#especially if you don’t do anything for animals besides saying zoos are bad on the internet

[jouno-s]

i think maybe it’s a little telling that almost every person i’ve had the ‘are zoos/aquariums ethical?’ debate with doesn’t actually work in the industry or have any animal-specific education

[farfromharry]

Mini Valentine | Stepdad!Tom fic

Summary: Your valentine’s plans with your fiancé get slightly set back when you get called in to work, leaving Tom to spend the day with your daughter.

Word count - 4,017

Warnings - One brief mention of throwing up, i think that’s it?

Unfortunately for you and Tom, you’d been called into work on the morning of the 14th, based on ‘emergency’. It was all very last minute and caused a lot of stress for your fiancé, even if he tried to promise you that it wasn’t a big deal and he could sort something, but anyone would be stressed while finding out their plans for the day had been spontaneously ruined that same morning without warning.

You originally had plans to go on a family trip to the zoo during the day, wanting to show Scarlett all the adorable animals that she’s never had the pleasure of seeing in person. Then you were meant to be heading to a romantic dinner with Tom at the same fancy restaurant he took you to, to propose. All while his mum watched Scarlett for you so you both got some well deserved time together.

“I’ll just shift the reservation, it’s okay,” he promised you, kissing your shoulder as you tied back your hair to keep it out of your face.

“You’re an angel,” you whispered, making sure to press a lasting kiss to his lips. You could tell he was exhausted, and you didn’t blame him, it was barely even four in the morning and you were already up and ready to leave the house.

You couldn’t leave without making a hundred percent sure he was okay with you heading in, moving over to where he’d tucked himself under the covers again, trying to shield his bare upper half from the cold morning air.

He’d planned on getting some more sleep before your munchkin woke up and decided she needed her stepdad to feed her instantly, something she did often.

“I still feel bad, ‘m sorry.” He shook his head, cupping your cheek with his large hand.

“You have nothing to worry about,” he chuckled, finding some amusement in the idea of you feeling so guilty about something you couldn’t control, especially when the issue was so easily resolved.

You rested your head on his bare chest for a few seconds, just until you really had to leave so you wouldn’t be late.

“I’ll take Scarlett out somewhere, still got to win her over.” You rolled your eyes at his words, pecking his lips one more time before standing up.

“You know she loves you already,” you mumbled, referring to all the moments the two had shared over the few years you and Tom had been together.

“No, she loves my cooking.”

You scrunched up your nose, feigning disgust. “I don’t know why.” Tom scoffed, his heart fluttering when you let out that silly giggle that he adored.

“Y/N?” he called. You hummed. “Happy valentine’s day.”

You placed one more kiss on his lips, taking your time to study his face as you pulled away. “Happy valentine’s day Tom.” You waved goodbye without letting him say anything else, not wanting anymore distractions that could risk making you late, closing your bedroom door behind you.

“Mummy?” You turned your head at the sound of your angel’s sleepy voice, seeing her standing in her bedroom door. She looked like the cutest little thing, hair all messed up from the way she’d slept, in her Disney pyjamas, rubbing her tired eyes with her first while her teddy bear was squeezed as close as possible to her chest.

“What’s wrong bub? You should be asleep.” She waddled over to you, wrapping her arms tightly around your legs. Your fingers threaded in her hair, trying to tame the flyaway strands, tucking them back into her scrunchie loosely.

“I heard you awake,” she mumbled, almost falling asleep in the position she was in. You pouted, leaning down to kiss her head.

“Mummy has to go to work,” you said, seeing the frown forming on her face. “I’ll be back later, but that means we can’t go to the zoo.”

If she had the energy she probably would’ve thrown a tantrum right then and there, but taking into account the utter exhaustion consuming her tiny body, meant she didn’t have the effort to argue. All she could do was flash you her typical pout and puppy dog eyes, but even those weren’t enough to win you over this time.

“Why don’t you go get in with Tom for a bit, get some cuddles?” You were always trying to encourage her to do more with Tom, praying that she would get along with him well enough to accept him. She did at least like his cooking, so that was a start.

She hummed, placing a sloppy toddler kiss on your cheek before shuffling down the hall to your room. You chuckled to yourself, grabbing your keys, jacket and any other necessity, leaving your daughter and fiancé to spend the day together.

Tom couldn’t fall asleep until he knew you were on your way, his subconscious telling him that he couldn’t let you be late by getting distracted with something in the house.

That meant that Tom felt the tiny body that was crawling onto the large bed, climbing under the covers on your empty side.

“Hi,” she whispered, laying her head on your pillow. The man laughed silently, noting how much she was like you with her mannerisms. He asked if she was okay, checking she wasn’t in here because of a nightmare.

“Mummy said I could come get cuddles.” The girl often liked Tom more when she didn’t have the energy to be mean, so at times like this she was often very affectionate towards him.

“Of course, c’mere.” She shuffled closer to him, curling her body into his chest while her head rested on his shoulder. Tom pressed a light kiss to her temple, soothingly rubbing her back until her breathing evened out and he was sure she was asleep.

He wasn’t too far behind her, letting his own wave of exhaustion crash over him until he was back into the deep slumber he’d been in before it was interrupted by your phone ringing.

»»——⍟——««

Tom and Scarlett ended up getting out of bed around 10. He’d sent the girl to the bathroom to do her business and brush her teeth while he made her breakfast, going over some ideas of what they could do for the day in his head.

“How do you feel about going to the aquarium today?” he asked, slipping a pancake onto her plate, letting her decorate it however she wanted. Her eyes widened and she rapidly nodded her head. Tom chuckled, preparing some breakfast for himself, taking a seat next to the girl at the kitchen island.

“Can we see the penguins?” she asked, filling the silence with the innocent question. She let out a squeal when Tom nodded, thanking him with the same amount of energy.

She finished her breakfast quickly, bouncing in her seat as she waited for Tom to tell her she could leave. “Go get dressed, we’ll go in a little while.” She didn’t have to be told twice, jumping down from the seat to run to her room.

Tom left to get dressed a few minutes after her, changing into some jeans, a plain white hoodie and a coat on top.

He waited by the front door for more than a few minutes, confused about what was taking the little girl so long.

Tom didn’t want to impose, he knew she was capable of getting ready herself, but he also didn’t know if something else had possibly gone wrong.

He headed to her room, knocking on the door before pushing it open. “Hey bug, what’s taking so long, you okay?” He could see the tears on her cheeks as she sat in front of the mirror, a hairbrush and a hair tie to her right. “What are the tears for?” He asked softly, bending down beside her to wipe them away.

“I can’t do my hair.” She sniffled, looking up at the man with those big eyes that looked exactly like yours. He was such a sucker for those eyes. “Do you want me to try?”

She nodded, handing him the stuff he needed. He brushed through the strands of her hair as carefully as he could, making sure to avoid brushing any tangles harshly, and apologising if he caught any anyway.

“Ponytail?” he asked. She nodded in confirmation. Tom wasn’t exactly a pro when it came to hair, he’d grown up with 3 brothers, so he didn’t really have anything to do with long hair until he spent those nights when you were drunk. He would always carelessly throw your hair into a bun or ponytail to keep it out of your face when you threw up, receiving a mumbled thank you from yourself.

You’d helped him learn the basics a while ago, teaching him how to do a simple braid and how to do a quick ponytail, but that was all he knew. He was never sure if his versions of the hairstyles would be up to Scarlett’s standards.

He pulled all the strands in, making sure there were no loose ones before wrapping the hair tie around them all, keeping them in place at the back of her head.

“Is that okay?” he asked. She nodded, standing up from her spot. Tom raked his eyes over her outfit, making sure socks were matching and everything was on right before guiding her to the entrance of the house.

She took a seat next to him on the stairs, swinging her legs while she waited for him to pass her, her shoes. She easily slipped them onto her feet, right then left, just like you always did when you were here.

“You think you can tie them yourself?” he asked. She nodded her head, grabbing a hold of the two pieces of white string on her left shoe.

“I’m a big girl,” she argued. Tom raised his hands in defense, muttering an okay.

Her big girl mindset didn’t last for long when she realised she in fact didn’t know how to tie her shoes. Tom tried to hide his smile, knowing this was going to happen.

“Tom?” She asked. He hummed, looking up from where he’d been putting on his shoes. She pointed down to the little converse that were on her feet, the laces messy and undone. “Can you do them, please?”

He tried his best to show her how to do it, but the girl got easily distracted, rambling on about all the different fishies she was going to see. He couldn’t be annoyed, finding it completely adorable how she babbled on.

“Alright, up?” He didn’t want to pick her up if she’d rather walk, not wanting to risk the girl throwing a tantrum so early on in the day. However, to Tom’s surprise, she agreed. She stood on her tiptoes, reaching her hands up to the sky, a signal that she wanted to be lifted up.

Tom scooped her up into his arms, resting her on his hip while he collected everything he needed to head out for the day.

Scarlett busied herself in playing with the chain around Tom’s neck, finding it intriguing for some unexplained reason.

He carried her out to his car, having to follow her instructions on how to get her into the car seat, it seemed to be a struggle for Tom everytime.

Once he was sure she was safely in her seat, Tom climbed into the driver’s seat, sending you a quick text to tell you they were heading out.

At one point during the short drive, Tom glanced through his mirror to see Scarlett quietly singing along to the radio, which he turned up so she could hear better, kicking her legs in her carseat happily.

The aquarium wasn’t too far away, and before Tom knew it they were inside and ready to look around. Scarlett complained about how it felt like it’d taken forever, clutching Tom’s hand with her tiny one as she dragged him towards what she thought looked most interesting.

“Look at that one!” she gasped, pointing to the vibrant coloured fish. Tom nodded, grinning down at the pure happiness on the little girl's face. The sudden vibration in his pocket made Tom jump. He pulled out his phone to see your contact lighting up his screen. He took a few steps back from her, so she was still in his eyeline but her loud squeals weren’t heard in his ear everytime she spotted a pretty fish.

“Hello?”

A smile creeped onto your face just at the sound of his voice, it was all you needed to hear to convince you you could make it till the end of your shift.

“Hi.”

“How are things?” You let out a sigh, glancing around the ward with a bored look.

“It’s okay, I guess, nothing much happened after this morning,” you explained. “How’s it going with Scarlett?” Tom smiled to himself, watching as the girl stared in awe at all the vibrantly coloured fish swimming in the tank.

“I didn’t take her to the zoo because I know you wanted to go, so I brought her to the aquarium you’ve been to before.” Your heart soared. The fact that Tom both listened to your stories about your daughter and respected the things you wanted to do with her were just more things to add to your ‘why Tom is the perfect man’ list.

“Are you having fun?” There was an underlying hint of sadness in your voice that Tom quickly picked up on.

“Yeah, but it’d be even more fun if you were here.” You could hear him quietly talking to Scarlett in the background, something about spotting a certain coloured fish. The girl responded with a squeal of excitement when she found out, gushing about how pretty it looked.

“She sounds happy,” you commented, pulling Tom’s attention away from the girl again.

“I think she is, this is the warmest she’s been with me.”

You bit your lip to try and hold back your smile. You’d both been waiting for the moment she’d decide she was ready to accept Tom as her dad, and it’s been a long journey to get to that point.

“Well, I should go, but i’m glad you’re having fun.”

Scarlett ran over to Tom, clutching his legs and asking who was on the phone. When he responded with a simple ‘mummy’ she decided she needed to talk to you right that second.

She ended up occupying you on the phone for much longer than you’d intended, finding it impossible to get away from the girl while she was ranting about all the different animals and fish they’d seen.

“I don’t want to keep you then, tell Tom to have fun too okay?” She mumbled a quiet okay. Tom was watching her with an amused grin, finding it adorable how large his phone looked pressed against her head. You said your I love you’s before hanging up to continue wallowing in your own self pity.

»»——⍟——««

The picture Tom sent you around 1 was the thing that kept you going, but was simultaneously the thing that almost made you cry in the middle of the hospital.

The two were sitting in the restaurant at the aquarium, the girl cuddling some kind of fluffy penguin teddy that you were sure Tom insisted he buy for her, while grinning at the camera.

He followed it up with a little message afterwards that basically confirmed your suspicions.

‘She loved the penguins and I couldn’t resist, this is Oswald x’

You giggled at the name, an obvious reference to the time Harrison came over and let her watch Batman. You ended up setting the picture as your lock screen, clicking your lock button to see your baby’s face light up your phone screen.

Your eyes drifted up to the clock on your phone, seeing you had at least another 2 hours left of work.

You wish you could say those last couple hours flew by, but it felt like they were never going to end. You spent most of the time being handed more and more tasks to do that you were scared you wouldn’t finish before the time you could go home.

Thankfully you did, wanting to practically scream with relief once you climbed into your car. You felt like you had more energy now that at any point during your day, which was very confusing considering the long almost 10 hour shift you had.

You heard the excited yells of your daughter the second you walked through the door of your home. She’d quite clearly seen your car pull up outside and just couldn’t wait to greet you.

“There she is.” You were almost tackled into a hug by the four year old, the girl beaming at you. Tom helped you slip your jacket off once Scarlett decided to let go of you.

“So, how was it?” She was more than happy to tell you again every single thing her and Tom did, going as far as describing almost each and every one of the fishies in detail.

Tom joined in at random parts with bits of information that seemed to slip past her excited mind. He watched you both with a smile, silently laughing at you when you realised you’d probably be here for days if you didn’t stop her.

“That sounds like so much fun, but you need to go and get ready for when Nikki comes.”

She still hadn’t taken up calling Tom’s mother Grandma yet, but you reassured her that it’d come with time, exactly the same as your reassurances to Tom.

She ran away to her room to do as you said, leaving you and Tom a moment alone before you got ready for your date.

Tom’s hands made a beeline for your waist once she was out of sight, bringing you in close to him until you were pressed up against his chest.

“Hello handsome.” A faint blush creeped onto Tom’s cheeks, the man trying to hide it by burying his face in your neck. He placed soft kisses all over the skin there, earning him a pleased sigh from you.

Your hands trailed up the expanse of his muscly back, eventually residing in his mess of hair. Gentle tugs on the short curls were what brought his attention away from your neck.

He smiled at you, resting his forehead on yours. Your noses occasionally clashed from the close proximity, but neither of you cared enough to pull away. He was the one to close the gap between you, slotting your lips together in a slow kiss. It wasn’t hungry or needy in any way, more so screaming that you’d missed each other.

“We should get ready,” you mumbled onto his lips, unwilling to pull away just yet.

He hummed. “We really should.”

Neither of you made an attempt to move. This time it was you who couldn’t stand not kissing him, placing such a soft peck on his lips that he was sure it almost didn’t happen.

“I love you.” You grinned, rubbing your thumb over his unruly eyebrow, eyes flickered over the tiny features of his face. He took the time to study your eyes while you did so, noticing the little flecks of different colours that didn’t match your overall eye colour.

You finally looked into his eyes, those golden, honey orbs that just made you melt inside everytime they stared at you with just so much adoration.

“I love you too.”

He let you go and get ready after that, pouting adorably as he watched you strut your way to your bedroom. You picked out your outfit before hand, pulling the hanger with the gorgeous silver dress out of your wardrobe, laying it on the bed.

You knew Tom would probably sneak a look at it, but seeing it on a hanger wouldn’t even compare to seeing it on your body.

You took a lot longer getting ready than you expected to, purely due to the long, hot shower you took that felt like a necessity after your work day, and also the fact you hadn’t truly gotten yourself dolled up for something in a while, something that you greatly missed.

Tom was there as soon as you were finished to make you feel even better about yourself, throwing compliments at you left and right that left you a flustered mess of butterflies.

At some point Scarlett had creeped into your room, looking at your pretty dress in awe.

“Doesn’t your mummy look pretty?” She nodded her head rapidly, complimenting you profusely. Your fiancé knew you were getting flustered, trying to cover your face to hide from your own embarrassment. He placed a quick kiss on your head, his hand slipping down to the small of your back to guide you to the front door.

You gave Scarlett a tight hug, telling her to behave, while Tom placed a kiss on her head.

“Thank you again,” you gushed, making sure to give Tom’s mum an extra tight hug before you left. She always told you that she loved taking care of Scarlett, even if she wasn’t her biological granddaughter.

Tom led you out of the house with a lovesick grin plastered on his face, making you rather suspicious about what he was up to.

“What are you so smiley about?” you asked. He simply shrugged, placing a kiss on your knuckles as he told you absolutely nothing.

“Just happy to finally have to myself.”

»»——⍟——««

The small body of the girl barreled towards you as soon as you stepped through the front door. She surprisingly almost knocked your balance, forcing a giggle out of your slightly tipsy self.

You were able to scoop her up, holding her on your hip.

“I know, we’re home,” you whispered, cradling her to your chest. She tucked her head into your neck, trying to not let sleep consume her so she had more time to spend with her favourite person.

While you were snuggling your baby, Tom was once again thanking his mother, telling her a little about the lovely night you had at the restaurant.

Nikki could see in his eyes as he watched you, just how much adoration he felt for both of you. She wasn’t sure she’d ever seen her son look like that.

“Missed you,” she mumbled, muffled by the way her mouth was resting on you. You responded with a simple kiss, noting how her eyes were so desperately trying to flutter shut.

You couldn’t blame her, you had accidentally woken her up at a ridiculous time in the morning and she was still only a toddler who often took multiple naps throughout the day.

“Let’s get you to bed.” She whined in your ear out of protest, shaking her head in your neck. Her head raised, looking around the room until her eyes landed on Tom.

She twisted in your arms so you were only holding her by her stomach. Scarlett made grabby hands at Tom, a sleepy pout on her lips when he didn’t instantly come over.

“Can daddy put me to bed?” she asked, so innocently.

Tom froze, his heart growing in size as he stared at her. You and Nikki shared a look, one that told the other you were happy you could experience this moment.

He didn’t exactly know what to do, becoming a bit of a stuttering mess. He’d been waiting at least over a year since you’d gotten engaged for her to say that one word, a sort of confirmation that she was happy he was there.

You could see the tears lining his waterline as his mind replayed the 6 words she just uttered. It seemed to take him a few seconds to come back down to earth, nodding his head. You helped transfer Scarlett from your arms to his much stronger ones, the male making it look like lifting a feather. Scarlett shifted slightly, sighing as she got comfortable in his hold.

“Yeah, of course, daddy can put you to bed.”

»»——⍟——««

tom holland taglist - @seutarose @lmaotshollandd @photoshopart15 @hopelessly-harry @bvttercupbby @call-me-baby-gir1 @fallinfortom @strawberrytom @siriuslyslyslytherin @musicalkeys @itstaskeen @icyhollands @tpwk-grande @zspideyy @chrisosterfield @givebuckyhisplumsnow @lowkey-holland @hollandcrush @wizkiddx @sannie-san-shine @sonnydoesrandomshit @hopeless-romantic-baby @dummiesshort @itsbieberxholland @lillucyandthejets @piscesparker @mymilliefrommarketing @spideyspeaches @kujokura @l0velyevans @jess-holland23 @holland-parkers @earthlyholland

[jamaisjoons]

intro her mini #7 ⤑ knj | m.

⟶ 𝑠𝑢𝑚𝑚𝑎𝑟𝑦:〝 you enter namjoon’s life in the most unexpected of ways, but will you be able to stay, especially when he comes with three adorable but chaotic children, even more chaotic best friends and a bitch of an ex-wife? not to mention your own emotional baggage. 〞single dad au.

❥ 𝑝𝑎𝑖𝑟𝑖𝑛𝑔: single dad!namjoon x marine vet!reader

❥ 𝑔𝑒𝑛𝑟𝑒: fluff

❥ 𝑤𝑜𝑟𝑑 𝑐𝑜𝑢𝑛𝑡: 2.5k

⟶ 𝑤𝑎𝑟𝑛𝑖𝑛𝑔𝑠: some slight teasing from joon, a lil hint of daddy!joon but nothing too wild !! it’s all fluff y’all !

➵ 𝑎/𝑛: hello 🥺👉🏼👈🏼 i felt bad not posting this weekend so enjoy this mini 🥺👉🏼👈🏼 i sincerely hope you enjoy it

⏤ beta read by the lovely @luffles424​ // commissioned by @jooniesdimplesworld​ in exchange for a blm donation

⇥ Main Series Masterlist

One warm summer day, you find yourself sitting beside Namjoon, his hand resting on your thigh as your eyes flit around the room. Currently, you’re in the Zoolung Zoolung Animal Theme Park. Though, really, it’s just a petting zoo - albeit, a much fancier one - with more exotic animals. Rich shades of browns blend with softer shades of creams and large glass enclosures line the perimeter; other more open pens sporadically littered around. It’s nearing late into the evening - almost closing time, and besides you, Namjoon and the boys, there are only two other families.

As a result, most of the animals have been put away, only a few still out. In one corner, a woman stands - dressed in the tan uniform, and a toucan perched on her arm; in another section, stands another woman, a dwindling smile on her face as the tiredness of the day sets in. Part of you feels for her - you know it can’t be easy to have to handle not only the animals but also the children running about on a daily basis. Nonetheless, despite the evident exhaustion she must feel, she continues amicably speaking to the family gathered around her.

All of a sudden, you feel a pressure on your thigh, and turning your head, you smile at your boyfriend. “Are you tired, love?” Namjoon gently asks, his hand tenderly stroking your flesh.

“Hmmm, no I’m okay,” you reply. The corners of Namjoon’s lips quirk downwards for a moment, and you watch as his eyes cast over your face.

“Are you sure? You had work earlier in the day, and then you drove us here. If you want to go home, we can,” he mumbles, his voice quiet as he presses a kiss to your temple. Momentarily, your eyes slip shut, and your heart clenches as you savour in the affection he lavished upon you.

Taking in a deep breath, notes of amber and vanilla waft through your senses, causing you to let out a deep sigh. “I’m okay, really,” you answer once again. Namjoon lets out a low hum, and you know your boyfriend well enough to know he’s contemplating your words. Thus, you angle your head up, and press your lips against his for a brief second, before “I promise you I’m not tired,” you murmur.

With how close your mouths are, your lips brush with each word, and you feel Namjoon purse his lips and lavish you with soft kisses. “I just worry you push yourself too much to spend time with us,” comes Namjoon’s sudden admission.

Instantly, you feel your heart grip, a sudden fuzzy warmth coursing through your stomach at his words. Humming, “And sometimes I worry you push yourself too much to spend time with me,” you reply, causing Namjoon to let out an amused exhale. Hand moving, you rest it onto the back of his, and weaving your fingers between his, you lift it from your thigh and caress his knuckles with your lips.

Pulling his hand from yours, Namjoon cups the side of your throat, and gently pulls you into him. The soft petals of his lips slot against yours, and immediately, your eyes slip shut. His kiss is slow, and gentle; your lips moving leisurely and causing you to let out a dreamy sigh of content - the sigh swallowed by his mouth. Sooner than you’d like, he pulls away, and pressing a kiss to your forehead, “You’re right,” he chuckles.

A grin tugs at your lips, and eyes twinkling with mischief, “I’m always right,” you teasingly purr. Briefly, Namjoon’s eyes darken, and responsively, he lets out a little growl.

“Are you sure about that, baby girl?” Namjoon asks. His voice is low, the rich timbre tremoring through the air; his eyes simultaneously flashing with heat. His hand drops to your thigh once again, and feeling his fingers slip beneath the hem of your dress - the pads of his digits ghosting over the top of your knee - you let out a gasp.

Batting his hand away, “Namjoon. Not here,” you hiss, your eyes casting around the area.

It’s late in the evening, and besides you and Namjoon, there are only two other families. Luckily, the area is pretty quiet - and vacant - and thus, no one had seen the interaction between you and Namjoon. Letting out a sigh of relief, you feel your boyfriend’s body vibrate against you - a low chuckle escaping his lips. Leaning his head down, he presses his lips to the crown of your head, and, “I was only joking, Angel,” he grins. You roll your eyes at his words, but rather than responding to him; you simply get up from the picnic bench style table.

Brushing the non-existent creasing out of the skirt of your dress, you grab your purse and sling it over your shoulder in a dramatic display of mock indignation. An amused expression crosses Namjoon’s face, and he watches as you blow a random lock of hair out of your eyes. “I’m sure you were,” you drawl, a faux air of ire around you.

Namjoon knows you’re just teasing him. He knows that. And yet, he still gets up and wraps his arms around your waist - a pout forming on his lips as he nuzzles into the side of your neck. “Don’t be mad at me,” he mumbles, his words muffled by your flesh.

Feeling the light reverberations of his words against your skin, you can’t help but giggle. Swiftly, you shy away from him, “Joonie, stop it! That tickles,” you laugh.

Your boyfriend growls playfully, and nuzzling further into your neck; he presses a soft kiss to the base corner of your jaw. “Only if you say you’re not mad at me,” he responds.

For a second, you maintain your false air of bravado; only for it to melt as you smile at him. “You know I can’t be mad at you,” you giggle. Then, pulling away from him, you hold out your hand for him, “But also, we should get going. I think they’re getting ready to close,” you say.

Slotting his fingers through yours, Namjoon interlaces your fingers together with a smile. “Let’s go get the boys and go home then,” he replies.

Then, the two of you begin walking towards his sons. If this were any other circumstance, you’d both have a firm hand, and trained eyes, on the boys; and you’d make sure to stick right by them. However, with how deserted the animal centre is, and from your previous vantage point in the food court, you’d had a clear view of them as they’d run about. Of course, at the start, you’d wandered around with them - peering at all the animals and even petting a few of them. However, after about the third time around the centre - the boys ceaselessly begging to see all the animals again - you and Namjoon had agreed to let them go around by themselves while you’d watch them enjoy from afar.

That was about a good half an hour ago, and they have to be done looking at all the animals now. Walking hand in hand, the two of you slowly approach the boys. Currently, they’re by the chicken coop - Jimin’s small body practically leaning on the edge of the fence as he pets one of the baby chicks. As you approach the boys, you watch as Jungkook gasps, Taehyung quickly nudging Jimin - causing the oldest boy to retreat from the pen swiftly. At their suspicious behaviour, you and Namjoon glance at each other - both of you knowing that they’re up to something.

“Boys, is everything okay?” Namjoon asks, approaching his sons and looking them over. Almost as if planned, their faces pull into innocent smiles, and if it weren’t for the fact that you’d caught them behaving evasively, you would assume they were real.

“Yes daddy!” Taehyung replies, his lips etched into his signature boxy smile.

Beside him, Jimin looks up at you, his eyes twinkling as his plush lips pull into a grin, “Are we going home now?” he asks.

“Yeah! Let’s go home,” Jungkook pipes in, Taehyung nodding in agreeance. Their words immediately have you and Namjoon drawing to your full heights, your gazes narrowing as you scrutinise them. It wasn’t like them to be so eager to leave somewhere - especially not when they’re having fun.

As the boys smile up at you, their faces a picture of innocence, a loud silence befalls you. The dulcet sounds of the centre’s music fill the air, the mellifluous tune mingling with the ambient sounds of animals shuffling around in their enclosures. When they don’t say anything else, you and Namjoon look at each other momentarily - a silent conversation exchanged between your gazes.

