#i got sick the final day of the book and couldn't hear the final few parts

[dragonspleenistasty]

something that makes you nostalgic

Books, mostly. I have a collection of books I used to read so much, like reading and rereading them over and over and I still love them, and now I just see those books and I remember so much

[crookedteethed]

18+ Thinking about giving Eddie head while Wayne's giving him a talking to.

Eddie shuts his eyes tight and lets out a long exasperated sigh as he feels your dainty hand grip the base of his cock. Your eager mouth, which had been planting delicate kisses around the supple skin of his thighs to the happy trail of his stomach, finally makes there way to his eager cock.

Wayne thinks he has an attitude, which resulted in Wayne telling Eddie:

"You keep huffin' and puffin' like that and you'll end up without a roof under your head, boy, you hear me?"

By Wayne's serious tone and stern demeanor, you would think Eddie had called him every swear word out of the book and then some, but really, Eddie hadn't said a word to Wayne from now until Wayne first angrily stomped into the trailer door shouting Eddie's name; telling Eddie that he has to take on more responsibility in the house other than sitting at home and playing his guitar all day (and having sex with his girlfriend, which he'd been doing all day).

Adults have this way of thinking (especially during lectures) where they can't differentiate the chasm between silence and having an "attitude."

Eddie knew he couldn't say anything to Wayne. Fermenting saliva had been collecting in his mouth since he first felt your hands tugging on the elastic of his sweatpants. Wayne would kick him out if drool spilled from his mouth when Eddie went to speak.

A glob of your spit coax Eddie's cock. You begin rimming your tongue around Eddie's mushroom-shaped tip, licking and sucking whatever pre-cum is leaking from his hole, occasionally taking long, bold strides from his base and back to his tip.

"I--" Eddie begins, but he's cut off when he feels your plump lips wrap around his tip and start sucking him gently. He splurges himself in the mixture of warmth and moisture coming from your mouth. He melts into the hollowness of your cheeks and the swivel of your tongue.

You splurge yourself at the effects you hold over him. Though you feel bad, not wanting to get the boy in any more trouble than he's already in.

Eddie grips his fist at the mound of pillows and blankets that conveniently covers his entire lower half.

Wayne notices and says, "I hope you're not trying to hold back a fist."

What Eddie was trying to do was hold back a moan.

"No--Wayne--I." His voice comes out in deprived little fragments-- like a scratched disc.

"Well, what?" Wayne says, agitated.

You get ballsy and attempt to deep-throat him; as you inch his swollen length closer and closer to the back of your throat, Eddie feels that particular spot where his glans slip past your tonsils, and he feels the gushes of your saliva caused by him pooling around your mouth.

"Fuck." Eddie says, almost in a whisper.

"What did you say, boy?" Wayne urges. "Nothing."

You try your best not to make any sounds, tears streaming down your cheeks from holding back, but when Eddie slightly bucks his hips up, you find yourself gagging around his length. Eddie covers the delicious sound of you sputtering with a fake cough.

It was an intense feeling of worship for Eddie, and he needed to get Wayne off his case so he could at least witness you taking his cum down your throat.

"Look, Wayne." He pauses. "I'll do more work around the house. I can--grunts—even pick up a few more shifts at the hideout, if you'll like."

Eddie doesn't know how he got through all that without blowing his cover, but he was hoping he wouldn't have to go through that again and praying that Wayne would just leave.

Wayne stays silent--not for too long, but long enough to make Eddie think he had blown his cover, and Wayne knew that his nephew was getting blown under his covers.

But with a simple nod and a "ok." (Wayne didn't need much convincing), Eddie could forget his worrying (accompanied by the excitement that came from worrying).

Wayne finds himself standing at the door of Eddie's room. Before leaving for work, he asks Eddie if he's sick or something.

"You're sweatin' buckets and you're coughin' a lot." Wayne states.

You bring yourself back to the tip of Eddie's cock and, in a bobbing motion, bring yourself down back to his base; at this point, all Eddie could do was nod his head and let out a shaky "un hun."

When Wayne announces he's leaving and you both hear the trailer's front door shut, you pull the covers over your head.

You pull him out of your mouth to catch your breath; saliva drips from your mouth onto your chin, tears prickling the corners of your eyes, and those lips, those puffy red lips, twisting into an alluring smile.

"You think that's funny, don't you? Blowing me in front of my uncle?"

"Oh, please, you enjoyed it." You tease.

And you were right; he did enjoy it, the excitement bubbling down in his stomach at the thought of getting caught. That's why every time you were at his trailer, and you two were having sex, Eddie made sure to leave his bedroom door wide open and have his windows just cracked; then he'd have his music blaring loud so he couldn't hear anyone if they were to walk in.

[thegoldensundreamer]

Love At Last

Onyankopon x black!reader

Warnings: exes, use of n word, squirting, fingering (f receiving), eating out (f receiving)

Word Count: 6.2k

He was a little older than me. A junior, and I, a sophomore. In college, you only had two focuses: have fun and study, and truthfully it helped me. No matter what anyone told me I had control to do whatever I wanted in life and didn't want anyone's opinions on how I'd be living it.

Honestly, that's what made my other ex's love me and even some, hate me.  But I mean it wasn't like he was always putting his expectations too high for me. Onyankopon just wanted to see me as my best self. When we broke up and I told him the reason as to why I couldn't do it anymore, it all really didn't make sense. I wanted to tell myself that I knew the reason as to why he was just so terrible but subconsciously I knew I didn't. And it was hard for me these past months. Really hard. I been seeing him on campus like a thousand times and he just keeps getting more beautiful and glowin like the sun.

He's the head of his team now and it never helps me that he didn't ever have any girls he just messed around with. Especially bonding and having a real relationship with his exes. Including me. And Its painful seeing him just living his life and me not hating him for any reason because he is really a great guy. So whenever I see him I make sure to shift my eyes to the complete opposite direction of where his head is at. Or even cover my face with a book or a water bottle to not have that awkward walk past. But I kind of wish he chased after me... and although I know its selfish I'm just as confused as when I left that boy. But I guess we all just have to move on.

••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••

"The assignment is still due this Sunday at 11:59 on Blackboard. I don't want any emails, text messages, or conversations next class about an extension. Period."

I honestly think Professor Rodriguez is tweaking now. No excuses? What if someone is sick or something?

The whole class groans as we pack all of our stuff. I mean, it's just a paper so I'm not tripping or anything. I just got to make sure to do it before the Que party this weekend. There's never been a problem before so I don't think I have anything to worry about.

Me and my girls have been planning to go to one of the Que parties we keep infamously hearing about. It's always wild, lit, and memorable till you graduate. All of a sudden when you get that degree they don't exist no more because you don't want no one to know of the hoe tales.

I haven't been to one of their parties yet, but Im excited. I haven't been outside in a while especially since I ended things with Ony. A few kickbacks here and there were going on this past semester for me but that's about it. I like being inside just as much or even more than I like being out.

When I walk down the university building, I put in my headphones ready to blast some Sexyy Red. That woman music got something in it I swear.

"I'm looking for the hoooesssss" I mouth to myself while I nod my head. Shit, I forgot how hard that bass goes. As I bob my head I can't remotely hear the voice behind me trying to catch my attention.

It was Jaden, one of Ony’s teammates, and he's also in Professor Rodriquez class. He gave up calling my name and just let me go.

•••

When I finally left the building and head to my car I instantly switch my music over to the Bluetooth aux and look at my assignment before I pull off. You see... he assigned it to us last Friday and I for real have just been procrastinating till now. I would say my time management is usually really good but its not.

"Ok so I got to just write about 500 words. I could do this tonight no problem."

I put down my phone and start adjusting my rear view mirror only to find light grey clouds of the day turning darker grey. I really hope it don't storm when I'm on the road.

Driving out of the lot and onto the highway, I continue blasting my hoochie playlist. Shrugging at the random pain in my heart I'm feeling, I call one of my girls talking about how much I think this party gon cut all my feelings from Ony and revive the party girl in me.

Im pulling into my apartment complex excited . I haven't been this joyous to go to a party in a while. The mere thought of shaking ass is bringing me serotonin. Just a sweet release of stress. Plus, it's Friday and the party is Saturday night so I'm definitely geeking.

When I stumble up the steps right before the entrance to my residence giddy and jovial, looking for my key, I slightly looked up. The scream in my head is definitely showing me how much I'm not over this feeling in my heart.

I stopped my movement and fought the urge to back step all the way back into my car and hide. I'm not sure why hes here at this time. It's 5:30 which isn't late for real but just a bit confusing enough to make you question why the hell someone is at your door uninvited. Especially since its here. At my apartment. And it's him. With his aura and skin glistening like oil on a hot body.

He was in some black muscle shirt with matching jogger pants. Shyly smiling at me at first but then noticing my expression, he looked down at the state of his body and cringed before looking back in my eyes. Clearly embarrassed. "Sorry you seeing me like this, I just came from practice so I'm still a little sweaty"

I secretly moaned in my head. He looks so good I had to catch my breath and his voice is still captivating up to now. I still can't forget the way he used to t-

I'm getting sidetracked. Let me regain this composure.

"Is there something you need?" I quietly ask. This is no good. The whole point is out of sight out of mind. You know how you want to block somebody on everything and really go out of your way to not see them in person so you won't have to think about them or double back? Well I feel like I'm breaking that right now. It's not my fault sure but the shame still feels the same.

Ony pulls out an object from his pocket. A white, slightly long but thin figure. He looks at it for a moment before looking up at me again and holding it up.

"I came here to give this to you. Im pretty sure it's yours. At least that's what Jaden said."

I squint my eyes in confusion at what he was holding and hurriedly looked through my tote bag to find that I did not have my Apple Pencil for my iPad.

So that's why he's here.

Apple pencils are expensive so I'm not mad. I would've been more upset if I only figured out I dropped it when I got inside and tried to start my paper. But how did he even get it?

He reached his arm out as I began to walk up to him for my pencil. I thanked him for bringing it to me and awkward silence overtook the little rain droplets that noted the thunderstorm about to take place.

Our hands touched ever so slightly as I grabbed my missing pencil. I withdrew immediately and he did the same faintly after. After a few long seconds, he broke the silence.

"Jaden gave it to me at the locker rooms after practice. He said he tried to give it to you after class but couldn't catch up or something so I guess he just wanted me to carry out the deed especially with some paper he mentioned."

I grinned and slightly nodded in understanding, quickly glancing at his eyes before staring at the Apple Pencil. It's strange. He can't really look me in the eye. I mean, I can't either but he's 6'2" so my excuse is good. On top of that, the nonchalance in his tone doesn't sit right with me. It's either he's forcing it or a part of me wants to believe he is just to delude myself that he still cares. It's unfair of me, especially since I probably broke his heart, but it's the real.

"I'll thank Jaden when I see him next class. Thank you for bringing it to me." I quip and walk past him to my door, beginning to find my keys in my bag with the pencil still in hand.

Damn when did I get this shy?

Onys attempt at being nonchalant somewhat was breaking. He stared at the pencil smiling as he spoke and pointed.

"I'm surprised you still have Chowder on there".

I turned my head around, mid-hand in bag. He was referring to the little sticker I had on my ex-missing item. The one that would help me differentiate my pencil from everyone else's so no one would take it. The one he gave me as a funny gift for the love of our mutual favorite childhood show.

I'm surprised he still remembers these little details about me. About us.

"Well it's still my favorite show. I don't think that's ever going to change." I giggle looking back for my keys.

It's hard to do this. To face him. How do people talk to their exes? This isn't even my first but damn. Now my minds all over the place with him and us all over it. All those memories we share. Good and bad.

I stop fiddling in my bag and spoke under my breath with the same thought, caught up in the idea.  "I'm surprised you still remember." I mumbled to myself.

I can feel his presence and his eyes on me, not exactly sure what his actions are. But his voice speaks up with a small sense of fervor in his tone. Something undeniably him. The tone I always craved since it left me.

"Y/n, you can't tell me you don't call to mind how Ive remembered every single thing I've been blessed to learn about you"

I still my hands from roaming once again after I found my keys. At this point, I don't know what's going on. But as I motion my mouth to find what to say a grand lightning bolt flashed down from the sky, hitting somewhere nearby. Thunder that sounded like an earthquake erupted, immediately pouring heavy rain down with it. With that, we instantaneously saw lampposts shut off. All electricity in the area immediately being gone in an instant.

"Ain't no way" I groaned. I can't believe this. I look around at all of the dark areas surrounding the complex except for the emergency lights powered from the generator. Putting my keys in the door, I heavily sigh opening up my residence.

Slowly walking in to the dim natural light from the blinds I turn around to Onyankopon, standing still at the doorstep, and tell him he can come in.

"Are you sure? My car is all good and everything I can still drive."

"In this storm?" I ask raising my eyebrow. I rolled my eyes, "You not gon get nowhere the way this storm going right now. It's fine. Plus, your place is probably out of electricity too."

He nods, "Well thanks, I really appreciate it" He awkwardly steps into the 3 bedroom apartment. My girls usually have class during this time last I checked so we're the only ones here.

I grab some candles to light across my home hoping for some sort of spark to brighten up the place.

Once I withdrew a breath and looked around, the rooms seemed to be lit up enough comfortably outside of the insanely romantic essence it gave off. I stood up from where I was crouched by the living room table where I made eye contact with him sitting up on the couch.

"Soooo could I get you anything?" I awkwardly stand there and he's just sitting... menacingly.

Ugh who am I kidding he looks so geeked out right now.

"It's honestly fine. Once the storm passes I'll be right out forreal you don't have to go through any trouble." He laughs.

With that in mind I obliged and went to my room setting up my laptop and iPad with my now found Apple Pencil. Since the electricity's gone that means I shouldn't have any distractions on focusing on my work.

"Right y/n, focus on the goal. It don't matter that your ex is in the other room. Get on your zoom!" Mumbling to myself  as I type in my username to blackboard to view the rubric.

"What the-"

Shit. Of course blackboard and the wifi is down too if all the electricity is out.

As I groan and leave my room to get a glass of water, I'm getting Ony one too. Seeing him roaming on his phone and placing the glass in front of him on the table I sit on the sofa opposite of him.

He looks up from his phone, "You did not have to do this", he began to grin to himself as he lifted the cup and started to drink.

As I began to speak we both got a notification.

ALL UNIVERSITY STUDENTS: ELECTRICITY IS DOWN ON CAMPUS AND ON AND OFF CAMPUS HOUSING DUE TO A SEVERE WEATHER STORM. MORE UPDATES WILL COME SOON. CURRENTLY, AN ESTIMATION OF 3 HOURS WILL BE NEEDED TO REPAIR DAMAGES TO ELECTRICAL UNITS.

"Fuck" I groaned.

"You're not gonna be able to finish that paper huh?" He questioned.

"No and it's due Sunday. I was hoping to knock it out today before the weekend really starts. I don't need to procrastinate anymore than I already have."

"Oh trust me I remember." He laughed. "I can help yknow. There's nothing else we can do here."

"On what though? Blackboard is down."

"Not google docs or notes app though." He smiled, "As long as you know what you're supposed to write about you're set."

"But I like looking at the rubric when I write to make sure my grades solidified"

"I'm hearing a lot of excuses misses honors student. If you wanted to do it you would at this point. Plus, my specialty is writing papers so I can definitely help"

I remember oh so well. This reminds me of when I procrastinated on a paper last semester the weekend before it was due just like this one and we stayed up till 3 AM writing it. So many laughs and double shot espressos from that time. His specialty really is writing essays and all sorts of papers. That assignment was 5000 words and we started the Saturday and still got an A.

"Shit, why not. It's only 500 words anyway" I joke.

He smiled and we got to work. The first hour went by like nothing. It felt like old times. 200 words were typed but the only thing holding us back was that I actually need to have proper cited sources. Professor Rodriguez do not play around either so it's been a painstaking amount of time trying to find anything with no internet and a on and off personal hotspot.

As Ony and I sit next to each other working on the paper, he lifts up his glass and it accidentally slipped out of his hands onto the table.

"Ah damn I'm so sorry. Let me-"

"No it's cool." I put down my laptop and got up to get a paper towel. When I sat back down and handed the paper towel to him our hands touched again. That once jovial, funny and somewhat relaxed mood we had was now gone. We're exes. This isn't what exes do. We're not friends.

But shit we were . That was exactly what we were like before we started anything or knew there was something there. Even during our relationship we felt just like this at times too. Where the hell did we go? Why did I let us go?

The awkward touch we had became more intimate as I decided to gently grab his hand. The eye contact he made was confused but willing. It spoke "why haven't you done this all this time while I'm right here?" Or at least that's what I think.

Our hands interlocked letting go of the paper towel at this point. Eye contact on something serious as we ask questions to each other with them. As I began to lean down on the couch, Ony couldn't stop staring between my eyes and my lips. He eventually and quickly took the dive, trying not to lose the moment. Embers burned and flowed through the air as he began to shift from my power to his. He embarked on leaning my back onto the couch rather than his. Hands splayed in my locs and taking small breaks to breathe before going back in.

Small moans escape my mouth as he's working me. Kisses pressed on my lips were coming down my chin... then my neck as he suckled on my skin. His hands roamed my body slowly. One on the side of my stomach nearing my ass and the other beginning to feel my breast under my shirt. At this point, he's starting to get more vocal, groaning and whispering sweet nothings along my body.

"You know how much I've missed you y/n. How much I've missed this pretty face... this pretty body... and this pretty pussy" he hissed one kiss after another. "Is this all ok? If you're not fine with this of course I'll stop. Tell me what you want."

His asking for consent was always so sexy and those words... damn I missed him and this.

I looked at his lust blown eyes as he looked up to mine from my stomach as he briefly stopped from going lower and lower.

"I want you Q. I'm all yours." My composure is definitely done at this point. He's got me right now.

"Don't worry. You know I will always take care of you." He slurred, slowly sliding my bottoms and panties down and kissing my inner thighs before locking them in his arms. It's been a while since I've been in this position and I've missed it since forever ago.

Slow pecks from my thighs came closer and closer to the apex of them. He must could tell how nervous I was since his thumbs gently rubbed where they laid at to comfort me. Im in love with the way they feel on me.

"So as you can see I do have some hair ri-"

He side eyed me. "Y/n I'm a grown ass man. You know I like my peaches with some fuzz on it. Now can I have my dinner please?"

He can get so forward like this it's making me shy. I rolled my eyes and laid my head back. I never thought I'd be in this predicament.

"Good girl. Just stay just like that baby."

