#he’s unconscious so she feels comfy enough to but she really can’t help herself from being like ‘wow what a fine ass man’
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independentzaun · 1 year ago
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When Jinx had murmured that one soft sentence, “I wasn’t expecting this from you”, for once she had sounded soft and vaguely content even. Ekko had actually shown up while she was in the midst of a spiral sinking downwards, and he’d helped her and by the void he smelled good. A part of her wanted to crawl over him, and grind and kiss and take until as much of that scent was in on her as possible. Another part though was entirely too warm, and comfy and glorying in the fact her soulmate had shown up. Arms wrapped around Ekko there was a half asleep, half awake beautiful moment in which she just existed there with her soulmate… and than the moment was shattered.
Ekko’s immediately discomfort made her visibly flinch as he sat upright, and as he pulled that watch out Jinx scooted away from him glancing off towards her weapons as there was a sudden flash of alarm from her. It was enough to give her a headache going from comfort and warmth and safety to suddenly wondering if he was going to use that stupid watch to try to hurt her. After The Bridge she didn’t associate it with just a time piece, but rather a weapon and she didn’t have her pistol on her or anything else. “Ekko?” Voice soft and more cautionary than actually fearful she took a deep breath, and realized his scent was still right next to her. Without thinking about it one hand grabbed his scarf that had fallen off at some point during the night, and pulled it under her.
She hated this so much. Why did her soulmate have to be some pompous know it all boy savior who always felt shame when around her? Why did it have to be someone she still half expected to murder her in her sleep as a way to “fix” this problem? Why did it have to be someone she wanted to punch in the face even as she wanted to kiss that stupid face? Why did she have to be an omega, and have a soulmate at all?
She was trying. Why couldn’t he see that? Maybe he did, and it just didn’t matter.
How ironic. She’d even jinxed herself.
Despite her discomfort, and displeased kind of resignation there was still a firm feeling of “please stay?” directed unconsciously down that emotional tie. She hated being alone, and weren’t soulmates supposed to stay together? What did it matter what anyone else thought? Either they were his friends, and his people and… why couldn’t they just be happy she wasn’t killing them anymore?
“Right. Never happened… Ya, I get it.” Head turning to look away from him her hand moved pulling that scarf into a spot even harder for him to see. “Your dirty little secret. Can’t let anyone know. Whatever.” Turning away from him Jinx curled up somehow looking positively small in her sleeping area, and without thinking pulled a pillow in close nuzzling against it.
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Her own emotions high and spiked all she really noticed from him was shame, and dread although she picked up for a moment that instinctual longing from him. Looking back over her shoulder at him Jinx stared quietly than just nodded. “I’m not stupid Ekko. Go run off to your people, boy savior, and your precious moral high ground deciding for everyone else how they should live. Go save your people who you think deserve it, and you think can earn your precious redemption or whatever the fuck it is you offer… Who would I tell anyways? I don’t talk to anyone. To any of your people… and if I did…” A soft sigh came from her that absolutely did not have even a hint of a sad resigned sob to it as she stopped looking at him and buried her face against the pillow.
“I wouldn't tell them. You said not to.”
He didn’t want her, and never would.
He’d come to her when she was upset.
Would he do it again?
Jinx at ekko: i wasn't expecting this from you.
As sunlight filtered through the windows and cracks in the roof overhead, Ekko shifted slightly, subconsciously turning his head away from the gradually brightening rays. There was a tickle of hair across his cheek, as he pressed his face into the juncture of the shoulder of his sleeping companion. Nuzzling closer.
Dimly, he was aware that he wasn’t at home - where was he, again? - but the alluring comfort of his companion's scent, and the warmth of her body entwined with his, fuelled the drowsy haze of contentment. This felt right. This felt comfortable, and safe. He didn't need to get up just yet. He could doze for just a few more minutes...
Then Jinx spoke, and the effect was as instantaneous as a bucket of cold water.
Ekko stiffened; reality came crashing back in. His eyes snapped open, and his arm flew off of Jinx's waist, where it had been so snugly coiled moments before.
"Shit," he swore, voice hoarse and low and still thick with sleep, as he pushed himself upright.
Shit. Shit. He wasn’t even supposed to have come out here last night - he certainly wasnt supposed to have stayed. To have slept here. What time was it?! Ekko fumbled with his pockets, found his watch, and checked it in a vain hope that it would somehow tell him it wasn't as late as his gut already knew. It didn't.
"I have to go."
Fuck, his people would definitely have noticed he was missing by now. They'd be worried. They'd be looking for him.
Worst of all, Scar would know where he'd gone. Sure, his friend would probably keep the truth quiet and cover for him, but that only added to Ekko's sense of overwhelming shame.
You're supposed to have more self-control than this. What the fuck were you thinking?
Now wasn't the time to unpack the questionable life choices he had made while sleep-deprived, or how instinctive it had been to find and soothe his enemy after sensing her distress and being unable to tune it out or get any damn sleep.
This fucking soul bond was weird and invasive as hell. It made him feel things he didn't want to feel - feelings that weren't even his! - and, apparently, it now also made him do stupid shit like sneak out and cuddle his enemy to sleep because she was sad.
Ekko hated it.
It's getting stronger.
"This never happened," he warned Jinx, as he hastily untangled himself and stood up, pulling his boots back on (where the fuck was his scarf? He didn't remember removing it.)
He needed to get home.
He wanted to stay
He needed to get out of here right now.
He wanted to take her back in his arms and kiss her neck
The sour shift in emotion hit him like a bat to the side of the head. Beseeching him to stay. Ekko froze for a moment, staring at her, visibly torn.
Then he vigorously shook his head, like a dog ridding itself of water, and turned away to leave.
"I was never here. Got it?"
@independentzaun
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witchlcnds · 4 years ago
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iseult unabashedly studying aeduan’s features is something so personal to me
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alice-angel12x · 3 years ago
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Naga! BakuDekuShoto X (fem)Mermaid!Reader
Part 2. Here
Y/n is warned to never go near the surface by her pod. She's been going near the surface every night and very early at dawn, sunrise to relax, sing, watch the sunset. Being a mermaid had its many blessing and curses. They were creatures of great beauty and magic, from their beautiful voices to the powerful magic in just a single tear. So naturally, they were secretive creatures.
A great lake deep in the forest of Atigus, a large pod of Merpeople lived in this lake. A lake so deep it could have been mistaken for the deepest part of the ocean. Living so far down in the deeps, they were a bit isolated from the many magical and grand creatures that also inhabit the forest.
Yet Y/n was a curious individual and would swim near the surface, in hopes of seeing another creature. Thought she was smart enough to know that there is one creature that she must avoid at all costs, Man. Yet She would brave the bright surface, and sing out to no one in particular.
One day as she ventured to the surface at sunset, she began to sing into the wind. As she rested on the lake's edge, she suddenly felt a painful sting on her shoulder. Y/n gasped in pain, but her body became so heavy suddenly and lost all control. As she laid there motionless, as she heard the snicker and the strange language of humans.
The humans quickly slumped the unconscious mermaid onto their backs and tried to find their way back to the village. Yet as they walked down the path, they could feel predatory eyes watching them.
As one of the humans looked around, they noticed that special markings were etched into the tree's around them.
"Oh no, we have walked into Naga territory," one of the humans gasped in horror.
As the two trembled, a large shadow engulfed them. The tallest stood up to 9 feet in height, standing above them, while the shortest stood 7 feet. They couldn't begin to fathom how long these nagas could be. These giants glared down at the small humans that had invaded their territory.
Dealing with the humans was simple, yet something did catch one of their eyes. The smaller green naga noticed the abandoned creature on the ground.
"What is that?" The freckled naga wondered.
"It looks like to be a humanoid creature like us," a red and white naga commented as he leaned over the mermaid.
"Yet, it's not. Its scales look strange and its tail is so short, it's the same size as those pathetic humans," The ashy blond Naga scoffed as he picked the mer by her tail.
"K-kacchan! Careful," the green-haired naga gasped.
"Why does it look like part fish?" The red and white naga asked, " You should be careful, Bakugo."
"Whatever, Deku," Bakugo scoffed, as he tossed the body over to green Naga.
"Nice catch Midoriya," The red and white naga commented.
"Thanks, Shoto," Izuku sighed as he got a closer look at the creature.
"So what do you think it is?" Shoto asked.
" It must be some water-faring creature, other than that I'm not sure," Izuku said as he held the mermaid close. " It would be nice to speak to her about it. Maybe I could hold onto her, F-for a  little while."
"Why?" Shoto asked.
"Probably cause this will be the only female that can't walk out on him for better a mate," Bakugo commented.
"I think you may be projecting a little, Bakugo," Shoto commented.
Bakugo scoffed and slithered off somewhere else, as Izuku and Shoto stood in awkward silence.
"S-so does that mean I can? N-Not for the reason that he said!" Izuku said quickly.
"I'd... Certainly hope not," Shoto said simply.
_________________________
As Y/n slowly came to her senses, she could feel something odd. As she slowly opened her eyes, she noticed that this body of water was barely deep. Plus something was wrapped around her, it felt strange.
She slowly opened her eyes, to see that the surface of the water was just a foot above her head. And wrapped around her waist was a tail, a snake tail. Y/n tensed slightly, but the creature felt her movement and quickly tightened its hold.
She was suddenly pulled up above the surface and was face to face with a freckly face with forest green eyes.  His eyes were full of wonder and curiosity as he inspected Y/n very closely.
Y/n wanted to scream, yet remained frozen. Not only was she unsure of this creature, but also intimidated by its great size. She never felt so small and helpless.
"what are you? And who are you?" Deku asked as he muttered other questions.
"A-a mermaid, my name is Y/n," Y/n squeaked nervesly.
"Ah, like an Oceanid," Izuku smiled." I-i have to write this down, I have so many questions."
As his tail wraps more around Y/n, she watches as the snake man turns to gather his parchment paper. They were covered in writings and notes about almost anything. Before Y/n could get a grasp of what was happening, she was drowned in the naga's curious questions. He must have not been paying too much attention as he tightened his hold.
"C-can't...Breath," Y/n whimpered as she passed out.
------------- Deku suddenly felt Y/n go slack, he stopped rambling and quickly looked at her.
"AHh! Y/n," Izuku gasped as he quickly placed her back in the small watering hole.
"Oi, killed it already," Bakugo laughed mockingly.
"N-no, Y/n passed out," Izuku said nervesly.
"So what is she?" Shoto asked as he tried to get a better look.
"An Oceanid, but she calls herself a mermaid," Izuku said as he put down his notes.
"Hmm, well what were those humans doing with one?" Shoto asked.
"Probably harvest her for magical properties. If they can't possess magic on their own, then they will take it," Bakugo scoffed simply.
"Well, I'm glad we came across those humans then," Izuku said with a relieved sigh.
___________
After a couple of weeks, Y/n grew used to Izuku and his curiosity. She would learn many things about him, that he was defiantly a curious Naga and a very emotional one. Will cry a river at any strong emotion he feels. Y/n could only hope that this small pool of water was not his tears. She would learn a bit about his other two companions.
Bakugo is the most prideful and skilled of the three. Always going off how he will be the best and rise the ranks among their kind. Shoto on the other hand seemed very calm out of the three. Almost to the point where he seemed indifferent about everything, though he takes everything very seriously.
Izuku would also learn a lot about her and her home in the great lake. How they knew many great magical treasures and plants within Atigus. It was just so fascinating to him, and it felt so nice to have someone discuss the magical phenomena with him.
As Y/n rested in Izuku's coils, a question came to mind.
"Hey Izuku, you've been so sad as of late. What is making you so sad?" Y/n asked.
"Um, it's a little embarring to talk about, but... The season of union is coming to an end soon. And during this time Nagas begin to pair and bond, and we bond for life. Sadly a girl I had my heart set in already bonded with someone else. So I may just end up being unpair," Izuku explained.
"What about Bakugo and Shoto?" Y/n asked.
"Well, most are annoyed or frightened by him, and would rather stay far away from him. And Shoto, has a bit of a hard time, umm, connecting to others," Izuku said slowly and awkwardly.
"Oh, well I'm sorry to hear that. I can't see why you would not find someone. Your sweet and so kind," Y/n smiled as she rested her harms on his coils.
Izuku's face turned a bright red as his tail tightened slightly. His heart fluttered in his chest as he stared down at his Oceanid friend.
"Y-you really think so?" Izuku mumbled, as his eyes watered.
"Despite your timid nature, you are willing to help though in need. Even if they may not deserve it," Y/n smiled up at him.
"Thank You Y/n," Izuku thanked as he cried waterfalls as hugged Y/n closely.
"Though you can be a bit of a cry baby," Y/n winced as she was drenched in tears.
But he didn't hear the last comment as he hugged her close.
----------------
"Shouldn't you be returning Y/n to the great lake, Surely she would like to return to her home and family," Izuku's friend Iida asked.
As the two patrolled the large Naga territory. Izuku's heart began to thump in his chest in a panic at the thought. The thought had many times came across his mind, but the thought of parting with her. Tore his heart apart.
-----------------
"Oh, you're still here?" Shoto asked as he entered the cave.
"Umm, have been for this past Month Shoto," Y/n said as she poked her head above the water.
"Izuku must hold you dearly if he hasn't returned you home yet," Shoto said as he found a comfy spot and laid down.
"Y-you think so?" Y/n asked nervesly.
"Hmm, don't you miss your family? I'm surprised you haven't asked him to return you," Shoto commented.
As Y/n studied him, she could feel something about those words. Like it wasn't just meant for you to answer.
"Are Nagas not close to their parents?" Y/n asked.
"Um, not all, but most," He said with a slightly sad look.
"What about you, if it's not too personal?" Y/n asked.
Shoto stayed silent for a time, as he slowly touched the burn on his face. " I could care less what my father is up to, but I... I do wonder how my mother is doing after she ran away from me and my dad," Shoto said sadly.
"W-why would she do that?" Y/n gasped.
"She said my left side and red scales looked too much like my horrible father. She burned the left side of my face and ran," Shoto answered as he covered his scar. " I was too horrible for her to look at."
Y/n frowned sadly at his story and pulled herself up onto the dry ground. She slowly approached Shoto's tail as she awed at his lovely scales.
"Your white scales shine like pearls, and the red ones look like rubies, your so lovely, Shoto," Y/n said in a soft tone.
Shivers ran up his spine as he felt the warm fingers slide across his scales. His heart pounded in his chest as he slowly coiled his tail around her.
"Y-you couldn't possibly mean that," Shoto said slowly.
"Of course I do. You know if you smiled more, maybe the ladies or gentlemen would flock to you," Y/n smiled.
"Flock? Like... Birds?" Shoto asked, really confused.
"No silly, I mean many would find you more approachable," Y/n laughed.
Her laugh was so small and cute, he could help but tighten his hold on her. He could feel her warmth on his scales as he slowly leaned in closer to her.
"If you're doing what I think you're doing, then you two are disgusting," Said a voice.
The two quickly turned to see Bakugo, who came back from a hunting outing. A large boar was slung over his shoulder as he entered the cave.
"Find a different part of the cave to suck each other's face," Katsuki grumbled.
"Why would we do that?" Shoto asked with pure confusion.
"Cause It's decent," Bakugo growled.
"No, why would we suck each other's faces?" Shoto asked again.
"I'm done with you," Bakugo scoffed.
_____________
Shoto and Izuku had to eventually leave to do a final scout turn, leaving Bakugo and Y/n. Bakugo had no interest in talking to the mermaid and did his own thing, by cooking the boar he caught. Y/n with nothing to do hummed to herself, her voice echoing off the walls of the cave.
"So you were the source of that voice," Bakugo said suddenly.
"Ummm... I was right next to you. How did you not know until now?" Y/n asked with a deadpanned look.
"No, every time around sunset I could hear something in the wind. A voice, singing," Bakugo said simply.
"Oh, I thought I was just singing to myself," Y/n said bashfully.
"More like to the whole forest," Bakugo huffed.
"Was I okay?" Yn asked slowly.
"You were definitely better than those harpies who think they can sing," Bakugo scoffed, turning away to hide his red ears.
"That is so sweet of you to say," Y/n said, slightly touched.
"Tch. Well, I don't really care for the noise of rain, you can keep doing what you were doing," Bakugo said slowly.
Y/n smiled at the tsundere naga and continued her song.
_________________
(3 weeks later)
Y/n and the three nagas grew closer and closer during the 3 weeks. The season of Union was quickly coming to a close, but tensions were high among the three males.
One morning, Shoto had his tail wrapped protectively around Y/n's sleeping form when he heard a soft but challenging hiss. Looking up sightly he could see it was Izuku. Izuku's usual large round pupils were now slits, as his serpentine tongue flicked between his lips.
"Yes, Izuku?" Shoto asked coldly.
"Your turn to patrol soon, maybe you should let her go now," Izuku said as nicely as possible, as he slowly inched closer.
Shoto tensed as Izuku slowly got closer. Shoto's pupils quickly turned to slits as he hissed back. Y/n was unable to sleep through the loud noises coming from the two.
"What's with all the noise," Y/n groaned sleepily, as she untangled herself from Shoto's coils.
"Would you shut it you two," Bakugo growled, as he pulled Y/n's sleepy form closer to him.
"B-bakugo, careful," Izuku hissed.
"I am," Bakugo said simply.
"Don't you both have someplace to be?" Izuku said with a slight hiss.
"W-what are you all fighting about?" Y/n asked, slightly more awake.
________________________
Pt.2 maybe?! I don't know
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chockfullofsecrets · 3 years ago
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Critical Role: The Opposite of Cuddling
(Read on AO3)
Rating: Gen
Summary: And maybe it wouldn’t be too bad, but - “That’s not gonna work,” he says, feeling a little bad as her face falls. “I’m way too ticklish for that.”
Jester’s expression rebounds at lightning speed. “Caduceus! You’re ticklish?”
“Oh. Yeah,” he grins.
Dome cuddles don't quite work out, but the Mighty Nein make do.
Wordcount: 1.8k (it would be short if it wasn’t supposed to be a snippet fic aaa)
A/N: maybe i am just in the mood for cuddly gang tickles. maybe so. 
---
“So,” Jester is proselytizing, brandishing a diagram from her sketchbook into dubious faces, “if we cuddle up around Caduceus just like this it’s going to be super soft and comfy and warm until we get out of this stupid weather! Any questions?”
Caduceus puts his teacup aside and leans down to peer at the sketch. It’s really good, especially the faces. She must have drawn it while watching them sleep last night.
And maybe it wouldn’t be too bad, but - “That’s not gonna work,” he says, feeling a little bad as her face falls. “I’m way too ticklish for that.”
Jester’s expression rebounds at lightning speed. “Caduceus! You’re ticklish?”
“Oh. Yeah,” he grins. It feels good to see her happy, tail flicking as she clutches her sketchbook in clear delight - after two days of nonstop freezing rain, even her forceful cheer has been wavering. “It’s nice, sometimes, but not when we’re, you know. Sleeping.”
“So I could tickle you right now and you wouldn’t be, like, really mad at me?” Jester presses. She’s scooting towards him as she asks, practically trembling with excitement. It’s awfully cute.
Well, it’s been a while, but he can’t say he’s not a little eager for the contact. He ignores the looks from the rest of their group and flops back onto his bedroll, wriggling a little to get comfortable. “Yeah, that’d be good.”
“Um,” Beau says from somewhere behind him, a little strangled. Oh, right.
“We’re not keeping people awake, are we?” he asks, craning his neck to the various edges of the dome people have settled in. “Anyone set on sleeping right now?”
Beau makes a face. "That's not the weird part, Duceus."
“They can help!” Jester chirps, and then she’s cuddled into his side and wiggling tiny tiefling claws above his belly. “Oh, Ca-du-ceus!”
She’s pitching her voice as deep and scary as it can go. It’s not very far. “Yeah?”
“Where’s your very worst tickle spot?”
He laughs. “Telling you that feels like a bad idea.”
“Then I’ll just have to fi-ind it!” She tugs his shirt up with one quick move, and he barely has time to feel the cold before she’s latching onto his sides and burying her entire face into the downy fur on his belly. “Ooh, you’re so soft and warm! I want to cuddle you forever, Caduceus.”
It tickles, but just a little - honestly, he’s more amused by her. “Can’t say I’ve heard that before,” he chuckles, reaching out to poke gently at her side. “You’re not bad yourself.”
She squeaks, pulling her head up just enough to gasp at him. “Oh my gosh, Caduceus, did you just tickle me back? Guys, you have to come help me!”
“Nah, I’m good,” Beau snorts.
Jester lets out a massive sigh and flops back down onto him, and for a pleasant minute or two it’s just her nuzzling into him as he watches raindrops pelt off the amber dome overhead.
Then there’s a rustle, and some clinking, and before he can do anything more than lazily twitch one of his ears in the direction of the sound Yasha’s upside-down face pushes into his field of view.
“Do you mind if I join?” she asks in her quiet way. “I don’t want to overwhelm you.”
Jester springs upright, grabbing happily for her hands. “Yes! Join us!”
Caduceus echoes her, snorting out a quiet laugh as Jester regains some of her energy and starts to scribble her way up his sides. He doesn't have any quiet siblings - Yasha reminds him a little more of the mourners, so it’s always nice to see her reach out. He's good at appreciating that sort of thing.
Yasha smiles shyly down at the both of them as she pulls his head into her lap and starts to play with his ears. “These are so soft,” she marvels. “Are you ticklish here?”
His ears have always been one of his siblings’ favorite spots to tease him with, and apparently they haven’t gotten any less sensitive in the last ten years. “Yeah,” he gasps. “Heh - just - hehe - a little bit.��
There's a frustrated groan off to his right. “Okay, I’ll bite.” Footsteps track around to his side, fleet and quiet, and he waits patiently for a flash of blue cloth to cross his gaze. “But only ‘cause ears are a fucking weird spot and I want to see if this works on you.”
Beau crouches by his side and curls her fingers loosely. “I’m gonna punch you,” she warns. “Probably not that hard, but don’t tense up.”
He nods as best as he can while tilting his head to better let Yasha worry her fingernails at the backs of his ears - he’s not sure if he could feel more boneless if he tried, right now.
The heel of her fist strikes him right in the middle of his chest, fingers clutching around something intangible - that something scurries its way down every nerve he has, and he coughs out a startled laugh before he can help himself. “What was that?”
“Payback for growing lichen on me back at your house,” she quips, but her eyes are narrowed in clear concentration. “Okay, ears, ears… wrists? And knees? And - fuck, man, your entire back? Really? Jes, let’s flip him over, this is going to be good.”
Well, that’s unexpected.
“Wait - ha!” Caduceus yelps, squirming as fingers start to pry their way underneath him. “Hold on now-”
He’s bigger than both of them by far, but they’re strong and not above tickling the backs of his ribs until he starts to squeal. "You're so thin, Caduceus!" Jester exclaims, hooking a finger into the tender gap between two bones and wriggling it mercilessly - his back arches entirely without his permission, letting Beau pry him another inch off the ground, and he whines defensively. "We have to feed you more!"
They get as far as rolling him onto his side before Beau loses patience and starts prodding smugly at his spine. “Your ki is pretty shivery around here, Duceus,” she teases. “Trying to hide your worst spots, huh? Bet you thought we weren’t gonna take this seriously.”
Caduceus is too busy laughing to deal with - any of that, really, especially when Jester slings herself over him so she can reach his back too. “I’m - ahaha! aaa! - oh, that tickles!”
As if in direct response to his babbling, a small weight bundles into the back of his knees. He curls up reflexively with a strangled shout - it’s Nott, cuddling up to him with a shivery sigh as an invisible hand starts to pinch at his kneecaps. “You’re right,” she crows to Jester. “He is soft.”
It does feel nice, being buried under this many people and tickled till the marrow of every bone in his body shivers, happy and helpless, and when Fjord finally sits in front of him and presses a questioning hand to his shoulder Caduceus doesn’t resist the impulse to clutch his hands and pull him in closer.
Fjord comes easily, huffing in quiet amusement as Caduceus buries his face in him and Yasha and wriggles like a freshly surfaced earthworm. “You alright there?” he drawls. “You sound like they’re trying to kill you.”
Nott snorts from somewhere near his belly. “We should stop, then, we’ve only got the one cleric.”
“Hey!”
Everything abruptly derails as Jester launches herself towards Nott and, from the sound of it, kicks Beau right in the face - there’s wheezing, and then shouting, and then the telltale sugar-sweet scent of Jester’s healing magic.
Caduceus holds very still. "Is everyone okay?"
"Yeah," Beau confirms, mangled. He can practically picture Jester frantically squishing her cheeks around as she checks for damage.