Nonetheless, eventually, you turn away from each other - wordlessly agreeing that you would believe them. However, it’s at that exact moment that you hear it. The faint sounds of baby chicks tweeting. Coming directly from Taehyung. At the soft sound, Taehyung’s body immediately freezes, and you watch as he discernibly avoids your eyes. Gaze casting over him, your eyebrow quirks, an amused expression creeping on your face as you notice the evident bulge in Taehyung’s hoodie. A moving bulge.

Crouching down to his height, “What do you have there, Tigger?” you ask, causing Taehyung to blush.

“N-Nothing,” he stammers out whilst backing away from you and closer to Jimin.

“Are you sure about that, bud?” Namjoon asks as he squats down beside you. Pointedly, Taehyung purses his lips, keeping his mouth closed. Realising that you’re not going to get any answers from him - and already knowing that you won’t get any from Jimin either - you turn to Jungkook.

“Gukkie, how about you? You want to tell Noona what Hyungie has?” you ask softly. Jungkook opens his mouth, only to hesitate and glance at his brothers, and seeing them look at him with wide eyes; he shakes his head.

“Are you going to lie to Noona, Jungkook? You’ll upset her,” Namjoon says. Easily, you hear the playful lilt to it, Jungkook not so much - because immediately, his face twists into an expression of horror.

Tutting at your boyfriend, you softly smack his bulging thigh. “Noona won’t be mad, baby. But you do need to tell the truth,” you gently say. Once again, Jungkook hesitates, his eyes looking from you and his father to his brothers, and then back to you.

“You promise you won’t be mad?” he quietly asks, his feet shuffling around as he looks at the ground.

Face softening, you nod your head, “I promise,” you reply.

“Gukkie no,” Jimin whispers, already sensing that his youngest brother is about to rat them out. However, it’s too late, because Jungkook is already speaking.

“We just wanted to take them home and play with them more,” Jungkook confesses, his large doe eyes impossibly wider as he looks at you imploringly. Simultaneously, he reaches into his pocket, before gently taking out a baby chick and holding it up to you.

Eyebrows shooting into your hairline, you watch the peacefully sleeping chick. The pale yellow ball of fuzz happily rests in Jungkook’s palm; its eyelids twitching intermittently as it snuggles into the warmth of Jungkook’s hands. From beside you, Namjoon breathes out deeply - and despite the heavy sound - you hear the amused inflexion. Turning to his twins, he cocks a strong eyebrow at them, causing them both to sigh. Small hands pushing into his clothes, Taehyung pulls out a chick from the large pocket of his hoodie. Unlike Jungkook’s one, Taehyung’s fledgeling is wide awake, soft peeps slipping out of it as he jumps around his hand.

When Jimin doesn’t move, “Jimin?” Namjoon’s deep voice calls out. Lips pulling into a deep pout, Jimin’s shoulders deflate.

“I didn’t get one, Daddy. You and Noona came back before I could,” he confesses with a sulk. Hearing his words, you suddenly realise just why he’d been practically leaning into the coop, and despite the situation, you can’t help but giggle. Moving onto your knees, you shuffle closer to them, before gently petting their heads.

“You know we can’t keep them, right?” you delicately begin, your heart clenching at the disappointment on their faces. You feel a large hand splash across your back, the comforting warmth of Namjoon’s palm radiating from his flesh and seeping into your skin.

“Noona is right, boys. They need to stay here. And you all know stealing is wrong. You could have gotten into a lot of trouble - or worse - the chicks could have gotten hurt,” Namjoon takes over as he begins scolding them. His tone is gentle, but firm at the same time, and under his softly reprimanding voice, the boys nod.

“Sorry, daddy,” they mumble, causing Namjoon to nod.

“I know you didn’t mean to cause trouble, but you need to think about your actions. They’re still babies and need to stay with their mother. You wouldn’t like it if someone took you away from Noona suddenly, would you?” Namjoon continues, and hearing his words, you suck in a sharp breath. Peering at Namjoon from your peripheral vision, you silently glance at him. He’s still chastising his sons - his voice as calm as usual - and as he continues speaking, you realise that he hasn’t noticed what he said. He hasn’t realised that he’d inadvertently referred to you as their mother. He’d done it entirely subconsciously.

Heart fluttering at his words, your face crumples. It doesn’t matter how often you hear the sentiment - or how often you speak about it - because each time he alluded to you being his son’s mother; each time he unconsciously includes you as part of his family, you feel your stomach bloom with butterflies. Staring at your boyfriend with soft eyes, you watch as he helps his sons return the chicks to their pen. Once the fledgelings are safely in their coop, he lets the twins and Jungkook say their final goodbyes, before leading them back to you.

Slowly, you rise to your feet, Namjoon tenderly smiling as he approaches you. Seeing the heavy emotion in your eyes, and the wistful smile on your face, he stops. A look of worry crosses his face, but before he can say anything, you’re already closing the distance between the two of you. Hands pressed to his firm chest, you ride to your to the very tips of your toes, before pressing a chaste kiss to the corner of his lips.

“Are you okay, love?” Namjoon questions, his eyebrows creasing in concern.

Nodding your head, “I’m perfect. Just glad I met you,” you reply, an easy smile playing at your lips. For a moment, Namjoon opens his mouth - as if to say something. However, mere moments later, he closes his mouth and returns your smile. He doesn’t say anything, and he doesn’t need to. Because you already know he feels the same. So instead, you hold out your hand to him - Jungkook already grabbing your other hand - and “Let’s go home,” you say.

a/n: no baby chicks were harmed in the writing of this au,,,, please lemme know what you think 🥺👉🏼👈🏼

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[thenextchapter22]

Stuffies

PART 3! Sick Cuddles!

Description: You are in sick and need of lot of hugs and cuddles!

or….adventures and cute stories with a reader/MC who carries stuffed animals around all over Devildom.

Pairing(s): NONE!

Word Count: 2,436

Link to my AO3: Click Here

Author’s Notes:  So sorry for the long wait, I am super happy to be writing again! Enjoy the fluff~

Part One Part Two

_+_

This was the worst ever. You would think the common cold had no place in the Devildom but how wrong you were.

You coughed into your forearm and groaned. “Whyyy me,” you moaned.

Lucifer sighed. “Because you decided to go on a midnight stroll with Mammon. With no coat, might I add.”

You glared halfheartedly at him, but he glared ten times stronger back. He was too powerful. You sniffled and melted back into your bed, laying against a stack of stuffed animals and fluffed up pillows. Everything was sore, and you were freezing. So cold that even the multitude of fluffiness around you did nothing.

The Avatar of Pride hovered over you, his arms crossed and stern looking. “Just rest for now. I have Solomon preparing some medicine that you’ll be able to take.”

You stiffened. “So-solomon…?”

He chuckled. “Don’t worry. While his food is terribly inedible, he is one of the best potion makers we have around. I trust him in this.”

“You won’t let me die, will you Luci?” you said, then sneezed violently. So bad your entire head shook.

He made a disgusted face, but afterward he nodded at your question. “I won’t let you die.”

You reached a hand out, clenching and unclenching it, and whispered, “Come here.”

Lucifer looked a little scared at first, because Lucifer did not seem to like anything to do with colds at all, but he did lean down, probably feeling bad for you. So you took your chance and grabbed his oversized sleeve and tugged. He wasn’t ready for that and stumbled into your bed, and you held on to him like he was a giant stuffie. You hummed at his warmth.

“What are you doing!?” he shouted, struggling immediately. He was clearly not trying to hurt you but also trying to get out of your clutches. He pulled back far enough to be able to look at your sickly expression and furrowed his brows.

You shushed him, “My head hurts, I’m cold, just snuggle me for a bit… please?” Being sick was awful, and all you wanted was a hug. Couldn’t he allow you that much?

Lucifer was the only brother you hadn’t gotten a pact from yet, so you couldn’t exactly force him (not like anyone else would reject your hugs, especially Belphie or Asmo).

Lucifer was stiff and looking out of place in his full outfit while you were in pajamas and a haphazard blanket thrown over you. Still, soon enough he sighed for the umpteenth time as he looked at your face, which you hoped showed the misery you were feeling. “I will allow you ten minutes. That is all I will allow, understand?”

That was plenty enough time, you would no doubt fall asleep by then. He hummed. His hand came to rest on your lower back a moment later. Then he scooted backwards until he was sitting partially up on the bed, and you lay in his lap instead.

You smiled and pulled your blanket over yourself more and pressed your face into his chest, feeling his body heat start to overcome your own coldness. “Thank you.”

“Rest now. Your medicine will be here soon.”

You fell asleep to his soft touches on your head and back, warm and comforted.

_+_

“Noooo…” you cried. You clutched to your chest Po and avoided the spoonful of medicine being pushed at you. “It stiiiinks…”

Solomon sighed. Luke laughed. They both came by to check on you, and Solomon to drop off the potion. It wasn’t going so well for you at all. But, Luke was like an cuddle bug and because he was an Angel this sickness couldn’t get to him so you could snuggle him, too. He currently lay beside you, giggling.

“You have to drink it, or you won’t get any better,” Solomon said. He tried to push the spoon at you again, but you pursed your lips together and moved your head.

“I can just sleep it off, please don’t make me,” you sniffled.

Luke pet your arm. “Solomon, isn’t there any other way?”

“No, Luke, she has to drink this. Twice a day. For the next three days.”

You sobbed. “Why meee…”

The door burst open, and in came Beel. His twin was being dragged right behind him. “I heard you were sick. Are you eating?”

Belphie yawned. “I can put you to sleep, too,” he murmured. He took a seat on the other side of the bed, and over took your pillows and stuffies. You let him, he was warm and smelled like chamomile and it was comforting.

The sorcerer in the room sighed from where he stood at your bedside, hovering with a potion bottle in one hand and spoonful of the same substance in the other. He looked frustrated, but that didn’t mean you felt sympathy. You were not taking that stuff. “She just needs to drink this and go to bed. A little help would be great,” he said dryly.

Beel frowned at the potion. “It smells.”

You nodded sadly.

“But if she has to,” Beel continued.

You gasped. “Beel, no!” You were betrayed.

Belphie chuckled. “Here we go.”

What did that mean?

Suddenly, Beel was on the bed on his knees. You were so shocked you gasped, and in that shock he had taken the spoon from Solomon and shoved it between your open lips. You tried to move away before anything could happen, but his hand held the back of your head and his hand was so big and he was so strong you were defeated.

You swallowed, and then cried. Belphie and Luke both hushed you and pet your head and arms, Beel getting off the bed and doing the same.

“That—was—icky!” you cried. Your mouth tasted like sour candy, and you hated sour candy.

Beel shushed you. “You did such a good job,” he said. He put his hand on your forehead, and it was hot. “You need to rest, your fever is high and you need to sleep. Belphie?”

“On it,” the younger twin said.

You were put on your side, Belphie behind you, and Luke took this as his time to move. He frowned at you but let the twins do their job. Still, he handed you Po, who had fallen off the bed, and you thanked him.

Belphie’s voice was in your ear, and you couldn’t recall what he was saying exactly but the intention was clear: go to sleep. And you did, with a terrible taste in your mouth.

_+_

“She looks so pale, poor lovely,” Asmo pouted.

“We should give her something to eat,” Beel said.

“Can she even eat?” Mammon asked.

“Of course she can, dufus,” Satan responded. “She can have broths and tea, and probably some crackers and juice. And of course she needs to rehydrate so lots of water.”

You felt surrounded and like a Zoo animal. You were laying on the common room sofa, having had 2 days of drinking Solomon’s nasty potion and lots of bedrest. Lucifer gave you permission to leave the bedroom as long as you stayed in this one room.

So of course, everyone came to see you. You came in around noon after waking up late, and had been in here quietly for a few hours before they came home from RAD.

“Ah, she looks so cute with her stuffed doggy, though, doesn’t she?”

You whimpered when Asmo said that, and pressed your face into Fido’s belly. He just cooed again. You didn’t know what it was, but right then you just wanted to be left alone and to breathe. You’d been cramped in your room for so long and now you felt cramped again. You felt a tear slip out of your eye, and tried to push yourself further into the couch.

“Enough. She needs to rest still. You all need to stop hovering around her and speaking as if she is not there.”

Lucifer came in the room and Simeon was behind him with a tray. The Angel had come over to check up on you and make sure you were taking your medicine as Solomon was out on an errand for Diavolo as of yesterday.

The brothers mumbled but moved away, wandering around the room.

“Sit up, please,” Simeon asked gently. You did, with some help from him maneuvering your blankets and pillows. He gently wiped at your cheek from the little tear drops that fell, and gave you a soft smile. “Here you go, darling,” he said, setting down over your lap a tray with warm soup and water. There was also a cup of steaming tea that smelled of honey.

“This is the last one and you have to take it.” Lucifer handed a potion bottle to Simeon along with a spoon, the Angel having taken a knee beside you. “She won’t do it herself, so you must force it on her.”

You glared at Lucifer, and he just raised a brow back but you saw a small smirk on his lips. He was not wrong…

Looking around at the brothers doing little things, Satan pretending to read, Asmo looking at his reflection in his hand held mirror but occasionally looking over at you, Beel and Mammon talking but pausing and glancing over at you and then acting all flustered when they saw you noticing them. It was overwhelming, and you still felt a little embarrassed being sick and fussed over like this.

You grabbed Fido and squeezed him for comfort.

Simeon hummed. “They’re just worried, lamb.”

You nodded. “I know, I’m just…”

“Tired? Wanting to be well again?” he guessed.

You nodded again. “Yeah…”

“Poor dear.” He pet your hair from your cheeks, and felt your forehead. “Still a bit warm, but you shouldn’t have a fever as of tomorrow.” He held out the spoonful of terror with an angelic smile. “One more, okay?”

You sniffled. “Okay…” You let him spoon feed you the potion, and you swallowed it with a grimace. He gave you water and you swished it around to which Simeon just laughed. “Ugh.”

Lucifer took the potion back from him. “Drink your tea and eat the soup. What you can’t stomach tell Mammon take away, this is partly his fault after all.” He titled his head at Mammon, who fussed but agreed. “And drink all the water as well, you’re obviously dehydrated.”

“I will, I promise.”

Lucifer gave his nod of acceptance. “Good girl. Simeon, let’s leave her be. She’ll be watched by my brothers for now.”

Simeon bid you a soft goodbye and a get well soon. Then it was time to eat. You struggled a bit, but ate half the soup and drank all the water. The tea was nice and tasted good, felt good on your throat, too.

Beel helped you settled back down while Mammon took the tray away. You thanked Beel for adjusting your blankets and pillows so they were fluffed up. He said, “I do it for Belphie’s bed all the time. Sometimes he forgets, and his neck hurts the next day.”

Satan glanced over at the tray before Mammon took it to set on a table in the corner of the room. “Not bad,” the blonde demon said. He quickly took a spot at the end of the sofa, and put your feet in his lap. “You should have eaten more, but that will do I suppose.”

You giggled when he tickled your ankle. “I’m full, Satan, I can’t eat anymore.”

Asmo half sat at the head of the couch, and he started to play with your hair. “Don’t force her to have any more or she might throw up.”

You tilted your head to let Asmo begin braiding your locks. “Mmm…” It was luring you into sleep, the soft touches on your scalp. Also the full stomach helped with that.

Asmo smiled down at you. “Go to sleep, dear,” he said. “The best medicine is a full 8 hours of beauty sleep~”

“No it isn’t,” Mammon said, leaning over the couch. “The best medicine is laughter.”

“Well, are you going to tell her a joke then?” Satan asked.

They proceeded to argue back and forth, and you yawned. There wasn’t time to ask them to stop, because sleep was coming fast. “Goo’night.”

They stopped arguing, and gave you soft ‘goodnights’ of their own. Even though it was 4 in the afternoon… And you went to sleep just like that.

When you woke up that night, you had been put back into your bed. Beside you lay your favorite trio of stuffies, Louie, Po, and Fido, and on the nightstand was a glass of water. You reached for the water and drank it all.

The clock said it was an hour past midnight. You were sleepy, but not from the sickness. In fact, you felt much better. But you wanted to cuddle someone…

You crept out of you room, after grabbing the smallest stuffie, Louie, to take, and knocked on Levi’s door. He was the one up at this hour a lot just like Lucifer.

“Password?”

You smiled and gave it. He heard your voice and opened the door, and was shocked to see you. “I—are you still sick, are you okay? Do you need anything? Water, or maybe some more tea? Lucifer told me that tea makes your throat feel better when humans are sick—”

“Levi,” you stopped him before he really rambled. You reached for him and hugged him. “Can I sleep in your tub-bed with you?”

He flinched, but then relaxed and hugged you back. “S-sure, c-come on it. I wasn’t going to bed soon because I have a game releasing in an hour but I can still cuddle you?”

You hummed, that sounded nice. “’kay…”

He climbed into his tub first, and then reached for you to lift you up and lay you in with him. Sometimes you forgot how strong he was. It took some expert maneuvering but you found a spot right between his shoulder and neck and snuggled in, Louie tucked in your arm. It was soft and warm. He put a fleece blanket over you both and that was even better.

Levi’s hand went up and down your back. “Sleep, little one,” he said, unlike him in the moment. He pet your hair and a soft rumble came from his chest.

The blue light from his fish tanks gave you a strange comfort and it lulled you to sleep along with his caresses. You did hate being sick, but all the cuddles were a big benefit.

[hockey-fics]

Hockey Players are Bad News ~ Matthew Tkachuk

Summary: Growing up your older brother Taylor Hall taught you many life lessons, but one he made more clear than the rest: don’t even think about dating a hockey player. 

Warnings: Language (if we’re still counting that)

Word Count: ~3,800

A/N: We’re just pretending Taylor Hall didn’t move to Ontario as a kid and stayed in Calgary in this.

You were no stranger to hockey. You had never played the game yourself. But when your older brother Taylor got involved in hockey it seemed like the whole family did as well. He was good, but you would never neglect to mention the role your parents had in him getting to where he was. Beginning with the fact that every winter your dad would maintain a rink in the backyard of your childhood home in Calgary for Taylor to practice on. And practice he did, on the rink almost any chance he got. It was in the backyard where you learned to skate as a seven year old. On the few occasions that Taylor, then thirteen, would take the time out of his practice to coax you around the homemade rink, picking you up every time you fell. 

You were only thirteen when Taylor was the first pick in the NHL Entry Draft by the Edmonton Oilers. But your family didn’t become less involved in hockey. Things were just quieter after that. With a six year age difference between yourself and Taylor he had always been overly protective and the distance didn’t change that in the slightest. 

You made frequent trips to Edmonton and he would come back to Calgary when he had a couple days off. You stayed just as close as you both got older, perhaps you had even gotten closer. And when he went to New Jersey and then eventually to Arizona you still talked just as much, just over text and calls and facetime. 

He had come back over the summer but now it was late in August and he had gone back to Arizona to really focus on his training for the upcoming season. 

Sitting in your friend’s house you look at the Tinder profile on your screen, Matthew. From the first picture you knew more about him than his profile would provide. Matthew Tkachuk. Right wing for the Calgary Flames. Calgary Flames. Despite the fact that you were born in Calgary after Taylor was drafted by the Oilers you developed a strong distaste for the team from the city you otherwise adored. Not even to mention the reputation Matthew carried with him. But the longer you sat there staring at the profile and flipping through the pictures the more you found yourself intrigued by him. And so eventually you swipe right, your screen flashing to the match screen. Quickly tapping the side button on your phone you let the screen go dark, leaving the situation alone for the time being as you focus on the TV show you were watching with your friend instead. 

It was only three days later when you met Matt at a restaurant downtown. The date lasted hours, ending with you two walking around the dark downtown streets just talking. You hated to admit it but the date you had assumed would be terrible was quite the opposite. Matt was charming and funny, he held the door open for you and paid for dinner. He asked you questions about your childhood while you skillfully avoided any talk about your older brother. He told you about playing in the NHL and you nodded along like the inside information was all brand new to you. 

When you finally ended up back at your car you stood by the driver’s side door, looking up at Matt with a soft gaze, hoping he would kiss you. The reality of the situation was that you assumed the date would have been over much earlier and ended in his apartment. But now you were just hoping he would kiss you goodnight and ask you to do it again. And you knew it was bad news. Because the stories Taylor told you as you got older got gradually wilder and always ended with the same message ‘don’t even think about going out with a hockey player’. Especially not one like Matt. 

But your stomach still erupted with butterflies when Matt kissed you that night. It was in the way he placed one of his hands on the back of your head and the way he pulled back slowly, gazing down at you with a smile before dropping his hands from you and stepping back. And it was him asking you to text him when you got home safe, watching you till you were safely in your car before heading down the street to where his own car was parked. 

And text him you did. That night and the day after and the next day too. You exchanged so many texts over the next couple days and each notification from him made you happy in a way you couldn’t explain. No Tinder date you had been on before had ever ended like this and you definitely hadn’t expected to have the best Tinder experience of your like with hockey player Matthew Tkachuk. 

Your second date was mini-golf and ice cream. You picked a flavour you hated and Matt traded you his even though you were pretty sure he didn’t like the one you picked either. Your third date was to the zoo. You tried to contain your excitement but only made it to the penguin excitement before exclaiming how cute they were, while Matt spent most of the time watching you instead of the animals. Your fourth was drinks and arcade games at the Rec Room. You had a couple too many drinks and even though you were trying to beat Matt in a game or two you could barely stop giggling long enough to focus properly. Your fifth was a walk in the park, late fall leaving the leaves a beautiful colour. And you held hands in public for more than a couple seconds, through your entire walk. After that day you started to intersperse your dates with just hanging out, almost always at Matt’s apartment. 

You two had been seeing each other for two months when Matt finally brought up what you had been dreading. Hall was a common enough last night that Matt had never asked about it. You were sitting on Matt’s couch, your legs curled up beside you as you lean against him, eyes focused on the movie playing. 

“Will you come to one of my games?” 

Slowly you turn your head to look up at him, forcing a small smile. You knew you needed to tell him. You were pretty sure he wouldn’t care, but as soon as you told him it was real and that meant you would have to tell your parents and Taylor. Telling him was pushing a snowball down the hill, the avalanche at the bottom would come from everyone else you had to tell.

“Matt,” you say, sitting up straighter so you could look him in the eyes. 

“Yeah?” He furrowed his eyebrows, eyes glancing down your body, taking in the way you had pulled back from him. “Do you not want to? You don’t have to.”

“No,” you laugh, shaking your head. “It’s not that.” Taking a deep breath you try to figure out exactly which words to string together to bring this up. “You, uh, you know Taylor Hall, right?”

Matt’s confusion only becomes more evident as his eyes squint slightly, nodding slowly. “Yeah...why?” there’s an edge in his voice now, uncertain and already on the defence. 

“He’s uh...my brother.” 

You watch Matt go through what seems like ten different stages of processing before he finally says anything and all he manages to mutter is, “what?”

“My brother,” you repeat, knowing he didn’t really need you to say it again, just needed more time to process. 

“Why didn’t you tell me that? Were you planning on telling me...ever?” 

“Ever?” you repeat, pulling back further to turn your body towards him. “Matt, it’s only been a couple months. I though...when this started I thought it would just be a sexual thing. I didn’t expect this, I was assuming you were on Tinder just to hook up.”

Matt glances away from you for a second. “Well I kinda was,” he admits, looking back at you. “But then, I don’t know, I liked you more than I thought I would.” 

“So I didn’t think it would matter.”

“It doesn’t,” Matt says, reaching over and taking your hand, gently pulling you closer. “Doesn’t change anything, I just don’t know why you wouldn’t tell me.”

“Because if things keep going like this I’ll have to tell my family,” you whisper as he pulls one of your legs over his lap so you were face to face. 

“And?” Matt asks, hands on your waist. 

“And they won’t be happy. Taylor is...protective. He’s made it very clear that getting involved with a hockey player is bad news.” 

Matt’s lips curl into a smirk as he looks up at you, listening to your explanation. “Am I bad news?” 

Rolling your eyes playfully you press your hands onto his shoulders, about to push yourself off him. “Matt,” you whine, knowing he knew that’s not what you were saying. 

Suddenly Matt pushes himself forward, one arm around your back as he lifts you up and drops you down onto the couch on your back. “Well am I?” he asks, hovering over you. 

Giggling you run your hands around to the back of his neck. “Yes, you’re awful.” 

Matt chuckles, leaning down and kissing you. “Guess you like bad news,” he whispers against your lips. 

“I’m a sucker for punishment.”

Telling your parents about your relationship with Matt went surprisingly well. After some trepidation about the whole thing they finally came around after having him over dinner, seeing how happy you were around him. Four months, it had been four months. And everytime your parents broached the idea of telling your brother about your relationship you shut it down as quickly as they brought it up. The time would come, you just weren’t sure when.

“It’s disgusting,” Matt complains about the piece of gum he asked for after you took one for yourself. Bubblemint. “Who even came up with it?”

Giggling you shake your head, glancing back over your shoulder at him as you walk up to the door of your parent’s house. “It’s good, I don’t know what you’re talking about.” 

“Something is wrong with your tastebuds,” he laughs, stepping inside after you. Your parents had invited you and Matt over for dinner, an almost weekly occurrence at this point.

Just as you're about to call out and tell your parents you were there you see Taylor come down the hallway, the wide smile on his face fading almost immediately. A surprise visit. They didn’t happen often, not with Taylor being down in Arizona now. But whenever he had even a couple days off he would spend most of the time travelling up to see you. 

“Hi,” you say, feeling every nerve in your body firing at once. “You’re home.” 

“What’s going on?” Taylor questions, his eyes drifting over your shoulder to where Matt was standing. 

Taking a deep breath you look over, watching as Matt steps around from behind you to stand at your side. “I didn’t mean for you to find out like this,” you mutter. 

“Find out what?” Taylor snaps.

“I-,” you begin, turning your head to look up at Matt, eyes wide with panic. “I, we’re...I’ve been seeing Matt.”

“Seeing?” Taylor questions, eyes squinting, jaw clenching. 

You feel Matt slip his arm around your waist and you immediately tense up, knowing that it wasn’t going to end well. “We’re dating,” Matt tells him bluntly.

Taylor watches Matt for a second in disbelief before stepping forward, his hand grasping at Matt’s arm yanking him away from you. “Don’t touch her.” 

Matt chuckles with a cold tone, shaking his head. “Too late for that.”

“Matt,” you scold a second before Taylor reaches forward, shoving Matt back against the wall. 

“Don’t you dare talk about my sister like that.”

Reaching over you grab Taylors arm, pulling him back away from Matt. He does so easier than you were anticipating, looking down at you with a look of such disapproval you wanted to simply vanish from his sightline. “Matt, go home,” you say quietly, not able to look him in the eyes. Not able to own up to the face that you couldn’t stand up for yourself, for your relationship. 

“Y/N,” Matt pleads, trying to get your full attention. He was just as aware as you were that asking him to leave in this moment had meaning. 

“Go home, Matthew,” you repeat, using his full name to let him know you weren’t about to argue about it. 

You wait till he walks out the front door before you turn your attention to Taylor. But you don’t know what to say, where to begin. 

“What the fuck?” Is all Taylor says before there are tears in your eyes. 

Not only had Taylor always been a protective older brother he was also the favourite child. Nobody would say it, but you knew it. He was a star in the highest league of his sport, he made incredible amounts of money, he had this whole perfect life. And so you had grown up striving to live up to that, to his standards. To make him and your parents proud of you. But now, standing there under the harsh gaze of your older brother you feel yourself crumbling. 

