#he’s so stressed

[lithiumseven]

Jason: It’s your spleen! You lost an ORGAN Tim, you should have told us!

Tim: So? You don’t have your tonsils, that’s an organ!

Dick: That’s not the same and you kn-

Jason: Jokes on you, my tonsils grew back in the Lazarus Pit so your argument doesn’t even make sense!

Dick, now fully turned toward Jason: Your tonsils did WHAT

[chaoticarson16]

Had to draw it. It was too good of a headcanon not to. Also I made it a Tiger instead because there are a lot of Tigers in Texas.

I didn’t know there were tigers in Texas! That’s so cool! Poor Texas, he’s too old for this lol.

Texas when Elli finds another animal:

(Texas doodle I did in my stats class based off of this lol)

[carlos-tk]

carlos 😭😭

[brickcollector]

He is so orange

[kirdoodl]

A collection of Relativity Falls doodles because I am normal about this au I swear.

[pangur-and-grim]

he was worrying this coat like a pitbull while everyone cheered

[wanologic]

always good to keep a screamhole handy

[tariah23]

The manga industry, especially JUMP, needs to hurry up and do away with weekly scheduling for mangaka. There needs to better regulations put into place for their health and safety because this is pitiful. Two weeks - monthly updates should’ve already been the standard for the manga industry at this point. These money grabbers will only continue to put the lives of these artists at stake for the sake of capitalism unless some serious changes are implemented.

[chloesimaginationthings]

FNAF Movie Mike got mixed signals from Vanessa..

[boopjuice]

Okay, I have A Thought.

So I've seen around a few times that Danny's heart stops and freaks out people with superhearing, particularly Superman and his family. Que the freaking out because this child's heart has stopped and they haven't even seemed to notice.

But what if Danny keeping his heart beating takes effort? He has to focus on it at least a little all the time to seem more human. But if he's relaxed because he's, say, gaming over at Tucker's, he stops paying attention to if his heart is beating or not, and it stops. Sort of like how if you're walking around in a place you don't know in the middle of the night, you're tense and worried, but once you make it to a little area or a place you know better you stop being so nervous.

All that to say, having a beating heart is a stress response for halfas. And, like any other stress response, having it be constantly active can have long term negative effects. This was discovered by Frostbite shortly before Danny told his parents about being a halfa, and in fact influenced that decision. It turned out well, and Danny's heart began to stop more and more frequently while at home, to the point that it rarely ever beats at home now.

So que Phantom joining the League through some shenanigan or another, and together they're working to dismantle the Anti-Ecto Acts. The League knows he's powerful, but he's paranoid enough that he hasn't told them about the whole "half dead" thing. He's wandering around the Watchtower, chatting with Superman as they walk past a window that looks out into space. Danny's chatting about his weekend plans with Sam and Tuck, Superman's chatting about his upcoming visit to Ma and Pa's farm, and suddenly the kid's heart just stops.

And Superman freaks out. Because there is a child right next to him having a heart attack and seemingly not knowing.

He rushes Phantom to the medbay, only for his heart to be beating again? And the kid looks really freaked out and confused now. So he apologizes, explains what he heard, or rather didn't hear, and asks if it's an arrhythmia or something.

And now Danny, poor, socially awkward, barely a sophomore in high school Danny, gets to explain that sometimes, if he's really happy and content and feels safe, his heart stops and it is actually a good thing.

[rapidhighway]

more.

[lamb-teaa]

` Transactional Tantrum

` pairing: Sylus x fem!reader

` tags: fluff. romcom. silly shenanigans. filthy rich Sylus. chaotic!reader cuz we all want to be spoiled and provided by him don't lie 🫵🏻

` teaa's note: where can i get a husband like Sylus (⁠ ⁠⚈̥̥̥̥̥́⁠⌢⁠⚈̥̥̥̥̥̀⁠)

People hail him as a powerful man amongst all existing factions in the N109 Zone, yet even someone like Sylus isn't immune to the dread of a tedious business dealings.

Don't get him wrong, it is practically his job for a lack of better words but you can't blame the man for nearly dying out of boredom at the moment.

Ping!

A sudden notification from his phone tore his attention away from his yammering business partners. Sylus briefly glanced down at his phone, brows furrowed in confusion when he read the transaction alert message on his screen.

