#doing yoga together i sob

[monicaalexandraaa]

Oh the next part is gonna start with a bang! I love it! This story makes me happy😌😌I love them all (except Kael)🩷🩷

Pucking Rookie III

Read Pucking Rookie here | ~8k words

From me: oops, more slow burn

Warnings: I have a feeling you will all be requesting a much FASTER update. Angst, fluff, shitty ex-boyfriend, the usual. Some violence which could b triggering. Please be kind to your mind.

Summary: Harry hates Kael. To be fair, most everyone hates him.

“Did y’bring your skates?” Harry asked. He was taking shots into the net for about an hour and a half at the time she had arrived. She was just a little over half an hour early to their practice. He paused to skate over to her. She was putting water bottles into place, clipboards, and other things that her uncle needed for a successful practice. Once everything was where it was supposed to be, she took her camera and took a practice shot of the ice behind Harry littered with pucks.

She frowned and looked away at her camera using it to divert his attention ever so slightly. Her cheeks turned the slightest shade of pink. “They’re in my car...”

Her unease wasn’t lost on Harry. “Do y’want t’go get them and I’ll help y’for a bit before practice?” He asked, leaning on his stick propped against the board.

She shook her head. “No thank you.”

He tilted his head at her. “C’mon, Rookie. You’re not going t’learn if y’don’t try.”

She sighed. “It’s not that... it’s just...” she looked up at him. “I’m still pretty embarrassed about it and I don’t want to do it here in front of everyone and everyone try to help...” She explained. “Like Uncle Charlie will give his two cents and honestly, I’ll be overwhelmed and I’m already nervous about it. The whole team watching would be even worse.”

Harry hadn’t really thought of that. But he wished he had because that meant that he could have a private lesson with her. One-on-one time with her was easily his new favorite thing. It happened a little more frequently since the night he followed her home. When he brought the used skates to her, she ordered pizza, and they played several rounds of Cribbage together. On a morning off from practice, he happened to be going by her place (of course going out of his way to be nearby) he did yoga with her before ordering breakfast to be delivered to her. Evenings where she worked at Louis’ he placed himself at his regular table and smiled at her as she came and went from kitchen to fluttering around the room waiting on everyone.

But on game days, whether they were home or away, she stayed her distance. He suspected she knew about his habits and his hookups. Which made him feel bad in a way he hadn’t worried about in ages. Harry was very comfortable with his sexuality. He liked having sex. He enjoyed making someone else come and yeah, he enjoyed that aspect for himself too.

But since he met the pretty photographer, he didn’t like it as much. Didn’t find it nearly as satisfying. Even though he wanted to.

Harry had a pond out behind his house. A pond that was very frozen in this chilly winter air. She hadn’t been to his place yet. Her pretty being all over his house seemed like a brilliant idea. It made him want her more.

Harry never wanted a girl the way he wanted her. For him it was always a one-night stand at their place, so he had the freedom to leave. They knew what they signed up for. But she invaded every little part of his mind. Thoughts of camera flashes and smiles. His picture on her fridge. The picture she texted him of herself that he saved as her contact photo. Her wearing Niall’s jersey. The cookies she made for her neighbors. Her rundown car. Her piece of shit ex.

“Would y’want t’come t’my place? I’ve got a pond out back.”

“I don’t know if that’s a good idea, Harry,” she admitted. Her voice was quiet, but she made direct eye contact with him. She always did, even if the conversation was difficult.

He frowned. “Why?” He asked.

“Because... you’re... you.”

“What’s that mean?” His eyebrows pulled forward as he tried to think through her logic before she said it.

“It means...” she looked at the ceiling like the answer would appear there. “I am not going to be seen with you at your place when you’ve never brought a girl home.”

He blinked. “How do y’know that?” She shrugged but busied herself with her camera taking pictures of the bench. She took Harry’s gloves from him and put them in a specific place. He felt utterly annoyed when he realized why she might have known. The frustration came over him before he could stop it. “Did your stupid ex tell you ‘bout m’reputation or something? Is that it? S’why y’don’t let me in fully? Y’think m’a piece of shit too?” He asked quietly. It sounded a little too accusing. He didn’t mean to. But it was unfair. Plus, he thought they were friends. The kind of friends like he was with Niall.

Because honestly, Harry didn’t think he could be good enough for her. Maybe he was projecting what he felt. She deserved a good boyfriend who would be able to devote all his time to her. She didn’t deserve someone that got a crummy five months to be in a relationship who had to worry allthe time about him because he had never had a steady girlfriend before.

She brought the camera from her face down to rest against her stomach on the strap around her neck. Once more, she looked him straight on. It was intoxicating. Brave. Beautiful, of course, always.

“I don’t think you’re a piece of shit, Harry Styles,” she said very clearly.

He blinked. “You don’t?”

“Why would I think that? Because you sleep with women who clearly want to sleep with you? You’re entitled to whatever you want with whomever you want as long as they fully consent, Harry. I don’t really give a shit. I just refuse to date a hockey player because an actual piece of shit cheated on me for who knows how long which I did not consent to. It’s obvious you’re charming, talented, intelligent, and very handsome,” she paused briefly, took a deep breath. “Any girl would be lucky to have you, Harry Styles. I just won’t be her.”

She brought her camera back to her face. She seemed unaffected by his stunned expression. He swallowed and it felt like a rock was in his throat. “That was an awful lot of compliments, Bunny,” he hummed. She continued taking pictures, but Harry saw the way her cheeks turned another shade of red under his gaze. He leaned closer towards her. “You think m’handsome?” he teased.

“A blind person would know you’re handsome, Harry. Don’t be a dick about it.”

“Charming?”

“Are you getting off on this or something? Is your ego not big enough?”

“I just didn’t know you thought that ‘bout me. I thought y’jus’ kinda tolerated me and m’overbearing presence.”

She rolled her eyes. “Why would I hate you?”

“No reason.”

But he answered too quickly. It was the reason that hung in the air over and over. She turned from her camera and caught his gaze again. “You’re nothing like Kael, Harry. I’m sorry if I’ve ever made you feel that you were,” her voice was extremely gentle, like she was speaking to someone with a baby napping in the room. It made him feel all over. Every cell in his body vibrating with emotion.

The breath he released was more relieved than when he found out he was being drafted to the Chargers. Harry wanted her all over his house. Wanted her in his room and not even for sexual reasons. He just wanted to see her there after any game. Wanted her to wear his jersey. Teach her to skate better. Hang any of her photographs in his house like a museum paying tribute to her talent. More than that he wanted pictures of her in his house—so many pictures of her.

*

On nights when the team had curfew because of early morning practice or a game the next day, she did not of course. Harry broke curfew almost every single day after learning where she lived. He asked her to move in almost every time he followed her home ensuring she got home safely in her crappy car.

You shouldn’t break curfew. You’ll get a big fine. Marc and Michael keep an eye on my arrival.

It’s fine. I have the money.

Harry was territorial about her and especially her safety.

Look, I don’t want to be weird, but we’re friends... Evander said you... had plans tonight with someone...

Harry wanted to kill his teammate. Who? He tried for the funny remark so he wouldn’t lose his fucking mind at the thought of her thinking about his late night hook up.

You’re ridiculous.

Making sure you get home safe is more important than having an orgasm.

...

Sorry, FRIEND. Thought we could talk about orgasms.

R I D I C U L O U S

😇

Go puck yourself Harry.

God, you’re hilarious Rookie.

Good night, Harry. Thanks for worrying about me. It’s... actually kind of nice.

Yeah, of course. Good night, Rookie.

Harry didn’t have plans that night. Not unless pining over his coach’s niece in the privacy of his own bed was a plan.

*

Charlie was currently taking his anger out on the guys, which was extremely unfair because they had no idea it was because of her. She wished she could have been surprised. Instead, she quietly took pictures, feeling bad for their poor lungs. They were breathing hard and heavy as they struggled with the conditioning drill.

“Five minutes!” Charlie snarled.

They all collapsed on the ice in their spots. Players on the bench were slumped and moaning in pain and they were already on a rest. She glared at her uncle holding two six-pack water bottle carriers as she stepped onto the ice. She nearly slipped twice. Harry didn’t even move to help her, which meant they were in really tough shape.

“Thanks Sweetheart,” Asher heaved.

“Coach, is something wrong?” Niall asked, chugging his water. Off to the side of the rink Callie was throwing up into a trash can. A quiet ‘pussy’ came from an equally green-looking Lang. Only Niall could get away with asking because he was the nice one of the group. But even still, Uncle Charlie silenced him with a glare.

“He’s mad at me and taking it out on you,” she rolled her eyes. “I’m sorry guys. Uncle Charlie, can you stop punishing all hockey players on my behalf?”

“Sweetheart, don’t,” he shook his head once paying no mind to the team that was half dead on the ice before him.

She sighed heavily. “You’re being mean, Uncle Charlie. It’s not their fault!”

“It’s the reputation they’ve given the game,” Coach Wheeler agreed.

“What reputation?”

“Uncle Charlie is mad he picked me up from my apartment. He’s not keen on where I live.”

“It looks like a meth lab.”

“My apartment is not a meth lab.”

“You have a drug dealer living on the first floor.”

“Michael is super nice! He watches my car and—”

“Jesus,” Niall murmured. “Sweetheart—”

“Don’t even bother, Horan. I tried everything. She is insistent, she doesn’t want a single hand out from anybody. Which is why you’re all paying the price. What kind of asshole makes someone as sweet as her—”

“Uncle Charlie, can we not air my relationship out in front of the whole team?”

“If we’re doing suicide sprints because of fucking Kael Crowe I want to be moved to the Lightning,” Callie groaned referring to the minor team affiliated with the Chargers. “What the hell, Coach!? Take it up with Crowe!”

Exhausted agreements resounded from the ground. “You all better treat women with respect. There is zero tolerance for it,” Coach Wheeler grumbled.

“Sweetheart, do something please,” Lang begged standing to where Callie was previously, vomiting promptly into the trash.

“Uncle Charlie, can you cut them a break? They didn’t cheat on me.”

“Oh, for the love of God,” Asher moaned. “Permission to cross-check when we play him?”

“Permission granted,” Uncle Charlie shrugged.

“Jesus,” she sighed and rubbed her forehead. Harry was still breathing hard, but surprisingly didn’t say anything. She was certain he would have something to say about Kael or her stupid choice. Everyone seemed to.

“First one’ll be for you, Sweetheart. Second one’s for me,” Asher winked.

“Why’d he pick y’up?” Harry asked quietly. It was interesting, it was the first thing he said after all the time spent trying to remember how to breathe. It was like he already knew the answer. He also didn’t rat her out for knowing beforehand about where she lived. Although she suspected he knew the punishment would be far worse if Charlie found out that Harry knew where she lived and said nothing.

“Car wouldn’t start,” she shrugged handing him a bottle of water. “It’s a piece of shit, but it’s all I can afford,” she admitted quietly. The conversation was just for the two of them. “I’m on a budget,” she reminded him.

Harry liked how open she was with him. When she told him and Niall that she couldn’t skate and that she got nervous about it, it was vulnerable in a way he didn’t expect. He liked how she said she wouldn’t date him (even though it broke a piece of him) and still managed to compliment him. Each time she mentioned she wasn’t swimming in cash made him feel like she trusted him. He thought of her cold apartment, her used skates, and her broken down car.

It was a shame she wasn’t going to like him as much after her next comment.

“Coach, if I let her borrow one of my cars while hers is in the shop, can we call practice early? I’ll drive her to and from games. Won’t let her out of my sight until she’s safely in the building.”

“I’m not convinced it’s a safe building.”

“Jesus Christ, Sweetheart, where are you living?” Niall sighed.

When Coach said the name of the building and the street just into the bad side of town, everyone moaned again. She shrugged. “It’s fine. It’s the right price and no one bothers me. I use you all as a threat.”

“Oh, for the love of God,” Callie groaned. “Coach, we’ll take shifts, anything. Make it stop,” he begged. Lang returned from throwing up in the trash can and took water from her.

“I don’t need shifts of you guys watching me,” she rolled her eyes. “No one bugs me, they know I work for the team and that I could have twenty scary hockey players there in a matter of minutes.”

Harry smirked. It was obvious he liked the sound of that. “Coach?” Harry prompted.

“Harry, I’m not taking your car, for God’s sake!”

“Oh you don’t have a choice, Sweetheart,” he snorted.

“Uncle Charlie! You’re not getting one of your players to babysit me!”

“Then you’re responsible for their lungs bursting.”

She pouted, glared at her uncle, and marched off the ice. Snagging her camera from the bench as she did. It was childish, petty, and made her look like an idiot, but she was too mad to care. Harry sighed. “Coach, she’s a grown woman... y’could have at least asked her if she was okay with that...” Harry reminded him. Charlie leveled Harry with a stare.

“She’s the best person I know,” Charlie explained. “That piece of shit Crowe never deserved her. It kills the whole family that she doesn’t see her own worth. We watched her take care of him and put her life on hold for him. She doesn’t let people take care of her. Maybe because she doesn’t know how,” he shrugged. “So if she needs tough love to do that, then so be it.”

Harry followed her off the ice. He walked slightly awkwardly on his skates but found her outside one of the offices sitting on a bench, putting her items away in her bag. “You’re not giving me your car,” she grumbled.

“Rookie,” he sighed.

“I don’t need you saving me! This is just like when you yelled at Kael.”

He rubbed the back of his head. “We’re friends, right?”

She glanced at him. “...yes,” she said tentatively.

“Y’know how y’always worry ‘bout me drinking water? Making sure I eat dinner? Texting me t’make sure I get home after following y’home?” She didn’t look at him and fiddled with the laces of her boots. “Y’can ignore me all you want, but s’what friends do. We care ‘bout you and want t’do all the nice things y’do for us.”

It looked like she was piecing together what he was saying. But not fully wanting to accept it. “You’re really going to let me borrow your car?”

He smiled.

“I guess I could... have a skating lesson... assuming your car is at your house?”

Somehow, he managed to smile wider. “Yeah, Rookie? Great... I’ll go change and tell Coach. Be out in a minute.”

“Don’t be weird about it, Harry. I don’t want anyone to think you’re my favorite. Because you’re not.”

He chuckled. “Sure thing, Rookie.”

*

Harry hurried to her side of the car and opened the door when they arrived at his house. She grabbed her stuff from the back—it was everything she had to pull out of her car and toss into her uncle’s when he picked her up. Harry grabbed his duffle bag, as well as a small bag of groceries of items she needed to make the hot chocolate she promised after the skating lesson. “M’gonna put this stuff away and sharpen your skates,” he said holding the pair by the laces tied together as he opened the door. “Here’s the key if y’want t’throw your stuff in the car,” he grabbed it off the hook near the doorway and then headed further into the house. With the key in hand, she headed back outside and unlocked an extravagant car she would never be able to afford. Sighing, she put her stuff in the trunk, locked it, and headed back toward the equally luxurious house.

To be fair, it wasn’t a mansion. It was a nice home. It was clear Harry took great care of it—or paid people to take great care of it. Following the sound of something scraping against the blade, she found Harry in his kitchen, sitting on a breakfast bar stool at the island. The kitchen was stunning. Marble countertops, white backsplash, black hanging light fixtures, white cabinets with black hardware. There were green curtains in the window. The appliances were all black. It belonged in a magazine. It was practically pristine.

The only thing she found interesting was Harry’s sink was filled with dishes. The dishwasher looked clean, it was open and completely full as well. How many dishes did a person living by themself have? She spun the key on her finger as she approached him, setting it on the counter. “When’s your birthday?” He asked randomly.

“February eleventh,” she blinked.

Harry smiled that really beautiful way of his. The one that made the dips in his cheeks deepen. His eyes seemed brighter. “S’near mine.”

“I know.”

“You keeping track of me Rookie?” He was full-on beaming.

“No, but I added everyone’s birthday to my calendar after Ray’s. Figured I would make treats if I had the time,” she explained. “I remembered yours because it’s in February like mine.”

“Can’t y’jus’ let me believe y’like me?”

She ignored him. “How do you do it?” She asked pointing to the skate.

He held the little tool out to her—a little rectangle with a space for the blade to slide between. “They don’t sell skates unsharpened, even used ones. So they’re already pretty good, but I feel better doing it myself. I wouldn’t want t’put y’on skates I haven’t ensured were good to go,” he explained and waited until she lined up the blade with the tool. “Jus’ stroke the blade in the same direction a few times. You’ll feel a little resistance. S’how y’know it’s working. The duller the blade the more resistance you’ll feel.”