“Taylor, I-,” you begin, your voice breaking slightly. “Please don’t be mad.”

“Matthew Tkachuk. Are you serious, Y/N? All the times I told you to stay away from hockey players and then you go out and start dating...him?”

“I didn’t think, I don’t know, I didn’t think things would get serious.”

“Why did you even want anything with him?”

Shrugging you wrap your arms around your body protectively, blinking away your tears as you stare down at the ground. “I thought he was cute and then we went on a date and I just, I really like him, Taylor.”

“You say that now but in a month or two when you find out he’s been cheating on you then that’ll change.”

“He’s not,” you begin, trailing off as you shake your head. “He wouldn’t.”

Taylor scoffs and rolls his eyes, arms crossed over his chest. “You don’t know, Y/N. You don’t know the way guys act on roadtrips. Just because he treats you well when he’s with you doesn’t mean that continues when you’re not together.”

“I...I don’t know what to say, Taylor. I like him, a lot.”

“You don’t love him,” Taylor states but it’s a question and you know it. He needs to hear you confirm it. 

“No,” you whisper, shaking your head. “It’s only been four months.”

“Good,” Taylor mutters. 

“Why?” you mutter, voice wavering. 

“Because it’ll be easier to break up with him if you don’t love him,” Taylor explains easily. 

Furrowing your eyebrows you shake your head. “You don’t get to decide if I break up with someone.”

“No, I don’t,” Taylor replies, stepping away from you. “But I can tell you what you should do. And you should break up with him.” He turns around after that, walking back towards the kitchen and leaving you standing alone in the hallway. Should. All your life you had been doing what you thought your parents and Taylor would approve of, what you thought they would say you should do. But you had never hated the idea of what Taylor would say you should do quite the way you hated this. 

After a few minutes of thinking you walk through the house, finding your parents in the midst of a hushed discussion with Taylor, falling silent the second you enter the room. 

“Hi,” you mutter, walking slowly to the kitchen island, placing your hands on the edge of it as you stare over at your family. 

“Hi sweetheart,” your mom replies, voice gentle and tentative. “I sent you a text earlier, I guess you didn’t get it.”

Pulling your phone from your pocket you look at the notification she was talking about. A warning that Taylor was there, suggesting Matt didn’t come with you right away. To just tell Taylor alone, give him some time to process it. But of course it had only come five minutes before you walked through the door, not having taken the time to read it. “No, I didn’t,” you tell her, putting your phone back away and turning to face Taylor. You’re suddenly hit with a wave of emotions, feeling like you just might burst into tears. Every other time Taylor had come home you had been greeted with a huge hug, with smiles and laughter. You felt like you were going to break under the stare he was giving you now. “I’m sorry,” you whisper to him. 

“I just don’t want you to get hurt,” Taylor tells you, his gaze softening as he realizes you were on the verge of crying, knowing you well enough to be able to read you. 

“Any guy could hurt me, Taylor. Am I just never supposed to date anyone?”

Out of the corner of your eye you catch sight of your mom grasping your dad’s forearm, gently pulling him out of the kitchen. Giving you and Taylor space to have the conversation alone. 

“He’s not just any guy. He’s plays in the NHL, he’s young, he’s rich, he’s famous. He has so many women interested in him because of that. It’s just different.”

“Would you?” 

“Would I what?” Taylor asks, eyebrows furrowed as he shakes his head in confusion. 

“Cheat on your girlfriend because of all that,” you clarify, stating it unflinchingly, challenging him. 

“No.” Taylor sighs, tapping his fingers against the countertop he was leaning on. “But it’s different.”

“It’s not,” you snap. “It’s not different. It’s not different just because you’re being overly protective. You don’t get to decide what Matt would do. You don’t even know him, you haven’t even given him a chance.”

“I do know him,” Taylor retorts quickly. 

“No, you know of him. You know him on the ice, you know how he plays hockey. You don’t know him as a person, as my...boyfriend.” It was the first time you were officially using that label. Boyfriend. Even though it had been almost four months and the understanding was there that he was your boyfriend and you were his girlfriend you had never found yourself saying it out loud. 

Taylor shakes his head, stepping away from the counter. “I clearly can’t change your mind so I’m going to let this go for now so we can have dinner as a family but just know that doesn’t mean I approve of it.”

Turning your head you watch as Taylor walks out of the kitchen to find your parents. And for a few minutes you just stand there, speechless, motionless, like you couldn’t comprehend anything that had just happened. But when your parents come back into the room you try to push it all away. Because Taylor was right, he was back for a short amount of time and even though things weren’t great with you two you needed to let your parents have their time to be just that, parents. 

The dinner passes by slowly and you try to stay engaged in the conversation. But it doesn’t take much for your mind to be pulled to other thoughts. To thoughts of Matt. At first simply worried about him being upset. But your worry begins to merge with Taylor’s words and suddenly you’re concerned about so much more. Other people. Would Matt cheat on you? Would he have left tonight, upset at you and called someone else? Someone who wouldn’t tell him to go home. 

After dinner your parents move on to dessert before then convincing you to stay for a little longer to visit. And by the time you manage to get yourself out of there it’s almost 11 and you had yet to hear from Matt. You texted him at 10:30, getting nothing more than a ‘delivered’ to signify it had even gotten to him. 

After the night is over you walk outside, getting in the Uber you had ordered. Matt had driven you both there, anticipating you would end up back at your apartment or his. It didn’t matter where but you two were supposed to be together all night. 

When the Uber pulls up in front of your apartment you climb out, feeling an emptiness in your chest. You had never felt such disappointment from your brother. You had never pushed someone away so coldly like you had with Matt. Walking up to the lobby door you open your purse, fumbling for your keys at the bottom. 

“Y/N.”

Spinning around quickly you watch Matt jog up towards you, only now noticing his car parked in one of the visitor spots. “What are you doing?” you exclaim, your eyes taking in his appearance. Ruffled hair, heavy eyes. “Why didn’t you answer my text?”

“Sorry, I fell asleep,” he admits. “I didn’t think you would be there that long.”

“You were sleeping in your car?” you ask in disbelief. 

“Well I wasn’t planning to. But you try spending five hours in your parked car with nothing else to do.”

“Why?...Why didn’t you go home? Oh my god, have you just been here this whole time? Matt, what the fuck? You’re such an idiot.”

“Well I did go and have dinner a couple hours ago,” he mutters sheepishly. “I was just worried...I don’t know, I just needed to talk to you, to see you.”

“You were worried...worried about what?”

Matt looks around, not making eye contact with you. He seemed suddenly flustered, panicky. Stepping closer you reach over, sliding your hand into one of Matt’s. “What were you worried about?” you whisper. 

Matt finally looks down at you, squeezing your hand as he pulls you a little closer. “Losing you,” he says quietly, reaching over and pushing a piece of your hair behind your ear, his hand slowly dropping back down to his side. 

You’re speechless for a few minutes, doing nothing more than staring blankly up at him. Taylor’s words suddenly didn’t seem as loud, didn’t carry as much weight. Because the way Matt was looking at you, the vulnerability in his words, you felt like you could trust him completely. “You won’t,” you finally manage to get out, letting go of his hand and wrapping your arms around him. 

Matt’s arms circle quickly around your waist, pulling you into his body till you're balancing on your tiptoes, clutching at him like you were trying to physically prove he wouldn’t lose you. “Can we go inside now? It’s cold out here,” you whisper. 

Matt moves his hands from your waist to the backs of your thighs, suddenly scooping you off the ground. “Matt,” you shriek in surprise, grasping onto him tighter as you wrap your legs around his waist. “Put me down,” you giggle, looking into his eyes. 

“Fine,” Matt huffs, slowly lowering you back to the ground. “But only because we’re going to pick it right back up when we’re inside.”

Shaking your head you roll your eyes playfully, fishing your keys out of your purse. Grabbing Matt’s hand you pull him along behind you into your apartment building, glancing back in time to see him smiling as he watched you. And seeing the way he was looking at you, so enthralled by you, only cemented your knowledge that maybe for the first time Taylor wasn’t the older sibling with all the knowledge.

A/N #2: I’m not going to ignore the fact that waiting for someone outside their apartment could be a huge red flag. If that ever happens to you and they don’t leave after you tell them to. Call. The. Police.

[beewolfwrites]

And When I am Formulated, Sprawling on a Pin - Chapter Seventeen: Breaking Point

I wasn’t feeling too well while I was editing this, so I’m sorry in advance if the writing isn’t as good. Though I've been through it several times to try and make it better. Hopefully you can still enjoy it :) 

This is a Chishiya x OC/Reader fic, for those who don’t know. If you’d like to catch up with the previous chapters, you can find them all here on AO3. 

Thank you so much for reading!! You guys are amazing <3

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

I collapsed to the ground in a shriveled mess of tears and shaking limbs. The rifle had been empty. Either he ran out of bullets and he just rolled with it, or he purposely emptied it beforehand with no intention of killing me. I don’t know how long I sat there on the floor, shivering and telling myself that I was alive, that I was okay, even if my body wasn’t convinced yet.

Eventually, the lights turned off in the hall of mirrors, and I was submerged in near darkness. It should’ve been scarier than it was, but now that there was no light refracting off every surface, and most of my fear had subsided, I could finally see the true path to the exit.

Picking myself up off the ground, I left the building and followed the signs through the park towards the entrance. In the distance, Aguni, Niragi and Last Boss were inspecting their weapons as they approached the car. There was no sign of the fifth member of our group.

Niragi smiled brightly as I appeared. ‘There she is! Our little zebra survived.’

I folded my arms against the cold, avoiding Niragi’s gaze. On the other hand, Aguni frowned when he saw me. ‘Get in the car,’ he said.

I didn’t know if the ride back to the Beach was better or worse than the one going. With our fifth team member dead, Niragi took the front passenger seat, meaning there was room in the back to sit by myself.

But it was impossible not to notice the occasional glance of mild confusion Aguni sent at me through the mirror. ‘彼女を殺さなかったないか,’ he said quietly. You didn’t kill her?

I stiffened in my seat. Aguni knew what Niragi had been up to, but from his bored tone and mild curiosity, he had no interest in my death.

So it’s just Niragi who thinks Chishiya, Kuina and I are plotting something.

Niragi leaned back in his seat, looking at me through the rear-view mirror. ‘まだまだ.’ Not yet.

After that, they talked in hushed tones, and I struggled to understand what they were saying. Only a few feet away, Last Boss was silent. His katana, smeared with blood, was propped up on the back seat.

I couldn’t wait to get back to the Beach.

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

It turned out that if you’d been in a game with Niragi, Aguni and Last Boss, returning to the Beach wasn’t just a slip-inside-quietly-and-take-a-shower deal. With one arm around my shoulders, Niragi steered me along with the group as we paraded around the pool.

‘Oi! Turn that music off,’ Niragi snapped at someone, and everything went quiet. All eyes were on us.

This was bad. This was very bad. I didn’t want to be associated with the militants, and the way Niragi had his arm around me, people would think that I was with him, especially considering the rumours floating around about what had happened. Eventually, Aguni stopped when familiar faces came into view.

The boy from the Tag game, the climber girl and Kuina. They were relaxing together on recliners. Before leaving for her game, Kuina had said something about getting to know the boy, and from the looks of things now, they were already in the process of making friends. At the sight of our group, they stopped talking.

Kuina’s eyes instantly landed on me, then widened at the arm around my shoulder. Part of me was silently pleading for her help, but I also didn’t want her to get involved. Knowing Kuina, she was smart enough not to rile up the militants.  

Aguni scanned the two new members. ‘Where’s your friend?’

Does he mean the blond one from the game?

The boy tried to speak but couldn’t bring himself to say anything. It was obvious what had happened.

‘What a shame,’ Aguni said, lazily. ‘So only the small fish survived.’ His eyes roamed over the climber girl, then he nodded to Niragi. ‘Bring that woman over.’

My heart jumped. He was going to take her.

He’s going to do to her what Niragi…

Releasing me, Niragi moved towards the girl. Now free, I took my opportunity and darted away from the group, earning a raised brow from Aguni and a grin from Niragi. He placed his hand on the girl’s arm, beginning to pull her away.

I wanted to protest. I wanted to speak up. But my body refused to cooperate.

Why can’t I say anything?

But to my surprise, someone did interject. The boy.

‘Hey, don’t get involved with this,’ Kuina warned him.

Niragi’s eyes glinted in that familiar way. It had seen it before at the bar, and when he chased me at the theme park and zoo. And now, there it was again. He smiled at the girl. ‘Our boss says he wants to have a taste of you—’

‘I said stop!’ The boy grabbed Niragi’s arm. This couldn’t end well. I waited with bated breath for Niragi to punch him, kick him in the ribs, or even shoot him right there on the spot.

Instead, he shrugged out of the boy’s hold like it was nothing. ‘Boss, what should we do with this brat?’

Please don’t kill him, please don’t kill him.

‘Take him away and break his legs so he’ll die in the next game.’

With one signal from Niragi, several militants from the crowd moved forward to take the climber girl, while Niragi pulled the boy away by the scruff. That was, until the boy tore away from Niragi and darted back to the girl, blocking the militants’ path.

I don’t think I can watch.

Fingers lightly brushed the back of my elbow, and I turned to find Chishiya standing next to me, hood pulled up over his head. His hand retreated back into his pocket as he watched the scene before us. I couldn’t help but relax at his presence.

‘What’s going on over here? Is this a fight?’

Hatter’s voice broke through the crowds, as the Beach’s residents parted to make way. Niragi rolled his eyes.

‘Back off Hatter,’ Aguni said, ‘this doesn’t concern you.’

‘I can’t do that,’ Hatter replied, waving his hands in a regal display. ‘As number-one, I’m obliged to maintain order at the Beach. Could you do me a favour, Aguni, and stop driving the newcomers away?’ When there was no reply, Hatter turned to the others. ‘Niragi?’

Rebellious as always, Niragi simply looked away. ‘I only take orders from the boss.’

‘Then let me ask your boss.’ He squared up to Aguni as they stared each other down. ‘Who’s your boss?’

Beside me, Chishiya hummed ligtly with amusement. The whole pool grew stiff, waiting in anticipation as the two men locked eyes.

‘It’s you, right?’ Aguni said simply.

Hatter stepped away. ‘Go take a shower,’ he muttered, then called out across the pool. ‘I need executives to gather in the meeting room now.’ As Aguni, Niragi and Last Boss disappeared into the hotel, Hatter gestured to the newcomer. ‘You too, Arisu.’

Arisu… so that’s his name.

The two left, and the pool slowly relaxed, the music and bar picking where it had left off. Chishiya brushed past me to join Kuina’s side.

‘So, what do you think about him?’ he asked quietly.

It hurt a little that Chishiya had directed the question so blatantly at Kuina rather than the both of us, but I was too tired to say anything, let alone complain.

‘I like him,’ Kuina said, smiling. Then as if suddenly remembering, she spun around, seeing me hovering behind the recliner. ‘Hey, what was that about before?’ Her eyes dropped to my feet. ‘And where the hell are your shoes?’  

I shook my head. How could I even begin to start telling them was happened in the game? I was still coming to terms with it myself. Chishiya’s eyes slid from my dirtied clothes, to my muddy socks, then back up to mine.  

‘He tried something during your game, didn’t he?’ Kuina muttered.

I wanted to tell her everything, but the words just wouldn’t come out. We were surrounded by people everywhere, and there were a few of them nearby who were looking at us curiously. They were pretending not to listen too much, but from the way their eyes glanced over, it was clear they wanted the latest gossip.

‘Kuina,’ Chishiya said, ‘take her to your room. I’ll join you both after Hatter’s meeting.’

With that, he headed off, leaving Kuina to shield me from prying eyes as we made our way back into the hotel.

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

I hadn’t intended to cry. In fact, I hated the way I always teared up at everything like a child. But even just talking about the game had brought back the fear of being hunted down by Niragi, and the pure terror of that final moment when I wholeheartedly believed I was going to die.

Stop crying, I told myself, as Kuina passed me another tissue. Stop crying.

We were sitting on Kuina’s bed as I talked through every second of the game, the predators, how Niragi had shot at me from across the park, the bear attack, and then finally, our showdown in the hall of mirrors. I even told her about the conversation in the car, and how Niragi planned to kill me at some point, but only when he was finished having fun.

‘You did pretty well to survive without a weapon,’ she said, impressed. ‘I can’t believe you wrestled a bear.’

‘I didn’t wrestle it, I tased it,’ I pulled the converted Walkman from my pocket and tested the buttons. It was still broken. ‘It didn’t have any effect. It was like the animals weren’t real. They didn’t react to injuries like normal ones would.’

Kuina nodded, understanding. ‘Yeah, I’ve seen animals like that in games before. It’s like they’ve been designed specially to kill players.’

I shuddered at the memory of the bear’s hot fur, the smell of flesh on its breath, the beady darkness of its eyes. Despite the misfortune of the whole game, I was lucky to have survived without a scratch, and that was more than some people could say.

There was a creak as the door opened and Chishiya entered. He pulled up a chair and without needing to be asked, talked us through the executive meeting. As it turned out, there was only one card left to collect – the Ten of Hearts. And with Hatter’s visa running out tomorrow, it meant only one thing: the militant sect was going to take over sooner rather than later.

With his explanation over, Chishiya looked to me, waiting. ‘Your game,’ he said, ‘what happened?’

I repeated everything I’d told to Kuina, but aside from an amused glint or a raised brow, he didn’t seem at all surprised or disturbed. It was only when I finished that he finally spoke.

‘I gave you that taser for Niragi, and you go and waste it on a bear.’

I knew better than to expect sympathy from him by now. ‘I didn’t waste it. The bear would’ve killed me.’

He tilted his head. ‘Actually, from the sounds of it, Niragi saved your life. I’m not sure what there is to cry about.’

‘I’m crying because I thought I was going to die. Maybe not you, but most people would cry in that situation.’ I looked down at the blackened taser in my hands. ‘I’m sorry, I might have broken this though.’

With a hum, he took it from me and gave it a once over. ‘I’ll fix it.’

‘We should do something to get back at him,’ Kuina said quietly. She regarded Chishiya like one would an irresponsible child. ‘This all started because of your feud with him. It’s up to you to fix this.’

He dismissed the idea immediately. ‘Forget about that for now. We’re running out of time and we need to focus on the plan.’

We spent the rest of the evening discussing whether or not the Ten of Hearts would appear. After all, if we stole the Beach’s cards and the final one never showed up, it would be almost pointless. Considering the layout of these games, they were created by people, which meant that someone out there was controlling what cards were assigned to which game. It was as if they were waiting for the perfect opportunity, maybe even a certain condition, to introduce the Ten of Hearts.

Chishiya and I eventually left to head back to our respective rooms. Much to my surprise, he accompanied me all the way to my door, but I didn’t want to question it in case he decided to leave. He didn’t speak much, except to tell me that I could lose the bandages around my arm by now, but the gauze was still a necessity.

When we finally arrived at my door, I hesitated to go inside. ‘Maybe Kuina was right… we should do something about Niragi.’

‘I’m surprised,’ he said, considering me with a sigh. ‘I thought you knew me well by now.’ Then putting in his headphones, he disappeared.

If I didn’t know any better, I would’ve assumed he had no interest or intention of getting back at Niragi. But I did know better. Chishiya wasn’t one to simply ��react’ to provocation. In fact, he didn’t ‘react’ to anything. He was always one, or even three steps ahead, just how he liked it.

That’s why it didn’t surprise me at all when I later learned that a fire had broken out that night in Niragi’s room.

[classic80sand90smovieloves2]

Meeting and Dating Ray Stantz

(Not my gif)(Requested by anonymous)

- You first met Ray when you were both still working at the University. You worked down the hall from him and would run into him frequently.

- In the mornings, the two of you would arrive at the same time and he’d open the door for you. You’d make small talk whenever you ended up in the same room or walking in the same direction and he was always willing to lend you something; or a hand, if you needed it. You didn’t know him incredibly well but you did know that he was a sweet guy.

- Ray had a major crush on you. He pretty much fell for you the moment he saw you but his own insecurities kept him from trying to do anything about it. You were smart, gorgeous, and had an amazing personality. What would you want with him?

- It takes him a while to actually ask you out. He keeps going back and forth on whether or not he should, wondering if he’s willing to make a fool of himself just for the off chance that you’ll agree. Peter has a field day with him when he’s in this state, constantly teasing and prodding, urging him to just get it over with and see what you say.

- There was definitely a few instances of him approaching you and/or opening his mouth to say something to you, then quickly shutting it and excusing himself with an apology. It takes him nearly a year to actually go through with it.

- You were just leaving the building and preparing for your walk home when he caught up with you and somewhat shyly asked if you would like to have dinner with him sometime. To his utter shock, you smiled and agreed, and the two of you made plans to meet.

- The two of you went out to a not so fancy restaurant which was perfect for the occasion. He felt like he was walking on clouds the entire night; here he was, with you, and you actually seemed to like him. What were the odds that you would actually like him?

- But regardless of his disbelief over how lucky he was, the two of you had a really great time together and you were happy to see him again the next day at the university.

- The two of you shared your first kiss on your third date. He was walking you home and you were both stood in front of your door, saying goodbye. You were just about to walk inside when you paused, turning around and placing a gentle kiss on his lips before saying goodnight again and closing your door.

- He was frozen in shock for a good minute and a half but you should have seen the smile on his face.

- It wasn’t long before the two of you considered yourselves a couple, and he couldn’t have been happier.

- Ray is a big sweetheart and you can’t convince me otherwise, though I doubt you would even try. You’ll never meet another man who treats you so right.

- He loves Pda, especially when people recognize him in public. He feels particularly cool with you hanging on his arm.

- Quick giddy kisses. 

- He keeps his hand on your lower back whenever you’re standing together, it’s just a habit of his. 

- He likes using nicknames; he thinks they’re cute. He usually just calls you things like honey, sweetheart, and beautiful; he’s somewhat old fashioned in that regard. He wouldn’t even mind you calling him pet names. In fact, he’d probably love it. 

- He’s a strong boy and proud of it! Ask him to hold something! Ask him to open a pickle jar! Ask him to carry you! He’s got it covered! …Although, occasionally he wont be able to open the pickle jar and you might actually show him up when trying it again for yourself. 

- Cheek kisses. He wraps an arm around your neck and pulls you in, pressing his lips to your cheek enthusiastically and smiling down at you.

- Stealing his sweaters. They’re big and cozy and he melts every time he sees you wearing them.

- Takeout meals. You order in or pick something up at least once a week.

- He’s not afraid to make a fool out of himself so the two of you always have a great time together, filled with jokes and stupid/ridiculous behavior. He loves being able to make you laugh. 

- Cuddling? Sign him the fuck up! No matter what you’re doing, he’ll find a way to squeeze himself beside you and wrap himself around you in some way. Whenever you’re going to bed, you’ll rest your head on his chest with his arms wrapped around you; …or you’ll just be laying almost completely on top of him. 

- A lot of your dates are going to be interrupted, it just sort of comes with the territory. When something strange is in the neighborhood, he’s the one being called so you just have to be patient and understanding. He always makes it up to you anyway.

- Occasionally, he’ll stop and pick up flowers or a movie you’ve been wanting to see from the rental place on his way home. He likes surprising you with something nice, especially if he was called away when you were supposed to spend time together.

- Becoming close with Egon, Winston and Peter. You see them constantly so it’s sort of hard not to.

- Sticking by his side and cheering him up when the Ghostbusters aren’t too popular anymore. 

- You may or may not be a partial owner of the bookshop. As much as he loves being a Ghostbuster, he can’t deny that he likes running the place with you. 

- He’s always there if you need someone to get you something or somewhere. He’s particularly good at pushing through crowds and coming up with things to say that will make it easier for you to do what you have to do. He also just doesn’t take no for an answer so, ya know. 

- He’s a total pushover when it comes to you. You can always convince him to do something for you.

- Ray looks like he knows how to fix things. He looks and acts like a man I could trust with my things. If my car broke down, his smiling face would be the one I would ask to help me. So, if you need anything fixed around your house, all you have to do is ask. 

- Little traditions. Things like watching a specific show after dinner, going to a certain place every weekend or eating certain things on certain days. 

- He loves hugs, they’re pretty much his favorite thing in the entire world.

- Random playful harassment. He kind of likes to tease you, jokingly making fun of and tickling you. He thinks the way you react is cute and it’s usually after you do or say something to him so technically it’s revenge. 

- Now, I’m not saying that Ray owns action figures or other toys of that nature, but Ray would definitely be the type to own them.... You may or may not have a little shelf full of figures when you move in together. 

- He’s a big fan of going to zoos. You practically know the animals at your local zoo by name from how many times you go to see them. 

- Carnival and amusement park dates. 

- He gets this dopey smile on his face whenever you try to give him a massage or dote on him in anyway. He’s just so overjoyed that you actually like him and care about his wellbeing. He also just loves the feeling of your hands. 

- Ray sort of craves domesticity. Seeing you wearing one of his shirts and cooking breakfast or being there to welcome him home after work or surprising him by doing some chores would literally make him melt. He’s a centimeter away from proposing to you on the spot.

- The two of you are pretty much the epitome of two best friends dating. You have the time of your lives together and are always completely comfortable and happy in each others presences. 

- Walking around New York together. You wind up just wandering around the city a lot, occasionally stopping for food or drinks or whatever comes to mind when you pass a store. 

- He isn’t the most sensitive person to talk to when you’re upset or scared about something but he apologizes when he goes off on a tangent or says the wrong thing. Don’t blame him too much, he’s got a skewed view of what’s considered a problem rather than a good scientific discovery. 

- Ray gets easily excited about a lot of things, he’s sort of like a puppy at times so even though you might not be so amused with a situation, he’ll be incredibly happy. Whenever he notices that you aren’t thrilled, he’ll usually just give you a sheepish smile and a “sorry honey”. 

- Having him randomly show up and borderline embarrass you when something big is found out. Just picture the restaurant scene from the second movie.

- Visiting him at the office. 

- Letting him gush to you about the paranormal and supernatural. 

- Helping him with his research, experiments, and invention. He loves having you around and hearing your input.  

- He’s definitely named something after you, whether it be a theory, project or machine he’s created. It’s cute, in a geeky sort of way. 

- Be prepared to get scared and not just by ghosts. Sometimes Ray will just pop into view out of nowhere, excitedly talking about something he just saw and scaring the living daylights out of you. He doesn’t understand why you’re looking at him like that, did he do something wrong? 

- He works with all things supernatural and paranormal; he’s seen a lot over the years and because of that, he’s gradually gotten more and more protective of you over time. Wouldn’t you if you knew that evil slime once ran wild underneath your girlfriends apartment? 

- He gets particularly miffed when jealous, not livid or angry just …miffed. You know he’s not upset with you but you can tell that something is bothering him. Occasionally, you won’t even have to figure out what because he’ll insult whoever he’s jealous of like he’s talking about the weather. 

- The two of you don’t really fight all too often, you rarely have a reason too, even though your lives are incredibly hectic most of the time. He doesn’t really have one certain way of responding when he’s angry, everything depend on the situation. One day, you’ll bicker, the next, you’ll yell.

- He always feels bad whenever he snaps at you. Almost immediately after he storms out, he’ll get this pang of guilt in his chest and debate on whether or not he should just walk back in and apologize. He usually doesn’t right then; wanting to give you time to yourself, but does come back not very long after and apologizes, admitting he was wrong if he was and asking if things are alright between the two of you.

