#he's just very happy his son bagged a fine young man...

[maqui-chan]

i just noticed sirris views yuri differently from my other pcs (and now i dont want to have further interactions with him bc i want to preserve it...)

[reiderwriter]

I have a hotch request and if you don’t write it I completely understand☺️

So you’re dating hotch for a couple months and you’ve only went over to his house like 5-6 times(so that’s how many times you’ve hung out with jack) anyway, you go to use the washroom or something before you leave to go home and jack asks his dad if you’re his gf and if you’ll be having a sleepover with them (as you’ve never actually stayed there before) and his heart becomes all warm n fluffy

A/N: Hi! I don't usually write for Hotch, but I decided to give it a crack because this fits pretty well for @imagining-in-the-margins KidFic challenge! It was a fun challenge to write, so thanks for the prompt! I changed it up slightly, but I hope you still enjoy it!

Warnings: mentions of anxiety, step-family dynamics, etc.

10 months of casual dinners, midnight strolls, and stolen kisses, and you still weren't ready to accept that you were in love with your boss. 

Aaron Hotchner was a complicated man, and loving him wasn't as simple as your heart wanted it to be. You worked together but rejected any favouritism he may have shown you. You slept together, but you never stayed in his bed. You kissed him, but you never told him you loved him, even though you were sure you did. 

You just weren't sure you were ready to be a stepmother. 

As a child of divorce, you'd been graced with two step-parents growing up, and while neither were story book evil, they weren't exactly the most welcoming either. You'd bounced between your mother and father's houses, trailing duffle bags, afraid to take up too much space for fear of ruining your parents’ newfound and direly earned happiness. 

Jack had the misfortune of being both a child of divorce and having lost his mother entirely too young and entirely too suddenly. 

When you'd joined the BAU, off the back of Haley Hotchner’s death, Aaron had been a man in mourning, a man scarred by circumstance and regret. But he'd been brave, and he'd been loving, and he'd worked so hard to give his son a good life. 

Five years later, and it seemed obvious now that you had at least respected the man from the very beginning, if not pined for him quite openly. 

There was that final hurdle left to cross, though, and you weren't sure if you'd ever be ready to do so. 

A phone call startled you out of your worries as you sat on your couch, dissociating after a long and hard won case. The shrill ring startled you into action as you frantically searched for wherever it was this time that you left your phone. 

“Hello, yes, I'm here, hi,” you said, finally finding the phone abandoned under some couch pillows. 

“Y/N, it's Aaron.” 

“I know, Aaron. Caller ID, welcome to the 21st century,” You couldn't help smiling into the receiver, so smitten with the man your face was just doing whatever it liked. 

“Right. Look, I wouldn't usually overstep like this, but Jessica and I have to go upto Roy's retirement house, he's not dealing too well with the new environments, and all of Jack's regular babysitters are enjoying the spring weather. I'd ask his friends' moms for an impromptu playmate but-” 

“But you'd rather he be with someone you trust? Aaron, it's fine, I'll come over and watch Jack for a few hours.” 

He sighed into the receiver, and after a few more niceties, you ended the call, still grinning like an idiot. 

You were still grinning like an idiot when your earlier anxiety came back and hit you straight in the chest. You'd met Jack before, but you'd not so subtly avoided any kid based conversations and meet-ups for the last 10 months. 

You had no idea how to entertain a nine year old boy, but you decided quickly that you couldn't half ass it. 

The drive to Hotch's house was almost embarrassingly familiar to you now, having been there so often in the past few months. Jack enjoyed regular sleepovers with his aunt and schoolmates so you could enjoy regular sleepovers with his father, a fact that you had to remind yourself to keep private as you knocked on the door. 

“It's open,” Aaron called from inside, and you hesitantly opened the door and stepped in, bag of last-minute toy purchases stuffed under your arm. 

From the door, you could see Aaron in the kitchen, hands deep in soapy water as he washed lunch dishes and pots, sticking his head out to smile at you. 

“Aaron Hotchner, domestic goddess. Who’d have thought?” 

“I'd ask you to keep this to yourself at work.” 

“Of course,” you said, stepping a fraction closer to him. “Anything to keep the mystery alive.”

He leaned in for a quick kiss, and you reciprocated, letting it linger a second as you smiled into his touch. 

Drying his hands on a towel near him, Aaron called across the apartment for Jack. 

“What's up, Dad?” He asked, peeking out of his bedroom door. 

“This is Y/N. She works with me and Uncle Rossi. She's going to take care of you for a while while me and Aunt Jessica and I visit your Grandpa. Come say hi.”

Creeping out of his room slowly, Jack came to stand just in front of his father's legs as Aaron put his hands on his shoulders, proudly showing off his mini doppelganger. 

“Hi, I'm Jack.” 

“Nice to meet you Jack, my name is Y/N.” You stuck out your hand, and he shook it. You noticed how small his hands were, but how strong his grip was. He was confident, but he was still just a small kid, and you were even more motivated not to mess this up. 

“What's in your bag?” He asked, flicking his eyes down to it every few seconds, as if he was itching to stick his nose right into it. 

“Jack, manners, please.”

“It's okay, Hotch. I brought some toys. Your dad mentioned that Santa's gave you a Nintendo at Christmas, and I thought I'd show you a few of my favourite games.” 

His face lit up as he quickly stepped closer to you, hands on the bag as he waited for you to offer it up, now openly ogling the bags contents, knowing it was for him. 

“You didn't have to bring anything, Y/N.” 

“I wanted to make a good first impression.” 

After being dragged to the nearest sofa and sitting through a five minute walk through of all the house rules, urgency exits and remote locations, you were left alone with Jack Hotchner, remotes in hand ready to play Mario Kart. 

“Okay, now all that's left to do is choose the course you want to race on. Which one do you want to play on?” 

Jack had chosen to use Bowser as his character and chosen Toadette for you quite cutely, and you'd quickly finished cart selection, too.

“We should go through them in order, so we complete them all,” he said after a moment of deliberation. 

You giggled at how seriously he was taking it. And then the first race in the Mushroom Cup started, and you were seriously impressed by how quickly he'd picked up this game. Either kids were just better at video games in general, or you had a prodigy on your hands. 

His serious face was a carbon copy of Hotch when he was hunched over paperwork, and he gave you the same quietly disapproving frown every time your character momentarily overtook his. It was adorable seeing the two reflected in one another. 

By the shell cup, you were nearly exhausted, despite having spent the entire time glued to the couch. 

“What do you think about taking a snack break?” You asked, looking over Aaron Jack, who had turned himself upside down on the couch somewhere in the last three matches and was still beating you. 

“Okay. I'll show you where Dad hides the good snacks,” he said, quickly rolling off the couch as if his bones were liquid. 

You, on the other hand, cracked as you stood, the irony not lost on you as you hobbled your way to the kitchen. 

Opening the cupboard under the sink, Jack routed around for a few seconds before returning with a small box of Reeses Pieces, which you gradually accepted alongside a glass of apple juice. 

“You're a good kid, Jack,” you said, ruffling his hair as he playfully swatted your hand away. 

“Yeah, that's what my dad always says.”

“Your dad is a very smart man.”

He nodded and then went back to quietly eating his candy, somewhat lost in thought. 

You weren't sure if you were supposed to ask him what he was thinking about, or avoid the topic and dive straight back into video games, so you just ate your candy, too, standing together in the kitchen, Mario Kart music playing in the background. 

“Do you like my dad?” He suddenly asked, swallowing down one more bite of apple juice. You'd forgotten that kids were the bluntness people on the planet, not yet having learned the necessity of delicately creeping closer to the actual topic of discussions like adults. 

Jack had landed a sucker punch right to your guy, and you were suddenly choking on Reese's Pieces. 

“Umm,” you said, catching your breath again and hoping your embarrassment wasn't plain as day on your face. “Yes, I respect your father a lot, Jack.” 

“But do you like him?” He said again, eyes wide and expectant as he looked up at you. 

“My dad can be a little scary sometimes. I heard some of my friends' moms saying so at Mitchell C's birthday party last week. They said he's scary, but he's so sad and lonely.” 

Your heart sank in your chest as you watched Jack worry about his dad, worry if Aaron Hotchner was lonely or sad. 

“Jack, your dad isn't lonely or sad. He has you, and Aunt Jessica, and-” 

“And you, right? Because you like my dad?” 

“R-Right. He has me, too.” 

“Great. Let's keep playing. The Banana Cup is next.”

As suddenly as it had started, your serious talk with Jack was over and he bounced his way back to the sofa, clicking go on the next race, as you ran to quickly take your place again, too. 

Five hours later, and you were being shaken softly awake, controller still in your hands as you blinked your eyes open. Somehow, it had gotten dark, and both you and Jack had simultaneously fallen asleep on the couch. 

Now Hotch hovered over you, carrying the sleeping boy in his arms as he woke you up. He mouthed ‘coffee?’ and you nodded quickly, sitting up further and grabbing the nearest remote to turn off the Nintendo. 

With Jack situated in bed quickly, you made your way to the kitchen. Aaron joined you after making sure Jack was still asleep, walking up behind you and wrapping two arms around your middle, leaning his head against your shoulder and exhaling. Despite the shiver down your spine, you leaned further into him, enjoying the feeling of him in your sleepy state. 

“How was it?” He asked, a hint of uncertainty in his voice. You were almost sure that he was conducting this conversation from behind as a means of convincing himself not to read into your every movement and expression. 

“It was great. He's a great kid, you know?” 

“So I've been told.” 

“He's worried about you, too. He said the moms at his school think you're scary and lonely. Which in suburban house mom translates to romantic hero, though I don't think he realizes that.” 

You felt the grumble of a laugh behind you, the sound low and comforting as you let your eyes flutter closed again, content in his arms. 

“Jack…misses his mom. Rebecca is great, but he likes talking to the moms at school. Maybe a little too much, I don't know.” 

“You miss her, too.” It was a statement, not a fact. 

“I do,” he said sadly, holding you tighter. “Is that a problem?” 

“No. No, god no. Aaron, I-” your voice broke, and you hesitated slightly, clearing your voice. You squirmed in his grip until he released you enough to face him.

Doing so may have been a mistake, though, as you locked eyes with him and so desperately wanted to kiss him, to claim his mouth with yours, and let him lift you onto his kitchen counters. 

You squeezed your nails into the palm of your hands to ground yourself and took a steadying breath. 

Which was when Jack decided to make a reappearance. 

“Dad?” He said groggily, wiping the sleep from his eyes as you had only moments earlier. 

You quickly broke apart as Aaron smiled disappointedly, almost as if he were expecting the interruption. 

“Hey, bud. Did you sleep well?” 

Jack nodded, tilting his head a little as though still disorientated. 

“Did I fall asleep on the couch?” 

“Sure did. Both of you, actually.” 

Jack looked at you then and smiled sweetly up at his dad. 

“So Miss Y/N is staying tonight?” He asked, suddenly a little excited and expectant. 

“Well, Miss Y/N has her own house, so we can't just expect her to-” 

“Yeah, I'm staying,” you blurted out, cutting off Hotch mid-sentence. He raised an eyebrow at you, but you ignored him and smiled down at Jack. 

“And if you head back to bed now, I'll make some pancakes for you in the morning,” you whispered conspiratorially with the boy, who raced back to his room. 

Before shutting the door fully, he stopped by his dad and tugged him down to whisper level, saying something before yelling goodnight and taking himself back off to his room. 

“What? What was that?” You pouted, pointing an accusatory finger at Aaron. 

“You first,” he laughed back, leaning on the nearby counter. 

“I promised him pancakes in the morning. What did he say?” 

“Oh, nothing,” he said, pulling you closer to him again. “He just said you had an interesting conversation earlier.” 

“Was it the one where he asked me if Mario speaks English, Italian or Japanese, because I couldn't answer that question for sure.” 

“He said,” he leaned down to your ear to whisper the next words. “That you told him you like me. And he thinks you meant like-like.” 

You flushed hot and avoided eye contact. A childish part of you wanted to deny it, to scoff and run away, like you were on the playground and not in a dimly lit kitchen at midnight. But you couldn't.

“I do. But I'd probably say love and not like-like, seeing as though I'm not nine.” 

“I love you, too,” he whispered, noses touching as he descended to capture your lips once more. 

[ladybelladonna76]

Voila, Dakota's Misty Summer, Part II

"So Vicki what do you think?", Misty twirled showing off yet another outfit, one of many she tried since commandeering the young lady now languishing in post orgasmic bliss in the changing room

"You look amazing", Vicki was still in the grips of post orgasm daze, she thought Misty looked gorgeous in everything, "everything about you is amazing Misty", she looked her in awe.

Misty vainly another snapped a selfie in the mirror, she loved how she looked now "Fuck, my ass looks incredible in these pants, I'll take them," she waved her arms, "Fuck it, I'll take everything you brought me, you have a great eye V", Vicki beamed goofily at the praise from this goddess.

Even with Vicki's employee discount Dakota's credit cards were going to scream but she'd lived a frugal life up to this point. She had spent the past four years saving up a lot of money to buy a house, but Misty really needed these clothes more. This was just a necessary reallocation of resources, a pivot Misty thought. Anyways Misty had a plan formulating in her mind that would take care of all her needs. She just had to put that plan into action. She pressed the send button on her phone and sent a text.

Dakota opened the changing room door and saw the two waiting peons sat gossiping.

"Stop messing about and get my bags packed up I want to pay", she turned and winked at Vicki, "hurry up, I don't have all day to wait for your incompetence, I'm tired and need to rest", she looked back at Vicki, "thank you for everything V, I have never had my needs met like this in any shop, you're the perfect sales woman," she kissed V gently

"I'll be sure to ask for you next time I need assistance here, I'll take these two bags now, send the rest along there's my address and phone number", she winked seductively.

"Anything for you Misty", Vicki would do anything to ensure Misty's satisfaction.

In the taxi Misty called Viola's she needed to dicuss some matters with Raven. After a long and fruitful phone conversation Misty arranged a regular follow up appointment when she felt her phone vibrate, looking at the incoming notification a smile crept over her face. "I'll see you soon Raven but I've got to go, something just came up up that I've got to take care of", she hung up and looked at the text that she'd just recieved, Mr Taylor had taken her bait, now to reel him in.

"I'm sorry but my son has graduated, I don't understand why you'd need a Parent Teacher conference now"

Smiling she replied quickly.

"We're sorry about the unusual nature of this request but I'm afraid this is a delicate matter, we don't want to get the authorities involved and create a scandal Mr Taylor", she knew reputation was very important to men like him.

"I'm a busy man, this is a huge inconvenience"

"I'd be happy to come to you"

"Well I'm leaving on a trip tomorrow and have a free evening, can you make it to my house by 5"

"That would be perfect, I'd love to dicuss this with you and Mrs Taylor, would Jack be there?"

"It's just me, my wife and Jack are away on vacation", Raven had told her Mrs Taylor had gone on a summer long trip with her son.

"That's a shame, but I am happy to talk to you one on one about this matter"

"Fine", he agreed begrudgingly.

Misty had time to go home and get ready before her rendezvous.

As her car dropped her off at the Taylor's area, Misty looked up at the imposing luxurious building in front of her.

"Nice place Jack, this isn't a home, it's a 5 star hotel, Daddy has done well for himself"

She checked her makeup and straightened up her outfit.

"Okay Misty, it's go time"

Walking up to the building the sound of heels on the pavement were like a hypnotic drum beat, she could understood why Jack didn't care at school, he knew he had all this to back him up. There was no jeopardy in his life, if he ever failed, if he ever faltered, Daddy would always be there to provide for and protect him.

She wanted to see inside his privileged world, to get a taste of this level of decadence.

Guest services let her in without question, her aura and poise said she belonged here, Dakota would have never got past this point she would have had to wait to be accompanied, Misty swept past without barely pausing. Misty he was pleased to discover that the Taylor was the Penthouse, an avaricious smile appeared on her face as she stepped into into the elegant elevator.

'Oh to live like the 1%'

The elevator arrived at the Taylor's residence floor, the ding sent a shiver of anticipation up her spine as an assured smile spread across her face, the doors opened

Standing in front of her was Jack's dad. Misty paused sizing up Mr Taylor, she could see where Jack got his good looks, despite being in his early 50's, just old enough to be her own father. Mr Taylor's body showed few signs of aging. He was a man who obviously took care of himself, money was no object to him. He wore an obviously expensive designer suit that accentuated rather than hid his toned well exercised body. Misty felt a warmth spread through her she felt her pussy grow wetter.

"Okay Ms....", Mr Taylor looked up and stopped midsentence, "..Ms Harding?". Mr Taylor had very little input on Jack's schooling, his schedule and wealth allowed him to outsource his son's upbringing to nanny's, his absentee wife, and the education system, but he did recall Jack's teacher being a dumpy plain woman he met once at orientation, back when he was more hands on.

"Not quite Mr Taylor, I'm afraid Ms Harding retired, I'm her replacement", Misty smiled

"Retired, she barely looked 30", he squinted

"That's why I'm here", inwardly Misty reveled in this game, "Jack was responsible for her early retirement"

"Look Jack is just a boy", instantly Mr Taylor went on the defensive, "if she can't handle teaching and gets scared away by the students, that's hardly my or Jack's fault", he sense a shakedown and there was no way he was going to allow it to happen, he negotiated Billion Dollar mergers before breakfast, "if she wasn't emotionally strong enough to cope with teaching I think Jack did her a favor"

"Oh he definitely did her a favor", Misty closed the distance until she was looking up into Mr Taylor's eyes, "he helped her see the world in a different light"

"What are you taking about?"

"He gave her a voucher for Voila", a smile crept on to Misty's face

Mr Taylor's jaw slackened as the realization of what his son had done hit him, "I only told him about Voila so he could send one of those girls he sleeps with, maybe get more of a serious relationship, I never thought he'd send his teacher, I'm not responsible for..."

"Oh but you are Mr Taylor", she placed a hand on his chin and lifted his face up to look at hers, "you failed to raise your son properly and so he ridiculed his teacher, belittled her, made her leave"

"It's just a place women go to get a haircut"

"That's not all it is", her tone grew harder, "is it?"

"I believe they help with life coaching"

"You know exactly what they do there"

"They just help people that's all"

"They help people all right", Misty sneered, "They helped me"

"You,", he almost fell back shaking his head in wide eyed disbelief, "no, no, no...", his voice trailed off becoming barely a whisper.

"I was bored, but I was happy you know? I didn't have much but I had a plans, but now...."

"What are you talking about....", the realization had hit Mr Taylor like a tonne of bricks, ".....Miss....Ms. Harding is that really, it can't be....", he looked at her dumbfounded in awe, she saw his suit pants start to bulge, 'just what I expected' she smiled.

She leapt at him grabbing his face, cutting him off with a passionate kidd, "Ms Harding is retired for good, I'm her superior replacement Misty and I am rarely bored nowadays because I know what I want and I know how to get it.....", he struggled against her, but his resistance was half hearted at best, "and right now what i want is you Mr. Taylor", her hands guided him to her firm ripe ass

"I'm a married man Ms..Mi..Misty..."

"I know, but Raven told me everything. That you were never here with Mrs Taylor, that you'd grown bored of her, ", she said biting his lip hard,

that's why you know about Voila's isn't it", looking into his eyes, " of course you didn't just send your your wife there did you?"

"It's...it's not like that..."

