#drabbles and deductions [drabbles]

[ukigumos]

UKIGUMOS - »❝浮雲❞« ANGSTOBER - COUNTDOWN (tw. implied abuse)

Peace was short-lived.

Even the prison that was Kindergarten hadn't fully shielded him from chaos. With that said, it wasn't impossible to avoid any physical altercations while there. Behind the building and inside the bushes proved to be decent temporary fixes. Sometimes, even the highest point in the playground.

Children flock out with their caretakers when the clock strikes, leaving both the building and the playground to bask in solitude. Perched atop the yellow slide, Kyouya pressed his hand against the metal. The heat was gradually dissipating. Stretching across the playground were the twisted shadows, marking the beginning of the countdown for the nightly colosseum. As if the concerned murmurs of the mothers from behind the walls weren't an indication enough.

With each batch of heartbeats, Kyouya's own shadow stretches, seeping past the open cage. It was time.

»❝☁︎❞«

The yellow bird's warmth leaves the palm of his hand and Kyouya comes to a sharp halt. His shadow reach towards the gates and a sense of urgency washes over him.

This countdown was no longer necessary, and yet...

[sapphhireblue]

𝐒𝐭𝐫𝐚𝐰𝐛𝐞𝐫𝐫𝐲 𝐬𝐩𝐢𝐭

⟡ pairing: han taesan x fem reader

⟡ genre: nsfw (mdni), drabble, fluff, roommates to ??, kissing, foreplay, fingering, nipple play

⟡ tw: teasing, orgasm denial

⟡ wc: 1.1k

⟡ net: @onedoornet

⟡ a/n: well well isn't it almost winter? here's a summer fic to tease your longing for a hot day w taesan

────────────── ✦ ⁺. ──────────────

It's an excrusiatingly hot summer day. The couch feels overly warm, leaving a print of sweat on the brown leather when touched. You look at Taesan, who's busy playing mario kart sitting beside you sucking on a lemon popsicle. Both of his hands are busy fidgeting with the joystick, while his ice lolly is resting prettyily between his plush lips.

He gazed over at you through his curtain bangs to see you drooling. He deducted it might be the frozen treat, and not you thirsting over your cute roommate who you have the hots for. "It's in the fridge, there are lots of flavours" he says with a playful tone; his lemon tainted tongue peeking from between the words. You rush over to the fridge to grab the one you like, strawberry rush. You suit yourself on the couch again, legs folded not to draw attention to your scant silk shorts. But something tells you his eyes took a peak. You fixate on the lolly, putting your almost soaked hair in a bun, while it rests between your lips.

A sweatdrop runs down your neck and you can still feel the burning stare. "Enjoying the sight?" You give a teasing stare to taesan and he is flabbergasted. He furrows his eyebrows, "As if" paying attention to the game again. You start licking it with your tongue, brushing back and forth, sucking it occasionally. Taesan takes glances at you from playing the game, how exposed your legs look from thighs down. How the messy hair frames your face and the thin top becomes transparent due to sweat. Your tongue gets tainted with bright pink from the lolly, so does his mind with unknown colors.

And a rush, a subtle rush bubbling from inside. He bites down his treat to supress the forbidden thoughts. You, moderately oblivious to the fact, enjoy sucking yours. Taking in the cold it has to suffer, your throat feels finally at peace. Taesan notices your flushed cheeks, crafted by the heat. You look cute. He bites his tongue facing his own thought. He shakes his head and tries focusing on the game again. It doesn't get any better when you are savouring it furiously, sucking it whole and taking eager bites. Fixing your bangs with the back of your palm and he can't help but gulp down. How it'll feel having his length around your mouth- he bites his bottom lip and focuses on the game again.

The lolly leaks some drops and makes its way on your crop top, right on the crook of your chest, making a mess. Spreading even more when you fix it with your lolly smothered fingertips. Taesan noticing the sight, takes a tissue and presses it. You get startled at the sudden movement but only keep licking your lolly as it drips down more. He starts cleaning it, dabbing it softly and soaking up the fluid.

But his eyes get stuck at your swollen pink lips. You accidentally catch him on the spot and your lips form a smirk. "What?" you ask with a sneer. "Nothing" he says coldly, still cleaning your top. "Want a taste?" you speak directly looking into his boba pearl eyes, almost at the end of his wit. You are pretty sure you implied having a taste of the lolly and not your lips which he is brutally pressing againt his at the moment. His hands slides down to your palm holding the lolly, it drips on his thumbs but who's taking count of that when he's busy exploring the insides of your mouth. His tongue darts inside, taking over yours in a winning fight of control. You close your eyes, shock melting away at sense of his luscious lips.

The room fills with erotic sounds, he takes in the tangy starwberry scent as he captures your lips from one side to another in a hungry pace.

"I want to do so much more to you." He whispers, pulling back from you with a string of saliva, leaving you wanting for more. His cold fingertips sliding under the back of your top and teasing the skin beneath. Your breath hitches at the sound, you start to get nervous.

Taesan was madly enjoying it, like a payback for all the taunts you give him. "What, you don't like the way you're feeling right now?" He questions, his eyes blazing with a glint, you can't quite figure out. "Because I can see how turned on you are." His hand cups your breast, thumb rubbing over the hardened nipple through your shirt. "Your body is already responding to me" You close your eyes in pleasure, only sparing the approval "fuck, taesan.." He pulls you closer, his lips crash down at your once again. He pulls your peak with this thumb and index, rolling it in between. "I want all of you" he murmurs against your ears. His hand slides down to your thigh, hitching it up around his waist.

He moves his hand back up to your breast, squeezing lightly before sliding his hand down between your legs. You lightly moan his name "taesan.. " a plead, more so an invitation to finally ruin whatever was casual and repressed between you two. You rest your hands on his chest when he rubs against your clit firmly through the shorts, applying just the right amount of pressure.

"I can tell you're soaked for me already". "that feels so good.." you let your thoughts out verbally, he increases his pace with a smirk. His other hand teases your nipples, making it portrude outward. His thumb, lulls down your folds in between, to edge you further. You throw your head back, a certain annoyance playing on your eyebrows, for, you want to reach the high he's denying. "Faster" you say with a desperate need and he can't help but scoff. "You want me so bad? Say, please then" he asks removing your top.

".. taesan" you hold his wrist, as he deliberately slows down more. "I said, please"

"Please.."

"Should've said so" he strokes your clit in a haste, engulfing one of your nipple in his mouth. It draws a circular motion, smothering it with his saliva. The panties end up on the floor moments after. He inserts his middle, followed by his ring finger and pushes through. You throw your head back again, he continually moves it around your hole. You grab his hair, interwining in a tangled way with his soft strands, reaching your high. He sees your breath rising, your abdomen going up and down. He thrusts it this time with more urgency, then your back arches, giving you that sweet release. Your mind goes into the oblivion. He massages the area to ease you up, before parting with your folds and your release on top of his index. He gently licks it off, staring at you mischievously, "Tastes like strawberries"

ty for reading! Send an ask join the masterlist ⟡

©️sapphhireblue [do not copy, repost or translate any of the works]

[megtrns]

drabbles. snippets of life with the mtmte crew. first contact au. ft. swerve, prowl, fortress maximus, whirl. (nsfw!) (mdni!) gender neutral but dresses are mentioned.

It's so hard not to romanticise living together with these bots. The thought of humans and cybertronian co-existing peacefully is not enough, I need them to indulge in one another's company.

Going to a jazz bar with Swerve where the lights are colourful and alive, with an ocean of people conversing the night away underneath a backdrop of live music. You were struggling to hear one another past the noise, but none of you were complaining, just laughing and sitting by the bar shoulder-to-shoulder. You didn't miss the way his optics dart around nervously when you adjust the thin strap slipping down your shoulder, knees dangerously close as they peek out of the slit of your dress.

Stepping out of the taxi to escape traffic and make it to work on time, only to end up getting nearly run over by a cop car in the process. You had cussed at the tinted windows before narrowly escaping the morning chaos that always unfurls downtown during Mondays. Only to arrive on your first day on the job, sweaty and late anyway, to your cybertronian boss who coincidentally has the same plate number as the mustang that you had yelled at this morning. Let's just say you were on toilet duty for months, and even after, Prowl never let you live that one down.

Being neighbors with the quiet and somewhat intimidating autobot that just moved in next door and feeling excited to introduce yourself. From the bits and pieces of conversations you've caught in the hallway (and not because you've been eavesdropping), you've deducted that Fortress Maximus works with the police precinct. Wanting to make a first good impression, you knocked at his door with a bouquet of flowers and an invitation for dinner — obviously because you wanted to be friendly and not because you found him a teensy bit attractive. It's too bad that you're never showing your face to him again after he gave you the heads up that the walls are very thin and that he could hear you sing in the shower every morning. (You missed the part where he meant it as a compliment).

Telling your best friends that you may have had a little bit too much to drink at your annual corporate party and might have slept with someone from the firm you work in. All you knew was that it was the first time you'd indulged in a one-night stand, and not only was it the best sex you've ever had, but it was also definitely with one of your cybertronian colleagues. Too bad the broom closet was dark and you were so thoroughly fucked (in the best way, or rather, every way) that you didn't remember to ask for their name. When none of your co-workers wanted to fess up, you were starting to get worried that you'd dreamt the whole thing up — Oh no, the best sex in your life thus far and you've dreamt it all up! The good news is that it was real, you did sleep with a cybertronian. The bad news is that you had slept with Whirl, the mech you regularly get into arguments with because of his despicable attitude. Now you can't even look at him in the optics while he's practially preening and ready to gloat. At least now you know his shameless bragging about finding humans repulsive is nothing but lies ( you have the lovemarks on your hips to prove it.)

[auspicioustidings]

Fics and drabbles that lay in the realm of horror whether that be straight spooks or non-con fantasies (basically if it has non-con or allusions to it then it'll be classed under horror over smut)

Fics

No Second Location - mainly serial killer Soap, some serial killer 141 Savage and Sacrosanct and further plot- historical fantasy, Soap and Ghost The Revelation - cult shit with Ghost and Soap The Eyes of God - evil religious Ale and Rudy Devil's Trumpet - Appalachian horror with 141 Cry Baby - Ghost plays with you while Gaz is away Back Chat & Sequel - IT reader getting bullied by Soap Foul Magic - druid Soap Deductive Reasoning - fish folk 141 Make your own way home - Soap possessing you to get to Ghost Mace teaching reader to deepthroat for Ghost Mace raping reader to make her hero worship Ghost

Drabbles

AU Thoughts Wonderland AU thoughts Neverland AU thoughts Westworld AU thoughtsFallout AU thoughts

Expanded with Drabbles Ghost kidnapping a civilian - #mhairidrabblescodkidnappers Graves doll - #mhairidrabblesdoll Good Boy Bad Girl - #mhairi's good boy bad girl

Soap Soap who loves his fleshlight more than you Soap who gets his team to run train on you Trick or Treat with Soap Obsessive Soap Soap’s obsessive girlfriend Soap preying on Catholic virgins Creepypasta Soap Dogfighting but the dog is Soap

Price Tinsel choking with Price Price breeding you Never lets go Price Price’s retirement plan Kidnapper Price Price manipulating his way to a wife Sleazy politician Price Tactical questioning with Price Price intending to steal you and your boyfriend

Gaz Branding with Gaz Gaslighter Gaz “Romantic” Gaz

Ghost Serial killer Simon Ghost who targets vulnerable women Matching scars Ghost

Ghoap Circus!Ghoap thoughts Marriage of convenience with Laird MacTavish Forced marriage with Simon Ghost mad at you for not realising you are Soap’s Soap using Ghost to lube you up  Ghost fucking you to punish Soap Loan shark Price sending Ghoap to deal with you

Other Traded to Kortac Temporarily blinded reader Toxic senior officer 141 Astronaut reader Escape room Beta reader forced to be an omega Price and his dogs Price making a doll for Ghost 141 and how they break girls Bellesa sex toy customer service Serial killers Gaz and Ghost Price forced husband historical fantasy Misogynist to transfem 141 Salem witch trial Price and Ghost Honeytrap omega Flight with Price and Ghost Ghost kidnapping a nanny for Soap’s surprise baby Blindfolded reader with someone who is not her boyfriend Soap Soap’s filthy notebook Werewolf Johnny selling you out Ex-husband Simon sending Gaz to break your heart Crow shifter 141 Farmer with a holiday lodge  Halloween not real cops Sustainability officer

[rollinouttahere-writes]

I kind of wanna see Lizard (Nubia)'s and Crocodile's confrontation and I wanna see Luffy's reaction to seeing his little sister again.

Have a drabble

When Crocodile said that he would be gone for the rest of the day, Nubia hadn't thought much of it. It wasn't the first time, and she's sure that it wouldn't be the last. He's a busy man, and she has long since come to accept the schedule that comes with that. So, she did what she usually does when he's gone and finds ways to entertain herself. She was in the middle of reading a new book when she heard the front door slam open so hard that she half expected to hear the door fall off the hinges and hit the ground next.

For a moment, terror grips her heart, fully believing that someone just broke into her home.

