#except Wilde just looks at him and sees 'not sasha (but not not!sasha that's an important distintion)'

[just-an-enby-lemon]

Howard Carter bonding with Barnes but not as much with Zolf and Wilde because "he is not Sasha" and it shouldn't matter but it does (and they are at first mean about it as well) is a headcannon that can be so special.

[misguidedasgardian]

Wild Cats (part V)

V. The need

MASTERLIST

Summary: Even though you just escaped death, you couldn’t count yourselves as saved yet

Pairing: Daryl Dixon x Fem!Reader

Warnings: Zombie apocalypse AU, living dead, zombies, guts, blood, guns, injures, cannibalism, reader eats a squirrel (after they cooked it of course), you know what this is about.

+18, MINORS DNI

Notes: Carol gets in the mean machine a bit

You guarded them, Rick, Carl, Michonne, Tyrell, Carol, Maggie, Glenn, Sasha, Bob, Tyresse and Daryl, you kept watch as you heard them make a list of everyone that was in the prison, and everyone that was accounted for, or you guessed, didn’t make it and they saw it go down

Apparently, as Carl had told you, they had been living in a prison for half a year, it was the perfect place against the new world, you’d think, as you could easily protect it, but some psycho tried to take it over with a tank, attacking the prison, destroying it in the process, and vanishing Rick’s community from there. At some point there were like forty people living in it, and in front of you is what was left.

A haunting thought

They were seeing if there was any chance someone else might still be out there, and they got to the conclusion there wasn’t, well, except for… Beth

She was Maggie’s younger sister and she was taken, when she was Daryl before you met him, before the thing with the claimers.

“New here too, right?”, asked Tara, you smiled and nodded, “I just met Rick, MIchonne and Carl a couple of days ago, after they escaped the prison, how about you?”, you asked her

“I was part of the group that took the prison”, she said with a horrid expression on her face. 

“Oh”, you didn’t know what to say

“Our leader lied to us, made us do it”, she said shortly. One thing you’d learn in the apocalypse, is that is was like it was in prison, you heard very few stories, and shorter ones, nobody liked to talk about “before”

You also had a good story to tell, but… alas… nobody asked you either.

“We should get going”, said Rick

“Where are we going?”, you asked softly. He looked back at you, he didn’t have a plan, neither of you did.

“For now we keep walking until we can find someone to lay low, regroup, replenish our strength”, he said, and you nodded, that sounded like a great plan, you only hoped this place existed.

You noticed something else too, Daryl was always hanging back, measuring, watching, his crossbow always ready to release. He often walked away from the group in thought, just to come back a few hours later while you walked. 

The night came quicker than you expected and to your surprise, Daryl came in with dead squirrels for dinner.

You had never eaten squirrels before.

It was… tasty, tasted like chicken. After he set a fire and cooked them himself. You always felt his eyes on you, when you looked back he seemed to be analyzing you, testing you, as you tried the squirrel and then ate it.

“Good enough for ya’?”, he asked as he munched on his

“it’s great”, you said, of course at first you were not convinced.

You couldn’t hunt for shit, and in that period when you were alone you saw some gray days, but you always managed. You had eaten so many expired canned things you were pleasantly surprised that you haven't gotten poisoned yet.

You took turns to sleep, there were fifteen of you, so you took turns. You realized that in the -adult- close circle, those being Michone, Rick, Carol, Daryl, Maggie and Glenn divided themselves into the five groups to take guards, they didn’t trust you, or the trio, or Tara more, but you understood it.

You were just almost eaten by humans who promised you sanctuary 

Daryl kept watch with you like at three AM, and also Abraham, who wouldn’t let Eugene do anything of substance.

“What did you both do before all of this?”, he asked, which wasn’t fair, it was clear what he did. You looked at Daryl who didn’t answer

“Does it really matter?”, you asked

“Hell yeah”

“What I can tell you is that I didn’t do anything special”, you said simply, “nothing that could have helped me survive this anyways”, you said quietly, but you still felt both gazes on to you, “I’m a designer mayor”, you concluded, “just finished my masters when the crap hit the fan”

“You don’t sound like you’re from around here”, he said

“I’m not”, you said, but you were not willing to answer anymore and he seemed to understand it. 

“And what about you?”, he asked Daryl in turn, you looked back at him expectantly, but he only mumbled something under his breath

“It doesn’t matter now, does it?”, you asked, “we are all different people now, and it’s not like we need CV’s”, you said softly. 

“We are going to fix this”, he said, all convinced

“That’s just bullshit man”, muttered Daryl. You didn’t want to get your hopes up, you really didn’t. A scientist that could stop this? on their way to DC with these militars? that sounded so, so strange, but again, this had become a strange world

“I can use some people like you in the team”, he said, looking at you both. Daryl just shook his head

“You said you are going to DC?”, you asked, he nodded, “how do you know someone is there still?”, finding people that had a similar plan to yours was… endearing, maybe you weren’t so wrong after all.

“Well, we did lose contact a few weeks back, but there were still people there”, he said, “the last ones standing”. Someone created this virus, you were sure of it, and as easier someone could change this back, this was a virus, you really did hope there was a way back.

Although things were irreparable now. But at least, people didn’t have to keep coming back to life as flesh-eating monsters, and furthermore, people didn’t have to keep being eaten. 

“You too”, encouraged Abraham, you raised your eyes from the fire to look at him

“Why me?”, you asked him

“I saw you wielding that ax”, he said nodding proudly, you weren’t better with an ax that Daryl was with a bow, “you both should be there when we save the world”, Daryl only chuckled, mockingly, and then stood up to go for a walk around the camp. You both joined him, because you didn’t want to have another “claimers” situation, one where the group sneaked past your round, so you went in all different directions. 

“You’re with me”, muttered Daryl, you just walked towards him silently, and submerged yourself into the woods. 

The moon helped you, also, the sky was clear so you could see once you adjusted your eyesight. You watched where you were going, last time you tripped he snapped at you, when you were slow he also snapped at you.

You got it, he was this tough, tracker, hunter guy, but still, he seemed to be always looming over you,watching your every move

You didn’t care, something made you want to please him, to prove yourself worthy to him, you didn’t know what it was.

You are focused so much in your “quickness” and being fast that you didn’t watched much when you were going, especially since it was pitch black, you tripped and fell on your face, and you would have been embarrassed, if it wasn’t because you didn’t trip because of a branch or something, something grabbed you. 

You heard the growls and you knew you were fucked, truly fucked 

“Ah!”, you screamed when you kicked and hit the walker in its face, you turned around and you could barely see the silhouette. You grabbed your ax but you were so afraid to hit yourself, it lodged in what it seemed to be it’s shoulder

You saw and heard its mouth snapping open, he was going to get you, his boney body over your other leg, not allowing you to kick him

And then, an arrow lodged itself in the middle of its forehead, stopping his movements at once.

“It’s a wonder you haven’t been killed ye”, he mumbled, coming to you, grabbing the arrow from its head, and grabbing you, getting you on your feet, “did he get ya?”, you grabbed onto him, shaking your head

“Thank you”, you said, trying to hold on into his thick arm, as you took foot on solid ground

“Be more careful will ya?”, he asked and walked away from you, releasing his hold on you. 

“Sorry”, you said, catching up to him, “thank you I thought it was gonna get me”, you were shaken up, you felt your heart thundering. He didn’t say anything as he kept walking forwards, you walked stuck to his side, creeped out of your mind. Soon your round was over and you came back to the bonfire.

You didn’t understand why Daryl was so angry at you all the time. And furthermore you didn’t understand why he was hovering over you, as he sat right by your side, and slept right by you too. He wouldn’t stop checking where you were or what you were doing, you didn’t understand at all. You stole a glance at him and saw him staring into the fire. He had some beautiful eyes… the bastard, and underneath all that wild hair… he was sort of handsome, in a… special, wild way.

He caught you staring so you looked away quickly, and soon, you woke the others up and it was your time to rest. 

. . .

The next night found you in the church of the priest you saved from three walkers. He gave you the creeps. You believed yourself to be a good judge of character and you did not like him at all, but you needed sanctuary, food, water and a plan, so you should be fine there for a couple of weeks. If Rick trusted him, so could you, besides, there was fifteen of you, and one of him.

There you had more time to get acquainted with the rest of the group. You’d learn that baby Judith was a badass, and super quiet for a baby. She was such a cute little baby. 

You’d learned so many things from the rest of the group, how Tyresse was certainly the most intimidating-looking but a gentle giant, Bob was… odd. Carol was very reserved and if Daryl gave you judging looks he’s got nothing on her. She barely even talked to you.

Eugene was a bit of a weirdo, he was, he tried to “came onto you” multiple times and you’d reject his lewd advances quickly, and Abraham and Rosita would laugh at him. It was sort of comical, he was lacking very esencial social skills. But Abraham, Eugene and a couple of more were hellbent on fixing a broken church bus to get them to DC, and the rest of you were just trying to get supplies to keep going, or figure out what to do next.

You were not impressed by the town or its surroundings, but you were asked by Rick to stay near the church with Carl, baby Judith and the others, and you did, happily.

As you had a time for yourself, you sat in one of the church’s benches and peeked at a map you had of Georgia and the surrounding states, of the plan you had made when you got out of Atlanta, of the island…

Rick sat by your side and peeked, you looked at him, he had baby Judith in his arms

“This would have come handy before”, he chided gently

“I forgot I had it, I thought it was in my backpack, but it was in one of the zippers in my jacket”, you explained softly, there was some scribbles in it, Rick read them

“What was this?”, he pointed at your “plan V”

“Plan Vacation Village”, you said, he chuckled, “it’s an island on Lake Lanier”, you said softly, he looked at you wide-eyed, “I thought to go seek refuge there, an island right? easy to protect”

“What happened?”, he asked

“Never found out”, you said sadly, “never got to”, he looked at you funny 

“This could work”, he said, “we should be close enough”

“I’m sure I’m not the only one who came to the same conclusion”, you said surely, “that islands were the safest way… it could backfire, there could be walkers trapped in there…besides, it’s big, very…”

“Maybe…”, he said. He looked ahead, at the group getting ready for dinner, “why won’t you go find Daryl and Carol? we can discuss this at dinner”, he said softly, you nodded. He treated you like you were a little girl sometimes, but… Carol and Daryl were in the watch team, they preferred it so. You walked outside and realized it was already night, pitch dark, you were going to tell Rick to fetch them yourself, you didn’t want to go at night, but there it was again, the need to prove yourself, so you went out there anyways.

You seemed to catch a glimpse of Daryl out there, so, you followed him, you didn’t want to call out for him, so you tried to move quickly. you ended up a few yards away from the church when you catched him, he was with Carol. 

“... you seemed pretty cozy with her last night… the new girl”, said Carol teasingly

“She is just another dead girl”

“Rick wants us for dinner”, you said, they both froze and looked back at you, and you cursed yourself because your voice broke in the last second

They looked back at you wide-eyed

“I walk pretty stealthy for a dead girl”, you said bitterly

They were going to answer, but the three of you almost ducked when you heard an engine, a car, it passed right by you, it was black, Daryl went out of his way to catch a glimpse of it, and when he did, he was quick to grab the bow and smashed the back lights of the car they were preparing

“What are you doing!?”, asked Carol 

“That’s the car that took Beth!”, he said quickly, “get in! Both of you!”, he said, and wouldn’t take no for an answer 

“What?”, you asked, but they both jumped in, and rather than being out here alone, with a sigh, you jumped into the car too. 

Damn you and your need to prove yourself. 

[pitviperofdoom]

Jongerry prompt: reunion after one thought the other was dead?

Tim wasn’t sure what to make of the guy. 

They met in an awkward almost-collision at the institute’s front door, Tim rearing back in surprise, the other flinching away from the sudden movement. He was lanky, and probably would’ve been tall without the permanent slouch to his spine. His hair was a dull shade of mousy brown, and looked like it had been hacked short with kitchen scissors. His clothes hung loose and ill-fitting on his body. He looked like he hadn’t slept in weeks.

Tim took a wild guess. “Here to make a statement?” he asked.

The man grimaced. “Maybe later.”

“I’d make it quick if I were you,” Tim chuckled, holding the door open for him. “Jon was in a good mood before lunch, and those don’t tend to last long.”

Halfway through the door, the man froze. “Who?”

“Jon Sims, the head archivist,” Tim said carefully. “He’s the one who takes statements, so…”

“Oh.” The man’s face was blank. “He’s… that’s… down in the archives, yeah?”

“I can show you how to get there?” Tim offered. Whatever statement this guy had, it must have been rough.

"Sure, thanks," the guy said distractedly.

In spite of the accepted offer, the guy quickly pulled ahead, and Tim found himself trailing behind as the scruffy stranger led the way to the basement stairs. Before long, he was jogging to keep up.

That was why, when the man suddenly stopped at the top of the steps, Tim crashed straight into his back.

"Hey, what did you—"

A hand closed tight around his arm, stopping him from shouldering past. The man had gone still, staring intently down the steps. There was nothing to see except the bottom of the stairs, and the mouth of the hallway that led to the archives.

"Smell that?"

Confused, Tim sniffed. At first all he could smell was dust and old paper, but then, beneath it, as if carried on a draft, came a familiar musty, wet stench.

"Damn worms," He muttered. "We've had a bit of an infestation—dunno if you saw them on your way in—"

"I'm gonna need you to shut up and go back outside," the man interrupted. "Maybe pull the fire alarm on your way out, get everyone out of the building."

"Excuse me?" Tim demanded. The man was already releasing him and moving on, so Tim grabbed him before he could make it two more steps. "Hey, what the hell are you—"

"Listen." The man turned, deftly winching his arm out of Tim’s grip. "I have had a very long day. I was hoping it would end with a long shower, a change of clothes, and a minimum twenty-minute hug from someone who means the world to me. Instead, there's something very nasty down there that I need to deal with. Kindly piss off."

Tim's blood ran cold. "You—you mean Prentiss is—" He stopped. He had a million questions, but maybe just this once they could wait. "My friends are down there."

The man spared a moment to look, if possible, even more exhausted than before. "Great. Fine. Stay close and don't fuck me."

***

Tim's head swam with the gas. His body felt strangely detached as he heaved the fire extinguisher against the wall, again and again until he felt the plasterboard give way. His strange companion drew back as if preparing to do a run-up, and Tim hurled himself into the space and finally broke through.

His first view into the dimly lit storage room was of three familiar faces with varying levels of shock, alarm, and growing relief.

"Hey, guys!" Tim gasped out.

Sasha was already struggling to her feet; Tim was about to go in for a hug when he was roughly shoved out of the way. A gas canister landed on the floor with a heavy thunk as the stranger lurched his way past Tim.

A strangled cry broke the shocked silence, and it took Tim a moment to realize it had come from Jon. His friend was sitting on the floor, propped up against a stack of boxes, one leg wrapped in bloodstained bandages. He stared at the man in blank, silent shock.

The stranger moved as if to lunge, but stopped when Jon held up a shaking hand.

"Wait." Jon's voice broke. He was fumbling something out of his pocket, wincing when the movement jarred his leg. "Wait, just—" 

"Mmhm," the man said in a strangled voice, fidgeting but staying where he was.

Jon finally wrestled his wallet out of his pocket, ripped it open, and pulled out a photo—a Polaroid? His eyes flickered between it and the man standing over him.

The wallet fell to the floor. With a sudden burst of energy, Jon heaved himself upright, and managed to stand for all of a second before his leg gave out and sent him pitching forward. The man caught him before he could fall and yanked him into a hug.

"What the fuck, Gerry," Jon choked out.

Sasha was eyeballing Tim frantically, but all Tim could do was shrug back.

"I'm sorry," the man—Gerry—mumbled, face buried in the side of Jon's neck.

"I thought—she told me that you—" Jon stared blankly over Gerry's shoulder, looking at the others without seeing them. "Where have you been?"

"Couple of hunters picked up our trail in the woods in Pennsylvania," Gerry answered. "We split up. They caught me. Didn't kill me, just… didn't let me leave either. Sorry I didn't contact you right when I escaped, I just—I was afraid I'd get your hopes up and get killed on the way home."

In the silence that followed, Martin let out a strangled "Um."

Jon jumped, and his teary eyes focused back on them. "Oh. Right. Er." He tried to pull back, without much success since Gerry was the only thing keeping him upright. "E-everyone, this is Gerry."

"You just finished telling us he was dead," said Sasha.

"Yes, well." Jon managed a watery smile. "I've been wrong before."

"We had a moment about it."

"Right." Without warning, Gerry reached down and swung Jon up into his arms in a bridal carry, ignoring Jon's squawk of protest. "Let's go. We can talk later—and we will be talking later—"

"Gerry!"

"Seriously, I turn around and you're fighting the Corruption with fire extinguishers, and you're the bloody Archivist."

"Put me down, you absolute—"

"No, you've got holes in your leg." Gerry shouldered past Tim and stepped back into the tunnel, carrying a disgruntled Jon with little apparent effort. "You three coming, or what?"

[quills-of-freedom]

Headcanons ~

Wedding day 💕🎻

| Eren - Reiner - Levi - Jean - Erwin - Armin - Connie |

The day had finally arrived. The union of two souls to be forever entwined within the gracious loving bond of matrimony.

Eren 💕

You couldn’t actually believe Eren had proposed. Although he was down on one knee in front of your very eyes, your mind just wasn’t accepting it. Folks andd onlookers watched with bated breath, awaiting your answer. He sure kept this surprise hidden well…

Of course, you said yes and he picked you up by your waist in a spin, colliding his lips to yours.

And now here he was, watching you walk down the aisle, a lump in his throat and his heart racing.

You looked gorgeous, like something from a fairy tale.

And of course, he looked as handsome as ever. His suit was smart and his hair was up in its usual bun.

Armin is his best man, of course; who is standing and beaming with pride.

Eren holds back his chokes and tears as he reads his vows;

“Y/N… From the first time I ever laid eyes on you, all those years ago, I knew you would be in my life forever. Back then, I didn’t think it would be as my wife, but God I am so glad it is. I’m sorry for my stubbornness and irrational behaviour when we were young. But despite that you still loved, and stood by me and for that I’ll be eternally grateful. I vow to always stand beside you, whatever the world throws at us. I vow to hold you when you need support. I vow to remember how you always had my back no matter what. And I vow to always love you, with my heart and soul, until the day I die and after.”

The room erupts in cheers and tears when you seal your kiss.

The reception is wild.

Everyone is drunk (except Levi) and dancing. Reiner and Connie are dancing like weirdos, Reiners blazer removed and at one point Connie is on his shoulders.

Sasha has too much to drink and is spewing in the bathroom.

Mikasa can’t stop crying with happiness and pride.

He carries you to your room afterwards where you spend all night sealing a special bond that will never be broken.

Reiner 💕

Reiner wanted to marry you from the get go. He’s a passionate man and when he loves, he loves.

So when he pops the question, boy does he go extra.

Reiner took you to a secluded spot for a picnic on a cliffside. After you’d had eaten and chilled for a while he tells you to stand back. This crazy mf then pulls out a dagger and leaps off the cliff, transforming into his Titan form.

You feel a little scared. Not because you think he’d hurt you but A) wtf is he doing and B) It feels weird seeing a shifter transform when you don’t have your gear.

He steps up onto the cliff and gets on one knee in his Titan form. He gets out with his ring in hand and kneels in front of the empty casing of the armoured titan.

“All this power, yet you can still bring me to my knees. Y/N, I love you. Will you marry me?”

Cheesy, but that’s Reiner for you.

He kisses you desperately and tears form in his eyes when you accept.

Now he has tears streaming down his face, holding in sobs as he sees you walking towards him in your dress. The odd uncontrolled cry does escape his lips when you get closer. He palms the tears away and smiles with the biggest grin when you reach him.

He pulls it together a little for his vows but he does take sharp intakes of breath.

“I never believed in love at first sight, until I met you. No matter what doubts I had back in Cadets, they were always surpassed by my feelings for you. And when you told me you loved me too, it was incomprehensible that I would turn you away, given the circumstances. Y/N… You still loved me when I left. You loved me at my worst. You picked me up from the gutter, dusted me off and rose me up again. I vow to always love you with my entire being. I vow to protect you against any ill will towards you. Back then, I couldn’t dedicate my heart to the cause. But I vow to dedicate my heart to you.”

If Bertolt isn't alive in your universe, Jean is his best man and either way, they’re both pulling a tight face to stop themselves crying.

He carries you out of the venue after you kiss, confetti and cheers all around.

The reception is just like Eren's. Absolutely wild. Dancing. Drinking. Laughter and tears.

That night you seal your soul bound contract with hours and hours of mind-blowing love making.

Levi 💕

Levi had been thinking of proposing for a long time. In fact you thought the day would never come. He likes to be totally sure and take things slow. So when he got on one knee at a fancy restaurant you were blown away.

The only time he’s ever shown PDA was when you said yes and he kissed you with such passion, the other diners applauding in celebration.

He doesn’t cry when he sees you in your dress, Erwin stood by him as his best man. But his eyes do glisten and a smile tugs at the corner of his mouth.

“Y/N… I know I’m not the best at verbalising my feelings but please know if anything that I am completely devoting myself to you. I will always love you. I will always take care of you and protect you. I will always support your desires in life and walk this earth with you. This, I swear.”

Hange is sobbing so loud when you kiss.

The reception for you wedding with Levi is a little more classy. There’s fine foods and ballroom dancing. Speeches are refined and dignified and throughout the entire thing Levi can not keep his eyes off you.

You guys break the bed when you make love that night.

Jean 💕

Jean was a nervous wreck when he proposed to you. The entire time he was fumbling with the ring box in his pocket, his hands dampening with sweat.

You knew something was amiss but when you asked he shrugged it off. You were both on a walk when he suddenly took your hand and got down on one knee.

He choked back tears when you said yes.

He’s crying at the alter though regardless of how hard he tries not to. He’s so damn proud of you it’s overwhelming as you gorgeously glide down towards him, Connie his best man if Marco isn’t alive in your universe.

He’s a blubbering mess when it comes to the vows finding it hard to vocalise himself properly.

