods, confirming it’s the same, then circles to the driver’s side window, which is cracked open.

“Hi,” you greet the driver, a blonde woman in her late twenties, and confirm her name matches the one in the app before sliding into the back seat. Mikasa leans down to murmur something to her and she nods, glancing back at you in the rearview mirror.

“G’night, Mikasa,” you call out the window. “Thanks for everything. And tell Eren thanks for the jacket.”

She waves as the car pulls away. You settle into the quiet hum of the car and let your mind wander.

Mutual pining. Make the first move outright….

—

“Mikasa texted me,” Levi says by way of greeting as you stumble out of the car and thank your driver. He’s leaning on a lamp post outside your apartment building when your Uber pulls up, jacket and boots pulled on over flannel pajamas.

“Levi, stand ominously on the sidewalk often?” you ask, dragging out his name long and sing-song.

“Only for you, kid.” He loops an arm around your waist and steers you towards the entryway

“Not a kid,” you grumble, masking the stutter of your heart at his usual pet name for you. Somewhere in the last couple of weeks, it’s gained a weightier significance, at least to you. It’s endearing and a little distancing and charged all at once and it makes your head spin as you climb the stairs up to your floor.

At your door, Levi unlocks it while you drift slowly in a circle next to him, trying to expend the sudden nervous energy you’ve gained in his presence.

The first move, first move, first move… Mutual pining. Mutual.

“What are you muttering about?”

You hadn’t realized you were thinking out loud.

“Nothing,” you say quickly and pass through the door he’s holding open for you. Your momentum carries you farther than you mean to go, and he catches you by the elbow, reeling you back to the coat rack by the door.

“Whose jacket is that?” He shrugs off his own and eyes the faux fur around your face skeptically.

You fumble with the zipper for a second before he sighs and reaches for it himself, stepping into your space. His face is so close to yours you can feel his breath ghosting over your collarbone as he unzips the jacket.

“Eren’s,” you finally answer. “Look.” You pull the matchbox car out of its pocket and show it to Levi with a wide grin. He stares at it for a second, then the tiniest smile twitches onto his lips.

“He’s a weird kid.” It’s almost fond, with an undertone of exasperation.

“You know him?”

“Yeah, he’s in the art department, too. Graphic design major, marketing minor. I TAed his freshman seminar last year.” Levi slips the coat off your shoulders as he speaks, then hangs it by the loop next to his.

“Ah, that makes sense,” you muse, wandering farther into the apartment. “He looked terrified when I mentioned you. What’d you do to those poor freshmen?”

“Nothing they didn’t deserve.”

“...ominous,” you hiss, your eyes wide as you let him gently push you into your room. The nervous energy hasn’t quite been expended, and you find your hands wringing with it. Suddenly, you’re rambling about your night as he sits you down on your bed among the laundry that’s taken residence there in its disuse. The stupid song they played at the first frat; Sasha’s excellent food; the blue mystery shot.

“It tasted like turquoise, I swear, Levi! It was like magic!” Your eyes are wide, insistent as you lean forward into his space.

“How does something taste like turquoise?” He ducks his head to avoid your face, fingers untying the knotted laces of your boots.

“You’re the artist, you tell me.”

��I don’t eat my paint.”

“Not even once? Not gonna lie, your paint looks very tasty, sometimes…”

“Are you always this annoying when you’re high?” He tugs the second boot off your foot as you let yourself fall back onto your bed.

“Come on, you love me,” you crow to the ceiling. Mutual pining.

Levi mutters something under his breath.

“What?”

“Nothing. Where do you keep your pajamas?” He stands and looks around your room.

“Middle drawer, left side,” you direct, lazily motioning to your dresser with an arm. Your eyes flutter shut as you listen to Levi pick his way across the floor and slide the drawer open.

Normally, you can get yourself in bed after a night out just fine. Normally, you slip into the apartment making as little noise as possible, and fall into bed without Levi even waking up. But it feels nice to have his steady hands on you when it feels like your organs might start floating apart at any second. It’s anchoring and reassuring and you can feel the safety of being near him lulling you into a doze.

Come on, you love me.

You shoot up to sitting, mind whirling and chest tight. “L-Levi?”

“What.”

“D-do…” Do you love me? “Do you think I’m pretty?” It feels petty in your mouth and you immediately regret the words, but it would be worse to try and take them back, so you just bite your lip and look down at the floor.

A hand plops onto the top of your head. Levi’s gray eyes meet yours, soft with something you can’t describe, when he tilts your head up. He’s quiet for a moment, then reaches his other hand to thumb your bottom lip out from between your teeth.

“I think you’re very pretty.”

(read part 5 here)

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refinedbuffoonery · 4 years ago

Text

Mr. & Mrs. Claus

You should know that I wrote this whole thing just for the bad pick-up line Mac uses. And then I got hit with major baby fever while writing the end and....you’ll see. Merry Christmas, y’all! ❤

Established MacRiley AU

*****

Riley’s only warning to Mac’s arrival was the slam of the front door before he yelled, “I’ve got the rings!” His boots clunked on the hardwood floor as he walked down the hall to their bedroom. “Let me get dressed and then we can go—”

Riley met Mac’s eyes in the bathroom mirror. He stood in the doorway, slack-jawed, taking in the full effect of her costume. Smiling to herself, Riley finished applying her mascara, arching her back and sticking her ass out for his benefit.

Mac cleared his throat. “Wow. You look incredible.”

She twirled to give him the full effect. The stretchy, ribbed material of her off-white sweater dress clung to her body, stopping just below her knees and leaving nothing to the imagination. Her favorite black, high-heeled boots gave the outfit just a bit of edge. But the real showstopper was her coat—crimson velvet trimmed with fake fur, swirling gold and silver embroidery, elegant bell sleeves. It even had pockets.

“This is my favorite part.” Clasping her hands behind her back, Riley swayed back and forth, watching the bottom of the knee-length coat swish like a bell.

“It’s stunning,” Mac said, still a little stunned himself. He finally closed the gap between them. “You’re the hottest Mrs. Claus in LA.”

“Literally,” Riley joked. “This outfit is toasty, and in case you didn’t realize, it’s definitely not cold outside.” According to her phone, the high was supposed to be 74 degrees.

Mac rubbed her arms. “In all seriousness though, you look beautiful.”

Even after all this time, Riley still blushed. “Thank you,” she murmured against his lips as she pulled him down for a quick kiss.

She sat on the bed, unashamedly checking her boyfriend out while he changed into his own Santa costume to match hers. He fished around in the pocket of his discarded jeans and pulled out a pair of rings. “Matty said we, and I quote, have to return these to the Phoenix tomorrow, so no using them to build a homing beacon or something.”

“Got it,” Riley said dryly. “No homing beacon.” She reached for her ring, but Mac seemed to have other ideas. He handed her his ring instead—a white gold band with a thin, but ornate border.

Mac spoke in a deep, announcer-like voice. “We are gathered here today to celebrate the union of Mr. and Mrs. Claus. Mrs. Claus, you may go first.”

Riley held his left hand in hers, playing along. “Do you, Santa Claus, take me to be your wife?” She tried to be serious, but her lips curled into a smile without her consent.

“I do.” Riley slid the ring on. Mac continued, “Do you, Mrs. Claus, take me to be your husband?”

Riley made a show of thinking it over first. “I do.” He slid the ring—an engagement ring and wedding band fused together—onto her finger. She’d worn it before. Like Mac’s, it was white gold, but the tiny diamonds set into the bands made it glitter in the light. The engagement ring part had a princess cut diamond surrounded by more tiny diamonds, making the whole thing walk the fine line between opulent and gaudy.

She looked up, and Mac’s soft smile made her want to melt in a puddle. “I’m going to kiss you now,” he announced, lacing their fingers together.

“Okay.” Riley wrapped her arms around his neck. “You do that.”

*****

They drove Riley’s Jeep to the hospital, since someone forgot to go to the gas station on his way home, and they were already late. They’d gotten a little distracted after their fake wedding.

Mac rested his hand on Riley’s thigh while she drove. She leaned away from him, resting her left elbow on the door and holding the top of the steering wheel with her right. When Mac didn’t take the hint and started caressing her thigh instead, Riley batted his hand away.

“Oh no,” she scolded. “We are not doing this right now.” Mac pouted in the passenger seat.

They arrived at the hospital, hauling two massive bags of presents with them. The hospital administrator met them in the lobby to escort Riley and Mac to the children’s wing, thanking them and the think tank profusely for the entire duration of the walk. She and Mac exchanged the same sly look they always did when someone referred to the Phoenix as a think tank.

Meeting the kids went by in a blur. Altogether too many young, bright faces swarmed the waiting room, clamoring to meet Santa and Mrs. Claus. With each kid she met, Riley was in awe of how they were all so positive and happy and full of laughter, even though many of them were so sick and would be spending Christmas in the hospital.

The kids gravitated to Mac like moths to a flame. He sat and talked to each one, asking how they were doing and what they wanted for Christmas. They asked him ridiculous questions, like what snacks the elves like best and who his favorite reindeer was. In a classic Mac moment, he explained to a wide-eyed group of ten-year-olds that male reindeer lose their antlers every winter, so his reindeer are actually all females.

Every time Mac walked past—which Riley suspected was far more times than necessary—he squeezed her arm or grazed a hand down her back, and Riley couldn’t help the smile curling her lips each time he did it.

After a while, Riley gathered the kids and read a picture book version of ‘Twas the Night Before Christmas. Pausing to show her young, captivated audience the pictures, she flicked her gaze to Mac. He stood in the back of the room with his arms crossed in a very un-Santa-like manner, chatting softly with one of the pediatricians. The rainbow lights of the Christmas tree behind him cast him in a warm, pink glow.