He nestled his lips on my bundle, wrapping them on to gently suck at a slow and smooth pace. His rhythm was gradually fastening and shortly, his lips unattached from my clit to lap at the bundle once more flicking his tongue. He remembers. He always remembers what I like.

Beginning to close my legs from the sensation, he parts me once again lapping at my cunny fervently. Like some undying need that he can't let go. As a "punishment" for me not taking it, he inserts a finger and then a second to make me break even more than I already am.

I plead and moan, "Ony, baby, I'm leaking"

I can barely control my body now. My breath getting fainter as I breathe heavy.

"Good. You know that's what I want." He keeps pumping. Squelching ensues as he becomes infatuated with his doing. "Look at that shit. All for me huh" He asks looking at my fucked out face.

I disappointedly moan when his fingers leave me but he swipes my essence from its trail and sucks his fingers while maintaining eye contact with me. I whimper and squeeze at the sight.

I guess he wanted to finish the job though. I tried to reach over to slip my hand in his boxers just for him to grab my wrist and pin both of my hands down to finish what he started.

It's always like a switch in him when he's like this. So different from the sweet Onyankopon from everyday that everyone knows. So nasty. I love it. I miss it.

He mischievously watches me. "You feel this?" I moan as he pumps his fingers back in me. I roll my eyes to the back of my head and he chuckles. "I'm gonna take that as a yes. Let me make you cum, princess."

He lowered his head down again as he continued pumping into me. Licking a stripe up my honey and continuing the mess he was creating previously. Languid strokes of his tongue were hitting me just right and my moans started turning to desperate whimpers.

Building me up for a while, he then dipped his muscle into my pussy and interchanging with his fingers, curling them with each stroke. His other hand left my thigh and his thumb began rubbing my clit. Faster and faster he went I started to find my stomach tensing and the air becoming hard to breathe.

In between heavy pants I slip out "O, stop, I'm gonna make a mess!" my eyes rolling to the back of my head and legs lifting and coming together.

He didnt stop and pinned me down pressing on my lower stomach. My moans became octaves higher and higher. He lifted his head from my cunny, "you gon take it and make a mess all over my face. Don't hold back nothing."

With that, he continued his ministrations. My grip on his hair became as tight as it could as I could feel my voice go weak. My legs began to shake as clear liquid lightly sprayed out onto his face and a white ring began to form on his fingers. My pants were beginning to rapidly slow down as I came down from my high, un loosening the death grip I had on his head.

He came back up kissing my cheek then licking my essence off his face and fingers, "Always taste so good." Proceeding to take a rag from my bedroom to clean me up and carrying me to my bed.

Before we even got the chance to speak about what happened, my eyes fell. A nap took over both of us and hours that felt like minutes rolled by.

His arm around me as we slept on our sides felt  like old times. Like something right that I just ripped away from my body. It's so comfortable.

After a dream I couldn't remember, I wake up in a daze, looking behind me to see him knocked out and his arm still around my waist.

Gently moving it off of me, I slowly get up and walk to the bathroom.

"Shit I might as well take a shower"

To be honest, none of this has settled in my head yet. My ex boyfriend who I'm clearly not over in my bedroom after being nasty on the couch is sleeping on my bed... crazy. Real fanfiction kind of shit.

Pushing the light switch up, I notice the bulb illuminate the room. Thank the Lord almighty. I put on my shower cap and get in. I feel myself let go of a breath I didn't know I had when the hot water hits my skin.

This is insane. I shouldn't be hooking up with my ex. I cut it off for a reason... I think. It's gotta be this way for the both of us so nobody gets hurt.

"Bitchhhh" I think to myself in the shower holding my head.

Leaving the bathroom with my towel on, I see my ex looking over at me from his phone, arm now holding his head up to stare me up  and down in awe.

"It's been a while since I seen this view"

I cut my eyes and stand in front of him on my bed. "Look we need to talk- " and my head turned immediately when I heard the front door of the apartment open. Thankfully, my room doors closed, but my girls walked in the apartment gossiping when they called out my name to have our daily debrief of the day.

I cuss at myself and know they probably see the cups of water, candles, and his shoes at the door as they fell silent. Whispering to themselves with words I couldn't make out,  I eventually hear a knock at my door.

I looked at Ony, mortified with a finger to my lips, then took a deep breath, opening the door so they can only see me still in my bath robe.

"Heyyy" I greeted with the awkwardest get out and don't make this weird smile I know.

"Hey mookie, we just wanted to check on you and see if you're good with the electricity going off and everything earlier." One of them said, clearly peeking inside my bedroom to see who's here, eyes widening that it was him before he could move himself. She gave me a look and I gave her one back like we telepathic or something.

"Girl yknow I'm good, just trying to finish this paper" I say hoping she takes the message that I know she's getting from me right now.

"Yeah I'm sure it's realll hard" She said acting like a real smart ass.

With a few more exchanges they go to their rooms to settle down for the night. After hearing both of their doors close I rush back to my room.

"Yeah, you gotta go" picking up his clothes and pushing them to his chest.

"But-"

"Look, I wish there was a better time to talk, but you have to go. This... is strange. We broke up. There's a reason why this ended. I know it was probably stupid of me to let you stay here during the storm, but this wasnt my intention." Pointing at the both of us.

I picked his arm up before he could get a word out to reason with me, clothes just tussled onto his body. If he sweet talks me again I really might not double back this time.

We get to the door and with the least amount of strength he has, he turns his body towards me and gently grabs my hand before I could open the door placing it back by my side.

"Y/n...why are you letting go of us... again? This still doesn't make sense and you know that."

I still. I remember this feeling... this sense of regret. But just like last time, I can't tell if it's the wrong choice or because I don't want to let go.

In truth, Ony feels... familiar. He'll always feel like a memory and I don't want to get too comfortable in his light of nostalgia. He brought such a level of solace in my life that I never wanted to replace. It was even more so after we became official....I don't want to become stagnant because of it. I have my own dreams, my own endeavors, and my own goals that I want to reach. It would be so easy to be a trophy wife to him... and he'd gladly let me. As a woman, I don't want that to be the tell all be all of my life when I know that I had a life before him. I didn't know if I could escape from it then and I definitely don't know now. That's the real reason why I keep shutting him out and probably why we broke up... but he can't know that.

"Because I know we won't end well. We're two different people Ony and this idea that you can just up and think everything is picture perfect for us has to stop now"

He looks in my eyes with such disappointment, then slight anger as his eyebrows pushed together. He opened his mouth to speak again but thought about it and decided not to, closing his eyes in the process. With a heavy huff from his chest, he looked at my eyes one last time for the night before turning away and leaving the complex.

When I shut the door, My girls came out immediately like paparazzi.

"You were over him huh?" One of them snarled at me. "It don't seem that way to me love. Maybe you shouldn't even go to the party tomorrow."

I looked down at the ground and they both took notice of my state. We all went to my bedroom and I explained everything that happened tonight. Their eyes looked at mine with frustration and awe. I held my head knowing their reaction just like they've been telling me for the past 3 months.

"You are not over that boy y/n"

"I think you're confused"

And they're right. I am. But I tell them the same thing I told them every time.

"But when he makes it to the league, what am I going to do? Wag my tail like a dog after him and have niggas tell me that I want his money or that I don't have half his talent for anything like them bitches was saying when we were together? And what if he cheats? He gon have hella girls at his disposable and I'll be feeling stupid like  "I really wasted my time on this nigga". Y'all know how much I love Ony and I was just getting over him too. This is for the best for me right now y'all know that"

They gave each other a look and got up to hug me.

"Whatever decision you choose to make girl you know we got you. Just remember to listen to your heart sometimes"

With that, we said our little goodbyes and retired for the night. Ony on my mind, I went to bed.

Waking up, he is still on my mind. Getting my laptop, I tried to continue the paper but had no will power to do so. The whole morning and afternoon felt like that... no volition and all a blur. Wasting away in my bed after the three different times my girls checked up on me throughout the day I just can't escape him. It doesn't help having the daydream engrained of what could've been present with our past. In that same thought, I hear a buzz on my phone, too in tune with the delusional reaction thinking it could be him.

I look at it to see the ticket for the party tonight that one of my girls sent. I groan and get up, finally deciding to start my day and also prepare myself for tonight.

Hype hoochie music is playing on my speaker and I hear Looking For the Hoes again. I'm thinking of how good everything was before all that happened yesterday. Do I even regret it? Am I blocking my blessings?

I can't let a man distract me from my life though. There's a life before and after him and I have to remind myself of that.

Finally finished with my look and it finally being an hour after the party started, me and my girls head out for the wild night we been planning for months.

What I didn't know was that the line would feel like 3 miles long and realizing we need our ID when we're finally 5 feet before the security. Why are parties this complicated? I don't know. But luckily we all at least have pictures of our ID and got in.

When we step foot into the party, the first thing we see is purple lights illuminating the entire venue. People are scattered everywhere and in every other corner we see the Ques barking and hopping to their stroll.

"Lawd have mercy" one of my homegirls say in love with the ques. Me and the other laugh and roll our eyes.

After some time just standing, we decided to find a small table and sit down with our small get ups. Our drinks from the pregame were starting to kick in after 10 minutes and we were laughing our ass off drunk when we hear "Girl the way you move it got me in a trance-", and that was it. All of us pulled each other to the dance floor and start to turn up. I'm throwing ass on my home girl and catching from the other.

I needed this. Seriously. I forgot how fun it is to be outside in the streets. Seconds later, we hear a scream and laugh from a girl and gasp from the crowd. One of the Ques picked up a girl and started acting like he was eating her out.

We all looked at each other with our jaws dropped. Ain't no wayyyyy. They were not lying bout it getting wild.

Right behind where I see the spotlight shining, about 30 feet away, I saw a face I didn't think I'd see at all. Just as his eyes set in on the scene before him he also saw my eyes and we made eye contact for a brief second.

I turned my body so fast that I almost knocked my home girl over. In the middle of her fussing me out she asked what happened. Naturally, I told her that Ony is at the party.

"Why is a nigga at a Que party is the real question though?"

"Girl unimportant can we please move somewhere else"

We all move to a separate section of the party venue. This can not happen. I'm drunk and I been dancing? I can not see or be around that man right now.

Before I could even get the nightmare out my head, I hear a "Y/n" near my head. I turn around mouth slightly agape to see him once again. Even finer in his put together party get up than his athlete clothes from yesterday. My mind all caught up in him just like last time I'm in a blur of what he's actually saying to me.

"Y/n, why are you here right now?" He whispers yells in my ear from the loud music blasting from the speakers.

I look to my left and right and my homegirls dashed off like the road runner... traitors.

Looking at him once again, eyes low from the drink in my system I ask, "Ony, why would it matter to you? I'm not your girl and you not my man. We single. The real question is why you're at a Que party." Remembering what my homegirl had said to bite back at him.

He fixes his face, his tongue poking at the inside of his cheek looking at me clearly frustrated. Just looking at his face he can't leave me alone. Sorry that's just drunk me talking I don't know whats on his mind.

"Y/n, why the hell you been drinking so much? Don't you got a paper to finish?"

"Ony you are not my daddy get up out my face!" I yell at him. "I'm out here having fun with my girls trying to get over YOUR ASS so why can't you just mind yo business!" Oops. My eyes widened, that last part wasn't supposed to come out. Fuck.

Shit, how did he react to that?

Without time for me to look up and see his face or even hear him utter a word, he has my hand in his and leading me somewhere and fast. I'm trying to keep up but it's kind of hard to have good foot and direction coordination in a party like this and off my ass.

With all of the movement feeling like a blur, I found both of us outside of the party venue from some back door. It's slightly raining by the building and the night sky showed a bright orange street light that was our only light source.

He takes off his jacket and puts it over my shoulders to warm me. It's a bit cold. What a gentleman.

"Y/n ... what did you say?"

He stares directly in my eyes with a sense of fervency and hope. One that I can't deny now.

Part 2?

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Authors Note: Hi y'all! I haven’t written fanfic in soooo long but never stopped reading lmao. I loveeee this one so much. It’s Literally the best fic ive done period thus far. I’m trying to think if I should start writing again fr esp for my fictional anime men.

[saerotonins]

the love that came back

ft. nanami kento x fem!reader

"what more could you wish for?

when the love you once lost, came back into your arms again,"

content warnings: jjk shibuya arc spoilers, angst, fluff if you really squint, little dialogues, going through grief and depression, pure pain, just reader's life through her perspective, implied major character death, bittersweet, depictions of the afterlife, happy ending (i promise)

wc: 4,933

note: i'll just be letting my feelings out because we're about to mourn LMAO enjoy!

inspired by and best enjoyed with: this love by taylor swift

October 31, 2018

when you heard a knock on the door, you expected kento to great you with a smile on his face and a sweet kiss to your lips.

but what you got instead is shoko right in front of your doorstep, giving you the news that your fiancée lost his life in the middle of the war across shibuya— then you felt like your world had crumbled right before your very eyes. he had promised. he had promised to come home to you tonight and come trick-or-treating and give the kids around the neighborhood some candies.

kento never breaks his promises, especially when it comes to you.

but there's always a first time, as they say.

you felt your knees turn into jelly as you fall onto the floor, eyes wide, and heart incredibly shattered. you couldn't believe what you were hearing, this must be a sick fucking joke. there's no way the love of your life is just gone like that. he doesn't fucking deserve this.

"i'm so sorry, y/n," you hear shoko said as she guides your limp body to sit on the couch but you could hardly hear her between your ragged breaths and the ringing in your ears.

what would her apology do anyway? would that sorry bring him back? would that bring him to your arms once again? 

you feel your eyes swell with tears and let them fall off as they please. you wail in shoko's arms, you let out the loudest screams you ever let out in your entire life but none of those did anything to the amount of pain your heart is currently bearing. and for shoko, who has seen a fair share of gore and violence in her life, has never been so disturbed and heartbroken when she saw you wept and mourn for your lover.

that night when shoko left you on your own (not that she had the choice), you drank the fruit flavored champagne you usually sip with kento as he enjoys his whiskey, downing it like it was water but it tasted different.

there's this saying that alcohol tasted better when you're happy and around the people you cherish the most.

your sweet champagne started to taste bitter ever since, and a part of you died that day.

the days have gotten colder.

you miss the way kento's arms would wrap around you, you miss the warmth that he provided, something the heater in your shared home couldn't give.

you feel empty, everything has gone silent, and you hate it. at times like this, when kento is home, you would hear him hum with the vinyl he chose to listen to going along the silent rustle of either the newspaper or a book he had been looking forward to read.

now it's just silence. it's all new to you. you almost even forgot how your voice sounded like because you had no one to talk to.

for the past few weeks, your family and friends, even shoko had visited you to make sure you were okay. but whenever they try to initiate a conversation, they only get either a curt nod or nothing. they have also noticed the change you have been going through. the usual sparkle in your eyes gone, you've gone extremely quiet, your appetite has drastically changed, but they understood nonetheless. 

a few days ago, with the help of his family and from the mercy of any entity that existed out there, the jujutsu tech was able to retrieve kento's body, whatever is left, that is— cremated him and finally held a proper burial. that's the least he deserves.

you asked if you could keep some of his ashes in a little urn, and his family, bless their hearts, agreed as they know that both of you share the pain of losing a loved one. there, it sits in his study together with his pictured frame. another one also sits on your chest, a necklace that holds some of your beloved. a piece of reminder that you and him will still be together.

you walk towards back to the living room, seeing the mess that has been made because truthfully speaking, cleaning up the house was the least pf your problems when you had a lot going through. it has been really rough. every night, at 7 pm, you yearn for the knock of your door, kento's voice declaring his arrival, "hon, i'm home," he would usually say.

now, it's all gone. the clothes he had worn the previous days still in the laundry bags, untouched, for the fear that his scent might go away. 

it scares you. the thought of forgetting the sound of his voice, his smell, his warmth, his company, not being near your reach, terrifies you to the core. but you have to face it all. put on a brave face, live on a life where he doesn't exist anymore. but deep in your bones, your heart, and your soul.

he's still around.

he should be. he promised eternal life with you, willingly get on one knee to put on the prettiest engagement ring you had ever seen.

the saddest part is, he wouldn't be able to see you walk down the aisle. both of you had dreamt of a wedding so perfect. you designing your own gown that would compliment his, a small wedding enough for your family and closest friends, and a honeymoon trip to malaysia where you could just bask in each other's presence, forgetting everything and savor each moment.

he had promised you forever.

and kento never lies. 

but then again, there's always a first time.

it has been months. nothing has changed.

you still feel so empty. nothing has changed around the house either. sure, the living room is clean enough but the bedroom you once shared with kento stayed the same.

you refuse to wash his clothes that was in the laundry basket, you refused to wash the bedsheets, you refused to even make up his side of the bed. and despite how much you missed him, you refuse to sleep on his side of the bed, fearing that sleeping over his scent would lose him completely. it was exhausting to yearn for someone you know is not going back, but you do it anyway.

from the tailoring shop you own, many bride-to-be's are going in and out to pick out wedding dresses with their pretty engagement rings decorating their hand. it feels like a slap to the face, angering even. why do these women have to be so happy picking out the perfect wedding gown while you're out there sulking, stuck with what if's and what could have been.

what could have been your gown? his suit? what could have your wedding venue look like? what could have happen in your honeymoon?

and when you realize that it will always stay that way, it fills you with envy, but more so with sorrow.

it's so unfair to be mad at these people who were lucky enough to find the one but you couldn't help it.

you just also hate the pity smiles they give you when you answer their question, "when's your wedding?" once they caught a glimpse of the engagement ring kento gave you with, "my fiancée passed away," with a forced smile on your face. you're just thankful they don't push you to answer any more questions.

the ring kento gave you is one thing that you will never remove. aside from your necklace, this is a reminder that kento loved you enough to propose, to ask your hand in marriage. that may not be enough considering your situation, but it is something, so you keep it around anyway.

when the shop has finally closed for the day, you come home, sit on his study and sketch more of the wedding dress ideas that you had on your what could have been wedding with kento. you have gone through almost 3 journals sketching everything aside from the dresses. it was venues, suits that he could've worn, your dress, and of course sketches of the both of you walking down the aisle.

whenever you sketch, a tear falls down, then another, and another, until you cry a river all over the page, not caring if the lead from the pencil is barely there due to the wet pages or the ink from your pen is smudging. when you go back to the pages, you see it. you don't mind that it has become messy, it represents the feelings that you have. the yearning, the grieving, the sorrow of a what could've been wife to a what could've been husband.

more months pass by and it's still the same.

it's empty, it's all routine. you wake up, wash your face from the dried tears that you wept from the night before, shower, get dressed, go to kento's study just to admire his face from the picture frame where his urn is placed and say your goodbyes as you kiss his pretty face through the the frame and off you go to work.

it's clockwork, but you don't mind. it's one of the few things that kept you sane, but a deep burning hole in your heart still fire ablaze, waiting to be set off. you doubt it will happen, but some coping might help, so you pretend that you don't mind.

when the night comes, you still prepare meals enough for two, it's muscle memory, you seem to master making portions of two and you plan to keep it that way. it's one of the only ways that keeps you alive. you either save the other half on the fridge or give them to your neighbors.

you had also convinced yourself to wash the bedsheets, but you always remember to spray kento's cologne on his side so it feels like he never left, but his clothes on the laundry basket remains untouched. you have gone through multiple bottles of his favorite perfume from spraying almost every surface of the house, it's expensive but it doesn't matter. as long as it helps to keep his memory, you don't mind.

your friends and family visit you from time to time, to check up on you. they know you're just putting a smile on your face, it's obvious, because your eyes don't shine like they used to, but that's fine enough for them. they also noticed how the house strongly smells like him, but they don't complain anyway.

and as you close your eyes, you take one careful sniff of his pillow that you have grown accustomed to embracing every night (but you know it doesn't feel the same but it would suffice), and drift yourself to sleep as quiet tears fall down.

today is a pretty quiet day. you took a week off from the shop but you're lucky enough that your sister is more than willing to help you. you've been doing nothing but cleaning around the house, watching shows, doing strolls across the neighborhood, visiting parks, and mostly sleeping. it wasn't the most productive way of spending your days off but these are just the things you do with kento when he was still... alive.

it was usually lively when you do it, but now it's quite different. the hums he would usually do to accompany the vinyl he is playing and the quiet rustle whenever he turns a page on his books, all gone. the silence is so loud that you could swear you can hear a hair pin drop. you could only hear the swirls of the fan and your breaths. 

it's silent but it's deafening.

you stood up from the couch and decided to spend some time in his study. these months, you had been spending a lot of time there, doing whatever you can to bring some life into it. 

kento has always been an organized man, not a speck of dust present or a single item misplaced. but ever since, you always thought that it looked like no one was there to inhabit it anymore. so, with a silent apology, you try rearranging things around, keep his lounge and study chair warm but that's about it.

once you entered his study, you remembered that kento has a lot of books left unread. he has been planning to get around and read it. but now he can't, the thought just broke your heart.

skimming through his shelves that was adorned with many books, one caught your eye. it was slightly misplaced, leaning towards another book with a bookmark sticking out.

kim jiyoung, born 1982, it read.

you remember this book.