A typical tickle fight, as far as the Clays are concerned, just with a different smell - the Wildmother's healing tends more earthy. Even though they’ve stopped tickling, Caduceus can’t help but laugh.
He’s not sure if he imagines Fjord fluttering light fingers along the insides of his wrists as he catches his breath, but by the time he wheezes out one last fit of giggles and rolls himself back over everyone seems to be keeping a respectful distance, if a good deal closer together than they were at the beginning of the evening. “I think that went pretty well,” he says, pleased.
“...so you’re stupid ticklish,” Beau says dryly, scrubbing a bit of dried blood from her lip. “No cuddling Duceus while he’s trying to be unconscious, message received.”
There’s a chorus of agreement from all but one - Caduceus looks around and spots their final member for the first time since they sat down for dinner, nose buried in a book and ears suspiciously red.
He hasn’t moved an inch all night, even to escape the noise, which leaves him only a few feet away from the rest of them. Caduceus gets the feeling he’s about to regret that. “Oh, I’m sure there are those that have it worse,” he grins. “Right, Mr. Caleb?”
Caleb’s gaze snaps up over the edge of his book. “Ja,” he rushes out, strangled. “I mean - nein - of course I am not - I am just trying to read here-”
Jester doesn’t wait for him to dig his grave any deeper. “Oh my gosh, Cay-leb, are you super ticklish too?”
Caleb stuffs his book back into its holster and holds a hand out preventatively, reaching with panicked precision for a strip of leather tied just above his knee with the other. “No, I am not-”
“Oh, no you don’t.” Fjord rocks backward and reaches out with one broad hand, latching onto Caleb's wrist, and Caleb promptly abandons all spellcasting to kick at him like a startled rabbit.
Despite that, he reels Caleb in gently, scooping him into a neat little ball before he heaves him into the middle of their little circle and squarely on top of Caduceus. “I think we owe you a nice, long thank you for this lovely dome, don’t we?”
There’s a moment of silence as Caleb presumably thinks about how easy it would be to kill them all in this enclosed space. “This,” he says, as severely as he can with his feet in the air and hair in his eyes, “is the opposite of cuddling, and if you do not leave me alone then tomorrow night I am going to make all of you sleep in the rain.”
Even the seasoned homebody in Caduceus knows that’s the exact wrong thing to say to a group of damp and grumpy adventurers - if the mood in the dome was mischievous before, it takes a steep dive into outright evil.
Beau cracks her knuckles. “Yeah? Let’s see what you have to say when we tickle you again tomorrow.”
And if Caduceus laughs as Caleb gives one startled owlish blink and then scrambles to hide as much of himself behind Caduceus as possible - well, that’s not from the tickling at all.
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cinnonym · 4 years ago
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I was feeling anxious about the election and thus decided to polish up an older, previously unposted fluff fic of mine. There’s a second, angstier part to it, which I’ll post later, but for now, I hope that the fluff can help calm some of your anxiety the way it helped calm mine. I call this piece falling (from cloud nine and back). Happy reading!
It all started out so innocently.
Emma had just moved in. It was Regina's idea to rent out one of the many rooms in her mansion to the saviour, so Henry could have a stable home environment. Emma agreed pretty quickly, tired of the tiny loft Snow lived in. She insisted upon paying rent, although Regina had made clear several times that she didn't need the money anyway.
"You aren't so snobby that you decline cash when it's offered to you, just take it."
They sat at the breakfast table one morning, Emma trying desperately to keep her eyes open as she shoved spoons of cereal into her mouth, Regina herself already on the verge of leaving for work, shouting for Henry to hurry with his packing.
"I don't understand how you can be so awake when it's barely... what time?" Emma mumbled, her mouth full of cheerios (Regina had no idea where they came from, Emma must have somehow managed to sneak them in), and when one of her long blonde strands of hair fell out of the sloppy bun on the top of her head, Regina moved forward to stroke it back behind her ear.
The action was automatic, her mind probably so focused on Henry that it was maternal instinct.
However, the second her finger touched Emma's cheek, the saviour drew a sharp breath and looked at Regina, suddenly wide awake.
The expression in those green eyes unreadable, Regina recoiled immediately, fearing to have crossed a line. She cursed herself for acting unconsciously, and with Emma of all people – Emma who'd been wary of physical contact ever since Regina had known her. Before she could rush to apologize however, a smile spread on Emma's face, warm and bright and making the words get stuck in Regina's throat. Feeling inexplicably uncertain, she returned the smile and then rushed to work.
That evening, she came home late, and Emma had already gone to sleep. In the fridge she found leftover takeaway from Granny's though, and a note: "Hope you enjoy the kale salad and goodnight. X, Emma".
It all started out so innocently.
Things only escalated later.
The coming weeks were busy ones, Regina spending the large part of her days at the office, Emma only dropping by at lunch time to make sure she took a break. They made light conversation while eating, Emma occasionally reaching over to cover Regina's hand with her own, a simple gesture that made the brunette feel calmer instantly. She didn't read anything into the touches; Emma and she were growing closer as friends and co-parents, nothing strange with that.
Sometimes, she would find herself wanting to comfort Emma in return, so whenever the blonde ranted about the latest petty crime that left her with loads of paperwork and nothing gained, she reached out to pat the her shoulder or arm, as if saying "I understand you. People are stupid sometimes."
She started cupping Emma's cheek in the mornings, gently stroking her thumb over her cheekbones, instead of just saying goodbye. Emma would lean into the caresses, a content smile on her face rather than the frown she’d used to reserve for early rises before.
Then came the hugs.
One evening, when Regina returned from a particularly exhausting day at work, Emma embraced her the second she had stepped through the door. "You work too hard," she whispered and Regina allowed herself to get lost in the warm strong arms of the saviour for a while, before Henry interrupted them to ask what's for dinner.
Later that night, Emma pulled Regina closer on the couch while watching TV and gave her a massage. Luckily Henry was in his room to catch up on some homework because the moans Emma drew from Regina would have been rated mature for sure.
It took some time for them to take the next step after that. The cuddle sessions became more frequent and Regina more often than not found herself sitting in her office and counting down the hours till she could embrace Emma Swan again. Lunch visits had long since become a daily occurrence and they would spend it sitting on opposite sides of Regina's desk, their knees bumping together constantly. Then the afternoon would be dedicated to waiting for the evening, and the evening would consist of cuddle sessions on the couch.
Henry had gotten used to his affectionate mums, though he would sometimes shoot them pondering looks when Regina once again couldn't keep her hands from stroking through Emma's hair.
"Ma," he asked Emma one morning, not knowing that Regina was within earshot, ready to say goodbye and leave for work, "Don't you think it's unusual for you and Mum not to date?"
"Henry!" Emma exclaimed, then immediately hushed herself, and Regina had to move closer in order to make out her next words, "Your mum and I, we aren't together!"
"Except you kind of are," Henry mumbled almost inaudibly, "I mean, you live together, you spend your day together, you cuddle a lot..."
"Of course we do," Emma answered, "We're friends and share custody of you. We're close. See, your mum, she is a very strong woman, and I admire that. But she is also human and needs rest. I just want to make sure she gets that rest. She is always the one who takes care of everything, and I want to take care of her in return. She deserves that."
Regina decided to intervene then, stepping into the kitchen to find Henry and his mother clearing the table. Her heart swelled with affection for them both, and when Emma leaned in for a hug after she had kissed Henry goodbye, Regina, without further ado, pressed her lips against the blonde's cheek as well. Emma's skin was soft and warm, and she found it difficult to pull back after a second. Emma smiled blindingly at her, and Henry rolled his eyes in a manner he had picked up from both of his mums.
The next stage was introduced only days after that first kiss. It was a Friday night, and Henry was over at a friend’s, leaving Emma and Regina all by themselves to binge Disney films. (Emma loved the stuff and Regina was content with hearing her giggle hysterically whenever a character they knew in real life showed up.) They watched Snow White on Regina's request ("Just because you enjoy seeing my mum being hopelessly idiotic" – "I do not have to watch the film for that. It suffices to pay the loft a visit"), then Beauty and the Beast ("I can’t believe this is supposed to be Gold"), and barely finished Mulan, because Emma had dozed off and needed to rewind.
"We should go to bed," Regina said when the credits finally rolled, at the same time snuggling deeper into Emma's arms.
"But I don't want to let you go. You're so warm and comfy..." Emma pressed a kiss to Regina's hair and Regina, too, had to admit that she didn't really want Emma to let go of her.
"It is really late though," she tried to be The Responsible One, only to have Emma respond with an immature "I don't care," which was interrupted by a yawn.
"Emma," Regina sighed, "We cannot stay on the couch all night."
"Yes, we can. It's more comfortable than my bed anyway."
"Nothing compared to my bed though," Regina smirked and sure enough Emma perked up.
"Really? Let's sleep there then."
"Did you just invite yourself into my bed?" Regina failed to suppress a smile, and Emma grinned back: "And what if I have?"
House-intern sleepovers occurred more often than not after that, and Regina found that waking up next to Emma was something she could get used to. Although Henry eyed them suspiciously, Regina didn't think twice about the developments: How sleeping next to Emma became sleeping entwined with Emma, how kissing Emma's cheek became giving Emma pecks on her lips, how wanting Emma's touch became craving Emma's touch.
She didn't think about any of those things and it took that evening when a kiss turned into a full-grown make-out session for her to realize that something deeper than just friendship was going on between Emma and her.
---
Regina came home early that evening. Work had been less busy than usual and so, when she received the message from Emma that she had prepared a surprise for her, she managed to shut down fairly quickly.
The second she stepped through the front door, Emma ran up to her, one of Regina's aprons tied around her waist, flour in her hair.
"Regina!" she said, smiling one of the dazzling smiles that always made Regina want to kiss her. Fortunately, Emma had the same idea, quickly pulling the mayor in to press their lips together in a kiss that, as usual, lasted too short and left Regina wanting more.
"Today is Regina-feel-good day," Emma said cheerily, her hand still resting on Regina's waist, "You go take a bath, I prepare dinner."
"Today is what?" Regina asked, though she had understood the blonde very well and already felt her body go warm with affection.
"Regina-feel-good day," Emma repeated and grinned, "I figured you work so much, you should have a day where everyone appreciates what you do. Kind of like mother's day, except you're not my mother."
"That is the stupidest thing I have ever heard," Regina rolled her eyes but couldn't hold back a smile. And then she leaned in for just one more kiss, before she finally took off coat and boots.
Emma watched her with a taunting smile, "And here I thought you'd be glad."
"I am glad over dinner, as long as it is not burnt..." Regina teased, loving the way Emma's eyes went wide and she sprinted back to the kitchen.
"Bath, upstairs," she called back over her shoulder and Regina shook her head, smiling, then made her way upstairs.
Emma had bought a new bubble bath, and Regina sighed contently as she let herself sink into the hot water that smelled deliciously of apples. She hadn't even realized how long it had been since she'd had a bath and now that she was in the tub, she felt she didn't want to leave it ever again. It was only when a new smell reached her nose, and Emma called for dinner, that she reluctantly pulled the plug.
She walked down the stairs in sweatpants and a loose shirt (wellness day was wellness day, after all), and was delighted to see the dinner table set professionally with several plates, sets of cutlery, and wine glasses for the three of them, even though Henry’s was filled with water.
"Voilà," Emma said, leading her to her chair. She too had changed into comfortable clothes, and there was still flour in her hair, which Regina couldn't resist reaching up to gently brush it out.
As soon as she was sat, Henry appeared with the first course - a giant salad bowl.
"I wanted to make soup first, but we kind of have stew for the main course, so I figured salad would do," Emma explained quickly, but Regina was already smiling, and she reached for Emma's hand to squeeze it slightly.
"It's perfect, thank you," she whispered and Henry and Emma exchanged a victorious grin.
The main course was indeed stew. Emma had actually got around to chop loads of vegetables, even though she had always claimed she hated chopping.
"I tried to do Ratatouille, but it ended up being more of a vegetable stew than anything," she smiled sheepishly, and Regina just had to kiss her, in front of Henry and everything.
"Not dating, huh?" the boy murmured, and still it didn't register with Regina.
No, it took until after dessert (cinnamon rolls, because Emma admitted that she would never dare make something apple-related for Regina), until after the massage Emma gave Regina while they were watching a political documentary, until after Henry had gone to bed around eleven, wishing them a good night with a wink; it took until they were in bed, Emma spooning Regina from behind like usual.
"Emma?" Regina whispered, unsure whether the blonde was still awake. She had, after all, had a long day full of kitchen work that she wasn't used to doing.
"Hmm?" came the answer though, and the sound vibrated through Regina's body like encouragement.
"Thank you for today. That was the nicest thing anyone has ever done to me," she murmured, nevertheless grateful for the darkness providing a cover that allowed her to open up.
"No problem," Emma said and pulled her closer into the embrace, "I enjoyed cosseting you, actually."
Regina wriggled a bit to turn around, now facing Emma. The saviour's face was slightly illuminated by the moonlight pouring in through the shades, and she could make out the delicate shape of her lips, her cheekbones, her forehead.
And then, before she could think twice about it, Regina closed the space between them and kissed Emma. First her collarbones, because they were closest, then up her neck to her ear, and then she covered her face in light short kisses.
Emma's eyes opened after a while, and she chuckled: "If that's how you thank me, I might turn every day into a Regina-feel-good day."
Regina barely found the time to respond "Do that" between her kisses, and suddenly the desire took over and the instincts she had held back ever since she’d first cupped Emma’s cheek kicked in. In the darkness, she found her way to Emma's mouth, the mouth she could never get enough of, the mouth she’d been seeing in her dreams. Her lips moving fervently against Emma's equally hungry ones, she finally realized that this attraction she felt to the blonde was something different than friendship entirely. The deep craving she had for Emma's touch, for her presence, the urge she felt every time she was near her, the urge to touch her, the urge to hug her and never let go, it could all have only one explanation.
She is totally and irrevocably in love with Emma Swan.
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tarlosprompts · 4 years ago
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What about Carlos hurt on a call and TK freaking out and more or less moving in after Carlos gets home from the hospital bc he doesn't want to leave him alone for a second. Sorta a makes him realize how deep his feelings are and how much he loves him and can't live without him kinda deal
Claimed by Red💋
Part 2 of another prompt! Here’s Part 1
Warnings: past violence, high anxiety, slight dissociation
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Anxious Nights
TK didn’t want to leave Carlos when the ambulance rolled up to the hospital. Carlos hadn’t woken up on the ride to the hospital and that had TK on edge. Michelle had tried to explain to him that the shoulder wound would heal up fine, it didn’t seem like there was much damage...except for the fact that there was now a hole going from his boyfriend’s front to his back. What if Carlos didn’t regain full motion of his arm? 
Michelle had also tried to explain that Carlos probably wouldn’t wake up on the ride to the hospital because of how hard he hit his head. She tried to explain that head wounds bleed more and that it wasn’t that serious. She tried to explain that Carlos would probably only have a mild concussion, but TK couldn’t listen to her. All he could hear were the bad thoughts, the what ifs. What if Carlos hit his head hard enough to forget him? What if Carlos damaged his brain? What if Carlos didn’t wake up?
Watching Carlos get wheeled through the double doors where he couldn’t follow was almost as bad as watching Carlos go down on the scene. TK didn’t really know what to do with himself. He stood in the middle of the floor, staring at those doors. 
A small hand rested on his shoulder, “TK, you with me?” TK turned his head to Michelle, a frown on his face as it had been for the past thirty minutes. “We need to get you checked out, TK.”
“I’m staying here,” he muttered, staying in place.
“As soon as they know something, they know to find me. Carlos would want you to get yourself checked out.”
“I’m staying,” TK responded. 
Michelle rolled her eyes at the stubborn man. “Fine.” She turned to her radio, “bring me an ambo bag, I need to check TK out after his escapades today.” Turning back to TK, she led him over to a chair that faced the double doors. “I need you to take your turnout off.” 
TK followed her instructions and proceeded to sit down as Gillian placed a bag next to Michelle. “Go ahead and head back to the station. Do you mind having someone bring over mine and TK’s bags?”
“You got it, Boss.”
Michelle pulled out a light and flicked it in front of TK’s eyes. She did most of the exam nonverbally as TK’s anxiety showed itself through his extremities moving rapidly. “Does anything hurt? And I need you to be honest, TK.”
His gaze snapped to hers. “I have a mild headache and some sore muscles. Nothing that won’t fix itself.” 
Michelle studied him a moment more before nodding to herself. “If anything starts becoming unbearable, you need to let me know.”
“Yes Ma’am.”
_____________
Three Hours Later
TK’s leg hadn’t stopped bouncing since he’d sat down. He’d tried pacing the room, but his dad had put a quick stop to that when he arrived with his and Michelle’s bags. Now he was stuck between the paramedic and his father as he waited for any news on Carlos. 
TK ticked his fingers as he looked up at the clock on the wall. How long did it take to let people know their loved ones were alright? It shouldn’t take three hours for someone to assess Carlos and let his friends and family know. 
TK tensed as a doctor walked through the door. “Family of Carlos Reyes,” he called. 
TK was immediately on his feet. “Is he alright? Can we see him? How bad was it? Is-”
“TK,” his father placed a hand on his shoulder. 
“Michelle Blake,” the doctor turned to the woman.
“That’s me. Anything you want to say, you can say in front of my friends.”
“Very well. Carlos sustained a through and through in the right shoulder. We cleansed the wound and exrayed it to make sure nothing was broken. We sewed it up and it should heal fully in four-six weeks. Mr. Reyes also sustained a head wound from his fall. That required four stitches but should heal just fine. We also assessed for a concussion. Because he lost consciousness we have diagnosed him with a Grade 3 concussion. He will need to be monitored closely so we have admitted Mr. Reyes for the next twenty-four hours. If all goes well, he should be able to return home within the next day or two as long as he has someone to watch over him. If there are no questions, I can lead you to his room.”
Seeing no questions, the doctor turned and walked them through the double doors. As they walked, TK could feel his anxiety climb. Concussions were nothing to joke about. Would this affect Carlos later on? As they approached the room, the doctor turned to him. “He was awake thirty minutes ago but he may not be now. He does need his rest, so please, do not wake him up. Visiting hours are technically over, but I can let a nurse know that one of you will be staying the night. The other two would need to leave in the next thirty minutes”
Michelle smiled at the doctor, “would you mind informing them that TK Strand will be staying with him tonight?”
The doctor gave her a kind smile and nod. “Will do. He is in room 740. To enter and exit the building use the main entrance, not the emergency doors.” With that, the doctor was off. 
TK, Owen, and Michelle walked the rest of the short way to Carlos’s room in silence. Michelle was the first to the room. She quietly opened the door and peeked her head in. She motioned for the Strands to be quiet as they entered. Once in the room, TK could see Carlos sleeping peacefully on the hospital bed. He immediately went to Carlos’s bedside, hands fluttering once again, not knowing what to do with them. He didn’t want to wake Carlos as he did need sleep to recover. 
TK heard a quiet shuffle behind him before he saw a chair appear behind him out of his periphery. TK sat down, hands finally settling on clasping Carlos’s left hand. TK couldn’t take his eyes off of Carlos’s face and chest. Carlos was alive. He was breathing. He was resting. 
“He’s going to be okay, Son.”
_____________
Two Days Later
“Tiger, you don’t need to stay with me. I’ll be fine.”
“Are you a doctor? Hell, are you a paramedic? No? Oh that’s right, your a stubborn ass cop. We were told you needed to be supervised at home for the next week and that is what we are doing...unless you want to go back to the hospital?” TK raised an eyebrow as he parked the car in front of Carlos’s house. Seeing his boyfriend’s grimace, he responded, “I thought not.”
TK helped Carlos out of the car and into the house. He moved to take Carlos to the bedroom, but Carlos stopped. “I’d like to sit in the living room and watch movies with my boyfriend while he pretends like he isn’t trying to coddle me.”
TK’s glare held no heat. “Fine. Sit,” he ordered. “Don’t even think of getting up. Let me go grab our bags.”
In no time, TK had their bags in the house and pillows and blankets brought out from Carlos’s room and piled around the man. “Do you need anything? Water? Pain meds? Food? Should I get more blankets or-”
“Tiger, Baby, calm down. I just want to cuddle with my amazing boyfriend. That’s all I need.” Carlos’s brown eyes pleaded for him to concede. 
TK nodded quickly. “Yeah, yes. Yes, I can do that. I can totally do that.” TK quickly turned around before heading to the couch, “let me just grab some water and snacks. That way we don’t have to move. Can’t let you get dehydrated. I’ll bring over you meds too so that they’re in reach. We can’t stay on the couch for the rest of the day, you’ll need your rest in an actual bed to get better, plus the couch isn’t that comfy. Should we just go to your room? I can pull up movies on your laptop. It would be more comfortable and better for your recovery and we could still cuddle. We should-”
“TK, Tyler...Tyler I need you to breathe. I’m alright. If it would make you feel better, we can go to my room,” Carlos hated that TK was becoming more anxious by the second. He didn’t know what he could do to ease that anxiety. 
“Okay, yeah, okay. Let’s do that. Let me-let me come help you up.”
Carlos didn’t fight TK’s need to help him get up even though Carlos was seventy-five percent sure he could get up by himself. He let TK mother hen him into the bed and fortify him with pillows. He didn’t even object to the snacks that TK brought in, though Carlos never was big on eating things in bed. As TK straightened up to go get something else, Carlos caught his hand. “Baby, this is everything we need. Please lay down with me.”
Carlos could see the energy buzzing beneath TK’s skin. The last time he’d seen this much energy tightly coiled in his boyfriend had been the night he’d first called TK over for dinner that turned into a disaster. He didn’t like this side of his boyfriend. 
_____________
TK tried not to fidget in the bed, but he felt like he needed to be up and moving and making sure that Carlos was alright and bringing him anything he needed. He needed to be busy. After his hand started tapping on his leg for the fifth time, Carlos reached down to lace his fingers with TK’s. “I’m alright, Amore. I just want to relax with my boyfriend. I am fine, I’m going to be fully healed in a matter of weeks. There’s no need for you to worry yourself sick.”
“I’m not-I’m not worrying myself. I just want to make sure you’re comfortable.”
“Babe, you literally can’t sit still. I don’t want you to be anxious over this. I’m fine.”
“But you weren’t! What if he had shot you in the head? He aimed for you and I couldn’t do anything and then I couldn’t see you. When I did-” TK’s voice cracked, “when I did see you, you weren’t moving, Carlos. You were not fine!” 
“In my defense, I did hit my head and I was unconscious.” Carlos was trying to lighten the mood slightly, but the look TK gave him, sobered him. “I watched you fly five feet through the air when the propane tanks blew. You didn’t move for a couple of seconds. I was worried about you, but you’re alright. You’re sitting here, talking to me. And I’m sitting here talking to you. Tyler, it’s alright to worry about me, but you don’t need to be in fight or flight mode because I’m not in danger. I’m healing.”
TK was silent for a while and all Carlos could do was look at him. He couldn’t tell what the man was thinking. TK extracted himself from the hold Carlos had on him. “I’m going to make some sandwiches and change clothes to be more comfortable in bed. Do you want to change or are you alright?” 
“Tiger,” Carlos sighed.
“Right, I’ll bring back a sandwich for you.” TK darted out the door.
_____________
Six Days Later
“I’m not an invalid,” Carlos sighed.
TK rolled his eyes in return. “I never said you were.”
“Yeah, you just treat me like one. If the roles were reversed, you’d be verbally fighting me about it.” 
“I just want you to heal correctly. Is that too much to ask?”
“You are allowed to go home now. You don’t need to watch me anymore.”
TK turned his back to Carlos as he pulled his shirt off to change. “What, so you’re kicking me out? For caring?” When Carlos didn’t respond, TK turned with his new shirt in his hands to look at the man. Carlos’s eyes were wide. “What?”
Carlos stood up, walking towards TK. “Baby, your back,” Carlos whispered, turning him around to run his hands over the healing bruises. “Why didn’t you tell me you were hurt?”
“It didn’t really hurt. Must have been the blast’s force. I’m fine. I had more important things to think about.”
“Tyler, you should have at least told me.”
TK turned back to face Carlos, “so you could refuse my help? I don’t think so. It really didn’t hurt that much, ‘Los.”
Carlos shook his head. “We’re partners, Tyler Kennedy Strand. We tell each other when we’re hurt. That’s how this works. You need to think about yourself too, not just me and my injuries.”