But then, the heavy and familiar steps of her father echoes through the pent house. They sound off, though. Like he's staggering and disoriented. Nubia is frozen for a moment, but the sound of the door to Crocodile's office opening and closing snaps her out of it. In an instant, she's scrambling off of her bed and sprinting out of her room, fearing the worst. Was her father injured? Who could have possibly been strong enough to harm him?

As she's rounding the corner of the hallway that will take her to his office, she trips over something. She stumbles, but is able to catch herself before she can hit the ground. She whips her head around to see what tripped her, and she's confused by what she sees.

A single sandal is laying in the hallway.

Nubia bends down to grab it. The shoe doesn't belong to her, and it's far too small to be Crocodile's. Not to mention very much not his fashion.

Now Nubia was questioning her deduction that Crocodile was the one who had burst in here. The footsteps had sounded like his in terms of weight... but where the hell did this random sandal come from?

Crashing and muffled yelling comes from the office, making Nubia flinch. Clutching the shoe in her hand, she creeps towards the office door. She takes a deep breath, then cracks the door open to peek in.

Sure enough, she does see Crocodile. He's hunched over on the floor, appearing to be fighting with something- no, someone. Wiry limbs flail behind her father's hulking frame. One of the legs kicking out sticks out to her. The foot is bare.

Was this person where the shoe came from? And why the hell is her dad fighting with someone in his office? Not only that, but he looks like he's genuinely struggling to suppress them. Whoever this person is, they sound furious. They're yelling and screaming, but it sounds like something is in their mouth.

Nubia pushes the door open, worry winning out over her knowing that Crocodile would absolutely not want her to intervene. She calls out to him, "Dad? What's going on? Are you hurt?"

Crocodile's reaction is instant. In a second, his coat is ripped off and forced over the writhing human on the floor. He whips around, uncharacteristically frazzled. His hair is disheveled and his face is bruised. He looks furious and snaps at her, "Get out! Go back to your room!"

The raised voice of her father makes her jump and lock up. While her brain tries to make sense of and rationalize this behavior, the person under the coat manages to poke their head out from under it.

Nubia can't breathe.

Everything stops as she stares at the boy, making eye contact with him. There's a scar under his left eye... and a straw hat with a red band on it. Nubia feels like the air around her is thick enough to cut with a knife and impossible to breathe. In lieu of words, all she can do is shakily point at him as her brain is running in a million directions all at once. He... He can't be...

The boy takes advantage of Crocodile being distracted to kick him in the face and lunge towards her, though he's unable to go far thanks to the handcuffs chaining him to a fixture on the wall. He spits out the handkerchief in his mouth and screams desperately, "Nubia!"

Crocodile quickly recovers from the kick and lurches forward, wrapping his hand around the boy's throat and slamming him against the wall.

"Luffy!" That's him. That's her brother. That's her very real brother. She runs forward and grabs Crocodile's shoulders, trying to pull him off of her long lost brother. "Let go of him! You're hurting him!"

Her attempts do absolutely nothing. Crocodile effortlessly shoves her back, making her fall to the floor. This doesn't stop her, and she quickly tries a new approach. She snatches up the half empty pitcher of water on the floor and throws the contents right at her father, making sure to soak him as much as possible.

The water successfully weakens the devil fruit user enough for Nubia to knock him to the ground, freeing Luffy from his grasp. She can hear Luffy coughing and gasping behind her, but her full attention is on her father.

She grabs the front of his vest and holds him in place. Raw, emotionally charged screams erupt from her throat, "You lied! You lied to me! You said I imagined them!"

Crocodile's eye twitches, and his arm snaps forward to wrap around her middle and pin her against him. Nubia pounds her fists against his chest uselessly as he stands up and carries her over to his desk. His hand rips open a drawer and pulls out a pair of handcuffs before dragging Nubia to the opposite side of the room.

Luffy has his feet against the wall, straining against it as he frantically tries to break the fixture he's attached to. He's drenched in sweat and looks haggard, like his energy is actively being drained from him. He snarls and yells at Crocodile, "Don't touch my sister! I'll kick your ass if you hurt her!" He aggressively yanks at his cuffs again, "Actually, I'm going to kick your ass no matter what!"

Nubia was fighting just as hard, punching and kicking her father wildly in a desperate attempt to free herself. Crocodile doesn't react to either of them, instead silently focusing on handcuffing her to a handle on a filing cabinet.

The second that he steps back, Nubia is yanking on it, trying to get it to move. Much to her dismay, it's too heavy and doesn't even budge. She snaps her head up at her father, glaring at him. She starts yelling again, "How could you?! You've lied to my face every damn day for the last ten years!"

Much to her fury, Crocodile ignores her. He wipes at his face with his sleeve, trying to dry up the water she dumped on him. He stomps over to his desk and takes out a cigar, lighting it hastily. He takes long drags from it while refusing to acknowledge either of the infuriated teenagers chained up in his office.

His seemingly nonchalant attitude only fueled the fire raging inside of Nubia. After a series of increasingly violent tugs on the filing cabinet, she refocuses on her father and screams at him, "I hate you!"

Crocodile still has his back to her, but she doesn't miss the slight way that his shoulders tense. He exhales a cloud of smoke, then responds in a tone so cold that it stabs her in the heart, "I don't care." He finally turns to face her, and his expression matches his voice fully. "I don't care if you hate me. You'll get over it. This is all one big misunderstanding. I'm doing all of this for your own good. Everything that I've ever done has been for your own good."

While Nubia is stunned by his words, Crocodile swipes a few more cigars from his desk and heads for the door, walking right past Luffy who lunges at him again despite not being able to even come close to reaching him.

Before leaving, he turns to regard Nubia again, "I have to get back to work. We'll discuss this later." With that, he leaves, slamming the door behind him.

Hot, frustrated tears pour down Nubia's face as the crushing weight of everything that just transpired bears down on her. Most of her god damned life had been a lie, and she's terrified to learn what else isn't true.

[astraystayyh]

important update on fundraiser

hellooo everyone!!!! we have reached our initial goal of 1500!!!! 🥹 i want to firstly thank everyone who has donated :,) with just 45 donors we were able to reach such a large sum pretty fast!! i also want to thank everyone who has shared and reblogged,, thank you for helping us spread the word <3

as you can see, paypal is putting a huge chunk of the money on hold (because my paypal balance went from 0 to 500 in a day 😭) but they are slowly adding it to my balance! we’ll send our first 750$ donation to Careforgaza, and as soon as the rest of money is added, we’ll donate the second half to UNRWA, as planned

also, there has been a total of 61.08$ deducted as conversion fees from the 1545$ donation. as i said, i will cover said difference myself on top of my donation (this way you guys won’t lose any money)! i’m just waiting for my work to pay me 😭 (since it’s freelance work with the gov there isnt a specific pay date but it is soon)

finally, i know that stayblr is composed of more than 45 people, so i’m setting our next goal to 2k so we can include evacuation gofundme’s & e-sims to our fundraiser! i hope this inspires people to donate as much as you are able to spare so that we can help as many people as possible.

thank you for trusting me 🩷

n.b: your reminder that if you donate (whichever amount) you can send a drabble request to one of the following writers :

@tasteracha @rachalixie @hyunverse @skz-hell @calypsohan @httpdwaekki @neverendingstay & @wolfs-archive

(make sure to read each writer’s rules and send donation proof!)

[lushaletta]

hide with me / james potter

pairing: james potter x fem!reader

warnings: mild swearing, mentions of mental health/anxiety, reader has a panic attack

summary: poorly written drabble in which you have awful anxiety and a lovely james.

a/n: i feel like this feels unfinished i’m so sorry… i clearly lost steam by the end but i hope you all like it! i am such a sucker for some james

⋆ ࣪.  ⁺⑅ ⋰˚ *.ﾟ .˳⁺⁎˚ ˚⁎⁺˳ . ༺ ˖࣪ ˖࣪ ∗

It feels like the world is caving in on you. The ceiling is about to fall down and crush you under its weight.

The voices of those around have all mixed and faded into each other into a jumble of noise. You don’t quite know what Lily is saying, not even sure what Marlene is doing; you can hardly see anything.

A laughable attempt at taking a breath has you panicking more and you stumble out of Alice’s living room and onto her front patio as hot, salty tears sting your face.

The reason as to why you’re suddenly in this state has you confused. One moment, you’re fine and the next, you’re in full breakdown mode.

Fresh air. That’s usually all you need. You let the scent of pine fill your lungs, grounding yourself on the railing. You’re fine, you try to repeat to yourself. You’re fine.

“Hey,” a voice calls out. You whip around and spot a head of dark curls and pretty hazel eyes.

Him. You don’t know whether you’re happy or sad about his presence. There’s a cigarette hanging out of his mouth and he looks gorgeous as ever.

You’ve liked James a long time. Much too long. He’s liked Lily for longer.

You’re sure he knows about your feelings, you’d done a poor job at keeping them secret, and you’d be surprised if at this point he was unaware.

Remus knows because you’d confided in him first. He was sweet about it, stroking your hair and whispering kind words in your ear. Sirius knows from the “powers of deduction”, as he likes to call it.

“Hi,” he says, putting the cig between his fingers, flicking the ash off.

“Hi,” you reply, a little breathless.

He walks over to you, assessing your state. “Are you alright?”

He’s always been awfully caring. It’s half the reason you like him more than what’s healthy.

James knows your ins and outs. Your family history, all your favourite movies, how many freckles you have. He’s committed every part of you to memory.

He treats you like you’re fragile, like a porcelain doll. As if you’d break when dropped.

Maybe it’s self-righteousness. Maybe he’s doing it out of pity. Though, in this moment, it feels anything but.

“Just fine,” you whisper, staring at him so deeply it’s embarrassing.

“You ran off.”

You laugh a humourless laugh. “Did I?”

James nods, looking like he’s inspecting you. It makes you feel a little self-conscious.

A smile creeps across your face. It’s really only to conceal the awkwardness. “What?”

“I think we’re past the point of pretending everything is alright when it isn’t,” he says, matter-of-factly. “Will you tell me what happened?”

The bluntness of his words makes you nervous. He’s not typically so forward.

“I was overwhelmed.”

His arms lace around your shoulders. “Okay,” he whispers. “Okay, let’s go, then,” he says, decidedly.

It’s a tempting offer. Being dragged away from all the noise and instead spending the night with James, but you don’t want to disrupt his evening with your feelings. He likes these people. He’s comfortable with them. He’s not like you, you say to yourself.

“No. I’m fine, James, really. Please don’t worry yourself.”

“I was kind of getting tired anyway. We can grab food and you can sleep at my place for the night, hm?” he insists, putting out his cig.

He’s doing it again. That thing where he’s just being so considerate and kind to the point that it bothers you.

“I..” you trail off, looking at the stars instead of his eyes. They’re both really beautiful.

“I’d like for you to come with me, sweetheart. Let’s get away. Just for a bit,” he tries again, gently tilting your face towards his.

You’re going to come with him. You were going to the first time he asked, no matter what, but you need to hear that he wants it.

You crack a smile. “Okay.”

Before midnight, you’re in his car. It’s a bit beaten up and the engine takes a couple of tries before it starts, but it’s a charming vehicle. He’s ordering fries for you, doing all the talking you’re so hesitant to.

There are muffled voices over the speaker. “Just a moment.” James turns to you. “Want a coke, baby?”

You nod, tapping your fingers on the window and fumbling with the button of your seatbelt.

He hands you a paper bag.

“Thank you, James. I’m sorry you’re stuck with me instead of with Lily at the gathering.”

His face contorts into a look of slight confusion as he grabs a fry from your hand. “Why would I want to be with Lily?” It’s not that he doesn’t want to hang out with Lily, it’s just that you could’ve asked about Sirius or Remus or even Frank.

“I mean, you like her, don’t you?” you say, voice quivering. Afraid of the answer.

“She’s a nice girl.” It’s not a no. You’re crushed. You nod your head like you’re unsurprised.

A forced smile makes its way onto your lips. “You two would look good together,” you say, hushed.

His brow quirks. “What? No.” It comes out a little sharp, and he immediately softens. “No, it’s not like that. Sorry.”

“Oh.” You hate yourself for it, but you feel your body immediately relax in relief.

Now he’s the uneasy one. His fingers are tapping on the steering wheel and he’s clearly purposely avoiding your gaze.

“Listen—“

“—I’m sorry,” you cut him off. “Sorry, you first.”

The car comes to a stop at some dark parking lot. James turns to face you. “What are you apologising for?”

Even you’re not too sure. It’s a mix of a few things; Lily, forcing him to stay with you, your anxiety, interrupting him, even. A general apology for your.. you-ness.

“All this. I just want you to be happy, James. I’m really sorry for always making you do this. Comfort me whenever I’m overwhelmed like that.”

He blinks. “I’m happy when I’m with you, sweetheart. Why don’t you understand that I enjoy doing this? I love when we escape from those dumb gatherings and do shit like this. I love it. I love you, damn it.”

Your heart drops. No, it stops. He had to be drunk. He was driving under the influence, surely. A crime. That’s a felony. Your head was absolutely spinning.