- He’s always happy to say he loves you, and gosh does he love hearing you say it.

- Your family probably loves him. He’s a guy that’s easy to get along with …and he’s a ghostbuster so he’s got that going for him.

- Ray is sooo ready to have kids and settle down with you, he’s just waiting until he’s in a more stable work environment. He doesn’t need any ghosties lurking in your kids nursery, even if he’s the most equipped to get rid of them.

[sneezehq]

Broken then Mended

"Do you know how much it hurts to see your friends hurting and to not be able to do anything about it?"

Just an idea that has been bouncing around in my head for a while, since I felt like it was unfair for Ruby to get pushed out of talking to Yang and Weiss like that when she's been trying so hard to help. Set in volume 5, right after Yang and Weiss reunite with Ruby. Enjoy!

Steam is pouring off the surface of the scalding water in the sink, but Ruby hardly even notices the heat as she plunges a dish into the water and starts to scrub furiously. She's using far more force than necessary to clear the remnants of dinner off the plate she's holding, but again, she barely notices. Her mind is too focused on the events of the day, especially the conversation she'd overheard between Yang and Weiss.

Yang snapping at her had stung, but Ruby has known her sister long enough to not be surprised when her sister's temper flares. Sure, some small, selfish part of her might be tired of getting yelled at by her sister when she's only trying to help, but she'll get over it. It's fine.

No, what's not fine is having her sister shove her away and refuse to tell her what's wrong, only to hear her break down and explain everything to Weiss. And it wasn't just that Ruby had just had bad timing—Yang had snapped at Weiss when she'd knocked on the door, assuming that the other girl was Ruby and insisting that she still didn't want to talk.

But despite her insistence, her sister had been more honest with Weiss than Ruby has even seen her—than her sister has ever been with her. Maybe it's silly, but deep down, that really hurts.

And really, Ruby is being selfish. She should be happy, really, to see Yang and Weiss bonding. They've always been the two members of team RWBY that hadn't gotten along so well. It's nice to see that they've gotten closer.

But it still hurts, to know that after all her efforts to reach out and be a good friend and a reliable leader and partner, that Weiss still won't come to her when she's having problems like this. And to know that despite how much time has passed and how much Ruby tries to prove herself, her sister still insists on pushing her away and putting up a façade in front of her.

She sets down the now-very clean plate with more force than necessary. It thuds loudly as it collides with the countertop. Whoops. She grabs a half-full glass, dumping its remaining contents in the sink and prepares to scrub it as well.

The glass shatters in her hand. Ruby blinks in surprise. She must have been gripping it too tightly, and now it's been reduced to a pile of glass shards at her feet. Blood trickles down her thumb; she must have been nicked by one of the broken pieces. She sticks the injured finger in her mouth and crouches to pick up the mess. She'd better clean this up and quickly finish the rest of the dishes so she can get to bed.

It's been a long day. She hadn't slept well last night, after all the excitement of Yang and Weiss' return, and she'd woken up way too early. She'll feel better after she gets some rest.

Unfortunately, she doesn't feel any better in the morning. She sleeps badly, interrupted by the now-usual nightmares about the Fall of Beacon, and once again finds herself waking with the sunrise, unable to fall back asleep. She hopes that this isn't the start of a new routine.

But with the threat of Salem on the horizon, there's no time for breaks or excuses. So, Ruby pushes her exhaustion aside and drinks several cups of coffee in an attempt to feel more awake before heading to the dojo to join the others for training.

The coffee doesn't help. The caffeine just leaves her feeling jittery, without even making so much as a dent in her exhaustion. Bummer. Still, Ruby didn't come this far just to let her friends down.

She volunteers to spar first, hoping that she'll feel a little better once she gets moving, and finds herself facing off against Jaune, their friends watching eagerly from the sidelines. She shakes her head to clear it, before getting into a proper fighting stance, fists at the ready.

It still feels strange, fighting without Crescent Rose.

Jaune ends up making the first move, and they quickly fall into their usual routine, trading blows as they make their way back and forth across the floor of the training room. Yang and Nora cheer loudly for their respective teammates, but Ruby does her best to ignore the distraction and focus on maintaining a good hand to hand technique.

Everything seems to be going well, and Ruby has just spotted an opening and is preparing to move in when Jaune abruptly lunges forward, sweeping her legs out from under her and sending her crashing to the ground. She curses under her breath and attempts to struggle to her feet, glancing up at Jaune to see how much time she has to recover.

And for a moment, it's not Jaune standing over her, but Mercury, taunting her and preventing her from helping Pyrrha and Penny. Mingled terror and fury fills her veins.

"Leave me alone!" she shrieks, lunging to her feet. With one swift move, she shoves him and sends him stumbling back. Good.

"Ruby?" Mercury says, but his voice doesn't sound quite right. She blinks, freezing in place, and suddenly Mercury is replaced with Jaune. The blonde is frowning at her, eyes narrowed in concern. "Are you okay?"

"I—" Ruby feels like she's been knocked off her feet again, like the world around her is unsteady. It's obvious that Mercury isn't here, he never was, but it had felt so real. "I'm fine," she replies weakly.

She wishes that everyone would stop staring at her. It feels like the walls are closing in around her.

"Are you sure?" The question makes Ruby jump, even though Weiss' voice is quiet. Her partner looks—afraid. Whether it's for Ruby—or of her—she can't be sure. Beside her, Nora is looking at Ruby with wide eyes, and Yang opens her mouth to say something—

It's too much. It's all just too much. She can't be here right now. Before her friends can say anything else, Ruby summons her semblance, vanishing in a cloud of rose petals.

She doesn't stop running until she's back in her room. She just—she needs to be alone right now. She ignores the cloud of rose petals fluttering around her feet as she rematerializes, slamming the door behind her and locking it. She even shoves a chair in front of it for good measure, before diving into bed and curling into a tiny ball, pulling the blankets over her head as if they can somehow shield her from what just happened.

Hopefully, the others will take the hint and just leave her alone for a bit. She just needs a few minutes to get herself under control, figure out what happened, without everyone staring at her like she's some kind of zoo animal.

After all, they're always so intent on making sure that she gives them space when they're upset. Surely, they'll be willing to do the same for her.

And anyway, she doesn't even need to talk about it, she's totally fine, really. It's only been a few minutes and already her breathing is starting to slow down. She's not shaking anymore. A few more minutes and she'll be ready to go face the others, reassure them that she's okay, that they don't need to worry—

Her train of thought is interrupted by a loud bang.

Someone is knocking loudly on the door. Very loudly. So much for giving her space.

"Ruby!" her sister demands. "Open up!"

Ruby's sigh is smothered by the blankets. She debates ignoring Yang, staying silent and pretending not to hear her sister.

"Ruby?" Weiss' voice is softer, more hesitant. "Are you okay? We were worried about you, after what happened earlier."

She sighs again. Great. They both came after her. She better respond before either Yang breaks down the door or everyone else comes to check on her. Or both.

"I'm fine, guys."

Her sister snorts. "C'mon, Ruby, none of us are going to buy that right now. We all saw how you freaked out back there."

"You looked like you saw a ghost," Weiss says gently. "I know it's hard, but can you try to tell us what happened?"

It's a nice idea, but difficult to go along with when Ruby herself isn't sure what happened. And she really doesn't want to talk to anyone right now. So, she reuses the line that Yang tried to use on her yesterday. "I really don't want to talk about it right now."

"Well, that's too bad," Yang retorts. Ruby can hear her shifting impatiently on the other side of the door. "You can't keep bottling this stuff up and not telling anyone."

Ruby almost laughs at the hypocrisy, except that she doesn't really feel up to laughing right now.

"You know that you can talk to us about anything, right, Ruby?"

Ruby wishes that she could believe what Weiss is saying. But if she's being honest? She's really not so sure. It's not like they were willing to talk about her about their problems before, so why should she trust them to listen to her when she wants to talk about things that are bothering her? Especially when it's something as weird as this.

"Ruby?" Weiss asks again. She sounds almost like she's pleading.

"No," Ruby murmurs quietly. Once again, the sound is lost in the mountain of blankets surrounding her.

"Sorry, Ruby, I didn't catch that," Weiss replies. She and Yang are being surprisingly patient.

She clears her throat. "No," she says again, loud enough for her teammates to hear this time. "I don't know that."

There's a pause. "You don't know what?" Yang asks, sounding confused.

"I don't know that I can talk to you guys about anything."

The statement hangs in the air for a moment. It feels strange, heavy, to have said it out loud.

Yang scoffs again, breaking the silence that's fallen over the three of them. "What's that supposed to mean?"

Ruby sighs quietly. Now that she's said it out loud, she feels vulnerable. She wishes that she could take it back, but she doubts that the other girls will let her turn back now. "It means that I have a hard time believing that I can come to with my problems when you guys refuse to come to me with yours!"

She can hear Weiss gasp, as if startled. "Ruby, we don't—"

"Yes, you do!" Ruby quickly cuts off her denial. "I overheard what you guys said yesterday. Do you know how much it hurts to see your friends hurting and to not be able to do anything about it? To be constantly shoved away and snapped at when you're just trying to help?"

Now that she's started talking, it's like she's on a roll.

"Ruby, we didn't mean it like that," Yang says hastily.

"You guys think that I don't get lonely? I just crossed an entire continent without my teammates! I spent the whole time worrying about you guys and hoping that you'd be okay and missing you, and then I finally get you back and you still won't tell me anything! How am I supposed to trust you and talk to you about things when you won't do the same for me?"

Once again, silence descends over the three of them. This time, it feels more thoughtful than hurt though.

Surprisingly, Yang is the first one to speak up. "Ruby, I'm sorry. I promise that I wasn't trying to make you feel that way." He sister pauses, chuckling softly. "I guess that, even after all these years, even though you don't really need me to, I'm still trying to be strong for my baby sister. But you're not a baby anymore."

"And I'm sorry, Ruby." Weiss takes a deep breath. "I guess after going back home, I got used to being alone all over again. But I'm not trapped there anymore. And I'm not alone anymore. I have you guys with me. Both of you."

"So c'mon, Rubes, please open the door. We're worried about you."

"I might have convinced Ren to make some hot chocolate."

Ruby laughs quietly. "I'd like that." She throws off the covers and makes her way over to the door, moving the chair away and unlocking it. Upon opening the door, she finds her arms full of her partner and sister as they pull her in for a hug. "Thanks, guys."

Whatever happens next, at least the three of them are together again.

Now, if only Blake could be here too.

[marshmallow-phd]

Catching Rain

Part of The Untamed - EXO Wolf Universe

Genre: Wolf!AU

Pairing: Minseok x Reader

Summary: You were more than satisfied with your life. You attended a nice college, had nice friends, a nice boyfriend. That’s what your life was: nice. You weren’t looking for anything more, so what were you to do when this seemingly harmless boy walked into your life and turned your nice little world into one much more dangerous?

Part: 1 I 2 I 3 I 4 I 5 I 6 I 7 I 8 I 9 I 10 I Epilogue

**

The sound of your pencil tapping lightly against your notebook must have been annoying those around you, but you were too focused on the digital clock hanging above the professor’s head to care. Bright red numbers stole your attention; each time it changed you sat up a still straighter, scooted closer to the edge of your seat. The darkness of the room didn’t help. Even with the projector shining the notes you were supposed to be absorbing did nothing to block out the beacon. You were starving.

Okay, maybe not literally, but you were definitely ravenous. Breakfast had been the last thing on your mind this morning and now you were paying for it severely. A headache brewed right under the surface and your stomach gurgled and bubbled from the emptiness. The thought of leaving early did cross your mind, but that would have been rude, not to mention highly inconvenient since you were seated near the middle of the small lecture hall. It was best to avoid the dirty looks and low curses from those that you have to crawl over to get the stairs on the edge.

“And that ends the lesson for today.” The professor walked over to the side and flipped on the light. The sudden brightness made you squint, but it was worth the relief you felt. He’d ended the lesson a whole ten minutes early. You packed your belongs as quietly as possible while still keeping a listening ear. “Please look over chapter six, sections one and two before next class, there will be a two question quiz over the passages.” You scribbled a reminder down in the corner of your notebook and hopped up out of your seat. You weren’t the only one who had called it quits for the day even though the professor was still talking. “Don’t forget the first outline of your project is due next class as well, if it’s not turned in then it’s an automatic twenty percent deduction.”

Standing in line to shuffle out from the row of desks, you made a mental note to go over your outline one more time. You were already on the third stage of the project – gathering the necessary sources for the paper – but it was still a good idea to count your ducks and make sure they were lined up nicely.

You hurried to the cafeteria. The moment you were inside you hopped in the first line you saw, not bothering to take the time to consider your options. The line you were in was for the salads and sandwiches; boring food it was. Your stomach didn’t care if your taste buds weren’t going to be blown away today, it only needed sustenance. With your tray full, you moved over to the cash register and paid for your meal before finding a free table.

“Hungry much?”

Willa slid into the chair across from you, her own tray holding the spaghetti special. The buttery garlic smell drifted over to you and made your mouth water. You chewed slowly on your bland sandwich. Maybe later you could stop by for an afternoon snack….

“Already started without me, I see.” Eric dropped his bag in the half booth beside you and kissed the top of your head.

You smiled up at him. “Early bird gets the worm.”

“But the second mouse gets the cheese,” he countered as he pushed his glasses up his nose.

You leaned around him and stared at the long lines forming across the way. “I don’t think that second half applies here. You better get going before all the good stuff is gone.”

Erik followed your gaze. “Oh, crap. You’re right. Be right back!”

After swallowing a mouthful of noodles, Willa sighed. “You two are so cute.”

You snickered under your breath, but didn’t reply. Erik and you had met in World Music Appreciation your freshman year. In class, he was the slightly loud, slightly obnoxious kid who sat behind you with his friends. Somehow – and to this day you still weren’t sure the steps that led to it – you ended up in their study group for the final exam. You found that the boy who sat behind you was indeed funny, but also intelligent, generally entertaining to be around. After passing the exam that was much harder than any introductory music class should have been, you found yourself going out for celebratory pizza with him that morphed into your first date. The two of you had settled into a comfortableness with each other and you were happy.

As if trying to contradict you, Minseok’s face made an appearance in your mind. You shook the image of his smile away. That… that wasn’t good.

“Not hungry anymore?” Finally through the line, Erik sat down beside you and cracked open the can of pop he’d purchased. You looked down at the half-eaten sandwich in your hand. You hadn’t realized you’d stopped eating. The grumbling of your stomach hadn’t completely subsided, however, the bread and meat combination was no longer remotely appealing. Was this your “grass is always greener” moment?

To wave away the thoughts, you became playful again, reaching over and plucking a lob of cheese off the fresh slice of pizza on Erik’s plate and tossed in your mouth. “No, I just decided that your food looks better.”

“Well, then here.” Erik picked up your plate, took the sandwich out of your hand and slid his tray over to your side. “I’ll eat this.”

“No, Erik, give it back.”

“Seriously, (y/n), it’s fine.”

“Holy crap.”

Willa’s soft outburst stopped the playful argument in its tracks. “What is it?” Erik asked after taking a bite of your sandwich. Giving in, you nibbled on the pizza as you waited for the answer. Your taste buds cheered in victory. This was much better.

“A couple campers were attacked last night in the woods.” Willa’s eyes were trained on her phone, scanning the article that fed her the information. Whatever words she was reading, they must have been bad. Normally, Willa was the more upbeat, nothing-gets-her-down type. It must have been bad.

You leaned forward on the table. Your happy mood at the better-tasting meal as disappeared, replaced by worry. “What was it? Does it say?”

Willa swallowed thickly. “The one that was still awake said it was a wolf. A really big wolf.”

“The one that was still awake?”

“Yeah. I guess there were three of them. One died and one’s in the ICU. The third was only sort of injured when the park rangers found them.”

“Maybe he did it,” Erik said skeptically.

“I thought the same thing, but the police say the scene was consistent with an animal attack.” She clicked the lock button on the side of her phone and put it down. Her eyes flickered to you then back down at her food. It didn’t take a telepath to figure out where her mind had gone.

Erik threw an arm around your shoulders. “See why I don’t like the idea of you going out there by yourself?”

Guilt sunk your stomach. Now you really didn’t feel like eating. To try and hide it, you smiled up at him. “I’ve always understood, but you’re right, that’s a scary thing happen and it could happen to anyone.”

Satisfied, Erik removed his arm and turned his focus back to eating. You continued to pick at the cheese in order to throw off any suspicion. While the guilt of lying was still there, that wasn’t at the most forefront of your thoughts. As plausible as it was, you hoped that it wasn’t your wolf that attacked those people. Well, the wolf didn’t belong to you, but you couldn’t image such a creature killing a human being. He’d seemed to gentle and sweet to be able to do such a thing.

It was an animal, you reminded yourself. They ran on pure instinct. Besides, you didn’t know the whole story. Perhaps, if it was the same one you met in the clearing, he was provoked. Idiots were always teasing animals, whether at the zoo or the park. It was quite possible that the campers brought it upon themselves.

No. You shouldn’t think like that. A person died. Sighing, you pushed the tray away from you.

“Full?” Erik asked. You nodded and he picked up the remains of the pizza, devouring it in only a few short bites. You giggled at the grease stain left in the corner of his mouth. With the napkin, you wiped it away and started to feel somewhat at ease again.

**

Minseok was devastated. There was no other word for it. This- this was not a possibility he had imagined. How could fate be so cruel?

As he stood near the entrance of the cafeteria, he’d been overjoyed at spotting you, sitting alone at one of the hybrid tables near the middle of the large crowded room, devouring the food in front of you like Chanyeol at his favorite burger place. For a moment, he’d considered walking over and saying hi, but thought better of it since he wasn’t alone. Jongdae was chatting about his classes, laughing merrily with Jongin and Yixing beside him. All the noise was a simple hum in Minseok’s ears. His fellow students were nothing but blurs his peripheral; only you were in focus. One foot started your way despite his previous hesitation, but then another girl sat down across from you. He took that as a sign to slow down. Then a guy joined you, placing his bag down as if he owned that space beside you, and kissed your head. You beamed up at him.

The ground shook beneath his feet, vibrating his whole body. An elbow connected with his stomach and made him flinch. “Hey, you okay?” Jongdae asked.

“Yeah,” Minseok lied as he turned away from the sight that caused his blood to boil. The wolf had never been so hard to fight before. Human. He had to be completely human here. “But I think I’m going to take my food back to the lounge.”

“What? Why?”

“Is everything alright?” Yixing tilted his head in that way he always did when he was trying to read through the expressions on their faces. It was irritating at times, especially when they didn’t want to talk about whatever was bothering them. He meant well, but he wasn’t learning to become that kind of doctor.

“Yeah, yeah.” Shoving his hands in his pockets, Minseok forced himself to turn away before he stormed across the cafeteria. The sure fire way of having you reject him would be to slam your boyfriend against the wall. Jongdae opened his mouth to counter, but Minseok was already moving into the line, grabbing a faded red tray still wet from the washer and sliding it across the three metal bars that kept the herd of college students at bay. He swiped up a plate with a lukewarm slice of pizza and kept going. Bypassing everything else, the last thing he grabbed was a can of flavored coffee from the open fridge before going to the register.

Jongdae pouted as Minseok waved goodbye and walked out of the building. His grip on the tray was strained, knuckles pale and tendons popping out from under the skin on the back of his hands. This complicated things well beyond the obstacles he already had in his way. And here he had the fairytale in his head, thinking he would simply meet you, continue to “coincidentally” run into you and get to know you until the two of you naturally fell in love and then… well, he didn’t exactly have a plan after that, but now that would really have to be put off while he figured out how to get past step one.

Arriving at the mathematics college where he spent most of his time, he made his way through the halls until he found the lounge reserved for the GTAs. There were tables where they studied and put together lesson plans as well as couches where more naps occurred than other types of casual reclining. Against one wall was a stereo equipped with Bluetooth while a TV and game console sat across the way. It was a room where they could relax and bounce ideas off each other. The place was empty at the moment, most of the usual occupants either in class or eating lunch with their friends.

Minseok sat down at one of the tables. He aggressively chewed on the pizza as he tried not to think about what he saw a few minutes ago. And here he thought eventually telling you that he was a wolf was going to be the hard part. A large group came in then, happily talking amongst themselves. Spotting Minseok, they joined him. Sungkyu took the seat to Minseok’s right and dropped a heavy binder on the table.

“Sometimes I wonder why I took this job,” Sungkyu grumbled.

So much for peace and quiet. Oh, well, hopefully this would serve as a nice distraction. Minseok could go back to planning his next step later, once he’d calmed down a bit.

“Having fun with the freshman?” Minseok teased. As GTAs, that was the main group they taught. Not all classes were bad, but it usually took a while for some of them to realize that college was much more serious than high school.

“Actually, it’s not a freshman.” Opening the binder, Sungkyu pulled out a few papers stapled together. A sticky note covered the name written at the top, but the red ink that dictated the score was out for the world to see. “She’s close to our age, a senior, but she put this class off until the last minute. And I’m starting to see why. I don’t want to fail her, but….”

“Just give her an extra credit project,” Varya suggested between sips of her peach tea.

“Like what?”

Changmin was the first to have an idea. “Have her put together a project that applies the math to whatever her major is.”

Sungkyu wrinkled his nose at the idea. “That sounds complicated. She’s an arts major.”

“Get someone to help her with it.”

“Are you volunteering?” Varya snorted. Changmin was… charming and used it quite well, to put it mildly. “Who is it? Maybe I’ll help.”

Sungkyu peeled back the sticky note. “(y/n) (l/n).”

Minseok nearly choked on his food. Was this fate giving him a Get Out of Jail free card?

Varya shrugged. “Never heard of her.”

“I’ll do it!” The word were out before Minseok could figure out how to say them without sounding overeager. Everyone at the table was staring at him, confused. He wasn’t the kind to volunteer for these sort of things. He wasn’t the kind to add additional interactions to his schedule; he was too much of an introvert for it.

“You hate any sort of tutoring,” Sungkyu pointed out.

“I need it… for my resume.” He didn’t even have a resume. At least not a serious one. The last time he’d put together the paper bragging about himself was for a class three years ago. The file was probably somewhere on his laptop, but he doubted he would ever actually add something like this to it.

While Changmin and Varya still eyed him curiously, Sungkyu simply shrugged. “Whatever. This is only if she agrees to do it, anyway.”

“If she wants to graduate, she’ll do it.” Standing up, Varya threw out the remaining ice in her reusable cup and slipped her bag over her shoulder. “I’ll see you guys later. I’ve got a research paper that’s not going to write itself.”

In an overdramatic fashion, Changmin placed his hand over his heart and looked to the ceiling. “If only they did. My school career would be so much easier.”

Sungkyu rolled his eyes. “And yet completely negate the purpose of it all.” Changmin wasn’t bothered by the comment at all, pulling out his phone and scrolling through his social media as he leaned back in his chair. Sungkyu replaced the sadly scored paper and closed his binder. “Are you free tomorrow a little after four?” he asked Minseok. “I want to try and catch her after class. I’m sure she’ll agree to do the extra credit, but maybe having you right there to say you’ll help will nudge her if she’s on the fence about it.”

“Absolutely.” There was no way Minseok was going let this opportunity go. Maybe this was the better way to go about it. The two of you would be spending time together while he helped you with this project; endless time just you and him. He could get to know you, learn about what you liked and disliked, where you saw yourself going and where you’d already been. Then he could properly fight for your heart, win his mate over the right way. The excitement of what awaited him was almost too much. Tomorrow couldn’t come soon enough.

**

You wanted to disintegrate there in your seat.

Right on the front of the homework you just received back was a sticky note asking you to stay back after class. Never had you want a period to not end, to go on and on in a cycle of torture. You knew it was about it your recent grades. It wasn’t as if you weren’t trying. But this subject had never been your strong suit and recently it had been harder to grasp the concepts. You were an arts student, a photographer. When were you ever really going to need to know how to find the function of x after this?

Unfortunately, the end came and you stayed seated while the younger students happily skipped out of the classroom. When it was only the two of you left, you got up and walked over to the desk.

“That bad, uh?” you said in an attempt to lighten your own mood.

Sungkyu, at least, seemed a little sympathetic. “I’ve seen worse.”

“Well, not everyone can be a math genius.”

“No. That’s why I’m going to give you a chance to make up the points.”

You perked up. This was… somewhat good, given your mind had wondered if he was going to suggest you drop the class for now and try again later, under a different teacher. “Really?” You couldn’t help but feel like a rabbit jumping for a carrot hanging in the air. “Whatever it is, I’ll do it.”

“Good.” Sungkyu reached behind him and plucked up a sheet of paper before leaning back against the desk. “I’ve got an outline here that’ll explain the project in detail.” He handed it over to you before continuing. “The basics, though, are pretty much just write a paper of how the subject relates to your major.”

You’ve got to be kidding me. Clearing your throat, you said, “O-okay. I think I can do that. Except….”

“You don’t know where to start?” Sungkyu guessed. You nodded. “That’s alright. I’m not going to make you do it alone. I’ve enlisted some help for you. Minseok?”

In from the hallway strolled in the very same Minseok you’d run into the day before. There was no way…. You nearly laughed out loud. This couldn’t possibly be a coincidence, could it? But the manner in which he shyly waved at you and fidgeted from foot to foot told you that it might be.

“Minseok will help you with the research and come with ideas. He’ll also help you with the examples that way you get all the points. Is that alright?”

Your stomach did a backflip. This meant the two of you would be spending time together – alone. Which wasn’t anything unusual; you’d had project partners of the opposite sex before, but none of them sent your heart leaping either. Perhaps it would be best to keep this on a need-to-know basis for the time being. Smiling, you looked at the expectant GTA.

“Peachy.”

