#how one character was running a bath for another character and put some swamp water in it because 'it's very relaxing :)'

[zahroreadsthings]

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[strawberry-nugget]

𝙄 𝙝𝙖𝙫𝙚 𝙩𝙝𝙚𝙨𝙚 𝙩𝙝𝙤𝙪𝙜𝙝𝙩𝙨 𝙄 𝙠𝙚𝙚𝙥 𝙄 𝙬𝙖𝙣𝙣𝙖 𝙨𝙝𝙖𝙧𝙚 𝙬𝙞𝙩𝙝 𝙮𝙤𝙪 | E. Kirishima/ Reader/ K. Bakugo

𝙋𝙖𝙧𝙩 1

𝙎𝙮𝙣𝙤𝙥𝙨𝙞𝙨: after weeks of Bakugo distancing himself from you and Kirishima you finally get the chance to talk out what happened the other day, one thing leads to another and...

𝙒𝙖𝙧𝙣𝙞𝙣𝙜𝙨: 18+ MINORS DO NOT INTERACT, thr*esome, oral (f! and m! receiving), double penetration, fingering, p*ssy slapping, dacryphilia, all characters portrayed are over the age of 20

𝘼/𝙉: I'm so sorry this took me so long. I know this is 6.5k with little to no plot but I hope you enjoy this, hehe, thanks for all of the notes and amazing comments on the last one. I'll be reblogging in a few minutes with the tags in those who asked. Also. This is top Kirishima. Top top top top Kirishima.

It's been two weeks now that you and Bakugo exist in different timelines.

He's never home, lost in patrol after patrol, leaving a hot mess behind him in his room, belts, gear, his back up costume messily sprawled across his room -you guess he doesn't have enough time to clean everything up. Still, the rest of the apartment always looks inhabitable, save for the little mess you make in the kitchen when you cook; he never cleans what's supposed to be your task.

You feel yourself growing sadder every day. It's something Kirishima notices and informs you he feels as well, rooted deep in how Bakugo is treating the two of you ever since that night. And the worst part is you can't do anything about it. He doesn't return his phone calls nor does he ever pick up, and by now you've accepted that he purposely avoids being in the house with you. It hurts even more knowing that he and Kirishima see each other at work every day; at least he knows Katsuki is doing okay, though as he reports, he rarely ever talks more than patrol and business.

You only wonder why he acts the way he does, thinking you don't deserve to get ghosted over for what happened. He's your roommate and one of your best friends, whatever made him feel like he has the right to ghost you with such each is not going to go by so easily and you're not willing to wait it out anymore either.

Thus, this Thursday night you call in sick for work and emerge yourself in the bathtub after checking the clock. 7.25pm. It's still an hour until Katsuki is off his shift, which means you have plenty of time to do some self care. Shave your legs, scrub your whole body with your coconut scrub- anything to calm down that put of anxiety that's starting to boil in the pit of your stomach.

You fear for the worst. That Katsuki doesn't want to be your friend anymore, and losing him doesn't sit right with you. Not over just catching him masturbating once.

There's a ton of things you want to say, or ask him. The lingering thought of him liking Kirishima or you digs deep enough into your brain and plants itself there, getting comfortable right next to the thought of him being jealous of your relationship. Could this be it? Could he just be lonely? He never talks about meeting anyone or having sex -that must be it, he's lonely, that's all.

Your bath doesn't last for long because you're nervous and the water runs cold before you have the chance to enjoy yourself. Maybe it's time to start turning the heating on in the apartment and you curse yourself because you have to talk this out with Bakugo as well -fuck its hard to not live on your own when you have to make shared decisions with someone. To your stomach's turbulence dismay you can't get out of talking to Katsuki.

"No, I literally won't tell you where she is Bakugo"

Your heart skips a beat at the sound of the door unlocking and closing again, followed by your boyfriend's familiar voice. You don't make a single movement to exit the bathroom yet- you're frozen, opting to rest on top of the toilet cap until you hear Bakugo's reply, your gut falling into a muddy pit of panic.

"I swear to fucking god if you two are trapping me to talk about it"

Typically of him, he shouts, barking and chewing a few sounds of what he's saying. Kirishima knows he's all bark and no bite though, you're eager to figure out how he'll oppose him.

"She wants to talk to you, you can't just ghost her like that when you live with her" There's a long pause next "and you should have told me that you're in fucking love with her"

"What?" Katsuki exclaims

What?

"You think I'm an idiot? Or that I can't comprehend basic human behavior? I know how people who feel the way you do act"

"What are you even saying Kirishima? That I'm jealous?"

You blink feverously, trying to take in what you're listening to unfold in the other room. You know a part of you has been wishing that this scenario wasn't true.

"Yeah, that's what I'm saying. You should have told me you liked her in the beginning. I would have never made a move"

They bicker back and forth for a few minutes; Katsuki accusing and Eijiro defending, then switching back and forth before going silent. It's then that you think you should emerge from the bathroom. It feels wrong to not be part of this conversation when you're the reason for their bickering, but at this point the guilt in your stomach is rotting and polluting your insides.

With a sigh, you turn the doorknob and inhale deeply. You tell yourself you can do this. You have to do this, yet your eyes are filled with hot and salty tears as you approach the living room.

Both of them eye you simultaneously, pursed lips and hands crossed over their chests; the only relieving thing about this is that they're sitting next to each other on the couch, their calves slightly touching. You know they'll make up again, they always will, but you're scared you won't be able to be part of that make up. Not with the information that's been poured onto you.

"Hi" You whisper and despite being sure both of them heard you, they make no effort to open their mouths and talk back "I uhm" You clear your throat "I heard what you were ah saying"

"Course ya did" Katsuki growls "course ya fucking did"

"Baku- I-"

"Save it! I'm gonna-" He snaps and makes a move to get off the couch, though Eijiro has other plans; he slams him back down with just a push of his hand

The same hand that's extended to you, overlapping Katsuki's chest, wordlessly asking you to join them on the couch. Your heart warms up slightly. Kirishima always does his best to make you feel included, it's no surprise he's smiling at you when you take a seat next to the blond.

"You're not going anywhere Bakugo. And babe, you can speak now"

Though you smile nervously with your lips, your first word falls silent, in awe of a lung filling sigh. Then by the time you gather some thoughts together your chest is shivering and the tears that you managed to drown before are now threatening to spill from your eyes again.

Kirishima is watching you religiously, pouting as you throw your head to the opposite direction of his to let out a small sob. He tightens the grip of his hand around yours and barely notices Bakugo batting his eyes to that direction.

"Hey, no, don't cry"

"I just don't want to lose Bakugo because of this" you sob and Kirishima shoots a killer gaze at the blond, biting the inside of his lip.

"You're not losing anyone idiot" Bakugo says, clearing his throat, giving Kirishima a strained look as well

"Babe, don't worry, Bakugo and I will be fine, you and Bakugo will be fine"

You sob again, wiping a stream of tears that's falling from your eyes and Kirishima wastes no time on cupping your cheek after bullying Bakugo to do the same. A nice change, you think, two hands reaching out for your face, you could almost get used to this.

"Yeah, you're not losing me" Bakugo tries to soothe, though by Kirishima's demand he adds to his words "I- uhh, I might want you but this has nothing to do with us not being friends"

"Yeah?" You sniffle, looking up

"Yeah"

It's too soft how you're cuddled into their arms instantly, pulled on top of them to sit on both of their laps, held tightly in both of their embraces. You coo into their arms for a while, content when Kirishima kisses your cheek and sobbing faintly when Bakugo rubs your back in circles.

"Do you want a beer baby?" Kirishima asks, softly patting your back and kissing your nape as he leaves you clinging onto Bakugo. You nod into the crook of Bakugo's neck in reply and Kirishima smiles from the other side of the couch.

The sound of the fridge opening is timelines away from what's entering your mind. Is it wrong that you like that cuddle too much? And is it even more wrong that you want more? Bakugo feels nice when you're curling up onto his lap and Kirishima adds warmth and love into everything he's touching, you almost feel your thighs clench at the idea of where your mind's traveling to.

"What if we had a threesome?"

It's so faint when it comes out of your mouth that you're convinced there shouldn't be any loud reaction to it, though you hear the can of beer that's presumably in Kirishima's hand hit the floor, you feel Katsuki's hand freeze on your back. Both of them wonder if they've heard correctly, but never asking you to repeat it.

"A uhm.. Threesome?" Kirishima asks "you'd like that?"

"Yes"

You try to hide your face deeper into Bakugo's neck, but he doesn't seem to approve of it- he pushes you back softly, with a thick hand on your stomach and another still on your back. You feel your face burning as you're forced to face him

"You'd really want a threesome?" You nod and Bakugo gulps "Right now?"

"Mhm" You gulp too, your nose almost nuzzling against his "if- if you want to"

The way you're swamped with attention is overwhelming. From the way Kirishima jumps to the edge of the couch towards you, to the way Bakugo lifts you up and stands on his feet, urging you to do the same as your feet land one by one on the carpet underneath you.

"Fuck okay uh, are you fine with it Bakugo?" The redhead asks, scratching the back of his neck.

"Yeah, I am."

Kirishima gulps when he sees Bakugo latch onto you, placing his hand on your shoulder and coughing up slightly "Should we set some rules?"

"Yes" Bakugo coughs as well, though you can feel him getting hard to where your thoughts are meeting his "wanna suggest anything?"

"Great uh, maybe no kissing between the two of you, since she's my girlfriend? And Katsuki you're wearing a condom too. Are these fine?"

Both of you gulp and nod. It's natural for Kirishima to ask this. Sharing you out of the blue can't completely sit right with him; it almost flicks a switch on inside your gut, making you gulp again when you feel him hugging you from behind.

"Safeword?" Bakugo asks

"Red" You reply cooing when your back finally hits your boyfriend's chest.

You don't even have enough time to count down seconds before you're pounded and squished between the two of them. It's a miracle that you somehow manage to convince them to move it to the bedroom.

Even if making a small stop at the hall wasn't in your original plan

Kirishima's hands are everlastingly on your waist pulling your back into his chest. He's nibbling on the nape of your neck, his fingers light as feathers as they're peeling your T-shirt off of you. He almost grunts at your exposed back, leaning down just to place a kiss on each of your shoulders before latching onto your ear

"It's fine baby, it's fine if you're embarrassed okay?" He blows into you then takes a bite of your ear lobe to which you shiver as you snap your head to his face. “what? Are you that excited?"

You gulp, nodding with your eyes shutting, an expression on your face that looks almost painful -Bakugo can't help but palm himself, searching Kirishima's carmine eyes with his, waiting for a sign that he should make a move or retreat. Anything that doesn't involve him getting a front row seat to how your chest bounces as Kirishima runs his hands on your torso from behind.

"Fuck, I-" He says, swallowijg his tongue in the process, just when Kirishima's hands change paths, now wiggling underneath your sweatpants.

"Enjoying the show Bakugo?" Kirishima's smiles and fuck- when did he adopt such an attitude? "Come 'ere"

Bakugo does as he's commanded, guided by Kirishima, as he trails your torso with his hands intertwined with his, squeezing your upper hips, trailing your belly button, eyeing you with doe eyes before launching a kiss to your navel. You writhe and wiggle in Kirishima's embrace- the feeling of another man too new, too strange to take in in less than a few moments, but Eijiro's got you, kissing your nape, your cheek, softly playing with your breasts above your bralette. Whispering his praises with his hands across your body.

"Good girl" You're sure he whispers in your ear "I got you" But all you can feel is Katsuki's breath as he's placing open mouthed kisses across your tummy, over the valley of your chest, your cheek.

Kirishima is overly alert by this, jumping in between the little scene, capturing your lips with his, using a hand to push Bakugo into the kiss as well, pulling him in as lips as smeared against lips, your saliva trailing out of your mouth. You instinctively rub your thighs together to relieve some of the burning sensation between your legs

Soon enough, Bakugo is taking off your pants, rhen his shirt, Kirishima's taking his off too, managing not to let you go all while pushing the three of you into the bedroom. There's nothing but a trail of clothing in the hallway that could suggest what's happening inside the room once the door closes shut; three pairs of sweats, three different t-shirts and maybe the white ghost of hot and heavy breathing.

On the bed, it's way more comfortable. Your arching back is finally resting against the pillowy mattress, Kirishima's smile from upside down soothing and forgiving, you almost melt away while he cups your face and bumps his nose to yours, giggling slightly, before glaring at Bakugo. He guides your head into his lap, still holding your cheeks, still rubbing circles onto your soft face, pouting hard before facing your friend.

"You good babe?" He asks you and you nod again, humming a small reply to him "you too Katsuki?"

"Yeah, fuck yeah, I am" He gulps, pumping himself twice.

"You're not getting in without prep by the way"

You writhe in Kirishima's lap, gooey eyes and mouth open wide as he leans to pry your legs open, trailing his middle finger across your clothes slit. Your chest jumps when you hear him chuckle. You know he's struck the gold vein he's searching for, your panties swimming in a puddle, completely damp from getting your neck attacked only a few minutes ago.

Katsuki marvels a finger across your slit as well, avoiding your clit purposely or flicking it occasionally, moaning every time his finger touches the chilly dampness of your underwear.

Kirishima pries your legs open wider, hooking his middle finger under your panties and pulling them over and slightly to the side, flashing the blond with a glimpse of you -you swear you see him gulp. Hard.

"Want a taste?" Kirishima asks, chuckling, as if Bakugo isn't frothing at the mouth at the mention of the action, as if he isn't diving in between your thighs like a starved man.

He almost rips your panties by pulling them to the side. Your hands link through his platinum hair and you almost whine at how soft it feels, or, about the moaning sounds he makes as he's digging his fingers in the plush skin of your thigh, swinging your leg wider. You slide a little further along, laid completely flat on the bed -head still on Kirishima's lap.