“Y/N, you make me the happiest man there ever was. I am so proud to have you by my side and to now call you my wife. You’re my everything and more. You love me when I’m not being the smartest man, or the most patient. And for that I give you my all. I vow to treat you the way you deserve. I vow to never take you for granted. I vow to always protect you and hold you when life is wearing you down. I love you, y/n and (unintelligible) forever…”

Jean tries to have a more dignified reception but with friends like these… Pretty impossible.

But he wouldn’t change it for the world as he sits back and watches the people he loves the most, together and happy.

He cries again at your first dance.

You seal your marriage with the steamiest and most passionate love making known to man.

Erwin 💕

Like Levi, Erwin has a taste for the finer things and takes you out for a meal at a really fancy restaurant. He won’t propose there though.

Like Reiner, this man likes to be extra.

After dinner you take a stroll and end up outside of the scout regiment HQ in Trost. While you’re walking through the courtyard of the barracks, you’re surprised to see well dressed people emerge from inside buildings playing the violins.

You turn to Erwin to see him down on one knee with the ring.

The entire barracks erupt in applause when you say yes and he picks you up into a kiss.

Erwin doesn’t cry at the alter but seeing you softens his gaze and a warm smile spreads across his face, Levi beside him as best man.

“Y/N, I am the luckiest man alive to have you as my own, and I will cherish every fleeting moment. You love and accept me for who I am and stand by decisions I’ve made, even when I doubt myself. I swear to forever treat you as the queen you are, by my side, in our kingdom. I swear my heart will always be loyal to you and you alone. You are the beam that holds this chin up high, and I will always be yours.”

Like Levi’s reception, yours with Erwin is extremely refined.

Top class champagne, the finest foods and beautiful classics music.

Your first dance with him has everyone in awe as he twirls you with such skill, a talent not many knew he had.

You will not be able to walk for days after you make love that night, having pulled out all the stops for you.

Armin 💕

Armin had been planning your proposal for months.

He went super extra and planned it all out meticulously down to the tiniest detail. It was a whole day event. Clues, gifts, leading up to a scavenger hunt where he was awaiting nervously with the ring.

He actually couldn’t believe his ears when you said yes.

Armin cries at the alter. It’s less of a sob like Reiner and Jean, more like silent tears streaming down his face.

Of course, Eren is his best man.

“I didn’t think I would ever be standing here today, uttering these words. I didn’t think that I, of all people, would be marrying someone as perfect as you, Y/N. You bring so much joy to my life, so much laughter and love I could never write down in words how much you mean to me. I, Armin Arlert, vow to always remain by your side through thick and thin. I vow to take care of you if you get sick and to encourage and support you in all of your life’s endeavours. For now and forever, this I swear.”

The reception is more chilled than the others. Laid back and easy going. No one gets too hammered but it’s still just an amazing night with your loved ones.

Your first dance is so sweet, his eyes are closed with a warm smile the entire time as he holds you close and sways to the music.

If you thought Armin was a dark horse before, you ain’t seen nothing til the wedding night.

Yes. He broke the bed.

Connie 💕

God bless his pure soul because Connie tried so hard to make it perfect. He managed to pull it off by some miracle, despite the snowballing nerves that consumed him.

He took you out to dinner and bought you your favourite flowers. The words “Will you marry me?” Were spread out on the table when you returned from the restroom, by petals.

He cried when you said yes.

And he is a sobbing mess at the alter. Jean is his best man, elbowing him and hissing to pull himself together.

But he just can’t believe how lucky he is to have you as a wife.

“Y/N, you can’t believe how happy you make me. Every stupid thing I’ve done, every dumb thing that comes out of my mouth and you’re still there, loving me. I can’t begin to explain how much that means to me. How much you mean to me. I promise I will always treat you like it’s our first date. I’ll forever hold your hand when you need me to. And I promise I’ll write down important dates so I never forget and swear I will not disappoint you, my love.”

The wildest wedding party known to man.

Everyone is off their face drunk. Wild dancing. Food fights. Galore.

There was even arm wrestling at one point.

He can not get over that he has you. This sweet man is quite possibly the happiest man on earth.

You guys didn’t just break the bed that night. The chair, the ottoman and somehow the f'ing wardrobe???

Thank you for reading and I hope you enjoyed. I am the friendliest person ever so don’t be shy to drop me a request or ask.

[gingerteaonthetardis]

'Can I tell you a secret?'

Nine x Rose. It's sooo up to you, but I think Nine is very, very good with secrets, even the most personal ones.

Lots of love to you, dearest Abbey!

oh, sasha, this was such a fun little scene to write! i kept the secret lighthearted, though i agree that nine would be a wonderful bearer of even rose's deepest secrets. i hope you enjoy! (and i am sending lots of love to you in return!)

.✫*ﾟ･ﾟ｡.★.*｡･ﾟ✫*.

"Can I tell you a secret?"

The sunrise had just begun to creep over the horizon when the rasp of her sleep-roughened voice called his attention back.

He turned on his side, ignoring the bunched up picnic blanket beneath him. 

It had been a day for that. Letting the small irritants go. One couldn't wander through a world of magnificent birds, bees, and trees and get hung up on muddy boots or lumpy picnic blankets. So he'd reconciled himself early on, vowing not to make a fuss.

But in the end, even he had to admit—it had been an oddly perfect day. 

They'd hiked for miles through the twisting old forest, which seemed to slant gently, almost persuasively upwards to an ultimate outcropping. A pale green pinnacle, populated with tall grasses and even taller flowers with open, bright faces, which bobbed on the breeze and leaned their heads toward Rose as she passed. 

The air up here was piercingly clean, but not cold, so they hadn't bothered with a fire when late afternoon came and Rose was hungry enough to want to open their picnic. And they hadn't bothered much about climbing back down either. They'd simply curled up on the blanket and watched the sun retire, watched stars come out, and when Rose got tired, she slipped just as effortlessly into sleep. 

And while Rose slept, he thought about how oddly nice it all was—how simple. Just a hike. No danger, except when Rose stumbled over a root or stone, and no adventure beyond what could be supplied by the constellations, which he knew by name. 

Their stories were often violent, conflicted, wild. The opposite, in every way, of this trip.

His eyes focused through the faint purple-ish dawn on her upturned face, which waited for his answer.

"If you like," he said mildly.

She pressed her lips together, barely suppressing a smile. Turning her face to the sunrise, the first faint, burnt orange ray touched her nose and cheeks, like the sun meant to paint her in the best possible light. She had a seam running along the left side of her face from where she'd used his leather coat as a pillow.

"I know I made all this fuss about having 'one nice trip,' and I'm always going on about what an awful driver you are, but…" She paused, shaking her head once. Amused at herself, maybe. And then she turned back to him. "I think I prefer danger."

A grin split his face, unable to be helped. "Really?"

Something about his face must've been funny, because Rose laughed. She made an attempt to bury the sound in her shoulder, but didn't succeed. "I do, yeah." She nodded. "Is that stupid?"

"No," he replied, too quickly. He felt almost giddy at the shared feeling. "I mean, this place is near perfect, far as I can tell. But what's so good about perfect?" He sniffed, looking back out at the sky, which was now being slowly taken over by the sun's grand show. "Perfect is perfect, whether we're here to see it or not. It doesn't need us."

She didn't have an answer to that. Didn't need one, he guessed. In fact, he had the mad idea that she understood him exactly, and agreed with him on every point, so nothing further needed to be said.

It was a rare experience, for him, being understood. People—humans, mostly—had a tendency to boggle at his notions, to balk at the way he lived his lives. But Rose wasn't just an ordinary human. She was special. 

Not perfect, but something more rare and extraordinary: she was a person whose strange edges and funny ideas and wild whims aligned with a lonely old alien's. And though he knew he'd never give voice to it, he also knew he needed that. Needed her. 

Her hand rustled against the picnic blanket, and he felt her warm palm press into his.

It was a beautiful sunrise—as near perfect as a celestial event could be, viewed from such a magnificent spot. And when the sun had finally ascended, the Doctor got to his feet and helped Rose up beside him. Her hair was rumpled from sleep. Her eyes sparkled, in spite of the smudged makeup beneath them.

She was lovely.

He held out his hand and said, "Well, Rose Tyler. Let's go find some danger."

.✫*ﾟ･ﾟ｡.★.*｡･ﾟ✫*.

more lighthearted prompts...

[lovinkiri]

Undercover Wild Cat, Twenty-Two

Author's Thoughts: A bit of pressure is relieved from our characters here!

Description: Sasha spends most of her day in a police station. Not only does she have a serious talk with Naomasa, but she finally has her first conversation with Bakusince he was taken. And finally, Naomasa makes a hard decision: will Sasha live in the dorms?

Art Credit: @.jabberwockyface

OC Credit: @jix-the-dragon

Sasha sighed, watching as Katsuki was escorted into the police station. She, Eijirou, Izuku, Yaoyorozu, Iida, and Todoroki stood side by side. It felt like a weight had been lifted off their shoulders, seeing him finally safe. He was going to be safely returned to his family. Sasha smiled at the thought. She owed a lot to Mistuki and Masaru for helping her through her guilt. 

“I guess it’s basically over. Nao took your statements already, right?” She looked at the others, watching them nod their head, giving their respective confirmations. She had figured as much. Nao had shown up on the scene quickly, and though she could tell he wanted to, there was hardly any time to chew her out over her recklessness. Instead, she took him to reunite with the others, where he then had individual conversations with each of her friends after tending to Bakugou. 

“Well,” She sighed, giving them a grin. “I think Nao called your families, they should be here soon. I’m going to head inside the station. Nao’s my ride home, and he’ll want to talk.” She said, holding her arms out, offering a hug to anyone who’d accept. They smiled, Eijirou the first to hug her, Izuku following right behind. Todoroki joined in awkwardly, then Yaoyorozu, then finally Iida. She giggled, purring softly at the warm hug. The six of them would always have this moment to look back on, along with the entire previous night. A bond had formed from the terror they shared, but also the trust they put into each other.

They began to pull away, everyone except Eijirou had at least. He nuzzled her neck, sighing softly. She curled her fingers in his hair, rocking just a bit on her heels. “So… You’re going to stay and keep studying at UA… Right?” He asked hopefully. He didn’t want to pull away, worried that she’d have a frown on her face, an expression that told her that she had no intention of staying. After seeing her in action, he could see just how good she was at her job. It dawned on him that she wouldn’t want to leave all of that behind.

Interrupting his worrying thoughts, she laughed and pulled away just enough to rest her head on his. Their eyes met and she grinned up at him. “That’s what I’m leaning towards. Of course, I have to finish things up with the commission, so I don’t know if it’s actually going to happen. But I want to, so I'll try.” She reassured him, bringing her hands to his cheek and gently rubbing them with his thumbs. “Of course we’ll continue seeing each other though. You, Bakugou, Denki, and I will be hanging out again in no time.”

He returned her smile and nodded. “Right. You’re right, Sash. Everything’s gonna be alright now.” He sighed, a weight lifted off his shoulders. Hearing Iida clear his throat awkwardly behind him was enough to make them pull away. Eijiroiu scratched the back of his head bashfully, a small blush on his face. “You should head inside before your guardian comes out and catches us.”

Sasha laughed at the thought but agreed. It was probably for the best. Naomasa had never seen her so cuddly with a boy, but knowing how protective he could be, she determined today shouldn’t be the day. Especially since she was about to get scolded anyway. She turned and began heading into the station, but stopped when Eijirou called her name one more time. When he looked back, he held up his phone.

“Call me! I want us all to hang out again, yeah, but I owe you a date. Just the two of us.” He said cheerfully, looking at her with sparkling red eyes. It took quite a bit of confidence to declare such a thing out loud, and that didn’t go unnoticed by Sasha.

With a blush across her face, she brought her hand to her lips and blew him a kiss. “You got it, Ei!” She replied, chuckling as his face got redder. She walked into a station, proud of herself. If he was going to make her blush like that, she would do the same. He was so cute to fluster, she noted that she’d have to do it more often.

As she walked through the station, she felt eyes on her. The officers were staring at her with frustration. Not because they were actually angry, but because they were worried. After living with Naomasa for years, she had become a regular face at the station. From the looks of it, each officer wanted to give her a stern talking to. She smiled and laughed nervously, quickly making her way to Naomasa’s desk. 

He wasn’t there yet, so she sat in his seat, relaxing into the soft cushions. Finally, she could take a moment to relax. She didn’t have to worry about Bakugou’s safety or whether her classmates hated her. Sure, there were still questions she had about the commission, but those weren’t things she had to immediately confront. She was going to take a couple of minutes to relax before she met Naomasa.

She thought about everything she’d gone through with her classmates the night before. She definitely wanted to stay in UA with her friends, but that would be easier said than done. First, she’d have to accept that she couldn’t do much else to give her parents justice. AFO wasn’t saying much of anything about them from what she knew, Naomasa insisted on filling her in on the rest. She would have preferred asking AFO herself, but she thought it was best to comply with Naomasa for now. She’d worried him enough, after all. 

The commission wasn’t going to be happy about her breaking the rules. Her mission was over the night Bakugou was kidnapped. She was ordered that night to leave the students of UA be and let the teachers handle things themselves. But she still attended every meeting she could. She visited her friends in the hospital. And even took a few of them to save Bakugou on their very own mission. Yeah, they were going to be pretty upset.

Another issue she had to tackle was quitting the commission in general. She and Naomasa had meticulously gone over her contract when she first started, she was sure to quit pretty easily. But she had no idea why they’d been so sneaky throughout her time working her current mission. It was enough that she had the league going behind her back, but the commission was supposed to be on her side. So why were they hiding important information from her?

Naomasa walked out of the conference room he was in, immediately spotting Sasha at his desk. He crossed the room quickly, kneeling and pulling her into a hug. Surprised, she hugged back, her cheek against his shoulder. She could feel his emotions through his embrace, all of his love and concern.

“I’m sorry, Nao. I didn’t mean to make you worry, I just… I was trying to do the right thing.” She mumbled into his shirt, squeezing him a bit tighter. She didn’t realize how much she needed that hug. After the fear and pressure she’d felt the night before, comfort had been the last thing on her mind. But now that she had it, she didn’t want to let go. It seemed like Naomasa didn’t want to either.

After a few moments, Naomasa pulled away enough to cup her face in his hands. He had a serious look on his face that she didn’t see too often. He held her with fondness, but also with a grasp that told her she needed to look him in the eyes for this one. Now she was worried about him. She knew she was going to get chewed out, but this time, he didn’t seem angry.

With a long sigh, he shook his head. “Listen. I know you’re strong and I know that you’re a strong girl, so don’t think I’m doubting your strength or intelligence.  You’re one of the best agents they’ve ever had, you’ve never been anything but the best. Which is why–..” He stopped suddenly, and his voice cracked. Sasha went to speak, to say his name, but he continued before she could, his voice steadying as if it hadn’t cracked. “Which is why I should have noticed how hard of a time you were having. How guilty you must have been when things didn’t go as planned. I should have been there more. I thought you needed space, and I know you said you did. But when I heard Midoriya and Bakugou’s parents were there for you, I realized I wasn’t and—”

Sasha’s eyes went wide. She had no idea that Naomasa was feeling just as guilty as she was. “No, wait, stop. Nao, you didn’t do anything wrong. It was hard talking to anyone, but I thought I owed them that much. Their sons went through so much because of me. Yes, they were helpful and I’m grateful for them. But you have no idea how many times I wanted to knock on your door at night and just cry. But I didn’t feel like I deserved that, I couldn’t, I had to stay strong.” She tried her best to explain it to him, her guilt bringing tears to her amber eyes. “God, how long have you felt like this, Nao? You should have told me–  Well, I know I’m not one to talk about communication, and I’m sorry, but…”

He watched her trail off before going silent, then he spoke up again. “All For One is extremely dangerous, Sasha, and way stronger than I thought he was. And you’re my daughter. I always imagined that when you got him, you’d have loads of agents behind. And I know you had All Might with you along with other heroes, but I nearly had a heart attack. Just thinking about how easily I could have lost you scares me. So…” He sighed again and placed a quick kiss on top of her head, mumbling into her hair, “Don’t you ever scare me like that again. And tell me if you’re going off to fight a league of villains by yourself.”

She smiled a bit, hugging him again. “I’m sorry I put you through that. But I can’t exactly promise to steer clear of trouble because… I’m thinking about attending UA. I think I want to be a hero.” She said the last part slowly, hoping he would be happy for her. “I mean, I like being with my friends and having such a bright future. Working from the shadows, it just doesn’t feel like me. I don’t know when it happened, but I stopped thinking about revenge, and started thinking of the right thing. And I like this new me.” She rambled, wanting to get her point across as quickly as possible. 

Nao gave a hearty laugh before nodding his head, pulling away again to look at her. “I like this new you too. I don’t think you understand how happy I am to hear you say that. I mean, I don’t like the thought of you fighting villains for the rest of your life, but I do like the thought of you being happy.” He returned her smile with a wide grin. “That’s one of the most important things to me in the world.”

She held back the urge to cheer, instead leaning back against his cheer, her expression showing just how ecstatic she was. “... I think I’d be a better hero anyway. Obviously, I’m not very good at following instructions as an agent. I’m way better at running in and saving lives.” She half joked, shrugging her shoulders.

He shook his head, obviously amused by her words. “They called you Wild Cat, right? More like Wild Brat.” He stood up to his full height before sitting on the desk, ruffling her hair. “That’s my Wild Brat.”

They let a comfortable silence set in, the only sound being the faint bustling officers making their way through the station. Sasha had expected Naomasa to be a lot angrier, and Naomasa hadn’t expected her change of heart. But the unexpected arose, and both of them relished in it. They’d gotten a lot off their chests already, and the air suddenly felt lighter. 

“So… Is Bakugou okay? He was really quiet on the way here. Didn’t say a word.” She crossed her arms across her chest, lightly tapping a claw against her skin. The question had risen from the back of her mind through the silence. His unnatural silence had worried her and the rest of her classmates throughout their entire trip. It just didn’t suit Bakugou, though nobody was blaming him. Sasha couldn’t imagine she’d have much to say in that situation either.

Naomasa seemed to hesitate before answering. “Yeah… The kid is kind of traumatized. He’s been through a lot. Just… Give him some time. I’m sure he’ll talk to you about it eventually.” He said, nodding his head towards the conference room he’d come out of. “He’s in there, waiting for his parents.”

As if summoned by Naomasa, Mistuki and Masaru Bakugou came barging into the police station. She couldn’t see them very well, but she couldn’t mistake the sound of Mistuki’s voice. The woman sounded like she was close to tears. After a moment, they came into view, both of them walking briskly. They looked at Naomasa and Sasha expectantly, and the both of them responded quickly, pointing to the conference room in sync. The parents wasted no time running into the room, and Sasha heard them shout Bakigou’s name. She was sure it was a touching reunion to witness, but it was their reunion to enjoy. Nobody needed Bakugou more than his family right now, and vice versa. 

She looked at Naomasa again, another thought coming to mind. She had to ask him about the idea Principal Nezu had decided to implement. “Right, Nao, I had something else to ask you. Principal Nezu had this idea of putting the students into dorms,” She started, leaning her cheek on her palm. “But I think Aizawa will want to talk to you about it. And All Might, if he stays at UA.”

“Knowing All Might, he will if he’s allowed. And I don’t know about a dorm. I’m all for you battending, but… I don’t know, after all this, I’m a little nervous about you living away from home.” He admitted, cupping his hands together.

She nodded, bringing her feet to the seat and holding her legs to her chest. “I thought you’d say that, that’s why I’m telling you now. Just think about it. Please?” She sat her chin on her knees, looking up at him pleadingly. 

Standing from his desk, he ruffled her hair once more. “Of course. Promise to think about it, Sasha.” He placed his hands on his hips and twisted his upper body, cracking his back. “Well, I’ve got to get back to work. Should go in there and check on the situation. You gonna wait out here?” He waited for her response, nodding when she responded with a “yes”. He made his way back into the conference room, regaining all of his professionalism.

Sasha waited for a while. She spent that time calling the commission and letting them know that she’d be able to speak with the president soon. She was ready to let go of her life as an agent. From what she heard, the new dorm, “Heights Alliance” would be built in just a few days. She wasn’t surprised at how quickly they worked on it, UA did care about the safety of their students, after all.

Gentle sunlight streams through the windows, casting a warm glow across the desk before her and all of the papers on it. It seemed Naomasa truly did bury himself in his work. She’d have to talk with him about that later. No wonder he was always losing things and leaving them at his desk by accident. She could count on two hands the amount of times he’d left something here and had to go back for it after just getting home from a long shift. 

Then she fixed her eyes on the conference room. She wondered how Bakugou’s parents felt about the idea of a dorm. When she talked to them, it didn’t seem like they harbored any ill will  towards UA. They actually seemed very thankful for the school. Bakugou’s parents were surprisingly sweet and understanding. Especially Mitsuki when you get used to her loud nature.

Inko Midoriya was another story. That’s not to say she wasn’t kind, the woman was a total sweetheart. She was even more fierce than Sasha thought she’d be though. She didn’t hate UA either, but she definitely wasn’t happy with them about how things had ended up turning out with Izuku. He’d been hurt so many times under their care, Sasha couldn’t blame her. After seeing a fraction of what Naomsas was feeling despite her remaining uninjured, she could only imagine how Inko was feeling.

Then was her concern with Bakugou. There was quite a bit to worry about there. First, there was his mental and emotional wellness. She knew Bakugou was never one to outright express his feelings, usually his words would give him away if someone were to read between the lines. Or rather this time, it was his lack of words that gave him away. While she was glad to see him physically okay, his overall wellbeing was still a priority to her. 

She wondered if he would say anything to her when they left the room. It seemed like he wasn’t angry with her the last time he saw her, but it was a rescue mission, and he didn’t owe her forgiveness. She was sure all of her classmates didn’t fully trust her yet, and she could accept that. But she knew it would hurt, especially from Bakugou and Denki.

The more she thought about it and waited, the more nervous she became. She thought about running into the bathroom for a bit, but she knew she had to stop running away. She did it once and saw how it hurt Eijirou, plus it didn’t exactly make her look good either. Now she was going to step up, own up to the truth and her consequences. If that’s what it took to earn forgiveness, to have her friends be comfortable with her again, she was going to do it.