October 24, 2018

"dear," kento had called out as you were scrolling through your phone with your head on his lap.

"you should read this book sometime, i think you'll like it," he said, making the book cover more visible so you can read the title.

"kim jiyoung, born 1982?" you read out loud.

"yeah, it's a very powerful book from what i've read so far, i think you'll feel the same way about it,"

you hummed, with the busy schedule around the shop, you're not so sure, "i'll borrow it from you when i finally have the time, besides, you can finish reading it first and tell me your thoughts about it, how's that sound?" you say with a smile on your face.

"sounds like a plan, but i can read it a lot to you right now?" 

you like the idea he proposed, his voice is relaxing so you definitely won't mind.

"okay, but i like it better when you read it to me anyway," 

a small smile escaped from kento's lips as a playfully scoffs, "whatever you say."

you hear him clear his throat before reading, "when jiyoung was in fiftth grade..." 

for the next few pages, you felt your eyes grow heavier as you heard his soothing voice grow quiet and let yourself drift asleep.

you regret sleeping on his voice that day. if you would've known it was the last time you would hear him read a book to you, you would've listened more attentively, record his voice, and listen some more. you feel your lips quiver as you feel tears threatening to leave your eyes.

you pick up the book and opened the page where the bookmark sits and you realize he's almost halfway through. you remember him saying that he'll get back to reading it after halloween once his schedule opens up.

guess that will never happen.

you sit on the lounge chair on the drawer where his urn and picture frame is placed. through shaky hands, you remove the bookmark and open the book wider.

"kento, i'm sorry if my voice isn't as soothing as yours but i will try and help you finish this, so just listen and relax, alright?" you voice is shaky and cracking, and you hope he won't mind, you he will listen just like you did, you hope he closes his eyes and rest wherever he is.

after releasing a ragged sigh, you read, "jiyoung's mother received information that the new..."

as you read through the pages, your ready becomes more and more sloppy, sometimes having to repeat sentences or words when you feel like you didn't say them properly. some of its pages soaked with your tears, and take deep breathes when the pain is caught up in your throat. you give kento a silent apology for ruining his books. 

and you hope it's enough, because that's all you can do.

hope.

from then on, you finish book after book during your free time, slowly going through the unread books across his shelves. as time passes by, you may have gone through a lot of his books but reading them never goes easier. every time, you would flood the pages with tears, your breaths are never steady, and by the end of every reading, you would hug the book and close your eyes, sometimes creasing some of its parts.

and you hope he doesn't mind.

July 03, 2019

this is his first birthday that you would have to celebrate alone. and the thought breaks your heart.

as you set the cake on the table beside his picture frame and light the numbered candles.

you blankly at the flames on the cake. he would've been 28 today.

you take a very deep breath and started to sing.

"happy birthday to you," tears started forming in your eyes, singing the song out of tune and through your shaky breaths, "happy birthday to you,"

"happy birthday, my dearest kento," you take another deep breath.

"happy birthday to you." you sang for the last time before blowing out his candles.

another deep sigh. you kiss the pendant that sits on your chest, "i love you," and then the engagement ring on your ring finger, "so, so, much."

from then on, every time the 3rd of july comes around the corner, it becomes clockwork. you sing, blow the candles, kiss the pendant and the ring, and eat the cake all alone. 

it never gets any better, though.

through the years you watch the numbers from the candles grow older.

but you know deep inside he doesn't. the ticking of his clock has stopped.

and so did yours.

October 31, 2019

you dreaded this day to come. on the same year, you managed to come across both of kento's firsts.

his first birthday without him celebrating with you and his first death anniversary.

ever since his funeral, you never had the will in you to actually visit his grave, where his family decided to bury his ashes. you were a coward, you admit.

but losing someone you loved the most is never that easy to get over with.

having to come face to face with your lover's grave is no easy task. you touch the tombstone where his name is engraved.

Nanami Kento

July 03, 1990-October 31, 2018

your soul will always be in our hearts

you sit onto the green grass, put your arms on his tombstone and rested your head over it.

for a while it was silent.

until a rain of tears eventually dropped.

"you're so unfair, kento," you said. your voice hoarse but considerably unnoticed as the pain took over. "you said you'd come home to me, but you didn't," you don't care if there were other people around you, you need to let go of the bottled-up feelings you had for the past year. and so you wail, and wail, and wail, and yell about how much of an asshole he is for leaving you alone. cursing every entity that exists for not protecting your beloved enough. the anger through your voice seeps in but you know deep inside that he's not an asshole. you're just mad and you don't have any way to cope but this.

but your cries have been met with silence, a daily reminder that he's really not here with you. and it breaks you. 

"i love you so much, i miss you so much, i'm sorry for being mean. rest well, my beloved, you have done so much." you say and seal it with a kiss before going back home, if you could still call it that.

every year when this dreaded day arrives, you pick yourself up and go to his gravesite. but this time, you spend your time telling him new hobbies you picked up on, adventures you've gone through, and stories that you have already told him before.

when he was still around, he would ask some questions and reply with either a comment or a laugh.

but this time you were only met with silence.

conversations with him never sounded the same.

20XX

years had gone by without him. you didn't know how you did it either. every day is a new pain that you have to face but you suck it up anyway.

tonight is just a typical night, you were tired from managing the shop and just finished reading kento a book. nonetheless, you prepare yourself a meal as you feel your stomach growling.

as you sit down at the dinner table, you notice something incredibly wrong.

this is the first time you have prepared a portion enough for one.

that thought alone terrified you to the core.

every night you miss his voice still. you wish the voice messages that he left you on the phone would suffice but they didn't. through the phone, his voice doesn't sound as soft and as caring compared to what you usually hear when he's around. but it's not like you can do anything about it, can you?

you have gone through every voice message that he sent you, hundreds and hundreds of them, but you never get tired of it. it has been your lullaby for the past years. you convince yourself that this is the same as when you hear his words fresh from his lips, but you know it's not. it will never be the same. you miss the sound of his actual voice. every laughter, every chuckle, every syllable that escapes his mouth, you miss it. 

the sound from your device isn't as comforting as it was, and it scares you to think that at some point, you will forget what his actual voice sounds like. you didn't like that thought one bit. 

he had flooded your senses. his touch, his smell, his voice, his love, it had invade all of you and has become a part of you and you're afraid that one of those will be forgotten so you desperately try to keep everything alive. 

even when he's not.

you're old now. wrinkles have adorned your whole body and you're not as strong as you used to.

but your love towards kento remained the same. it has become stronger, in fact. being old sometimes makes your memories a bit blurry but everything about your lover is something that you could never forget.

you browse through your photos in the album that has been left. you stroke through his pictures like you can still feel the heat through his skin. you miss the feel of his sharp features and the soft gaze of his eyes. you miss the way he would kiss every part of you and show you how much he loves you in every way possible.

everything still feels like it's yesterday. while everybody moved on, you stayed. deep inside you're still living in a time where kento was existing. you know he would've loved your nephews, nieces, and your grandchildren.

after him, you never loved anyone. you could never love anyone other than him. how could you, when he's all that plagued your mind, you keep on trying to keep his legacy alive, not a part of him forgotten, that he will always be remembered. 

you've been diagnosed a chronic heart disease, but whenever a pain pangs in your heart, you're sure it's not your illness, but the pain of being left alone by a lover who swore to stay by your side.

you know you don't have much time left, and you have come to terms with it, happy, even. you want to meet your lover once again. you want to see kento right before your very eyes and reach him just like you did in your youth.

so by the summer, you have decided to visit kuantan, malaysia with your family.

it's the place you wanted to avoid the most but you know now for sure you're brave enough to visit it. he would've wanted you to go here, he wanted to go here. even if you're a little late, you're glad to make it just in time.

your eldest granddaughter have been guiding you along the shore. you bask in the fresh air and the sound of the waves from the ocean. every thing is so peaceful, but you wish kento was here to witness it with you.

you inhale the air with a weak smile in your face.

one of your nephews then had helped you tuck in for the night.

it was so peaceful. and for the first time in years, you have finally let out a big and genuine smile.

you feel your eyes getting heavy and you know it's going to be the last. and you've never felt any happier.

October 31, 20XX

you have finally died twice.

you were finally buried next to the love of your life. 

in your funeral, your family used the picture you took a long time ago, back when you were 27, mourning and incredibly heartbroken for the lost of your lover.

the kind elderly photographer from the studio you took your photo from was confused as to why you could have been taking one while you're young and looking healthy.

"i don't want to pry sweetheart, but if you're still young and healthy, why are you taking a picture now?" she asked, but you don't mind it one bit.

"when i die i want to look like me and my husband were the same age," you answered with a big smile on your face.

since i too, died that day, you would add but decided against it.

the lady seems taken aback but appreciates the sentiment behind it anyway.

you let out a wide smile so that when both of your pictures are put beside each other, it would look like the one you wore when he was still around. 

when you opened your eyes, you were greeted by the blue sky and a fresh breeze of air. you felt the grass tickle against your skin and it was pleasant. when you get up, you feel your body get lighter, it's as if you weren't old, that you were back from your youth. you looked on your arms and every wrinkle that you remember being present there was all gone.

you look around you and you see a very pleasant scenery. there were trees around and from far away, the splashes of the ocean can be heard. for some reason, everything feels light, including your heart. some butterflies swarm around you like you were a flower, you reach your hand out, letting some of them sit on the tip of your finger.

you were enjoying the company of the butterflies and taking in the beautiful scene before you.

"darling," 

you hear a very familiar voice, and your eyes immediately widen

this isn't a dream right? this is really happening, right?

you whip your head towards the direction of the voice and there you see it.

your lover, your soul, the love of your life, nanami kento.

he looks so ethereal, so peaceful, especially with the soft smile spread across his face.

you're dumbfounded but you take a step, and then another, and another, until you ran your way across the grassy field and leap into his arms. and it was—

oh.

it was so warm. just like how you remembered. you feel your tears fall from your face and weep as you bury your face on the crook of his neck. you decide to take it all in. you inhale his scent, one you have been longing for years, your hug tightens around him. oh he feels so warm. so, so, warm. it's like time has never gone by.

"i'm so sorry," kento said, apology obvious from his voice, "i'm so sorry i was weak—"

"no!" you say as you immediately face him.

"do not say that darling, don't, i know you have fought long and hard enough," you carefully lift your hand to touch his pretty face. you were shaking but you were careful, like he was something fragile, something you're afraid to break. when you finally place it on his face, he immediately leans towards your touch. "t-this is real, right?" he nods, his smile growing much wider, "we don't have to be apart any longer," kento declared with full confidence.

that sentence alone urged you to chase his lips onto yours, the kiss was full of yearning, it was passionate but never aggressive. all of those years, you share silent longings and the hurt between your lips. kento pulled you deeper into the kiss but he was careful enough to handle you gently. every apology was spilled onto both of your lips as you felt tears stream across his face, and that's how you knew he longed for you as you did for him.

without words, you knew how much kento appreciated you for keeping his memories alive. it was enough for you to know that he listened to every word you let out as you read the books in his study, every word that you sang during his birthdays, and every word that you let out whenever you visited his grave. he knew all of it. he watched you weep in sorrow which broke his heart because he doesn't know how to comfort you, but he greatly loved and cherished every gesture. and so, it is his turn to return all of it back to you. 

and he now has forever to give you.

without words, you know what his lips spelled against yours.

i love you.

for once, the love that was once lost, the love that you had to let go free—

finally came back to you.

both of you have finally turned 28.

then, you feel the clock started ticking again until eternal ends.

another note: this is officially the first fic i wrote and i hope everyone enjoyed reading it as much as i enjoyed writing it. i feel like this piece will always be so dear in my heart. rest in peace, my beloved nanami kento, you have fought long and hard. 

[ak319]

Heyy! Omg I love your Arthur Morgan series so much I’ve reread it so many times alr haha

Here’s an idea/request if your interested 🫶🏽 so this takes place right after part three and reader is getting sick of j doing chores all day and wants to study again to achieve her dreams so tries studying in secret and gets caught? Feel free to alter/add whatever u like 🫶🏽

💌TYSM Ritaa! *HUGGIES*, loved to hear that! Hope you enjoy reading this one too!

Warnings/ MDNI: not incest, strictly platonic, abuse, restrictions// I don't condone such behaviour

Wiping the sweat from your brow after chopping vegetables for Pearson, you decided to slip away for a moment’s rest and a quick drink of water. As you sat down, your mind raced through the endless list of chores left to tackle: sorting supplies, feeding the horses-

“(Y/n)! Get your ass here for a minute!”

A sigh escaped before you could stop it. What does he want now?

“Yes… Arthur?”

Without looking up from his journal, he handed you a shirt. “Button’s broken.”

Great. Again?.

“Right.” You mumbled, taking and inspecting it. Unluckily, your disinterest was too evident for him to miss.

Arthur’s gaze lifted from his journal, confusion mixing with mild irritation. “Right what? Fix it.”

“Do you... have to wear it today?”

“It doesn’t matter. Fix it. And wash it too.” He didn’t wait for your answer as you nodded, already bracing for yet another chore.

At this rate, my hands are going to look ancient by the time I’m 30 from all this washing.

You turned to leave, only for his voice to follow you. “Also, bring some coffee.”

“Arthur, don’t drink so much coffee all the time. It’s bad.”

From his cot, he glared, unamused. “What, you a doctor now? It’s only my second cup today.” Before you could respond, Dutch called him over, and he stood, striding off with a parting command, “It should be on the table when I get back.”

Grumbling, you turned to make the damn coffee.

He’ll get it, alright.

These were the times when you found yourself fervently wishing for your brother to get married just so you could be free from the burden of being his maid. But then again, would he even find a woman willing to endure a life like this? God, no, please, give him a wife. ASAP. But then again, you couldn’t help but pray for that unfortunate woman, too, because living here was no piece of cake. Do people even marry outlaws?

"...."

You shook your head and decided it was best to start on the coffee instead of rambling in your head.

⋆⋆⋆

Finally done with the day's work and free from Susan's watchful eye, you made your way to your tent and collapsed, face-first, into the pillow with a satisfied groan. You lay there, savoring the brief solitude, until a gentle throat-clearing sounded just outside your tent. The voice that followed caught you off guard. It was unmistakably Hosea’s soft, friendly tone.

You quickly composed yourself and stepped out to greet him.

"I wanna show you something. Come," he said with a smile, gesturing for you to follow. As he led you around the camp, you couldn't help but notice Arthur's horse was gone.

Thank God.

When you reached a quiet spot, he motioned for you to sit on an overturned crate beside him. "So, I gathered a few books here,” he said, a small stack beside him. “Annabelle mentioned you like reading, hm?"

"I--well..." Your voice faltered. How could you explain that after everything, your heart had shut itself off, wrapped tightly in a cocoon of cynicism? Arthur’s words echoed in your mind,

'Walking with empty dreams is useless. Lazy.'

The books felt like a window to something lost. They reminded you or maybe haunted you, of a past drenched in hope, of that rainy night when it all started to unravel.

"Well? Look, I'm gonna be honest with you," Hosea continued, his voice a comforting blend of seriousness and warmth. "You're a sharp girl, with a damn keen mind and a thirst for knowledge. So why waste your free time when you could read? I’ve got plenty of books you can borrow anytime you like."

You shifted, fiddling with your fingers. "No--I mean...thank you, really, but...it’s just..." The words caught in your throat, but you pushed on reluctantly. "Y'know...Arthur just...doesn’t… I don’t know how he’ll--"

"React?" Hosea let out a knowing chuckle. "Who says he has to know? Read when he's not around, it’s simple. And what’s his deal with you reading, anyway?"

"It’s not like he’s ever said anything specific, but..." You sighed. "I think he worries...that somehow the books will make me cling to the past. And honestly, what’s even the point of reading, really, when this is all I have to look forward to? Living here… forever."