'Ten million was charged to your Credit Card at Summers Jewelry'

Sylus didn't even have the chance to ponder over the sudden message further when he was suddenly startled by another barrage of notifications - yes, plural notifications.

'Four million was charged to your Credit Card at M&Hs'

'Six million was charged to your Credit Card at Nebulas'

'Eight million was charged to your Credit Card at Zapple'

Despite the deadpan expression on his face and his usual nonchalance silence, the slightest quirk of his brows were enough to give away his bewildered reaction to seeing such random transaction alerts on his card.

He doesn't recall making any on-hold purchases and certainly didn't give the twins any permission to spend any after the last time they went all out using his card in the past.

Which means only one person would be bold enough to overspend his money on a whim like this and his eyes instantly flickered in amusement when another transaction message came through his phone.

'Thirteen million was charged to your Credit Card at Abyssal Attire'

Seems like a certain kitten is on a wild spending spree.

Observing the transaction alerts, Sylus let out a low chuckle, ignoring the strange looks from his business partners who continued on with their discussion.

His sole attention now was you - his lovely kitten spending all his money with reckless abandon.

As his thumb hovered over the icon of your picture on his phone, he couldn't help but grin at the large purchases you made - given the fact you had always been reluctant to spend on his card before despite the countless times he had reassured you that he wants you to use his money to your heart's content.

Sylus, without a doubt, always wants the best for you. Even when you nagged him on buying such expensive gifts before, yet that will never stop him from spoiling you rotten.

Though.. he wondered what sparked this sudden influx of random purchases this first time around?

With his interest now piqued towards you, Sylus strode out of the conference room without a care in the world, especially when said discussion had led to no satisfying result on his end, thus he neither bothered about the frustrated and flabbergasted looks of the businessmen as he made his way along the hallways of the building.

Luke and Kieran, who's been by his side the entire meeting, automatically followed their boss out. Both brothers exchange curious looks from behind their masks with a shrug. Though they had great knowledge that only two things could spring their boss out of his usual routine - an unexpected ambush or well, you.

And it seemed like they were right on the nose as they watched Sylus’s thumb pressed onto the screen of his phone before bringing the device close to his ear, an amused yet genuine smile curled on their fierce leader's lips as he called out your name.

"Is it just me or a certain kitten is behaving quite impulsively with her spending today?” His voice held a steady yet teasing affection tone, his mind already picturing your smug expression at overspending his money. “This is a first, sweetie.”

"Oh look who finally remembered me!" Your voice snapped, the snarky and sarcastic response made Sylus pause in his track in surprise.

Before he could say anything, you cut him off, your voice faux innocent under a thinly veiled anger from the other line. "To think it took blowing your credit card to call me after making me wait for you the past THREE hours, you better have some explaining to do mister!”

To say you had left Sylus utterly speechless would be an understatement of the century, but it quite frankly did as your unexpected anger left his mind reeling in both confusion and worry.

Even his brief frozen state wasn't left unnoticed by Luke and Kieran, both could heard your snappy voice from the other line and they know an unhappy Miss Hunter equals to a agitated Onychinus leader, so they quietly watched in as Sylus slowly recover from his initial surprise before turning his attention back to the phone call.

“Kitten.” Sylus blinked, a frown forming on his lips, "I don't recall us having plans today? And I'm out of town for the time being as well.”

There was a sudden silence from your side, and for a second there Sylus thought you had hung up on him but your next words made him even more confused.

"Wait, what, I thought Luke and Kieran said you'd be free for the weekend and they'd told you about our date for today?"

At the mention of the twins, Sylus's head immediately snapped towards his henchmen who visibly tensed up. It didn't take long for Sylus to put two and two together that Luke and Kieran had pulled another of their mischievous pranks on you.

Oh but this one is definitely going to cost them their four months worth of paycheck for making his kitten angry at him.

"It seems like the twins have made a mistake. I wasn't aware of such plans today." Sylus's voice dropped low and dangerous, a flicker of annoyance as he shot the tensed twins a hard glare.

Though, knowing it would be no use to him to be mad at them at that moment, Sylus paused briefly once more before taking a deep breath, calming himself down. "I assure you, sweetie, I would never intentionally forget anything, especially when it's about you.”

