#he would be warm to me by now. but alas. 18 approval

[flashhwing]

starting with +19 approval with oghren because I found two of his gifts earlier in the game and been holding onto them. he’s known me all of 5 minutes and already likes me better than Alistair

[salemwritesxx]

𝓫𝓪𝓽𝓱𝓻𝓸𝓸𝓶 𝓼𝓽𝓪𝓵𝓵.

𝔹𝔸𝕂𝕌𝔾𝕆𝕌 𝕂𝔸𝕋𝕊𝕌𝕂𝕀

     ⇴ male reader [pro-hero, 25]      ⇴ all characters are depicted as [18]+

↳ request: bottom Prohero Bakugo and husband male yn having a quickie in the bathroom stall of a hero award ceremony

↣ rating: 18+ ↣ warnings: quickie, bathroom stall sex, public sex, buttplug

｡☆✼★━━━━━━━━━━━━★✼☆｡

Pulling you closer by your tie, Katsuki smashed his lips on yours in a desperate attempt to feel you close. Thankfully, you immediately returned the kisses as your palms pressed against the wall you had pushed your husband into. With his hot tongue, he was drawing along your bottom lip, just to get permission to go further, letting your wet muscles collide and play. Your mouths swallowing the little moans and grunts slipping out of his throat.

“Don’t you think, we should… find another place, hm?”, you said with little gasps in between once you pulled back. Your husband being not amused at all by the gesture as he tried to pull you back in.

“No one’s gonna… find us in this section of the… building. Don’t worry!”, was the only thing Bakugou could say before his lips met your neck to nibble softly on the sensitive skin – earning your sigh and groan. It was really hard to push him away.

“Still…”

But you were soon defeated by Katsuki really rubbing himself against you, his muscular, hot body being hugged by the suit was seriously such a turn on in itself. How could you resist? However…

When both of you heard some women laughing, you both instantly jumped back from one another.

“Fuck!”, he growled.

Your “Told you so.” look in your eyes only made him roll his own, before he grabbed your hand and pulled you with him. As you reached the corner, he went past the ladies hastily, not wanting them to really recognize who he was, since he was supposed to be awarded today and he didn’t have time for that right now.

As you almost reached the end of the long hallway, long past the women, he faintly heard, “Wait, wasn’t that… Ground Zero and [Your.Hero.Name]?” and “OH MY GOD YOU’RE RIGHT! Are they still there?!”

“Oh-oh.”

“Fuck! Come.”, Katsuki swiftly turned the next corner and before he realized what he was doing, he pulled you with him into the men’s bathroom.

And there you two were, hiding in a cramped bathroom stall.

“Soooo…”, you clicked your tongue, “This is how it ends, hm?”

“Oh shut up! You were as into it as me, [Your.name].”, Katsuki’s fingers were playing with your tie, “Stupid bitches… We could have sneaked in a quickie there if it weren’t for them…”

“I thought that section of the building was unused, hm?”, you teased him, a little chuckle escaping your lips while your hands caressed his sides.

“Ungh.”, Bakugou simply groaned back and playfully punched your chest.

“Well, we should get going.”, he looked at his watch, then sighed, “Only 30 minutes.”

It wasn’t like he didn’t like being awarded, but those ceremonies were always very tiring, especially since he had zero social skills, they were even more exhausting. Since he had to fake smiles and try not to be rude to anyone.

“30 minutes… That’s plenty.”, you grinned, his little “Huh?” being swallowed by your lips as you had kissed him passionately, your husband melting in your arms almost instantly.

Bakugou groaned against your mouth, whilst his hands had already started working on your belt, unbuckling it and pulling down the zipper of your pants. Your own were doing the same, revealing mere lacy panties underneath those dress pants. Though, that wasn’t the only thing, because, as your hand was sneaking into his flimsy underwear, your fingertips bumped against something very interesting that made you purr immediately.

“Oh… What a nice surprise.”, pulling back from his lips with a grin, Katsuki’s lips also formed into a smirk.

“Just for you, Baby. So you better use it properly.”, Bakugou groaned. A moan followed almost instantly when you hooked the ending of the buttplug between your index and middle finger, just to pull on it a bit, making it move inside his little ass.

However, as you both didn’t have much time, you turned him around and pushed him over the toilet seat, Katsuki willingly presenting his ass immediately as his hands pressed into the walls. With that, you pulled on the buttplug while Bakugou had to bite into the back of his hand to not make any loud sounds.

“Hmmm, already so nice and stretched for me, KitKat, hm?”, you chuckled, before freeing your own cock.

Spitting into your hand, it was the only lubrication you had as you stroked your dick a few times, before adjusting your position. Pushing your cockhead against his twitching hole, Katsuki had to suck in the air between his teeth as you spread him open, ruby eyes rolling back a bit before closing them in bliss.

Bakugou’s ass was already so wet and warm due to him preparing himself with the plug, hence your own suppressed moans slipped from your lips as you pushed into him until you had buried your cock balls-deep into his ass. You then started thrusting, while your other hand reached in front, finally also pulling down the last bit of lace, freeing his dick and immediately wrapping your hand around it – earning his delightful moan.

“Ahh fuck- [Your.name]... Hngh!”, Katsuki tried his best to bite his lip to not let any sounds escape, but alas… it was so difficult to hold himself back. The way you quickly rammed into him, your balls slapping against his ass with every vigorous thrust and your cock penetrating his prostate, plus knowing you were in a public space, it was all such a turn on.

“You know…”, you then leaned in, softly nipping on his earlobe to make him hiss in bliss, “You are so… fucking sexy in a suit, Baby. So ravishing.”

“[Your.name]-“, stuttering and choking on your name alone, Katsuki tried clawing at the slick walls in front of him.

“Ahn! AH!”, his cheeks were flaming red when he couldn’t hold back his loud cry as you drilled your cock into him and against his sweet spot.

“Shhh, KitKat, we don’t want… anyone to hear, huh?”, you laughed and groaned at the same time, your own composure almost gone.

“We…. ahnh! We- We need…. go…”, he hiccupped, trying to tell you there wasn’t much time left to get back into the main hall if you wouldn’t hurry a bit.

“I know, Katsuki. Just… a little…”

Grinding against his ass for a moment, you pushed back almost immediately, just to ram your dick back inside, the friction sending jolts of pleasure through your shaking body. Though Bakugou wasn’t any different, his smaller frame shivering in your arms as he almost bit his lip so hard he was bleeding in order not to cry once again.

“[Your.name]...”, barely whispering your name, his quaking hand suddenly grabbed your own around his cock, just to push it away, almost feeling your grin on his skin.

“Hmmm you’re so dirty… Want to cum with just… your ass, huh… Baby?”

“Hnhhh!”, Bakugou only whimpered and nodded a bit while his hand held on to yours now.

“Then cum for me Baby…”, burying yourself all the way into him once more, you grinded your big dick into his sloppy ass, “Don’t hold back… Show me how much… this turns you on… Being fucked in a bathroom stall… on your own… award ceremony…”

Hiccupping your name when you began to thrust again, your words were almost too much as he felt the familiar burning in his abdomen, his cock bouncing from you fucking him so rapidly. Ah, he was so dirty. Enjoying himself so much being fucked literally while hovering above a toilet.

“God- when you’re on stage, everyone will look at you… I wonder if they would be able to tell you just got fucked so good just mere hallways away from the main hall. So many heroes will be there… to stare at you…”

And that was all it took for Bakugou to clench his teeth in a desperate attempt to suppress any obnoxious, loud moans as he released handsfree all over the toilet seat. His small, muscular body shaking in front of you, while you had to stifle your own groans due to his ass tightening so much, thus being pulled over the edge with him.

Your head fell onto his shoulder, you both gasping for air as you pumped your seed into him and Katsuki was just completely in bliss as his ruby eyes slowly fluttered open. His heart was hammering in his chest and one glance onto his watch told him you only had like 12 minutes left. And there he was yearning for another round – fuck.

“Babe, we… need to go…”, he choked out underneath gasping, trying to compose himself, your approved grunt all he got from you.

Then, you slowly pulled back, your dick slipping out and before any of your cum could leak out, you had already pushed the plug back into his gaping hole, earning Bakugou’s surprised moaning gasp. You were both still shivering a bit as you silently wiped and got dressed again, your husband also sporadically wiping his seed from the toilet seat.

Thankfully, when you came out of the stall, there wasn’t anyone in the bathroom, hence you and Katsuki could hastily wash your hands. Though, as you looked to your husband, his cheeks were still so red, thus you reached out your hands with cold water still on it to place them onto his face, making him flinch a bit.

“What?”

“Nothing, you’re just still really red… Or do you want to go out like this, hm?”, you grinned a bit, teasing him, though it only caused his cheeks to become an even deeper shade of red.

“S-Shut up! Whose fault do you think is it?”, Katsuki growled, trying to intimidate you, however you just laughed and pulled back from him to dry your hands.

“Okay. 8 minutes left. Come.”, and so, he just mumbled something incoherently as he dried his hands, before he grabbed your own to entwine your fingers and walk back through all the hallways and into the main hall like nothing happened.

And that should have been enough thrill for the evening, however, with Katsuki by your side, it really was inevitable that you landed in one of the broom closets during the afterparty. Though that was a story for another time.

｡☆✼★━━━━━━━━━━━━★✼☆｡

@salemwritesxx || do not repost, edit, modify or translate my works

⇻ salem.talks: sorry for being MIA for like all of May even tho I had planned so much, but it was a pretty rough month. Now with uni exams also being very close I just didn’t have the willpower or been in the right mental state to write something. hope this was an okay story to come back with :)

[darkficsyouneveraskedfor]

Hue and Cry IX

Warnings: non-consent sex and rape (series), mild violence, male-iinduced anxiety

This is dark!medieval!Bucky Barnes x reader and explicit. 18+ only.  Your media consumption is your own responsibility. Warnings have been given. DO NOT PROCEED if these matters upset you.

Synopsis: The first day of the tournament arrives.

Note: My pupper had surgery yesterday and it was my longer day of work for the week so lots going on. Also had some bad Chinese but managed to get this out before it came back up. Feel better now and I'll have a shorter day today.

Thanks to everyone and thanks in advance for all your feedback. :)

I really hope you enjoy. 💋

<3 Let me know what you think with a like or reblog or reply or an ask! Love ya!

Lord Barnes’ mood did not improve in the days leading up to the first of the tournament. It grew colder in the capital and many feared the events would be cut short by an early winter. You didn’t care much either way. You had no interest in the sport or much of anything. You just abided the duke and in those times he left you alone, you laid in a void.

His want of you didn’t wane nor did your despair or the disgust you felt when he touched you. It was one thing to be a servant, to be a tool, a means to an end, but what he used you for now seemed little more than torture. He delighted in what he did, in how he made you suffer. Those times you remained unmoving and unfeeling angered him the most.

You dressed in yellow that morning. The horns announced the beginning of the tournament as you made your way to the stand amid the sea of guests. The wives, daughters, sons, mothers and fathers of those who would compete. You were out of place as you climbed the wooden steps between the benches and a green sleeve shot up to wave to you.

“Dearie!” May brushed past her husband to stop you at the end of their seat, “here, with us,” she insisted, “we did save you a place.”

“Oh, you didn’t have to do that,” you said quietly. You hadn’t seen her or her family since the night of the feast. Since Barnes had…

“I can’t have you sitting alone,” she trilled as she pulled you along with her and sat beside Lord Benjamin who bowed his head and issued a gentle greeting. “And I always longed for a daughter, you know? Peter’s a good boy but so troublesome. I did try to persuade him not to enter the lists but he just never stops.”

“The boy’s old enough,” Benjamin said, “when I was his age--”

“You married me,” May cut in, “a foolish decision indeed. He is on the roster for today. Sparring. I fear he might not make it past the early rounds but so long as he is not hurt.”

You nodded and covered your hands in your sleeves. Even with the fur-trimmed cloak Barnes allotted you, it was crisp. Your matching cap barely kept the cool air from your cheeks. Your leg shook from more than the cold as you recalled that Barnes was set to compete with the sword as well.

“A fine cape,” May commented as she touched the edge of your cloak, “with sleeves even.”