"Now, don’t talk like that." Hosea’s tone softened, his eyes filled with an almost fatherly concern. "We all have different lives and paths, our thoughts and dreams that’ll shape our futures. And I’d like to see you have a life outside of all this, one with more than just survival, you hear me? You think I don’t want that for you? Sometimes I even think about it myself when Dutch is... well, being Dutch." He grinned, and you couldn’t help but giggle at the shared understanding.

"Also, don’t go thinking that being a girl can stop you," he added with a wink. "So… whaddaya say?" He waved the book enticingly in front of you, and any resistance you had left melted away.

"Sure. Thanks a lot, Hosea."

"No problem. And don’t you worry about Arthur, okay?" You nodded, cradling the book close as you slipped back to your tent. The weight of its worn pages in your hands felt like a secret gift. Maybe today wasn’t such a bad day after all.

⋆⋆⋆

It was just another day when you finished your chores and when you were sure Arthur had gone hunting, you settled into a secluded spot on the edge of the camp, your book propped on your lap, and lost yourself in the words, the outside world fading away.

That is, until someone snatched the book from your hands.

"Hey!" you shouted, startled.

"What’s this, oh, these damn boring books!" John, who was a year younger than you and had a knack for finding you when you least wanted to be found, held the book out of reach with a mischievous grin.

"Can’t you just play with me instead sometimes? I swear I’m so bored these days!" His voice was grating, and you could feel your irritation rising.

You lunged forward to snatch the book back, but he leapt backwards, a teasing spark in his eyes.

“John! This isn’t funny! I’m not free like you all day, alright? I do actual work around here, not out there trying to shoot a rabbit and missing every time, and now I’m relaxing, so stop being a jerk! Hosea would be mad if he found out you messed with his book!”

“Of course, the oldie is your tutor,” he laughed, clearly unfazed. “How about we do something that makes both of us happy? I get to play, and you get your book back.”

Gritting your teeth, you feigned a serious demeanor. With a quick breath, you lunged at him again, your frustration bubbling over. John’s playful stance told you he was ready for a chase, and before you knew it, you were darting after him, laughter bubbling up despite your annoyance.

As much as you wanted to giggle and enjoy the thrill of the moment, there was a lingering fear at the back of your mind, what if Arthur returned early? The last thing you wanted was to be caught in a childish game when he expected you to be responsible.

"JOHN! COME BACK! DON’T GO TOO FAR!" you shouted, but he ignored you, running toward the small lake that fringed the camp. You had no choice but to follow him, anxiety bubbling up inside you, not just from the chase, but from the thought of losing that book. It wasn’t just some random novel, it belonged to Hosea, and you couldn’t let him down.

“Here, take it!” John taunted, a mischievous grin spreading across his face as he threw the book into the lake.

“JOHN, WHAT THE HELL IS WRONG WITH YOU?!”, your frustration boiling over as you watched the book sink beneath the surface.

“GO GET IT! HURRY!” You shouted, while John stood reveling in his victory.

“I don’t know how to swim!” He shot back.

“FUCK YOU!” But you knew you couldn’t let Hosea down. You couldn’t let that book be lost.

With a determined breath, you dove into the lake, plunging into the cold water. Your heart raced as you fought against the initial shock, remembering the few basics your dad had taught you when you were ten. You focused on the glimmering book sinking just out of reach and swam deeper, stretching your fingers to grab it. That's when John realized that maybe he went too far and kept calling your name.

Finally, you managed to wrap your hand around the damp cover. Kicking off the bottom, you propelled yourself upward, gasping for air as you broke the surface, the book clutched tightly to your chest.

"(Y/N)...I am sorry..." He stammered when he saw the look of absolute rage on your face. He knew he was going to be dead if he got in your hands.

The moment John took off toward camp, you bolted after him, fury blazing in your chest. He’s going to pay for this, you clutched the soaked book tightly in one hand and narrowed the gap between you. You could hear his frantic apologies as he dodged between trees and crates, but you weren’t letting him off so easily. This time, he had gone too far.

As the camp came into view, you spotted Arthur’s towering figure near the fire. He was leaning against a post, arms crossed, a dark look already on his face as his eyes landed on John racing toward him with you close behind.

“Oh, shit…” you murmured under your breath, your heart pounding even faster. You slowed your pace, watching as Arthur’s expression shifted from mild irritation to intense, unfiltered anger. John stopped short, nearly tripping over himself as he came to a halt in front of Arthur, his face pale.

“Arthur--uh-- I was just--we....” Arthur cut him off, his voice low and deadly calm. "What? Messin’ around, huh?”

Arthur’s eyes narrowed, shifting to you, drenched and clutching the wet book. His voice dropped into a growl. He directed a sharp glare at John. “Looks like more’n that to me.

John’s face drained of colour. “Um-we were just--playin'” he started backing away under Arthur’s icy stare, but Arthur grabbed him by his ear and pulled him closer, making John let out a burning wince.

“Listen here, you little idiot,” Arthur snapped, taking a step closer until John practically shrank under his gaze. “You ever pull somethin’ like this again, you’re gonna find yourself missin’ a few teeth, you understand me? Stay away from her.”

John nodded frantically, too scared to speak, and when Arthur jerked his head in a silent order to leave, John took off like his life depended on it.

Arthur’s eyes turned to you, his face darkening. His gaze swept over your soaked clothes, the way you clutched the dripping book like it was something precious, and his jaw clenched.

“Care to explain why you’re drenched head to toe?” he asked, his voice low but laced with irritation.

You swallowed, choosing your words carefully. “I…just wanted to get the book back.”

Arthur raised a brow, unimpressed. “And what the hell were you doin’ with it in the first place?”

You stammered, caught off guard, and Arthur’s eyes narrowed. He reached out, grabbing your arm firmly, pulling you closer. “Don’t tell me you’ve been sneakin’ around to read like a fuckin princess,” he muttered, his tone a mix of anger and disbelief. “That why you’re makin’ trouble?”

You opened your mouth to protest, but he was already fuming. Before you could get a word out, his grip tightened, and he gave you a hard, reprimanding shake. “You think jumpin’ in the damn lake’s a smart idea? Riskin’ yourself over some dumb book!? Are you fucking serious?”

“Arthur, it’s not-” you tried to explain, but he cut you off with a sharp slap across the cheek, the force of it blurring your mind for a few seconds, sending a shock through your whole body. You touch your cheek, trying to keep the hurt off your face and shield yourself from another one.

“You’re makin’ my life harder with this reckless nonsense, thought' I made it clear that there ain’t no use for fillin’ your head with fantasies out here. You need to learn what’s important here. Don’t forget your place. Also told you to not wander off! There are all sorts of dangers out there!”

Your voice was broken but you still managed to retort, "It's...not just fantasies...why can't you get it-" He threw the book from your hands, irked.

“Watch it,” he snarled, gripping your chin with bruising force, his face close, dark eyes simmering with anger. “You think I got time for this nonsense? Next time you got free time, you spend it doin' somethin’ useful, not messin’ around in places you don’t belong.”

But before he could go any further, Hosea’s voice sliced through the tension like a whip. “Arthur! Enough!” Hosea’s tone was sharp, urgent, as he stepped forward, grabbing Arthur’s arm and prying him back. “Have you lost your damn mind? Let her be!”

Arthur jerked back, breathing heavily as he let go, his jaw tight with frustration. He shot you a look that still held that smouldering fury but kept silent under Hosea’s watchful gaze. The older man placed a protective hand on your shoulder, guiding you behind him, his face set in a firm, disappointed scowl as he looked at Arthur.

“This isn’t how we treat our own,” Hosea said quietly, the warning clear in his voice.

"I will treat her however I want, so shut it, old man! She jumped in the fucking lake for a damn book!" He turned back to you. "If I ever catch you slackin’ off with one of these again, or doin' such stupid stunts, there’ll be hell to pay. You hear me?" You nod quickly, too scared to even meet his gaze, swallowing back any retort.

He muttered under his breath and turned sharply, stalking off into the woods, leaving you standing there, shaken but grateful for Hosea’s intervention.

“You alright?” Hosea’s voice softened, his eyes filled with concern as he watched Arthur disappear.

Though your throat felt tight, you nodded as your hands still clung to his coat. “Hm.”

“Don’t let him get to you, you do a lot more around here anyway, more than anyone I would say,” he murmured. “He...he's just afraid. But you...don't have to be."

You tried to smile through your tears, though the sting of Arthur’s slap still lingered, and you knew it would for days to come.

Hosea gave you a gentle pat on the shoulder, noticing the way your gaze lingered on the soaked book. “I see the book’s wet, but it’s alright. There are plenty. I’ll buy this one again for you.” His tone was warm, reassuring. “Now, go change before you get sick.”

You managed a small nod, before hurrying to the privacy of your tent. As soon as you stepped inside, the weight of the day finally crashed down on you. You sank onto the cot, clutching the damp fabric of your clothes, and let the tears fall, the frustration and anger pouring out in muffled sobs.

Everything, Arthur’s fury, John’s reckless prank, the guilt over Hosea’s book, hit you all at once. The tent felt like the only safe space at that moment, the only place where you didn’t have to hold back. Perhaps, it's better if you don't read, maybe Arthur is right...but Hosea's hopeful words rang in your mind. You buried your face in the pillow, letting out everything, all the confusion, anger and pain that was clawing you from inside, draining yourself.

[bluereo]

Pt.1 link above

Superbat with some Batfam hurt/comfort - fic idea

It gets worse before it gets better. I'm sorry.

There will be part 3

Pt.2

It took them longer then it should to realise they fucked up.

Maybe it was one too many close calls, one too many bruises or broken bones. But they finally saw it. This silent pain buried deep in the heart of one they called Father.

Truth was, Bruce wasn't getting any younger. Of course, he still had some years before the idea of retirement even started to look appealing, but he was not getting any younger.

Pretty much all kids grown up by now, Damian was the only one full-time kid at the manor. Each of them had their own lives to live, their partners, hell, even kids.

Manor started to feel painfully empty, loneliness Bruce hadn't felt in years started to come back. Just like so many years ago when his parents died. Empty corridors and empty rooms that looked lived in but no one wrapped in those blankets at night, no one stole snacks from kitchen just after midnight and no one to talk to during breakfast on a week day.

Of course, they saw each other and talked, but it wasn't the same anymore. Patrols were patrols, and missions were missions. Nothing compared to movie nights and cuddle piles when someone was sick.

It's no surprise that Bruce turned away from Clark when his time with kids was already heavily limited and started to decline further.

He cherished each dinner they had at weekends, and he couldn't let this go. What was one more sacrifice in sea of his past mistakes and sacrifices to keep his family in one piece?

But kids saw it finally. How harmless joke, soft teasing turned to poison that was injected directly in Bruce's heart. He needed someone by his side. He spent too many years surviving and carrying burdens of the city and world on his shoulders. He deserved someone he could count on. Not like parent and child but like partners.

And who was better for that than Superman himself?

Soon, kids started planning.

Dick, being a member of JL, saw personally that despite months from breakup, Clark and Bruce were just as gone for eachother like half year earlier. He tried to talk with Clark, but man just refused to even start this topic with Bruce. "I respect his decision. He already hurts from this, and until he says so, we are, and will be, just friends."

Jason tried a more direct approach. Not straight up talking about this like an adult should, Wayne's were after all the most stubborn and emotionally dysfunctional people on the planed after all, but tried to talk nonetheless. "You could stop being this grumpy old prick and find some hobby that doesn't include brooding and running around punching people in the faces. Find someone to talk with for fucks sake." No suprise it didn't really work. Talking to someone was taken as a message to increase the amount of his therapy meeting. (And here Bruce thought he was doing good in eyes of his kids...)

Tim turned to his advanced technological and planning skills. The number of setups he prepared where Bruce and Clark ended in one room without chance to leave for hours was worse than all romantic comedies created. Not to mention changing their schedules so they spend more time together in watchtower. Tim unfortunately got nothing from it besides massive headache, few sleepless nights, and second-hand embarrassment in concerning amounts.

Girls decided to team up in their attempt to mend broken hearts. They tried every single piece of advice they found in media and books. Sweets send from kne to another, flowers with secret meaning, they even tried to create some kind of love potion though website clearly knew nothing about magic. After the third attempt to add some rose petals to ink chanting questionable things in Latin, they settled for being Tim's support in imprisoning lovebirds together.

Only when Damian was half way in to threatening Clark with a knife made of kryptonite Bruce had enough.

______________

Working slowly on part 3.

Correct me if there are any mistakes. I don't have beta reader and I'm tired as hell.

Also, sorry if the girls' part turned out to be a bit forced. I had no idea what to do with them since they seem to be somehow the most sane ones.

[charlewiss-writes]

paper rings / mick schumacher

masterlist

day 28: rings (part of one-word november prompts!)

world count: 1.7k

summary: the four times mick jokes or talks about proposing, and the one time he finally does.

authors note: this took me awhile! had a lot going on between finals and I got too into the wc lmao but here it is! i think it's cute and it's the longest I've written! inspiration from certain dialogues comes from here, although I tried to make it special somehow. hope you like it! <3

loosely inspired by

I

being the new kid at school was never something good. after moving and changing schools too many times due to your dad's job, you had grown to notice that children were cruel when somebody new entered class. especially now, being 14 years old, it seemed like everyone had their close circle, and there wasn't a chance that they would let you into their small bubble. thankfully, for the first time ever, you weren't the only new kid in town. a tall, blonde boy with a thick german accent was called by the teacher to stand up and introduce himself to the class. that's how your learned that his name was mick. fast forward a few months, you two grew closer, drawn together because you were the new kids that didn't quite fit in.

one cold morning, while you two were sitting on a bench together, watching the other kids run around during recess, you noticed that your blue-eyed friend was quieter than normal, like he was thinking about something. "what is it, mick?" you asked, gently nudging his side to get his attention. "just thinking about things" he replied, straight to the point. he normally wasn't too talkative, but you two used to exchange a few words during the break, even if you were the one talking and he just answering to you. you decided that if he wanted to tell you, he would eventually, so you dropped it.

"ever thought of getting married to someone?" he said, seemingly out of nowhere, when the bell indicating that the recess was over ringed. you shrugged, never really giving the topic much thought, even though you were currently immersed in reading books that were all about love and happy endings. you never considered that's how life could go for you too. you asked mick, a bit confused this time "who would I get married to?". his cheeks went red in an instant after hearing your question, and his blue, beautiful eyes were fixated on the floor while you two walked back to the classroom, side by side, only connected by the shy touch of small hands brushing against eachother. "i don't know, maybe a friend?".

II

at sixteen, it seemed to you that everyone had already met the love of their life. at first, you didn't mind it, but when the girls you hanged on with at school started to forget about you, too wrapped up in their teenage flings, you were done with it. poor mick, always the listener, found himself the receiver of every complain you could have about boys and your failed love life. every boy you seemed to like always ended up being an asshole, and the blonde boy warned you everytime, but you wouldn't listen.

"i'm so sick of this, why is it so complicated? i won't ever marry, end of story. i'ill end up alone forever" you had concluded, after being too disappointed due to yearly school ball that was ocurring tonight but you refused to go, given that you didn't have anyone to ask you to go. "I wouldn't mind being married to you" mick, almost too soft for you to pick up, had said. you smirked and jokingly replied, always diminishing his efforts, telling yourself he didn't really meant it, but that he said it anyways to make you feel better. "obviously, I'm a catch."

he grunted, mad that you weren't taking his sayings as truthful. "i'm serious, y/n" he told you again, now looking into your eyes. "so am i, mick".

III

you never quite like big parties. and you never would have agreed to go to the one you were invited to now, if it was up to you. but mick, sweet boy mick, couldn't say no when corinna invited you to celebrate new years with them after some months without really staying in touch with your best friend. you thought that it was for the best: having recently discovered about your feelings towards the german boy, and being sure that it wasn't mutual, you decided that staying away would help the feelings disappear. but apparently, whatever "absence makes the heart grow fonder" shit they said was true, or so you learned to agree on, since you couldn't remember a day where you didn't want to talk to him and go back to the way things where before

"it's the sixth one you try on, y/n. everything looks great on you anyways" the boy said, seated on the sofa that the store provided for those who weren't trying on clothes. even if you didn't detect any frustrations in his voice, she apologized for how long the seemingly easy task was taking her. "that isn't true, mick. i'm sorry for being annoying, should have brought gina with me."you quipped. mick frowned as he heard you favouring his sister over him, and quickly replied "hey, no, you're not annoying. i didn't mean for it to sound like that." you smiled at his fast reaction, careful to not get into your bad side knowing how quick you could get mad. still, you were in a playful mode, and continued with the banter, even if there was a bit of truth in your statement. "i don't know how you put up with me, honestly." you sincerely hugged him, absorbing his heat and perfume.

"maybe it is because I've been hopelessly in love with you since we were kids."

you broke the hug when you heard what he said, trying to hide the goosebumps that appears in your skin, and the effect his grazing breath had on you. almost as if it was second nature to you, you put on the joking mask, again, afraid to let him see the hopeful look in your eyes that, maybe, just maybe, he felt the same for you. "ha! that was a good one, schumacher. almost had me going with that serious expression." you signaled to his face, jaw locked and confused eyes. "forgot i can read you like a book."

IV

after getting tired of seeing how every partner you had never lived up to what you deserved, your best friend -until then- had decided that he had to step up. that's how you two had end up together, just as your two families always talked about. at first, you were quite afraid that, after all these years as friends, becoming something more would damage the relationship you already had, but gladly it surprised you for the better: mick and you worked well together, easily passing from friends to partners. after finishing school you started to work in a garden center, and now aged twenty and with some help from your family, you were thinking about opening your own shop. the only thing stopping you was the fact that you still couldn't figure how you would name it.

"why not using your last name?" the blonde boy suggested, while walking through the rows of plants that almost engulfed him. you huffed, already considering that idea due to it being a family business, but not quite liking how it sounded. "not everybody has a cool last name like you, schumacher" you joked, and the blonde boy smiled at you, slowly making his way towards you to hug you from behind. "you could have it too if you wanted" he advised, whispering in your ear. it sent chills down your spine. "y/n schumacher, sounds cool, doesn't it?" mick said, with a confident smile painted in his lips. your cheeks reddened at the idea of sharing his last name. it wasn't the first time you two had talked about marriage, and even when you agreed it was still too soon, just thinking about sharing his last name left you feeling warm inside. so, you did what you always do best: deflect with humor. "can you just ask me to marry you like a normal person?".