The kid closest to her tugged on her coat, and Riley turned her attention to the girl. She was probably ten or so, with intense, dark eyes that probably never missed a thing. Including Riley’s wandering attention, apparently. “Are you checking out Santa?” she questioned.

Caught. Riley cleared her throat. “Um—” Giggles erupted throughout her audience. “So what if I am? He’s very handsome.”

The girl scrunched up her face. “Gross!” Riley joined in on the second wave of giggles before returning to the story.

Later, after the chaos of opening presents, the adults rounded up all the kids and settled in to watch Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer. The hospital administrator set it up so the movie projected on an empty wall. Mac pulled up a pair of chairs behind the projector and motioned for Riley to sit. Lacing their fingers together, Mac leaned over and kissed her cheek. “Thank you for doing this with me.” His expression was raw and unguarded.

Riley squeezed his hand twice in response. “Are you kidding me? I wouldn’t miss this for the world.”

They’d barely made it ten minutes into the movie when the shyest kid—a six-year-old boy wearing Spider-Man pajama pants who looked like a tiny version of Bozer—crawled into Riley’s lap. The boy didn’t say a word; he simply nuzzled his face into Riley’s shoulder and wrapped his tiny arms around her waist. Riley let go of Mac’s hand to pull the boy into her chest, where he fell asleep for the remainder of the movie.

Afterward, Riley carried the boy back to his room while Mac started to say goodbye to the other kids. They’d been there more than half the day, and for many of the kids, it was time for blood tests or scans or chemo. Or maybe just a nap.

Riley hugged the last kid goodbye with a bittersweet smile on her face. The little boy in her arms was so young, four or five at the most. Behind him, his mom mouthed, Thank you.

When the boy finally let go, Riley looked him square in the eye. "You be good, okay?" He giggled, nodding furiously before returning to his mom.

The boy and his mom walked away, leaving Riley and Mac alone in the waiting room. Riley stared after them. That had to be so hard, watching your kid have seizure after seizure and then spending days in the hospital, waiting for answers the doctors didn't have.

"Riles." Mac's low voice snapped her out of her thoughts. "You okay?"

She blinked. "Yeah, I was just thinking about that kid."

"I know," Mac sighed, rubbing his face. "He asked me if I could stop his seizures for Christmas."

Riley's heart clenched. "What did you say?"

"I told him I'd try my best."

Riley swallowed, trying to dislodge the lump in her throat. Without thinking, she drifted into Mac's embrace, hands finding purchase on his chest and resting her cheek on his shoulder. His arms circled her, pulling her tightly against him.

She couldn't string the right words together to describe how she was feeling. Sorrow, for the kid whose childhood was now destined to be filled with doctors and hospital trips. Empathy, for the single mom trying her best to remain positive for her kid's sake. Admiration, for the way Mac smiled reassuringly at the little boy despite the tears welling in his eyes. Riley settled for, "I love you." She kissed Mac's cheek.

Pressing his lips to the crown of her head, he said, "I love you too."

They stayed like that for a long time, only parting when Riley said, "Let's clean up and go home."

Remnants of wrapping paper and plastic packaging littered the floor—all that was left from the bag of presents they'd brought. Well, that and the glitter. The ungodly amount of glitter that was, to Riley's horror, everywhere.

She picked up a wad of half-crumpled wrapping paper, sending a flurry of gold glitter airborne. Most of it landed on her clothes. Great. She'd be finding those damn gold flecks for months.

Mac chuckled behind her. She whirled on him. "It's not funny!" she said with mock offence, sticking her tongue out at him.

But he wasn't looking at her face. His eyes tracked her every movement, lingering on the places where her off-white sweater dress hugged her curves beneath her long, red coat.

Riley made a show of brushing the glitter off her dress, starting from her knees and working upward, drawing Mac’s attention with her movement. When Mac's gaze finally reached her eyes, she winked before resuming not-so-innocently picking up wrapping paper. Riley kept her back to him, waiting for Mac to make the next move.

Hands locked on her waist. Mac tugged her closer, his lips grazing her ear as he spoke. "I'd put myself on the naughty list for you."

Smirking, she replied, "Oh really." Riley glanced over her shoulder and had barely even realized Mac's face was still right there when his lips landed on hers, and he spun her to face him fully. The pile of wrapping paper she was holding fell to the ground at their feet, covering their boots in more glitter.

The kiss wasn't very good. Riley couldn't stop smiling, no matter how hard she tried to pull herself together enough to kiss him back instead of bursting out laughing. I'd put myself on the naughty list for you. He said that as if he were on the nice list in the first place. They broke way too many laws on a weekly basis for that to be true. Not to mention, Mac's non-consensual cell phone breaking alone was enough to put him on the naughty list for life.

"Are you just going to keep grinning like an idiot, or are you actually going to kiss me back?" he teased.

It took all of her concentration to pull off even the most chaste kiss. A little too eagerly for being in a hospital waiting room, Mac sucked on her lower lip and slid his tongue into her mouth, his hands sliding under her coat and caressing her sides.

Riley had just gotten it together enough to slip her own tongue in without getting a mouthful of teeth or fake beard when she heard a faint giggle. Her eyes snapped open, and she saw the cutest little girl peeking around a Christmas tree.

“Santa, we have an audience,” she warned.

Mac pulled away, blushing faintly, but his hands lingered on Riley’s stomach for an extra second. He gestured for the little girl to come closer. Sheepishly, she rolled out from behind the tree. Tinsel covered every available inch of her wheelchair, and the wheels lit up when she rolled in a way that reminded Riley of the light-up sneakers that were popular when she was a teenager. Not that she'd actually owned a pair, of course.

Mac squatted in front of the girl, whose wild blonde curls were equally unruly as Riley's own hair. "Were you spying on us?"

"Maybe," she said with a shrug.

Mac twisted to look at Riley. I like her. "What do you think, Mrs. Claus?" he asked. "Do spies get put on the naughty list?"

Yes. She winked. "I think this one can stay on the nice list. She managed to sneak up on Santa, after all. Very impressive."

The kid beamed. She had no idea.

"Yes," Mac said slowly, "very impressive." He turned back to the girl. "So, what do you want for Christmas?"

The girl listed a whole bunch of presents, claiming she wanted to give Santa options. Mac listened intently, nodding at all the right points.

Something warm bloomed in Riley's chest as she watched the scene unfolding in front of her. To say Mac was good with kids would be an understatement. When a kid spoke to him, he always gave them his full, undivided attention and took every word very seriously. When a kid was being serious, Mac was serious, and when a kid was acting silly, Mac would be twice as silly. And as a result, he could crack even the shyest and grumpiest of kids, and, more importantly, they would trust him.

A thought popped into Riley's head. I want to have his babies. As if her body was reiterating what it already knew and her brain had just figured out, her hands unconsciously drifted to her abdomen.

The same spot Mac's hands hands had lingered a minute ago, she realized with a start. Did...did he want kids with her too?

Riley wanted kids—she wanted kids with Mac—but she also knew that neither of them were ready to give up their job. They couldn’t keep doing what they did with a kid in the world. After growing up with absentee parents, they’d never risk leaving their kid to grow up without one or both parents.

But when the time finally comes, when she and Mac are ready to trade in getting shot at and making stuff explode for stability and mundane normalcy, she won’t be able to wait any longer to start a family with him.

She waited until they were in the Jeep before broaching the subject of kids. Tentatively, she began, "What were you thinking about back there when you put your hands on my stomach?" The look on his face then said he was definitely thinking about something, but Riley didn't want to assume what.

Mac dodged her question. "Sorry, I didn't realize I did it."

Riley knew that was a white lie, but she didn't call him on it. He'd answer honestly in his own time. Since it was too big a subject to outright ask him, Riley took a more subtle route instead. “Do you see yourself having kids?”

His eyes widened in response. “You know I want kids.”

That wasn’t what she meant. Wanting them and actively reshaping your life in order to have them were completely different things. “Yeah, but do you see yourself settling down, getting a safe, normal job, and raising kids?” They’d vaguely talked about this before, long ago, but Riley suddenly needed to ask him again.

Mac was silent for a long time, staring out the front window. “Yeah, I do,” he finally said. “With the right person.” He glanced over at her, eyes softening.

Me too, Riley wanted to say, but she choked on the words. It took her a couple tries, and the words came out strangled, but she was pretty sure Mac understood. Neither of them needed to say it directly in order for the other to understand: I want to have kids with you.

Riley spent the rest of the drive fantasizing about the kid-filled Christmases in her future. She glanced down at the ring on her finger. First step, she thought. Get a real ring.

#beth writes #macgyver #macriley #christmas fic #established macriley au #macgyver fanfiction

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gameofdrarry · 3 years ago

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Wizards Hearts Recs: Holiday Fic

Wizards Hearts was a four-month-long Drarry reading fest. Players were given a playing deck of 52 tropes, and were asked to find 52 different fics to read and comment on to fill their decks. To prevent the same few fics from being read, fics were restricted to only being used for the game three times before being considered ineligible for further points. The tropes and submissions list can be found here.

Check out the masterlist of fics for this trope below the cut!