You looked down at the fawn-coloured garment that only allowed a peek of the canary yellow beneath. You fidgeted and kept your eyes on the field, “a gift,” you lied, well, maybe it wasn’t a lie, or maybe you’d bought it in sweat and tears.

Another horn blew and she quieted and clapped as all looked to the center of the arena. The wooden stands were hung in all shades of silk, the banners of each house, high and low, covered the rafters. By the end of the day, only one would remain. Lord Barnes’ blue and ivory flapped opposite your side and Benjamin pointed out his family's slender red and black crest amidst the panoply.

You were thankful for the distraction, not for you but for them. You didn’t know how many lies you could conjure or if you could keep the false smile on your lips. You clamped your hands together and watched a man in gold stroll out to the centre of the stadium with a cone to project his voice. You stood with May and Benjamin and the rest of the onlookers

“Fine ladies and gentlemen, princes, paupers, and everything in between, we welcome you in name of King Samuel to the Games of Goblets. For each competition, the victor is to be prized a goblet to bear as a symbol of his prestige. For the ax-throwing, bronze inlaid with amber, for the bow-and-arrow, silver set with citrine, for the melee, gold set with sapphire, and for the joust, a fine piece in gold set with opal and ruby.”

The crowd applauded and shouted. The man waited for them to quiet again, “This day, we begin with the melee, on the morrow, the axe, the next day, the arrow, and on the final day, we ride!”

Again, the audience grew rowdy and you were deafened by the cheers. The man laughed at the excitement and held up his hand for a final lull.

“Without further delay, let us begin. In our first round, the lower lords and the untested, before the second where they shall meet our season veterans, and so on…” he gauged the fervent tension of the people, “you will see me again upon the finale and perhaps you will be surprised by whoever stands with me.”

Again, the stand quaked with the energy of the people. You would have liked to sit but you stayed on your feet, afraid to draw unwanted attention. The first pair was announced but you didn’t watch. You stared at the sky or a rippling banner but had no interest in the games.

You only stopped to look as Peter’s name was called out and May grabbed your arm. She squealed as her nephew came out decked in his used armor, beaten out from its former user’s wear, and he unsheathed his sword to face his opponent. When the handkerchief was dropped, you were as stunned as his fellow competitor and the crowd by his swiftness. You’d never seen anyone move so fast, and in at least twenty pounds of armor.

The crowd awoke from their awe and cheered as his sword beat against the other man’s suit with tinks and tunks. It was like a bell, ding, ding, ding. It wasn’t until the other man was on his knees that the spar was ceased. Peter was declared the plain winner and sent on to wait for his next engagement. May wiped away tears of joy and Benjamin grumbled his approval.

You smiled, just a little. You were happy for Peter. You’d seen how joyful he was, he was likely dancing behind the curtain right now.

🏰

It wasn’t until the second round that Lord Barnes was introduced. He walked out fully armoured like any other combatant but his left arm was permanently bent, a shield strapped to it as he gripped his pommel in his right hand. He showed his steel and faced his match. He dealt hard and heavy blows until his opponent was on his back.

You shuddered at his unboasting victory as he wasn’t even patient enough to hear himself declared the winner. You touched your cold cheeks and puffed into the bitter air. The bodies around you warmed the stands but you were chilled to the core.

Peter appeared again in the second, then the third, fourth, and to his aunt and uncle’s delight, he soldiered onto the final. To your fear, he was to meet Lord Barnes. You tried not to squirm, not to show how nervous you were for Peter. You thought of running down and begging him to withdraw but what could you say? If anything, you’d both be worse for it.

As the last two banners were presented to the crowd, you sensed movement to your right. A familiar head of blond hair approached and the tall duke pushed past the row of people along the bench. Lord Rogers smirked as he came close, his sweaty hair drooping down his forehead from his last bout, the one he’d lost to his closest friend.

“Ah, I found you,” he said, “lady.”

You felt May peek past you and you gave a meek “my lord” as he stood close. He looked around you at the older couple.

“You have friends,” he stated, “please, do introduce us.”

You looked down and chewed your lip. You turned slowly to May and Benjamin, the latter peering past her only as he was torn from his fixation on the field.

“Lord Benjamin and Lady May Parker, baron and baroness,” you rubbed your hands together nervously, “Lord Steven Rogers, duke of Astrens.”

“Oh, we’ve heard of him,” May chirped, “my lord, it is an honour.”

“Indeed,” Benjamin agreed, “my lady, you did not inform of us of your lofty friends.”

“She is modest,” Rogers intoned, “we met by chance, really, through a common acquaintance.”

“You were skillful on the field, it is a pity you were bested,” May said.

“Very pitiful, I did put some gold on you, Lord Rogers,” Benjamin added, “alas it was a fine showing.”

“Wasn’t it?” he turned to stand with his arm pressed to yours, much too close for your liking, “however this one should be intriguing.”

“It’s our boy,” Benjamin said, “and your friend, my lord.”

“Perhaps you’d take another bet?” Rogers countered.

“I’ve lost enough this day,” Benjamin snorted, “I’d rather watch and be pleasantly surprised than paupered.”

“Prudence is wise but always so boring,” Rogers mused.

As the lower of the lords, Parker was announced first and you were saved from more uncomfortable banter by the man in grey. Rogers nudged you and bent as the introductions went long as the man with cone went into detail about the day’s fights all the way to the present match.

“I did look fine out there, didn’t I?” he whispered, “good form, even if I did lose. Barnes is in a mood and we both know that makes him… unpredictable.”

You lowered your head, “my lord.”

“You are quiet since last we met,” he remarked, “perhaps your thoughts linger on how else to use your mouth?”

You squirmed and stared at the competitors as they awaited their signal. Rogers laughed and stood straight as he focused on the field in kind. He played with your sleeve and tugged your arm down. He caressed the back of your hand and stepped even closer.

“When he wins, he might just be cheerful enough to share in his celebrations, hmm?” he said under his breath.

The gold cloth was dropped and the two men circled each other, eyeing their opponent cautiously. Barnes was the first to act but was evaded by the younger man. He didn’t not falter however as he swung again. Peter rolled under the strike and met it with his own steel, batting it away so that it nearly struck its holder.

Barnes dodged that time, then the boy spun again. They danced around each other, both swift, both calculating, both determined. Steel met steel but never that which clothed the fighters. May grabbed your other wrist as she held her breath.

Barnes laid a hit across Peter’s chestplate that made him stagger but he turned it into another lithe evasion. He snaked around the higher lord and hammered his false arm. The shield cracked in half and Peter ducked again.

Barnes was angry as he stabbed out. His blade was shoved away again and Peter jumped over the foot that tried to trip him up, a true achievement in armor.

You realised as Barnes laid a flurry of blows at the air that he was angry. The crowd silenced as the realisation fell over them and they watched as time seemed to slow. The duke was losing and he was enraged.

Peter jabbed the other man’s chest plated with his sword then hit his true arm. The sword bobbled in Barnes’ grip but he regained his hold on it. Too slow as Parker struck over and over, throwing him off balance, and sweeping him off his feet with a low lunge.

As Barnes clattered onto his back, the breath went out of him and every other person in the stadium. The man in grey shook away his shock and finally stepped forward.

“Our victor!” he grabbed Peter’s arm and raised it, “the Lord Parker!”

May hopped up and down and hugged her husband. Steve tutted and shook his head. Your eyes clung to Barnes as he sat up, forgotten in the dirt. His left arm was stuck at an angle away from his body and he reached up to force it back down.

Peter offered him his hand and was ignored. Barnes sheathed his sword and offered a curt bow before he exited. Rogers’ hand crawled up your arm and he gripped you. “Well, looks like we both will suffer his loss.”

For once, he spoke the truth.

[dynyamight]

meet cute number 47 is interesting!

send me a writting ask

47. Texting the incorrect number but continuing the conversation.

“You got all that, right?” Shinsou asks, readjusting his stance, so others can leave their classroom door easily.

Midoriya hums absentmindedly. He’s still quickly jotting down the last few digits onto his planner. “And, you said tomorrow morning, around 7? At the library?”

“Yeah,” Shinsou shrugs, “Or anytime really. The deadline isn’t until next month, you know.”

“I kinda just want to get it done, as soon as possible.”

Shinsou breathes out a snort. “Figured you’d say that much. Just make sure you got my number. Repeat it, if you need to.”

“No time.” Midoriya drops his bag to the side, shoving his now closed notebook inside. “Thank you! I’ll text you later tonight!” He offers hurriedly, before taking off down the campus halls.

Shinsou’s warning falls deaf to his rushed mind.

He has to run the entire way, in order to graciously catch the last bus for the hour. Sweaty and flushed, Midoriya slumps into his seat in relief. Fortunately, he was able to cop a seat for himself, settling by the window and his backpack right next to him.

Staring out, Midoriya tries to remind himself of the rest of his priorities he needed to do.

He still needed to start on Doctor Chiyo’s online Physiology exam, and gather his notes for the open book portion. It was a bit bothersome to handle tests online, but if the rest of class prefers it, there’s nothing Midoriya can do about it.

Speaking of which, Ochako had requested for copies of those exact same notes, since apparently she barely writes anything during lectures. He wants to suggest to her to just simply take better notes, but alas, he will gladly help her out.

And, finally, Midoriya has to collect reliable, approved research articles for his and Shinsou’s debate, in their argumentative project in Communications. Being assigned “PRO SOCIAL MEDIA INFLUENCE”, while being the most uninvolved people on the internet, Midoriya and Shinsou had a lot of work to do.

Not to mention it was already 18:00 by the time he reached the school’s dormitories. And yet, he needed to shower, make dinner, water his plants, and watch the newest episode of his favorite drama, airing tonight.

University was eating him alive.

Thankfully, he’s able to complete half of his list.

He finishes the exam with a 98%, and quickly snaps the pages of his notes over to Ochako and Iida, making sure to highlight the main topics questioned in the exam. Ochako sends a ‘thank you’ gif, and Iida texts a long, yet endearing message of gratitude.

Midoriya doesn’t have time to shower, instead blasting the TV volume loud, as he waters his indoor plants at the same time. He overwaters them a little bit, busy glancing back at the screen for too long. But, at least he’s able to watch the episode. He pouts when it ends on a cliffhanger, almost drowning his bonsai tree in frustration.

He’s only able to warm up a plate of leftovers, and read through only one research article, by the time it’s already blinking 21:30 on his phone. Sighing, Midoriya closes his laptop and grabs his cell phone instead.

An all nighter wasn’t preferable. But, if Shinsou is working overtime at his late night job, Midoriya supposes he can stay up and keep looking through more articles, until he has at least the required ten.

Flipping open his planner, Midoriya inputs Shinsou’s number into his phone. He adds his name, a contact photo of him sleeping, and finally taps a quick message.

(21:38) < You working?

When Shinsou doesn’t respond right away, Midoriya simply sets aside his phone on his desk. Stretching his arms, he sighs in defeat, now expecting Shinsou to be stuck at work.

He’s never worked at a restaurant, but he bets Friday nights can get pretty busy. And, Shinsou always complains that group outings and dates tend to stay over, even after the place is supposed to close. And, Midoriya trusts his word.

So, by the time his phone dings, Midoriya has been clicking through more articles on social media, bookmarking a few to go over later, as he went.

He lifts his phone, and with a bright screen, a message stares back at him.

shinsou hitoshi (21:58) > Who’s this

Oh, he did forget to specify. But, Midoriya smiles, having a small prank in mind. There was no harm in teasing his friends, let alone Shinsou, who definitely needed a good laugh, now and then.

(21:58) < It's the cutie from your communications class ;)

shinsou hitoshi (21:58) > So, no one

(21:59) < Haha! I guess you’re right about that

(21:59) < Anyways, it’s Izuku! You still working late, Hitoshi?

shinsou hitoshi (21:59) > This ain’t Hitoshi

Midoriya's face drops, blinking. Oh god, did he mistype the number?

(21:38) < Wait, you’re not???

Another text pops up, shortly after.

shinsou hitoshi (22:02) > You got the wrong number

Embarrassment burning his entire face red, Midoriya wishes he could delete himself from the world.

