#fluffy clouds and a tinge of wonder

[theonekrafter]

in honor of the newest chapter of fluffy clouds, here's the team photo for team 7!

[miirohs]

braid my hair while i hold your heart [m.d.l]

pairing: OPLA!Monkey D. Luffy x Fem!Reader wc: 0.4k cw: n/a an: another one for yall thirsties, i feel oddly inspired. getting hair in ur eyes is a very real issue btw- have i mentioned how much i want to see how fluffy luffys hair could get?

You leaned against the railing of the crows nest, breeze blowing strands of hair from your face.

The sky was a pale blue and orange as the sun seem to fall closer to the horizon, glare skipping across the gentle waters. The boat was drifting, oddly quiet for once.

"Y/n!"

The sound of elastic snapping turned you around, Luffy standing on the rail. In his hands was a bouquet, flowers shining and vibrant in the setting sun. You had no time to ask what they were, as he dropped them, rushing to you.

"Luffy-" Before you could finish, he rushed into your open arms, sweeping you into a bone crushing hug. Spinning around, you both collapsed to the floor, pinned down on your sides.

"Hey- Hey! What's all that for?! You're suffocating me!" You laughed, trying to wiggle out of his grip. You rolled over him and pinned him down, blowing raspberries.

He didn't seem the least bit surprised though. The rough-housing wasn't uncommon, his way of initiating contact between the both of you.

His hands were wrangled up in your hair, a delighted look on his face as he clutched at small strands, curling them around his finger. The sun seemed to reflect in his eyes, lighting up with joy.

He always seem to find a way to brush his finger through your hair, untangling the knots with a gentleness you could only describe as familiar.

"You really like playing with my hair, don't you?" you asked, a playful grin on your face.

He nodded, pushing you off him so that he could sit up.

"Do you want me to do your hair? your hair gets so tangled from the wind, i wonder how you manage to work with it blowing crazy." He exclaimed as you got pushed yourself back up, shaking your head.

"Sure thing. One question though, do you know how to do braids?" You asked, picking at your nails as he shuffled behind you.

"Mmm, nope. I'm sure i could figure it out though."

"I'll leave you to it then," You said, legs dangling out the gaps of the crows nest as you looked down.

You could hear him mumbling to himself as he tried different techniques, and the occasional tug of your hair making you yelp a little, always ending with a hushed apology from him.

If it weren't for those little tugs, you might have fallen asleep, drifting in between sleep and staying awake. Eventually, you leaned against the wooden planks, drifting off for good.

It wasn't until a little while later that you were gently roused from your peaceful half-slumber.

The sun had set for good, and the sky was a pale shade of blue and orange, streaked with clouds.

Luffy now sitting beside you, looking out at the horizon. His hat was pulled low over his eyes, and he seemed lost in thought.

"Hi Luffy."

He turned his head to look at you, a soft smile playing on his lips. "Hey, Y/n, you were sleeping pretty soundly there. Feel better now?"

"Mmm. Did you finish yet?" You stifled a yawn, stretching wide.

"Yeah! “Hey- hey turn around for me, let me see you!" He exclaimed, clapping his hands. You obliged, turned your head as you gave a bashful smile.

"See, you look perfect.”

"Perfect, huh?" you chuckled, your cheeks tinged with a faint blush.

"Yeah! The flowers were definitely a good touch. You look like a sea princess now! Wait, maybe you could be my sea queen when i become king of the seas!" He rambled as you reached over for what was left of the flowers.

"Where'd you get these? These are beautiful," You whispered, holding one in your hand to get a better whiff of its scent.

Luffy snapped his fingers, excitedly waving his hands. "Nami saw them on the island, and I thought they looked like they'd make you smile."

"Thank you Luffy, so much," You whispered shyly.

"You're welcome, Y/n! I'm glad you like them. And if you want more flowers, just let me know. I'll get you a whole garden!" He exclaimed.

His eyes seemed illuminated by the stars, shining and glazed over as he watched your expression closely.

"Oh no, are you going to cry? Did i do something wrong?" He fretted.

"Nope, i'm just feeling a little overwhelmed. We should probably go to bed."

"Lets just sleep here then!" He patted the spot next to him, and you crouched down, grinning.

"Alright, but you better not mess up my hair."

"I won't, promise!"

[strawberrystepmom]

pokemon trainer au! gojo x f!reader. reader is a fairy gym leader and satoru is league champion and a flying type trainer. fluffy fluffy. couldn’t have done this without my beloved @moondust-lore so thank you as always nesi 😚 wc 1.5k

part one (you are here), part two, part three

divider by @/cafekitsune

All good adventures start with two rivals.

At least that’s what you’ve been told your entire life, your own mother regaling you with tales of her rival for as long as you can remember, long before your now full grown Lapras was even developed enough to sing her song.

Your Lapras was a gift to you from her rival and your first Pokemon, gifted to you by a man she grew up several houses away from that was once a wide eyed boy with big dreams of opening a Pokémon academy to encourage the study of these creatures in their natural habitats. He successfully opened said academy, you even attended it for several years of your life, but your rival never came along through the years that passed.

The children in your neighborhood paired off quickly, setting their own parameters for their journeys and leaving you on the outside. Your schoolmates paired off and most of them have opened their own gyms, just like you, or settled into other aspects of their lives with or without their rival.

You never really minded and still don’t, though, pleased to enjoy life flat on your back in the grass of the surprisingly large meadow that backs up to your gym, gazing at the clouds floating overhead. A rival isn’t a necessity and you’re glad, honestly, that the stress of having to keep up with someone else is something you have been able to dodge for the most part.

“Hey!”

Until today.

You sit up, brows furrowed, and that’s when you see the man who may very well be the rival you’ve been looking for.

Satoru Gojo, current Pokémon League Champion.

His starlight colored hair flops over his eyes that are covered by glasses but you know what they look like behind the dark frames because they’ve been plastered on every magazine for several months. You know his name, everyone does, and it’s hard to truly imagine why he has come back after your many declinations of his requests to battle.

“Satoru,” you huff, his name leaving your lips with a tinge of amusement as he approaches with his hands stuffed in his pockets. He grins at you and it’s cheeky as it ever has been, glistening teeth tucked between pretty mauve lips and topped with dimples.

Infuriatingly charming and handsome, as always. It isn’t enough to be powerful, he hit the lottery in more ways than one.

“Ah, is that any way to speak to an old friend?”

Snorting, you slowly rise from your spot on the ground to your feet, your beloved Espeon bounding to your side to look up at you quizzically. You shoot a wordless glance in her direction and she wraps her twin tail around your legs, looking between you and the man.

She wonders if today will be the day you give in and finally say yes to his requests for an actual battle. It has been a long time since you’ve utilized her in any sense beyond as a companion and while she doesn’t ache for battle, there are times she wishes you’d push yourself and the rest of your Pokemon a little bit harder. Less leisure, less tenderness, less lazing around.

But she also knows you, her trainer and friend, and knows this is the life you’ve chosen for all of them out of compassion so her eyes flit expectantly in Satoru’s direction while you stroke between her ears.

“We’d be friends if you would learn to take no for an answer but until then we’re just acquaintances.”

You smile and it’s sweet, no bite despite your sassy words, and the man shakes his head. He finds you equal parts fascinating and amusing, the tales of how fiercely you and your team used to battle on your own journey to become a gym leader spurring him in your direction two years ago.

“I didn’t come to ask you to battle today.”

Despite your firm no’s, he keeps coming back for no other reason than being around you. You are refreshing, unaffected by his power and status, something he has longed for since becoming Champion. It’s just you and your companions and he can never shake just how happy all of you look when he stops by impromptu.

“Then what can I do for you?”

He shuffles closer to you and reaches down to run his finger over the velvety ear of your Espeon who remains still as ever, her eyes shutting. You scoff and roll your eyes.

“Don’t mind her, she’s shameless.”

Chuckling, he shrugs and looks around the meadow to spot who else you are spending time with out here. Your Lapras floats on the small pond, blinking slowly in Satoru’s direction. A Grookey ruffles the grass a few feet away from you, ears poking out between pastel colored flowers and your Skitty shakes her tail in his direction, an invitation to play.

It’s so unlike his own former gyms which confirms he made the right decision. The decision? Well, he already anticipates watching your jaw drop before he speaks the words aloud for the first time.

“I’ve decided to vacate my spot as Champion to go and travel.” Your jaw does drop, eyes widening in shock.

“Can you even do that?”

He nods, thumb still pressed to the Espeon’s velvety ear.

“Not without a lot of argument but yes and I’ve already done it so there’s no changing my mind.”

You understand, approaching and placing a hand on his shoulder. The touch isn’t unwelcome and he plays off the pink on the tips of his ears, glancing down at you through white lashes.

“I wouldn’t ever try to change your mind but will you tell me why?”

Gojo sighs and it’s almost concerningly heavy for a man who is so light as air he even partners with Flying type Pokémon specifically. You feel for him, certain the pressures of being Champion can be enough to get even the strongest of them all down, and you keep your hand pressed to his shoulder.

“When I was working toward becoming Champion my focus was so singular I missed out on everything. I only did what had to be done to get here and now I’ve realized I haven’t experienced, well, anything. I want to enjoy the journey and not simply the destination.”

Your heart beats hard in your chest, moved by his honesty. You’ve always been friendly with the man and it’s not a wonder that he’s Champion, he is the strongest, but you do wonder why he came here to tell you this.

“I want you to come with me.”

Breath catching in your throat, you are shocked by the words.

“Me?”

“Yeah, you. If anyone can show me how to slow down and enjoy it, it has to be little miss on her back watching the clouds roll by.”

The nickname is a bit of a mouthful but you smile anyway, looking up at him and twisting your mouth to the side.

“Let me ask the council,” you shoot and he nods understandingly, watching you sink to a squat beside your Espeon.

“What do you think?”

She chirps excitedly and you sigh, hoping she’d be on your side for once, but her thirst for adventure is bigger than her loyalty to you by some strange miracle. It has been too long since you and her and your friends have been out on the routes and she hungers to roll around in new grass. You pet her again and nod, rising to standing.

“Okay. I’m sure I’m the last person you asked and the only one to say yes and I’d hate to leave you lonely.” He chuckles and shakes his head. “You were the first and the only one I wanted to ask.”

Espeon chirps again at your feet and you toss her another glance, forgetting how astute your partner truly is despite the separation of Pokemon and human between the two of you.

“I’ll be back in three days to pick you up so make sure you have everything you need.”

Your traitorous heart pounds even harder knowing what’s to come. Traveling, alone, with Gojo sounds undeniably thrilling and you will ponder later when you’re alone what’s to come.

For now, you smile and nod.

“Okay, champ. But know I won’t make the journey easy on you.”

He grins once again, pearly whites gleaming while Grookey hops out of the grass a few feet away from him and clings to his leg, the large man kneeling slightly to pet the creature.

“Which is exactly why I invited you.”

The words are so loaded even you catch the weight and you shuffle from foot to foot, Espeon still wound around your calves. The sun blazes overhead and clouds continue to pass and in an instant you realize that you may not have gained that rival you’ve been dodging but perhaps you’ll yet gain a friend.

“I won’t keep you for any longer but be ready for me, okay?”

You nod and try to hide your grin by tucking your chin against your chest and glancing at the ground below.

Perhaps you’ve gained something more than a friend, even.

[official-n3va3h]

I would like some angst. Angst that when I think about it, I would tear up. Angst that will make my stomach drop. I just want some gut wrenching sadness.

A/N: OMGG YESS ANGSTT stopp I TRIED REALLY HARD I HOPE YOU LIKE ITTT. I’m not the best at angst but I tried please 😭😭

•———————————————————————————��

“It’s always been you before me”

« Lee Minho x fem reader »

Synopsis: Ever since you met him you always put him before yourself, no matter the situation you’d always rush to his side even if he didn’t do the same for you. But after a hard reality check will your morals change.

Genre: angst, suggestive

Warnings: drinking, grinding, use of pet names, crying, mentions of Chan (he dosent show up though)

*

You were constantly there for him, no matter the situation you were in. It didn’t matter what was going on in your life, because when it came to Minho you were willing to put your entire life on pause. But it always ended in the same result, alone, hurt, and frustrated.

It was around 1am and you were home alone, still trying to pick yourself up after the events that occurred earlier in the day. You found yourself in your mirror looking upon your reflection wondering how you ended up like this again. Eyes puffy and red, mascara streaming down your cheeks, and your nose was running. All your emotions were hitting you at once, you felt as if your entire world was falling apart and maybe it was.

*

6 - hours ago

*

“You still coming tonight?” F/n called out

“Yeah, Minhos gonna pick me” you replied. “We’re going together”

F/n stared at you and grabbed they’re bags and started to walk towards the door.

“Alright well imma head out, call me when you get there okay” they spoke.

“Okay” you replied back.

*

After a couple hours of getting ready, you were done, your wore a black dress that brought out your features and you sat in front of your vanity adding some last touches to your makeup.

A text came up on your phone

•—————————————————————————-•

Minho💕 - I’m pulling up

You - I’m almost done, you can come in if you want

Minho💕 - alr.

•—————————————————————————-•

The front door of the apartment opened and a series of footsteps trailed closer towards the room. Your heart thumped a little louder with each step.

“Y/nnnie..” a voice chimed out.

“Hey, Minho..” you said with a smile.

You stared at him through the reflection of my mirror. It’s like a fever dream everytime, his black fluffy hair slightly covering his deep gaze. His figure towered over yours standing directly behind you.

He gently spoke out “what’s this…” his hand reached down towards your face, he brushed his thumb against your bottom lip. He continued to drag his finger from your lips higher up your cheek.

“Love, you know this color…..it makes you look desperate and needy.” He stated. “Are you trying to look that way”

The sudden silence that fell upon the room caused the surge of thick air clouding the atmosphere, the tension was almost suffocating. He continued to rub his thumb across your lips until all the lipstick smudged off, staining your cheeks.

“I didn’t think you were…” he said.

A sudden wave of emotion washed over you, staring at your face in the mirror. Your vision got a little blurry from the build of tears and before you could speak out, he crouched down next to you, placing his hands on both shoulders.

“Don’t be sad y/nnnie, I only was being truthful, as your friend I’m just looking out for you.” He spoke with a tinge of sarcasm in his voice.

He tapped your shoulder and stood up, walking towards the door.

“I’ll be outside in the car, get yourself together so we can go soon yeah?”

The door shut behind him, the silence was so loud, the sound almost echoed through the small apartment building. The melancholy feeling started swallowing you and your thoughts began to go astray. His words felt like they were laced with venom, each one being more hurtful then the last.

You finally put a stop to your overthinking, and got yourself together, you walked out your apartment and to Minhos car.

“Ready?” He asked

“Yeah” you replied.

*

After a silent car ride you finally pulled up to Chan’s house. The music was so loud you could hear it in the car. You both stepped out and found your way into the party. Once you made it in the atmosphere changed, it was a loud, loose cut air the filled the party. Minho was beside you for awhile, but eventually he ran off somewhere, so you were alone for a bit.