There was another stretch of silence before you spoke up again, your voice softer and apologetic, wincing in guilt for assuming he'd purposely ditched you when that wasn't the case. "I'm sorry.." You sighed quietly. "I just.. I was looking forward to seeing you today and I.. I missed you, Sy.."

His annoyance instantly melted away at your confession. He understood that his work often kept him away, leaving you feeling neglected at times and he wanted nothing more than to rush to your side and hold you dearly in his arms. You always had a way to tug at his heartstrings and even then he relishes at the admission of you needing him as much as he needed you.

"I'll make it up to you, right now. Anything you want, name it." Sylus emphasized seriously, already giving Luke and Kieran a look of command. Not needing any further words as the twins bolted off to prepare his private jet to head back to Linkon.

"Well, you could start by allowing me to strangle those twins." You chirped, your voice brighter now yet held intentional malice mostly directed towards his loyal henchmen for tricking you with false information regarding Sylus's work schedule.

"And cuddles. I expect to see you at my place later tonight for cuddles or else I'll empty your entire bank account." You demanded sweetly, with a clearly joking threat but given you had waited three whole hours like a fool in public, you were tempted to do it again if Sylus bails on you twice in a day.

Your laughter tinkled over the phone, a lovely sound that never ceases to make Sylus's heart swell with blissful affection. The business deal be damned and he'll handle the twins' antics another time, for now, all he wanted was to go back to you.

Sylus chuckled, a warm smile tugging at his lips despite himself as he made his way up the building's rooftop. He knew his kitten was quite a force to be reckoned with, and yet such side of you made him drawn to you even more than ever - oh, he couldn't wait to see you again soon. "Deal. Cuddles it is, and you have my word, sweetie, I'll be at your doorstep by tonight. As for the twins, well, I'm sure they'll be begging for mercy by the time you're done with them.”

Back to your awaiting loving embrace.

[ratcatcher0325]

Oh my god!!! Morning reblog with an amazing addition to this chapter! Look at what the incredibly talented @certainwizardlady created after reading this!!

Look at his lil’ flustered face!! 😭 it’s so precious and I’m so grateful to get to see this moment of the story visualized! You rock, @certainwizardlady ! Thank you!!!! 💖💖💖

A Fraction of Justice (Chapter #33)

Chapter #33. Alexander is in for some prime time flustering. Will he keep his cool or lose his grip?

Previous: Chapter #32

Next: Chapter #34

Word Count: 3,835 Read Time: Approx. 30 mins

CW: Physical intimacy

Btw, DM me if you wanna be added to the tag list!

___________________________________

A Fraction of Justice

Chapter #33: Between a Rock and a Soft Place

[Alexander’s POV]

She’d… kissed… me. Her lips left behind a soft, lingering warmth from my cranium to my clavicle. She’d simply picked me up and pulled me in and… kissed me. 

I laid there, forcing myself to stay still long enough to convince her I was sleeping. I kept from moving a muscle, even as my mind raced at breakneck speed, and my heart thundered away against my ribs. Why did my face feel so hot? 

Once the enclosure of her hand went slack, I allowed myself the freedom of opening my eyes.

I was lying with my back pressed into her palm, my head resting on the pad of a finger, through which I could feel and hear the gigantic, steady thrum of her pulse. There was no escaping her presence: her smell, her warmth, the tide of her breathing. Her hand, while just a small part of her, was all encompassing, fully surrounding my entire body. 

I peered up at the woman’s face before me, the slow, rhythmic exhales of her sleepy breathing were just powerful enough at this distance, for each puff of warm air to make the hair on my arms stand up. Her lips, full, soft, and warm were parted just slightly as she slept, blissfully unaware of my eyes sizing up every part and parcel of her face. 

Since the overcast afternoon sun had yet to wane, I had plenty of light to see the rosy pink that accompanied her cheeks, the slight sun damage that dappled the skin across the bridge of her nose, and the incredible length and curl of her thick, dark eyelashes. Her hair cascaded over her shoulder and down to the surface of the mattress on the far side and spread all over the pillow and across the arm that reached out to me. 

How did it get to be this way? I’d gone from being newly discovered, inside of her pantry, writhing and shouting at her, held captive in her palm, to… this. 

Dare I call it tranquility? I wasn’t sure what to make of it. 

