#dragon these nuts across your forehead

[sopraneau]

my contribution to the many many lightfury redesigns

sparked by my school of dragons lightfury, cloudcover

[taintthesaint]

[bizlybebo]

runt voice dragon deez nuts across your forehead. i fucking hate this podcast

[eschynite]

The worst thing that's ever happened to me is when M said "lightning.. thunder.. lightning and the thunder.. who's that song by??" And I said "Imagine Dragons!! :)" and he said Imagine draggin deez nuts across your forehead.

[lesetoilesfous]

“Hold my hand for a second. It won’t kill you.” + a Zevran ship of your choice

Hey, thank you so much for the prompt, I really hope you enjoy it!!

(If you’d like me to write you a dragon age fic, send me a prompt from here!)

@dadrunkwriting

Pairing: m!ZevWarden, Zevran x m!Mahariel

Characters: Zevran Arainai, Tal'en Mahariel

Tags: post canon, the Sabrae clan is ok if I say so, Zevran-typical reference to prostitution and murder, self-esteem issues, angst and fluff

Rating: Mature

“Hold my hand for a second, it won’t kill you.”

Above and around them, the trees of the Brecilian forest are tall and misted green with moss. Tal’en knows he’s walking faster than he needs to, but he can hear the familiar musical creak of Aravels and the sound of Sabrae elvhen. It has been too long since he has heard his native tongue in his own dialect, and his chest aches for it as his eyes scan the golden pillars of the trees. Next to him, Zevran clicks his tongue and grabs his hand quickly, the soft leather of his Dalish gloves covering the warmth of his palms.

“I am well aware of exactly which kinds of physical touch might kill me, mi amor.”

There’s something in his voice that makes Tal pause, his boots sinking in the familiar mulch of the forest floor. Every shadow in the breeze makes him think he’s seeing werewolves, but it’s been a decade since he and his lover had broken that curse for another clan, and Sabrae has wandered the Free Marches since then and lost both their First and their Keeper. He wonders who’s taken the clan now, and the old bone deep anxiety for his people wars with his worry for his lover. Zevran isn’t looking at him, brown eyes brass and copper in the late afternoon sunlight as it filters through the trees. His blonde hair is braided neatly behind his head in a series of intricate ties that he’d knotted and re-knotted three times this morning. His armour smells freshly of leather polish, and his tanned, dark body is strong and clean. But he shifts from foot to foot in a show of nerves more blatant than Tal’en has ever seen from him, including facing down an archdemon and defending the Fereldan throne.

Tal squeezes Zevran’s fingers in his own and steps closer, careful to leave Zevran enough space if he needs it. “What’s wrong?”

A muscle jumps in Zevran’s cheek a fraction of a second before he speaks. “It is nothing, my warden. Only that I keep looking at these trees and expecting a wolf to jump out of them.”

Before Zevran had given him his earring, he’d been able to meet Tal’en’s eyes when he lied to him. He hasn’t been able to since, and it’s a vulnerability that makes Tal’en feel more protective of his lover than seeing him naked. He decides not to call him on the lie, gently tugging him forward again. The forest isn’t quiet - it never is, loud instead with the streams, the birds, the trees and distant, rarer creatures. But Tal’en feels the discomfort in Zevran’s body as if it is his own, and makes an effort to fill the busy silence.

“I can’t wait to introduce you to Fenarel. The mischief we got up to, honestly, it feels childish now. But I admit I’m rather proud of the time we caught a hunting party with their pants down and washed their clothes down the river. They insisted the forest was haunted for so many years that the next time we visited Nevarra, the innkeeper warned us of small-stealing fairies. Some bard had made a bawdy song about lecherous tree spirits nicking fair maiden’s robes, not that any of those hunters’ saggy arses were much to write home about.”

They climb together up the track, and then at last Mahariel sees them. Zevran’s hand in his own feels like a physical rope lashing him to the Wardens, and the Blight, and everything they’ve seen together for these past ten years. In front of him the achingly familiar sigh of his clan’s aravels is enough to bring tears to his eyes, and when he hears the soft braying of halla Tal’en feels tears tickling down his cheeks. Tal moves to start tripping down the slope towards his clan, sucking in a breath to call out to his friends - and a broad, blonde man with a soft belly that he think might be his old hunting partner.

Zevran’s hand tugs him backwards, and Tal looks back to see Zevran standing still and uncharacteristically tense. Zevran starts to let go of Tal’en’s hand, and Tal frowns, stepping back up the slope towards him and kicking dead leaves aside as he does so. Zevran shakes his head, mouth twisting. “I cannot do this.”

Tal’en’s frown deepens, his stomach turning somersaults as he looks between the man he loves and his people, close as a half-remembered dream. “What do you mean?”

Zevran pulls back, again, and again Tal’en holds onto him, seized by the irrational notion that if he lets go then his lover will be swept away above the canopy and away from him, to a place he cannot follow. Zevran’s mouth twists, and he pushes a free hand over the side of his head, smoothing an already perfect braid. He gestures with a quick, sharp movement towards the elves milling to and fro about their camp. Tal thinks he can smell frying halla cheese and roasting nuts. His mouth waters. Zevran clicks his tongue. “I am not one of you. I am not built for places or people like this. This was stupid, I shouldn’t have come.”

He pulls again, harder on their joined hands, and Tal’en’s frown deepens as he squeezes Zevran’s hand back and steps toward him. “What are you saying? You feel like they won’t like you? Zev, you’re the most charming, beautiful man I’ve ever seen.”

Zevran shakes his head, the corners of his eyes tight with frustration. “I am the most charminging murderer you’ve ever seen. I am not made for frolicking in the woods.”

Tal’en’s smile curls into a bitter grin. “A lot more of us killers than frolickers, despite what the shemlen might think.”

Zevran sighs in a sharp, bitten off gust of air and shakes his head again. “But not like me. You said - your hahren,” Zevran’s accent curls oddly around the word, but Tal knows how hard he’s worked to learn its shape. “Paivel. That he is unusually insightful. What will he see when he looks at me? A killer? A whore?” Zevran’s voice cracks and he bites the inside of his cheek. Tal’en steps closer, resting a hand on his cheek that Zevran leans into briefly before pulling away. “I am not worthy of these people. Nor have I ever been worthy of you.”

“Now that we’ve finished listening to the Crows that live inside your head.” Tal’en begins, softly, resting his hand lightly over the thick tattoos on Zevran’s cheek. Zevran huffs a laugh that tickles his palm. Tal’en goes on, stepping close enough that their interlinked hands brush the leather of Zevran’s skirt. “I’ll tell you what they’ll see when they look at you. They’ll see the love of my life. They’ll see a hero. They’ll see an elf. They’ll see a man who has wandered lost for far too long, and has finally come home.” Tal’en rests his forehead lightly against Zevran’s, and Zevran shuts his eyes, swallowing in the dark between their lips.

“How do you know that?”

Tal’en moves his hand to cup Zevran’s chin, and lift his face so that he’s looking into his eyes. The sunlight sends dappled shadows across Zevran’s hair like a mottled golden crown. Tal grins at his lover, and meets his eyes, letting him see the honesty there. “Because it’s what I saw when I met you.”

Then he kisses him.

When the furore has died down over Mahariel’s long-awaited return to Clan Sabrae, and celebrations have begun and ebbed in earnest, Maren parts from the crowd to approach Zevran. He greets her stiffly, his hand squeezing Tal’en’s so hard it almost hurts. She smiles. “Anetha ara, brother. Welcome home.”

[jinkicake]

Paint For Me

Nishinoya, Tendou, Ushijima with a s/o who is an artist.

Nishinoya Yuu x Reader

Tendou Satori x Reader

Ushijima Wakatoshi x Reader

For Anon who requested this~ I kinda went a little A LOTTA soft on Ushijima’s but.... can you blame me.... Also, I’ve been reading Haikyuu-bu and Tendou’s little manga chapter was sooo cute I had to take inspo from it!!! Anyway, I’m going to try the minecraft hardcore 100 days challenge again and if I die,,, I will pass away on the spot so if I go silent it is minecraft’s fault. 