A few hours went by and you’ve only bumped into Minho a few times and each time he acted as if you didn’t exist. Your heart crushed a little each time but you still decided to look on the bright side, you were here as Minho’s plus one. So you finally decided to loosen up and grabbed a couple drinks. A few minutes later you had a cup in one hand and you were slowly dancing to the music. You were starting to enjoy yourself until your eyes were drawn to something else.

Both Minho and some other girl sitting on the couch hands all over eachother, clearly flirting. Your heart felt like it gained a few more pounds. You sat at the island in the kitchen that faced the living room, continuing to drink out of your cup. You watched as the two flirted, Minhos hand placed on her thigh slowly gliding up and down, and her arms wrapped around him. You felt almost like you could throw up.

Minho must’ve felt your gaze because a few seconds later he peaked up, making direct eye contact with you. With a smirk on his face he leaned towards the girls ear and whispered something, she shortly got up and sat on his lap. You now had a perfect eye to eye view of her face and your heart shattered. Their sat the girl that so called “broke” Minhos heart, who had him calling you at insane hours of the night asking for you to be by his side to console him or help him manage through the day.

A sudden hand on her thigh from behind broke my train of thought. His hand caressed her thigh riding up her dress. You watched as she gripped his knee and started grinding back and forth on his lap. It took everything in you to not burst into tears right then and there.

After a few more minutes of what felt like torture you finally had enough. You stood up, grabbed the giant bottle of hard liquor next to you, and ran up stairs. You need to get away from everyone, from him. You found yourself wandering into the bathroom bottle in hand, yet again in front of another mirror. You drank a couple glasses worth of liquor and placed it down on the counter. All you felt was hurt, no matter what you did for him, he never picked you first, yet here you were always putting him before everyone including yourself. You stared at yourself, bottle in hand and the more you looked the more you didn’t like what stared back. You were ashamed, that shame began to fuel your anger. You drank another shot of liquor and made your way downstairs.

As you walked down the stairs you felt the toxins starting to affect you, but you didn’t care you were on a hunt now. You walked around bumping into people in search of Minho. After a few more minutes you found him making out with the girl again.

“Let’s go…now” your words were slurred and you could see the alcohol in your eyes.

He scoffed and turned back towards the girl.

“Fucking hell, Minho let’s go” you slurred out.

The girl then poked over his head and answered “You see he’s busy”

That was it, you grabbed Minho shoulder and made him face you.

“What the hell are you doing y/n” he spat.

“I…I want..to go… home” you stuttered out.

“Ok? Find your own way home, just cause I drove you here dosent mean I have to baby sit you”

You heart gained another set of pounds and your eyes water but you wanted to stand your ground so you obliged.

“F…fine…but I need a charger for my phone”

You pulled it out and handed it to him, but the girl behind him grabbed it first.

“You need a charger…go find one” she tossed your phone behind her and smiled sneakishly. Your eyes could hold up any longer and tears streamed down your cheeks. You searched in the crowd for it but you couldn’t find it anywhere. A few minutes of searching you finally found it but it was broken. Panic set in, you had no way home, no phone to contact someone, and nobody to help you, you were utterly alone with no one to lean on and your heart just couldn’t take it.

Minho watched from a distance, your eyes slowly locked and he saw the pure devastation and desperation in your eyes but continued to do nothing but watch. Right there you realized no matter what happens or what you do, he will never prioritize you even if all you did was prioritize him.

*

A couple hours later you finally convinced someone to let you borrow their phone and call a Uber home. It was around 1am when you got home. Again there you are in front of your mirror looking upon your reflection. Eyes puffy and red, mascara streaming down your cheeks, and your nose was running. Your world had finally collapsed around you, and you felt every last bit of it, and the worse thing that you came to realize is that even after facing the reality of it all, you still couldn’t let him go, because even if he is just using you, he picked you first for that right?

*

[reallygroovyninja]

This was inspired by the prompt - Kissing in a pillow fort

The sky was a brilliant shade of blue, speckled with fluffy, white clouds as Lexa made her way to Clarke's house. It was a Saturday afternoon, the kind that whispered promises of endless possibilities and adventures. Lexa’s footsteps were light, her heart filled with the familiar thrill of spending the day with her best friend.

As she approached the Griffin residence, the sound of laughter and music spilled out from an open window, guiding Lexa like a beacon. She rang the doorbell, a smile already blooming on her face.

Clarke opened the door, her bright blue eyes shining with excitement. "Lexa! You're here!" she exclaimed, stepping aside to let her in.

The Griffin house always felt like a second home to Lexa. There was a warmth to it, a lived-in feeling that made her feel instantly comfortable. She followed Clarke through the hallway, their conversation a lively stream of updates and shared jokes.

They reached Clarke's room, where a magnificent pillow fort awaited. It was a sprawling construction of blankets, pillows, and fairy lights, creating a cozy haven. Clarke's artistic touch was evident in the hand-drawn banners and colorful cushions that adorned their fortress.

"Welcome to our Saturday headquarters!" Clarke declared, her eyes sparkling with mischief and excitement.

Lexa laughed, her heart light. "It's amazing, Clarke. You've outdone yourself!"

They crawled into the fort, the outside world melting away as they entered their own little universe. Inside, the fort was even more magical. The fairy lights cast a soft glow, creating a world that felt removed from reality, a place where only they existed.

Clarke and Lexa sat cross-legged in the pillow fort, surrounded by a sea of soft blankets and the gentle glow of fairy lights. The air was filled with the sweet scent of popcorn and the quiet hum of their shared laughter. Clarke, with a half-eaten popcorn in hand, suddenly turned to Lexa, her expression a mix of amusement and curiosity.

"Did you hear about Miss Diyoza in class yesterday? She got super mad because some kids were passing notes," Clarke said, her voice tinged with a hint of teenage drama.

Lexa’s eyes widened, her interest piqued. "Really? I missed that! She's usually so chill. What happened?"

Clarke leaned in closer, as if sharing a secret. "It was during the history lecture. And then, out of nowhere, she just stopped talking and stared at Monty and Harper passing this crumpled paper."

"No way!" Lexa exclaimed, her eyes sparkling with the thrill of classroom gossip.

"Yeah! And she said, 'If you have something to share, please feel free to enlighten the whole class.'" Clarke mimicked Miss Diyoza's stern tone, causing both girls to giggle.

Lexa shook her head, smiling. "That's so like her. Did she read the note in front of the class?"

Clarke nodded, giggling. "Yeah, she did. Monty asks Harper to be his girlfriend"

Lexa laughed. "That’s embarrassing."

Clarke reached for another handful of popcorn, her eyes dancing with a mischievous glint.

"Did you hear about Bellamy and Echo?" she asked, her voice dropping to a conspiratorial whisper.

Lexa's eyes lit up with interest, a smile playing on her lips. "No, what happened?"

"They're apparently dating now," Clarke revealed, her words laced with the excitement of a juicy secret.

Lexa gasped theatrically. "Really? Since when? They barely even talk in class!"

Clarke shrugged, enjoying the shared gossip. "I heard it from Raven. She said they've been hanging out a lot after school lately. It's so weird, right?"

"Yeah, totally unexpected," Lexa agreed, her tone full of wonder. "School's been full of surprises lately."

The conversation spiraled into a lively exchange of school gossip. They talked about who liked whom, which teachers were rumored to be the strictest, and the latest drama from the school play auditions. Each revelation was met with gasps, giggles, and wide-eyed expressions.

Clarke, with a sly grin, leaned closer. "And guess what else? I heard that Mr. Pike caught Jasper and Maya passing notes in English class. But instead of getting mad, he read the note out loud, and it was a really bad poem Jasper wrote for Maya!"

Lexa burst into laughter, covering her mouth with her hand. "No way!"

After their laughter had subsided from the latest round of school gossip, Clarke glanced at the small laptop they had set up in the corner of their pillow fort. An idea sparked in her eyes, and she turned to Lexa with an excited grin.

"Hey, do you want to watch a movie?" Clarke asked, her eyes shining with anticipation.

Lexa's face lit up at the suggestion. "Yeah, that sounds awesome! What should we watch?"

Clarke bit her lip in thought, scanning through the list of movies they had been wanting to see. "How about a rom-com? Something light and fun?"

"Perfect choice!" Lexa agreed enthusiastically. "Rom-coms are the best for nights like these."

Clarke navigated through the streaming service, her finger hovering over the titles. Finally, her eyes landed on a movie they had both been talking about seeing. It was a new romantic comedy that everyone at school seemed to be talking about.

"What about this one?" Clarke pointed to the screen, displaying the movie's poster, which featured a colorful and whimsical design. "I've heard it's really funny."

Lexa peered at the screen and nodded, her smile widening. "Yes, let's watch that! I've been wanting to see it ever since Anya mentioned it."

Excited, Clarke clicked on the movie, and the opening credits began to roll. They adjusted their positions in the fort, making sure both of them could see the screen comfortably. Clarke grabbed a couple of extra pillows for them to lean on and pulled the bowl of popcorn closer.

As the movie started, the fort was filled with the sounds of laughter and dialogue from the screen. Clarke and Lexa were soon absorbed in the story, commenting on the characters and laughing at the funny scenes. The outside world seemed to fade away as they delved into the world of the movie, enjoying the comfort of each other's company and the shared joy of a good film.

When the movie reached its climax and the two lead characters shared a tender, triumphant kiss, Clarke turned to Lexa, a curious glimmer in her eyes.

"Lexa, have you ever kissed anyone?" Clarke asked, a playful tone in her voice.

Lexa, taken aback by the sudden question, shook her head with a shy smile. "No, I haven't. What about you?"

"Me neither," Clarke replied, a bit of a giggle escaping her. She hesitated for a moment before continuing, "Do you think it's like how they show in movies?"

Lexa pondered for a moment, her gaze turning back to the frozen image of the kissing couple on the laptop screen. "I don't know. It looks… nice, I guess? But probably not exactly like that in real life."

The idea seemed to hang in the air between them, a bubble of curiosity in their cozy world of pillows and blankets.

"Maybe we could… you know, try it? Just a peck, to see what it's like," Clarke suggested, the words tumbling out in a rush, her cheeks flushing with a mix of excitement and nervousness.

Lexa's eyes widened slightly, but then she nodded, a mutual understanding of friendship and trust between them. "Okay, just a peck. Like a practice."

They both leaned in awkwardly, their eyes closing as they shared a quick, innocent kiss, more a brush of lips than anything else. As they pulled away, Clarke burst into giggles, the sound light and carefree.

"That was… weird," Clarke said, still laughing.

Lexa laughed too, though her mind was a whirlwind of new feelings and thoughts. It was a simple, innocent moment, but it sparked a realization within her, an awakening of sorts to new possibilities she hadn't considered before.

The movie resumed playing, but Lexa's thoughts were elsewhere, gently exploring the new emotions that the innocent peck had stirred. It was a moment of self-discovery, subtle yet significant, a first step in understanding herself better.

Clarke, oblivious to Lexa's internal revelations, chatted away, filling the fort with her cheerful voice. The night continued with more laughter, movie scenes, and shared snacks, a testament to the simplicity and beauty of their friendship.

As the movie credits rolled and the fairy lights in the pillow fort seemed to glow a bit softer, Clarke and Lexa lay side by side, a comfortable silence enveloping them. The laughter and conversations of the evening had woven a new layer into the tapestry of their friendship, each moment a thread of shared experiences and understanding.

Clarke turned her head to look at Lexa, her eyes reflecting the dim light. "Tonight was fun, Lexa. We should do this more often."

Lexa smiled, her thoughts still lingering on the revelations of the evening, but her heart full of warmth for the friendship she shared with Clarke. "Yeah, it was perfect. Best Saturday ever."

They began to tidy up the fort, folding blankets and gathering up the remnants of their snacks. As they worked, their chatter was light and easy, punctuated with laughter and plans for their next adventure.

Finally, with the fort returned to its former state of just being Clarke's room, Lexa gathered her things to leave. At the door, she turned to Clarke, a genuine smile on her face. "Thanks for today, Clarke. It really meant a lot."

Clarke hugged Lexa, the bond between them stronger than ever. "Anytime, Lexa. You're always welcome here. See you on Monday?"

"See you on Monday," Lexa agreed, stepping out into the cool night air, her heart light with the joys of youth and the comfort of a friendship that was more like family.

As Lexa walked home under the gentle glow of the starlit sky, her thoughts kept drifting back to the day's playful dare and the quick, innocent kiss she shared with Clarke. She could still feel her heart fluttering a bit, a mixture of surprise and excitement at the new experience.

The kiss was brief, a mere peck, but it left Lexa with a whirl of feelings she hadn't expected. She wondered what it meant, feeling a buzz of curiosity about the new emotions stirring inside her.

Skipping a little as she walked, Lexa felt a warm glow inside her. Today wasn't just any other day—it was a day where something new and exciting happened, a day she would definitely remember.

After Lexa left, Clarke lay in her bed, her room feeling a bit more special after their fun day. She couldn't stop thinking about the movie, the jokes they shared, and especially the quick, silly kiss they had dared to try. It was just a peck, really, but it made her heart beat a bit faster, and she found herself smiling at the memory.

Clarke hugged her pillow, feeling a mix of excitement and wonder. It was just for practice, she reminded herself, but it was also kind of cool and something totally new. She was happy it was with Lexa, her best friend who made everything fun and less scary.

As she closed her eyes, Clarke felt thankful for having Lexa in her life. They could share jokes, watch movies, build pillow forts, and even do goofy things like practice kisses, and it all just felt right. She drifted off to sleep with a smile, thinking about their next hangout and all the other fun firsts they might share together.

As the night wrapped the world in its quiet embrace, both Lexa and Clarke lay in their respective beds, miles apart yet connected by the memories of the day.

For Lexa, the stars outside whispered of new beginnings and self-discovery, each twinkle a reminder of the day's innocent revelation.

For Clarke, the familiar walls of her room held the echoes of laughter and shared secrets, a testament to the strength and beauty of their friendship.

In their own ways, they both cherished the simplicity and joy of their bond, a friendship that was evolving and deepening with each shared adventure.

As they drifted into dreams, their thoughts intertwined with the promise of more days filled with laughter, understanding, and the magic of growing up together.

[braveclementine]

Chapter 29

Warnings: Angst, potentially controversial/sensitive topics

Copyright: I do not own any Marvel characters or locations. However, I do own my OC: Elizabeth Y/L/N (created so you don't get Y/N and Y/S/N consistently mixed up. I do not condone any copying of this.

IT WAS THE DELICIOUS SMELL OF BACON wafting through the house that woke you up. You blinked your eyes open and found that you were comfortably trapped underneath Thor's hulking body. His warmth radiated through you as the rest of the farmhouse was a bit cold. Frost licked at the windows and you wondered if it had snowed last night.

You poked Thor until he woke up and rolled off of you, then slipped out of bed to get dressed in something warm and comfortable. You stuck to a sweatshirt and some sweatpants, stuffing your feet in furry Uggs and headed down the stairs.