(22:03) < I’m so so so so sorry!

(22:03) < God, I thought I wrote down my friend’s number right

(22:03) < But, I was in this stupid rush to get on the bus that I didn’t make sure

(22:04) < And, listen, if I had missed that bus, I would’ve had to wait

(22:04) < Not like a few minutes wait

(22:04) < Like, a whole two hours wait!

shinsou hitoshi (22:05) > I didn’t ask

Deleting the conversation, Midoriya erases the new contact completely. And instead, he looks back to his planner, and retypes the numbers in his phone onto a new conversation.

Hopefully, he has typed the correct series of digits.

(22:07) < Hey, Hitoshi! It’s Izuku

unknown (22:08) > ...

unknown (22:08) > What the actual fuck

unknown (22:08) > You've still got the wrong number, you goddamn idiot

Slamming his phone onto his desk, Midoriya grabs a pillow off his bed and shoves it in his face. The temptation to scream sounds awfully pleasant, but it’s too late at night to do so. His dorm neighbors would definitely wonder what the hell is wrong with him.

What’s wrong? Oh, he has completely done one of the most dreaded imaginary scenarios in his head; text a complete stranger. Twice.

What was he supposed to do now? Never text back? Delete it? Block it?

How is he supposed to contact Shinsou now?

His phone dings again.

Lifting the pillow off his face slightly, Midoriya eyes his phone warily from his swivel chair.

That definitely wasn’t supposed to happen. Another text from the same stranger sounds a bit unheard of.

After a seconds-long hesitation, Midoriya lifts his phone and opens it once more.

unknown (22:13) > Double check next time

unknown (22:13) > You can fucking wait the two hours, dumbass

Midoriya grows a little irked. He has a bad feeling that his stranger isn’t too friendly, to say that least.

There was literally no reason to text back something so rude.

(22:14) < Well, that wasn’t nice

unknown (22:15) > Wasn’t trying to be

(22:15) < ..Are you always like this?

unknown (22:16) > Pretty much

(22:16) < That’s sad

unknown (22:17) > What’s fucking sad is that I was woken up from my sleep

unknown (22:17) > Because a damn moron didn’t write down the right number

Midoriya winces. He hadn’t even thought about the other person’s predicament, let alone if he had interrupted anything.

(22:20) > I really didn’t mean to do that, I’m sorry :(

unknown (22:22) > Yeah whatever

(22:24) > You should try to go back to sleep, then

unknown (22:25) > I was

unknown (22:25) > But the same moron from before keeps texting me

(22:27) > Who?

(22:33) > Oh.

(22:33) > It’s me, huh?

unknown (22:34) > No shit

(22:35) > Right, of course. My bad!

(22:35) > I’m going to just stop now

unknown (22:36) > Thanks

(22:36) > For the umpteenth time, sorry! ><

(22:37) > Okay, Okay! I’m stopping now, for real

Midoriya desperately needs to call it a night.

After going through his nightly routine, he slips under his bedsheets, exhausted. He sets an alarm for 5:00 on his phone, hoping Shinsou will show up at the library, regardless of the missing confirmation text on Midoriya’s end.

He keeps his phone on awhile longer, swiping through his professors’ emails, before a surprising text notification pops in front of him.

unknown (23:01) > FUCK YOU FUCK YOU

(23:02) > …

(23:02) > What was that for??

unknown (23:04) > I CAN’T SLEEP

unknown (23:04) > GOD, I CAN’T GO BACK TO FUCKING SLEEP

unknown (23:05) > AND IT’S YOUR FAULT

(23:06) > What do you expect me to do????

unknown (23:07) > HAHAHAHA OH DON’T WORRY

unknown (23:07) > IF I CAN’T SLEEP, NEITHER CAN YOU

unknown (23:08) > AND IF YOU TURN YOUR PHONE OFF I WILL SEND HELLFIRE

(23:09) > Wait

(23:09) > No, please

(23:09) > My alarm is on my phone, I need it on

(23:10) > I need to go to an important meeting for a group project at 7:00!

unknown (23:10) > Aw, really? :0?!

(23:11) > Yeah! I really do!

unknown (23:11) > Sike. I don’t fucking care

unknown (23:12) > Hope you eat shit tomorrow

(23:13) > ..Why are you like this?

(23:13) > I could literally be a twelve year old, for all you know

unknown (23:14) > I doubt fucking twelve years do group projects

unknown (23:15) > But whether you’re a damn infant, or grown adult, I hate you

(23:16) > I wouldn’t say I hate you. That’s too harsh

(23:16) > But, wow, you are very unlikable :/

unknown (23:17) > That’s the fucking nicest thing anyone has said about me

(23:18) > It wasn’t supposed

(23:19) > Nevermind.

(23:19) > Do you have any friends? Just might as well ask

unknown (23:21) > Surprisingly yeah

(23:22) > Oh, so you also agree. That it’s a surprise

(23:22) > At least you’re self aware :0

unknown (23:23) > Yeah, they are annoying as hell

unknown (23:24) > But, also pretty good people, I guess

(23:25) > Pretty good or pretty dumb?

unknown (23:26) > SHUT IT

unknown (23:27) > Only I can make fun of them

unknown (23:27) > You. Don’t.

(23:28) > You’re right, I shouldn’t have said that

(23:29) > I’m sorry :(

unknown (23:30) > You like apologizing, huh

(23:29) > There’s a lot to apologize for tonight

unknown (23:30) > Still, you don’t have to say it every damn minute

(23:32) > You probably don’t ever apologize

unknown (23:33) > Fuck no

(23:35) > Right, of course

(23:36) > Well, you know what I need to do tomorrow

unknown (23:37) > Unfortunately

(23:38) > What about you?

unknown (23:39) > I’m covering a shift at my shit job at the ass crack of dawn

(23:40) > Unnecessary visual, but I digress

(23:40) > Uh, where do you work?

unknown (23:42) > No. I don’t even know your damn name

(23:43) > I told you?? It was in my first text

unknown (23:44) > Yeah, I ain’t scrolling

(23:48) > Well, it’s Izuku. Midoriya Izuku :)

unknown (23:49) > Great. I still ain’t giving you mine

(23:50) > ?? Is there anything I can know about you??

(23:50) > You know more about me, than I do about you

unknown (23:51) > You know I hate you

unknown (23:51) > That’s plenty

(23:52) > But, I have been staying up for you :(

unknown (23:53) > Because it’s your fault I can’t sleep

(23:54) > You aren’t feeling sleepy yet?

unknown (23:56) > ..Are you

(23:57) > I asked you first

unknown (23:58) > I asked you second

(23:59) > That

(23:59) > Look, it’s almost midnight

(24:00) > Oh, now, it’s actually midnight

unknown (00:01) > I have fucking eyes. I can see the time

(00:02) > And we BOTH have places to be tomorrow

(00:02) > So, let’s just sleep. Call a truce, please

unknown (00:03) > What about my petty retribution

(00:04) > PLEASE LET ME SLEEP

unknown (00:10) > FUCK

unknown (00:10) > FINE

unknown (00:11) > I STILL CAN’T SLEEP BUT WHATEVER

unknown (00:12) > HOPE YOU FUCKING OVERSLEEP TOMORROW

The rest of the night, Midoriya hears his phone go off, but he doesn’t bother to open the messages. Fortunately for him, the time staying awake quickly catches up to his body, the moment he shuts his eyes. And, in an instant, he falls asleep, heavy.

However, he’s jolted awake by the ringing of his phone, the tone alerting him of an incoming phone call. Banging his head on the headboard, Midoriya blindly grabs and answers his phone. “Uh, H-Hello?” He blurts quickly.

“Tch.” A low voice emits, “You owe me, Deku.”

Click. The phone call ends.

Confused, Midoriya hurriedly rubs his eyes open. Running his messy curls through his fingers, he lifts his bangs up, in order to correctly look at the time.

The time was 5:10. And, his 5:00 alarm had been off the entire time.

And, instead, that same unknown number from last night was his saving grace.

[bibimmyeon]

hair.

explicit 18+ smut. taeil/reader.

a/n: this is my first fanfiction- or any writing, for that matter, so if its bad, it’s bad. i drew some inspiration from an old nct writer who disappeared one day. pls come back.. big daddy long dick misses you...

Taeil’s lips were the devil; Moist and plush, painting you in kisses across the expanse of your abdomen, the pads of his fingers tracing patterns around the supple skin he was kissing into. You shivered when he took a delicate nip and paused to suck for a moment before continuing his journey down your ribcage, your blood bubbling up towards your face to bloom into a faint blush across your cheeks; You flopped your head to the side, concealing your face in the pillow. Taeil was too preoccupied to notice. 

In the corners of your room, sunlight was beginning to slip through the blinds and unfold against the walls and floors, speckling warmth against Taeil’s bareback. The clock ticked past six. 

Taeil did this a lot; shuffling you awake before the birds chirp, teasing you slowly while you shook off sleep. Once he was satisfied with just kissing you, his fingers delicately brushed against the dip of your waist to meander down and grab a generous chunk of your thigh. 

Your heart bounced- Squirming, you wiggled your hips away from him. 

“Don’t want it?” Taeil teased and pecked your stomach once more.

Six A.M. and Taeil already wanted to egg you on.

“”S too early,” You huffed, rubbing your eyes before releasing a long yawn. “I want to sleep for once.” 

“Yeah, but I leave in an hour,” You felt his grip tighten around your thigh whilst he whined, shifting his expression to pout for your approval. “Just this once?”

“You do this every day-” You attempted to lift your head from the pillow and shuffle him off of you, but it rendered useless when Taeil moved to trap you in, encapture you and pepper your cheek in small kisses before moving down to your neck, taking it slower this round, lips glazing you delicately. 

You knew Taeil well enough now; Sure, he’d be okay if you refused him, but his hot breath against your neck tended to sway your decision. 

“A-Ah- okay, but you’re doing all the work.” 

Taeil smirked into your neck, feeling more confident with your approval, letting the hand around your thigh slide up to skim over the silk of your panties. You squirmed when you throbbed against him and he started to gently roll the pads of his fingers into the crease in your underwear. He kept it slow, still busy nipping and licking the side of your neck, after all. One, two, three kisses here and there before he would shift towards your clavicle and continue the assault. 

Then you remembered. 

Oh God, you remembered. 

“Wait-” You huffed, slamming your thighs together to cut off Taeil’s fingers. “We can’t!”

Shocked but your sudden change of heart, Taeil pulled himself off of you in favor of hovering above you to flash a quizzical glance.  

A flush of embarrassment bubbled up inside you and you sighed, tugging the shelter of your covers up and over your face, your world caving in, brick slabs replacing the open field of your mind.

What if he found it disgusting? Called you gross? 

No, he’d never say anything to hurt you. Even an ounce of disapproval from him would send you crumbling down in a puddle of liquid shame; He knew that.

And so you hid.

“Ah, what the hell,,” Taeil chuckled, pulling down the covers to start a game of tug-of-war. “Tell me what’s wrong- Not good?”

“No! Fine!” Your cry was muffled by the covers and Taeil giggled at your hopelessness. Oh, you were pathetic.

“Ah, seriously, you…” 

One good tug from Taeil’s sturdy bicep had the cover tumbling off into the stratosphere and his body shimmying up next to yours. He rested his head next to your shoulder with a petite peck and offered you a teasing grin. 

Curse that grin.

You gulped, knowing he was expecting an explanation. 

“I-” Another dry swallow. “Ah, it’s embarrassing-”

“What’s embarrassing? We do this all the time,” Taeil drawled out, his smirk never disappearing. 

Maybe if you whispered it, it wouldn’t be a huge deal. Right? 

“I didn’t-” Nope. Not today.

“Didn’t what?” 

“Didn’t…”

“Oh, come on-”

“Shave, Taeil! I forgot to shave last night.” The words spilled out of your mouth, just barely comprehensible, and you once again yanked the covers up to shield yourself from embarrassment. 

Taeil just blinked, not registering. 

“So no sex?” 

“Wha-” You started, pulling just your head above the covers to pout. “Well, you didn’t tell me you were coming by last night…” Mumbling, you avoided eye contact. 

