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drghostwrite · 1 year ago

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Until my Last Breath

Okay so this one didn't win the vote but per special request by @maiveeetheone I’m going to write it! Hope you enjoy! xoxo

Pairing: Regina mills x pregnant!reader

TW: mentions of blood, almost miscarriage, kidnapping and minor torture.

Summary: Regina’s mother, Cora, returns and tries to turn her dark again but Y/N, her wife, has given her everything she’s ever wanted: true love, family, marriage, power and now a baby. What happens when she stands in the way of Cora’s sinister plans.

******************************************************** You sat across the conference room table as Regina conducted the meetings, it was for the town so Sheriff Swan, along with David and Snow, Mr. Gold, Regina the mayor, Zelena, a couple others and you, now you weren’t only married to the mayor and carrying her child but you helped run the hospital. You were Chief of surgeries after Dr. Whale had that taken away with the Daniel incident.

“So right now we’re using funds to help with remodeling of the school, so…” Regina was doing a funds recap and taking with Snow about what would need to be done and you started to drift off staring out the window. You ran your hand over your swollen bump feeling your baby kick and knowing that Regina’s voice was soothing to your unborn child even though she was talking finances for Storybrooke. You began to daydream about mornings where she would wake up with that slow morning growl, it made you feral for your wife and she knew it.

“Y/N…Y/N?” you heard her calling your name and it snapped you back to reality, back into the conference room with its white walls and black and white modern decor. Regina was looking at you amused, she could only imagine what had stolen your attention but had a good idea it was her and the baby.

“Oh yea, so as of right now we’re okay, we thought of possibly coordinating with the schools to give more volunteer opportunities to the kids, but we also have to discuss my leave, due to the Dr. Whale situation we’ll have to find a replacement for my maternity leave.”

“Well how about Zelena?” Regina asked, her relationship with her sister had grown tremendously, in fact that’s the only other person besides Emma and the Charmings that she’d trust with her life and family’s life.

“And what use would she be?” Asked the skeptical Mr. Gold.

“Well I mean she is a trained midwife.” Snow suggested.

“Because of a curse,” Emma reminded.

“And I’m a trauma surgeon because of the curse, Snow you’re a teacher even though it was a curse it created a version of us, a true version of us with all the training and skills," Regina watched you a grateful look in her eyes, “All I’m saying is that we give her a chance, I can set her up to assist Dr. Whale and keep him in check while I’m out and I can have Blue and the other fairies or nuns, whatever, check-in and help with outpatient care.”

Everyone exchanged looks and Regina mouthed a thank you, they then agreed that you were right and that’s the plan they’d go with. You discussed a few more minor things and then decided that it was time for everybody to go home after a long day, you stayed in the conference room until everyone was gone and then retreated to your office. You have an office at the hospital but it's in a secure part due to dealing with patients and HIPAA info so days like this Regina converted one of the old conference rooms into an office for you. It wasn't as big but she made sure to have the comfiest chairs and couches, it was decorated very modernly like her office with contrasts of vibrant forest green instead of the complete black and white, she had your favorite flowers on the desk, orange hibiscus flowers with a towering monstera plant in the corner both enchanted to never die. You had couches and chairs with a large rug on one side like her office and you had a bookshelf wall and a built-in mini-bar that quickly turned alcohol-free when you found out about the pregnancy, there was also a portion that pushed into a secret room like her vault allowing you to keep sensitive information. She wanted to make sure that you were comfortable, in your office and that it could be an escape for you considering what you did on a daily basis and the fact that she got to be closer to you during the workday, able to visit whenever and for whatever she wanted.

You finished some reports for the day and made your way down the hall to her office, you knocked and heard her call for you to come in. You walked in and before you could shut the door you felt arms wrap try and wrap around your waist but instead your bump blocked the little arms.

"Y/N!!!" you reached down and ruffled Henry's hair, and then ran a hand on his back looking up to make eye contact with Regina, she watched the interaction and her heart swelled, Henry loved you but he didn't take the idea of a third mom the easiest at first. Now don't get me wrong he was great and excited about a sibling but he had a hard time, with the whole new mom thing, he never called you mom he always said his mom's wife or your name, and he also wouldn't ever come to you either he went to Regina or right to Emma one time he even went to Snow before you knew. You wanted nothing more than to let him trust you so ever since the wedding you've been earning his trust, so it meant the world to Regina to see him so excited to see you and she knew it meant the world to you.

"Hey buddy, you have a good day?" you glanced down at him as he looked up at you.

"Yea we had a field trip today and then David offereed to take me to the stables to go riding."

"Oh really?" you smirked, looking back up to Regina as she just shook her head. "Well, then does my brave knight need me to drop him off?"

He laughed, "No, he's here, I just wanted to come in and see you before I went over, so I made him stop."

"Well in that case have fun, be safe, and take some pictures so I can brag to the nurses at work." you leaned down and kissed his hair as he hugged you tighter, he then ran back out of the office, but before the door closed you heard him yell back, "Bye, Moms!" You tuned looking at Regina, she got up walking over to you, a tear rolled down you face and she swiped it away letting her hand linger on your cheek and you leaned into the touch, she had her other hand holding yours running her fingers over your wedding ring.

"He really does love you." her coffee-brown orbs looked into your emerald green ones, as more tears ran down your face for her to swipe away.

You laughed, "God these pregnancy hormones are killing me."

“Darling, I…”, all the sudden you heard a crash outside, Regina turned and moved to the window. You held her hand in both of your as she reached to move the curtain.

“What the he��” that’s when she heard the moving of a cloud of smoke behind her and no longer felt the warmth of you hand, she spun on her heels and spotted the figure across the room.

“Mother? What’re you doing here?”

“Ahh sweet girl I’m here for you.”

“Where’s Y/N, What did you do with her?”

“You mean that peasant you call a wife,” she laughed at her daughter in front of her waving her off, “she’s in a safe place or at least it’s safe for a normal person, but not sure about her and the bastard child of yours.”

“No Mother that’s my wife and my baby, biologically both me and Y/N. She has more heart and passion and power then you’ll ever know and she loves me, truly loves me and Henry and I’ve never doubted her for a day, I LOVE her.”

“Oh darling you just live the idea of her.” Regina was done talking she whirled a fire ball, grabbing the spare dagger from the sheath attached under the desk, courtesy of you, and whirled it in that direction. She watched as smoke cleared and the dagger was no where to be found she prayed that she at least stunned her mother.

———time jump———

You were slumped forward and felt the restraints digging into your wrist and ankles as they were tied to the legs of the wooden chair. You were quickly jolted awake by Cora grabbing your chin and forcing you to look at her. Ugh, she let out a disgusted sigh and shoved you face away turning back, you watched as she walked out of the room into a smaller side room, looking around you realized you were in an older cabin, wait this was the cabin that’s hidden in the woods the enchanted cabin that… you heard heels coming towards you and turned your head, Maleficent and Cora both stood looking at you. Maleficent knelt down in front of you studying your features, she stared at your bump deciding whether or not to touch, as if it wasn’t real, you thrashed in the seat and she looked into your eyes, she ran a hand over your bump feeling your baby move.

“Cora, this is not the way to do this.” Maleficent spoke out but kept eyes trained on you as you gave her the smallest most gently terrified look you could.

“I decide how I do things, you’re just here for support on getting her back.”

“But her wife and unborn child?” Maleficent stood going to Cora.

“If they’re gone nothing will ever stop her from going back to dark and staying there.”

You started yelling into the gag and thrashing in the seat. Cora moved over to you and you felt as she slapped your face the sting of her fingers meeting your skin and the ringing in your ear her ring sliced into the skin of your cheek and you felt the blood run down, you knew you would have a black eye. She then grabbed the gag sliding it from your mouth.

“I swear if you lay a finger on Regina or my baby… so help me God.”

“Oh darling, I see why my daughter loves you.”

“My WIFE will be here before you know it and when she gets here nothing will stop her or me from destroying you!” You yelled at the woman in front of you. She bent down getting in your face, “nothing will stop me from getting my daughter back.”

“She’s not your little play toy anymore.” Again you felt a slap this time blood ran from you lip. You looked up and saw a shadow go by the window, Cora walked back over to Maleficent and retreated into the other room as you sat there hearing them argue. You watched as the shadows moved towards the door and then the door cracked, revealing Snow and Regina was right behind she pushed past the other woman and rushed to you, she ran her fingers over the cut on your lip.

“God what did she do to you?” Regina undid the restraints pulling you up into a hug.

“I’m okay…” you trailed, she pulled back placing a hand on your bump and running it over your large 8 month swollen stomach, “the baby too, we’re both okay.”

“Regina!” Snow yelled before being thrown against the wall by Cora, she used her body to shield you from her mother, taking her stand.

“My brave girl, protecting the mother of her child, but I ask who protects you, who truly keeps you from falling back into darkness.”

“I do.” You spoke up moving to stand next to her. Cora laughed out loud and Maleficent moved to check on Snow who was waking up, “Maleficent, what’re you doing?”

“This is wrong Cora.”

“And who are you to decide what is right and wrong, you destroyed villages and kingdoms with a single breath during your dragon days.”

“Mother my reign of terror and bloodshed is over, I’m never turning back.”

“Oh shut up stupid girl, I’ll show you terror.” She flicked her wrist and you felt a pain rip through your abdomen, it was so hard it brought you to your knees and you reached grabbing Regina’s arm as she turned to you.

“Oh God… Oh God the baby.” You let out a moan as tears started to fall, you felt the pain coming and going in waves, you looked down and saw a small stream of blood running down your leg.

“Mother, Stop!” Regina shouted and you watched as her magic collided with her mothers. You fell forward now on hands and knees as another pain tore through your body, you felt hands come around your sides and Snow tried getting you up.

“We need to get you out of here,” she let you lean into her and tried guiding you out the door. You reached a hand down brining it up coated in blood, again wincing in pain.

“But…but Regina,” you stuttered out in pain, letting out another moan. Maleficent placed a hand on your shoulder rubbing your arm as you tried breathing through it, “Let me save her for once you get out of here and get help before we have an injured Regina and a premature baby on our hands.” You looked into her eyes and saw she genuinely wanted to help, you slowly shook your head in agreement.

“Please get her back to me, please.”

She shook her head not breaking eye contact, “I promise, on my life.” Snow quickly turned taking you to the car as Maleficent threw her the keys,”I need to call Zelena we need to get you to the hospital.”

“No…” you struggled through another contraction.

“Y/N you’re in premature labor, there’s to much blood.”she tried reasoning with you.

“Snow if you take me all the way there…” you stopped breathing through another searing pain, letting out a low groan. “If we wait this baby won’t make it…God Snow… I won’t make it.” You said through gritted teeth.

“Okay just hold on.” You felt the car lurch forward as she pressed the gas harder.

She quickly rushed you back to the loft and called Emma filling her in, she reached over reassuring you again as you tried breathing in the passenger seat every wave coming stronger and faster. Once in the loft you were laid on Snow and David’s bed, Zelena and Emma quickly ran in the door, Zelena made her way to you. Seeing the blood on your thighs staining the white sheets red as you white knuckled the blankets, Snow brushing the sweat coated hair out of your face.

“What happened?”

“I…” you moaned, quickly being cut off by another pain.

“It was Cora she cast a spell and quick flick of her wrist and then Y/N was bent over in pain and the bleeding started.” She started to explain.

“Oh please don’t let her miscarry.” Snow said worrying.

“Don’t let me lose this baby.” You spoke out through another sharp pain.

“Labor?” Asked Emma looking to a very concentrated Zelena.