WC- 1,687

~~~

Nishinoya Yuu

Nishinoya would think your artwork is the coolest thing he has ever seen,,,,

He will beg you to draw on his bags or notebooks, he wants you to customize all his stuff because he wants to show you off

Nishinoya would watch you whenever you’re working on something, but then get bored after like five minutes and start going through his phone

He likes being in your presence so even if you work on something for hours, he will lay right beside you with his head in your lap while he naps or plays games 

Nishinoya would probably ask you to teach him how to draw stuff like a lion or something,,, you would have art lessons with him. His art is a work in progress...

Please, he is such a big show-off that if you give him something he will proudly go around presenting it to everyone…. Tsukishima is usually the person he always brags to 

‘Did (Y/N) make that for you senpai’ ‘They did! How did you know?!’ ‘Well, I know you certainly can’t draw that good’

Cue Nishinoya tackling his favorite first-year and trying to steal his glasses. Yes, Tsukki is his fave first-year 

If you ever want to go out to the park or the mountains or the beach to take pictures for inspiration or even do something cute like drawing the sunset, Nishinoya would tag along. Please, he would make it his own little adventure

Nishinoya has his own love for volleyball so he can really appreciate the love you have for art, he finds it super intriguing and it makes him fall in love with you even more~ 

“Right here!” Nishinoya points to the handle of his bag and you stare confusedly at him.

“You want me to paint on the strap?” You ask and Nishinoya eagerly nods, you squint at it while thumbing the fabric. “I’m not sure if it will work on this material.”

Nishinoya sighs dramatically and you flick his forehead.

“I can draw you something else though, here,” You lean up and kiss the area you had previously hit before digging right into your sketchbook. Your pencil flies across the paper and Nishinoya watches with interested eyes.

That lasts for about thirty seconds.

“Is it done yet?” You glance over your shoulder to see Nishinoya hanging off your bed, a bored expression on his face.

“Yuu, it’s been like two minutes.” You laugh and go back to the sketch you’re working on.

“Is that a yes?” He asks hopefully.

“Mmm, it’s a no.” Nishinoya sighs at your words, he drags himself off the bed and brings the blanket with him. You jolt slightly when you feel his body press up against yours and you glance behind you to see him curled up against you. 

The sun continues to fall from the sky and you diligently work on the paper in front of you. Nishinoya wakes up from his nap with a quiet yawn, the sleepiness still inside of his body. His arms wrap around your waist and he rests his head on your shoulder.

“Are you done yet?” You answer his question with a brief head shake. “Let’s go to sleep do it later,” He moans and you can already feel him falling asleep against you once again. “I want cuddles.”

Tendou Satori

Tendou is that kid in school who always begged you to draw him when he found out you could draw 

LOL like this mf will get on his knees ‘pls draw me’ and when you finally ask him what you want to draw he’d be like ‘me fighting a dragon’

Tendou would be very supportive of your art, he would love to sit there and just watch you paint or draw or make sculptures, whatever you do he loves to watch 

He will sit there in your room and lay on your floor and just stare, watch every brushstroke you make, you’ll have to physically push him away for space

I feel like when he sees you draw he, himself, will want to draw something as well 

Tendou will practice making little stick figures or draw portraits of you 

You have to hype him up and put it in your phone case or hang it on your wall because it is too cute

Tendou will make you work with Ushijima to create his manga, he will have the two of you draw the entire thing

He’d love everything you create and will always cherish it like he will definitely have a little place just for all of your artwork

Tendou loves encouraging you in everything that you do,,, your hobbies will somehow also become his 

“And then when it gets recognized we will become super famous!” Tendou tells you with excited eyes, his hands tightly gripping your shoulders. “We will get to work together in the future, angel! I get to spend even more time with you!” You laugh softly at his eagerness for the future as you continue to sketch in the tiny boxes.

“That’s the plan, huh?” You ask and Tendou nods, he swings one of his long legs to sit on the bench beside you, moving to practically sit on top of you.

“This is going to get sued for copyright.” Shirabu comments, his eyes narrow towards Tendou, as he reads through the manga ideas that Tendou created.

“I simply took inspiration from other shows, Naruto did it with Hunter Hunter!” Your boyfriend defends and Shirabu simply shakes his head, continuing to thumb through the papers.

“(L/N), I will take the next page,” Ushijima tells you, already reaching for another piece of paper to draw on.

“Woah, you’ve finished already Ushijima? Can I see it?” Ushijima nods and shows you his paper, your eyes widen when you look at his drawings. “This is really good, Ushijima! You’re good at everything!” You compliment and Tendou pouts when he notices your attention is no longer on him. 

“I, too, am good at everything.” Your boyfriend tells you, moving his arm around your shoulders to bring you closer to him. 

“If you’re so good then why didn’t you draw it yourself?” Shirabu asks, his eyebrows raised behind his bangs. 

“I can’t be the writer and illustrator, Kenjirou!” Tendou defends and you put your hand over his own. 

“We believe you Tendou, you’re the most amazing person ever!” Tendou practically melts at your compliment and hides his face in your shoulder.

Ushijima glances up at you, nods his head, then goes back to work.

Ushijima Wakatoshi 

Let me first say. Ushijima is also kinda artsy,,,, he is the perfect man,,,, we all saw how he drew for Tendou’s manga! It brought Goshiki to tears!!! 

He can appreciate all the works that you create because he knows how much effort is put into each piece 

Ushijima used to draw a lot when he was a kid and was really interested in it so seeing you do your thing will probably pique his interest again

He might start drawing again, aimlessly, whenever he is bored and it’s all for you~

Ushijima loves when you show him whatever you create, even if you think it is bad, he will always find the beauty in it

He’d probably sit there while you describe what you drew and why, how you did it, stuff like that because he loves to hear you talk 

Whenever you two hang out in your respective dorms, Ushijima probably reads magazines while you work on your latest project

He’d probably try to sneak peeks at what you are creating just because he is curious but he doesn’t want to disturb you when you’re in the zone 

If you ever draw something for him, Ushijima’s heart would bust the fattest nut, he would be so happy. He would praise you for like ten minutes and then hang it up in his room

Ushijima loves how passionate you are about something that you like and in turn, he wants to support you with it!!! He’d probably buy you supplies as little gifts, even when you don’t ask for it

“Let’s paint the sunset!” You beg Ushijima, your hands cupping his own as you pout up at him. “Please, it’ll be so much fun!” 

Ushijima glances down at you and then to the art supplies collected in his room from your daily visits, he really can’t say no, can he?

“Okay.” He responds and you squeal happily before placing a kiss on his cheek and grabbing all the things that you’ll need. 

“Here, hold this.” You thrust your bag of supplies into his arms before grabbing a blanket. “Let’s go up to the roof.”

Ushijima follows you quietly, listening to you as you ramble about how excited you are. His heart soars at the happiness you emit at this moment. 

“Wow.” Ushijima comments when you open the door, he knew sunsets were pretty but damn, this is something else. 

“This is going to be so much fun!” You grab his hand and drag him to the center, placing the blanket down before hopping on it. Already you’re grabbing for the orange and yellow paints. “Don’t you think?” 

Ushijima nods and sits down beside you, unconsciously making it a point to rest your legs in his lap, he always has to be touching you.

The sun continues to change colors and you keep up with it to the best of your ability, your canvas no longer the original color. Ushijima’s, however, is still blank. He’s been unable to take his eyes off of you the entire time. Instead of painting the sunset, he finds something better to paint. 

When the sun eventually goes down and the two of you are now under the moon, you hide your canvas away from him.  

“Let me see yours first before I show you mine!” You bargain and sit up, looking over his shoulder at what he painted. “That’s not the sunset.” Your lips part when you notice what he painted was you. Ushijima glances at you while trying to calm his racing heart.

“I know, I decided to paint something even prettier.” 

~ Taglist.

@yams046 @why-am-i-sad-and-sleepy @xhanjisungiex @xxashshs @chaosamu @angelkogane @augustdearly @kunimwuah  @littleshopoflove @osamuonigiri @pearzuko @darksxder @macaronnv @nerdygremlin @buzzybeebee​

[imaginethebeautifulworld]

Let’s say England and his s/o are staying over at England’s place, and say England is up early to make tea or something. How would he react to, out of the blue, his s/o screaming for him, and when he shows up he discovers that his s/o was terrified at the sight of a dragon. In other words, England’s s/o has become capable of seeing England’s ‘imaginary’ friends.

(This took an infinity and a half, but here you go, lovely.)

~☆~☆~☆~☆~☆~☆~☆~

By all accounts, it had been a fairly emblematic morning until now.

He'd risen before you, slipping out of the bedroom quietly to dress and get the kettle on.

Saturday mornings were often quiet, starting with a light breakfast and an hour working in the gardens. He kept tending to the sausages, knowing the scent would rouse you soon enough.

Not even moments later, your arms were wrapping around his waist, your shuffling following him as he finished frying the patties and began prepping the toaster. You managed to yawn out a good morning before slipping away once more, grabbing the orange juice and tea pot on your way to the back garden.

The weather was still warm enough after all, though he did look forward to seeing you in his old cardigans.

"I'll be just a minute, luv."

You grumbled out some form of acknowledgment, your shuffle helping indicate just how tired you still were. Perhaps he could tempt you into a nap...

He turned his attention back once more to serving tray and was just rearranging the jams when he heard you scream.

Arthur's stomach dropped, though his mind was taking a moment to process your terror and the simple fact that you were still screaming.

He was spurred into action, using some Magicke to aid the rush through the corridor, his voice amplified as he frantically shouted your name.

Nothing could have slipped in, no one would have been able to get past the barriers and warding.

Nothing he knew of, at least.

And it was that damnedable unknown that made him run faster, almost ramming his shoulder into a corner cupboard.

Your name escaped him once more as you cried out for him, your fear not audibly lessened in the slightest.

At last, he reached the French doors, slowing to a stop upon seeing your back pressed flush against the glass, fingers splayed as if trying to will the door away.

Whatever- whoever- had you this shaken made him pause, a defensive spell already tingling his fingertips. Slowly, silently, he crept behind you, using your body as cover until he could reach the other door.

"Luv?"

He honestly worried you hadn't heard him at first as you hadn't given away any indication you were aware of his presence. He nearly called to you again when your voice, brittle and so small, reached him.

"Arthur-"

The sound of it made his chest constrict, a wave of anger fueling his confident leap through the doorway, seeking out the entity who had dared to frighten you so.

His gaze swept across your surroundings, seeking out anything amiss.

Apart from some thoroughly concerned Fey nearby, and one very unimpressed spector, he couldn't detect anything out of place.

Wondering if perhaps his own vision was off, he turned anxiously to you, following the direction of your outstretched finger towards the oak tree.

Nothing awry that he could tell, apart from the ros-

"Dragon!"

Arthur's eyes narrowed in confusion, searching once more for a threat. Detecting none, his brows furrowed as he turned once more to you, bewilderment clear in his voice. "Luv, I only see Æđelfriđ over th- What?"

Your eyes, wide as saucers, were suddenly facing him fully, your mouth open in disbelief.

"What," he found himself asking again, even more lost. Your surprise and- remarkably- joy were baffling to him. It was as if you had never seen the Knucker before, as if-

Whatever confusion had been affecting him till this moment was tossed aside in favour of disbelief and- dare he say it?- hope.

"You can see him?"

He didn't register how his words had wobbled, couldn't have been bothered to care even if he had.

Could it reall be true? You could-

You offered a nod, words nearly a whisper as your eues flickered towards the scarlet youngster curled beneath the oak.

"I'm not crazy? It's really there?"

Arthur swallowed around a newfound lump in his throat, simply overwhelmed.

You could see! You could see! You-!

"Yes, he is."

His words were nearly as soft as yours had been, his heart skipping at the wonder shining in your eyes, the awe.

"I thought I was going nuts when I kept seeing ghosts in the dining room, and the bloody pixies scared the shit out of me when I was weeding by the begonias, but- Holy shit."

Your words fell away, a soft look teasing your features as you studied the dragon once more. "I never thought that dragons were real, too."

Seemingly aware of his uncharacteristic silence, your own eyes narrowed in concern. "Artie?"

For his part, it was indeed a lot of information to process.

Finding out you possessed the Sight? Something ue had been praying for?

"How long?"

His attention shifted back to you once more, the whole build-up towards understanding careening helter skelter to a sense of betrayal.

"How long have you been seeing them?"

The worry in your eyes tugged at his heartstrings.

"Just a week or so."

Your expression and tone became a touch more apologetic, your hand finding his.

"I should have mentioned it sooner; I am so sorry, Arthur."

And just like that, his inner turmoil dispersed, nothing reamining save his glee- his euphoria!- of being able to share something so special with you.

"No fear, poppet."

You seemed surprised by his smile, remained stiff as he pressed a kiss to your hand before pulling you into an embrace.

Gradually, you relaxed, shifting to rest your forehead on his shoulder.

"You're not angry?"

"On the contrary." He drew away just enough to study your eyes and his thumb across your cheek, wondering if it was possible to love you anymore than he did in this moment.

"I'm ecstatic!"

Slowly, your smile returned, relieved and just a smidge giddy.

He would have been content to remain like that all morning, but your stomach protested the idea, a low growl ruining the moment. He snickered at your embarrassment, grinning as he pressed a quick kiss to your lips.

"What say after breakfast we go meet him? I think it's about high time for a proper introduction, wouldn't you agree?"

Your smile alone could have stolen his heart all over again. As it was, a flutter still circulated through his bloodstream, a wave of affection near overwhelming him as you nodded. "Oh yes, please!"

~☆~☆~☆~☆~☆~☆~☆~

[caermis]

❝Village of Dragon Tamers...❞ Pt 1

⌲Shin-Ah, Hak, Yona, Yoon, Kija, Jae-Ha, & Zeno X Black!Reader

⌲ Characters:

↠Shin-Ah

↠Hak

↠Yona

↠Yoon

↠Keija

↠ Jae-Ha

↠Zeno

⌲ Warnings:

↠Cutestness 2x

⌲ Prompt/Summary: A lively villager that who happens to be lost. 

⌲ Notes:

↠He’s adorable. You can't change my mind.

↠My fatass couldnt sit down and make it a Oneshot

↠Instead I have to have an entire plot because I'm that bitch

 ⌲The tall man had watched you walk around in circles. It didn't take some genius to know you were lost. Muttering curses to yourself as you tried to figure out where your village was. He watched you in silence, your clothes light, showing your shoulders and bare back, revealing your legs and bare feet. Nothing like the clothes he had seen before. Maybe you were a village without a dragon. Your hair in a puff, your skin glowing in the sunlight, you really weren't from any of the known villages. 

⌲Subconsciously following behind you, he felt some sort of connection to you. This went on for a few minutes, where every time you moved, Shin-Ah was quick to follow you. Until you suddenly stopped and looked in his direction. 

⌲ Piercing E/C eyes that stared through him. Freezing, he didn't move. “Are you going to follow me or say something?” You spoke confidently, still staring right at the man who was following you. Slowly climbing down from the tree, he revealed himself. 

⌲“Oh.” Your gaze softened, like you recognized him and turned around and went back to walking. Not speaking, Shin-Ah walked behind you staying 9 feet from you, but still watching you. “What’s your name?” You broke the silence and looked at the man. Half of his face was covered with a horned mask.

⌲“Im Y/N.” He gave a soft nod. You smiled and went back to looking for your village, yet you didn't seem far too worried about being lost. “I guess you don't like to talk. You don't mind if I rant a bit.” He shook his head, and you smiled and sat down on a log, keeping your distance from the strange man. 

⌲“I'm from a village located inside a ravine. The Aether tribe, the 5th element. A tribe without a dragon, but dragon tamers some say. Our village isn't shared to the outside world, nor does it acknowledge dragons, but some people of our village are born with the power to sense them.” You looked at your hands and back at the man, who sat on the ground, 6 feet away from you.

⌲“Are you a dragon tamer?” He spoke softly and quietly. You almost didn't hear him. You nodded and stared at your hands before crossing your arms and looking at the sky. “A few hours before nightfall.” You sighed. 

⌲“Im Shin-Ah.”

⌲You nodded, saying his name before slowly standing up and stretching your arms. Shin-Ah stared at you in silence before slowly standing up and following behind you, heading in a random direction. “There’s a total of four dragons, right?” Another nod. “How good are your eyes?” 

⌲You turned around and faced him, standing three feet from you, he muttered ‘good.’ You pointed to a tall tree. “Can you climb up there and see if you can see a large canyon or ravine.” Shin-Ah softly nodded, and climbed up the tree, his eyes immediately spotting a large ravine, west of where you both were going, we were heading north.

⌲“This way.” He climbed down, walking a foot behind you, listening to your stories of your village and childhood. Talking once in a while, seeming perfectly content with hearing you speak. To him your voice was soothing and all your stories were interesting. Before you knew it, you both were walking side by side. 

⌲“I'm glad you've warmed up to me Shin-Ah.” The smallest smile spread across his lips, nodding. He rather liked your company. He was sure that Yona and the others would understand if he was gone a little longer. 

⌲ “Y/N!” A distressed voice called your name, appearing from the brush. B/N, your eldest brother. Relief spread through his face. He quickly rushed towards you. Before spotting Shin-Ah, preparing to fight. “Who are you?!”

⌲“A friend.” Standing in front of my brother, he was easily angered and wouldn't stand for it. Harshly grabbing your arm, you winced. “We’re going home! You can't have friends outside of the village!” Shin-Ah grabbed your other arm, pulling you towards him.

⌲“Y/N, is helping me. So let go.” He wasn't asking, Shin-Ah was demanding. He didn't trust this man and refused to even try. “She’s returning to the village. She’s my responsibility.” Yanking my arm from my brother, I glared at him. “I will return on my own time.” 

⌲You cautiously grabbed Shin-Ah’s hands and walked away, watching your brother's movements. “He’s going to follow us. So follow my lead.” You turned away and took off into a run, weaving through trees, your hand still holding Shin-Ah’s tightly. 

⌲After deeming it was safe, you fell back releasing Shin-Ah’s hand. His gaze moving from you to his hand, which felt extra warm. Night had just fallen, leaving you to start a campfire and scrounge around for any food you could find, while ignoring the chilly winds. 

⌲Giving most of the berries and nuts you've found to Shin-Ah and keeping the smaller portion, you both ate in silence. “Are you cold?” Slowly nodded, Shin-Ah moved closer to you, sliding off his mask and froze as he stared at you.

⌲Your eyes wide, he couldn't tell what you were thinking. Immediately regretting it, he mumbled an apology, keyword. Tried. Before he even got the chance, you leaned closer to him. “Your eyes. They Are so beautiful. So you must be the blue dragon.” He softly nodded, and you took his hands in your own.

⌲“You're so cold.” Muttering, you slipped the mask and placed his mask on his forehead and moved him closer to you. “The forest is far more active at night. My brother probably already told my village and they'll come for me.” Rest side by side, he lightly held your hand. His golden eyes stared at before looking away. His voice barely a whisper.