“Does it matter? The hair, I mean.”

What?

Your eyes caught Taeil’s, who was staring at you like you hadn’t just admitted an atrocity to him. 

“You suck my hairy dick all the time-”

“Ew, Taeil.”

“But seriously.”

You can’t tell if he’s joking with you or not- did he really not care? 

You’re meticulous. If there is even a chance of seeing Taeil on any day, at any time, for any reason, you normally wax, shave, do the absolute most to make sure that when Taeil is dining on you like you’re a honey pot, not a single follicle of your hair will be visible or tangible. That’s simply a given for you. Taeil has never said anything about it but you never had expected him to do so, especially when he’s usually so preoccupied with shoving his tongue as far into you as he can. 

“Yes, but it’s…” Surely, he would change his mind. Even Taeil, who you are fairly sure is in love with you, has his limits. 

Taeil, however, loved a change of pace. Taking your hand in his, he exerted an airy chuckle and squeezed.

“But it’s what? Kinda sexy?” He inquires and you finally gather the courage to catch his gaze, his a thousand-watt grin blinding you; Was he insane? 

You wanted to explain that no, it was not sexy and he was incorrect, wrong, false, and many more things. Perverted being one of them. 

Instead, you 101 error-ed. 

“S-sexy?” 

Taeil pursed his lips, his earlier confidence flushing out, feeling scrutinized; You picked up his signal and let out a giggle, earning you a side glance. 

“What’s funny~” Taeil pouted, inadvertently starting to chuckle with you. 

His gaze met your smile.

In a matter of seconds, he was swooping down and abandoning the hand he held, moving to softly cusp your jawline and draw you in to touch his lips to yours. His hand was warm against your face, slowly pulling you towards him while his lips dance oh-so softly into yours, occasionally nipping dubiously into the plush of your bottom lip. It was a lot honestly, and you sunk into him like he was melting you with each swipe of the tongue. Parting your lips, you let him delve further, whining when his moist tongue met yours. It was absolutely obscene. You were completely fine with that. 

Preoccupied with Taeil‘s mouth, you didn’t notice when your devious boyfriend shifted his other hand downwards, skimming against your stomach and dipping down under the elastic of your panties to take a bold swipe between your folds. In shock, you whined against his lips;  He smirked, absolutely full of himself. Blood rushed to your head when he takes another swipe, collecting some of your wetness to considerately re-allocate it up towards your clit, which he began to tenderly rub around. You’re sure your face is plastered red at this point, lips swollen, breath heavy. 

Trying to catch a breath, you pull back for a second but he is back on you in moments. 

Neck, clavicle, breast. Areas he began to soak with his wet lips and lingering kisses. 

However, with the new air in your lungs, you remembered your previous worries and glanced down at your boyfriend, whose fingers were still rubbing circles around your folds. You shuddered from the ministrations but the anxiety caught up to you, and you tried to call out to Taeil with a huffy breath.

He noticed and looked up from your breast. 

“My-” Ah, wait that felt good. “My hair.”

This again? He gifted you a cheeky smile, scrunching his nose before giggling at your worries. 

So understanding, him. 

Repositioning himself, he slid his hand from out of your panties and chucked your duvet to the side, giving you a quick glance before straddling your thighs and hooking his fingers around your panties, but you quickly snatched his wrist before he pulled them down. 

“Taeil-” You whined, a million worries bubbling in and out of your head. 

Devilish Taeil shot you another billion-dollar smile. 

“Don’t worry,” He fiddles with the frills on your panties, shifting his gaze longingly down at your thighs. Almost embarrassed, he stumbled with his words. “I-it’s kinda.. Cute? Right?”

You couldn’t agree, but let Taeil carry on.

“If you’re embarrassed, I won’t…” He trails, grinning to himself. “But if you let me… Here, let me.”

Your grip on his wrist slackened and he shimmed your panties down, back arching to slide them off your bum. He left them wrapped around your thighs, all too preoccupied with, what was in his eyes,  your adorable little cunt, locking his gaze on you before scooting a bit down. 

Meanwhile, you couldn’t dare look down. Heart beating erratically, you wanted so badly to run away and quickly shave every hair off your body, dig a hole and live the rest of your life in dirt and clay. Alas, this was your reality; Reality being Taeil craning his neck down and parting your hairy cunt with his fingers, experimentally letting his tongue gently lap into you once he got close enough. 

“Mmmmph,” You try not to curse, half embarrassed, half aroused.

Taeil hummed in response, the vibration tangible against your cunt whilst he cleaned the whole premises, every inch of you sweet and obscenely delicious against his mouth. He nudged further and his nose bumped the head of your bud, dangerously close to your clit; You swallowed your whine and Taeil’s hand came down teasingly on your thigh, the little slap egging you to make another sound. It worked and you inadvertently moaned, cursing his borderline annoying talent with his mouth. He kept you grounded with his grip and you felt his tongue dip itself inside you, the stimulation jerking your hips. 

“Ahh,” You whine, expression scrunching up and face dampening. “T-Taeil..”

He was trying not to smirk; You could feel it, knowing your moans stroked his ego. 

Soon enough he was covering other grounds and your thighs were shaking in his tight grasp, knuckles turning white trying to keep you still. Moving up towards your clit, he took the whole delicacy into his mouth, suckling on you so obscenely you wanted to explode into atoms so small you would never have to face him ever again. His lips were covered in your slick, puffy and red, kissing and sucking in between each of your folds so skillfully it was almost irritating. 

“So wet, baby...” He murmured, pulling back to let his fingers replace his tongue, gathering up some of your slickness with two fingers and cleaning them with his mouth, the act so dubious you couldn’t help but physically cringe when he popped them out. 

He giggled at you for the millionth time. 

“Don’t like that, baby?” He teased, winking at you with a shit-eating grin. His voice was becoming deep and husky with lust. “Look at you, so cute. Cute ‘lil face, cute ‘lil hairy pussy..” 

You would have slapped him, but before you could retort, his face was back down in you to work alongside his fingers, and all you could let out was an airy whimper. Two fingers made their way into the walls of your pussy, knuckle deep before he fluttered his fingertips against your soft tissue, pulling out only to be pushed back in, pussy squelching from moisture. Taeil went down to lick at the juice; He was shameless, you were sure. From then on he began to steadily pulse himself in and out of you whilst his tongue meandered around the edge of your bud, nose in the soft hair of your pubic bone. Your whole body shook when he arched his fingers up in just the right spot, letting them flutter there as you moaned his name.

In the meantime, he massaged your clit with his lips, free hand holding you down by the hipbone. You’re sure his lips are absolutely smeared with your slick, dribbling down his chin as he continuously licks and nips pleasure into you. A faint throb rose up in your center and you couldn’t contain your whimpers anymore, thrusting your groin into Taeil’s lean fingers.

“T-Taeil-” Barely able to speak, you whine out his name. “I-I ahhh..” 

“Mhmmm.”

Taeil slid a third finger into you. The stretch had you wincing momentarily, soon replaced with pleasure when he brushed up against your G-spot again. 

“Holy shit, T-Taeil,” You huffed between heavy breaths. “Keep doing that.”

Taeil sensed you were near your end, hurriedly moving his thumb to rub at the clit his mouth had just left. 

Looking at Taeil, you almost felt sorry for him. You had absolutely washed his face with your juices, his eyes bloodshot and lips swollen. He had whole-heartedly devoured you. However, a dull throb in your core reminded you of the more pressing matter at hand; You were going to come all over Taeil’s fingers. 

The knot in your stomach was tightening, thighs continuing to shake with the subtle ministrations against your clit now added to the equation. You mewled and quivered, certain you would explode soon, pressure gage violently swinging towards red before you finally released, moaning out and shoving your one side of your face against the pillow while your back arched up into Taeil’s fingers. Nevertheless, he grazed you one more time, fingers slowing down before he slid out of you for good.

You were completely out of breath, chest heaving with every shaky inhale you took. Relaxing your muscles for a moment to recuperate, you dared to look up. 

There sat Taeil, fingers in his mouth, licking them clean before collapsing his body against the side of yours. 

“So gross…” You shuddered. How could he be so cliché?

“You like it though,” He teased, leaning in to leave a peck against your lips, spreading your juices from his to yours. “Pervert.”

Shocked and offended, you gave him a playful slap to the chest and pouted. 

“Me? Perverted? After you just slobbered all over me, I’m perverted?” Dramatically casting your gaze away from him, you secretly grinned ear-to-ear on the other side of the pillow. 

Taeil shrugged and chuckled, wiping his mouth with the back of his hand and moving to spoon you, pressing his erection against your bum in secret hopes for you to notice. 

Of course, you noticed. 

“Are you gonna return the favor?” He boldly inquired, grinding up against you for context.

“I suppose,” You huffed and blushed once more, heart swelling when you turned to push Taeil against the mattress and leaned in to meet his lips. 

“Wait-” He stopped you just as your hands grazed his boxers.

“Why?” This man...Didn’t he just ask for this?

He almost giggles before responding, honing in all of his strength to keep a straight face.

“I didn’t shave.” 

...Oh, you could kill him. 

[rwbyremnants]

WARNING: Underage character (teenage, almost 18).

NOTE: Yeah yeah, I know it’s a little off-season for this one. Sorry! At least it's going to wind up celebrating Christmas In July...?

You may have seen the first chapter of this fic elsewhere, posted there a long time ago out of convenience. This is where it belongs since it’s home to both of the original authors. If you don’t believe us, just message them haha. It's seven chapters of increasingly-smutty goodness, though nowhere near as lengthy or smutty as some of our other stuff.

Special thanks to RuBee for helping us get the full story dusted off (haha) and posted at last!

=Chapter 1

"We're making cookies, not mountains of sugar, Rubes. You're using way too much – and the Ice Queen won't have any left for her coffee!"

It was the weekend before Dustmas, and Ruby and Yang were attempting to make cookies with their dad's old recipe. Soon they would be going back home for the holiday but it seemed like a nice gesture to whip up a batch of their dad’s signature cookie recipe to distribute amongst their friends at Beacon Academy. They had always agreed in the past more sugar was needed, but the amount the red-headed girl was pouring into the mixture was ridiculous.

"Sweeter is always better, Yang!" Ruby protested as she set the bag down, frowning. "And I don't know why Weiss always likes to drink tea anyway, her company makes Ol' King Cold!" Then she wiped her face, smearing more flour across one cheek. "Can you just help me?"

"Alright alright, flour face, here." Grabbing the flour and another egg, Yang quickly poured a little more into the mixture, enough to even it out so it wasn't monstrously sweet, but also so they had some to spare. "Now we can get extra fat!"

At that comment, Ruby frowned down at her stomach before glancing back upward. "B-but I thought you said I wasn't fat, I just had chub-chub!"

"You do have chub-chub…" Yang then poked Ruby's belly, smirking as she looked back up at her. "And now you can have flub-flub! More of you to love! Alright, I think this is ready to go in the oven."

Giggling, Ruby squirmed away from the assailing finger and went back to the mixing bowl. "Are you sure we don't need to add more sugar or something? They are supposed to be sugar cookies. Y'know, for Dustmas."

"That's why we add icing on the top of them, dingus," she called from by the oven, turning it to the right temperature and allowing it to warm up. Of course, with the shared kitchen's cooker being gas rather than electric, that wouldn't take long at all. "You need a hand making the shapes from the dough? Or are you eating it raw?"

"I…" She quickly retracted her hand from the bowl. "Nooo, we're going to cook them. They are cook -ies , after all. Right?"

Her eyes filled with hope that Yang would approve of the joke she had made. The older sister paused for a moment, until smugly grinning. "Not bad, but you got a ways to go until you can make it hap-pun on my level."

Within a few minutes, the girls had placed the cookies on the tray in the various shapes for the Dustmas holidays; the two stars of Vacuo, a snowflake, a Dustmas Bush, and so on. All they needed was twenty minutes in the oven, which by now was to full heat. Just as she was about to place the tray in the oven, however, Yang's scroll vibrated in her pocket, making her place the tray back down so she could check it.

"Hmm…"

"Something wrong, Sis?" Ruby asked as she put the eggs and butter away in the refrigerator.