"Shhhh it's okay Mr Taylor, I know all about men like you, I had a chat with Raven about you and your projects, it was quite illuminating, seems like Jack has inherited some of Daddy's proclivities"

"You don't understand, my wife, she wanted to spice up our sex life, you see she... but she wouldn't let Raven help... wouldn't let Raven fully awaken her, none of them would"

Misty smiled, "I never had that choice did I Mr Taylor"

"I paid! Fuck, I paid extra, but they always wanted to stop short, they wanted to be in control", he cast his eyes down, "they wouldn't go far enough, they set too many limits"

"Stupid little Bitches", Misty laughed wickedly, "your son, he made sure I wouldn't be given that choice"

Her eyes rolled back in her head remembering her own moment of awakening, the freedom, the pleasure, "they didn't know what was good for them, but Raven, she showed me the truth", Misty stepped back to look at this man, "being the bitch is everything to me, I'd do anything to be your bitch, I will do anything for you Mr Taylor"

"Anything?", his eyes darkened

"Anything you want, anything you request, I'll be whatever and whomever you want, if you want me to", Misty knew that allowing him the illusion of control was everything, "just tell me what you want Daddy", Raven's advice had given her the tools to push him over the edge.

"I want you now", he pulled off Misty's jacket and started to attack her with passionate lust filled kisses, his hands roaming her body. "Fuck my wife, fuck Jack, and fuck Dakota, I want to fuck you", Misty smiled wickedly in satisfaction at her victory, all it took was a little nudge.

"Take me on your marital bed, I want to fuck me on there and do things to me she'd never let you do", she looked at him with big eyes, "I'll be your perfect Sugar Baby Daddy"

[darerendevil]

🔊

Breandán Ó Murchú said that while the media was obsessed with the success being enjoyed by his son Cillian at present, and while that was fine, there was more to it than that.

“There are so many things happening in the world, that we should be sensible about these things and that’s what he’s saying himself as well,” said Breandán.

“We’re very pleased with him and very happy that he’s getting on so well.”

When the news came through, Cillian was at home with his parents. “We were all here, there are four of us and each is as important to us as the other, we were all together and we had a cup of tea and the story came and we were delighted.”

Cillian’s father admitted to not being fond of the fuss or ‘puililiú’ that comes with his son’s fame but recalled his son’s early interest in drama during the interview.

“He was always lively, a lovely little fellow, full of chat, and he always liked to have an adventure going on in his imagination constantly – he was full of spirit and life and imagination.

“He loved being in the company of other children and I’d say he made up a lot of stories and they did a lot of wild things from time to time – he was very mature as a young person and, I’d say, when he was at school he annoyed a teacher or two as he found it difficult to sit still while in national school, you know the way with young lads.”

His early interest was in music and the rhythm of music, his father noticed. “It’s interesting that, as he grew older, he showed an interest in the old ‘Fiannaíocht’ stories about Diarmuid and Gráinne, that surprised me.

"Anything that was exaggerated or larger than life, he enjoyed that, and I suppose there’s a link between that and drama, I don’t know.”

His father recalled that Cillian didn’t seem to be very interested in his studies during the year but when he set his mind to it, he did very well in exams and so on. “He didn’t want to spend all his time studying and when he went to Presentation College, they were very good, there were one or two in particular who noticed his interest in literature and that he had an aptitude for writing.

"When they had a band, they gave Cillian and his friends an opportunity to go on stage, and there were a few people who helped him on, including the author Billy Wall.

“Cillian was lucky to meet him, he was also very interested in history.

“I don’t think he showed an interest in acting until he met Pat Kiernan and the gang in Corca Dorcha. “He told me then that he saw Clockwork Orange on stage and this had an enormous impact on him. “He said somewhere that we didn’t bring him to the theatre when he was young but he forgot that he had three younger siblings and that made it more difficult to go to plays.

“If I was starting again with him, I’d bring him to more plays because it’s clear that he had a deep interest.”

Meeting Pat Kiernan and Enda Walsh gave Cillian the confidence he needed to immerse himself in theatre, his father said. “He got the taste for it and followed his heart, he knew then this is what he wanted to do.

“He didn’t want to do it for publicity or anything, he just wanted to do it right, I must give him that.”

Mr Ó Murchú said that Cillian wanted to do things right and that was something that pleased his father. “That’s something you wouldn’t expect from young people – you know yourself about boys, he’d lose school bags and other things like all young lads but when he put his mind to it, you’d know he wanted to do it right and that helped him enormously.”

When Cillian made his breakthrough with the stage production of Disco Pigs, he was still a Law student in UCC and his parents were getting conflicting advice from different sources saying that he should pursue his career in theatre as he was so obviously talented, while others were saying that he would be foolish to abandon his studies for the stage.

They saw him on stage in his first production, Frank McGuinness’ Observe the Sons of Ulster. “He was very good in that, I thought, though I didn’t think he was better than others in the play or anything like it but we knew he was very serious and then Disco Pigs was a revelation for us because it was on a different level entirely.

“Pat and Enda, it was clear that they were on a different level as they were so creative, himself and Eileen Walsh, the professionalism of that work amazed us and there was no stop to him after that and he met with very nice people who helped him on the road and they helped him.

“We’re very pleased entirely for him, I don’t like to say we’re proud of him because it’s his achievement, not ours,” he said.

“We brought him into the world and we did our best but we don’t see at all that we had a hand in the work that he’s doing at present but we’re not going to lose our wits and neither is he.

“We don’t like to make too much fuss about him, he’s got a job like the sons and daughters of other people and the difference, he gets a lot of publicity. “All the same we’re so happy for him and pleased.”

He said that he and his wife were in an empty cinema when they went to a 5pm screening to see him on the big screen and were very impressed. Mr Murphy is looking forward to seeing Cillian’s newest film, Small Things Like These, which is based on a Clare Keegan book and said that his son learned a lot on the Ken Loach film, The Wind That Shakes the Barley.

“I remember he came home one evening after filming and he was very worried about something that happened during that day’s filming, as if it were something that really happened, and that’s down to how immersed in the work he was and the methods of Ken Loach, that work came from the heart for that movie, I felt.” He said that film allowed people, including Cillian’s mother’s people and his own family who were involved, to talk about that period.

At home, Cillian will talk about anything before he will talk about the movies and while his parents ask him questions from time to time, and he answers them, they don’t want to fuss too much.

As for going to the Oscars, Breandán and his wife don’t intend to travel. “If he’s nominated for a BAFTA, we will go there as it’s closer to home and when he comes home from the Oscars, we will make him a cake.”

[fanvoidkeith]

sooooo i may have. spent my day binge watching dungeon meshi and here are my Opinions, having never read the manga ever (very MINOR ANIME SPOILERS ahead! nothing too in-depth but, y'know, for laughs):

laios is my autistic blorbo son boy and i love him and i want him to be happy. go find your sister, dude, but also eat monsters for fun and research reasons. this is the one context where i would say "eat monsters" like... ever

laios is also 1,000 percent a freak for wanting to eat monsters and study them the way he does. absolutely insane man. stop trying to be a martyr, you dumbass, and also stop poisoning yourself. both of these opinions coexist at the same time and i don't know how to feel about it because feelings (and social cues) are difficult

marcille is a lady who is so so SO smart and cool, but has absolutely ZERO street smarts. (babygirl you are JUST like me, except for the whole "being a woman" thing.) she's a "gifted" kid who now has burnout and needs to feel useful or else she feels like a failure constantly kinda girlie. she doesn't want to be abandoned. relatable. i'm concerned at how much i relate to her. stop being so relatable, dammit!!

chilchuck is INCREDIBLY emotionally constipated. lmao. he also has chronic young-forever face, which means he probably gets mistaken for a twelve-to-sixteen-year-old constantly, which... same, dude, same. i've heard (from the manga readers) that he's divorced with several children, but i don't know if that's true. i hope it is. i really want that to be where part of his issues come from. i want more angsty moments with his character. he'll be my new emotional punching bag when i finish all those other unrelated one-shots i'm planning on writing :)

senshi is a sweet man who just wants to feed and protect his new friends. i think food and acts of service are his love languages. he has a really fuckin' strong pot and knife for some reason lmao

i love falin. she's kind of a freak too, but she knows social cues better than her brother from what i can tell. sure hope nothing bad happens to her- oh gods. well, i sure hope nothing ELSE bad happens to her- OH GODS OH FUCK-

uhhhh. i like that the kobolds in this anime are dog-people. i love dogs. dogs are cool. very cute. 12/10 decision honestly

this anime made me so hungry but i still forgot to eat for most of today. rip. the food in dungeon meshi looks goddamn delicious though, so it's fine

sometimes these characters act just like a D&D party would. like. damn. this is just like that ONE TIME in dungeons and dragons when our party did [X action] and then [Y consequences] happened-

oh my goddddddssss there's ECOSYSTEMS IN THE DUNGEONS??? DUDE I LOVE THAT. CRAZY CONCEPT. FUCKING LOVE THAT. ADVENTURERS AND MONSTERS AND CREATURES (and senshi, who is his own category) ARE PART OF AN ECOSYSTEM. I'M CLIMBING UP THE WALLS AND GOING INSANE RN

oooohhhh shit politics. oh shit background politics that our main characters ignored. no wonder they focused on this other party lol

OH SHIT OTHER CHARACTERS FROM THEIR BACKSTORIES RRRRRAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHH

oh yeah i guess this is about whoever gets the big treasure at the bottom of the dungeon or whatever if they defeat the Big Bad or something? okay dude. it's only relevant to me when it's relevant to my New Blorbos honestly. but i WILL jot that down though :eyes emoji:

look. i am NOT calling it "delicious in dungeon". i KNOW that's the creator's intended english translation, but personally i think that title sucks. so DUNGEON MESHI it is, for me personally

PLEASE give me the second season right now i need MORE. i'm slurping up this show like soup and i'm fucking HOMGRY!!!

okay that's it that you for comjng to my ted talk

[alexinlalalaland]

Seeing Double pt. 1 (Gekko x !Civilian!Reader)

   Mateo was coming home for a week, was what his mother told you when you meet her in the grocery shop. You were very much excited to see your best friend after almost 3 months of no contact, the last you talked to him was over a call when he wished you a happy Birthday all those weeks ago. But now you get to see him ! You were giddy with excitement.

   The day of his arrival you went straight to his house after you had breakfast, that didn't deteriorate his mother from giving you more food through. After the two of you ate something you proposed helping her with tidying up the house a little before her son would arrive.

  "Dios mío, no need child. I can take care of it myself." she send you warm smile that looked exactly like the one you would get from Mateo. You shook your head at her words.

  "If we work together, it would go by faster. And you wouldn't be as tired once Teo gets here." you insisted heading over to the broom closet. You could her the woman huffing with amusement, but at least she let you help her out a bit. While you cleaned the kitchen, she took care of the living room and bathroom. There wasn't much to clean besides some piles of fur from Teo's dog Lobo.

   After an hour of cleaning you heard a car pulling up to the front of the house. You run out ready to throw yourself at your best friend, but the sight of him and a beautiful woman made you stop. She was much older than him, had purple-black hair and beautiful lilac eyes. Your face stretched into even bigger smile seeing her.

  "Oh my God, Reyna !" you ran full speed at the startled woman. However after seeing that it was you, she drooped her bag and opened her arms to hug you. Something she wouldn't do to just anyone else.

  "Mi niña, cómo estás?" she waved her fingers through your hair making you giggle as if you were younger again.

  "I'm fine. How are you doing ?" you asked stepping away from her. In the corner of you eye you could have sworn you saw a yellow dog (?) hiding behind Mateo's legs but it wasn't there when you looked again.

  "Been busy, as always. I am gonna go and check into my hotel if you don't mind, the journey here has drained me." you tilted your head at that.

  "Oh you're not staying here ?" it wasn't a secret that Reyna and Maria, Teo's mom, were good friends. Normally she would always stay at his house during their visits, apparently that wasn't a case this time. Waiting for her response, you missed the pointed look your green haired friends send her. She nodded discretely to his silent warning.

  "I have some things I have to take care of, but I'm sure Ge-.. Mateo will be more than enough to keep you occupied." she winked wearing a smug face at the sight of your blush. Looking up she could see the young mans face also changing hue to a reddish one, making her chuckle in delight. "I'll see you both later." she waved and drove away. You watched her go for a bit before you turned around.

  "I am wounded you would greet Reyna before me." you rolled your eyes at that, knowing he meant that in a good fun. "C'mere !" he jumped at you, making you squeak when his arms circled your waist. Soon enough he was spinning you around, enjoying the sound of your laughter and sight of your rosy cheeks. Putting you down he looked into your eyes, oh how much he missed your (color) eyes.

  "I missed you." the both of you said that at the same time, chuckling yet again just happy that you guys got to meet again. You were about to ask him how he was when his mother exited the house and run full speed at him, stopping only to let you get out of his arms before she smothered him in kisses and hugs.

  "Mamá !" you laughed seeing his embarrassed expression, but deep down you knew he was happy to see his mother again.

   You watched with a smile how he interacted with his mom, wiping away her tears and assuring her that he was fine. Or at least that's what you suspected, you didn't know much Spanish though you understood enough to hold a short conversation. It was cute to see the both of them so happy. When the three of you entered the house, you decided to let them enjoy each other company and grabbed your bag ready to leave.

  "(Name) ?" you turned your head to see Mateo standing in the door leading to his kitchen, watching u with raised eyebrows. "You're leaving already ?" he asked walking over to where you were, putting on your shoes and trying not to land on your face.

  "Uhhh, yeah ! I wanted to let you spend some time with your mom, ya know ? Other than that I still have a late shift at work I need to cover for a friends, so yeah. We can hang out tomorrow tho ? Maybe ask Reyna to go to a new restaurant that opened near by ?" you said with  a grin.

  "Late shift at work ?" he repeated with a grimace. You nodded your head.

  "Yep. Not everyone of us gets cool jobs Teo. I happen to be a simple waitress." you winked at him.

  "Do you still work at Joey's ?" he asked completely ignoring your playful attitude.

  "Uhm, yes ? Why ?" you asked but he only shook his head.

  "Call me when your done with you shift, I'll take you home." he said making you raise an eyebrow.

  "I can go home by myself, besides aren't you tired after the travel ?" you sounded a bit mad, and you know it was petty but you hated being seen as some helpless girl that couldn't even head home after work.

  "Just call me ? Please !" he begged.

  "I'll see about that." you turned around ready to leave when suddenly something warm grabbed your wrist and tugged you back, your back collided with warm chest. Looking up you could see a frown on his face, while he looked down at you with strange look in his eyes.

  "I mean it, I don't want for you to get hurt. Not if I can help it." he said seriously. It took you a minute to process his words. You hated being seen as helpless, but you hated fighting with him even more. So you opted for a joke.

  "What ? Are you going to send an army of tiny adorable creatures after anyone who wants to hurt me ?" you smirked. Mateos breath hitched, he let you go all the while looking at you with startled expression.

  "That's oddly specific, chica." he said trying to sound normal.

  "I was only joking." you shrugged your shoulders.

  "Yhmm." the green haired male hummed to that. "Call me ?" you rolled your eyes at that but huffed and nodded your head to somehow appease him.

  "I will, I will."

 

***

 

   The whole time you were at work you felt as if you were being watched, even a trip to the back felt strange. As if someone could see your every move. Paranoid you started to look around, hoping that it was just a funny feeling. You were currently underneath the table in the break room when the cook, your boss Richard entered.

  "What are you doing down there, kid ?" startled at the deep voice you banged your head on the table. Looking back you saw him standing in the doorway, he was clearly amused by your antics.

  "Hey Rich, what's up ?" you asked standing up, trying to dismiss the situation that happened just now. What were you doing anyways ? looking for hidden cameras or something ? You mentally sighed at your stupidity, ha ! As if someone would be interested in this boring place.

  "I was about to ask you if you could close the restaurant for me, Helen said Joey was feeling sick and she has to go to work soon herself. By the way what were you doing anyways ?" you blushed at the question.

  "I dropped something and was trying to get it back is all." you could tell he didn't buy your lie, but hoped he wouldn't pry. The last thing you needed was your boss thinking your crazy or something.

  "But yes, I would love to help you out. I'm sorry to hear that Joey got sick, poor thing. Tell him I said hi, yeah ?" you smiled at him, thinking of the adorable three years old brought a smile to your face. You couldn't wait to see the little boy again, maybe you should ask to babysit ? It always brought a little bit extra cash anyways, plus you could hung out with the cutest toddler in L.A.

  "Thank you. You can close up early, I don't think we'll be having anymore customers. I heard Mateo came back today, maybe you should call him to pick you up ?" he suggested making you roll you eyes.

  "Believe it or not, we kinda had a fight about it today. He insisted on picking me up from work. Come to think of it he acted kinda strange. Maybe he was just tired ?" you explained with a huff.

  "Or maybe he was onto something. I don't want to alarm you but I saw some strange people nearby, just be careful alright ?" he waved and walked out again.

  Strange people ? you thought walking out of the break room and heading over to the kitchen to start cleaning up. You decided to ignore it for now, already being spooked about the whole being watched thing, and concentrate on work. Looking at the clock you gnawed at your lip a bit, it was late and by the time you would be done it would already be midnight. Maybe calling Teo wasn't a bad idea ?

   Walking over to the register you pulled out your phone and dialed your friends phone number, but it directed you to voice mail. You tried again and again but the result was the same every time. Furrowing your brows you put your phone in the little apron you had on while working and started to clean the place.

   It took you hour and 45 minutes before you were done with everything. The last thing you had to do was taking out the trash. Kicking open the door to the back alleyway you could hear soft whispers making your hair stand up, you really were being to get paranoid. Walking over to the trash containers you threw the bags in, and closed the lid. Turning around you saw someone standing at the entrance to the alleyway. Squinting your eyes you could see a familiar shade of green in the persons hair.

  "Mateo ? I tried to call you, but you wouldn't pick up." you walked over to him with a grimace on your face. " What's the big idea ? You said I should call you and then you don't pick up the phone ? WHOA !" you yelped when suddenly all you could see was a barrel of a hand gun. Your eyes widened at the sight of the weapon being held by someone who you saw as your best friend, aimed straight between your eyes.

  "Sorry Querida, but orders are orders." he said in a steady tone, you could see his finger pushing on the trigger.

   Call it stupidity, or maybe bravery but the moment your flight or fight instinct kicked in was the moment you pushed him away from you, making him fire and miss. You cried out in pure shock at the fact he would do something like this. Looking at him with wide eyes, it took your brain a second to register in how much danger you were actually in. Turning around you ran full speed at the doors to the restaurant and quickly shut them  behind you. Your heart was beating a hundred miles per hour.

  "What the fuck !?" you hissed, with shaky hands you pulled out your phone to call the police but in a blink of an eye it was taken away from you. Looking up you saw a tall, lean man with a white hat and mask covering his whole face. You scream got cut off, when he put a hand on your face.

  "Shhh, we don't want anyone to disturb us do we ?" he said quietly, you watched him with teary eyes trying to come up with a plan of action to get as far away from him as possible. Every cell in your body told you to run and not look back, and who were you to ignore what your body wanted ?

  "It was quiet the challenge to find you. After we lost the other you it seemed like all hope was lost, until a little birdie told us that Alpha Gekko was a dear friend of yours. It took us months to finally get this close to you, and to thing your boyfriends counterpart nearly killed you. Tsk, Tsk, Tsk what a shame that would be. Don't you think so ?" you were completely lost while he talked. Alpha Gekko ? Other you ? What the fuck was he on about ?

  "Get off of me !" you finally snapped biting him on the hand and punching him in the guts, making him bow down so you took the opportunity and quickly smashed your knee against his face. Satisfied with how he seemed to pass you, you stepped over his body and ran over to the exit doors.

   There wasn't that many people outside right now. So your best bet was to run, but at the same time you couldn't just run home otherwise whoever followed you would know where you lived. Though something told you, that they already knew everything there was to know about you already. Suddenly something slimey got onto your face obscuring your vision and making you slow down. Stopping completely to get rid of the blue substance you didn't notice a shark like creature sliding over to you.

  "OYE ! MONSTER ON THE LOOSE !" you heard but it was too late to react, as something suddenly bit hard onto your arm making you fall down with a cry. You hand coming up to your arm, holding and pressing onto the wound. It hurt like hell.