Eventually, the door opened. Her ears and posture perked up, looking at the door curiously. Bakugou himself stepped out of the conference room, closing the door behind himself. It didn’t seem like he noticed her at first, so she began hyping herself up to speak up. Before she could catch his attention, his eyes found hers as they scanned the room. He quickly looked away at first, as if he’d been caught staring, but just as quickly changed his mind and looked back at her. Sasha could tell what he was probably thinking. She concluded that he was probably asking himself why he should be the one to look away, the proud pomeranian. She got amusement from that thought.

Slowly, she stood up and made her way over to him, deciding it was best to move to him rather than call him over to her. Each step closer was scary, but she pushed that aside. She couldn't imagine Bakugou was very relaxed as he watched her approach him, and she was right. He couldn’t help but feel nervous, though he wouldn’t admit it.

Then she was standing in front of him. With a small smile, she gave a soft sigh. “I’d ask how you’re doing, but… Yeah. It’s good to see you though, really good. I was really worried about you.” She rubbed her arm as she spoke, overthinking every word that left her mouth. Would now be a good time to joke with him as if nothing happened? Or would that make her an insensitive, bad friend?

He didn’t talk for a moment, which was more nerve-wracking than she thought it’d be. Then he sighed, which didn’t calm her nerves either. “... I'll be fine, you don’t have to worry about me. And you don’t have to step on eggshells either, house cat.” He scoffed, rolling his eyes.

All of the tension she left her body all at once. She let out a breathy laugh before nodding in agreement. “Got it. Just saying, glad to see you still kickin’, explodo boy. And I’ll give it to you, you were great out there, defending yourself against all of them.” She admitted, shrugging.

“I don’t need you to tell me that, but… Thanks… Thanks.” He mumbled the second one under his breath. She looked at him in confusion, not sure why he’d say it twice. Then she realized she was thanking him for two separate things. The compliment and the help.

“Don’t thank me. Just let me take you and the other two boys out soon… At least, I’d appreciate it if you did.” She decided at the last minute to fix her wording, not wanting to sound too pushy or like she was forcing him into hanging out with her. She didn’t want to overwhelm him either. 

He grunted softly. “Yeah, fine. You can tell me more about that spy crap while we’re at it. Speaking of which… Are you going back to that?” He approached the question with hesitance, nervous about what she’d say in response.

But her laughter let him know he had nothing to worry about. She shook her head and opted to lean against the wall beside him. “Not if I can help it.” He said, nudging his arm a bit with her elbow. “If things go over smoothly with the commission, which it should, you’ll be stuck with me for a while.”

“Well.” He huffed, looking forward as if staring off into the distance. “Guess a little suffering won’t kill me.” He spoke in a way that made him sound like he was resigning himself to an absolute fate. Sasha noticed the faintest trace of a smirk on his face, and she grinned.

Right as she started to retort, his parents walked out of the conference room with Nao and another officer. Mistuki immediately greeted Sasha, pulling her into a tight hug. Sasha yelped in surprise but laughed again, returning the embrace.

“Hey, Kid! Nice to see you again. Heard the good detective here is your guardian.” She gave her wide grin before winking and lowering her voice. “Casually mentioned the dorms while we were in there, right after Katsuki left the room. Think I might’ve swayed him a bit.”

Masaru nodded, casually putting an arm around Katsuki’s shoulders.”Mitsuki can be quite convincing. I think she got him on board.” The ashe blonde wore a look of annoyance, but didn’t move away. In fact, Sasha swore she saw him leaning into his father’s side. He was obviously putting up a front with his expression. She was sure his parents noticed too because Masaru smiled, patting his son’s shoulders reassuringly, as if to tell him he was okay and that he wouldn’t let go. 

She and Mistsuki pulled away from their hug and the older woman puffed out her chest in pride, crossing her arms. “Of course I did.” She said in a way that resembled her son. It made Sasha chuckle a little under her breath. “Now, Sasha, we’re going to get Katsuki home. But you're welcome over any time. I wish he brought more friends home, the damn recluse.”

“Oi, who are you callin’ a recluse, hag?!” Bakugou shouted as his father pulled him out, Mitsuki right behind them. “I’ve got more friends than you!”

“Oh hush! You’ve got a few friends, and I’ve only met one!”

“You’re embarrassing!”

Sasha watched the family leave with fondness in her eyes. They really were an interesting family. Sure, their dynamic was different from most families, but that was what made them so fun. And honestly, it wasn’t like she and Naomasa were your conventional, run of the mill family either. 

She sighed and walked over to her guardian, yawning. “Can you take me home? I really miss my bed. Last night felt like a million nights. And after seeing Bakugou, the exhaustion is starting to catch up.” She asked, stretching her muscles. 

He smiled and placed a hand on her head, guiding her towards the door. “Yeah, yeah. Let’s get you to bed, Wild Cat.”

“Thought I was a Wild Brat.”

“Maybe it’s a bit of both, haha!”

- Sasha and Naomasa’s Home, The Next Day -

Sasha brought bottles of water over Aizawa and All Might. The two were pretty tense, and for good reason too. They’d asked Naomasa about the dorms about three minutes ago, and Naomasa only sat there, pensive watching them in silence. Sitting beside him, she gave him a nudge.

“Don’t mind him,” She laughed before glancing at him and speaking through gritted teeth. “He’s just tired. Long shifts, busy days. Right, Nao?” She smiled innocently, but anyone could tell her smile was urging a response.

Huffing in frustration, almost like a little kid, Naomasa gave them one more once over before responding. “How do I know you’ll keep her safe? I get that being a hero is dangerous and all, but in order for these kids to be heroes, they need to make it through their studies.” He paused before continuing. “Don’t get me wrong, you’re a friend, All Might. And I respect the heroes, including you and Eraserhead. But as a parent who sees things from the inside, being a detective and all, I’m honestly kind of scared.”

“Nao, I can handle myself. I’ve been an agent for years.” She started to plead her case, but he didn’t let her finish that thought.

Shaking his head, he was quick to shoot down her reasoning. “Sasha, agent or not, you are my little girl. I know you’re capable of protecting yourself, but I’m your guardian.Your protection is on me when you’re under my roof because you're my kid. I want to know that they’ll make the best decision for you in the long run. Okay?” He raised an eyebrow.

She could tell from his tone that this was non-negotiable. Slowly, she leaned back into the cushion, mouthing an apology to All Might and Aizawa for how awkward things felt. In the end, she couldn’t get upset at him for being a good father. 

All Might placed a hand over his heart. “Naomasa, Sasha helped me a great deal during my fight with All For One, which I have yet to thank her for. I ask that you let me thank her by protecting her and helping her.” He leaned forward, bowing his head with Aizawa. 

The tired man spoke up next. “As her homeroom teacher, I will take responsibility for her safety as well. I will run her dormitory myself, and not a single thing will happen without me noticing. All of the students can attest, I’m very particular with my students. With recent events, I will devote my attention to them even more.” 

Sasha smiled as they spoke. She could feel their devotion to their students through the words they spoke. And after everything, after finding out she wasn’t a regular student, after defying orders and going after Bakugou, they still wanted her. They still showed up at her home and bowed their heads to her guardian so she could stay in their dorms. It touched her heart and she could only hope it touched Naomasa’s too.

After another sigh, this one longer than the last, he gave a hesitant nod. “Fine. I’ll allow it. But I’m placing my trust in you and your school. Keep your promises.” Then he turned to Sasha again. “And you keep your promise too. Stay out of trouble, Sasha, I’m serious.”

She jumped up, throwing her arms around him. “Thank you so much, Nao! You’re the best.” She cheered happily. Even she hadn’t known she was holding in so much excitement, but out it came in that moment. 

Aizawa and All Might stood up, Naomasa following with Sasha clinging to him like a cat. All Might chuckled at the sight and shook his hand. “You have our words.” He nodded.

Naomasa hummed softly and shook Aizawa’s hand next. It was obvious he was still on edge about the whole dorm situation. But with her safety promised and her happiness on the line, there was no way he’d refuse. 

Sasha led them out of their home, waving at them. “Thank you, All Might. And thank you, Aizawa. I feel safe in your care.” She gave a small bow.

“Lift your head, Young Sasha, and hold it high. You saved lives. Without you, I might not have won. You deserve to be in the Hero Course, your actions prove that more than anything.” All Might smiled before getting into the car.

Aizawa nodded his head at her. “I will protect you, Sasha. You don’t have to defend your strength so much, I understand how strong you are. I just want you to know that you don’t have to worry about being strong enough while under UA’s roof.” He promised before following All Might and getting the car. 

With one more approving look, they drove off. Sasha sighed softly and leaned against the doorframe. Then her phone began to ring, Pulling it out, she checked the Call ID, recognizing the number immediately. Answering she brought the phone to her ear.

“Hello? Yes, hello. Yes, I understand that I’m in some trouble. But could you tell the president I have to talk to her.”

…

“Yeah, I need to know if I should bring in a resignation letter when I quit.”

[samobservessonic]

Tails isn’t getting a break this issue, as we return from the cliffhanger last time to see him at the mercy of one of Robotnik’s robots

He’s saved by a mysterious person with a flash grenade and it looks like we’re about to meet the other half of this story’s title

And here we get Sab, the leader of the Flock! It’s interesting to see her design is a purely anthro sheep, now that we can look back with the hindsight of how sheep characters like Ariem and Lanolin look in the Sonic style. It’d be cool to see Sab redesigned in the modern Sonic style, but I’m probably getting ahead of myself, since she’s only just appeared

They don’t get a lot of pages for these backup stories, so Sab wastes no time giving Tails the backstory of her people, who lived in the area that became the Chemical Plant Zone up until Robotnik took it over. I don’t think I’ve seen an explanation for what might’ve been there before the Chemical Plant Zone in other Sonic media (though I might be forgetting something), so I think it’s neat that they’d think about this stuff

“Everyone calls me Tails, except for my off-screen family and all the other foxes in the Nameless Zone, who think that I’m their champion and occasionally an ominous group of kings will call me there to fight for them. Say, you’re not about to mistake me for your champion as well, are you?”

Look at him! He’s adorable! And okay, it looks like it’s not a case of Sab thinking Tails is some chosen one as it is that she knows he’s capable because he travels around fighting Robotnik

The rest of the Flock only get a wordless cameo in this issue, but it sets the scene that they’re all battle-ready sheep and they want to stop this flooding plan

Also, this is so weird, but I had a Sonic OC as a kid who looked exactly like the dog girl on the bottom-left panel and was also morally grey! I don’t know if maybe I had seen this story before (probably in reprints?) and took inspiration from there, since in my mind I’d always based that OC on Sasha from All Dogs go to Heaven 2, but it’s just wild. If the dog girl keeps appearing in the story beyond this cameo, then I’ll dig out some old pictures I did of that OC and do a post about it

I love how Tails is always just directly telling people that they want Sonic instead of him and they’re always like “No, you’re the right guy”

[theolivebranchreview]

Whispers Between Bites

by Francis C. Sorvino (@frank_sorvino)

Nestled among the clattering of dinnerware and the low murmurs of casual conversation, Lou and Sasha found themselves seated at a small table near the window of a long aged Italian restaurant known colloquially as Angelo’s. The flickering candlelight cast soft shadows across their faces, illuminating the intimate yet palpably tense atmosphere. It was their third date, and while there was an undeniable attraction between them, an undercurrent of nervous energy that they couldn’t seem to shake electrified the air.

Lou, a kind and thoughtful man burned by an analytical mind, often found himself overthinking conversations, and tonight was no exception. He noticed Sasha, a spirited and vivacious woman with a love for storytelling, fidgeting with the hem of her dress, a sign that she too felt the unspoken tension.

Sasha, in turn, who had decided that the loose thread on the end of her dress was a lost cause, looked over at Lou and held back a timid laugh. “There’s no denying that he’s cute when he’s nervous”, she thought to herself. As the waiter hovered ominously over them to pour their respective bottles of wine, she wondered if even he could notice how badly the date was going.

He didn’t.

Seeking to lighten the mood, Sasha glanced around the restaurant and her eyes settled on two men seated at a table across the room. “See those two?” she said, nodding subtly towards them. “That’s Tommy and Pete, they look like they’re having an interesting conversation. What do you think their story is?”

Lou followed her gaze and observed the duo. Tommy, a young man with a mischievous twinkle in his eye, was animatedly talking to Pete, who appeared older, more reserved, but with a warm, indulgent smile as he listened to Tommy.

“Oh. Do you know them?”, Lou inquired.

Sasha gave him a mischievous grin and shook her head. “C’mon, just play along”, she chuckled excitedly.

“Brothers, maybe?” Lou suggested, his eyes sparkling with curiosity. “Tommy seems like the wild, younger sibling, and Pete, the more grounded, protective older one.”

Sasha leaned forward, her eyes dancing with amusement. “I like that. Maybe they’re celebrating something tonight. Tommy might have just graduated, and Pete, being the proud big brother, is treating him to a fancy dinner.”

Lou, warming to the game, added, “And maybe Tommy’s telling Pete about some crazy college stories, the kind that make you glad you survived your younger years.”

They both chuckled, the imagined antics of Tommy and Pete bridging the gap that had lingered between them since the start of the evening. Sasha’s laughter was infectious, and Lou found himself drawn into her light-heartedness, the tension between them dissipating like mist.

“Look at Pete’s expression,” Sasha pointed out, her voice tinged with mirth. “He’s definitely heard this story before, but he’s pretending it’s the first time. Poor guy.”

“Oh look! I think things are starting to get kind of tense. Maybe Pete’s getting fed up with always hearing the same story.” Lou chuckled as he took an extended sip of his wine.

“Well I guess there’s only one way to find out what’s really going on”, Sasha said as she began to get up.

Lou shifted nervously in his seat. “Wait. What?”

Sasha’s grin widened as she stood, her adventurous spirit taking over. “I’m going to stand around there for a couple of minutes and if I get caught, I’ll just say that I’m the manager or something,” she declared with a playful glint in her eye.

–

From across the room, Tyler and Stephen, a couple deeply in love yet at a crossroads, were completely oblivious to the fabricated stories being spun about them by Lou and Sasha. They sat, engrossed in their own world, in the midst of a conversation that was both tender and tense.

Stephen, older and more reserved, listened intently to Tyler, his partner of three years. Tyler, with his youthful energy and mischievous twinkle, was finding it hard to maintain eye contact, a clear sign that the words he was about to utter were weighing heavily on him.

The dim lighting of Angelo’s cast a warm glow over their table, creating an intimate space that felt both safe and daunting for the confession Tyler was about to make. He took a deep breath, his fingers nervously tapping against the stem of his wine glass.

“Stephen, you know I love you, right?” Tyler began, his voice laced with a mix of affection and apprehension. “But there’s something I need to tell you. It’s about… someone else.”

Stephen’s expression, which had been warm and indulgent, shifted subtly. A flicker of concern passed through his eyes, but he maintained his composure. “Go on,” he encouraged, though the edge in his voice was impossible to miss.

Tyler hesitated, then continued, “It’s the barista at The Bean, our coffee shop. I’ve… I’ve developed feelings for him. It just happened, and I don’t know what to do about it.”

The confession hung in the air between them, a tangible presence that threatened to disrupt the balance of their relationship. Stephen’s face remained impassive, but his eyes betrayed a storm of emotions – hurt, confusion, and a hint of betrayal.

“Why are you telling me this, Tyler?” Stephen asked, his voice steady but his heart racing. “What do you want from me?”

Tyler’s eyes filled with a mixture of guilt and sincerity. “I want to be honest with you, Stephen. I don’t want to hide anything. I love you, and that hasn’t changed. But I needed you to know about these feelings, even if I don’t understand them myself.”

Stephen took a moment to process the revelation, his mind racing with thoughts and questions. He cared deeply for Tyler, but this was a situation he had never anticipated. The trust and openness that had been the foundation of their relationship were now being tested in a way he never imagined.

As they continued to talk, the atmosphere at their table shifted from celebratory to contemplative. Unbeknownst to them, Sasha, under the guise of a curious restaurant manager, lingered nearby, misinterpreting the gravity of their conversation as brotherly tension.

Meanwhile, Lou watched from their table, a mixture of curiosity and concern etched on his face, unaware of the true nature of the conversation unfolding across the room.

Sasha walked quickly back to her table and flopped in her seat. Lou stared at her wide-eyed, waiting for the intel.

She looked at his big dumb face and couldn’t bring herself to end the game on such a sour note.

“Ah yeah, you’d never believe it. Tommy is actually Peter’s accountant and Peter is one knock-off Rolex away from going bankrupt.”

Lou’s eyebrows shot up in surprise. “Really? That’s quite a story. Accountants and knock-off Rolexes, huh?” He leaned back in his chair, a playful smirk tugging at the corners of his mouth, clearly amused by Sasha’s creativity.

Sasha, still feeling the residual weight of the actual conversation she had overheard, forced a laugh. “Yeah, who would’ve thought, right? The things you learn just by eavesdropping a little,” she said, her tone light but her eyes not quite meeting Lou’s.

The game they had started, meant to ease the tension of their own date, had taken a surprising turn. Sasha found herself grappling with the unexpected reality of the situation she had just witnessed, while also trying to maintain the playful facade for Lou.

The tension from the start of the date re-appeared as quickly as it had vanished. Sasha’s steak and Lou’s alfredo each came out and their attentions shifted.

They each joined the ensemble of cutting and scraping while they chewed in silence.

[cathygeha]

REVIEW

The Wedding Confession by JJ Knight

Wedding Meet Cute #1

Delightfully fun, highly recommended, happy-making romance that I thoroughly enjoyed!

What I liked:

* Ensley: grew up poor, in charge of younger siblings way too young, caring, kind, outgoing, talkative, responsible, thrifty, crush on Drew for years, really REALLY liked her

* Drew: from a upper middle class family, grumpy, veterinarian, HS football player, has a temper, guarded, one nights only – for a reason that comes out later, really like him for Ensley – eventually

* The “meet cute” at the wedding, the reconnection of Drew & Ensley, and the shed scene

* The way Ensley stood up for her friend at the wedding

* Ensley’s close relationship with her siblings

* The texting between Ensley and Drew

* The confessions – one was almost too late

* The growth Drew made and the insights he gained

* The conversations with suggestive innuendos

* The animals – especially Sasha

* The references to Pretty Woman and an Officer and a Gentleman

* That both main characters were complex, likable, relatable, and lovable – I cared about them

* Reading a new-to-me author I would gladly read again

* All of it really except…

What I didn’t like:

* Who and what I was meant not to like

* Thinking about people who make everything about themselves – even at someone else’s wedding

* Contemplating the difficult childhood Ensley and her siblings had to live through, endure, and survive as children

Did I like this book? Yes

Would I read more in this series? Definitely

Thank you to NetGalley and Montlake for the ARC – This is my honest review.

5 Stars

BLURB

She sparkles. He growls. Baring their true feelings could be the start of a wild love story―or the end of it―in a sexy romantic comedy by a USA Today bestselling author. One spilled glass of wine and bridesmaid Ensley James is ejected from a country club wedding in the rain. Ensley looks on the bright side. That would be her longtime crush Drew Daniels. The moody, broody, skin-pricklingly sexy groomsman is tossed out with her. Waiting out a hot spring storm in a cozy shed for two, it’s time for Drew’s he’s strictly a one-nighter. Ensley’s dare? Give her three date nights and see where it goes. A veterinarian like Drew is great when it comes to puppy love, but he has his reasons for his rules about no true feelings, just flings. So why agree to Ensley’s three-date challenge? Easy. Miss Ray of Freaking Sunshine is absolutely irresistible. Night after night, Ensley and Drew can’t ignore the heat, the growing intimacy―and the unexpected complications. Drew’s walls may be crumbling, but Ensley’s still at risk of being another tryst. Especially with Ensley’s final confession. This one could be their rockiest challenge yet.

[erodasfishtacos]

Adjustments

When Y/N is getting tired of staying at home with the baby while Harry tours.

word count: 5k

contains: sexual content, language, a dash of angst

It was still early but Harry didn’t mind. When he was on tour he craved sleep like no other. To be in his bed, spooned around his love, and no alarm set.

However, the deep desire for sleep is just a faraway thought now because he’d rather be sleep deprived and wake up to his curly-haired baby any given day.

He looks to you. Mouth slightly open, face stress-free, and peaceful. Harry hated coming home from tour to see the bags of exhaustion under your eyes from taking care of the baby all by yourself.

He constantly had to swallow back guilt. He tried to do everything to make it up when he was home.

Harry didn’t find touring as exciting and fun as he use to. He sometimes counts down the tour dates until he’s home.

Sometime he can’t wait for the concert to wrap up so he can sneak in a quick FaceTime before you lot head off to bed.

Sasha was two, her birthday near days away, and Y/N had been running around like a mad-woman trying to make sure her party would be perfect.

Y\N sometimes held herself to the exceptions of other celebrities wives. Ballon arches, custom cookies, and beautiful decorations.

However, unlike other celebrities, you did this all yourself. No event planner, nobody except Anne and Gemma.

Harry wants you to sleep as much as possible and allow you the luxury he gets on tour. Sleeping in until noon sometimes in the empty, cold hotel room with nothing else to do.

He can hear Sasha babbling incessantly from her little bed. The little yellow railings preventing her from falling out or escaping.

Harry heaves himself off the bed, tugging on some sweatpants that had been thrown off hurriedly when you’d told him you’d been wet for him since he walked in the door last night.

“Hi, hi little love,” Harry murmurs as he opens the door to her bedroom. The yellow flowers hand-painted from the wall setting the theme for the room.

Sasha was a good baby and an ever better toddler. However, almost as a little teenager, she sure did have her mood swings. They weren’t quite out of the terrible twos stage yet.

She wanted her mom as she stood there.

“No, mummy,” Sasha whines, tugging on Harry’s cross necklace with force after he scooped her up.

“Hey, we don’t do that. Remember we treat people with kindness.”

After a promise of chocolate chips in her pancakes, she agrees to help Harry cook you breakfast. 

It was messy and his bare chest was covered in flour. Not quite sure how the little girl had gotten it into her curls but they were managing.

Harry loved watching Sasha play with the cooking utensil. Smacking whisk around, looking quizzically at a spatula. 

It made Harry want to buy her a little play kitchen. He was surprised they didn’t already have one. He thinks they might have on in their New York City apartment that they haven’t traveled to recently.