"Oh shoot! Weiss is gonna kill me…" She quickly shoved it into her pocket. "Sorry Rubes, I gotta dash. Promised Her Royal Frostiness that I'd train with her today, and I've let her down twice already. Gotta give her this raincheck in person or I probably won't survive."

As she was speaking, she started to undo the apron he had worn for the moment, hanging it up the side of the door. Though soon it swung open anyway.

"Oh… sorry, am I interrupting?” Blake asked, amber eyes widening when she saw her two teammates were already there. “I just wanted some milk."

"No, no!" Ruby piped up as she wiped her hands on her pants. The tall, lithe brunette was still something of a mystery to them, but Ruby had always hoped they could get along a bit better, and tried to take every opportunity she could to ingratiate herself. "Have all the milk you want! It does a body good!"

Chuckling, Yang remarked, "Kitty wants milk; I shouldn't be surprised." The two swapped places as Yang began to head out, and Blake headed to the fridge. Before leaving completely, she leaned back in from behind the doorway. "Oh, Ruby – don't start baking them 'til I'm back. You know the stove is finicky, and unlike me, you ain't fire-proof."

Ruby let out a little snicker, waving a hand at her sister. "Oh Yang, I think I can handle a sheet of cookies! What do I look like, some kind of klutz?"

"Just wait for me, okay? I'll be ten minutes, tops. But if I'm longer, call the cops." And with that little impromptu rhyme, she dashed off. All that was left in the room was a small girl with a sheet of cookie dough balls, and a feline Faunus sipping away at her carton of milk.

"Why's she in such a hurry?"

"Late for a date with Weiss." Then she started. "I m-mean, a battle date! Fighting! Umm, practice-fighting, not real fighting! Ergh…" Frowning, she turned back to the oven to open it and place the sheet of cookies inside. "Sorry, nevermind me."

"So training?" Blake asked, hoping to allow Ruby some wiggle room away from her verbal fumbles, leaning back against the counter as she was about to take another sip. Though when Ruby had opened the door to the oven, she remembered Yang's words. "H-hey, shouldn't you wait for her to get back? You know this old stove isn’t like the new electric or Dust-powered models."

"Not you, too!" Ruby pouted. "I can handle myself, I'm a big girl! This is a piece of cake for m-"

The random explosion from the inside of the oven seemed to speak to the contrary. Flailing, Ruby fell back against the floor, waving her arms around trying to put out the small fires that had caught on her sleeves.

"AAAAAAAAH! Help, it's- ow! What happened?!"

The fire wasn’t too bad, one that could easily be smothered, but for Blake this was a far more serious matter. Dropping her milk carton, she rushed to Ruby's side, taking off her scarf to quickly bat the fire on her sleeve, eventually putting it out before it had a chance to do any real damage.

"Ahhhhggghhh," Ruby groaned, staring at her ruined sleeves. "I'm gonna need a new shirt for sure! Yang's gonna kill me, we don't have a lot of money! But thanks, Blake, I really…"

However, when she looked over at Blake, she was in for a surprise. Why did the Faunus girl look so alarmed? Even once the flames were out, the girl still stared down at her team leader. Eyes wider than she had ever seen them, while her breath was short. Clearly, her mind was off somewhere else, as could be seen when her pupils flicked back and forth.

Snapping her fingers in front of Blake's eyes, she said in a softer voice, "Uhh, Remnant to Blake? You in there?"

Once blinking a couple of times, she looked back to her leader, and to her burnt sleeve. She was safe, unharmed. Not even the tiniest burn anywhere on her pale pink skin. The taller girl quickly wrapped her arms around her, cuddling her close. "You're okay, you're okay. Oh thank God, you're okay!"

Instantly, Ruby froze. This was an unexpected turn; how did the normally standoffish member of their team come to be embracing her? Why? Patting along Blake's long hair, she whispered, "Yeah, I'm okay, Blake! Honest! Are you?"

"Am I okay?! You were on fire! I should be asking you, but I… oh, Ruby!" She could only hug her teammate even harder, her hands clutching at her clothing tightly. As she held on, her eyes began to flick back and forth again. Anyone could tell her mind was elsewhere.

However, Ruby wasn’t looking because other things had distracted her. Something in the way Blake had said her name made her blush. On top of that, why was she still hugging her? It felt wonderful, though; something like when Yang held her close, but different in a very subtle way she couldn't quite place. Very hesitantly, she laid her cheek against Blake's shoulder, not sure if this was what she was supposed to do or not.

When feeling the contact from their younger leader's cheek, Blake snapped back to the present again. Or at least, back to reality. Upon realising how close they were, the hands quickly dropped away as she darted back, looking about as shocked as Ruby did. "I… uhh… I'm sorry, I don't know why I…"

"Oh!" Now Ruby looked like a small, frightened animal. "I- wh-why are you sorry, what happened? It was my fault, I wasn't paying enough attention and lit myself on fire!"

"But that was… I…" Before she could even explain herself, the Faunus girl made a dash for the door, running straight down the corridor and around Yang, who had just made her way back. There was no explanation for her sudden disappearance, and so when Yang was back in the room, she was met with a frightened looking Ruby, clouds of dissipating smoke, and cookie dough and milk covering the floor.

"…Did I miss another food fight?"

--------------------------------------------- (wtf tumblr removed the horizontal rule option)

Slow drags of boots heralded Ruby's return to the dorm room. Yes, Yang had shouted at her about nearly burning herself and helped her clean up, and they had finally finished the cookies and they were all ready for Dustmas. Alas, none of that seemed to matter when she was so worried.

Blake had looked terrified. Of what, she had no idea. Of her? Of her being hurt? They were just teammates, not even really friends beyond those bounds. Sure, if Blake were on fire she'd help put it out and ask if she was okay and everything, but that display of affection was above and beyond. It disconcerted her and made her wonder why.

When she pushed open the door, she saw Blake sitting on the windowsill in her usual black kimono, staring out into the sky. The window was shut, otherwise Ruby wouldn't have said anything; there had been enough near-death experiences for one evening.

"B-Blake?"

Blake turned in the direction of the voice. Out of all the people it could have been, this was the worst outcome. Sure, she hadn't fallen out with Ruby, but she felt she had made enough of a fool of herself for one day. Her eyes darted between her, and the door. Could she slip past her? Probably not. Might as well face the music.

“O-oh, hey, Ruby.” She hurriedly rearranged her pyjamas, to more adequately cover herself.

"Blake," Ruby repeated as her eyebrows knitted, "are… you okay? You took off like that, and I-"

"T-took off? Yeah, I'm fine, why wouldn't I be?" Of course she would question it; her teammate ran away without any explanation. There was no way she could escape, despite getting to her feet and readying to try.

Shrugging, Ruby dropped her eyes. "I dunno, but you seemed freaked out. Y-you don't have to tell me anything, though! Just, if you wanted to tell me, I have ears. Well, I mean I know I have them, and you know I have them, and even though you have twice as many, mine still work!" Squirming, she followed up with, "Is that species-ist? Did I say a bad thing? Oh God, I'm making this way worse, aren't I?"

"Ruby… I…" She scrunched her eyes shut, shaking her head side to side. "I did not freak out, okay? You were on fire! Of course I was worried!"

"No, but you helped put it out! I'm fine! See?" Flapping her arms up and down, she grinned at Blake. "Totally A-okay!"

"I know that now! It was just.. scary… to see you like that, that's all," she insisted, but all the while she continued to gaze back at the door. Any moment…

"But, um, we're Huntresses. Aren't we supposed to be in harm's way all the time, anyway? Why was this such a bigger deal than usual?"

"Because… I… you’re my…" She was stuttering more and more. Ruby was right, this was normal for them. In fact, such an incident was ridiculously minor. But her reaction was more suited to if a Beowulf had torn her arm off.

Unable to think of an excuse, she finally made a run for the door.

"Wait!" Before she could more properly think through her actions, Ruby dove for Blake. Being that her Semblance enabled her to pour on a burst of speed, she was able to catch the taller girl around the midsection and pin her somewhat painfully against the surface of one of their desks.

"O-oh! I- sorry, Blake, that wasn't what I meant to do, I just… panicked! Are you okay?"

Blake was more startled by the younger girl's strength than any pain that came against her back. She attempted to struggle against the grip of the younger girl, but found herself completely pinned. Though she had looked upset before, now she looked near-panic.

"R-Ruby, let, me, go!"

"Sorry!" she whispered again, backing away from the desk with a pained look on her face, again feeling odd at having been in such close contact with the Faunus. "J-just please, don't run away, I… I want to talk this out!"

"There is nothing to talk out!" she insisted, finding herself glaring down at the smaller girl below her. "What was I supposed to do? Let you burn?!"

"NO! No, I'm so thankful, seriously, b-but why are you upset? I don't understand, and I want to, really badly!" There was a hitch in her voice as she added, "Because you're my teammate and I don't like thinking about you being sad, or hurting, or anything!"

It was no use. Her leader was one of the most stubborn people she knew. There was no way she would get out of this without letting her know the truth. "Listen, I just saw your sleeve on fire and it reminded me of a horrible memory. That's all."

Like a puppy, Ruby cocked her head to one side. "It did? I… oh." Shifting from foot to foot, she glanced toward the window, then down at her boots. "Um… do you w-wanna talk about it?"

"No!" Blake snapped, managing to push Ruby back just enough so she was free to move again. "Why do you think I ran off? These are memories I want to leave behind! Memories I would rather forget forever if I could!"

"S-so that's a no?" As Blake's golden eyes blazed with indignation, she waved her hands back and forth and squeaked, "I'm sorry, it was just- look, I'm g-gonna go away now, and not be here where I'm just making a bigger mess, so um, bye!" And with that, she sped from the room, leaving a flurry of rose petals in her wake.

"W-wait! I didn't mean-" But it was no use; Ruby was gone. Once again, another silly mistake had made Blake look like a fool stuck in the past – and worse, made her team leader feel bad when she had no reason to. Heavily sighing, she returned to her spot on the windowsill, staring outward and to the people on the grounds.

Only a few minutes had passed before she saw Ruby stumbling to a halt next to tall, leaning tree and sinking to her knees in the lightly snow-dusted grass. It didn't seem as if she was crying, but she was certainly not doing her absolute best. Within her bow, Blake's ears folded downward. All Ruby wanted to know was if anything was wrong, and she'd shoved it in her face. 'What's the harm?' one part of her mind thought. The other kept shouting, 'She'll tell everyone, you can't let her know! She’ll ask too many questions!'

But there was no other way to fix the mess. And so, reluctantly, she headed for the door.

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

Out on the grounds, Ruby took deep breaths. The last thing she ever wanted on a daily basis was to inconvenience her friends in any way. Weiss and Yang, she didn't mind so much; they brought it on themselves in certain ways. But Blake? She was one of the last people she wanted to hinder in any small way, much less actually cause her heartache like this.

"I'm a jerk," she whispered to no one.

"No, I'm the jerk." The voice of the raven-haired Faunus reached her ears from the shadows. Having finally found her laying back against one of the trees, she smiled faintly as she stepped into the moonlight, then nodded to the space by Ruby's side. "This seat taken, leader?"

On instinct, Ruby scooted away. "AH! It's- hey, Blake! How ya doin'? Read any good books lately?" Clearly, she was nervous beyond all rational thought, and her fingers clenched in the frigid grass.

Blake paused for a moment. Anyone could tell she was on edge; they didn't have to have Faunus senses for that. Poor Ruby, so young and sensitive. She really was an absolute jerk to her. Head hung in shame, she sat down by her leader's side, looking over to her with a sorrowful expression.

“It’s freezing out here. You shouldn’t be outside too long or you’ll catch a cold.”

“Hah! A cold has to catch me first!” Ruby countered. When Blake only raised an eyebrow, she wilted. “Yeah, that was bad.”

“It was.” After only a breath to consider her words, she went on, "I was wrong to run off like that. You were only trying to help, and I shoved it in your face. And I'm sorry. Really sorry."