“Sort of, by the looks and sound of it mommy dearest used a pregnancy acceleration spell, if done right can work for mother and baby but if done wrong can cause a lot of problems.” Zelena explained, she lifted you shirt and felt your stomach pressing down in a few spots and releasing pressure as she felt the muscles tighten.

“Can you reverse if?” Snow asked concerned.

“I can I need to do it fast, and it will hurt like hell.”

“Will the baby be okay?”

“Y/N but you…” Snow started.

“Will the baby make it?!”

“Yes. I’m not sure the toll it will take on your body.” Zelena explained.

“I don’t care about me, you save this baby, whatever it takes you save my baby, our baby.” She slowly shook her head as you laid back against the pillows, Snow held your hand tightly understanding what could happen, Emma quickly gathered supplies and then came around to your other side, you felt Zelena swirl her hands on your bump, positioning them, you breathed through another pain.

“5 count?” She asked.

“Surprise me.” You let out a nervous breath as she nodded.

“Okay, 1…2…3…” she started before 5 not giving you much time to adjust, the last thing you heard was a bloodcurdling scream, realized it was you and then everything went black.

——— time jump———

You felt lips on your forehead and a hand holding yours, you felt tears as they landed on your hair. Slowly blinking open your eyes you realized it was your wife, she looked unscathed from events earlier. You quickly shot up on your elbows allowing the blanket to fall away revealing your bump, Regina was sitting next to the bed and laid an arm across you lap as you scooted up against the pillows resting her hand on your bump. You let out a small moan feeling the soreness in your muscles.

“Hey,” she spoke gently.

“What happened? Are you okay?” You slid your hand onto her cheek watching her eyes, she leaned into your hand.

“Well Zelena told me what happened, she told me though that you blacked out during the reversal spell.” She avoided the question.

“What happened with your mom?”

“Cora, I don’t consider her family after she went after you like that, Maleficent helped me and she pushed her back through a portal, she fell through with her though, I owe her my life.”

“Me too, how long was I out.”

“Two days, everyone has been asking about you.”

“Mmm, where’s Henry?” You rubbed at your eyes.

“With Emma and Snow and David they went out. Y/N I almost lost you, my love I’m so so sorry.” You watched as tears started to fall and you placed your hand back on her cheek, wiping tears with your thumb, she embraced the touch. You both let tears fall for a moment before she leaned forwards placing a kiss to your lips and then allowing you to lay your forehead against hers, “Y/N I will always fight for you, until I draw my last breath, I love you more than anything and I can’t wait to watch our family grow and I’m so sorry this happened to you.”

“Regina Mills you make me the happiest woman alive, don’t for a minute think that I’ll ever leave you, I love you, besides the ring is already on so it’s going to take a lot more than that to scare me away.” You both chuckled.

Zelena walked down the stairs and turned coming up to you and sitting at the edge of the bed, “So mama, looks like everything went okay, you’re gonna be sore for a little while, and as of yesterday you are officially on bedrest aside from coming in to visit.”

“Thank you Z, for everything.” You gave her a gentle smile.

“Don’t mention it just promise me that you’ll rest up and come back to show me the ropes before you have my niece or nephew.” She winked, patting your leg.

You heard the lock click and watched as the door swung open at first everyone moved in slowly until they saw you, they stood shocked until Henry came running around the corner and jumped on the bed hugging around your neck the best he could with your bump in the way. Zelena took her leave joining the others in the kitchen.

“Mama I thought I lost you!” You hugged him with one arm as tears rolled down your cheeks, Henry has never actually addressed you as mom before. You felt as Regina squeezed your hand and gave you a look, you closed you eyes living in the moment.

“Henry, love you’ll never lose me, I love you little man.” He wouldn’t let go of your neck and then you realized that he was crying, Regina reached around rubbing his back, “Baby it’s okay.” She reassured him.

“I…I…I just thought I lost you, I can…can’t lose both my m…moms, or my little sister I can’t wait to meet he…her” He said through sobs. You both smiled gently at him as he clung around your neck.

“Henry love what if you got a little brother?” Regina asked gently.

“No, I think it’s a girl.”

“Oh okay.” She chuckled looking at you as you held him and rubbed his back.

“I’d say someone agrees with that.” You let out a smirk, Regina looked at you hopeful.

“Really?” You nodded and she moved her hand down feeling as your baby kicked, a tear rolled down her cheek and she leaned up to kiss you.

“I wanna feel.” Henry said turning his head and placing a hand near Regina’s feeling the baby move. He let out a toothy grin making you both laugh at your sons reaction.

He pulled away but only to curl into your side holding Regina’s hand that was spread across your bump, he started talking to the baby, you sat there content knowing that no matter what you were all loved and that you finally had the family you always dreamed of.

#pregnancy #ouat x reader #x yn #regina mills x reader

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floppydiskettess · 1 year ago

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Hi! I’d like to request a Hyde x reader for Coffee Talk please. It can be about anything! Thank you!

MY FIRST COFFEE TALK REQUEST EEE!!! I TOTALLY THOUGHT THIS FANDOM WAS LIKE NON EXISTANT DHDHDNSNSN. PLEASE ENJOY !!!!

also im super duper sorry for not uploading lately, my motivation has been low and im kinda insecure ab my writing rn so im hesitant to post djdjsdn

CONFESSIONS AND FIRST DATES (Hyde coffee talk)

it was a typical day in your cafe, silver and amanda had just left to prepare for their upcoming trip they planned. you were really happy for them truly, but you would miss silver's presence.

lost in thought, you suddenly notice a pale slim finger tapping the counter. you look up to see the gothic model that you have grown to become fond of throughout the time of his visits.

"mr. hyde! sorry about that, i zoned out. what is new with you?"

he smirks and rests his face in his hands. "hm. i noticed. not much is new with me though, but are you alright? hope i wasn't i interupting anything important" he said with a chuckle.

you blush awkwardly at that. hoping he hadn't been waiting for you to refocus on real life for too long. he was quite stand-off ish and wary when you had first met but after the few months you have known him he has warmed up to you. he is a special customer to you. (but don't tell freya that.)

"no..sorry, i was just reflecting on some stuff. anyhow enough about me, would you fancy a drink?"

you could see his smirk grow a bit wider through his hands before he put his hands down and picked up his phone. "just my usual, you remember it right?"

you nod and he smiles once again before typing on his phone. you quickly busy yourself with his drink. you gently cut the ginger into fine slices before mixing into the sweet hibiscus mix. you pour it into a freshly cleaned cup before turning around. you notice that he was staring attently as you made his drink. you smiled at him before placing it on the counter for him.

"here you go, one zobo."

he gently picks up the cup before taking a sip, letting the flavour of the drink sink in. he hums before speaking again.

"good girl. i am a little suprised you remembered" he says with a smirk

you blush at the nickname before shooting back with a coy smile "how could i forget my favourite customers drink? it's not like you don't spend a lot of time here afterall. i can't tell if you come for the drinks or to visit me." you tease back at him.

for the first time, you notice a pale yet subtle blush spread across his face. his complexion quickly turning a light crimson. but before you can mention it however he nervously coughs and takes another sip of his drink. you make sure to store that memory to tease him about later..

he quickly busies himself doing something with his phone, seemingly typing agressivly to someone. he seems to have no more interest in speaking so you turn around to busy yourself with some leftover dishes from some earlier customers.

after about 5 minutes, you dry your hands and turn around to check on your customer. you are met with his gaze staring deeply at you as if he was long in thought. you feel a little nervous under his glare but you try to disregard it but when you go to retrieve the now finished drink you gently graze your hand on his. this seems to snap his out of it as he quickly looks up at you standing above him. you look down at him as you both just stare at eachother as if you were both scared to move.

from this view, you can see the makeup adorning his face. the concealer he had on under his eyes slightly fading so you could catch just a glimpse of his tired eyes. his skin looked incredible as if he keeps good care of it, you always wished you had effortless skin like his. as your eyes move over his face his blush gets deeper and deeper, but you assume by now your own face was bright red as well. you could just barely hear the quick and soft breaths coming from him, you were quite thankful nobody else was here right now as it would be quite the sight to see. the soft music in the background completely tuned out as you just focus on him.

you quickly realize how close and awkward it was, so you shakingly begin to pull away from him. before you can move far though you feel a warm hand grabbing your apron. you notice how he is no longer sitting and is pressed against the countertop standing so he can reach you. you feel yourself get pulled back before feeling a gentle warmth touch your cheek.

oh shit, he just kissed your cheek

you immediately lose all composure accepting that it is much to difficult to act unaffected by this.

you softly whisper his name in suprise as you look at the ground as if avoiding his gaze. his grip on you softens as he shakingly lets you go.

"i..i am so sorry. i had better leave...thank you for the drink." he stutters out nervously as he quickly gathers his belongings. you stare at him in awe of what had just happened.

before he can leave however you reach out and grab onto his dress shirt, he turns around startled.

"...can i at least get your number..? incase you ever want to talk outside of the cafe you know?"

he looks suprised but he nods as he writes down his own number on a peice of paper.

"here. this is my personal phone...sometime we should go out for food, if you want to of course." he says calmly with a soft smile that is rare to see

you nod and smile back at him "i would love that..have a good rest of your night Hyde."

he relaxes and smiles back at you before walking out of the cafe.when the room was empty, you slumped down onto one of the benches and softly laughed. looking forward to your next encounter with the mysterious vampire. you save his number and send a quick hello text.

soon after, your phone softly beeps.

a/n: hi djsjsjjdjsjs im sorry this is si bad...like i said im really not happy with my writing lately it has been very bad and cringe. im not doing to great so it has been super hard to work on the requests.

#coffee talk #coffee talk game #hyde coffee talk #hyde x reader #coffee talk x reader #hyde x reader coffee talk

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deluxewhump · 9 months ago

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The Scry

Ch 9: No Good Deed Goes Unpunished

CW: whumpee with powers, exploitation, forced labor/use of powers, hurt/comfort, unhappy separation, sickness/vomiting

Spartan Enterprises- Baltimore, Maryland. Tuesday, 9 AM EST.

Max was a better user than Carlo had ever hoped for in his new life.

He bought a thermometer at the convenience store around the corner and would check Carlo’s ever-fluctuating temperature twice a day. Carlo would hold it under his tongue and wait for it to beep, hoping his body would give his user a number that pleased him. Max brought offerings of fresh fruit and Gatorade and Saran wrapped chicken sandwiches from the cafe on the first floor, asking him if he was too warm or too cold in the office, and did he know he could adjust the thermostat if he was?

In every place he’d been, every facility and holding unit and research center, men had never treated him like Max did. For this reason it baffled him when he saw Max behave how he was used to others like him behaving, swearing in traffic or getting sharp with someone on the phone, and reconciling that with the man who treated him so gently, so patiently.

Carlo liked to watch him work at his desk, listen to him on the phone. He was young, thirty-two or three. He had no ring on his finger but Ingrid did, an engagement ring that caught the light when she moved just right like icecaps. He liked Ingrid, too. She asked him direct questions and listened to his answers. Nobody listened to him, so he tended to immediately like people who did, to a fault.

He liked Max’s house. The room they gave him to use was tucked away upstairs, a room whose slanted eaves made it seem smaller than it ought to, but it was warm, and something about the old house was comforting.

For years Carlo had felt a sense of placelessness, a weary yearning for a home that didn’t exist. Now he’d find himself at the office at three in the afternoon thinking I can’t wait to go home, only to realize he had a specific place in mind. An old Victorian house, a particular bed, a view of familiar stark treetops outside his window.