Sweetly, Kirishima captures your inner lips with his fingers and circles them around before making you hump on him, his knuckles bumping with Bakugo's nose when he chuckles again. You almost tear up by the over stimulating pressure Kirishima's fingers provide for you, but you decide to hold it in; not sure hitched breath leaves your mouth until Bakugo takes an experimental lick across your slit.

With a thumb presses to your clit he retreats for a second, just to watch as he sinks his middle finger inside of you and -"oh my fucking god Katsuki"- he's back at it again, licking at you religiously. Softly, like Kirishima always does, patiently. Just like you love it.

It has your back arching, chest bouncing for Kirishima's eyes to enjoy. He decides he won't have you hanging, bouncing and thrashing. With two huge palms he cups your breasts, flicking your nipples, massaging you for just enough time to make your heart burn, then he wiggles a finger to the hood of your clit, applying throbbing pressure.

The knot in your stomach is tight, your vision blurry, you're sure what you think is silent moaning is probably full-on screaming, mewling or pleas of pleasure that you can't comprehend.

Kirishima is smiling at you from above, still wiggling his finger on you left and right in Bakugo's business and you can't help it- you yelp, pushing Bakugo's face deeper into you. It feels good- too good, like your legs are nothing but jello, your stomach and thighs feeling like they've transformed into liquid smooth. You mewl in Kirishima's arms, coiling, desperately eyeing him in hopes that he and Katsuki won't stop what they're doing.

"M so close" You slur when Kirishima takes a hand of yours away from Bakugo's hair, softly turning it upside down, until your palm is met with the wetness of his foreskin, the pulsing slit of his that leaks precum into your hand.

He whines -"ohh"- when you wrap your fingers around him, instantly pumping your hand up and down, your grip firm and steady as you twist your wrist with every bob of your hand.

"Suck me off baby" Kirishima softly commands, rubbing an experimental circle with his tip on your lips, smearing some of his precum around your mouth. You gulp at how carelessly he pumps his base, until he pries your lips open.

You take him eagerly into your mouth, feeling your stomach churn and your thighs freezing in place by Bakugos movements; so long as you're steadily sucking Kirishima's cock into your mouth, he scissors his fingers inside of you.

"You like that?" He moans into you, eyeing Kirishima "you twitched- fuck you're twitching"

"Show me how wet she is"

Kirishima commands and Bakugo complies by taking his fingers away from your heat and shining them into Kirishima's face. You whimper but how good it feels when he moans against you, blinking as you watch your boyfriend take your friend's fingers in his mouth, sucking in eagerly, before popping the digits out of his mouth, leaving a trail of saliva fall faintly onto the valley of your breasts

"Your pussy's s'wet baby, you're dripping all over over Katsuki's hands" Kirishima thrusts in your mouth "you taste so good" then turns his attention to Bakugo "tell 'er, how fucking good she tastes"

Bulky fingers rub on your clit once more and Bakugos hand secures your tummy in place while pinning you down; you feel it then, the inevitable end of what has been building up in your stomach for such a long while and you can't help but scream at the feeling of coming undone. Shaking, struggling to take a breath without popping Kirishima out of your mouth.

"Fucking perfect"

Your vision is white, your head is buzzing and your legs are frozen. You can feel Kirishima fucking into your mouth once, twice and ever so slightly, depending in how relaxed your jaw is as he's moaning. You don't choke when he hits your throat, you simply moan onto him, too blinded by the afterglow of your orgasm to even react to what's about to unfold.

"Fuck- take 'em off- Fuuck" Kirishima says, you notice. Bakugo probably does as he's told; you hear shuffling and grunting, the soft pop of his dick to his stomach. You want to see-

Bakugo, hazed and drenched in you, cups your womanhood with his hand, landing his thumb on your clit and you yelp again, thrassing onto the bed, finally popping Kirishima out of your mouth. He tugs and drags his fingers away- he's opening you up, of course, that's it- and you can't help but roam your eyes all over him. Searching for his cock, wanting to see it dive inevitably into you.

It's unfair that Kirishima has a better view than you do, but at least, you hope he enjoys the view. You buck your hips forward when you feel Katsukis thighs grace against your own. His skin is unbelievably cold, making the hair on your legs and tummy raise; a tear rolls down your cheek then the moment the tip of his cock touches your clit.

"We've got- ah- condoms in the first drawer. On your left" Kirishima says cheerfully, bucking his hips away from your face, kneeling just to place a kiss on your forehead- your nose- your lips, finally bumping the tip of his nose to yours when he sucks your inner lip into his mouth

"You liked that baby?" Kirishima breathes "You liked Bakugo eating you out?"

"Mhm" You nod, not wanting to break away from the kiss, unlike Kirishima

You can hear Katsuki cursing, slamming the drawer shut as he fidgets with the condom. Everything seems slow, from the way his thick fingers can't grasp the tiny edges of the wrapper, to him finding out what's the right side to put it on -he grunts, inevitably- stealing giggles from both you and Kirishima

"Ah man, you're struggling, come 'ere let me help"

Bakugo grunts once again, although this time it's not out of frustration. Kirishima playfully pulls him close, places a kiss on his navel and extends his hand underneath Bakugo's, politely asking for the condom -you know his lips are pressed into a goofy smiley line right now just by the way his body moves.

Kirishima lets your cheek rest on his thigh when he moves to grab Katsuki's cock, to roll the condom on him while twisting his fist on him no more than twice -unfair- before playfully slapping the blond's ass, urging him to climb onto the bed again.

It's then that your hips are jerked and raised towards the blond, huge palms on your hips, pulling you towards him. Nervous touches, unspoken apologies for potentially harsh movements, his eyes are flickering into yours and his lips are all pouty, scrunched, his cheeks plump with embarrassment. He doesn't know if you notice, nor does he think he ever will, but it's killing him -that he's only allowed to line himself up with you under this circumstance.

Whether you notice the hurt in his eyes or not, you don't comment on it, nor do you spare him any worried look. He doesn't even know if he wants you to take pity on this state of his.

No.

No, he doesn't.

He only hopes Kirishima won't get mad when he cups your face tenderly, nor when he traps your face with his other hand caging you away from the redhead thigh -it's for better leverage he'll say if he's asked to- but you melt into his touch.

And his chest burns.

It's worse when he finally pushes into you. His heart won't stop beating hard and fast and he's scared he's going to have a fall. No-no- he shouldn't think about it, if he does think about it, he'll definitely have a fall.

"Ooh, ooh, ooh," You murmur, feeling the voice come from the depths of your chest.

That's the only confirmation he needs to ignite his ego and light it on fire. You feel good, you're sucking him in deeper and your cheek is still melting into his palm. It's more than enough; he ignores Kirishima's gaze and whatever it may carry behind it. It's for his own sanity he reminds himself.

"You're doing so good babe,'' Kirishima asks you, cupping your other cheek. He's smiling- no need to worry about him not having a positive reaction to Bakugo caressing you

(The rules that had been presented to him were simple- wear a condom and no kissing)

"You're taking it so well, isn't she Katsuki?"

"Fuck yeah" He grunts, thrusting harder

"So, so well baby, we'll make sure you get to come first okay?" You ogle your eyes at Kirishima, teary and soft by his words, clapping your lips together and pouting, begging him silently for a kiss. Only to feel the void when his soft lips don't come in contact with yours

"Oh no, no kiss for baby. You're so naughty, wanting me to kiss you when you're getting fucked by our friend"

"What?" You whine, popping on to your left elbow "Eiji- i want my kiss"

"None can do" He smiles and Bakugo snaps his hips into you "unless you earn it"

Your stomach is tied in a knot again, gummy walls tightening around Bakugo, back arching. It's almost painful to watch you sprawled like this underneath him, reacting in peak with the rhythm of his hips, begging him to go faster, harder. At one point, he's losing himself in the speed he's fucking you with, feeling like he's about to combust from inside out is not helping either

-He thinks, he'll be spent for days after this-

It's guttural, the way you feel as Bakugo thrusts inside of you, the way you mewl and twitch and feel your eyes roll to the back of your head. You feel full, so much that you mutter it, slurred and incomprehensibly at Kirishima. It's more than enough for him to rub your chin with his thumb and buck his hips on your face again. You take him eagerly, smiling with your lips when he lands on your tongue. You swirl it around, pump him deeper into your mouth, suck on his tip until he moans in sync with you.

"Bakugoo" He hisses, biting his lip as he's eyeing you "don't chase your own satisfaction! Go slower and rub her clit too" He takes Bakugos hand away from your face, tracing it down your body before landing on your heat, pinching your clit softly making you moan "ah so responsive"

For a while he doesn't move his hand away, focused on guiding Bakugo's fingers on you, teaching him how to make you feel good while he's fucking and you're on fire, gut churning and chest tight, ovestimulated by how good it all feels. You can't even take a proper breath as Kirishima humps deeper into your mouth. He groans too loud when his tip hits your cheek.

You know this is too much for him, you know he can't hold back any longer, but you grab onto his shaft and twirl your grin on his base, bobbing it into your cheek and popping it out before swallowing it again.

And while Bakugo's thrusts are becoming desperate, Kirishima bursts into your mouth, holding your hair softly, pulling you closer to you- closer, closer, until your nose hits his navel, biting on his cheeks and squinting his eyes so he won't shut them, drunk on the view of you overflowing with his come. He only grubs your chin, swiping his thumb on the white trail that's spilling from the corner of your lips, trying his best to smirk at you without taking a breath.

"Swallow it sweetheart -ah- that's right, you're so -fuck- perfect for me"

Your lower stomach is protesting, bursting slowly as Bakugo is thrusting faster into you. His speed, him hitting that spot in your gut repeatedly, creating the perfect feeling of numbness, it's all too much and not enough all at once, you want to cry out- you gush and you writhe as your legs hook around Bakugo's waist.

Your boyfriend retreats from his previous position, smiling as ever, petting Bakugo's blonde hair, massaging your breast, kissing your nipple, then attacking your upper chest, trapping supple skin in between his tongue and teeth, dragging Bakugo along with him. It's what ultimately leads Bakugo over the edge, his tip feeling numb, blood rushing all over his body, he thrusts a few more times before he pulls out, spilling his own satisfaction into the condom, feeling his heart race faster than ever before.

"Your doing sooo good" Kirishima says once more, pecking your lips repeatedly. "Wanna ride me? Or are you tired? "

"Fuck no, lay down"

"That's my girl" He smiles "Katsuki, come here"

Kirishima rubs your wetness up and down, grunting when he finds your clit, grazing it with the back of his hand, whispering about how wet you are, to which you respond by hugging your arms around his neck, hiding your face in the crook of his neck. You only pull back when he lets you coo into him by petting your hair softly.

You're instantly met with Bakugo's eyes blazing into yours from above- it's not intimidating, rather, it's lustful, but you still need some time to pull yourself back, despite the eagerness in his eyes. You must have missed the point where he discarded his condom, or just how thick he actually is, because he's standing hard and proud before you, nervously searching for Kirishima's approval.

Your boyfriend's approval comes with gripping on him and easing him close to you. You take him in both of your hands, relying on Kirishima to keep your torso lifted, focusing on twisting your hand around him in the same way you did for Eijiro. Too bad you almost lose grip when He snaps his hips into you.

You can feel Katsuki's dick twitch into your hands as you pull him down lower, getting your tongue out of your mouth to place kitten lips all over his length. Eijiro mimics you, licking the tip when you're not licking the base, letting you take control when he ceases his movements for a bit, to lift both of you a little higher, so you don't have to bend your neck as much. He strokes some sweaty strands of hair away from your face, he kisses your cheek and Bakugo is already thrusting into your mouth feverously.

"Fuck"

"You're so wet baby, you feel like you could take us both" You yelp, wide eyes as you freeze on the spot "want to take us both?"

"I do" You yelp with tears in your eyes "I do I do, I do I do"

"Oh, look at you being so desperate, want to get -ah- wrecked, don't you?"

"I do Eiji- you cry out

"Then ask Katsuki to take you too, ask him to shove his cock into you while I'm fucking you too, like the greedy little thing you are"

At this point, you think poor Bakugo isn't going to make it to the end of this.

"Katsu" You plead, watery eyes staring into desperate carmine ones "Katsu fuck me while Eiji fucking me too-"

"Say please" Kirishima interrupts, pinching your nipple "or I'm not going to let him"

"Please, pleaseplease, please"

"Fuck yeah" Katsuki replies "ill fucking wreck you" The sounds he's making are supposed to be words, though they're far from being clear and understandable, his veins are pulsing into your mouth. He's too excited for this, so excited that you know he'll never make it to the drawer to reach for a new condom. So Kirishima is doing it for him, hooking the little rubber between his fingers as he's opening the drawer.

"Come on baby, pull back" He taps on your shoulder and places a kiss on your collar bone, thrusting deeper into you this time. The reaction is immediate, you're throwing your head back in seconds and Bakugo whines at the sudden departure of your warm mouth.

Kirishima allows you to kiss his thighs, his tip, his navel, to squeeze the small of his back and his ass before letting you wear the condom onto him.

You lose track of Bakugo until you feel wet kisses being planted on your thighs and ass, the back of your knees. You feel his hand being placed on your thigh, the warmth of his palm as he's soothingly rubbing it up and down your skin, to prepare you, raising his thumb to graze at your crotch occasionally. You whine every time he thumbs your clit, or flicks it when it meets with Kirishima's navel.

"You good? I'll start with my fingers" You choke on the sound of his words and nod frantically. If only you could actually watch him when he delves his middle finger in you along with Eijiro's cock. Still you whine loudly, when another finger joins the first one, slowly scissoring inside of you "fuck you're gonna take it so well aren't you? Kirishima's right. You love this"

"Answer him," Kirishima whispers, teeth biting down in your lobe. He grabs your face, trapping your cheeks between his fingers, turning you in Katsuki's direction, pushing your cheeks together. You swallow when you see the blind focused on watching you stretch.

