#i cooked them according to the instructions

[kidfur]

this noodles sucks... :(

[thef1diary]

Little Big Fan | Three

— Little Big Race

Series Masterlist

wc: 2.4k

Usually, you had a hard time waking your daughter up, and unfortunately she got that habit from you. It was something your mother laughed at a lot whenever you told her about it. She would always say, "you were a troublesome child so now you have a troublesome child but she's cuter."

Today was a different story, Isabella was the one waking you up. "Mama, mama, mama, wake up, we have to see Maxy race today!" She jumped up and down on the bed even though you've tried to tell her not to.

Groaning, you peeked out the blanket to see the biggest toothy smile on your daughter's face and it should've been enough to wake you up. You looked over and saw the time, it was way too early for her to be this energetic. You still have no idea how she musters up so much energy in her little body.

"Bella, qualifying is seven hours away, let's sleep a little longer?" You asked and easily wrapped your arms around your little one. Covering her in the blanket, you hoped to at least get another hour of sleep.

It took her less than two minutes to fall back asleep in her mother's arms. That habit, was from her father who never had an issue of being unable to sleep quickly.

The hour passed by rather quickly, and this time Isabella woke up as soon as she felt you getting off the bed. The giddy excitement was still there and rightfully so but it was a little calmer than an hour ago.

Since you only had to order room service instead of cooking breakfast, the morning was a lot less stressful for you. As soon as Isabella was finished eating breakfast, she ran to her little suitcase and took out her outfit for the day.

Once you helped her change, your little girl was decked in a blue dress with red glittery clips in her hair according to her wishes, her reason being, "Maxy always wears red and blue."

Soon enough, you two were enroute towards the track. You had gotten your passes when you first checked in at the hotel because Max had dropped them off before you arrived.

It was simple enough finding your way towards the entrance, but it was a whole different story after. There were so many people, albeit less than outside, and they all looked like they knew where they were going.

Holding Isabella's hand tightly, you continued walking in hopes to figure out where you're supposed to go. "Where's Max, mama?" Your daughter asked but you didn't have an exact answer.

"Hopefully somewhere around here, angel." You contemplated calling him, unsure whether or not he'd be busy. But then again, if he is then he won't pickup so there was no harm in trying.

Keeping your gaze on Isabella, you called him. After two rings, he picked up, "Hi, I was just about to call you, are you here?" You could hear him panting on the other end as if he ran to pick up your call, but you decided not to comment on it.

"Yeah, I don't know exactly where we are though," He laughed on the other end, "it's okay, just describe the area and I'll come find you." 

You did as he instructed and Max was walking towards you within three minutes. However, he was not alone, there was another man in different coloured teamwear walking next to him. 

Isabella's smile grew when she spotted Max but since you were holding her hand, she couldn't run towards him. Max crouched down and held his hand up so Isabella could give him a high-five. 

The man standing next to him the same, and Isabella was mesmerized, gasping, "Daniel Ricciardo." She probably butchered the pronunciation of his surname but he didn't seem to mind.

Max shook his head, "no, Isabella, he's Daniel Avocado." The comment made Daniel burst out laughing, and you couldn't help but join in. 

The sound of your laugh directed Max's gaze towards you and once it was on you, it was stuck there. Even when Daniel nudged him and asked, "introductions?" 

A few seconds passed by without Max saying anything so to save him from further embarrassment, Daniel decided to take the liberty of introductions. Once you introduced yourself to him, Daniel had a knowing smile on his face. 

"So you're the one who's daughter ran away because of Max," he chuckled while your cheeks grew red in embarrassment, "unfortunately yes, how did you hear about that?" You asked, having an idea that Max probably told him.

But the answer Daniel gave you was surprising, "I've heard the story around ten times so far since someone keeps bringing you up in conversations." 

Max's eyes widened but you laughed, "is that so? Well Isabella hasn't stopped talking about Max either." 

You and Daniel collectively looked at Isabella who was still starstruck by not one but two drivers, the shock of being in the paddock finally catching up to her. Then the two of you looked at Max, who was also unusually quiet according to Daniel, and burst out laughing once again.

"Looks like both of them had too much to say and now it's not enough," Daniel commented and you agreed with a nod. "Your daughter is adorable by the way," he added to fill the silence and nudged Max harshly when you looked at her. 

"How about I show you around?" Max finally found his words, and you looked at him skeptically, "I don't want to take up your time if you have something else to do." 

"I've got some time, plus it would be very unfair if you came all the way here and I didn't spend time with you and Isabella." Max didn't wait for a response from you, instead turning his gaze towards your little one, "right?" 

Isabella gave him a sharp nod, and you couldn't help but smile as you saw the two interact. "Alright then, lead the way." 

It took him thirty minutes to show you around the paddock, but he mainly focused on the RedBull Energy Center, as that was where all the driver's guests could relax and enjoy some team catered meals.

Isabella asked him all sorts of questions, and Max even stopped for an extra minute to grab some noise cancelling earmuffs for her little ears. 

Your eyes widened when he placed them on her head, mentally cursing at the fact that out of all the things you could've forgotten, it was the headphones. Once again, before you could hide your expression, Max noticed it and muttered, "it's okay, that's why we have them here." 

He explained that since it was his home grand prix—something you didn't know until he mentioned it—most of the fans were rooting for him. 

Then, Max was approached by someone from his team, telling him that he was needed back in the garage. The rest of the day passed by quite fast. You watched qualifying from the hospitality as per Max's suggestions. 

As the session continued, you slowly understood some of the terminology, but it would still take a few more races to fully understand what is going on. On the other hand, Isabella clapped happily every time Max's RedBull passed by, and you even joined her after a few times. 

—

It is race day. You and Isabella were back in the paddock and this time you had figured out where to go. You were proud of yourself for navigating the area after only being shown around once. You reached later than you hoped due to the traffic, but fortunately, there was still a while before the race began.

Max had told you to meet him near the garages and when you neared them, you could see him speaking expressively to a small group of people. Based on their outfits, you knew they were drivers. The only one you remembered other than Max was Daniel, as you've met him yesterday. 

"Mama, walk faster," your daughter urged, her pace fastened as soon as she spotted Max, tugging you along. You were glad that she didn't leave your hand. 

"Maxy!" Your daughter cheered as soon as she was in hearing range of the drivers. They all collectively turned towards the noise, Max's face lighting up as soon as his gaze landed on you two. 

"Isabella!" Max cheered with the same amount of energy, and you let go of your daughter's hand so she could run up to him. 

He greeted you as well, taking a step closer to you and with a sheepish smile on his face he spoke, "I got something for her." Max said quietly enough so Isabella didn't hear him, since he wanted your approval first before he revealed his surprise. 

You nodded, encouraging him and with a big smile he placed a cap on Isabella's head, surprising her. She took it off to look at it and when she saw his driver's number on the cap, she gasped.

Then, she placed it back on her head and turned to look at you, "mama, look!" You chuckled, "very nice, what do you say, angel?" 

Isabella didn't think twice before hugging him, "thank you, thank you, thank you!" 

Max held out another cap for you, and before you could say anything he added, "I need everyone to know who you're cheering for." Deciding to tease him you responded, "what if I want to cheer for Daniel?" 

You saw his smile drop, making you break out into a smile to let him know you were just joking. You pointed to the number on the cap, "number 1 driver, yeah,” you stated, the implication of him being the number one driver both literally and figuratively was heard loud and clear.  

"Mama," Isabella grabbed your attention, pointing at the driver in a red suit that you've yet to be introduced to. "Lightning McQueen," she added, making the group of drivers around you laugh at her words. 

Charles pointed at himself, "me?" he looked at you for an answer and you nodded, "yeah, can you really blame her though, you're all decked out in red." 

As if you were lying, he looked down and then shrugged, "fair." 

Isabella was content with being the center of attention between the drivers that you now know the names of; Charles, Lando, Alex, and George.

Max pulled you aside. "I wanted to ask you this yesterday but we didn't have time. Do you think Isabella would like it if I let her sit inside my car?" 

Your mouth quite literally dropped open, and you had to blink a few times as if it would make you understand his words better. "Huh?" is all that left your mouth. 

"My car? Is she going to like it?" He asked again and you nodded, "she would love that, are you even allowed to do that?" 

He chuckled at your question, "it's my car, I think I can do anything I want with it." 

Before he could turn around to speak to Isabella, you reached for his hand to stop him, "Max, you have no idea how much this would mean to her." He nodded in understanding, "make sure to take lots of pictures." 

You heard her squeal in excitement as soon as Max asked the question, watching her eagerly nod. You followed them into the garage, heart warming at how Max held Isabella's hand the entire time. 

With the way Isabella hasn't stopped smiling, you would think her smile was permanently stuck on her face. You took loads of pictures, a few even with Max's helmet on her head that was way too big for her. 

Even the team principal, Christian Horner, stopped for a moment to look at the joy on both Isabella and Max's face. It would make one think that it was Max’s first time around a F1 car as well.

By the time the race started, Isabella's energy had significantly drained, but she remained awake for the entirety of the race. Watching the race from the garage unlocked a different joy on her face, and she would cheer when Max came into the pits for fresher tyres. 

As soon as her eyes drooped, something would occur in the race that would cause her to brighten up again. Max barely had to overtake as he started off in pole position, only needing to pass the other drivers after coming out of the pitlane. 

Just like Isabella, your eyes didn't waver away from the race despite how fast your heart was beating due to nervousness about the drivers' speeds. 

You knew they were the best of the best, very professional, but ever since you've gotten to know them personally, you couldn't help but worry for them. Especially Max. 

Turns out, you didn't have to worry too much as Max crossed the finish line first, winning the race in front of his home crowd. 

Everything after that was a blur. You just remember Christian leading you towards the crowd underneath the podium, ensuring that no one had the audacity to push or shove you. Isabella was safely in your arms, watching the celebrations with wide but sleepy eyes. 

As soon as she saw the trophy being handed to Max, she rested her head on your shoulder and was out like a light. 

Once the champagne was sprayed, you made your way through the crowd, walking towards the exit. Your daughter was sound asleep and you didn't want the noise waking her up and disturbing her much needed rest. 

Other than the one extra hour of rest in the morning, she hadn't taken any naps since she was mesmerized by everything around her. Now, since it was all over, all you focused on was getting back to the hotel. 

As soon as Isabella was comfortably in bed, you decided to take a shower to wash away all the built up and dried sweat. While you were busy, your phone rang with two calls, both from Max, that were inevitably sent to voicemail. 

After your shower, you ordered some food and turned on the tv in the other room. Around fifteen minutes went by before there was a knock on your door. Thinking it was room service with your dinner, you opened it without checking who it really was.

Max was stood on the other side, changed out of his race suit but still in a Redbull polo.

Taglist: (let me know if you want to be added or removed) @xjval @mrsmaybank13 @cherry-piee @urfavnoirette @solphin @burningcupcakefire @nessacarty1 @dreamsarebig @omgsuperstarg @fanficweasley @redbullgirly @llando4norris @minskzy @wonnou @randomgirlnumber13 @dark-night-sky-99 @chanshintien @leilanixx @gisellesprettylies @peachiicherries @monsieurbacteria6 @67-angelofthelordme-67 @arian-directioner @loliaa @distancedss @bache3 @morenofilm @sachaa-ff @lighttsoutlewis @teamnovalak @casperlikej @lexiecamposv @sadg3

[estcaligo]

SSR Sebek's Nightmare Before Christmas Vignette (English)

“I shall share a tale of worth”

*I use Japanese honorifics such as kun, san and sama *Please do not use/repost my translation without credits/link

Centre of Halloween Town Sebek: “Hey, Bones! I’ve brought the things you asked for! Where should I put them?”

Jack: “Thanks, Sebek! Could you put them next to the well?”

Sebek: “Next to the well…? There are things scattered all over the place! Come on, move that basket out of the way now!”

Jack: “Ah, my bad! Let me just…”

???“Oh, it’s better to remove that basket from there indeed. Consider it done!”

Sebek: “Ah! Bones! Quickly, don’t just stand there! Move that basket!”

Azul: “No need to rush! The task is already completed. Now, please put your things where you wanted.”

Sebek: “Gr… unbelievable…”

Jack: “Hm? Is there a problem with Azul-kun helping out?”

Sebek: “A HUGE PROBLEM! Owning this man a favor is the biggest mistake of your life!”

Azul: “No need to think of it as a favor. I’ll be happy with simply an appropriate compensation.”

Sebek: “It was your initiative; I didn’t ask you to help! Who put that basket there in the first place? Hm? Jack, isn’t it Sally’s basket?”

Jack: “Ah, that’s right! It was a treat from her. Sally is smart, thoughtful… and extremely kind. I sometimes skip meals when I’m absorbed in something. The treat this time was especially delicious.”

Sebek: “It sounds like you get treats like this from her quite often. Without the basket, it’ll be hard for her to bring the next treat, so you should go and return it to Sally. And while you’re there, why not tell her what you think about her meals?”

Jack: “Yeah, you might be right…”

??? “Hey Jack! We’ve made some adjustments to the decorations according to your instructions yesterday. Can you come and check?”

Jack: “Yup, sure! Yeah, looks great! Keep it up, guys, and finish the rest of the decorations!”

??? “Oi Jack, come taste this sweet, would ya? We think they turned out pretty neat!”

Jack: “Let me see… Ooh, very tasty! But I’d add more spices!”

??? “Jack, there you are! I need your advice on something…”

Jack: “Okay, coming! Just a moment, alright?”

Jack: “I’d love to return the basket and express my gratitude, but, as you can see, I’m a bit tied up here… So, Sebek, could you please return the basket and leave a message from me to her?”

Sebek: “I REFUSE!!! She always treats you so kindly. Wouldn’t it be only fair if you personally go and express your feelings of gratitude?”

Jack: “Well, I guess you’re right...”

Azul: “Well then! Please, if you need your basket delivered to Sally, I’m the person you can rely on!”

Jack: “Azul-kun, will you really do it?”

Azul: “Of course! I can’t just leave you in trouble, Jack-san. Let’s handle this matter with a spirit of true compassion, shall we?”

Sebek: “Hold on! Jack asked ME for help. Why are you suddenly jumping into our conversation? What are you up to?”

Azul: “My, my… why would you say such things? I simply want to help a person in need. Especially a lady with love life issues… So, here’s a suggestion: I’d like to take over this basket delivery task as compensation for helping you clear up earlier.”

Sebek: “.........Very well. I do not wish to owe you a debt. However! I will accompany you to Sally’s place to make sure you’re not plotting anything underhanded.”

Azul: “Fine. I don’t mind. Because even if I say no, you’re still coming, aren’t you?”

Jack: “Hmm, is it really okay if you two go together…?”

Azul/Sebek: “Of course! / SURE!”

Jack: “Thanks a lot! Please tell Sally I’m grateful!”

Dr. Finkelstein's Lab

Azul: “We’re here. I wonder if Sally-san is at home?”

Sebek: “Since Sally is in charge of cooking, I think she might be in the kitchen. HEY! SALLY! ARE YOU HERE??”

Azul: “Don’t shout all of a sudden!”

Dr. Finkelstein: “Seriously now! Don’t shout like that; I can hear you.”

Sebek: “Finkelstein, I don’t remember calling you. So, is Sally not at home?”

Dr. Finkelstein: “Got business with Sally? Well, I won’t let you see her anyway.”

Sebek: “Not letting us… what do you mean by that?”

Dr. Finkelstein: “She keeps disobeying me, so I had to lock her in her room to reflect on her behavior.”

Sebek: “Locked up… so that’s why she… HEY SALLY! WE WILL LEAVE THE BASKET IN THE KITCHEN! Apparently, that was loud enough for her to hear me too. Let’s go back, Azul-senpai.”

Azul: “This wasn’t only about the basket—we still have a message to deliver from Jack-san, remember?”

Sebek: “That’s a matter he should have conveyed himself!”

Azul: “Abandoning entrusted jobs will tarnish your reputation and shake people’s trust in you. But I suppose we can’t just break in… Very well. Let’s try again later.”

Sebek: “......”

Town Hall

Sally: “Good evening, everyone!”

Sebek: “Sally, is that you? If you’re looking for Jack, he’s not here.”

Sally: “I see… Ah! N-no, that’s not why I came to see him… Um… Right, I just came to express my gratitude. Thanks for delivering the basket earlier, Sebek-kun.”

Sebek: “Hmph, what nonsense. You came here not because of me, did you? Speaking of which, Jack wouldn’t resort to such indirect tactics…”

Sally: “Oh dear… what are you talking about?”

Sebek: “Let’s have this conversation somewhere else. Come with me, Sally.”

Alleyway

Sebek: “This should be a sufficient distance…”

Sally: “What is it, Sebek-kun? Is this some kind of private conversation? Some sort of discussion not meant for other ears?”

Sebek: “Yes, and that’s for your sake. I’ll be direct with you.

 With such a roundabout approach as you’re using now, your feelings will never reach Jack.”

Sally: “Huh?! N-no, that’s not it… I don’t have any special feelings toward Jack…”

Sebek: “ENOUGH OF THIS! HOW STUBBORN YOU ARE! Have you forgotten that Trey-senpai and I were helping you with cooking? You jumped out of the window and said it was easier than using the stairs… So you were really locked up in that room. I heard it from Finkelstein himself.”

Sally: “……”

Sebek: “Trapped and unable to move around freely, yet you still managed to think and act in your own way. Hitting the ground and getting your body torn apart again and again, just to deliver your treats to Jack… Not long after coming to Halloween Town, it was clear to me how you feel about Jack.

But that man… of all things, he called you a ‘kind person’? I’m not saying you aren’t, but really, do you believe you treat everyone without bias?

Jack Skellington is far too thick-headed! You have to make it clear to him at least once; otherwise, he won’t get it.”

Sally: “...Thank you, Sebek-kun, for saying such things for my sake.”

Sebek: “It’s simply infuriating to observe! The timid attitude, the dense man, and how devotion is just being wasted!”

Sally: “Yes… it’s great when your efforts are acknowledged. But I can’t bring myself to share my feelings. Jack is admired by all. He’s the Pumpkin King who makes anyone tremble in fear. I could never stand next to him as his partner… It’s utterly unrealistic. We’re not compatible at all.”

Sebek: “Ugh, just watching you now makes me angry…..I shall share a tale of worth then. In my world, there’s a classical novel called ‘Omiro and Riettojyu’. A couple of lovers, whose families disapprove of their marriage plans to elope, but after going through many obstacles, the plan ultimately fails. After being brought back to their families, the lovers live their lives in tears thinking of each other, whom they can no longer meet…that’s the gist of it.”

Sally: “That’s a very sad story…”

Sebek: “Indeed so. But it’s not just a sad story; it teaches the reader an important lesson.”

Sally: “What kind of… important lesson?”

Sebek: “The lovers in the story abandoned the hope of earning their families' acceptance. They opted to forsake everything and elope. I’ll omit the circumstances surrounding the failure of the elopement, but the cause of this story's tragic ending is that the protagonists failed to articulate their feelings and thoughts clearly.

 Had they made sure to share the details of their plot and verify the truth of the rumors they heard with those involved, I can picture them having a happy future. I think that the author perhaps aimed to convey to readers both the despair of surrendering and the necessity of communicating through words.

Naturally, interpretations may vary from read to read, but that’s how I personally interpret it! 

A story cannot be born without thoughts and feelings that one wishes to share with others. Could it be that the author of this story also experienced regret after giving up on something and neglecting to express it in words? I’ve read plenty of other books too. Numerous tales illustrate how the lack of verbal expression leads to misunderstandings and conflicts.”

Sally: “Hehe, Sebek-kun, I see you’re an avid reader. So if I don’t give up… and express my feelings properly… will I eventually be rewarded?”

Sebek: “No idea! But you must believe and take action.”

Sally: “Oh... such powerful words. You must have a reason to hold that belief, Sebek-kun.”

Sebek: “My parents faced opposition to their marriage from my maternal grandfather. However, my mother went against his wishes and married my father. 

Since then, my mother has been making every effort to get my grandfather to acknowledge their relationship. From time to time, she sends letters enclosed with photos of them as a couple or with the whole family. 

On days off, she takes us, her grandchildren, to visit our grandfather and invites him to family celebration dinners. And I am sure there are many other efforts she makes that I don’t see or don’t know about. 