The table had been set with platters of eggs, bacon, sausage links, fresh fruits, pancakes, and hash browns, but the cook was no where in sight. Several of the Avengers had settled down around the table, helping themselves.

"Morning." You said as cheerfully as you could manage for eight forty-five in the morning.

"Morning." The others replied with various degrees of wakefulness.

As you passed Clint, you paused to pull hay out of his hair and toss it in the trash. He must've gone up to the hayloft at some point. You wondered when that had been.

"Who made breakfast?" You asked curiously as you helped yourself to the pancakes and bacon.

Steve shrugged, "It was ready when I got down here and I was the first down here."

"Must've been Elizabeth, if I had to guess." Rhodey replied. "It tastes the same way she makes it. I can taste the butter in the eggs."

You nodded. Elizabeth had come up with this trick where if you got the butter to boil in the pan when you scrambled the eggs, then the eggs would cook through so fast that they didn't have time to stick to the pans and the pans would be easier to clean. The result ended in the eggs being extremely fluffy, but also with a heavy taste of butter. It was a surprisingly good combination.

"Did she eat?" You asked and then realized none of them would probably know.

"No idea." Rhodey replied.

You nodded, looking out the window but you couldn't see anyone out on the farm. It still looked cold out, the sun behind the gray clouds and the windows were still foggy. This October weather was going to be a cold one.

You sat down next to Steve who was being somewhat quiet this morning.

As you neared finishing breakfast, Elizabeth finally stepped into the house. She was wearing her winter boots instead of cowboy boots, and had put on a thick hoodie and fingerless gloves. A gray hat with a pink pom pom on the end had been pulled down over her ears.

"Morning." She said easily as she headed past everyone to the kitchen.

"Aren't you freezing?" You asked after her in worry. "You'll catch frostbite."

Elizabeth grinned at you. "I don't feel cold anymore, remember?"

Damn, well that had to be nice.

"I should check that out later though." Tony added, a frown on his face and he reached out to take her hand. "Your hands are freezing. Maybe you can't feel the cold, but I'm worried your body still does."

Elizabeth smiled at him. "You can run your tests later. I've still got lots of morning chores to do and I've left Hogun to fend for himself with the chickens."

And then she was gone once more, slipping out the backdoor so that you could barely feel the cold wind come in for a split second.

"I wonder if the lake froze over." Natasha commented, looking at you. "Do you ever ice skate on it?"

"Every winter." You said, a smile coming on your face as you thought about all the past winters. "But it usually doesn't freeze over till mid- November."

"Ah, talking about the lake?" Your father limped into the breakfast room. His cheeks were tinged red and pink, so was his nose, a sure sign that he'd been outside as well. Not to mention the hardware boots on his feet and the red and black flannel jacket he was wearing. "I drove the truck across early this morning. You're good to skate on it."

"You drove. . . the truck across?" Wanda asked curiously.

"That's how we do it here." You grinned. "There's a larger lake in the middle of town. The firefighters drive their truck across to see if it'll hold the weight. If it can cross, then you're good to go."

"I believe that is highly dangerous." Vision replied.

"That's how we do it." Your father shrugged, sinking into his chair with a wince. You were very good at ignoring his injury, because that was how he wanted it. He didn't want attention on it.

"They used to do something similar in our town." Sam said. "In the winter, the lake would freeze over and they'd send the firetrucks out. Course, they got rid of that eventually, but I know they did it till I was at least ten."

"So, Y/N, I don't suppose you have any superpowers that you want to tell me about?" Your father asked you bluntly.

You nearly choked on your bacon. "W-What?"

"Elizabeth and I talked. I just wanted to make sure you were okay." Your father replied, staring at you.

"Yeah, no, I'm fine." You replied, blushing. Your dad was a great man, but something he didn't always realize that not every conversation had to be shared in public. There were some things that needed to be kept private. But with him growing up in a small gossip town, that probably didn't seem important anymore. "What'd she tell you?"

Your father suddenly straightened up in his chair. "Well, nothing much really. Just that she was at fault for underestimating the city. Said she had gone for a walk and turned her back for to long and got nabbed. Said that there was this crazy organization that just wanted to test superpowers on her and then sent her back."

You blinked. Either he was editing, or Elizabeth really hadn't told him the full story. But why? Why had she left out the club, the fact that she'd run out because she was having a panic attack from the claustrophobia, that it wasn't her fault at all, that they'd taken her because of Steve?

Your father sighed, "But I'm guessing she didn't tell me the full story judging by your faces."

You looked around and saw that the others looked just as shocked or confused as you. "Well, she might've left a couple of details out. It wasn't her fault though."

"It wasn't her fault at all." Tony replied sternly. "If anything it was ours. We dropped our guard in public after dark and that was something we should never have done. And I admit I didn't keep a good eye on her."

Your father nodded, "Well, I can respect a man that owns up to his actions. I believe that you are no longer negligent towards her?"

"No, I am not." Tony replied firmly. "She gave me a second chance and I love her as much as I love Y/N."

You blushed and your father nodded. "Good. Now then, let's eat."

ₓ˚. ୭ ˚○◦˚.˚◦○˚ ୧ .˚ₓ

ELIZABETH HAD TAKEN MOST OF THE others on a tour of the farm. Steve and Bucky had gone into town with your mother to help her with some shopping stuff. You and Loki were the only ones not with anyone else.

You weren't entirely sure how it had ended up being you and Loki. The two of you were curled up together in the house, in the basement. It was colder down there, but private and he'd grabbed a thick quilt to wrap around you.

You were falling asleep in his lap when he brought up the conversation, "Did you know about Elizabeth. . . when she was in your mothers womb?"

"What do you mean?" You asked sleepily. You'd almost fallen asleep in his lap when he'd spoke. "Like did I know I was getting a sister?"

"No." Loki said and paused. You blinked your eyes open to see that he looked troubled.

"Oh, is this another conversation like Thor's where I'm supposed to try and convince my mom not to get an abortion?" You grumbled.

Loki hesitated and said, "No, not really. Thor did talk to me, but I wonder sometimes. . . No, I was wondering if you knew that your mother almost aborted Elizabeth."

You sat up straight, looking at him. "What?! How do you know that?"

"Elizabeth told me last night when I went to comfort her." Loki admitted, playing with the edge of the quilt. "And from the sounds of it, she told Clint last night as well."

Clint?

"And Steve overheard." Loki sighed.

You wondered if Thor had known. If that was why he'd brought up the idea of Elizabeth killing herself and how you'd feel. You shoved those thoughts away.

"But she decided not to kil- to get rid of Elizabeth." You replied.

"Because your father finally won the argument." Loki sighed. "I wonder. . . what do you think you're life would've been like without her?"

You thought about it. Or at least, you tried. You couldn't really remember a time when Elizabeth wasn't there. But there were faint memories of when she wasn't there. Where your parents actually looked like they loved each other, where all three of you were content and happy. You could remember events when Elizabeth had stayed home from stuff, from sickness usually or homework or a chore on the farm when she got old enough to do them. The three of you were always so. . . happy.

You felt tears brim your eyes at the horrible confession inside your heart and you looked up through your lashes at Loki, "We would've been happier."

"Would you?" Loki mused, hugging you closer to wipe your tears away. "I don't think you would have. Maybe as a family Y/N. I can't deny that, I've seen the proof and both you and Elizabeth have admitted it. Your family would've been happier. But what about you? If there was no Elizabeth to fill in for all of the chores, to take care of the farm. Don't you see?"

Loki's voice was soft and persuasive, occasionally kissing your tears away. "Don't you see Y/N? Elizabeth's birth freed you. You have the life that you wanted because Elizabeth was born to take your place on the farm."

You knew it was true. You hated the farm, you hated chores, you hated the work and effort that had to go into it. And Elizabeth truly had been born to fill in that spot.

"Now what if," Loki whispered softly in your ear as he pulled you into a hug. "what if your brother freed her?"

ₓ˚. ୭ ˚○◦˚.˚◦○˚ ୧ .˚ₓ

DINNER WAS SO TENSE THAT NIGHT IT could've been cut with a butter knife. The conversation was attempted to be kept up in an easy flow and for the most part, it seemed normal. Your father was extremely relaxed, though Elizabeth seemed a little out of it. Your mother had arranged the table and she'd found herself between Steve and Sam. You could tell she was trying to make an effort with Steve, but finally gave up and gave all her attention to Sam.

You had really never gotten an answer from the Captain about why exactly he was avoiding her. But you had long given up in trying to get an answer out of him and Bucky.

"I have something to tell everyone here." Your father said.

You tensed immediately, shooting your dad an exasperated look and he smiled. "You can all relax, it's good."

You didn't relax.

"I understand the customs that are normally supposed to take place, however, I feel my second daughter has gone long enough in waiting. Hogun came to me today and I've granted them the permission to marry here on Earth. Along with Masters Loki, Sam, and Tony. Those with full colour tattoos."

Elizabeth's face was one of shock, along with Steve and Sam. Tony just looked superior.

Your mother opened her mouth and you quickly said. "Congratulations, I'm really happy for you Elizabeth. You're going to have a beautiful wedding."

Your mother spun in surprise to look at you and Elizabeth stared at you with wide eyes like she didn't even know you. You were just slightly hurt, but also knew the last time she'd suggested getting married before you, you'd freaked and she'd frozen a coffee table.

"Thanks." Elizabeth said, blushing, staring down at the table. Your mother pursed her lips together.

"When will the wedding be?" Natasha asked.

"December 15th." Hogun said with a smile.

"Ah a winter wedding." You teased, wondering why the idea of your little sister getting married before you had ever been such a big deal. "Good luck with that little sis."

Your mother politely excused herself from the table and left the room. Your father was quick to follow and the rest of you stayed in conversation, mostly talking about wedding ideas.

Elizabeth excused herself after a moment and out of curiosity, you followed after a minute or two.

You wandered out of the kitchen and found her sitting at the bottom of the steps. The chatter in the kitchen had covered up your parents yelling at each other upstairs, the door closed. Your mother was shouting at your father for not waiting until you got married like you were supposed to.

"-WILL SOCIETY THINK OF US? OF OUR DAUGHTERS! THEY'RE SOULMATED TO TONY STARK FOR CRYING OUT LOUD! HOW CAN YOU POSSIBLY THINK OUR SECOND DAUGHTER CAN GET MARRIED FIRST! SHE'S SECOND FOR A REASON!"

"THE POLITE SOCIETY HAS NEVER DONE A DAMN THING FOR US! WHY SHOULD I DEPRIVE ELIZABETH OF WHAT SHE NEEDS. DO YOU UNDERSTAND THAT? SHE NEEDS THIS Y/M/N! SHE'S ALREADY BEEN REJECTED BY TWO OF HER SOULMATES. SHE NEEDS THE OTHERS RALLYING AROUND HER, SHE NEEDS TO FEEL THEIR LOVE."

Elizabeth looked up at you from the stairs. "Come to join the party?"

"Why didn't you tell me?" You asked.

"I didn't know Hogun had gone to dad." Elizabeth shrugged, "I had no idea he'd asked for me to marry him on Earth again."

"No. Not that. Why did you never tell me mom wanted. . . you know."

"Loki told you?" She guessed.

You stayed silent.

Elizabeth looked away. "Because I never wanted you to realize how much better you would've been off without me. I never wanted you to resent me like mom did. Because I loved you to much to let you realize you would've been happier without me."

You pulled her into a hug. A real one, one the two of you hadn't done for a long, long time. "My life would never have been better without you Elizabeth. And no," you gave a shaky laugh, "Not just because you do all the chores for me."

Elizabeth let out a shaky laugh too, a sob in her throat. She held onto you tightly and you let your own tears fall. "I love you Elizabeth. You're my little sister. And I'm sorry for all of your pain."

"Be my maid of honor?"

"Of course."

⬅️➡️

[archive-ofmyheart]

fluffy clouds and a tinge of wonder - TheOneKrafter - Naruto [Ao3]

Self Insert, Orphan OC, 2nd shinobi war

Posted on Ao3

5/? Chapters as of 25 May 2024

A self insert into an orphan kid during the second shinobi war. The SI has a laid back attitude and a policy to not care overly much about the events of the story. She is outed as a genius in the first chapter itself and ordered to not hold back anymore. She still retains the laid back attitude though. Slightly OP, but not overly so. There's a Jiraiya POV featuring interactions with the other two Sannin. Features interactions with Kushina, Minato, as well as a Yamanaka classmate who's probably original character.

It's by the same author of Biggering [ASoIaF], but not quite at that level (yet).

Excerpts:

Property damage is bad. Unless it’s something you can get away with. Then it’s ok. This is my nindo. My ninja way.

•

Shinobi who keep their hair long are either so scary they can kill anyone who tries to grab their hair, or think that they’re scary enough to do that. Most people are the latter, not the former, and I’m not willing to put my neck on the line for aesthetics.

•

(...) Every move of her body seems so elegant and I am suddenly reminded of Orochimaru. They aren’t the same kind of shinobi, but they’re on the same spectrum of shinobi.

[nyandereneko]

Snowflake

Word Count: 600 Summary: “Eyes forged from the same gold as the sun found solace in the dark depths of his feline companion’s midnight gaze, and the retired Adeptus promptly enveloped his partner in the confines of his needy embrace.” Author’s Note: Switching gears a little because I just got back from a con and also things are really bad brain wise right now, but that latter point has nothing to do with why I swapped prompt lists. So, I found this other yume event on twit and I figure I should post in both places, so new prompt list for the next 12 days it is! Thank you for reading as always!

*****

The freshly formed flakes that heralded the first snow of the season flitted down from the dense sea of clouds eclipsing the rich blue expanse of day. It was a tranquil, crystalline display that never failed to steal one’s breath away. Nova was no exception as she watched the brisk breeze whisk a few puffs of her frigid exhales away in its current. Her star-flecked ears twitched in delight as some of the lingering bouts of fog drifted through the air, their haze punctured by the twirling, swirling crystals that continued cascading down from the frozen, heavenly expanse above. 

“If you’re not careful you’ll catch a chill out here,” Zhongli greeted as he joined his partner on the porch of their humble countryside abode, settling one of his lined and layered coats around her slight, shivering shoulders. “Enjoying the view?”

“Of course I am!” she enthusiastically replied, pulling the lapels closed over her chest. “Even more so now that you’re here,” she added, bumping her head against his arm and nuzzling the sleeve as she guided the appendage into her hold.

The ex-Archon took pause and blinked deliberately at her words, finding himself simultaneously amused yet stricken by them. A wave of self-conscious warmth seeped up his neck and bled into his porcelain cheeks like ink dyeing parchment, and the woman found herself enchanted, mesmerized, incapable of tearing her eyes from the riveting sight before her. Zhongli was a masterpiece, her masterpiece, the light and love of her life that she longed to spoil and cherish with every ounce of her being.

If she could have assimilated him into herself, perhaps she would have. And if he could have been assimilated into her, well, perhaps he would have eagerly submitted himself to such impulsive whims.