⌲“Then i'll protect you.”

[wlw-lovestruck-fiction]

Can you write a fic with any magic user of your choice going out with their MC and buying weird fruits?

“So that’s a Dragon-nut, those are Goblin seeds, and this one, um...”

“That is a Boragun.” Liora smiles fondly, watching how MC’s delicate finger hovers over the various fruits at the stall.

“....riiiight.... Boruh-gun?”

“Bor-agon, darling. This one here is a Thalk, that one is a Dizzin and that one is Hopper- ”

“Hah!” MC’s bark of laughter echoes through the Goblin Market, turning some heads. “A Hopper fruit? Why’s it called that?”  

Liora stretches her hand across the stall and offers the man some coins, trading them for a selection of fruits, bagged up to take home with a knowing grin.  

“Let’s head back to the café and see shall we?”  

Liora’s mischievous tone has MC’s gunning to return to Sweet Enchantments, if only to taste all the new fruits to catalog.  

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

In the privacy of Liora’s room, the various fruits were presented as small bites on a chopping board placed between them on the bed. An open palm invited MC to take her pick as Liora sat back with her lip bitten to poorly mask a grin. Truth be told, she was excited to introduce MC’s palette to more foods this world had to offer.

“Hm, what do you suggest trying first?”  

With a gentle, thoughtful sigh, Liora pointed to the bright yellow square.  

“The... Thalk?”

“Correct.”  

MC smiled pridefully, picking the chunk up to smell first. “Mm! It looks like pineapple but smells almost like a mango.” She expected Liora’s perplexed expression at the mention of her own worlds fruits and popped the bite into her mouth to taste.  

“Mghk-! Th-That's strong!”  

“But is it good?”

“Tangy, ah, good... ahem, good, yeah, just, I think the Thalk needs some getting used to!” She chuckled to herself and cleansed her mouth with a sip of water.  

“What’s next?” The brunette smiled eagerly, eyeing up the selection before picking at random.  

“That’s the Dizzin, now, darling, don’t eat the whole-”

MC chomped down on the fruit and her eyes lit up with pleasure.  

“Mmm!”

“...thing. Ah, MC...”  

“Li- Liora...” She blinked, then again, harder the third time.

Liora instinctively held out her hand, smiling softly with a hint of worry creasing her forehead.  

“The room’s spinnih- hahh...”  

“The Dizzin, as subtly implied in the name darling, makes you dizzy. It gives you a brief euphoric feeling and can be used in medicines... when taken in small doses.” The woman chuckled to herself and held MC’s held in the palm of her hand, collecting a different fruit piece in the other.

“Close your eyes and take this.”  

MC could feel the room moving even with her eyes closed and the light-headedness that came with the euphoria felt more like inhaling too many helium balloons. Once she’d caught the scent of the fruit below her nose though she opened her mouth and felt it press upon her tongue before chewing it. As the flavour burst over her tastebuds the effects of the Dizzin fruit subsided.  

“Mmm!” She beamed, opening her eyes brightly, “This tastes kind of like candy floss!”  

“Candy floss?” Liora repeated with a questioning brow raised.  

“Yeah it’s like this... this pink fluffy cotton stuff, it looks like clouds!” As MC went off on an excitable spiel explaining what the sweet treat was to her magical partner, Liora looked on with a tender gaze, observing the fruit take effect as the brunette beside her grew restless and fidgety in her seat. She held out a hand to knowingly help her up and MC thoughtlessly took it, starting to pace with a skip to her step. The reaction wasn’t too dissimilar from a sugar rush, only, those little skips turned to bounces which developed into hops that almost brought her head to the ceiling.  

Her rambling conversation halted with a sharp gasp, grinning to her seated lover.  

“This is the Hopper fruit isn’t it?” Laughter bubbled out of her as she intentionally jumped, leaping into the air and across the bedroom as though gravity had lowered.  

“Yes darling.” Liora confirmed with a soft coo, watching her lover enjoy herself.  

“Do all fruits have special properties like these?” The girl panted out, leaping just once before pausing for breath.

“Not all fruit, but the stall we purchased these from specializes in them. Why don’t you come sit with me again and we can try the next one together?”  

Unable to refrain herself from tucking her hip lovingly to her partners, MC felt her body sway in her seat as she resisted and fought the urge to jump that the Hopper had given her. It was akin to spending hours in a wave pool then walking back on solid ground, but she carefully watched Liora’s lips wrap around her own chunk of the next, new fruit, eager to see what this one could make her do.  

[fightevilandthengetblownup]

FIC: when the weather gets hot

---

The sun was just over the skyline as they’d pulled up - best to get an early start, after all, had been her argument when they’d been discussing how and when to get going the night before. The orange of the sky glowing as the first rays of light were lighting up the few fluffy, lazy summertime clouds above them. It was as golden as it could be, and just the perfect start to a day to hop out of the car to the crisp air and the scent of dew on the ground not yet heated and gone.

Jo smiled widely as she moved to grab the backpacks from the trunk and give the other a few minutes to recompose himself. They didn’t often drive places, most of their favorite places being in walking distance or more useful to just arrive wherever they wanted to go, but there was nothing like driving up towards a lookout parking space as the sky started to lighten and the silhouettes of the growing number of trees cutting a dark, jagged line against the sky as they got closer to start off hiking than just suddenly appearing there. It’s the travel, the journey, the experience, every bit of it, and Grey was already going to be responsible for enough travel or appearances that day that Jo’d suggested the drive and sweetened it with his favorite tunes on the drive up.

Fishing the bottle of bug spray out of the heavier pack - two large water bottles for each of them, and sunscreen, the bug spray, a first aid kit and some trail mix concealed inside of it, compared to the picnic rug, trail mix, sketching and water-painting equipment, and spare pairs of socks packed into the other one - she spent a good few minutes spraying every bit of herself she could reach in the spray. It was supposed to get hot later in the morning, and she’d dressed for that in her jean shorts and tank top, but that just left a lot of spaces available for hungry bugs to snack on without the right amount of coverage between the tops of her knee-high socks and the shorts and her bare arms. Tucking the spray away afterwards, she shrugged the heavier pack over her shoulders and clipped the central cord around her waist before taking the other bag around the other end of the car.

“You ready to go, hunny?”

“Yeah, just had to, uh, get some fresh air.”

Jo gave a little laugh at the sheepish look on the other’s face as Grey pushed himself up to standing freely from where he’d been slumped against the side of the car. Holding out the other backpack to him, she smiled toothily at the tiny frown he gave before throwing the pack onto his back with a sigh.

“Did you need any water?” “I’ll be fine - let you know if I do need it though, Jo.” “Best set off then before it gets too hot, then!”

The nod of agreement seemed less enthused than her own excitement to go hiking across the Magney-Snively nature park, but she couldn’t expect him to be as excited as it was. He hadn’t grown up needing to just get out and run into the wilds sometimes, and she was sure the tall hardwoods that circled the carpark and ran throughout the whole nature reserve were probably less exciting and more dauntingly familiar to him than to her. But regardless, he was grinning at her with a smile that made her stomach flip a little as he looked up through the short pieces of hair hanging over his eyes as he’d been working to clip his own bag into place. He was happy to be there with her, and that felt all kinds of special for her.

After locking the car and tucking her keys away into Grey’s bag, Jo smiled all the brighter at his hand slipping into hers before they took off towards the nearest hiking trail.

When Jo had first made a comment about wanting to go hiking sometime when the weather was nicer, she’d not expected Grey to say it sounded fun and to want to come along with her, but the blissfully happy feeling had stuck with her. They’d talked back and forth about where to go - a few easier tracks closer to home, or if they went for nicer trails rather than convenience - and then to devise the plan for the day when it would come. Spring had been too wet and muddy all around gross, and then summer had come with an early vengeance but finally it had mellowed out somewhat with some promised cool winds off of Lake Superior that would keep the temperature from absolutely sweltering. They’d planned that they’d hike for as long as Jo wanted, or as long as Grey could keep up - as she’d teased him, and then stop for a nice picnic lunch wherever looked pretty, before he’d smoke them back to the car rather than the added distance home.

Holding hands as they wandered down the start of the trail, Jo found herself smiling as brightly as the rays shining over the sky above them at each time she felt his hand squeeze hers back. A game of its own as they walked along through the lush hardwood forest over the dewy leaves and bark and gravel of the pathways that led them through the woodlands. The red oaks and sugar maples of the earliest parts of the trail giving dappled light as the morning started, and there was still frost clinging to the bluebead lilys and other flowers that covered the forest floor.

The first half an hour of walking was at a slow, sedate pace, hand in hand, and stopping regularly as they made their way along the section of the Superior Hiking Trail that led from the carpark. They stopped to watch the odd bird flitter by, and on two separate occasions paused to watch small families of late-spring bunnies hop across the path not far before them. Grey stopped frequently to snap some photos of various birds, plants and the sunrise sky through the lush trees above them; while Jo would take similar photos of the dew dripping spiderwebs that glistened when the sun caught them just right. They made a comfortable pace, not pushing too hard, and both just enjoying the slightly crisp morning that nipped at Jo’s bare skin between her socks and shorts, and colored the tips of Grey’s ears and nose pink.

They eventually stepped off of the much longer trail, that spanned the whole from the Minnestoa-Wisconsin border up to the Canadian border that was definitely beyond either of their wishes, and instead onto the much less well-tred cross-country loop that would take them to a spot Jo was most excited for. The path was muddier underfoot from the lush dropped leaves and thick grass that was clearly battling for control over the gravel, but between Jo’s hiking boots and Grey’s sneakers they were both relatively sure-footed.

Or at least they were until the track took a turn for the steep, weaving it’s way up towards the highest peak, Ely’s Peak, in the park that would overlook the full glistening lake far, far below and away.

Jo had heard that from that peak point there was a great selection of boulders for rock climbing or, rather fittingly, bloudering, and she wanted to clamber all across whatever outcropping there was before any other people showed up. Theirs had been the only car in the parking lot, and she intended to squeeze in as much fun as she could that day.

Their pace decreased dramatically though as the incline increased. Jo bounced along merrily, talking about the latest gaming night they'd had with their friends just a few days earlier and just how badly Spruce had played the whole night. Beside her, Grey nodded in agreement and huffed quietly every few steps as Jo's excitement seemed to push his desire to move faster onwards but he struggled to even maintain the previous pace of before.

"What do you think was wrong with him?"

"Mhmm, you're right."

"Whatcha mean I'm right?"

"Whatever you say, Jo."

Jo let out a bit of a laugh as she looked across at the red and sweaty look to Grey's face as they hit the hour mark and the first half hour of the higher inclined walking. His eyes were focused on the path in front of him, and clearly glazed over.

"Hey, let's take a little breather and have some water. I'm parched." Jo replied rather than trying to pick up the conversation, pointing towards a fallen log a few steps off the track up ahead. "I could do with a drink."

"Yeah?" Grey's head swung up off of the path at that, looking brightly and lovingly towards her at the prospect of sitting down, before looking to follow her pointed finger to the logs. There was a flicker of disappointment on his face, the realisation it wasn't a bench signifying they'd reached the peak, before he nodded enthusiastically anyway. "Water sounds really good."

"And you've got some trail mix in your bag we should have too."

"Good idea, pretty one, we only had those quick egg and bacon sandwiches on the way out-"

"-and you can't hike on an empty stomach after all!"

The shared smile lit up his face in a way that made Jo feel like swooning as they got to the log and sat down. Grey fished the trail mix from his bag while she tugged one of the water bottles to share from hers. Taking a short swig, just enough for a few gulps, Jo held it out to the other before fishing in the trail mix bag with her free hand, chewing happily over the mix of nuts, sultanas, chocolate nibs and dried fruit she'd grabbed.

Grey likewise chewed and swallowed a mouthful of the mix, before lifting the water bottle to his lips. Glancing out the corner of her eye, Jo let out a little giggle as she watched him drink almost the entire bottle thirstily. His whole face was red now, and not from the cool air that was slowly starting to warm up, and she could see the way his hair was plastering to his forehead from the starts of sweat. But his smile was big and bright, and as he set the bottle between his knees, he turned to look back at her. "Okay, right, you were saying something about Spruce?"

"He played terribly."

"True."

"And I was just wondering is something was going on with him?"

"It's this girl at his work. He thinks she's cute," Grey said with a small smirk, taking another, smaller, sip from the water bottle before he sat it back between his knees and continued. "She is a little bit older than him, and has a kid that likes Dungeons and Dragons. So obviously he thinks she's the perfect woman."

"Naturally!"

"Which is of course a fallacy, given you are the perfect woman-"

"Grey…"

"Sorry, off topic. But anyway, he had asked us guys what he should do to woo her a few weeks ago…" The way he trailed off, waving one hand for a moment before picking out another handful of trail mix and chewing thoughtfully delivered the right balance of drama and storytelling to have Jo on the edge of her log.

Wide eyed and disbelieving, wanting to hear any and all the suggestions. "And?"

Grey let out a chuckle, swallowing his mouthful before shaking his head. "Well, Ed said he should go around and 'help the kid with some D&D, before giving her some PIV'-" The slight confusion on her face disappeared at the accompanying hand gesture, getting a whoop of a laugh out of her and a corresponding snicker from the other before he continued. "Harry said he should ask her out for coffee. Which Spruce pointed out he hadn't even done for Sophie yet which derailed the discussion for a while."

"Of course. What did Garth say?"

"Garth said much like Harry he should be upfront and ask her out. Tell her he thought she was beautiful and ask politely if she'd be interested in going to dinner with him when it was appropriate for her."

"That charmer!"

"It's so surprising he doesn't have a girlfriend." Grey shook his head sadly, thinking over their friend while Jo took another handful of trail mix, slowly popping individual pieces into her mouth as she looked at him expectantly. There was a few seconds before the other grinned back at her cheekily, quirking an eyebrow at her. "Oh, I suppose you want to know my suggestion?"

"I mean, I would like to know how you'd have woo'd a normal woman," she replied with a corresponding smile, bumping her shoulder against his arm after a second. "So?"

"First off, you are both a normal woman and so extraordinarily special that what I said would never have worked to remotely let you think I was worth your time."

"Let me be the judge of that."

"Fine, so secondly - my suggestion was that he find out her favorite coffee from the cart downstairs. And pre-order one a day for her for the whole week so she could not worry about the expense and would have a fresh coffee each morning. Having a kid as a single mom must be exhausting after all-" Grey let out his thoughts in a rush of air, taking in a huff as he had to that sounded much like the huffed breaths he'd been making climbing up the mountainside so far. "And that he should stop by on Wednesday, not earlier and not later, to say he'd gotten her coffee for the week to help her out some, welcome her to the company, and maybe as a promise to take her out for coffee sometime in future if she was interested. But to make it clear the coffees were a friendly thing and not contingent on her going out for coffee with him in future!"

Jo's eyes widened as he talked, her mouth dropping open and a look of abject horror crossing her face the more he spoke. The idea as an adorably sweet, selfless and caring gesture that of course only Grey would come up with - that blend of friendship at its core but with the hint of something else if you happened to want to look at it that way, so perfectly him. And yet…

"Oh god! How badly did he fuck it up?"

"...badly enough he had a HR meeting about appropriate workplace behaviour."

The loud guffaws of laughter from the both of them as Jo shook her head in shock. Only Spruce.

"And?"

Grey shrugged a shoulder. "The meeting was for the day after our game, so that's probably why he was so bad. But he texted to say that he'd properly explained himself better in the meeting and he was neither fired nor disciplined." There was a pause before he smiled a bit. "And the lady in question has said she will have that coffee now she knows he isn't 'trying to buy her for five coffees'."

"How did he fuck it up that badly?!"

"I don't know!"

"Fuckin' hell, hunny, don't give any of the guys advice again. They all don't have the default adorableness you do to pull it off!"

"Oh? You mean that wouldn't've worked on you?"

"Of course not." Jo beamed back at him, bumping her shoulder to his again. "I can only be charmed by bein' nursed better and the beauty of my bein' discussed as I get undressed."

Jo let out a giggle as she watched the tips of his ears go red all over again, the normal color coming back to his face with the extended rest turned right back around to red at her words. Grey's eyes widened a fraction, blue swallowed up for a moment by pupils, before he noticed the cheeky grin and shot her a rueful one in response.

"Ah, of course that is how to woo the lovely Joanna Harvelle." He replied with a smile, shifting his arm to wrap around her bare shoulders and bring her into a side cuddle with a sigh. "How lucky for me I stumbled right upon the perfect pick-up lines?"

"Very lucky," she answered, turning to kiss him briefly but sweetly as they just soaked in the slightly cool breeze and the starting warmth from a few sunny rays.

They went through another few handfuls of trail mix, and Jo finished off the last of that water bottle, before they packed both the bag of snacks and the empty water bottle away into Grey's pack this time before they set off again towards the peak.

---

It took almost another hour to reach the lookout - the incline slowing at least half of them down, and the excited bird and animal spotting slowing the other half's pace to almost the same as Jo'd run ahead and excitedly point out various animals that would disappear just as Grey'd caught up. The family of white-tailed deer a hundred feet through the trees were the only ones that stayed long enough for the other to see and enjoy them, grazing on the grass and berry bushes away from the track. Jo happily still showed the photos she'd snapped of the cheerful little squirrels, a chipmunk hoarding a mouthful of nuts, and the most exciting spot for her was the pine marten that had scurried up and down a tree as she'd set pieces of dried fruit from her pack of trail mix out for it to take. Grey watched the video, smiling as he listened to the record gasps and quiet excited squeaks Jo had let out, as well as laughing at her trying to talk to the creature.

When they finally reached the point of Ely’s peak, both let out exclamations at the beauty of the landscape. Lake Superior spread out before them - a deep rich blue mirroring but darker than the soft blue of the sky. The fluffy clouds spaced across the sky at random dispersion all the way to the horrizon which was still not the other side of the Greta lake. Duluth was below them but tucked off to the side - hidden by the lush forest reserves or wide Green farm pastures more than the city itself. All down the hillside before them were boulders upon boulders stretching down a not quite sheer cliff face, the odd bush and tree springing out from in the grey rock formation like bursts of life. It was stunning.

Jo turned towards her lover with a wide smile, exclaiming happily. "Oh my god, it's so lovely!"