Even though my grandfather still disapproves of my parents’ marriage, my mother continues to believe that if she keeps expressing with her words that she married the man she loves, built a family, and is living very happily… one day, my grandfather will understand. And he will genuinely bless her marriage to the man she truly loves.

In fact, there seems to be some progress. At the beginning of their marriage, my grandfather would turn my dad away at the door when he visited... There's been a slight increase in the times my grandfather and father meet lately, though it amounts to maybe once a year... and my grandfather never makes eye contact with my father and is constantly frowning. 

But I think this progress is the result of my mother having been telling my grandfather for so long how happy she is.”

Sally: “I see… You and your mother are both able to express your feelings through words properly, Sebek-kun. But I’m not like yo—”

Sebek: “Do you intend to dwell on it still?! However, I suppose… I can empathize with the worries and frustrations you’re experiencing.”

Sally: “Really?”

Sebek: “The esteemed Malleus-sama, whom I deeply admire, is the future king of my home country. He is not just of noble birth but also a powerful magician renowned across the world. He is truly a wonderful person whom I respect deeply from the bottom of my heart!

As I continue to understand the greatness of Malleus-sama, I am reminded of my own inexperience. Regardless of how much I study or how hard I train, I can't reach the level of even my older fellow disciple*, let alone come close to Malleus-sama’s level. There have even been times when I’ve worried that I’m unworthy to serve such an incredible person.”

Sally: “Yes, I know this feeling… and it makes my heart ache.”

Sebek: “However, even if I am inexperienced or not skilled enough, it’s not a valid reason to distance myself from the one I admire.”

Sally: “ ! ”

Sebek: “I made it clear that I wanted to serve the distinguished Malleus-sama. And he granted me the privilege of being by his side as his guard.

 Naturally, I hold the status of a trainee. I still need more knowledge, strength, and experience to become a formal guard. However, if I keep holding back and feeling hesitant, I will only be stuck! As I work diligently alongside the person I hold dear, I will eventually become suitable to serve them.

 Above all, I despise cowardliness and a lack of effort! Therefore, Sally, you must strive harder! If you wish to stand beside the Pumpkin King, you must give it your all, both in action and in speech!”

Sally: “If you never give up and continue to put in the effort, and express your feelings clearly, those feelings may be rewarded… Alright, it might be difficult to express everything right away, but I will try to tell Jack how I feel!”

???: “Oho, if it isn’t Sally and Sebek-kun over here?”

Sally: “Jack!”

Jack: “What were you talking about, just the two of you in a place like this?”

Sebek: “Humph, nothing that concerns you!”

Jack: “What was that?!”

Sally: “Jack, calm down. I was just thanking him for delivering the basket, that is all.”

Jack: “Ah, so that’s what it was about. Well, I also wanted to thank you once again for the treat.”

Sebek: “Humph, it seems like the moment when Sally’s devotion will be recognized is approaching.”

Centre of Halloween Town

Epel: “There goes Sebek, shouting again… He just can’t shut up, as usual!”

Sally: “He just wants to express everything he feels and thinks clearly, making sure the other person gets the message. Isn’t that why he’s using such a loud voice?”

Epel: “Sally-san, aren’t you being too kind?! Don’t you think he lacks some sensitivity or something?” Sally: “Not at all. His words gave me the courage to take a step forward. I’m truly happy that Sebek came to Halloween Town and crossed paths with me and Jack.”

*It was unclear whether Sebek referred to Silver or all his older peers in general, so I decided to leave it as if he's mentioning Silver.

[lovelybluebirdie]

The pale chef

Astarion x f!Reader

Summary: Astarion attempts to cook for you, but things don’t go as planned.

Word Count: 1,7k

A/N: I got the idea that Astarion naturally struggles with preparing food, so I had to write some fluff about it! Hope you enjoy :)

[ AO3 ]

Astarion stirred the pot in concentration, holding a wooden spoon in his hand and wondering what exactly he was doing here. 

This whole endeavour resulted from your constant need to be nice to him, he thought with a sigh – apparently it made him want to be nice as well. 

It started the other day when you mentioned how you would kill for a mushroom soup. At first he thought nothing of it, but for some reason the idea stuck to his head, so Astarion decided to roam the forest and gather some mushrooms. Unfortunately it turned out rather quickly that he lacked essential knowledge on the matter, so he had to consult Gale of all people. 

Putting his pride aside, he asked through gritted teeth which ones were edible and which to avoid, since he had no desire to poison you by accident. Due to Gale being Gale, the wizard not only lectured him on different kinds of fungi, he had also given a detailed instruction on the soup’s recipe.

Astarion chuckled at the absurdity of the scene. He had never thought that one day he'd voluntarily prepare food for another person – and yet he found himself bending over the hearth and mixing different ingredients, hoping for the best.

He even wore an apron borrowed from said wizard, therefore he was more than glad that his companions had left for a supply run, while you were waiting in your shared tent so he could attempt this little surprise in solitude.

Gale's voice echoed in his mind: Chop the mushrooms, add them to the broth, stir until thickened, season with salt and pepper and sprinkle a few herbs on top – that’s it! Absolutely foolproof, even for someone who prefers to appease their hunger solely with blood.

The mushrooms had been the easiest part. His dexterous fingers cut them into perfectly bite-sized pieces, but Astarion bloody forgot how long the meal should rest on the fire.

Suddenly a burning smell lingered in the air, and he sensed in horror that the soup was boiling over.

“Fuck!” He grabbed the pot with haste and put it away from the heat.

Well, he thought as he gazed at the bubbling mass, that probably meant it was done.

With utmost care not to spill more of his precious loot, he grabbed a ladle and filled a large portion for you. If he already took the effort for such a novelty, you should at least get your belly full.

Astarion slipped out of the apron and made his way back to you. He assumed you were already growing impatient, as this entire affair had consumed far more time than he had anticipated.

“Hello, darling,��� he purred when entering your tent, skilfully balancing the bowl in his hand. 

“Finally! I thought you'd kept me waiting all night – wait, what's that?” You put the book you were reading aside and eyed the dish in his hands.

“I’m not quite sure myself, but according to Gale's recipe it should resemble a mushroom soup.”

Your eyes lit up. “Hold on – you prepared this for me? You know that’s my favourite, right?”

“I suppose I do.” Astarion offered you the soup with a coy smile. “Although you should remember that I’m not particularly versed in the culinary arts, so it might be best to treat this with caution.”

You took the bowl from his slender fingers. “Hah, let me be the judge of that! Besides, it was about damn time you returned the favour of feeding me for once, hm?”

“I couldn’t try it myself for obvious reasons, but I doubt that this could compete with your delicious blood,” Astarion replied jokingly and sat next to you, curiously watching as you sniffed the soup.

“Smells not bad…” you affirmed while blowing on the steaming broth resting on your spoon. “Now comes the delicate part – the taste test.”

The spoon disappeared in your mouth, and suddenly your face twisted into a grimace. You swallowed hard, a cough forcing its way through your pressed lips.

Astarion couldn’t help but snort over your clumsy attempt to keep the soup inside. “So – I sense I failed you miserably?”

“What? No – I mean, it’s not… terrible,” you stuttered. “It’s… Well – did you let it burn by chance?”

“Maybe.” He dragged out the syllables dramatically and shrugged. “Be honest, my dead heart surely can take it – shall we save this mess for Scratch and the owlbear?”

“Of course not!” you exclaimed with widened eyes. “I’m not hesitant to share, but not something you specially made for me. Also, some things tend to get better once you get used to the flavour, you know.” 

Before Astarion could intervene, you put another spoon to your mouth and eagerly gulped it down, followed by a second and a third. 

“There’s certainly room for improvement,” you eventually muttered with full cheeks, “but it’s not that bad.”

“I’m afraid you’re a poor liar, my love.” Astarion gently grasped your wrist to prevent you from taking another mouthful. “So please let me stop you right there, before you seriously upset your gut. I’m sure we can get you something more nutritious for the evening.” Then he took the spoon from your hand and put the bowl aside.

“If you insist,” you said with fondness in your eyes while wiping soup from the corner of your mouth. “But honestly – thank you, Astarion. This was… unexpectedly sweet.”

Heat rose to his ears as he rested his hand on your stomach, starting to draw circles. “Well, let's just hope my failed culinary attempt won't kill you tonight.”

“I guess in that case Lae’zel would avenge me, so you’d better start preparing yourself.”

“Mh… You think she’d stake me?” Astarion questioned and continued to caress your belly.

“Who knows what her creativity will lead to in the end. Knowing Lae’zel, she’d probably come up with something worse,” you pondered while tapping your chin. “But I guess you wouldn't let your preferred blood supply die that easily after all, would you?”

“Oh, don't sell yourself so short,” Astarion countered in feigned bewilderment. “You know that you mean way more to me than that.”

“Is that so?”

“Well, you also keep me warm at night, sparing me the coin for a thicker blanket. You know how expensive those things can get.”

You playfully raised an eyebrow, clearly not satisfied with his response. “And if you had to give a genuine answer this time?”

Astarion clicked his tongue and rolled his eyes. “I thought my sentiments were rather obvious by now.”

“And yet I don't seem to tire of hearing your appreciation for me,” you teased.

“Getting greedy now, aren’t we? Fine, you're ... quite decent. Despite your constant need to do something heroic, of course.”

You poked his shoulder and turned away with an exaggerated pout.

Astarion chuckled, before he cleared his throat. “Alright – perhaps you’re more than that.” 

He drew you in his arms and breathed against your cheek. “One might also say you're the first person I truly came to care about. Deeply.”

Your lips brushed over his contours, searching for his own until you kissed him tenderly. “See? Wasn’t that hard, was it?”

Astarion rested a peck on your forehead and embraced you closer, a pleasant flutter spreading in his chest. 

You were right, he thought as his lips curled into an affectionate smile – with you, everything seemed surprisingly easy these days.

*

The next morning Astarion woke to a rumbling. He opened his eyes and could only make out your silhouette as you hastily rushed outside, leaving the flap of your tent wide open.

“Love, are you alright?” he asked in concern and immediately got up to follow you.

“Don't worry, I’m fine,” you huffed under your breath.

Astarion knelt beside you in the grass and frowned. “Are you sure?”

“I said… it’s alright…” You gagged between your words. “But perhaps the soup… Ugh–”

“Don’t be stubborn,” Astarion said softly, when he noticed that you were still wearing his shirt from the other night. “And for the love of the gods – please be careful not to stain my clothes.”

“That's what you’re most concerned about right now?”

“No, of course not! But – That’s my favourite,” Astarion mumbled while he reached for your hair, smoothing it back over your shoulders.

“FANGS, what did you do to her?!” Karlach’s voice erupted like a thunderstorm from the other side of the camp as she spotted the two of you.

“Nothing – I only prepared some soup for her last night!”

“Shadowheart! Hurry up, we need you – Astarion poisoned our leader!” Karlach was already marching in the cleric's direction.

“What – no!” You both spoke almost simultaneously, causing you to laugh.

“I seem to have a sensible stomach,” you managed to add before retching again.

Astarion turned serious as he rested his hand on your back. “I'm terribly sorry, my love. That wasn’t meant to happen at all.”

You offered a weak smirk. “I know, and I appreciate the thought. Besides, that means your next dish can only improve.”

Astarion gazed at you in disbelief. “You’d consider letting me cook again after this entire debacle? Those mushrooms must have gone to your beautiful head.”

“Well, on second thought–” You couldn't finish your sentence as your stomach’s content finally emptied onto the grass.

Astarion felt a twist at his ribcage seeing you like this. “We’d better make sure I haven’t actually poisoned you, shall we? – SHADOWHEART! Get yourself over here – now!” 

“I'M ON MY WAY!” Shadowheart shouted from afar.

“I think the worst is already over–” you began to explain, when another voice cut you off.

“Tsk’va! What is going on?” Lae’zel poked her head from her tent, obviously annoyed by the sudden tumult.

“Please, don’t let her stake me,” Astarion whispered and continued to stroke your back.

“Be glad that I love you, otherwise I’d probably let her get away with it this time,” you replied mischievously.

Astarion’s chest filled with warmth as he grasped for your hand. “My sweet, I truly am.” Then he bowed his head to place a kiss on your hair. “And I love you too. So much in fact, that I might consider forgiving you for ruining my shirt.”

You squeezed his hand and grinned. “Prick.”

Astarion returned your grin before his expression turned soft. “But honestly, I promise I’ll make this up to you.”

Next time he would surprise you with something less nauseating, he thought as his fingers entwined with yours – a safe choice like bringing another stray to your camp, or a nice perfume perhaps.

Masterlist

[calcifiedunderland]

Pride & Prejudice: A TWSTed AU

The Rose Red Tyrant: R. Rosehearts

Introduction, or pick another route!

Riddle x GN Reader(they/them)

Warnings: Pride and Prejudice-level angst, Riddle-typical anger, Riddle insults you Darcy-style (he doesn’t mean it I promise <3)

———

“WHAT DO YOU MEAN YOU THOUGHT THE VARNISH WAS PAINT?!”

Today was supposed to be an enjoyable unbirthday party. A party thrown for you, according to your tastes.

Riddle had triple and quadruple checked what your favorite desserts and pastries were, and relayed them to Trey. Cater was handling the table settings, and (despite his prior doubts) Ace and Deuce were taking care of the flamingos and hedgehogs for the croquet match. Everything was going to be perfect in accordance with the Queen’s and his standards. It was supposed to be splendid. Supposed to be.

And the roses were to be painted in (favorite color) and red. The richest, most vibrant (color) and the deepest ruby red, selfishly representing Riddle and You. This was supposed to be the unbirthday party that would charm you. But now?

Everything was perfect except the rose bushes, which were now in varying shades of pink and (color) after they’d dried from the varnish that the first years used. Wood varnish! That dried transparent! Not paint!

“We’re sorry Housewarden Rosehearts!” The first years yelled, hands clasped as they pleaded, “It was an accident!”

“THIS IS UNACCEPTABLE!” At Riddle’s words, a sudden chill ran through everyone. Sure, there’d been a few times when the dorm leader snapped at everyone, and reminded them that even though he’d been changed for the better (and less angry), he was still himself. And sometimes, the angry Riddle pre-overblot made itself known.

But this time, it was as if the overblot never happened and he was still tyrannical as before.

“This,” he seethed, face deepening to scarlet and eyebrows pulling into a ‘v’ shape. “Is a disgrace. I instructed you to paint the roses red and (color). And what did you do?” His arm snapped up to point at the rose bushes, “YOU USED VARNISH! THEY’RE THE WRONG COLOR! THEY ARE RUINED!”

The first years shrank back. With all the yelling, it was impossible to not attract the attention of everyone around them, and Trey was all but running towards the scene when he finally overheard Riddle through the Heartslabyul kitchen walls.

Even you heard it, as you and Grim ambled on the path to Heartslabyul. “Hehe, I’ve been hungry since last week waitin’ for this party!” Grim cackled, “what do ya think Trey’s cooking? Strawberry tarts, chocolate cupcakes, crème brûlée?!” His voice went up in excitement, eyes lighting up. You laughed, “I guess we’ll see when we get there, Grim!” The two of you stopped when you heard yelling from within the rose maze. “Oh boy, is Riddle yellin’ again? I don’t wanna get collared,” Grim sulked, and you scooped him up to quiet him. “Hush, I want to see what’s happening,” you whispered and peeked around the corner.

“This unbirthday party is RUINED BECAUSE OF YOUR INSOLENCE! YOU’RE LUCKY THE PREFECT DIDN’T SEE THIS!” Riddle yelled, and you watched as Trey grabbed his arm from behind, “Riddle, it’s fine! The roses are fi-“ Riddle’s face was the darkest red you’d ever seen, and somehow his hair was standing up with rage? Riddle brandished his other arm, “OFF WITH YOUR-“

Grim squirmed in your arms and you lost your balance. You both tumbled into the open grass, right in front of Riddle, Trey, and the poor first years that looked like they were about to jump out of their skins. Riddle’s spell stopped, and his eyes widened when he met yours. “Prefect,” he said, uncharacteristically charming, given that he was about to behead about five students. “You’re here.”

He took a step towards you to help you up, but you picked Grim up and hugged him to your chest, scrambling upright. Something like hurt flashed in Riddle’s eyes. You looked around wildly, the tension becoming thick and unbearable. What the hell just happened?

You noted that the rose trees were���strangely more colorful than usual. Instead of the usual red and white, they were in varying shades of red, ranging from a light blush to a deep pink. They were also in (color), in all shades. They really did look pretty, but they don’t match the Queen’s rules, sadly. You could piece together why Riddle was mad now.

You cleared your throat uncomfortably, realizing everyone was staring at you now. “The- the roses look very pretty,” you wavered, forcing a smile on your face. Riddle’s face wasn’t as red now, and he seemed calmer at your words. “Yes, they’re lovely, aren’t they?” He replied, and the first years replied in unison “yes, sir!” Riddle shot them a look, and they fell silent. Then he turned back to you with a charming smile, smoothing his hair and holding out his other hand to you. “Now, shall we begin the party?”

———

As you headed back to Ramshackle, you thought about what happened earlier. Grim was as happy as a clam, holding the leftover (favorite dessert) that Trey allowed him to take back, but you were unsettled. It was safe to say that it was the weirdest unbirthday party you’d attended yet.

After you caught Riddle mid-collaring, everyone settled into a tense tea party. You were seated to the left of Riddle this time (unusual, since you’d normally sit with Ace and Deuce). The dorm leader himself even served you a slice of cherry tart, ears red. It was like his entire body was tense, and every once in a while, Trey had to mutter something reassuringly to him so he’d relax a bit.

But it kept happening every so often, from when Ace spilled brown tea over the pristine white tablecloth, to when Deuce put his whining hedgehog on the table to calm it down, to finally croquet time when the flamingos refused to stay still to hit the hedgehogs through the hoops.

Needless to say, if the tension wasn’t there, you would’ve thought it a normal, hectic, chaotic unbirthday party. As you and Grim headed into Ramshackle to wind down, you couldn’t shake off the way that everyone stared at you during the party. Odd to say the least, but hey, you got some of Trey’s pastries out of it. Win-win!

Back at Heartslabyul, Riddle crossed his arms at Trey and Cater, frowning. At least he isn’t yelling, Trey thought, adjusting his glasses. That’s good.

“I simply wanted the Prefect to have an enjoyable unbirthday party. There’s nothing wrong with me throwing a party in their honor and to their tastes,” Riddle said dismissively. “Well,” Trey began carefully, “it’s not every unbirthday party that you ensure their favorite desserts are there…”

Riddle tapped his foot impatiently. “Yes?”

“And seat them next to you.”

“And?”

Cater cut in, “the seat next to you goes to your second-in-command or the King of Hearts!” Trey stared at Cater without emotion. “What? Cay-cay reads the Queen’s rules when he feels like it!” To himself, he muttered “and it wasn’t like Riddle was gonna admit it, anyway…”

Riddle pinched the bridge of his nose. “Your point is?” Trey sighed. “You knew this, didn’t you? You wanted this unbirthday party to be different, right?”

Riddle grew quiet. So Trey did know. His vice dorm leader chuckled softly, fixing his glasses. “Well, since today didn’t go as… intended,” he said tactfully, Cater giving him a wide eyed look. “Perhaps you could… invite the Prefect out on a different outing?” “A date!” Cater said cheerfully as Riddle went pink in the face. Riddle thought aloud, “hmmm…”

———

“A… picnic?” You asked, frowning at Riddle, who fiddled with a basket bashfully. “This is a little sudden…”

You were back at Ramshackle alone. Earlier today, Grim was whisked off by Ace and Deuce, who wouldn’t give you a clear reason why they were taking Grim with them, and not you. “It’s ‘cause… Trey needs Grim to taste test his desserts!” Deuce said, picking Grim off the ground before he could protest. The cat monster wasn’t even bothered by this, “really?! Yes! Trey’s the best!”

When you tried to follow, Ace stopped you. “He just wanted Grim! Sorry, Prefect.” Ace suddenly grinned devilishly, “you won’t be lonely for too long, though!” The three of them slammed the door before you could react, and you slumped onto the dusty couch. Hey, at least if you were going to be alone, you could read that weird Prejudice and Pride book, which was surprisingly getting pretty good.