TK broke eye contact. His breathing was beginning to become uneven. “You could have...If that gangster had better aim, he could have killed you, Carlos. And I don’t-I don’t know how to live without you anymore. You-you’re my rock and I don’t know if I could stay sane or-or sober if you were gone. I love you...God I love you so much. I didn’t even realize how much I loved you...I don’t want to live without you. I don’t like it when you’re hurt. I can’t focus on me when you’re in pain because I want to fix it. I love you so much that when you’re hurt, I’m hurt and-and not just this time because I was also hurt, but-but because I care so deeply for you that it scares me. I’ve been so anxious because I wanted-I wanted to make it so you weren’t hurt. I wanted to take your pain and your injuries because you don’t deserve them.”
There was a shine in Carlos’s eyes as TK stared at them. A small smile was on the man’s face. “I happen to love you just as much. I feel your pain because I care so much for you...but it’s not scary because I know that you feel the same way. With our jobs, we can’t promise not to get hurt, Tyler. But we can promise to try out best. I think-I think we need to work on your anxiety, though, because it isn’t healthy to spend seven or more days filled to the brim with anxiety. I love you, so much Cariño.”
TK licked his lips as he leaned closer to Carlos. “Does this mean I can stay?”
Carlos bit his lip as a smile began to form. “However long you want...you already have a key, Baby.”
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krsnbgirl · 4 years ago
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Fly High! || Kageyama x Fem!Reader || Part 7
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Summary: The first day of training camp has come to an end and the night is still young. After thinking about the boys’ current status at the camp, you spend some times with the rest of the managers. The topic of boys come up and you can’t help but spill your secret to them. As the night goes on, you end up at the gym and try to get in some personal training in when Kageyama shows up. You finally get to have a moment with the one person who has recently been taking up all of your thoughts. 
Pairing: Kageyama Tobio x Fem!Reader
Genre: Rom-Com, Slice of Life, Sports
Warnings: None
Word Count: ~2.5k
Author’s Note: As promised, here is part 7! I appreciate any interaction with this story, but it really does help if there is some feedback on it! Also, for anyone who is curious, the tag list is still open! And as always, this will be cross-posted on AO3 <3
Taglist: @misnmatchedsox​ @monviemoo​ @love-beyond-words​ 
Part 1 || Part 2 || Part 3 || Part 4 || Part 5 || Part 5.5 || Part 6 || Part 7 || Part 8 || Masterlist
You bit your lip as you walked out of the girl’s bathroom with a towel wrapped around your neck. Your wet hair cascaded down as you mindlessly began to dry it. Your mind was elsewhere as flashbacks of the boys during their last match took up your attention. You were mentally going through your observations of the rest of their practice matches and compared it to how they were then to their current status. You knew that their loss against Seijoh was heavy on their minds and seeing how the other teams were really strong, it would obviously take a toll on your boys. Of course, that meant using this camp to their advantage to better themselves. You just winced every time that they had to do diving drills as punishment, which was basically the whole day for them. You wished there was something more that you could do and the boys always reassured you that it’s just a part of the process. But with Kageyama and Hinata in the mix, it gives you some relief to know that they could get some wins under their belt. Hinata’s change in attitude was worrying you as you remembered noticing that his head wasn’t in it as much as usual. You had followed his gaze at some point during their Nekoma match to find that Lev had caught everyone’s attention. He was a new power to reckon with on the team of cats, but you hoped that it wouldn’t stump your friend as much as he let on. Sighing, You gripped your towel in worry, wondering to see if the change of pace would ruin the boys’ team dynamics. Thankfully, the first day had come to an end and everyone was winding down for the night. You pushed away your worries and mentally reminded yourself to wake up earlier than the call time to work on some new strategies for the team.
“Welcome back, (Y/N)-chan!” One of the managers from Shinzen High greeted you. 
“How was your shower?” Shimizu asked as you put back your things into your bag. 
“It was good, haha. What have you guys been up to while I was gone?” 
“We were talking about the boys!” Suzumeda Kaori, one of the managers from Fukurodani, grinned as she hugged her pillow. 
The other girls in the room giggled as you raised an eyebrow at them. “Oh? So we’re starting now, huh?” 
“I mean why not? It means we have more time to gossip about them as the camp continues.” The manager from Ubugawa added. 
“They aren’t wrong, (Y/N)-chan, so let’s enjoy, hm?” Shimizu smiled at you. 
“I guess…” you grinned and got comfy in your futon. 
“(Y/N)-chan, do you have a thing for Kuroo or Bokuto? We saw you playing with them earlier!” one of the girls asked. 
You laughed so hard you had to clutch your sides. You frantically waved your hands and shook your head as they looked at you with questioning looks. “Nah, they’re like my brothers! Just like Nishinoya, I grew up with them.” 
“Eh? So that means they’re free to flirt with!” one of the girls cheered.
You shrugged and said, “Tetsuro can be a tease with girls but Koutaro is very oblivious, it’s like the only thing that goes on in his mind is volleyball.” 
“What about you, Kiyoko-chan? (Y.N)-chan? It could be from another school or even your own, but has anyone caught your eye?” Shirofuku Yukie, the other manager of Fukurodani, asked with a cheeky glint in her eyes. 
Shimizu shrugged and readjusted her glasses. “Not really, not at the moment anyways. They all share one brain cell so none has appealed to me in that way.” 
“Eh~ you’re just trying to act cool like always Kiyoko-chan!” 
The girls giggled and the attention was turned back towards you. You awkwardly glanced down at your hands and pursed your lips in contemplation to share what’s been on your mind. 
“Oh? I think she does like someone!” 
Shimizu grinned to herself as she had noticed you interacting more with a certain setter during practices. You sighed before looking down at your pillow and muttered his name underneath your breath. 
“What was that? We can’t hear you~” Kaori teased. 
“...K-Kageyama-kun…” you muttered just loud enough for them to hear. 
The girls shrieked as you hid your face behind your pillow and Shimizu comfortingly patted her shoulders. You felt your entire face warm up and groaned when you heard all of the comments from the girls. 
“That’s so cute!” 
“Aw and they’re both first years.”
“Wouldn’t that be hard though?” 
You shrugged and smiled to yourself, setting your pillow on your lap. “I know it’s still pretty early...but I’m okay with just being friends with him because I know how much volleyball means to him. I can just continue rooting for him as a manager and fan.” 
“That’s so romantic!” the girls said together and you laughed. 
The night continued on as the girls continued to talk about the boys and tips were shared on how to keep all their rowdiness at bay. Soon enough and one by one, the girls began to fall asleep. You sighed as you got up to turn off the lights after stuffing your phone in your pocket. You were the last one awake and still didn’t feel like going to sleep. Even after a long day like today, if your mind wouldn’t let you sleep, there was no way to relax. 
Slipping on a pullover hoodie, you quietly made your way out of the classroom and figured you might as well continue to work on your knee. You leisurely headed towards one of the gyms and turned on its light. ‘Thank goodness no one is awake…’ Grinning to the thought of finally having the entire gym to yourself, you went into its supply room and grabbed a jump rope and resistance band. Getting back onto the floor, you set the resistance band on the ground as well as the water bottle you brought with you. With a tap on your phone, you let music play and began to do some reps with the jump rope to warm up in the middle of the court.
“Um…” you heard someone say behind you. 
You stopped jumping and turned around in surprise to find Kageyama looking back at you. He was wearing grey sweats and a black hoodie with his hood on. You smiled as he looked at her set up and you shrugged. 
“I couldn’t sleep.” 
“Me neither.” He replied and slid his hood off, stepping into the gym. 
“Are you going to practice your serves?” 
He nodded silently and quickly made his way towards the basket that held the volleyballs. A comfortable silence fell upon you two as you each got into your zones. You had moved on to using the resistance band for some squats and stretching. Kageyama couldn’t help but keep an eye on you as he served, making sure that the balls never hit your corner. Once he had settled in with the basket, you had walked off and settled in the corner closest to the door so he would have to space. While doing his own practice, Kageyama couldn’t get over the fact that he missed seeing you in action today all because he failed his exam the first time. With a sigh he focused on the ball that was in his hands and began to serve as usual. He watched as it went towards the other side of the court, but was surprised to see you receiving the ball. 
“Shouldn’t you be stretching out your leg?” he asked in surprise. 
You shrugged and said, “I’m basically in the final phases. Ever since I became manager, I’ve been taking my treatment a lot more seriously. My therapist and doctor gave me the okay to slowly get back on to the court, just not as intense as I was before.” 
Kageyama nodded and you met his gaze before smiling at him. He watched as you walked towards the serving line and he unconsciously began to analyze your movements and positioned himself ready to receive the ball. But before he could fully register your serve, the ball had already flown right past him. You cheekily laughed at his reaction when he looked at you then at the ball in surprise. 
‘What speed and control…’  He thought to himself as he blinked back at you.
“Surprised?” you asked. 
Kageyama cleared his throat while he picked up the ball. Taking a deep breath, the setter readied for his turn as his gaze changed. He picked up on the challenging tone you gave him and if anyone knew him, they knew that he enjoyed being put up to a challenge. You smirked while silently watching his whole demeanor changed before your eyes. This was one of the sides of Kageyama you enjoyed because this was when he shone the brightest in your eyes.
“First to three?” he asked. 
Your eyes glinted in confidence as you stretched out your arms. You smirked and quickly braided your hair so it could stay out of the way while shaking out your legs. Finally with a determined smirk, you nodded. “You’re on, Kageyama-kun.” 
You gave it your all against each other as each served then hit the ball to try and beat their opponent. You managed to gain the first point as Kageyama missed to hit the ball he dove for. He tried to not let it affect him and playfully rolled his eyes. You gave him the peace sign and he shook his head in amusement. 
“I hope you’re not going easy on me.” You snickered.
He clicked his tongue and in the midst of your gloating, served the ball and aced it. Your jaw dropped and he smirked. “As if, shorty.” 
“Shorty?! And you cheated!” you huffed before jogging to grab the ball. 
“Remember to always stay alert on the court.” 
You rolled your eyes and shook your head with an amused smile on your face, “You will certainly be the death of me, Kageyama Tobio.” 
He simply shrugged and readied himself as he watched you close your eyes and walked up to the serving line. He doesn’t remember the last time he felt so relaxed yet challenged at the same time. It’s been so long since he was able to play against someone that lived and breathed the game just as much as he did. Of course there was Hinata, but the kid still had so much to learn. With the girl in front of him who smiled with calculated eyes as he ran and tried to spike the ball to score, Kageyama couldn’t help but crack the smallest smile as she ran towards it. The ball had bounced back over to his side and as he ran to hit it, he couldn’t believe he was actually having fun for once. 
You continued to play and eventually, Kageyama arose as the victor. Before he could stop himself, he pumped his fist with a bright smile on his face. A small ‘yes’ escaped his lips and you smiled to yourself as you watched him enjoy his little moment. Walking off to the side, you grabbed your water bottle and yawned. Kageyama approached you with a warm expression on his face after putting away the ball and said, “Good game, (L/N)-san.” 
You huffed as you checked the time on the wall and said, “It’s only because my knee started to act up that I couldn’t get the last one.” 
“Well we were tied for a while.” he muttered and looked down to see if her knee had swollen up. He lifted up the edge of his shirt to wipe away the sweat on his forehead and when you noticed, you immediately looked away and hoped he didn’t notice the light tinge of pink on your cheeks.
You passed your water bottle to him without saying anything and he wordlessly grabbed some water for himself while you busied yourself with your belongings. After straightening up from gathering the workout equipment, your eyes widened as you watched Kageyama drink some more water. 
‘Does he know that we just had an indi-y’know what, let’s not get ahead of ourselves, shall we?’ Shaking your head rapidly, you put on your hood and quickly muttered that you were going to put away the stuff you brought out.
Kageyama gave you a confused look before picking up your phone for you and decided to wait for you by the entrance. You had returned with your hands in the pocket of your hoodie and you gave him a grateful smile for holding your things. 
“Thanks Kageyama-kun.” you muttered and grabbed it from him before you guys walked towards the building where the girls were sleeping in. 
“I didn’t know you could play like that.” he said after walking for a bit. 
You looked up at the sky as the moon shone brightly and he matched your pace. It felt so refreshing to be able to almost play as how you did before. Your game with Kageyama surprised you since you didn’t even remember when was the last time you had a one on one with someone. Shrugging, you smiled and said, “I didn’t know I could either until my body moved on its own.” 
“...I’m glad we got to play together.” 
“You are a formidable opponent, Kageyama-kun. I hope to someday play against you and Shoyo-kun and receive that quick myself at my best potential.” 
He had the smallest smirk on his face as he imagined that scenario. A two versus two match with the annoying tangerine against you and whoever you pick at your best? Now that was something he could look forward to. Kageyama wanted to see you in action because you were better than most players he’s come across. You also had the same look he has on the court while he reads the players and tries to figure out what’s next. During the small game, he felt like you were both playing a game of chess to see who could outsmart the other. It was also probably why he found himself becoming more comfortable around you. You were both very similar on the court when it came to decision making. You chuckled as you looked up to find Kageyama lost in his own thoughts. A new spark could be seen in his eyes as you slowly approached the entrance of your building.
Kageyama stuffed his hands in his pockets and watched as you made your way up the stairs and you turned around to smile at him. Tucking a few strands of your hair behind your ear, you bit your lip before bowing. 
“Thanks for tonight, Kageyama-kun. It was fun getting to play with you.” 
“...Tobio.” 
You tilted your head to the side as Kageyama looked to the side, his hand rubbing his neck as he blushed. 
“...Call me Tobio.” he said a little louder. 
You couldn’t hide the wide smile that had managed to break out behind your hands as you tried to hide your burning cheeks. Kageyama met your warm gaze and relaxed as he looked into your eyes. He sighed and gave you a small smirk. 
“I don’t want to lose that small tangerine.” 
You giggled and nodded as you gripped the bottom of her hoodie. Rocking on your heels, you smiled at him once more.
“Alright then...goodnight Tobio. Sleep well.” 
He waited for you to open the door before saying, “...Goodnight (Y/N).” 
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caffeinatedbraincell · 4 years ago
Text
A TOG fic inspired by that one post by @oldguardsaidthat
Read on AO3
“I wasn’t that drunk last night,” Joe insisted. The look on Booker’s and Nile’s faces told him that this was a lost battle, but he had to try.
“You were flirting with Nicky,” Andy retorted from the kitchen, noisily slurping a coffee. Joe quickly swallowed a bite of his scrambled eggs before turning over his shoulder.
“So? He’s my husband!”
“You asked him if he was single. Then cried when he said he wasn’t.”
As if on cue, Nicky walked out of their bedroom. His hair was still damp from the shower, poking out from beneath the hood of a large, comfy pullover.
“That’s my hoodie,” Joe and Nile said at the same time. Joe turned to glare at her.
“It’s a men’s hoodie, Nile. Booker got it for me.”
“No, it’s a unisex one from Costco and it was in the bag of shopping with my name on it. Right, Book?”
Booker looked back and forth between them, trying to decide who he wanted to get into a fight with less. He sighed. “It’s clearly Nicky’s.”
Nicky grinned, pausing next to the table to scoop more breakfast potatoes onto Booker’s plate. “You tell them, Booker.” He went into the kitchen to join Andy by the coffee bar. “What were you saying, boss? Who was crying?”
“Your husband. Last night.”
Nicky laughed out loud. Joe tried really, really hard to be mad.
“He remembered nothing this morning, if you’ll believe it. I didn’t even know we could get hangovers that bad.”
“Yeah, well. You know how he gets. He missed you.”
Andy’s voice had softened, and Joe could almost see the look of fondness that was no doubt settling itself across Nicky’s face. He decided to lighten the moment by stomping into the kitchen and angrily washing his plate.
“I’m right here, you know! I can hear you.”
Andy smirked a little evilly. “Don’t you want to know what happened last night, Joe?”
“No.”
Booker walked in with his and Nile’s plates, sliding them into the soapy water and shrinking back when Joe gently waved off his offer to help. Nile hopped up onto a stool on the other side of the counter. She leaned forward excitedly.
“Are you sure? Because it’s a good story. We’d love to tell it.”
“Of course you would,” Joe muttered with ire that didn’t quite reach his eyes. “You’d all jump to speak of my humiliation, wouldn’t you?”
“Of your all-encompassing love, hayati.” Nicky set his cup down and stepped next to him, pressing against his hip and shoulder as he reached for a dish cloth to start drying. “Of your sweetness. Your utter sincerity. Which of these sounds even remotely like humiliation?”
“Bold words for someone who refuses to delete the video of me slipping in the rain and landing butt-first in a puddle of mud.”
“It was funny, Joe!”
“You showed Nile,” he grumbled, but he felt his lips quirk up in a smile despite himself.
“She is part of our family now, is she not?”
“Of course. Which is why I’m taking her to the art history museum in Malta next time we all visit. The human anatomy exhibit, specifically.”
Nicky turned a lovely shade of pink and made a point of shaking the next wet dish directly over Joe’s head.
“What’s in the human anatomy exhibit?” Nile perked up. Joe opened his mouth to speak, but Nicky quickly cut in.
“Andy! Why don’t you tell Joe how he managed to get wasted before Booker and I even showed up last night?”
___
Andy slapped $200 onto the table. Nile raised a judgmental eyebrow as she chewed on a piece of fried chicken.
“Andy. I’m 27. I don’t have $200 lying around to throw in on a bet.”
“That’s fine. Put in how much ever you want. Winner takes all. Joe, you want in?”
Joe looked up from where his head had been resting against his hands on the table. “I refuse,” he began indignantly, “to go around flirting with people just to get their numbers. It’s unethical. What if you break someone’s heart?”
Andy rolled her eyes. “No one’s gonna lose their heart to someone they met a few minutes ago at a club. Most of the numbers are fake, anyway. It’s just for fun.”
“Nicky’s not here.”
“Booker texted me. They’re delayed because Copley told them to stop by the bank and withdraw some cash. He’s going on vacation and wants us to stay under the radar for a few days.”
Joe shook his head. “You two play. I think I’m going to sit at the bar and drink for a bit.”
“Suit yourself. Nile, come on.”
___
“Wait, wait, wait,” Nile interjected. “Let me tell this next part, ‘cuz you’ll tell it wrong.”
“Look, the fact that you had three more numbers when Nicky and Booker arrived is immaterial. If we’d continued the game like we were supposed to, I’d have won.”
“You’re a sore loser, Andy.”
“Hey, I paid you, didn’t I?”
The group made their way back to the dining table. Nicky sat back and ran a hand through his hair exasperatedly.
“Madre de dio, you guys. I’ll tell it.”
___
Nicky and Booker walked into the club, quickly locating Andy as she chatted with another woman animatedly.
“Andy!”
Andy looked up and smiled, extracting herself effortlessly from the conversation.
“Finally. The bank give you any trouble?”
“Tried to,” Nicky answered, “but nothing a quick call to Copley didn’t fix.”
“Where’s Nile and Joe?” Booker asked. “We should go home.”
“Oh? No drinks tonight, Book?”
“We have better alcohol in the kitchen cabinet.”
“That’s true. Nile should be around here somewhere, shoot her a text. Nicky and I’ll go find Joe.”
“Bet.”
They walked toward the bar and spotted Joe scooting what was obviously the latest of several $10 bills at a bartender. She spared him a concerned glance over her shoulder as she poured him another drink. Joe gulped it down in a matter of seconds.
Nicky shook his head despairingly. “This insane man.”
“He was missing you.”
“That’s no reason to drink the bar dry!”
“The alcohol can’t hurt him, Nicky.”
“I know, I know. Give me a couple minutes, I’ll get him.”
Nicky walked up and slid onto the stool next to Joe, leaning forward to ask the bartender for a glass of water. He turned to his husband. Before he could say anything, Joe glanced at him out of the corner of his eye and whispered,
“Beautiful company tonight.”
Nicky froze. Was his husband hitting on him?
Joe winked.
Nicky’s jaw dropped. He was going to slap this man. He didn’t even want to know how much alcohol it took for an immortal to get this much out of their own mind.
“Are you single?” Joe’s words cut through his thoughts. Nicky looked at his wide, sparkling brown eyes, alive and surprisingly alert compared to a few moments ago. Joe kept his hands to himself, but leaned forward almost unconsciously, as if taking comfort in breathing the air around Nicky. His voice and body were a study in longing.
“No,” Nicky replied honestly. He held up his left hand. “I’m married.”
For a minute, neither of them spoke. Then Joe turned back to the bar and rested his chin on his hands, looking away.
“Oh,” he said in a tiny voice.
Nicolo rested a hand on the back of his neck and brought the glass of water to his lips. “Here, drink this. You’ll feel better.”
As he returned the glass, Nicky heard Joe give a small sniffle. Then another. He whipped around just in time to see a large, unhappy tear trickle down his beloved’s face.
Nicky’s heart abruptly broke.
“Hayati,” he breathed, surging forward to take Joe’s face in his hands. “Joe, look at me, my love. Please.”
“I’m not, though. Your love.” Joe hiccupped sadly. “You’re already married.”
“To you, you absolute fool. Here, I’ll show you. See?” Nicky held up his husband’s hand, clinking their matching rings together. “You’re my husband, Yusuf. The love of my every life.”
Joe looked at their joined hands disbelievingly. “I’m… yours?”
“Yes. Of course. And I’m yours. For as long as you want.”
“Promise?”
If Nicky had to endure one more second of doubt in those wide, teary eyes, he would explode. So he leaned forward and captured Joe’s lips with his, trying to pour 900 years of tenderness and devotion into the kiss.
“Nicky!” Nicky pulled back just far enough to shout a quick, “Yes, boss?” over his shoulder. Not that Joe found even that small distance acceptable, with the way he clung to Nicky’s neck.
“Get your ass in the car. Joe’s, too. You two can continue there. The rest of us want to go home.”
“I call shotgun!” Booker yelled.
“Oh, that’s not fair at all,” Nile grumbled. “Andy, can I drive?”
“No.”
___
Joe buried his face in his palms and groaned, a blush creeping up his neck as the others laughed. “Please tell me I at least behaved on the drive back.”
“If you call whispering ‘ti amo’ repeatedly until you fell asleep in Nicky’s lap behaving, then sure.”
The others burst out laughing at Nile’s retort, and Joe flushed even deeper.
“Hey, it could have been worse,” Andy smirked.
“Anyway,” Joe interjected. “I guess I owe you all an apology.”
Every single one of them opened their mouths to assure him that no such thing was necessary, but Andy got there first.
“For what? Being an absolutely precious human being? Never.”
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selfships-in-spanish · 4 years ago
Note
Idk random thought but I think it would be cute/hot if canon!verse connor and ona where at home watching a movie and it ended up with them getting handsy with one another. Like, they're snuggled up under blankets and roaming hands lead to some fun times (like some finger fucking/handjob etc.).
Anon I am DEEPLY SORRY for how long it took, but between the creative rut I was in, the months I worked and such... I just had no time and words didn’t want to come to me. 
But I really hope you’re still around and that you enjoy this 6683 word smutty one-shot!
A bazillion thanks to @tinmiss1939 for helping me out with English and ideas when my brain decided to not cooperate <3
Warnings: smut! They get touchy 👀
––––––––––––––––––––
Saturday nights ended up being movie nights with Ona’s cozy blanket that her grandmother knit her as a Christmas present. She didn’t want her favourite grandchild being cold in the States, knowing Ona was used to her precious Mediterranean weather. Connor ended up snogging most of the blanket, even if it was big enough for two adults and had wool to spare. 
Ona made sure Connor was familiarised with the classics, checking out the long list of movies she wanted Connor to see, and Ona would also make popcorn and prepare thririum-sodas for Connor so he could enjoy The Experience. Connor was grateful for her efforts and felt her enthusiasm transmit to him too. He kind of regretted watching Terminator 2 because she kept asking him to repeat some lines, but he secretly looked for leather jackets. T-800 was… cool. 
Ona finished the popcorn, setting the bowl on the table next to their soda glasses. She was currently staring at the screen, quite invested in how Yoda trained Luke Skywalker on Dagobah. Connor ventured a look at her, eyes zeroing on her lips absently wrapping around her popcorn-salty fingers. He wondered how her tongue would feel on his own fingers, the texture, the heat. A notification appeared on his HUD, warning him about a slight rise in his core temperature. Connor ignored it. 
Connor decided a distraction from those thoughts would be good, and he went to reach for his own thirium-soda, keeping his eyes on the TV screen. Ona reached to the paper napkins she put there previously, wiping the remaining of the salt and saliva out of her fingers. Once done, she threw the crumpled paper napkin inside the popcorn bowl and rearranged herself on the sofa to find a comfortable position, which ended being by her leaning slightly into Connor. The poor android suppressed embarrassing noises at the fact that Ona was slightly touching his arm with hers. He couldn’t wait to actually feel her in his arms, some day. 
They kept their positions for a while, Connor not daring to move a single centimetre in case Ona realised her proximity and put some distance between them. But rA9, how he wanted to move to—
Ona leaned her head on his shoulder, sighing contentedly. 