“Like this?” She asked making sure she didn’t mess up her new skates.

“Yup, that’s good,” he monitored the motion.

“Thank you,” she murmured quietly.

“Course, Rookie. S’what friends are for,” he shrugged simply.

But it wasn’t that simple. Kael would never sharpen her skates for her. Wouldn’t even offer. It’s why she basically stopped skating—didn’t bother to continue because he didn’t care. He never asked if he could help teach her. There was no way he would willingly give his car to her either or offer to follow her home from a game. Most of the time they were at the same arena he didn’t go home with her. In case he wanted to go out with friends.

She felt the emotion building in her throat because she knew Harry had plenty of options. But she didn’t want to be an option. It wasn’t Harry’s fault. Honestly, it wasn’t anyone’s fault. It just wasn’t... the right time. She was too broken and fucked from her ex. Harry was too talented and charming to deal with a steady girlfriend and he shouldn’t have to. He was young, handsome, and had ample time in his career and life to have fun before he settled down.

“Ready?” He asked interrupting her sad thoughts. Harry was sweet—really sweet. The kind of sweet she always wanted Kael to be. She shook her head to rid herself of thoughts of how nice it would be to be Harry Styles’ girlfriend. It wasn’t going to happen. He replaced the guards on her blades. “Pond’s out back,” he told her gesturing to the back slider that led to a porch.

“Your house is beautiful,” she told him.

“Thanks, Rookie, love,” he smiled. “Mum was insistent it be my first investment,” he explained.

“Smart lady.”

“The very best,” he affirmed.

Nope, she wasn’t going to fall for a man who was kind and adored his mother. Not one bit.

The back deck overlooked a decent sized yard, but it was the pond that was by far the feature of it. She could picture beautiful sunsets, and she wished she brought her camera with her. There was a layer of light snow on the ground, the bare branches. It was like a Christmas movie scene. It left her a little breathless and Harry paid no attention to it. Totally used to the beauty of his own yard.

“Y’okay?” He asked over his shoulder. He noticed her pause as he continued walking toward the little pond. Harry kicked his boots off and put on his skates while sitting on a little wooden bench. They weren’t the pair he wore at the rink. These looked a little more worn in and scuffed. Well-loved, was the best description. He laced them quickly and expertly. It must have been second nature to him. With the guards still on his blades, he stood in front of her. “Put these on,” he handed her a pair of socks from his sweatshirt pocket. They weren’t the ones he bought her, which meant they were either his or another set he had bought her just for the occasion.

Nope. Not falling in love with him. Not at all.

“Your backyard is beautiful,” she said. “I wish I had my camera.” She untied her boots and stuck her feet in the skates. Almost immediately, Harry carefully hoisted her left skate between his thighs. He held her foot in her new-used skate (with the guard still in place) and tied the laces tightly.

“I can grab it after the lesson,” he offered and worked on the laces. “S’that feel good?” He asked. “Or is it too tight?”

“No, I don’t like my ankle to move.”

He chuckled. “Y’want it t’move a little, Rookie.”

She shrugged while he tied the other skate. Once done, he pulled the guards off and held his hands out for her to take. She took a deep breath and tried not to think about how large Harry’s hands were and wrapped around hers so easily. They were warm and comforting. He bent and took his own skate guards off. “I know y’can skate a little, so I don’t want t’push you,” he headed for the ice. “Jus’ do what feels comfortable.”

She barely skated at the rink. Skating on a pond seemed like a bad idea. Sitting on that little bench watching Harry? Maybe taking pictures of him as she did? That seemed like a good idea. Comfortable, to his point. “Is the pond deep?” She asked tentatively.

He frowned and waited at the very edge as she stood just off the ice. “Bunny,” he hummed gently. “I would never let y’get hurt, so no,” he promised. “S’not deep. S’very safe,” he assured her. “C’mon,” he held his hand out. Tentatively, she took it. Fortunately, she was used to him holding her elbow while she walked or skated around.

“Harry, I really don’t want to embarrass myself,” she warned.

“M’not going t’make fun of you, Bunny,” his voice didn’t have any teasing in it. Harry was dressed in a pair of black pants and a gray sweatshirt. He looked cozy and pretty as always. His voice was too soft and made her feel safe. Which wasn’t a bad thing except for her heart. “Jus’... take little steps. M’not going t’let you fall.”

It was becoming increasingly clear that it was too late for that.

She listened, taking small steps. Harry skated backwards while facing her, holding his hands out for comfort but not holding onto her. “You’re leaning too far forward, Rookie. Y’want t’keep your weight over your skates while y’step. S’going t’change a bit when y'take your steps but s’what you’re trying to maintain,” he explained. He watched her feet as she adjusted to what he said. “Don’t stare at your feet,” he offered kindly. “I know s’hard, but it’s tough on the balance,” they glided silently for a few minutes. “Y’okay,?” he asked glancing at her face. She nodded. He smiled gently. “Okay,” he took hold of her hands again and tugged her gently. “When y’stop, just tilt your foot inward just a little,” he used his own feet to demonstrate. “You’re doing great, Rookie,” he promised. “Feel easier on the figure skates?”

She nodded. “Yeah, it’s definitely easier to balance.”

He grinned, excitement covering his features and all she had done was take fifteen little steps or so. “Okay let’s keep going. We’re jus’ going t’focus on keeping y’comfortable today. Getting used to the balance and stopping,” he continued facing her and skating backwards as he pulled her.

“How do you skate backwards?” She asked.

“You gotta walk before y’can run, Rookie,” he chuckled knowingly. She rolled her eyes.

“I meant you, Harry.”

He shrugged. “I’ve been skating m’whole life.”

“Since you were three and before you could walk?” Most every hockey player she knew had the same story. Skating was more important than walking. It was romantic in a way. A first love of sorts. Harry seemed no different in that respect.

He nodded with a shy grin. “Something like that.”

“You’re very graceful.”

“You’re so forthcoming with the compliments today, Bunny. S’nice,” he pulled her toward him. She wasn’t really skating since Harry was just guiding her, but it felt nice to be on the ice without fear of making a fool of herself. “Try stopping.”

“I’m supposed to be skating not stopping Harry.” He smirked and looked at her pointedly. So she executed her little stop and Harry’s smile brightened.

“Lovely, Rookie. Do you want t’try on your own?”

“Sure,” she sighed feeling defeated before starting but it was the only way she’d get better. Harry let go of her hands but stayed the same distance from her (which was no more than five inches away). She took little steps moving at a glacial pace. She really wondered how she could have been using the wrong skates for so long. It felt so much safer and easier to be on the figure skates than it ever had been on hockey skates.

“You’re doing great, Rookie,” he assured her. She felt embarrassed because she was in her late twenties and Harry was treating her like a child. Not his doing, though. It was in her head it felt that way.

But they skated for a while quietly, just listening to the gentle cutting of the blades on the ice. Harry put his hands out just in front of him as a gentle reminder he was there, letting her have the comfort of grabbing him if she needed.

Naturally, her toe hit a divot in the ice at that moment which made her lose her footing. Harry snagged around her waist quickly to keep her upright. “Whoops,” the entire front of his body was pressed to hers. “Y’okay?” She nodded, not wanting to think about how nice Harry was and how warm his body felt. She pulled away as quickly as she could once she regained her footing. “The ice doesn’t get resurfaced like the rink,” he admitted shyly. Like it was his fault.

“You don’t own a Zamboni?” She gaped. “I can’t believe it!”

He chuckled, moving away from her slightly. She couldn’t believe how much colder it felt even though he only held her for no more than forty seconds. “Do y’want t’keep skating?” He asked.

“Yes,” she nodded. Because honestly? She didn’t want to leave just yet.

*

Eventually, they got off his little ice rink. She didn’t fall thanks to Harry catching her two more times around the waist. Each time she sent an electric current right through her heart. He was gentle, kind, and encouraging. Imagining him doing the same thing with his baby niece made her ovaries ache so much she had to think about anything else.

“Did you have a dinner party?” she asked pointing to his sink.

“No,” he sighed. “I jus’ hate dishes,” he shook his head.

“Do you want—”

“Don’t you dare,” he glared at her and headed down the hall toward another room. She smiled and shook her head.

“I don’t know how I’m supposed to make hot chocolate with a mess in the sink,” she called.

“Don’t make it then!” He sounded far away. She couldn’t believe he stayed at her tiny little apartment when she could hardly hear him from a few rooms away. “We can go out t’get some or we y’can jus’ stuff from the dishwasher, Rookie. But don’t touch the sink!”

She rolled her eyes and shifted, through the clean dishes, pulling a sauce pan from it. Harry returned with a bag. “Can you get me chocolate chips, sugar, and cocoa powder? I don’t want to dig through your cabinets—what’s that?”

He looked at her pointedly. “Y’can go through the cabinets,” he shrugged. But it was starting to feel a little too domestic. Now they were at Harry’s house which meant she was done for. At least when they were at her place, she wasn’t subject to the overwhelmingly intoxicating scent of Harry. He found the ingredients and placed them on the counter. “Open it,” he shrugged.

It was a large bag from the pro shop at the arena. She peered in and then looked up at him. “Harry.”

“S’not a big deal, Rookie. Don’t make it a big deal,” he suggested. “What do y’need for whipped cream?”

Inside the bag were jerseys. Langford, Calloway, Asher, and Styles. Her heart felt too warm. Her eyes stung a bit over the thoughtfulness yet again. Skates, jerseys, socks. Harry was too sweet. He wasn’t fighting fair. “Sugar, vanilla, and heavy whipping cream...” she mumbled. Swallowing the emotion she felt, she opted for a joke. “No Horan?”

“He already got his turn,” he grumbled slightly bitter.

She looked at the jersey brushing her fingers over his last name. “It’s too much, Harry.”

“I get a discount,” he shrugged. “On behalf of the team, throw out all your Glacier Wolves stuff,” he grabbed the next set of ingredients and eyed her from across the kitchen island. “What?”

“Even the sweatshirt I’ve worn so much I’ve got it to maximum comfort?” He pressed his mouth into a line and stared at her pointedly. “Alright I’ll throw it out, you’re so bossy.”

He smirked and turned to the stove, turning the dial to light the burner. “Okay Rookie, time for my lesson. Show me how t’make hot chocolate.”

*

It felt like Harry was becoming her very best friend, which scared her. Kael took up so much of her life it left her very little room for friends. The friends she did have... ended up not liking her and talking behind her back. “Hey Rookie,” Harry smiled entering the locker room to drop his stuff for game day photos. “Ugh,” he sighed looking at her jersey and the smile melted.

“Hi, Harry,” she waved with an impish grin.

“Hi Sweetheart,” Asher greeted. “You look beautiful today,” he cooed.

“Shut the fuck up, Asher!” Harry yelled from the other side of the door. Asher winked at her and headed inside the locker room.

“He’s so jealous,” Callie shook his head. She smiled, shook her head, but she could feel her cheeks heating up with color. “Nice jersey, Sweetheart!” He shouted, no doubt enjoying his number on her this time. Only she knew that Callie would be more extra about it than Niall ever could be.

“You can shut the fuck up too,” Harry growled from near the door.

“He must not think I look beautiful,” she laughed quietly.

“Oh Jesus,” Lang snorted filing inside.

“What did she say?” Harry asked.

“Nothing,” Lang chuckled.

“Those are fighting words, Sweetheart,” Niall chuckled heading in after his team.

After the game day pictures were posted to the appropriate social media outlets, she headed inside the arena. She filed down to her spot near the other media. She smiled and waved to people she had been chatting with regularly. They all greeted her as if she was a real media presence and not just the coach’s niece with a camera.

She took a few pictures of the empty ice adding it to her mental portfolio of this sports series she was looking to do. It was peaceful for a moment, the images forming in sequence, her ideal lighting. The way everything would come together to tell a story. It was something she was really excited about—

“Hey, baby.”

She didn’t turn immediately. Surely, she misheard. Her body felt a wave of anxiety run over it. She didn’t flinch, didn’t turn. For several seconds, she focused on her breathing and nothing else. A minute. She just needed a minute to collect herself. Turning slowly, she smiled politely.

“Kael.” His feet were on top of the seat in front of him. Some of his teammates were milling behind, a few rows back of him. He looked relaxed and uncaring of how fucked up it was that he was there. Coming up to her while she was alone. “You guys are in town early,” she stated.

He nodded, standing up and heading to her. She busied herself by inspecting her pictures making sure they looked okay on the screen. Her hands were shaking. Not because she was worried about what Kael might do but because she was angry. Kael was her least favorite person and he made her uneasy because of all the fucked-up things she let him do to her. “Nice jersey. Sleeping with Calloway?” He asked, sweeping his hand across the top of her back. It made her want to crawl out of her skin.

“No,” she clenched her jaw. She wanted to leave as little to the conversation as possible. But she couldn’t. Because Kael didn’t own any part of her privacy anymore. Part of her wished she was sleeping with Callie if only to rub it in his face. But she couldn’t pretend that any more than she could say she didn’t have a crush on Harry. “Not that it’s any of your business.”

“Right, sure...” he smiled slowly. “You look beautiful, baby. Even in an ugly jersey.”

She loved this jersey so much. The only jersey she would love to wear more than Callie’s, was Harry’s. Not that she would ever say that. “What can I say, orange and blue just wasn’t my color,” she shrugged. “And Kael? Stop calling me baby.”

He put his hands up. “Just wanted to say hi... I’m in the area today... tomorrow and the following day, too... thought you might want to catch up.”

“Sweetheart!” Uncle Charlie called.

She turned looking at her uncle, Ray, Callie, Niall, and a couple of the younger players staring at her from across the ice. “That’s my cue,” she said making her way back the way she came.

“You work for the team?” He asked, surprise evident in his voice.

“Yup.”

“Good old Uncle Charlie helped you out?” He wondered.

“Uh-huh.”

She walked around the edge of the ice noting every pair of eyes of The Chargers following her.

Kael followed her as well. “Do you want to get dinner, love?” He asked.

“I have to work tonight; thanks though,” she said over her shoulder wishing she could have cut across the ice. It would have been nice if she could have shown him that she could skate a bit now.

No thanks to him.

“What about tomorrow after the game?”

“Working again,” she shrugged.

“Lunch?”

“Busy.”

She was much closer now to her uncle and the guys. Their gazes felt warm on her, so she looked at her camera as she walked.

“C’mon, baby. You’re the one that wanted to talk.”

“To get my stuff back, Kael,” she sighed without looking at him. God she wanted to be done with the conversation. Why couldn’t he take a hint?

“Technically it’s my stuff.”

Ugh. That would do it. She spun on her heel. He was right behind her so now they stood only inches apart. This was the guy she seriously saw herself marrying because they had been together for so long. She was going to have children with him. So many days and nights spent at his arena wearing ugly orange and blue. Taking care of his every need and not asking for anything in return. All the other things that she didn’t even want to think about let alone speak into existence. Putting her life on hold for him because he deemed himself more important than her hobby. Now, he was going to continue holding her stuff hostage? Just for some weird power trip?

No. Not anymore.

“I don’t want anything you bought me, Kael,” her tone was biting. Teeth clenched. “I want my stuff back.”

He snorted. “Then go to lunch with me, baby,” he grinned sweetly.

“Hey Kael, we need her for pre-game pictures,” Charlie came up behind her putting a hand on her shoulder gently. She shrugged it off, she was independent, goddammit. She didn’t need her uncle or a hockey team to defend her in front of Kael. He already thought she was weak. She didn’t need to prove him right.

“I am not negotiating for my stuff,” she told him, her tone still angry.

“Sweetheart,” Charlie grabbed her shoulder a little more securely.

“Hey Charlie, sorry. Just trying to catch up with our girl here,” he smiled charmingly at her uncle. She rolled her eyes and marched around Charlie, toward the tunnel back to the locker room. “Tell Callie he’s a lucky man, baby,” he shouted.

“Fuck you Crowe!” Callie was immediately moving toward him as she pushed past. “You’re a piece of trash!”

“Hey!” Ray yelled. The other players yanked him back and away from one person who could fuck up the simplest of things with just a couple words. Kael smiled walking back the way he came. Like he didn’t cause a scene or anything.

*

Callie got three penalties in the first period. Lang had to talk him down because he wanted four. But that would have been bad for the team, and they weren’t even playing Kael.