The only feeling that had ever come close was how I’d felt when, as a child, I’d snatched away a few blissful hours in the dead of night to read my favorite books. This ritual had given me a moment’s peace from my frightening reality, where I was taken on thrilling adventures, transported to distant worlds and formed bonds with characters I adored, made of nothing at all but the clever, written word. I’d found an escape from my fears and limitations, all while I sat alone in my little corner of a bookshelf in the corner of a room on the corner of a street who’s name I never learned. 

I felt… safe here. Just as I had for all those years, nestled between the pages of a portal to a better world than this. 

But here, now, replacing ink and paper with flesh and bone, I felt safer than I’d ever felt in my life. How was such a thing even possible, when I was this close to a human being? 

Heat rose in my face, while nestled inside her hand, the air around me becoming insufferably hot. 

When was the last time I’d let her hold me while we slept? When I’d been compromised after surgery? My memory of that ordeal was a thick fog, I could hardly remember up from down, let alone any concrete details from that time. 

I felt a rush of heat at the tips of my ears when I recalled her accusations of my rather uncharacteristic behavior while under the influence of powerful anesthesia. How utterly uncouth. 

The rhythm of her pulse, steady as a drum, reminded me of some kind of organic tide, a thrumming exchange of life on a scale I struggled to truly comprehend. What was it like to belong to the world like she did? To be born big enough to be blissfully unaware of the life-threatening dangers I faced on a daily basis?

I thought back over my journey to arrive here, to this tranquil moment, on the massive pillow of an even more massive bed, tucked gently into the hand of someone I’d learned to, at least somewhat, tolerate. 

Memories, laden with the thick smell of mahogany and leather, the ticking of an old Bavarian clock, and the garish light of a gold and green glass lamp came flooding back. I could practically feel the familiar ache in my chest from the seemingly endless hours of fear and loneliness. The equally endless periods of being tossed in some box or drawer when my presence was deemed inconvenient, flooded back to me in crisp detail. My muscles ached in a sort of phantom pain remembering the constant vigilance I’d had to maintain to keep from being plucked up and choked or dropped or flicked or knocked to the ground. 

How vulnerable I’d been in the hands of children, no less, who had come so dangerously close to killing me simply for the twisted joy of the act! Nearly burning me to a crisp in their raging fireplace as if I, in all my sentience, mattered no more to them than my bundle of papers they’d turned to ash. And upon escaping the snapping jaws of a terrifying beast, how massive and threatening every sharp blade of grass, every knotted root, and cracked pavement square was when I was thrust out of doors, forced to fend for myself. 

It was only in that first breathtaking moment of true solitude that I’d realized just how vulnerable I truly was. 

I recalled, with a pang in my chest, the nightmarish ordeal of coming within an inch or so of a car’s massive wheel well and the spine tingling realization of having evaded death by a hair’s breadth of luck. I could never forget the adrenaline flooding my system as I faced the danger of a housecat and the harrowing realization of being discovered by a creature much like myself, yet terrifyingly large, with messy curls, and golden-green eyes, who could now dictate the course of the rest of my life with only minimal pressure from her finger and thumb, if she so chose. 

And then, there was the horror of surgery and the thoroughly damaging torture that had come before it.

Not to mention, the ache in my heart that had flared up again in Charles’s presence, wanting with every fiber of my being to just be seen by others for my potential and not my preciousness as some sort of fragile, living toy. 

My throat tightened as my brow knit. These feelings, boiling beneath the surface, were threatening to overwhelm me… that is, until, I was knocked out of my reverie: literally. 

In the throws of deep sleep, blissfully unaware of the comparatively small life pitying himself down below, Natalie’s muscles twitched involuntarily. Her hand rocked and flexed, tossing me up and suddenly back down again. I bit my lip to keep from making noise, as I spread my palms out to catch myself. But it was to no avail, I watched as her brow furrowed, lips parted and eyelashes began to flutter. In half a second more those irises would land on me. 

My heart raced as I scrambled to avoid her gaze. I couldn’t let her see me like this! I was a total wreck, a blushing imbecile!

Without a moment’s hesitation, I turned my back and buried my face into the hollow of her hand. I hoped my flustered movements hadn’t been enough to tip her off as she crossed from sleeping to waking. 

My heart pounded away, thundering in my ears, as I strained to listen to the woman above and around me. My hearing was now the only sense I could use to keep tabs on her. 