He makes a point while Sasha is chewing at the pancakes to search to find one. He finds a same-day pickup at a local toy store and orders it.

That’s one thing he loved about making so much money. He could spoil you and the baby, his family with everything and anything they want or need.

Y/N always struggled with accepting gifts from Harry but as they years went on and they got married and combined bank accounts. (well she brought a hefty three thousand to the marriage, he graciously gave her full-access to his money). 

A few weeks after your wedding, when you went to an ATM to get twenty pounds out for a cash-only restaurant and when the receipt said you two had six-hundred thousand and some change in just one of your CHECKING account - well you nearly almost fainted.

You had been worried about the three pound service fee before seeing that.

Harry could sometimes get ahead of himself. He’s had disposable money since he was sixteen. Y/N would sometimes hum, asking if he really needs a fifteen-thousand dollar wool Gucci coat.

Y/N would make it a point that she doesn’t want Sasha to grow to be materialistic and spoiled. So Harry was scolded every once in a while when he gave into Sasha’s puppy dog eyes.

Maybe not the best decision but he planned to set it up when you were out for lunch this afternoon with a friend. Hopefully, you wouldn’t notice? If he strategically put it in the playroom.

“Mmm, what’s all this?” You murmur, tying your silk robe at the front. Just enough cleavage showing that Harry feels a twitch in his joggers. Sue him, basically everything his wife did turned him on.

“Pancakes, mummy!” Sasha giggles, syrup coating her cheeks and fingers. “Kissy?” Her dad had taught her that.

“Yes baby,” you agree, leaning in to press a kiss to her soft curls, avoiding her sticky mess. 

“Kissy?” 

You look up to your pouting husband with identical absurdly wild curls from bed. 

“Spoiled, you lot,” you tell him before padding over to him and pressing a soft kiss to his lips.

Forever the horny teenager, his large hands finds your bum and pull you closer - deepening the kiss.

“Miss you s’much on tour, all I think about,” he whispers into your mouth. “Your tits, your cun-“

“Harry!” You laugh, smacking at his chest, “Can’t talk like that in front of the baby!”

“She didn’t hear,” he grumbles, giving your arse one last squeeze, “Tonight.”

“Tonight,” you agree back, ignoring the pinch of arousal. 

—-

Sasha was putting up a fight when she realized that you were leaving without her. Grabbing at your leg as you tugged on a Gucci sneaker.

“I’ll be back soon, Sash,” you assure her but to no avail.

Her cheeks ruddy red and splotched. Tears staining them as she wails dramatically at the top of her little lungs. 

“I don’t know if I should go,” You sigh as Harry wrestles her tiny body off of you so you don’t trip.

“No baby, you need a break. She can’t hold you hostage,” Harry laughs as Sasha wriggles a little in his arms.

“Call me if you need me to come home.”

“I’ll be fine, now go, have a mimosa for me,” Harry smiles down at his daughter who is staring at you like you’ve just killed her beloved pet.

You can’t help but giggle at the glare, “so scary, missy. I’ll see you soon, I love you.”

Sasha buries her nose into Harry’s neck. Her sobs more sad than angry at this point. Which makes your heartbreak a little.

—-

Sasha was getting impatient with her father. As he attempted to figure out how to screw on the oven door to the overcomplicated design.

She occasionally ran off with a piece he needed so it took much longer than he’d thought. But this thing was sophisticated, you pour water into a little tub and it runs through the faucet like a real sink.

Sasha gave her father a wide smile when he had finally told her it was all done. He helped fill the little shopping cart with plastic fruit and veggies.

She was babbling to herself happily, occasionally making sure her dad was still in the room with her.

Harry had grabbed his journal off the kitchen table and was scribbling down mismatched lyrics about how much love he was filled with.

His last two albums were nearly just songs about you. The next one was definitely going to include tracks about his baby.

When he hears the alarm sound and get shut off, he knows your home and he feels a little twinge of anxiety in his stomach.

Distraction? That should work right?

“Hi baby,” Harry greets, planting a kiss on your lips before squatting to untie your sneakers for you.

“Well hello there!” You look around surprised to not see your daughter toddling to you as well. “Is bug sleeping?”

Harry shakes his head and rubs the back of his neck, “Um, no. Just playing in the playroom right now.”

“Was she good?” You asks, noticing he’s changed clothes. He loved to laze around in joggers if he could. “Did you go out?”

“Just for coffee,” he covers, technically - he did grab a coffee for himself at a drive-thru. “How was lunch?”

“Good, mimosas were shit so I only had one. Missed you guys too much. So glad your home,” you sigh into his chest, basking in his tight arms around you.

“Only 73 more concerts to go,” Harry replies.

He can feel your shoulders tense at his lame attempt of a joke. It wasn’t funny to you, not in the slightest. 

“Just 73, huh?” You shoot back, untangling yourself from his grip. “Just another eight months away from your wife and baby.”

“Love...” Harry begins, swallowing hard. He was just as emotional as you when it came to it. 

You shake your head, swiping at the stray tear, “Just forget it,” you huff before trekking off to see your daughter.

Harry is cautiously trailing behind you with a bowling ball of nerves in his belly. 

When you walk into the playroom and see the new kitchen set - you stand nearly frozen in the doorway.

“Mummy! Mumma look at what daddy got me!” She chirps, standing to come to you. You easily lift her up and accept the plastic apple she hands to you proudly. 

You feel a tightness in your throat, “it’s so nice, baby.”

“Nice,” she repeats, “come play, mumma.”

“I just got home, give me a few minutes and I’ll be back in,” you promise with a kiss before placing her back down.

She seems satisfied with your answer and scurries back to where she had placed her babydoll on the countertop - feeding it.

“Can we please talk in the kitchen?” You asks, trying your best to keep your voice level in front of your daughter.

Harry dejectedly nods and follows you into the kitchen, dragging his boot-clad feet a little. 

“Look, I know your mad, lovie. But I just got the idea and didn’t think too much about it. Know y’don’t want to spoil her but-“

“Do you not listen?” You ask harshly.

He looks at you dumbfounded. Unsure of the question. It sounded like it was a trick question.

“You’re unbelievable!” You whisper-shout so Sasha doesn’t hear.

Harry feels himself getting defensive, “You’re tha’ mad about a bloody toy?  I’m her father allowed to buy her things too!”

“No, Harry. It’s not about that. It seems like your so busy with your job that you just tune me out on our calls.”

Harry’s brow furrows. That wasn’t true in the slightest. It was the highlight of his day to hear your voice and how it went at home.

“That’s bullshit and you know it!” Harry snaps, his voice a little louder. 

“Go into the storage room off the side of the garage.”

He gives you a confused look but obliges, after trailing through your maze of a house. He reaches the large extra room.

When he opens the door, his heart sinks. He immediately knows why you’re so upset with him.

A beautiful, hand-painted kitchen set is sat with a large pink bow in the room. The hutch saying in cursive, “Sasha’s Kitchen.”

It was her favorite colors - blue and yellow- with painted images of all her favorite characters like Peppa Pig and Blue from Blue’s Clues.

He remembers how excited you were on the phone that night - when you revealed her third birthday present and how perfect the artist had made it.

Harry had been listening -truthfully- but he was also nearly asleep after two encores of Kiwi onstage and a meet and greet backstage.

He felt like shit now. Disappointed in himself for ruining this surprise he knows you were looking forward to giving her in a mere few days.

But the excitement of another kitchen set surely would be lackluster now. 

“Baby, m’so sorry,” Harry says quietly, with guilt bubbling in his throat. “I was listening. I just...I forgot.”

“Nothing we can do about it now it,” you bite out. Disappointed at the ruin surprised making you prickle with anger towards your forgetful husband.

Harry begins to apologize once again but you don’t let him, “I need to put her down for a nap.”

— 

You drift off as well in your bed- taking advantage of Sasha being asleep in the next room over.

Harry doesn’t quite know how to fix this situation. He’s much too embarrassed to call his mum or sister who would just give him another earful.

He felt like being on tour has been mucking everything up. He loved his job, most days. But days like today - he wishes to never see a recording studio or microphone again.

Harry’s pondering all this when he hears a cry from the baby’s room. 

Sasha is stood, bleary-eyes with a sad frown as her father enters. 

“Sweet pea, what’s the sad face for?” He hums as he tucks her into the curve of his slim hip. Bringing her down onto the main level so you aren’t awoken.

“Daddy, kitchen?” She sniffles, pointing towards her playroom.

He shakes his head. Deciding the least he can do is bathe her so you wouldn’t need to later. She still had remnants of fruit pouch in her cheeks.

“No, darling. S’bath time. Then you can play,” he boots her nose. Snatching some clean baby clothes from where they’re folded and waited to be put away on the coffee table.

“No no no,” she whimpers angrily, shaking her head and smacking her arm against her father’s tattooed chest.

“Sasha Anne, no hitting, absolutely not,” Harry uses his firm father’s voice that he didn’t have to pull out very often.

“No bath, daddy, no!” She wails with all the dramatics of an A-List actor. 

“Hey, mumma’s sleeping. We cannot yell,” her father hushes her as he trails into the bathroom.

“Mean daddy!” She exclaims as he wrestles her into the tub. Splashing the water and wriggling away everytime he tries to cup water over her head to rid her of the shampoo.

“I know, I know, so mean,” he acknowledges sympathetically. A headache arising in the front of his skull from his baby’s high pitch noises and shouts.

After another fight into clothes, she’s still not happy when she’s sat in front of her kitchen. She throws the plastic toys around and whining anytime Harry moves an inch.

He’s feeling a little overwhelmed if he’s honest. With his worry about your precious argument and the unusual tactics of your toddler - he was stressed out. 

“Binky,” Sasha looks expectantly at her father.

Oh, good idea. She loves that.

Harry can’t find any lying around like usual so he digs through the drawers around the living room until he finds one.

After cleaning it off, he hands it to her and she pops it in her mouth happily. Her attention now direction back towards her new toy.

He let out a sigh of relief. He wasn’t quite sure how you did this alone so much of the time.

—

 When you finally wake from a fitful nap, you hear noise from the playroom. You’re still extremely frustrated with your husband but it’s less intense. Until...

Until you walk in and Sasha turns around, smiling around a binky you surely thought you’d thrown away.

Sasha was getting too old for a pacifier - even though she was just using it when she was really upset or at night.

You’d been binky-free for three weeks. And all the crying and tears from your daughter where now meaningless.

“Where did she get that pacifier?” You grit out.

You had told him multiple times you were weaning her off of it.

“She was fussy. I gave it to her, tha’ alright?” He asks cluelessly.

“Harry! I’ve told you so so many times that I’d been weaning her off of it. She just stopped crying about it a week ago!”

“I told you about this - just like the kitchen. God, you get so goddamn wrapped up in your career that you forget important things like this!”

“Baby...” Harry whimpers, hands up in surrender. “I keep, I keep messing up. I’m - I don’t know where my mind is.”

“I’ll tell you were your mind is, Harry. In the countries your traveling to, the concerts your performing at. You promised me...you fucking promised when we started trying for a baby this stuff wouldn’t happen!!”

Harry’s face crumples, “yo-you’re my everything, lovie. You and bug. None of this means anything without you. I’ll quit music, never write another lyric or sing another note if that’s what you want from me.”

He meant that fully heartedly too.

When he wrote If I Could Fly and write the lyrics, “I’ll give up everything, just ask me to.”

The fans, the producers, you - don’t truly know how much he was being truthful in the lyrics.

“I would never ask you to do that. I want you to do what you love but I want you to follow through for your family!”

At your raised tons, Sasha begins to whine, looking with wide, concerned eyes.

“Mummy?”

With that, you scoop her up. “M’going to your mums. I’ll be back later.”

Harry watches anxiously as you pack Sasha’s bag. He feels useless as he hands your her fruit pouches and crackers from the pantry.

As you snatch the car keys from the entry tables, Harry asks in a near whisper, “What’s going on? I’m so lost.”

“I’m lost too. I jus-just can’t keep doing this. It’s too hard for you to be away from us like this. I feel like a single mom sometimes.”

With that, you’re out the door and on your way to your mother-in-laws. 

For the first time ever, Harry had a fleeting thought that you’re going to divorce him. He knows it’s not just about the toy and the pacifier.

He hasn’t been home enough. As much as he tries, the FaceTimes don’t make the distance and time apart any easier. 

You have all the responsibility of this little human and your heart twinges on days you’re missing you husband and you constantly at met with his little replica.

Harry feels like he’s going to have a panic attack. He’s only had a handful in his lifetime but this one was intense.

He grabs his phone and dials the number to his best friend. He really needed a shoulder to cry on right now.

“Hey mate! What’s good, big boy?” The Irish man belts into the phone only to be met with sniffles and tears.

“Niall, I don’t know what to do.”

—

Anne was expecting you. She had set up tea with little cake in the back garden. Sasha was excited to chase the cats around the greenery. Her cute jumpsuit sodden with dirt and grass stains in no time.

“I’m sick of being at home alone all the time with Sasha. I miss Harry too much, she misses him too much,” you croak, attempting to keep your tears at bay.

“I want Harry to continue his career and live his dream. Most people never get the chance he’s gotten. I-I just need him.”

“Oh honey,” she rubs my hand soothingly, “I can only imagine. I know I missed him fiercely to the point it was unbearable when he was sixteen. I still miss him too.”

“I...I’m going to sound like such a bad mother,” you take a deep breathe, “would I be a bad mum if Sash and I joined Harry on tour?”

“Do you think that’d make you a bad mum?” Anne asks softly, a small smile on her face.

“No, I don’t think. I’d be happier because I’d be with Harry and we could actually be a married couple 24/7. She would get to see her dad everyday.”

“I think you’ve found you answer,” Anne chuckles, pouring more hot water into your cups.

“It will be so stressful.”

“More stressful than it is now?” Anne replies.

“Nothing can be more stressful than right now.”

- -

The talk witdh Niall helped only a little bit but enough to not feel like he’s going to vomit every other minute.

He was worried you were going to come in here and ask him for a divorce because he couldn’t follow through on his promises as a husband and a father.

Harry was ready to do whatever it took to prevent that from happening. He’s not above groveling and begging for you to stay.

It is dark when you pull in, toting in a sleeping child in your arms that you pass off to Harry who’s waiting at the front door.

He tucks his baby into her bed, tugging the blankets over her, and staring down at her sweet, cherub face for a little longer than usual before heading into your master.

You’re sat on the corner of the bed, biting your lip, and playing with you flashy large diamond ring as a force of habit.

“Baby...” Harry rasps, not touching you but kneeling down in front of you. 

“I can’t do what we’re doing anymore,” you begin, completely unaware that Harry thinks you’re about to ask for a divorce.

“I don’t think you’re going to agree with what I have to say, but I think it’s the best,” you swallow harshly, hoping he doesn’t shoot down the proposition.

“Please, I’ll do anything, lovie. Don’t leave me, don’t divorce me. I’ll do anything’ you want, sweetheart. Please, I need you. I’m so inlove with you.”

Harry is full on sobbing by this point, hanging his head against your knees as he attempts to catch his breath but finding it hard.

“Harry!” You murmur in confusion “baby, look at me, please?”

It takes him a moment to meet your eyes, your face is soft but wrinkled in concern. 

“What are you talking about? Divorce?” You choke out the words. Never in a million years would you willingly agree to part from your husband.

“I know I’ve been fuckin’ up. I can’t bloody figure out how to balance shit. I’ve not followed through and neglected you n’ the baby. I’m a bad husband and a bad dad.”

“Hey,” you said with force, bringing your hand under his chin so he has to keep eye contact. “Do not ever say something like that again. You are the best husband and father. You provide for us. You love us more than I’ve thought possible. You’re perfect for Sasha and I.”

“You said you couldn’t do this anymore,” Harry chokes out, letting his ringed hands rest on the tops of your thighs. His diamond wedding rand flashing in the light.

“Oh, H. I’m sorry - I didn’t mean with you.” You chuckle lightly, “how could you ever possibly think I’d leave you, pet?”

He shakes his head, “it’s because y’too good for me. Don’t deserve you.”

“Hush,” you hums, running a hand through his curls. “I know how to fix this.”

“How? I’ll do anything f’you,” Harry would agree to jump off The Empire State Building for you without a second thought.

“The baba and I are going to join you on tour. I know we agreed it’s be too much but I can’t imagine it can be any harder than this.”

Harry’s face lights up like a Christmas tree.

“That’s if you’ll have us,” you whisper coyly, excited by his reaction.

“Yeah, baby. It means I get to fuck you every night,” Harry growls pushing you back and up into the bed before crawling on top of you.

“A teenage boy, I swear,” you giggle, flushed just thinking about how much more time you’ll have together. 

“S’it so bad I want t’fuck my wife? That I’m so bloody gone for you that I’d do anything f’you?” He presses against your lips before demanding entrance.

“You can have me in your bed every night,” you agree, letting his tongue twist with yours with fever and urgency. 

“Mmm, only groupie I’ll ever need.”

“Shut up,” you laugh, allowing him to slip your shirt over your head and attach his lips to your collarbone.

“Can’t wait to fuck you in every country - like we did when you toured with me before the bab.”

When he tosses your bra across the room, you gasp at his mouth finding your nipple instantly. Nipping and suckling at the sensitive nerves with intent.

His hand doesn’t waste anytime, skillfully unbuttoning your jeans and zip with one hand before cramming his large palm inside to cup you in his hand.

“Only pussy I want, fuckin’ made for me,” he groans at the warm wetness he feel through the thin underwear. The tips of his fingers stroke over your clit with confident movements.

“Stop teasing!” You whine, wriggling out of your jeans and panties in one go. Harry is still completely dressed above you - which shouldn’t be sexy but it is.

“Don’t know how I thought you’d ever leave me. Y’fucking obsessed with my cock,” he laughs - sure of himself now.

“If you don’t touch me, I swear-“

“I’ve got you lovie, best wife ever, y’know? Just wanna please you,” he promises the damp skin on your neck, landing nips and bites that will surely leave a mark. 

“Then please me,” you demand, your tone a higher pitch than usual for your arousal.

You’re rolling your hips upwards to meet his jean-clad center. The friction feels delicious against your sensitive nerves.

Harry takes hold of your hip with one hand to halt your grinding, his other hand finding your heat and without hesitation - slides two thick fingers into you.

“H, yeah,” y/n moans, rolling her hips down to meet his hand. Her arousal coating his knuckles and he can’t describe how sexy that is.

He curls his fingers towards the top of you tight wall, finding the little spongey spot that has you bucking your hips and whimpering.

“Oh, did I find the spot, love?” Harry teases like he doesn’t know. He’s been an expert in pleasuring you for the past eight years. 

“Yes baby, m’gonna come,” you nearly slur with pleasure. The cold metal of his rings brushing against your heated folds in relief.

“Only gonna let you come - if you promise me you’ll come again f’me.”

“I will, H. I wil-“

“Ssh, s’okay. Give it to me, my love,” Harry croons sweetly, leaning to suck a nipple as he speeds up his minstrations. 

Your chest is rising and falling at a fast pace, your hips meeting his curled fingers on every thrust as he pushes you over the edge, “fu-fuck,” you moan, trying your best to keep your voice down.

“Tha’s it. M’wife looks so fuckin’ gorgeous when she’s coming on my fingers. Need you on my cock,” Harry grunts, removing his fingers and working to get his clothes off as fast as possible.

He’s positioning himself at your entrance with intent, wasting no time pushing in. No matter how many times you took him - it was always a stretch but it was immensely pleasurable.

“Love you, love our family. Can’t wait f’you two to join me on tour,” Harry pants, attempting to keep his thrust slow and meaningful but he was so turned on he was already becoming sloppy.

“S’going to be so nice. Spend everyday with my husband,” you hum, wrapping your legs around his waist and resting your feet on his bum. You can feel the muscle flexing from his thrusts.

“Yeah, never get tired of hearin’ that word.”

“Husband?” You giggle, “we’ve been married for five years.”

“Still can’t believe you agreed to,” Harry murmurs, his lips pressed against your temple as he becomes more determined. His thumb finding your clit and giving it hard, tight rubs.

Harry could have anyone he wanted. Millions of people lusted after him. It was hard to believe sometimes that he only wanted you. But in moments like this, you never questioned it.

“You’re ridiculous,” you tell him, biting his full bottom lip.

He growls, “hush up. Let me fuck you, yeah?” 

With that, the only thing that leaves your mouth is whines and gasps as he hits your spot on every fluid thrust with a determined thumb on your nerves.

“Cl-close,” Y/N shutters, legs quivering with sensitivity and arousal.

“Baby, baby wait f’me, m’close,” he begs against your skin, licking and kissing wherever he can reach. He speeds up his movements and you fell him tensing up, his mouth dripping open in an o shape and his eyes squeezing shut - his telltale sign.

You allow yourself to let go at that point and ride out the waves of intense climax with him as he weakly thrust a few more times until he lays his weight on top of you.

“The bubby is going to love South America,” Harry smiles into your mouth. His large palms massaging at your shaky, wet thighs.

“I think she’s going to love being with her daddy more,” Y/N replies, a hand coming to cup his jaw in a slow, languid twist. 

—

Thanks so much for checking it out :) PLEASE SEND ME REQUESTS!

[sweettodo]

Promiscuous.

⟿ Levi Ackerman x freader x Eren Jaeger

Includes : threesome, swearing, smut.

word count : 4,5k.

for 300 followers, i promised i would bless you all with a few stories. this was a tough plot to come up with b/c the age difference, but i always come thru :)). enjoy. thank you for 300 friends, readers, and fans. one more story on the way, hope you like !!

Being in the scouts wasn't necessarily all that bad, especially when you had all the strong, agile men to look at all day long.

You didn't bite your tongue, the gushy, teenage girl flirtatiousness that you bestowed upon not one, not two, but a good sum of the boys you worked and trained with every day. Most of whom were your closest friends, who put up with your promiscuousness. For the most part, they fed into it, reciprocating the behavior. But it couldn't be avoided that you took a special liking towards your Captain; Mr. Ackerman himself.

Call it unnatural, call it unusual, but you had a justification for liking him so much. If he said the right thing in the right context, your knees would be shaky and weak, for instance, when he demanded you to 'shut up' half-jokingly for fooling around with Connie too much. You left training that day with a waterfall between your legs, leaving you stunned for at least a week.