In the morning he’d get ready in the dark, having showered the night before on Ingrid’s suggestion— since Max showered in the morning. They’d meet at the truck at 7:25, and Max would sing along under his breath to the radio on the way into downtown. Some days he played talk shows or podcasts instead. Once they listened to Good to Great- Why Some Companies Make the Leap and Others Don’t on the recommendation of Spartan management, strongly suggested they all read this quarter. They listened to the audiotape in silence for fifteen minutes until Max slammed the power button with his palm. “Insufferable,” was his only comment.

At nine AM on Tuesday, Max went to the lobby to meet Eddie and Simon, as was their weekday custom. They’d take the elevator down to the coffee shop and get drinks to go, sometimes loitering on the hard gray sofas in the lobby for a few minutes before returning to work. Max always brought him something from the coffee run.

Through determination he discovered Carlo liked cappuccinos, iced lattes, and hibiscus tea. Carlo felt like an exotic pet in a classroom, one Max kept bringing novelties like an enthusiastic student to see if he’d accept them as food. It was kind, though. That was the main thing about Max. He was a little preoccupied with his work sometimes, a little irritable after long meetings, obviously guilty about what his company was having him participate in with the precogs. But he was, above and beneath all that, kind.

Today there was a knock on the office door at 9:05. Carlo flinched at the unexpected intrusion. Had someone scheduled an early meeting with Max, and he just forgot? The doorknob rattled. It was locked. Max always locked him in there when he was alone. It didn’t keep him from opening the door, it just kept anyone out in the hallway from opening it.

A soft knock came again. “Carlo?”

A woman's voice. Adrenaline flooded his chest at the sound of his name.

“Hey, I need you to open the door, hon. Quick meeting got called. Everybody’s there. We need you there, too, they sent me to grab you.”

Carlo eased off the cot Max had set in the corner of the office for him. That didn’t sound right. Max had set out to meet his friends five minutes ago. Now he was at a meeting? And even if that was true and he forgot he had a meeting, why wouldn’t he come back for him? Why would they send someone else?

“There’s bagels,” the woman added casually. “C’mon, let’s go. We don’t want Martin any more pissed off than he already is.”

“Where’s Max?” he asked through the door.

“At the meeting,” she said with a twinge of impatience. “Let’s go, kid.”

He didn’t want to keep them waiting. He didn’t want to disappoint or annoy anyone, and she was right, they definitely didn’t want to annoy Mr Olsen. He opened the door.

Elle Davenport waited on the other side, her head impatiently cocked to one side. She rolled her eyes at him, but smiled at the same time. Behind her stood Blake in a cable knit sweater, his sandy hair slicked back.

His presence confirmed Carlo’s suspicion that something was wrong. Elle had spoken and not him, because they’d knew he’d be more disarmed by her.

“What’re you….”

Blake grabbed him by the arm and pulled him out of the doorway. Elle took his other arm and they walked him like an inmate between them down the hall. She was a head shorter than either Carlo or Blake, and took nearly two steps to their one as they passed wall after wall of tinted floor to ceiling windows. Baltimore shimmered blue outside, the cold morning air appearing smog-smudged in the bright sun.

“I’m supposed to be working on something,” he said lamely. “I really need to get back.”

“Relax,” Blake said, staring straight ahead. Blake had a way of speaking that reminded him of seasoned game show host. Even as he was schmoozing you, you were the butt of the private joke he was having with an unseen audience. “You’re going to a meeting with the boss. Everything’s excused.”

“You mean Mr Olsen?”

Neither of them answered him. He was getting more unsettled with every step they took.

“Can you please let Max know where I am? He went to get coffee downstairs…”

“Does yours talk this fucking much?” Elle asked Blake, digging her fake nails into the skin of Carlo’s upper arm.

They rounded a corner and reached their destination, stopping short.

“Bye baby,” Elle whispered playfully in his ear, giving him goosebumps before she turned and went back the way they’d come. Blake opened the glass meeting room doors and pushed him inside with a hand between his shoulder blades.

Martin Olsen sat at the head of a rectangular white table with six rolling chairs around it. Blake pushed him into one before sitting next to him with his legs splayed wide, swiveling back and forth.

“Good morning, Carlo,” Martin said.

“Good morning.”

“How are you?”

Martin’s ice blue eyes seemed to smile, but he didn’t trust them. He had to take his cues from Max, and his own messed up instincts. Max didn’t like this man one bit, and Max was the only ally he was sure he had in the building.

“Well, Sir,” he said. In truth, was still unwell from the work he’d done the previous week. He was feeling better, especially if he stayed relatively still, but all this upset had his head spinning and his stomach feeling off. Despite his queasiness he promised himself to keep his guard up, and watch his words.

“You and Max have been getting along I see,” Martin said, putting on a pair of readers and pulling something up on his laptop. Carlo could see the reflection of the screen scrolling in the frames. “Yes. Up one-hundred-fifty percent over last month. Two new midwest accounts the size of the Hindenburg.” He was quiet for a moment, eyes darting back and forth over information on his laptop screen. “In the meeting last Monday, you were very modest. You attributed your success to teamwork, dedication, and… how did you put it? Having the right tools.”

Blake tittered in his chair, eyes fixed distantly on an empty spot on the table.

“You know how to talk the talk,” Martin smiled over his readers at him. “You’re the breakout talent of our little group of four, so far. I’m afraid I’m going to have to put your work on Mr Kelly’s account on ice for a moment. I have something important I need you to do for me”

“What… do you mean by a moment?” he breathed.

“Three days. Maybe four. You’ll be back in your cozy little office cot by Friday.”

Carlo blushed.

“What do you say?”

“You’re not really asking me, are you?”

“No. But I’m trying to be polite. I’m trying to treat you with respect.”

Carlo knew Martin didn’t respect his power any more than he respected him. He was obsessed with his power, wanted to figure out the cleverest ways to exploit it, and he couldn’t care less about him aside from that. He’d met men like him. Doctors, researchers. Businessmen were just another branch on the same tree.

“Can I be allowed to go get my things?” he asked, lowering his eyes so as not to betray how badly he wanted to get back to that office, to talk to Max and see if Max would put an end to whatever this was.

“Blake will go get anything you need,” Martin said, closing his laptop. “Max doesn’t need the distraction today. He’s got a lot of work to do.”

Carlo’s throat tightened. That’s why he’d sent Blake and Elle to trick him here, and not asked Max to bring him. Max didn’t know, and Max would protest this. He’d try to protect him. Either that or Max did know, and was in on it, pleased to be rid of him. Maybe he was tired of looking after him and brining him home with him at night. Maybe those two contracts were the boost he needed and now he had no more use for him. He hoped it was the first reason. He needed it to be.

He thought for a horrible moment he might not be able to stop his eyes filling with tears in front of Blake and Martin Olsen. He pinched himself on the inside of the wrist under the table so blood welled in the twin half-moon indents. “What is it you need me to do?”

“Plenty of time for that. First I need you at your best. Have you eaten?”

The question surprised him. “N-no.”

“Blake? Run down and get us something, would you. Something with protein.”

Blake prickled at being asked to fetch Carlo’s breakfast, but he smiled bitterly at Carlo and stood to obey. “Sure thing,” he said with sarcasm that was plausibly deniable. Carlo watched Martin’s face to see if he registered it, only to realize that he had, and he didn’t care. What did Max say? Blake was Martin’s son in law? Carlo wondered how that dynamic worked behind closed doors.

“I’m going to put you to work,” Martin said softly to him once they were alone. “And I expect the sort of results you and Mr Kelly have produced. If you do that for me, I’ll send you right back to him.”

He was afraid to ask, but he knew he ought to. “What if I can’t?”

“You’ll wish very dearly you had,” Martin said, concern creasing the lines between his eyebrows. “And you’ll find yourself on a truck, headed back to a research hospital in east Texas.”

He tried not to react in any discernible way. He almost made it, but the commotion of the morning and the mere mention of a research facility got the best of him. He drew back sharply from the table and threw up on the carpet between his feet before he could do anything to stop it.

Martin asked Blake to clean it up.

#the scry #the scry au #whump #human trafficking cw #forced labor cw #whumpee with powers #vomiting cw

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lucky38-2077 · 6 months ago

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OC Interview: Vincent Ibarra & Naota Vasile

Tagged by @dreamskug It was really fun to do this and thank you for tagging!🖤🖤

NICKNAME

V: Most people call me V. Some people I've known since I was little still call me kid, but I guess I'm not a kid anymore, am I? Naota: My family and friends often call me Nao.

GENDER

V: Male. Naota: I am a demiguy.

STAR SIGNS

V: Don't know my exact birth date but I heard it was middle of December. So the thing with the archer? Sagutti...something. Naota: It's Sagittarius, V. (yeah that it!) Mine is Capricorn.

HEIGHTS

V: Why do people even care about the height? I don't know, haven't checked since teenager. Naota: I'm about 5′ 7″ and V is a little taller than me. I think... he could be around 5′ 9″. V: WOW. I'm learning about myself here.

ORIENTATION

V: I like men. Naota: I... I think the closest one should be Pansexual. Do you have preference? If you don't mind talking about. Naota: I really don't know, and it doesn't matter to me anymore.

NATIONALITY / ETHNICITY

V: Nobody knows who my parents were at all. Valentino is my thing. Naota: My father was Italian and mother was Japanese. I feel close to both. V, have you ever tried to look for your biological parents? V: Nah, have my family already. I've got old man Padre and Mama Welles. But don't you even think about a thing between them. They are good friends, nothing more.

FAVE FRUIT & FAVE SEASON

V: Green grapes and lemons. Well I don't enjoy eating lemons, but love lemonade. Naota: It's hard to choose... apples, oranges, cherries... V: And season? Summer. Not because of the weather, because I can play in water a lot. Naota: I like winter. I feel cold easily but it's still my favorite. Warm clothes, soft blankets and hot... Wait we have another question for that, please save it! Naota: Oh.

FAVE FLOWER

V: Not really interested in, but red or yellow ones are pretty. Naota: I do love flowers. Peony and hibiscus are my favorite. V: Don't forget a desert rose, D-rose. Desert rose- Adenium? Is there a story about it? I'd like to hear. Naota: Um... my partner gave it to me as a gift before. I still have the pot and it means a lot to me. And D-rose? V: The whole family calls him D-rose because of it. (Looking at Naota) You're blushed, amigo. Naota: ....

FAVE SCENT

V: Hmm never really thought about that. I think my man uses kinda perfume. No clue what it is, but he smells good. Naota: Fresh ones such as herbs. I like the smell of flowers, too.

COFFEE, TEA, HOT CHOCOLATE

V: Soda. But coffee is also good. Naota: Hot chocolate... oh this is why you stopped me earlier. Yes, I like winter and I like hot chocolate.

AVERAGE HOURS OF SLEEP

V: 6 or 7? I'm not a morning dude so probably wake up later than most people. Naota: I used to have a sleeping problem but it's getting better. V: Thanks to the biiiiig cuddly teddy bear. I have some plushies on my bed too. How big is it? Naota: No! It's... not... a plush. Let's move on.

DOG OR CAT PERSON

V: I like both, but with my baby Nibbles I'm currently a cat person. Naota: I've been always fond of cats.

DREAM TRIP

V: I want to go to the most beautiful, clean beaches in the world, not ones that are full of trash. Not sure if there is any left. Naota: I haven't thought about it. But with my family now, wherever will be great.