Harry was fuming, bouncing his knee as he sat seated in front of his locker. “I hate that stupid prick,” Callie growled. She was seated on a chair outside the locker room looking at her camera. It didn’t seem to bother her much that Kael was around. Or maybe she was just continuing to be brave. It was kind of hot the way she stood up to him outside the ice rink. He wished he had known. He would have loved to have punched Kael. He was lucky Harry didn’t hear until he heard Callie yelling.

They lost the game one to nothing. No one blamed Callie because the goal wasn’t even during his penalties nor when he was on the ice. “I can’t wait for the game tomorrow,” Asher sighed. “Still allowed to cross-check?” He asked looking at Charlie and Ray.

Ray shrugged. “If you must.”

Harry wanted to strangle him. The moment he heard one of the younger players say Crowe’s name, he wanted to run to her, shove her behind him, and punch his stupid fucking face. “Harry?” Niall asked quietly from beside him.

“Yeah?”

“You good?” He asked.

“Yup,” he nodded.

“Look, he’s just trying to get a rise out of her,” he explained. “Maybe you.”

“He doesn’t know I like her,” he mumbled.

“You do like her?” Niall chuckled. “I knew it.”

He rolled his eyes. “Shut up.”

“Everyone decent?” Her voice called.

Harry perked up hearing the voice of the sweet girl he was falling for rapidly by the second. She entered holding a hand over her eyes. “You’re good, Sweetheart,” Lang assured her.

“Bummer,” she muttered dropping her hand. Harry smirked despite how mad he was as a quiet chuckle sounded throughout the room.

“Gross, Sweetheart. They’re my players,” Charlie shook his head.

“Well, you and I have the same taste in men then, Uncle Charlie.”

Another round of laughter. “You okay?” Charlie asked leaning against his office door.

Harry was staring, Niall beside him staring as well. The whole team was watching to be fair. “Yeah... he was just... hovering, signing autographs and stuff...”

“Fuck him,” Callie growled. She glanced at him briefly. Harry wanted to kill him for getting her attention today in the form of his jersey on her. It shouldn’t have been such a concern for Harry, but it was. He liked her so much and it was so unfair he wasn’t good enough for her. At least he was the one that bought the jersey for her.

“It’s not a big deal,” she shrugged looking anywhere but someone else’s eyes.

But it was a big deal, Harry was fuming in his seat. His leg still bouncing.

“What did he say to you?”

“Nothing,” she shook her head.

“Sweetheart, if—”

“Can someone walk me to my car?” She asked.

“I can!” Callie chirped.

She frowned. “Callie, really, any other day. But... with the jersey—”

He frowned. “I hate Crowe.”

“Join the club,” Charlie said.

She sighed. “I’ll walk you out,” Harry quickly tossed a sweatshirt over his practice shirt and a pair of sweats on over his compression shorts.

They didn’t speak as they walked to her car. Harry’s car. She put her belongings in the back seat. “I took the night off. I’m pretty exhausted,” she told Harry leaning against the driver door. “So you don’t have to worry about me.”

But he did. Because it seemed to be the only thing he did. “Oh. S’nice,” he murmured. “Are you… do y’want company or are y’jus’ going t’bed?”

“Probably just bed,” her voice was tired. “Maybe Marc and I will watch a game so he can study.”

At least there was one man in her life he didn’t have to be jealous of. “Well, we have an early curfew anyway,” he mumbled. “Do y’want me t’follow y’home?”

She shook her head. “No. Thank you.”

“Anytime, Rookie,” he gave her arm a squeeze. “Let me know when you’re home,” Harry ushered her into the car and let her go on her way. He headed back for the arena feeling fairly defeated. But at least she was safe.

*

Eliana lived close by and expected very little of Harry. She was a nice person. She was a nurse at a local hospital and had hours that lined up with Harry’s every so often.

Harry was a fucking mess.

“Are you okay?” She asked

No. He wasn’t. He wanted the pretty photographer. Wanted to know she was home safe. Wanted to go to her apartment and wake Michael and Marc up and murder them for not protecting her when they said they would. Even though she was in all reality probably fine.

“Sorry,” he murmured. “I’m gonna go,” he rubbed the back of his head awkwardly. “It’s not you.”

She smirked. “I didn’t think so, Harry. I hope you’re alright.”

 “Jury’s out.”

She rolled her eyes, pulled the covers up to her neck. “Just lock behind you please.”

Harry tried calling her. Not even caring how ridiculous he was. He was past the point of caring. He couldn’t even sleep with someone else, and he’d done nothing more than hold her hands or her elbow. He refrained from cuddling her at their sleepover beyond feeling the heat of her body while she slept.

Harry had called her every hour since he walked her to her car. Hopefully she was just asleep. She did say she was exhausted. Maybe if he drove by and saw her car, he would feel better?

Taking a deep breath, he shook his head. He couldn’t follow her like that. It was different that first time. He never intended to follow her into her apartment building. His rationality left him because he was so worried about her. Now that he was okay with her living arrangement, he didn’t want to look insane.

A drink. One drink and he would be home by curfew. Something to take the edge off. Make him forget about his worry.

Harry parked in the first available spot at The Locker Room. He waved to the regulars, said hello to some fans, and headed to his usual table. Force of habit. “Hey Harry,” Louis smiled bringing Harry a drink. “Didn’t know you were coming in; she figured you had curfew.”

He tilted his head at Louis, his thumb pausing on her name in his message threads once more. “Hmm?” He hummed. “She’s... here?” He asked.

“Yeah,” Louis pouted slightly. “She’s been here since five,” he hummed like it was obvious.

“Hey, Louis!” She called from the other room. Her voice hitching slightly in alarm.

Why would she lie? Louis raced to the other room. Harry followed quickly because the apprehension in her voice was enough to bring all his worry immediately back to the forefront of his mind and he expected the worst truly. Because she didn’t seem to be very scared of anything. She lived in a seedy part of town and worked with violent hockey players.

So what could be in the main room that would make her sound so worried? A drunk guy who was getting into it with another person? A handsy guy who thought she was pretty? A girl who didn’t like her decision to cut her off?

None of his thoughts had considered it might be Kael. Who had her wrist pinned to the top of a table, his hand wrapped tightly around it keeping her in place.

Harry’s vision turned red.

She gaped meeting Harry’s gaze. “Oh fuck,” she whispered.

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[chocogoldie]

Love Slip

bakugo katsuki x fem!reader

genre: fluff

contains: established relationship, a bit suggestive at one point

short continuation of Nip Slip 18+

It's been a while since the two of you started dating. Approximately three months, two days and forty-three minutes. But who's keeping count?

During your time together, you've come to learn many things about the blond ticking time bomb:

One, he's a very organized and clean guy. He has to-do lists separated into categories in his phones' notepad app, a strict schedule he follows everyday to stay in shape — not that he needs it, but getting to brag about being able to lift you up certainly strokes his ego — and an extremely neat room that stays neat no matter what. He brushes his teeth three times a day, eats healthy meals, has a proper skincare routine and smells of sweet caramel even when he's dripping with sweat coming back from the gym or from an intense training session with your classmates. ln short, his hygiene is top notch.

Two, he's a little bit of a gym freak. Not that you'd ever mind, you even find it hot most of the time, but sometimes he gets provoked by his other gym buddies, mainly Kirishima and Kaminari, to try out all sorts of exercises with you on his back. Push-ups, squats, even yoga poses, literally anything they can think of just to see if it'd work. You've fallen on your ass more than he'd like, or care, to admit. Not because he wasn't strong, no, but because you cannot concentrate on holding onto him for the life of you, always getting distracted by the way his muscles flex and how he grunts from exertion. It's a sight for sore eyes, strands of hair sticking to his forehead while his usually spiky hair dampens and falls down beautifully, framing his face. It reminds you of your first night together, so of course you wouldn't be able to pay attention to anything else. You don't mention how incredibly good he looks in his compression shirts. Yes, he bought multiple after you oggled him up and hinted at loving the way they fit muscly men.

And last but not least, he's clingier than anyone you've ever met which is a stark, and quite frankly adorable, contrast to his sharp appearance. You're working on some assignments? He's bringing you food and making himself comfortable on your bed while putting on a weird dating show on the TV, occasionally checking up on you to remind you to take breaks. You're going for a quick grocery run? He doesn't waste a second to throw on whatever clothes he can find and join you, walking around the store with the shopping cart and imagining you two as a married couple well into your marriage shopping for your little family. You're taking a bath? Scooch over, he's helping you wash your hair and back. You're feeling sad? He's bringing your favorite ice cream and listening to you vent while gently running his hands over your face, back, thighs, arms, anywhere to soothe you. He cradles your face when your sobbing gets louder, pressing his forehead against yours to help ground you into reality, to snap yourself out of your worries by murmuring “I'm here, baby,” or “I got you”. All in all, he's a big softie for you.

He often shows his affection through his actions, but sometimes when the two of you are alone and in the silence of your bedrooms, he pushes his embarrassment aside and spills his heart out. He vents about hero work, about how he doesn't think he's good enough, or rather, nice enough to be a hero, always ending up berating people to hide his true intentions and words. It's something he's always struggled with, but he's been working on it constantly with you, his friends, and in therapy. He tells you everything about what happened during his time in highschool, how the man literally died for a minute, and how much that impacted his life onwards. You listen intently and comfort him through it, crushing him into a tight embrace to remind him you're there for him as well and that you'd do anything to make him happy. He tells you that your presence is enough.

He whispers soft “I love you”'s each night before you two drift off to sleep, letting his hand rest on the small of your back underneath your shirt, needing to feel your skin against his to be able to sleep. The warmth your body provides gets rid of his reoccurring nightmares and allows him to sleep soundly throughout the night with you by his side. And he very quickly realizes he never wants to lose you. Ever.

Because he might've slipped into having a little crush on you, but he willingly chose to fall in love with you.

© chocogoldie 2024. do not translate, copy, or repost.

a/n: a little smth i came up with while waiting for the poll to finish :3 hope u enjoyed it! not proofread

[rodeorun]

love in the dark.

yandere pretty boyfriend x fem!reader.

cw: drugging, black-mail, non-con blowjob, degradation. Featuring @meo-eiru 's OC, Elias ❤️

MDNI.

“You better work,” Elias threatened the baby pink candle he was holding between pretty, manicured fingers.

One might even compare it to the young man himself. Long and more thin than thick, the pink wax at the tip molded into a heart shape, white wick sticking through the middle. Elias always had love on the brain, at least when it came to you. Pity he didn't have a fine white wick of logic to split his head in two, or rather, his heart. But, when you love the way he did, weren't those two practically the same thing?

He doesn't know how many hours he spent on the dark web to find this, some sort of ‘love candle.’ Whatever that bullshit meant. The description the seller left behind was short and to the point.

‘Ignite this candle in the presence of your desired person and watch them fall in love with you.’

Even Elias in all his lovesickness found it hard to believe, but it was that sickness itself that led him to purchasing the item. He hadn't gotten a gig lately so he prayed for the payment to go through, giving himself a headache for purchasing a mere candle that was six hundred and fifty dollars. God, the things he would do for you (or to you, but that's a completely different matter.)

You, the object of his affections. His sweet, sweet, sweet best friend who has saved him more times than he could count. You were entirely too good for him and he knew it.

A special knock on his door alerted him to your presence, and he knew it was you because you two had created that very knock in sophomore year of university. Long after he changed his name, you still had the heart to played with him like a child. Where others laughed at his girlish tears and overgrown sobs, you healed his inner child with every hug, every whisper, every time you'd look into his eyes and tell him, ‘it's okay, Elias. I'm here for you.’

And you always were.

No matter how bad his tantrums got, you never got sick of him. You were the only one who stayed. You practically conditioned him. How could he ever want anyone else after tasting a drop of your sweetness?

“Hi, darling!” Elias opened the door and pulled you in for a hug, kicking the door shut behind you. “Someone's mighty dressed up for a movie night in, hehe. Oooh, is this wine? Gimme gimmie!”

Taking the bag from your hands, Elias turned to put it on the table, laying a sweaty palm against his flushed cheek. Heaven, he couldn't do this much longer! Just a hug from you and a whiff of that perfume had him hardening in his yoga pants. He stayed faced away from you as he rocked side to side, subtly rubbing himself against the bottle you brought just for him. All for him.

“So, I was thinking we could start with a rom-com and then maybe a western, for variety, and after that there's a three hour long horror movie I found that-”

“Sorry, Elias.”

Glittering eyelids opened themselves.

“See, my boyfriend injured his arm in a game yesterday, so I need to go help cook for him,” you explained. Your sorry eyes seared into his back.

Ah, yes. That boyfriend of yours. Taller than Elias, bigger than Elias, handsome enough to be called a heartthrob and an athlete by profession. A real winner, that boyfriend of yours!

Elias wanted to spit on his corpse.

“Oh, your boyfriend!” He clasped his hands together and turned to face you. “The one who forgot to pick you up at the mall last week because he slept through his alarm, right? I remember him.” Elias fiddled with one of the bottles of wine now, snarling. So much for a ‘gift,’ you were just trying to buy his forgiveness.

“Yes, Eli, that boyfriend,” you chuckled. “But I forgave him for that, you know? Nobody's perfect.”

The illusion of bliss he was swept up in from hearing that sweet nickname quickly shattered.

‘Nobody's perfect.’ Elias knew that better than anyone else. Afterall, he was the last thing but, and yet you still treated him so preciously.

So, why? Why was it the very same thing he fell in love with you for, you were flaunting to just anyone? Don't you know that love isn't free? Especially not yours! How many bottles of hair dye, micro-needling appointments, collagen fillers, and waxing appointments did he go to for your love? By God he knows his deadname didn't deserve you, but didn't Elias at least earn a little bit of your attention?

How dare you, honestly. How dare you show someone else the kindness you won him over with? How dare you waltz in here just to stand him up for another man! How dare you fucking-

“Eli?”

“Yes, my beloved?”

You looked upon him tentatively, a testament to what a ticking time bomb he is. “Oh, alright, I forgive you.” He waved you off playfully and walked over to hold both of your hands in his. “But next time, I'll tie you up and keep you here forever, munchkin~”

Your laugh mingled with his. As if you thought he was joking.

“Ah, but, darling! At least have a drink with me before you go. It would be lonely to pop open a bottle by myself, hm?”

A single drink.

That's what you and Elias agreed on. One glass and you'd be on your way to that wretch. You didn't drive to get here and assured Elias that your boyfriend would drive you back home. As if.

“Oh, before we cheers,” Elias put his glass down and went to rummage for a box of matches, shaking his hips this way and that while humming in his search.

“Someone's in a good mood,” you grinned, watching him groove to imaginary music.

“Yes, with you around I always am,” he teased and returned to the table. He put the candle in the stand and lit it.

It was only a little unsettling that he watched you instead of the matches while he did so.

“That's a really cute candle, Elias. Where'd you get it?” you asked him as he sat down across from you, drink in hand.

“Oh, this old thing? It's just something I had laying around- Oh my god!”

Elias flinched as the candle suddenly exploded, letting out a small puff of wind that blew his hair back and left behind a plume of pink smog.

“Darling?! Are you- ack! You okay?” Elias wafted the air between hacking coughs until he could see your face again.

You looked shocked, as one would when a candle explodes in their face, but then you started laughing. Small titters that rang like a bell until it turned into gasps that made you grab your stomach.

“You're, hahahaha, so, so silly, Eli! Haha, where do you get these things?!”

Oh, honey. He couldn't stop loving you even if he tried.

“Oh, stop that, you! How was I supposed to know it would do that,” Elias played along, ears still tinged pink at his little blunder. You two looked at each other and then fell into joined laughter.

This light, airy feeling was a drug to him. No matter how boring he was, how flat his personality, you could always find something more in him. Something to talk about, to laugh about, to entertain him with. Something he couldn't find by himself.

It's like the universe sent you to him as if to say, ‘hey! This is the person who will make life worth living! The one who will take that mind numbing emptiness away!’

And who was he to deny the wishes of the universe?

“Worthless piece of junk,” Elias muttered when things settled down. The candle really was a sham then. “At least it smells nice,” he lit the candle again and waved the match to out it. “Anyways, I got a manicure today and the lady was way too rough with my cuticles. She should quit if that's the service she's going to give.”

He brought his nails up, inspecting the blood red polish.

He was met with silence.

“Darling?”

Your head was down, lip trapped between your teeth.

“R-Right. Well, it's pretty,” you shot him a sad kind of smile. “It's just, well, no. Hm, uh, no…I forgot, I guess?” Elias watched you scramble around until small tears dripped from your eyes. “I guess I just forgot that you see other women every day.”

His heart froze in his chest.