"I love it

But Eijiro isn't satisfied with how you're trying to make your words get past from your lips

"Say it like you mean it doll, or I won't let your friend put it in"

You eye him dangerously, putting your lips even further before muttering a soft 'fine' -your redhead doesn't make a comment on your little attitude, probably because he's gotten what he's wanted from you- and Katsuki hisses, fisting his cock faster.

"I love it so much Katsuh"

"And Eiji- you mean. It's not only him that's here" Kirishima smirks and this time he pulls out of you, flipping your body so that your back is facing him. One hand comes to your wetness, spreading your lips apart, stretching you wide open "Try again" He lets go just for a moment, to slap your clit loosely. Once. Twice. Never ceasing when you whine. Your hips buck up towards Katsuki.

"Look at how nice I am, I even gave you a full view. Am I not?"

"You are Eiji. You're the best, the best. And I love this so much, I'm going to combust"

"Oh you will?" Katsuki interrupts, grunting when Kirishima pulls his dick closer to you, rubbing the head on your clit until Katsuki gets the hint. You let out a guttural groan at the feeling, tears starting to form in the corners of your eyes from being too overstimulated for so long

"Yes baby, I will, just please"

"M going in-" Katsuki announces, earning a nod from Kirishima "If he won't let you come, then we don't listen to him 'kay?"

Kirishima chuckles at the one and bites the top of your ears dragging his tongue to the base of it- a warning- to not try and agree with what Katsuki's offering. And being obedient definitely pays off when you feel your boyfriend's head poke against your entrance.

It feels splitting and painful all at once; the tears in your eyes are pouring, and none of the caresses you're receiving is helping. You need time to adjust and both men provide that for you. Minutes pass spent with soft kisses. Kirishima sucking your neck and Bakugo kissing your breasts, the three of you making out- anything until you feel like you can get used to them.

And when you do, they go slow, each at their own pace, simultaneously hitting spots that you don't know could or should ever be hit at the same time.

"You good?" Both men ask and you have to gulp that frog that sits at the top of your mouth if you want to talk, but you can't. Your throat is too tight, your eyes are too watery

"Babe"

"Better than I thought I'd be actually"

You get lost in the haze of their hips, their thrusts and you can already feel Katsuki collapsing onto you, chasing his own pit of pleasure when it hits you. Your gut coming undone for the last time has your heart leaping and skipping beats; you hook your arm around Katsuki's neck, jumping up and down from how fast both men are thrusting into you and you bring your face to his, cooling your mouths together.

When he feels you clamp down on him -and Kirishima- he pulls out, rolls the condom off and strokes himself slightly. You whine at the sudden departure of him inside of you but you quickly clamp down on just your boyfriend, before feeling him shifting from underneath you, finally pushing down the small of your back. You take Katsuki into your mouth while Kirishima slaps your ass, thrusting fast and hard into you.

There's no sweet talk right now, authority and intimidation hiding away as satisfaction is being chased. Sloppily and not carefully at all. It's evident in how you're sucking Katsuki off. There's no consistency in your rhythm, you're squirming as Kirishima is slowing down before picking up his pace again, running his hands through your hair affectionately. When he comes, he coats your insides in white ropes of pleasure, riding off his orgasm softly, until he feels himself stop twitching.

By the time he pulls out you've made Katsuki come as well, hearing his high pitched grunts as he lets it all out in your mouth. Although this time you're not overwhelmed with the amount; it's his second round nonetheless.

Katsuki's hands don't cease to take this chance, even if they're awkward and shaking he's grabbing your cheeks squishing them just like Kirishima did a while ago and kisses you, poking his tongue in your mouth, moaning at his own taste, pulling your lips under his teeth.

You know your lips will be bruised by this. And you don't care. Because when he pulls back, Kirishima is kissing you as well, pulling you into his arms, caging you into his chest.

You even smile as tiny, peppery kisses are pressed onto your skin.

"You did so well" Kirishima smiles "you too Katsu, you both were amazing"

Katsuki smiles, popping onto the bed as well, wrapping his arms around your waist and pulling himself onto you and Kirishima. He nuzzles his nose at the crook of your neck and for the first time in a while he feels warm, content, calm and collected. Or so you think by the kiss that's planted onto your back by him.

It's tender and soft, mimicking Kirishima's but feeling nothing like your boyfriend's kisses at the same time. You collapse further into Kirishima's chest and he kisses the top of your hair and your cheek, mellowy.

"Wanna take a bath?" He suggests under his breath and both you and Katsuki nod, sinking further in the sheets with heavy eyes. Maybe when your feet won't feel like they'll betray you, you'll get up and have a warm bath, sandwiched between Katsuki and Eijiro, smothered in kisses, lathered in lavender soap, maybe you'll make a cup of chamomile for the three of of you and cuddle between them before you go to sleep.

Until then…

[citrine-eyed-witcher]

Give You Peace

Word Count: 1.7k

Pairing: Geralt of Rivia x Reader

Summary: When he can’t sleep, Geralt turns to Reader (who is a healer) for relief. 

Warnings: None

A/N: So here’s my first work for The Witcher. I’ve only seen the show on Netflix, but I’m reading The Last Wish right now and I’m gonna try the game when I go home for the holidays. I do apologize if there are any errors or if Geralt seems out of character and would also greatly appreciate constructive criticism! 

Geralt has fought countless monsters in his many lifetimes, but the one that always seems to come back and haunt him is the insomnia. He’ll go for stretches of days or even a week or two at a time with minimal sleep. Sometimes he won’t be able to fall asleep at all, and that alone is worse than any wound or curse he’s endured. Such prolonged restlessness leaves him irritated and desperate, seeking any source of relief that the world has to offer, even if it means toying with darker forces. Any effort is worth the slightest bit of peace.

But there is one mercy that the universe has afforded to him, and that mercy is you. On the edge of a lake, there sits a stone cottage, covered in endless tangled vines of emerald ivy. A vast garden of herbs and spices thrives on the side of the house closest to the water, and just the scent of lavender in the air is enough for Geralt to begin to relax as he urges Roach down the narrow dirt path. Once he’s close enough, he dismounts the mare and ties her to the post just a few yards from the house, leaving her to rest and graze as she pleases for the night.

Geralt is silent as he enters the house, not wanting to frighten you in case you’re already asleep for the night. Through the window he can see the silver glow of the moon on the surface of the lake, and if he weren’t so tired, he’d stand to appreciate it longer. It’s not often that he has the chance to admire such beautiful scenery. He’s used to swamps and ruins and barren lands.

He takes a few steps in the direction of your bedroom, pushing the door open as soon as he can reach it. The witcher’s brows furrow in confusion, however, when in the soft light of the fire he finds that your bed is empty. He steps further into the room, his eyes searching for you, but he’s stopped in his tracks as the edge of a blade kisses his throat. Exhaustion delays his reaction time more than he’d like to admit, but as soon as his hand wraps around the wrist of his attacker, he lets out a breath. He knows it’s you before he sees you.

“I’ll have to admit, this isn’t my favorite way to be welcomed home,” he murmurs, voice low as he releases you. Geralt then turns, his golden eyes meeting your soft gaze. The dagger falls to the floor then, and he wastes no time in taking you into his arms.

“Geralt, you can’t scare me like that. I could have hurt you,” you reply, and he closes his eyes as you cradle his face in your hands.

His lips turn upward and he hums in amusement. “I’m confident that you wouldn’t let me die at your own hand,” he says. Geralt is quiet for a few long moments then, taking in a deep breath of your scent. There’s something so intoxicating about the combination of honeysuckle and lavender. Maybe because it’s so distinctly you that nothing else could ever hold in comparison.

“I thought you’d be asleep,” he whispers, his words slurring minutely in his exhaustion, and though he’s not aware of it, he leans more and more into your touch, letting you take more of his weight.

You frown slightly, brushing a few strands of hair from Geralt’s face and sighing softly at the dark circles under his eyes. “No, but you should be. When is the last time you slept, my love?,” you ask, expression twisting in concern as you speak. You’re well aware of the restlessness that Geralt faces all-too-often, but it still breaks your heart every time he comes to you in this state.

“It’s been days. Every time I close my eyes just...nothing,” he admits, shifting to rest his forehead against yours, and all the while his eyes remain closed. By now the exhaustion has settled deep into his bones, and he wants nothing more than to be able to finally get some rest.

You sigh softly, gently running your fingers through Geralt’s long, white hair. “How about a hot bath first and then we can sleep?,” you ask, knowing that some of the oils you usually put in the water might help him fall asleep.

Geralt hesitates for a moment. He hadn’t come to you to be an inconvenience, though he knows that you would never see a bath before bed as an inconvenience, especially if you thought it would help him. Finally though, he relents with a soft sigh. “Alright,” he murmurs.

You smile softly then, slowly separating from him so that you can go to heat up the water. While he waits, Geralt takes a seat on the edge of the bed, listening as you go around the house gathering the other things you need.

Before he knows it, Geralt is being pulled up from the bed and led back to the small bathing chamber in the next room. Soon, he’s undressed and sinking into the steaming water, and he leans back against the edge of the wooden tub, closing his eyes and taking a deep breath of lavender and chamomile. “You’re too good to me,” he tells you quietly.

“You say that as if you don’t deserve to be treated well, Geralt,” you reply softly, shaking your head. You then step into the tub with him, taking a clean cloth with you. He opens his eyes as you join him, grinning at the questioning look on your face.

“Let’s just call it a luxury seldom enjoyed,” he murmurs, reaching out for you and pulling you against his chest in the water, “but one that I could get used to.” He presses his lips to yours in a slow, longing kiss, caressing your face in a careful, gentle movement.  

“I can’t say I’d be opposed to having you around more often,” you whisper against his lips, threading a hand into his hair.

Geralt hums softly in response. “Witchers don’t take vacations,” he quips, resting his hands on your hips.

“Well then, I guess the next time you come in need of a healer, I’ll just have to take my time. Keep you here for a while longer just so we’re sure you’re alright,” you tease right back.

“You won’t hear any complaints from me,” he tells you.

“Good,” you say, capturing his lips in another kiss. “Not that you had a choice in the matter.”

—

Once you’re both clean, you climb out of the tub, drying off quickly before dressing in clean sets of nightclothes: you in your nightgown and Geralt in a pair of soft trousers. And while you go to find one last sleep remedy, Geralt stokes the fire in the bedroom, building it up enough that it will last the rest of the night without dying out.

You step back into the bedroom with a small vial in your hand, which you offer to Geralt as he stands to meet you. “What is this?,” he asks, taking the vial and holding it up to examine the dark liquid inside.

“Valerian. It’s what I use to put people to sleep when they’re in pain. It’ll do you some good,” you explain.

He raises an eyebrow, but pulls the small cork anyway. “Are you sure this isn’t part of your plan to keep me here forever?”

You laugh softly, shaking your head. “You’ll never suspect when I decide to do that. Trust me,” you reply, going right along with his teasing. You watch then as he takes the valerian in just a couple small sips, taking the vial from him when it’s empty. “Go lie down. I’ll be there in just a second,” you urge him, turning and leaving the room once more.

Geralt nods, more than willing to finally lie down after waiting so long for some decent sleep. He pulls back the covers, settling himself onto the mattress and sighing at the immediate comfort that it brings him. With the heat of the fire at his back, he’s finally able to truly rest for the first time in a long time. Already he can feel the valerian beginning to pull him under.

By the time you return to the bedroom, you can tell that Geralt is hardly coherent anymore. You let out a soft, contented sigh, climbing into bed next to him and pulling the quilt just over his hips. He hardly stirs at the movement, and you know then that you’ve been successful in giving him relief from the insomnia. You settle down next to him, gently caressing his face, though you’re surprised as his hand comes up to wrap lightly around your wrist.

Geralt opens his eyes just enough to see you lying there in front of him, and he hums lowly in content, pressing a kiss to the underside of your wrist. “Thank you,” he murmurs, fighting against the exhaustion that pulls him so strongly. It takes all of his will just to keep his eyes open.

“Shhhh. It was nothing,” you whisper, running your thumb along his cheekbone. Your expression softens at his gaze, at the unparalleled love and admiration held in his amber eyes.

“No…,” he trails off, his eyes slipping closed. “It was...more than that. You’re…,” he stops again, and you smile, thinking that he won’t even be able to finish his thought before he falls asleep. Your heart swells at the sight, happy to see that he can finally rest the way he needs to.

“...You’re my only peace…,” Geralt breathes out. And with that, what light grip he hand on your arm fades to nothing. And already you can see that he’s fallen into blissful slumber.

You let out a soft breath, eyes burning just slightly with the threat of tears at his admission. You place one last kiss on his temple before resting your head on the pillow next to his. “I love you, Geralt,” you whisper to him, closing your eyes and drifting off beside him just moments later.

[thepeanutbutterwizard]

Ninjago / Avatar au Part 5

On to Book two! (I have more concrete ideas on this than Book 1, so I might have to put Book two things on more than one post)

(Part 1, Part 2, Part 3, Part 4)

Also, if you like this au, check out this awesome art by @spirit-elementmaster!

Team Avatar is looking for an earthbending teacher for Lloyd. Wu and Morro are on the run in the Earth Kingdom. And Harumi is on the hunt, but she’s gonna need some help...