FAVE FICTIONAL CHARACTER

V: Rocky Balboa. If you want to talk about this with me, we should make another schedule. Naota: Unico. He's a baby unicorn who has a power making people happy. He's also very cute.

NUMBER OF BLANKETS YOU SLEEP WITH

V: Do you need more than one?? Naota: Yes, V. I usually have two blankets, more in winter. V: What? I mean. WHY? Naota: It's warm, comfortable... V: Man. I don't get it.

RANDOM FACT

V: I can hold my breath pretty long in water. Without any gear or cyberware. My record is 6 minutes 28 sec. Naota: That's amazing, V. Indeed. Do you train for it? V: Maybe a little? Think I was born with it. I just feel comfortable in water. How about you? Naota: I can't think of anything... I'll pass. OH.

I think most of people I know have already been tagged, but if there's anyone interested please go ahead!🤗

And this is Unico Naota mentioned, in case anyone was wondering. The idea just came up with when I saw the question. It was pure coincidence Naota has pink hair like Unico and I like it🤣

#omg that was long lol #and yes the big cuddly teddy bear is saul #vincent is such blunt ass but naota is not offended xD #oc:vincent ibarra #oc:naota vasile #saul bright #ship:wildflower #oc lore #oc interview #cyberpunk 2077 #my post

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tahyal · 1 year ago

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Hey Tahyal! I hope all is well.

I have a lot of bloating going on right now. It seems to happen a lot before my cycle. Any recommendations?

Hello!

So from a purely physical perspective :

Are you eliminating properly ? (Do you go everyday?) - If not, focus on having regular bowel movements everyday and the bloating could subside just with that. Some things you can do for that are : Move everyday (could be gentle movements such as yoga, pilates, or even just walking), Drink enough water for your body weight, Eat more protein, as well as fiber to facilitate estrogen detox and to flush things out, and check your stomach acid levels, if they’re low you might want to try digestive bitters to facilitate the digestion process (Organic Olivia has a nice one in spray format).

I also recommend checking if you’re not magnesium deficient, as this mineral plays an important role in digestion, and in our body in general. Most people are deficient in Magnesium. If you do choose to supplement with it, I recommend the sunwarrior brand, its liquid and quite bitter, but its the best one ive tried composition wise!

Aside from that, here are some herbal teas that can help with bloating : Ginger & Mint, Dandelion root, Spearmint or Peppermint, Rose petal & Hibiscus.

Deep belly breathing exercises, Belly massages, and Foot massages to stimulate MMC (migrating motor complex) can all be great additions to your routine 🫶🏽.

Now from an emotional / mental perspective :

Bloating can occur when we are resisting something, bottling up emotions, or experiencing fear or anxiety. It’s our body’s way of trying to get our attention, urging us to get out of our heads and into our bodies, our emotions : to feel instead of analyze or strategize.

You might greatly benefit from journaling (no filter, write everything that comes up or that has been on your mind), mindfulness (sit with yourself and feel what comes up, do not resist, do not analyze, simply be present with yourself), Prayer (casting the burden on a Power Higher than you is liberating, knowing that you are ultimately seen and taken care of, regardless of what the circumstances are currently looking like).

If you’re up to do a bit of reading, I highly recommend these books : The emotion code by Dr Bradley Nelson, and Your body’s telling you : love yourself by Lise Bourbeau.

Check out Kori Meloy’s instagram as well, she has a plethora of information about women’s health.

Hope you feel well soon 🤍

#Health #Bloating

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shalomniscient · 8 months ago

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ARCHIVIST’S RECORDS: FAFNIR [HSR], 002

cw. [NSFT][MDNI], generally mild and suggestive at best but adding the cw just to be safe

this record involves @spirit-lanterns’s incredible casino AU and @e-hibiscus’s bunny oc misha! they’re both amazing creators 100% worth checking out!

“You know, I’ve heard about you,” Fafnir hums, trailing a hand down Misha’s thigh as the bunny perches on her lap. The dragoness's touch is warm, even through the expensive leather of her gloves.

“Yeah?” she responds breathily, placing her hands on the other woman’s waist to steady herself. Fafnir’s abdomen is firm under her hands, and she actively has to tamp down the urge to pop those buttons off right here and now to see what lay beneath.

“Yeah,” Fafnir croons, the hand on her thigh coming to rest at Misha’s hip. Her grip is firm, possessive, keeping her decidedly in place on her lap—and it sends an electric thrill shooting up Misha’s spine. “I heard that you’re an odd little bunny—that you like to watch your patrons lose instead of win.”

A giggle escapes her lips at the (entirely true) accusation. “Ah, well—you got me.”

“Hm,” the dragoness hums, and something shifts in her eyes. They go from glittery gold, the kind befitting jewelry, to molten pools swirling with dangerous, devouring heat. Fafnir leans forward, close enough to whisper right into one of Misha’s ears, sharp teeth grazing the pink fluff.

“So you think I’m going to lose, little rabbit?”

Her heart thunders in her chest, and she swallows. Her veins feel alight with excitement, and her arms wander up to loop around the dragoness’s neck. Fafnir is so close now, and Misha can feel the wisps of heat emanating through that dark, sinfully well-tailored and form-fitting suit of hers.

“Maybe your luck will run out this time,” she challenges, and it pulls a low, hissing laugh from Fafnir while the dragoness's hand cards through her pretty, pink hair.

“Bold little thing, aren’t you?” Fafnir muses, pulling back to casually lean in her chair again, as if she wasn’t betting millions on the Blackjack game before her. Those golden eyes were fixed on her and her only—it shouldn’t be as fucking thrilling as it is, but Misha’s blood sings nonetheless.

“Let’s make a bet, little rabbit,” Fafnir offers, her tail curling on the floor, scales shimmering like jewels in the low light. “If and when I win, I get to have you as my reward.”

“Wow, confident. And if you lose?”

The grip on her hip tightens by a fraction, before it relaxes again. Misha has spent long enough in a casino to recognize a tell when she sees one. It seems the dragoness does not take the concept of losing easily. “If I lose, I’ll give you anything you desire that is within my reach.”

“Anything?” she asks, a devious little smile pulling at the corners of her lips. “That’s dangerous, wouldn’t you say?”

"Indeed it is," Fafnir chuckles, a low rumble deep in her throat. When she breathes out, the column of her throat emits a light, orange glow, like the color of magma. The glow pulses in tune with each beat of Fafnir's heart, slow and steady. “But you like playing with fire, don’t you?”

“Guess I do," she shrugs with a smirk that's more teeth than anything, and the adrenaline coursing through her system feels like liquid fucking fire. Who even needs to hit the bottle anymore when she's got this? Fafnir meets her intensity in equal measure, true fangs glinting as her lips peel backwards in something between a sneer and a snarl.

“So do we have a deal, little rabbit?”

The dragoness's gaze is deep, dark and vast—both a warning and an invitation. Something buried in her subconscious screams at her, a bone-deep instinct, a prey response ingrained into the molecules of her being. It tells her to run before she gets devoured.

Too bad she's never been the type to listen.

“Deal.”

It's like the atmosphere shifts, the temperature of the room turning up a notch. The other players at the table squirm nervously in their seats—some tug at their collars, while others unbutton their store-bought suits. Fafnir holds her close as she leans forward, territorial, possessive, a draconic grin nearly splitting her face in two. When she speaks, the words engulf every other player at the table like a pyroclastic flow—scorching and inescapable and damning.

"How about we have some real fun, hm?"

In the end Fafnir wins just as she had promised, and Misha has never taken a patron to the private rooms quicker.

(She'll have to do a lot of explaining for the number of bite marks along her skin on tomorrow's shift, but that's a problem for future Misha. Current Misha is much too preoccupied to care.)

Linking OC sheets here: - Misha, @/e-hibiscus's OC - Fafnir, my OC

#sev.archive #archive: fafnir #hibiscus im going off your character sheet and vibes alone for misha #if any of this is ooc then lmk !!#i'll very happily rewrite it #side note fun fact #blackjack is the only statistically winnable game in a casino #if fafnir is playing blackjack then she's 100% counting and doing more math than actually relying on luck #casinos hate her #also to my moots if y'all would prefer to not be tagged then drop me a msg and it shall be removed posthaste 🫡🫡🫡#hibiscus if u want a continuation...................................... that is also possible #last edit but if it helps set the vibe...... i was listening to slow down by chase atlantic the entire time while writing this

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buggy-is-a-warrior · 2 months ago

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Welcome to my part of the woods!

[plain text: Welcome to my part of the woods!]

Hey, what's up? We're the Tulpar Collective!

This is @yellow-computer-mouse's alterhuman sideblog! Go and follow me on there if you want a jumble of 4 different fandoms tossed in a skillet!

[plain text: @/yellow-computer-mouse]

First things first, here is my DNI. If you violate this, I will block you /srs

Proshippers/Comshippers/Neutrals

Zionists

Radqueers

Anti-furries (from people who believe all furries are zoophiles to people who just think it's weird)

TERFs/SWERFs

Basic DNI criteria (homophobes, transphobes, right-wingers/centrists, racists, etc.)

Anti-agere/those who believe all agere is NSFW

NSFW accounts. It's fine if you post it occasionally /gen, but I am a minor.

Anyways! Here's everyone we've got so far, and our sources! We are VERY fictive heavy. Like. We're all fictives. Umm.

Jimmy (Host) - Mouthwashing

Curly (Protector?) - Mouthwashing

Daisuke - Mouthwashing

Reaper - UTMV

Nightmare - UTMV

Dust - UTMV

Cross - UTMV

There's also something going on with these characters, but I'm really not sure what.

Winter - Wings of Fire

Snowfall - Wings of Fire

Fresh - UTMV

I do not mind doubles interacting with me whatsoever!! I think it's so cool to meet others and see how different they are to me :)

I'd also love to meet some sourcemates!! :) No pressure, ofc, but if you recognize any of these, please feel free to stop by!

Here are the tags used on this blog:

#buggy's at it again - Yapping tag!

#🪽snowy🪽 - Snowfall tag! Also my alterhuman tag on my main.

#winter storms ❄️ - Winter tag!

#pillbuggy! - Pillbug tag!

#tornado blowing through sorry 🍃 - Aeolus tag! (disused)

#dsut sanes - Dust tag!

#death bests us all eventually - Reaper tag!

#splash splash - Tsunami tag! (disused)

#⚔️ - Cross tag!

#funk it up 🪂 - Fresh tag!

#pink hibiscus shallow breath - Daisuke tag!

#gay old men 🐙 - Nightmare tag!

#this is your captain speaking - Curly tag!

#fire fire burns much brighter - Jimmy tag!

#clanmates!! - Mutual/friend tag!

#at the gathering - Ask tag!

[plain text: #buggy's at it again, #🪽snowy🪽, #winter storms ❄️, #pillbuggy!, #tornado blowing through sorry 🍃, #dsut sanes, #death bests us all eventually, #splash splash, #⚔️, #funk it up 🪂, #pink hibiscus shallow breath, #gay old men 🐙, #this is your captain speaking, #fire fire burns much brighter, #clanmates!!, #at the gathering ]

I have some kin-specific BYFs, so please keep these in mind! I probably won't block you, and I definitely won't be mad if you do break this, but please try and be respectful! :)

Please refrain from interacting if you commonly post about shipping Fresh, or if you are going to make a comment about shipping Fresh on one of my posts. I won't be mad if you didn't know, but as a Fresh kin who was very repulsed, it makes me uncomfortable.

In a similar note to the above, please do not mention X-Gaster around me. I don't mind at all if you post about him, but please don't tag me in posts about him or talk about him in one of my posts.