📜 East of Eden by WriteSprite Rated: Explicit Words: 41,122 Tags: Explicit Sexual Content, Explicit Language, Parseltongue, Dirty Talk, Rimming, Biting, Drinking Games Summary: When Harry receives a dodgy brochure for an island vacation, he isn't sure he should attend. After a bit of a push, he decides to go for it and winds up spending the week in paradise. At least it would be, if it weren't for that pesky blond git. ❤️ Read on AO3

📜 Take My Hand by daisymondays Rated: Explicit Words: 12814 Tags: Summer, Summer Romance, Pining, Mutual Pining, Getting Together, First Kiss, Drinking Games, Harry Potter Has Dimples, Draco Malfoy Can't Cope, Fluff, Sharing a Bed, Auror Partners, Draco Has Feels To Spare, Anal Sex, Blow Jobs, Flirting, Friends to Lovers, Meddling Friends, Touching, Soooo Much Touching, HP: EWE Summary: Draco has long resigned himself to pining after Harry... that is until an invite on the annual Ministry holiday gives him a chance to change everything. ❤️ Read on AO3

📜 December Never Felt So Wrong by MaesterChill Rated: Explicit Words: 50001 Tags: Post-Hogwarts, Angst, Mystery, time skip, 00's Music Sung Badly, Fluff, Amnesia, A niffler, 25 Days of Draco and Harry 2018, curse magic, Knitting, Sex, Cuddles, Blow Jobs, First Time Sex, wanking, Advent Fic, Christmas, Magical Artifacts, Falling In Love, Magical Theory, drarry dads, Rimming, Memory Loss, A tiny bell, Sharing a Bed, Dad Jokes, Cursed objects Summary: 'Twas the month before Christmas and sixteen year old Draco Malfoy had never felt worse. His attempts to kill Dumbledore were failing and, as usual, Harry Fucking Potter was a constant thorn in his side. All that suddenly changed when Draco woke up 15 years in the future and discovered that not only was he allegedly shagging Harry Fucking Potter, he also had thinning hair and a five year old son, and no fucking clue how he got there. ❤️ Read on AO3

📜 Tell Me the End at the Beginning by harryromper Rated: Teen and Up Words: 36591 Tags: Harry Potter Epilogue What Epilogue | EWE, Post-Hogwarts, St Mungo's Hospital, Healer Draco Malfoy, Auror Harry Potter, Auror Hermione Granger, Christmas, Christmas Tree, Enemies to Friends to Lovers, Christmas Presents, Christmas Decorations, 25 Days of Harry and Draco, Food Hall Turkeys, Advent Calendar, Healer Luna Lovegood, Kreacher, Minor Neville Longbottom/Ginny Weasley, Yule Logs, Misheard Christmas carols Summary: St Mungo’s is the last place anyone wants to spend the festive season. Harry finds himself there anyway. Or: Harry's an Auror suspended from duty, Malfoy's wearing the hell out of three-piece suits, Hermione is entirely over everything, and Kreacher just wants to be left alone to decorate for Christmas. ❤️ Read on AO3

📜 Too Cold Outside (For Angels to Fly) by gracerene Rated: Explicit Words: 62688 Tags: Harry Potter Epilogue What Epilogue | EWE, Post-Second War with Voldemort, Post-Hogwarts, Creature Fic, Mythical Beings & Creatures, Veela Draco Malfoy, Veela (Harry Potter), Auror Partners, Auror Harry Potter, Auror Draco Malfoy, Aurors, Case Fic, Murder Mystery, Mild Gore, Advent Calendar, Christmas, Drinking, Scotland, United Kingdom, Muggle London, POV Alternating, Coffee Shops, Past Character Death, Past Harry Potter/Ginny Weasley, Minor Hermione Granger/Ron Weasley, Minor Dean Thomas/Ginny Weasley, Crime Fighting, Duelling, Burns, Blood and Injury, Bars and Pubs, Getting Together, Romance, Light Angst, Happy Ending, Bisexual Harry Potter, Gay Draco Malfoy, Anal Sex, Riding, Shower Sex, Hand Jobs, 25 Days of Harry and Draco, 25 Days of Harry and Draco 2019, Switching, Wings, Wing Kink, Veela Mates, Mating Bond, Anal Fingering, Bonding, Dirty Talk Summary: The Auror Department and the Department for the Regulation and Control of Magical Creatures are working to create a new division partnering human wizards and Magical Beings in order to more effectively police crime involving any and all classifications of Magical Creature. Auror Harry Potter jumps at the chance to join the pilot programme, but he starts to regret his rashness when he discovers who he's to be partnered with: Draco Malfoy. ❤️ Read on AO3

📜 If the Fates Allow by Saras_Girl Rated: Mature Words: 80957 Tags: N/A Summary: What's that crackling in the walls? Harry has no clue at all. He'll eat some cake and drink some wine Because he is completely FINE. --A story about life's disregard for our plans. [2017 advent story] ❤️ Read on AO3

📜 A New Peace by MalenkayaCherepakha Rated: Explicit Words: 5566 Tags: Alternate Universe - Coffee Shops & Cafés, Harry Potter Epilogue What Epilogue | EWE, Anal Sex, Oral Sex, Semi-Public Sex Summary: Of all the people Draco expected to walk into his cafe in Muggle London, Harry Potter was not one of them. ❤️ Read on AO3

📜 flashback, warm nights by warmfoothills Rated: Mature Words: 13068 Tags: Deathly Hallows AU, or more specifically, the godric’s hollow christmas shitshow of 1997, but with ron and draco!, and no snake-animated corpses!, instead:, Grand theft auto, a lot of blood, teenage fugitives, a time loop, Horcrux Hunting, one psychopathic quinquagenarian, Bodily Injuries, the ~power of love, Breaking and Entering, hospital food, questionable headwear, kissing in the backseat, kissing in the freezer aisle, Kissing in the Snow Summary: “What’s killing me is that I actually quite fucking like Christmas, festival-for-a-personally-irrelevant-religion-turned-commercialised-garbage-holiday though it may be, and now I’m stuck in the perpetual almost-there of it all with an idiot who gets himself cut up every time no matter how differently I try and do things!” “Killing you?” Potter asks. “I thought I was the one who’s about to get my torso sliced into?” ❤️ Read on AO3

📜 All Must Draw Near by Saras_Girl Rated: Mature Words: 61080 Tags: N/A Summary: Harry doesn't have time for rumours; he has a shop to run. Which is just as well, really. ❤️ Read on AO3

📜 With A Little Help From Hermione by naarna Rated: Teen and Up Words: 6983 Tags: N/A Summary: Secret Santa at Hogwarts with every House participating in the name of unity... And Hermione suddenly finds herself in the position of a matchmaker. ❤️ Read on Fanfiction.net

📜 Faint Indirections by ignatiustrout Rated: Teen and Up Words: 29793 Tags: University, Wizarding World of the United States of America, Americans, Post-Second War with Voldemort, Librarian Harry Potter, Harry Potter Has a Pet Snake, Parselmouth Harry Potter, College Student Draco Malfoy, Redeemed Draco Malfoy, Anxious Harry Potter, Baby Gay Draco Malfoy, Bisexual Harry Potter, Friendship, Family Dinners, Halloween parties, Harry Potter Epilogue What Epilogue | EWE, Romance, Misunderstandings, Internalized Homophobia, Implied/Referenced Homophobia, H/D Fan Fair 2019, Secondary Theme: Book Fair Summary: Draco Malfoy is the last person Harry expects to turn up in Boston, Massachussetts. But now he's here, and he won't stop requesting books from the library where Harry works. ❤️ Read on AO3

📜 The 12 Dates of Draco by Drarryismymuse (Hatchersn) Rated: Explicit Words: 16808 Tags: 12 Days of Christmas, Light Angst, Christmas Smut, Anal Sex Summary: Holiday dialing, desperate attempts at reconciliation, and 12 blind dates with Draco Malfoy... oh my! OR The day Harry just can't seem to get past. But what is the universe trying to tell him? And when did Draco Malfoy get so bloody fit? He's got 12 days to figure it out. ❤️ Read on AO3

📜 Christmas Is For Sex (and Love), So Give It To Me by GoldenTruth813 Rated: Explicit Words: 53218 Tags: PWP, Established Relationship, Christmas, Bondage, misuse of frosting, making gingerbread houses, coming without touching, Blowjobs, Fingering, anal penetration, Rimming, misuse of fairy lights, Praise Kink, Nipple Clamps, erotic massages, Lingerie, Harry in Lingerie, Butt Plugs, Masterbation, Dirty Talk, Overstimulation, Topping from the Bottom, Ice Play, misuse of snowballs, misuse of brandy custard, veritasium, Public Sex, misuse of christmas candles, Wax Play, floating blow jobs, bubble baths, Candy Canes, misuse of candy canes, sex with feelings, Clubbing, naughty letters, babysitting teddy, Edging, healing past trauma, really so much more than sex, but lots of sex too, spiked hot cocoa, Drunk confessions, Anal penetration with a foreign object, french!draco, Switching Summary: Draco buys Harry an Advent House, intent on helping Harry create all new holiday memories, and have a lot of great sex in the process. ❤️ Read on AO3

📜 As it Should Be by leo_draconis Rated: Mature Words: 5670 Tags: N/A Summary: It's Christmas Eve, and Draco's world has just shattered around him. Will a Christmas miracle give him a second chance? ❤️ Read on LJ

📜 Dream by the Fire by GallifreyisBurning Rated: Mature Words: 11431 Tags: Fluff, Christmas Fluff, Non-Explicit Sex, No Angst, seriously no angst whatsoever, Getting to Know Each Other, Getting Together, Coffee Shop Owner Harry Potter, Writer Draco Malfoy, Tattooed Draco Malfoy, Magical Tattoos, Memory Magic, Implied/Referenced Child Abuse, Wizarding History (Harry Potter), Friends to Lovers Summary: When Draco Malfoy resurfaces in England after eight years abroad—tattooed, pierced, and wanting to take over a corner of Harry's coffee shop to work on a writing project—Harry can't help but be intrigued. Where has he been? What is he working on? Why here? And why does he have to look so stupidly hot with all those tattoos? ❤️ Read on AO3

📜 The best Christmas he ever had by gnarf Rated: Teen And Up Words: 1965 Tags: Christmas, Christmas Fluff, Christmas Party, Post-War, Fred Weasley Lives, Christmas at the Burrow (Harry Potter), Mutual Pining, Drinking, Dancing, Family Feels Summary: Christmas had never been less appealing to him than this year. That was until Arthur Weasley showed up at his door, dressed as Santa, inviting him to the Burrow. ❤️ Read on AO3