You don’t know what to do but stare blankly at him as his face asks you to just say something.

“What?”

“I love you! I don’t even know where you got that whole Lily thing. I love you! It’s always been you!”

Well, shit.

You lower your voice to a whisper. “So do something about it, Potter.”

And he does.

[asher-agere]

Hear me out... Ranpo as a regressor when him and Fukuzawa have just met. Learning to trust each other - aurghhh ! (thwomp from Mario noise).

I AM SO HEARING YOU OUT. I love their relationship, they are so regressor and caregiver coded… THAT PICTURE FROM THE WAN. THAT ENTIRE EPISODE FROM THE WAN

Little Ranpo + Caregiver Fukuzawa (Beginnings)

ੈ✩‧₊˚༺☆༻ੈ✩‧₊˚

✦ Big Ranpo can deduce anything. World’s greatest detective! So he knows Fukuzawa wouldn’t judge him. He knows Fukuzawa would help him. But he also knows that Fukuzawa has no idea what age regression is. And the idea of needing to explain it is so nauseating… Just thinking about it has pushed him into a tantrum before. Overall it seems much easier to just not. He can take care of himself! He’s perfectly capable!

★ However… Baby Ranpo isn’t quite as good with his deduction skills. Maybe he miscalculated? He’s been dropping less often, so it was harder to pull himself out of headspace. He was down for longer than he usually is… And Fukuzawa came home. And saw him. Sitting on the grounding sucking on his thumb and clutching a blanket, like a baby. What would Fukuzawa think? In his regressed state he couldn’t get into the presidents head to figure it out. Not knowing things is so frustrating. It makes him feel stupid. It wasn’t long before the meltdown started, big fat tears streaming down the little one’s face. Everything just felt like too much!

✦ Fukuzawa was certainly stunned by this. He wouldn’t have really questioned the boys behavior. Blankets can be nice for anyone. Sucking on his thumb? Perhaps some form of oral fixation? Ranpo is clearly autistic and the two can be related (NOT IN A SEXUAL WAY IN THIS SITUATION). But bursting into tears? Something is wrong. And now Fukuzawa has to do something. He can’t just leave Ranpo like this…

★ All Fukuzawa has to do is calm him down. Ranpo tends to shut down a lot when he gets overstimulated with work, perhaps this is similar? So Fukuzawa simply pats Ranpo on the head (They’ve discussed previously that touch like that is ok to avoid unnecessary communication during stressful times) and sits down next to him. Fukuzawa does a gentle groan as he sits, maybe he mutters a small complaint about his back or his knees… And Ranpo calms down because... That’s the presidents biggest concern? Not him acting like a big baby?

✦ Fukuzawa just calmly talks to Ranpo to soothe him, maybe placing a hand on and gently rubbing the boys shoulder. He doesn’t ask, simply talks about how his day was, praises Ranpo on whatever work was done that day… Tiny things. And eventually Ranpo calms down! But Ranpo knows he can’t explain well right now, so he whines that he’s tired, he’s trying really hard to talk normal too “‘M sleepy… Talk in… Mornin’?” Fukuzawa of course agrees, gently tucking Ranpo into bed

★ In the morning Ranpo swallows his anxieties and approaches the president, and he explains. He knows that Fukuzawa doesn’t know what age regression is so he explains, then says that he is a regressor. Fukuzawa certainly seems confused, but he almost immediately offers to take care of Ranpo when he’s like that. He’s already taking care of the boy in so many ways… What’s one more going to matter? Ranpo, relieved that it didn’t take them long to get to this point, gladly accepts

(“Hey Ash this reads more like a Drabble or a fanfic than headcanons-“ Hush. I had this magical thing called inspiration, headcanons incoming!)

✦ Once Ranpo knows Fukuzawa is willing to take care of him he starts relying on him more! Unless he knows the president is busy. He doesn’t want to be a bother! Many times Fukuzawa has walked into a room to find Ranpo curled up sucking on his thumb, Fukuzawa has to explain over and over that even if he’s busy he still wants to take care of Ranpo. It’s like a break for both of them. Breaks are important. Besides finding Ranpo like this only makes him feel bad, Ranpo doesn’t want that of course

★ So much cat stuff! As Fukuzawa starts looking at little things, he’s drawn to cat themed items… Ranpo liked cats right? He didn’t hate them at the very least. Good enough. Occasionally he’ll get something candy themed but it’s mostly cats, with Fukuzawa as a caregiver Ranpo learns to love cats. Before he thought they were ok? After Fukuzawa starts taking care of him though it’s like an obsession. Fukuzawa’s love for cats is contagious

✦ Ranpo definitely has sensory issues! So Fukuzawa is very careful to pick out soft gentle clothes for him! Ranpo can get overwhelmed easily. Whether it’s because of textures, work, sounds, meltdowns are very common! Fukuzawa knows to get him into a comfortable and familiar environment (Usually Fukuzawa’s office) then just lets him calm down! Things like noise cancelling headphones are always at the ready!

★ I think Fukuzawa likes just sitting with his little one, this definitely applies to Ranpo! Fukuzawa can sit at a desk doing paperwork and Ranpo curls up under the desk, leans against Fukuzawa’s legs and watches a cartoon! Whenever he goes to make the little one a drink he’ll also make himself tea! Once Ranpo tried the tea thinking he was being sneaky… He instantly spit it out and started crying because it didn’t taste sweet enough for him ( ">﹏< ) Of course he was given hot cocoa to wash out the yucky taste!

✦ At first Fukuzawa tried getting Ranpo to eat less sweets! But he quickly gave up on that, it was just miserable. Instead he pushes brushing teeth, and makes deals! He’ll allow Ranpo to have sweets, but Ranpo has to eat something healthy first! Ranpo still eats far too many sweets from Fukuzawa’s perspective, but at least he knows Ranpo is being healthy enough to make up for it!

★ I genuinely almost forgot nicknames… My favorite part. Nicknames time right at the end then! Fukuzawa definitely uses nicknames like “Baby” “Little One” and “Sweetie”! Classics, but they make Ranpo feel so happy and tiny! I think Ranpo either calls Fukuzawa “Fufu” or “Zawa” either one works! Sometimes he’ll say “Dada” but not too often? He gets embarrassed when he says that one hehe

ੈ✩‧₊˚༺☆༻ੈ✩‧₊˚

Wow this got long… Uhh. Can you guys tell I love this duo? They’re so perfect for agere… I could go on about them for hours. Anyway! Have an amazing day/night!

[p0orbaby]

hey! idk if u take requests still? but i have a OTM request, it’s ok if this stays collecting dust in your inbox but…

I was wondering if u had any headcanons or a drabble on R & Wands’ first time together ?

personally i feel like it would’ve been awkward because R would try to initiate it but also try be respectful and embarrass themselves a lot and obviously both of them get nervous about the first time so it’s just shambles and they forget how their limbs work for a good five minutes lol but when they get into it it’s amazing and just how they’d imagined it to be

So Close

warnings: language, mild sexy times, Wanda being a tease, r being a horny mess, fluff, angst and smut… also not proof read

a/n: decided to make this request two parts. Set after this, but can be read alone!

Word count: 3k

-

Kissing Wanda is your favourite thing.

There has never been a time in your life where you would actively seek out something as much as Wanda’s kisses.

She’s soft. She’s sweet. She always has them readily available for you if you ask. Small pecks in greeting. Lingering ones for departures. And any and all others for the in betweens.

Your favourite ones, if you had to choose, were the tired morning ones. Where her lips were still puffy from sleep and her body was warm from a night under the covers. You could stay like that forever. Holding her against your pyjama covered torso, legs intertwined with one another.

But if you were really being honest with yourself, it was just the morning sun and the chance to feel your girlfriend against you that made the morning so bearable. It’s the way the bottom of her sleep shirt barely covers the edge of her ass when she gets up to start the day. It’s the way she looks back at you over her shoulder, green eyes glimmering in the light. It’s the way you see her silhouette in the fitted glass of the bathroom door as she strips and showers mere feet from you.

A very primitive perspective. But you have to live off of whatever crumbs you’re given.

You’d called Wanda a few days after your first date. She said she was starting to worry that you wouldn’t want to see her again. You almost laughed because that was the furthest thing from your mind. You’d see her every second of the day for the rest of your life if you could.

So the date was arranged, the aquarium had been a good choice it seemed because when you made it back to her apartment she pulled you closed and attached your lips to hers.

It was messy. All teeth and saliva as your tongue swiped against hers. All your trust was given to the women pressed against you as she manvouvered you through the space. You’d deducted she’d led you to the kitchen when your back hit the edge of what felt like a worktop. There wasn’t a bone in your body that gave a damn where you were. As long as this carried on you could be dragged to hell and back for all you cared.

And for a brief second you thought that had actually happened. That some higher being had heard you and had made Wanda stop sliding her lips against yours to make you pay your end of the bargain. Her mouth was off yours in a second. Her hands moved to your chest to keep you at bay as you searched for her lips again. It was a small chuckle that brought you back to reality.

She was flushed a subtle pink. Her lips red from you sucking on them. Her hair slightly out of place and it was the most beautiful sight you had ever come across. Automatically you tried to lean in again but her palm was still firmly keeping you at a safe distance.

“I know I said I’d make an exception, but I think I’m already falling for you and I really don’t want to mess this up” she’d said as she adjusted the collar of your shirt back to rights. “I want everything to be perfect”

You nodded. Of course you did. You’d move mountains for her if she’d ask. So the small task of waiting until the right moment was the least you could do. Even if that did mean having to watch her flaunt around half naked in the morning sun.

-

The day had been relatively boring.

It was a Saturday so that meant Wanda stayed over with the intention of keeping you to herself for the whole weekend. Making the most of your identical Monday to Friday, nine to five jobs.

You were sat at the breakfast bar, sipping coffee and scrolling through your tablet as your girlfriend stood at the stove. She’d gotten changed into some sweats and another one of your old college T-shirts. And even though her ass was now covered, you still were treated to the sight of her moving swiftly around your kitchen with a grace you didn’t know was possible. It made you weak at the knees.

Or perhaps it was how she licked her slender fingers clean of pancake batter that made your heart race.

She must’ve known what she was doing because she caught your eye before she turned back away from you. All smirk and tease.

“Wanda, come here, I’ve got something to tell you” you find yourself saying suddenly.

“Hmm?” She responded, still facing the other way.

“Look at me baby, it’s important”. And it must’ve been because she heard you lock the tablet and place your mug on the marble countertop.

Wanda plated the pancake in the pan and turned the heat off. Turning to find you looking a little upset.

“Is everything okay?”

“Yeah, I’ve just got something I’ve been meaning to tell you for a little while”

Wanda wasn’t a particularly paranoid person, but there was something about your sudden need to get whatever it was off your chest that made her nervous. So in some sort of subconscious comfort, she rounded the kitchen island and placed herself snugly in your lap. To her pleasure, your hands wrapped around her, keeping her close.

“I’ve got to go on a work trip in a couple of weeks”

“Oh, okay” relief flooded through her body. “I thought you were gearing up to break up with me or something”

“I’ll be gone for a month”

Oh

You could feel Wanda tense under your touch. See her brows furrow in concern as she processes what’s you’ve said, figuring out what that could mean for the two of you.

“A whole month?”

“I tried to get out of it, but you know what Tony can be like. I doubt he even needs me there. I’ll probably just be a glorified PA”

Wanda didn’t say anything, and that worried you. You thought you’d given ample time to let her know. Perhaps not.

She went to move off of you, you let her.

“I-, I'm not sure if I can go without seeing you for that long” she admitted and your heart both sank and soared at the same time.

She looked so small when she was vulnerable.

“I don’t want to leave you. I even considered asking you if you’d come with me” you couldn’t help but laugh at the ridiculousness of it all.

The stool you were sat on scraped the floor as you stood. Making you wince at the high pitch noise echoing through the room. You watched Wanda as she shuffled from foot to foot in front of you. You’d never seen her like this. Her always positive, confident personality had been replaced by something you didn’t recognise in her.

“Move in with me”. The words stumbled out of your mouth without a second thought. Nor really a first one. The idea had been swimming in your mind, but only as a hypothetical. A scenario for something later down the line. But with the thought of being away from her longer than a few days, and her reaction to the news, why not move things along?

“Y/N, I don’t- I can’t just move in. I’ve got a lease” she mumbled.

“I’ll get Tony to pay any contract fees. It’s his fault anyway, that I have to leave you. Let me sort this, please? Move in with me”

You’d found yourself gravitating towards her. Like a planet orbiting the sun. She grounded you. Balanced you. Made you a better person.

“Move in with me” you said again, quilter this time. Almost a whisper as you wrapped your arms around her waist.

“Move in with me”. Once more, when she brought her arms around your neck. Your arms slid lower, encouraging her to jump up and wrap her legs around your middle.

“Move in with me”, it was a mantra you breathed as you walked her back towards the bedroom. The morning sunlight higher than it was an hour or so ago. The rays causing rainbow coloured patterns to bloom on your walls as they shine through the window.