I might draw Winter x Turtle a lot. Please do not make jokes about "Oh, they don't love each other" or bring up canon interactions about this. One, it's rude, and two, I was in a relationship with Turtle (and am very happy to have found him again 💚🩵)

I may be very excitable, or very quiet. I promise that I'm not upset at all. If you are worried or I make you uncomfortable, you can ask me.

Please don't talk about the crash or any of the bad stuff that happened on the Tulpar with me!! It's very distressing!

I will not be mad if you disagree with me respectfully on a point, or if you cross these boundaries (BYF, not DNI. If you violate my DNI (zionist, anti-agere, neutral on Palestine, pro/comship, standard DNI criteria), I will block you, no questions asked.)

[plain text: (zionist, anti-agere, neutral on Palestine, pro/comship, standard DNI criteria)]

Warrior cat and Snowfall userboxes made by @/kthecritter!! Please go check xem out, bark also made my pfp!!

The anxiety one and the Mouthwashing ones were made by me :)

Dividers by @deesblanketfort

[plain text: @/deesblanketfort]

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eljeebee · 10 months ago

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Perlas stood at the back of her hut. She breathed in the ocean air. "I can hear you sing...why do you keep calling me, Great Ocean?"

The wind whooshed. The waters gently waved, as if beckoning her to come, come child.

She stood there for a moment.

The waves were bigger now. It seemed like it was saying hurry, hurry child, come, come!

She dove.

As soon as her legs turned into tail, she floated there for a moment. Her eyes found the starry sky. Something feels different.

The waves pushed her gently away from her hut, as if telling her, move, child, move.

The waters were calling her for her safety. So she followed.

Tonight, she'll sleep in the deeper parts of the Sulani Ocean. It's been awhile anyway. If it meant that it'll soothe the waters from its worry for her.

And as she swam away from Lani St. Taz, a mist appeared on Hibiscus Hut's deck.

And suddenly, a pale woman appeared.

A creature of the night.

She looked around, then shook her head. "You have been lucky so far, Perlas of St. Taz," she clicked her tongue, checking her nails, "The ocean protects you from me."

Stepping forward, she regarded the waters of Sulani with disdain.

"And you have been so selfish," she spat, her spit dropping on the ocean, "I only wanted to ask your Pearl anything she knows about the Vampire Overlord."

As if on cue, her senses were flooded with fishy smell.

"Eugh," she growled, "you think the smell of a rotten fish would keep me away from you, ocean? The weredogs have the worst smell."

Hissing, she vanished once again, before reappearing at the front of the hut.

The vampire took a deep breath. Her search is hampered.

"He had gathered friends in every corner of the world. Not all though," she scoffed, "the werewolves still despise us."

"I do not know why," she gazed up at the starry sky. "Is he planning to dominate the world? Ha, and here I thought he's done with domination."

Sucking her teeth, she frowned, "But why gather friends?"

previous | next

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marthashlyn3 · 10 months ago

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⏸️

🌺Breath Check🌺

Math check. Go! Fall 17 was the year.

Fall 17 to fall 18 = 1yr

Fall 18 to fall 19 = 2nd yr

Fall 19 to fall 20 = 3rd yr

Fall 20 to fall 21 = 4th yr

Fall 21 to fall 22 = 5th yr

Fall 22 to fall 23 = 6th yr

Fall 23 to fall 24 = 7th yr

Now… FDs

Winter but spring semester 18 = FD1

Winter but spring semester 19 = FD2

Winter but spring semester 20 = FD3

Winter but spring semester 21 = FD4

Winter but spring semester 22 = FD5

Winter but spring semester 23 = FD6

Winter but spring semester 24 = FD7

So, in conclusion, I am celebrating my 7th founders’ day. Thank you Trinity & my 22 😘.

There was a seasonal confusion and some serious witchcraft and curses I had to dig through to shine a light on for this clarity. As I type, the spirit left that part of my mind. Spiritual warfare. A very intricate one too. Whew. I can’t wait to see the rest of this journey

I’m on your rear year 7 in this land.

My husband will be with me too.

To the reservation! 🤓😘

#active psalms #FD7 #Public Service #c natural #harmonic alignment #checkerboard chemistry #full blast glitter #full flitter #glimmers of Jesus #Breath Check #hibiscus breath check #Sacre Saturday #Sabbath Tithings

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moonshotsx · 1 year ago

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keep painting me with more memories - sashentra (flower shop au)

here’s a little birthday gift from me to all of you for all the support i’ve received over the year 🥰

Sasha wouldn't call herself a nervous person and yet, she could feel an unusual jitteriness as she waited for Anetra to prep everything for their tattoo session.

Perhaps, it had to do with Anetra's hands gently adjusting the stencil over her thigh, her gloved hands carefully patting it against her freshly shaved skin.

Just, maybe.

"Got this bad boy up," Anetra let out once she removed the paper, revealing the vibrant purple lines, "You can check it again to let me know if the placement it right for you".

Sasha gave it a quick glance over the floor length mirror, she was still in love with the stencil as she had been with the sketch. She appreciated the addition of a few leaves behind the hibiscus' flowers to frame it around her thigh.

"Looks perfect to me," she simply replied, earning two thumbs up from Anetra.

"That's what I love to hear!" She walked back up to the saran wrapped leather chair and went to sit down next to it on a smaller stool, "Get yourself comfortable, and we can start".

The sun illuminated just across from behind Anetra, giving her an unintentional halo.

Sasha wished she could snap a pic to relive this moment.

She laid down, careful not to mess up the stencil as she took a deep breath.

"I know the first tattoo can be a little scary, but I know you got this.

"Oh," Sasha swatted her hand, "I'm not scared, just... nervous, yeah".

"And that's cool too," Anetra said as she dipped the pen in the ink, "You know... I almost punched the dude who gave me my first tattoo".

"What?!"

"Yeah, Sixteen-year-old me thought it would be really cool to get a massive rib tattoo as my first one..." she continued with a laugh, "Let's just say sixteen-year-old me was a fucking dumbass".

"How is that supposed to help me with my nerves?" She raised a brow, but the smile on her face was contagious.

"Well, are you nervous now?" Anetra replied without missing a beat.

Sasha shook her head, "Alright, you got me there".

Anetra threw her a little wink before reaching to rest her hand on Sasha's thigh.

"Okay, giving you a heads-up, I'm about to go in," Anetra warned her as the buzzing of the machine took Sasha off guard, "I'm going to do a few strokes, and you tell me how you feel, okay?"

Sasha nodded, she turned a bit on her side - the thigh with the stencil on fully facing Anetra.

"So, let's get this pretty flower on a pretty girl," the tattoo artist muttered before zeroing her focus on the job in front of her.

Sasha inhaled sharply when the needle touched her skin, expecting it to hurt, but she was met with just slight discomfort.

"How is it?" Anetra asked with a soft tone, "All right?"

"I'll be honest, I thought it was going to hurt much more," Sasha let out a chuckle, finding herself relax under Anetra's knowing touch. She could get used to that.

"I'll remind you of that when I'm doing the white ink touch ups at the end, then we'll see!"

Sasha let Anetra work for the next few hours without much trouble. Her skin felt sore, but she had felt worse in her life.

She loved the way the conversation just seemed to flow flawlessly with Anetra. She felt as if they could talk about anything and everything without getting tired.

It felt refreshing, new, exciting.

The conversations only briefly stopped when Anetra passed over her sensitive skin but overall it didn't impact their discussions.

"So, who else works here? Just you and Loosey?" she asked just around four-hours into the tattoo

"So far, yeah, I've been advertising around for any apprentice. I've yet to hear back from most of them though".

Anetra lifted her head from her work to glance up at Sasha, "Why? Are you already looking for a new tattoo artist?" she joked.

Sasha's cheeks reddened for a brief second, but long enough to not go unnoticed by Anetra.

"I'm just curious! I don't know much about how to run a tattoo shop, as you can tell".

"I'm just messing with you," She chuckled, lowering her head to get back on working in the color.

"Have you known Loosey for a while?"

"Yeah, she helped me out when I was first starting tattooing, she's kind of a mom to me, making sure I'm not too focused on work to skip lunch or that I'm not staying up too late trying to make a sketch work. Don't let her know this... but I'm really thankful I got her annoying ass around".

Sasha smiled softly, "I promise I won't tell. Still, that's really sweet you got someone like her around"

The room felt silence for a moment before Anetra's stomach made a loud noise as it got reminded of food.

"Wait, what time is it?"

"Almost 8PM," Sasha checked her phone, noticing a few messages coming from Marcia.

She fired a quick reply over text as Anetra spoke up.

"Ah, that explains it, this is taking longer than I had planned for" Anetra sighed, "I think I can finish it up in an hour. Is that okay with you? I can order food for us in the meantime, anything you want, I wouldn't want you to get hungry on me".

"That sounds good to me" Sasha replied, as if she would mind spending more time with Anetra.

"Alright then, the final stretch it is. Time for the white, baby. This is going to be a bit of a bitch, I'm sorry in advance".

"I'm sure it's not going to be that- Fuck!" Sasha let out as the pen went against her skin, already sore from the past four hours.

"You can't say I didn't warn you!"

Sasha let Anetra work in silence, watching as the tattoo artist zoned into her work, determined to finish everything impeccably.

After a few more strokes, she got accustomed to the new pain, occasionally letting out a few curse words.

The last hour flew by as Sasha started to doze off, the comforting buzzing from the machine lulling her to sleep.

Before she realized it, they were done.

"And... that's a wrap!" Anetra lifted her hand from Sasha's leg and went to turn off the machine before setting the tattoo pen down, "Go check yourself out in the mirror while I get the stuff ready to seal that bad boy away".

Sasha fought the urge to stretch out as she tentatively got up from the tattoo chair but still taking a few moments to assess herself after having laid down for the past five hours. She carefully made her way up to the mirror to finally get a full view of the piece.

Her mouth opened in a gasp, it was even better than she could imagine, despite the expected reddened skin around the lines.

The way Anetra had perfectly captured the different shades in the flowers - it ended up being even better than the sketch had promised.

"So? Worth all the whining from earlier?" Anetra teased as she admired her work through the mirror, smiling at the colorful language Sasha had adopted when she broke out the white ink.

"It's perfect," Sasha managed to let out, "I... I can't thank you enough for this".

Anetra's heart skipped a beat when their eyes met through the mirror, "You're always welcome".

"I'm just..." she turned around, "Can I hug you?"

Anetra seemed taken aback by the request, her heart beating faster. She didn't master a reply, but she opened her arms, letting Sasha slot in perfectly.

They stood there for a moment, taking it in - neither of them wanting it to end.

"About that dinner..." Anetra was the first one to speak up, "How does pizza sound to you?"

"Sounds just perfect".

#fic prompt #sashnetra #flower shop au

48 notes · View notes

friedbaekhyunandeggso · 2 years ago

Text

Reason ~ ch. 31

pairing: female oc (devon alba) x levi ackerman

tropes: instructor x cadet, strangers to lovers, male mc falls first

warnings: angst/slow-burn, strong language, upcoming smut(18+ readers only for those chapters pls 🙈), mentions of suicide, anxiety & sleeping issues

brief summary: This story takes place a few years after the Fall of Shiganshina. Devon Alba is in her final year of the 101st Training Corps (844-847), due to her success as a cadet she gets the chance to meet Captain Levi. She doesn’t think too much of him until he catches her in the midst of doing something that she isn’t entirely supposed to be doing. But surprisingly, this leads to something unexpected...

ch. 1 [...] ch. 30 | chapter 31 | ch. 32

“Damn, I should’ve just taken a carriage.” she complained under her breath.