"Yes, yes it is." Jo frowned as she looked over her shoulder towards him, noticing the way those eyes as blue as the sky were focused upon her face and then slowly glided off to view the picturesque landscape beyond. "So beautiful, almost as beautiful as you."

That got a gentle punch to his shoulder as Jo blushed, and after a few quick kisses and a few more happy couple photos that Jo snapped with the view behind them, she unclipped her bag and set it down by the nearest viewing bench.

"Can you do my sunscreen before I go leapin' off rocks?"

"Sure thing, Jo. Did...did you need company?"

"Don't worry hun, I packed your things in your backpack so you can paint and sketch instead."

"The most thoughtful woman in the world," Grey grinned, rubbing his nose against hers affectionately before moving to slather her shoulders, arms, neck and chest with sunscreen. He moved onto her legs while Jo took care of coating her face and then fitting a cap over her head with her pony tail sticking through the back hole just right. "You let me know if you need help though?"

"Of course." Jo smiled back as she used the remaining sunscreen on her hand to cover his face, neck and the tiny amount of sweaty chest visible at the neckline of his tshirt as Grey covered his arms as well. There was a water tap nearby for them to wash the greasy feeling off of their hands before they both got to doing their own activities.

Grey was set up with a little help from Jo with his watercolor paper sketch book and charcoal pencils beside him to one side and his water color palette to the other with a small container of water. One of the water bottles was left with him, along with both their packs on the ground beside the bench as he finally focused on the vista and sketching out the faintest lines in preparation for a first image. The spot that he’d chosen wasn’t as shaded as some of the others, but sunburn was the least of his worries compared to getting an accurate view of the rich and vibrant colors he’d be trying to replicate and wanting to ensure he got them just right in the sunshine.

On the other hand, Jo threw herself into having fun clambering over the rocky outcrop with reckless abandon. The moment she’d left the other on his bench, set up and happy to spend quite some time just relaxing, catching his breath and doing something he enjoyed with his paints, she’d jumped off one of the highest boulders and down onto one further down. The ebb and flow of climbing and leaping warmed up her muscles as she clambered down as low as she could down the cliff face, uncaring to the worries of climbing all the way back up later. She would have to jump and scramble on occasion to reach the next rock up or gently scrape herself down the side of another to find a safe foot hold down - but that was half the point and half the fun between the warm sunshine, cool breeze and bird calls that would come after a whoop of laughter or enjoyment from her.

Jo lost track of time entirely as she got to the base of the outcrop, sitting atop one of the biggest rocks nearby to soak up the sun and catch her breath, before the tranquility was broken by a voice shouting.

“Jo?!” Grey’s voice carried down from the peak, and it took a few moments for her to realise the startled tone as she tilted her head back was because she could not see the top of the mountainside from where she was beside a slow trickling waterfall she’d set out to find. He called again, the tone borderline panicked, “Jo? Where are you?!”

“I’m fine hunny,” she called back as loudly as possible, hands cupped about her mouth before pushing herself to her feet so just the very top of her cap and eyes were visible over the big boulder face between her and the peak. There was a second before she had to wave a hand to catch the panicking man’s attention, a wide, affectionate grin on her face he probably couldn’t see as she called up again. “Here I am! Don’t worry! I’m all good!”

“Fuck, you scared me.” Grey shouted back down, and she could just make out the jittery nervous energy in his hands flapping a few times from the distance before she let out a loud laugh. “Don’t you laugh at me! I couldn’t see you for a whole half an hour!”

“Sorry, hun!” Jo replied, chided at just how much and how long he must have been looking for her as she’d climbed, scrambled and ducked about the rockside. Glancing down at her watch, she let out a surprised noise to see it was already midmorning and that she had spent the last hour running about the rockface. “I’ll come up now-”

“No, no, don’t rush if you’re-” “I’m gettin’ hungry and we still gotta find a picnic spot.” “Hmm… okay, I’ll start packing up up here.”

“Okay, be there in a minute!” She called back happily before turning her gaze from where he’d been to looking at the somewhat intimidating climb in front of her to get back up to the top.

Jo shrugged a shoulder and tucked a strand of stray hair back under her cap and behind her ear as she swiped a bit of sweat from her brow before starting the daunting climb back up. The rocks were so much taller going back up, and on more than one occasion she had to back up for a run up before leaping to try to grasp the top of the next rock up. Some she could wind her way through small wild life paths between rockfaces, but others she had to muscle and shuffle her way up awkwardly, all dirt and moss and hot stone under her fingers as she scrambled her way back up towards the peak. It took longer than a minute, that was for sure, and by the time she got up there Grey’d already repacked his backpack and had the second water bottle of the day ready and waiting for her with a smile.

Gulping down the remaining half of the bottle, Jo grinned widely back at him before tucking the empty bottle into his bag and then shouldering her own back on. “I bet we look like we match now.”

“Oh?” “Well, I’m all hot and sweaty and I bet red-” “Yes, very prettily so though.” “Naturally. And in about ten minutes you’ll look the same!” “How dare you-”

Grey cut off his admonishing with a laugh, pulling her in about the waist - hand slipping into the space between the curve of her back and her backpack, to kiss her thoroughly. They only pulled back after a long moment when their lips were tingling with the sensation of the other’s and the loss of them. Jo let out a laugh of her own before shaking her head free of the floaty, unfocused feeling his kisses left her with before gesturing back to the path to get going.

They hiked again, following the path winding back down from Ely’s peak at a much quicker and more comfortable pace for both of them with the downhill decline far easier than the hiking up had been. Grey’s hand slid into hers within a few minutes and neither let go as they kept a happy pace back down to the join of the previous track within half the time as before. Jo frowned as she glanced back the way towards the carpark before giving a tug and setting off into the denser forest cut through with another trail instead. There’d been no where suitable for a picnic the way they had come, and she was determined to find somewhere private and beautiful to spend their time.

Following the new path took them through basswood’s rather than redwoods, the foliage thicker and more shaded as the sun was moving towards overhead, but the undergrowth was still filled with the mixture of bluebead lilys and other shrubberys and wildflowers that thrived under the thicker canopy above. It was cool even though each poke of sun felt hotter than before and the warmth of the day was starting to set in. They wandered, up and down hills across the park as they went for another half an hour - much to Grey’s consternation he got hot, sweaty and red as quickly as Jo predicted as they started on the inclines, to a lot of teasing from the smiling blonde.

They’d just turned a corner when Jo noticed a creekline ahead and a small footbridge across it. “Oh! Come with me!” She tugged gently on the other’s hand as they approached, stepping off the path and instead following the lush, moss covered creek line down stream. Grey made a confused noise for a moment, before she grinned over her shoulder at him. “This is Sargeant Creek. I saw a little pond or inlet type place in Google Maps off this stream earlier, we should try to go there for our picnic?”

“Oh. That sounds like a great idea, pretty one,” he agreed readily, pressing a quick kiss to her cheek as he nodded and followed further along the creek and left the path behind them. Not that he’d had disagreed, following a creek means walking down hill and no more inclines. “Any idea how long it’d be?”

“Awww, are your feet hurtin’?” “As a matter of fact, yes, yes they are.” “Poor Grey!”

The teasing swat he gave to her backside at her joking at him got a squeal of laughter that set the birds hidden in the trees around them off, the ringing of bird call and happiness fitting so perfectly for the pair as they trekked onwards.

About ten minutes down the creek a large downed tree fell across the creek line, and giving a whoop, Jo tugged Grey in for a quick peck. “You’re it.” She whispered against his lips before pulling back and dashing across the log with a laugh. It took a moment, long enough for her to get to the other bankside before he seemed to realise what had happened and took off after her.

Their game of tag, kisses exchanged each time one or the other was caught and playful ducks out of grasp, took them back and forth across the creek. Jo’d even leaped just out of reach one time across a wider part of the creek and when turning back to tease the other couldn’t spot him until two hands grasped her cheeks and pulled her into a kiss for a long moment before Grey let go and smoked back across the creek with a rougish grin. They were moving slower and less productively with the game, but it kept both of them laughing and the focus off their feet and just how long they’d been walking in search of their picnic spot.

---

When Jo was finally skipping ahead out of Grey’s grasp and stepped out from under the thicker tree coverage to a sunny clearing and the widening of the creek it came as a surprise to have reached their location, and even surprised her enough to be caught up on a quick, hot kiss like the sunshine coming down on them before they both looked about. It was less a natural pond and more clearly a small beaver dam before continuing down the creekline on the other side of the pond. The slope around the dammed water was gentle and covered in lush grass, and brightly lit in the clearing, clearly caused by the beavers work a long while ago.

Moving over the grass and looking at the dam, Jo smiled widely as she turned about to see Grey setting his pack down and getting out the picnic rug.

“This looks pretty alright, don’t it?” “Yeah. You were right, Jo, this is much nicer than somewhere that there could be crowds and that.” “I know right?”

Smiling together, they set the picnic blanket out and Jo fished out one of the water bottles from her bag as she set it down before spraying more bug spray on her skin having noticed the croak of frogs from the pond and the number of bugs flying about the waters edge. Grey sank happily into the blanket and pulled off his backpack followed by his shoes and socks to rub at the soles of his feet happily before taking the water offered. “I’ll get the picnic in a minute-”

“No rush, hun.” Jo smiled gently at his insistence, shaking her head and kicking her own boots off and wiggling her socked toes with a groan. “God, you never notice your feet hurt ‘til you stop.”

“Oh, do your feet hurt, huh?” “Yes yes, payback’s a bitch!”

Grey laughed warmly as he moved to lean back on his elbows before reaching out to tug her down against him. They play wrestled for a few seconds before laying back in the sunshine happily together, each catching their breaths and enjoying the quiet of the thick forest around them. The fluffy clouds above, the warm sun, and the cool ground soft beneath them was as comforting as the other’s presence as they relaxed and recovered from the hiking so far.

It was another few minutes before Grey pushed himself into sitting up again, Jo shifting around to rest her head in his lap with a little yawn, before he finally felt up to summoning their packed picnic. The basket had been packed that morning, padded with cooling packs and everything they could need carefully tucked into tupperware containers and bowls, and left on the kitchen counter for easy summoning later on. It wasn’t a hard task to bring it to them, and Grey’s fingers ran through Jo’s hair once he was sure he’d brought their picnic basket correctly to them, just enjoying the moment. Eventually the smell of food roused Jo out of the happy doze she’d found herself lulled into by the warmth of the sunshine and the comforting touches from the other to push up and help start unpacking their early lunch.

They’d worked together the night before the prep and pack their picnic - Jo baking chocolate chip cookies mixed with strawberries and some coconut, choc-chip muffins with the express discussion about the choice of ingredients and some teasing laughter from both of them over just how many kisses she had wanted; Grey cooking pasta and whipping up pesto for their salad filled with feta, shaved corn and fresh cherry tomatoes from Jo’s plant in the back yard. They’d had grilled chicken for dinner the night before and packed away the leftovers to be added in for their lunch with some spicy hot sauce in a tub for Jo too. Taking the various containers out and cracking them open, Jo made a curious noise waving a tub filled with balled melons towards the other before getting a sheepish look in response before she picked one out with an excited moan at the slightly spicy but obviously sweet syrup coating the balls. Someone had been busy when she was getting dressed. Grey took the large thermos filled with blueberry-sweetened lemonade and started pouring the drinks as Jo took out the plates and utensils in tandem.

Sinking back to their sides, they tucked into their picnic lunch with a lot of exclamations over how nice certain things were - pasta salad and chicken eaten first and foremost, leaving the cookies and muffins for later. Jo teased Grey into warming her chicken up for her, and then got further teased at the way her encouragement got him to blush brightly in turn. And he got her in return by asking just why she’d picked chocolate desserts again, ribbing her gently back.

Stomachs full and not quite ready for their desserts yet, Jo shuffled about to rest back against Grey’s side as he pulled out his sketch book to show her the paintings and sketches he’d been working on. The first a richly colored vista of the lake, the lighter sky and the endless view of green that would have once stretched all the way through where their home city now was. The second was a more contemplative image of what might have been the lake shore itself, pebbled and sandy shore and the sky reflecting off the gentle swells of the water. A few sketches, darkly filled in with charcoals of the trees that filled the forest, and even a sketch of the cute pine marten Jo’d shown him was on the third page, the marten’s little nose looking extra cute and like it was in the middle of wriggling happily at the scent of food. The last page was faded grey boulders and the odd tree but clearly the figure leaping between two rocks was the main focus of the picture, long legged and arms out stretched and radiating childish glee. That got him a lot of those teased about kisses as they lay back down on the blanket, stretched out in the warm sunshine.

They whiled more time away cloud gazing, making shapes and stories out of the fluffy figures that danced across the sky as their stomachs settled, and Jo cuddled into Grey’s side happily. A duck with a top hat fought against a teddy bear with a cane, a clown which neither of them could agree was good or creepy disappeared rather quickly on the summer breezes pushing it along before they could quarrel longer, then a little girl spinning a pirouette was followed by a school of fish being lectured by an octopus. They’d giggled loudly when a very obvious cloud floated past that had Grey covering Jo’s hand with a mouth as she’d squealed out the word ‘penis’ loud enough to send a few birds flitting away from the canopy above them.

“Ugh, I feel so sticky.” Jo complained quietly as she snuggled her nose in against Grey’s shoulder when he finally uncovered her mouth with a smirk. “It’s so warm today!”

“Sorry pretty one, I didn’t pack a cold shower in the basket for you.” He teased quietly, tapping her wriggling nose with a finger before making a surprised noise and Jo’s jerking to a sitting position and then to her feet. “Jo?”

“You didn’t, sure, but there’s a nice cold pond right there!” Grinning widely back at him, she quickly tugged her knee-high socks off and piled them with her boots before tugging her tank top over her head followed by her shorts. Reaching into her backpack and ignoring the confused squawk from the other, she held the sunscreen out to him with a smile. “Slather me up, hun?”

Grey gave her a confused look for a moment before taking the bottle and checking it was a natural, grey water safe product, and shifting to sit up enough to cover her back, and arms all over again with the protective cream while she took care of her exposed stomach, chest and legs to save time rubbing it all in. Grey teased her quietly about wanting to be a tanned summertime goddess with the amount of sunshine she was getting that day, only to be teased back he was just mad she’d already rubbed it in on the bits of her breasts not covered by her bra and taunting whether he’d join her.

“To quote that movie you love - wouldn’t that defeat the purpose?” “Oh?” “I mean, the best vantage point for me would be here to see your figure while you’re playing around in the water.”

Jo let out a peal of laughter, nodding and pressing a quick kiss to his lips at that, before dashing off to the waters edge, careful not to startle or step on any frogs. It was a fairly clean and clear pond, and at it’s deepest would only just come up to under her chest - the perfect depth to see the muddy, pebbly pond floor and float around without fear of something unexpected catching her unawares. There were frogs and the odd baby trout swimming about in it as she splashed about, chasing tadpoles and floating on her back as the sun reached it’s crest of midday.

After she’d splashed about enough to acclimate to the cool water, she’d looked over to their little picnic to see Grey sat up with his sketch book all over again. Tilting her head curiously at him, Grey waved a hand at her and called out gently with a smile, “I’m good, pretty one. You have your fun in the water.” She waited a few seconds to watch him pick up one of the cookies with his spare hand before turning about and diving under the water to splash about some more.

The water was the perfectly cool temperature - breaking her out in goosebumps as she would sink under the water and then float to the surface - and the dappled sunlight coming from the trees lining the other side of the pond than their clearing left her cold despite the warmth in the air. Little fish swam up, mouthing at her toes occasionally before swimming away, and Jo even backstroked over to the reeds edge to look at the clusters of frog spawn sticking around the waterline of the water plants. She floated gently across the water quietly, eyes closed and just enjoying the peaceful silence as she drank in the sunshine.

By the time she got out of the pond and laid out on the blanket - now clear of their lunch dishes packed away and the two containers of muffins and cookies left out with the watered down lemonade - her toes and fingertips were all pruny and wrinkly. Grey let out a laugh looking at her fingers before kissing the tips and bunching up a spare corner of blanket to give her a pillow to lean back on as he continued to work on his sketches. The number of birds crowded to one side of the clearing - bird seed scattered on the ground before them that Grey must’ve summoned at some point bringing them close enough for him to sketch - chirped happily and their voices and song floated away on the breeze.

Curling on one side, she watched him quietly as he worked - those talented hands sketching carefully the array of different birds chirping and hopping about the place, from chickadees to wrens and even a bright red cardinal had flown down and pecked at the seed before digging out a worm as well. Two yellow warblers, clearly a mated pair, hopped about on the edge of the group for a little while - one grabbing a seed before handing it to the other who would fly off and return a few moments later before going again - probably taking seeds back to their nest for their little family. Jo watched the birds quietly, soaking in the peacefulness of their secret little space as Grey continued his sketching.

“You almost dry?” The question broke through the silence a while later, after the sun had helped warm her back up, and Grey raised a brow over at her as he flipped his sketchbook shut as the last bird had finally departed. “Or at least dry enough to drive home?”

“I think so. You feel recovered enough to get goin’ back to the carpark?” “Yep, I’m all rested, and we’ve got a bit of a drive home still.” “And still some lemonade in case you get nauseous again-” “So mean.”

Giggling quietly Jo got to her feet as Grey packed the remaining tupperware away into the picnic basket and shook the crumbs off of the blanket into the grass as she got dressed back into her shorts and tank top. Rather than pull the old socks on, Jo slipped the spare ones from his pack on and tucked hers back in their place, before clipping her backpack into place. Grey did the same before picking up the picnic basket in one hand and taking hers with the other, before they disappeared away from the sunny, secret clearing.