I focused on taking deep breaths to lower my heart rate and simulate sleep. I endeavored to stay limp, hoping to fool her for a second time. 

Why was my heart still beating so fast? 

I heard her mumble, just slightly as she came to, and the rustle of the sheets as her muscles reengaged and she shifted her weight, “Oh…” a delicate whisper escaped her lips. The rustling grew louder as the surface of the mattress where I lay buckled slightly. Please, think I’m asleep… She was getting closer… closer…. 

I clenched my jaw, squeezing my eyes shut, trying my damndest not to twitch a muscle, as my face burned with color. 

I could feel her breath along my back now. My heart pounded at a breakneck speed… she was right on top of me, closing in. 

Would she kiss me again? Press her lips into the small of my back?

It took everything in my power not to tremble at the thought: the horrible, wonderful, terrible thought…when suddenly, a gust of wind tickled my spine as she seemed to breathe a sigh of relief, “Oh thank god!” She whispered as quietly as someone her size was capable, and pulled away again, the swaying of the mattress turning my nervous stomach to knots, “I didn’t wake you? Good.” 

Why did the room feel warmer still when she addressed me directly? 

“… Hello there, Alexander.” She breathed in such a way that I suddenly felt ill and well all at the same moment, “How’d I get so lucky to have you in my life?” 

What was happening to me? I felt dizzy, hot, nauseous, on edge and utterly relaxed all at once. 

“God, you were something today… a brave little knight with his makeshift javelin— Poor Charles!” She sounded like she was suppressing the urge to laugh.

Why was she saying all this?? Did she know I was awake? Was she teasing me?

She paused for a moment, the muscles in the hand that surrounded me seeming to flex involuntarily. Don’t move… Don’t move… 

I was practically starting to sweat. The heat was unbearable, but the silence was even worse. What was she thinking? What was she doing? Was she falling back asleep? I’d all but blinded myself and now the tension was killing me. 

She muttered to herself, a little quizzical sound as if she’d discovered a new thought. My whole body was abuzz, waiting with baited breath. Was she pulling in closer again? 

I wasn’t sure how long I could keep up this act. 

That’s when her words hit my ears once more.

“Thank you for letting me hold you, for trusting me…” her voice was hushed, soft, warm, almost dreamlike. Why did it make me want to melt into a puddle and crawl into a hole out of sight? I bit my lip to keep from moving. 

I heard her breath catch and I tensed, waiting to see what had caused this shift. I could tell she was moving as I heard the friction of skin on bedsheets. Once again, however, she did her best to keep the hand I was held in from shifting. 

What was it?? 

I laid there stiff as a board, ears pricked… nothing. More infuriating silence. 

I had just given up hope, chalking it up to her making herself more comfortable, when I felt it: a point of soft pressure and warmth about as wide as my face suddenly pressed into my back. 

It centered just between my shoulder blades, and then traced down, down, down along my vertebrae. It was featherlight in weight, making my skin tremble and my hair stand on end where it had traced. 

Her fingertip caressed the length of my spine with a precise attention to gentleness even I had to admit was impressive. She drew closer now, the warmth of her breath cascading over me in waves. 

It felt absolutely heavenly and, therefore, was an utter, embarrassing hell to endure. 

I tore at the inside of my cheek with my teeth, hardly able to hold myself together. 

Did she have any clue how she was torturing me?

“If I could kiss you right now without waking you, I would.” 

My breath caught in my throat. I was undone. 

And then, with just as much inconsequential ease as she’d begun, she ended my suffering all at once, with no gusto whatsoever. 

“Goodnight, Little Nightmare.” With that she settled back down on the pillow beside where I lay and presumably closed her eyes.  

That was it? 

I felt my stomach drop as I finally breathed again. 

What was all that?! 

I trembled in the aftermath of the whole ordeal, discovering tension in every muscle group finally fade as air returned to my shaken lungs. I was not a man who often found himself in a position of doubt, but in this moment I really couldn’t decide if she knew I was awake and was torturing me on purpose or if she’d actually meant those things, and assumed they were still a secret to me. 

I wished I could stretch out, or readjust, but I didn’t dare to move a muscle. Not until I was certain she was fast asleep. I was beginning to regret the pose I’d trapped myself in, as my injured knee began to ache and my arm lost feeling. I was never getting any rest tonight, was I? 