  "Seems like we're gonna see each other a lot more, chica." you looked up at the person who looked like Mateo, from his green hair to the way he dressed he was your friend, but something told you this wasn't really him.

  "Who are you ?!" you spat finally, having been done with this bullshit from the moment you knocked that weird hat guy at the restaurant. Come to think of it, your boss would definitely not appreciate a stranger in the back rooms when he comes to work the next day.

  "Ayy, you know who I am." he crouched down and put his hand on top of your hand, sliding it down until he could cup your face and lean down a bit. You shivered when you felt his warm breath over your lips and cheeks.

  "You look like my friend, but you are not him. He wouldn't act like this !" you yelled, not caring if anyone else would listen. Something started to snap inside of you, you felt small shocks along your body. Your hair started to levitate a bit. Mateos eyes widened a small bit upon seeing you use your power for the very first time, it was beautiful how your eyes suddenly looked a lot more brighter and your hair ,that you tied up into a pony tail before your shift, started to have life of their own.

  "Maravilloso." he whispered with awe in his eyes. You narrowed your brows feeling untamed rage at this person in front of you, small pebbles and trash started to levitate around you making you look much more scary.

  "Let me go." you demanded but he only shock his head.

  "No can do, pretty girl." you scoffed at the nickname. You hair tickled your cheeks making you realize you were actually levitating right now, it was a good few inches between you and the ground still it wasn't that much considering your attacker still hovered over you.

  "What do you want ?" you asked, desperate to understand what was going on at least and buy some time. For what you didn't know, but you could feel someone was coming.

  "I can't..."

  "It's all you, lil' homie!" you jumped hearing your friends voice yell out. But the person in front of you didn't scream, he was talking while you heard it. Yet again you heard the strange sound of something sliding, yet you couldn't look behind you. Your hair fell down and you felt a wave of both nausea and fatigue hitting you all at once. Blinking you saw something black jump over your head at the man in front of you. You head hit the floor. Your eyes closed and all you could hear was gun fire and someone yelling to get you out of there, it sounded like Mateo and he was worried sick. What was happening ? Why was it happening now ? With all those Questions running around your head you decided to let the darkness consume you, you were so very tired after all. A short nap woudn't hurt right ?

 



 



 



 

Hello guys ! I decided to post something extra today, seeing as it took me so long to post part 2 of the You're perfect One shot ^^ I hope you guys like this one as well, let me know what you think ! I think I'm gonna make it into a short story actually, or should I keep it short ? Anyways have a lovely day/night ! Stay safe and drink water !

-Alex



[ninjagirlstar5]

Old Kisatori/InventedProductShipping Headcanons - #2

How did they meet?

And what were their first impression of the other?

They met about a few months after they had their sons. This was a meeting that had been planned for awhile now, and had been put on hold due to…personal circumstances Kojiro refuses to elaborate on. Hanzo didn't pry since this was going to be their first meeting about any potential collaboration between the two companies. The Kisaragi Foundation does plenty of work from weapons to household items but since the Otori Mart sells everything BUT weapons, they'll be discussing about household items and such. Hanzo has no idea who Kojiro is or what he's like, so he's pretty curious about the CEO himself.

Cut to Kojiro walking up to him with Teruya strapped to his chest, a bunch of baby items in one bag and a suitcase in the other, and his amiable personality underlined with an exhausted face. It was...certainly a first impression! But Hanzo's surprise gives way to softness as Kojiro was very doting to his baby son, keeping him interested in his toys, cradling him as he coos and feeding him when he starts to cry. And even though he's taking care of his son during the entire meeting, he still paid attention to Hanzo's wants and needs for the Kisaragi Foundation and made reasonable suggestions or compromises for both sides, showing that he was not only paying attention but was hardworking! This got Hanzo to open up a little bit and admit that he also has a son named Yamato, and Kojiro jokingly says that they should schedule a playdate with them one day. It was the first genuine, not polite, genuine smile Kojiro sent his way and Hanzo finds it…cute.

And then he realizes that something was wrong with that as he was already a married man…and was finding this older man attractive. (Kojiro is basically his gay awakening, oops.)

Hanzo has never been repulsed by women before. He finds them beautiful, of course, and had no problems with his arranged marriage to his wife. She was kind, considerate and supportive of his work, and he, in turn, supported her and her dreams, even after they had Yamato. He didn't even feel uncomfortable or disgusted while doing the deed with her, he just felt…fine. Happy but fine.

And then, here comes this older man, in his thirties, looking dogshit tired and is clearly VERY protective of his son (he didn't even want to put him in the daycare room even though it was well protected and Hanzo has left Yamato in there once or twice to be taken care of by staff when he couldn't do it himself during work), and he was already thinking of kissing him during their BUSINESS MEETING. It threw Hanzo for a loop as he had NEVER experienced this before. Sure, he found guys…kinda hot before but he never pursued that line of thought because he was told by his father that he'll be married as soon as he graduated high school, so he followed his father's words without question. He didn't even have an issue with his fiancé while he was at Hope's Peak, so he just assumed that his attraction to guys was just simple admiration. Nothing more, nothing less.

But now, as he sees Kojiro and his son off and reevaluated his relationship with his wife…he realized that he wasn't as into her as he had thought. He talked with her, was happy to hang out with her, and listened to her troubles and appreciated when she did the same for him…but that was it. He realized he was never the one to initiate intimacy between them, not when it's holding hands, not when it's kissing, and not even when it's planning dates. It was always his wife that started it, even back when they were officially engaged in high school. It was never him. He was never…invested in their relationship. Not like she was.

And that pains him.

As for Kojiro, his first impression of Hanzo was that he was friendly, but a bit inexperienced due to his young age. He was in his twenties, sure, but he clearly wasn't as interested in the business side of his Foundation than the inventing part. So Kojiro went into the meeting casually, keeping the ideas light but careful. After all, an inexperienced leader can easily muck up their organization with just a few wrong choices, even if they do take it seriously.

But surprisingly, Hanzo was eager to learn and genuinely wants what's best for the Foundation. He may not be the best at financing, but he had a good head on his shoulders and was honest about the Kisaragi Foundation's goals and what they want and need. Kojiro admired his integrity, and while he didn't finalize the collaboration this time, he did offer to stay in touch so that they can talk about future business plans together. If the opportunity crops up, anyway. Hanzo was strangely nervous about the suggestion but he was quick to calm down and say that he would love - uh, he would like that. He would like that a lot. Kojiro raised an eyebrow at the sudden change in words but they exchanged numbers and emails anyways. Kojiro thought he was sweet, passionate young man. And maybe he wouldn't mind talking to him again…

[suomeen]

Chapter 3: The Longest Journey

We departed on December 20. Took the bus at 2 pm and went through 3 of Ukraine’s major cities to pick up other passengers and head for Poland. The trip started out well but soon things began to go south. The bus itself was alright. However, the site boasted outlets for your devices and free wi-fi. Which is true technically. Except the outlets were the type basically nobody uses in Europe and the wi-fi… there was a whole of 250 MB, all for the taking for your 16-hour ride. The seats were fine but the human body is not really made to sit in one place for so long. My knees were soon hurting and I barely had any sleep.

The trip itself was a bit of a mess too. Flixbus clearly doesn’t want to pay for extra buses for emergency situations so when another one of their buses broke, our driver had to pick up its passengers. Then another company’s bus broke and we took some of its passengers too. Sitting in a bus for hours is bad enough, but at least we weren’t the ones standing in the aisle, wet from the rain. We felt sorry for those people but it was very frustrating for everyone. This incident set us back a few hours. Then there was the border crossing.

Poland was startlingly unwelcoming. I didn’t expect much. I knew we were way past the “Poland is our best buddy” early war honeymoon illusions but this encounter still took me by surprise. We arrived at about 5 am but had to wait for a few hours in a line of other buses before finally proceeding to the border control. At first, they had the few men on the bus go there, making sure they had the right to leave the country. Then it was the rest of us. There were about 5 Poles at the checkpoint and they were not happy to see us. I honestly don’t know what our people did in these 2 years that they hated us so much. First a blond middle-aged woman came up to the bus and began to shout at us in Polish to get out in groups. I understood most of it, but I shouldn’t be expected to. Then we went to show our documents to a few dudes in booths who asked us where we were going and why. After that, a tall handsome young man began to rummage in some people’s bags. He took his time dismantling one woman’s bag, which mostly contained children’s clothes. Her little son, about 3, wanted to help and I don’t like children much, but he was adorable and made all of us passengers smile. Not the Poles though, they didn’t budge. None of them spoke Ukrainian or Russian, or maybe didn’t want to. I wonder who pissed them off so much. We were tired and stressed out as it was and this felt like we were some sort of criminals, not women and children fleeing from a war.

I managed to book a trip directly to the Warsaw airport so, despite the delay, we still had 2 hours to get on the plane. I was just glad we took a plane because 16 hours on a bus wrecked me and I can’t imagine 40, which is what most other people had to endure. We got the world’s most expensive coffees and muffins and took off. The flight was delayed but only by about 10 minutes so it was fine. The Finair plane was kinda small but the flight was very smooth. The weather was rainy but up there, above the clouds, the sun shone brightly and I felt my heart healed a little.

Finland greeted us with blinding whiteness and I felt a strange comfort when we finally arrived. But there was still a good chunk of road ahead.

Normally, most people in our situation would just go to Helsinki and apply for asylum at the closest police department. But this way you get assigned to any place in the country they see fit. Our plan was different. Since we had a friend there and we wanted to be close to her, we were to go to the large city nearest to her and apply there. She even asked at the reception centre and was told they would be expecting us and we would probably get an apartment that was prepared for moving in.

So first, we had to take a city train to get to Tikkurila. Then we had to take the intercity train to a city where we would later be living. But instead of going there, we were to stay at our friend’s so we then had to take another train that got us closer to her where she could pick us up.

I had no internet connection of my own and got to rely on whatever hubs were available. There were none at the station and I was getting a bit panicky that I would miss the train. I had to bother a few Finns for directions, the first of many. They were very friendly and tried to help the best they could. As I got into the train, I had trouble opening my ticket on the ancient tablet I had but the conductor was nice and patient with me and let me take my time as he went on to check the tickets of other passengers.

The intercity train was great. Fast and smooth, it was the best part of the trip. The cars were clean and comfortable. Everything was designed to make the trip enjoyable for everyone. The Finns looked relaxed and many took off their shoes for the ride and stretched their legs languishly.

We also found ourselves in the children car. The idea of such a car would probably sound a little annoying to me, but I was happy to be there. There were many parents with small children and a part of the space was free of seats with some stuff for them to play in. Small kids were running around back and forth in the aisle. Some fell a few times but nobody seemed to worry, kids or parents. They just got up and continued on their way. I sat next to a Finnish mother with a tiny baby. I don’t care about babies that much but I couldn’t stop looking at her. I don’t think I’ve ever seen anyone so gentle and tender and loving as she was with her child. The whole car had such a soothing atmosphere of peace and joy. It later turned out that we took the wrong car and when the rightful owners of these seats came, we had to move to another. But I’m glad we made that mistake so I could experience this.

This train was also slightly late. Not by much, but enough that we were risking to miss the transfer. I’m glad I decided to seek help from the lovely young woman staff, so we just barely made it to our final train, which was a small local train, far less glamorous. After bothering some more Finns, we finally got help from a nice older man and made sure we were going the right way. After another 40 minutes, we finally stepped off the train and into the dark, immediately greeted by our friend and her husband.

It wasn’t the longest trip of my life but it sure felt like it and was certainly the most intense and nerve-wrecking. Honestly, I don’t even know how I survived the journey, let alone got it all right, though a lot of it was thanks to the lovely Finnish people.

We did not immediately go to their place. First, we went to the nearby building to have our photos taken for the police. Your document photos never look good but having them taken after a 28-hour journey makes them extra ugly. Though I suppose fitting for a refugee application. Finally, after a short drive, we arrived at the house we would spend the next week at.

[mollymauk-teafleak]

wondering when I'm coming back

My first Hualian fic! For a twist on a modern AU that I'm calling the Lady and the Tramp AU because I think I'm funny and @minky-for-short lets me get away with far too much. Happy Christmas my lovely friend, thank you for introducing me to mxtx and so many other things I love and brightening up my days!

Please reblog and comment over on Ao3 if you enjoyed this!

---------

Xie Lian lives a privileged life. He's the top student at one of the most prestigious universities in the country, his family runs one of the most profitable businesses in the city and he lives in a house that's better called a mansion.

And all Xie Lian lives for is the nights where he's stolen away.

---------

Of all the many, many rooms in his parents’ sprawling manor, Xie Lian’s favorite was his own bedroom. Not exactly strange for a college aged young man, he supposed, but his reasons were. 

After all, where the family house was lavishly decorated, very little without an edge in gold or jade, or a swathe of silk or fine, supple leather, Xie Lian’s room was sparse. There were just a few posters of cheesy bands he’d liked as a kid but could bear to take down, some pennants of teams he’s played for in high school and was currently playing for at university, a trans pride flag he’d put up in a rush of rebelliousness though that was tucked in where it couldn’t be seen from the window. Apart from that, it was sparse and cramped compared to other rooms he could have chosen, most of the space given over to Ruoye’s vivarium. 

But that was precisely what Xie Lian loved about his room. Though it wasn’t what made it his favorite place in the Xianle house. 

That was the thick, solid door he could firmly close and put the rest of his life on the other side. 

He did just that, feeling like he could breathe a little easier the moment the lock clicked into place. Xie Lian took a moment, back pressed against the door, feeling muscles he’d been holding tense all day finally ease, feeling the buzz of stress in his brain wind down to blessed silence. Another day done. The perfect, flawless son of the Xianle Corporation could go to bed.

Now he was just Xie Lian, he dropped his bag, heavy with classwork, on his desk, and started shrugging out of his jacket. He left the equally expensive, equally uncomfortable jeans and shirt on the floor, eagerly wriggling into just an oversized jumper and leggings. The sweater came down to the scuffed knees and his old slippers were dog eared but no one could see him right now so he didn’t have to care what he looked like. He let his hair loose from it’s tie, shaking it around his shoulders and collapsing onto his bed with a sigh of relief. 

Hearing his noisy, clattering arrival, a tiny white head poked out of the log house, buried in the leaves of the vivarium. Ruoye slithered eagerly up to the glass, tongue flickering in welcome. 

Xie Lian grinned, shuffling to the very edge of the bed so he could reach across and put a gentle finger on the glass of the tank, “Hey buddy. Sorry I’m so late getting back, orchestra practice ran over.”

Fortunately, his little albino snake was very forgiving, just happy to see his master home. 

Xie Lian smiled warmly, “Look what I snuck you from the kitchen…” he reached down to rescue a tiny quail egg from the pocket of his jacket, holding it out in front of Ruoye, “Only ‘cos you’re such a good boy, of course.”

Ruoye’s tongue flickered happily as he curled around his treat, Xie Lian relaxing too. For a moment, all he wanted was to close his eyes and take a nap after another long day of classes where he had to get every answer right, of spending getting his homework and extra credit assignments done going from one lecture hall to the next because he’d have no other time, another exhausting lunch with his father meeting an endless stream of business associates who’d still look at him like he shouldn’t be here, like he should still be home sewing with his mother and wearing the wrong name. Orchestra was at least fun, he enjoyed playing even if he didn’t enjoy having to turn it into yet another competition, where he had to be the best, where he had to be the flawless Xian family heir. 

Thinking of it all like that, in a long list that seemed to have no end, one he’d have to get up and keep unraveling the next day, Xie Lian wanted to either cry or fall asleep to avoid it. But there was something he wanted even more. 

And just that moment, almost as if the universe heard him and decided he needed a break, Xie Lian got it, in the form of a soft knocking at his bedroom window. 

There was another reason why Xie Lian’s room was his favorite in the whole house and that was the enormous tree that grew just outside his window. He’d always loved listening to the birds that nested in it, watching each year’s new clutch of eggs grow and take wing. He found the light tap of its branches against the glass comforting in the middle of the night, he loved the shapes its shadow made on the wall. 

But more than all that, he loved how it was the perfect height for his boyfriend to climb up and steal him out of the house without anyone seeing, like a princess being rescued from a tower. 

Not that Xie Lian had known he’d need that. But now he did, he couldn’t be more grateful.

“San Lang!” he sat bolt upright, diving for the window and throwing it open eagerly.

The younger man perched casually on the branch only grinned easily, like they were bumping into each other on a park bench rather than three storeys up in the air. 

“You kept me waiting tonight, gege,” he hummed, though there was no reproach in his voice, just fondness as he leaned across the gap to kiss him softly. 

“I didn’t know you were coming,” Xie Lain murmured against his lips, not willing to pull away just yet though he laid a steadying hand on his chest, “Careful, don’t fall…”

“Have I ever fallen, gege?” his dark haired lover smiled, though he did sit further back on the branch, not wanting to worry him, “Sorry to show up unannounced, I didn’t know if I’d get the time. But things were slow at work, I figured the place could handle itself for a while and I just really wanted to see you…”

Xie Lian softened, his steadying hand sliding up to play with the beads in his San Lang’s crooked ponytail, “I’m glad you did. I really wanted to see you too.”

Perceptive as ever, San Lang’s one eye narrowed slightly at his tone, his own voice softening, “Bad day, Lian?”

It always mystified Xie Lian, how so many people, basically everyone apart from his closest friends, believed in the front he put up without question. Even his own parents couldn’t see the smile and the perfect grades and the eagerness to please for what it really was. A mask. And one that was getting heavier by the day. 

But from the first moment he’d met San Lang, stumbling across him being cornered in an alleyway by three other guys, holding his own as best he could but only saved from a savage beating by Xie Lian’s intervention, it had been like he’d understood. Like something had tied them together in that moment, two young men from such different backgrounds but with the same threads running through them. Being with him was like finally having his head break above water so he could pull in air. 

“Aren’t they all bad days?” he felt the smile on his lips wobbling. 

Immediately, San Lang shifted closer, the dappled moonlight and shadow playing on his face, making him look otherworldly for a moment, “Do you want to talk about it? I’m here, darling…”

Xie Lian hesitated before shaking his head softly, “No. I want to get out of here.”

His lover’s grin was lopsided but sure, an anchor Xie Lian could cling to and did so gratefully. 

“Then let me give you a hand with that, gege.”

The escape was simple and not something they hadn’t done before bit still, Xie Lian’s heart was in his throat for the whole swift climb down the tree and the race through the shadows that grew like moss along the walls of his mother’s garden, keeping them well out of sight of the house’s light. His fingers shook as he typed in the code for the back gate, his other hand firmly gripped in San Lang’s. Only when they were down the lane, safely shut inside his car, did he take a full breath. 

San Lang threw him a smile as he kicked the car into gear. It was an old thing, built up from scrap by San Lang himself, so it took a few turns of the key and the engine growled like something threatening. But once it got going, it was fast, easily slipping between the expensive estate houses and away into the night, putting the Xianle House far in the distance which was all Xie Lian cared about. 

“Where to?” San Lang asked, once they were out of the estates and heading towards the city, “Loud or quiet?”

Xie Lian pressed his forehead to the window, finding the cold glass and the rumble running through it comforting. He knew they could go to where San Lang worked, to the Ghost City casino, lose themselves in noise and crowds and flashing lights. Xie Lian liked it there, it was a completely different world to the one he knew, raucous and dizzying, even if he didn’t take part in any of it. Neither did San Lang, for that matter, not when he had his boyfriend with him. 

Though Xie Lian had heard rumors of what his San Lang got up to when he wasn’t there. When he was Hua Cheng. 

“Quiet,” Xie Lian murmured, with a grateful smile. He’d had enough of the noise. 

San Lang smiled at him, “Sounds good, gege.”