V

it was another rainy day at home, and due to the boredness creeping in your bones since you had woken up far too early and couldn't go back to sleep, you had resolved to spend your time scrolling on tiktok. at least until it was an acceptable time to start making breakfast, or until mick woke up. whatever happens first, you thought. but after a few minutes laying still, only paying attention to the media displaying in your phone, you ran across a crafting video of some sort, that taught how to do paper rings. being the absolute biggest fan of taylor swift on planet earth, you couldn't contain the excitement of trying it out, so you slowly left your boyfriend's arms to go look for the required things.

"why did you woke up so early?" the croaky voice of your boyfriend due to the sleepiness still towering over him startled you, not expecting him to wake up so soon after your departure. "i'm sorry, love." you replied, pouting, and standing up from the table to hug him, hiding in his chest. "did i woke you up?"

his full, pink lips warmed your heart when you heard what he said. "no, i just missed you", followed by an eye rub to dissipate the sleep that remained. you grabbed his hand, and rushed him to join you at the counter where you were working at. "i just came across a video and wanted to try it out. look, i made you a paper ring" you said, grinning like a child who just got gifted what she asked for christmas. mick reciprocated your energy, seating beside you while asking "can you teach me how to do one?".

after teaching him how to fold the paper correctly and endure multiple paper cuts, you left him alone to continue the task while you went to make tea since the weather outside continued to be awful and grey. too focused on the task at hand, you didn't hear when mick stood up and got on one knee, until he reached for you waist, saying "liebling, can you turn around please?".

your breath got stuck instantly when you turned to face him, as the tears came crashing down your face. being together since you had turned twenty, now aged twenty-two, and having known him your whole life, it clicked instantly that this was how it was meant to be: you two, together, at home, without shiny things but filled with endless amount of love from both sides. "will you marry me?" he finally said, with tears brimming from his clear blue eyes.

"about time you'd ask, schumacher".

[mj-iza-writer]

Caretaker heard the coughing, he knew that cough.

The cough Whumpee would desperately hide from him, but couldn't, especially when they gasped for breath after every coughing fit they had.

Caretaker grabbed his kettle and started to fix his tea.

Whumpee came down fully dressed and ready for the day.

"Oh, where are you going?", Caretaker faked a smile, "or should I ask where you think you're going?"

"Oh um, I had plans with you", Whumpee looked up pleadfully.

"Yes, and you still do, but the original plans are going to be rescheduled", Caretaker pulled the kettle off the stove as the hum got louder.

Whumpee looked up sadly, "Wh-what do you mean?", Whumpee talked with a rough voice, trying to hide a cough in their throat.

"Whumpee you've been hacking all night", Caretaker rolled his eyes, "and I know you're trying to cover it up, but you can't hide that."

Whumpee looked down.

"You need to rest today. Please go put on your pajamas or something comfortable", Caretaker poured two cups of hot water, "then come back down for tea."

Whumpee finally let their cough out, "I'm sorry Caretaker", they started to turn.

"Nothing to be sorry for, I'm sure you didn't ask to be sick", Caretaker smiled, "we can plan our day again when we aren't sick."

Whumpee nodded, then went up to get changed.

Caretaker set up the tea and smiled as Whumpee entered the room.

"Okay, this should help a little, I'll start breakfast and get some medicine in you", Caretaker watched Whumpee take a few sips of the tea, "I'll have you rest though out today, so you can do whatever, as long as you're resting. You need to sleep as well, so don't feel bad if you get tired" Caretaker hid a smile as he took a drink.

After breakfast Whumpee sat on the couch with a book. It wasn't long after they started to feel drowsy.

Caretaker came in to check on them.

"Hey I'm feeling really tired all of a sudden", Whumpee looked at Caretaker with droopy eyes, "did you accidentally give me something that would make me tired."

"It wasn't accidental. Your tea was my cold and flu sleepy tea", Caretaker smiled, "I heard you coughing all night, and that means you weren't sleeping. I know you enjoy going long periods without sleep, but you need to get better."

Whumpee's jaw dropped, "Caretaker, you drugged me."

"I guess you could say that", Caretaker grinned, "don't worry, I have your favorite meal planned for lunch to make up for it."

Whumpee shook their head but couldn't hide a smile, Caretaker was lucky they trusted him.

Caretaker helped Whumpee lay down and covered them up.

"I... can't... believe... how good... that..stuff works", Whumpee struggled to keep their eyes open.

Caretaker knelt down, "yes, it definitely works very well", Caretaker smiled and played with Whumpee hair, "do you want to hear about lunch?"

Whumpee weakly nodded to tired to talk now.

"I just ordered groceries and medicine to be delivered. I bought Rye bread and mozzarella cheese. I also bought tomatoe soup. So I'm making your favorite, grilled cheese and a side of soup because you like to dip. I'll also put some shredded cheese in the soup to make it even better", Caretaker started to whisper as Whumpee's blinking grew slower and slower.

Whumpee opened their eyes a final time and grinned at Caretaker.

"Go ahead and get some rest", Caretaker reached for the book Whumpee was cuddling, and made sure to bookmark it. He watched Whumpee's eyes close one last time.

Caretaker played with Whumpee's hair for a few more minutes before getting up.

Whumpee's breathing had settled now, they were already heavily sleeping.

Caretaker smiled as they sat down across from them, "get well soon Whumpee."

Brought to you by me not feeling well the last few days. Funny story I was drinking Cold and Flu PM (night time) tea at work, and I would get super drowsy. I thought they just used more calming leaves to help you relax, but no, that stuff knocks you out. I was at work floating on clouds. I'm getting better though, so that's nice. I hope you enjoyed the story. -MJ

Taglist. As always please let me know if you want to be added or taken off of the list. It's not a problem at all. @villainsandheroes @the-beasts-have-arrived @sacredwrath @porschethemermaid @monarchthefirst @generic-whumperz @bloodyandfrightened @freefallingup13 @notpeppermint @cyborg0109 @idontreallyexistyet

[aneurinallday]

The Tale Of When Aneurinallday Had Pneumonia That One Time

In March, my sibling took me to a concert and I got a bad "cold". I thought I was getting better when the fever, nausea, and other cold symptoms stopped, but the cough just would not go away :>

I literally couldn't sleep because of the non-stop coughing which got worse when I lay down. I even tried sleeping while sitting up and leaning forward, but it didn't work.

I had no appetite, and couldn't eat anything except some yoghurt and puréed fruit. I had zero energy, and I got exhausted just going up the stairs. I was 100% miserable. After 10 days my fam was like, right, this ain't no cold, you're Sick with a capital S.

So in the morning I went to the GP, and as soon as I stepped in the GP office, he was like "well, I can hear what the problem is" because I was wheezing. And he did the stethoscope, and told me I had pneumonia and my lungs were absolutely full of phlegm.

I was kinda scared, because my mum once knew someone who knew someone who died from pneumonia, so I wondered if I was going to die :<

So he sent me straight to the hospital (the directions were bad and I had to walk all the way around for 20 mins while wheezing)!and they put me on an oxygen tank and gave me antibiotics and stuff.

They took 3 or 4 different blood samples, AND THEN LOST THEM, so they had to take the blood samples again. I did a chest X-ray too. But there were no beds available, so I had to wait hours for a bed.

First they put me in the lung ward (I think) which was full of elderly people. The old lady in the bed next to me was straight-up dying and I had to pretend I couldn't hear her family crying and saying goodbye. It was very awkward and upsetting so I put my earphones in and listened to music. But I don't know when she actually passed away, because that night I got taken to a different ward, where I stayed.

Things I didn't like about being in hospital:

being an ill person

being surrounded by other ill persons

constant noise, it was very loud at all hours because of all the beeping and suffering

icky bad food

very tedious - I was too tired to read books or watch TV, so I just rested all day and listened to music in my earphones

my bed didn't have any curtains and it took several days for them to put curtains up so I could finally get changed

I couldn't shower because of my tubes and plasters and stuff

my oxygen tube wasn't long enough to reach the bathroom, so I had to carry my oxygen tank with me to the bathroom

I had BIG injections of antibiotics three times a day, so my hand and arm developed bruises from being jabbed all the time

I kept having nosebleeds because the oxygen made my nose so dry

Things I liked about being in hospital:

All the nurses were really nice and took good care of me

They gave me ICE CREAM EVERY DAY!!

Being wheeled around the hospital in a wheelchair. It was like being on a very slow ride.

Also, apparently the fact that I had pneumonia in BOTH lungs was so fascinating and interesting, that they actually brought in some medical students to examine me and ask me questions. They even asked my permission to look at my chest X-rays. So that was cool?? I guess???

Then one day the doctor was like "well you are not recovered yet, but if you stay in hospital there is too much risk of you catching covid or something from the other patients, so it's best that you go home" so I got sent home.

And after a few weeks I went back for another chest X-ray and they said Yay you are healed :>

The End

Oh and then my family got sick immediately after, and we all missed my uncle's funeral :<

[yawn-junn]

hihi! i was wondering if i could request haemin x fem reader and he’s like comforting her after she’s been burnt out from school, if you’re uncomfortable with this that’s completely okay! thank you so much anyways! your writing never fails to put a smile on my face btw, i’m always excited to see read your works! 🫶🏼

✂Addictive Love - Haemin~ ༝༚༝༚♡ﾞ

✂Special thanks too: Anon, Haemin, 8Turn

✂Note: I'm still sick and can't really focus but I hope you enjoy ♡︎ also happy Halloween everyone

✂TW: Slight angst : crying : stress : school : homework : Bones cracking : Haemin basically babying reader : sitting on Haemins lap : Haemin changing reader : reader wears makeup :

✂Taglist: @bunnie-stay-p1ece

✂Words: 619

10-31-23

Doubt filled your mind as you skimmed through the pages your professor provided you, the deeper you went into the text book more tears piled in your eyes, before you knew it you were a crying mess. Unbeknownst to you, you're boyfriend of two years Jung Haemin, was planning a surprise for you.

He noticed you've distanced yourself. Only staying at school or, in your room studying or, doing homework. While you were sobbing over you're text books Haemin had arrived at your house with a huge bouquet, arranged of you're favorite flowers. Haemin noticed how quiet the house was while he was taking his shoes off, no matter how hard he listened he couldn't hear you're pencil, you're sighs of frustration, nothing he heard absolutely nothing.

Worried, Haemin set his journey up the stairs, off to your room. Softly calling out your name after approaching every room, finally he made it to your room. The sound of your silent cried through the door broke Haemin's heart immensely. He slowly creaked the door open so as to not startle you, seeing you curled up on your seat tears running down your face, caused Haemin to almost drop the flowers.

Rushing to your side, Haemin sat your flowers on your desk, embracing you in a huge hug, "hey your ok...don't worry ok? It'll all be over soon, Don't worry about it" Haemin whispered in your ear petting your hair. Before rocking the two of you back and forth, Haemin picked you up, before quickly sitting in your seat and, placing you on his lap, after 30 minutes or so you're tears calmed down.

Before you could speak Haemin shushed you pushing you back into his chest "shh don't say anything. You don't have to explain anything to me...just rest ok?" Haemin assured in a soft voice. Haemin continued to rock you back and forth, almost like a mother would, to stop her infant from crying. Upon noticing you've fallen asleep, Haemin unwrapped one arm from around you, still rocking you with his body and other arm, as he flipped through the pages of your text books and packets.

Once gathering the information he needed Haemin grabbed you're pencil and began writing, his hand writing an exact replica of your's writing down answers he knew pausing to think on one's he didn't. A few hours later Haemin finished you're work, while still rocking you back and forth on his lap. Hooking his arms under you're butt he lifted both you and him up, his bones audibly cracking as he stretched.

Making his way over to you're bed he sat you down, before going to your closet to grab you're sleep clothes, making his way back over to you he changed you into you're pajamas. Grabbing makeup wipes to wipe off whatever you had on, once he got you're makeup completely off he brushed his fingers through you're hair.

Admiring your peaceful face. Haemin eventually laid down next to you tucking you and him in, turning towards you kissing you're head, then eventually falling asleep with you nuzzled deep in his arms. The next morning Haemin made sure you got your flowers, of course keeping one so he knew when they died and, made you memorize what he wrote down assuring you "don't memorize the formula's instead memorize the answers" he told you, making sure you were stress free that whole day.

[where-theres-smoak-2]

HOTD 2X02 Review/Thoughts (SPOILERS)

Apologies for this review coming a little late, life got a bit busy so although I watched the episode a few days ago I've only just found the time to write a review. I do think that this episode was a step up from ep 1 and overall I enjoyed it. As I say in all of my reviews, I have not read the books so all my thoughts and opinions are based solely on the show, these are just my own thoughts, interpretations and opinions and of course there are spoilers.

The Aftermath of Blood and Cheese.

When watching the opening sequence something about it seemed eerily familiar and at first I couldn't place my finger on it, then I realised that it seems really similar to 1x09 when Viserys dies, that image of all the servants being ousted from their beds and shepherded through the dark halls of the red keep in their night clothes. We also see the model of Old Valyria in both scenes as well if I remember rightly, in 1x09 we see it covered in cobwebs and then in this episode we see Aegon smashing it to pieces. Not going to lie as a history buff it did hurt me a little seeing such a priceless piece of history being smashed up like that but I also understand Aegon's grief. I do find this parallel interesting though, arguably the death of Viserys and the subsequent usurpation of the throne was what kicked the dance off so its interesting that they are drawing a parallel between that moment and this moment with Jaehaerys' death.

One little detail that was really eery was when Aemond finds that coin and holds it up to his face, over his eye. I can't help but see this as a death omen because it looked spookily liked the coins that are put over a corpses eyes when they are being given their final rites.

Another small detail I did find kind of odd throughout the episode though was how no one really used Jaehaerys' name, he is often referred to as 'the child' even by his closest family members, I think maybe the writers did this to keep reminding the audience that it was a child, an innocent, that had lost their lives, but unfortunately when it came to his own family it made the characters seem quite cold and as if they were distancing themselves from him. Other times instead of being referred to by his name it was by what he was to a particular character, Aegon refers to him as his legacy, his heir, his little son. Otto refers to him as his grandson and as a targaryen prince, Helaena calls him her boy. Interestingly I think the only person who does refer to him by his name is Criston, but I could be wrong about that. I do think this is an interesting detail they've added and it does remind of how sometimes when you lose someone you might avoid mentioning their name out of fear of the grief and pain that might follow hearing it. That could be what's happening here.

One scene that did really disgust me though was the council right after Jaehaerys' death. Just how quickly Otto started scheming and plotting and trying to use this little boy's death to his own advantage. The way that Otto and the rest just decided that it didn't matter if Rhaenyra did have a hand in it or not, they could still use it to besmirch her name and turn the people and houses/potential allies against her. I just don't understand how anyone can be so calculating that soon after their own grandchild's death.

There's also that somewhat haunting moment when Larys comes in and informs that Blood was caught at the gates and he had Jaehaerys' head in a bag, that was not an image I needed and honestly made me feel a bit sick.

Otto's suggestion of a funeral procession and making Jaehaerys into this public display was also horrifying to me. I mean some credit needs to be given to Aegon for refusing at first. But I hated the way Otto also tried to twist it into something it wasn't, trying to make it seem like it was a way of honouring Jaehaerys when really he was just using him like a piece in a chess game, as a way of undermining Rhaenyra and her claim. Like strategically I know that it is a smart move, it is a huge blow to their enemy, but morally it is so so wrong. What makes it worse it how Otto then says that Helaena and Alicent must follow behind, that their grief must also be put on display and how the king should be spared. It shows how the greens over and over again exploit their women in order to further raise the standing of their men. Aegon is to be spared but Helaena, who just went through the trauma of watching her son be brutally murdered, she isn't spared further torment.

The funeral procession itself was really heartbreaking, seeing little Jaehaerys laid out with the white flowers, he looked like he was sleeping and then you see those stitches where they had to sew his head back on and its gut-wrenching. Right away you can see how much Helaena is struggling, but then there's that moment when the cart gets stuck and all the small folk begin to crowd them. There is a moment that really broke me and that's when the first of the small folk reach out to touch Jaehaerys and Helaena immediately stands up like she wants to protect him, I wouldn't be surprised if she flashedback to blood and cheese because the last time she saw strangers surrounding her son whilst he slept was when they killed him. The crowd clearly overwhelms Helaena and its so sad seeing her wanting to get away but there isn't anywhere for her to go, you can see the cart with Jaehaerys rocking and I honestly thought his little body was going to fall off, thankfully that didn't happen. But this scene really built the tension and made you feel very stressed and claustrophobic along with Alicent and Helaena. I just hate that they were used in this way.

Rhaenyra and Daemon

Ok judge me if you will but I did find that scene with the black council where they are receiving the news about Jaehaerys a bit funny. In the sense that you've got Rhaenyra utterly confused as to why anyone would think she was responsible for Blood and Cheese whilst Daemon is trying to look innocent, Rhaenys is staring him down and the rest of the council are looking around awkwardly not wanting to say anything. Then you have that moment when Rhaenyra clocks on and also just stares him down, I don't think it was supposed to be funny yet somehow there was still a comical air to it.

So let's talk about the fight between Rhaenyra and Daemon. One thing I will say is that I am glad that I didn't get worked up when a part of this clip was released, I know alot of people where thinking it was going to be another scene like the nonsense of 1x10, I am also thankful that it wasn't and it was just a verbal altercation this time. Honestly in some ways I do think that they needed to have this fight, I think alot of what came up were resentments that they had buried for a long time centred around Viserys and the throne and past hurts.

To me it makes sense that Rhaenyra has some lingering trust issues, Daemon has caused her hurt in the past, when he stole her brother's dragon egg, when he rejected her then abandoned her in the brothel, when he gate-crashed her wedding feast, tried to talk her out of marrying Laenor and then abandoned her again, this time fleeing to Essos and leaving her to face the greens alone. So yes I can understand that despite their love for each other she still has some issues around being hurt or abandoned by him.

But I also think they both had good points throughout this argument. Daemon was clearly very hurt that Rhaenyra doesn't trust him and that she doesn't believe that he is loyal to her. Again he makes a good point when he says that he was the one who put the crown on her head himself, that he was at that moment preparing to go to Harrenhall to raise an army in her name. What was interesting to me in this moment was that Daemon's voice begins to crack, usually he is very nonchalant and, I'm trying to think of the right word, calm or casual, he acts like he isn't bothered even when he is. So its interesting to me to see that slip and actually hear his voice crack in this moment with Rhaenyra.