It was a thirty minute walk and with her legs she could make it twenty but this cold weather was not making it easy for her. She was feeling every stinkin’ minute of her walk.

She wrapped her scarf tighter around her neck, already missing the ferocious sunlight they’d had yesterday. Fall weather always gave her whiplash.

She gripped her knotted cloth bag tightly as she attempted to warm her hands by rubbing them together.

She hadn’t even meant to take this route back home but she guesstimated that it might be a couple minutes shorter than the route she’d taken to get here.

She’d had a short, early shift at the bookstore today. She’d helped unload the new book delivery so Larsa thought she ought to go home early, despite Devon being the least bit tired.

But she didn’t mind the free time. In fact, she decided to go to a nearby town to check out the tea shop she’d heard about. Levi’s tea was running low-since she was starting to use it-and she wouldn’t mind checking out other types of tea as well.

To her surprise, she’d found the tea shop quite easily. The first person she asked knew exactly what tea shop she was talking about. The store itself was nice as well. She bought Levi’s typical black tea, as well as hibiscus and chamomile tea for her and Levi to try. Chamomile tea supposedly had sleeping benefits so she was especially eager to get Levi to try that.

She suddenly became highly aware that she was the only one walking on this wide road. There was a big brick building on one side of the road and a fence on the other. She was walking alongside the fence.

At first glance, there wasn’t much to see beyond the fence. Just tall, dull green grass but the longer she looked she realized there was a stone gray building further beyond. There was another fence that closely bordered the building.

She belatedly realized that it was a jail. And someone was yelling within it—very loudly. And oddly enough, the voice sounded familiar.

She peered through the fence further, trying to find where the voice originated from only to freeze when she found its source.

There was a broad male, wrapped up in bandages and strapped to a wheelchair. He was wailing like a maniac. He seemed to be avidly struggling against something, it seemed his wheelchair had restraints.

“Let me go! I don’t fuckin’ wanna go back inside! Fuck this! I hate, hate, HATE it here! Fuck!”

His handler shoved his wheelchair forward, “Mr. Bass! Calm down. You’ll have outside time again tomorrow, alright? It’s just too cold right now.”

“Fuck this!” He cried out again, struggling in his chair twice as hard.

A few guards ran over to assist the handler since the wheelchair nearly tipped over.

Mr. Bass.. that name, that voice.. sounds so familiar.. Her blood ran cold.

Carter Bass.

The one and only bastard that had managed to beat her pulp and leave her bedridden for days up to rank day. She hadn’t seen him since the day of the physical assault.

She’d heard he was sent to jail but… seeing it was something else.

And yet.. she couldn’t find a drop of remorse within her body.

Instead a deep-rooted, dark sensation of satisfaction coursed through her as she watched him get escorted inside. His desperate cries went silent the second the jail’s doors slid shut.

She entered the apartment to see Levi doing the dishes. He glanced over his shoulder when she stepped further inside.

“Hey.” she greeted.

He watched her remove her outerwear for a moment before facing the dishes once more.

“Hey.” he responded.

As she hung up her scarf and cloak, he asked, “Short shift?”

“Yeah.”

She seated herself at the dining table with a huff, hastily setting her bag down before her.

She held out her arms-stretching them out-before settling in her seat. Her hand held up her chin as she leaned on her elbows—watching him.

As much as she internally complained about him always being in uniform, it never failed to make her feel some type of way whenever she saw him in it. The simple faded gray dress-shirt, white ascot tie and long dark brown boots. It suited him so well, she couldn’t help but admire him.

It didn’t help that his rolled up sleeves showcased the veins running down his forearms whenever he placed the dishes onto the dish rack. Or that the window above the sink seemed to cast a faint glow over his dark hair.

“You came for lunch?” she inquired.

He nodded, “Yeah, I gotta go back in a bit.”

He then added, almost as an afterthought, “Finished your leftovers.”

She smiled a bit, “That’s good.”

She leaned back in her seat, her arms slowly slipping around herself as she let herself get lost in her head for a moment. The sound of the dishes calming to her ears, allowing her to relax—or at least that’s what she thought. Nothing to do with the 5’3” male being near.

She absentmindedly chewed at her bottom lip before glancing at him.

“Guess who I saw today.”

“Who.”

“Carter.”

The sound of running water in the sink abruptly vanished and he was facing her, “What?”

Something about the look in his eyes felt downright murderous.

She struggled to find her words, “N-no, I mean-don’t worry. It was on my way back from Pennsforth, I went there after work for some shopping but-I passed the jail. I hadn’t meant to take that route but I thought it would be shorter than the local one so.. I saw him. I saw him through the fence around the jail, he was getting pushed around in a wheelchair.”

She fiddled with her shirt-sleeves anxiously, “I guess he can’t walk now.. I wonder how that happened.”

There was a moment’s pause before he muttered, “I wonder.”

She watched him resume completing the dishes with growing uncertainty. Normally his terse words would’ve been easy to brush off but.. there was something off about it. His tone was too crisp, as if mad. In fact, he sounded livid.

He was even washing the dishes with a different vigor.

Her mind suddenly wandered back to the day she’d awoken in the Infirmary—after getting beat up by Carter. She briefly remembered Monty telling her that Carter was crippled now, and-oddly enough-Keith had unpromptedly asked her if she was close with Captain Levi.

She hadn’t gotten the chance to answer his question because Imada had interrupted.

But.. Imada had also asked her about her and Captain Levi’s relationship that day. She never told her why she asked.

How could it be that two of my friends asked me about him the same day—when they’ve never questioned me about him before?

There had to be some common denominator she was missing.

A memory suddenly flashed before her mind—the memory of when Levi returned her pocket knife to her in the Infirmary. She had seen his hand that day, it’d been completely marked up. His knuckles had been chafed and bruised in a way that didn’t happen unless..

Her eyes widened in realization.

Maybe Keith asking wasn’t so unprompted after all.

“It was you.” her voice came out unsteady.

Despite his back being to her, she caught him momentarily freeze.

“It was you, wasn’t it? You broke his legs?”

He turned off the sink, keeping his back to her as he placed the last dish onto the rack. He placed his hands on the edge of the counter, letting his head fall downward slightly as he kept his eyes trained to the window before him.

“Do you think I was wrong.” His voice devoid of emotion.

She stared at his back, the outline of his defined shoulders becoming more prominent within his shirt. He was tense.

She stood up so fast that her chair skidded back.

She didn’t think when she wrapped her arms around his torso, pressing her face to his firm back. Her eyes squeezed shut as she held in a sob.

“Thank you.” she whispered.

I wish I met you sooner.

He was still as her arms tightened around him. Emotion racked through her body and she harshly bit into her lower lip as result–refusing to cry.

If I met you in the Underground, would you have protected me the same?

There’d been so many times in the Underground where she’d been scared senseless–no one to rely on but herself. It’d been so, so hard.

There’d been so many times where she’d cried herself to sleep, wishing that there was someone-anyone-to help her. Someone strong enough to stop her pursuers from coming after her again and again. She just wanted the thugs to stop. She just wanted to stop running.

Then, she just wanted everything to stop.

If she didn’t exist, then her problems would cease to exist. The thugs, the hunger and the pain of hopeless memories. She wouldn’t have to run anymore.

But it was those thoughts. Those dark, wicked thoughts that eventually gave her confidence. If she died, then those disgusting thugs would win. She’d be another innocent lost to the darkness. Food for the rats.

If no one was coming to save her, then so be it. She’d become strong enough to save herself.

The day she made that resolve had been the day she disassociated from being a kid. Her weakness became her strength. Being small, frail and alone meant being invisible. She could use that to her advantage.

And she did, the day she snuck onto a cart going aboveground.

Meeting Kate aboveground had gradually allowed her to feel like a kid again. Kate had made her realize that not all humans were bad–but that thought quickly sunk when she died. The day Kate died, the dark thoughts came back with a renewed vigor. She was back at square one.

She vowed to never rely on anyone again. To be her only protector.

And to avenge Kate.

Her walls had been sky high when she joined the training corps. She’d given everyone the cold shoulder–everyone but Imada. Imada’s weird persistence at hanging out with her had forced her to gradually change. It wasn’t like Imada was super nice to her or anything, she simply saw through Devon. She saw through all the pain, hurt and hate.

It became harder and harder for Devon to ignore someone who hadn’t done anything wrong to her. Then before she knew it, Keith started to stick around and then Monty. Despite being one of the first ‘ones’ in their group, she’d been the last to open up. But even in her friendships, she never allowed herself to be too vulnerable. Always making sure that she was the one to be their shoulder to lean on, rarely letting it be the other way around.

But this… for the first time-in a long time-she didn’t have to be her own protector.

He avenged her.

She felt him stiffen in her arms and she immediately released him. A rush of embarrassment flooding through her when she realized what she’d just done.

She stepped back, “S-sorry.” her voice came out small.

She faced sideways when she felt him turn around. She quickly blinked several times, fighting the tears that were on the verge of slipping down her face.

Just as she raised her hand to check for tears, he caught her wrist.

He pulled her against him–easily doing so by winding his free arm around her waist. His hand on her wrist slid up her forearm, past her elbow to her shoulder before settling on the crown of her head to draw her closer.

She let out a short gasp before melting into him when she inhaled his clean, eucalyptus scent. Something about it so oddly reassuring that she didn’t get the chance to become hyper aware of their closeness just yet.

She twisted her face into his chest, her head fitting perfectly into the space underneath his chin. His presence was so strong, so calming—her heart tugged some more when she realized it was this feeling. This feeling her mind and body had been chasing after unknowingly.

This feeling of safety… the feeling of not being alone.

His fingers slowly ran down the length of her hair before pausing when he felt something wet touch his skin. He glanced down to see a couple tears streaming down her face.

“What’s wrong?” he murmured.

She hesitated, seconds passing as she deliberated.

His voice grew stern, “Tell me.”

She turned her face further into him and his arm around her waist tightened.

“Tell me.”

“It’s embarrassing.” she mumbled.

He exhaled, “Even better.”

She let out a small laugh, “Now I’m never gonna tell you.”

His hand stroking her hair suddenly went around her shoulders–pressing her front closer into his chest.

He muttered into her temple, “If you don’t tell me I’ll never let you go.”

His words felt like an electric current to her body and she suddenly became highly aware of their proximity. This had to be the most she’s ever touched him at once. Her heart rate picked up.

Suddenly someone knocked rather loudly at the front door and she jolted apart from him.

She saw his jaw clench as he eyed the door warily.

“Go to your room.”

She complied-walking swiftly into her room and closing the door behind her. She waited a moment before pressing her ear to the door to hear the front door close.

She popped her head from her room, “Who was it?”

He threw the newspaper onto the coffee table, “The newspaper boy. I told the brat he doesn’t need to knock, he can just slip the damn thing under the door.”

She laughed, “I told you his knock is startling.”

Levi glanced down at his pocket watch before looking at her. Something in his countenance was different than before.

“Devon, there’s something I need to tell you.”

She blinked, suddenly alert. “Yes?”

“I.. I’m leaving tomorrow, for another mission,” His voice felt empty, “We’re set to leave at dawn.”

His statement shouldn’t have hit her the way it did. She knew she’d indirectly told him that she would appreciate a warning before he left but... this felt.. harsher somehow.

“It was decided this morning.” his voice was hollow.

She was speechless. Her arms suddenly felt weak at her sides.

It was too soon…

“Hey.”