📜 The One Where Ginny Keeps a Secret, Sort of by Theartfulldodger Rated: Teen And Up Words: 4039 Tags: Fluff, Christmas, Established Relationship, Non-Linear Narrative, Group Vacation Summary: Harry is determined to have a good time with Ginny and Pansy for a trip to NYC over the winter holidays, even if Draco can't join them. ❤️ Read on AO3

📜 Adventures in Truth and Texting by fluxweed Rated: Explicit Words: 7981 Tags: Texting, Drunk Texting, Sexting, Veritaserum, Implied/Referenced Homophobia, Internalized Homophobia, Auror Harry Potter, Drinking, Christmas, Advent Fic, Awkwardness, everyone has phones, Harry Potter Epilogue What Epilogue | EWE Summary: Former Death Eaters are being targeted with a Veritaserum curse – it’s permanent, and makes victims speak aloud their every thought. Luckily, it’s easier to control when writing – and Hermione is trying to introduce Muggle technology to the wizarding world. An advent fic featuring texting, identity struggles, and a Draco Malfoy who will literally not stop talking. ❤️ Read on AO3

#holiday #vacation #drarry #drarry rec #game of drarry #wizards hearts #wh masterlist

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fredweesleyismyslut · 4 years ago

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No More Secrets - Tim Drake x reader

A/N: One of my many interests is reading comic books sometimes and in middle school I got really into the robins and batman, so this is me living out my fantasy of dating my favorite by writing Tim Drake fanfic haha. Anyways, twas also written at 12am like most of my writings nowadays because apparently I like writing when I’m running on 3 hours of sleep and 2 cups of coffee at night. So, before I ramble more I’m gonna stop here, so I hope you enjoy this and have a good whatever it is where you live/whenever you’re reading this and if it’s not good it’ll get better! Byeeeee!

Staring at the clock, it felt as if it was mocking you, ticking the seconds away as you waited for your boyfriend to show. Muttering under your breath you said to yourself, “Of course he’s a no show.” You had prepared dinner for him at home, it was your two year anniversary and you had a surprise for him. Sighing you ran your hand through your hair, looking at your phone the last time that Tim had texted you back, you texted one last time, Hey, babe. I’m gonna head to bed it’s getting late. Before he could text back or call you turned your phone off, done for the night, not wanting to be bothered. Tim Drake, your boyfriend, was somehow always busy and missed all your dates, and now he’s missed your anniversary. It wouldn’t have been a big deal if it wasn’t for the fact that, yet again, he’s missed more than half the dates you’ve ever been on. I mean you probably hang out with his brothers more than he hangs out with you. You can count more than once that Dick, his older brother, had come out and eaten dinner with you instead because you had made reservations and Tim couldn’t make it.�� Groaning you stretched, allowing the air to be released from your joints as you stood up and ignored the dishing, promising yourself you would wash them the next morning.

The next morning, you heard the doorbell ringing, someone was nonstop ringing the bell as you finally jolted from the bed, “I’m coming, I’m coming!” Opening the door, you questioned, “Why are you ringing the doorbell like a madman at 6am?!” Wiping the grogginess from your eyes, you focused, “Oh, Tim. Hey, what’s up?” You stood at the door, as you continued, “I thought it was the kids next door, they usually come over for breakfast since their mom leaves early.” He nodded as he shuffled his hands together, as he smiled softly, “Can I come in?” You nodded, moving aside, as he walked past you, “I’m sorry.” was the first thing that came out of his mouth as soon as he made it in, “I didn’t mean to ditch you last night, I was-” You cut him off quickly, eyes shooting holes into him, you swear if looks could kill...he’d already be dead. “Oh, let me guess, you were busy, just like every other time.” You scoffed softly, as you went over to get water, “Let me guess again, you bailed because last-minute your neighbor’s house burned down and you had to go save everyone?” Tim frowned softly, “Y/n, baby, I promise it’ll never happen again.” You rolled your eyes softly, “Don’t make promises you can’t keep Timmy.” His hand reached for yours as you quickly pulled away, as if his hand was made from fire, “Be honest with me Tim, are you just not interested anymore?” you moved to the far corner and crossed your arms over your chest as if protecting your heart from hurt, “In the two years we’ve been together I can count maybe three times that we’ve had a date where you didn’t bail last minute. I mean what is going on, did you just have fun playing with me?” Tim’s face turned into one of appalling, “I would never y/n, you know that.” “Do I? Honestly, at this point I don’t know whether I’m dating you or your brothers. I’ve been on more dates with them where they haven’t bailed than dates with you.” Tim opened his mouth to reply but quickly closed it, instead walking closer, “Darling, please, just listen.” You flinched at his touch, as you pulled away, trying to keep your voice in control you took a deep breath. “Did you ever even love me, Tim?” He flinched at those words as his voice took on a pleading tone, “Babe, you mean the world to me you know that. Please don’t do this.” You shook your head, “I can’t do this anymore. This whole wondering if you love me, wondering if you’re not showing up because I’m not enough.” You choked back a sob as you pointed to the door, “Get out.” Tim tried to step closer before you shouted, “Get the hell out, Drake!” His face clouded with hurt at your words and the use of his last name, as he slowly walked out, but before he did he left a small box on the counter. You walked up to it slowly, opening it to find a necklace with a ring attached to it. You felt tears sting your eyes as you quickly went to calm your thoughts before work.

After work, you were walking back home when you heard a child crying in one of the alleys. You thought to yourself, Maybe someone else will help…, but as you thought that guilt crept into your head and you quickly turned around heading in the direction of the sound. Was it an incredibly stupid idea to go into an alley in Gotham, especially by yourself, yes but if there really was a child in need you had to help. Quickly rounding the corner, you looked around not seeing a child anywhere, “What the hell….” you muttered to yourself as you walked in deeper. Breath quickening as you stepped further in, you felt a sharp sting in the back of your head as your knees buckled. Your head stung and you felt something trickling down the back of your head, ears ringing and vision going fuzzy. You looked up, seeing a large man standing over you with a bat in his hand, “Told ya it’d lure her in…” he said, looking at someone in the corner, as a voice responded, “Couldn’t help yourself huh? You just had to be a hero.” Wincing at the pain in your head, you tried to say something but all that left your mouth was a pained groan, as the man atop you was about to grab your shoulder something whizzed past your vision as the man whirled around shouting in pain. Whatever it was, it had grazed his arm and he was bleeding slightly, as he glanced around, holding his bat tightly. From somewhere behind you there was a loud thud as the man in front of you yelled, “Hey, who are you?!” A figure dressed in red ran past you as the two started fighting. The one in the red suit was gliding around as if he was a butterfly, gracefully avoiding the man’s blows, and throwing his own blows that hit the man each time.

Soon, the fight was over as the one in the red suit hit the man with a final blow, kicking his bat out of his hand and knocking him out. “You okay?” he asked, voice quite familiar to your ears, as he walked up, “You really shouldn’t be walking around in alleys by yourself, especially not in Gotham.” You groaned, trying to sit up, “I- There- I know. It was stupid.” He held his hand out as you accepted, pulling you up with ease, he looked at you. Finally, uncomfortable from the gaze you broke first, “Ummmm...thank you for that. I’m sure you get that a lot since, y’know, I’m assuming you do this every day, but seriously...thanks” He nodded mouth sliding into a tight line as he seemed to be considering something, “Do you want me to take you home, miss?” You were about to decline but felt your knees wobble slightly, “I’ll take that as a yes? I don’t think you’ll make it home without falling on your pretty face.” You smiled softly, “Are you flirting with me?” “I’m trying. Is it working?” Chuckling softly you smiled, as a slight frown replaced it quickly, “I have a boyfriend...sorry.” The man nodded, “I figured….pretty girl like you.” Laughing you smiled, “We’re actually having kind of a fight right now…” you glanced up at him, frown deepening, “I said some harsh stuff to him that I didn’t mean...I’m only saying this to you because we’ll probably never see each other again or at least hopefully not I would prefer to not have my life needing saving every day.” He smiled, “That would definitely be preferable. If I had to save you more than three times I would call it fate at that point.” He was holding you tightly as he swept from rooftops using his grappling hooks or whatever it was called, “Do you believe in fate?” you asked, keeping your eyes on his face, too afraid to glace down. “I’m not sure...Do you?” “Avoiding the question huh? Well...I thought I did. I think I thought fate brought me and boyfriend together...y’know that whole true love and soulmate mumbo jumbo the whole deal.” Laughing at yourself you continued, “I just...I really loved him and I don’t think he felt the same. I was always second most important to whatever it was he did in his free time. All the secrets just became too much...does that make me selfish?” The vigilante shook his head, “I think it makes you honest. You deserve someone who puts you first...someone who doesn’t keep his life a secret from you.”