“And, I, I know she was just doing her job, but holding your hand while she did your nails- she did hold your hand, right? That's a little…”

You trailed off and wiped your tears, willing yourself to gather such thoughts while Elias looked on in shock.

His eyes flicked to the candle, to you, the candle, you. Always you.

“She did,” he said simply, cautiously, “hold my hand. Yes, she did.” Your face cumbled, making Elias shoot up. “But I hated it! I wished it was you! I want you to be the one holding my hand!”

“Really?” Those big, wet eyes pleaded with him. “Because, I get jealous, you know.”

Something below his belt started stirring.

“Is that so?” He hummed and pulled his chair over next to you, thumbing the tears under your eyes like you had done for him so many times before.

The light of the candle reflected in your eyes and when Elias glanced over, it had melted remarkably quickly. The leftover wax dripped onto the table but he couldn't care less.

First things first, he needed to make sure what he hypothesized was real. That this wasn't a ploy.

“You know, dear, I was very hurt when you started going out with that bastard. You hurt me, a lot. How do you think I felt?” He cooed like you were a child, soft and gentle in his palm.

“I'm so sorry, Eli. I'll break up with him, okay? I only want you! I'm really- mmph!”

Not the romantic first kiss he was dreaming of, but perfect nonetheless.

All this groveling and begging, over little ol’ him? It was too cute. He could just eat you up! But before that, it seems Elias was going to be devoured first.

“Darling? Ngh!” You were tangling your tongue with his, sucking his lips, his cheeks, his tongue, leaving little nibbles on his blushing skin. “Hold on, I need to-”

“Need to what, Eli? I need you right now,” you swallowed, “I feel like my body is on fire.”

Oh, god, the candle really did work. You were squirming on your chair, rubbing your legs together and giving him the absolute cutest puppy eyed stare. You wanted him. You wanted him.

“Yeah?” Elias said breathlessly, trying to keep pace with you, “well I think I need an apology for you cheating on me first.”

He stood up and pulled his oversized sweater up, letting you peek at the bulge growing underneath tight grey cotton.

“Oh, Eli! It's so pretty!” You weren't shy about rubbing him over his pants. “All of you is so, so pretty, baby. Can I…suck you?”

“Darling, I'm yours!” He said eagerly, the sudden onslaught of praise leaving him dizzy. “Anything you want to do, I'm yours!”

By the time you peeled down his pants and had his leaking dick positioned at your mouth, he was ready to burst. He was entirely ready to finally get his reward, but you hesitated.

“Wait, Eli. I think we should wait, um…my boyfriend. I should break up with him first.”

That goddamn candle should have come with a special feature to make you forget anyone but him all together.

Elias probably looked terrifying right now, fine features underlit by the glow of the candle, staring down at you harshly. For once, he didn't find your babbling cute. Not when every other word was your boyfriend's name. So, Elias kindly shut you up.

“There we go~” Elias cooed, thrusting his hips a little. “Ah, ah, darling. Don't run from it,” he giggled, “or I'll shove it down your fucking throat~”

You were choking on his cock, unable to pull away with how he had his fingers locked behind your head. More than you moving, it was Elias who was pumping himself in and out of your mouth, not stopping until his balls slapped against your chin every time.

“What a good little thing you are, angel. I love you so much! Hey, do you love me too? I asked if you loved me too!”

Even under the effects of the candle, you looked scared. Elias was frantic now, not only his balls hitting your chin, but his toned abdomen smashing into your face as he fucked your entire head roughly. “Dirty fucking bitch! I trusted you! I love you and you left me for dead to go date that idiot! Do you know how much that hurt me?! How much I need you?! You were supposed to me mine, all mine, just like I'm yours! You dirty, dirty f-fucking whore!” Elias let out a wet sob, spilling down your throat with his eyes screwed shut.

Heavy pants left his mouth as he stumbled back to sit on his chair, chest heaving up and down. Even through your coughing, you couldn't help but worry about him.

“Eli? A-Are you okay?”

What a wreck your voice was, no doubt you'd be feeling him in your throat for days.

“It's not all out.”

“Huh? I don't understand-”

“Lift your shirt up.” He wasn't asking.

The smooth expanse of your chest was revealed and Elias used it as extra motivation to get the last few drops of cum out, fisting his tip roughly to pull out those last thick strings. It pearled on your skin beautifully and you didn't hesitate to stick your tongue out, cleaning him off properly with soft sucks that made him tremble.

“Good girl,” he sighed and eventually sat. It was like the devil was released from him. He was just Elias again, your Eli. “That was my first blowjob, you know,” he giggled cutely, like you two were mischievous kids sharing secrets in a treehouse.

Elias sighed and leaned in to hug you after lifting his pants back over his soft length. “Oh, my baby. I can't believe this worked. Had I known, I wouldn't have done this sooner. I can't believe you're finally mine,” he mumbled into your hair. “I love you, darling. And you love me too, right?”

Silence.

“Darling?”

Elias held you at shoulder length away, not wanting to let go of you completely yet. “Hey, why the tears, darling? Hehe, do you love me that much? Aw, well-”

“I'm sorry, Elias.” Your dark pupils met his.

There was no reflection from the candlelight anymore. In fact, the flame had blown out completely by now, leaving behind a sad little puddle of wax.

Your arms pushed his off as you stood up. “Shit…I- oh god, my boyfriend. What's wrong with me?! I'm sorry, Eli- I mean, Elias, um, I think the wine was a bit too strong for me. I really didn't mean to…”

What the hell was this?! Was this- did your love only last while the candle was lit?!

“What the fuck!” Elias cursed loudly, fingers gripping his silky tresses. The situation was beckoning a meltdown.

“I know, Elias, I'm so sorry, but I don't know what came over me!”

You were scared, he could see it. And he's sure part of that fear was from the ache in your throat, the names he had called you when he was at the peak of bliss. How he carried on when he was so sure you were his completely. Over what, a stupid candle? He was an idiot! He had to do damage control.

“It's…alright, darling. It's okay. Hm,” Elias hummed as he thought, standing up to pace. “It's okay. Your boyfriend is waiting for you after all, run along now. It's getting late.”

“Elias?” You weren't sure what was going on.

“Don't worry, dear,” Elias looked at you with warm eyes. “I can keep a secret. We just got a little overwhelmed, didn't we?”

He was giving you a way out, obviously. But why?

“Right,” you said, unsure.

“That's okay, we all have our moments,” Elias giggled and walked over, wrapping his arms around you, letting one sneak down to cup your ass. “Some more than others.”

“I don't think we should be-”

“Be what? You already swallowed my load, pumpkin. Let it dribble all down your chin and everything,” he mused, rubbing a finger against your lower lip. “Or did you want to come clean to your boyfriend?”

“No! I really don't know what happened!”

“Then it's a secret,” Elias whispered, pulling you in for a kiss. You were helpless to him, unable to pull away under the looming threat of him snitching on you. His tongue traced your lips before he pulled away.

“I won't tell if you won't, darling.”

Elias sent you off with a few more kisses and a slap on your ass, already hard again and humping you like a dog all the way to the door where you left with tears in your eyes. You were just too cute!

It wasn't much, but it was something. The only excitement Elias could offer you. Now, he had a personality.

He was your secret lover.

“Aha! How wonderful!” Elias twirled around in excitement. What an adventure!

Soon, he'd guilt your sweet soul into breaking up with that idiot and you'd be all his. He already had a foot in the door after all.

Bringing a hand to his lips, he recalled the way yours felt against his. Marvelous, absolutely marvelous!

Hmm..

Elias took his phone out and sent you a quick text.

‘I think I left some lipstick on you, darling. Clean that up before you see you know who ;)’

Not even moment later, his phone rang.

“Hey, Elias?”

“Eli,” he corrected.

“Yeah, can you not-”

“Eli.”

“…Eli. Uh, can you not send texts like that, please? Just in case he sees.”

A shiver ran up Elias’ spine at the secrecy of it all. You two were bound by sin.

“Of course, darling. I'll call you tonight then.”

“I'm spending the night with him,” you said nervously. “I can't.”

“Alright then, I'll just text you,” Elias inspected his nails casually.

“But-! Ugh, fine. I'll call you later.”

“Perfect. We'll talk soon then. Make sure your camera is on, I'm still throbbing over here,” he giggled.

“I have to go now,” you whispered.

“I love you, darling.”

“Yes, he's coming so-”

“I said I love you!”

“…I love you too, Eli. Bye.”

Elias waited for you to hang up with a smile. You were already cracking under the pressure of your unwanted affair. Sure it would hurt you now, but if this didn't last long then it would be him hurting later. Surely, you wouldn't be able to deal with that, not your kind heart. After all, his beauty is something that shouldn't be marred, you said so yourself.

It was only a matter of time now.

a/n: I actually finished this over a week ago but the Elias lore kept pouring in and I was scrambling to edit to make this as canon as possible but I gave up sooooo, yeah 😃 just imagine this as eli if he actually acted on half the shit he wants to do ig lmfaooo

Also can't believe I wrote unwilling reader because Elias is literally my baby muffin snuggly pie googlie bear and i love him, but i love men suffering more ig 💗

Divider: /animatedglittergraphics-n-more

Please do not ask for part 2. Thank you!

[chxrryhansen]

rafe with a piss kink?!?

i just seen your bucky one😻😻

-💋

god you need to send me asks more often! i love all of the ones you send me🫶🏻 rafe would be soooo mean about it…

₊♡₊˚ 🎀・₊✧

your sat on rafe’s lap watching a movie together like you usually did on friday nights (since he didn’t approve of you going out without him and you didn’t want to spoil girls night by taking him with you) your back pressed against his bare chest and your legs intertwined as you sat on the couch, him only wearing a pair of boxers and you in your skimpy “pajamas” that he had chosen out for you.

you began to squirm around on his lap, your plump ass pressing into his cock as you clenched your thighs, desperately needing to go pee but not wanting to disturb rafe or miss a good part of the movie.

“quit squirming.” he mumbled, his hands moving to grip your hips, stilling your movement. you knew you shouldn’t have drank all that water earlier, rafe had warned you, you’d be up and down to the bathroom all night but you were so thirsty from your yoga class. so you downed around 3 glasses of water at once.

you whimpered quietly, the pressure on your bladder becoming too heavy for you to withstand. you attempted to get up, thinking if you didn’t mention it he wouldn’t question you. silently you shifted, moving away from his lap in an attempt to stand.

rafe was quick to tighten his grip on your hips, pulling your ass back down against his cock. a thick hand wrapped around, gripping your throat in a strong hold making you moan quietly.

“where do you think you’re going, hm?”

“r-rafe, let me go, i gotta’ go pee.”

“huh…” he sighed in false thought, a wicked smirk appearing on his clean shaven face. “nah i think you can hold it a little longer baby, just be quiet and watch the movie.” he thrusted his hips up gently against your pussy, his cock clearly hard, rubbing up and down your clothed cunt, his tip catching against your clit.

you whimpered yet again, clenching your thighs together quickly as you felt a dribble of liquid drip through your panties, soaking your shorts and leaking onto rafes cock. sighing at the slight relief you felt, praying he hadn’t noticed, your cheeks flustered due to your embarrassment. however you weren’t as lucky as you had hoped, nothing got past rafe. you should’ve known.

“fuck baby, you pissin’ on me now? filthy fuckin’ slut. do i need to do everything around here? including taking you to the damn bathroom?” he growled from behind you, his chest rumbling, acting as if he was mad. when in reality his cock had never been harder, so ready to burst out of his boxers and fuck you til’ you can’t breathe.

“i’m so sorry daddy, i didn’t mean to. i swear it was an accident.” you cried, tears streaming down your cheeks out of pure humiliation. you couldn’t hold back any longer, a steady stream of piss gushing out of your pussy, turning his boxers dark as you soaked his lap. crying and moaning at the sensation of finally being able to let go.

rafe groaned at the feeling of your hot piss soaking his cock, dry humping you roughly through your release.

“shh, it’s okay sweetheart, i know baby. your such a nasty little whore, pissing all over me, but its okay. daddy loves filthy girls like you, gettin’ me so hard. fuck.”

rafe pushed you off his lap and onto the floor, your knees hitting the hard surface making you whimper. he watched you with a dark grin as you looked up at him with a confused expression in your puppy dog eyes. “w-what are you doing?” you questioned. closing your eyes as he reached out, stroking the tears away from your cheeks with his thumb, shushing you gently.

suddenly your eyes burst open in shock as you felt a warm liquid begin to hit your chest, looking up to see rafe pointing his cock at your tits and face, his hot piss soaking your body in the most violating way possible. you sobbed as he marked you, confused as to why he was doing this.

“fuck that’s it, take my piss you filthy slut, is that what you are, yeah? you my dirty piss slut? soaking my cock then letting me mark you up. bet you fuckin’ love it. dirty girl, look at you, just writhing in my hot puddle of piss. who knew you were such a whore, baby.”

[tinydefector]

I was just interested if you were a suckered for the clothing and fabric and perfume trope as I am. In the sense where fabrics and a abundance of organic flora was considered more common for higher class cybertronains but that even then it was pretty scarce. Imagine a bot or con after getting over their fears or mild disgust of the squishness of humans so to speak the next few things they notice is how many types of hair there are. How many styles and how many different ways to dye said hair. It drives them nuts the feel such softer fibers all together to make a more denser form. Curled,staight,wavy it all catches their optics. Painted nails almost similar to paint for their frames. Tattoos so intriguing. A human willingly damaging their surface that is more fragile than their metallic frames. It's a living scar. And they can't help but slowly come to love it to when they see how much their human complain does. But fabric? God they almost get drunk off of it. When they get a hug they shiver at the smooth article that brushes on their frame. The variety. So many styles and colors. So many meaning behind patterns and techniques. They can't help but almost grow jealous hearing how far back a simple stich can come from in human history. Humanity dressing itself in plush silks and flimsy polyester but it's all gold compared to what the cybertronains have come to crave. Imagine them having made themselves smaller so they could be inside your living space and they can't help but notice all the fabrics. All the plush surfaces. Their in heaven fully convinced they're going to meet the great primes. And if you had a scented burning candle? Sweet or citrus they can't help but want to inhale deeply to capture the scent. Perfumes? God their drunk whenever a human walks into a enclosed space because all mechs and femmes are fighting themselves to not snatch you up and keep you. If you use scented body wash or scented lotion then can practically taste it on your skin if you are near or hug them. They crave it when it's late at night and they've got you sobbing and thighs shaking as they kiss and lap at your scented thighs. And if theirs multiple humans in a space? That almost has a bot slurring their words as iff they just had the best energon. Just some thoughts haha I'm very sorry it's so long. I'm just a suckered for all these headcanons and just how while they may be disgusted and have hatred for humanity some fo them can't help but swoon for so many qualitys of their human companions that are nothing like their skin. So soft and complaint and so very warm at heart.

So I do have some fics on this stuff one is

Ratchet x reader. Involving perfumes effecting cybertronians like a sex potion or sex pollen.

Then I have

Starscream x reader. Involving the infamous dress and him testing out different outfits on his partner.

This small collection of bots reacting to nipple piercings (was like my first fic I ever wrote here)

_________________

I am quite a sucker for the clothing and fabric and perfume trope. I really enjoy writing cybertronians who adore seeing their partner drapped in shimmering fabrics. Becuase to the human its could just be a satin sheet, but to the cybertronian it is luxury, it showcases so much about you and every chance they get they love getting to just feel or touch the fabrics.

Imagine: your cybertronian is sat on theirs berth which is a mix of almost foam matting(yoga mat/ expanding foam) They don't lay on just metal but it's not particularly comfortable for their human. So one day, they introduced them to memory foam, and its like the bots world has opened up. It becomes a soft, comfortable recharge. But as you start bringing sheets, blankets, and your pillows, it makes the bots feel as if they are falling in love. They love it when you drape the soft fabric over them and make yourself almost a next on their chassis with the soft bedding. To they it feels like a luxury that you are pampering them even if it's just to make yourself more comfortable. It's the fact you leave them in their suite on their berth take makes their spark clench in delight knowing you'll be coming back.

I also tend to write cybertronains have alot more nasal sensors and detectors to the point they can break down the partials to annalise them. The smell of fresh lining is something that effects them almost like catnip with a cat. They will roll around in the fabric optics wide. Engines roaring in delight. As their joints squeak and clank against the walls.