Enter Skylor, the laconic, acrobatic, chi-blocking daughter of a Fire Nation high-up, and Akita, the borderline feral knife-wielding niece of Vex, the warden of the Boiling Rock, who ran off to join a circus. Harumi ‘recruits’ the two girls, who she had ‘befriended’ years ago when she was first brought to the Firelords palace, to help her track down the Avatar. They were also sort of friends with Morro when they were kids too (there will be no ships between these four. They might be shipped with other people, but not with each other.) Also, Akita is a little younger than the other three, but won her right to hang with the ‘big kids’ by being able to pin a fly to the wall with a toothpick at thirty feet when she was 8 and the others were 10-11.

Wu and Morro are working their way to Ba Sing Se, under the guise of being refugees. There are shenanigans. (Wu 100% makes tea out of the poison bush thing. Morro almost broke his neck rolling his eyes at that) There are stupid fake names. There is bonding. They don’t end up splitting up like Zuko and Iroh do, but they do get unintentionaly separated at one point (more on that later).

Also, Kai’s acting a tad more overprotective than normal bc of what happened with Zane. And he’s acting that way toward everyone, including Maya and Garm. That will be addressed later.

Team Avatar is heading to the city of Omashu to try and find an earthbender they had meet there before, a guy who was actually a friend of Koko’s from her travels before she settled down in the South Pole. I have no idea who this character will be yet and am open to suggestions (mb one of the Serpentine Generals? Or one of the Elemental Masters? They’re some of the side characters I like, so they might work but idk). They stop briefly at an Earth Kingdom base, where they meet one General Kozu, who has the brilliant idea to try and weaponize a thirteen-year-old boy.

This does not go well. Garm, Maya, and Nya are staunchly against this, Kai thinks if they had a sure-fire way to get it to work without hurting Lloyd they should go for it, but if he thinks Lloyd is in danger he will step in, and Lloyd is scared, but thinks that if they can get this Avatar State plan to work and end the war now, long before the comet arrives, then it’s worth the risk. Kozu does the thing where he makes it look like he’s trapped Garm underground to suffocate (what happened to Katara)(also, there will be no ships between Lloyd and any of the ninja or Morro). Kozu gets his butt whooped and his base trashed.

And now we get to the next ninja to join the plot! In a second. Maya, Nya, and Lloyd are practicing waterbending, Garm and Kai had been doing a little firebending practice but had started chilling. And then they meet the nomad musician stoners, who are a few of the Elemental Masters. Jacob (Sound) is definitely one of them, a couple I haven’t decided on, and Jay! Jay’s a nonbender (I couldn’t for the life of me come up with a way to make him a firebender so he can use lightning) and an inventor who is following these weird flower hippies around bc they said they could get him to a city where he could try and sell his inventions. That was months ago. He has not seen a city. He has not been able to properly bathe. He is regretting several life choices.

Jay is instantly enamored with Nya (sorry if you hardcore ship Jaya, but that ship aint gonna happen here. I don’t like, hate the ship, but it’s really not my favorite), the strong waterbender who was instantly intrigued by his inventions (I think a character in Legend of Korra has some kind of lightning glove thing. One of Jays inventions is something like that) and was able to understand and keep up with his technobabble. He thinks he’s found his dream girl, and an excuse to get away from the smelly flower people! Jay begs Team Avatar if he can come with them. They say yes.

They can’t make it over the mountain, so they have their adventure in the Cave of Two Lovers. They get separated into three groups, Ultra, Garm and Maya, Kai and the musicians, and Jay and Nya. Jay keeps trying to awkwardly flirt with Nya, who actually doesn’t realize that he’s flirting bc she’s worried about her family and focused on getting out of the caves. They find the crystal path thing when their last torch either burns out or gets dropped and snuffed out. Kai and the hippies befriend the badgermoles. Garm and Maya, who were thoroughly done with this whole lovers cave adventure, used their bending and Ultras help to brute-force their way out (the badgermoles fix the cave later).

They get to Omashu, but it’s been taken over by the Fire Nation and the earthbender they were there to find was taken captive by the Fire Nation and sent to an earthbender prison. They have their first run-in with Harumi, Skylor, and Akita.

They have their little swamp adventure, they have some not-fun visions. Garm sees his dad (which scares the crap out of him), Maya sees her dead mother, Kai sees Zane, idk who Nya sees (mb Ray I guess? She misses him but he isn’t like, dead or anything so it might work?), or who Jay sees either (his birth parents I guess? That could be part of a character arc) and Lloyd gets a vision of his earthbending teacher. Y’all can probably guess who it’s gonna be, but I don’t wanna spoil it right now. And you know that one swampbender who bent the water in the vines to make a big plant monster? That’s Bolobo, the EM of Nature.

That Avatar Day adventure happens. Lloyd tries out that free lesson at the earthbending school, and they go to Earth Rumble 6. Kai gets way too invested in this underground fight club. Karloff is The Boulder, nuff said. And the reigning champion, whose stage name I haven’t decided on is Cole. Now, here’s the thing: I don’t want to make Cole blind just bc Toph was, but I do love the whole ‘listening to the earth’s vibrations to become a powerful earthbending master’ thing. So here’s Coles deal. His father is a rich and famous performer, and his mother was killed in an accident (possibly Fire Nation related, possibly not) that lead to Cole losing his legs (below the knees). He was just learning how to earthbend when it happened.

Something I’ve noticed in A:TLA is that earthbenders seem to use their legs and feet much more than other benders, with strong stances and stomping moves to connect to the earth. So to an earthbender losing their legs, losing their way to connect to the earth, would probably be one hell of an obstacle to work around. Cole’s father used his wealth to get Cole some nice prosthetics (Sparky Sparky Boom Man had two prosthetics, so I know they exist in the avatar world. Coles aren’t intimidating metal ones with some kind of mechanism to move like a real foot) but they don’t allow him to feel the earth like he needs to. So he painstakingly makes himself some new prosthetics. It looks like he’s just got bulky boots made out of stone, but Cole spent years working to be able to feel the earth’s vibrations through these prosthetics, to the point that he could be blindfolded and still be able to ‘see’ and earthbend fairly well. He can even get them to move like their his real limbs a little bit.

He can’t move with as much speed and agility, but he makes up for that by being a freaking powerhouse. But Cole can’t wear his earth prosthetics for super long periods of time bc he had no idea how to actually make them comfortable and make it so they don’t damage his stumps after long periods (after he joins Team Avatar Jay and Nya help him combine his professionally made prosthetics with his earthbending ones so he can wear them full time). Lou had become very protective of Cole after the accident, which is why Cole started participating in Earth Rumble 6.

Things go similarly to cannon, Cole shows his dad how powerful he is as an earthbender, and while Lou does ban Cole from going with Team Avatar at first, he actually does change his mind and let Cole go with them. He even sees them off. It’s a sweet moment.

So what have Wu and Morro been doing? Traveling, dealing with the occasional rude fellow traveler, and getting seperated in a storm turned flash flood. Team Avatar also get split up in this storm turned flash flood, Garm, Cole, and Jay get separated from everyone, including each other. This leads to Maya, Kai, Nya and Lloyd flying Ultra around in a small area to search for them, and makes it really easy for a tank occupied by three dangerous girls to track them for a good two days, leading to some mild sleep deprivation. (Dragons don’t shed fur, so that’s my fix for that bc I really like “The Chase” and wanted to include it)

Morro was looking for Wu, but finds Harumi and starts following her (he’s hoping that she might lead him to Wu, or that Wu might start following Harumi and they’ll run into each other, or smthn. And if he’s able to catch the Avatar there’s a chance that he and Wu will be forgiven by the Firelord. He’s not banking on it, but it might work). Jay and Cole find each other, and then run into Wu, who was looking for Morro. Maya and the kids split up to cover more ground and to try and to try and lose the tank and the girls. Lloyd goes one way, Kai and Nya go in another, and Maya takes Ultra to find a place for him to nap.

Harumi follows Lloyd’s trail, and Skylor and Akita go after Kai and Nya. Meanwhile, Cole and Jay have some tea and conversation with Wu. No idea what the conversation is about, but it gets cut short when Garm finds them and tells Jay and Cole to get away from Wu. There’s a bit of a stand-off, since Garm doesn’t trust Wu and hasn’t read his letter yet, and Wu is getting a little frustrated at his brothers stubbornness, (and is wondering how he keeps collecting children) even though he does understand why Garm would be cautious around him.

They work together to find a trail, have some awkward small talk, the brothers start to reconnect a little bit, meet up with Kai and Nya (who fought off Skylor and Akita), and they all go after Lloyd and Harumi. They find them in a three-way fight with Harumi, and Morro is going all out with his airbending for the first time in his life. Everyone gangs up on Harumi and corner her, and when she notices Garm is a bit distracted trying to subtly check on Lloyd, she tries to fire an attack at him-

-only for Wu to push him out of the way and take the hit. Wu goes down, hard, and everyone attacks Harumi, but she gets away. Morro blows Garm away away when he tries to get to Wu, calling Wu his father for the first time, and he kicks up a wind storm to keep them away. Maya shows up on Ultra, who got enough of a nap to fly for a few hours and let everyone get some much needed rest. Everyone that is, except Garm, who finally sits down to read his brothers letter...

[realityhelixcreates]

Lasabrjotr Chapter 34: Breaking News

Chapters: 34/? Fandom: Thor (Movies), Marvel Cinematic Universe Rating: Teen And Up Warnings: Mentions of nudity. death, internet misogyny  Relationships: Loki x Reader (Someday) Characters: Loki (Marvel), Reader, Thor, Brunnhilde, Heimdall  Additional Tags: Post-Endgame: Best Possible Ending (Canon-Divergent), Loki Has Some Telling Dreams, Loki Has Some Legitimate Fears, This Is Why People Have A Low Opinion Of Journalists These Days, Clickbait More Like Clickhate Amirite Summary:  Fame can be particularly unpleasant

You stormed into the bathtub, naked as the day you were born, and the fury of you pushed him back against the wall. It was hard now to remember that you were mortal. Small. Helpless. It was hard to remember when you approached, wrapped in burning rage, like a force of nature. Thor could not help, for he too, was weak in the face of mortal women. Brunnhilde would not help, for she knew, as Loki now did, that he had made a terrible mistake. He looked to them for support anyway.

They were not there. There was only you and him, in a bath that seemed increasingly too small. The water lapped at your breasts as you splashed towards him. He had tried not to look, he had really tried. But you had demanded it. “Look at me!” You had snarled, and he had, and he remembered every inch of skin he had seen before your little fist had connected...

Not again. It wasn't that the strike had hurt exactly, he hadn't minded that. It was the anger, and the hurt underneath it. It was knowing that it was all because of how callous and thoughtless he had been, when he was supposed to be better than that.

“Look at me!” You demanded, and he did, resigned to what was to come. Your hand shot out and grasped the back of his head, fingers curling in his hair.

What?

In a single, smooth movement, you closed the last of the distance between you and him, sliding up against his body and capturing his mouth in a searing kiss.

His entire mind blanked, and he just stood, dumbfounded for a few moments, until everything caught up with him. Then he flung his arms around you, crushing you to his chest and returning the kiss with equal fervor.

Oh, this...this was so much better than being punched...

He poured passion into you, wanting more, more, more. It had been so long since he'd had this, and even then, it was with suspicion and apprehension hanging over him. But this felt so pure, so true. He didn't want to ever stop.

He kissed you ceaselessly until the water went cold around him, and even then, he didn't want to stop. But the cold was creeping up his body, so, so cold. Cold and...hard...

He drew back suddenly, to stare into your unblinking, rime-covered eyes. Your face, your body, rigid like a perfectly detailed statue.

Loki tried to leap away, shouting in horror, but the bathwater was solid, trapping him from the hips down. He flailed, the blue of his skin catching his eye.

Odin was there, perched on the tiles on the other side of the tub. He was saying something, but Loki could not hear over his own screaming.

He opened his eyes to the false night created by the hotels blackout curtains, immediately rushing to your bedside. You were breathing softly, slowly, and he almost thew his arms around you in relief, only drawing back at the last moment, for fear that you would freeze at his touch.

What was getting into him? First, out on the island, he had almost...done something before that bird had interrupted. Had he almost kissed you? Why? Why was he dreaming about it now, why was he craving something like that? Such things were not for him, surely he was still too busy, surely he was not meant for trivialities like romance. That must be what the dream was about. He was still too broken, too untrustworthy, too dangerous. It would only end in disaster.

At least it was now obvious that you didn't share all of his dreams. You slept peacefully, unaware of the warnings his mind was providing him. A warning. He should heed it. Banish all thoughts of soft affections and closeness. It was just a warning to keep his hands to himself.

He had been getting too comfortable by far. Holding your hand out in public, putting his arms around you, dancing with you. Crawling right into bed with you, the instant you allowed it of him! He even tried running to you for comfort after this nightmare, even though he was the one who was supposed to be protecting you! Even though he was the one who was a danger to you.

That dream was incredibly unfair. He had never once lost control over his form, not ever. Only the touch of another frost giant, or their magic, could force him to revert, otherwise, he had perfect control. He had kissed others, and not frozen them.

None of them had been mortal though. Or rather, none of them had been as weak and lowly as a human. So soft, so delicate. So fragile. So brief.

He paused a moment to regain control of his breathing. There was something so appealing about your vulnerability, especially since you lived your life as if mostly unaware of it. All humans did, despite being the most frail of the peoples  in the Eight Realms.

Retreating to his bed, he settled down, but did not sleep, visions of forbidden intimacy swimming just behind his eyelids.

                                                                               ******

You awoke, well rested and fresh. What lovely dreams you'd had. Traveling the universe, bathed in blue light, like a fading star. Something was attempting to communicate with you, not in words, but in impressions. It showed you dozens of worlds, peoples, stars, and other wonders. You could visit all these places, it promised, you could see all these things and more. All you had to do was learn how.

Bolstered by that potential future, you greeted the morning, barely noticing how quickly Loki switched places with Saldis, neglecting to tease you at all. At least you now knew you didn't share all of your dreams with him, not that you would have minded sharing this one.