Her head jerked up to see that he stood closer now. A mere few inches separating them–now an inch less since he’d just taken another step towards her.

“I’m still gonna come tonight–to your little bookstore thing. Might be a bit late but.. I’m still gonna make it, alright?”

His dark gray eyes were tentative as he scanned her face. All she needed to do was hold his gaze for longer than a millisecond to see she wasn’t the only one torn apart by the news–but she couldn’t.

She looked down. He saw her collarbones protrude as she swallowed hard.

“Alright.” she choked out.

His hand twitched at his side.

“I.. must go now.” his deep voice murmured aloud–trying to remind himself but he was stuck in a trance. He couldn’t pry his eyes off of her.

Just as he was about to take another step towards her, her head snapped up. Her eyes were narrow as she met his gaze.

“You have to come tonight.” she demanded.

The end of his lip tipped up a miniscule, “Yes ma’am.”

Before she had the chance to stare in awe, he turned around. He briskly grabbed his scout regiment jacket off the chair before slipping out the front door.

She shouldn’t have done that. That being drinking as much alcohol as she did—especially considering it was her first time drinking.

It’d been the first thing she did once she entered the bookstore. Larsa had been offering a glass to everyone on entry and she’d taken the glass without a second's hesitance.

At first, Devon hoped it would take the edge off. But then she kept drinking more… and more… and more.

Because she kept thinking of him.

And thinking of him made her sad. She couldn’t be sad at this event now, could she?! It was time for celebration—so many sales, yearly goal made, yada yada yada—woohoo! Hurrah! Celebration time!

No time to be sad—absolutely none.

She was silently laughing to herself when someone lightly touched her back.

She swiveled around to see Jack looking down at her with concern.

“You good?” he asked.

She smiled brightly, “I’m perfect.”

She tilted her head, “Did I mention that your hair looks great like that?”

He’d gelled his hair back for the event, leaving two strands to dangle handsomely over his forehead.

His brows furrowed, “Yeah, like twice.”

Shit. I need to reel it in.

Her smile dampened slightly before she subtly shook her head. She straightened, turning her head to glance around the room.

Larsa had cleared one area of the bookstore and moved all the desks into long tables. She’d lit every candle in the bookstore and more—to make the store as brightly lit as possible. She’d pinned a large red blanket to one wall to make it the background for her makeshift ‘stage’. At the center of the stage resided a violinist, playing the most tasteful tune.

The violinist was a relative of Larsa’s; she'd sent him to the stage after her speech. She was nowhere to be seen now-probably off somewhere organizing the food arrangements-leaving everyone to converse animatedly in the meantime.

She smiled once more, “Larsa’s speech was really good, wasn’t it?”

Jack swallowed, not used to seeing her rather knee-weakening smile this often, “Uh—yes, it was good, great even, b-but w-why are you-“

He flushed when he realized he was stammering horribly.

“Why am I what?” she gently prompted him to finish.

He adjusted his tie, not meeting her eyes, “Nothing, nothing.”

She didn’t think too much of it, instead raising her wine glass to his.

“Cheers?”

He withdrew his glass, “To what?”

She shrugged, “A good life?”

He tilted his head, a playful smile on his lips, “That’s too vague.”

She tapped her finger on the glass, “Hmm.. cheers to not… missing those who we care about too much.”

He assessed her carefully, “Hm, I’ll take it.”

They raised their glasses simultaneously, hitting each other's glass with a satisfying ‘clink’.

She took a sip before tilting her head back to down it all—only for her wrist to get caught in a firm grip.

She glanced up to see Jack holding her arm.

“Wait—how many glasses have you had?” he asked.

She offered him a shy smile before laughing. She used her free hand to pluck the drink from her restrained hand.

“That’s a secret, but if you're worried I’ll only take one more sip.”

His eyes widened as she did as promised.

He released her wrist, “Devon.” he reprimanded, “Isn’t it your first time drinking?”

She set the glass down on a nearby counter. She wiped her lips with the back of her hand, holding in her unreasonable laughter all the while.

“I don’t know.” she said, before walking off.

Just as she decided she would make rounds through the tables, Iris called out her name.

She spun around to see Iris walking arm and arm with a taller male. Iris was beaming.

“Devon! I love your dress.”

Devon glanced down at her dress-forgetting what it looked like for a second-before offering Iris a blazing smile, “Thank you!”

Iris giggled before glancing towards the male beside her, “Devon, there’s someone I want you to meet. This is my husband, Edmund.”

Devon glanced up to look at him. Edmund was blonde, with kind brown eyes. He wore a simple green dress-shirt, buttoned up to the collar and light brown pants. He offered her a small smile, before looking back at his wife.

“Ah, Devon—the most recent hire, right?”

Iris tugged at their intertwined arms, “Yes, I’ve mentioned her several times before–don’t you pay attention when I talk?” she whined.

“Yes yes, I promise I do. I was just clarifying.”

Iris released his arm and crossed her own.

He turned towards her, easily looping his arm back through hers.

“What do you think you’re doing?” He teased her.

She continued to pout, “You don’t listen when I talk!”

“I do listen!” He insisted.

Devon quickly held out her hands, laughing at the scene before her.

“Please, please, it’s no big deal—truly. You guys make quite the entertaining pair.”

Iris blushed while Edmund chuckled, “Thank you, Devon.”

“You're welcome.” she said, before sending the couple off with a warm smile and a lame excuse of having to use the restroom.

She slowly made her way to the bathroom, only to end up stopping in front of the violinist. She watched him from aside, slipping her arms around herself as she let herself get lost into its magnetic tune.

The young teen performing caught her gaze and nodded in appreciation. Before she could do anything to return his gratitude the nerves in her body thrummed to life.

“Devon.”

She froze. Goosebumps arose on her skin as she turned on her heel.

There he was.

His dark hair in its typical style, a neat black undercut. A few dark strands framing his forehead as usual. He wore a simple suit. The matching black jacket and dress-pants fit him well, subtly enhancing his slim yet lean frame. The suit jacket was left open, revealing his white dress-shirt and the ascot attached to its collar.

“Levi.” she breathed out.

His sharp gray eyes never left hers, “Don’t look so stunned. I told you I was coming, didn’t I.”

“I know b-but I’ve never seen you in a suit.”

He glanced down at himself before looking back at her, “It can’t be that different.” he muttered.

He looked at her expression a moment longer, then added, “Is it?”

She nodded.

He watched her curiously, “Hm.”

“You look good, Levi.” The words left her lips in the most casual tone.

The remnants of her sober self screamed within her mind. She’d never complimented him outright like that before–and she probably never would’ve without liquid courage in her veins.

He blushed—hard.

He sharply turned his head away, “Tch, you can’t be serious.”

Her brows furrowed, “Why not?”

He met her gaze with bitterness, “Do you see yourself right now—“

Before she could question his words, Piper appeared before them.

“Hi again.” Piper greeted them.

Piper had left her ginger hair down-for once-and wore a lovely lilac purple dress. They’d already spoken earlier in the event but the male who followed closely behind her—she had yet to meet him.

Piper glanced Levi’s way, “It’s good to see you again.”

“I hope you mean that.”

Devon’s eyes widened as she shot Levi a look.

Did he just try to make a joke?

His expression was still as stony as ever.

Piper let out a short laugh, “Of course! All is in the past. I just wasn’t sure if you’d make it.”

“Anything for my fiancé.”

She swallowed, forcing herself to act natural by smiling at his response instead of turning her head to stare at him.

“I see you finally bought her a ring.” Piper commented.

He nodded, “Looks stunning on her, doesn’t it.”

That simple comment shouldn’t have made her heart leap the way it did. She blamed it on the drinks in her system.

“It does.” Piper agreed, a small smile on her lips.

She glanced at the curly, brown haired male to her right before facing them once more.

“Devon, Levi, this is my husband. James.”

James smiled—exposing his perfect teeth and dimples as he reached out to shake Devon’s hand.

“Good to meet you, Devon.”

She returned his hand shake with a firm one of her own.

“You as well.” she returned his smile.

He then reached out to shake Levi’s hand and Levi shook it. She could already imagine Levi planning his next bathroom visit to wash his hands.

“Levi,” James spoke a bit too giddily, “I truly have so much respect for you, sir—for fighting for humanity the way you do.”

Suddenly her eyes widened when she realized that she hadn’t told Levi that everyone at her job knew about him–who he was. He hadn’t ever explicitly asked her to hide his career from others or anything but she knew he hated the attention that came from it, so she tried to keep it to herself as long as she could.

James continued, “You ought to get more recognition for what you do out ther–”

Levi cut him off with a crisp, “Recognition does nothing for me.”

He cut Devon a side glance before adding-a bit quietly, “But thanks.”

James let out an awkward laugh, “Of course. I can’t believe I got the chance to meet you anyway.”

Saving Levi from having to respond, Devon jumped in, “It’s nice for us to get to meet you as well! I’ve always wanted to see what Piper’s husband looked like.”

James chuckled, “Ha, really? Does she talk about me that much?”

Piper squinted, “You wish.”

Devon laughed before continuing on with a bit of small talk. After a moment of light conversation, Piper and James dismissed themselves to greet others since-like Levi-James had arrived late.

Once it was just them, she quickly turned to face him, “Sorry, I should’ve told you earlier. It completely slipped my mind but they know now–my coworkers know about your job.”

“It’s fine,” he muttered flatly. “When did you tell them?”

“I didn’t. Larsa already knew, so she brought it up in front of them all the day I thought I was fired.”

She absentmindedly twisted the ring on her finger, “Larsa's husband was a Scout so.. I guess she keeps up with those kinds of things.”

He didn’t miss her use of ‘was’ in that statement.

He was quiet for a moment before asking flatly–without a hint of doubt, “Piper’s husband is a lawyer, isn’t he.”

Her eyes widened in astonishment, “Y-yes, how did you know?”

“Only lawyers shake hands with people like that.”

“And how do you know that?” she pried lightheartedly.

“Been around too many people.”

“And yet you still don’t have any social skills.” she teased in a sing-song tone.

His eyes narrowed further, “Tch. Yours aren’t that great either. You only get away with it cuz you smile too much.”

She laughed, “Maybe you should try it sometime.”

“Hell no.”

Her and Levi had gotten separated when Larsa asked her to help set up the table.

She carefully set down the big pot of stew before glancing over her shoulder to check on Levi. He was half sitting, half-leaning against a smaller bookshelf with his arms crossed–looking as moody as can be. He turned his head to see Jack approaching him.

If she thought he looked moody before, it looked a lot worse now. Funnily enough, despite Levi having to look up at Jack–Jack seemed to grow nervous under his stare.

Devon smirked as she watched the two exchange a few words–dying to know exactly what they were talking about until she felt a firm finger on her chin redirect her to face Larsa beside her.

Larsa released her chin, “He can fend for himself. Now go get me napkins from the pantry.”

Devon blushed, “Okay, okay.”

Larsa shook her head as she watched Devon quickly scurry away.

Devon squatted before the shelf, careful not to let her dress touch the dusty floor as she checked the bottom shelf of the pantry.

“Don’t see it.” she muttered to herself.

She stood upright–it seemed she’d done so a little too fast because her head was spinning. She swallowed, her hand going to her temple as she blinked several times–trying to get her eyesight to focus.

Once she regained her focus, she gave the pantry one last scan before stepping out. She froze when she saw Levi walking towards her from the other end of the hallway, his gray eyes locking onto her the second she stepped out. It seemed he’d followed her.

He stood before her in seconds.