Soft, steady fingers traced the curve of her ear before diving into the swimming strands of her radiant locks, rolling and wrapping and running them through his smooth, lithe grasp. Nova sighed contently and relaxed against her partner, nuzzling his sure, love tinged touch as a low, distinct purr rumbled in her throat. She snaked her tail around one of his legs, allowing the fluffy tip to tap and twitch freely against the silky fabric of his pants.

The Exuvia extended his free hand, offering it to the wintry winds as he captured some of the finicky, fleeing flakes in his waiting palm. Melting in the warmth of his touch, the fresh liquid soaked into the thin cloth of his steaming glove. Eyes forged from the same gold as the sun found solace in the dark depths of his feline companion’s midnight gaze, and the retired Adeptus promptly enveloped his partner in the confines of his needy embrace.

“Shall we move our viewing party back inside?” Nova suggested through shaky breaths as the gilded man’s lips brushed the back of her ear, trailing down until he transitioned from fur to skin. She could feel the prick of his fangs poking playfully at her nape, and the stinging heat that bloomed in her cheeks only made her want to hide away. But there was nothing she needed to hide, not where Zhongli was concerned. “If you’re still worried about catching a chill and all…”

“Well, I do have a fire and some warm tea waiting in the parlor, if you’re feeling so inclined,” he replied as the warmth and fluffiness of his own feral features tickled her cheek. 

“That sounds wonderful,” she agreed as she slipped one of her hands into his own, pressing a kiss to his soft ear before leading them both back inside.

[kensington-queen]

My Things, Your Space

Fandom: Her Love in the Force 

Pairing: Kaga/MC

Rating: Fluffy T 

Mini-One Shot

AO3 Link: Here 

It happens gradually and becomes so ingrained as part of his normal that he doesn’t notice until long after the fact.

It starts minor enough, a spare toothbrush becomes claimed by her soon after her first sleepover. She lives in the dorm, where he can’t risk being seen so his place becomes the default setting for home dates. Her overnight bag is slung over her shoulders each time she comes over, packed with her favorite shampoo and face wash brands. He takes note of it a couple of weeks later when he finds her drying the bottles after being used so she can take them back to the dorm. The next time she arrives he has new ones lined up on the shower shelf below his own toiletries, out in the open and ready to be used. He adds pads and tampons to his shopping list, placing them under the bathroom sink in case she needs them after an emergency run to the shop. He even goes as far as getting girly shaving cream and her own razor, having noticed she’s been discreetly using his own. Not that he minds that. He just wants her to feel comfortable in his space.

As her first year winds down and he finds himself crankier in the mornings when she doesn’t stay over, he tries to not think too hard about why that is.

When graduation becomes less of an abstract idea for her and more of a matter of time, and right before she’s given a spare key, he clears out a section of the drawers for her clothes. She’s been increasing the amount of time she spends at his, and it’s gotta be annoying to have to remember to bring an overnight bag each time she comes over. He gets her some more of the lingerie she wears and some more practical ones for when she has training and slips it into the drawer, washed and ready to be worn the next time she stays over.

At some point before she graduates she stops needing to bring an overnight bag, but when that actually happens neither can really pinpoint. He also stops asking her if she’s staying over too, an unspoken understanding that he doesn’t have to ask because the answer is obvious.

She has her own little place after graduation, but more of her things are at his than there, and it’s more common to see her in his kitchen sneakily attempting to slip vegetables into his portion of dinner than it is to eat alone.

He starts wondering why they’re keeping up a farce of her maintaining an apartment when she could be saving that money and living with him. It annoys him that Captain Tsugaru is just upstairs, able to track when she comes and goes, and he doesn’t like the idea of her interacting with him any more than she has to.

“You should just move in already,” he grumbles over breakfast before work, seven months after he’s been calling her a colleague and referring to her privately as his unofficial fiancee. The ring has been hidden for a couple of months, and a plan to make it open and public is not too far off.

“There’s a ban on department romances, remember?” She reminds him, smiling when he narrows his eyes and crosses his arms. She thinks of the ring he has hidden, suppressing a smile. She’s been patiently waiting to be asked since she accidentally came across it.

“You’re not on my squad, moron,” he says with a tinge of softness reserved just for her; this is a weekly conversation and it plays out the same each time. “When’s the last time you stayed at your place anyways?”

She pauses from drinking her green tea. He can see her trying to remember. She’s been staying over every night recently and her eyes cloud over when she figures it out.

“Uh, almost a month…?”

He nods, a triumphant smirk spreading across his handsome face.

“Move in,” he repeats, swiftly moving in and kissing her nose, catching her off guard. His voice is lower than usual and the huskiness of it is too much to deal with so early in the morning. “We can use that money toward a down deposit for a bigger place if you want,” he adds a minute later, his mind drifting on its own accord to a baby with her eyes and smile staring up from a crib. He quickly shakes it off, focusing instead on her.

“You want to get a bigger place? This one is already spacious for two,” she teases, a small little smile that told him she knew exactly where his thoughts had gone on appearing on her pretty face. When did she learn to mimic his skills so perfectly against him? “I like that idea,” she admits in the same breath and his heart flips with anticipation.

“Keep looking at me like that and you’ll be in for a punishment,” he says with surprising steadiness. A quick glance at the time on his phone tells him they both need to get going soon for the office but part of him feels a surge of rebellious temptation to carry her back to bed.

Her eyebrows lift knowingly and she’s definitely smirking at him now. “I think we’re long past punishments, Hyogo. Any time you touch me is a reward these days.”

She pushes away from the table then, pressing a kiss on his forehead and darting out of reach when he tries to catch her. She lets him grab her in the hallway, laughing as he carries her to bed.

They somehow make it to the office, giving up on trying to stagger their timing for just one day.

[amberskywrites]

Meeting At Last

A side story of Not of This World, following the character Valerie.

This piece was written for my Intro Fiction class in uni, and was written before I decided to turn Not of This World into a hypertext CYOA. This story specifically was an exercise in time.

Word Count: 658

Fic Masterpost | Original Work Masterpost | Not of This World Info

Lounging on the throne at the center of the big throne room, his head propped up on one arm supported by an armrest, his legs thrown over the other, his body angled towards her. He stares at her, a bored expression on his face as his eyes rove from her feet to her head.

He looks different from how she’d always imagined him.

Lord Asonze… Valerie had heard nothing but what she would be expecting to see as soon as she stepped into this room, had fully expected what he would look like from the books that she was going to burn as soon as she escaped.

And yet, this was someone completely different.

Lord Asonze had long, black hair. It was a moving shadow, a creature of ash and darkness that spilled over his shoulders and down his back and loomed behind him as an ever-present threat. His arms were lined with orange protrusions that glowed and burned anyone who touched them, leaving behind wounds that even the best healers couldn’t help because they had a thin layer of acid. He was light, always moving about a room as though walking on clouds and the air around him shifted and reflected with such a natural ease it was as though he was born in the between where nothing and everything existed. He was accompanied by drip–drip–drips that could be water from the oceans he was known for taming and unleashing upon coastline villages, or it could be the blood from the prisoners he was said to deal with personally for hours at a time.

This… 

This was not that.

He has short hair, almost white, though Valerie thought it was tinged red. It’s fluffy and moves slowly around his head – clouds, just like Gale’s, except the clouds which clung to Gale were harsh and swift and dark. These were soft, almost like the clouds at home that drifted over her neighborhood in the early summer. Only one arm has orange protrusions – and these didn’t look as hot. They look warm, squishy, and unlike Watina, the protrusions aren’t a solid orange. They seem full of liquid, each twitch of muscle stirring the inside and the colors shift between yellow and orange and back to yellow, occasionally a small bubble appearing under the layer keeping it all trapped inside. His other arm gleams in the light produced by the protrusions, shiny and blacker than his dark skin, fingers seeming blockier, almost as though they were carved from stone rather than born from a person once upon a time. It looks like onyx. Only the forearm and hand are this black stone, the upper part of his arm turned into a tangle of something coiled tightly together to form a shoulder and half a chest, curling across a collarbone. There was a slow drip–drip–drip, but it was a leg revealed by the skirt he wore, black like his arm but less solid – it was more transparent, and Valerie could clearly see the drips, clear as they puddle at the base of the throne he lounges on. Melting ice.

She briefly wonders if it’s painful.

Valerie looks at his face and tightens her grip on the ornate knife Watina had made for her, adjusting the hold just as Aryn had taught her. It’s wrong, she knows, and she shouldn’t look at his face – it’ll just make this harder.

But she looks, and she meets his brown eyes that have gone slightly wide, and she doesn’t know why, but the dread she’s felt for weeks evaporates, and instead her heart aches.

The person – because this can’t be Asonze, can it – opens their mouth, and Valerie prepares to hear it, to hear the name they all call her at first until they realize it’s wrong and correct it before she can, Sylvia–

But it isn’t what she hears, in a strangled voice, and it– she can’t– she doesn’t believe it. And yet–

“Pip?”

[theonekrafter]

LETS GO NEW TEAM 7!!!! (as teens/ya) loved the newest chapter btw :D - via @kaitosano

OMGGG THIS IS GREAT! excellent fanart your stuff always feeds me into writing more bro

[graceful-not]

fondness

i associate this emotion with something warm, something fleeting, something delicate like a butterfly's wing, or a dandelion in the wind. it's a softness of fluffy white cotton candy clouds and pale golden light at daybreak. it feels so wonderful, like floating when the weight of love seems to drown you, it's like the frothiness of the waves when they touch your feet on the first day of summer. it's in your friend's gleaming eyes when they're trying to suppress their laughter at an offhanded omment you made, the turning of their lips and the pink in their cheeks, and you're mesmerized. i feel fondness like a softness settling in my core, my bones feel like jelly and my face aches just a little from how bright i'm smiling. it's an emotion you want to pour out, express it as soon as it hits you, and i love how sweet it feels.but this too is fleeting, and it brings the moment a strange kind of melancholy, and i cannot describe why it does. maybe it's because of how joyous that single moment feels, and when it when it vanishes, you feel it's emptiness so much more. as a person, i suppose i'd see you as somebody who is lovable, someone who does things that might seem so strange, but it feels so much like you that everybody can't help but grow fond of it. i would peg you for someone who feels very freely, your emotions are like wispy pieces of clouds, and you hold them gently and share them. there's an ease in you that quells even the most violent of storms, and for that reason you embody serenity.

Ohhh this is very accurate :]. The description of the feeling itself is accurate too. I've been feeling it a lot today (hi Starlo) so,Yeahh. The kind of thing that gives you that strange hazy warmth in the pit of your stomach that makes you want to smile and kick your feet, except you do neither of those things because the pure joy of the emotion is blocked, by something else. There is a glass wall between the moment and your emotions, as if you are outside looking in, and it's the same feeling you'll have when you recall the memory later, tinged with melancholy. <3.

which one of my bitter-sweet emotions are you?

i tried something somewhat abstract, but worked really really hard on the results? check it out if you wanna! link in rb. <3

[embrassemoi]

A Gentle Loving

Peter’s love is nothing but gentle.

PAIRING: Peter Parker x Fem!Reader

CONTENT: Andrew Garfields’s Spider-Man, fluffy :’)

NOTES: I wanted to put out something quick! This is based off of the ending to ‘I’ll Crawl Home to Her’

What was Peter’s love if not gentle?

A man subjected to so much violence, loss and death, it was a wonder how he managed to preserve so much love that had yet to be expressed to its fullest capacity. It was what made him so gentle. So tender.

She felt it with every soft caress, warm hugs, shy gaze — his hands wrapped around her waist, his lips on hers, their bodies intertwined. It was present in the stillest of moments when the mist burnt off into the morning sun or clouds passing over the buzzing city. Every subtle movement, every action, Peter put her needs above his.

Gentle.

Currently pressed together on their small couch, Peter’s arms wrapped around her protectively, chin resting on her head as his spider senses clung to her tightly, refusing to let her go. But she paid no mind and soaked it in because this — their love — was never guaranteed tomorrow.

But for now, she couldn’t help but pretend it did.

Surrounded by her thoughts, persistent, unrelenting — muddled with Peter’s soft heartbeat lulling encasing her, she turned to look up at him. However, his face shifted, frowning when she attempted to pull away only to relax once more as her hands cupped his face; brushing over the soft skin and running over the little scars that formed a roadmap of past stories.

A soft flush crept up his neck and cheeks along with the soft smile tugging at his mouth. Peter craned his neck forwards, brows quickly furrowing when he didn’t receive the kiss he expected.

Soft giggles erupted from her at his reaction, causing her head to fling backwards while Peter huffed playfully, moving to nuzzle his face into the crook of her neck and smiled wider when she became a mess in his arms.

Once the laughter had dwindled, she kissed the tip of his nose, hands shooting up to his hair to fiddle with the stray strands. Peter mimicked her previous actions, raising to cradle her face and tilting her head up. The calloused pad of his thumb rubbed over the skin as he unconsciously leaned forward, pulling her closer — eager to be as close as possible. He absorbed and bathed in every moment and heated touch while letting his brown eyes study her: admiring, falling, catching.

And his gentleness was the only thing she could have ever known.

They say the butterflies that swarm your stomach leaves after the honeymoon stage. But with Peter, they might land, rest for a while, but their wings always twitch and flutter and brush along your stomach with the simplest of actions.

Peter’s head shook, a small habit he had before bringing his forehead to rest against hers. There was something unreadable that swam in his eyes, something soft and gentle and she liked to think that maybe the temporary end to Peter’s storm resided in her arms.

A faint grin replaced his faux annoyance as he mumbled for more. Another kiss. And then another. And maybe just one more after that.

Gentle.

In a world filled with wonders, one heart was all she needed, to hold and cradle and nurture. To love and be loved by. Picking Peter to love was the easiest choice a person could make — the very embodiment of home.

There was no definite answer to describe love, yet it was still contained in one word. But it was far from just experiencing one emotion. Peter’s love culminated into a peak where the delicate threads of his love had woven together to form a blanket, covering her with warmth and vigour and shielded from any cold.

Neither spoke. There was a greater power in unsaid words. And whatever it was, that unreadable tinge in his eyes vanished and he must’ve found what he was searching for because Peter brought his lips to her nose, her forehead, her cheeks and finally her lips as he breathed out praises and mumbled ‘thank yous.’

Gentle. Peter could be nothing but gentle with her.

Perhaps his love was just how he expressed an infinity together.

[dreamingdixon]

Full Bloom

No trigger warnings. Back on my fluffy Daryl game.

5424 words.

Daryl was grateful for the fact the sun wasn’t quite as harsh as it had been over the last few weeks, today it was tucked away behind one of the only clouds in the sky and oh my God it felt so nice to breathe a little bit easier, despite the fact the air was still stifling - just slightly less so.

He was also grateful that he woke up before the heat became suffocating with the sunrise. The clammy heat from his bed brought on vivid dreams and sweat-dampened bed sheets that he was thankful to have thrown off in the night, so he made the most of his early awakening by heading out to get a head-start on some possible hunting. Heavy boots and a crossbow added an undesirable weight as he walked through Alexandria, and he instinctually slowed his pace as he walked by your house.