You went out for breakfast with Saldis and Borgliot, and showed off your new puffin charm, and the seeds you had bought at the botanical gardens. Both women cooed over the puffin, just as charmed by the silly birds as you were. Saldis showed you a patterned, wool sweater she had bought to bring back to Andsvarr and a box of salted licorice for herself, and Borgliot had a bottle of Brennivin and a pair of very nice hiking boots for her brother, whom she told you was trapped on Vanaheim. There were a lot of families that had been scattered that way, with family members offworld at the time of Ragnarok, who had no way now to return without the Bifrost.

“We two shall meet again, I am certain.” Borgliot said. “In time, the Bifrost shall be repaired, and restored to its former power. We hast only to wait.”

Borgliot had time. She was maybe a little younger than the king, just young enough to have missed being discovered by the Valkyries before their last flight. Plenty of time left to see the Bifrost returned to full strength. You might not though.

Shame that. You did want to explore space, just like in your dream, but unless there was some breakthrough in building it, the Bifrost would be no help.

Saldis and Borgliot were going home today, since the trial was over, and they were no longer needed. Thor was swamped with press, and meetings with the local authorities, but he and Brunnhilde planned on leaving tomorrow, if they could conclude all their business by the end of the day. That would leave you and Loki alone in the city for two days after that, if you wanted to stay.

There was still a waterfall to visit, and more whale watching to do. Plenty of museums to visit, plenty of history to learn. Surely you could fill two days with education.

You saw the girls off on their horses with many well-wishes on their return, then rejoined Loki and Thor before the latter had to run off to another meeting. Brunnhilde, however, had other plans for you, dragging you away with her to input numbers into your new phone.

                                                                ******

Loki watched you go with some apprehension. The Valkyrie could be unpredictable as he was, and Loki was disinclined to fully trust anyone who reminded him of himself. Still, he was certain that she would not allow you to get yourself into any real trouble, and said nothing as the two of you left.

“So...” Thor said, a jovial tone in his voice that Loki recognized as meaning some kind of brotherly teasing was on its way.

“Yes?” He said testily, not really in the mood.

“You have been somewhat...indiscreet this week, don't you think?”

“I'm sure I have no idea what you mean.”

“Oh, well then, allow me to show you!”

Thor held out his phone with a majestic flourish. His newsfeed was clogged with article after article full of pictures; you and himself walking together, holding hands, eating meals, hugging, leaning on each other, just being together. Headlines speculated every possible thought, though most of them were centered on whether or not you were dating. There was one that showcased a picture taken of him carrying you in his arms, and leaping from the courthouse stairs. He looked terribly dashing to his own eyes. The headline shouted in bold text:

DEMON OR DISNEY PRINCE: Could the Controversial Prince of Asgard Have Rethought His Stance on Human Inferiority?

He snorted. Possibly. But it wasn't anybody's business but his.

Directly beneath that article was yet another-there were stacks and stacks of them-that featured you clinging to his arm with an unpleasant, clearly photoshopped expression.

HUSSIE OF THE MONTH: Supposed Victim Actually Shameless Social Climber? Pictured Here Brazenly Clutching The World's Most Eligible Villain!

“My, that one is unfriendly, isn't it?” Thor said, disapprovingly.

“I am not that eligible.” Loki protested.

“That's the part you're concerned about?”

“There's so many of them. They just go on and on; why are there so many? Look at this: 'Fantastic Frenemies? The Lady Doth Not Protest Too Much?' Ugh, 'Loki's Live-In Lady'? Look, this one calls her a doxie! How dare they publish that! Is there no oversight? I hope she hasn't seen these yet.”

“Uh, well...I'm pretty sure Brunnhilde was going to show her...”

“Oh no.”

“You have got to be kidding me!” You bellowed from where the Valkyrie had led you.

“Oh no.”

You stormed back up to him pointing at your new phone.

“Is this what you mean by PR?” You snapped. “I don't even recognize some of the words they're calling me!”

“I know, and I share your fury.” Loki assured. “I will find the addresses of these publishing houses, and I will utterly destroy them. No stone left atop another, I will raze them to the ground! I shall-”

“Loki!” Thor scolded.

“I shall write them a stern letter, detailing my disapproval!” Loki amended.

“It won't stop them.” You grumbled. “It's all clickbait, and it's all already out there. Once something's on the net, it's there forever. This is never going away.”

Loki placed his hands on your shoulders, leaning down to look you right in the face.

“Then we will do what those of us who are higher than they always do: ignore them. They are as ants to such as us, inconsequential and petty.”

You brushed his hands away. “That's easy for you to say, you aren't the one getting slut-shamed for no reason! Ugh! I need to take a walk or something.”

“Very well.” Loki said. “We can go-”

“I mean by myself.” You cut him off.

“My dear, I'm not sure that would be safe...”

“I just want some time to myself, is that too much? This shit is gonna spread like wildfire. By the end of the week, everyone's gonna see it. You get to be a prince, and I get to be a floozy. Great. I need to go stomp around a little. Meet me at the whale watching pier in a couple hours?”

“What? No, _____, I cannot advise-”

“See ya in a couple hours!” You stalked off, leaving him spluttering behind you. It was rude, and you knew it, but anger and distress burned through you, and you didn't want to take it out on him. Yeah, okay, Loki definitely had a bad reputation, but people weren't lambasting him sexually with no proof! You didn't need the added nonsense of dozens of news outlets accusing you of the same thing that murderer had!

So maybe you weren't a pure, untarnished virgin. But then again, as far as any of them knew, maybe you were! The point was, that it wasn't anybody's business but yours.

But they'd published it anyway, and were going to make a bunch of money off of it, and your dad, and Tara, and everyone you had ever known was going to see it, and so was everyone you hadn't even met yet. And it would inform their opinions of you, even if they didn't realize it, even if they tried not to let it.

And what would the people of Asgard make of it? You knew there were people there who already had a low opinion of you; you didn't want the general populace to get the impression that you were merely gold-digging trash.

“_____!” Someone called. “_____! You're _____, aren't you?”

You turned to face a small group of strangers, a few of whom you recognized from the courthouse steps. You drew back away from them. What did they want? Surely you couldn't have gotten yourself into danger so soon after blowing Loki off. That would just be embarrassing.

“Are you okay?” One of them, a young woman, asked. “Are you alone? Have you finally escaped the bastard? We can sneak you out, we think. Come with us, and we can get you home!”

Oh, they still thought Loki was some great, looming villain that you needed to be saved from. Well, it was several steps up from being threatened.

“It's...not that easy, you guys.” You said. It had been so long since you had spoken with someone who sounded like you, and these people at least seemed sympathetic.

“Has he threatened you? I'm sure there's somewhere you could go into hiding-”

“No, no, no, nothing like that. It's just that there's a lot going on, and I can't leave, I live here now-”

“And despite what you may have heard, I take very good care of her.” Loki said from directly behind you. He slid one hand smoothly over your shoulder, almost clutching, as the group of supportive protesters shrank away from him in fear.

“You wouldn't happen to have been following me while invisible, would you, your Highness?” You asked sourly.

You could practically feel his smugness falter, through the pressure of his hand.

“I might have.”

You tapped his fingers sharply, and he withdrew his hand.

“Just give me some time.” You entreated. He didn't say anything else, just walked back up the street with a barely perceptible hangdog expression.

“You can just...talk to him like that?” One of the terrified protesters whispered.

“Yeah, sometimes. He'll probably play some trick on me later, but it won't be so bad. Listen, you guys, there's been a lot of misunderstandings surrounding all this. C'mon, let's go talk about it...”

                                                                                                                                                    *****

Sofie put her phone away in disgust.

“Ugh! If I didn't need to ferry supplies back and forth, I might not ever go back to civilization!” She exclaimed.

“The pictures looked nice.” Frodi said. “They seem happy.”

“That only makes this disrespect worse.” Fritjof grumbled as Savane stirred their stew.

“Poor _____. She's really getting the worst of it.”

“She's an easier target.” Frodi pointed out. “She's not a god, and she's not threatening. There's nothing she can really do to get them to stop. Not that they've exactly spared Loki, but they can get really nasty at her expense.”

“Actually, I would like to speak with you about that.”

All four heads whipped around to face the unfamiliar voice, as Heimdall approached from behind the tents, the fire reflected in his eyes.

All four worshipers wordlessly moved aside to make room. With an appreciative nod, he took a seat.

“These gatherings are inevitable, and they are not unwelcome.” He began. “Truthfully, I find it flattering that any of you remember us at all, unreliable storytelling not withstanding. But even in the times of your distant ancestors, not everyone was welcoming of us. This hostility and confusion is nothing new.

The span of it, however, is. News traveled much more slowly in those days; there was more time to plan and prepare, to fortify ones position and allies. Now, there is less time for preparation, and people, including enemies, can move much more quickly from place to place. Your people could not fly, the last time I walked these lands. Now, you can traverse the whole of Midgard in mere days.

And now, entire camps of potential enemies have set up outside my city, motivated by hostility for one man, and confusion over one woman. I cannot look everywhere at once, and there are many things that currently require my attention.”

Frodi nodded. “And you want us to keep an eye out for potential trouble.”

“I want you to be wary of potential trouble.” Heimdall corrected. “I cannot advise that you enter into any kind of conflict. I do not believe that the majority of these people came here seeking violence, but that the minority who did might spread their influence if you are perceived as a threat. Eventually, there will be mingling. That too is inevitable. Welcome those who come to you, learn what you can. Many of these people do not truly understand the situation, and I cannot go explain to them myself without being seen as dangerous. It seems my presence stirs unease in much of humankind.”

This last was said with a pointed glance at Fritjof, who dropped his gaze.

“It might have to do with people having secrets, and you being able to see everything.” Savane pointed out bluntly. Fritjof and Sofie shot her quick glances.

“Probably.” Heimdall said, unperturbed. “Now, I am not conscripting you, and there is no reward I have the authority to offer, however, if these new people prove to be dangerous to your camp, I can move guards out here to patrol the borders.”

“That is very gracious. I'll inform the others. You too, Sofie.” Frodi stood, brushed himself off, and motioned for Sofie to follow. The two of them walked off into the camp, to visit the fires of others.

“Savane, I feel the soup could use some of your special spice blend.” Heimdall said.

“Yes, you see, that is exactly what I was speaking of earlier.” She said, but went back to her tent anyway.

“Fritjof, son of Jor, will you tell me why you set that tent on fire? You knew there was no one inside.”

“You saw.” Fritjof said apprehensively. “Of course you did. I believed its owner was the man who attacked Loki's seidkona, and I wanted him to have no shelter among us.”

“Decisive, but dangerous, don't you think?”

“If you saw me do it then you should know I had it completely under control.”

“And no one else knows? No one ever notices that your fire never goes out?”

“No. Will you tell them?”

“I will not. It is not mine to tell. But if you value your friends, you should inform them of what you are capable of. I do not believe that they will shun you for your difference. But then again, I was born to a people who value those with such special abilities.”

“I will think about it.” Fritjof said, but would not promise anything further. The thing that drove him out here in the first place, the thing that made him obsessed with blood and heritage, that thing was his own, and he did not trust it with anyone else.

                                                                     *****

“-And she was so shy that it took her weeks just to hold my hand.” Todd was saying. A group of newcomers had gathered around his tent to hear his stories about the woman who was rapidly becoming legend.

“She's so sweet and innocent. I really worry about what that alien has been putting her through.”

“Why didn't you follow her to the city?” Someone asked.

“Oh, I'm no match for a horse's speed.” Todd admitted. “And she's doing something important there, that shouldn't be interrupted. Did you know someone actually tried to kill her? It's terrible! That never happened back home. She's gotta go witness at his trial, and I hope they put him away for good.”

“I wonder if it was one of those fanatic at the other camp?” Someone else mused. “They're creepy. You know they actually think these people are real, literal gods?”

“Yeah, it's a little weird. Don't know why you'd wanna worship someone like Loki. Thor, maybe, he seems like a decent dude, but he's definitely flesh and blood, not a god. Just an alien. This is like some Fifties pulp novel: Aliens Stole My Girl! Poor _____. She's got to be so confused.”

“Hey dude.” Said another camper, who had heard Todd's lament more than a few times. “If she's your girl, then what's all this?” She handed Todd her phone, and he scrolled down through all the articles that had made you so distressed, outrage plain on his face.

“This is bullshit.” He declared. “Whoever those reporters are, they sure don't know _____! She isn't like that at all. But him-oh, we all know what a liar and manipulator he is! He's definitely deceiving her; she's just kind and naive enough to be twisted around by him.”

“I bet he's using her just to make himself look good.” One of them said.

“Well, don't fall for it.” The other camper answered, taking her phone back. “He's still the same bastard he's always been. You don't just stop being a power hungry lunatic overnight. No matter how harmless or friendly he might seem right now, it's all part of a plan. If he was really serious about not being Earth's enemy, he'd have turned himself in to justice, or make reparations to the cities he terrorized, or even issued some kind of apology! He hasn't done any of that, and he doesn't intend to! He thinks if he just waits long enough, it'll all go away, and he can just do whatever he wants with impunity! He kidnapped a woman from her workplace and put her in harms way. No amount of cute pictures can change that. Never forget what he's done! Never forget! Never forget!”

The cry went up, a chorus audible from the gates of the city.

[lilibug--xx]

Falling For You

This is a little bughead one shot that @a92vm​ (my new bff) gave me the idea for ;)

Betty would do anything for a chance to meet Jughead Jones. Which includes standing in the freezing cold rain with a wimpy umbrella she got at the gas station. It was worth it, the way he looked at her and said her name. Like she was the only girl in the world, even though millions knew his name.