Xie Lian snorted, “Pretty rich of you to call me that. You’re only three years younger than me.”

That made him laugh, making the streetlights wink off the piercing in his lip, “That’s not why I call you gege. I call you that because you like it.”

Xie Lian blushed delicately, not feeling silly about the distinctly goofy smile on his face, “I do…”

San Lang winked and reached over, resting a hand lightly on his knee. The touch wasn’t wanting or expectant, just comforting, a grounding presence between the two of them. Just closeness for its own sake. The thought kept that smile pinned to Xie Lian’s face as they turned into the outskirts. 

They always went to the same place when they wanted quiet. The city sat in the bowl of a valley, twinkling in its grasp like a strange geode of many colours had grown up out of the rock. That left many secluded bluffs and cliffs where you could park and see the whole of the city spread out under you, all shadow pierced by blinking squares of light as night fell. 

It was beautiful, Xie Lian always thought so, when you looked at it like this. The distance helped. 

He perched on the bonnet of San Lang’s car, breathing deeply and just enjoying the presence of his boyfriend next to him, eventually just resting against him fully, head tucked into the curve of his shoulder. He felt San Lang chuckle, winding an arm around him to draw him closer in. 

Out here under the moonlight, Xie Lian could see him clearly. Long, black hair in a ponytail he never bothered to fix, tied with beads that chattered when he moved, the drawn back hair showing ears that looked more metal than flesh with all the piercings they held. The ink of tattoos peeked up from under the shoulders and sleeves of jacket, snaking down his long, clever hands adorned with rings and nail polish. Xie Lian knew them all, he could trace their paths under his clothing on memory alone. For all he held him gently and made him laugh, Xie Lian knew how his boyfriend looked to others, red and dangerous like a colourfully poisonous snake. 

In short, San Lang looked like the kind of young man who’d need to climb a tree to avoid his lover’s parents. Especially parents like Xie Lian’s. 

Xie Lian used to think that was why he liked him so much, what had drawn him to San Lang when usually the fear of his parents’ reaction would keep him far away. It was certainly the opinion of his friends, that this secret prince in the tower act was Xie Lian’s first big act of rebellion. Like never having tasted sugar and then waking up in a candy store, as Mu Quing put it, a little bluntly. 

But Xie Lian wasn’t so sure how. He thought there was something deeper between him and San Lang. 

“What are you thinking about, gege?” 

Xie Lian smiled, tilting his head and pressing a kiss to the hollow of his neck, “Honestly…I’m thinking about how there’s probably no one around for miles and you’ve got a pretty spacious back seat?”

The grin his boyfriend gave him made a shiver run fine his spine, even in the warm night. 

It felt like the most natural thing in the world when their lips met, as Xie Lian leaned back against the hood and let San Lang bracket him securely with his strong arms, his present warmth. He felt the cool of his boyfriend’s tongue piercing as their mouths fell open, the amber scent of his perfume mixing with the fresh scent of pine and night air. Anything still left tense now unwound as they kissed, a small whimper escaping Xie Lian whenever their lips parted, like he just couldn’t bear it. 

So he stole as many kisses as he could as San Lang drew him off the hood, pulling him into the back seat. Fortunately here Xie Lian could press even closer, straddling his lap, holding his face in his hands so his thumbs could trace the hard lines of his jaw. A shiver ran down Xie Lian’s spine as he felt San Lang harden against him, straining at the fabric of his trousers. Feeling a dizzying thrill, he pressed their hips together closer, grinding down, drawing a hungry growl from his love. 

“Teasing me, gege?” His fingers grasped Xie Lian’s waist tightly. 

“It’s not teasing if I’m actually going to make good on it,” Xie Lian grinned, nipping at his lip gently. 

To prove it, he wriggled his leggings down just enough, moving tightly in the cramped space. San Lang purred appreciatively, hands slipping down his curves, one thumb lightly circling his dick where it was already aching needily in that soft patch of down between his thighs.

“You’re so beautiful…” he groaned and never once did Xie Lian doubt him. 

He trembled at the touch with a high, sweet moan. All he wanted to do was lean into that pressure, chase down his release, but he wasn’t about to leave his rescuer wanting. Bracing himself on one hand, he reached down and forced his shaking fingers to undo San Lang’s buttons, the chains he wore around his waist clinking softly as he drew the fabric down and let his erection free. 

Xie Lian doubted people would be surprised to find that Hua Cheng had the cock to match his smug attitude and brash appearance. But he knew that he had nothing to fear from his San Lang, he was always gentle and careful, mindful of the inexperience and uncertainty his gege had come to him with. Even now, with the two of them panting and aching with want, he held Xie Lian’s hips, making sure he sank down on his length gradually and breathing deeply for his love to match him. 

“Oh gods…” Xie Lian felt every nerve ending in him spark, face pressed to his lover’s neck, clinging on like he’d be swept away in it all if he wasn’t careful.

Knowing they didn’t have as much time as they’d like, that they never did, San Lang started to roll his hips up into Xie Lian’s heat. It was complete bliss, each deep, powerful thrust pulling him further into himself, into a body he could love so easily and a headspace he could call home. Xie Lian felt himself growing, soaring, rather than shrinking. He cried out loud, he let his hair tumble into disarray, he felt sweat run down his spine and his cheeks flush and his voice break and he just didn’t care. It didn’t matter. It was just the two of them and he could trust San Lang with himself. 

He had to switch his bracing hand to the ceiling of the car, with how heavily San Lang was fucking into him he was in danger of hitting his head. He could feel his peak coming, far too soon for his liking but he just couldn’t hang on, his body chasing it down even as his heart wanted to stay in this moment forever. 

“I…I can’t…San Lang…” he tried to make his muscles obey so he could speak but there was a new electricity seizing him. 

But San Lang seemed to understand, moaning and wrapping him in his arms, “Come for me…my prince…”

Xie Lian wasn’t going to deny his love anything. His release hit him hard, everything disappearing in a wash of bliss, only San Lang’s arms around him and his heat in him meaning anything. They fell too soon, crashing back to the cramped interior of the car, now stifling and misted with their heavy breaths. The high was so dizzying that the tumblr down was enough to bring tears to Xie Lian’s eyelashes. 

Before he could stop himself, before he could throw his guards up, he was shaking against San Lang, the tears bleeding into the fabric of his boyfriend's shirt. 

San Lang didn’t seem surprised, only moving to hold him tighter, “It’s okay…gege, it’s okay, I’m here.”

“But you’ll have to go,” the words were heavy, miserable, Xie Lian cringing at how he sounded like a small child having their comfort blanket taken away. He should be better, he should be stronger…

But San Lang kissed the side of his head, smoothed his damp hair, “I know, gege, I wish I didn’t have to. It’s okay to be upset, it’s okay to cry. It’s only me here.”

The simple fact of that, that for once he didn’t have to be strong, he could let himself feel hurt and scared and upset, that shattered the last of his resolve. He cried into San Lang’s shoulder, barely noticing as his love gently shifted them so they slid apart, so he could hold him close in his lap and rock him. He just gave into the ache for a while, knowing San Lang was there to keep him together. 

Eventually Xie Lian felt lighter, the sobs breaking down into shuddering gasps and raspy breathing that San Lang guided him to slow and deepen. 

“Sorry,” Xie Lian mumbled, rubbing at his eyes with the sleeves of his sweater. 

“You’ve nothing to be sorry for,” San Lang said firmly, kissing his cheek.

His unfailing kindness helped Xie Lian find a smile, “Not even for ruining your shirt?”

San Lang grinned, “Not even for that. As long as I can help you, gege, that’s all I want to do when we’re together.”

He gave a damp laugh, “What did I do to deserve you, San Lang?”

“You didn’t have to do anything, Lian,” he answered so plainly, as if it was the most obvious thing in the world, “You were just yourself.”

Xie Lian let himself go through the motions of cleaning up, rearranging himself, making himself presentable again so they could drive back. The goodbye was coming and, even though it would only be for a short while, a couple of days before San Lang could come steal him away again, he knew it would hurt. 

They pulled up in the shadowy alley where San Lang always parked, out of sight of any neighbours.

“Well…” Xie Lian sounded as if he was trying to convince himself, “I should get going.”

San Lang’s dark eyes glittered in the low light, a thoughtful expression coming over what little of his face Xie Lian could make out, his brain filling in what he couldn’t. 

“Give me your hand, gege.”

Xie Lian did, feeling rather than seeing as San Lang tied something around his wrist. He brought his hand into the light and gave a soft gasp as he saw the red thread San Lang always wore on one finger tied there. 

“It might be a little obvious to wear it on your hand but like this, you can push it under your sleeve and no one will be any the wiser.”

“San Lang…” he breathed, unable to take his eyes off that simple red string, so humble but meaning so much. 

There was more he wanted to say. More he wanted to tell San Lang, Hua Cheng, whichever of them wanted to listen. Words that had been pressing against his ribs for a long time, like three birds beating their wings against the bars of a cage. But he couldn’t let them go, he just couldn’t. 

How could he ask San Lang to bear the weight of those words when he couldn’t promise they had a future?

Blissfully unaware, San Lang smiled and kissed his cheek, “You’re stronger than you know, gege. I’ll see you soon.”

“I’ll see you soon,” Xie Lian smiled for him, holding on to those words tightly. 

He clung to them the way he’d clung to San Lang’s hand on his swift return through the gate, across the lawn, up the tree and through his window. The heavy lock clicked into place behind him, putting the world where he could be with San Lang and be himself firmly on the other side. He felt his heart sink at that sound. 

Ruoye came slithering out of his house again, blinking his ink drop eyes up at Xie Lian. He opened up the vivarium and reached in, letting his snake climb up and curl protectively around his wrist, getting comfort from the pressure. 

“Thanks, buddy,” he murmured, running his finger gently down the length of him as he went and laid back down on his bed with a sigh. 

As Xie Lian stroked Ruoye that single thread of bright crimson caught his eye and, despite it all, he smiled. He thought about him being stronger than he knew. He thought about the relief that came after tears. He thought about dark eyes and their strange warmth, strong arms around him, a rough, infectious laugh. 

Xie Lian thought about how his bedroom was his favorite place in his parent’s manor. 

But there was a whole world out there he was growing to love too. 

[dream-beyond-the-fantasy]

OC Creator Exchange Prompt-oween, Day 1

@occreatorexchange

Prompt: “You can’t buy candy corn for trick or treaters! That’s the fruitcake of Halloween!

Fandom: Doctor Who/The Sarah Jane Adventures

Characters: OCs David Yates, Molly Yates, and minor OCs

Rating: G/T (slight language)

Word count: 989

Summary: David celebrates Molly's first Halloween.

Note: This is something of a prequel ficlet to my current Whoniverse WIP.

It wasn’t David’s first Halloween in the States.  But it was his first with a child.  Before Molly, things were simple.  He could simply forget the “holiday” existed.  It’s only been in the last decade or two that Halloween really took hold of Britain, even if the traditions originated there.  But in America, it’s very in one’s face and a part of the culture, whether it’s about the candy, the decorations, or costumes.

Ken, a coworker, popped his head in David’s cubicle.  “So, what are you dressing the munchkin up as?”

David stared at him as if he had two heads.  “She’s two months old!”

Ken shrugged.  “Yeah, and?”

“I think she’s way too young.  She won’t understand what is going on.  And most importantly, Molly can’t even eat solid foods, let alone candy,” David replied.

“David,” Ken shook his head.  “You’re missing the big picture here.”

David frowns, confused.  “I don’t see how, but go on.”

“You’re a young, handsome single man with a baby.  You put a cute costume on the kid, walk around the neighborhood, and collect some candy for yourself.  And some phone numbers from the single mommies and aunts who took the kids trick-or-treating.”

David’s lip curled.  Instead of engaging, he told his coworker that he was staying home.

“Well, that works too,” Ken admitted.

David breathed a sigh of relief.

Unfortunately, Ken wasn’t finished.  “You can still get their numbers if you stay home and hand out candy.  But the baby still needs to be dressed up.  And when you answer the door, make sure you hold her so that the ladies can see that there isn’t a ring on your finger.”

David covered his face.  “Oh, my God,” he groaned into his hands.  A throbbing started in his temple.  “Ken, can you please leave?  I’ve got work to do.”

***

After he got off work, David stopped at a 99 Cents Only Store before picking Molly up from daycare.  He was already regretting letting Ken get inside his head.  David quickly grabbed up two of the cheaper bags of individually wrapped candy, a garish green monster pail, and the first Halloween costume that he thought would fit his daughter.

***

There was a knock at the Yates’ apartment door.  David rushed out of the nursery, adjusting his daughter in his arms.  “Coming!”

Molly fussed.

David peered down at her.  “Don’t cry, love.  You’ve got a clean nappy.  Daddy’s got you.  You’re fine.  You even look cute in that getup.”

She cooed at him, which earned her a smile.

Someone knocked on the door again.  David sighed.  “Well, here goes nothing.  Happy Halloween,” he greeted as he opened the door.

“Trick or treat!”

In the hallway stood two boys and a girl, dressed as Freddy Krueger, the Red Power Ranger, and a princess.  The smile that David had plastered on fell when he saw Ken with the kids.  “What are you doing here?”

“The ex had a party to go to, so I’m taking the kids trick-or-treating.  Also, I wanted to see if you wanted to come along.”  Ken peered down at the baby.  “Oh, good.  You did dress her up for the occasion.  Could have found something better than a pumpkin, though.”

David’s mouth tightened.  “I already said I was staying in.  Molly will be due for a feeding in at least an hour.  I’m not packing and lugging around a diaper bag and stroller just so you can pick up women.”

David grunted in pain as a boy in a Freddy Krueger costume kicked him in the shin.  “Hey, where’s the candy?”

“Tommy!  Don’t be a pain in the ass!” Ken warned his son.  “Sorry, about that Dave.”

David glared at the kid.  He picked up the pail from a side table, shoving it at the kid.  “Here, help yourself.”

The boys immediately started digging in it.

“Eww!  Dad, there’s candy corn!” complained the Power Ranger.

Ken gaped at David.

“What?”

“You can’t buy candy corn for trick-or-treaters!” Ken exclaimed, gesticulating wildly.  “That’s the fruitcake of Halloween!  Stores probably keep that junk in storage year round because nobody buys it.”

David rolled his eyes.  “That’s ridiculous.  And I happen to like Christmas cakes, thank you very much.”

Ken waved him off.  “You’re a Brit.  What did I expect?”

Feeling a warning throb of another headache, David was about to order his coworker and kids out of the apartment.  He was interrupted by his trousers being tugged on.  David looked down to see the little princess, who couldn’t be more than four years old.  He crouched to her level.  “Yes?”

“I brought something for the baby.”  The princess held up a book, The Berenstain Bears Trick or Treat.

“Kelly likes to be read to at bedtime,” Ken informed him.  “When I told her that we’d be visiting you and Baby Molly, she decided that your little pumpkin needed a Halloween book.”

David smiled at the little girl.  “Kelly, that was very sweet of you.  Guess what?  Molly likes to be read to, as well.  Would you like to say hello?”

The princess nodded and came closer.  “Hi, Molly!”  She took the baby girl’s hand.  Molly gripped Kelly’s finger.  “I gave you a book.  It’s about Halloween.  Your Daddy is gonna read it to you.  I hope you like it.”

***

David sat down with a sigh.  He hoped there were no more trick-or-treaters.  The last ones just emptied the pail of candy.  Molly finished her bottle right before they came.  David just wanted some quiet time alone with his little girl.  He noticed the book that Ken’s daughter left on the coffee table.

He picked it up and held it in front of her. “Should we read a new book tonight?”

Molly gurgled in response.  She swiped at the book with one hand.

“I’ll take that as a ‘yes.’”  David flipped the book open.  “The sights and sounds of autumn were all around,” he began.

[aimwigs]

DADWIG!!!!!

another dadwig snippet from earlier in the timeline except this one is slightly less wholesome and also about parents splitting up... being a parent is not aways easy i fear

Lucy is only three, but Ludwig is pretty sure that she hates him.

Honestly, in some ways he gets it. It has to be confusing, to have your dad living at home one day and then halfway across Los Angeles the next, but he had kind of figured that she would be too young to be super affected by it. If anything, he was worried about Ryan, who’s more than halfway through kindergarten and definitely old enough to kind of understand the talk that they gave the girls about how the two of them aren’t in love anymore, which is the best oversimplification they can muster of what really happened between them.

Ryan is seemingly fine, though. She’s always been a smart, quiet kid. She seems sort of sad, which makes him feel like a horrible fucking person, but she also seems to get it— apparently, one of her friends has parents who don’t live together.

But Lucy fucking freaks out. According to QT, her behavior gets worse after he leaves, including hitting her sister over something as stupid as her putting a different show on the TV and upending her plate onto the ground because QT had the gall to put broccoli on it. This type of stuff was something they anticipated could happen; this is a huge change and they knew it might be something that the girls don’t really know how to process. Even though they both firmly believe it’ll be better for the two of them in the long run, that doesn’t change the fact that it’s difficult now.

What he doesn’t anticipate, though, is Lucy not even talking to him the first time that he has the girls over at Slime’s, where he’s staying until he can find a suitable place. She barely even looks at him.

The weird thing is, she doesn’t even seem that upset. She’s happy to run around and play with Ryan or chat away with Slime all fucking day— seriously, he’s pretty sure that kid loved him more than she loved Ludwig even before all this— but she won’t even acknowledge him.

“It’s a big fucking change. You just need to give her time,” Slime tells him. “Like did having divorced parents fucking blow sometimes? Yeah. Did I love my parents completely until the very end? Also yes. She’s a little kid. She’ll bounce back.”

It should be reassuring— QT said something similar, after all, and both of them actually are children of divorce— but he worries that maybe this will be different. What if she resents him forever? Sure, she’s too young to understand what’s really going on now but it’s not like that erases the fact that she’s going to have to grow up split between two different homes.

He figures that maybe a zoo trip will win her over. Part of Lucy’s idolization of Slime stems from their mutual love of monkeys and even though he’s busy today, she’ll surely still have a good time seeing all the animals. Plus, it’s a fun little day trip and he knows Nick and Aiden would probably both be down to go.

And maybe Lucy doesn’t seem any more focused on him than before, opting to ride around on Aiden’s shoulders all day as they zip from exhibit to exhibit but at least she’s having fun.

Things still seem off, though, and he can’t really shake that.

Ludwig decides to ask Nick who, despite only having a kid for a little over a year now, is like a superdad which is extra impressive given his equally awesome wife. It shouldn’t be surprising seeing as Nick is just someone who is generally competent in a lot of things, but he’s definitely a great fucking dad with everything you could ever need packed away in the diaper bag shoved in the bottom of the stroller he pushes around the zoo. His son sleeps inside, having worn himself out by the time they saw the dolphins.

“I wouldn’t sweat it, man. If she’s actually mad at you, I’m sure she’ll just get over it. Kids don’t hold grudges.” he tells him when he brings it up, both of them watching Aiden reading off the sign that they have posted next to the lions about their pack structure and eating habits to the girls. God, Aiden seriously needs to shave that stupid fucking mustache he’s been sporting recently.

“It’s been two weeks,” he reminds him because he’s pretty sure that’s a long fucking time for a three-year-old to hold a grudge.

Nick shrugs. “Yeah, and you fucking love her, bro. That’s what’s going to shine through in the end. She’s not even going to remember this shit when she’s older.”

It temporarily instills some confidence in him, up until he asks her what she wants for dinner in the car on the way home and she leans over to whisper into Ryan’s ear instead of replying to him directly. He didn’t know kids that young could be this fucking petty.

And then she gets into a fight at preschool the next week and QT calls him to pick her up since she has a meeting this afternoon and his schedule is generally more flexible.