The forest was shaded but thick and muggy without the breeze permeating through to the underbrush as Grey appeared them ten feet off the trail and just out of sight of the carpark. Quickly making their way to the path and not spotted by any of the family groups slowly making their way along the hiking trail at the midday time, they slowly made their way to the car.

The walk back wasn’t long, but it was just long enough for the pair of them to hold hands and exchange smiles and teasing touches as they made their way back along the path. They passed some unruly children and their exhausted looking parents, lugging picnic baskets behind them, with angry looks towards the happy, peaceful couple clearly swinging their joined hands and very much young and in love. There were heavy duty climbers with harnesses already around their waists, jangling with clips that would scare off any of the animals that they’d managed to spot walking so quietly earlier in the morning if the screaming, running children hadn’t already. There was even a younger couple, clearly high school sweethearts, all blushing and twigs in their hair despite being not even twenty feet from the carpark as Jo and Grey had almost made it to the carpark.

Sharing a smirk to one another at the embarrassed look on the teens’ faces, Jo giggled loudly as they made it to the car and packed away the picnic basket and their backpacks into the trunk of the car. “So… when are we goin’ to be like those two?”

“What? You want to have bark-rash on your back?” “Oh, that’s true, that doesn’t seem particularly appealin’.” “Or perhaps you were thinking in a bush?” “That does seem to be what they’d been doin’!”

“Maybe next time,” Grey replied with a shake of his head, smirking across at her. “Or back in that little clearing, we should take advantage of those chocolate cookies-”

“And the muffins.” “That’s very true.” “Well, why didn’t we?”

Jo tilted her head at him, smiling gently before blinking in surprise as the other moved around the car to crowd her up against the warm metal side on her back as Grey leaned in to kiss her - hot and needy and all kinds of ways that made her weak in the knees - before he pulled back with a smirk. Grey leaned into her, lips against the shell of her ear, before speaking softly. “I didn’t want to scare away the birds.”

“Very fair!” Laughing together, Jo drew him in for another quick kiss, pressing all up against him, before they pulled apart and finally piled back into the car. The seatbelt metal was hot but clicked away quickly, and sharing a few sips of water from the last water bottle, Jo threw the car in reverse and then pulled out of the carpark towards home.

Glancing to the side as she drove them down the winding roadway down the other side of the mountain, going slow and cautious for the other’s usual motion sickness, Jo smiled softly to herself watching him press his face to the cool glass of the passenger window - figuring they could stop at the ice cream shop on the way home for a creamy treat and maybe even some Sprite to settle the other’s stomach before they would get home to their likely still dozing baby ready to go out to the backyard. Looking out the front window as the trees slowly got high enough and the road flattened out that the deep blue of the lake disappeared from sight behind them, she couldn’t help but smile over the loveliness of the day, noticing an equally loving smile directed her way out the corner of her eye.

---

[illprotectyou-hearteyes]

I didn’t have anything prepared for Day 3 and didn’t have energy to plan out a fic, so I wound up writing this odd little piece that I call: “Ethan thinks about stuff and also he happens to be in a fantasy AU.”

In this world there are mushrooms that can shrink you to the size of an ant, and carnivorous plants that can swallow a human whole but scarcely pierce the skin of your average giant, and just about anyone can learn to fly if they put in the effort. Ethan wouldn’t give it up for anything. Not even for those fascinating story-lands where men without a lick of magic spent centuries harnessing the elements of their universe until at long last they thought their way onto the sea and into the sky and mastered voiceless long-distance communication to a degree telepathy can’t rival. (Sure, spy work would be somewhat simpler “up” wasn’t one of the directions a target could run, but who would give up the freedom of solo flight for a bit of convenience? And even that pales next to the careful learning of one another and deep trust that comprises the real magic of riding a dragon.)

No, not even the most enticing visions could tempt him away from this world of fairies and walking trees and gnomes and elves. (It’s true that the multitude of species often misinterpret the glorious variety of kinds as motive for conflict; but how sad it would be to live in a world where complex communication can only be had with one’s own species.)

*****

Ethan feels a little bad for the wandering thoughts dividing his attention from the spectacle of the fairies’ annual light festival, which Jane is directing with the passionate intensity that drives all her actions. But the visual display, with the music as support, has reached its most blissfully peaceful phase, perfectly tailored to induce dreamy sappiness even in those watching alone.

And Ethan isn’t alone; never in his life has he felt less isolated than in these past few years with the family that has grown around him, each member holding tight to each. Quite literally in one case—Benji is grasping Ethan’s right hand quite firmly in his own, as if saying, “stay with me, please,” and Ethan will spend each day finding new ways to declare his desire to stay as long as he is allowed until Benji can find no more room for doubt. Ethan sneaks a quick glance at him now, and smiles to see the peace diffused across his face—Benji’s long elvish years have done much to grant him astounding wealths of knowledge and technical skill, but little to ease the anxiety that frequently dances across his face. Ethan would give a great deal to smooth those ever-deepening lines of worry, and he hates his job sometimes for the way it’s tailored to keep them in frequent use.

But he doesn’t think he could muster hate for anything just now, not with Benji at peace on his right and Luther’s sturdy presence on his left, his leaves gently brushing against Ethan’s arms. He’s never been afraid of being truly alone again since Luther found him during the worst period of his life, as if the roots with which Luther can secure himself to the soil are part of Ethan now, too.

Despite the smattering of torn-up leaves around him, even Brandt’s lined gnome features had smoothed out the last time Ethan raised himself to look, and Ilsa’s soft snoring tells him she’s still sound asleep. Ilsa, human as they come, has been doing a lot of napping in the weeks since she was at last extricated from the employ of the humans’ most ruthless spy agency. Every time she drifts off Ethan treasures that proof that, at last, she feels safe.

Ethan isn’t one to deny that it takes far less than such a night as this to nudge him into sentimentality.

With a silent apology to Jane, Ethan allows himself to close his eyes for just a moment, to savor the deep peace, the lull of his friends’ soft breathing, the wind blowing against his clean-shaven face.

He’s fairly certain the other dwarves still haven’t bought his claim that he cut off the beard because it interfered with the subtleties and rigors of field-work—after all, dwarves were traditionally trained to be fierce and industrious folk, and they got along quite well enough. Perhaps they were right. Perhaps it did have less to do with the work than with the way he used to feel the mountain of hair divided him from the world, hid him, muffled expression and sensation. Just another iteration of his endless desire to step nearer, push further in.

Ethan’s eyes snap open as the long snout of a rat pushes into his left ear—a ticklish but effective way of communicating information intended for one individual only—and his heart plummets as he hears its message.

The peace of the night is unbroken, but it is no longer for him.

Ethan turns his head to nod his understanding, and when the creature scurries off he’s met with Luther’s deep gaze, sorry but firm. Ethan smiles, grateful if a little sad, and when Luther reaches out a rough, hand-like spread of branches to briefly grasp Ethan’s hand it feels like the promise of a firm foundation to return to, wherever he may run in the interim.

When he turns to his right Ethan finds Benji already raised on one elbow, tense and poised, worry lines firmly back in place, and before Ethan can say a word he’s asking: “Can I help?”

Ethan wants to melt into him, hold him close and feel the vibrancy of the life that animates him. Instead he reaches out a forefinger to absently smooth the deepest line on Benji’s forehead, feeling a little guilty as he watches Benji make a conscious effort to hide his anxiety, and says, “No, love, this is a one-person job and they’ve only called me.”

“But you’ll summon me if that changes?”

Ethan smiles tightly, unsure whether he’s telling the truth as he answers, “Of course I will.” But he has no qualms about his sincerity when he adds, “For now, enjoy the show. Know that I’m only gone for the sake of beauty such as this, and I’ll do anything to return to it, to you.”

Benji gathers himself, nods firmly. “I know.” He pulls Ethan into a kiss, quick and firm, then out of nowhere in particular he produces Ethan’s bag, small and tight-fitting but packed full.

Ethan shakes his head in wonderment. “Even tonight?”

“Always,” Benji answers. “It helps if I can. Come with you in some way. Now off you go.”

“I love you.”

“I love you too.”

Ethan stands, glances behind him and holds on to the image of Brant having collapsed in sleep on top of Ilsa, then runs.

For a few beats he struggles to find his pace, the scene behind all the harder to leave because this is the sort of mission that comes with a high probability of no return.

Suddenly the light that’s throwing his shadow in front of him brightens, and the music becomes rhythmic and triumphant. Ethan turns, confused; Jane has talked of nothing but tonight for months, so he knows very well that this part isn’t supposed to come until the end. Then the gold spark he can identify as Jane leaves its place and rises high above the rest, and he understands that this is for him, that even in the midst of this event she’s poured her soul into she spotted him leaving and threw aside her meticulously laid plan in an instant.

Ethan lifts a hand in gratitude, and as he does he feels the shifting of his bag, which he knows from experience holds honeyed flatbread and candied nuts stuffed between the necessities, together with a surprise or two for his enjoyment and the preservation of his sanity.

Turning away and matching the pounding of his feet to the joyous beat of the music, he feels strength and resolution flooding in.

Ethan wouldn’t give up his place in this world for anything—except to save it.

[majorweeb]

The Vacation

Lucy was tired, after being gone all the time off doing requests she needed a much-needed break.

Always being around Natsu is hard and after Gray and Juvia broke up, uh it had driven her crazy.

Apparently, Juvia was unhappy with their bedroom relations. She needed more and he couldn't keep it up unless he was drunk. It broke them down. Which in turn upset Lucy because he would go with Natsu, Happy, and her on missions.

Lucy loved Gray and enjoyed his companionship, so it didn't really matter one way or another. Yet, being labeled a homewrecker was annoying. Even if only Juvia believed it.

Lucy was done, not this month. She had saved up enough Jewels to go to the beach. She had found the perfect little house with its own private area where she and Plue could be free from the chaos that was the guildhall.

She loved everyone but even Levy thought it would be best. In fact, it was her family's home she was renting.

She yawned and stretched knowing that today she was finally able to leave and have some space.

"Ugh, I'm so glad I packed up last night! This is going to be great 4 full weeks of fun and freedom!" She said as she stretched in her pink bed. A small white cutoff tank barely covering her breasts.

Yawn escaping her lips as she rose stretching deeper, navy blue boy shorts riding up her ass as she bent over.

"Oi Lucy, still not up yet huh? Those are new, like the way they ride up..." Natsu started to say as Lucy decided to kick him in the face.

"Lucy Kick"! she screamed wondering why in the hell he couldn't use that damn door to come over.

Covering up and walking to the bathroom to get dressed for the day she huffed.

"Get out Natsu, I have shit to do and I don't need to be harassed at the moment. Can't, you ever knock?" Slamming the bathroom door in his face.

"But Lushi, Happy left me high and dry. Some stupid exceed thing and him, Charlie, and Pantherlily all left last night. I'm lonely. Can't I stay and snuggle with you?" Natsu whined from her bed stretched out and looking his best.

Years they'd been traveling together and he wanted nothing more to just bend her over and have his way. But she deserved more than the thoughts that ran through his brain as he fisted himself on lonely nights.

Lucy exited the bathroom in a low-waisted pair of painted-on skin-tight jeans, hair pulled back into a high ponytail, and a navy blue tight button-up sleeveless blouse. Oh, and Natsu was ever so pleased with his large baggy pants. Groaning at the thought of those panties from earlier being too high for her to be wearing them under those pants. Oh shit, was she wearing a bra?

He watched her as she roamed her room gathering her keys and placing them on her hip. Putting toiletries and such into a duffle.

He was about to ask her what was going on, she said that she was taking a break. Why was she packing? That's when there was a knock at her door. He could smell him before he announced himself. Gray that asshat, always getting in the damn way.

"Hey, Gray, what's up?" eyes full of joy as she smiled at him when he let himself in.

"Hey, Lucy, where ya going? I came by to see you and wanted to know what you were doing later. But I see you are packing."

"Hey Ice Princess! What are you doing here? Hiding?" Natsu said with an air of sarcasm that was obvious.

"No, she left had shit to do with Gajeel! But who fucking cares." Throwing himself onto Lucy's couch.

" Listen I love you both, and so enjoy listening to you girls banter over who is prettier. I am very much in a hurry and have to catch a train. So if you don't mind. GET OUT!"

"Where ya going, Luce? I wanted to spend time with you? Can I come too? It'll be fun, just us like old times. Please!!" Fake tears welling into Natsu's eyes as he pleaded with her to know what she was doing for the next few weeks.

"Well if you must know I rented a house out in Akane Beach, ya know Levys beach property. I have the next four weeks of sun, sand, ocean, and a whole city to explore." She seemed excited and dreamy.

The next thing she knew she has boarded a train with both Gray across from her and Natsu with his nose buried deep in her lap. She swore he loved this more than anything and it always made her a little excited knowing her scent calmed him. She grew stiff wondering what scent calmed him. He huffed and she went back to carding her finger through his hair. Yet, why the in hell are they coming along. Didn't they have better things to do?

She ignored the situation and decided to nap on the 2-hour train ride. Fingers combing through the soft tendrils of Natsu's hair. Whether she wanted to admit it or not the attention of two of the hottest ( in her opinion) guys in all of Fairy Tail, hell all of Magnolia wanted to tag along. Who was she to say no?

She awoke to the soft tapping on her shoulder a while later knowing that it was Gray informing her that they had arrived.

Luggage gathered and all of them together walked to the beach house. She picked a room out of the 5 and unpacked listening to the other 2 bickered about Mavis knows what and she just ignored it.

After all, was settled she wanted food. Not fast food or restaurant food, home-cooked food.  She grabbed her keys and released Virgo informing her of her duties while she was off shopping.

"Yes Master, will you punish me if I don't do it properly?" Virgo stated as she bowed low in her skimpy french maid's uniform.

"No, just I wanna cook but need all of this out and ready so it's easier. I won't have to look for what I need this way. " Quickly changing into something cooler.

When Lucy walked out of her appointed room in her tiny black shorts and white bikini Natsu almost busted a nut right then and there on the couch. Gray was no better, having lost his cigarette somewhere on the porch and quickly spreading ice over it to stop and prevent a fire. Overdoing it all the way to the waves.

"I'll be back getting groceries, if you need anything go and do it on your own. I'll just be an hour or so." She put a small white poncho over top and slipped on her sandals and made her way out.

"Hey Ice dick, nice cover-up! If I didn't know any better you just shot your damn load all over the fucking yard." laughing as he stretched out over the couch closing his eyes.

"Like your any better, that burn mark where your hands were arent any better. Fucking Flame brain!" putting out his smoke and coming inside.

" If I have to be here with you, I need liquor, and soon, let's go and keep your tiny firebreathing dragon in your pants huh."

When Lucy got home they were both gone and it was nice to have some quiet as she worked. She had released Virgo when she returned and quickly called upon Loke. He was a little naughty but he sure could cook.

He left with a bow when dinner was almost done and she was happy to see him for that short time.

While plating dinner the door busted open and in came Natsu and Gray, shitfaced and laughing. She could deal with them happily, this would be cake.

"Hey Luce, is that dinner. So hungry, want food then you! GRRRR!" Natsu growled as he sat at the table.

Lucy was shocked he had never spoken to her that way before and was way out of character, even when he had had a few.

Gray just sat across from him, smile plastered to his face sitting in just his boxer briefs. Out of the corner of her eye she noticed a sizable tent in Grays briefs. Assuming it must have been just the alcohol she continued serving.

"Of course, not a single day without some fun huh guys." Smacking her forehead at the both of them. Natsu being a dumb ass and Gray almost naked.

"Hey Lucy, we brought home drinks you wanted to relax, let's eat and have fun. Chat, get to know each other better." Slamming the large bottle of Jager on the table.

She didn't know what to say or think, but a drink or two would get them to calm down and maybe give her the evening alone as they slept it off. Maybe she could write a little as she planned, or a nite swim was nice.

Dinner went off nicely, she made lamb chops with rosemary and garlic, sided with cauliflower Au Gratin and asparagus.

They all decided to start drinking and her goal was a few drinks and shove them off to sleep. Yet, that was far from her evening plans! This night was a night to remember.

After the first bottle was done and they were a giggling mess on the back deck, she had summoned who she had hoped would be Loke. Someone with willpower to calm them all down, as they were begging for more alcohol.

That is not who she summoned at all, in fact, Virgo was all for her master being shitfaced. She got more alcohol and learned if Lucy was dared she would be punished and have her ass bit. She enjoyed this Lucy more. She released herself with a moan.

Lucy leaned over both the boys and whispered, " Wanna hear a secret?"

Both sat up straight and made sure to listen so carefully, excited to hear what the blonde had to say.

"I've always wanted to see you two kiss! Please be nice to me, I'm a good girl right. I wanna see tongue."

Gray just shrugged his shoulders and leaned over, placing his lips onto Natsu. He was expecting it to be quick and make Lucy happy, little did he know that the warmth of his lips sent a shock right to his groin. It didn't help that Natsu moaned and grabbed the back of his neck in the process licking his lips begging for entry.

Lucy removed herself from their lap and watched in amazement as the kiss became more and more heated.

Hands groping, tongues lashing. The next thing she knew Gray was on top of Natsu caging him in and not allowing him to retreat from the small loveseat made of bamboo.

Natsu thrust his hips forward and ground against Gray in a way to relieve the pressure of his growing problem,  moaning and panting between licks, bites, and kisses.

Lucy moaned out loud catching the attention of the 2 men who seemed to have lost all thought and cared less about where they were.

"Lushie, are you jealous? Or is that smell out of lust?" Natsu said as he sniffed the air in her direction. The prominent tent in his pants growing by the second.

Gray removed himself from above Natsu and picked Lucy up threw her over his shoulder and carried her into the house. Groping her ass in the process. Natsu followed.

Walking into the room she had picked which seemed to have the largest bed know to all Fiore, he tossed her on it. Natsu coming behind Gray rubbing up against him making the man moan as he felt his friend's cock press roughly against his ass.

He leaned his head against his shoulder feeling the warm hands of Natsu roam his alcohol-riddled body and shuddered.

"Lucy, I want you to take off your clothes, I want to watch you go crazy as you watch us. Can you do that for me, baby? Can you be good and not touch yourself as I touch Gray.