"No reason to be sorry. It's my fault; I kept needling you for more info even after I could tell you were freaking out. Why am I so dumb?" Frowning, she drew her knees up against her face and stared down at the little flecks of snow on her boots. "Sorry, I… you're in a bad place and I'm complaining about me. Talk about self-centred!"

"You're not self-centred! You were worried about a friend; that is the opposite of self-centred. And…" She paused, looking back down to the grass herself. With a deep sigh, she confessed, "And rightfully so… I did overreact. Seeing you like that, it just triggered something."

Chewing on her bottom lip for a second, Ruby finally whispered, "Blake, it's okay to be scared sometimes. Just don't forget that the rest of us are your friends. We wanna help you fight the scary stuff, not make fun of you for it or whatever."

Blake looked up at her friend. The one who she had practically pushed away completely when all she wanted to do was help. And she was still helping now. The least she deserved was an explanation for her behaviour.

"It reminded me of the protests that went bad. The ones that turned into riots. A lot of very young Faunus died in those… my friends. I know it was such a small thing but… I think of you as kind of innocent, too, and seeing someone your age like that, I just… couldn't cope."

Without hesitation, Ruby reached over to take Blake's shoulder firmly in her hand. "Hey, it's… understandable. But I'm okay, okay? Nobody burned me to the ground, nobody's dying. Plus, I’m an adult, and can take care of myself. Everything’s completely fine."

"Y-yeah… we are." She looked back to the grass again, but now there was a small smile where a haunted scowl once had been. "Thanks."

"Do you wanna check my arms to make sure?" After she said that, she looked down, a bit shy. "That probably sounds weird, but I mean, that way you can know for sure that I'm fine. Maybe that won't help…"

"N-no no it's… it's actually fine." Although pleased by the gesture, Blake too felt a little bashful. Yang and Weiss had spoken with her slightly more, but she had barely had more than a five-minute conversation with her own leader. Mainly her own fault; after all, the Faunus had always been very distant with people. Ruby included. But that was going to end, and she'd make sure of it.

Besides, how could she ignore someone being so cutely awkward?

"Just… next time your sister says 'no', please listen before I have a heart attack."

"I will, but it's really okay," Ruby laughed, rolling her sleeves all the way up to the shoulders. "Here." Then she took up one of Blake's hands and rested it on her forearm. "Totally not burned or anything at all, check for yourself!"

When her hand was taken, Blake's eyes instantly widened, but when her hand fell to the arm she found herself pleasantly surprised. Ruby's skin was so soft, despite all the battles they had been through and the recent proximity to searing heat. It was rather nice to stroke her skin, which she did so once or twice, but it was even nicer when she placed her fingers by her wrist to feel a heartbeat.

Ruby couldn't help but snicker again. "Yeah, I didn't get, um, heartburn either. Get it?"

At that, she just froze, looking up to Ruby completely silent for a moment. "…No, that was the worst one yet."

Deflating, Ruby patted the hand on her arm. "Yeah. I'm trying, though! One day maybe I can make jokes and they won't be rotten!"

"Maybe you and Yang will have a pun war…" Blake finally drew her hand away from the thin arm of her friend. Thinking back to what she had confessed earlier, she squirmed. "Y-you won't tell anyone I freaked out about the fire, right?"

"Nah. Well, I'll have to figure out something to tell Yang, since she saw the end of it and I wasn't sure what to say… shouldn't be a big deal." Dipping her head down, she gazed back into Blake's eyes to see they were still full of worry. "You sure you're okay now?"

Blake let out a huge, cleansing breath. "Yeah, I'm fine. I'm just glad you are."

Grinning, Ruby rolled her silvery eyes as she said, "Eh, I'm always fine. Head like a rock and body like a crash test dummy."

"Can't be anymore of a rock-head than your sister. At least you read books sometimes!" she chuckled, before finally getting to her feet again, offering a hand to her friend.

"Yep!" Without hesitation, she took the strong hand and allowed herself to be pulled upright… and found she didn’t feel like letting it go just yet. "Can I say something that might be kinda weird?"

"Hmm?"

"I'm really glad you don't hate me." Realising that didn't sound quite right, Ruby swiftly followed up, "Th-that is, after we first met and you wanted me to go away, I was worried about being on a team with you, especially you having to deal with me as leader, and… and I just really thought you were awesome and cool, and wanted you to like me a lot, and maybe that's silly but I'm so happy we're friends now, so… so yay!" Her free hand gave a feeble fist-pump to punctuate her last word.

Blake was stumped. Ruby enjoyed her company? And thought she was cool, nonetheless? Even when they didn't talk much, Ruby looked up to her in a way no one had before. Within the silver eyes of the smaller girl, she saw a past version of herself. Young, happy, full of questions… innocent. She'd fought no end of monsters and people, yet was still so naive to the world. In a way, that was heartbreaking.

Then again, that wouldn't stop her from smiling, drawing her hand away from the younger girl's. Either she was innocent and naive, or maybe she understood things that Blake had yet to grasp. Maybe it didn’t matter.

"I'm sorry I gave you that impression… but you're a good person, Ruby. And an awesome leader. I feel really lucky to be on your team."

Bouncing up and down on her heels, Ruby beamed from ear to ear. Blake had truly delighted her with such simple words. "This calls for a celebration! You, um, you want to eat some of those Dustmas cookies? We can have them with milk!"

"Oh, the milk!" She realized that in her haste, she had in fact dropped the carton on the floor, which had more or less wasted it all. "Do I have to go clean that up?"

"Nah," Ruby laughed, turning to head to the kitchen… but her feet halted a few steps along. "Um… Blake, could I go with you to get some more? Makes more sense than splitting up."

"Sure. Sounds great, actually. Let’s go." Blake locked arms with Ruby, already turning toward the main school gates. There were worse ways to celebrate a holiday.

[seriouslyhooked]

When Love Reigns (A CS AU) Part 22/23

A Princess Diaries/What A Girl Wants inspired, CS fic where Emma is a senior in college who discovers her father is not just a random stranger her mom never really knew, but the King of a country called Genovia. Yet when it rains, it pours and as Emma comes to terms with what it means to be a princess, she also must face what it means to fall in love with her father’s trusted aid, Killian Jones. This story is filled with fluff and rated M.

Ch. 1 , Ch. 2 , Ch. 3 , Ch. 4 , Ch. 5 , Ch. 6 , Ch. 7, Ch. 8, Ch. 9, Ch. 10, Ch. 11, Ch. 12 , Ch. 13 , Ch. 14 , Ch. 15 , Ch. 16 , Ch. 17 , Ch. 18 , Ch. 19 , Part 20 , Ch. 21 : Also on FanFiction here.

A/N: As promised this chapter brings the proposal and I will warn you all it is fluff to the extreme. Hope you all enjoy and thanks so much for reading!

Dear Diary,

It’s been a little over a year since I learned the truth about who I am and how my story is more complicated than I once assumed. It’s also been exactly one year since the day I found him, one year since my heart decided on who it wanted most of all. I’ve had more adventures in that year than I ever thought possible, but the best one was following this love and building something that will last for now and always.

…………

There could be very few incentives for Killian to ever want to leave this bed. It was a sacred place to him and these moments that he had with Emma before their days started and the calls of the world returned were what kept him going in the hours apart and through whatever challenges or issues he was facing. When he needed solace he thought of these moments, when Emma was sleeping peacefully, a small smile playing at her lips even as she dreamed.

But today was different than the average, run-of-the-mill morning, and though his body and heart still longed to stay right here beside his Swan, he had to get going. If he was going to successfully pull off this plan he’d been working on for months now, he had to let go, even if the thought of it struck him to his core as wrong and undesirable.

He considered just leaving without a word and letting Emma rest some more in the light of this new day, but he hated the thought of waking up without her, and he knew she felt the same. Instead he ran his hand along her back, his fingers trailing along her soft skin, until her eyes fluttered open.

“You are insatiable.” Emma’s words were gruff from sleep but she also wasn’t wrong. She assumed correctly that he wanted her, he just hadn’t woken her up to ravish her as he might desire.

“If memory serves you were right there with me last night, love.”

“Always.” Her reply and the kiss that she planted on his lips warmed through Killian and urged him to push this further but he stalled, pulling back and looking into her perplexed green eyes.

"I’ve some things to attend to this morning, love. I’m afraid our usual activities will have to be saved for later.” The pout that appeared on Emma’s face was utterly adorable and further proof to Killian that she would miss him as he would miss her.

“Will you be at breakfast?” Killian shook his head as he hopped out of bed and moved to get some clothes on. He’d be back to change before long when everything he had envisioned was actualized, but he didn’t want Emma suspecting that anything was amiss.

“Alas I won’t be there for the great debate, Swan. You’ll just have to fill me in on what I miss this time.” Emma smiled at his title for her family’s breakfast gatherings, which always came bearing some sort of discussion on random issues, before letting out a yawn. “Sleep, love. You’ve hours left before breakfast. Don’t stay awake on my account.”

“It’s harder without you.” It was the same way for him, but Killian needed to be sure she would sleep. His plan practically depended on it.

“You’re never without me, Emma.” She sighed contentedly at his more than true statement. Wherever he may go, he left his heart here with her always.

“And you’ll make this up to me later?” Emma teased, the sleepiness returning to her voice.

I’ll make it up to you our whole lives, Killian thought to himself but he didn’t dare risk giving away that the reason he was leaving was to set the stage for a long-overdue proposal.

“Aye, love. Any way you like.” She hummed out a pleased sound as her eyes closed.

“I always like what you do to me.” He growled and her eyes popped open again. Damn it, it he was succumbing to her charms, but he had to be strong. So instead of falling back into bed with her, he pressed one last kiss to her lips.

“I’ll keep that in mind. I love you.” Emma murmured that she loved him too and Killian held that promise close, letting it drive him out of the house they’d come to share and into the early morning light. He’d no sooner shut the door behind him though, than his brother was before him with a smirk on his usually dower face.

“There you are. Here I was thinking perhaps you’d changed your mind.”

“Never.” Killian knew that Liam was teasing but his reply was still instantaneous and determined.

“Careful brother. Emma might doubt your affections with talk like that.” Killian shoved Liam’s arm as the two of them set off across the gardens to one of the tool sheds used by the staff where Killian had been hiding most of the things he needed so that Emma wouldn’t find them.

“I should probably thank you for helping with this now and not later. Too many more jokes at my expense and all my goodwill will be gone.” Liam laughed heartily.

“It was either me or Ruth, brother, and we both know who is more likely to keep the secret.” Killian knew Liam was right. Ruth might be a world-class schemer, but she lacked some of the discretion that today called for. She knew of course that the proposal was coming, but he hadn’t given her details, despite her asking over and over and over again.

“Ahem.” Both brothers froze, knowing instinctively that the Queen was the one who had made that sound and they turned slowly to see her just beside them.

“Well there goes that plan. Might as well turn back now.” Liam was kidding, but he took it far enough to start to turn and Queen Ruth barely kept her countenance.

“Liam Jones, you turn back around this instant! I know you think yourself to be humorous, but you are sorely mistaken. And really – having the audacity to question my abilities in subterfuge… well it’s ridiculous.” Killian grinned at that and hugged Ruth to him, surprising both her and his brother.

“Thank you, Ruth. Whatever Liam says we could use all the help we can get.” When Killian pulled back Queen Ruth looked thoughtful and she patted his cheek softly.

“You were always the smarter brother.” Liam scoffed behind him but the Queen ignored him. “After all, you’re the man who is going to marry my granddaughter. That says more than anything else ever could.”

“Only if she says yes,” Killian countered and Ruth simply tutted in response.

“Oh Emma will say yes. You’ve practically guaranteed that with this lovely plan of yours.”

Killian appreciated that Ruth approved. The woman was very particular especially when it came to Emma and her affairs of the heart. Killian needed to arrange more than a few flowers and some lights to achieve something worthy of Ruth’s praise, but all of it would be worth it as long as Emma liked the finished product.

“And how exactly did you find out about this plan, Ma’am?” Liam asked and the Queen rolled her eyes in a move stolen from Emma.

“I know everything, my dear. The sooner you realize that, the sooner we can all get to work on giving Emma and Killian their moment.”