When you’d heard a knock on the front door about an hour later, you’d assumed that Grim was back, here to gloat and grin over his delicious pastry-tasting. You weren’t expecting an uncharacteristically shy Riddle holding a picnic basket, dressed casually in a red blazer and black button down, hair tucked behind one ear reminiscent of his groom-outfit from that time Eliza wanted to marry Idia. He looked so nice, and here you were, still decked out in your pajamas from last night.

Riddle cleared his throat awkwardly. “Yes. I found a clearing nearby, I thought we could both… hang out?” he tried to smile casually, the words feeling strange. Your brow furrowed, but you decided not to question it. He’s acting odd. Still, it’d be nice to get out of the dorm. “…Alright, just let me change.”

After changing into a nice, picnic-appropriate outfit that would make Crewel proud of your glow up, you walked with Riddle. To your surprise, a picnic blanket was already laid out, held down by a tri-candelabra. So Riddle planned this?

“What’s this for?” You asked suddenly as you both sat down. Riddle became tense, haltingly responding “is it strange to want to… do this?” He handed you a small plate, and passed a mini dessert onto it. “It’s nice, but…” You glanced at your dessert, “I thought Trey needed these?” Riddle looked confused. “What?”

“Ace and Deuce took Grim to taste-test stuff for Trey. Shouldn’t you be there? Since you’re the Housewarden and all.” Riddle fumbled his slice of tart. “…Trey can handle it without me. Now, is your dessert to your liking?”

The two of you chatted lightly, although it was still weird to you that Riddle wanted to have this picnic with just you. He seemed to constantly be on the verge of saying something, but holding it back, and instead asking you small things like how was your day? how has alchemy been? Once or twice, he repeated the same question, until finally you’d had enough of this little eggshell dance.

“Riddle, what is this all about?” By now you were on your seventh dessert. Riddle started at your suddenness, fork clattering onto the saucer, eyes wide. He hurriedly put it down and grabbed your hands urgently in his, eyes not quite meeting yours. He took a deep breath.

“You were a nuisance when we first met,” he began, clasping your hands. “And to be honest, you weren’t really anything impressive. You weren’t even sorted into a dorm, and you don’t have any magical talent at all, but I’m willing to overlook that now. And…” he looked you in the eye, grasping your hand delicately, rubbing his thumb over yours.

“You, Ace, and Deuce caused me quite the headache, but in the end, I grew to appreciate your opinion. You don’t have the same experience as anyone else here, and I… I grew to admire that about you,” he said matter-of-factly, becoming confident. “And I know your circumstances aren’t the best, given that you have no connections here, and-“

You blanked, tuning him out in shock. So this is what the picnic was all about. Was this Heartslabyul’s way of trying to get their Housewarden to warm up to you? To become used to your presence? Did Trey or your friends put Riddle up to this? You started laughing dryly, cutting Riddle off.

“…if I’m such a nuisance, then you probably didn’t even want to go on this stupid picnic.” You kicked the blanket edge with your foot, anger coursing in your heart. “And I guess I’m only ever going to be a trouble-causing magicless prefect. Who am I compared to the great Housewarden Rosehearts anyway?!” You scoffed, tears stinging your eyes.

His eyes widened, and he stood, face burning red with embarrassment. Unfortunately, you thought he was now angry at you. “With your temper and your arrogance, there’s no way we could work.”

“I-!” Riddle clenched his hands, steeling himself. He screwed his eyes shut, gritting his teeth in frustration. Then, he yelled “I’m asking your permission to court you!”

The silence was deafening. You stared at him, incredulous. Was this a joke? Did he just pity you or something? He just insulted you, and now he wants to ‘court’ you? “Is this your idea of a joke, Riddle?!”

You took a deep breath, eyes watery. “You are the last person I would date in this school, and I’m convinced that I’m the last person you could ever want.”

With that, you turned on your heel and marched yourself back to Ramshackle, bracing yourself for a loud off with your head!, but you were surprised that it never came.

If you’d looked back, you would’ve seen Riddle with a completely crushed expression.

Unknown to both of you, in a tree not too far behind, a pair of purple ears, golden eyes, and a tail curled, watching the scene unfold.

———

Heartslabyul was quiet. Too quiet.

The entire dorm felt tense each time Housewarden Rosehearts walked into the room, almost always accompanied by his Vice Housewarden who seemed to watch him like a hawk. Only him, Cater, Ace, and Deuce knew what had happened.

That day, after you stormed away from the picnic, he watched you leave, too shocked by what just happened. There weren’t many people who could shock him, both before and after his overblot. It seems you can still surprise him after all, he thought bitterly as he carried himself back to the dorm, in a foul mood. His eyes were watery, but he didn’t dare start crying. This was pointless, to cry would be pointless. He could hear his mother’s words already - “love is useless and beneath you. It will only weigh you down and distract you from your studies. No one is your equal match. No one is like you.” Still, he didn’t want anyone else, not when you were here.

Too wrapped up in his thoughts, he didn’t see the floating head bobbing next to him. “Nya~ what’s this?” Chen’ya leaned languidly next to Riddle, smiling. “What has our red queenie in such a bind?~” “Go away, Chen’ya,” Riddle grumbled, rubbing his eyes roughly with his sleeve. He could see the kitchen lights on through the window. He wasn’t ready to see Heartslabyul yet.

“Hmm?~” Chen’ya’s body materialized and he angled his head at Riddle. “You seem tense~ not the purrrrfect prosy rose you normally are~” He stared at Riddle. “I heard some mews from Trey that you had your own little rosie~ That little confession earlier didn’t go as planned, hm?”

Riddle flushed with embarrassment, frowning. “Keep your voice down!-“ “With all that yelling they’ll hear you, not meow~” Chen’ya regarded Riddle with a small mischievous look, “You kneow, your rosie may think you don’t like them with all those insults you said. Trey seemed worried about that~”

Riddle pouted, this is so unbecoming of a Housewarden. “The prefect didn’t believe me! Why would they not believe me! I wasn’t insulting them.” “Nya~ then make them believe you!” Chen’ya grinned at Riddle, giggling as he disappeared into thin air. Chen’ya’s still confusing as ever. But still, perhaps he has a point. By then, Trey had come outside to look for the rogue RSA student, starting when he saw Riddle. “How did it go?,” he asked, immediately regretting it when he saw Riddle considerably Prefect-less with a frown on his face.

Trey was surprised when Riddle seemed thoughtful, rather than upset. Perhaps the Prefect was right. Maybe Chen’ya was right, Riddle thought to himself. The Housewarden looked up at Trey, grey eyes steeling in determination. “Trey, I need to take care of a few things.”

———

A few weeks passed and both you and Riddle generally stayed out of each other’s orbit, except for Ace and Deuce, who tried to be a decent common ground. Still, the unbirthday parties seemed a bit less lively, but in any case Housewarden Rosehearts was back to the nicer ‘normal.’ No outbursts, no yelling, no anger - just a nice, pleasant party without the Prefect.

Your friends were pretty much as shocked as you were when you told them what happened. Your Heartslabyul friends reacted as well as you would’ve expected. “The Housewarden’s gonna kill us,” Ace lamented while Deuce just looked shell-shocked. “Planning that took forever, and Riddle kept asking us over and over what you liked, and you just said he never had a chance?! You basically killed him!”

You were exasperated by now. “Look, Riddle doesn’t respect me, he made that very clear! He literally said that I was a headache and talentless!” Still, they didn’t miss what you said after that when you went back to your food, “but I didn’t say he never had a chance.”

Ace and Deuce tried to invite you over to the unbirthday parties, but you resisted the sweet temptation of Trey’s pastries, Carter’s fun Magicam posts, and even Grim’s whines to go. It wasn’t like you were stopping Grim from going, but he just didn’t want to go without you. In any case, you found your days considerably off with your head! free, and no one around school seemed to bear a collar. You didn’t even notice it until Ace brought it up.

“Y’know Prefect, Riddle’s been a lot more relaxed lately,” he said slyly. You stopped eating your pasta, and gave him a suspicious look. “Ace, seriously? You agreed you wouldn’t bring it up,” Deuce frowned, glancing at you. You stopped and thought about it. You hadn’t seen too many collars around school lately. “Still, that doesn’t mean his temper’s gone,” you dismissed him.

Later that day, after club duties, you frowned, checking your phone texts. Seriously? No one’s seen Grim anywhere? It was getting late and you’d even asked the ghosts to help you search for him. Finally, you sighed and trudged over to the library, remembering that Grim had been struggling with yet another alchemy assignment. Maybe he’s found someone to tutor him or whatever.

You walked around the library, and then stopped in your tracks. What was Riddle doing there?

He was sitting down next to Grim, and quietly explaining the problems. Grim was frowning, clearly confused, and yet Riddle didn’t get frustrated at all, to your surprise. He’d just reexplain it, pointing at handmade drawings that you recognized were made by him, and ask Grim a few questions. Grim seemed to understand it better, and even looked relieved.

Color you surprised. This was…different than the Riddle you were used to. You supposed that even though Cater told you how Riddle helped him with learning spells, and Ace told you how Riddle was more patient, it was hard to believe. And yet now, it was right in front of you.

You moved to get closer to them, but your hand knocked over a stray book on the end of the shelf. You cringed and tried to grab it, but it loudly thudded against the floor. The two of them turned around, and you gave them a wide-eyed look. “Grim, I… I was looking for you.” The silence was so loud. Riddle stared at you while Grim grinned at you, looking proud. “Nya, henchhuman! Guess who’s going to get the highest grade in alchemy!” He cheered, while Riddle gently hushed him. Gently. You stared at him, unblinking. What?

Riddle met your eyes. “Prefect,” he greeted formally, hands together. “I found Grim in the library, and thought I’d help him. He seems to understand the material better.” Grim didn’t dispute that, so it must’ve been true. “…thank you, Riddle. It means a lot,” you said, and it did. You didn’t always have enough time to help Grim out with assignments, and more often than not, his test scores brought yours down.

Riddle looked carefully at you, and said quietly as Grim gathered his work, “if you’d like, Prefect, I could help you as well. Professor Crewel says you’re one of his most hardworking students, but Ace mentioned that Trein’s test is coming up. I know you’re not from here, but I could help you study for the history test.” He looked at you earnestly, “only if you want it.”

You looked back at him, weighing your options as Grim hopped off the chair. “Okay.”

———

So this was weird.

Over the next few weeks, you and Riddle sort of… coexisted after that day in the library. And the two of you were back to normal-ish terms.

Every week, Riddle would tutor you on any subject in the rose garden. You’d be lying if you said you didn’t look forward to it - it was peaceful, and the two of you would sip tea while discussing your classes. Grim even came every once in a while to study with you, and your friends certainly seemed less tense with you and their Housewarden in good spirits.

That was the other thing you’d noticed, you thought with surprise. Ace really wasn’t just saying that - Riddle did seem to be more patient and less… behead-y.

You were able to observe everyone in Heartslabyul during this time. And everyone seemed much more relaxed compared to before. Even the same students he’d yelled at during that one fateful unbirthday party seemed more relaxed. Though everyone still abided by his authority, it didn’t seem out of fear anymore - it was out of genuine respect. And try as you might, you found yourself warming up to him too.

If his overblot was anything to go by, you knew it was hard for Riddle to accept change, and yet here he was, attempting to change for himself and everyone. And as great as it was, it scared you. Because you found yourself thinking about him constantly, finding reminders of him when you were in class (Riddle taught that to me) or your tea (Riddle recommended this blend) and even Grim eating tuna (Riddle would reprimand him for eating so sloppy).

It became increasingly obvious. You could deny it no longer. You fell in love with him, but it didn’t repulse you as much as you thought it would have. It felt good. Which is why you kept beating yourself up over what you told him at the picnic - anyone in their right mind would stop liking someone if they said what you did.

Which is why when you went over to the rose maze for this week’s study session, you were horribly nervous. You had a hard time talking to Riddle, and at some point even dropped your teacup onto the grass. As Riddle poured you a new cup, you struggled not to notice how concentrated and gentle his grey eyes were, the gracefulness of his movements. Damn, he even smelled nice too, what cologne was that-

When Riddle looked at you questioningly, you dove into your textbook and scribbled something or other rapidly, hoping he wouldn’t speak to you. If you’d looked up, you would’ve seen the soft smile he gave you, leaning gently on his elbow and admiring you. The two of you stayed like this, until a drop fell onto your notebook. You looked up in time to get a raindrop directly into your eye. “It’s-!”

“Quickly, gather your things!” You grabbed your textbook and papers, and made to dash to the dorm when Riddle grabbed your arm. “The dorm is too far, there’s a gazebo nearby. The rain should pass soon!” The two of you ran, Riddle leading you through the winding maze, until finally you made it to a wooden gazebo with roses climbing the pillars. You sat down heavily, while Riddle peeled off his now-wet uniform blazer. The two of you were silent, until you spoke.

“…thanks, Riddle,” you felt a little awkward thanking him now of all times. He looked confused, “for what?”

“Tutoring me. Being…here. Thank you,” you licked your lips. “I…” you trailed off. Great, you made it awkward now.

You both stayed in silence while the rain pattered around you until Riddle said quietly, “you know, I never thought of you as a joke. Never.” Your eyes widened, but Riddle didn’t look at you, shutting his eyes tightly. “And I really did want to court you.” He coughed, “date you. And if-“ his voice faltered, but he continued softly. “If you still feel the same way you did before then… I’ll leave you be. But I enjoy everything - your company, your heart… you. My feelings haven’t changed. If anything, I’ve fallen even deeper in love with you, prefect.”

Your eyes shone, and Riddle peeked through his bangs to see your expression. You couldn’t contain yourself anymore, and you threw yourself at him. You wrapped your arms around his shoulders, kissing his face over and over again while his eyes widened, and his arms went around your waist to stabilize you. You pulled back slightly, eyes glimmering, and a small smile grew on Riddle’s face as he moved to kiss you properly. Weeks and months of nervousness melted away from you both, and you stayed in each others arms, the sounds of murmuring and kissing each other breaking through the rain.

And as the sunlight began breaking through the clouds, you both knew that something new was just beginning. And you wouldn’t have it any other way.

~END

—————

Notes: this took longer than I thought it would but after many days of overthinking, here’s the first part :D

Thanks for reading, lmk if anyone wants to be added to the taglist!~ Take care, shrimpies!!

Taglist: @cerisescherries, @eclecticprincecollector, @ars-tral, @thehollowwriter, @twst-eeps, @casperandcats, @ttokkisbee, @mitsuriswaifu, @parad-ice-lostandfound,

@sad-sie, @moyo5653,

(If your name is in bold, it means I wasn’t able to tag you properly 😅

Edit: idk what’s going on with the tags and why I can’t tag some users?? Is this normal????)

[suzukiblu]

WIP excerpt from the one where Krypton lives and Kara did not sign up for this.

Only Kal would manage to get his DNA stolen on a planet called “Earth”, of all the godsdamned stupid places.

Might as well just be named “The Planet” or something, she swears. 

“All three it is,” Kara says, waving open her wall storage and grabbing her rice pot out of it. She only has the one because she's never had to cook for anyone else in her life, much less anyone who was staying with her, but she'll make it work. 

Somehow. 

Can't be any worse than pulling off mission-critical military maneuvers in shit conditions with untried and under-trained new recruits, she figures. 

. . . though she is admittedly more prepared for that situation than this one, if it comes to it. 

Look, that’s just experience, alright? She’s been on a thousand maneuvers and missions she didn’t have the resources for, but Kal doesn’t get cloned every day. 

Well, at least not when he’s not on incredibly uncreatively named alien planets, anyway. 

Kara dumps three times the usual amount of rice into her rice pot while Thirteen hovers just outside the kitchen and Match stands very, very still beside him. Neither of them says anything else, though Thirteen looks like he might want to. He seems to be the talker, from what Kara can tell. 

Or at least, he’s the one they’ve designated to be the talker. He asks more questions, and sometimes Match looks at him like he’s expecting him to ask a question. Even if they don’t necessarily get along, they seem to be cooperating at least that much. 

Well, it makes sense. They’re the only other successful Kryptonian-human clones that anyone’s aware of existing, and they know cloning is illegal on Krypton, and Kal isn’t here right now. Who else are they going to rely on when meeting a total stranger? 

Even a total stranger who is, technically, family. 

Or at least arguably, anyway. 

Her house communicator plays a familiar identifying little melody as she’s juggling her spheres of katso sauce and dried spygin in one arm while trying to dig out the last couple of bly fruit she <i>knows</i> she had shoved in the back of her cold storage, which admittedly is a bit cluttered with premade meals right now. Or . . . always, pretty much. 

In her defense, she really doesn’t cook very much. Or very well. Or . . . at all, really, when she can avoid it. 

She’s a grown woman and a decorated general, alright? She doesn’t need to cook if she doesn’t want to. 

“Accept call,” she instructs briskly, and the communicator’s holoscreen materializes to her side. Thirteen startles slightly; Match doesn’t so much as twitch. Doesn’t so much as breathe either, though, so she’s pretty sure he was startled too. At least, that’s the impression she’s been getting from the way he’s reacted to things so far. 

Avoided reacting to things, more like. 

“Oh, look who’s finally calling,” she says, eyeing Kal’s image on her projected screen. He looks just barely harried and the slightest bit sheepish, and she can see a dark-haired woman who’s presumably his new wife sitting behind him in his home office wearing peculiar clothing that is definitely not Kryptonian, but also doesn’t look nearly as indecent as what Thirteen and Match both showed up wearing. She seems occupied with a reader, and keeps activating and deactivating it like she’s never seen anything like it before. 

So probably the wife, yes. Lois Kal-El, née Sam-Lane, according to Kal’s previous calls. Though he also says that humans have slightly different naming schemes than Krypton does. And apparently more varied ones than Krypton does, too. 

Why Kal apparently made sure his grown wife was more appropriately dressed than the children were is beyond her, though.

[hoonvrs]

FLOUR FOR YOU — enha hyung line

req for 1k event!

PROMPT [ one, 12 ] cupping your partners face in your hand before kissing them [ two, 5 ] smiling excessively, naturally and so easily around you

PAIRING enha hyung line x gnr

GENRE est. relationship, fluff

WARNINGS none

W. COUNT 1.2k

S. NOTE this just made me wanna bake knowing i’ve never baked a day in my life. also lets ignore how each drabble starts with their name

LEE HEESEUNG

heeseung knew you were easily influenced by a few videos, so when you suddenly announced your new interest was baking it didn’t come as much of a surprised. although, it took a minute for him to convince you to try baking cookies instead of a two-tier vanilla cake that you were convinced you could hack. now you’ve been in the kitchen trying to follow a ’15-minute cookie recipe’ that you found on tiktok.

for the last two hours.

“babe! they’re finished! come try them,” he heard you shout. he approached warily knowing that cooking wasn’t one of your strong suits, so maybe he didn’t have much faith in your baking either.

he walked in to see a tray of cookies placed neatly on the counter, “wow. they actually look good.”

“you have no faith in me,” you tsked, pushing him to sit and try them, “quick, try one, and be honest.”

he plucked a cookie from the batch, and cautiously bit into it. if you hadn’t been dating heeseung for a while you might’ve actually believed he liked it. unfortunately, if there’s someone, he can’t hide his true feelings from, it you. you caught the way eyes slightly squinted and struggled to swallow the cookie, “it’s bad isn’t it.”

“no, no! its good,” he grimaced, trying his best to not upset you even though his face showed everything you needed to know.

“i’ve already tasted it love, i think i mixed the sugar with salt,” you giggled, seeing the look of realisation fall on heeseungs face.

PARK JONGSEONG

jay was known as the self-proclaimed chef in enhypen and in your relationship. he would always offer to cook you different recipes he found online, and you repay him by baking some sweet dessert as a thank you. the roles of baker and cook had never switched between you two, content with the role each had. you had dabbled in cooking before which didn’t end well, so you lucked out with having jay as your boyfriend.

until two seconds ago, when jay came home declaring he wants to try make brownies cause the boys said he’d be a terrible baker. jay refused to believe baking was any harder than cooking and wanted to prove it. 

even though you offered to help, just to instruct him through it he refused, convinced that he could ace it on his first try. so you left him to his own accord, waiting patient in the living room until he finished.