House was the only word for it, it wasn’t a home. 

‘Home is where the heart is’ or so you heard, which is why the only place you’d call home was anywhere Daryl was. It was a mutual sentiment - neither of you would say that out loud until the other did first, so it was left unspoken - until one day it wasn’t.

“Hey. Successful morning?” 

Aaron all but beamed upon Daryl’s return, not sure if his eyes should be on the bunch of flowers stuffed into the side pocket of his bag - one or two sitting at an odd angle, but he daren't say anything - or the desperately needed line of squirrels hanging from the man’s shoulder. The heatwave left a good amount of their crops looking worse for wear, so this was the equivalent of striking gold for the small community.

“Yeah, for sure. Headed out early ‘fore everything ran for shade. I’ll do the same tomorrow, too.”

“This is amazing, thank you. We needed this.”

Daryl gives an acknowledging nod in response, as he shrugs the animals off his shoulders before ungracefully nudging the line towards a very unwilling Aaron, who politely mumbles that he’ll take them to the kitchen as he watches the man walk away. 

He throws a sarcastic glance over his shoulder as his thoughts trail over to you, he wonders if you’re still asleep in your own bed despite the muggy heat, or if you’ll have made your way over to his couch like usual. You spend more time in Daryl's basement than you do in your own house. He clearly remembers the memory of how it all started when you hesitantly knocked on his door. It was late in the night, the group freshly divided into their own accommodations after spending the last few evenings bundled into one house, and he answered the door to you with a knife in his hand. ‘I just - I don’t like it. Can I sleep here?’ Now you rarely sleep in your own bed. Last night was an exception and Daryl didn’t like it at all, he’d grown so familiar to waking up to the sound of your breathing across the room and he felt robbed. 

A quick peek down the stairs answers Daryl’s questions, and he finds himself doing a double-take just to confirm that his eyes aren’t deceiving him and that you are actually wearing his button-up shirt, the one he wore for about 15 minutes yesterday before shrugging it off because ‘This’s nuts, why’s it so fuckin’ hot, Jesus Christ’  - that same shirt is now loosely draped over your shoulders, secured around the waist with one button done, and he could swear his heart skipped a beat or two. The five - or maybe thirty - seconds he spends admiring you has completely derailed his train of thought, but he gathers himself again when you let out a comfortable sigh and your hand twitches in your sleep.

Your sleeping figure almost looks out of place, and Daryl flushes when he realizes how messy his basement is and how perfect you actually look. Embarrassment tinges the tips of his ears pink and he thinks about the fact you’ve got your own house right next to Rosita, which he’s sure you would keep immaculately tidy if you actually spent any time there, yet you’re curled up on the sofa of a basement, surrounded by motorcycle parts slick with oil, bolts and a furniture arrangement he’s sure would make any interior designer cry. 

His feelings for you don’t make it difficult, but he wishes he could find the courage to utter the words to get you from the couch and next to him instead. 

What sort of place would you live in, if the world never changed? He imagines you’d like somewhere remote, somewhere secluded where you’d live forever reading by a large open window, surrounded by plants (he’d recommend some fake ones because ‘what’s the difference?’ and he can almost hear how dramatically you’d sigh when you tell him ‘it’s not the same, idiot’) maybe a log cabin? Hell, he would build you a log cabin with his own two hands if you asked - he’d build you 10 of them.

But instead of 10 log cabins filled to the brim with plush sofas, you’re in a shabby basement and he wants to cringe.

He can feel just how ridiculous this train of thought is, he knows it’s leading him down a slippery slope of uncomfortable thoughts, and he’s only just turned on his heel to head outside for a quick breather when he hears some shuffling from the space he’s just turned his back on, accompanied by the tired sounds of the sofa’s ancient springs.

“Daryl?”

He turns sheepishly, wiping his palms on the rough material of his trousers and gripping the straps of his backpack before allowing his feet to lead him down three more steps of the staircase so you can see him entirely without being blocked by the wooden paneling leading to the ground floor. He can’t help but feel soft at how your face scrunches when you yawn and how your eyes take a moment to focus. 

“What are you doing?”

Voice still coated in a deep layer of sleep, it comes out somewhat more slurred than you anticipated, so you clear your throat and try again.

“Come here”

You blink a few times and harshly rub at your eyes, trying to wake yourself from the unexpected nap you’d fallen victim to. Blinking away the multicoloured stars and splotches that form behind your eyelids, you smile as Daryl makes his way down the stairs, noticing how some of his wavy hair looks stuck to his forehead with a glossy sheen of sweat and the tiniest flush of pink on the bridge of his nose that would be undetectable to anyone else - you were the only one lucky enough to get close enough to notice. 

He places his backpack at the bottom of the stairs before making his way over to you. 

Swinging your legs over the edge of the sofa, you stand up to meet him as he reaches the edge of the cushions, gently wrapping your forearms around the back of his neck and dragging you both back onto the jumble of scavenged blankets and pillows you’d thrown together earlier in the afternoon. Quick reflexes and strong arms that brace themselves on either side of you are the only things that stop your foreheads from colliding, and when he looks down at you, he fumbles over how badly he wants to reach down and kiss you, or even just rest his forehead against yours. 

“Missed you.”

Daryl absolutely melts at how you’re staring up at him, tiny lines collecting by the corners of your eyes as a result of the most beautiful smile he’s ever seen in his life. 

Dangerous thoughts, he reminds himself. You’re just affectionate, calm down.

“Nah, you’ve been too busy sleepin’.”

He quickly rolls himself to the side, out of your grasp and even though you tried to hold keep him there, he’s too quick.

Calm down, you tell yourself. You’re being too obvious.

Smiling at each other from the close proximity of sitting on the sofa, Daryl lets himself sink into the thick array of soft, appreciating the coolness of the air and the fact you’ve inched yourself closer so subtly until your arm is against his, and he forces himself to think it was an accident. 

“Where were ya last night?”

The amount of effort he spends to keep his voice light and casual is unreal, but he manages it. He watches you yawn before answering, flexing your legs in an attempted stretch as you speak and he’s surprised at how you start your explanation with an apology.

“I’m sorry, I got called to see Deanna so late, I went straight back to mine because I didn’t want to wake you up with how creaky your damn stairs are. She’s got plans for the crops, an irrigation system and she wanted to talk to me about it at like, what, 2 in the morning?”

Daryl’s scoffing at the amount of casual sarcasm you manage to get into your words and how you dramatically throw your hands in the air to really emphasize your words, dodging a rogue fist when you’re asking ‘why did she need me to talk to her about soil, Daryl? At two in the morning! Doesn’t she have a bedtime, I know I do. What the fuck’s wrong with her? She’s great, but what the fuck, you know?’ and he just laughs, he’s never seen anybody so animated or carefree in his life and he wouldn’t interrupt unless his life depended on it - maybe even then.

You’re so grateful that he just listens, there’s no need for you to filter or tiptoe around anything with him, you can just figure out your words as you go without any pressure, and when you finish your rant, you turn your body towards him and it’s your turn to listen. 

He’s not as exuberant with his words when he tells you how it was ‘real nice to see full traps’ and how he saw a walker that was pretty much a tree - completely grown into the tree trunk. He tells you he’s never seen that before, and it was ‘kinda incredible’ and he describes it in such a way you wish you’d been there because nobody’s ever made a walker sound so pretty before, only Daryl could have that effect.

“I’ll go out with you, outside the walls in a few days once we have a plan for the irrigation system. Can we go for a ride?”

You’re desperate to get outside, itching to be where you’d grown so used to. Alexandria is beautiful and safe and everything you’ve wanted since the fall - but so is Daryl, and you feel that and more with your arms around him when he weaves his way through abandoned woodland, sparing the occasional glance over his shoulder just to see you. 

“Course, it’s weird not havin’ ya out there with me.”

The biggest confession he’s able to muster right now, but your smile widens at his words and he means it - it really is strange, you’d been joining him on runs for months, he never even had to ask anymore if you’d wanted to join, you’d be sat by his motorcycle waiting for him and he never understood why that gave him butterflies. 

“You miss me, Daryl Dixon?”

Raising your eyebrows at him, he huffs because you’ve moved so close that your nose is pressing into the dip of his cheek, followed by ‘well? I’m waiting’ when he doesn’t immediately reply - he’s too busy rolling his eyes so hard he thinks he might go blind but you’re so soft as you lean against him and you’re tickling his jawline with your breathing. He’s so comfortable and you’re just so playful. 

The first time you’d both touched was when he was saving your life, a strong hand pulling you from the frozen ground. Daryl wasn’t familiar with friendly or warm touches back then, flinches and anxiety being at the forefront of his mind - every touch is unkind, malicious, or so he’d been taught.

He’d been so shy, bashful, the first time he felt your hand on his shoulder when he’d unintentionally made you laugh so hard your side hurt, but your hand felt like cool silk against his sunburnt shoulder and he lay in bed that night wanting to feel it again and again, it had been the most gratification he’s ever experienced from his Chupacabra story, and he spent hours wondering if you would have laughed if it was Rick or Shane making the same joke, so he indulged his own curiosity the next day. You giggled at something he couldn’t quite hear, but your hands stayed tucked tightly into the pockets of your jeans, then you asked ‘Do you know where Daryl is?’ and he’s never averted his gaze so quickly in his life. 

You chipped away at him slowly with your gentle touches and kind words, and now you’re almost sat on him with your nose pressed into his face and he wants more, but it’s a boundary he isn’t sure how to cross, so he doesn’t - not yet.

“Like a bullet in the head, maybe.”

You dramatically gasp, nudging his shoulder in jest as he leans himself even further into the jumble of pillows as you tell him he’s rude.

“You stink, by the way. Get off my couch and go shower.”

He raises an eyebrow, lightly smirking before reluctantly pulling himself to his feet - he wouldn’t disagree, he’s completely covered in a now cool layer of sweat and if he can smell himself, he’s sure you can too. Daryl already misses the lean of your body against his, but the moment he’s stood in front of you, you’re holding your hand out, it’s a habit - or maybe an excuse - you’ve found yourself in as if you physically can’t stand if Daryl doesn’t help. 

His hand in yours, you groan as you’re dragged from your comfortable spot and you wobble momentarily once you’re upright, holding on just a little tighter to the hand still supporting you. Daryl clears his throat, drawing your eyes upwards to him, and fuck you’re looking up at him in a way that makes him want to never let go of you, but you’re not his to hold, so he releases you once you’ve found your footing, much to your disappointment - but it doesn’t last long.

“Got ya something when I was out today.”

Calm the fuck down, he thinks to himself at the way his palms sweat and he’s not subtle as he rubs them over his pants, nudging his nose in the air as a sign to follow him, and you do.

“Uh, ya- I, uh, found ‘em when I was checkin’ the snares this mornin’.. I hadn’t seen any flowers in a while an’ was just surprised. Thought they looked nice. I realized I don’t know what kinda flowers you like, or uh, I do, but dunno if you like these ones. Can’t say I’ve seen ‘em before.”

You listen as he shuffles the contents of his bag, digging into the side pocket before he stands in front of you again, with a bouquet of..

Daryl Dixon brought you flowers?

You watch as he raises his hand and awkwardly rubs the back of his neck as he fumbles over his words, but your heart absolutely swells as you listen to him talk. His morning mission of checking and re-setting his traps wasn’t exactly a dangerous mission, especially for a man as experienced as he was, but there’s something so sweet in knowing he’s taken extra time outside to pick flowers for you when there are a million and one things out there actively trying to kill him. 

“Oh my god, really? They’re for me?”

Between the boyish look on his face and his thick hands holding the most beautiful pink flowers, you don’t actually know where to look as you tenderly grab the stems, your fingers brushing his in the process. You can smell them, a soft aroma filling the little bubble you and Daryl find yourself in and you’re so content bringing the soft petals to your face, closing your eyes and inhaling the floral fragrance like it was the most expensive perfume. Daryl doesn’t think he’s ever seen a sight so perfect and he only manages a nod and a gruff ‘Yeah’ in response, he’s too busy admiring.

“They’re pentas, I think. It’s been a while since I’ve seen any of these, they’re gorgeous.”

He watches with pure adoration as you press your nose against the pastel pink petals again, and he silently promises to bring you flowers every single time he can because you look happy and that’s all he needs. He’ll raid every single garden center within a 100-mile radius for seeds and bulbs, he’ll work his hands raw and turn the garden of the house into a tropical jungle if it means you look like this every time you go outside.

Daryl’s seen every emotion possible in your eyes since he found you, but this one just.. Hits different. Your eyes are closed and there’s a calmness that’s just radiating from you, like a heat he wants to simply lay and bask in for days. It’s intoxicating.

When you’ve committed the scent of the flowers and the softness of Daryl’s eyes to memory, you realize they need a home, a vase or they aren’t going to last very long. There used to be a vase in your house but you’d broken it during your first night alone, attempting to place the decorative glass over the door handle in the hope that if somebody came in, the smashing glass would wake you up. You didn’t quite manage that - after a few hours of staring at the door, after not feeling safe despite the locked front door, you pulled on a hoodie before giving the vase a frustrated kick, and found yourself on Daryl’s couch moments later.

The flowers are quickly thrust back into Daryl’s open hands and you’re asking him to ‘hold onto them for a sec, I just need to.. Hang on..’ and he’s left confused when he sees you digging through one of the cabinets but you have an idea, and after a few moments of clattering, and running the tap, you happily make your way back over to him with the solution to your problem.

“Ain’t that last week’s wine?”

Deanna had sent you home with a spare bottle after a community party, and you’d both quickly finished it off the following night over dinner and it left you gigglier than you’d hoped, so the glass bottle found itself being shoved into storage and forgotten about - until now.

“Yeah, but look, works a treat.”

He admires the delicate arrangement tucked into the narrow rim of the deep green glass, a contrast to the feminine array sprouting from the neck of the bottle. Daryl likes it because you like it, and you hold the bottle up so proudly that he’d be a criminal to disagree with you. An apocalypse teaches so many skills, resourcefulness included. It’s ugly and mismatched but it works.

“You’re so literally amazing for getting me these. If you ever see anymore and I’m not with you, would you maybe grab some more for me? They’re so beautiful.”

There’s such a brightness to your voice, an optimism from the fresh flowers, and the warmth creeping through you because you don’t remember the last time you received a gift, so it’s such an incredible gesture in itself but this is a gift from Daryl and if you could preserve the petals forever you absolutely would.

“Course. Nothin’s a hassle if it’s you that’s askin’, and I’ll take ya where I found ‘em when we go for that ride, there’s some red ones out there, too, but I thought you’d like these more.”

He isn’t planning on going alone, though. He won’t have to follow up on his promise of gathering them for you because he’s committed to the thought of taking you with him - he wants, no, needs to see your reaction to seeing the colourful patches hidden away. If a few flowers can bring you this much joy, he can’t wait to see your reaction to the hundreds of various colours that are completely untouched.