A couple more minutes and you had arrived at your balcony, “Thanks, for everything tonight and the free therapy session.” you smiled, as he set you down. “No problem, y/n.” You turned around quickly at the mention of your name, “How do you know my name?” you questioned, maybe I let it slip? You thought but you were pretty sure you hadn’t even said your name once, then the idea that his voice sounded familiar set in. “I-uh…” he muttered as you slowly walked up, placing your hand on his cheek, “Tim? Is it you?” you asked gently, as your hand crept up to the edge of his mask, “Can I?” He nodded softly, as you pulled it away, “It is you. I would recognize your voice anywhere.” Tim shuffled awkwardly as he glanced at his feet, charisma from two minutes ago gone now that the mask was off. Then another thought set in, “Were you following me?” you questioned eyes slanting slightly. Tim’s eyes widened as he replied, “You’re missing the big picture here...I kinda saved you...” You laughed slightly as you punched his chest, “I’m messing with you...although I am kind of embarrassed that I complained about you to y’know...you.” Tim smiled softly, “Nothing you said was wrong though... This-” he said as he gestured to himself, “Is a big part of who I am, and I kept it from you it was unfair, especially after two years of you being patient every time I bailed.” He stepped closer, closing the gap as he held your chin, “You deserve to know about this part of me. You mean everything to me y/n y/l/n, I love you.” You leaned into his touch as you smiled softly, as he continued, “I promise I’ll never keep a big secret like this from you again...I just didn’t want to put you in danger and didn’t realize I was hurting you more by keeping you away. If you will, I’d like to make it up to you, maybe dinner tomorrow?” You nodded softly, as you placed a kiss to his cheek, “I’m glad you came to your senses and just so we’re clear you keep things this big from me again then Gotham’s safety will be the least of your worries, Timothy.” He gulped slightly, as he muttered, “Okay, I promise, no secrets especially not big ones.” Then you grabbed his shoulders pulling him down to your height, “How bout you start making it up to tonight? I think Gotham can wait for one night…” Tim grinned cheekily as he pressed his lips to yours, “I’m sure Bruce won’t mind.” You pulled away quickly, “Wait, Bruce, as in Wayne, as in your father? He’s Batman?!” You realized then that your world was about to get a lot more interesting and your homework was going to be the least of your worries when your boyfriend and his family were vigilantes by night.

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sunshinetoshi · 4 years ago

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*ahem* i decided i would start with not daichi because that's ✨expected✨ from me but 🤲🏽 may i get 🤲🏽 akaashi + street by street by laufey + angst HURT ME

akaashi x reader (1.1k words)

i'm taking back my city i'm taking back my life

tw: angst (post-breakup)

A/N: kat bby i cried when i first listened to this song. twas fun 🥴 asjkdf. but fr i really like it so bless your music taste (cause the others are good too eeeek those are coming up heheh). i also tried something a lil different so idk how much pain there’ll be but tbh just the thought of breaking up with keiji hurts me ah. okay here ya go xx

“Are you sure you don’t want to go?” “Yeah, it’ll be fun, the three of us together!”

You gave a polite smile to your two friends, “I’m sure, but thank you.”

“But it’s your favorite cafe!”

“I know, I just don’t feel like it today.” You pulled the blanket up and snuggled into the throw pillow of the couch. “But maybe you can bring me back a scone?” you lifted a brow at them with a small smile.

“Y/N,” one friend started as they plopped on the couch near your legs, “I understand you not coming if you don’t feel like it, but you’ve haven’t been feeling like it for a month.” They looked at you seriously, “Are you sure this isn’t you moping?”

You sighed and sat up. “I’m not moping. I told you guys I’m feeling better. I just don’t feel like it, really. This isn’t about him.”

You jolted back from the person you bumped into. “Oh, I’m so sorry! Are you okay?”

The boy turned to you.

You looked at his eyes and were caught by the color that looked like the deep waters of the ocean. Your eyes travelled to his hair and you smiled. He was very pretty. Your gaze dropped shyly to the floor. “I’m sorry again, I should’ve watched where I was going.”

“You don’t need to apologize. I’m okay.”

You looked up at the sound of his voice and saw the kind smile on his face.

“You said you want to move past him but you’re not doing anything productive to start that journey.”

You head snapped to their direction. Were they right?

Your other friend took a few steps toward you two. “Hey, hey, that’s enough. Everyone heals at their own pace. They’re entitled to do this anyway they please.” They gave your friend on the couch a pointed look, “Let’s get going.”

They sighed and stood up from the couch, “I just don’t think he has the right to break your heart and still consume your life.” They saw they weren’t getting a reaction from you. “We’ll see you later, Y/N.”

You stayed in that spot for a long time after they left. Everything they said was right. You did want to move on from him. You were still letting him be the only thing on your mind. Maybe you did need to take a step forward.

You found yourself moving to your bathroom and getting showered. You were all ready, a bag packed for whatever it was that you were going to do today, you still didn’t know. The only thing you knew was that you had to go out, you had to stop moping. You took a look in the mirror at your hoodie and jeans.

He opened the door and you looked him up and down, taking in his slacks and his sweater layered over a collared shirt.

“Aw, Keiji! You didn’t tell me we were dressing up today!” you pouted at him.

He chuckled softly and pulled you into his apartment. He brought the two of you in front of the small mirror by his entryway. “I don’t know what you mean,” he traced a hand down one of your arms, “I think you look perfect.”

“I’m in a hoodie and jeans.”

“You look radiant,” he whispered as he snuggled his head into the crook of your neck.

Again, you didn’t know where you were going. But you found yourself in the parking lot to the quaint part of town, with tourists and locals alike milling around.

You got out of your car and had to smile at the feeling of the sun on you balanced with a gentle breeze blowing. It was a beautiful day. You looked around and saw it wasn't as busy or crowded as it normally is.

“This is where you try to go every weekend?” He intertwined your fingers and stood closer to you.

You nodded, “I used to come here a lot as a kid, too. There’s something about this place that just makes me happy. I think it’s my favorite place.” You smile at him, “And now I’m sharing it with you.”

“Well I can’t wait to bring you here often and see that happy look on your face.”

You walked past the little souvenir stores and coffee shops.

Swinging hands. Quiet shared laughter. Sipping each others’ drinks. Stolen kisses. I-love-you’s.

A man on his cellphone paced near a closeby bench. “No, you’re not listening to me! I told you those documents needed to be dropped off to them by ten this morning! Didn’t you see the memo I left you?”

A shiver ran down your back and you hurried yourself to move past him.

“Don’t you see it too, Y/N?”

You wiped at the tears running down your face. “No, I thought-”

“We’re not working anymore.”

You shook your head in disagreement. “I don’t know what you mean. I thought you were happy, I thought we were happy.”

“I’m not.” A deafening pause. “I’m not happy.”

Your body froze up.

“I think it’s best if we broke up.”

You felt it, your heart break.

“What did you think, little? Did you have fun?” a mother asked her young daughter. They were walking from the exit of the community art gallery.

“So much fun, Mama! When I grow up I want to be an artist too and paint pretty pictures like they did. And maybe one day they’ll be up in a place like that one!”

“Listen to me. You are so much more than who you were with him. You have so much to provide to this world. When you’re able to pick up the pieces of your heart, you’re going to be unstoppable and you’re going to shine so much brighter.”

You listened to the words of your friend, one who never held back from what they felt.

“It’s not always going to be like this, we promise,” your other friend comforted, rubbing your back as you continued to cry your heart out.

They loved you.

You continued to walk and walk, taking in the sights you haven’t seen in quite a while. You stopped when your eye caught sight of the city garden. More and more flashbacks.

An inevitably broken promise that you two would one day see what that garden had to offer.

You took a deep breath and marched up to the entrance. Your walk through the beginning was slow, looking at all the different flowers and butterflies around you. It was beautiful.

You found a little bridge they put by a pond and stared at the movement of the water and koi swimming. All these things you saw today, from the moment you left your apartment, were filled with life, moving and moving on. And it was all so beautiful.

A smile found its way to your face as you felt something you haven’t felt in while. Perhaps it won’t fix it all but it still was a blessing to feel. It almost snuck up on you, you hadn’t even realized it. But it was there.

Peace. Happiness. Solitude.

#haikyuu #haikyuu oneshot #akaashi x reader #akaashi keiji #akaashi #tw angst #tw breakup #amaya celebrates 100💛#☀tara writes☀

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yungidreamer · 4 years ago

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Blackout Part 1

Summary: When a storm blows in just before finals it throws life into chaos with no power. But the trio’s home becomes a refuge in the storm. A place of warmth and happiness where everyone can gather to ride out the storm and enjoy some time together. Seonghwa and his love, Yeosang, find some special time together. A moment of respite in the storm.

Word count: 6.6k

Content warnings: fluff and smut, this time featuring Seonghwa and Yeosang, sex (m/m), a bathtub, the stress of finals and a blackout across town. Mostly happy bonding with friends and partners by candlelight.

‘Twas the weekend before finals when all through the city, not a building had power, it was a true pity. An ice storm had blown through late on Thursday coating everything with half an inch of ice bringing down power lines and tree branches. Classes were canceled on Friday and departments mailed out plans for finals, with professors encouraged to make finals something people could take at home if possible to leave halls that might need to be powered by generators for those that absolutely had to take tests on campus.

The dorm halls and residences were dark but at least heated, however, with no promise that power would be restored soon, people were eager to go home for the holidays as soon as possible. Students who were given the option for take home or online files were all making plans to head home early. Those who weren’t were forced to go to pick up meals from the one of the few functional cafeterias on campus. No one was happy with the situation.

In their little house near campus she, Mingi, and Yunho were happy to be in their cozy little home together. They were especially thankful for their fireplace and for the gas stove the place had come with, since it meant the interruption in power hadn’t given them nearly as much trouble as it was giving most of their friends. With the fridge and freezer down, they moved the frozen foods out to the backyard. The weather had remained around freezing since the storm and it would keep it as well as the freezer would have. The things that needed to be kept cool but not frozen, they kept in the little entry porch in a cooler that was just enough to keep things from freezing but was plenty cold. All in all, it was actually pretty nice, minus the fact that they couldn’t watch anything on TV and were only keeping only one phone on at a time. Their travel batteries had been real lifesavers actually.

On Friday evening they learned that Yunho’s chemistry class was keeping their scheduled practical final on Tuesday which he needed to stay for. Mingi’s math teacher, an old crotchety tenured professor, insisted on having an in person final for his 200 + person introduction course. He didn’t trust people not to cheat, nor did he trust the newfangled online tests some people in the department had started using. Luckily that was scheduled for Monday afternoon so it wouldn’t keep them there any longer than Yunho’s. She was lucky and had already been sent her four finals she had left for her classes and was hoping to have them done before they drove home for the long Christmas holiday.