Just as I thought things couldn’t get any worse, she twitched again, evidently fast asleep. Her previously slack fingers jolted to life as though each towering digit was charged with electricity. My heart leapt in my chest at the sudden, involuntary movement. Yet, there she was, towering above me, blissfully unaware and fast asleep. How I envied her! 

But her unconscious movements didn’t stop there. Before I could catch my breath, her hand started closing in. Seemingly of their own accord, her fingers wrapped themselves around my body, pressing my hips, chest and face against the soft flesh of her palm. Natalie! What do you think you’re doing?!  My heart thundered away as I feared her grip would get tighter and tighter.  

Her fist clenched around me, fully trapping me in the hollow of her hand, but, thankfully, the pressure remained steady and I wasn’t in danger of being squeezed to death. I breathed a grateful sigh of relief, only to choke on the exhale, as I was suddenly moving again. 

In the reflexes of sleep, she was shifting positions, rolling over and tucking her clasped hands directly over her chest. 

I didn’t even have time to shout before my face (as well as the rest of my body) was surrounded by soft flesh, beneath which beat a human heart, pumping to the relaxed rhythm of unconsciousness. 

In the blink of an eye, I’d gone from lying prostrate in the flat of her palm to finding myself wedged directly between… well, to put it in a polite way, her bosom. 

All the while, she went on sleeping peacefully, completely unaware of the entire humiliating situation. 

Meanwhile, my nervous system was on fire. My face, no doubt, was a crimson shade of red, as I writhed and thrashed about, fighting for air and a chance to decry my current, unfortunate state. 

Finally, blessedly, through some wild contortions, I managed to free myself enough to shout, “NATALIE!!!”

*****

I became aware of a distant voice before I ever opened my eyes. It was a mild disturbance at first, quiet and far off, just tickling at the edges of my awareness. 

But slowly, it got louder and louder, demanding to be understood, “NATALIE!!!“ 

What?! What was it? Did I hurt him!? 

I jolted awake, my stomach in knots, and a strange tightness and warmth on the surface of my chest. Before I even opened my eyes, I sat up in bed and flipped my bedside lamp on. 

As I did this routine action from blind memory, I heard a grunt and small yelp. 

Agony over the worst possible scenario clawed at my sternum as I snapped open my eyes. 

Only… it wasn’t the fear that I felt clinging just above my heart… it was a tiny, blue-eyed, disheveled, little man holding on for dear life! 

Oh god! Somehow I must’ve… cuddled him in my sleep… and now he was stuck with nowhere to go. The heat that rushed to my mortified face outmatched the warmth of his small body pressed against me. 

My heart beat furiously beneath him as his fingers dug into my soft skin, leaving little impressions from his grip. He was doing everything he possibly could to keep from slipping down any deeper. I swear I could feel his legs squirm as he fought for a foothold on my lower sternum. 

He craned his neck to meet my gaze, as I managed to collect my startled thoughts into a few words, “Are- Are you okay?” 

Suddenly, his face turned five shades redder and he tore his eyes away. I’d expected him to shout and snarl at me for putting him in such an embarrassing position, albeit accidentally, but instead, in a half-voiced mumble that was difficult to hear, he responded, “What do you think??” Poor thing, his elbows were practically at the same level of his ears. 

Oh. 

He was embarassed embarrassed.

So much so he couldn’t even muster the will to hiss and spit like he normally would. He stared blankly at the distant wall, eyes wide, tiny nostrils flared, seemingly begging with his whole body (minus his eyes) for me to find a merciful exit from his current situation. 

****************

My jaw was clenched so tightly I half expected to crack a molar. 

I was barely breathing, unable to escape the warmth and smell of her, all around me. I couldn’t last one more second like this. Not this close.

If she so much as uttered a chuckle at my sorry state I was certain I’d die of embarrassment. That, or I’d plot her death for having witnessed me in such a compromising position. 

I held my breath, hoping against hope that she could understand what I needed right now, despite my complete incapacity for articulating it.

Frozen in place (and, luckily, sliding down no further) I counted the beats of my ragged and mortified heart:

One, two, three... 

“Hey…” her voice cut through the noise inside my skull, and I couldn’t help but jump. I gazed up at the sound, finding myself presented with the pad of her upturned finger, resting gingerly in front of me. A life raft, offered without commentary or shame. 