[springday-aus]

Superpower!AU with Hyungwon

—

Group: Monsta X

Member: Chae Hyungwon

Genre: fluff, romance, small [very minimal] angst

TW: car accident - don’t worry, no one died 

Type: Bulletpoint AU 

Word Count: approx. 2.8k

→ Inspired by the AU Prompt: “I know you can read minds and I really like you so I’m constantly filtering my thoughts—stop making fun of how I think of fighting giraffes, it’s my go-to when I think about you shirtless” 

so Hyungwon has the power of telepathy

how he got it was rather odd

he wasn’t necessarily born with it—it kind of came to him

despite what people might think, it wasn’t radioactivity

it was actually due to an accident

when he was young, there was a minor encounter

basically, there was a car and semi-truck incident

next thing he knew, his parents were in critical condition and he was being rolled into the ER for surgery

when he woke up, he was in his hospital bed and the ventilator was hooked up to him

he heard the voices of the nurses and the doctors, but their mouths weren’t moving

originally he brushed it off since he hasn’t fully recovered and his vision kept going in and out

but once he did recover… he could still hear them

luckily, his parents were okay

and that was how he was able to confirm his new-found power

he was able to hear theirs first and it was…. insane

he was freaked out, his parents were freaked out 

once they calmed down, they tried to figure out what to do—they eventually came to the conclusion to just let it happen

they can’t control that so they might as well figure it out together 

at first, it was uncontrollable, so he heard these voices whether or not he wanted to hear them

it was always loud and his own thoughts were never heard in his own head

oh, the amount of migraines he’d gotten from a young age…

but, don’t worry, he learned to maintain it as he grew up

now, he’s able to listen whenever he looks at someone and concentrate a bit more

he’s got a better control of it, but it also means he has to be careful as to where he looks bc he doesn’t wanna listen in on someone’s private thoughts

he’s always been getting in trouble when he was trying not to get in trouble when it comes to his telepathy

that tends to happen a lot in general though

because you’re hearing a lot of thoughts that you’re not trying to hear

which is why music became a good route of distraction

at first, the monsta x boys made fun of him for not getting airpods, but, after telling them about his telepathy, they understood why he got those big ass headphones

but, we’ll get to them later

anyways

bruh, high school was extra rough on this man

can you imagine hearing all of those thoughts? especially of hormonal teenage boys?

nasty

anyways

I like to think that this is why he sleeps so much

when he first got it, it was very emotionally draining for him and he slept like twelve hours at a time

unfortunately, he got into this habit and now he can doze off if he zones out enough

he slept a lot in high school, considering that he was trying not to hear his teacher’s thoughts and the other students and focus on the lesson and would end up falling asleep on his desk and then getting in trouble with the teachers

again, it’s that whole getting in trouble without meaning to get into trouble

so anyways

his family are the main people who know and god

the amount of family tea he’s gotten from his parents’ thoughts

while he does hate being able to hear all these thoughts without a choice, his favorite is the family gatherings and reunions

homeboy could make a tv novella with all the information he’s got on his family

because his immediate family are the ones who know, whereas his cousin that’s like twice removed doesn’t, but that’s justifiable

also, his parents have to be careful when they’re talking about him or his younger brother tho

(Hyungwon: “dad, am I not your favorite?”

his dad: “I don’t have have favorites”

Hyungwon: “the lies”)

other than his family, his long time friends also know, i.e. the monsta x boys

I’m talking long term because he’s so comfortable with them and Hyungwon was stupid and let it slip

Jooheon: I know we agreed on Chinese but I kind of wanted pizza

Hyungwon: “we can get both if you want”

Jooheon: “get what?”

Hyungwon: wait a second

oh, whenever they play games, Hyungwon uses this telepathy to help him cheat

and Changkyun was suspicious of how Hyungwon, the guy who falls asleep 20 minutes into a movie, had such good gaming tactics

his suspicions were confirmed when Hyungwon told them but they all also lowkey were confused and didn’t believe him, altho it did fill in a few of the gaps

like how Hyungwon gives perfect gifts for people that they can actually use

and how he can easily solve issues before they can even become bigger issues

there were just bits and pieces that came together and he did get to prove it

Kihyun: “what am I thinking about?”

Hyungwon: “I don’t think you would want me to say it in front of our Minhyuk here”

Kihyun: …… “okay, you pass”

but revealing this also means a lot of questions

especially from Minhyuk, who’s bouncing around and is curious as to how it works

and isn’t like always being verbally asked

like, the questions will just pop into their heads and Hyungwon hears it

actually what he hears is

Minhyuk: can he hear animal thoughts?

Minhyuk: do they speak English? or do they speak in that animal sound?

Minhyuk: should I ask him? or am I going to be bothering him?

Minhyuk: okay, try to be casual and slip it in and-

Hyungwon: “I can only hear people’s thoughts, now can we please get on with the meal?”

Minhyuk: oh right he can hear mine

Hyungwon: “YES I CAN HEAR IT PLEASE BE QUIET”

Wonho: …. “what’s going on????”

this is why he favors you compared to the others

you’re curious, but not like super curious like Minhyuk

but it’s also because your thoughts are the most hilarious ones

it’s primarily because you censor a lot of your thoughts with other thoughts and they are….. eccentric

there’s a reason tho

long story short: you like him

you two are basically childhood friends

you met in middle school and woke him up before he could get in trouble and it was all history from there

it wasn’t until around the college years that the feeling hit you like a ton of bricks

and when it did hit, you were lucky Hyungwon wasn’t around to read your thoughts

because……... oof

he went from that kid with acne that you used to spray water at to keep awake

to a handsome young man that makes your heart pound so loudly in your chest

he had told you about these powers of his about a year into college, when he realized you weren’t going to disappear from his life so easily

but also because you were thinking about how the fbi is definitely listening in on your conversations because you got an ad on instagram about those sleeping bags that make it look like you were being eaten by a shark and he HAD to make a comment

Hyungwon: “dude what the fuck”

You: “what?”

Hyungwon: “how bad is your anxiety that you’re worried about the fbi agent in your phone?”

You: …… **narrows eyes** “I didn’t say anything about an fbi agent”

Hyungwon: ah shit, here we go again

anyways

that’s just a small glimpse of what Hyungwon has to hear

your thoughts were hilarious to tune into, to the point where Hyungwon listens in when you’re daydreaming and it’s like his news for the day

and it only got worse (at least for you) because you were constantly censoring your thoughts after your self-discovery of your feelings for him

you two were studying in the library one time for finals and he got real close to get a good look at the textbook to see where you were

and you couldn’t stop thinking about how close he was

but when he looked at you

you immediately switched your thoughts to think about that time Wonho choked on his ramen noodles

Hyungwon: “why are you thinking about Wonho choking?”

You: “because it’s funny?”

Hyungwon: …… “fair point”

and so now, you have something to turn to each time an incident happens

whenever he says something that makes your heart flutter, you think about Ted Bundy’s yellow buggy

whenever he makes you unconsciously jealous, you think about fat cats sitting on glass tables

you have something for everything

and Hyungwon has no idea because you’ve gotten so fucking good at hiding it

until one day, you were out with the boys, trying out this new restaurant that opened beside the river

Jooheon talks about how nice it would be nice to go to the beach sometime

Shownu tries to start plans and says y’all could plan a barbeque and make a whole trip out of it

but then Kihyun whines, saying he’s not ready because he hasn’t gone to the gym in a month

Wonho: “you haven’t gone to the gym period”

Kihyun: “better than me living there like you do”

Wonho: “and who’s the one with the abs?”

Kihyun: “son of a bitch”

that got you thinking

Hyungwon? on the beach? that means he’s just gonna chill on the side

but that also means….. a shirtless Hyungwon

Shownu: “what do you think (y/n)?”

You: “nothing, absolutely nothing”

Hyungwon looks over at you with a knowing look in his eyes

You: “what?”

Hyungwon: ………….. “why are you thinking about fighting giraffes?”

Minhyuk: “.... is that really what (y/n)’s thinking?”

Changkyun: “dude”

You: “sorry for thinking about the zoo?”

Hyungwon: “we were talking about the beach, why were you thinking about the zoo?”

You: god, I wanna die

Hyungwon: “well, are you going to die before or after the beach trip?”

Shownu: “we need to keep track of the body count, (y/n), this is important” 

sometimes you also wonder why you like him when these moments occur

but then he gives you that smile and you think to yourself

it do be like that 

and because you all are trying to plan out the beach trip, you couldn’t stop thinking about…. shirtless Hyungwon

therefore 

starts up more thoughts about fighting giraffes ensue

and more teasing on behalf of Hyungwon to you

Hyungwon: “do you wanna go to the zoo instead???? is that why you keep thinking about these giraffes????”

You: I. want. to. die.

Hyungwon: “you’ll die if you join the fighting giraffes—oW OWW OKAY I’LL SHUT UP”

the nonstop teasing for weekkkkkksss

until he finally asks you, the day before the trip

Hyungwon: “seriously, are you upset that we went out to the beach instead of the zoo?”

You: ugh, this whole ass man keeps making fun of me for thinking about fighting giraffes, this is your fault for being so fucking attract-

You: WONH O CHOKI NG ON RAMEN

Hyungwon: “WHOA NO FINISH YOUR THOUGHT”

You: NO

You: WONHO. CHOKING. LALALALLALA-

you avoided him for the rest of the day and filled your head with more censored thoughts

so he couldn’t hear anything else

and he didn’t

homeboy was left so confused because

he really likes having you as a friend but

having you as a partner would be so much better

he’s liked you since high school

hearing your thought process and little quirks

he grew fond of them

he knows it’s really invasive, but, in his defense, he was still learning to control them

and he found himself staring at you more and more, accidentally hearing your thoughts

one thing he really hated about his power is that even when he’s just taking in your presence………… he can still hear it even if he doesn’t try to

but anyways

he was sure of his feelings, but didn’t wanna push anything until he was absolutely sure

and now just might be that chance

so, after ducking him the entire day, which is hard to do when he’s trying to find you the entire day

(it’s not that hard considering all he hears from you is “FBI AGENTS GET OUT”)

(at least, that’s what you were trying to think so he doesn’t hear anything else about how you were going to explain yourself)

and he manages to catch you when the boys set up a bonfire and there’s no other spots…… except the one next to Hyungwon

which he totally, 100% did not plan

;)

anyways, you try to distract yourself by focusing your attention the marshmallow you have roasting over the fire

whereas he’s trying to read your mind, but it goes to waste as your attention is solely focused on the marshmallow

hence the tune of IU’s Marshmallow being played in your head

some of the other guys leave the bonfire, either to take a nightly beach stroll or to sleep 

and that left you, Hyungwon, and a melting marshmallow that you were trying to keep from completely burning

before you could flee though, Hyungwon speaks up

Hyungwon: “what? no fighting giraffes?”

You: “I will hit you with a flaming marshmallow”

you thought about it for a second tho, why did you think about fighting giraffes?

the boys were talking about the beach and then they talked about the trip

and the beach made you think about a shirtless Hyungwon

…………. shirtless Hyungwon

FIGHTING GIRAFFES

Hyungwon: “wait what”

You: fuck

You: “fuck”

and then your worst nightmare happens

he starts laughing

You: “sssttttoooppppppp”

You: “it’s my go-to when I think about you shirtless, okay? are you satisfied?”

he keeps laughing

Hyungwon: “do you like the image that much that you have diverted your thoughts from it?”

You: bitch

Hyungwon: “I heard that”

You: “I KNOW YOU DID” 

there’s a bit of a lull and you try to focus on your marshmallow again, but the heat on your face isn’t from the fire alone

Hyungwon: “don’t be embarrassed”

You: “I’m embarrassed because it’s you, idiot”

Hyungwon: “why?”

You: because I like you

Hyungwon: “how dumb of you to think I didn’t feel the same way”

you turn to him

You: really?”

Hyungwon: “yeah really”

Hyungwon: “your marshmallow is burning”

that’s not the only thing burning 

you both assumed that was the night that you both agreed to date

the next day, were the boys shocked that the two of you are dating?

not exactly

bc they knew Hyungwon liked you for quite some time and also the fact that whenever one of them did think you were cute….

let’s just say Hyungwon’s mouth said idc but his eyes said he could murder them and get away with it

also he trusted you enough to tell you about this secret of his, so there was definitely a high chance he was going to develop romantic feelings for you anyways

*cue a sad Minhyuk in the corner somewhere*

KIDDING

or am I

anyways

there isn’t much change to your relationship

other than additional cuddling and pecks here and now

altho there are a couple of changes

your thought processes are more clear because now you have nothing to hide but

they are also unclear because it’s like

Hyungwon. Hyungwon. Hyungwon. Hyungwon. Hyungwon. Hyungwon. Hyungwon. Hyungwon. Hyungwon. Hyungwon. Hyungwon. Hyungwon. Hyungwon. Hyungwon. Hyungwon. Hyungwon. Hy—

he also tries more and more not to hear your thoughts, but sometimes it’s hard not to hear them, especially as he openly stares at you more and more

but then again, because of that, he’s gaining better and better control of his powers

he lowkey does use it when you get into arguments because it gives him a better understanding of your perspective and that allows him to provide his and it opens up more communication between you two, even if you don’t have telepathy

also he tried to make up for it by saying everything he’s thinking

that was a very bad idea from the start bc you got annoyed really quickly

but you also kind of sympathized with him

You: “I’m sorry you have to hear my thoughts all the time”

Hyungwon: “that’s not your fault”

You: “but that’s not yours either”

he loves being able to talk to you about these things bc it really feels like someone’s in his corner

you try to understand him better and make things easier

whether it’s getting him better headphones

or distracting him with your own obscure thoughts

I’m very sure that anyone who dates Hyungwon in general is going to nap with him so…

many many naps with him with lots and lots of cuddles

you both take care of one another, physically and mentally

especially since you know he isn’t the type that opens himself up to many people

and hearing all of these thoughts, yours and others, must be exhausting for him 

anyways in this household we love and protect Chae Hyungwon bc homeboy is just tired and needs a break 

[sparklingichigo]

Human World Adventures

Part 8 - More like Beel's proposal episode

Days after that incident, Diavolo is bored and decides to take everyone on a trip, but he has no idea where to go. He has two choices the Zoo or the Aquarium. Due to this confusion, Diavolo asks Lucifer what he prefers, so here we are with Lucifer announcing it to them.

Lucifer: Everyone, Lord Diavolo has proposed a trip for us. He picks out the Zoo and the Aquarium because he can't choose which one he wants to go to.

Barbatos, internally: Finally, a vacation TToTT

Diavolo: Yeah, they're both excellent, I prefer the Zoo since I haven't seen the human world animals, but I'm also....curious about the sea creatures...

Haruka: Oh, I have an idea! You can go to the Aquarium and the Zoo. Maybe after you go to the Zoo, then you go to the Aquarium.... with your ticket!

Diavolo: Hey, that's a good idea! We can do that-

Lucifer: To be fair, let's just divide ourselves into groups. The first group will be going to the Zoo, and the other will go to the Aquarium. So, who's going where?

Solomon: I'm definitely in! Let's go to the Zoo!

Satan: Hmm.....

Ichigo: The Zoo has cats, big ones

Satan: Zoo, please!

Haruka:...

Simeon:...

Levi: I'll go to the Aquarium. Yall can enjoy the sun for all I care.

Mammon: Can I-

Barbatos: Lord Diavolo and I will be both going to the Zoo.

Lucifer: What about you, Beel? Belphie?

Belphie: zzz.....zzz.....zzz

Lucifer: Uh...Beel?

Beel: I don't feel like going today...

Ichigo: Huh? Are you sure?

Levi: You sure? There are lots of food stalls here and there plus you can discover new things!

Beel: Uhm...

Asmo: Beel, aren't you gonna help me with something?

Lucifer: Oh? Do you have something to do?

Asmo: Yeah, but it's just for a while. It won't be long, plus I can catch up to the Aquarium ^^

Lucifer: Alright then, here's your ticket. I just sent it to you.

Asmo: Thanks a lot, Lucifur~

Mammon: Hey! I haven't got to choose! >:(

Pretty much the list is Simeon, Levi, Asmo, Luke, and Lucifer are going to the Aquarium. At the same time, Solomon, Satan, Diavolo, and Barbatos are the ones who are going to the Zoo. The ones who haven't choose their destination are Mammon, Haruka, and Ichigo.

Ichigo: Let's go to the zoo! [to Haruka]

Haruka: Oh yeah! Let's do that!

But before Lucifer can even type their names into his notes, Asmo interrupts them.

Asmo: Ichigo, you gotta help me with this too! I need both you and Beel, OK! To model my clothing!

Ichigo: Must it be today? :(

Asmo: Yes! Plus, we can always catch up to them later.

Ichigo: OK then...Beel, if we're catching up, where do you wanna go?

Beel: If we're catching up... I'm OK with both, plus there are food stalls and lots of merchandise stores in both of those places, I've heard.

Levi: You are 1000% correct! You could've told us that you have things to do!

Mammon: Yeah! We're fine if you're gonna catch up!

Beel: Alright then! Belphie, where do you wanna go?

Belphie: zzz... Aquarium....zzz.... more reason to sleep in a cold place... zzz.....

Beel: Then I'll go with Belphie!

Lucifer: OK then, Beel, Belphie, I just sent you your tickets so you can catch up^^. Now, Mammon, where do you wanna go?

Mammon: ...Aquarium...

Lucifer: Good :)

Finally, the list is complete, and everyone is ready to go. But before everyone can go, Simeon holds Haruka back, earning a confused stare from the blonde girl.

Haruka: What's wrong, Simeon?

Simeon: Here, to protect you [puts a protective bracelet on her left wrist]

Haruka: I'm sure I'll be OK. It's the human world, after all.

Simeon: I just don't want bad things to happen again, this bracelet can sense sinners from across the room, and once they touch you, they'll be electrocuted.

Haruka: I see... oh, it has a heart on it! So cute!

Mammon: Hey, Haruka! Come on, let's- Whooaaa! That's a sparkly bracelet! [trying to reach for it] oUCH!

Simeon: Like that, for example :)

Mammon: Why??? I just wanna see it! [dramatic sobbing]

Simeon: Are you sure? ^^

Mammon: I am;-; it is sparkly, and I just want to touch- [got zapped again] THAT THING IS BROKEN! I CAN FEEL IT. IT'S ACCUSING ME OF SOMETHING I DIDN'T DO!

Lucifer: M A M M O N!!

Mammon: OK, OK!

With that, they all leave the house to the twins, Asmo and Ichigo. Before Ichigo can do anything, Asmo instantly drags her into his room with an outfit already created for her.

Ichigo: That's the clothing you're talking about?

Asmo: Yep! That's the outfit I'm talking about!

Ichigo: It's surprisingly casual. Going for the daily line, perhaps?

The clothing was a cute white off-shoulder top with a pink high-waisted skirt. Beside it, there's the guy's outfit, it looks casual as well, but it gives her some k-drama vibes.

Ichigo: And that's for.....?

Asmo: Oh, this is for Beel! I think he'd look amazing in this!

Ichigo: I think so too

Asmo: Plus, I'll also be shooting an ad like this, quite a coincidence that we're going to the Aquarium. I've been thinking of doing a dating theme for my clothing line! What do you think?

Ichigo: It's actually awesome! It does give off a romantic theme!

Asmo: Beautiful clothing for the most beautiful couple~!

Ichigo: Oh, Asmo, you're exaggerating! Wait, why didn't you ask Solomon for this? I mean, you two are the hottest couple in Devildom, right?

Asmo: As much as I want to... I kinda feel like this clothing suits you and Beel more since it's more on the sweet romantic side. You know how my relationship is. It has a little more spice to it!

Ichigo: True, it does.

Asmo: Anyways, it's Beel's turn! Let's get you out of here~ [pushes Ichigo out]

Ichigo: Wha- why??

Asmo: oooh! You wanna see him change, don't you~

Ichigo: N-no?

Asmo: Then get out! Why are you still in my room??

Ichigo: OK, OK! Calm down!

As soon as she's out, Asmo instantly slams the door shut, shocking the pink-haired girl. As she's waiting outside, she sees Beel coming into Asmo's room. Ichigo feels quite awkward since she's not used to such clothing, but it seems that Beel likes the dress, but he just gives her a smile.

Once Beel enters, she decides to just chill on a couch and accompany Belphie sleeping there. As she's waiting, Asmo finally gets out, but Beel is gone! The pink-haired girl blinks confusedly because where did her boyfriend go?

Asmo: Bestiiiee! Come, come, I'll do your makeup and hair!

Ichigo: Eh? Right now?

Asmo: Yes! Right now! Come on! [drags Ichigo to his room]

Now onto the others, they end up in a minibus thanks to, yet again, Diavolo. Everyone is already seated but Haruka. She's confused since she has no idea where to sit. Sure, she can sit next to Simeon, but Luke is there. Luckily Rosaria comes to the rescue and offers a seat beside her.

Rosaria: Haruka, you can sit here with me^^

Haruka: Thank you, ma'am. [sits beside her]

Levi: Hey Haruka, you can always sit with us!

Haruka: Uhm... I'll just sit here^^

Simeon: That's okay^^ Plus, you can bond since you're both women.

Rosaria: Aw, Simeon, you're such a sweetheart!

Once Haruka is seated, suddenly, she feels a flannel on her lap. She looks up and sees Simeon covering her thighs.

Haruka: It's OK, Simeon, it's scorching hot, plus its summer :(

Simeon: You can keep it. It's OK.

Haruka: Alright then...

After a few minutes, they finally arrived at the venue of their trip. A zoo and an aquarium all at once. Might as well call it an animal world. The entrance starts off in a fake jungle with all the animals running around. It was loads of fun, there were lots of animals there until they had to find a parking spot. Now we all feel bad for the driver. That driver really needs a raise.

As soon as the driver parks the minibus, they get off the bus to their chosen areas. Luckily since Animal World is all about animals, they can go to the Zoo and the Aquarium.

Levi: Aquarium, here I come!!!

Mammon: Hey, wait for me!

Lucifer just walks into the Aquarium behind them. He is sort of glad they had to get a vacation after all the stress. Yes, despite being in the human world, Diavolo still gives him work, and he needs to go through meetings with the demon lord and the celestial realm to settle things between them ever since that horrible incident.

In another section of the Aquarium, Simeon accompanies Luke in seeing the sea stars by the kids' pool. He can see the mini angel looking so happy, touching the sea stars, and talking to the other kids.

Luke: :o we can make our own sea star?!

Simeon: Your own sea star? That looks like a lot of fun. Do you want to join them? ^^

Luke: Yes, please! Can I, Simeon?

Simeon: Of course you can^^ I'll even accompany you!

Luke: Yay!

Meanwhile, Haruka sticks to Rosaria like glue in the zoo section since she's the only girl around. Rosaria, of course, doesn't mind since she also thinks the same thing.

Haruka: It's quite a pity that Michael can't come with us...

Rosaria: He's...quite busy as an archangel. Furthermore, he's the head of archangels.

Haruka: I see...

Suddenly Haruka feels someone tapping her shoulder, and that same person gets electrocuted instantly. Both Rosaria and Haruka turn around to see Satan holding his hand in pain.

Satan: What was that about?!

Haruka: It's a protective bracelet to protect me from bad things^^

Rosaria: You seem to have bad intentions up your sleeves, don't you, dear nephew? ^^

Satan: I was just tapping her shoulder since I just saw a big cat and I want to show her! I didn't do it with ill intention!

Rosaria: The bracelet says a different thing. Come on, Haruka. I think I saw something interesting.

Haruka: Right behind you, ma'am! [follows Rosaria along, leaving confused Satan]

The two women are now looking at meerkats, and Rosaria finds them adorable, especially how they're standing. As they were looking, she felt a hand on her shoulder, and that person was safe and sound.

Diavolo: How's the trip, ladies?

Rosaria: It was great! I always love animals!

Haruka: Thank you so much for this trip, Lord Diavolo! You're the best!

Diavolo: Oh, you're just exaggerating! I'm doing this because I've heard many troubles have happened in that household. I think maybe you and Ichigo deserve a break.

Barbatos: I agree to that too, M'lord. Chaos keeps on happening in that mansion for no reason,

Haruka: I don't know how it happened....and I don't wanna stereotype...but you know how demons are, don't you, Lord Diavolo?

Diavolo: As their future king, of course, I do. Sometimes we do get ahead of ourselves. Some have great self-control like Barbatos, some have zero self-control, like those demons in the most bottom layer.

Haruka: I see...

Solomon: Hey, Haruka! Look! This looked exactly like Belphie!

Haruka: Huh?! Whe- A Sloth?!

Solomon: Yeah! He's the avatar of sloth! Look at it being lazy!

Haruka: [sweat drops in wtf]

Barbatos: Don't mind him. He may be a human, but he's 200 years old. He's probably turning into a grandpa anytime soon like the rest of us.

Solomon: I heard that! >:(

Now back at the Aquarium, Simeon helps Luke make the sea stars, and Luke makes one for the girls.

Luke: Look, Simeon! I made one for Ichigo and one for Haruka!

Simeon: It looks pretty, and it does suit them^^

Luke: I made one for you too. It's in sky blue, just like the skies in the celestial realm.

Simeon: It does look beautiful. Thanks a lot, Luke.

Luke: Simeon...should I make one for Beel too? How about Barbatos?

Simeon: You can if you want to^^

Luke: OK! I'll go make one for them too to appreciate them for how they treat me in Devildom!

Simeon can't help but look as proud as ever, his apprentice has grown into such a kind angel, and furthermore, he's kind to everyone without judgment. He still does judge the rest of the brothers, but that's because they harass him, which is quite fair in his opinion. But besides that, Luke has become the angel that he's supposed to be. Kind, respectful, grateful, and more great things.

I'm sure you're wondering, what's happening at home? Don't worry, I got you. So back at the mansion, Ichigo is now looking as beautiful as ever with her makeup done by Asmo. Her eyelids sparkle in rose gold eyeshadow with a wing liner, her hair is thrown into her casual half-up half-down ponytail but with a cute pink ribbon, and her lips are painted in natural peach. Everything looks perfect so far.

Asmo: Now you're ready. Come on, Beel is waiting for you!

Ichigo: Is he in the photoshoot set already?

Asmo: Maybe^^

Ichigo: Are we late? Are the photographers here already?!

Asmo: I'm the one who's taking the picture. Calm down!

Ichigo nods as she follows Asmo to the third level of the mansion, where they find a balcony with a beautiful view. There stood Beel, facing the patio.

Ichigo: Beel?

The said man looked back and was amazed! Asmo did a perfect job on her clothing, hair, and makeup. She looks beautiful! The same thing goes for Ichigo. She never thought she'd see the day Beel wearing pink and have his bang brushed up like that. Honestly, he looks stunning, and she can't help but stare. This girl is overwhelmed. How is the cutie that she dated for 1 year is now standing right before her, looking hot as ever? She has no idea, but nonetheless, she's impressed.

Asmo: I'll be right back. Have fun, you two!

Ichigo: Wait, Asmo!

Ichigo was about to chase him, but that diva was way too fast. The pink-haired girl huffed and stayed at the balcony with Beel. The couple stares at the beautiful view in front of them.

Ichigo: It's beautiful...

Beel: It is... [staring at her]

Ichigo: Guess Asmo is gonna take a while. So what should we do? Eating is off the option since we don't wanna ruin our looks.

Beel: We can't? :(

Ichigo: Sorry, Hon, I don't wanna ruin this makeup and the photoshoot, plus I know how messy you are with your food!

Beel: Hey! :(

Ichigo: I'm joking. You're getting better at it, don't worry!

The two of them turn silent again as they once again stare at the view. Ichigo is fine with the silence. It actually relaxes her, and so does Beel. The two of them are happy and content just being together. Suddenly Ichigo felt Beel moving away, shocking her.

Ichigo: Beel?

Ichigo turns around and sees Beel kneeling down right in front of her. At first, she was about to make a joke saying, "Oh, is your shoes untied?" But it's a laceless shoe! The only thing that came to her mind was a marriage proposal!

Beel: Ichigo, I know we've been dating for 1 year, and you really make me happy. Sure, at first I think it's because of your cooking skills, but now I think it's more than that. Your patience, your care, your love, your affection, it fulfills me, sometimes I start to think, "huh, how come I'm not hungry when she's around me. That's odd..." but now I know. Your whole being fills the gap inside my heart, the hole that causes me to feast on everything in existence. So, Ichigo, will you please make me the happiest demon in the world and marry me?

Hearing Beel's love proclamation and proposal bring tears to Ichigo's eyes as she stares at the love of her life. She always wanted to be with him and always will.

Ichigo: Yes, I'll marry you. It's a yes! [obviously tearing up]

Beel gives her a smile as he puts on the ring. The ring is a ruby ring that looks like a rose with emeralds surrounding it as if it's a rose crown. She has no idea how Beel got that ring, but she loves it. It looks so pretty.