Connor wanted to scream. 
His olfactory sensors could pick up traces from her fruity shampoo and the pressure and heat sensors from his shoulder could feel the warmth from her cheeks and the comfortable weight of her head. Some stray curls tickled his neck. 
Connor wanted to scream. A lot. 
He stayed perfectly still, his breathing program stuttering slightly. Did she know what this meant? To him? Did she know how he longed to feel her against him and to be able to freely touch her? Touch her soft, snow white curls? Connor ignored the movie completely (not that Ona will ever know, he could download it and watch it anytime, as well as film analysis and data in case she wanted to discuss the plot and story points), focusing his attention on this tiny human that managed to make her way into his pump, unknowing of the depth she managed. 
He wanted to lean his head against hers too, he wanted to wrap his arm around her waist and tug her closer to him, he wanted to feel her entire weight on him, he wanted—
Ona nuzzled her head against Connor’s shoulder, shifting to make herself more comfortable. Connor was this close to make shutdown noises. 
Connor tried to analyse this situation: Ona was not uncomfortable with his presence, she was in fact seeking contact, and she was quite prone to seek human touch. She was a hugger, she liked holding his hand whenever she dragged him somewhere or would poke Hank’s chest when she teased him, sometimes even managing to convince Hank into letting her tie his hair in a ponytail. So, it wasn’t new she liked to touch her friends and people she was comfortable with, but the fact that she was touching him… he would never get used to it, or at least anytime soon. 
“Am I too heavy?”
Her voice pulled him out of his thoughts, slightly lifting her head to turn around just enough to face Connor. RA9, she was beautiful. 
“You are not, detective. My pressure plates and carbon fibre chassis can endure heavy weights and— what?” Ona was smiling at him, fondly, and with an amused spark in her eyes. Connor could get lost in her olive-green gaze. 
“You said detective,” Ona began, a teasing edge in her voice. “We are not in the precinct. Do I have to pull a Hank on you?” Hank was very loud about how he didn’t want to be called Lieutenant every single time his friend, because he wasn’t ready for son yet, talked to him. And Ona wasn’t shy to make herself heard either. 
“That will not be necessary, Miss Boix.” Ona raised a brow. “Ona.”
“That’s better. I like the way you say my name.” Ona got on her previous position, leaning her head on his shoulder again. Connor was too stunned to reply, having her words in a loop. What the hell does he reply to that?
Connor kept staring at the screen without really seeing anything. Half of his HUD was occupied with error notifications and temperature increases, as well as his pump regulator accelerating. The other half was occupied with romantic manoeuvres and tips he could execute to take a further step in their relationship. He decided to try one of the most used and well reviewed tactics: the arm stretching behind the couch. 
On the count of three, because he needed a mental kick from himself to move, Connor slowly nudged his shoulder, making Ona hum. She lifted her head, and Connor almost regretted moving because it meant she was no longer touching him, wasn’t letting her soft cheek press against his perfectly ironed shirt and— but it was for a good reason, he told himself. Connor lifted his arm, trying to ignore Ona’s questioning look, and made as if he stretched it as humans do after having a limb locked on a particular position for too long. 
“You should have told me you were uncomfortable, bobo.” Ona mumbled, shifting into a new position. 
“No!” Ona looked back at him, startled at his outburst. Connor mentally kicked himself. “No, uh. I’m okay. I, uh…” Ona frowned, Connor didn’t stutter. The android decided to finish executing his move. Carefully, he let his arm fall and curl on Ona’s shoulder, making her head rest on it. “I thought you would be more comfortable like this.”
He made it. Connor made it. He executed it perfectly, as expected from an android. 
Ona smiled, an “awww” escaping her lips, being touched by Connor’s concern. She snuggled further, pulling the blanket up and making a cocoon with both of them inside. One of her hands rested on his chest. 
Connor was a wreck. 
For Connor, Ona felt as if she fit right there, in his arms, as if he had been perfectly designed to fit her body. It was a silly thought, but it made Connor giddy. Ona was warm, she was a comfortable weight against his own body, and he quite liked the feeling of it. He could get used to it.
Both human and android resumed watching the sci-fi classic, Connor still processing what just happened. Deviancy was new, deviancy was scary, but with Ona, Hank and the Jericho crew next to him, it was a less frightening journey. Deep in his thoughts, Connor didn’t notice a slight tugging at his tie. Looking down, he saw Ona’s hand tugging at it with a displeased frown.
“Aren’t you suffocating with this?” Connor looked at the perfectly made windsor knot, apparently offending Ona’s standards of ‘comfy movie night’.
“I can’t suffocate–”
“Shush, you know what I mean!” Ona teased him, flicking the silky end. “It looks a little bit constricting for a pajama-ish movie night, don’t you think?” Connor considered her reasoning and she surely had more experience in such matters than him, anyways. Maybe he should listen for once. “C’mon, loosen up a bit! You can relax here.” Connor was the opposite of relaxed, having her so close and being so carefree with her touch. But, maybe he should really give it a shot.
“Well, I suppose I could... try.” 
Ona grinned, not caring to hide how pleased she was that Connor both listened to her and tried to loosen up as she suggested. The twinkle in her eyes spurred Connor into action. He sat up, efficiently undoing the knot. The android folded the tie and left it on top of the table, Ona snorting at the mannerisms he couldn’t shake off. Feeling daring, Connor unbuttoned the top button of his shirt. He looked back at her in time to see her roll her eyes and slightly shake her head.
“No no no! That’s not loosening up! We are not in the Victorian period and you are not a victorian lady showing an ankle, bobo!” Ona sat up and inched closer to Connor, not giving him time to react when she grabbed his shirt and unbuttoned a few more buttons, pleased at the hint of a collarbone. Connor’s pump rhythm skyrocketed. “There, much better!”
Connor could count every tiny freckle on her skin, being as close as she was, and he could also see the hint of gold in her beautiful olive green eyes. He wanted to say thank you, but got lost in her gaze. 
Ona patted his chest, smiling once more before shifting into her previous position, but this time much closer with her head propped up fully on his shoulder and her hand resting on his clothed chest. Her weight was comfortable, he liked it, and unconsciously he let his arm fall once again and curl around her, pulling her slightly closer. Ona sighed contentedly, nuzzling her cheek against his shoulder.
They settled for a comfortable silence, enjoying the movie. Connor liked when Ona giggled at some parts of it, made tiny commentaries and got excited when her favourite scenes came on. He also liked how her curls tickled his now more exposed skin, whenever she laughed or shifted, and the warm weight of her hand on his chest. Connor had to force his artificial breathing program to not stutter or become erratic; she could not suspect of her effect on him in case she moved away at the knowledge of it. Connor thought it was selfish of him, and felt guilty of it, but he really wanted to be a bit selfish sometimes, as both Ona and Hank suggested more than once.
His pressure sensors detected a soft caress on his clothed chest. Connor ventured a look and found Ona still looking attentively at the screen, as if her thumb wasn’t mindlessly brushing Connor’s chest. Connor concentrated on the feel of it, letting himself bask in the glory of her touch. He knew what this kind of gesture meant, Connor did an extensive research on affectionate touches and their meanings, so he really allowed himself to chase that fleeting thought that maybe, just maybe, Ona wanted more.
Ona shifted again, getting more comfortable on Connor’s shoulder, and her hand didn’t move from its spot or cease its movement. In fact, it slipped slightly forward, inching near the open shirt. Connor was very aware of the spare centimetres between his naked synthskin and Ona’s hand. She kept caressing his chest with her thumb and Connor didn’t dare to move. Until his sensors picked up the movement and slight pressure of her hand moving forward. 
Connor was never prepared for the feel of her fingers on his chest, warm human skin against his synthskin. He wouldn’t know how to describe it, how wonderful and exhilarating it was, how eager it made him for more. Ona kept brushing her fingers against his chest, appearing completely oblivious of it. His hand unconsciously twitched on her shoulder, as if looking for an outlet to release everything he was bottling up in a false sense of calmness. Connor didn’t know how to proceed; all this was new, the whole world was brand new after deviating and Ona made him feel things he didn’t know the name yet.
But he liked those things. 
Ona was a comfortable weight, and he absolutely loved the tingling feeling her fingers left when they lifted off his skin. It sent the android equivalent of “shivers” down his spine, to every connector, every nook of his body. He wanted more.
A snort escaped Ona’s lips. Connor registered that a funny line happened in the movie, but he completely ignored it in favor of saving in a special folder, that he will never say it is labeled as Ona or that he has it, every stroke of her hand, every curl tickling his skin and adding more input to his already overloaded connectors and sensors.
Ona’s hand ventured its way up, leaving tiny sparks of electrical fire on her trail. Her fingers brushed Connor’s collarbone, softly, as if Ona didn’t want to spook Connor with her boldness. Connor had to bite back a noise he didn’t know he was capable of doing, the sensation of her touch melting him right where he was. But it felt good, so good, to be touched like this. Connor unconsciously bit his lip.
Connor didn’t see the glint in Ona’s eyes. In another situation, like catching a perp, Connor would know that glint meant Ona was determined and even dangerous; once she put her attention on something, she would chase it off like a lioness. Right now, Connor was her prey.
Ona shifted once again, her fingers leaving a trail up his neck. Her fingernails lightly scraped Connor’s synthskin, as if on accident, and he couldn’t help the little gasp that escaped his lips. He was too focused on the pleasant feeling of her touch to notice her leaning into him. Connor would never, ever, be ready for the exhilarating feel of her soft lips kissing his neck so tenderly. His hand squeezed Ona’s shoulder, wanting to melt right there as she kept peppering Connor’s synthskin with tiny butterfly kisses. He was so scared to move, to do something wrong and probably tear Ona from this haze. When her lips brushed his jawline Connor let out a breathy pant.
Connor’s HUD was suddenly invaded by warnings and alerts, programs initiating that he was not aware he had them installed. His temperature was rising and pop-ups kept coming. It was more than obvious that Ona had other plans in mind than watch a movie. Is this what humans really meant with the “Netflix and chill” saying, used a long time ago? But more importantly, Ona wanted to do… intimate things, with him? She didn’t mind he was not human? Given the enthusiasm, no, she didn’t mind at all.
Ona tugged slightly aside the collar of Connor’s shirt, giving her more room and more of Connor’s synthskin to kiss. She couldn’t resist temptation and lightly nibbled where his neck met his shoulder. 
“Ah!” Connor arched his back, closing his eyes at the onslaught of sensations running through his very wires. Ona unglued herself from his body, making Connor want to whine at the lack of her warmth and weight against his body. 
“Shit, sorry.” Ona’s voice seemed panicked for a moment. “Fuck. Joder. Did I hurt you? Are you okay?” 
Connor opened his eyes and tried to focus on her lovely, very flushed face. Her pupils were blown out, almost eating her beautiful green irises, and her lips were redder than usual, something Connor would never get tired from looking at. 
“I went too far, didn’t I?” Ona covered her face in shame with her hands, groaning. 
He wanted to say so much, but even if he had 300 languages at his disposal, Connor was unable to find the words he needed to express himself with.
“I…” could he convey what he felt through his eyes? Would Ona catch the need in them?
“Do you... do you want to go or...?” Guess not. Ona sat back, twisting one of her curls on her finger, something Connor noticed she did when she was nervous. Connor closed his eyes, frustrated. 
This was the chance he wanted after all this time of pining after the tiny human detective that made his pump skip its perfect rhythm.
It was now or never. Connor turned to face her, nervous. He lifted his hands and felt his fingers twitch, as if they exactly knew the meaning behind his intentions. Connor made Ona turn her head to face him, holding her in place. For once, Connor stopped thinking and decided to let his heart act. 
Connor crashed his lips against hers. 
Ona let out a surprised noise, but was happy she didn’t scare Connor off, and let him do as he wanted. His lips were soft, and somehow Ona expected them to be a bit more stiff and cold, but they felt like they belonged there, with hers, warm and pliant. She let Connor take his time, have his sweet first kiss at his pace and liking, chaste and innocent, but even if she wanted to be there like this for the rest of her life, she needed to breathe. 
Breathing through her nose made Connor remember that humans needed oxygen, and that he was depriving his precious detective of it. Embarrassed, Connor parted from her lips with a million sorry’s ready to spill from his own, chastiting himself for not thinking about it. See? This is what happens when he doesn’t think, and now Ona–
Connor found his thoughts halted once again when Ona kissed him back, crawling on his lap to have a better angle. She let her weight rest on him, liking how well her body fit with his. Connor let his hands rest on her waist, not knowing where to put them exactly. Since his mind was occupied right now, he let them wander as they liked. Ona didn’t mind one bit. 
Wanting more, Ona lightly bit Connor’s bottom lip to make him gasp at the feeling and open his mouth. She took that opportunity to deepen the kiss, letting her tongue touch Connor’s as she wrapped her arms around his neck, pulling him flush with her body. Ona was careful, slow, letting Connor get used to it, verging on sweet. Connor didn’t know if it was in some code ingrained deep in him, or the salty taste of her tongue due to the popcorn she ate before, but it felt divine. 
Thinking about the extensive research Connor did, preparing himself for the day this exact moment happened, he decided to put in motion one of the things he saw and read about. One of his hands went to cup the back of her head, tangling his fingers in her white curls. The other one wrapped itself around her, securing the manoeuvre. He read about the intimacy of kisses, of bodies touching, tongues dancing with each other and the sweet noises that fueled the passion. He also watched videos trying to educate himself on the matter and thinking about him and the detective in such situations, going as far as having reconstructions in his mind that rendered him a blushing mess and his LED a permanent red. He wanted it. He wanted it so much. Nothing he watched compared to the reality of this moment. 
Adding a little bit of pressure, Connor made Ona turn her head more to the side so he could properly deepen the kiss. Ona’s muffled moan made his core temperature rise, and he inhaled fresh air to try to cool his body. His other hand descended from her back, brushing the hem of her sweatpants, and let it rest on her buttock. Connor unconsciously squeezed it, making Ona arch into him and gasp in between sloppy kisses. Ona made a mess of Connor’s neatly styled hair, and honestly he couldn’t give a damn about it. 
Connor felt a change in Ona’s movements, and he frowned, not pleased at having to stop. 
“Wait— Conn— Hmpf!“ Ona abruptly tried to stop the kiss, untangling herself from him and trying to mumble words in between kisses. Connor chased her lips until he felt her fingers stop him. 
Connor felt like ice-cold water fell on him, freezing the poor android on the spot. Did he misread the situation? Did Ona not want this anymore? Did he go too far? Did he—?
“Wait. Connor,” Ona took a deep breath to gather her wits. This had been amazing and she needed more, but she needed to ask him something first. “Wait— no, don’t give me that look, let me explain. I… You did nothing wrong, if that’s what you are asking yourself, quite the contrary. I loved this, I longed for this, but I want to know if you want it too.”
“If I want it too? Kissing you back hasn’t proved it enough to—” Connor didn’t understand. He liked her, he kissed her, maybe he didn’t do it enough to prove his point?
“I don’t want to force anything on you, Connor! I want you to want this as much as I do, but I don’t want to force you or coerce you into wanting this. I don’t want to screw it up. I really, really like you. And I really want to know if you want this—“
Connor reached for her hands, squeezing them in his. 
“You really don’t know how many times I dreamed of this, of you. I always wondered how your lips would feel, or your touch.” Connor felt daring and bold. This was his chance. “I want you, Ona. I want this. And if we don’t go back to this wonderful human thing called kissing, I’ll—“
Ona let out a relieved laugh. Connor tugged her back to him, urged Ona to sit on his lap as she was doing before. Connor held her face in his hands, touching his forehead with hers. 
“This whole... deviant thing is new and scary. Feelings are scary, but… I want to explore them with you. Good and bad.” Connor’s voice was low and soft, as if he didn’t want to break their little bubble.
“Then… let’s take it slow.” 
Ona pressed her lips against Connor’s again, softly, letting the sweetness of the moment dictate the pace they wanted to follow. The movie kept playing in the background, completely forgotten.
Connor let his hands descend Ona’s body, as if he was mapping once again her figure, trying to save it in his memory forever. It always mesmerised Connor how soft and squishy humans could be, and he let himself squeeze his hands against her flesh once again, relishing the thrilling sensation of having his hands so full.
That elicited a low moan from Ona, who in return slowly rocked her hips against Connor’s. The android let out a groan himself, getting a hold of her hips and pushing her down against him again. It felt so good, the pressure sending sparks all over his body, and he couldn't wait to learn more about this wonderful human thing called makeouts. Connor wasn’t stupid, he did his research and he knew humans and sex had a tight relationship, although it wouldn’t be good to generalise since what made humans so unique and beautiful, was the diversity in their race. But still, he wanted to explore it with Ona if she wanted to, and right now he couldn’t be thanking RA9 more than he was right now for letting this happen.
Ona felt like taking things up a notch, and she loved the reaction she got out of Connor the first time –despite her momentum of panic–, so she broke the kiss to brush her lips against his jaw, nuzzling her nose against his neck. Ona felt Connor’s artificial breath stutter in its impeccable rhythm, and was delighted to see how Connor bared his neck to her. Ona wasted no time, peppering the exposed synthskin with slow and wet kisses, while she kept grinding her hips against him. Feeling his excitement only fueled her own more. 
Her hands busied themselves with the remaining buttons of Connor’s shirt, impatient to have his chest and torso fully exposed for her to see and touch. Having the always impeccably dressed android under her, all sense of decorum and propriety gone, gave Ona a rush nothing else could give her. Ona bit her lip once her work was done and could gaze at her prize. He was delightful, beautiful, truly a work of art. Connor’s flushed cheeks and red, shiny lips made her feel herself clench, desperate to have something fill her.
Connor’s irises were engulfed by his pupils, lust coating them, and Ona marveled at how expressive his eyes were. Connor had always been a quick learner, though, and he could see how much Ona needed to be touched right now. His hands reached the hem of her sweatpants again, and this time he didn’t pass the opportunity to get his hands inside them, feeling the soft fabric of her underwear slid under his fingertips. It was Ona’s turn to close her eyes and let out a shaky exhale, eager to see what Connor would do this time. A soft gasp escaped her lips when Connor got his hands inside her underwear too, feeling his fingers on her burning skin. He squeezed the flesh of her buttocks in his hands, feeling the fullness of it. Ona groaned, arching her back to give Connor more leverage. The android sat up while Ona was distracted, pulling her close to his body. Connor decided he wanted to do the same things Ona did to him, to make her feel as good as he did, and now that he had her neck in full display, he was going to take advantage of that.
Kissing her feverish skin was delicious, but Connor knew he was only adding more wood to the fire the moment he bit the juncture of her neck and shoulder, replicating her actions from before. The reaction was instantaneous: Ona’s moan echoed around her living room, her nails digging in Connor’s shoulders as she felt shivers run up and down her body. His tongue soothed the mark he left, kissing it as an apology, although the thought of her having a mark made by him excited Connor more than he expected. And by the looks of it, Ona didn’t mind much. Connor left a trail of kisses up her neck, reaching her jaw, and left another mark right under it.
“Ah!” Connor scored another win for himself, pleased at how the proud and self-assured detective was becoming putty in his hands. “You do not play fair, Connor. You already know one of my weak spots.” Her teasing tone made him smile, hiding it behind a kiss on her shoulder.
“I am the most advanced android detective, after all.” that made Ona laugh, leaning back to see the mirth in Connor’s eyes. His sense of humour improved greatly.
“Aren’t you a cocky android, hm?” Connor winked in response, which made Ona snort. She knew exactly how to wipe off that self-satisfied expression from Connor’s face. 
Connor knew that arched brow and mischievous smile meant trouble, but he was quite eager to find out what Ona was planning to do. She pushed him back on the sofa, his hands sliding out from under her clothes to end up getting a hold of her hips. Connor decided she looked absolutely stunning in her loose maroon t-shirt and slightly pushed down grey sweatpants. Her underwear was peeking out too, and the little visible piece of fabric made him swallow hard.
“Let’s see how cocky are you now, Mr.Detective.”
Ona’s hands descended from Connor’s shoulders to his chest, savoring the feeling of her fingertips grazing the perfectly designed muscles. Ona slowed down when she was close to his belt, teasing the belt loops, tugging them slightly. Connor’s breath hitched when her fingers skimmed over the belt buckle. His eyes were glued to her hands, watching as she undid the buckle and teased the button of his trousers. Connor let out a stuttered breath as Ona’s palm pressed against his zipper, pulled taut by his erection. 
Deciding she wanted to tease him a little bit more, Ona slipped her fingers inside Connor’s trousers, over his underwear, as he did to her before. Connor arched his back off the sofa, groaning at the feeling of Ona’s fingers grasping his clothed cock. Connor’s hands squeezed Ona’s hips, needing something to hold onto as he was blown away by the feeling of her fingers on him.
It felt amazing.
Ona took her hand out much to Connor’s dismay, a soft and breathy “no no no–” escaping his lips, followed by an “–oh” when he saw that Ona was undoing the button of his trousers and pulling the zipper down. 
“Up.” Connor got the message. He lifted his hips so Ona could push down his clothes just enough to free his aching erection from them.
Ona let out a soft moan at the sight of Connor’s cock in full display, rock hard against his belly. She felt herself clench, as if trying not to make more of a mess on her underwear as she was doing now. Ona wanted to do a lot of things right now. She wanted to push her own sweatpants and underwear down and ride him until he burned his vocal module from moaning, she wanted to get on her knees and pleasure him, feel his hands on her head as he guided her to how he liked it best, she wanted to–
They will have time to do all of that. For now, Ona wanted tonight to be for him, to discover what he liked, what it felt like. Ona looked up and was met with hungry and desperate eyes. Connor was on the verge of begging Ona to do anything, because judging by what he felt before, this was going to be even better.
Slowly, Ona trailed her finger from base to tip, pleased at the amount of wetness gathered at the head. Connor stuttered, not tearing his gaze from Ona’s own lustful ones until she did to look down again. He did the same, and the image he found would be forever stored in his memory bank, locked up in a special folder. She was smaller than him, he often marvelled at the difference between them and how her hands were shorter than his, for example, and in this exact moment he couldn’t be more delighted to see how said hand wrapped itself around his cock. He was not ready for when she moved. 
Connor cried out, throwing his head back on the sofa’s headrest. His sensors were going absolutely crazy. He felt as if fire was spreading all over his connections and he wanted more, so much more. Ona’s hand was covered in a sheer blue slick, the fluid helping her motions. The sound of it was downright sinful, and it only turned both human and android more.
Connor’s thirium pump was pounding in his chest, moaning and groaning, his interior fans fighting to keep the body temperature in check. It was getting harder as Ona started squeezing her hand when she reached the head of his cock, way more sensitive than the rest, and Connor’s hips involuntarily thrusted upwards when her other hand renewed her journey on his chest, making sure she traced his collarbone and neck.
One well placed tug made Connor keen, feeling light-headed, and unconsciously pulled Ona to his chest, wrapping his arms around her tightly. Her hand was trapped between them, but she never ceased her movements. Ona’s curls brushed Connor’s cheek, some strands being plastered over her forehead, and Connor could feel her rapid breaths tickling his ear. 
Connor, in a moment of clarity and feeling a tad bold, had an idea. He still doesn’t know how he managed to tear one of his hands apart from Ona’s body, but he had to make Ona feel as good as him. He was no stranger to human anatomy, and even less human genitalia, so he knew what he had to do in Ona’s case. He sneaked a hand inside the front of her sweatpants and underwear, feeling her smooth skin until he found her mound. Connor didn’t stop there, he kept going until his fingers brushed her soaked wet clit. Her hitched breath was music for his audio modules.
“Connor–!” Ona jolted, arching her back and gasping, melting his name into a moan. 
Connor decided, right in that moment, that his name never sounded so divine before. The sensors on his fingers picked up the generous amounts of wetness gathered in them, and Connor had the urge to taste it. But that was something for later, now he had more important matters in his hands. 
Recalling all the information he previously searched, Connor let his fingers be completely soaked in Ona’s juices, knowing it would make the glide smoother. Her folds were soft to his touch, velvety, and Connor loved the feel of it. Her heavy breaths and moans on his ear spurred him to keep going, to trace every inch of her sex, to tease her entrance with his finger pads. Connor’s other hand released his hold on Ona’s hip, moving it up to brush her nape and bury itself on her hair. Ona reacted to his touch, raising her head from Connor’s shoulder to took at him. Her lips were shining bright, reddened from worrying them with her teeth, and Connor felt the urge to kiss them again. 