Read on ao3 here

I don’t know anything about movie/show production or anything in terms of fans watching/standing around, so just don’t pay too much attention to those bits! 

I don’t have a beta reader/am a lazy editor so, all mistakes are my own.

Betty stared at her phone screen for what seemed like forever. Veronica’s text message going unanswered as she processed the words her best friend had sent her. Another ‘ping’ came from her phone and another message from her popped up on the screen.

V: are you in or not B?

Before she could reply another one popped in.

V: I can go without you..

Betty’s fingers flew across her phone at the thought of not being there, missing out, giving her more anxiety than being there might.

B: don’t worry, I’m in V.

She bit her lip, thinking about all the possible scenarios that could play out. She typed out another message.

B: can’t let you make a fool of yourself ;)

She grinned a little. Not that Veronica could ever do that, she was perfectly poised. But anyone could lose their shit around a celebrity. And this was Jughead Jones and Archie Andrews they were talking about.

They were both in New York shooting for a movie they has signed on for, together. Everyone was freaking out about it. They had both been in a show together as children, one that Betty grew up watching, Six Times Goodnight. It was her favorite show, and she loved Jughead’s character the most. When Veronica moved to Riverdale their freshman year they had bonded over the last season of the show.

Things had been quiet after the show for the two actors the girls admired. She supposed they each wanted to experience high school and college normally, having grown up on television and their childhood being quite different than most.  They were only a year older than Betty and Veronica, so they had graduated college at the end of last year. They had decided to make a return to acting and they were doing a movie together. It was no secret that they remained best friends from the show. So people were freaking out.

Including Betty and Veronica.

When they found out the movie would be shooting in New York, Veronica instantly took to social media to find out where they would be shooting. She proved to have some excellent connections from living there before her move.

Now they were going to drive upstate an hour to Mayweather Farm which was right next to an old amusement park they were using for the movie. They were hoping to catch a glimpse of Jughead and Archie and maybe get a photo and autograph. Her heart was beating fast and her palms were already sweaty. This was crazy.

Or was she crazy?

She had grown up watching these guys, they had lived normal lives for the better part of six years now. How would they feel getting swamped by a crazy fan?

Betty’s fists clenched, nails curling into the skin of her palms. The sharp bites of pain making her slow her breathing, able to focus on the pain. Her thoughts were cloudy, loud and overwhelming. She was being ridiculous.

She was also very, very attracted to Jughead Jones.

She groaned, falling back on her bed and putting her hands over her face. Veronica liked both the boys, but she had never proclaimed a profound attraction to either of them. Unlike Betty. She was probably going to be the one to make a fool of herself. She had just been kidding about Veronica.

Rolling over onto her side, she thought briefly about doing the homework for the class she would be skipping tomorrow. Quickly dismissing the thought, she decided she’d do it this weekend instead, before the next session on Monday.

She sighed, her eyes closing. How was she going to be able to sleep?

A bubble bath with scented oils and bath salts calmed her for the evening. The scent of vanilla and honeysuckle a cloying mixture that had become synonymous with her.  She breathed it in, letting the warm water and steam relax her.

She managed to fall asleep with the thoughts of the vanilla milkshake she was going to treat herself to, after their adventure tomorrow.

—-

They hadn’t expected the rain. It was normally chilly this time in October, but the rain had dropped the temperature even more. Plus, it hadn’t really been raining when Veronica had come to pick her up. It only seemed to rain harder the further away from Riverdale they got.

Betty was wearing dark jeans with ankle boots and a thick pale pink sweater with a white lace collar. She had thrown her tan, belted coat on overtop but it wasn’t very rain proof. Veronica was dressed in a black dress and high heeled chunky boots. They had stopped at a gas station for her to pull on a pair of thick stockings, Betty’s ‘I told you so’ making Veronica roll her eyes. They had grabbed some snacks and two umbrellas before continuing.

When they got to where the crew had set up shooting they were not the only ones who had ventured out to catch a glimpse. There were other cars and trailers parked in the lot of the park, there were tons of production crew members, with lights and tarps and umbrellas hanging around. It looked overwhelming and it always shocked her how many people were behind the camera of a show or a movie.

Veronica parked the car next to where a group of girls were huddled under their own umbrellas, no doubt with the same intentions.

They stayed in the car a little while, hoping the rain might die off. She was sure the production team was thinking the same. They looked like they were set up under an old shelter littered with picnic tables. But no sign of Jughead or Archie. Veronica was about to break out the binoculars when Betty stopped her and said maybe they should talk with the group of fans to see if they knew anything.

They pulled themselves from Veronica’s car, the cold misty air assaulting them immediately. Their little umbrellas did do much to stop the rain that seemed to be coming down sideways. They did learn however, that Archie and Jughead were in fact here, in their trailers. They had filmed a scene earlier before the rain got so heavy.

Time passed and passed. The girls huddled in a circle together, sharing stories, getting to know each other. Betty found they were actually really nice. They had been here a couple days ago and managed to meet Jughead by himself, so they were looking for Archie today. But so far the only ones that they had made contact with were a couple of extras in the movie and one lesser known actor who played Archie’s father in the movie.

They finally got to see Jughead and Archie when they came out to film about an hour after they arrived. The girls spent several hours watching Archie and Jughead film sections of a scene underneath the shelter. Their characters seemed to be arguing. It was so interesting to watch. She never realized how many times they had to do the same thing over and over and the many angles with which they filmed.

She was in awe. The way they were styling Jughead in the movie, leather jacket and jeans, black combat boots. Hair loose and curly, hanging down in front of his face only for his hands to push it all back. There was definitely no shortage of him playing with his hair. Betty thought about running her hands through the dark strands.

Betty sighed and looked around. She really had to pee. Had for the last hour. She should have went at the gas station.

The girls told her to use one of the portable restrooms over at the edge of the parking lot. It was over near the make up trailers. Apparently the production crew had said it was okay for them to use, since there was only a small group of people watching them today.

Betty walked beside the partition the crew had put up, boots splashing through the water slicked pavement. Her toes and socks were damp, boots probably ruined by now.

She didn’t run into anyone so she was thankful. She managed to use the restroom and wash her hands without incident. She pulled her phone out from the pocket in her jeans, glad that it wasn’t soaked with water. She opened the camera app up and used it to comb through her hair, sighing at her water logged appearance.

She was able to ring a little water out of her hair, and fix her make up with her finger. But she needed a blow dryer. She also needed a heater. And dry clothes.

Betty had stepped back outside, struggling with the cheap umbrella that seemed to have gotten stuck closed. She groaned, hands shaking as the rain pelted down on her as she tried to pry the umbrella open.

“Here, take mine for a sec, “ a smooth voice assaulted her ears and her blood suddenly rushed to her cold cheeks. She looked up, as the rain had stopped pounding down on her head.

Jughead Jones was holding his umbrella over her her head, eyebrows raised at her before flicking down to her umbrella that she was now clenching in her fists.

“Uh, sure..” It felt like she swallowed her tongue. She took the offered handle, their fingers brushing and he frowned as she winced. Her hands were like ice.  She held the umbrella up and stepped a little closer to him to hold it above him as well, having to lift her arm up higher to account for his height. He had taken her umbrella from her and was working on trying to get it open.

“So, I’m guessing you already know who I am,” he started, the ease of his voice and the fact that he was making conversation with her startling her. She looked up from where she was watching his hands to meet his eyes which were staring at her. She felt her cheeks color.

“Yeah, I do. I’m Betty Cooper. I came with my friend Veronica, we’re really big fans of you and Archie.” She said with a gentle smile, not wanting to overload him.

Jughead had reached a hand up, pushing back the strands of hair falling into his eyes from looking down. He smiled at her and her heart wanted to stop but she pinched the fingernails of her left hand into a fist to distract her thoughts.

“Well, it’s nice to meet you Betty. I’m sorry it had to be raining when you came out here to see us.” He tipped his head at her, gesturing out to the pouring rain that surrounded them.

“And cold,” Betty added, scrunching her nose up. Jughead frowned at that, eyes drooping to her outfit. She couldn’t help the flush of heat that enveloped her when his gaze swept slowly over her body.

“Right, again, sorry. I can’t control the weather after all. But I think your umbrella is broken,” he held it out to her, guilty look on his face. It wasn’t as if he had broken it though. Maybe it’s for the fact that she’s still holding his umbrella.

Betty shrugged one shoulder, her smile still hadn’t dropped from when he first spoke to her. “That’s okay, not your fault.” She took it from him and hooked the end over her elbow. “It was really great meeting you. My 11 year old self is ridiculously happy,” she said, brushing some of her wet hair behind her ears.

Jughead laughed, ducking his head, his hand rubbing the back of his neck. The sound was like music to her ears. It was one thing hearing him laugh on a show, or in an interview, but in person? Wow. He stepped a little closer to her when a gust of wind sprayed his side with rain. He looked down at her and she could have sworn his eyes dipped down to her lips for a second.

She must have been seeing things. Surely.

“Well, I for one am glad I can appease your 11 year old self. But what about now?” was he flirting with her? Maybe she was dreaming or had developed a fever.

She stumbled over her words, cheeks flaming red. “I, well, yes. Now is good too. I mean, you’re you after all,”  what was she even saying right now?

“I’m.. what, exactly?” he questioned with a smirk down to her and she could feel her mouth going dry.

She parted her lips but nothing came out, she had to clear her throat, managing to squeak out a “you’re ridiculously attractive” as she looked away from him.

Betty felt his finger come up to her chin, pulling her head back to look at him. Her heart was beating extremely fast, blood rushing in her ears. Jughead’s finger was tilting her chin up so she could look him in the eyes and she swore she was about to faint.

“Don’t be embarrassed. That’s a nice compliment coming from such a beautiful girl,” his voice was smooth and tender, lower tone than when he was speaking a minute ago. She swallowed thickly, her lips starting to tremble. She smiled at him though, because he had just called her beautiful.

“Thank you, Jughead,” she finally found her voice, his finger dropping from her chin. He shifted a little closer to her and she could smell the scent of leather and fresh pine.

“Would you take a selfie with me?” the words were out of her mouth before she realized what she was saying. Thankfully he was already smiling at her and reaching his hand out. She pulled the phone from her pocket and opened the camera, handing it to him. Jughead took it from her hands, shifting to stand beside her and slung an arm around her shoulders. He ducked down slightly, fitting them both in the frame.

Betty could barely breathe, but she managed to smile as he snapped a couple of pictures, including a silly one where she was sticking her tongue out at him as he went cross eyed. They ended up taking several more and she was laughing by the time he handed the phone back to her. His arm hadn’t left her shoulder yet.

“Thank you so much,” she bit her lip, chewing on it a little. Her hand fiddled with the edge of her coat. “Could I get a hug? It’s the last thing, I promise.” She couldn’t believe the amount of courage she had scrapped up from the ground for that one. There wasn’t much left.

“Of course, Betty. I’m an amazing hugger,” See? It wasn’t anything special, people probably asked all the time.

Jughead pulled his arm from around her shoulders and turned to stand in front of her. Then she was in his arms. They were wrapped tightly around her, pulling her against his body, their chests pressing together. She tucked her head in against his shoulder, free arm curling up around his waist and squeezing him back tightly. She sighed against him, allowing her eyes to close for a moment.

“Okay, you weren’t kidding,” she murmured into his shoulder. He kept his arms around her as he chuckled, a hand rubbing against her back.

“Only for you, Betty.” He pulled back a little but didn’t detach from her. She lifted her head back to look at him. He was staring at her and she couldn’t read the expression in his eyes. She wondered why he would say that. He leant down, pressing a warm kiss to her forehead. Her skin burned when he pulled away and she shivered in his arms, from the electric tingle running down her spine.

He had noticed of course, eyes glancing down at her. “Are you okay?” She nodded against him and he stepped back, his hands gripping her upper arms. “Tag me in those photos on Instagram, I’ll message you.” She was a little shocked to say the least. She never knew he would be so pleasant, humble. He was just a person, like anyone else she would meet on the street. He took the umbrella from her hands, taking over holding it above them. His smile was something she would dream about, the way his eyes stared into hers.

“Of course, don’t want you to forget about me,” she gave a little nervous laugh.

“Oh, I don’t think I’ll be forgetting Betty Cooper any time soon,” he said it with such conviction that she believed him. He said her name like she was the only girl in the world, even though millions like her knew his. Didn’t have time to process his words fully before she realized his clothes must have gotten wet from hugging her.

“I’m so, so sorry for getting you all wet,” she bit her lip, looking down at where her soaked clothes had pressed against him, the dark patches where the wetness had transferred.

“I don’t mind.” His arm wrapped around her again, tightening on her waist as he tucked her against his side, huddling close under the umbrella he was still holding. His little smile and the way his fingertips pressed into her side, she was falling harder than the rain.

[walters-tampon-string]

Staying Late

Fandom: Durarara!

Rating: T

Warnings: Implied sexual content and a bit of violence but nothing drastic.

Characters: Yagiri Namie, Orihara Izaya

Relationships: Orihara Izaya/Yagiri Namie

Description: Lately Namie’s been spending her late nights with Izaya.

The first time Namie decided to stay late was to finish a television show with Izaya.

This statement was shocking for a couple of reasons. The first and most obvious one being that she stayed late in the first place. Namie always had one mission and goal in mind whenever she walked into Izaya Orihara’s apartment: to get in, finish her designated paperwork as fast and as efficiently as possible, and promptly leave once she was done. She tried to do this while avoiding talking to her boss as much as humanly possible.

Namie didn’t by any means consider herself a saint, but her boss was a level of twisted that made even a cold-hearted person like her feel uncomfortable sometimes. Most days she just wanted to go home, cook her and Seiji dinner, and enjoy the rest of her day in the company of her brother.