But Rhaenyra also makes a fair point when she confronts him about leading a war council when she laboured alone. That scene from 1x10 was so hard to watch the way she called out for him and she can hear her cries, she was going through this traumatic ordeal where she had just received the news that her father was dead and her throne usurped and then she goes into pre-term labour and has to face it alone, so I can understand how she can once again feel abandoned by Daemon in that moment. But, and I may have some disagree with me here, but I can also understand why Daemon avoided going to her in that moment. Part of it, I think, is because they both knew the moment she went into labour that early that their child wasn't going to make it, that something was very wrong. The last time Daemon saw someone struggle with a pregnancy/Labour was Laena and she died, not only did she die but she died in a way that was very traumatic for Daemon and his daughters. So to me it would make sense that he wouldn't want to be there when Rhaenyra is also struggling with a complicated labour, what if he is once again confronted with a choice between saving her or the baby by the maester like he was Laena, what if Rhaenyra dies? On top of that Daemon himself has just lost his brother and is reeling from that, as I talked about in my review of 2x01, Daemon's way of dealing with grief is to keep moving, to focus on some task, he can't be still, he needs a distraction, it would have drove him crazy to sit in that room with her and feel helpless as she delivered their stillborn daughter, so he does the only thing he can to feel useful, he makes sure dragonstone is secured and begins making plans for war to strike back at the greens who he blames for Rhaenyra being in this position. That being said that doesn't make his actions right, and they definitely weren't fair to Rhaenyra who needed him with her in that moment, but they are understandable and Daemon is human, he makes mistakes and fails at times. Also to be fair to Daemon he does go to her eventually but its too late by the time he shows up. But like I said no matter how much I understand the reasons behind Daemon's actions, Rhaenyra still has every right to feel hurt and angry at him for it.

Then they get into the subject of Viserys and the issue of heir to the throne. Again Rhaenyra made a good point when she said that Viserys, like Rhaenyra, couldn't trust Daemon. I do think Daemon's biggest enemy is his own impulsiveness and rashness. It is obvious that Daemon is loyal to both his brother and Rhaenyra, its obvious that he loved them both and I don't agree with Rhaenyra's statement that the only person his heart belongs to is himself, I think he loves both Viserys and Rhaenyra more than he loves himself, but he has a habit of letting his impulses get the better of him and that drives a wedge between him and Viserys and Rhaenyra. It doesn't help that this mistrust and the gap between them is forced wider by Otto scheming, it suits him for Daemon to be at odds with Viserys because Daemon sees right through Otto and knows how he manipulates Viserys. One thing I do agree with that Daemon said was that Viserys wasn't a leader of men, he was constantly being pushed around and manipulated by others and just always wanted to keep the peace, at times this was the correct course, but at others there was a need for action. Daemon on the other is very much someone who was a leader which is why I think he struggles with surrendering that role to Rhaenyra at times.

Daemon also was saying it true when he pointed out that Rhaenyra wasn't made heir, initially, because Viserys thought she'd be a good queen but because he wanted to put Daemon in his place, it was more Viserys recognised Daemon was too impulsive to be a good King than because he thought Rhaenyra was wise and a good option. It is possible that he recognised that as she was younger he would be able to mould her more into being a good ruler, he had more time to teach her. But this is still hurtful to Rhaenyra who has always had some doubt as to whether her father truly wanted her to be heir.

I do think that they both needed to get all of this hurt and lingering resentment out, it was still awful and heartbreaking to watch because to me it does seem like they love each other, but right now they do need their space from each other. I don't think this is the end of their story, I think Daemon will go to Harrenhall and try his hardest to prove that he is loyal to Rhaenyra and try to win her trust back. I also think with him gone maybe Rhaenyra will come to realise just how much she does rely on him, I mean a big part of the reason why she married him, outside of their love, was for protection.

Ok I know this part some of you will disagree with me, but last ep's review talked about whether or not I thought Daemon had directly ordered the death of Jaehaerys, whether his command was if you can't find Aemond then any son will do. I said that I didn't think he did and it was more of a lost in translation situation, that he said something like 'it has to be a son for a son, no head no money''. That he meant it in reference to Aemond only, as he has used that line in reference to Aemond, but obviously Blood and Cheese didn't know that, misinterpreted it and instead figured Jaehaerys would do. After seeing this episode I am actually even more convinced that this is what happened. Here's my reasoning for this, previously when confronted with crimes/sins he may have committed, like the heir for a day, whether he took Rhaenyra's virginity etc, he always gives vague answers and acts unbothered, he's half admitted to things he hasn't even done in the past because to him its better to own it then to defend himself. The only time we really see him being honest is in 1x02 on the bridge when she outright asks Daemon if he's to have a child and he admits that Mysaria isn't pregnant. In contrast to those scenes where he neither really confirms or denies the accusations, here he gives a straight answer, he says I told them Aemond, I said no, it was a mistake. Seeing as the last time he was honest about something like this was too Rhaenyra it makes sense to me that he would once again be honest now. I also think given how much he focuses on the mistake aspect of it and on how it shouldn't have been able to happen, I think the part he is guilty of is not being clear enough. I says I was clear in my instructions and he does this sort of laugh of disbelief which makes me think that he is just know realising that he wasn't as clear as he could have been and that he is somewhat responsible for this mistake that has done some damage to Rhaenyra's claim. So I still think, in the show, that it was Aemond and solely Aemond that Daemon put the hit out on. The other possibility is that he did offer up another option like maybe 'just make it a son for a son', but that he believed that if they couldn't find Aemond they'd go after Aegon. Daemon's anger was at Aemond for killing Luke and at Alicent for putting her son on the throne, he wanted Aemond to pay for killing Luke and he wanted Alicent to feel Rhaenyra's pain at losing a son, so I personally don't think he'd have settled for anything less than one of Alicent's sons but really wanted Aemond. But this is all my interpretation and as I said I am sure they'll be many out there that have interpreted it differently. Also all that being said, do I think Daemon cares that Jaehaerys was killed, no probably not. I think he probably does get some satisfaction out of the greens' grief and at having some hand in causing them pain, he's vengeful like that.

Rhaenyra and Baela

I did really like that scene between Rhaenyra and Baela, I think it showed they had a good bond even though Baela was raised on driftmark. I also think the plan of keeping an eye on Kings Landing via dragon back is a good idea so they can spot any moves the greens make. I also understand why Rhaenyra didn't want to let Jace be the one to go, she doesn't want to risk losing him like she lost Luke and is still probably regretting letting them carry the messages themselves. Also it would be somewhat reckless considering Jace is the heir, however I don't see him sitting out for long. I am also curious as to what his reaction to Rhaenyra sending Baela will be, I could see him being very concerned and protective of her, especially after losing his brother. I am glad that Rhaenyra made it clear to Baela that she was to stay high and keep a good distance, though I am still a bit worried for Baela, hopefully nothing happens to her.

Baela and Jace

Speaking of Baela and Jace, I adored that scene between them so much. I just love that having realised that she wasn't at supper he sought her out to make sure she was ok, it's sweet that he clearly missed her company. I also loved the conversation between them about fathers. I really loved that they gave plenty of attention to Laenor and recognised him as Jace's father, it was so sweet seeing that smile on Jace's face as he spoke about him, how he taught them to fish and sing sailor's shanty's, that he loved a cake, I mean who doesn't. But I feel like alot of people overlook the fact that Laenor was their father, yes Harwin was biologically, but it was Laenor who tucked them in at night, who taught them songs etc, he was the one that claimed them and gave them his name. He was their true father.

That being said I also liked that Baela brought up Harwin too, and she did so with no judgement or shame, it showed that trust that exists between them that she felt comfortable asking. Again Jace spoke so fondly of Harwin with that little smile on his face. It was a little said when he said 'I think he loved us', the fact that he wasn't entirely sure because Harwin had to keep his distance a bit for their own safety. But I love how Baela immediately reassured him by saying 'of course he did.' She had this slight look of disbelief on her face like she couldn't imagine anyone not loving Jace.

The scene did become a bit bittersweet at the end though when Jace said he missed Luke, but I am glad that Baela was there to comfort him. I do think this scene was both very cute and heart-warming because it does show how much love Jace has had in his life but also it shows how much loss he has suffered too, and he is still so young. But I am really hoping we get to see more of these two together because they have such great chemistry, think I've got a new HOTD ship.

Possible Important Characters

Speaking of Laenor, I could be wrong, but did we see Seasmoke this episode, because I am sure that was the dragon that flew over the beach when Addam was digging for, clams? Maybe?

Speaking of Addam, we saw a few characters this episode that I think probably will have some significance later. I am sure book readers already know what that significance is but I am currently clueless. I am curious about the brothers Alyn and Addam. Addam kept saying that Corlys owed them, I get that Alyn pulled Corlys from the sea and so that could be why Corlys owes him, but Addam also said that Corlys owes him which makes me think there's more to this than just Alyn saving Corlys life, in what way does Corlys owe Addam who doesn't appear to have been at sea with them when Corlys was injured? There was also this weird kind of tension between Alyn and Corlys in ep 1 so I am very curious to know what that is all about.

Another character we saw again in this episode was Hugh Hammer, I think his name was. Honestly this scene where his wife was talking about having to walk miles to get a chicken and spent three times the price made me flashback to covid when you had to go to several stores to try and find what you needed and where you had people bulk buying toilet paper and hand sanitiser then selling it on amazon and ebay at extortionate prices. All this focus on the hardship on the small folk though does make me wonder if there is going to be a revolt at some point, I could see them getting real tired of being collateral in this targaryen war. I really hope Hugh's daughter is going to be ok though because she really did look sick and I could see her dying, Aegon not paying the money he promised and that causing Hugh to lead a revolt against the royals.

Whatever happens though, I am excited to see more of these characters and what the story has entail for them.

Criston Cole

Sorry to all Criston Cole fans but this episode really did remind me of how much I hated him and why. I mean every scene he was in made me burn with rage. We had people asking him the right questions to, Aegon asking him where he was, I mean technically he didn't lie when he said he was abed, its just it was alicent's bed he was in not his own. Then there was Ayrrk asking the very good question of why Helaena didn't have a sworn shield asigned to her, something that should have happened when she ascended as queen. So it looks like once again, surprise surprise, Cole hasn't done his job properly, as Commander of the Kings Guard it would be his responsibility to assign that Sworn Shield and he just didn't, he what, just forgot? Either way it does explain why Helaena was able to go all the way from her quarters to Alicent's without seeing any guard, their should have been one right outside her door, shadowing her every move, but Criston Cole had better things to do than assign Helaena the protection she obviously needed, apparently.

I also hated the scene when he confronts Arryk about his white cloak having dirt on it and goes off about how its a symbol of their purity, virtue and honour or some such. I mean hypocrite, it was so clear that Cole was projecting his own guilt and shame onto Arryk, I also didn't like how he was trying to put the blame for Jaehaerys' death onto Arryk acting like it was his fault somehow when he was where he was supposed to be as Aegon's sworn shield.

Which brings us to Criston's plan of parent trapping the blacks in order to kill Rhaenyra. He wants Arryk to pretend to be his twin to gain access to Dragon Stone and kill her. In theory I can see how this plan might work, but its still very reckless as Erryk is still there, all it would take was someone seeing them both at the same time, them seeing the other, or even a guard passing one and then another moments later, for the whole plan to fall apart. I mean that is what happens, Mysaria has just left Erryk when she sees Arryk coming up the hill and figures out what is happen, it seems like she might then have sent a warning to Erryk who was able to intercept his brother. But one thing was clear to me and that's that Cole didn't care at all if Arryk was killed in this mission. He was blatantly using Arryk in his own revenge fantasy against Rhaenyra. The thing that is disturbing about this is that the Kings Guard are supposed to be sworn brothers, they're supposed to have a bond and be loyal to each other, but Cole just throws Arryk under the proverbial bus.

Another moment that annoyed me to no end and got my blood boiling is when he says that 'its time the bitch queen paid'. I already made a post about this right after I watched the episode i was that infuriated by it, because Rhaenyra has paid, she has already lost so much, her mother, her friendship with alicent, harwin, laenor in a way, her father, her unborn daughter, her son and her throne. Like what else does he want her to lose, to pay. Apparently her life. So yeah I hate Criston Cole sorry not sorry.

Erryk and Arryk.

This whole situation was so heartbreaking, just the idea of two brothers pitted against each other is sad. What I will say is that they played this sequence very well. It really built the tension up as you watch Arryk playing this game of cat and mouse with Erryk, creeping through the halls of Dragon Stone, coming so close to nearly being caught. Then its racked up again when the maid says she'll bring a draft for Rhaenyra and you're thinking is she going to drink it and not awake with Arryk's attack. Then you see Arrky make it into Rhaenyra's bedchambers and approach her with his sword drawn, then his brother comes in and their fight ensues, there is a moment when Rhaenyra is trying to get away and Arryk swings the sword at her and nearly gets her, she gets to the door but its locked, then the other Kings Guard arrives to protect Rhaenyra but now we don't know which twin is which. You have that awful and really heartbreaking moment when one of the twins says we were born together and the other replies you parted us, but I still love you brother, before making that terrible choice to kill his brother. It is clear that the twin that survived was overcome with guilt and grief at having killed his brother, there is also the fact that we can't trust that the surviving twin is Erryk, then he falls on his sword and its just so tragic.

This scene really did make you feel that impending danger and it cranked up the tension perfectly. I kept thinking after last episode what it was about the Blood and Cheese scene that felt so off, because it wasn't that it needed more gore, honestly thank goodness it didn't have more because the sounds were horrifying enough, it also wasn't Phia's acting because she did an amazing job of showing Helaena's terror in that moment. But I think it was this, the tension just wasn't built up properly, they rushed through the scene and dialogue so quickly that you didn't really have time to feel that tension, to sense that danger they were all in. I think they needed to take a beat and drag the scene out a bit more. Like have Helaena pause longer before pointing to the boy, maybe Cheese has to threaten her again before she chooses. Maybe they could have had blood and cheese debate over which one was which a little longer. Maybe they both move over to the girls bed, maybe the dagger is near her throat, but then Cheese looks back at Helaena and realises that she was telling true, maybe Blood argues with him a little, maybe Helaena tries to get to the boy but is intercepted, then they have blood and cheese move to the boy and that's when Helaena grabs Jaehaera and runs. I just think if they had taken a bit more time with it, the audience would have had more time to feel the tension and fear and danger, but hey maybe its just me.

What I do think is symbolic though is that the first deaths of the war are Luke and Jaehaerys. Two children, two sons, two innocents. I think this is to show that in war it is the innocents who suffer. Then the next deaths dealt to each side are the brothers, Arryk and Erryk, again I think this is very symbolic of how this war is tearing families apart, how its setting siblings and other family members against each other.

Otto and His Really Bad Day.

This was another element of the episode that I probably wasn't supposed to find funny yet still did, I mean the facial expressions this man way giving just kept cracking me up. He was so done with everyone. I did understand his frustration at Aegon and Criston. Killing the rat catchers was a stupid move, most were innocent and in one move Aegon undid all the sympathy they had gained from Jaehaerys' funeral procession. On top of that it rendered the torment that Alicent and even more so Helaena went through trying to gain that sympathy and that advantage over Rhaenyra. It was also very unnecessary. If they were able to round all the rat catchers up in order to hang them then they could have just as easily had them brought before Helaena for her to identify Cheese. Instead they've given the small folk a reason to hate them.

I also thought the look on Otto's face when Aegon said Cole had taken action. That slow 'and what has Cole done?' showed that he was really dreading the answer. It was clear that he knew the plan wasn't going to work. I would feel bad for him but I do feel like he is reaping what he has sown. He was the one who put Aegon on throne without giving him any training or preparation because he believed that Aegon would be controllable like his father.

That being said that line 'he was right about you' was a low blow by Otto, but he's not wrong if we are being honest. Still it must have hurt for Aegon to hear. Also the way Otto laughed when Aegon said Viserys had made him King, they all know that Viserys didn't want Aegon to be King, which again I think is something that plagues Aegon.

I'm not surprised that Aegon fired Otto, and his not again face was comical. Aegon then naming Cole I think is a huge mistake, I am still in disbelief that this guy even still has a job and here he is getting a promotion, mind boggling.

Daeron?

So apparently Alicent has another son, which did we know that? I feel like we didn't know that. I do think its interesting that he's the only child that isn't in Kings Landing, like why is he the only one that was sent to Old Town? I do have a theory but it could be/ likely is completely wrong.

But here's the thing, we don't know exactly when Alicent's sexual relationship with Cole actually started. It could have been after Viserys died, or it could have been years earlier, or maybe it happened once years earlier and they swore they wouldn't do it again, then caved after Viserys died.

A lot of babies are sometimes born with really light hair that gets darker as they get older. When I was a baby until I was about 3-4 years old my hair was white blonde, then it got a bit darker to a more mousy blonde when I was a child and then darker still when I was a teen to a dark blonde/light brown. I've seen it happen alot with other babies too where they start out light but get very dark hair later. SO here's the theory, what if Daeron is actually Cole's son. He was born with white blonde hair and Alicent was relieved thinking oh ok the baby is Viserys, but then as Daeron starts to get older Alicent starts to notice that his hair is starting to darken. She panics and then arranges for her son to be sent to Oldtown so that the memory people in Kings Landing have of him in the typical targaryen blonde hair.

It could also explain why Alicent is so obsessed with Rhaenyra's eldest sons being bastards, she's projecting her own guilt and shame onto Rhaenyra just like Cole was doing with Arryk. Like I said I could be totally wrong about this, but if that guy shows up with dark hair I am going to be suspicious as hell.

No Comfort To Be Had

One thing that did strike me about the greens in this episode is how little they comfort one another. It's in stark contrast to the blacks who mostly banded together in their grief and comforted each other, sort each other out, like Jace and Baela. Whereas with the greens they all kind of isolate themselves and each deal with their grief alone and not necessarily in the healthiest of ways.

That scene on the staircase between Aegon and Helaena was sad because its clear they are both in pain and Helaena seems to want Aegon to comfort her, but as always, he ignores her. But in this case it did look for a moment like he wanted to say something, wanted to offer some comfort but just didn't know how to do that, so instead he just walked away as Helaena gave this sad nod of acceptance.

We see Helaena isolate herself in her room and cling to the things that remind her of her son, his cloak or blanket that she was embroidering, the toy he used to play with.