He finds out when he gets there that she bit another girl because she was playing with a toy she wanted, which is usually grounds for a week's suspension but since her teachers are generally aware of her circumstances, they’re only sending her home for today. That doesn’t stop them from giving Ludwig dirty looks when he picks her up, though.

“You can’t be biting people,” he tells her with a sigh as he drives back towards Slime’s place. “Imagine if someone bit you. That would make you sad, wouldn’t it?”

When he looks in the rearview mirror, she’s looking out the car window with a quivering lip.

He tries again. “Did you really bite her just because she wouldn’t share with you?”

Lucy erupts into tears, wailing and sniffling in an instant. The only thing he can make out is, “I want Mom!”

Ludwig makes a show of taking a deep breath, gesturing with his hand to encourage her to take one too. She doesn’t.

“Mom is working right now. You get Dad instead.” He pulls off into a parking lot and parks so that he can turn around and face her. When he reaches over to wipe her tears away with his sleeve, she lets him even though she doesn’t stop crying.

“I want Mom,” she says again in a trembling voice, quieter this time. “Wanna go home.”

“I’m sorry,” he tells her, digging around for a tissue and handing it to her. She poorly attempts to wipe away the boogers under her nose. “Sometimes it’s gonna be Dad that picks you up and takes you to his house instead. Soon I’ll get a new house and you’ll get to pick out a brand new room. Isn’t that cool?”

She doesn’t look impressed. “Wanna go home.”

Fuck, this isn’t going to work. He’s always believed kids are much smarter than people give them credit for, but this conversation is beyond the scope of a three-year-old.

“Do you want to get ice cream?” he asks, knowing that it’s probably the worst thing you can do after your kid gets kicked out of school. He figures that it’s special circumstances. “This isn’t a reward. Biting is still bad,” he adds for good measure.

She lights up a little. “Strawberry?”

He nods, very seriously. “Strawberry.”

Lucy smiles at him for the first time since he moved out. “Strawberry!” she starts to chant.

Ludwig lets out a laugh as he pulls back onto the road and drives toward the ice cream shop. Maybe things will all be okay, just like his friends said. Maybe some one-on-one time was really all that they needed after all.

“I love you so so much, Lucy,” he tells her.

“I love strawberry,” she replies, and he takes it as a win.

[cheesewritings]

Chapter 1: The Prodigal Daughter

Fortunate Son blasted from the stereo of the 67 Kaiser that rolled into Hawkins, Indiana. Eowyn was on a mission, given her orders from her father she needed to gather a few people to assist. Driving carefully around the ravines that split the once quiet town she knows the route very well. She’s headed to a remote cabin that once held many happy memories…until her father had to up and move them to DC with his promotion. She was 15 when they left Indiana and now at 20, she’s the youngest fighter pilot the Coalition has ever seen.

The music fades as she pulls into the gravel driveway of the cabin where she learned how to shoot a rifle, an unfamiliar bus sitting in the spot where her uncle’s Bronco usually sat parked. Eowyn shuts off the vehicle, grabs her go bag and makes her way to the deck only to be greeted by a very unfamiliar voice “Whoa dudette, state your name and your purpose here at this lovely forest abode.” “The name’s Hopper, Lieutenant Eowyn Hopper. I’m here to discuss the…uh…situation at hand.” She introduces herself formally hoping it provides a bit of leverage so the hippie in front of her will let her in. She stands up straight trying to make her 5’1” frame a bit more imposing to the man who stands at least one foot taller than herself. “Wait..Hopper?” a more familiar voice crescendos as they walk towards the door. “Winnie? Is that you? Shit man I haven’t seen you since I was in 7th grade.” “Times change Steven. We all have a role to play, I just happened to get mine a bit earlier than expected.” Eowyn cringes slightly at the use of her old nickname. She and Steve grew up on the same block. Turns out when your dad works for a secret government agency, you get to live in the nice part of town. Steve turns to the unfamiliar man in the doorway, “Argyle this is Eowyn Hopper. She’s Chief’s niece. Man will he be glad to see you. Come on in.”

Eowyn enters the room and heads turn towards her. Soon she is crushed under the familiar yet unfamiliar weight of one of her Uncle Jim's bear hugs. “Winnie, you’re here. Where’s your dad? Is he okay? What about your mom?” “She’s finally set down and released from her uncle’s embrace and answers “He’s fine. Mom’s fine. I’ve been sent here on orders.” “Orders?” a young voice questions. “You must be Henderson.” She smiles when he nods his head. “I have orders to bring you all with me to the base.” A woman the same age as her mother stands “Wait what base? You work for the government?” Another voice echoes the sentiment “We don’t trust the government here.” “Bauman shut your cake hole for two seconds.” Eowyn snaps. She takes a deep breath, composes herself and continues “It’s not necessarily the government per se. I mean…it’s sort of a part of the government but more underground. They know we exist but they also know they can’t touch us because we’re the best and we know their secrets.” “Wait are you asking us to join the coalition?” Chief asks.

“More like you’ve all been selected based on your skills and abilities.” Eowyn replies. The balding bearded man stands up “I told you they were watching us. I knew it!” Jim looks to Eowyn as if he is asking her to explain. “Like I said, we’re not necessarily the government but we do know their secrets. However, we know a bit more than they do and we simply choose not to disclose that information to them. The Coalition isn’t simply American based. We’re international. We handle things that traditional militaries can’t. Things that can’t be explained but can be covered up by a decent story and some crazy tabloids.” She explains.

Suddenly a small female voice joins the conversation, “is it anything like Papa and the rainbow room?” “You must be Jane…er..Eleven?” Eowyn asks unsure of what to call the young girl. “You can call me El.” She replies. “El, this is nothing like that. In fact we’ve been trying to stop him for years. At least, stop him from experimenting with children.” Eowyn explains, shivering at the thought of someone doing anything like that to an innocent child. Eleven looks at her curiously and then sits down as if giving Eowyn permission to continue. "I'm a little bit like you in the sense that I was trained to fight because I have natural capabilities that make me good at combat. When dad kept getting promotions in the Corps, they kept an eye on him and what he could do. That's when he got the call from Stinson and was asked to form an elite unit in order to bring Brenner down as well as handle some other things. This collection of fighters, engineers, technical analysts, and others is known simply as The Coalition of Ordered Governments, we call it the COG." Eowyn looks up at the adults in the room after finishing her story seeing Murray Bauman's eyes wide. "What Bauman? You think we didn't know you knew we existed? You're pretty high up on our list of potential operatives." Eowyn states. Hopper chuckles and looks to his niece, "So is your dad still ya know?" "Are you kidding? That man will literally challenge death to a poker game and win." she answers. "So are you guys in? If so, we need to load up and haul out. I've got to make a quick pit stop first on orders from someone back at base but we can head out in the morning." She asks. El looks at her adoptive father, then to the girl who is apparently her cousin, "I'm in." she declares. "Damnit Jim, you've got a little me on your hands don't you?" Eowyn asks. "Unfortunately." he grumbles with a slight smile at the memories of her childhood antics. "Alright then, gather the squad, prepare for departure at 0600." Eowyn orders. She heads out the cabin and to her jeep when she stops and suddenly says "I know you're behind me Harrington. What do you want?" "This is where you went?" he asks. "Yep. And now you get to join the crew. It's good to see you Harry Harrington." she responds. He grumbles at the old nickname from their childhoods. "Trust me, I have a feeling it's going to be worth it by coming to base." she answers, climbing into her jeep. She turns the key in the ignition and shifts into gear before peeling out of the driveway as Battery by Metallica plays on her mixtape.

[captainstevenjohnstonme]

Oliver's Travel's.

Thirteen year old Ollie Wrigley likes playing footy and cricket with his mates going to the movies but most of all Ollie likes to read.

Ollie like all teenagers has acne all over his face, feet that grow so fast he goes through three pair a year, hair under his arms and above his willy and a voice out of tune with his small frame.

After school he plays with his friends until the sun goes down than he goes home has something to eat a warm bath than he rushes upstairs to devour another book.

Ollie will read books and magazines of any genre but his favorite is murder mysteries, thrillers and true crime magazines.

Thrillers are his favorite to read because he can open a bag of crisps and escape to a life full of danger and intrigue also Ollie like to pretend to be a policeman and solve the crime before he gets to the last page.

The year is 1996 and Ollie is lucky to have two parents who love him very much, for his last birthday they gave him a complete set of Funk & Wagnell encyclopedia's that should only take him about five years to read.

Tonight Olie is reading Cujo' by Stephen King the master of horror a genre that Ollie hasn't read before.

When he gets to Chapter Four Ollie's skin become clammy and his heart beats a little faster 'Jesus I can almost hear the screams and smell the blood dripping down the walls.'As he continues to read Ollie sneaks a look over to his bedroom window to make sure that it closed but than he gets out of bed and locks the window.

At 9 o'clock Ollie's mum Jean pokes her head in and reminds Ollie that it is a school night 'Ten more minutes young man than it is lights out.'

'Okay mum but can you please knock before you come in I am thirteen now not seven.'

Jean rolls her eyes before closing the door and going back down the stairs.

Ollie finishes Chapter Ten than he suddenly remembers the magazine that he has stashed under the mattress

A week before one of his mates Simon had given him a magazine that he said he stole from his big brother.

Ollie turns off the bedroom lights grabs the magazine and a torch him the bedstand than he starts to read or I should say look at the pictures in the old Hustler magazine.

Again his skin becomes clammy and the torch keeps slipping from his grip but Olie doesn't seem to mind his hand is gripped tightly around his growing willy.

'Go to sleep Ollie' Jeans calls from downstairs.

'God how does she always know that I am doing something I shouldn't be doing, maybe she is a witch or a gypsy?'

Just before Ollie turned sixteen his parents sat him down and told him they were moving north on the coast near the Scottish border.

'But why I like it here and all of my mates are here so why move?'

'Well son' his father Kenneth answers 'As you know I lost my job last week but i have been offered a job in Hartlepool that is a great opportunity for us as a family.'

Ollie isn't happy but what can he do so he just nods and go up to his room to mope.

A month later a removalist truck arrives at the family home in east London and after the truck is loaded with their possessions it starts the drive up north with Kenneth at the wheel of his trusty Volvo following close behind.

After leaving the capitol the drive along the motorway is smooth sailing and 4 hours later they pull outside of their new home.

'Is this it? Ollie enquires 'It looks like a hovel from a Charles Dickens novel.'

'Don't worry son Jean responds 'It is only temporary, once we are settled in and Ken's job works out we will find a new permanent home.'

Just then the removalists arrive and begin unloading the truck, Jean takes charge telling the men what goes where.

Ollie asks where his room is and Jean walks up a flight of stairs off the kitchen that leads up to a dusty attic. 'I know that it is small and a bit shabby but just remember that it will only be a few months, Kens new employers organized this place for us so lets be grateful for small mercy's and move on.'

'Fine' Ollie says' I noticed a MacDonalds just down the road I will go there while the truck is getting unloaded and come back later.'

Jean and Kenneth watch their son walk away unconcerned knowing that he will soon come around.

Two hours later Ollie goes back home and walks up the stairs to his room and is surprised to see that the attic space isn't as small as he first thought so he happily unpacks the boxes of his stuff and puts socks and underpants in the chest of drawers, hangs up shirts and pants in the wardrobe and an hour later he has his room to his liking.

He immediately picks up reading 'Cujo' and within seconds Ollie is totally engrossed in the story until his mum calls him downstairs 'Honey we are going grocery shopping do you want to come along it will give you a chance to check out Hartlepool.'

Ollie is about to say no thanks when he thinks this will be a good opportunity to see if there are any book shops in town.

They soon arrive at a Costco and Ollie tells his parents that he is just going to walk along the main street to see if he can find a book store.

'Okay Ollie but don't be too long.'

'I won't ma only be fifteen minutes or so.'

After walking along the main street for a few minutes Ollie is starting to get discouraged when down a narrow lane he notices what he at first thinks is a barber shop but when he walks closer Ollie can see that it is indeed a book shop and by the looks of it the store was built by the romans.

The shop is called 'Hartlepool New & Used Books' not very inspiring but Ollie walks in and immediately stops in his tracks because before him are over one hundred shelves of books plus the smell of old books brings comfort to Ollie so he wanders over to a shelf and begins to browse

'Can I help you young man?' Ollie turns around to see an old man standing there 'No thank you me and my family have just moved up here from London and well I have a thing for books so I came in to have a look.'

The man who to Ollie looks a lot like Basil Rathbone returns to the front counter and Ollie wanders around touching the spines of the old books but when he does a microscopic bookworm would wriggle onto his finger and begin to climb.

After five minutes Ollie still hasn't spotted anything of interest and starts to walk out 'Excuse me young man' the old man says pointing to the counter 'Are you a collector of Edgar Alan Poe or other 19th century authors? Ollie nods his head and picks up the book that Basil had pointed at.

When Ollie sees the 5000 pound price tag the immediately puts it back down. 'sorry but my family isn't rich'

'Have another look Ollie I am sure it now has a price to suit.'

Again Ollie picks up a first edition of Tale's of Mystery & Madness and the price tag now reads 50p 'What how can that be ? A minute ago the price was' the old man silences Ollie with a wave of his hand 'A bargain is yours for the taking Ollie do you want it wrapped?'

Ollie nods his head and waits while Basil wraps the book 'There you go Ollie a pleasure doing business with you, see you tomorrow and by the way my name isn't Basil Rathbone it is Cecil Hawthorne seller of books weaver of dreams'.

Ollie walks outside not quite believing what just happened first the old man seemed to know my name than knew that I was calling him Bruce plus how the price changed right before his eyes.

Ollie meets his parents at Costco and they notice that something has upset their boy 'What is the matter Ollie you look like you have seen a ghost.'

'It is nothing mum um I wasn't looking an almost got hit by a car but I am fine now.

'Oh Ollie please be careful in the future and look where you are going.'

Ollie feels bad because he has never lied to his parents before 'I will mum I promise.'

Back at home Ollie eats a meal of roast chicken peas and sauteed potatoes and normally he would demolish the food in a matter of minutes but tonight he only pushes the food around the plate.

'I'm not very hungry mum can I go up to my room and eat later?'

'Of course son just don't forget to eat because it is your first day at your new school tomorrow.'

Up in the attic Ollie changes into his pyjamas gets into bed and turns to page one of the Edgar Alan Poe masterpiece.

As he begins to read the bookworms that have slowly been wriggling up his body for the last few hours now sit on begin to weave their magic.

The attic swirls and dances taking Ollie on a ride back to the 19th century where now Ollie finds himself sitting up in a huge straw bed reading under a gas lamp.

His bedroom is a big with walls made from stone and brick with a ceiling of thatch.

As he reads a lady wearing a white apron enters the room carrying a tray of biscuits and a wooden tumbler of milk 'Would master Oliver like me to fetch him some rice pudding or will the biscuits and milk suffice?'

'Thank you um erf sorry but I seem to have forgotten your name'.

'Are you feeling well master? It is I miss Mary your personal maid.'

Mary quickly rushes to his side and puts a hand to his forehead 'You haven't got a fever master Oliver so I am sure that it isn't the plague that ails you'.

'Plague' Ollie splutters 'Yes master the plague sickness spread through the masquerade ball last night, surely you remember sir?'

'That is why you are isolated up here with nothing but books to keep you company.'

'Do you wish me to seek the doctor?'

'No Mary leave me now I need to rest.'

Ollie has one last look around the old fashioned bedroom than he makes a wish hoping that when he closes the book he will return to the attic and get ready for school tomorrow.

'One two three Ollie opens his eyes and is happy to find himself back in familiar surroundings.

He is sitting up in bed holding the book in his lap with one hand and the other holding the tumbler of milk and when he looks further Ollie discovers that he is still wearing the long white gown that were worn back in Edgar Alan Poe's day.

The bookworms nestle in his ear to rest while they wait for the next adventure to begin.

Ollie Puts the Poe book in his book case not daring to open it again until he finds out from Mister fricking Cecil Hawthorne what the hell is going on but first he needs to clean up before going to sleep for the night.

It is only 8.30 but he wants to make a good impression on his first day at his new school so he wanders downstairs towards the bathroom for a quick hot shower but he has forgotten that he is still wearing the white gown plus he still has the wooden tumbler of milk in his hand.

'Ollie is that you? and what in the hell are you wearing?'

'Of course it is me mum who were you expecting Prince Charles?'

'Don't take that tone with me Ollie where did you find that garb and what is that you are holding?'

Before Ollie can react his mother grabs the tumbler and gives it a whiff. 'Smells like milk but why is it yellow and not white? this isn't the same milk that I bought today Ollie, where did it come from?'

'I don't know mum but I found these old clothes in a chest up in the attic so i put them on while I was reading an old 19th century novel".

'Don't lie to me Ollie I completely cleaned your room today and there was no chest up there, now lets go up and take a look shall we.'

Ollie hangs his head knowing that he has been caught out, all he can do now is follow her upstairs and try to figure out an answer.

Entering Ollie's room Jean suddenly stops 'Well I'll be fucked there is a chest.'

Ollie looks around his mum and sees a big mahogany chest sitting at the end of Ollie's bed and on top of the chest is a tankard of milk.'

'Sorry for doubting you son but I could have sworn that the chest wasn't here this afternoon.'

'That's OK Mum I want tell Dad about you saying the F word if you keep quite about the chest, Deal?'

Mother and son shake hands and both of them keep the promise.

The following morning Ollie is a bit nervous when he walks into Hartlepool High School but soon two kids in his first introduce themselves as Timohty Smith a tall ginger haired boy and a girl Sally Lightfoot who is around the same height as Ollie only she long black hair and a nice smile.

The three teenagers become fast friends and attend all of the classes and have lunch together.

At the end of the day they leave school and walk down the main street because Tim and Sally want to go to the chippy and get a battered sav each to eat on their walk home plus Ollie needs to talk to Cecil Hawthorne 'I will see guys tomorrow morning I am going to check out the bookstore I saw down the lane that I noticed yesterday.

'What bookstore Ollie?' Sally asks 'That crumbling old building down has been condemned for years.'

Ollie doesn't tell them that he talked to an old man inside yesterday but the three of them walk towards the lane and sure the ancient stone building is barricaded and looks like it has been for a long time.

Tim and Sally wave goodbye than walk away eating their after school snack leaving their bamboozled friend behind.

Ollie takes a seat on a bench for a few minutes than walks towards the lane again and sure enough the book shop is lit up like a Christmas tree.'

On entering a tiny bell announces his presence and Mister Hawthorne comes from behind a curtain at the back of the store.' Ah if it isn't Master Oliver himself, did you enjoy your little adventure yesterday? Sorry about not letting your friends on our secret but it is for the best.'

'That is alright because I don't think Tim and Sally are ready for what is happening and come to think of it I don't think I am as well but thank you for having the wooden chest magically appear in my room yesterday, you saved me from a difficult situation.'

Cecil Hawthorne bows his head in acknowledgement ''No trouble Master Oliver I'll wash your back if you wash mine.'

Ollie is a little creeped out by those words but asks 'Why me? There are a millions of other people you could have chosen from.'

'That is correct but you are perfect for the adventures Oliver because you love books and having fun and there is no need to be worried because when you go on a ride and start to feel a little uneasy all you have to do is close the book and you will return home safe and sound but remember to always open the book in your room and no where else.'

Ollie wants to tell Hawthorne that he didn't really answer his question but he stays silent.

'Also Master Oliver I must tell you that when you entered my premises yesterday a trillion tiny bookworms read your brainwaves while you had a look around just to make sure that you are the right young man to undertake the travels and please don't be alarmed but 100 of those worms jump aboard and are now part of your being.'

'These bookworms are for your safety Master Oliver they will guide you along the way and keep you on the right road.'

Ollie for some reason doesn't say a word but he desperately wants to run at the door as fast as he can but his feet refuse to move so he just in place awaiting the details of his next adventure .