The ideas in your head were endless and slightly disturbing. There was no denying you were captivated by him, and he knew it.

Not to mention he took a fondness to you too...

Well, not how you quite anticipated him too. He just believed you were a capable scout, thus him taking you under his wing with your friends. Leaving aside your whorish comments. He took your ignorant attitude with a grain of salt, not allotting you the time of the day- which only made it more of a challenge to get what you yearned much for.

He would scoff, walk away and roll his eyes, reprimanding you on behaving yourself and acting your age. You were 19, you were acting your age, 'I could be worse,' you mumbled under your breath.

Being the species of girl who was drawn to a particular type of man, power play, that sharp attitude which one with a level head and a drop of common sense would take as a definite red flag, the type of man that would punish you for being horny or bratty- you could only dream- it was also clear you couldn't bluff and say that you didn't favor the infamous Eren Jaeger: the strong-willed, wild, dominant and overbearing youthful man. He could command you to get on your knees, and you would in a flash.

Alas, you would not be seeing the pearly gates with what went through your mind about the long-haired, tall, demanding man. On the plus side-unlike Levi- Eren enjoyed the attention you gave him, he played the game with you.

And he played the game good- you liked it.

On numerous occasions, you would be more than touchy with Eren, the little 'not so serious' back rub, or a hand on his thigh under the table to make him hot and bothered. And once or twice, the rare make-out session in an alleyway while your friends shopped or by the stable of horses one time when you were sixteen. Though the sexual tension grew once you turned eighteen when you two were less apt to get in trouble for your conduct- yet you never took it all the way, liking the idea of having him on his toes every time he saw you.

Anyways, today was different than most days, you all were honored with a few days of relaxing, sleeping in, and extra time to eat and shower with no training, or missions.

Appreciating the peace, you lay in your bed buried under the blankets half asleep, taking in the unusual time of relaxation. While nearing slumber again, you're rudely interrupted. A pounding on your door riddles throughout your body, frightening you half to death, you flinch, sitting up in an instant.

"Food! y/n." oh, it was Connie.

You untangle from the blankets, sauntering to your wardrobe, and pulling out a regular old white shirt with shorts. The heat was not something to take lightly around here, you could collapse and suffer from a heat stroke if you weren't careful, so you rolled up your shorts a little and slipped on shoes, taming your hair and heading out of your messy room towards the mess hall, eyes finding your friends and groggily plunging into the bench besides Eren and your other buddies, "sleep well?" Connie laughs, you scowl at him.

"Yea! I was dreamin' about you too! Too bad you ruined it, I was just getting to the good part."

Connie laughs and shakes his head, shoveling food down into his mouth, "I don't even wanna know what that dream was about." Jean grumbles, ruffling his hair to remove it from his clammy forehead; Jean was a difficult one to crack, he usually blushed and would cut your trifling demeanor right off at the knees, he was more for Mikasa's quiet and ethical personality.

"Shut it Kirstein- I do!" Connie protests, you wink at him.

"I'll tell you when I get you alone, how 'bout that Springer?"

Eren could be heard from your left, snorting, you glance over and see his arm raise and head towards your back, yanking your bra and snapping it back against your skin, you unleash an 'ouch' and attempt to reach back and rub the area, "White shirt with a red bra underneath? Who're you tryna' impress?" You shrug.

"Captain, of course."

"More like you dressed in the dark this morning." Eren bullies.

"Captain, what?" Connie and Sasha childishly roll and bounce around in their seats, bellowing laughter while you slowly turn around to face your boss, he reiterates one more time before you chuckle and scratch the back of your neck.

"Talking about how good my boss looks today," the words that roll off your tongue make The tense up and sigh in annoyance, beginning to walk away, you pout, tilting your head, "am I wrong?"

"Keep it up, y/n, I'll have you in a cell indefinitely if you continue this adolescent behavior." He doesn't look twice at you, leaving as quickly as he came. Halting your comments right as they came flying out of your mouth, he had to have been enjoying them! Perhaps a little.

Right as the man in charge begins to leave the hall, he stops, peers his head over to meet your eyes.

"-In chains." Your eyes widen, a perverted grin growing onto your face, looking left to right baffled, 'in chains?' gawking to see if any of your friends noticed the innuendo, but it seemed they were well absorbed in their own business.

But someone heard him.

"In chains?"

You look at Eren, he shared the same shock as you, you wriggle your eyebrows and nudge his side, "I'm not the only one who heard it, so maybe I'm not going crazy." You giggle, finishing your meal and gossiping amongst your friends until it was time to go.

To pass time during the day, you all wasted hours cleaning up to your captain's expectations, finally relieving yourselves for the rest of the evening before dinner; walking down the streets of your town, stopping at the shops down the gravel streets. While everyone talks, your head is elsewhere; replaying that remark Levi made about the chains, borderline obsessing over it- rightfully so.

When he said the word 'chains', you instantly recalled the context behind his innuendo, unless you were going insane, but you had made a joke- your first endeavor at flirting with your boss, mentioning to him using the same chains he used on Eren in court a few years back, your friends condemning your extraverted behavior on the spot; when to no avail, Levi did not feed into that well, sending you to isolation shortly after. And then to Erwin's office to explain yourself... in front of him, Commander Hange, and Levi. Nonetheless, it didn't stop you from toying with the man.

You were somewhat... wild.

Enjoying the rest of your stress-free hours, you spend the evening sitting comfortably in the large common area after dinner; all of you except Eren, who didn't appear at dinner either. God knows where he was.

You lounge beside Armin and Jean, your head on Jean's shoulder per-usual.

"Jean, has Mikasa told you how good you look today?" You hum, his face is instantly soaked up in a rosy flush as he throws his hands over his ears to block your weird comments from reaching his ears, "Mikasa?" you quirk an eyebrow.

"Don't be absurd, y/n" she laughs, "Jean, don't listen to her."

"Jean, you look extra good today," you lean over closer to him, "just thought I'd tell ya'."

"Yeah, yeah." He cracks a small smile, you pat his shoulder then fall back into your seat.

"Awh- c'mon Kirstein, you know I-"

"Y/n, Captain needs to see you..." Eren's voice interrupts the chatting, his head peers into the room, you and your friends falling silent.

"You're probably in trouble again." Armin sighs disappointingly. You promptly stand, "good luck." dragging your feet towards your supposed 'escort', Meeting Eren at the door frame of the corridor, his hands stuffed in his pockets with a deadpan look, watching you begin to take lead ahead of him, "how do you know Levi wants to see me?" You question, examining him whilst walking through the hallways, up the stairs, and around the corner, a few feet away from your Captain's headquarters.

"We talked."

With an uncertain look on your face, churning with turmoil, Eren is knocking once, then twice before pushing open the engraved wooden door, 'Captain didn't even ask who it was at the door-' you furrow your eyebrows, his hand on your back, quickly whisking you into the large room, abruptly stopping in front of his desk.

Your feet are glued to the floor while Eren is closing the door. Levi stands there, propped up against his desk with his arms crossed. The room was eerily silent, you were becoming slightly intimidated. Do you stand? Talk? Sit?

The silence was unbearable.

"Do you need me-"

"I'm fed up, with your manner, cadet." Levi interrupts.

"If I may- Captain," He nods for you to proceed, "why is Eren here?" Captain was very much capable of taking care of reprimanding you on his own, you were almost irritated that Eren was lingering behind you, feeling his eyes burning voids in the back of your head, disrespectfully.

"Isn't that what you want?" Eyes doubling in size, you swerve your head to attempt and get a view of Eren, but Levi halts you once more, treading closer to you so you can look at him, "you don't need to look at Eren."

"I- I don't quite understand."

No one says anything. The air is now thick, more difficult to swallow for oxygen, you were entirely thrown off track with the way he was speaking to you, the way he was looking at you made you want to make a run for it, "Cat got your tongue? Y/n?" Chills rake up and down your body when you feel Eren's breath on your neck, sending your head flying behind you to see the blue-eyed devil almost pressed against your back, you look back at Levi frantically.

"Sit."

Without pause, your ass is planted into one of his chairs, "why aren't you being stubborn? Where's that attitude that constantly gets you into trouble?" Feeling as if you're shrinking, the two men are overlooking you, "go on."

"I- well,"

"She has nothing to say for herself, Cap." Eren looks at Levi, "told you she was all talk." He jabs, were you dreaming?

Your heart thumped out of your chest, you never dreamed of Levi taking it this far, especially when he was so professional... "y/n," Levi's finger touches underneath your chin, raising your head to look at the two men, "always teasing me when you do the same to Eren, so slutty, don't you think, cadet?"

Your mouth drops open at his use of words, finally- the game caught up to you, and you were facing the repercussions, "don't be all shy now."

"I'm not-"

"Then if you're not shy, get on your knees and show us how much you’ve wanted us.”

You hesitate to move, but eventually find yourself slowly sliding out of the chair and onto your knees, "not in my office, go in my room." Eren grabs your arm, walking towards his adjoining room, Levi opens the door and permits you to be ushered in by both him and Eren; Eren grabs you by the hair and directs you back onto your knees in front of your captain's bed, "she's so compliant now that she knows we aren't joking anymore," Levi scoffs, standing behind you while Eren is unbuttoning his jeans right in front of your eyes, a combination of anxiousness and warmth growing in the pit of your gut, looking up at him through your eyelashes, licking across your bottom lip hungrily.

"Be a good girl and open for Eren," Levi bunches up your hair from behind, removing it from around your face.

"Yes sir."

Sticking out your tongue, you try to relax your throat once seeing the size of the man, Levi's grip on your hair prevents you from getting a good look at it before his cock is nudging gently into your mouth, down your tongue, and to the back of your throat, fastening your lips around the base of his cock whilst swirling your tongue when he pulls out of your throat, groaning when your tongue works him with ease.

"So good," He hums, grabbing the sides of your face, Levi drops your hair from his hold so Eren can pick up his pace, using his hands to guide you; gagging and choking while he fucks your throat, saliva dripping down your chin, at the verge of tears, you take his length as far as you can manage. Eren grunting and huffing; only throbbing more when he sees the little tears drip down your cheeks. He heaves out of you, your tongue lolled out while strings of spit follow his cock, the men are astonished at the sight of you gasping for air, but they weren't going to tell you that.

"Are you gonna be good for me and our captain, princess?" Eren crouches down to meet your eyes, clever smile on his face, you nod and he stands you up by your armpit.

You had virtually no control over yourself, they were moving you to where they saw fit; right on your hands and knees into the soft plush sheets, "what do you want, y/n?" you listen from behind you, your head is yanked backward, Levi is there, his free hand wrapped around your jugular loosely, his shirt unbuttoned.

"I want you both to fuck me," you gasp out, they both snicker at you.

"Too easy, way too easy, such a fuckin' whore, imagine wanting both of us," Eren taunts, snatching your shorts down to your knees and lifting your shirt to grab onto the thin waistband of your underwear, "you want Jean to fuck you too? Got any other favorites?" Levi shoves you back onto the mattress, your arms catching you while Levi continues to remove your shorts from your knees, tossing them on the floor, rough hands caressing and pulling apart your ass, both men watch your panties slip in the separated cave of your ass, Eren pulling off your shirt and unclasping your bra.

"N-o, only you guys."

"Who do you want more? Me or your other little fucktoy?" Levi sneers, moving to your front, once again lifting you by your chin, keeping you still while Eren rubs his fingers against the soaked cloth. Pulling upwards against your cunt, the pressure making your clit spasm and scream for the touch of his actual fingers, looking desperate and hungry at your captain.

"I- I can't choose."

Your chest rising and falling, Eren is finally relieving you from your panties, fingers instantly meeting your folds and slipping past your entrance with his two fingers, you whine, eyes rolling to the back of your head, knuckles curving downwards to hook into you and find your sweet spots.

"Well aren't you lucky, you get both of us, even though you don't deserve it," Your captain smirks, getting on his knees, fiddling with the button of his slacks, zipping them down and pushing them past his thighs, "I think she needs to beg for it." He looks at Eren, his erection making itself known from beneath his boxers, fingers quickly scissoring the roots of your hair while he frees himself from his constraints.

"I wanna be your slut- please make me cum." They smile, pleased with your submissiveness.

Cock spilling with precum, he scooches towards your salivating mouth and holds your level to his cock, centimeters away, "so fuckin' wet, can't say I'm surprised you get off to this." Eren's tip rubbing between your folds, collecting the slick that was seeping from your hungry pussy. He pushes into you while Levi is pushing into your mouth, both holes becoming occupied by their pulsating cocks; they longed to fill you up, the torturous teasing you put them through the second you turned eighteen was bound to make them snap- you didn't know what you expected, to be honest, you asked for this.

Eren fucks you slow, savoring the feeling of you clench and suck him in further, pussy stretching from the sheer size of him, veins from the base of his cock hitting and rubbing against the very nerves that were screaming for him to go faster.

Levi fucks deep into your throat, he was about Eren's size, perhaps a little thinner, but he was no match for your throat, choking up the spit from past your throat to lube his cock further. You bring your hand up to assist you, twisting your hand back and forth- up and down while you stimulated his sensitive tip with your tongue, hollowing out your cheeks to suck him back in and repeat.

He was becoming unkempt, his mouth ajar with little moans slipping past his lips, hair dangling in front of the sides of his face while his hips bucked back and forth into the depths of your cave.

"My God, so wet."

You moaned against Levi's cock, Eren speeding up and reaching your cervix, your juices slushing and pussy squeaking while he stretches you out. When his hips connected to your backside, you only want to shrivel up more from the pace he was hitting the hole of your tight cervix. Initially, it hurt, but almost instantly it began to feel pleasurable for both you and Eren, he was reaching great lengths inside of you. He's always wanted to fuck you; almost disappointed in himself that he didn't do this before.

"Taking me so well, I can barely fit," he grunts, "you like my cock y/n? Isn't this what you wanted with your bullshit teasing?" he smacks your ass, crying out, his hips jutting back and forth against you mercilessly, sending jolts into every bone of your body.

He slaps you again, your right ass cheeks burning and tingling from the strength of his slap, "fuckin' slut, better be quiet."

Levi pulls out of your throat, finally able to audible out the loud weeps and cries, he throws his hand over your mouth, "shut up before you get us caught."

"Fuck, Eren!" you wail, ignoring Levis commands, gasps and moans fly around the room, his cock filling you perfectly to the point where you felt like you were made to shape him.

"Open." his hand is forcing your jaw open, sticking your panties into your mouth to silence you. You cry into the fabric, the coil twirling up in your stomach, clenching your walls while he drills into you, his cock rubbing against your g-spot, sending you into a frenzy.

Levi fists his cock for the time being while Eren is chasing his orgasm, knocking into you- inching you towards your orgasm. The back of your head tingling, your pussy twitching, and your stomach tightening, the room spiraling around you while you drop your head into the mattress, eyes screwed shut; Eren tearing an earth-shattering orgasm out of your body.

You see stars and a bright white consumes you, hands reaching to grasp anything, finding Levi's bicep and digging your nails into his skin for support while Eren's cock bathes in your cum, his hands pressing into the small of your back, "'boutta cum, right in this pretty little pussy." He spits, pinning your back to a better arch, you cry into the sheets when Erens thrusts loosen a little, sporadic and stabbing thrusts until he's panting and dumping a large load of his seed into your cunt, letting out moans and swears of approval. Your body convulsing, wanting to collapse.

Erin's lightheaded, dizzy and sweating, little bangs and baby hairs sticking to his soaked face, watching your cum drip down your thighs, the wetness from your pussy which had soaked his stomach, it was a fucking mess.

Everywhere.

He pulls out of you, your cream coating his cock; snatching a shirt and wiping himself clean, hiking up his boxers, "you're not done. On your back, now."

Without warning nor regard, you're pushed forward into Levi's hands by Eren to get you moving quicker; you slide onto your back, Levi takes charge and steps off the bed, hauling you by the thighs until you're at the edge of the bed, Levi pressing his hands under your thighs, holding them up and letting his cock slap against your cum-filled cunt, biting onto his bottom lip, teasing his cock into you.

He leans down, taking out the pair of underwear from your mouth, "keep quiet, understood?"

Quickly nodding and bracing yourself, happy to feel warm again.

"Did Eren fill you good?" he asks calmly, you nod.

"Yes- Levi."

Levi halts mid-thrust, peeved look on his face, "yes what, y/n?" you swallow hard, throat dry from the cloth.

"Y-yes Captain, he did." You mewl, he nods once before finishing his thrust.

"This pussy is so tight, even after he stretched you out like this?" he huffs, head dipped down- eyes filed to your pussy sucking in his cock so well; hair flopping back and forth, "I told you I was gonna do something about that mouth of yours, didn't I?"

"Y-you did, sir." You wail.

Levi didn't hold back, each of his sharp thrusts made you more tender inside, little cries fall from your swollen lips while Eren sits beside your head, big arm reaching over your face and kneading your boob, he watches them bounce slightly as Levi ruts into you. Rolling your hard erected nipple in between his fingers, "look at that face, are you gonna cum again?" you look up at Eren, who wears a smug look on his face, "are you gonna cum on Captain's cock, y/n?" you whine, trying to remain quieter under your Captain's directions.

"Gonna-" Eren's hand moves once more- over towards your clit.

This was the first time tonight you had felt this overstimulation, hissing in air and biting onto the skin of your lip, hand grasping Eren's wrist as he swirls little- yet strong circles into your clit, your mouth slacks open, “please! Feels so-" another burst of spasms erupting, thighs shaking and clenching around Levi's waist, "f-fuck me- Fuck me harder Captain, please!" You cry, walls convulsing, cum seeping out of you, down your ass and the base of his cock while he fucks you silly, Eren bringing you that much closer to a euphoric feeling again as he rubs your spasming clit.

"Yeah? You want me to fuck you like the whore you are, right?" Levi pants, cockhead rubbing against your sensitive and exhausted g-spot.

"Who can fuck you better?" Unable to audible, Eren moves faster around your num.

"Don't disobey our Captain, pretty girl- use your words." Screwing your eyes shut, the two men await your answer.

"I-I don't know- Ah!" Your back arches, core tightening for the second time tonight- body shaking as the following orgasm sends you over the moon, Eren's hand smacked over your mouth, you wail into his hand, Levi pins your legs open, leaning down to fuck into you harder, thrashing into your guts, pussy gushing around him until he is groaning and throwing his head back while he slams into you, his stomach nearly slapping against Eren's fingers, his dick twitching. His cheeks rosy and his muscles flexed.

"Fuck, so good- so tight- keep squeezing-" he breathes.

You're dazed from the rocking of his hips, he slows, catching his breath while he releases, coating your bruised walls with his cum. Your body left empty and quivering as Levi is slipping out of your cunt, Eren handing him the same shirt he used to wipe himself off with; your captain retrieving it and cleaning the amount of cum that was left on his softening dick, moving to you and carefully wiping the inside of your thighs and beaten cunt.

Catching your breath, Levi is picking his boxers up from the floor and pulling them up along with his pants, “don’t stay there forever, my sheets need to be switched.” He states, Eren reaches for your hand and helps you sit up, putting his shirt over your head and you slip through the arms, feet meeting the cold wooden floor, you attempt to stand, your knees buckling, Eren grabs you by the tricep before you land on the floor and sits you back on the bed.

“I think it would look suspicious if I carried you out of here, can you walk?”

You nod, “yeah.”

Standing again, you're able to succeed, reaching for your underwear, Eren already had it swinging around his index finger, “I’ll hold onto these.”

With no willpower to object, you just pull up your shorts and pick up your shoes.

“Walk her back, Jaeger, don't do anything stupid.”

You and Eren both leave your Captain’s office quietly, the hall empty and empty, you and he slowly walk back, you laughed at the thought about how it would be a tough one to explain why Eren was shirtless and you were- quite obviously- wearing his shirt while he holds your stained shirt in his hand.

With great luck, you and he make it without running into anyone, reaching your door, you and him enter and you shut the door behind him.

“Here’s your shirt.”

He watches you as you throw off his shirt, tossing it to him and opening a drawer, and grabbing one of your own.

Before you realize it.

“Uhm, Eren, I forgot my bra.” Glancing down at your bare chest, Eren shrugs it off and laughs.

“Captain wanted to keep something too, princess.”

[voiceless-terror]

I am so completely enamored with Danny as jons ex and I would be forever in your debt if you finished that

i wasn't expecting people to like this idea so much, its definitely one of my weirder ones xD since im not sure when i'll get around to actually finishing it (if ever) you can have a very rough chunk of it instead. you'll have to forgive any mistakes, im not up to editing it.

In a surprising show of athleticism, Jon ducks under Sasha’s chair before the specter of his past manages to see him.

Sasha swears at the action, backing up in her chair and peering down at Jon in bafflement. “What on Earth are you doing, Jon?”

Instead of answering her question, he backs up even further, tucking his feet out of sight. He thinks Sasha’s umbrella must be under here, and judging from the sharp point currently jabbing at his thigh, he probably broke it. “Is he still there?” he hisses, tilting his head to avoid bashing it into the desk.

“Who?”

“That- that man!”

A pause. “Tall, dark and handsome?”

Jon’s turn to pause. “I suppose you might call him that,” he replies stiffly. And it’s true. The man, from Jon’s brief, panicked glimpses, is at least six foot, with thick, dark hair and a bright grin.

And he looks exactly like Jon’s ex, Danny Stoker.

He’d done an almost comical double-take after a cursory glance; at first he’d thought Danny was the new hire, but this man was more angular, like a sharper, leaner version of his ex. So no, it couldn’t be him.

That didn’t stop him from diving under the nearest object, ergo Sasha’s desk. Not the wisest of decisions, considering his throbbing side, but he’s never been known for grace under pressure.

He’s not exactly sure why this fight or flight mode’s been activated- he and Danny had parted on fairly good terms, each recognizing that although they cared about the other, they simply weren’t compatible in the long term. They’d dated for a little over six months when Jon was a freshman, and he’d fallen hard.

Danny had been his first real relationship, and Jon was shocked that someone like him even looked his way. Impossibly handsome, incredibly fit, desired and envied in equal measure, and he dated scrawny, shy, insecure Jonathan Sims; the rumor mill went wild. They’d met at a party, and not even a good one. In a brief moment of liquid courage, Jon managed to insert himself into a group and fit in one snarky joke that sent Danny into stitches, the rest of the partygoers following his lead. For one second, Jon felt like he truly fit in, like he was someone worth knowing.