“Yes, oh my god, please. You’ve made my day, Daryl, really.”

He’s so touched that his gesture has had this effect on you, surprised.

“Maybe we can bring a bunch of them back, plant them in the little patch of grass out front, what do you think?”

You already can’t wait for this plan you’re beginning to form - flower picking with Daryl after a ride on Daryl’s motorcycle, planting flowers with Daryl outside the place you share with Daryl. 

Daryl, Daryl, Daryl. He’s consuming and warm and perfect.

///

“What was bothering you earlier?”

Your voice is soft into the evening breeze. Daryl’s sat next to you, squeezed into a fold-away chair that’s trying its hardest not to buckle under his weight. You were on guard duty tonight - so, that meant Daryl was, too.

“Hmm?”

“I can read you like a book, Daryl. Saw the way you looked so tense on the stairs. Did something happen this morning when you were out?”

He pauses - busted. 

“Nah.”

He’s silently begging you to leave it at that, but he knows you’re not going to. He needs to decide if he���s going to skirt around the truth or just fucking tell you, but he’s caught between a rock and a hard place and he isn’t sure which option is worse - what if you don’t feel the same? Your eyes linger on the side of his head when he averts his gaze to the ground.

“I was just bein’ stupid.”

He can’t lie to you, and you both know it.

You raise your brows.

“Comin’ back and seein’ ya, lookin so.. Pretty. I just - ya looked out of place, y’know?”

Daryl thinks he summed up his thoughts pretty well, a few stutters aren’t a big deal, and he couldn’t hold eye contact to save his life, but it’s condensed and it works. What he doesn’t tell you, is the way you’re sitting there, so fucking beautiful and jovial with your hair sitting just how he likes it - reminds him of the very flowers he picked for you - winsome and delicate and somehow in bloom, yet surrounded by parched wasteland. That’s how he saw you, curled up on his dingy sofa in his dingy basement when you looked like.. You. Like the fucking sun itself had been plucked from the sky, wrapped in his own shirt and gifted to him.

“What do you mean?”

It registers that he just called you pretty, but you don’t quite grab the underlying message in his words. 

But still, Daryl Dixon called you pretty.

You.

“I just, uh..”

He rubs his face, frustrated that he just doesn’t know what to say or how to say it. Rough fingers rub over his eyes in the hopes of some shred of clarity as if a bruised eye socket will tell him what to do. It doesn’t.

“I’d give ya so much more than a couch in a basement if I could. Whatever you want, sunshine. Hope ya know that.”

You smile at how you think you understand what he’s getting at, but it seems like a riddle and you think you’ve figured it out but what if you’re missing something, some hidden message or twist that means your answer is wrong? 

“I know.”

You do know, but doesn’t he realize that’s a mutual feeling? Judging from the way he snaps his head in your direction at your softly spoken words, you assume he doesn’t.

“But I wouldn’t want anything else, I really hope you know that. You’re so amazing, you’ve kept me so safe from the moment I joined your group, you’ve taught me to hunt and how to shoot, you let me sleep in your own place just because I wanted to, you brought me flowers, Daryl, I- what else could I want?”

Daryl isn’t sure what else you could want, but he knows what he’d be willing to give - and it’s a pretty long list. His gaze turns back towards the road, unfocused but thoughtful. A light breeze passes through the trees while he thinks of a response, but he doesn’t get much time to ponder before there’s something brushing over his fingers. His eyes shoot downwards, and he watches your hand slowly position itself around his, and oh my God are his lungs deflating, or is he having a heart attack? It’s like he can’t blink, he’s in a staring competition between him and your touching fingers and he’s winning. 

You bring yourself in front of him until you’re both facing each other, and suddenly he can’t feel the breeze or hear the rustling branches, his body isn’t warm from the lingering heat in the air - all he’s aware of is the fact you’re only a few inches away from him and you’re asking a timid ‘is this okay?’ and his eyes finally lift to meet yours.

You don’t have a clue what you’re doing or what you’re asking. His hand is in yours, but it’s lax against your gentle hold and he’s staring right at you and now you really don’t have a clue. Your eyes dart between his as you try to understand the emotions behind them without any luck, so you give him the gentlest squeeze to test the waters - then you feel his fingers curl around yours and when your eyes dart up to meet his, he nods.

You never thought you’d get this far - never thought you’d be brave enough to even attempt anything of this caliber and you feel your heartbeat speed as anxiety meets adrenaline. Daryl just stands in a daze - optimistic but also trying to remind himself to expect the worst - but it’s you, and there is no ‘worst’ when it comes to you, so he finds some courage to reflect your movements by reaching out and intertwining your fingers, and he steps just a little closer now that both your hands are laced together. Your heart climbs its way into your throat, watching his face as you inch closer and he’s just looking at you until it’s not just eyes that are connected.

You realize if you don’t just do it now, you never will - so you swallow hard and kiss him. 

And when he kisses you back immediately, you smile into the motion.

It’s gentle and cautious but it’s Daryl and it’s perfect. 

You pull yourself away slightly to gauge his reaction to what you’ve just done, but he stops you from getting too far. Both his hands leave the grip of yours, but they quickly find new skin to touch as he places his thumbs on your cheekbones, fingers delicately wrapping around the nape of your neck and you’d swear you feel the electricity coursing through everywhere his skin meets yours. 

There’s nothing else happening in the world besides this. The dead aren’t walking the earth and there aren’t any threats, the litter and leaves blowing across the concrete have frozen in their path and nobody else exists. All Daryl acknowledges is you and the fucking stars surrounding your figure and the speck of light reflecting in your eyes bouncing back from the moon behind him. He’s been so deprived of this, so subconsciously desperate that he throws caution to the wind and pulls himself closer and he keens at the fact he sees you smile as he does. He’s so gentle, thumbs tracing back and forth by your temple as he tilts his head and kisses you how you always hoped he would - carefully, but he’s firm enough to really show you that he means it. You return the motion by bringing your hands up and grasping at his wrists as if you were strong enough to keep him there by that alone, returning the kiss with the same tenderness. 

You’ve both been fantasizing about this forever. It’s been years since your first day as a part of the group, since a man with a crossbow found you, lying atop dried foliage collected on the floor over an unrelenting winter. 

Years since he offered you his poncho when you didn’t have a blanket.

Years since you first made him laugh.

Since he learned how to braid your hair for you because ‘it’s so in the fucking way, it’s making my neck sweat’ and he couldn’t have that.

Since you brushed away dried blood from his cheek after a bad run, fingers as tender as you could muster and he just let you.

Daryl doesn’t pull back until you do, desperate to savour every last moment so when you finally pull away to catch your breath and you smile at him, he knows he’s a lost cause now. if you told him to jump he’d ask how high, if you caught a cold he’d build you a hospital. He’s been yours since he can remember, does this mean you’re his? 

His hands stay against your cheeks and yours around his wrists like it’s the most natural thing you’ve ever done, like you were both made to touch each other -  little magnets drawing you together that you finally stop resisting. There’s a heat where your skin makes contact and butterflies in your stomach at the softness and relief across his face, and neither of you can suppress the affection and need you have for each other anymore.

When you offered to cover Eugene’s watch, this isn’t what you had planned - but as you stand with your forehead pressed against Daryls, exchanging the most gentle kisses under the sparkling sky with only the occasional rustle of the leaves in the background, you’ve never been so grateful to miss a night’s sleep before. 

“This just ‘cause I brought ya flowers?”

A slight smirk graces his lips, always teasing as he pulls away slightly.

“No, Daryl, not just because of the flowers.”

You don’t give him time to respond, you’re too busy pulling him back to you instead.

Walking back to the basement is a different experience with your hand in his, and you think of all the times you’ve held his fingers intertwined with yours and how you’d brush it off as a joke ‘Just so everyone knows I’m yours’ and how he’d just laugh but never correct you, never pulled his hand away from yours. He didn’t want to. There’s so much pride bursting out of you both because you won’t try to cover your actions with a joke anymore, there’s an understanding between the two of you now - you’re his and he’s yours. Calloused hands around yours - shielding. You almost make it back to the basement in complete silence, too elated from the events of the day until there’s a gust of wind that has you gathering your shirt with your spare hand in an attempt to keep the fabric closer to you when Daryl mumbles something along the lines of ‘Nice shirt, is that your boyfriends?’ under his breath and you refuse to feed his ego by telling him ‘Yeah, it smells like him’, so you settle for nudging his shoulder instead, a pink tint taking over your cheeks as you walk down the stairs.

There’s still a shyness to you both, neither of you quite bold enough to suggest sharing a bed so soon - no matter how much you both want it. So that night, you sleep on the couch as usual. The same tired springs and the same lumpy cushion, the moonlight painting a cool-toned glow across the scuffed table next to you - only this time, there’s no pillow under you or an empty space against the cushions. Instead, Daryl’s thigh supports your head and the couch is overflowing, sprawled out hair and tangled limbs tucked messily onto the patchy velvet settee, his fingers resting at your ribs and an overfilled wine bottle continuously bursting with freshly bloomed flowers proudly on display.

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[bestiesenpai]

firsts with Gojo Satoru

Every day I’m reminded that Gojo is 6.3ft and every day I remind myself that I could still slap the shit out of him and I wouldn’t even have to reach that high. That is what brings me inner peace.

First meeting

It’s not often that the Gojo Satoru is tasked with cleaning up curses of any grade less than level 1, but sometimes while he was casually out and about he would see a few and handle them with no issue

Like the cluster of fly heads going through the street, harassing people

It takes him no time at all to get to them, a few long strides and he’s there

With a swipe of his hand, the curses are expelled, gone from the world and no longer causing havoc

“What were those things?” A curious voice asks off to the side. Lowering his sunglasses, Satoru turns to the person looking at where the curses had just been.

“What things?” He feigns ignorance and it makes you snort.

“Those flying things you just got rid of. I was watching them for a while, they were pretty annoying.” While you’re talking, Satoru is sizing you up. He can sense just a tiny bit of cursed energy coming from you, not enough to be of any use except for the ability to see curses.

Worrying his lip, Satoru debated on how much he should tell you, if anything at all. He thought you were cute, so maybe he could tell you a little bit and then lead it into another conversation...maybe get your number.

“Are you okay?” Suddenly you’re closer to him than you were before. In all his going back and forth he’d failed to see you take a few steps closer and peer at him, that curious look back in your eyes. “Try not to think too hard, mister, I wouldn’t want your pretty face to get all wrinkled now.”

Satoru actually laughs at that, his chest nearly bumping into you with how close you two are now. He even bends a little at the waist, completely caught off guard by how you, a perfect stranger, have just spoken to him.

“Ya know, that’s not the usual response I get from people.” Fixing his glasses on his head, Satoru fixes you with a smirk he knows people swoon over. “And my name’s not ‘mister’. It’s Satoru, Gojo Satoru.”

“Okay.” His smirk wavers just slightly when he realizes you’re not exactly falling into his arms, just nodding and then you’re pointing to the sky where the fly heads had been. “So Gojo, what were those things?”

First hangout

Gojo does end up telling you the truth about the flyheads and you take it better than he was expecting

He was quick to get your first and last name, maybe you were from a family of sorcerers...but you weren’t. Just a normal person who saw him expel some curses

The conversation quickly ends after he’s done explaining it to you, much to his chagrin. He’d laid on the charm thick, hoping you’d ask for his number or for an opportunity for him to ask, but none came

When he was done telling you about the curses, you gave him a brief pat on the arm, thanked him and went about your day

There was a soft smile on your face as you walked away, and the feeling of your hand still lingered on his arm

Gojo wanted to see you again, but he knew he might never

“Oh, hello Gojo.” Your voice pops up again in an unexpected place, the candy section of a local convenience store near the train station he’d just exited.

“Huh?” He turns, surprised to see you and surprised that you addressed him so casually. It was indeed you, the person he’d seen before and wanted to get to know better.

“Hm, is it not you? I don’t know anyone else that tall with white hair.” Scratching your cheek, you give him a once over.

“It is me.” He’s quick to answer before you apologize and walk away.

“Ha, knew it.” A sly grin comes on your face and Satoru grins in return, his chest tightening a little bit. Rocking on your heels, you gesture to the candy in front of you. “What’s your poison?”

“Everything.” Snorting, Satoru looks at the candy briefly, eyes scanning on all the ones he’s tried.

“Ouch, sounds like a serious sweet tooth.” Chuckling to yourself, you reach out and grab a bag of sour gummies. “These are my favorite, have you tried them?” He has and he kind of hates them, but he picks up a bag anyway and pretends to read it over.

“No, I haven’t. They’re your favorite, you say?” You nod and he holds them more securely in his hand. “Alright, I’ll get them. And this.” Snatching up a chocolate bar he knows he actually likes, Satoru walks with you to the checker and puts his items on top of yours. “I’ll pay.”

You don’t fight him on paying, thanking him with a smile and another pat on his arm. As you walk out of the shop, Satoru nearly puts his arm around your shoulder. It feels like the two of you are on a casual snack run together before going somewhere to watch a movie or something. Even though you’re a stranger, Satoru feels like you already belong together.

“Well, it was nice seeing you again.” You say, snapping him out of his delusion. “What are your plans for the day?” It’s a wonderful day in a suburb of Tokyo, near the place you’d first met. The sun is beaming but not too hot, there’s fluffy white clouds scattered around the sky and a light breeze.

“Nothing, honestly.” Shrugging his shoulder, Satoru looks up and down the street. Honestly, he did have something to do, he was supposed to meet Ijichi for a little meeting with a few other people. But if he was being honest, he’d gladly be late or even skip it entirely if it meant talking to you more.

“Really? Well if you’re into them, there’s a really good cafe just around the corner. I think you’d like it.” Oh shit, were you asking to hang out with him? Or was this more of a date? Watching you take out your phone, Satoru is confused when you pull up a GPS. “If you want, I’ll send you the address.”

Wait...what? Looking at you with clear confusion on his face, Satoru points down the street.

“Let’s go there together, since we’re already here.” Your eyes widen a fraction of an inch, but Satoru can easily see the miniscule way your face changes. Putting your phone away, you take a step down the street.

“Alright, let’s go.”

Once at the cafe, Satoru feels in heaven. It’s a space made for intimate conversations with closed off booths lining the walls and the rich dark colors decorating the space. It feels almost like a lounge instead of a cafe, but when he sees the menu and there’s no alcohol, he’s reminded of what it is.

“I like to get an earl gray and some macarons.” You tell him as you stand by the counter, looking up at the menu.

“I’m going to get that super chocolate cake.”

“That’s so much chocolate!” Chuckling, you walk up to the waiting cashier, wallet already out. “Go ahead and order, Gojo, I’ll pay.”

You don’t end up paying, actually. Gojo quickly plucked your wallet from your hands and put his money down instead. It wasn’t that he was trying to impress you by paying for everything, but he kind of was. He wanted you to know he was dependable.

Sliding into a booth, he can feel your knees knocking together, legs sliding between one another as you get comfortable. With the light from the window illuminating you, Satoru wished he could take a picture of you.