On the counter sits a first edition of 'Huckleberry Finn by Mark Twain, the book shimmers beneath the fluorescent lights and Ollie picks it up and holds it close to his chest. 'Good choice Master Oliver, now go and when you are ready open the book and begin to read and you will travel to the deep south of America for another adventure.

'Safe travels but remember to open the book in your room only if you open it in a public place well you might not make it back.

Cecil Hawthorne watches his obedient underling walk from the store in a slow shuffle than he goes back behind the curtain and walks way beneath the earth's surface into the cauldron of hell.

THE END.

[7r0773r]

The Hive by Camilo José Cela, translated by James Womack

At the moment he hears his name being called [Martín] is thinking, “Yes, Byron was right: if I ever have a son I’ll make sure he goes into some prosaic job: lawyer or pirate.” (pp. 80-81)

***

The night closes, at about half past one or two o'clock in the morning, around the city's strange heart.

Thousands of men sleep in their wives' arms without thinking of the hard, cruel day that may await them, crouched like a mountain cat, in just a very few hours.

Hundreds, many hundreds of bachelors surrender to the solitary vice: intimate, sublime, and ever so very delicate.

And a few dozen women wait—my God, what do they wait for? Why are they so deceived?—with their minds full of golden dreams . . . (p. 192)

***

In [Don Francisco’s] house, back in the interior room, Doña Soledad, his wife, is darning socks and allowing her mind to wander: a lumbering imagination she has, flustered and motherly as a chicken in flight. Doña Soledad is not happy: she put her whole life into her children, but her children have not known how, or have not wanted, to make her happy. She had eleven children, and all eleven survived, almost all of them now far away, one or two lost completely. The two oldest children, Soledad and Piedad, became nuns a long time ago, when Primo de Rivera fell; a few months ago, reaching out from the convent, they dragged in María Auxiliadora, one of the younger kids, to join them there as well. The oldest of the two boys, Francisco, the third child, was always the apple of his mother's eye: he's a military doctor in Carabanchel now and comes home every now and then to stay the night. Amparo and Asunción are the only ones who have got married. Amparo married her father's assistant, Don Emilio Rodríguez Ronda, and Asunción married Don Fadrique Méndez, who's a surgeon's assistant in Guadalajara, a hardworking and skillful man who can just as easily put his hand to a broken leg as to a hernia, who can give a child an injection or administer an enema to an old society lady, who can fix a radio or mend a punctured rubber bag. Amparo, poor thing, has no children and can't have them now; she's always been sickly, always having turns; she had a miscarriage first of all and then a whole series of collapses of various kinds, and then they ended up taking out her ovaries and everything else that had been causing her trouble, which must have been a lot. Asunción, on the other hand, is stronger than her sister and has three children who are absolute darlings: Pilarín, Fadrique, and Saturnino; the oldest one, the girl, is at school already: she's just turned five years old.

The next one down the list in Don Francisco and Doña Soledad's family is Trini, a spinster, quite ugly, who borrowed money and started a haberdasher's in the Calle de Apodaca.

It's a small shop, but it's clean and well looked after. It's got a tiny shop window filled with skeins of wool, children's clothes, and silk stockings, and its name painted in light blue: large pointy letters reading "Trini" and then underneath, smaller, "Haberdasher's." There's a guy who lives in the area who's a poet and who looks on the young woman with deep tenderness; in vain he tries to explain things to his family over lunch.

"You don't see it, but these little shops, all these lonely people, called Trini... they fill me with such nostalgia."

"The kid's an idiot," his father says. "When I die I have no idea what's going to happen to him."

The neighborhood poet is a longhaired young man, pale, always distracted, never noticing anything in order not to miss out on his inspiration, which is something like a butterfly, deaf and blind but brimming with light, a butterfly that floats about haphazardly, sometimes beating against the walls, sometimes flying higher than the stars. The neighborhood poet has two roses in his cheeks. The neighborhood poet, sometimes, when he's caught up in a fine frenzy of composition, faints in cafés and needs to be taken through to the bathroom, where he comes round under the scent of disinfectant, the block of disinfectant in its little wire cage like a cricket.

After Trini there's Nati, the woman who studied with Martín, a woman who dresses very well, perhaps a little too well, and then theres María Auxiliadora, the one who went off to become a nun with her big sisters a little while back. And to round out the family are three catastrophes: the three youngest children. Socorrito ran off with a friend of her brother Paco, Bartolomé Anguera, a painter; they live a bohemian existence in a studio on the Calle de los Caños, where they must freeze to death half the time, where they'll wake up one morning frozen into lollipops. The girl tells all her friends that she is happy, that all she wants to do is be at Bartolomé's side, helping him with his Work. She says "Work" with a heavy emphasis on the Capital letter, an emphasis that makes her sound like she's on the jury selecting art for national exhibitions.

"They don't have any standards in the national exhibitions," Socorrito says. "They don't have the first clue about what they're on about, But it doesn't matter, sooner or later they'll have no choice but to give Bartolomé a medal."

There were serious ructions in the house when Socorrito eloped.

“If only she'd managed to get out of Madrid!" her brother Paco said, who had a firm geographical sense of honor.

The other remaining daughter, María Angustias, said shortly after all this that she wanted to become a singer and changed her name to Carmen del Oro. She also thought about going for Rosario Giralda or Esperanza de Granada, but a friend of hers, a journalist, said that no, the most suitable name was Carmen del Oro. This was the stage she was at when, without giving her mother a chance to recover from the whole Socorrito business, María Angustias upped and ran off with a banker from Murcia called Don Estanislao Ramírez. Her poor mother was so shocked she didn't even cry.

The youngest, Juan Ramón, is a bit funny, a bit "yon way," and spends all day long looking at himself in the mirror and putting creams on his face.

Round about seven o'clock, in a break between two patients, Don Francisco goes out to make a phone call. It's almost impossible to hear what he says.

"Are you going to be at home?"

“. . .”

"Right, I'll be round at about nine."

“. . .”

"No, don't call anyone.” (pp. 206-08)

[miajolensdevotion]

December 2, 2020

Verse: PROV 7:1-27 Write/ Copy Gods words :

The Wiles of a Harlot 7 1  My son, keep my words, and lay up my commandments with thee. 2  Keep my commandments, and live; and my law as the apple of thine eye. 3  Bind them upon thy fingers, write them upon the table of thine heart. 4  Say unto wisdom, Thou art my sister; and call understanding thy kinswoman: 5  That they may keep thee from the strange woman, from the stranger which flattereth with her words. 6  For at the window of my house I looked through my casement, 7  And beheld among the simple ones, I discerned among the youths, [1] a young man void of understanding, 8  Passing through the street near her corner; and he went the way to her house, 9  In the twilight, in the evening, [2] in the black and dark night: 10  And, behold, there met him a woman with the attire of an harlot, and subtil of heart. 11  (She is loud and stubborn; her feet abide not in her house: 12  Now is she without, now in the streets, and lieth in wait at every corner.) 13  So she caught him, and kissed him, and with an impudent face said unto him, 14  I have peace offerings with me; this day have I payed my vows. 15  Therefore came I forth to meet thee, diligently to seek thy face, and I have found thee. 16  I have decked my bed with coverings of tapestry, with carved works, with fine linen of Egypt. 17  I have perfumed my bed with myrrh, aloes, and cinnamon. 18  Come, let us take our fill of love until the morning: let us solace ourselves with loves. 19  For the goodman is not at home, he is gone a long journey: 20  He hath taken a bag of money with him, and will come home at the day appointed. 21  With her much fair speech she caused him to yield, with the flattering of her lips she forced him. 22  He goeth after her straightway, [3] as an ox goeth to the slaughter, or as a fool to the correction of the stocks; 23  Till a dart strike through his liver; as a bird hasteth to the snare, and knoweth not that it is for his life. 24  Hearken unto me now therefore, O ye children, and attend to the words of my mouth. 25  Let not thine heart decline to her ways, go not astray in her paths. 26  For she hath cast down many wounded: yea, many strong men have been slain by her. 27  Her house is the way to hell, going down to the chambers of death.

What is your Favorite verse(s):

24  Hearken unto me now therefore, O ye children, and attend to the words of my mouth. 25  Let not thine heart decline to her ways, go not astray in her paths. 26  For she hath cast down many wounded: yea, many strong men have been slain by her. 27  Her house is the way to hell, going down to the chambers of death.

Explain in your own words what you just read. My daughter, keep my word & store up my command inside of you. Keep my command & you will live; use my teaching to guide you just like an apple of your eye. Tie them in your finger; write them in the tablet of your heart. Tell to the wisdom “you are my sister,” & call your understand your relative; they will keep you from the woman who commit adultery, from the unpredictable husband with his alluring word. In the window of my house I look out through the window. I see the simple among the young men, a youth who lack judge. He is going down the street near his corner, walk along in the direction of his house a time of twilight, as the day is fading, as the dark of the night set in. Then a woman come out to meet him, dress just like the prostitute & with clever purpose. She is very loud & bold, she never stay home; now in the street, now in the square building at every corner she slide. She take hold of him & kiss him & with a brass face she say “I have fellowship offer at my home; today I am happy with my promise.

Commitment / what will i do : I will not dwell in the lustful pleasure that will only lead me to sin up to be sorrow in life

[sukirichi]

pink hearts

You only ever wanted a job as a babysitter to make ends meet – falling in love was out of the equation – but with the magic presented right in front of you, you weren’t going to push it away.

PAIRINGS. itadori jin x reader

WC. 10.7k+

NOTES. this fic is purely self indulgent, not requested, i wrote this for me so reader is mostly...well, me. okay listen I KNOW toji is the choice dilf but PLEASE daddy jin has my heart and i’m so soft for him like you guys don’t understand. this is my comfort fic now and jin’s made his way on my comfort character list, give this amazing man a chance, he’s amazing and so kind eeeee my heart is going to burst i love him so much lol + oh this is unedited as usual

masterlist !

The pink-haired man sat across from you, setting down the tray of two coffee mugs on the coffee table before you. He was of regular build, mostly on the lanky side, and his kind eyes peered behind glasses as he smiled at you. “So you’re the babysitter Mr. Gojo recommended?”

You stared at him. Shamelessly. 

Suddenly, your initial plan of impressing your employer by wearing a tight pencil skirt and an old white blouse after the assumption that they would be prissy and had way too much money on their hands felt useless. 

This guy wore a cream sweatshirt and black slacks, clearly happy and comfortable in his own home.

Upon being the subject of your stare, he only smiled awkwardly, clasping his hands in front of himself as he cleared his throat to let you speak.

“Oh!” you suddenly sat up straight, “Yes, yes I am. I’m sorry for staring. I just think you’d be this...young.” And modest.

“I understand. You’re in university, correct?” you nodded, leaning back in his seat, hand scratching the back of his head. His cheeks tinged a slight pink. “And you’re a close friend of Satoru’s, well...It’s not that I don’t trust his judgment or anything, but it’s my first time being a parent – and I’m a single dad, at that – so I hope you don’t mind that I’d like to see how you get along with my son first before I hire you.”

“Oh yeah, no, that’s perfectly fine!”

Satisfied with your answer, Mr. Itadori stood up with a bow, silently gesturing you to follow him down his hall. “Is there anything you’re uncomfortable with, or anything you don’t know much about? Changing diapers, giving the teething products, anything?”

“I’m the eldest in the family, four more hellish sun drops following afterwards. I think I’m good.”

He nodded at your answer, a small smile on his face. “That’s good to know. My last babysitter was the same age as you, but he didn’t know much about handling babies. I mean, neither do I, but a man’s got to learn, you know?” he laughed at himself, unaware that with each passing second, pink heart eyes gazed up at him admirably.

When you both reached a door that was left slighty open, Mr. Itadori lit up, bending down in front of a crib where his baby laid, small hands clutching at his feet. “Yuuji, baby, Daddy’s here. Are you ready to meet your babysitter?”

Your jaw dropped when he finally picked his baby up, the little boy clad in a tiger onesie and sucking on a toy. “Oh my gosh, you’re so adorable, come here!” you were more than glad when his dad laughed and gently passed the baby to you, who only gurgled in laughter when you cooed at him. “Oh, I want to spoil you and give you kisses, how are you this cute?” Well, it made sense he was cute, since his dad was as well. Yuuji made grabby hands at you, to which you happily obliged, leaning down so his tiny fingers could pinck your cheeks.

Unable to help it, you rubbed your cheeks on his touch, making the little boy clap his feet together, eyes bright with all the happiness and innocence in this world. You honestly wanted to cry right then and there.

“Your hands are soooo tiny, my goodness, I love you already! It’s so nice to meet you, Yuuji, you’re such an angel!”

“You like kids, huh?”

“Well, not so much with kids because toddlers have too much energy, but babies,” you gasped once you heard Mr. Itadori’s muffled laughter, greeted by the sight of him hiding his mouth behind his palm. Instantly, you smiled at him nervously, clutching the baby closer to yourself because he was so darn cute.

“Oh my gosh, I’m so sorry if I’m being weird right now, I can’t help it! Your son is so precious!”

“Thank you. He’s the greatest blessing of my life too,” he beamed, turning to his baby with that soft look in his eyes that parents wore so well. “Well, it seems Yuuji really likes you. He’s friendly to everyone but...I’m surprised he’s warmed up to you this fast,” Mr. Itadori bent over to poke his cheek, the baby’s tiny hand wrapping around his dad’s finger. “Yuuji~ don’t forget I’m still your dad, okay? She’s the babysitter – she’s not your mom so don’t be too clingy, alright?”

You stiffened at his words, your eyes flickering back and forth between the baby and him. They had the same eye and hair colour, along with that aura of kindness surrounding them...it was hard to imagine what the mother would be like. Was she as bright and adorable too?

If yes, then this was an entire family of pink hearted strawberries!

“If...if it’s not too much to ask, may I ask where his mom is?”

Much to your surprise, his eyes grew forlorn, though the smile remained on his face. “His mom...is in a much happier place now,” was all he said – and it was enough – that you couldn’t dare ask more.

Mr. Itadori walked out of Yuuji’s room and into the kitchen afterwards, eyes squinting over the neat handwriting on a sticky note on his refrigerator. “Okay, so, I don’t know if Satoru’s told you, but I’m an engineer. I usually just work from home, especially now that I’ve got a baby, but there are still days where I have to go the office for presentations and meetings. I can’t guarantee that the babysitting schedule will be permanent – is it alright if I call you whenever?”

“Yeah, yeah, I mean, other than university, I don’t really have anywhere else to go.”

“That’s good to hear! But wouldn’t this job get in the way of your studies?”

You shook your head, subconsciously pressing closer to the baby instead because he was just so warm and wouldn’t stop tugging at your collar. A part of you was also eager to get this job not only for the baby, but Mr. Itadori intrigued you as well. You knew it was wrong but you had to be honest with yourself, hiding this truth for him instead through a shaky smile.

“No, definitely not! I can just take my studies here – if you won’t mind, of course – and I promise I won’t litter or make a mess or anything. During babysitting hours, Yuuji will be more of a priority than my homework, so you don’t have to worry about it.”

Mr. Itadori hummed to himself, rubbing at his chin. “If that’s the case, then I suppose you’re free to use the study at the end of the hall. There’s a baby camera there that lets you see Yuuji in every room, but if he’s asleep, feel free to use it.”

“Oh wow,” you blinked back in surprise, gently rocking a gurgling Yuuji back and forth. “You didn’t have to do that so uhm, thank you, really, I promise I’ll take care of your son very well!”

“I can see why Satoru recommended you now,” he shook his head with a smile, moving over to the litter of dinosaur stickers onto another list. “Here is a list of the things Yuuji likes and doesn’t like. He’s mostly active in the afternoons when I’ll most likely get called for work, and he’s a mess by then. He really likes playing and cuddles, and he’ll also demand to be carried most of the time otherwise he’ll cry,” he paused as his eyes slid over to you, lips pursed in thought. “I know you’ll do great but...don’t spoil my son too much, okay? I just don’t want him to uh...think that you’re his parent or something. Yuuji gets easily attached like that. If he calls you ‘mama’...please tell me about it, okay?”

“Yes, of course. I know my place, don’t worry.”

“I’m sorry, I didn’t mean it that way,” he raised in hands in surrender as he saw your eyes widen with fear. “Being a single parent is just hard, you know? I can’t help but always feel that maybe I won’t be enough for him, and as much as I can, I’d like to let my son he can rely on me at all times.”

“I think you’re a very great father,” you admitted rather shyly, “Your son is really lucky to have you as his parent. I can tell he’s going to be such a sweetheart.”

“Thank you. That means a lot to me,” he placed a hand over his heart, then pulled out a business card from the back of his pocket. “Now, here’s my number and my work schedules. You don’t have to drop by during weekends since I’m always here, but I might need you every Wednesdays to Fridays. Can I have your class schedule as well? That way I know when’s the right time to text you if I need something,” Reaching into your bag that had a copy of your schedule, you handed it to him, the strawberry-haired man’s lips growing into a smile as he read over the content. “Well, what do you know? You study engineering too? Computer engineering?”

You winced, memories you’d rather not think of again resurfacing. “Please don’t call me a nerd. I’ve heard that enough already.”

“What’s wrong about being a nerd? I’ve always been a nerd too and I think I’m fine,” you swapped numbers after that, not even giving you enough time to recover from his comment. Not that being a nerd was a huge deal, but people always said it weirdly that you dreaded hat word. Hearing it from him though...it felt like a compliment. “Guess that settles it then. I’ll see you soon?”

Heart elated and spirits soaring into the sky that you actually got the job and the employer was a kind man, you nodded with a bright smile on your face. “Yeah, I’ll come by next week! Thank you so much for trusting me!”

“No, thank you for your service,” he responded back shyly, waving to you as you walked out the door. Not a few moments later, Mr. Itadori ran after you, his cheeks flushed pink from the shrot run. “Wait! Can I have my son back?”

Looking down at the baby in your arms who was too busy sucking on his thumb, your cheeks heated, extending your arms as gentle as you could while Mr. Itadori got his son back. He only laughed at your state, waving it off with a shake of his head. “Oh my gosh, I’m so sorry! It just feels so natural to hold him!”

“You’ll be a good mother someday,” he commented almost absentmindedly. Meanwhile, you couldn’t stop bowing and apologizing with each step backwards, too distracted to notice that your heels dug into a small crack. You yelped as you felt the floor slip beneath you, Mr. Itadori’s instincts kicking in when he easily grabbed your wrist to pull you towards him, your foreheads almost knocking one another’s. “Whoa – watch your step. You could’ve fallen seriously there.”

“I’m sorry, Mr. Itadori! I’ll try to be more graceful next time,” you bowed repeatedly, still so ashamed as you tugged your skirt down. “Why the hell did I wear heels anyway? It’s not like this is a law firm.”

“Please,” he smiled at you – and you swore in that moment that things were just going to be different – eyes closed and his whole face lit with light heartedness. “Call me Jin,” taking his son’s hands up, he waved the little arm as you walked out the door, still in a light trance of disbelief. “Say bye-bye, Yuuji!”

Even as you made it back to your bus stop, you still couldn’t get your mind off of the strawberry-haired father and son duo. Their home was just so...bright, you immediately felt safe and comfortable.

As your heart fluttered at the memory of Jin smiling at you, you placed a palm over your heart, willing it to calm down. That couldn’t be good, right?

“Earth to Y/N!”

You snapped back to life when your friend slapped you on the arm, smiling at her when she only huffed at your dazed out self again. It wasn’t irregular for you to space out like this, and you were more than thankful she was always there to bring you back to reality before you accidentally crossed a street when the lights were green or something.

“Sorry, what?”

“Do you know how many times we had to drag you away because you keep running into poles?” she rolled her eyes, “Sheesh, how would you survive without us? What are you spacing out for anyway?”

“Nothing, nothing. Just thinking about work and all.”