So he did, swallowing Ona’s moan as Connor got his middle and ring finger inside her, feeling her walls pulse around him, burning. Ona had to stop pumping her hand, needing a moment to gather her wits as Connor moved his fingers in and out of her, his thumb finding Ona’s clit and rubbing it slowly, almost lazily, which drove Ona mad with pleasure. When Ona renewed her movements, gripping Connor’s cock harder, the android groaned and bit Ona’s bottom lip, getting his tongue inside as she did earlier. Connor felt a gush of slick tickle down his hand, and it only excited him more to know it was because of him.
Having his sensors overloaded continuously from the new and pleasurable sensations, Connor had a feeling this would crest soon. He was tempted to cut out the process of it so it would last longer, all night if possible, but he desperately needed to find his release. He felt like a spring fiercely recoiled, ready to snap at any given moment, and Ona’s tiny moans and gasps of his name as she rocked herself on his fingers only catapulted him into it. He had a feeling Ona was close too.
But oh, that felt so good. He doesn’t exactly know what Ona did, but it felt amazing, so Connor let himself be drowned in it, thrusting his hips up at the same time as Ona to pulled down her hand. He was close, so close, so–
“Ona, I’m– I think I’ll– Ah!”
Connor came all over Ona’s hand and his belly with a jerk of his hips, throwing his head back into the sofa as he let the shockwaves consume him whole. In the process, Connor unconsciously pulled on Ona’s hair, needing to grip onto something, and with a brush of his thumb on her clit Ona came right after him, blessing Connor with a mixture of spanish curse words and moans. Connor felt the tight grip on his fingers, her juices coating him even more, and the thought and feel alone made another glob of synthetic cum dribble over her.
Ona let her forehead rest on Connor’s one, panting and trying to regain her breath again. Connor mimicked her, trying to cool his body and helping his frenzied interior fans. When Ona opened her eyes, he found Connor gazing at her with such emotion behind his eyes that made Ona’s heart skip a beat. Connor’s hand was still on Ona’s back of the head, so in a moment where he just let himself follow his heart, Connor pulled Ona in for a sweet, slow kiss. When they parted, it was Ona’s time to gaze at Connor, wondering how beautiful he was right in that instant with his hair disheveled and a blush on his cheeks.
The ending fanfare of the movie credits made her trance break, noticing Connor’s sticky release in her hand beginning to cool. Ona released her hold on Connor’s cock, raising her hand to her face so she could inspect it closer. Connor sheepishly did the same, trying to ignore the squelching sound of his fingers getting out of her and how his own cock twitched in response. Connor knew he could stop the refractory period too, ready to go for another round until he ran out of thirium and had to enter into stasis, but he had a feeling Ona wouldn’t appreciate that. Instead, he inspected Ona’s own cum on his fingers, the fluid sticking to his fingers too. 
Connor swore he didn’t mean to, it was a completely unconscious decision, but he brought his fingers to his mouth, tasting her. A soft giggle made him look up, his cheeks burning out of shame.
“That is so… you.” Ona’s warm smile made Connor know she was not teasing him or angry. It was genuine. She made a conscious effort to inspect her own fingers, coated with the blueish fluid on them. Connor made a move to stop her, feeling suddenly embarrassed of it, but he wasn’t quick enough to stop her. Ona’s tongue peeked from her mouth, licking one finger. She hummed, followed by a snort when Connor’s voice module did an undignified noise at the sight of it. “I thought it would taste… plastic-ish. It’s actually not bad.”
“...Synthetic ejaculate can have different flavours, if desired.” Connor will never know what triggered that piece of information to appear on his HUD, and what made him say it, but Ona’s open-hearted laugh was worth it.
“Put a sweet, chocolate-ish flavour in, and you will have me all day on my knees and you know it.” Ona turned around just enough to grab tissues from the coffee table, wiping her hand clean, as if she had just commented on the weather. 
Connor was suddenly assaulted by reconstructions of what Ona just said, rendering him to a violently spinning red LED and his blush program glitching, making his cheeks reach a bluish glow. Ona hastily threw aside the used tissue, not caring where it went, when he noticed Connor’s state.
“Oh my God! Connor, are you okay?” Ona held Connor’s face in her hands, desperately searching for an answer in his eyes. Connor looked at her, his LED reverting back into yellow.
“There’s vanilla flavour, strawberry flavour, milk chocolate with caramel flavour–” Ona snorted, bumping her forehead with his.
“You oaf, I was worried!” Connor raised his brow as if questioning her. If he was being cocky again it meant he was okay and back to normal. Ona guilty looked to the side.“...milk chocolate with caramel.”
Connor smiled. Ona shook her head, smiling too, as she turned around again to pick up more tissues for Connor.
“Let’s clean you up.” Connor kept smiling, feeling dazed with happiness, as he let Ona do as she pleased. Once clean, Connor pushed and fastened his trousers and belt, as Ona mourningly buttoned his shirt.
Ona stood up once finished, her face twisting into a grimace as she felt the cold and sticky mess in her panties. She looked down, trying not to worsen it by moving too much.
“...And I need new underwear.”
Connor stood up with her, eagerness coating his movements and voice.
“Let me help you with that.”
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reinepadova · 4 years ago
Text
To Be Seen
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Pearls don't lie on the seashore. If you want one, you must dive for one.
...Light. So soft, and sweet. It surrounds me...
...Warmth. Radiant, and gentle. It brushes against my skin...
...Heart. Steady, and loud. It beats beneath my ear...
...Fingers. Unwavering, yet delicate. They caress through my hair...
...Voice...
...What voice?...
...Who?...
「...is closed...port...settled. Go get...」
「Who?」
「...rest...」
「Who are you?」
「...go get some rest.」
Stella reached out, slow and surreal, out to the space, both wide and close. Infinite, yet enclosed. Her thoughts echoed loudly, yet quietly, both near and far.
Where are the shadowed walls? I should not see.
Where is the cold? It should chill my flesh and soul.
Where are the jeers? They should be ringing and malicious.
「Why?」
「...」
「Why do you care?」
「...」
「Please. Who are you?」
「...」
Stella's eyes stuttered open,  gradual and confused, feeling engulfed, but not suffocating; strangely more secure. Her arms tightened instinctly, fingernails digging into strange grooves – did she fall asleep outside? Why is she hugging a tree? Didn't she make it to the village?
She felt disoriented, and not the usual kind – the kind where she would feel even more empty and tired, dependent on the stamina-boosting dishes instead of her own replenished energies. Nor is it the kind that makes her alert and paranoid, heart pounding like a frightened bird. Stupid green slime. Thing. I hope its choking in its dirt, she grumbled mutely, head burrowing more into the fuzzy moss the tree is probably covered in.
Overall, its such an unfamiliar feeling. This state of wakefulness and oblivion. She can't remember the last time she had a quiet morning like this. Or is it afternoon? Mei was pounding on something before I slept. She was giggling too. I'm glad she's smiling again. Her crying makes me uncomfortable. It's like how Selene looked before she let go.
Stella unconsciously frowned, shoulders tensing slightly, before relaxing back on her side when something nuzzled against her hair.
After a few more minutes of blank ruminating, her 'tree' moved slightly, making her blink back her lethargy, groggily raising her head. She winced, reaching up to rub carefully at the deep sleep lines on her cheek. Clearing her vision, she recognized jewel-like eyes staring back at her – a sight she's wondering would become a habit to see. The corner of her lips twitch up, feeling the weight of the guardian curl around her in a comfy cocoon, and realizing its tail served as her cushy, albeit ticklish pillow. She was about to say her thanks before she stopped, raising a brow instead. Why does it look so... grim?
She tilted her head, staring at somber eyes that studied her for a good long moment, not unlike the solemn paintings of her ancestors in her clan's compound, judging and eternal, captured in paints that lasted until her time –
Shaking her memories away, Stella began to wonder anew how old Mr. Guardian really is, how many people and places its seen, how many it helped or come across. Her thoughts cut off when it suddenly shook its own head, tapping at her nose with one of its whiskers, and teased her face with a small puff of breath. She blew back with her own at its snout, giggling when it tried to smother her with its large mane, pushing her head back in a gentle headbutt.
“Alright, okay. I'm awake, I'm awake,” Stella grumbled, scratching on the bridge of its nose with careful fingers. “You're more cuddly than I thought a serpent should be.”
It reared back its head, snorting, as if indignant, but with eyes still glittering with play. Stella rolled her eyes, sitting up straight while taming down her bed hair. Her gaze fell lazily on the creature, noting absently its suddenly stiff form, a strange new glint in its eyes. Was it's pupils always that big? I could have sworn it was like little diamonds last night. Huh. Must be a predator thing. “I don't know what you are, honestly. That's how I always thought of you before.” She covered her yawn with a dainty hand, a habit from years of etiquette training coming into play despite her non-human bedmate. “I'll ask Mei later. She looked like she knew what you are,” she appeased, dryly smiling at its suddenly thoughtful demeanor.
After a long pause where she was tempted to lie down again, it snorted in agreement, uncurling completely from her before shrinking down his size. It gently spiraled up, drifting in a large circle around the room, before nodding its head to the changing screens. Stella's eyebrow twitched, mumbling about 'pushy, dramatic lizards' before doing as directed, keeping in mind what mischief Mei had been doing while she was down for the count all morning.
I hope its nothing expensive.
Checking to see the bed made, her pack readied, and patting at her last outfit for this trip, Stella walked out, stretching out the kinks to her shoulder when she immediately swerved her wide gaze to the small plot of land that was formerly the receiving area of the hut.
“Lalaaa~ Lookie! Mei mixed the things, like you said! Can we put the Lilies in now?”
Stella stared at the debris covered, char-filled, sandy mess that is formerly a floor, a blank smile frozen on her face. “That's. Great. Mei. How. Did you manage to get...all of this?” she asked faintly, doing a vague, circular gesture of her wrist.
“Oh! The village uncles and aunt helped Mei! Uhm, one uncle has a number in his name. The other uncle says his name is a cold blade. It's strange. But they helped Mei with the soft dirt and the soft rocks. Another uncle said Mei could have his extra wood. Then the aunt that cooks helped Mei cook the wood and rice huskies. She had plenty! She told Mei to not eat the rice huskies, or the wood though, even though she makes yummy dishes,” Mei babbled brightly, her whole body vibrating with energy.
“...ah. Then... they helped you bring it here?” Stella kneeled gingerly before the small mount, not knowing where she should look at first. She couldn't check the sand if its the proper consistency because its mixed in too much with the clay. She's not sure if the clay was pliable enough for the Lilies' roots. The husks were supposed to be smoked, but she can see some badly burnt ones. And the wood... well, she'll have to cut them down to a better size.
“Mhmm~ They super nice. The auntie that cooks even gave Mei a dish so Mei could give it to her Lala!”
Stella smiled gratefully, reaching out a hand to rub Mei's head affectionately. “Thanks, Mei. But give me an hour. I'll be able to sort the materials by then.”
Mei scrunched her brows adorably, pouting. “But Lala should eat first?”
“I know, Mei. But this isn't your house. Granny Ruoxin will come in anytime. She might trip and fall. You know Gran-gran was prone to that too with her poor vision.”
“Oh.” Mei looked down, thoroughly conflicted, playing with her hands as she tried to work through her little head the dilemma of feeding her special person as soon as possible, but also wanting to work on the Lilies as soon as possible.
On the other hand, Stella's mind whirled with thoughts of how to resolve this without making Mei cry, a vibrating energy surrounded them, shaking the two out of their heads before grasping each others hands in instinct.
A large, condensed piece of clay floated, expanding and contracting, with tiny particles of sand dropping immediately from it, while the rice husks flew upwards and away. Stella quickly ducked to cover Mei's eyes, tucking her little head under her chin, face turned away until the golden, mini vortex settled and cleared. Warily opening her eyes, Stella looked around, and gasped.
A pile of softened clay shaped like a cube sat near the wall, while a neat heap of sand was placed next to it in an elegant, gilded, brown pot Stella has never seen before. The rice husks though were still in a pile in front of her, as well as the wood, but its more manageable to sort through now with broom.
Mei squealed excitedly, hopping in place, turning awestruck eyes at the forgotten guardian floating behind them. Remnants of glowing particles circled the creature in slow curves. “Thank you, thank you, Bìxià! Lala can eat now.” Mei stated, more than asked, smile turning smug. Stella retaliated by tickling her ward's sides, making her squeal and laugh, before giving the lady a heatfelt neck hug with her tiny arms.
Stella's smirk turned affectionate, giving the little girl a squeeze in return. “Looks like Mr. Guardian is starting to spoil you. Okay. Give me ten minutes to prepare everything. Divide the food  for me, please?”
Mei giggled, surreptiously glancing at the creature who's now inquisitively looking over the planks of wood, before holding up three fingers at Stella's eye level. They shared a secret smile before Stella winked in agreement. The little girl pattered off before Stella walked over to the creature's curled form, with arms akimbo.
“So! You control anything related to the earth, do you?” Mr. Guardian glanced at her in amusement before nodding. “Well aren't you smug? But, I guess its more useful than what I can do,” Stella whispered lowly as she grabbed a broom to sweep the rice husks. But at the vigorous shake of the creature's muzzle, she realized Mr. Guardian understood exactly what she meant.
-{-}-
“You heard me sing last night,” the lady stated, a sad glimmer shining suddenly in her eyes. “That's how you found me.” Gazing at her quietly, Morax waited. He neither denied nor agreed, intuitively giving her space to think. She finally sighed, her words spilling like lava upon the surface of the earth – slow, with painful fire. “Singing isn't something I do for myself, or even for a living. It's...what I have to do, especially when forced.” She gulped, seemingly forcing her next words out before she runs out of air. “I am... not quite normal. For a human. But I mean no harm to anyone, I promise. Only to myself, when I sing. I – ” She cut herself off, turning away, becoming absentminded as she swept. Morax let her be, busying himself with slicing the planks with his claws, cutting them to the size of a Ley Line Sprout – the appropriate length he thinks she might need for the Lilies.
He is saddened at her distress, after comforting her in her sleep, having to slice through the dark shadows that caged her shining, pure soul – a sight he thought he would never see again. Her answers explained one question, but added upon hundreds – his intrigue for her may yet be extinguished.
Rising after finishing his work, he was surprised she stopped him from heading towards her quarters to conceal his presence, and directed him to the dining table instead. He could only stare as she smiled bashfully, yet charmingly, with the afternoon light complimenting her healthier complexion.
Surely a song of pure joy from her will welcome more praises.
He could only blink, taken aback by the direction of his thoughts, but not shameful of them either.
Sliding the etched ruminations at the back of his mind for now, he touched down gently on a vacant chair, adjusting his size so he fit better, keeping his head at the height of the table, but keeping his arms off of it.
She has shown great consideration for myself even without the girl present. It's best I also mind my manners as a good example.
When said little girl pushed a familiar plate made out of crispy mushrooms and lotus head, with a mouthwatering seasoning of Jueyun chili and plated on shiny green cabbages, he tilted his head and looked on at the delightful surprise, wondering why he was given a second offering in less than a week. Is there something they need more from me?
The lady then startled him from his focus with a short laugh, a wider smile gracing her beautiful face as she patiently explained. “Eat up. The spice on them isn't bad. It's pretty good overall. I will have to thank Ms. Bai before we set out back to the Harbor,” she mused out loud, before catching on, no doubt, to his still befuddled form. Her demeanor seem to soften, like Ice Flowers turned Mist when exposed to a flame, a stroke of understanding painted softly on the curve of her lips. “You're hungry too, right? I know you're used to taking care of others, like how you take care of me – don't think I didn't notice! But, you're also worth taking care of. Rest. You deserve it too,” she stated, as if its a proven fact in the world, before she faced little Mei, inquiring about his form and regarding something else he could no longer hear. His thoughts had turned blank, questions and suspicions fell away, like the fan leaves of the ginkgo trees surrounding his land, from the peak of his mountain forests, to the plains down below.
As Morax took careful bites of the meal, his meal, bearing in mind the placement of his fangs, the relaxed banter of the lady and the child as they discussed their plans held his entire attention, his own musings a mystery to them.
For now.
-{-}-
“Zhongli-xiānsheng! Welcome back, sir,” Ferrylady exclaimed in a breathy gasp, gloved hands almost dropping the ashy incense burner she was supposed to clean before its next use. She hastily set it on a nearby end table, bowing formally to the well-dressed gentleman with his back to her, nevermind the ashes now covering the bottom half of her uniform. When she didn't hear a reply, she took a confused peek. Strange. He never fails to greet back, no matter how late into the night.
What is he holding? Are those the customer logs? Oh no, have I forgotten to write something down again?
“Hm? Ah, thank you. It is good to be back,” the consultant finally said, acknowledging Ferrylady with a nod after he neatly placed down the book on the reception desk, and turned to smile at her warmly. Ferrylady had to smother a cough, both from the blessed sight as well as from the dust. But maybe more so from the former, than the latter, she internally sighed.
“Have you had a good trip, sir?” she inquired quietly, busying herself with the cleanup at the designated corner before she gets caught staring too long. Again.
“Mm. I supposed it is. Ha! And what a surprising gift it is indeed.” Ferrylady had to stop herself from snapping her head back to him, giving away her surprise at his unusually good mood.
Despite his youthful appearance, Zhongli-xiānsheng always exuded a serious demeanor. Aside from playing as the good host – to establish good relations – and a generous customer – within reason –  the normal face of the most knowledgeable consultant employed by the funeral parlor is earnest formality wrapped in respectful cordiality. The kind of bearing all undertakers strive for, as their hall is now well-known far and wide because of his measured suggestions for each type of rite, great and small.
That's not to say Ferrylady was content their consultant is perpetually unsmiling. But when he does...
She held her cleaning brush a little firmer, imagining the radiant glow of the consultant's handsome visage. Her heart might not be able to take it if she has to see it in person. There are just things that have their time and place.
The trip did do him better than expected. I must apologize to the Director as soon as she's back. She is wiser than her years would allude to. I still have much to learn.
She was surprised again when the dapper gentleman spoke next. “Ferrylady, can you tell me more about the current wake you are catering to. This is the third day, is it not?” Ferrylady heard the shuffled pages of the logs again, making her pause in her work.
“That is correct, sir. An old lady, recently passed. Quietly, in her sleep. She is survived by a granddaughter named Meilin,” Ferrylady explained concisely as she silently tidied up, looking up to give the consultant her undivided, yet confused, attention.
Very strange. He wasn't as interested in any of the other ordinary ceremonies before.
“Only one relative?” Zhongli-xiānsheng posed thoughtfully in his usual stance, giving the Ferrylady more questions than answers in her head. Maybe his inquiries have a deeper meaning. Could he be already aware about the Fatui? As expected of our most knowledgeable lecturer. She stood straighter and answered more readily.
“Yes. She is only a little girl though. She does have a guardian with her but they seem unrelated. They don't look alike at all. I can't tell where the lady is from. Her clothes don't look Sumerian or Inazuman, or even those of Liyue fashion, whether traditional or in vogue. But they reflect aspects of the mentioned nations regardless. It's actually an attractive combination, with the wearer herself being a beauty.” When the Ferrylady noticed the unreadable gleam in the consultant's gaze, as well as a a twitch in the corner of his lips, she blushed daintily, realizing she thought out loud.
“Apologies, sir. I digressed. To conclude, they paid generously for the full seven days. As such, the director said to respond accordingly.”
“Generously? Is the memorial plaque included in this?” he casually inquired, turning to gaze out the window, chin still placed lightly on his fingers.
Is the lady guardian a suspected Fatui member, I wonder? Ferrylady shook her head, biting her tongue. No. I shouldn't think this way. She and the girl are still good customers. It is not my place to judge them on this life.
Although, I still do not see why Zhongli-xiānsheng seems interested in this particular ceremony.
“Without, unfortunately. When I mean generous, I meant for everything except that. The guardian said she understood the cost of a certain material little Meilin wanted for the plaque. We assured her it's alright to leave it until later when she has enough Mora saved to commission its carving.”
The consultant hummed and asked no more, staring up at the passing clouds under the moonlit night. The peaceful tick of the clock surrounded the space as the Ferrylady gathered the incense sticks, joss paper, and other materials their clients might prefer during the procession. Moving to let herself out, she understood by now that this type of silence is what the consultant needs for his solitary thinking.
As she neared the door, it's a good thing she has a good hold on her items, especially the burner. She finally gave in to the urge of whirling around to stare at their most revered lecturer with wide eyes as he surprised her yet again with a genial smile and a simple, voiced request.
“May I assist you in the final days of this rite?”
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[←Previous]  | Chapter 5 |  [ Next → ]
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A/N: I finally have it where I want it to be! A long weekend sure helps a lot. I had to post this before my muse flew away into the void. 
Also, for future reference: don’t flirt during funerals, people. This my disclaimer.
If any one else would like to be tagged in this story if you are having problems seeing it, just let me know~
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Follower Tag:  @meladollsims
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kirishwima · 5 years ago
Note
Fluffy headcanons with the RFA sleeping over/ having their S/O sleep over for the first time?? xx
awee yes i love this!! 
YOOSUNG:
* He’s a m e s s before MC comes over
* Like oh my god he’s cleaning every corner of his apartment and tripping over his feet, he burns some incense to make the place smell nice, takes like three showers because-MC’s sleeping over! Here! in his apartment?!!
* An absoloute trembling mess-he’s the one that invited them to come over to watch movies and stay the night, but during the movie he’s shaking so much he can’t even wrap his hand around their shoulders all suave like he planned to
* MC will have to take the initiative to make this poor bean more comfortable-just grab his hand and tug it on their lap or something-not as an invitation to sex or anything, just in a comforting gesture to say it’s okay, he can be himself around them
* It did cross his mind that a sleepover with MC could lead to something more than just sleeping but he’s a gentleman through and through-and also so incredinly embarassed and shy he tells MC they can use his bed and he’ll bring out the air-bed; if MC insists they can share his bed he’ll never be able to sleep through the night lol
* When he does fall asleep, that’s when he truly becomes shameless-this boy is a warmth hoarder, so he’ll absoloutely end up sprawled on the bed, one leg over MC’s thighs, his hand over their head-he’s such a heavy sleeper he won’t wake up even if MC tries to shake him awake lol
* In the morning he’ll be a blushing mess, but also secretly so happy-he gets to wake up to MC! If he wakes first he’ll take a long moment to just look at MC’s sleeping form, before giggling to himself and giving them a kiss on the top of their nose, trying his best to not rouse them
* Will absoloutely make them their favorite kind of breakfast in the morning uwu
ZEN:
* He’s invited MC for dinner and wine at his place (yes, not beer-he can be a classy guy when he wants to be), and suggested they stay the night instead of leaving-he’d hate for them to be travelling alone that late in the night!
* He only realises just what he put himself into after making the offer-MC would be staying over. At his place. For. The. FIRST TIME.
* Immediatly starts cleaning and trying to make the place look less like a man-cave-hiding his accumulated dirty laundry into the washing machine, running to the nearest grocery store to get something that isn’t beer to stock up in the fridge, cleaning dirty dishes e.t.c
* When he feels the place looks semi-presentable, he then opens one single can of beer to drink and calm his nerves before he starts cooking-at all costs, he needs to hide the Beast tonight. He’s a gentleman god damn it, and he’s not about to lost control simply because the person he’s in love with is spending the night over!
* True to his word he really is a gentleman throughout the night-he makes them a candlelit dinner, puts some soft indie music to play on the radio as he chats with MC over a glass of wine-it’s only when he notices how late it’s gotten that he starts to disintegrate into a bubbly blushing mess.
* When he asks MC if they’d like to go to bed, he can barely pull the words out of his mouth, his eyes are swirling, and-is he sweating? He feels so warm and cold at the same time, and he’ll only calm down when MC grips his hand in theirs, telling him it’s alright if he’d rather they go home instead.
* Zen snaps himself back to reality. No, MC’s here, and he’ll cherish every moment with them, beast be damned!
* He’ll of course suggest they take the bed and he can sleep on the couch, but a single pouty look from MC will make him get ready for bed and cuddle under the sheets with MC.
* The Beast, surprisingly, doesn’t make an appearance; he’s simply so content in laying there, holding MC close to him, that he doesn’t even consider anything more than that. He’s just happy to kiss the nape of their neck before he falls asleep holding onto them.
* Good luck trying to turn around while sleeping MC-this dude’s a solid rock and if he’s holding on to them when falling asleep, then hoo boy, you’ll never be able to get out of his grip
* In the morning he’ll feel the most well-rested he’s ever been-so much so in fact, that he’s up by 5 a.m and making home-made lemonade and breakfast to bring in bed for MC
* Just a big lovey-dovey goof really, and he’s definitely planning on spending way more nights with MC from now on!