“it’s done!” he yelled, running over to you on the couch with the brownies still in the tray he baked them in with two forks stick out, “let’s try it at the same time.”

as he finished getting seated beside you, he handed you your respective fork with determination, “get ready to be replaced as the baker in this relationship.”

“yeah, okay.” You dismissed him, both going to take a bite out of jay’s ‘masterpiece’ – his words not yours. 

jays eagerness slowly dissipated as soon as you both took your first bite. It wasn’t inedible exactly, just not completely edible. you could see the disappointment take over his face, “how about i make a new batch and you can pretend you made them to the boys, hmm?”

“you’re the best.”

SIM JAEYUN

jake instantly knew something was off the second he saw you in the kitchen surrounded by baking trays and ingredients. you’ve always had a habit of baking whenever something stresses you, which seems to be more often than not these days. 

“hey pretty, what you doing?” he rounded the counter to have a better look at what you’re doing, softly placing his hands around your waist and his chin on your shoulder.

“i’m making cupcakes.” you answered, aggressively stirring your spatula through the wet batter before an intruding hand dipped in and smeared the paste onto your nose.

you turned to see jake giggling, hand covering his mouth as he slowly backed away from you. so, you did the next best thing. you dug into the bag of flour, picking up a handful, throwing it directly at his face.

he stilled for a second, processing what you had just done before speaking up, “oh, you’re on.”

thus, ensuring a full flour fight with heaps of the powder being thrown around, coating every surface white including both you and jake. your laughter could be heard through all the shuffling and playful wrestling, and although you were covered head to toe in flour, jake though you looked so beautiful.

he preferred to see you with a wide smile on your face instead of the frown and furrowed eyebrows you were sporting beforehand, and he found his body moving on its own. he slowly approached you, cupping your face in his hands gently before pulling you in.

kisses with jake were intimate, always starting slowly and usually ending in either him or you in a fit of giggles refusing to separate from the others lips, and this one was no different. 

“never thought I’d see a flower covered in flour.”

“corny, boo!”

PARK SUNGHOON

sunghoon and you decided to try out baking together. every saturday, you both meet up in your apartment and try out a new recipes, sunghoon likes to call it ‘couples therapy – baking edition’, it has confused a lot of your friends.

today, you two decide to tackle the task of icing a cake. apparently, baking the cake itself and decorating it all pretty was too much work, so you both bought two premade plain cakes, and whoever decorated it the best got to grant the winner a wish.

“i’m making mine red, so you better not copy me,” he smirked, snatching the red icing right out of your hands to try to irritate you.

you scoffed, grabbing all the colours you needed, “fine, i’m going to make mine blue. don’t be jealous when it’s better than yours.”

“you wish,” with determination and enough competitiveness between you both, you began decorating your cakes. well, until you ran into a problem.

“babe, are you sure you cut off all the tips of the piping bags? this one won’t come out.”

sunghoon looked over to see you struggling, “yeah i did. maybe if you’d come to the gym with me you’d be able to squeeze it out.”

“stop bringing that up! i’m never going to the gym with y-”

silence fell onto your kitchen after hearing a loud pop cut through the air. you heard screeching laughter before you even realised what had happened. 

looking down to see the navy icing was not only in the piping bag, but over the counter and all over your shirt. sunghoon couldn’t even hold himself up from how much he was laughing, bend over with one hand on the counter and the other holding his stomach.

his laughter rang like music in your ears, a rare sound you don’t hear too often in public where he’d rather giggle quietly behind his hands, but this one was your favourite. where he suddenly loses all composer and collapses in on himself, screaming obnoxiously whist simultaneously tying to catch his breath. worrying but impressive. 

maybe a ruined t-shirt was a worthy sacrifice to hear him laugh this freely around you.

perm taglist @mesopret @tnyhees ​@haknom @shinsou-rii @redm4ri @lacimolela @llama-lyna @chiyuv @lazysmushi @flwoie @kocokookie @kyexvly @seongclb @dammit-jjk @flwrshee @produmads ​@teddywonss

[wandagcre]

SAM & HER GF & COREFOUR IN CHRISTMAS HEADCANONS PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE!

christmas with the core four as sam's girlfriend 🎄

Note: this had become a christmas special writing hhh i hope you like it nonetheless <3

whether you have a tradition or not during christmas time, you'll certainly have a lively extension of a family now that you're sam's girlfriend!

you ask sam what you should prepare and she simply says "your presence is much needed of course, then some clothes and finally, hope for the best for the sake of your sanity"

you chuckle at sam's words. it was between a lighthearted joke and reality. the 3/4 of the gang is full of expressive and loud personalities but you already met them and hung out, so you know you're in for a (good) ride 🫶🏼

but thankfully, you're already welcomed so you thought your previous worries were silly. chad goes for a special handshake, then mindy and tara for a warm hug and how are you's <3 it was genuine too

sam is already smiling at the sight of you as she puts your bags away, how you're getting along with them in christmas style. she has known the twins for so long and was ecstatic to finally continue celebrating it with her sister, and now with someone special — you.

after settling in, you're surprised that they actually cooked? not because of their skills but them combined is a hazard and their brain cells cancelling out each other. sam chimed in soon as she caught the conversation, "hey what does that say about me then! >:( i instructed them carefully when they started cooking,"

rest of the gang laughed, took no offense to your assumption. they said that you were absolutely right. in fact, tara reveals she almost did the classic switch up - salt over sugar - all because she got immersed at their in between conversations to which you join laughing at.

it's so diverse! full of everyone's favorite dishes at christmas time instead of the traditionally expected dishes. you told them that this was such a good idea and made things even more heartwarming to celebrate. they smile and chad rubs your back, "of course. we're our own little family. we do it according to our favorite picks and sharing it... in a way feels like you're sharing love, too. it makes it even more special." mindy butts in, "not bad, brother."

tara agrees and says chad definitely has his moments.

then! from your back, apparently sam sneaked in and smoothly glides another dish - your own favorite! she looks anywhere else except your eyes, "you didn't know the theme and you deserve a slot in this tradition," she murmured and tara adds, "so that's what you've been burning your hands for?" your eyes well up in affection. you press a chaste kiss to which the gang gagged at 😭

"no mistletoe for you two!" - they reprimanded you

trying eggnogs in discreet - perpetuated by the twins, specifically by chad (unknowingly made them after mindy said "go wild, surprise me") and immediately regretted her words. after things cooled down (re: woodsboro and new york mess) they decided to bring it up, the carpenter sisters weren't safe and so were you!

sam looking at the sidelines, suspiciously smiling and seemingly anticipating. you took more than a sip unknowingly, then soon as it hit your tastebuds, your face was contorted in disgust. the women started laughing. chad says "don't hate the brits!"

sam says in your defense, "you know they eat baked beans with dry sausages and bread right?" tara agrees with ease, saying that's a fair point and flips off the twins for the same surprise they did last year. adding to the chaos, you firmly say, "yeah! it offended my tastebuds. i thought this was a christmas tradition not a frat initiation!"

the core four loved your response 😭 sam included, was laughing hard and gasping for air. it was witty and the twins playfully retort that it was extreme of you to accuse!

sam couldn't stop smiling and laughing oh my god somebody help her facial muscles! it's permanently stitched to her at this point

mindy loves the banter. she nudges you and says that sam is partially getting her lick back. but mainly it was in your honor, to which she gags at because you guys are subtly so sweet already 🥹

they introduce you to some clichés, but with a twist! gingerbread house making but five of you will pick names, not revealing them and within an hour u should dedicate it to them. they're all wonky creations but decent. sam can't do much to control it anyway as they try to sabotage everyone, including yours 😭 the clean up will be tedious for sure!

you're surprised that tara decorated yours in your favorite color and how she noticed since it wasn't that obvious and yet she noticed a pattern apparently, it shows with your stuff and clothing! i think hers are perfected, standard-like creation and you see her stickman drawing attempt of two persons - apparently it's you and sam

sam points at it, "is that us? why am i smaller?" and tara grumbles. "this is for your girlfriend can you leave my masterpiece alone?"

you agree with tara who grinned widely at your approval, "be nice. i think it's an adorable touch to this homey gingerbread house!"

mindy adds knowingly, "also, sam, i hate to break it to you but you're an absolute puddle of baby around your girlfriend, that's why you're smaller - duh. your real height is not equivalent to your height there." and tara spreads her arms, exclaiming 'exactly!'

chad looks back and forth, trying to grasp the context. "oh! oh! i get it," he clasps his hands rather loudly. "you're so right for that. and you let her call you sammy?"

you giggle at sam's petulant pout at the teasing but she doesn't deny anything. "whatever," she grumbles and when you wanted to appease it with a kiss as you lean in to sam, the 3/4 are already making gagging and vomiting sounds 😭✋🏼

watching movies based on your favorite christmas themed movies! (insert an obscure movie u randomly hyperfixated or a popular one from your country) usually it was a matter of rock paper and scissors for fairness, but since you're new they gave you a special pass and played your choice of movie <3

your pick was new to them. therefore they were entranced at the plot and you enjoy the commentary and how they analyzed it, like little kids during the movie time in class. you look to your side and see that sam's eyebrows were bunched and she ate in sloth-like manner 😭

baby was so focused! it was funny how she looked like that while her arm is hooked around yours and leaned to you comfortably. sam says i can see why this is appealing to you... it's so you and unique and it matched your energy and she happily rambles - much to 3/4's surprise

not because sam is silently attentive but it's their first time to see her so open and carefree with her partner and so they have this faint, knowing smiles on their faces. they're happy that sam finally have found her person that she feels comfortable and honest with🥺

as you go to your respective rooms (obviously you're rooming with sam) mindy shouts from the hall, "please be respectful and let's keep the jolly, wholesome spirit alive! we do not need anymore virgo babies,"

tara visibly wanted to vomit and covered her ears. chad looks at his twin confused, "since when do you have beef with virgos?"

meanwhile you and sam were stuck in chuckling and was flustered. "i didn't even think of that!" you shout back to mindy who replies with sure, jan. as you and sam settle in her room, you take her hand and swung them gently, your gaze intent on sam's brown ones. "thank you for having me. i felt so loved." both of your hearts felt so full. your silly smile is unerasable and so is sam's, you find it endearing how the two of you probably look like fools together.

and sam pouts cutely at your words. "no, thank you baby for being here. it's only a first of many more to come." she retrieved something - a mistletoe - on her pocket. sam placed it above you two, and you smirk at her sly action. "let's seal it with a kiss then?" you say to which sam eagerly responds to and met your lips with no hesitation.

[silentsamlikesham]

Happy Birthday Zoro!!

I was meant to write several short fics today and instead I accidentally wrote this...enjoy!!

N.B: In Japan a birthday is generally spent with a significant other and you meet your friends/family on a day close to it (according to the Internet, I'm not Japanese). I used that idea in this fic for some miss communication! So yeah keep that idea in mind!

.........

A seagull flies tiredly towards the sight of land. It had taken weeks to fly this far into the Grand Line, its important letter pressed safely to it’s chest. It’d been paid handsomely for the journey. The two buffoon humans had given it very clear instructions to deliver the letter on this date exactly.

The bird’s sharp eyes scan the docks as the bird approaches closer to a large portside town. It spots the Jolly Rodger it’s been looking for and swoops to the deck, delighted to have a moment to rest its wings.

The deck is empty, much to the bird’s annoyance. It spots an open barrel of clear water though, and flaps over to it, drinking hungrily from it.

“Oi, bird.” Its eyes flick to a blonde-haired human stalking towards it. It pulls its beak from the barrel, happily sighing after hours of seeing only the seawater beneath it. “That’s for us, is it?”

It presses its chest forward, letting the human unclasp the string on the pouch and pull out the letter tucked inside.

“Eh? This isn’t the paper.” The curly eyebrows on the human’s face furrow as he inspects the envelope. 

Sanji does his best to read the smudged name on the front, but the characters have bled together too much to discern it.

“This definitely for us?” The bird stares at him before pointing its beak at the Jolly Rodger above them. Before Sanji could ask how much they owe the bird, it takes off, clearly satisfied with its job.

“Weird.” The cook mutters to himself as he returns to the galley. He’d been enjoying the peace of organising the pantry after they’d restocked it yesterday. Everyone was off the ship except for Franky who was up in the crow’s nest on watch. He must be tinkering with something though, seeing as he didn’t notice the messenger bird himself.

The rest of the crew had disembarked to explore the island. Last Sanji had seen them most of the crew had been heading to the centre of the town to explore. Except for the mosshead that Sanji had watched head the opposite direction, inevitably in the middle of getting lost.

Sanji grabs a small knife from one of galley’s drawers and neatly cuts the top of the envelope open. A small piece of paper rests inside along with some berri. Sanji lets the money tumble onto the counter, now even more confused. 

The slip of parchment is in much better shape than the envelope, but the handwriting is almost just as bad. The writer clearly didn’t have much experience in writing, but Sanji manages to read through it. His eyebrows raise as he takes in the words, slowly realising it’s meant for a certain green-headed idiot. It’s signed off by the two bounty hunters Sanji had met at Arlong Park, old friends of the Marimo. 

They’re wishing him a happy birthday, the date on the letter matching perfectly with the day itself. They must have sent it some time in advance for a seagull to get all the way here to them. 

It was the idiots birthday? He hadn’t said a damn word about it to them. He knew Sanji always cooked the crewmate’s favourite dish and dessert for the day. Nami probably would have given him extra money for a nice drink too, knowing how kind and wonderful the woman is. 

Sanji lights the cigarette hanging from his lips. Unless the moron didn’t want them to know. It’d be just like him to see something like a birthday as unimportant or being embarrassed by the attention. He shifts his weight from foot to foot as he takes a few drags, reading the warm message sent by the bounty hunters, telling him to buy a drink on them with the berri enclosed. Clearly, he had told them about the day, had celebrated it at least once before with them.

Sanji slams his fist angrily on the counter, not quite sure where the emotion comes from, but screw the Marimo. He isn’t getting out of celebrating his birthday just because he thinks it’s above him. He’s sorely mistaken if he thinks he’ll avoid Sanji’s wrath when it comes to making a birthday dinner. 

With his resolve solidified, Sanji begins piecing the ingredients together. He doesn’t realise it until he’s an hour into crafting the food, but he’s only making enough for two people. Well, he must go find the idiot. There’s no way Sanji will get the crew altogether at this point, and Zoro doesn’t have a chance of being back before midnight if he’s gone off on his own. As it stands, Sanji will be lucky to find him before nightfall. 

He packs the meal into a basket when it’s ready, carefully packing it so nothing will be smushed or ruined. He briefly thinks of bringing two glasses with him but decides to just pack a bottle of sake and wine, the oaf will happily swig from the bottles anyways.

He calls up to Franky when he finally disembarks, the sky is coloured pink behind the crow’s nest, and Sanji feels a tension inside him to hurry up. The engineer hollers a goodbye as he leaves, making his way down the same route the swordsman had gone hours before. There’s deep sand on most of the route, and Sanji can make out the fake indent of the only pair of footsteps that have taken the path today.

----------------------------------------------

He finds the swordsman just as it’s getting dark enough that Sanji’s cigarette is becoming a guide of sorts, helping him from tripping over rocks and roots. The Marimo is swinging his swords around, cutting lightly into the bark of trees as his body twists and his legs seem to float beneath him.

For everything that Sanji hates about the other, he’s a beautiful fighter. There’s a grace to his power, a purpose to his strength and an elegance to his footwork. Sanji watches him for a moment, almost forgetting about his reason for showing up. 

He’s soon brought back to the moment as Zoro catches sight of him in the corner of his vision. Of course, the idiot turns in his surprise and lunges forward, expecting the worst. Sanji easily kicks him out of his course to skewer the blonde. The mosshead isn’t expecting the kick and the darkness briefly confuses him as he stops his motion against a tree, coughing as the impact of the kick rattles his ribcage.

“Oi, what the fuck dart-brows?” He’s glaring at Sanji now, his pupils holding a glint from the flame of the cigarette. “Only way to land a hit is to sneak up on me?”

Sanji bites clean through his filter, letting his cigarette fall to the ground. 

“Maybe if your reactions weren’t as slow as a door, then you could have blocked it.”

“Eh? You want to say that to me again?” Zoro’s voice is dangerous as he marches forwards. 

He’s been training for hours, trying to work on quicker footwork rather than brute force. He’s tired, but also itching for a proper fight. He lunges at the cook, only being stopped as the blunt side of his katanas are blocked by a leg catching them in an X. 

Sanji barely moves an itch at the impact, one of his hands in his pocket, his body somehow almost perfectly upright despite the angle of the kick. Zoro will never understand how a man can be so flexible. 

“Watch it, idiot. If any of this goes to waste, I’ll kill you.” Zoro’s eye flick down to where Sanji briefly looks, only now noticing the basket handle he’s clutching. 

“What is it?” Zoro leans back, his swords falling by his side as he studies the woven basket. It’s one the cook usually brings onto an island for lunch when they eat out on the sand. Maybe he’s doing the rounds on the crew.

“Food, so put your swords away and wash your hands over there.” Sanji motions to a nearby stream, his nose wrinkling at the sight of how sweat covered Zoro is. The swordsman listens for once, rolling his eyes as he heads over to it. He’d argue more but suddenly his rumbling stomach is reminding him that he hasn’t eaten anything since breakfast. He can always beat the cook’s face into the ground afterwards.

He uses the jumper he’d thrown off earlier to dry his face and hands after washing in the stream, and by the time he returns he’s met with quite the surprise. Sanji has sat himself down on a picnic blanket, he’s fussing over the layout of some rice balls on a plate. Rice balls, Zoro’s favourite thing to eat. Beside them is several plates of Zoro’s favourites food, most of them dishes he’d grown up eating. A nice bottle of Sake rests beside the empty side of the blanket, Sanji having a bottle of wine resting against his hip. Zoro feels like he’s accidentally walked into an alternative universe, maybe the forest is haunted, or this is some devil users influence.

“What the fuck, cook?” He stands over Sanji, his arms crossed as he deliberates unsheathing a sword or not. 

“What?” Sanji growls, staring up at him with his one uncovered eye. “You got a problem, Mosshead?”

Zoro squats down, getting close to Sanji’s face, studying the familiar bump of his nose, the curve of his brows, the sweep of his hair. Sanji freezes, finally looking as confused as Zoro. 

“You look like, Curley. Did you bang your head or something?” Zoro leans back on his heels.

Sanji is reeling, his lips still tingling from the tickle of breath that had ghosted over them when Zoro had spoken so close to him. He’s used to feeling breathless when they get that close, used to feeling a flush on his neck and a tightening in his gut, but usually it’s because he’s pissed off and about to unleash his best attacks. This isn’t that.

“Wha-What are you talking about?” Sanji shakes his head, trying to clear it.

“This.” Zoro waves at the blanket. “Why the fuck did you make all this? This is- well this is all stuff I like. You make this for the whole crew?”

Sanji breathes out a sigh of relief. Of course, the idiot is confused.

“I do this for everyone’s birthday, moron. Even yours.” He lights himself another cigarette, so he doesn’t have to look at Zoro’s reaction. 

Zoro stares at Sanji for a long uncomfortable silence. The cook made all this for him? He came out here with it prepared for just the two of them to enjoy together? Not the whole crew, not like usual, not really. This is different. He’s treating Zoro differently. He’s planned this for just the two of them…on Zoro’s birthday…

Zoro sits the other side of the plates, grabbing a rice ball and taking a bite out of it. As always, it tastes annoyingly good. Every flavour and texture exactly how Zoro likes it, the weirdo having studied him for the months they’ve been travelling together. Hold on-

“How did you know it was my birthday?” 

Sanji can feel the tick of annoyance on the back of his head. Of course, instead of giving any sign of enjoying the food or a compliment, the brute has to be suspicious. Instead of replying, Sanji grabs the slip of paper out of the inner pocket of his blazer and passes it over to Zoro, grabbing a rice ball for himself as his hand passes back over the picnic. He’s hungry too.

Zoro reads it while loudly chewing on another mouthful of food. Sanji tries to ignore how disgusting it is by studying the expression on Zoro’s face. The mosshead must feel him watching because he keeps his expression schooled, although his lips still perk up in the corners. He laughs a bit as he tucks it into his pocket. 