At around 7 that Friday Yunho’s phone rang. It was a frazzled and stressed out Hong Joong wondering if he might be able to come and study with Yunho at their place. With no power he had been studying as much as he could during the daylight hours and making due with a hanging flashlight he had set up in the evening. He grumbled about not being able to make any of the food they had and being stuck with sandwiches for days with no way to cook in the house.

“We can cook here if you want to bring stuff to make some food here,” Yunho offered.

“You can cook?” Hong Joong perked up on the other end of the phone. “Do you have power?”

“No we just have a gas stove and oven,” Yunho explained.

“Wou...would you mind if I came to stay for a little while?” Hong Joong questioned hopefully. “I can bring food. I also have a solar charger we can share to charge phones and stuff. Also a radio I’ve been using to keep me sane.”

“Oh yeah sure, that would be fine,” Yunho agreed. As he finished speaking, he heard a shuffling, and then Hong Joong make an exclamation of objection.

“You can cook?” Came the tight voice of Seonghwa over the line.

“Ye...yes…” Yunho replied slowly.

“Can Yeo and I come study there?” Seonghwa sounded tense and close to begging. “I will cook food and I am good at it. Please. I miss warm food and I want to get out of this tiny dark room. I will do anything.”

“Sure,” Yunho laughed. “You guys can come, too. Maybe bring some candles or light as well as some food to make.”

“Thank you,” Seonghwa’s voice was full of relief as he said it. “I have to call Yeo and tell him to meet me. We will bring whatever we can. Ugh, if only one of our dorms just had one of the functioning cafeterias, I could bear to stay there. I just wish we weren’t going to have to come back and forth.”

“Do you mind if they stay for the weekend?” Yunho covered the mic and whisper asked the other two. When they nodded he brought the phone back to his ear and offered, “You guys could stay the weekend. Just come and bring whatever you need to study and clothes for a couple of days.”

“Seriously?” Seonghwa said, unsure if he could trust what his ears had just heard. It was too good to be true.

“Yeah,” Yunho confirmed. “We have room and it will be good to have everyone together in one place for studying. It will be a big help if you cook and bring extra food, so...yeah, you guys are welcome.”

“Thank you,” Seonghwa said gratefully before passing the phone back to Hong Joong.

“We can stay over?” Hong Joong asked, a note of extra hope entering his voice.

“Yeah, bring what you need,” Yunho confirmed. “Or at least what you can. We will make the best of this studying time and time to get the finals done before the holiday.”

“You guys are the best,” Hong Joong laughed. “Okay, we will see you soon.”

“So we’ll be having some guests it seems,” she said, setting her study material aside for the moment. “Guess that means I should clean up a little.”

“I’ll help,” Mingi offered, closing his math book for the moment.

“Me, too,” Yunho turned off the screen of his phone and set it on the coffee table. The boys redressed their beds to give the guests places to sleep while she cleaned up a little in the kitchen, doing the last of the dishes and checking what they had in their cabinets, thinking about what they might need. Yunho, when he was done making the bed, went out and grabbed more wood for the fireplace. It was starting to get dark and, while the furnace was keeping the house warm, the light and extra coziness it was giving the house was making the blackout much more pleasant.

They had decorated the house for Christmas after getting back from Thanksgiving with their families. They had bought a tree from one of the lots, strung it with colored lights, and bought a cacophony of colorful glass balls and bangles. It wasn’t the sort of tree that would have made it into one of those home life magazines but it was homey. Off on one side of the tree Yunho had eventually discovered a trio of special ornaments she had bought and tucked off to the side. They were little enamel picture frames, each with a photo of one of them, with Our First Christmas Together and the year written on the back. Yunho was in a bright blue oval shaped frame that had a sunburst sort of design under the enamel that caught the light when the tree was lit. Mingi was in a bright red square frame that had a sort of scaled or feathered sort of pattern that seemed to shimmer in the light. Hers was purple and round with little gems that dangled off the bottom. He wasn’t sure how long they had been there before he noticed, but he made sure to bring it to Mingi’s attention when he noticed it. They both loved it and wished they had thought of the gesture first, but of course she had done it. Silently they promised, next year they would surprise her, but this year they could both still get her something amazing for Christmas.

Mingi had gotten her an antique style pearl choker with a small square panel in front that had a starburst pattern in silver and crystals. He liked the idea of her wearing it, like a mark that she was his, even if everyone didn’t know it. He hadn’t given it to her. He was still deciding if he wanted to give it to her before they went home or save it for when they got back. There were still days to decide, so it stayed tucked far back in one of the drawers in his bedroom, waiting for the right time.

Yunho had bought her a hair comb from a local antique shop. He had gone expecting to get her something simple like earrings but had laid eyes on the ornate, two pronged, silver comb and knew it was what he needed to get her. She often twisted her hair up into easy buns on the back of her head, held there with one or two simple wooden hair sticks she used. This comb, with its gorgeous rococo style curved decorative plate would look perfect sitting in her hair. It was something she would use, which meant he would get to see his gift on her often; just a little something saying she was his.

They had gotten each other something as well. Yunho had bought Mingi a new, expensive pair of Bluetooth headphones he could use when he needed some isolation to keep his mind on studying. His last pair had started to wear out, the battery only lasting three or four hours these days. The new ones were better and would be more forgiving for his usual forgetfulness when it came to putting them on the charger when he was done.

Mingi had bought Yunho a new suit set including dress shirt, jacket, pants, tie, and pocket square. Yunho had noticed that he had outgrown his last set over Thanksgiving and knew that he needed to get something soon but had been putting it off due to school. Mingi had gotten him a steel grey suit with white button up and sky blue tie and pocket square. Honestly, he couldn’t wait to see him in that and really wanted to come up with some date, some occasion to see him in it. The color would go perfectly with his current blond locks he had gotten lightened even a shade brighter during his last visit to the hairdressers. That he was going to give Yunho before he went back home for the holidays, as there was a good chance he might have a reason to wear it then. As long as he brought it back home, since Mingi was dying to take him out in it with their girl.

Before long the house was really ready for guests and for more studying. She pulled out a few more candles and put them on the dining room table to light when people went there to eat or study, whatever might be needed. They had been concentrating the light in the living room, with a few candles around the room and a couple of wall sconces lit that she happened to have. They were remarkably good at lighting the room with their mirrored backs and high hanging light. She had bought them because she liked them, not knowing they would come to be genuinely useful and not just frivolous pretty things she just enjoyed having.

A little after eight, Hong Joong arrived at their door with a heavy bag in tow behind him, packed with school things, clothes, food, and other useful supplies he thought he could provide. He came into the house, grateful to be in the warmth again after battling icy sidewalks and freshly falling snow that was now coming down. It took him a moment after he took off his coat to take in the room he had entered. The whole place just oozed cozy warmth with its cheery decoration and surprising brightness given that he had been making due with a hanging flashlight.

“Wow,” was all he said when he looked up, taking it all in.

“Welcome to our home,” she greeted him with a hug, helping him take his things into the room. “Is there anything that needs to be kept cold in your stuff?”

“Oh yeah,” he shook his head, bringing himself back to the moment. “This stuff here is perishable.” He pulled out a bag with cheese, milk, meat, condiments, and a few other odds and ends he had that he and Hwa had decided he should take to be useful. “I also have this stuff that needs to be cooked but doesn’t need to be kept cold,” he said, passing a bigger bag to Mingi, who was standing nearby. “I think Hwa and Yeo are going to bring more but this is what I was tasked with bringing.”

“Thank you and make yourself at home,” She said, walking off to put the perishables in the makeshift fridge. “You can take one of the boys’ rooms. The beds have been made. You can leave your stuff in there and pick a place to study. We can do something about food when everyone gets here.”

“You guys are lifesavers,” Hong Joong said as he dragged his bag back towards the bedrooms.

It didn’t take long for Seonghwa and Yeosang to arrive at their front door, laden with food and other things they needed to study and make their place home for a short time. Seonghwa looked like he was ready to cry when he saw the cozy and welcoming interior of their house. After having faced the possibility of having the stress of studying in the dark with bad food, the relief was fresh and sharp.

“I am going to be in your debt for eternity,” he said, dropping his things near the door and drawing a slightly surprised Mingi into a tight hug.

“You’re welcome,” Mingi replied with an amused laugh and a gummy smile.

“This place is really nice,” Yeosang said, taking everything in with a slow scan of the room. “You even have a fireplace...wow.”

“You can put yourselves in the room that Hongjoong didn’t take,” Yunho instructed. “Is there food we need to deal with?”

“Yes but don’t worry about it,” Seonghwa picked up their other things and prepared to take things to the bedrooms. “Let me put things away and then I am going to deal with food. Where am I…” Yunho pointed down the hall and the two boys happily made their way back to take the unoccupied room. They re-emerged from down the hall with Seonghwa’s arm around his boyfriend’s shoulder and one of Yeosang’s slung loosely around his waist in return. Hong Joong appeared behind them, his arms laden with study material.

“Okay,” Seonghwa gave Yeosang a kiss on the side of his head before heading to get the food things he had left near the door. “Show me the kitchen.” Yunho gave an amused chuckle and led him through the wide doors that opened into the kitchen. Seonghwa looked like he was tempted to hug the stove when he laid eyes on it. He was almost in despair at the idea of not having ‘real’ food between now and finals. He instead settled for hugging Yunho again before he set about pulling everything out he had brought so that it could be organized and put away. Yeosang helped to gather the things to be put into the cold as Seonghwa decided what to cook for everyone.