She nodded enthusiastically as her shorts and bikini top were removed. Whimpering as she removed the small patch of fabric covering her leaking wet pussy.

Natsu had started stroking off Gray through his briefs as they both watched Lucy wiggle and squirm. The smell of her arousal thick in the air as their clothes were removed between petting and touching. Natsu got down on his knees and licked the underside of Grays cock. Feeling it's girth lay on his tongue. Gray got on the bed first, just to her right feeling the softness of the cotton under his fingers, using his ice magic to create a pair of cuffs for her on the bed. Pinning her down and spreading her out.

Natsu came up on her left, warming his hands so that the touch of his fingers was like a shock to her entire body.

"Please, oh Mavis someone touch me already. Together,  separate, I don't care. I've needed and wanted this for so long. I'm begging you!" moaning loudly as each of them worked their way up her body. Kissing each other along the way. She could feel their precum dripping on her thighs as they groped, licked, and flicked different parts of her body.

She was overwhelmed, the icy feel of Gray with the burning touch of Natsu drove her insane. Screaming as her first orgasm ripped through her.

"Good girl, what would you like next?" Gray whispered in her ear causing the warmth to pool between her legs once again.

Seeing Natsu lick the slick of her orgasm off his fingers was too much, she held back a moan as her body became hotter and hotter and not form touch.

Both of them slowly started sending an icy burning trail down her body. Cupping her and teasing her until she thrashed against the icy cuffs.

They took turns rubbing her clit, while the other entered her giving her the feeling of both of their magic. Showing her that it wasn't just for fighting.

" I need you in me please!!" She begged

Gray removed her cuffs and they let her relax for a moment, she watched in awe as she watched them both on their knees kissing again. As they kneeled over her their cocks touched and she leaned forward and licked them simultaneously. Wrapping her hands around them both stroking them as they made out.

They stopped and the look in their eyes had her building again, she had heard about sex, but never anything like this.

They looked back at each other when out of nowhere Gray said, " Bottom!"

She had assumed he meat to take from Natsu but boy was she wrong.

Natsu gathered her up in his arms and made her wrap her legs tightly around his waist. Felling his hot cock bob against her thighs, feeling its warmth against her clit and begging to enter her.

She looked over at Gray laying on his back lubing up his own cock, back against the headboard, soft moans escaping his lips.

"Go to him, he's waiting!" Natsu whispered in her ear causing her to shiver with excitement. she crawled over to Gray, ass in the air in hopes to entice Natsu. Entice she did, except she wasn't expecting a hot tongue licking a wet hot streak from clit to ass. Making her jello in their arms.

"Please, need more." breathy moans and lust addled mind saying all she could.

"Turn around, let me help you."

She obeyed and she was then pulled back into Grays's arms. His chest against her back, his cock throbbing against the cleft of her ass, his hands playing with her nipples, rolling them around between his finger and thumb. Keeping his hands icy and causing her to twitch with anticipation.

He then pulled her up so that his cock was pressed against her dripping wet pussy, lips throbbing, eyes heavy and full of lust. Until Natsu got on his hands and knees and crawled across the bed in-between her legs.

Shoving the ice-cold cock down his throat, enjoying the moans from Gray as his heated breath and mouth covered him completely.

"Fuck Natsu, so good, so warm yes!" Gray moaned thrusting his hips as her body gushed from the site and the feelings.

" Nice choice on taste Ice Prick!" Natsu smirked moving Grays cock aside and he began to loosen Lucy up, licking her clit as his fingers toyed with her tight little asshole.

She screamed and relaxed around the digits and more and more entered her. Scissoring her open, making her body ready for Gray.

Before she knew it she was being ripped open as Gray started moving his cock deeper and deeper into her ass. Saying calming words into her ear while Natsu began to lick her clit again. Nibbling on her lips, thrusting his tongue into her warm cavern.

Once she was relaxed Gray trusted up into her. Enjoying the feel yet afraid of cumming too soon.

Natus leaned over them, kissing Lucy, letting her taste the lube, herself, and Gray all at once on him.

He then leaned down to kiss Gray, the passion deep and inviting.

Reaching down with his right hand, burning her skin so delicately and popping her right breast into her mouth he shoved his cock deep inside her in one fluid motion.

Her scream would have had the neighbors calling the police if they were in Magnolia. But here, here they could ravage her as much as they wanted, no fear of having to stop. Not unless she said so.

Lifting himself slightly he began to trust, causing not only his cock to move but Grays as well. Making her as full as possible.

Her nails dug into Natsu's back, her lips sloppily kissing Gray. Moaning as she was about to reach yet another orgasm and squeezing tightly around her boys. Enjoying the feeling of Grays hands fondling her nipples, sucking on her ears lobes, kissing her neck. While Natsu leaned back slightly to watch her come apart as his thumb rubbed circles on and around her clit. Edging her into completion.

"Yes.. Yes... Oh Fuck Yes! Please more, don't stop I need you in me, fill me, fuck me, claim me, take me I'm yours.

Her moans drowning out even the sound of the waves outside.

Gray was moaning as well, "Cum again Lucy, come on baby I wanna feel you cum on my cock."

Natsu started thrusting faster and harder. He leaned down and kissed Gray again to then turn his head and kiss Lucy, " That's it, baby. Cum for us, scream, let us make you feel good all month long."

Her orgasm ripped through her in a loud guttural groan, making her whole body go tight.

The feel of her squeeze caused both men to gasp and lose their breath as Natsu started to pump in a ragged uneven rhythm.

His orgasm was ripped from him first, the look in his eyes as he stared down at Gray in his moment of bliss made Gray cum loudly. Their eyes never leaving each other as they rode out their orgasm.

Natsu carefully pulled out of Lucy, assisted Gray in untangling her limp and satisfied body to the bed.

Gray went and got a few warm rags and gently cleaned and cared for Lucy while Natsu got them each a water bottle. She drank like a dying woman, thirst more apparent now that she stopped. With the sheet over her overstimulated body, she relaxed reaching out for them to hold her. Wanting to be the middle spoon.

"Never leave me, guys. I love you, and I know you love each other." she yawned and fell asleep. Being held by the two men she loved most.

Natsu leaned over Lucy to kiss her on her cheek and promised to never leave. Confessing he's loved her all along.

He looked at Gray, "Shes Right ya know, I love you too! I would do anything for ya!"

Gray reached across and kissed him deeply, " I love you too flame brain, and you too Lucy. Tomorrow we can work all this out."

They all fell asleep in each other's arms, full of love and bliss.

This has no beta and I did a quick read to make sure I edited it okay!

[biscuits-of-bagend]

May your Omens be Merry #6

--- Previous Post ---

Aziraphale and Crowley at the Ritz, discussing what they should do about the google-scrying

Cw: quite detailed discussion of food and eating

---

Crowley was slightly late to their meeting - some devilish influence had leaked into the Bentley recently and now it couldn’t be on time for anything - and of course Aziraphale had got there early. Or at least long enough ago to order an appetizer for himself and start chit-chatting with it. Crowley wandered through the scattered little white tables then sat down across from his best friend. Aziraphale smiled at him as he looked up from his food.

“What you got there then?” Crowley asked.

Through a mouthful of green leaves, Aziraphale said, “A femta um tmat sald.”

Crowley glanced down at the plate and spotted a few chunks of soft cheese. ‘Feta’ seemed to be the word Aziraphale had said. Aziraphale finished his mouthful and dabbed at his lips with a cream-coloured cloth napkin.

“Would you like some?” Aziraphale said, pushing the plate towards him.

Crowley had been snacking a bit here and there lately. The way he did it was to chew his food until it was ready to be swallowed, make a motion with his throat muscles and at the same time click his fingers to make the matter disappear. He picked up his own fork and scooped up a few leaves.

“Huh, yes, that is rather delicious,” Crowley said. “I didn’t know the stuff with vitamins also tasted good.”

“Why wouldn’t it?” Aziraphale asked.

“Well, the humans complain about rabbit food all the time,” Crowley said with a slight wave of the hand.

“Humans complain about the rain,” Aziraphale said, shaking his head. “I learned a long time ago not to trust human judgement.”

“To be fair,” Crowley said, taking another bite of the salad. “Humans can’t dry themselves off with a click of the fingers.”

“This is a fair point,” Aziraphale said. He let Crowley have the rest of the salad and put his hands under his chin. “Well, anyhow, speaking of humans - actually, are they humans?”

“Am nut shur,” Crowley said, mouth wide as he chewed. He frowned and made the food disappear early. “They rather long life spans, if my calculations are correct, lots of technology. I think they have access to some magic, but it doesn’t seem to come from either above or below.”

“I wonder if it’s a fault in the magic or the technology that makes them think we’re little babies,” Aziraphale said. He leaned forward and said quietly, “I tell you, this whole Christmas Clause thing sounds like so much fun. I was tempted to reply to them as my ‘parent’ saying that there hadn’t been a mix-up at all.”

Crowley laughed and put his fingertips to his forehead. “And what exactly would you have done with a technicolour baby’s rattle?”

Aziraphale giggled, shoulders shaking. “Perhaps I could have used it as a maraca, started making music.”

Crowley laughed some more at the image of that, then sighed and wiped his eyes behind his sunglasses. “As enjoyable as that would be, I think we have to deal with this.”

Aziraphale put both hands on the table again. “Indeed. How intriguing that we’re now officially citizens of Earth, even if we can make matter disappear when we please.”

“Do you think we should go talk to them?” Crowley said.

“Hmm... Well, I reckon I could work on something to prevent any further scrying,” Aziraphale said.

“Oh, come on now. Don’t you want to meet someone with the ability to scry? Who knows what else they’ve got!” Crowley grinned at him.

Aziraphale glared at him, but slowly his lips turned upward into a grin. “What sort of else are you imagining?”

Crowley shrugged, holding his hands out to the side. “I mean... matter from nothing, speed of light travel... dragons?”

“Ah, yes, the works,” Aziraphale said, with a slight giggle.

“Hey, you put me on the spot!” Crowley exclaimed, swinging back in his chair. “Anyway, you know what I mean, yes?”

Aziraphale nodded and pursed his lips to stop the laughter. “Yes, I do.”

“Well?” Crowley waved his arms. “What do you think?”

Aziraphale sighed. Rolling his eyes, he said, “Yes, yes. Let’s go find out what sort of being has the power to scry - wait it wasn’t a scry! It was a google! It was someone who has a smartphone.”

“Oh. That’s right,” Crowley said. “Is that a no?”

Aziraphale held his face still for a moment, then smiled and said, “No, it’s not a no. If they give us any trouble we can mess with their wi-fi signal.”

--- Next Post ---

[minah-delacroix]

At any price (Part IV)

Universe: Dynasty AU

Characters: Minah, Sungjae, Tyler, Tara, Ashleigh, Daniel, Lucas

Word count: 4,3 k

The blind spot

“The Lee Corp gift strategists are on their way, should I set them up in the study room?” Lucas, Tyler’s very handsome mentee, said as the two of them walked into the golden room on the second floor of the Lee Manor. It was just another morning at the Lee’s, and Lucas ever so helpful was running through Tyler’s day’s schedule. Coming from one of the richest families in town, Lucas Zhang was surely one of a kind. He possessed the killing looks of a pop star —or at least that was how Jane described him to anyone willing to listen—, the good manners of the only son of a very traditional, old money Asian family and the ability to memorize Tyler’s schedule by heart and put up with his oftentimes ridiculous demands.

“Please, do,” Tyler said, practically snatching the cup of coffee one of the maids was about to serve to Lucas before sitting at the head of the curved glass table where Tara usually hosted her reading club soirées, but that had been set up for yet another majestic breakfast that morning.

Living with the Lee siblings was quite an experience and despite having spent nearly a month under the same roof, Minah was not used to their extravagant way of living yet. Even for someone like her who’d grown up surrounded by otherworldly luxury and wealth, some of Tyler’s habits seemed over the top at the very least. Minah had uselessly tried to convince herself that having her clothes washed and ironed with lavender water imported exclusively from Provence for that purpose or having breakfast at different sections of the house every day were just little quirks, but some of the house’s codes made her frankly uncomfortable. Having Tyler’s maids following her around and offering to perform even the most common and simplest of the tasks was one of them. She still recalled the time one of the housemaids offered to undress her and brush her hair before taking a bath. According to Tara, it was just the royal pampering they had been trained to give, but Minah still found it odd. Royal court training or not, she didn’t want any woman touching her intimately.

Then there was the excessive food and the grand buffets each meal turned into. Minah herself was not too much of a foodie, so she considered the exaggerated amount of fine cuisine a waste of resources. That morning was no particularly different and a spread of breakfast classics laid out on the table: exotic fineries like British tea mixes Minah had never heard of before, macarons from Tyler’s personal patissier, small cakes with the Lee family’s coat of arms —two dragons intertwined by a cross flory over a per saltire field—, silver dollar pancakes with red fruits, toasted English muffins, four different types of yogurt, you name it.

“Good morning, Miss Delacroix”  Minah couldn’t help but smile that little satisfied grin of hers she reserved for men of his kind when Lucas sat across the table, bowing at her the slightest bit. Breakfast had suddenly become ten times more fulfilling with a man as beautiful around.

“Did you sleep well, darling?” Tyler cleared his throat, directing a fleeting, charming smile at Minah, who sat to his right dressed in a luxurious champagne peignoir that hugged every curve of her body. Then he eyed Lucas, pointing at the iPad with a very detailed schedule glowing on its screen.

“After the meeting with the-“ Whatever Lucas was planning to say, it was disrupted by his phone loudly ringing in the pocket of his Anderson & Sheppard jacket. He picked the call and almost immediately mouthed a “they’re here” to Tyler. Lucas pushed the chair back and stood up excusing himself with Minah with another bow before disappearing through the arched entrance.

“Is Mr. Choi up yet?” Tyler ignored the little pout Minah’s lip stuck out in and asked to no one in particular, though if Minah had to guess, he was talking to Mrs. Chu, his elderly Singaporean nanny.

“I’m afraid not” She replied, barely looking up from her phone. She was lounging on a chaise long, focused on her favorite mobile game. “He said he needed to catch up on his sleep,” She said before muttering to herself “As though he didn’t sleep enough already”.

“Well, please let him know I’ll be in the study room with the gift strategists in case he needs anything” Tyler reached to grab a pitcher of orange juice, but one of the maids standing nearby pounced forward to serve him.

“Gift strategists?” Minah asked, blowing softly on the surface of her cup of pine nut and apricot tea.

“Gifts for our clients” Tyler replied naturally “I mean, my family company’s” he corrected himself as the maid placed a bowl of fruit and greek yogurt in front of him “We are sponsoring The Royal Exchange's annual tree lighting ceremony this year. I thought we’d hand the gifts there-” He trailed off, a slightly concerned expression of disbelief crossed his face  “Don’t tell me, you forgot the year-end business presents for our company”

Minah shook her head fervently although Tyler was not mistaken. With the stress of dealing with her family and her mind occupied by thoughts of Sungjae, she’d completely forgot about the business presents she was supposed to prepare. “What do you take me for?” She chuckled “Of course Maison Envoûté has something in the works."  

“Do I get one of these gifts too?” Daniel Choi swept into the impromptu breakfast room and sat down across from Minah, admiring the food waiting for him.

“No, your life has been one big Christmas morning since you arrived” Minah faked a sweet smile at Tyler’s friend, who was meant to be visiting from New York for a week, but who’d already prolonged his stay a couple of times. Minah thought she had reasons to worry about him and how much of a distraction he’d represented since he set foot at the Manor. Tyler would often forget appointments because Daniel was around doing God knows what to keep him off his duties.

“You two behave, I’ll be in the study room,” Tyler said trying not to giggle at the way his business partner and his best friend looked at each other —as though they were planning each other’s funeral. “See you at the office, Min” Tyler gave Minah a quick soft kiss on the forehead before exiting the room, causing Daniel to fake retching noises.

“So what are you gonna do?” Daniel asked once Tyler was gone. Minah looked  over at him with a serious and inquiring face, so he added “About the client gifts you don’t have?” With an eye roll.

“Like I said it’s in the works” Minah glared at Daniel so forcefully she was surprised he didn’t retreat then.

“Tyler might’ve bought your act, but he’s nice and he gives people more credit than they deserve” He sneered as one of the maids offered him a basket of pastries. He picked a croissant. “I’ve been here two weeks and I already know you have a blind spot when it comes to thinking about other people” He looked like he was going to add something else but he thought better and simply forced himself to smile at Minah

“I have no blind spots. I see all spots.” Minah picked a strawberry and took a bite “Just like I see you eating your croissants while you may be desperately trying to claim a seat at this table” Minah watched satisfied the way Daniel’s face tensed up  “But you need to know that unless you’re a Lee or make business with a Lee, no one cares what you think” Minah popped the rest of the strawberry into her mouth, chewing slowly, her mouth twisting into a smirk as she stood to leave “Especially not me”

Daniel’s eyes followed Minah when she walked out of the room, a strange smile gleaming across his face as he piled mini croissants onto his platter.

Boundaries

“Hey, I need a shopping partner or an assistant whichever you’re in the mood to be” Minah called, walking into Sungjae’s house

Somewhere in between the charity football game and the present day Minah and Sungjae had a conversation that allowed them to get some things off their chest and agree to try and be friendly to each other. After all, they’d known each other for a long time, and ignoring each other’s existence was as uncomfortable as it was inconvenient, considering Minah still helped Aurelie with some of her family’s minor companies. That’s why Minah thought there would be no problem if she paid a quick visit to her new “friend”.

“A ride at the very least” she suggested, fixing the chain of her shoulder bag. Just as she reached his room, the door opened and Ashleigh walked through it. She didn’t seem surprised to see Minah, instead, she was fastening her belt with a hundred-watt grin crossing her lipstick smudged lips.

“Oh, I see someone already got one” Minah scoffed, trying to look unfazed and unaffected by the fact Ashleigh never seemed to leave Sungjae’s side.

“Have you ever heard of knocking?” Ashleigh asked,  walking out of Sungjae’s room and picking her bag from the console table in the hall.

A jab of jealousy nailed Minah in the gut. She could remember personally picking that table for Sungjae in one of the many home decor shopping sprees they went on when he first moved into the Delacroix property.

Suddenly the awful realization that it never was just sex swept over Minah. Sungjae meant a lot more to her than she ever admitted.

Obviously, now it was too late.  

“Oh, you mean I can’t just walk in like I own the place?” Minah questioned with a thinly veiled smirk. “Because newsflash, I do”

Ashleigh purposely ignored Minah’s words and reached to pick her coat.

“So how is the job going? Heard Mr. Rausing wasn’t too pleased after finding out you rejected our contract. Now he’s been chasing after us, desperately trying to get us to sign with him, offering us a bargain price for your textiles” Suddenly feeling vindictive, Minah said despitefully. "I guess I should thank you after all"