Before Liam could continue the back and forth banter, Killian herded these two people he loved back to the task at hand, opening the shed and revealing the materials he’d been working on for weeks. It was quite a task ahead of them, but he knew they’d get it done. Killian had set all of this up with everyone across the palace, both family and staff, to see to it that things went off without a hitch, and only when the time was right would Emma find this moment he had in store for them.

“Well, what are we waiting for? Let’s get to it!”

Ruth’s words spurred them all to action, and though it was a monumental task before them, Killian was more than up to it. After all, he was only hours away from the moment when he’d get his chance to ask Emma to be his in every way once and for all, and it felt like he’d been waiting for such an opportunity his whole damn life.

…………

“You two are relentless. A full kitchen staff, a chef who trained in Paris, Vienna, and Sicily yet you want coco pops for breakfast again?” Mary Margaret feigned annoyance, but Emma could see the light in her mother’s eyes. Meanwhile Emma and her father looked at each other before shrugging and a nodding at the exact same time.

“Truth be told if I didn’t think we’d have a full blown, country-wide meltdown I would propose that we change the Genovian national food to coco pops today,” David proclaimed.

“And I’d second that,” Emma agreed, smiling at her father. When her little brother babbled from his new highchair right after, they took it as further affirmation.

“Fine. I can admit I’m out numbered. But someday this little guy is going to come to his senses and admit that it’s Belgian waffles all the way.” All of them laughed at that, and Emma melted into the peace and comfort of being with her family this morning.

Their breakfast was filled with catching up and random, out of left field discussions as so many mornings with her parents were. Emma laughed as they debated the merits and downfalls of 80s rock bands and then seamlessly glided into a royal function they were all expected at next week. These crazy back and forths made for a lot of entertainment, and the only way it could have been better was if Killian and her grandmother were here. As it was though the meal was a happy one and over just a little too soon for Emma’s liking.

“Well, as much as I might love to pretend there aren’t a million things to do today, I’ve got a country to run.”

David pressed a kiss to Emma’s forehead and then one to Mary Margaret’s lips and the crown of her baby brother’s head. Her father looked lovingly at all of them, but Emma noticed his eyes softening as he stole one last look at her. She wondered what he was thinking, but he was gone then, leaving the three of them alone.

“Don’t mind your father. It’s a big day today and he’s just a little…”

“Off?” Emma offered and her mother shook her head.

“Preoccupied. But I think those coco pops helped, even if I can’t wrap my brain around how.”

Emma smiled at the way her mother eased around criticism in any way and that word, preoccupied, actually spoke to Emma’s current state as well. Things were going remarkably well in her life, and she was happy, truly she was. But if Emma were honest with herself completely, then she’d admit that these past few months had been… surprising.

After what could only be described as a fantastic month away with each other, Emma expected the next step to be taken between her and Killian. There felt like dozens of opportunities for him to ask her to marry him, both on the trip and when they were back home, and she knew that he knew she was ready. Still he waited, and she was left to wonder why. What was going on in his mind to make him want to pause when she was so ready and willing to move forward?

“Everything alright, honey?” Emma looked back up to her mom who was watching her curiously. She debated not saying anything, but her mother had always been her first and surest confidant so she decided to just go for it. Maybe it would help to talk it out with someone.

“I love Killian.” Her mother smiled genuinely.

“Yes, Emma. That much has always been clear.” Emma felt herself growing red at the observation.

“Right. Well I want to move forward and take the next step. I’ve been thinking and planning so much of what my life is going to be like, but the one thing that matters most is that whatever I do, Killian is with me.”

“So you’re ready then? For marriage and everything that follows.” Emma nodded.

“I’ve been ready for a long time. I know we’re young and that -,” Her mother raised her hand and shook her head, her smile clear as day.

“You don’t have to tell me about giving your heart away early, Emma. I know how quickly love can happen, and I also know that you are smart and more honest than anyone I know. I just wanted to make sure it wasn’t your grandmother and her continued scheming,” Emma rolled her eyes even as she smiled, because the meddling never ended with Queen Ruth. Emma loved her grandmother, but it was a little much at times.

“But if you’re sure, Emma, then I’m sure.” Emma smiled at her mother’s faith in her and Killian.

“And Dad?” Emma had heard her father joke a time or two about him wanting her to be fifty before she married, and though she knew that was an exaggeration, this was definitely not waiting, at least not by King David’s estimations.

“Your father loves Killian. The two of them are already family. We all are. Trust me, Killian has your father’s blessing.”

The thought made Emma smile because in her mind Killian was already family too. He was the person she wanted to spend forever with, to build a life with, to face each milestone with. When she closed her eyes and pictured forever he was there. Killian was always there, loving her and letting her know that come hell or high water he would be at her side and on her team.

“I’m going to ask him.” Her mother’s eyes lit up with amusement.

“Is that right? Well, you can do anything you set your mind to, Emma, and I hardly think Killian would refuse. His love is true and it always has been.”

Emma couldn’t shake the feeling that her mother found this entertaining, and though it perplexed Emma, she was mostly happy to have someone validate her want. She would always stake out her own path regardless, but knowing her mother thought this was the right choice meant something. For her whole life her Mom had been her guide, helping her face the world and showing her how to follow her heart. It only made sense to see what she thought on what would arguably be Emma’s most important decision in love.

“Any thoughts on how I should do it?” Emma asked and her mother took her hand and offered some sage advice.

“All you have to do - all Killian will ever want - is for you to be yourself. Trust your instincts, Emma, and follow your heart.” Emma stood and rushed around the table to hug her mother close.

“Thanks, Mom.” Her mother held her back just as tight.

“Anytime, honey. Anytime.” Emma appreciated the promise and said goodbye to her mom and brother quickly before setting out to find the man she loved.

Emma started by checking her father’s study, but Killian wasn’t there and neither was her Dad. Then she searched all through the palace in every corner from top to bottom, but still Killian evaded her. Finally she ran into Jefferson when she was about to exit onto the grounds and he pointed her in the direction of the garden house but he insisted on escorting her. Emma found it odd when they took a roundabout way through the gardens, but Jefferson said there was some landscaping going on and that that portion of the grounds was best left undisturbed.

“At least for now,” he insisted and Emma sized Jefferson up trying to get a read on the often stoic man.

For months now he had been the main person guarding her and keeping her safe but sometimes his poker face was too good even for her. Emma thought there might be something up, but she couldn’t be sure, and by the time they reached the house she didn’t really care anymore. All she could think was that this was it – her moment was here.

But unexpectedly, there was something awaiting her at the front door, a note with her name on the front in Killian’s handwriting, and a single rose attached to it. She looked to Jefferson for insight but he stayed quiet, only offering her a small smile. It was unusual for him, and as such it was a clear sign that something was coming, but Emma didn’t know what to say. All she could do was open her letter and barely say goodbye as Jefferson took his leave.

Emma, Everyday since we met one year ago today, I have tried to find the proper words to tell you how I love you. I’ve searched high and low, scoured every source for hint or inspiration, but the language I seek never seems to appear. Many words have already been written and said about love, all by smarter men and women than I, and in those turns of phrase I see you and only you. They will never be enough, but you should have them Emma. You should have them and know that I mean every word and that I love you now and forever. With all my love, Killian

Tears gathered in her eyes and Emma moved to wipe them away, bringing the rose up to catch its sweet scent. She didn’t fully understand what this letter meant, not until she looked across the way and saw a sign of some sort. It was beautifully crafted, with words that appeared in an enlarged version of Killian’s script moving through the hedgerow. She moved to them immediately, seeking to follow whatever sort of path he’d made for her. It wasn’t lost on Emma as she did that all of this would have taken so much time and attention, and she knew instinctively that Killian would have carried the bulk of that work, wanting to be sure every last detail was in order.

“You pierce my soul. I am half agony, half hope.” – Austen

If Emma were any less well versed in Austen she might be alarmed by this quotation, but as it was she loved it, running her hands along the words until they ended at a white pillar bearing a folder. It was clearly meant for her to open, and when she did she found a file all about her. Emma wondered what it could be but then she read a note from Killian on the inside of the cover.

You guessed correctly a long time ago, love, that there was a file on you from the moment your ties to your father were unveiled. What I neglected to say was that you haunted me from the moment I saw that enigmatic smirk of yours in this photo. We had yet to meet but I felt your smile engrained in every thought. It represented hope in every way, and the agony came from knowing that to you I was a stranger, and worse a stranger who worked for your father. Things seemed stacked against us then, but I should have known better. I was always meant to find my way to you and we were always meant to find our way to now.

Emma bit her lip at the words, and she didn’t bother to read much past the first page of information in her file. It wasn’t particularly interesting that Liam managed to find the scholarship she won to school or her major or dorm address. Instead Emma caught herself wondering about Killian in that moment. Was he really as entranced as he said? She had to believe he was because Killian would never lie to her. Emma knew in her heart that every word he said and every word awaiting her he would mean, both the ones of his creation and those belonging to others. 

"She was more than human to me. She was a Fairy, a Sylph, I don't know what she was - anything that no one ever saw, and everything that everybody ever wanted. I was swallowed up in an abyss of love in an instant. There was no pausing on the brink; no looking down, or looking back; I was gone, headlong, before I had sense to say a word to her." – Dickens

Emma recognized the words and smiled, knowing how Killian saw her as light in his life, as hope that there could be more, and that he had felt that way since the start of their knowing each other. Her eyes tracked from the off-white letters to a picture just beside them. It was of the two of them, smiling together in the overlook where they’d been seated at the symphony. It was their first night of knowing each other, and Emma didn’t know who had taken the photo, but there it was clear as day on both their faces that they were in love. Underneath the picture Killian wrote a simple little line to bring her joy:

Ever since the first moment I was yours, Emma. You’ve had my heart in your hand since the start.

“He’s had mine too,” Emma whispered to herself, knowing that no one was around to hear her, but needing to say it aloud as she followed the next quotation.

“He stepped down, trying not to look long at her, as if she were the sun, yet he saw her, like the sun, even without looking.” – Tolstoy

Emma moved to the next item that trailed the well-known words and found a pad of paper. It appeared to be notes on Genovian policy, but there were scribbles everywhere and things had been crossed off a dozen times. In short it was madness and terribly unlike Killian. He was so organized, so on top of things and so capable. Emma was eager to read the note that followed and to try and understand.

I’ve never known distraction until I met you. I fancied myself driven and unshakeable, but then we met and I knew it was all an illusion. I got the chance to watch you all those days when you visited your grandmother, before anything even had the chance to happen with us, and you bewitched me. I was useless, sorely lacking at my job, but it didn’t matter. All that mattered was you, and the smiles you sent me, the words you gave me, and the promise in your eyes that there might be something more between us someday.

That was ever the understatement. Looking back Emma knew that there had been uncertainty. There had been moments when she doubted if this could work or if her life would be conducive to finding this deep, soulful love, but now, with the benefit of hindsight, it felt like everything was destined to turn out this way. She couldn’t picture a life without Killian in it. He was so integral to everything at this point and Emma was glad for that in every way. She moved on, hungry for more moments and more words that he had found for her.

“Whatever our souls are made of, [hers] and mine are the same.” – Bronte

With this quotation there was not a picture but a flyer, one Emma recognized as an insert from her favorite pizza place back in Boston. It was the same place that they’d gotten dinner from on their first date, and the thought that Killian kept it fundamentally moved Emma. She was speechless seeing this, and yet part of her wasn’t the least bit surprised. She’d fallen in love with a thoughtful man, one who saw and remembered everything and gave her so much just by being himself.

I knew after our first date that there would never be another person in my life who mattered as much as you, Emma. I also knew that from that moment on I would always defer to your good judgment when it came to pizza. Best meal I ever ate.

Emma laughed, the wateriness of her tears audible in it, but she had to keep going. Even if she could linger in these snapshots he was making, Emma was desperate for more. Because she knew in her heart already that at the end of this journey he was taking her on, she’d be getting exactly what she wanted. Today she was getting her proposal and she wouldn’t be the one asking like she once thought.

She continued on, wandering through the hedgerow that twisted and turned. It was filled with flowers, some that belonged there naturally and many others that were added. They came in every shade all beautiful and soft filling the air with a sweet fragrance, but nothing was sweeter than Killian’s gesture and the words that he’d chosen and found for himself.