JAEHEE:
* Their first night together was actually incidental-she invited MC over to watch one of Zen’s latest musicals, only MC fell asleep whilst watching, their head lolling onto Jaehee’s shoulder.
* She smiles at the sight-loves how comfortable MC feels around her, and how she too, in return, feels just as comfortable around MC, like she can finally be herself around someone.
* Begrudgingly, she gently shakes MC awake, so she can tell them to go rest on her bed-she laughs at their muffled response of ‘but you’re more comfy than a bed’ and slowly drags them by the hand, lets them flop down on the bed and tucks them in with a kiss on the cheek.
* She goes to the closet to grab a blanket so she can sleep on the couch when MC asks her what she’s doing-when she says she’ll go sleep on the couch, there’s little chance MC would let her-instead they insist she comes rest with them, how they’ll be unable to sleep without Jaehee besides them.
* Well, that goes twofold-Jaehee too has only let herself doze off before in MC’s presence, always hyper-alert and focused around anyone else. She wonders if it’ll be the same if they sleep on the same bed, if she’ll be able to go to bed or if she’ll end up awake and anxious besides MC.
* With a sigh she decides to give it a go, slowly getting under the covers and keeping a respectful distance between her and MC-only it doesn’t last long, as MC shuffles closer to Jaehee, enough that their noses could touch if one of them moved.
* Jaehee stays awake for a while, even after MC falls asleep, unable to hide the smile spreading on her face-not once had she ever thought she’d feel this much for another person, and yet here she is, the one she loves sleeping within arms’ reach from her.
* She hesitantly moves her hand towards MC, tugging some loose strands of hair behind MC’s ear as she shuffles close to give them a soft kiss on the forehead, whispering goodnight before cuddling close and letting herself doze off.
* It’s true-she really does sleep better when she has MC beside her.
* In the morning, she actually overslept-a profound thing for Jaehee, but only goes to show how comfortable she is. She’ll wake up to the smell of breweing coffee and be thankful MC ever ended up in her life, hiding her giggly smile into her pillow
JUMIN:
* Well...MC has actually stayed at his place even when they barely knew each other, so there’s little to say here lol
* However! It’s a completely different story the first time they share a bed. 
* Jumin bid MC goodnight with a kiss on the forehead, already walking towards the door before MC stopped him, sitting upright in the bed with a pout. Jumin’s confused, but when MC asks him to sleep over beside them, he freezes.
* Yeah, he’d love nothing more than to have MC in his arms, to let them rest their head on his chest as they sleep, but is it okay? Would MC be comfortable to do so besides him?
* It’s not even about controlling himself-he’s not once thought of sexual desires when he left MC’s room at night, he simply wanted them to have a good night’s rest, and worried he’d ruin it if he slept besides them. But now that they ask him so sweetly, that adorable pout on their face, how could he possibly say no?
* He slowly comes to sit beside them on the bed, smiling as he sees them settle back into the sheets, and he tugs off his slippers and hides under the covers with them, at a distance at first, awkward and unsure of what to do.
* MC would have to guide him as to what to do-if it’s okay for him to wrap his arms around their waist, if it’s okay to let his head hide in the crook of their neck-he’ll be alert long after MC falls asleep, both because he loves to feel their chest rise and fall, knowing they’re safe besides him, but also because he’s never slept with someone in such an innocent way before-he never thought he would, really.
* It takes him a while to fall asleep, but when he does, it’s the sweetest sleep he’s ever gotten, uninterrupted, warm in MC’s arms.
* He’ll wake refreshed and well-rested, happy to turn his head and see MC’s sleeping form besides him, will even find their bed head adorable when they get up.
* From then on he simply refuses to sleep on his own-MC brought this upon themelsves after all, and now that this man knows what a good 7 hours of sleep can do to him, it’s over for y’all
SEVEN:
* He’s stayed at Rika’s apartment, but he literally hid in the corner the whole time and i doubt he ever slept so does it even count?
* The answer’s no. What does, instead, count, is the first night they share on the run, while looking for Saeran.
* He stopped driving after MC insisted they both need some rest, and whilst he was ready to book two rooms at a motel out of town, the receptionist informed him there’s only one room, and-surprise surprise, it comes with only one bed.
* So he books that, and tells MC they can have the bed-he’s used to sleeping pretty much anywhere, even the floor will do. Well, lo and behold, MC of course refuses to let him sleep anywhere else that isn’t besides them, knowing that a) He’d be uncomfortable and b) That he’d barely get any sleep anyway
* Instead they tug him onto the bed, pinning him down under them with a frown. Seven let himself be taken down, his eyes wide and his face redder than his hair as he looked to MC above him, noticing how they were essentially holding him in place with their thighs.
* “You. Are. Getting. 8. Hours of sleep or so help me Seven I’ll woop you into unconsciousness myself” MC says, and well, mark Seven down as both scared and horny lmao
* All jokes aside though, he really is tired-he doesn’t make much of a fuss when MC tucks him in under the covers and snuggles close to him, resting their head under his chin-he unconsciously wraps one hand around MC’s waist, bringing the other under his head.
* He falls asleep quicker than he ever did-one moment he was rubbing soothing circles onto MC’s hip, the next he’s dead asleep, waking up only when MC shakes him awake.
* He’s shocked at first, blinks fast as he tries to take in his surroundings-he nearly threw MC off the bed as he sat up, confused as to just why he felt the way he did (Hint: you feel well-rested Seven, something you’ve probably never felt in your life ever before)
* He has a renewed energy, like he’s a character in a videogame that took a max all stats potion, like a superhero-he won’t stop comparing his well-rested state to games all day, and MC has to bear with it, they made him this way after all lol
* From then on he’ll never ask for seperate beds ever again-he’ll only ever sleep well if MC is in his arms, and that’s that.
V/JIHYUN:
* It’s a little accidental how MC ended up staying over at his place-they were out drinking at his favorite wine bar with MC and Jumin, and MC seemed a little too tipsy by the end of the night to go home by themselves-even Jumin seemed worried, suggesting he and Driver Kim could take MC home instead of letting them go on their own.
* Well...that’d be fine, if MC would stop clinging onto V for like, five minutes. The moment Jumin tried to tug them away from V, MC started crying, saying he’s a big mean eggplant and ran back to V, hugging him tight and hiding their face onto his chest.
* Not gonna lie, Jihyun found the whole thing unbearably cute, and suggested he take MC to his place instead-in the most gentlemanly manner possible of course, only to let them rest and sober up so they can go home in the morning.
* Well, the clinging didn’t stop even when they were at V’s place-they barely let the poor minty boy grab a pair of pyjamas for each of them (and yeah, he secretly felt his heartbeat increase tenfold at the sight of his beloved wearing his clothes, be it oversized on them or not)
* He finally accepted his fate as he put MC in bed, ready to head to the couch to sleep, when MC grabbed his wrist, their eyes tearing up as they asked if he’s leaving them.
* So here Jihyun is, one arm beneath his head, the other rubbing soothing circles on MC’s back as he looks to their sleeping form, a pondering frown on his face.
* He tucks their hair behind their ear as they turn in their sleep, shuffling closer to V, breathing a sigh of relief as their nose nuzzles onto the cusp of his collarbone, and V huffs a small laugh at that. 
* He’s been so used to sleeping alone ever since Rika, he figured that’s just how his life would be from then on. He never thought he’d feel such fondness, such love for anyone else again, yet here he is, this person in his arms so precious he’s afraid of his own emotions towrards them. This isn’t a love like the sun-no, it’s like the stars, big, endless and lighting up the darkest of skies.
* He falls asleep just like that, his arm around MC, his eyes fluttering shut, and for once, he has no nightmares nor dreams-just a good night’s rest, letting him wake up refreshed to the first morning light as it preens through his half-shut curtains.
* MC is a blushing apologetic mess in the morning, but Jihyun just laughs, tugs them close and kisses them. 
* “Thank you for the best night’s sleep I’ve had in years” he says with a smile, and it’s true-he’s never slept better.
* From then on he tries to ask MC to stay over as frequent as possible, only able to rest if he feels their breaths match his own in the night.
This was too cute of a prompt i hope i did it justice aaaa
-Send me a mystic messenger scenario/prompt for character’s reactions!-
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floatingpetals · 5 years ago
Text
Thief in the Night
Pairings: Steve Rogers x Reader
Warnings: literally all fluff
Word Count:2000+
Summary: She tried to talk to him about it. It’s been an issue with Steve for as long as she could remember. But every night, it always ended the same.
A/N: There is like no plot to this lol. It’s just all fluffy goodness. I needed a little break from my series stuff and this just kinda crapped out. I hope you all enjoy! Please reblog and let me know what you think! ❤❤
Gifs not mine, credit to the creator!
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Frigged cold air licked at her legs, instantly causing Y/N to curl up in a ball deep in her sleep. The sudden temperature changed made a frown to tug at her lips and her brows to crease. Her teeth started to chatter, and her body trembled as the chill set in. It didn’t take her long to wake with a start and blink groggily. In her haze, Y/N’s wondered just why the hell she was so freaking cold.
She groaned and stuck her hand out behind her, blindly reaching for the sheet and comforter she was one hundred percent certain she had wrapped around her when she fell asleep. She paused when she felt a lump behind her, a warm thoroughly wrapped up lump that was happily snoring away.
“Of course,” she grumbled.
Y/N rolled over to her back and glared at the back of her sleeping boyfriend beside her. Just because she couldn’t see his face, didn’t mean she wasn’t fully aware of the relaxed and unfazed expression on his face. Steve Grant Rogers had gone and done it again. Not like she could really get upset with him; he didn’t exactly mean to steal the sheets. But he was the reason the room was so stupid cold; Steve ran insanely hot at night for some reason and needed the air in the room to be cooler to not overheat. Y/N didn’t’ mind that. She did, however, not appreciate him stealing her comforters.
She glared for a moment longer before decided to take her comforter back. It took her a moment to find a way to wiggle under the covers, but once she did, she plastered herself to his back and wrapped her arms around his waist. Unsurprisingly, he was radiating heat like the massive furnace he was. He didn’t even flinch when she settled against him, his snores continued without missing a beat.
Well, that can’t do, Y/N thought to herself with a wicked grin. Nuzzling her nose into the crook of his neck and she let out a breathy sigh. She couldn’t hold back her grin as she shuffled her legs further under the sheets and pressed her frigid feet against his stupidly warm calves. At the same time, she slid her equally freezing hands up under his white t-shirt and shoved them up to rest on his pecks.
His reaction was instantaneous. His eyes flew open with a hiss and his body reflexively lurched to get away. Y/N giggled and tightened her grip around his chest and slid her feet up his legs.
“Jesus Christ!” He yelped when her freezing foot climbed up his thigh. He shot a hand out to stop her from going higher, his grip tight in warning. “Why are you so damn cold?!”
“Me?” Y/N counter indignantly. “You’re the butt munch who stole the sheets! Again!”
Steve bit his lip, the frustration of being woken up fading away when he took note of his position under the several layers of blankets. It was an old habit of his, from before the serum when he lost body heat regularly. Bucky always used to say he looked like he was in a cocoon whenever he’d spend the night on Bucky’s old couch. He didn’t realize how inconvenient it was until he started dating Y/N a year ago and they had the same outcome every night they spent together. Sighing, he unclenched and started unwrapping the blankets to drape over her behind him.
“’M sorry,” He murmured. Y/N snorted and snuggled closer against him. If she couldn’t get her own space, then fine. She’d cling like a koala and he’d lose his.
“I know you are.” She sighed and pressed a kiss to the back of his neck. A purr rumbled in his chest, the soft-touch causing his eye to flutter close. One of his hands reached under his shirt to cover hers, his thumb rubbing gentle circles against the back of her hand. “Still doesn’t mean we’re gonna overlook your problem.”
Steve smirked and shook his head. He had a feeling this wasn’t gonna end that easily. She had already given him an earful about it a few nights ago before bed. He wasn’t intentionally ignoring her. It was a work in progress.
“I know.” He murmured. “I don’t mean to…”
Y/N hummed and let her head fall on the pillow. She let out a heavy sigh and tried to fall back asleep. Unfortunately, she knew it wasn’t going to be that easy. Once she was up, it took a long while for her to fall back asleep, unlike the thief in the night who could fall asleep on a dime. She hated that but also loved knowing it was because of her presence that Steve to felt safe enough to fall asleep so quickly. He had a lot of weight on his shoulders, so any help she could give, Y/N was happy for it.
However, for her, her brain just wouldn’t stop thinking. It was a constant buzz in the back of her head that no matter how hard she tried she couldn’t get it to shut up. Ever. Case in point, right now it kept asking the question what the hell made him still yank covers despite his temperature running higher than it used to be.
“Steve,” Y/N whispered. Steve answered with a teeny groan. Y/N pouted and tried again with a shimmy of her hips. “Steve.”
He didn’t respond and when he started to snore, Y/N knew he was back asleep. The giant jerk. Well, that just wouldn’t do. She was up because of him and he wasn’t getting away with it that easily. Gently tugging her hand from his grip, she reached down and dug her knuckled into his side between his rib cages. It wouldn’t hurt him, but it was a sure-fire way to wake him up. Steve snorted and jerked, his eyes flying open wide.
“Whas happened?” He slurred and blearily rubbed his eyes.
“I can’t sleep.” She stated simply. Steve grumbled and rolled over to face her in her arms. Unsurprisingly, he had an exhausted look on his face. It was clear how hard he was struggling to keep his heavy eyelids open.
“Aw, m’ sorry baby.” He cooed and raised a hand to rest on her cheek. Y/N watched amused as his eyelids drooped shut in seconds on relaxing into her bed. His hand fell with a soft smack on her cheek and Y/N couldn’t stop the laughter tumbling from her mouth. Steve jerked awake once again.  
“Y/N,” He whined. Y/N giggled at his pout which only made her laugh harder. He grumbled under his breath and forced her face into the crook of his neck.
“Steve!” She snickered but didn’t fight his embrace. He shushed her halfheartedly and started to run his hand down the back of her head. Well, more like drug his heavy fingers down her head in a sleepy attempt to quiet her.
“Go to sleep,” He mumbled. Y/N scoffed.
“If only it was that easy.”
“It is. Just close your eyes and shhh….”
“But that’s not-,”
“Shh sh sh,” Steve interjected, his speech falling off as he slowly succumbed to sleep. Again.
Now her brain wouldn’t stop jumping from how she was going to wake him up again to what the hell she was going to wear tomorrow, to what she was going to have for lunch. Groaning softly under her breath, Y/N knew this was fruitless and started to wiggle out of Steve’s grip. Steve inhaled sharply, and sluggishly stirred as she shimmed off the bed.
“Where you goin’?” He called sleepily. Y/N stood at the end of the bed and looked over to Steve. He was utterly adorable, with the pile of blankets wrapped up around him and just his face peeking out of the mass as he squinted in the darkness to see her.
“I’m going to make some tea and maybe take some Benadryl so I can fall back asleep since someone was so kind and woke me up.”  
Steve frowned and rolled over, mentally debating on whether he should get up to follow after her. The bed was colder without her, the safety blanket he had gone with her. Exhaling dramatically, Steve shoved the blankets off and grabbed one of the thick blankets on top to wrap around himself. Shuffling down the hall, Steve stopped at the entrance of the kitchen and watched Y/N start the electric kettle.
She was humming softly to herself, grabbing a bag of tea from the box in the pantry completely oblivious to the looming man behind her. Y/N turned around to go to where the mugs were and nearly flew out of her skin.
“Jesus!” Her squeaked and her hand flew to her chest. “What the hell?”
“You left me alone.” He pouted. Y/N sighed and rubbed her temple.
“I went-. I told-,” Taking in a deep breath, Y/N shook her head deciding it was best just to let it go. “Never mind. You’re lucky your cute.”
A soft smile grew on Steve’s face and a warm fuzzy feeling settle in his stomach. In the back of his mind, he knew she was poking fun at him, but he was going to take the compliment at face value. It was too early to be sarcastic back. He scuffled across the kitchen and wrapped his arms around Y/N waist. A sweet thought, but in his sleepy state, Steve wasn’t aware of how his body weight sagged down on her.
“O-okay,” Y/N staggered under his bulk. She braced her hands against the counter and spread her legs out keep from collapsing. “Steve, you can’t- I’m not equipped to carry you, baby.”
“Mhm.” Steve’s voice was muffled against her neck, but he didn’t move from his spot. He was comfy where he was.
“So… This is just our life now I guess?” Y/N teased. She couldn’t move even if she wanted to with his weight on her back and he only seemed to grow heavier the deeper he slipped into unconsciousness. The kettle went off, the shrill beeping pulling a pitiful groan from Steve in her ear. “Baby just go back to bed. You’re barely standing as it is. I’ll be there in a few minutes, I promise.”
He mumbled incoherently under his breath but gave in. He pressed a sloppy kiss to her neck, nearly missing the mark before he stumbled back to their share bedroom. Y/N giggled and made up her tea before she headed back to the room.
Steve had flicked on a lamp on Y/N’s side of the bed. She paused when she saw he spread the blankets out, putting a few extra on her spot, before crawling up underneath them. He was out like a light, his arm slung on her side of the bed snoring softly against the pile of pillows. Y/N melted at the sight, her lips turning up in a loving smile.  
Y/N set her mug on the bedside table and slowly lifted his arm to shimmy underneath. His eyes fluttered open briefly and gave her a lopsided grin. Y/N smiled back and leaned down to press a kiss to his temple.
“Go to sleep,” Y/N whispered gently. Steve hummed and gently squeezed her hip. She had just sat up when she heard his snores once again. That punk, she thought jealously. Rolling her eyes, she grabbed her mug and settled in to be awake until her brain finally let her sleep. By the time she was able to drift to sleep, the tea was long gone, and her day was planned out down to the second. It was a good thing it was Friday and they didn’t have anything incredibly important to do the next day.
She flicked off the lamp and nestled in beside Steve with a happy sigh. Unconsciously, he pulled her close and nuzzled his face into her neck. A content sigh fell from his lips and he held her tight. She fell asleep with a happy smile against her blanket stealing boyfriend.
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jjba-hell · 4 years ago
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Fate and Fortune
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Part 13 for Death 13 ( ͡° ͜ʖ ͡°)
Here’s Part 12 but all of them are under the fate and fortune tag
I’m sorry lol so this one I gotta warn for some VERY gory experiences- beware but uhhh there ya go. Sorry I took so long for the follow up- I know I left ya’ll on a tiny cliff hanger
Moots: @risottoneroo (good luck at work bb) and @fyre23 (always my supporter)
Kakyoin had often told Vera that she twitched herself awake- first little finger twitches but the neck twitches were usually the ones to wake her completely. When she does, her body runs cold and she has to come back to reality. He was always there for her, rubbing her arm comfortingly as she buried her face in his chest.
She never thought she would see it happen to him- save for the fact that he simply jerked straight up with a gasp. Her hands flew up to his face, gently cupping his distressed expression as she tried to get him to wake up fully.
“Hey- it’s okay. You’re here, you’re okay. There’s nothing wrong.”
He painted heavily, the cold sweat running down his face as he reached up to hold her wrist. “I’m okay.” He repeated after her like a mantra- breathing slowing back down and with a sigh he seemed to let his guard down just enough to lean into her touch.
“Nightmare?” Her thumb traced lightly over his cheek, enjoying the warmth from his cheek in her palm.
He nodded, eyes sliding shut. She didn’t pry any further- if anything her money was on his encounter with Dio. What she wasn’t expecting was him turning a question to her. “Why is the Death Card in the middle of the deck?”
What an odd question, she took a breath and answers best she could. “Two possibilities- one, physical death of the body means all the cards after 13 could mean the journey we must traipse through to the afterlife. Or two, death is just big change or reform- something like ego death, a shift from physical troubles to introspection. Why do you ask? Was it in your dream?”
His gaze peered down at his hands in his lip. “I- I don’t know.”
“You’re bleeding.” She lifted his hand up to look at the gash beside his palm. “Where could this have come from?”
A knock on the door signaled Polnareff’s arrival to wake them up. She used Fortune to turn back the wound a bit as she got up from the bed. Vera had left her suitcase in the room next door and surprisingly quick the payment for Kakyoin’s wound came by Polnareff opening the door right into her big toe.
“Come on, you lovebirds, we can’t- VERA NO.”
After accepting his profuse apologies she scampered off to her room to clean off her new wound and then meet the others for breakfast.
As usual, within public eye, Vera gave Kakyoin his space- not really paying anything much mind but he seemed... off. She cupped his hand on the table and spoke quietly- “is everything alright? You seem kind of lost.”
He could only really blink at her- really unlike him. A witry comeback or flirty jab felt like it would have perfect space but in that moment it was dead silence between him. Did the nightmare shake him that bad?
“I guess we can catch up on some sleep on the plane.” She squeezed his hand softly and proceeded as usual. Outside- the sight of a dead dog had him muttering about seeing one before. The comment about the baby wails was what really caught her attention. “I’m guessing you remember elements but not the dream itself?”
Again, only a stoic nod. The baby was unceremoniously dumped on Vera’s lap in the Cessna.
“I have never seen such a look of disgust painted on your face that long.” Polnareff laughed as she scowled down at the baby in the basket.
“Look at it. It’s heinous looking.”
Mr Joestar laughed quietly from the front and she took the opportunity to tease back. “Say Mr Joestar, no intended disrespect but how did you get your pilot’s license if you can’t make one flight into completion?”
“Hey!” He called back but at least it got a smile out of Jotaro from the front.
“I jest, I jest.” She shrugged as she shrugged- putting the basket down on the floor between her feet.
The rest of the ride was quiet enough for the two men beside her to fall asleep. But she could tell they were restless and the air around them felt... thick.
She sat up onto her knees and turned to Polnareff first- watching his face contort in what she could only figure was a nightmare.
Some things Fortune can control- but much like stepping on a wonky deck board or getting face-palmed by a window- some things Vera can’t help but fall victim to. She had no idea why it had happened but all she felt was a violent push towards Mr Joestar and her head hitting the overhead the console hard enough for her vision to go blurry on impact and black out just after Polnareff pulled her back into her seat.
What happened after that she’d have to hear from the others since she only woke up after they had just started the fire and setting up camp.
“Vera!” Kakyoin’s arms flew around her shoulders as she sat up, only noticing him beside her now in her dizzying field of vision. “I’m so relieved you’re awake.”
Her vision blurred painfully as she swayed against his shoulder. “Wha- what happened?”
“Crash landed-“ Jotaro answered above her. “Gramps got control over the plane just long enough to crash us into a palm tree.” He knelt down beside her as Kakyoin let go, letting her sit up on her own. Jotaro offered a canteen of water, asking her if she’d be okay.
“I’m probably gonna get a few more grey hairs but...” she brought Fortune out to start healing up the likely concussion she was suffering. “I’ll probably be fine in a few hours.”
The second Fortune’s dials moved her dizziness and headache was nowhere to be seen. She supposed with the relief of her return back to consciousness, Kakyoin must have saw it as his qeue to brood over whatever was happening- he’d been like that all day.
Eventually she took a look around at the baby who had miraculously survive the crash. But it wasn’t looking too happy- in fact it didn’t look like a baby at all with the way it’s eyes glared at Kakyoin a step away from her.
“I’m not particularly impartial to infanticide, kid.” She glared right back at it, and for a moment it seemed shocked to see her awake- before it turned its head to look away.
She let Kakyoin handle it, grabbing hold of Jotaro’s arm to follow her behind a dune. The headache turned to nausea and as soon as they were out of sight she dropped to her knees and let any contents from her stomach go.
He knelt down after the worst of it passed and handed her a handkerchief- asking her if she was okay. Fortune hovered just beside her to continue healing but it didn’t feel like it was helping enough. “I’m okay. Or at least the pressure in my head is letting up.”
Jotaro’s hand slipped under her arm to help her back to her feet, walking her back to camp. “Wait, I need to-“
“No.”
She gazed up at him, his stoic expression all she gets back until the light of the camp falls over his face and a mix between shock and disgust taking its place. Her eyes widened at a crying baby in Mr Joestar’s hands and Silver Chariot floating above an unconscious Kakyoin- face first in the sand.
“You couldn’t give me two minutes to recuperate?”
Vera’s focus shifted to Kakyoin, Fortune following.
“Vera no,” it was Mr Joestar holding her shoulder now. “Your injury was much more severe, focus on healing that.”
He stared her down a moment, despite wanting to fight it she sighed- brought Fortune back and announced that she’ll be taking watch first.
Big mistake.
After she had tucked Kakyoin into his sleeping bag she disappeared a bit further off from the camp- getting comfy with her back against the a palm tree which is where she fell asleep and got caught in a godawful nightmare.