Zoro doesn’t say anything more about it. The two eat in silence for a while, Zoro making his way through the sake at a scary pace, before pawing at Sanji for some of his wine too. The cook allows him, for once, given it is his birthday. But when the sound of eating starts to die down, he can’t help but ask the question that’s been eating at him ever since he opened the letter.

“Why didn’t you tell anyone it’s your birthday?” 

Zoro wipes the back of his hand over his mouth, wiping away the dribble of red wine from his lips. He’s messy about it though and his bottom lip still glistens a bit, the shine only lit by the moonlight that was breaking through the trees above them, and the one candle Sanji had lit so they could see what they were grabbing.

“I didn’t think it was a big deal.” Zoro shrugs, eating the last of the fish to clean the final dish. “Plus, I didn’t want one of your shitty cakes.”

“Excuse me?” Sanji is genuinely floored by the comment. How dare the green haired idiot-

“They’re too sweet.” Zoro complains, playing with the hilt of his sword instead of saying it to Sanji’s face.

“No, you just hate sweet things.” Sanji huffs, putting some plates away in case he needs to lunge at the green-haired idiot to strangle him.

“And I wouldn’t make one for your birthday anyways, Marimo. I wouldn’t be the future pirate king’s cook if I was that bad at reading my crewmates tastes.”

Sanji feels his cheeks heat up as Zoro turns to him with a studying look, suddenly intrigued, or maybe impressed. 

“Although now I don’t think you deserve the dessert I did make.” Sanji folds his arms, not quite over the earlier insult. 

Zoro ignores the pout and reaches into the basket instead, Sanji watches him out of the corner of his eye. He can’t explain to himself why he’s suddenly so nervous about what Zoro will think of his choice of Birthday dessert. 

The swordsman pulls out a small tub of one of the few desserts he genuinely enjoys, one that he remembers eating every summer at the dojo, passing them out between his classmates. He picks up one of the warabi mochi like it’s delicate, like he might crush it before it makes it to his mouth. Sanji had only made the dessert once, and Zoro had complained about some aspects of it. He thought the cook would never bother to try it again.

This time, it’s perfect. An honest moan leaves Zoro’s mouth as he swallows, his tongue licking at some of the filling that was left on his lips. Sanji feels his whole face flush red at the sight. His heart is drumming in his chest now, his eyes flicking between Zoro’s eyes and his lips. He watches his Adam’s apple as he swallows the first piece. 

Sanji’s mouth dries up, his palms suddenly clammy. Zoro has never reacted so openly to anything Sanji has made for him. It unsettles him, it leaves him feeling warm and clumsy. He throws the bud of his smoked cigarette away and finds his fingers are shaking. 

“You made this today, just for my birthday?” Zoro’s voice is soft, a foreign tone to Sanji’s ears.

“Obviously, idiot.” Sanji looks away then, he can’t look weak. He can’t let the mosshead realise how sick he suddenly feels. He wants to run away, to forget that Zoro can be soft, that the two of them can sit like this.

He hears Zoro moving, can feel him getting closer on the blanket. But he doesn’t say a word. When Sanji turns his head to see what the fuck is going on, he feels Zoro’s hand as it grasps the back of his head. He stares at Zoro’s closed eyes as their lips meet. 

Sanji is pretty sure his heart stops. He feels winded as rough lips kiss him softly, as Zoro’s grip on the back of his neck is light, nothing like the way they usually grab one another. His lips taste like the syrup drizzled on the mochi and Sanji’s chef brain registers how it interacts with the dessert wine he’d brought with him, unintentionally matching the two so they form the perfect taste between their lips.

Sanji is breathless, his stomach now feeling like its own oven as a fire ignites. He can feel blood rushing south, his body reacting in a split second to something he hasn’t had since he left the Baratie, something he hasn’t had time to have. 

He’s enjoying it, getting lost in the other body that draws itself closer to him. It’s only when Sanji’s eyes flutter closed, when his lips match the rhythm of the ones against them, that his brain catches up to body.

This is Roronoa Zoro he’s kissing.

Sanji pushes against the Marimo’s chest, Zoro falling back on his hands as he stares confused at the reaction. As though Sanji is the crazy one. Sanji places two fingers to his lips, his expression horrified.

“What the fuck was that?” He screams, waving his hands around, not sure if he should be kicking the oaf or running as quick as he can back to the ship.

“What?” Zoro huffs, not moving away from the blonde but glaring down at the sand in front of them. He looks confused too, like he wasn’t expecting Sanji to question him.

“What? What? You just kissed me, Mosshead. What the fuck is that about?” Sanji realises he’s panting between his words. He’s pretty sure he’s going into shock from how quick his blood pressure has risen.

Zoro’s gaze whips to the blonde, feeling hurt that Sanji is making a big deal about this, as though the cook didn’t start it.

“People kiss on dates!” He throws back, defensive as he realises, he’s just been rejected.

Sanji can’t even process the words Zoro has just spoken.

“What are you talking about?”

“Never mind.” Zoro goes to get up then, beyond embarrassed as he realises he’s spent the last half an hour misreading the situation entirely. Might as well make the rest of this as painless as possible to hopefully save face. 

“Wait, you stupid fucking moss for brains.” Sanji grapples at Zoro’s wrist, pulling him back onto the blanket before he can straighten up. The cook is panicking now, thinking back to everything he’d said since arriving, unsure where Zoro’s logic had jumped to thinking it was a date.

I mean, the situation was very date like, Sanji muses. But it’s Zoro and Sanji, having a picnic beneath the moon and stars isn’t a date, it’s a truce. 

Zoro looks furious now, his whole body is tense like a spring coiled to bounce. Sanji is starting to piece together the blush on the other’s face is genuine. Zoro thought it was a date. He kissed Sanji because he wanted to. He likes him.

The earth tilts beneath Sanji as he realises he’s not instantly disgusted. He stares at his own hand, anchoring Zoro in place. He clearly doesn’t want the swordsman to leave. Sanji doesn’t want this to be over. 

“Why did you think it’s a date?” He almost whispers the words, afraid he’s hallucinating. That Zoro is going to turn and ask him what the fuck he’s on about. 

“You- You made me a picnic for just the two of us…on my birthday.”

The sentence still doesn’t make the most sense to Sanji. He supposes, if he’d done it for a woman, maybe Sanji would see it as a possible first date. But the term first date and Zoro has no connection in his brain. It feels impossible that the two could be linked.

“I- I get that, baka. But- Well I- that doesn’t automatically mean it’s a date.” Sanji protests, letting Zoro slip his wrist away when he realises he’s not going to bolt. 

“Well, that’s what people do on their birthday.” Zoro grumbles, looking anywhere but at Sanji. “They spend it with someone they like.” 

He says the last word with a heavy emphasis so that it can’t be misunderstood. 

Sanji is at a loss. He’s never heard of such a thing.

“Marimo, I have no idea what you mean. Most people spend it with family and friends.”

Zoro looks at him then, with genuine surprise.

“Not where I come from.” He splutters, showing his embarrassment now as his face flushes bright red, even worse than before. “Couples spend it together, and then- then you spend it with friends on a different day.”

Zoro wants the ground to swallow him up. He can handle rejection, he can handle being wrong, but he hates that he didn’t realise what he was doing. He though Sanji had been the one to be vulnerable, to offer up a date the way he did. He’d been surprised by the blonde’s bravery about it, had accepted the silent confession and responded to it as confidently as he could muster.

He’s an idiot.

Sanji takes in the unfamiliar expression of regret on the other man’s face, and feels his chest tighten. He doesn’t want Zoro to regret this. Sanji doesn’t regret it. As the confusion lifts, Sanji properly accepts his own reaction. It’s…unexpected…but then again, everything is on the Grand Line. 

“Look Cook, just forget-”

It’s Zoro’s turn to be surprised by a hand grabbing his chin, by lips pressing onto his own and by the blonde that leans forward so close, Zoro could swear he was sitting on the swordsman’s lap.

“I was surprised, idiot. I didn’t say I didn’t like it.” 

Zoro stares into Sanji’s eyes, their foreheads resting against one another as Sanji separates from the kiss long enough to speak.

“Well, you seemed fucking pissed off.” Zoro defends, muttering the words almost against Sanji’s lips.

Sanji sighs, Zoro scrunching up his nose at the sensation across his skin.

“That’s…fair.” Sanji feels Zoro’s arm wrap around his waist, he relaxes against the other man’s chest, a hand reaching up to caresses the side of Zoro’s face and run itself through his hair. 

Sanji lets out a chuckle.

“This feels like a dream.” He admits, suddenly wondering how much wine he drank. Maybe, this is a dream.

“I know.” Zoro agrees, his arm tightening it’s hold on Sanji. His other arm wraps under Sanji’s ass and tugs him up onto Zoro’s thighs. The position a lot more comfortable than sitting side by side.

Sanji laughs as he’s manhandled, not used to someone as strong as Zoro holding him in his arms. Strangely, it’s the least intimidated Sanji has ever felt in the presence of the other man.

“I don’t want to wake up.” Sanji confesses, his heart fluttering as he comes to terms with what’s happening. The brute can love, the brute can be soft and gentle and hold Sanji like he’s both diamond and glass. 

“You’re such a fucking sap.” Zoro groans, his cheeks pink from the words. “Just don’t say another fucking thing and kiss me already.”

Sanji laughs as he tightens his grip on Zoro’s head, pulling at the tufts of hair hard enough that Zoro lets out a hiss of pain. That the moss-head looks at him with the same eyes he uses before they fight. The electricity is there, static between them, as fiery as ever.

“Anything for the birthday boy.”

Sanji is right about his earlier prediction. Zoro doesn’t make it back to the ship before midnight. Although, it’s not for a reason he could ever have predicted. 

Instead, when midnight rolls around the pair of them lie on the picnic blanket, everything else packed away. They stare at the stars as they lie side by side, Sanji’s head resting on Zoro’s arm as they hold each other. 

Zoro stares at the blonde as Sanji points out constellations and tries to explain to Zoro how he can use them to not get so lost all the time. But the swordsman is not paying attention. Only one thought remains in his head now.

He has one hell of a thank you letter to write to his bounty hunter friends. 

[saikira999]

For TWST Minecraft, do you think you could do Lilia, Riddle, Leona and the tweels next. It doesn’t have to all be in one post.

~ Headcannons for TWST characters playing Minecraft

Hi! I was away for a long time because of exams and because I was writing headcanons with these characters. however, I want to warn you right away that I will only do two characters per post, for the sake of beauty. But don't worry! All headcannons have already been written and translated and I will exhibit them in the near future.

(By the way, I have already added Lilia to my old post with Azul. I'll keep all the links here)

Another parts about:

Azul and Lilia!

Idia and Malleus!

Jade and Floyd!

[Riddle]

Riddle definitely heard about this game, but was never interested... However:

1) "What? No, Ace, I won't play this game... How do you imagine Me playing with blocks? I'm not a child, and besides, according to the law of the Queen of Hearts, the number...."

2) Trey convinced Him by saying that the players of Heartslabyul needed Their leader, and playing together would strengthen Their camaraderie... And carefully hinted that not all of Them adhere to the rules of the game (Ace is a damn griefer).

3) First, studied all the information about the game, including the history of its creation, instructions, guides, and even memes, which He didn’t really understand.

4) “Why is the cake not cooked in the oven???”

5) Competes with Azul and Vil in meticulousness and pickiness. He always has perfect order in his chests, each labeled with its own type and number. If you put something in the wrong place, you are must be prepared to get hit in the neck with this object.

6) His house is a perfect symmetrical monster, built not far from the nearest village, next to a birch grove, on the border of which giant mushrooms grow. The house itself is small, with a rose garden around it, and a small lake in the shape of a heart. The house is predominantly made of birch and mangrove, maintaining a red and white palette. Inside there are many vases with roses, paintings and one iconic red bed.

7) The village that He occupied took under His wing, Riddle also rebuilt, planting flowers around it, making a statue of the Queen of Reds from carved stone, and in some places he rebuilt houses, or made new ones, to suit His style. He has good taste, however, this place often comes under the threat of griefing.

8) “I will not punish a freshman for breaking My building in a game about blocks. I will not punish a freshman for breaking My building in a game about blocks..... I will not.... "

Sees Ace surrounding TNT His village and setting it on fire*

"....."

Gets up from the computer and aggressively quickly stomps towards the freshmen's living rooms*

9) A peaceful player who only draws his sword if someone breaks some rules or behaves inappropriately. His blacklist: Ace, Grim, Floyd, Epel, and sometimes Lilia.

10) He prefers the construction and development of his own village (In no case because He likes power over anyone... And no! Not because He competes with Azul in whose village is better... No, no, no. Nope).

11) He runs the largest stable on the server and is very proud of it.

12) His favorite horse is Vorpal. A fast and healthy horse, dark brown in color with white spots, wearing iron armor.

13) Loves to prance around His village, appreciating it from all sides and receiving guests while sitting on a horse.

14) ...In no case because He looks taller like that...

15) Plays Minecraft in secret from his mother.

16) Tries to follow the laws of the Queen of Hearts even in the game and makes sure that players break away from the game in time and drink tea, or do not eat cakes or pumpkin pies within a certain period of time.

17) Despite His strictness, Riddle loves to help other players with buildings or resources.

18) Entry into His village is officially prohibited for Floyd.

19) ACE, EPEL, DON'T TOUCH THESE CHESTS!

20) .....Cakes....The chest is completely filled with cakes...... Completely.

[Leona]

How lazy... Headcanons for a lion and pixel cubes:

1) “What do you want from Me, herbivore? Ahh... yawn*... Do you want to play games for the little lion cubs again, hmm...?”

2) Didn’t want to play for a long time, because considered the game stupid and not worthy of His attention. And He started playing by accident, when he ordered Ruggy to bring Him a sandwich from the kitchen, but he suddenly refused, because “He’s fighting with some dragon and He doesn’t have time to serve on him now... OUCH! OUCH! ENDERMAN IS HITTING HIM!!!”...

3) Had to go get the sandwich myself...?

Nope. He sent someone else, and he himself started downloading this stupid game...

4) Definitely the laziest player. Leona only comes into the game when He gets SO bored that even sleep seems too energy-intensive for Him.

5) As a rule, Leona wanders from side to side, sometimes getting into fights with other players and monsters. He's not much of a builder, but he's quite a good fighter.

6) Loves to cause trouble and often pits other players against each other. It especially hits the villages of Riddle and Azul.

7) At first, He didn’t even try to work on His house, and simply dug a hole for Himself in a beautiful rock... But as he immersed himself in the game, he began to improve His lair more and more, adding some bulky stone structures to the rock and cobblestones, reminiscent of turrets growing from rock walls. Inside, everything is hung with vines, the palette has warm shades. Lots of carpets and flags. The inside of the "royal palace with one single ruler" is a little empty, as Leona only knew that His house must look great from the outside.

8) Perhaps He will plant a couple of acacia trees at the foot, since during construction he often fell down the cliff, and the foliage softens the fall... However, Ruggi, who lives right below Him, seems not very happy with this idea.

9) “Lightning rod, Ruggy. Make Me a lightning rod. You don’t want lightning to set fire to the dry grass near My rock?”

10) Exploits Ruggi, Yuu and other players as best he can, forcing Them to carry resources and food to Him.

11) In Savanna, where He settled, Leona found a huge village, which he captured and declared as His kingdom... Which He would quickly abandon, since he had already killed all the local livestock and accidentally beat up a couple of residents... And then the robbers came, and that village no longer exists... Boredom...

11) Definitely a good ruler (Nope).

12) Afk 24/7. Often, His character simply freezes in place, ignoring any attacks from mobs or players for the simple reason that the lion fell asleep right at the computer...

13) A couple of times he tried to use cunning to take power over other people’s villages and even the server itself, which is why he earned the title of “Local Villain,” but every time, He was either driven back to His rock or banned.

14) One day, as punishment for the fact that Leona had quarreled with the entire server, He was sent to the mine...... And He fell asleep there.

15) And when he woke up, he quickly persuaded Ruggy (I already feel sorry for Him. Seriously. Stop torturing the hyena) to give Him coal, iron and other amenities from the mine, so as not to dig in the dirt on His own.

16) Sometimes He teases Jack, taming wolves in front of Him.... Now, He has a whole army of dogs, ready to tear anyone in His path.

17) Besides Savanna, Leona loves to walk in the desert and jungle, but hates going into water.

18) All creepers are afraid of him.

19) Initially, the lion had poor preparation for the final battle with the dragon, but after visiting other players (DO NOT TOUCH RUGGY), Leona entered the portal, armed to the teeth, and was especially ferocious in battle.

20) Along with Idia and Yuu, he killed the dragon (Insert the sound of an angry cat fighting a huge lizard here), and was the one who picked up the egg.

Initially he wanted to burn it, but in the end he decided to voluntarily give the egg to Malleus “out of pity”... Well, and maybe a little because he wanted to exalt Himself and show who is cool and noble here.

...Needless to say, Malleus did not understand His evil mockery and accepted this ambiguous gift with a little funereal honor.

Give Me ten minutes and I'll post the twins. Also, if you find errors in the text, please report it in the comments (English is not my native language).

Reblog Me, please! :D

[toxintouch]

Cooking headcannons for touchstarved Li’s when? 👀

Apparently now, anon! Some Cooking/Baking/General Meal Time headcanons. Sorry as always that I am so late, lol. I got distracted by Halloween/October things. ✦✦✦✦✦

Vere: ✦ Canonically, he’s bad at it. But W H Y?? ✦ When I thought about why Vere might be a bad cook I decided he is likely the kind to get distracted, try to make everything at once, get bored with the instructions, etc. It's not the kind of food he craves, so cooking is very low-stakes to him. ✦ I’m trying to decide if I think his sense of taste is remarkably different from a human. Since his nose is impeccable, he SHOULD be able to determine if something is going to be good or not… ✦ Perhaps the real issue standing in his way is: Human food does not satiate him.

✦ Though he does have human foods he likes to eat. He's a texture person.  Loves a delicate texture, easy to slice through with his fangs.  Something supple. ✦ When he gets the cooking urge, he cooks a ton of food at once. Absolutely no intention of eating most of it. ✦ MC: “Who is going to eat this?”   Vere: “I’ve been fairly blatant about my interest in doing so, but you are willfully obtuse.” ✦ If you'll allow me to quote myself:

"Vere cooks how others might enjoy a leisurely stroll. 

Which is to say: he seems to be having fun, but you’re not convinced he intends on really going anywhere." The journey is often the destination. ✦ You ask him to cook or bake with you?: (If he likes you:) "I suppose. If you think you have the stamina." If he doesn't like you it's still a yes but you're the meal. ✦ If you're helping him cook, BE CAREFUL WITH THE KNIFE!  If you nick yourself and draw blood...you might get more than you bargained for...