Ichigo: It's beautiful [staring at the ring]

Beel: Just like you

Ichigo: You must've been learning a lot from Satan and Asmo, huh? Such a sweettalker~

Beel: Says the sweetest of them all.

Ichigo: [overwhelemed and is now blushing] Shush, am not >////<

Suddenly the two of them hear a click. They both look back and sees Asmo taking a picture of Beel hugging her from the back. Ichigo turns red and ends up chasing Asmo around the house as Beel follows them inside and watches this fold out.

Asmo: It's a good picture, though!

Ichigo: It isn't!!

Asmo: It looks cute! Plus, it'd look perfect for your pre-wedding photos!

Ichigo: NO, IT DOESN'T!!

Beel: Asmo, can you send me the picture? While you're at it!

Asmo: Sure!

Ichigo: Don't you dare!!

Asmo: Too late!

Ichigo: Asmodeus Morningstar!! [tackles him]

The thud causes Belphie to wake up and stares confusedly. The pink-haired girl grins awkwardly as Asmo smiles smugly.

Asmo: It is sent!

Ichigo: Asmooo!!!

Meanwhile, the others on a trip get the notification from Asmodeus announcing Beel and Ichigo, who are now finally engaged. Lucifer glances on his phone with a smile on his face. He is proud of his brother. He finally shoots his shot. As he was still staring at his phone, he felt a tap on his shoulder. Lucifer turns to the culprit and finds Simeon and Luke beside him.

Simeon: Hey, Lucifer, can you take care of Luke for a while?

Lucifer: So sudden? What's wrong?

Simeon: I need to go out for a while. It won't be long^^

Lucifer: OK, don't be too long, though.

As soon as Simeon leaves, Lucifer glances at the tiny angel beside him.

Lucifer: Luke, just stick with me, OK? It'd be a hassle to find you around this place.

Luke: O-okay [whimpering]

Somewhere in the Zoo, Haruka has received the message and is as happy as ever. She's actually cheering in the middle of the Zoo, probably earning stares from everyone. Guess who joined her? Solomon!

Solomon: Finally! I almost thought that guy has 0 commitment on her!

Haruka: When's your turn then?

Solomon: Shut it! [glaring at her]

Haruka: Commitment issues, perhaps?

Solomon: No!

Suddenly Haruka felt her phone vibrating in her pocket. Haruka fishes out her phone and finds Simeon calling her.

Haruka: Hello?

Simeon: Hey, Haruka. I'm in the Zoo section now. Where are you?

Haruka: Staring at pandas with Rosaria and Solomon....?

Simeon: Alright then, I'll join you!

Haruka: For real? It's really far from the entrance, though-

Simeon: I'll be fine. Just stay put, OK?

Haruka: OK...

Rosaria: Simeon is joining us?

Haruka: He is...it might take a while, though, since we're pretty deep inside.

Rosaria: That's true. Oh, look! There's a drink stall. Let's have something to freshen up as we wait!

Solomon: That's a good idea! Let's go!

Haruka: I think so too!

The three of them end up buying drinks from the stall. Rosaria asks for an iced matcha latte, Haruka asks for an iced taro latte, while Solomon just decides to have ice tea.

Haruka: Only ice tea? Are you sure?

Solomon: Yeah, I'm not into sweets anyway.

Rosaria: Oh, it's not that bad, Solomon.

Solomon: It's not my taste, Miss [sweat drops]

As they drink, Simeon finally shows up. Luckily he finds a faster way to get there via an accessible minivan that shows up in the middle of the way.

Rosaria: Oh my, that was fast!

Simeon: I found an accessible minivan! :D

Rosaria: That's great! We were just buying drinks because it's getting hotter now. [takes off her hat and uses it as a fan]

Simeon: I agree entirely. The sun is scorching hot today.

Rosaria: Right? Do you want some drink too? You're sweating like crazy!

Simeon: I'll be fine, Miss Rosaria^^

Rosaria: Alright then^^

Haruka: Here, Simeon! You can have mine! It's an iced taro latte!

Simeon: Taro?

Haruka: Yes, it's delicious! Here, try some!

Simeon nods and tries the taro latte she gave him. As he's doing that, Haruka whips out her tissues and wipes the sweat away.

Simeon: Ah, thank you^^. This is really sweet, by the way.

Haruka: If it isn't, it wouldn't taste good!

Now I know what you're thinking. Where did the others go? Well, Satan is somewhere in the big cats' section, Diavolo and Barbatos are looking around through the whole Zoo, so it's no surprise.

Haruka: Let's go to the other section^^

Rosaria: Sure!

Solomon: Ooh! I see a horse! Let's go there!

Simeon: Oh? They don't have wings? ^^

Rosaria: Oh yeah, you're right!

Haruka: The human world's horses don't have wings. If anything, that's pegasus!

Rosaria: Oh, you're right! They're pegasus!

At the Aquarium, Asmo, the twins, and Ichigo finally arrived, finding Lucifer and Luke.

Asmo: Wow, I never see the day of Lucifer taking care of Luke-

Ichigo: I'm somehow amazed-

Belphie: Pfft- Lucifer is now Luke's babysitter! [cackling]

Beel: Belphie-

Belphie: What?

Lucifer heard what Belphie said and looked back, seeing the twins, Asmo and Ichigo.

Lucifer: Oh, you're here^^

Ichigo: We are :D

Once Luke hears Ichigo's voice, he turns around and runs towards her.

Luke: Ichigo!! You're here!! Lucifer is so scary!! [dramatic sobbing]

Lucifer: [sigh] Tsk. He's just dramatic. I haven't done a thing to him.

Luke: You did!

Lucifer: I didn't! ^^

Luke: Aaaaaaah!!! [hugs Ichigo tighter]

Ichigo: It's OK, it's not that bad^^ there, there.... [pats him]

Beel: What's wrong, Luke?

Luke: [whimpering] Lucifer is scary...

Lucifer: [rolls his eyes in annoyance]

Lucifer: Oh yeah, Beel, you're dressed differently today. What happened?

Asmo: You didn't get my message?! They're engaged!! ENGAGED!! [holding Ichigo's to show the ring]

Lucifer: Oh, I do notice. I just didn't catch their wardrobe change^^

Asmo: oh... o.o

Beel: I was about to change...but Asmo scolds me for it :(

Asmo: I have every right for it! You look frickin handsome in it!

Luke: Ooh! :o All pink!

Ichigo: Yeah, we're both in pink now^^

Luke: It looks great! I like the skirt :D

Ichigo: Aww, thanks, Luke!

Suddenly the telepathic chatroom is opened again, with Haruka and Solomon being pricks yet again.

Haruka: Oh ho ho ho~ You two got matching outfits, huh??

Solomon: Aye! Congratulations, also matching outfits, huh?

Ichigo: [sigh] why are you two like this-

Solomon: Why not, and while I'm at it! [cues fireworks and trumpets]

Ichigo: Geez! That's so loud!

Solomon: ehehehe-

Ichigo: Ehe te nan-

Wait, wrong fandom- Anyways, in real life, everyone else stares at these three because they're suddenly frozen.

Luke: Ichigo?

Beel: Sugar?

Belphie: Ichigo??

Asmo: Bestie??

Lucifer: [confusedly waves his hand in front of her face] Are you OK?

Ichigo finally got out of the telepathic chatroom and got back in real life. But her head is dizzy thanks to Solomon's fireworks and trumpets.

Beel: Are you OK?

Ichigo: I'm fine, just a little dizzy^^

Beel: Dizzy? I'll help you then! Can you still walk properly?

Belphie: I recommend her staying put with me and just sleep it off-

Ichigo: What?! No! It's a public place!

Belphie: So?

Asmo: Belphie, if you say one more word, I'll push you into a pool!

Belphie: Do it, coward!

Beel: Now, now... let's not fight-

Lucifer: Hmmm, let's just go to the food court. I'll buy her something to drink.

Ichigo: Please do, thanks a lot Lucifer;-; [leaning on Beel's shoulder]

Suddenly they hear a click again. Wow, Asmo! The audacity. But anyway, the six of them go to the food court. Meanwhile, Mammon and Levi are still at the giant Aquarium with an escalator beneath them.

Levi: Whoa! A shark!

Mammon: ....Tiger shark? I wonder what it'll look like!

Levi: What do you think it looks like?

Mammon: Orange? With Stripes...?

Levi:...you dumb biss-

Mammon: What?!

Levi: Look! There it is!

The said fish appears, and Mammon is disappointed. He expects the tiger shark to look like an actual tiger, but here we are.

Levi: Exactly.

Mammon: Man, It'd be cool if they were orange!

Levi: ??? You want to paint him orange???

Mammon: No?

Levi: Oh no...that shark is offended! Run!

Mammon: What?!

Levi: FRICKIN RUN MAMMON!

Mammon runs as Levi tries to calm the fish down because he can talk to the fish. The fish says that Mammon is color-shaming him, and it's too much.

Levi: No, he's not...he's just stupid :(

Fish: Oh, no wonder-

Tiger shark: Be glad it's an indestructible glass. I might have killed him now and then! [hitting the glass with his snout]

Levi: Now, now^^ There's no need for that.

Tiger shark: Oh well :( When are you gonna play with us again? :(

Levi: Soon, when I have the chance to enter the sea^^

Tiger shark: Yay!

Meanwhile, the passengers are staring at Levi as if he's crazy, but then again, they see the Tiger shark swimming around happily, so maybe his words make them happy.

Somewhere in the Zoo, Haruka smacks Solomon for giving that fireworks and trumpets.

Haruka: My head frickin hurts! You shouldn't have done that! I said confetti! Not fireworks!

Solomon: I don't mean to!

Simeon: Are you OK? Oh my goodness! Haruka! [catches Haruka before she falls]

Haruka: Blame it on Solomon! That guy dares to put loud noises in our heads!

Solomon: I don't mean to!

Rosaria: Now, that's not very nice ^^

Simeon: [sigh] Solomon, you need to be more careful. Not only did you harm Haruka, but Ichigo is also probably harmed too!

Solomon: I know, I know! I'm sorry! I don't mean to!

Suddenly this man is drenched with holy water and zapped by lightning out of nowhere. Yes, Michael knows and sent thunder to them.

Rosaria: It seems my husband disapproves of this as well...

Simeon: It seems to be so...

Haruka: Can we go back to the van?

Simeon: I guess so. Let's go find the bus and the driver.

Haruka: Yea... Oh yeah, Solomon, since you're still around, can you go to Satan?

Solomon: Me? Going to Satan? In your dreams!

Simeon: Solomon-

Solomon: Fine-

Simeon: What about you, Miss? Do you want to come with us or stay with Solomon?

Rosaria: I think I'll go with you two. I'm getting old, let's go^^

Simeon: Alright then^^

So the three of them return to the minibus, meeting the driver.

Driver: Oh? You guys are back? So soon?

Simeon: We are. It's pretty tiring...

Haruka: Yeah...

Rosaria: Plus, I'm getting old. Just let us in.

Driver: Of course, ma'am!

The driver lets them in. Suddenly he sees Diavolo and Barbatos returning as well.

Diavolo: Finally done! [entering the minibus]

Barbatos: [smile through the pain]

Diavolo: Barbatos? Are you okay?

Barbatos: .... I don't know :")

Diavolo: Here, here take a seat!

Barbatos: You too, M'lord.

Diavolo: Of course^^

More people are coming back into the bus like Levi and Mammon, disappointed Mammon because he actually thought it was orange!

Levi: Can you stop that?!

Mammon: But I thought it was orange!

Levi: It isn't!

Haruka: What's going on?

Levi: he thought tiger shark is orange-

Haruka: What?

Simeon: Eh?

Rosaria: ???

Barbatos: I'm too tired for this-

Diavolo: It isn't?

Levi: no! It's brown, sure it has stripes, but it's brown!

Diavolo: Ooh :o I see

Now back to Satan and Solomon, the two are now staring at a tiger cub rolling around.

Satan: Awww, it's just adorable.

Solomon: it is

Satan: What the- Where did you come from?!

Solomon: The door...?

Satan: [rolls his eyes]

Solomon: [sigh]

The two return to staring at the tiger cub until Satan actually apologizes for what he did this whole time, shocking Solomon.

Solomon: What?

Satan: I said I'm sorry. We got along at school, but our friendship went by because of that one thing and my phase.

Solomon: Oh yeah, Asmo explained to me about that. The demon's system is quite different from us humans.

Satan: Yeah... So I'm sorry for snapping at you for no reason.

Solomon: It's fine

Satan: So....we're cool?

Solomon: Yeah, we're cool.

Satan: OK...

Solomon: Come on, let's go back. The others are on the bus already.

Satan: So soon? Man, these cats are too cute!

Solomon: Come on!

Satan: Okaaay!

Meanwhile, Ichigo finally has her sweet tea in the food court. They do order other things too like.... 2 large fries and drinks....or just some drinks. But hey, who are we to judge Beel's appetite.

Asmo: I'm still confused how you even eat two large fries without throwing up!

Beel: Hm? This is my usual appetite, though.... well, it's lesser since I usually order four...

Asmo: Four?!

Ichigo: For real?

Beel: [nods]

Ichigo: Wait, there's something on your face-

Beel: Eh? What is it?

Ichigo: Here, let me help- [cleans it up with a tissue]

Asmo: Awwwwwwwww, you guys are so cute!!

Belphie: [sips his drink awkwardly]

Lucifer: Oh? [reads his message] They're back at the bus already?

Asmo: They are? So soon? :(

Lucifer: We've been here for a while, so it makes sense. Plus, Barbatos is really tired, so they both go back. Haruka is sick as well, so she gets back with Simeon and Rosaria...

Ichigo: Blame that on Solomon. He even put out fireworks and trumpets in my head.

Beel: What?!

Asmo: Oh boi...

Lucifer: Now, Now, let's not act recklessly and just finish your food.

Belphie: Can I like-

Lucifer, Luke, and Asmo: No!

Belphie: Why not?

Ichigo: Please don't??

Belphie: OK :(

Ichigo, who's still leaning on Beel's shoulder, feels her fiance tensing up, probably because he got a bit riled up by the information.

Ichigo: It's OK, Hon... I'm OK...

Beel: You sure?

Ichigo: Yeah... I'll be OK. It'll pass away soon

Beel: OK then^^

Finally, they all return to the minibus. Beel is still giving Solomon a dirty look since he's the cause of his fiance's condition. Solomon just looks at the window awkwardly.

Satan: What happened?

Solomon: I accidentally use fireworks and trumpets in our telepathic chatroom-

Satan: What the fck-

Solomon: I know-

Satan: [sigh] You stupid-

Lucifer: Language^^

Satan: ... :]

Asmo: Wow, the audacity. Satan, please smack him or something.

Satan: Sure [pushes his head to the window]

Solomon: Geez! Ouch!

Satan: I apologize for nothing!

Solomon: What even did I do?!

Satan: Uhm- Didn't you just admit that you made those two sick?

Solomon: Yea-

Satan: That's your answer, stupid!

Solomon:;-;

Meanwhile, Haruka is busy with her drink at her seat, waiting for Simeon's return with her bread since they're still allowed to buy things here and there. Suddenly she feels a vibration from the bracelet. It turns out it was Satan sitting beside her.

Haruka: Oh hi, Satan-

Satan: Hello :)

Satan: How's your condition?

Haruka: Still a little dizzy, which is why I'm drinking.

Satan: I see... may I pat you?

Haruka: It depends on the bracelet but OK-

Satan: Okay^^ [does the thing but haha he got zapped] What the-

Haruka: Yeah....the heavens don't approve of this, I guess...

Satan: Fair enough-

Suddenly Satan feels a plastic bag on his lap. He looks up and sees Simeon looking at him.

Simeon: That's my seat. Can you please move?

Satan: There's another seat though-

Simeon: For my bags and for her to rest. Move.

Satan: What if I don't want to?

Simeon: Haruka, may I? ^^

Haruka: Hm? Sure!

Simeon grabs Haruka's wrist and places the bracelet right onto Satan's hand, electrocuting this demon yet again.

Satan: Can you stop that?!

Simeon: I will if you move.

Asmo: Geez, you're in his seat! Just move!

Satan: Tsk.

Satan finally moves and sits beside Mammon and Levi. Levi is busy playing with his phone while Mammon instantly laughs at him.

Satan: What?!

Mammon: I told ya to move on, didn't I?! [still cackling]

Satan: Shut it. I'm just greeting her and checking her condition!

Mammon: Bullsht! Oy! Levi, what game are ya playing?

Levi: Genshin Impact.

Somewhere, Ichigo is finally asleep, leaning to Beel's shoulder because she's so tired. Beel glances a bit at her and smiles softly. He does feel annoyed because Solomon is the cause, but for now, that's not important.

Back to Haruka, Simeon asks what happened just now. What did Satan do? And more questions.

Haruka: He's just asking about my condition, nothing more. He did ask if he could pat me, but I guess the bracelet says no.

Simeon: I see... how's the bread? Is it good?

Haruka: It is! I like it! :3 Do you want some?

Simeon: No, thank you, that's all for you. It's your bread!

Haruka: I know =3=

Driver: Is everyone here?

Lucifer: [stands up to check if they're all here] Hmmm, Yes, they're all here, Mr. Driver^^

Driver: Alright then! [starts the minivan]

With that, they all go home, back to Lucifer's mansion.

[punksarahreese]

Gloves | 4 mg Ativan

Nosdecember day 14 | @neworleansspecial

Anxious!Ava; Ava’s sensory issues get in the way of a surgery

CW: hospital trauma gore, panic attacks, sensory overload, self injury stims

***

“Ava!” Connor’s voice was barely audible over the chaos of the emergency department. It didn’t help that Ava was majorly overwhelmed, trying her hardest to focus on the task at hand so she didn’t have time to panic. It took a gentle nudge from April’s elbow meeting her ribcage before she was able to look up from the central line she had been doing.

“Go help him,” April ushered her out of the treatment room, “I can get a student to do this.”

Ava nodded, too much going on for her to be comfortable to respond. She slipped out of the crowded treatment room, pulling off the pair of gloves that had been making her increasingly uncomfortable. The ED was packed, chaos unfolding as Maggie tried to get the disaster protocol in place. A train accident had all hospitals in the area absolutely swamped with patients and Gaffney was getting the brunt of it due to its proximity. Ava and Connor had been called down to help with the traumas and assess any cases that would need surgical intervention. Connor was pleased; well, as pleased as a trauma surgeon is in such a morbid situation. He enjoyed the chaotic, fast-paced environment of the emergency department when it was experiencing a mass trauma. Ava, however, disliked that exact environment completely. She preferred the predictable, familiar OR where she was in charge and the only thing she had to worry about was finishing the procedure she could often do completely from muscle memory.

To say Ava was uncomfortable was an understatement. She hadn’t seen Sarah in a few hours, since the psychiatrist was jumping between the ED, the waiting room, and upstairs. Connor and her hadn’t been on great terms since their altercation in the CT lounge, especially after Ava had emerged from the room with makeup streaked down her red cheeks and other evident signs of a major panic attack. He didn’t apologize for making her meltdown and she didn’t ask for it; they just fell into some kind of silent cold war. No conversations had come up between them unless it involved work or faux-pleasantries to avoid confusing Latham. Since then, Ava had been increasingly more uncomfortable in Connor’s presence, so the last thing she wanted to do was go help him with a trauma. This meant she didn’t have a single person in her general vicinity to give her some semblance of security, which only worsened her anxiety.

“Finally,” Connor didn’t look up when Ava walked into Baghdad, which meant he missed the death glare she halfheartedly directed at him. He motioned for her to come closer, making her realize how much of a predicament this patient was in.

A large metal rebar was protruding from the upper chest of a teenage boy, whose clothing was bloodied and the rest of his body didn’t look much better. This was unfortunately something Ava had seen more than once since moving to Chicago. From the placement of the bar it looked like it would be a tricky surgery, though not one that Connor couldn’t do with the help of a resident. She wasn’t needed, not really, so why did he call her in here?

“Rebar to the anterior chest cavity, not through and through, pretty sure the bar snagged the left subclavian.”

“Where do you need me?” She tried her best to settle into her surgical mindset, ignoring the way the erratic beeping of the heart monitors was getting to her.

“I don’t think he can make it upstairs,” he was saying as he looked over the labs that Monique handed him, “You’ll need to go to the hybrid OR.”

“That doesn’t answer my question, Connor,” Ava gently lifted the gauze packed around the bar to check the wound, “You don’t need me, not for this. I could be helping with the other surgical candidates.”

“You’re going to do this, Ava,” Connor looked at her for the first time, “I have other patients already prepped upstairs.”

Ava’s heart sank. Not only was he forcing her to operate in an unfamiliar OR, he wouldn’t even be there for it. Usually Ava hated sharing her surgeries, especially with Connor, but today was just not a day for that. She hated traumas, was uncharacteristically unsure of things like this, so the thought of doing it without a trauma surgery assist sounded like a bad idea.

“Connor, no.”

“Ava, you’ll be fine,” he was already taking off his gloves and heading to leave the room, “The team’s already prepping, just get the bar out and repair the artery.”

“Connor!” He was already halfway past the nurse’s station by the time she had tried to stop him. Ava was painfully aware of the amount of eyes on her, the staff around her looking to the surgeon for clarification. She tried to take a deep breath but her lungs felt like they were in a vice, panic slowly setting in. She shouldn’t be this nervous, she tried to reason with herself, it was just another surgery. Everything was too much though; this was too much change at once.

“Doctor Bekker?”

“Right, uh,” Ava blinked rapidly as she looked over at the nurse, “Get him to the hybrid OR then. I’ll go scrub.”

She could do this.

She had to.

Five minutes later, she was scrubbing in. She didn’t like this at all, the OR in the emergency department was so different. It was new, yes, and very nice but it wasn’t her ORs. The huge glass windows looking into the ED only worsened it for Ava. She felt like a changed animal being watched at a zoo, except she couldn’t even pace to make herself feel better. She was on display and could see the chaos outside too, it was too much.

“Ready, Doctor Bekker?” some resident whose name she suddenly forgot asked from beside her. The young woman didn’t like Ava very much, probably because she thought she got in her way of Connor, but Ava could not care less. Residents were the least of her worries, especially now.

“Uh, yeah. Give me a second.”

She left the scrub area, going to get her gown and leaving Ava in silence. She got distracted by staring out the window, eyes tracking Natalie as she ran across the ED when a code blue sounded over the speakers. Ava didn’t realize how hard she had been scrubbing her hands until she looked down and saw how red her skin had become. Her anxiety was getting the better of her, making her revert to old compulsions in an attempt to soothe herself. She hadn’t been so obsessive about cleaning since med school, but she found herself washing her hands for a second time because something just felt off.

By the time Ava nudged the door to the OR open with her hip, her adrenaline was so high she wanted to run. Somehow it felt like her heart was going to jump from her chest, as anatomically incorrect as that might be. She was focusing on deep breaths while the scrub nurse helped her into her gown, but when she held open the first glove Ava knew this would be a problem.

Nitrile gloves were a sensory nightmare when she was anxious, as ironic as that was. Yes she was a surgeon and yes surgical gloves and the consistent beeping of heart monitors could trigger sensory meltdowns. Ava didn’t know for sure why and she had spent years forcing herself to ignore the anxiety that ate away at her stomach whenever she felt those gloves touch her skin.

Today was different though.

The second she had both gloves on she wanted to scream, the feeling of the material tight against her hands more uncomfortable than ever. She couldn’t stop herself from immediately reaching to touch her collarbone, a self-soothing stim she had since she could remember, subsequently breaking her sterile field when her hand brushed her neck. Cursing under her breath, Ava apologized and explained to the staff that she would need to go rescrub.

She ran to the sinks without thought, ripping the gloves and gown off her body the second she was out of the operating area. Her mind was a jumble of thoughts, heart rate probably above 160 if she had to guess. Everything was too much and even after tossing the offending gloves into the waste bin she felt like they were still there. The awful feeling of bugs crawling along her wrists and the powdery residue left behind from the nitrile made her want to gag.

Before she could stop herself, Ava clapped her hands over her ears. The yelling from the ED, the hum of the air conditioning, and the constant beeping of different machines was finally getting to her. The gloves had been her last straw though, bile rising to her throat at the thought of having to put them back on. Even when she scrubbed at her hands roughly with the harsh anti-microbial soap again she still felt them, the sensation making frustrated tears pop up without consent.

The next thing Ava knew she was on the floor. She couldn’t handle it anymore; everything was so much. She was crying, she knew it, but she couldn’t hear herself or anything else over the flood of thoughts that suddenly hit her. The rough texture of her scrubs was at the forefront of her mind, a constant reminder that she couldn’t exist without one thing touching her. Every tactile sensation was too much in that moment and a harsh sob left her throat.

All she could think about was what Connor said in the lounge that day. All of the intrusive, hateful thoughts that morphed themselves out of his words erupting in her head. Even though most of them weren’t ones Connor had actually said out loud, Ava’s anxiety took his anger poorly and had a hayday with the self-deprecation fuel.

All you do is get in the way, Ava.

Were you even thinking about the patient?

You’re so selfish.

This is so childish.

You’re not cut out to be a surgeon.

Ava was so far in her head she didn’t hear the nurses yelling, trying to get her attention. She didn’t hear Connor’s voice as he was asking her what the hell she was doing and what was wrong. All she could do was sob, short nails digging into her biceps with as much force as she could muster. She was so overwhelmed and everything was too much. She was hyperventilating, the room starting to spin, she was supposed to be doing a surgery. Why wasn’t she in surgery?

The next thing Ava knew she was waking up, disoriented because she didn’t remember falling asleep. It took her a few minutes of confused staring at the white ceiling before she realized she was in a patient room. Panic set in almost immediately, concern for the patient flooding her more than any concern for herself. She felt an immense wave of guilt; what had she done?

The rapid beeping of a heart monitor signaled her increasing tachycardia and that immediately caught someone’s attention. Sarah was there in seconds, hands landing cautiously on Ava’s cheeks to soothe her. Ava didn’t resist because she knew immediately that it was Sarah, relaxing into the touch but unable to make eye contact. She was still overwhelmed, despite the amount of sedatives undoubtedly circulating her system. The mental toll was just as bad as the physical and all she wanted to do was melt into Sarah’s arms and weep.

“Avey,” the pitying look that her girlfriend gave her sent guilt gnawing away at Ava’s stomach again, “Why did you push yourself this far?”

[a-libra-writes]

Imagine Dating the GoT Characters in Modern Times

okay im still working on that confession request, but this sucker just got away from me lol. couldnt help meself. this is a bit more casual than the others

if i missed any of ya favs, send my ask box a mail pigeon and ill add em!

In this preference, you'll be dating: Ned Stark, Robb Stark, Sansa Stark, Jon Snow, Benjen Stark, Jory Cassel, Dolorous Edd, Tormund Giantsbane, Theon Greyjoy, Yara Greyjoy, Daenerys Targaryen, Jorah Mormont, Missandei, Grey Worm, Tywin Lannister, Tyrion Lannister, Jamie Lannister, Sandor Clegane, Bronn, Petyr Baelish, Stannis Baratheon, Davos Seaworth, Margaery Tyrell, Brynden Tully, Edmure Tully, Brienne of Tarth, Ramsay Bolton, Roose Bolton, Oberyn Martell, Beric Dondarrion

NED STARK

He always worries so much after you, like if you’re unusually late getting home or you don’t call him back for some time. He won’t bother you about it because knows he worries, and he’s always ready to give you a warm hug when you finally get home. He’s very considerate of how you like things in the home and will fix anything immediately - although, you’re convinced he’s going to drop the AC in a lake if it acts up one more time. He has a picture of your wedding day that he absolutely loves and keeps in a safe spot in his wallet. The same picture is in frame on his desk, along with pictures of the kids. It’s the only decorations he has on the desk.