I also love writing that Fabric was something that only the Highest of society had on cybertron, but mainly due to have small the fibers are it is extremely hard for cybertronains to replicate the material, so it fetched for high prices when Imported from organic planets. If you were of the lower classes, you would be lucky if you had a tarp or some sort of soft plastic as it was also still very sort after. So you can imagine how the cybertronains reacted once on earth, even while undercover. Fabric is such a huge part of human culture that cybertronians, when they find even just a pretty scrap of Fabric, keep it as a token. As if to say "frag you" to the universe.

But I can also see a human finding the stash of Fabric cut off's and offering to sew them all together in an almost patchwork like blanket for their bot and you can bet your ass you will have that cybertronian on thier knees worshipping you for it.

______

"Hey, we have hail forecasted," their voice calls out to the vehicle parked in the driveway. The cybertronian is rather quiet as they register what was said to them. "It isn't acid rain, so it won't be anything too bad." they try to argue only to have a large old blanket thrown over them. "Hey, what are you doing?" It sends shock throught their system having something so soft drapped over their frame.

"I'm covering you up so you don't get hail damage, I sadly can't get you into the garage at the moment so the next best thing I can do is cover you up with some blankets and a tarp so you don't get damaged by ice falling out of the sky" they explain as they throw another over the vehicle. Making sure to fully cover the bot before throwing a waterproof tarp over them, too. "Sorry, I don't have anything better than this, but it will keep you dry and our of harm's way." Those words hit their spark in a way they never would have thought it would. They are left almost speechless, cosy, and somewhat warm as the hailstorm rolls in.

________________

When it comes to hair colour, skin colour, and tattoos. It fascinates them so much to see such diversity and colour on a species they originally believed to be quite dull. It gets to the point when making their holoform avatars they love exploring and expressing themselves as if making a sims character. Even going as far as some get custom paint jobs of the tattoos, they get on their avatars because, for them, it's the closest thing they can have to tattoos. But think about you getting a tattoo in a shop right across from where your cybertronian partner is getting their paint job because it was a cute couples day out.

And don't get me started on how much cybertronians love human's hair. The fibers are so different to them and they love the feeling of it, they just have to be very careful when running a digit theought thier lovers hair as to not get it jammed in the joints causing you pain.

Another thing that cybertronians are fascinated by is humans' willingness to injure themselves in the name of beauty. From tattoos, piercings, injections, and surgery. In honesty, it's not that different from frame ulteration, but they don't know how a human can do it. The bots can turn their pain sensors off while humans are just soldier on through it.

I love the idea that the bots also horde car freshners that their humans get them. It becomes a full-on pokemon card situation of them trading double ups, begging their partner to get them others so they can rub it in their friends' faces. But air freshners weren't a thing until Earth, and the bots love how it makes their frame smell different from the oil, grease, and car smell.

But perfumes gods I love the idea that perfumes have a certain chemical reaction to Cybertronian systems to the point to turns them into a raging horny bot who can't get enough of how your skin taste and how desperately they try to literally lick the perfume off your skin as if it were the riches and most expensive high grade energex on the market. It also leads to a lot of personal working with the bots not being allowed to wear perfume/cologne. Deodorants don't affect them the same way, but they also enjoy how they smell quite a bit.

But yes I love the idea of perfumes pretty much working like a pheromone spray and don't get me started on actual pheromones spray, your not leaving that bots berth for atleast 3 days, they will bring you food, water and anything you want but it literally overrides their system protocol and makes them desperate to breed you.

In conclusion, DO NOT wear perfume or Pheromone spray near the bots unless you don't intend to be leaving the berth for at least 3 days if not more becyase they can and will keep you their.

________________

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[eggcompany]

Divorced Zaundads AU

Except they get back together after years of being apart.

Silco grew his business, renting a big empty apartment that didn’t smell like their old apartment above the bar. He mostly just sat on his little balcony and smoked cigarettes. He spent all his time alone, doing yoga in his living room and eating salad. Food didnt taste good when he made it. Nothing felt good if he was doing it by himself.

Vander raised little Violet and baby Powder. He tried his best but he felt kinda… empty. He was stressed and did his best working the bar and taking the kids to school and trying to keep the apartment clean. He sometimes still grabbed four plates for dinner.

Everything falls into place one day, after three years. Silco’s in a bad place. He’d been drinking and yelling at employees and just spending every minute out of the office sitting in the dark of his apartment. Vander was burnt out, going through the motions. He just wanted to sleep all the time.

Silco decided he’d go to the place him and Vander used to go to. The bridge. He threw on his coat, wearing his slippers and wrinkled silk pajamas, and went out to smoke a cigar and over look the river.

Vander decided he needed to go on a walk, get some fresh air. Benzo had agreed to babysit AKA sleep in the recliner in the apartment living room just in case one of the girls woke up. He ended up at the river, the bridge, the one where he asked Silco to spend their lives together.

Silco didn’t notice him until Vander was leaning against the guardrail next to him. He could’ve cried. He was warm and the smell of him was so bone deep familiar. Silco didn’t mean to let the sob out.

“I missed you. I miss you so fucking much it’s killing me.” Silco said as Vander pulled him into a hug, so close, so tight. Vander held onto him like he’d never let go, nosing at his dark hair.

“I’m sorry. I’m sorry. I just- I need you.” Vander said and Silco nodded, hands twisting in Vander’s jacket.

Silco was being pushed away, his hands coming up to wipe away his tears before Vander was leaning down to press a kiss onto his lips. Neither of them knew who started it but soon they were making their way to the closest motel.

It was a blur of familiar hands, clothes hitting the floor, whispered ‘I love you’s, and what they both needed. The intimacy of being with someone who knows every inch, every good spot, everything.

Vander kissed across the scar on Silco’s face, the mark he’d caused, even as Silco cried, the feeling of being full, for the first time in so long, he could feel Vander’s heartbeat, his sorrow.

“I wanna go home.” Silco said as they laid together in the motel bed, cuddled close, satisfied and happy.

“I what you home. It’s where you belong.” Vander said and pulled Silco impossibly closer.

When the morning rolled around Silco put his pajamas back on and his coat, a giddy, teenage kinda laughter filled them as they put their clothes on and left the motel. It was a flower bloomed again for the first time in the spring.

The girls were happy when their papa came back. Powder clinging to his pant leg, violet was a little more withheld. Silco understood. The scars and his eye, she was afraid of him. It was okay.

Soon he let his lease end and their apartment, the one that they were always supposed to have, was bright and back to the way it was supposed to be.

[hippiegoth97]

Random Eddie Thought #3

Life has been kicking my ass lately, so here's a lil something.

Content Warning 18+ Only, Minors DNI: smut, swearing, crying, angst, stress, fem!reader, no use of y/n, established relationship, kissing, groping, lead up to oral sex

Tags: @keikoraven @ar-jupiter @alcielo1438 @simp4eddie022 @stolen-in-moonlight

@micheledawn1975 @janiejenn @rafescurtainbangz @melodymunson @spacedoutdaydreamer

@veemoon @sariahs-stuff @feral-pumpkin-energy @comeonatmebruh @munsoneightysixx

@morgthemagpie @josephquinnsfreckles @jenniquinn @espressomunson @cometzombie

@spookybabey @daggerdaggerkitten @nina6708 @sanctumdemunson @yourdailymemedelivery

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@ohmeg @stalactitekilla @hellfirenacht @birdysaturne @oneforthemunny

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@bimbobaggins69 @angel-munson @eldermayfield @munsonsbtch @babygorewhore

@mediocredreams @xxbimbobunnyxx @taintedcigs @ali-r3n

Stress. Such an ugly word. One most try to avoid like the plague. People will try anything to eliminate it from their lives entirely. Meditation, yoga, dietary supplements, exercise, vacations, spa treatments, the list is endless. Anything to knock out what's been long known as the 'silent killer'.

You, on the other hand, typically choose to suffer through it. The headaches, the short temper, neglecting to eat or sleep as much as you should. You punish yourself, letting a bee buzz around angrily in your bonnet for days on end. Until Eddie inevitably has enough and decides to step in.

"That's the fifth time you've sighed in two minutes, sweetheart. What's wrong?" Eddie asks, setting down his book as he's been set back to the top of the page every time you've made the sound.

"Nothing." You sigh again, crossing your arms as you try (and fail) to focus on the sitcom on TV.

"Oh, just some new breathing exercise you're trying out, then?" He jokes poorly, in an attempt to get a smile out of you. But all he receives is a roll of your eyes from the opposite end of the couch. The fact that you aren't all snuggled up to him like usual should've been the first sign. You're in a mood. Eddie closes his book entirely, bouncing down along the couch until his thigh meets yours. "Baby, c'mon. Talk to me." He says, nudging you with his shoulder.

"I'm fine, Eds. Don't worry about it." You reply, not feeling very talkative at the moment. You're tired, and overwhelmed. Life has been feeling extra hard lately, in every respect. Work has been a mess, your boss acting like more of an asshole then usual. Your parents keep getting on your case about moving out, and about 'settling down'. No matter what you say or do, they pretend to hear you out and then say they know what's best. And everywhere you turn, things keep going wrong. You burn your breakfast, your favorite pair of shoes gives out on you, your car won't start, you miss your alarm, you drop your cup of coffee the second after you've poured it. Anything resembling even a minor inconvenience has happened to you in the last week. And it's all been building to a pulsing, frustrating head.

"Angel, I just wanna help you. We've both been so busy this week, I want us to enjoy our weekend together. What's wrong?" Eddie presses, putting a hand on your thigh.

"EVERYTHING! Okay?!" And the tension finally explodes, a slew of lava bursting from your lips. You shout, louder than you ever have before in your life. "Greg has been on my ass about every little thing at the shop! My parents won't leave me the hell alone! And everything else just keeps—" Your breath catches as the fury turns to tears. "...going wrong!" You sob, continuing to babble about all the bad things, though Eddie can barely make out a word.

"Hey, hey..." Eddie coos, gently grabbing the sides of your face as you keep crying and letting out unintelligible sounds. "Baby..." He presses a kiss to your forehead. "Shh, just slow down..." He continues, the feel of his soft lips on your skin gradually relaxing you. Your cries quiet down, though your chest still shudders and thuds in distress. "I'm right here, sweetheart. Not goin' anywhere." He kisses your cheeks, your hands reaching up to lay over his own. Your watery, red eyes meet his gorgeous brown ones, tears rapidly drying on your face. "There's my girl." Eddie smiles, giving you one last kiss on the lips.

"Mm." You melt into him instantly, your hands migrating to tangle in his thick curls. You turn your body towards him, and he effortlessly leads you to lie down. Your head meets one of the lumpy throw pillows, and your legs spread to allow Eddie to slot between them.

"My poor angel. Been workin' so hard, dealing with so much, hm?" He says darkly as his lips part ways from yours.

"Yeah." You nearly whisper, enamored by the lust and adoration in his eyes as he peers down at you.

"Sounds like you need a special kind of stress relief, sweetheart. And I have just the thing." Eddie grins, lowering his head to plant blazing kisses on your neck.

"Eddie..." You sigh blissfully as his teeth and tongue come out to play on your tender flesh.

"My name has never sounded better than it does coming from your pretty lips, baby." He compliments, his hands gently tugging at the hem of your shirt. You lift yourself up a little to let him take it off, revealing your tits to him once it's tossed away. You never wear a bra when you aren't working, much to Eddie's delight. He massages your breasts in his large palms, the chill of his rings making your flesh pebble in excitement.

"Fuck, baby." You moan softly, savoring the way his calloused thumbs rub across your nipples. Your back arches, as if to offer your body to him. He accepts, though not in the way you expect. His mouth meets the valley of your breasts, kissing your skin in the most tender way. He slowly, purposefully travels down toward the waistband of your shorts. Warm presses of his mouth meet every inch along the way, setting a low-burning fire in your belly.

Eddie lifts his head once he meets the thin fabric. "Now, I want you to relax..." He says confidently, pulling your shorts down your thighs to join your top on the floor. He spreads your legs apart, tenting them at the knees. "...and tell me all about what's been bothering you." He positions himself right at your center, finding your beautiful pussy glistening in the low light of his living room. His large hands grip your thighs, and he glances at you one last time with a deep hunger in his pupils. "I'm listening."

[thevalkyriesshadow]

@valkyrieappreciationweek

Day 7: Free Day/AU

Nest Friends

canon setting | omegaverse AU | 3,845 words

Inspired by a headcanon I saw where pregnant omegas will nest in one big, fluffy pile of blankets together and share tips and stories of their pregnancies with each other. I thought of our Valkyries immediately and had to write this! Read my omegaverse!valkyries AU under the cut or here on Ao3!

Dividers by @adornedwithlight and @strangergraphics-archive

Emotions were running high and everything was falling apart…well at least for Gwyneth Berdara, that's what it felt like.

Azriel, bless him, had landed himself one feisty omega. A fact that was only further confirmed when they found out Gwyn was pregnant. Since then, Gwyn had been on high alert, moody, snappy, picky with everything you put in front of her, and overall, a typical omega – but tenfold. 

She was ten weeks pregnant and in the belly of morning sickness, dizziness, and unpredictable mood swings and of course today she was tasked with getting the nest set up for her, Nesta, and Emerie's weekly nesting session – a task that really wasn't that demanding, but with Gwyn in this stage of pregnancy…

“Az!”

“Azzzz – AZRIEL!!”

Azriel was at the door by the second time Gwyn had called out his name. “Yes – Yes, Gwyn! What is it – Gwyn, what’s wrong, love?” He rushed to her side.

Gwyn started sobbing, holding up strands of different colored strings, “I – I forgot the charms for– for the bracelets!” She covered her face with her hands. “I've ruined it…”

Azriel wrapped his arms around her shoulders, nuzzled his chin against her head, and said – in a calm, collected voice, “You haven't ruined anything – you can still make the bracelets –” He was going to say without the charms, but he stopped short at the glare Gwyn gave him. So instead, he squeezed her tighter and added, “-- I’ll go grab the charms. You stay here and keep setting up.” 

He let her wipe her tears (and probably some snot too) into his sweater before dashing back to their cottage by the water.

Gwyn turned back and sighed as she looked around the room and wiped the remaining tears from her eyes. Perhaps she overreacted…but those charms are a necessity when making bracelets. How could they possibly make bracelets for their first brood if they didn’t have charms?! She needed them.

Gwyn continued to set up the nesting room The House had constructed for them. She changed out the string lights, switching the multi-colored faelights they previously had with softer, yellow lights. Their last nesting was more on the active side with yoga and a dance-out-the-nerves session. But after talking to Nesta and Emerie at dinner last night, they decided something relaxing and creative was in order.

Gwyn made sure they had their coziest blankets and pillows and random garments in stock. She peered around the room at her handiwork and rested a hand on her belly as she took a deep breath in and sighed out, soaking in the scent of her and her best friends.

She’d never forget the look of excitement on their faces when she told them she was pregnant. The three immediately started amicably talking about all the things they were going to do together, from being there for each other during these ten months, to raising their children together. From that moment on, her, Nesta, and Emerie agreed that they wouldn't endure their pregnancies alone. That they'd do it together, like everything else in their lives. 

They had gathered and asked The House to create a cozy room with a large, soft bed, extra blankets, pillows, billowing curtains, soft fuzzy rugs, and food of any kind available.

It was their little nesting getaway for when the alphas were being, well, alphas. A moment for them to enjoy the book they're reading or tea they’re sipping without their alphas, quite literally, sticking their nose into everything.

The Valkyries, of course, loved their mates with all their heart, but when an alpha *Cassian* thinks it’s a good idea to sniff around their omega during their private smut reading time – then it’s time to set some boundaries.

So now, the three omegas could read, nap, and eat to their heart's content without the alpha reading the nutrition label to make sure they’re getting enough folic acid. Or checking they were still breathing, waking them from the deepest, most wonderful naps. (Emerie said she’d lashed out a little too harshly at Mor for waking her from such a deep slumber, but apparently Mor was concerned because Emerie had breathed funny…)

The Valkyries liked to start with a clean bed, no blankets or pillows, and they’d add the heavily scented stuff first, then the newer stuff, wanting to mix the scents in as much as they could. They’d do this on a rotating bi-weekly schedule – unless of course someone’s bladder incontinence wins them over. Then everything is washed and they start anew.

Gwyn had just finished turning on all the twinkle faelights when the door to the nest opened. In walked – or rather waddled – Emerie and a glowing Nesta.

“Gwyn!” Nesta squealed. “How are you doing? Ten weeks yesterday, right?”

Emerie groaned, “Ugh, to be ten weeks again.” Emerie was the furthest along of all of them. Twenty six weeks and she had all the struggles – back pain, practice contractions, headaches, constipation. You name it, Emerie had it. 