“The only job I want to talk about is the faux job you pretended to give my boyfriend” Ashleigh frowned. It was the first time the two of them met face to face after Envoûté’s launch party, so Minah wasn’t exactly shocked to find out Sungjae’s girlfriend was still furious at her. After all, she’d made her cry and leave the party early.

“Faux job?” Nevertheless, Minah feigned obliviousness “Wow that’s pretty classy, Ash” Ashleigh cast an exasperated glare at Minah, so she gave in “You know you could argue that me pretending to blow Sungjae was a good thing, you two came out stronger than ever-”

“Are you high on something?” Ashleigh forced a laugh. As if on cue, Sungjae step into the hall.

“What is going on?”

Minah shrugged innocently and Ashleigh, though still fuming, only turned to face her boyfriend, wrapping her arms around his neck and kissing him on the mouth.

Minah looked away, feeling an unpleasant twinge of jealousy.

“I was about to leave” Ashleigh put on her coat as Sungjae looked over at Minah questioningly “Maybe you should change your locks” The blonde woman gave Sungjae a peck on the cheek before walking out of his home.

There was a brief silent moment where Sungjae continued to look at Minah as if asking for explanations, but she had already started to walk toward the kitchen.

“Minah“ Sungjae called with a weary sigh, making her turn on her heel and look at him with those large Bambi eyes of hers that apparently had long ago lost their effect on him. Sungjae stood looking at her with his arms crossed over the chest, eyes hard as he regarded her with a raised brow.

“I would say she isn’t getting enough of you-know-what, but knowing you-“ Minah was interrupted by Sungjae’s severe sounding voice.

“Minah you can’t just barge in here without respect for boundaries,” Sungjae said, his lips twisted in disapproval.

“Boundaries?” Minah asked, eyelashes fluttering “I thought you agreed to be my friend”

“Yes, but Ashleigh doesn’t want to be your friend” Sungjae’s voice softened “Nor she wants to be reminded we were friends”

“I think you’re using friends as a euphemism, but I mean actual friends” Minah pursed her lips and then stared at Sungjae with something that resembled to pleading eyes, for a brief moment. But of course, Minah was a Delacroix, so her expression shifted automatically, turning a tad reproaching.

“Minah, you can’t expect Ashleigh to be cool after all you put her through”

Minah rolled eyes at that. What about what Ashleigh had put her through?

“You need to give us some space” Sungjae didn’t look amused, nor he’d sounded so serious ever before.

Minah took it as a cue for her to leave.

Sungjae’s Christmas present

“What is all of this?” Tara asked following Tyler into his office. The room smelled like an odd mix of cigars, fine chocolate, and scotch so she regarded Minah, who was sitting at her desk with an arrangement of colorfully wrapped gifts, with wariness.

“It’s the season to show our clients how much we appreciate them” Minah handed a list to Tara and Tyler as they sat across from her on a recently shipped Grand Model Sofa from Le Corbusier. “And to show our competitor’s clients what they’re missing out” she smiled proudly.

“Are we hosting another party?” Tyler asked confused, without even sparing a glance at the list.

“People forget parties as soon as their hangover fades” Minah was probably speaking from her own experience at the launch party but Tara nodded in agreement. “If we can butter up my family’s clients with a memorable present, maybe some of them will be willing to meet with us”

Tyler and Tara shared skeptical looks, but Minah was too busy sorting through the gifts on her desk to notice.

“Now, if you look through the list you can see some of the options-”

“Tara will help,” Tyler said giving a quick glance and losing interest the moment he noticed there were like 20 items on it “Choosing presents is exhausting, I can only deal with it once a year”

“Fine” Minah shrugged, concealing the disappointment in her voice quite well. She’d been under the impression Tyler wanted to pick the gifts for their clients himself, but she figured out the meeting with the gift strategists that morning hadn’t gone quite as planned. “Anyway, my family usually hands the gifts at their Tree Lighting Ceremony, so I guess we could send ours next week at the latest” she added, discarding all the items she’d been planning to show Tyler and putting them back in their respective bags.

“So you’re going to the Lighting Ceremony?” Tyler stood up and asked “casually”, which earned him an eye roll from his sister.

“Of course I am, I’m a Delacroix after all” Minah said distractedly.

“Wanna go together?” Tyler’s invitation made Minah and Tara stop on their tracks and slowly turn to look at him with matching looks of disbelief.

“Well…” Minah started, clearly flustered “I usually go with Sungjae” Tyler’s obvious reaction was to roll eyes while Tara’s face morphed into a grimace that looked like a charade clue for the WTF expletive. “But I figured out his girlfriend wouldn’t like that” Minah went on, picking her bag from the ottoman next to her desk as a new realization hit in. “You know what? I got the best idea for Sungjae’s Christmas present this year” She jumped to her feet enthusiastically.

“Space?” Tara asked, giving Minah a slightly cold judgmental look.

“No” Minah shook her head “I am going to make a new friend”

“Who?” Tyler blinked confused.

“Please don’t say-“ Tara started.

“Ashleigh,” Minah and Tara said in unison, their voices differing in tone.

—

It took Minah an hour to navigate through London’s traffic and make it to Ashleigh’s office on the 30th floor of some North London tower that once upon a time had been considered one of the ugliest architectural pieces in the city, but it had been revamped with vertical gardens that made an important ecological statement as much as they helped it to save face.

Minah had to take a deep breath before walking through the doors of IN-Eco Corp and remind herself that she was only there to show Sungjae how much she actually cared about him and that she was willing to do anything to keep him in her life. She would go as far as to call a truce with Ashleigh. Even if that implicitly conveyed a sign of weakness.

When Minah stepped into Ashleigh’s office she was on the phone complaining about a sponsor drawing back from a contract and how it would affect the company’s organic cotton farming project in Peru, but she was quick to finish the call as soon as she saw Minah.

“Sorry, I didn’t mean to interrupt” Minah apologized insincerely. Actually, she’d meant to and she was glad Ashleigh picked the hint. “But, I brought you an invitation to the Annual Delacroix Tree Lighting Ceremony” Minah flipped her hair over her shoulder with one hand and pulled a red envelope from her clutch with her other.

“The Tree Lighting might be hosted by your family, but Sungjae is an employee and I’m going as his date, why would I need your invitation?” Ashleigh said, getting up from her desk. “Why are you really here, Minah?” Minah didn’t miss the way Ashleigh pronounced her name —the way someone would pronounce some offensive word.

“Sungjae is my friend and you’re his girlfriend” Minah started, trying not to react at the way Ashleigh moved her hands as if encouraging her to go on and stop repeating the obvious. “So it stands to reason that you and I are gonna run into each other a lot-”

“Is that a threat?” The blonde cut Minah off.

“No” Minah heaved a sigh, thinking about the lengths she’d go to make Sungjae happy with a strange sense of concern and mortification. “I'm just saying we all should be friends for all of our sakes”    

“So in other words, you want me to make it more convenient for you to spend time with my man?” Ashleigh raised her brows incredulous. Minah almost let out a chuckle at the fact Ashleigh referred to Sungjae as “her man”, but she had the sense to stop herself.

“Ashleigh, listen, this is not just about Sungjae” Minah offered her a fleeting smile “I would be the first one to admit that I could use a girl friend” Ashleigh laughed as though she couldn’t believe her ears. “Come on, Ashleigh, you’re making things more complicated than they need to be” Minah went on “It’s not like Sungjae and I were even in love” Ashleigh expression hardened upon registering those words “It was just office sex and booty calls”

“Tell that to him” Ashleigh glared at Minah

“Wait, what? Did he say it was more than sex?” Minah attempted to sound casual but was quick to realize Ashleigh wasn't fooled by her cool exterior and was picking up on her lingering excitement.

“And that is exactly why we can’t be friends” Ashleigh fumed, opening the glass door for Minah to leave.

Trying to move on

“Why are you still bothering that poor girl?” Tara inquired sternly, looking at Minah through her pair of frameless Chopard glasses. For someone as lenient as her, Tara seemed quite exasperated

“Well…“ Minah, sitting on the Pierre Frey rug, supported her left elbow on the sofa and placed her hand upon the chin. The two girls had been sitting in one of the lounge rooms on the second floor, supposedly working, but of course, they’d lost their track after Minah decided to share her visit to Northern London with Tara. “I thought that if I tried to be friends with her-“ Minah looked up from the list in her hands, sincerity radiating from her big hazel eyes, something Tara would’ve given Minah credit for if she had not been too busy frowning at her.

“Let-it-go, Min” Tyler’s sister clicked her tongue as though Minah had not spoken. “Close the door and let’s focus on this before Tyler gets back here. We’ll talk about this later when I have Jane backing me up”

Minah rolled her eyes. Tara was really not fun at all ever since she started hanging out with that Mark Yang boy.

“Well, Envoûté is supposed to be super innovative and eco-friendly” Tara started

“Well, if we go with tech it has to be cutting edge, something everybody wants” Minah meditated, her eyes straying briefly to the strong fire blazing in the fireplace

“So why don’t we give them that headphone-headband hybrid, but we make it couture?” Tara suggested.

“Here’s a tip, you can never go wrong with rum,” Daniel said entering the room, a glass with something that looked like a Negroni in his hands.

“Tell that to your parents, Daniel” Minah scoffed. “Look, this is a work zone, for people with jobs”

“Jobs where you can wear pajamas all day?” Daniel said, eyeing Minah up and down and looking at her silk set with reproving eyes. “Sign me up”

“Charlotte Casiraghi wore this last week!” Minah explained to Tara, almost scandalized Daniel was suggesting she was wearing pajamas. “You’ve clearly picked Americans’ bad taste, assuming you ever had it, of course,” Minah spat angrily.

“Whatever, I didn’t come here to comment on your clothes” Daniel started, eyes narrowing to slits “Though I would absolutely change before meeting the cutie that’s waiting for you downstairs” He shrugged before turning around ready to leave.

“Wait! Who is it?” Tara asked curiously.

“I think his name is Seojun” Daniel didn’t deign to look back at the girls before walking away.

“Sungjae?” Minah and Tara exchanged incredulous looks.

____

Ten minutes later Minah walked down the marble staircase into the entrance hall of Tyler’s home. It was a given that Minah Delacroix was always beautiful without even trying, but she looked almost ethereal dressed in white ruffled silk shorts and a bodice with thin straps that barely held the piece of fabric in place and showed more cleavage than her family would deem appropriate for someone of her status. Then there was the fact her hair gleamed against her clothes, spilling down her shoulders in loose waves.

Sungjae had to gulp and look away when she stood in front of him, eyes boring into his.

“What are you doing here?” She questioned, still feeling bitter about their last meeting.

“Well, you don’t seem to understand boundaries, so why should I?” Sungjae’s voice was tense as if he were keeping himself contained within his body. “Why did you go see Ashleigh?” His jaw clenched.

Minah snorted. “I was adulting. All I did was inviting her to the Tree Lighting Ceremony and she kicked me out of her office” She said, giving slow steps, trying to draw closer to Sungjae.

“I told you to give us space and you tried to sabotage my date?” Sungjae shook his head, tongue in cheek as if he couldn’t believe Minah was as tone-deaf.

“What?” Minah’s snort was equal parts confused and offended, she stared at Sungjae, eyes widening and mouth pressed into a fine line. “Wait, you’re taking her to the Tree Lighting?” Her voice was accusing and momentarily she allowed herself to look hurt. “But that’s our thing. I mean-” Of course Minah briefly forgot there was no such a thing as “we” —as in Minah and Sungjae— any more and by extension, there were no traditions for them to keep either, but the thought was so painful that she still went on. She needed a clear response “We always go together-” she trailed off.

“Minah, these boundaries aren’t just for Ashleigh” Sungjae said gravely, “They’re for me” He took a few steps forward, the heels of his dress shoes slightly clicked against the marble floor and before he noticed, he was standing face to face with Minah, so close she could even count his lashes. “I can’t keep doing this every day” Minah recognized the same tone he used the morning after he slept with Ashleigh. “I think about you when I shouldn’t and I need to get you out of my head before we fall back into what we had”

The tension between them was so thick Minah almost felt she couldn't pull air into her lungs. Sungjae’s words echoed through the ample hall and its almost 30-foot ceilings, causing Minah to shudder ever so slightly.

When she finally gathered the courage to speak, Minah felt like facepalming herself. Her breath shook as she parted her lips. “Would- would that be so wrong?” she asked, her hand moving to hold Sungjae’s before her brain could even process what she was doing.

“Yes” Sungjae watched their hands and briefly squeezed Minah’s in something that was probably meant to be a comforting and warm touch, but that only made Minah’s heart tremble in ache. “I’m trying to move on”

And with that Sungjae stormed out of the Lee Manor.

Meanwhile, Minah remained in the same spot, her stomach twisting in pain as she swallowed once, trying to keep the tears at bay.

“You startled me” Just when she was about to indulge in tears, the doors of the manor flung open and Tyler strolled in, clearly surprised to find Minah there, all dolled up. His eyes automatically settled on the curves of her breasts and the glowy skin of her cleavage.

“I- I was-“ Minah heard herself stammer “I was waiting for you to come home” she blatantly lied.

“Why?” Tyler licked his lips almost unconsciously

“I figured out I never gave you an answer” Minah smiled at him fondly, but he looked a bit confused, so she clarified “Do you still want to go to that Tree Lighting together?”

Tyler raised a brow for a fraction of a second, but then he threw a furtive appreciative glance at Minah and smirked, nodding his head.

Why would she ask such obvious questions was beyond him.

...

[timelock97]

Game Changer

Chapter Sixteen: A Change in Pace

Word Count: 2521

Warnings: Language probably

_________________________________________ 

Leon decided that as soon as he could get back to the stadium, he would be battling Raihan for the champion title.

“We can wait, you know.” Raihan laughs, gripping Leon’s hand in a familiar handshake as the rest of the gym leaders sat around the too small hospital room, talking amongst themselves. “Let you get back on your feet, spend some quality time with your fiancee, family, and Pokemon.”

“Oh, c'mon, Rai.” He teases, smiling widely as he squeezes my hand, “We can’t just let Galar keep waiting to see if you can beat me or not. They have to know who their Champion is.”

Raihan rolled his eyes, looking at the other gym leaders, “Do you believe this guy? Been awake less than six hours and he already wants to fight me.” He laughs as the other gym leaders laugh along with him. Raihan shakes his head before continuing with a much more sincere tone, “They know who he is, and he is sitting in a hospital bed because the Chairman is a madman.”

Leon snorts, squeezing my hand again before looking back at his best friend. “What a better way to say I am back than a match then, huh?”

~

So here we are, the morning of the Championship Finals, the only battle being between Raihan and Leon. However, today was going to be different. Leon was planning on dropping the biggest bombshell on Galar, that even if he won today, it would be his last battle as Champion.

“I just,” he paces in the living room, trying to flesh it all out to me. “If the people want me to lead the region, then someone else needs to take on the role of Champion. Even if I have you at my side, helping me, I want to be able to enjoy my life. I want to change the tower and make it a battle tower, help the trainers in Galar to have a safe place to challenge themselves and learn. There is so much I want to do,(Y/N), all for the better. To better Galar’s future.”

I fix my dress and slip my feet into a pair of sandals. I look at myself in the mirror, the bags under my eyes are still prominent even under the makeup, but they had lightened since Leon had woken up. It had only been two weeks, but he was ready for this new chapter in his life.

I turn my attention back to the bathroom, the shower had long been turned off and Leon had yet to come out and finish getting ready. I slowly walk over and knock on the door, “Baby? You okay in there?” When he doesn’t answer, I slowly push the door open.

Inside I find Leon standing in front of the mirror in nothing but a towel, his eyes are slowly looking at himself, completely unaware of my presence in the doorway. He has a hand running through his hair, pushing it to the side to look at the scar that puffs up a little still, stitches long removed. He lets out a small sigh as his hand moves over his face to rub his eyes before letting it fall onto the counter. I slowly walk over, his eyes falling on me in the mirror and smiling at me. “Hey, uh, sorry. Lost in my own world there.” He chuckles weakly, running his hand through his hair, which makes him scowl again. He hated how short it was. ‘Haven’t had it this short in years’ he had whined.

I slowly slip between him and the sink, lifting myself up so that I am perched there. I wrap my arms around his neck to pull him close. His hands rest on my thighs, sliding under the fabric of my dress to feel my skin against his own. “What’s eating at you, baby?”

He lets out a soft laugh while shaking his head, “Nothing gets past you huh?”

“Nope,” I mutter, popping the 'p’.

He leans forward and rests his head on my shoulder, I move my hands into his hair, softly and carefully run my nails over his scalp, avoiding the scar. “I don’t know, I just don’t look like myself. I haven’t worked out in weeks, I feel sluggish.” He brushes his nose against my neck, “And that’s not all, I feel like I am just filling a role that needs to be filled. Being chairman, I mean. What if I don’t do a good job?” He sighs and presses a kiss to my neck, “I just want to do good by the region, so if I win today what will happen?”

“I think whatever happens today, you are going to do amazing things.” I move so he has to look at me, cupping his face. ���We’ve talked about it, we have everything set and planned. In the end, you have made this region better, and inspired so many people. What you plan to do, has always been with the people in mind.”

One of his hands moves to push a strand of hair away from my face and tuck it behind my ear, “Am I making the right decision?”

“I think you are,” I look at him gently, brushing my thumbs against his cheeks in comfort, “Not only for you, but for everyone else.”

He gives me a small smile before kissing my lips softly, “I don’t know what I would do without you.”

“Be lost,” I state nonchalantly, making him laugh loudly, pressing his forehead against mine.

“I’m always lost without you, gorgeous.” He teases, kissing my lips again.

I hum before moving my hands to his pecs, softly pushing him away, “Alright, hotshot, you need to get your uniform on and we have to head to the stadium. Do you want your hat or no?”

He shakes his head as he lets me off the counter, “You wear it, I don’t have enough hair to keep it in place.”

“I don’t think the hat goes with my outfit.” I tease, spinning in a circle so the pastel blue dress lifts slightly.

“Baby, you look good in everything,” he teases. “Please, wear it for me?”

I smile, “Anything for you, Leon.”

~

The crowd is deafening as we walk up to the stadium, Leon smiles widely at the crowd, squeezing my hand tightly as he stops a few times to sign some autographs and take some pictures. The crowd eats up the whole thing as he stops and poses at the entrance before we slip inside. Once inside the main lobby, we get swept to the locker room.

Leon takes a minute to breathe, resting his hands on his knees while he sits. “Are you going to hang in the tunnel while we battle or go find a seat?”

“Where do you want me?”

He laughs, “I want you close enough so when the confetti flies I can lift you up and kiss you so the whole region can see it.”

I chuckle, “Then I guess I will be waiting for you in the tunnel.” I watch as he smirks, reaching for my hand to press a kiss into it. “Need me to leave so you can clear your head?”

He shakes his head, “No, I’d rather you walk down with me in the tunnel, even come onto the field as I talk to everyone.”

“I can do that,” I mutter, swaying our hands from side to side.