ROBB STARK

He’s convinced Grey Wind is starting to like you more because you’re the one who gives the goodnight treats. His favorite memories are the times when you both were able to get away to the lake or beach for a few days; he has a picture of you both on his desk at work. If you get him something you’d think he’d like, such as a scarf, he’ll absolutely wear it until it falls apart. Before you two moved in together, he really enjoyed calling you in the evening to hear about your day. Before you started dating, he’d send you pics of Grey Wind because you had the cutest reactions to them - soooo many emojis.

SANSA STARK

She loooves trying new things and hobbies with you, even if it doesn’t always end up so hot. The baking fiasco of 2018 shall not be spoken of, the pictures have been erased, it didn’t happen. She likes doing your make-up if you’ll let her, and she loves it when you two clothes shop together, mostly so she can dress you up. Lady is the most spoiled princess in the Stark family; you and Sansa have an instagram for her, she has her own rhinestone collar and custom bowl, it’s a whole thing. Sansa likes to brush her in the evening while she listens to you about your day or you both catch up with your fav TV shows. You two are way too invested in some of them and sometimes you stay up too late angry tweeting about it.

JON SNOW

You two were mutual friends for a while before you started hanging out exclusively more and more and finally someone asked if you were dating... At that point, you basically were. He really likes going hiking in the woods with you and Ghost, and some of his favorite pictures of you are from these trips - obvs they’re his phone background, and he gets shy if someone looks over his shoulder and asks if you’re his girlfriend. You both have gotten Ghost a nice dog bed and couch but he still likes to sleep at the foot of the bed, then promptly wake you both up at 6am for a walk. Jon was nervous but excited to introduce you to his family; he enjoys holidays with them much more because of you. He loves it when you text him cute things about your day or say you miss him.

BENJEN STARK

He caught your attention when you two began casually dating and he absolutely lit up when he talked about his nieces and nephews, and he showed you lots of pictures. It was just so cute. He absolutely loves it when you wear his shirts, especially the morning after - he will pull you back into the bed. He’s a total night owl but is very considerate of being quiet when you’re asleep. If you end up falling asleep after trying to stay up with him, he’ll carefully carry you back to bed. He works evenings too, so when he comes home early in the morning, he’ll cook you breakfast before staggering to bed (obviously he wants a good morning/night kiss as you get up and get ready).

JORY CASSEL

He’s an absolute sweetheart who will adopt all the dogs and fill up the house with them if you don’t stop him. When he’s playing with them or holding them, you like to take sneaky pictures because it’s just so cute and set it as your phone background. He always has the sweetest compliments for you, regardless if you’re dressing up or you just got out of the shower. The easiest way to fluster him is throw your legs over his lap while you’re wearing shorts or a skirt and just casually snuggle up. One day one of your dogs got out and you two were so beside yourself with worry, calling all the shelters and making posters and just stressing out together. The pup showed up a few hours later covered in mud and you both ran to hug her at the same time.

EDD TOLLETT

You’d actually been hanging out with him for a while because of your mutual friends, mostly Jon. You two had such an obvious crush on each other but wouldn’t make a move, so he and Sam did the trick where they invited you both out, then made an excuse and left you two alone. He’s the master of sending a meme in response to a text you sent two hours ago. He won’t admit how much he really likes it when you wear his shirts, either to bed or out on a date. They’re almost exclusively black metal band shirts with really weird art. You both tend to go to a lot of outdoor music festivals; he always wants to hold your hand so he doesn’t lose you in a crowd.

TORMUND GIANTSBANE

His beard and hair are still wild, don’t you worry, and he’s endlessly amused when it tickles you when he kisses you. His clothes are kind of a mess so you always try to straighten them out or iron them, which he really appreciates. Whenever he sees something cool, he has to immediately take a picture and send it to you. Sometimes he’s too excited about something, he just calls you or comes over. He’d totally want to go to nature reserves, zoos and parks for dates; he loves being outdoors and thinks you look best when the sunlight is on you. He’ll take so many pics on these dates but he’s a pretty bad cameraman (he tries!). He’ll go for the tallest rollercoaster at an amusement park and immediately regret it once the drop starts; he’s secretly relieved if you don’t want to go on one. 

THEON GREYJOY

Let’s be honest, he’s kind of a fuckboy so you don’t date him too seriously. He’s the one who gets attached first and starts exclusively dating you. He really likes collecting guitars and would be stoked if you’d play or sing along with him. He prefers outdoor dates, but sports bars and music clubs are fun, too. No matter what, he’d be giving lots of PDA and wouldn’t take kindly to guys hitting on you. He always finds the most bizarre food or drink recipes online that he wants to try, usually resulting in your kitchen being a warzone afterward. Yara totally bullies him on his insta, no matter how much he blocks her. 

YARA GREYJOY

She’s the definition of the types of girls your parents really didn’t want you to bring home but Here We Are. She has the most badass boots that she wears with an eyeliner with a wing so sharp it could kill a man. She loves pulling you close and being touchy with you in bars and clubs, especially when men are bothering you. Her diet 80% microwave so you have to cook actual food for her and make sure she eats. Family gatherings or phone calls always bother her, so you have to help calm her down afterward, usually with lots of making out. She’d like you to go with her when she gets tattoos so she has someone to chat and laugh with, and she’d subtly suggest you’d look cute with a piercing. She’ll kill the bugs in the relationship as long as you give her a thank you kiss, no matter what you’re in the middle of.

DAENERYS TARGARYEN

She absolutely LOVES Christmastime and wants to decorate the whole house, send a Christmas card with you and her three bearded dragons and wear matching Christmas sweaters (she can be surprisingly stubborn about that). Cuddling on the sofa and watching movies usually ends her falling asleep on you, and if you try to move her she grumbles and hugs you closer. The background for her phone is you looking very worried, holding her three bearded dragons after she posed them on you. She’d much rather wear your hoodies and shirts than her own, sometimes only that if she’s lounging at home with you. She tries to plan a really nice date at least once a month, preferably you two going on a little weekend trip to a musical festival or a beach.

JORAH MORMONT

He texts he loves you at least twice throughout the day. When you go out on dates, he’s always worried if you need a jacket or if you’ve had enough to eat. Heel is digging into your ankle and giving you a blister? This guy has band-aids. When he gets home early, he likes to cook a quick dinner that’ll be ready when you’re home. Watching kdramas with Jorah is great because he gets so baffled and ask you if this is what kids watch nowadays, but then he gets surprisingly emotional over the big confessions and love triangles. Walking through a park or boardwalk at sunset while holding your hand is maximum serotonin for him.

MISSANDEI

Her absolute favorite part of the day is the chat you two have in the evening while you take off make-up, wash your faces and fix your hair before bed. Sometimes you talk about your day, sometimes you listen to music or have a show on. She really doesn’t like phones or laptops in bed because she just wants to cuddle or be intimate. You introduced her to theme parks, and now she absolutely loves them. Missandei will find the biggest coaster and pull you toward it, she also would like you to win her one of those stuffed animals at the shooting games. She’ll put them on a shelf in your room. Sometimes she reads a book that bothers her so much, she has to stop everything, march in the living room and tell you all about it.

GREY WORM

You asked him out by writing your number on his cup at the cafe you worked out. You never got a text or call, but he suddenly showed up a few days later, totally blushing and asking you out. It was kind of adorable. He really likes keeping the apartment tidy and totally loves your baking. You didn’t think he had a sweet tooth, and he's been trying out different recipes to share with you. He can be pretty shy around your friends, so you hang with him solo. He has surprisingly strong opinions on movies, so movie dates always spiral into film theory discussions. He's so baffled by social media but he follows and likes everything you because your posts and pics are cute.

TYWIN LANNISTER

You two met at your company’s expensive party, he interested you right away and you had fun flirting and trading verbal spars. You weren’t sure how he got your number, but he’d end up calling you up for dinners and dates and so on. That ended up turning into trips and long stays at his manor and basically you ended up living there. Tywin enjoys giving you all sorts of expensive gifts and clothes, which he of course doesn’t see as a big deal because you deserve it. Eventually you’d bother him about what you mean to him, and that’s when he’d just outright ask if you’d rather be married. Quite frankly, he doesn’t care about his children’s thoughts on the matter. He really prefers the dates and vacations that are more relaxing, especially when he gets to see you smile at something you haven’t seen. 

TYRION LANNISTER

You and Tyrion discuss books like some people discuss politics. Actually, you both tend to have a lot of long discussions, but you both are so opinionated on books. He actually writes quite a bit and dedicates a lot of it to you. His favorite thing to do is make you laugh in public while you’re drinking something; he knows it drives you nuts and it’s adorable how much you sputter and look for a napkin. He blames you for Jamie’s love of ironic emojis, and he likes to send you screenshots of Cersei’s weird facebook rants. When he’s stressing over a writing deadline, he adores it when you give him a massage and help him calm down.

JAMIE LANNISTER

He’d often tease you about using so many cutest emojis in your text messages, so he started ironically using them. You’re positive he just picks them at random but he figured out that eggplant and peach REAL quick. When you first started dating, he tried to impress you with expensive gifts and dates, but he vastly prefers the lowkey cuddles at your apartment. His head in your lap, your pet curled around his legs and him reading off ridiculous shit Cersei posts on facebook … That’s the ideal. He was a nervous wreck when you met Tywin, although he was trying to play it off and be cool. 

SANDOR CLEGANE

He’s such a grumpy bear that a lot of people wonder how the heck you two got together. You both like to hang out at music bars and clubs, and he’s always got a protective arm around you, and as the evening winds down he likes to nuzzle your hair and receive any kisses you give. He sleeps in really late and grumbles when you pull him out of bed to get his ass outside. He’ll always take care of the yard work and grills the best barbecue. He actually really likes when you ask him what he thinks about an outfit, even if he just says it’s fine, because he likes the way you twirl and show off your backside. There’s probably a football team he’s obsessed with and he WILL text you angrily about someone getting a red card or missing a goal. 

BRONN

When you asked for his number, you were shook that he still had a goddamn flip phone. Even after dating for forever, he still has that damn thing. Your favorite date spot is live music bars, even if he starts to get overly affectionate and pull you in his lap. He has leather jackets and sometimes wears black cowboy boots with them and it just … works? He also probably rides a motorcycle but makes sure you have the proper clothes and helmet and actually obeys traffic laws when you’re riding with him. He’ll still flip off drivers, though. He doesn’t go to the doctor, his sick ass shows up on your doorstep half-dead and you force cold medicine down his throat while scolding him. He just likes being looked after, not that he’ll ever admit it.

PETYR BAELISH

You’re kind of surprised he asked you out, he seemed like a very wealthy, prominent person and you were a little worried. But on all your dates he’s nothing but a gentleman and he wants to go places you enjoy to know you better. Even if you both go somewhere more lowkey like a cafe or an art museum, he just has to impress you by picking you up in a nice car. He’s much more genuine in evenings at your apartment when you cuddle with him, or when you send sweet texts that he has trouble responding to right away because they’re just so nice. He likes to follow your social media just to see what you’re up to, and he has a picture of you on his desk, probably one where you’re wearing something he got you.

STANNIS BARATHEON

He’s on top of anything that needs to be fixed or dealt with around the house, sometimes without you even noticing they were broken. He’s very grateful when you plan dates for fun or for anniversaries, because he has trouble with such things. He also totally melts when you bring him coffee in the morning with a kiss, or take his coat when he comes home. Holidays are an absolute mess; last year he was THIS close to throttling Renly with a string of holly. You like changing his phone background to saucy pictures of yourself, because he already sucks at phones and now he’s bright red and it’s taking him five minutes to figure out how to change it. You were pretty bummed when he finally figured out how to set up a phone lock, so now you just text the pictures while he’s at home. It takes a few seconds before you hear him sputter and drop his phone in the other room.

DAVOS SEAWORTH

Admittedly, Davos is a little insecure about the age difference between you two, but he’s always very comforted when you hold his hand and kiss him in public. He always has interesting places to take you, and somehow he seems to know at least one person there. He always has a new story about how he lost his fingers and now it’s just an inside joke between you two. You think its hilarious how worked up he gets about his sports teams, and he cracks up when you yell at competitive cooking shows. Sometimes he needs your help deciphering Stannis’ weird, cryptic texts. He’s very weak when you’re dressing up to go out, especially when you slip on pantyhose and heels.

MARGAERY TYRELL

You didn’t realize how big of an influencer she was until she innocently asked for a selfie of the two of you. You were on a beach date and you kissed her cheek while she made a cute pose. Much later she showed you the pic on her instagram and holy shit is that’s 20k likes what in the seven hells. If it’s a sunny day, she absolutely wants to go out to the beach or an outdoor mall or anything. She likes to show you pics of outfits, ask your opinion, and buy it as a surprise if you really love it. If you both got a pet together, she’d basically treat it like your kid. She loves taking you with her on her family’s expensive vacations, and she can’t stop holding your hand and grinning the whole time.

BRYNDEN TULLY

Brynden is also worried about the age gap between you two, and it often bothers him when people mistake him for your father while you two are out. He loves talking about you to his nieces and nephew. He held off on telling his brother out of spite, because he knew Hoster was going to bug him about proposing. His favorite thing to do with you is go boating on the family’s lake, especially when you’re laughing as you try to keep your hat on. His absolute favorite picture is a selfie you took while you were in his lap, you’re making a silly face while he’s kissing your cheek.

EDMURE TULLY

He loves doing the silliest, most domestic stuff with you. Doing laundry together while joking around, picking out furniture to match in the living room, even adopting a dog or a kitten who would end up spoiled rotten. He’d actually fall for you quickly while you were dating and already think of your wedding and a family, but he wouldn’t want to pressure you at all. He has the worst bedhead and you have to grab him before he runs out to work and try to tame it. You both have the most ridiculous in-jokes and when you watch dramas, you both get way too emotionally invested and try not to cry in front of each other.

BRIENNE OF TARTH

She’s very shy about taking selfies with you until you encourage her and insist she’s adorable. She takes good care of her health and works out a lot, and she’s definitely want you to join her for the latter. She’s great with motivating and praising you! She likes dates where you two just wander around outdoor malls or museums, you just walk and chat about all sorts of things. You’re absolutely her phone background and lock screen, and when her dad calls to check on her she ends up talking about you a lot. You both like to put on cooking shows while you fold laundry or clean and you end up getting so distracted.

RAMSAY BOLTON

You weren’t totally keen on introducing him to your parents, then they suddenly came over while he was hanging out with you and he was such a Perfect Gentleman™ you almost got whiplash. He’s the reason stray dogs always hang around your backyard and porch, he leaves food out for them. He always frowns when you cover up his hickeys with concealer. He’s not the least bit phased by horror or slasher movies, but puts them on TV anyway so you can cling to him and hide your face. He’s absolutely the sort to threaten any male friends he thinks are too close to you, then play innocent when you confront him. He likes date spots that are a little more secluded, so he can grab your body and give you a deep kiss anytime he’s wanting you.

ROOSE BOLTON

In the morning, he always has to kiss you when he wakes up and before he leaves for work, no exceptions. He’s very private so those he works with are surprised to learn he’s married, but once you two are together at some company party it’s obvious he dotes on you. His kinks are even more pronounced now and he loves buying you things he wants to see you wear. He’d like to have a family with you once you’re ready. He’d be super into you sending him sexy pictures during the day, but he won’t respond right away or pretend the picture didn’t load just to mess with you. 

OBERYN MARTELL

He looooves surprising you with thoughtful gifts, weekend trips or even just flowers sent to your work with a loveydovey note that has all your coworkers teasing you. He hangs around at your apartment so much, you wonder why he just doesn’t move in. He will absolutely love any flirty texts or sexy pictures you send him over the phone, and he’ll respond in kind. When your relationship started getting more serious, he introduced you to his family and daughters, and fell even more in love with you because you were so kind to everyone. He always wants to take you places because he thinks you’re the cutest when you’re amazed by new things.

BERIC DONDARRION

A mutual friend hooked you both up for a blind date, which bothered you a lot, but Beric was so nice, genuine and apologetic that you decided to go through with it anyway. You’re grateful you live in a cold climate because he looooves the fireplace and snuggling with you in front of it. He’s not the best at cooking and would appreciate you teaching him, also you look super cute in an apron so that’s a bonus. Expect a ton of different outdoors and camping trips from him, also he’s the worst about getting injured and insisting he’s fine, even when there’s blood all over the bathroom sink.

[dammitadolfnomorecake]

Once Bitten, Twice Stupid prt 156

156

At the back of the aquarium was the animal park/zoo. Lance wanted to feed the deers, so they did, his boyfriend would have adopted them all if left alone unsupervised for too long. For someone who hadn’t wanted a cow, Lance was pretty attached to his cow. His boyfriend fawning over everything that moved. Zero fear at all when it came to the snakes, where Keith liked to think he has a healthy fear of them. They did their own thing and he did his own thing. Never the pair to cross paths. How could they have snakes near open pens with pattble bunnies did his head in. Didn’t they worry the snakes would get the rabbits? The pavilion was dedicated to kids more than adults, Lance seemed to fit right in. Keith conned into rabbit cuddles. As nice as it was terrifying trying not to drop the rabbit, Kosmo was cuter when he’d been smaller. Lance just as cute as he smiled up at him holding his own rabbit happily. The rabbit in Keith’s arms was... he supposed... cuterish... until it pooped and Lance cackled so hard he had lean against the rabbit pen wall. This was why Kosmo was better. Keith taking a baby wipe from a zoo worker to clean up the mess on his hand as the rabbit was half dropped and half thrown the few inches back into its pen. Fuck rabbits and fuck snakes. They weren’t for him. He had Kosmo and he had Blue. That was definitely enough to keep him happy in the fur department.

Stumbling his steps, Keith came to a stop as he held Lance to him. His boyfriend’s colour faded from his face as sweat beads rolled down his forehead. The day wasn’t terribly warm, but the lack of cloud cover and coming out the air conditioning must have been getting to Lance. The pavilion was like a cool oasis before you stepped out into heat and the paths that looped around back to where they currently were

“Babe, want to take a break?”

Expecting Lance to say no, because he was a stubborn idiot about all the wrong things, his boyfriend nodded

“Sorry. I need to sit for a bit”

Okay. He wasn’t going to freak out. Nope. Lance had made it clear he was over being fussed over. A quick scan and he’d found a converted building with a neon sign in the window

“There’s a cafe. Let’s get something to drink”

“Yeah... I need a moment”

Propping Lance up, Keith lead them over to the cafe where he glared a couple away from the only available seats on the shaded veranda of the old building. Sitting Lance down, his boyfriend pushed his chair back, leaning heavily on his thighs as he hunched forward, legs spread as if he thought he might vomit between his feet

“Babe?”

“I’m sorry. Can you get me some water?”

“Yep. Hang on. Don’t move, I’ll be right back”

Grabbing two bottles of water Keith’s anxieties had him practicing what he’d say to the server as he took his place in line. The family at the sandwich counter were fighting with kids over having to eat sandwiches and not cream topped cake. The aircon in the house barely seemed to make a dent, and when he got to the counter he fumbled down both bottles of water, flustered and annoyed over the wait. Paying for both bottles hurt his heart. No bottle of water ever should cost $5 each. That was ridiculous. If Lance hadn’t needed water he’d definitely have had some very choice words to say over how they ran their cafe. In his rush to get back to Lance he nearly forgot his wallet, then bumped squarely into some kid that started crying. Apologising to the cranky mother who rushed to her precious darlings side, Keith had had enough of crowds. Enough of people. Like, couldn’t they see he was in an obvious rush? Or did they expect him to make Lance wait, then would complain if Lance threw up in front of their kids? People were too damn complicated. He should have been paying better attention to when Lance stopped laughing and started stumbling.

Lance had stripped off his jumper and used it to cover his belly as he leant against the veranda railing in his chair. His boyfriend still looked ill, but at least he was upright. A few people were glancing in his direction. Keith resisting the urge to snap at them for staring. If they were going to state they could at least offer assistance

“Babe, I’ve got the water”

Raising his head Lance blinked at him, a smile slowly coming to his lips

“Hmm... what? Oh. Thanks...”

“Are you okay? You don’t look like you feel very well”

“Just a little faint. And a whole lot of thirsty. Why do you smell funny?”

Keith handed Lance his bottle of water, using himself to shield Lance from those staring. Raising his upper slightly, Keith didn’t want to think about whatever had been on the kids hands, or on its face. He was going to be a horrible parent. What kind of person felt icky about a strangers dirty kid? Kids were dirty creatures

“Bumped into a kid. More like they bumped into me. I have no idea why it was on the loose”

“You were rushing, weren’t you?”

Sprung. He couldn’t help but rush. Ten minutes in a line of people who felt as frustrated as he did then turned out to not be able to make their damn minds up either. Then again, the cakes did actually look good. Maybe had Krolia not given him food poisoning he would have picked a slice to share with his boyfriend

“Maybe?”

Lance sighed, cracking open his bottle of water as he did. His boyfriend realising he was watching him

“Come sit down already. I’m alright. I’m feeling better in the shade”

“You said you felt faint. If this is too much...”

How often did Lance feel faint? Often enough to hide it from him?

“Keith, sit down already. It’s hotter out here than I expected. That’s it. I’m fine”

Keith didn’t quite believe Lance as he sat across from him. They’d done a fair bit of walking. The complex deceptively large inside with the outdoor area feeling more like an after thought. Still, this was closest thing to an actual zoo in the area. It made sense why it’d be so popular with families

“You’re frowning. What’s on your mind?”

“How often do you feel faint?”

Lance sighed at him

“It’s okay. I’ve normally had a nap by now and I didn’t sleep that much last night. But I’m fine now I’m sitting. You should drink your water or you’ll end up dehydrated”

“Are you you don’t need it?”

Lance rolled his eyes at him

“Babe. You’ve got to relax. Besides, my bladder is like the size of a walnut these days. I’ve already had to pee like three times. It’s repetitive”

“Was it because of the water?”

Maybe the sound of running water or being surrounded by so much of it was making his boyfriend pee more?

“Nope. I know what you’re hinting at and no. Seriously, they don’t over exaggerate this peeing thing. Everything’s all squished up to make space for these two”

“I’m sorry”

Lance sighed at him again. Replacing the cap on his bottle of water as he leaned on the table

“You don’t need to be sorry. I know you’ve got new dad jitters. I’m enjoying myself, and if it’s any indication by how much these two are moving, they are too. What do you think of this place?”

Keith let Lance have the topic change, sitting back in his chair as he nodded

“It’s cool. I mean. It’s not like hugely fancy, but it’s cool. The rabbits suck”

“I don’t know. I thought they were kind of cute”

“Because you didn’t get crapped on”

“That was definitely an advantage. It’s nice. Just seeing all these people going about their lives. It’s nice”

There was a clear “but” in Lance’s tone

“But...”

“Honestly, a kid tripped and I smelt blood. Kids trip all the time, but it got me wondering how I’d react to our kids”

“And?”

“And I don’t know. It kind of scares me. I mean, I think I’ll be okay. I think it’s just all these extra hormones amping up my senses. I’ve taken care of Pidge and Hunk before, and you without going crazy. I think I’m just over thinking it”

“You wanted to help the kid, didn’t you?”

“Yeah. I think I’m touchy because it’s a kid. They’re supposed to be enjoying themselves and not face planting on the walkways”

“They’ll be fine. Seriously though... these kids are scary”

Lance chuckled, his colour still wasn’t improving but if he could laugh Keith would take it as a sign his boyfriend felt a bit better

“That’s going to be us. And we’re going to have two of them. I hope they don’t inherit your sense of direction”

“Rude. I got us here in one piece”

“You did. It hasn’t quite been the same riding around in a car since... you know”

Since Lance flipped a truck to save him and Curtis...

“You still think about that?”

“I think about how damn lucky we were. I don’t know how you’re so willing to get back on your bike after it”

“I haven’t really thought about it. I mean, my accident wasn’t that bad. And I’ve missed my bike. Do you want me to sell it?”

Lance shook his head immediately

“No. No. I mean, I don’t love your bike but you do. I want you to have the things you love. I’m going to have to get used to it sooner rather than later”

“It has been off the road as long as you’ve been pregnant”

“I know. I’m still not sure how we made the twins...”

“When a daddy loves a daddy...”

Groaning at him, Lance’s smile only grew

“When a weird vampire drinks the blood of a weirdo, magical things happen?”

“Something like that. What do you want to do after this?”

Keith had a plan of how he wanted the day to go. First the Aquarium Centre, then out for lunch, then putting on his big boy pants and facing crowds. Lance needed more clothes, especially with how large his stomach was getting. Plus, he wanted to see Lance getting excited over things for their twins. He wanted to check out furniture... maybe choose a theme? That’s what parents did right?

“Maybe take a nap? I know it’s not a very exciting outcome”

“Babe, it’s fine. We can totally head back to the apartment and take a nap. I have no idea how I’m supposed to go back to work with all this time off”

“Does that mean you take a secret nap in the afternoons at the garage?”

Hunk would let him. Matt would see an open opportunity to get up to some kind of mischief. Grease on his hands. A grease moustache. Anything was possible if he let his guard down

“No. But I have thought about it. Then I remember Matt’s there and I think again”

“I don’t think he’d play up at work. You know Rieva tried to pay me rent? I mean, who charges their family rent?”

“Parents?”

Lance shrugged

“Mami never charged me. I told her to put it towards the food bill instead. I’m paying the same amount no matter the number of people in the household”

“You’re using more power and water”

“Yeah, but I’d still rather them save up for their own place or save towards going to see Rieva’s parents. This time last year it was only me and Blue”

“And now?”

“And now we’ve got a whole family in there. I’m so grateful to have met all of you... I’m going to be sad when Curtis leaves for good. It’s not the same without him there”

Keith huffed, hoping his expression seemed as if he was acting hurt

“Should I worry you’re going to run off with him?”

“I don’t know. He does give a pretty good running commentary when we’re watching our shows together. And he’s stopped coming at me with sex toys”

“What am I supposed to tell Shiro when you two elope?”

Lance choked on air, coughing as he shook his head

“I don’t want to die... Shiro would kill me. What about you? Would you stop the wedding?”

“Nope. I’d burn down the church so you couldn’t marry him in the first place”

“Babe, you can’t burn down churches!”

Still coughing, Lance opened his bottle of water again and proceeded to choke on that too. Keith hanging his head, useless against an invisible enemy. He’d gone and made himself upset with his own jokes. Lance was right though. Curtis was into cheesy dramas and Keith really wasn’t. Asking questions only got him glared at as Lance would be forced to spend more time explaining things to him than watching his show. Slowly recovering, Lance wiped his mouth, still coughing slightly as he shook his head again

“I have to pee again. I’ll be right back”

“You’ll be okay?”