Wanda still hadn’t spoken. She didn’t need to. The fervent nodding of her head was enough of an answer. The repetitive brush of her hair against the side of your face. The wet spot that had gathered on your shoulder from her tears. Happy you hope.

Her back hit the mattress with a soft thud. Her hair, now dry from the shower, fanned out beside her in a halo. A look only ever fit of an angel.

“I love you” she chokes out finally. Voice wet and raspy with emotion.

“Let me love you? Before I leave”

Another nod, accompanied by the subtle act of biting her lip between her teeth.

God, she was gorgeous. Any other time you’d be mesmerised by her. How her soft stomach had been revealed slightly as your shirt rose up her body. Her green eyes full of endless wonder in the crisp yellow wash of the room. Though this wasn’t the time to thank your lucky stars.

You leant forwards and kissed her neck hastily. Arms either side of her head, knees guiding her own legs further apart to accommodate you. Your movements weren’t slow. Your kisses were greedy and desperate.

Your lips left wet marks in her skin. A trail of saliva from her collarbone, up to her neck and around back to her lips. She kissed you like it was going out of fashion. All wet noises and moans into open mouths.

There was a sudden need that filled you. You needed to see her fully. She needed to be naked, to be bare for you. It wouldn’t be the first time, but this was under new circumstances. Not better, just different and exciting. You felt fizzy at just the idea of it.

Sitting back on your haunches, you make a start on removing her clothing. Untying the knot that we’re keeping her sweats up. Pulling them down as soon as they were loose enough. Shaking hands moving up to help her remove her shirt. Almost short circuiting when her breast filled your vision.

Like a teenage boy, that’s all you could look at. Not wanting to blink in case it was a dream and you’d imagined the whole thing. She had freckles on her chest. Perhaps from the day you’d both spent at the county fair. Her tank top low to keep her cool.

“Staring is rude, you know?” She informs you. You’re not sure how long you were gawking at her.

“Oh, I’m sorry. I didn’t-“

“I’m joking. You make me feel sexy when you stare. It’s like I’m the only person you see”

“You are. Fuck, you are Wanda”

“Yeah?”

“Yeah baby. You’re the only girl I want. That’s it, you’re stuck with me”

It was Wanda who closed the gap this time. Leaning up from her position to press her lips against yours. All semblance of restraint fled your body.

Your hands grasped at the corners of whatever clothing she had left on. Just her panties you realised as lace was the only thing the tips of your fingers touched. You didn’t notice how much your hands were shaking until they were anchored by the soft plains of Wanda’s body.

She helped you too. Her craving for your skin against her too overwhelming to ignore. Your sleep shorts and ratty old gym top found the pile on the floor before you could protest. Not that you ever would.

“I wanna eat you out so bad” you breathed. It was brazen of you to admit really, but it was true.

Wanda laughed at that. Not a cute behind the hand chuckle, an actual snorting laugh that made you stop your administrations on her neck and pull back to look at her, confused.

“I’m sorry” she gasped, forcing herself to breath in between snorts, “but-, but I don’t think I’ve heard anyone say that since I was in high school”

“Oh. Because like, you’ve not had sex since then? Or something?”

“Baby, you really think I’ve not slept with anyone in five years?”

“I don’t know, haven’t you?”

Why is this now the topic of conversation? Why were you still talking?

“I hate to break it to you, but I have slept with several other people before you, I'm afraid. And most of them have been out of high school”

“Can we get back to the kissing now?” Your body spiked with jealousy at her mentioning being with others in the past. Not that you’d thought you were taking her virginity. That was far from the truth, but you also don’t want to think about other people touching what was yours.

“Don’t tell me you’re jealous”

“I’m not jealous” you countered, pushing forward to try to connect your lips again. But her hand on your shoulder stopped you from approaching further.

“Wanna talk about it?” She didn’t mean it really. Her smirk told you so. She was teasing and you didn’t know whether you should be turned on or annoyed.

“No, I don’t want to talk about it. I want to fuck you”

Wanda’s eyebrows raised at your words. Maybe in shock, maybe not. Either way the blush on her cheeks traveled down her neck and coloured her chest, leaving you both smug and slightly embarrassed at your own bluntness. “Sorry, ah. Manners. Can I fuck you? Please?”

“Well, just because you asked so nicely”

Your hands left their position by your side and gently placed them back onto Wanda’s legs. Massaging the back of her calves with them. Tracing patterns along her skin as they journeyed up her body. You squeezed her thighs gently when you got there. Flicked her nipples when they pebbled under your palms. Pulled the hair at the base of her neck, tilting her head to the position you wanted it to be when you kissed again.

She moaned into your mouth when you nipped at her bottom lip. A small subtle thing that you knew you’d never get tired of hearing.

You slotted a knee between her legs. Pressing it against her just enough to have her rolling her hips over it. Letting the friction take her that little bit higher.

She was warm all over. She was radiating love and calmness even as your lips left hers to follow the blush down her neck. Hitching her breath when you sucked a nipple. Biting her lip when you played with the other. You licked her sternum when you passed it. Pecked the freckles on her abdomen when you found them. Her nails left crescent moons in your skin when your breath danced over her center. Anticipation getting the better of her.

“What are you waiting for?” She breathed. Chest heaving and watching you with hooded eyes as you laid there and admired her.

“Nothing, just looking. Can I?” You liked your lips after you asked. Mouth salivating with the knowledge she’d say yes and you’d get to taste her finally.

She didn’t say a word, she just grabbed your head and shoved your face into her. It was swift to a degree. No ifs or buts about any of it. And there would normally be no complaint from you, but when you heard a crunch as your face made contact with her. At first you thought it was her head hitting the headboard. But when you looked up and saw her eyes looking widely back at you, you realised something was wrong.

“Oh fuck”

“What? What happened?”

“Your nose, Jesus fucking Christ, you’re bleeding”

The hands that were once wrapped around her thighs came up to touch your face automatically. Fingers coming back painted with red.

Wanda scrambled off the bed, covers getting wrapped around her legs in an attempt to get to the bathroom. Her hand gripped your wrist as she went, pulling you off of the mattress unexpectedly. You didn’t have the best coordination on the best of days, and after smacking your face hard enough to make your nose bleed, it wasn’t a surprise that you lost your footing and fell face first into the shag rug on the floor.

“Okay, just stay there. Let me get some paper towels or something”

You groaned in defeat and listened out for the heavy slap of Wanda’s bare feet against the hardwood and tiled floor respectively and back again.

Warm hands grabbed at your body, pulling you up so your back was leaning against the frame of the bed. A soft towel pressed against your face. Fingers pinching your nose through the material.

Your eyes focused on a face close to yours. Knitted brows of concern and teary eyes filled your vision.

“I’m so sorry” Wanda breathed. Guilt evident in her voice as she tends to your wounds.

“Don’t be,” you started. Voice muffled coming through the thick fabric before pulling it gently away from your face. “It was an accident”

“It was stupid”

“No it wasn’t”

“You’re bleeding”

“And You’re stressing”

There was a brief pause before she let out a sigh. Slumping brown onto the floor next to you. The high sun giving light to her rosy cheeks and layer of sweat that coated her skin. Glistening like diamonds.

“I don’t want you to leave,” she said after a while.

“I don’t want to leave you. But I want you to be here when I get back. And we can call every day”

You’d grab her hands, but you’d get blood all over her. So you settled on resting your head on her shoulder. The blood from your nose since stopped spilling out. All that was left was a faint throb and the feel of betrayal coursing through your veins.

“Four weeks”

The words floated out of her mouth. A prayer of faith. Encouraging herself to not crumble at the thought of being away from you for so long.

Four weeks.

You sighed yourself.

[yanderederee]

MurderMystery

「探偵 ���地！」

April29th, 2004

a/n: I felt inspired to rewrite this in a fun drabble idea♡ I was sad the opportunity was only given a five page spread, so I took matters into tutor!reader’s hands:)

shoutout to @tokyo-daaaamn-ji-gang for kindly helping me locating the bonus chapter link, so I may refresh myself on all the specifics regarding the deduction quiz (spoiler; the only clue pointed out is the ‘murder tool’/pill bottle.)

before! › here! › after!

⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯✦

*i am not a medical professional; all drug/medications/ailments are either made up or should not be looked into as truth!

To say the least , you were ecstatic when Ryusei recruited you for this role.

Based on how Chifuyu and he had explained it to you, Baji was actually excited to try solving a detective case of his own.

They had even already dragged the ever so willing Mitarai into this plan as well.

You and Mitarai were friends. The both of you were very good in academics, and keeping patience with the overzealous boys in front of you.

The two of you huddled together that same day, whispering to eachother different plans and hints to lay around as clues.

“So, who is the killer?” You asked the genuine poindexter.

You could tell he was flustered by your closeness. You didn’t mind though, nerds were cute.

Mitarai looked over your compiled notes in critical fashion. Collaborating back and forth on the matter, you truly felt like the case would be a hit.

After about a half hour of planning, giggling, and whispering to one another, you could feel a heavy presence looked over your back. Automatically breaking out into a smile, you threw your hands across the desk to hide all evidence.

“What’re you doing?” Baji asked, flat. It was a simple question, yet the dark glint of jealousy glared obvious.

You could tell Baji was addressing how close you had been getting to Mitarai, but you thought jealous boys were cuter; better to play coy.

“Creating an awesome case,” you admitted, pulling all the papers that littered your desk into one big pile, to which you organized out of his view. “I’m actually really excited to come up with this!”

Mitarai made an attempt in hopping into the conversation. “Y/n is quite good at this! She had written a sequence of events in only a matter of seconds. Though, I admit her knowledge in…. ‘forensics’ is a little unnerving.” he murmured.

You shrugged with pride, putting the papers into a manila folder, and into your bag.

“I’ll have the materials for the operation by tomorrow. I’m gonna go consult with the victim of this case~”

⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯✦

You bend down, checking for any sign of life. Your blood ran cold. “Detective, he…. He’s dead.” You announce to the room. Baji bends down, patting your arm so to dismiss you from the corpse. “This bottle looks suspicious…” he murmured seriously.

Chifuyu grinned wide at you and Mitarashi, giving a subtle thumbs up. You chose to remain in character, following the scripted dialogue you wrote and handed out yesterday (that everyone barely mesmerized in time).

Normally, Baji would love to solve this kind of thing on his own. But you knew better than anyone, that without direction, Baji would soon become irritable and fume with frustration. He just needed to notice the clues, without telling him he found a clue. Make it seem like he figured it out himself.

“Here is Sora Ijuuin’s file,” you handed Baji a small packet of paper, containing a profile shot of Chuu, some blurbs of false medical history, and reposts given by neighbors on the events leading up to the victim’s demise. “Please look over it carefully..”

“Thank you assistant.” He acknowledged shortly. Looking over the file, it took him a few minutes, but eventually he stood in haste.

Ijuuin Sora, date of birth: 03/07/1980, blood type: B, marital status: married.

- Statement given by Neighbor [1]: “That voice of his [Sora Ijuuin] sure does carry! Just three days ago, I could hear him fighting with someone clear down the street!”

- Statement given by Neighbor [3]: “Well , there has been a suspicious looking fellow visiting that house for the past month. He visits perhaps once a week. White hair, and dark skin. Suspicious!”

“Seems Chu had a few visitors before he bit it.” Baji said suspiciously. “Satou Ryusei, what business did you have with the victim three days ago?”

Baji thought he looked so cool, keeping his glare focused on the taller boy in the room.

Excellent. First step, make Baji suspect and snuff out all clues from innocent yet suspicious figures in the room.

Ryusei played it cool, a poker face striping him of all laughing matters. “Sora and I were colleagues. We had been collaborating on a project for about a month now. I came by to discuss these matters three days ago.”

“Sound reason. You say you were simply discussing, but neighbor complains state they heard loud arguing. You two must have had a disagreement.”

Baji’s cool demeanor slowly began showing more confidence as he made his case.

“We’re both particularly passionate fellows,” Ryusei suppressed a giggle. He may have thought your script was a little over the top. “We disagreed often. But our altercations were never very loud. We always came to sound conclusions.”

“And was that conclusion murder?” Baji asked accusatively.

“I would never!”

Baji hummed. Blaming Ryusei seemed too easy. And if he learned anything from his detective shows, never go with your first guess. So, eyeing the file again he read;

- Statement given by Neighbor [3]: “…his [Sora Ijuuin] wife and I only spoke on occasion. She told me they had been dating since high school. They had gotten together thanks to a mutual friend. […] Arguments with his wife have been consistent over the years, but for the last 6 months, they have been non-stop! They become progressively louder as days pass.”

- Statement given by Acquaintance [1]: “Sora? Yeah, he and some four eyes were friends back in high school. Though, he always seemed to have a thing for his girlfriend at the time. Guess they’re still friends, saw them hanging out recently. I heard four eyes became a doctor. Good for him.”

- Statement given by Neighbor [2]: “I’ve heard rumors about resident of that house becoming recently ill! A friend of his, I presume, has been visiting often to oversee his health. I hope he’s well?”