“Speaking of that, how’d the interview go? Was your employer as strict and condescending as the Zenins? The hell happened to those bastards anyway?” “I bet their child is going to grow up sexist or something.”

At the mention of Jin and his baby, your whole self lit up. “My employer is better this time around. He’s only a few years older than us; like five or seven, I think? He’s really nice too and dude, his baby is so. Freaking. Adorable,” you gushed, mimicking the gesture of rocking a baby around with your arms, eyes filled with heart-shaped characters. “Like a freaking strawberry in my arms! He’s so sweet too!”

“You and your attachment to babies,” she scrunched her nose in disgust – always having had an aversion to anyone younger than her. “I’ll never get it.”

“Babies are the best!”

“Yeah, until they drool and throw up on you,” as if the image procured in her mind, your friend shuddered, rubbing her hands up and down her arm to relieve her goosebumps. “I never want to be a mom.”

“You’ll change your mind once you fall in love with someone who’s amazing enough to make you want to have a family on your own.”

“You talk about that as if you’ve met that someone already!”

“Maybe I have,” you giggled stupidly to yourself. Of course you weren’t thinking about Jin – you just knew deep in your heart you always wanted your own family. Growing up from a large family and getting separated from them, it was uncomfortable to not be surrounded by crying and squealing, which was always accompanied with laughter and kisses at the end of the day. Now who wouldn’t want that? You waved your hand to your friend, trying to hide the apparent gushing behind your voice. “I’m just kidding. I just really love babies.”

“Whatever,” she closed the topic, and you didn’t protest, knowing full well your friend cringed at the mention of babies or children. “So are you coming to our study group tonight?”

“Can’t. Got work,” you shrugged, a light skip in your steps as you both walked to the campus. Thankfully, she mistook your enthusiasm with the excitement of getting to hang out with babies again, which was true, but something about meeting Jin again and possibly getting to know more about the sweet father was a huge cherry on top – one your friend didn’t have to know about.

“Shame. I heard that hot guy from Biology was coming too.”

“Fushiguro Toji? Wasn’t he scouted for the military?”

“Honestly, I’m more surprised he’s not a gangster,” she snorted, “But whatever. Text me when you get home safely, okay? If you don’t text within—”

“Yeah, I know, I know. Text you when I get on the bus stop, text you when I arrive at work, when I leave and when I’ve gotten home otherwise you’re calling the cops to report me missing or abused,” you stood up straight for a mock salute, brows furrowed in faux seriousness. “I know, ma’am. That’s drilled in my head already.”

“I’m serious. The world is a dangerous place!”

“Yes, I’ll text you!”

Wednesdays couldn’t come sooner. But when it did, you were far too excited. You’d never tell anyone you took the extra time to fix your hair and spritz on just a tinge of perfume, not wanting to overwhelm the baby.

You shot up from your seat right after class ended, hair flying in the wind as you bolted to the bus stop. Wiping away the sweat on your forehead and fixing your clothes with a pat of your hand, you took a deep breath, chanting inner mantras that today would be a good at work. You’d be contributing to society by caring for a child that would soon be the light of the future, and you were more than honoured. Clearing your throat, you pressed on the bell, humming to yourself as you heard the light patters of footsteps inside.

“Hey, you’re here!” Jin smiled at you, one you reciprocated wholeheartedly, and he opened the door wider while you took off your shoes.

He was still dressed in his sweatpants and a white shirt, looking utterly domestic and different from your previous employers that would glare at you if you touched their kid without sanitizing your hand twice first. Jin was like a breath of fresh air to you – one you breathed in with glee while you followed him inside.

His house was kept neat and clean, surprising you even more at just how immaculate to detail he could be despite his busy schedule. Was it because he was an adult or a parent now that people his age were just more organized and put together?

Whatever it was, you trailed around Jin like a puppy, eager to learn from his ways.

“I told myself I’d only ask you to come around if I’m away for work but I’m working on a huge project and my client is very demanding. He’s asking me to pass it this week already and he just sent me his plans last night.”

“It’s okay...Jin,” you stuttered over calling him by his first name like that, “You can focus on your work. I’ll take care of everything else.”

“Thank you! Yuuji’s in his room, by the way. He’s just had dinner so he’s still energetic – you can pull up the cartoons and lounge in the living room. He’ll be fine,” he opened his mouth to say something else when his gaze darted to your book bag, eyes widening. “Oh wait, you brought your schoolwork—”

“I’m good! I’ve already finished them during my spare time! I promise you really don’t have anything to worry about!”

“Oh, that’s cool, I guess,” he calmed down at your words, scratching the back of his ear before gesturing to his door. “Well, I’ll be in my room if you need me. I get really occupied and focused though, so just open the door if I don’t open it right away.”

“Noted,” You wasted no time in picking up Yuuji from his crib afterwards. It seemed the little man didn’t quite like being imprisoned like that because he was babbling nonsensically, fists banging on the edges.

Upon seeing you enter his room, Yuuji’s babbles got louder, small chubby arms reaching out to your extended ones. His pacifier fell inside his crib as he pouted at you, and how could you resist? Soon, you were happily nestled onto the couch on the living room, his favourite cartoons playing on the background.

His head swayed side to side as the songs came along, while you watched him with tiny giggles. You wondered if maybe your first day at work would be eventless like this.

You really thought you’d run back and forth doing errands and changing diapers, but that was your old babysitting experience – things were obviously different with Jin and his son.

Yuuji was quiet, but Jin was right, he was clingy. Not an hour later into the show, he crawled to your sides and settled into your lap, tiny hands grabbing at your shirt. He sighed as his cheeks rested on your chest, though his eyes still glossed over the cartoon. You felt like your heart would burst at his affection, and you patted his back gently to lull him to sleep.

Eventually, Yuuji fell asleep. You hadn’t even noticed it was dark out already, the cartoons only playing through loop.

You scooped up Yuuji closer to your arms before shutting the TV off, making sure to be as quiet as you could be while you placed him back on his crib. Smiling at the angel, you patted his hair before leaving the room, knocking on Jin’s door at the end of the hallway instead.

When he didn’t respond after four knocks, you thought he’d fallen asleep until you remembered his note.

Shakily, you twisted the knob open, a small smile on your face when you saw him furiously sketching something on his paper. An empty cup of coffee laid beside his table, eraser shavings everywhere. His room smelled like soft laundry detergent with the faint aroma of white caramel coffee – smooth and sweet like him – and it felt almost wrong to be in such a space that was clearly so intimate of him.

Not wanting to disturb too much, you cleared you peered from behind the door sheepishly. “...Jin? Oh. Hello.”

“Hey,” he blinked at you then rubbed his eyes, staring at you for a solid minute before his mouth formed into an ���o’ shape. “Is everything okay? Yuuji didn’t destroy something, did he?”

“No, he’s fast asleep. I just came here to say I’ll be going home now. It’s past midnight already.”

“It’s that late?” Jin glanced at his wristwatch and adjusted his glasses, fingers swiping up to retrieve his keys as he wore his coat. “I’m so sorry, I didn’t mean to make you stay this late, and you have school tomorrow too,” he groaned tiredly, though the apologetic smile on his face easily concealed his exhaustion. “I’m really sorry I lost track of time. Come, I’ll drive you home, it’s not safe this dark out.”

“But Jin,” you froze in his hallway, “What about Yuuji?”

“Do you live far from here?”

“No, the dorms are like five minutes away,” Jin pondered about this information, possibly hesitating that maybe it wasn’t his best to leave his son alone. You appreciated the thought, you really did, but you were worried for Yuuji too so you smiled at him, nodding to assure that he didn’t have to. “Jin, it’s okay, I can just take the bus. I’ve been doing that for a long time now and I’m really okay.”

Jin clutched at his keys, the frown on his face evident. “At least let me walk you to the bus stop? So I know you’re safe?”

“Yeah, that’s fine, I guess.”

“Let me just get extra covers for Yuuji. It might be cold tonight,” You waited until he came out with Yuuji warmly bundled up in his arms. The two of you walked side by side, baby Yuuji fast asleep in his arms with his head covered in a small cap. You blushed at the thought that maybe people would think you looked like a family, but before these foolish imaginations could consume you, Jin beat you to it. “I haven’t thanked you properly for today, by the way. Let me make it up to you sometime – you look really tired.”

You flushed deep at his words, shaking your hands in front of you. “Oh no, it’s fine, really! I’m just doing my job.”

“Yes, but caring for someone else’s child – whether you’re paid or not – is still a very selfless act and I can’t thank you enough for it.”

You looked away from how warm his smile was despite the biting chill of the night, turning away to bury your chin in your neck instead. “You really don’t have to do anything. I’m just happy to help.”

“If you insist then,” Jin waved at you as much as he could without waking his son up as you hopped onto the bus, with you watching from the inside. “Get home safely! Text me when you’re home!”

“I will,” you mouthed through the window.

Jin and Yuuji disappeared from your sight after that. All the way back home, the warmth and butterflies swarming your stomach wouldn’t disappear. Even as you flopped on your bed, you still kept tossing and turning, the bright light of your screen glaring at you to just send the darned text already.

Hey...or maybe hello? He’s older though... How do older people even text each other? He wasn’t that much older, but still...it kind of felt inappropriate to address him too casually.

Deciding to just screw it, you pressed backspace and settled for the most boring text, hitting send and flattening on the bed with a groan. Who knew texting someone could be that mind-boggling? Sweat beaded at your forehead as you stared at the plain I’m home, sleep about to take over when your phone buzzed afterwards.

I’m glad to know you’re safe. Sleep well, Y/N.

Looking over at your slumbering roommate, you grabbed a pillow to bite it and muffle your screams, legs flailing beneath you as you read his text over and over again. It wasn’t even that special, but Jin had wished you well – the hardworking and sweet Jin – sending your heart into overdrive.

Your roommate didn’t stir one bit even as you giggled to yourself, punching the bed while you replayed the image of his smile, the feeling of how warm he was walking close to you like that and the sound of his soothing voice that just messed with you on the insides.

God, you had it bad – and yet, why did it feel so good?

Babysitting had never been more fun. Even though the task was no longer new for you, you looked forward to working every single day. Your friends noticed your change in moods, but just downed it to the fact you were generally a cheerful person anyway and didn’t bother asking why, which you were thankful for because it wasn’t easy to admit it out loud you liked Itadori Jin, of all people.

Now that you looked back onto it, he wasn’t that special.

He was definitely the type of guy you easily overlooked in a train, but he would also be the type of guy who wouldn’t hesitate to give up his seat for someone else. It wasn’t like he was utterly interesting too since like you, his life was a bland routine of taking care of babies, working, holing up in his room to create something, drinking coffee as sweet and light as possible, then calling it a day and sleeping with a huge smile on their face, just thankful for another day.

Yes, he was simple. Yes, he might even be boring, but gosh, you had never liked someone so much.

You summed it down to him being kind and loving. Yes, that was all it was. While your friends flocked over to mysterious, dark guys like Fushiguro Toji and his friends, gossiping non-stop on how he supposedly had a hotter younger relative but were a lot shittier than he was, you were different. You were simple.

You liked soft, quiet guys who enjoyed the soft pit-patters of rain, the types of people who spent too much time in the library travelling across galaxies in their seat, and overall, you liked peaceful souls.

Jin was everything you ever admired – stable, simple, kind, affectionate. It was clear from how he was never shy to shower his baby with kisses and feed him with airplane spoons, using a small voice to baby talk his son. Every time you came around, you immediately felt welcomed into their happy home despite the lack of a maternal figure, and you found yourself wanting to be there a lot more often than you should.

It seemed that the heaven heard your prayers when your phone rang. Instinct kicked in, and you grabbed at your blaring phone, eyes wide when you read the contact name.

“Hello? Jin, what’s wrong?” Yuuji was crying in the background, accompanied with his father’s constant shushing and worried cooing.

“H-hi, I’m really sorry to bother you, I know it’s late, it’s just Yuuji won’t stop crying and my neighbours are mad at me because I can’t get him to calm down,” as if on cue, Yuuji only wailed louder. You could hear Jin’s desperate pleas for him to quiet down a little, with you dashing out of your bed and slinging your arms inside your coat. “Could you please come over? I don’t know what to do.”

“I’m on my way,” was all you said before hanging up. Minutes later, you’d entered their apartment thanks to the spare key Jin gave you, heart breaking as Yuuji’s wailings only got louder.

Jin’s shoulders visibly relaxed when you scooped his son into your arms, rocking back and forth as you pressed a palm flat on his forehead. He didn’t seem to be feverish or even warmer than usual, but he was definitely irritated, pushing away at your hands that laid on him.

“Yuuji, baby! What’s wrong, sweetheart? Something hurt anywhere?” you turned to Jin, “Is his diaper full?”

“I just checked, he didn’t poop,” Jin nibbled at his thumbnails, a quirk you didn’t expect he’d have with his seemingly put-together composed self. His son’s crying must’ve really bothered him because Jin wouldn’t stop pacing back and forth, Yuuji’s newly cleaned pacifier clenched between his fingers. “I gave him the teething rings too but he just dumped them to the side.”

Nodding, you tried poking at Yuuji’s stomach. The baby belly that should’ve been squishy was firm against your finger, the imaginary light bulb in your head going off.

“His stomach is a little tight. I think he’s got gas,” you informed Jin with a relieved smile, glad that it wasn’t as serious as you thought it would be. “We need to make him burp,” Patting at Yuuji’s back while Jin gently massaged Yuuji’s belly, prompting the boy to wail louder with his tiny arms banging both your chest, a big burp was finally released.

“Oh my gosh, he’s still crying.”

“It’s okay, Jin, he’ll be fine,” you reassured, smiling wide at baby Yuuji even though he couldn’t focus on you. “That’s right, sweetheart, you’re doing great. Just burp a little more and it won’t hurt so bad. It’s just gas, sweetie, you’re alright. I’ve got you.”

“B-but the neighbours...”

“Don’t mind them,” You didn’t mean for your words to come out harsh, but who could blame you? Yuuji was clearly in distress; the last thing you cared about was pleasing others. “They can plug in earbuds for all I care. Yuuji needs help,” at your words, Jin swallowed, resuming his ministrations of encouraging his son to burp.

Yuuji stilled for a moment before he resumed his crying. This time around, Jin was a lot calmer and focused as his hands rubbed at his son’s stomach. The burps came constant afterwards until Yuuji had enough, turning away from his father and burying his head on your chest. Small hiccups followed, but he’d calmed down, eyes shut tight from the previous discomfort.

“Are you feeling better now, baby? Tummy ache is gone?”

“He’s...not crying anymore...” Jin murmured in disbelief, his hands hovering above Yuuji’s belly.

“He’s still really red, though,” you frowned, hands brushing his bangs away from his forehead. It didn’t take long before Yuuji settled in, thumbs sucked into his mouth. Little whimpers could still be heard from the little guy, though nothing serious happened. You and Jin both sighed in relief. “I think he’s tired from crying. I’m going to go rock him for a bit,” Eyes flitting over to Jin’s face rigged with dark circles, you mustered a chuckle. “How about you, are you okay? You look half-dead,” you joked.

“He was in the crib next to me when he just started wailing out of nowhere,” Jin plopped down onto the sofa, his sweatshirt crinkled and sweatpants loose and comfortable as ever. “I was so scared that maybe something else was wrong.”

“Parenting is both a blessing and a hardship, huh?” you chided in, “Don’t worry. I still think you’re doing an amazing job at being a dad.”

“You’re quite amazing too. You’re a natural at this.”

You shrugged, unable to look Jin in the eye as you continued gently swaying side to side while Yuuji slept in your arms. “My parents were rarely around. They were too busy working to provide for all of us so I acted as the parental figure instead.”

“Your parents are really lucky to have you as a child – reliable and strong.”

“All I ever wanted was to make them proud,” you told him, looking far from the distance as you reminisced your old memories with your family. It felt so far away already – they felt far away – though you knew the love you had for one another still remained. “And I live a good life knowing they passed with no worries. My siblings are doing great, too, though we’ve all parted ways now. Some of them got adopted by our relatives and I’m...I’m here I guess.”

“I’m extremely sorry for your loss,” Jin’s voice was quiet, and when you looked back at him, you saw him smiling into his hands before turning to you, wearing that damned smile that always had your heart doing backflips. “You’re a really strong person, you know?”

Your cheeks flushed at his words. “Thank you. I think it’s all thanks to my parents,” you murmured; that slight pang of pain remained even after their death, though it wasn’t as awful as it used to be. The sting felt a lot calmer now, almost as if time slowly healed your heart back together. “After they passed from the car crash, I just knew I had to be strong for all of us. The pain and the hardship were worth the effort, though. All of us are happy and settled now.”

“That’s the one thing I’m most afraid of,” he confessed, frowning at the peaceful baby in your arms. “That I’ll have to leave my child before he’s ready to face the world by himself. I’m not...I could never be prepared for that.”

“As long as he knows you love him and you always will, I think Yuuji will always find his way in life,” Jin’s eyes widened, something unreadable glimmering behind those pretty eyes that had you feeling too many things all at once. Embarrassment and sudden shyness creeped all the way up to your spine along with exhaustion, and you gestured for him to move aside, heaving as you sat down next to him. “I’m really sleepy.”

“Please, let me hold – oh. He likes you more, I guess.”

You chuckled at his dejected face, the childish pout the exact replication of Yuuji’s. Yuuji refused to be held by his dad, burrowing himself into your warmth instead. “I’ve got a charm when it comes to children.”

“That you do,” he agreed absentmindedly.

Before any of you could realize what was going on, you’d fallen asleep on the couch. Yuuji was still safely nestled between your arms, while Jin’s head was tucked in your shoulder, soft breaths leaving those equally soft lips.

Oddly enough, when you woke up and noticed your current position, none of you found it weird. Jin only laughed at the way drool dried up at the end of your lips, to which you silently scolded him for as to not rouse Yuuji from his sleep. He didn’t move away from his position, eyes flicking over from yours to his son bundled up warmly, a smile tugging up at the ends of his lips.

“Uh... that was a long night.”

“Long night, indeed,” Jin nodded before standing up to stretch, exposing a sliver of smooth skin that made heat rush up to your face. You immediately looked away, heart pounding in your chest as Jin began to rummage through his kitchen. “It’s a Saturday so if you’re free...do you want to stay over for breakfast?”

Something about that night kicked off the start of your...budding friendship with Jin. Yes, that’s exactly what it was, just friendship.

You knew there was no way he could ever see you the way you looked at him; not that you minded. Being in their presence and having Yuuji around was already a blessing itself, the days progressively getting better the more you worked for him.

It had become a routine that Jin would come home, exhaustion lining his eyes before he caught sight of you standing in the living room, reading books out loud while you carried a babbling Yuuji. You would laugh because it felt like Yuuji was trying to have conversation with you, to which you responded with reading terms even you had difficulty pronouncing. He’d only nod and keep saying nonsense, grubby hands reaching for the book you held.

He was so precious that you leaned down to kiss the top of his head every now and then, giggles pouring out from the tiny baby strawberry.

Jin took off his shoes, the happiness bursting through his chest unexplainable upon seeing that his son was happy and safe. Loosening the tie with one hand, he extended his arms wide open, running into your direction. “I’m home!”

“Yuuji, Daddy’s here!”

“How’s my sweet little boy doing?” The smile on Jin’s face was phenomenal and even dramatic as his son finally reached out to him, the babbles only getting louder as his dad peppered his cheeks with kisses. Yuuji still wanted to stay in your arms though, and Jin sighed when his son’s hands went back to grabbing at your book, though the chuckles he let out told you he wasn’t really dismayed about it. “Thank you for looking out for him again. Isn’t your arm tired from carrying him and studying like that?”

“No, I’m good. I’ve got really strong muscles,” you flexed your bicep, “Plus, it’s so comforting to carry an angel like Yuuji around. I feel like I’m going to pass my exams with ease!”