However, as of late, she hadn’t been getting to spend as much time with Seiji as she would like to. Most nights she found herself cooking dinner and hanging out alone in her house because her brother decided to spend his time with that fucking insufferable Mika Harima bitch. Just the thought of that girl made Namie’s jaw clench.

The night she decided to stay late for the first time had been one of those nights. There she had been daydreaming and planning cooking a big meal and maybe seeing a movie with him, only to get a message on her phone from her brother saying that Mika was cooking him dinner that night and he would return late. Great.

Having no real motivation to go home now, and feeling a bit depressed, Namie decided to take her time and try to enjoy the commodities in Izaya’s quite lavish apartment. First course of business had been to pop open one of his bottles of nice wine and to pour herself a glass. She deserved it after all.

After sipping idly on her glass for a bit, she was stuck wondering what she was going to do now (her boss had a lot of nice shit in his apartment to exploit). But as she was plotting up what she wanted to do next to run away from her problems, she suddenly realized that Izaya had the television on.

That was the second thing shocking about the first statement.

Despite having a very nice (and no doubt very expensive) flat screen television set in his apartment, Izaya rarely had it on. He flicked on the news if he’d caused some kind of fallout in the city and wanted to snicker and bathe in the destruction he caused and sometimes, if she came in early enough, she could occasionally catch him watching a little kid anime of some sorts. But other than that, the screen usually stayed black and unused. So for him to have it on caught her somewhat off-guard.

Then she immediately got curious. What kind of program managed to catch her hyperactive boss’s attention?

After a few seconds of listening and watching the program, she realized it was a documentary about aliens and the supposed evidence on whether or not they already landed on Earth. She didn’t think of him the type to buy into this kind of stuff, and vocalized this.

If there was one nice thing about working with Izaya, it was that she could be mean to him as she wanted.

“Really, Izaya, I didn’t take you to be the gullible type who buys this kind of shit.”

Izaya glanced over his shoulder at her for a moment before shrugging and saying, “I don’t know. Ikebukuro has a monster with super strength and demon katanas that makes zombies and headless motorcycle riders. Who’s to say aliens are impossible?”

She hated to admit it, but he had a point.

He turned back to the screen and said, “Though I do agree with you a majority of the ‘evidence’ is a bunch of bullshit. Hell I could fake some of these if I wanted.” Pointing to a picture being displayed on the screen, he said, “Like this picture! Look-”

He then went on some tangent about how easy most of these were to fake and Namie listened, figuring if she wanted to make a few quick bucks selling an “UFO” photo to some gullible fool, she should learn it from the master of deception himself. He eventually finished his rant and then went back to paying attention to the program fully, muttering about how he watched because sometimes even they showed him stuff that even he couldn’t explain away. The fact that he admitted that shocked her.

Eventually, Namie found herself idly watching the program for a few minutes- which soon turned to her sitting on the other end of the couch to watch the rest of the show. She had to give the thing credit, it did manage to suck her in and make her question her own beliefs. Her and Izaya would make comments every now and then about something they felt was obviously fake or alternative theories about one of the pieces of evidence these archaeologists and scientists had found.

After a while of discussing and even joking with him, Namie realized that she was actually having fun.

She always found these moments odd. The moments where Izaya wasn’t acting like some sort of evil movie-villain and she actually enjoying his presence for once. She questioned in these moments if she really hated him as much as she thought she did.

But she never allowed herself to get drunk on that feeling. It never lasted. Usually without fail, the very next day, she would find him unbearably annoying or scary and she would consider herself a fool for even allowing herself to be lulled in a false sense of security like that.

But as of late, the feelings of fear or annoyance towards him were fading more and more. Sure, he was still the same as he always was… but maybe she had grown used to his oddness. Maybe she found glimmers of herself and her old ideals with him. Maybe she admired him and the way he challenged life almost without fear in a way. The more and more she began to stay with him, the more the feelings of resentment she held towards him turned into fondness.

And to be honest, that feeling of fondness she was developing towards him scared her more than he ever did.

For one thing, she never felt something even remotely close to those kinds of feelings for anyone except Seiji. The fact she even felt the slightest touch of affection for another man made her feel like she was betraying her brother in some way, even if Seiji seemed to have no qualms about moving onto someone else.

But even without that guilt swamping her, Namie didn’t want to hold any warm feelings towards Izaya freaking Orihara of all people. If there was one man a person never wanted to bare their emotions to, it was him. If she did confess her feelings to him like some sort of foolish, lovesick teenager, then he would probably just use those very emotions against her. To manipulate her like a marionette on strings.

And if there was one thing Namie did not want… it was to be strung along and taken for a fool.

It was best that she just kept such feelings towards herself. That was what she thought as the program finished and Izaya turned off the television with a click of his remote, stood up, stretched, and then said goodnight to her, stalking off to his bedroom, reminding her to lock the door on her way out.

She was irritated by how much the fact that he hadn’t invited her to bed… hadn’t done something more saddened her a bit. As she left his apartment and locked the door, she only hoped that these stupid feelings would go away one day.

…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

The second time she stays behind later than usual was to cook him dinner. Once again, Seiji was too busy being with Mika and the idea of cooking only for herself didn’t appeal, so she asked Izaya if she could cook something for him. She thought he would make fun of her and that would give her motivation to leave, but he only raised an eyebrow, but agreed to let her do that, saying thanks.

When she was well into cooking several things at once, he sauntered over to the kitchen to say what she was cooking, finally teasing, “Aww Namie, I didn’t know you cared so much.”

Good thing she had time to think of a quip once he inevitably decided to be a smartass.

“Sorry, but if you die of starvation, which you look like you’re about to do, I won’t get paid and I need that paycheck.”

It was true, he had gotten skinnier over the past few days. Probably from not eating. He had been busier than usual and while occasionally she caught him snacking on granola bar or an apple, it had been a while since she had seen him eat an actual meal. He seemed to live under the ideology that as long as he put something in his mouth at least once during the day and had loads of caffeine to follow it, then he would be able to function. How he was not dead yet or at least ended up in the hospital from passing out due to lack of nutrition was beyond her.

Izaya always seemed to have a talent for defying expectations.

The truth was, she was worried about him somewhat. She wasn’t lying entirely when part of it was because of money (What? He paid her good, what could she say?), but there was another part of it… something she was going to not come to terms with anytime soon. She justified it by saying she didn’t want to take up his workload or didn’t want to have to be bored with nothing to do… but she knew she was lying to herself.

Thankfully, Izaya didn’t press anymore. He just clucked his tongue at her comment and sighed, “Ah, Namie, you are always so cruel and bitter. Never change.”

She was glad he hadn’t caught the small smile that graced her lips for a few seconds at his comment.

Once she finished cooking, the two of them set up the table and sat down and enjoyed the meal. She expected him to make some jabs about the quality of her cooking, but he didn’t. Most of the dinner was sat in companionable silence. She found it weird that silence could be so comfortable sometimes. They had settled for water at first, but eventually, Izaya must have gotten bored with this as he stood up and eventually dug into his wine cabinet, pouring them both glasses.

After a few sips of wine, Namie was feeling a bit braver, so she broke the silence by asking, “When was the last time you’ve eaten a meal with someone that wasn’t work-related?”

Izaya thought about it, before saying, “Not since I lived at home with my sisters.”

She found that incredibly sad for some reason, but she didn’t bare to mention it. Instead she just said, “Glad to finally provide you a social life.”

“Oh? So you’re saying that this is not just a meal between an employee and her boss?”

Namie flinched, cursing her own idiocy. Shit.

Thinking fast, she scathingly replied, “Sorry. Just wanted to give the illusion that you had even one friend. Guess I failed.”

Feigning shock, he said, “That is so kind of you. I appreciate the effort, Namie-san.”

Namie wanted to stab him with her fork. Sometimes it was frustrating how unfazed he could be at insults. It also was infuriating how dense he could be sometimes. He could see the underlying meaning in almost everything, but seemed to be blind to this one.

Or maybe she was wrong. Maybe he did see the meaning behind her words. Maybe he did see right through her little game and was just toying with her. The thought made her even angrier.

Standing up and picking up his now empty plate, Izaya said, “Thank you for the meal, Namie-san. I guess I’ll hold off docking your pay for your cruelty just for one night.” When she picked up her wine glass and feigned like she was going to throw it on him, he raised his arms in submission and chuckled, “Kidding! Kidding! You’ll continue to be my overpaid secretary until I find someone else!”

He then trotted off to go put away his dish and no doubt go back to typing away on his laptop.

Namie was left sitting on the table for a little while longer, thinking that Izaya will never find someone as desperate as her.

………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….

The third time she decides to stay is because he’d gotten hurt. This was not an uncommon occurrence. He would come home with black eyes and bruises or even broken bones sometimes, but he usually laughed it off and seemed to consider it no big deal. Usually he had already been tended to by his doctor friend, and even injured, he seemed to be unhurt at all, lively and as energetic as ever.

However this time, he seemed to be covered with bruises and cuts, his shirt torn to shreds and pale skin littered with cuts and dark bruises. His face was also covered with bruises, his lip split. Blood was still seeping out of the cuts on his body. He honestly looked like he’d been through a meat grinder.

“What happened to you?” she said, standing up to inspect him.

“Let’s just say I learned a lesson. Gang members can sometimes have more loyalty to the lower-ranking members then I thought. It just goes to show, never underestimate the power of friendship,” Izaya said with a grin. How he could still joke around and do that when he was obviously in pain was beyond Namie. Shaking his head, which caused droplets of blood to drip from his head and onto the floor, he said, “Unfortunately, the power of friendships don’t win fights. Managed to get a couple of them back with my switchblade… and those who I didn’t get… well.. I’ll figure out what to do with them later…”

The ominous threat of that last sentence almost sent chills down her spine. She did not envy those thugs.

Looking down at the mess of blood he was making on the floor, she grabbed his arm and steered him towards the bathroom, saying, “Let me get your first aid kit before you make me clean the stains out of your carpet.”

“Oh Namie, I am glad you care about the important things…” Izaya sighed, but surprisingly he complied, limping to his bathroom. Namie quickly located his first aid kit and got to work bandaging him up and cleaning up his wounds. Thankfully it didn’t seem like he broke anything this time, just got roughed up a bit.

He hummed most of the way as she cleaned him up, making a sarcastic comment here and there and every word only frustrated her more and more the longer she worked. Finally unable to take anymore, she said, “You are going to get yourself killed one day, if you keep this up.”

Izaya looked at her for a moment before grinning once again and saying, “People have been telling me that kind of thing ever since high school when I began messing around with Shizu-chan. Yet my luck hasn’t failed me yet. After all, how can you kill a god?”

“Hate to break it to you, but you are no god. Gods bleed ichor not crimson. Nor do they allow themselves to get torn apart by street thugs.” Namie hissed. “Surely even you see this?”

Izaya stared at her and for a moment she thought she saw a flicker of anger cross his vermillion red eyes but he simply shrugged and said, “Maybe I will die one day… but for now, I am alive and kicking and I say, I might as well do something fun and great while I am here. And if opposition comes, I have no choice but to face it, now do I? Tell me, Namie, do you think I built the life I have made from shrinking away from the first opposition?”

“What life?!” Namie found herself snapping beside herself, “You have no friends, you live in your own fantasy world, you barely even take care of yourself!? What is there to enjoy in that?” Deflating somewhat, she said, “Don’t you feel lonely sometimes?”

Izaya stared at her like a cat for a moment before shrugging once more and saying, “I guess sometimes. But I’ve grown accustomed to it. But I don’t think I am alone as you think. I have my sisters. I have Shinra when he decides to be friendly. I have myself, and I am always a source of entertainment-”

Namie was about to yell something at him again, when suddenly, he said, “I have you too, now don’t I?”

Namie found herself flinching at that. She hadn’t expected him to say it.

“Now tell me, Namie-san? Who is the real lonely one here? Me or you? Don’t think I haven’t noticed. Hanging out with me to finish television shows. Cooking me dinner. Bandaging me up. All of these things I think are way past the job description.” Izaya said, smirking in a fashion that made her want to swing her fist at him.

Instead she just crossed her arms and dug her fingernails into her arms. She could feel hotness forming in her eyes but she willed it back, simply hissing vehemently, “Shut up, if you know what’s good for you, bastard.”

However he very rarely listened. Striding over to her, he got close and said, “You know bottling up your emotions is just as unhealthy, you know, Namie-san.”

She fucking hated herself for letting a tear slip to the floor as she hissed, “I hate you. Go to hell.”

“Somehow, I don’t think that is how you truly feel, Namie-san. Not entirely anyway,” Izaya whispered, his face getting closer to hers. Then, before she knew it his lips were gently pressing against hers. He pulled back far too fast for her taste. Anger taking control, she pushed him roughly behind until his back was against the cabinet, not caring when he groaned at the sudden impact to his wounds and kissed back harder, teeth grazing against his bottom lip and one hand tight in his hair. She felt a thrill run through her when she felt him press back, excitement and arousal buzzing through her bloodstream.

When they pulled back to pant for air like dogs, Izaya looked at her with smoldering eyes and murmured, “Want to move this to the bedroom?”

She found herself nodding before she could stop herself.

………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….

She woke up that morning to a hand running along her spine, doodling idly on her. Last night came to her in vivid flashbacks and she had the jarring realization that she had just fucked Izaya Orihara. That she was naked right now and she had been sleeping next to him in bed.

Not exactly the most professional of working relationships.

Glancing up at him, she murmured, “What does this mean for us?”

Izaya looked at her before shaking his head and saying, “Hell if I know…” as if this were the most mundane thing in the world.

“Does anything ever bother you?” she questioned, glaring at him.

He grinned, “Namie-san, if there is one thing I’ve learned to love, it’s the unpredictable.”