Based on this statement repost, Baji soon began concluding that it was perhaps Chu’s “wife” may be the murderer. However, reading further, he realized this to be impossible.

- […] After a particularly heated argument, {assumedly being the disagreement of Three Days ago}, eye witness repost conclude Wife had gone to stay with her mother three days ago.

Chifuyu caught your waiting gaze, and understood the subtle nod in his direction. Playing into the role, Chifuyu settled closer to the crime scene, eying the pill bottle.

“Cause of death, overdose? But with what? … Medication? Was Mr Sora ill?”

“My colleague often complained about suffering from unexplained migraines and severe nose bleeds. I recall him mentioning these symptoms began about three months ago.”

“He met quite frequently with his at home physician to determine a diagnosis.”

“Were the physician and victim on good terms?”

“Yes. In fact, neighbor reposts state they originally thought him an old familiar friend of the victim, with how often and friendly their visits.”

“Ah! Ijuuin and I have been friends for some years now, even before he requested I oversee his declining health.” Mitarai spoke up confidently.

A shock to everyone in the room, everyone stood silent. Baji’s judgemental gaze looked over the self proclaimed physician up and down, thinking of anyway to blame him.

Dense as he was, he nodded. “A nobel friend always sticks by his friend’s side. My condolences, doctor.” Baji turned, thinking to other matters at hand.

No!! Everyone internally yelled.

Mitarashi was practically trying to be blamed, at this point!! But Baji wasn’t taking the bait.

No matter, you sighed silently, planning your second hint.

“Looks like the only evidence useful to us is this pill bottle.” Baji interjected.

You handed Baji a plastic glove, insisting he wear it before touching any evidence. After doing so, he observed the bottle.

It was medicine, plain and simple. Without even so much as a label on the bottle, it was impossible to identify further than that.

“Detective,” Chifuyu whispered to Baji, just as you described he should do in the script. “I recognize the look of this pill. Its purpose is to increase blood flow, mostly aimed for anemic patients. It doesn’t match the name of the medicine typed on the pill bottle.”

Unfortunately, Baji had no idea what the fuck ‘an anemia’ even was.

“Doctor, if you could please elaborate, what diagnosis came of your time spent together?” You asked Mitarashi. He nodded in response.

“Ijuuin described having severe nosebleeds, following his migraines. I concluded he suffered textbook side effects of overexertion.”

A medication meant to increase blood flow for a patient with frequent nose bleeds? Baji finally started putting the clues together.

“Were you the one to prescribe this medicine, doctor?” Baji asked Mitarai.

Aha!!

Mitarashi purposely showed signs of nervousness. “Y-yes! That medicine is one that regulates migraines. I-it even says it on the bottle!”

Baji smirked, dropping the bottle into a plastic, held open by Chifuyu. “We’ll see what the forensic’s team has to say about that.”

Mitarai became anxious at the mention, but chose to keep quiet. Baji hadn’t earned a confession out of him yet.

Baji really had to think now. He had evidence, but no motive. What motive would a physician have to kill his own patient? One he seemed fond of, even.

The room grew quiet, and frustration was eating up Baji’s neck. How could he get the guy to confess?

And unfortunately for Mitarashi, when Detective Baji began to feel frustrated, he had a hard time putting a cap on his emotions. In fact, he physically couldn’t.

So of course, he resorted to intimidation.

“Speakin’ of forensics, back there, I noticed there’s a pill that’s been crushed up. Almost like it was stepped on. Saaay, doc, how bout I see the underside of those shoes, huh?” Baji grinned ear to ear, eyes creasing in one-sided victory.

Mitarai gasped, red faced and shaking. It was hard to tell if it was because he was in character, or genuinely scared of Baji’s terrifying aura.

“P-please sir! Spare me!” He yelled, backing up against the door quickly, showing the underside of only one of his shoes. “There’s nothing! See! Nothing!”

Baji shook his head, and in one quick motion, bent Mitarai’s standing knee. Unable to balance himself in time, the four-eyes fell to the floor with a scream. “Well what’da ya know? What’s this blue powder here? Think we’re gonna need to send this over too, Detective Matsuno.” He chuckled.

Surely this was enough to earn his confession.

“F-fine! I swapped the medication! I’ve been giving him medicine to make him sicker and sicker f-for the last five months… but-but! … I had to!” Mitarai crocked, crocodile tears falling down his face.

Damn, Mitarai sure knew how to act!! Who would have guessed…

“Well, spit it out.” Baji hurried.

Mitarai took a few deep breaths, increasing the reveals dramatic timing. “He made Hanako cry… I’ve… loved Hanako ever since I met her, you see!” Mitarashi looked away bashfully.

“Who’s Hanako? From the Toilet?”

“That’s the name of the victims’s wife. It’s on file.”

“…oh…”

“You’ve been friends with Mr Sora since high school?” You asked the clarifying question, which finally clicked in Baji’s mind.

“Yes! She always had eyes for the obnoxious types though… so, I waited… And just as I suspected, he began to mistreat her, all over petty misunderstandings and other stupid, meaningless things! They were fighting so often, Hanako finally reached out to me to ask for advise….

“I told her to give it time. I just needed a little time… make him sick, until he died of natural causes! Than she’d finally be free! So you see, it was out of love! And it worked!” Mitarai laughed, still hysterically crying. “He’s gone now, Hanako. She can be happy now, right detective?”

Baji’s face was cold at Mitarashi’s performance.

“That’s why?” He asked. “All over a girl? Seriously?” He clicked his tongue.

You frowned at his disgust.

“What a lame reason. Whatever, we got what we came here for. Matsuno, cuff this freak.”

And just as quickly, Baji’s victory became evident with such a wide grin. “Haha! I’m a genius! Bet ya didn’t think I’d notice that stepped on pill over there did ya?” He said in your face.

You laughed in unison, and rose your hand up to give him a big high five. “I’ll admit, I was wondering how long it would take you to notice, but I had faith in you, Detective!~”

The lot of you all cheered for Baji, making his ego soar all the more. But just as you thought to stop, that adorable toothy grin of his made you swoon all over again.

While he and Chu were laughing together, Ryusei took notice of your adoring stare, and melancholy smile. “You like him, don’t you?” He asked so very quietly. As much as you could act embarrassed and deny him, you knew it would be in vain. Ryusei knew. Your smile became more flatlined.

“I do… it’s one-sided, I know… but I’m happy where I am, for now.”

Ryusei watched as you tore your gaze away, distracting yourself with cleaning up the rest of the murder scene. Out of earshot, Ryusei chuckled. “One sided, huh… Can’t say I’m so sure of that.”

⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯✦

Finally, after it was all said and done, the lot of you found yourselves shoved close into a booth at a local family diner. It was cheap and close by, but deserving enough for Detective Baji’s victory on his latest case.

“Still! That cheesy alibi was so over the top. Seriously, which one of you even came up with that crap?” Baji mulled over his drink, glaring at how closely sat you and Mitarai were sitting. You rolled your eyes. “Yeah yeah, just let it go already.”

“Mitarashi! Your acting was so good back there though, I almost thought you were really crying!” Chifuyu praised the four eyes beside him. “Thank you! I wasn’t sure if I could pull it off at first.”

Still dressed in the costumes stolenborrowed from the Drama Club, you all looked quite dashing and out of place in this family diner. But not a one of you seemed to care. Everyone was in high spirits.

Baji would occasionally bring up how ‘killing someone for a girl you like is so lame.’ And sure, he was right. It just made you all the more embarrassed that you were the one to come up with the dramatic idea. But that was the idea! Detective shows were dramas!

As everyone threw in their last praises and thoughts on the case, the natural urge to pee made itself known to you. Quickly excusing yourself, you shimmied yourself out from the booth. It hadn’t even been a few minutes before you were relieved and headed back for the table.

On your way to do so, some high school delinquent who clearly wasn’t paying attention to how much of the narrow walkway he was taking up, ended up smacking right dab into your shoulder. It wasn’t enough to make you fall backwards, but enough to lose your balance. What an asshole!

Yet, when you glared up for your rightfully owed apology, the high schooler kept walking. Baffled, you pursed your lips into a thin line. It probably wouldn’t do you any good to go after him. But that was way too rude!

Unbeknownst to you, the whole scene became a spectacle for your delinquent friend group. And they were Not having it. Most of all, Baji Keisuke. He practically hopped over the table to get out from the booth quicker— rather than waiting for whoever was on the outside to make way.

“Oi, asshole.” Baji seethed through his teeth. It was quiet, enough to not draw attention from everyone in the restaurant, at least. “Apologize, or we’re takin’ this outside.” He’d since grabbed the collar of the offending jerk.

The high schooler chuckled, not taking Baji all that seriously. “Yeah right, get lost pipsqueak.” He went to push Baji, who was a solid few inches shorter than him. Unfortunately, Baji took this personally.

Baji laughed at the audacity of this jerk, grabbing his arm hard, and twisting it behind his back. He wasn’t trying to cause a scene, but there he was, causing a scene.

You aught to stop him, but nothing you’d say would do you any good. “Stay here, this won’t take more than five minutes.” Baji had told you.

It didn’t take long for Baji to walk the punk outside of the family diner, around the front and into a less populated street.

Ryusei gave a shrug, and offered you a seat. “Leave him be, that’s just how he is.”

Chifuyu was tempted to follow his squad leader, but decided against it after seeing how anxious the whole situation was making you. “Maybe we should leave…” you mumbled. “No way, we just ordered while you were gone!” Ryusei patted your shoulder. Mitarashi was also a little unsettled, but tried not to show it.

“If anything, you should be glad Keisuke’s actually showing this much restraint. Normally. He’d have pummeled the poor guy in front of everyone and got us kicked out.” Ryusei sighed, as though that same scenario had just happened recently.

Just as Baji promised, he was back at the table in less than 5 minutes. “‘I miss anything?” He asked, a proud wide toothy smirk painting his features.

That proud look really suited him. Stop, why were you thinking about how cute he was at a time like this? Did you seriously find delinquency that attractive? Your heart felt like it’d beat out of your chest.

“Still think it’s one-sided?~” Ryusei whispered in your ear with a shit eating grin.

Your face went beat red.

“Hey, what’d I say about personal space asshole?” Baji cursed at his friend before pushing him hard.

“Sorry sorry~”

…♡

[vinnsley]

Hi there!! You cool with a daughter of Iris reader x Leo Valdez where Leo is stressed out about a project so y/n cheers Leo up by turning his project different colors and stuff? Thanks, have a great day!! Here, have a song rec too: Copacabana by Barry Manilow(English version)

Haven't written for pjo before... hoping i'll get leos character right💀🙏

TW/Info: none except FEM [Y/N], short drabble, fluff, max colors and set clothing ig😹

[--------------]

You've been a camper at Camp Half-Blood for awhile now, being a daughter of Iris, fighting wasn't really your strong suite, but you weren't weak either. You could keep yourself alive out there alone for a bit. Atleast.

And it has been a few days since you've seen your boyfriend, Leo, at all recently. You thought he might be at a quest or something, but after seeing Piper still at camp, you made the proud deduction that no quest has started without your knowledge.

So you decided that you'll raid the Hephaestus Cabin when you have the chance tomorrow... you were already laying in your bunk inside your cabin with your siblings already dead asleep, or reading a book to pass the time while they couldn't sleep.

Soon enough, tomorrow rolled around, being woken up by one of your cabinmates for the morning far earlier than normal, just as you requested.

You thought that if you woke up earlier then you might be able to catch Leo going to the workshop or what he called it as... honestly, you had a hard time deciphering what he was saying when he was more excited than a young kid on christmas day seeing their presents under the tree.

You quickly got dressed — Your bright orange camp shirt (Which in all honesty, you hated the color.), your dark blue jeans with your converse — And your short rainbow scarf you usually wore in your hair before putting your hair in a pony tail.

You quickly rush out of your cabin, not even thinking about closing the door as you run trough the camp, to Leo's workshop.

Not long after you find the entrance, it being wide open and you hear some type of... mechanical noises from the inside?

You went closer, peeking inside and spotting your objective — Leo's body peeking out from the inside of Festus as the dragon was resting while he worked.

You walked inside, walking closer as Festus opened it's eyes, now staring at you approaching. Leo not even taking notice of you at all.

"So this is where you've been all this time?" Your voice spoke as Leo almost immedieatly hit his head in Festus' body, before raising his head out of the mechanical dragon with wide eyes as he stared at you.

"Mi amor! I-I didn't expect to see you today!" He said, chuckling nervously as he scratched the back of his neck.

You raised an eyebrow. "I haven't seen you in days, Leo. It made me worry slightly." You responded, before walking closer towards Festus' leg, placing your hands on your hip.

Leo chuckled again. "Sorry. My bad. Was kinda too focused on fixing a part inside Festus." He grunted. "I just can't get it right." He grumbled under his breath and chucked his head back into Festus' back.

"Y'know... a break sounds way better than this."

"What do you mean a break? I need to finish this!

"What you need is a break!" You shot back, scoffing as you leaned your shoulder against Festus as you stared at Leo's lower body poking out from Festus.