A wave of relief crashed through me, as I clamored to embrace the digit. As soon as I’d encircled my arms around the width of her index, she lifted gently upwards, pulling me along with her. 

The heat of her soft skin was replaced with the slight chill of the air, and in spite of myself, I couldn’t help but shiver and miss the comfort of her warmth. I didn’t have to suffer long, however, as her left hand soon met her right, supporting my dangling legs and stretched spine, so that I was now seated in her palm. 

I coughed slightly, struggling to relax in her grip. I couldn’t make myself look at her. I could feel her energy like an imposing monumental wall, looming over my left shoulder. 

When was the other shoe going to drop? When would she burst out in laughter at this small, pathetic little thing who couldn’t even help himself from being pressed into her chest against his own will? Where was her massive fingertip to muss my hair and dig into my stomach, bop my nose and otherwise bandy me about like an adorable plaything who’d just been made to look utterly ridiculous? 

Once again, her voice shattered the inner workings of my mind, and I bit my tongue, bracing for whatever humiliation I was about to endure:

“Tea cake or chocolate?” 

What?  

I was so thrown by this out of context question that I couldn’t help but meet her eyes, my brow furrowed as I cocked my head to the side. 

She calmly repeated herself, “Tea cake or chocolate? I figure you’re hungry. I know I am, and a snack sounds pretty good right now. Do either of those sound okay?” 

Oh. 

I cleared my throat and clumsily managed a response, “Tea cake sounds nice, thank you.” 

Within a few moments, I found myself gently placed back on my bed, a steaming cup of tea to my right, on my bedside table, and a plate with a few crumbs of cake in my lap. We ate in silence for a moment, before she chuckled slightly, a smile warming her face as she turned to me. 

My stomach dropped, thinking the veil had been lifted and now was the time she’d chose to strike, I practically choked on my current bite. But instead of saying a word about what had happened, she preceded to tell me a story of the first time she’d tried to bake this cake, and, having forgotten to add the baking powder, it turned out horrendously. 

Much to my surprise, I found myself laughing along with her, unburdened by my earlier embarrassment. She was so animated in her storytelling, and was so self-effacing, that she seemed to erase all memory of the last hour. 

I couldn’t believe my luck. 

And when the tea had been drunk and the cake consumed, she simply smiled as she peered at me, clutching her pillowcase as she lay on her side, eyes level with mine, her wild hair cascading all around her, golden-green irises aglow. 

“Back to bed?” 

I nodded, confirming. 

“You’re okay, right? I didn’t hurt you in any way, did I?” Her voice caught in her throat as she asked. 

“No— I, I’m fine. Thank you, Natalie.” 

Her shoulders visibly relaxed at my response, “Okay, good.” She reached for the switch on the lamp, far above me, “Goodnight, Alexander.” 

“Goodnight…” I wanted to thank her, to tell her how much her kind response had meant to me. But the words wouldn’t come. 

I lay in bed, the silence deafening, as my head swam from the rollercoaster of emotions I’d just taken for the last few hours. Why did my stomach flip like that when I was close to her? Did she mean it when she'd said she wanted to kiss me again? Why was there a part of me that wanted her to? Why hadn’t she taken the opportunity to laugh at me for such a hilarious faux pas? Any other human would have. What had changed? She hadn’t shied away from teasing me in the past. Why in the deepest pit of my stomach did I want to crawl right back over her heart and fall asleep there? What had changed?

I asked myself these questions until the mental strain put me to sleep. I supposed my search for the answers would have to wait until tomorrow. Until then, I’d just have to accept not understanding what in the hell had just happened to me. 

___________________________________________

@littlescaryinternetguy @lucentbliss @jae-from-discord @kitn-underfoot @secretly-small

@writing-forever @iinogongju @itsgothgirlthyme @make-me-giant @reborrowing @whatthisfemsheplikes @soapysoap69 @tinystrawberryshifter @thetinylittlespider @certainwizardlady @theo-l-ogeneus

[pixiecaps]

hi i made this transparent snoopy plush png

[artkaninchenbau]

People keep on asking for more Baby Robin and Papadile so here is more Baby Robin and Papadile. Now never ask anything from me ever again

[anbaisai]

"Rest well, Jamil-senpai."