Danny had a way of making someone feel special. Big, romantic gestures, surprising him after class, taking him on little expeditions beyond campus. Jon didn’t drive, still doesn’t, and Danny wanted to show him the world outside of their privileged little campus.

But, like all of Jon’s relationships, it came to an end. Jon wasn’t ready for such overwhelming affection (didn’t think he deserved it, quite frankly), and Danny needed someone who could handle his fast-paced lifestyle. Jon was not that man. They broke up amicably, even if Jon shed a few tears in private, saw each other on campus a few times. Danny tried to reach out more than once, just as friends, but Jon’s never been able to handle more than one relationship at a time, and by then he’d met Georgie.

But now it seems the past is unavoidable, and standing near the circulation desk. Well, now walking in his direction, if the steady footsteps were any indication. Jon’s heart begins to hammer in his chest as it hits him that he is, in fact, hiding under a desk because a man who sort of looks like his ex is in his general vicinity. Coward.

“‘Lo!” God, even the voice is similar, if not as deep. “Tim Stoker. Reporting for duty.”

Stoker. Tim Stoker. Jon startles, slamming his head against the desk with a yelp.

Somewhere in his spiraling thoughts and throbbing head he remembers- Danny had a brother. An older brother that he adored. This must be the famous Tim- Danny made him out to be a saint, and though Jon never met him, he felt some fondness via Danny’s descriptions. But Tim’s going to have no fondness for him, especially considering Jon’s current position, hiding in pain under his coworkers desk.

“Pleased to meet you!” Sasha chirps, very clearly amused by the situation. “I’m Sasha James. And this-” she tugs at one of Jon’s legs, dragging him a few inches into sight. Jon buries his head in his hands and wishes he were invisible. “-is Jonathan Sims. We’ll be training you.”

“Excellent.” Tim’s voice holds the same good humor Danny’s always did, and sends a pang of nostalgia through his chest. “Er, you alright down there?”

“Yes,” Jon responds robotically, scrambling to his feet and standing behind Sasha’s chair, unwilling to meet the man’s eyes, lest he be drawn in. “I- uh, lost a pen. P-Probably left it in the copy room, I’ll just be going...there.” With that incredible performance, he fled.

And only tripped once on the way out.

________

So Jon’s kind of cute.

Tim doesn’t normally go for tiny disgruntled academics, but Jonathan Sims is an interesting fellow. He’s got a reputation for being the ‘problem child’ of the Research Department, awkward and prickly and always available with a snide word. He wields his books and files like a little suit of armor, and the only person he’s seen him open up to is Sasha. Besides their little conversations, Jon is all work and no play.

Except with Tim.

Sasha says she’s never seen anything like it, with one of her secret little smiles. Jon’s always staring. Usually, the man can’t hold eye contact to save his life, but he’ll spend full minutes looking at Tim when he thinks he can’t see. The first few times, Tim would turn around and smile, but that practically sent the man into convulsions, dropping his papers and jumping out of sight like a spooked cat. It was funny the first few times, but Tim pitied him enough to ignore it now. He hopes Jon enjoys the view.

God forbid he ask the guy a question. Jon will look around the room, as if waiting for someone else to answer, when it’s clearly directed at him. He’ll blush and stammer his way through every explanation, keeping a wide berth of at least two feet between them. Even when Tim wants him to look at his screen, he’ll squint from far away. Tim starting to think he smells bad, or has some sort of communicable disease unbeknownst to him.

“It’s not that,” Sasha assures him, again with that unreadable smile. “Trust me.”

Time to try something else.

He prints out his latest follow up, a rather elaborate statement regarding mistaken identities and absolutely nothing supernatural. He knows Jon prefers to look at things on paper, as screens ‘trigger his migraines’ if Tim understood his mumbles. Maybe if he can engage with him on familiar territory for the both of them, he’ll be able to hold a conversation. Tim specifically requested his help on this one.

“If you could just look it over, make sure everything’s up to snuff, that’d be great,” Tim says to the top of Jon’s head, as the man refuses to lift his own to meet his gaze. “You know how Dr. Walker is. Always-”

“Finding mistakes where there are none? I’m familiar with her methods,” Jon snorts, and Tim feels like he’s getting somewhere. A whole sentence! With classic Jonathan Sims snark! “I-I can give it a look. I’m rather busy, but -”

“Take your time,” Tim says with a dismissive wave of the hand. “I finished a bit early, so I don’t need it for a few days yet. Don’t want to put you out.”

“You’re not.” Jon meets his eyes for about ten seconds before ducking his head back down.

Progress!

[dreamsoflevi]

Love Was Not Enough | Part 1

Summary: A titan shifter is working in the Scout Regiment with a plan. Growing up with hate for Paradis takes a complete turn when falling for a certain Captain and developing friendships. Is it too late to make a change?

Word Count: 4.2k

CW: Some fluff, angst, mentions of violence, description of an emotional breakdown, stress.

Author’s Note: My first post on Tumblr! I’m so slow when it comes to using Tumblr lol. Starting off with an angsty story because it's raining and gloomy. It was supposed to be an one-shot but it ended up being super long. There will be 1-2 more parts. Hope you enjoy! ♡

You loved him.

You really did.

You still do.

When you first met him, you were surprised this was the person everyone was referring to when they would mention Humanity's strongest soldier, Captain Levi. His aloof and brash attitude would prove those thoughts drilled in your head about the devils in disguise living amongst the lands as you. He didn't care for anything and he wouldn’t hesitate to remind you of that. “You will become titan shit.” His exact words spat to your face. Who does he think he is?

You were exceptional at what you did, full of intellect and skills landed you on his squad along with a group of newer cadets. The 104th cadets. You were all replacements for his previous squad who were killed by the female titan, your comrade Annie during the 57th expedition. You were trained for this after all. You were prepared and you had a plan along with a few others. Secret glances, nods, and meetings were shared amongst you four any chance you could get.

You ended up befriending a few too. A shy yet wise Armin, an extremely passionate Eren, a wild and resourceful Sasha, and some others. A bunch of children putting their lives on the line for a better tomorrow, a hopeful future. Aren’t you doing the same too?

During expeditions, you would watch Captain Levi swinging through trees on his ODM gear, slicing through the napes of every titan he landed his eyes on. Now you understand why he is humanity’s strongest. Slicing through titans without a struggle and with immense strength and speed.

He'd frantically look around making sure the others were okay. He'd shout the names of his squad and any other names he could remember hoping to get a shout in return. The panicked look on this face when he would hear screams and race to the source of them. Maybe he does care. When returning to the walls, you could see him grimace watching the gates open only for it to quickly change back to his normal neutral expression.

-

“L/N!” A voice breaking your thoughts as you walk back inside the headquarters after training. You turn around to see Captain Levi standing behind you with a small stack of papers in his hand.

“Yes, Captain?” You wiped the sweat off your forehead with your sleeve.

“Are you doing anything after this?”

You shook your head. “No, sir. Do you need anything?”

“Yes. Deliver this paperwork to Commander Erwin. He should be in his office now.” He handed you the small stack of papers he was holding.

“Yes, sir.” You nodded your head grabbing the papers and walking in the direction of Commander Erwin’s office.

Approaching his office, you knocked on his door. You heard a deep voice respond and turned the knob to enter. Opening the door, you see the distressed Commander sitting at his desk. One hand resting on his forehead and the other scribbling away. He glances up and sees the stack in your hands.

“Ah, thank you (Y/N), I was waiting for these.” Raising his hand in anticipation of the papers.

You walked up to his desk handing it to him. “No problem, Commander.”

You look around his messy desk. Papers spread all around, empty teacups resting on the side, and two ink bottles sitting on his desk. Your eyes take a peek at his face, dark circles under his eyes, and his hair slightly messed up. You couldn’t help but feel bad for him. No. You try shaking those thoughts away. They are the devils and we are paying for their actions.

But you take another look at him. Imagine being in his position. Are you aware of what your ancestors did, Commander? He’s shuffling through the small stack of papers that were just handed to him. You can see the squares and circles in the form of a large triangle. The formations. The lives and the future of thousands rest upon this single man’s shoulders. Of course, he has to spend hours on end meticulously planning the expeditions and making sure the formations are properly formed. A plan for a better tomorrow, a hopeful future. Don’t you want that too?

You internally sigh in defeat. “Um... Commander?” You nervously play with your fingers.

“Yes, (Y/N)?” He looks up at you, hand still holding the quill and the other now resting on the desk.

“Do.. do you need help? I just finished training and If you need help, I…” You bite your lip, your nerves getting the best of you as his eyes remain in contact with yours.

The curves of his mouth turn upwards. “If you can, please.” He gestures to the seat in front of him.

You flash him a smile, nod your head and take a seat. He hands you a stack of papers. “For these, you just need to write today’s date under the line where it says date received. Then organize them alphabetically.”

That’s where you found yourself at least twice a week. Helping the commander out whenever you could, organizing his paperwork, and filling them out whenever he needed you to. Sometimes you would work in complete silence. The sounds of pens scribbling, paper shuffling, and the sips the Commander took of his tea. Sometimes he would tell you a little story about his life and of his childhood. He would speak of his father being a major inspiration in his life and the reason he pushes forward every day. He had a sudden death, though the Commander never told you why, you can imagine it was a traumatic one for him.

A couple of months pass by and you are now sitting in the Captain's office. Coming into Commander’s office one day and seeing his surprisingly organized desk for once and him telling you that he didn’t need any assistance today. However, Captain Levi might need help with the reports from a previous expedition. Nodding your head and giving a quick salute, you made your way to Captain Levi’s office.

Working with Captain Levi was soothing. His office was very neat. Paperwork in his office sitting on his desk in organized piles. You can smell the faint scent of lemon which was refreshing. You visiting his office became a more frequent occurrence since he appreciated the assistance he would receive though he’d never tell you that. He would have a stack ready for you set up on the side table in his office. He was not much of a talker like Commander Erwin nor was he someone who reminisces his life it seems.

However, you would still have conversations here and there. He would ask about how you were feeling with training and if you dared to complain about the exercises he was giving, he would simply tell you to get better with the exercises or get eaten. Then realizing his bluntness and the silence that filled the room after, he would elaborate on his statement.

What he means is, he would say, these exercises help with increasing stamina and balance that will aid us on the battlefield. Outside the walls, anything can happen. Titans pop out of nowhere catching you off guard and little mishaps like getting tangled, being too slow, or even aiming your anchor wrong can lead to a fatal mistake. You could agree with that.

“(L/n), why did you decide to join the scouts?” He asked without looking up from what he was doing.

You stilled for a second and looked up at him. His eyes were still on the paper in front of him. This question always catches you off guard even if you rehearsed it so many times. It makes you nervous and vulnerable as if the person asking can see right through you and your facade.

“Same reason as everyone else, sir.” He glanced at you now and you immediately looked back down at the paper in front of you. You tried to avoid as much eye contact as you can.

He cocked an eyebrow. “Which is?”

“F-freedom.. from the titans.” You heard a scoff.

“Now you sound like Eren.” He was still looking at you. You dared to meet your eyes with his. He still had a stoic look on his face but there was curiosity simmering in his eyes. He was waiting for an answer. You had no choice but to give one. How would you say it though? You don’t want to lie. Captain Levi can be very perceptive and you’re sure he could see through your facade.

You bit your lip. “I… I want a better future for myself, my loved ones, and future generations. All my life, I’ve experienced confinement and.. oppression. But I have been given the power- er, the opportunity I should say to aid in defeating our e-enemies and... and I hope to accomplish that to live a more liberating life.”

He remained in eye contact with you without saying anything. The silence was deafening in the room and you hoped he would say something. Each second of silence was building the temperature in your body as your nerves were starting to get the best of you. Your chest was burning and you could feel a bit of sweat forming on your scalp. Did you say the wrong thing? Or maybe you said too much? Why isn’t he saying anything?

Your lips parted in anticipation to say something. But what else were you going to say? Before you can process what you are going to say, he hummed and looked back down at his work.

“You are right. We all have the same reason, more or less. To break out of these confined and oppressive walls and defeat these shitty titans. Whatever is out there must be better than what we live in now.”

You internally sighed. It’s not better but hopefully, it will get better. I guess we have the same mission, just different targets. You and everyone else here being mine Captain. You felt your throat dry up. Can you imagine killing these people? Watching Captain struggling on his last breath? Commander Erwin? Hange? Connie, Sasha, Jean, Armin? But your ancestors... Now you are suffering because of these devils.

Shaking your head of these thoughts, you try to focus back on the paper in front of you. “Ar-” You cleared your throat. “Armin believes there’s a sea out there.”

He snorted. “That kid and his shitty dream...” You could see a hint of a smile forming on his face. “Who knows, maybe there is.”

You come to realize that he’s not rude, he just doesn’t know how to express himself. His actions speak louder than words and you can’t help but grow a lot of respect for him. But he’s still a devil. But he has a heart and he cares for every single person in this regiment, including you. It doesn’t matter. They caused your people pain and betrayed them.

-

A perk of being on Captain Levi’s squad is getting to sit on meetings planning the expeditions. Commander Erwin would call these meetings for input on observations made from previous missions. Armin enthusiastically shares what he learns from the missions. Plans are being formed around Eren and his abilities. He’s learning new things about what he can do every day and recently he learned about hardening abilities from Annie. Working with Hange to train how to harden properly to be able to plug walls in the future.

They have no idea though. No idea what is beyond these walls, where these titans come from, where do they go, or anything else. They are risking their lives for the answers, the answers that you already know.

Walking through the dark hallways, you step into the mess hall. There sitting on a table in the dimly lit corner were Reiner and Bertholdt. The ones on the mission with you alongside Annie.

“Where have you been lately?” Reiner asked as you sat down on the bench. You usually had these meetings at least once or twice a week, but since Annie was captured, things have gotten more hectic. In fear of getting caught or being busy with so many tasks, you haven’t had the chance to meet with them as often as you should.

“Sorry.. I’ve just been swamped with training, meetings, and helping the higher-ups with their paperwork.”

Reiner narrows his eyes at you. “You’ve been spending a lot of time with them lately.”

“Yeah but I’ve managed to learn a few things.”

“Like what?”

“Well, Eren is close to figuring out his hardening abilities. Hange had taken the sample from Annie but she didn’t get far with that. Now she and Eren are working together to see how Eren can unlock his own ability.”

Reiner hummed. “If Eren learns how to harden, he could start landing attacks on me. He’d still be no match for Bertholdt though.”

You nodded in response. There was an awkward silence. No one had much to say which was a huge difference from before when you had to plot your next moves and practice your stories together. Usually, Reiner was the one who would come up with the plans and assign tasks to the rest of you three. This was before the fight between Eren and Annie. You didn’t expect Annie to lock herself into the crystal.

You looked at Reiner who seemed to be deep in thought. “What are you thinking?”

He sighed. “I think another attack is coming soon.”

Bertholdt and your eyes widen. “Are you sure? Isn’t it a little too quick, Reiner?” Bertholdt wearily asks. You nod your head in agreement.

“They already have Annie. We need to get Eren and try to get Annie out of there as well.”

“Yes!” Bertholdt interjects. “We do need to save Annie.” Bertholdt always had a soft spot for Annie. You have an inkling he has a crush on her because he gets flustered and avoids the topic every time it’s brought up.

You don’t know if you’re ready for another attack. The last one was devastating. The fight between Eren and Annie destroyed so many homes and lost lives. Children losing their parents, parents losing their children, lovers lost… It is heartbreaking. You don’t know if you can stomach another attack at this point. What are you saying? That is what you’re here for. You need to do this for your people back home. You let out a long exhale and close your eyes.

“It bothers you too, doesn’t it?” You open your eyes to Bertholdt looking at you.

“They are people… just like us.”

You nod your head meekly. “Just like us.” You repeated in a whisper.

Reiner sighs. “And they have no clue what is happening.”

“No clue.” You and Bertholdt breathe simultaneously. You three sit in silence, all three of you lost in your own thoughts. Why did it have to be us?

-

During training you noticed Captain Levi limping a little more than usual. Since the 57th expedition, his leg has been in bad shape. He still supervises your training and some days, he can walk properly and some days he’s limping. You turn back to your task at hand, slicing through the titan dummies set up.

“(Y/n)! Straighten your back!” He yells from the field and you obey, straightening your back while you and Connie swing to the titan dummy.

“Oi Sasha! You have to aim your anchors a bit higher!”

“Mikasa, don't go too fast!”

The comments usually went like that for the entire training session. Watching all of you train and critique your performances. You’re not going to lie, it was a pain in the ass. But you noticed it does help you outside of the walls. Captain Levi is good at what he does. He’s perceptive and knows exactly what to do and when. He is a natural titan killer. Being able to take down small to abnormal and maybe even ones like you. After you were done, you all were panting and sweating while walking back to the field.

“Phew! That was some training today,” Connie wiped the sweat off of his forehead.

Jean clicked his tongue. “That was nothing! Probably too much for you right Yeager?” He smirked at Eren.

Eren rolled his eyes. “You wish, Jean boy. That’s why you’re drenched in sweat.”

“Am not!”

“Are too!”

You all groaned as Eren and Jean started arguing for the fifth time today. The first two times Armin tried to interject to try and diffuse the argument but at this point, even he gave up.

“You’re on Yeager. After dinner, we’ll have an arm wrestling match.”

“After dinner,” Eren confirmed. “Don’t horse around Kirstein.”

“Shut up titan freak.”

“Are you ladies done bickering?” Captain Levi glared at them with his arms crossed. Eren clicked his tongue and Jean muttered under his breath. Captain narrowed his eyes at them, a warning to fix their attitudes. They immediately straightened their backs.

“Yes sir!” A few of you silently giggled watching them get scolded by Captain Levi.

Watching them with a smile, you loved the banter between Eren and Jean. Despite the arguments, you know deep down they have respect and admiration for one another. It’s distinctly shown during battle when they are looking out for another. Even during Eren’s fits of rage, Jean is understanding and never attacks Eren for his impulsive decisions. He might get a little bit of teasing though.

They were very friendly with you too. Always giving you a pat on the back or a cheesy grin whenever they see you. Looking back at you when riding through the gates to make sure you’re okay or screaming your name to make sure you are fine when fighting titans. And let’s not forget Jean’s flirty nature. His love for Mikasa is strong but he can’t help it when he sees any walking and breathing female. Just kidding. He’s not that girl crazy.. maybe. It’s too soon to decide that.

I think another attack is coming soon. You heard Reiner’s voice suddenly appeared in your mind. You suddenly started feeling a bit nauseous. Another attack on these people. These people you are considering your friends. You felt the salty taste in the back of your throat. Trying to calm your nerves, you took some deep quiet breaths. It wasn’t helping. It was getting harder to swallow with your throat tightening. You silently walked back hoping no one starts a conversation with you. As soon as you get back, you were planning on taking a very, very cold shower.

Grabbing your clothes, you ran into the showers. Breathing hard and with shaking hands, you turned the shower knob. The cold water hitting you and startling you for the first few seconds. You can’t. You can. You can’t. You have to. But these people, you can’t do that to them now. Not when they are just started to grow on you. They were normal people with normal feelings. They’re not… devils? Yes, they are.

You remember the attack in Trost. The chaos that spread through the walls. These same cadets hopelessly try to fight the titans. You were all newly graduated. Thomas getting eaten by a titan. Screams and cries filled your ears along with the sounds of loud thumps and bone-crunching.

When you were discussing things with Reiner, Bertholdt, and Annie, poor Marco being in the wrong place at the wrong time. How devastated Jean was losing his best friend and not knowing ultimately it was you three that led to his death. Not only his but everyone else’s. The way Armin looked when Eren sacrificed himself to save him.

Can you do this again?

A sob escaped from your throat. Tears flew down your cheeks getting mixed in with the water. You are no different than them, aren't you? The blood of these innocent lives on your hands. But they were the reason for all this, no? Except they don’t know. Is it justifiable blaming them for something that happened so many years ago? While you are oppressed by the Marleyeans, they are oppressed by these titans. Aren’t you any different from the Marleyans then? Punishing innocent people for things out of their control?

Leaning your head on the tiled wall, you needed to make a decision. Whose side are you on? No, whose side do you want to be on? Do you want to continue the same treatment you received? Do you want to be the reason a child loses their mother? Their father? You need to make a decision and make it quick. You grabbed the soap bar and cleaned yourself off. You will make a decision. You just need time.

After your shower, you remembered you were going to go to Captain Levi’s office to help him with his paperwork. You also remembered how he was limping badly today. Before going into his office, you decided to make a trip to the infirmary.

Asking the nurses for some balm for Captain Levi’s leg, you grabbed a small jar and made your way to his office. What’s the reason for this? Are you trying to relieve some of the guilt eating away at your conscience?

Entering his office, he offered a small greeting before pointing to the paperwork that needed to be done today. Before getting seated at the table, you walked over to his desk and held out the small jar. With an eyebrow raised, he looked at the jar in your hand.

“It’s for your leg. You were limping today and I thought this might help sir.”

He took the jar from your hand. The curves of his mouth turned upward, not enough to call it a smile since he hardly ever did. “Thank you.”

Thank you. You felt your heart flutter. You barely hear words of acknowledgment from him and you can’t help but feel happy that you were on the receiving end of them. So what? Why do you care? Because you do admire him. After all, he was your Captain and you respect him. And he is looking nicer than usual in his black suit and cravat. What? Are you okay? You’re just acknowledging his looks. It means nothing-

Wait, he said thank you. You need to answer him instead of disputing with your own self.

“It’s no problem.” You smiled at him and walked over to your seat and began working.

-

That is how things went for a while. You have been avoiding Reiner and Bertholdt any chance you can get because you were unsure of how to explain the inner turmoil you are having with yourself. You are close to walking away from it all, officially dedicating your heart to the Scouts, to Commander Erwin, to Paradis. You are willing to throw it away. Your family, friends, and everyone else back home. They don’t understand what you’re going through. The struggle you are facing. It’s easy to be on the other side of things but when having to see these losses head-on, it’s gut-wrenching.

You managed to get even closer to everyone. Sharing laughs and jokes with your squad during breakfast and dinner, working with Commander Erwin more closely and offering suggestions when he’s planning the formations, engaging in more conversations with Captain Levi, and even spending time in Hange’s office.