But absent-mindedly, as you adjusted your position, you reached your hand and put it on Festus, and suddenly, instead of the goldish yellow color... he became bright rainbow colored.

Leo froze as he saw the change (from the inside? You guessed.) as he quickly wiggled himself out and stood on-top of Festus.

"Woah." He said as he looked across Festus' new look. "You could do that?"

You glanced at Festus' torso and Leo awkwardly. "Uh. I guess. I can change object's colors. Could do this since... forever. Y'know." You shrugged like it wasn't a big deal.

"Since forever? Dude! You never told me!" He said. "You should've told me! My inventions could've been way cooler with a touch of color instead of—" He said before he cut himself off as you raised an eyebrow in response.

"Y'know... Mi Amor... Some of my inventions do need a new paintjob..." He smirked as he slid down from Festus' back, walking over to you and wrapping his arms around your waist. "Please?" He said with a charming smile.

You raised an eyebrow. "This whole charming thing isn't really working when you smell like oil and like you haven't showered in weeks." You point out.

"Well, excuse you, but i am taking showers. Quite frequently to get rid of the smell." He stated with a pout.

You chuckled as you smirked. "I know, i know. I'll also try to color in your inventions, doofus." You respond.

He grinned happily at that, immedieatly pulling you towards the desk that was situated in the room, with a bunch of materials and tools, Leo rummaging around at the mess and gather them on the middle of the desk.

Awhile later, many gadgets, tools even material at this point was different colors than usual. Even Festus was now pink and blue with some white here and there. Both of you were now on the back of Festus, Leo peeking his head out of the poptart look-alike.

"Finally fixed the issue." He said with a soft smile on his face. He seemed more at ease than you ever did before, in all honesty. This whome color-adventure winded him down slightly, but he was happy, it showed. "You really should've told me you can do this... i would've loved to have you here to color my projects." He said, staring at you softly before leaning down and kissing your forehead.

[--------------]

tried my best w this one💔

small extra;

"Yeah, yeah. This may be all fun and games... but i'm pretty winded, Leo." You said.

"So? What's the problem with being tired?" He asked, looking at you as he put another project you colored away.

"I probably can't color everything back..." You revealed.

Leo's eyes went wide, before the two of you looked at Festus. The dragon only snorted out smoke from it's nostrils...in annoyance if you guessed.

"So Festus is staying as a fake poptart?" Questioned Leo.

"...Guess so. You might have to get used to this new version of Festus." You said. "Might take awhile before i could color him back..." You giggled.

[tsukimefuku]

It takes one to know one

You and Higuruma decided to make a promise to each other.

Tags: Jujutsu Kaisen, Higuruma x f!reader, this is extreme fluff with the tiniest hint of angst, just for sauce.

Song: Head over feet - Alanis Morissette

WC: 800

This is part of my "Jujutsu Partners Canon Divergence AU", a sequence of short stories and random drabbles for a Nanami x f!reader x Higuruma fanfic I'll eventually write (eventually). To see the ever-growing list of one-shots, please visit my masterlist :)

Disclaimer: these stories are NOT written and posted in chronological order of events. To see where this story fits in the timeline, please check the masterlist mentioned above.

You've already won me over in spite of me

And don't be alarmed if I fall head over feet

And don't be surprised if I love you for all that you are

I couldn't help it

It's all your fault

You are the bearer of unconditional things

You held your breath and the door for me

Thanks for your patience

— Head over feet, Alanis Morissette

"I have noticed something." You said, as you had your forearms over the balcony, watching the calm street. You were both outside, enjoying the last few hours of sunlight, as the sun set behind a wall of buildings.

"What?" Higuruma asked, as he sat on the only chair there was in the balcony of your apartment. He closed the book he was reading, and put it aside.

"You got me to confess I had feelings for you," as you looked at him, he was watching the sky, with a sly smirk on his face, "but you never actually told me how you felt."

His smirk was gone, and he stared at you, confused. "Huh?"

"All you said was that you were happy you weren't barking up the wrong tree. Aside from the 'poetry' of it," you huffed an almost chuckle, "that doesn't say much, Hiromi."

He slid his fingers over his hair for a moment, and seemed to be pondering on something, as he looked at you. You proceeded.

"You actually took very calculated steps just to get my 'confession', and you revealed absolutely nothing about yourself."

He sighed, and lifted his hands, in admission of his defeat. "You caught me."

You chuckled and leaned against the opposing wall, to look at him. "Why did you do that?"

He was silent for a few seconds. "I guess I was worried you'd push me away if I told you how I felt."

You sighed, and scratched your head. "I mean, your fears were warranted. But we've been dating for a while, and you still haven't said how you feel. It's odd, that's all."

"I guess... I might still me afraid you will flee at any given moment."

"Hey, I know I'm avoidant, but come on, give me some credit!" You complained, crossing your arms over your chest. "I'm in this with you."

"I know. But you still have feelings for him, don't you?" Higuruma inquired, leaned against the wall on his side of the balcony. It caught you by surprise.

"... I do." You admitted, starting to worry where this conversation was heading. Is he going to hold this over my head? You thought about him wanting to ask for some time, or breaking up, and oh come on not now, just when I began to feel happy aga-

"It's okay" he said, noticing your entire body had become stiff, and your brows knit together in a pained frown. "What I mean to say is that you still have feelings for someone that you actively decided not to pursue, and hasn't told me why. I'm not asking you to, but from that I can deduct that you had some kind of fallout, and are still feeling hurt, or vulnerable."

He read you like an open book. Your softening gaze confirmed his suspicion.

"About that, Hiromi, I..." The words began to tangle themselves in your throat, forming a ball, hard to spit out.

"I don't mean to pressure you about that in any way. Talk to me if and when you're ready. No one can promise to have feelings for one single person their entire lives, that's not how feelings work," Higuruma said, "but we can promise each other something else."

You stayed silent, and waited for him to speak.

"We can promise to always tell each other the truth, even if it hurts."

You sighed, gazing at him, and nodded. "I promise that I'll always tell you the truth, even if it hurts."

He smiled at you. "I promise you the same."

"Now, about your feelings...", you began, "why don't you tell me how you feel about me?"

"I believe you already have plenty on your plate. I don't want to..." He said, looking at his feet. He didn't mean to occupy you with his feelings, was what transpired.

"I want you to." You told him, as he looked up at you. "You just promised me. Always the truth."

He chuckled, caught on the web he had made himself. "Okay, then."

Higuruma got up and stepped towards you, pulling you by your waist to press against him. Your bodies, already familiar with one another, still quivered with the closeness and warmth. You put your hands behind his neck, feeling your face prickle red, as he gazed at you, eyes soft and loving.

"I am wholeheartedly in love with you." The sorcerer pressed his forehead against yours, and kept looking at you. Your heart throbbed and whirled content, and you could've wept of joy at this very moment. "And how are you currently feeling about me?"

You stuttered for a moment. "I am sincerely falling in love with you."

He chuckled, and nuzzled his beautiful hooked nose against yours. "Always a step back."

"What can I say?" You responded, while giggling. "You know me."

"I do. That's why we're here." He replied, kissing you. It felt like the sweetest golden honey had touched your tongue after you survived swallowing coals and bitterness for so long.

Please, don't ever leave.

[colderdrafts]

Calm waters

Just a lil one-shot drabble for some practice. Enjoy 💙

Merman (octo) x gn reader. Sfw, tw kidnapping, mild violence

He sits on the same rock as usual, large, black tendrils partially holding onto it, partially running through the depths below. He breathes deeply to calm himself, a familiar scent of salt in the air.

This part of the beach is quiet, a vacant a spot he retreats to for some peace, away from prying eyes. At times, he brings the visitors of the oceans and his heart with him.

Topas watches the odd metallic bird rising high up in the sky, leaving it's odd ever-growing white tail behind on the air, like using a paint brush on a blue canvas.

How something like that can even fly is beyond him, truly another marvel of human ingenuity. The distant roar of its powerful 'engine' floods his senses, like an imitation of a rumbling thunder. He misses the lightning that usually accompanies the sound, however. Perhaps it would strike him, and give clarity as to why he's allowed himself to be fooled once again.

Frankly, he should have seen it coming, this is how it always ends. So why did he think anything will change? Why does he trust whatever fleeting promises anyone who gives him the time of day throws his way?

He gnaws on his bottom lip, agitated, sharp teeth threatening to draw blood. The pain is grounding. Reminding him he's still a someone and present, despite how he's been discarded like an accessory. Something interesting to spend your time on while you're away from home - an item you'll leave behind and forget about.

He's exciting, new, a creature of the depths, a hermit you'd be lucky to stumble upon at all. For a time. But the second whatever schedule they have in place for their lives run out, they're gone, him being nothing more than a summer fling, a short lived ecstasy and rush of dopamine.

He stares at the monstrous metal bird like his eyes could vaporize it, and strike it down so you'd be in his arms again, come back to where you belong. He knows you're on it. He recognizes the logo of the company you're flying with, reminiscing the way your claw-less fingers traced over the ticket you once showed him. Telling him stories of the lands you used to belong to.

He squints at the obnoxiously bright colors coating the bottom of the flying vessel, like a mockery of a proper bird.

He knew you'd be leaving today, but you promised to at least come say goodbye. Tell him your beautiful lie that you'd return sometime. You couldn't even do that for him.

He really thought this would be different. He turns away angrily, hauling himself down the slope of rocks toward the beckoning water. Perhaps he should spend the next decade or so in the further deep to get his mind on straight again.

They're gone, just like the others. The metal bird has won once again. Nothing will change that now. He's so stupid-

"Topas?"

The sound is barely a breath upon the wind, but nevertheless the familiar call of his name stops him dead in his tracks. Your voice instantly sends an excited chill down his spine, and he hardly dares move in case he'd just imagined it.

Topas turns then, slow and anticipatory, the tendrils of his lower body squirming to find something to hold on to. Deep green eyes settle on your haggard form standing at the tip of the waves, your feet hidden in the sand. Your protective fabrics are wrung awry, your knees scraped bloody (and smelling so, so good) and you're clearly out of breath.

Topas deducts you've been running. Supposedly you had a fall along the way. Your appearance is that of a seasoned fighter, and it's breathtaking.

He resist the immediate urge to take you into his arms, curl everything he is around you and enjoy your strange body, hardened by the land, pressing against his again. He must not forget you broke a promise.

What's to say you will not do so again? Topas ignores the want in his heart and narrows his eyes, taking some satisfaction you have the grace to avert yours. Acknowledging, like someone who knows of their guilt.

"Did the metal bird leave without you?" he asks as a greeting, guarded. And now you're looking for further entertainment until it flies again?

You take a few deep breaths to muster your voice, finding the courage to look back at him.  "No - well, yes, I mean. No?" you falter, struggling to find which words to speak first.

Topas wonders why you're trying to say all of them all at once, forcing his face to hold back the creeping smile threatening to remove his upset. Your fluster still warms him, enjoying the effect he can have on you. He patiently waits for you to explain yourself, slowly moving through the water and closing the annoying gap.

"I overslept, and dashed for the airport," you begin, stubbornly steadfast at his approach. Still, you appear like a spooked seahorse awaiting its chance to flee, and he just wants to drag you back into the water, make sure you can't bolt. "I made it to the gate. But. I couldn't get on it. It wouldn't be right."

He stops at that last part and stares for a beat, borderline flabbergasted.

You fidget with your hands again. Topas wonders if it's because you want to hold his. "I'm sorry I'm late - but I said I'd say goodbye, right? It's the least I could do for you. For all this time you've spent keeping me company and guiding me through an area I've never been to."

His eyes widen. Isn't that - that's a big deal for a human, isn't it? Going out of your way like that? Abandoning something seemingly as mighty as time?

It always seems it's notoriously important humans get to the 'right plane' at the 'right time', well in advance, everything must be perfect and go smoothly.

To get home, to get back to work. It's so, so important. And yet you abandoned that chance. For him? To keep your promise?

"You came back just to say goodbye? And now you can't go..?" he asks.

"I, uh. Yeah. Yeah, that about covers it," you chuckle awkwardly, a sound like music. You've about caught your breath, trying and failing to smooth out some torn fabric. "Sorry I'm such a mess right now."

Silence. Topas covers the ground in one quick jump, rapidly closing the remaining distance and roughly latching onto you, knocking you flat on your back in the sand below. He holds on tight, coiling his tendrils around your legs and almost squeezing the breath right back out of you. You let out the most adorable startled and half-strangled noise, gods he could crush you, it's so good you're still here.

You returned. You can keep your promises. You abandoned your important human nonsense. It's almost unreal.

Your heart is razing, he can tell, but it's alright, so is his. He smooths some tendrils along your legs in a calming motion, and the nervous laughter you let out soothes you. He feels your arms reaching back around him, sliding across his skin and settling on the small of his back. He knows you like to hold them there, feeling the space where his hips turn into strong muscle of the tendrils running into the water.

"Good," he breathes, smelling your sun kissed skin. "Good. You can't go. You're staying here."

You chuckle sadly. "Topas-"

"No."

Its not as much the demanding tone as it's the way everything he is suddenly tightens around you.