"Doubt thou the stars are fire; Doubt that the sun doth move; Doubt truth to be a liar; But never doubt I love." – Shakespeare

At the end of this line there was a scrap of paper that she recognized. Emma had ripped a page from her diary to write him a note during one of the lengthy stints where they couldn’t steal a moment together. Back then it felt like they’d never be alone, and every second they did have together was precious. She said as much in the note but the most intriguing part wasn’t that Killian had kept this, but how worn it was. It was clear to Emma that it had been read and read often. When she saw his words scrawled on another piece of paper beside it she smiled wider.

I kept this note and a number of others you’ve written as close as I could for a long time. They were a poor substitute for you, but they were a reminder that the girl at the heart of every dream I have wanted me as much as I wanted her. Whenever I had any doubts of that, whenever fate seemed set against us, you found a way to keep me going, to keep me believing that we’d find our way with just a little time.

Emma thought to herself how she would be keeping each and every one of these notes from him forever, and how even when Killian was beside her in the flesh she’d remember this. This sincerity was life affirming and the surest proof that he loved her. Not that he wasn’t constantly showing her, but Emma was still in shock as to just how elaborate Killian had been in this. She had no idea how far this would go, but she was torn between wanting him now, and wanting to linger amongst the beauty he’d bestowed on her.

"All this gladness in life, all honest pride in doing my work in the world, all this keen sense of being, I owe to her! And it doubles the gladness, it makes the pride glow, it sharpens the sense of existence till I hardly know if it is pain or pleasure, to think that I owe it to one - nay, you must, you shall hear - to one whom I love, as I do not believe man ever loved woman before." – Gaskell

Emma moved to touch the invitation to the gala that appeared at the end of this particular quote and she remembered back to that night that Killian and her father had given her. Attached there was a picture of Emma with the kids from the League, excited and happy, suspended in the perfect moment in time and there, watching on with nothing but love in his eyes, was Killian.

Nothing compares to the fulfillment I find when I’ve helped to put a smile on your face, Emma. There isn’t a mountain I wouldn’t climb to grant you joy, yet you make the work so easy. You give so freely, and so in turn I’ve given you me. Everything I am and everything I have is yours to keep.

That was it. Emma was beside herself with every good feeling, but she couldn’t do this anymore. She had to see Killian, even if it meant skipping ahead, but then she noticed a tiny arrow at the bottom of the page telling her to flip it over.

P.S. The rest of this will keep if like me you’re growing anxious for this next part. Should you be so inclined you’ll find me in the place we shared the best dance of my life.

Emma moved through the garden at almost a run, seeing that there were more quotes along the way, many more in fact, but Killian was right: she wanted to see him now and maybe later they could tarry through this gift he’d given her. For now though she just wanted to answer the question that was coming, and to make her own promises about how she’d always love him.

When Emma broke free from the wandering paths in the garden and made it to the gazebo, she saw Killian waiting for her. He looked a little worried, pacing back and forth, and for a moment he didn’t realize she was there. She stalled only for the briefest of pauses to take him and to marvel at how after all this he could still be worrying. Only Killian could walk through life with this kind of romance and this hold over her heart and wonder if it would be enough. Someday, Emma vowed, she’d assure him for good. Someday he’d never have a single fear when it came to her being completely and irrevocably in love with him.

“Looking for something?”

Immediately Killian twisted around to find her and Emma beamed at him, which set off a similar expression on his face. The relief was profound in the moment and it only grew the closer she got to him, until her hands were in his and her lips had pressed a gentle kiss against his cheek. When she pulled back he had that same funny expression he had months and months ago when they’d steal kisses from each other back at the consulate.

“Surely you’ve realized by now, Emma, that I found everything the day I found you.” Her heart fluttered at the words but she couldn’t help but tease him.

“You know you really sold yourself short at the start of this. You said you didn’t have the words, but all evidence points to the contrary.”

“I’m glad you haven’t found this lacking in any way, love. Hopefully that will make this next part easier.”

Emma knew in her heart what was coming, she’d known the moment she found that note on the garden house door, but it didn’t change the fact that the whole world stopped in that instant. She felt everything click into place, and seeing Killian bend down on one knee and pull out the ring she knew belonged to her grandmother brought those happy tears rushing back to the forefront.

“Emma, I’ve known since the very first moment that you were different than any person I’d ever met before, but I never imagined how spectacular life could be with you by my side. Every day you blow me away with your strength, your resilience, your kindness, and your love. Before you I didn’t truly know what any of those things meant, but you’ve my opened my eyes and my heart in a way I never imagined.

“I love you, Emma. I know you’ve likely gathered that by now, but it’s the most important truth of my life. I love you and I will always love you. There’s nothing that could ever change that, and I promise that no matter what my heart will forever be yours. You have all of me, Emma and so I have to ask if you’ll let me have you too. Will you marry me?”

Killian barely got the question out before she responded with a resounding yes. He moved up to his feet, but before he could give her the ring, Emma pulled his mouth down to hers, needing him more than she could ever need a symbol. She would gladly wear that ring from now on, but in this moment the only thing that could feed this beautiful ache inside her chest was him. And Killian met her in that, kissing her with all the passion and love that she could want before she finally pulled back and said a few key words of her own.

“I love you too.” Killian grinned, sliding the ring on her finger without taking his eyes off of hers.

“I was hoping as much since you’ve agreed to be my wife.” The words sent a rush of pleasure through her. She could hardly wait for that day when she made good on that agreement.

“Even if I’d wanted to I could never refuse. Look at all of this.” Emma waved around the garden and took it in again. “This is easily the most romantic thing, ever.”

“I can’t take all the credit, love. I only stumbled upon the idea when I remembered how your father asked for his own forever with your mother. With them it was pictures, with us words.” It touched Emma even more to know that her parents were in a way the foundation of this incredible moment. To have a tie to a love like theirs meant so much. But the mention of her family also had her wondering if everyone was already in on this.

“They know.” Killian answered a question Emma hadn’t even asked aloud, and his hand came to cup her cheek. “I’ve been planning this for months now. Since the day we got home from the trip. Truth be told I spoke with your parents even before.”

“So where are they?” Emma asked, looking around knowing they had to be somewhere. There was no way that her nosey family wasn’t pouring over a display like this.

“If I had to guess? The observatory most likely. It’s got a rather good vantage of this very spot.”

Emma looked up and saw that there in the window were not only her parents, brother, and grandmother, but Liam and others as well all watching on. She couldn’t see their faces exactly, but she knew in her heart they were all happy in their varying ways. Emma glanced back at Killian and found that his eyes had never waivered from her. He was still watching her, holding her close, like she might slip away if he ever let go.

“You know the sooner we face them, the sooner we can be alone, and the sooner we’re alone the sooner I can show you just how much I loved all of this.” Killian grinned at her bit of flirtatiousness before kissing her again, this time with just as much searing heat as before and when he pulled back Emma had almost forgotten about any plan to see her family at all.

“As you wish, love.”

With that Emma took Killian’s hand and followed her fiancé (God it felt so good to say that!) back into the palace. And though it was hard to leave this beautiful scavenger hunt of their story that he’d made for her today, Emma knew that they would bake their way back. Besides, they had their whole lives ahead of them and Emma was certain they were made to find such precious moments in the bright, happy future that awaited them.

……………

There were roughly a thousand questions and well-wishes to be faced after asking Emma to marry him, and had Killian not been so perfectly happy, he might have resented that. As it was, however, Killian was thrilled, even through the constant queries about themes, and guest lists, and the merits of spring or summer weddings from Queen Ruth. The woman had actually shed tears of joy today, yet she was still unsatisfied. Killian would wager that she would never be totally without want until Killian and Emma had married, and produced a few heirs. Maybe then she would finally retire from her days of scheming, though he wasn’t about to hold his breath.

Emma’s parents were likewise animated. Her mother was teary-eyed when they found her as both Killian and Emma expected and though there had been a good amount of hesitation on King David’s part at first about them being very young, his worries subsided the second he saw how happy Emma was. And Emma was happy – gloriously so – that much could not be denied. She laughed more, smiled more, and held his hand through the bevy of attention, all the while whispering that she loved him in the moments when they weren’t actively being watched by the others.

Finally, after a celebratory lunch that Ruth insisted on, and some more family togetherness, Emma and Killian got the chance to slip back outside to finish the rest of the course he’d charted out for the proposal and he was thrilled to find that Emma came to meet him at that very first card that offered his location. There was still another half of their story to get through and words from his own heart and the thoughtful minds of others, but Killian was so glad he got to see Emma’s reactions. Seeing the pleasure she took in all of this, and finding that his goal of granting her a tailor-made proposal to suit her wants and needs was reached did wonders for his heart. He also cherished every comment and subsequent memory that Emma brought up to, for they showed how reciprocal this thing between them was.

And while they were out there in the gardens, Emma mentioned all the places they still had left to go. The wedding of course was on it’s way, but there was more there too. Raising a family, helping Emma become queen, making a difference and leaving a legacy they could both be proud of: it was all coming for them in just a matter of years. The thought thrilled Killian more than he could say and he found himself pondering all these little details only to realize that the future could wait. For now he was more than content to live in the present and to rejoice in the good fortune he had in procuring Emma’s love at all.

Despite their mutual wish to get lost in each other and slip back to the garden house to make good on all this love roiling between them, Emma proposed that they do one last thing before going home: a sunset on the beachfront at the edge of the lake. They’d spent similar moments together before, spread out on the sands still warm from the day on a comfortable blanket, but tonight was different. Everything was different now, even if they’d both given their hearts to each other in full a long time ago.

“I was going to ask you, you know.”

Emma’s words were soft and wistful and they came as Killian watched Emma instead of the setting sun around them. She sent him a knowing smile, obviously aware of his being distracted by her and she nuzzled closer into his chest that she was currently propped against.

“Ask me what, Emma?”

“To marry me.” Killian chuckled at that as his hand moved through the soft tendrils of her hair.

“A little impatient were we?” Emma shook her head.

“More like very impatient. I couldn’t understand why you were waiting so I figured I could do it. Though to be honest my ideas weren’t nearly as romantic. I was basically between seducing you into a yes, and… well actually that was pretty much the whole plan.” Killian brought her further into his arms and pressed a kiss to her temple, unable to stop the flare of arousal that shot through him at the idea of her seducing him.

“All you’d have to do was ask me. That would be all I ever wanted.” Emma smiled.

“You know it’s the same for me, right? You made a beautiful memory today, Killian, one I will never forget, but the most memorable part was that one question at the very end.”

“Aye, love I know.” He did know that, and he’d considered such a path before. There was something to be said for simple, but since his Emma was so special, he reasoned she deserved something more befitting of who she was and who they were together.

“You just love spoiling me,” she quipped happily as she turned around fully to face him.

“And I intend to do so for the rest of my days, Emma. That’s a guarantee.”

Her eyes took on a heated look and in a moment they’d shifted from a more innocent sincerity to wanting more. Killian knew they were both teetering on the edge and that soon enough they’d give way to what they wanted. A sunset was nice in theory, but what was nice when they had the magic that came from this love they shared?

“Two can play at that game, you know.” Emma’s hand ran from his chest down lower until he stopped her, stepping up and sweeping her up with him.

“That’s what I’m counting on.”

With that Killian carried Emma back from the lake to their home and he made it clear to his future wife that this was an equal love between them, one grounded in the simple need to see the other happy in any way they could. And of course they found their ways to do just that. After all, every truly great tale of remarkable love ends with a happily ever after and for Emma and Killian, their unique and magical story was no exception.

Post-Note: First and foremost I want to thank all of you for reading and for your kind words of support and appreciation. This story has been so fun to write and the response to it over the span of my writing it has been overwhelmingly awesome. This is the final chapter, but I do intend to write an epilogue at some point. It likely won’t be for a number of weeks, but it will include some glimpses into the happily ever after (wedding, kids, Emma’s coronation, etc). I never like to leave a story without those snapshots of the impending happy ending. Anyway, thank you all so much and I hope you have a lovely rest of your day!