“Oh! Hello again (Y/n)! Guess what Eren is doing today!” Hange exclaimed while wrapping her arm around Eren’s neck. Eren holding onto her arm trying to relieve some pressure on his neck.

“What is he doing today?” You gave Eren a little smirk.

“Drinking a lot of water. We’re testing out his pee!” She shoved a large canteen into Eren’s chest.

“Pee? Wait, why?”

“Because Eren, we’re tested your blood but we haven’t received consistent results. So we are going to try your bladder. So drink up! We need at least a liter.”

“A liter?!” Eren squeaked.

Hange cackled. “A liter indeed!”

“(Y/n), do you want to help Eren out?” She flashed a grin at you.

“Sure,” you shrugged. “What do I have to do?”

“Just make sure he drinks this entire canteen of water. And if he doesn’t..” her smile dropped and she grimly looked at you, “Force him.”

Eren managed to drink the canteen of water and he also managed to give a liter of urine samples. Unfortunately, Eren had to run to the bathroom every half hour for the rest of the day. This resulted in a very irritated Captain Levi and a snickering Jean.

“What experiment did four eyes do on the shit head today?” He asked you when you walked into his office.

“She needed urine samples from Eren so she forced him to drink an entire canteen which is a gallon of water in one hour.” You grinned while grabbing your stack of papers.

He cringed. “Poor Eren.”

You snapped your neck to look at him in shock. “Did you just have sympathy for someone, Captain?”

“Oi, shut it. Don’t get mouthy with me.” He teasingly pointed a finger at you.

You snickered, taking your usual seat at the table. “I mean… It’s Hange. I always have sympathy for anyone who works with her. Look at poor Moblit.” He chuckled.

His chuckle rang through your head. He chuckled. You quickly caught your thoughts and felt heat rushing up to your cheeks for getting flustered about him chuckling. Why are you feeling like this?

“Captain, what’s the occasion? I don’t think anyone has ever heard you laugh.” You grinned at him.

“That wasn’t a laugh.” He immediately responded while scribbling on papers.

“Fine. A chuckle.” You rolled your eyes and began shuffling through the papers and organizing them.

“Well feel special I guess. You heard your captain chuckle.” He mockingly repeats the word in your tone.

Special. You smile. I do feel special.

[bugsweirdworld]

College AU!Armin Arlert x reader

Words: 3.1k+

Warnings: None

AN: For @ghost-party's Meet-Cute collab. I'm sorry it's so late, I started a new job and have been busy almost every single day!

Tags: @arte-misa @ryugamii @arlerted @suyasgf @lue-arlert @mylittlesyn

~🌼~🌼~🌼~

Although you’ve never met him, there’s no denying the quiet beauty of Armin Arlert. Once Sasha notices your new found enamour, she becomes determined to set you up with him, despite your protests. However, after experiencing Armin up close for the first time, you realise it might be worth it after all.

Sighingly wistfully, you watched as another crimson leaf fell to the ground. It wasn’t the first to fall since you had sat on one of the many college courtyard benches, but it was still nice to look at. Sasha was supposed to have met you here 30 minutes ago but had yet to show up, despite repeatedly sending you frantic texts saying that she was “actually on the way this time!”

Although it was frustrating, since you had walked all the way from the other side of campus only to end up waiting in the cold, it gave you more time to admire the beauty of Fall. There was no doubt that the seasons were changing, and the urge to get up and run around like a child was becoming stronger and stronger. However, without your friends to join in on the chaotic energy, it would've been too embarrassing to be seen jumping around in the scattered leaves. After all, it wasn’t like you were the only person outside.

Despite classes having finished for the day, there were actually still many other students hanging around. Some of them were sitting on the grass studying or having picnics, other groups were simply standing by the walls.

Even though nothing about it was particularly significant, one of the groups kept catching your eye. You recognised the three students clustered together as other friends of Sasha’s, but to be honest, the idea of going out of your way to meet new people who were already so loved by your best friend made you kind of anxious and uncomfortable. Besides, as mean as it sounded, none of them seemed very interesting or appealing at first glance.

All except for one.

You didn’t know his name, the classes he took, or if he was even nice, but what you did know was that he was absolutely gorgeous. His hair acted almost like a halo in the sunlight, made from thick strands of gold that you so desperately wanted to run your hands through. His jawline was defined, but soft enough that he still had a cute boyish look to him and to top it all off, both his round cheeks and button nose slightly glowed with a red tint from the cold.

But what you really wanted to see, his eyes, were too far away to experience properly.

Stuck in your reverie, you were so distracted that you didn’t see Sasha barreling your way, screaming repeatedly until you finally noticed her. A wild look was on her face as she stopped abruptly in front of you, doubled over and gasping for breath as if she had run all the way here.

Startled by all the noise, you jumped and turned to face her direction with wide eyes.

“Sasha, where were you!? I’ve been here for ages!”

“I know, I know, I’m sorry! But that’s what I’m trying to tell you, bestie!”

Sighing internally, you looked at her with a tired smile on your face, you just couldn’t stay mad at Sasha for long. Her puppy dog eyes may not be the best, but they get the job done. Plus, you were kind of suspicious…

“Ok Sash, what happened?”

“WE THREW CONNIE OFF A BRIDGE!”

Shocked, you stood up, trying to hide your amusement out of concern for Connie as Sasha screeched with laughter

“What the hell, Sasha! Is he ok!?”

“Of course he is, why wouldn’t he be? Besides, he’s the one that asked us to, so it’s all his fault for being an idiot.”

Covering your mouth to suppress your laughter as she babbled on, you turned to see if you could spot Jean dragging a soaking wet Connie your way. But instead, you found that people had been startled by Sasha’s outburst and were now staring at the two of you, exchanging odd glances and whispering behind their hands.

Feeling self conscious, you let your smile fall as you turned your head the other way. The sudden realization that other students were watching caused you to choke on your laughter. In an attempt to calm your rising anxiety, you started reasoning with yourself - you would probably never even meet these people since you weren’t in the same social circles, and even if you did, it’s not like they’d remember you, right? So, deciding to risk it, you turned your head yet again, only to find yourself instantly trapped in the pretty blonde boy’s gaze.

Flustered by the fact that he had been watching you, your eyebrows shot up and you started discreetly waving your hands to get Sasha’s attention. Noticing your slight franticness and the constant flickering motion of your eyes, she stopped muttering and walked closer to you, moving her head around to try and see what you were looking at. Letting her eyes scan over the school grounds, she finally noticed the group of people by the wall.

“Oh hey, those are my other friends! Do you know them?”

Turning back to Sasha with pleading eyes, you silently willed her to be more quiet. The last thing you wanted was for her other friends to notice her and walk over.

“No, but they keep looking at us. We need to be quieter, ok? I don’t want them to think I’m weird!”

“But you are weird…”

“I know, but he doesn’t have to know that!”

Realising your slip up, you tried to think of a way to save yourself, but to no avail. Sasha may not be gossip crazy, but she loves to stir the pot every once in a while, matchmaker being one of her favourite games to play between friends. As if on cue, she started gasping and grabbed onto your arm, whisper-screaming into your ear.

“HE? Which one’s ‘he?!’ Want me to introduce you?”

“No Sash, it’s ok, really… I’ll be fine!”

“Well, I’ll tell you who’s with who anyways so that you don’t get your heart broken, ok?”

Dropping your hands to your side in defeat, you let out a huff. You really didn't feel like explaining to anyone how this was "all just a big misunderstanding" and only the result of an overly enthusiastic and chaotic friend’s schemes.

From there, you began to realise the ridiculousness of the entire situation. From start to finish, this past hour alone had been crammed full of mayhem and yet you couldn't help but start to laugh. Startled by your outburst, Sasha jumped back and looked at you in confusion.

“H-hey, why are you laughing!? Did I say something funny?”

After taking a second to breathe, you looked at her with a smile on your face and explained that you weren’t making fun of her, just happy because she always knows how to make you laugh. In response to this, her face lit up and she held her head higher, looking around contentedly

“Of course I do, I’m your bestie! Look, my other friends think I’m funny too!”

Lifting your head in slight panic, you could feel your heart violently skip a beat at the sight before you. Caught up in your silent enamour, you watched as the blonde boy raised one of his slender, pale hands to his lips in an attempt to hide a smile. Although you were somewhat far away, you could see that his shoulders were slightly scrunched as if he was chuckling. You desperately wanted to know what the smile hidden beneath his ring clad fingers looked like. Was it sweet or was it cruel? The idea that he could be laughing at you made your heart twinge in anxiety.

As if he could feel someone watching him, the boy turned his head in your direction, scanning the courtyard curiously. Once he realised that you were staring directly at him, he flushed lightly, eyebrows raising in surprise as he brought his hand down slowly, slightly tilting his head to reveal a pair of soft, pink lips.

Noticing that his friend wasn’t paying attention to him anymore, the dark haired boy next to him stuck an elbow into the blond’s side, speaking to him quietly before his mouth curled into a cocky grin. Whatever he had said caused the pretty blonde to grimace softly before returning his curious gaze to your form, his face falling back to a neutral expression as his long fingers fiddled with the rings he was wearing. When you accidentally made eye contact yet again, the two of you turned your heads away quickly, embarrassed at being caught.

Noticing the bashful nature you suddenly took on, Sasha made a noise of confusion and looked back and forth between your friendship groups, trying to spot what caused your odd behavioral change. Her eyes narrowed in exaggerated concentration as she examined the faces of her other friends before finally noticing the blonde boy rubbing the back of his neck in embarrassment. Gasping, Sasha turned to face you and gripped your arm, shaking it as she aggressively whispered the same thing over and over again.

“Armin, Armin! Is it Armin?!”

Noticing Sasha’s ever growing excitement, the tall brunette from across the courtyard smirked, turned his head and mouthed something to the others before pointing Sasha out and loudly calling her over.

Realising what was about to occur, your heart nearly lept out of your chest, but before you could fully register what was happening, Sasha had already started dragging you along behind her as she ran to greet the others. However, as loud as her screaming was, you couldn’t seem to hear anything other than what she had repeated mere seconds ago.

Armin.

Was that his name? The angel across from you? Taking another moment to examine him further, you couldn’t help but notice just how well it suited him.

Gentle, quiet strength.

As you got closer and closer, butterflies began to flutter around in your belly excitedly. It felt almost as if the world had started moving in slow motion before your eyes, the situation being similar to that of a cheesy romcom movie. Although he wasn’t being particularly expressive, you could tell that the blonde himself was slightly surprised and perhaps even flustered at the path your interactions were now taking. You knew that if he were to look at your face more closely, your own shock and bashfulness would be quite noticeable too. At first, you weren’t sure if he even registered your shyness, but you were quickly corrected as his facial expression began to shift slightly the closer you got, his lips slowly twitching upwards into the start of a surprisingly coy smile.

Your heart began to beat faster and faster with the knowledge that you would soon be face to face with the boy whom you had already embarrassed yourself in front of multiple times today. With each step, his shy expression was further taken over by a more playful one, as you tried not to trip from the mix of Sasha’s eager movements and your slightly flustered nature. However, despite his more confident change in expression, the cute, pink blush gracing his cheeks still seemed to be deepening with each passing second...

Reaching the other side of the courtyard, Sasha came to a sudden stop, causing you to crash into her back. As you pulled yourself away from her body, despite the slight headache that was now building from the minor collision, you could only seem to focus on the boy in front of you.

You were quickly stunned into breathlessness at the striking blue eyes that were currently gazing back at you with slight worry. Looking into those eyes felt like taking your first cautious steps into the ocean. The water seemingly still for now, but the knowledge that it could become too much, too soon, was holding you back from jumping right in.

As you carelessly stared at the angel before you, a gentle voice drew you out of your silence.

“Oh my, are you alright? Sasha does tend to get carried away when she’s excited… Although I’m sure you already know that.”

Despite the calm mask over his striking eyes, a playful glint flickered to the surface as he looked over at the girl in question, huffing softly. Still stuck in your mindless admiration, you called out his name questioningly.

“Armin?”

His eyes widened in surprise at the mention of his name, before creasing slightly to accentuate the gentle smile on his face.

“Yes, that’s me! I see Sasha’s already told you about me then, unfortunately, I don’t think she’s mentioned anything about you. What’s your name?”

However, before you were able to respond, Sasha turned and threw an arm around you, pulling you into her side excitedly as the dark haired boy next to Armin looked you directly in the eyes and smiled. Something about their expressions made you feel slightly worried, as if they were planning something. You weren’t so sure you wanted any part of it.

“Hey, I’m Eren. The girl to my right is Mikasa, and this is Armin. I’d personally introduce you to him myself, but I can’t baby him forever, now can I?”

You were certain that Eren had already seen the two of you speaking, even if it was only for a very short while. Therefore, you came to the conclusion that he was just being a tease. Your suspicions were confirmed when he pushed Armin forward, clapped a free hand on his shoulder and smirked.

“Come on Armin, don’t be shy, say hello to the pretty person.”

Startled, Armin looked back at Eren in frustration.

“E-eren, don’t be rude! Besides, I’ve already spoken to them, thank you very much.”

“Rude, how am I being rude? I called them pretty, didn't I? Was I wrong?”

Huffing gently, Armin rolled his eyes and turned fully to the side to face Eren.

“Of course not, but-”

“So you think they’re attractive?”

You felt your heart skip a beat as Armin’s big blue eyes risked a subtle glance back at you. Noticing that your attention was already entirely on him, his movements stuttered, face flushing once again.

“They are… very attractive, yes, but I know what you’re trying to do, Eren. You can’t trick me."

“Geez, you make it sound like we’re planning something evil, Armin. We just thought it would be nice to take a walk around campus together, since it looks so pretty and all.”

Laughing mischievously, Sasha grabbed Armin by the back of his arm and pushed the two of you together.

“Here, we should buddy up so we don’t get lost! Armin, you two can go together, just in case. We’ll be right behind you, so don’t wait up!”

Allowing yourself to breathe again, you moved back from Armin’s chest and looked into his eyes with confusion. After apologising softly, Armin turned his head to assess the three left standing beside him, a single eyebrow raised in suspicion.

“Lost? Do you really think I’ll get lost walking around the school trail?”

After a moment of silence and some provocation from Eren and Sasha, Mikasa nodded her head slowly.

“It’s… big. Anyone could get lost.”

Sighing, Armin turned back to you, knowing full well that the school trail was basically just a glorified oval. As his eyes met yours again, his slight annoyance melted into a tired, yet playful smile.

“You’re lucky I have the college’s new app on my phone, it has a map and apparently I’m useless without one.”

Chuckling to himself, Armin looked over and gestured at the leaf-lined path leading down the courtyard.

“Sometimes it’s just better to indulge them.”

So, as the two of you walked down the path together, you took one last look behind you, catching Eren, Sasha and Mikasa turning to one another, smiles of varying enthusiasm forming on their faces as they watched you and Armin draw closer and closer together the farther you walked.

Despite it only being 4 pm, the sun had already begun to cast everything in a warm honey glow, giving the illusion of an early sunset. The tiniest of breezes caused the fallen leaves to dance across the school grounds, your attention however, was drawn to Armin’s golden hair as it happened to move just right, leaving his angelic blue eyes vulnerable to your enamour. Even through times such as fall and winter, when things started to wither and decay, his gaze was full of life.

Distracted by Armin’s beauty, you failed to notice a rock right in front of you. Although it wasn’t particularly large, your foot still began to catch on its edge as you moved to take another step. However, before you could fall, a slender hand grasped your forearm firmly and pulled you into a warm side. Gasping, you looked around in shock, only to be met with the pretty blues of Armin Arlert. His eyebrows were slightly drawn together in worry as he looked you up and down appraisingly, as if you had actually taken the fall. As you began drawing yourself back up straight, the hand around your forearm loosened its grip slightly, another gliding to your lower back, hovering gently as if not to startle you.

“Are you alright?”

Nodding your head slowly, your heart skipped a beat as you felt the pair of ring clad fingers on your forearm gently run down to your hand. Glancing back to Armin, you locked eyes yet again. Staring deeply, Armin seemed unaware of how he had yet to drag his fingers away from yours. You didn't mind. It was growing cold outside anyways.

“I meant what I said earlier, by the way. You really are very attractive.”

As the soft blush from before returned to his pale face, you could do nothing but hold your breath, watching as he licked his lips tentatively, before a gentle smile began to grow with his expression of awe.

“I could stare at your eyes all day.”

At his words, you felt an almost electric shock run through your body, an airy laugh leaving your lips as your eyes softened in contentment. Maybe this hadn’t been such a bad affair after all?

“Funny... I was going to say the same thing.”

[warriorcatsamino]

“What the heck Jake?!” Check out this cute scene done by @lynxorib of Jake and his feral boyfriend Tallstar. This scene was inspired by a scene in the movie How to Train A Dragon where Astrid stumbles upon Hiccup & Toothless. Here an unknown kittypet has stumbled upon Jake & Tallstar. Honestly it’s kinda funny how kittypets see the clan cats. Some cats aren’t afraid of them and are even friends with them while others are terrified of them and believe them to be savages who eat bones and murder for fun. Then in Pinestar’s Choice kittypets and Thunderclan were typically at war as Oakstar led a raid on the twolegplace. Jake’s mother Crystal was big and buff and able to frighten a fox. However during Into the Wild, we see kittypets like Princess & Smudge who are fat and lazy. In Into the Prophecy, Leafpaw makes friends with the adventurous Cody. In Bramblestar’s Storm, Bramblestar encounters a super intelligent, cultured and likable kittypet called Jessy. In Vision of Shadows, Alderheart falls in love with a soft and sweet kittypet called Velvet. Even in the Broken Code, one of the ghosts Rootpaw encounters is a kittypet named Cheddar. The point I’m trying to make is kittypets have played a major role in the books and encountered clan cats quite a bit. Speaking of Tallstar’s Revenge, I can picture a scene like this occurring when Talltail is being taken care of in Jake’s twoleg nest. I always wondered how Jake’s housefolk were willing to let him leave for an extended period and didn’t go out looking for him. Then again most pet owners in Warriors aren’t particularly good with the exception of Pinestar’s housefolk, the farmer who owns Ravenpaw & Barley and Sasha’s original owners. The rest of them just let the cats run wild and don’t care much about where they go. But I want to know what you guys think. Do you like kittypets in the book? What about Tallstar’s Revenge? Leave all your thoughts, opinions and feedback in the comments below. Be sure to give the original post a like as supporting the creators benefits this account. Want to see more like this? Consider joining the Warriors Amino where we have daily posts all about Warrior cats.

Original Post linked here.

Original Artist linked here.

~ 🍵🥔

[rosy-cheekx]

Heard you were looking for prompts :) 1 of 2 - From favorite tropes: Blind date set up by mutual friends! And maybe combined with "I'm speechless you're so beautiful" from the fluff & kisses (and other stuff) prompts. Go wild with it!

This will go to AO3 soon, but it was a lot of fun to write and a nice distraction from any hypothetical realities the TMA fandom may be experiencing. 

Double-Blind: 5K

Martin smelled like espresso. He wrinkled his nose and dusted his hands on his apron uselessly, as if doing so would rid himself of the months of coffee, cinnamon, and hazelnut baked into his skin.  It wasn’t all that bad, he supposed, except what was the point in using cologne if it was going to be immediately overpowered?

The bell above the door jingled and Martin jumped, pulled from his thoughts on cologne and what he would like to smell like, given the opportunity. Sandalwood, maybe? Tobacco and vanilla? The musky-sweet smells are nice, they have a nice mix of feminine and masculine to them, almost—

“Ahem.” An exaggerated clearing of the throat, once again whisking him from his distractions. Martin locked eyes on the woman across the counter from him, grinning mischievously. “Welcome back to Earth, Martin.”

“Oh! Oh. It’s just you. Hi, Georgie.” Georgie Barker, a regular customer, moderately well-known podcast host, and most importantly, one of Martin’s favorite people to see at the tiny coffee shop he spent more time in than his own flat.

“Just me? Excuse me.” Georgie pouted and crossed her arms, coily hair bouncing around her face as she shook her head. “I’ll have you know you should be grateful to see me this fine afternoon, Martin Koffee Blackwood!”

Martin grinned and dropped the act. “I always am, Georgie. But I told you, there’s not a—”

“Like I said, you should be happy to see me.” Georgie barreled on. “I have good news.” She cocked her head and pondered the chalk-covered board behind the counter. “Two chai lattes, please. And make one of them extra spicy?”

Martin rang up the order and passed two cups down to Rosie, all the while checking the door surreptitiously, ensuring a little chat wouldn’t hold anyone up. “Okay? Spill.”

Georgie’s phone was in her hand, and she waved it at Martin like it contained the secrets of the universe. “D’you remember my roommate, Melanie?”

Martin nodded, pursing his lips. “Vaguely. I thought you guys were dating.” He raised his eyebrows, waiting for her to elaborate.

Georgie waved a hand dismissively, rolling her eyes. “Not the point. Anyways, she has a friend of a friend-“ Georgie frowned for a moment, “…of a friend who is looking to get back into dating. Mel says he’s short and nerdy and prickly until you get to know him. Apparently a real pain to work with according to the friend.” Georgie smirked and pulled a sticky note from her back pocket. “Thought maybe you’d want his number.”

Martin grimaced at the blue piece of paper as she smoothed it to the counter with a firm motion. “Wow, George. Really selling it.” It was his fault; they had bonded over being queer back in July when Martin had worn his gay and trans pride buttons and Georgie was proudly sporting her own pansexual patch firmly affixed to her laptop case. One lunch break discussing quirky exes later, their friendship had been sealed. Mentioning offhandedly that he was on dating apps and hating every minute of it seemed to have rooted itself in Georgie’s mind and had grown like weeds until she had taken it upon herself to become his personal wing woman.

“Do you even know his name?” Martin asked, regarding the string of numbers on the piece of paper in front of him.

Georgie blushed, shrugging apologetically. “Friend of a friend of a friend. Sorry mate. Melanie said he likes cats, documentaries, and-” she made air quotes with her fingers, “-being uptight.”

“Wow.” Martin chuckled in disbelief. “Really selling it here.”