You stiffen, anxious like the first time he held you, perhaps he got a little too excited. He didn't mean to frighten you then, and he doesn't mean to do so now. But this is important. It's important you understand how significant this is.

"No..?" you repeat carefully. You pet his back like a silent attempt to soothe. You'll have to forgive he can't appreciate the gesture right now.

"I know what you're about to say," Topas says through gritted teeth. He keeps his face hidden in the crook of your neck so you can't look him in the eye, still aware his intensity has a tendency to frighten humans. "'There's another one flying away soon. I'll leave with the next one. I'll return next year. I promise I'll never forget you.'"

He spits the last words out with the vitriol of all the times it's happened combined, his bitterness clouding the air.

"Topas," you try. Your voice sounds so oddly brittle, your hands settle on his chest, pushing slightly. "Topas, please let go of me-"

You can feel teeth ghosting over your neck like Topas' considering if biting you would bring his point across better. He tightens his grip on your legs, and you stop squirming.

"Something will get in the way of all that. It always does. You won't be back, and you'll forget," he says.

He lifts himself slightly, finally looking you in the face. Your eyes are blown wide, and you're still breathing too quick, staring like captured prey. His heart sinks at the sight, but this is better than the alternative. He gingerly leans down, resting his forehead against yours.

"But I know you want to be here now," he whispers, staring into you. "So I'm just going to not give you any other option."

Slowly, he starts dragging you across the sand. You let him for a bit, still confused at his sudden change of tone, but the second you realize he's dragging you toward the water you start struggling, attempting to pull free from his iron grip.

He's set off your fear response, Topas acknowledges, but it'll stop clouding your mind soon enough. He just has to get you to the water-

He's interrupted by a sudden sharp sting in his eye. You've managed to get a hand free and went to roughly poke him. Topas squeals in pain, his tendrils loosening just a bit of their grip. Your body heat leaves them behind and he can't taste you anymore, you've pulled them to you. Another blow follows, this time to his stomach, as you kick against him to gain more distance.

Topas grunts from the sudden impact, and you turn over on your front, calling for help. You're trying to drag yourself away from him. That won't do. He recovers, and leaps forward again, locking his hand around your ankle, dragging you back across the sand.

"No, no, calm down-" he bristles, pulling you back into his body, hands on your calves, thighs, hips - he locks his body around you again to stop your frantic kicking and screaming. Once back in control, he starts tugging you over the sand once again.

"I can't breathe!" you shriek suddenly, clawing at the ground for anything to stop your shared path toward the depths. Your fingers leave patterns in the wet ground, the waves coming in to calmly sweep them away.

"I know," he mutters soothingly, keeping the momentum. "I know." He's not going to drown you. This is just to talk. Get used to the water, so you don't have to concern yourself with what's keeping you on land ever again.

The cool water seeps over his skin and yours in one, final pull. He stretches, long tendrils writhing around you, feeling the water around him carrying his body, his full freedom of movement finally returning. He breathe deeply, enjoying the wetting of his gills as the salt welcomes him home. Now, he just has to get you away from shore, fast.

The land is left behind, the cold water making you still, clinging to Topas' embrace. He easily lets you. You've no other choice out here, at his mercy. It's keep calm or sink, and slowly, slowly, the beach gets smaller and smaller as the open waters get deeper beneath you both. He makes sure to keep your head above water.

The shore carries no trace of the human who missed their plane. The salty sea air caresses the skin of its visitors, and an empty rock sits quietly in the waves.

[pixelatedraindrops]

Yakou and Yuma QuickFic

I've been feeling a little down today, so I decided to write a small drabble/flash fic to try and cheer myself up.

Nothing too whumpy, nothing too emotional or extreme, nothing that drags and nothing too OOC. Just domestic and straight to the point.

Another fairly tame sickfic.

Enjoy.

Warm and Weary

Word Count: 900+

Characters: Yuma Kokohead, Yakou Furio

Genre: Hurt/Comfort, Domestic Fluff, Sickfic

Yuma had just started walking back to the submarine from his outing. He had been investigating the city for a while, helping other people out, and making sure to stay out of the Peacekeeper's sights. But he started to grow a little tired.

Shinigami had told him in a nagging annoying tone to keep going, but he just didn't have it. He felt tired and drained from everything that's happened to him so far and the rain certainly wasn't helping him.

So to make sure he didn't cause any further trouble unexpectedly, he slowly trudged back to the agency and walked up the ramp onto the deck. His legs feeling heavier with every step.

As he stepped down the stairs and out of the humidity of the rain outside and into the cool air conditioning of the entrance of the sub, his temples had started to hurt slightly. Placing a hand to his head with a small look of strain, he walked slowly into the main office removing his rain attire. He really wanted to sit down.

He entered the room to see the agency's boss sitting at his desk reading his newspaper and smoking a cigarette like usual.

"Yuma, welcome back." Yakou said looking up from his reading.

Yuma nodded, hand still to his head "Thank you..."

"You're back a bit earlier than usual, something going on?" the chief asked raising a brow at Yuma's gesture.

Yuma sighed as his head started hurting more. Then he started feeling dizzy and his vision was getting a bit bleary. His legs almost felt like lead, but he somehow still had the strength to stand and kept standing. His body started feeling like it was slightly achy and as he took his hand off his head and looked down at it, there was a clear liquid substance on it. He was sweating.

Putting all these thoughts together as a detective does, Yuma came to a deduction to what might have been wrong. He spoke tiredly, but honestly and calmly.

"Chief, I think I have a fever..."

Yakou looked worried. "Oh, really? Here, lemme see..."

He slowly got up from his chair and walked over to the tired trainee by the doorway. He would have asked Yuma to come to him but seeing how tired Yuma looked, that probably wasn't a good idea. Without a single word more he leaned down slightly and slid his hand under the boy's bangs.

Yuma's deduction was spot on.

"Yeah, you sure do." Yakou said with a frown feeling the warmth of the boy’s forehead.

“Sorry…” Yuma weakly apologized.

“Hey, it happens. You were probably just pushing yourself too hard out there.” Yakou replied placing a hand to Yuma’s shoulder.

“C’mon, let’s sit you down and I’ll see if I’ve got anything you can take.” Yakou lent Yuma his aid as he used his arm to support his back, helping him walk to the purple sofa.

“Thanks…” Yuma responded accepting Yakou’s assistance as he slowly stumbled to the sofa. Once he reaches his destination he sits down slowly. Feeling the world spin a bit as he closed his eyes.

Yakou observed Yuma carefully as he was seated. Concern all over his face as Yuma looked down.

“Yeah, you don’t look so good now that I take a closer look at you. You’re trembling a little too. I’ll see if I got a spare blanket.”

“N-No it’s okay... I’ll be fine if I just rest here for a little bit.” Yuma insisted looking back up at him.

“A little bit? Forget that! You’re burning up! You’re staying right here the rest of the day so I can keep my eye on you.” Yakou insisted even harder, purposely exaggerating the situation to make sure Yuma stays put.

“Huh? I couldn’t ask you to do that...” Yuma said.

“Too bad, you’re getting it anyway. I’m the chief and you’re the trainee. Far as I’m concerned my word is absolute.” Yakou said before scratching his head. “Or at least…it should be absolute.” he chuckled awkwardly.

He stood up. “Anyway, stay there. I’ll be right back.” He left Yuma alone as he went to the next room.

When he came back, he found a ‘blanket’ in the form of some extra sheets that were in the shower room and got some painkillers from the cabinet in the kitchen. He covered Yuma up and handed him the tablet medication with a glass of water to drink. Yuma took the medicine calmly, drinking the water to help it go down.

“Alright, I’ll try to make you something light to eat later, but for now I think you should take a nice long nap.” Yakou said looking down at Yuma who was now lying down under the covers with a damp cloth under his bangs.

“Thanks, Chief Yakou… I appreciate this.” Yuma said as he yawned. “I do feel pretty tired…”

Yakou just laughed. “Yeah. That's probably the painkillers. They usually knock me out like a light whenever I take ‘em when I have a headache from overnight work sessions or if I’m a bit hungover from drinking.”

“Chief, you should take better care of yourself…” Yuma said with both the intent of concern and to slightly tease him.

“Like you’re one to talk! You could fry a rice omelet on your forehead!” Yakou retorted back playfully.

Both of them laughed.

“But seriously, get some sleep Yuma.” Yakou said.

“Okay… Thank you again.” Yuma responded moving his body into a comfortable position closing his eyes and getting the most comfort he could from the sheets covering him.

“Hope you feel better soon.” Yakou said patting his back before getting up and turning off one of the lights before he goes back to his desk to sit down. Putting his cigarette out to not affect Yuma’s sleep.

At least he knew Yuma would avoid getting into any trouble for today.

[flusteredfools]

Bearitt's DCA AU's & Fics Master Post

Green for in progress Purple for finished Blue for (fics) not started Red for dropped Orange for on hold

Faeful Hearts - Fairytale AU - Fae Sun x Fae Moon x Artisan Y/N

Ao3 Main Fic Listing

Ao3 Side Drabbles & Art (some chapters feature NSFW content)

#faeful hearts - tag for AU

#faeful arts - tag for tumblr art

Faete Reversal - Fairytale AU - Artisan DCA x Fae Y/N

Ao3 Main Fic Listing

#faete reversal - tag for AU

#faeful arts - shares AU tag for art

Product Testing - "Canon" - Staff Y/N x DCA

Ao3 Fic Listing

Flustered Fools - Slight Canon divergence AU - Staff Y/N x DCA (nsfw - eventual smut fic)

Ao3 Fic Listing - not available yet!

Fazrule Fitness Plex - Legend of Zelda Crossover AU - Zora Sun x Zora Moon x Hylian Y/N

Ao3 Fic Listing

#fazrule fitness plex - tag for AU

The Lighthouse Keeper's Keepers - Semi Detroit Become Human AU - Android Sun x Android Moon x Mer Y/N

Ao3 Fic Listing - not available yet sorry!

#the lighthouse keeper's keepers - tag for AU

Glitter Goo You - Slime (monster) Y/N x DCA

Ao3 Fic Listing - not available yet sorry!

#glitter goo you - tag for AU

A Superstar of our Own - Abandoned Child Y/N / DCA

Mostly Fluff/comfort story of the DCA becoming a new parent

Hypno-Clips - Yandere Eclipse x Y/N

Dark love story, not a true happy ending, at least not for y/n

Prized Possessions - Demon DCA x Author Y/N

you finally got that cabin in the woods you always wanted but it came with a bit more than you signed up for

Sherlock & More Art Thieves - Cozy Mystery AU - Sherlock-esc Tinkerer Y/N x Gang Leader Sun x PI Moon

you run a corner store book cafe with the help of a self appointed brother bot named Wattson, with your high observation skills and deductive reasoning the local police sometimes like to pick your brain over coffee. Too bad those skills don't seem to work when it comes to picking up on romance.

Comet Get StarStruck! - Idol AU - Idol Y/N x Idol Eclipse x Manager Sun x Security Guard Moon

The Genderfluid Duet of Star and Eclipse's popularity is on the rise! Fans just can't seem to get enough of how the duo mixes up their performances gender roles and vocal parts, both singer's vocal range and singing voice really stuns a crowd!

Lucky Star - Fortune Blessed Y/N x DCA

After attempting (and mostly succeeding) at saving a Jackalope as a child Y/N gains a clover like scar and some crazy good luck. After a lot of trial and error, they realize they can pass that luck on to others but at the cost of gaining a lot of bad luck of their own.

But when they discover how someone could use it more than them, how could they not swap their fortune?

Lost then Found - After the Fire AU - Condo Manager Y/N x DCA

Running the slightly worn down Condominium wasn't your original life plan but things change. And after hearing about the lonely robot from the kids who stay in the unit next to you, you just couldn't help but be curious.

Summer Daze - Summer Camp AU - Camp Counselors Y/N x Sun x Moon

There's nothing quite like spending time in the great outdoors, enjoying silly crafts, campfire songs and smores... and maybe even a summer romance that could put the season's heat to shame.

Quick Guide to my Heart - Museum Guides Sun/Moon x Gift Shop Worker Y/N

They're not all that nice to you, but you can't blame them seeing what they have to deal with every day.

Runaway Rails - On the Run Y/N x Outlaws DCA

You needed to get away by any means necessary, and that ends up being a cargo train that ran through your small town

You didn't expect that same train to be hijacked and robbed that same night though

We Can Serve You Better - Cursed Royal Y/N x Royal Guards Sun & Moon (Mature - Nsfw)

Ao3 Fic Listing

Ao3 Drabbles & Art Listing

#serve you better au - tag for AU

Fazco's Sanctuary on Pandora - MechRomancer Y/N x Clip-Trap (Mature - Nsfw)

The MechRomancer stumbles upon some abandoned Hyperion Caretaker AI's while searching for supplies for Sanctuary.

After deciding to let them take over Deathtrap as the machine's main AI, you end up bonding with them more than you had originally planned.