Leander: ✦ The fandom has spoken. This man can't cook. He's just...too innovative.~ He could follow a recipe. He won't...but he could. ✦ You ask him to cook or bake with you?: He actually sounds awkward for a moment. “Ooohh, uh... you want to cook together?”  But he bounces back quickly.  “Of course we can do that! Sounds like fun. I’m sure our favorite barkeep won’t mind, we can use the kitchen here!”  (She minds.  She looks in on the two of you frequently to make sure you’re not going to burn the Wick down.) ✦ If you know your way around the kitchen already, he's happy to take a backseat. :) He measures out ingredients and has them all neatly ready for you. ✦ If you make him take the lead: Is that sweat sliding down the back of his neck? And his face is awfully red. "Ah, actually, I just thought of a better idea." How about the two of you rely on the expertise of your favorite cooks/bakers from around town for this one? Really immerse yourselves for a day (er, a few hours), learn from a professional. Who would you like to teach you? He can pull some strings and make it happen! :) :) :) ✦ ~Magical meal prep.~ He slices and dices with spell work. Like it's a party trick and not a potentially grisly weapon. Don't think too hard on the other potential applications of that spell, okay? :) ✦ Everything can be improved with cheese! (AKA: He puts cheese on top of everything.) ✦ He's unlikely to share this part of himself of his own accord, but... Naturally, he still knows all of his high society dining etiquette.  He can tell you all about place settings and the correct formal silverware order and how to tell which fork is the dessert fork, etc. Hopefully you'll never be put in a situation where that's knowledge that you need. He really doesn't want to subject you to that kind of person, if he can help it. Those people are closer to the Senobium and most would do anything for a favor. Best to stick to places where it's more safe. Right here next to him is free. ✦ He has a brilliant mind for what wines go with what foods. One of the few drink recommendations you can trust him on. "Of course, these are all just suggestions. What matters is that you're drinking what you like, right?" (<- He's trying to sell you on his new mixolology concoction. Do not trust.) ✦ Could hold a formal tea for you but you will really have to wheedle it out of him. And he'll only say yes if you agree that it stays between the two of you. "You have to pinky promise." ;) and it only counts if it's bare skin. ✦ That said, he's at his most comfortable when he's in some little hole-in-the-wall, enjoying great local food that someone else made. ✦ Extremely interested in any dishes you enjoy that are local to your home/culturally significant to you. Will hunt someone down who can make them for you if you're feeling homesick. (Or will find the ingredients if you prefer to make it yourself.) He's a good guy like that. :)

Kuras: ✦ He tries to make the recipe but he just makes things worse. Like many things in his long life. ✦ He's worse than Vere. A lot worse. 'Possibly the worst cook in the entire city' type worse. ✦ Cooking is just so outside of his realm of existence. ✦ It doesn't help that Everything tastes like p u r e n o t h i n g to him. It's not just that he doesn't need to eat, the very sensation of taste is beyond him. ✦ But he occasionally likes to try to make food for his friends and loved ones. He understands that food sharing is an important human social behavior and he'd like to participate how he can and show that he values his bonds with the people he chooses. ✦ He is uniquely awful at it though. Time has made very little improvement. ✦ Ever since that Valentine's Day cake, baking is his ✨passion.✨ Mhin had a good reaction, so he's decided not to give; he made such an obvious breakthrough with that one. ✦ You ask him to cook or bake with you?: He accepts immediately. He's overjoyed. "I'm sure this will be an enlightening experience. I confess myself as rather lacking when it comes to this activity so please consider me your humble student. Anything you wish to teach me would be appreciated." ✦ Of course, the two of you will have to work around the clinic's schedule. (You ought to realize quickly that he does not have a good gauge of time when it comes to meals. Take the initiative or starve tbh.) ✦ He is very attentive to everything you say.  His earnest face while listening to you is unbearably adorable.  Frequently tilts his head like a cat. ✦ He hangs off your every word and even asks questions.  Though, some of the questions you don’t quite know how to answer.  (“When you chew, do you instinctively know how many times is appropriate, or must you count?”  “....I…what?”) ✦ You think that particular question might be a joke... Hard to say. ✦ Even when you are running the show and watching him to make sure he does everything right…every time something somehow ends up going wrong. ✦ Pro tip: don't let him put anything into the oven or determine the cooking/baking times. Otherwise, things will get...strange. ✦ You are the test subject–I mean: taste tester.  Kuras insists that your opinion is of the utmost importance.  Are you brave enough?  If not, are you tough enough to politely decline when his eyes are sparkling softly with affection and excitement like that??

Think of it this way:

If you get sick (which you will) you’re already at the doctor’s!  ✨Convenient!✨ ✦ Comfortable silence in the kitchen when they two of you are working together. <3 ...As soon as you accept that nothing will be edible. Actually, maybe you should stop this. This is probably more food waste than a post-apocalyptic world can afford.

Ais: ✦ Of course he knows how. ✦ Well.  Maybe not him specifically. But give him a moment, he’s pretty sure he’s got the equivalent of a Michelin 3 Star chef (or two, but who’s counting?) “in here somewhere.”  (He taps on his temple.) ✦ He doesn't have an interest in human food. "You want recommendations try asking Pretty Boy." ✦ He does like to experiment with making treats for his Soulless.  He’s bought them snacks from the market on occasion, but he likes the feeling of taking care of them and providing for them contributing with his own hands.  Plus, he can make them treats that are a lot less grain heavy.  They prefer meat.

✦ (Most aren't stupid enough to try and poison the treats he buys, but he did kill someone for trying once. Not that the shit they put inside was strong enough. He ate the stupid biscuit right in front of them just to prove a point. Last thing they ever saw.) ✦ If the Sea Spring has a kitchen…look, he hasn't been in there in a while. There might be mold.  There is almost certainly mold. ✦ Luckily, Kuras has a kitchen!  And he doesn’t seem to use it, so it’s basically free real estate.  If Ais is ever in need of somewhere to cook or bake, he’ll be using Kuras’ space. ✦ He can do meat preparation really well (he’s an absolute butcher with anything sharp) and smoke meat really well but spending an overabundance of his time preparing meals (meals that aren't even the preferred sustenance of Monsters like him) feels like a poor use of his life. He's got shit to do. ✦ You ask him to cook or bake with you?: "Huh... Nah. Don't think I will..." <- neutral bastard “Or what?” <- He feels like riling you up a little extra today. ✦ (You're more likely to get that experience if you catch him doing it of his own accord and join in/keeping him company in the clinic while he works.)

Mhin: ✦ Diametrically opposed to Leander (and Vere), they will follow the recipe exactly whenever possible. ✦ The only one you can trust to make something edible without fail. ✦ Mhin is an alchemist.  Cooking and baking are both easy for them.  None of these components are even going to explode or create poisonous gas if mixed.  The worst thing that will happen is that they’ll eat a meal they aren’t completely satisfied with.  (And honestly, what else is new these days?) ✦ They are impressively quick and precise in the kitchen!  They can cut things so fast! Can also cut fruit into animal shapes for reasons that they will not explain. ✦ When they cook, they are making meals to feed themself.  It’s a necessity that they are performing to keep themself able to tolerate their strenuous life. At the same time, it relaxes them to an extent–it grounds them, it’s something concrete to focus on that isn’t … –but it’s a necessity first and foremost. ✦ Mhin’s cooking has a tendency to be b l a n d.  They are filled with too much self-loathing to season more interested in the nutritional value of the meal than its flavor.  Plus, spices are costly and they aren’t about to spend any of their hard earned money on the luxury of taste. ✦ Mhin’s baking is significantly more inspired than their cooking.  If they have the good fortune and the wherewithal to bake themself a little treat, they have a good intuition for (delicate, sweet) flavors.  They never get the opportunity, but.  The ability is there. ✦ In another life (an easier life) baking could have been a hobby. ✦ You ask them to cook or bake with you?: "..." Mhin isn’t the type to teach someone, but… If you're any good, you could be a useful second pair of hands. If you're hopeless...they should really leave you to your own devices, but… someone needs to tell you to stop holding a knife like that. It's annoying to look at. It will just take them a few seconds to correct you. And then you're on your own! (They still stay. They were using Kuras' kitchen first.) ✦ Will scold you for holding the knife wrong.  Tries to explain the correct way–which is to say, the safest way–to handle it but...  They’re not used to having to verbalize their thoughts/instructions to people, since they are always alone. ✦ So they'll finally just settle in behind you and show you how to position your hands and cut away from yourself. ✦ Backs off ASAP because being able to feel your body heat and being so close to you flusters them.  (Not to mention whatever is happening with your hands.) They go off into their own little corner to meal prep extra because they want to be prepared–definitely not so that they can look away from you and focus on something else for a while. ✦ Mhin can tell you about the chemical reaction that makes bread rise.  Mhin can tell you why and how each ingredient is important, which ones you can skip and substitute if supplies in this post Fogfall world are running low.  Mhin can tell you that you are not doing that right, what are you doing?  Stop.  That is way too much vanilla extract. ✦ If you ever reach their maximum affection level: Their face looks like it is absolutely on fire when they offer to share their favorite dessert this dessert they’ve really been craving with you.  They’ll even teach you how to make it, and you two could make it together if you'd like...

[flowery-laser-blasts]

DINE 'N CRIME: SHE'S GOT THE GREEN MAGIC

This recipe is part of the menu of 'Chez Molerat vs Dine 'n Crime'.

HOW TO PREPARE THE TAPIOCA. Ingredients: - Black Tapioca pearls - Brown sugar (2 to 3 tbsp)

Black Tapioca pearls can be easily purchased from local Asian grocery stores or online. The brand I use is 'Wu Fu Yuan black Tapioca pearls - black sugar flavour' (they also have other colours). Despite it's name, it doesn't hold much flavour by itself hence why we need the brown sugar. Want to make your own Tapioca pearls from scratch? Follow this great recipe by Emmymade (I tried it myself, it was fun and pretty tasty, but I only recommend doing this when you got time on your hands). Instructions: - Cook the Tapioca pearls as instructed on the package (or according to Emmy's recipe). - Once fully cooked, drain the pearls from the liquid and add 2 to 3 table spoons of brown sugar. - Cook the tapioca in the sugar on low/middle low heat until the crystals are disolved and you end up with a thick syrupy consistency. Be careful to not burn the sugar, keep stirring! - Turn off the stove and set aside. HOW TO PREPARE THE MATCHA LATTE. Ingredients: - Milk (Less than 1 cup/Less than 200ml... at least for this glass) - Hot water (1 to 2 tbsp for mixing the Matcha powder) - Matcha powder (2 tsp) Matcha powder, like the Tapioca pearls, can be obtained from said places. If you do NOT like the taste of Matcha, alternatively you can switch it out with Melon (specifically Cantaloupe or Honeydew) powder or Pandan. If you use the Pandan powder, make sure it's specifically for 'instant milk drinks'. These two alternative methods might also give you a way greener result than the Matcha. Instructions: - Combine the hotwater with Matcha powder in a seperate cup. If you have a powerdrill, now is the time to use it; If not, I suggest either a hand held milkfrother or a spoon (if you use a spoon make sure that the Matcha is thorouhgly dissolved). If you use the Melon or Pandan powder, this same step counts unless the instruction package tells you otherwise. - Once the Matcha is dissolved, add the Milk and stir it well until fully combined. PREPPING AND DECORATING THE GLASS - Using a spoon, pick a few Tapioca pearls from the syrup and slowly let them slide along the walls of the glass. Use the syrup to decorate more parts of the inside. - Add the Tapioca pearls (and optional ice cubes/crushed ice). - Pour the Matcha latte in the glass. - Foam Milk with the milkfrother and add ontop of the drink. - Drizzle the left over sugar syrup over the top and serve! So you must be wondering, dear reader; "Why don't I see the Milkfoam on top of the photo?" The answer is simple... I was out of Milk by the end of making this drink and if I were to make this, again (yes, this is my second attempt to make a pretty glass for just a photo) I could never fit into a size six.

Anyway, I hope you enjoy this recipe!

"Cousin tried to poison me but the texture was good. 2/5."

[slaymitchabernathy]

Sweet Justice

꧁ One Week Later ꧂

Soarynn POV

"You look much better darling, the bruises are nearly gone." 

Soarynn gives her mother-in-law a tight-lipped smile, she knows that she means well but she's not quite in the mood for words of praise. What she's really in the mood for is her husband, but he's nowhere to be found. Again. 

It's been exactly one week since she was attacked in the street and she's been seeing less and less of Coriolanus. At first, he said it was due to him having to work longer hours, which she understood completely. But who works until three in the morning? 

And just the other morning, she found blood on the collar of his white shirt. For a moment, she thought it was something else, like another woman's lipstick. But Coriolanus wasn’t the type of man to cheat, to have an affair. No, he would never betray her like that. 

But it led her to wonder, why was there blood on his shirt? 

There could be a million reasons as to why he was around blood but Soarynn could hardly come up with a good one. He wasn’t a doctor or a surgeon, he wasn’t working with animals and she’s never heard of him going out of his way to donate blood. 

And he’s been so edgy lately. Always drumming his fingers on the nearest surface, his eyes dodging around as if someone might break in at any given moment. He even snapped at Petunia the other day which led Soarynn to begin questioning his behavior. She still finds herself waking from nightmares and the only thing she wants in this world is her husband and yet he’s off fighting some unbeknownst battle. 

He’s yet to snap at her but it’s only a matter of time. 

Soarynn has only seen Coriolanus get angry a number of times, at other people though, never at her. It’s not a pretty sight and she can’t fathom being on the receiving end of such anger, of such emotion and fury. Heaven help anyone who stands in Coriolanus Snow's way. 

“Turn to the side,” the doctor instructs, gently dabbing her temple. Soarynn feels her eye twitching at the sensation but she turns her head and feels somewhat pleased at what she sees when she looks into the mirror that sits atop their dresser. 

A week can make a world of difference. Her eye is no longer swollen, most of the cuts on her face have healed aside from the nasty blow she took to the temple. The doctor says it’ll take another week to fully heal. Her neck still has some discoloration but he’s going to give her something for that as well. 

If she were to don a winter coat and scarf, no one would know what’s befallen her. But Soarynn isn’t so sure that she wants to go outside, wants to leave the safety of the penthouse. According to Coriolanus, the Peacekeepers are on high alert and are actively looking for the culprit. 

She’s not so sure that she believes him. 

“I was thinking we could go out for some tea after this,” his mother suggests, giving Soarynn’s hand a squeeze. Soarynn is grateful for her mother-in-law, a kind woman who’s always treated Soarynn like a daughter. But she’s not in the mood for tea. 

“I think I might lie down after this mother, my head still hurts quite a bit,” Soarynn lies, figuring it’s a good excuse as any. And it is because she’s immediately fussed over and the doctor promises to give her some medication for the pain. 

Soarynn fakes it until both of them leave and it’s just her and Petunia again. She sent the cook home after lunch, it’s not like Coriolanus will be home in time for dinner. Her eyes find the telephone that sits on a small table near the entryway of their home and she can’t help but think about just calling him. Calling her husband. 

A quick call wouldn't hurt, she thinks to herself while dialing the number to his office. The phone rings longer than it ever has before someone finally picks up, "Speak."

Soarynn is entirely taken aback by her husband's harsh voice, clearly expecting someone else on the phone instead of his wife. Which makes her wonder who he was expecting a phone call from. 

"I'd argue that's hardly the correct way to address your wife," she says and Soarynn hears him draw in a sharp breath. "Darling, I...I wasn't expecting you to call. Forgive me, you know I'd never speak to you in that manner." 

Her brows furrow as she twists the phone cord around her index finger. "Then who were you expecting Coriolanus? Because my husband would never speak to anyone that way." She doesn't mean to poke and prod but Soarynn can't help it, she's been cooped up for far too long and his absence has been weighing on her more and more. 

It seems to be weighing on him as well. 

"I was just on the phone with Festus darling, and he said he'd call me right back."

Bullshit. 

"I don't believe you," Soarynn says, the tremble in her voice betraying how she truly feels, "I don't believe that you're really working late or that you alerted the Peacekeepers about my attack. If you're hiding something from me Coriolanus, some infidelity of sorts, you need to tell me. I deserve to know what's really going on." 

The dial tone blares in her ear and Soarynn stands there shell-shocked. Did he just hang up on her?

Soarynn scoffs and slams the phone back onto the receiver, the audacity of that man, of her husband of all people. Soarynn mumbles a string of choice words while making her way into the kitchen to get some tea, Petunia following her of course. "He's clearly hiding something," Soarynn says to Petunia when she jumps onto the counter, rubbing her head against Soarynn's arm, "why else would he hang up?" 

Petunia only purrs in response and Soarynn sighs, she didn't expect getting attacked in the streets to make things so complicated. If anyone should be acting this rash and out of character, it should be her. Perhaps she should've mentioned it to his mother when she was here. Mrs. Snow is a woman who doesn't believe in dismissing gossip, always ready to hear what's going on with who. 

And Coriolanus has a healthy fear of his mother. Not that she hits him but she will grab him by the ear until he hollers and Soarynn admires that quality in Mrs. Snow. It takes a certain type of woman to put up with a man like Coriolanus or Crassus, his father. 

Surely if Coriolanus was doing something bad, something he shouldn't be doing then his father would set him straight. Crassus Xanthos Snow is a force to be reckoned with. He's always been kind to Soarynn, or well, nicer than he usually is towards people. He most definitely didn't expect his son to fall head over heels for her but he seems pleased with their marriage which is all they could really ask for. 

The sound of the front doors slamming open causes both Soarynn and Petunia to jump. Soarynn listens to heavy footsteps making their way towards the kitchen and her heart is racing. Is it her attacker? Did he finally find her and use the keys from her purse? Has he been staking out the place, waiting for the perfect opportunity to strike? She's all alone right now, there's never been a more perfect time for him to break in and take what he wanted in the first place. 

Soarynn waits there, baited in her breath until the figure of her husband appears in the doorway and she lets out a sigh of relief. 

But then she sees him, sees how angry he is. He hung up the phone to come and talk in person which can't be good. 

His eye twitches as he takes several steps towards her, and Soarynn can do nothing but remain frozen in her spot. They're toe to toe now and he's effectively pinned her against the counter. She can see him fighting his emotions, the intrusive thoughts that might cause him to punch a hole in the wall. His hand comes to cup her face, so gentle that it nearly frightens her but even in his rage, Soarynn isn't scared of Coriolanus. 

He would never lay a hand on her. 

But he can yell and Soarynn braces herself for that. 

"Did you...did you accuse me of infidelity?" He asks, his voice so quiet that it sends a chill down her spine. Soarynn can't even remember what she said now that she thinks of it and whatever she said was in the heat of the moment. But she clearly struck a nerve within her husband. Her throat is dry as she stares up into his piercing blue eyes, pinning her down on the spot. 

"Yes," she whispers, "you're clearly hiding something, you've been acting so distant lately and you've been working longer hours." 

Coriolanus laughs. He fucking laughs and pulls his hand away from her face leaving Soarynn with a cold feeling, a pit in her stomach. Coriolanus turns on his heel and walks towards the other side of the kitchen, his hands pulling at his hair. He finally looks back at her and Soarynn has never felt so small before. 

"You really think that I could ever find another woman like you? Another woman who could measure up to you and everything that you are to me? Really Soarynn, if you think I'd cheat on you then I clearly have been failing you as a husband." 

Tears mist in Soarynn's eyes, she never meant to hurt his feelings but hers have also been hurt and that can't go unacknowledged. They're both hurting but in different ways. 

"You haven't failed as a husband," she whispers, a tear falling down her face, "but you have failed to trust me as a wife. I'm your partner Coriolanus, I married you and all of your faults and imperfections without question because I knew who you were. But now...now I feel as if I'm living with a stranger. You're home late, there's blood on your clothes, and you're barking out orders apparently. What on earth has gotten into you?" 

Pain and uncertainty reflect in his eyes when more tears roll down her cheeks and Coriolanus rubs a hand over his face letting out a frustrated groan, "You won't understand Soarynn, it's far too compli-" 

"Then explain it to me!" She cries, the bruises on her throat throbbing, "I'm not an idiot Coriolanus, explain to me where you've been and what's going on because I know that you're hiding something from me." 

They both stand there for a moment, watching each other's reactions, watching how their words have hurt the other person.

Soarynn takes in a shaky breath and her shoulders slouch in defeat, "It's like you don't even trust me, and I...I know that you have other people to trust, your parents and your friends but I only have you. You're all I have Coriolanus." 

Watching a parent die isn't for the faint of heart, but Soarynn came to know grief when her father died six years ago. It was a terrible time in her life and it left her without any immediate family since her mother passed away giving birth to her. 

But she has Coriolanus. 

He got her through it, held her while she wept, he even got her a little kitten named Petunia to bring her out of the darkness she lived in for so long. 

He opens his mouth to speak but no words come out when they both hear the sound of the telephone ringing from his study. Coriolanus clamps his mouth shut and his eyes dart to the hallway and then back to her. Soarynn scoffs, she can't fucking believe this. 

"Go ahead," she waves him off, "whoever is on that phone must be more important than I am to you. Go answer the phone Coriolanus."

 

Soarynn doesn't wait for a reply, she grabs Petunia and storms out of the kitchen, tears burning in her eyes but she keeps moving until her feet find their bedroom. Soarynn all but collapses on the bed, her body shaking as she cries. She might be healing physically, but this attack has left her emotionally scarred, and he doesn't even care. 

꧁ ꧂

Coriolanus POV

Coriolanus stalks towards his study, his fists clenched and his jaw is shut so tight that he can feel his teeth grinding. He hadn't expected Soarynn to call him at work, and he most definitely hadn't expected her to accuse him of infidelity. He nearly threw the fucking phone across his office when he heard those words leave her mouth. 

He thought he was doing a good job at keeping her in the dark, away from all of this. He was doing this for her! Finding the man, bringing him to justice, to his knees for what he did to his darling girl. But instead, it bit him in the ass and left his wife questioning his loyalty to her. 