His dark gray eyes grew wary as he searched her face, “You–”

“Thank god you're here.” she muttered, unaware that she’d interrupted him.

She hastily ran a hand through her locks, “I can’t find the napkins in the pantry, can you help me?”

He eyed her for a moment. She looked awfully stressed for something as simple as napkins but he went with it.

“Sure.”

He walked past her into the pantry and she quickly followed him inside. He glanced around, meticulously looking through each row the same way she had when she didn’t find them at first glance.

He moved to look at the other shelf and she stepped back to give him some room–only to stumble into the pantry door and swiftly have it shut behind her. The locking mechanism within the door made an audible ‘click’ sound.

They both froze.

All the light in the pantry was gone since the open door provided them with light from the hallway.

“Shit.” Devon mumbled before blindly touching the door until she found the doorknob. She gave it a turn despite knowing the result would be useless.

“Shit, shit. shit.” she muttered.

She heard him exhale and she interpreted it as him sighing. A pang of guilt coursed through her.

“Sorry.”

“Devon–” you don’t have to apologize, is what he intended to say until he was cut off by the sound of her slamming her hand on the door several times.

“HELLO! ANYONE HERE!!! WE’RE STUCK IN HERE!! HELP PLEASE!!” she yelled out.

She knew the bathroom was nearby so maybe someone in the bathroom could help them.

She glanced over her shoulder to address Levi, though she couldn’t see him through the complete darkness.

“You think they’ll hear me if I keep yelling?” she asked.

“Not over that violin.”

Her eyes widened, she’d completely forgotten about that.

“Damn.” she muttered, defeatedly.

A moment of silence ensued. She kept her eyes glued to the narrow space under the door–only a crack of light spilling through.

“I can kick it open.” his deep voice sounded tense, “You just have to back u-”

Her brows sky-rocketed as she turned around, “N-no.” Did he want to get out that badly?

“That won’t be necessary,” she continued, “Larsa knows I’m here so if I don’t come back soon she’s gonna check on me.”

The only response she got was a faint grumble.

Silence followed for a moment after–making the air grow thicker by the second. Making it hard for her to breathe. She swallowed hard, trying to bring moisture to her dry throat but the sound only seemed to echo in the dark. Her eyes still hadn’t adjusted to the darkness.

The darkness surrounding them only made her thoughts go a mile per minute. It reminded her of the days she’d simply close her eyes and think while laying in bed–in attempt to lull herself to sleep the day's sleep didn’t come as easily.

Those days didn’t happen as often now, but she knew they would come.

They always happened whenever Levi left.

The first few days after he’d leave she’d always twist and turn in bed, not knowing what was agitating her until pictures… mental images of him dying would gnaw at her mind. It was humorous at first, but then slowly she’d start to believe it. She’d convince herself that this was it. Her brain was giving her premonitions and that the last time she saw him would be the last she ever saw of him.

Sometimes when they got really bad, she’d have to sit up and catch her breath in order to stop an anxiety attack from occurring. But most of the time, she’d just convince herself. She’d convince herself that she was being ridiculous, that Levi didn’t earn his worldwide nickname of being the strongest soldier for fun. He was the smartest person she knew.

And yet, that didn’t stop the knot from forming within her stomach the second he’d told her he was leaving again. She thought him telling her beforehand would help–it was supposed to–but instead it was worse. Exponentially worse.

All the thoughts she’d irresponsibly relied on the alcohol to push away came crashing down on her. It was too dark for her to try focus on anything else. And the silence..

The silence was deafening–she couldn’t take it.

“I-I think about you, you know.” she blurted out, trying to keep her voice even but her heart was racing, “W-when you’re gone, I.. I get really worried.”

She shook her head, “I know I shouldn’t… I know I don’t need to, but.. I can’t help it.”

“Sometimes…” she drifted off-knowing he wouldn’t like her next words but she decided to tell him anyway. She had to–or at least her drunken mind felt like it did.

“Sometimes I wish I was a Scout so I could see what’s going on. I.. I think I’d be on your squad so… and if I was on your squad I’d do the same thing you do to me. I’d-I’d protect you.” she rambled.

“That’s a stupid reason to want to be a Scout.”

Her heart raged within her chest as he continued, “I don’t need someone to protect me.”

“You’re lying.” she responded impulsively. She was all too familiar with those words.

“Why would I lie.” his tone was clipped.

“B-because everyone needs someone–family, friends, a partner–everyone needs someone.” she insisted.

He was quiet for a moment, “And why is that.”

“Because… because having someone.. makes it better. It makes you feel better. It makes you feel less alone.”

“And what if it doesn’t make you feel better.” his tone was ice-cold, “What if it makes you feel worse? What if wanting that shitty ‘someone’ makes you act irrationally–makes you loose all fucking sense.”

His tone was full of spite, “What if it makes you wanna do shit you know you shouldn’t.”

His onslaught of demanding questions made her head spin as she tried to keep up. The hammering of her heartbeat only seemed to grow louder within her ears.

“I-I don’t understand. What.. what do you want to do?”

Suddenly his hand was on her waist–his grip unyielding as he backed her into the door. She gasped when the back of her head hit the door’s hard material, only to lose all focus when Levi’s forehead met hers. She suddenly wished she could see him.

His nose grazed hers. His ragged breaths traveled down her skin–making her shiver as she sensed his desperation. Just as he tilted his face into hers, he stopped.

“You’re–you’re drunk.” his voice was hoarse.

She was rendered speechless. Yes, it was true but–who cares about the raging headache, the cold-sweat, her scratchy throat, she just wanted–

“I can smell it on you.” he muttered, a hard edge to his words.

Before she could even try to speak–a sharp buzzing sound suddenly rang through her ears. Any shapes she thought she could make out in the dark became unfocused and her thoughts began to spin incoherently in her mind. It didn’t help that ever since her head connected with the door it’d been throbbing like a bitch. And her skin–her skin felt so goddamn hot.

But something within her was burning even hotter–in places that she hadn’t thought possible.

His chest was rigid underneath her shaky hands. His entire frame taut with tension as he struggled—struggled to restrain himself.

His hand at her waist gradually tightened–eventually grasping a fistful of her dress so tightly that the sound of its seams tearing apart could be heard over his haggard breathing.

The pain of his grip brought her back to life and she instinctively grabbed his arms.

“L-levi.” she gasped out, wincing so hard that her body jerked forward. She would’ve fallen if his forehead hadn’t been pressed against hers.

He immediately released her, staggering backwards a couple steps only to freeze when he heard the sound of her sliding down against the door.

He needed to get as far away from her as possible—so he could think straight, but she couldn’t even stand on her own right now.

He scoffed through his teeth before grabbing her arms and pulling her upright against the door. She flinched as her back scraped the wood. Her head was still spinning.

“What—you can’t stand straight now?” he hissed, his grip on her arms tightening momentarily.

She was too dizzy to speak so she nodded—inadvertently brushing her forehead against his.

He suddenly pressed his forehead to her temple, forcing her to face aside.

“You're so unfair.”

She shivered at the harshness of his low tone.

“You just had to drink, huh?”

He went on, “Is that why you were smiling so much? That why you complimented me?”

He spoke through gritted teeth, “That why you put on that fucking dress?”

Her breath hitched.

She froze when she felt his hand at her waist once more. His hand slowly sliding down her side, stopping at her hip—smoothing out the dress he’d nearly teared moments ago.

“I’m convinced… your seamstress is out to get me.” his deep voice completely out of breath.

Red. Red was the color she was wearing. It was the color her lips were painted and the color her cheeks kept turning whenever she glanced his way.

Suddenly her hands found his chest and she pushed at him weakly.

“Levi,” her voice was strained, “I-I don’t feel so good.”

Her quietly spoken words brought some of his sense to the surface. His arm slipped around her the second she fell into him. Her face in his neck.

“Where’s Larsa?” she asked faintly.

And almost as if on cue, the sound of the door unlocking was audible.

He kept her close against him as he stepped back, giving the door enough room to open.

Larsa stood in the doorway, her eyes widening the instant she saw them.

“My lord! What happened?”

“We were looking for your damn napkins and got locked in here.”

His hand at the back of her head slid down to her nape, “I need to get her home. She drank too much.”

Levi ran his hands over his face before glancing back at her.

Devon lay on the bed. Her hair splayed out on the pillow behind her as she lay unconscious. Her red dress felt bright in the dimly lit room.

She’d passed out the second Larsa opened the pantry door.

He sat on the edge of the bed, a bucket at his feet in case she needed it. Lucky for him, she hadn’t vomited yet. He’d fully expected her to when he was carrying her home-but she hadn’t.

He stared at her, relief pouring into him as he noticed some color returning to her skin. Her breathing sounded almost normal.

His eyes easily drifted lower to her chest—the slow rise and fall of her breasts in sync with her breathing. The thin material of her dress only seemed to emphasize the natural action.

He threw the blanket over her.

He never wanted to see her in red again. The color was downright lethal on her. It was a safety hazard. It caught too much attention.

Like his own.

He heard her shift and he quickly turned towards her.

She placed her hand on his forearm, “Levi?” she asked, her voice hoarse.

He looked down at her. She was blinking several times as if in a daze.

Her brows furrowed, “Are you real?”

The corner of his lip lifted slightly, “Yes. I am real.”

She squeezed his arm as if to make sure.

“How do you feel?”

“Like trash.” she mumbled.

She closed her eyes and turned her face into the pillow. Her knees curled into her chest under the blanket-her hand falling from his arm in the process.

She looked sleepy.

He wondered if she would remember anything. The words he’d spoken in the dark. The idea made his face heat up.

He reached out and gently pushed her hair out of her face. He might’ve braided it for her if she was capable of sitting up but she looked too comfortable now.

“Devon, I’m gonna go now, alright.” he muttered—more to himself than her.

He ought to get to Scout headquarters soon.

Just as he moved to get up, a hand clasped one of his suit lapels.

He glanced over to see a sheen of panic in her sleepy eyes, “Y-your leaving?” she whispered.

He was quiet for a moment before nodding.

She attempted to sit up, her arms shaking as she struggled.

He placed a hand on her shoulder-urging her to lay back.

“It’s fine. Just sleep.”

“No-“ she croaked out.

He slipped his arm around her back, swiftly bringing her upright. Her breath hitched.

He could tell she was still a bit disoriented.

“What is it.”

“I have to tell you..” she stared at his shoulder.

“Hm?”

She blinked slowly several times, attempting to fight the sleep that was eager to keep her under.

“I’ll kill— kill you if you die.” she’d meant to threaten him but the words came out meek on her lips.

He chuckled. A handsome sound that made her insides melt into a puddle. If only she wasn’t so tired…

She placed her head on his chest, “I’m serious..” she murmured.

His hand smoothed down her hair, “I know.”

He smelled so good, so clean. She didn’t want him to go.

“There’s this tea shop…” she mumbled sleepily, “In Pennsforth I-I have to take you…when you come back.”

“Okay.” He didn’t tell her that he’d already been.

“They have a lot of stray cats..” she rambled.

“Mhm.” he continued to stroke her hair.

“Maybe we could get food..”

She was quiet for a long moment after that. Her mind easily succumbed to his familiar scent and relaxing touch. His warm presence magnetic to her comfort starved body.

He gently laid her down, tucking the blanket at her sides. He hoped-for her sake-that she didn’t feel too sick tomorrow.

He stood over her. His chest and shoulder aching from her lack of touch. He hadn’t been ready to pry her small, warm body away from himself.

His knuckles skimmed her cheekbone.

“I’ll be back,” he murmured, “I was promised a date after all.”

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