Once a MechroMancer now a MechRomancer

Love Delivered - Delivery Truck Driver/worker Y/N x DCA

TransMasc Y/N, in charge of the Gift Shops/Day Care supply/stock drop offs three times a week

Strong/Natural buff muscle (not ripped for show)

Can and does lift the DCA when needed (and they can't get enough of someone able to lift them)

The Power of Memory - Human Y/N x Spirit Sun x Spirit Moon

Y/N's father is a contractor and moves them around a lot for work - fixing up run down houses and flipping them

He takes on his most challenging project to date when Y/N is a child - a property left abandoned for being "cursed" after a tragedy took the life of two families

Y/N befriends the childlike spirits while their father works on fixing up the place - just happy his child is keeping themself entertained with their imaginary friends so he can work

after a few years of consistent work the place is fixed up nice and proper and they move away to the next project

years pass by and Y/N happens to see the property being listed for a fraction of what their father was able to sell it for - longing for the more simple joy they had in their youth they decide to buy it and make the move; forgetting that there might be more to their childhood imaginary friends than the remembered

How to Train your Familiars - Witch Y/N x Phoenix Griffon Demon Sun x Sea Dragon Demon Moon

Lonely abandoned and outcast child witch stumbles upon a strange mutated egg

was ordered to destroy it but instead runs away with it, doing their best to take care of it until it hatches

surprised to find it containing more than one demon, both wanting to be their familiar, having heard their voice and care while growing instead the egg

My Midnight Monster - Vampire Moon/Graveyard keeper Sun x Cryptid Researcher Y/N

There's been rumors of people going missing from the next town over, along with weird activity in their cemetery

You're a Cryptid Lover and can't resist poking around to see what might be causing it - even if you're not welcomed

Naga'na Let You Go - King Cobra Hybrid Naga Moon x Yellow Anaconda Rattle Naga Sun x Flamingo Harpy Y/N

You're already the runt of your pack of Flaminglets, the smallest to date out of the whole Flamboyance Fazco's MegaZoo and to make it worse you struggle with eating enough; leaving you weaker and paler than all the harpies in the exhibit.

The human owners decide instead of trying to treat you and help you grow past your childhood like stage, to use you as food for some of the monsters in another exhibit.

You wouldn't be more than a small snack to the full size nagas, but there were some young snakelet hatchlings so you where forced into their smaller exhibit.

Scared for your life and doing your best to run away and hide from the young nagas

Ce-lust-ial Lounge - Escort Sun/Moon/Eclipse x Bouncer Y/N (trans fem) - NSFW/Mature

The celustial lounge is a classy escort bar, the top three entertainers are Eclipse, a four armed animatronic who specializes in aerial hoop dancing and mixing up cocktails at the bar, Moon, who specializes in silk ribbon dancing, and Sun, who can't be beat when it comes to pole dancing.

You're part way through transitioning, looking more feminine despite your muscle tone, and really as long as no one would look too hard, they wouldn't really be able to tell.

You're great at your job, making sure no one underage or risky comes in, and if someone gets a little too drunk or handsy with the escorts/hosts/hostesses you're quick to get them out of the lounge before a real mess takes place.

The Celestial top 3 love to dote on you, constantly pulling you in for private dance lessons, drinks and even makeovers; never fully understanding why you always kick them out whenever you finally agree to change into whatever they want to see you in.

The Thread that Binds - Sun x Moon / Y/N

Red thread of fate AU - (not a super happy love story)

Sun and Moon (separate bodies) are lovers

Moon gets a glitch and turns violent

to help prevent his decommission Sun and Moon convince everyone that their thread is tied to yours, so they can't kill him or they'd be killing a human's soulmate.

It would be fine if the two actually liked you, if you weren't just a means to an end (might turn this to OC instead of reader insert cause I don't want anyone to get too sad)

[dodginglife]

Under the Skin Season 2 Subjective Overview - Meta?

+ a little attempt at du cheng x shen yi drabble in the end for welcoming me here so warmly

+ beware of spoilers for the finale I warned you

Every time I finish the second season (if any) of a show, I am hoping there will be no third one no matter how much I enjoyed it (I am not a traitor I swear). Typically, the odds of solid expansion fall dramatically, and there are not many examples that can be called truly successful. The story just eats itself like ouroboros, failing to bring anything new to the table. However, in this series, there is no consecutive plot, as it is mostly centered on cases, so it may work out; the ending is quite unexpected too. Nonetheless, I love skillfully completed piece more than any possibility of continuation.

Let's start with the negative points first, as they turned out more extensive.

1. Shen Yi is too reckless and egocentric. Everybody (except husband Du Cheng) seems to be okay with him violating every possible protocol. As far as I am concerned, no one in the team takes any action until Cheng-dui says so, only the troublemaker himself. That's so messed up the show even had to remind him that he has to ASK for permissions, that he is a police officer and most importantly a SUBORDINATE with (presumably) a bunch of responsibilities, including for his own life (bulletproof vests and guns are for the big boys obviously). I can assume it would not have been so interesting to watch if it had been otherwise, but it is quite strange to justify such behavior with artistry. And yes it was done for the plot. Even Du Cheng gave up in the end (I should not have tried to limit your talent), leaving me disappointed, while Shen Yi himself apparently admitted the problem long ago, not denying anything (You are the center of my circle, preventing me from flying away). Finally the verbal recognition our captain deserves, well done Shen-laoshi!

Still he has some professional qualities. Take for example how unbiased he is. Whether it is Mr. Genes or Cheng-dui, he does not hesitate to dig up the truth. Sorry baobei for thinking you may side with someone other than Du Cheng, my bad. This biology guy is a walking fucking robot after all.

2. Lack of personal stories. Li Han taking almost an entire episode was a daring move, but it was worth it. That's exactly when the bridge between an imaginary on-screen hero and a real person made genuineness the final destination (not including the excellent work of secondary actors, of course). We also got to know Yan (even if it is his daughter) and He a little, and can add Jiang Feng's cute courting to the list, but as I have already said, it seemed not enough. The police side of the characters overshadowed them as individuals, and at one point the neverending slideshow of murders ended up being boring and exhausting.

3. The process of Shen Yi's understanding of the criminals' true motives seemed extremely unproblematic and thus unrealistic, even more so than in the first season. A number of deductions came up too quickly, forcing me to think he is the only one able to crack the first nut—the show's desperate to accentuate this—which is actually far from reality. Moreover, Ao Li's case revealed that reasoning and intuition combined are not enough to predict anything accurately, making the success of Shen Yi's artistic interrogation course largely a question of pure luck (heads up to episode 13), desperate confidence (20), or simple stubbornness (everything coming after 20). The talent is here, no doubt about that, but he clearly had a hard time turning it into a deliberate strategy, for some reason almost completely ignoring the need to consult with teammates or report on progress/plans (he did both fewer times than he should have had).

4. The decision to leave the culmination between the leads for the very end was not such a good idea either (as well as making it so hella theatric), although it is still important for thrillers to boast an intense buildup. The first season did it at the beginning to introduce the characters—I get it—but this is no less important element that kept the viewers on the hook. I imagine the veterans, like me, who are familiar with the story, waited for more details as Shen Yi was obviously hurt greater than it was shown if he burned all his works (not to mention multiple drowning attempts). It is as if he is only living to prove himself useful. All in all, the delay took way too long. This is the same problem I had with Taiwanese First Note of Love—Sea's story was brief and lacked introspection even after the final episode.

And here we are, still with almost nothing about Shen Yi or his past, thank you very much, please rewatch season 1 instead. What darkness is he talking about non-stop (besides the cases being emotionally demanding)? That he may have turned into a murderer? Yeah but what about the prerequisites? I guess they decided to leave it behind together with Lei's case. Or maybe there is not much to it and we are all being too dramatic. Giving the ending, if there is a season 3, I really hope it will explore both of them more. The Shen Yi from 7 years ago appeared for a reason I suppose.

Speaking of the things I liked, it will obviously be acting, cinematography, new forms of art used, and thought-out plot. That's it folks!

P.S. When bros say such deep and emotional lines romantic dramas could never.

The drabble is below - please enjoy!

Du Cheng believed he has been expressing his concerns—both with his mouth and through actions—in a way that is impossible to misinterpret. Direct and authoritative, he strived to make sure his efforts end in nothing but successful, tangible results. Many thought he wasn't good with words, but in reality, he always knew what to say to those dear to him.

Don't make hasty decisions.

Why can't you explain to me what you want to do?

What if I've arrived even a moment later?

I could not take it if you are wrong at least once.

Don't push yourself too hard.

The deeper you dive in, the more painful it will be to surface.

I would try to understand.

Aren't you sleeping well again?

I can't guarantee I will always make it in time.

I've never doubted you.

However, it seemed that Shen Yi's genius yet too head-in-the-clouds brain simply could neither accept nor comprehend the care and support directed at him so straightforwardly. Without exaggeration, such a genuine unmasked fear for his life reflected in Du Cheng's usually steady eyes seven days a week made him open up to a feeling unknown to humanity.

Not everyone has a committed person by their side.

The usual shallow smile glued to his face was like a ballistic vest, protecting him against every worried look, distressed voice, and shaky hand landing on the shoulder as if it were bullets. He never bothered to wear body armor or carry a gun for the missions though, ready to meet any raw damage head-on. Damn, he only recently stopped considering the mere surviving a terrifying outcome.

Constantly taking refuge in baggy clothes, he appeared approachable yet so distant and painfully calm no one could have possibly spotted even a slight hint of other emotions on this beautiful, aristocratic face if it wasn't for the sake of acting. He was bold, cocky and highly independent, but at the same time in ghostly, barely readable need of a strong anchor he eventually managed to find.

Du Cheng had no expectations whatsoever, okay? It was obvious that sensual little tête-à-tête filled with palpable gratitude for keeping Shen Yi grounded would have no particular effect in the long run. He still happened to catch a couple bullets, pass out right on the street from extreme fatigue, and even get kidnapped again. The last straw that almost drove Du Cheng crazy was him hardly emerging from a week-long coma.

He thought, Don't you want to live? Why would you leave me behind like this after all we've been through? Talk to me, get angry, smash some canvases after all. Show me what I can, I would try to patch up.

They have never been targets really, it's just that Shen Yi's nature could not resist kissing the danger passionately enough to feel the familiar metallic fluid smearing his lips like wine red paint. He got too involved, sympathetic, obsessed. Everyone in the department had glimpses of a savior complex, but Shen Yi... Du Cheng often wondered if he blamed himself for not preventing two world wars despite not even being born at the time.

Three months have already passed since the artist's official semi-retirement. Du Cheng recalls dozens of nights he spent persuading this stubborn gremlin to continue the work in the beloved branch on a freelance basis, namely at home under state-of-art surveillance, before he started to perceive every incident as his personal responsibility, not just those resulting in murder. He was of no use in physical operations anyway, though Du Cheng made sure he finished several self-defense courses. Fortunately, Shen Yi decided to focus more on his classes and even return to art, albeit gradually. He still draws portraits and visits his friends at the police station every weekend, but as the dark veil of guilt is long gone after a series of quite challenging therapy sessions, he can breathe fully at last, laying out one painting after another in his studio like dominoes.

Turns out people do change, and now every time Du Cheng opens the door to their apartment facing two cats that lean in closer to him so happily—one in his large shirt almost reaching knees and the other with fish toy in its mouth—he is confident this personal victory of his has secured not only the present, but also a major part of their joint future.

He zoned out for God knows how many hours once again. Du Cheng found Shen Yi sitting on the floor against the sofa and drilling the lounge room's bare wall with his eyes as if he was an experienced construction worker or the head of a designer department. The sun's morning rays have already reached his pale cheeks, stained chaotically with oil paint...

“I thought we agreed on not keeping things bottled up,” Du Cheng says, coming down too and clasping hands on the bent knee for support instead of relying on the piece of furniture like the artist. “What's on your pretty mind this time?”

Shen Yi almost jumps out of his skin—he himself clearly does not remember switching off so deeply.

Face softening, he blinks and looks at Du Cheng. As he opens his mouth to reply, he yawns heavily, making the captain chuckle and instinctively sway back a little. Next thing Du Cheng knows he loses the balance and falls on the back with a thunk, hands waving in the air before the impact.

After a single silent second comes the joyful laughter from both men, who gaze lovingly at each other cementing the moment into memory.

“I looked miserable as hell just now, didn't I?” Shen Yi asks after they calm down. “I was actually thinking about the before and after,” he adds melancholically, probably recalling years of self-doubt, search for a place in the world, and fear to accept the consequences. With the look locked on his hands and a little shy smile showing through, he admits, “I never knew my life—not my art—was worth so much until I shared it with you.”

This is the first time Du Cheng struggles to find a fitting answer. Instead, he reaches out and takes Shen Yi's hand to press a gentle kiss to the small palm.

“I hope your gifted hands won't mind another wave of inspiration,” he eventually whispers heatedly in the artist's ear as he lifts him by the hips in one easy move and carries back to bed.

I adore him so much it aches my heart, Du Cheng hears in his head.

Maybe the captain indeed is bad with words, but whatever's coming next, he is ready to remind Shen Yi to take it easy as many times as he needs.