Gwyn smiled – and then started to cry. Nesta and Emerie were by her side as fast as their waddling feet would allow.

“Oh, Gwyn – you’re alright –” Nesta put a hand around Gwyn, rubbing soothing circles across her back.

“I know –” Gwyn shuddered a breath, “I just…I can’t stop cryyyinggg….” Gwyn wailed and wiped at her face hurriedly. 

Emerie took Gwyn’s freckled hand in hers and kissed her knuckles, “The emotions are almost always the hardest. What do you need?”

Gwyn sniffed and looked between the two Valkyries sheepishly, “Ice cream.” 

A thunk behind them told them The House was listening and waiting to serve the omegas as needed. 

“With candy chunks,” Gwyn added. 

Another thunk.

The trio gave each other mischievous looks, and the ordering began.

Fifteen minutes later and a mountain of food, the Valkyries could finally begin adding the finishing touches to the nest.

Nesta went to her drawers of the room and tossed a huge, fluffy red blanket down first. Emerie added a silky golden wrap, and Gwyn a teal blanket she’d knitted. Then they threw a bunch of pillows into the nest. Emerie appeared with a handful of bags then, announcing she had gifts. Gwyn and Nesta rushed over, excited to see what Emerie had in her bags. She reached into one and pulled out a fluffy, white pillow with the words Gwyn’s Nesting Pillow embroidered with teal lettering. Nesta’s was black velvet with silver writing. Emerie made herself one too, an emerald green suede pillow with golden stitching.

“Oh my gods, Em! They're amazing!” Gwyn hugged her pillow tight, squeezing it in her muscular arms. 

Nesta inspected the embroidery on hers, “Emerie this is beautiful work.”

Emerie blushed, “Just another weekend project. You guys are worth it.” She pulled Nesta and Gwyn into a group hug, their pregnant bellies bumping together. 

After blubbering and giggling together, they gathered their food and new pillows, and retreated to their nest.

Their nesting area was a half circle bed that sat at just the right height for easy sitting and standing requirements. Perfect to crawl into without needing to exert effort or make a fool of themselves and topple into it. 

And the smell…

A mix of all three of them, cinnamon and cloves, willow and rosemary, and fire and steel. The blankets and pillows they had were rich in these scents, melding together to create a cozy cottage feel.

As they did for all introductions of new fabric or pillows, they stripped down first so that their scents could rub off onto the new items. 

So the three ate their snacks, stark naked, and passed around the pillows, cuddling and curling into them. 

Nesta was rubbing her chin on Emerie’s pillow when Gwyn said, “Ness how do you look so – radiant. More radiant than me when I sing.” 

With her eyes closed, Nesta nestled into the pillow and smiled, “It's that second trimester glow. I may look radiant, but Cassian won't stop staring at me and it's driving me up the wall.”

The girls fell into giggles. Emerie, who was trying to balance Gwyn’s pillow on her perfectly round stomach said, “Mor’s the same. Every time I turn around BAM Mor is staring at me and then smothering me with kisses.”

“Truly insufferable,” Nesta said. She craned her neck to look up at the copper-haired priestess, “How’s Az handling it? I bet he stalks you in the shadows.”

Gwyn smirked, “Only when we’re feeling frisky.” She winked, then her face fell. A seriousness washed over her features. “Seriously though, I caught him doing just that two days after we found out I was pregnant.” Gwyn shook her head and rolled her eyes. A genuine smile crept across her lips. “But he’s been great…really…” She choked up, “- Sorry,” she sniffled. 

Nesta glanced around the room, “You’re sure he’s not in here right now? I think I feel a heat coming on…”

“We’d smell him, no?” Emerie asked around a mouthful of artichoke hearts.

Gwyn shook her head, “His shadows can hide his scent, but –” Gwyn stood, her still naked body showing off the just tangible swollen belly. She wasn’t showing much, but Gwyn still placed hands on her stomach, her natural motherly instincts on high alert. Azriel would never overstep such a boundary, but to put her friend at ease, Gwyn would do anything.

Nesta watched her circle the room and let out a low whine before nestling further into the sheets.

“All clear. He’d know I’d kick his ass if he came in here without permission,” Gwyn finally said. She made her way to her nearly panting friend and sat next to Nesta on the bed, pushing strands of hair that fell from her braid back from her face. “Do you need a private heat room?”

“Yeah,” Nesta answered. The House instantly made a separate room for Nesta, a place with blankets and clothing items that no doubt reeked of Cassian. (Thankfully, The House knew how to mask scents too.)

Emerie and Gwyn took turns napping and braiding each other’s hair while Nesta was tucked away in her private room. 

When Nesta came out they indulged in their new strange eating habits. Emerie preferred pickled foods, but foods that one doesn’t usually pickle…like squash and strawberries….Nesta wanted salty and savory, and lots of it. This time opting for the umami flavors of sesame and soy sauce. Gwyn was a sweet tooth, but a very strange sweet tooth…she wrapped dates in strips of chewy, gummy candy and popped them into her mouth, joyfully.

They were sharing their constipation stories and what they’ve been doing to relieve it when a soft thud echoed throughout the room. The trio looked behind them and towards the door where a giant golden box wrapped in royal blue ribbons sat.

Nesta furrowed her brow and stalked over, her silver eyes pining the wrapped boxed with a piercing death stare. Gwyn and Emerie joined her, the three of them sniffing around and inspecting the box.

“There’s a tag,” Emerie pointed out, slipping a white card out from under a section of ribbon. “From Helion – a present to you and your broods.” She read the card and flipped it over. “That’s it. That’s all it says.”

“Well…it doesn’t smell like anything. Has The House been holding it until it didn’t smell like the Day Court and its High Lord?” Gwyn asked, flicking the voluptuous bow that sat atop the box. 

Nesta shrugged, “It’s intuitive like that.” As if in answer and thanks, The House turned on the water in the separate baths room. The scent of fresh lavender drifted into the nest room, playing on the steam filling the large porcelain tub.

Emerie moaned, “Oooh lets get this opened so I can bathe. My back needs that bubbly goodness in there.”

With wide grins, the trio bent over the box and tore the wrapping from it. Paper flew over their heads. Nesta wrapped the ribbon around Gwyn’s belly. Then the box was falling open and –

The Valkyries screamed and squealed in delight as miniature stuffed pegasus of all colors and types pranced and flew from the box. A gray and black mare bounded towards Nesta. A cinnamon-brown male nuzzled Emerie. And a wild, speckled mare pranced around Gwyn. The other multi-colored pegasus all circled their respective omegas, their collars all bearing the Valkyrie brood they belonged to.

The door to the nest slammed open suddenly, revealing three wide-eyed and frantic alphas. And one very unsure beta.

Emerie snarled. 

Nesta’s claws came out. 

Gwyn crouched, standing in front of her pregnant friends. Her eyes glowed with her magic.

“What are you doing?!” She snapped. Her sneering gaze bored into them. Azriel in particular.

The alphas seemed to shrink in on themselves. The omega’s feral-like states heightened enough to intimidate the harried alphas.

Azriel said, “We thought you were in distress –” 

“I told them you were okay, but –” Balthazar, the level-headed beta, stepped in.

“You can’t possibly know that beta –” Cassian growled, interrupting him, 

Mor turned on Cassian, shoving his shoulder, “Call him by his name, Cassian, or so help me gods –”

A snarl issued from deep within the chest of each of the omega’s, the sound rippled through the room. Quieting everyone’s bickering.

Despite being pregnant omegas, and naked, the three Valkyries were terrifying. But beneath that terrifying presence, was a mother-to-be, nervous for the safety of their brood – and the safety of each other’s broods. With teeth bared they crouched, growling and bristling at the imposing group of alphas in the doorway.

“Get out!” Gwyn said through gritted teeth, “You're breaking the one rule we've established for you to follow.”

Emerie put a hand on the feral Priestess, “Leave now, unless you want Gwyn to rip you to shreds –”

“She won't hesitate – and neither will I,” Nesta added, her iron nails beginning to slide out.

Emerie tried pulling Gwyn back, but to no avail. “We're fine. Just surprised by a gift for our broods.” A couple of the Pegasus peeked out from behind the box, whinnying softly. “Now please, before I have to peel Gwyn off of one of you…leave,” Emerie demanded.

The group in the doorway took a step back, all of them eyeing Gwyn as her hormone fueled rage radiated off of her in waves. They mumbled apologies and turned to continue their work on the communal nursery in The House. 

Azriel doubled back. Keeping his distance he held out a container, raising it like an offering, and slowly placed it on the ground, “Gwyn…your charms.” 

Gwyn narrowed her eyes, but took the box, scowling. She whisked them away without a word, slamming the door behind her. 

“Well you could've at least said ‘thank you’,” Nesta said with a snicker. 

Gwyn glared. Then cracked the door and yelled, “Thank you!”

Azriel’s muffled voice yelled back, “Anything for you, Priestess!”

Gwyn growled, but smiled regardless and turned back to her friends.

“Bracelet making while we take a bath?” 

“I think I'm going to have two alphas and one omega…it just feels very alpha-y in here,” Emerie circled her hand around her belly between braiding her second bracelet. Her first was green, gold, and brown. Her second one was purple, gold, and silver.

“Two alphas?!” Nesta huffed, finally settling into her braiding after shoving her face with noodles. “I think I have at least one alpha in here.” She picked up black, red, and silver threads.

Gwyn furrowed her brow, “Despite my emotions being all over the place – I sense calming energies.” She plucked a few strings from the box after Nesta passed it to her. Orange, black, and teal. “Every time Azriel lays his head on my stomach he falls asleep. He must feel it too.”

Nesta snorted, “Azriel is going to be an insufferable male if your entire brood are omegas. All their future partners better hope he doesn’t stalk them from the shadows.”

“Mor and Balthazar can’t decide who will take care of the alphas. I keep telling them to work together – but that only makes Mor huff and brood for the next hour. Balthazar broods too, but in the garden shed – Oh! I forgot to tell you guys, he’s building little bassinets for the brood!”

Netsa and Gwyn squealed, the three of them then sharing all the things their partners had been preparing. 

Cassian started constructing a backyard sparring and training center. Nesta thought it was a bit early for it, but of course Illyrians start training as soon as they can walk. Illyrian alphas as soon as they start to babble.

While Balthazar was building bassinets and other furniture for the brood, Mor was planning all their holidays and celebrations for the year. She started buying their solstice presents and setting up organization in the house. 

Azriel was reading every book on pregnancy and parenting while curled protectively around Gwyn. Being so early in the pregnancy, they were just enjoying cuddling up in Gwyn’s massive nest together. Though Azriel did start on the nursery early. He had big plans for a detailed painting that would depict everything from the night sky to deep sea creatures to adorable woodland wildlife. 

After their bath and bracelets, the omegas dried off and settled back into the nest. All three of them cuddled up close. With paintbrushes in their hands, they created art on each other’s bellies with homemade paint made from blueberries, strawberries, turmeric, matcha, hibiscus, and coffee. 

They drew little leaves and flowers along their stretch marks. Nesta and Emerie tried to make little stars around as many of Gwyn’s freckles as they could. Emerie painted detailed swords for everyone and their brood vibes. Gwyn scrolled words like beautiful and strong along their bellies.

She was just finishing up the word queen above Emerie’s navel when tears started to well in her eyes again. 

“Gwyn,” Nesta cooed, “You are extremely emotional…more than I was –”

“Same,” Emerie added.

“Maybe you do have at least one alpha in there,” she poked at Gwyn’s smaller belly gently.

Gwyn wiped at her tears and said, “I was just thinking how grateful I am for you two. And how much Catrin would’ve loved my brood. How she’d be the best auntie…” Fresh tears poured from between closed eyelids, clinging to her lashes.

Emerie handed her a tissue and put an arm around Gwyn’s shoulder, pulling her into her side, “Try mind-stilling, Gwyn. It’s honestly the only thing that saved me from the emotional roller coaster. Make Az do it with you. I made Mor and Balthazar do it with me and it makes the emotional roller coaster more manageable –”

Gwyn took a deep breath and began her mind-stilling. Emerie breathed with her, Gwyn’s head resting on her shoulder, Emerie’s head atop hers. Nesta joined them. Scooting over she wrapped an arm around Gwyn, their bellies pressed up against one another.

A calm silence fell over the room as the Valkyries went through the motions of feeling everything, together, and then letting it go. All the stress of their pregnancies, their lives as Valkyries, their every day worries and intrusive thoughts – were all breathed in, acknowledged, and let go. 

Mind stilling became a ritual for the Valkyries. They would do it when they woke, before meetings started, after training, before bed…

But the one thing mind stilling didn't seem to help?

Gwyn shot up from her spot on the couch, startling Nesta and Emerie. “Gwyn what –”

She was already gone and heading straight for the bathroom where she vomited into the toilet.

Her friends came running in to check on her. “Oh, morning sickness, huh?” Nesta knelt beside Gwyn, holding her hair back as Emerie rubbed soothing circles across her freckled back. 

Gwyn spat in the toilet water, “Why – does everyone say this is such a beautiful experience?” Gwyn sat back, resting against the tub next to the toilet. “I can't stop crying…my morning sickness is the most wretched thing I've ever experienced…” She trailed off, as another wave of nausea hit her and she was back in the toilet. 

“It sucks now, but once the morning sickness subsides, we promise, it’ll be worth it,” Nesta said, her voice soothing, like a mother’s. 

“Can we get you anything, Gwyn?” Emerie asked, her hand a constant, reassuring pressure.

As much as Gwyn was enjoying this time with her fellow Valkyries, she knew once her sickness started, she’d be glued to a toilet or bucket for hours. So right now, the only thing she really needed was rest, and to curl up in her own nest with Azriel.

“I’m going to have to leave our nest early…” She closed her eyes tight against the roil of nausea that rose up in her. “I’m sorry –” Her head was back in the toilet.

“Don’t apologize, Gwyn, we’ll have an extra long nesting session next time. I’ve been eyeing a few new Sellyn Drake novels that I think will be perfect for a read-aloud.” Emerie patted a cool, wet cloth to Gwyn’s neck and forehead.

Despite her upset stomach and terrible taste in her mouth, Gwyn smiled at that, “I can’t wait.”

Nesta and Emerie cleaned up the nest, while Gwyn laid curled in a private room, wrapped in a deep blue blanket that smelled of cedar and night-chilled mist. 

When they’d finished cleaning, her friends helped her out into the hall, where a worried Azriel was already waiting. He scooped her up and gave Nesta and Emerie a nod, “Thank you, for taking care of her.”

They smiled as Emerie wrapped an arm around Nesta’s shoulders, “Gwyn did the same for us, of course we would take care of her.”

Gwyn moaned and whined into Azriel's chest, her face contorting in the tall-tell I’m-about-to-throw-up scrunch. Azriel held her closer, his arms curling around her. “I should get her back,” he said, then he pressed a kiss to Gwyn’s forehead.

“Oh – wait! Before you go…” Nesta turned and rushed back into the nesting room before emerging with an armful of things – a myriad of friendship bracelets, leftover food, and prancing toy pegasus that swerved and swooped around the items in Nesta’s hands. “The stuffed animal pegasi are a gift from Helion,” she said with a smile. The speckled mare leapt out of Nesta’s arms and into Gwyn’s where it curled up against her chest and neck. 

Azriel chuckled, “I’ll be sure they’re taken care of – All of them.” He nuzzled into Gwyn’s hair, breathing in her scent.

They said their goodbyes. Then Azriel took off from the training grounds at The House and brought Gwyn back to their cottage where the new pegasi pranced and trotted around Gwyn’s nest of blankets in search of their own corner. Azriel stayed tucked in beside her, curling around his omega and comforted her with soft belly rubs and feather-light kisses.

Gwyn drifted off to sleep, replaying over and over the wonderful nesting session she had with her sisters and how fun the next one was going to be.