“Is beef stew okay for everyone?” He asked after having taken stock of all the ingredients. Everyone gave affirmative answers and Seonghwa set to work preparing everything to go into the dinner. Yeosang wandered into the kitchen to help and she joined them shortly thereafter, making quick work of the chopping, peeling, and the searing. Soon, all that was left was the hour or so everything needed to simmer in the large pot.

With dinner sorted, everyone settled in around the living room with their books and notes to study. She settled in near the fireplace next to Yunho and Mingi, wrapping herself in a blanket as she pulled out the psych final she had decided to work on first. Yeosang and Seonghwa settled themselves on the smaller loveseat, Yeosang tucked in between his boyfriend’s spread legs as they both studied from large textbooks. Hong Joong stretched out on the couch, his head near the end where Yunho was seated near the fireplace, allowing him to poke at him occasionally as they both studied the material for their final.

By the time dinner was declared done by an ecstatically happy Seonghwa, everyone was ready to take a break from their studying. They served the stew in whatever dishes worked, not having quite enough bowls to go around. She and Hong Joong made do with a couple of large mugs, which were actually much easier to carry into the living room than the bowls. With the plentiful light and warm atmosphere, they decided it was the best place to eat.

“How many finals do you have?” Yeosang asked the room in general as he took a bite of the delicious stew.

“Three,” Mingi replied. “But only one has to be done on campus. The rest were changed to take home stuff given the circumstances.”

“I have four, but they are all take home,” she followed up. “I’m just hoping I can get them all done before we drive home for the holidays.”

“Oh that’s right,” Seonghwa waved his spoon in the direction of the trio. “You guys all came from the same place, didn’t you? Are your families all friends or something?”

“Sort of,” Yunho scrunched up his face a little as he rolled the explanation around in his mind. “They all know each other, but mostly because we know each other, not the other way around.”

“So then how did you all meet,” Yeosang asked as he leaned against his boyfriend’s shoulder.

“Mingi threw us all in the water at summer camp.” Yunho said with a wide grin, successfully eliciting the reaction he hoped from the other boy.

“Hey,” Mingi objected, putting one hand on his hip as he spoke. “I did not...okay I sort of did. But it wasn’t like it sounds.”

“He got better with the canoes,” she noted with a mischievous glint in her eyes. “Especially when there wasn’t the threat of ducks.”

“Come on,” Mingi pursed his lips and grumped at the two of them.

“Imagine if you hadn’t,” Yunho reached out to him, stroking his cheek softly. “Our girl might be with San and...well...we would probably be alone or something. Oof, not a pleasant thought really.”

“I guess we really owe those ducks,” she joked, falling into peels of laughter at the thought. Beside her Mingi huffed, pulling her into his lap for a kiss that ate her laughter. Yunho scooted over, wrapping his arms around both of them with the warmest expression on his face.

“I think you had to be there,” Yeosang faux whispered to his boyfriend, causing him to give a snort of laughter and slap his shoulder playfully.

“I am so single…” Hong Joong sighed, his eyes looking between the two couples who were there in front of him. He tucked into his soup with a shake of his head, glad to be there but also wishing he had someone to bring with him, like his roommate did. Seonghwa glowed when he was around Yeosang, or Sangie, as he often called him, getting groans and eyerolls from those near enough to hear it. He and Hwa had met in a dance class together last year and the two had been nearly inseparable since then.

They finished the stew and Hong Joong, Yunho and Mingi volunteered for dish duty since they hadn’t helped with cooking. Even though it was nearing 11 at that point, most of them wanted to press on with studying.

��Hey love, can you bring in the big bottle of cider?” Yunho asked Mingi as they finished the dishes. Mingi nodded and headed to the porch to bring in the gallon bottle of cider they had bought a few days ago. While Mingi retrieved that, Yunho scoured the cabinets to find the packet of mulling spices they had somewhere.

“Here you go,” Mingi set the heavy glass bottle on the counter, pressing a quick kiss to the side of Yunho’s neck, causing the other boy to blush and giggle. “What are you making?”

“I thought some cider would be good as a sort of desert,” Yunho shrugged.

“Mmmm, good idea,” Mingi moved to hug him from behind, tucking his head in on Yunho’s shoulder as he watched him work. “Warm and cozy.”

“It’s kind of fun having everyone here,” Yunho noted as he lit the burner under the pan. “Don’t you think?”

“Mmm,” Mingi agreed. “It’s more fun than just studying alone would have been. And Seonghwa can cook; that stew was delicious.”

“Maybe we can have them over more often,” Yunho suggested, swaying in the arms of the other boy.

“Sometimes,” Mingi agreed. “I still want time just with the two of you.”

“Of course,” Yunho turned his head and gave him a peck on the cheek. “Time with you is the best part of my day.”

“Yeah?” Mingi asked shyly, flashing him a gummy grin. Yunho made a mhmm sound and moved to put his arms around his shoulders and took his lips in a slow, lazy kiss.

“Awww, am I missing all the fun?” She teased as she joined them in the kitchen, having come to see what had been keeping them since the dishes were done.

“Yes,” Mingi teased, looking at her over his shoulder, not letting go of the man in his arms.

“Poor me,” she pretended to pout. “Good thing I came to check, I suppose.”

“Come here,” Yunho beckoned, pulling slightly out of Mingi’s arms, enough to lift her onto the counter next to them. Mingi took her lips and Yunho nibbled down along the side of her neck below her ear. She gave a moaning giggle into Mingi’s mouth, shivering at the tickling sensation being sent through her.

The hiss of the cider starting to simmer in the pan brought them apart. They portioned the cider into mugs and took them out to the others in the living room. Hong Joong took his mug in his hands, clasping it joyfully and breathing in the fallish scent with a contented grin.

“I forgot how good this stuff could be,” he sighed. “I swear I haven’t had this in years and I don’t know why.”

“Mmmm,” Seonghwa hummed happily in agreement. “I am loving this all but I am starting to get tired. I think I am going to have to shower and get ready for bed after this. I am pretty sure that the words are just passing through my brain and leaving no mark at this point.”

“Well we have showers and hot water,” she offered. “We even have a nice bathtub if you want to use it.”

“Oh man, it has been so long since I had a bath,” Seonghwa sighed.

“You and Yeo could, uh, share it,” Yunho suggested. “It’s big enough for two if you want to relax a little before you head to sleep.”

“Really?” Seonghwa sat up straighter and sent a look to his boyfriend. It had been a while since they had a place to relax together that wasn’t one of their dorm rooms when their roommates happened to be out.

“If Mingi and I can fit in it, you two should be just fine.” Yunho chucked. “I’ll show you where it is.”

Seonghwa hopped up, taking Yeosang by the hand, and followed Yunho down the hall. They made their way through the shared bedroom to the master bathroom, candles in hand. Yunho pulled out a couple of towels for them and showed them where they kept the bath bombs and scented oils they used in the bath. They thanked him for the help and for the accommodations and let him go on his way. Seonghwa started the bath while Yeosang got their toothbrushes and pajamas from their room for them to change into when they were clean and ready to go to sleep.

The candle light danced off the pale tiles and glinted off the chrome fixtures. The room was warm and cozy as snow fell outside the small distorted window high up on one wall. The sill had a growing line of snow that was building on it as it continued to fall, deafening the world around them.

Seonghwa stripped his clothes off and slipped into the warm water he had scented with rose. The steam rose from the surface of the water, wafting the scent into the air with it. He shut off the water just before Yeosang returned, clothes and toiletries tucked under his arm.

“Getting started without me,” he tsked, setting them down on the counter by the sink.

“Just making sure it is perfect,” Seonghwa retorted, sending him a tempting smile. He slid himself under the water, dampening his hair and face in the warm water. He stretched out his hand to his boyfriend, inviting him in with a hungry look through his damp eyelashes. “Come in, the water is fine.”

Yeosang smiled down at him as his hands went to the hem of his shirt, slowly lifting it off over his head. Seonghwa bit his lip as he looked at the smooth stretch of skin he exposed in the flickering light of the room. He could never get enough of him. His slim, muscular body, the soft ripple of his abs that ended in the softest wisp of a happy trail.

Yeosang loved the feel of Hwa’s eyes on him as he undressed. The way he looked at him made him feel like the sexist thing on the planet. There was always a fire in them; an unsated thirst. He loved it, so he took his time as he slowly unfastened the button on his jeans and slid the zipper down. His eyes watched the flash of emotions that crossed Seonghwa’s face as he languidly slid his pants and underwear past his hips and thighs before letting them drop and stepping out of them.

He walked over to the tub and slid into the water, sitting himself on Seonghwa’s waiting lap, looping his arms around his boyfriend's broad shoulders. The water lapped lightly around their chests, filling the near silence of the room. Yeosang let his gaze meet Seonghwa’s with an unbroken intensity, not needing words to tell him how much he wanted him.

Seonghwa leaned forward letting his hands reach up from behind to hold Yeosang’s shoulders as he pressed a kiss to his chest. His lips brushed along the soft skin, feeling their way over the lean muscles of his pecs and up to his collarbone.

“It’s been too long,” Seonghwa whispered against him as Yeosang let his head fall back, allowing his lover more access.

“It’s only been a week,” Yeosang gave a breathy chuckle as he felt the other boy’s lips follow the line of his pulse up the side of his neck.

“That doesn’t count,” Seonghwa protested, one hand traveling up to tangle in the soft blond locks of Yeosang’s hair.

“Oh?” He asked breathlessly.

“Sneaking something in during the twenty minutes it takes for Hongjoong to go get something to eat from downstairs definitely doesn’t count,” Seonghwa clarified sternly, before nipping the soft skin just below Yeosang’s ear.

“I thought you liked the thrill of maybe getting caught,” Yeosang teased. “The possibility of someone seeing you fall apart with just my hand down your pants.”