Somehow that both answered her question and didn’t. She rolled her eyes and laid her head down on his chest, not figuring that she was going to get too much of a coherent answer out of him anyway.

But as she laid there, she wondered if she too could learn to enjoy the unpredictable.

[pausedby]

Life in Asmat

The last and the first time I visited Asmat was on 2013. I was staying for about two weeks there, including one week in Sawaerma, one of the most remote villages. Remembering how I get there, it is actually hard for me to not missing to be there. I was on an assignment from Keuskupan Jakarta to document the people, social life, and the culture of Asmat. After several years of keeping the photograph only on my disk with only few of it has been used and published. I plan to make other stories from the unpublished photographs. 

To get to this place, I needed to get myself travelled in various mode of transportation. From Java, it took 6 hours of flight to get to the main city, Timika. From there, I needed to wait for several days for the flight by propeller plane to Ewer due to its limited schedule. After one and half hour on the modest plane, I finally arrived in Ewer, the nearest airport to Agats, Asmat district. I stretched my back for a little while then I quickly jumped to the speedboat which took us to Agats in 25 minutes through water and coastal swamp. I haven’t reached my destination yet. 

I stayed for several days in the district’s bishopric while waiting for the next trip. There were almost no signal here even to make calls. From here, our trip depended much on the rainwater in order to get the speedboat run. After few days with beautiful blessed rain, I continued another long journey to Sawaerma, 6 hours on speedboat. It takes 30 litres of gasoline to get the boat to Sawaerma, which means we need to bring 60 litres for the round-trip, back and forth.

The first thought that came to my mind is that I needed to make stories about the people in Sawaerma, the remote village which I had spent most of the day in Asmat. Until now, I still remember the routine I had there, waking up early and grab breakfast in Pastor’s house--which functions also as the school head office. The pastor is also the school headmaster. When I asked him why he stays in the same house with the office, he just answered that there’s more people staying there, there are other teachers and members to make conversation with. He refused to stay in separate place because he does not want to be considered special. It was too quiet perhaps. He wants to make social interaction with others. Well, a good reasons since the only modes of communication is having conversation. Some people owned phone, but the entertainment they could get from that maybe only the phone game, music, or the chiming ringtones which they sometimes play with, as modest music entertainment.

To get to the school office (I wouldn’t call it office since it is pretty much like a simple family house), I should to walk across the bridge over the river for about five minutes. I need to watch out of the bridge above the river since the pathways in Asmat are all on board made above the land. It sometimes becomes a joke that Asmat people never step on ground, they all walk above the wood path. The houses are also made above the land. If I look down, sometimes I see some farm animals like pig and chicken. The wet ground is the place for people to keep and feed the animals. 

In front of Pastor’s house, there are some areas on the front with plants of eatable vegetables like cucumber and string bean. It is true that Asmat soil is not good for plantation. Pastor has asked some locals to bring the soil from the jungle which he considered as a good soil to plant something. The result is not disappointing. He can start his own small plantation in front of his house, also some wider area near just behind the school. When he got one or two full container of cucumbers and string beans, he will bring it to the other small part of the village and get it sold through the food seller there. Local people are quite enthusiastic. 

The sad story was—based on the pastor—the local people do not want to get their own small plantation even the church has taught them how to grow the plant and even gave them the seeds. They prefer to buy it rather than grow it themselves. I see that the price is not dissatisfying; they could get two medium cucumbers for ten thousands rupiahs, equal to half pack of cigarettes. Considering this, I do not see why the locals do not grow or develop their own plants. If you visit Sawaerma now, in front of several local houses you might find used—or broken—small boat with few soil on it. It was used as a pot to plant. 

There are many interesting inter-cultural things here in a very remote place of Indonesia. You might find yourself get stranded in 40 years back in time. You might find yourself in a place where everything is limited. It might not easy for someone who gets used to live in a big sophisticated city like in Java. The electricity ran from diesel machine is only from 10 am to 10 pm. Considering that almost all of them love football which held mainly in western part of Indonesia at about evening or night (Western Indonesian Time), Asmat time zone (Eastern Indonesian Time) ‘force’ the locals to spare some money to buy more gasoline to get the more hour on the electricity so they can watch the match on TV at almost midnight. But, this is what brought them together. With a small TV about 16 inch wide, students and school staffs crowdedly watch the match together in one of teacher’s house in the school housing area. 

Witnessing such joy when they saw Persipura (Papuan Football Club) scored a goal, I understand that football is something that can get their spirit on fire. Their happy celebration in that small room is like echoing all over the place, leaking and sprouting out of this small house. They do love football.

On one evening I was joining a class to photographs the study and teaching, the children were quite fun, they did not get used to someone holding a camera. Then, I just put my camera and help the teacher explaining some materials for them, even mostly I helped the teacher to calm the student down, they are quite active and noisy. Me, who does not really like children, just can’t help myself. The joy was poured all over the place when I participate in the teaching.

One hour before the dawn, the students just could not wait to get out of the class and play football in the schoolyard. It is a yard made also on board above the land. The enthusiasm is high so it is able to make the teacher get them out of the class several minutes sooner. They ran outside in crowd, get the ball, and play football, no one knows their own team or the opponent team. That busy match ran about half hour, when a child told them to stop the bustling match and suggest to form several teams consist of about eight children each, one team versus another team. Those who are able to score the first goal may continue having a match against another team. 

When I was following the match and also photographing them, I see that the yard board is much damaged. There are so many holes, also the board with the nail on it, some of the board bends upward. If they are not careful enough they can get a serious injury on these football yard ‘traps’. But I see no worry on their face, they are just happy playing, happy celebrating the health the wealth. The ball falls several times into the hole and they have their own fancy way to get the ball. Together they drag down a small body child whose body fits the hole, and then with both feet he holds the ball and the other children pull him up. Sometimes this plan does not work so this small child should really drop his body down the hole and take the ball with his hands, and then the team will pull him up through the hole. This incident happened several times but it is no big problem for them. Without those holes, the ball might get dropped to the outside yard, which means that they do this every time someone kicks the ball to high outside. These matches continue for about five or six times before the sun really down. 

Even the village is surrounded by water, people might say that the clean water which you can consume—to drink, took a bath, wash clothes or dishes—depends on the rain water. Some school staffs often show their teeth to me, explaining that the rain acid has made their teeth get corroded. The Pastor explained to me that the river water is clean enough to consume, but seeing the brown muddy color of it, several newcomers decide to consume the rainwater. It is quite different when I see local kids playing in water. They really do the Indonesian phrase ‘sambil menyelam minum air’ (drinking while swimming/diving). They never really cared about the water. I quickly observe the surrounding houses. Those who had the rainwater container are just the houses in school area. I guess that it takes time to shift and adapt their traditional way of living to the new norms.

Asmat surely do have certain inter-cultural contaminations from the newcomer. When you enter Sawaerma to visit the school, you will pass the river path near the legendary Sawaerma Church. It is beautifully built on wood with many of Asmat carvings. The church is about 300 meters square with many carved wood including statue and its pillars. Inside, you will see the local interpretation of Jesus statue and Holy Maria. They are quite different with regular statue since the character is interpreted by Asmat local knowledge and wisdom. The crossed Jesus statue which was the biggest statue in the church, both of Jesus hands are not nailed on both side of the cross, it is just a regular standing pose, and the hands are down. 

The unique thing about Asmat carving is that the always portrays the phallus. So does in the statue of crucified Jesus statue inside the church. The locals are acculturating the teaching and interpret it based on their beliefs and wisdom. Another amazing Asmat works here is the Holy Maria statue which is portrayed holding her baby not in hand as we know, but it portrays her holding the baby above her shoulder, like how Asmat people always do with their kids. I took a long deep amazed sigh realizing that those great works are results of Asmat’s deep thought and contemplation.

Arif Furqan Sawaerma, Asmat, 2013

[magiclwritings]

Little bottle of calm - Simon & Asher

For my character suddenly being joined in the bathe by yours

While Simon enjoyed spending his every waking moment with his pack, there was someone else that had come in to his life that made that time a little more precious. The rest didn’t seem to mind as of now. It was something they’d all tried to experience. Some of them were more successful at it than others but he had this gut feeling this wouldn’t be like the rest of the times they tried. There had been something different about Asher from the very beginning. Perhaps it was that conversation they shared that first night or it was truly some sort of magic the swamps and tombs bestowed upon them. It was hard not to think NoLa could have had something to do with it. Being so bound to it’s land did put Simon and his pack in a peculiar and dynamic relationship with it.

Outside you could hear a collection of different musicians, a couple fighting and a slue of different animals that called the back alleys and near by cemeteries their homes.The leaky faucet dripped every forty five seconds into the hot pool of water in the tub and Simon sighed out, relaxing back against the side. Inside, soft music played in the next room lulling him into a state of quiet and relaxation. But on nights like this, nights that were quiet and it was just the two of them, he enjoyed getting to bring Asher to his little run down apartment he’d somehow managed to keep a hold of for the past five years. There really wasn’t much else he had but a few books, clothes and a few odds and ends. Even his pack thought it strange for an Alpha but he’d never really been one to fit into any sort of norm. Why would he start then? Having Asher there felt .... right. 

The kettle sounded in the other room and a small smile pulled on the man’s lips. Cupboard. Clinking mug on the counter. Drawer. Creak of the floorboard. Water pouring. Spoon in the sugar bowl. Twice. Four ... Five .... Si ... Seven stirs and a clink from the spoon dropping into the sink. It was the same every time he’d made himself a cup of tea. The question was if he’d go back to his reading or seek Simon out. The sound of feet near tip toeing down the hall told him there was about to be a doe eyed man looking at him in just a moment. His hands cupped up some water and he splashed some on his face, wetting his hair and Simon brushed back the longer strands behind his ears. His smile pulled back more just before the door knob turned to the bathroom door.

“H-hey.” Asher squeaked as he peeked through a slightly bigger space than a crack. Simon could see the mug in his hands just a little ways down and he couldn’t help but smile wider. Some times familiar was okay, sometimes it was better than you realized as he was coming to figure out. “Hey yourself.” He spoke, raising his gaze back up as the other propped the bathroom door open more. A thud sounded and he knew that was a shoulder leaning against the door frame. He was deciding how to ask for something. Simon swore sometimes he could hear the gears in that man’s head turning some times. He didn’t mind though. That was something that he admired of Asher, even if he wouldn’t have agreed with it. He put thought into everything. Whether he said it or not, thought it once or overthought it for a week and so on and so on. The list of things Simon found endearing of Mr. Asher Jones was surely going to be able to wrap around the world at least three times at this rate.

The way Asher was smiling so shyly at him only made the Alpha want him closer. His hand stretched out through the space between them and he beckoned the other closer to him. “Come here.” He whispered, noting the smile near appearing instantly at the request. “You’ve been away from me too long.” Simon wasn’t used to needing anyone like he did this one. Not even the draw of his pack was this strong. Asher had pushed himself up from the door, leaving the mug of his tea sitting on the edge of the sink. Thankfully he at least had the microwave working to reheat it later on. 

“I’ve only been reading a few hours.” Asher countered as he kicked off his tennis shoes into the corner of the room. They both knew Simon wasn’t content with that but he didn’t make a comment. It was easy with Asher. Somehow Simon had an idea of just how to fit into him and his space so far. Granted he knew it wouldn’t always be this easy, he was happy to reveal in a little while longer. Next came off the socks and then the slight tug on the bottom of his shirt. The nervous waves started to roll off Asher as he came in for Simon. But then their fingers finally met midair and they both could relax a little. “That’s a few hours I haven’t had the privilege of enjoying you.” Simon was quick to come back with reassurance for him. That was one thing he’d prided himself on, reminding Asher how very much he was wanted around. 

The bottom of the shirt came up, revealing the rather pale skin of Mr. Jones and Simon stared shamelessly. So when that tint in his cheeks came into view next, he’d politely shifted himself towards the faucet end. “Get in.” A small splash from his other hand as if to welcome him right in. The toothy grin growing shy at the realization that Asher only had two items left before he was inevitably as naked as Simon was. And the funny part was that they came off easier than everything else. Simon made no effort to hide how he was looking, more so savoring, at how well Asher looked. Thin, perhaps a little too much but there wasn’t a freckle or curve on that body that Simon didn’t appreciate. It also made him all the more grateful for the beautiful mind that ran it all. 

Two more feet stepped into the water. One between his legs and the other to the side. Simon’s hand held Asher’s as he slowly sank himself down into the back part of the claw foot. The chain on the drain plug tickled his thigh as the two adjusted and made room for one another. Simon had a ... well he wouldn’t say it was a need but he much preferred to be looking at this man when they had time like this. Unlike most, the wave of expressions that touched this man’s face was unlike anything he’d ever seen. The warm water enveloped the both of them and their hands slid under it’s surface. Fingers mindlessly exploring between each other’s legs and knees, elbows and palms. Simon sighed happily as he lounged back, his big toe tracing some sort of circle against Asher’s outer thigh.

“Tell me your thoughts of Alice and the Wonderland. I feel it’s more just for metaphor which I can appreciate but I feel you could prove me wrong. Maybe.” He knew asking for an analysis of the old book and Asher’s thoughts on it could lead them down a rabbit hole. Literally. But the way they bounced ideas off one another, questioned their processes and came to understandings they hadn’t thought of before thrilled him beyond. As he’d thought to himself before, there wasn’t another soul quite like this man’s. It was sad but deep and understanding in a way not meant for this world. And be it selfish or something else, Simon loved to stoke it. To bring it out of him. “I think you could be my white rabbit.” He let his fingers come to rest against the other’s knee and he gave a gentle squeeze. 

“Wonderland wouldn’t be such a bad place to see.”

“But what if we lived it?”

“Wouldn’t that be a wonder?”