It was pitch black, the only thing she could see was Fortune standing beside her like a separate body. “Hello?” She called, her own echo greeting her back. “Huh, by now Dio’s hands around my neck would answer.”
So she walked ahead into the void for a moment. She had taken a few steps when two doors seemed to swing shut in front of her but it was definitely not just any doors and she wasn’t in the void anymore. Several spikes extended from the shutting doors and when her back met the same fate she realized where she was.
An Iron Maiden. *
The scream left her mouth the second her flesh felt pierced by the iron spikes. Of all her fears to be laid bare before her- this was one she didn’t need. In panic she pushed against the spikes piercing her arms and hands but the pain that shot through her was so much worse.
The tears pricked at her face as she tried to call Fortune but her mind was so painfully discombobulated that she couldn’t even imagine what they needed to do. Her only thought was about the lock holding her in place- holding the doors shut. It must’ve been something simple as a wooden bar across the entrance and no sooner than she had the thought the sound was music to her ears.
She pushed it open one more time and the doors creakily opened- only for the world outside to continue a nightmare in pastel. The Iron Maiden stood on what felt like a slight incline, at least that’s how it felt to her- her feet just slightly higher than her head. Fortune materialized beside her and she started working on repairing the damage the spikes had done and no sooner than she stopped bleeding Kakyoin called her name from the bottom of the hill.
“Are you alright? I heard you scream.”
She sat up and peered at the gaping expression of the Iron Maiden- her blood still dripping off the spikes.
“I’m okay now.”
He took a moment to bring her up to speed on how the stand works and who it’s user was. To no surprise. She got up and started following him down the hill to where the others were most likely struggling to understand their lack of stands.
Somewhere along the line she had vanished out of the dream- something pulling her back to the land of the waking just in time for her to get up, sit down with a smirk in front of the baby who was eating its food from some crockery and watch as Kakyoin did his thing.
“Usually, I’d take a smoke to commemorate success but-“ she brought her pack out of her pocket. “Oh would you look at that it’s sopping wet with blood.”
She tossed the cigarette pack in front of the writing child, watching in disgust and disdain. “Be grateful he’s not ending you. That cast iron skillet would have been a better punishment.”
Kakyoin woke up soon after the kid probably called mercy- some genius he was- incapable of speech but whatever. When he was awake and coming her way she hopped up on her feet and ran into a koala hug.
He laughed as he rubbed her back soothingly, squeezing back softly. “Did you miss me?”
“Shut up- I was so worried about what Polnareff had done. I didn’t wanna heal up another concussion.”
After appropriately taunting the baby they started on breakfast for the others- quite the spread for the dessert but she couldn’t complain as she toasted the bread alongside him. Half the food was prepared when they leaned in just a bit too close and they were almost nose to nose.
Kakyoin’s hands moved up to cup her face- his eyes not seeming to find a single place on her face to focus on.
“Like what you see?” She joked, leaning into his touch like he did with her not too long ago.
A lot of words were heavy on Kakyoin’s tongue and she could tell by the amount of times he swallowed and opened and closed his mouth.
“I know about you and Jotaro.”
His eyes widened. “It’s not-“
“Hey,” it was her turn to take his wrist again. “I’m not asking for answers- I’m not sure either but...”
She smiled to herself and then gazed at the little fire beside them. “You’re just really kissable right now.”
He smiled with her as he leaned in close, his lips ghosting over hers as he ask. “I’d be happy to oblige- may I?”
“You may...” she giggled. As peculiar as it was for her to giggle it only felt right when their lips finally met and the taste awoke her senses. His hands were slightly drier than his lips- the kiss being as delicate and direct as she could ever wish, the taste of peppermint and cherry on his lips.
For the first time she let him guide her onto his lip, arms wrapping around her as the kiss grew a bit more heated until she stopped to gasp for air. Their foreheads rested against one another as they caught their breath, her heart racing in her ears.
“Okay...so that was-“
“Better than expected?” She laughed, moving to rest her chin in his shoulder.
“Yes... but man does it complicate things.”
*oop- exposed my own worst nightmare
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echoes-of-the-clockwork · 4 years ago
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Book Four: War (Gladiolus x Reader) Chapter Six
With the Regalia now back in their possession, the royal retinue and the Horseman rode back to Lestallum. It'd been a couple of weeks since the incident with the Archaean and they wanted to check on Iris, Talcott, and Jared.
The moment they arrived back in Lestallum, the gloomy atmosphere hanging over the town didn't go unnoticed. Wondering what was causing such an aura, they headed to the Leville. There, they found Iris who took them up to one of the rooms to talk about what transpired during their absence. She told them about how the empire showed up demanding them to hand over Noctis. The innocent Jared was struck down by the imperials.
During the conversation, a devastated Talcott entered the room. (Y/n)'s eyes widen when she heard the little boy sniffle with tears streaming down his cheeks. Although she was looking at Talcott, all she could see was herself at the young age of twelve crying by her father's bedside as he passed away in his sleep. However, she knew that pain wasn't compared to what Talcott was feeling. The poor boy saw his grandfather be slaughtered by another.
Halfway through the conversation, (Y/n) had to excuse herself. She left the hotel and headed to the outlook. She slumped against the stone railing, becoming lost in thought as her painful memories from the past resurfaced once again. She grabbed a fistful of her hair, tugging it with gritted teeth. "Dammit. Why won't they go away...?" Ever since resurrecting as one of the Four Horsemen, this was the first time her past memories came back to haunt her over and over again in such a short amount of time. "C'mon, (Y/n), get over them already," she hissed at herself.
Slapping her cheeks a couple of times, War groaned in defeat. "This isn't going to work..."
"What's not going to work?"
The redhead didn't have to look at the owner of the voice to know who it was. "It's nothing, Gladio. Just...talking to myself."
"And slapping yourself?" The shield remarked.
"Yes, and slapping myself," she mumbled sassily. "It's completely normal."
"No, it's not," he argued.
"Yes, it is."
"No, it's not."
"Yes, it's-ugh!" She groaned, pinching the bridge of her nose. "Did you need something or not?"
"We were planning on restin' for a bit before heading out on a hunt to clear our heads. You wanna join us?" He offered.
"May as well," she replied. "I still haven't found a lead on the bunyips or the dullahan. Maybe this hunt will give me just what I need."
"Then meet us back at the car in a few hours. If you're not there, I know just how to get you there."
She pushed herself off the stone railing and shoved him lightly. "Shut up and go get some rest. If that nightmare comes back, well...I'm not sure what to do. Maybe punching you hard enough and knocking you unconscious would work."
Gladio guffawed at her words. "You're a real charmer, you know that? Not many women can casually talk about punching someone's lights out."
"Oh, I can talk about more gruesome things," she grinned. "There was this one time I-"
"I was kidding," he promptly interrupted her.
It was War's time to laugh. "So was I."
Gladio patted the top of her head. "Look at you, firecracker. You've learned how to loosen up."
Her grin was replaced with a scowl as she swatted at his hand. "I'm not a tight-ass. I can have fun whenever I want." She gazed into his amber eyes with a raised brow. "Now, you going to go back to the hotel willingly or am I really gonna have to knock you out?"
"I'd rather get some rest in a comfy bed than on the ground," he huffed out a faint chuckle. "See ya, (Y/n)."
Her eyes were glued to the shield as he left the outlook. Once he was gone, she turned to gaze out at the scenery. Her mind soon brimmed with the memories she made with the royal retinue. Although she's only known them for a little over a month, she found joy in the memories she's made so far. It's been years since she felt a semblance of joy. She hoped to create more memories with the group before she has to return to the Inner Sanctum.
Lost in thought, War hadn't realized someone was standing behind her until they spoke up. "Look at you being kind to mortals."
The Horseman spun around, eyes wide as saucers. She blinked in shock when coming face to face with the daemon king, Aeshema.
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"What the hell are you doing here?!" She shouted angrily.
"Can't I enjoy a leisurely stroll?" He innocently asked.
"No, you can't," she growled. "You know how dangerous it is to leave Hell unattended. Why're you really here?"
"I received a message from Death and some of what she shared with me caught my attention. Are you really traveling with a group of mortals and they know of your past life?"
(Y/n) was silent for a few seconds before answering honestly. "Yeah, I am, but they only know some details of my past."
A joyous smile slowly crept onto King Aeshema's face. "Oh, I'm so proud of you! You're finally giving mortals a chance! I should've sent you to Eos sooner!"
"Oh, drop it! Get back to Hell!" She yelled.
"Now, now, War. I can spend a few more minutes away from Hell. Allow me to enjoy the fresh air before being forced to smell nothing but brimstone for another millennia."
"Fine," she grumbled, crossing her arms.
The two fell silent for a few seconds before the daemon king sparked up another conversation. "How goes the hunt?"
"Frustrating," the Horseman replied. "I've yet to see the dullahan, but I've encountered the bunyips. However, they've escaped me at every turn."
"They are slippery creatures, but fret not. You will accomplish your goal soon enough. Then you may return to the Inner Sanctum, unless something or someone were to keep you here."
Her brows furrowed together in confusion. "What're you getting at, Your Majesty?"
"Oh, nothing," he replied in a sing-song tone. "Well then, I shall be off. Take care of yourself, War."
"You as well, King Aeshema."
The daemon king waved farewell to the redhead before returning to Hell. (Y/n) threw herself onto a nearby bench with a huff. She craned her head backwards and stared up at the sky. She thought back to what King Aeshema said, wondering what or who could possibly keep her from returning to the Inner Sanctum. When nothing or no one came to mind, she scoffed, "He's probably teasing me like usual."
After a few minutes, the (e/c)-eyed girl decided to walk around Lestallum to waste away the time she had until she would need to meet up with the boys. She spent most of her time browsing the marketplace and eavesdropping on people's conversations to learn if anyone had seen her targets. However, none of the conversations mentioned them.
By the time she finished walking around the entirety of Lestallum, (Y/n) checked the time and realized she should head to the parking lot. Arriving at the car, she saw the others were waiting for her.
"Glad you could join us," Gladio said.
"So, what hunt did you choose?" She asked.
"There's been reports of a naga in the area," Ignis stated.
The Horseman's eyes widen a fraction before returning to normal. "A daemon, huh...?"
Gladio noticed her sudden change in mood. "Something wrong?"
"A naga is a powerful daemon. I might have to sit this one out."
"Why's that?" Prompto pried.
"Daemons fear the Four Horsemen and often flee. But there are some powerful daemons out their who do not fear me and my sisters."
"You're still gonna tag along though, right?" Noctis questioned.
"Yeah. I know you four need the money. I'll watch from a distance and will only intervene if necessary," War explained. "Just try not to do anything stupid. Nagas are quite smart compared to other daemons."
"Someone's being nicer than usual," the blonde whispered under his breath.
The Horseman's head snapped in his direction, a sharp glare now being focused on him. "What did you say?"
Prompto swallowed in fright. "N-Nothing!"
The group departed from Lestallum. They traveled a few miles down the road, the sun slowly beginning to set. Arriving at their destination, they exited the vehicle and wandered into the woods in search of the naga. Noctis spotted the daemon the moment it materialized in a clearing as the sun vanished beyond the horizon. "There it is..."
"You've a supply of maiden kisses, right?" (Y/n) inquired.
"I think we restocked them after we fought that naga during Ramuh's trial."
Ignis checked their inventory and sighed. "We've only a couple left."
"Didn't restock like I told you, did you?" Gladio sneered.
"We'll be fine," the prince sighed. "And it's a little too late to stock up..."
"How nonchalant you are about this..." (Y/n) mumbled. "Well then, better get going, boys. I'll keep my distance for now."
Prompto worriedly eyed the daemon. "W-We can do this...right?"
"We handled one before, didn't we?" Noctis retorts as he, Prompto, Gladio, and Ignis head straight for the naga.
War watched from the tree line as the group engaged the daemon. They were able to stand their own against the naga, but this one was much stronger than the one they faced against in Fociaugh Hollow. She winced when Noctis was smacked away by the daemon's tail. Gladio and Ignis covered the raven-haired boy so he could get back on his feet. However, the naga turned the two into frogs.
(Y/n) sighed in disbelief. She continued to watch as Noctis rushed over and used the last two maiden kisses on his advisor and shield.
The naga hissed, slithering towards the trio. Prompto kept his distance, firing his pistol at the daemon to grab its attanetion. When that didn't work, he shouted out his friends' names to warn them about the approaching daemon. His eyes widen in horror when it turned all three of them into frogs. Stumbling backwards, he tried to put some distance between him and the naga. When seeing it was slithering towards him, he yelled out the Horseman's name. "(Y/n), a little help!"
War begrudgingly emerged from the wood work. She placed herself in between the daemon and the blonde. The naga recognized the girl, but it was unafraid. It lunged at her, bearing its sharp fangs. Deciding to not waste any of her time, the Horseman opted to use her special ability-inferno corruption. Her (e/c) eyes turned black as she locked gazes with the naga. Its body ceased moving, a painful gurgle emitting from its throat. Gradually, the daemon's body turned into igneous stone. Small cracks formed along the stone, molten lava seeping from them. In the next instance, the naga's stone body crumpled into a pile of ash.
(Y/n) presses her hand against the side of her head with an exhausted sigh. "Damn... Forgot how much that takes out of me."
Prompto blinked in astonishment at seeing the mighty daemon that was now a pile of ash. "Wh-What did you do?"
"It doesn't matter." She scooped up two of the frogs that she believed were Gladio and Ignis. "C'mon, blondie. Grab the prince."
He nodded, grabbing the third frog. He followed the Horseman back to the Regalia. They sat the three frogs down, watching them hop around. After a few minutes, Noctis, Gladio, and Ignis reverted back to normal.
A faint croak came from the prince as he recovered from his transformation. "Where'd the daemon go?"
"Dead," War monotonously replied.
"You should've seen her!" Prompto cheered. "(Y/n) didn't even have to touch it!"
"What'd you do?" Gladio questioned.
"It's dead, that's all that matters," she remarked.
"You still holdin' back on us, huh? Well, guess it is better to leave some secrets to the imagination."
She scoffed, "Don't let your imagination run too rampant." Pushing herself off the car, she opened the back door. "Let's head back to Lestallum. You all still need some rest. Your fighting was sloppier than usual."
"Indeed," Ignis confessed.
"Yeah," Prompto yawned. "I need more time to recuperate."
"Then let's go," Gladio said. They hopped into the car and headed back to Lestallum to rest.
Back at the hotel, the boys headed to their room. (Y/n) wandered aimlessly around the lobby, wishing she had a bed to relax on. Her wish, however, didn't go unanswered as Iris walked downstairs and offered the Horseman to use her room after seeing how exhausted she was. Of course, War didn't pass up the opportunity and accepted the younger girl's offer. She followed her up to her room and immediately made herself comfortable on the spare bed. In minutes, she fell asleep.
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The following morning, Gladio was the first to awaken. It was unusual since Ignis was usually the one to be the early riser. However, he was only up so early due to the nightmare. With each passing day, the images were becoming clearer and more details were being unveiled.
Leaving the room, Gladio headed to the lobby where he and the others left (Y/n) the night before. When he couldn't find her, he decided to search the town. He wandered around Lestallum, looking down every street and alleyway to find the girl. His last destination was the outlook, but she wasn't there.
Returning to the Leville, he headed upstairs to his sister's room. Knocking on the door, he waited for Iris to answer. When she did, he asked her about the Horseman. "Hey, you wouldn't happen to know where (Y/n) went, do you?"
"I invited her to my room last night." Iris opened the door more, allowing her brother to enter. "She's still asleep."
Gladio looked past his sister and saw the redhead curled up on the bed. He was taken aback at seeing her fast asleep. In the time she'd been traveling with them, not once did she sleep. He figured because of her immortality, she didn't require any sleep.
Quietly, he approached the sleeping girl while Iris headed into the bathroom to freshen up. Images of (Y/n)'s bloodied corpse overlaid with her sleeping form as he gazed at her. Shaking his head, he eliminated the images and hesitantly reached out to touch her. He combed a few crimson locks out of her face. As he did so, he saw her chest rise and fall with every deep and even breath. Seeing she was breathing brought him relief from the images that now haunted his mind.
"What're you doing?" A groggy voice demanded.
Gladio realized the Horseman was now awake and retracted his hand. "Never expected to find you snoozing away."
"I was exhausted after taking care of that naga." She pushed herself up into a sitting position. "What're you doing here?"
"Looking for you."
"Well, you found me. What do you want?"
"Damn. It's only eight in the morning and you're already in a bad mood," he remarked.
"Oh, that's right. I'm trying to be nicer..." (Y/n) thought for a few seconds before rewording her question. "Did you need something?"
"Thought I'd invite you out for breakfast. I know you don't eat, but you could eat a little somethin'."
Her eyes narrowed. "What're you planning, Gladio?"
"What?" He retorts innocently. "Can't a guy get to know a girl better over a delicious meal without having an ulterior motive?"
"They can, but you do have an ulterior motive," she quipped. "Is this about the nightmare?"
The brute nodded. "Yeah, it is. Things're becoming clearer and I wanted to ask you about them."
War threw out her arm, gesturing to the room. "Why not ask me now?"
"Because I'm starvin'."
"Fine..." She groaned, hopping off the bed. "Lead the way."
He crossed his arms with an amused smile. "I thought you'd complain more. Guess you really are changing."
"Hey, I'm trying here," (Y/n) snapped.
"And you're doing a pretty damn good job so far. Still, you have those moments where there's a stick up your ass."
She rolled her eyes with a heavy sigh. "I'm pretty sure everyone has those moments where there's a stick up their ass. Everybody's an asshole on some occasions."
"Touché."
She then jabbed a finger towards the door. "Are we leaving or are you just gonna continue calling out my shitty behavior?"
"Right, breakfast. Let's get going, firecracker. I know the perfect place."
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fuwafuwamedb · 4 years ago
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When You Give A King A Chocolate Pt 3 (Hakuno, Gilgamesh)
Previously: 1, 2
___
It was really comfy where she was.
Really comfy.
Hakuno shifted a little, pulling the sheets over herself a little more. There was the soft scent of fresh flowers nearby, probably because the flower merchant had finally claimed their spot in the plaza just outside her home.
Good for them. She had seen that merchant complain time and time again about it. It was great to find that the merchant had beaten the fur trader to that spot. The smells between the two made it evident whom she would prefer. One smelled of death. The other smelled like someone had given her a bouquet of flowers.
“Is she still asleep?” Hakuno paused, hearing a voice nearby.
“She has been sleeping all evening, but she started to stir for a moment a few minutes ago. I think she may wake up soon.”
“Good. Resume your duties elsewhere children. I’ll see to her.”
Hakuno felt a hand press against hers. And then another. And then one more.
She could hear three sets of feet scamper over towards the door before that familiar man’s presence drew closer.
How had this man gotten into her house? Why was he-
“I’m calling you gorgeous, woman.”
The man’s words trickled into mind, leaving her to open her eyes and look up to see the blond from before. The same red gaze was as patient as ever. The same slight smirk was adorning his face, leaving her at a loss for words.
Well, not quite.
“What time is it?”
“It is mid morning,” the man told her simply. “You were… unfortunate to fall unconscious yesterday evening.”
She remembered that now. Someone had come up behind her. It must have been one of those guards. In other words-
Hakuno looked around, finding herself in the palace somewhere.
They’re keeping me here.
“I don’t recall seeing you when the maidens of this land were brought to my palace the other month. Are you a newly arrived resident of the kingdom?”
“I didn’t want to be picked like a length of fabric.”
The king leaned back in his seat, shrugging his shoulders a bit. “I’m not so simple as to pick a woman for myself like one would goods in the market.”
“Is that why there’s been more women leaving the palace than visiting kingdom officials?”
The man paused, glancing at her quietly.
She’d heard enough rumors to know she didn’t want the king of Uruk.
He had called the place his palace, after all. He was dressed in too fine of attire. It didn’t take a genius to understand that she was speaking to the king. It also made her more wary than before.
If this was the king, then she had no options. His will was law.
“How are you feeling?”
Hakuno blinked, staring at him for that question.
“You were struck and became unconscious. That often leads to damage, at least in the form of pain.” He laced his fingers together and met her gaze. “So… How are you feeling?”
“Groggy.”
“I did get after my guard for knocking you out. I had intended to speak with you further, not see you to a bedroom.”
Had he really?
Then again, there was another in the palace that had a relationship with the king. She’d heard of the woman, although the name escaped her. The king had her as an attendant. She didn’t do anything with the king that was untoward.
Had she assumed too much?
“Are you listening?”
“Sorry, I said I was groggy. I’m probably a bit tired still.” Hakuno gave a small sigh in relief and smiled at the man.
He wasn’t interested in her personally. He just wanted another person to talk to. Maybe he wanted her opinion on women or something.
“I shouldn’t stay much longer, but if there’s something you need help with, King Gilgamesh, I can try to help.”
“Help?”
Hakuno nodded, “Sure. I will eventually be joining the temple of Aya and Utu to become a priestess, but there is nothing that says I can’t help you with problems you may have or hear you out.”
She would do her best to help, since he’d let her rest in the palace and was being kind to her.
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abouldersbxtch · 4 years ago
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Trick Or Treat
“Are you seriously going to be the little witch girl from The Nightmare Before Christmas for Halloween? Why not be Blossom for me and Momo?” Karina looked over at Mina with a confused expression. “Well yeah. Denki and Eiji asked me to, you know that. They’re going to be Lock and Barrel with me and Hanta is gonna be Jack. Ask Hagakure to be Blossom for you guys.” Mina just sighed and shook her head from her spot on Karina’s bed. “I can’t ask Hagakure. Her and Ojiro are going as Tarzan and Jane.” Karina gave a small shrug as she pulled on the jacket to her hero uniform. “I don’t know what to tell you then honeybun. Besides, I’m not even going to the party until later. Same for Ochaco. We’re supposed to go on patrol for a couple of hours with Ryukyu.” Mina fell back on the bed with a dramatic sigh. “Ugh, fine. I’ll figure something out.” Mina got up from the bed and walked over to Karina and kissed her cheek gently. “Be safe out there. I’ll see you tonight at Momo’s.” Karina blushed when Mina kissed her cheek, but tried to keep her composure and nodded quickly. “Yeah. I’ll see you tonight.” Mina walked out of Karina’s room and once she heard the door close, Karina let out a light sigh while reaching up and gently touching her cheek where Mina had kissed her. Suddenly her thoughts were interrupted by a knocking on her door that startled her and made her jump. “Come in!” She called out and when her door was opened, Uraraka was standing in the doorway in her hero uniform. “Hey, you ready?” Karina smiled brightly and nodded. “Yeah! I just have to put my boots on real quick.” Uraraka walked in a bit further and waited near the door while Karina pulled out her boots from her closet and hastily started pulling them on. “Hey, are you going to Momo’s party tonight after patrol?” Karina glanced over at her friend and nodded while tying the laces on the first boot she had put on. “Yeah. You’re going with Izuku right?” Karina finished tying the first boot and pulled on the second one, but her eyes remained on her friend in the doorway. “Yeah! Hopefully Deku will be there by the time we do. I know he’s supposed to go with Mirio to take Eri trick-or-treating for a little while.” Karina finished tying the laces on the other boot and stood up straight with a smile on her face. “How sweet. Are you guys doing a couples costume thing too?” Once she saw that Karina was ready, Uraraka moved back towards the door while giving a short nod. “Yeah. He’s going to be Han Solo and I’m going to be Princess Leia.” Karina followed her out of the room and closed her door behind her. “That’s cute.” Uraraka blushed lightly and smiled as she pressed the button for the elevator after walking over together. “Thanks. It was Deku’s idea.” The girls got into the elevator once it arrived, pressed the button for the bottom floor, and patiently waited until the doors opened again once they arrived.