“Maybe a little,” Seonghwa admitted, his lips quirking into a half smile. “But how could I have said no with all that teasing you were doing all day. Sitting in my lap and grinding your wonderful little ass on me every time you knew someone wouldn’t catch you. Ugh, tease.”

“Like you were any better,” Yeosang pointed out, his hands moving to splay over Seonghwa’s chest. “Slipping your hand in my pocket. You knew that hole was there before you did it, too.”

“That will teach you to put off fixing holes in your clothes,” Seonghwa laughed before bringing Yeosangs lips down to his. Their kiss began as a slow, sensual exploration of their mouths that slowly became more heated as Yeosang pressed Hwa’s head back. He raised himself slightly onto his knees until he loomed over him, leaving Seonghwa breathless and at his mercy.

Yeosang pulled back from the kiss and looked down at the wanton face of his boyfriend. He loved seeing him like this. His assertion that what they had gotten in last week ‘didn’t count’ was pretty fair he decided. A quick shared handjob they could sneak in with the risk of getting caught might be fun, but he loved to see the pleasure dazed face he could bring to him even before he really touched him. He loved taking his time with him, tasting the saltiness of his skin and the sweet flavor of his lips.

“Can I make love to you tonight?” Yeosang asked, kissing his way across Seonghwa’s beautifully high cheekbones.

“Make love to me now,” Seonghwa urged.

“Here?” Yeosang gave a low chuckle. “In someone else’s bathroom?”

“Turnabout is fair play,” He snorted, thinking of the first time he had met those three.

“Mmmm, true,” Yeo admitted, letting one hand sink down to brush the pad of his thumb over the tip of Hwa’s growing erection. “Switch places with me?”

“Sure,” Seonghwa nodded and twisted himself to allow Yeo to sit with his back against the edge of the tub and move him into his lap. Hwa felt his boyfriend’s erection brush against his inner thigh as they switched places, sending a shiver through him. He loved when Yeo was inside him as much as he loved the times the roles were reversed. When he was in his lap, he could look down at that beautifully sculpted face with it’s perfectly symmetrical features. He would never get tired of those warm eyes looking up at him.

Hwa brought his face down to Yeo as he felt the other boy's hands slowly make their way down along his back to the curve of his ass. His fingers brushed over the muscles there, enjoying their softness as he gave them a quick squeeze. With excruciating slowness, he moved the tip on one finger to brush over the pucker of muscle nestled between the soft cheeks.

Hwa let out a sigh and ground himself forward at the sensation of the tentative touch. He knew it wasn’t reluctance that slowed the touch of his lover, but the enjoyment he got from drawing out the moment; from the pleasure he caused with his teasing. When they had the time, there was nothing Yeosang loved more than bringing Hwa near to tears with his teasing before he would take him; waiting for that moment of desperation at his teasing before he would do as he asked. Seeing the hunger and desire twist his features into a mask of craving always gave Yeosang that pang of power and pleasure.

“Tell me how much you want me,” Yeo prompted, massaging Hwa’s entrance as he did.

“I need you in me tonight,” Hwa obliged, letting his desire be on full display as he spoke. “I need this moment this week. It’s been so hard and I just want a moment that is just you and just me.”

“I wish I could always take you into my arms like this,” Yeosang admitted as Hwa leaned in to brush his lips over his forehead. “I want to hold you as we go to sleep every night.”

“If only one of us didn’t have a roommate,” Hwa lamented with a sigh. Much as he loved Hong Joong as a friend, lately he had been wanting more space. He wanted privacy and the freedom to do what he wanted, when he wanted.

“Maybe next year we can get our own place, like this one,” Yeosang proposed as he finally pushed one finger inside.

“You want to live with me?” Hwa gave a shuddering sigh and let his head fall slightly back at the sensation.

“Yeah, I want to be with you more,” Yeosang conceded. “I’d love to be with you every night and make love to you in the morning.”

“That sounds like heaven,” Hwa smiled and pressed his lips to Yeosangs.

“Is that a yes,” Yeo questioned, broadening the circles he was making as he worked Hwa’s body open for his entry.

“Yes,” Seonghwa nodded, cupping Yeosangs cheeks in his wet hands and kissing him more deeply. Their tongues battled slowly as Yeosang worked another finger in, then scissored gently to make sure his lover's body was ready for him.

When Hwa whined with need, Yeosang finally sunk down slightly more in the water and positioned himself to enter Hwa. He let the other boy work himself down his length, going as fast or as slow as he wanted as he took him in. When he was finally all the way down, Hwa let out a breath he had been holding, relishing the sensation of Yeo so deep inside him.

“Fuck, you always feel so good around me,” Yeosang groaned, his hands coming to grip the other boy’s narrow hips.

“I love the way you fill me,” Hwa returned, gripping the sides of the tub for leverage as he prepared to move. He threw his head back and arched as he slowly began to move himself up and down. Yeosang could only admire the smooth, broad expanse of his lover's chest as he moved. In the candlelight he looked divine, droplets of water sparkling over his skin as they dripped down its smoothness.

“Have I told you today that you are beautiful?” Yeo breathed quietly.

“Next to you, I hardly compare,” Seonghwa leaned in to press his forehead to the other boys, slightly increasing his speed as he moved himself up and down his length. Yeosang’s hand went to encircle the turgid length of Hwa’s erection wanting to bring him as much pleasure as he could.

Hwa’s movements stuttered at the increased sensation, he shuddered and let out a little moan. “Do you think you’ll last longer than me if you do that,” He challenged, his eyes locking on Yeo’s hungrily as he continued to move.

“Yeah I think you’ll come first,” Yeo set his chin with an angle of defiance as he looked up a Hwa with hooded eyes.

“I guess we’ll have to see, won’t we,” Hwa breathed, moving faster and taking him as deeply as he could. The room was filled with the sound of their breathing and the sloshing of the water around them. It was a battle of wills between them and there would be no losers. They both threw themselves into the sensations of pleasure, both the giving and the taking. For the moment there was no one else, nothing else. They were the pleasure and the tension itself.

“I think you’re going to win,” Hwa shuddered, his knuckles going white with the strength of his grip on the curved edges of the tub.

“Then cum for me,” Yeosang demanded with a soft confidence as he expertly moved his hand over Hwa in the way he knew he loved. He watched Hwa’s face with rapt attention as his face and body contorted with the almost painful rise of pleasure he was riding. When his orgasm hit, he paused in his movements, half collapsing forward as his arms and legs quivered from pleasure and exertion. He let out a broken moan, his head lolling forward as he lost himself in the sensation and burst of peaceful satisfaction that filled him up as it passed.

“Can I…” Yeosang asked for permission to move. Seonghwa nodded and braced himself as he tried to catch his breath. Yeo gripped his hips harder and thrust himself up into Hwa as his muscles fluttered around him. He was close and it had been a near race to their finish. It only took a few minutes of his enthusiastic thrusts for him to find his own pleasure, emptying himself into Hwa’s body, loving the way it held him in its warm depths as waves of pleasure rode him.

Seonghwa pressed his lips to the corner of Yeosang’s mouth as he panted, lying limp in the bath beneath him. He looked so beautiful, damp and exhausted by pleasure.

“We definitely need a place with a bathtub.” Seonghwa said as he held Yeo’s face between his hands, his thumbs stroking his cheekbones, leaving droplets of water in their wake.

“Liked this that much, did you,” Yeosang let out a tired scoff and cracked one eye open.

“If I had known you looked this good wet,” Seonghwa joked. “I would have gotten you into a shower or tub months ago.”

“See, you promise that now,” Yeosang gave a dramatic sigh, mischief sparkling in his eyes. “But watch us move in together and have you get bored of me since you can have me anytime you want.”

“Please,” Seonghwa scoffed, and smacked Yeosang’s chest lightly. “As if I would be so fickle.”

“Promise?” Yeosang smiled up at him, pushing a lock of hair off the other boy’s forehead.

“Cross my heart,” he captured the hand as it was pulling away and pressed a kiss to the palm.

They stayed sitting in the cooling water for another couple of moments before Hwa felt strong enough, in both body and spirit, to lift himself off of Yeosang. They both shivered as they finally separated, Hwa giving an unsteady giggle at the sensation. He was able to get himself out of the water, pulling one of the towels off the rack and wrapping it around himself. Yeosang followed, taking the other towel before he pulled the plug on the drain, allowing the water to slowly be siphoned away.

“I think we were a little vigorous,” Seonghwa laughed, feeling the slight puddle on the tiles under their feet.

“Too much water,” Yeosang agreed, dropping the towel he had used on the floor to soak up the water now that he was mostly dry. Seonghwa pulled his pajamas on and hung up his towel to dry and Yeosang did the same when he was satisfied with his sopping up of their little puddle. They brushed their teeth and gathered their dirty clothes under their arms, ready to go to sleep.

They made their way out to the living room, after dropping their things in the room on the way, and bid everyone good night after getting glasses of water from the kitchen. Sex could be very thirsty work. Hand in hand, they padded back down the hall to the room they would occupy during their stay. Crawling in under the covers, Seonghwa curled around the body of the other boy, happily tucking himself along Yeosang from the back.

“Whose room is this, anyway?” Yeosang asked as he laced his fingers with Seonghwa’s where they held him around the waist.

“Mingi’s I think,” Seonghwa replied.

“How many nights do you think he has actually spent in here,” humor danced in Yeosang’s voice as he asked the question.

“Not many,” Seonghwa admitted with a laugh.

“Lucky guy, isn’t he?” Yeosang observed as he closed his eyes with a yawn.

“Not as lucky as me,” Seonghwa muttered as he buried his nose in Yeosang’s neck. Sleep claimed them quickly as the rest of the house also moved to settle in for the night. Outside snow continued to fall, but inside the house was warm and cozy with each room filled with love and contentment.

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