Part of him wants to run after her, to fix this mess he's created. But the other part wants to give whoever's on the other line absolute hell. He throws the door to his study open and yanks the phone from the receiver, "What?" 

"Boss?" It's Festus. "We found him, the guys are tracking him down right now." 

Coriolanus feels a wicked grin curl across his face, "I'll be there tonight. And tell the boys to clean up, I'm bringing Soarynn." 

Festus goes quiet for a moment before speaking, "Whatever you want Coriolanus." 

Coriolanus puts the phone down and drums his fingers against the desk, he has to apologize. Obviously, he has to apologize. But apologizing means coming clean, and he's not ready for that, he doesn't know how to put it into words. 

So he'll just show her. 

꧁ ꧂

"You act as if I’ve kidnapped you," Coriolanus says to his wife who only glares up at him in return. He might as well have thrown her in the trunk considering how much hell she gave him trying to get her into the car.

He hadn't told Soarynn much, only to dress for the rainy, cold weather and to be ready by nine. He found her in their bedroom with tearstained cheeks and it broke his heart to see her like that but he had to see this through once and for all.

He picks up on Soarynn’s more curious nature when they approach the old warehouse that he runs his business out of. From the outside, it’s inconspicuous, just a regular old warehouse. From the inside however, nameless crime occurs within those brick walls. But Coriolanus and his men take enough precautions as to not raise any alarms, and if anyone were to ask, he’d gladly lie to their faces about what truly takes place inside of the building.

Coriolanus leads them around the back and he finds himself feeling somewhat nervous. There’s no telling how Soarynn will react to all of this, not after what she’s been through but she’s right, he needs to tell her what’s going on. Come clean.

But what will she think of him?

Well, there's no going back now. One of the guards standing at the door nods at the couple, "Welcome back Mr. Snow." Soarynn gives Coriolanus a curious look but follows him in when they're allowed to enter. The warehouse is quite impressive on the inside, there are different sections for the different parts of the business. There are offices, recreational spaces for the men, rooms to hold people in and so many rows of storage.

They also have targets for shooting, for fun of course.

Soarynn jumps when a gun goes off and Coriolanus places his hand on her lower back, guiding her further into the warehouse. They get a few curious looks from the men, mostly because they've been keeping this a secret from Soarynn for so long. To see their boss's wife wrapped up in her pink coat is a shocking sight.

Coriolanus leads them through a set of doors, taking them to the very back of the warehouse where they tend to lock up very expensive things and very dangerous people when needed. This time, however, it's a person they've locked up.

They finally enter the room he was looking for, it's all cement and there's a large door meant for loading and unloading parcels onto a truck. Or in this case, loading and unloading bodies.

All his most loyal men are already gathered around a battered wooden chair where a man, the man who harmed his angel, is chained. Soarynn softly gasps when she sees the sight, the sight of only a bloodied and beaten man. She won't be feeling so sympathetic when she realizes who it is.

Festus raises his eyebrows at the sight of Soarynn but quickly breaks into a grin when he holds out a familiar item, Soarynn's handbag. The bag that was stolen from her the night of the attack. Coriolanus takes it from him and inspects the bag, noticing how damaged it is. He opens it up to find the contents of her purse are still there but who knows what the man did with it.

Coriolanus looks down at Soarynn who's also eyeing the bag and she seems to be putting two and two together. She looks back over at the man who's slumped over in the chair, barely moving, "Oh," is all she has to say. Coriolanus hands her back the bag, "Here you go darling, make sure everything's still in there."

Soarynn merely blinks as he hands her the bag, unable to say anything. Coriolanus looks back over at the man and nods at Festus who is nearly jumping on his feet at the opportunity to instill some more fear into this man. Festus reaches into his coat brandishing his own shotgun and fires a shot into the air, causing Soarynn to jump and the man to jolt awake.

Besides the sound of the rain and occasional thunder, the only noise that can be heard is the man's pained groans. Festus casually strolls over to him and leans down, "Did you have a nice nap, Amos?"

Amos, the man who inflicted so much pain on the woman Coriolanus loves so dearly finally has a name. He's going to die soon.

Amos glowers at Festus and struggles in his restraints trying to break free, "Fuck you. Fuck you and whoever has it out for me. I'm a Capitol citizen for fucks sake!"

All the men laugh, shaking their heads. He truly has no idea who he's fucked with. Festus sighs as if he's so let down by all of this, "Oh Amos, you should know by now that we don't quite give a fuck about where you live or where you're from. Capitol, District, we all bleed the same. But men like you? Men who prey on innocent women in the dark of the night? You picked on the wrong woman my friend, and now, you're royally fucked."

Amos scoffs and hacks up some bloody spit that he tries to aim at Festus but he misses pitifully and it lands on the floor, next to his blood. Festus chuckles and leans down until he's at eye level with Amos, "Do you remember about a week ago when you attacked a woman and robbed her?" It's fascinating to see Amos try to cancel his emotions but his blood-covered face makes him look downright horrifying.

"I don't," he mumbles and Coriolanus nearly laughs.

Festus straightens up and clasps his hands behind his back. "I see," he says, turning around and looking at Coriolanus and Soarynn. Festus doesn't even have to say anything because Coriooanus already knows what he wants, what he's doing.

Festus Creed is at times, annoying and childish, but when he's at work, he's downright devious. He's the man Coriolanus trusts the most to handle men like Amos. Festus waves Soarynn over as if inviting her to tea, "Come over here Soarynn."

She stands there petrified, not knowing what to do. Coriolanus can see her frame trembling through her coat. "Go on darling," he encourages her, "Festus would never hurt you."

Thunder rumbles across the sky, and it feels as if the entire room is shaking. Festus strides over to Soarynn and takes her arm, pulling her with him and Soarynn seems to be in shock because she follows him until they're right in front of the man who attacked her.

A look of recognition washes across his face and Amos fails miserably trying to hide it.

"You don't remember her?" Festus asks innocently, sliding his arm around Soarynn's shoulders, "I mean, she's pretty hard to forget. Blonde hair, blue eyes, very pretty, just the type of girl you'd try to rob Amos."

Coriolanus walks behind his men, silently observing both Amos and Soarynn who are scared but for different reasons. Amos looks down at the floor and shakes his head, "I don't remember her."

Festus nods, his eyes twinkling with glee, "Alright Amos, then let me jog your memory." It only takes a second for him to slap Amos across the face with his gun, sending a tooth flying across the room. Amos lets out a scream, blood pooling in his mouth. "You hit her just like that," Festus calmly tells him, tucking his gun into the waistband of his pants, "left her with a swollen eye."

Coriolanus can see Soarynn is nearly hyperventilating as she stares down at the man who attacked her, the man who put his dirty hands on her finally getting what he deserves. Festus grabs the collar of her coat and tugs it down, revealing her bruised neck, still healing, "You wrapped your hands around her neck, trying to kill her."

Soarynn squirms in his hold and backs away, her eyes wide in fear while she fixes her coat, trying to cover up again. Festus lets her go, his point has been made and there's no going back now and he got what he needed from her. He wipes his hands on his pants and clears his throat, "I'll give you one more chance Amos. Did you attack her?"

Amos looks up at Festus and then at Soarynn before his bottom lip trembles. He looks horrible, just the way that Soarynn described him. "I remember her okay? I...I didn't mean for it to happen, I just needed some money!" Festus raises his eyebrows, not believing Amos for a second, "You needed to fuck her too right? Needed to get your hands on some upper-class bitch who was just asking for it right? Those were your words, Amos."

Amos is crying now. Good.

"I'm sorry," Amos gasps, his eyes pleading with Soarynn now, "I'm sorry miss, I...I shouldn't have hurt you. I'll do whatever you ask me to." Coriolanus expects Soarynn to burst into tears, to say that she forgives Amos but instead, she stares him down, no forgiveness in her eyes.

"No need to apologize to her Amos," Festus reassures him, "the person you should really be apologizing to is her husband. He doesn't take kindly to his wife coming home beaten and bruised."

Amos is a mouse caught in a trap, desperate to get out.

He looks around at all the men watching him. He's trying to find Soarynn's husband. "I'll apologize!" He cries, "Which one is he? Tell me and I'll do whatever he asks!"

Festus grabs a fistful of Amos's hair, tilting his head back until it looms painful, "You attacked the wife of a very important man Amos. Probably the one man you don't want to fuck with in this fine city."

Festus is known for his dramatic effect, which includes pauses that are far too long. But it works and Coriolanus must admit, he enjoys the fear in the man's eyes.

"Coriolanus Snow."

It takes about three seconds for that information to sink in and Coriolanus uses it to push through the wall of men, finally coming face-to-face with the man he's grown to despise over the past week.

If Amos was scared before, he’s inconsolably terrified now.

Coriolanus holds no sympathy in his eyes as he looks down at the man who hurt Soarynn, who tried to take her life and everything she was worth. He’s killed people before but this, this is going to feel entirely different.

Amos is shaking in the chair, the cold air and the rain doing nothing to help with the tension filling the room. Coriolanus stares down at him, a man so far beneath him. But not in the ways one would think. Coriolanus isn't above using brute force, taking money from people, or doing whatever it takes to stay on top.

But he'd never hit a woman.

And Amos hit a woman. His woman. Amos has to die for that.

"So you're the one," he says casually while picking under his nails, "the one who nearly choked my wife to death." He watches Amos look behind him at Soarynn before looking back up at him with pleading eyes, "Please, please Mr. Snow. I...I would've never even gone near her if I knew she was your wife, you've gotta believe me. I was...I was down on my luck and needed some money but I never should've touched her, please I'll do anything. I'll work for you, I'll become an Avox, I'll clean your pentho-"

Amos doesn't get to finish his sentence when Coriolanus lands a punch to his jaw, sending him toppling backward onto the ground. Amos lets out a painful groan while Coriolanus snaps his fingers, "Get him back up," he glances over his shoulder to see Soarynn watching him with wide eyes. But for once, he can't tell what she's feeling.

Is she scared of him?

He'll have to find out after he kills Amos.

"Take her to my office," he says before turning back to Amos, "I have a lot of work to do."

꧁ ꧂

Soarynn POV

Soarynn picks at her cuticles while she sits on the edge of a frayed armchair. She's in her husband's office. His office in his warehouse that belongs to his essential gang of men.

How did she not notice it sooner?

The bruised knuckles, the late nights, the shady looks they'd get from people on the streets. Coriolanus Snow who preaches honesty is the biggest and best liar she's ever fucking met.

And that terrifies her.

Because what if this is a lie too? What if their marriage was a sham? A coverup? Was he responsible for the death of her father? How many people has Coriolanus killed for looking at her the wrong way?

She does her best to drown out the screams of a man who's begging for mercy. Mercy means a bullet to his head. Coriolanus has been torturing him for what feels like hours even though she knows not enough time has passed. Festus had walked her to the office, his hand on her shoulder while he guided her through a maze of hallways as if she'd try to bolt after seeing who they truly were.

"Does Persephone know?" Soarynn had asked, keeping her eyes trained on the floor. Festus had let out a dry laugh, "Hell no. So I'd appreciate it if you kept it to yourself. None of us want our wives around this."

But she was around this. It wasn't a secret why she was now knowledgeable about what her husband really did for work. Things got personal, and she got hurt. Someone had to die for that.

Amos has to die for that.

She hears a gun go off and it's like she's had the wind knocked out of her. Then she hears heavy footsteps approaching the door. Coriolanus coming to check on her. Soarynn has spent her time in this office thinking about what she'd say to him, how she'd confront him and his lies.

Soarynn stands to her feet when the door opens and she comes face to face with Crassus Snow, her father-in-law. She sits right back down.

Coriolanus has inherited so much from Crassus. His stern persona, his handsome looks, his blonde hair, and his piercing blue eyes. And apparently the thrill of running some underground business whilst galavanting as a high society man.

Soarynn scoffs and crosses her arms, "I should've known you'd be behind all of this. Coriolanus has always looked up to you so it's no surprise that he decided to carry on this so-called business you like to partake in."

Crassus remains passive but Soarynn's grown used to his stone-cold face, so hard to read. The only time he ever seems remotely happy is when he's in the presence of his wife. Does she know too?

Soarynn looks up into his eyes and she sees a hint of sympathy but mostly regret. His wife definitely knows.

"You were never supposed to get involved," he says, his voice quiet yet it fills the room. "I always reminded Coriolanus of what could be at stake should you find out about all of this. I tried to keep his Mother away from it for the longest time before I slipped up and the truth came out. But it seems I've failed him...and your father."

Soarynn's throat dries at the mention of her dearly departed father.

"He knew about this?" Her question is barely a whisper but it's like the wind got knocked out of her. Crassus nods and pinches the bridge of his nose as if the whole thing has been a large inconvenience for him. “Glen wasn’t involved in the business. Your father was a good and honest man, but that didn’t mean that he wasn’t aware of what was happening. He had his suspicions and the moment my son started showing interest in you, Glen came to me about it, made me promise that Coriolanus would never get you involved in any of this.”

It’s as if the wind has been entirely knocked out of her. Soarynn tries to find the words to express how hurt she is by all of this. Her father knew. He knew all those years ago about who the Snows truly were, he knew when Soarynn would come home a giggling mess after going on another date with Coriolanus, he knew when he walked her down the aisle and gave her away to him.

A tear escapes Soarynn’s grasp and rolls down her cheek, “If he knew then why didn’t he try and stop me? Surely he wouldn’t want his only daughter, his only family to marry into a family like yours.”

Some amusement flickers in his eyes and Crassus drums his fingers against the desk Coriolanus probably sits at all the time while deciding who he’ll kill next. “Sometimes, it’s better to stay close to those who are dangerous rather than far away. Glen knew there was no changing your mind on the matter, you were deeply in love with my son and he felt the same way about you. So, we all agreed to keep this from you to the best of our abilities,” his eyes travel to the door, “although it seems that I’ve doubted my son’s capabilities.”

Soarynn feels the urge to defend Coriolanus grow stronger and stronger. “He did all this for me,” she says softly, “he…he wanted to take matters into his own hands.”

Crassus scoffs and picks up a framed photograph on the desk, something Soarynn hadn’t noticed until now. “Yes, he wanted to be in control of the situation and now look where it’s landed him,” Crassus says bitterly, “with a terrified wife and a fucked marriage.”

Soarynn finally gets a look at the photograph in his hands and is shocked to find that it’s a photograph of her. She’s holding Petunia in her arms and smiling brightly down at the feline. She was just a kitten and Soarynn had just lost her father. It was the first time she smiled in weeks.

“Everything he’s ever done has been for me,” she murmurs.

This leads her to wonder how many times he's gotten hurt but has hidden it from her. If this attack never happened, would he still be keeping this a secret from Soarynn? All of this has stemmed from an unfortunate set of events, a domino effect really.

"If I...if I wanted a divorce, would he honor it?" She slowly asks, making sure to measure her words carefully. Soarynn has seen Coriolanus get angry before and she knows for a fact that he's inherited this specific trait from Crassus.

Crassus purses his lips and carefully sets down the photograph before he leans back against the desk, "Do you want a divorce?"

Does she?

Soarynn knows one thing for absolutely certain: she loves Coriolanus.

"He'd never let me get away," Soarynn says, more to herself than to Crassus, "even if we were legally divorced, he'd want to keep an eye on me. And...I love your son. Despite everything that's happened I love him and I made a vow to stand by him until death do us part."

A grin grows on her father-in-law's lips, "Then it appears you're fit to be a Snow."

꧁ ꧂

Coriolanus POV

The last bullet in the chamber lands in the middle of Amos's eyes, finally killing him after so much misery. Coriolanus watches the chair fall back, taking Amos and his lifeless body with it. Blood pools on the floor, the floor that will be cleaned up as if none of this ever happened. Coriolanus tucks his gun away, "You know what to do," he says to his men who nod, this isn't the first dead body they've dealt with. And it won't be the last.

He has a wife to tend to, to comfort and convince that he's not some heartless monster. But isn't he? Does a loving man beat another until they're black and blue in the face?

He pushes those thoughts away, he can't afford to think like that right now. Although he wishes he brought a change of clothes since his are now covered in blood and other bodily fluids. Well, she can either love it or leave it.

But what if she leaves him? A crippling yet necessary thought.

Coriolanus can't imagine a world without Soarynn by his side, a world without her laughter and gentleness. He wasn't supposed to fall for her, for a girl as good and kind as her. He was supposed to marry a girl with a similar background to his own but once he saw Soarynn, there was no stopping him.

His Father had warned him, warned him about marrying a girl as innocent and gentle as her, someone who could easily become his biggest weakness, something for others to try and hurt. But no one could ever take his darling girl away from him.

Coriolanus rounds the corner that leads to his office and mentally prepares for the beratement he'll be subjected to once he's face to face with Soarynn again, so when he opens the door, he's very surprised to find her and his Father.

His Father looks him up and down and Coriolanus feels himself inwardly cringe. For as long as he can remember, he's always wanted to be just like the great Crassus Snow. Strong, important, a leader figure to the Capitol.

But right now Coriolanus feels like a little boy being scolded for pushing someone on the playground again.

"Well," his Father finally says, looking him up and down, "it seems that you've been quite busy tonight." Coriolanus looks over at Soarynn who's perched in one of the armchairs in front of his desk, she doesn't look scared but she does look curious as to how this will play out.

Which is much worse.

Coriolanus swallows but stands tall, he can't back down now. "We found the man," he tells his Father who merely rolls his eyes, "I can see that Coriolanus. Now tell me, what part of you felt it was necessary to drag your wife into this, even further than needed?"

His Father, unfortunately, has a point. Soarynn was already involved, she was the victim. No need to make the trauma any worse.

Coriolanus bites the inside of his cheek, he's always prided himself in the fact that his Father never involved himself in his side of their business. They both stay in their lanes unless absolutely necessary.

"I got messy," Coriolanus admits although he's talking directly to Soarynn now, staring into her blue-gray eyes, "I got caught up in the game, in my pride and my ego. I wanted to prove myself worthy of having the power that I have and when something I loved was threatened, I lost it. I lost a part of that power because...because..."

Why can't he just come out and say it?

It should be easy with Soarynn hanging onto his every word like a lifeline. Coriolanus lets out a frustrated groan and takes steps toward her until he's right in front of her. He slowly sinks down to his knees, something he'd never do, something that shows weakness. But she can see every side of him if she wishes to. The good, the bad, and the ugly.

Coriolanus carefully reaches out and takes her small, dainty hands in his large, rough ones and gently squeezes them. "You're my weakness Soarynn," he whispers, "and for the longest time, I tried to fight it, tried to deny it. But there is no denying it my love. You complete me, you make me whole, make me a better man. And I know that how I've treated you the past week has been a poor way of showing it but I love you Soarynn, and if you wish to never speak to me again then I won't hold it against you."

Tears pool in Soarynn's eyes and she throws herself into him, completely trusting him to catch her and he does, wrapping his strong arms around her. Neither of them cares about the blood staining her clothes.

"I love you too," she says against his neck, "despite everything I love you deeply Coriolanus. And I've already decided that I'll stay. I'll stay so long as you promise to be entirely honest with me and trust me to have your back."

It's a bit of an amusing yet adorable thought to picture her with a gun in her hands, by his side while at a shootout but Coriolanus can't stop the grin from spreading across his face, "Have my back huh? You're gonna come with me to drug deals and shootouts?" Soarynn pulls away and gives him a twisted face, "Don't count on it. I meant more of me simply supporting you and truly being aware of your whereabouts. And if need be, I can learn how to properly use a gun."

Coriolanus presses a soft kiss to her lips, sealing the promise here and there. "It's a deal."

| Part 2. | Final Part |

| tumblr oneshot/drabble |

[queer-devil]

DRDR Incorrect Quotes Pt 3

Because I’m not ok and I will never be ok Jesus Christ why is October like this holy fucking—

Link to generator

Also warning most of these are prob ooc since they are emotion support

Ace: Can you be quiet?! I'm trying to think.

Arei: Don't worry. Doing anything for the first time is difficult.

Min: Hey, random question, what are your favorite flowers?

Teruko: Poppies, why?

Min:

Teruko: Were you going to get me flowers?