The two girls left the dorm building and made their way out of the school. Along their way they saw other students dressed in different Halloween costumes and even more people dressed up once they left the school grounds. While they made their way to the train station, they made small talk to keep themselves occupied until they got to their destination. While sitting on the train next to each other, Karina’s golden eyes gazed out the window as they went, listening to Uraraka talk about how her meeting Izuku’s mother went. “I think it went really well. I just hope she likes me, you know? I felt like I was such a nervous wreck and Deku being nervous didn’t help either.” Karina turned her attention back to her friend. “Ochaco, I’m sure she likes you. What’s not to like? From what you’ve told me, I don’t think you have anything to worry about. You guys had a nice dinner and got to talk and bond right? I can’t see any reason why she wouldn’t like you. I’m sure she’s just happy that her son is happy.” Uraraka smiled as she listened to Karina, blushing lightly at the kind words. “Thanks Karina. I guess I’m just overthinking things, but it’s hard not to. You’re probably right though. How are things going with Kirishima, by the way?” Now it was Karina’s turn to subtly blush and look down at her lap with a small shrug of her shoulders. “They’re going well I think. We’ve been on three dates so far and every time we have a lot of fun, but we haven’t made anything official yet.” Uraraka raised her brows in surprise. “Three?! You told me about the first date at the movies and the arcade and the second date, I think, when you guys went to the aquarium right? What was the third one?” “Yeah, those were the first two. A few days ago we made each other food and met up in my room and we watched a few movies together. It wasn’t anything fancy, but honestly, I think I preferred that kind of date over the other ones. Not that the others weren’t nice or anything because they were, but we literally just made each other food, wore comfy clothes and relaxed in my room and watched movies.” Uraraka’s eyes lit up as she listened to Karina, the smile on her face growing bigger as Karina went on describing her date with Kirishima. “That’s so sweet! Whose idea was that? That sounds really nice and relaxing.” Karina nodded in agreement with a small smile on her face. “It was Eiji’s idea. We’ve been taking turns on choosing the dates. He chose the movies and I chose the aquarium so it was his turn and he wanted to make me something to eat and just relax with me.” “Well it’s a cute date idea and I might have to steal it for Deku and I if that’s okay.” They both giggled and Karina nodded again. “I don’t mind one bit. I recommend it actually. It was really nice.” The girls continued talking about various things until the train arrived at the station they needed. They exited the train and made their way through the station and towards Ryukyu’s agency. It didn’t take them too long and soon enough they were walking through the doors of the agency building.
As soon as they were through the doors, they were being rushed outside by Ryukyu. “Just in time. There’s a building on fire not far from here. The fire is almost out, but there’s still people who need to be evacuated.” Karina and Uraraka nodded, letting her know they understood the situation. The three of them hurried to the scene and most of the flames were under control since the fire started on the lower levels of the building. However, that meant that people on the higher levels weren’t able to get out, so that was going to be their job. “Alright girls, you two are going in on your own. I’ll be at that window in my dragon form. You girls bring everyone you can to me so we can get them out safely.” The girls both nodded again and Ryukyu activated her quirk, turning into a large dragon beside the building. Karina shifted into a hawk and flew up and through an open window on one of the higher floors while Uraraka used her quirk and made herself float up to the same window and climb inside. Once she was inside, she released her quirk so she would stop floating and Karina shifted back to normal. Quickly they started making their way through the floor they were on. They heard people calling out for help, so they hurried towards them. There was a woman and her son trapped in a room, so Uraraka touched the beam that was blocking the door and made it float and Karina easily moved it out of the way. Once it was safely out of the way, Uraraka released her quirk and they hurried the woman and her son out of the room and back towards the window where Ryukyu was waiting to help them out of the building and down to safety. The girls helped five more people to safety just from that floor before moving to the next floor. When they got to the next floor, they almost didn’t hear anything or anyone so Uraraka was about to head up to the next floor, but Karina held her arm out in front of her to stop her. “Wait, do you hear that?” “Hear what?” Uraraka questioned with a confused look on her face. It was very faint, but Karina knew she could hear soft crying. “This way.” She took off towards the sound and as it got louder and more clear, the girls ran even faster until they found a little girl sitting next to who they assumed was her father who was unconscious on the ground and bleeding from a small gash on his forehead. The girl flinched away as the two of them approached her, so Karina knelt down and held her hand out towards the girl slowly. “Hey, it’s okay. We’re heroes. We’ve come to get you out of here.” The girl looked terrified as she looked back and forth between the two of them. “Y-You’re gonna save me and d-daddy? H-He got hit in t-the head and he w-won’t wake up.” Uraraka nodded her head with a reassuring smile. “Yeah, we’re here to help. We’re going to get you and your daddy to safety, but you have to come with us.” The little girl slowly nodded and reached out and took Karina’s hand that was outstretched towards her and got up from the ground. Uraraka quickly made her way over to the injured man and touched his chest, activating her quirk and making him float so it would be easier to get him to safety. Meanwhile, Karina lifted the little girl up into her arms and they quickly made their way back to Ryukyu so they could get the two to safety. By the time they had reached Ryukyu, other heroes had arrived and were also working on evacuating the rest of the building.
Uraraka and Karina were done with their part now that other heroes had arrived to help and the building was nearly clear. Since they weren’t needed at the moment, Karina and Uraraka stayed with the little girl while her father was being treated by some EMT’s on site. “What’s your favorite animal Yui?” Karina asked the little girl, hoping that if she could turn into the little girls favorite animal, it might make her feel better. “I love puppies!” Karina grinned and shifted into a German Shepard and Yui gasped excitedly as she watched. “Cool!” Yui started petting Karina and Karina just nuzzled her and played with her for a little while. After about ten minutes, someone nearby started calling out towards them. “Excuse me? Can I get your help? My friend got stuck in a tree at the park nearby and we can’t get him down.” Uraraka looked to Ryukyu who gave her a small nod, so she and Karina, who was still in the form of a German Shepard, started to head towards the boy who had caught their attention. The girls ran after the boy who was running towards the park and only started to slow down as they got closer. When Karina started to get close enough to the boy, she caught a familiar scent. When she realized who’s scent it was, she froze and Uraraka realized Karina had stopped, so she stopped and looked back at her. “What’s wrong?” She walked back over to Karina who was standing on the grass on a field near the park and the ‘boy’ turned and gave them a confused look. “Are you guys coming?” Uraraka looked over and smiled. “Yeah of course!” She turned back to Karina who was now growling and walking towards the stranger. “Karina? What’s going on?” The ‘boy’ ran back towards them and when he reached them, he reached out to grab Uraraka’s arm to pull her along, but Karina lunged at the boys arm and snapped her jaws onto it. The boy screamed and yanked his arm away and Karina released it while snarling. “What the hell?! What’s wrong with your dog?!” Uraraka had a look of shock on her face and she was about to rush to the boys aid, but Karina shifted back to normal and held her arm out in front of Uraraka to keep her back. As soon as Karina shifted, the boy stared at her in disbelief. “You’re...” He trailed off and Karina narrowed her golden eyes at him. “I’d know your scent anywhere, Himiko.” Uraraka stared at the two of them in confusion for a moment before she realized what was going on. “Wait, that’s Toga? Then she was...” “Trying to lure you somewhere. Away from the other heroes, but I bet you weren’t expecting your little sister to be here, were you Himi?” Himiko grinned and took a step towards them and Karina gently pushed Uraraka back behind her. “You’re one of them Kari? I’m disappointed. I thought you’d hear about Stainy and agree with him like I do.” Karina glared at her sister and tried to keep herself calm and collected like Shoto had told her to before. However, on the inside she was a nervous wreck. She wasn’t expecting to come into contact with her sister like this so soon after joining U.A. and her heart was racing in her chest. “What are you doing here Himiko? What do you want?” Toga smirked and pulled a knife from her waistband behind her back and twirled it in her hand as she stared at Karina. “I just wanted some alone time with Ochaco. That’s all.” Karina protectively positioned herself in front of Uraraka. “You’ll have to through me first.” Toga laughed and shook her head. “We both know I’m the better fighter Kari. Always have been.” Karina narrowed her eyes. “I’m not the same little girl you left behind all those years ago Himi.” Toga’s brows raised in slight surprise at her sister. “Oh yeah? Let’s see about that.” She grinned and lunged towards Karina.
Karina was prepared for her sister and made sure to stand in front of Uraraka so Himiko wouldn’t be able to reach her. She knew she had to steel her nerves and not go easy on her just because she’s her older sister. Himiko meant to hurt Uraraka and Karina wasn’t about to let that happen. As Himiko rushed at Karina, her ‘disguise’ started to drip away and she was left in a cream colored leotard which was strange. As far as she could remember, whenever she stopped using her quirk or she ran out of the persons blood and went back to her normal self, she was left naked. Honestly she was just glad she wasn’t going to fight her sister naked even though she’d rather not fight her sister at all, but she had a friend she needed to protect. Himiko tackled Karina to the ground and smirked down at her. “Too easy Kari.” “We’re not done yet Himi.” Karina shifted into an anaconda and Himiko tried to get a grip on her, but Karina was quick to wrap her body around her sister. To save herself, Himiko gripped her knife tightly and stabbed Karina with as much force as she could with how tightly Karina was wrapped around her. Karina hissed and her grip loosened slightly, giving Himiko another chance to stab at her sister. Despite having more freedom to move this time, her stab wasn’t nearly as hard as the last one. Karina threw her sister away from her and shifted back to normal, blood oozing from a stab wound on her left shoulder and her right calf. As Himiko was getting to her feet, Karina didn’t give her any time to prepare herself. She shifted into a ram and ran at her, headbutting her and sending her flying back down to the ground. Then she shifted into a tiger, stalking towards Himiko as she got up from the ground yet again. The two sisters were about to charge at each other again, but Himiko saw something behind Karina and then looked back at her sister. “This isn’t over Kari.” Then she ran off into the wooded area behind her and Karina was about to run after her, but Ryukyu’s voice stopped her. “That’s enough Dobu.” Karina turned at the sound of her hero name and shifted back into her normal form and slightly limped towards Ryukyu and Uraraka. Uraraka hurried over to Karina and wrapped an arm around Karina’s waist to help her walk. “You saved me Karina. If you hadn’t been here, I would have blindly went to help her and she would have ambushed me.” Karina just looked down at the ground as they made their way to Ryukyu. “You did well Karina. Let’s get those wounds tended to and then you girls can go enjoy the rest of your Halloween.” The three of them made their way back to the scene that they been helping at before and the entire time Karina was silent, deep in thought about what had just happened. She felt bad that she couldn’t do more. That she couldn’t apprehend her sister and stop her like she had told Katsuki, her parents, and herself that she would. Despite Uraraka’s thanks and appreciation for having been there to save her, they seemed to fall on deaf ears. I let her get away. I could have stopped her. The longer she’s out there, the more time and chances she has to hurt people or worse. Her wounds were being treated as she sat in the back of an unoccupied ambulance and they were both pretty much done being healed when she heard someone say her name. “Karina.” She looked up to see Ryukyu standing in front of her. “Are you alright?” Karina gave a small nod and looked back down at her lap. “I’m fine. They fixed me up.” Ryukyu walked over and sat down beside her, looking down at her as she placed a hand gently on her shoulder. “I wasn’t talking about your wounds. That was your first time seeing your sister again since she left right? Are you okay?” Karina was quiet for a moment before she finally looked up at Ryukyu. “I....I don’t know. I knew eventually I’d have to go up against her at some point. I just didn’t expect it to be so soon.” Karina let out a small sigh and then shook her head. “I’ll be fine. It was just a lot at once.” Ryukyu nodded and smiled down at Karina reassuringly. “I’m sure it was but you held your ground. I’m proud of you. Despite it being your sister, you protected your friend. You did good Dobu.” Ryukyu patted Karina gently on the back then got up and headed towards some officers to talk to them about what happened.
Uraraka walked over to Karina and smiled brightly at her. “Hey, you ready to head over to Yaoyorozu’s? Tsu has my costume there.” Karina got up once she was completely healed up and smiled at Uraraka. “You go ahead Ochaco. I’m gonna stop by the dorms first.” Uraraka frowned slightly. “You sure?” Karina gave her a reassuring smile and nodded her head. “Yeah I’m sure. My costume is back at the dorms anyway.” “If you’re sure. I’ll see you there then.” Uraraka gave Karina a small hug and then walked off. Karina hugged her back and gave her a small reassuring nod before she watched her friend leave. Once she was alone, Karina got up and shifted into a crow, flying towards the school. It took her a little while to fly there but as she arrived at the dorm building, she shifted back to her normal form and walked in. She was back in her own head about what had happened, not really paying attention to anything around her to the point where she didn’t even notice Bakugo watching a horror movie in the common area. She also didn’t notice him when he called out her name. She was just mindlessly walking towards the girls side of the building until she felt someone grab her wrist and she snapped out of her thoughts and turned to see who it was. “What the hell is wrong with you?” Bakugo sounded angry as he stared at her but there was a hint of worry in his tone. “What do you mean?” Bakugo scoffed and rolled his eyes. “Don’t play dumb Red. I called your name three times after you walked in and you just ignored me. So what the hell is your problem? Is this because I’m not going to the stupid party?” Karina stared back at him, clearly confused. “You called my name?” Bakugo stared at her in confusion, his fingers still wrapped around her wrist. “Yeah I called your name. If you didn’t hear me then clearly something’s wrong so what is it?” Karina looked down at the skull in the middle of his black shirt and shrugged slightly. “I was just deep in thought about stuff. That’s all. I’m fine.” Bakugo narrowed his eyes, clearly not believing her. “If that’s the case, look me in the eyes and tell me that and remember you promised not to hide things from me anymore.” Karina bit her bottom lip, mentally cursing at herself for making the promise and him for remembering. “I will be okay.” “You didn’t look me in the eyes. Try again.” Karina let out a frustrated sigh and looked up at him, a subtle blush coming to her cheeks when she realized how close he was standing next to her. “I...” As she stared him in the eyes, she couldn’t help but remember the night he had his nightmare and the night she told him she was going to stop her sister. “I’m sorry...” Filled with guilt, tears filled her eyes but she turned around before he could see them spill down over her cheeks and she tried to pull away and run off. However, his grip on her wrist tightened despite his surprised expression at the sudden sadness on her face and he pulled her back towards him and grabbed her shoulder with his other hand and turned her around to face him. “What the hell is wrong?! Why are you crying and what are you sorry for?!” “Because I lied!” Her words came out angrier and louder than she expected or wanted them to and her eyes dropped from his face down to the ground between them. “I didn’t stop her...” Bakugo just stared at Karina, confusion written across his entire face. “You didn’t stop who?” “Himiko.” Her voice was just above a whisper but Bakugo heard her, but it only made him more confused. “What do you mean you didn’t stop her?” Karina trembled slightly and Bakugo felt it as he was still holding onto her wrist and her shoulder so she wouldn’t try and run off again. “She tried to attack Ochaco tonight and we fought, but I...I wasn’t able to stop her. I wasn’t strong enough or fast enough. I just wasn’t enough.” As hard as she tried to keep herself from crying, the tears still managed to run down her cheeks and drip down onto the floor.
Bakugo stared down at her silently for a moment before he finally spoke. “You’re so damn stupid Red.” Karina’s head snapped up, angry and confused at the same time as to why he would say something like that, but the look on his face wasn’t nearly as harsh as his words had been. The expression on his face was almost sad, but there was also anger to it. His brows were were knitted together and the look in his eyes almost looked as if he was disappointed. It threw her off, so instead of yelling at him, she just stared up at him. “Just because you didn’t stop her tonight doesn’t mean you’re not good enough. No one has caught her yet. Does that make all the Pros out there looking for her and going up against her not good enough? What about us in this class? The ones who have gone up against her. Tsu, Ochaco, Deku? Me? Are we not good enough?” Karina’s eyes went wide slightly and she quickly shook her head. “N-No! That’s not what I’m saying at all!” “Then stop saying it about yourself!” Bakugo snapped back at her. “Just because she’s your sister doesn’t mean she’s your burden or responsibility alone and just because you didn’t stop her tonight doesn’t mean you can’t or won’t in the future. Stop getting so fuckin’ angry at yourself.” Karina stood there staring at the serious expression on his face and listening intently to every word he said. Deep down she knew he was right. It was just hard for her to accept for some reason. “Did you hear me?!” Karina blinked and quickly nodded her head. “Y-Yeah.” She paused and a small smile came to her face and with her free hand that wasn’t being held by Bakugo, she reached up and wiped away her tears. “Thank you Katsuki.” Bakugo rolled his eyes and removed both his hands from her. “Yeah, whatever.” He looked away from her and Karina took the opportunity to quickly lean up and kiss his cheek with a smile. When he turned back to glare at her, she was already darting off towards the elevator. “Gotta go get ready for the party!” He watched her run off and once she was behind the closed elevator doors, he reached up and gently touched his cheek where she had kissed him. He frowned and turned, making his way back to the living area to finish the movie he had been watching. Karina’s heart was racing in her chest as she rode the elevator to the top floor considering she had expected more from him after kissing him on the cheek. She got out of the elevator and hurried over to her room, unlocking and opening the door before walking in. She quickly got ready, taking off her hero uniform and tossing it carelessly onto her bed. She then threw on the dark purple colored dress she had picked out for her costume. The entire dress was dark purple except for the black sheer part at the top that went from the top of her chest and up and also included its short sleeves. The top half of the dress hugged her body, but flared out slightly after the waistline. She slipped on tight purple leggings under the dress and then shin high black and white converse before she putting some make-up on. She didn’t wear a lot of make-up and she didn’t want to go overboard, so she just put black eyeliner on and some dark purple lipstick. Once she was ready, she put her witch hat on, grabbed her Shock mask, and hurried out of her room.  She rode the elevator down to the main area and got out before hurrying out towards the main doors, stopping briefly to look over at Bakugo. “Are you sure you don’t want to come to the party Katsuki?” “I’m trying to watch something.” That was the only response she got and he hadn’t even bothered to look back at her when he said it, his eyes glued to the TV. Karina gave a small shrug and let out a soft sigh before heading out through the doors to make her way to Momo’s house where she was having the party.
When Karina arrived at Momo’s house, her golden eyes went wide at how big the house was. She knew Momo was rich, but she didn’t know she was this rich. She walked through the gates and made her way up towards the house. All of a sudden someone jumped out of one of the bushes along the driveway and lunged at her. “Boo!” Karina screamed and instinctively punched the person in the gut and Kaminari whimpered and fell over. “Why would you do that?!” Kaminari half shouted with an out of breath tone. Sero walked out from behind a tree, laughing hysterically. “She fucked you up dude!” “What do you mean why would I do that?! Why the hell would you jump out at me like that you idiot?!” Karina yelled at Kaminari as she looked down at him. “Karina? Are you okay?” Kirishima was hurrying towards the three of them, confused as to why he had heard her scream. Karina looked over at him and let out a heavy sigh and nodded her head. “Yeah, I’m fine. Denki just thought it would be a good idea to jump out of a bush and scare me.” “She punched me Kiri!” Denki whined as he got up from the ground clutching his stomach where Karina had punched him. “You jumped out of a bush and yelled at me! Of course I punched you!” Sero couldn’t stop laughing and even Kiri chuckled as he approached them all. “Well I think you learned your lesson on sca-” Kiri cut himself off as he got close enough to see Karina’s make-up and her costume, a subtle blush coming to his cheeks. “Wow. You look so pretty Karina.” She looked over at him, a bright blush coloring her cheeks a dark red that matched the long-sleeve Kiri was wearing. “O-Oh. Thanks. You look good to Eiji.” Sero and Denki looked at the two of them and then Sero grinned and threw an arm over Denki’s shoulders before he started to lead him away. “Let’s let the lovebirds have a minute.” The two boys walked away with Kaminari still whining, but once they were out of sight, Kirishima walked closer to Karina and gently took her hand in his. “I’m glad you came.” Karina smiled, but her brows came together in a confused look. “Why wouldn’t I have come?” “Oh, uh, Uraraka said your guys’ mission today was kind of rough and there was a chance that you may have chosen to stay at the dorms.” Karina sighed softly and looked down at her hand in his. “She wasn’t wrong. I almost didn’t come, but Katsuki helped me feel better.” She realized something and she chewed her bottom lip nervously for a moment. “Eiji, I need to talk to you about something.” Kiri looked down at her, confused, but smiled and nodded his head regardless. “Of course. Do you wanna sit down and talk?” Karina nodded and Kiri lead her to the porch steps where they both sat down. Karina was quiet for a moment before she finally looked over at him. “So uh, I’m not really sure how to go about this. I’ve never dated someone before, but ummm....” She trailed off, still unsure on how she wanted to word what she was trying to say. “That’s okay, I haven’t either. Take your time. I’m not going anywhere.” Kiri squeezed her hand gently with a reassuring smile on his face that made her feel a little better. “I just want us to be honest with each other. If we’re going to keep going on dates and stuff, I just want us to be able to go to each other with anything and be honest.” Kiri nodded as he listened to her, letting her know that he was paying attention. “So, with that being said, I kissed Katsuki on the cheek. I didn’t do it for the reasons I kiss you on the cheek. I was just beating myself up about something and Katsuki helped me feel better. I did it as a thank you of sorts. I promise, it didn’t mean the same as when I kiss you on the cheek. I was just crying and ‘thank you’ didn’t seem like enough so I-” Kirishima smiled as he listened to her nervous rambling, but he ended up accidentally interrupting her with words he meant to say in his head but came out of his mouth instead. “You’re beautiful.” Karina stopped talking and blushed brightly as his words registered in her head. “W-What?” When Kiri realized he had said the words out loud, he chuckled nervously and rubbed the back of his neck. “I-I just mean, well, you’re beautiful. Even when you’re rambling. About the Bakugo thing though, it’s okay. I’m not mad or anything.” He was quiet for a second and he removed his hand from the back of his neck and placed it on her thigh gently. “If we’re being honest though, I guess there’s something I should tell you. I uhhh, I have feelings for Bakugo.” Kiri had never really told anyone those words specifically out loud before. Mina and Sero knew because it was obvious during their first year, but he never actually told anyone.
When he told Karina, he wasn’t sure what he was expecting her reaction to be, but it definitely wasn’t the reaction he got. Karina smiled and placed her hand on his that was resting on her thigh and she gave it a gentle squeeze. “I do too.” Kiri looked over at her, eyes wide in surprise. “You do?” Karina nodded. “I do, but he’s stubborn and so focused on being number one. My feelings for you are more though. I don’t want you to think I’m only dating you because Katsuki is too blind to realize my feelings for him. I-I want to keep dating you because I genuinely like you. I really like you Eijiro.” Kirishima couldn’t help the large smile that came to his face as he listened to her and he squeezed her hand in return. “I feel the same way. He hasn’t realized my feelings for him and it’s been two years almost. I’m pretty sure he’s got feelings for you and I both too, by the way he treats us. He’s just so focused on being number one and trying to beat Midoriya for some reason that he’s never acted on any of those feelings. That might just be wishful thinking, but I just never wanted to bring it up and get in his way, you know? Then you walked in the room that day and I couldn’t take my eyes off of you.” Karina’s blush got darker and her heart started racing in her chest. “You’re so sweet Eiji. Thank you for being so honest with me.” “Of course. Should we go inside and get back to the party? Or was there anything else you wanted to say? I don’t want you to think I’m rushing you or anything.” Karina let out a soft sigh and nodded slightly. “The reason I was down earlier and why I may not have come to the party.” She looked at him and he nodded at her encouragingly, making her smile before she continued. “On the mission Ochaco and I did tonight with Ryukyu, my sister showed up. She didn’t know it was me because I wasn’t human when she showed up as a stranger and she tried to lure Ochaco away. When I realized it was her scent, I attacked her before she could get Ochaco any further from the others and when I turned back to normal and she saw it was me...” She frowned and looked down at her lap. “I told Katsuki the reason that I was upset was because I didn’t stop her and that’s true, but there’s more to it than that. When she saw it was me, the look on her face hurt more than anything. She looked at me as if I had betrayed her and then she told me she was disappointed. I-I’ve never turned my back on my sister. Especially after my parents disowned her. I just thought that maybe if she thought she was safe with me, I could convince her to stop what she was doing, but after tonight, I don’t think that’s a possibility.” Kirishima stared at her with a frown, his brows knitted together in obvious concern for her. “I’m gonna be honest, I don’t really know what to say. I know she’s your sister, but she is a villain. This might not be what you want to hear, but I don’t think she’s going to just stop doing what she’s doing just because you’re her sister. If I were you though, I’d talk to All Might. Apparently Shigaraki is related to someone All Might knew. He might know how to handle something like this. I wish I could be more help, but I’ll always try and comfort you if that helps.” He was right in assuming that what he said wasn’t what she wanted to hear, but she knew he was right. Himiko was a murderer and affiliated with the League of Villains. She had been attacking and killing people since she left that day and it was silly of her to think that she’d be able to stop her now if she couldn’t do it all those years ago. Still, she never wanted to turn her back on her sister and now she was worried that that might be exactly what Himiko thinks she’s done now after earlier. “Thank you for being honest Eiji. I appreciate it. I’m just overthinking things, but I’ll definitely talk to All Might. Maybe he’ll have some advice on what to do.” She looked back at Kiri and smiled brightly despite what they had just talked about. “Let’s get to the party, shall we? I’m sure Sero and Denki have mentioned us being alone together and Mina is probably going crazy.” Kiri chuckled and got up and held his hand out to her, helping her up from the steps once she took his hand. After brushing themselves off, the two held hands and made their way into the large mansion to join the rest of their friends at the party.
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