[bwoahtastic]

plss winter and christmas vibes my fave + a fight!

nico has been talking to toto about being more available for the kids. toto work so much and nico knows is to provide for the family, but it’s getting ridiculous! the kids all miss him: little maxy refusing to go to sleep without a good night kiss from papa but eventually falls asleep bc toto gets home too late most days, mousy drawing new pictures for papa everyday that he never gets to show him and poor little sebby. seb is a little older so he understands whats going on and at first is a little hopeful but then gets really angry with toto. nico is trying to hold everyone together, always staying with maxy until he falls asleep and praising mousy’s drawings, but seb is really sad and angry, so nico can only hold him when he needs it.

the year is coming to an end and the children have their christmas plays! pls mousy has the biggest role in his class and maxy is also with him with a littler role but just as exited! they are a little bummed that papa couldn’t make it in time, but toto promised to take them ice skating so they don’t complain much. but when sebby’s class is having their play and toto is a no show seb’s face drops. he cries so much on the way home, tucked between his brothers and nico spends a couple of hours trying to get him to eat some of his favourite food that he made to cheer him up! pls the pup is inconsolable.

nico decides that this has to end and talks sternly to toto that night. he cries a little when he explains how sebby felt and kinda gives toto an ultimatum. he has been saying to him to cut more hours and this can’t continue. toto being so angry at himself and decides to be more present. he can cut some hours! so he organises going ti the christmas market, the five of them, as a family.

the pups are so exited!!!! pls maxy wants to go in the moment and mousy jumping up and down. sebby is a little more cautious but after a talk with papa when he apologised profusely he gets exited too! nico is so relived, he likes having his mate with him!

but oh the day of the market comes and toto hasn’t showed up yet. they wait a little but after nico receives a message saying he has to stay in the office for a few more hours and that he’ll meet them there, momma decides to go anyways. hauling three pups alone is difficult but nico gets maxy on his sling and tells nicky to not drop his hand. pls sebby is so sad and a little shyly asks to hold momma’s other hand :(

the market is fun! they kinda forget about toto, but he shows up and is so anxious and apologetic. the little ones want papa’s upies so it’s quickly forgotten but sebby refuses to even look at toto. nico is torn but stays with sebby so that toto can have time with the babies

pls that night nico and toto fight really hard and toto ends up sleeping in the sofa. sebby crawls in momma’s bed and sobs in nico’s chest. pls toto would feel so bad he has to make it up to them somehow!

Oh pls! Maybe it's by the time Nico retired from the police and is doing yoga classes, but mostly taking care of the kiddos too as Toto maybe got a promottion in the meantime abd is working so hard. For a while it's fine and Toto keeps saying things will calm down after a while, but it keeps taking longer and longer and the kids all have their complicated parts and it hurts them a lot when Toto seemingly is lulling away. And Nico still has his own issues too but is holding on to dear life for the pups sake because he cannot disappear now, there is no one to help them then...

I think Kimi steps in to help a lot? He can see his friend is struggling and needs help with the pups and he doesn't mind helping at all.

Maxy whining every night toto comes home too late cos he wants a goodnight kiss, he needs to know everyone is safe and home before he can sleep! Nico spends a long time rocking him every night until the pup falls asleep finally! And little nicky making drawings for papa and Nico makes sure to praise them but mousy gets a little sad still... but also says it's okay cos he has momma and kitty brothers! Please little mousy would never want to complain cos his life is so so good now, but nico tries to teach him he can still be upset if he wants to be.

Seb being so upset! He is the biggest papa's boy and he is struggling a lot, feels betrayed and is so so sad! He clings to momma and cries a lot and Nicos heart breaks for him cos he was as much of a papa's boy as sebby is ad he knows its harder cos seb is old enough to really feel the tension at home now.

Maybe the fight is before the Christmas market? Toto arranged it all and asked the boys if they all wanted to go together and everyone is so excited and Nico is relieved toto is trying. But the night before, Toto tells Nico he needs to go on a business trip, overnight even, and Nico blows up at him. He promised the kids, promised Nico, and now his job is more important? No, that's not gonna work for nico!

Nico making Toto sleep on the sofa and poor Sebby comes to momma hiccuping and crying cos he overheard the fight and he knows papa isn't coming to the market... nico holding his cub so tight trying to soothe him...

The morning after the fight, Toto is gone already and Nico gets the 3 littles ready cos he'll be damned if these kids don't see the market just cos Toto can't keep promises! Maxy barely slept again so Nico has him in the sling because kitty is so so tired! And Nicky is holding his hand and normally Seb is independent but he asks to hold momma's hand now too and is just a little sad and quiet...

They have fun at the fair for a bit but it's a little stressful for nico keeping them all together. So they get some food and Sebby and mousy carry some too as Nico tries to find a picnic table to sit and it panicking a little as nothing is free and the pups are tired. Then someone raspily says "need some help?" And they turn to find Toto at one of the tables, with some more food and hot chocolate for everyone! He looks so apologetic and mousy zooms over immediately to hug papa! Seb going behind nico a little and being anxious but Toto crouches down in front of him and apologises wholeheartedly! And then also straightens and kisses Nico's forehead and tells him he is very sorry...

Pls them all sitting at the table and Seb sits on Toto's lap for a bit with Toto hugging him so tight and Mousy is just clinging to papa's arm and squeaking happily!

Maxy then waking too in his sling and Nico gently gets him out so Maxy can eat something too from the safety of momma's lap and Toto looks so guilty realising how badly the kitten is sleeping because he was home late so much...

[satureja13]

After the Boys got arrested at the cantina, they were brought to the district of the First Order.

And Saiwa saw that guest from before - Cora - accepting credits from an officer of the First Order - for betraying them... Dammit! And on top of that, the elderly Weequay passing by chided Saiwa: "That's what comes of it hanging around with these scoundrels, Night Shadow! I expected better of you..." As if he'd had a choice! -.-

Down in the Cell Block. Lt. Agnon to Stormtrooper KR - 3622: "They will remain here until they're deported to Belsavis Prison." KR - 3622 nodded, shoved his blaster into Kiyoshi's back and motioned them to follow him to the cell blocks.

Vlad: "You can't imprison us without a trial! And what have you done to Ji Ho?! Where is he?" Lt. Agnon: "You will find the First Order can do a lot of things, Val." Vlad/Val: "I'm going to kill you!" Saiwa: "Vlad. You're not helping here. Stay calm."

Lt. Agnon: "Your whatever powers are useless here. These cells are conceived to contain beings way more powerful than you: Jedi Knights." KR - 3622 closed the force fields of the cells.

Sai looked at Jack - who grew pale, his eyes staring into nowhere, beads of cold sweat on his forehead: "Gods, Jack! What am I supposed to do? He can't stand being locked up!" Kiyoshi: "Jack!"

Kiyoshi and Jeb tried to reach Jack with their healing powers - in vain: "We can't do anything! All our magic - blocked!" Jack collapsed: "I - I can't breathe!" Saiwa: "Jack, stay with me. We'll breathe together. Come on. In through the nose - out through the muzzle. Come on!" Jack: "I'm going to die in here, Saiwa." He blinked. "But I'm going to die on Batuu ... in a Star Wars themed cell *Jack coughed for air* ... could be worse, right?" Sai sobbed. Jack: "Tell Vlad I love him ... and Kiyoshi... that I wanted him so much ... but I was too afraid *he coughed again* ... may the force be with me..."

Vlad threw another tantrum: "Open these doors! He's dying!" But KR - 3622 silenced him. Jeb: "Vlad stop it. Think of Ji Ho. How afraid he must be. He's all alone - who knows where. Stay calm for him. You let him feel all this through the Bond."

Kiyoshi: "Saiwa - talk to me!" Sai was still crying: "He collapsed!" Kiyoshi: "Is he breathing?" Sai: "Wait..." ... Sai: "Yes - gods, yes... eh - surprisingly slow and steady?" Then Jack let out a tiny snore... Sai: "Omg! He fell asleep?! You little brat!" Kiyoshi's voice was shaking: "Let him. Better that than being in a state of shock - or coma. He learned a better way to deal with it, I guess. That's a relief." Maybe from practising yoga and meditation? Or from the Therapy Game? Or because it's Star Wars? Who knows...

Meanwhile Lt. Agnon took Jino up to Kylo Ren's apartment. Lt. Agnon: "The Master will be here soon." But Jino already shut down. The Bond had bombed him with Vlad's turmoil and all the feelings got too much for him. It even causes him physical pain. Gods, what is happening to his friends - and Vlad?

Kylo Ren: "They will pay for taking you from me. He will never lay his filthy hands on you again. I promise, my love."

(TMI: In the book, Kylo had claimed Jino for himself and followed them through the galaxy to get him back after they'd fled ö.ö)

Kylo Ren: "Get the TIE Fighter ready. I will bring Jino far, far away from Batuu - and all this filth." Lt. Agnon: "Master..."

From the Beginning 🔱 Underwater Love 🔱 Latest

Current Chapter: starts ▶️ here Last Chapter: 'Here comes the Sun' from the beginning ▶️ here

📚 Previous Chapters: Chapters: 1-6 ~ 7-12 ~ 13-16 ~ 23-29

[n0n-sen-se]

Hello! 👋 I just recently found your blog and I absolutely love the way you write and I can't get enough of the wonderful headcanons you come up with ! I was wondering if you could expand on the idea of mitsuri with a female reader that is highly into feminine things and absolutely adores her (so basically someone like mitsuri liking mitsuri lol) thank you and keep up the good work 👍

(sobbing-!) thank you! and yess,Yes. I. Can. Fem!reader and mitsuri-? being girlfriends-? would be everything!

𝐆𝐢𝐫𝐥𝐟𝐫𝐢𝐞𝐧𝐝𝐬 ♡ 𝐊𝐍𝐘 𝐑𝐞𝐥𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬𝐡𝐢𝐩 𝐇𝐞𝐚𝐝𝐜𝐚𝐧𝐨𝐧𝐬!

includes ;; mitsuri x fem!reader content ;; fluff. a/n ;; can i just say here that mitsu has my entire heart? also these hcs are really sweet(?)

☆☆☆ # mitsuri kanroji !

first off- you two being so similar will definitely attract her to you. she finally has someone she can be comfortable with and talk/do all her favorite things with!

like painting each others nails!

mitsuri would get so into it, (her tongue is poking out in concentration) trying hard not to let the polish bleed into your cuticles. and if you didn't like nail polish she'd still love doing nail care with you!

if you'd like to, it'd be a big help if you braided her hair. you do one half and she does the other, or in return she'd do your hair too (seeing her hair down ♡)

mitsuri loves talking to you while you eat together (like sometimes you'll have to laugh and remind her to keep eating) she could go on for days about how her day went, the demon slayers and the hashira, what she thinks of the food etc. always has such a beautiful smile on her face.

also, imagine (and hear me out) reapplying mitsu's pink lip-gloss after she eats.

then kissing her right after and messing it up

she'd be on the verge of tears if you ever got her something (or if your love language is gift-giving) her little heart would explode with joy; like getting things that match her or compliment her!

the two of you picking out kimono's for each other, getting dressed up together then going on the most romantic date of your lives.

borrowing each others perfumes(?)

(if you weren't a hashira yourself. . . would you be considered a sugar baby since mitsu can choose her salary?)

she'd be determined to get you little things, things you like, or things the two of you can do together; like single flowers (that as the days go on turn into a full blown bouquet) and a baking kit for the two of you! (mini date?)

you can always tell when she's staring at you. she's practically beaming at you and staring a hole into your face with those adorable green eyes. . . sometimes she'll look away and deny it (her face burning bright red) and sometimes she'll spit out the cutest compliment ❛you're so perfect❜

mitsuri would love being carried by you, or showered in kisses by surprise. and just cuddling her face into you would be heaven

Adores holding you hand, anyway anyhow (kissing your knuckles)

doing yoga or mitsuri's flexibility training with her.

she'd love the company, even if you weren't accustomed to it. or if you were. . . this woman's skills are always going to be better. . . sorry ♡

as a hashira, mitsuri is entitled to a few spa trips to help her training. maybe you'd be interested in joining her? at least once!

sitting in the hot springs while she applies what might be the smoothest mud mask you've even gotten. (she's still poking her tongue out in concentration)

[somethingboutafic]

To you I can admit, I'm just too soft for all of it by starryhaze (28,280) Rating: Not Rated Summary: “Harry?” Louis asks when he hears the frantic crying coming through the speaker. “H, darling what's wrong?”

Concerned, Louis puts on his shoes as he keeps hearing the sobs. It’s the middle of the night and the phone call has definitely pulled Louis out of his deep slumber, but Harry is crying, and Louis has to be with him.

“It’ll be okay, baby, I'm gonna come over, okay? You just- Haz you have to send me your address, yeah? Can you do that for me?” Louis asks, trying to remain as poised as possible as he presses his phone between his ear and shoulder so he can grab his jacket.

“No.” Harry cries out. “It's all wrong, Lou- It’s-” Another sob. “I hate it, Lou, I hate it so, so much, make it stop.”

the nesting shop au

leave it to the breeze by hattalove (81,459) Rating: Explicit Summary: a great british bake off au in which louis cares about winning and winning only, harry is made of sunshine and rainbow sprinkles, and niall sticks his nose into other people's business. also featuring liam as louis's best friend-slash-concerned mother, and zayn as a macaron connoisseur.

Hiding Green Smiles by HoldingOnToChaos (45,227) Rating: Explicit Summary: When Louis goes with Liam to a hidden sex shop, he discovers a new sex toy, the BiteMat, and he can't believe his luck. He loves being bitten, has a biting kink, even, and now he can be bitten over his bonding spot without the fear of anything permanent.

He hastily buys it to try with Harry, his friend and roommate, and his regular heat/rut partner for the last eighteen months. They've been friends-with-benefits outside heat or rut for eight months now, and Louis' been desperately in love with Harry for at least five of those months.

Or the BiteMat fic

sunshine, baby! by staybeautiful (106,528) Rating: Explicit Summary: Louis is in his first year of law school, Harry is a junior on the swim team dreaming of the Olympics, and they both agree that they don't have time for anything more than friends with benefits... right?

From This Moment On by therogueskimo (52,124) Rating: Not Rated Summary: Louis Tomlinson needs a tour photographer, and he thinks he's found the one in the mysterious H on Instagram.

Harry Styles swore he'd never do tour photography again - that is, until he did

no pressure, no diamonds ‘verse by karamelised (5 works; 71,463) Rating: ExplicitSummary: Louis is a thief, Harry a grifter.

I Figured It Out by therogueskimo (9,133) Ziam Rating: Not RatedSummary: The one where Liam and Zayn have their first kiss.

Just Breathe With Me by She_bear (90,410) Rating: ExplicitSummary: Louis and Harry meet at a yoga retreat in India, both struggling to reconcile ghosts of the past and uncertain about the future. Brought together by an irrepressible emotional and physical connection, they embark on a journey of self-discovery which will change their paths forever.

Maybe It's Heaven by therogueskimo (81,713) Rating: MatureSummary: When Harry Styles finds himself forced to go home for Christmas, the last thing he expects is to fall in love.

But then he meets Louis Tomlinson … again.

[catboycumgutters]

so i experimented w giving myself a rest day from physical therapy this week. i thought, maybe i need a little recovery cushion. still did my daily yoga, so, i figured i wouldn't really notice a difference. rest day was yesterday.

holy hell there is a difference. a bad one. oh my god. i'm so rice krispies today. oh my god. ow. owowow. ow. why. fuck fuck ow. i still did all my other stuff, just skipped the pt. why. ow. did you know we have shoulders and hips? bc i cannot be unaware of that fact rn. it hurts so bad guys. guys. guys it hurts. i need to return to the water like NOW it's the only thing that can save me

cruel that those home resistance swimming lanes are $50k (+god knows how much in maintenance and chemicals and electricity), my god. i could hobble out to the pool and put everything back in place and then float for a half hour and be fine but nooooo i've got all this fucking gravity weighing everything down and still not enough muscular stability to keep everything together while snapping myself back in, thus having to cycle snapping myself back together one joint at a time which usually takes hours and yes it's as painful as it sounds

had to crack all my knuckles several times, crunch my metacarpals together, twist my elbow in, and body my shoulder back in place just to type this post (and it's all locked in at the neck/jaw/temple now. hello tinnitus my old friend).

yes yes yes weed can help but i HAVE to exercise before getting couchlocked or else it will just exacerbate the problem. i have to do this dance of relaxing muscles enough to move but not enough to be too loose (waiting for the robax and gabba to kick in...). and then move in just the right way to fix them. and then somehow balance frozen vegetables all over to lock it in (hate cold hate cold hate cold). by myself. and if i can't? well then i'll just sob until physical therapy tomorrow and they can put it all back in for me. and what's nuts is!!! i'm one of the lucky ones!!! with physical therapists i see twice a week who aren't just gym trainers; with legal access to weed; in a situation where i don't have to have a job. no i don't have a vehicle; no i couldn't keep a job even if i had one; no i don't get disability or have any other income; yes those are huge problems. and yet. i'm lucky. hashtag greatest country in the world folks.

imagine joints like taffy. too cold and they're brittle and will break when you stretch them. too warm and they sag and tear. imagine finding out this isn't normal in your fucking 30s.