Aegon also isolates himself alone so that he can grieve. I actually felt some sympathy for him in that ending scene where he was sobbing for his son, he clearly loved his son and is in a lot of pain. I mean its not enough for me to forget about the child fighting rings or what he did to dyana but it was still interesting seeing him in a more human and complex light.

Meanwhile Aemond takes himself off to the brothel and the madame that he lost his virginity to at the mature age of 13. I mean this does make sense in a way, he probably sees her in this weird motherly type way, someone he can get comfort and affection from, but the scene in still uncomfortable, as I think it is supposed to be.

We see Alicent walk away from Aegon instead of comforting him. At first I thought maybe it was because she doesn't know how to comfort him, but we have seen her comforting people in the past, she comforted both the king and rhaenyra after Aemma's death, we see her comfort Criston in 1x05, and Helaena in this episode. But I think what is telling is her interactions with Otto this episode. Their first scene together is Otto saying they shouldn't let Jaehaerys death shake them and that good may still come of it, when Alicent breaks down in sobs he offers very little comfort to her. Then later right before the scene of her leaving Aegon, she tries to confess to Otto and hopes for some comfort from him and instead he just brushes her off. So I think this moment shows how that lack of emotional support between Otto and Alicent has trickled down to Alicent's own children. Because she never got the proper emotional support and comfort from her father growing up, she was ill equipped to provide that same support and comfort to her children.

The part where is becomes an issue for me though is when she then goes and immediately sleeps with Cole, I think some might interpret this as Alicent being cold and uncaring about Aegon and as someone who is just chasing her own pleasure instead.

Ok that is all for this time, I'll be back next week to see what other shananegans these Targaryens are going to get up to. So I will see you all then.

[robin374]

Okay one more I promise-

(Unless you don't mind me sending more requests-?👀)

Okay so what about-

RED Medic x Reader x BLU Medic? 👀

So the Reader is on RED team and RED Medic and them get along pretty quickly and end up falling for each other

A reasonable amount of time later (they still haven't confessed to Medic at this point), the Reader is in town for some reason (maybe shopping or something)

When they suddenly run into BLU Medic

The two of them start chatting as if they don't have to kill each other every mission and hey- would ya look at that! The two of them bond and also catch feelings and decide to start meeting up

I'd like to think that RED and BLU Medic are two different people with different names and slightly different personalities and just so happen to look alike

RED Medic x Reader x BLU Medic

Don´t worry, I love your ideas! I finally finished this one-shot for you.

Warnings: None.

(Unedited)

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

The silence at the RED team's base was unusual, very unusual. There was always someone yelling or arguing with someone else. Whenever I found Scout and Spy arguing about something stupid, all I could think of was that Sniper was the smartest of them all, staying away from the others in his camper. Right now, I was in the common room reading the book Medic had in his hands. My head resting on his shoulder and my arm around his, every now and then Medic would turn the pages and sigh as he saw that they were filled with paragraphs without any dialogue. "Liebe, can you do me a favor?" I lifted my head from his shoulder and met the gaze of his pale blue eyes, his gentle smile making my heart race slightly. "You still haven't told me what 'Liebe' means, Josef."

"The time will come. But are you going to do me the favor or not?" he asked, leaning toward me slightly. "Depends on what the favor is. I'm not going to steal Heavy's sandwich again," I noticed a shiver run down my back as I remembered Heavy chasing me around the base with a shotgun in his hands "You know it ended very badly." I finished, and smiled as I heard Josef chuckle. He shook his head as he told me he didn't want to experiment with Heavy's sandwich again. Ever since I met Medic I couldn't help but feel a fuzzy feeling in my stomach every time I was around him. I didn't know if it was nervousness or if I was sick, but I was afraid to tell Medic. I didn't want him to tell me I was a coward or something. "Can you go into town to get some metal blades? Engie asked me a few days ago and I can't do it, can you go for me?" I got up from the couch knowing I would say yes without hesitation a couple of times, I noticed his gaze on the back of my neck as I walked out of the room. I stopped in my tracks when I was in front of the door and turned to look at him.

"Only if you give me something in return." I said, his eyes lit up with a different spark, I couldn't tell exactly what he was thinking at that moment. Before he could respond, I went to the garage and borrowed the van where it said Red Bread. After a few minutes, I arrived at the nearest town to the base and walked to the square. Now that I was there, I realized a rather serious problem; I had never been to that town and I didn't know where they sold metal blades. I thought about the possibility of asking some locals, but with the uniform I was wearing and my likely smell of blood and car oil, I wouldn't make a good first impression. 

"Y/N? Is that you?"

A voice called my name, it sounded familiar from hearing it shouting on the battlefield. I heard footsteps approaching me, then I noticed a hand gently resting on my shoulder. When I turned around I met the blue eyes of the BLU Medic. He smiled at me and slid his hand down to grasp mine, he lifted my hand and kissed it just like a gentleman would. "It's good to see you around; somewhere other than the battlefield." I laughed softly, occasionally I would talk to him outside of battles. Other times, when Josef was busy healing another of my team, Fritz would help me. "What are you doing over here, Fritz?" I asked, realizing he still hadn't let go of my hand. "Oh, I was going to get some meds for Demoman." He let out a chuckle, "Looks like he drank more than usual yesterday."

"Really? Josef doesn't usually do that for us." I replied remembering the time Medic threw Scout and I a human arm after asking him for some headache pills. "Although, he's a good man. And I know deep down he's fond of us." As I finished the sentence I noticed a glint of some unknown feeling in Fritz's vivid blue eyes as he mumbled something between his teeth. "Hey, are you feeling alright? You're a little red." He put his hands on my cheeks, his palms as smooth as silk, contrasting with Josef's rough ones. Suddenly, he moved closer to me and rested his lips on my forehead for a few seconds. "Hmm, you don't look like you have a fever." 

I shook my head insisting that I felt fine and that I wasn't sick. Fritz's hand didn't let go of mine at any point. We both talked some more and went our separate ways, he gave me a kiss on the cheek before disappearing down the streets of town. I went back to the car with the metal blades for Engie and handed them to him. I noticed Josef's gaze on me as I arrived, he smiled at me and left for his lab.

╰☆╮

"That Fritz is trying to steal my Y/N."

[rwfanficrw]

Sicktember Day 2 - Too Much of a Good Thing/Overindulgence

Here is day 2. Everyone is in it. POTS universe. Cye's birthday. Just yes. Feel good, sick fic that goes on way too long but I love it so much.

Too Much of a Good Thing/Overindulgence

"What do you mean Cye can't come to dinner? We have a giant birthday bash for him! We've had it kinda planned and all that." Kento's voice was heard over the phone.

Sage winced at the volume of other's voice as he quickly made his way into the small kitchen of Cye's apartment, "Quiet hard head. I warned you and Ryo, so did Mia, that wearing Cye out and taking him to the aquarium would leave him in bed for a few days. I'm sorry, but that's just the way it is."

"Yeah but… it's his actual birthday… man this is messed up."

"It's why I wanted to hold off and do one or the other."

"Sage, is there anything we can do?" This time it was Ryo.

The blonde sighed backing up to see if there was any movement in the bedroom down the hallway, "At this very moment, no. He just needs to rest. Look, IF he feels better tonight maybe you can bring take out. I don't know how he's going to be feeling but I'll let you know." He hung up and sat the phone on the counter before opening up the refrigerator door.

Kento and Ryo weren't the only ones who planned for Cye's birthday. There was a cake that he had made himself with Rowen's help sitting on the shelf waiting to be eaten. He was proud of the orca made of icing that he had made.

He shuts the door shaking his head. No time to think on that now. He turns his attention on to more important things… electroyltes and salt.

*~*

"….who was on the phone?"

Rowen startled a bit at hearing the heavily accented voice from his side. He lowered his arm and then the blanket, "You awake?"

"..I guess…. Who was it?"

"Do you remember where you are?" The other countered closing his book. He sat up more and turned to face the smaller figure under the blankets.

"My bed..?" Cye's eyes were only partially opened and glazed over. His hand dropped onto one of the new orca plushie's he'd gotten and he weakly ran his hand over the fur confused. His eyes widened slightly, "….the aquarium.."

"There ya go. Yeah Kento took you to the aquarium for your birthday. You ran off and we had to keep up. It was almost impressive." Rowen explains relieved the other was at least a little conscious. "You over did it though and crashed once we got home."

"did I at least make it to bed?"

"Nah, ya fainted in the shower."

The other groaned embarrassed pulling the blankets up over his face.  He feels hands go over his and the blankets are lowered down. He feels a quick kiss on his lips before the feeling goes away. His cheeks flush red as he turns on his side.

"I think it was Kento on the phone." Rowen smirked patting the other warrior's side knowing he'd worked him up a bit. "And don't be embarrassed, I was there with ya. You wanted to take a bath but I knew you couldn't do it by yourself."

"Rowen, you're not helping at all."

"Aw, I thought I was a good boy friend."

"ROWEN!"

"I was clothed, I'll have you know. What kind of person do you take me for?"

Cye finally lowered the pillow and glared at him, "Someone who can't keep his hands to himself."

"Would you two quit. You're going to make him faint again. We need to help him relax not wind him up." Sage entered the room carrying a small tray with snacks and drinks. He elbowed Rowen hard as he sat down on the bed.

"What did Kento want?" Cye finally asked as he was helped into a sitting position. Though he was still "mad" at Rowen, he curled up against him to stay up right.

"Well… he and Ryo want to give you a birthday dinner. I told them I wasn't sure because of how you're doing today." The blonde explained holding out the electrolyte drink that had a straw in it for the younger warrior to drink out of.

He waits patiently for Rowen to take it and hold it properly. He was relieved to see Cye getting some of it down. Earlier liquids and solids were a no go.

Cye glanced over at the clock on his nightstand and saw the date. It was his actual birthday. "I-I'm flattered but…I-I just don't…" Tears burned in his eyes as he lowered his gaze.

The other two saw them and shared a glance. "Hey buddy, it's ok. Birthdays can go over several days… if Sage hadn't been in New York, Ryo's birthday was going to be a week. Remember? You had made reservations at the hot spring and other places?"

Sage reached out and quietly placed his hand on the others head. He knew why.

Cye was upset not because he couldn't go but that he hadn't even thought of going out.

"If you want it to be, it's just another day.. It can be your birthday whenever you're ready." He reassured speaking softly. "I'll shut Kento up with a phone call and we can move on. If you'd still like to celebrate and think you can, then we will come up with something. But don't force yourself. We're your friends, we'll do what you need to do."

*~*

"Kento, I'm not sure this is a good idea.. Shouldn't we at least call and let them know we're on our way?" Ryo asked trying to keep up with the other as they rushed to catch the next train heading towards Cye's apartment.

"If we did we'd just be talked out of it." Kento lifted his arm, the bento box raising with it not getting hit. "My bestest buddy is going to get his birthday… and if he can't go out, we can go to him."

The train came to a stop and the heavy set warrior climbed on, their leader right behind. The door slid shut leaving the two of them to find a seat. It was surprisingly quiet but then it was 8pm.

Ryo sat down in one of the free chairs and started to offer to take the bento box and set it down between his legs but stopped when he realized his friend would kill anyone who got close.

He didn't know much of the plan.

He had decided to sleep at Kento's Family Restaurant for the night before making the trek back to Mia's house expecting a few hours of rest before hitting the road again. However, he got exactly 12.3 minutes of sleep before he was shaken awake by Kento telling him to get his shoes on and get moving.

He looked down at the two gift bags at his feet sighing. He didn’t even know what was in these. He just prayed it was something quiet and not something that Rowen and Sage would kill them for.

Ryo glanced back up at saw Kento staring blankly out the window. He didn't have the heart to try and talk his friend out of whatever this was. He was just worried it wasn't going to help.

Kento was loud and his big personality could be pushy. Cye used to be able to take it but even then he'd watched the other two (even he had made a comment or two) get on the bearer of Hardrock to be gentle and not beat the crap out of the younger warrior.. And that was before now.

Now it was all different.

Before the POTS, Ryo had never seen Kento stumble over his best friend. Anything Cye needed or wanted, Kento was there to deliver. Even if his way caused a slight detour, random explosion, and/or broken things in the process.. It was still complete.

Now Kento was having to be more careful, be more quiet, more gentle.. None of this was within his personality.

*~*

"Ok, so in a bit, I'll call the guys and tell them we can hang out tomorrow night." Rowen reassures Cye as he gets him settled on the couch laying the heated blanket over the smaller lap. "And you get me for your birthday."

"Each day that passes I feel more and more like the third wheel." Sage said only half mocking. He rolled his eyes getting a snicker from Cye.

"He keeps acting like this is a gift." Cye jokes giving a tired smile.

"For that I'm sitting beside Sage."

"Sage doesn't want you either." The blonde retorted pushing the other off his chair. "Go. Shoo."

Rowen starts to pick Cye up and move him to the side when a knock on the door is heard. He stops and glances back at the other two. "…Sayako or Mia?"

"If it's Sayako you better pray she didn't see you hovering over me like this… she smacked Kento with her purse last time he was caught with hands on me."

"She won't smack her brother's favorite care taker."

"Don't be so sure- Say hang on!" Cye called as best he could, his voice broke as he did. He was tired. He tried to push Rowen off knowing there was a difference in what he was doing currently vs normal.

"Probably Mia. She offered to pick up the antinausea, remember?" Sage gets to his feet to go answer.

The knock came again but it was heavier than how either of other two would knock. Cye got up slowly wanting to know himself. He prayed it wasn't the land lady. He'd been so sick he hadn't explained any of this to her.

"Cye, I've got it." The blonde reached out and pulled the heavy door back to his surprise Cye bent down underneath him to look out before he could.

A pop and then confetti went shooting in the air.

"HAPPY BIRTHDAY!"

The popper going off startled Cye enough that he was wavering unsteadily, his heart beating in his ears.

It took Sage two seconds too long to come back to his senses. He reaches down and steady's Cye worried he was going to faint. Worry turned to anger as he saw Kento hovering in their faces excited.

"Rowen - help Cye inside. He-" Eyes widened as the youngest warrior passed out on them. He caught him leaning on the door frame. "ROWEN."

"I'm here, I got him… what the hell was that?" Rowen asked gathering Cye into his arms. He was gentle with the limp body hoping he'd come back quickly.

"Kento. I'm killing him." Sage stepped outside ready to smack the bearer of Hardrock upside the head but was surprised to see Ryo standing there. "Ryo… you allowed this..?"

"Yeah man, it's a happy birthday surprise!" Kento grins happily. "Since you missed the popper's on Ryo's birthday, figured I'd shoot off the last so you could see them."

"Rock head, I thought you knew that if you startled Cye too bad, he'd faint."

"Well yeah but I planned for that…well sorta. See the plan was for you to answer the door because my lil buddy never answers.. Except for tonight.. And yeah.. I was going to scare you, not him."

"I didn't even know he had them until it was too late! Honest!!" Wildfire all but pleaded realizing he was going to get the same punishment as Kento. "W-We brought food."

"You what? Kento, I thought I told you he had over done it today."

"I-I know that but Sage it's his BIRTHDAY." Kento peers into the apartment hoping Cye would be coming back and getting ready to get angry at him. "NOW! Where is the birthday …"

Instead there was silence. All he saw was Rowen helping Cye stay propped up against the wall. His friend was still unconscious, the hand on his forehead the only thing keeping him up right.

"..boy.." He swallowed nervously, his smile dropping.

Sage heaved a sigh glancing back, "Is it a normal one?"

"As far as I can tell… just need to get his blood pressure leveled out. After all he's gone through today, we got lucky. Usually when he over does it, his fainting spells are bad."

"….What does that mean?"

"It means you got lucky. He'll be back in a few minutes. If he weren't coming back so fast, I'd kick you out. But - I know he'll just be upset if you're not here when he does, so come on in."

"I thought we told you two to call before making your way over. What if he had needed an IV and had been at the hospital?" Rowen looked up at the two of them.

"You would have said no if I had! A-And Mama Faun made Cye some food. She said she catered it to him with higher sodium and stuff… no one can turn down her food…" Kento shrunk away slightly at seeing the two glares from Rowen and Sage. "A-At least not after you try it. Cye loves her food! And I brought more peace offerings."

"Peace Offerings?"

"Yeah, uh Rowen I picked you up a book and Sage, green tea - lots of it. Ryo hand them the green bag… before Sage uses Halo to kill me. Come on, man."

Ryo fumbled before handing it over.

Before Sage could respond they heard a groan come from the one on the ground. The blonde turns to the others, "Go onto the living room. We'll get him up and in there."

"But I can help-"

"Kento, you heard him. Let's go." Ryo knew better than to test both Sage and Rowen twice tonight.

"But my lil bud-"

"He'll be in here soon."

*~*

"…a party popper." Sage shook his head in disgust picking up the pieces. "What a mess."

"Hey buddy, can you hear me?" Rowen asked Cye hearing another groan. "You're on the floor. You fainted when Kento set a party popper off in your face."

"….from Ryo's birthday…?"

"Yeah, he wanted to scare Sage and got you instead apparently." He moved closer relieved to see both eyes were heavily lidded but open and for once already focused.

"Of all the s-stupid things-" Cye tries to get to his feet but his legs give out.

"Woah, are ya nuts. You know it takes ya a bit to come back. What are you doing?" Rowen reached out catching the smaller warrior mid fall. "Don't ignore your health just because rock head and Ryo are here, you hear me?"

"I-I hear you…"

"Now sit back and take some deep breaths." The bearer of Strata insisted taking a deep breath with him. "There ya go."

A minute or so later and he could tell Cye's breathing had leveled out. He reached forward and placed two fingers on the other's neck pressing gently, his blood pressure was down as well.

"Now, you can get up - slowly."

*~*

"Kento…"

Kento startled and looked up from holding (and petting) the stuffed orca he'd found on the couch. He throws it but catches it and gets to his feet setting the orca gently back on the couch. "Cye! You're-" He watches his friend wince at the loudness of his voice and clears his throat dropping his volume a bit. "You're awake!"

"What are you doing here so late at night? I-Its not that I don't want to see you but…"

"I couldn't just let ya not celebrate your birthday. Best friends don't let their best friends do that!"

"While I'm grateful, I can't do anything I'm afraid. Sage and Rowen are right, I over did it and-"

"Who said we had to do anything?" Kento smiles happily showing the several tiered bento box, "Mama made you a special birthday dinner. You have your own tier. The top! She made you some dishes that Uncle Chin made you in New York. Would you believe she loved the dumplings I came up for you when we were over there? And don't worry, it can all be reheated. We just eat as needed."