“Let me know how you like it.” Taking a sip of your tea, you watch him expectantly. Not one to disappoint an audience, Satoru takes a bite of the cake and lets out a pleased hum.

“(Y/N), this is great.” He practically moans, eagerly taking another bite.

“Knew you would like it.” You’ve got a silly smile spreading your cheeks wide, and Satoru lifts his hand up, wanting to pinch your cheek.

“You’ve got good taste.” He says instead, putting his elbow on the table to cover up his attempt at trying to touch your face. “I really like it here.”

You’re a very big reason why he likes it there.

First date

Gojo makes sure to get your number after that, he refuses to miss an opportunity like that

He can’t risk the possibility of just ‘maybe’ running into you again, he needs to insert himself into your life more than just chance run-ins

Gojo is a great texter, you’ll learn that quickly. He messages you back promptly, having riveting conversations with each other and sometimes calling on the phone as well

Whenever his phone goes off and it’s not you he automatically deflates, and has on more than one occasion answered the phone and opened up the conversation with ‘you’re not (Y/N), but I guess I have time to talk’ with a big dramatic sigh after

He asks you out the second he has a free day, just begging and hoping you’re also available

And with his oh so good luck, you are!

“How’d I know you’d pick an arcade?” You chuckle as you approach his waiting figure outside the building. Satoru is dressed nicely, but not too much. A smart bomber jacket with a plain black shirt underneath and jeans, not overdressed but more put together than his everyday look. And of course, his signature glasses.

“I have to show you I’m the best at everything.” Opening the door for you, he’s eager to get started on playing some games. “(Y/N), wander around and see what you wanna do first, I’ll exchange some money.”

“Okay.” You’ve given up on trying to pay for things when Satoru is around, he will adamantly refuse. Wandering around the arcade floor between the different machines, your eyes settle on a claw machine, a cute Pikachu plush just sitting there waiting for you.

“Gojo.” You’re bouncing on your heels watching him exchange money, and as soon as he collects all the coins you grab him by the hand and bring him to the claw machine. A light pink tinge paints his cheeks and he doesn’t look away from your hands connected together until you let go and tap on the glass. “Look at this plush! It needs me.”

“Here, try for it.” Putting a generous amount of coins in the machine, Satoru stands next to you and watches as you try to pick it up with the claw several times but fail. The plush doesn’t move at all with any of your attempts, making a frustrated whine leave the back of your throat.

“Pikachu, I love you.” You say, dramatically putting a hand on your heart and looking at the plush.

“Let me try, I’ll get it.” Confidently stepping up to the controller, Satoru smirks and taps the glass. “I’ll get the little guy real easy.”

“Mhmm, whatever you say.” Rolling your eyes, you stand close to him, eyes watching keenly as the claw moves. Grabbing onto the plush, Satoru manages to move it a good few inches towards the opening. “Satoru!” You gasp, grabbing onto his arm as he moves the plush again and it nearly falls in. His cheeks tinge a little when you say his first name.

“Told you.” He could feel himself getting distracted with the way both of your hands are now clinging to his arm, practically hugging it to your body. It only takes two more tries before the plush falls into the opening and the machine lets out a victory noise.

“Awesome!” You’re so excited that you jump a little bit in joy and actually do hug his arm tightly before letting go. Putting the plush in your hands, Satoru watches as you cutely squish it with your hands and smile.

“What other plush do you want? I’ll win them all.”

He did indeed win all the plushies and toys you wanted. He always let you try first, wanting to see if you could do it on your own, but more often than not he proved the title ‘best at everything’ wasn’t just for show.

Moving on from the claw games, you played the other arcade games around. Mario kart, random rhythm games and even scary shooters, Satoru played them all with you. Sometimes he let you win, other times he completely destroyed you. And when something scared you, he was always there to put an arm around your shoulder and protect you.

First confession

You spend far too many hours in the arcade, playing game after game and accumulating an obscene amount of claw game prizes

Gojo doesn’t joke around damnit!

He also forces Ijichi to come and drive you home lol and he sits in the backseat with you, holding your hand and playing with your fingers while you make friendly conversation with Ijichi

Carrying the bag full of plushies to your door, Gojo sets them in the threshold of your apartment before looking back at you

The open door is like a void just begging for Satoru to step into. The soft overhead light you’d flicked on was enough to illuminate a little more of your apartment, and from what Satoru could see it was nicely decorated and smelled like flowers.

“I had a lot of fun tonight.” Biting your lip, you look at him for just a moment before looking away again, rocking back and forth on your feet bashfully.

“I did too.” Satoru means it, he’s already planning the next date in his head and the best way to shove his responsibilities onto others so his schedule opens up. Grabbing your hand, he laces your fingers together and holds it up to his chest. “I hope I can see you again soon. I really like you (Y/N).”

“I like you a lot too.” You’re too embarrassed to say anything more, continuing to bite your lip and letting Satoru squeeze your hand. Slowly, the two of you shuffle closer to each other, and Satoru brushes the tips of his fingers along your face, subtly tilting it up so he can kiss you.

Just as he gets close enough to feel your breath, a sharp baby's cry sounds from the apartment next to yours and it makes you jump. There’s shuffling inside and then the door is thrown open and a tired looking man in old sweats comes running out.

“Oh, hi (Y/N)!”

“Hi Mr. Yoo. What’re you doing out?” Turning to him, you try to play off the fact that you were just caught almost kissing in front of your door.

“I realized we’re all out of diapers! I have to go get some stat.” He barely pays Satoru any attention, quickly rushing off with a brief goodbye.

Now the moment had been ruined, you were too far now and you’d pulled your hands away when the door was opened. Stepping into your apartment, you give a lingering look at Satoru’s lips before meeting his eyes.

“Text me when you get home.” You say, and with a soft goodbye you close the door and Satoru leaves.

First kiss

Getting blue balled by a baby was definitely not in Gojos five year plan

He literally can’t wait until you see each other again, he’s obsessing about kissing you

Applies lip balm like it’s the only thing keeping him alive, the man would rather swallow a jean jacket than have you kiss dry lips

Any amount of time apart from you is painful and it’s only made worse when his schedule becomes full, too tightly packed to move anything around

He’s keeping up with you through text and calls but it’s not enough for him, and he lets you know almost every time you call that he wants to be with you, be able to physically touch you and see you

When there’s a little festival in Tokyo and Nobara and Itadori are begging to go, Gojo uses it as a chance to see you again

“Hi everyone!” You’re very excited to meet Satoru’s students. He hadn’t told you he was a teacher, all he said was he exorcised curses.

“Hi!” Itadori is excited to meet you, Nobara is excited to see who’s been taking up all of her teacher's time and Fushiguro is just there, curious about you but too aloof to ask any questions.

“So I take it Satoru teaches you guys how to get rid of those curses and stuff, huh?” Your question floored them, and even Fushiguro was looking at you with wide eyes.

“(Y/N) can see curses.” Satoru steps in, putting an arm around your shoulders.

“Yeah, I guess I can see a little bit of cursed energy.” Nobara mutters. Truthfully, they were all too busy asking you questions and looking at how pretty you were to notice cursed energy.

“You guys are really brave! Some of those curses are really scary.” Shivering as you recall one you’d seen recently(and texted Satoru about), you point toward the festival stalls. “But you guys probably don’t wanna talk about work, huh? Let’s go get some food, I’ll pay.”

“Sorry (Y/N), we’re under strict orders not to accept your money.” Making an X with his arms, he and Nobara shook their heads.

“Satoru!” Slapping his chest playfully, you start to walk through the festival. “Let me pay for something, you’re gonna go broke at this rate!”

“Nope, not happening.” Keeping you close to him, Satoru makes sure you don’t pay for a single thing. He’d purposefully brought a lot of cash to this knowing that the kids would go absolutely crazy - and that he wanted to spoil you some more to make up for his absence.

As the night progresses, the students get more and more distant. Satoru had briefed them on the way that it was purely a date between you and him and that they were just tagging along and not to stick around for too long.

“This snow ice is so good!” At a more secluded spot at the festival, you and Satoru find a bench to sit at and enjoy the frozen treat he’d bought.

“Feed me.” Opening his mouth, Satoru sticks his tongue out obnoxiously while waiting for you.

“You’re gonna drool on yourself.” You laugh, quickly scooping some up and putting it in his mouth. Holding your hand, Satoru lets the ice fully dissolve before pulling the spoon out. He wants to make a teasing sexual comment, but a loud boom sounds in the sky before he can.

“Fireworks.” He whispers, looking up at the sky as it’s illuminated with bright flashes of light. You let out a noise in awe of the display, and Satoru is suddenly staring right at you. Looking at the way your eyes reflect the light, he can’t stop himself from leaning forward.

“Sa-” Turning your head at the same time he’s about to kiss your cheek, your lips connect. You gasp, and if Satoru hadn’t also been holding onto the snow ice it would have fallen from your hand.

He doesn’t miss an opportunity though, pressing firmly on your lips and tilting his head a little. Your eyes flutter closed, and you pull away for a brief moment to lick your lips before going back in. The sound of fireworks continue to boom above you, continuing to flash light across your closed eyes. It all adds to the experience of kissing Satoru.

“You taste so sweet.” He says when you pull away to breathe, keeping his face close enough that he can rub his nose against yours.

“Shut up.” Satoru can practically feel the heat radiating off your face and it makes him chuckle. Giving you another kiss, he pulls away when the fireworks stop going off. The smile you have on your face warms his heart, his cheeks a light red color to show for it.

“Looks like we’ll need more ice.” Holding up the melting treat, a little pout settles on your lips and Satoru audibly coos.

“I’ll be right back.” Shooting up from the bench, he nearly runs to the stall, already hurting from being apart and eager to get back to you.

[writemywaytoyourheart]

Aim For The Heart | Chapter 1: At First Sight

Pairing: hitman!jk x female reader

Genre: E2L, romance, angst, drama

WC: 4.5k

Warnings for this chapter: alcohol consumption, language, stalking kind of? I think that's all lol. Pls let me know if there is anything else I should put.

tag list; @teresaisla @hopekookies @moonchild1 @barbellastyles98 @ggukkieland @mwitsmejk @yukiehyukie

summary; Jeon Jungkook is an infamous hitman, known for his inability to fail at whatever job is thrown his way. At least, up until now. Y/n, a kind-hearted and full of life teacher, is his newest target. Jeon isn't sure who would put a hit on this seemingly innocent girl, but fortunately, that isn't his problem. All he has to do is pull the trigger. 

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A bright smile graces your features as you tuck the little star-shaped peanut butter and jelly sandwiches into a tiny container, just barely getting two of them to fit as you squish them down a tad bit in order to get the lid clipped on.

Then you grab a little tangerine and a cheese stick to drop into your lunch bag along with the sandwiches, counting the number of items aloud to yourself as they make themselves at home and then you zip it all up.

"Th-There we go!" You lift your lunch for the day in triumph.

Your phone startles you when it starts to ring, then you grapple in your purse to find it. You pull it out and answer right before the last ring.

"Hello?"

"Hey, girl! Are you ready to go? I'm downstairs." The voice of your best friend comes through the phone and you look at the clock on your microwave. You stare at the little black screen, confused as to why the time isn't showing up before remembering that you were never able to figure out how to display the clock when you bought the microwave three years ago. So, you hold your phone out to look at the time.

6:32

"Oh geez! I didn't r-realize the time. I'll be d-down in a minute, k?" You say, earning a lighthearted laugh from the girl on the other end.

"Take your time, hun. I'm not in any rush."

You thank her quickly and hang up, then you run to your room to grab your favorite pink cardigan and throw it on over your white shirt. As you're hurrying out and grabbing your lunch, you stumble and knock your knee into an open lower cabinet that you had forgotten to close the previous night after pulling a pan from it to make dinner.

"Ouch!" You hiss in pain and rub the sore spot, although it does nothing to ease the ache. Then you grab your purse and run outside, almost forgetting to lock the door. But you remember just in time and clumsily lock it before rushing down the stairs leading to the parking lot of your apartment complex.

Your best friend, Mina, is laughing. You can see her through the windshield as she waves to you. Lifting a hand to wave back, you don't realize in time that your arms are full. You drop your lunchbox and have to crouch to get it again, only taking up even more of your time.

But Mina finds it hilarious and tells you so as soon as you slide into the car and fumble with your seatbelt to get it buckled.

"Honestly, ___. I can't believe you're still single. If I wasn't straight as a board, I'd be head over heels for you and all your shenanigans." She states in a matter-of-fact tone as she pulls out of the parking spot.

A blush creeps up your neck and you try to laugh it off, "D-Don't be silly." You whisper, turning your gaze outside to look at the fluffy white clouds decorating the sky beautifully. You smile and lean your forehead against the glass as you imagine lying on a soft cloud, just drifting in the air.

"If you c-could go anywhere at all, where would y-you go?" You ask Mina suddenly, turning to her. Her eyes are focused on the road but she bites her lip in thought at your question. "Mm, probably Italy. What about you?" She's used to your sudden questions and ramblings, so she smiles when you start to go off.

"I'd wanna go up in the c-clouds. I wanna sit on one and maybe even see a r-rainbow up close! I wonder if I could slide down the rainbow..." Your brows furrow in deep thought. "Or would I f-fall?" You turn to her again and she glances over to see your signature puppy dog eyes that you use when you are either confused, upset, or want something.

Mina turns back to the road, a tiny ache in her heart that she hides with a bright smile, "Girl, you would ride that rainbow straight down into a pot of gold!"

"Really?" Your eyes widen and you feel your heart lift at the image.

She nods and you giggle happily, "You can come w-with me, Mina." You say confidently, your gaze turning back to the sky. "We can sleep in the clouds and slide down rainbows for the rest of f-forever."

"Sounds like a deal."

By the time Mina pulls up to the school, you've discussed everything you'd do up in the clouds and what you'd eat when you're hungry (stardust, you've decided, is the best meal anyone could eat.)

You unbuckle and gather your things. Then you remember something and turn back to Mina, "Oh yeah. W-When are you leaving on your business trip?" You ask a tinge of sadness in your voice.

"This weekend," Mina says solemnly. "I'm sorry I won't be able to drive you for a while. I'll be gone for a month this time."

That makes your heart sting but you manage a small smile, "D-Don't worry about me. I can walk! I'm gonna m-miss you though."

"I'll miss you too, buttercup. We'll hang out this Friday night before I leave the next day. How about that?" Mina asks kindly.

You nod enthusiastically and she smiles, "Ok, get your butt in there before you're late! The bell rings in half an hour and you can't be late on a Monday." She urges you and you nod, hopping out of the car and thanking her again for the ride, reassuring her that you'll walk home from work today.

You blow her a kiss and she laughs as you turn and hurry into the school.

You're all set up only a few minutes before the kids are supposed to arrive, so you go onto Pinterest and look through your fairytale boards, feeling a little spark of joy in your chest.

A couple of minutes later, the kids start streaming through the door, greeting you with the same amount of enthusiasm as you greet them. Your kiddos love you so much that all the other teachers are jealous and they let you know it every day. Of course, you have the sweetest kindergarteners and they're always the best for you.