Lance gestured towards the sign Keith hadn’t noticed. There were toilets at the side of the cafe

“I’ll be right back. Here, look after my stuff”

Lance’s stuff was his wallet and phone. Keith tapping the screen to check the time and noticing Lance had half a dozen missed calls from Hunk and Matt, his boyfriend’s phone set to “Do Not Disturb”. That couldn’t be good. Pulling out his own phone, Keith opened up his contacts, calling Matt instead of Hunk. Hunk would have been the better one to call, but if something was going on, Matt would be the calmer one to relay information. The call took long enough to connect that Keith was bored of holding his phone to his ear, and a little annoyed Matt hadn’t answered immediately

“Keith?”

“You called? What’s wrong now?”

Okay. He could have hidden someone of his annoyance, but Matt could have also texted whatever was up to Lance

“Oh! Shit. Yeah. Are you with Lance?”

No. He was on a doomed mission to Pluto. Where else was he going to be?”

“Yeah, we’re on a date. What’s going on?”

“His sister showed up here today. No idea what she wanted, but she left in a hurry. Rieva saw her as she was leaving for work”

“Which sister?”

“I don’t know... Rieva said she was pretty shocked to see her, then didn’t look too happy Lance wasn’t home”

“Did she say anything else?”

“Nope. She thought I should call you guys and let you know as soon as possible. She said she caught her peaking in through the lounge room window”

That couldn’t be good. What the hell was Lance’s sister doing showing up?!

“Thanks for letting me know. I’ll let Lance know. If you see her again, don’t bother asking why she’s around...”

“I know it’s complicated, but you sound like you’re not going to tell Lance. Has something happened?”

Maybe the thought had crossed Keith’s mind, but Lance wouldn’t be impressed if Keith didn’t tell him

“Not that I know. I don’t think it’s a touching family reunion she’s after”

“Hunk said the same thing. Anyway, bro. I’ll let you get back to your date. Are you guys coming home today?”

“Maybe. Lance wants to spend some time with Curtis”

“Okay, well, Rieva put the alarm on. I’ll let you know if his sister shows up again”

“Thanks”

Keith hung up as Matt was saying his goodbyes. Keith now really wasn’t sure what to do. He couldn’t tell Lance that one of his sisters was snooping around his house. He vaguely remembered Rachel had drug problems, so maybe... she was going to break in? Veronica had kids... what had she done with them? Luis and Lisa hadn’t told Nadia and Sylvio about Lance. Or was it Lisa? Had Luis sent Lisa to ask for Mami’s ring? Maybe Rieva had gotten it wrong and it wasn’t Lance’s sister... but then who would it be? Why would some strange woman who wasn’t Krolia be poking around Lance’s home? Rome better not have reversed their decision. Fucking Matt had ruined his whole mood. Shoved the responsibility on him, and now it’d be on his mind until the end of their date if he didn’t tell Lance about it right now. Keith didn’t want to skip the nocturnal section. He wanted to get his own back over the rabbit incident by teasing Lance over a family reunion with the bats. He missed Lance’s tiny little bat form. With his chubby belly and tiny little teeth as he fed from Keith’s finger. He wished he’d taken video of Lance floating around in the ice cream container in the bathtub. Or with his bubble beard and unamused look... But if he told Lance, Lance would be depressed and worried for the rest of their visit to the zoo.

Waiting for his boyfriend to return, Keith started getting concerned as people came and went from the public toilets with none of those people being Lance. Gathering up their things, Keith ignored the few looks he got as he left the veranda area and turned the corner to head into the public toilets. Stared at as if his arrival was somehow startling, Keith made his over to the three cubicles against the wall. Leaning against the corner as if he was waiting in line, and not waiting to see who came out of which one to determine where his boyfriend was.

Pretending to be polite, Keith gestured to those actually as the two cubicles opened, with Lance in the closest, he was grateful the zoo employed the simple turn locks and nothing fancy as he slipped the edge of one of Lance’s key into the small slit, to let himself into the cubicle. Sitting on the toilet lid, Lance had a wad of tissues to his nose as he cried silently, Keith rushing to lock the door behind him and move to kneel in front of his boyfriend

“Babe?”

Raising his head, Lance hiccuped softly, relief coming into his big blue eyes

“Keith...”

That was all it took for Keith to be wrapping his arms around his boyfriend. Lance shuddering as he let out an audible sob

“Babe, what happened?”

If someone had hurt Lance, he was going to murder them very slowly for daring to touch him. Logic out the window, and the numerous other reasons Lance’s nose could be bleeding, out with it

“I’m... I... panicked... and I... my nose”

Lance sounded all stuffy, as he would have if he had a broken nose or a head cold

“Can I see?”

Nodding Lance drew back, Keith cupping his face in his hands as his boyfriend pulled the toilet paper away from his nose

“What happened?”

“I panicked... and bumped a guy who pushed me... and I smacked my face”

Who the fuck shoved someone who’d bumped them by accident?!

“I’m going to kill him”

“No... no... this is my fault”

“Babe, your nose is messed up!”

Why couldn’t Lance admit that he wasn’t to blame?! Clearly the other guy had over reacted

“I... he broke my nose... and my arm... and I... I killed him”

Hang on. What? Keith hadn’t seen any dead bodies in the bathroom. A normal human had a habit of screaming in the face of a discovery like that. The only person... oh...

“Hey. Hey, you’re okay. He’s gone. He’s gone and he’s not going to hurt you again”

“I know... I didn’t mean to panic... the... the basement had a stone floor and it came out of nowhere... and I tried to hide it... but I...”

Lance was starting to smell sweet. The wanker who’d pushed him had pushed him right over the edge. He was lucky Lance was coherent enough to talk to him. Fucking Sendak

“Okay. You’re okay. I’m sorry I didn’t come faster. Does your nose hurt?”

Lance nodded, bottom lip bleeding too from where his fangs had pierced it. Lance didn’t tell him Sendak broke his nose and his arm. Keith wished he could resurrect the wank stain and lop his damn head off for himself

“My whole head hurts. He hurt Curtis and I lost my head. I didn’t... I...”

“Shhh. You were in an impossible situation. You need to calm your breathing down. Can you do that?”

“I can’t smell you...”

Thanks to fucking blood across his face

“I know. I’m here though. Breathe through your mouth. In for 6 out for 12...”

Lance nodded at him, making the attempt

“Good. Good, just like that. Just like that. He’s gone and you never have to see him again... just keep breathing for me”

As Lance kept on with trying to calm his breathing, Keith pulled off a long strip of toilet paper, starting to clean his boyfriend’s face up. Lance would heal, but it wasn’t fair that some douche took his bad mood out on him. Lance’s voice wavered as he mumbled

“Is it bad?”

“I’m pissed as hell, but not at you”

“I’m trying. I am... but... when I saw the floor I panicked...”

“Hey. You’re not to blame”

“I ruined our whole date!”

“You didn’t ruin anything. Nothing at all. You’re okay now. Fuck... I should have come in with you”

“You were on the phone”

Right. Super hearing. Lance had probably heard every rude thing whispered as people watched him recovering. He couldn’t lie. Lance deserved better than a lie, even if this wasn’t the time for the truth

“Matt called. He said your sister came to see you. Rieva didn’t know which one”

Lance’s sharp intake of breath cause Keith to knock his boyfriend’s nose, more blood running from his nostrils in a fresh wave as he hissed in pain

“Sorry! I’m so sorry...”

Lance whimpered as Keith wiped the blood up. Shiro would have once lost his shit over him doing this without thinking twice

“Can we go home? I... want to go home...”

“Yeah, babe. We’ll wait a little longer until your nose stops bleeding. Do you need anything? Can I get you anything? Did he hurt you anywhere else?”

“N-no... I scratched myself... with my nails... I didn’t...”

“Shhh. You’re not to blame and you’d be saying the same thing if our positions were reversed. Can you show me?”

Lance’s nails were long and lethal looking. His boyfriend had scratched up the soft skin of his inner left wristKeith had a fair idea of what happened. Lance would have walked into the bathroom, moving out the way of someone leaving. He’d probably looked down and seen the floor. Feeling himself panicking and his body reacting, his boyfriend would have tried to hide in the first available cubicle, accidentally bumping the guy who’d shoved him out the way. With how good Lance’s memory was, he’d be recalling Sendak’s touch, associating it with the feel of his nose getting messed up and panicked further. When had going to the toilet become so dangerous? People sucked.

“A few scratches but your jumper will hide them. You’ll be okay. We’ll go back to the apartment and we can snuggle”

“I’m so sorry... I ruined our whole date”

“You didn’t. You didn’t do a single thing wrong”

“I must have... he shoved me so hard...”

Why hadn’t he grabbed his fucking gun? Stabbing the guy didn’t seem as good as shooting him in both feet and making the man walk himself to help

“He’s the one with the problem, not you. Let me clean your chin up. You’ve got blood down you front”

Using up most of his bottle of water, Keith got Lance as cleaned up his could. His boyfriend’s scent spiking in waves, Lance not mentioning it so Keith didn’t either. Replacing the toilet paper with a fresh wad, once Lance had his jumper back on, Keith got his boyfriend standing then flushed away all the evidence, careful to triple check there was no split blood on the floor or the door. So much for the peaceful date that they both more than deserved.

[miracalicethebookgirl]

The Phony and the Famous Pt. 5

AO3 

Pt 1. Pt 2. Pt 3. Pt 4. 

Summary: Lila spreads lies about being famous with worldwide connections to increase her local popularity. She’s confident that Marinette will never be able to prove otherwise. What she, and even Marinette herself, don’t realize is that Marinette won’t have to do any of that to come out on top. - A story in which everything Lila lies about, Marinette turns into reality for herself, usually unknowingly (our girl is quite the lucky one, after all).

A brief explanation: The last chapter was a bit confusing as to how Mister Bug appeared. When people turned into animals, all their clothing and accessories were left behind. When Marinette turned into a hamster her earrings fell off, so Tikki took them to Chat. Adrien switched out his Miraculous since it’s still unknown if something happens by wearing both the Ladybug and Cat Miraculous (not sure if Gamer 2.0 counts). After the fight he switched back and Tikki returned the earrings to Marinette. 

… 

“I'm good friends with the best manga publisher in Japan, you know. I can talk to them about your comic book project if you like.” 

Season 3, “Ladybug” 

… 

“Name?” 

“Oh! Uh, Astruc, Thomas.” 

The girl hummed thoughtfully as she shuffled through the festival passes on the table. “That name sounds familiar. Did you work on a recent film or something?” 

“Yes, actually! I was the director of The Adventures of Lady—” 

“Here it is!” the girl exclaimed, pulling out the lanyard pass from the stack and adding some pamphlets to her hand. “Keep your pass on you at all times. The first pamphlet will provide you with a general map of the Champs-Élysées. The area is split up by genre and your second pamphlet will tell you which film categories will be playing on which day. If you have any questions just ask a volunteer. Welcome to the Young Artists Film Festival!” 

With that, Thomas Astruc was ushered along to allow the next person to check in. 

He was a little put out that he was yet again dismissed despite his role in the production of a movie that was widely popular in France. But what could he do besides shake his head and accept it? He could brag all he wanted about it but unless he made as big a name as Steven Basielberg, people would simply continue to shrug and dismiss him. 

Rather than spoil his mood with such thoughts, Thomas figured he’d keep a low profile and just enjoy the festivities. It always intrigued him to see what new edgy or comedic or introspective pieces the young minds of France could create. So he spent an hour watching several animated shorts created by students and noted interesting stylistic choices and the most popular narratives. He debated going to see one of the feature length films that were highlighted for the day when he heard someone excitedly call out his name. 

“Oh my gosh, Monsieur Astruc! Monsieur Astruc!” 

He turned and saw a pigtailed teenage girl wave and run up to him, followed by—he blinked owlishly—Adrien Agreste, who had another girl latched to his arm. He looked back at the girl who called to him. 

“You look a bit familiar to me. Have we met before?” 

The girl didn’t seem bothered by his question. “It was only briefly, but we met at the Ladybug and Chat Noir movie premiere a few months back. I was the person you gave up your seat to. I’m still so thankful that you did that for me! Aside from the akuma—no offense—and a couple other people…the premiere was actually kind of fun.” 

The other two teens finally reached them. The girl on Adrien’s arm gave a small gasp. 

“Oh, Marinette, you were at the Ladybug movie premiere? I heard you went as one of the waitresses. I would have been there too, but I told the movie director that I had another movie project lined up. You see, being Ladybug’s best friend, I had a big say in how the heroes in the movie were portrayed so they could be as accurate as possible.” 

The other three stood silent for a moment. One in confusion and the other two in exasperation. 

“Who did you say you were again?” Thomas asked, wondering if he really did forget such a person. 

“Oh, silly me,” the girl tittered, “where are my manners? I’m Lila Rossi, sort of an expert in all things Ladybug. And in case you also didn’t know,” she pulled Adrien closer to herself, “this is Adrien Agreste. He voiced Chat Noir in the movie but he’s also a model for Gabriel. We actually model together.” 

Adrien brought a fist to his mouth and gave a small cough. 

Is he covering a smile? Thomas thought to himself. Well, he couldn’t blame the boy. This girl obviously didn’t know whose company she was in. Thomas would have also laughed if the thought didn’t make him feel so dejected. 

“Um, Lila,” Adrien politely began, “let me introduce you to Thomas Astruc. Monsieur Astruc is the artistic director of The Adventures of Ladybug and Chat Noir.” He paused. “The Movie.”

As they all watched the emotions play across Lila’s face, it was the other girl, Marinette’s, turn to try and smother a giggle. She wasn’t as successful as Adrien but at the fury that passed across Lila’s face, she quickly brought the conversation elsewhere. 

“Sir, I never did get to introduce myself to you, which I guess was a little rude at the time. My name is Marinette Dupain-Cheng. I admit, I was a little skeptical when I first watched the trailer because Ladybug and Chat Noir didn’t sound anything like the real heroes. But once I watched the movie, it was actually really good!” 

Thomas laughed good-naturedly. “That’s quite alright. I knew some people would be disappointed that the movie wasn’t an account of true events. That was the point of the disclaimer ‘based on Ladybug and Chat Noir.’” He took a moment to discreetly eye Lila. “The script writers and I didn’t want to confine ourselves to real life. We took our artistic license and ran with it, if you will. Especially since we don’t know everything there is to know about the Miraculous or the identities of the main players. Can you imagine Ladybug being scared of cats? Or if Hawkmoth were actually Chat Noir’s dad?” 

Marinette laughed with him at those hypotheticals. Adrien chuckled along a bit more nervously, though Thomas figured the young man was just trying to imagine Gabriel Agreste as a supervillain, considering Adrien voiced the aforementioned hero. Lila had taken on a stoic face, and he guiltily hoped she learned some humility from her embarrassment. 

Then something from earlier clicked in his mind. 

“Did you say your name was Marinette Dupain-Cheng?” 

Marinette stopped laughing and looked at him questioningly. “Yeah, I did.” 

Thomas’s eyes lit up. “So you’re the Marinette Dupain-Cheng whose designs are sought after by several celebrities and whose talents caught the attention of one of the biggest film studios in Europe?!” 

Face turning red at the acknowledgement, Marinette nodded timidly. Adrien reached out and put a hand on her shoulder as he smiled proudly. “And those are only some of her accomplishments. I bet she’ll go even further in whatever she does.” His eyes twitched a little when Lila gave a small noise of derision. 

Thomas agreed with the boy. Miss Dupain-Cheng may be a relatively new name running in Parisian circles, especially with the crocodile debacle and zoo fundraiser, but she was proving to be more than just a flash in the pan. If anything, she was gaining more momentum in her fame as time passed, due in part by the recently confirmed rumors of her association with Graham Films. Thomas thought hard. 

The animation studio he previously worked with for the Ladybug movie was offering him a contract for a new animated film. The studio anticipated that the project wouldn’t receive as much attention as the Ladybug movie did, but Thomas acknowledged that it was a given. However, if he could attach some big names to the film, that might be even better promotion than the simple “from the producers of the hit film Ladybug!” tagline could provide. Bringing Marinette on board would be a more than stellar start. 

“What is the project that you and Graham Films working on right now?” he questioned, genuinely curious. “And when is post-production? If you don’t have any other film projects lined up, I happen to be gathering a team right now for an original animated film and we would love to work with someone of your talents!” 

Thomas was disappointed to see her shake her head apologetically. 

“I’m sorry, Monsieur Astruc. The movie with Graham Films is a one-time thing since I’m hoping for more fashion-centered work.” Her tone then turned thoughtful. “What kind of movie is yours going to be?” 

“It’ll be a new superhero movie. I’m considering integrating it into the same universe as the Ladybug and Chat Noir movie.” 

Adrien’s eyes lit up. “That sounds really cool! I hope you’ll let me voice Chat Noir again if he and Ladybug make a cameo or maybe even have a sequel!” 

Thomas laughed, appreciative of the boy’s eagerness. The cameo bit wasn’t a bad idea at all. 

“Monsieur Astruc,” Marinette began tentatively, “would you be opposed to taking on other young talent since I won’t be able to?” 

He blinked. “Unless they have an exceptional portfolio and prior experience, I don’t think it would be very likely that they’d be hired. But,” he added when he saw the girl slump, “I’m very open to bringing some interns to the team.” 

Thomas noticed Adrien perk up, looking like he knew exactly what his friend was leading up to. Lila merely turned her head away, seeming to be ignoring the rest of the conversation. 

“I know some people who would love that!” Marinette exclaimed. “And I can speak for their talent in both writing and drawing about superheroes.” 

Intrigued, he figured it wouldn’t hurt to hear her out. 

… 

A week later at the studio, Thomas and his production team stood up from their chairs to shake hands with the young men who they would be taking under their wings as interns. 

“I look forward to working with you two gentlemen,” he said to them. “Your ideas are great and hopefully this internship and stories of my own journey from character doodling to filmmaking can help you get your own comics off the ground.” 

Marc Anciel blushed. Nathaniel Kurtzberg beamed and replied, “I can’t wait to tell Marinette about this. I can’t believe she thought of us when you originally wanted her. I heard she couldn’t accept anyway, but still!” 

“Marinette is always looking out for her friends,” Marc added softly. 

When Thomas formally met Marinette, he recognized her for her fame and her talents. Since then, he began to realize just what a remarkable person she was. And so young too… He briefly pondered how old Ladybug and Chat Noir were. Surely not as young as his movie made them? 

“People like that are hard to find but they do exist. Hold on tight to friendships like this. And remember that even though Marinette might seem amazing all on her own, being her friend means helping her out too.” 

The boys seemed oddly sad (ashamed, in Nathaniel’s case?) for a moment, but Thomas only had a second to wonder about it before they smiled and nodded in agreement. 

[sunflower-swan]

Wolfstar Chapter 20

A/N: Here’s what you need to know: I created this story for Writer’s Month 2020. Every day is a new prompt, and therefore a new chapter. This is an AU Wolfstar where Remus is a tattoo artist next door to Sirius who manages a flower shop. James and Lily are alive in this universe and own a coffee shop across the street. And to make parts of the story work with the prompts, Remus is about 10 years older than Sirius. It also takes place more or less in present time, minus Covid-19.

This is chapter 20 of a multi-chapter work. If you’d like to start from the beginning, here is chapter 1.

Disclaimer: I don’t own these characters. I just like to play with them.

Day 20 Prompt: Loss

Rating: Teen and Up

Word Count: 1297

Tags: babysitting, fluff, pet name, old scars, language

Chapter 20

Sirius

Simon & Garfunkel, “At the Zoo”

The monkeys stand for honesty

Giraffes are insincere

And the elephants are kindly but they're dumb

Orangutans are skeptical

Of changes in their cages

And the zookeeper is very fond of rum 

The man who opened the door looked like Remus, but like...a Remus who wasn’t done yet. There were no silver strands peppering the sandy blonde. No crinkle in the corners of his eyes. His arms were inkless and criss-crossed with scars. Sirius sniffed...he smelled like Remus. The comforting scent of old books and chocolate grounded Sirius, but he still wondered, What the hell is going on here?

“Eh-- uh-- erm…” Sirius stammered. 

Not-done-yet-Remus leaned against the doorframe. “Hey,” he said with a mischievous grin.

Sirius lifted his hand and poked the sort-of-stranger in the chest. He was real, Sirius wasn’t hallucinating. “Remus?”

“Yes?” His lashes fluttered.

“What…” Sirius looked Remus up and down, not believing his own eyes. “What did you do?”

Remus shrugged. “Oh...eating right, getting enough sleep...the usual.”

“No...but really,” Sirius took a step closer. He ran his fingertips across Remus' scarred collarbone that showed above his collar, and down his scarred arm. What have you done, Remus? Confused, he said, “You look…”

“How do I look?” Remus whispered.

“Different.”

“Different good or,” Remus forehead creased, “different bad?”

“Just...different.” Sirius looked up into Remus' face. “How did this happen?”

“Ok, fine.” Remus rolled his eyes. “I...might have...taken a teeny --” he rubbed the corner of his eye, “-- de-aging potion.”

Sirius took a step back and looked Remus over again. De-aging potion? That would explain the how, but it didn’t explain the… “Why?”

“You don’t like it?”

“Oh, Remus.” He shook his head and laughed. “I liked you just the way you were. Please, tell me this,” he gestured, “is not permanent.”

“It’s not permanent.”

“Thank goodness.” Sirius slid past Remus and marched up to the flat.

Remus shut and warded the door. “You have until 9 P.M. to enjoy twenty-five year old me,” he called.

Sirius reached the living room and collapsed on the couch. He tilted his head back and stared at the ceiling. Good grief. What in Merlin’s name was Remus thinking? This will be a weird damn day.

Remus appeared in the doorway, and then settled onto the couch next to Sirius. He crossed his legs, and leaned his head on Sirius’ shoulder.

“I’m sorry if I freaked you out,” Remus said. “I thought it would be funny. But now I’m stuck like this --” he held his arms out, “-- all day.” 

Sirius reached out and traced three fingers along three dark, parallel scars that ran diagonal across Remus’ forearm and ended near his elbow. He felt Remus' body stiffen next to him.

“Sorry,” Sirius whispered. He withdrew his hand and leaned the side of his head against the top of Remus’ head which was still on his shoulder.

Remus lowered his arms to his lap. “It’s ok. There’s a reason I spent the time and money to cover them.”

He hoped it wasn’t too personal of a question when he asked, “How did you get them?”

“Me. Well...werewolf me.” Remus sighed. “It’s not so bad now with the Wolfsbane Potion. But before…” He shuddered. 

A sudden RAP-TAP-TAP came from the kitchen window. They both jumped and gasped. Remus stood to let the small owl in. It swept in, landed on Sirius' lap, and stared at him until he removed the scroll from it’s leg. Then it gave a small hoot and flew back out the open window.

“Who’s it from?” Remus closed the window and walked back to the living room.

“James and Lily. Want to babysit Harry with me?”

~~~~~

One of the perks of being a Godfather, was spur of the moment babysitting duties. Sirius and Remus apparated to James & Lily’s house to take Harry off their hands for the afternoon. Lily had, in James’ opinion, made the colossal mistake of inviting her sister’s family to dinner that evening. Which meant Lily was beside herself wanting everything to go well. Her family tended to bring out her crazy a little bit. Not that her friends would ever tell her for fear of being hexed into oblivion. With Harry out of their hair for a few hours, James could calm Lily down and also help her with preparations.

After fielding questions about Remus’ appearance, James packed them a small backpack. He filled it with Harry’s favorite snacks, a bottle of water, a few small toys, sunscreen and a change of clothes. Then he plopped a bright yellow ball cap on Harry’s head, strapped the bag to his back, and pushed the three of them out the door with a hurried, “Thanks! Good luck!”

Sirius held Harry’s hand as they walked down the sidewalk.

“Wemus?” Harry said.

“Yes, Harry,” Remus replied. He slid his hands into his pockets and looked down at the boy.

“What happen to the pretty pictures on your arms?”

“I...uh…”

“He took them off for today, buddy.” Sirius saved Remus from attempting to explain the complexities of de-aging potions to a toddler.

“Oh, ok.” Harry shrugged.

Remus looked at him wide-eyed and mouthed, “Thank you.”

Sirius winked at Remus, then he asked Harry, “So, Harry, what do you want to do today?”

Harry gasped. “Can we go to the zoo?! Pleeeeease??”

“Sure.” Sirius chuckled.

~~~~~

They walked through the zoo at a leisurely pace, stopping to see each animal. Sirius noticed Remus hung back away from the exhibits most of the time. Harry was enthralled watching the kangaroos play with each other, so Sirius left him to it and walked to where Remus was standing a few feet away.

He stood next to Remus, watching Harry wave and talk to the kangaroos. “You ok?” Sirius nudged Remus with his shoulder.

“Animals don’t like me, especially typical prey animals.” He squinted. “It’s an instinct thing -- they can sense the werewolf predator inside me.”

“Why didn’t you say something?” Sirius asked. “We could have done something different.”

“Harry seemed so excited. I didn’t want to ruin his day.”

Sirius studied the side of Remus' face. When he had scrunched his eyes in explanation, Sirius could see his-Remus there for a moment. He knew it was only the outside that had changed, but it was still strange. Inside, Remus was the same thoughtful and caring person that Sirius had always known.

“Tell you what.” He reached for Remus' hand, and threaded their fingers together. “The next time you get a bizarre notion to take a temporary de-aging potion, we can go to Tate Modern or something.”

Remus' mouth fell open as he looked down and gazed at their interlocked hands.

“Oy…” Sirius gave Remus’ hand a squeeze. “Earth to Moony.”

“Moony?” Remus blinked at Sirius and lifted an eyebrow.

Sirius snickered. “Aw, Moony doesn’t like his pet name?”

Remus grinned and rolled his eyes. “If you insist.” He sighed.

“I do.” Sirius leaned over and kissed Remus on the cheek. The stubble was coarse against his lips. Remus tightened his grip on Sirius’ hand in response. 

More than anything, Sirius wanted to snog him silly right there in the middle of the zoo. But Remus still had protective barriers up around himself. Sirius didn’t want to take a wrecking ball to them, so much as a sledgehammer and slowly chip them away.

“My Moony,” he whispered into Remus’ cheek.

“Uh...Sirius...where’s Harry?”

Shit! Sirius raked his eyes over the kangaroo enclosure. His heartbeat was in his throat as he looked left and right. “Harry!” he yelled.

Harry was nowhere in sight. Sirius had lost his Godson. James and Lily were going to kill him.

“We’ll find him,” Remus reassured Sirius. “He couldn’t have gone far. Where do you think he would go?”

Sirius ran his hand across his chin and looked around, trying to push down the panic. “Um...I have an idea. Follow me!” He ran, with Remus right behind him.

A/N: Ok, so here’s the dealio. I have the last ten chapters of this fic mapped out, but they are not words on a page yet. Real life finally caught me, dammit. I will finish this fic if for no other reason than I don’t know the meaning of the word “quit.”

While I may not “win” the writer’s challenge, I still got a pretty cool story out of it, and I’ve had a lot of fun writing it and sharing it. Like I tell my students, failure is always an option; it’s the only way we learn and improve.

I will hopefully get at least one, if not two, chapters out per week. So, subscribe and sign up for notifications, or leave a comment if you want to be tagged when I post a new chapter. I promise, promise, promise I am not abandoning this fic.

XOXO