Cye stares at it trying to comprehend it all. "…she.. She didn't have to-"

"Annnnd I gotcha some CDs, the new age stuff? Its like 10 hours of ocean sounds. There was even one dedicated to orca's! My sisters helped me pick out some slippers.. They found you some dolphin ones… oh! Annnd for the finale, I pulled some strings and got The Little Mermaid in English for ya. No subtitles, just like you wanted."

Kento watched nervously as tears filled his best friend's eyes. He approached slowly reaching out to wipe some of them away, "I told ya, Cye. We don't have to go crazy. If you can't go out and party, then we'll just chill here and party. Besides, I'd rather have a night in your apartment with good food, a disney movie and friends any day over a loud club and karaoke bar."

Cye reached out and hugged his friend as tight as he could. "T-Thank you Kento.. For every thing.."

"Kento Rei Faun, I believe I warned you that if you ever touched my brother like that again, I'd kick you down the curb." Sayako's voice bounces off the walls.

Kento's arms went straight out and off his friend's waist. "It was just a friendly hug!! I Swear!!"

Sayako stood there arms crossed, "That better be."

"Man, why aren't you ever getting on Rowen for it?!" Kento grumbles loudly. "And who invited you anyway?"

"I invited myself. I couldn't let my little brother not celebrate his birthday." She smiles towards him, "I'm relieved to see I wasn't the only one. Mia and I met up down the street." She then turns to look at Rowen, "As for Ro.. He knows I'll let him have it if he hurts my brother."

"Would you both quit." Cye was bright red. "You are too over protective and-"

The lights dimmed slightly as Mia appeared in the doorway carrying a cake that had candles lit on it. To his surprise his friends started to sing in half English half Japanese "Happy Birthday". He was shocked that Sage was even attempting.

Rowen walked over , "Go on. Blow 'em out."

Cye rolled his eyes and leans over blowing his own candles out. "…whats this then?"

"Sage and Rowen baked you a birthday cake. He made the orca by hand."

"It took him like 17 times. His first looked like dead blobs.. We couldn't put a dead whale on the cake so he kept trying.."

Sage blushes clearing his throat, "Well hopefully it looks ok."

"Its lovely! A-All of this is ..is so nice.. Thank you all."

*~*

Sage pulled himself out of the meditative state he'd finally been able to put himself in to relax at hearing the clock chime midnight. The TV was playing the movie, looked like a wedding scene… possibly the end. Cye was curled up on the couch in between Kento and Rowen comfortably asleep wearing his new dolphin slippers.

Mia and Sayako were sharing a blanket on the love seat passed out. Ryo had fallen asleep on the floor. He sighed but smiled relieved that Cye had managed to have a Happy Birthday.

[knowltonsrangers]

infigo [pt. 2]

Ensign Thomas Baker x reader // bookstore au

[part one]

Writing the paper should have become the easiest part, once the books were in your possession. The resources were all at your disposal, yet, every time you opened up your notes and computer, nothing seemed to come to fruition.

As a senior in college, writing a short history paper should be akin to nothing. You've written more on math assignments, for crying out loud.

Mindless daydreams seemed to take control of your thoughts, shuffling papers around your desk as your eyes drifted to the book on your bed. The one that Thomas had so kindly slipped into the bag the other day.

About halfway through the novel, you couldn't have been happier to have some sort of distraction, albeit an encouragement of procrastination. It was a simple gesture that had your heart racing in your chest every moment you thought of the interaction. It was so incredibly kind of him to help you, let alone gift you a book.

He must be incredibly observant, to notice how you just simply glanced at the cover before walking back to the front of the store.

"Hm,"

The bookstore was only a short walk away, a location that seemingly went unnoticed your first few times down that street. It was its own hole in the wall, but a lovely one at that, a secret you'd be hesitant to share. Your gaze moves to the window in front of you, a test of your eagerness being thrust upon you just by the rain.

The bell taunts him once more, a bought of terrible weather raging as the door all but slams open, enough that with a heavy sigh, he stands to close for the day.

No one in their right mind would venture out in this storm, and it was possibly doing more harm than good allowing the door to keep flinging open like that.

It's an short walk to the front, and just as he begins fishing around his jean pockets for his keys, he nearly stumbles over his own two feet to see a figure trudging through inches-deep water.

"Surprise?"

He's rendered speechless for a short moment, before shaking his head and gently yanking you inside, closing the door. Finally finding his keys, he locks the door so it would be just the two of you, and the two of you alone.

"I really didn't think it was that bad, or else I wouldn't have come. I think it got worse on my way here,"

Thomas just stares, eyes a bit wide as he takes in your appearance, a red raincoat actually dripping onto the blue carpet. Not that he cares about that, he cares that you're soaked to the bone and worried that he's upset with you.

He is, but only because you’ll probably get sick-not that he isn’t happy to see you, he is, very much so. But how could he ever say that? He and you hardly know each other, but your friendly and kind personality is just so endearing that he couldn't ever stand to see you so disappointed.

"I would hope so,"

Finally regaining his senses, Thomas breathlessly laughs, coming to stand behind you as he peels your coat from your shoulders. Then, he sighs in relief as your upper half is not as drenched as your bottom. He hangs your jacket on a rack next to the door.

"Did you need another reference for your paper? How is it going, by the way?" You hum in thanks, pushing some hair that was stuck to your forehead away from your eyes.

"Oh, aha, about that..."

Something twists in his stomach, a twinge of guilt first that he wasn’t as helpful as he thought he was.

"I actually came by to thank you. The paper...yeah, it's coming along, but really, the books were a huge help."

Relief floods his shoulders once more, before analyzing the rest of your statement.

"You're very welcome, y/n, of course. But I'm positive you didn't come all this way just to thank me-" He just hopes you can't hear how loud his heart is. Lord knows its the only thing he can hear right now.

"And to thank you for that book! You most certainly did not have to do that, I've been reading it since I've left here,"

A smile spreads across his face, cheeks beginning to hurt.

"It would be a fair assumption that you've done little of your work, and have been spending your time reading?"

You blush, the toe of your rain boot dragging against the carpet in slight protest.

"All right, yeah. You caught me."

You giggle as his smile brightens, a laugh on his lips as well.

"I am so glad to hear that you're enjoying it. Though, not too proud of myself for making you neglect your work."

"It's a small price for such a excellent novel. Not your fault anyways, I am always getting distracted."

A small lull forms, and just as you go to suggest maybe you should head back, his eyes catch your bag. Shrugging off all of his fear to attempt to be forward, he shakily asks:

"Did you bring your work with you?" "Oh? Yes, I was planning on heading to the library on my way back from here."

Your nose twitches.

"Though, it'll probably be the opposite of a library, especially during finals week. So noisy."

Thomas swallows thickly and gives the chance the most he's willing to muster.

"I was planning on closing for the day, y/n. The store is yours to work on your paper, if you would like."

He watches the way your jaw unhinges slightly as if he just offered you a hundred dollars.

"You have already done way too much for me, absolutely not-!"

"You have a quiet space, shelves of historical resources, and a bachelor's in American history at your immediate disposal. What more could you ask for?"

He doesn't miss your eyes lighting up.

"You were a history major? Oh, well now we're best friends, Thomas!"

Thomas laughs, and you can't help the way your cheeks warm at the sight. He was just so incredibly gentle and kindhearted, that you were certain that it would be no easy feat to leave the confines of the store if you chose to stay.

"You don’t have to. And are you sure it's okay? Seriously, the last thing I would want to do is impose,"

"I only graduated last year, y/n," He smiles, gesturing with his hand to the front desk, trailing right behind you as you approach it.

"I think I've still got it in me. And you could never impose, y/n, really. I want to help you,"

Sliding the stool over to you, you hop onto it, and he disappears into the back for a moment, but returns with a mismatched chair, pulling it over next to you.

Happily, you unpack your bag–computer, notebook, and lastly, the books.

"Want to see how far I got?" You jest, tone clearly sarcastic, but Thomas blindly nods.

"I'd love to."

And when you open your laptop, the both of you are met with a laughable blank document, not even your name or course atop the sheet.

"Oh, y/n..."

"I'm a pretty bad procrastinator. I like to call times like these desperate measures, but it seems all my small detours led me to the right place."

In the mismatched furniture, the two of you sat relatively at the same height, Thomas still just a bit taller than you. It was easy to meet his gaze here, behind the desk, and you felt a bit more courageous than before.

"You must be really good at math, then."

More laughter echoes, as hours pass in a mere blur, chattering amongst yourselves as you type away. It almost felt like twenty minutes had gone by, when your phone buzzes, signaling that someone was looking for you.

"Oh, it's four already?"

The both of you look up to the clock on the opposite wall, confirming that the time was in fact three fifty-eight.

"I take it then that it's time to wrap this up?"

You nod glumly, a small pout upon your lips as Thomas begins marking pages and closing over books.

"You're nearly done, y/n. Another paragraph and a proofread, and that's all it needs." "I'm not bummed about that,"

If you could describe his face in one word, it would be confused.

"Wait, let me back up. I am eternally grateful for everything, you literally just sat with me for hours assisting in a paper when you absolutely did not need to." You take a breath.

"So thank you, Thomas. I literally could not have done it without you."

"You're always welcome around here, no matter the circumstance. I am always happy to help." Your nose wrinkles, a smile toying on your lips. He senses what you mean before you continue, but allows you the floor to say it, even though you needn’t to.

"You'll have to tell me your favorite cookie, so I can bake for you sometime. But, ah, the reason I am so terribly bummed out is because this means it is goodbye, at least for now."

Loneliness was a feeling that Thomas knew a little too well, and while he was disappointed alongside you, he hoped it had meant he would have your visits to look forward to.

"Well, maybe physically, but I think given the circumstances that your paper isn't finished, maybe I can offer this,"

He grabs a piece of scrap paper from the desk drawer, scooping up a pen and scribbling some numbers across the surface.

"In case you get stuck with that last paragraph." He winks, and you take the paper gingerly, holding it to your chest as if you were safeguarding it.

"You are an absolute gem, you know that?"

"Anytime."

When you gather your things, Thomas moves to the front window, happy to see that the weather has let up, miraculously so. Just some grey clouds overhead, but the rain had dissipated for now. He grabs your coat off the rack, as you slip something atop the desk, hopeful he doesn't see it until you've left.

"Is it okay if I swing by tomorrow?"

Helping you into your coat, you look up at him expectingly.

"Of course, I'm open tomorrow."

"Okay, great!”

Slinging your bag onto your shoulder, he unlocks the door for you, holding it open as you venture outside.

"Oh, I almost forgot!"

You beckon him to you, and thinking nothing of it, he leans down, just enough that your arms latch around his neck, squeezing him into a hug that makes his whole face beam red.

"Thank you, very much,"

"Anytime. I’m just glad somebody finally got use out of those books,”

He manages to get out, arms coming to your waist to hug you gently in return.

"I'll see you soon!"

And just like that, the door closes over, nearly on his nose as he stands there, as if he couldn't just believe what happened.

"I need to-" He turns, eyes catching the white envelope on the front desk, immediately grabbing his attention.

Written on the front in perfect cursive read 'Thomas', and he's positive this time, that his heart skipped a beat.

[a/n: this is 1.8k words. how. how did this get so long.]

[cloveswifey]

Secret

Parings: Sarah Cameron X Fem!Reader

Type: Fluff

Warnings: Secret relationship, Kissing, work?

Words: 1004

As siblings, you and your sister Kiara often held opposing viewpoints, but your most vehement disagreement centered around kook princess Sarah Cameron. Kiara regarded her as a loathsome, treacherous ex-friend who had marred her time at kook academy. They had started out as pals, but the friendship ended inexplicably, causing Kiara to conclude that Sarah Cameron was a malevolent presence. She was the one who had callously abandoned your sister and never bothered to reconcile. Hearing all of this should have triggered an alarm within you, warning you about Sarah Cameron's unsavory nature.

Unfortunately, things didn't pan out that way. Perhaps you were not the best sister, or worse yet, a lousy person all around, but you didn't give it much thought. Sarah was magnetic, attractive, humorous, and intelligent, and you couldn't resist her charm. You soon realized your massive crush on her only two weeks into the school year. At a kook party months later, you finally mustered up the courage to talk to her, and from that moment on, you were captivated.

In light of all this, the sayings about blood being thicker than water didn't hold much credence in your book. You had resolved to wholeheartedly support Sarah Cameron, and you could never reveal your true feelings about her to Kiara.

While covering a shift for Kiara, someone unexpectedly poked you in the sides, causing you to spin around. It was Sarah, grinning slyly at you.

"What are you doing here?" you whispered, surprised to see her.

"I'm rescuing you," she declared, giggling before taking the empty tray from your hands and placing it on the counter.

"But I'm only halfway through my shift, and I'm supposed to be filling in for Kiara. If she discovers I'm gone..." You begin to fret.

"Don't worry. I'm incredibly stealthy, and no one will be the wiser," she reassured, leaning in to give you a tender and quick peck on the lips before you could react.

"Sarah!" You grabbed her hand and hustled her outside to the rear of the establishment.

It wasn't just Kiara who had issues with Sarah Cameron; after learning of their encounter, your father loathed the Camerons as well. They were self-absorbed, money-grubbing individuals who only cared about those in the Eight with fortunes comparable to theirs. You and Kiara were kooks and nowhere near their level.

"If my father catches us..." You panicked, while Sarah simply giggled and bit her lip.

"Calm down, babe. You're overreacting. No one will see us," she insisted.

"Look, my car is just over there. We don't even have to go anywhere else. We can head back to my place, take a dip in the pool, and hang out in my room," Sarah suggested, trying to be alluring as she ran her hand up and down your arm.

As she ogled your physique, you frowned and replied, "I'm supposed to finish a shift."

Sarah pleaded with you, "There's only a few more waiters there. Can't you just tell them you're sick, please? We haven't hung out in days!" A pout formed on her lips.

You thought about how you've been working relentlessly as the tourist season picked up, taking all of Kiara's shifts while she hung out with friends. For once, you wanted to enjoy yourself and do something pleasurable. "I mean, I guess," you finally relented, shrugging your shoulders.

Sarah enthusiastically exclaimed, "That's my girl!" and embraced you, locking lips.

As you reciprocated her affection, your tongues intertwined, and her hands wandered up and down your waist, while yours tangled in her hair, eliciting soft sighs from her lips.

As you heard the back door creak open, you hastily disentangled from Sarah and took up a casual stance. She quickly hid behind a stack of crates, ducking down low.

Kiara strolled in looking bewildered to see you outside. "Hey, what are you doing here?" you asked, coughing to clear your throat. It felt like a toad was lodged in there.

"I just got back from being with JJ, and dad told me you were gone – so I came out to look for you," Kiara explained, scanning the back alley of The Wreck with suspicion. "What are you doing out here?"

"Nothing...just chilling," you responded in a laid-back tone, trying to seem unfazed.

"Right," Kiara said, nodding her head skeptically. "By yourself, outside."

You fidgeted, "Yeah. But you know what? I'm not feeling so good. I think I might throw up, so I'm gonna go rest."

Kiara frowned, "Did you tell dad? Your shift isn't over yet."

"Not yet, but I will. I just need to get some fresh air," you said, bringing your nails up to your lips and lightly biting them.

"Fine, I'll tell dad," Kiara replied exasperatedly, turning to leave. She paused briefly, looking back at you.

"You're acting really weird, by the way." With that, she disappeared back inside The Wreck.

As Kiara left, the door slammed shut, and you heaved a sigh of relief. Sarah appeared from behind the crates and teased, "I think I got a cramp from crouching down like that."

"That was too close," you murmured, glancing back at The Wreck as she tugged you towards her parked car.

"I should tell them," you muttered.

Sarah stopped in her tracks, stunned that you were considering telling your parents and Kiara that you two were dating. They didn't even know that you were bisexual, let alone in a relationship with Sarah Cameron.

"Are you serious? You want to tell them?" She smiled incredulously.

You nodded assertively. "Yeah, I think they should know that I have a girlfriend. What's the worst that could happen? They tell me not to date you? We're already experts at sneaking around," you said, concluding with a chuckle.

"Alright, when you're ready, we'll tell them. And I'll tell my dad and Rose too that you're not 'just a friend," Sarah agreed, radiating joy.

[iridescentgleam]

I did it! I finished the Four Swords Manga! It's really late in the day for me, but I didn't finish it until now because I ran out of the sticky tabs I was using to write down any notes about Vio and I couldn't get more until a few hours ago, actually lmao. So here are my final updates! I'll probably do another post tomorrow talking about some of the notes I wrote, but I'd just like to thank you all for joining me on this journey! I've had lots of fun!

We get to see more of Vio's sick archery skills and, honestly, I'm here for it! Love this pose!

No, because this is actually really important. Especially Shadow hearing these words from Zelda, who outright slapped him in the face early in the manga. The open look of realization and vulnerability is so powerful,,,

I'm sorry, I know this is a really big moment in the manga, especially because it preludes to Shadow's death, but, like, this lowkey jump-scared me. Like, I had to do a double-take. They were eluding to something being up with Vio, but I was not expecting them to just come out and say that Shadow was pretending to be Vio. It gives much-needed context to the reader, but damn did that take me off-guard lmao

Vio looks so stern here! He's realized that Shadow's up to something, but he's scared of what it is because whatever way the implications lead, it's not looking good either way. Not to mention, Shadow ran off before anyone could confront him about it but AFTER helping them, so like, Vio's mind is probably going a million miles an hour.

AWWWWWWW!!!! Vio being the one to tell him this is really sweet, despite the fact that they haven't talked to one another after Vio's betrayal,,, His whole death scene is really bittersweet, actually, but I like the ending they gave him! Especially because... well, you'll see!

Had to include some Red before I finish off the post because I love him dearly! ❤️ Genuinely was not going into this expecting Red to be my favorite of the Main Four, but he is and I cherish him quite a lot. He may be kind of tied with Blue for "comic relief character" but they both have really serious moments, too, and, overall, I don't have a lot of complaints with Red's characterization tbh, and I liked the way they made Blue mature by the end without ruining his character either!

Hmmmmmmmmm... HMMMMMMMMMMMM... (This. This is what I mean when I liked the ending he got. I know people like to bring him back in fanworks and such, and that's okay too! I like both equally, but I also don't have complaints about his ending!)

I think I'll leave it here for tonight! Overall, I'm so glad I gave this book a chance! It was such a blast reading it for the first time!