The door opening causes us to look up. A league staff member smiles at Leon and I as they enter, they are still dressed in their old uniforms. “Hey, we are just about ready for you.”

Leon nods, standing up. “Let’s get the show started then.” The three of us head down the hallway, the staff member leaving us alone at the entrance. Leon squeezes my hand softly. “Walk out with me,” he whispers, looking at me with soft eyes.

I smile and squeeze his hand, “I’ll be by your side til the end of time.”

He gave me a smile before tugging me forward. The lights are blinding and the crowd makes my ears ring, but I can finally understand how Leon feels every time he steps foot on the field with the adrenaline that runs through my veins. Once we reach the middle of the field, Leon takes the mic from the announcer. “Ladies and gentlemen, boys and girls, welcome to the the redo of this year’s Championship Finals!” The crowd cheers loudly, and Leon waits just a moment before continuing. “I am sorry I scared you all with what happened, and as you can tell I did not want to leave you all waiting too long before showing myself again. I obviously look different,” he turns on his heel making the crowd laugh, “They sadly could not save my beautiful locks, but those will grow back in time.” He waves at the crowd, “But anyways, I want you all to know that I am doing okay, and with everything that has happened, I decided we needed something a little more normal. That is why we are here today! To see who is the champion of the region!” The crowd screams, and I notice Riahan walking over to us, even waving at the crowd as he walks over. “Time to get this show on the road, you ready Raihan?”

“Always ready, and I am going to beat your ass this time.” He smiles, squeezing my shoulder before I run to the tunnel to watch.

The crowd goes nuts as the two shake hands, and walk to their side of the field. I watch Leon pat his face before he rips the cape off, the crowd screaming as the first set of Pokemon land on the field.

“I think it’s time for the final act!” Leon yells, Charizard blowing fire into the air. “We are about to have an even better of a champion time.” He calls as he returns Charizard and gigantamaxes him. The fire lizard grows huge, wings burning bright in the stadium and causing the temperature to increase.

Raihan laughs as he gigantamaxes his Dyralidon, the dragon looking more like a skyscraper than anything else, shimmering in the light.

The two battle at it, and I can see that Leon is going to win again, I lean against the wall waiting to hear the telltale sign that he does. Until Leon does something no one expects. He lets out a laugh and calls out to Raihan something, something the crowd and I cannot tell, and both Pokemon manage to hit each other at the same time.

When the smoke clears, both Pokemon are still standing, returning to their natural size. Leon waves up at the announcer who calls out if the Pokemon were able to battle or not.

“The Champion has called off the battle,” he calls in confusion, a small murmur falling across the crowd, “The battle has ended in a draw.”

Leon walks over to Raihan. Leon places a hand on his shoulder, and I can see the confusion on Raihan’s face. Leon looks up at the crowd, taking a mic from the announcer before speaking, “I’m sorry,” he starts. “I know this isn’t the ending you want to see, but I can’t just end my last battle as champion like this.” The crowd murmurs and Raihan looks at him in confusion again. Lee continues, “I want to do right by you, all of you, especially with what happened a few weeks ago. I have been debating doing what I am about to announce since I came to at the hospital two weeks ago. I never want what happened that day to ever happen again.” He pauses before continuing, “In my time as your champion, I have wanted one thing. For all trainers to be as strong as they can be, and I have so many plans to fulfill that in the near future. But most importantly, I want Galars’ future to be bright and prosperous, and I want to do what is right. What better way than for me to be the one who fulfills that dream.” He turns to Raihan next, “Raihan, you not only have been my greatest rival, but my truest friend that I can rely on, go to, and I always know you have my back. You are one of the strongest trainers and gym leaders I know, and you care emensilly about the people in this region. That is why I could not finish battling you today. I know if it were up to you, you could go to any other region and become their champion in a heartbeat, except you have stayed, become Galar’s strongest gym leader, and even train trainers in your spare time. I can’t see anyone better being champion now that I am stepping down.”

I can hear Raihan’s voice over the mic, it’s quiet but not quite enough, “You’re stepping down, what, Leon-” Raihan stops and looks at Leon and I can see it in his face they are having one of those wordless conversations. Raihan finally smiles and shakes his head. “Leon, I- I’ll make you proud, keep on your legacy.”

“I know you will, and I know I wouldn’t want anyone else at my side being Champion of Galar. My only challenge for you is for you to challenge your team more, and still keep up with your social media accounts.” The crowd laughs at that, then a small gasp falls across the stadium as Leon unclips his cape and places it over Raihan’s shoulders. “With that Galar, I want you all to know I have enjoyed my time being your champion. Do not hesitate to stop me in the street, I will happily still run in and and aid you in any way that I can, but I think it’s time that I settled down a bit and looked forward to my new adventure as well. So without further adieu, Galar meet your newest Champion, the dragon tamer, Raihan!”

The crowd cheers loudly, confetti bursting into the air as Leon lifts his rival’s hand into the air. I can see it on the screen, the two of them are crying, but both look so happy.

I wait until I see Leon look at me before running onto the field and throw myself into his arms. “I am so proud of you,” I whisper.

“This is the start of a whole new beginning of making Galar the greatest region of all time, and a whole new beginning I get to spend with you.”

I smile and kiss him, Leon spinning me around as the cameras snap photos of the event. Confetti gets tangled in my hair and is coating the field as the crowd gets to their feet while cheering. We look up and smile at the people in the crowd and I can’t help but think that everything in the upcoming months, even in the upcoming years were going to be nothing short of amazing.

_________________________________________  

A/N: Like I usually do, there will be an epilogue! Stay tuned for that!

Masterlist

[bluespiderlilies]

Reincarnation | Hashibira Inosuke

chapter: one / “boar boy.”

chapter: two / “check.”

chapter: three / “in the shadows.”

chapter: four / “endure.”

chapter: five / “in the clouds.”

chapter: six / “senses.”

❝a journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step.❞ ── chinese proverb

You hummed in satisfaction, cupping porcelain cup filled with the warm green tea in your hands as you watch the sun slowly reveal itself to the world; spreading her golden rays of light. Everything around her was bathed in crimson and the color of a blush, the clouds above decorated with a hint of sky blue and wisps of silver.

You sipped on your tea, the bittersweet taste dancing on your tongue before you swallowed, warming you up from the inside to protect you from the chilly morning breeze—which was especially strong today.

“Thanks for the tea, Grandmother Shiori.” You told her, placing your hand over hers, as she was sitting beside you while sipping on her own tea.

She smiled gently at you, eyes twinkling. “You know you don’t need to thank me, (Name). I think of you as one my own.”

“I know. But it’s a habit, after everything you’ve done for me and for the sake of my grandmother, Yumi.” You smiled back, placing your empty cup of tea back into the tray.

You brushed off your new haori—it was plain black with silver trimmings along the hem of your sleeves, along with a full moon with two crescent moons parallel to each other on the back, colored silver as well—and your Demon Slayer Corps uniform from any dust, adjusting the sheath of your katana the rested on the side of your hip.

Shiori watched you as you strapped your quiver onto your back, slinging the bow across your body as she fed some nuts to your crow, Kemuri.

“Alright, I should get going now,” You sighed, patting yourself to make sure you had all of your things on you. “Come on, Kemuri. Lead the way.”

Kemuri cawed in response, fluttering her wings before she hovered above you, flying east of the village.

“Good luck. Make it back safely.” Shiori said, voice laced with a hint of worry as she waved her hand at you.

You turned your head as you walked, a small smile forming on your lips as you waved back. You turned your head back to your crow, entering the forest as she guided you to the village that needed help.

∞

It was around noon.

You have been walking for quite a while now, only stopping twice to eat or to use the restroom. Kemuri, a couple times, said that you were almost there—

You got a feeling that she was just lying to encourage you.

“Kemuri,” You called out to her, taking out a strawberry from one of your pouches that held food, “eat this.”

You threw it towards her, which she caught with ease. She happily ate away, her flying now slowed down a bit.

However, what caught your attention was the faint sound of chatter in the distance—and lots of it. That, to you, meant that you had finally arrived at the village.

You sprinted towards the noise, the sight of houses, shops, and crowds of people meeting your vision. You smiled to yourself, increasing your speed.

“I’m finally here. What a walk.” You mumbled to yourself, entering the village. Your eyes scanned the place, taking each and every detail of the village—in case you needed it in the future.

What caught your eye, though, was the all-too-familiar sight of a boar head, shirtless man, and hakama with animal hide on it. He was seated at a restaurant, his boar head beside him, scarfing down his food.

You smiled, remembering the times you ate with him during the Final Selection—no matter who he was with or where he was, he would eat his food like that. It was probably in his nature.

You shook your head, making your way to the restaurant before you sat on a seat next to him. He didn’t notice you, however, as he was too busy with his tempura, takoyaki, and yakitori.

“Hello, Inosuke. Long time no see.” You greeted him after you made an order, placing your head on the palm of your hand.

“Hah?” He paused his eating, turning his head to look at you. He squinted, tilting his head before you spotted a hint of recognition in his emerald eyes. “Ration woman.”

A drop a sweat trickled down the side of your forehead, pursing your lips in an exasperated expression. “Ration woman? You remember me for that?”

“So what?” He growled, shoving some takoyaki in his mouth.

You winced at his messy eating, glancing over at Kemuri, who was currently perched on the sign of the restaurant.

She, like the crow she was, gave you a blank look.

“Nothing. It just means you have a shitty memory.” You shrugged, taking a takoyaki ball, which only fueled his anger.

He was about to yell at you when you shoved the takoyaki ball into his mouth, seemingly making him shut up and get distracted, once again, by food.

You had done that multiple times already—whenever you said something that set him off, you'd shove food in his mouth or distract him

So far, it always worked.

A small smirk made its way to your lips as you thanked the old man with the bow of your head as he set a bowl fresh, steaming ramen in front of you and some chopsticks beside it.

“So,” You started once again, as you waited for your ramen to cool down a bit. “Are you here on a mission?”

Inosuke’s emerald eyes shifted over to yours, eyes narrowed. “Hah? How the hell did you know? I don’t need any help.”

You rolled your eyes. “Well, you don’t decide. ‘Cause I’m here for the mission too. It’s the disappearing village.” You told him, voice dropping to a whisper that only Inosuke could hear.

“I don’t care. I’m going to beat you!” He declared proudly, chest puffing up with pride as he swallowed some of his tempura.

“Mhm, you do that.” You hummed, mixing your ramen with your chopsticks before you raised it up to your mouth and ate it.

As you and Inosuke ate in silence, you heard someone take a seat beside you. Curious, you shifted your head towards his direction slightly, enough to observe his features.

He was quite tall, even while sitting down, by a head. He wore a navy blue kosode under his navy blue haori, decorated with a white dragon pattern to contrast the color.

Your eyes trailed up to his face; admittedly, he was quite handsome. He had a cute, round face—messy, reddish-chestnut brown hair framing his face. He had large, almond shaped lime green eyes with a small beauty mark underneath his left eye.

He seemed about your age, if not older by one or two years at least.

He caught your eye, making you divert your attention quickly to your ramen, as if it was the most interesting thing in the world.

You felt your cheeks heat up, feeling his piercing gaze as you raised the chopsticks to your mouth, slowly chewing your ramen.

“Hello, miss.” He greeted with a sly grin, voice deep and silvery.

You swallowed, licking your lips nervously before you answered. “Um, hello.”

“I couldn’t help but notice you on the way back to my home. You and your friend there are Demon Slayers, no?” He asked, tilting his head to the side, curiosity shining in his lime green eyes.

You narrowed your eyes. “Yes. It’s clear from the uniform and weapons. Why do you ask?”

He waved his hand dismissively. “No reason. It’s people like you that make our world a better place.”

You nodded slowly. Just what was he getting at, exactly?

“Yes. Thank you for the compliment, um…?”

“Shoji Akio. Please, call me Akio.” The said man, Akio, told you, his smile reaching his eyes.

“Thank you, Akio. I’m (L/N) (Name). The one beside me is Hashibira Inosuke.” You introduced, bowing your head slightly out of politeness. “It’s a pleasure.”

“Pleasure’s all mine. After all, you’re very pretty and it’s hard not to notice. S’why I came here.” He grinned, winking at you.

Your eyebrow twitched.

Man, you really hated guys like that. Frankly, this was the first time that it happened to you, but after witnessing it way too many times…

Men could be real shallow assholes.

You barely acknowledged what he said, instead slurping your ramen as a response to his irritating words.

He smirked. Were you getting shy?

“Would you…like to go on a date with me, maybe? You know, get to know each other.”

You slurped. After a moment of chewing your food and swallowing it, you looked at him.

Without any hesitation, you answered, “No.”

Akio blinked, almost falling out of his seat out of surprise. What? No girl has ever declined him—that wasn’t fair!

“Huh? Why not?” He asked, trying to keep his composure.

“I just don’t want to.”

“But, don’t you want information about the village?” Akio asked, pointing his chopsticks at you.

You narrowed your eyes at him suspiciously. “Yes, I do.”

“Then I can tell you during our date.” He told you, shrugging non-nonchalantly as he began mixing his bowl’s contents with his chopsticks.

You snorted. Who did he think he was?

“You are so disgusting and conceited that it’s very sad and concerning. You think you have the right to blackmail or bribe me on going on a date with you, in exchange for information?” You let out a chuckle. “I can simply ask anyone. It’s not just you in this damn village, bastard. Grow up.”

You slammed some of your money onto the counter, sliding off the chair easily. “Come on, Inosuke. Let’s go.”

“Hah?! I’m not finished yet—”

“I’ll treat you to a large meal after our mission. On me.”

His eyes seemed to sparkle at the thought, a smug grin making its way on his lips as he put on his boar head. He proceeded to roughly grab your hand, leading you in a direction you weren’t so sure of. You were just glad that you got away from Akio.

The said male watched you and Inosuke, wide lime green eyes following your figure. He was just so, so...surprised and baffled by your words.

The restaurant owner shook his head and looked at Akio with pity in his aged brown eyes. “The young woman is right. She doesn’t owe you anything. Besides, the villagers would be willing to give her any information about the demons in our village.”

Akio sighed, his gaze shifting to the bowl of udon in front of him, head low.

He really felt shameful for what he did. For the first time ever.

You certainly taught him a lesson he didn’t know he needed.

∞

It was the evening, now.

The sun was in the west, slowly beginning to make its descent below the sky, decorating the horizon with rich colors and shades of red and orange. The clouds blushed a warm hue of a deep pink and orange, as if they were shy from the warm rays of the sun.

You bowed your head respectfully at the older woman, thanking her for the extra bits of information about what happens to the village. Narrowing your eyes at Inosuke to do the same, he merely ignored you as he crossed his arms, watching the older woman like a hawk.

Why was he so wary of her? She was a kind old lady, who even offered you two dinner for the hard work the two of you were doing.

“Come, Inosuke. We have to get to the place where they supposedly come out.” You prodded, gesturing with your head to a small field located at the end of the village.

“Stop telling me what to do! You’re not my boss!” Inosuke growled, clenching his fists.

He still followed you, though.

You rolled your eyes, deciding to give in to his charade to pump him up a bit.

“Yes, you’re right. I’m not the boss; you are.”

Steam came out of the nose of his boar mask as he puffed his chest with pride, cackling loudly.

“Yeah, I am! I’m your boss!” The volume of his cackles increased as he said so.

You silently chuckled out of amusement. He got all giddy and happy when praised, huh? It was almost cute.

Almost.

You sat down onto the grass, watching Inosuke absent-mindedly as he charged at trees head first, yelling his signature ‘pig assault.’

Your eyebrows furrowed slightly in thought, mulling over the events so far today. You remembered that Grandma Shiori wanted to talk to you about your sword—and you weren’t so sure why. She has seen it before, right? You saw the way her eyes lit up in recognition…or did you read her wrong? Well, sometimes you did over analyze. Overthink. It was a bad habit.

What sort of pissed you off today, though, was the nerve of that boy—Shoji Akio, was it? Yeah, you didn’t like him.

Boys like him think they are all high and mighty just because they are good looking. Boys like him think they are a lady’s man, just because he could woo a couple girls. Because they thought he was handsome.  Boys like him were nothing but trashy womanizers. 

Looks didn’t matter, however. Inside, he was a large piece of shit.

You sighed.

Anyway, onto the information you had collected with Inosuke.

One: apparently, as soon as the sun would set, the entire perimeter of the village would shake before it descended into some sort of dark, misty place.

Two: When that would happen, multiple demons would come out, dragging unlucky victims out of their homes to eat them. So far, there has been seventeen victims. Seven women. Seven men. Three children.

Three: it started around two weeks ago. Nobody knew how the demons got to their village; since it was up high in a mountain, and there were some wisteria flowers on the path to the village. You deduced that the demons probably saw some alternative way to get to the village.

Four: finally, it was impossible to escape the village. As soon as you stepped in, you couldn’t get out; the moment your foot steps out of what they called the ‘village zone,’ you’d get sliced in half. You figured it was some sort of demon blood art.

You clicked your tongue in annoyance, taking in a deep breath before exhaling. You needed to clear your mind, or else you wouldn’t be able to fully focus on your task right now.

The sun had finally set.

The moon, now crescent shaped, revealed herself to the quiet world. She shone brightly amidst the blanket of darkness, her friends, the glimmering stars, decorating the night sky—as if they were specks of snow that clung onto one’s clothes.

The village was quiet, and there wasn’t a single person in sight. They were probably hiding, now, with firearms, swords, and other weapons prepared in case the demons were to invade their homes.

Inosuke had stopped ‘practicing,’ his pig assault a while ago, now waiting beside you for the demons to come out.

As if on cue, you could feel the ground beneath you tremble. You quickly got up and brushed off any grass and dirt from your hakama, hands tightly grasping the hilt of your katana that sat comfortably on your hip.

You could feel the village descend, watching as the trees seemed to stretch into the skies above, grass appearing as if they were as long as the susuki grass. Once it stopped, everything, indeed, was shrouded in some sort of…dark, murky mist. However, you could still see the faint illumination of the moon above.

“Hah, I can feel them.” Inosuke muttered.

You nodded in response, backing up. Your back touched his, stance ready just in case any demon was going to attack you from any direction.

All of a sudden, you and Inosuke could hear loud, chilling cackles of multiple demons. The sound sent a shiver down your spine, heart beat beginning to increase.

You drew out your katana, the loud shing! of metal echoing throughout the empty village. You grasped it tightly, brows furrowed in concentration as you saw figures beginning to emerge from the shadows.

“Hello, dinner!”