Min:

Teruko:

Min: ᶦᵗ’ˢ ᵃ ᵖᵒˢˢᶦᵇᶦˡᶦᵗʸ

Xander: And what do I get out of this?

David: I will give you a dollar.

Xander: What do you think I am? A chump? I would never do it for a dollar!

David: How about two dollars?

Xander: You got yourself a deal.

David: Ace, you're testifying in an aggravated assault case tomorrow, and the D.A. is worried about how you'll present yourself on the stand.

Ace: Why? I'm fine on the stand!

*flashback to Testimony #1*

Ace: Look, I'll make this real simple so even these dumdums can understand.

Ace, to the jury: MAN DID CRIME.

*flashback to Testimony #2*

Ace: I'm sorry, could you make her stop doing that weird thing with her face?

Defense Attorney, next to the crying defendant: ...Crying?

*flashback to Testimony #3*

Ace: And when this is over, I'm gonna find you and I'm gonna break those little fingers.

Judge: Could the witness please stop threatening the stenographer?

Xander: Oh, David, we have a visitor!

David: Don't tell me it's Teruko.

Xander: It's Teruko!

*Thump noise*

David, from the other room: What happened?!

Arei: Min’s shirt fell.

David: Why was it loud?

Arei: It had her inside.

*The Squad's cooking skills*

Whit: *master chef*

Eden: *knows a few recipes*

Rose: *can follow instructions on a box*

Charles: *made toast once*

Teruko: *banned from the kitchen*

Levi: Hopefully Ace has learned a lesson about respecting other people's feelings.

Ace: Oh, shut up and die Levi.

Min: Hey Arei, have you seen the photographer?

Arei: Nope. Have you seen the meat tenderizer?

Min, confused: What?

Arei, grabbing the meat tenderizer out of the drawer: No reason, cute girl things!

Rose: *working in a flower shop and minding her own business*

Ace, storming into the store and slapping $20 on the counter: HOW DO I PASSIVE-AGGRESSIVELY SAY “FUCK YOU” IN FLOWER???

*The squad has just arrived in a new city. Levi looks around at the wanted posters to see if he’s on any of them.*

Teruko: Levi, are you a criminal?

Levi: Not here, I’m not.

David: We’re all in this together. If one of us falls, we all fall. Nobody is expendable on this team.

Teruko: Sounds fake but ok.

Ace: I hate you.

Levi: Well, according to this picture I drew of us holding hands, that is untrue.

Min: If you bite it and you die, it's poisonous. If it bites you and you die, it's venomous.

Ace: What if it bites me and it dies?!

Min: Then you're poisonous. Jesus Christ, Ace, learn to listen.

Veronika: What if it bites itself and I die?

Min: That's voodoo.

Rose: What if it bites me and someone else dies?

Min: That's correlation, not causation.

J: What if we bite each other and neither of us die?

Arei: That's kinky.

Min: Oh my god.

Eden: Imagine if someone handed you a box full of all the things you lost throughout your life.

Min: It would be nice to have my sense of purpose back...

Whit: Oh wow, my childhood innocence! Thank you for finding this.

David: My will to live! I haven't seen this in years.

Rose: I knew I lost that potential somewhere.

Veronika: Mental stability, my old friend!

Eden: Jesus, could you guys lighten up a little?

Rose: Whoa, Min, what’s up with that angry face?

Min: Whit won’t stop talking about how “Ancient Egyptians were furries”.

Whit: But they were! Just looks at all their gods-

Min: Oh my god, SHUT UP!

Veronika: I refuse to apologize for being weird or off-putting. That’s actually your problem. I’m having a fantastic time!

All of the ones after this point are suggestive

Whit: You look good in that hoodie.

Charles: You know where else I'd look good?

Whit, zero hesitation: My bed.

Charles, at the same time: By your side- wait, what?

Whit: Charles, you do remember when we agreed we were better off as friends, right?

Charles, naked in Whit's bed: No, I absolutely do not.

Whit, already taking off his clothes: Fuck... Me neither.

Whit: There are 20 letters in the alphabet, right?

Charles: Nope, there's 26.

Whit: Ah, I must have forgotten U, R, A, Q, T.

Charles: That’s cute, but you're still missing one.

Whit: You'll get the D later ;).

Whit: As top in this relationship, I think we should-

Charles: I can't believe you're pulling rank on me.

Whit: I like your new pants!

Charles: Thank you, they were 50% off.

Whit: I’d like them better if they were 100% off. *winks*

Charles: The store can’t just give away clothes for free.

Whit: Thats’s… not what I meant.

Charles: That’s a terrible way to run a business, Whit.

Whit, with a headache: Advil me up, daddy.

Charles: I will short out the language centre of your brain if you say anything like that ever again.

Teruko: Who do we know that has handcuffs?

Whit: Well Charles and I-

Charles: *elbows Whit*

Whit: ...wouldn't know.

Ace: Is there a cactus where your heart should be?

Arei: What’s up your ass this morning!

Levi: *walks in* ...Hey.

Arei: Hmm… nevermind.

Ace: WAIT NO!

Arei: What’s your body count?

Levi: Do you mean sex or murder?

Ace: There. How do I look?

Levi: Like a cheap French harlot.

Ace: French?!

Charles: What’s sexting?

Teruko: I'm not having this conversation with you.

Arei, turning to J: Stop calling yourself hot, the only thing you can turn on is the microwave.

Eden: So anyways have y'all seen Ace?

Whit: I think they went in Levi's room 'studying'.

J: Doubt that. I heard groans there.

*Meanwhile in Levi's room*

Ace & Levi, fighting:

Ace: *sucking on a popsicle*

J: Pfft, you practicing for when Levi gets here?

Ace: *takes a huge ass bite out of the popsicle*

J: *Concern*

[tobesolonely]

Y/N and Harry are expecting a baby, and they’re both very impatient.

happy 5k to meee! when I made this account at the height of the pandemic in 2020 to pass the time i would’ve never thought i would’ve made the friends i have or gotten so much support with my writing!! thank you besties! i hope you enjoy! 

warnings: smut

please buy me a coffee to celebrate! :D

. ⋅ ˚̣- : ✧ : – ⭒ ⊹ ⭒ – : ✧ : -˚̣⋅ .

“I just don't think we need three different kinds of bottle warmers, love.” 

Y/N looks at her husband looking down at the half-full cart that’s now one bottle warmer fuller. According to every baby blog and “new mom” website she scoured, bottle warmers were a must-have. However, there was no general consensus on the best one. Y/N didn't really see any other option but to try a ton. (Besides, it's not like he couldn’t afford it.)

“Then tell me which one’s the best.” 

Harry's eyebrows wrinkle in confusion. “How would I know which bottle warmer is the best?” 

“How would I know?” 

He opens his mouth to quip back but can't think of anything to say because once again she's right. How would she know?

“Ok, darling,” he resumes pushing the cart through the aisle with a defeated sigh. “You're right.”

A credit card swipe and a short 15-minute car ride later they’re home, depositing all their recent purchases in the half-complete nursery. It was nearly stuffed to the brim with clothes and instructions for toys Harry began assembling but never completed and baby wipes and strollers and now, three different types of bottle warmers that it was a little overwhelming. The good kind, though. 

By the time they finish that, they’re knackered, sprawled out on the couch with the tv playing lowly in the background.

“How does stir fry sound for dinner?” Harry absentmindedly traces over her plush thighs with the pads of his fingers while he seeks her approval. “I don’t think those bell peppers in the fridge have got much longer.”

“Mmm, sounds good,” she cranes her neck up to look at him, not wanting to leave her position on his chest. “Not too spicy, please. I can’t handle it right now.”

“I know, love.”

Y/N knows Harry knows, but she still reminds him anyway. He gently helps her up and guides her to the kitchen, lifting her up on the counter so she could cut up the vegetables while he stood at the stove and cooked the chicken. He’s about to sprinkle a generous amount of red pepper flakes atop the chicken when he remembers her polite request that he doesn't make it too spicy and he sets it down, deciding he’ll add it to his own portion separately.

“I think these are all chopped up.” 

Harry hums and walks over to where Y/N is positioned on the counter to inspect her handy work. Most everything she knows in the kitchen she learned from Harry, and he definitely still teases her about her skills with a knife. At least she tries! 

While the look on Harry’s face tells her he thinks her chopping skills look like that of a ten-year-old, all he says is, “Looks great, darling! You’re so helpful.” (The pregnancy has made Y/N more sensitive than usual and Harry knows she's liable to cry over the tiniest things so he’s been extra sweet to her)

With the chicken now simmering on low, Harry adds the vegetables to the dish and adds a bit of water to help soften it faster, making sure to add a generous amount of seasoning. Y/N appreciated this because she wasn't the biggest fan of vegetables (especially peas and broccoli, which Harry coincidentally loved) so whatever he did to make them even the tiniest bit tastier was helpful.

Twenty minutes later they're enjoying dinner, bowls filled with heaping piles of steaming rice and chicken-veggie stir-fry. Harry stands in between Y/N's legs while she’s sitting on the counter (occasionally giving her bites of his food even though they’re eating the exact same thing).

“Who taught you how to be such a good cook?” Y/N randomly questions in between a mouthful of food. She knows the answer is Anne, but she just likes stroking Harry’s ego sometimes.

“My mum,” he answers. “And lots of practice. I could teach you…”

“I’d rather not.” 

Harry chuckles at his wife’s hatred for cooking. “Luckily for you, it brings me great pleasure to cook for beautiful women,” Y/N narrows her eyes at him, “I mean you. My beautiful woman. Don't give me that look.”

“Are you gonna make baby food from scratch, too?”

Harry raises his eyebrows in consideration, pressing a quick kiss to the tip of Y/N’s nose. “There’s a thought… hadn’t even thought about that. I can do that.”

“I mean, you did say you love cooking for beautiful women.”

“I do,” Harry smiles at his wife for a few moments before the look on his face changes to one of accusation. “Are you trying to tell me something? Did you look?”

“Okay listen, I may have taken a tiny peek at the monitor when we were at the check-up on Tuesday…”

“Y/N!”

“I couldn’t help myself, Harry! I don’t know how you haven’t been going crazy over it,” she absentmindedly rests her hand on her stomach. “If I didn’t know I’d probably be so annoying right now.”

“That’s true. I’m sure you would be.”

Y/N playfully reprimands Harry by swatting his bicep. “You love how annoying I am. It’s why you married me. You said it in your vows, remember? There’s no going back now.”

Harry kisses the side of Y/N’s neck, then travels up to the sweet spot right below her ear before moving to the apples of her cheeks and then finally, her soft lips. “I wouldn’t dream of going back on it. Tell me more about this baby girl we’re having, since you like to ruin surprises.”

“I can’t help my wandering eyes!”

“Oh, I’m sure,” Harry responds sarcastically. “Are we telling people?”

“I think it’ll be fun if we kept it our little secret,” she reaches up to play with the curls at the nape of Harry’s neck. “Maybe we’ll tell your mum and mine. We’ll see.”

“You’re right,” his hand travels up the back of Y/N's shirt. She shivers at the feeling of his cool rings against her warm back, “Instagram post instead?”

“Harry!”

“I’m joking, love!”

“Help me down from here. My butt’s numb.”

“Have you been thinking of names while you’ve gone all this time knowing without me?” Harry easily lifts her off the counter, not removing his hands from her waist even once she’s steady on her feet.

“H, it’s only been two days.” 

“Two days longer than I’ve known,” he bends down just enough to ghost his lips over yours. “Come sit on my lap. Let’s brainstorm.”

Harry gently guides her toward the direction of the living room, plopping down first on the couch so he could pull her into his lap. There was no other place Harry preferred Y/N to be than in his lap whenever he was around her. 

“Are you upset that I peeked when we were supposed to wait?”

His eyes soften. “Of course ‘m not mad. I guess since we’re being honest I may as well admit that I took a peek, too.”

“Harry! Why were you gonna let me think I was the only impatient one?”

“You’re just easy to mess with,” he pulls her flush against his body. “I was gonna see how long I could keep it up, but I can’t do it anymore. I feel too bad.”

“When did you peek?”

“Right after you did.”

Y/N lets out a dramatic gasp, cheeks heating up in embarrassment. “You saw me? I thought I was being sneaky!”

“I’m sorry to say you’re not as sneaky as you think you are,” he fiddles with the strap of her tank top, pushing it down her arm slowly. “I admire the effort though - it’s very cute, love.”

“Thank you,” Y/N cocks her head to the side. “Are you happy? That we’re having a girl?”

“Y/N, I’m so happy that I don’t think I can properly put into words how I’m feeling,” his hands travel along her back. “I’m even happier I’m having a baby with you. I don’t care about anything but having a healthy baby with you.”

“H, you’re gonna make me cry,” Y/N says dramatically, a small pout on her chapped lips. “You’re very cheesy - I love you so much. How did I get so lucky?”

“Would you believe me if I said I asked myself that same question every day when I wake up beside you?” Harry taps her on her side. “C’mon, up you go.”

Y/N lets out a little groan. “Why? I just got comfortable. Your lap is the best seat in the house.”

“Wanna show you how much I love you and how happy I am that you’re giving me a baby girl,” Y/N’s eyes widen as she scrambles off her husbands lap and onto the empty space beside him, legs folding beneath her. “Can I have a taste?”

“I thought we were discussing baby names?” Y/N jokes.

“I think we should do this first,” Harry drops to his knees, “Turn around f’me, darling- on your knees- yeah, just like that,” and immediately attaches his mouth to her clit, giving a firm suck. He quickly moves to her slit and licks up it, collecting her wetness on his tongue. Y/N can tell by his quick pace and sloppy licks that he's feeling plain desperate, and she momentarily wonders to herself how long he's been in this type of mood. 

Almost as if he's read her mind, Harry pulls back and says, “Been wanting to get in between these pretty thighs since we were comparing all those bloody bottle warmers at the store…” before diving back in. She turns to watch as he pokes and prods at her holes with the tip of his tongue, working faster the heavier she begins to breathe. His palm rests on her ass cheek, which also aids in keeping her spread open for him. Harry places three pecks on her clit before removing his mouth from her core just long enough to turn her around so her bottom was on the couch instead.

Harry hooks his right arm under Y/N’s left leg and throws it over his shoulder, using two fingers to rub over her clit. He lowers his head back down and attaches his lips to her bud again, looking up through his lashes at her. Y/N uses her shoulders to support her body weight, using one hand to lift her tank top and tweak her nipples while the other tangles in Harry’s curls. His tongue flicks back and forth over her clit as he locks eyes with her before sticking his middle finger in his mouth and inserting it in her heat.

“Harry, I love you,” Y/N tells her husband breathlessly, voice filled with lust. “I love you so much. I’m so- oh!” 

She lets out a sharp gasp once Harry adds two more fingers in one swift push, easily accommodating to fit his digits. His fingers burn in the best way possible, and she can’t wait to feel his cock. The whole time Harry’s fingering Y/N he’s giving her sweet praises–telling her she always opens up so well for him, that she get so fucking wet, that she tastes sweeter and better than the finest desserts. It’s nearly too much.

“I can’t put into words how much I love you,” Harry whispers as he relentlessly curls his three fingers up over and over again to stimulate that spongy spot deep inside of her. “I want you to cum for me, my love. Cum for me so I can get inside you, hm? Can you do that for me?”

Y/N’s mouth falls open in a silent scream as she releases all over Harry’s fingers, clenching so tightly around him that he has to tell her to relax so he can comfortably pull them out. 

“S’fuckin’ tight…” he mutters moreso to himself, pulling his joggers and boxers down to his ankles in one swift go. “All mine?”

“All yours,” she responds so quickly she nearly sounds pathetic. “Please, H. Just give it to me please-”

Harry pushes Y/N up and back onto the couch so her back is against the armrest. “Comfortable?”

Y/N’s heart swells a tiny bit at her husbands concern for her comfort even when he was having her in such a filthy state. “Very. Please fuck me.”

Harry slips himself inside Y/N’s warm heat, letting out a quiet groan of relief at the feeling. Y/N whimpers and locks her legs around Harry and he takes that as his cue to move. He slides out nearly all the way before slamming his hips back inside her, grunting loudy in pleasure.

“That’s a good girl…just take it, darling,” he snaps his hips quickly into her, skin slapping against skin. “Lay there and take it like a good girl…My good girl…”

Tiny moans esacpe Y/N’s mouth and she doesn’t try to suppress them in the slightest, wanting her husband to hear how good he was making her feel. He always made her feel good, always put her pleasure first.

“My clit, p-please,” Y/N stutters out, reaching for Harry’s hand so she can place it at her core. Harry places his hand at her core and begins rubbing in hard, tight circles, knowing exactly how to stroke Y/N to bring her to her release.

“Tell me how good it feels.”

“So, so good. Gonna cum, H,” Y/N moans, bucking her hips up so they meet Harry’s. “Don’t stop H, please don’t stop!”

“Yeah? You’re there, angel?” his thrusts become impossibly faster. “Me too, baby. You first. Cum for me, Y/N.”

Y/N orgasms for the second time that night, waves of pleasure washing over her body that satisfy her in the best way possible. Harry’s not far behind her - his hips stutter to a stop before he lays his weight on top of her and cums, being mindful not to lay directly atop her bump.

The couple lay in silence for what feels like ages, basking in the afterglow of their sex and orgasms. Harry places a chaste kiss to the top of Y/N’s head before gently untangling himself from her, already thinking about which bath bomb he wanted to use when he went upstairs to run her a bath in a moment. 

“So, about those baby names…”

. ⋅ ˚̣- : ✧ : – ⭒ ⊹ ⭒ – : ✧ : -˚̣⋅ .

Please let me know what you think! and please buy me a coffee to celebrate! :D

[ethicaltreatmentofcowplants]

Bachelorette Information

Gameplay Mechanics

Each lot will start with a variety of fully grown crops, both seasonal and not, two chickens, a cow, a mini goat and a sheep. As well as a small pond on the lot, there is a fishing spot within easy walking distance.

There will also be plasma trees on hand for any vampires.

Lot traits will be set to private, with additional to be temporarily added according to rolls. It has the permanent challenge of simple living. Again additional challenges may be added according to rolls.

At around noon each day, the Watcher will assign each Sim a skill building task. Cooking and Gardening are the two that Sims will likely level up the fastest in, as they are more time consuming than most others, so the Watcher will keep a roster and make sure that these tasks aren’t repeated per sim in each round. Allowing for possible glitching, I will instruct a Sim to do a task twice: any more nagging from me and they will have the day off skillbuilding - and thus lose the opportunity to earn some points.

As per rolls and rewards, additional skill building items may be unlocked.

Each day I will make the bachelorette perform roughly two interactions per contestant, ie. two friendly, one friendly and one funny, or two flirty. Other than that, I will allow the Sims complete autonomy. Everything else is down to them. Apart from doing my best to ensure that the contestants are fed and watered, I will only be controlling the bachelorette.

Other than that, I will be using the club function from Get Together. One will be the ‘self-care’ club (sleep, clean & repair objects) activated at night, while the other will be the ‘social’ club - mainly so I can keep contestants in one spot when we travel off-site.

At the end of each round, the contestants with the lowest total points will go on a speed date with the bachelorette to see if they deserve a second chance. Eliminations will occur once all households have been played. The amount of contestants eliminated will depend on how many applications I get (max contestants is 18). 

Mods Etc

UI Cheats, Wicked Whims and First Impressions mods will be active, in addition to a few smaller quality-of-life mods that limit Sims getting sick and reduce the amount of phone use and doom scrolling. No explicit Whims animations will be shown; pregnancy, STDs, menstruation and peeping toms etc will be toggled off. Whims is purely present for more dynamic gameplay and fun, not the significantly less fun real life stuff.

To be extra sure there are no mini contestants running around, your Sims will receive a completely painless and easily reversible ‘surgical’ snip in my CAS (ie. I'll be deselecting 'can get pregnant/get other sims pregnant' where applicable).

If the ‘ask for sex’ interaction is accepted, I won’t give the participants the ‘make happy’ cheat, but I will use UI cheats to temporarily nudge all their ‘needs’ bars into the green, particularly hygiene and bladder. This is just so I don’t feel bad for pixel people woo-hooing while they’re miserable. Also if it is ‘bad woohoo,’ then they only have themselves to blame, mwuhahaha 😈

The option to request to join existing sex acts will also be toggled off.