"Hello, Teacher! Good morning Miss ___! Teacher, look at my new haircut!"

"Hi, Jina! Hello M-Minhhyuk! Kun, your new haircut l-looks so good!" All the kids have bright smiles on their faces by the time they've settled in their seats.

You always start the day off by getting everyone to stand and do a few stretches, then you sing the nursery rhymes you learned yesterday and start learning a new one. You honestly have as much fun as the kids during the school day.

"Ok, l-little ducklings, have a seat!" You get their attention and they immediately oblige. Next, is the alphabet that you guys have been working on since the beginning of the year. Every little one sings it perfectly all the way through and you give them a round of applause and they each get a little punch in their reward cards.

The rest of the day goes by smoothly, with only one temper tantrum thrown and that was resolved quickly.

It's nearing the end of the school day and the kids are all playing during their free time. You're sitting with Ae-Cha, a small and fairly quiet girl, playing with colorful blocks; the both of you competing to see who can build the highest tower. You've learned that she responds well to playing games when there isn't too much talking involved.

You're constantly glancing around the room to make sure everyone is safe and playing nicely and you're always pleased. They've all improved so much since the beginning of school back in September. It's June now and they've all learned their alphabet and how to play nicely with their new friends, along with so many other things. They've really made you so proud this year. You can even hear them reciting the alphabet and nursery rhymes to each other as they play.

Your heart warms at the sound of tiny voices filling the room as they sing. Then you glance at the clock and realize the bell will be ringing in a few minutes. So, you declare Ae-Cha the winner with her foot-high tower of blocks and she beams proudly. Then, you get up and clap three times, "One, two, th-three! Eyes on me!" You singsong, then smile when the kids immediately respond by clapping twice and shouting "One, two! Eyes on you!"

"G-Great attention today, everyone! Alright, the bell will ring soon. Who can tell me w-what that means? What are we doing n-now?" A few little hands go up and you point to the little boy that raised his first, "Yes, Joon Woo?"

"We...Uhm...time to clean up toys...Uhm..." You smile to encourage him and he finishes cutely, "Time uh, to clean up our toys and pack bags."

"Yes! Thank you, Joon Woo. It is t-time for us to clean up and make sure our bags are packed up and ready for h-home!"

The kids start to pick up their toys as you put on the cleaning song that you play every day for them. You all sing along until the room is all tidied and their bags are packed with their homework papers.

You always give them little mazes to do for homework to get their little brains to learn to concentrate, along with instructions on what to draw to show the class the next day. Today, their homework is an extremely easy maze, a coloring page with the alphabet and instructions to draw themselves doing their favorite activity. The kids always love drawing pictures and sharing them with the class and it's a good ice breaker for the shy ones at the beginning of the day.

You always have less and easier homework for the kids on Mondays and Fridays, it just seems fair to you that way. You also feel like it's good for kids to express themselves and be able to share what they like and dislike. You've found drawing helps with communication and creativity for the kids in your class.

The sound of the bell ringing makes a few of you jump, then you hurry to the door. "Alright, ducklings! T-Time to line up!" A few of the kids make quacking sounds as they line up, giggling and talking to their friends.

You smile and open up the door, holding it as the kids walk out in a straight line, some of them still quacking like little ducks.

You lead the kids to the front of the school and make sure they get into the correct line for the bus if they take it. You wave goodbye to them as the kids that take the bus climb on and they run to a window to wave back to you.

The rest of the kids that are left are soon picked up by their parents or siblings. You wave to Ae-Cha, the last student to be picked up. She smiles shyly and waves back before hurrying after her big sister.

After that, you go back to your classroom and finish a few things before packing up to go home. As you're leaving your classroom, you run into one of the other teachers coming from his own room.

"Oh, h-hello Mr. B-Baek!" You bow, missing the ugly sneer on his face as you smile brightly at him. He pushes his glasses further up his nose as he scrutinizes you with his beady little eyes. "You don't belong here, Miss ___." He snaps.

You look at him in confusion, "I-I'm sorry, I don't understand."

"I've waited the entire school year to say this to you. But now that we are nearing the end, I think you should know that you have no business being a teacher at this school. You ought to make the right decision to discontinue your work here." Mr. Baek watches your face fall with a sick sense of satisfaction.

"B-But, why?" You ask, still not understanding.

"First of all, you're inexperienced. You just got out of college last year, am I right?"

You nod uncertainly.

"You're still a child. Why should a twenty-two-year-old girl come marching in here and take a spot that should have been given to someone with more experience? And especially someone like you." He glares at you before turning on his heel and walking away briskly.

Someone like me? What does he mean by that?

You watch after him, feeling a tiny pinch in your chest. You aren't sure what he means, but whatever he's talking about, it sounds like he believes you shouldn't have become a teacher at all. At this school or another. You'll have to ask Mina later because you really have no idea where his rant came from.

Is there something wrong with you becoming a teacher?

You shake your head and laugh it off, "He's probably just had a bad day." You tell yourself as you make your way out of the school.

As you walk home, you sing quietly along with the song in your headphones, a little skip to your step.

You never notice the dark figure across the street, his eyes trained on your every move.

One day earlier...

Jungkook groans as he tosses and turns in bed, searching for his phone to turn the alarm off. He finally finds it and hits dismiss, tossing the phone back down and rubbing his eyes with a tired yawn.

After another minute he sits up and looks out the window, frowning at the sun seeping in and pooling across his floor in a golden river. He stares at a small bird that lands on his windowsill until it flies away.

Jungkook yawns again and reaches up to rub his eyes for the second time. After a few minutes, he's finally able to drag himself out of bed and into the shower. He almost falls asleep again in there, but he manages to make it out after half an hour.

With a towel wrapped around his waist, he makes his way to the kitchen and grabs a bottle of soju that's sitting on his tiny dining table to take a small swig from, finishing off what he'd left last night after his third bottle right before he passed out in bed.

He sighs and grabs a bagel, searching for the cream cheese he swears he saw in his fridge last night. A small smile appears on his lips when he finds it. He snatches it and makes sloppy work of spreading it on his bagel before tossing the leftover trash onto his counter and plopping onto the couch, snarfing down the first half of his bagel in thirty seconds.

Jungkook sighs through his nose as he tiredly chews his breakfast, then he glances down and sees the file he'd left open on his coffee table last night. He swallows the bite he has in his mouth and leans forward to read over it.

Y/L/N Y/N...

Why is that name so familiar?

He shakes his head and flips the file closed, then he leans back on the couch, wanting to spend his Sunday relaxing before he has to get to work on this case. He isn't going to think about it again until tonight.

Jungkook settles down and lays his head on the back of the couch, closing his eyes and breathing deeply.

He won't think about it.

Jungkook lays there for a minute, then he opens his eyes and lifts his head, glaring at the closed file on the little table.

He grunts in annoyance and drops the other half of his bagel onto the table, grabbing the file angrily and sitting back again. He opens it and starts to reread everything he's read many times since Friday. There's just something that has felt off since he met with Mr. Ling, but he can't put his finger on what it is.

Jungkook squints at the name he's read a thousand times.

Y/L/N...Y/N...

"Ugh." He rolls his eyes, frustrated at not being able to remember where he's heard that name before. Then he looks at the occupation.

Teacher at Sunshine Kindergarten.

His brows furrow again, much like they have each time he's read this. He's never had a hit on a teacher before, let alone a Kindergarten teacher. That's such an odd target...

Most of his targets in the past have been sleazy business owners, rapists, leaders of gangs that have terrorized neighborhoods for years, even other hitmen. He's never had a problem with those jobs, but there's something about this one that's telling him to be careful.

Maybe it's because he knows nothing about his client, except for the large sum of money he must have due to the pay he's been promised. Other clients of his were more than happy to explain why they wanted him to do what he does. They never paid him until after the job was done, either.

That leads Jungkook to believe that this guy (or girl) is desperate for his services, convincing him to do it with payment before and after. Almost as if Jungkook would refuse after he found out who the target was...

Jungkook flips the page and scrutinizes the picture of the target.

She's very simple looking, Jungkook thinks. The girl in the picture is wearing a white flowy skirt with a blue blouse that covers her whole arms and white chunky tennis shoes. Her hair is in a low ponytail and it seems like she has headphones in as she walks down the street. There's a tiny smile on her face as if she's thinking about something that makes her happy.

Jungkook doesn't find her particularly beautiful, but she isn't ugly either. She's just very...

Simple...

Jungkook shakes his head, his eyes going over the photo and the girl's smile one more time. Maybe she's a double agent? Or a part of the mafia disguising herself as a school teacher?

He can't figure it out.

It doesn't matter much though, the job seems simple enough and the pay is more than he's ever gotten. After looking through everything once more, Jungkook closes the file and grabs his bagel, quickly eating it before getting up to get dressed for the day.

That night, Jungkook lays out his outfit for the next day.

It's all black, but not suspicious-looking. After all these years, he's been able to design the perfect outfits to avoid attention being drawn to him and simple enough so that no one would think much of him if he were to catch anyone's attention.

It might seem simple, but he prides himself on being able to get each part of his job perfectly designed for each case he gets.

Heaven knows it's taken him years to accomplish.

After he's gotten that all figured out, he walks over to his closet and pulls out a small safe. Setting it on the bed, he swiftly unlocks it and looks inside. He pulls out a few things, examining each of them before he sets them one by one onto his bed. Once he's got the items all laid out, he steps back to look it all over.

"I should wait to decide..." Jungkook mumbles to himself. After a minute of staring at everything, he nods and gathers it all up, carefully putting it back into the safe and locking it tightly. Then he brings it back to his closet and shoves it into the darkest corner where it lives.

That can wait.

He pulls his phone out and checks the time.

11:45

"Damn it," Jungkook mutters. He had wanted to get some sleep earlier tonight since he would have to be awake early tomorrow.

He changes into some shorts, then he yanks his shirt off and immediately climbs into bed, not even bothering to shower or brush his teeth. He really couldn't care less with how tired he is. And he hasn't even started yet.

His alarm blares at an ungodly hour as Jungkook groans loudly, resisting the temptation to chuck his phone across the room.

"I hate Mondays." He mutters angrily, setting his phone back on the nightstand far from gracefully.

He miserably drags himself out of bed and into the shower, going through his morning motions almost like a robot. His brain isn't fully awake and it's just on autopilot right now.

An hour later, he's just finishing his coffee, his eyes no longer squinting in exhaustion. Jungkook unceremoniously drops his coffee cup into the sink, promising himself he'll clean it up later, then he sighs as he grabs his black boots, walking to the couch to sit and pull them on. After he's done lacing them up, he grabs the file he's been avoiding like the plague since yesterday morning.

He mutters to himself, looking at the name on the page.  

"I know that name."

Then he smacks his forehead to get himself to focus again. He stands up and folds the page with the girl's information and then her picture and tucks them into the inside pocket of his black jacket.

Time to get to work.

Jungkook spots the girl almost instantly, the second she steps out of a black car. He glances at the driver, but can only see a person with shoulder length black hair waving. The girl from the picture has a bunch of things in her arms as she blows a kiss to the short-haired driver.

Jungkook has been here since six-thirty in the morning and just as he was beginning to think she called in sick for work, he's finally gotten a chance to see this girl in person. She looks exactly as he remembers from her picture...plain.

She's even wearing the same white skirt and chunky tennis shoes, although this time she has a different top. Her hair is in a high ponytail this time.

"Well, ___. Nice to meet you." Jungkook mutters, watching closely.

After a moment, the black car drives away as the girl scurries into the school, tripping on the last step before straightening herself out again, then disappearing from his sight.

Huh.

Jungkook stares at the door for another minute, then he makes his way to the stores nearby, knowing he's gonna have to wait until the girl leaves. School for the young kids typically gets out at around three-thirty. So, he'll have to be back here around then.

He's definitely going to need to find something to do to kill time.

Jungkook heaves a sigh of relief when he hears the school bell finally ring.

He hurries from the clothes store he was browsing and down the street a block until he's almost across the street from the school. He finds a good spot where he can sift through some newspapers at a little stand and still have an eye on the school.

After a minute, he sees a long line of tiny children coming out from the school. The girl is with them and smiling brightly. Jungkook thinks he can hear some of the kids quacking like ducks. He tries not to look puzzled as he goes back to talking to the person working the paper stand. Jungkook makes small talk with the old man, still keeping an eye on the girl across the street as she waves to each child that leaves.

If she's some mafia boss disguised as a kindergarten teacher, she's one hell of a good actress.

"Do you have a girlfriend?" The old man inquires curiously.

Jungkook laughs softly and shakes his head, "No. I've been so busy with my work I never got the chance to date."

The man nods knowingly. They chat a bit more and Jungkook finds himself trying to balance talking to the man and watching the girl.

"Well, did you want to buy a paper for the day?"

Jungkook turns his gaze back to the old man and nods, "Yes. Two, please. My neighbor would probably enjoy one as well."

The old man laughs and nods, taking the money Jungkook hands him and giving him two papers, "What a kind young man you are. Someday you'll find a lovely young lady, don't you worry, son. You will realize that work is important, but love is even more so."

Jungkook just laughs and thanks the man, then he opens the paper as he slowly starts walking, pretending to read.

He stops at a bench and sits down to wait. The girl went back into the school a few minutes ago, hopefully, she won't be in there long.

Luck seems to be with him today, because, after only about five minutes, Jungkook sees a familiar white skirt flowing as she skips down the steps of the school.

He folds his paper carefully, tucking it into his back pocket. The girl puts little earbuds in and immediately starts to mouth the words of whatever song she's listening to. Jungkook tugs his black baseball cap down a little more as he follows on the other side of the street.

The girl has a bag decorated with cupcakes and cookies that bounces up and down as she dances a little.

What is she, twelve?

Jungkook watches in confusion as the girl stops to pet a dog, giggling when the puppy licks her hand. She straightens up, then after another minute, she seems to get distracted by something else.

Jungkook looks carefully and notices she's picked up a flower that was laying on the ground, seemingly trampled on. She gently holds it in her hands as she continues on her way. It goes on like this for the next fifteen minutes, the girl waving to people and smiling almost the whole way.

By the time she is walking up the steps to her apartment, Jungkook is dying to just get back home. That must have been the longest most annoying walk he's ever taken while tracking someone. The girl had stopped over twenty times, distracted by something else each time, he's sure of it.

Just to be sure, Jungkook lingers around the apartment building a little longer, but when it seems apparent that the girl is going to be staying there, he finally heads home.

Geez, Jungkook thinks in annoyance as he climbs the stairs that lead to his own apartment. His head is spinning with so many questions while he unlocks his door and yanks his boots off with a groan.

But when he plops down onto his bed in his tiny studio apartment, he just stares at the ceiling, his mind suddenly blank apart from one question.

Who in the hell would put a hit on this girl?

Copyright © @writemywaytoyourheart 2021

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a/n: I hope you guys are liking the setup so far, thank you for all the positive reactions from the prologue!