[iameriwa]

Imani’s Story: From Broken to Whole

Imani was tired. Not the kind of tiredness a nap could fix, but the bone-deep exhaustion that comes from constantly fighting battles no one else could see. On the outside, her life looked picture-perfect—a degree from a prestigious university, a decent job, and an Instagram-worthy apartment. But inside? Inside, she was unravelling. Anxiety gripped her daily, whispering lies that she wasn’t enough. Depression dragged her into a pit so deep she wasn’t sure she’d ever climb out.

And if we’re being real? Imani didn’t know how to stop the spiral. She’d tried all the things—self-help books, podcasts, yoga classes, even therapy. They helped for a moment, like slapping a plaster on a wound that needed stitches. But the pain was still there, buried under her perfectionism and the constant need to be everything for everyone else.

One night, after yet another failed attempt to hold it together, Imani hit her breaking point. Alone in her spotless apartment, she sat on the floor, knees to her chest, and finally let herself cry. Ugly cry. The kind where you can’t breathe, and the tears feel endless. Through her sobs, she whispered something she hadn’t said in years:

“God, if You’re real… help me.”

That was the moment everything started to shift. Not in some big, dramatic way. There were no flashing lights or angelic choirs. Just a quiet feeling, like someone had taken the edge off her pain. A whisper in her heart: “I’ve got you.”

The next day, Imani did something she hadn’t done in a long time. She opened the Bible her mum gave her when she was a teenager. Flipping through the pages, she landed on Matthew 11:28: “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.”

Rest. That’s what she wanted more than anything. And for the first time, Imani stopped trying to do it all on her own. She didn’t have a grand plan. She just prayed a simple, desperate prayer: “God, I don’t know how to fix this, but I’m giving it to You.”

Letting go wasn’t easy. Imani had spent years micromanaging every detail of her life, convinced that if she didn’t stay in control, everything would fall apart. But as she began to surrender—little by little—she noticed something incredible: she wasn’t falling apart. In fact, she was finally starting to feel whole.

The anxiety that used to rule her days began to loosen its grip. She’d still feel it sometimes, creeping in at the edges, but now she had something stronger to hold onto. She’d close her eyes, take a deep breath, and remember God’s promise: “Be still, and know that I am God.” (Psalm 46:10)

Imani started seeing life differently. She let herself leave the dishes in the sink. She stopped apologising for saying no to things that drained her. And when she messed up—which, spoiler alert, she still did—she didn’t spiral into shame. Instead, she’d remind herself: “God’s grace is bigger than my mistakes.”

The biggest change came in how Imani saw herself. She used to believe her worth was tied to her achievements, her image, or how well she could meet everyone else’s expectations. But through prayer, worship, and digging into Scripture, she discovered something wild: God loved her just as she was. Not for what she did or how perfect she tried to be, but because she was His.

Do you know how freeing that is? To realise you don’t have to earn love? That you don’t have to have it all together to be worthy?

Imani began to trust that God wasn’t just real—He was good. He was the kind of good that heals wounds you’ve hidden for years. The kind of good that takes your broken pieces and makes something beautiful. The type of good shows up in both the miracles and the mundane.

Her life didn’t suddenly become easy. There were still hard days, still moments when she felt the pull of her old fears. But now, Imani faced those moments with hope. She had seen what God could do with faith as small as a mustard seed, and she clung to that promise: “If God is for me, who can be against me?” (Romans 8:31)

Imani’s story isn’t about perfection. It’s about redemption. It’s about a woman who gave up trying to control everything and found freedom in the One who already holds it all.

God didn’t just restore Imani; He gave her a joy she couldn’t have imagined. She stopped fearing the unknown and started trusting in His plan. She even stopped fearing death, knowing it would mean meeting the One who had carried her through it all.

If you’re reading this and feeling a little like Imani—tired, lost, wondering if God could really love someone like you—know this: He does. Unconditionally.

You don’t have to have it all figured out. You don’t have to clean yourself up first. Just come to Him. Lay it all down. He’s been waiting for you, and He’s ready to show you just how good He, El Shaddai (God Almighty) is.

Try Him. See for yourself. Imani did, and she’ll tell you it was her best decision ever.

The name Imani is of Swahili origin and means "Faith" or "Belief." It is commonly used in East African cultures and among people of African descent worldwide, symbolising trust, conviction, and spirituality.

The name reflects a sense of strength and resilience, often tied to a deep belief in oneself, others, or a higher power - Olódùmarè [Supreme Creator or God, the source of all energy and existence] Amin 💛

Author @iameriwa

Photography: @_phanoo

Model: @adiza_ba

MUA: @kybeauuty

[blaiddllodi]

TOA Anniversary Munday

Celebrating TOA and the people who contribute to make our group what it is.

Repost, don't reblog. Only fill in what you feel comfortable sharing!

Happy anniversary, TOA! Here's to many more years spent together.

(Previous answers here on Raven's blog. Thanks for putting this together Neffi!)

Name: tches!

Pronouns: she/they

Birthday (no year): 22 Dec

Where are you from? What is your time zone? From Germany, but I live in Colorado

How long is your roleplay experience? A few years in 2005, and now my tenure here

How were you introduced to roleplaying as a whole? Uhhhhh probably Yahoo chatrooms if I'm honest, but I spent most of my time in Livejournal communities

How were you introduced to TOA? I found it scrolling the Raven tag and I saw mirae's drop. Didn't join at this time. Then Elf advertised in a mutual server and I was like Hm. Maybe I will.

Do you have any pets? The server knows my beloved Coriander my baby my light my heart. I also live with two GSDs, Ursa and Solo.

What is your favorite time of year and why? (Season, holiday, general period) I love you winter, I love you snow, I love you December, I love you.

What is your IRL occupation? Handwaves IT. I'm helpdesk at my current place, but I've begun learning network infrastructure stuff recently.

Some interests and things you like/enjoy? I like languages and history, esp Meiji Japan and Mughal India. I used to be a lot more active, and I still generally enjoy yoga and rock climbing, but I've accrued some injuries which prevent me from doing this as much as I'd like. Sadge.

What non-Fire Emblem games do you play? Final Fantasy, Pokemon, Ace Attorney, Assassin's Creed, Dragon Age, Bloodborne, Witcher, Kingdom Hearts.

Favorite Pokemon type & Pokemon: Ice or Dragon I think; and Gyarados my beloved my friend my partner (although Delibird is a very close second I love that little dude)

Tell us some funfacts and trivia about yourself! (Optional bonus challenge: if you filled this out last year, try not to repeat what you said back then!) One time a drunk driver scraped my ex-husband's car pulling out of the bar and while he was so flabbergasted that it had happened, me and a friend who had just gotten out of the Navy broke into a sprint to chase the girl down for three blocks before she left the neighborhood.

How did you get into Fire Emblem? My father and I were in the PX and I grabbed Blazing because it had just come to the States and it looked interesting.

What Fire Emblem games have you played? All but Archanea and Tellius. I started Path of Radiance, and put it down at chapter 15 when I got busy. I'll pick it back up again I promise :sob:

First & Favorite Fire Emblem games: First is Blazing and favorite is...probably Blazing still. Elibe is just home to me. I really really like Three Houses and Shadows of Valentia though.

List your 5 favorite Fire Emblem characters across the series! Oh gosh. Raven number one forever, and Dima and Berkut are up there. I'll list five who aren't my roster, in no particular order: Hubert, Hector, Lyon, Priscilla, Lachesis.

Who was the first character ever to make you go “ooh I like this one in particular” and why? Can be any context and reason! Wil. Wil was my first favorite, followed by Matthew. I genuinely loved them so so much my first playthrough I gave them everything.

Any Fire Emblem crushes? 😳 Jeralt can still get it.

If you’ve played (or are familiar with) the following games, who was your first S support? Who would you S support nowadays?- Awakening: Another accidental Chrom victim - probably Lonk or Freddie Fates: I genuinely don't remember if it was Kaze or Jakob - Probably still Kaze Three Houses: Claude - Hubert is my favorite S support he's really good Engage: I literally hard swerved from Diamant the moment Pandreo came on screen I don't think anyone's taking his crown.

Favorite Fire Emblem class? I just really like the Merc-Hero line 🙈But I also love wyverns

If you were a Fire Emblem character, what would be your class and stats? Would you be playable? Infantry sword. I hate to say I'd be a Navarre archetype but I honestly probably would be. Middling strength and con but workable with attention, decent speed, absolutely ridiculous crit stat. Surprisingly high resistance. I'd be a good candidate for Dancer or Mortal Savant.

If you were a Three Houses character, what would be your affiliation? Unaffiliated civilian, but can be swayed to join a cause after some effort. I tend to keep myself a bit at arms length, and it can be difficult sometimes to get my genuine loyalty.

If you were an Officers Academy student, what would be your boons, banes and potential budding talent? Boons: Sword, Bow Bane: Flying Budding Talent: Heavy Armor

If you were an Engage character, which nation would you originate from? No lie, probably Brodia. My family is full of soldiers on all sides

How do you pronounce TOA? 🤔(separate letters, to-ah, other?) Depends on the flow of the sentence. Sometimes toe-ah, sometimes T-O-A

Current TOA muses: Raven, Dimitri, Berkut

Past TOA muses? Sigurd, Igrene, Saber, Petra, Beowolf, Lyn

Who was your first TOA muse? If you no longer have them, can you see yourself picking them up again? Raven my heart my forever. If he hasn't been pried from my grasp for the last twenty years, I can't imagine what might.

Do you believe you have a type of character you gravitate towards writing? I like it when grief and love carve someone into a weapon. I love rage and deep, boundless sorrow. And I occasionally like when they get a little slutty, I'm not a monster.

Do you have characters or types of characters you don’t think you can handle writing, but wish you could? 🤔Hard to say. I like to think my range is pretty good. I've been writing for long enough that I don't really wish - I just do it. I think anyone could write anyone if they genuinely put their heart into it.

What kind of scenes, situations etc do you believe you enjoy writing the most? I like when the narrator is a little unreliable. I like when there's so much emotion that everything becomes just a little bit fuzzy an indistinct, like they're suddenly underwater and haven't realized they're drowning. I like when the narrative is circular and I can call back five posts, or when I can bookend things - dramatic irony my beloved. I love miscommunication, especially when one person takes something and runs with it (RIP Sigurd you were the king of this and your never-shuts-up).

Do you have any scenario in mind for your muse(s) that gets you thinking “man I hope I get to write this one day”? I've been in an AU mood lately. I want more AUs - coffeeshop AU, horror movie tropes AU, cross-fiction AU. There was an idea that I had that I'd like to build up a bit more that I may drop a call for 🙊

Favorite TOA-related memories? All of Raven's threads with elysia's Priscilla and kanoesa's Lucius 🤲I hold them like this. And unrelated to my muses I to this day can't get over And Now All Of TOA Knows You Tried To Kill Ryoma.

Present or past tense? Past. I use present tense pretty sparingly, and almost exclusively for one-off asks. Feels weird though.

Normal size text, small text, no preference? No preference. I use normal size out of laziness. The most formatting you'll get from me is italics for emphasis or for thought patterns.

Got any potential muse delusions to share? 😉 One day I will app Sommie and everyone will have a heart attack. You think I'm joking? You think this is a game?

[lena-in-a-red-dress]

Previous Husband AU, Pt 5

((Content warning for abuse/domestic violence))

-------

Kara means to reach out to Lena, eventually. But the longer she leaves it, the easier it is to not do anything at all. It doesn't help that every time she picks up the phone to tell Lena something-- about what Cat just said to her, about the cute dog she met on the way to yoga-- she's flooded with the hurt of being cast aside.

She believes Lena. It was a mistake. But it's a mistake on top of a mountain of canceled plans and smooth dodgings of countless invitations. Kara knows, in her heart of hearts, that Lena let her go a long time ago. The fact that Lena doesn't try to reach out in person cements that fact.

As time passes, that hurt remains sharp as the impulse to text Lena fades away, and soon, she trains herself not to think of it. But she can't forget.

Until one day, months after that final missed brunch, Kara hears a knock at her door. It's faint, hesitant. It's so unexpected, she pauses before answering. When she does, that pause allows the person on the other side to disappear, leaving an empty doormat. But the click of familiar footsteps down the hall jolts her back into action, her heart thumping loudly in her chest.

"Lena?" She can't keep the hope from her voice, the surprise mingling with a sudden need to bring her back.

Lena freezes for a moment, then slowly turns back to face her. Her gaze remains downcast, her lips pressed into a trembling line. She's clearly fighting tears, and Kara can't help the protectiveness that surges to the forefront.

"What's happened?"

"I'm sorry," Lena coughs out, barely containing a sob. "You have every right to be angry with me. And I understand if you don't want to see me, I just--"

She reaches up with one hand to wipe at her eyes. Kara's eyes lock on the movement, and the way the hem of Lena's sleeve slips down, revealing angry purple bruises on her wrist. Kara meets Lena's gaze in an instant, alarm and rage suddenly sparking low in her belly.

Lena swallows more than once, before she finally gathers the voice to speak.

"I didn't know where else to go."

The whispered confession signals the breaking of the dam. Tears start to spill in earnest, and Lena's features crumple as she starts to cry.

In an instant, Kara wraps her arms around her friend, hugging her close. The gesture elicits another sob, and Lena sags into her embrace, relief and gratitude and a torrent of other emotions conveyed in the tight squeeze Lena gives in return.

"I'm sorry," Lena murmurs desperately. "I'm so sorry!"

Kara presses her hands against Lena's back more firmly, strengthening the embrace as tears of her own burn at her eyes. Guilt eats at her, finally faced with the truth she's suspected all along: she hasn't been the only one suffering in their separation.

"I'm sorry too."

---

When their crying jags peter out, Kara tugs Lena into her apartment without hesitation. Before long they're both installed on the couch, and Kara can't help but notice that Lena looks small in her turtleneck sweater. She keeps her sleeves tugged down over her wrists, almost like a nervous tic, and her shoulders curl in on herself, as though to take up as little space as possible.

She still trembles, clearly shaken by whatever has driven her here.

Kara presses a mug of warm tea into her hands, and sits at the far end of the couch facing her.

"Tell me," she says simply.

The story is simple-- an argument that started small but quickly grew bigger over a series of days, until a full on shouting match commenced. It wasn't anything unusual, Lena tells her, these days. They seem to fight more and more, but she'd thought it was just a growth phase, the inevitable friction as they adjusted to living together long term.

Until this morning, when everything changed in a snap.

A single comment, Lena doesn't even remember now what she said. A single comment from her and suddenly she'd been pinned against the wall with Tom's hand on her throat, squeezing the breath from her. His entire body weight had pressed against her, ensuring she couldn't wriggle away, even with his free hand pinning her wrist to the wall.

Lena hiccups then, sniffling back another round of tears threatening to spill.

"I've seen him angry," she whispers against a throat tight with emotion. "But nothing like this. His voice-- Kara, it scared me."

Kara reaches across the cushion to clasp Lena's hand, squeezing it gently. Lena's fingers tighten on hers in return. Then she huffs a mirthless laugh.

"And the stupid thing is, once he left I tried to rationalize it. That I had nagged him one step too far, that he was stressed, that it wouldn't happen again."

"But you still left," Kara reminds her. "That's what matters."

Lena smiles sadly at her. "And you want to know why? Because I heard you in my head, telling me I was being stupid." She shakes her head. "Because I know, I know that if it were anyone else I would tell them it would happen again, that it would only get worse."

Nodding, Kara scoots closer, until they're side by side. Lena leans against her, and Kara pulls their joined hands into her lap.

"I think I was being stupid for a long time before this happened," Lena continues. "I lost you. And the worst part is that I didn't realize that-- I think he wanted it that way."

Objectively, Kara knows the cycle of abuse. That it starts with good, even stellar behavior, then trends towards isolating their partner and building a dependence on themselves. And now she knows that their fallout had played right into it.

"I'm sorry," Kara murmurs. She gazes at Lena, her thumb rubbing softly against the back of Lena's hand. "And you're staying here, until you decide what you want to do."

"I'm not going back," Lena states plainly, steel creeping into her voice. "I won't. I just-- I need to tread carefully. And quickly."

"I'll help," Kara vows. "Whatever you need, okay?"

Lena nods faintly, finally letting her head rest on Kara's shoulder. "Thank you."

"You're not alone. Not anymore."

And never again, Kara adds silently.

Never again.