Rosie sidled by Martin and set down Georgie’s lattes, who shrugged and picked them up after dropping a few coins in the tip jar. “You have his number. Just think about it, Blackwood. Melanie’s friend doesn’t spread the word about someone unless they’re something special.” She blew a kiss (clumsily, considering the cups requiring the attention of each of her hands) and made her way to the door.

“I just want you to be happy!” She called out as the January winds pulled her out the door and into the grey afternoon.

Martin chewed on his lip as he considered. January was always a tough month for him, and he had been feeling a little lonely recently. He really didn’t see anyone besides his coworkers, customers, and his mother. As much as he enjoyed his job, he wouldn’t call anyone there a romantic interest. He folded the sticky note and stuck it in his pocket as his next customer approached the counter. He did like cats, after all. Maybe that would be a good starting conversation.

--

Jonathan Sims groaned and shifted the stack of books in his hand as he inspected the knee-high table that was buried amongst the fiction books. He hated working the children’s section of the library. Although no food or drink was allowed, there always seemed to be crumbs everywhere. He was starting to wonder if children just manifested them. He made a mental note to come back with disinfectant wipes after putting the stack of child-suitable biographies away and turned, nearly walking straight into the chest of one Timothy Stoker.

“A-ah!” Jon jumped instinctively backward, clutching the books closer to his chest in an attempt to keep from dropping them. “Tim! Good lord, there’s really no need to be sneaking up on me like that.”

Tim grinned wryly and shrugged, taking half of the books from Jon’s arms. “Sorry boss, thought you heard me.” He gestured for Jon to lead the way through the half-sized bookshelves; an unnecessary act seeing as Tim worked the children’s library much more frequently than Jon did.

“I’m not your-” Jon sighed, deciding this wasn’t the hill he wanted to die on today. He made his way through the shelves, sliding books into their correct placements with practiced hands. “Do you need something?”

“Actually,” Tim checked a Dewey code and slid a book into a shelf a few rows down. “I don’t. But you do.”

Jon stared blankly, uncomprehending. Tim chuckled and gestured with a cock of his head towards the research section. “Melanie said she has a friend who has a friend she wants to set up on a date. And while normally, I’d jump at the chance-” he waved his left hand, the silver ring inset with tiny diamonds flashing in the fluorescents, “I’ve been wifed up and I don’t think my dear Sash would appreciate my going on a blind date with a stranger.”

Jon frowned, setting his stack of books down and eyeing Tim. “What, so I have to?”

Tim shook his head, a patient smile on his face. “No, no one is forcing you. I just think—well. It’s been a while since your last relationship and you’ve been a little…testy, recently.” The look on Tim’s face dared Jon to contradict. “Melanie says he’s apparently a really good guy, very kind and sweet and patient. I think his name is Melvin? I kinda tuned out after she wrote down the number she got from her friend.”

Jon scoffed, pushing his glasses up his face as if that would help him comprehend the absolute ridiculousness of what Tim was saying. “Y-You want me to go on a date with this guy, Melvin? Because I’ve been…grumpy? That doesn’t seem very kind to this mysterious date.”

Tim pursed his lips. “I just think you could benefit from seeing someone who doesn’t work here. I mean, we love you Jon, but god, you need to get a social life. I’m practically begging you.” Tim’s purse elongated into a pout, eyes going big and starry. Jon inwardly groaned. Tim was his oldest friend here at the library and he really never learned how to resist that face. Maybe he should ask Sasha.

“One date,” Jon promised. “I’ll do one date. And then you never set me up again.”

Tim grabbed the rest of the books Jon had set down and added them to his stack before whisking himself away down the aisles. “If we’re lucky, I’ll never have to!” He called down the aisles, grinning madly. Jon sighed and grabbed a small pink sticky note that had been stuck to the countertop, running his eyes over the numbers before slipping it into his pocket. He’ll call later.

--

Martin stared resolutely at the numbers on the blue sticky note, running his thumb over the curled edge of the paper, slightly stained from some sort of milk during the shift. Even his apron pockets weren’t foolproof. The underground was busy and he was jammed between an older woman who smelled weirdly like salmon and a man who seemed utterly too well-dressed to be on the tube. Elbows crammed into his side to keep from nudging anyone, he pulled out his phone and stared at the messaging app for what felt like several minutes. He typed the numbers into the message bar and watched his cursor blip in the body of the message.

Hey whats up?

No, that would be so weird.

Hiya, this is martin!

Georgie never said the man’s name, would this mysterious date know his?

Hey I think the alphabet is missing I and U together.

Gross. Just gross. Martin grimaced inwardly and chewed on his lip, thinking carefully before typing.

Hi! My name is martin. my friend gave me your number, hope thats okay. she said you were really nice and recommended we try a blind date. if this is too weird, I get ignoring it. but if youre game, I am! :)

As he finished typing, he heard the familiar robotic voice of the tube announcing his stop. Quickly, Martin shoved the phone in his pocket and carefully forced his way through the crowd and onto the platform, mind cast to what he had accessible for dinner.

----

It took Jon a few days, until Saturday, to remember to call the phone number they had been given. They could text, they supposed, but they always appreciated hearing someone’s intonation a little better. Especially a stranger, ugh, they shuddered at the idea of not being able to decipher the tone of this Melvin. It was half-past 11 when they decided to call, hoping this would be late enough in the morning to not wake him up.

The phone rang momentarily before a surprisingly feminine voice answered the phone. “Hello. This is Rosie. You’ve reached Swirl Café and Bakery.”

Well shit. This was not what Jon expected. They stumbled over their rehearsed speech, trying to scramble words together in a way that made sense. “Uh-sorry, I must have the wrong number. I-I was trying to speak to Melvin?”

“Mmm, sorry. No Melvin works here. We have a Martin, but he’s off the clock. Would you like to speak to our manager?” Rosie’s voice was clipped and courteous, but Jon could hear the bustle of voices in the background. It must be their weekend rush.

“Ah-uh, no, no thank you.” Jon shook their head into the phone, before remembering that did not translate aurally. “It’s alright. Thank you anyways.”

“Sorry, mate. Thanks for calling!” The dial tone droned on for a moment before Jon hung up, sighing and pressing the heels of their hands into their eyes. That was a waste. Melanie must have been playing them; Jon knew they generally didn’t get along, but they didn’t realize she would stoop so low. Honestly, shame on themself for getting excited about a date.

Later that evening, Jon was cooking and listening to music through the speaker that balanced precariously on a shelf next to their stove. The music was low, with a variety of orchestral instruments and sultry, smooth voices. Jon’s eyes were half closed as they stirred the curry in the pan in front of them, letting the music and heat of the kitchen entangle them in a sleepy feeling relaxing their whole body. As the cello in the song dipped low and resonant, Jon stood still, letting the music sweep them away—

They jumped as the ringer alerted them through the speaker that they had received a text, glaringly electronic compared to the rich notes of cello and viola that had been so rudely interrupted. Sleepy feeling gone as adrenaline washed through their body, Jon sighed and retrieved their phone, checking for the message.

An unknown number flicked across the screen:

Hi! my name is martin. my friend gave me your number, hope thats okay. she said you were really nice and recommended we try a blind date. if this is too weird, i get ignoring it. but if youre game, I am! :)

i meant to send this a few days ago but I never hit send. sorry ab that! rosie said someone called the café asking ab me and i assumed that was you bc i wasnt expecting anyone else and no one involved in the blind date thing ever asked for my mobile number.

if it wasn’t you, oops! either way it reminded me that i had never texted you. :)

Jon squinted at the screen as they read the messages a few times over. That was…a lot of words. So his name was Martin. It was certainly nicer than Melvin. Jon agonized over their words as they typed out a response.

Hello Martin. That was me who called the café…I hope it didn’t cause problems for you. Blind dates aren’t usually my thing, but my coworkers think I need to get out more. I’d be happy to meet you for dinner or coffee. Even if we don’t get along, we can say we’ve done it.

Unless, of course, you’re rather sick of coffee. I prefer tea anyways.

…not “done it” done it. Just. Had the blind date.

Jon winced at their follow up texts. God, that was embarrassing. Martin probably didn’t even take it that way until they bothered to clarify. They shook their head, warding away the growing anxiety in their chest and tucked their phone in their pocket as they turned their attention back to the simmering curry. Jon had embarrassed themselves enough for one night.

----

Martin chuckled at the texts that came through; one slow and the two follow-ups rapid. He could feel the awkwardness through the messages, desperately trying to give a good impression. He chuckled to himself as he set down his dinner plate.

dinner sounds perfect. but same about the tea! and about the coworkers tbh, my friends think im making friends with the espresso machine. which, i am, but only bc its good company haha.

btw i never got your name?

Martin’s phone was silent the rest of the night, as he plodded his way through a mediocre dinner and shower before settling into his armchair, desperate to work on his poetry. Words came slowly to him recently, thoughts about the world and darkness and the intersection of fall and winter. He really should up and move to somewhere warmer, he thought to himself, before laughing the notion away aloud. Yeah, right. He rolled his eyes and tried to focus on the poetry prompts book he had found at the charity shop. “Use noncolor words to describe a color.” Great. Martin settled back and tried to focus, but kept finding himself checking his phone impulsively, the foamed latte art he’d photographed, one of a cat he was particularly proud of, stared back at him judgmentally.

As he drew his evening to a close, Martin almost missed the buzz of his phone, now plugged in by his bed, as he brushed his teeth.

Congrats on the espresso machine. And my name is Jon. Anywhere you want to go for dinner?

________________________________________________________________

Jon hesitated, thumb hovering over the icon that would open a video chat with Tim. He didn’t want to come off nervous, but… he was.

Texting had been going well. Martin was good at keeping the conversation going and genuinely seemed to enjoy the long texts Jon had sent regarding his irritations with the research he was conducting as a part of his master’s in literature, asking him questions about details Jon had added for context. Martin was easy to talk to, too, he always seemed to have an opinion on subjects but always ones Jon was happy to hear, even if he was objectively wrong about spiders and oolong tea. Martin had sent an awkward text, letting Jon know he was trans and that if that was a dealbreaker he should tell him now, one Jon had blushed over and responded that he was nonbinary himself, and that it certainly wasn’t. The “okay fantastic! :))) remind me of your pronouns? he/him for me.” that followed it up had made Jon’s heart sing.

They had agreed to meet at an Italian place, equidistant between their flats and not too fancy. Martin had commented about getting ice cream after, but Jon wasn’t sure if he was joking or not, since it had also been a jab about Jon’s preference for rum raisin. Thus, he was staring at his wardrobe, paralyzed with indecision. Tim had offered to help, which Jon had initially rejected since he’s “not a child Tim, I’ve dated before. And I know how to dress myself.” But lord if he wasn’t wishing for someone to lay out his clothes and tell him to behave. He grimaced and jabbed the video chat button, bracing for the onslaught of teasing to come.

----

Martin adjusted his collar for what must have been the twelfth time, sucking on his lip as he waited at the reserved table. He hadn’t been there long, no more than five minutes, but his anxiety had been building up all day and a part of him was absolutely certain Jon wasn’t going to come. Neither of them knew what the other looked like; what if Jon saw him and had dipped out immediately? He was wearing mint green, as he had promised, so Jon would recognize him, and brought a bouquet of daisies, mostly because it felt weird not to bring anything, but he didn’t want to be too romantic. Not roses or anything. Besides, Jon said he liked daisies, said they reminded him of an old friend. Martin hoped it wasn’t too weird. He brushed his auburn curls out of the way of his eyes, part of him regretting not having gotten a haircut first, but he tucked those thoughts aside as he surveyed the restaurant from his vantage point.

He blinked in confusion as he watched long curls make their way towards him. Dark black hair, streaked with white, half bunned up in the back and rest left to hang loose, skimming purple-covered elbows. Martin wasn’t sure if they were wearing flowy grey pants or a skirt, but either way, the faint black pattern to them was stunning and Martin couldn’t help but watch the swoosh of the hemlines. As the person got closer, Martin realized they were tiny, stylized eyes.

“Ah-you’re Martin, right?” It took Martin a second to realize this absolutely beautiful person was talking to him.

“hmm—Oh! Yes! You must be Jon.” Martin stood, unsure whether he should shake Jon’s hand or hug him or? But Jon solved the problem himself by sitting, and so Martin did as well. “It’s nice to finally meet you…in person, that is,” he added, grinning shyly. “You look lovely, by the way.”

Jon blushed. “Ah, thank you. Y-You too. O-or handsome, whichever you prefer.” He sipped his water and fidgeted with his hands, eyes flicking around the room nervously before coming around to rest on Martin.

Martin shrugged. “A compliment is a compliment, they all work. Speaking of—what pronouns are you feeling today? I remember you saying it varies.”

Jon shook his head slightly. “I’m not going to pitch a fit either way, but ‘he’ is just fine.” It was nice to be asked. The library respected his pronouns, of course, but something about Martin going out of his way to make sure he was on the same page was… It made Jon’s heart thud deep in his chest.

They made small talk about the travel, the weather, Italian food preferences until the waiter came and relieved the tension. Martin felt his shoulders relax after they both ordered; it felt more real somehow.

“So,” Martin asked, sipping his water demurely, a smile tinged on his lips. “Melvin, huh?”

Jon choked on air for a moment. His mouth gaped open and shut again and Martin couldn’t help the grin overtook him. Jon’s embarrassment was sweet; his cheeks flushed and he bowed his head slightly. It was a lovely look on him. “For the record, that’s what I was told by my coworker, Tim.” Jon made air quotes with his fingers. “‘Melvin or something.’ Who was I to question your name?”

“Right, and I’m glad you respect names ‘n’ all. But Melvin?” Martin chuckled to himself, shaking his head. “I’m not the decimal system guy.”

“Nn-mmm,” Jon shook his head, nose wrinkled in a way Martin found particularly cute. “That’s Melville. Melville Dewey.” Jon emphasized, back straightening. “Distinctly different. I’m a librarian, actually.”

“Oh!” Martin blinked. “That makes sense. You work with Melanie, then, I assume?”

Jon grimaced again. “Unfortunately.”

“She’s not that bad!” Martin insisted. “I’ve met her once or twice and she’s been very polite.”

Jon rolled his eyes. “For someone who’s getting a degree in parapsychology, she seems very judgmental.”

“Oh? And what are you studying again?”

“English Lit-hey!”

Martin grinned behind his glass of water. “Just saying, I haven’t met an English Lit student who wasn’t obscenely pretentious.”

Jon faltered for a second and slumped his shoulders in defeat, though his voice still seemed to carry humor, albeit dry. “Unfortunately, I am no exception.”

“Well, I didn’t say I didn’t like it.”

Dinner arrived smoothly, shrimp scampi for Jon and eggplant parmesan for Martin. They ate slowly, chatting more about Jon’s graduate degree, Martin’s affinity for fiction and poetry, and their shared interest in tea.

“So, are you vegetarian?” Jon gestured to the eggplant on Martin’s plate. Martin wobbled his head slightly, not quite a negatory shake of the head.

“It’s complicated. My mother has—had—a sensitive stomach so we didn’t eat meat growing up. I think that turned me off the taste. And there’s something about the texture,” he shuddered. “Weirds me out.”

Jon’s eyes were sharp, boring holes into Martin’s in a way he should have found alarming, but instead found soothing. “Mine, too.” His tone—softer, almost reverent, clued Martin in: he wasn’t talking about being vegetarian.

Martin nodded, and gently placed a hand on Jon’s, the one that hovered near his drinking glass. “I’m sorry.”

They were quiet for a moment, Jon’s hand was small and warm under his, and Martin could feel a thin silver bracelet clinging to his wrist. Martin was amazed by how perfectly his fingers rested over Jon’s, how nice it must feel to hold hands with him on a walk or side by side against the world. Jon cleared his throat suddenly and reached for his glass, gulping down water while staring steadfastly at his plate.

Martin felt his own blush rise through his cheeks and pushed a stray noodle around his plate. “So, here’s a question,” he began, eager to clear the tension. “You said earlier your friend Tim gave you the number to Swirl, right? I don’t know a Tim. So how did he know me?”

Jon frowned, cocking his head. “Technically, I got the number from Tim but that was via Melanie. She said her roommate was friends with…well, friends with you.”

“Mmhmm, that makes sense. I know Georgie from the coffee shop.” He was about to continue when he saw absolutely paralyzed look on Jon’s face. “You…you alright?”

Jon was stock still, pausing the forkful of shrimp that was en route to his mouth. “Sorry, Melanie’s roommate is Georgie?”

Martin nodded slowly. “Yeah, Georgie Barker, that podcaster. She gets her an extra-spicy chai latte from Swirl most days and that’s about the most I know of the relationship. Why, you know her?”

Jon put the fork down, shrimp forgotten, and sighed, running his thumbs along the bridge of his nose, pushing his thin-rimmed glasses up to his eyebrows. “Y-yes, she’s kind of…my ex.”

It was Martin’s turn to freeze. “Sorry?”

“Mmm, yeah, we decided we were better as friends. It was back in Oxford. But I don’t exactly see her often much anymore.” Jon winced at his own words, as if he knew how bad they sounded.

Martin sat back in disbelief, chuckling to himself. “Y’know, she said you were a ‘friend of a friend of a friend.’ D’you think she even knew it was you?”

Jon cocked his head in thought. “I guess not. I mean, I think the whole library staff has been gunning for me to relieve some tension. I wouldn’t be surprised if they’ve been looking for a blind date for me for months now.”

Martin grinned, eyes sparkling. “Well, no matter. It was lucky for me.” Lucky again, was Martin, when he was rewarded with Jon’s warm blush.

----

The bill had been a painful affair, with both Jon and Martin vying for the privilege of paying. Martin struck a deal: he’d pay for the dinner, and Jon would pay for ice cream. Jon knew the differences would widely outweigh when it came to cost but he relented, and the self-satisfied smirk that blossomed over Jon’s face was payment enough.

Martin pointed out the ice cream parlor was a few blocks away and, though it was January, they decided to walk. The fresh snow on the ground glinted against the orange street lamps, and Jon laughed under his breath at the way Martin took great care to step on any unusually large clumps of snow, like he had a personal vendetta. When Jon’s chuckle had made it past the scarf he had wound round his neck and mouth, Martin had glanced over, embarrassed.

“I like the sound of it,” he mumbled, suddenly very meek for a man his stature. It was, regretfully, endearing. Martin was tall, but he was big too, and it was obvious underneath the layer of soft cashmere and chub, there was rigid muscle, and beneath that still, a gentle heart. Jon was struck by him, in more ways he had prepared himself for, and it felt second nature to slide his gloved hand into Martin’s and give it a solid squeeze of acknowledgement.

“Do you think it’s too cold to get ice cream?” Jon asked, watching a cloud of breath float by his lips.

Martin shrugged. “Technically? Yes. But who’s going to tell on us?” Jon swung their entwined hands a little. “Unless…you don’t want to?” Martin added, eyes locking on Jon’s before his head followed.

Jon shook his head. “No, I want to. I believe we have a debt to settle and I have a personal score involving rum raisin.” Martin beamed, clearly pleased, and Jon was certain the snow around him melted right off with the warmth of his smile. Jon leant into Martin’s side a little, and they continued in silence until they reached the ice cream parlor, the entrance to which glowed with pink and white LEDs.

Jon smugly ordered a scoop of rum raisin and was delighted to find Martin “didn’t hate it,” though he insisted his mint chip was better. That was genuinely the best Jon could hope for; not even Georgie in all her unusual tastes enjoyed his rum raisin sensibility. “My grandmother loved it when I was a kid,” he explained between bites, stirring the ice cream with his spoon. “It was the only flavor she kept around the house.”

“Not even vanilla?” Martin gasped in mock disbelief. “Any sensible person would say you’ve been tricked into enjoying it.” Jon chuckled and elbowed Martin mildly.

Jon found himself lingering over the bowl, realizing that the end of their dessert meant an end to the date. Martin seemed to be acting similarly, putting his spoon down between bites and taking more and more thoughtful swallows between their bouts of conversation.

“You-you took the tube here, right?” Jon asked, setting his finally-empty bowl off to the side. At Martin’s confirmation, Jon clenched his fist below the table. “Do you want to walk to the station together?”

Martin’s eyes lit up, nodding eagerly. “I had meant to ask, actually! I wanted to make sure you got there safe.” Jon winced at the blush that overtook his cheeks, though it was easy to blame it on the chill of the ice cream and the frigid night.

The walk to the tube was longer and the pair, heavily sated by pasta and dairy, were quiet, making soft comments about the snow or the odd remaining Christmas decorations, hands clasped tightly and shoulders pressing into the other. The fluorescents of the underground shone brightly, normally a beacon calling travelers home in the night, but to Jon it felt like a dreadful curse. He truly hadn’t expected to enjoy his evening with Martin so much, but they had just clicked. It felt like a shame to let it go.

Swiping their cards, Jon and Martin passed through their respective turnstiles and stood at the bisecting tunnels through which the various lines waited to take them home. They faced each other in silence, hands still interlocked, unsure of how to begin.

“If you’d like to,” Jon murmured, eyes shifting focus to Martin’s curls, plastered to his forehead from the snow; his collar, peeking through his coat; the way the shell of his ear seemed to have a nick missing (was it from a childhood accident? Just the way it was grown?). “I’d like to go out again.”

Martin squeezed Jon’s hand, and Jon’s eyes flitted back to Martin’s own; they were grey-blue and reminded Jon of his childhood sea. “Mmhmm, yeah.” Martin rolled his eyes at his own words and tried again. “Yes, Jon, I’d love that.” Martin moved to hug Jon, a gesture Jon eagerly accepted, relishing the warm arms encircling him and the feel of Martin’s chin resting on the crown of his head. As they pulled away, Martin’s eyes flitted across Jon’s face and the hand around his back moved, cautiously, to rest on the side of Jon’s neck.

“I…I don’t want to presume,” Martin said quietly, and Jon was distinctly aware of how empty, how big, the station was. “Is it okay if I kiss your cheek?”

Jon blinked rapidly, nodding wordlessly, before clearing his throat. “Ah, um, yes. Please.”

Martin’s smile was soft as he pressed his lips to the apex of Jon’s cheekbone, almost into his hairline. Jon was sure the blush that rose across his face this time certainly couldn’t be explained away by the snow, but he honestly wasn’t really sure he cared.