Not a moment later, you dropped your arm and turned away to hide your frown, brows pinched together. Jin, being the ever observant person he was, placed a comforting hand on your shoulder, his voice gentle and warm as he asked, “Is something wrong?”

“Well,” you began, “I couldn’t understand something and I’ve been going at it for days. Nothing makes sense to me,” with the effort of only one free hand, you flipped to the middle of the book. A headache began to form the moment you read the chapter title, making you cringe while Jin leaned closer for a better look at its contents. “Look at this chapter here. It’s so confusing!”

“Oh, I know this!” he pushed his glasses back up to his nose, grinning as he pulled out a chair before gesturing you to do so. “Okay, so this means...” 

Not even in your craziest dreams had you imagined you’d be sitting at Jin’s table like this, your legs touching from the lack of space as he rambled on excitedly about the lesson.

He would have animated gestures to explain the dynamics of this and that, both you and Yuuji staring at him in awe as he broke the chapter down into easier parts. It was still difficult to understand since your attention was mostly on the way his eyes brightened the more he talked about his passion for the subject, not to mention that Yuuji was also grabbing at both your faces.

It made you both laugh, the two of you simultaneously bending down to kiss either sides of his cheeks until Yuuji was squished between the both of you.

You laughed with Jin the moment you made awkward eye contact through the kiss, chests bursting with laughter before he proceeded back to the lesson. With each passing second, you were beginning to fall for him a lot more and on a deeper level – so much so that you told yourself you should be scared. Instead, your heart felt at home, calm and peaceful, almost as if it knew you were safe and welcomed.

This sudden revelation had you looking at him in an entirely different light. Jin looked...the same, but somehow warmer? Like he was bathed in a soft glow, the edges pink like his hair, and your hair melted at each and every word that poured from his lips.

When you excused yourself to go to the restroom, you were greeted by the sight of a nearly passed out Jin on the couch, baby Yuuji asleep on his arms.

Jin must be really tired from work. He hadn’t even changed out of clothes. It was getting late too – you needed to come back home soon.

“Jin. Jin, wake up.”

“Huh?” his eyes snapped open, arms instinctively tightening around Yuuji’s before he relaxed, smiling stupidly as he leaned back on his seat. “Oh, it’s you. Hi.”

“Hi,” you echoed, nails digging into your palm to resist the urge to wrap him in a hug; he looked like he needed it. Hands held out in front of you, you took Yuuji from him, slightly nudging his knee with yours. “I’ll take Yuuji to bed. You should go freshen up,” Jin groaned in agreement as he ran his hands through his hair, muttering something about being a parent meant not getting to sleep well. You chuckled at his statement, already moving to get the cups out from the pantry. “Do you want me to make you a cup of tea?”

“Yeah, that’ll be great, thank you.”

Jin disappeared into his room while you tucked Yuuji into bed, the both of you meeting later in the kitchen. He still looked terribly tired, though his smile was lively as ever when he joined you at the table. “Long day again?”

“It’s always a long day,” he confessed through a sip, “But all my worries wash away when I get to see how happy and healthy my son is. I’d work day and night just to provide a good life for him.”

“Don’t forget to spend time with him too, okay? Using the present to ensure your son’s future in exchange of not watching them grow up isn’t worth it,” you reminded him, slightly referring to how much you regretted not getting to be with your parents much until you completely lost the opportunity to do so again. Jin easily read your eyes, fingers grazing the edges of his cup as you continued, “He’s growing day by day. Promise me you’ll always be there for him, okay?”

“I promise,” though whispered, you heard it loud and clear, and you knew without a doubt he’d keep to his words.

After Jin washed his cup, you gathered your things and allowed him to walk you all the way to his apartment’s entrance, waving softly at you. “Get home safely, Y/N. Text me when you’re home.”

It was the perfect routine: go to school, go to work, fall in love with Jin and his son a lot more than you should be, and go home with his kind smile as the last thing you saw.

Each night before sleep completely overtook you, your phone would vibrate, the name of the man who had completely smitten your heart appearing and washing away all the previous tiredness you both accumulated through the day.

Good night, Jin. Rest well.

You too.

It was a routine you’d never get tired of.

“Jin? Yuuji?” you gasped as Yuuji greeted you with bubbling laughter, his small arms slapping your cheeks while his dad giggled behind him. “What are you guys doing here?”

“Happy Birthday!” Jin greeted and finally showed his face after hiding from Yuuji’s buttocks. Your heart absolutely soared at the sight of the father and son duo wearing matching pink clothes, both of their bright smiles only adding to the warmth of the special day. No, actually, it became special because of them – the two people you adored most in this world. “Satoru texted me it was your birthday and it’s my day off too so I thought I’d drop by!”

Before you could respond, Jin huddled Yuuji closer to him, blinking at the audience you both managed to gather.  “I forgot you lived at a dorm, though...is it normal that people are looking us?”

“No, it’s not. They probably think I’m a young mom or something,” you flushed beet red at his words, silently glaring at the nosy onlookers whispering behind their backs. It wasn’t that you were ashamed people could assume that about you, it was just ironic since you actually wanted that to be real but it was embarrassing because you knew Jin wouldn’t see you that way. “Can you give me a few minutes to get ready? We should go somewhere else.”

“Okay, we’ll wait for you downstairs.”

You’ve never moved so fast in your life. Brushing your teeth, showering, and getting dressed in your best clothing were all achieved in the span of ten minutes. You felt proud of yourself as you hopped the stairs two steps down at a time, hair flying from behind you. It was clear you were too excited, but could anyone blame you? You never cared about your birthday, but Jin and Yuuji were here! Of course this was going to be a special day.

You froze at the end of the stairs, the drumming of your heart too wild to tame. Jin was blowing kisses into Yuuji’s belly, the baby’s gleeful laughter painting the walls.

He must’ve felt your stare burning holes at the back of his head because Jin turned your way, Yuuji pressed into his chest as he walked towards you. You were once again blown away by his sweet scent, a mix of gentle laundry detergent and something was just so Jin.

“Hey there,” he smiled, knocking the wind out of your lungs with just two words. “I didn’t have anything cool planned for today since I wasn’t prepared but I know this nice restaurant you might really like. It’s going to be my treat!”

“Oh thanks, but my friends already fed me enough with pizza and cake. Is it okay if we just take a walk around somewhere?”

“Yeah, of course!” Grabbing his arm to pull him away from prying eyes, you walked out of the campus, extending your arms to celebrate your freedom once the warm sunshine kissed at your skin, the cool wind soothing you afterwards. Jin laughed at your carefree expression, watching as you twirled and danced a little at the peace provided to you by the park. “Happy Birthday again! So how’s it feel like being a year older?”

“I feel like nothing’s changed, but at the same time nothing is the same too,” you told him through a laugh, “Does that make sense?”

“Totally. When I first got Yuuji, I didn’t think anything changed too, but now I can’t imagine a life without this little guy.”

Your adrenaline rush had worn down.

Walking side by side with Jin, arms brushing from the lack of proximity even though the area was practically empty, it dawned on you that Jin had lived an entire life before you, and you couldn’t stop yourself from asking: “Do you...do you still think about her sometimes? His mom?”

Jin was silent for a moment. The sudden stretch of nothingness had anxiety crawling at you hard enough you were about to apologize for asking such a sensitive question, but Jin only smiled at you, although his smile was...sad, regretful, even.

“His mom and I didn’t work out,” he began. “I always knew she had some family issues when we began dating in college, but I didn’t think too much of it. Back then, all I knew was that I loved her and wanted to spend my life with her, so we eloped. Her parents didn’t like it, of course, and they demanded we brought her back,”

“She was pregnant at that time so I refused to let her see her family again knowing how toxic they were to her. But they insisted, and...and she wasn’t the same after that. She just started looking at me differently and hating the growing child inside of her,” Jin kissed the top of Yuuji’s head as he spoke, almost as if silently reminding his son he was loved no matter what.

“When Yuuji was born, she couldn’t even look at him; said she refused to be a mother and to cut ties with me. So we divorced and...well, I don’t know, to be honest. Last time I heard, she’d already remarried in such a short time – to a man her family approved of this time around.”

“Do you still love her?”

“I don’t know,” he admitted with a chuckle, eyebrows furrowed while Yuuji clutched at the collar of his turtleneck sweater, his doe eyes staring right up at you. “Do we ever really stop loving someone?”

Your heart fell at his words. So maybe he still did love her. You always knew you might never get a chance – but surely wishing for it wasn’t such a crime. “Does that mean you won’t fall in love with anyone else anymore?”

“Who would like a nerdy single dad like me?” Jin threw his head back in laughter, the disbelief apparent in his voice. It shocked you that he thought of himself this way, because in your eyes, he was perfect. “Plus, I’m too busy to date. Other than you, I don’t really hang out with women all that much, and you’ve seen in my worst state – like that one time I nearly went to work wearing the wrong tie or with my glasses skewed. I don’t think I’m the type people would want to date.”

“Well, who knows?”

“Yeah, who knows?” he mimicked your shrug, still painfully oblivious that you wore your heart on your sleeve.

Once the sun had completely shied away from the clouds and the heat grew too much for Yuuji, you both resorted to going back to his apartment. Yuuji was happily playing on the ground as he smashed his toys together, while you and Jin wore matching aprons (you didn’t ask why he had two) as you mixed the batter and he preheated the oven.

“I’m still sorry I couldn’t get to buy you a cake, by the way. But we have all the ingredients here and a homemade cake is always amazing!” Instead of smiling at his words, Jin was met with your glossy eyes, lips trembling. You’d completely stopped mixing the batter, no longer in control of yourself as you watched him happily skip back and forth to the ingredients.

Jin rushed to your side in a flash, hands hovering before you. He couldn’t really touch you since he had flour all over his skin, a smidge of it right under his worried gaze. “What’s wrong? Why are you looking at me like that?”

“Nothing. It’s just...I’ve never really experienced this before. Having someone invite me to their home and bake me a cake for my birthday,” you looked down on the ground, feeling the emotional dam inside you starting to crack. “When I was young, I never even cared about my birthday because I was too busy tending after my siblings. After that, I forgot all about it and I was only surprised when my friends brought me gifts today,” You knew you were rambling, and you waved your hands in front of yourself, forcing yourself to smile. “I’m sorry – I’m being dramatic, aren’t I?”

“Hey, no, you’re not,” Suddenly, Jin pulled you into a hug, your body fitting perfectly in his arms. “I want you to know you’re family to us now. You’re always welcome here with me and Yuuji. We’ll take care of each other like family. We’ll bake you all the cakes you want from now on.”

The rest of his words were drowned out by the thumping of your chest.

You couldn’t hear him, couldn’t even properly see him – in that moment, all you could do was feel. You felt his warm breath ghosting over the column of your neck, his calloused hands patting gently at your back, the heat of his body seeping into yours that pulling away seemed to be such a daunting task. He felt like home, smelled like all the sweetness you lacked in your life, and you just knew you had to tell him.

“Jin. There’s something I have to tell you.”

“Yes?”

“I,” your breath shuddered, hands coming up to clutch at the material of his shirt. “I’m in love with you.”

Just like that, the string broke.

Jin pulled away from you faster than you could comprehend. When you opened your eyes, he was already at an arm’s length away from you, nothing but the sounds of your heart shattering into pieces muddling with his words.

His back dipped into a low bow. “I am extremely sorry; I cannot accept your feelings. It’s not that you’re not loveable; it’s just...you’re my son’s babysitter and I believe this is really inappropriate. Yuuji is vulnerable still and the last thing I want to do is date when I should be focusing on his life instead. I’m really sorry, Y/N. I don’t see nor do I feel that way for you.”

Hurt. Broken. Humiliated. Ashamed. Torn.

A plethora of feelings crashed over you all at once until breathing became such a hard thing to do, his words replaying like a broken record in your head.

He didn’t love you.

He didn’t feel the same way.

And it made sense – because why would he? “Yeah, oh my gosh!” you exclaimed while waving your hands frantically in front of your face, your unexpected enthusiasm causing Jin to peer up at you curiously under his lashes. “I mean, of course, I knew that already, duh. I’m not stupid, but like, yeah I’m really sorry, I’m probably making you so uncomfortable right now. I’m really, really sorry.”

“You’re not, I assure you,” he smiled gently again, but this time around, you weren’t soothed. It felt totally humiliating. Your toes curled inside your socks as your forced smile froze on your face in hopes of not making this any weirder than it already was, and you only chuckled as Jin cleared his throat. “I hope we can still be friends after this and that we can keep our professional relationship,” you nodded eagerly, a little too eagerly, and Jin awkwardly gestured to the pans. “So...a cake is waiting to be baked.”

“Yeah, let’s get to baking!”

If Jin noticed that you were a lot more enthusiastic than you were this morning, he didn’t comment about it. He hummed under his breath in agreement, the both of you working synchronously.

You’ve been in his house long enough that you knew where all the pans and ingredients were, silently handing things over one another through a forced polite conversation of how the other’s day went. A pat on your back was well deserved from how you managed to keep up with his questions, your broken heart perfectly concealed under forced smiles and dry chuckles.

In reality, you couldn’t focus.

On the inside, you were shattered. Why did you have to fall for him out of all people? There could’ve been so many others – like Fushiguro Toji from Biology, Gojo Satoru the playboy, Suguru Geto the heir of his large corporation – but it had to be Itadori Jin.

He was so close and yet out of reach, seemingly so unattainable that your lips had dried from how often you licked at them in an attempt to keep the tears in.

You knew you ruined everything. Soon, you’d have to say goodbye to baby Yuuji, no longer able to kiss him on top of his head and see him smile the moment you walked through the door, his dad equally alight upon seeing you got Yuuji a stuffed toy as a gift.

You were stupid for thinking you could even be part of this family. They were happy and fine enough – what role did you have here?

Compared to an actual working adult who’d already experienced many things in life like Jin, you were just a flimsy, lovesick little girl who was only learning how to love. And with loving, came the guaranteed promise of heartbreak.

You just never expected it would be this way.

As Jin turned his back to you to place the batter inside the oven, your hands shook, desperately wiping the sweat of your palms on your jeans. “Excuse me for a minute,” you dashed to the bathroom, locking yourself and finally allowing the broken gasps to leave your lips.

Your back was laid flat on the wall, your shirt tucked in your mouth as you slapped your thigh, the tears streaming endlessly down your cheeks.

You didn’t want to leave him. You wanted to stay longer, wanted to be able to see his face every waking morning and to make him tea while he made breakfast. You wanted to watch Yuuji grow up and hold hands with Jin, to tell him you would love him if he allowed you. But he didn’t – and it hurt so much that your eyes grew red from the incessant crying.

It was better to just leave than to be kicked out. You couldn’t stay here any longer.

So you wiped your tears away, dunking water to your face before you rushed out the room, bag slung across your shoulder. Yuuji stopped playing as he watched you wear your shoes in frantic movements, your heart bursting through with pain.

You didn’t dare look Jin in the eye.

“Hey, Jin, I’m so sorry – my friends called. They’re inviting me out for drinks tonight and I can’t say no.”

“But...the cake.”

“Yeah, you can eat it yourself, I’m really sorry to bother but uhm, anyways, BYE!” Left confused, Jin stared at the door slammed shut hard enough that Yuuji fell to the floor in surprise, small whines leaving his lips.

Jin couldn’t tell whether his son cried because you’d left them, or he was simply afraid of the sound. Whatever it was, the sinking feeling in his stomach was much too clear.

The next few days were hell. Your friends noticed the sudden drop in your mood, the loss of appetite, and the fact that you were clearly sleep-deprived.

How could you get sleep when your phone wallpaper was Yuuji kissing your cheeks, his dad laughing in the background? How could you sleep when your textbook still lay on your desk, a painful reminder of that time Jin had tutored you? How could you sleep when Wednesdays and Fridays had returned to its normal mundane self with nothing left to look forward to?

You couldn’t tell your friends about it either. All they knew was that you hadn’t been going to work because you came up with a flu, when in reality you’d been buried under your sheets, desperately ignoring the loud silence of your phone.

No texts. No calls. No how are you’s or how are you doing?

Not that you expected him to care since you did step out of line; you’d been completely unprofessional and Jin might not recommend you to future works anymore, though that was the least of your worries.

You just wanted to forget everything. His smile, his laughter, his kindness, the sound of his voice and how he always smelled like sweet vanilla.

Crying yourself to sleep and wishing each day would come to an end faster was absolutely exhausting. The lack of sunlight caused you to be groggy and gray – if you kept up at this state, you’d completely wither like a dried sunflower. You didn’t want to go out but your mini fridge was empty, stomach loudly grumbling for food.

You sighed as you closed the door, unkempt hair up in a bun and body adorned with an oversized shirt and the sweatpants you’ve refused to wash for two days now.

You were a mess – both on the inside and the outside – and your eyes lacked their usual warmth. Your movements mimicked that of a robot as you straggled to the nearest convenience store, about to enter when you heard someone cry out.

“Mama!”

Hands frozen on the door, your eyes widened before your head craned to the sound of rushed footsteps. In front of you was a panting Jin, a wailing baby Yuuji in his arms who only cried louder once he set his eyes on you. Jin gasped for air, and you both moved in sync, with you reaching out for baby Yuuji and him handing his child over to you.

“Y/N, I’m so sorry! Yuuji’s first word was Mama and I didn’t know what he meant but then he started crying and clutching the strawberry toy you got him and I’m so sorry, he just won’t stop crying. He kept looking for you.”

“No, I’m the one who should apologize!” you replied back, adding a bounce to your step to cradle Yuuji who’d buried his damp face onto your neck, crying mama over and over again.

Memories of meeting Jin for the first time and his reminder that he didn’t want Yuuji calling you that nearly made you kneel down in apology, but you opted for a slight bow, your hot tears trailing down your face because you missed him, but it was all messed up and seeing him once more only dug a deeper crater in your heart.

Before you completely left each other’s lives, you at least wanted to apologize.

“I realized my mistake and made it so weird for the both of us. Plus, Yuuji didn’t say Dada and I think that’s my fault. I swear I wasn’t trying to replace his mom or anything, I just—”

“I love you too,” he cut you off, and your eyes snapped from the ground back to his flustered face.

“What?”

“I’m sorry for lying that I don’t feel the same way,” he confessed, scratching the back of his neck while his ears flushed a deep red. “The truth is, my father always told me that Yuuji’s mom wasn’t a good person and I should stay away from her, but I never listened. A-and I always talked to him about Yuuji’s new babysitter and how kind you were and how I think I’m falling for you. He said I should man up and tell you but I was just afraid to love again since I’ve fallen before and I don’t want to be hurt again,” Jin bowed to you in a perfect angle, his son now at peace in your arms. “I’m sorry.”

“Jin,” you breathed out, the tears prickling at the back of your eyes. You couldn’t believe this was happening – you wanted to embrace him, to kiss him, hold him, but you’d been so engrossed in your own heartbreak you never even thought about Jin’s fears. “I’d never hurt you or Yuuji.”

“I know, and I’m sorry for hurting you like that,” he straightened up, feeling you stiffen under him when his arms wrapped around you. He felt so warm, and you felt so at place that your tears damped his sweatshirt, Jin’s hands gently caressing your waist. “Is it okay if we come back home?”

You cried louder than you ever did your whole life, though this time it was mixed with laughter. Jin laughed with you as you encircled your free arm around his neck to pull him closer, your lips eager as you littered kisses over his neck.

“Yes, of course,” you giggled, “You don’t even have to ask.”

You only ever wanted a job as a babysitter to make ends meet – falling in love was out of the equation – but with the magic presented right in front of you, you weren’t going to push it away, and neither did Jin. This time, you embraced each other wholeheartedly, pink hearts floating in the air while the strawberry-haired baby giggled in your presence, delighted that now his family was whole.